Florida military bases brace for Hurricane Ian's impact as ships, aircraft evacuate region

Selma Blair withdrew from Dancing with the Stars on Monday due to health concerns connected to her multiple sclerosis. In a pre-recorded package which aired during the show, the Cruel Intentions actress explained that she could not continue with the dancing competition because she is risking causing "extensive damage" to her body. "I had these MRIs and the results came back and it just all adds up to.

An unknown side to the actor who played Draco Malfoy. “Harry Potter” star Tom Felton is opening up like never before in his new memoir, Beyond the Wand: The Magic and Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizard.

Pals remembered a popular Lanarkshire man 'who always had headphones on' at a nightclub fundraiser, while raising vital funds for a local suicide prevention charity.

Falkirk district saw deliberate fire-setting increase by 31 per cent last year with grass fires and wheelie bins the main targets for anti-social behaviour.

NEW YORK (AP) - Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott donated $84.5 million to Girl Scouts of the USA and 29 of its local branches, the 110-year-old organization said Tuesday, calling it a vote of confidence."Her support of our organization means honestly just as much as the donation," Sofia Chang, CEO of GSUSA, said in an interview.It's the largest donation the Girl Scouts have received from an individual since their founding in 1912, she said. The funds will help the organization recover from the impact of the pandemic, which drove down membership.

POTTSTOWN, Pa. - The deaths of two teenagers has sparked a homicide investigation in Pottstown, according to the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office.Police found the male teens while responding to nine calls of shots fired near Fourth and Johnson street around 11:30 p.m.

MOSCOW - Basketball star Brittney Griner, who was sentenced to nine years in a Russian prison on drug possession charges, is growing increasingly nervous about the prospects of being released, her lawyer said.Griner was in Russia to compete during the WNBA offseason when Russian authorities said she had vape canisters with cannabis oil inside her luggage while traveling through an airport in Moscow in February.The Biden administration reportedly talked about a potential prisoner swap to free her and another American held in a Russian jail, Paul Whelan. But Griner's lawyer, Alexandr D.

PHILADELPHIA - Investigators with the Philadelphia Police Department's Shooting Investigation Group are searching for information regarding a shooting in North Philadelphia. Police released surveillance video of a shooting they say occurred on October 8 at 5:08 p.m. Authorities say a 24-year-old man was shot multiple times in his left shoulder and lower back while driving on the 3300 block of North Philip Street. MORE LOCAL HEADLINESThe surveillance video shows the suspect walking up to the car as it drives down the street and firing shots into the driver's seat window. According to police, the victim was later treated at Temple Hospital and was listed in stable condition. Police are searching for thi suspect seen on surveillance video from a North Philadelphia shooting on N Philip Street.  Officials say part of the video shows the shooter unmasked moments before the shooting. Anyone with information is urged to contact Philadelphia police at 215-686-8477 or submit an anonymous tip online. 

In her late 40s, Janet Ko began experiencing heart palpitations, night sweats and 30 hot flashes a day, she said.

Billy Chastain, 30, Mark Chastain, 32, Alex Stevens, 29, and Mike Sparks, 32, are pictured in provided images by police. (Credit: Okmulgee Police Department) OKMULGEE, Okla. - Authorities in Oklahoma are searching for a person of interest after the disappearance and gruesome killing of four friends, who were found shot and dismembered in a river.Police in Okmulgee, a city located about 40 miles south of Tulsa, said on Monday that the dismembered remains discovered last week belonged to missing individuals Mark Chastain, 32, Billy Chastain, 30, Mike Sparks, 32, and Alex Stevens, 29.Okmulgee Police Chief Joe Prentice on Monday told reporters that all four men were shot and severely dismembered before being placed in the river."I’ve worked over 80 murders in my career, involving multiple victims, dismemberment, but this case involves the highest number of victims, and it’s a very violent event," Prentice told reporters.

