Death toll in Russian factory fire rises to 24

Death toll in Russian factory fire rises to 24

MOSCOW (AP) — The death toll from last week'sfire at an industrial plantin Russia's Ryazan region has risen to 24, with at least another 157 people injured, officials said Monday. The fire broke out Friday at the Elastik plant in Shilovsky district, around 250 kilometers (155 miles) southeast of Moscow. Emergency crews continued searching through debris, Russia's Emergency Situations Ministry said. State news agency RIA Novosti has reported that a gunpowder workshop at the facility caught fire and triggered an explosion. Images released by officials show some of the building reduced to rubble. Investigators are looking into the cause of the fire. Local authorities declared Monday a day of mourning in Ryazan. This was the second deadly incident at the Elastik plant in recent years. In October 2021, 17 people were killed in a blast at a workshop operated by explosives manufacturer Razryad, according to news agency Interfax. ___ This version removes the inaccurate description of Interfax as a state news agency.

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August 18, 2025

Death toll in Russian factory fire rises to 24

Death toll in Russian factory fire rises to 24 MOSCOW (AP) — The death toll from last week'sfire at an industrial plantin Russia's R...

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Hamas accepts an Arab ceasefire proposal on Gaza as Palestinian death toll passes 62,000

Hamas accepts an Arab ceasefire proposal on Gaza as Palestinian death toll passes 62,000

RAFAH, Egypt (AP) — Hamas said Monday it has accepted a new proposal from Arab mediators for a ceasefirein the Gaza Stripas Israel indicated its positions haven't changed, while Gaza's Health Ministry said the Palestinian death toll from 22 months of war has passed 62,000. U.S. PresidentDonald Trumpappeared to cast doubt on the long-running negotiations that Washington has mediated as well. "We will only see the return of the remaining hostages when Hamas is confronted and destroyed!!! The sooner this takes place, the better the chances of success will be," he posted on social media. Israel announcedplans to reoccupy Gaza Cityand other heavily populated areas after ceasefire talksappeared to break downlast month, raising the possibility of a worsening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, which experts sayis sliding into famine. Plans to expand the offensive, in part aimed at pressuring Hamas, have sparked international outrage and infuriated many Israelis who fear for the remaining hostages taken in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that started the war. Hundreds of thousands took part inmass protests on Sundaycalling for their return. Egypt says Witkoff invited to join talks Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said mediators are "exerting extensive efforts" to revive a U.S. proposal for a 60-day ceasefire, during which some of the remaining 50 hostages would be released and the sides would negotiate a lasting ceasefire and the return of the rest. Abdelatty told The Associated Press they are inviting U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff to join the ceasefire talks. Abdelatty spoke to journalists during a visit to Egypt's Rafah crossing with Gaza, which has not functioned since Israel seized the Palestinian side in May 2024. He was accompanied by Mohammad Mustafa, the prime minister of the Palestinian Authority, which has been largely sidelined since the war began. Abdelatty said Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani had joined the talks, which include senior Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya, who arrived in Cairo last week. Abdelatty said they are open to other ideas, including fora comprehensive dealthat would release all the hostages at once. Bassem Naim, a senior Hamas official, told the AP that the militant group had accepted the proposal introduced by the mediators, without elaborating. An Egyptian official, speaking to the AP on condition of anonymity to discuss the talks, said the proposal includes changes to Israel's pullback of its forces and guarantees for negotiations on a lasting ceasefire during the initial truce. The official said it is almost identical to an earlier proposal accepted by Israel, which has not yet joined the latest talks. Diaa Rashwan, head of the Egypt State Information Service, told the AP that Egypt and Qatar have sent the Hamas-accepted proposal to Israel. An Israeli official said Israel's positions, including on the release of all hostages, had not changed from previous rounds of talks. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak with the media. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue the war until all the hostages are returned and Hamas has been disarmed, andto maintain lasting security controlover Gaza. Hamas has said it will only release the remaining hostages in exchange for a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal. Netanyahu said in a video addressing the Israeli public that reports of Hamas' acceptance of the proposal showed that it is "under massive pressure." Palestinian death toll surpasses 62,000 Hamas-led militants abducted 251 people and killed around 1,200, mostly civilians, in the attack that ignited the war. Around 20 of the hostages still in Gaza are believed by Israel to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefires or other deals. Gaza's Health Ministrysaid the Palestinian death toll from the war had climbed to 62,004, with another 156,230 people wounded. It does not say how many were civilians or combatants, but says women and children make up around half the dead. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals. The U.N. and many independent experts consider its figures to be the most reliable estimate of wartime casualties. Israel disputes its toll but has not provided its own. The ministry said 1,965 people have been killed while seeking humanitarian aid since May, either in the chaos around U.N. convoys or while heading to sites operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an Israeli-backed American contractor. Witnesses, health officials and the U.N. human rights office say Israeli forces have repeatedly fired toward crowds seeking aid. Israel says it has only fired warning shots at people who approached its forces. GHF says its armed contractors have only used pepper spray or fired into the air on rare occasions to prevent deadly crowding. More deaths linked to malnutrition Experts have warned that Israel's ongoing offensiveis pushing Gaza toward famine, even after it eased a complete 2 1/2-month blockade on the territory in May. Gaza's Health Ministry said Monday that five more people, including two children, died of malnutrition-related causes. It says at least 112 children have died of malnutrition-related causes since the war began, and 151 adults have died since the ministry started tracking adult malnutrition deaths in June. Amnesty International on Monday accused Israel of "carrying out a deliberate campaign of starvation." Israel has rejected such allegations, saying it allows in enough food and accusing the U.N. of failing to promptly deliver it. U.N. agencies say they are hindered by Israeli restrictions and the breakdown of law and order in the territory, around three-quarters of which is now controlled by Israel. ___ Magdy reported from Cairo and Lidman reported from Tel Aviv, Israel. Associated Press writer Rod McGuirk contributed from Canberra, Australia. ___ Follow AP's war coverage athttps://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war

