Author: DispatchTimes News Desk

Two people have died and one remains missing after flash flooding swept through the Grand Canyon, forcing the rescue or evacuation of about 80 hikers and backpackers from the park’s inner canyon. The deluge struck Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area at about 2.30pm on Saturday, sending torrents of muddy water, boulders and debris towards the Colorado River. Around 15 people were initially believed to be unaccounted for, but officials said on Monday evening that all but one had since been traced. Incident commander Dave Black said search crews used night-vision equipment and other specialist gear to locate…

Weiss junior quarterback Jaxon Schad has been named FOX 7 Austin’s Central Texas high school football Player of the Week after producing a six-touchdown display in the Wolves’ 42-28 victory over Round Rock. Schad threw five touchdown passes and ran for another as Weiss opened its 2026 season with a statement win on Friday, August 28. He finished with 376 total yards, including 310 passing and 66 rushing. ([fox7austin.com](https://www.fox7austin.com/sports/texas-high-school-football-2026-players-of-the-week)) The award was announced during FOX 7 Austin’s 9pm newscast on Monday, August 31, as part of the station’s weekly Friday Football Player of the Week feature. Schad completed 21 of…

Ray Martin will be confronted by an artificial intelligence version of himself in a new SBS documentary exploring how the technology could reshape journalism and the public’s understanding of truth. Ray Martin is Misinformed was unveiled as part of SBS’s 2027 programming slate at the broadcaster’s annual upfront presentation in Sydney on Tuesday, 1 September 2026. The three-part series will create “Ray-I”, an AI model trained to reproduce the veteran journalist’s voice, mannerisms and delivery. Joseph Maxwell, SBS’s head of factual, said the programme would show the digital version becoming increasingly convincing. “By the end of the show you cannot…

A former radio staffer told a friend that Alan Jones was in love with him years before he disclosed allegations that the veteran broadcaster had indecently assaulted him, a Sydney court has heard. The man’s former colleague gave evidence in the trial of Mr Jones, 85, who has pleaded not guilty to 22 charges of indecent assault and sexual touching without consent involving six male complainants. In a statement to police, the witness said the staffer had made “the odd comment that Alan is in love with him” and had described regular flirting with Mr Jones in person and over…

Nicole Kidman has been praised by viewers for appearing more natural and relaxed during a BBC interview with her Practical Magic 2 co-star Sandra Bullock. The 59-year-old Australian actress appeared on The One Show as the pair promoted the sequel to their 1998 fantasy film. Kidman smiled broadly and spoke animatedly about her love of cats during the interview. Some viewers said her face appeared less taut than in previous public appearances, with particular attention paid to the movement around her eyes and forehead. “Finally some movement around her eyes and forehead! So much better,” one person wrote on social…

Families who have lost loved ones to addiction gathered at Timber Creek Park in Blackwood, New Jersey, on Monday for Camden County’s 11th annual Remembrance and Hope Memorial Vigil. The ceremony at the county’s Remembrance and Hope Memorial brought relatives and friends together to remember those who died from drug overdoses and to challenge the stigma surrounding addiction. The event was organised by the Camden County Board of Commissioners and the Addiction Awareness Task Force. ([fox29.com](https://www.fox29.com/news/families-honor-loved-ones-lost-overdose-11th-annual-vigil-camden-county)) Michelle Pandolfo attended to see her sister Ashley D Walter’s name engraved on the memorial. Ashley died from drug addiction in 2011. “It says…

The White House has confirmed a partnership with North American Blue Energy Partners that will give the Pentagon a 35 per cent stake in a company holding rights to a substantial share of Venezuela’s oil reserves. The agreement, signed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, covers 17 oil fields with proven reserves of about 65 billion barrels, according to details released by the White House. Venezuela’s interim authorities have granted North American Blue Energy Partners, known as NABEP, concessions lasting 100 years. The company is controlled by Venezuelan businessman Alejandro Betancourt and is described…

A man has been charged with murder after a deadly house fire, Sky News reports. The charge follows an investigation into the blaze, which resulted in fatalities. Further details about the circumstances of the fire and the alleged offence have not been included in the available information. The case will now proceed through the courts.

Loïc De Marie has described the moment he chose not to jump into a swimming pool to rescue his drowning sister because he did not want to get his clothes wet. De Marie, 26, from Belgium, recalled the incident during an interview for SBS’s Insight programme, saying he was six when his younger sister fell into the family pool while their mother was inside preparing dinner. “She was drowning, and I looked at her, and that was kind of troubling,” he said. “And I didn’t jump into the pool because I didn’t want my clothes to get wet.” Instead, he…

Marius Borg Høiby was allowed to leave house arrest on Monday, 31 August, to join the procession carrying the coffin of Norway’s late King Harald V through the Royal Palace in Oslo. Høiby, the 29-year-old son of Queen Mette-Marit from a previous relationship, walked behind the coffin alongside members of the royal family. He was wearing an electronic ankle monitor after being convicted of two counts of rape and 32 other offences. Prosecutors authorised his attendance despite the four-year prison sentence imposed in June. The verdict has not yet become final, with Høiby having pleaded not guilty to the most…