Since its debut onto Netflix on June 20 2025, the film has reached more than 500 million watches on the platform, with HUNTR/X, the fictional girl group in KPop Demon Hunters, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for eight weeks. 

At the Oscars, Maggie Kang, co-writer and co-director on KPop Demon Hunters, said in her acceptance speech for Best Animated Film: "For those of you who look like me, I’m so sorry that it took so long to see us in a movie like this, but it is here. That means the next generations don’t have to go longing.

"This is for Korea and Koreans everywhere."

The makers of 'Golden' have also made history as the tune has become the first k-pop track to win the Best Original Song at the Oscars. One of the singing voices behind the group, EJAE, along with several producers, also came on stage to accept the film's win, as she said in her tearful speech: "Thank you so much to the Academy. 

Growing up, people made fun of me for liking K-pop. But now everyone's singing our song and all the Korean lyrics, I'm so proud." Though the moment was overshadowed by the victory speech being cut off by the music when producer, Lee Yu-han, came to the microphone to speak, leading to a commerical break.

    

K-Pop Demon Hunters songwriting crew get speech cut at #Oscars after making history winning Original Song pic.twitter.com/g7WekvTpau

— Deadline (@DEADLINE) March 16, 2026

"Omg this is so rude!! They just made history give them 5 extra seconds," one person penned on X, while a second added: "STOP CUTTING WINNERS SPEECHES WHEN WE HAVE TO SIT THROUGH LONG A** UNFUNNY BITS." 

According to the Korea Times, a similar incident occurred during the acceptance speech for Best Animated Feature, when producer Michelle L.M. Wong appeared to get ready to speak when the orchesta music began playing. 

Backstage, EJAE elaborated on what the team hadn't gotten to say in their televised speech, with the singer adding (via Deadline): "We feel very grateful and very honored. We all worked so hard and this is such a collaborative effort, we just need to thank our directors.

"They created a beautiful film. Everyone was a part of it and we are just so happy that the hard work paid off." She also said that she needed to thank Rei Ami and Audrey Nuna, who also sang with her on 'Golden', as they are 'incredible people' but she didn't get to do it 'because they just cut us off'. 

Lee also finished off what he'd planned to say, adding: "I would like to thank all our families, my fellow Idol members and Teddy Park. This is an incredible honor." 

Most controversial Oscar moments Hattie McDaniel wins but is segregated from her cast (1940) 

Now, we're going back for this one, but with #OscarsSoWhite only being 11 years ago, it's still as topical as ever. McDaniel was the first Black woman to ever win an Oscar, for her supporting role in the equally controversial film Gone with the Wind. 

Although she made history that night, paving the way for the likes of Halle Berry and Cynthia Erivo, McDaniel was seated at the back of the room away from her co-stars. This didn't stop McDaniel from giving an empowering speech, however, in which she said, 'my heart is too full to tell you just how I feel'. 

A ban on political speeches (1993) 

I don't know about you, but this one is new to me. In 1993, the Oscars seemed to tire of political speeches and decided to ban whoever dared utter one. Well, three people who said, 'f*** that' were Tim Robbins, Richard Gere and Susan Sarandon. 

And just as promised, the three were banned. Sarandon and Robbins only for a few years, but everyone's favourite 'officer' (iykyk) sat them out for years, except for making an appearance in 2013, and then never again. Who would be the first to be banned if that rule still applied today? 

Marlon Brando wins and snubs the whole ceremony (1973) 

The Godfather star won his second Oscar for Best Actor in 1973, but instead of going and celebrating with his peers, he sent Sacheen Littlefeather in his place. Littlefeather revealed Brando would not be accepting the award due to Hollywood's portrayal of Native Americans and the protests at Wounded Knee in South Dakota. Littlefeather was met with extreme negativity and even booed during her speech. 

Sacha Baron Cohen brought Kim Jong Il's 'ashes' to the red carpet (2012) 

We all know Sacha Baron Cohen's humor is dark, but this stunt at the Oscars really disturbed some feathers - especially Ryan Seacrest's who ended up wearing the ashes. To promote his film The Dictator, Cohen showed up on the carpet dressed as his fictional character, Admiral Aladeen. 

In tow, instead of bringing his wife at the time, Isla Fischer, or, you know, inviting a friend, Cohen's plus one was the 'ashes' of North Korea's previous dictator, Kim Jong Il, which he then spilt on host Ryan Seacrest. Talk about committing to a bit... no matter how confusing or how uncomfortable it made people. 

#OscarsSoWhite (2015 / 2016) 

In 2015, Black actors, directors, producers and the like were completely cut out of the 2015 Oscar nominations. This prompted the social movement #OscarsSoWhite to take over social media and the entertainment industry, with notable Black Hollywood members boycotting the 2016 Oscars ceremony.

