Author: DispatchTimes News Desk

California’s proposed billionaire tax could leave the state $39 billion worse off in today’s money, despite raising an estimated $30 billion initially, according to a study by two Stanford economists. Proposition 40, which will appear on the November 3 ballot, would impose a one-off 5% levy on the net worth of billionaires who were California residents on January 1 2026. The tax would be due in 2027, although those paying over five years would face a higher total bill. Benjamin Jaros and Joshua Rauh, economists affiliated with Stanford University’s Hoover Institution, estimate that the measure would raise between $28 billion…

Kristin Cavallari was pulled over in Tennessee and cited for alleged speeding while driving a black Porsche 911. The reality star was stopped on 14 October after a police officer reportedly saw her travelling at 88mph in a 70mph zone. The citation states that she was driving in the first lane and passing another vehicle on the highway. During the encounter, Cavallari told the officer she was travelling to her business. She owns a store for her clothing brand, Uncommon James, in the city. Cavallari has lived in Tennessee for more than a decade, having moved there with her now…

Aston Villa beat Viking 3-1 at Villa Park to make it three wins from three in the Champions League, although Peter Christiansen’s late volley denied Unai Emery’s side top spot in the league phase. Ross Barkley opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, heading in from Ibrahim Mbaye’s corner as Villa controlled the contest from the outset. Villa had adopted a makeshift shape, with Joao Gomes operating at right-back, but they still created the clearer opportunities. Gomes saw an early cross deflected against the underside of the bar, while Emi Buendia went close with two headers. Buendia eventually doubled the…

Attorney and entrepreneur Jennifer Gore has urged women to look beyond the highly curated “boss babe” image of success, arguing that a sustainable business needs strong systems, effective delegation and the ability to grow without its founder doing everything. Speaking to FOX 2 Detroit presenter Ronia Shamona, Gore discussed changing attitudes towards women in business, the pressure created by social media and the work required to build a successful brand. Gore said entrepreneurs could not rely solely on personal visibility online, warning that a business built around one person’s constant presence could become little more than another demanding job. Her…

Pope Leo XIV had a localised pulmonary adenocarcinoma, doctors have confirmed following the removal of a lesion from his lung earlier this month. The 71-year-old pontiff underwent surgery after the nodular lesion was detected at an early stage. The operation was successful, and the tissue was examined while he recovered. Dr Luigi Carbone, the Pope’s doctor, and Professor Stefano Margaritora, who led the surgical team, said the final test results had confirmed the diagnosis. “Today, the final histological reports and molecular biology test results were released regarding the tissue removed during the Holy Father’s surgery,” they said in a statement.…

Ben Roberts-Smith has denied murdering prisoners or witnessing Australian soldiers shoot detainees, telling radio host Ben Fordham that he had never breached the rules of engagement during his military service. The 47-year-old, Australia’s most decorated living soldier, faces five murder charges linked to alleged incidents in Afghanistan between April 2009 and October 2012. He denies the allegations. Asked whether he had shot prisoners, Roberts-Smith replied: “No.” When asked whether he had seen anyone else do so, he said: “No, I did not.” “I didn’t bloody murder anyone,” he added during what he described as his first interview since charges were…

Donald Trump’s political groups have spent nearly 277 million dollars supporting Republicans in the final stretch of the US midterm elections, marking an unprecedented outlay by a sitting president and leaving the party with significant sums still available before November 3. MAGA Inc, the president’s flagship super PAC, reported spending almost 277 million dollars since the beginning of September in new federal campaign finance filings. The spending included 200 million dollars transferred to No Going Back PAC Inc and a further 25 million dollars sent to Safety & Affordability PAC Inc. Both affiliated groups have been investing heavily in advertising.…

New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez has accused Jeffrey Epstein’s former attorney and accountant of helping cover up an alleged sex-trafficking operation at the financier’s Zorro Ranch near Santa Fe. A lawsuit filed by Mr Torrez seeks to prevent Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn, who served as co-executors of Epstein’s estate, from receiving payments from the late financier’s fortune. The two men have previously maintained that they were unaware of Epstein’s crimes. Mr Torrez said the alleged operation could not have been carried out by one person alone. “None of this could be done by just one man,” he said.…

Arsenal and Manchester United are reportedly interested in Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Yasin Ayari as both Premier League clubs assess options for next summer. The 23-year-old Sweden international has attracted attention from several European sides, with AC Milan also understood to be monitoring his situation. His contract has become a key factor in the interest surrounding him. Arsenal and Manchester United monitor Brighton midfielder Ayari joined Brighton from AIK in January 2023 and, after gaining experience during loan spells, has established himself as an important member of the first-team squad. He has made 85 appearances for the Seagulls, scoring…

Pope Leo XIV’s lung cancer was localised and had not spread, with doctors confirming that he does not require any further treatment, the Vatican has said. The findings followed final tissue and molecular tests carried out after surgery to remove the lower lobe of the Pope’s right lung. The procedure, performed at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on 13 October, confirmed that he had lung adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer. Dr Luigi Carbone, Pope Leo’s personal physician, and Professor Stefano Margaritora, the surgeon who led the operation, said the results confirmed the initial diagnosis but showed no evidence that…