George Zinn, 71, has been arrested in Utah after allegedly making a false confession about the shooting of Charlie Kirk. He faces charges for obstruction of justice and possession of child abuse material. Authorities found explicit material on his phone during the investigation.
Key Facts
George Zinn allegedly lied about shooting Charlie Kirk.
Charlie Kirk was killed during an event at Utah Valley University.
Zinn made the false confession so the real suspect, Tyler Robinson, could escape.
Authorities found over 20 explicit images of children on Zinn's devices.
Zinn is charged with obstruction of justice and four counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.
He is held in the Utah County Jail and will face a court appearance soon.
There is no evidence that Zinn worked with the actual shooter.
Hollywood actor Robert Redford has passed away at age 89. He was famous for starring in movies like "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" and won an Oscar for directing "Ordinary People."
Key Facts
Robert Redford was a well-known Hollywood actor and director.
He died at the age of 89.
Redford starred in notable films such as "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid."
He directed "Ordinary People," which earned him an Oscar.
The announcement of his death was made by his publicist.
Redford had a significant impact on film both as an actor and director.
FBI Director Kash Patel spoke at a Senate hearing about a social media post he made. He had stated that a suspect in activist Charlie Kirk's killing was in custody, even though the actual perpetrator was still free. Patel said he wanted the public to know that someone was detained during the investigation.
Key Facts
FBI Director Kash Patel made a social media post related to the killing of Charlie Kirk.
In the post, Patel mentioned that a suspect was in custody.
The actual suspect in Charlie Kirk's killing was not yet captured at that time.
Sen. Peter Welch questioned Patel about this during a Senate hearing.
Patel explained that he wanted to inform the public that someone had been detained.
The person detained was not the actual suspect involved in the shooting.
Patel publicly defended his decision to share this information.
Donald Trump is visiting the UK for a state visit, a rare second one for a US president. The visit coincides with significant trade talks, where both countries aim to finalize agreements on metal tariffs and announce deals in technology and nuclear energy. The visit includes meetings with the British royal family and Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Key Facts
Trump arrives in London for a second state visit, a unique honor for a US president.
The visit coincides with ongoing tough trade negotiations between the US and UK.
British leaders hope to finalize an agreement to lower tariffs on steel and aluminum.
The visit includes traditional royal ceremonies, with Trump meeting King Charles and other royals.
Trump will attend a formal state banquet and ride in a horse-drawn carriage procession.
On Thursday, discussions with Prime Minister Keir Starmer will focus on trade and security.
Deals in technology and civil nuclear energy are expected to be announced.
The recent dismissal of UK ambassador Lord Mandelson, linked to Jeffrey Epstein, has affected diplomatic relations.
Four TikTok users were arrested in Somalia for allegedly insulting President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in a dance video. The video contained altered lyrics from a campaign song used in the president's 2022 election, which included negative language. The arrests have sparked a public debate about freedom of expression and the role of social media in Somalia.
Key Facts
Four TikTok users were arrested in Somalia.
They allegedly insulted President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in a dance video.
The video used a campaign song with altered derogatory lyrics.
Police have taken the suspects into custody and plan to charge them.
The video was taken down but continues to be shared on social media.
This is the first case involving insulting a top politician on social media in Somalia.
Social media in Somalia has been controversial, with past arrests for similar content.
In 2023, the Somali government considered banning TikTok over security and moral concerns.
A new Siena poll shows New York Governor Kathy Hochul leading against potential Republican challenger, Representative Elise Stefanik, by 25 points in a hypothetical gubernatorial race. The poll indicates Hochul's favorability and job approval ratings have climbed, with over 50% of surveyed voters supporting her. Stefanik's spokesperson criticized the poll's findings, suggesting they are biased.
Key Facts
Kathy Hochul leads Elise Stefanik 52% to 27% in the latest Siena poll.
Hochul's favorability and job approval ratings have recently improved.
The poll surveyed 802 registered voters in New York and has a margin of error of 4.2 percentage points.
Hochul is New York's first female governor and is seeking reelection after a close race in 2022.
New York generally leans Democratic, but Republicans have gained some ground recently.
Elise Stefanik is a high-ranking Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Stefanik's spokesperson challenged the poll's accuracy and claims the results are in Hochul's favor.
The Siena poll suggests Hochul's lead aligns with historical voting trends in New York.
Disney, NBCUniversal, and Warner Bros. Discovery have sued the Chinese AI company MiniMax, accusing it of illegally using their copyrighted work. This lawsuit, filed in California, is aimed at protecting their intellectual property against unauthorized use by AI firms.
Key Facts
Disney, NBCUniversal, and Warner Bros. Discovery filed a lawsuit against MiniMax for copyright issues.
The lawsuit accuses MiniMax of using copyrighted characters in its AI products without permission.
The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
This is the second major lawsuit related to AI copyright for these companies in 2023.
The companies claim MiniMax ignored their requests to stop infringing on copyrights.
MiniMax is a Chinese company with a service called Hailuo AI for generating images and videos.
