A police probe is underway into whether a woman was chasing two teenagers who were riding an allegedly stolen motorcycle through Perth’s north before a fiery crash that left three people in hospital.
Key points:
The fiery crash occurred in the early hours of Monday morning
Three people were hospitalized after the incident, one in critical condition
Police are investigating whether a woman involved was chasing two teenagers
The WA Police Commissioner today confirmed it formed part of the investigation into the crash, which happened at the intersection of Hepburn Avenue and Amalfi Drive on the border of Hillarys and Sorrento in the early morning hours of Monday.
A car and two off-road motorcycles were stolen in the early hours of Monday morning, according to police.
Shortly after, authorities were called to a major crash between a car and one of the motorbikes and an 18-year-old man riding the bike was rushed to hospital in a critical condition. A 17-year-old boy, who was also on the bike, was taken to hospital in a serious condition.
A 49-year-old woman driving a Toyota Kluger also suffered serious injuries in the crash, after her car rolled and caught fire.
Police commissioner Col Blanch said the focus of the investigation was specifically on finding out whether the woman was chasing the two teenagers.
The blackened wreckage of a Toyota Kluger that was involved in the crash. (ABCNews)
He also confirmed the two bikes were from the same home the woman resided in.
“[The focus will be] how those motorcycles were stolen, who else was in company of the two males who are now in hospital and how the Toyota Kluger came to be there and the manner in which it was driven prior to the crash,” he said.
“I would give a strong message to the community that nothing is worth dying over when it comes to property,” he said.
Col Blanch says the investigation will probe the manner the Toyota Kluger was being driven in prior to the crash. (ABC News: Greg Pollock)
“Often you’ll find the people who’ll put their lives at risk can result in tragedy for other members of the community, they themselves who are taking chase, and I’m not talking about this matter, I’m saying in general , members of the public that chase offenders in circumstances, we have seen it many times … these can end in tragedy for everyone involved, and my view as police is that it’s not worth it.
“Call the police.”
Mr Blanch said any further charges would be laid once evidence is found.
“We have strong oversight from the CCC [Corruption and Crime Commission] in all our investigations and when we have the evidence, we’ll make the appropriate decisions at that time,” he said.
Police at the scene of the horrific crash on Monday. (ABCNews)
The 17-year-old boy has been charged with three offenses including aggravated home burglary and stealing.
He appeared in court via a bedside hearing in hospital on Tuesday.
Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (Wash.), one of 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach Donald Trump last year, has conceded in her tough primary contest against Joe Kent. Kent is a Green Beret endorsed by the former president and is expected to advance in Washington state’s all-party primary.
Herrera Beutler conceded her race Tuesday evening, with Kent leading the incumbent by less than 1,000 votes at the time.
“Thank you, Southwest Washington, for entrusting me six times with the privilege of representing you in Congress. Ever since I was first elected to this seat I have done my very best to serve my home region and our country. Though my campaign came up short this time, I’m proud of all we’ve accomplished together for the place where I was raised and still call home.”
The Associated Press had not officially signaled that Herrera Beutler would not advance to the general election as of Tuesday evening. But if Kent ultimately advances, he will face Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D), an auto repair shop owner who got the most votes on the Aug 2. primary, the Associated Press projected. A close race kept the outcome in doubt for an extended period.
In saying the contest was too early to call, AP cited the small margin of Kent’s lead, 0.42 percentage points among a total of 217,626 ballots counted Tuesday evening, and the fact that Washington state allows automatic recounts if a contest is within 0.5 percentage points. As of the time of Herrera Beutler’s concession, there were about 10,000 votes left to be tallied.
See full Washington state results
Herrera Beutler, who voted to impeach Trump after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol by a pro-Trump mob, would be the third such House Republican to lose in a primary this year, joining Rep. Peter Meijer (Mich .), who was defeated last week and, Rep. Tom Rice (SC), who lost last month. Two Republicans have advanced — both from all-party primaries: Rep. Dan Newhouse (Wash.) and Rep. David G. Valadao (Calif.). Four others decided not to seek reelection.
The final House Republican to face a primary is Rep. Liz Cheney (Wyo.), who will go before voters Aug. 16. She faces a challenger running to her right who is backed by Trump.
