The Oscar statuette is Hollywood’s ultimate recognition, full of lore, mysteries and rules | JQJO

Liberal Justice Elena Kagan on Tuesday sharply criticized the Supreme Court’s conservative majority, saying it undermined democracy in a series of rulings. She cited the 2019 decision that barred federal courts from limiting extreme partisan gerrymandering and recent rulings that gutted the Voting Rights Act, allowing Republican states to eliminate majority Black districts. Kagan also condemned the Court’s striking down of campaign finance restrictions, most recently in June. She warned that these decisions have driven voters toward political extremes and increased polarization. Kagan’s remarks were delivered at Catholic University’s law school in Washington, D.C.

The Department of Justice has requested California segregate ballots for roughly twenty‑thousand voters it says are likely noncitizens. Los Angeles County officials say the list is unreliable, noting that about thirty‑nine percent of sampled registrations list a U.S. birthplace, indicating citizenship. The state argues that complying would be unfeasible close to the election and could violate federal and state election laws. The lawsuit, filed by the federal government, seeks to compel California to investigate the list before votes are counted.

Dow Jones futures and the S&P 500 have both returned to their 50‑day moving averages. SpaceX reported earnings that surpassed analysts’ expectations, and the company is reportedly considering a merger with Tesla. Meta remains a key focus for investors.

Ohio State coach Ryan Day announced on Tuesday that starting quarterback Julian Sayin would be out indefinitely following an arm injury sustained in the Buckeyes’ 19‑15 win over Indiana. Sayin’s injury could keep him out for the remainder of the season, affecting the team’s chances in the College Football Playoff. The Buckeyes will rely on Luke Fahey and Tavien St. Clair for the upcoming game against No. 16 USC on October thirty‑first. Day emphasized that the team is preparing for both regular‑season and postseason absences if Sayin cannot return this fall.

Researchers at Mass General Brigham in Boston have created artificial intelligence models that can estimate a cancer patient’s biological age and survival chances from a single facial photograph. The models, trained on more than forty million images, analyze specific facial regions to gauge health and mortality risk. Published Monday in The Lancet Digital Health, the study suggests facial analysis could become an additional tool for doctors when evaluating treatment options for cancer patients.

The New York Knicks will open the 2026‑27 NBA season by facing the Philadelphia 76ers on Oct. 20, 2026. This first matchup of the season for both teams marks the opening contest of the campaign.

French authorities extended curfews and increased police presence after rioters torched buildings and looted thousands of businesses this weekend. President Emmanuel Macron blamed radical far‑left groups and criminals for the violence and vowed to punish rioters while listening to protest demands. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced a massive police deployment ahead of demonstrations scheduled for October twenty‑four. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez admitted authorities underestimated the unrest and lost control in some cities during Saturday’s protests. Over two thousand five hundred people were taken into police custody by Monday evening, including those who burned a historic town hall in Limoges. Overnight curfews were imposed around Paris’ Place de la République and Les Halles, with restrictions also introduced in Lyon and other cities. The government offered concessions, such as deploying more than three thousand substitute teachers to high schools most in need on October eighth.

Val Chmerkovskiy was suspended from the October 20 episode of *Dancing with the Stars* after a deleted Instagram post referenced Will Smith’s 2022 Oscars slap. The post, directed at judge Carrie Ann Inaba, prompted the first suspension in the series’ history. Chmerkovskiy confirmed the suspension on Oct. 17, saying he would still be “watching and cheering everyone on.” Alan Bersten stepped in to dance with Jenna Dewan, performing a Viennese waltz to “Unchained Melody.” Chmerkovskiy apologized to Inaba and the show, stating he had “never intended” to cause a distraction. The episode aired without Chmerkovskiy, who was absent from the ballroom.

On Dancing with the Stars Dedication Night, pro dancer Connor Wood performed a Viennese waltz to Billy Joel’s “Piano Man,” dedicating the dance to his father, Pete. Wood, wearing a burgundy suit, glided across the ballroom before joining his dad near the piano for an emotional embrace. Judges praised his performance: Derek Hough noted he had “come a long way,” Kym Johnson highlighted his infectious smile, Bruno Tonioli called it a “proper, real Viennese waltz,” and Carrie Ann Inaba named Wood the night’s most improved dancer. Wood earned a perfect score of 32/40, all straight 8s. The episode aired at 9:30 pm ET.