Author: DispatchTimes News Desk

US stocks opened lower as uncertainty over the conflict involving Iran weighed on investors and oil prices moved higher. The decline came amid concern about the impact of the conflict, with the rise in oil adding to market unease.

A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to restore White House access to journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico, temporarily blocking President Donald Trump’s ban on the three news organisations. US District Judge Timothy Kelly issued a 14-day restraining order after the outlets argued that their press passes had been revoked in retaliation for coverage the president considered unfavourable. Judge Kelly said the organisations were likely to succeed in showing that their access had been withdrawn without proper due process. He ordered officials to “immediately return, reinstate, and restore” the journalists’ credentials. The administration had argued that access…

McDonald’s is trialling AI order-taking at a drive-thru restaurant in Sydney’s west, in what it says is an Australian first for the fast-food chain. The system is being tested at the company’s Schofields restaurant, where customers are greeted by a digital voice rather than a crew member. “Hello, I’m an AI assistant helping the crew,” it tells customers as they arrive at the ordering point. The trial is taking place on and off, mainly during overnight shifts, with the technology intended to streamline the drive-thru ordering process. David McMullen, McDonald’s chief restaurant officer, said: “The software is designed to ultimately…

Bailee Rios, the woman accused of causing a fatal Metro bus crash in Chatsworth, Los Angeles, is due to enter a plea at Los Angeles County Superior Court in San Fernando on Thursday. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department records list the 36-year-old Simi Valley resident for arraignment after several previous hearings were delayed because of her medical condition. Rios faces two counts of second-degree murder, along with charges of driving under the influence of drugs causing injury and reckless driving on a highway. Prosecutors have also alleged that she caused great bodily injury. The charges relate to a crash on…

Journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico were barred from entering the White House for Donald Trump’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, despite a judge ordering that the ban be temporarily lifted. The three news organisations have asked for an emergency court hearing, saying their reporters were still denied access on Thursday morning. Their request followed a ruling by Judge Timothy Kelly that the restrictions were likely unconstitutional. The judge’s order blocked the White House from enforcing the ban for 14 days. However, the outlets said Secret Service agents continued to prevent their journalists from entering the complex. The…

Chrysler is recalling 239,131 Ram 1500 trucks in the US after a software fault was found that could stop the rear-view camera image appearing when the vehicle is put into reverse. The recall affects certain 2025 and 2026 model-year vehicles built between October 6, 2023, and February 23, 2026, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The agency said a problem with the trucks’ radio software may prevent the camera feed from displaying during a reversing manoeuvre. The loss of rear visibility could increase the risk of a crash. Vehicles built after February 23, 2026, are not included,…

The Superquiz has introduced a new format designed to make the daily general-knowledge challenge faster and easier to use on mobile devices. The redesigned quiz retains its familiar structure of 15 questions, while adding interactive features intended to show players how their answers compare with those of other readers. After each question, percentages will appear alongside the correct and incorrect answers. These indicate the proportion of players who selected each option, allowing participants to assess the difficulty of a question and compare their performance with others. How the new Superquiz format works The total number of questions is displayed beside…

A semi-truck rollover crash blocked two westbound lanes of Interstate 90 near State Route 900 in Issaquah, Washington, during the morning rush hour on Thursday, September 24. The Washington State Patrol said the lorry overturned shortly before 6.30am, leaving the two left-hand westbound lanes obstructed. The driver suffered minor injuries. Trooper Rick Johnson shared details of the collision as emergency crews responded at the scene in King County. A recovery vehicle was sent to remove the overturned truck. Drivers travelling through the area were warned to expect significant delays while the vehicle was recovered and the road was made safe.…

Elijah Pepper produced a remarkable winning moment for the Perth Wildcats, sinking a miracle bomb to defeat the Adelaide 36ers in a thrilling NBL contest. The decisive contribution came despite an outstanding performance from Bryce Cotton, who marked his 300th game with an epic display. Pepper’s late heroics ultimately secured the victory for the Wildcats.

Houston is braced for another day of near-record heat on Thursday, 24 September, with temperatures forecast to reach the mid-to-upper 90s Fahrenheit. The city’s record high for the date is 98F (37C), set in 2023. A small chance of showers and thunderstorms remains, particularly near the coast, but most of the Houston area is expected to stay dry. The National Weather Service has also issued an air quality alert for Houston, Galveston and surrounding areas, warning that ozone pollution could reach unhealthy levels for sensitive groups through Thursday evening. Residents are advised to limit outdoor activity during the hottest part…