James Van Der Beek, the actor best known for his roles in "Dawson's Creek" and "Varsity Blues," died at the age of 48, according to a statement posted on his Instagram page on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, according to ABC News. The news of his passing was announced as the FBI announced the capture of a fugitive in Honduras and a powerful cyclone devastated Madagascar.
Van Der Beek's family announced his passing, stating he "passed peacefully this morning" and "met his final days with courage, faith, and grace," according to ABC News. The statement also requested privacy as the family grieved. Van Der Beek was most famous for his roles in the teen drama "Dawson's Creek" and the film "Varsity Blues," according to ABC News.
In other news, the FBI announced the arrest of Alexis Flores in Honduras, a fugitive wanted for the 2000 kidnapping and murder of a 5-year-old girl in Philadelphia, according to Fox News. Flores had been on the FBI's Most Wanted list for over 25 years. FBI Director Kash Patel stated that "time and distance do not shield violent offenders from justice," according to Fox News.
Meanwhile, the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar was struck by Cyclone Gezani, which killed at least 31 people, according to BBC World. The cyclone made landfall on Tuesday, hitting the main port of Toamasina. The disaster management office reported "total chaos," with houses collapsing and neighborhoods plunged into darkness as power lines snapped. "What happened is a disaster, nearly 75 of the city of Toamasina was destroyed," according to the country's military leader.
In other news, the small Canadian town of Tumbler Ridge is reeling from a shooting at a local secondary school and home, which left nine people dead and at least 25 wounded, according to BBC World. Residents described the community as close-knit and expressed shock and disbelief.
Additionally, a report by the children's commissioner for England revealed that children are being "bombarded" with advertisements for weight loss drugs online, according to BBC Technology. Dame Rachel de Souza said the posts were "immensely damaging" to young people's self-esteem and called for a ban on social media advertising to children. A spokesperson for the media regulator Ofcom stated it did not tolerate "tech firms prioritizing engagement over children's online safety," according to BBC Technology.
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