HOSSEIN VAFAEI was close to tears after making an “unforgivable” mistake in his World Open victory over Ronnie O’Sullivan.

The Prince of Persia defeated O’Sullivan 5-4 in the last 16 at the Yushan Sport Center in China on Thursday.

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However, the Iranian almost neglected his chances of victory during a dramatic final frame.

Vafaei looked on course to win before missing a straight red, leaving the commentators stunned.

His mistake allowed the Rocket to return to the table, with O’Sullivan opening a 26-point lead after potting the final red.

He then missed a black pass along the cushion and gave the initiative back to Vafaei, who eventually won the match.

He told me afterwards WST.tv: “I’m still shocked at how I missed that red to be honest. I feel great, but to be honest, I’m still shocked at how I missed that red.

‘I went down so fast [on the shot] that my eyes could see nowhere. That was unforgivable.”

Revealing how emotional he was during the final frame, Vafaei continued: “I had to control myself, but inside I was almost crying, how did I miss that?

“Because I saw red on the position on the table and suddenly I said: ‘That’s done, I did it’. And then suddenly I missed red, I don’t know how.”

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The eventful clash of the last 16 was earlier disrupted by a “xylophone” sound from the crowd.

Vafaei’s victory sets up a quarter-final meeting with Ding Junhui for a place in the last four.

This week’s World Open concludes on Sunday with the winner taking home £170,000 in prize money.

KATIE SIGMUND felt the burn and showed off her bum after a sweaty workout.

The social media sensation is quickly approaching the level of fellow golfer Paige Spiranac in terms of her massive Instagram following.

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And the influencer once again hinted at her strict regime at the gym as she posed for a rear-view selfie in Lycra-style shorts and a sports bra.

Katie gave an amazing twirl and pout as she revealed her toned body.

The American, 21, looked pink after her training session.

But that’s nothing compared to her colorful looks in a series of risque photos posted online in bright red and blue outfits, as well as tiny bikinis.

She chose a tiny scarlet swimsuit for Halloween and a flowing crimson dress for glamorous side-on shots – then switched to an ocean blue dress for lavish images during a holiday on the Italian coast.

Katie now has 3.2 million Instagram followers, just 800,000 fewer than former professional golfer Paige.

And the many ways she has fueled her battle to become the queen of swing on social media include saucy photos on a dirt bike.

She teased admirers with an invitation to “Hop on!” as she prepared to roar away into the Californian desert.

That time she wore a black jersey number and thigh-high white boots.

But she was dressed in more traditional gym clothes for her latest Instagram post.

And as Katie turned to look at her phone, she added the caption “Cutting szn,” followed by a heart.

These words could be a reference to the phase – or season – when body toners reduce their calorie intake in the hopes of losing body fat without losing muscle mass.

If so, it suggests that Katie is pushing herself to the limit with her fitness regime.

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Violent scenes unfolded in Turkey after Trabzonspor fans tried to attack Fenerbahçe players as they stormed the pitch after their Super Lig match.

Fenerbahce won the intense match 3-2, with Michy Batshuayi scoring the decisive goal in the closing stages after former Man United midfielder Fred had scored twice.

With tensions already high, shameful scenes took place after the final whistle as several Trabzonspor supporters stormed the pitch and confronted the Fenerbahce players, who were forced to defend themselves.

The feeling of hostility at the Papara Park stadium was heightened by the late Batshuyai winner as supporters began throwing objects onto the pitch.

With three points secured, Fenerbahce’s players celebrated together in the center of the pitch before the violent scenes worsened.

The incident started when a lone supporter stormed onto the pitch before former QPR star Bright Osayi-Samuel intervened

Corner flags were used as makeshift weapons against players as they tried to find shelter

The incident started when a lone supporter eluded the stewards and ran straight towards the celebrating stars in the center of the pitch.

As they moved closer to the players without being intercepted by security, former QPR star Bright Osayi-Samuel was forced to fight back to protect himself.

The 26-year-old could be seen throwing punches at his would-be attacker as his teammates and staff rushed to his aid.

From then on, the situation evolved even further as dozens of fans pushed their way past the barricades and rushed straight onto the pitch.

Clips circulating on social media showed another supporter sprinting straight towards former Chelsea and Crystal Palace star Batshuayi.

Taking immediate action, the Belgian forward launched a spinning heel kick, making contact with the supporter and causing him to quickly disperse.

The potential for serious damage allegedly caused during the incident was made frighteningly clear with images on social media that appeared to show a supporter brandishing a weapon during the ugly scenes.

