COVID-19 media update, 7 September 2022

BRADENTON, Fla. - Five days after Hurricane Ian made landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast, close to 700,000 residents were still without power.Governor Ron DeSantis said an army of 42,000 utility workers responded to the call for help to restore outages.They answered, from Pennsylvania to Kansas and beyond. MORE: Alafia River flooding peaks at 18 feet after Hurricane Ian, surrounding nearby homes with waterThe streets of Paradise Bay Estates, off Cortez Road in Bradenton, were lined with utility trucks Sunday afternoon.Gary Wilt is a snowbird from Illinois. He returned home to Paradise Bay Sunday after evacuating ahead of the storm.Crews from Illinois, Kansas and Pennsylvania helped restore power in Florida Most of his community was still in the dark, but hopefully not for much longer."I’m telling everyone, ‘thanks for being here,’" Wilt said of the linemen in his neighborhood.

Covid cases could rise again. Similarly, every autumn and winter the UK's most vulnerable people are at risk from flu. With vaccines for both available, one pharmacist is urging people to take up the offer.

EGG HARBOR TWP. N.J. - The relentless rain and wind made for a messy day down at the shore.

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - 2020/05/19: Construction workers wearing protective face masks on site. National Grid resumed the North Brooklyn "MRI" Pipeline construction by allegedly authorizing themselves to continue, despite the risks of the A recent survey reveals that not all drivers can recognize and understand different road signs despite having their licenses for many years. Myvision.org surveyed more than 1,060 drivers about road signs and other distractions they face when behind the wheel.

NORRISTOWN, Pa. - Pennsylvania American Water lifted the boil water advisory initially issued September 30, due to a water main break in East Norriton. Officials say the issue is resolved.More than 11,000 customers in parts of Montgomery County had been advised to boil their water before consumption due to the increased risk of contamination. According to Pennsylvania American Water, loss of positive water pressure was experienced after the water main break. West Reading, PA - June 15: A photo illustration of tap water in a clear glass drinking glass in West Reading, PA Tuesday afternoon June 15, 2021.

A view during the game between the New York Jets and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on October 02, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K.

Mark Wahlberg attends the Los Angeles Premiere of Netflix's "Me Time" at Regency Village Theatre on August 23, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic) BOSTON (AP) - A home where entertainers Mark and Donnie Wahlberg’s family once lived was damaged by fire Sunday in Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood, the fire department said.The blaze in a nearby home at around 10 a.m., but spread to another three buildings because of strong winds, Fire Commissioner Paul Burke said.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Department of Meteorology says that showers will occur at times in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle, and Matara districts. Heavy falls above 100 mm can be expected at some places in Sabaragamuwa Province and Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts.Several spells of showers will occur in Northern and North-Western provinces.Showers or thundershowers will occur at a few places in Uva province and Ampara district during the evening or night.Strong winds of about (50-55) kmph can be expected at times over the western slopes of the Central hills, Northern, North-Central, and Southern provinces, and in Trincomalee and Puttalam districts.

Mulayam Singh Yadav who is currently admitted to the ICU of Gurugram's Medanta Hospital after his health deteriorated. The Prime Minister assured all possible help and assistance to him, according to the news agency ANI. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also spoke to SP chief Akhilesh Yadav to enquire about his father's health.

PLAINS, Pa. - State police shot and killed a man who struck a trooper with his pickup truck and then crashed into a police sport utility vehicle after an altercation at a northeastern Pennsylvania bar, authorities said.State police and Luzerne County prosecutors said troopers from Wilkes-Barre were called to the Ole Tyme Charley's Pub and Grill in Plains Township at about 1:30 a.m. Friday after a "highly intoxicated" man was reported to have assaulted a patron and an employee.Police allege that as two troopers arrived, Jason Kilduff, 41, of Pittston "intentionally" drove his pickup toward the troopers in an "attempt to strike them with his vehicle." One trooper was struck and the truck also struck the state police SUV, police said."Both troopers discharged their weapons while attempting to dodge the vehicle," police said.

Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales gestures as he speaks to members of the public outside Norwich Gate on the Sandringham Estate in Sandringham, eastern England, on September 15, 2022, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. - As preparatio This story discusses suicide.

