'He was sick': Influencer Cass and the City, husband get candid about importance of addiction awareness

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Minister Bandula Gunawardena in interview with Russia's Ria Novosti says that he expects that flights between Moscow and Colombo will be restored by mid-October in 2022.A few months ago, Russian flight company Aeroflot announced that it will be suspending commercial flights to Sri Lanka for the time being, due to “unreliability of the situation in terms of ensuring unhindered flights of the airline’s aircraft to Sri Lanka”. The airline suspended its flights after eight months, after launching its services in Sri Lanka on 4th November, 2021.Commenting on the fuel crisis, the Minister said that it is possible to end the fuel crisis within the country, and added that Sri Lanka is now recovering from each of the crises – both economic and currency, and expects support from Russia on the matter. Moreover, the Minister said that – negotiations on procuring fuel from Russia are underway.Pointing out that Sri Lanka needed a loan to buy Russian fuel, the Minister said that the Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia, himself and other representatives of the Sri Lankan authorities are discussing this issue with the Russian government. "We hope Russia will be able to help us.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Expeditious steps will be taken with regard to the seven Sri Lankan students, who were rescued from 'torture chambers' where civilians were being held in Kharkiv region in Ukraine, the Embassy of Ukraine in New Delhi stated.Responding to an inquiry by News 1st, the Embassy said that futher information regarding the students are being gathered.News 1st made an inquiry from the Embassy after a briefing by the Ukrainian President Voldomyr Zelenskyy revealed that seven Sri Lankan students, who were attending Kupyansk Medical College, were discovered in a basement in the recaptured area. The students were being held in the area since last March, and were directed for medical attention, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said.

A cheetah in India (Credit: Press Information Bureau) NEW DELHI (AP) - Seven decades after cheetahs died out in India, they’re back.Eight big cats from Namibia made the long trek Saturday in a chartered cargo flight to the northern Indian city of Gwalior, part of an ambitious and hotly contested plan to reintroduce cheetahs to the South Asian country.Then they were moved to their new home: a sprawling national park in the heart of India where scientists hope the world’s fastest land animal will roam again.RELATED: Huge 8-foot alligator carries new hatchlings in Oklahoma: videoIndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the cats into their enclosure Saturday morning. The cats emerged from their cage, tentatively at first while continuously scanning their new surroundings."When the cheetah will run again … grasslands will be restored, biodiversity will increase and eco-tourism will get a boost," said Modi.Cheetahs were once widespread in India and became extinct in 1952 from hunting and loss of habitat.

