Author: DispatchTimes News Desk

Fremantle Dockers training ahead of their Geelong semi-final began in upbeat fashion as the players returned to work following their disappointing qualifying-final defeat by Hawthorn. The Dockers were beaten 72-40 at Optus Stadium on Thursday, missing out on a home preliminary final after Hawthorn established control early. Their finals campaign is now on the line against Geelong. Despite the setback, Fremantle’s players appeared relaxed during their first session since the loss, with smiles and animated conversations suggesting the group had quickly turned its attention to the challenge ahead. Coach Justin Longmuir said after the Hawthorn match that he had “full…

Police are investigating a burglary at a home in South Fremantle after property was stolen during the early hours of Sunday morning. Fremantle Police said the break-in occurred at about 5am at a property on Belmont Street. Investigators are working to establish whether one person or several people were involved. A WA Police spokeswoman said the suspected offenders were believed to have left in a small red vehicle, which was last seen travelling towards Little Lefroy Lane. Inquiries remain ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers WA on 1800 333 000. Reports can be made anonymously.

Arsenal are close to agreeing a new contract with Mikel Arteta as the club moves to secure the manager’s future alongside that of three key first-team players. Arteta’s current deal is due to expire at the end of the season, but there is growing confidence at the Emirates that the Spaniard will extend his stay after guiding Arsenal to the Premier League title last term. Negotiations over an extension for Arteta have reportedly been under way since January and accelerated during the summer. The agreement could be finalised before the September international break. Arsenal contract talks advance with Arteta and…

Phil Gould and Billy Slater were left baffled after Parramatta’s golden-point victory over North Queensland ended with a contentious penalty decision despite Mitchell Moses having already kicked the winning field goal. The Eels beat the Cowboys 33-30, with Moses’ one-pointer appearing to settle the contest. However, referee Liam Kennedy then placed North Queensland fullback Scott Drinkwater on report for dangerous contact with Moses’ legs. Parramatta were awarded a penalty in front of the posts, allowing Ronald Volkman to add two more points after the match had seemingly finished. Moses appeared confused by the decision, while Gould and Slater questioned why…

The confrontation between the United States and Iran has intensified around the Strait of Hormuz, with both sides claiming attacks on shipping as Washington targets Iranian oil tankers and Tehran threatens vessels using routes it regards as unauthorised. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said its naval forces had attacked a remotely operated US drone boat attempting to enter a protected area of the strait. The claim followed the Iranian military’s assertion that it had fired ballistic missiles at a US aircraft carrier and a Navy destroyer. US Central Command said the warships avoided the missiles and that no American personnel…

Arsenal have drawn up a two-man shortlist for the January transfer window, with Julian Alvarez and Eli Junior Kroupi offering markedly different solutions to Mikel Arteta’s attacking concerns. Alvarez is viewed as the ambitious option. The Atletico Madrid forward can operate as a central striker, second forward or from a wider position, making him a potential answer to the lack of depth created by Arsenal’s summer departures. Arsenal explored a deal for the Argentina international before the summer deadline, but discussions failed to advance after Alvarez made clear that Barcelona was his preferred destination. He ultimately stayed at Atletico, where…

Cal welcomed UCLA back to Berkeley on Saturday as generations of Golden Bears supporters filled Memorial Stadium for a home opener billed as the start of a new era for California’s football programme. The meeting marked the renewal of a rivalry that had been paused since November 25, 2023, when the two former conference rivals last faced one another. It was the 95th contest between the Golden Bears and the Bruins. The occasion also marked the beginning of Tosh Lupoi’s tenure as Cal’s head coach. Lupoi, a former California player and assistant coach, was appointed in December 2025 and returned…

Flights were suspended at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on Sunday after Mount Anak Krakatau erupted and volcanic ash spread across western Indonesia, disrupting hundreds of services and leaving passengers stranded. The volcano, which lies in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, showed increased activity before an eruption early on Sunday. Lava flares were recorded by monitoring cameras, while ash was detected over Jakarta and nearby provinces. Soekarno-Hatta, Indonesia’s busiest airport, extended the suspension of flight operations as the ash cloud continued to threaten aviation safety. Airport operator Angkasa Pura said 301 flights had been affected, including 58 international services.…

Ukraine’s rail network has kept moving despite the pressures of war, with crews equipped in bulletproof vests and passenger carriages operating with windows blacked out to minimise visibility to threats. Owned and run by Ukrzaliznytsia, the state railway company, the system is cast as a vital lifeline for civilians, evacuees and the movement of humanitarian goods as the conflict persists across the country. Across cities and towns, railway workers face daily hazards, yet engineers and staff continue to repair lines and reroute services so trains keep running even when infrastructure comes under attack. Oleksandr Kamyshin, head of Ukrzaliznytsia, has emphasised…

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso is planning to use Malo Gusto more frequently in midfield after the France international remained at Stamford Bridge following Liverpool’s late deadline-day approach. Liverpool sought to take the 23-year-old on loan on September 1, but Chelsea were unwilling to consider a temporary move without a permanent commitment. The London club were understood to value Gusto at around £75 million, bringing the negotiations to an end. Gusto’s continued presence now gives Alonso an additional option in an area of the squad that has been weakened by Enzo Fernandez’s £125 million transfer to Manchester City and Chelsea’s failure…