Home Blog Page 1768

Spencer Pratt Unveils Backup Strategy in LA Mayor Election

0

Spencer Pratt, known for his role on reality TV, has announced plans to leave Los Angeles and seek the American Dream elsewhere if he loses the mayoral race to Karen Bass. The outspoken 42-year-old has been gaining support from frustrated residents with his unconventional campaign to surpass Councilwoman Nithya Raman and unseat Bass.

During an appearance on the Adam Carolla Show, Pratt declared his intention to exit the city should his bid for mayor prove unsuccessful.

“If Karen Bass is re-elected or if Nithya Raman wins, I’m done trying to live in LA,” Pratt shared, expressing his discontent with the current city leadership.

He further elaborated, “I’ll find a place where my kids won’t have to witness naked zombies, and I can chase the last American Dream elsewhere. I won’t attempt to rebuild if these individuals remain in charge.”

‘I’ll go find somewhere my kids will not have to see naked zombies and I can have the last American Dream somewhere. I will not rebuild if these people are in charge.’

Pratt was referring to rebuilding his $3.8 million home, which he lost in the Palisades fire that ripped through the California city in January of last year. 

Carolla then mentioned to Pratt that a nearby reservoir, which holds water for the Pacific Palisades area, was bone dry. It was dry at the time of the fires.

Pratt continued: ‘Right now it’s empty because they want $20 million to build a new cover. These people are diabolical.’ 

His remarks about ‘naked zombies’ come as the city continues to battle problems concerning drugs and homelessness. 

Pratt revealed his plan while speaking on the Adam Carolla Show, seen here

Pratt revealed his plan while speaking on the Adam Carolla Show, seen here

On a recent walk through the city's Harbor freeway corridor the Daily Mail witnessed one woman wandering aimlessly through the streets

On a recent walk through the city’s Harbor freeway corridor the Daily Mail witnessed one woman wandering aimlessly through the streets 

Spencer Pratt, 42, has broken silence on claims that his bid for Los Angeles mayor is being filmed for a reality TV show; seen in January in NYC

Spencer Pratt, 42, has broken silence on claims that his bid for Los Angeles mayor is being filmed for a reality TV show; seen in January in NYC 

On a walk through of the city’s Harbor freeway corridor the Daily Mail witnessed one woman wandering aimlessly through the streets while completely unclothed.

Pratt launched his campaign after becoming a vocal critic of Bass’s tenure as mayor and her lack of action against the problems, while also attacking her after losing his home.

The star accused Bass of mismanaging the response to the fires, which went on to burn down over 11,000 other structures and cause billions in damage. 

He has also made fixing Los Angeles’ issues with homelessness and drug use central to his candidacy. 

The aspiring politician previously said he would much rather face only Raman in the election without Bass.

‘All the unions support Mayor Bass,’ he said. ‘You think it’s easier to run against the incumbent mayor with all the unions, or a random city council member who has been a failure for six years?’

Pratt has insisted he does ‘not represent a party’ after being labeled a ‘MAGA Republican’ by Raman, who is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.

‘I represent all of Los Angeles,’ Pratt told NBC Los Angeles. ‘I don’t have a campaign manager. I don’t have campaign consultants. There’s no political party backing me.’

Polls show Pratt making gains before voters head to the polls on June 2, with the election heading to a runoff on November 3 if no candidate wins over 50 percent.

Pratt is going up against incumbent Mayor Karen bass, seen here earlier this month

Pratt is going up against incumbent Mayor Karen bass, seen here earlier this month 

Pratt's $3.8 million family home was burned in the Palisades fire in January 2025

Pratt’s $3.8 million family home was burned in the Palisades fire in January 2025 

Pratt registered at 14 percent support in a UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies Poll last month, coming behind Bass at 25 percent and Raman at 17 percent. 

His chance of winning surged after a headline-grabbing debate performance against his rivals last week. 

Pratt has overtaken Raman after eviscerating her on the debate stage, the latest odds reveal.

The market gives Pratt a 28 percent chance of capturing the mayor’s office compared to Raman’s 20 percent, with Bass in the lead on 48 percent. 

Voters are just weeks away from casting their ballots, and Pratt appears to have timed his campaign blitz just in time, with his odds more than doubling in the past month. 

