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Former police chief sentenced over South Korea Halloween crowd crush: A ‘man-made’ tragedy

Venus L Peñaflor
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Former police chief sentenced over South Korea Halloween crowd crush: A ‘man-made’ tragedy

SEOUL. A South Korean court has sentenced the former police chief of Seoul’s Yongsan district to three years in prison for his failure to prevent a deadly Halloween crowd crush in Itaewon that claimed 159 lives in 2022.

Lee Im-jae, the former Yongsan police station chief, is the first senior police official to be convicted in connection with the tragedy. The Seoul Western District Court ruled on Monday that Lee’s failure to anticipate the dangers of a massive Halloween gathering in the popular Itaewon nightlife area contributed to the tragic event.

The court stated that the crowd crush was a “man-made disaster,” highlighting that the loss of lives could have been prevented or mitigated had the officials fulfilled their duties. “The Itaewon tragedy could have been avoided if the authorities had acted responsibly,” the court added in its ruling.

Two other former Yongsan police officials received lesser sentences. One was sentenced to two years in prison, while another was given a one-year sentence suspended for two years. These officials were found guilty of not taking adequate measures to manage the crowd during the Halloween festivities.

Lee’s defense lawyer, speaking to Yonhap News Agency before the ruling, argued that expecting his client to prepare for such a tragedy was “excessively harsh,” as it was deemed an unpredictable event. Nonetheless, the court held Lee responsible, emphasizing that he should have foreseen the risks associated with the large crowd.

The Itaewon crowd crush has drawn comparisons to South Korea’s 2014 Sewol ferry disaster, which claimed the lives of 304 people, including 250 students on a school trip. The nation has been grappling with the lingering trauma of these tragic events.

In addition to Lee, Yongsan district office chief Park Hee-young, along with three other district officials, had been on trial for their roles in the aftermath of the incident. However, they were acquitted of charges related to failing to respond adequately to the crowd crush. The court ruled that they were not directly responsible for crowd control on the night of the disaster.

Relatives of the victims have expressed their disappointment over the acquittals. Speaking ahead of the verdict, they had called for both Lee and Park to be held accountable for the catastrophe.

Since the tragedy, families of the victims have persistently sought justice, demanding that high-ranking officials, including South Korean Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min, be held accountable. Although a parliamentary vote to impeach the minister failed last year, the push for accountability remains strong.

In a related development, South Korean lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties passed a bill earlier this year to reopen the investigation into the Halloween crush. Prosecutors had initially sought seven-year prison sentences for both Lee and Park.

As the country continues to mourn, this ruling marks a significant moment in the legal proceedings surrounding the Itaewon tragedy, with the hope that justice for the victims and their families is finally being served.

7 patay, higit 100 sugatan sa aksidente ng bus at SUV sa Laguna

Arman B. Cambe
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7 patay, higit 100 sugatan sa aksidente ng bus at SUV sa Laguna

MAJAYJAY, Laguna. Pito ang nasawi habang mahigit 100 ang sugatan sa aksidente ng isang tourist bus at isang SUV sa zigzag na bahagi ng Majayjay-Lucban Road sa Barangay Bakia, bayang ito sa Laguna, nitong Linggo ng hapon.

Ayon sa ulat ng Majayjay Municipal Police Station, apat ang agad na nasawi sa lugar, kabilang ang isang babae na tumilapon sa bangin. Tatlo pa ang binawian ng buhay habang nilalapatan ng lunas sa ospital. May 96 sakay ng bus at apat mula sa anim na sakay ng SUV ang sugatan, na agad na dinala sa Majayjay District Hospital, Nagcarlan Hospital, at Laguna Medical Center sa Sta. Cruz.

Sa pahayag ni Reyjohn Libato, officer ng Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), naganap ang aksidente bandang 3:00 ng hapon sa pakurbang bahagi ng kalsada sa pagitan ng Barangay Bakia at Ilayang Banga. Agad na tumulong ang mga rescue teams mula sa iba’t ibang bayan ng Laguna at Quezon upang sagipin ang mga naipit sa loob ng bus.

Batay sa imbestigasyon ng pulisya, galing sa “Kamay ni Hesus” pilgrimage site sa Lucban, Quezon ang mga pasahero ng bus ng ARR Transportation, pauwi na sa Bacoor City, Cavite. Ayon sa driver ng bus na si Nelson Bolanos, nagulat siya nang biglang sumulpot ang Hyundai Kona (DAO-6739). “Hindi po ako mabilis magpatakbo,” paliwanag ni Bolanos. Tumagilid ang SUV sa gitna ng kalsada, habang natumba naman ang bus na may sakay na maraming pasahero.

