Oilers win chance to select once-in-a-generation talent

The Edmonton Oilers won the Connor McDavid sweepstakes.

Messi nets 400th Barcelona goal

Lionel Messi scored the 400th goal of his Barcelona career as the Catalans beat Champions League-chasing Valencia 2-0 at the Camp Nou on Saturday.

Following the rise and fall of Machiavelli

The medieval hamlet of Sant'Andrea in Percussina sits in the Tuscan hills amid rose-covered stone farmhouses and small country chapels surrounded by acres of silver-green olive groves.

If you go

Fly into one of the international airports in Florence. Pisa International Airport Galileo Galilei and Florence Airport Amerigo Vespucci are the two international airports in the region. If you are flying from Beijing/Shanghai, there are no direct flight available. Alternatively, air travelers can fly into Milan or Rome and get transportation from there to Florence, about a three-hour drive by car from either direction.

On the dragon's tail

In 2008, Dror Hurvits identified his two "criteria" for selecting Chinese cities that he deemed fit for a Westerner to settle down in.

Cross-dressing artist awaits big onstage moment

Li Yugang, with exquisite makeup and his short hair combed neatly back, walks into a meeting room at his studio with his entourage trailing behind. He sits as his helpers inform him of his schedule, handing him a cup of warm, lemon-scented water.

Singing from rooftops

Their musical performances pack university auditoriums, though they play no instruments.

Longchamp's cautious optimism

The economic downturn in Europe and the United States and corruption clampdown in China have left many luxury retailers struggling, but at the more affordable end of the market, some brands are enjoying strong sales. Sun Yuanqing reports.

Chiara has an eye for the chic

Chiara Maria Sassu is an architect-turned-lifestyle blogger. Originally from Italy, she now calls Beijing her second home. In her blog Chiarascoffeetable.com, she writes about all the fun, chic and delicious things she has discovered while exploring the city on her bike. She tells China Daily about her blogging experience in China.

Fashion briefs

Parisian style

Straddling two worlds

Racing ahead

The high-octane Fast and Furious 7 has lived up to its reputation, making 425 million yuan ($68.5 million) on Sunday, when it broke both first-day and single-day records for the Chinese box office.