At a debate on Wednesday night, Pratt was declared the winner over Bass and Raman by 79 percent of viewers polled by NBC, as his brash style won praise from many. 

Pratt especially dominated Raman, reducing her to a ‘random city council member’ in a jibe at Raman that went viral on social media.

Pratt has made fixing Los Angeles' issues with homelessness and drug use central to his candidacy

Pratt has made fixing Los Angeles’ issues with homelessness and drug use central to his candidacy

Homeless encampments are seen here on a sidewalk in the California city

Homeless encampments are seen here on a sidewalk in the California city

The remark came as Raman accused the ex-The Hills star of teaming up with Bass to drive her out of the race, claiming they want to run only against each other ‘because they think that is what will help them win.’

After the comment drew laughs from the audience, Pratt mocked the notion as he said: ‘Mayor Bass and I are definitely not working together. I blame this person for burning my house down.’

Earlier this month, Bass had accused Pratt of ‘exploiting the grief’ of the Palisades Fire victims.

‘Honestly, before this, I had never heard of Spencer Pratt,’ Bass said. ‘I think that’s reprehensible. He is about his own celebrity. He’s famous now again.’

Pratt responded to Bass’s remarks by calling them the ‘most insane, psycho diabolical thing I’ve heard in a minute.’

‘I’m not sure if Karen Bass forgot that she let my house burn down and my parents’ house burn down,’ Pratt told Fox News’ Will Cain Show.

Pratt added that he had ‘actual neighbors burn alive across the street from my childhood home.

‘The only grief is my grief, my community’s grief, that I initially started this fight on behalf of, and she forgets I’ve received two community advocate awards from the Pacific Palisades community.’

South Carolina Becomes New Battleground in Republicans’ Quest for Full US House Representation

0


In Columbia, South Carolina, lawmakers are preparing for an extensive and possibly contentious debate on Monday as they consider redrawing the state’s congressional districts. The proposed changes align with former President Donald Trump’s vision of creating a U.S. House map that could potentially favor a Republican majority.

Similar battles have already unfolded in states like Tennessee, Alabama, and Louisiana. Here, Republicans are capitalizing on a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that has weakened the Voting Rights Act’s safeguards for minority districts. This ruling has paved the way for Republicans to reconfigure districts with significant Black populations that traditionally support Democratic candidates.

In South Carolina, this redistricting effort is focusing on a seat currently held by U.S. Representative Jim Clyburn, the lone Democrat among the state’s seven House members.

Despite the potential changes to his district, Clyburn has made it clear he has no plans to step down. During a conversation with reporters in Washington last week, he mentioned his multiple residences in Columbia, Charleston, and Santee, stating, “I live in three districts. I’ll decide which one to run in.”

He emphasized, “This isn’t about Jim Clyburn’s district. This isn’t about voting. This is about turning the clock back to Jim Crow 2.0.”

Early voting is scheduled to begin May 26 for South Carolina’s statewide primaries on June 9. In addition to redrawing congressional districts, legislation pending in the state House would move the U.S. House primaries to August. If it clears the House, the legislation then must go to the Senate.

Republican Gov. Henry McMaster, who called lawmakers into a special session on redistricting, said it is important for South Carolina to send as many Republicans to Washington as possible to try to prevent Democrats from taking control of the House and attempting to impeach Trump.

But some Republicans have expressed concern that an attempt to draw 7-0 House map for the party could spread Republican voters too thin, making some existing Republican-held districts susceptible to Democratic victories.

Republicans are ahead in the national redistricting battle thus far. Since Trump urged Texas Republicans to redistrict last year, Republicans think they could gain as many as 15 seats from new House maps in Texas, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Florida, Tennessee and Alabama. Democrats, meanwhile, think they could gain six seats from new maps in California and Utah. But litigation is ongoing in some states, and voters will have the final say on who wins.

