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A rare blue supermoon could play a role in exacerbating the flooding effects of Hurricane Idalia which is heading towards Florida’s west coast.

Residents of Florida’s Gulf Coast have been warned of a risk of life-threatening storm surges and dangerous hurricane-force winds over the next two days as the Category 3 hurricane is expected to hit Florida’s northwestern coast at around 6am local time on Wednesday.

The blue supermoon will also be closest to Earth on Wednesday night, making tides higher and flooding potentially worse, not only in Florida but in Georgia and South Carolina.

Known as a king tide, these higher tides are caused by the extra gravitational pull that occurs when the sun and moon align with Earth.

Brian Haines, the meteorologist in charge at the National Weather Service office in Charleston, South Carolina, said: “I would say the timing is pretty bad for this one.”

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All times local of Hurricane Idalia

He warned residents that some parts of Charleston could be underwater by Wednesday night.

Another deadly threat that Idalia poses is a surging wall of water 8ft (2.44m) to 15ft (4.5m) high that could flood low-lying areas along Florida’s coast, according to authorities.

Known as storm surges, these happen when high winds and atmospheric pressure from an oncoming hurricane force ocean water up onto land.

Men work to reinforce a law firm's office on 2nd Street. Pic: AP
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Preparations in Cedar Key. Pic: AP

A storm surge is often the most destructive aspect of a hurricane, Sky News weather producer Kirsty McCabe said.

Hundreds of miles of Florida shoreline are under storm surge warnings, from Apalachicola Bay to Tampa, the state’s third-largest city, and down to Sarasota in the south.

Read more:
Why could Hurricane Idalia be more dangerous than usual?
Everything you need to know about this week’s supermoon

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Lightning strikes in Storm Idalia

The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Centre has also warned that the hurricane could create tornadoes as it moves over the state.

The storm could bring 10 to 20cm (3 to 8in) of rain and winds of up to 120mph (193kph).

The National Hurricane Centre issued the warnings after Cuba was hit with heavy rain, flooding and landslides.

A man loads a truck with boxes containing goods for sale from a gift shop, ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Idalia, in Cedar Key, Florida, U.S., August 29, 2023. REUTERS/Marco Bello

‘One word: Leave’

Idalia is the first storm to hit Florida this hurricane season, a state that is also dealing with lingering damage from last year’s Hurricane Ian.

The National Weather Service in the city of Tallahassee called Idalia “an unprecedented event” since no major hurricanes on record have ever passed through the bay bordering the Big Bend region.

On the island of Cedar Key, Commissioner Sue Colson joined other officials in packing up documents and electronics at City Hall.

Pic: AP
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Cancelled flights at Tampa International Airport. Pic: AP

In a message to the almost 900 residents who were under mandatory orders to evacuate the island, she said: “One word: Leave.

“It’s not something to discuss.”

State of emergency in 49 Florida counties

On Tuesday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in 49 of Florida’s 67 counties that stretch across the Gulf Coast to the Atlantic Coast.

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Hurricane Idalia: ‘Make your final preparations’

About 1,100 National Guard members, who have 2,400 high-water vehicles and 12 aircraft at their disposal for rescue and recovery efforts, have also been mobilised.

“We’ve not really had a hurricane strike this area for a long, long time,” Mr DeSatnis said.

At least 23 Florida counties have posted evacuation orders on their websites or social media pages as of Tuesday morning, including for parts of Tampa.

Pic: AP
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Pic: AP

From the Gulf Coast, the storm will move eastwards across the north of the state, just north of Jacksonville, before it reaches the border with Georgia at around 6pm.

Beyond Florida, it will move along the Gulf of Mexico coastline to Georgia, South and then North Carolina on Wednesday and Thursday.

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P Diddy: ‘Gut-wrenching’ video appears to show Sean Combs assaulting singer Cassie in 2016

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P Diddy: 'Gut-wrenching' video appears to show Sean Combs assaulting singer Cassie in 2016

“Gut-wrenching” CCTV footage which appears to show Sean Combs attacking singer Cassie in a Los Angeles hotel “has only further confirmed the disturbing and predatory behaviour” of the rapper, her lawyer has said.

The 54-year-old, whose homes in Los Angeles and Miami were raided by Homeland Security Investigations agents in March, has faced a series of public allegations of physical and sexual violence.

