Author: DispatchTimes News Desk

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has dismissed calls for a special prosecutor to pursue alleged criminality uncovered by the state’s inquiry into the construction sector, saying the investigation had already proved its worth. The 28-month, A$95 million inquiry is not due to deliver its final report until December next year. Suggestions that a prosecutor should work alongside the commission to ensure potential offences are pursued before then have been backed by senior union and anti-corruption figures, as well as barrister Geoffrey Watson SC. Asked about the proposal at a Queensland Media Club event in Brisbane, Mr Crisafulli declined to give it…

Prince Harry’s reconciliation plea threatened to overshadow the King’s State Visit for the Sultan of Oman after the Duke of Sussex called for an end to family conflict in his first interview since returning to Britain. Harry said that, “with everything else going on in the world, the most important thing is to reconcile”, as King Charles, Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Sultan attended engagements at Windsor Castle. Speaking to GQ magazine, the Duke described “sibling disagreements” and “broken relationships between kids and their parents” as a “massively relatable” subject. “People look at us, and…

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos’s Earth Fund is committing $100 million to a new international alliance aimed at recovering species at the highest risk of extinction. The Species Recovery Alliance represents a combined $500 million commitment from nine founding organisations. It was announced at the Leaders’ Summit of COP17, the United Nations biodiversity conference in Yerevan, Armenia. The Earth Fund’s contribution was confirmed by a spokesperson. The alliance’s other founding members are Leonardo DiCaprio’s Re:wild, Rainforest Trust, the Colossal Foundation, the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund, Fondation Segré, the Franklinia Foundation, the Ayers Wild Cat Conservation Trust and WildLives Earth.…

Melody Anderson is being remembered for her role as Dale in the cult 1980 film adaptation of Flash Gordon, decades after the former Canadian actress appeared in the film in her mid-20s. Anderson played Dale, a travel agent who became a galactic warrior in the comic-book adaptation. Now in her 70s, Anderson remains closely associated with the role that made her part of the Flash Gordon film’s enduring appeal.

Carrie Bickmore and comedian Tommy Little are to leave the Hit Network at the end of the year, bringing their national drive radio show to a close after almost a decade on air. Bickmore fought back tears as she announced the decision during Wednesday’s programme, while Little said the end of the show was “certainly not how I wanted it to end”. The pair have been the network’s national drive team for nearly 10 years, building a long-running partnership centred on comedy, personal conversations and discussions of difficult subjects. “It’s not every day you get to come and have a…

Defending premiers Broomehill returned to winning ways in the GSCA on Saturday after Katanning Wanderers suffered a decisive collapse at home with victory within reach. Katanning Wanderers had appeared to be in contention for the win before their hopes unravelled, allowing Broomehill to secure a narrow victory and end their wait for another success.

Michael Carrick has said Manchester United’s poor results, rather than reassurance from the club’s hierarchy, will determine his future as he prepares for a Champions League trip to Como. United have won only two of their 10 matches in all competitions this season and face the Italian side on Wednesday with seven players unavailable through injury. “I know we’ve got to win football games for everything to flow and everything to fit into place. That’s the great thing about it; we can do something about it,” Carrick told his pre-match news conference in Italy. Asked about the pressure surrounding his…

Kayla Rae Reid has criticised Ryan Lochte’s fiancée, Molly Gillihan, accusing her of making the former couple’s children and custody arrangements a subject of public discussion. Reid, Lochte’s ex-wife, said Gillihan’s “obsession” with her needed to end and called for herself and her three children to be left alone. “I find it deeply disturbing that someone who has seemingly spent years studying my life, inserting herself into it, and attempting to replicate aspects of it continues to make me and my children a topic of public conversation,” Reid said in a statement. “The irony of being called a narcissist by…

Rio Ngumoha inspired Liverpool to a dramatic 4-3 comeback against Villarreal at Anfield, helping Andoni Iraola’s side maintain their perfect start with a third Champions League win from three matches. The 18-year-old winger supplied two assists and tormented the Villarreal defence, emerging as the outstanding player on a night when Liverpool recovered from two goals down. Villarreal took the lead in the fourth minute after Virgil van Dijk’s poor header fell to Georges Mikautadze, who finished at the earliest point Liverpool had conceded in a major European tie at Anfield for 25 years. The visitors doubled their advantage in the…

Showers and possible thunderstorms are expected across California’s Central Coast on Wednesday, bringing a risk of sudden heavy downpours in areas affected by the Plaskett and Timber fires. Rain is forecast to move into the region during the morning and continue through the afternoon. Conditions should become more showery later in the day, with scattered rainfall lingering into Thursday. The greatest concern is around the Big Sur area, where recently burned hillsides may be vulnerable to runoff, mud and debris flows if intense rain develops. The expected rainfall could provide welcome moisture, but forecasters warned that locally heavy bursts may…