___

See Daphne’s Stunning Transformation: ‘Frasier’ Star’s Evolution Through the Years




Curious about the “Frasier” cast’s current endeavors? With the recent reboot of the beloved NBC series, many fans are eager to catch up on the actors’ journeys. Jane Leeves, who made waves as Daphne Moon, has enjoyed considerable success post-“Frasier.” In 2010, six years after the sitcom concluded, Leeves struck comedic gold again as Joy Scroggs on “Hot in Cleveland.” She further demonstrated her versatility by taking on a dramatic role in “The Resident,” appearing in over 70 episodes from 2018 to 2023. A juxtaposition of images from her “Frasier” days to her stint on “The Resident” showcases her evolution over 25 years.

In one snapshot from 1995, Leeves is seen attending the inaugural Screen Actors Guild Awards, nominated alongside her castmates for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series. Fast forward to January 2020, Leeves graced the red carpet at the FOX Winter TCA All-Star Party, sporting straighter, lighter hair and a natural look, without resorting to cosmetic enhancements. While she has visibly aged since “Frasier” ended in 2004, she has done so with elegance and grace.

Leeves’ choice to avoid facial surgery aligns with her advocacy for embracing natural beauty. In a June 2014 interview with Parade, she expressed disdain for the term “anti-aging,” emphasizing the allure of confidence and self-acceptance. Leeves also voiced her reluctance to become one of those celebrities whose careers were marred by excessive plastic surgery.

Shortly after celebrating her 50th birthday, Leeves discussed her evolving perspective on aging in Hollywood. She expressed her contentment with embracing her maturity, noting, “I think you become more comfortable with yourself as a human being and with your sexuality, as well. I think you look more attractive to people than an insecure person,” she told the Huffington Post in December 2011.

Part of her self-assuredness is reflected in her relaxed attitude towards her appearance. Often seen without makeup, Leeves humorously recounts encounters with fans who scarcely recognize her from her television roles. “When people come up to me and say, ‘Aren’t you–,’ I go, ‘Oh, no, she’s much prettier!'” she quips. When asked about the possibility of undergoing surgery, Leeves told the Huffington Post, “Oh, I would never do surgery. I don’t think you look any younger. You just look like you’ve had work done.”

Why Jane Leeves embraced getting older

Just after she turned 50-years-old, Jane Leeves spoke about getting older in Hollywood, and how she welcomed her latter years with open arms. “I think you become more comfortable with yourself as a human being and with your sexuality, as well. I think you look more attractive to people than an insecure person,” the seasoned sitcom star told the Huffington Post in December 2011.

Part of her comfortability meant being carefree about her appearance, as Leeves said she would rarely even wear makeup when she went out, which led to some funny interactions with fans who thought she barely resembled her on-screen characters. “When people come up to me and say, ‘Aren’t you–,’ I go, ‘Oh, no, she’s much prettier!’” Leeves jokes. Asked if she would ever consider going under the knife, the actor told the Huffington Post, “Oh, I would never do surgery. I don’t think you look any younger. You just look like you’ve had work done.”

A couple of years later, Reeves doubled down on her reluctance to have any work done on her face, and explained how it could limit her options. “I don’t want to have some hideous surgery that’s not even going to guarantee me any work and could make me unemployable,” she told the Daily Mail in July 2013. “People know how old I am, so it’s OK if I look my age,” Leeves said. Citing a cautionary tale, Leeves mentioned how plastic surgery ruined Meg Ryan’s career. “Plastic surgery can age people terribly … Meg Ryan destroyed her career with plastic surgery,” she added. It’s safe to say we’ll continue to see Leeves age naturally instead of any sudden transformations from surgery.



Woman Criticizes Singer Chike for Sharing “Pity My Soul” Post

Nigerian artist Chike is facing significant backlash on social media after sharing a mysterious message, “pity my soul.” This comes amid a swirling controversy that involves media figure Frank Edoho and his family.

The enigmatic post quickly caught the attention of social media users, many of whom speculate that it is Chike’s indirect response to the uproar surrounding allegations involving him and Frank Edoho’s former spouse, Sandra.

Though Chike has not elaborated on the meaning behind his message, it has reignited discussions about the ongoing controversy that has captured online attention in recent days.

One X user, going by the name HeritageWife, voiced their disapproval, accusing Chike of betraying Frank Edoho and ignoring warnings to distance himself from Sandra.

“I liked you, Chike, but you’ve really disappointed us. Even if Frank shouldn’t have had to ask you to stay away from Sandra, he did, yet you chose to continue your relationship with her,” the user commented.

