Zohran Mamdani, 34, assumed office in January of this year after crushing his opponents in a mayoral campaign that centered around the spiralling cost of living hikes that have made life in the Big Apple harder for many of its residents. 

And his tax filings reveal why Mayor Mamdani was so effective in his messaging around these issues, as they showed that he and his wife Rama Duwaji, 28, had a combined household income in 2025 of $145,000. 

This places them only slightly above average income for people in the area, which city data shows is around $129,600. While this is significantly above the nationwide median income of $83,000, finance firm SmartAsset estimates that New Yorkers need to earn over $158,954 just to live 'comfortably'. New York City's down to Earth mayor has a surprising side income (Caean Couto/Getty Images) The filings for 2025 show that Mamdani's income as a City Councilman made up the bulk of the couple's earnings, with him drawing a salary from the city of $131,926. Duwaji, a graphic designer, earned just $8,860, after deducting $500 for art supplies. 

However, their financial situation has improved immensely since Mamdani assumed the highest office in the city, which comes with a handsome salary of $258,000 as well as free accommodation in the mayor's Gracie Mansion. This will be boosted a small amount by a bizarre income stream that also emerged when the mayor made his tax filings public after the Wednesday deadline. That is, royalties from his former music career. 

For those who weren't aware of what Mamdani did before he held public office, New York's photogenic mayor was actually a rapper, recording under the name 'Mr Cardamom'. One of his biggest tracks was 'Nani', dedicated to his grandmother.

Zohran Mamdani and his wife Rama Duwaji have a normal salary for New York City, but not for the occupant of Gracie Mansion (Amir Hamja-Pool/Getty Images) Royalties from his stint in the rap game, however, were not a massive boost to Mamdani's income in 2025, adding just $1600 to the mayor's pocket. The couple also earned $1600 from what his spokesperson said was a 'mutual fund'. 

The mayor also earned a small amount of interest from two accounts amounting to just $236, likely related to his successful parents , his father a Columbia University professor and his mom a successful movie director. His representative also confirmed that the mayor had donated to charities in the past year, despite no donations appearing in the couple's filings. This is because Mamdani took the standard deduction rather than an itemized list of contributions. 

Releasing these tax filings to the public has become standard transparency practice for the city's mayors, as well as a number of other high-profile officials. This included Mamdani's scandal-laden predecessor Eric Adams, whose tax filings revealed that he had been writing off rat mitigation measures at his rental property in Brooklyn. 

But the delivery driver has now found himself 'without any functional teeth' after the botched procedure and says he can no longer even bite into a 'soft' bit of cake. 

He is now desperately trying to raise funds to help him fix his gnashers - as he's lost his confidence, often doesn't want to leave the house and fears the problem will ultimately 'ruin' his relationship. Jon's dental ordeal dates back to January 2020, when he was involved in a serious motorbike crash. Jon Denton's smile makeover didn't go as he had hoped (Kennedy News and Media)

'My teeth would crumble while I ate' 

Paramedics had to knock his front teeth out to fit a breathing tube down his throat, while the accident itself also 'caused significant trauma to his teeth'. "I noticed my teeth crumbling and deteriorating quite soon after the accident," Jon explained. "I then had metal fixations put into my jaw for ages afterwards during recovery, so I couldn't really brush my teeth. 

"When they started getting really bad, I knew I needed help. But the cheapest quote I got in England was between £20,000 to £30,000, which I couldn't afford. "My teeth would crumble while I ate and I had constant tooth ache. If I bought a burger, I had to cut it up like you did when you were little." 

Jon said he found himself 'covering his mouth' when conversing with people to disguise his decaying teeth, while he also avoided smiling as he was so self-conscious. The dad, from Hertfordshire, then decided to explore his options with dentists in Turkey - and he found a practice with 'good reviews' that 'didn't pressurise you into booking' to help him fix his smile. The dad's teeth started to deteriorate after his bike accident in 2020, prompting him to head to Turkey to have some dental work done (Kennedy News and Media)

'It was a nine out of 10 excruciating pain' 

In January this year, he stumped up £3,500 and flew out to the country to undergo treatment, before handing over another £800 when he landed. He had 14 implants fitted into his mouth and claims that the clinic informed him he was a 'suitable' candidate for them. The following day, his new teeth were then glued in. Due to having a phobia of needles and dentists, Jon was sedated during the procedures, which saw him spend six hours in the chair. 

According to a GoFundMe set up to help him pay for further dental work, 'all of his natural teeth were removed and 14 implants were placed into his gums, with temporary teeth cemented on'. But Jon says he was left in 'excruciating' pain in the wake of this and weeks after getting what he thought was his dream smile, his temporary teeth fell out when he returned to the UK. 

