|

Democrats select Crowley, Flanagan as Republicans back Demuth in key state races

ByJustpaste.in

Democratic socialist Francesca Hong and moderate David Crowley are locked in an extraordinarily tight contest for Wisconsin’s Democratic gubernatorial nomination, while Minnesota voters selected progressive Peggy Flanagan for the US Senate and Republican Lisa Demuth for governor.

With 80 per cent of the votes counted in Wisconsin, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley held a narrow lead of just a few hundred votes over Hong. The outcome remains too close to call in a race widely seen as a major test of progressive policy appeal in a crucial battleground state.

Hong, a state representative and former chef, ran on a platform advocating for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a temporary moratorium on data centres, and increased corporate taxes.

Her campaign faced late scrutiny over past social media posts concerning Thanksgiving, which she subsequently clarified.

The victor of the Democratic primary will face Republican nominee US Representative Tom Tiffany in November.

In Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District, Democrats selected Rebecca Cooke to challenge Trump-aligned Republican incumbent Derrick Van Orden. Cooke, a former small business owner and waitress who has out-fundraised Van Orden, secured backing from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s “Red to Blue” programme.

Across the state line in Minnesota, Democratic voters chose Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan as their US Senate nominee over moderate Representative Angie Craig. Flanagan, who campaigned on dismantling ICE, will seek the seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Senator Tina Smith.

In Minnesota’s Republican gubernatorial primary, State House Speaker Lisa Demuth secured the nomination, defeating former MyPillow chief executive Mike Lindell despite his high-profile endorsement from Donald Trump. Demuth now advances to challenge Democratic nominee Senator Amy Klobuchar in the general election.

Similar Posts

  • | |

    Tim Curry, iconic ‘Rocky Horror’ star, dies at 80

    ByJustpaste.in

    LOS ANGELES: British actor Tim Curry, best known for his unforgettable performance as Dr. Frank N. Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, has died at the age of 80, according to Variety and other media reports. Curry, whose distinctive baritone voice and theatrical performances made him a celebrated figure in film, television and theatre, died on August 26. The cause of death was not immediately disclosed. His portrayal of Dr. Frank N. Furter in the 1975 cult musical horror-comedy The Rocky Horror Picture Show became the defining role of his career. The film initially struggled to find a mainstream audience but later developed a passionate international following through midnight screenings. Audiences often attended screenings dressed as characters from the movie, helping turn the production into one of cinema’s most enduring cult classics. Curry first played Dr. Frank N. Furter in the original London stage production of The Rocky Horror Show in 1973. He later reprised the role for the film adaptation, appearing alongside Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick. Although the character brought Curry worldwide recognition, he was concerned that such an unconventional role could overshadow the rest of his career. He nevertheless embraced the part and went on to build a diverse body of work across several entertainment genres. Curry appeared in numerous films, frequently playing villains or eccentric characters. His credits included Clue, Legend, Annie, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, The Three Musketeers, The Shadow, Muppet Treasure Island and Charlie’s Angels. His career extended well beyond cinema. Curry was also a highly regarded stage performer and received three Tony Award nominations. He was nominated in 1981 for playing Mozart in Amadeus. His other Tony nominations came for My Favorite Year in 1993 and for his performance as King Arthur in Monty Python’s Spamalot in 2005. Curry’s deep, recognisable voice also made him a sought-after voice actor. He worked on numerous animated productions for film and television and won a Daytime Emmy Award in 1991 for his voice performance in Peter Pan & the Pirates. The actor became particularly associated with flamboyant and larger-than-life villains. His distinctive laugh, expressive face and commanding voice allowed him to bring a memorable theatrical quality to even supporting roles. Despite appearing in some critically unsuccessful productions, Curry remained candid about his career. He occasionally acknowledged his weaker performances with humour and continued to embrace challenging and unusual roles. Born on April 19, 1946, in Grappenhall, Cheshire, Curry studied drama at Birmingham University before pursuing a career in theatre. His career was affected by health problems later in life. He withdrew from a British stage production in 2011 because of ill health. His representatives later confirmed that he had suffered a stroke in 2012, after which he used a wheelchair and significantly reduced his professional workload. Despite these challenges, Curry continued working in entertainment. He returned to the big screen in 2024 with an appearance in the horror film Stream. Curry was also a singer and composer. He performed with his own rock band and released several albums during his career. He lived in Los Angeles and never married or had children.

