'Oppenheimer' won seven Oscars, 'Poor Things' four and 'Barbie' only one. The Best Director is Christopher Nolan and Best Actor is Cillian Murphy (both for Best Picture 'Oppenheimer').

LOS ANGELES, Mar 10: The glamorous night at Dolby belonged to 'Oppenheimer' sweeping Oscar's golden statuettes.

'Oppenheimer' had come to the 24 Academy final with 13 nominations on its back and earning awards in major categories such as best picture, best director and best actor. In nominations, 'Oppenheimer' was followed by 'Poor Things' with 11, 'Killers of the Flower Moon' with 10 and 'Barbie' with eight. '

Oppenheimer' won seven Oscars, 'Poor Things' four and 'Barbie' only one,

The 96th Academy award for best actress to Emma Stone appeared consolation to 'Poor Things'. Moreover, according to CBS, Lily Gladstone, displaced in the process of adjustment and appeasement, was the first native American nominated for best actress in Martin Scorsese's 'Killers of the Flower Moon'!!!

(It was not a mistake Michelle Yeoh handed Emma's award to Jennifer Lawrence. Because Michelle wanted Emma's best friend Lawrence also to share the joy of presenting the award to Emma (see pix). Michelle and Lawrence were among the previous winners gracing the stage.)

'Barbie' the Barbenheimer box-office, had on the other hand, eight nominations but only got one, for best song.

Cillian Murphy the best actor was on a winning spree having stolen the limelight at the Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Comedian and talk show host Jimmy Kimmel was the host of the hilarious ceremony for the fourth time. The show was televised live on ABC.

Stitchless John Cena presenting best costume design award was a cross- border act!

Best Picture: Winner: Oppenheimer (won six more awards: Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor Robert Downey Jr, cinematography, editing and score) Losers: 'American Fiction', 'Anatomy of a Fall', 'Barbie', 'The Holdovers', 'Killers of the Flower Moon', 'Maestro', 'Past Lives', 'Poor Things', 'The Zone of Interest'

Best Director: Winner: Christopher Nolan ('Oppenheimer') Losers: Jonathan Glazer ('The Zone of Interest'), Yorgos Lanthimos ('Poor Things'), Martin Scorsese ('Killers of the Flower Moon'), Justine Triet ('Anatomy of a Fall')

Best Actor: Winner: Cillian Murphy ('Oppenheimer') Losers: Bradley Cooper ('Maestro'), Colman Domingo ('Rustin'), Paul Giamatti ('The Holdovers'), Jeffrey Wright ('American Fiction')

Best Actress: Winner: Emma Stone ('Poor Things') Losers: Annette Bening ('Nyad'), Lily Gladstone ('Killers of the Flower Moon'), Sandra Hüller ('Anatomy of a Fall'), Carey Mulligan ('Maestro')

The full list of Oscars 2024 winners

Best Picture: 'Oppenheimer'
Best Director: Christopher Nolan, 'Oppenheimer'
Best Actor: Cillian Murphy, 'Oppenheimer'
Best Actress: Emma Stone, 'Poor Things'
Best Supporting Actor: Robert Downey Jr, 'Oppenheimer'
Best Supporting Actress: Da'Vine Joy Randolph, 'The Holdovers'
Best original screenplay: Justine Triet and Arthur Harari, 'Anatomy of a Fall'
Best adapted screenplay: Cord Jefferson, 'American Fiction'
Best animated feature: 'The Boy and the Heron'
Best animated short: 'War is Over! Inspired by the Music of John Lennon and Yoko Ono' Best international feature: 'The Zone of Interest' (United Kingdom)
Best documentary feature: '20 Days in Mariupol'
Best documentary short: 'The Last Repair Shop'
Best live action short: 'The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar'
Best score: Ludwig Göransson, 'Oppenheimer'
Best original song: Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell, 'What Was I Made For?' from 'Barbie'
Best sound: Tarn Willers and Johnnie Burn, 'The Zone of Interest'
Best production design: James Price, Shona Heath and Zsuzsa Mihalek, 'Poor Things'
Best cinematography: Hoyte van Hoytema, 'Oppenheimer'
Best makeup and hairstyling: Nadia Stacey, Mark Coulier and Josh Weston, 'Poor Things' Best costume design: Holly Waddington, 'Poor Things'
Best editing: Jennifer Lame, 'Oppenheimer'
Best visual effects: Takashi Yamazaki, Kiyoko Shibuya, Masaki Takahashi and Tatsuji Nojima, 'Godzilla Minus One'