"When I came back, I was really happy but I was always in pain," Jon said. "I just thought it was part of the process. After the painkillers had worn off, it was a nine out of 10-excruciating pain. "The pain was constant and my mouth was throbbing. My temporary bottom teeth fell out, I laughed while sitting on the sofa and they just fell out. Excruciating pain followed. "I physically couldn't brush my teeth as they were so sore, it was becoming unbearable. They told me to fly back out and they'd reattach the teeth."

He has been left without 'any functional teeth' (Kennedy News and Media)

'It's the worst thing I've ever been through' 

Jon flew back to Turkey for a check-up in March and hoped that the dentist would help remedy the issues with his implants - but says he instead woke up from the procedure to find that all of his teeth had been taken out. "I remember waking up and there was nothing [no teeth] there," Jon said. "Other than the front one that was a bit sore, all the rest of the teeth were solid. There was no need to remove them all. 

"It was a shock to find they were all removed. For a couple of days, I just locked myself away. In comparison, I was in a better position before going to Turkey than I am now. "I know some people have gone to Turkey and got absolutely brilliant teeth but it's not the case for me. It's the worst thing I've ever been through. I wish I could turn back time." 

The GoFundMe claims that the clinic told Jon his 'gums had not healed and claimed he had diabetes and a disease, without clearly explaining what they meant'. "When Jon returned to the UK, he immediately saw his GP, who confirmed that he does NOT have diabetes," it states.

Jon said he was left 'devastated' when he woke up to find the dentist had removed all of his implants (Kennedy News and Media) "He also visited a dentist, who diagnosed a severe gum infection. He was told that the antibiotics previously prescribed were ineffective and was given a new course to properly treat the infection." The dentist in Turkey removed all the implants as they had allegedly failed. Jon says he was then offered the option of paying to have dentures fitted by the clinic or to get a partial refund of £2,700, which he opted for. 

The GoFundMe goes on to say that UK dentists have since informed Jon that he 'did not have sufficient bone to support the implants' and that he has 'no ridge, so dentures are not suitable for him'. Jon hopes to raise funds to help him afford a full set of implants, which are 'specifically designed for people with bone loss', to finally fix his smile. 

The dad, who is working more than 50-hour weeks to help save up for the treatment, added: "If I don't sort this out, it's going to ruin my relationship. I wake up in a foul mood everyday and I don't want to go to work which is affecting my bills and income. The amount of pain I have gone through, I've got to go through it all again."

If the 17-person Commission votes against Trump, it will then be up to Vice President JD Vance to approve the removal of the president if he is 'mentally or physically unable to discharge the powers and duties of the office'. 

"Public trust in Donald Trump’s ability to meet the duties of his office has dropped to unprecedented lows as he threatens to destroy entire civilizations, unleashes chaos in the Middle East while violating Congressional war powers, aggressively insults the Pope of the Catholic Church and sends out artistic renderings online likening himself to Jesus Christ," Raskin said. Jamie Raskin represents Maryland's 8th Congressional District (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) "We are at a dangerous precipice, and it is now a matter of national security for Congress to fulfil its responsibilities under the 25th Amendment to protect the American people from an increasingly volatile and unstable situation." 

It comes as the most recent Economist/YouGov Poll revealed that 56 percent of Americans disapprove of Trump's job handling, while just 38 percent approve. What is the 25th Amendment? The 25th Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified in 1967 after the confusion that followed from the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963. 

It explains what happens if a US president dies, resigns, or cannot carry out their duties. Section 4 allows the vice president and a majority of the Cabinet to declare the president unable to serve, making the vice president acting president. Will Vance vote out Trump? Vice President JD Vance could technically take over from Trump (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Given Vance’s close alliance with Trump, it seems unlikely that the 25th Amendment will be invoked. White House spokesman Davis Ingle criticised the proposal, which has 50 Democratic co-sponsors, and said to The Independent: "Lightweight Jamie Raskin is a stupid person’s idea of a smart person.

"President Trump’s sharpness, unmatched energy, and historic accessibility stand in stark contrast to what we saw during the last administration when Democrats like Raskin intentionally covered up Joe Biden’s serious mental and physical decline from the American people." Could Trump get a third term?

The White House has slammed the proposal to remove Trump (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) As explained by Cornerstone Law Firm, the 22nd Amendment limits a US president to a maximum of two election wins - but it doesn’t completely ban someone from serving again. That’s because there are other ways to become president besides being elected. 

The 22nd Amendment only stops someone from being elected president again - not from serving - which leaves a legal loophole. A second way to become president is to be chosen by the House of Representatives. This happens only if no candidate wins a majority of the Electoral College votes. 

The 12th Amendment gives the House this power to 'choose' the president, while the 20th Amendment explains what happens if no one is chosen in time or if the chosen or elected president dies before taking office. In that case, the vice president-elect temporarily becomes president until the situation is resolved.

Well, you have Jelly Roll's wife, Bunnie Xo, to thank for that, as the Dumb Blonde podcaster recently dished out details about her sex life with the country singer after he lost over 275 pounds. 