Footage obtained by CNN appears to show Combs also known as P Diddy and Puff Daddy – wearing only a white towel as he punches and kicks Cassie in a Los Angeles hotel hallway on 5 March 2016.

The R&B singer, whose legal name is Cassandra Ventura, was his protege and girlfriend at the time.

Pic: CNN via AP
Pic: CNN via AP
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Pics: CNN via AP

Read more: What is Sean Combs accused of and what has he said?

The footage also shows Combs shoving and dragging her across the floor, as well as throwing a vase in her direction.

It closely resembles the description of an incident at the now-closed InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles described in a lawsuit filed by Cassie in November that alleged years of sexual abuse and other violence from Combs.

The case was settled the day after it was filed.

Sean Combs and Cassie in 2017. Pic: PA
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Sean Combs and Cassie in 2017. Pic: PA

Several more lawsuits were filed in the following months, along with a federal criminal sex-trafficking investigation that led authorities to raid Combs’ mansions in Los Angeles and Miami.

Representatives for Combs did not immediately comment on the video. He has previously denied the allegations in the lawsuits and his lawyers have said he denies any wrongdoing.

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P Diddy’s homes raided

Cassie’s lawyer said: “The gut-wrenching video has only further confirmed the disturbing and predatory behaviour of Mr Combs.

“Words cannot express the courage and fortitude that Ms Ventura has shown in coming forward to bring this to light.”

According to NBC News, Sky News’ US partner, if Cassie were to make a complaint the LAPD could investigate, but charges would likely be declined by the district attorney because California law has a one-year statute of limitations for assault and the alleged incident happened nearly eight years ago.

CNN did not say how it obtained the video, but noted it verified the location it was shot by comparing the footage to publicly available images of the InterContinental Hotel.

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Man sentenced to 30 years for bludgeoning Nancy Pelosi’s husband with hammer

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Man sentenced to 30 years for bludgeoning Nancy Pelosi's husband with hammer

The man convicted of attacking then-US House speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband with a hammer has been sentenced to 30 years in prison.

David DePape, 44, was found guilty last November of attempted kidnapping of a federal official and assault on the immediate family member of a federal official.

Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley handed down the sentence of 30 years in prison after prosecutors asked for a 40-year prison term.

David DePape. Pic: Michael Short/San Francisco Chronicle via AP
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David DePape in 2013. Pic: Michael Short/San Francisco Chronicle via AP

DePape was given 20 years for one count and 30 years for another count, to run concurrently. He was also given credit for the 18 months he has been in custody.

DePape admitted during trial testimony he broke into the Pelosis’ San Francisco home on 28 October 2022 intending to hold Ms Pelosi hostage and “break her kneecaps” if she lied to him.

He also admitted bludgeoning Paul Pelosi with a hammer after police showed up, saying his plan to end what he viewed as government corruption was unravelling.

The attack on Mr Pelosi, who was 82 at the time, was captured on police body camera.

Defence lawyers argued DePape was motivated by his political beliefs, not because he wanted to interfere with Ms Pelosi’s official duties as a member of Congress, making the charges against him invalid.

One of his lawyers said during closing arguments that DePape was caught up in conspiracy theories.

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Investigators work outside the home of Paul Pelosi, the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in San Francisco, Friday, Oct. 28, 2022. Paul Pelosi, was attacked and severely beaten by an assailant with a hammer who broke into their San Francisco home early Friday, according to people familiar with the investigation. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
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The attack happened at the couple’s San Francisco home in October 2022. Pic: AP

Plans to wear inflatable unicorn costume during interrogation

During the trial, the Canadian, who moved to the US more than 20 years ago, testified he believed news outlets repeatedly lied about former president Donald Trump.

DePape also told jurors he had planned to wear an inflatable unicorn costume and record his interrogation of the Democratic speaker, who was not at home at the time of the attack, to upload it online.

Prosecutors said he had rope and zip ties with him, and detectives found body cameras, a computer and a tablet.

‘A tremendous shock’

Mr Pelosi also testified at the trial, recalling how he was awakened by a large man bursting into the bedroom and asking: “Where’s Nancy?”

He said he responded that his wife was in Washington and DePape said he would tie him up while they waited for her.

