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The Star
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Roundup: Disneyland kicks off 70th anniversary festivities
by Xinhua writers Tan Jingjing, Gao Shan LOS ANGELES, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Disneyland Resort in U.S. California launches its 70th anniversary celebration this week with a host of special events, new attractions, vibrant decorations, themed food and beverages, and commemorative merchandise. The yearlong celebrations will officially open to the public on Friday, after media preview days on Tuesday and Wednesday. Located in Anaheim, Southern California, the park is filled with a festive atmosphere, as visitors immerse themselves in the magic of Disney. The entire resort is adorned in bold shades of blue, magenta, and purple, accented with gold -- including a regal medallion on Sleeping Beauty Castle. A new upbeat theme song titled "Celebrate Happy," composed specially for the anniversary, plays throughout various entertainment experiences in the park. At the gates of the Disneyland park, a floral arrangement of Mickey Mouse greets visitors, surrounded by vibrant flower beds. Main Street is festooned with colorful banners and bunting, further enhancing the celebratory spirit. A daytime parade, "Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!" has returned to Disney California Adventure Park. Showcasing beloved Pixar characters, the parade highlights heartwarming stories of friendship through dynamic floats, lively music, and appearances by more than two dozen characters from films such as Luca, Turning Red, and Up. Well-known Disney characters including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and their pals greet guests in Town Square dressed in special 70th anniversary attire, featuring bright colors and sparkling embellishments. The celebrations also feature a dazzling nighttime parade, "Paint the Night," which lights up the park with over one million LED lights. With the help of Tinker Bell's pixie dust, Mickey Mouse uses his imagination to bring Disney and Pixar stories to life. The parade includes characters from films such as Cars, Toy Story, The Little Mermaid, and Beauty and the Beast, enhanced with innovative floats, vibrant costumes, and special effects. An all-new nighttime water show, "World of Color Happiness!" debuts at Paradise Bay in Adventure Park. The spectacular display explores the theme of happiness through a kaleidoscope of emotions inspired by Pixar's Inside Out and Inside Out 2. The show combines signature fountains, lasers, fog, flame effects, and music to create a mesmerizing experience. To mark the occasion, Disneyland has also introduced a wide range of themed food and beverage options, along with special merchandise. One highlight is the "Key to Disneyland," a collectible toy that activates features at nine interactive lock stations throughout the park. Amanda Luna, a spokesperson for Disneyland's 70th anniversary, and a merchandising manager, told Xinhua that Chinese tourists represent a major segment of Disneyland's visitors. Disneyland attaches great importance to the Chinese market, and hopes to welcome more tourists from around the world, including China. "Disneyland have parks in Shanghai and Hong Kong, and we will continue to partner with all of our global sites," she said. Disney California Adventure Park also hosts Lunar New Year celebrations annually, featuring Asian cultural performances, festive cuisine, and themed entertainment. The 70th anniversary celebrations at Disneyland Resort will continue through the summer of 2026.
The Star
09-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Roundup: U.S. measles cases top 1,000 in 2025, highest level in 6 years
by Xinhua writer Tan Jingjing LOS ANGELES, May 9 (Xinhua) -- The United States has recorded more than 1,000 measles cases so far in 2025, marking the highest annual count in six years, according to the latest data released Friday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This is the first time the country has surpassed 1,000 measles cases in a single year since 2019, when 1,274 infections were reported nationwide. As of Thursday, 1,001 cases were confirmed across 31 U.S. jurisdictions, including 126 hospitalizations and three deaths, according to the CDC. A total of 14 measles outbreaks have been recorded nationwide this year. The CDC defines an outbreak as three or more connected cases. Approximately 13 percent of infected individuals this year have required hospitalization, with children under age 5 making up the majority of severe cases. Alarmingly, about 96 percent of confirmed measles cases occurred in individuals who were unvaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown, according to CDC data. Texas has reported the highest number of cases, with 709 confirmed infections as of Friday, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. The outbreak has heavily affected the western part of the state, leading to 92 hospitalizations and the deaths of two unvaccinated school-aged children who had no known underlying health conditions. A third measles-related death occurred in New Mexico, involving an unvaccinated adult who tested positive posthumously, according to the state's Department of Health. New Mexico has reported 71 cases this year, most of which are concentrated in Lea County, which borders western Texas. This year's case count reflects a sharp increase compared to 2024, when 285 measles cases were reported across the United States. Health authorities have urged the public and healthcare providers to remain vigilant, especially when evaluating patients with fever and rash symptoms who have recently traveled or been exposed to known cases. Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can cause fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a rash that spreads over the body. Serious complications can occur, including pneumonia, brain swelling, and even death. The CDC continues to emphasize that vaccination remains the most effective method of preventing measles. Two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine provide strong protection against the virus.
