Author: DispatchTimes News Desk

Montana voters are deciding whether to approve Initiative 194, a measure that would prevent corporations, trade associations, nonprofits and other organisations from spending money to support or oppose political candidates or ballot initiatives in the state. Known as the Montana Plan, the proposal is designed to challenge the legal consequences of the US Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United ruling, which recognised corporations’ First Amendment right to spend money influencing elections. Rather than banning corporate donations directly, Initiative 194 would redefine the powers granted by Montana to corporations and other “artificial persons”. Those powers would be limited to activities considered “necessary…

John Wayne Bobbitt has asked actor Patrick Schwarzenegger to contact him before portraying him in the second instalment of Hulu’s true-crime anthology series, Good American Family. Schwarzenegger is due to play Bobbitt, while Isabela Merced will portray his former wife, Lorena Bobbitt. The case became internationally known after Lorena cut off her husband’s penis with a kitchen knife while he was asleep at their Virginia home in 1993. Bobbitt said he wanted Schwarzenegger to portray him “authentically” and follow the facts of the case. He has offered to provide the actor with police reports to help create what he described…

Liverpool are exploring a January move for Barcelona defender Alejandro Balde, with Andoni Iraola seeking to strengthen his defensive options ahead of the transfer window. The 23-year-old’s future at the Catalan club has become uncertain after a difficult start to the season and reduced involvement under Hansi Flick. A report claims Liverpool are prepared to assess the possibility of bringing the Spain international to Anfield. Liverpool consider January move for Alejandro Balde Balde has struggled to establish himself as a regular starter, with competition from Joao Cancelo and other defensive options restricting his opportunities. He was previously regarded as one…

Texas election 2026 live updates are being followed as voters cast ballots in closely watched Senate and governor races, with Houston and Harris County among the key areas being monitored throughout Election Day. Republican Ken Paxton, Democrat James Talarico and Libertarian Ted Brown are contesting the US Senate seat, while Republican governor Greg Abbott is seeking re-election against Democrat Gina Hinojosa and Libertarian Pat Dixon. Voters are also deciding congressional, legislative, judicial and local contests across the state. Sixteen of the Texas Senate’s 31 seats are on the ballot, alongside races for lieutenant governor, attorney general, comptroller and other statewide…

King Charles has expressed “profound personal sorrow” over slavery but stopped short of apologising for Britain’s role, as he addressed Commonwealth leaders in Antigua and Barbuda amid calls for reparations. Speaking at the opening of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in St John’s, the King described the transatlantic trade in enslaved people as a “monstrous injustice” that continued to cast a shadow over member nations. “As I have said before, that shameful chapter of history is one that fills my heart with horror and my soul with the most profound personal sorrow,” he said. King Charles also urged leaders…

The MSC Poesia cruise ship has been detained by the US Coast Guard at the Port of Miami, forcing MSC Cruises to cancel its latest voyage with more than 2,000 people on board. The cruise line said the cancellation followed a “regulatory matter” identified before departure which could not be resolved in time for the ship to sail. MSC Cruises said passengers would receive a full refund of their cruise fare and that it was helping them return home. “We have made the difficult decision to cancel the current sailing,” the company said. “We recognise how disappointing and frustrating this…

Humaira Batool has been jailed for ten years after causing the death of her friend in a 143mph Lamborghini crash on the M62 near Ripponden, West Yorkshire, and then failing to attend her sentencing hearing. Batool, 26, was driving the rented £220,000 Urus in wet conditions in the early hours of 21 December 2022 when it crashed through a barrier, overturned and caught fire. Mohammed Shaan Hussain, 20, was trapped inside the vehicle and died at the scene. Motorists who stopped to help were unable to reach him as the flames intensified. Batool escaped after the fire melted her seatbelt,…

Minecraft creator Markus “Notch” Persson has put his Beverly Hills mansion on the market for $70 million – the same price he paid for the property in 2014. The 22,300-square-foot compound in Trousdale Estates could become the most expensive home sold in Beverly Hills this year if it achieves its asking price. It would also rank as the second-highest property sale in Los Angeles County, behind the $130 million purchase of Casa Encantada by Peter Thiel at a foreclosure auction in September. Persson is understood to be selling because he no longer spends much time in Los Angeles. Aaron Kirman,…

Victoria Zardoya’s toxicology results showed ketamine in her system before she died from traumatic brain injuries following a fall at Florida’s Egmont Key. The 20-year-old also tested positive for norketamine, produced when the body breaks down ketamine, as well as alcohol and etomidate, a medication used for sedation. The blood sample was taken on July 24, the day Zardoya suffered the fatal injuries. However, the medical examiner’s report does not state when or why the substances were administered, or whether they contributed to her fall. The medical examiner ruled the death accidental and listed the cause as craniocerebral trauma. The…

Voting is under way across Texas as Election Day coverage focuses on closely watched races in Central Texas and the battle for control of Congress in Washington. Polls opened statewide at 7am on Tuesday, November 3, and are due to remain open until 7pm. The Texas Secretary of State has confirmed that voters still waiting in line at closing time will be allowed to cast their ballots. In Austin and surrounding counties, voters are deciding contests ranging from congressional and state legislative seats to statewide offices. The results will help determine the political direction of Texas as well as the…