A night of glamour and triumph

The 96th Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars, unfolded on a star-studded evening at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on March 10. As the film industry's most prestigious event, the Oscars celebrated outstanding achievements in cinema, recognizing the talent, creativity, and dedication of filmmakers, actors, and crew members.

The anticipation was palpable as the nominees gathered on the red carpet. Leading the pack was "Oppenheimer", the epic historical drama directed by Christopher Nolan, with an impressive 13 nominations. Close on its heels were "Poor Things" (directed by Yorgos Lanthimos) with 11 nominations and "Killers of the Flower Moon" (directed by Martin Scorsese) with 10 nominations. The competition was fierce, and cinephiles worldwide eagerly awaited the results.

This year, all five songs nominated for Best Original Song graced the stage. Becky G, with her soulful rendition of "Whispers in the Wind," left the audience spellbound. Ryan Gosling surprised everyone by showcasing his hidden vocal talents, belting out "Midnight Serenade." And of course, the incomparable Billie Eilish delivered a hauntingly beautiful performance of "Fading Echoes."

Celebrities dazzled in their designer ensembles as they made their way down the red carpet. America Ferrera, nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in "Barbie," turned heads in a resplendent pink gown adorned with delicate lace. Billie Eilish opted for a chic black blazer paired with tailored pants, accessorized with a houndstooth purse. The fashion police unanimously declared it a win-win situation.

Before the awards were announced, the stage belonged to the legends. Previous Best Actress winners, including Michelle Yeoh, Sally Field, Charlize Theron, Jennifer Lawrence, and Jessica Lange, paid tribute to this year's nominees. Their heartfelt speeches reminded us of the enduring magic of cinema and the torchbearers who continue to inspire generations.

The film "Oppenheimer" led the nominations with a total of 13 nods, closely followed by "Poor Things" with 11 nominations and "Killers of the Flower Moon" with 10 nominations.

During the ceremony, all five songs nominated for the Best Original Song category were performed. Artists like Becky G, Ryan Gosling, and Billie Eilish graced the stage with their musical talents.

As the curtain fell on the 96th Oscars, the glittering statuettes found new homes, and the applause echoed through the theater. The magic of cinema had once again united us all, reminding us that storytelling transcends borders and touches our souls. Until next year, Hollywood!

Disclaimer: This part (A night of glamour and triumph) of the report is a creative representation by AI

ANALYSIS: A pious Catholic and a gentleman (in contrast to the savage-looking felon), Biden is the most experienced politician that he doesn't look. Of Irish descent, he has been around the Capitol Hill and the White House for over five decades, quietly observing people and events. With his rich experience and insight, understanding Biden and what he does now will be possible only retrospectively, may be a year later!! Therefore not many Americans can see that for some time now he has been preparing his 'favourite child' to take on his mantle.

At the end of it all what will stand is what Nikki Haley said on X, "Mark my words... Biden will not be the Democratic nominee. Republicans, get your guard up!"

If and when he withdraws from contest, he must quit White House as well. Why?

OPPOSITION WAKES UP ! The Opposition accused the Prime Minister, who seems to insist he alone will inaugurate everything in the country, of "hurriedly inaugurating" an "incomplete terminal" in March last for publicity on the eve of the general elections. At that time he had also laid the foundation stone for 15 other airport projects across the country. He was also accused of inaugurating an incomplete Ram temple in Ayodhya in January which started leaking in the first downpour last weekend.