LONDON (AP) - Thousands of people spent London’s coldest night in months huddled in line to view the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, and authorities warned Saturday that arriving mourners face a 16-hour wait.Police arrested a man after what the force described as a "disturbance" Friday night in Parliament’s Westminster Hall, where the queen’s coffin is lying in state, draped in her Royal Standard and capped with a diamond-studded crown.Parliamentary authorities said someone got out of the queue and tried to approach the coffin on its platform. The Metropolitan Police force said a man was detained for a suspected public-order offense.RELATED: Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral predicted to be most-watched event in TV historyThe tide of people wanting to say goodbye to the queen has grown steadily since the public was first admitted to the hall on Wednesday.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Minister of Transport Bandula Gunawardena in an interview to Ria Novosti, Russian media, hsa apologized for the arrest of a Russian Aircraft in June.In an interview, the Minister said that it "was a terrible mistake" and that Sri Lankan authorities apologize for what happened.Speaking further, the Minister said that Unfortunately, an error with the Russian aircraft of the company "Aeroflot" led to the flight being arrested by a Court order. However, he said thayt now this problem has been solved, and the President, the Prime Minister and the entire Government of Sri Lanka guarantees that this will never happen again. "We don't want to arrest any planes in Sri Lanka." the Minister said.Although attempts were made, the Minister was not immediately available for a comment on the matter.In June, the Aeroflot A330 (SU289) was grounded in Colombo following a court order obtained by Celestial Aviation Trading 10 Limited of Ireland, the owner of the aircraft, against Aeroflot in a Colombo court, over a lease dispute.However. the Commercial High Court of Colombo reversed its own decision of June 2nd of this year, on the detention of an Aeroflot flight at Bandaranaike International Airport.The Airbus A330-343 operated by Russian state-owned airline Aeroflot was denied permission to fly to Moscow as scheduled on June 2nd amid a legal dispute with a leasing company.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe says that cricket team captain Dasun Shanaka and the team took advantage of their defeats and made themselves stronger to advance forward to the Asian Cup.The President, speaking further, said that it is not difficult to lead the country towards victory in the face of the world if the team continues to think in the same way.The President also pointed out that working together as a team helped them to win.President Ranil Wickremesinghe was addressing the felictation ceremony held for the Sri Lankan athletes who won their respective Asia-level wins; the Cricket team and the team which won the Asian Netball Championship, in addition to the medalists of Commonwealth Games.Meanwhile, at the request of Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe, Sri Lanka Cricket took steps to present Rs. 2 million to each player in the Netball team symbolizing its support towards the sport.Sri Lanka won 4 medals in the 22nd Commonwealth Games held recently in Birmingham, Britain.Palitha Bandara won the silver medal in the discus throw event in the para sports category, while Yupun Abeykoon won the 100m event, Nethmi Ahimsa Poruthota in the women's 57kg wrestling competition and Dilanka Isuru Kumara won the bronze medals in the weightlifting 55kg category.The silver medalist was awarded Rs.10 million from the sports fund, each bronze medalist was awarded Rs.

Arlo Parks has cancelled a number of her forthcoming US tour dates to protect her mental health. “I am broken,” she said in a statement.The singer began a run of shows in the States at the start of the month, but said that her mental health has “deteriorated to a debilitating place” and left her “burnt out”.As such, eight gigs between September 14 and 24 have been cancelled for the singer to fly home to London and recover.

According to the health ministry, active cases comprise 0.11% of total infections, while the national recovery rate rose to 98.71% NEW DELHI: India recorded fresh 5,747 COVID-19 infections in the past 24 hours, taking the tally of reported cases so far to 4,45,28,524, while active caseload rose to 46,848, according to an update by the Union health ministry on Saturday. Death toll climbed to 5,28,302 with 29 fatalities in the past 24 hours, which include 13 deaths reconciled by Kerala, as per the update.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali Sabry PC is scheduled to leave for New York on next Monday (19) to attend the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly.The Foreign Minister is scheduled to address the United Nations General Assembly session on 24th of September.The 77th session of the United Nations, which started on 13th September, will continue until the 27th October.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A suspect who distributes drugs procured from organized criminal Nadun Chinthaka alias Harak Kata, who is currently in Dubai, has been arrested in Piliyandala.The police said that during a raid in Bokundara, the suspect was arrested along with 10 grams and 150 milligrams of heroin as well as cash earned from drug trafficking.The suspect has previously been identified as a suspect in connection with drugs and homicide cases still pending at the Balapitiya and Matara Courts.He is scheduled to be presented before the Kesbewa Magistrate Court today.

COLOMBO (News 1st); President Ranil Wickremesinghe left the island on Saturday (17) to attended the funeral of late Queen Elizabeth II. Officer in charge of the Bandaranaike International Airport said that a group including the President left for Dubai this morning on an Emirates Flight.From Dubai the entourage including the president will go to London.This marks President Ranil Wickramasinghe's maiden visit abroad.