“It was a tremendous sense of shock to recognise that somebody had broken into the house, and looking at him and looking at the hammer and the ties, I recognised that I was in serious danger, so I tried to stay as calm as possible,” Mr Pelosi told jurors.

State court charges

DePape is also charged in state court with assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, residential burglary and other felonies. Jury selection for that trial is expected to start on Wednesday.

Mr Pelosi suffered two head wounds in the attack, including a skull fracture. His right arm and hand were also injured.

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Scottie Scheffler: Golf star ‘rattled’ and ‘in shock’ after being arrested by police

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Scottie Scheffler: Golf star 'rattled' and 'in shock' after being arrested by police

World number one golfer Scottie Scheffler says he was “rattled” and “in shock” after he was arrested and charged by police this morning.

The 27-year-old reportedly tried to get around a traffic jam caused by a fatal accident near the Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, at around 6am local time (11am UK time) on Friday.

He is due to appear in court on Tuesday after being charged with second-degree assault of a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving, and disregarding signals from officers directing traffic.

Scheffler was released at 8:40am local time (1:40pm UK time) and allowed to return to the golf course to play his second round of the PGA Championship, where he currently sits three shots off the lead.

Speaking to reporters after his round, Scheffler said: “It was a chaotic situation and a big misunderstanding. My head is still spinning.

“I spent some time warming up in a jail cell, which was a first for me.

“I was pretty rattled, to say the least… I was never angry, I was just in shock. I was shaking for about an hour.

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“Coming out here and trying to play today was definitely a challenge, but I did my best to control my mind and control my breathing… just try to play golf.

“I knew there was going to be a lot of distractions… but to be honest, it was great having the fans behind me. I felt they were really glad to have me out here competing today.”

Police earlier released a mugshot taken of Scheffler while he was wearing an orange jailed-issued jumpsuit.

The fatal crash occurred this morning when a bus struck and killed a man as he was crossing the road near the front gate of the Valhalla Golf Club.

 Scottie Scheffler tees off No. 10 to begin his second round of the PGA Championship, May 17, 2024, at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky. Pic: AP
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Scottie Scheffler tees off hours after being detained and handcuffed. Pic: AP

Tournament officials said they were “devastated” by the death of local man John Mills, who was working for an on-site vendor at Valhalla.

Scheffler, who was not involved in the accident, was allegedly trying to drive around the crash site when he failed to stop for a police officer.

An officer is then said to have grabbed on to Scheffler’s car.

The golfer drove around 10 to 20 yards before stopping his vehicle at the entrance to Valhalla, according to an ESPN reporter Jeff Darlington who was on the scene.

Darlington said: “At that point the police officer instructed Scheffler to get out of the car.

“He rolled down the window, the police officer grabbed his arm and started pulling at it. He reached inside, opened the car door, pulled Scheffler out, pushed him up against the car, immediately placed him in handcuffs.”

According to the police report, a detective stopped Scheffler’s car and “attempted to give instruction”.

The report continued: “Subject refused to comply and accelerated forward, dragging Detective Gillis to the ground. Detective Gillis suffered pain, swelling and abrasions to his left wrist and knees.

“He was transported to the hospital for further medical treatment by emergency medical personnel. Detective Gillis’ uniform pants, valued at approximately $80, were damaged beyond repair.”

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LOUISVILLE, KY - MAY 17: Fans look on as Scottie Scheffler walks off the No. 10 tee box after beginning his second round of the PGA Championship, May 17, 2024, at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky. Pic: AP
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Scottie Scheffler was given a roar of support as he teed off in the second round. Pic: AP

In a statement, Scheffler’s attorney Steve Romines said the player was proceeding as directed by a traffic officer and is alleged to have disregarded signals from another officer “in the confusion”.

“Multiple eyewitnesses have confirmed that he did not do anything wrong but was simply proceeding as directed,” the statement added.

“He stopped immediately upon being directed to and never at any point assaulted any officer with his vehicle. We will litigate this matter as needed.”

Speaking after a second round, Scheffler expressed his sympathies to the family of Mr Mills.

“I can’t imagine what they’re going through this morning,” Scheffler said.

“My situation will get handled… I can’t get into what transpired… my heart goes out to the family.”

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