However, even after the impact it made, it clearly didn't phase the people behind the nominations as it happened again the year after. Chris Rock, who hosted the Oscars that year, addressed it in a 10-minute-long speech and pointed out that 'if they nominated [the] host, I wouldn’t even get this job'. 

The award goes to... La La Land or... Moonlight (2017) 

The 2017 Oscars were a weird one, to say the least. From Nicole Kidman's weird a** clap to Auli’i Cravalho getting hit in the head by a flag during her Moana performance and Jimmy Kimmel's bus full of tourists, the bad vibes just kept on coming. 

When announcing the most prestigious award of the night, Best Film, Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway announced the gong had gone to La La Land, but they couldn't have been more wrong. "There’s a mistake," producer Jordan Horowitz said. "Moonlight, you guys won Best Picture. This is not a joke." Could have fooled me, Horowitz. 

It's safe to say it was a mortifying experience for all involved, with Moonlight director Barry Jenkins saying afterwards: “I noticed the commotion but I was speechless when the result was altered. I've never seen that happen before.” 

The slap of the century (2022) 

Easily the most unexpected thing to ever happen at the Oscars, Hollywood's favourite cousin, Will Smith, strode on stage and kapow-ed presenter Chris Rock in the face, after he made an ill-advised joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith. 

The joke in question: “Jada, can't wait for G.I. Jane 2,” as a reference to the Gotham star's shaved head. Having been open about her struggles with alopecia, people saw this as a really low blow from Rock. As Smith slapped the Madagascar star, he screamed: “Keep my wife's name out of your f**king mouth.” The awkwardness did not end there, as Smith later won the Best Actor award and had to go on stage again to accept it. 

Marty Supreme, starring Timothée Chalamet, 30, was up for nine nominations this year, but the film didn't receive a single award during last night's awards ceremony. Chalamet received a nod for Best Actor for his role as Marty Mauser in the sports drama, but he lost out on the gong to Michael B. Jordan following his stand-out performance in Sinners. 

Other nominees include Leonardo DiCaprio for One Battle After Another, Ethan Hawke for Blue Moon and Wagner Moura for The Secret Agent. Chalamet's partner of three years, Kylie Jenner, 28, was in attendance last night with a lip reader allegedly revealing one demand she had for the Hollywood A-lister on the night. 

Speaking to The Mirror, lip reading expert Nicola Nickling analysed a behind-the-scenes clip from Entertainment Tonight which showed the it-couple sitting in the front row at the awards ceremony.

At one point, Chalamet can be seen turning around to someone off-camera while doing a finger gun sign to them as he bit down on his lower lip. He then turned to Jenner and said something before both looked back to where Chalamet was previously looking. 

According to Nicola, Chalamet said something else to Jenner at this point, but she wasn't able to lip-read given the angle. However, she did claim that Jenner apparently said to Chalamet: "Now you're being a child, so shut up." Her remark was allegedly paired with an eye roll. 

Chalamet was the butt of several jokes at this year's Oscars. His recent comments about ballet and opera have sparked major controversy online, something which host Conan O'Brien used as material for a light roast. 

During a recent University of Texas talk with Matthew McConaughey, Chalamet said: "I don’t want to be working in ballet, or opera, or things where it’s like, ‘Hey, keep this thing alive, even though like no one cares about this anymore.' All respect to all the ballet and opera people out there." 

His remarks clearly didn't go down too well with O'Brien poking fun at the ordeal as he quipped on stage: "Security is extremely tight tonight. I'm told there's concern about attacks from both the opera and ballet community. You're just mad you left out jazz!"

He also revealed that it was caused by oral sex and said that he can 'remember the look' on his doctor's face when a 'walnut-size tumour' was found at the base of his tongue. Douglas first sought medical help in 2010 after experiencing a sore throat which stuck around for a prolonged period of time, with health experts determining that he had stage IV squamous cell carcinoma oral cancer. 

The Basic Instinct star underwent an eight-week course of extreme treatment, which included radiation and chemotherapy. While Douglas has been cancer-free for years, he admitted that the treatment 'takes it out of you', managing to lose 20kg while on a water-only diet. As he claimed that oral sex was the cause of his condition, here are all the symptoms of HPV to look out for, as early screening could save a life.

Symptoms of oral HPV 

It is important that you see a doctor if you notice these symptoms persisting, or if they are starting to worry you: Long-lasting sore throat, Hoarseness, Ear aches, Swollen lymph nodes, Pain when swallowing, Unexplained weight loss. 

Some people have no symptoms, according to the US Centres For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), though serious cases of HPV can cause warts or cancer.

How severe can HPV be? 

HPV is the single most common sexually transmitted infection in the US. There are over 100 types of the virus, and 40 of those can spread through direct sexual contact to the genital areas, as well as the mouth and throat, according to The Oral Cancer Foundation. Oral HPV is transmitted to the mouth by oral sex, among other ways. 