Even though cannabis remains illegal and a Class B drug in the UK, according to data from the Crime Survey for England and Wales, it has been the most commonly used illicit substance in England and Wales every year since records began in 1995. 

Researchers at Washington State University recruited 120 cannabis users and randomly assigned them to inhale either real cannabis containing 20 or 40 milligrams of THC - the main psychoactive compound in cannabis - or a placebo. Participants then completed 21 different memory tests, many of which had never before been used in cannabis research. New research suggests that cannabis could be messing with memory formation in a way you wouldn't expect (Getty Stock Images) The results showed 70 percent of the participants had some level of memory impairment after consuming THC. And the worst side effect was false memory and recalling events or details that never happened. Why do these 'false memories' happen? Scientists think false memories happen when the brain tries to reconstruct incomplete information. 

Because THC weakens the recollection but leaves the general sense of familiarity intact, people may feel certain about memories that are inaccurate. "Relative to placebo, cannabis increased susceptibility to false memories and detrimentally impacted verbal memory (immediate, delayed, working), visuospatial memory (immediate, delayed), event-cued prospective memory, source memory, and temporal order memory," the researchers wrote. 

"There were no significant differences between the moderate and high dose groups." Carrie Cuttler, an associate professor and co-author of the 2026 study, told National Geographic: "You are activating certain pathways to create a memory and to recall something, you are trying to reactivate that same pathway." The worst side effect found in the study was false memory (Getty Stock Images) "If you blast the system with THC, the THC hijacks the system," she explained. Authors said it was 'the first study to detect acute effects of cannabis on prospective memory and temporal order memory, which is important because these tests better reflect everyday memory and predict daily functioning'.

"Collectively, these results indicate that acute cannabis use has broad detrimental effects on most domains of memory rather than selectively impairing a limited number of these domains," they added. Cuttler, however, notes that the side effect isn't likely to impact you in the same way alcohol does and can. 

“Acute alcohol intoxication is generally more disruptive to memory than cannabis," said Cuttler. She explained that THC side effects can also dramatically reduce after 'a person abstains from cannabis for a month'. Cannabis has been the most used drug in England and Wales since estimates began (Getty Stock Images) Common side effects from smoking weed 

According to Mayo Clinic, other common side effects from marijuana use include: 

The twins lived for 62 years, and they passed away on 7 April 2024, defying doctors' predictions that they wouldn't live past the age of 30. Prior to their death, Lori and George held the Guinness World Record for the oldest living conjoined twins, a title they'd held since 2022. 

Despite sharing part of their brain and being attached at the head, George kept a secret from Lori for most of their lives. George - who was assigned female at birth and named Dori - revealed to The Sun in 2010: "I have known from a very young age that I should have been a boy. "I loved playing with trains and hated girly outfits. I kept my desire to change sex hidden - even from Lori - for many years." 

After coming out as a trans man in 2007, he changed his name and began to finally live as his true gender identity. "It was so tough, but I was getting older and I simply didn’t want to live a lie. I knew I had to live my life the way I wanted," he said. 

While Lori admitted it was an initial 'shock' when George first broke the news to her, she has since said she is 'so proud' of him. "It was a huge decision but we have overcome so much in our lives and together we are such a strong team. Nothing can break that," she added.

Conjoined twin George Schappell hid the fact that he was transgender from his sister for most of his life (Susan Watts/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images) During their lives, Lori went on to become a champion ten-pin bowler and George performed as a country singer. George added: "Most people don’t believe us but we do have very normal lives. "We travel, tidy our flat and Lori has even had a boyfriend. Nothing stops us doing what we want." 

The twins also lived independent lives after moving out of their parents' place at 21. Lori explained: "Now we have a two-bedroom flat and alternate the nights we sleep in each other’s rooms. "My room is much more girly and reflects my personality, while George’s has all his music posters." 

In a 1997 documentary, they were asked if they’d ever be separated. George said: "Absolutely not. My theory is: why fix what is not broken?"

Astonishingly, before 2017, she'd never smoked a single cigarette, but when E-cig shops began taking over her local Swansea high street, she couldn't resist their multi-flavoured allure. Almost a decade on from that fateful beginning, Stacey has been left with two black front teeth that need hiding by clip-on veneers. 

"It was about four years ago a bit of black started at the top of one tooth," she recalled. "It didn't occur to me what was causing it. Stacey Gardiner's nine-year vaping cycle caused blackness to two of her teeth (SWNS) "The vapes cost £8 each and I was going through them, around four to five vapes per week. "I always cleaned my teeth twice a day, I don't eat sweets and at first I wasn't aware what was causing it. 

"I'm on a waiting list here in Wales, but the chances of getting an NHS dentist are slim. It's noticeable for people to mention it, and I have been asked in the past 'are they crowns on your teeth?'" the blogger continued. "I've been told the vapes leave residue around the top of your teeth and gumline. That's what causes the damage. The Instasmile veneers mean I've finally got my smile back." 

