Author: DispatchTimes News Desk

David Hearn’s vandalism charges have been dismissed with prejudice by a Washington judge, permanently preventing federal prosecutors from bringing the case again despite President Donald Trump’s public calls for it to be revived. In a 26-page ruling, D.C. Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman said the case should be closed in large part because of the “political pressure brought by the President of the United States upon his subordinate officers”. Hearn, 67, was arrested at the Reflecting Pool in June after parts of its multimillion-dollar blue lining began peeling away. He was charged with felony property destruction and indicted by a…

Citigroup has raised its 12-month Bitcoin price target from $82,000 to $113,000, saying renewed cryptocurrency demand and improving market sentiment could extend the digital asset’s recent recovery. The investment bank also lifted its forecast for Ethereum, increasing its target for the second-largest cryptocurrency from $2,240 to $3,028. Citigroup said demand for crypto-backed exchange-traded funds could provide a major lift, with inflows expected to reach $5 billion over the next year. It also pointed to the US Treasury’s decision to buy back longer-dated bonds and a weakening US dollar as factors likely to support digital assets. Bitcoin price target raised after…

Fitness model Jen Selter has been named this week’s “Cheek of the Week” after a recent Instagram post. Selter rose to fame for helping popularise the term “belfie”, meaning a butt selfie, and the latest post has been described as further evidence of her skill in the genre.

The Treasury Committee has asked HM Revenue and Customs to examine the possible tax implications of the Premier League’s investigation into Manchester City. Dame Meg Hillier, the committee’s chair, has written to HMRC chief executive JP Marks to ask whether the department has received an unredacted version of the Premier League’s report into the club. HMRC could investigate whether Manchester City paid the correct amount of tax and national insurance during the nine seasons in which the club was found guilty of financial rule breaches. In her letter, Hillier requested “reassurance from HMRC that you are seized of the importance…

Flooding has hit parts of Central Texas as severe storms move across the region, with roads closed in Kerrville, Junction and surrounding communities and a flood watch in force for much of South Central Texas. The National Weather Service has warned of potentially dangerous flash flooding, particularly across the Hill Country and areas west of the Interstate 35 corridor. A flood watch remains in place through Friday evening, with one to four inches of rain expected across much of the region and isolated totals of up to eight inches. Kerr County was placed under a flash flood warning after thunderstorms…

Australia could be $10 billion a year poorer if parliament fails to ratify its landmark free trade deal with the European Union, the bloc’s new ambassador has warned. Lawrence Meredith urged lawmakers not to delay the agreement or seek to renegotiate it, saying the pact represented “an enormous opportunity” for Australian people and businesses. Mr Meredith, who presented his credentials to Governor-General Sam Mostyn this week, said the EU-Australia free trade deal could come into force early next year if approved by parliament. “I think that what’s important here is that the people, the businesses of Australia, stand to benefit…

Amber Guyger, the former Dallas police officer convicted of murdering Botham Jean, has been granted parole by the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. Guyger was found guilty on 1 October 2019 of shooting Jean in his own apartment in 2018. She said she had mistakenly entered his home, believing it was her own, and thought he was an intruder. She was sentenced to 10 years in prison after facing a possible term ranging from five years to life. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice has not yet confirmed when she will be released. The parole board said its decision…

A former senior Federal Reserve employee was drawn into a relationship with an alleged Chinese intelligence operative and later threatened over explicit photographs, before being arrested by the FBI and sentenced to 38 months in prison. John Harold Rogers, 65, was detained while walking his dog in his suburban Washington neighbourhood in January 2025, shortly before he was due to travel to China with his wife and daughter. Rogers avoided an espionage conviction but was found guilty of making false statements to investigators. He was sentenced in July. US Attorney Jeanine Pirro said Rogers had secretly passed sensitive Federal Reserve…

Federal Reserve official Kashkari said more interest-rate rises are needed, but indicated he was not certain whether another increase should come this month. His comments signal continued support for further monetary tightening while leaving the timing of the next rate decision open.

50 Cent has urged Verizon customers to switch providers after a blackout removed STARZ programming from the company’s Fios TV service, threatening access to shows including Power. The rapper and television executive criticised Verizon and chief executive Dan Schulman in an Instagram post, directing particular concern at viewers in New York and New Jersey. He warned fans that they could miss STARZ programmes including Power and its spin-offs, which are produced by his G-Unit Film & Television banner. The dispute follows the failure of negotiations between STARZ and Verizon over a new distribution agreement. STARZ said customers could also lose…