  • | |

    Trump returns to White House correspondents’ din…

    ByJustpaste.in

    United States President Donald Trump will address the White House Correspondents’ Association at a rescheduled gala on Friday, nearly three months after a shooting outside the Washington Hilton forced the cancellation of the April event. The black-tie dinner, now relocated to the Waldorf Astoria hotel, will take place under heightened security. Secret Service Director Sean Curran said an advance team had implemented a comprehensive plan, acknowledging the risk of hostile actors but stressing that the agency was treating the venue with the same rigor as any presidential site. The April 25 incident occurred as Trump and his cabinet were arriving. A man armed with a shotgun attempted to breach a security checkpoint and opened fire. Secret Service officer Victor Gonzales, credited with stopping the attack, was shot but survived thanks to his protective vest. Gonzales will be honored at Friday’s dinner, along with Hilton staff who assisted guests during the chaos. The suspect, Cole Allen, has pleaded not guilty to charges including attempted assassination of the president. Trump has argued the attack underscored the need for a $400 million ballroom under construction at the White House, saying future events held there would enhance presidential security. The correspondents’ dinner, a century-old Washington tradition, raises funds for journalism scholarships and celebrates the First Amendment. Trump is scheduled to deliver remarks, with entertainment provided by mentalist Oz Pearlman. This year’s event carries added weight. Trump has frequently clashed with the press, denouncing coverage as “fake news,” restricting access for outlets such as the Associated Press, and threatening to revoke broadcast licenses. Yet he has also given reporters more direct access than recent presidents, often taking questions in unscripted settings. Several journalism organizations have urged the WHCA to use the dinner to condemn what they describe as Trump’s attacks on press freedom. WHCA President Weijia Jiang said the gala would send a clear message: “Violence has no place in American life and a free press will not be intimidated into silence.”

  • | |

    State Bank considers scrapping Rs10 banknote

    ByJustpaste.in

    ISLAMABAD: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) is considering discontinuing the Rs10 currency note as part of plans to introduce redesigned banknotes with enhanced security features, officials told the Senate Standing Committee on Finance. The committee met in Islamabad, where SBP Deputy Governor Dr Inayat Hussain briefed members on the proposed changes to the country’s currency notes. According to the deputy governor, the central bank is considering withdrawing the Rs10 note because its production cost has increased. He said the Rs10 denomination had been targeted for discontinuation twice in the past, but the attempts were unsuccessful. He clarified that the Rs10 note would be discontinued when the new series of currency notes is issued. Committee Chairman Senator Saleem Mandviwalla said the committee had previously asked the State Bank to replace all currency notes. Dr Inayat Hussain said the existing currency series had been in circulation since 2005. Officials told the committee that new banknotes would carry improved security features. The matter had been discussed twice by the federal cabinet. A committee formed by the cabinet had also proposed certain changes to the designs. The issue of the process used to select the company for designing the new notes also came under discussion. Chairman Saleem Mandviwalla questioned the decision to award the design work to the same company whose consultant had already been hired. He said no bidding process had been conducted before the design contract was awarded. Mandviwalla said the State Bank was an autonomous institution, but it still had to follow relevant rules and procedures. A State Bank executive director told the committee that the company associated with the consultant would carry out the entire assignment. The committee also questioned claims regarding the circulation of counterfeit currency in Pakistan. Dr Inayat Hussain said the circulation of counterfeit currency in the country was low. Mandviwalla asked the State Bank to provide data supporting the claim. The deputy governor further said public preference regarding banknote designs was also being taken into consideration. Senator Anusha Rehman remarked that people generally liked currency notes regardless of their design. Senator Shahzaib Durrani, however, said personal likes and dislikes should not be a factor in deciding currency designs. Dr Inayat Hussain told the committee that a subcommittee of the federal cabinet was currently reviewing the proposed new banknotes. He said the cabinet had made significant changes to the designs. The deputy governor said the new notes could only be introduced in the market after the proposed changes were finalised and approved. He also informed the committee that the proposed currency designs had been sent to the Ministry of Finance about a year ago.

  • |

    Tom Holland admits Justin Bieber was his childhood obsession

    ByJustpaste.in

    Tom Holland has confessed that he once idolised Justin Bieber and even tried copying his look as a kid. The actor opened up about his childhood crush during a recent TV appearance. Speaking on Julian Shapiro-Barnum’s “Celebrity Substitute” show on Wednesday, the 30-year-old actor named Bieber as his biggest childhood obsession. He said he genuinely believed Bieber was the coolest person he’d ever seen at the time. Holland admitted he tried to style his hair just like Bieber’s when he was around 11 or 12 years old. He joked that the attempt didn’t go too well, since his hair simply wasn’t built for that look. The confession quickly caught fans’ attention online, with clips of the moment spreading across social media. Many pointed out that Holland’s admiration for Bieber actually predates their now-friendly relationship by more than a decade. The two stars famously connected during the COVID-19 lockdown, when they went live together on Instagram. During that stream, both artists openly praised each other’s work and expressed mutual admiration. Holland’s latest comments add a fun bit of context to that earlier friendship, showing his appreciation for Bieber started long before they ever crossed paths professionally. Fans have since revisited the old livestream clip, drawing comparisons between his teenage fandom and his adult friendship with the singer. On the professional front, Holland remains busy promoting his newest Marvel film, “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.” The movie officially released on July 31 and has already crossed the billion-dollar mark at the global box office. Holland reprises his role as Peter Parker in the film, starring alongside his real-life wife, Zendaya. The couple’s on-screen and off-screen partnership has continued to draw significant attention from fans and media alike. With “Brand New Day” performing strongly worldwide, Holland’s star continues to rise both critically and commercially. His playful trip down memory lane, though, has given fans a lighter, more personal glimpse into the actor’s life outside the superhero suit.

