Archive August 4, 2025

US Democrats block vote on Trump-backed Texas redistricting map

By departing the state, Democratic state legislators in Texas have prevented the state House of Representatives from establishing a quorum. This would have prevented them from passing a bill that would favor their Republican rivals.

Even with Republican Governor Greg Abbott’s threat to remove the fugitive lawmakers from office and implying that they might face charges, the vote was postponed on Monday afternoon. To take place the vote needed to have at least 100 members of the 150-member chamber present.

When will the following vote be held?

Republicans would have more secure seats under the new redrawn map if they were to win the US House in the midterm elections next year, thanks to President Donald Trump’s support.

The Texas House voted 85 to 66 to find and arrest more than 50 state legislators who had left the state, according to the Texas Tribune newspaper. The Texas is the only state that warrants.

More than a year in advance of the midterm elections in November 2026, the controversy in the conservative-leaning state has dominated the political discourse there.

In the US, gerrymandering, which involves drawing neighborhoods atop socioeconomic and demographic lines for political reasons, is not uncommon. However, Texas appears to have pushed the practice past its limits, excluding five Democrats’ seats altogether.

We are not here to engage in political satire. At a Sunday news conference in Illinois, top Texas House Democrat Gene Wu stated, “We’re here to demand that this corrupt process end.”

Milei vetoes pension, disability spending increases as Argentina feels cuts

In response to ongoing protests against his austerity fiscal policies, which are hurting many people in their day-to-day lives, the libertarian president of Argentina, Javier Milei, has vetoed bills that would increase pensions and disability spending.

Less than three months before the crucial midterm elections, Milei’s administration made the announcement, claiming that the nation lacks the funds to support the legislation.

A two-thirds majority of the Congress’s lawmaking body passed the vetoes in July.

The president of Argentina, whose party only has a small number of seats in parliament, hopes to win back the year that he successfully stopped pension increases thanks to the conservative PRO bloc.

The president’s office made the suggestion in a statement that the now-vetoed laws had been “irresponsibly” approved by Congress in an “irresponsible manner” without citing sources of funding in a statement released on X on Monday.

According to the report, the spending increases would have contributed to GDP of 0.9% this year and GDP of 1.68 percent in 2026.

The president’s office stated that “this president prefers to tell uncomfortable truths rather than to repeat comfortable lies.”

According to Donald Trump, “the only way to make Argentina great again is with effort and honesty, not the same old recipes,” the statement continued, akin to the president’s “make America great again” rhetoric.

Milei, a self-described “anarcho-capitalist,” has cut federal spending in an effort to lower inflation since taking office in December 2023.

His government has drastically reduced social spending and public works as part of these significant economic changes. It has also eliminated tens of thousands of civil service positions.

Argentina experienced its first annual surplus in 14 years under Milei’s policies in 2024, and its monthly inflation rate dropped below 2 percent for the first time since 2020.

However, it has been said that the president’s policies caused millions of people to become impoverished during the first half of last year.

People are protesting because unemployment has increased and prices have increased by 40% year over year.

According to researchers, pensioners are the hardest-hit group because they have been the target of weekly demonstrations.

Diddy denied bail as rapper awaits sentencing on prostitution-related charges

Sean “Diddy” Combs, who is awaiting his sentencing on prostitution-related charges, has been denied bail and is still imprisoned in New York City. The rapper was cleared of the most serious charges in his criminal trial of a racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking last month after being found guilty of two charges of transportation to engage in prostitution.

Assistant US Attorney Maurene Comey claims that the music mogul has been convicted of two counts and faces up to 20 years in prison. Diddy sat down with his head in his hands as the jury deliberated their verdict as cheers and claps erupted all around the courtroom.

Judge Arun Subramanian scheduled Diddy’s sentencing for October 3. Diddy’s attorneys requested release on a $ 50 million bail last week. The judge, however, ruled in opposition to the motion and claimed Diddy “failed to fulfill his burden by demonstrating his right to release.”

After the verdict was read out (AP), Diddy came to his knees.

Diddy’s defense attorney argued that the star would “sleep well” in jail after he was found guilty. This is a huge win, said lawyer Anna Estevao to reporters outside the court in July.

He will be able to sleep soundly at night knowing that he was found guilty of sex trafficking and of the RICO conspiracy.

President Donald Trump recently clarified his position regarding whether he might be able to grant the music star a pardon and acknowledged that he had been “considering the possibility.”

Trump, however, ultimately argued that a “more likely no” would be the response.

Diddy
Prior to his sentencing on October 3 (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP), he was denied bail.

He was essentially, sort of, half-innocent, he said. Trump said, “I don’t know what they do because he’s still in jail or something,” adding, “I don’t know what they do.” He was celebrating a victory, but I suppose it wasn’t as good as he had anticipated.

Given that they were both well-known personalities in New York, the President recalls having a close relationship with Diddy in the past.

