Comedian Bill Maher delivered a scathing critique of the longstanding #OscarsSoWhite campaign ahead of Sunday’s Academy Awards, arguing that complaints about a lack of diversity should cease after the push has led to a far more diverse group of winners. 

“Hollywood isn’t a secret cabal of racists. It’s a secret cabal of people terrified of looking like racists,” the “Real Time” host said during Friday’s episode.

“And I’m just tired of, no matter how much progress is made, social justice warriors feeling the need to gaslight us as if none of it had happened.”

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Comedian & writer Bill Maher is pictured during an interview on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 (Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Images)

Maher blasted “progressives” for the decade-long push to increase minority representation at the ceremony, even as more recent Oscar-winning films and stars have featured traditionally “underrepresented groups.”

In the process, he listed several recent Academy Award-winning films, including “Moonlight,” “Everything Everywhere All At Once,” “The Shape of Water,” and “Nomadland.”

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Actor Ke Huy Quan’s speech went viral after “Everything, Everywhere, All at Once” won Best Picture at the Oscars in 2023, with Quan himself winning an award for “Best Supporting Actor.” (Academy Awards screenshot)

He also listed winning actors Will Smith, Ke Huy Quan, Zoe Saldaña, Regina King and others before delving into how many recent Best Director and honorary award winners also came from underrepresented groups.

“Someone must wear a ribbon that says, ‘We won.’ Just as a way to remind progressives, ‘Hey, you’re progressive. Progress is what you’re selling. Take the win,'” he quipped.

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An Oscar statue appears outside the Dolby Theatre for the 87th Academy Awards in Los Angeles on Feb. 21, 2015.  (Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)

“The Oscars are no longer a long, boring show full of white people. It’s a long, boring show full of all people,” he added.

Maher’s critique continued, pointing to inclusion standards implemented by the Academy in recent years, requiring Best Picture contenders to feature underrepresented groups in at least 30% of the film’s crew, among other requirements.

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“No one can argue with a straight face… that the Academy in 2026 still overlooks minority achievement or that Hollywood is biased in favor of all white people – just Australians,” he quipped. 

The Academy did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

A viral video claiming there is a proper way to eat cereal is stirring debate online — and it involves more utensils than many breakfast eaters might expect.

British etiquette coach William Hanson shared a video on social media at the end of February demonstrating what he says is the correct technique for eating cereal: using a spoon in one hand and a fork in the other.

The video, filmed at a hotel breakfast buffet, has racked up more than five million views on social media and left many scratching their heads.

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“First of all, add your milk of choice,” Hanson says in the video. “And then, with a spoon held in your dominant hand and the fork in your non-dominant hand, you will eat.”

A viral video showing cereal eaten with a spoon and fork has racked up millions of views. (iStock)

The fork is used to push cereal onto the spoon, he explains in the short clip, adding that, unlike soup, you do not need to scoop it away from you.

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While the technique is “very niche,” the fork helps “keep things neat” and maneuver flakes onto the spoon, explained Australian etiquette expert Jo Hayes.

The extra utensil may make sense with a wide, low-sided bowl, since typical cereal bowls help push cereal onto the spoon, she added.

Hayes told Fox News Digital that while she generally agrees with Hanson’s approach, she has never seen someone use a fork for cereal and noted that it can be eaten in a civilized manner with just a spoon.

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The most important rule, she noted, is that diners do not use their fingers to push cereal onto the spoon or lean down toward the bowl.

Most etiquette experts say cereal can be eaten neatly using just a spoon. (iStock)

Some older dining traditions involved elaborate methods for certain dishes, according to Laura Windsor, a British author and etiquette expert who worked on the set of the Netflix series “Bridgerton.”

“Traditionally, a spoon would be held in the dominant hand to carry the cereal, while a second utensil — sometimes another spoon, sometimes a fork — was used to scoop or hold the cereal and milk together to prevent spillage,” Windsor told Fox News Digital.

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In some cases, dry cereal might have even been dipped into a separate bowl of milk before being eaten, she said.

But Windsor acknowledged that such approaches would feel excessive for most modern breakfasts. “All of this seems a little complicated, especially first thing in the morning,” she said.

The technique divided social media users.

A fork could help push cereal onto a spoon when using a low-sided bowl. (iStock)

“I can’t tell if this is rage bait or not,” one Instagram user wrote. “I think he’s messing with us,” another said.

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Someone else chimed in, “Using a fork to eat cereal is diabolical.”

Others, however, were open to the idea.

“I would definitely eat my cereal with a fork just to add a splash of class to my meal,” one commenter wrote.

Across the pond, etiquette experts told Fox News Digital the fork rule was news to them.

Etiquette experts agree diners should avoid using their fingers for cereal. (iStock)

“The rules of the table aren’t always the same on both sides of the Atlantic,” said California etiquette expert Lisa Mirza Grotts.

