The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) did the first flag-raising ceremony of 2018 on Monday at Tiananmen Square, Beijing at 7:36 am.
This is the first time the PLA has overseen the mission of guarding China's national flag and conducting the gun salute. The ceremony used to be carried out by the armed police but will be carried out by the PLA from now on.
At 7:32 am, bugles were sounded on the Tiananmen Rostrum. Beneath it, 96 soldiers guarding a giant five-star red flag began marching toward the square.
More than 90,000 visitors braved the cold winter morning, gathered at Tiananmen Square and waited for hours just to be part of the ceremony. Together they saw the national flag be hoisted in the heart of Beijing on the first day of 2018.
Mariah Carey is going to add some American pop-star pedigree to the opening ceremony for the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
The local organizing committee announced on Monday that the 56-year-old Carey — the “All I Want for Christmas is You” singer — is the first international star named to perform in the Feb. 6 ceremony at Milan’s San Siro soccer stadium.
“Ci vediamo a Milano” — ‘See you in Milan’ — Carey said on Instagram.
Carey sang the U.S. national anthem at the 2002 Super Bowl but has never performed at the game’s halftime show. She has won six Grammy awards.
Carey has recorded 19 No. 1 hits, according to Billboard, which lists her as the fourth-greatest recording artist of all time, trailing the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and Elton John.
A crowd of 60,000 spectators is slated for the opening ceremony, with millions more expected to watch on television.
Lady Gaga and Celine Dion performed during the opening ceremony for last year's Summer Olympics in Paris.
“Mariah Carey fully represents the emotional atmosphere that accompanies the run-up to the Games,” the committee said. “Music is a universal language that attracts different stories and sensibilities, and intertwines with the opening ceremony’s theme of harmony.”
The only other detail announced for the ceremony so far is that there will be a tribute to the late fashion designer Giorgio Armani, who died at his home in Milan in September at the age of 91.
The Games will be spread over northern Italy, and simultaneous but smaller opening ceremonies are to be held in three mountain clusters as well.
The main ceremony will put a spotlight on the San Siro, which is home to the Inter Milan and AC Milan soccer clubs. It is set to be torn down and replaced by a new stadium after the Games.
Internationally acclaimed ballet star Roberto Bolle will headline the closing ceremony, which is slated for Verona’s ancient Roman Arena on Feb. 22.
AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics
FILE - Mariah Carey performs during the BET Awards on Monday, June 9, 2025, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)
FILE - Mariah Carey accepts the ultimate icon award during the BET Awards on Monday, June 9, 2025, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)
