Author: DispatchTimes News Desk

Brazil’s presidential election has become a tightly fought contest between leftist incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and right-wing Senator Flavio Bolsonaro. Lula is seeking a fourth term in office, while Mr Bolsonaro is challenging him for the presidency. The race remained close as election updates were followed on Sunday.

Persian Gulf oil exports have recovered to almost pre-war levels under US military protection, weakening Iran’s leverage over the Strait of Hormuz while leaving open the possibility of a fresh escalation, analysts have warned. JPMorgan estimated Middle Eastern crude shipments reached about 17.5 million barrels a day last week, equivalent to 98% of pre-war levels. Goldman Sachs put exports from Persian Gulf producers even higher, at 19 million barrels a day. Shipping data firm Kpler said Gulf crude exports had also returned to pre-war levels, recording at least 16.5 million barrels a day in September. But the recovery has relied…

A California woman was filmed confronting a couple during an engagement proposal, demanding that the photography team stop filming before allegedly directing racist remarks at them. The incident took place on October 2, when a film and photography crew arranged a proposal featuring rose petals spelling “Will you marry me?” and a live mariachi band for the Latino couple. Trinity Lugo, a videographer with Trinity Films, said she was recording the proposal when the woman objected to the production in the park. Footage of the confrontation has since received 650,000 likes on Instagram. In the video, the woman tells the…

A 59-year-old convicted felon has died after allegedly opening fire on Hernando County deputies during a confrontation in Spring Hill, Florida, on Saturday night. Kevin Joe Monday was pronounced dead at the scene after two deputies returned fire, according to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office. No deputies were injured. Spring Hill deputy shooting The incident followed a domestic disturbance call made at about 2.30pm on Saturday, October 3. Deputies were told that Monday had made violent threats towards a child aged under 10 before leaving the property. Investigators said Monday was a registered sex offender and had previously been accused…

Iran’s Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad has resigned for personal reasons, with Hamid Bovard, the chief executive of the state-owned National Iranian Oil Company, appointed as acting minister. Mehdi Tabatabaei, communications deputy in President Masoud Pezeshkian’s office, said Paknejad had resigned “a long time ago”. His resignation was accepted at his insistence, according to state media. Mr Tabatabaei said on Sunday: “With acceptance of Mohsen Paknejad’s resignation by Dr Pezeshkian, Hamid Bovard has been appointed as acting oil minister.” Paknejad had held the post since August 2024, as a seven-month-old war between Iran and the United States placed further pressure on…

Andy Burnham appears to have gained a boost from his Labour conference speech, with the party opening a five-point lead over Reform as speculation about a snap election continues. The latest Opinium poll puts Labour on 30 per cent, up two points and its highest rating from the firm since 2024. Reform has risen one point to 25 per cent, while the Conservatives remain on 17 per cent. The figures could give Mr Burnham a narrow majority if he chose to call an early election, despite his repeated attempts to dismiss the possibility. Electoral Calculus projects that the result could…

Latino voters have swung sharply towards Democrats ahead of the US midterm elections, threatening Republican hopes of retaining control of Congress after Donald Trump made significant gains with the group in 2024. Fifty-nine per cent of Latino registered voters now favour a Congress controlled by Democrats, compared with 35 per cent who prefer Republican control, according to an NBC News/Telemundo poll released on Sunday. The 24-point Democratic advantage is twice the lead recorded in the poll’s September 2024 edition. A separate CBS News/YouGov survey found a similar divide among Hispanic likely voters, with 60 per cent supporting a Democratic House…

Dr Mike Varshavski has reportedly been approached about becoming the lead of The Bachelor’s upcoming 30th season, as the long-running dating show prepares for a possible return to ABC in 2027. The claim remains unconfirmed, with a report suggesting that producers have been in contact with the internet personality, widely known as “Dr Mike”. Varshavski, 36, is a doctor who shares health advice online. He has 15.1 million followers on YouTube and six million on Instagram, and was named The Sexiest Doctor Alive in 2015. The Bachelor has been off air for a period, but ABC is expected to commission…

Alex and Erin are preparing for the Banned Together Book Fest, a one-day event celebrating the freedom to read during Banned Books Week in downtown Ferndale, Michigan, on Saturday, October 10, 2026. The festival will run from 10am to 6pm, with activities taking place across the Ferndale Library, Love & Other Books bookshop and Go Comedy! Improv Theater. Organisers say the event will bring together readers, writers, educators and librarians, with bestselling and independent authors, panel discussions, book signings, local booksellers, vendors and educational sessions planned throughout the day. The festival will also highlight queer, Black, Indigenous and other people…

An 18-year-old man accused of driving into Newcastle Knights fans has appeared in court after the crash left a little girl critically injured and nine other people hurt in Newcastle, Australia. Indika Samarasinghe appeared before a magistrate on Sunday, a day after hundreds of supporters gathered beside the road to see the Knights leave for Sydney for the NRL grand final. The victims were aged between two and 67. Most remained in hospital, while four people had been discharged. A second five-year-old girl who was critically injured in the collision was reported to be in a serious but stable condition.…