How is HPV transmitted through oral sex? 

It is estimated that 10 per cent of men and 3.6 per cent of women have oral HPV, while the CDC claim that all sexually active people will get at least one type of HPV at some point in their lives, though most people are cleared of the virus in just one to two years. In the US, it is estimated that HPV causes 60 to 70 per cent of oropharyngeal cancers.

Speaking to The Conversation, Dr Hisham Mehanna explained: "Those with six or more lifetime oral-sex partners are 8.5 times more likely to develop oropharyngeal cancer than those who do not practice oral sex. 

"80 per cent of adults reported practicing oral sex at some point in their lives, but only a small number of those people develop oropharyngeal cancer." He pointed out that most of us who catch HPV infections will be 'able to clear them completely' over time, but explained: "A small number of people are not able to get rid of the infection, maybe due to a defect in a particular aspect of their immune system."

Dr Mehanna said that the virus can replicate continuously in these patients, integrating in random positions in their DNA, which can cause host cells to become cancerous. 

What happened after Douglas's cancer diagnosis? 

After his diagnosis and treatment, which he described as being 'like the seven circles of hell', Douglas said he was 'just happy to be alive', adding to the Daily Mail: "I was ecstatic. It feels like a rebirth after you go through cancer and you come out of it. You feel like you’re a child. “You see priorities differently. You have a much deeper appreciation of marriage, of your children – you see everything a little bit clearer, and a little brighter.”

However, the Ant-Man star said he regretted the 'embarrassment' the story caused his wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones, whom he married in November 2000. He said: "I was trying to make a public service comment. It was one of those things... and I so regretted any embarrassment that it caused Catherine. And her family."

Douglas also revealed in 2013 that he had tongue cancer, as he told Samuel L. Jackson on This Morning that he was advised to 'just say it's throat cancer' as it was 'before I had to go on a big tour for Wall Street'. 

"So we kind of said there's no way we can cancel the tour and say we don't feel well … You've got to tell them," he said. "I said you've just got to come out and just tell them I've got cancer and that's that."

His father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, previously served as Iran's Supreme Leader, but was killed by a drone attack in the country's capital, Tehran, on the first day the conflict (28 Feb). Mojtaba also lost his mother, wife, and several other family members that day. Following the initial assault, Iran's stand-up leaders fired ballistic missiles of their own in the direction of American and Israeli troops based in Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan. 

According to Sky News, the newly elected leader was wounded during the airstrikes that killed his father. Not yet having been seen in public, Mojtaba, 56, is said to have endured mild injuries, but has continued to work in the country's top position. Yousef Pezeshkian, the son of Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian, previously wrote in a post on Telegram: "I heard news about Mr Mojtaba being injured.

"I asked friends who were in contact. They said, thank God, he is healthy and there is no problem." Speaking to Iranian state media on Thursday (12 Mar), as cited by the BBC, Mojtaba ​Khamenei said that the country will not hesitate to 'avenge the blood of Iranians' who have been killed. His message was read out by a news anchor, and he did not appear on camera. 

He reportedly said that it especially applies to the case in Minab, where a strike near an all-girls elementary school killed 168 people, including around 110 children. Iran claims the school was hit by a US missile; however, America has denied responsibility while it investigates. 

In his message, the new Supreme Leader also said that the 'lever of blocking the Strait of Hormuz' should still be used by Iran. He talked about a policy of 'friendship' that Iran has with neighbouring countries; however, he urged them to close their American bases, which he affirmed Iran will continue to target.

As per AP News, Mojtaba said: “These countries must clarify their position regarding those who have attacked our beloved homeland and killed members of our people. I recommend that they shut down those bases as soon as possible, because by now they must have realized that the United States’ claims of providing security and peace have been nothing more than a lie." 

The leader eerily promised the people of Iran that he would 'destroy the enemy assets to the same extent' that had been done to his nation. "One point I must emphasize is that, in any case, we will obtain compensation from the enemy. If it refuses, we will take from its assets to the extent we deem appropriate, and if that is not possible, we will destroy its assets to the same extent,” he threatened.

The Supreme Leader said: "I assure everyone that we will not refrain from avenging the blood of your martyrs. The retaliation we have in mind is not limited only to the martyrdom of the great leader of the Revolution; rather, every member of the nation who is martyred by the enemy constitutes a separate case in the file of revenge. 

“A limited portion of this retaliation has already taken tangible form, but until it is fully achieved, this file will remain open above other cases. "We will be especially sensitive regarding the blood of our children. Therefore, the crime the enemy deliberately committed against the Shajareh-Tayyebeh school in Minab, and some similar cases, holds a special status in this process of accountability.” 