It is also puzzling why every few years airport buildings are demolished in Delhi and new plans are made for new constructions and nobody seems to take notice! (Because the airport itself is tucked away in a far corner, not easily accessible to the discerning, with a web of roads going only round and round like a tape around a spool, as if not reaching anywhere!)

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge accused the Modi Government of "corruption and criminal negligence" in the name of infrastructure projects (launched every other day) in the last 10 years. Kharge also said Modi has been keen on indulging in ribbon-cutting ceremonies.

Trinamool Congress leader Saket Gokhale asked, "Why shouldn't PM Modi be charged with culpable homicide?"

COMMENT: A simple question but difficult to understand is why the people should be concerned about whether an NTA director is sacked for paper leakage or a DGP is removed for law and order breakdown. The people have nothing to do with the elite appointments nor their conduct. They are the cousin-brothers of the political dispensation. If not barred by fixation, kindly take a look at other countries!

“What I want to do and what I will do is, you graduate from a college, I think you should get automatically as part of your diploma (two-year programs or doctoral degrees) a green card to be able to stay in this country” permanently, the presidential candidate said. Asked if he would promise to allow the “best and the brightest around the world to (come to) America,” Trump firmly replied: “I do promise.”

COMMENT: Could Biden visualise a better immigration formula to build a still stronger America? Will Kamala Harris, in charge of migration, and struggling for ideas, take note?

Delhi has recorded the hottest night (35+ deg C), unheard of since the beginning of time! For 30 consecutive days the maximum temp is above 40 deg C and in the nights too the mercury stayed high as there is hardly any earth around to absorb and dissipate the day's heat. Add on to the nightmare the acute water shortage in the national Capital due to the power-hungry, low-grade politicians squabbling for one-upmanship. More than 200 people died in Delhi-NCR in the past two days. Most of them are poor people, labourers, the homeless, beggars.

An anatomy of NEET 2024: From the start till finish NEET will stay put as a conundrum jinxed as it is. What if it was thought angels would come down from the heaven to conduct the entrance exam if done at the Centre and if in the States, they would be conducted by the corrupt mortals. So NEET was born... It's 'guaranteed' that no party will ever be able to do what is required to be done in the country. Because of their genetics. Frauds will only multiply. Is there anything worse? Yes. Shoot the messenger!

A video shows the terrifying scene of the chopper swirling and dropping nose down mid-air around the helipad. In fact, the rear rotor had gone for a toss and the pilot was performing autorotation for a crash-landing. He pulled it off! Congrats!

True or false, Savitri claimed her husband had told her to throw Vinod into the canal as all that he does is eat. "How much torture can my son endure?" She picked him up when he was asleep.

Marking a decisive stage in the ongoing tussle between Governors and the Governments in some States, the Governor of Bengal has thrown down the gauntlet to the State police, asking the Raj Bhavan staff to refuse any enquiry from the cops in the sexual harassment case filed by a woman employee against him.

COMMENT: In many a case complaints can be frivolous, made under certain circumstances. So it is more in the interest of the accused that there is an investigation to clear his name. Denial may only mean acceptance of the guilt. Besides, quoting Constitutional immunity in sexual harassment cases is nothing short of a vulgarity of the feudal landlord. Nobody is above the law.

While the universal apprentice scheme will enable the educated youth to stand up (literally) in a country where the people are trampled by wretched politicians, and look about for avenues to earn a living confidently, the provision of student credit cards of up to Rs 10 lakh will ensure each and every student of this country receives equal opportunities to fulfil their aspirations of higher education irrespective of their financial conditions. It will be a game changer. These are on the lines of what US Vice-President Kamala Harris visualised to be happening to the Third World when she hailed Ajay Banga as a transformative World Bank President.

Peter Higgs is the father of the mysterious Higgs boson, otherwise called 'God Particle', which gives mass to all elementary particles, and created our universe. His contribution helped other scientists understand how the Big Bang created something out of nothing 13.8 billion years ago. The equations of particle physicists which did not have a leg to stand on till then, the 'God Particle' came as a Godsend. The theories so far to describe the universe did not hold water.