The critic further accused the singer of showing no remorse over the alleged relationship.

“You been Dey pound married woman t0t0 without pity. Now, you want make we pity you??” the post added.

In another part of the lengthy reaction, the X user advised Chike to apologise publicly to Frank Edoho and seek forgiveness from his family.

“Better carry a male goat and go and prostrate before Frank. Take your father with you, and if possible, all your village people. No be small sin you commit,” the user wrote.

The post continued: “Ask him to forgive you and desist from having gen!tal meet and greet with Sandra.”

The user also issued a warning about karma and consequences in relationships, writing, “Afterwards, ask your father to bless you because if he doesn’t, another man will certainly knack your wife. Shalom!”

Upcoming Tax Deadline May Lead to Increased Property Sales Next Year

0


Key Points

  • There is over a year until the changes to the CGT discount and negative gearing take effect.
  • Some question whether a significant number of property owners will sell over the next year.

Australian Property Investors Brace for Significant Tax Changes in 2027

Australian property investors are gearing up for a significant tax deadline set for next year, sparking discussions about a potential surge in property sales ahead of this change.

According to the recent federal budget, from July 1, 2027, there will be alterations to negative gearing policies. Investors holding properties for more than a year will no longer benefit from the capital gains tax (CGT) discount currently in place.

With just over a year before these changes are implemented, some industry experts are speculating whether property owners might be inclined to sell before the new rules take effect.

Presently, the CGT discount allows Australians selling an asset to pay tax on only half of their capital gains.

But from the 2027-28 financial year, this will change.

The discount will be indexed with inflation so that owners will pay tax on all real capital gain, but not the inflationary part of that growth in property value. Investors will also be forced to pay a minimum of 30 per cent on any gains.

“Any capital gain after that date is no longer subject to the 50 per cent discount. Instead, it has a discount that’s calculated with reference to the consumer price index, and that discount is likely to be smaller,” Hancock told SBS News.

“[Sellers] still get the 50 per cent discount on the value increases up until 1 July 2027, but after that date, their capital gains are calculated on a less generous formula.”

This means that for every property sold after the deadline, the tax will be calculated based on two periods of gains, before and after July 2027, he said.

Negative gearing, which allows investors to offset rental investment income against losses or costs, will also be limited to newly built residential properties. This change kicks in for properties bought after 7:30 pm AEST on 12 May 2026.

These changes are “grandfathered”, meaning the old rules will continue to apply to investments bought under the old system.

Sell or hold off?

So, will there be a stampede of sellers given these changes?

Nicola Powell, chief residential economist at Domain, said: “This is the beauty, right? If you have a deadline … what that means is people rush to make their decisions on whether to sell or hold off.”

Powell believes investors may lean into the second option, which is to hold off.

The grandfathering of negative gearing will reinforce this mentality, she added.

In particular, investors in lucrative prime or inner-city locations — where mortgage repayments are high — would prefer to keep the grandfathered tax benefits of negative gearing, she added.

Even investors whose properties are not negatively geared may not sell.

“For those who aren’t negatively geared, I do wonder how much pressure the 2027 [CGT] deadline will bring because the growth is only indexed from 2027,” Powell said

“I don’t think there’s an element of extreme urgency.”

“There will obviously be some [selling], but I don’t think we’re gonna see large-scale supply shocks.”

Special circumstances

Martin Duck, a postdoctoral research associate in political economy at the University of Sydney, said the strong demand for housing in Australia would also deter property owners from selling.

“There’s still going to be very strong demand for housing assets, and housing is still inelastically supplied. House prices are not going to fall that quickly … and they [investors] will quite generously have their existing benefits grandfathered,” he told SBS News.

“They can also expect reasonably strong house price growth in the future.”

Furthermore, the new rules still offer investors “very generous discount provisions”, Duck said.

“Any capital gains they get forward from that point will still actually be generously discounted by the inflation rate,” he said.

“When we’re expecting inflation to be reasonably high because of the war in the Middle East and other factors, that indexing for inflation is still going to be quite generous. Those investors would only sell if they were going to get a high yield in another asset class.”

