Author: DispatchTimes News Desk

Cronulla have been forced out of the Shire for the opening weekend of the 2026 NRL finals, with the Sharks to face North Queensland at Allianz Stadium rather than Ocean Protect Stadium. The decision means the Panthers, New Zealand Warriors, Sharks and South Sydney Rabbitohs will all begin the play-offs as designated home teams, although Cronulla are the only club required to move to a larger venue. South Sydney and Newcastle will open the finals series at the 42,000-capacity Allianz Stadium in Moore Park. The match will not be staged at Accor Stadium, which holds almost twice as many spectators,…

Arthur Laffer has warned Andy Burnham that any further tax raid on wealth in the forthcoming Budget could prove a “disaster” for the UK economy. The veteran American economist, best known for the Laffer Curve, said increasing the burden on wealthy individuals risked discouraging investment, reducing economic activity and driving high earners overseas. His intervention comes as the Labour Government faces mounting pressure to raise additional revenue, with a wealth tax among the measures being discussed ahead of the Budget. Laffer has argued that governments can ultimately collect less money when tax rates become too high, as individuals change their…

Nicole Kidman is heading home after surprising fans at a special Sydney screening of Practical Magic 2, where she introduced the long-awaited sequel to an unsuspecting audience. The Australian actress made the unannounced appearance at a HOYTS cinema on Friday night, returning to her hometown ahead of the film’s release in Australian cinemas on Thursday, September 10. Her arrival was met with cheers and applause as she welcomed cinema-goers to the screening. Kidman also joined the audience in a “midnight margarita” toast, echoing one of the most recognisable moments associated with the original film. Practical Magic 2 reunites Kidman with…

Hawthorn’s AFLW homecoming ended in disappointment as Adelaide claimed a 28-point victory at the Kennedy Community Centre, restricting the Hawks to just one goal before half-time. The Crows controlled the contest from the opening exchanges and ran out 10.7 (67) to 5.9 (39) winners, spoiling both Hawthorn’s first official match at its new Dingley Village home and Emily Bates’ 100th AFLW appearance. Adelaide’s pressure around the contest unsettled the hosts, who struggled to generate scoring opportunities and were unable to match the visitors’ work both inside and outside the stoppages. Ebony Marinoff led the Crows with 24 disposals, 13 tackles…

Crook will chase her first victory of 2026 when Clint Lundholm’s consistent mare lines up in the feature Benchmark 82 Handicap over 1,200 metres at Dubbo on Monday. The five-year-old has finished in the first two in four of her five starts since returning from a break, but has been unable to convert that form into a win. She last saluted with consecutive Benchmark 58 victories at Orange and Bathurst late in 2025. Crook resumed with a strong second on heavy ground at Scone before filling the same position in the Cannonball at Warren. She was then beaten by only…

Enzo Maresca believes Manchester City now possess the midfield depth needed to challenge Arsenal for the Premier League title and compete across every front this season. The City manager has overseen a major reshaping of his engine room, with Enzo Fernández, Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi arriving during a busy summer transfer window. “If you want to be there competing, you need options,” Maresca said. “Arsenal have options, we have options, more teams have options. Not just us!” He added: “I’m very happy with the options we have.” Manchester City midfield depth gives Maresca greater flexibility The comments underline the…

Sydney Swans produced one of the finest victories in the club’s modern history on Saturday, overwhelming reigning premiers Brisbane Lions by 53 points at the SCG despite the absence of five suspended stars and the early loss of captain Callum Mills. The Swans won 21.15 (141) to 13.10 (88), securing a week’s rest and a home preliminary final. Logan McDonald led the charge with six goals, while the undermanned Sydney side established control from the opening bounce and never allowed Brisbane to settle. ([afl.com.au](https://www.afl.com.au/afl/matches/9029?utm_source=openai)) Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Nick Blakey, James Jordon and Riley Bice were absent after being suspended…

Nadine Dorries has claimed that a new book by historian Sir Anthony Seldon supports her long-standing allegation that a Conservative fixer helped bring down the party’s leaders. Ms Dorries made the claim after the publication of Sunak at 10: The Last Conservative Prime Minister?, written by Sir Anthony and Tom Egerton. The book examines Rishi Sunak’s premiership and the collapse of Conservative rule. In her 2023 book The Plot, Ms Dorries alleged that a small group of influential men controlled the direction of the Conservative Party. She identified party official Dougie Smith as a central figure in what she described…

Uranium prices could rise above $100 a pound within the next three months, according to Citi analysts, who have retained a bullish view as investment in nuclear power expands and fuel requirements tighten. The bank said the longer-term uranium price benchmark had reached a record $96 a pound, extending a rise that began in January 2025 and continued a broader uptrend dating back to 2018. Citi pointed to competitive electricity costs and a growing pipeline of nuclear projects as key supports for demand. In the United States, several small modular reactor projects are under construction, while a further two or…

Mariska Hargitay celebrated a double triumph at the 2026 Creative Arts Emmys on Saturday, arriving in a striking red gown before collecting two awards for her documentary about her late mother, actress Jayne Mansfield. My Mom Jayne: A Film by Mariska Hargitay, which was released by HBO, won Outstanding Directing for a Documentary/Nonfiction Programme and Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special. The film explores Mansfield’s life and legacy through the perspective of her daughter, who was three years old when the Hollywood star died in a car crash in 1967. Hargitay’s latest victories came two decades after she won her first…