Mary Rand, the first British woman to win an Olympic gold medal in athletics, has died at the age of 86.
Rand secured the long jump title at the Tokyo Games in 1964, also winning silver in the inaugural women’s pentathlon and bronze in the 4x100m relay.
That meant she also became the first British woman to win gold, silver and bronze at a single Olympic Games.
In the long jump, Rand broke the British and Olympic records with her first leap of 6.59m and then smashed the world record on her fifth attempt with an effort of 6.76m.
“Mary was the most gifted athlete I ever saw,” said Ann Packer, who won 800m gold at the 1964 Olympics days after Rand’s triumph and was her room-mate in Tokyo.
“She was as good as athletes get. There has never been anything like her since – and I don’t believe there ever will.”
Rand, whose first husband was British rower Sydney Rand, also won long jump gold at the 1966 Commonwealth Games in Jamaica.
However, injury denied her the chance to defend her Olympic title in 1968 and she retired at the age of 28 the same year.
Born in Wells, Somerset, she was only 17 when she set her first British record in the pentathlon, and she won 12 national titles across long jump, high jump, sprint hurdles and pentathlon during her illustrious career.
Rand was voted the BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 1964 and was awarded an MBE in the 1965 New Year Honours List.
The outcome was one few anticipated, with Gray Davis romping to victory in the Democratic primary, then winning the governorship in a landslide.
Less than three months before the June primary, Davis had been running dead last, behind two well-heeled Democrats and the eventual GOP nominee. The number of people who told him to quit would have filled the L.A. Coliseum, Davis recalled this week. But he never considered dropping out; the pressure only made him more determined.
“Sometimes it’s meant to be. Sometimes you get every break,” Davis said. “Sometimes it’s not meant to be and you get no breaks.”
His bottom line: “Anything can happen.”
Of course, no two campaigns are the same.
This gubernatorial contest is being conducted under a system in which the top two vote-getters, regardless of party, will advance to a November runoff. In 1998, California held an “open primary,” under rules later voided by the Supreme Court. All candidates appeared on the same ballot, with the top finishers in each party guaranteed a spot in November.
Beyond that, the world has vastly changed: politically, socially, culturally. (Google is now one of the most valuable companies on the planet, pulling in a record $403 billion in revenue in fiscal 2025.)
Voter attitudes are different. One of Davis’ greatest assets was his position as lieutenant governor; that currency — incumbency and government know-how — no longer trade at the same high value.
The media landscape has fractured — back then newspapers set the political agenda, fewer than half of voters were online and streaming was something mostly done by water. Californians aren’t nearly as tuned in to the governor’s race as they were then.
“There’s a sideshow going on internationally and nationally and people are like, ‘Oh, right, there’s a governor’s race happening,’” said Paul Maslin, who was Davis’ pollster and is now working for Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Betty Yee. “Whereas in ‘98, that was clearly the big act in town.”
Having said all that, luck and an opportune break or two are still key ingredients to political success, as Davis suggested.
Feinstein, the state’s senior U.S. senator, had nearly been elected governor in 1990 and her lengthy deliberations froze out other potentially strong contenders. Had Feinstein run, she very probably would have blown away the field and made history by becoming the state’s first female governor.
Davis also greatly benefited when a federal court tossed out strict contribution limits, allowing him to go from collecting bite-size donations to much greater sums. Though he was vastly outspent by his two rich Democratic opponents, multimillionaire Al Checchi and then-Rep. Jane Harman, the decision allowed Davis to remain competitive and eventually pay for the statewide ad blitz that is indispensable in California.
Checchi, in particular, barraged voters with an unrelenting flood of ads. (Shades of the omnipresent Tom Steyer.) In one of them, a spot attacking Harman, Checchi included a photo of the lieutenant governor — and not a bad-looking one at that. The glimpse reminded voters that Davis, who was husbanding his resources for a late advertising push, was still in the race. He enjoyed a significant boost in polls.