BRIDGETON, N.J. - Friday marks three years since 5-year-old Dulce Maria Alavez disappeared from a New Jersey park and the question remains, where is Dulce?Through song and prayer, a Cumberland County community has come together with renewed hope on the third anniversary of Dulce Maria Alavez’s disappearance from Bridgeton City Park."Let’s not let it stop here! Once we go home, let’s keep sharing about her, talking about her and don’t let her name die," organizer Brenda Trinidad encouraged those in attendance.RELATED HEADLINES:Dulce’s mother, Noema Alavez, and grandmother shed tears throughout the vigil. "No one can imagine the suffering, the pain that we’re going through every day."On September 16th, 2019, 5-year-old Dulce was playing on the swings with her younger brother when she vanished."To the person who  knows this viable info, if you wanna sleep better at night, just say where she’s at," Trinidad stated.Fellow mom and organizer Brenda Trinidad says the park is always busy.

GERMANTOWN - Friends, family and fans all gathered in Germantown to honor PnB Rock, in a celebration of his life, by the people who knew him from the start. "I love you Rock," yelled the crowd. Balloons released in Germantown in memory of Philly's own PnB Rock. Hundreds gathered to celebrate his life after it was tragically taken, police say, during a robbery in Los Angeles earlier this week."Rock was my little guy," said Raymond Hunter.

FILE - Sarah Huckabee Sanders, former Trump White House press secretary, addresses the America First Policy Institute's America First Agenda Summit at the Marriott Marquis on Tuesday, July 26, 2022. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Former White House press secretary Sarah Sanders, who is running for governor in Arkansas, underwent surgery Friday for thyroid cancer.Sanders announced she underwent the surgery after a biopsy earlier this month revealed that she had thyroid cancer.

LAKE WORTH, Texas - New video released by the military shows the moment a bird flew into a military jet last year, which caused it to crash into a Lake Worth neighborhood and cause major damage to a home.The crash happened back on September 19, 2021, after a U.S.

LONDON - As the United Kingdom enters a period of mourning following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the ongoing traditions have evoked memories of another royal family member to pass on: Princess Diana. Anticipation of the Elizabeth’s funeral have left some to speculate how different the queen’s memorial will be to that of the mother of Prince William and Prince Harry, who’s father is now King.British media recently compared photos of flowers placed outside London’s Buckingham Palace to photos taken after the death of Diana, former princess of Wales, in 1997. She was 36-years-old. LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - SEPTEMBER 06: Prince William And Prince Harry With Prince Charles Holding A Funeral Programme At Westminster Abbey For The Funeral Of Diana, Princess Of Wales (Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images) The nation and frankly, the world, was shocked by the death of Diana.

Arizona–Utah state line pleaded not guilty Thursday to federal charges of tampering with evidence, weeks after being stopped on a highway with young girls in an enclosed trailer.Samuel Bateman, 46, was indicted earlier this month on three counts of destroying or attempting to destroy records, and tampering with criminal proceedings. He pleaded not guilty in U.S.

Country music singer Kelsea Ballerini has invited fans inside her newly decorated farmhouse.The 29-year-old crooner bought the five-bedroom house on a half-acre near Nashville for herself and her dog, Dibs, in November 2020. The tasteful décor was published in The Spruce's first digital issue.  Come on in: Kelsea Ballerini has invited fans inside her newly decorated farmhouse. The 29-year-old bought the five-bedroom house on a half-acre for herself and dog, Dibs, in November 2020.The HeartFirst singer said the process of starting from scratch was 'terrifying,' so she enlisted interior designer Lindsey Rhodes, who had worked on some of her friends' homes to help.

(FOX 9) - A Minnesota man was among the first members of the public to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II as she lies in state in Westminster Hall.Andrew Israels-Swenson, who is from Morris, Minnesota, was 18th in line to see the queen's coffin in London. He joined FOX 9 Good Day on Friday to talk about his experience (watch the video in the player above).Swenson's mother is British and moved to the United States in the 1960s.

FILE - A natural gas stove is pictured in a file image dated Aug. 25, 2022.