Los Angeles Unified School District, officials confirmed Sunday.The data was released Saturday -- two days before a deadline previously given by the hackers -- in an apparent response to LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho's stated refusal to pay ransom to an international hacking syndicate, the Los Angeles Times reported.The newspaper said it reviewed screenshots from the hack that appeared to show some Social Security numbers, but the full extent of the release was not clear.District spokeswoman Shannon Haber would not confirm the release when reached by City News Service on Sunday.The group claiming responsibility for the cyberattack had set a Monday deadline for the district to pay a ransom to the organization.In a dark web post detected and reprinted by Brett Callow of the cybersecurity firm Emsisoft, the hacking syndicate Vice Society listed the LAUSD as one of "our partners," and stated, "The papers will be published by London time on October 4, 2022 at 12:00 a.m."The post did not give any indication about what information had been obtained or what would be published.Carvalho previously acknowledged that the district received a ransom demand from the group responsible for the Labor Day weekend hack -- which he declined to name."We can acknowledge ... that there has been communication from this actor (hacker) and we have been responsive without engaging in any type of negotiations," he told reporters.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk smiles as he addresses guests at the Offshore Northern Seas 2022 (ONS) meeting in Stavanger, Norway on August 29, 2022. (Photo by CARINA JOHANSEN/NTB/AFP via Getty Images) An early prototype of Tesla Inc.'s proposed Optimus humanoid robot slowly and awkwardly walked onto a stage, turned, and waved to a cheering crowd at the company's artificial intelligence event Friday.But the basic tasks by the robot with exposed wires and electronics — as well as a later, next generation version that had to be carried onstage by three men — was a long way from CEO Elon Musk's vision of a human-like robot that can change the world.Musk told the crowd, many of whom might be hired by Tesla, that the robot can do much more than the audience saw Friday.

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 25: J.J. Watt #99 of the Arizona Cardinals warms up prior to an NFL football game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium on September 25, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona.

The Supreme Court opens its new term Monday, hearing arguments for the first time after a summer break and with new Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. Already the court has said it will decide cases on a range of major issues including affirmative action, voting rights and the rights of LGBTQ people. The justices will add more cases to their docket in the coming months.Here is a look at some of the cases the court has already agreed to hear.

KENSINGTON - A man in his early 30s was found dead, with a gunshot wound to the head, near train tracks in Philadelphia’s Kensington neighborhood.Officials say the shooting happened Sunday afternoon, about 1:30, near some train tracks on the 2900 block of North Front Street.Police found the man with a gunshot wound to the head.MORE HEADLINES:Medics pronounced him dead at the scene.Police are actively investigating the shooting, though no arrests have been made and no weapon has been recovered.___Tips can be submitted by calling 215-686-TIPS (8477) or texting PPD TIP (773847). Tips can also be submitted anonymously online, here.

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - Flooding concerns became all too evident Sunday, as the remnants of Hurricane Ian flooded roads down the shore and some interior sections of Philadelphia suburbs.Route 40 into and out of Atlantic City was closed because of flooding. Some of the streets looked like rivers and water even towered high above storm drains.Route 30 out of Atlantic City was also closed for a period of time because of coastal flooding.Some roads were also reportedly underwater in Sea Isle City and Wildwood.Ocean, Atlantic, and Cape May Counties in New Jersey are still under a coastal flood warning.

Russia faces a series of setbacks on the battlefield against Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin only knows how to do one thing, according to one of his most prominent critics: “escalate.”That’s because Putin views the prospect of losing power as an “existential threat,” according to Bill Browder, a U.S. investment fund manager who has influenced Western governments into clamping down on corrupt Russian officials.“If Putin were ever to lose power in Russia, he would lose all the money that he’s stolen over the last 22 years.

A ‘devastating’ Covid wave is about to break in the UK, say experts, who have slammed the government’s guidelines as ‘wrong’ and revealed the main symptom for the latest version of the virus. The autumn wave will be made worse by a lack of testing and limited surveillance of the new immune-evasive variants, according to the health leaders.

CHESTER COUNTY, Pa. - A late-night crash ended with the death of a teenage student in Chester County.Police say a car with two teenagers inside crashed on the 600 Block of Contention Lane in Tredyffrin Township just before midnight Saturday.One of the teens, a student at Conestoga High School, was reportedly killed in the crash.