Despite spotting the blackness five years ago, it wasn't until 2025 when she mentioned the change to a dentist, who was emergency-removing two of her molars at the time.

Like many, Stacey's vaping habit quickly grew out of control (Getty Stock Image) The dentist linked it to vaping, and so she went 'cold turkey' on the vapes and shelled out £200 for her new smile-protectors. 

The effect of vaping on oral health 

Not only is nictotine being introduced to the body when someone vapes, but also the vegetable glycerin and propylene glycol that is present in them. This can create a sticky, viscous substance that changes the bacterial makeup of the mouth. 

Bupa UK explains how vaping can: 

• Create excess bacteria in the mouth, which can result in tooth decay, gum disease and gum recession. 
• Inhibit the flow of blood to the gums, which can mean poor gum healing and failure or gum (periodontal) treatment and dental implants. 
• Cause a dry mouth, which can lead to oral sores, tooth decay, bad breath and a reduction of your teeth’s natural bacterial buffer. 
• Cause teeth grinding - also known as bruxism, vaping and smoking may stimulate muscular activity which can cause teeth grinding and the associated complications and discomfort associated with it.

Stacey wants to raise awareness of the dangers of vaping (SWNS) After getting her 'smile back', Stacey doesn't believe there's enough awareness surrounding the damage vapes can cause to teeth and wants 'young people' to know about the potential dangers. "I don't think vapes causing damage to teeth, there is enough awareness about that," she said. 

This comes after a groundbreaking investigation found that vaping likely causes cancer, too. Experiments raised concern about the carcinogenicity of vape liquids, and while long-term data is not yet available, researchers don't want the world to repeat history after it took more than 100 years to establish the link between smoking and lung cancer.

It was announced last year that the former Playboy bunny and Love, Actually actor would be appearing together in the parody flick, a 'reboot'/continuation of the much-loved Lt. Frank Drebin film series. Neeson, 73, and Anderson, 58, recorded together almost everyday from May until June 2024, playing a pair of crime-fighting lovers. 

Their on-screen chemistry was so palpable, however - and their red carpet appearances so handsy - that some fans were left convinced that the couple were secretly dating away from the cameras. Others, however, were adamant that the looks of lust shared by the pair were nothing but a publicity stunt, serving to promote their professional project. 

Despite these allegations, however, Anderson has this week spoken out, admitting that the couple did briefly enjoy a brief spark behind the scenes. "If you must know, Liam and I were romantically involved for a short while but only after we finished filming," she told PEOPLE. 

'The future Mrs Neeson' 

The mother-of-two, who shares sons Brandon and Dylan with former flame Tommy Lee, went on to reveal that, after they recorded the slapstick hit together, the pair relished an 'intimate week' at Neeson's home in upstate New York. "I had my own room," Anderson emphasised, however. "Our assistants both came; even family stopped by." 

Amongst their handful of outings, the short-lived love birds 'went to dinner at a tiny French restaurant', where the actress was reportedly introduced to staff as 'the future Mrs Neeson'. As a reminder, Neeson hasn't dated publicly since his late wife, Parent Trap star Natasha Richardson tragically died from a head injury after a skiing accident in 2009.

Anderson claimed they were a real couple for some time (Tristar Media/WireImage) By her own admission, however, Anderson also spent some time together in Neeson's garden during their time together. "I tended to a rosebush overgrown with mint," she joked. "I was happy to help, and he appreciated." The ex-model also noted that during their 'romantic lost week', the Irish actor chased a bear away from a breakfast window in his bathrobe. 

'Real feelings' 

Eventually, however, Anderson and Neeson opted to remain firm friends, both having too many professional engagements to embark onto a full-fledged love affair. "We went our separate ways to work on other films," she confirmed, adding that they only reconnected months later to promote their movie. 

Despite spending almost every red carpet even holding hands and cuddling, they opted not to take their brief romance any further, claiming any PDAs were simply for 'fun'. Describing their connection as 'a little bit like a Nancy Meyers film', Anderson went on to recall: "I always was laughing when people thought, 'Oh, that’s a publicity stunt'. I’m like, 'A publicity stunt? This is real. We have real feelings.'" The couple appeared handsy during public outings (Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty Images) She added: "I adore Liam, but we are better friends, in full honesty." Asked when she last saw the father-of-two - who shared sons Micheál and Daniel with his late wife - Anderson revealed it was August, when Neeson surprised her by attending her performance in Tennessee Williams' Camino Real at the Williamstown Theatre Festival. 

"He is such a supporter of this new trajectory in my career and kindly tells me he is very proud of me," she went on to gush. "I’m sure we will always be in each other’s lives." 

And it appears as though she might be speaking from experience, given that her husband Jelly Roll underwent a drastic physical transformation over the last few years. 