Former Man United star Fred gave his side a two-goal lead in Trabzon before the hosts fought back after the break to level the match

With just a few minutes to go, Belgian striker Michy Batshuayi restored Fenerbahce’s lead

The winner provoked an immediate response from the opposing supporters by throwing flares and other objects onto the field

Stewards tried to protect the players as dozens of fans crowded the field at full time

Violent scenes broke out in several areas of the field as players were forced to defend themselves

Fenerbahce’s players were then protected by security forces as they attempted to return to the sanctuary of the changing rooms.

Later, Fenerbahce boss Ismail Kartal said his players were attacked and that they had not provoked fans.

Trabzonspor manager Abdullah Avci echoed Kartal’s thoughts and admitted the events were disturbing.

Meanwhile, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya condemned the violence as he revealed authorities had already begun action investigate the identification of the perpetrators.

Writing on

‘Sport is above all sportsmanship. It is never acceptable for violence to take place on football fields.

‘The public is informed about the developments.

The shocking scenes mark just the latest controversial incident to take place in the Turkish top flight this season.

In December, Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca physically attacked referee Halil Umut Meler in the aftermath of his side’s draw against Rizespor.

Security tried in vain to quell the violence on the field, as more and more supporters rushed in

The incident was later condemned on social media by Turkey’s Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya

Yerlikaya emphasized that an investigation is already underway to identify those involved in the violence

Others then subjected him to a series of kicks as he curled up on the ground and covered his face.

A large crowd of players, coaching staff and security quickly raced to the scene to stop the attack, with the shocked Meler suffering a minor fracture during the incident.

The match official spent more than a week in hospital following the brutal attack, where he was visited by Yerlikaya before returning to his duties in January.

All Turkish competitions were suspended following the incident before resuming after a week-long hiatus.

A picturesque East African town is emerging as the new party hotspot for British tourists looking for sun, sand and a £1 beer.

Zanzibar, Tanzania’s stunning island paradise, has even been compared to the new party town ‘Magaluf’ by holidaymakers who can enjoy turquoise waters and nightclubs from just £6.50 pppn.

With its pristine beaches, affordable drinks and year-round tropical climate, this breathtaking island paradise has quickly gained popularity for those seeking vibrant nightlife and breathtaking natural beauty.

According to recent statistics from luxury tour operator Scott Dunn, ‘up and coming’ Zanzibar has experienced an astonishing 83% increase in bookings among its wealthy clientele.

The surge in tourism comes as popular European holiday destinations such as Lanzarote and Amsterdam crack down on rowdy behavior and ask drunk Brits to ‘stay away’.

Zanzibar, Tanzania’s breathtaking island paradise, is being dubbed the new ‘Magaluf’ party town by holidaymakers, who can enjoy turquoise waters and nightclubs from just £6.50 pppn

However, there is one part of the island that is not the preserve of the wealthy and where British tourists are flocking in record numbers: the capital Zanzibar City.

One of the main attractions that draws British tourists to Zanzibar City is its unbeatable drink offerings.

According to PintPrice, not only can you get pints from £1.06, but according to Hikers Bay you can get a meal from just £3.84 at an affordable restaurant in the city.

There are also affordable prices for accommodation options, with one budget double room for two adults, found by Daily star on booking.com, worth just £13 per night – that’s a whopping £6.50 per person.

There are many bars, clubs and restaurants where Brits have partied the night away, as well as exploring historic sites such as Stone Town, the birthplace of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury.

From snorkeling in the crystal clear waters of the Indian Sea to exploring historic towns, visitors to Zanzibar are spoiled for choice when it comes to leisure activities and cultural immersion.

The country also boasts the famous Serengeti National Park – home to safaris’ ‘big five’ lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos and rhinos – as well as Africa’s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro.

Furthermore, Zanzibar’s idyllic beaches and consistently warm temperatures, which average around 30 degrees Celsius all year round, provide the perfect backdrop for unforgettable holiday experiences.

One of the main attractions that draws British tourists to Zanzibar City is its unbeatable drink deals, with local bars offering refreshing beers for as little as £1

There are unbeatable prices for accommodation options too, with one budget double room for two adults for just £13 per night – that’s a whopping £6.50 per person

There are many bars, clubs and restaurants where Brits have partied all night, as well as exploring historic sites such as Stone Town (pictured)

From snorkeling in the crystal clear waters of the Indian Sea to exploring historic towns, visitors to Zanzibar are spoiled for choice when it comes to leisure activities and cultural immersion

The country also boasts the famous Serengeti National Park – home to safaris’ ‘big five’ lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos and rhinos – as well as Africa’s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro.

Scott Dunn advised: ‘You can enjoy a less crowded safari from November to March as this is usually the green season.

‘Rainfall turns the landscape into lush green and that is when you are most likely to see newborn animals.’

With flights on Skyscanner available for as little as £378 return, Zanzibar is poised to remain a top choice for years to come for travelers looking for an affordable yet unforgettable holiday.