BUENA VISTA, N.J. - State authorities say a New Jersey police officer will not face any charges in the shooting death of a driver who stole a police car after a crash last year and was shot and killed after a chase. The New Jersey attorney general’s office said last week a state grand jury had declined to bring charges in the 2021 death of 42-year-old Roy K.

Nike Inc.’s quarterly results highlight how some U.S. brands have too much inventory at home and in markets like China, where the companies have placed big financial bets.

US President Donald Trump speaks during a retreat with Republican lawmakers at Camp David in Thurmont, Maryland, January 6, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / SAUL LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images) The National Archives and Records Administration informed lawmakers that a number of electronic communications from Trump White House staffers remain missing, nearly two years since the administration was required to turn them over.The nation's record-keeping agency, in a letter Friday to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, said that despite an ongoing effort by staff, electronic communications between certain unidentified White House officials were still not in their custody."While there is no easy way to establish absolute accountability, we do know that we do not have custody of everything we should," Debra Steidel Wall, the acting U.S.

Ukraine is formally applying for a fast-track membership to the NATO military alliance, but experts say it will likely take years for the country to actually become a member.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva says that the law must apply to all those who are responsible for the economic crisis.Speaking at an SJB press conference held on Sunday (2), the MP cited the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who said in Parliament that all should be held responsible for the current economic crisis is now refuting his own statement and opposing the condemnation of economic crimes. Pointing out that the former President has now returned and is at Malalasekara Mawatha enjoying his comforts, the MP emphasized that it is Rajapaksa along with his accomplices who should be blamed for the economic crisis. MP de Silva also states that it is not the President who implemented the High Security Zones, but the Defence Secretary Kamal Gunaratne Kamal Gunaratne.He predicted that an inevitable catastrophe of Kamal Gunaratne's action would be a socio-political explosion. "That group including Kamal Gunaratne only operate according to a single model, which is the same model of the past.

Police officer injured in Spring Garden crash. PHILADELPHIA - An officer was involved in a crash in the Spring Garden section of the city Sunday morning, according to the Philadelphia Police Department.The crash occurred at the intersection of North 22nd Street and Pennsylvania Avenue around 6 a.m.The officer reportedly suffered minor injuries due to the crash.

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis on Sunday appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin for a cease-fire, imploring him to "stop this spiral of violence and death" in Ukraine and denouncing the "absurd" risk of the "uncontrollable" consequences of nuclear attack as tensions sharply escalate over the war.Francis uttered his strongest plea yet about the seven-month-old conflict, which he denounced as an "error and a horror."It was the first time in public that he cited Putin's role in the war. The pontiff also called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to "be open" to serious peace proposals.Francis told the public, gathered in St.

CHICAGO - Chicago police said a little boy was killed in West Lawn on Friday night in what was apparently a road rage incident.The gunman brazenly shot into a car with four children inside, with Mateo Zastro, 3, becoming yet another victim of Chicago’s senseless violence. "We will not rest until those responsible for this senseless and cowardly act of violence are brought to justice," 8th District Commander Bryan Spreyne said. The attack happened around 8:30 p.m. Friday. Police said Mateo was riding with his mom and three siblings near 44th & West Marquette Road.

PHILADELPHIA - Chaos unfolded in Old City late Saturday night as droves of cars and large crowds filled the streets.Crowds began to gather near the intersection of Market and 3rd streets around 10 p.m., with cars blocking traffic in all directions. Hundreds of people then emerged from the cars, some forming a large circle at the intersection.Video from the scene showed several cars performing doughnuts and burnouts.

If a person contracts COVID and influenza at the same, which leads to a flu infection then it can be termed as a co-infection. With the onset of winter, the chances of contracting COVID and flu increase significantly.

