Author: Kumail Mehdi

In a troubling incident on Monday morning, a ballot box in Vancouver, Washington, was deliberately set ablaze, potentially damaging hundreds of ballots. Authorities are now investigating whether this incident is linked to similar recent arson cases in Portland and Southwest Washington. The fire broke out around 4 a.m. at the Fisher’s Landing Transit Center ballot box, with heavy smoke seen rising from the scene. Police, along with members of the Metro Explosive Disposal Unit (MEDU), responded quickly and safely removed a suspicious device found next to the ballot box before extinguishing the fire. The incident prompted immediate investigations by the…

In a rare and heartfelt moment, Shawn Mendes addressed the audience on Monday at Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre during his For Friends and Family Tour, sharing a deeply personal reflection on his journey with sexuality. Introducing his new song, The Mountain, Mendes spoke candidly about navigating his identity since entering the music industry as a teenager. Reflecting on his early career, Mendes, now 26, acknowledged that starting at age 15 left him little time to explore and understand parts of himself, especially regarding his sexuality. “People have been talking about it so long,” Mendes shared with the crowd, addressing the…

New York City faced a red flag warning on Saturday, with the National Weather Service (NWS) signaling heightened wildfire risks amid strong winds and dry conditions. While wildfires may seem like a distant threat in urban areas, this warning highlights an often overlooked hazard: how the combination of seasonal weather and celebratory events can create unexpected dangers in densely populated settings. Issued for the NYC region until 7 p.m. on Saturday, the warning means a higher chance of rapid fire spread, even if no active fires are present. The dry conditions and wind gusts, reaching over 30 mph, create an…

Jay Johnston, a comedic actor once beloved for his roles in “Bob’s Burgers,” “Arrested Development,” and “Anchorman,” received a year-and-a-day prison sentence for his role in the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. The sentence represents not only a personal tragedy for Johnston, who has been blacklisted from Hollywood, but also a cultural flashpoint in the broader discussion on the responsibility of public figures in periods of political upheaval. Johnston’s involvement on January 6 went beyond mere attendance; he joined other rioters in an aggressive “heave-ho” against police guarding a tunnel entrance and recorded himself mocking the scene, adding a layer…

In a recent twist in the ongoing legal fallout from the January 6 Capitol attack, Hollywood actor Jay Johnston, known for his roles in “Anchorman,” “Mr. Show,” “Arrested Development,” and as the voice of Jimmy Pesto in “Bob’s Burgers,” has been sentenced to a year and a day in federal prison. Johnston, who pleaded guilty to obstructing officers during a civil disorder, represents one of the more visible faces among the hundreds sentenced so far. This case highlights the complex intersections of celebrity influence, political extremism, and the repercussions for public figures in divisive times. Johnston’s involvement became a point…

In a dramatic turn during Monday night’s broadcast, CNN’s NewsNight host Abby Phillip took decisive action, removing guest Ryan Girdusky from the panel after a tense and contentious exchange involving Mehdi Hasan. The heated conversation spotlighted the boundaries of civility on live television, especially amidst a politically charged season just days before the election. The panel’s original topic focused on former President Donald Trump’s recent rally in Madison Square Garden, where comedian Tony Hinchcliffe made inflammatory remarks about immigrants and Puerto Rico, drawing widespread condemnation. The Trump campaign quickly distanced itself from these statements. However, the conversation took a further…

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s Hebrew language account on X was suspended after just two posts, according to the Jerusalem Post. His last post on Sunday stated, “The Zionist regime made a mistake and miscalculated Iran’s resolve. We will show them the power, ability, and determination of the Iranian nation.” The account’s first post on Saturday opened with “In the name of Allah the merciful,” both messages following recent Israeli airstrikes on Iranian military targets. On his main X account, Khamenei regularly posts in Hebrew, frequently using strong language against Israel. Following the strikes, he remarked that Israel’s actions should neither be…

David Harris, the actor celebrated for his role as Cochise in the iconic 1979 film The Warriors, passed away on October 25 at age 75, after battling cancer. Harris died at his home in New York City, according to The New York Times. Harris’ portrayal of Cochise in The Warriors—a film centered around a New York gang from Coney Island dressed in red vests—marked his cinematic debut. The movie, directed by Walter Hill (The Driver, Brewster’s Millions, Aliens), was based on Sol Yurick’s 1965 novel. Although initially met with mixed reviews, The Warriors gained a loyal following over the years,…

During a rally at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, serving as an opener for former President Donald Trump, sparked controversy by jokingly referring to Puerto Rico as “a floating island of garbage.” The remark led to swift backlash from Democratic representatives and two Florida Republicans, prompting Trump’s campaign to clarify that the joke does not align with Trump’s views. Key Details Hinchcliffe, known for his work as a roast comedian and host of the live podcast Kill Tony, remarked to the rally crowd: “There’s a lot going on. I don’t know if you know this, but there’s…

With the upcoming release of Amaran, a film based on the life of Major Mukund Varadarajan and starring Sivakarthikeyan and Sai Pallavi, audiences are excited to see another tribute to an Indian hero on the big screen. Ahead of its Diwali release on October 31, here are five other gripping biopics that honor the lives of Indian soldiers. 1. Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl (2020) Janhvi Kapoor stars as Gunjan Saxena, an Indian Air Force pilot and one of the first women to fly in a combat zone. Set during the Kargil War of 1999, this inspiring story also features…