Still, Checchi and Harman saw each other as the main opponent and their strategists acted — and tailored their advertising and campaign messaging — accordingly. The result was “a murder-suicide, as the term went at the time,” said Garry South, who managed Davis’ campaign. “They decided to focus so much fire on each other and ignore us that we simply slipped through the hole.”
Davis can well relate to those gubernatorial hopefuls in the position he once was — dissed, dismissed and bumping along near the bottom of horse-race polls. Speaking from his law office in Century City, he had this simple advice:
“Follow your heart,” he said. “Do what you think is right.”
“It’s fine for someone else to tell you you should get out, but that’s not their business,” Davis said. “You’re the candidate, and if you think for whatever reason you want to stay in the race, you should stay in the race.”
But Davis isn’t too worried about that happening. Moreover, he said, it’s easy for those watching from the sidelines to take potshots and offer unsolicited — and not particularly empathetic — advice.
“They’re not running for office,” he said. “Other people are putting themselves on the line. … [If] people have the wherewithal, the courage and the dedication it takes to put themselves in a position to run for office, if they really believe it’s the right thing to do, they should. They should follow their dream.”
Besides which, you never know what might happen come June.
Russian oil is emerging as a key beneficiary of the US-Israeli war on Iran, as countries scramble to charter tankers following United States President Donald Trump’s decision to temporarily ease sanctions, analysts say.
Following a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on March 10, Trump said the US would waive Russian oil-related sanctions on “some countries” to ease the shortage caused by Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which in peacetime carries 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas from producers in the Gulf.
This week, it was reported that a number of tankers carrying Russian oil bound for China had changed course and were heading for India instead.
According to figures from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), Russia earned an additional 672 million euros ($777m) in oil sales in the first two weeks of the war on Iran, which began on February 28 when Israel and the US launched strikes on Tehran, killing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior Iranian officials.
Iran has since struck back, launching thousands of missiles and drones towards Israel as well as US military assets and infrastructure in neighbouring Gulf countries. The war stepped up a level this week, when Israel bombed Iran’s critical South Pars gasfield, and Iran hit back with strikes on Gulf energy assets, including Qatar’s Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facility – the world’s largest.
(Al Jazeera)
This week, the average price of Urals oil – the Russian benchmark – was significantly higher than the pre-war price of less than $60, at around $90 per barrel.
Here’s more about who is buying Russian oil and which other nations might benefit from the oil crisis.
Why is Russian oil benefitting from the Iran war?
Iran’s effective closure of the Hormuz Strait, which is the only sea route from the Gulf to the open ocean, has “walled in” 20 million barrels of Gulf oil per day, George Voloshin, an independent energy analyst based in Paris, told Al Jazeera.
This has prompted the US to, at least temporarily, ease sanctions on shipped Russian oil to slow the ensuing energy crisis and potential global price collapse. The price of Brent crude, the international benchmark, has risen to above $100 a barrel since the closure of the strait, compared with about $65 before the war began.
“Russia has emerged as a primary beneficiary of the Middle East conflict due to the massive supply vacuum created by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz,” Voloshin said. “Global refiners are desperate for alternative medium-sour crudes, a need that Russia’s Urals grade specifically meets.”
He added that the US decision to grant a temporary reprieve for shipped Russian oil “has provided Moscow with a critical window to maximise export volumes and oil revenues, essentially allowing Russian crude to act as the world’s primary swing supply during the Iranian blockade”.
(Al Jazeera)
How has the price of Russian oil been affected so far?
The price of Russian Urals has surged significantly, experts say. As a result of US sanctions, the oil had been trading at below $60 a barrel for some time. However, while “Urals historically traded at a significant discount to Brent due to Western sanctions”, Voloshin said, “that gap has narrowed as demand outstrips supply”.