Here’s what happened to the 10 Republicans who voted to impeach Trump
Kent, who had never run for office before, raised more than $2.2 million and held town hall meetings across the 3rd Congressional District, which stretches from the Pacific coast to central Washington. He has embraced Trump’s false claims about the 2020 election.
He is in a position to prevail despite a divided anti-Herrera Beutler vote, getting national attention when he flew to Washington, DC, to rally for people he called “political prisoners” who were jailed in connection with the Jan. 6 attack.
“Whether you have questions about the election, whether you question voter procedures, or whether you’re a parent who shows up for a school board meeting, you can be labeled a terrorist or insurrectionist by our national security state,” Kent told voters during to stop last month.
National Democrats did not spend in the primary, after repeatedly targeting the district and losing to Herrera Beutler. In an interview before the primary, Perez called Kent a “horrifying” extremist, seeing a path to beating him even in a place that Trump had carried by single digits in 2020.
“This is Washington state, for Pete’s sake, and we are putting forward a man that thinks we should arrest Anthony S. Fauci, impeach [President] Biden, end legal immigration? Perez asked. Last year, Kent called for a “moratorium” on legal immigration, as work continued to halt illegal immigration.
A property company exposed celebrating a $225 per week rental price rise as an “achievement” in an email to clients has apologized.
In a statement to Nine from its spokesperson, property management firm Ironfish said it accepted “that the tone of the update was insensitive.”
Last week, a renter shared a screenshot of an email update from Ironfish, releasing its numbers for June.
“Achievement in June: Biggest rent increase – $225 per week,” the flyer said.
Below the details is a photo of kids pillow fighting on a bed.
The user posted the email to Reddit with the comment: “My rent just went up $400 a month and the agency sent me an email bragging about it…”
READMORE:The “aggressive” number that exposes Australia’s rental crisis
The full screenshot on Reddit, by a user who identified themselves as a tenant. (reddit)
The email also told recipients the average weekly rental increase is almost $100 a week, and revealed comparative increases in asking prices: “July 2021 to December 2021: $393. January 2022 to June 2022: $460”.
The Reddit thread exploded in response.
A spokesperson for Ironfish told Nine an email apology has been sent to recipients, and the business recognized the hardship within the housing market.
The spokesperson said Ironfish had “kept tenants and owners informed of support measures for those experiencing financial distress” and advised owners of properties with tenants facing financial difficulty to offer rental discounts.
The rental increase referred to in the original email was applied at the end of a tenancy agreement, following a discount period during the pandemic, the spokesperson said.
READMORE:Johnny Galecki seeks $17 million for his Spanish-style LA home
Tight national vacancy rates have made the rental market very competitive. (Supplied)
“Ironfish has apologized for a recent email newsletter which highlighted rental price increases, sending an apology to recipients,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
“We know that many of our clients, tenants and owners, have experienced intense stress and financial hardship during the Covid-19 pandemic and accept that the tone of the update was insensitive.
“We will ensure our future content is more carefully considered and provides greater insights for all of our clients. The update highlighted a rent increase of $225 per week – in context, this was due to a new tenancy and an adjustment from a previously Covid discounted rent, returning to normal and current market rates.
“The pandemic was a difficult time for tenants and also for owners, as lockdowns hit and vacancy rates emerged.
“Recent rental adjustments follow substantial decreases in the past two years, and median rents in Melbourne’s CBD remain below pre-Covid levels.
“Since the start of the pandemic, Ironfish has kept tenants and owners informed of support measures for those experiencing financial distress. We advised owners to engage with tenants facing financial difficulties and offer rental discounts. We facilitated many substantial rent reductions and also assisted owners and tenants in compiling and lodging applications for Covid relief support packages.”
READMORE:Shailene Woodley purchases $6 million mid-century mansion
The Reddit responses to the original email included some from landlords (not associated with Ironfish).
“Landlord here, it’s not justified. It shouldn’t even be legal to increase the rent that much for the same tenant. Different if new tenants come in but that’s an outrageous amount,” one user commented.
Another said: “I have been a landlord for a couple of years, and will not be putting up the rent (to the annoyance of the Real Estate Management company) – tenants have been there 12 years and keep the place immaculate, always pay on time. They got young kids, both working in low paid jobs, doing the best they can.”‘
READMORE:Amber Heard sells her home for $1.6 million after Johnny Depp court ruling
One tenant called the email “cringe” and a landlord remarked: “I received the same email and had the same disgusted feeling, and I’m an owner (just not with them).”