However, homeowners in certain circumstances might choose to sell, Powell said, citing as an example those who are close to retirement.

“If you’re very close to retirement and you were going to offload that property in the next few years, this may be the impetus to go, ‘Right, let’s press go now,’” she said.

“I think it’s all circumstantial as well, depending upon your own personal finances, but also depending on which stage you are in your life.”


For the latest from SBS News, download our app and subscribe to our newsletter.

Tragic Loss: Sam Houston State Mourns the Passing of Football Player William Davis at 22

0

Sam Houston State University in Texas has confirmed the passing of one of its newly transferred football players. The tragic news was shared by the university on Saturday.

The death of 22-year-old defensive back William Davis was officially announced by the team’s head coach, Phil Longo, in a press release on Sunday.

“With profound sadness, we grieve the loss of Will Davis,” Longo expressed in the statement.

He described Davis as a cherished member of the Bearkat football team at Sam Houston, noting the positive impact Davis had on everyone around him. “Will was a vibrant, optimistic, and passionate individual who left a lasting impression and will be greatly missed,” Longo added.

Longo also mentioned that he and his family extend their thoughts and prayers to Davis’ family and friends during this challenging period.

No cause of death has been released.

Davis had transferred to Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, about an hour north of Houston, earlier this year after playing three seasons at Virginia Union University from 2022 through 2024, Chron reported.

He earned all-conference honors in the CIAA in 2024 after a standout season that saw him rack up 56 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions and one sack, the outlet added.

Davis then transferred to West Virginia for the 2025 season but appeared in just one game before heading to Sam Houston State University in January.

The young defensive back joined the Bearkats for spring workouts in Huntsville in April and was preparing for the upcoming season with his new program.

“Sam Houston felt like home from the moment I first set foot on campus,” the Virginia native told Chron after his commitment to SHSU.

“As a Virginia kid that had played every snap of football in my life within driving distance of home, it was important to me that I’d play somewhere where I fit seamlessly into the culture if I was going to be so distant geographically,” he added.

“My leadership and football IQ will help me be an anchor for our secondary throughout this upcoming season.”

Outside of his college football career, Davis earned a bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurial management from Virginia Union in 2024, Chron reported.

SHSU said it will honor Davis during the 2026 season, though specific plans have not yet been announced.

Queensland Man Faces 34 Charges in Alarming Online Child Abuse Case

0
A Queensland man has been charged with 34 online child abuse offences involving children in the Philippines.

In 2025, Australian Federal Police initially apprehended and charged a man after obtaining intelligence linking him to a known child abuse “facilitator” in the Philippines.

The 38-year-old is due to appear in Innisfail court today, now facing over 30 new charges associated with child sexual abuse.

A Queensland man has been charged with 34 online child abuse offences involving children in the Philippines
Officers found more than 8000 files of child abuse material on electronic devices located at the home. (AFP)

Authorities claim that the individual participated in more than 40 live-streamed sexual performances on social media, involving four minors from the Philippines.

Initially, he faced a single charge of possessing or controlling online child abuse material. However, he is now confronted with 34 additional allegations.

The expanded list of charges includes six counts of persistent sexual abuse of a child abroad, five counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity, seven counts of grooming a child for sexual activity outside Australia, and one count of using a communication service to solicit child pornography material.

Australian Federal Police first arrested and charged the man in 2025, after receiving information that he had been in contact with a known child abuse “facilitator” in the Philippines. (Alex Ellinghausen)

In a search warrant of the man’s Innisfail home in Far North Queensland, in January 2025, officers found more than 8000 files of child abuse material on electronic devices located at the home.

At the time, they also had received information that the man had allegedly paid to watch children being abused on video.

AFP Detective Superintendent Adrian Telfer said the arrest comes as the organisation continue to target alleged child sex offenders.

“The AFP works closely with police around the world to combat the exploitation and abuse of children,” Telfer said.

“Our common goal is to protect children, wherever they live, and to ensure anyone who tries to harm them is identified and brought before the courts.”

If the man is found guilty, he faces a life sentence.

NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.

Kylie Minogue Opens Up About Her First Meeting with INXS Frontman Michael Hutchence

0

In her new Netflix documentary series, Kylie Minogue shares a poignant moment where she opens up, with tears in her eyes, about her most significant love, the heartache it brought, and her ongoing quest to find something just as profound.