“Since the beginning of the year, the price of Russian oil is estimated to have risen by nearly 80 percent – most recently close to $90 per barrel – and consistently trading well above the G7 price cap of $60 as buyers prioritise energy security over regulatory compliance in a high-volatility environment,” he added.
Are ships changing course to deliver Russian oil to new buyers?
Earlier this week, Bloomberg reported that at least seven tankers carrying Russian oil had changed course mid-voyage from China to India, citing data from Vortexa, the data analytics group.
Then, Indian media quoted Rakesh Kumar Sinha, special secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, confirming that the Aqua Titan, a Russian oil-laden tanker originally destined for China, is now expected to arrive at New Mangalore port on March 21 having been chartered by Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MPCL).
India was the first country to receive a time-limited exemption from the US Treasury to import Russian oil that is already at sea, Voloshin said.
“There is clear evidence of a massive logistical redirection of Russian oil cargoes mid-voyage. Several tankers originally bound for Chinese ports have, indeed, switched trajectory to India. This shift is driven by India’s aggressive pursuit of discounted distressed cargoes to fill its strategic reserves and meet domestic demand, as well as the increased risk and insurance costs associated with long-haul shipments to East Asia via contested waters.”
Until recently, Trump had been strongly pressuring India to stop buying Russian oil, even slapping additional 25 percent trade tariffs on India last year in punishment for doing so. This was lifted earlier this year when Trump claimed he had received assurances from India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi that India would start buying US oil, or even Venezuelan oil seized by the US, instead.
Which countries are buying Russian oil now?
Indian media has reported that India’s purchases of Russian crude have surged in the past three weeks, since the war on Iran began and the Strait of Hormuz was closed.
“The primary buyers of Russian oil continue to be India and China, who together now account for the vast majority of Russia’s seaborne exports,” Voloshin said.
Turkiye is also a significant buyer, he added, now using Russian crude to stabilise its domestic market amid the gas shortages caused by the Israeli strikes on Iran’s South Pars field.
“Additionally, a shadow fleet of ageing tankers continues to move Russian oil to smaller, less-regulated refineries across Southeast Asia and the Middle East, often through complex ship-to-ship transfers designed to obscure the origin of the crude,” he added.
He said this shadow fleet is becoming the primary delivery mechanism for oil in several contested regions, meaning more buyers could appear. “Additionally, the degree of cooperation between the US and its European allies remains a wild card. If the EU continues to refuse participation in military operations near Iran, the diplomatic and economic pressure on the US to maintain the Russian oil reprieve will likely increase.”
A French Navy helicopter hovers over the Deyna vessel, which is believed to be a member of the Russian shadow fleet, during an operation in the Western Mediterranean Sea, in this handout image obtained by Reuters on March 20, 2026 [Prefecture maritime de la Mediterranee/Etat Major des Armees/Handout via Reuters]
Will Russian oil remain in demand if the US re-imposes sanctions?
If there is nowhere else to readily source oil, countries may continue to seek Russian crude even if the US reimposes sanctions, Voloshin said. The International Energy Agency (IEA) says the closure of the Hormuz Strait has caused a shortage of 8 million barrels of oil per day.
If that persists, “major importers like India may feel they have no choice but to continue buying Russian oil to prevent domestic economic collapse”, Voloshin said.
If secondary sanctions on Russian oil are reintroduced, he added, buyers may demand much lower prices to compensate for the increased legal and financial risks of dealing with Moscow. “At the same time, in the presence of a continued severe market disruption, the US is very likely to roll over [extend] current exemptions,” Voloshin said.
Which other energy-producing nations could benefit?
Two other major non-OPEC energy producers that could benefit are Norway and Canada, experts say. However, this will largely depend on their capacity to increase production.
“Norway has already signalled its intent to maintain maximum gas and oil production to support European energy security, primarily selling to EU nations seeking to replace lost Iranian and Russian volumes,” Voloshin said. “Canada is exploring ways to increase its export capacity to the US Gulf Coast. However, like Russia, its ability to significantly ramp up production in the short term is constrained by pipeline throughput and infrastructure bottlenecks.”
