Protesters in Israel demand hostage deal in one of the largest demonstrations since Gaza conflict beganNew Foto - Protesters in Israel demand hostage deal in one of the largest demonstrations since Gaza conflict began

Large crowds of Israelis took to the streets on Sunday, launching anationwide grassroots strikeand widespread protests to demand the government secure the release of 50 hostages still in Gaza. In one of the largest coordinated demonstrations since the beginning of theGaza warnearly two years ago, protesters blocked major roads, closed private businesses, and staged rallies in big cities. People also protested outside government minister's homes. Organizers estimated that hundreds of thousands took part in the strike across Israel. The day of protests began at 06:29am, the exact time when Hamas launched its deadly attack on Israel on October 7. Family members of the hostages, leading the strike alongside the October Council, which represents bereaved families from the war, held a press conference in Tel Aviv, announcing an "emergency break" until the hostages are released. "Today, we stop everything to save the lives of 50 hostages and soldiers. Today, we stop everything to remember the supreme value of the sanctity of life," said Anat Engrest, whose son Matan, is held hostage in Gaza. Polls have repeatedly shown a large majority in Israel support a ceasefire deal to release all of the hostages in exchange for an end to the war. The last round of negotiations fell apart in late-July, when the US and Israelwithdrew their teamsfrom talks in Doha, accusing Hamas of not negotiating in good faith. "We are united in one simple demand directed at the Israeli government: Put an Israeli proposal on the table today for a comprehensive deal - to end the war in exchange for the return of the last hostage. No slogans, no sabotage, no demands that we know the other side won't accept," said Vicky Cohen, whose son Nimrod, is a hostage. "It's time to end the horrific nightmare the entire country has been living in for 22 months." The strike was announced last week, following the Israeli security cabinet's decision to expand the war andtake over Gaza City, despite the Israeli military's warning that the operations could endanger the 50 remaining hostages in Gaza, 20 of whom are believed to still be alive. The Israeli military says the operation will begin "soon" and the government says it will provide the local population with tents before relocating them "for their protection." Almost the entire population in Gaza has been displaced, with many forced to move multiple times. As of early Sunday afternoon, Israeli police say 38 protesters had been arrested across the country for disturbing the peace. Israel's largest labor organization, the Histadrut, did not join the strike, though it encouraged employers to let workers participate. But many technology companies, law firms, academic institutions and private sector enterprises announced their participation and support, alongside citizens who declared they would take the day off or refrain from business transactions. Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed support for the hostage families, while visiting the central gathering at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv. "All of the people of Israel are anxious, concerned, and want the hostages to come home. There is not a single Israeli woman or man who does not want them home," Herzog said. But members of the Israeli government slammed the day of protests. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a cabinet meeting: "Those who are calling today to end the war without defeating Hamas not only harden Hamas's stance and delay the release of our hostages – they are also ensuring that the horrors of October 7 will repeat themselves again and again." Itamar Ben Gvir, the far-right Minister of National Security, said the strike was a "cynical political maneuver on the backs of the hostages," linking it to long-standing anti-government protest movement. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which represents most of the hostages who remain in Gaza, said in response: "You can continue to hide behind spins and political calculations, but you cannot escape responsibility." The Forum announced plans to set up a protest encampment on the Gaza border called "Waypoint 50" – representing the 50 hostages – to continue pressuring the government to secure their release. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account atCNN.com

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August 17, 2025

Protesters in Israel demand hostage deal in one of the largest demonstrations since Gaza conflict began

Protesters in Israel demand hostage deal in one of the largest demonstrations since Gaza conflict began Large crowds of Israelis took to the...
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How Trump and Zelensky's relationship has evolved since remarkable Oval Office shouting match in FebruaryNew Foto - How Trump and Zelensky's relationship has evolved since remarkable Oval Office shouting match in February

