This year's awards season was rounded off on Sunday night with Hollywood's biggest night, the Oscars, taking place in Los Angeles.
The 93rd Academy Awards was a scaled-down affair, but there was still plenty of action as the great and good of Hollywood joined together, in a socially distanced manner, of course, to celebrate the best of the big screen from the past 12 months.
From charming speeches to Glenn Close's surprising dance moves, here are some of the best moments from the night ...
Mia Neal and Jamika Wilson make history – and almost leave without their Oscar
Mia Neal and Jamika Wilson made history on Sunday, becoming the first black women to win an Oscar for Makeup and Hairstyling for their work on Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.
“I stand here, as Jamika and I break this glass ceiling, with so much excitement for the future,” Neal said as she collected her Oscar.
So much excitement, in fact, that she almost left the Oscar behind on stage, and had to be prompted to run back and grab it.
Daniel Kaluuya’s mother and sister react as he wins Best Supporting Actor
British actor Daniel Kaluuya has swept this awards season, making it five for five at Sunday's Oscars with Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Judas and the Black Messiah.
“To chairman Fred Hampton,” Kaluuya said in his acceptance speech, paying tribute to the Black Panther Party activist he portrays in the film. “What a man. How blessed we are that we lived in a lifetime where he existed.”
Speaking of Hampton’s legacy, he added: “There’s so much work to do. That’s on everyone in this room.”
Kaluuya’s mother and sister were in LA's Union Station to watch him accept the award live, and their reactions set the internet alight.
“Daniel Kaluuya's mom's face during that moment was priceless,” one user wrote.
“Daniel Kaluuya's mom's face says it all! Face with tears of joy,” wrote another.
Thomas Vinterberg pays tribute to his late daughter
Director Thomas Vinterberg got emotional as he accepted the award for Best International Feature Film for Another Round, as he paid tribute to his daughter.
Ida, 19, died when he was just days into production on the film, in which she was due to have a starring role. She was killed in a road accident after being hit by a driver who was on their phone.
"She was supposed to be in this and if anyone dares to believe that she's here with us somehow, you'd be able to see her clapping and cheering with us," Vinterberg said in his speech.
"We ended up making this movie for her – as her monument. So, Ida, this is a miracle that just happened, and you're a part of this miracle – maybe even pulling some strings somewhere. But this one is for you."
Youn Yuh-jung fangirls Brad Pitt
Youn Yuh-jung has become a runaway hit this awards season, thanks to her witty comments as she has accepted numerous awards for her supporting role in Korean-language film Minari.
Not only has she made history by becoming the first South Korean actress to win at the Baftas, the Screen Actors Guild Awards and now the Oscars, but she’s also won a legion of fans.
And that included some of her A-list peers on Sunday evening, after raising more than a few smiles when she accepted her award from Brad Pitt.
"Mr Brad Pitt, finally, nice to meet you!” she exclaimed. "Where were you when we were filming?"
She also made tongue-in-cheek comments about the number of times people in the US and Europe had got her name wrong over the course of the awards season. However, after taking home the Oscar, she said, "you are all forgiven".
Paying tribute to her fellow nominees, which included the likes of Glenn Close, Olivia Colman and Amanda Seyfried, she said they were all deserving of the win. “Tonight I’m luckier than you,” she joked.
"I'd like to thank my two boys who made me work so hard," she said. "This is the result, because mummy worked so hard."
Halle Berry enjoys her red-carpet moment
It might have been a slim-lined red carpet this year, but there was still plenty of A-list power, thanks in no small part to Halle Berry. The actress is no stranger to the Academy Awards, setting the bar in 2002 as the first (and only) black woman to win the award for Best Actress.
And Berry was back this year to present the award for Best Production Design, but not before she basked in the spotlight of the famous red carpet.
Using the moment to debut a new A-line bob, Berry had plenty of fun, fanning out her floaty, mauve Dolce & Gabbana dress for the cameras, creating one of the night’s top fashion moments.
Glenn Close does the ‘Da Butt’
She may have lost out in the Best Supporting Actress category to Youn, but that didn’t dampen Glenn Close’s spirit.
