Author: DispatchTimes News Desk

Two former police officers in suburban Chicago have been charged over the alleged misuse of Flock automated licence-plate cameras and law-enforcement databases to conduct unauthorised searches. A DuPage County grand jury indicted Marisa Ciccola, 30, formerly of the Itasca Police Department, and Gerardo Solis, 39, formerly of the West Chicago Police Department, on 29 September. Former officers charged over Flock camera searches Ciccola faces 13 counts of official misconduct, a Class 3 felony, and eight counts of computer tampering, a Class B misdemeanour. Prosecutors allege that she carried out multiple unauthorised searches between June 2025 and May 2026 while acting…

Rising energy costs could force mining companies in Western Australia to move overseas, taking jobs with them, the State’s peak industry body has warned. The warning applies to miners of all sizes and comes as industry heavyweights raise concerns that the mining boom in WA could be put at risk. The industry body said the cost pressures threatened the State’s ability to retain mining operations and the employment they support.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has urged Russia to be more transparent over the death of a laboratory worker in Siberia, amid conflicting accounts about whether she contracted pneumonic plague in a research facility. The 28-year-old woman, named as Darya Shipilova, worked at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute and died in hospital after developing an illness initially described as a typical acute respiratory viral infection. “I think it’s incumbent upon Russia to obviously share more information with the world,” Mr Rubio said after arriving in Reykjavik, Iceland. He called for Moscow to be “transparent” about the incident and any associated…

A row over Meghan Markle’s £112 advent calendar has escalated after two British clergymen were subjected to a barrage of online abuse for promoting a cheaper Christian alternative. Rev Daniel French, an Anglican priest and London university chaplain, suggested that shoppers could instead buy a £5.99 calendar containing Fairtrade chocolate, a Christmas story and activity booklet, while raising money for The Leprosy Mission. After his post, supporters of the Duchess of Sussex, commonly known as the Sussex Squad, accused him of attacking Meghan’s product. Some responses described him as “evil”, a “demon” and a “disgrace to the cloth”. Rev French…

Middle East oil flows have reached 80% of their pre-war levels, the chief executive of Shell has said. The assessment from the energy company’s chief executive indicates that regional oil movements have recovered to four-fifths of the level recorded before the war.

My Kitchen Rules contestants Tiffany and Giancarlo have defended Jane and Shane from criticism while acknowledging that Jane’s forceful manner has created tension among the teams. The Victorian couple, who have been together for almost 20 years, said Jane was passionate about food and her profession but needed to consider how her comments affected others. “Jane is passionate about what she does and they have travelled, so there are things we can get along over,” Tiffany said. “But I think it’s just the way that Jane’s opinion comes across, I just don’t think that it’s very measured. “I think she…

Central Florida is facing its wettest spell of the week, with showers and thunderstorms expected to become more widespread across Orlando on Tuesday and continue into the weekend. Early mist, drizzle and isolated light showers are expected to give way to a brief lull before heavier rain develops after lunchtime. Forecasters say the greatest risk will come during the afternoon and evening, when rain could affect the commute and some storms may bring frequent lightning, gusty winds and torrential downpours. ([fox35orlando.com](https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/orlando-weather-rainy-week-ahead-central-florida.amp)) The unsettled conditions are being driven by a stalled frontal boundary over Florida, alongside an area of low pressure…

Former BND chief August Hanning has been arrested in southern Germany on suspicion of treasonous espionage and other offences involving state secrets, federal prosecutors said. Hanning, 80, led Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service, known as the BND, from December 1998 until November 2005. He was detained in Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen. A former aide, identified as Manfred D, was also arrested on Tuesday in Steinfurt, western Germany. He is accused of aiding and abetting attempted treason and treasonous espionage. Prosecutors have not said which country the men are suspected of spying for. They said Manfred D had worked as Hanning’s chief of staff…

Several opposition legislators were briefly arrested in New Delhi after attempting to break through police barricades during a march calling for the resignation of India’s chief election commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar. Rahul Gandhi, a Congress party leader, was among those detained during Tuesday’s protest and was released soon afterwards, reports said. The demonstration, which began at parliament and continued for about 1km through central New Delhi, ended at the headquarters of the Election Commission. Lawmakers waved the national flag, carried placards and chanted slogans against Mr Kumar. The march was the latest in a series of near-daily protests that began last…

Democrats have gained a clear advantage in the race for control of Congress, with new polling suggesting the party is favoured to win a narrow majority in the House of Representatives and has moved closer to taking the Senate. The midterm elections are due in four weeks, and the shift comes as President Donald Trump’s approval rating remains low. The Cook Political Report forecasts that Democrats could gain between five and 15 House seats, leaving them with between 220 and 230 seats in January. A majority requires 218. The Senate has moved more sharply in the Democrats’ direction. Six seats…