Anora wins Best Picture at the 97th Academy Awards amidst a surprising indie victory over blockbuster competitors.
In Short
Anora, directed by Sean Baker, won best picture at the 97th Academy Awards, following its success at Cannes. Mikey Madison won best actress for her role in the film, as the event celebrated a diverse range of talent.
Anora was named best picture at the 97th Academy Awards, directed by Sean Baker.
This unexpected win comes after it also won the Palme d’Or at Cannes. The film, set in Brooklyn, tells the story of an erotic dancer who elopes with a Russian oligarch’s son and was produced for US$6 million.
Best Adapted Screenplay winner Peter Straughan for CONCLAVE at the 97th #Oscars. Photo Credit: Matt Sayles
Oscar voters opted for Anora over larger films like Wicked and Dune: Part Two, joining other indie best picture winners in recent years. Mikey Madison won best actress for her role in Anora, defeating favourite Demi Moore.
The cast and crew, including Baker, accepted the best picture award at the ceremony. Sean Baker also won best director, best original screenplay, and best editing, advocating for the importance of theatrical releases in his speech.
Adrien Brody received his second Oscar for best actor for his performance in The Brutalist. Kieran Culkin won the first award of the night for A Real Pain.
Zoe Saldaña earned her first Academy Award for best supporting actress in Emilia Pérez.
Host Conan O’Brien opened the show with his trademark humour, while Morgan Freeman paid tribute to Gene Hackman, who had recently passed away.
The winners list featured Anora as the standout with various other films, marking a diverse range of talent recognised at this year’s awards.
ALL THE 2025 OSCARS WINNERS
Best picture
Anora – WINNER
The Brutalist
A Complete Unknown
Conclave
Dune: Part Two
Emilia Pérez
I’m Still Here
Nickel Boys
The Substance
Wicked
Best actor
Adrien Brody – The Brutalist – WINNER
Timothée Chalamet – A Complete Unknown
Colman Domingo – Sing Sing
Ralph Fiennes – Conclave
Sebastian Stan – The Apprentice
Best actress
Cynthia Erivo – Wicked
Karla Sofía Gascón – Emilia Pérez
Mikey Madison – Anora – WINNER
Demi Moore – The Substance
Fernanda Torres – I’m Still Here
Best director
Jacques Audiard – Emilia Pérez
Sean Baker – Anora – WINNER
Brady Corbet – The Brutalist
Coralie Fargeat – The Substance
James Mangold – A Complete Unknown
Best supporting actress
Monica Barbaro – A Complete Unknown
Ariana Grande – Wicked
Felicity Jones – The Brutalist
Isabella Rossellini – Conclave
Zoe Saldaña – Emilia Pérez
Best supporting actor
Yura Borisov – Anora
Kieran Culkin – A Real Pain – WINNER
Edward Norton – A Complete Unknown
Guy Pearce – The Brutalist
Jeremy Strong – The Apprentice
Best adapted screenplay
A Complete Unknown – Jay Cocks and James Mangold
Conclave – Peter Straughan
Emilia Pérez – Jacques Audiard
Nickel Boys – RaMell Ross and Joslyn Barnes
Sing Sing – Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar
Best original screenplay
Anora – Sean Baker – WINNER
The Brutalist – Brady Corbet and Mona Fastvold
A Real Pain – Jesse Eisenberg
September 5 – Moritz Binder, Tim Fehlbaum, Alex David
Ahron Young is an award winning journalist who has covered major news events around the world. Ahron is the Managing Editor and Founder of TICKER NEWS.
U.S. military strikes in Yemen target Houthi rebels following threats to maritime security and attacks on shipping.
In Short
The U.S. has launched military strikes in Yemen against Houthi rebels following their attacks on commercial vessels, with President Trump stating the goal is to protect American shipping. The strikes have resulted in civilian casualties and are part of a broader campaign to deter aggression and ensure navigational freedom.