Bunnie - who got hitched to the country music star in 2016, one year after they met - has previously offered some insight into how her spouse's weight loss has impacted their relationship. She spoke of how happy it made her to see the father-of-two 'get his confidence back' after he shed a whopping 275lbs (124kg). The singer, pictured in 2024, revealed that his sex drive had plummeted before he began his health kick (Scott Legato/Getty Images) Bunnie said during a February appearance on the The Howard Stern Show: "He’s got a little strut in his step, and I think it’s just the cutest thing. He deserves to have a hot streak. I'm ready for him to just feel his best." The former escort, whose real name is Alisa DeFord, then revealed that the reduction in Jelly Roll's body mass had an interesting impact on his manhood. 

"I will tell you that it is very true that when a man loses weight, it grows a lot," Bunnie said, explaining that her spouse's penis now looks 'severely bigger'. Jelly Roll previously revealed that before he started his health kick, he discovered that his testosterone levels were comparable to those of a 'preteen boy', which took a toll on his sex drive. 

"You can’t get it up without T," the Grammy-winner, 41, explained during an interview earlier this year. "I was married to a smoke show, and I was still struggling." But the 'Save Me' singer said things became 'totally different' after he lost some weight, joking that he's 'like a teenager' again and can't keep his hands off of his wife Bunnie. 

However, it seems it took the pair some time to get to this point, as Bunnie has just opened up about the 'adjustment period' which couples often encounter after transforming their appearance. Bunnie doesn't mind discussing how his weight loss impacted their relationship and sex life (Taylor Hill/Getty Images) She stepped in as an 'advisor' for Playboy earlier this week and answered questions from fans about love, sex, sobriety and everything in between. While moonlighting as an agony aunt, Bunnie offered some advice to a man who complained that he and his wife have been having a lot less sex since they both started to take Ozempic and subsequently lost weight. 

"It’s like we’re not used to our new bodies," the bloke explained. "Is it a phase?" In response, Bunnie said: "When it comes to sex, slowing down after weight loss and Ozempic can be tricky. "Big body changes mess with your head and hormones. Add a medication that blunts appetite, and it’s not shocking libido dips too. "It’s likely an adjustment period, not a permanent shift." Jelly Roll has undergone an incredible physical transformation over the last few years (Michael Marques/WWE via Getty Images) She also shared some tips with another fella who was looking for advice on how to match his partner's freak in the bedroom. "In my experience, confidence in bed isn’t about being extreme; it’s about being present and honest," Bunnie suggested. "You don’t have to match her intensity overnight. 

"Ask what she loves, try what feels exciting to you, and say no when something doesn’t. Enthusiasm is hotter than performance." Impact of GLP-1 drugs on libido Weight loss drugs can come with some side effects (Getty Stock Images) While GLP-1 medications can affect people differently, a number of users have reported an impact on their sex drive. This has been addressed by experts, such as Rachel Goldman, PhD, a physiologist and professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, who told PureWow: "What we do know is GLP-1s impact the reward centre in the brain, which is why you're having less food noise, fewer cravings and less interest in alcohol use. It's also why what might impact your sex drive." 

Jason Murphy, Head of Pharmacy and Weight Loss Injection Expert at Chemist4U, explained that ‘we’re seeing a growing awareness of how they impact more than just a patient’s weight, particularly around people’s sex drive, intimacy, and sexual satisfaction’. 

He added: "Dopamine is central to sexual desire, pleasure, and motivation, so with GLP-1s blunting dopamine activity, it not only reduces cravings for food, but it can also reduce sexual cravings and emotional ‘reward’ from intimacy." 

Meanwhile, a 2024 survey of 2,000 adults in the US, led by the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University with DatingAdvice.com, found that of those taking GLP-1 drugs, 18 percent reported an increase in their sexual desire, while 16 percent said it had decreased. 16 percent claimed their sexual function had improved, while 12 percent said it had got worse.

The announcement was made in front of the crowd who had turned up expecting to watch the her interview the vice president. School principal tackles active shooter to the floor “I’m going to address it right at the front, Mr. Vice President, I’m on stage here instead of our friend Erika Kirk because unfortunately she has received some very serious threats,” the Turning Point USA spokesman said. 

“It’s a terrible reflection on the state of reality and the state of the country,” he continued. JD Vance defended Erika Kirk (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Vance responded, indicating he was aware of the ‘threats’ Erika received and was concerned that the event would be canceled. However, he decided to attend after consulting with the Secret Service. “Obviously these guys do a very good job,” the VP said. “And I said, ‘You know what? Let’s let Erika do what she needs to do for herself and her family, I’m sure Andrew will fill in, and let’s go and make this an amazing event.’” 

Erika's late husband, conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, was shot and killed aged 31 last September while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University. Following his death, Erika took over running the conservative group and toured the country, even interviewing Nicki Minaj, which led to mounting criticism online about her conduct.