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August 18, 2025

Hamas accepts an Arab ceasefire proposal on Gaza as Palestinian death toll passes 62,000

Hamas accepts an Arab ceasefire proposal on Gaza as Palestinian death toll passes 62,000 RAFAH, Egypt (AP) — Hamas said Monday it has accept...

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Federal agents open fire at San Bernardino family during enforcement operation, DHS says

Federal agents open fire at San Bernardino family during enforcement operation, DHS says

US Customs and Border Protection officers opened fire during a targeted immigration enforcement operation in San Bernadino, California, on Saturday, calling it an act of self-defense after a man "struck two CBP officers with his vehicle," the Department of Homeland Security said. But the family inside the vehicle said they drove away out of fear for their safety after masked men emerged from unmarked cars and surrounded their truck with weapons drawn before smashing the truck's windows. Martin, one of the three men in the vehicle, toldCNN affiliate KABChe was working with his father-in-law and 18-year-old brother-in-law on Saturday morning when their vehicle was suddenly surrounded. The agents did not identify themselves and the family stayed inside the locked car, said Martin, who KABC only identified by his first name. Videos recorded from inside the family's truck show at least three masked agents wearing tactical vests marked with "police" surrounding the car. At least one of the agents is wearing a hat marked "CBP." The agents are seen asking the men inside the truck to roll down the window, but the men refuse. The agents are then seen breaking two windows in the truck before the driver accelerates away. It's unclear why DHS was pursuing the men in the vehicle. "Once the glasses were shattered, my father-in-law, fearing for his life from his perspective … he drove the vehicle away from where those agents were at," Martin told KABC. It is unclear in the videos when officers were struck by the vehicle. In its statement, DHS said two officers were injured. It did not specify the severity of the injuries. As the truck drives away, three apparent gunshots can be heard in the videos and one video shows what seems to be bullet holes in the side of the truck. Watch a different angle here: "Thank God the bullets didn't go through the truck. They just went in, got stuck into the door, but they were aimed at my brother-in-law, who was in the passenger front," Martin told KABC. Once home, the men called San Bernardino police to report the incident, Martin said. At 9:30 a.m., about an hour after the vehicle stop, armed immigration and Homeland Security agents, along with San Bernardino police, surrounded the family's home, according to theInland CoalitionforImmigrant Justice. They remained at the scene until 3:45 p.m., despite never presenting a warrant, "pressuring the individual to come outside and placing the entire family in fear," the organization said in a statement to CNN. "This is a clear abuse of power. Firing at civilians, detaining families without cause, and silencing community voices is unacceptable and must end," the organization said. DHS said local police "located the subject at a residence and briefly had him in custody," but "he was set free" and officers left the scene. "This decision was made despite the subject refusing to comply and wounding two officers — another terrible example of California's pro-sanctuary policies in action that shield criminals instead of protecting communities," DHS said in a statement. According to KABC, San Bernardino police cited theCalifornia Values Act, which prevents local law enforcement from helping federal officials with immigration enforcement actions. Police told KABC they later returned to the scene after a request from federal officials due to a large crowd forming as federal officers attempted to arrest a man. The department said it learned the man, whose identity was not revealed, was wanted for assaulting a federal officer. It's unclear if the man was taken into custody. CNN has reached out to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department and San Bernardino Police Department for further information. Video credit: Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice CNN's Norma Galeana and Amanda Jackson contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account atCNN.com

