Russia denies involvement in arson at properties linked to UK Prime Minister StarmerNew Foto - Russia denies involvement in arson at properties linked to UK Prime Minister Starmer

LONDON (AP) — A top Kremlin official on Monday scoffed at a report that Russia could be involved in recent arson attacks on the private home ofBritish Prime Minister Keir Starmer, a building where he once lived and a car that he had owned. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was responding to a Financial Times report that said U.K. security officials were looking into whether Russia was involved inthe attacks. The Associated Press has not been able to independently confirm the FT report that relied on unnamed senior U.K. government figures. But Peskov, who the London-based paper said did not respond to a request when it published the story Friday, was asked about the report at his regular press briefing Monday. "London tends to suspect Russia of anything bad that happens in the U.K.," Peskov said. "As a rule, all these suspicions are groundless, unsubstantiated and often laughable." No one was injured in the fires that occurred on three nights between May 8 and May 12 in north London, authorities said. Three men with ties to Ukraine face arson charges and are being held without bail before a hearing June 6 in London's Central Criminal Court. A prosecutor said there was no explanation for the crimes and no official has publicly said Moscow is behind the fires. But the arsons fit a pattern of disruption that Western officials have accused Russia and its proxies of carrying out dozens of times to undermine support for Ukraine sinceMoscow's full-scale invasionthree years ago and to sow division in Europe. The Associated Press in March documentednearly 60 incidents in which European governments, prosecutors, intelligence services or other Western officials blamed Russia, groups linked to Russia or its ally Belarus for cyberattacks, spreading propaganda, plotting killings or committing acts of vandalism, arson, sabotage or espionage since the 2022 invasion. Richard Moore, the head of Britain's foreign intelligence service, accused Russia last yearof a "staggeringly reckless" sabotagecampaign against Ukraine's Western allies. Two weeks ago, six Bulgarians were sentenced in a London court to lengthy prison terms for carrying out asophisticated spying operation for Russia. Starmer's office had no comment Monday about the FT report or Peskov's comments. It referred the AP to the Metropolitan Police, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Foreign Office also did not immediately respond. Counterterrorism detectives investigated the Starmer-related fires, they said, because the incidents involved the prime minister. The charges were authorized by the Crown Prosecution Service's Counter Terrorism Division, which is responsible for prosecuting offenses relating to state threats, among other crimes. Ukrainian national Roman Lavrynovych, 21, is charged with three counts of arson with intent to endanger life. His compatriot, Petro Pochynok, 34, and Ukraine-born Romanian national Stanislav Carpiuc, 26, were charged with conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. Starmer and his family had moved out of his home after he was elected in July, and they live at the prime minister's official Downing Street residence. A Toyota RAV4 that Starmer had sold to a neighbor was set ablaze May 8, just down the street from the house where he lived before he took office. The door of an apartment building where he once lived was set on fire on May 11, and on May 12 the doorway of his home was charred after being set ablaze. ___ Joanna Kozlowska contributed to this report.

Russia denies involvement in arson at properties linked to UK Prime Minister Starmer

Russia denies involvement in arson at properties linked to UK Prime Minister Starmer LONDON (AP) — A top Kremlin official on Monday scoffed ...
South Carolina shooting leaves at least 11 hospitalized in Horry CountyNew Foto - South Carolina shooting leaves at least 11 hospitalized in Horry County