Arlo Parks has revealed she’s cancelling several shows on her tour after reaching a ‘very dark place’, explaining how ‘exhausting and dangerously low’ she’s become.In a statement shared on social media, the singer – born Anaïs Oluwatoyin Estelle Marinho – explained that she’d been ‘working herself to the bone’ for the past year and a half, following on from artists including Sam Fender and Justin Bieber who’ve also recently put live shows on pause.‘I’ve been on the road on and off for the last 18 months, filling every spare second in between and working myself to the bone.

Two years after hospital release, nearly 20% of COVID-19 survivors in Wuhan, China, reported persistent, new-onset, or worsening symptoms, finds a study published yesterday in JAMA Network Open.

Prince Harry will now be permitted to wear a military uniform to Queen Elizabeth II‘s vigil on Saturday evening.Buckingham Palace officials informed the media that Prince Harry will be able to wear his military garb when he joins other members of the royal family at Westminster Hall for 15 minutes of silence in front of the queen’s coffin during her final vigil. Here’s who will be in the Canadian delegation for Queen Elizabeth’s funeral The queen’s actual funeral will take place on Monday, Sept.

WASHINGTON - Friday marks nine years since a deadly shooting rampage at the Washington Navy Yard sent shockwaves through the nation's capital.The shooting that left 12 people dead happened on the morning of September 16, 2013 inside a building at the complex. The gunman was identified as Aaron Alexis, a 34-year-old information technology contractor at a defense-related computer company.The former Navy reservist had been undergoing mental health treatment prior to the shooting but had not been stripped of his security clearance, according the Associated Press.He was armed with a shotgun and also took a handgun from a law enforcement officer during the massacre.  In addition to those killed during the attack, eight people were hurt, including three who were shot and wounded.

Ameer Sutton-Best is accused of raping a 13-year-old girl and exchanging inappropriate messages with others. PARKESBURG, Pa. - A volunteer youth basketball coach in Chester County is being held on $1M bail after prosecutors say he raped a young girl and exchanged lewd Snapchat messages with other others. Investigators say Ameer Sutton-Best, 31, began sending inappropriate sexual text messages to a 13-year-old girl during the summer.

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds will be welcoming a new member to their family.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Parliamentary Caucus for Children, which was established to address the issues concerning children of Sri Lanka, is due to meet on 21st September for the first time.The caucus was created during the Seventh Parliament under the Chairmanship of the Dr.

Minister of state for commerce and industry Anupriya Patel and minister of commerce of Cambodia H.E. Pan Sorasak reaffirmed their commitment to mitigate the economic impact of the pandemic New Delhi: Trade and economic relations between ASEAN and India are recovering post the impact off the Covid-19 pandemic, according to minister of state for commerce and industry Anupriya Patel and minister of commerce of Cambodia H.E.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Public Security Ministry said on Friday (16) that steps are being taken to extradite 13 wanted underworld criminals who are overseas and evading prosecution.Public Security Secretary S.

FILE - Ken Jennings visits the Build Series to discuss the television event "JEOPARDY! The Greatest of All Time" at Build Studio on Jan. 6, 2020, in New York City.

BRIDGETON, N.J. - Family and community members on Friday will gather at a New Jersey park where a young girl vanished exactly three years ago while playing with her brother. Dulce Maria Alavez disappeared from Bridgeton City Park on September 16, 2019, sparking a frenzied search that has so far turned up scant clues to her whereabouts. Dulce was last seen playing on a swing set with her younger brother while their mother sat in a car nearby. Her brother returned to the car alone, with Dulce nowhere to be found. Noema Alavez Perez, Dulce's mother, told FOX 29 last year that she was in the car helping her sister with her homework and scratching lottery tickets when she lost sight of the child for 10 minutes.Dulce Maria Alavez vanished from Bridgeton City Park on September 16, 2019, while playing on the swings with her little brother.