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“To my knowledge, there is no etiquette basis for using two utensils when eating cereal,” she added. “At the Western table, cereal has always been a single-spoon dish. The spoon was designed for foods served in a bowl — nothing more is required.”

Nikki Sawhney, founder of the New England School of Protocol, agreed.

While using a fork to eat cereal could simply be a personal habit for convenience, she argues the practice may actually be better for informal settings.

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“For example, one may use a fork to break up a large cluster of granola,” Sawhney said.

The unusual cereal-eating technique sparked debate online, with some calling it unnecessary. (iStock)

She recommends reading the room and avoiding unnecessary complications.

“Adding extra utensils or steps can sometimes make simple meals feel more awkward or cumbersome,” she said, adding, “Modern etiquette should try to simplify dining practices.”

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As one TikTok user put it, “Being classy is cool, but there are limits.”

Hanson, the author of “Just Good Manners: A Quintessential Guide to Courtesy, Charm, Grace and Decorum,” has sparked online debate over etiquette before. 

Etiquette experts say cereal has traditionally been considered a single-spoon dish. (iStock)

Last year, he went viral after claiming the “only way” to eat a banana properly is with a knife and fork.

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This year, his cereal tip even made it onto “Saturday Night Live.” Afterward, he posted a poll on Facebook asking, “Have I gone too far?” Eighty-three percent of nearly 5,000 voters said “Goodness yes,” while 15% said “Absolutely not.”

Fox News Digital has reached out to Hanson for comment.

Actress Madison Pettis appeared to take aim at her ex-boyfriend, Brooklyn Nets star Michael Porter Jr., claiming the couple broke up before his NBA debut because “he was a psychopath.”

During a recent appearance on the “In Your Dreams With Owen Thiele” podcast, the former Disney Channel star was explaining how she unwinds at home with a glass of wine while watching a basketball game. 

Madison Pettis attends the REVOLVE Gallery NYFW Presentation at Hudson Yards in New York, New York, on Sept. 8, 2022. (Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)

“I’m really into sports… but I’ll go home and watch some basketball. That helps me unwind a little bit.”

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Pettis was then asked if she would be open to being a “basketball wife,” which prompted her to talk about her previous relationship.

“My ex is now in the NBA. He wasn’t when we dated, he was like in high school and college,” she began. “I broke up with him before he was in the league because he was a psychopath.”

Pettis did not name Porter, but the two publicly dated from 2016-17, before Porter was drafted 14th overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 2018 NBA Draft. 

Actress Madison Pettis (L) and basketball player Michael Porter Jr. attend the 2017 Radio Disney Music Awards at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California, on April 29, 2017. (David Livingston/Getty Images)

“I do think a lot of athletes are not great partners, but I wouldn’t rule it out because I do love what they do,” she continued. “So, I would have respect for them and love to talk to them about, you know, their passion.”

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The comments about Porter come as no surprise. The Nets star has had several controversial moments over the years for remarks he’s made on podcasts about dating and relationships. In September, he said on the “Respectfully The Justin Laboy Show” that he split rent with an ex-girlfriend to ensure that she was with him “for the right intention.” 

“It’s very hard when you have money, as you know, to tell a woman’s intentions… I had never bought a girl expensive gifts before this last girl and it was cool to do,” Porter, who agreed to a massive $200 million contract extension with the Nuggets in 2021, explained on the podcast.

“But I still wanted to know that she was with me for the right reasons. Every dude in this particular person’s past had money. So I never wanted to feel like a girl was just with me because of what I have and what I could give her.”

Michael Porter Jr. (17) of the Brooklyn Nets in action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York, on Jan. 21, 2026. The Knicks won 120-66. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

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He has also made controversial remarks about WNBA players and has also mentioned controversial figure Andrew Tate in other appearances, including showing women some of his clips to “play devil’s advocate.”

Porter said on fellow NBA player Lonzo Ball’s show in November that his team even advised him to “steer clear” of specific topics.

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The State Department is offering a $10 million reward for information on Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and several senior officials linked to the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Officials said the reward, part of the State Department’s Rewards for Justice program, is an effort to gather intelligence on the IRGC and its leadership, which Washington accuses of orchestrating attacks against Americans and supporting terrorism.

The reward targets Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with several key figures inside Iran’s ruling security apparatus.

The department said it is also seeking information about Ali Asghar Hejazi, deputy chief of staff for the Supreme Leader’s Office, and Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

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Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is seen in Tehran, Iran, on Dec. 14, 2016.  (Photo by Reza B / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images)

The program also lists several senior figures linked to Iran’s security and intelligence structure, including Yahya Rahim Safavi, a top military adviser to the supreme leader, Esmail Khatib, Iran’s minister of intelligence, and Eskandar Momeni, the country’s interior minister.

