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US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has been linked to a second group chat about sensitive military operations, which he reportedly shared with his wife, brother and personal lawyer.

The messages sent via the Signal messaging app are again understood to have contained details of an attack on Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis in March.

The second chat group, initially reported by The New York Times, included about a dozen people. It revealed details of the schedule of the airstrikes, according to the Reuters news agency.

Two sources with knowledge of the matter told Sky News’ US partner network NBC News there were 13 people in the second chat group, and Mr Hegseth divulged the information despite an aide warning him about using an unsecure communications system.

Mr Hegseth’s wife, Jennifer, a former Fox News producer, has attended sensitive meetings with foreign military counterparts, while his brother was hired at the Pentagon as a Department of Homeland Security liaison and senior adviser.

Military details from the first chat group were revealed by a journalist from The Atlantic magazine who was accidentally added to the Signal app by national security adviser Mike Waltz.

Mr Hegseth then shared sensitive information with cabinet officials about last month’s airstrike on targets in Yemen, which was later leaked.

Read more from Sky News:
What is Signal?
Who is Pete Hegseth?

Serious questions are being asked of Mike Waltz (left) and Pete Hegseth (pictured in February). Pic: AP
Image:
Mike Waltz (left) and Pete Hegseth (right) have used Signal to discuss sensitive government matters. Pic: AP

‘A non-story,’ says White House

But the White House has consistently defended Mr Hegseth.

Donald Trump dismissed the original leak as “something that can happen”.

Responding to the latest chat group, White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly said: “No matter how many times the legacy media tries to resurrect the same non-story, they can’t change the fact that no classified information was shared.

“Recently-fired ‘leakers’ are continuing to misrepresent the truth to soothe their shattered egos and undermine the President’s agenda, but the administration will continue to hold them accountable.”

The “leakers” referred to in the White House statement are four senior officials who were ousted from the Pentagon last week as part of an internal leak investigation.

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Leaked war plans: ‘Fairly serious’

‘Hegseth put lives at risk’

The New York Times reported that the second chat – named “Defence | Team Huddle” – was created on Mr Hegseth’s private phone.

It detailed the same warplane launch times as the first chat.

Several former and current officials have said sharing those operational details before a strike would have certainly been classified, and their release could have put pilots in danger.

Democratic politicians have repeatedly called for Mr Hegseth to step down.

“We keep learning how Pete Hegseth put lives at risk,” Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer said in a post on X.

“But [Donald] Trump is still too weak to fire him. Pete Hegseth must be fired.”

The latest claims about Mr Hegseth emerged as Yemen’s Houthi rebels reported another wave of US airstrikes on Sunday, including on the capital Sanaa.

The Houthis said at least 12 people had been killed, with 30 more injured.

The US says its bombing campaign is in response to Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping lanes.

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Diane Keaton, star of Annie Hall and The Godfather, has died

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Diane Keaton, star of Annie Hall and The Godfather, has died

Actress Diane Keaton, who starred in films including The Godfather and Annie Hall, has died aged 79.

Keaton’s daughter, Dexter Keaton White, confirmed her death in California to Sky’s US partner network NBC News.

With a long career, across a series of movies that are regarded as some of the best ever made, Keaton was widely admired.

She was awarded an Oscar, a BAFTA and two Golden Globe Awards, and was also nominated for two Emmys, and a Tony, as well as picking up a series of other Academy Award and BAFTA nominations.

Diane Keaton, with her best actress Oscar for Annie Hall in 1978. Pic: AP
Image:
Diane Keaton, with her best actress Oscar for Annie Hall in 1978. Pic: AP

Her best actress Oscar was for the Woody Allen film Annie Hall, which is said to be loosely based on her life.

She appeared in several other Allen projects, including Manhattan, as well as all three Godfather movies, in which she played Kay, the wife and then ex-wife of Marlon Brando’s son Michael Corleone, played by Al Pacino, opposite him as he descends into a life of crime and replaces his father in the family’s mafia empire.

With Woody Allen in 1978. Pic: Adam Scull/PHOTOlink.net/AP
Image:
With Woody Allen in 1978. Pic: Adam Scull/PHOTOlink.net/AP

Keaton was the kind of actor who helped make films iconic and timeless, from her heartbreaking turn as Kay Adams-Corleone to the “La-dee-da, la-dee-da” phrasing as Annie Hall, bedecked in the now famous necktie, bowler hat, vest and khakis.

