Author: DispatchTimes News Desk

France is to summon Iran’s ambassador after authorities in Tehran shut a French-language centre linked to the French embassy, prompting Paris to promise “appropriate measures”. The French Foreign Ministry described the closure of the French Language Centre (CLF) as a fresh attack on France’s cultural presence in Iran. “This new attack against France’s cultural presence in Iran, following the assault on two staff members of the French embassy last July, is unjustifiable and unacceptable,” ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux said in a statement. The decision to summon the ambassador was requested by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, the ministry said. Iran’s…

Paramount antitrust settlement talks have become increasingly divided, with state attorneys general split over whether to approve an agreement that could clear the way for the company’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The case was brought by 12 states, and negotiations are reportedly continuing despite growing disagreement among the Democratic-led states involved. Paramount is seeking a settlement as it attempts to move ahead with the deal. State attorneys general divided over Paramount settlement California attorney general Rob Bonta is understood to be pressing for an agreement, despite opposition from figures in the entertainment industry, including actor Mark Ruffalo, who…

Atlanta’s quarterback crisis deepened on Sunday as Cooper Rush was benched and rookie Jack Strand threw a pick-six with his first pass in a 34-3 defeat by the Carolina Panthers. Rush lost a fumble on the opening play from scrimmage before throwing two interceptions, leaving the Falcons trailing 27-3 in the third quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. He completed 10 of 17 passes for 86 yards before coach Kevin Stefanski turned to Strand. The undrafted rookie was greeted by a loud ovation from supporters who had been calling for a change. Their hopes lasted one play, however, as his first pass…

Opposition leader Angus Taylor has pledged to halve Australia’s fuel excise, insisting the proposal would be fully funded and would not add to current inflationary pressures. Taylor said the cut would reduce the excise by 50 per cent while maintaining that it could be delivered without increasing inflation.

A federal immigration agent shot and wounded a man in Austin, Texas, on Sunday, leaving him in a serious but stable condition, according to local officials. The shooting happened shortly before 1pm local time on the city’s north side. Robert Luckritz, chief of Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services, said the man appeared to have been shot once in the torso. Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said the man remained in a serious condition but was stable. He said he did not know the man’s nationality. Austin police chief Lisa Davis said the incident may have followed a foot pursuit, although she…

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has vowed to continue with his reform programme after the CDU suffered a historic setback in two state elections, while the anti-migration Alternative for Germany made major gains. Exit-poll projections indicated that Merz’s centre-right Christian Democratic Union secured just 5% in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania – its lowest result in any German state since the Second World War. The AfD won 37.9% in the north-eastern state, according to projections by public broadcaster ARD based on exit polls and partial counting. In Berlin, the party took 16.2%, while the CDU came second on 19.1%, behind the Left party on…

Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang has said there is a “0% chance” artificial intelligence will bring about the end of the world by 2030. Speaking to CBS Sunday Morning, Mr Huang criticised warnings about the speculative dangers of AI, describing attempts to frighten the public as “unnecessary” and “irresponsible”. “2030 is not going to be the end of the world. There is 0% chance that’s going to be the end of the world,” he said. His comments represent one of the first notably positive assessments from a leading figure in the technology industry after several troubling developments prompted renewed concern…

Alvaro Arbeloa could face FA punishment after accusing match officials of favouring Manchester United during Fulham’s 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage. The Fulham manager was angered by a series of decisions during Sunday’s Premier League fixture, particularly a free-kick awarded to Harry Maguire shortly before Manchester United’s late equaliser. Fulham had appeared set to claim their first league victory of the season, but Matheus Cunha’s deflected effort in the 89th minute rescued a point for United. Speaking to Sky Sports, Arbeloa said: “There were so many things for them, you can see it in the foul by Maguire. Every decision…

A new seventh-to-12th grade model at Cactus High School in Glendale, Arizona, has proved so popular that the Peoria Unified School District has already filled its 350 places and begun a waiting list. The scheme allows pupils in years equivalent to the UK’s first two years of secondary school to study on a high-school campus while remaining in separate areas designed specifically for younger students. Peoria Unified’s governing board approved the change on March 12, 2026, with the new model launching for the 2026-27 school year. The district says it is intended to broaden academic, career and technical opportunities for…

Donald Trump has said a planned 76-metre arch in Washington would be transformed into a military complex capable of deploying drones and snipers. The US president said on social media that he had agreed to the change at the “strong request” of the military. He described the structure as a “top grade Military Complex/Triumphal Arch” designed to store and rapidly deploy drones, with snipers positioned on the roof and in the surrounding plaza. Trump also said the arch would hold “large quantities of sniper ammunition in storage”. The memorial is proposed for a traffic circle beside Memorial Bridge, one of…