Sinabi ni PMaj. Jordan Aguilar, hepe ng Majayjay Police Station, na patuloy nilang sinisiyasat kung may naganap na human o mechanical error sa bus, lalo na’t may indikasyon na sumabit ito sa puno at lumampas sa kabilang linya. Dagdag pa ni Aguilar, hindi karaniwang ruta ng mga bus ang Majayjay-Lucban Road, kaya’t inaalam kung bakit doon dumaan ang tourist bus. Iniimbestigahan din kung overloaded ang bus.

Patuloy na iniimbestigahan ang insidente upang malaman ang puno’t dulo ng aksidente at maiwasan ang ganitong pangyayari sa hinaharap.

Netanyahu warns Iran: “Nowhere in the Middle East is beyond Israel’s reach” after Hezbollah leader’s assassination

Venus L Peñaflor
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Netanyahu warns Iran: “Nowhere in the Middle East is beyond Israel’s reach” after Hezbollah leader’s assassination

JERUSALEM. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stern warning to Iran on Monday, declaring that no part of the Middle East is out of Israel’s reach, just two days after Israel assassinated Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militant group.

In a video released by his office, Netanyahu, addressing the Iranian people in English, stated, “There is nowhere in the Middle East Israel cannot reach. There is nowhere we will not go to protect our people and protect our country.” His remarks highlighted Israel’s readiness to take action to defend its national security.

The killing of Nasrallah represents one of the most significant blows to Hezbollah and Iran in decades. As a key figure in Iran’s “Axis of Resistance,” which opposes Israeli and U.S. interests in the region, Nasrallah’s death is seen as a severe setback to both Hezbollah and Iran’s influence.

On Monday, Israel indicated that a land invasion of Lebanon was on the table following two weeks of intense airstrikes and the assassination of Nasrallah. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, addressing troops deployed along Israel’s northern border, said the military would use all necessary means to secure the return of citizens displaced by Hezbollah rockets during nearly a year of conflict.

“We will use all the means that may be required – your forces, other forces, from the air, from the sea, and on land. Good luck,” Gallant said, following a briefing from military commanders. He emphasized that while eliminating Nasrallah was a significant step, it was not the final goal. “The elimination of Nasrallah is an important step, but it is not the final one. In order to ensure the return of Israel’s northern communities, we will employ all of our capabilities, and this includes you.”

In response, Hezbollah’s deputy leader, Naim Qassem, made his first public statement since the airstrikes that killed Nasrallah, asserting that Hezbollah was fully prepared to confront any Israeli ground invasion and thwart its objectives in Lebanon.

Movie Review: ‘Saturday Night’ – A nostalgic look at the birth of SNL, but thin on insight

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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Movie Review: ‘Saturday Night’ – A nostalgic look at the birth of SNL, but thin on insight

As Saturday Night Live (SNL) celebrates its 50th anniversary, Jason Reitman’s film “Saturday Night” arrives as a tribute to the legendary show’s origins. Set in the tense 90 minutes before SNL’s inaugural episode aired on October 11, 1975, the film takes viewers behind the scenes as the creators scramble to bring a new kind of comedy show to life. However, while it captures the hectic energy of live television and offers a nod to SNL’s revolutionary force, it falls short of delivering a deep exploration of the people and circumstances that made the show iconic.

“Saturday Night,” which hits theaters on Friday, is more about mythologizing SNL’s creation than offering a realistic retelling. The movie centers on Lorne Michaels (played by Gabriel LaBelle), the young producer tasked with launching the show. Throughout the film, Michaels races against the clock in a haze of cigarette smoke and anxiety, trying to pull together what he describes as a “circus of rejects”—a group of comedic unknowns, including John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Chevy Chase, and Garrett Morris.

Though Reitman’s film does a good job of conveying the chaos of that first night, it lacks the depth necessary to truly unpack the characters and the creative process behind SNL’s success. Michaels’ journey is portrayed as a generational battle against the old guard of network television, represented by figures like Milton Berle and Johnny Carson, but this dynamic feels underdeveloped, much like the film’s many supporting characters.

Chevy Chase, played by Cory Michael Smith, stands out for his braggadocio, and Lamorne Morris’ portrayal of Garrett Morris touches on the racial challenges Morris faced as the only Black cast member. The film also hints at SNL’s ongoing struggles with diversity, particularly in its early years. But with so many personalities to juggle, few manage to make a lasting impression, leaving much of the cast feeling like caricatures rather than fully fleshed-out characters.

