Entertainment
NY mayoral hopefuls clash in high-stakes debate
- Mamdani attacks Cuomo for his alleged sexual misconduct.
- Mamdani pulls off stunning upset in Democratic primary.
- Second debate will be held on October 22.
A socialist, an accused molester and a vigilante all hoping to be New York’s next mayor clashed in a debate with “high levels of testosterone” Thursday as the unpredictable campaign enters the homestretch.
Democratic candidate and frontrunner Zohran Mamdani, independent former New York governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa pitched to voters in the first of two televised debates ahead of the November 4 election.
Early voting begins on October 25.
Mamdani attacked Cuomo for his alleged sexual misconduct and controversial governing record “sending seniors to their death in nursing homes” during the Covid pandemic.
“Thank God I’m not a professional politician because they have created the crime crisis in this city,” Sliwa said, gesturing at his two rivals.
“There’s high levels of testosterone in this room,” he said later.
Mamdani pulled off a stunning upset in the Democratic Party primary, defeating political scion Cuomo who had been the favorite for weeks, becoming the party’s official nominee.
Mamdani has promised free bus services, rent freezes and city-run supermarkets, which Cuomo has panned as fanciful and unaffordable government overreach.
The race to govern the city’s 8.5 million people was again upended when sitting Mayor Eric Adams, who has been engulfed in corruption allegations, quit the race without endorsing another candidate.
Cuomo, 67, was the state governor from 2011 until 2021, when he resigned over sexual assault allegations.
Mamdani, 33, is a state lawmaker for the city borough of Queens and has run an insurgent grass-roots campaign that has motivated young New Yorkers at a high rate.
‘Take on Trump’
Trump has threatened to withhold federal funds from Mamdani’s administration if he is elected, calling him a “communist.”
But Mamdani said “I would make it clear to the president that I am willing to not only speak to him, but to work with him, if it means delivering on lowering the cost of living for New York.”
Cuomo warned “Trump will take over New York City, and it will be Mayor Trump” if Mamdani won — mirroring the takeover of much of the administration of the capital Washington.
Trump said Wednesday he had “terminated” the $16 billion Hudson Gateway tunnel linking New York to New Jersey, a years-long megaproject.
Asked in the debate for his dream news headline, Mamdani said it would be “Mamdani continues to take on Trump.”
Quinnipiac University polling suggests most voters will not have their minds changed by the TV debate with just 18% of Mamdani and Cuomo’s supporters “not likely” to alter their pick, compared to 24% of Sliwa’s backers.
In the latest polling Sliwa, a 71-year-old who founded the Guardian Angels vigilante group in 1979, is trailing a distant third with 15% in the most recent poll, behind Cuomo’s 33% and Mamdani’s 46%.
Sliwa insisted he would not bow to inducements he alleged were arranged by Cuomo — who denies the claim — to quit the race, like lucrative jobs with fat salaries and a driver.
“I said, ‘Hey, this is not only unethical, it’s bribery, and it could be criminal,” Sliwa told AFP ahead of the showdown.
A second debate will be held on October 22.
Entertainment
Finn Wolfhard drives ‘SNL’ comeback with ‘Stranger Things’ surprise
Finn Wolfhard took centre stage during Saturday Night Live’s return to TV following a brief holiday break.
The 23-year-old actor and musician made his debut as the show’s host on January 17, with A$AP Rocky joining him as the evening’s musical guest.
However, what was understandably the standout moment of the latest episode was when Wolfhard’s Stranger Things co-stars crashed his opening monologue.
Caleb McLaughlin and Gaten Matarazzo appeared onstage to support the Netflix star’s hosting stint, his first high profile appearance since the popular series ended at the year’s turn.
Following his opening remarks, and a brief cameo by SNL castmate Marcello Hernandez, the It actor introduced “the new me” — a playful attempt at becoming a “man”, with his time as a child star long over.
“Stranger Things is over and I’m not a kid anymore,” Wolfhard made the announcement, which was quickly followed by his co-stars stepping into the camera lens and declaring, “And neither are we!”
The three actors then followed a bit of banter by toasting to Wolfhard’s hosting debut, with the former child star announcing, “And to us, child stars, who are now ready to do adult films,” to great laughter and applause.
Finn Wolfhard first rose to prominence after appearing on Stranger Things, initially released in 2016 and concluded on December 31, 2025. While the actor soon branched out into a successful acting career with appearances in two It films, the Ghostbusters franchise, and more.
He additionally boasts a fledgling musical career, something he said he plans to focus on more after the conclusion of his commitment to the Netflix hit.
Entertainment
Kourtney Kardashian recalls a journey that took three years
Kourtney Kardashian recently celebrated a personal milestone in a fun and relaxed way.
The 46-year-old reality star shared on her Instagram Stories that she has been sober for three years now.
Kourtney revealed the news while joining her sister Khloe Kardashian to launch the latest flavour of Khloud popcorn.
“@Khloudfoods @KhloeKardashian def told them I haven’t drank alcohol in 3 years. Fancy Friday,” she wrote.
In the video, the mother of four enjoyed a mocktail which was apparently made with non-alcoholic gin and was styled with popcorn pieces.
However, she reached for a sample of the new snack while praising it with an enthusiastic “Love it!”
The Kardashians star’s choice to quit alcohol comes as she focuses on her health, her kids and being more present in life.
Her husband Travis Barker has been sober for over 17 years now after a serious plane crash in 2008.
She has also been making other changes in her lifestyle as well as she has gone four years without Botox, saying that it helps her keep her “third eye open.”
Moreover, Kourtney’s latest lifestyle choices reflect her commitment to her wellness.
Entertainment
Paul Hardcastle shares heartbreaking last words with son before accident
Paul Hardcastle is heartbroken after the death of his son Paul Jr in a motorcycle accident.
The 68-year-old musician, who is best known for his 1985 hit 19, revealed that he talked to his 35-year-old son just minutes before the crash.
Paul shared in an emotional Instagram video, “He went like, ‘I’ll get back to you in five minutes.’ He didn’t get back to me in five minutes.”
The Soft Rain singnger described the moment as “police came to his home to deliver the tragic news,” saying that the officers were kind but hearing that his son has died was very overwhelming.
He also warned others about risky decisions, saying that some choices can change your life in instantly.
Paul Jr followed his father’s footsteps, playing the saxophone and DJing.
Paul first shared the news on Instagram with a childhood photo of his son, writing, “Just to let you know that my super talented son Paul Hardcastle Jnr was in a fatal motorcycle accident earlier and has sadly died. RIP son love Dad.”
Paul Hardcastle, however, called his son “lovely” and said losing him was heartbreaking.
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