This great love wasn’t with Jason Donovan, her Neighbours co-star and first serious boyfriend, nor was it with French actor Olivier Martinez, who stood by her during her battle with breast cancer, or even with British actor Joshua Sasse, to whom she was once engaged.

The man who holds this special place in her heart is Michael Hutchence, the charismatic frontman of the band INXS, once hailed as ‘the sexiest man on earth.’

The entertainment world was taken by surprise when, in 1989, Kylie, known for her wholesome image, began a relationship with Hutchence.

At the time, Kylie was celebrated for her catchy, upbeat pop hits like “I Should Be So Lucky” and “The Locomotion,” whereas Hutchence was notorious for his wild lifestyle, womanizing ways, and electrifying performances on stage.

In the new three part series Kylie opens up about her life with the man she met when she was 21 years old and about whom she once said ‘sex, love, food, drugs, music, travel, books, you name it, he wanted to experience it… as his partner I got to experience a lot of that as well.’

In her new three part Netflix series Kylie Minogue opens up about her life with Michael Michael Hutchence, the frontman with INXS and once described as 'the sexiest man on earth'

In her new three part Netflix series Kylie Minogue opens up about her life with Michael Michael Hutchence, the frontman with INXS and once described as ‘the sexiest man on earth’

Together for just under three years she says: ‘I’ve probably been looking for something like that ever since and I haven’t got it.’

Hutchence broke up with Kylie in 1991 and died by suicide six years later, but more than three decades on says she still ‘always feel he’s with me,’ even though the pain of the breakup left her shattered.

‘He was the first in so many ways and one of those firsts was heartbreak. I was devastated,’ she says of her split from Hutchence in 1991.

‘He was a rock star, which doesn’t just mean that he needs to have many women in his life, but he needed to go where he needed to go.’

The relationship became ‘more and more difficult’ due to the prolonged time apart while INXS were on the road, which made it ‘really hard’ for them to see each other.

Reflecting on what could have been between them, she says: ‘We were good together. Coulda, shoulda, woulda, whatever. You know, you go on and live your lives. But it was definitely an amazing point in time.’

She is comforted knowing that Hutchence’s feelings for her were as strong as hers were for him, saying: ‘I know from people in his circle that he talked of me and thought of me.’

Visibly emotional while talking about her former love she says she is very aware that the ’emotion and the memories I have with him and with that time might seem disproportionate,’ adding she ‘just felt protected and nurtured and valued and believed in’ by Hutchence who wrote the hit Suicide Blonde about her and the night he accompanied her to the premiere of her movie The Delinquents, where she donned a peroxide pixie cut wig.

Join the discussion

Should past relationships define how we search for love or let go and move forward with new expectations?

Kylie wasn't the only one to have her heart broken by Hutchence. When she first met the singer, feeling an instant chemistry, she was dating Neighbours co-star Jason Donovan

Kylie wasn’t the only one to have her heart broken by Hutchence. When she first met the singer, feeling an instant chemistry, she was dating Neighbours co-star Jason Donovan

After their split, Hutchence began dating Danish supermodel Helena Christensen before moving onto TV presenter Paula Yates, with whom he had a daughter, Tiger Lily, now aged 29.

Kylie had a string of high-profile relationships herself including a reported fling with rock star Lenny Kravitz shortly after things ended with Hutchence.

Most recently, she was in a relationship with media executive Paul Solomons, which ended in 2023. She’s been single ever since and says she is happy spending time alone.

It was in November 1997 that Hutchence was found dead in a Sydney hotel room. Kylie recalls the moment she heard the news.

‘I got a phone call and, yeah, I don’t remember what words she said but it was like, “He’s gone.” I got the flight back to Sydney for the funeral and I just went, “Oh, this is another first, this is the first service that I’ve been to.”‘

She adds: ‘I remember being at the church and it was overwhelming, the outpouring of love for him. It’s going to sound totally crazy, but I felt him just saying, “It’s okay, it’ll be okay.”‘

Kylie wasn’t the only one to have her heart broken by Hutchence. When she first met the singer, feeling an instant chemistry and attraction, she was dating her Neighbours co-star Jason Donovan. 