Rylan Clark has had various presenting roles on This Morning since 2013, one year after he came fifth on The X Factor, which for some time was a direct rival to Strictly Come Dancing
Rylan Clark is pictured presenting This Morning alongside Cat Deeley(Image: ITV)
It is believed Rylan, 37, would be “a ratings winner” for the BBC programme, which is looking for two new presenters to replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. The duo left at the end of the last series, following 21-year and 15-year stints respectively, and speculation has swirled about their replacements.
Now, it is thought Rylan is likely to waltz into one of their places, having enjoyed a successful career in presenting since 2013 when he had is first role on This Morning. He first gave gossip from The X Factor on the ITV programme, and then had a relief presenter post before becoming more regular.
An insider said: “He has so many loyal fans. If he gets the job they will most certainly tune in to Strictly. He will be a ratings winner and the BBC know it.”
“Rylan has a long-standing association with the show, and Angela has been a contestant. The main thing is they’d be a totally new pairing – no baggage, no former shows, uniquely Strictly. On top of that, they want to be sure that an all-female presenting line-up isn’t replaced by an old-fashioned male-female duo where the man takes on a dominant role,” one insider told the Daily Mail.
Another source told the outlet: “For Rylan it is his dream job. He loved It Takes Two and the viewers loved him. It would be a no-brainer.”
Rylan, who grew up in Stepney, east London, has already anchored Eurovision coverage for the BBC. The media personality is said to be “very keen” to be paired with Angela, who was a contestant on Strictly in 2023. She was the ninth contestant to be eliminated after dancing with Carlos Gu.
It is believed Rylan still faces screen tests in April so producers can assess his chemistry with any possible co-stars, including Irish broadcaster Angela. Rylan fronted It Takes Two between 2019 and 2023, and he has hosted his own Rylan On Saturday show on Radio 2.
But other names in the frame are One Show host Alex Jones, Zoe Ball and Bradley Walsh, presenter of The Chase. Speculation has already linked the current professional dancer Johannes Radebe to the presenting gig.
Catherine Zeta-Jones arrives on the red carpet at the 85th Academy Awards in 2013.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
The red carpet at the Oscars is the epitome of Hollywood glitz and glamour. We combed through our archives for photos of the Academy Awards since 2000 — from arrivals of the biggest stars to backstage candids to winners clutching their awards — to compile this trip down the Oscars’ memory lane.
So what do winners wear? Take a look at our collection below and you’ll see some of the best dressed stars through the years, including Lupita Nyong’o’s custom pale blue Prada gown in 2014 and Emma Stone’s gold Givenchy flapper-style dress in 2017. Around the dawn of the millennium, Halle Berry made a statement with an Elie Saab dress that had a sheer top with embroidered flowers when she won in 2002 while Reese Witherspoon went vintage with a beaded dress from Dior in 2006.
As we wait to see what the stars are wearing Sunday on the 98th Oscars red carpet, take a look at how Oscar fashion has evolved in the 21st century with photos of those who took home trophies for lead actress, lead actor, supporting actress and supporting actor.
2025
Mikey Madison shows off her leading actress Oscar for her role in “Anora” at the 97th Academy Awards.
(Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)
Adrien Brody walks the red carpet at the 97th Academy Awards. He won the leading actor Oscar for “The Brutalist.”
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Zoe Saldaña accepts the supporting actress Oscar at the 2025 Academy Awards for “Emilia Perez.”
(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
Kieran Culkin poses with his Oscar for “A Real Pain” at the 97th Academy Awards.
(Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)
2024
Emma Stone won her second leading actress Oscar, for “Poor Things,” at the 96th Academy Awards.
(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
Cillian Murphy accepts the leading actor Oscar for “Oppenheimer” at the 96th Academy Awards.