The celebrated actress broke into dance during one of the ceremony's lighter moments, as she took part in event DJ Questlove's previous music winners quiz. Playing Close a segment of funk group Experience Unlimited's Da Butt, the DJ asked her if it had ever been nominated for an Academy Award.
Shocking everyone with her knowledge, Close revealed herself to be a fan of the song, which she correctly identified was not nominated for its appearance in Spike Lee's School Daze. She was then asked if she knew the dance to the song, prompting her to stand up and perform it for the very excited room.
Naturally, social media went wild.
“Glenn Close shaking her wagon on national TV ... get that woman her Oscar,” one viewer wrote.
"Glenn Close just won her first Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film," another said.
Frances McDormand howls like a wolf
Nomadland continued its awards season sweep, taking home the big award of the night, Best Picture. Director Chloe Zhao accepted the award alongside members of the cast and crew, including the film's star Frances McDormand, who followed Zhao's speech with one of her own.
Taking the moment to encourage audiences to return to cinemas, she said: “Please, watch our movie on the largest screen possible. And one day, very, very soon, take everyone you know into a theatre, shoulder to shoulder. In that dark space and watch every film that is represented here tonight. We give this one to our wolf."
She then proceeded to howl like a wolf, much to the joy of many on social media.
“Howl like the wolf you are Frances McDormand howl!” one user wrote.
“OK, but if you had asked me which Oscar winner was most likely to howl like a wolf while accepting an award, Frances McDormand would absolutely be my number one pick,” wrote another.
‘Crip Camp’ makers bring service dog to the red carpet
The makers of Best Documentary nominee, Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution, attended the Oscars red carpet alongside service dog Goji LaVant, who drew much attention from attendees and social media users alike.
“I love that Goji is decked out too!” one Twitter user wrote.
“Goji’s red carpet bling,” another added.
There was also praise for the crew's custom red-carpet attire. Co-director Jim LeBrecht, who has spina bifida, turned up wearing a custom Gucci suit.
Speaking to Variety ahead of the event, LeBrecht talked of the significance of seeing someone in the disabled community wear custom Gucci.
“I think it’s accepting the fact or really saying very boldly that it’s the person and it’s not what your body looks like,” he said.
"It's who you are and that elegance comes in many, many shapes and forms and sizes and colours and statures and that to really put their sizeable effort into dressing me and wanting me to represent them as a label is just, it almost brings me to tears, because it sends such a clear and positive big loud message."
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
Email sent to Uber team from chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi
From: Dara
To: Team@
Date: March 25, 2019 at 11:45pm PT
Subj: Accelerating in the Middle East
Five years ago, Uber launched in the Middle East. It was the start of an incredible journey, with millions of riders and drivers finding new ways to move and work in a dynamic region that’s become so important to Uber. Now Pakistan is one of our fastest-growing markets in the world, women are driving with Uber across Saudi Arabia, and we chose Cairo to launch our first Uber Bus product late last year.
Today we are taking the next step in this journey—well, it’s more like a leap, and a big one: in a few minutes, we’ll announce that we’ve agreed to acquire Careem. Importantly, we intend to operate Careem independently, under the leadership of co-founder and current CEO Mudassir Sheikha. I’ve gotten to know both co-founders, Mudassir and Magnus Olsson, and what they have built is truly extraordinary. They are first-class entrepreneurs who share our platform vision and, like us, have launched a wide range of products—from digital payments to food delivery—to serve consumers.
I expect many of you will ask how we arrived at this structure, meaning allowing Careem to maintain an independent brand and operate separately. After careful consideration, we decided that this framework has the advantage of letting us build new products and try new ideas across not one, but two, strong brands, with strong operators within each. Over time, by integrating parts of our networks, we can operate more efficiently, achieve even lower wait times, expand new products like high-capacity vehicles and payments, and quicken the already remarkable pace of innovation in the region.
This acquisition is subject to regulatory approval in various countries, which we don’t expect before Q1 2020. Until then, nothing changes. And since both companies will continue to largely operate separately after the acquisition, very little will change in either teams’ day-to-day operations post-close. Today’s news is a testament to the incredible business our team has worked so hard to build.
