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.
Israel confirmed it launched air strikes on the Yemeni port of Hodeidah. The attacks are part of ongoing tensions with the Houthis, a group in Yemen. The strikes have resulted in civilian casualties and infrastructure damage.
Key Facts
Israel attacked Yemen’s port of Hodeidah, targeting the Houthi group.
Israeli strikes have killed dozens of Yemeni civilians.
Al Masirah TV reported that Israel conducted 12 strikes on a single day.
The Israeli army claimed Houthis were using the port to receive weapons from Iran.
Israel warned people in Hodeidah to evacuate before the attacks.
The Houthis have conducted drone and missile attacks on Israel, citing solidarity with Palestinians.
Recently, the Houthis carried out a drone attack on Israel’s Ramon Airport.
Israel also assassinated the Houthi Prime Minister in a separate air strike.
Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray is expected to announce charges against Tyler Robinson today for the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Robinson is believed to have shot Kirk during a speech at Utah Valley University. Authorities are looking into whether Robinson acted alone or with others.
Key Facts
Charlie Kirk was shot and killed on September 10 at Utah Valley University during a speech.
Tyler Robinson, 22, from Washington, Utah, was arrested on suspicion of several crimes, including aggravated murder.
Charges against Robinson are expected to include aggravated murder and other felonies.
Investigators are examining Robinson's connections to see if others knew about the attack.
The FBI is involved, looking into Robinson's political views and whether they played a role.
The shooting has led to a larger debate about political speech and security.
Memorials for Charlie Kirk have been held in several states, with a public tribute planned for September 21 in Arizona.
The article discusses early predictions for NFL games in Week 3, highlighting several key quarterback injuries affecting teams. Most notably, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow will have toe surgery, likely ending his season. The article also covers other players missing games and provides picks against the spread (ATS) for upcoming matchups.
Key Facts
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is set to have toe surgery and may miss the rest of the season.
Other quarterbacks, like San Francisco's Brock Purdy and the Jets' Justin Fields, might miss upcoming games due to injuries.
The Rams vs. Eagles and Cardinals vs. 49ers games are among the highlighted matchups for the weekend.
The article provides predictions for each game based on point spreads.
Through the first two weeks, the bettor's record for picks was 16-16 against the spread.
Some anticipated games include Dolphins vs. Bills and Falcons vs. Panthers.
The article mentions that the odds are provided by DraftKings.
Several teams are relying on backup quarterbacks due to injuries to their starters.
FBI Director Kash Patel spoke during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing about the investigation into the shooting of Charlie Kirk. He defended the FBI's work under his leadership and mentioned an increase in arrests since the Biden administration.
Key Facts
Kash Patel is the Director of the FBI.
He faced criticism about the FBI's handling of a shooting involving Charlie Kirk.
Patel stated that the suspect in the shooting was successfully arrested.
He highlighted an overall increase in FBI arrests since the Biden administration.
Patel made these statements during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing.
The FBI under Patel is focused on reducing violent crime and protecting the United States.
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has faced criticism after two consecutive losses against the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions. Analysts discussed the possibility of benching Williams if his performance doesn't improve in the next game. Backup quarterback Tyson Bagent is prepared to step in, having briefly played in their last match.
Key Facts
Caleb Williams is the quarterback for the Chicago Bears.
The Bears lost two recent games against the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions.
Analysts have warned that Williams might be benched if his performance doesn't improve.
Backup quarterback Tyson Bagent signed a two-year deal and is ready to take over if needed.
Williams threw for 207 yards with two touchdowns, one interception, and was sacked four times in Week 2.
The Bears plan to play the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3.
There is consideration of replacing Williams with Bagent if poor performances continue.
LeBron James is preparing for his 23rd NBA season, tying the record for the most seasons played. An NBA insider indicated that there are rumors about James possibly playing in leagues other than the NBA. LeBron and his business partner are reportedly looking to start a global basketball league with both men's and women's teams.
Key Facts
LeBron James is entering his 23rd season in the NBA.
This would tie him with Vince Carter for the most seasons played in NBA history.
NBA insider Brian Windhorst mentioned rumors about James possibly playing in different leagues.
LeBron and business partner Maverick Carter are planning to launch a global basketball league.
The proposed league aims to have 12 teams and would travel globally, similar to a racing series like F1.
Because of scheduling, NBA players might not be able to play in both the NBA and this new league.
LeBron is under contract with the Lakers until the 2025-26 season.
A study examined how much income Americans across different states spend on gas. Factors like income levels, gas prices, and how much people drive contributed to these differences. Despite lower gas prices recently, spending varies widely, with Mississippi residents spending the highest portion of their income and Washington D.C. residents spending the least.
Key Facts
Americans spend between 0.8% to 3.7% of their income on gas, varying by state.
Mississippi drivers spend 3.7% of their income on gas, the highest in the U.S.
Washington D.C. drivers spend only 0.8% of their income on gas, the lowest in the U.S.
Median monthly incomes, gas prices, and average miles driven influence gas spending.
In Mississippi, low income and high mileage contribute to higher gas spending despite cheap gas prices.
Gas prices have been decreasing but remain higher than pre-COVID levels.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration forecasts a potential further decline in gas spending as a percentage of income.
Mykhailo Mudryk, a Chelsea and Ukraine soccer player, is currently suspended due to a doping charge by the Football Association (FA) after testing positive for a banned substance. His case is under investigation, and his legal team is working to understand how the banned substance was ingested.
Key Facts
Mykhailo Mudryk is temporarily banned from playing soccer because of a positive doping test.
The Football Association formally charged him with a doping offence in June.
Mudryk's legal case is being handled by Morgan Sports Law.
He claims he did not knowingly take any banned substances.
His positive test involved a substance called meldonium, used mainly in Eastern Europe for heart conditions.
The Ukrainian Football Association says it is not part of this case but is cooperating with Mudryk's legal team.
Meldonium has been banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency since 2016.
