At the 96th annual Academy Awards ceremony, Christopher Nolan's blockbuster biopic "Oppenheimer" was honored with seven awards, including best picture. The historical drama "Oppenheimer" was a big winner at Sunday's Oscars gala in Hollywood, taking home seven awards, including best picture, best director and best actor. The start of the gala, hosted for the fourth time by Jimmy Kimmel, was delayed by five minutes as pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the awards ceremony. Christopher Nolan won the Academy Award for best director for his film "Oppenheimer." The 53-year-old British director had never won an Oscar before.  Cillian Murphy also earned his first Academy Award for his performance in "Oppenheimer" as the physicist who led the development of the atomic bomb in World War II. Meanwhile, Robert Downey Jr. won the Oscar for best supporting actor for his portrayal of Rear Admiral Lewis Strauss in the same film. It was the veteran actor's first Academy Award. And Emma Stone's risky, unapologetic female take on the Frankenstein myth in "Poor Things" won her the Oscar for best actress. Who won other awards? Da'Vine Joy Randolph won the Oscar for best supporting actress for her role as grieving mother Mary Lamb in the boarding school drama "The Holdovers." Hayao Miyazaki won his second Oscar for his semi-autobiographical Japanese animated film "The Boy and the Heron," a fantasy tale about a boy mourning his dead mother. The 83-year-old Japanese anime master, who came from retirement to make "The Boy and the Heron," did not attend the ceremony. The Holocaust drama "The Zone of Interest," which explores questions of complicity while depicting the mundane life of a Nazi family in their home next to the Auschwitz death camp, won the Academy Award for best international film. Mstyslav Chernov's "20 Days in Mariupol," a harrowing first-person account of the early days of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, won the Oscar for best documentary. "This is the first Oscar in Ukrainian history," said Chernov. "And I'm honored. Probably I will be the first director on this stage to say I wish I'd never made this film. I wish to be able to exchange this (for) Russia never attacking Ukraine."

Biden's victory in the South Carolina Democratic primary comes amid growing concerns over his slipping popularity. US President Joe Biden had an easy win in the South Carolina Democratic primary on Saturday, as he kicked off his party's nomination process. Biden secured a massive 96.4% of the votes, US news organizations reported, with his only rivals on the ballot, self-help author Marianne Williamson winning 2%, and Minnesota congressman Dean Phillips getting 1.6%.   South Carolina holds significance and was being watched closely as four years ago, the state's Black voters helped propel Biden to the White House. "In 2020, it was the voters of South Carolina who proved the pundits wrong, breathed new life into our campaign, and set us on the path to winning the presidency," Biden said in a statement. "Now in 2024, the people of South Carolina have spoken again and I have no doubt that you have set us on the path to winning the Presidency again and making Donald Trump a loser again."   Biden's support among Black voters The win comes amid concerns over Biden's slipping popularity, especially among young Black men, amid frustration that he has not addressed their priorities despite them backing him four years ago. Even though South Carolina has traditionally remained a Republican stronghold, its 26% Black population forms a crucial voter base for Biden's prospects in the November elections. In 2020, Black voters made up 11% of the national electorate and 9 in 10 of them supported Biden, according to AP VoteCast, a survey of that election's voters. Despite his overwhelming win in South Carolina, Democrats will be examining the results to see if Biden was able to hold the interest of the Black voters in the state.

Former US President Donald Trump secures a significant win in the New Hampshire primary, outperforming rival Nikki Haley. The victory, following his Iowa caucus success, positions him as the GOP frontrunner for 2024. Former US President Donald Trump won the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday, strengthening his bid for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, according to projections by the Associated Press and Fox News. After a landslide victory in the Iowa caucuses, Trump was down to one serious rival, former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley. According to the projections, Haley outperformed expectations but was unable to clinch an important victory. At his victory party, Trump mocked his last remaining rival, calling her an "imposter" and saying, "She's doing a speech like she won. She didn't win. She lost ... She had a very bad night." What were the results of the primary? With 81% of the votes counted, Trump had 54.8%, beating out Haley, who trailed with 43.6% of the vote, according to AP estimates. Trump will win at least 12 New Hampshire delegates to Haley's 9, with 1 still up for grabs, according to Edison Research's initial projection. Reports during the day suggested that voter turnout had been high. Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden won New Hampshire's largely symbolic Democratic primary, prevailing in an unusual write-in effort after choosing not to campaign or appear on the state's ballot. Biden's reelection campaign said Trump's primary victory in New Hampshire means he will almost certainly become the Republican Party's nominee in 2024 and face Biden on election day. "Tonight's results confirm Donald Trump has all but locked up the GOP nomination, and the election denying, anti-freedom MAGA movement has completed its takeover of the Republican Party," Biden campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez said in a statement. The nomination battle will now turn to Nevada where Trump already holds strong prospects. After that, to Haley's home state of South Carolina where Trump is ahead of the former governor by some 30 percentage points. The exit polls from New Hampshire suggest that Trump is likely to expand beyond his base. The nomination process will continue for months but its likely that the Republicans may have a presidential candidate by April. Haley vowed to continue race In response to Trump's projected victory, Haley congratulated her rival and vowed to fight on, "This race is far from over." "The worst kept secret in politics is how badly the Democrats want to run against Donald Trump," she told supporters after Trump was projected to win. "A Trump nomination is a Biden win." Before the vote on Tuesday, Haley's team said she intends to stay in the race through "Super Tuesday" on March 5, when voters in 16 states will cast ballots for their party's candidate. "After Super Tuesday," read a campaign memo, "we will have a very good picture of where this race stands. At that point, millions of Americans in 26 states and territories will have voted."

