Author: DispatchTimes News Desk

Thomas Tuchel has defended his decision to leave Cole Palmer out of the England squad, insisting the Chelsea forward’s exclusion was not personal despite his strong club form. Palmer is fit and available for Chelsea this weekend, following a check involving the England medical staff and his club. However, Tuchel has chosen to retain the players who were present and impressed during the previous international break. “It’s not personal,” Tuchel said. “We’ll never assume Cole isn’t in the mindset to come and play for his country but the competition is on and the players who were in camp did an…

Chicago is facing its coldest temperatures in six months, with a freeze possible across much of the area on Friday night before a milder spell arrives over the weekend. Temperatures will struggle to rise beyond the upper 40s Fahrenheit (around 9C) on Friday as a mix of cloud and sunshine develops. Cloud cover is expected to thicken during the afternoon, particularly close to Lake Michigan. Lake-effect rain showers may affect parts of north-west Indiana, with LaPorte and Berrien counties most at risk. The National Weather Service said below-freezing temperatures could spread across a large part of northern Illinois overnight into…

Two children have died and 16 people have been injured in a bus crash in eastern France, with three of those hurt reported to be in a critical condition. French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu confirmed the deaths in a post on X on Friday. The local prefecture said the crash affected about 40 people. The incident happened in the small town of Lent. Yves Cristin, the town’s mayor, said a school bus had been involved, while the prefecture described it as an intercity bus. Mr Cristin said about 70 people had been affected by the crash, although that figure differed…

Two people have died after a bus carrying schoolchildren crashed in France, officials have said. The incident is being investigated by French authorities, with no further details available at this time. Officials have not disclosed where or when the crash occurred, nor the exact circumstances surrounding it. There is no immediate confirmation of the identities of the deceased or information from schools or local authorities in this update.

The Mississippi Senate race remains unresolved after Democrat Scott Colom built a narrow lead over Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith in an unexpectedly close contest. With about 96% of the vote counted, Colom was ahead by just over 1,800 votes on Friday morning. At one stage on Wednesday, only a few dozen votes separated the candidates. State officials said several thousand ballots were still to be counted, including approximately 3,600 outstanding mail ballots and an unknown number of affidavit, or provisional, ballots. Mail ballots must arrive within five business days, while affidavit ballots must be processed during the 10-day period counties…

Jen Affleck has shared videos from her marriage to Zac Affleck in which he appears to criticise her appearance and challenge her over household chores, shortly after she filed for divorce. The reality television star, who is expecting the couple’s fourth child, posted the clips on TikTok after Zac described himself as her “biggest supporter” and said their priority was co-parenting. In one video, Jen appears make-up free in a dressing gown and headband while recording a daily routine. Zac can be heard telling her not to post it, commenting on her body. “I hope you’re not making a TikTok…

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has been questioned about how his party plans to deliver on affordability, as Democrats seek to turn their campaign message into policy. In an interview with Leila Fadel, Mr Jeffries—described as the presumptive House Speaker—was asked about the party’s plans to make its affordability pledge a reality.

Rising shipping costs are squeezing small retailers in the US as they head into the holiday season, forcing some to absorb losses, raise delivery charges or reconsider free shipping. Jenni Shields, who runs Evie Pearl Handmade from her spare bedroom in Kansas City, Kansas, said the average cost of sending one of her parcels had risen to nearly $6 last month. Eight years ago, she paid $2.93 for a typical shipment, equivalent to close to $4 in today’s money after inflation. Last year, the average shipping label for her handmade bows, quilted headbands and other accessories cost about $4.50. Shields…

Marco Palestra has admitted he needs to improve after a difficult start to his Chelsea career, following his first Premier League start in the 2-0 victory over Manchester United. The 21-year-old defender joined from Atalanta in the summer as the first signing of Xabi Alonso’s tenure. However, an injury delayed his competitive debut and disrupted his early adaptation to English football. Palestra’s display against Manchester United attracted criticism over his defensive positioning, but he remains highly regarded at Stamford Bridge and is determined to justify Chelsea’s investment. Marco Palestra admits he must improve at Chelsea Reflecting on his move, Palestra…

Residents in McCaysville, Georgia, have begun clearing mud and waterlogged debris from their homes and businesses after the Toccoa River surged 16ft in 12 hours, inundating the town centre and prompting more than 80 people to be rescued by boat. Georgia governor Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency as emergency crews, local officials and volunteers worked to restore essential services in the border community, which lies opposite Copperhill, Tennessee. The floodwaters overwhelmed McCaysville’s water treatment facility, forcing officials to distribute bottled water while a boil-water advisory remained in place. Technicians were working to restore the municipal supply, but no…