He also thanked the 'brave fighters' who have fought for Iran during the conflict. Mojtaba said: “Our sincere thanks go to our brave fighters who, at a time when our nation and beloved homeland have been unjustly attacked by the leaders of the front of arrogance, have blocked the enemy’s path with their powerful blows and dispelled their illusion of being able to dominate our beloved country or possibly divide it." 

It comes after, following his rise to power, Israeli Defence Minister, Israel ⁠Katz, previously described Mojtaba as 'an unequivocal target for ​elimination'. Trump also slammed his appointment as 'unacceptable'. "We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran," the Republican leader hit out.

Tragically, Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy passed away aged 76 in July last year, with his cause of death announced as cardiac arrest, acute myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, and Parkinson’s disease. But now, Jack has honoured his dad in the most special way - by naming his newborn daughter after him. 

The reality TV star announced the news that Aree had given birth with a heartwarming Instagram post on Wednesday (11 March). He wrote: "Introducing Ozzy Matilda Osbourne," alongside a short black and white video of the little one next to a birth plaque sharing baby Ozzy's full name, date and time of birth, weight, and length. There was also a bat teddy in the background, again paying homage to the late Ozzy Osbourne, as it's an animal the star has always been associated with.

The plaque revealed that baby Ozzy was born on 5 March at 8:49am. Jack added on his Instagram Story: "She's arrived and she's perfect," as friends and fans alike ran to the comments to send their congratulations and gush over the moniker. 

While Aree wrote on her social media: "Our Ozzy Matilda Osbourne has landed earthside", as well as a second Story where she's cradling the newborn as they wear matching pyjamas. Fans of Ozzy and Jack have been bawling ever since seeing the adorable name choice, with one Instagram user writing: "Congratulations to you both; she has the most perfect name." 

While a second added: "May she be as creative and kind as her grandfather," and a third penned: "Your dad already held her before she came earth side. Welcome to the world Ozzy Matilda." A fourth gushed: "The sweetest name. Her Papa’s gotta be so tickled watching over."

And a fifth chimed in with: "The most perfect name she could have ever received!! Congratulations to you all…I am sure her birth is what everyone’s heart needed!!" While a sixth emotionally wrote: "This brought tears to my eyes!!! Congratulations to you two as well!!!" Baby Ozzy is the couple's second child together, after their first daughter, Maple Artemis Osbourne, was born on July 9, 2022. 

Jack is also a father to three daughters with his ex-wife, Lisa Stelly - Pearl Clementine Osbourne, 13, Andy Rose Osbourne, 10, and Minnie Theodora Osbourne, 7. The podcaster first revealed Aree's pregnancy at the beginning of December when she was 28 weeks, meaning he would have been able to tell Ozzy before his death.

He told The Sun in December: "I think it’s been partly a healthy distraction, partly healing - probably in that kind of 'full cycle' category, in a weird way. "It’s very much taken energy out of the grieving side of things and parked in a bit more hopefulness." 

He added that he and Aree were 'super excited' about the pregnancy and admitted that it happened earlier than they expected. "It’s definitely something that we were wanting to pursue, and somehow it happened, miraculously," he told the publication.

The pair had previously welcomed Kingston James McGregor Rossdale, who was born in 2006, and Zuma Nesta Rock Rossdale, in 2008. Stefani ended up divorcing Rossdale, before going on to marry Blake Shelton six years later in 2021. 

Now, with her children growing up, Stefani is reflecting on parenthood and spoke in a recent interview about having her youngest and how it changed her path when it came to religion. "I really wanted to have another baby. I really did," the 56-year-old said in an interview on the 'Hallow: Prayer & Meditation' YouTube channel.

"I couldn’t and I was old and [I] started talking about all these things … it was waking me up." It was working with a friend that saw her go down the route of Christianity. "I started working with this guy, and he was really like an atheist Jew that converted after being an atheist growing up in Israel," Stefani added. 

"He was studying the Torah, and he had this big epiphany [and] awakening and he starts talking to me about the Torah." The Voice coach's eldest son, Kingston, also asked for another sibling, as Stefani recalled.

"He was like, ‘Please God, let my mommy have a baby'," she went on. "I just remember thinking, look at my little boy. He’s praying for me!” Stefani continued: "I think it was four weeks later and I was pregnant with Apollo, who I had at 44 years old, naturally, totally a full-on gift. That was the first miracle.” 

While she may have disclosed her newfound belief, Stefani went on to admit she 'doesn’t know enough' about Christianity. "It’s almost scary because the more you know, the more fear you get," she continued in the recently published interview.

"You realize, 'Oh my gosh, I’m running out of time and I need to get this together. I’ve got to be a real Christian! I’m not gonna make it'.” The musician was then asked how being a Christian has changed her, and she pointed to the pandemic as a key turning point. 

