Ceremony

• The Academy announced Oprah Winfrey will host the 79th Academy Awards ceremony on March 27, 2027, marking her first time hosting the Oscars in 16 years. • Winfrey previously hosted the 2011 Academy Awards and has become one of the most celebrated hosts in Oscar history, winning praise for her humor and audience engagement. • The 2027 ceremony promises a reimagined format with emphasis on celebrating filmmaking achievements and engaging younger demographics through digital integration.

Cheryl Bartley is charged with gross negligence manslaughter after 2023 death of Robert Smith, 61A pastor has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter after the drowning of a 61-year-old man at a baptism ceremony in Birmingham in 2023, the Crown Prosecution Service said.Robert Smith, from Brixton in south London, died at an address in Erdington on 8 October 2023. Malcolm McHaffie, the head of the special crime division, said: “We have decided to prosecute Cheryl Bartley, 48, with one count of gross negligence manslaughter in relation to her role as a pastor during a baptism. Continue reading...

Shadow justice secretary had called Trafalgar Square event an ‘act of domination’James Cleverly has said he disagrees with his Conservative frontbench colleague Nick Timothy that public Muslim prayers are an act of domination, as another senior Tory called for the party to respect the right to worship.Kemi Badenoch has defended Timothy, the shadow justice secretary, after he posted images of mass prayer at a Ramadan event on Monday evening in Trafalgar Square, calling it “an act of domination” and “straight from the Islamist playbook”. Continue reading...

• ABC News Live featured entertainment reporter Kelley Carter from ESPN's Andscape discussing the biggest moments from the 98th Academy Awards on March 16, 2026. • The recap highlighted historic wins and standout moments from the Oscars ceremony held on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. • Major victories included Michael B. Jordan's Best Actor win, "One Battle After Another's" six-award haul, and "Sinners'" four Academy Award wins.

Hollywood is grappling with a severe production slump, mass layoffs, and growing anxiety over AI's role in filmmaking as the 98th Academy Awards approach on March 15, 2026, in Los Angeles. Industry insiders describe a febrile atmosphere exacerbated by corporate mergers like the potential Warner Bros. takeover by Paramount and Skydance, with Warner Bros. films 'One Battle After Another' and 'Sinners' tipped as frontrunners. The Oscars, while honoring artistic excellence, underscore deeper infrastructural issues amid political tensions including Trump's impact on the industry. Experts predict heightened uncertainty for post-ceremony production pipelines.

Kelley Carter, senior entertainment reporter at ESPN's Andscape, previewed her 2026 Oscars predictions on ABC News Live, highlighting frontrunners in key categories. The segment aired as Hollywood gears up for Conan O'Brien's hosting debut this Sunday at the Dolby Theatre. Carter's insights come amid widespread speculation on winners like Warner Bros' contenders. Fans anticipate surprises in best picture and acting races during the live broadcast.