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Manchester United punish early Chelsea red card to secure crucial victory in Premier league thriller

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Simeon Bateren
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MANCHESTER, England (BN24) – Manchester United capitalised on a chaotic first half and torrential conditions at Old Trafford to seal a much-needed 2-1 victory over Chelsea, who were undone by Robert Sanchez’s early dismissal in one of the most eventful opening halves in Premier League history.

Sanchez was shown a red card just five minutes into the match after charging out of his area and bringing down Bryan Mbeumo as the forward raced past the Chelsea backline. The incident marked Chelsea’s earliest-ever sending-off in a Premier League match and changed the course of the contest entirely.

United skipper Bruno Fernandes headed the hosts in front nine minutes later before Casemiro doubled the lead near the end of the half. The Brazilian midfielder was then sent off himself for a second bookable offense before the break, dragging down Andrey Santos in an unnecessary challenge that left United a man down for the entire second half.

Despite a late headed goal from Trevoh Chalobah with 10 minutes remaining, Chelsea were unable to rescue a result, extending their winless run at Old Trafford to more than a decade. Their last victory at the Theatre of Dreams dates back to 2013, during the final season of Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign.

The result provides crucial momentum for United boss Ruben Amorim, whose side has now won three of their last four home matches and climbed into the top half of the table. Amorim, backed publicly this week by minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, watched on as his team delivered the “action over words” he had demanded in his pre-match notes.

For Chelsea, the match spiraled quickly following Sanchez’s sending-off. Manager Enzo Maresca reacted by sacrificing attackers Pedro Neto and Estevao Willian to bring on replacement goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen and defender Tosin Adarabioyo. The situation worsened when key forward Cole Palmer was forced off with a groin injury just 20 minutes in—the earliest time any Premier League team has made three substitutions in a single game.

Though Chalobah’s late goal sparked hope of a comeback, the visitors could not break through again. The loss follows a frustrating draw at Brentford and a midweek Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich, capping a grim seven days for Maresca’s squad.

Manchester United, meanwhile, held firm despite the disadvantage of playing the entire second half with 10 men in driving rain that left water splashing on the surface. Fernandes, instrumental in midfield, nearly added a second but was denied by a sharp Jorgensen save in the closing minutes. His animated reaction at the Stretford End—urging the fans to lift the noise—reflected the urgency surrounding United’s campaign.

Amorim’s side now face Brentford next, looking to win back-to-back Premier League matches for the first time under the Portuguese manager. With the top four now just two points away, United’s season, long defined by frustration and inconsistency, may finally be finding rhythm.

For Chelsea, however, it’s another painful trip to Manchester—and another search for answers amid recurring chaos.

Slug: manchester-united-chelsea-red-card-victory-2025

Liverpool continue perfect start with Merseyside derby win over Everton

By
Simeon Bateren
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0

LIVERPOOL, England (BN24) – Liverpool continued their flawless start to the Premier League season by defeating Everton 2-1 in a rain-soaked Merseyside derby at Anfield, marking their fifth straight win as Arne Slot’s title defense gained more momentum.

First-half goals from Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike ensured the Reds secured a vital three points. At the same time, Idrissa Gueye’s second-half strike for Everton proved only a consolation in an intense local encounter.

Slot’s side seized early control of the contest, with Gravenberch opening the scoring after just 10 minutes. The Dutch midfielder latched onto Mohamed Salah’s perfectly weighted pass, lifting a delicate finish over Jordan Pickford to give Liverpool the ideal start.

Gravenberch turned provider in the 28th minute, playing in Ekitike, who powered a low finish past Pickford to double the lead. The French striker, a £70 million summer signing from Eintracht Frankfurt, continues to make a compelling case for regular starts through the middle, even with British-record signing Alexander Isak waiting in the wings.

Despite the absence of both Isak and fellow marquee signing Florian Wirtz from the starting lineup, Liverpool showcased their squad depth and attacking versatility in the first half. Both came off the bench in the second period to help see out the result.

Everton responded positively after the break. Jack Grealish, influential throughout, delivered a curling cross to the far post in the 58th minute, where Iliman Ndiaye cleverly nodded the ball back across goal for Gueye to smash in a rising drive beyond Alisson.

David Moyes’ side pressed hard for an equaliser, forcing Liverpool into a more cautious shape as the match wore on. Everton’s improved second-half performance had the Anfield crowd urging the final whistle, particularly after just three minutes of stoppage time were added, a decision that visibly angered Moyes.

Moyes, still seeking his first win at Anfield in 23 visits, saw his team pay the price for a sluggish opening half despite signs of promise. Beto was withdrawn at the break after struggling to impact the game, replaced by £27 million signing Thierno Barry, whose inexperience showed against Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté.

While Everton showed more attacking threat in the second half, their lack of a reliable presence in the final third remains a critical issue. Grealish and Ndiaye were again bright in buildup, but the Toffees’ inability to turn pressure into goals is a concern Moyes must address before the January transfer window.

For Liverpool, this was not a performance defined by style, but one of substance. The reigning champions continue to grind out results, and their early-season form sends a clear warning to rivals that Slot’s men remain the team to beat.

Trump administration proposes $6 billion weapons sale to Israel amid Gaza war and international backlash

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admin
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Washington – The Trump administration has formally notified Congress of plans to sell nearly $6 billion in weapons to Israel, signaling intensified support for the U.S. ally even as international criticism grows over Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza.

According to U.S. officials familiar with the proposal, the package includes a $3.8 billion deal for 30 AH-64 Apache attack helicopters—almost doubling Israel’s current fleet—and a $1.9 billion agreement for 3,200 infantry assault vehicles. Delivery of the weapons is expected to take two to three years or longer. The plan was first reported by The Wall Street Journal and confirmed by multiple sources on condition of anonymity because the details have not been made public.

The proposal comes as U.S.-backed negotiations aimed at brokering an end to the nearly two-year conflict between Israel and Hamas remain stalled. The sales also follow Israel’s strike on Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar, an operation that drew widespread condemnation across the Middle East.

Despite growing pressure from allies and mounting calls from Senate Democrats to block the transfer of offensive weapons, the administration has pressed forward. The State Department declined comment on the details of the pending sales.

Israel, meanwhile, has launched a fresh offensive on Gaza City, deepening accusations from international watchdog groups. A leading professional association of genocide scholars recently declared that Israel’s actions in Gaza amount to genocide, intensifying the global backlash.

Several U.S. allies have also moved to distance themselves. The U.K. barred Israeli officials from attending its largest arms fair, citing humanitarian concerns. Turkey closed its airspace to Israeli government flights and arms cargo, while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned Israel’s military operations as disproportionate.

Trump, who lifted a Biden-era pause on certain munitions shipments to Israel upon taking office in January, has consistently expanded military aid. Earlier this year, the administration approved roughly $12 billion in weapons transfers, including a $500 million sale of bomb guidance kits in June.

The White House confirmed Friday that Trump plans to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Washington next week, with discussions expected to include a separate deal involving Boeing aircraft and F-16 fighter jets.

Congress is expected to begin its review of the $6 billion proposal shortly, part of the standard oversight process for foreign military sales. The agreement would fall under a 10-year U.S.-Israel defense pact now approaching its conclusion.

Associated Press story

Trump orders ‘Lethal Kinetic Strike’ on drug-trafficking boat in international waters, 3 killed

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admin
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Washington (BN24) – President Donald Trump announced Friday that he ordered a U.S. military strike on a vessel allegedly tied to a designated terrorist organization engaged in drug trafficking, killing three people aboard. The attack took place in international waters within the U.S. Southern Command’s jurisdiction, according to Trump’s statement on Truth Social.

In his post, Trump said the strike was authorized after intelligence confirmed the vessel was transporting illicit narcotics along a well-known trafficking corridor. He released a video of the attack, showing the boat engulfed in flames shortly after being struck.

“On my orders, the Secretary of War ordered a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel affiliated with a designated terrorist organization conducting narco-trafficking in the USSOUTHCOM area of responsibility,” Trump wrote. He added that no U.S. personnel were injured during the operation.

The president emphasized that the three men aboard the vessel were “narco-terrorists,” declaring: “STOP SELLING FENTANYL, NARCOTICS, AND ILLEGAL DRUGS IN AMERICA, AND COMMITTING VIOLENCE AND TERRORISM AGAINST AMERICANS!!!”

The action marks the latest in a series of U.S. military strikes targeting suspected drug cartels and their networks in the region. Earlier this week, Trump announced a separate strike that targeted Venezuelan cartel operatives, calling it part of an expanded crackdown on narcoterrorism.

“This morning, on my orders, U.S. military forces conducted a second kinetic strike against positively identified, extraordinarily violent drug trafficking cartels and narco-terrorists in the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility,” Trump said Monday.

The campaign has escalated in recent months. In early September, a U.S. strike destroyed a Venezuelan drug boat in the southern Caribbean, leaving nearly a dozen suspected members of the Tren de Aragua cartel dead. In February, the administration formally designated Tren de Aragua, the Sinaloa Cartel, and other criminal organizations as foreign terrorist groups, expanding the legal tools available for military action.

The operation underscores Trump’s pledge to treat major narcotics networks as terrorist organizations and to authorize direct military force against them outside U.S. borders.

US Attorney resigns amid Trump pressure after refusing to charge NY AG Letitia James

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admin
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New York (BN24) – U.S. Attorney Erik Siebert resigned Friday under pressure from the Trump administration after sources said he resisted demands to bring criminal charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James, despite investigators finding no clear evidence of wrongdoing.

Siebert, who led the Eastern District of Virginia since January, informed his staff of his resignation in an email obtained by ABC News. In it, he praised the prosecutors he had worked with over the past eight months, calling them “the finest and most exceptional of DOJ employees.”

The decision came one day after President Donald Trump signaled his intention to remove Siebert from his position. On Friday, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that he wanted Siebert “out,” citing the support Siebert had received from Virginia’s two Democratic senators during his nomination.

“It looks to me like she is very guilty of something, but I really don’t know,” Trump said of James, repeating his long-running accusations that she has unfairly targeted him.

According to sources, Siebert’s office investigated allegations that James falsified records related to her 2023 home purchase in Virginia. But after five months of work, including interviews with 15 witnesses, investigators found no evidence to substantiate the claim. Trump officials nevertheless pressed Siebert to pursue charges.

James, who brought a successful civil fraud case against Trump last year, denied wrongdoing. Her attorney, Abbe Lowell, called Siebert’s forced resignation a “brazen attack on the rule of law,” warning that it sends a chilling message to prosecutors who refuse to bend to political pressure.

Siebert, a career prosecutor and former Washington, D.C., police officer, said he intends to remain at the U.S. attorney’s office as a line prosecutor, though it is unclear whether he will be allowed to return to his prior role. His departure leaves a leadership vacuum in one of the nation’s most prominent prosecutorial districts.

The removal marks another escalation in what critics describe as Trump’s retribution campaign against political opponents. Along with James, federal officials under Trump have also launched inquiries targeting Sen. Adam Schiff and Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook.

James has repeatedly clashed with Trump, calling him a fraudster and leading lawsuits against his policies. A New York judge ruled last year that Trump and his family committed business fraud by inflating property values for favorable loan terms, a finding upheld on appeal even after the financial penalties were reduced.

Siebert’s resignation underscores growing tensions between career prosecutors and political leadership within the Justice Department, raising questions about the independence of federal law enforcement under Trump’s administration.

Taliban frees elderly British couple after 8 months in detention

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admin
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London (BN24) — The Taliban government has released an elderly British couple who had been held in Afghanistan for nearly eight months, officials said Friday, following negotiations led by Qatar.

Peter Reynolds, 80, and his wife, Barbara, 76, were freed after a court hearing and handed over to the United Kingdom’s special representative to Afghanistan, Richard Lindsay, at Kabul airport. The couple, arrested in February on charges that were never publicly detailed, were flown to Doha before their scheduled return to London.

Taliban Foreign Ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi confirmed their release on social media, saying the two had been detained for “violating Afghan law,” but gave no further explanation.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed the news and praised Qatar for its mediation. “I welcome the release of Peter and Barbara Reynolds from detention in Afghanistan, and I know this long-awaited news will come as a huge relief to them and their family,” Starmer said in a statement.

The Qatari Foreign Ministry said it was pleased to facilitate their release and praised the “fruitful cooperation” between Afghan and UK officials.

The couple had lived in Afghanistan for nearly two decades, primarily in Bamiyan province, where they ran educational programs. They were married in Kabul in 1970 and had obtained Afghan citizenship, remaining in the country even after the Taliban regained power in 2021 despite warnings from British officials to leave.

Barbara Reynolds said in brief comments after their release that they had been “treated very well” and were eager to reunite with their children. “We are looking forward to returning to Afghanistan if we can,” she added.

Their detention had raised international concern. In July, UN human rights experts urged the Taliban to free the pair, warning of a “rapid deterioration” in their health that could result in “irreparable harm or even death.”

The UK’s Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan minister, Hamish Falconer, said the release marked the end of an ordeal that had deeply affected the couple’s family. “We have worked intensively since their detention and supported the family throughout,” he said.

Their release came just days after Washington’s special envoy on hostages, Adam Boehler, visited Kabul to discuss potential prisoner exchanges. At least one American citizen, Mahmood Habibi, remains detained in Afghanistan.

Dozens of foreign nationals have been arrested by the Taliban since their return to power in August 2021, following the U.S. military withdrawal.

Russian, Belarusian athletes cleared to compete as neutrals at 2026 Winter Olympics under strict vetting rules

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admin
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MILAN (BN24) — Russian and Belarusian athletes will be allowed to compete at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, but only under a neutral banner and following strict vetting requirements, the International Olympic Committee announced Friday.

The IOC said the conditions mirror those imposed during the Paris 2024 Summer Games, when Russian and Belarusian competitors could only participate as Independent Neutral Athletes (AINs) after proving they had no ties to the military and did not publicly support Russia’s war in Ukraine. The sanctions will remain unchanged for the upcoming Winter Games, scheduled to begin February 6, 2026, in Italy.

“The Executive Board will take the exact same approach that was done in Paris. Nothing has changed,” IOC President Kirsty Coventry said at a press conference following a meeting in Milan.

The announcement comes as Russia remains suspended from the IOC, a penalty handed down in October 2023 after the Russian Olympic Committee recognized regional councils from occupied Ukrainian territories — including Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhia — in violation of the Olympic Charter.

Athletes who qualify for Milano-Cortina will be required to undergo strict checks to ensure they have no links to Russia’s armed forces or public support for the invasion of Ukraine. Any competitor found connected to either will be barred.

The IOC emphasized that only individual athletes may compete as neutrals. Russian and Belarusian teams will remain banned, reflecting sanctions placed on Belarus for its role as a staging ground in Moscow’s 2022 invasion.

The policy is designed to maintain Olympic participation while preventing widespread boycotts. The IOC has pointed to the limited neutral participation at the Paris Games as a success, helping to avert walkouts by Ukraine and its allies.

Already, four Russian figure skaters — two men and two women — have been cleared by the International Skating Union to attempt qualification as neutral athletes for the 2026 Games. They would compete without national symbols, anthems, or flags, as was the case in Paris.

“The size of the neutral delegation will depend on each international federation’s rules and decisions,” Coventry said, noting that some governing bodies still prohibit Russian and Belarusian athletes from their competitions altogether.

The decision was widely expected, but remains a contentious issue as the war in Ukraine enters its fourth year.

EU fast-tracks Russian gas phase-out in new sanctions package

By
Simeon Bateren
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0

BRUSSELS (BN24) — The European Union on Friday proposed a new sanctions package aimed at fast-tracking the phase-out of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports by January 2027, a full year ahead of the previously set deadline. This move is part of ongoing efforts to weaken Russia’s war economy and reduce its financial support for the invasion of Ukraine.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed that cutting off Russian fossil fuel revenue is essential for destabilizing Moscow’s war efforts. “Revenues from fossil fuels sustain Russia’s war economy. We want to cut these revenues. So we are banning imports of Russian LNG into European markets,” von der Leyen said. “It is time to turn off the tap.”

The proposed LNG ban comes amid mounting U.S. pressure on Europe to sever fossil fuel imports from Russia. U.S. President Donald Trump has long urged European countries to take stronger action against Russian energy exports, including oil, while calling for more robust sanctions on Russia. Trump has also said he would support further sanctions if European nations reduce their reliance on Russian energy and impose additional tariffs on China.

The European Union has already implemented several sanctions since Russia invaded Ukraine, including banning most Russian oil imports, which have decreased by more than 90% since early 2021. This new LNG phase-out proposal continues that trend, signaling the EU’s commitment to reducing energy ties with Moscow.

While the EU initially pledged to end LNG imports by 2028, the new sanctions aim to advance that target by one year, to eliminate all Russian LNG imports by January 2027. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasized this accelerated timeline, stating, “We aim to speed up the phase-out of Russian liquefied natural gas by 1 January 2027.” She added that this measure would ensure that Russia “pays the price” for continuing its military aggression.

Despite efforts to reduce dependence, Russia still supplies a significant share of Europe’s energy needs. In 2024, Russian gas accounted for 19% of the EU’s total supply, down from 45% before the war. This decline has been partially offset by a surge in LNG imports, mostly arriving via sea shipments. The EU received 32 billion cubic meters of Russian gas through the TurkStream pipeline and 20 billion cubic meters via LNG in the past year.

The United States has emerged as the EU’s largest supplier of LNG, providing nearly 45% of all LNG imports. This shift is part of Europe’s broader strategy to diversify energy sources and reduce reliance on Russian fossil fuels.

As the EU accelerates the phase-out of Russian energy imports, its strategy aligns with a broader geopolitical effort to weaken Russia’s ability to fund its military actions. The success of this transition will depend on how quickly the EU can secure alternative energy sources while managing the economic impacts of the phase-out.

Slug: eu-russian-gas-phase-out-2027

2 ambulance trust workers arrested over deaths of 6 people in Wiltshire

By
Simeon Bateren
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0

WILTSHIRE, England (BN24) Two ambulance workers have been arrested in connection with the deaths of six people in Wiltshire, police confirmed Thursday. The investigation, launched by Wiltshire Police in 2023, has led to charges related to gross negligence manslaughter and care worker neglect.

A man in his 30s was initially arrested in 2023 on suspicion of six counts of gross negligence manslaughter and four counts of ill-treatment or wilful neglect by a care worker. In March of this year, a 59-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter. Both individuals have since been released on bail pending further investigation.

Detective Chief Inspector Phil Walker of Wiltshire Police said the focus of the inquiry remains on supporting the families and loved ones of the deceased. “We would ask the media to respect their privacy at this time,” Walker added in a statement.

In response to the arrests, a spokesperson for the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust issued a statement saying that an internal investigation was launched immediately after concerns were raised. The Trust referred the matter to the police, and two members of staff were suspended. “The suspension meant that the two individuals were relieved of all duties, including patient treatment,” the spokesperson said.

The Trust also reassured the public that the incident was an isolated case, stressing that there is no ongoing risk to patients. “Please continue to call 999 in a life-threatening emergency,” the statement added.

One of the staff members who had been suspended is no longer employed by the Trust, according to the spokesperson. Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, no further comments will be made at this time.

Slug: ambulance-workers-arrested-wiltshire-deaths

Judge throws out Trump’s $15 billion lawsuit against New York Times, citing improper content

By
Emmanuel
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TAMPA, Fla. (BN24) — A federal judge Friday dismissed President Donald Trump’s $15 billion defamation lawsuit against the New York Times, characterizing the legal filing as a “decidedly improper and impermissible” effort to attack his adversaries rather than present a legitimate legal claim.

U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday ruled that Trump’s complaint against the Times, four reporters and publisher Penguin Random House violated federal civil procedure rules by failing to provide a short and plain statement explaining why Trump should prevail in the case. The Tampa-based judge criticized the 85-page complaint as too long and burdensome for defendants to reasonably address.

Merryday, an appointee of Republican former President George H.W. Bush, faulted Trump for packing the complaint with unnecessary attacks against critics, statements praising his own successes and “singular brilliance,” and even a defense of his late father Fred Trump.

“A complaint is not a public forum for vituperation and invective, not a protected platform to rage against an adversary,” the judge wrote in his ruling. “A complaint is not a megaphone for public relations or a podium for a passionate oration at a political rally.”

The judge gave Trump 28 days to file an amended complaint “in a professional and dignified manner” of no more than 40 pages, providing an opportunity to correct the procedural deficiencies while maintaining the underlying legal claims.

A spokesman for Trump’s legal team responded that the president would continue pursuing the case while following the judge’s procedural directions. “President Trump will continue to hold the Fake News accountable through this powerhouse lawsuit against the New York Times, its reporters, and Penguin Random House, in accordance with the judge’s direction on logistics,” the spokesman said.

A Times spokesperson welcomed the judge’s swift ruling, stating that it “recognized that the complaint was a political document rather than a serious legal filing.” Penguin Random House similarly applauded the dismissal, citing the judge’s description of the complaint as improper and impermissible.

The lawsuit represents part of Trump’s broader legal campaign targeting media organizations he considers hostile to his administration. Trump sued over three articles and a book by two Times reporters, accusing the defendants of defaming him prior to the 2024 presidential election to sabotage his campaign and damage his reputation as a successful businessman.

Friday’s order represents an unusual judicial rebuke to a sitting president regarding proper courtroom decorum and legal procedure. In his four-page ruling, Merryday emphasized that plaintiffs must “fairly, precisely, directly, soberly, and economically” explain to defendants why they are being sued.

Trump’s complaint contained inflammatory language characterizing the defendants as people who “baselessly hate President Trump in a deranged way” and describing their actions as “represent a new journalistic low for the hopelessly compromised and tarnished ‘Gray Lady,'” referencing the Times’ traditional nickname.

The filing also contended that the Times itself was “deranged” for endorsing Democrat Kamala Harris for president during the 2024 election cycle. Such political commentary exceeded appropriate boundaries for legal pleadings, according to the judge’s assessment.

“Although lawyers receive a modicum of expressive latitude in pleading the claim of a client,” Merryday wrote, “the complaint in this action extends far beyond the outer bound of that latitude.”

The defamation lawsuit forms part of a pattern of Trump using the courts to challenge reporting and commentary he considers unfair. The president has filed multiple high-profile media lawsuits during his current term, seeking substantial financial damages from news organizations and publishers.

One of Trump’s attorneys in this case also represents him in a separate $10 billion defamation lawsuit against media mogul Rupert Murdoch and the Wall Street Journal. That case centers on an article about a birthday greeting allegedly sent to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein in 2003.

Trump’s legal team has achieved some success in media litigation efforts. Two other attorneys helped him secure a $16 million settlement in July with CBS News parent company Paramount Global over the editing of an interview with Kamala Harris on the news program “60 Minutes.”

The judge’s criticism of Trump’s complaint style highlights tensions between political rhetoric and legal procedure requirements. Federal courts maintain strict standards for complaint formatting and content, regardless of the plaintiff’s political position or public profile.

Merryday’s ruling demonstrates judicial willingness to enforce procedural requirements even when dealing with high-profile political figures. The judge’s language suggests frustration with attempts to use court filings as vehicles for political messaging rather than legitimate legal arguments.

The 28-day deadline for filing an amended complaint will test whether Trump’s legal team can present their defamation claims within proper procedural boundaries. The revised filing must focus on specific legal theories and factual allegations while eliminating political commentary and personal attacks.

The Times continues to face the underlying defamation claims despite the procedural victory. The newspaper and its reporters must still defend against Trump’s allegations once he files a properly formatted complaint meeting federal court requirements.

The case reflects broader tensions between press freedom advocates and political figures who argue that media organizations exceed appropriate bounds in their coverage and commentary. The outcome may influence how courts handle similar cases involving public figures and media defendants.

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