While some of the older characters in the film, like Berle (J.K. Simmons) and NBC executive David Tebet (Willem Dafoe), offer more gravitas, the film ultimately belongs to Michaels. LaBelle plays him well, capturing the producer’s determination, but the script leaves his character a bit thin, never fully delving into what drives him beyond a desire to shake up network TV.

There are moments of humor—though not as much as one might expect from a film about SNL. Much like Aaron Sorkin’s “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip,” this dramatization struggles to balance the intensity of live television with the comedy that made SNL famous. The film ends triumphantly as the live broadcast begins, a clever touch that signals the start of the legendary show but leaves the audience wanting more from the story that led up to it.

Though it may not offer the most insightful or hilarious take on the birth of Saturday Night Live, Reitman’s film still manages to capture the spirit of revolution that defined the show in its early days. It’s a love letter to the groundbreaking comedy that reshaped late-night television, and while it may not live up to its potential, it has moments that remind viewers why SNL became the cultural institution it is today.

“Saturday Night,” a Columbia Pictures release, is rated R by the Motion Picture Association for language, sexual references, drug use, and brief graphic nudity. Running time: 108 minutes. Three stars out of four.

Earth will temporarily acquire a ‘mini-moon’ for two months

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Earth will temporarily acquire a ‘mini-moon’ for two months

Earth will briefly welcome a new celestial companion — a “mini-moon.” This mini-moon is actually a small asteroid, measuring about 33 feet (10 meters), roughly the size of a school bus. Known as 2024 PT5, the asteroid is set to be temporarily captured by Earth’s gravity on Sunday, orbiting the planet for approximately two months before continuing its journey through space.

The asteroid was first detected in August by astronomers Carlos de la Fuente Marcos and Raúl de la Fuente Marcos from the Complutense University of Madrid. They spotted the mini-moon using a powerful telescope based in Sutherland, South Africa. Their discovery was published by the American Astronomical Society.

According to Richard Binzel, an astronomer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), these short-lived “mini-moons” are likely more common than previously thought. However, they often go unnoticed due to their small size and the difficulty of detecting them.

“This happens with some frequency, but we rarely see them because they’re very small and very hard to detect,” Binzel explained. “Only recently has our survey capability reached the point of spotting them routinely.”

Although 2024 PT5 will not be visible to the naked eye or through amateur telescopes, it can be observed using larger, research-grade instruments. “It’s a fascinating event, but unfortunately not something the general public will be able to witness directly,” Carlos de la Fuente Marcos said in an email.

Scientists are still unsure of the asteroid’s origins. Binzel noted that it could be a fragment of an asteroid or potentially “a chunk of the moon that got blasted out” during a past impact.

The mini-moon will circle the Earth for around 57 days but won’t complete a full orbit before breaking free from the planet’s gravitational pull. On November 25, it will resume its cosmic trajectory, but astronomers expect it to pass by Earth again in 2055.

This rare occurrence adds to the growing list of space rocks that have briefly orbited our planet, with the last known mini-moon detected in 2020.

Pope Francis closes challenging Belgium visit, calls for justice for abuse victims

Venus L Peñaflor
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Pope Francis closes challenging Belgium visit, calls for justice for abuse victims

BRUSSELS. Pope Francis concluded his difficult visit to Belgium on Sunday, addressing the deep wounds left by the Catholic Church’s sexual abuse scandal. Speaking before a crowd of 30,000 at a sports stadium, the Pope demanded that clergy involved in abuse be brought to justice and urged bishops to stop covering up their crimes.

“Evil must not be hidden. Evil must be brought out into the open,” Francis declared, receiving repeated applause as his words resonated with the audience. His remarks came after meeting with 17 survivors of sexual abuse on Friday, during which he heard firsthand the trauma they endured and the church’s inadequate response.

A Troubled Legacy in Belgium

Belgium has faced a long history of clerical abuse and cover-ups, with the case of Bruges Bishop Roger Vangheluwe serving as a grim symbol of the church’s failings. Vangheluwe quietly retired in 2010 after admitting to abusing his nephew for 13 years. Despite these controversies, Pope Francis’s visit was originally intended to celebrate the 600th anniversary of the Leuven/Louvain Catholic University, the oldest Catholic university in the world.

