Author: DispatchTimes News Desk

Thousands of protesters are expected in Perth on Tuesday for a peaceful demonstration outside Land Forces 2026, despite violent clashes at the previous defence exhibition in Melbourne. Sam Wainwright, a spokesman for the WA Anti-War Collective, said the group did not expect a repeat of the disorder that surrounded Land Forces 2024. “We’ve made it clear our protest will be entirely peaceful,” he told AAP. “I don’t believe there’ll be any violent protest of any sort.” The three-day exhibition, which runs until Thursday, is Australia’s largest land defence industry event. It is expected to attract thousands of delegates from Australia…

Victoria Beckham has offered a behind-the-scenes glimpse of her Paris Fashion Week show, with children Romeo, Cruz and Harper joining her backstage while eldest son Brooklyn was absent amid an ongoing family rift. The designer, 52, shared footage from the presentation of her SS27 collection, showing her checking the outfits before models took to the catwalk and praising one of them as “beautiful”. Wearing a vest top that showed off her arms, Beckham was seen reviewing the plans for each look, including a funnel-neck jacket and shorts. Harper, 15, said she was particularly looking forward to seeing how her mother’s…

Voice of America is costing US taxpayers an estimated 1.6 million dollars (£1.2 million) a week, despite most of its operations being halted and hundreds of staff remaining on paid administrative leave. About 420 employees were still on leave in July, creating an estimated annual cost of 82.8 million dollars, according to a report by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG). The continuing expense followed the Trump administration’s decision to dismantle much of the broadcaster and the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM). USAGM said the employees’ pay amounted to 3.2 million dollars every two weeks. The administrative…

Country singer Zach Bryan has bought a nearly 40-acre estate near Franklin, Tennessee, for $18.25 million, according to property records and sources with direct knowledge of the purchase. The acquisition took place in February and was made quietly, with the property located in the Leiper’s Fork area. The estate’s main residence covers 5,035 square feet and includes four bedrooms, five bathrooms and a wraparound porch overlooking the surrounding countryside. Its grounds feature two stocked ponds, a saltwater infinity pool, an outdoor kitchen, formal gardens and walking trails, as well as extensive privacy. A separate 5,300-square-foot entertainment barn includes a grand…

A 20-year-old man has been charged after two teenage girls were allegedly targeted in separate incidents in Ramsey and Coon Rapids, Minnesota, within hours of each other. Oliver Joseph Butcher faces charges of attempted first-degree criminal sexual conduct, attempted kidnapping and second-degree criminal sexual conduct over the incidents on September 28. Teen allegedly chased in Ramsey Police say the first incident happened at about 2.05pm near Alpine Drive North-west and Vicuna Street North-west in Ramsey. A 15-year-old girl told officers that a man in a black Dodge SUV stopped and asked her for directions to the nearest Walmart. After she…

Andoni Iraola’s unbeaten start at Liverpool will face its sternest examination when Manchester City visit Anfield on Sunday, with the early signs of the new manager’s influence under close scrutiny. Iraola has already shown a willingness to make bold selection decisions, while Liverpool’s recent defensive improvement has helped them navigate the opening phase of his reign. The meeting with City could now provide a clearer indication of how quickly his ideas are taking hold. Iraola’s tactical influence at Liverpool Vinny O’Connor said Iraola had demonstrated that he was prepared to make difficult calls, including leaving out Jeremie Frimpong and selecting…

Authorities in Lapeer County are investigating a suspicious house fire after the owner reported that more than 400 exotic animals and about $20,000 in cash were missing from the property. Firefighters were called to the home on Pratt Road, near Greens Corner Road in Hadley Township, during the overnight hours of Saturday, October 3. The Hadley Township Fire Department said nobody was inside when the blaze broke out. The fire has been deemed suspicious and remains under investigation. Officials are assessing the damage to the property, which the family believes may be a total loss. The homeowner, who has not…

Victoria’s Coalition opposition has pledged a sweeping reset of the state’s mental health system, including reviews of its billion-dollar levy, an overhaul of the sector watchdog and a new strategy to address workforce shortages. The package, to be announced on Tuesday ahead of November’s election, would also establish a Youth Mental Health Centre of Excellence overseen by Orygen and fund planning for a standalone 50-bed youth mental health hospital in Parkville. Opposition mental health spokeswoman Emma Kealy said the Coalition would begin separate reviews of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Levy, the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission and the state’s…

The Mecca Alliance has agreed to activate collective deterrence measures after what it described as “heinous attacks” by Yemen’s Houthi group against Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye will provide the agreed military forces and capabilities, with plans for their rapid deployment to the kingdom, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said on Monday. The announcement comes as the Saudi-backed Yemeni government mounts a counteroffensive aimed at pushing the Iran-aligned Houthis back from territory they captured last month.

Amazon is to invest more than $1 billion over five years in job training, free community college places and energy-efficiency improvements as it seeks to address opposition to the data centres powering its artificial intelligence ambitions. Matt Garman, chief executive of Amazon Web Services, announced the Built Together programme while defending the company’s expanding data-centre network in the United States. Mr Garman said Amazon understood communities’ “apprehension” about new facilities, but warned that more than 100 proposed data-centre moratoriums could threaten America’s position in the AI race. “If these measures are enacted, the U.S. could be writing its own losing…