Christopher Nolan’s "Oppenheimer" scored five honors, while box office hit "Barbie" was left disappointed. Here are the other big wins from the night. "Oppenheimer" — Christopher Nolan's historic drama about the inventor of the atomic bomb  —  bagged the Golden Globe for best drama on Sunday The blockbuster movie took home five prizes in total, including best score and acting wins for protagonist Cillian Murphy and antagonist Robert Downey Jr. On the television series front, "Succession" dominated the show claiming best drama series, and acting wins for stars Kieran Culkin, Sarah Snook and Matthew Macfadyen.  "The Bear," about the struggles of owning a restaurant, won best TV comedy and road-rage saga "Beef" won the same in limited series. Roughly 300 entertainment journalists voted on the awards as part of the new organization created in the last year after enduring an ethics and diversity scandal for several years. These memberships are from 75 countries around the world and 60% racial and ethnic diversity. 'Barbie' comes up short  Barbie, the other half of last summer's "Barbenheimer" phenomenon, ended up with just two prizes. It won the award for best song and a newly created trophy for box-office success. "Barbie", which was the leading film heading into the night with nine nominations, ended up with just two prizes. It won the award for best song and a newly created trophy for box-office success. Barbie was 2023's highest-grossing film, earning more than $1.38 billion at the box office worldwide.  "We would like to dedicate this to every single person on the planet who dressed up and went to the greatest place on Earth, the movie theaters," said Margot Robbie, the film's star and producer.   "Poor Things;" starring Emma Stone, won the award for best musical movie or comedy. Stone plays a deceased woman revived by scientists, who then runs off with a lawyer on an adventure. The award ceremony was a cause for extra celebration after a turbulent year for Hollywood, which saw the film industry crippled by strikes. For decades, the Golden Globes has started the award season, and has been a preliminary platform for the industry to campaign for the Oscars. Voting for the Academy Award nominations begin this week, with the awards ceremony to take place on March 10.  

On the occasion of the 53rd Victory Day (21 December 2023), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh successfully concluded the “2nd Bangabandhu Diplomatic Cup” Tennis Tournament-2023 with the final match between Team Pakistan (High Commission of Pakistan) and Team Denmark (Embassy of Denmark) followed by a prize giving ceremony. The highly competitive match ended with the winning of the Team Denmark and the Danish Ambassador Christian Brix Møller won the best player medal in the tournament. Ashrafuzzaman Khan (Puton), President of the Dhaka Club was the Chief Guest of the prize giving ceremony and Ambassador Masud Bin Momen, Foreign Secretary (Senior Secretary) was present as the Special Guest.  The High Commissioner of Pakistan Syed Ahmed Maroof, and Chief of Protocol Nayem Uddin Ahmed were present during the prize giving ceremony. Diplomats from eight different countries: Australia, Canada, China, Denmark, Pakistan, Russia, Sweden, UK and the Officers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs participated in the tournament symbolizing goodwill and unity. Participation of the diplomats from several countries made the event a successful one, who aptly demonstrated athletic abilities, sportsmanship, and great acumen throughout the tournament.

Bangladesh has been elected as a member of International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council for the term 2024-2025 in elections held Friday 1 December 2023 at the IMO Headquarters in London. Bangladesh secured 128 votes out of 166 Members States present and voting.   Bangladesh has won the election in a highly competitive category C of the IMO Council membership with support of more than two-third of the IMO Members States. This is a clear manifestation of the confidence and trust that the IMO member states and the international maritime community place on Bangladesh as a maritime nation and its policies and actions under the prudent leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.   Last week, Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK and Permanent Representative to the IMO, Saida Muna Tasneem, was unanimously elected as a Vice President of the 33rd Session of the IMO Assembly.  IMO is the only UN specialized body that regulates global shipping standards that affects ship operating flag States, seafarers and maritime safety security and marine pollutions.  During its term as a Council member for the period 2024-’25, Bangladesh would negotiate its international trade (90% of which is operated by the sea), its maritime ports’ transition into green, digitalized and smarter ports, its compliance with the Hong Kong Convention on ship recycling and the use of greener fuels by Bangladesh vessel among other critically important issues to Bangladesh’s shipping and maritime industry.   Source: Press release Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dhaka, 2 December, 2023

Argentina captain Lionel Messi won a record eighth Ballon d'Or for the best player in the world on Monday, beating Norway's UEFA player of the year and treble winner Erling Haaland of Manchester City to the prestigious prize. Inter Miami's Messi, who last won the award in 2021, played a pivotal role in guiding Argentina to their first World Cup title in 36 years when they beat defending champions France in the final last year. The 36-year-old is now three Ballons d'Or clear of rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who won the last of his five trophies in 2017. Messi has now finished among the top three a record 14 times in total, finishing runner-up on five occasions.