The U.S. has initiated military strikes in Yemen against the Houthi rebels, following their attacks on commercial vessels.
President Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that these aerial attacks aim to protect American shipping and restore navigational freedom. He stated that the Houthis will be held fully accountable for their actions.
Local sources report significant explosions in San’a, with civilian casualties reaching 31 dead and 101 injured. Yemen’s Houthi Health Ministry condemned the strikes, labelling them a war crime.
BREAKING: President Trump ordered the airstrikes that killed members of Houthis in Yemen.
AFTER his round of golf. He was still in his golf clothes in the clubhouse literally dropping bombs.. pic.twitter.com/2MAtA40z7W
The U.S. strikes targeted Houthi leaders’ residences and their strongholds, alongside missile systems positioned along the coast. U.S. military officials have indicated that this is part of a larger campaign against the group.
The USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group is involved in the operation, which seeks to deter aggression from Iran-backed Houthi forces and protect American interests.
Tensions escalated after the Houthis announced their intent to resume attacks on Israeli ships, claiming the lapse of ceasefire agreements.
In retaliation, Trump ordered these military actions, which aim to target Houthi leadership and missile launchers, while also signaling a warning to Iran.
Lando Norris triumphs at the Australian Grand Prix as Oscar Piastri faces heartbreak in his home race.
In Short
Lando Norris won the 2025 Australian Grand Prix amid chaotic weather conditions, while Oscar Piastri struggled at his home race, finishing far behind expectations. Despite scoring some points, Piastri and his supporters were disappointed with his performance.
Lando Norris achieved victory at the 2025 Australian Grand Prix, marking a strong start to his season. The race featured significant chaos, largely due to rain, affecting many drivers.
Oscar Piastri, competing in his home Grand Prix, faced disappointment as his race was derailed. Piastri’s team McLaren celebrated Norris’s success while he struggled on the track.
Aussie rookie Jack Doohan’s race ended prematurely after a crash in the early laps.
Piastri was positioned close to Norris when he lost control and spun onto the grass, dropping to the back of the pack.
Despite a determined effort to regain positions, Piastri’s race did not meet the expectations of him or his supporters.
In the final moments, he managed to score some points but it was not the outcome he desired.
Fans had hoped for a better performance from their local hero, but the race results proved challenging. The event highlighted the unpredictable nature of Formula 1, especially under adverse weather conditions.
Trump’s tariffs may jeopardise Australia’s $1.1 billion pharmaceutical exports, risking essential medicine prices and healthcare quality.
In Short
Trump’s tariffs on steel and aluminium raise fears they could increase medicine prices in Australia, threatening its $1.1 billion pharmaceutical export industry. Prime Minister Albanese criticises the tariffs as unjustified but has ruled out retaliation, while industry experts warn against using health policies as trading leverage.
Fears have emerged that President Trump’s tariffs could adversely affect Australia’s pharmaceutical export industry, potentially raising medicine prices.
The Trump administration recently announced 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, sparking concern that Australia’s pharmaceutical exports, valued at approximately $1.1 billion in 2024, could face similar tariffs.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the US tariff actions as unjustified and detrimental, indicating he would not retaliate with similar measures.
The pharmaceutical industry is a significant part of Australia’s economy and is critical to the $18 billion federal scheme that reduces essential medicine costs.
The US aims to protect its declining steel industry amidst increasing competition from Asia, particularly Canada, Brazil, and the EU.
US companies claim that Australia’s medicine pricing policies affect their earnings, raising concerns that they might push to reconsider the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
The PBS was instrumental in lowering the costs of 930 medications last year.
The Trump administration previously blamed the high costs of US medicines partly on foreign nations benefitting from US investment without contributing fairly.
Calls have been made for the Australian government to maintain a strong stance against US influence over its domestic health policies.
Albanese has ruled out retaliatory tariffs, highlighting the negative impact of trade wars on consumers.