(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
Da’Vine Joy Randolph won the supporting actress Oscar at the 96th Academy Awards.
(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
Robert Downey Jr. poses on the red carpet at the 96th Academy Awards before winning the supporting actor Oscar for “Oppenheimer.”
(Christina House / Los Angeles Times)
2023
Michelle Yeoh, who won the leading actress Oscar for “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” arrives at the Governors Ball following the 95th Academy Awards.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Brendan Fraser clutches his Oscar backstage at the 95th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Jamie Lee Curtis, the supporting actress winner for “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” cries as she holds her Oscar backstage.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Ke Huy Quan stands atop the engraving station after getting his Oscar for supporting actor engraved.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
2022
Jessica Chastain arrives at the 94th Academy Awards before winning the Oscar for lead actress.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith pose on the red carpet at the 2022 Oscars. Smith won the leading actor award later that night after slapping Chris Rock during the show.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Ariana DeBose holds her Oscar for supporting actress backstage.
(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
Troy Kotsur accepts the supporting actor award for “CODA” from Youn Yuh-jung.
(Myung Chun / Los Angeles Times)
2021
The 2021 Oscars had a modified format without a red carpet due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020
Renée Zellweger shows off her Oscar for lead actress for “Judy.”
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Joaquin Phoenix arrives at the 92nd Academy Awards. He won for lead actor for his role in “Joker.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Laura Dern, winner of the supporting actress Oscar for “Marriage Story,” shows off her hardware.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Brad Pitt wins the supporting actor Oscar for his role as Cliff Booth in “Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood.”
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
2019
Olivia Colman wins the lead actress Oscar for “The Favourite.”
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Rami Malek, winner for lead actor for “Bohemian Rhapsody,” poses in the photo room at the 91st Academy Awards.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Regina King arrives at the Academy Awards, where she won for supporting actress in “If Beale Street Could Talk.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Amatus Sami-Karim and Mahershala Ali pose at the 91st Academy Awards, where Ali won the supporting actor Oscar for “Green Book.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
2018
Frances McDormand was victorious for her role in “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.”
( Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Gary Oldman tightly grips his Oscar for lead actor.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Allison Janney, winner of the supporting actress Oscar for “I, Tonya,” poses for photos.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Sam Rockwell and Leslie Bibb pose on the red carpet at the 90th Academy Awards. Rockwell won for his role as troubled police officer Jason Dixon in “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
2017
Emma Stone delivers a touching acceptance speech after winning lead actress for her role in “La La Land.”
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Casey Affleck holds up his Oscar for lead actor for “Manchester by the Sea.”
(Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)
Viola Davis smiles backstage after winning the Oscar for supporting actress for “Fences.”
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Mahershala Ali arrives at the Oscars, where he won for his performance in “Moonlight.”
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
2016
Brie Larson won the lead actress Oscar for her role in the drama “Room.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Leonardo DiCaprio wins his first Oscar ever for “The Revenant.”
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Alicia Vikander is Belle of the ball at the Oscars, where she won for supporting actress in “The Danish Girl.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Mark Rylance walks backstage after picking up the supporting actor Oscar for “Bridge of Spies.”
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
2015
Julianne Moore shows off her lead actress trophy.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Eddie Redmayne arrives at the 87th Academy Awards, where he won gold for “The Theory of Everything.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Patricia Arquette poses on the red carpet. The actress won an Oscar for her role in “Boyhood.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
J.K. Simmons holds his supporting actor Oscar for the movie “Whiplash.”
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
2014
Matthew McConaughey accepts the lead actor award for “Dallas Buyers Club.”
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Cate Blanchett stuns on the red carpet before picking up the lead actress Oscar for “Blue Jasmine.”
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Jared Leto arrives at the 86th Academy Awards, where he won for his role in “Dallas Buyers Club.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Lupita Nyong’o twirls her dress on the red carpet at the Oscars, where she won for her feature film debut in “12 Years a Slave.”