Australia won the toss and elected to bat first in their first match of the World Cup 2023 against India on Sunday, October 08. In previous World Cup matches, Australia and India have met 13 times while Australia secured victory for 8. Australia XI David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, and Josh Hazlewood India XI Rohit Sharma (capt), Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Lokesh Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Kedar Jadhav, Mohammad Siraj.

Imprisoned Iranian activist Narges Mohammadi won the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of her tireless campaign for women's rights and against the death penalty. She kept up her activism despite numerous arrests by Iranian authorities and remained a leading light for the nationwide protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini last year. Mohammadi's family called it a "historic and profound moment for Iran's fight for freedom," while politicians around the world heaped praise on Mohammadi for the courage she has shown. Mohammadi's daughter 'exceptionally proud' of and misses her mother, "I am exceptionally proud of you, and I miss you dearly," Narges Mohammadi's 17-year-old Kiana Rahmani said.  Her mother, who is being held in Tehran's notorious Evin Prison, won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday. "This Nobel Prize isn't just for my mother. It is for Iran, especially Iranian women," Rahmani told the Reuters news agency. Kiana Rahmani, who lives in Paris with her father and brother, said she hoped her mother "will soon be freed from jail to join us." Rahmani, who has been separated from her mother for eight years. Mohammadi was quoted by The New York Times as saying she would never stop striving for democracy and equality, even if that meant staying in prison. It is a fight her teenage daughter said is worth fighting by all Iranian women.  "Keep fighting for a better future," she said. This live coverage article is now closed. You can read more about Narges Mohammadi's Nobel Peace Prize below.  UN chief says Nobel Prize 'a tribute' to all women who fight for rights United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres hailed the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Narges Mohammadi saying it is a reminder that women's rights are facing a strong pushback. "This Nobel Peace Prize is a tribute to all those women who are fighting for their rights at the risk of their freedom, their health and even their lives," Guterres said in a statement. Iran condemns jailed activist Mohammadi's Nobel Prize Iran criticized the Nobel committee for awarding the Peace Prize to jailed rights campaigner Narges Mohammadi, calling it biased and political. "We note that the Nobel Peace Committee awarded the Peace Prize to a person who was convicted of repeated violations of laws and criminal acts," Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said in a statement. "We condemn this biased and political move." Kanaani said it aligned with some European countries' "anti-Iranian policies." Nobel Peace Prize politicizes human rights, says Iran state news agency. Iran's state news agency IRNA accused the Nobel Peace Prize committee of politicizing the issue of human rights by honoring jailed rights activist Narges Mohammadi. "Awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to a person who has been convicted under the laws of a country and is currently serving a prison sentence can only be called politicizing the concept of human rights and acting in a meddling manner," IRNA said in a report about the prize. Nobel Peace Prize politicizes human rights, says Iran state news agency Iran's state news agency IRNA accused the Nobel Peace Prize committee of politicizing the issue of human rights by honoring jailed rights activist Narges Mohammadi. "Awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to a person who has been convicted under the laws of a country and is currently serving a prison sentence can only be called politicizing the concept of human rights and acting in a meddling manner," IRNA said in a report about the prize. US praises 'courage' of Iranian Nobel peace laureate The United States on Friday hailed the courage of imprisoned Iranian women's activist Narges Mohammadi after she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. "Narges Mohammadi is a hero to so many in Iran and around the world," Abram Paley, the acting US envoy on Iran, wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "Today, the entire world stands united in recognizing her courage." 

The founder of "JAAGO Foundation" Korvi Rakshand got the Ramon Magsaysay Award-2023. Unwavering dedication to education and social change, Korvi Rakshand has been honoured with the Ramon Magsaysay Award. Earlier today, the foundation shared a post in JAAGO Foundation's facebook page. "We are thrilled and immensely proud to announce that Korvi Rakshand, the visionary founder of JAAGO Foundation and Volunteer for Bangladesh, has been honoured with the prestigious 2023 Ramon Magsaysay Award in the Emergent Leadership category."  The Award is known as 'The Noble Prize of Asia'. This year, four individuals across different categories were nominated for the awards. They are: Ravi Kannan R from India, Miriam Coronel-Ferrer from Philippines, Eugenio Lemos from Timor-Leste, and Korvi Rakshand from Bangladesh. The official announcement of the award came on the morning of August 31, 2023. The formal conferment of the Ramon Magsaysay Awards will be held at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila, Philippines on Saturday, November 11, 2023.