Nicki Minaj sat down with Erika Kirk during a controversial appearance (Caylo Seals/Getty Images) Erika has since addressed her absence, writing on X: “I was so looking forward to tonight’s event at the @universityofga with our Vice President @JDVance, but after all our family has been through, I take my security team’s recommendations extremely seriously. 

“Thank you to our amazing Georgia chapter for your support. God bless you all!” Vance claimed at the University of Georgia event - where he was also heckled mid-speech - that Erika has been on the receiving end of ‘disgraceful attacks’ following her husband’s death. “Everybody is attacking her over everything, and they’re lying about her, and it’s one of the most disgraceful things that I’ve ever seen in public life,” he claimed, before adding: “The people telling you that Erika wasn’t grieving her husband are full of s**t.” 

Vance argued that the response to Kirk’s killing ‘should have been, let’s go after left wing violence and terrorism’. He went on: “If you’re going after Erika Kirk, and not the people who are trying to destroy the United States of America, you’re part of the problem, not part of the solution.” 

Meanwhile, Kolvet said that threats against Erika are taken ‘extremely seriously’, explaining that she ‘has to live with this constant reality that her kids are one parent away from being orphans’.

Back in December 2025, the Republican, who represented Nebraska, publicly announced that he'd been dealt a particularly bad hand: stage 4 pancreatic cancer. It was an eye-opening turn of events for the married father-of-three, as he'd only paid the doctor a visit to look into a muscular issue. 

"You get into your 30s, 40s and 50s and you're like, 'How do I stay fit?'" Sasse, 54, shared during an interview with The New York Times. "So, I used to do a lot of sprint triathlons. This fall, I'd been training for some short tris and I ended up with a ton of back pain. 

"I realised, 'Oh, maybe it's stupid to be wearing the 45-pound weighted vest all the time' — not just when you're training for running events but also on your bike, because it turns out that's not the right posture to be wearing a lot of weight. "I ended up in late October, Halloweenish, with a lot of back and abdominal pain, and I thought I just pulled some ab muscles from stupid forms of training." Ben Sasse was given just months to live due to various cancerous tumours in his body (The New York Times/Interesting Times) Asked by the interviewer, Ross Douthat, if he'd experienced pain of this nature before commencing his training, Sasse claimed he hadn't. 

'Stop beating around the bush... Give me a hard fact' 

"Nothing until the last couple days of October. But over the course of November, I ended up in significant enough pain that I went to my executive doc at the University of Florida and I said, 'Something's not right here'". Tests were conducted, but eventually Sasse was referred to a GI specialist.

The aim was to find out whether he was an undiagnosed celiac, or had an intolerance to lactose. "They sent me for full body scans on the morning of Dec. 13 or 14, and they called me back 45 minutes later and you could just hear them hemming and hawing," he recalled. "I said, 'Stop beating around the bush. Give me a hard fact'. 

They start talking about not wanting to be too premature, and there's been so many changes in oncology care — dude, you have not told me I have cancer yet, and you're talking to me about how great oncology care is." According to Sasse, the doctor in question pulled over to the side of the road in his car and then confirmed that his torso was 'chock-full of tumours'. Ben Sasse back in 2022 (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Due to the Stage 4 pancreatic cancer's metastasization, he was way past being operable. 

'We're dealing with a short number of months to live' 

"They told me over the course of the next couple of days that I already have five forms of cancer: lymphoma, vascular, lung cancer, bad liver cancer and pancreatic, where it originated," he explained. "So, it was pretty clear that we're dealing with a short number of months left to live." The focus now is on managing his pain and undergoing clinical trials to try and buy him a few more months. 

He says he is taking one drug that 'causes crazy stuff like my body can’t grow skin and so I bleed all out of a whole bunch of parts of me that shouldn’t be bleeding'. He added that his face and skin feel 'nuclear', while 'there’s strong waves of desire to puke'. 

But despite this, he is showing some signs of improvement. He said: "In mid-December I got a three-to-four-month life expectancy, and I'm at Day 99 or something since then, and I'm doing a heck of a lot better than I was doing at Christmas. "But even at three to four months left to live, you have to redeem the time." Pancreatic cancer cells on a hospital monitor (Getty Stock)

The symptoms of pancreatic cancer 

• Yellowing of the whites of eyes and skin 
• Itchy skin 
• Darker urine 
• Pale faeces 
• Loss of appetite 
• Losing weight without trying to 
• Fatigue 
• High temperature, or feeling hot, cold and shivery 
• Nausea and being sick 
• Diarrhoea, constipation and changes in bowel movements 
• Pain at the top of the stomach and the back, which gets worse when you're eating or lying down, and better when you lean forward 
• Indigestion 
• Bloating 

The NHS adds: "Some of these symptoms are very common and can be caused by other conditions. Having the symptoms does not definitely mean you have pancreatic cancer, but it's important to get checked by a GP. "If your symptoms are caused by cancer, finding it early may mean it's easier to treat."