A shooting in western South Carolina left at least 11 people hospitalized over the Memorial Day weekend, police say. Shots rang out near a boat dock in Little River, South Carolina, late Sunday, May 25, the Horry County Police Department confirmed onFacebookat 9:30 p.m. local time. The shooting seemingly resulted from an argument on a docked charter boat during a private Memorial Day weekend gathering, the Horry County Police Department told USA TODAY. First responders transported 11 victims to local hospitals while others reportedly arrived via personal vehicles, according to Horry County Police. At least 10 of those victims suffered gunshot wounds with the worst of the injuries being in critical but stable condition. Police called the shooting an "isolated incident" adding that there is "no risk to the community at this time." Horry County Police did not confirm whether any arrests were made in connection with the shooting but said it will work to "identify the person or persons responsible." A North Myrtle Beach Police Officer's leg was injured Sunday evening after accidently discharging their weapon while responding to a separate call in the Little River area. The officer was taken to a local hospital and is in stable condition, according to theNorth Myrtle Beach Police Department. "No other individuals were injured, and there is no ongoing threat to public safety," North Myrtle Beach Public Information Officer Lauren Jessie told USA TODAY. "We are grateful for the quick response of medical personnel and assisting agencies." (This story has been updated to add new information and to resolve a date inaccuracy.) This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:At least 11 hospitalized in South Carolina after Little River shooting

South Carolina shooting leaves at least 11 hospitalized in Horry County

South Carolina shooting leaves at least 11 hospitalized in Horry County A shooting in western South Carolina left at least 11 people hospita...
Russia responds to Trump's criticism of Putin: There is 'emotional overload' right nowNew Foto - Russia responds to Trump's criticism of Putin: There is 'emotional overload' right now

The Kremlin responded Monday to President Trump's criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin, citing "emotional overload" at this "very important moment." "We are really grateful to the Americans and to President Trump personally for their assistance in organizing and launching this negotiation process," said Russian spokesperson Dmitry Peskov when asked about Trump's remarks,according to Reuters. "Of course, at the same time, this is a very crucial moment, which is associated, of course, with the emotional overload of everyone absolutely and with emotional reactions." The comments come after the American president has lashed out at Putin in recent days, a noticeable shift in tone that many have interpreted as a sign Trump is losing his patience with the Russian leader amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. "I've always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him. He has gone absolutely CRAZY!" Trump wrote Sunday night on Truth Social. Earlier that day, the president said he was "not happy" with his Russian counterpart as he prepared to board Air Force One. "I don't know what the hell happened to Putin," Trump told reporters. Russia overnight launched a record number of drones into Ukraine, along with nine cruise missiles, according to The Associated Press. No deaths were immediately confirmed. The attack followed a similar onslaught Saturday, when the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv came under fire from a barrage of Russian drones and missiles, killing at least 12 people. Trump has repeatedly vowed to end the conflict, the current phase of which began when Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022. The president's comments are some of his toughest yet directed at Putin, though Trump has also ratcheted up his criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. "Likewise, President Zelenskyy is doing his Country no favors by talking the way he does," Trump said in his remarks Sunday before boarding Air Force One. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.

Russia responds to Trump’s criticism of Putin: There is ’emotional overload’ right now

Russia responds to Trump's criticism of Putin: There is 'emotional overload' right now The Kremlin responded Monday to President...
Marcel Ophuls, Director of 'The Sorrow and the Pity,' Dies at 97New Foto - Marcel Ophuls, Director of 'The Sorrow and the Pity,' Dies at 97