Data from large national real estate agency Ray White shows that advertised rental prices have increased by almost 14 per cent, outpacing CPI rental price rises of 1.6 per cent.
At the same time, the national vacancy rate this month has tightened to a record level of less than 1 per cent, according to Domain.
A lack of listings has increased competition, and rising interest rates – with costs being passed on by landlords to tenants – plus inflation, has continued to squeeze the rental market to a crisis point.
At Gizmodo, we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you’ll like it too. We have affiliate and advertising partnerships, which means we may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. BTW – prices are accurate and items in stock at the time of posting.
VR headsets certainly aren’t for everybody, but if you have thought about picking one up, you’ve likely thought about either the Meta Quest 2 or the HTC Vive Pro 2, two of the leading choices.
But which one is the right pick? I can assure you that they’re very different, although they achieve the same goals.
As someone who has now had the pleasure of trying both, recently reviewing the HTC Vive Pro 2 and using the Meta Quest 2 for over a year, here’s how these two leading headsets compare.
The Meta Quest 2 vs the HTC Vive Pro 2
While a basic glance at these two headsets might determine that they’re quite different in scope, I can assure you this is not the case.
VR, as it stands today, is a niche market, no matter how you look at it. In the vein of entertainment, VR exists mainly as an extension of gaming: it’s a genre of its own that has the user immersed in a virtual world that they can actively interact with and walk around in.
Outside of gaming, the applications of VR are few and far between. It’s unlikely that a business case will ever be made for conference calls using VR technology given that video calling is so easy, so right now practical business cases for VR are limited to fields like architecture, where you can have a user immersed in a project without it being physically built.
So when we think about this, we consider that the Meta Quest 2 and the HTC Vive Pro 2 (along with similar headsets) are for two specific markets: gamers after the VR experience and specialty businesses (sorry metaverse diehards).
Which one is the best for you, however? Well, let’s determine that.
Image: Zachariah Kelly/Gizmodo Australia
Is the HTC Vive Pro 2 better than the Meta Quest 2?
The HTC Vive Pro 2 has a major display advantage over the Meta Quest 2 in this field, capable of rendering at a 5K resolution on an LCD panel. The maximum resolution of the Meta Quest 2 is 1080p, however that’s on an OLED panel, capable of rendering darkness in much greater quality.
Having used both, I did notice a difference between the quality of each headset, leaning in the Vive’s favour, however, it never actually became too important for my gaming experience. As long as the framerate was high and the experience felt natural, I was satisfied, and it’s high on both headsets (90hz on the Vive and 120hz on the Quest).
Performance
Because the HTC Vive Pro 2 is more demanding specs-wise, you’ll likely need a more powerful computer to run games at their maximum specs.
In testing both headsets on F1 2022 through SteamVR, I noticed a performance difference between them, with the Meta Quest 2 providing a more consistent framerate and allowing me to use higher graphics settings than the HTC Vive Pro 2.
This is also a good moment to mention that the Meta Quest 2 can function entirely internally. Although internal games are limited to the Oculus Store (of which F1 2022 isn’t a part), owned by Meta, there is a decent assortment of games available if you don’t want to connect your headset to your PC. Just keep in mind that they’re typically less powerful games than what you’d find on Steam.
tracking
The HTC Vive Pro 2 uses tracking base stations (“lighthouses”) to translate your movements and your hands (via the controllers) through to the game. These lighthouses work best when placed above you at a slight tilt in a wide space, in opposing corners of the room.
This requires meticulous planning, needing a dedicated VR play space. As a renter I took issue with this, as I’m unable to do permanent modifications to the walls of my home, however, there are moveable stands available.
The Meta Quest 2 doesn’t need these lighthouses: tracking is all internal, which means that it’s a better solution if you’re after simplicity. This also means that there’s less to take with you if you’re bringing the headset on a trip.
The space in which I tested the HTC Vive Pro 2. It wasn’t a big space, but it was what I was able to do as a renter. You can see the two lighthouses on the left and right. Image: Zachariah Kelly/Gizmodo Australia
Computer connectivity
Both headsets connect to a PC to leverage performance power and use PC applications (unless you’re using the Meta Quest 2’s inbuilt OS).
The HTC Vive Pro 2 comes with a cable that does this, which connects to a Display Port on your graphics card (like a monitor would). The Meta Quest 2 doesn’t come with a dedicated streaming cable (though it does come with a charging cable), but Meta does sell the additional cable for $125. This connects to a USB-C 3.1 port on your PC.
