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Taylor Swift has won seven gongs at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), equalling Beyonce in a career total of 30 and matching her as most-awarded musician in VMAs history.

Swift, who used her platform to urge Americans to vote in the upcoming presidential elections, picked up prizes including video of the year for Fortnight, featuring Post Malone, artist of the year and best collaboration.

While Swift overtook Beyonce as the most decorated solo artist in VMA history, the Single Ladies singer has previously picked up gongs for being in girl group Destiny’s Child, and her collaborations with husband Jay-Z as The Carters.

Beyonce did not win any new awards at this year’s VMAs and was notably shut out of the Country Music Association Awards earlier this week.

Upon receiving her award for video of the year, Swift thanked her boyfriend, NFL player Travis Kelce, for his support, saying: “Everything this man touches turns to happiness and fun and magic.”

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‘Taylor Swift is America’

She also encouraged her fans who are over 18 to register to vote in the upcoming US election, although she avoided directly mentioning her endorsement of vice president Kamala Harris.

On Tuesday, after a presidential debate between Ms Harris and Republican candidate Donald Trump, Swift endorsed the Democratic candidate on Instagram, writing: “I think she is a steady-handed, gifted leader and I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos.”

Swift jokingly signed off her endorsement “childless cat lady” – a move which was followed by Fleetwood Mac star Stevie Nicks shortly after.

MTV Video Music Awards 2024 - Red Carpet ** STORY AVAILABLE, CONTACT SUPPLIER** Featuring: Katy Perry Where: New York, New York, United States When: 11 Sep 2024 Credit: Janet Mayer/INSTARimages.com  (Cover Images via AP Images)
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Katy Perry won the VMA lifetime achievement award. Pic: AP

Elsewhere, Katy Perry also made VMA history, becoming the first singer to win the Vanguard award – the VMA’s lifetime achievement award – having previously won video of the year and also present the ceremony in previous years.

The stakes were high for the I Kissed A Girl singer after her comeback album – 143 – was panned by fans and critics alike, with the first two singles from the collection sinking without trace.

Katy Perry, far left, performs during the MTV Video Music Awards on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
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Katy Perry performs a medley of her songs. Pic: AP

Perry performed a medley of her biggest songs, including Roar, Teenage Dream and Firework, with her stage show including a risqué performance with rapper Doechii, during which the pair wrapped their legs around each other and lay on the stage.

Accepting her award, which was presented to her by her husband British actor Orlando Boom, Perry said: “There are so many things that have to align to have a long and successful career as an artist. There are no decade-long accidents.”

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Bloom and Perry shared an on-stage kiss after the singer accepted the award, with Perry thanking him “for keeping me grounded”.

She also paid tribute to their four-year-old daughter, Daisy Dove, saying: “Lastly, for my Daisy, the only flowers I’ll ever need.”

Sabrina Carpenter performs "Please Please Please" during the MTV Video Music Awards on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
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Sabrina Carpenter performs Please Please Please. Pic: AP

Elsewhere, Sabrina Carpenter picked up song of the year for Espresso, while Good Luck, Babe singer Chappell Roan was named best new artist and Blackpink’s LISA won the best K-pop award.

Carpenter wore the same silver sequined Bob Mackie gown that Madonna wore to the 1991 Academy Awards, and surprisingly kissed an alien during her performance of a medley of her hits which included Please Please Please, Taste and Espresso.

MTV Video Music Awards 2024 - Red Carpet ** STORY AVAILABLE, CONTACT SUPPLIER** Featuring: Chappell Roan Where: New York, New York, United States When: 11 Sep 2024 Credit: Janet Mayer/INSTARimages.com  (Cover Images via AP Images)
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Chappell Roan won best new artist. Pic: AP

Meanwhile, Roan channelled Joan of Arc for her medieval performance of Good Luck, Babe – a summer hit that has made her a break-out star.

Roan – who last month sparked a conversation about boundaries after posting videos online urging fans to stop “harassing her” – had recently faced push-back after cancelling two European shows to play the VMAs.

Eminem performs "Houdini" during the MTV Video Music Awards on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
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Eminem performs Houdini. Pic: AP

Eminem won prizes for best hip-hop video and best visual effects, making him the solo male artist with the most wins with a total haul of 14 gongs.

He performed his two latest singles, Houdini and Somebody Save Me, entering the stage with dozens of dancers all sporting bleach blonde wigs.

It was a nod to his 2000 VMA performance of The Real Slim Shady, where he sang at the ceremony in front of hundreds of extras dressed just like him.

The 2024 MTV VMAs will be screened in the UK on MTV and Paramount Plus at 8pm on Thursday 12 September

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Donald Trump’s four-letter fury is a reminder there’s one F word he fears most

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Donald Trump's four-letter fury is a reminder there's one F word he fears most

Failure – it’s the F word Donald Trump fears most.