Meanwhile, Brits are being warned about a little-known rule that could turn a dream Spanish holiday into a nightmare.

In Benidorm, a new rule affects the place where holidaymakers abroad spend the most time: the beach.

Time restrictions mean that if you are caught in the sea between midnight and 7am you risk being fined between €750 and €1,200 (£641.71 to £1,026.73).

Former President Donald Trump blamed his successor, President Joe Biden, for some awkward moments with his teleprompter as he spoke at a rally in Ohio on Saturday afternoon.

Trump spoke Saturday at a windswept airport outside Dayton in support of his presidential rematch with Biden and his favored Senate candidate Bernie Moreno.

The presumptive Republican nominee, 77, repeatedly noted that he was having trouble reading his teleprompters, which were visibly flapping in 35-mph winds.

As the prompters rolled around and Trump became increasingly visibly frustrated – at one point saying, “Don’t pay these suckers!” to those who set it up – about the inability to understand his speech, he joked: “I think Joe Biden put them in there!”

Although he bragged about how nice it was to have “a president who doesn’t need a teleprompter,” he made some obvious speaking errors during the meeting without being able to use them.

Notably, he claimed that President Biden once defeated former President Barack Obama in an election, after saying Trump would beat Biden by “the largest margins ever.”

‘You know what’s interesting? Joe Biden defeated Barack Hussein Obama, has anyone ever heard of him? Biden defeated Obama in every swing state, but he was assassinated in every other state.”

He was also recorded struggling to pronounce the name of the band The Rolling Stones, whose music Trump’s team uses at rallies, calling them “The Rolling Storns.”

Trump also mispronounced the word “bite” while retelling his infamous “The Snake” story.

Progressive media also claimed that Trump made a mistake in pronouncing candidate Moreno’s name, pronouncing it more like “Marino.”

Moreno, a former Trump critic who is a wealthy Cleveland businessman, supported Marco Rubio for president during the 2016 Republican primaries, once tweeting that listening to Trump was “like watching a car crash that makes you sick, but you can stop looking’. ‘

In 2021, NBC News reported on an email exchange around the time of Trump’s first presidential run in which Moreno called Trump a “crazy” and a “maniac.”

At a wind-swept airport outside Dayton on Saturday, Trump rallied support for his presidential rematch with Biden and his favored Senate candidate Bernie Moreno.

Guests listen as Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump, addresses supporters during a rally at Dayton International Airport

The presumptive Republican nominee, 77, repeatedly noted that he had difficulty reading his teleprompters, which were visibly flapping in 55 mile-per-hour wind gusts.

On Saturday, however, Moreno praised Trump as a “great American” and railed against those in his party who criticized the former president, who this week became his party’s presumptive nominee for a third straight election.

“I’m so sick of Republicans saying, ‘I support President Trump’s policies, but I don’t like the man,’” he said as he stood on stage with Trump.

Trump also dismissed the recent allegations against Moreno, comparing them to attacks he has faced over the years, including his criminal charges.

The former president has been charged in four separate cases involving his handling of classified documents and his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

“He’s getting very harsh bogus treatment from the Democrats right now,” Trump said. ‘And we will not support that.’

Trump also accused Biden of posing a threat to Social Security in his comments as he continued to clean up comments from an interview earlier this week in which he appeared open to cuts.

“Your Social Security will be gone,” he warned of a second Biden term, even as Biden has pledged to protect and strengthen Social Security as it faces a projected budget deficit.

“With this man in office, you cannot get social security because he is destroying our country’s economy. And that also applies to Medicare, by the way, and American seniors are going to be in big trouble.”

The presumptive Republican nominee, 77, repeatedly noted that he had difficulty reading his teleprompters, which were visibly flapping in 55 mile-per-hour wind gusts.

Supporters of former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump wait to hear him speak at a Buckeye Values ​​PAC Rally

Guests take photos as the plane of Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump, lands

“I have promised that I will always adhere to Social Security and Medicare. We will always keep it. We’ll never make it,” he said.

Trump is scrambling to catch up on President Joe Biden’s huge fundraising advantage with just eight months until the election.

The Republican National Committee has just $40 million in the bank, compared to the $130 million the Democratic operations had last month.

The massive funding gap is steadily widening as Democrats open their wallets to support Biden’s campaign to retain the White House.

Democrats raised more than $10 million in the 24 hours after last Thursday’s State of the Union, far more than Trump’s biggest day, where he raised $4.2 million after his mugshot in the Georgia election fraud case was released .

THE competition watchdog will sink its teeth into rival Barratt’s proposed £2.5 billion takeover of housebuilder Redrow.

The deal, announced last month, would cement Barratt’s status as Britain’s largest housebuilder.