Wireless connectivity isn’t necessary for VR headsets, but I would consider it important if you’re after the best immersion possible.
The Meta Quest 2 comes with inbuilt “Air Link” connectivity, allowing you to seamlessly connect to your PC over a LAN connection, provided your modem-router is up to the task.
The HTC Vive Pro 2 is also capable of this, if you spend $599 on the wireless adapter. You’ll also need an available PCIE port on your computer motherboard.
Build quality
The HTC Vive Pro 2 is a much heavier headset than the Meta Quest 2, but it also feels a lot heavier duty, with stronger plastics and a better head strap. Both headsets come with inbuilt speakers and microphones, although I didn’t notice a big difference between them.
I’d say the build quality of the Vive Pro 2 and its controllers are better than that of the Meta Quest 2. They feel stronger and harder to break.
The Vive Pro 2 controllers are also charged via USB-C, whereas the Meta Quest 2 controllers are powered by AA batteries.
Controllers
The controllers of the HTC Vive Pro 2 are ambidextrous, with each controller capable of use in each hand, whereas the Meta Quest 2 controllers are made for left and right hands on purpose.
This is a minor point, but it’s important to some, especially if you’re after a replacement.
Additionally, the Vive Pro 2 controllers use touchpads for analog movement, whereas the Meta Quest 2 controllers use joysticks. I prefer the joysticks as it provides more tactile feedback, but I didn’t have many problems with the touchpads of the Vive Pro 2 controllers.
The controllers of the HTC Vive Pro 2 (left) and the controllers of the Meta Quest 2 (right). Image: Zachariah Kelly/Gizmodo Australia
Does Vive technology work with the Quest 2?
Nope. HTC Vive Pro 2 and Meta Quest 2 each have their own walled garden, relying on different systems, hardware and software. The tracking of both headsets is different and reliant on their own proprietary technology, as are the controllers (despite having similar layouts).
The good news is that a PC that can run the HTC Vive Pro 2 will also run the Meta Quest 2, with both headsets capable of running games through SteamVR.
Price
Though the Meta Quest 2 was subject to a recent price rise, it’s still relatively cheap at $630 (plus $125 for the PC link cable), especially when compared to the HTC Vive Pro 2, which costs $2,199 for the full kit, plus the $599 wireless adapter.
Is the HTC Vive Pro 2 better than the Meta Quest 2?
It’s difficult to say that the Meta Quest 2 isn’t a better deal than the HTC Vive Pro 2.
With a price more than three times lower than that of the HTC Vive Pro 2, packed with internal tracking and access to internal gaming, the Meta Quest 2 is far more capable, far more portable, and brings to question how hardcore your needs would be were you to consider a more expensive alternative.
If you’re after better graphics, then the Vive Pro 2 might be the best solution for you, but I would encourage you to think about how important this is for what you want to do with it.
You can buy the HTC Vive Pro 2 from HTC for $2,199. You can buy the Meta Quest 2 from Amazon for $630.
What are the odds that two of Australia’s biggest music stars attended the same primary school together?
A school photo of the late Olivia Newton-John alongside horses hit maker Daryl Braithwaite has emerged, unearthing the little-known fact the duo attended school together.
Braithwaite, 73, shared the black-and-white class photo taken at Christ Church Grammar School in Melbourne in 1961 – some 15 years before Newton-John shot to global superstardom on grease.
“This is a lovely shot to look back at when Olivia was at (school) with all her friends back in 1961. Olivia is 2nd from the right and 3rd row from the bottom,” Braithwaite wrote.
He added: “She also loved all animals and was a beautiful soul who left a legacy that will last forever.”
Braithwaite has previously opened up about how the duo were briefly “boyfriend and girlfriend” while attending school, before Newton-John moved to London in her teens.
“She was one of the prettiest girls in the class, (we were) 11 or 12 I think,” he told The Morning Show in 2017.
“I don’t know how, we must have sat next to each other and thought, ‘Oh yeah that’s good’ and we were talking and then we held hands and then it was over.”
He further opened up about the pair being school sweethearts in an interview with now to lovein 2020.
“Olivia won’t mind saying that we did start out as boyfriend and girlfriend back when we were around 12 or 13 at the most,” he said.