“The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), part of Iran’s official military, plays a central role in Iran’s use of terrorism as a key tool of Iranian statecraft,” the State Department said.

“In addition, the IRGC has created, supported, and directed other terrorist groups. The IRGC is responsible for numerous attacks targeting Americans and U.S. facilities, including those that have killed U.S. citizens,” the department added.

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A State Department Rewards for Justice poster offers up to $10 million for information on key leaders tied to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), including Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. (State Department / Rewards for Justice)

The agency said the IRGC has also expanded its influence far beyond military operations since its founding after the 1979 Iranian Revolution, becoming deeply embedded in the country’s political and economic system.

“Since its founding in 1979, the IRGC has gained a substantial role in executing Iran’s foreign policy,” the department said. “The group now wields control over vast segments of Iran’s economy and is influential in Iranian domestic politics.”

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The State Department said individuals who provide credible information may be eligible for rewards of up to $10 million. Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to reporters at Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport in Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis, on Feb. 25, 2026. (Jonathan Ernst/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The Rewards for Justice program allows the U.S. government to offer financial rewards for information that helps disrupt terrorist networks or identify individuals involved in attacks against Americans.

The State Department said individuals who provide credible information may be eligible for rewards of up to $10 million.

Black smoke has been seen rising from a large energy plant in the United Arab Emirates. The incident is said to have taken place a few hours after the US attack on Iran’s Kharg Island. In a viral video on the internet, thick clouds of black smoke have been seen rising from Fujairah. This is a coastal area. A huge port is also located here. It plays an important role in oil trade. It also includes an important terminal for oil export. Officials say that the fire was caused by debris that fell after stopping the drone attack.

What information have the officials given?
According to the New York Post, officials said that the fire was caused by falling pieces of the drone. However, he has not given any other information. Apart from this, the UAE Defense Ministry has said that the air defense system is countering Iranian ballistic and cruise missiles and drones. Here, US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the US Army has bombed Iran’s bases in Kharg. Kharg Island is an important center of Iran’s oil industry. It is responsible for handling almost all the crude oil exports of the country. It has also been said that the oil related infrastructure located on this island can also be targeted.

Energy sector related infrastructure targeted
During this war that has been going on since February 28, the infrastructure related to the energy sector has been targeted. Earlier, Israel had attacked the oil depot in Tehran. After this, Iran targeted important energy bases in the Gulf areas spread from Kuwait to Oman. Many big oil fields and gas plants have been included in these. These include Ras Tanura Refinery, Qatar’s Ras Laffan Gas Processing Center and Ruwais Refinery Complex located in the United Arab Emirates. The Strait of Hormuz has also been affected during the war. This is the most important sea route in the world.

Also read: Israel-US Iran War Live: Amidst war with Iran, Trump makes big appeal to other countries, asks to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz

A new controversy has come to light regarding the SI recruitment examination of Uttar Pradesh Police. Objection is being raised on a question asked in this examination paper. This question is from Hinda…the question was – ‘changes as per the occasion’, in which the word ‘Pandit’ was also given as one of the options. Many people have expressed their objection regarding this option and have called it objectionable.

The UP government, surrounded by the Shankaracharya controversy, has given another chance to the opposition. Now after this matter came to light, the opposition targeted the Uttar Pradesh government and called it a sensitive issue. The debate regarding this question has also intensified on social media and clarification is being demanded from the agency conducting the examination.

Candidates applied online for recruitment

According to the information, the written examination for direct recruitment to the posts of Sub Inspector of Police (Inspector) and equivalent posts in Uttar Pradesh has started from Saturday. This examination is being conducted in 75 districts of the state on 14 and 15 March. Crowd was seen at the examination center since morning. This examination is being conducted by the board for recruitment to 4543 Sub-Inspector Civil Police and equivalent posts. A total of 1575760 candidates have applied online for recruitment, which includes 1166386 men and 409374 women.

What was the whole controversy of Shankaracharya?

Controversy started regarding Mauni Amavasya bath during Magh Mela. The administration alleges that Shankaracharya wanted to go on a palanquin to take a bath in the Ganga through a restricted route, which could have affected the security arrangements. Shankaracharya’s side says that the police and administration beat up the batukas accompanying him and even pulled his hair. There was a heated debate on this issue in the House also and after this the politics of the state became more heated.

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Student committee also expressed displeasure

According to media reports, the Competitive Student Struggle Committee has also expressed displeasure over this entire matter. Prashant Pandey, media in-charge of the committee, said that the questions asked in the recruitment examinations should be selected very carefully. He says that such words or choices should be avoided which may hurt the sentiments of any section or create a situation of controversy. He has demanded the Commission to review this question and, if necessary, give its marks to all the candidates.

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