Author: DispatchTimes News Desk

A new nonprofit dedicated to revitalising downtown Oakland is due to formally launch on Thursday, bringing together business leaders, property owners, philanthropists and city officials to support investment and economic activity in the area. The Oakland Downtown Development Corporation will be led by chief executive Puja Abid, who has previewed the organisation’s plans to bring fresh momentum to the city centre. The corporation says its work will focus on strategic placemaking, economic development and advocacy, with private investment and civic leadership working alongside the City of Oakland. Its official launch is scheduled to take place at Cloud Park on Telegraph…

China and the United States are seeking an early agreement to reduce tariffs on US$30 billion (£23bn) worth of goods from each side, raising the prospect of a deal being announced when Donald Trump and Xi Jinping meet later this month. Chinese commerce ministry spokeswoman Huang Ling said negotiators were working to put reciprocal tariff cuts into effect “at an early date”, without providing further details. The discussions are expected to feature prominently at the planned summit in Washington on September 24, where the US president and Chinese leader are due to hold their third face-to-face talks in the past…

Janette MacAusland, 49, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder after prosecutors accused her of strangling her young children at their home in Wellesley, Massachusetts. A judge in Dedham District Court ordered the mother to be held without bail during the brief hearing on Wednesday, May 6. Her next court appearance is scheduled for July 13. MacAusland is accused of killing her daughter Ella, six, and son Kai, seven. Their bodies were discovered at the family home on Edgemoor Avenue on April 24 after Vermont police asked Wellesley officers to carry out a welfare check. Prosecutors allege…

Global growth remains on course to reach about 3% in 2026 despite the economic shock caused by the war in the Middle East, the International Monetary Fund has said, while warning that the outlook remains vulnerable to energy prices, debt pressures and persistent inflation risks. Julie Kozack, the IMF’s communications director, said the world economy had proved more resilient than expected since the conflict began. But she cautioned that the disruption to oil and gas supplies was not over and that the recovery in global disinflation had stalled. Energy prices remain elevated, placing renewed pressure on households, businesses and governments.…

Rick Springfield has said he believes he killed a Viet Cong fighter with a mortar during a visit to Vietnam as an 18-year-old musician, revealing that the incident has remained with him for decades. The “Jessie’s Girl” singer discussed the experience during an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, recalling how he and his band travelled to the war zone to entertain American troops in the late 1960s. Springfield said the most disturbing episode took place at Marble Mountain, a naval base near Da Nang. While staying at the camp, he was invited to fire mortars during a night-time alert…

Samsung’s first Android XR glasses with a colour display could launch towards the end of 2027, according to a report that suggests the company is still weighing the technology and cost of the proposed device. Samsung Display is understood to have been asked to develop ultra-small microdisplays for future smart glasses, with panels measuring around 0.2 inches or less. The Elec reported that both performance and price remain under consideration as the form factor is developed. It has not yet been decided whether the glasses will use a monocular display, positioned over one eye, or a binocular system covering both…

Tottenham are considering a renewed move for Athletico Paranaense defender Arthur Dias after seeing a €21 million bid rejected during the summer transfer window. The 19-year-old centre-back was the subject of an offer for 80 per cent of his economic rights, but Athletico turned it down and are understood to want closer to €30 million before agreeing to a sale. Tottenham have been monitoring Dias for some time and sent representatives to watch him in person during matches against Atlético-GO in the Copa do Brasil and Vitória in the Brasileirão in April. The club’s scouting department is understood to regard…

A driver was killed when a car was crushed beneath a semi-truck in west Phoenix, police said. The crash happened shortly before 2.30am on Thursday, September 10, at the junction of 75th Avenue and Van Buren Street. Phoenix police officers arriving at the scene found a white car trapped underneath the lorry. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The intersection was closed while investigators examined the wreckage and worked to establish what caused the collision. Police have not released the victim’s identity. It was also unclear whether anyone else was injured.

China and the US hope to reach an agreement on tariff reductions soon, Beijing said on Thursday, raising expectations that progress could be announced when Donald Trump and Xi Jinping meet later this month. Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesperson Huang Ling said negotiators were working towards reciprocal cuts on about $30 billion (£23 billion) worth of goods from each country “at an early date”. The proposed reductions are understood to focus on non-sensitive products and form part of plans for a new US-China Board of Trade. The board would oversee economic and commercial relations between the world’s two largest economies. China’s…

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has issued new guidance on when and how its staff and volunteers should wear the charity’s uniform in public, following reports of unacceptable abuse directed at crew members. The guidance, issued by the RNLI’s welfare and safety teams, sets out practical steps for dealing with threats or harassment and clarifies when wearing the uniform is appropriate. The charity says the safety and welfare of its volunteers and staff is paramount and that abuse, harassment or threats will be treated as a serious matter. RNLI emphasises that staff should report any incidents to their line…