Author: DispatchTimes News Desk

The Spirit of Tasmania IV suffered a steering fault less than a week after its maiden voyage, delaying passengers by almost four and a half hours before it finally reached Geelong. The problem emerged early on Thursday as the ferry prepared to pass through Port Phillip Heads. Shipping data showed the vessel making several turns between 3am and 4am before entering the bay. Passengers were told at about 5.30am that the ship would not reach the harbour until approximately 10.30am. It eventually docked in Geelong at 10.25am, after slowing dramatically and becoming almost stationary at three points during the journey.…

A Russian military spacecraft may have been rehearsing an attack when it moved to within a short distance of a Western satellite supporting Ukraine, a military space specialist has warned. Two other Russian-linked spacecraft are now travelling towards the orbital path of another satellite operated by Finnish company ICEYE, raising further concerns about the vulnerability of commercial networks used for military intelligence. Cosmos 2612 approached ICEYE’s X36 satellite over South America in mid-October. The satellite provides radar imagery to Western governments and militaries, including Ukraine. Greg Gillinger, a senior space analyst at Integrity ISR and a former US Air Force…

Harry Kane has signed a new Bayern Munich contract that will keep him at the Bundesliga club until 2029 and reportedly make him the highest-paid player in Europe. The England captain, 33, has agreed a three-year extension after establishing himself as a hugely successful signing since joining Bayern from Tottenham in the summer of 2023. Kane has scored 156 goals in 161 appearances for the Bavarian giants. His form also helped him win this year’s Ballon d’Or, further enhancing his standing among the leading players of the modern era. The new agreement makes Kane Bayern’s highest-paid player ever, as well…

Democrats have secured a historic takeover of the US Senate after recruiting an unusually diverse group of candidates, including a mega-church pastor, a Paralympian, a paediatrician, a Muslim public health professor and a Texas theologian. The victory was secured despite a political landscape that had appeared heavily stacked against them. Donald Trump entered the period after winning the White House and both chambers of Congress in 2024, while Republican candidates benefited from substantial backing from wealthy technology donors. Democrats had needed to defend all their own Senate seats while taking four from Republicans, including two in states Mr Trump had…

Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong has been sentenced to an additional 10 years in prison after being convicted of colluding with foreign entities under the city’s national security law. The 30-year-old, who has been imprisoned since 2020, was due to be released in January 2027. He pleaded guilty to the charge in September. High Court judge William Tam said he had initially considered a 13-year sentence, but reduced it to 10 years in recognition of Wong’s guilty plea and other mitigating factors. “The punishment must fit the gravity of the crime,” Mr Tam told a packed courtroom on Thursday.…

Florida voters have approved a property tax overhaul that will provide meaningful relief for many ordinary homeowners but make little difference to billionaires such as Ken Griffin and Jeff Bezos. Amendment 3 passed with 62% of the vote. It will increase the homestead exemption on non-school property taxes from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027, before rising to $250,000 in 2028. The exemption is a flat sum, meaning its value does not increase with the price of a property. That limits its impact on the owners of the multimillion-dollar homes that have helped turn South Florida into one of America’s wealthiest…

Country star Ella Langley has been identified as the singer behind a playful snowy-day photograph showing off her figure. The Alabama performer is enjoying success with a hit song that has topped the charts for months, alongside a sold-out tour. Langley also recently performed “Jolene” at a CMA tribute to Dolly Parton. She has been associated with her “Snakeskin Boots” stage look and a country-inspired image on Instagram.

Harry Kane has signed a new contract with Bayern Munich that will keep the England captain at the Bundesliga club until the summer of 2029. The striker has scored 156 goals in 161 appearances since joining Bayern from Tottenham in 2023, establishing himself as one of the most prolific forwards in the club’s history. Kane’s 73 goals for club and country last season, including six for England at the 2026 World Cup, helped him become the first English winner of the men’s Ballon d’Or for 25 years. He has won two Bundesliga titles during his time in Germany, with the…

Nearly five million Generation Xers are expected to retire over the next decade, putting greater focus on how they can make the most of their retirement boost. The approaching wave of retirements highlights the importance of preparing carefully to ensure people can benefit fully from the financial opportunities available to them as they leave work.

Britain could face a Christmas tree shortage in future years after the hottest summer on record and severe drought killed young saplings and curtailed the growth of established plantations, growers have warned. Farmers say there should be enough trees for this Christmas, although the extreme weather has affected quality and reduced the number available for some growers. Christmas trees typically take seven years to reach a height of 6ft, with a further two years usually needed to raise the sapling. Clive Collins, who runs Catsfield Christmas Tree Farm near Bexhill in East Sussex, said many newly planted trees had failed…