Hence the early morning rant from a president, F for frustrated.

The day before had seen head-spinning developments in which a ceasefire between Israel and Iran turned on a Truth Social post.

If it felt fragile, that’s how it appeared overnight. There were exchanges between both sides beyond the deadline, and the president woke frustrated.

An unlikely diplomatic result looked exactly that.

Donald Trump speaks to media ahead of boarding Marine One to depart to attend the NATO Summit in The Hague. Pic: Reuters
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Donald Trump lashed out at Iran and Israel before boarding a flight to Europe on Tuesday. Pic: Reuters

Trump’s four-lettered fury was aimed primarily at Israel, which on Tuesday morning gave the appearance of an ally that had reeled him into the fight and wasn’t letting go.

It also leant into doubts around Trump’s influence over Israeli actions.

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If this process is heading towards nuclear negotiations between the US and Iran, Trump doesn’t need questions surrounding his relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Tehran needs to believe Trump can tighten the leash.

It will have been comforted by his remarks on board Air Force One, from where he called Netanyahu.

Speaking to the travelling media, Trump said he didn’t want to see regime change in Iran, having floated support for the idea last week.

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Israel’s prime minister’s office issued a statement that spoke of having “achieved all the war’s objectives”.

The wording speaks to a move beyond aggression.

Time will tell, and this ceasefire feels fragile still, but it’ll do for Trump for now, the self-styled peacemaker making peace one social media post at a time.

He is strengthened by the success of his diplomacy, a fact laid bare – where else? – on Truth Social.

Read more:
How much damage did the US inflict on Iran?
Can Tehran trust Trump as a broker of peace?

President Donald Trump boards Air Force One, Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at Joint Base Andrews, Md., on his way to The Hague, to join world leaders gathering in the Netherlands for a two-day NATO summit. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
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Trump boarding Air Force One to travel to Europe on Tuesday. Pic: AP

As he flew towards the NATO summit, Trump posted a message from the NATO secretary general, Mark Rutte.

It’s unclear if Rutte knew it would be published, but it’s abundantly clear he’s a man with lips puckered as the US president swaggers towards the gathering.

Referring to NATO countries’ commitment to increase their defence spending to 5% of GDP, he wrote: “Donald, you have driven us to a really, really important moment for America and Europe and the world.

“You will achieve something NO American president in decades could get done.”

The effusive praise speaks to power enhanced for the US president as he prepares to attend the NATO gathering.

His stature is reinforced by his most recent result… as long as it lasts.

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Iranian state media says ceasefire with Israel has begun, after night of deadly strikes

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Iranian state media says ceasefire with Israel has begun, after night of deadly strikes

Iranian state television says a ceasefire in its war with Israel has now begun, following a night of missile strikes.

Israel’s ambulance service says at least four people were killed in overnight strikes, with footage from southern Israel showing extensive damage to what appeared to be a residential building.

Sirens sounded in several areas – and members of the public who received an alert were ordered to take shelter – with explosions heard over Tel Aviv.

Israel-Iran latest: Ceasefire deal has been reached

Early on Tuesday morning, US President Donald Trump declared: “The ceasefire is now in effect. Please do not violate it!”

The message on Truth Social followed a series of posts on Monday, in which the president declared that a “complete and total ceasefire” had been agreed upon between the two countries and would begin at approximately 5am UK time.

Footage appeared to show a residential building in southern Israel that was extensively damaged. Pic: AP
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Footage appeared to show a residential building in southern Israel that was extensively damaged. Pic: AP

In a post on X, Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, confirmed that Tehran “has no intention” to continue its response to Israel – provided it “stops its illegal aggression against the Iranian people”.

Israeli media reports suggested Benjamin Netanyahu was also on board – provided Iran stops firing missiles towards the country – but there has been no official confirmation.

Donald Trump at a meeting in the Situation Room at the White House
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Donald Trump in the Situation Room at the White House over the weekend. Pic: Reuters

Mr Trump had written: “Officially, Iran will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 12th hour, Israel will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 24th Hour, an Official END to THE 12 DAY WAR will be saluted by the World.

“On the assumption that everything works as it should, which it will, I would like to congratulate both countries, Israel and Iran, on having the stamina, courage, and intelligence to end, what should be called, ‘THE 12 DAY WAR.’

“This is a war that could have gone on for years, and destroyed the entire Middle East, but it didn’t, and never will!”

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Iran’s nuclear capabilities

In an interview with Sky News’ partner network NBC, the president said it was a “great day” for the US and the Middle East – and a “wonderful day” for the world.

“I’m very happy to have been able to get the job done. A lot of people were dying, and it was only going to get worse. It would have brought the whole Middle East down,” he said.