READING, Pa. - Former NFL player Antonio Dennard has died after he was shot in Pennsylvania over the weekend. Police say Dennard, 32, was shot early Sunday morning in the parking lot of Legends Bar and Restaurant, just outside of Reading. MORE LOCAL HEADLINESAccording to authorities, he was taken to the hospital but later died from his injuries. Officials have ruled his death a homicide and are currently investigating. Dennard played as a cornerback for the Green Bay Packers, New York Giants and Jacksonville Jaguars during his time in the NFL. JACKSONVILLE, FL - AUGUST 30: Antonio Dennard #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars in action during a preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons at EverBank Field on August 30, 2012 in Jacksonville, Florida.

accused of helping his son cover up the disappearance and presumed murder of Kristin Smart more than 25 years ago.It was announced Monday that the jury had reached a verdict, but Flores will not learn his fate until a different jury also decides on the charges against his son, Paul Flores. That second jury is still deliberating.Smart and Paul Flores were university students at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispio at the time she vanished in 1996.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The  Chairperson of the National Council Sub-Committee on Identifying Priorities in Formulating Short-, Medium- and Long- Term Policies, Namal Rajapaksa, stated on Tuesday (18) that the sub-committee will promptly submit the necessary recommendations to the National Council to prepare a national policy for the digitization of public services, including the issuance of digital identity cards.Officials from the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government, Ministry of Technology, Department of Registration of Persons, Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) and the Attorney General's Department participated in the first meeting of the sub-committee held at the Parliament.Attention was also paid to matters such as the collection of data required to speed up the issuance of the electronic national identity card and the speedy establishment of the data protection agency under the Personal Data Protection Act.The sub-committee also discussed at length the need to amend ordinances to remove existing legal obstacles for updating the public service through digitization and accordingly, the sub-committee recommended to the Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration M.M.P.K.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Petroleum Product (Special Provisions) Bill was passed in Parliament on Tuesday (18) with amendments.Accordingly, 77 votes were received in favor of the bill and only 17 votes were received against.The vote was held after MP Vijitha Herath of National People's Power requested for one.The Petroleum Product (Special Provisions) Bill was published via gazette on the 12th of August 2022, to amend certain sections of The Petroleum Products (Special Provisions) Act No.33 of 2002.The bill was prepared after the Cabinet of Minister granted its approval to issue licenses to selected specific sectors of the economy to import and use the fuel they require individually.The bill was included into the parliament agenda on the 31st of August 2022, and it proposed several key amendments to the act.It proposes to award the cabinet appointed Energy Supply Committee with the powers relating to the petroleum.The Committee shall consist of the Secretary to the Ministry of the Minister assigned the subject of Petroleum, Secretary to the Treasury or his nominee not below the rank of Director-General of the Treasury; Chairman or Managing-Director of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, and two members appointed from among persons who have achieved eminence in the field of petroleum industry or law.However, following an examination of petitions filed challenging the bill, the Supreme Court determined that a special majority was necessary to pass the provisions on considering the decision made earlier, as decision taken by the new committee, and to enact the decisions taken by the Energy Supply Committee before the bill was passed.The Supreme Court also determined that several other articles required a referendum.

The researchers at Boston University have claimed that they have developed a Covid-19 strain that inflicts severe disease and has  80 per cent kill rate. The ones that are dominant across the world such as the sub-variants of Omicron are said to be mild when it comes to their severity. To develop the most lethal Covid strain, the researchers, according to a report, extracted the spike protein from Omicron and genetically engineered it into the strain of Covid-19 which was first detected in China’s Wuhan and tried it on mice.

Many families will be looking forward to jetting off this October half term to get some sun before winter arrives. Across the world countries have scrapped their coronavirus entry requirements, so you can travel abroad without having to worry about completing complicated forms or presenting vaccine certificates.

