The biggest names in cinema gathered in Dolby Theatre in Hollywood for the Academy Awards, celebrating the most outstanding films and performances of the year.
Political drama One Battle After Another dominated the ceremony, winning six awards including Best Picture and Best Director. The film’s director, Paul Thomas Anderson, secured his first Oscar after several previous nominations.
In the acting categories, Jessie Buckley won Best Actress for her role in Hamnet, while Michael B. Jordan took home the Best Actor award for his performance in Sinners. Both had been widely tipped as strong contenders throughout the awards season.
The Best Supporting Actress prize went to Amy Madigan for her role in Weapons. Meanwhile, Sean Penn earned Best Supporting Actor for One Battle After Another, adding another major honour to the film’s successful night.
Among other major winners, animated film KPop Demon Hunters claimed Best Animated Feature, while Sentimental Value secured the Oscar for Best International Feature. The documentary category was won by Mr Nobody Against Putin.
The film Sinners, directed by Ryan Coogler, also collected several technical awards including Best Original Score and Best Cinematography, reflecting strong recognition from industry voters.
In the music category, the song Golden from KPop Demon Hunters won Best Original Song. The award for Best Adapted Screenplay went to One Battle After Another, while Sinners took home Best Original Screenplay.
Several craft categories were also highlighted. Frankenstein won awards for Production Design, Costume Design, and Makeup and Hairstyling, while the racing drama F1 secured the Oscar for Best Sound.
Another notable moment came in the Best Visual Effects category, where Avatar: Fire and Ash won the award for its groundbreaking digital work.
This year also marked the introduction of the Best Casting category at the Oscars, with One Battle After Another winning the inaugural award for casting director Cassandra Kulukundis.
Overall, the 2026 ceremony showcased a wide range of films across genres, from historical drama and horror to animation and documentary, highlighting the diversity and creativity of the global film industry.
About the author
Gaza Families Face Rising Pest and Health Crisis
A mother in the Gaza Strip has described a terrifying night when her young daughter was attacked by a wild animal inside their makeshift shelter, as worsening sanitation conditions fuel a growing public health crisis across the territory. Samah al-Daabla told the BBC that her four-year-old daughter, Mayaseen, began screaming at around 2am. When her husband switched on a torch, a weasel reportedly fled the scene. The child’s hand was badly injured and covered in blood, leaving the family in shock. Mayaseen was later taken to a hospital in Gaza City, where she received a tetanus injection. She experienced several days of fever and vomiting but is now recovering in the family’s tent. The incident reflects a wider crisis in Gaza, where displaced families are living in overcrowded camps with limited access to sanitation, clean water, and waste removal services. […]
Barcelona Close in on La Liga Title After Osasuna Win
Barcelona have moved a step closer to securing a second consecutive La Liga title after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Osasuna at Estadio El Sadar. The win extends Barcelona’s lead at the top of the table to 14 points, leaving them on the verge of being crowned champions under head coach Hansi Flick. The Catalan side could officially seal the title as early as Sunday if Real Madrid fail to beat Espanyol. If Real Madrid win, Barcelona will still have the opportunity to clinch the championship by avoiding defeat in their upcoming home clash against Real Madrid on May 10. The match in Pamplona was tightly contested for long spells before Barcelona broke the deadlock through a well-worked attacking move. Substitute Marcus Rashford delivered a precise cross into the box, where striker Robert Lewandowski rose to head home the opening […]
Man Charged After Death of Five-Year-Old in Australia
A man has been charged with murder and two counts of sexual assault following the death of a five-year-old girl in Australia, in a case that has deeply shaken communities in the Northern Territory. The child, identified only as Kumanjayi Little Baby, a culturally assigned pseudonym used by her family after her death, was found on Thursday after a multi-day police search. Authorities confirmed she had disappeared the previous Saturday night after being put to bed at an Aboriginal town camp near Alice Springs. Police arrested 47-year-old Jefferson Lewis and later charged him with murder on Saturday night. He is scheduled to appear in court in Darwin on Tuesday. Northern Territory Police Commissioner Martin Dole said the investigation remains ongoing and described the case as deeply distressing. He urged the public to allow the judicial process to proceed without interference, […]
Zelenskyy Expands Gulf Defence Partnerships
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a notable visit to Saudi Arabia in March, arriving in a black outfit and walking across a lilac carpet in what observers described as a carefully staged diplomatic moment. He said the trip was aimed at “strengthening the protection of lives,” highlighting Ukraine’s effort to expand international security partnerships amid its ongoing war with Russia. Zelenskyy’s visit formed part of a broader push by Kyiv to position itself as a global hub for battlefield-tested drone warfare expertise. Ukraine has increasingly showcased its military experience to Gulf states, particularly in countering drone and missile threats, in an effort to build strategic and defence-related partnerships. According to Ukrainian officials, agreements have now been reached with Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar to share drone technology and operational know-how. These countries have themselves faced missile and drone […]
Taiwan Leader Visits Eswatini Amid China Tensions
Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te has arrived in Eswatini, just days after his administration said a planned visit had been disrupted by alleged Chinese pressure on African nations to deny him overflight access. Speaking about the trip, Lai said it was made possible through “careful arrangements” by Taiwan’s diplomatic and national security teams, without revealing specific travel details. China criticized the visit, describing it as a “stowaway-style escape farce.” Beijing maintains that Taiwan is part of its territory and rejects any form of official diplomatic engagement between Taiwan and other states. On arrival, Lai was received by Russell Dlamini and welcomed with a formal guard of honour. Taiwan’s delegation includes Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung and National Security Council adviser Alex Huang, according to the presidential office. The visit was not publicly announced in advance. It had initially been scheduled for April […]
