Author: DispatchTimes News Desk

Katie Zacharia has been removed as White House press secretary after five days in the role, following a troubled first briefing, questions over her legal qualifications and a series of attempts to defend her performance in television interviews. President Trump said on Friday that Zacharia might be “better off being happy” after telling reporters that the position was “maybe” not for her. The White House then announced that she would be “transitioning” out of the job. Questions over Katie Zacharia’s White House briefing Zacharia’s short tenure began to unravel at her first briefing on Tuesday, when she appeared nervous and…

The Bank of Japan may need to tighten monetary policy more quickly if inflation rises above forecasts, the International Monetary Fund has said. The warning places the focus on how the central bank would respond to stronger-than-expected price growth. The IMF said faster action could be required if inflation outpaces its projections.

Selma Blair has made her first public appearance since her arrest, meeting fans at the 90s Con in Hartford, Connecticut. The 54-year-old actress attended the convention on Friday, where she posed for photographs and signed autographs at a booth. The event is being held at the Connecticut Convention Center from October 16 to 18. Photographs shared online showed Blair sitting in front of a 90s Con backdrop as she hugged attendees. Influencer Brad Deiter posted an image from what appeared to be a meet-and-greet and wrote: “Having the greatest time at 90s Con.” Another attendee shared a photograph with Blair,…

A 27-year-old Arizona man accused of plotting a mass-casualty attack on a Jewish or Muslim place of worship has been ordered to post a $100,000 cash bond after appearing in court in Chandler. Matthew Bjornholt faces one felony count of making a terrorist threat. Prosecutors told a Maricopa County court that he had discussed using explosives and firearms in an attack, with an accomplice allegedly expected to shoot people who survived the initial blast. Prosecutor Stephen Garcia had sought a $500,000 cash bond, describing Bjornholt as an imminent danger to the community. The judge found there was sufficient probable cause…

An urgent search is under way for 39-year-old Patrick Evans, who disappeared after taking a small boat onto the Murray River near the Victoria and New South Wales border. Mr Evans was last seen at the Pebbly Beach campground near Tocumwal at about 10.30am on Friday. He is believed to have set out on the river to go fishing in a small boat around midday. When he failed to return and could not be contacted, NSW Police, NSW Maritime, Victoria Police, divers and the State Emergency Service began searching the area. Police and Mr Evans’s family are gravely concerned for…

A Houston production studio burglary has forced the suspension of filming on a dating show after thieves took 12 cameras, 18 lenses and a drone. Jimi Harvuni, owner of Harvuni J Studios, said the equipment was stolen during a break-in which he believes was carried out by the same three men linked to attacks on at least seven film and production studios in the Houston area since late August. The theft has disrupted production of Vibez Dating, a show broadcast on the streaming service Tubi. Harvuni said around five episodes had already been made and further filming was planned. “It’s…

Yorkshire Wildlife Park is to reopen on Saturday while an inquest examines the death of 24-year-old William Chapman, who was fatally mauled by a tiger at the attraction near Doncaster. Chapman died at the scene on October 10 after entering the Land of the Tiger enclosure. The park was immediately evacuated and later closed to visitors. An inquest at Doncaster Coroner’s Court has heard that the injuries sustained during the tiger attack led to Chapman’s rapid death. Senior coroner Nicola Mundy told the hearing: “He was approached by the tiger and the ensuing physical contact between the tiger and Chapman…

Central Texas high school football Week 8 delivered a series of emphatic results, with Westlake, Smithson Valley, Johnson and Wimberley among the sides to record commanding victories across Thursday 15 and Friday 16 October. Anderson began the weekend’s headline fixtures by beating McCallum 21-9 on Thursday night. Elsewhere that evening, Canyon Lake overwhelmed Northeast 70-6, Glenn defeated Connally 49-14, Crockett shut out Navarro 55-0 and East View edged Vista Ridge 40-37. Central Texas high school football Week 8 scores Friday’s action saw Cedar Park claim a 23-10 victory over Vandegrift, while Round Rock beat Westwood 49-21. Dripping Springs overcame Bowie…

Three men have been sentenced to a total of 158 years in prison over the murder of Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson and their friend Carter Rhoad in Mexico. The men were convicted in connection with the deaths of the two brothers and Mr Rhoad.

A fast-moving wildfire in Orange County, Southern California, has damaged or destroyed at least six homes and forced evacuation orders covering about 6,000 properties as firefighters tackle intense heat, low humidity and strong winds. The Norte Fire began in the coastal city of San Clemente on Friday before spreading into neighbouring San Juan Capistrano. By the evening, it had burned between 188 and 231 hectares (465 to 570 acres), according to figures from the Orange County Fire Authority and California’s Cal Fire agency. About 16,000 residents were under evacuation orders. Shelters have opened in both cities, while helicopters have been…