Author: DispatchTimes News Desk

Barnaby Joyce has denied meeting neo-Nazis at a Canberra casino, insisting he encountered the group by chance and did not knowingly spend time with them. The One Nation MP said he had visited the casino about a fortnight ago for a social occasion with a friend before being approached by a group whose identity was initially unknown to him. “After a while, I start to get a little bit worried about them because they start talking about Anglo-Celtic and immigration and stuff like that. So I quietly make my way away,” Joyce told News24. He said he only later realised…

Chicago mayoral candidate William J. Quinlan has filed a lawsuit challenging the decision by three prominent political figures to seek the city’s top job while also pursuing re-election to their current offices. The action, lodged in Cook County Circuit Court on Tuesday, names Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, US Congressman Mike Quigley and Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas. Quinlan argues that seeking two “incompatible” offices at the same time breaches the Illinois Election Code. Ms Pappas has not formally entered the Chicago mayoral race, according to Fox Chicago, although she has previously indicated that she intends to run. Mr…

Perth life sciences company Syngenis Labs is joining forces with the Perron Institute and the scientists behind Gene S to create a precision-medicine venture designed to expand an Australian-developed pharmacogenomics platform. The new company, Gene S Dx, has acquired the Gene S business, including its Rosa testing platform and the intellectual property behind its development. Pharmacogenomics uses a patient’s genetic profile to help guide the selection and dosage of medicines. Syngenis will hold a one-third stake through its wholly owned Syngenis Ventures arm. The Perron Institute will hold another third, with Gene S founders Dr Svetlana Baltic and Dr Suzanna…

Social Circle remains a functioning city despite being decertified by Georgia state officials, its city manager has said, as the municipality prepares a fresh legal challenge against the decision. The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) imposed the one-year penalty from 21 September following a dispute with Newton County over a proposed annexation. City Manager Eric Taylor said the ruling did not abolish Social Circle’s city status or affect its daily services. City Hall, public safety operations and local utility services will continue as normal, Mr Taylor said. Residents will still be able to contact the council and city administration,…

Myer has posted a second consecutive annual loss, with the Australian department store operator reporting a statutory deficit of $276.5 million amid persistent cost-of-living pressures and a difficult retail market. The company, which operates 56 stores across the country, said consumer sentiment had been affected by higher fuel prices linked to the conflict in the Middle East, three interest rate increases, slower household income growth and a weaker housing market. Its loss for the 52 weeks to July 25 was wider than the $205 million deficit recorded in the previous year. Excluding significant items, Myer recorded an underlying profit of…

Vickie Williams has been found guilty of murdering an elderly couple in their home at a retirement community in Mount Dora, Florida, after a jury rejected her defence that she was legally insane. Williams was convicted on two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Darryl Getman, 83, and his wife Sharon, 80, as well as grand theft. Jurors reached their verdict after deliberating for roughly half an hour on Tuesday. The Getmans were found stabbed to death inside their home at the gated Waterman Village community on 31 December 2022. Prosecutors argued that the killings were premeditated, pointing…

A royal commission into alleged corruption on Victorian Big Build work sites is being led by former South Australian chief justice Chris Kourakis, with its opening hearing due to lay the foundations for the inquiry. Mr Kourakis served as South Australia’s chief justice from 2012 until retiring from the bench earlier this year. He was previously the state’s solicitor-general between 2003 and 2008. Victorian barristers Chris Young KC and Christopher Carr SC have been appointed as counsel assisting the commission. Mr Young practises in public and commercial law and has appeared in cases involving building and construction projects. Mr Carr,…

A 1962 time capsule has been unearthed by staff preparing a centenary exhibition for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Tampa Bay. The copper box was discovered in a storage unit in Tampa, Florida, as workers searched for material to display at the Tampa Bay History Center. It had been welded shut and had to be opened with a hammer and crowbar. Inside were items marking the opening of the Interbay Boys Club on South Coolidge Avenue, including programmes from the ceremony, black-and-white photographs of a formal dinner and a cigar. The box also contained a congratulatory telegram from…

A royal commission into alleged corruption on Victorian Big Build work sites is to begin under former South Australian chief justice Chris Kourakis, who has been given powers to examine the conduct of politicians, advisers, public servants, unions and construction companies. Two Victorian barristers, Chris Young KC and Christopher Carr SC, have been appointed as counsel assisting the inquiry. The commission is expected to use its opening hearing to establish the framework for its investigation. Mr Kourakis served as South Australia’s chief justice from 2012 until retiring from the bench earlier this year. He was previously the state’s solicitor-general between…

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is meeting elbow specialists on Tuesday and Wednesday as the team seeks clarity over his latest injury, with head coach Dan Quinn confirming that Marcus Mariota will start against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. Daniels dislocated his left elbow during Washington’s 37-20 defeat by the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. The third-year quarterback has undergone imaging, but the Commanders have yet to provide a timetable for his return. The club said there is no fracture in the elbow. Quinn has indicated that Daniels is expected to miss at least this weekend’s game, although the extent of…