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August 18, 2025

Federal agents open fire at San Bernardino family during enforcement operation, DHS says

Federal agents open fire at San Bernardino family during enforcement operation, DHS says US Customs and Border Protection officers opened fi...

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How Former “GMA ”Anchor Eva Pilgrim Is Leading “Inside Edition ”into a New Chapter After 30 Years (Exclusive)

How Former "GMA "Anchor Eva Pilgrim Is Leading "Inside Edition "into a New Chapter After 30 Years (Exclusive)

Eva Pilgrim Eva Pilgrim is kicking off her tenure as the newest anchor ofInside Editionon Aug. 18 She succeeds Deborah Norville, who anchored the newsmagazine for the last 30 years Pilgrim comes toInside EditionfromGMA3: What You Need to Know Eva Pilgrimwas made for this. Having grown up in a home whereInside Editionwas always on TV, Pilgrim tells PEOPLE that she's admittedly still "slightly floored" that she gets to be the new anchor of the beloved newsmagazine. She'll be the program's fourth-ever host, succeedingDeborah Norville, who wrapped her tenure on the show in May. "I look back at my first job, and my mom was still sending me money to eat because she was worried I wasn't eating. I think about the countless people who've poured into me and helped me get better at this to then get to this point," says Pilgrim, who shares 3-year-old daughter Ella with her husband Ed Hartigan. "My mother, when I told her I was interviewing for this job, lost her mind. I watchedInside Editiongrowing up. It was on in our house, but also in my first TV job, it was a show that came on between newscasts," Pilgrim adds of the serendipity of her new gig. Eva Pilgrim Still, the formerGMA3: What You Need to Knowanchor admits that she certainly feels "the weight" of stepping into a new role at an institution of a show likeInside Edition. "It's a legacy," she says, adding that doing the show after Norville is no small task, either. Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "You feel overwhelmed," she says. "To be in this job now at a point where I really appreciate everything that it is? I can't believe the job [was] open! Deborah was really nice and sent me an email, and at the end of the email she was floored that she had been in the job for as long as she had. She said that was because it was just such a great job, so why would you leave? It's one of those jobs that people don't leave because it's great." Holly Haffner Pilgrim was born into a military family in Seoul, South Korea. Her mother is Korean, and her father hails from South Carolina. She grew up as a self-proclaimed Army brat. "We moved all over the place, literally four times in first grade, I always tell everyone that," Pilgrim says with a laugh. "But what's nice about that is I feel like traveling a lot is good training for a journalist because you learn how to make friends, you feel uncomfortable when you meet people you've never met before, and you know that that's going to happen every time. It conditions you to just say the first thing and make the first move to have a conversation." The innate curiosity and interpersonal skills Pilgrim developed early would continue to serve her well — by the time she was in high school, the family had settled back in South Carolina. "We grew up eating kimchi and country-fried steak and collard greens. It was a weird collision of cultural differences that ended up all one thing," she says. "And I think the luxury of having a parent who's not from where you grow up — a different country — very different than South Carolina, you realize how small the world is because you're traveling back and forth between those two different families. Eva Pilgrim Pilgrim decided to pursue journalism while in college after taking classes in the subject and working for a local TV station while she was still in school. "I liked the access that it gave me. Whether you were covering a sporting event or a community event, you got to be there in the middle of it. That I found to be kind of addictive," she says. After working on a story where her subject confessed to a crime mid-interview and was subsequently arrested thanks in part to her reporting, Pilgrim knew she'd found the line of work she was meant to be doing all along. "[That man] said all the things to me that day because I was in many ways naive, but I was curious and very human with him. I wasn't asking him probing or prying questions. I was letting him talk and giving him human responses," Pilgrim explains, "and our news director at the time, she said something to me that I've never forgotten and I try to hold on to no matter how many interviews that I do. 'Always lead with your humanity,' she said, 'that's why you are good at this.'" Tune in toInside Editionon Aug. 18 for Eva's first broadcast ahead of the season 38 premiere on Sept. 8. Check local listings for times and stations in your area atwww.insideedition.com. Read the original article onPeople

