Author: DispatchTimes News Desk

Chicago is weighing a $260.8 million settlement covering 16 wrongful-conviction lawsuits linked to former police detective Reynaldo Guevara, in what could become the largest single police misconduct payout in US history. The proposed agreement concerns 17 people convicted of murder in investigations dating from 1987 onwards. They allege that Guevara and other former Chicago police officers used misconduct to secure their convictions. Settlement would cover 383 years in prison All 17 plaintiffs have since had their convictions overturned and the charges against them dismissed. Collectively, they spent more than 383 years behind bars. The cases were filed in federal court…

A murder investigation has been launched after a 28-year-old man found with a stab wound in North Albury, New South Wales, died in hospital. Emergency services were called to Calimo Street at about 1am on Sunday, September 27, where the man was found with an injury to his neck. He was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital in a critical condition. Police were later advised that he had died. Officers from the State Crime Command Homicide Squad will assist Murray River Police District detectives with the investigation. A report will be prepared for the coroner, while detectives…

A dispute over a £400,000 inheritance has brought two brothers before Central London County Court, after one claimed their father was pressured into changing his will months before his death. Bani Verma, a 67-year-old taxi driver, is challenging a 2023 will which left the estate to his younger brother, driving instructor Harish Verma, and Harish’s wife, Paramjit. Their father, Gowerdhan Dass, died aged 89 in February 2024. An earlier will, made in 2015, had divided his assets between the families of his four children. Bani alleges that Harish unduly influenced their father and helped turn him against his eldest son.…

Airfare prices are set to remain high as volatile fuel costs and resilient travel demand squeeze airline profits, with carriers passing increased expenses on to passengers through higher fares, surcharges and baggage fees. The conflict involving Iran, which began at the end of February, pushed diesel, petrol and jet fuel prices to multi-year or record highs. Disruption around the Strait of Hormuz and strong demand have driven up refined fuels, including jet fuel, by more than the price of crude oil. Airline executives are not expecting a rapid fall in fuel costs, while bookings have continued despite higher ticket prices.…

Real Madrid are considering a January loan move for Endrick as the 20-year-old striker seeks greater opportunities, although the club are not prepared to sanction a permanent departure. Endrick’s representatives held talks with Madrid during the international break to seek clarity over his role. The club is understood to recognise the player’s frustration but has no intention of allowing him to leave permanently in January. Endrick loan move could lead to Premier League A temporary transfer is now being considered, but it would reportedly be a “dry” loan, meaning there would be no option for the borrowing club to buy…

Police in the Atlanta area have arrested two alleged street racers and charged a man accused of calling 911 to avoid paying a $63 restaurant bill, while former DeKalb County Schools superintendent Devon Horton is expected to change his plea in a federal case this week. Devon Horton expected to change plea in federal case Horton, who led DeKalb County Schools before resigning in October 2025, is reportedly due back in court for a change-of-plea hearing. He previously pleaded not guilty to federal charges linked to alleged wire fraud, embezzlement and tax offences dating from his time as superintendent of…

Ukraine claims its long-range missile strikes have put more than half of Russia’s oil refining capacity out of action. The assertion follows months of attacks targeting Russia’s refining infrastructure, although it has not been independently verified in the available information.

Middle East oil exports excluding Iran have risen above their pre-war levels for several days, despite attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, according to maritime tracking firm Kpler. The weekly average of shipments exceeded the pre-conflict rate of 18 million barrels a day for the first time since the US and Israel launched their offensive against Iran at the end of February. Kpler said crude exports from the region reached pre-war levels in September, with at least 16.5 million barrels leaving countries outside Iran. About 40 per cent of the oil now avoids the Strait of Hormuz, with…

Newport is considering a ban on balaclavas and other face coverings in its city centre, amid concerns that masked young people are deterring shoppers and contributing to anti-social behaviour. The proposal, put forward by Conservative councillor Matthew Evans, was backed in a vote on September 29 and will now be examined by officials as the city’s Public Space Protection Order is renewed. Mr Evans said the measure would include exemptions for religious reasons. He said many residents were “anxious” about people wearing balaclavas and called for “tougher action” to “improve the lives of residents and traders”. He said the proposed…

The US Federal Reserve is facing a potential cycle in which higher interest rates reduce housebuilding, push up rents and make it harder to bring inflation back to its 2% target, according to Apollo chief economist Torsten Slok. Slok said the Kevin Warsh-led central bank could become trapped in a “higher rates, higher rent doom loop”, as borrowing costs weigh on construction and a shortage of new homes and apartments puts upward pressure on rents. “When rates are high, builders build less, and when fewer homes and apartments get built, rents go up, which pushes inflation higher and keeps rates…