Author: DispatchTimes News Desk

Newcastle United are reported to be within £5m of Lille’s valuation of Matias Fernandez-Pardo as they step up their pursuit of the Belgium international before the transfer window closes. The Magpies have seen previous approaches rejected, but negotiations have advanced after the club indicated it could pay as much as £55m for the 21-year-old forward. Lille are understood to be seeking around £60m for a player who can operate as a centre-forward or on either flank. Newcastle close in on Matias Fernandez-Pardo deal TeamTalk reports that Newcastle’s interest has developed into a serious attempt to secure Fernandez-Pardo, with the player…

Justin Smith has been convicted of first-degree murder over the 2021 killing of his pregnant girlfriend, Dianna Brice, in Philadelphia, and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Smith, 28, was also found guilty of third-degree murder in the death of Brice’s unborn child, as well as arson, abuse of a corpse and related offences. The verdict was returned by a jury on Friday, 28 August. Brice, 21, was 14 weeks pregnant when she disappeared on 30 March 2021. She had last been seen getting into Smith’s Ford Fusion after leaving a laundrette in Delaware County. Her…

Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners has acquired full ownership of the Gawara Baya wind and battery project in North Queensland from Australian developer Windlab, clearing the way for construction of the $1.7 billion development. The Danish fund manager said on Monday, 31 August 2026, that its Copenhagen Infrastructure V fund had taken a final investment decision and reached financial close after securing financing from a syndicate of 10 banks. Construction is expected to begin immediately, with the project forecast to be fully operational in 2030. Gawara Baya, located about 65km south-west of Ingham on Gugu Badhun Country, will combine a 408-megawatt onshore…

Armed police have been seen pointing rifles towards properties on Burns Road in Grangetown during an early-morning operation amid a major crackdown on suspected organised crime across Teesside. Officers were photographed taking up positions outside homes in the area in the early hours of Monday, 31 August, as the force responded to a recent spate of serious violence in and around Middlesbrough. The deployment comes after Cleveland Police brought in hundreds of additional officers to support its investigation into a series of incidents, including a fatal crash on the A66, a house fire in Grangetown and attacks on properties. Police…

Mel B has been getting hands-on with renovation work at her £2.2 million farmhouse in the Yorkshire Dales, even taking control of a mechanical digger as she develops her rural home. The former Spice Girl has spoken about her enthusiasm for helping with the work rather than leaving everything to contractors, saying she enjoys getting stuck in around the property. Her countryside routine now also includes caring for goats and chickens, marking a striking change from her former life in Los Angeles and on the international entertainment circuit. Mel, whose real name is Melanie Brown, has embraced life on the…

Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of Crystal Palace wing-back Daniel Muñoz in a deal worth up to £22m. The Colombia international has signed a three-year contract at the City Ground, with Forest holding an option to extend the agreement for a further season. Muñoz will be reunited with Oliver Glasner, who left Palace to take charge of Forest earlier this summer. The 30-year-old became a key figure under the Austrian during their successful spell in south London. Daniel Muñoz joins Nottingham Forest Muñoz joined Palace from Belgian club Genk in January 2024 and made 109 appearances for the Eagles,…

The preliminary hearing for John Skelton, the Michigan father accused of murdering his three sons after they disappeared in 2010, entered its fifth day on Monday, August 31, in Lenawee County. Prosecutors are presenting evidence to determine whether the case should proceed to trial. Skelton faces three counts of open murder and three counts of tampering with evidence over the deaths of Andrew, Alexander and Tanner Skelton. The brothers were aged nine, seven and five when they vanished from Morenci, near Michigan’s border with Ohio, over Thanksgiving in 2010. Their bodies have never been found, although a judge declared them…

A 43-year-old Swiss man has been arrested after a shooting at a rave in Aarau left a 22-year-old woman dead and five others injured. The suspect was detained shortly before 1am on Monday, 31 August, following a major police operation in the northern Swiss canton of Aargau. Police said he was arrested on strong suspicion of involvement in the attack. Gunfire broke out at about 2.30am on Sunday as the event at the Schachen horse-racing track was ending and partygoers were preparing to leave. Shots were fired at a group of people, according to police information released after the incident.…

US ships, aircraft and other military equipment have been diverted from operations around the world to support the Iran war, restricting missions and disrupting training across Europe, Asia and Latin America. The strain was outlined in a recent classified assessment prepared for Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to people familiar with the document who spoke to The Washington Post. Commanders warned that maintaining the current level of support risked weakening the US military’s ability to respond to threats elsewhere, including those closer to home. Assets normally assigned to US European Command, Pacific Command and Southern Command have been redirected to…

Liverpool face a late transfer battle to sign Crystal Palace winger Ismaïla Sarr, with the Senegal international reportedly pushing for a move before the summer window closes. French transfer reporter Santi Aouna claims Palace are seeking £75 million for the 28-year-old and are delaying negotiations in an attempt to increase the pressure on Liverpool. The London club are understood to be unhappy at the prospect of losing a key player so close to the deadline. Ismaïla Sarr transfer talks go to the wire Liverpool’s interest in Sarr follows a previous approach for the forward which was rejected by Palace. Reports…