PHILADELPHIA - Authorities are searching for a man accused of sexually assaulting a woman early Friday morning in Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Square section. Officers from the Philadelphia Police Department were called to the intersection of 18th and Walnut streets around 2 a.m.Investigators say a woman was sexually assaulted by a Black man with short hair who was wearing a gray shirt and gray jeans. He was reportedly last spotted fleeing down 18th Street, according to police. No information was provided on if the sexual assault suspect was captured by nearby surveillance cameras. 

Meat Loaf will go down in the history books as one of the greatest rock stars of all time.His legacy spans over five decades and he influenced the world of rock forever with his flamboyant presence and unique voice.He will be sorely missed and his music will still be enjoyed for years to come, but what was his life like and what were the events surrounding his tragic death?READ MORE: Meat Loaf video star Dana Patrick's transformation – new look and career 29 years onKeep reading to learn more about the powerhouse vocalist, his life, health struggles and his death as his iconic single I'd Do Anything For Love reaches its 29th anniversary.Meat Loaf, who rose to fame in the 70s and 80s, was born Marvin Lee Aday and was known for performative nature and theatrical voice.His catalogue of albums Bat Out Of Hell, Bat Out Of Hell II: Back Into Hell and Bat Out Of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose have all collectively sold more than a whopping 65 million copies worldwide.His astounding voice and rare stage presence earned the rock singer awards and he was given a Grammy for Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance for his absolute classic I’d Do Anything For Love, but he liked to try his hand at different ventures too.The rock ‘n’ roll icon took his love for performing to the silver screen and was a regular in Hollywood, having starred in big name cult classics such as The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Fight Club,The Bat Out Of Hell singer had a number of ailments throughout his life and despite his powerhouse vocals, Meat Loaf suffered from asthma and once collapsed at a gig back in 2016.This wasn’t the first time, having collapsed years prior in 2011 and 2003.The cause of his 2016 fall was allegedly due to dehydration but later that

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The importers of Special and specific fertilizers have made requests to release US Dollars to import products to Sri Lanka.The Secretary of the Special and Specific Fertilizers Importers Association Sujeewa Valisundara points out that if the products are not available in Sri Lanka, it would have a serious negative impact on cultivations.If it is not possible to provide dollars for letters of credit, the association requests that they be allowed to use open accounts.Agriculture Secretary Rohana Pushpakumara said that the Central Bank and the President's Secretariat have been requested on many occasions to provide the necessary dollars for the importation of special fertilizers.He further said that if the concerned association requests the open accounts, the request will also be forwarded to the relevant institutions.

Dream Perfect Regime) have announced that they are postponing the Texas leg of their forthcoming 2022 Regime Tour.On September 14, concert organiser Kohai published a statement announcing DPR’s forthcoming show in Austin, initially scheduled for September 15, will not be pushing through after DPR IAN and DPR LIVE tested positive for COVID-19. The two members reported experiencing symptoms following a show in Hollywood, Florida.At the time, Kohai announced that ticket holders for the Houston and Dallas shows, set to take place on September 16 and 17 respectively, will receive real-time status updates while both members’ conditions were being monitored.[REGIME TOUR]Notice regarding the September 15, 2022 show in Austin.

About 5,916 recoveries were recorded in the last 24 hours, taking the tally of recoveries so far since the onset of the pandemic in early 2020 to 4,39,47,756. The recovery rate currently stands at 98.71% NEW DELHI: India reported 6,298 fresh Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, according to an update by the Union health ministry on Friday.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Auditor General's Department has launched a special Audit into the recent allegations made concerning the malpractices involved in the importation of coal to Sri Lanka. Auditor General P. C.

In preparation for an expected fall COVID-19 wave, Canada has started rolling out updated vaccines to target the Omicron variant.

CENTER CITY - The recent violence at the Fashion District has store owners on edge, including one business that has made a mission of keeping kids out of trouble.At times, hundreds of young people line up at a store inside the Fashion District for events and sometimes free give-a-ways. But, the owner feels the violence is making the atmosphere unsafe."Y’all gotta chill young bulls.