It’s a great day for the Middle East, for the region’s thriving tech sector, for Careem, and for Uber.
Uber on,
Dara
The essentials
What: Emirates Airline Festival of Literature
When: Friday until March 9
Where: All main sessions are held in the InterContinental Dubai Festival City
Price: Sessions range from free entry to Dh125 tickets, with the exception of special events.
Hot Tip: If waiting for your book to be signed looks like it will be timeconsuming, ask the festival’s bookstore if they have pre-signed copies of the book you’re looking for. They should have a bunch from some of the festival’s biggest guest authors.
Information: www.emirateslitfest.com
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
More coverage from the Future Forum
Squads
India: Kohli (c), Rahul, Shaw, Agarwal, Pujara, Rahane, Vihari, Pant (wk), Ashwin, Jadeja, Kuldeep, Shami, Umesh, Siraj, Thakur
West Indies: Holder (c), Ambris, Bishoo, Brathwaite, Chase, Dowrich (wk), Gabriel, Hamilton, Hetmyer, Hope, Lewis, Paul, Powell, Roach, Warrican, Joseph
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
The biog
Favourite film: The Notebook
Favourite book: What I know for sure by Oprah Winfrey
Favourite quote: “Social equality is the only basis of human happiness” Nelson Madela. Hometown: Emmen, The Netherlands
Favourite activities: Walking on the beach, eating at restaurants and spending time with friends
Job: Founder and Managing Director of Mawaheb from Beautiful Peopl
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Match info
Uefa Champions League Group H
Manchester United v Young Boys, Tuesday, midnight (UAE)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Saturday (All UAE kick-off times)
Valencia v Atletico Madrid (midnight)
Mallorca v Alaves (4pm)
Barcelona v Getafe (7pm)
Villarreal v Levante (9.30pm)
Sunday
Granada v Real Volladolid (midnight)
Sevilla v Espanyol (3pm)
Leganes v Real Betis (5pm)
Eibar v Real Sociedad (7pm)
Athletic Bilbao v Osasuna (9.30pm)
Monday
Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (midnight)
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi
Director: Kangana Ranaut, Krish Jagarlamudi
Producer: Zee Studios, Kamal Jain
Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Ankita Lokhande, Danny Denzongpa, Atul Kulkarni
Rating: 2.5/5
Results:
CSIL 2-star 145cm One Round with Jump-Off
1. Alice Debany Clero (USA) on Amareusa S 38.83 seconds
2. Anikka Sande (NOR) For Cash 2 39.09
3. Georgia Tame (GBR) Cash Up 39.42
4. Nadia Taryam (UAE) Askaria 3 39.63
5. Miriam Schneider (GER) Fidelius G 47.74
The Two Popes
Director: Fernando Meirelles
Stars: Anthony Hopkins, Jonathan Pryce
Four out of five stars
Infobox
Western Region Asia Cup Qualifier, Al Amerat, Oman
The two finalists advance to the next stage of qualifying, in Malaysia in August
Results
UAE beat Iran by 10 wickets
Kuwait beat Saudi Arabia by eight wickets
Oman beat Bahrain by nine wickets
Qatar beat Maldives by 106 runs
Monday fixtures
UAE v Kuwait, Iran v Saudi Arabia, Oman v Qatar, Maldives v Bahrain
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Golden Shoe top five (as of March 1):
Harry Kane, Tottenham, Premier League, 24 goals, 48 points
Edinson Cavani, PSG, Ligue 1, 24 goals, 48 points
Ciro Immobile, Lazio, Serie A, 23 goals, 46 points
Mohamed Salah, Liverpool, Premier League, 23 goals, 46 points
Lionel Messi, Barcelona, La Liga, 22 goals, 44 points
Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
What to watch out for:
Algae, waste coffee grounds and orange peels will be used in the pavilion's walls and gangways
The hulls of three ships will be used for the roof
The hulls will painted to make the largest Italian tricolour in the country’s history
Several pillars more than 20 metres high will support the structure
Roughly 15 tonnes of steel will be used