Keaton also frequently worked with Nancy Meyers, starting with 1987’s Baby Boom.

Their other films together included 1991’s Father Of The Bride and its 1995 sequel, as well as 2003’s Something’s Gotta Give.

Keaton (centre) with Goldie Hawn (L) and Bette Midler at the premiere of  The First Wives Club in 1996. Pic: AP
Image:
Keaton (centre) with Goldie Hawn (L) and Bette Midler at the premiere of The First Wives Club in 1996. Pic: AP

In 1996, she starred opposite Goldie Hawn and Bette Midler in The First Wives Club, about three women whose husbands had left them for younger women.

More recently, she collaborated with Jane Fonda, Mary Steenburgen and Candice Bergen on the Book Club films.

‘Brilliant, beautiful’

The unexpected news of Keaton’s death was met with shock around the world.

Diane Keaton shows her hands after placing them on fresh cement during a ceremony TCL Chinese Theatre in 2022. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Diane Keaton shows her hands after placing them on fresh cement during a ceremony TCL Chinese Theatre in 2022. Pic: Reuters

Her First Wives Club co-star Midler wrote on Instagram: “The brilliant, beautiful, extraordinary Diane Keaton has died. I cannot tell you how unbearably sad this makes me.

“She was hilarious, a complete original, and completely without guile, or any of the competitiveness one would have expected from such a star. What you saw was who she was … oh, la, lala!”

Fellow co-star Goldie Hawn said Keaton had left “a trail of fairy dust, filled with particles of light and memories beyond imagination”.

“How do we say goodbye? What words can come to mind when your heart is broken? You never liked praise, so humble, but now you can’t tell me to ‘shut up’ honey. There was, and will be, no one like you,” Hawn added in a post on Instagram.

“You stole the hearts of the world and shared your genius with millions, making films that made us laugh and cry in ways only you could.”

Actor Ben Stiller paid tribute on X, writing: “Diane Keaton. One of the greatest film actors ever. An icon of style, humor and comedy. Brilliant. What a person.”

Kate Hudson, Goldie Hawn’s daughter, posted simply: “We love you so much Diane.”

Last year at New York Fashion Week. Pic: AP
Image:
Last year at New York Fashion Week. Pic: AP

In her Instagram tribute, Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award-winning actress and producer Viola Davis said: “No!! No!!! No!! God, not yet, NO!!! Man… you defined womanhood.

“The pathos, humor, levity, your ever-present youthfulness and vulnerability – you tattooed your SOUL into every role, making it impossible to imagine anyone else inhabiting them.

“You were undeniably, unapologetically YOU!!! Loved you. Man… rest well. God bless your family, and I know angels are flying you home.”

Diane Keaton and her children, Duke (left) and Dexter Keaton, at the premiere of 'Book Club' in 2018. Pic: AP
Image:
Diane Keaton and her children, Duke (left) and Dexter Keaton, at the premiere of ‘Book Club’ in 2018. Pic: AP

Keaton never married.

She adopted her daughter Dexter at the age of 50 in 1996 and a son, Duke, four years later.

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‘No survivors’ in munitions factory explosion after 18 reported missing, police say

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'No survivors' in munitions factory explosion after 18 reported missing, police say

There are no survivors from a factory explosion that ripped through a munitions plant in rural Tennessee, police have confirmed.

Eighteen people were missing after the huge blast, but Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis has now confirmed all died.

It happened on Friday morning at Accurate Energetic Systems, a company which supplies and researches explosives for the military.

Officers guard the gate at Accurate Energetic Systems military explosives plant. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Officers guard the gate at Accurate Energetic Systems military explosives plant. Pic: Reuters

It scattered debris over at least half a mile (800m) and was felt by residents more than 15 miles (24km) away, Mr Davis said.

Aerial footage showed the company’s hilltop location smouldering and obliterated by smoke for much of Friday, with just a mass of twisted metal, burned-out shells of cars, and an array of debris left behind.

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Emergency services have been unable to fully attend the site due to secondary blasts.

Mr Davis described it as one of the worst scenes he had ever seen.

“What we need right now is we need our communities to come together and understand that we’ve lost a lot of people,” he said.