WILMINGTON, Del. - It is a sign showdown in Delaware, with businesses battling to come out on top.It all started last year, with a local automotive center declaring itself the winner of sign war 2021. Then, in late August, a new battle began. A rematch in the war of words.Take a drive down Kirkwood Highway or Limestone Road in Wilmington and the sign war is clear.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Vice Sangha Raja of Myanmar Sitagu Sayadaw Most. Ven.

Two Covid-19 antibody therapies are no longer recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), on the basis that Omicron and the variant's latest offshoots have likely rendered them obsolete.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Two players from the Sri Lanka Navy, namely Woman Leading Seaman, Deepika Abeykoon (WVS 66974) and Woman Able Seaman Hasitha Mendis (WV 76519) represented the victorious Sri Lanka team that went on to win the Asian Netball Championship title. In recognition of their stellar performances, which ultimately brought much glory to the Navy and the Nation, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne felicitated the players and advanced them to the next respective rates during a brief ceremony held in this regard at the Navy Headquarters yesterday (15). In addition, the 02 players were also presented with cash rewards worth Rs. 250,000.00 each, motivating them to bring out the best from the sportspersons in the Navy.Sri Lanka won the Championship undefeated on 11th September 2022 by edging out the host Singapore 63-53 in the finals of the 12th Asian Netball Championship held in Singapore, with the participation of 11 Asian countries.After the arrival of the champion team on the island, the 02 Navy players called on Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne at the Navy Headquarters yesterday (15). During the brief interaction, the Commander of the Navy congratulated the 02 athletes on this significant feat, which brought much credit to the Navy and pride to the Nation. Fittingly, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne advanced the two athletes to their subsequent rates in service and presented them with cash incentives worth Rs.

MOORESTOWN, N.J. - Terrifying moments for a South Jersey woman when, she says, an intruder broke into her home while she was fast asleep, only waking up to an alert on her phone."I feel very violated. My entire family feels extremely violated," Jessica Goralski stated.Goralski, of Moorestown, New Jersey, recounts the real-life nightmare that unfolded around 2:30 Wednesday morning, when her mom woke up to an alert that an intruder was inside their North Stanwick Road home. The family of four jolted out of bed, horrified."She saw that the door was swung open.

Covid-19 antibody therapies as Omicron and the variant's latest offshoots have likely rendered them obsolete, according to the news agency Reuters. These two therapies, some of the first medicines developed early in the pandemic, are designed to work by binding to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 to neutralize the virus' ability to infect cells.

NEW CASTLE, Del. - A 59-year-old Delaware man is wanted for allegedly committing home improvement fraud.New Castle County Police are searching for Perren Davis, of Wilmington, on a warrant of felony home improvement fraud.New Castle County officials say the warrant is for a situation in Wilmington.Officials believe there may be additional victims who have not come forward, in Delaware and possibly in Pennsylvania.Davis is described as 5’9" and weighing 135 pounds.

Philadelphia police ask for help identifying a man they say robbed a woman of her purse in Center City. CENTER CITY - Philadelphia police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a man who reportedly robbed a woman in Center City.Officials say the incident took place early September 14, just after 5:30 in the morning, on the 1400 block of Callowhill Street, in front of the Philadelphia Police headquarters.A 25-year-old woman was walking on the sidewalk when a man ran up behind her and grabbed her purse.

FILE - The sun rises behind a stone cross atop the historic Cathedral Basilica of St. Frances of Assisi in Santa Fe, New Mexico. (Photo by Robert Alexander/Getty Images) A recently released study suggests the number of Christians in the United States is diminishing quickly and being replaced by those who do not identify with any religion.A new report by Pew Research Center and the General Social Survey published Tuesday found a surge of adults leaving Christianity to become atheist, agnostic or "nothing in particular." It predicted that if the number of Christians under 30 abandoning their faith accelerates beyond the current pace, adherents of the historically dominant religion of the U.S.