  • |

    Parker McCollum, Hallie Ray Light welcome second baby boy

    ByJustpaste.in

    Country music star Parker McCollum and his wife, Hallie Ray Light, are celebrating a joyful new chapter after welcoming their second child together. The couple shared the exciting news with fans through a joint Instagram post on Saturday, announcing the birth of their second son. Their newest addition, Rocker Tommy Light McCollum, was born on July 30, 2026, weighing 8 pounds, 7 ounces. The announcement featured a heartfelt message expressing the couple’s gratitude and happiness as they embraced life as a family of four. “Rocker Tommy Light McCollum! Born on July 30th / 8 pounds 7 oz!” the couple wrote alongside the post. They continued by thanking God for the safe arrival of their son, adding that they were deeply in love with their growing family and excited to begin their journey as parents of two children. The social media post also included a series of touching hospital photos that captured the family’s first moments together after Rocker’s birth. One image showed Parker and Hallie sitting together on a hospital bed, smiling warmly at the camera. Hallie gently cradled the newborn in her arms while the couple’s older son, Major Yancey Tyler McCollum, sat proudly in front of them, marking his new role as a big brother. Another photograph featured Parker holding the sleeping newborn while Hallie cuddled Major on her lap. The images reflected the family’s excitement as they celebrated the arrival of their newest member. The birth came shortly after Parker informed fans that he would be postponing several scheduled performances to be present for his family’s special moment. A day before Rocker’s arrival, the singer shared a message explaining that Hallie was expected to give birth soon and that he wanted to be by her side for the occasion. He described the upcoming birth as wonderful news for their family and said he was thrilled about becoming a father for the second time. Parker also apologized to fans for having to reschedule his remaining performances for the weekend, including concerts planned in Kansas City and Omaha, emphasizing that family came first during such an important milestone. Supporters quickly responded with messages of congratulations, praising the couple for putting family ahead of work and wishing them happiness as they adjusted to life with two young sons. Parker and Hallie’s relationship began years before the singer became a household name. The pair first met through a mutual friend and built a strong relationship long before Parker’s career reached new heights. Their romance continued to flourish, leading to an engagement in July 2021. The couple married in March 2022 in a private ceremony surrounded by family and friends. In August 2024, they welcomed their first son, Major Yancey Tyler McCollum, beginning their journey into parenthood. Now, with the arrival of baby Rocker Tommy Light McCollum, Parker and Hallie have expanded their family once again. As they celebrate this special milestone, the couple is looking forward to raising their two sons together while balancing family life with Parker’s successful music career.

  • |

    Google yanks Nano Banana from Earth after AI images spark chaos

    ByJustpaste.in

    It took less than a day for Google’s newest AI experiment to become a lesson in how fast image-based misinformation can spread. On Thursday, Google rolled out its Nano Banana 2 model directly inside Google Earth. The feature allowed users to type any prompt and get back a photorealistic image, layered right onto real satellite, aerial, and 3D map data. The intended uses were fairly harmless. People could visualize their dream home or picture how a location might change decades from now. Within just a few hours, users pushed the tool in a very different direction. People began generating fake disasters, staged terrorist attacks, and fabricated sinkholes. Others created images showing refugees or protest crowds in places where nothing of the sort had actually happened. One researcher used the tool to create a fake blast crater in Los Angeles. Another generated an image showing protesters marching right outside Google’s California headquarters. Since the tool used real Google Earth maps as its foundation, these fabricated images looked disturbingly convincing. At first, Google defended the feature. The company pointed to its SynthID watermarking system as a safeguard. It also noted that tools like Gemini or Google Lens could help users check whether an image had been AI-generated. That response did not satisfy critics. Many pointed out that most people encountering a screenshot online rarely take the time to verify it. Critics also argued that the fake images did not even need to stay inside Google Earth to cause harm. Screenshots alone were already spreading fast across social media platforms. By Friday, Google confirmed it was pulling the feature entirely while working on stronger safeguards. The company maintained that every generated image had carried a watermark. It also said none of the images had appeared within the shared, public version of the Earth experience. This incident has reignited larger concerns around generative AI tools and how easily they can be misused, even when protective measures are already built in. It also raises fresh questions about whether watermarking alone is enough to stop confusion once fabricated content starts spreading widely online. For now, Google says its focus is on rebuilding the feature with tighter controls in place. Whether that will be enough to prevent similar situations going forward still remains to be seen.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *