A former British soldier, known as “Soldier F,” is on trial in Belfast for murder charges related to the 1972 Bloody Sunday massacre in Northern Ireland. This case involves the shooting of unarmed civil rights demonstrators, where 13 people were killed. Families have sought justice for decades, although the trial faces legal challenges.
Key Facts
The trial involves a former British soldier charged with murders from the 1972 Bloody Sunday incident.
Soldier F is the only British soldier to be prosecuted for this event.
Thirteen people died and 15 were wounded when soldiers fired on unarmed demonstrators in Londonderry.
The prosecution states the civilians were unarmed and posed no threat.
Soldier F pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder.
The incident happened during "The Troubles," a conflict in Northern Ireland lasting about 30 years.
A 2010 review found that soldiers fired at fleeing civilians and then lied about it.
The trial continues amid legal challenges over evidence and prior case rulings.
Armand Duplantis set his 14th world record in pole vaulting by clearing a height of 6.30 meters during a championship event in Tokyo. He won his third consecutive world title, further cementing his status as a top athlete in the sport.
Key Facts
Armand Duplantis broke the pole vault world record by clearing 6.30 meters.
This marked his third consecutive world title win.
The event took place in Tokyo, where he first found major success four years ago.
Duplantis has won eight global men's pole vault gold medals in recent times.
He is a two-time Olympic champion.
Emmanouil Karalis, the Greek runner-up, helped during the competition by holding a fan for Duplantis.
The Japanese audience celebrated his record-breaking performance.
In Week 2 of the NFL season, the New England Patriots won against the Miami Dolphins. Rookie player Will Campbell earned a high PFF grade for his performance, showing significant improvement from Week 1.
Key Facts
The New England Patriots won 33-27 against the Miami Dolphins in Week 2.
Rookie Will Campbell, an offensive lineman, received an 81.3 pass-blocking grade.
Campbell had 31 pass-blocking snaps without allowing any quarterback pressure.
In Week 1, Campbell received a lower grade of 68.2 and allowed one sack and multiple pressures.
The performance was seen as a positive development for both Campbell and the coaching staff.
Campbell was the No. 4 overall pick in the NFL draft.
He will face the Pittsburgh Steelers' defense in the next game.
The Los Angeles Lakers are considering trading for Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason, who is known for his strong defensive skills. This potential move aims to improve the Lakers' defense as they prepare for the upcoming season. The addition of Eason could be beneficial, but there are challenges in trading with a conference rival like the Rockets.
Key Facts
The Lakers are looking to strengthen their team for the upcoming season.
Tari Eason, a forward from the Houston Rockets, is a potential trade target.
Eason is known for his defensive abilities, including steals and blocks.
The Lakers did not make major trades this past summer but added three new players through free agency.
The Rockets recently added Kevin Durant to their lineup, which may affect Eason's playing time.
Trading within the same conference can be challenging, which might complicate acquiring Eason.
Eason's addition could reduce pressure on other Lakers players like LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
The Lakers are not top favorites for the championship but hope trades could change that outlook.
The New York Jets lost to the Buffalo Bills, and linebacker Jermaine Johnson II was injured during the game. Johnson, who was a key player having made the Pro Bowl in 2023, is being evaluated for an ankle injury, but his cryptic social media posts suggest it may not be serious. The Jets hope he can return soon to help improve their defense.
Key Facts
The New York Jets lost 30-10 to the Buffalo Bills.
Jermaine Johnson II, a linebacker for the Jets, was injured and taken out of the game.
Johnson's injury is an ankle issue being evaluated.
He was a Pro Bowler in 2023 but played only two games last season due to an Achilles injury.
Johnson posted cryptic messages on social media, possibly implying the injury is not severe.
He achieved 7 1/2 sacks in the 2023 season.
The Jets' defense has struggled early in the season under Aaron Glenn's defensive coordination.
The New York Yankees are considering changes to their roster for the playoffs, focusing on the shortstop position. Anthony Volpe has struggled with errors and injuries, while Jose Caballero has performed well. Some suggest that Volpe should not be included in the playoff roster to make room for Paul Goldschmidt.
Key Facts
Anthony Volpe has struggled defensively, leading the American League in errors.
Volpe is dealing with a shoulder injury and has received a cortisone shot.
Jose Caballero has replaced Volpe in recent games and has performed well offensively and defensively.
Caballero leads baseball in stolen bases.
Some experts suggest leaving Volpe off the playoff roster in favor of Paul Goldschmidt.
Goldschmidt is a former MVP and seen as a better bench option.
Volpe's situation is challenging as he was once a key lineup player but is now uncertain about his future with the Yankees.
Steve Bannon has called for an investigation into Utah Governor Spencer Cox after the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Kirk was shot during an event at Utah Valley University, and a suspect named Tyler Robinson is in custody. Bannon criticized Cox for various reasons, including his handling of state mental health services and moderate stance on LGBTQ+ issues, though no official investigation into Cox has been suggested by law enforcement.
Key Facts
Steve Bannon called for an investigation into Utah Governor Spencer Cox.
Charlie Kirk died after being shot during a speech in Utah.
Tyler Robinson, the suspect, is currently in custody.
Cox has been praised for his response to the incident.
Bannon criticized Cox on his War Room podcast.
Bannon questioned the state's mental health services managed by a company Robinson's mother worked for.
Cox has a reputation for more moderate views, including on LGBTQ+ issues.
Law enforcement has not suggested any wrongdoing by Cox.
England's women's rugby team extended their record by winning 31 consecutive international matches, defeating Scotland 40-8 in the Women's Rugby World Cup quarter-final. The Red Roses remain undefeated since their loss to New Zealand in the World Cup final in 2022, with their current streak beginning under former head coach Simon Middleton and continuing under current head coach John Mitchell. England aims to further extend their record if they win the World Cup at Twickenham.
Key Facts
England's women's rugby team has won 31 consecutive matches, setting a new record.
They defeated Scotland 40-8 in a World Cup quarter-final.
The team's last loss was against New Zealand in the 2022 World Cup final.
England has changed coaches, with John Mitchell now leading and winning 26 matches.
England's biggest recent victory was a 92-3 win over Samoa.
Zoe Aldcroft is the current captain, taking over from Marlie Packer in January.
England's winning run also includes a Women's Six Nations Grand Slam.
The team will play France in the upcoming World Cup semi-final in Bristol.
Maurene Comey, a federal prosecutor who was fired, is suing the U.S. government to get her job back. She claims her dismissal was sudden and illegal, possibly due to politics linked to her father, James Comey. The lawsuit argues her firing violated the U.S. Constitution's principles.
Key Facts
Maurene Comey filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government over her firing.
She claims her termination was abrupt, without cause or notice, and unconstitutional.
Comey is the daughter of James Comey, former FBI director dismissed by President Trump.
Her lawsuit suggests her firing might be related to her father's political conflicts with Trump.
She was fired the day after being asked to lead a major public corruption case.
Comey has a record of handling high-profile cases against Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
The lawsuit mentions a trend of prosecutor dismissals by the Justice Department without clear reasons.
The defendants in the lawsuit include the Justice Department and U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi.
The Buffalo Bills won against the New York Jets with a score of 30-10. During the game, Bills' quarterback Josh Allen briefly left due to an injury but returned after a short time. Backup quarterback Mitchell Trubisky temporarily took Allen's place with no warmup time.
Key Facts
The Buffalo Bills defeated the New York Jets 30-10.
Josh Allen, the team's quarterback, left the game briefly after an injury in the first quarter.
Allen ran off the field to allow Mitchell Trubisky to step in temporarily.
Allen returned to the game after a couple of plays.
Allen is currently the NFL's Most Valuable Player (MVP).
The injury did not seem serious, and Allen resumed playing.
The Bills aim to continue their winning streak in their next game against the Miami Dolphins.