The companies would jointly develop 23,000 homes a year and achieve a turnover of more than £7 billion.

Competition research and Markets Authority comes weeks after it announced a separate investigation into eight companies, including Barratt and Redrow.

That was more than claims that they shared commercially sensitive information that could affect house prices and property values.

The CMA’s inspection of the Barratt-Redrow deal will focus on whether it creates a “material reduction in competition” for EU consumers. future.

The regulator said yesterday it was seeking information before launching an official investigation.

A spokesperson for Barratt said: “We are confident that the combination of Barratt and Redrow is in our future best interests from customers and will accelerate the delivery of the homes this country needs.

“We look forward to working constructively with the CMA as they carry out their duties judgement.”

Interested parties can submit their views until April 2.

No Currys bid

Chinese online giant JD.com says it is no longer interested in acquiring Currys.

It comes just days after US firm Elliott Advisors also said it would not pursue another approach for Currys after a 67 cents per share offer was rejected. Currys shares fell 3.9 per cent to 56.60p yesterday.

Voda sale

Vodafone is selling its Italian operations to Switzerland’s Swisscom in a £6.8 billion deal.

Telecoms FTSE 100 returns £3.4 billion as a sweetener for investors. Voda boss Margherita Della Valle called the Italian sale the “final step in the transformation of our European operations”.

Good week

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Marta Ortega Perez, chairman of Inditex and daughter of the billionaire founder, has steered Zara to record sales.

Bad week

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Adidas boss Bjorn Gulden reported his first loss in 30 years after the Yeezy trainer deal collapsed.

ELON Musk has unveiled the latest phase of turning his X-app into a so-called ‘everything app’ – and joining YouTube.

The eccentric billionaire first revealed his plans for

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It was then that Musk described a theoretical single place where users can access most, if not all, of their favorite online services and tools.

In China, a version of the idea already exists in WeChat, which started as a messaging platform similar to WhatsApp.

As I said, X is the new WeChat! Everything on one platform! Elon didn’t buy it for fun!

X user @HustleCatalyst

Over the years, WeChat has evolved into its own mini Internet that allows users to do everything from sharing social media-style messages to receiving news, making payments, booking restaurants and ordering taxis .

First Twitter became X, and now X will become something completely different.

In a short post on X, Musk hinted that users will “soon” be able to watch long videos via

This includes Samsung TVs and Amazon Fire Sticks.

Onlookers think X’s video version could rival Google’s YouTube.

But others aren’t fans of the decision and just want Twitter to remain a text-based app.

“I want Twitter to be Twitter. Not YouTube. Not the cash app,” said one X user wrote.

Another tweeted: “Like I said, X is the new WeChat! All in one platform! Elon didn’t buy it for fun!”

But the X-team doesn’t see this as a huge transition or major news update.

In a blog post earlier this year, the team claimed that X is already a video-first platform and that eight out of 10 user sessions involved watching videos.

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Social media apps like Facebook, TikTok and WhatsApp have become extremely popular but always hide new features or leading viral trends. So here are some of the best things to know…

MARK Zuckerberg waded into the Apple Vision Pro vs. Meta Quest debate again with one message: Apple’s headset is “worse in most respects.”

Last month, the Meta founder further fueled his company’s rivalry with Apple after beating out its competitors’ mixed reality headset.

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At the time, Zuckerberg had few positive things to say about the flashy Apple Vision Pro, only managing to describe some features as “nice.”

The Apple Vision Pro headset was released in the US on February 2, marking an entirely new product category for the iPhone maker in virtual reality (VR).

The Vision Pro entered a market largely dominated by Meta’s VR headset, the Quest.

I think the narrative that these headsets are only for gaming is outdated.

Mark Zuckerberg via Threads

He later condemned so-called “Apple fanboys” who flocked in outrage after his criticism of the Vision Pro glasses.

While he certainly stirred up hardcore Apple fans, Zuckerberg didn’t believe he said anything inappropriate.

Once again, Zuckerberg has stepped into the spotlight to defend his VR headset against rumors that his Quest and the Vision Pro are “the same.”

In a post on his Threads app, the Meta boss says wrote: “I don’t think we’re saying the devices are the same. We’re saying Quest is better.

“If in three to five years our devices weigh the same as theirs, or have the motion blur of theirs, or the lack of accurate input, etc., then that means we’ve regressed significantly.

“Yes, their resolution is higher, but they paid for that with many other product tradeoffs that make their device worse in most respects. That’s not what we’re aiming for.”

Apple’s image resolution surpasses Meta’s, which tech fans say is an attempt to bring the device on par with iPhones and computers.

Customers are more likely to see the value of these gadgets than, for example, a VR headset, which is typically associated with gaming.