The last time Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wasinside the Oval Office, he was berated by his US hosts, denied a planned luncheon and abruptly asked to leave the West Wing. "He can come back when he is ready for peace,"President Donald Trumpsaid after the meeting fell apart. Six months later, Zelensky is returning to the White House on Monday to learn more details ofTrump's Alaska summitwith Russian President Vladimir Putin — and to learn what, exactly, the US president envisions peace looking like in Ukraine. During the meeting in February, Trump told Zelensky: "You don't have the cards." After Trump's summit with Putin in Alaska, it remained unclear how the deck had been reshuffled. Initial indications have not been received particularly well, either by the Ukrainians or by European officials briefed on the contents of the nearly three-hour summit in Anchorage. Trump said afterward he was abandoning his hope for an immediate ceasefire, pushing instead for a full peace agreement without first insisting Russia's bombardments end. That is the opposite stance of European leaders and Zelensky, who say Ukraine cannot be made to negotiate its future while under constant attack from Moscow. So, too, has Trump seemed receptive to Putin's plan for major land concessions by the Ukrainians as a condition for ending the war. Trump told European officials on the phone as he was arriving back in Washington that Putin had not abandoned his demand for the entire eastern Donbas region, suggesting the war could be resolved quickly if Zelensky agreed to give it up. Trump's openness to US security guarantees for Ukraine once the war ends has given some European officials hope, but the specifics of what he's willing to provide remain unknown. It all will make for consequential discussions inside the Oval Office on Monday, as Trump presses for an end to a conflict he once promised to resolve within a day of taking office. Since the fracas in February, Trump and Zelensky have gone a long way toward repairing their relationship. European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, have provided Zelensky pointers in how to approach Trump, suggesting a less combative attitude and more overt demonstrations of gratitude for US support. Zelensky was sure to note his gratitude for the invitation to Washington, writingSaturday on X, "On Monday, I will meet with President Trump in Washington, D.C., to discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war. I am grateful for the invitation." European leaders including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are all expected to join the talks between Trump and Zelensky, who has the backing of Europe. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte could also travel to Washington for the meeting, one official said. The optics of an Oval Office invitation just days after the summit with Putin in Alaska are significant. While Putin was treated to a showy display of welcome in Anchorage, he was not pictured alongside the US president in the Oval Office — a room he hasn't been in since 2005. Trump clapped when Putin walked down the tarmac and joined the US president inside his armored limo — a rare sight for any foreign leader, let alone an adversary. Trump described the talks as "warm," and the imagery from the day underscored Putin's return to the diplomatic fold after being frozen out following his invasion of Ukraine. Still, he was also greeted by a show of force: a B-2 bomber flyover and four F-22 Raptors parked alongside Air Force One, the same planes used to intercept Russian aircraft when they intrude in American airspace. Monday will be Zelensky's first time returning to the Oval Office since Trump said he was "gambling with World War III" and Vice President JD Vance accused the Ukrainian leader of a lack of gratitude, asking him, "Have you said thank you once?" A source familiar said Vance will also attend Monday's meeting. But Trump and Zelensky have met face-to-face twice since then, and their relationship has greatly improved. In April, Trumpmet brieflywith Zelensky in the Vatican before Pope Francis' funeral and in June on the sidelines of the NATO summit in the Netherlands. "You know we had some rough times," Trump said after his meeting with Zelensky at NATO. "He couldn't have been nicer." "I took from the meeting that he'd like to see it end," Trump added. The Vatican meeting was an intimate one, with Zelensky and Trump huddled closely across from each other in St. Peter's Basilica underneath a massive painting of Jesus' baptism. "I believe that we had the best conversation with President Trump of all those that have taken place before," Zelenskytold reportersafter the meeting. After the meeting, Trump threatened potential new sanctions on Russia and questioned whether Putin was serious about peace or "tapping" him along. But several months later, he has stopped short of applying the new sanctions, and many Western officials believe Putin is still stringing along the president as he plays for time to accomplish his war aims. In May, after Putin blew off an opportunity to meet with Zelensky in Istanbul, sending a lower-level delegation instead, Trump told reporters, "Look, nothing's going to happen until Putin and I get together, OK?" Trump has cleared that hurdle, but achieving a lasting peace remains elusive. This story has been updated with additional information. CNN's Sophie Tanno and Sebastian Shukla contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account atCNN.com

byAdministrator
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August 17, 2025

How Trump and Zelensky’s relationship has evolved since remarkable Oval Office shouting match in February

How Trump and Zelensky's relationship has evolved since remarkable Oval Office shouting match in February The last time Ukrainian Presid...
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Hurricane Erin downgraded to Category 3 but still powerful, dangerous: Live updatesNew Foto - Hurricane Erin downgraded to Category 3 but still powerful, dangerous: Live updates