"I remember it was 2020. It was during COVID [and I was] searching online. Thank god for online. It’s horrible out there but there’s so much good information too," she added. "I found Pastor Mike Schmitz, that sermon really changed [me]. I remember just bawling and being on fire. I had found this truth."

Mia Khalifa has quipped she's sharing 'never-before-nudes' with new X-ray pictures, which make an important point about her heartbreaking experiences within the adult industry.  After entering in October 2014, Khalifa, whose real name is Sarah Joe Chamoun, shot to fame after a controversial video where she posed in a hijab and spoke Arabic, which later saw her threatened by the terrorist organisation ISIS. 

She has been extremely vocal about being pressured into the industry from a young age, and is now an activist, fashion entrepreneur and jewellery business owner. She appeared at Paris Fashion Week this week for Trashy Clothing's runway debut, where she wore an exposed black dress with gold-plated nipple coverings. 

And she recently did a peculiar photo shoot with SHOWstudio, which saw her body x-rayed in a number of different positions, as she showed off her body and some of her own jewellery from her brand Sheytan.

SHOWstudio shared the images on social media, writing: "Icon and activist @miakhalifa reinterprets the power of the body with her SHOWstudio Boxset contribution. ‘Never-before-seen’ nudes, offer a witty and personal take on the concept of nudity, reclaiming her own image with X-Rays, wearing jewellery from her brand Sheytan." 

The 33-year-old popped up in the comments, replying with an X-ray and white heart emoji. Another post by Nick Knight, director of SHOWstudio, explained the images show Khalifa's 'total understanding of the power and desirability of her own image' and play 'with [the] idea of surface and of the beauty'. 

Khalifa responded: "Baring it all for you!" After switching to OnlyFans after leaving the porn industry in 2015, Khalifa has spoken out to criticise it in the past, suggesting that she was exploited before she eventually left following just a few professional shoots. 

"I became infamous by accident. I entered the adult industry in October of 2014, and very quickly I was pressured to perform in a video where the context was that I was an Arab veiled woman," she told The New York Times, recalling her instant overnight fame.

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A post shared by SHOWstudio (@showstudio)

Khalifa, who is Lebanese-American, added: "The intent was to exploit the fact that I was Arabic and spoke Arabic, and I went through with it. Not long after, I would say maybe a couple hours after it premiered, the avalanche started. 

"Every news outlet picked it up, and everybody had an opinion. I was completely out of control of my image, my reputation." And she has previously dispelled the notion that she was 'racking in millions from porn', claiming she only made $12,000 during her time and 'never saw a penny again after that'.

Even though she quit after just a few weeks in the industry, the damage was done, and she couldn't return to her day job without being 'looked at in a certain way'.

She also spoke to Louis Theroux on his podcast, The Louis Theroux Podcast, about how her mental health was negatively affected following her experience, to the point where even hearing her name was difficult. 

However, since leaving the adult industry, Khalifa, along with her fellow ex-porn star, Lana Rhodes, has become a millionaire, with OnlyFans being the biggest 'moneymaker', along with her modelling gigs and influencer work. 

But a big thing for Khalifa is avoiding nudity, since she can now control her own content, and her latest Instagram images are perhaps the closest fans might get, even if it's a slightly satirical take on the matter. She previously told The New York Times in 2024: "I don’t do nudity past what I’ve done in a fashion magazine, which is like a see-through shirt or something. 

"So I feel secure, and the audience that I’ve cultivated on that platform knows what they’re in for." SHOWstudio's x-ray images of Khalfia form part of their 25th anniversary boxset. You can buy the boxset here. 

Khamenei was only the second person to have held the position, taking over after the death of Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989. Ali Khamenei's son Mojtaba Khamenei has been chosen as the successor to the position, and is the first supreme leader to not have been directly involved in the 1979 revolution which saw the Shia Islamist regime seize power. 

Following the death of their leader, Iran has now issued a threat against Donald Trump, and reminded the US president of the many times that invaders have attempted to conquer Iran throughout its long history.

Iran's threat came from Ali Ardashir Larijani, the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, who shared the message after Trump posted on his platform Truth Social. Larijani said: “The Ashura nation of Iran is not afraid of your empty threats. 

Even those greater than you could not eliminate the Iranian nation. Be careful not to be eliminated!” He signed the message: “Supreme National Security Council of Iran, Tehran, March 19, 1404 - 10 days after the martyrdom of His Holiness Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.” 

Speaking from the Oval Office in February 2025, Trump said that if Iran or their proxies assassinated him, 'they would be obliterated'. He continued: "That would be the end. I've left instructions. If they do it, they would be obliterated. There wouldn't be anything left." Trump has previously threatened to hit Iran 'twenty times harder' if the country attempts to disrupt oil supplies in the Strait of Hormuz.