But that leaves onlookers pigeonholing the Quest as a gaming-focused product, a label Zuckerberg is actively fighting against.

“Three of the top seven Quest apps are already social apps: Horizon, VR Chat and Rec Room,” Zuckerberg added.

“Browser and video player are also top apps. Fitness is not as high there, but it also has a passionate community.

“So I think the narrative that these headsets are just for games is outdated.

“And yes, more resolution is better, but trading off ergonomics and motion blur isn’t a clear win when Quest’s resolution is also pretty good.”

Read all the latest news, prices and rumors:

Oppenheimer won a whopping seven Oscars at Sunday night’s Academy Awards – while rival Barbie only won one.

The historical epic directed by Christopher Nolan swept the major categories with wins for Best Actor Cillian Murphy, Best Supporting Actor Robert Downey Jr. and Nolan – with the film also winning Best Picture.

In contrast, Barbie, who memorably won against Oppenheimer in the ‘Barbenheimer’ box office showdown over the summer, walked away with just one award for Best Original Song for What Was I Made For? by Billie Eilish and Finneas McConnell. 

Downey Jr. jokingly thanked his ‘terrible childhood’ as he finally won an Oscar for his portrayal of Lewis Strauss, was delighted as he took to the stage –  after host Jimmy Kimmel made a very awkward quip about his drug use.

The veteran actor – who has acted for over five decades –  took home the Academy Award over stiff competition including Sterling K. Brown, American Fiction, Robert De Niro, Killers of the Flower Moon, Ryan Gosling, Barbie, and Mark Ruffalo, Poor Things.

Downey Jr., 58, Lewis Strauss (pictured), was delighted as he took to the stage – after host Jimmy Kimmel made a very awkward quip about his drug use  

Cillian Murphy finally won the Oscar in the coveted Best Actor category for Oppenheimer

Barbie – starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling (pictured) was nominated for nine Oscars but won only one

The talented star took to the podium to showcase his signature wit and even joked about his ‘terrible childhood’ while accepting the honor.

He said: ‘Thank you, thank you. Ah — thanks, Sam, thanks, fellas. You only flubbed one line. I’d like to thank my terrible childhood and The Academy, in that order.

‘I’d like to thank my — veterinarian — I meant wife, Susan Downey over there. She found me a snarling rescue pet and you loved me back to life. That’s why I’m here. Thank you.’

The talented actor went on talk about how much he needed his role in Oppenheimer while thanking director Christopher Nolan and castmates Emily Blunt and Cillian Murphy.

He continued: ‘Here’s my little secret. I needed this job more than it needed me. Chris knew it, Emma made sure that she surrounded me with one of the great casts and crews of all time, Emily, Cillian, it was fantastic. 

‘And I stand here before you a better man because of it. What we do is meaningful, and the stuff that we decide to make is important. So, back to my publicist — my agent, Phillip Raskin is here and Andrew Dunlap, my den mother joy Feeley, thank you. 

‘I want to thank my stylist, in case no one else does. Thanks, Erika, thank you very much. And I’m just going to say this. My entertainment lawyer Tom Hanson, or 40 years, the half of which he spent trying to get me insured and bailing me out, thanks, bro. Avery in India, this one’s for you.’

One noticeable omission from his acceptance speech was Mel Gibson who he has previously credited with his comeback when he helped him land a role in 2003’s The Singing Detective.

Barbie walked away with just one award for Best Original Song for What Was I Made For? by Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell – despite beating Oppenheimer at the box office

The talented star took to the podium to showcase his signature wit and even joked about his ‘terrible childhood’ while accepting the honor as he said: ‘Thank you, thank you. Ah — thanks, Sam, thanks, fellas. You only flubbed one line. I’d like to thank my terrible childhood and The Academy, in that order’

Downey Jr. was earlier left stony-faced as host Jimmy Kimmel made a crass joke at the start of the ceremony (pictured with wife Susan)

The star looked joyous as he posed with  Best Actor winner and co-star Cillian Murphy, Best Supporting Actress winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Best Actress winner Emma Stone

Murphy played physicist J.Robert Oppenheimer in the film  

He kept his acceptance speech short and sweet as he said: ‘ Oh. I’m a little overwhelmed. Thank you to the academy. Um — Chris Nolan and Emma Thomas, it’s been the wildest, most exhilarating, most creatively satisfying journey you’ve taken me on over the last 20 years’

Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan won his first Oscar after eight nominations in the Best Director category

Oscars 2024 winners: AT A GLANCE

Best Picture: Oppenheimer

Best Actress: Emma Stone – Poor Things

Best Director: Cillian Murphy – Oppenheimer

Best Director: Christopher Nolan – Oppenheimer

Supporting Actress: Da’Vine Joy Randolph – The Holdovers

Supporting Actor: Robert Downey Jr. – Oppenheimer

Original Song: Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell – What Was I Made For? from Barbie