MiniMax has plans to go public with an IPO valued at about $4 billion.
The lawsuit reflects a broader effort by U.S. studios to protect their film rights globally, including from non-U.S. companies.
House Republicans have introduced a temporary spending bill to keep the U.S. government operating until November 21. The bill funds government agencies at current levels with an additional $88 million for security. Congress must pass this stopgap measure to prevent a government shutdown while they work on next year's budget.
Key Facts
House Republicans proposed a spending bill to extend government funding until November 21.
This bill mostly keeps funding at the same level as before.
An extra $88 million is included to enhance security for lawmakers and the Supreme Court.
The House plans to vote on this bill by Friday.
The current budget year ends soon, making this stopgap bill necessary to avoid a shutdown.
Democrats want negotiations on health care coverage included in the spending talks.
Republicans say health care discussions should be separate from this bill.
The bill will need some Democrat support in the Senate to reach at least 60 votes needed for advancement.
The U.S. government reached a preliminary agreement with China to prevent a TikTok shutdown by moving its ownership to American companies. Details of the deal are not fully known, but U.S. and Chinese officials have expressed a commitment to address security and data concerns. Discussions aimed at finalizing the ownership and data management arrangements are ongoing.
Key Facts
The U.S. government is negotiating a deal with China to keep TikTok operating in the U.S.
The agreement involves shifting TikTok's ownership to American companies.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that the deal terms are agreed but not disclosed.
U.S. and China officials highlighted the importance of national security and data protection.
Oracle has been mentioned as a potential buyer for TikTok.
The deadline for reaching a TikTok ownership deal has been extended several times by Trump.
A Pew Research Center survey showed Americans are divided on a potential TikTok ban and data security concerns.
President Trump has been active on TikTok and acknowledged its influence on young voters.
A senior Labour MP raised concerns that warnings were overlooked before Peter Mandelson was chosen as the UK's ambassador to the US. Mandelson was removed from his position after emails linked him to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The emergency debate about his sacking involved criticisms of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for his handling of the situation.
Key Facts
Peter Mandelson was appointed as the UK's ambassador to the US but was later sacked.
Mandelson had sent supportive emails to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender, in 2008.
A senior Labour MP, Dame Emily Thornberry, highlighted these connections as missed warnings.
The Conservative leader criticized the Prime Minister for not addressing the issue effectively.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stated he would not have appointed Mandelson if all details were known earlier.
The debate suggests a misstep in the vetting process by the Cabinet Office, which handles checks on appointments.
Questions arose about who was responsible for vetting Mandelson before his appointment.
The debate was held before the arrival of US President Donald Trump for a state visit to the UK.
Real Madrid will play against Olympique de Marseille in the opening match of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League group stage at their home stadium, Santiago Bernabéu. The game will happen on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, and can be watched live on the DAZN channel.
Key Facts
Real Madrid is starting their Champions League campaign aiming for a 16th trophy.
They will play against Marseille at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium.
The match is scheduled for Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 3:00 PM EDT.
Viewers can watch the game on the DAZN channel and via its streaming service.
Real Madrid has won all previous four encounters against Marseille.
Real Madrid is led by new manager Xabi Alonso, while Marseille is coached by Roberto De Zerbi.
The last time these teams met was in the 2009-10 UEFA Champions League group stage.
The upcoming Ryder Cup is expected to be a significant event in golf history. Golf experts predict that the tournament, held in New York, will present unique challenges and excitement due to factors such as the venue and standout players like Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler.
Key Facts
The Ryder Cup will be held at Bethpage Black in New York.
Golf insiders believe this event will be a major turning point for professional golf.
The American team will benefit from strong home support.
Rory McIlroy aims to win an away Ryder Cup, adding to his impressive career.
Scottie Scheffler is noted for his outstanding recent performance, comparable to Tiger Woods.
The last American win on European soil in the Ryder Cup was in 1993.
The Ryder Cup's global reach has grown in recent years.
A Brazilian Supreme Court justice ordered the arrest of Flávia Magalhães, a U.S. citizen living in Florida, for her social media posts criticizing Brazil's leaders. These actions raise questions about the extent of foreign governments' control over online speech made legally in the U.S. and its implications for global free expression.
Key Facts
Flávia Magalhães is a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Brazil, residing in Florida.
She criticized Brazil's judiciary and president on social media, which did not violate U.S. law.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes issued an arrest warrant for her.
Magalhães was accused of using an "irregular" Brazilian passport in December 2023.
She returned to Florida despite the Brazilian court's arrest order.
Moraes also suspended U.S. platforms X and Rumble in Brazil for not complying with local laws.
These measures highlight potential conflicts in international law regarding free speech rights.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' player, Calijah Kancey, will miss the rest of the 2025 NFL season due to a torn pectoral muscle. Kancey, who leads the team in sacks, got injured during a game against the Houston Texans. He is scheduled for surgery, putting an end to what was expected to be a strong season for him.
Key Facts
Calijah Kancey plays for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFL.
