Author: DispatchTimes News Desk

The Minnesota State Fair entered its fifth day on Monday, August 31, with Seniors Day offering discounted admission alongside a quieter morning for visitors with sensory sensitivities. Guests aged 65 and over can enter for $15, compared with the regular fair-time senior admission price of $18. The promotion also includes discounts on selected food and merchandise, while rides and games offer all-day specials. The 2026 Great Minnesota Get-Together is being held in Falcon Heights and remains open from 7am to 11pm. Monday’s programme also includes mental health awareness activities at Dan Patch Park. A sensory-friendly session is being held at…

US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have discussed finalising plans to visit Ukraine with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as Washington renews efforts to bring Kyiv and Moscow towards peace talks. Zelenskyy said the conversation was “detailed and constructive”, with the parties working to agree dates for the trip. He said a visit by the two representatives of US President Donald Trump could help advance discussions on possible solutions to the war. The Ukrainian president said the talks also covered the battlefield situation, while negotiations between US and Ukrainian teams were continuing. Witkoff and Kushner have been central to the Trump…

Former Sun editor David Yelland was forced to correct a social media post about Conservative mayoral hopeful Sir James Cleverly after confusing him with Kwasi Kwarteng, Liz Truss’s former chancellor. Yelland had described Sir James as “Liz Truss’ Brexit Chancellor” while commenting on the Braintree MP’s decision to leave the Conservative front bench and seek the party’s nomination for Mayor of London in 2028. Sir James, who is black, responded pointedly: “David, I’m the other black one.” Yelland subsequently amended his post, writing: “James Cleverly was Liz Truss’ Brexit Foreign Secretary not Brexit Chancellor – many apologies – was wrong…

Paris Themmen, the former child actor who played television-obsessed Mike Teavee in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, has been seen stepping out in Los Angeles at the age of 67. The actor was 11 when he appeared alongside Gene Wilder in the 1971 film, which followed five children on a tour of the eccentric chocolatier’s mysterious factory. Themmen’s character was one of the lucky winners of a Golden Ticket, but his fascination with television and violent Westerns soon became a source of trouble during the tour. Born in Boston on June 25, 1959, Themmen began performing as a child…

JD Power’s latest car technology survey has found that motorists are most satisfied with features that work quietly in the background, rather than prominent screens and increasingly sophisticated driving systems. The study questioned 68,084 owners of new 2026 model-year vehicles after their first 90 days with the car. It assessed 40 technologies across areas including comfort, connected services, driver assistance, electric vehicles and smart functions. Smart ignition received the highest satisfaction rating. The system starts and switches off the vehicle in response to the driver’s actions, and recorded just 2.4 problems per 100 vehicles. Smart heating and air-conditioning systems also…

Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to his 21-year Argentina career after winning the World Cup and becoming the country’s most-capped player and leading scorer. The 39-year-old confirmed his decision in an emotional Instagram statement on Monday, writing: “After the time that has passed since the final, and after giving it a lot of thought, I want to let everyone know that I am retiring from the National Team.” “It was a decision that hurt – and still hurts deep down – but I understand that the time has come,” Messi added. His announcement…

John Skelton’s preliminary hearing resumed for a fifth day on Monday as prosecutors continued presenting evidence over the alleged killings of his three sons, who disappeared in Michigan nearly 16 years ago. A Michigan State Police cold-case investigator gave evidence in the Lenawee County proceedings, while another police officer was called to testify. The hearing is intended to establish whether there is sufficient evidence for the murder case to proceed to trial, rather than determine Skelton’s guilt. Live updates from the hearing also covered a forced entry at the Skelton family home and an unsuccessful search of emails linked to…

Hundreds of people gathered at Melbourne’s Federation Square for a Nepal flood vigil on Monday evening, lighting candles and raising phone torches in memory of those killed or still missing after the Himalayan disaster. Nepali and Tibetan communities were joined by people from across the city five days after flooding triggered by a glacier collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border. More than 900 people have died, while thousands remain unaccounted for on both sides of the frontier. ([perthnow.com.au](https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/disaster-and-emergency/every-candle-lit-for-you-hundreds-attend-nepal-vigil-c-22804177)) Buddhist monks and Hindu priests led prayers and chanted sacred mantras as mourners placed electric candles beside a memorial mural at the foot…

Aston Villa host reigning Premier League champions Arsenal at Villa Park on Monday evening, with the league fixture scheduled to kick off at 8pm on August 31, 2026. The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. ([skysports.com](https://www.skysports.com/football/aston-villa-vs-arsenal/live/559454)) It is Aston Villa’s first home league game of the new season, with Unai Emery’s side facing an early test against the defending champions. ([avfc.co.uk](https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2026/june/19/news-aston-villa-2026-27-premier-league-fixtures/?utm_source=openai)) Villa will be aiming to reproduce their previous success against Arsenal after securing a dramatic 2-1 victory over the Gunners last season, according to the club’s official fixture announcement. ([avfc.co.uk](https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2026/june/19/news-aston-villa-2026-27-premier-league-fixtures/?utm_source=openai)) The meeting at Villa Park forms part…

Indiana Governor Mike Braun, FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton and Gary Mayor Eddie Melton are due to give an update on storm recovery in Gary and across north-west Indiana on Monday. The news conference is scheduled for noon Central Time at the American Red Cross shelter inside the Hudson Campbell Sports & Fitness Center in Gary. It comes after severe weather on August 11 caused extensive damage across the region, bringing powerful winds, tornadoes, flooding, fallen trees and damaged power lines. Indiana officials have provisionally described the storm system as a derecho. ([in.gov](https://www.in.gov/dhs/emergency-management-and-preparedness/august-2026-disaster?utm_source=openai)) Thousands of Gary residents were still without electricity…