He argued, however, that their relationship deteriorated as a result of Trump’s political career, citing Combs’ unwavering support for Joe Biden in the upcoming presidential election.

Trump told interviewer Rob Finnerty, “When I ran for office, he was very hostile.” I don’t know because he made some terrible statements; it makes things harder to do. Trump responded, “I’d say so when asked whether a pardon was off the table.”

Cassie Ventura, her ex-girlfriend, and another woman referred to as Jane were both found guilty earlier this month of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges.

He was found guilty of violating the Mann Act by pleading guilty to two federal prostitution-related charges.

According to Cornell Law School, the Mann Act, a federal law passed in 1910, “criminalises the transportation of any woman or girl for the purposes of prostitution, debauchery, or for any other immoral purpose.” James R. Mann, the representative from Illinois, is the name of it.

They continue, “Congress established a commission in 1907 to look into the issue of immigrant prostitutes.” Immigrant men allegedly coerced American girls into prostitution (or “white slavery”) while immigrant women were brought to America for sexual slavery.

Follow Mirror Celebs on Threads, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok.

Read more

Read more

Ozzy Osbourne ‘tried to trademark Prince of Darkness nickname days before he died’

Ozzy Osbourne played his final concert with his band Black Sabbath in his hometown of Birmingham last month, but he passed away at the age of 76.

Ozzy Osbourne is thought to have trademarked his ‘Prince of Darkness’ nickname before he died(Image: Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images)

Ozzy Osbourne reportedly tried to trademark his ‘Prince of Darkness’ nickname just days before he died at the age of 76. The Black Sabbath frontman passed away shortly after his farewell gig with the band in his hometown of Birmingham last month.

The heavy metal legend, who spawned smash hits like Paranoid and War Pigs, is said to have applied for the trademark to sell clothes, games, and accessories in perhaps an attempt to provide for his family, including his 72-year-old wife Sharon, after he passed away.

The late frontman is reportedly requested in both the US and the UK. A request for “entertainment services, namely providing non-downloadable pre-recorded music via a website, is requested in a request that was allegedly sent to the US Patent and Trademark Office.

READ MORE: Ozzy Osbourne’s story of success with Black Sabbath before axe and solo stardomREAD MORE: Did Ozzy Osbourne bite the head off a bat? Truth behind icon’s wildest on stage moment

Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne
Ozzy with his beloved wife of 43 years, Sharon (Image: Getty Images)

Permission has yet to be granted in America, though it’s thought Ozzy has already had the ‘Prince of Darkness’ trademark approved in the UK, according to The Sun.

Though Ozzy is gone devastating fans around the world, he could appear on stage again in the future, as Black Sabbath trademarked their name in virtual reality – which means they could return as holograms.

It follows in the footsteps of bands like ABBA, who have already used avatars for their London show, Voyage, which has been running since 2022 and features younger versions of themselves.

Similar documents were filed by Black Sabbath 20 years ago, and the band may file them again if necessary. The use of “production and presentation of animation and other special effects” is trademarked by Papers. Other artists have engaged in similar behavior.

Ozzy was laid to rest in Buckinghamshire at a private service attended by his close family and friends on Thursday. Among music royalty attending the funeral were Elton John, Metallica’s James Hetfield, Marilyn Manson, punk singer Yungblud, Rob Zombie, and Ozzy’s guitarist Zakk Wylde.

In keeping with the rockstar’s wishes, he was buried in the grounds of his sprawling family home where he shared many happy memories with wife Sharon, and where he spent his final weeks.

Thousands also lined the streets of Birmingham, where he made one final trip through his home city as his hearse travelled from the Aston Villa football ground through the city centre.

Although a cause of death has not been determined, the singer had recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and had been in poor health for some time. Our family has learned that our dear Ozzy Osbourne passed away this morning, according to a statement from his family, with more depressing words than words can express. He was surrounded by love and his family. At this time, we ask that everyone respects our family’s privacy.

Kelly, her middle daughter, and her famous father, took to social media to express gratitude to the fans. She remarked, “I’ve sat down a hundred times and don’t know if the words will ever feel like enough. “But from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

“I’ve truly been able to carry myself through the most difficult time of my life thanks to the love, support, and beautiful messages I’ve received from so many of you.” More than I can possibly explain, every kind word, every shared memory, and every bit of compassion have meant.

“Grief is a strange thing; it sneaks up on you in waves; I won’t be okay for a while; but knowing that my family is not the one who suffers” makes a difference. I’m keeping my eyes on the legacy that has been left behind, as well as the love. I appreciate you visiting. I adore you all so much.

Continue reading the article.

READ MORE: ‘I lost 4 stone in a year but still eat takeaways by changing just two things’

Jay Blades ‘charged with two counts of rape’ and is set to ‘appear in court’

Jay Blades, a former host of The Repair Shop, will appear in court next week charged with two counts of rape.

