Diane Keaton, the Oscar-winning actress celebrated for her roles in iconic films such as "Annie Hall," "The Godfather," and "Father of the Bride," has passed away at the age of 79. Reports from People Magazine indicate that she died in California surrounded by loved ones, as confirmed by a family spokesperson. As of now, there are no additional details regarding the circumstances of her passing, and representatives for Keaton have not responded to inquiries from The Associated Press.
The announcement of Keaton's death has stunned fans and the entertainment industry alike. Bette Midler, her co-star in "The First Wives Club," expressed her grief on Instagram, describing Keaton as "hilarious, a complete original, and completely without guile." Leonardo DiCaprio, who starred alongside her in "Marvin's Room," called her "one of a kind" and noted her brilliance and humor, stating that she would be "deeply missed." Many other notable figures in Hollywood, including Steve Martin and Mandy Moore, joined in paying tribute to the beloved actress.
Amid this news, an appeals court ruled on Saturday that National Guard troops sent by former President Donald Trump to Illinois may remain in the state under federal control but cannot be deployed for patrol or protection of federal property at this time. This ruling follows a decision by federal Judge April Perry, which blocked the deployment for at least two weeks, citing a lack of evidence indicating an imminent threat of rebellion during Trump's immigration enforcement efforts.
In Washington, Trump announced that he has instructed the Defense Department to use "all available funds" to ensure that U.S. troops receive their paychecks despite the ongoing government shutdown, which has entered its 11th day. This measure appears to be a temporary fix that does not extend to federal workers who have been furloughed. Trump indicated that he was taking this action to ensure that service members do not miss their scheduled paychecks on October 15, thus alleviating one of the potential pressures on Congress during negotiations over the shutdown.
In international news, the Gaza ceasefire appears to hold as of Saturday, allowing tens of thousands of Palestinians to return to their homes after two years of conflict. While many begin to assess the devastation in their neighborhoods, Israelis celebrated the expected release of hostages on Monday. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner addressed a large rally in Tel Aviv, assuring the public that the hostages would be coming home and acknowledging the suffering within Gaza, which has faced extensive destruction.
As the ceasefire develops, many questions remain about the future. President Trump asserted that the agreement could lead to "a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace," but the impacts of the war, which has already resulted in substantial casualties and destruction, cast doubt on this promise.
In Myanmar, the town of Kyaukme remains largely deserted after being recaptured by the military government ten days ago amidst ongoing civil unrest. Local markets are mostly closed, with many residents having fled the area, highlighting the continued instability in regions affected by war. An Associated Press journalist was able to confirm the destruction within the town as few media are permitted in conflict zones under military governance.
In Ukraine, power was restored to over 800,000 residents in Kyiv following severe strikes on the power grid by Russian forces. These attacks caused significant damage and triggered widespread blackouts, injuring at least 20 people. Ukrainian officials described Friday's assault as one of the most concentrated against the country’s energy infrastructure.
Finally, in Tennessee, a devastating explosion at an explosives factory in McEwen resulted in the tragic death of 16 people. The explosion obliterated the facility of Accurate Energetic Systems, which is known for supplying and researching military-grade explosives. Investigators are currently searching for evidence amid the wreckage, with authorities confirming that there are no survivors.