Hurricane Erin, which had exploded into a Category 5 powerhouse, was downgraded to a Category 3 storm Aug. 17, but rip currents and surf remained "life threatening" to beachgoers along the U.S. East Coast, the National Hurricane Center said. Thestorm, still driving dangerous, 125 mph winds, was centered about 200 miles north-northwest of San Juan, Puerto Rico, at 11 a.m. ET, the NHC said. Just a day earlier Erin's sustained winds had reached 160 mph. Erin, still a major hurricane, is the fifth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season and thefirst to reach hurricane status. The core of Erin is expected to pass to the east of the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas late on Aug. 17 and on Aug. 18. The meteorological services of France and the Netherlands discontinued tropical storm watches for St. Martin, St. Barthelemy and Sint Maarten, the NHC said. Richard Pasch, senior Hurricane Specialist for the NHC, was among forecasters warning that Erin was expected to produce life-threatening surf and rip currents along the beaches of U.S., Bermuda and Atlantic Canada for several days. Erin was a tropical storm before gaining hurricane status on Aug. 15. It became a major hurricane early on Aug. 16 when sustained winds exceeded 110 mph to gain Category 3 status, and later that day grew to a Category 5 storm with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph before those winds began to ebb. Forecasters eye two potential stormsin addition to Hurricane Erin Nearly the entire island of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands was without electricity early on Aug. 17 − 19,126 out of 23,252 customers, according to PowerOutage.us. Only scattered outages were reported on St. John and St. Croix. U.S. shores are unlikely to see a direct hit, but a strong offshore hurricane can produce massive and dangerous waves well away from its center,AccuWeatherLead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva said. "The storm is forecast to remain hundreds of miles off the East Coast," DaSilva said, adding that "beaches along the entire East Coast, from Florida to New England and Atlantic Canada, will likely experience rough surf and dangerous rip currents as Erin tracks north and eventually northeast." Hurricane Erin tracker:See map of the storm's forecasted path Hurricane Center director Michael Brennansaid 50-foot waves could occur near the center and to the right of Erin as the storm moves north, resulting in large breaking waves at beaches along the coast. Wave heights, long period swells and life-threatening rip currents –powerful currents of water that can rapidly carry swimmers out to deeper waters– are expected to increase along East Coast beaches by Aug. 18, according to the hurricane center and local National Weather Service offices. Even from far offshore, "the threat for life-threatening rip currents, damaging beach erosion, major coastal flooding and extremely dangerous surf is increasing," the National Weather Service office in Morehead City, North Carolina, said on Aug. 17. Wave heights could range from 12 to 20 feet along the Outer Banks, the office reports. Erin quickly exceeded expectations, undergoing a period of strengthening that the hurricane center refers to as "rapid intensification." Erin's burst of intensification will be among the most rapid ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean. Erin's winds increased 45 mph in just 12 hours overnight on Aug. 15, from 75 mph to 120 mph. Ultimately its wind speeds increased a total of 80 mph in just 18 hours from Friday to Saturday. In a post season summary of the 2024 hurricane season, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported that Hurricane Milton's rate of intensification – 90 mph in 24 hours in October 2024 – was "among the highest ever observed." At least two other hurricanes have exceeded that increase. In 2005, Hurricane Wilma's winds increased 125 mph in 24 hours. In 2007, wind speeds in Hurricane Felix increased by 100 mph in 24 hours, according to hurricane center data. A tropical storm watch went into effect on Aug. 17 in the Southeast Bahamas, which means tropical storm conditions are possible within the area over 24 hours. A tropical storm warning is in effect for the Turks and Caicos Islands, meaning tropical storm conditions are expected within 24 hours. Rain bands in Erin's expanding quadrants raked Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands late Aug. 16, with heavy rain and tropical storm force wind gusts of 40 - 50 mph, prompting flash flood warnings in some locations. The National Weather Service warned up to 8 inches of rain was possible. On the night of Aug. 16,a buoy near the stormin a north-northeastward direction from San Juan, Puerto Rico, was recording signficant wave heights of 22 - 28 feet. That's the average of the highest one-third of waves being measured at the buoy. The hurricane center is monitoringtwo other potential tropical disturbances, including one a couple of hundred miles off the North Carolina coast with a very low percentage of developing into a tropical storm, and another in the eastern region of the central tropical Atlantic. The Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1 and lasts through the end of November. The Atlantic basin includes the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of America. Based on a 30-year climate period from 1991 to 2020, the average Atlantic hurricane season has 14 named storms, 7 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes, the NHC says. Active hurricane weather typically peaks between mid-August and mid-October. Contributing: Reuters This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Hurricane Erin: Category 3 storm could impact entire East Coast

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August 17, 2025

Hurricane Erin downgraded to Category 3 but still powerful, dangerous: Live updates

Hurricane Erin downgraded to Category 3 but still powerful, dangerous: Live updates Hurricane Erin, which had exploded into a Category 5 pow...
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Elizabeth McGovern says Maggie Smith's absence from new" Downton Abbey" 'sort of freed up the rest of the narrative'

