Author: DispatchTimes News Desk

Andy Burnham has put Labour’s electoral prospects on the line with a sweeping programme to scrap the pension triple lock, reset Britain’s relationship with the European Union and replace the first-past-the-post voting system. In his first speech to Labour’s annual conference in Liverpool, the Prime Minister said he wanted to “break the mould” of British politics and reverse what he described as the legacy of Thatcherism. The most contentious proposal is to remove the earnings element of the triple lock from 2030, generating savings for a National Care Service. The change is expected to reduce pension payments by £15 billion…

Ella Langley has said public criticism over her appearance, voice and music made her question whether she was strong enough for fame. The 27-year-old country singer addressed the scrutiny during a recent performance in Columbus, Ohio, telling the audience that she had faced more opinions about herself over the past year than ever before. “I don’t think I’ve ever had more opinions on myself in my life than I have in this last year. The way I look, the way I speak, the way I dress, the way I sing, the way I write,” Langley said. Ella Langley says criticism…

A Fairfax County School Board member is urging the district to lift a teacher hiring pause after warning that some classrooms remain without permanent staff almost six weeks into the new school year. Melanie Merren, who represents the Hunter Mill District, said schools were relying on long-term substitutes to cover vacancies, while existing teachers were being moved between year groups or transferred to other schools. “There’s a class where there is no teacher, and there is apparently a substitute teacher who is qualified to be a teacher,” Ms Merren said. She added that the substitute was being paid at an…

Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad has been admitted to the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur, two days after the death of his wife, Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali. The 101-year-old was taken to hospital on Tuesday night for observation, his aide Sufi Yusoff said on Wednesday. The reason for the admission remained unclear pending an official diagnosis. Dr Mahathir has a history of heart problems and has undergone bypass surgery. He has also been hospitalised several times in recent years, most recently in January after suffering a hip fracture in a fall. His wife, a medical doctor and public…

US President Donald Trump and leading technology companies have signed a voluntary AI regulation agreement at a tech summit, placing the emphasis on industry self-regulation rather than binding controls. The agreement includes internal reviews and joint monitoring, but does not introduce concrete safeguards, or “guardrails”, for artificial intelligence. Its voluntary nature has left open the question of whether the measures go far enough to regulate the rapidly developing technology.

The dollar is on course for a substantial rise in September, with the euro bearing most of the losses. The currency’s monthly advance is expected to be driven chiefly by its gains against the euro.

Fiona Lowe, the 13-year-old daughter of actor Chad Lowe and Kim Painter, has died, her family has said. Chad is the younger brother of Rob Lowe. In a statement, the family said: “We are deeply heartbroken by the loss of our beloved Fiona.” Fiona, who was born in November 2012, was one of Chad and Kim’s three daughters. Her parents described her as loving, intelligent and creative, adding that she loved to dance and was adored by her sisters. “She was the light of our lives,” the family said, describing her death as devastating and asking for prayers and privacy…

West Coast Wrap brings together the latest news from across the western United States, with coverage spanning California, Arizona and Washington. The programme reports on the key developments shaping communities across the region, offering viewers a broad look at breaking news and major stories from the West Coast.

Plans to extend Melbourne’s airport rail link have been accelerated, with construction of the next stage expected to begin in 2028, Victorian Premier Ben Carroll and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have announced. The second stage will run from the Sunshine transport hub to Melbourne Airport, via a new Keilor East station in Mr Carroll’s marginal electorate. The project will include a 7.4km railway from Albion to the edge of the airport precinct, as well as a 500m bridge carrying trains over the Maribyrnong River. Site investigations and procurement are due to begin within weeks. “A new Keilor East station will…

David Shoebridge has been elected leader of Australia’s Greens, prompting former deputy Mehreen Faruqi to criticise the party’s direction after losing the contest. Shoebridge secured the leadership vote at a party retreat in Sydney on Wednesday, defeating Faruqi and South Australian senator Sarah Hanson-Young. He won six primary votes in the first round, ahead of Faruqi on three and Hanson-Young on two. After preferences were distributed, Shoebridge defeated Faruqi by seven votes to four. Faruqi stepped down as deputy leader to contest the top position but said she would not seek to retain the deputy role, arguing she could have…