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Senator Dianne Feinstein, who died last night at 90, braved one of the most remarkable political expeditions in American historyand also one of the grimmer spectacles at the end of her life and career.

Is it too soon to point this out? Yes, perhaps. With the official notice of her death today, Feinstein received her just and proper tributes, hitting all the key markers: How Di-Fi, as she is known in Washington shorthand, had stepped in as mayor of San Francisco after her predecessor was assassinated in 1978. How she was a fervent proponent of gun safety, the longest-serving woman in the Senate, and the chambers oldest member. How, as chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, she presided over the preparation of an incriminating report describing the CIAs torture of suspected terrorists in secret prisons around the world. How she was a trailblazer, stateswoman, powerhouse, force, grande dame, etc. Give her her due. She deserves it.

But Congress can be a tough and ghoulish place, with its zero-sum math and unforgiving partisanship. Over her last year, Feinsteins declining health became a bleak sideshowher absences and hospitalizations, shingles, encephalitis, and bad falls; the lawsuits over her late husbands estate and the cost of her medical bills and long-term care.

Feinsteins insistence on remaining in the Senateand the uncertainty of her schedulecomplicated life for Democrats, making it harder for them to hold votes, set strategy, and confirm judges. Her colleagues and White House officials whispered their frustration. And she became the latest exemplar of a basic, egalitarian principle in lawmaking: Even the most legendary figures ultimately amount to a vote. Often your most important job is simply to be available, show up, be counted.

Franklin Foer: Dianne Feinstein and the cult of indispensability

When that is in doubt, patience can wear fast. Questions about fitness arise. Such is the price of continued residency in the senior center of the Capitol. Feinstein resisted quitting for years, and only grudgingly said she wouldnt seek reelection in 2024, leaving the race to succeed her in a kind of morbid suspension.

Politics, of course, runs on its own schedules and follows its own rules. A few weeks ago, I asked Adam Schiff, one of the California House Democrats running to succeed Feinstein in the Senate, whether she should step down. In other words, was she fit to serve? Again, maybe this was harsh, but it had become a standard question around Washington and California, and perfectly germane, given the tight split in the Senate. Its her decision to make, Schiff said, a classic duck, but also practical. I would be very concerned, he continued, that the Republicans would not fill her seat on the Judiciary Committee, and that would be the end of Joe Bidens judicial appointments. (Politico reported today that Republican Whip John Thune, of South Dakota, said he expects that his party will not resist efforts to fill committee seats left vacant by Feinsteins death.)

Schiff added that he had continued to have a productive working relationship with Feinsteins office, despite her health struggles. He was a proponent of business as usual, for as long it lasted, and Feinstein was still there. The pageant continued, the government heading for another shutdown, House Republicans tripping toward an impeachment and over themselves.

In the hours after Feinsteins death was announced, Washington took a brief and deferential pause. Statements and obituaries were dispatched, most prepared in advance. Then it was on to the next. Who would California Governor Gavin Newsom pick to serve out Feinsteins term? How would that affect the race to succeed her next year? Who would replace Feinstein on the Judiciary Committee, and when would they be seated?

Ronald Brownstein: Who will replace Dianne Feinstein?

The hushed questions about how long the nonagenarian senator could hang on finally had their resolution. Far too many people in power resist the option of a restful denouement. The stakes can be high, even harrowing, for the country. These sagas can be distressing to follow, but theres no shortage of dark fascination. Stick around too long, and you risk losing control of the finale. It can happen to the best, and at the end of the most extraordinary careers.

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Timothee Chalamet and Demi Moore among winners at SAG Awards – a major Oscars predictor

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Timothee Chalamet and Demi Moore among winners at SAG Awards - a major Oscars predictor

The winners of this year’s Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAG) have been revealed – a major predictor of the Oscars, with just a week to go.

Demi Moore continued her run of success to be named best actress for her performance in body horror The Substance, while Timothee Chalamet picked up the award for best actor for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown.

Demi Moore wins best actress at the SAG Awards for her performance in The Substance. Pic: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
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Demi Moore adds yet another tropy to her collection for her performance in The Substance. Pic: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

While not a complete shock, before this Adrien Brody had probably just nudged it as favourite for an Oscar win for his performance in post-war epic The Brutalist.

Now, the race is closer than it has been in years – and both Chalamet, 29, and Moore, 62, could be on course for their first Academy Awards.

Following a BAFTA win earlier this month, papal thriller Conclave was honoured with the top film prize, for best ensemble.

Starring Ralph Fiennes, Isabella Rossellini and Stanley Tucci, the film follows the drama of the selection process for a new pope.

Sergio Castellitto, from left, John Lithgow, Isabella Rossellini, and Ralph Fiennes, winners of the SAG Awards outstanding performance by a cast prize for Conclave. Pic: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
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Conclave stars (L-R) Sergio Castellitto, John Lithgow, Isabella Rossellini and Ralph Fiennes with the ensemble cast award. Pic: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

During the ceremony, Rossellini said the film’s cast wanted to send their best wishes to Pope Francis, who is being treated in hospital for pneumonia and bronchitis, and wish him “a quick recovery”.

Elsewhere, the supporting categories were true to 2025 awards season form – Kieran Culkin and Zoe Saldana continued their runs of success with wins for performances in A Real Pain and Emilia Perez respectively.

‘I want to be one of the greats’

Timothee Chalamet and mum Nicole Flender at the SAG Awards 2025, following his best actor win for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown. Pic: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
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Chalamet attended with his mum, Nicole Flender. Pic: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

The awards are voted for by members of the SAG-AFTRA union and are held as a celebration of actors honoured by their peers.