Marcel Ophuls, the renowned, Oscar-winning documentarian whose controversial and epic "The Sorrow and the Pity" was a worldwide success, has died. He was 97. His death was reported to theNew York Timesby his grandson, Andreas-Benjamin Seyfert, who provided no details concerning the circumstances of the death. More from Variety 'Occupied City' Review: Steve McQueen's Holocaust Documentary Is a Trial to Sit Through: Four Hours Long But Only an Inch Deep Ophuls, the son of famed German and Hollywood film director Max Ophuls, often claimed that he was a prisoner of his success in the documentary field when what he really wanted was to make lighthearted musicals and romances. But his exhaustive "The Sorrow and the Pity," about French complicity with their Nazi occupiers during WWII, elevated the film documentary in the public eye. His further explorations of the war in Northern Ireland ("A Sense of Loss"), the Nuremberg war crime trials ("The Memory of Justice") and the notorious Nazi war criminal Klaus Barbie ("Hotel Terminus") added immeasurably to the documentary field. Ophuls mixed period footage and incisive, often exhaustive interviews, adding to the public's understanding of the complex issues his films tackled. "Hotel Terminus" won him an Oscar for best documentary in 1988. Born in Frankfurt am Main, Ophuls (original family name, Oppenheimer) was raised in Frankfurt and Berlin until 1933, when Hitler came to power. Ophuls moved to France and, in 1940, escaped to the U.S. via Spain and Portugal. While his father was directing such films as "Letter From an Unknown Woman," Ophuls attended Hollywood High School, feeling distinctly out of place. He appeared as a Nazi youth in Frank Capra's wartime propaganda documentary "Prelude to War" and was drafted into service in the Army in 1945, serving in the entertainment unit stationed in Japan. When he returned to the U.S., Ophuls entered Occidental College and later UC Berkeley and the Sorbonne in Paris. Because he was multilingual and with his father's help, he was brought on as an assistant on various films by such directors as Julien Duvivier, John Huston and Anatole Litvak. After working for Huston on "Moulin Rouge" in 1952, he helped his father (and appeared briefly) in "Lola Montes," considered by some critics as the apex of the elder Ophuls' career. He then worked for German television, and a documentary on Henri Matisse caught the eye of Francois Truffaut, who assigned him a segment of the multipart "Love at Twenty." Through his friendship with Truffaut, he was able to interest Jean-Paul Belmondo and Jeanne Moreau to appear in his 1963 adventure comedy "Banana Peel," which was a success. His second fiction film, 1965's "Fire at Will," starring Eddie Constantine, failed to appeal to critics or audiences, however. In need of a job, Ophuls was hired by the French government-run TV network ORTF and worked on the TV newsmagazine "Zoom!" After "Munich or Peace in Our Time," his three-hour 1967 documentary about the 1938 Munich agreement, Ophuls began planning a film about the French Occupation. In the meantime, he made a film sympathetic to the 1968 Parisian student riots and, after the re-establishment of pro de Gaulle forces in the French government, he was fired for his radical position. Ophuls then returned to German TV and, with the help of the Swiss, raised the money to complete "The Sorrow and the Pity" by 1969. The sprawling but penetrating 4½ hour documentary about French complicity with its Nazi captors during the war exploded the myth that the French resisted their occupiers. It was shown on German television; the French rejected it for both theatrical and television distribution, but after numerous private screenings, "The Sorrow and the Pity" was finally released in Paris to critical acclaim and played for several months. In 1971, it was distributed throughout France, but the documentary didn't appear on French television until a decade later. "Sorrow" was greeted with similar approbation in the U.S. Ophuls' next film, "A Sense of Loss" (1972), dealt with the ongoing battle in Northern Ireland. Comparisons with the earlier film were inevitable and the issue much more complex than any film could encompass. "The Memory of Justice" (1976), based on the book "Nuremeberg and Vietnam: An American Tragedy" and also ran a punishing 4½ hours, drew parallels between atrocities committed in Nazi Germany, Vietnam and Algeria. The film dealt with selective memory and the Germans' desire to forget their former pro-Nazi stance. Ophuls did not return to the bigscreen until 1988 with another WWII documentary, "Hotel Terminus: The Life and Times of Klaus Barbie," about the notorious Nazi Butcher of Lyon. The film again struck a nerve, and Ophuls was awarded an Oscar and the International Critics Prize at Cannes for his efforts. His 1991 docu "November Days" was a portrait of the weakening political leadership of East Germany. Ophuls frequently wrote about film, lectured at universities and served on the board of the French Filmmakers Society. After receiving a MacArthur Foundation Fellowship in 1991, Ophuls swore that he was going to return to feature filmmaking, but instead turned out "Veillees d'armes," a film about the history of wartime journalists. That proved to be his last directing effort until 2012's "Un Voyageur" (2012), a self-portrait in which he offered his remembrances and summed up his experience but which was released in the U.S. under the absurd title "Ain't Misbehavin'." He was married to Regine Ophuls, by whom he had three daughters. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival Sign up forVariety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us onFacebook,Twitter, andInstagram.

