Author: DispatchTimes News Desk

Sarah Macdonald is to return to ABC 702 Sydney next March, taking over the station’s Afternoons programme less than two years after her contract was not renewed. Macdonald, a former host of Mornings, will fill the role previously held by James Valentine, who presented the programme for more than two decades before his death in April. Afternoons has been co-hosted this year by James O’Loghlin and Kathryn Robinson. The ABC said both would remain regular voices on the station. Macdonald said she had been close to Valentine and felt the significance of taking over his programme. “James and I were…

Students, teachers and parents have continued protests over poor school conditions in France, with demonstrations entering their third week. Throngs of protesters were seen marching on Tuesday in what was described as a historic day of protest. Some demonstrators also clashed with law enforcement during the unrest. Videos captured the crowds taking part in the protests as concerns over conditions in schools continued to bring students, teachers and parents on to the streets.

Yemen’s internationally recognised government has launched a new offensive against the Iran-backed Houthis, backed by intensified Saudi air strikes and what analysts describe as improved coordination between forces on the ground and in the air. The campaign, named Operation Dawn of Yemen, was announced on Monday with the stated aim of restoring state authority across the country. Government forces then attacked Houthi positions along the southern Red Sea coast, seeking first to reverse the group’s recent gains around the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. The longer-term objective is to retake territory held by the Houthis for more than a decade, including the…

Killer Mike has predicted that the Atlanta Braves will beat the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series, ending the Dodgers’ hopes of winning a third consecutive World Series. The rapper gave his verdict at LAX this week, with the closely fought series level at one game apiece. The Dodgers won the opening game 5-3 on Saturday before Atlanta responded with a 3-2 victory on Sunday. “Ain’t no upset!” Killer Mike said. “We gave y’all Freeman back. He fired his agent, as he should’ve, cause $140 million goes longer in Atlanta. But the Braves, man, go Bravo!” Game…

Cristiano Ronaldo has declared himself available for Portugal after breaking his silence on his departure from the national team camp and accusing head coach Jorge Jesus of breaking promises. The 41-year-old forward apologised to his team-mates and the Portuguese public, while saying he would accept any punishment imposed by the Portuguese Football Federation. Ronaldo said he would return to international duty if he remained fit and continued scoring for Al Nassr, after serving any suspension that may be handed to him. “If I am physically well, playing for my club, with goals I hope, after serving the suspension that may…

Clinton Road, a roughly 10-mile stretch through the woods of West Milford in New Jersey, has been ranked the world’s most haunted road in a new study based on Google and TikTok search trends. The road in Passaic County topped car-rental company SIXT’s 2026 list after attracting about 1.08 million Google searches and more than 260,000 TikTok searches. The figures were recorded up to July 30, 2026, with search interest linked to terms including “ghost” and “haunted”. ([sixt.com](https://www.sixt.com/magazine/tips/most-haunted-roads/)) Clinton Road has long been associated with stories of supernatural encounters, although the claims remain part of local folklore rather than established…

The lifting of warrants on exiled Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont has paved the way for him to take his party to the polls in November. The move clears the path for Mr Puigdemont to return to the political contest with his party, following the removal of the warrants against him.

The Trump administration will not reimburse US taxpayers for the $20 million contract funding a national television advertising campaign featuring the president, the White House has confirmed. More than $10 million has already been spent on the adverts, which have aired during prime-time NFL games and on major cable news outlets. Each spot is labelled: “Paid for by the US Government.” The campaign was commissioned through a $20 million Department of Homeland Security contract for a “National Media Campaign”, awarded to Maryland-based firm LMD Agency. President Donald Trump said on Monday that he had decided to pay for the adverts…

Brazil has lowered its forecast for the country’s 2026 trade surplus despite a strong performance in September. The revised outlook comes as September recorded robust trade results, highlighting a contrast between near-term strength and the weaker surplus projection for next year.

Air Canada and Delta aircraft collided on the tarmac at Los Angeles International Airport, causing delays for passengers and leaving the Air Canada plane with significant damage to its right tail wing. Images from the scene show a large gash in the aircraft’s wing after the incident on Tuesday. The damage appeared severe enough to prevent the plane from taking off. A passenger on the Delta flight said it was travelling along the runway when the Air Canada aircraft, which was being pushed back, clipped its wing. Those on board the Delta flight were reported to be unharmed. The passenger…