Author: DispatchTimes News Desk

Pete Ricketts has won re-election to the US Senate in Nebraska, defeating independent candidate Dan Osborn in a closely watched contest, according to a projection. Mr Ricketts, 62, a former governor of Nebraska, was appointed to the Senate in 2023. He held off a challenge from Mr Osborn, 51, a former union leader making his second Senate bid. Mr Osborn lost to Republican Senator Deb Fischer by seven points in 2024. Democrats again cleared the way for him to run as an independent as he sought to unseat Mr Ricketts in the traditionally conservative state. Nebraska has not elected a…

Democrat Talarico has flipped the Texas Senate blue for the first time in almost 40 years, leaving shocked Republicans struggling to understand the result. Supporters of Ken Paxton have blamed Donald Trump for the defeat, while some say they now fear political retribution. The result has prompted uncertainty among Texas Republicans, who are trying to make sense of how the party lost control of the Senate to the Democrats.

AMC’s A-List membership has grown to more than 1.1 million subscribers as cinema audiences return, but the scheme faces a tougher test than filling seats: helping the heavily indebted theatre chain become consistently profitable. The subscription allows members to reserve up to four films a week, including IMAX and Dolby Cinema screenings, for about $24 to $30 a month depending on their state. AMC is relying on the flat-fee service to turn occasional customers into regular visitors while it carries roughly $4 billion in debt. For frequent cinema-goers, the value is clear. Fletcher Williams, 25, watched six films at AMC…

Esha Gupta has been identified as the Bollywood star featured in a striking silver dress that appeared to leave little room for modesty. Gupta was crowned Miss India in 2007 before making her Bollywood debut with Jannat 2 several years later. She has since continued acting in Bollywood projects and has also advocated for environmental causes.

Democrats have seized control of both chambers of Congress in the 2026 midterm elections, delivering a major setback to President Donald Trump and creating divided government for the final two years of his second term. The result gives the Democratic Party control of the House of Representatives and the Senate, placing the entire legislative branch in opposition to the White House for the first time during either of Trump’s presidencies. Democratic majorities will give the party far greater influence over government spending, legislation and oversight of the administration. They will also be able to block Cabinet appointments, senior federal positions…

The future of David Jones’ landmark Elizabeth Street store in Sydney has been left uncertain, prompting fears that the department store’s long-standing presence could mark the end of an era. For generations of Australian shoppers, the store was far more than a place to buy clothes and household goods. It was an institution, particularly for families travelling to Sydney from the regions for an annual shopping expedition. Journalist and columnist Peter FitzSimons recalled visiting the store as a child with his mother and siblings after travelling from Peats Ridge. The family would leave their Holden station wagon at a relative’s…

Ballot scanner problems in New York’s Westchester County have disrupted voting in part of the competitive 17th District, where Republican congressman Mike Lawler is facing Democratic candidate Cait Conley. The New York State Board of Elections said the issue followed a late programming change affecting a contest in one municipality. Updated programming was tested and deployed for early voting and Election Day machines in that area, it said. However, machines elsewhere in the county continued to use the original programming and were unable to recognise or accept the ballots being used on Election Day. Voting has continued through emergency ballot…

Barack Obama has used the Democrats’ midterm election victory to attack Donald Trump, saying American voters had sent a “clear message” to the White House by handing his party control of both chambers of Congress. The former president said voters wanted “a politics that brings people together rather than divides them” after Democrats flipped six Senate seats and at least a dozen Republican-held House districts. Obama, who campaigned for Democratic candidates during the election, praised what he called “outstanding candidates” who were united by shared values, public service and a commitment to putting their constituents first. “While this administration has…

Car subscriptions are spreading across the new-car market, but drivers are increasingly resisting monthly charges for features already installed in vehicles they have bought. Evidence from the connected-car sector suggests willingness to pay is falling, even as manufacturers pursue recurring revenue from software, connectivity and performance upgrades. Asher Davis, 33, said he had been largely unaware of the trend until he was unexpectedly forced to shop for a new vehicle after nine years without doing so. He was surprised by how few cars appeared to offer features without some form of subscription attached. “I feel like eventually I won’t have…

Barry Shabaka Henley played Daniel, a sensitive jazz club owner, in the 2004 thriller-action film Collateral. Henley was in his late 40s when he took on the role. Daniel is portrayed as an admirer of Miles Davis before being murdered in the film.