Marcel Ophuls, Director of ‘The Sorrow and the Pity,’ Dies at 97

Marcel Ophuls, Director of 'The Sorrow and the Pity,' Dies at 97 Marcel Ophuls, the renowned, Oscar-winning documentarian whose cont...
Djokovic thought about his own future retirement while at Nadal's farewell ceremony at French OpenNew Foto - Djokovic thought about his own future retirement while at Nadal's farewell ceremony at French Open

PARIS (AP) — AsNovak Djokovicchatted at Court Philippe-Chatrier withhis greatest rivals in tennis— Rafael Nadal,Roger Federerand Andy Murray, all of whom have retired — he couldn't help but think about when his day to walk away might arrive. "Well, I mean, honestly, I was thinking about my end of the road, as well," Djokovic said with a smile Monday, a day before he'll play his first-round match atthe French Openagainst Mackie McDonald of the United States. "But," Djokovic added moments later with a grin, "I didn't think about the exact date, if that's what you're looking for." Federer, Djokovic and Murray made a surprise appearance Sundayat the ceremony to honor Nadalfor his 14 championships at Roland-Garros. Djokovic, who turned 38 last week, wonthe 100th title of his careerover the weekend at the Geneva Open on red clay — something the Serbian called "definitely much needed for my game and confidence level coming into Roland-Garros." He is the youngest member of a quartet that combined to collect 69 Grand Slam trophies, and came to be known by some as the Big Four of men's tennis while they dominated the sport for years. Federer, 43, played his final match in 2021; Murray, 38, stopped after last year's Paris Olympics; Nadal finished up last season and was feted Sunday for his 14 championships at Roland-Garros. "I was obviously talking to Federer and Murray about their goodbyes and reminiscing and reflecting on the rivalries. And of course, part of me is proud that I'm still there, that I'm still going," said Djokovic, who owns a record 24 major titles, including three in Paris. "But at the same time, I was, and I still am, a bit sad that they're all gone, because those guys were my greatest motivations of why I competed so intensely and for so long." Part of what went through Djokovic's mind on Sunday was an appreciation for the way Nadal was celebrated. And Djokovic also pondered what might happen when he decides to stop. "Rafa deserved what he got yesterday in full intensity of its glory. ... Each one of us dreams of being remembered in such a way and celebrated, of course," Djokovic said. "I do wish one day that I can get that kind of goodbye from the world of tennis, for sure." He got emotional listening to Nadal's speech and seeing the way the Spaniard's relatives and team members reacted. "It was a really heartwarming moment," Djokovic said. "Even though we were the fiercest rivals, it's that personal touch that is out there when you kind of spill your heart out on the court, as he did yesterday. It's almost impossible it doesn't touch you deeply." Djokovic was briefly coached by Murray this season until splitting recently, and Djokovic said it was a mutual decision. He also said Murray teased that it was only after they went their separate ways that Djokovic earned his first title of the season by winning in Geneva on Saturday. "I," Djokovic said, "didn't take that as a joke." ___ Howard Fendrich has been the AP's tennis writer since 2002. Find his stories here:https://apnews.com/author/howard-fendrich. More AP tennis:https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

Djokovic thought about his own future retirement while at Nadal's farewell ceremony at French Open

Djokovic thought about his own future retirement while at Nadal's farewell ceremony at French Open PARIS (AP) — AsNovak Djokovicchatted ...
Gloria Estefan takes us inside her American Music Awards return after 30 yearsNew Foto - Gloria Estefan takes us inside her American Music Awards return after 30 years