The pair met on the show as teenagers, beginning a real life relationship that emulated that of their popular characters Charlene and Scott.

However a boyfriend on the scene didn’t stop Hutchence making a beeline for Kylie backstage following a Sydney concert.

Donovan, 57, who launched his own pop career following Minogue’s success, had taken her to the INXS show, after which they were invited back to the band’s hotel for an afterparty.

‘Oh he wasn’t interested in me. I could tell he was focused on her, absolutely,’ he says of his girlfriend’s meeting with the rock star.

‘I could sniff that one a mile away and she disappeared with him into the bathroom I think, if I remember correctly. Which is fine, you know, grown-up.’

While it was clear her head had been turned by the magnetic Hutchence, Donovan had, until that point, imagined a future with her.

‘Did I think we were going to get married? The truth is, yeah. And have kids,’ he said. ‘That’s the script written, off you go. I thought it was my destination.’

For her part, Kylie admitted she was taken with Hutchence and that he made his move on her at that party, inviting her out to dinner.

The showbiz world was stunned when, in 1989, squeaky clean Kylie embarked on a relationship with Hutchence

The showbiz world was stunned when, in 1989, squeaky clean Kylie embarked on a relationship with Hutchence

‘After his gig Jason and I were invited back to his afterparty. I think we were in a very small car – two of us in this tiny little crappy white car to the hotel, so that’s when I met Michael,’ she said. 

‘We were talking about singer stuff and he said he lived in Hong Kong and I was about to go to Hong Kong and Japan and do these live shows, I hadn’t really done live shows. So, I was nervous as hell.’

She says that Hutchence told her about some ‘magical drops’ to help with her vocal cords, but it was all under the ‘guise’ of asking her out to dinner.

They met up when she was in Hong Kong – a meeting for which he was late – and were both ‘mesmerised’ with each other.

Donovan said that he could ‘tell something wasn’t right’ and knew that his girlfriend had fallen for someone else.

‘I could tell, I could smell it. Love hurts, man,’ he says.

He adds: ‘Look I don’t have anything against Michael. I was a fan. He was everything, really, I probably wanted to be at that point which is really the irony.’

In the interview, Donovan admits that there had been problems in their relationship before Hutchence arrived on the scene, with jealousy creeping in when Kylie became hot property in the UK before he had launched his own pop career.

‘When all the criticism came her way about her voice she struggled, she really struggled,’ he said.

‘And I was like, ‘well, maybe you shouldn’t have gone down that route’, because that’s sort of how my attitude was.’

‘Also, you know, I had my own ego at that point, ‘Why isn’t this happening to me?’ Do you know what I mean?’ he admits.

While Kylie threw herself enthusiastically into her new romance, her management team weren’t so keen.

‘There was concern from my team, they thought, ‘Uh-oh, she’s too cute and good for him and he’s too bad and hot for her,’ she says, pointing out that she wasn’t as squeaky clean as everyone liked to believe.

‘How devilish was I? I was devilish enough.’

And clearly devilish enough to capture the attention of the sexiest man on earth and the one against whom all others are now measured.

Arkansas Man’s Walmart Threat Linked to Hantavirus Lockdown Fears: What You Need to Know

0

An Arkansas resident has been taken into custody for allegedly threatening a mass shooting at a Walmart in response to potential lockdown measures due to the hantavirus outbreak, according to law enforcement officials.

The individual, identified as 20-year-old Aaron Bynum from Oakland, was apprehended on Friday, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office reported.

Bynum faces charges of terroristic threatening in the first degree and making harassing communications.

The arrest came after a thorough investigation into online threats purportedly posted by Bynum on May 9.

Split image of Aaron Bynum and Walmart location

The authorities have detained an Arkansas man accused of making threats about a Walmart shooting over concerns about a hantavirus-related lockdown. (Marion County Sheriff’s Office; iStock)

The FBI’s National Threat Operations Center received an electronic tip from an individual playing an online video game who alleged another player threatened to carry out a mass shooting at a local Walmart “if the country were locked down again due to the Hantavirus.”

Authorities said the reporting individual provided the player’s gamer username along with an in-game recording of the alleged threats.