Somali Pirates Hijack Oil Tanker Near Yemen
Somali pirates have seized an oil tanker near Yemen, according to several Somali security officials who spoke to the BBC. Earlier, Yemen’s coastguard confirmed that the vessel, MT Eureka, had been taken over and was heading toward Somalia. Reports indicate the hijacking occurred in the Gulf of Aden, close to the port of Qana. Security sources from Puntland said the attackers launched their operation from a remote coastal location near Qandala, a town along the Gulf of Aden. Three officials independently confirmed the details to the BBC. This is the second oil tanker hijacked in the region within 10 days. On April 22, pirates captured the vessel Honor 25, which was transporting 18,500 barrels of oil to Mogadishu. Before the incident, MT Eureka was sailing under the flag of Togo. According to officials, armed men boarded the tanker at approximately […]
Related
Judith Audu’s film Evi begins nationwide school tour
Nollywood actress, producer and director Judith Audu has kicked off a nationwide school tour with her award winning film Evi. The project aims to take the movie directly to campuses and secondary schools across Nigeria and use it as a tool for education, inspiration and social change. According to Audu, the tour will begin with screenings across the South East from May 1 before moving to other regions of the country. At each stop, students will watch the film and then take part in discussions about its themes, which focus on values, resilience and the choices young people make in difficult situations. She explained that Evi was created not just as entertainment but as a conversation starter for young Nigerians. By bringing the film directly to schools, she hopes to reach students where they are, encourage dialogue on real life […]
MasterChef Nigeria: Pearl, Margaret first to be eliminated
Pearl and Margaret have become the first contestants to be eliminated from the maiden season of MasterChef Nigeria after a tense opening episode. The popular cooking show features ten home cooks competing for a grand prize of 73 million naira and the title of Nigeria’s first MasterChef. In the first challenge, contestants were asked to recreate a dish inspired by a person who shaped their culinary journey, using a photograph as their guide. They had 60 minutes to prepare and plate a complete meal that told a personal story and impressed the judges with taste, creativity and presentation. Pearl, a 30 year old from Delta State, chose to honour a loved one with a bold menu of pan seared catfish, garri polenta and palm nut velouté, also known as banga soup. However, she struggled with time management in the kitchen […]
Cameraboss wins Creative Visionary award
London based Nigerian photographer and filmmaker Cameraboss has been named Creative Visionary of the Year 2025 2026 in the United Kingdom. The award recognises his outstanding contribution to visual storytelling, especially in wedding, lifestyle and portrait photography that celebrates African culture in the diaspora. The honour was presented at a high profile event in London, where industry leaders and public officials gathered to celebrate excellence in the creative sector. The Mayor of Westminster presented the award in the presence of the Mayor of Islington and other distinguished guests, underscoring the significance of Cameraboss’s work to the city’s cultural life. Cameraboss, whose real name is John Olalekan Durojaye, is the creative director of the Cameraboss brand. Over the years he has built a strong reputation for capturing emotional, vibrant and cinematic images at Nigerian and African weddings across the UK and […]
Nollywood actor Lateef Adedimeji, wife welcome triplets
Reports say the couple welcomed three baby boys and are overjoyed at the arrival of their children. The births come after intense public speculation about their family life and repeated online rumours over the years. Lateef and Mo Bimpe, who got married in 2021, had often faced pressure and insensitive comments about not having children yet. Many fans are now describing the triplets as a testimony and a reward for the couple’s patience and faith. Videos and photos shared online show the actors expressing gratitude to God and thanking well‑wishers for their prayers and support. They have, however, kept details such as the exact birth date and the babies’ names private for now. Colleagues from the movie industry, bloggers and fans have continued to celebrate the news, turning it into one of the most talked‑about celebrity stories of the week. […]
Video: Nollywood actor Lateef Adedimeji, wife announce birth of triplet sons
Nollywood star Lateef Adedimeji and his wife, fellow actor Adebimpe Oyebade (Mo Bimpe), have announced the arrival of their triplet sons. The couple shared the joyful news in an emotional video posted on Instagram, sparking celebrations across the entertainment industry. In his message, Lateef said he had been “quiet, not absent” because he was building and protecting the greatest blessing of his life. He thanked God for giving him more than he prayed for, describing his wife as a mother of three and their newborns as “three kings” he can call his own. The couple, who married in 2021, had faced repeated public speculation and pressure over their family life. Their testimony about finally welcoming children after years of waiting has touched many fans who say it gives them renewed hope. In the video, Mo Bimpe appears visibly emotional as […]
Societal stigma on women makes me wish I were a man – Phyna
Reality TV star and media personality Ijeoma Otabor, popularly known as Phyna, says societal stigma and pressure on women sometimes make her wish she were a man. She said she feels life is much easier for men because they are given more freedom and judged less harshly. Phyna explained that women face many unspoken rules and restrictions about how they should dress, talk, behave and live their lives. She noted that while men are mainly expected to work hard and make money, women are often criticised even when they do the same or more. According to her, every choice a woman makes is easily questioned or labelled. She said women are judged over their relationships, lifestyle, appearance and even their success, in ways that men rarely experience. Phyna added that the constant scrutiny can be exhausting and mentally draining. She […]