The visit, however, took a sharp turn as Belgium’s leaders delivered pointed critiques. King Philippe urged the church to work “incessantly” to address the abuse crisis, while Prime Minister Alexander De Croo called for victims’ needs to be prioritized, marking a rare public rebuke from a country once staunchly Catholic.

In his homily, Pope Francis reaffirmed his stance on accountability within the church, saying, “In the church, there is room for everyone, but everyone will be judged, and there is no place for abuse. I ask the bishops not to cover up abuse. Condemn the abusers and help them to recover from this disease of abuse.”

Calls for Reform from Belgium’s Intellectual Elite

During his visit, the Pope faced public outcry and a strong push for reform from Belgium’s academic circles. Rector Luc Sels of the Dutch campus of Leuven Catholic University emphasized that the abuse scandal had deeply damaged the church’s moral authority. Sels suggested that the church should embrace reforms, including opening up greater roles for women—possibly even in the priesthood—and becoming more inclusive toward LGBTQ+ Catholics.

Students from the Francophone campus echoed this call, staging a reading of Pope Francis’ environmental encyclical Laudato Si’ and urging a “paradigm shift” in the church’s treatment of women. They criticized the encyclical for excluding female voices and theologians, further contributing to the marginalization of women within the church.

Women have long been excluded from key leadership roles in the church, including the priesthood, despite their significant contributions to church activities such as educating the young and caring for the sick.

University’s Rebuke of Pope Francis’ Views on Women

Francis, an 87-year-old Argentine Jesuit, responded to the critique, affirming his belief that women are “fertile” nurturers who complement men, adding that “the church is woman.” However, these remarks were met with immediate backlash from the university.

The Louvain campus issued a statement condemning the Pope’s views as “deterministic and reductive.” Rector Françoise Smets remarked, “We cannot agree on his position for sure. We are fighting against discrimination for women, and we would like women to have another role in society and in the church also.”

Valentine Hendrix, a 22-year-old student at Louvain, expressed disappointment with the Pope’s remarks, noting, “We had expectations, even if we saw that he disappointed us in just a few hours. His comments on abortion and women’s role meant that he had given up on a committed dialogue.”

Limited Reforms and Ongoing Debate

While Pope Francis has introduced several reforms during his 11-year pontificate—such as allowing women to serve as acolytes and granting them voting rights in synods—he has remained firm in his decision not to ordain women as priests. The issue of allowing women to serve as deacons has also been tabled for future theological discussions, as the Vatican’s upcoming three-week synod is not expected to tackle such thorny issues.

Despite the criticism, Pope Francis has acknowledged the need for women to have more decision-making roles in the church. However, his reluctance to consider female ordination has left many reform advocates unsatisfied, keeping the debate alive as the church grapples with its future direction.

Pope Francis’s visit to Belgium, meant to celebrate the church’s academic heritage, ultimately turned into a reckoning with the church’s troubled past and its uncertain path forward.

Bulkang Taal, muling nagkaroon ng phreatic ruption

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Bulkang Taal, muling nagkaroon ng phreatic ruption

MAYNILA. Muling nagkaroon ng phreatic eruption ang Bulkang Taal kahapon, Setyembre 29, ayon sa ulat ng Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) ngayong Lunes.

Ayon sa bulletin ng PHIVOLCS, tumagal ang pagputok ng bulkan ng halos dalawang minuto. Kasabay nito, nakapagtala ang ahensya ng 1,510 tons ng sulfur dioxide gas emissions mula sa bulkan noong Sabado. Namataan din ang upwelling o pag-angat ng mainit na volcanic fluids sa Main Crater Lake.

Dagdag pa ng PHIVOLCS, nagkaroon ng moderate emission ng volcanic plumes na umabot ng hanggang 700 metro ang taas.

Sa kabila ng mga aktibidad na ito, nananatiling nakataas ang Alert Level 1 sa Bulkang Taal, na nangangahulugang patuloy na minomonitor ang posibleng pagtaas ng aktibidad ng bulkan.

Patuloy ang ahensya sa pagbibigay ng paalala sa mga residente at turista na manatiling alerto at iwasang pumasok sa permanent danger zone ng bulkan.

“The public is reminded to refrain from entering Taal Volcano Island, especially the Main Crater and Daang Kastila fissures, as these areas are considered high-risk zones.”