Jay Blades reportedly charged with two counts of rape (Image: BBC / Richochet Ltd)

Jay Blades, a former BBC star, is scheduled to appear in court later this month on two rape counts.

The 55-year-old, who resisted presenting The Repair Shop last year, is facing charges, according to West Mercia Police, who confirmed the arrest on Wednesday, July 13th. A magistrate’s court date has been set for that day.

A force spokesman told The Sun on Monday night that Jason Blades, 55, of Claverley, Shropshire, has been charged with two counts of rape. On August 13, 2025, he will appear in court at Telford Magistrates’ Court.

Continue reading the article.

Blades, who had three children from his first marriage and two sons from previous relationships, received an MBE in the 2021 Birthday Honours for his contributions to the arts.

Love Island’s Kady McDermott on how she’s changed since time on show ‘I was a bit crazy’

Kady McDermott rose to fame in Love Island’s second season in 2016, becoming one of the standout stars of the year, but she has come a long way since then.

Kady’s time on Love Island is a world away.

For those new to the Love Island universe, Kady McDermott rose to fame as one of the standout contestants on the show’s second season in 2016.

She was known for her fiery personality, no-nonsense attitude, and romance with Scott Thomas, which became one of the main stories that year, even though she was only 20 years old. The pair eventually separated, finishing third.

Now 29 and about to turn 30 in September, Kady has evolved a lot since her “pocket rocket” days – a nickname that still follows her and has opened up about how she was “not herself” during her latest stint on the show. It comes after Taylor Swift sparks engagement rumours as fans spot Travis Kelce’s lock screen .

READ MORE: Lindsay Lohan’s youthful Freakier Friday premiere look was thanks to ‘weightless’ skin tint

Kady McDermott
Since her two stints on Love Island, Kady has led a much quieter life.

She recalls how she reacted to her emotions, saying, “I was a little crazy, actually fell in love on the show, and didn’t know how to handle my emotions.” However, I’ve grown more restrained. I still don’t eat any leftovers, but I do keep my energy intact. I’m 30 this year, and I’m not as good at dealing with drama as I was 20.

She returned to the Love Island villa in 2023 for Season 10 – a rare move that saw her go from one of the show’s early icons to a “bombshell” in a more polished, highly produced version of the reality dating juggernaut.

Everyone says “Kady proudly says that Season 2 was the most iconic season,” “and everyone says it.” We obtained our desired outcomes. It had a more organic feel to it.

That sense of freedom was stripped away by the time she re-entered the villa seven years later. “Coming back on season 10 felt like a shock to the system… producers sometimes stopped you from speaking to people. They had ideas about who should be with who.”

That shift didn’t just change the gameplay — it affected Kady personally. “I wasn’t myself,” she admits.

Even the producers had anticipated “Crazy Kady” from season 2, but I’d changed. I felt small in comparison to the other characters, who were enormous. She seriously considered quitting the show just before Casa Amor because of the experience, which she described as “so shaken.”

Unlike her first run, Kady didn’t find love in season 10. “I didn’t like anyone, so I was calmer,” she says simply. But it did reignite her presence in the public eye – something she’s learned to handle differently now. “I’m not one of those influencers who’s always at every event. I kind of keep to myself – probably a rubbish influencer really!”

Part of me regrets doing the show [for the second time], but the other is pleased that I did it. I was more appreciative of season 2 because of it. The first three episodes were so organic. I consider myself fortunate to have participated in one of those.

Kady is much more selective about what she shares these days, particularly in her romantic life. That is demonstrated by her current relationship. In April 2024, the couple first met, and later that summer, things officially started. They reconciled in November despite a brief breakup, and things have been going well ever since.

Her partner isn’t in the typical influencer crowd either — which suits Kady just fine. “He was on a show eight years ago, so he understands it a bit, but he’s very private now. His Instagram is private, he barely posts. I love that,” she says. “I wouldn’t want to be with someone who wanted everything shared online.”

Kady and Scott
Kady appeared in series 2 of the show and was coupled up with Scott Thomas(Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

What led some people to believe they had split up? It was due to the obsession with tiny digital signals on the internet, such as unfollowing an Instagram user. Created fiction is written by people. If you’re already experiencing something, it’s stressful. Kay admits that she used to have a lot of trouble with that.

It’s a big reason she’s pulled back from sharing intimate relationship moments. “When you’re with someone from the show, people expect updates. But if your partner’s not in that world, it’s easier to keep it low-key.”

As the show comes to a halt tonight for its most “iconic” series yet, dubbed by fans as “TV Gold”, Kady is weary of just how much people go in their for love.

Continue reading the article.

When questioned about whether she believes the show is about opportunities or love, she replies, “Yes, but it’s rare now.” People are aware of their goals. Even so, I didn’t abandon my love interests. People have strategies and desire success, which is understandable given that it is such a big show right now.

Tonight, viewers will see either Toni and Cach, Yasmin and Jamie, Shakira and Harry or Ty and Angel take home the crown as the 12th series concludes.