Quebec invests additional $13.2 million to fight conjugal violence The 46-year-old man, later identified as the father of the deceased children, was arrested at the home.The mayor of Laval, Stéphane Boyer, took to social media to offer condolences to the family members of the young victims.Deux enfants sont tragiquement décédés, tout Laval est en deuil. Mes plus sincères condoléances aux proches des très jeunes victimes.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka Customs recovered 2.5 kg cocaine concealed in the luggage of a female passenger from Suriname.Customs said that the 26-year-old woman was subject to a special search following her suspicious behavior upon arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport on Tuesday (18).She had traveled from Brazil to Qatar and then boarded Qatar Airways Flight QR 662 to Sri Lanka.Sri Lanka Customs said that the cocaine was concealed inside five tins labeled as food items.The street value of the cocaine is around Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka Navy’s Auxiliary Ship A 521 on a dedicated search and rescue mission,  this afternoon (18th October 2022) re-established communication links with the naval craft with which the Navy had no means of connection for about a month, since September 17th, when it was on a special surveillance operation off the southern coast.After communication with the craft was lost, a dedicated search and rescue operation was launched from 26th September by Navy’s Fast Attack Craft and Offshore Patrol Vessels. The search operation was also augmented by air assets of the Sri Lanka Air Force.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Education Minister said that the results of the Ordinary Level examination will be released before the end of November 2022.Dr.

FILE - The Supreme Court of the United States is pictured on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022, in Washington, D.C. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) The Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal seeking to give people born in American Samoa U.S.

A woman looks at a screen displaying a video of an international climbing competition is Seoul, South Korea, during which Iranian climber Elnaz Rekabi competes without a hijab, in the Cypriot capital Nicosia on Oct. 18, 2022.

PHILADELPHIA - Chaos on wheels took over a gas station in Old City this weekend as Philadelphia police say their officers became the targets.The attack began when police responded to a large gathering of dirt bikes and ATVs at a Lukoil gas station on Delaware Avenue and Spring Garden Street around 8 p.m. Sunday.Things quickly escalated when police tried to secure a stolen bike after one of the riders crashed and fled on foot.MORE HEADLINES:Crowds began circling the officers, throwing bricks, bottles and other objects at them.Surveillance and body cam footage shows a dirt bike rider launching a brick at a marked police vehicle, breaking its windshield.The large group then fled the area.

Matt Goss has heaped praise on the costume department at Strictly Come Dancing who helped him disguise his hidden health condition. The Bros singer was left in tears when he thanked viewers and the team behind the BBC One dance contest for welcoming him back to the UK as he left the competition.

The Health Information and Quality Authority has published a review of public health measures that 21 countries have planned to use this winter in the event of a Covid-19 surge.

COLOMBO (News 1st) –  Two teenage boys died after they drowned in a flooded quarry pit in Thun-Anda-Hena in Athurugiriya.They were reportedly playing inside the pit after school on Monday (17).According to relatives, as the boys did not return home later in the evening they decided to search for them and only located their clothes.The deceased were 14-year-old Sandun Nimsara, and 15-year-old Nadun Induruwa.Sri Lanka Police said that the boys had attempted to paddle a makeshift raft and drowned when it toppled over.The Disaster Management Center appeals to the general public to refrain from playing in water holes, and from visiting landslide-prone areas.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Cabinet of Ministers have approved a proposal to raise the Government's debt ceiling for the year 2022. Speaking at the Cabinet decisions press conference on Tuesday (18), Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena said that the country currently can only take debt to the limit whic the Parliament hsa set, which is Rs.

CHESTNUTHILL TOWNSHIP, Pa. - Officials with Pennsylvania State Police are investigating a robbery where the suspect was seen wearing a clown mask and armed with a sword. According to police, the robbery took place on Thursday at 4:54 a.m.MORE LOCAL HEADLINESAuthorities say the suspect walked into the back of the Uni-Mart in Chestnuthill Township and showed his sword, demanding the cashier open the register. After taking cash, the suspect then fled into a wooded area, police say. Anyone with information on the case is urged to contact Trooper Weinstock at 570-646-2271. 

A mum who named her child after the Covid lockdown insists she "regrets nothing" - and doesn't care that people may not like it.