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
2013
Daniel Day-Lewis and Meryl Streep walk offstage at the 85th Academy Awards after Day-Lewis’ lead actor win.
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Jennifer Lawrence holds up her Oscar after her win for “Silver Linings Playbook.”
(Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)
Christoph Waltz gives an acceptance speech after winning for supporting actor.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Anne Hathaway wins for supporting actress at the 85th Academy Awards.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
2012
Jean Dujardin cheers after his Oscar win for lead actor at the 84th Academy Awards.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Meryl Streep holds up her Oscar for lead actress for “The Iron Lady.”
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Christopher Plummer examines his Oscar for supporting actor.
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Octavia Spencer cries as she accepts her Oscar for supporting actress.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
2011
Colin Firth is photographed with his Oscar at the Governors Ball following his win for “The King’s Speech.”
(Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)
Natalie Portman arrives in style to the Oscars, where she won for her role in “Black Swan.”
(Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times)
Christian Bale accepts his award for supporting actor during the 83rd Academy Awards.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Melissa Leo poses on the red carpet before her win for supporting actress.
(Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
2010
Jeff Bridges cheers after receiving the lead actor Oscar.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Sandra Bullock arrives at the 82nd Annual Academy Awards before winning an Oscar for her role in “The Blind Side.”
(Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
Mo’Nique receives an Oscar for her role in “Precious” during the 82nd Annual Academy Awards.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Christoph Waltz accepts his award for supporting actor during the 82nd Academy Awards.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
2009
Sean Penn accepts the lead actor Oscar for his role in “Milk” during the 81st Academy Awards.
(Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
Kate Winslet stands backstage after her win for lead actress at the 81st Academy Awards.
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Sally Bell, Kim and Kate Ledger accept the Oscar for supporting actor awarded to Heath Ledger at the 81st Academy Awards.
(Mark Boster/Los Angeles Times)
Penelope Cruz receives her Oscar at the 81st Academy Awards for her role in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona.”
(Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
2008
Forest Whitaker escorts Marion Cotillard off stage after presenting her with the Oscar for lead actress at the 80th Academy Awards.
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Presenter Helen Mirren joins Daniel Day–Lewis backstage after his win for lead actor at the 80th Academy Awards.
(Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)
Tilda Swinton accepts the supporting actress Oscar for her role in “Michael Clayton” at the 80th Academy Awards.
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Javier Bardem celebrates with the cast of “No Country for Old Men” after the film’s win for best picture and his victory for lead actor.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
2007
Helen Mirren accepts the Oscar for lead actress for her role in “The Queen.”
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Forest Whitaker accepts the leading actor Oscar for his role in “The Last King of Scotland.”
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Jennifer Hudson exits the stage with her Oscar after winning for supporting actress during the 79th Academy Awards.
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Rachel Weisz wipes lipstick off of supporting actor winner Alan Arkin’s cheek while walking offstage.
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
2006
Reese Witherspoon arrives at the 78th Academy Awards, where she took home an Oscar for lead actress in “Walk the Line.”
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Philip Seymour Hoffman accepts the Oscar for lead actor for his role in “Capote” at the 78th Academy Awards.
(Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
Rachel Weisz accepts the supporting actress Oscar for her role in “The Constant Gardener.”
(Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
George Clooney greets fans at the 78th Academy Awards, where he took home the supporting actor Oscar.
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
2005
Morgan Freeman, Cate Blanchett, Hilary Swank and Jamie Foxx pose with Oscar statuettes at the 77th Academy Awards.
(Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)
Jamie Foxx and daughter Corinne arrive at the 77th Academy Awards.
(Béatrice de Géa / Los Angeles Times)
Hilary Swank arrives at the 77th Academy Awards, where she would win an Oscar for lead actress in “Million Dollar Baby.”
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Morgan Freeman arrives at the 77th Academy Awards with his daughter, Morgana.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Cate Blanchett arrives at the Academy Awards, where she won an Oscar for her role in “The Aviator.”