More on Tennessee

The cause of the blast, which occurred about 60 miles southwest of Nashville, is not yet known but Mr Davis said it could be days, weeks or even months before foul play is ruled out.

Guy McCormick, a supervisory special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said experts need to make the area safe before specialist investigators begin combing through the remains.

He said the safety and security of the scene could change quickly because of the heat and pressure caused by the explosion.

Signs near the site on Saturday asked for prayers for the families.

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Terry Bagsby, 68, who works at a petrol station nearby, said people in the close-knit community were “very, very sad”.

“I don’t know how to explain it… Just a lot of grief,” he added.

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Diane Keaton, star of Annie Hall and The Godfather, has died

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Diane Keaton, star of Annie Hall and The Godfather, has died

Actress Diane Keaton, who starred in films including The Godfather and Annie Hall, has died aged 79.

Keaton’s daughter, Dexter Keaton White, confirmed her death to Sky’s US partner network NBC News.

With a long career, across a series of movies that are regarded as some of the best ever made, Keaton was widely admired.

She was awarded an Oscar, a BAFTA and two Golden Globe Awards, and was also nominated for two Emmys, and a Tony, as well as picking up a series of other Academy Award and BAFTA nominations.

Diane Keaton, with her best actress Oscar for Annie Hall in 1978. Pic: AP
Image:
Diane Keaton, with her best actress Oscar for Annie Hall in 1978. Pic: AP

Her best actress Oscar was for the Woody Allen film Annie Hall which is said to be loosely based on her life.

She appeared in several other Allen projects, including Manhattan, as well as all three Godfather movies, in which she played Kay, the wife and then ex-wife of Marlon Brando’s son Michael Corleone, played by Al Pacino, opposite him as he descends into a life of crime and replaces his father in the family’s mafia empire.

With Woody Allen in 1978. Pic: Adam Scull/PHOTOlink.net/AP
Image:
With Woody Allen in 1978. Pic: Adam Scull/PHOTOlink.net/AP

Keaton was the kind of actor who helped make films iconic and timeless, from her heartbreaking turn as Kay Adams-Corleone to the “La-dee-da, la-dee-da” phrasing as Annie Hall, bedecked in the now famous necktie, bowler hat, vest and khakis.

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Keaton also frequently worked with Nancy Meyers, starting with 1987’s Baby Boom.

Their other films together included 1991’s Father Of The Bride and its 1995 sequel, as well as 2003’s Something’s Gotta Give.

In 1996, she starred opposite Goldie Hawn and Bette Midler in The First Wives Club, about three women whose husbands had left them for younger women.

Keaton (centre) with Goldie Hawn (L) and Bette Midler at the premiere of  The First Wives Club in 1996. Pic: AP
Image:
Keaton (centre) with Goldie Hawn (L) and Bette Midler at the premiere of The First Wives Club in 1996. Pic: AP

More recently, she collaborated with Jane Fonda, Mary Steenburgen and Candice Bergen on the Book Club films.

‘Brilliant, beautiful’

Diane Keaton. Pic: AP
Image:
Diane Keaton. Pic: AP

The unexpected news was met with shock around the world.

Her First Wives Club co-star Midler wrote on Instagram: “The brilliant, beautiful, extraordinary Diane Keaton has died. I cannot tell you how unbearably sad this makes me.

“She was hilarious, a complete original, and completely without guile, or any of the competitiveness one would have expected from such a star. What you saw was who she was … oh, la, lala!”

Actor Ben Stiller paid tribute on X, writing: “Diane Keaton. One of the greatest film actors ever. An icon of style, humor and comedy. Brilliant. What a person.”

Kate Hudson, whose mother is Goldie Hawn, posted simply: “We love you so much Diane.”

In her Instagram tribute, Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award-winning actress and producer Viola Davis said: “No!! No!!! No!! God, not yet, NO!!! Man… you defined womanhood.

“The pathos, humor, levity, your ever-present youthfulness and vulnerability – you tattooed your SOUL into every role, making it impossible to imagine anyone else inhabiting them.

“You were undeniably, unapologetically YOU!!! Loved you. Man… rest well. God bless your family, and I know angels are flying you home.”

Keaton never married. She adopted her daughter Dexter in 1996 and a son, Duke, four years later.

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