In a shocking outburst last night, Rose, who is perhaps best known for her roles in Orange is the New Black and Pitch Perfect 3, responded to a social media post which included Perry's quotes about Justin Bieber's controversial Coachella performance. 

On Threads, she wrote: "Katy Perry sexual assaulted me at spice market nightclub in Melbourne. Who gives a s**t what she thinks." Perry, who is currently dating the former Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau, is already embroiled in another legal battle with a disabled veteran after she bought his home with ex Orlando Bloom. Ruby Rose says she was in an Australian nightclub in her early 20s when the incident allegedly occurred (Naomi Rahim/WireImage) And she could now face more legal proceedings after Rose later suggested that she had gone to a police station regarding her allegations. 

Katy Perry's response to the sexual assault allegations Perry's representatives have now responded to the almost two-decade-old allegations made by Rose, telling TMZ: "The allegations being circulated on social media by Ruby Rose about Katy Perry are not only categorically false, they are dangerous reckless lies. 

"Ms. Rose has a well-documented history of making serious public allegations on social media against various individuals, claims that have repeatedly been denied by those named." It shows 'how much of an impact trauma and sexual assault takes' Rose further wrote on social media: "I was only in my early 20s. I'm now 40. It has taken almost two decades to say this publicly. "Though I am so grateful to have made it long enough to find my voice, it just shows how much of an impact trauma and sexual assault takes. The Australian actress took to Threads to make her accusations (Threads/@rubyrose) "Thank you for seeing me." She also replied to a fan, who assured the Australian TV presenter that they believed her. "Before I open up about something incredibly raw and traumatic, I tell myself 'it's ok, you don't need people to believe you, you just need to get it out of your poor body, before it gives you cancer,'" she wrote. "But then I see this post and … tears consume me, in a good way. Thank you." Perry has hit out at the claims (Instagram/@katyperry) Rose left her role on Batwoman in 2020 after speaking out about a hostile work environment, detailing multiple allegations of misconduct against her producers and executives. This is also not the first allegation that has been made against the 'Fireworks' singer; actor Josh Kloss claimed that she pulled down his sweatpants to reveal his penis while he was filming the 2010 music video for 'Teenage Dream'. 

While Perry did not directly address this allegation, she said in a 2020 interview with The Guardian: "I don’t want to say ‘guilty until proven innocent’ but there’s no checks and balances: a headline just flies, right? "And there’s no investigation of what it is." 

If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact The Survivors Trust for free on 08088 010 818, available 10am-12.30pm, 1.30pm-3pm and 6pm-8pm Monday to Thursday, 10am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-3pm on Fridays, 10am-12.30pm on Saturdays and 6pm-8pm on Sundays. 

He divided opinion with the stripped-back 90-minute set, which saw Bieber perform a slew of hits from SWAG and SWAG II, before getting his laptop out and singing along to music videos of his older bangers like 'Baby' and 'Beauty and a Beat'. 

Pulling up old clips of himself singing covers, as well as the infamous 'standing on business' moment, he took fans on a trip down memory lane - but for some music lovers, with no backup dancers, special effects, or costume changes, it prompted disappointment, especially given the fact he's allegedly being paid $10 million for both weekends. Hailey Bieber has praised her husband's headline Coachella performance with a sweet Instagram post (Instagram/@haileybieber) But many fans did love the unconventional approach to a Coachella set, and of course, one of his biggest supporters is always going to be his wife, Hailey. The 29-year-old Rhode founder took to Instagram on Monday (13 April) to reflect on the 'special' weekend. 

Alongside a carousel of images, she wrote: "Such a special weekend. Nobody will ever know even an ounce of what it’s taken to get here. So grateful for this beautiful life. SO proud. let’s do it all again!!!!" She included a snap of herself and Justin with their son Jack Blues Bieber, who is a year old and was born in August 2024. 

Hailey also shared a picture of herself wearing a lacy pink and yellow dress, a video of her dancing to her husband's set as he rehearsed, and pictures in a Rhode-branded dressing room, among other snaps.

   

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hailey Rhode Bieber (@haileybieber)

The makeup mogul also posted a heartwarming video of herself and baby Jack dancing along while Justin rehearsed again, and even a temporary 'Bieberchella' tattoo on the baby's hand. Fans have flooded the comments with support for the pair, with one writing: "Literal best weekend." Another added: "You both are amazing, individually and together." The Canadian singer's headline performance sparked mixed opinions (YouTube/@coachella) Someone else penned: "Coachella’s royal family." However, as mentioned, the performance didn't go down well with everyone, and following the performance, critics made their thoughts clear. One X user wrote: "Justin Bieber is being paid 10 MILLION DOLLARS to search up his own music on YouTube and walk around the stage." 