It was only by 2012, after 50 years of the boson discovery, that scientists at CERN could make the big announcement that they had finally found a Higgs boson using the Large Hadron Collider.

Higgs instantly broke into tears, tears of profound satisfaction, in the lecture hall where the announcement was made.

LEGAL REMEDIES: Last year, on the directive of the Supreme Court, the Governor granted assent to one Bill, and referred seven Bills to the President. The petition against the President also challenges the Governor's action of referring the Bills to her.

The unprecedented step by the State may also establish that it always upholds the Constitution and the rule of law in order to pre-empt any eventuality of getting dismissed on flimsy grounds invoking provisions of the Constitution later on; and, also provide a thrust to an emerging platform of regional forces pitted against the ongoing centralisation of every subject and activity in the country under one umbrella where the States will ultimately 'wither' away (for some time).

OPINION: Made to happen as it does just weeks ahead of the general elections, the arrest may signal, if not the cause of, far-reaching consequences in the course of Indian politics. The Opposition charges that the ruling party at the Centre has unleashed the police to catch a leader every other day for corruption allegedly indulged in in the present or the remote past in order to incapacitate any concerted opposition to the ruling dispensation.

The “My way or the highway" man, Trump has predicted 'apocalypse' for Americans if he is not elected the President in the upcoming election. He sounds “extremism, affection for violence." As always, he is also seeing what others don't, and repetitively using words like "(2020) election was stolen"! And that's a symptom! Delivering a no-holds-barred speech at a rally in Ohio, he also predicted the US won't see another election if he did not win the November battle against the incumbent President. With his savage push against the God-fearing Catholic, and the heap of criminal cases pending in the courts, the unpredictable Trump's nomination exposes a season of drought of leadership of calibre in the United States.

The much-touted 'one-nation, one-election' argument was purportedly to prevent wasteful expenditure of the people's money, manpower and deceleration of development, but the committee report when implemented will end up paving the way for holding more elections than currently being held. Because of the logistics and democratic limitations involved, the committee was not expected by commonsense to be out of a loose end either! Those who are alive at that time, and further for ten more years thereafter, can count the rounds and compare with the present numbers. Therefore, either the agenda is different or the 8-volume presentation is faulty/made-up!!!

The manager has defended himself saying that dry ice got mixed with mouth freshener by the negligence of the staff...After taking the mouth freshener the customers felt a burning sensation and started vomiting blood. Five of them were hospitalised. Two are in critical condition.

Harmful effects of dry ice: Ingested, dry ice can burn your mouth, esophagus and stomach as it sublimates on contact with the moisture of the organs and turns into CO2, apart from other damaging physical and chemical changes it induces. The pressure building up in the stomach due to sublimation can also rupture the stomach muscles. It turns lethal. In normal direct handling it leads to frostbite due to the cold temperature.

One of them is seen in CCTV being shot at close range. The motive is suspected to be personal enmity.

TAILPIECE: Almost every other day we hear of shootings in one place or other in the country. India will very soon replace the US as the world's No 1 in the incidence of mass shooting. It will eclipse terrorism as a source of concern. Who can help? At least, has it occurred to anyone's mind?

'This Moment' of Shakti fusion won the Best Global Music Album at the Grammys. Zakir Hussain has won two other awards too. In a great victory for Indians, five of them have won the Grammys this time. In other sections, Taylor Swift got her fourth Album of the Year award and Miley Cyrus got an award for the first time.

The Government scheme provides ₹ 51,000 per wedding of which ₹ 35,000 goes to the girl, ₹ 10,000 for wedding materials and ₹ 6,000 towards expenses for the ceremony.

“Two activists from the environmental movement ‘Riposte Alimentaire’ sprayed pumpkin soup on the armoured glass protecting the Mona Lisa, this Sunday, January 28, 2024, around 10 am (4aET),” a statement from the museum said.

It is not understood how undesirable elements are allowed to get so close to her and play havoc with the artwork. Several times over this has happened in the past, deranged minds masquerading as tourists and cultists venting their frustration.