Seen left to right: Actor In A Supporting Role – Robert Downey Jr. (Oppenheimer), Actress In A Supporting Role – Da’Vine Joy Randolph (The Holdovers ), Actress In A Leading Role – Emma Stone (Poor Things), and Actor In A Leading Role – Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer)

Original Score – Ludwig Göransson – Oppenheimer

Cinematography: Hoyte van Hoytema – Oppenheimer

Achievement in Film Editing: Jennifer Lame – Oppenheimer

Production Design: James Price and Shona Heath; Set Decoration: Zsuzsa Mihale – Poor Things

Make-up and Hairstyling: Nadia Stacey, Mark Coulier and Josh Weston – Poor Things

Achievement in Costume Design: Holly Waddington – Poor Things

Original Screenplay: Justine Triet and Arthur Harari – Anatomy Of A Fall

Adapted Screenplay: Cord Jefferson – American Fiction

International Feature Film – The Zone of Interest from United Kingdom

Gibson’s, now 68, fall from grace began in 2006, when the actor was pulled over for speeding. After the police on the scene found an open bottle of alcohol in Gibson’s vehicle, the Braveheart actor launched into an angry tirade filled with anti-Semitic slurs and sexist overtones towards the arresting officer.

In a police report leaked by TMZ, Gibson allegedly shouted to the arresting officers: ‘“F*****g Jews. . . The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world.’

Gibson issued apologies through his publicist and in an interview with Diane Sawyer, during which he described his behavior on the night of his arrest as ‘despicable.’

The actor/director later pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor drunken-driving charge and was sentenced to three years probation.

It may not have been a wise decision to thank Gibson who famously used those anti-Semitic  slurs as Oppenheimer follows the story of American scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer and his role in the development of the atomic bomb which was used during World War II amid the Holocaust.

 In Oppenheimer Downey Jr. portrays as Rear Admiral Lewis Strauss, a retired Naval officer and high-ranking member of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission (AEC).

Earlier in the evening, Jimmy Kimmel roasted Robert’s manhood and past drug use in his bombshell opening monologue.

The host, 56, returning for the fourth time, left the A-listers grinning and cringing in equal measure as he took to the stage.

Oppenheimer won seven awards in total including Best Picture and Original Score for Ludwig Göransson (pictured Al Pacino Christopher Nolan, Emma Thomas, and Charles Roven)

Cillian posed with his fellow Best Actor winners from years gone by – Ben Kingsley, Matthew McConaughey, Forest Whitaker, Brendan Fraser, and Nicolas Cage

Downey was stony-faced as Kimmel made a crass joke at the start of the ceremony – referring to the reformed coke addict’s past addictions.

He said: ‘And Robert Downey Jr., one of the highest points of his career. But Robert has been’ – as RDJ pointed at his face, leading Kimmel to add: ‘Was that too on the nose or a drug motion you made?

‘But look at him, he’s so handsome, so talented, he’s won every award there is to win. Is that an acceptance speech in your pocket or do you just have a very rectangular penis?’

The joke fell flat as RDJ looked somber while staring at the camera while fans slammed Kimmel for his ‘bottom of the barrel’ jokes about substance abuse.

Downey Jr. had previously spent time behind bars in 1999 after a long period of substance abuse which stifled his career.

He added: ’20 years ago, Robert played the villain, and correct me if I have this wrong, in a movie where Tim Allen turns into a dog, right? And if you ever decide to remake that film, I have just the guy to play Tim Allen. 

The actor’s legal troubles began in 1996 when he was stopped for speeding and authorities found of heroin, cocaine and an unloaded .357 caliber Magnum. A year later, he skipped a court-ordered drug test and spent nearly four months in the Los Angeles County jail.

Following this, he then skipped another drug test and was sentenced to three years of prison in 1999. During this time, Downey Jr. served 15 months in state prison in Corcoran, California.

The stars of Oppenheimer celebrated as the film won Best Cinematography

Cillian cracked a rare smile in the winner’s room 

A few months after his release, he was arrested on Thanksgiving weekend for alleged cocaine and Valium possession and being under the influence of drugs.

The valium charge was eventually reduced to a misdemeanor, he pleaded no contest to the remaining charges and avoided more jail time.

In 2001, he was found walking bare foot around Culver City, Los Angeles, and was arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of drugs.

Following year of substance abuse, arrests, rehabs and relapse, Downey made a full recovery and has since gone on to achieve global recognition.

The Oscars was Oppenheimer’s night as Cillian Murphy won the Best Actor award after being nominated for an Academy Award for the first time in his career as he triumphed over Bradley Cooper, Maestro, Colman Domingo, Rustin, Paul Giamatti, The Holdovers, and Jeffrey Wright, American Fiction.