While a second agreed: "Justin Bieber playing songs from his laptop on stage while Sabrina Carpenter delivered multiple outfit changes, visuals, choreography, and vocals." Meanwhile, those who loved it penned: "These 8 minutes of Justin Bieber singing his old songs, I’m going to treasure them in my heart for the rest of my life" and "Justin Bieber singing ‘Baby’ at Coachella… the maturity in his voice is insane." 

justin bieber singing baby and one less lonely girl in 2026?! pic.twitter.com/qmS4ZNTVsu

— 🦊 (@mikhaiyuh) April 12, 2026

According to former Universal Music Group (UMG) exec Nick Crompton, there was actually a very smart reason why Bieber decided to sing along to old music videos instead of performing his back catalogue with a live band. He says it's linked to when Bieber sold the rights to his music to Hipgnosis Songs Capital for a reported $200 million back in 2023. 

“Every minute he spends performing the old catalogue is a minute he's putting in work for other people's royalty checks,” Crompton wrote on X. “Playing the YouTube videos costs him nothing. No band, no backup singers, little production. Fans still get records like ‘Baby’, ‘Sorry’, ‘Beauty and a Beat’, and ‘Never Say Never’. "All the nostalgia, none of the overhead. He saved his actual performance for Swag, which is the era he owns.” 

But while it sounds like Bieber is playing 4D chess, a source familiar with the terms of Bieber's back catalogue deal told Billboard this interpretation is 'nonsense'. They added: "There are no restrictions on what he can or can’t do in live performance." Concert venues themselves often buy licenses that cover the performance of almost all popular songs. It's why when you see an artist live, they can throw in a couple of covers without worrying about hefty royalty checks.

In light of the excessive itching she'd been having since April last year, Sumbul went to the doctors on numerous different occasions but was turned away. One medical professional suggested that her itchiness stemmed from dry skin and told her to moisturize, while another simply said that 'it’s just one of those things'. 

In addition to itchiness, Sumbul started to experience fluctuations in her body temperature, loss of appetite and energy, and a cough. Sumbul Ali went back and forth to her doctors for nearly a year before getting a diagnosis (sumbulari/Instagram)

'I knew I had cancer' 

Sumbul's symptoms continued to persist to a point where she was 'emotionally, mentally and physically exhausted'. Sumbul, now 26, had diagnosed herself with cancer at this point after going down what she described to PEOPLE as a 'Reddit rabbit hole every night'. 

"As soon as I read itchy skin, night sweats and fatigue, I knew I had cancer," said Sumbul. Then, when she developed a lump in her neck, doctors started taking Sumbul more seriously. After rushing herself back to the doctors once she'd discovered the lump, medical professionals went on to find that Sumbul had abnormal and enlarged lymph nodes in other parts of her body too. After reading things online, Sumbul was sure she had cancer (sumbulari/Instagram)

'Being told I had cancer was relieving' 

After further testing, she was diagnosed with Stage 2-3 Hodgkin lymphoma in March 2026. According to the Cleveland Clinic, Hodgkin lymphoma 'is a group of blood cancers that develop in your lymphatic system'. 

The site adds: "These cancers affect important white blood cells in your immune system called lymphocytes." "I didn’t care if it was cancer, I just wanted the itching to stop and wanted a full night's sleep," Sumbul said of her diagnosis. Sumbul continued: "Being told I had cancer was relieving. I finally had an answer. But I was very frustrated at all the doctors who dismissed me, and very, very angry. 

"There is nothing more frustrating than knowing there is something incredibly wrong, but being brushed off by the people who are supposed to help." Now Sumbul is in the middle of chemotherapy and, since her first session, she says all the unpleasant cancer symptoms have gone.

@sumbul.ari here is my story #cancerjourney #cancerfighter #hodgkinslymphoma #lymphoma #cancerawarness ♬ original sound - Sumbul Ari

'Keep trying until someone listens' 

"I can’t believe I am saying this, but I sleep every single night like a baby, and I no longer scratch myself," she said, adding: "Every single morning I wake up grateful for a full night's sleep. I forgot what it felt like to wake up well rested." 

In light of her experiences, Sumbul has urged people to listen to their bodies and keep pushing for answers if they think something isn't right. She shared: "Never stop advocating for yourself when you know something is deeply wrong. Keep trying until someone listens." 

What are the signs of Hodgkin lymphoma? A light micrograph of a section through a lymph node affected by Hodgkin's lymphoma (Getty Images/Science Photo Library - STEVE GSCHMEISSNER) Itchy skin can be a sign of Hodgkin lymphoma, says VeryWell Health. Other symptoms of can include: 

• Developing a fever without a clear cause 
• Swollen lymph nodes 
• Night sweats 
• Losing weight without trying

If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the American Cancer Society on 1-800-227-2345 or via their live chat feature, available 24/7 every day of the year.