This is a narrow stretch of water between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, with the peninsula that makes up the United Arab Emirates on its south, and Iran to the north.

It provides an important trade route for countries including Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq, allowing ships to either circle west around the Arabian Peninsula to the Suez Canal, or sail east to Pakistan and India. 

Approximately 20 percent of the world's oil production is shipped through the Strait of Hormuz, and disruption from the war has already led to a surge in oil prices, with prices rising to $119 a barrel.

Normally around 100 vessels traverse the strait every day, but the war has seen that traffic plummet. The Guardian has reported that only a handful of vessels not linked to Iran or Russia have attempted the run, with one switching off its transponder until it was well on the way to Mumbai, while another signalled that it was Chinese owned and crewed. 

This drop in traffic has come despite attempts at reassurance from Trump, who has announced a $20 billion reinsurance scheme, as well as urging oil tanker crews to 'show some guts'.

Emma Bray died in July 2025 after a two-year long battle with motor neuron disease (MND), a degenerative illness that causes muscle weakness that worsens over a few months or years. There are different types of MND, one being amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which recently claimed the life of Grey's Anatomy star Eric Dane. 

The actor was just 53 years old and his passing came less than a year after his diagnosis. ALS is the most common type of MND. After Emma had been diagnosed with MND, she joined a campaign group called Dignity in Dying — a UK-based community calling for assisted dying to be legalized for terminally ill, mentally competent adults specifically.

Instead of succumbing to her MND, which comes with a life expectancy of 18 months to three years after diagnosis, Emma decided to starve herself so that she passed away before her illness got to the worst it could be. 

Speaking about her heartbreaking decision, Emma, 42, told The Mirror in June of last year: "Imagine seeing your children crying and upset and not be able to hug them or curl up in bed and wipe their tears away." "This is hands down the thing I hate the most about motor neurone disease," she went on. "It's taken my children's mom from them little by little." 

Emma explained how she'd initially experienced cramps in her hand - something that triggered a three-year search for the cause. "For years, I had been told my symptoms were all to do with stress and that I would get better. I went to a private neuro rehab in Leeds who instantly told me that it was something more serious," the mom said. 

"I then did some research and became fixated on MND as it matched my symptoms. Going into the consultant appointment, MND was the worst case scenario and to hear him say that’s what it was was crushing."

"I remember howling like an animal when I realized the impact it would have on the children. My best friend was with me and, as we left, I said I wished it was cancer because there would be potential surgery or treatment, with MND there is nothing," she added. 

Emma received the 'devastating diagnosis' in July 2023 and started preparing for the end of her life. She admitted: "The last bit of parenting I can do is to limit the suffering and trauma they have to witness. "I promised myself to see my daughter finish high school and my son grow up a little so I can picture the man he will become." 

Not long after her interview with the newspaper, Emma 'finished [her] final spin round the sun' and it was announced on social media on July 14, 2025, that she had died.

   

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In a message she'd written before her death, Emma said: "If you are reading this then I've finished my final spin round the sun. "I've lived a very good life, surrounded by love, music and laughter and I want this to continue in my memory. 

Rather than shed a tear (or whilst you do) please plant a tree or call a friend, do a random act of kindness or take time to watch a sunset. "For moments of doubt please ask 'what would Emma do?' and run with that probably inappropriate answer. Hug everyone a little tighter and love openly." 

The mom-of-two concluded her tear-jerking statement with: "Please surround those who were closest to me with love, time and patience. "And to quote Frank Turner - Remember you get to dance another day but now you have to dance for one more of us." 

If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact GrieveWell on (734) 975-0238, or email info@grievewell.com.

On Monday (2 March), he outlined his aims to destroy Iran's nuclear programme, missile capabilities and navy, as well as 'ensuring' the country 'cannot continue to arm, fund and direct terrorist armies outside of their borders'. However, according to his niece Mary Lea Trump, 'there is one reason and one reason alone' that the President took aim at Iran. 

Although they share a surname and the same blood, Mary does not share the same ideologies as her controversial relative and is an open critic of him. The psychologist, author, and political commentator, 60, is the daughter of Donald's late older brother who suffered a fatal heart attack in 1981, Fred Trump Jr. Mary Trump said her uncle is 'in trouble, and he knows it' (YouTube/Mary Trump Media) 

She also runs a YouTube channel titled 'Mary Trump Media', where she publishes 'political deep dives and brutal takedowns of the Trump regime'. The description for it reads: "You might know Donald Trump as the authoritarian conman wrecking the country from the Oval Office.

Mary Trump just knows him as her f***ing loser uncle. This channel is where fake news goes to die." In one of her latest videos shared on Tuesday (3 March), Mary dissected her uncle's decision to launch strikes on Iran - and laid out how she believes he 'declared war to save himself'. 