(Béatrice de Géa / Los Angeles Times)
2004
Charlize Theron, Sean Penn, Rénee Zellweger and Tim Robbins pose with their Oscars at the 76th Academy Awards.
(Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
Charlize Theron, wearing Tom Ford for Gucci, arrives at the 76th Academy Awards.
(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
Sean Penn accepts the leading actor Oscar for his role in “Mystic River.”
(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Actress Renée Zellweger poses with her Oscar for supporting actress for her role in “Cold Mountain” at the 76th Academy Awards.
(Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
Tim Robbins, his then-partner Susan Sarandon and their son flash peace signs as they arrive at the 75th Academy Awards.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
2003
Adrien Brody, Nicole Kidman, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Chris Cooper prepare to pose with their Oscars at the 75th Academy Awards.
(Richard Hartog / Los Angeles Times)
Adrien Brody reacts to his Oscar win for “The Pianist.”
(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Nicole Kidman accepts the leading actress Oscar at the 75th Academy Awards.
(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Chris Cooper points to the camera after winning an Oscar for supporting actor for “Adaptation.”
(Anacleto Rapping / Los Angeles Times)
Catherine Zeta–Jones accepts the leading actress award at the 75th Academy Awards.
(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
2002
Denzel Washington wins the leading actor Oscar for his role in “Training Day.”
(Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)
Halle Berry arrives at the 74th Academy Awards, where she won an Oscar for her role in “Monster’s Ball.”
(Kevin P. Casey / Los Angeles Times)
Supporting actress Jennifer Connelly and supporting actor Jim Broadbent smile at the 74th Academy Awards.
(Don Kelsen / Los Angeles Times)
Jennifer Connelly accepts her Oscar for her role in “A Beautiful Mind.”
(Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)
2001
Benicio del Toro, Marcia Gay Harden, Julia Roberts and Russell Crowe pose with their Oscars during the 73rd Academy Awards.
(Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)
Russell Crowe wins an Oscar for his work on the film “Gladiator” during the 73rd annual Academy Awards.
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Julia Roberts celebrates after winning the leading actress Oscar at the 73rd Academy Awards.
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Benicio Del Toro clinches his fist after accepting the supporting actor Oscar for his role in “Traffic.”
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Marcia Gay Harden accepts her supporting actress Oscar at the 73rd Academy Awards.
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
2000
Michael Caine, Angelina Jolie, Hilary Swank and Kevin Spacey smile backstage at the 72nd Academy Awards.
(Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)
Kevin Spacey poses with his leading actor award for his role in “American Beauty.”
(Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)
Hilary Swank accepts her Oscar for her role in “Boys Don’t Cry.”
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Michael Caine accepts the Oscar for supporting actor during the 72nd Academy Awards.
(Robert Gauthier/ Los Angeles Times)
Angelina Jolie kisses her Oscar for supporting actress during the 72nd Academy Awards.
Kvaratskhelia’s family home in Tbilisi, where he grew up, does not announce that a global football star was raised there.
It is one of those anonymous Soviet-era apartment blocks that populate so many parts of the city: concrete, weathered, functional rather than beautiful, surrounded by identical neighbours and the everyday sounds of a working-class district.
Inside that building I met his father, Badri – a former Dinamo Tbilisi player and Azerbaijan international – and his mother, Maka, when their son was starring with Napoli.
It was a warm, welcoming home. Humble, not full of luxuries, but filled with memories. Everywhere you looked there were small mementos of his journey – photographs, trophies, shirts. Among them the first shirt he ever wore for Dinamo Tbilisi.
“Because this is where Khvicha’s professional career started. It has to be the Dinamo one,” Maka said. “His path to the top started here.”
Kvaratskhelia still uses his small bedroom whenever he returns. In one corner there is a computer table, a keyboard, large headphones and the kind of chair used by gamers.
That little world is where he disappears for hours whenever he comes home.