“We held hands and we were in the same class. But then it all disintegrated. I think she left and went to England. I never actually knew that she could sing at the time.”
At the time, Braithwaite said the old friends were still connecting all these years later.
“It is one of those friendships where there was a decade, or maybe more, where we didn’t speak to each other, mainly because we were too busy or whatever, but over the last year or so I have made more contact with her than ever before, and she is lovely, she really is,” he said.
Newton-John died at her ranch in California on Tuesday aged 73, after a decades-long battle with breast cancer.
She was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992. It went into remission but reappeared in 2013 and then again in 2017. At one point she said she was partly in “denial” about the disease, because if she dwelled upon it too much it would mean she wouldn’t “enjoy life”.
Her family, including husband John Easterling and daughter Chloe Lattanzi, have accepted Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews’ offer of a state funeral to honor her legacy and celebrate her life.
Rabbitohs halfback Lachlan Ilias has revealed Broncos captain Adam Reynolds has been a rock of support this season.
The former teammates remain tight and Reynolds was quick to contact Ilias after he was dramatically hooked inside 30 minutes against the Dragons in Round 15.
Ilias’ future was scrutinized with plenty of attention focusing on why coach Jason Demetriou decided to bench Ilias.
But Reynolds came to the 22-year-old’s support and helped him get his season back on track.
Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
“Reyno has been really supportive this whole season,” Ilias told The Daily Telegraph.
“Through the ups and downs, Reyno is Reyno… he is a really good bloke.
“He’s experienced it all. He made sure I was OK and said to stay positive.
“I was really close to him last year and we still message each other all the time.
“If something happens good or bad he is there with messages of support.
Rabbitohs young halfback Lachlan Ilias was hooked in the first half of their clash with the Dragons. Credit: NRL Images. Source: The Daily TelegraphSource: The Daily Telegraph
MORE NRL NEWS
NRL RUN HOME: Eels star sparks title arises as grim Broncos reality sets in
‘NOT A GOOD LOOK’: Tigers star reveals he wanted Storm loan switch
‘MEDICAL DECISION’: Turbo opens up on Manly season…
‘TAKING THE PISS’: Twist in Eels star’s $1.9m backflip as third NRL team emerges
“Obviously in previous seasons I spent a lot of time learning from him and this season he has been really good to me. He is massive in my development.”
While the 22-year-old was anxious about his immediate future in the seven jersey, he has since realized it was the wake up call that he needed.
“There was a bit of the unknown, wondering what it means… and thinking about what the chat with the coach might be like to see where he is at and where I’m at in the team,” Ilias said.
“We’ve both bounced back from that now. There has been a lot of articles of people talking about it.
Payten opens up on time with Cowboys | 06:27
MORE NRL NEWS
TRANSFER CENTER: Titans bolster spine with Roosters grand final hero
‘REPEAT OFFENDERS’: Coaches who risk joining Ricky on sideline
REVEALED: Sharks star reveals why he spoke out on pride debate
‘P**S OFF’: Kenty slams ‘idiots’ calling for season ban as NRL accused of scapegoating
“But I didn’t want to feel like the victim in that situation. It was hard at the time and I had to sit down with JD a couple of days after the game. It was a positive chat.
“Ever since then I have been positive and changed my mindset.
“I’m hungrier now than I was before. It was probably the kick up the backside I needed. I’m loving my footy at the moment.”
Ilias has been named to start for the Rabbitohs for their Friday night clash against the Eels at CommBank Stadium.
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
Stunning photos of snow falling near Bluff Knoll have emerged after the Stirling Range was treated to a light dusting on Tuesday.
Several hikers braved freezing cold conditions to see the snow up close as it fell near one of WA’s highest peaks.
Photos posted to social media show hikers giving the thumbs up to their mates as a steady stream of snow falls around them.
Other photos show large amounts of snow covering the ground and earth of Bluff Knoll, as a thick fog lingers nearby.
Snow falls in Stirling Range National Park and Bluff Knoll as a cold snap hits Western Australia. Credit: Frederick Schafsma/Frederick Schafsma
The Bureau of Meteorology had predicted snow would fall in the Great Southern after a cold front moved across Perth and South West on Monday and Tuesday morning.
Cool air behind the cold front meant the upper-level air temperatures were also very low, which created almost ideal conditions for a light amount of snowfall to reach the Bluff Knoll peak.