health is deteriorating while he is suffering from cancer, which he was diagnosed with in 2019.The murderer needed emergency treatment for a broken hip, which he endured after a fall while in prison and has been in a Scottish NHS facility ever since while remaining under constant guard. READ MORE: Moors Murderers' victim Keith Bennett 'strangled with piece of string' by vile Ian BradyA source told the Sunday Mail: "He’s not getting any better, in fact, his condition is getting worse."Last week, the cruel man was pictured handcuffed to a bed with his emaciated body hidden by a hospital gown looking 'seriously ill'.He was said to be 'refusing food and medication' as he lay there seemingly wasting away.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched an e-channeling appointment system in collaboration with SLT Mobitel on 29th September to render better and more efficient services to the public, who seek authentication services from the Consular Affairs Division in Colombo and its regional offices in Jaffna, Trincomalee, Kandy, Kurunegala and Matara.Accordingly, public who needs authentication services may schedule an appointment through the e-channeling appointment system dialing 225 (Mobile subscribers) or 1225 (landline subscribers) and visiting Mobitel e-channeling (www.echannelling.com) or official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (www.mfa.gov.lk).Addressing the gathering at the launch, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali Sabry expressed that there is a demand for migrant workers from Sri Lanka. As a result, the services from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has doubled and resulted in long queues at the Authentication Section of the Consular Affairs Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.The public has been inconvenienced as a result of this and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs set out to offer a better service to the people, the Minister said.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has approved 2 hours 20 minutes power cuts for Monday (03) as follows;Groups ABCDEFGHIJKLPQRSTUVW  1hour during daytime and 1hour and 20minutes during night.  

PHILADELPHIA - A man was killed in front of his own home Friday night after police say two suspects opened fire.Police say the 42-year-old man was sitting on the porch of his home on the 900 block of Marcella Street when two men with guns started approaching just before midnight.Both men reportedly started shooting from the sidewalk, and continued as they climbed the stairs to the porch. Police say they shot at the victim as he laid on the ground, then fled the scene."This was clearly an ambush situation," Philadelphia Police Inspector DF Pace told reporters.MORE HEADLINES;The victim was pronounced dead on the scene, after being found shot multiple times through his body.At least 11 shell casings were found near the gunshot-riddled porch.

What are the overlapping symptoms of COVID and dengue? Symptoms of Dengue include high fever, headache, rash, and muscle and joint pain, which bear significant resemblance with that of COVID-19 infection. COVID-19 symptoms include fever, chills, muscle or body aches, fatigue, and headache among others. In such cases, it gets difficult for the doctors to figure out whether the person is COVID positive or not.

"We can start doing that relatively soon, which was lovely news.However, the star admitted that she was left "worrying" ahead of starting the process."Because the older you get, the more complicated it can be and I was starting to worry," she added.Last year, Vicky was left stunned after being told she had a cyst on her ovary after she experienced painful periods.The star later explained that it had disappeared by itself, meaning she had luckily avoided having it removed."I knew my periods were becoming more and more painful and I just couldn't decide if it was a side effect of having the implant removed from the arm."I didn't know if it was just because I was getting older, everybody warned us they get worse when you get older," she added.Vicky went on: "I honestly just had no clue and I was so woefully ignorant which I think a lot of [us are like]."However, the star told how she was soon reassured after hearing from women who had the same health issue.Addressing the warnings from doctors Vicky said: "You know, [they say] 'this could make conceiving naturally very difficult.'"For a woman in her 30s to hear that when you know the clocks against you anyway it was just really quite traumatic."But when I put it on social media, everyone was so lovely, I had women saying to me, 'honestly, I've got like a 12 centimetre Cyst On one of mine, and I've got three lovely boys.'"So it was really comforting," the Geordie Shore star said.Vicky also spoke about the new The Pour Moi x Vicky Pattison Edit.The star said: "I spent years with my boobs falling out the top and my bum cheeks falling out the bottom of bikinis."So it's really lovely to be working with a brand that not only am I proud to wear, but that also just fits really well

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali Sabry welcomed investments from Australian Companies in Sri Lanka in the energy and education sectors.The Foreign Minister met with the Australian High Commissioner Paul Stephens at the Ministry on 30th September, 2022.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A warning has been issued for strong winds and rough seas by the Meteorology Department for sea areas extending from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota.There is a possibility to increase swell waves (about 2.5 – 3.0 m) and strong winds, gusting up to (60-70) kmph in the sea areas off the coast extending from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota. Therefore, the above sea areas will be very rough.There is a possibility to increase swell waves (about 2.0 – 2.5 m) and strong winds, gusting up to (50-60) kmph in the sea areas off the coast extending from Galle to Trincomalee via Puttalam and Kankasanturai.

