Author: DispatchTimes News Desk

Brighton & Hove Albion are continuing their pursuit of Millwall winger Femi Azeez despite having two bids rejected, with the latest offer understood to be worth just over £10 million. The proposal fell below Millwall’s valuation of the 25-year-old, but Brighton remain determined to reach an agreement before the transfer deadline. The latest update was reported by The Athletic’s David Ornstein, who said Azeez wants to move to the Amex Stadium. ([bsky.app](https://bsky.app/profile/david-ornstein.bsky.social/post/3mud36j7eo22x?utm_source=openai)) Azeez is regarded as one of the Championship’s leading attacking players after an impressive campaign for Millwall. His performances earned him a place in the 2025-26 PFA Championship…

University of Sydney staff will take part in a 24-hour strike on Wednesday 2 September after negotiations over a new enterprise agreement broke down, with job security and safeguards around artificial intelligence at the centre of the dispute. ([sydney.edu.au](https://www.sydney.edu.au/study/student-life/student-news/2026/08/24/planned-industrial-action-wednesday-2-september-2026.html)) Members of the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) are expected to walk off the job as bargaining reaches an impasse over casual employment, redundancy protections, disability rights and the impact of AI on university work. The university has advised staff and students to work and study from home where possible. Almost all scheduled classes are expected to move online, although some…

Michael Purdy, the artist linked to the giant ‘HELCH’ graffiti tag near Windsor Castle, has died aged 34. Friends paid their respects to Purdy, whose work had developed from large-scale street graffiti into a successful art career. He held a gallery exhibition in December that attracted collectors, while his pieces appeared on walls and rooftops in dozens of countries. Purdy was named in 2019 as the man behind the 60ft tag painted on a railway viaduct overlooking Windsor Castle. At the time, the lettering was visible to motorists approaching the town along the Royal Windsor Way and prompted complaints about…

Victoria Beckham’s fashion and beauty business has recorded another year of double-digit growth, with revenue rising 15 per cent to £129.8 million. The latest figures represent an increase from £112.7 million in 2024 and mark the fifth consecutive year in which the company has achieved double-digit revenue growth. The performance extends the progress made by the Victoria Beckham brand across its clothing and cosmetics divisions, following a 26 per cent rise in sales during 2024. Victoria Beckham launched her eponymous fashion label in 2008 before expanding into beauty with a range of make-up, skincare and fragrance products. The figures underline…

A delivery driver is in a critical condition after being crushed between a scissor lift and another piece of machinery outside St John of God Mount Lawley Hospital in Perth. The worker was reportedly pinned while delivering equipment to the hospital at about 7am on Monday. He was taken to Royal Perth Hospital, where he remains in a critical condition. WorkSafe Western Australia is investigating the workplace incident. No further details about the worker’s injuries have been released. The accident happened on the final day St John of God Health Care was responsible for the site, as workers were changing…

Backlash against Sacha Baron Cohen’s new Ali G film is intensifying, with campaigners urging cinemas to refuse to screen the movie over allegations that it relies on racist stereotypes. NewsCord, a UK-based media monitoring organisation, has launched a campaign targeting cinema chains in Britain and overseas. The group says more than 37,000 emails have been sent to exhibitors calling for Ali G: Who Iz I? to be left off their programmes. The campaign follows the release of a trailer for the film, which shows Baron Cohen reviving the character in a mockumentary featuring encounters with members of the public. Critics…

Microsoft has told Windows users to ignore false Microsoft Defender Antivirus alerts claiming the security software has been switched off, after the latest Defender updates were installed. The warning is appearing in the Windows Security app on affected devices, despite Defender continuing to operate normally and its settings showing that protection remains active. Microsoft said the issue affects all supported Windows client and server editions, including Windows 11 26H1 and Windows Server 2025. It has been reported among members of the Windows Insider Release Preview Channel since June. In an update to its health dashboard, Microsoft said notifications could appear…

Manchester United are close to completing the signing of Mexico international Rebeca Bernal from Washington Spirit, in a move that would make her the first Mexican player to appear in the Women’s Super League. The 29-year-old is capable of playing at centre-back or in defensive midfield and has emerged as a target for new United head coach Eva Olid as the club strengthens its squad ahead of the new campaign. Bernal joined Washington Spirit from CF Monterrey in February 2025 on a three-year contract running through the 2027 season. She helped Monterrey win four Liga MX Femenil titles before moving…

Billy Slater has backed Mitch Barnett to help revive the Brisbane Broncos when the experienced forward arrives at the club next season. Barnett, who is moving from the New Zealand Warriors, has agreed to a three-year deal with Brisbane. The 32-year-old brings nearly 180 NRL appearances and a reputation for uncompromising defence and leadership. ([broncos.com.au](https://www.broncos.com.au/news/2026/04/16/barnett-signs-with-broncos-as-club-supports-anderson-release/?utm_source=openai)) Slater praised the work Barnett has produced during a strong 2026 campaign, suggesting his intensity and consistency could provide the Broncos with a significant boost as they look to rebuild. Barnett has also strengthened his standing at representative level this year. The New South Wales…

At least 43 boys and young men have died during traditional circumcision ceremonies across South Africa, while dozens more have suffered severe injuries, including mutilation, during the country’s winter initiation season. The fatalities were recorded in six provinces, with Mpumalanga accounting for 18 deaths and the Eastern Cape reporting 14. Four deaths were recorded in North West, three in Limpopo, and two each in Gauteng and the Free State. South Africa’s Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs said 75 initiates had been admitted to hospital and 180 rescued from illegal initiation schools. Authorities also reported 12 abductions and the…