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- Asian markets track Wall St rally as US inflation eases rate fears
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- Wallace and Gromit return with comic warning about AI dystopia
- Philippine military says will acquire US Typhon missile system
- Afghan bread, the humble centrepiece of every meal
- Honda and Nissan expected to begin merger talks
- 'Draconian' Vietnam internet law heightens free speech fears
- Israeli women mobilise against ultra-Orthodox military exemptions
- Asian markets track Wall St rally as US inflation eases rate worries
- Tens of thousands protest in Serbian capital over fatal train station accident
- Trump vows to 'stop transgender lunacy' as a top priority
- Daniels throws five TDs as Commanders down Eagles, Lions and Vikings win
- 'Who's next?': Misinformation and online threats after US CEO slaying
- Only 12 trucks delivered food, water in North Gaza Governorate since October: Oxfam
- Melrose Group Publicly Files Complaint to the Ontario Securities Commission
- Langers edge Tiger and son Charlie in PNC Championship playoff
- Explosive batsman Jacobs gets New Zealand call-up for Sri Lanka series
- Holders PSG edge through on penalties in French Cup
- Slovak PM Fico on surprise visit to Kremlin to talk gas deliveries
- Daniels throw five TDs as Commanders down Eagles
- Atalanta fight back to take top spot in Serie A, Roma hit five
- Mancini admits regrets over leaving Italy for Saudi Arabia
- Run machine Ayub shines as Pakistan sweep South Africa
- Slovak PM Fico on surprise visit to Kremlin
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- 'Incredible' Liverpool must stay focused: Slot
- Maresca 'absolutely happy' as title-chasing Chelsea drop points in Everton draw
- Salah happy wherever career ends after inspiring Liverpool rout
- Three and easy as Dortmund move into Bundesliga top six
- Liverpool hit Spurs for six, Man Utd embarrassed by Bournemouth
- Netanyahu vows to act with 'force, determination' against Yemen's Huthis
- Mbappe back from 'bottom' as Real Madrid down Sevilla
- Ali hat-trick helps champions Ahly crush Belouizdad
- France kept on tenterhooks over new government
- Salah stars as rampant Liverpool hit Spurs for six
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- 'Nervous' Man Utd humiliated by Bournemouth
- Pope again condemns 'cruelty' of Israeli strikes on Gaza
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- Troubled Man Utd humiliated by Bournemouth
- 2 US pilots shot down over Red Sea in 'friendly fire' incident: military
- Man Utd embarrassed by Bournemouth, Chelsea held at Everton
- France awaits fourth government of the year
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- Joshua bout only fight left for beaten Fury says promoter Hearn
Music takes center stage at Oscars gala
Producers of the Oscars, arguably the most prestigious prizes of the entertainment awards circuit, on Sunday turned to music's top names including Beyonce, Billie Eilish and Megan Thee Stallion to drum up ailing ratings.
The 94th annual gala honoring the best in films opened from the tennis courts of Compton, where Beyonce delivered a rousing rendition of her nominated power ballad "Be Alive," from the film "King Richard," a sports drama about how the father of legends Venus and Serena Williams coached them to greatness.
And Megan Thee Stallion dialed up the heat in Hollywood's Dolby Theatre, spitting fire with a guest rap as part of a colorful performance of "We Don't Talk About Bruno," the viral hit from Disney's "Encanto."
It was an interesting choice considering the Academy snubbed that song, the film's most popular, from the nomination pool.
But it was part of the organization's master plan to resuscitate the once highly rated show to its numbers of yesteryear.
The show's producers controversially pre-taped the presentation of awards including best score and best sound, editing in the winners' acceptance speeches in a perceived snub that drew ire in the weeks before A-listers walked the carpet.
The move didn't shorten the notoriously long broadcast, instead granting the extra space to the musical performances and comedy sketches from hosts Amy Schumer, Wanda Sykes and Regina Hall.
- Eilish takes home Oscar -
The extra focus on pop's juggernauts at times gave the show a feeling of Grammys Lite, one week before the party celebrating the music industry's best is due to take over Las Vegas.
Top Grammy nominee Billie Eilish belted out a stirring rendition of "No Time to Die," her theme written for the James Bond film of the same name, which ultimately took home the Oscar for best original song.
"Oh my gosh, this is so unbelievable, I could scream," said Eilish, accepting her trophy alongside her brother and collaborator, Finneas O'Connell, who provided haunting piano chords as Eilish sang.
It was a clean sweep for the sibling duo, who also won a Grammy and Golden Globe for the moody ballad.
The Colombian crooner Sebastian Yatra performed the heartfelt, dreamy track "Dos Oruguitas" -- "Two Caterpillars" in Spanish -- from "Encanto," which was also Oscar-nominated.
Producers crafted an elaborate set, with Yatra delivering a breathy version of the song in a lush forested scene accompanied by acoustic guitars.
Country music queen Reba McEntire later sang "Somehow You Do," as performers including Travis Barker and Sheila E formed an all-star band behind her.
Questlove scored the best documentary prize for "Summer of Soul," which recounted the 1969 music festival in Harlem that saw thousands celebrate Black culture and music.
But while producers scripted Beyonce and Megan Thee Stallion -- the latter performing in an incredible canary yellow ruffled dress with an eye-popping thigh-high slit and cut-out corset-style bodice -- to provide the show's punctuation, it was rapper-actor Will Smith who dropped the night's biggest exclamation point.
Smith -- who took best actor honors for playing Venus and Serena's father Richard Williams in the tennis biopic "King Richard" -- was the night's chaos agent, storming the stage and slapping comedian Chris Rock after the presenter cracked a joke at the expense of Jada Pinkett Smith, the actor's wife.
The twist set social media alight but the show went on, with music and stage icon Liza Minnelli appearing with pop powerhouse Lady Gaga to present the final award for best picture.
"I'm so happy to be here, and especially with you -- I'm your biggest fan," Minnelli lovingly told Gaga.
F.Schneider--AMWN