Alex Highsmith, a linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers, injured his ankle during a game against the Seattle Seahawks. The injury was described as a high-ankle sprain, but he is not expected to miss as many games as initially thought, as he will not be placed on the Injured Reserve (IR) list. In his absence, Nick Herbig will fill in as the Steelers prepare to play the New England Patriots.
Key Facts
Alex Highsmith is a linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
He left the game against the Seahawks with a high-ankle sprain.
Highsmith is not expected to go on IR, meaning he won't miss four mandatory games.
In the previous season, Highsmith missed games due to groin and ankle injuries.
Nick Herbig, a fourth-round draft pick, will replace Highsmith while he recovers.
The Steelers lost to the Seahawks 31-17 and will face the New England Patriots next.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called for Israel to be banned from international sports competitions after pro-Palestinian protests disrupted the Vuelta cycling race in Madrid. Israel's foreign minister criticized Sánchez, calling him "antisemite and liar" in response. The protests occurred because of Israel's military actions in Gaza, with tensions rising between Israel and Spain.
Key Facts
Spanish PM Sánchez wants Israel banned from sports events, similar to the ban on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine.
Pro-Palestinian activists disrupted the Vuelta cycling race in Madrid.
Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called Sánchez an "antisemite and a liar."
The protests aimed to oppose the Israeli team, Israel Premier Tech, which participated in the race.
The race finale was interrupted by protesters, leading to two arrests and 22 injuries.
Spain's government expressed support for the protesters and suggested the Israeli team should have withdrawn.
Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza after Hamas militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
The conflict has caused heavy civilian casualties and displacement in Gaza, with growing isolation of Israel internationally.
The Golden State Warriors and player Jonathan Kuminga are in a contract dispute. Kuminga can either accept a one-year offer or a two-year offer with a team option. Both sides have not reached an agreement, affecting other team decisions.
Key Facts
Jonathan Kuminga and the Warriors haven't agreed on a contract for the 2025-26 season.
Kuminga has two contract options: a one-year $7.9 million qualifying offer or a two-year $45 million deal with a team option.
If Kuminga takes the one-year offer, it allows him to become a free agent the following year.
Kuminga averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game last season.
The Warriors have paused other free agency decisions due to the unresolved contract situation with Kuminga.
ESPN's Kendrick Perkins stated that the situation shows the Warriors do not highly value Kuminga.
The deadline for Kuminga to accept the qualifying offer is October 1.
Joe Burrow, the quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals, got injured and will be out for at least three months. As a result, the Bengals are looking for other quarterback options, including possibly trading for Tommy DeVito, a backup from the New England Patriots.
Key Facts
Joe Burrow, quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals, has a turf toe injury.
The injury will require surgery and keep Burrow out for a minimum of three months.
Jake Browning led the Bengals to a win after Burrow's injury.
The Bengals are contacting free-agent quarterbacks to strengthen their team.
Tommy DeVito, currently with the New England Patriots, is a potential trade target for the Bengals.
DeVito has recent experience with the New York Giants, holding a 3-5 record as a starter.
DeVito was recently cut by the Giants and picked up by the Patriots.
Edge rusher Kyle Van Noy from the Baltimore Ravens suffered a hamstring injury that will likely cause him to miss several games. Despite winning against the Cleveland Browns, the Ravens face losing Van Noy, a key player who excelled in defenses last year.
Key Facts
Kyle Van Noy, a Pro Bowl player for the Baltimore Ravens, injured his hamstring.
The injury will likely cause Van Noy to miss multiple games.
Last year, Van Noy led his team with 12.5 sacks, showing his importance to the defense.
The Ravens beat the Cleveland Browns with a score of 51-40, even without Van Noy playing the whole game.
The Ravens' defense was effective, recording two sacks and a defensive touchdown during the game.
It is possible that the Ravens may look for a free agent to replace Van Noy while he recovers.
The next opponent for the Ravens is the Detroit Lions in Week 3.
The Federal Reserve is meeting to decide on interest rates amid economic and political challenges. There is uncertainty about job growth and inflation in the U.S. economy, along with ongoing political pressure from former President Trump. The Fed must balance concerns about unemployment with high inflation while maintaining its independence in decision-making.