Snow was recorded at least five times last year in the Stirling Range, equaling a record set 53 years ago.
The State’s record top of six snow flurries in one 12-month period came in 2016, with all recorded at Bluff Knoll.
The Bureau of Meteorology relies on hikers to confirm snowfall at Bluff Knoll, which is the highest peak in southern WA at 1,099 meters, because there’s no observation equipment there.
The snowfall came on what was also Perth’s coldest day of the year so far.
The city reached a top of 12.4C just before 4pm on Tuesday.
The chilly conditions come during one of the metropolitan area’s wettest ever starts to August.
Already the city has recorded 110mm of rain for the month so far, which is just shy of the monthly average of 122mm.
Last August only 56mm of rain was recorded.
Snow falls in Stirling Range National Park and Bluff Knoll as a cold snap hits Western Australia A toupee of fog, rolling over the mountain top. Credit: Anton Willk/Anton Willk
Perth can expect some sunshine over the next two days before the rain returns yet again over the weekend, and it looks set to continue into early next week.
In Minnesota, meanwhile, Rep. Ilhan Omar, a member of the progressive “squad,” survived a surprisingly close contest for her Minneapolis-based House seat.
In Vermont, state Senate President Pro Tempore Becca Balint is on a path to become the first woman to represent the state in Congress.
And in Connecticut, Gov. Ned Lamont and Sen. Richard Blumenthal got their GOP challengers in reelection races they’re expected to win in November.
Here are four takeaways from Tuesday’s primaries:
Trump triumphs as Wisconsin’s GOP establishment falls
Former President Donald Trump again demonstrated his influence over the Republican Party on Tuesday, as the Trump-backed construction company owner Tim Michels defeated former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch in Wisconsin’s gubernatorial primary.
Michels’ win is the end of an era in Wisconsin: Kleefisch was backed by former Gov. Scott Walker, who built the political machine that won three governor’s races, including a recall election.
She was also endorsed by former Vice President Mike Pence, who has attempted in recent months to steer the GOP away from Trump’s election denialism.
The race was a replay of gubernatorial primaries with similar dynamics in recent weeks. In Arizona, a Trump-endorsed candidate who has parroted his lies about election fraud defeated a Pence-backed establishment favorite last week. And in Georgia, the Pence-backed Gov. Brian Kemp, who had rejected Trump’s lies about fraud in the 2020 election, fended off a Trump-aligned challenger.
Michels is now the latest Republican who has at least partially embraced Trump’s election denialism to win a primary for statewide office in one of the most competitive states on the map.
In a debate, Michels left the door open to an attempt to decertify President Joe Biden’s 2020 win in Wisconsin, saying that “everything is on the table.” Kleefisch had falsely called the 2020 election “rigged,” but also acknowledged that it is not possible to undo the state’s certification of its results.
Michels is now set to take on Democratic Gov. Tony Evers on what’s expected to be one of the most competitive governor’s races of November’s midterm elections.
Vermont Dems choose Balint for House seat
State Senate President Pro Tempore Becca Balint’s win in the Democratic primary for Vermont’s lone House seat, according to a CNN projection, puts her on a path to become the first woman to represent the state in Congress.
Balint, who was backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, defeated Lt. Gov. Molly Gray, a more moderate candidate backed by retiring Sen. Patrick Leahy.
The House seat opened up as a result of Leahy’s retirement. Rep. Peter Welch, who has held the seat since 2007, won the Democratic Senate primary for Leahy’s seat, CNN projected.
Balint will enter the November general election as the overwhelming favorite to win the seat.
A former schoolteacher, Balint had the support of other leading progressive groups and politicians. Gray supported attracted from more moderate state leaders, including Leahy, who stopped short of issuing a formal endorsement of her but said he voted for her. Former Vermont Govs. Howard Dean and Madeleine Kunin also backed Gray.
But in a contest that provided few notable policy distinctions between the leading candidates, Balint’s success in claiming the progressive mantle — she was also endorsed by Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey of neighboring Massachusetts — likely helped her among primary voters, who tended to to lean even further left than even the average Vermont Democrat.
Wisconsin Senate race is set
The general election for Wisconsin Senate has been subtly going on for weeks. But on Tuesday night, it began to earnest.
Republican Sen. Ron Johnson easily won his primary for reelection, while Democratic Senate candidate and Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes won his bid to try and unseat the Republican.