COVID-19 vaccination policy by the end of the year.The last day for the policy will be on Dec. 31.

 star Tom Felton is opening up like never before in his new memoir, . While the 35-year-old British actor certainly gives his readers what they want and presumably expect with plenty of tidbits and set secrets and lots of details on his more-than-friends relationship with co-star Emma Watson, Felton also makes some shocking revelations toward the end of his book. He speaks about moving to Los Angeles and getting overwhelmed by a more glamorous, movie-star lifestyle. In searching for a bit of normality reminiscent of his upbringing, Felton writes that in his mid-to-late twenties, he «spent more hours, more nights, than I care to remember» at a Los Angeles dive bar called Barney's Beanery. Felton writes that he wasn't much of a drinker until he started frequenting Barney's while «craving normality.» «I went from being not particularly interested to regularly having a few pints a day before the sun had even gone down, and a shot of whiskey to go with each of them,» he writes, adding that he was «drinking to escape a situation.» He says he had drinks on set and would show up «unprepared» for work. Tom Felton and Jade OliviaFelton goes on to reveal that his managers, agents, then-girlfriend, Jade Olivia, lawyer, and more staged an intervention for him, demanding he go to a rehab facility in Malibu, California, that cost $40,000 a month immediately or they would drop him as a client. He says that at the facility, the nurse checking him in offered to give him an alias.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The UN Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Association has stressed the need to ensure the people's rights to assembly in Sri Lanka.Clement Voule, the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Association and Peaceful Assembly said his office will be following the situation closely in Sri Lanka.'He said that ahead of protests planned by the Inter-University Student's Federation in Colombo on Tuesday (18), Sri Lankan authorities must respect the right to assembly.He also said that law enforcement has an obligation to protect peaceful protestors & must create a safe & enabling environment for all to express their views.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – South Asia's fastest man & Commonwealth Bronze Medalist Yupun Abeykoon returned to Sri Lanka on Tuesday (18) morning.Sri Lankan sprinter Yupun Abeykoon won Bronze in the Men's 100m at the Commonwealth Games, clocking a time of 10.14 seconds. The first Asian to win a Commonwealth Games medal in the event, Abeykoon was only 0.01 seconds behind Olympic Games finalist Akani Simbine of South Africa who took SilverHe is currently ranked 20th in the world rankings, and this is the first time he visited Sri Lanka following the conclusion of the Commonwealth Games.Speaking to reporters Abeykoon said he was pleased to renew many recorded this years, and it also in talks with the Sports Minister to improve Sri Lankan Athletics to a professional sport.

coronavirus pandemic – and has "no regrets".Jodi Cross had been trying to fall pregnant with her husband Rob for a year.And as life slowed down for the furloughed hairdresser during the pandemic, she had more time to focus on planning for a baby. READ MORE: Mum banned from Halloween bash by 'Karens' after planning Jeffrey Dahmer costume for baby The couple, from Wixams, Bedfordshire, were delighted to find out they were expecting their first daughter during the second lockdown.She they decided to call her baby Lockie – short for lockdown.Jodi, 36, said: "We had been trying for a year to get pregnant and lockdown meant I was furloughed and Rob was working less."I think we just relaxed a bit because we had so much more time than we normally would, and then we found out I was pregnant."When she was born there was the new strain of Covid coming about – Omicron – so we knew she'd be a lockdown baby."So we named her Lockie for lockdown – we really liked the name, and lockdown was a good time in our lives because it was so relaxing."If it wasn't for the pandemic, the pair may not have fallen pregnant so quickly.Rob, 36, moved in with Jodi as the nationwide lockdown began in March 2020.Jodi recalled: "I ended up taking over a little salon during lockdown because I had been on furlough a long time."By this point we had been trying for a year and thought pregnancy wasn't going to happen so started to focus on work instead."A week later I found out I was pregnant."The couple were overjoyed – and got hitched in secret when Jodi was seven months pregnant.Their baby was born last November and they decided to celebrate her conception by calling her Lockie.Jodi said: "We know lots of people didn't enjoy lockdown but for us, it was a

COLOMBO (News 1st) –  Sri Lanka's Minister of Power and Energy said that the fuel quota for three-wheelers will likely be increased within the next two weeks.He said if the documentation process is completed the provision can be made available within a week.The Minister also said that three-wheeler drivers must also pass on the benefit of reducing petrol prices to the customers as well.