LAS VEGAS –Gloria Estefanshimmied her hips and elbows, shuffle dancing through a song that has probably played on a million wedding dance floors. "I can't believe it's been 40 years. How can it be that long?" she mused to no one in particular on the cavernous stage at the BleauLive Theater atFontainebleau Las Vegas. The song is"Conga,"a pop culture staple since 1985, and it's among the medley Estefan, one of the bestselling Latina singers of all time, will perform during the American Music Awards May 26. It will be her first performance on the show in more than 30 years. It's 48 hours before the production airs live from the Fontainebleau (5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET on CBS and streaming on Paramount+) andEstefan is gamely running throughher showcase in a blue velvet pantsuit, her down-to-earth charisma apparent in between takes as she talks with stagehands and members of her vaunted Miami Sound Machine. She'sa seasoned pro, enthusiastically dancing, smiling and pointing through five takes of the medley and thanking the handful of production assistants singing and waving from the floor below her, placeholders for the crowd that will file in come showtime. Along with Estefan,the AMAs lineupincludes Benson Boone, Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani, Lainey Wilson and Reneé Rapp, along with Icon Award winnerJanet Jacksonand Lifetime Achievement Award recipientRod Stewart. The top nomineesfor the fan-voted show areKendrick Lamar(10),Post Malone(8),Billie Eilish,Chappell Roanand Shaboozey (all with 7), and all-time AMA leaderTaylor Swift,who adds six nominations this year to her overall win tally of 40. More:American Music Awards 2025 nominations: Kendrick Lamar dominates with 'Not Like Us' Estefan, 67, will be recognized for her influence on theLatin music industryby show host and performerJennifer Lopez, who told USA TODAY in a separate interview she appreciates the trail Estefan forged. "What exactly is a pioneer, right? Someone who opens the door and people's consciousness to accept certain things," Lopez said. "She definitely did that with her career for a lot of us Latin artists. She's dedicated her life to being a musician and singer and it's exciting to get to celebrate that." Estefan demurs when asked if she views herself asa custodian of Latin music. "It's nothing we ever sit down and think about because we just keep moving forward in everything we do and pick projects that make us happy," Estefan told USA TODAY when she finished rehearsal. "It was our purpose when we worked with artistslike Shakiraand JLo to push the door open a little because we knew they could do it. Everybody always told us 'no,' so we wanted to give some yeses. It's very gratifying when I seeBad Bunnysinging in Spanish on 'SNL' orKarol Gselling out four stadiums in Madrid with urban music. It makes me very happy." Estefan recalled watchingDesi Arnazduring her childhood and the effect that seeing him sing in Spanish on American TV had on her psyche. "As (Supreme Court justice)Sonia Sotomayorsays, 'If you can't see it, you can't be it'," she said. More:Jennifer Lopez talks American Music Awards: 'A big part of my musical history' Estefan'sfirst all-Spanish albumin 18 years, "Raíces," arrives May 30. The title track, released in March, vaulted to No. 1 on the Billboard's U.S. Latin/Latin Airplay chart, which is gratifying to Estefan not only because she's still topping charts, but because themusic is so personal. "I wasn't planning on doing that album at all," Estefan says, noting she's been busy writing 20 songs for the musical "Basura," which she's worked on with daughter Emily for three years. It willpremiere at the Alliance Theatrein Atlanta in May 2026. "Emilio (Estefan) wanted me to do it. He can do 50 things at once, but I have to focus, so I told him, 'Babe, I can't. But if I ever do an album again I want it to be tropical.' It's my favorite genre, my core music that I would sing as a 3-year-old." So Emilio wrote the album for his wife, including a valentine. The couple will celebrate 47 years of marriage in September. "He came to me and said, 'I wrote you a love song.' And I said, 'Oh! You're going to sing it?' and he said, 'No! You're going to sing it for me.' And I said, 'Oh, I see, so you wrote yourownlove song,'" Estefan recalls with a laugh. "Thank God I agree with everything he wrote." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Gloria Estefan talks American Music Awards, new album

Gloria Estefan takes us inside her American Music Awards return after 30 years

Gloria Estefan takes us inside her American Music Awards return after 30 years LAS VEGAS –Gloria Estefanshimmied her hips and elbows, shuffl...

 

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