Oscar race enters final stretch as Sinners gains ground with Actor awards win
With voting now closed, the months-long campaign for Oscar glory is over – but industry insiders are still dissecting every award-season clue in a tight best picture raceVoting for the Oscars closed at 5pm PT on Thursday, meaning that the months-long campaigns of the favoured films have hung up their spurs: the red carpets have been rolled up, hospitality pavilions shut down, the PR minders putting their feet up until the Oscars ceremony itself takes place. The prefatory campaign – on-stage Q&As, special-screening paparazzi shoots, the string of lesser awards ceremonies – is over, and there is now nothing for... [Continue Reading]
US Treasury grants temporary waiver for Indian refiners to buy stranded Russian oil amid Middle East tensions
The United States Treasury has announced a temporary waiver allowing Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil currently stranded at sea. This decision arrives amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East, which have been disrupting crude oil shipments. The waiver, valid for 30 days, aims to facilitate oil flow into the global market, as indicated by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The waiver specifically authorizes transactions involving oil that is already stranded and does not extend broader purchasing privileges to India. According to Bessent, this measure is designed not to substantially benefit the Russian government but to ensure that the global oil... [Continue Reading]
Bernard LaFayette, civil rights leader who helped launch Voting Rights Act, dies aged 85
Early in a life of service, LaFayette did the risky groundwork for the voter registration campaign in Selma, AlabamaBernard LaFayette, the advance man who did the risky groundwork for the voter registration campaign in Selma, Alabama, that culminated in the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, has died.Bernard LaFayette III said his father died Thursday morning of a heart attack. He was 85. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
US House rejects war powers resolution to end Trump’s hostilities with Iran
Democratic-backed measure that would have forced US to withdraw troops failed by a vote of 212-219Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxThe US House of Representatives on Thursday voted down a Democratic-backed measure to halt hostilities with Iran, as Republicans cleared the way for Donald Trump to continue the conflict that has drawn in countries across the Middle East, but criticized as having unclear goals.By a vote of 212-219, the House voted to reject a war powers resolution proposed by Thomas Massie, a Republican representative, and Ro Khanna, a Democratic representative, which... [Continue Reading]
Nepal holds general election following youth-led protests that led to government resignation
Voters in Nepal have cast their ballots in a pivotal general election, marking the first such poll since the nation's youth-led protests resulted in the government’s resignation last September. The polls closed Thursday evening amid a climate of cautious optimism, with voters eager to make their voices heard. Preliminary results are expected as early as Friday, though full results may take several days to finalize. This election comes on the heels of significant political upheaval, which saw widespread demonstrations against the ruling government last year. These protests were fueled by public dissatisfaction regarding governmental performance and economic conditions. In a... [Continue Reading]
‘What happened in Texas is a warning’: advocates say Republicans suppressed votes in the primaries
In Dallas and Williamson counties, voters faced long lines, extended wait times and confusion about voting locationOn Tuesday, Texas held its Democratic and Republican primaries ahead of the upcoming November midterms. Democratic voters chose between Jasmine Crockett, the anti-Trump firebrand congresswoman, and James Talarico, the populist state representative, in an election that attracted national attention. Crockett conceded the race and endorsed Talarico on Wednesday, but only after claiming late on election night that she wasn’t ready to concede because of a voting issue in Dallas.“We don’t have any of the results because there was a lot of confusion today,” Crockett... [Continue Reading]
Nepal: voting closes in election pitting old guard against powerful youth movement
Early results may be released from Friday after first election since gen z protests forced Nepal’s then-PM to quitNearly six months after a wave of unprecedented gen Z-led protests forced Nepal’s then prime minister to quit, people have voted in a general election that is shaping up to be a high-stakes showdown between the entrenched old guard and a powerful youth movement.“The voting process has been concluded peacefully and enthusiastically,” said the chief election commissioner, Ram Prasad Bhandari. It appeared the turnout was only about 60%, according to initial estimates, the lowest in more than two decades. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Nepal elections frame new era after youth protests toppled leaders
Six months after youth-led protests ousted Nepal’s prime minister, people in Kathmandu have been voting in election. [Continue Reading]
US Senate backs Trump on Iran strikes, blocks bid to limit his war powers
US Senate Republicans backed President Donald Trump's military campaign against Iran on Wednesday, voting to block a bipartisan resolution aiming to stop the air war and require that any hostilities against Iran be authorized by Congress. [Continue Reading]
US Senate vote fails to pass resolution limiting Trump's military powers on Iran amid escalating conflict
The ongoing conflict involving Iran has intensified following a recent vote in the US Senate, which failed to pass a bipartisan resolution aimed at limiting President Donald Trump's military powers regarding Iran. The resolution, crucially designed to halt military actions without congressional approval, was defeated with a 53-47 vote, predominantly along party lines. As military operations escalate in the region, this legislative setback leaves Congress with limited power to influence the unfolding crisis. This legislative conflict occurs against the backdrop of military actions that began over the weekend, with both the United States and Israel conducting strikes against Iranian targets.... [Continue Reading]
US House Oversight Committee Votes to Subpoena Attorney-General Pam Bondi in Epstein Investigation
The US House Oversight Committee has taken a significant step by voting to subpoena Attorney-General Pam Bondi in relation to the handling of files concerning the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking investigation. This move reflects bipartisan frustration over the Justice Department's approach toward the release of documents tied to Epstein, a financier accused of heinous crimes involving the abuse of young girls. The vote occurred recently, with five Republican members of Congress aligning with Democrats to support the subpoena, signaling a rare moment of unity across party lines regarding the pressing need for accountability in this case. Republican Congresswoman Nancy Mace... [Continue Reading]
House Oversight Committee Votes to Subpoena US Attorney General Pam Bondi in Epstein Investigation
The House Oversight Committee has taken a significant step in the ongoing investigation into Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell by voting to subpoena US attorney general Pam Bondi. In a notable development, the committee, comprising both Republicans and Democrats, passed the motion by a narrow 24-19 margin, following a proposal by Republican representative Nancy Mace. This decision is being closely watched as it signifies a bipartisan effort to seek clarity regarding the Epstein files, with Mace expressing that "the American people want answers on the Epstein files, and so do we." Bondi's subpoena arises from the scrutiny surrounding her involvement... [Continue Reading]
Trump Confirms Continued US Airstrikes in Iran Amid Ongoing Military Campaign
In a significant escalation of military operations, US President Donald Trump has confirmed that American forces will continue airstrikes against strategic targets in Iran. This announcement, made in the early morning hours on the third day of strikes, indicates a broader commitment to a sustained military campaign aimed at dismantling Iran’s military capabilities. Trump asserted that the operations would proceed with "ferocious, unyielding resolve" and projected the military campaign could last for four to five weeks, albeit with the potential for extension if necessary. Trump detailed the objectives of the strikes, emphasizing the need to "eliminate the intolerable threat posed... [Continue Reading]
Tensions escalate in the Middle East following US and Israeli military actions against Iran after the death of Ayatollah Khamenei
Recent developments in the Middle East have escalated tensions dramatically, primarily due to the military actions undertaken by the United States and Israel against Iran. Following the death of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a power vacuum has emerged, leaving the country and the region in a state of uncertainty. On March 1, Iranian forces launched drone attacks targeting energy facilities in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, inciting retaliatory measures from the US and Israeli military forces. As the situation unfolds, US President Donald Trump has indicated that a larger wave of attacks on Iran is anticipated. In a recent... [Continue Reading]