Key Facts
The Federal Reserve's meeting will focus on interest rates, but there are other major uncertainties.
There is uncertainty about whether Lisa Cook and Stephen Miran will participate in the meeting.
The U.S. economy is facing high inflation and slow hiring rates.
The Federal Reserve aims to maintain stable prices and full employment, as required by Congress.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell and others are expected to lower interest rates due to weak job growth.
Political pressure from former President Trump includes demands for lower rates and criticism of Fed officials.
The Fed is expected to release economic projections showing potential additional rate cuts this year and next.
There is concern that political pressure threatens the Fed's credibility.
Chicago Bears player Jaylon Johnson is out indefinitely with a groin injury he aggravated during a game against the Lions. The full extent of his injury is still being assessed by the team's medical staff. Johnson has a history of groin injuries and has been a key player for the Bears.
Key Facts
Jaylon Johnson plays as a cornerback for the Chicago Bears in the NFL.
He suffered a groin injury during a game against the Detroit Lions.
The injury puts him out of action indefinitely, meaning it's unclear when he will return.
The Bears are evaluating whether Johnson needs surgery.
Johnson previously missed the Bears' training camp and season opener due to a groin injury.
Johnson was drafted 50th overall by the Bears in 2020.
He has played 70 games for the Bears and was selected for the Pro Bowl in 2023 and 2024.
Johnson is known as one of the Bears' top defensive players with significant contributions to the team.
The Senate is preparing to vote on Stephen Miran's nomination to the Federal Reserve Board. Miran, a current White House adviser, has been nominated amid controversy over his ties to President Trump and his views on the Fed's independence. If confirmed, Miran plans to take an unpaid leave from his current role but will not resign entirely.
Key Facts
Stephen Miran is nominated by President Trump to join the Federal Reserve Board.
The Federal Reserve Board is a key body responsible for setting monetary policy in the U.S.
Trump has been critical of the Federal Reserve, especially its chairman, Jerome Powell.
Miran currently serves as the chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers.
If confirmed, Miran intends to take unpaid leave from his White House role rather than resign.
Democrats are concerned about Miran's ties to the White House and potential influence on Fed independence.
The Senate Banking Committee voted narrowly along party lines to advance Miran's nomination.
Miran holds a Ph.D. in economics from Harvard University and has a background in financial markets.
The US and China have agreed on a "framework" for a deal about the ownership of TikTok's US operations. This framework was established during trade talks in Madrid, and leaders from both countries are set to finalize the deal soon.
Key Facts
The US treasury secretary announced a "framework" deal with China regarding TikTok.
The discussions took place in Madrid as part of trade talks.
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are involved in finalizing the deal.
A deadline is approaching for TikTok's Chinese owner to sell its US operations or face a ban.
The deal involves TikTok, a popular social media app.
China has not yet commented on the deal.
Talks aim to determine the future US ownership of TikTok's American operations.
A court in Zambia sentenced two men to two years in prison for trying to use witchcraft to harm President Hakainde Hichilema. This case is the first in Zambia involving an attempt to use witchcraft against a president. The court stated the men had charms, including a live chameleon, which they claimed could cause death.
Key Facts
Two men, Leonard Phiri from Zambia and Jasten Mabulesse Candunde from Mozambique, were sentenced to two years in Zambia for attempting witchcraft against the president.
They were charged under Zambia's Witchcraft Act and convicted for possessing charms like a live chameleon.
The court heard they claimed the chameleon's tail could be used ritually to cause death.
The men were also given an additional six-month sentence for possessing the charms, but their total prison time will be two years since sentences run concurrently.
The law originated during colonial times and is rarely used but aims to prevent harm and fear linked to claims of witchcraft.
President Hichilema has publicly stated that he does not believe in witchcraft.
The prosecution claimed a former MP hired the men to carry out the act.
The men requested fines instead of prison as they were first-time offenders, but the request was denied.