(With inputs from agencies)

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Government has taken measures to waive duties imposed on five imported raw materials for locally produced sanitary napkins, the Presidential Media Division says. The decision has been taken in order to make hygiene products more affordable in view of ensuring hygiene among women and school girls.In addition, it has also been decided to provide tax concessions for imported finished sanitary napkins as well.Accordingly, the price of a pack of 10 sanitary napkins produced locally will be reduced by Rs. 50 to Rs.

Rita Wilson still has a "persistent cough", more than two years after contracting COVID-19. The 65-year-old singer-and-actress and her husband Tom Hanks were the first famous faces to come forward and reveal they had contracted the virus in the early days of the pandemic in March 2020 and though the 'Asteroid City' star is still feeling the effects of the illness, she feels "very lucky" that things aren't worse. Asked if her breathing and therefore her singing had been affected by the virus, she said: "It was.

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson looks on during a game against the Indianapolis Colts at TIAA Bank Field on September 18, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Courtney Culbreath/Getty Images) ((Photo by Courtney Culbreath/Getty Images))PHILADELPHIA - Years passed in Philadelphia with sports fans around the globe howling, how could the city erect a statue of Rocky Balboa but not one for real boxing Hall of Famer and famous resident Joe Frazier?The answer: The statue was nothing more than a movie prop left behind once "Rocky III" filming was finished so it could stand as a tourist attraction.

ArriveCAN, mask mandates among changes as Canada drops COVID-19 border rules Federal officials announced earlier this week that a cabinet order affecting mandatory vaccinations, testing and quarantine of international travellers would not be renewed as the new month began.That means travellers to Canada no longer need to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19, while wearing a mask on planes and trains is now optional.British Columbia residents Joanne and Ted Parker say they would have preferred to see the rules stay in place for masks, which are still recommended.“I think they’re an excellent protection,” Joanne Parker said while waiting at Pearson International Airport, just west of Toronto.“And if one person wears them it’s not that helpful, but if everybody wears them it’s really helpful.”But she said she’s already come to terms with the likelihood that mask rules are gone for good.Earlier this week, when the couple flew into Pearson, they noticed some people were flouting the restrictions days before they were lifted, including one fellow passenger who she said ignored a flight attendant’s request to keep their mask on.“I didn’t like it, but I wasn’t going to say anything because I thought at the end of the week it’s going to be OK anyway,” she said.Ted Parker suggested there were “plusses and minuses” to lifting the final COVID-19 travel restrictions.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The University Grants Commission says that about 93,000 applications have been received for consideration of university admission this year.The UGC Chairman, Senior Prof.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The restaurant owners' association says that although the price of petrol has decreased, the prices of foodstuff at bakeries and restaurants will not be decreased.Its Chairman, Asela Sampath stated that the price of food and drinks including milk tea can be reduced only if the prices of other services in the market are reduced.The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation on Saturday (1) took steps to reduce the price of petrol.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Public Utilities Commission says that there will be no reduction in the duration of power cuts despite the resumption of Norochcholai power generation activities.The PUCSL Chairman Janaka Rathnayake stated that the power cut of two hours and twenty minutes will remain unchanged.The Minister of Power and Energy, Kanchana Wijesekara stated on Saturday (1) that one power unit of the Norochcholai power plant has been reconnected to the National grid after being fixed. In the meantime, the Public Utilities Commission stated that the inspections of pumps at filling stations, which was initiated with the increase in complaints received regarding the quality of fuel, will continue.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A 29-year old woman was killed during a shootout in Danovita early Sunday (2) morning .Police said that a woman who was traveling in a bus was shot when a group who had come to rob a liquor store were about to be arrested.Later, she died upon admission to the Wathupitiwala hospital.Two others were injured in the incident.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Veteran actor Darshan Dharmaraj has passed away on Sunday (2).A Spokespeson for the Colombo National Hospital stated that he passed away on Sunday morning due to a heart attack.He was 41 years old at the time of death.Born in Rakwana, Dharmaraj entered the industry with the television drama A-9 directed by Sydney Chandrasekaran.In 2008, Darshan Dharmaraj made his debut in the movie Prabhakaran.Since then, he contributed to many Sinhala and Tamil films including Machang, Iniwan, Mata, Tsunami and Komali Kings.Constantly praised by critics as an actor full of realistic acting skills, Dharmaraj retained his popularity among Sinhalese as well as Tamil fans.