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The barrier lake in eastern Hualien county burst Tuesday, washing away a bridge and sweeping into a town with a trail of thick sludge and mud

The remaining piers of the Mataian Bridge after it collapsed during typhoon Super Typhoon Ragasa passing through Hualien in eastern Taiwan. (Dong Wen Transports via AP)

At least 14 people were killed when a decades-old lake barrier burst in Taiwan, a government official said Wednesday, after Super Typhoon Ragasa pounded the island with torrential rain.

The barrier lake in eastern Hualien county burst Tuesday, washing away a bridge and sweeping into a town with a trail of thick sludge and mud. "It was like a volcano erupting.... the muddy floodwaters came roaring straight into the first floor of my house," Hsu Cheng-hsiung, 55, a neighbourhood leader of Kuang Fu township, told AFP. Lee Kuan-ting, a Hualien County Government press official, said 14 people were killed and 18 injured. The National Fire Agency said 124 people were missing. "It was a disaster movie," a local resident Yen Shau, 31, told AFP. He said an hour before the lake burst, many people were still at the local supermarket and grocery store. "Within minutes, the water had risen to halfway up the first floor," he said. He said he couldn't sleep Tuesday night for fear of another deluge from the lake, and on Wednesday was shoveling mud from his home. "The mud was just too deep, too deep to dig out," he added. Footage released by the fire agency showed flooded streets, half-submerged cars and uprooted trees. Across Taiwan, more than 7,600 people were evacuated due to Typhoon Ragasa. Taiwan experiences frequent tropical storms from July to October. Typhoon Danas, which hit the island in early July, killed two people and injured hundreds as the storm dumped more than 50 centimetres of rain across the south over a weekend.

Cannes Favorite Anora: A Deep Dive Into Its Talented Cast

The indie film Anora has quickly captured the attention of audiences and critics alike, especially after its strong showing at international film festivals in 2024 and 2025. As buzz continues to build around this unique drama-comedy, viewers are eager to learn more about the

Anora cast — the talented group of actors who brought this offbeat love story to life.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the cast of Anora, highlight the breakout performances, and provide key background on the stars and what to expect next.

What Is Anora About?

Before diving into the cast, let’s quickly recap what Anora is all about. Directed by Sean Baker — known for his raw and realistic storytelling in films like

Red Rocket and The Florida Project — Anora tells the story of a Brooklyn stripper who finds herself entangled in a whirlwind romance with the son of a Russian oligarch. The film blends comedy, romance, and gritty realism in a way that only Baker can deliver.

Meet the Anora Cast

Mikey Madison as Anora

The lead role of Anora is played by Mikey Madison, best known for her work in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

and the Scream franchise. Madison delivers a powerful, nuanced performance that captures the vulnerability, strength, and wit of her character. Many critics have called her performance in Anora a “career-defining role” and even Oscar-worthy.

Her portrayal of Anora brings depth to a character that could have easily been one-dimensional. Madison’s chemistry with her co-stars also helps ground the film in authentic emotion.

Mark Eidelstein as Ivan

Playing opposite Madison is Mark Eidelstein, a relative newcomer to Hollywood, but one who leaves a lasting impression. Eidelstein plays Ivan, the wealthy and impulsive son of a Russian oligarch who falls head-over-heels for Anora. His portrayal is layered, mixing innocence, recklessness, and genuine affection, all while navigating the chaos of class differences and cultural expectations.

Despite being newer to the scene, Eidelstein's performance holds its own against Madison’s, and the two share a natural, believable chemistry.

Supporting Anora Cast Members Worth Watching

While the leads are undeniably the stars of the show, the supporting cast also brings crucial texture and realism to the world of

Anora.

Karren Karagulian

A frequent collaborator of director Sean Baker, Karren Karagulian plays a supporting role that adds both humor and heart to the film. Known for his work in Tangerine and The Florida Project, Karagulian brings a grounded presence and effortlessly blends into the story’s urban backdrop.

Vache Tovmasyan

Armenian comedian and actor Vache Tovmasyan also appears in Anora, adding a layer of authenticity to the Eastern European family dynamics portrayed in the film. His character plays a crucial role in the development of Ivan’s background and the tension that arises when cultures and lifestyles collide.

Why the Anora Cast Stands Out

One of the most impressive aspects of the Anora cast is its diversity and authenticity. Director Sean Baker is known for casting actors who can portray raw, relatable characters, and Anora is no exception. By combining rising stars like Mikey Madison with lesser-known talents and real-world characters, Baker creates a story that feels lived-in and emotionally resonant.

The performances are not overly polished — and that’s a good thing. Instead, the cast leans into realism, allowing the characters to be flawed, funny, and fully human.

Festival Buzz and Awards Potential

Anora debuted at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, where it received a standing ovation and major praise for both direction and acting. The Anora cast has since been a major talking point among film enthusiasts and critics alike.

With awards season approaching, many are speculating that Mikey Madison could be in line for a Best Actress nomination, and the film as a whole may get nods for Best Original Screenplay and Best Director.

What’s Next for the Anora Cast?

Following the success of Anora, it’s expected that many of the cast members will see their careers skyrocket.

Mikey Madison is already in talks for major studio projects, with her performance in Anora solidifying her status as one of the most promising young actresses in Hollywood.
Mark Eidelstein has reportedly signed with a top-tier talent agency and is being considered for several upcoming streaming and theatrical projects.
Karren Karagulian continues to build on his reputation as a staple in indie cinema.