The race began unofficially two weeks ago when the three top Democrats running against Barnes dropped out of the race and endorsed the lieutenant governor.
The Johnson vs. Barnes race will likely be one of the closest watched campaigns of the 2022 cycle. It pits a Republican who has drawn the ire of Democrats for his ties to former President Donald Trump and his adoption of a string of conspiracy theories against a Democrat who holds several progressive positions that Republicans believe make hm out of step with most Wisconsin voters.
Although Johnson and Barnes are political opposites, they have already begun using strikingly similar language to define the other, calling one another “out of touch,” extreme and someone out of line with the state’s voters.
Wisconsin is one of the two Senate seats up this cycle that is currently held by Republicans in a state President Joe Biden won in 2020. The state has been a political hotbed ever since the 2011 fights over union bargaining rights, leading the electorate in the state to be polarized long before the 2016 election of Trump.
Omar survives a surprising nail-biter
Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar survived a primary challenge Tuesday, CNN projected — but barely, and the narrow result could encourage critics of the progressive “squad” member to try again in two years.
Omar, who is running for a third term in Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District, held off a primary challenge from former Minneapolis City Councilman Don Samuels and three other Democratic primary candidates.
Samuels had run as a pro-police critic of Omar’s calls to “defund the police.” Samuels and his wife de el successfully sued the city of Minneapolis to force it to increase police staffing levels to the 741 officers required by the city’s charter.
Momentum behind what had been widely seen as a long-shot challenge built after Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey endorsed Samuels last week. He was also backed by building trades unions, several suburban mayors and more moderate DFL leaders. His close call from him could inspire another effort to oust Omar in 2024.
Omar’s victory comes the week after two other liberal members of the “squad,” Missouri Rep. Cori Bush and Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib, also beat back primary challenges.
Almost 14,000 Holden vehicles have been recalled over a manufacturing defect that could increase the risk of an accident.
This week, the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications issued a recall of some 13,898 Holden ZB Commodore 2017-2020 cars.
“Due to a manufacturing defect, the brake booster may fail. If this occurs, the stopping distance in the un-boosted condition would exceed the distance prescribed by the Australian Design Rule (ADR) 31/03,” the department said.
Watch the latest News on Channel 7 or stream for free on 7plus >>
“The vehicle is not compliant with the vehicle standard (ADR) 31/03-Brake Systems for Passenger Cars.”
There are fears that if the brake booster does not operate as intended, it could increase the risk of an accident causing serious injury or death to vehicle occupants or other road users.
The owners of affected vehicles will be contacted by General Motors Australia and New Zealand and asked to contact their local dealer to have the Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM) software updated, free of charge.
A full list of VIN or vehicle identification numbers can be found here.
For more information contact Holden Customer Care on 1800 46 465 336 or [email protected].
A new patch for Elden Ring has made changes to the summoning and invasion systems, making it easier to use the game’s multiplayer mechanics.
For starters, players are now able to send co-op signs to summoning pools in multiple and distant areas. This greatly increases the number of areas where your summoning sign can be seen. Similarly, invasions now cover multiple areas and can be triggered in distant areas.
Patch 1.06 is the latest to come to Elden Ring, bringing a range of adjustments to weapons, abilities and more. The key focus is on the multiplayer systems. You can read the full patch notes here, but these are the highlights:
Elden Ring. Credit: FromSoftware
Added the function to send summoning signs to summoning pools in multiple areas, including distant areas.
Added the function to invade a larger area, including distant areas
Increased the range of Ash of War “Glintstone Pebble” and “Glintstone Dart” projectile while decreasing the damage and stagger power
Decreased the travel distance and invincibility frames of Ash of War “Bloodhound Step”
Shortened the activation interval when using “Quick Step” skill in succession, increasing its ability to circle around the enemy when locked-on
Decreased the damage and bleed build-up of weapon skill “Corpse Piler” when hit with the blood attack. When hit by the blade, the damage is only decreased slightly
Decreased the target tracking ability of sorcery “Stars of Ruin”
In addition to the key changes listed above, several balancing updates have been made. These mainly focus on stability and performance. for more on Elden Ring check out our coverage on how the hardest ‘Elden Ring’ boss could have been much harder.
In other gaming news, developer EA has said that skateboarding will launch as a free-to-play game to help it cater to both Gen Z and Gen Alpha players.