He got injured during a game against the Houston Texans.
Kancey suffered a torn pectoral muscle and will need surgery.
The injury will keep him out for the rest of the 2025 season.
Kancey had 7.5 sacks in the 2024 season, leading his team in that category.
His absence is a significant loss to the Buccaneers' defense.
The Buccaneers will face the New York Jets in their next game.
The Jets' quarterback, Justin Fields, might also miss the game due to a concussion.
Lamar Jackson, quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens, now leads the NFL in career passer rating, surpassing Aaron Rodgers. As of the 2025 season, Jackson has a passer rating of 102.65, putting him slightly ahead of Rodgers and highlighting his strong performance on the field.
Key Facts
Lamar Jackson is the quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens.
Jackson's career passer rating is 102.65, making him the NFL leader in this statistic, ahead of Aaron Rodgers.
Jackson has thrown 41 touchdowns and four interceptions during the 2024 season.
In the 2025 season, Jackson has already recorded six touchdown passes with no interceptions after two weeks.
The Ravens lost their first game of the 2025 season to the Buffalo Bills but won their second game against the Cleveland Browns.
Jackson has previously won the NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP) award twice.
The Ravens aim to overcome their playoff challenges against teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills in 2025.
Faith Kipyegon won her fourth world 1500m title, making her one of only two athletes ever to achieve this in that event. She secured the gold by outpacing her competitors in the final lap, continuing a winning streak that spans over four years.
Key Facts
Faith Kipyegon won her fourth world title in the 1500m race.
She is now tied with Hicham El Guerrouj for the most 1500m titles in history.
Kipyegon has not lost a global final over this distance for over four years.
She completed the race in three minutes and 52.15 seconds.
Jessica Hull of Australia finished with a bronze medal.
Dorcus Ewoi, also from Kenya, won the silver, making it a one-two finish for Kenya.
This win ties Kipyegon with other female athletes, like Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Tirunesh Dibaba, for the most individual global golds.
Kipyegon plans to compete in the 5,000m event next.
In August, retail sales in the United States increased by 0.6%, driven by back-to-school shopping and efforts to buy ahead before tariff-related price hikes. Despite higher consumer spending, tariffs have led to job market challenges and increased inflation.
Key Facts
Retail sales increased by 0.6% from July to August, according to the Commerce Department.
Excluding auto sales, which are affected by tariffs, retail sales rose 0.7% in August.
Electronics and online retailers saw an increase in sales, with online sales rising by 2%.
Inflation rose 0.4% from July to August, higher than the previous month’s 0.2% increase.
The annual inflation rate in August was 2.9%, with core inflation at 3.1%.
The unemployment rate data showed fewer job additions than economists expected.
The Federal Reserve is facing challenges as it prepares to adjust interest rates amidst these economic factors.
Benfica will play against Qarabag in the first round of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday. The match will take place at Estadio da Luz in Lisbon, Portugal, and can be watched on CBS Sports Network or streamed on Fubo. This is the first competitive match between these two teams.
Key Facts
Benfica is hosting Qarabag in the Champions League on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.
The match will start at 3:00 PM EDT.
It will be held at Estadio da Luz in Lisbon, Portugal.
The game will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network.
The match can be streamed online through Fubo.
Benfica has not lost in the Primeira Liga this season but is fourth because they played fewer games.
Qarabag has won one out of its first three games in the Azerbaijan Premier League.
Benfica is dealing with several player injuries.
This is the first time Benfica and Qarabag will meet in a competitive match.
The Los Angeles Lakers are considering trading for New Orleans Pelicans' All-Star guard Dejounte Murray, who is valued at $114 million. This potential move aims to improve the Lakers' roster, which is currently built around superstar guard Luka Doncic, to enhance their chances of winning a championship.
Key Facts
The Lakers want to build a strong team around Luka Doncic to win a championship.
They have been linked with All-Star guard Dejounte Murray from the New Orleans Pelicans.
Murray is valued at $114 million and is known for his strong defensive skills and offensive capabilities.
A trade between the Lakers and Pelicans for Murray is considered challenging but possible.
Murray's addition could provide the Lakers with another reliable scoring option and strengthen their defense.
The Lakers previously traded for Doncic in a significant move and are looking to make more changes to improve their playoff performance.
Sen. Cory Booker criticized FBI Director Kash Patel, saying his actions have weakened the U.S. The senator mentioned Patel's decision to fire FBI officials, hold back files in the Jeffrey Epstein case, and make incorrect statements about a shooting suspect. These issues were discussed during a Senate hearing.
Key Facts
Sen. Cory Booker criticized FBI Director Kash Patel's leadership.
Booker said Patel's actions have made the U.S. weaker and less safe.
Patel has fired several veteran FBI officials.
These firings have led to a loss of experience and knowledge in the FBI.
Patel reportedly held back files related to the Jeffrey Epstein case.
He incorrectly posted on social media about a suspect being caught in the Charlie Kirk shooting.
The issues were discussed during a Senate hearing.