Nick Briggs / Carnival Films for Masterpiece/PBS / Courtesy: Everett Collection Elizabeth McGovern said that Maggie Smith's death has "freed up" the story of the newDownton Abbeymovie. The actress stated that her late costar's presence is "still very much in the atmosphere" of the movie. McGovern also said that she wanted better for her character: "I wish at times she could have had more interesting stories." Elizabeth McGoverndoesn't feel likeMaggie Smithis missing from the newDownton Abbeyinstallment. TheOrdinary Peopleactress, who played Cora Crawley on the hit English drama, believes that her late costar's presence "permeates" the forthcoming movieDownton Abbey: The Grand Finaledespite her death in September 2024. "She's still very much in the atmosphere," McGovern said of Smith, who played her mother-in-law, the Dowager Countess Violet Crawley, during an interview withThe Guardian. "I don't feel there's a big hole. In fact, in some ways, it sort of freed up the rest of the narrative to have a flow, because it's not stopping for her moments." Smith's character died near the conclusion of the franchise's previous installment, 2022'sDownton Abbey: A New Era, which meansThe Grand Finalewasn't adversely affected by Smith's passing. "Everything she represents is there," McGovern said of Smith. "She's in every room, in every interaction, so it's not like she's not there. It's a weird thing." McGovern also said that it has sometimes been challenging to put herself in the shoes of a character living in the early 20th century. "I think as a contemporary woman, it is hard to feel the straitjacket of that period." she said. "I wish at times she could have had more interesting stories." However, she also noted that her character probably couldn't have realistically enjoyed  "any more political or social power, because it just wouldn't be accurate to the time." Downton Abbey: The Grand Finalewill see almost all of the original series' cast return to their roles, includingHugh Bonneville,Michelle Dockery,Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Phyllis Logan, andRobert James-Collier. Also returning:Paul Giamatti, who played Cora's brother, Harold Levinson, on the original series. "I'm really surprised that I returned at all," GiamattitoldEntertainment Weeklyof his role in March. "I had a very kind of marginal character, and somebody thought it was a good idea to make me very important in this [movie]." Giamatti highlighted his character's essential role in the third (and supposedly final)Downtonmovie. "I was like, wow, this is random, I have a lot to do with the end of this whole series," the actor said. "I do something of real significance — good or bad, I'm not going to say! But, I do something that makes a big difference to how everything ends." Want more movie news? Sign up forEntertainment Weekly'sfree newsletterto get the latest trailers, celebrity interviews, film reviews, and more. Downtonexecutive producer Gareth Neamepreviously saidthat Smith's death has enhanced the strong emotions of the upcoming film. "The fact that Dame Maggie herself has now passed away since that time, I do think, has given a real added poignancy to a story that we would have planned anyway," he toldTVLine. "The loss of the Dowager, it now feels far more significant that you see actors playing characters mourning the family matriarch. But I also see actors mourning...and it feels more genuine and more meaningful." Downton Abbey: The Grand Finalehits theaters on Sept. 12. Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

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August 17, 2025

Elizabeth McGovern says Maggie Smith's absence from new“ Downton Abbey” 'sort of freed up the rest of the narrative'

Elizabeth McGovern says Maggie Smith's absence from new" Downton Abbey" 'sort of freed up the rest of the narrative' N...
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Kristen Bell on Why Audiences Swoon Over That First 'Nobody Wants This' Kiss: 'Comfort Can Be Incredibly Passionate'New Foto - Kristen Bell on Why Audiences Swoon Over That First 'Nobody Wants This' Kiss: 'Comfort Can Be Incredibly Passionate'