The author kicked off the nearly nine-minute clip by listing off an array of broken promises that Donald has made since taking office, such as replacing the Affordable Care Act and ending Russia's four-year invasion of Ukraine. "None of that has come to pass," Mary said, while describing it as 'absurd' that Donald dubs himself a 'peace president'.

"Now, Donald is telling us that he declared war on Iran over the weekend, in part, because the country is developing nuclear weapons that 'could soon reach the American homeland'," she went on.

"Donald has also floated the idea that this war we are now in, thanks to him, is about bringing regime change to Iran. "The Iranian people have suffered long and horribly under the cruel and repressive authoritarian theocracy currently in power. They deserve to be free and they deserve the ability to determine their own system of governance. 

"But the man who is bombing their country has no interest in them, and he has no plan to create the conditions in which they can become free or support the efforts to create an alternative to the current regime." 

Mary claimed her uncle does not care 'about the future of the Iranian people' and that 'there is no plan' for him to help them. "Donald wreaks havoc and then he expects other people to pick up the rubble of his destruction," she said. "And here we are in a war of choice, of Donald's own choosing, with Iran - without the consent of the American people, without congressional authorisation."

Explaining what she believes her uncle's true motivations are, Mary continued: "For Donald, there is one reason and one reason alone. "He's in trouble, and he knows it. This isn't simply about changing the subject. That, of course, would be bad enough. 

"This is to keep himself and the world from knowing what an inept, depraved, compromised fraud he is. This is about his unfathomable desperation to avoid being humiliated. "Donald Trump has taken us to war at the behest of Saudi Arabia and Israel. But that wouldn't have been enough of a reason if doing so didn't also coincide with his own self-interest." 

Discussing the rising death toll across the Middle East, Mary added: "All because Donald is a desperately weak man who needs to distract people from that fact, just as he needs something to shore up his failing ability to feel powerful.  That is a difficult tight rope for the weakest man I've ever known to be walking. And yet, somehow, he has been allowed to walk it for his whole life. His whole miserable, useless, selfish life."

The US and Israel have been embroiled in a strategic plan to issue multiple attacks against Iran since February 28, which has since allegedly caused the death of its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the nation's capital - Tehran. Iran subsequently retaliated with missile and drone attacks as it targeted various US military bases in locations including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and Dubai.

In the days since the initial attacks, the full scale of its destruction has become public, with Iran’s death toll being revealed as approximately 555 people, with hundreds more injured. In the aftermath, people have taken to social media to call the bombings ‘disgusting and evil’, with pro-MAGA supporters like ex-Fox News reporter Carlson Tucker denouncing Trump’s actions.

But that’s not the only thing people are upset about – it's the name of the operation. Social media users have hit out at Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the entire administration over the choice to name it ‘Operation Epic Fury’, with many calling it ‘stupid’ or ‘childish’. 

“Is it just me or the name of the Operation ‘Epic Fury’ feels like it was picked by someone from Marvel ?,” one person wrote. Another commented: “In all of US military history is there a more embarrassing name for an operation than ‘epic fury?’ Sounds like the subtitle of the sixth sequel in a mediocre slasher franchise.” “I know it’s small potatoes but epic fury is the stupidest military operation name ever.

It’s the minions of military operation names,” someone else penned. A fourth slated: "'Operation Epic Fury’ is the kind of thing I would've called it when I played with GI Joe action figures as a child. For an adult to use the name when killing real people is f***** pathetic.” Currently, the attacks continue, with Trump having said it could last up to a month.

Iran has since attacked Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. An Iranian drone also attacked a runway at a UK military base in Cyprus. 

At the moment, the death toll has been confirmed by local outlets like Al Jazeera, stating: Israel reported 10 killed and hundreds injured; US reported three soldiers had been killed in Iran’s retaliatory attacks on Kuwait, and five others were injured; in Bahrain, missiles killed one and injured four; Iraq reported two dead and five injured; Jordan reported intercepting 49 drones and ballistic missiles, and no casualties; Kuwait’s Ministry of Defence said its Ali al-Salem Air Base came under attack and its International Airport, killing one and injuring 32; Lebanon reported 31 dead and 149 injured; Oman reported no deaths but five casualties, and Qatar noted the attacks harmed 16 people.

Iran has since responded with missile and drone attacks as it attempted to access US military bases in places like Bahrain, Qatar and Dubai. With threats from both sides being hurdled, which included Iran’s ambassador telling the US in an emergency UN Security meeting in New York to be ‘polite’. 

He said: “I have one word only. I advise to the representative of the United States to be polite." He added: "It will be better for yourself and the country you represented, thank you."

US ambassador Mike Walz replied: "Frankly, I'm not going to dignify this with another response." But now, in light of the attacks on Iran and retaliatory measures, conservative commentator-turned-independent-journalist, Tucker Carlson torched Trump for his 'evil' attack as the MAGA base fractures over whether this act is to be celebrated or not. 

