Author: DispatchTimes News Desk

An Australian TV reporter rescued a man from a flood in Morayfield after his SUV began floating downstream, with the dramatic intervention captured live on air. Will Murray, a reporter with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, said he contacted Triple Zero after seeing the driver enter the floodwater. He told the BBC that he acted immediately because he feared the man could drown. “I saw him drive in, and immediately his car started floating downstream so I rang Triple Zero,” Mr Murray said. He added that the driver disappeared from view within seconds, prompting him to enter the water. Mr Murray…

Virginia state senator L. Louise Lucas has been charged with drug trafficking and money laundering after federal prosecutors accused her of helping lead a criminal enterprise that acquired and distributed large quantities of marijuana. An indictment unsealed in Richmond on Thursday, October 22, 2026, names Lucas and six co-defendants, including several of her relatives. A Justice Department spokesman said the veteran Democrat surrendered to authorities on Thursday. The five-count indictment alleges racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute marijuana, conspiracy to launder money, conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and maintaining a drug-involved premises. Prosecutors further allege that Lucas and her associates…

Australia’s Test series against South Africa will go to a decider in Cape Town after the hosts completed an innings-and-31-run victory in Gqeberha, exposing serious problems in the tourists’ batting. The result was a sharp reversal of Australia’s 214-run win in the opening Test and their biggest defeat since Pat Cummins became captain. It came despite more than 160 overs being lost to rain during the match. Australia were dismissed for 99 in their first innings and resumed the final day facing a near-impossible task after losing four more wickets on Wednesday. Further rain removed one session, but South Africa…

Rising childcare costs are putting fresh pressure on US household budgets, with nearly 8% of families now spending more than $2,000 (£1,500) a month on daycare, nanny services and other programmes. That proportion is more than twice the level recorded three years ago, according to research by the Bank of America Institute. Families spent an average of 8% of their monthly income on childcare services in September, above the 7% threshold used by federal guidelines to define affordability. The cost of daycare and school-related fees also rose faster than rent and medical care over the year to September, based on…

A Ukrainian national has been arrested in Germany on suspicion of spying for Russia, with prosecutors alleging he collected intelligence on military equipment, personnel and defence sites. The suspect, identified as Vadym Y, was detained in Brandenburg, about 85km west of Berlin, Germany’s federal prosecutors said on Thursday. Investigators said he had been in contact with Russia’s secret service through an intermediary since at least July 2025. Prosecutors allege that he gathered information about the production of armoured vehicles, ammunition and explosives, as well as military personnel and installations intended to help protect Nato’s eastern flank. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz,…

US weekly jobless claims have remained near a 57-year low, with layoffs continuing at subdued levels. The figures point to a labour market in which relatively few workers are losing their jobs, as unemployment claims stay close to their lowest level in decades.

Ron Duguay, the former NHL star who was dating Sarah Palin, has died aged 69 after a long battle with cancer. Palin, the former Governor of Alaska, announced his death on Instagram on Thursday, saying he had died peacefully after a hard-fought illness. “It’s with a shattered heart, but also deep peace knowing Ron is with Jesus now. He fought so hard. Love never ends,” she wrote. Palin said a celebration of life for Duguay would be announced at a later date.

Manchester United reportedly met with Antonio Conte last night as pressure grows on manager Michael Carrick following a poor start to the 2026/27 season. The discussions are said to have taken place after United suffered a 4-1 defeat to Como in the Champions League. The result extended the club’s run to just two wins in 11 matches in all competitions. Conte’s potential availability has emerged as Carrick’s position comes under increasing scrutiny. Carrick initially impressed as United’s interim manager before taking the job on a permanent basis, but results have deteriorated since then. Antonio Conte’s record makes him a leading…

A 22-year-old woman was killed and another seriously injured in a fatal crash on I-295 in Gloucester County, New Jersey, after the car they were travelling in left the motorway and struck a tree. Aigner Johnson was driving a Ford sedan southbound near milepost 17.4 in East Greenwich Township shortly before 5.30pm on Wednesday, New Jersey State Police said. Police said Johnson lost control of the vehicle, which veered off the right-hand side of the road and hit a tree. The car then caught fire. Johnson suffered fatal injuries in the crash. Her passenger, Nayazia Morgan, also 22, was seriously…

A woman and a primary school-aged child have died after being found unresponsive outside apartments in Box Hill, in Melbourne’s east. Police were called to the flats on Prospect Street shortly before 6.20pm on Thursday after reports that a woman had been found unresponsive. An unresponsive child was discovered nearby a short time later. Police said both were unable to be revived and died at the scene. The area was cordoned off as detectives investigated the deaths. Police said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident at this stage. Anyone who witnessed what happened or…