He kept his acceptance speech short and sweet as he said: ‘ Oh. I’m a little overwhelmed. Thank you to the academy. Um — Chris Nolan and Emma Thomas, it’s been the wildest, most exhilarating, most creatively satisfying journey you’ve taken me on over the last 20 years, I owe you more than I can say. Thank you so much. 

The stars of the hit film gathered onstage as the film won Best Picture

Barbie was the highest-grossing movie of the year on both the domestic ($636.2 million) and worldwide ($1.445 billion) box office charts 

‘Every single crew member, every single cast member on Oppenheimer, you guys carried me through. 

‘All my fellow nominees, I remain in awe of you guys. I want to thank my incredible team. Brendan Murphy, Mary Murphy, my two boys who are sitting up there, I love you so much, and I’m a very proud Irishman standing here tonight, so — [ applause ] You know, we made a film — we made a film about the man who created the atomic bomb, and for better or for worse, we’re all living in Oppenheimer’s world, so, I would like to dedicate this to the peacemakers everywhere.

The talented star played the titular role of American scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer as the film is centered around his involvement in the development of the atomic bomb.

Oppenheimer won seven awards in total – as well as Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Director for Christopher Nolan, and Best Picture,  it won Original Score for Ludwig Göransson – along with cinematography and achievement in film editing.

Al Pacino announced Oppenheimer as the Best Picture winner without bothering to name all the other nominees

The 83-year-old Scarface star hit the stage and made an awkward joke about performing Shakespeare before jumping straight to announcing the Best Picture winner.

He said: ‘Wow. What — thank you. Oh, my friends. Thank you, thank you. I don’t know. Should I do some Shakespeare now? That’s in order, right? To be — no, I’m not going to do Sorry. Well, this is the time for the last award of the evening. And it’s my honor to present it. 

‘Ten wonderful films are nominated, but only one will take the award for best picture. And I have to go to the envelope for that. And I will. Here it comes. And my eyes see Oppenheimer, yes!’

Nolan beat out Jonathan Glazer of The Zone of Interest, Yorgos Lanthimos of Poor Things, Martin Scorsese of Killers of the Flower Moon and Justine Triet of Anatomy of a Fall.

Nolan said: ‘We don’t know where this incredible journey is going from here. But to know that you think I am a meaningful part of it means the world to me.’

After the two films were released on the same day – July 21 – Barbenheimer gripped film fans who made an event out of going directly from the screening of one to the other. 

Barbie was the highest-grossing movie of the year on both the domestic ($636.2 million) and worldwide ($1.445 billion) box office charts.

Oppenhimer took fifth place ($326.1 million) on the domestic box office charts and third place ($957.8 million) on the worldwide charts.

Oscar winners 2024 full list – see who received trophies for this year’s Academy Awards

 Best Picture

American Fiction

Anatomy of a Fall

Barbie

The Holdovers

Killers of the Flower Moon

Maestro

Oppenheimer – WINNER

Past Lives

Poor Things 

The Zone of Interest

Oppenheimer was the biggest winner of the night with seven including top honor Best Picture; Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan, and Charles Roven are seen 

 

Best Director 

Justine Triet, Anatomy of a Fall

Martin Scorsese, Killers of the Flower Moon 

Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer – WINNER

Yorgos Lanthimos, Poor Things

Jonathan Glazer, The Zone of Interest

 

Actress in a Leading Role

Annette Bening, Nyad

Lily Gladstone, Killers of the Flower Moon

Sandra Huller, Anatomy of a Fall

Carey Mulligan, Maestro

Emma Stone, Poor Things – WINNER

Emma Stone earned a shock win in the Actress in a Leading Role category for Poor Things

 

Actor in a Leading Role

Bradley Cooper, Maestro

Colman Domingo, Rustin

Paul Giamatti, The Holdovers

Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer – WINNER

Jeffrey Wright, American Fiction

 

Actress in a Supporting Role

Emily Blunt, Oppenheimer

Danielle Brooks, The Color Purple

America Ferrera, Barbie

Jodie Foster, Nyad

Da’Vine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers – WINER 

Da’Vine Joy Randolph triumphed in the Actress in a Supporting Role category for The Holdovers 

 

Actor in a Supporting Role

Sterling K. Brown, American Fiction

Robert De Niro, Killers of the Flower Moon

Robert Downey Jr., Oppenheimer – WINNER

Ryan Gosling, Barbie

Mark Ruffalo, Poor Things 

 

Animated Feature Film

The Boy and the Heron – WINNER

Elemental

Nimona

Robot Dreams

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

 