Carlson, who has long been supportive of Trump during his time on Fox News, told fellow reporter Jon Karl on his show, that Trump’s attacks on Iran were ‘absolutely disgusting and evil’. It comes after Carlson urged Trump against striking, when he visited the Oval Office last week. 

In light of the attacks, many others have come out to denounced Trump’s administration’s actions, with former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene issuing a statement telling him: “Thousands and thousands of Americans from my generation have been killed and injured in never ending pointless foreign wars and we said no more. 

But we are freeing the Iranian people. Please.” She added: “There are 93 million people in Iran, let them liberate themselves. But Iran is on the verge of having nuclear weapons. Yeah, sure.”

Republican Senator Rand Paul also wrote on social media: “The Constitution conferred the power to declare or initiate war to Congress for a reason, to make war less likely… As with all war, my first and purest instinct is wish Americans soldiers safety and success in their mission. 

But my oath of office is to the Constitution, so with studied care, I must oppose another Presidential war.” “As always I only support military action anywhere, in any context, if it directly serves the interests of American citizens,” Matt Walsh of The Daily Wire said. 

“It’s troubling that the arguments we’re hearing for this war in Iran, including from Trump himself, seem to revolve primarily around ‘bringing freedom to the Iranian people.’ As Americans, the freedom of Iranians is not our responsibility. If a single American life is lost in the service of that goal, it will be a travesty.” The strikes come nearly a year after the US previously bombed the country in June of last year, after speculation about Iran’s nuclear capability came into question. 

The US' attack against Iran on June 21, claimed to have targeted three nuclear sites, including Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan shortly after Israel launched a large-scale attack on Iranian military and nuclear sites. 

At the time, Trump posted to Truth Social, claiming the US’s attack on Iran was huge, writing: "Monumental Damage was done to all nuclear sites in Iran, as shown by satellite images. Obliteration is an accurate term!" However, all strikes aimed at Iran have largely divided opinions. 

At least three US service personnel have been killed as a result of Iran's retaliation against a number of American military sites across the region, as well as its Gulf state allies like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. 

US Central Command, the wing of the Department of Defense that covers operations in the Middle East, shared the tragic news on the morning of Sunday, March 1, saying: "As of 9:30 am ET, March 1, three U.S. service members have been killed in action and five are seriously wounded as part of Operation Epic Fury. 

"Several others sustained minor shrapnel injuries and concussions — and are in the process of being returned to duty. Major combat operations continue and our response effort is ongoing."

This is the first confirmation that Iran's retaliatory attacks against the US and Israel's 'pre-emptive' strike yesterday. Iran's explosive response has seen drones and ballistic missiles rain down on its Western-allied nieghbors, destroying a billion dollar radar installation in Qatar, as well as targeting a number of American bases and command centers in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Iraq. 

The Department of Defense did not confirm the identities of the fallen soldiers, or which country they had died in. CENT COM's statement continued: "The situation is fluid, so out of respect for the families, we will withhold additional information, including the identities of our fallen warriors, until 24 hours after next of kin have been notified." 

Missiles and suicide drones have continued to fly across the region on the second day of President Trump's 'major combat operations' against Iran, which has already decapitated the Islamic Republic's leadership, including its infamous Ayatollah Khamenei.

   

As the President stated, our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime.

The President ordered bold action. CENTCOM forces are delivering an overwhelming and unrelenting blow. pic.twitter.com/B0k5gV4YnU

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) February 28, 2026

This is despite the president's warning last night that the US military could still hit Iran with more explosive destruction if it does not capitulate to America's demands, which currently appear to be nothing short of total regime change. 

A bellicose Trump posted on Truth Social last night: "Iran just stated that they are going to hit very hard today, harder than they have ever hit before. THEY BETTER NOT DO THAT, HOWEVER, BECAUSE IF THEY DO, WE WILL HIT THEM WITH A FORCE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE!" Democrats have been quick to slam the president for causing these deaths of American soldiers, according to Politico. New Jersey Senator Andy Kim responded to the sad news, saying: “He tries to pass it off as if it’s like ‘oh, we’re at war, and it’s terrible that service members might be killed.

“He is choosing this. He put [U.S. troops] in harm’s way. They didn’t have to die.” Meanwhile the conflict, which has not been approved by Congress as required by the Constitution, shows no sign of de-escalating. 

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, who is understood to have ordered the first strike in the conflict, said on Sunday that missile attacks would only 'increase'. He said in a video address: "Our forces are now striking the heart of Tehran with increasing strength, which will increase even more in the coming days." He added that the decapitating strike that killed Khamenei was something Israel had been 'hoping to do for 40 years' and was looking forward to further 'assistance of the United States'.