Why You Should Keep an Eye on the Anora Cast

The Anora cast is more than just a group of actors — it’s a dynamic team that brought a raw, emotional, and deeply engaging story to life. With powerful performances from Mikey Madison and Mark Eidelstein, and strong support from a culturally rich ensemble, Anora proves that good casting can elevate a film from indie darling to critical darling.

Whether you’re a fan of award-winning performances, independent cinema, or rising Hollywood stars, the Anora cast is one worth watching in 2025 and beyond.

Johnson Pushes Back on ‘War Powers’ Vote Amid Iran Strikes

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said on Monday that passing a war powers resolution would strip President Trump of his authority to continue military operations in Iran, warning that such a move would present a “frightening prospect.”

Representatives Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) plan to push for a vote on a war powers resolution this week, which would require Congressional authorization before Trump can use military force against Iran again. They argue that the operations in Iran put U.S. troops at risk and are not representative of an “America First” agenda.

According to a source who spoke to The Hill, the resolution is expected to be brought to the floor on Thursday.

“I think the idea that we would move a War Powers Act vote right now, I mean, it will be forced to the floor, but the idea that we would take the ability of our commander in chief, the president, take his authority away right now to finish this job, is a frightening prospect to me,” Johnson told reporters after a briefing on the operation.

“It’s dangerous, and I am certainly hopeful, and I believe we do have the votes to put it down. That’s going to be a good thing for the country and our security and stability,” he added.

The U.S. and Israel conducted joint military strikes against Iran on Saturday after weeks of threats from Trump, who had called for regime change in Tehran. Johnson wrote on the social platform X that Congress’s bipartisan “Gang of Eight” was “briefed in detail earlier this week that military action may become necessary to protect American troops and American citizens in Iran.”

On Monday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the Iranian military and regime were racing to achieve “immunity” for its ongoing nuclear weapons program, meaning the ability to develop enough ballistic missiles to shield itself and the program from destruction. That’s why Trump chose to act now, he added.

Trump told CNN on Monday morning that the “big wave” of the operation is yet to come. When he was asked how long the war will last, the president said, “I don’t want to see it go on too long. I always thought it would be four weeks. And we’re a little ahead of schedule.”

On Monday, Johnson told reporters he believes Trump “was acting well within his authority” as commander-in-chief to protect the country.

“It’s not a declaration of war. It’s not something that the president was required, because it’s defensive in nature and in design and in necessity, to come to Congress and get a vote first. And if they had briefed a larger group than the Gang of Eight, you know, there’s a real threat that that very sensitive intelligence that we had, you know, might have been leaked or something,” he said.

“So, this is why the commander in chief of our armed forces has the latitude that any commander in chief, any president always has, because they have a set of information that is sensitive, timely and urgent, and they have to be able to act upon it. They did that.”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has urged lawmakers to support the war powers resolution, stating in a CNN interview on Monday that Trump needs to be constrained.

Presidents from both parties have taken action on behalf of the country in the past. Also, every president since the act was passed in the early 1970s has said they believe it unconstitutionally limits a president’s Article II authorities.

Trump Escalates Criticism of Ilhan Omar While Aboard Air Force One

What began earlier this month as a viral White House jab at Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) has now turned into a broader campaign offensive, with President Donald Trump doubling down on his criticism of the Somali-born congresswoman and the Somali refugee community in the United States.

Omar said during an October appearance on The Dean Obeidallah Show that she was not worried about losing her U.S. citizenship or being sent back to Somalia, where she was born.

“I have no worry, I don’t know how they’d take away my citizenship and like deport me,” Omar said. “But I don’t even know why that’s such a scary threat. I’m not the 8-year-old who escaped war

anymore. I’m grown, my kids are grown. I could go live wherever I want.”

On Nov. 10, the White House posted on X a 2024 photo of Trump waving from a McDonald’s drive-thru window, replying to a clip in which Omar said she was unconcerned about being deported.

The photo — taken during a campaign stop in Pennsylvania — quickly circulated online and was widely interpreted as a taunting “good-bye” message aimed at the Minnesota lawmaker.

Now, the feud has reignited. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump referenced the allegation that Omar had entered the U.S. through a fraudulent marriage.

“She supposedly came into our country by marrying her brother,” he said. “If that’s true, she shouldn’t be a congresswoman, and we should throw her the hell out of the country.”

The president also broadened his remarks to criticize Somali immigration overall.

“Somalis have caused us a lot of trouble, and they cost us a lot of money,” Trump said. “What the hell are we paying Somalia for? We have Ilhan Omar who does nothing but complain about our Constitution and our country! We’re not taking their people anymore — in fact, we’re sending them back.”

Trump has often accused Omar of being “anti-American,” previously telling her and other progressive “Squad” members to “go back” to their “broken and crime-infested countries.” Omar responded earlier this month by calling Trump a “lying buffoon” and saying his story about Somalia’s president refusing to take her back was fabricated.

The White House has signaled that it will not walk back the president’s latest statements. A senior aide said Trump was “reminding voters that America’s generosity should never be repaid with contempt.”

Omar’s family fled Somalia’s civil war in 1991 and spent several years in a Kenyan refugee camp before settling in the United States. She was elected to Congress in 2018, becoming one of the first Muslim women and the first Somali-American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The renewed confrontation underscores the political tension between Trump and radical members of the “Squad.” It comes amidst growing concerns about immigration policy and the vetting of immigrants in the aftermath of an Afghan refugee’s shooting of two National Guard members over the Thanksgiving holiday.