Author: DispatchTimes News Desk

The deaths of fashion designer Bob Mackie, feminist campaigner Gloria Steinem and country music legend Dolly Parton are among the losses that have marked 2026, as the entertainment and cultural worlds mourn a succession of influential figures. The latest death recorded in the year was that of Mackie, who died in Palm Springs, California, on Monday, September 14, aged 87. His publicist said he had died from pneumonia. Known as the “designer to the stars”, Mackie created lavish costumes and gowns for Cher, Barbra Streisand, Diana Ross, Madonna, Sharon Stone and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. His work earned him nine Emmy Awards…

Pauline Hanson has been rebuked by politicians from across the parliament after describing Indigenous Australians as “the most primitive race on Earth”. The comments by the Australian senator have drawn condemnation across political lines, with fellow politicians criticising the language used to describe Indigenous Australians.

The 2026 Emmy Awards are being held at Los Angeles’s Peacock Theater, with the 78th Primetime ceremony honouring television and streaming programmes. Mariska Hargitay is hosting the ceremony, which is airing on NBC and streaming live on Peacock. Hargitay is a four-time Emmy winner best known for playing Olivia Benson in the long-running Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. HBO’s Hacks leads the comedy nominations after its final season received 24 nominations, including across the Creative Arts Emmy Awards. The total surpasses the comedy-series record of 23 set last year by The Bear and The Studio. Another HBO programme, The…

CENTCOM has disputed an IRGC claim that a supertanker was struck by naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz. The denial came as Iran’s security chief, Mohsen Rezaei, said the stakes surrounding oil and the strait had changed. Mr Rezaei also said there would be no talks with the US until Iran’s demands had been met.

The US Supreme Court has blocked the Trump administration’s plan to impose new requirements on mail-in voting ahead of the midterm elections, preventing the Postal Service from screening ballot envelopes against state-approved voter lists. The unsigned emergency order said the government was “unlikely to succeed on the merits” as the wider legal challenge continues. The court did not disclose how its justices voted. The decision is a setback for Donald Trump, who has repeatedly alleged without evidence that mail-in voting is vulnerable to widespread fraud. Democratic-led states and voting rights groups had argued that the proposed changes were unconstitutional and…

A Pentagon report on Iran war damage has detailed the toll on US military bases, aircraft and diplomatic facilities across the Middle East, while acknowledging shortages of advanced weapons and delays in replenishing supplies. The report, covering April 1 to June 30, is the first public assessment by a US government watchdog of the conflict’s impact. It draws on work by inspectors general from the Defence and State departments and the US Agency for International Development. Iranian strikes damaged or destroyed hundreds of buildings and other structures at American bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia,…

Meg Stalter arrived at the Emmys red carpet dressed as a golden trophy, wearing gold body paint and a large pair of gilded wings as she made a statement ahead of the ceremony. The actor is nominated for her first Emmy, competing for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as Kayla Schaeffer in Hacks. Hacks is among the most-nominated programmes at this year’s ceremony, receiving 24 nominations. It is one nomination behind The Pitt.

Mitch McConnell returned to the US Senate on Monday for the first time since being hospitalised after a fall in June, taking his place in Washington as he continues to recover and prepares to cast his first vote in almost three months. The 84-year-old Kentucky Republican arrived at the Capitol in a wheelchair and spoke briefly to reporters before entering the chamber. His return came after weeks away from public view, during which he underwent hospital treatment, rehabilitation and intensive physical therapy. McConnell said he was not yet fully recovered but intended to attend important votes when Republican leaders needed…

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has cancelled engagements following the death of his father, Roy, who had been suffering from Alzheimer’s. Mr Burnham has previously spoken about the impact of his father’s illness, saying Roy did not know that his son had become prime minister. In an interview before taking office in July, Mr Burnham said his father had been unaware that he was on the brink of power. “That’s a sadness because he would be proud,” he said. “The way I look at it, it’s his achievement as well. A whole family achievement although he doesn’t know it.” His father’s…

A 40-year-old woman has died from complications associated with measles in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, in what officials have confirmed as the county’s first measles-related death. Coroner Greg Furlong said the woman died on Saturday. She had not been vaccinated and had several underlying health conditions, he said. Furlong said she developed symptoms after close contact with a neighbour who had a confirmed case of measles. Her husband also became ill but recovered. Laboratory tests later confirmed that the woman had measles. Furlong said she had developed “textbook” symptoms, including a rash which appeared after about three to four days. “This…