Investigators said they subpoenaed the game’s parent company, which identified Bynum as the owner of the account.

Aaron Bynum booking photo

Aaron Bynum, 20, was arrested after allegedly threatening to carry out a mass shooting at a Walmart if the country entered another lockdown over hantavirus concerns, authorities said. (Marion County Sheriff Office)

The FBI’s Fayetteville Field Office then alerted the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and authorities executed a search warrant at Bynum’s residence Friday.

Investigators said they seized Bynum’s computer and related accessories.

Authorities said Bynum was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Marion County Detention Center on a $2,500 bond.

Walmart store exterior in Savannah, Georgia

Authorities said an Arkansas man threatened to carry out a mass shooting at a local Walmart. (unknown)

The hantavirus outbreak tied to the MV Hondius cruise ship has sickened multiple people aboard the vessel, with WHO reporting as of May 13 that all cases then identified were passengers.

As of May 13, the World Health Organization said 11 cases had been identified in connection with the outbreak, including eight confirmed cases, two probable cases and one inconclusive case. Three deaths had also been linked to the outbreak, and WHO assessed the risk to the global population as low.

Canadian health officials on Sunday confirmed that one of four Canadians who returned from the MV Hondius tested positive for the virus. The Associated Press reported that the Canadian case brought the number of confirmed infections tied to the ship to 10, updating the earlier WHO count from May 13.

While the outbreak has sparked comparisons to the coronavirus pandemic, Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel previously told Fox News Digital there is “no comparison,” noting hantavirus is difficult to spread.

The CDC says Andes virus, the strain confirmed in the MV Hondius outbreak, is the only hantavirus documented to spread from person to person, though such transmission is rare and generally requires close, prolonged contact with a symptomatic person.

“It’s not airborne … in terms of respiratory droplets hanging in the air,” he said. “It’s very difficult to transmit.”

<!–>

–>

Unite for Change: 1000 Men Celebrate Project HOOD’s Violence-Free Vision on Chicago’s South Side

0

On Chicago’s South Side, an ambitious development is taking shape, promising to bring a variety of facilities to the community. The Project HOOD Center will soon feature amenities such as a full-length basketball court, a trade school, and even a bank, offering new opportunities for local residents.

This past Sunday marked a significant milestone for the initiative, as approximately 1,000 men gathered to celebrate its progress. The event also served to officially declare the area surrounding the center a violence-free zone, underscoring the project’s commitment to community safety and well-being.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Local faith leaders expressed their gratitude as they witnessed the near completion of the Project HOOD Center, a vision that has been years in the making. For Pastor Corey Brooks of New Beginnings Church, this project has been a long-held dream, one he has pursued for nearly 15 years.

“It’s about transformation, it’s about opportunity,” Pastor Brooks stated. “It’s about giving people an opportunity to change their lives and take responsibility for themselves.”

“It’s about transformation it’s about opportunity,” Brooks said. “It’s about giving people an opportunity to change their lives and take responsibility for themselves.”

Sunday’s event offered an inside look at the progress as the building will soon be ready near East 67th Street and South Martin Luther King Drive, near Greater Grand Crossing and Woodlawn.

Pastor Brooks wanted as many men as possible to join Sunday, including pastors, community leaders, former gang members and business leaders, as well as residents.

“That’s important, because with so much violence going on in the city of Chicago, we need safe spaces,” Brooks said. “We need spaces where people can have opportunities, spaces where people can have transformation.”

The center will have all sorts of resources and amenities, including a trade school, dance studio, theatre, basketball court and swimming pool, among many other things.

A pastor from New York, Gilford Monrose, was also in attendance Sunday, saying this is something that’s needed in every city.

“I think that’s something the city itself needs to embrace,” Monrose said. “Faith leaders coming together helping young people staying away from violence.”

With these resources and the help of local community leaders, it’s a dream coming to fruition in hopes of creating opportunities for everyone in Chicago.

“I remember many years ago it was just a motel here, and he sacrificed, because he saw a vision,” community mentor Vondale Singleton said. “He said, it’s not the ‘O Block,’ it’s the opportunity block.”

The hope is that the construction will all be done by October.

Copyright © 2026 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.