Author: DispatchTimes News Desk

A preliminary 3.2-magnitude earthquake struck near Long Beach and Signal Hill shortly before 12.45am on Friday, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The epicentre was about 2km south-west of Signal Hill in Los Angeles County, at a depth of approximately 12.3km. The tremor was also recorded as being close to Long Beach. The USGS had received more than 700 reports from people who felt the earthquake, although there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage. The agency said residents who experienced the shaking could submit a report through its online “Did You Feel It?” system, helping scientists…

Former Bachelor star Sam Wood is expected to take his failed bail application to the Supreme Court of Queensland after being remanded in custody over alleged domestic violence offences involving his wife, Snezana. The 46-year-old has been transferred to Brisbane Correctional Centre in Wacol, where he is expected to spend the coming weeks following his appearance at Maroochydore Magistrates Court. Wood is charged with assault occasioning bodily harm and strangulation in a domestic setting. He has not entered pleas. The court heard Snezana told police she had been choked to “cessation of breath” and feared she was going to die.…

Barack Obama has endorsed Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s re-election campaign, adding his support to the Democratic incumbent less than a month before the US midterm elections. In a video released on Friday, the former president praised Mr Shapiro’s record and leadership, urging Pennsylvanians to back him for a second four-year term. “Pennsylvania, Governor Shapiro has your back — and in this election, I’m asking you to have his,” Mr Obama said. He said voters should elect leaders who showed “decency and integrity” and stood against what he described as the “chaos, cruelty and corruption” in Washington. The endorsement forms part…

Iraq is to ban Waze, the Israeli-founded navigation app, at the beginning of 2027, Communications Minister Mustafa Sanad has announced. The Ministry of Communications plans to block the service by the end of December, according to the Iraqi newspaper Al-Mada. Sanad told broadcaster Rudaw that the ban would take effect some time in early 2027. “Because it comes from the entity [Israel] and is Israeli-made, we will ban it at the beginning of 2027,” he said during the Hitex 2026 technology exhibition in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region. Why Iraq is banning Waze Waze is used by…

Bella Hadid has marked her 30th birthday with a series of striking photographs as the model begins a new decade. The images feature Hadid in red bikinis and revealing swimwear while promoting her Orebella perfume, highlighting her modelling work away from the runway. Other snaps show her posing backstage, including one that draws attention to her midriff as she works the camera. The collection offers a look at Bella Hadid’s birthday photos as she enters her thirties with a series of fashion-focused images.

Former Manchester United winger Lee Sharpe has urged the club not to sack Michael Carrick, arguing that another managerial change would risk sending the team into yet another rebuilding process. Carrick impressed during his interim spell last season but has endured a difficult start since taking the job on a permanent basis. United have won just one of their opening five Premier League matches and were eliminated from the Carabao Cup by Brighton. Sharpe calls for patience with Michael Carrick Sharpe believes the recent downturn is not enough to justify dismissing the 45-year-old, particularly given the disruption that would follow…

Victoria’s Gippsland region has experienced nine earthquakes in nine days, prompting more than 21,000 reports from people who felt the ground shaking across Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. The sequence began with a magnitude 4.9 earthquake near Leongatha, south-east of Melbourne, at about 2am last Saturday. Geoscience identified six aftershocks following the main tremor, with the latest measuring 1.6 at about 2.49pm on Thursday. Seismologist Michelle Salmon said aftershocks could continue for months, although they were expected to become smaller over time. “We don’t know when or where we are going to get a large event,”…

A primary-school teacher accused of secretly filming 350 children with spy cameras hidden inside fragrance dispensers in male toilets has appeared before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court. Timothy Blamires, 33, attended the court on Friday in connection with the allegations.

OpenAI has fired three researchers for violating the company’s policy on sensitive information, it said. No further details about the researchers or the alleged breaches were provided.

The latest Tap-In gallery brings together Gen Z’s prominent stories of the week, with coverage focused on celebrity stars and entertainment news. The feature is presented for readers across generations, including Millennials, Baby Boomers and Generation X, while spotlighting the week’s most talked-about stories and personalities.