Author: DispatchTimes News Desk

Sony has reported a 44 per cent rise in quarterly profit to 449.6 billion yen (£2.2 billion), helped by the box-office performance of Spider-Man: Brand New Day and continued demand for PlayStation consoles. The Japanese electronics and entertainment group’s profit for the July to September quarter was up from almost 311 billion yen a year earlier. Sales increased by 10 per cent to 3.4 trillion yen. Sony said operating profit and sales rose across its games, music and pictures businesses during the quarter. The company sold 2.6 million PlayStation 5 consoles, compared with four million in the same period last…

A giant prehistoric rodent weighing about 30 kilograms roamed what is now southern Thailand between 33 million and 35 million years ago, scientists have said after identifying a new species from two fossilised teeth. The animal, among the largest rodents known from the Paleogene period, was found in the Krabi basin by an international team involving researchers from Thailand, France and Canada. Its remains were recovered in 2004 from a coal mine in Krabi province. One tooth was discovered by Pannipa Tian, a geologist with Thailand’s Department of Mineral Resources, who initially mistook the unusually large incisor for a bone.…

The Bank of England has raised its interest rate to 4 per cent, increasing pressure on households with tracker and variable-rate mortgages ahead of Christmas. The Monetary Policy Committee lifted the base rate by 0.25 percentage points, the first increase since August 2023. Eight members backed the move, while one supported a larger rise of half a percentage point. Typical tracker mortgage payments could increase by about £31 a month, while borrowers on variable-rate deals may face rises of around £14. For some homeowners, the additional cost could offset the help announced by Labour in last week’s Budget. Inflation pressures…

Physical gifts are expected to take the biggest share of US consumers’ festive spending this year, despite travel and live events featuring prominently on many wish lists, a Visa report has found. More than half of the adults surveyed said travel and live events were among their preferred experiences. However, just 15% said they were prioritising experiences for others, compared with 27% who planned to favour physical gifts. Michael Brown, Visa’s principal US economist, said higher travel costs, weaker consumer sentiment and a greater focus on value were influencing the gap between what people wanted and what they intended to…

Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, bringing his 23-year Portugal career to an end. The 41-year-old Al Nassr forward confirmed his decision in an emotional message to the Portuguese people, saying he was handing back the number seven shirt he had worn throughout his time with the national team. “To the Portuguese people, the day has come for me to hand back the number seven shirt of our national team,” Ronaldo said. “I never felt it belonged to me alone, but for 23 years I had the privilege and responsibility of wearing it, defending it and carrying…

Scattered showers moved across Washington DC on Thursday 5 November, ending more than two weeks of largely dry weather while temperatures climbed towards 75F (24C). Cloud and humidity increased through the morning as southerly winds drew warmer air into the region ahead of an approaching cold front. Temperatures began in the mid to upper 60s, with rain expected to remain intermittent rather than turning into a complete washout. The National Weather Service said most of the shower activity should occur during the morning, followed by a quieter spell through the afternoon and evening as the front moves east. South-westerly winds…

Cristiano Ronaldo has retired from international football after a record-breaking career with Portugal, ending a 23-year association with the national team. The 41-year-old announced his decision in a lengthy Instagram video on Thursday, telling supporters: “The day has come for me to hand back the number 7 shirt of our national team.” Ronaldo added: “I never thought it belonged to me alone. But for 23 years, I had the privilege and the responsibility of wearing it.” He won a record 234 caps for Portugal and scored 146 international goals. His greatest success came in 2016, when he helped the country…

At least 15 commercial flights across Europe were hit by bomb threats on Thursday, causing diversions, emergency landings and temporary disruption at airports. No explosives or suspicious devices were found, but the incidents added to more than 20 affected journeys this week and raised concerns about a coordinated campaign. One Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to Rome was diverted to the French military air base at Evreux after a threat was received. The Airbus A320 landed safely, and all 151 passengers and six crew members left the aircraft while military bomb-disposal teams examined it. Flight-tracking data showed the plane turning…

Two previously undisclosed storage units in Los Angeles containing belongings linked to Meghan Markle and memorabilia from her father’s Hollywood career are expected to be searched by the FBI, it has been claimed. The locations were reportedly given to investigators by Meghan’s half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr, who is said to have been interviewed by the bureau for two hours. Markle Jr, 60, said his father had told him around 2011 that he had rented the units for about 15 years. One was allegedly filled with Meghan’s former furniture, while the other contained books, photographs, personal possessions and items from her…

Bernie Sanders has said the success of economically populist candidates in the US midterm elections shows Democrats can win over voters across the political divide by focusing on inequality, corporate power and the concerns of working families. The 85-year-old senator, who addressed more than 20 rallies in October, argued that candidates promoting his long-standing message had succeeded in states and districts once considered beyond the Democrats’ reach, including Texas, Ohio, Montana, Florida, Michigan and Wisconsin. “If you’re asking me, am I shocked by that? That the argument about economic justice and taking on oligarchs and fighting for the working class…