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August 18, 2025

How Former “GMA ”Anchor Eva Pilgrim Is Leading “Inside Edition ”into a New Chapter After 30 Years (Exclusive)

How Former "GMA "Anchor Eva Pilgrim Is Leading "Inside Edition "into a New Chapter After 30 Years (Exclusive) Eva Pilgri...

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Ian McKellen reveals major 'Lord of the Rings' heroes returning in 'Hunt for Gollum'

Ian McKellen reveals major 'Lord of the Rings' heroes returning in 'Hunt for Gollum'

Ian McKellenis letting the "Lord of the Rings" secrets slip. The actor, 86, gave a major update about the next "Lord of the Rings" film, "The Hunt for Gollum," during an appearance at the For the Love of Fantasy convention in London on Sunday, Aug. 17. According to McKellen, his character, Gandalf, and Frodo Baggins, the character played byElijah Woodin prior "Lord of the Rings" films, will both be in the new movie. "I'll tell you two secrets about the casting: There's a character in the movie called Frodo, and there's another character called Gandalf," he said,according to a videoof the appearance shared on X. "Apart from that, my lips are sealed." McKellen also said the movie will begin shooting in May. USA TODAY has reached out to Warner Bros. Pictures for comment. New 'Lord of the Rings' revealed:Peter Jackson to produce 'The Hunt for Gollum' Andy Serkis, who played Gollum in the previous "Lord of the Rings" movies, is set to direct "The Hunt for Gollum," with the franchise's longtime directorPeter Jacksonreturning as a producer. This will be the first new live-action "Lord of the Rings" film since 2014's "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies," as well as the first not to be directed by Jackson. "The Hunt for Gollum" will also mark the series' live-action return to the big screen amid Prime Video's ongoing streaming show "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power." An animated prequel movie, "The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim," was released in December. McKellenpreviously told The Sunday Timesin June 2024 that he heard Gandalf is in "The Hunt for Gollum," and joked that he would play the character again "if I'm alive." After starring as the famed wizard in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, McKellen reprised the role in three "Hobbit" prequel movies, released from 2012 to 2014. It was not immediately clear how Frodo would be involved in "The Hunt for Gollum," but Wood has previously expressed interest in returning. Ian McKellenon if he'd return as Gandalf in new 'Lord of the Rings' movie: 'If I'm alive' "It would be pretty incredible," he toldJoBlo in August 2024. "I have to say, any return to New Zealand to work with those individuals within the context of that world would be ... jumping back into a world that's so beloved and means so much to me. So yeah, it would be awesome." "The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum" is set to hit theaters on Dec. 17, 2027. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Ian McKellen reveals 'Lord of the Rings: Hunt for Gollum' casting

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August 18, 2025

Ian McKellen reveals major 'Lord of the Rings' heroes returning in 'Hunt for Gollum'

Ian McKellen reveals major 'Lord of the Rings' heroes returning in 'Hunt for Gollum' Ian McKellenis letting the "Lord o...