Hezbollah has confirmed the death of a 7th senior commander in Israeli airstrikes over the past few days

Venus L Peñaflor
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Hezbollah has confirmed the death of a 7th senior commander in Israeli airstrikes over the past few days

JERUSALEM. Hezbollah has confirmed the death of Nabil Kaouk, its deputy head of the Central Council, marking the seventh high-ranking commander killed in a series of Israeli airstrikes over the past week. Kaouk, a prominent figure within the organization since the 1980s, was killed on Saturday during a targeted strike by the Israeli military, dealing another devastating blow to the Iran-backed militant group.

The Israeli military reported that the airstrike, which took place in Beirut, was part of its ongoing campaign targeting Hezbollah’s leadership. Kaouk’s death follows the killing of Hezbollah’s leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, in a strike on Friday. In the same attack, senior commander Ali Karaki and at least 20 other Hezbollah militants were also killed. According to the Israeli military, one of the victims was a close associate responsible for Nasrallah’s security detail.

Ongoing Israeli Strikes and Hezbollah Retaliation

Israel’s military has intensified its operations against Hezbollah, launching airstrikes across Lebanon that have resulted in the deaths of more than 1,030 people, including 156 women and 87 children, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. The attacks, which span much of Lebanon, have displaced hundreds of thousands of people, with government estimates suggesting over 250,000 individuals are now seeking shelter. Many more are residing with friends, and relatives, or camping out in the streets, Environment Minister Nasser Yassin told the Associated Press.

In response to these airstrikes, Hezbollah has continued launching rockets, missiles, and drones into northern Israel. Most of these attacks have been intercepted or have landed in open areas, and no Israeli casualties have been reported since the recent wave of strikes began on September 20.

Hezbollah’s Commanders Targeted

Among the notable commanders killed in the strikes was Ali Karaki, whose death was confirmed alongside Nasrallah’s on Friday. Karaki was present at an underground compound in Beirut, where senior Hezbollah leaders, including Nasrallah, were meeting when the Israeli military conducted a precision airstrike. Hezbollah acknowledged their losses, with the organization vowing to continue its resistance against Israel despite the significant blows to its leadership.

Nabil Kaouk, a veteran Hezbollah leader, played a critical role in Hezbollah’s military operations, particularly during the 2006 war with Israel when he served as the group’s commander in southern Lebanon. He was a familiar figure in Lebanese media, often providing commentary on political and security matters and delivering eulogies at the funerals of senior militants. In 2020, the United States imposed sanctions on Kaouk for his role in Hezbollah.

Regional Tensions and Growing Conflict

The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel has escalated dramatically since Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, which triggered the current war. Hezbollah, an ally of Hamas, has been launching retaliatory strikes against Israel as part of what they call the “Axis of Resistance,” a coalition of Iran-backed groups opposed to Israel.

The Israeli government has responded with a series of targeted airstrikes aimed at crippling Hezbollah’s leadership. These attacks have brought the region to the brink of a wider war, raising concerns about the potential for a broader regional conflict. Israel, however, has reaffirmed its commitment to returning 60,000 citizens who were evacuated from northern communities nearly a year ago, despite the ongoing hostilities.

Hezbollah has stated that it will only cease its rocket fire if there is a ceasefire agreement in Gaza. However, efforts to broker a truce through indirect negotiations involving the United States, Qatar, and Egypt have so far proven unsuccessful.

As tensions rise and casualties mount, the conflict shows no signs of slowing, with both sides entrenched in their positions.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah killed in Israeli airstrike

Venus L Peñaflor
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Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah killed in Israeli airstrike

BEIRUT. Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has been killed in an Israeli airstrike, the Iran-backed group confirmed on Saturday. Nasrallah’s death marks a significant blow to Hezbollah and Iran, as the group’s leadership faces a series of intense Israeli military attacks.

In a statement, Hezbollah acknowledged the loss of its leader but vowed to continue its struggle against Israel, “in support of Gaza and Palestine, and in defense of Lebanon and its steadfast and honorable people.” The group did not provide specific details about the circumstances surrounding Nasrallah’s death.

The Israeli military confirmed the strike, stating that it was a “targeted operation” that hit Hezbollah’s underground headquarters located beneath a residential building in Dahiyeh, a southern suburb of Beirut heavily controlled by the group. According to the Israeli military, Nasrallah and another senior Hezbollah leader, Ali Karaki, were killed, along with several commanders.

“The strike was conducted while Hezbollah’s senior chain of command was operating from the headquarters and advancing terrorist activities against the citizens of the State of Israel,” the Israeli military said.