₹75 lakhs and ₹1 crore up to ₹6 crore, in multiples of 50 lakhs, according to its press release. It provides maximum coverage for medical bills as well as home visits, OPD treatment, and mental health coverage, along with global protection.

Strictly Come Dancing star Will Mellor has shared a health update on Twitter after worrying fans having been left bedbound last week.The former Coronation Street actor, 46, took to Twitter on Monday (October 17), looking jovial, recording a selfie video, and sharing some feel-good energy with his fans.In a 10-sec clip, Will said: “Morning, it’s a new day, it’s a new week, fresh start, let’s have it.”READ NEXT: Strictly's Helen Skelton breaks silence amid news ex will welcome baby with new girlfriendHe captioned the video: “Happy Monday, people!! Hope you have a great wk!” and hashtagged #positivity, #positivevibesonly and #happymonday.Will also told fans via an Instagram update: “I’m so glad to be feeling better!"Will’s upbeat posts come a few days after the BBC star was struck by a "horrible virus" that led him to miss show rehearsals.However, Will pushed through and on Saturday night (October 15), he and his partner Nancy performed a touching rumba routine to The Joker and the Queen by Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift. For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking hereThe dance aimed to shed light on the importance of men’s mental health and Will dedicated it to those who “put on a brave face” amid their mental health struggles.

COLOMBO (News 1st) –  Sri Lanka's State Finance Minister says that the IMF is committed to working with Sri Lanka.Sri Lanka's State Minister for Finance Shehan Semasinghe tweeted that he, and the delegation concluded their visit to the IMF annual meeting with a bilateral discussion with Kristalina Georgieva, the Managing Director of the IMF.He said the IMF Managing Director commended the government on the difficult, yet essential, reforms that it had undertaken to restore economic stability,He also said that Kristalina Georgieva assured the IMF’s commitment to  work with Sri Lanka to place the country on a stable and sustained growth path as early as possible.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – First Reading of the Appropriation Bill for the year 2023 is scheduled to be presented on Tuesday (18).This was decided at the Committee on Parliamentary Business held previously (07) under the chairmanship of Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, Speaker of Parliament.From 18th to 21st time is allotted from 9.30 am to 10.30 for Questions for Oral Answers.It was decided to hold the debate on the Second Reading of the Petroleum Products (Special Provisions) (Amendment) Bill from 10.30 am to 5.00 pm on the 18th of October.Thereafter, time has been allotted from 5.00 pm to 5.30 pm for the Motion at the Adjournment Time brought in by the Government, the Secretary General said.The Committee also decided to take into debate 6 Bills presented by the Ministry of Justice on October 19th from 10.30 am to 5.00 pm. Accordingly, Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs’ (Amendment) Bill, Notaries Ordinance (Amendment) Bill, Powers of Attorney Ordinance (Amendment) Bill, Wills Ordinance (Amendment) Bill, Registration of Documents (Amendment) Bill, Prevention of Frauds Ordinance (Amendment) bill are scheduled to be taken up for debate.From 5.00 pm to 5.30 pm time has been set aside for Questions at the Adjournment Time.On October 20th and 21st from 10.30 am to 5.00 pm, the Second Reading debate on the Twenty- Second Amendment to the Constitution Bill is scheduled to be held.

States have been asked to continue monitoring incoming international travelers, undertake constant genome sequencing and step-up vaccination. NEW DELHI: Over the past 24 hours, India reported 1,542 new covid cases, the lowest single-day rise, the Union health ministry said in an update on Tuesday. Active cases are now at 26,449, with total reported cases since the pandemic hit in early 2020 at 4.46 crore.