Mr Trump said he thinks the ceasefire is “unlimited” and is “going to go forever” – adding: “I don’t believe they will ever be shooting at each other again.”

Analysis: Seasoned diplomats startled at developments

I’ve spoken to a diplomat involved in the fast-moving developments of the past 12 hours.

The diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity because they are not permitted to speak publicly, told me that Donald Trump called the Emir of Qatar yesterday evening.

Trump told the emir that he had a commitment from Israel that it would cease its attacks on Iran. Trump asked the emir to try to secure the same commitment from the Iranians.

The Qatari PM and vice president JD Vance engaged on the details of what they hoped could be achieved.

The Qatari PM then spoke to Iranians (it’s not clear who within the Iranian power structure the Qataris spoke to, and my source wouldn’t say). The Iranians agreed to stop their attacks.

Shortly after, Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi posted the confirmation, saying: “The military operations of our powerful armed forces to punish Israel for its aggression continued until the very last minute, at 4am.

“Together with all Iranians, I thank our brave armed forces who remain ready to defend our dear country until their last drop of blood, and who responded to any attack by the enemy until the very last minute.”

My source could not comment on the complex timeline (six hours, 12 hours, 24 hours) laid out in Donald Trump’s Truth Social post, but it’s thought that this might have been overtaken now by agreements made by Trump, the Israelis, the Iranians, and Qatar. Time will tell.

It’s clear from the tone of the messages I have had from various sources that the pace and style of the developments of the past 12 to 24 hours have left even these seasoned diplomats startled.

Messages from several Middle Eastern diplomats have included emojis reflecting exasperation, surprise and bewilderment.

Just hours earlier, people in the Qatari capital Doha had stopped and gazed up at the sky as Iranian missiles flew to the American al Udeid base and interceptors fired.

Officials said there were no casualties, and the US later confirmed it had been warned about the attack by Iran.

Mr Trump was in the Situation Room in the White House as the strikes took place.

He later claimed on his social network that the missiles were a “very weak response”, which the US “expected” and “very effectively countered”.

The Iranian attack came after the US dropped “bunker buster bombs” on three key nuclear sites in Iran over the weekend.

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In a new interview on Fox News, US Vice President JD Vance claimed Iran is no longer able to build nuclear weapons after the American attacks.

“Iran was very close to having a nuclear weapon,” he said. “Now Iran is incapable of building a nuclear weapon with the equipment they have because we destroyed it.”

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Can Tehran regard Trump as a trusted broker of peace when he floated the idea of regime change in Iran?

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Can Tehran regard Trump as a trusted broker of peace when he floated the idea of regime change in Iran?

These days, peace is a post on social media. On Donald Trump’s Truth Social site, it came in two parts.

Part one read: “CONGRATULATIONS WORLD, IT’S TIME FOR PEACE.”

The Magna Carta it wasn’t, but it was a peace treaty for our times – a US president announcing there would be no retaliation against Iran’s missile attack.

An anxious world watching for US bombers returning to Iranian skies could cool its jets – and the primetime president could feel vindicated, having enjoyed strategic success.

Donald Trump at a meeting in the Situation Room at the White House
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Donald Trump at a meeting in the Situation Room at the White House. Pic: Reuters

Trump has tweaked the politics and military landscape around Iran to suit US interests, without a single American life lost.

He had framed US intervention in Iran as an effort to prevent a “forever” foreign war, not to provoke it, and he is sitting pretty, following ugly predictions he’d be sucked into conflict.

Live updates: Three killed as Iranian missiles strike Israel

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Footage appeared to show a residential building in southern Israel that was extensively damaged. Pic: AP
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Footage appeared to show a residential building in southern Israel that was extensively damaged. Pic: AP

Then, on Truth Social, there was peace “part two”.

A couple of hours after announcing non-retaliation, Trump wrote the sequel: “Ceasefire.”

He posted: “CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE!” – saying a “complete and total” ceasefire had been fully agreed between Israel and Iran.

Quite the day of problem-solving for the self-styled “peacemaker-in-chief”. Quite the day of problems unsolved too – time will tell.

As deadlines loomed, neither Israel nor Iran appeared fully committed to the Trump script, and fresh missiles were fired overnight.

Daytime will test the durability of a ceasefire. There are motivations on both sides to continue a conflict in which both see the other as an existential threat.

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Can Tehran regard Donald Trump as a trusted broker of peace when he floated the idea of regime change in Iran, as pursued by Israel?

Can Israel be convinced to pull back on its military advantage when its instinct will be to reinforce superiority and undermine an Iranian rebuild?

Trump’s influence will be tested, as ever, when he flies to a NATO summit in The Netherlands today. For him, it can be a difficult crowd and one for whom he remains a mystery.

A positive result in the Middle East will help to confound their curiosity, for the better.

It’s the most important day for Donald Trump since the last one.

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