Joanne (Kristen Bell) and Noah (Adam Brody) are back for Season 2 of "Nobody Wants This," and the show's cast and producers hint that there will be changes to their relationship after the Season 1 finale. "Joanne and Noah are now at a place in their relationship for Season 2 where they're asking each other different questions," creator and showrunner Erin Foster revealed at the inaugural Televerse event, hosted on Aug. 15 at the J.W. Marriott L.A. Live. "Everyone's been in the first couple months of a relationship, and everyone's past the threshold where you ask if you and your partner are going to dinner with each other's families or if you are going to cohabitate with one another. There's all of these teeny, tiny things that link you closer to someone else." More from Variety 'Nobody Wants This' Season 2 First Look: Kristen Bell and Adam Brody's Love Faces More Tests - Will Joanne Convert to Judaism? 'Bones' Reunion, Henry Winkler Acting Class Set for TV Academy's Televerse Festival Next Month 'Nobody Wants This' Casting Team Used Clips of Adam Brody and Kristen Bell's Past Projects: 'Everyone Could See the Chemistry Right Away' During the panel, actress Jackie Tohn teased what is next in store for her character, Esther, who is married to Noah's older brother, Sasha (Timothy Simons). "We delve a lot deeper into everybody, because we have more time to do that," she said. "I think Esther is realizing in Season 2 that she wants to have a good time like Noah and Joanne, and to not have self-imposed bad times." "Nobody Wants This" follows Joanne, an agnostic podcast host who finds herself falling in love with Noah, an unconventional rabbi. The two begin to question their growing affection for one another and if they can make romance work between the two. In Season 1's first kiss scene, Bell and Foster revealed the intimacy behind the kiss and why it went viral online. "In the [first kiss] moment, it is meant to give the audience the passion of like these two people and their comfort together, because comfort can be incredibly passionate," said Bell. "It's a deep, beautiful emotion, and we don't associate it with kissing very much." Added Foster: "I think that as sometimes as women, there's sort of a universal language that we all know with each other. We have a responsibility when we're creating something that we are telling the narrative of romance to young women. And a lot of it is, have you know their habits that you sort of don't want to emulate, and the idea of showing women a healthy relationship. Sometimes as a woman, we want men to talk to us like we're a little delicate and strong, and to support us." Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week What's Coming to Disney+ in August 2025 What's Coming to Netflix in August 2025 Sign up forVariety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us onFacebook,Twitter, andInstagram.

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August 17, 2025

Kristen Bell on Why Audiences Swoon Over That First ‘Nobody Wants This’ Kiss: ‘Comfort Can Be Incredibly Passionate’

Kristen Bell on Why Audiences Swoon Over That First 'Nobody Wants This' Kiss: 'Comfort Can Be Incredibly Passionate' Joanne ...
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'General Hospital' Star Finola Hughes Speaks Out After Tristan Rogers DeathNew Foto - 'General Hospital' Star Finola Hughes Speaks Out After Tristan Rogers Death

'General Hospital' Star Finola Hughes Speaks Out After Tristan Rogers Deathoriginally appeared onParade. General HospitalstarFinola Hughes(Anna) worked closely withTristan Rogers(Robert) for nearly 40 years. Robert and Anna are one ofGeneral Hospital's most beloved couples. The passing of Rogers has the soap world in mourning, especially Hughes.Rogers sadly diedat the age of 79 following his battle with cancer. 🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬 Hughes has broken her silence on losing her friend and on-screen scene partner. In an Instagram share, the actress posted a throwback photo of her and Rogers as well as a recent picture of them. "Wish I could play one more scene with you, my friend. Tris sauntered into my dressing room on that first day to rehearse. Cropped hair & steel blue eyes, I thought 'damn, I'm gonna be working with Steve McQueen!' From day one he called me 'kid' or 'Finny' and he made me laugh," she began her lengthy caption. The ABC soap star went on to pay tribute to Rogers, writing, "An effortless actor, living on screen, he taught me so much. Serious about his work, but always a rebel. His own man, navigating the system, he protected me, protected Kimberly, his character, his friends. God, he was a good one. Silly, funny, kind, serious. I am heartbroken for his awesome wife Teresa, his children Sara Jane & Cale. His family made him so happy and he adored talking about them. Love you Trissy, Mai Tai's on the beach, Scorpio… 🏝️ 🕊️." View this post on Instagram A post shared by finola hughes (@finolafilona) In the comments section of her post was a message fromBraedyn Bruner,who plays Anna and Robert's granddaughter Emma. Bruner shared, "thinking of you ❤️ beautiful song." AsParadereported,Kimberly McCullough(Robin) broke her silence on losing her on-screen father. McCullough and Hughes aren't the only ones remembering Rogers. Emma Samms(Holly) was Rogers' other main leading lady on the ABC soap. She shareda heartfelt tribute to him,remembering their deep friendship. General HospitalstarsGenie Francis(Laura) andKin Shriner(Scott) paid tribute to their friend.Several other soap starshave taken to social media to honor Rogers and the legacy he left in the daytime genre. Rogers' passing has certainly left a hole in the soap world.Fans have been flooding social mediato remember the soap legend. General Hospital airs weekdays on ABC. 'General Hospital' Star Finola Hughes Speaks Out After Tristan Rogers Deathfirst appeared on Parade on Aug 16, 2025 This story was originally reported byParadeon Aug 16, 2025, where it first appeared.

byAdministrator
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August 17, 2025

'General Hospital' Star Finola Hughes Speaks Out After Tristan Rogers Death

'General Hospital' Star Finola Hughes Speaks Out After Tristan Rogers Death 'General Hospital' Star Finola Hughes Speaks Out...
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