For the best male actor announcement, Chalamet looked visibly surprised as his name was called.

After being accompanied by girlfriend Kylie Jenner to the BAFTAs last week, this time round he was celebrating with his mum, Nicole Flender.

“The truth is, this was five-and-a-half years of my life. I poured everything I had into playing this incomparable artist, Mr. Bob Dylan, a true American hero,” he said on stage. “It was the honour of a lifetime playing him.”

Making no secret of his ambitions, he added: “The truth is I’m really in pursuit of greatness. I know people don’t usually talk like that, but I want to be one of the greats.”

Moore said joining SAG-AFTRA as a teenager in 1978 gave her meaning as “a kid on my own who had no blueprint for life”.

Jane Fonda accepts the lifetime achievement prize at the SAG Awards. Pic: AP/Chris Pizzello
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Jane Fonda was honoured with a lifetime achievement award. Pic: AP/Chris Pizzello

Actress and activist Jane Fonda, 87, provided the ceremony’s most passionate political moment as she was honoured with a lifetime achievement prize.

“We are in our documentary moment,” she said. “This is it. And it’s not a rehearsal.”

The word “woke”, she added, “just means you give a damn” about others.

The TV winners

Tommy Bastow, from left, Shinnosuke Abe, Moeka Hoshi, Hiroyuki Sanada, Anna Sawai, Tadanobu Asano, and Hiroto Kanai, winners of the award for outstanding performance by an ensemble in a drama series for "Shogun," pose press room during the 31st annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
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Shogun stars (L-R) Tommy Bastow, Shinnosuke Abe, Moeka Hoshi, Hiroyuki Sanada, Anna Sawai, Tadanobu Asano and Hiroto Kanai. Pic: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

The SAG Awards also include TV categories, with Japanese historical drama Shogun picking up the gong for best ensemble and its stars, Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai, named best actor and actress.

Only Murders In The Building took home the prize for best comedy ensemble, with star Martin Short named best actor in a comedy series.

Jean Smart, who had previously called for cancelling the awards shows due to the wildfires that hit LA in January, was named best actress in a comedy, for her role in Hacks. She did not attend, but gave a recorded introduction.

In the limited series category, British star Jessica Gunning was named best actress for Baby Reindeer, while Irish star Colin Farrell was named best actor for The Penguin.

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Russian oligarchs with links to Kremlin face UK ban under new sanctions

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Russian oligarchs with links to Kremlin face UK ban under new sanctions

Russian oligarchs with links to the Kremlin can now be banned from the UK, the government has announced as part of a fresh sanctions package on the third anniversary of Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

The Home Office said “elites” linked to the Russian state can now be prevented from entering the UK under the new sanctions.

Those who could be banned include anyone who provides “significant support” to the Kremlin, those who owe their “significant status or wealth” to the Russian state, and those “who enjoy access to the highest levels” of the regime.

The announcement has been timed to coincide with the three-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Another set of sanctions is expected from the Foreign Office on Monday.

Security minister Dan Jarvis said: “Border security is national security, and we will use all the tools at our disposal to protect our country against the threat from Russia.

“The measures announced today slam the door shut to the oligarchs who have enriched themselves at the expense of the Russian people whilst bankrolling this illegal and unjustifiable war.

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“My message to Putin’s friends in Moscow is simple: you are not welcome in the UK.”

The UK government said Kremlin-linked elites can pose a “real and present danger to our way of life” as they denounce British values in public “while enjoying the benefits of the UK in private”.

It said they can act as “tools” for the Russian state to enable President Putin’s aggression in Ukraine and beyond.

Shortly after the war in Ukraine started on 24 February 2022, the UK imposed financial sanctions on oligarchs, including closing legal loopholes used to launder money.

Read more:
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Pay back the billions of aid, Trump tells Ukraine

In November last year, Operation Destabilise, run by the National Crime Agency (NCA), successfully disrupted two billion-dollar Russian money laundering networks operating around the world, including in the UK which was a key hub.

They provided services to Russian oligarchs and were helping fund Kremlin espionage operations.

Ekatarina Zhdanova. Pic: NCA
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Ekatarina Zhdanova is said to have run a money laundering network called Smart that has been shut down. Pic: NCA

One of the key players was identified as Ekaterina Zhdanova who is alleged to have run a money laundering network called Smart. She was sanctioned by the US in November last year and is currently in French custody awaiting a trial.

A total of 84 arrests were made under Operation Destabilise in November and more than £20m in illicit funds seized.

The NCA has made a further six arrests since then and seized £1m more in case.

The networks also helped Russian clients to illegally bypass financial restrictions to invest money in the UK.

US officials have been in talks with their Russian counterparts in Saudi Arabia over the future of Ukraine for the past week.

However, neither Ukraine nor any European country was at the table, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy saying he will not accept any peace deal Kyiv is not involved in.

Sir Keir Starmer has backed Mr Zelenskyy on that so all eyes will be on the prime minister when he visits Mr Trump in Washington DC this week.

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Politics

US Bitcoin ETFs lose $1.14B in two weeks amid US-China trade tensions

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US Bitcoin ETFs lose .14B in two weeks amid US-China trade tensions

US Bitcoin ETFs saw $1.14 billion in outflows over two weeks, the largest since their launch, as trade tensions and monetary policy concerns weighed on investor sentiment.

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