Author: DispatchTimes News Desk

Pacific leaders have formally registered concern over China’s recent intercontinental ballistic missile test, after the weapon passed over several member states without adequate warning. The position was set out in the final communiqué of the 55th Pacific Islands Forum in Koror, Palau, which called on countries conducting such tests to provide at least 24 hours’ advance notice. The communiqué did not name China directly, but the statement followed a July test which reportedly crossed parts of the airspace of the Philippines, Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia before landing in the Pacific. It said the test had “overflew a…

Electricians and other skilled tradespeople working on major infrastructure projects in Australia are reportedly earning up to A$450,000 a year as demand surges for workers building data centres and tunnelling projects. Tim Cullen, chief executive of trades vehicle-hire company TradieSpec, said experienced workers could earn between A$250,000 and A$300,000 through a combination of base pay, overtime and penalty rates, with some receiving as much as A$400,000 to A$450,000. He said the highest salaries were being offered on demanding specialist projects, particularly data-centre construction and underground infrastructure, where qualified electricians are in short supply. “It’s evidence of a blue-collar gold rush…

A US Labor Department inspector general’s report has found that former secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer repeatedly breached departmental policy, tolerated harassment, used public money for personal travel and pursued an inappropriate relationship with a member of her security detail. The 40-page report, released on Thursday, describes a “toxic, intimidating and humiliating” workplace at the top of the department, based on evidence from more than three dozen witnesses. Chavez-DeRemer, 58, resigned in April after roughly a year in office as allegations of misconduct and a series of investigations intensified. She did not immediately respond to a request for comment and has previously…

Reese Witherspoon, Barbra Streisand and a host of other stars have paid tribute to Gloria Steinem after the pioneering feminist activist died at her home in New York City aged 92. Steinem’s death was announced on Thursday, September 3, a day after she died peacefully surrounded by loved ones. Her foundation did not disclose a cause of death. ([vogue.com](https://www.vogue.com/article/gloria-steinem-obituary)) Witherspoon shared a photograph of herself with Steinem in the Oval Office, remembering the profound influence the campaigner had on her career and her understanding of female characters. “Gloria Steinem changed how women saw themselves and what was possible…I was one…

Businesses in Phoenix’s Melrose District planned a vigil on Thursday, September 3, to honour two men killed outside a Tucson gay bar in what police have confirmed was a hate crime targeting the LGBTQ+ community. Bars and other businesses along the roughly one-mile stretch of 7th Avenue were due to line the pavements with about 600 battery-powered luminaries, creating a display of solidarity with the community in Tucson. The shooting happened shortly after midnight on Monday, August 31, in the car park of Venture-N. Police identified the victims as 42-year-old Vincent Anthony Siqueiros and 33-year-old Cameron Davis Capara. Investigators said…

Melbourne Assembly will bring together leading figures from universities, medicine, technology and business to debate how education and innovation can help shape the city’s future. The three-day civic forum, presented by The Age in partnership with the University of Melbourne, will be held at The Edge in Federation Square from October 19 to 21. Education and innovation will be one of four central themes, alongside urban planning, health and wellbeing, and sport and the arts. Organisers say the discussions will examine how Melbourne can remain productive and prosperous as its population grows and the city is projected to become Australia’s…

A federal prosecutor who was investigating an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer over the shooting of a Venezuelan immigrant in Minnesota has been dismissed, according to people familiar with the matter. Assistant US Attorney Matthew Evans had been examining whether ICE officer Christian Castro violated the victim’s civil rights during the January incident in Minneapolis. Three sources said the Justice Department is now investigating Evans, with two saying the inquiry centres on allegations that he leaked information about the case. The development came as federal prosecutors charged Castro with making false statements about the shooting. A grand jury returned a…

John Anslow and his daughter Hayley-Marie Ferguson have been convicted after the body of Chereiss Bailey was weighed down with paving slabs and dumped in a canal in West Bromwich. Anslow, 65, was found guilty of murdering the 36-year-old and preventing her lawful burial following a three-week trial at Birmingham Crown Court. Ferguson, 42, was convicted of assisting an offender and preventing a lawful burial. Ms Bailey was last seen alive on CCTV entering Anslow’s home on 27 September 2025, after meeting him on Great Bridge Street. Police said she was subjected to a traumatic assault inside the property which…

Bindi Irwin has paid tribute to her late father Steve Irwin, describing the Crocodile Hunter as her family’s “superhero” on the 20th anniversary of his death. Steve Irwin died on 4 September 2006 after a stingray’s barb struck him in the chest while he was filming off the Queensland coast. His death at the age of 44 prompted an outpouring of grief in Australia and around the world. In an emotional Instagram post, Bindi said the loss continued to be felt by the family every day. “20 years ago, today, the world lost the most passionate and dedicated wildlife conservationist,”…

Tesla has launched its Cybercab robotaxi in Austin, Texas, marking a significant step in Elon Musk’s long-promised plan to build a driverless transport network. The two-seat electric vehicle will initially operate within a small-scale service, with no date yet confirmed for customer sales. The private event was held behind closed doors and was not livestreamed by Tesla. Access was largely given to pro-Tesla influencers, several of whom were required to sign non-disclosure agreements and wait until the event ended before publishing material. Tesla has been testing the vehicles in Austin and other cities for several months. Records from the Texas…