WEST ALLIS, Wis. - A mother and father in West Allis are both charged in connection with the death of their toddler. Court records say the 17-month-old had enough fentanyl in her system to kill an adult.A neighbor said the child, identified by the medical examiner as Alieonni Lane, was a beautiful little girl and was heartbroken to learn the child died Oct. 2.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Petroleum Trade Unions have decided to report sick on Tuesday (18).Trade Unions said that they will step away from work on Tuesday (18) Petroleum Products (Special Provisions) Amendment Bill that will be presented to Parliament.Petroleum Trade Unions Alliance Spokesperson Dr.

Fauci, long Covid impairs the body system without any signs, and that's why it has not attracted much attention as a death rate. There is no test for long Covid – its precise causes remain mysterious and little is known about how it interacts with other medical and physical conditions. The World Health Organization (WHO) believes that between 10% and 20% of Covid-19 survivors have been left with lasting symptoms including breathlessness, fatigue, and cognitive dysfunction that can persist long after the acute infection has resolved.

The case tally climbed to 4,46,32,430, while the active cases have declined to 26,449, it said. There has been a decrease of 385 cases in the active Covid-19 caseload in 24 hours. India saw a single-day rise of 1,542 coronavirus infections, the lowest in 182 days, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday.

US federal health authorities are gearing up for a widely-expected resurgence of coronavirus during winters. The BQ.1 variant of Covid-19 has already outpaced many rival strains in European nations from England to Germany, where the Covid wave has resurged. Previously, the CDC bundled BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 with their shared parent BA.5.

King Charles might be the new monarch, but it’s going to take a while until he’s ready to call Buckingham Palace home.According to several British newspapers, the newly ascended king is “no fan” of Buckingham Palace and will wait out an eye-popping £369 million renovation — more than half a billion Canadian dollars — to the estate before he even considers moving in. ‘The Watcher’: What we know about the menacing true story that inspired Netflix “I know he is no fan of ‘the big house,’ as he calls the Palace,” a source told The Sunday Times.

Chrystia Freeland said she believes Canada is now facing the “final act of the COVID recession” amid economic challenges, but she believes Canadians will pull through.“This is a period of economic turbulence,” said Freeland, speaking at a press conference on Monday. “This is the final act of the COVID recession.”Freeland said she is not going to “sugarcoat” the current situation and Canadians will face “some challenging months ahead,” citing inflation and rising interest rates.“Some people are going to see their mortgage payments rise and that is a challenge,” said Freeland.

Colombo (News 1st) – Sri Lankan Writer Shehan Karunatilaka won the prestigious Booker Prize for fiction on Monday (17) for “The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida,” a satirical “afterlife noir” set during Sri Lanka’s brutal civil war.Karunatilaka, one of Sri Lanka’s leading authors, won the 50,000 pound ($57,000) award for his second novel. The 47-year-old, who has also written journalism, children’s books, screenplays and rock songs, is the second Sri Lanka-born Booker Prize winner, after Michael Ondaatje, who took the trophy in 1992 for “The English Patient.”Karunatilaka received the award from Camilla, Britain’s queen consort, during a ceremony at London’s Roundhouse concert hall.The judges’ unanimous choice, “The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida” is the darkly humorous story about a murdered war photographer investigating his death and trying to ensure his life’s legacy.Karunatilaka said Sri Lankans “specialize in gallows humor and make jokes in the face of crises”.“It’s our coping mechanism,” he said, and expressed hope that his novel about war and ethnic division would one day be “in the fantasy section of the bookshop.”Former British Museum director Neil MacGregor, who chaired the judging panel, said judges chose the book for “the ambition, the scope and the skill, the daring, the audacity and the hilarity of the execution.”“It’s a book that takes the reader on a rollercoaster journey through life and death, right to what the author describes as the dark heart of the world,” MacGregor said.