Born on 12 February 2001, from an early age football was inseparable from his life. As his mother recalls, he walked with the ball, slept with the ball. Football was everything, which is not to say that it was an easy path.
As a graduate of the Dinamo Tbilisi academy, he made his professional debut at 16 in 2017 before moving to Rustavi and then on loan to Lokomotiv Moscow where he would receive his first significant salary, money which allowed him to pay for life-saving heart surgery for his father.
“It wasn’t even a question to him,” said Badri.
On 22 May 2019, the 18-year-old would win his first major honour when Lokomotiv Moscow won the Russian Cup.
A move to Rubin Kazan where he would spend three seasons – and twice win the best young player in the Russian League – followed.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine brought an end to his stay, when Fifa announced on 7 March 2022 that all foreign players in Russia could unilaterally suspend their contracts until 30 June and sign with clubs outside Russia until the same date.
He went home, signing for Georgian club Dinamo Batumi.
Antonio Costa says Russia benefits from soaring global energy prices and attention being diverted from war in Ukraine.
Published On 10 Mar 202610 Mar 2026
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European Council President Antonio Costa has said Russia is the only country benefitting from the US-Israeli war on Iran, as global energy prices soar and attention from Moscow’s four-year conflict with Ukraine is diverted.
Now in its 11th day, the war has spiralled rapidly throughout the region as Iranian forces hit back at US and Israeli targets, as well as facilities in the Gulf. It has also slowed oil and natural gas flows through the strategic Strait of Hormuz to a near standstill, pushing fuel prices upwards and threatening far-reaching impacts on a number of industries.
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“So far, there is only one winner in this war – Russia,” Costa said in a speech to European Union ambassadors in Brussels on Tuesday.
“It gains new resources to finance its war against Ukraine as energy prices rise. It profits from the diversion of military capabilities that could otherwise have been sent to support Ukraine. And it benefits from reduced attention to the Ukrainian front as the conflict in the Middle East takes centre stage.”
Costa stressed the need for the EU to protect the international rules-based order, which he said was now being challenged by the United States, and for all parties in the Middle East to return to the negotiating table.
“Freedom and human rights cannot be achieved through bombs. Only international law upholds them,” he said. “We must avoid further escalation. Such a path threatens the Middle East, Europe, and beyond.”
The US and Israeli attack on Iran triggered the biggest spike in oil prices on Monday since the turmoil following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Costa’s comments came as the Kremlin said all parties wanted to continue US-mediated Russia-Ukraine peace talks, but that no date or venue had been agreed yet for the next round.
Russia and Ukraine held three rounds of talks in Turkiye last year and have conducted several more US-mediated sessions in Abu Dhabi and Geneva this year. But they remain far apart on key issues, especially on Russia’s demand for Ukraine to cede control of the whole of its eastern Donetsk region.
On Monday, US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, held their first phone call of the year, during which they discussed the wars in Iran and Ukraine.
The Kremlin said the possibility of lifting US sanctions on Russian oil had not been discussed in any detail with Washington, but that US actions were aimed at stabilising global energy markets.
Following this call, Putin said Russia, the world’s second-largest oil exporter and holder of the biggest natural gas reserves, was ready to work again with European customers if they wanted to return to long-term cooperation.
Before the Ukraine war, Europe was buying more than 40 percent of its gas from Russia. By 2025, combined sales of pipeline gas and LNG from Russia accounted for only 13 percent of total EU imports.
Also on Monday, Trump said his administration would lift some sanctions on oil-producing countries to keep energy prices down – though he did not say which ones.
Washington currently maintains sanctions on the oil sectors of Russia, Iran and Venezuela.
The Reuters news agency, citing multiple unnamed sources, reported that Trump was considering easing sanctions on Russia as part of his plans to keep oil prices down.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent last week announced a 30-day waiver on sanctions on Russian oil sales to India to help it cope with the cuts to Middle East supply.
