News in Brief (23-10-2021)

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FE Team | Published: October 22, 2021 21:07:55

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Blast and fire kill 16 at Russian chemicals plant
MOSCOW, Oct 22: Sixteen people were killed in an explosion and fire at a gunpowder and chemicals plant in Russia's western Ryazan province, TASS news agency reported on Friday, citing a source. The emergencies ministry confirmed 12 deaths in the accident, saying four people remained missing. TASS quoted its source as saying the accident had been caused by a failure to observe the proper technical process at the facility. Pictures from the site published by the ministry showed firefighters standing next to a brick building that appeared to have been partly demolished by the blast. — Reuters

Queen Elizabeth resting after first night in hospital in years
LONDON, Oct 22: Britain's Queen Elizabeth, 95, will spend Friday resting and undertaking light duties after she spent a night in hospital for the first time in years for what Buckingham Palace termed "preliminary investigations". The world's oldest and longest-reigning monarch stayed in hospital overnight on Wednesday but returned to her Windsor Castle home to the west of London the following day, with officials saying she was in good spirits and back at work. The queen, who cancelled an official trip to Northern Ireland on Wednesday, had been told to rest by her medical staff, Buckingham Palace said, but her ailment was not related to Covid-19. "Following medical advice to rest for a few days, the queen attended hospital on Wednesday afternoon for some preliminary investigations, returning to Windsor Castle at lunchtime today, and remains in good spirits," the palace said late on Thursday. — Reuters

Alec Baldwin fires prop gun on movie set, killing cinematographer
New Mexico, Oct 22: Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin fatally shot a cinematographer and wounded a director when he discharged a prop gun on a movie set in New Mexico on Thursday, authorities said. Baldwin shot Halyna Hutchins, the photography director of “Rust,” and Joel Souza, the film’s director, at the Bonanza Creek Ranch, a production location south of Santa Fe, according to the Santa Fe Sheriff’s Department. Hutchins was transported by helicopter to the University of New Mexico Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Souza was taken by ambulance to Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical center to undergo treatment for his injuries. The severity of his injuries could not immediately be determined. Actress Frances Fisher said on Twitter that “Souza texted me that he’s out of hospital.” — BBC