Nasrallah’s death comes after two weeks of escalating conflict for Hezbollah, which has faced severe Israeli airstrikes and attacks on its communication systems. The situation has further destabilized Lebanon, with Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah strongholds across the country.

On Friday, the powerful airstrike in Dahiyeh sent shockwaves through Beirut, leaving a massive crater at least 20 meters (65 feet) deep, according to Lebanese security sources. The attacks continued on Saturday with additional strikes on Dahiyeh and other areas in Lebanon, lighting up the night sky with massive explosions.

In response, Hezbollah fired rockets across the border into Israel, triggering alarms and forcing residents to seek shelter. Israeli missile defenses intercepted several rockets, and there were no immediate reports of casualties on either side.

The ongoing escalation has fueled fears that the conflict could widen, potentially involving Hezbollah’s principal backer, Iran, and possibly drawing in the United States. In southern Beirut, residents have begun fleeing the Dahiyeh area, seeking refuge in downtown Beirut and other safer locations.

“Yesterday’s strikes were unbelievable. We had fled before and then went back to our homes, but the bombing got more and more intense, so we came here, waiting for Netanyahu to stop the bombing,” said Dalal Daher, a resident speaking near Beirut’s Martyrs Square, referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

As tensions continue to rise, the region remains on edge, with the potential for further military escalation between Israel and Hezbollah. Nasrallah’s death marks a turning point in the ongoing conflict, leaving uncertainty over Hezbollah’s next moves and the broader impact on Lebanon and the Middle East.

Maggie Smith, legendary actress of ‘Harry Potter’ and ‘Downton Abbey,’ passes away at 89

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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Maggie Smith, legendary actress of ‘Harry Potter’ and ‘Downton Abbey,’ passes away at 89

LONDON. Maggie Smith, the iconic British actress known for her unforgettable roles in Downton Abbey and the Harry Potter series, has passed away at the age of 89. Her sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, confirmed her death in a statement, revealing that she passed away early Friday morning at a hospital in London.

In their heartfelt message, the family shared: “She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother.”

Smith’s remarkable career spanned six decades, earning her a reputation as one of Britain’s most accomplished actresses. Frequently mentioned alongside fellow greats such as Judi Dench and Vanessa Redgrave, Smith garnered two Academy Awards, countless nominations, and numerous prestigious accolades throughout her life. Despite this, she remained humble and wry, often remarking on her later years in film: “When you get into the granny era, you’re lucky to get anything.”

Her breakout role as the charismatic teacher in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie earned her an Oscar in 1969, and she later added a second Academy Award for her performance in California Suite in 1978. Over the years, Smith’s wit and sharp delivery became her signature, especially in roles like the no-nonsense Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter films and the caustic Dowager Countess of Grantham in Downton Abbey.

Smith, with characteristic humor, once described her work on the Harry Potter franchise as: “Harry Potter is my pension.”

Richard Eyre, who worked closely with Smith, praised her intelligence and talent, saying, “You have to get up very, very early in the morning to outwit Maggie Smith.”

Her role in Downton Abbey became a global sensation, and she won three Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe for her portrayal of the sharp-tongued Violet Crawley. As viewers will fondly recall, one of her most famous quips from the show—“What is a weekend?”—solidified her as a master of the one-liner.

Smith continued working well into her 80s, with notable roles in Downton Abbey: A New Era (2022) and The Miracle Club (2023). Despite her success, she was known to be a private individual, seldom speaking about her craft. Simon Callow, her co-star in A Room with a View, once remarked, “She never wanted to talk about acting. Acting was something she was terrified to talk about because if she did, it would disappear.”

Tributes have poured in from fellow actors and public figures. Hugh Bonneville, who played her son in Downton Abbey, said: “Anyone who ever shared a scene with Maggie will attest to her sharp eye, sharp wit, and formidable talent. She was a true legend of her generation and thankfully will live on in so many magnificent screen performances.”

Rob Lowe, who starred with Smith in Suddenly, Last Summer, offered a touching tribute: “She could eat anyone alive, and often did. But funny, and great company. We will never see another. Godspeed, Ms. Smith!”

Prime Minister Keir Starmer also expressed his condolences, describing Smith as “a true national treasure whose work will be cherished for generations to come.”

Maggie Smith’s legacy will undoubtedly endure through her many beloved roles. Her career, which began with a passion for theater at the Oxford Playhouse, took her from stage to screen, earning her accolades and the deep admiration of her peers and audiences alike.

Smith is survived by her two sons, both of whom followed in their mother’s footsteps into acting, and her five grandchildren.

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