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Kate Middleton and Prince William's New Home Set to Be Family's Base Even When William Becomes King

Kate Middleton and Prince William's New Home Set to Be Family's Base Even When William Becomes King

Samir Hussein/WireImage Kate Middleton and Prince William are set to base themselves at their new home, Forest Lodge, even when they become king and queen The couple hopes to move from Adelaide Cottage to the larger, eight-bedroom house with their three children before Christmas Two families living in cottages near Forest Lodge were asked to vacate ahead of the couple's planned move to the residence later this year Kate MiddletonandPrince Williamare putting down roots with their upcoming move, with plans to stay in their new home even upon becoming king and queen. The Prince and Princess of Wales, both 43, hope tomove into their new home, Forest Lodge, in Windsor, before Christmas, PEOPLE confirmed over the weekend.The Sunwas the first to report the story. Royal sources say it will be theforever homefor the couple and their three children, basing their lives there even when William accedes to the throne. Buckingham Palace, located in central London about 22 miles east of Windsor, has been the main base for the British monarchy. It is currently undergoing a massive $463 millionrenovation program, making much of it unsuitable for use byKing Charlesand other members of the royal family. Charles, 76, stays in his long-term residence of Clarence House when he is in London, while his siblings, Princess Anne and Prince Edward, are based elsewhere during this time. Referred to by insiders as "monarch HQ," Buckingham Palace is the center for public life in the U.K. and the focus of national celebrations like the annual Trooping the Colour or this May'sVE Day commemorations. Moreover, it is usually the base for state visits and public investitures honoring the great and the good in British society. English Heritage/Heritage Images/Getty However, with the renovations scheduled to continue until 2027, when King Charles will be 78 and Queen Camilla will be 80, it is not expected that they will move in. Prince William and Princess Kate, with their hopes for a different kind of family life, are unlikely to base themselves there either, it's been widely reported. Forest Lodge, located in Windsor Great Park, is an upgrade from William and Kate's nearby current residence,Adelaide Cottage, where they moved in September 2022. The Georgian mansion, dating back to the 1770s, features eight bedrooms, as opposed to the four at Adelaide Cottage, and is said to have six bathrooms and a tennis court. Since they relocated from London's Kensington Palace in 2022, William and Kate have found that Windsor is perfect for their family life. The couple likes to take the children,Prince George, 12,Princess Charlotte, 10, andPrince Louis, 7, to school, pick them up when they can and be on hand to watch sports games and other activities. It also provides them with more privacy than living in the goldfish bowl that is Kensington Palace in central London. "The Wales family will move house later this year," a spokesperson at Kensington Palace confirmed to PEOPLE on Aug. 16. In keeping with how they have been living at Adelaide Cottage, and in a bid to make their family life as normal as possible for the children, the Prince and Princess of Wales also will not have any live-in staff at Forest Lodge, PEOPLE understands. The children's longstanding nanny, Maria Turrion Borrallo, and housekeepers will likely stay on other smaller properties on the estate. Jonathan Brady - Pool/Getty The area has the added benefit of being only about a 30-minute drive away from Princess Kate's parents, Carole and Michael, who are very hands-on grandparents to the royal children. The couple, who are funding the renovations themselves, will pay rent for the property to the Crown Estate, the BBC reported. They have started to source furnishings for the property. As heir to the throne, Prince William receives around$30 million a yearfrom the Duchy of Cornwall Estate. Invicta Kent Media/Shutterstock While they have settled in Windsor, their time at Adelaide Cottage has been one of the most challenging times of their lives. Princess Kate underwent gruelingchemotherapy for cancer, which ended last summer, while King Charles was also diagnosed with an undisclosed cancer. He is still receiving treatment. Soon after they settled in Adelaide Cottage, the family also mourned the loss ofQueen Elizabethin September 2022. Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! Itemerged on Aug. 19that two families living in cottages near Forest Lodge were asked to vacate ahead of the couple's planned move. The two cottages were previously converted from stables on the property and rented out by the Crown Estate, theMail on Sundayreported. PEOPLE understands that there have been no eviction notices, and the tenants have since moved to similar or better housing within the Great Park, with everyone remaining in Crown Estate properties. The Wales family also has a country home,Anmer Hall, in Norfolk and a London base, Apartment 1a atKensington Palace. Read the original article onPeople

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August 18, 2025

Kate Middleton and Prince William's New Home Set to Be Family's Base Even When William Becomes King

Kate Middleton and Prince William's New Home Set to Be Family's Base Even When William Becomes King Samir Hussein/WireImage Kate Mid...

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