Cinematography

El Conde

Killers of the Flower Moon

Maestro 

Oppenheimer, Hoyte van Hoytema – WINNER

Poor Things

 

Original Screenplay

Anatomy of a Fall, Justine Triet and Arthur Harari – WINNER 

The Holdovers, David Hemingson

Maestro, Bradley Cooper and Josh Singer

May December, Samy Burch (Story b Samy Burch & Alex Mechanik)

Past Lives, Celine Song

 

Adapted Screenplay

American Fiction, Cord Jefferson – WINNER

Barbie, Greta Gerwig & Noah Baumbach

Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan

Poor Things, Tony McNamara

The Zone of Interest, Jonathan Glazer

Cord Jefferson won Adapted Screenplay for American Fiction

 

Achievement in Production Design

Barbie

Killers of the Flower Moon

Napoleon

Oppenheimer

Poor Things, Production Design: James Price and Shona Heath; Set Decoration: Zsuzsa Mihalek – WINNER

Achievement in Sound

The Creator

Maestro

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One

Oppenheimer

The Zone of Interest, Tarn Willers and Johnnie Burn – WINNER

 

Original Song 

‘The Fire Inside’ from Flamin’ Hot

‘I’m Just Ken’ from Barbie

‘It Never Went Away’ from American Symphony

‘Wahzhazhe (A Song for My People)’ from Killers of the Flower Moon

‘What Was I Made For?’ from Barbie, Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell – WINNERS

Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell earned Original Song for Barbie’s What Was I Made For?

 

Original Score  

American Fiction

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

Killers of the Flower Moon

Oppenheimer, Ludwig Göransson – WINNER

Poor Things

 

Live Action Short Film

The After

Invincible

Knight of Fortune

Red, White and Blue

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, Wes Anderson and Steven Rales – WINNER

 

Animated Short Film

Letter to a Pig

95 Senses

Our Uniform

Pachyderme

WAR IS OVER! Inspired by the Music of John and Yoko – WINNER

WAR IS OVER! Inspired by the Music of John and Yoko won Animated Short Film; Dave Mullins and Brad Booker pictured 

 

Documentary Feature Film

Bobi Wine: The People’s President

The Eternal Memory

Four Daughters

To Kill a Tiger

20 Days in Mariupol – WINNER

 

Documentary Short Film

The ABCs of Book Banning

The Barber of Little Rock

Island in Between

The Last Repair Shop – WINNER

Nǎi Nai and Wài Pó

 

International Feature Film

Io Capitano, Italy

Perfect Days, Japan

Society of the Snow, Spain

The Teachers’ Lounge, Germany

The Zone of Interest, United Kingdom – WINNER

The Zone Of Interest took home two Oscars including International Feature Film; Jonathan Glazer and James Wilson are pictured 

 

Makeup and Hairstyling

Golda

Maestro

Oppenheimer

Poor Things, Nadia Stacey, Mark Coulier and Josh Weston – WINNER

Society of the Snow 

 

Achievement in Costume Design

Barbie

Killers of the Flower Moon

Napoleon

Oppenheimer

Poor Things, Holly Waddington – WINNER

 

Achievement in Film Editing

Anatomy of a Fall

The Holdovers

Killers of the Flower Moon

Oppenheimer, Jennifer Lame – WINNER

Poor Things 

 

Visual Effects

The Creator

Godzilla Minus One, Takashi Yamazaki, Kiyoko Shibuya, Masaki Takahashi and Tatsuji Nojima  – WINNER

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One

Napoleon

Godzilla Minus One won the Visual Effects award as Masaki Takahashi, Takashi Yamazaki, Kiyoko Shibuya and Tatsuji Nojima are pictured

JUDE BELLINGHAM was involved in a rare gesture at the end of Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw with RB Leipzig yesterday.

The draw was enough to send Madrid through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League after they won the first leg 1-0.

2

After the final whistle, Bellingham ran towards RB Leipzig manager Marco Rose.

They exchanged a hug before Bellingham gave the manager his jersey as a memento of the match.

The two worked together during Bellingham’s time at Dortmund, with Rose leaving the club in 2022.

The midfielder followed Rose out of Dortmund a year later when he moved to Real Madrid for £115 million last summer.

Fans on both boys.”

Another wrote: “What Bellingham did with his old coach is like a bromance!”

A third wrote: “I love the bond between the two of them.”

While a fourth said: “Memories.”

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Rose’s team led Madrid closely despite being unpleasant at the Bernabeu.

After acquitting themselves well in the first leg and narrowly losing, Leipzig created the majority of the chances during the match in Spain.

But it was Madrid who opened the scoring through Vinicius in the 65th minute against the rules.

Leipzig equalized in the 68th minute through Willi Orban, but could not find a second that would have taken the match to extra time.