Author: DispatchTimes News Desk

Paul Bettany has said he had not spoken to Johnny Depp for years when private text messages between them were made public during the actor’s legal battles involving Amber Heard, and that they have not spoken since. Bettany said he was surprised to be portrayed as a close friend of Depp after their contact had ended. “I hadn’t spoken to Johnny in years when that happened and I haven’t spoken to him since,” he told The Times. The messages, exchanged in 2013, contained graphic comments about Heard and were read aloud at a preliminary hearing in February 2020. Depp reportedly…

All athletic activities at Penn Wood High School in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania, have been suspended while the William Penn School District investigates an alleged incident said to raise concerns about the culture and climate within its sports programme. The district announced on Thursday, October 15, that it had appointed an outside investigator to assess the information and conduct an objective review under its policies. Investigation into Penn Wood athletics Officials have not disclosed what allegedly happened, who may be involved or whether the matter relates to a particular team. They said student safety and wellbeing remained their highest priority. Student-athletes will…

WA homes are filling up at the fastest rate in Australia, as the state faces a building shortfall of more than 60,000 properties accumulated over the past four years. The pace at which homes are being occupied has outstripped every other state, highlighting the gap between demand for housing and the number of properties being built.

An American photojournalist was injured when masked Israeli men clashed with Palestinians harvesting olives near the West Bank village of Abu Falah, according to eyewitnesses, videos and Palestinian authorities. Heidi Levine, a veteran journalist working for the Washington Post, was taken to a hospital in Ramallah after being pushed to the ground and beaten. Her camera equipment was also taken during the incident. Footage shared by the Foreign Press Association showed Levine surrounded by masked men. While she lay on the ground, the men threw stones at Palestinians using their hands and slingshots, while Palestinians also threw stones at them.…

Israel’s influence in Cyprus is expanding across water, healthcare, energy and defence, prompting concern among some Cypriots that the country is allowing a foreign power to gain leverage over essential systems. The relationship is presented by the Cypriot government as a security alliance aimed at countering Turkey, which has occupied the island’s northern part since its 1974 invasion. But critics fear the partnership is giving Israel an increasingly powerful position in a country whose economy and military are far smaller. “It’s trying to dominate as much as possible, land-wise, company-wise,” said Christos Achniotis, a Cypriot who has followed the island’s…

Sally Rooney’s books will no longer be sold in the UK after her publisher said it could not pass on her earnings because she intended to donate them to Palestinian Action, a group designated as a terrorist organisation under British law. Faber said the decision had been taken with the 35-year-old Irish author’s agreement, after legislation created a situation in which it could sell her work but not transfer the proceeds to her. “Current legislation in the UK has led to circumstances where Faber cannot pass on UK earnings to Sally Rooney for her work,” the publisher said. “To sell…

JB Pritzker is courting farmers on the campaign trail, presenting himself as though he were seeking the presidency.

Minnesota faces a sharp turn towards autumn on Friday, October 16, with morning showers, strong northerly winds and afternoon sunshine followed by widespread frost and freezing temperatures overnight. The National Weather Service has issued a frost advisory for the Twin Cities metropolitan area, while freeze warnings cover parts of central and southern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. A freeze watch remains in place for several counties where sub-zero Celsius temperatures are possible. Minnesota weather forecast brings blustery conditions Friday will begin cold and unsettled, with lingering showers and cloud gradually clearing from the north and west. The Twin Cities is expected…

Telethon’s line-up grew on Friday as television, music and entertainment stars arrived at Perth Airport ahead of the charity’s fundraising weekend. Among the first arrivals were Wiggles performers Tsehay Hawkins and Lucia Field, who are making their Telethon debuts. They were welcomed by Redcliffe Primary School pupils and Fat Cat. Field, who performs as the Blue Wiggle, said she was looking forward to “a lot of fun, singing, a bit of chaos, and answering telephones”, although she admitted she was more nervous about the call centre than performing on stage. Hawkins, the Yellow Wiggle, said she was more used to…

Donald Trump has said the United States is holding talks with Russia and China about nuclear disarmament, as he warned that China could match the two countries’ arsenals within five years. Speaking to US broadcaster Newsmax, the US president said Washington was discussing a route to “denuclearise” with both Moscow and Beijing. “The whole thing is a shame because I’d love to denuclearise if possible,” Mr Trump said. “We’re actually talking ⁠to Russia about that, and ⁠we’re talking to China about that denuclearisation.” China has an estimated 620 nuclear warheads, compared with more than 4,000 held by each of the…