All posts tagged: Takeaways

7 takeaways from marathon Mandelson vetting hearing – POLITICO

7 takeaways from marathon Mandelson vetting hearing – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

Early in the hearing, McSweeney told MPs that he “didn’t feel” he had got the whole truth back from Mandelson in those three answers. This would be political dynamite, given Starmer pressed ahead anyway. But later in the hearing, McSweeney corrected himself — saying he acquired these doubts in September, after it emerged Mandelson had been better friends with Epstein than he let on (“it was like a knife through my soul”). “I didn’t think he had lied [at the time]. I thought he had told the truth, and that was the basis of which I thought we were going ahead,” said McSweeney. “But I also thought if I was wrong, if he had been lying … that might be picked up at [developed vetting].” In other words, each part of the system was relying on the other to make a judgment call. Barton, too, said he was “worried” about Mandelson’s Epstein links and expressed reservations to No. 10 National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell, but added: “There was no space or avenue or mechanism for …

5 takeaways from first major California governor’s debate after Swalwell exit

5 takeaways from first major California governor’s debate after Swalwell exit

Published by Sam Flores

Six candidates running for California governor squared off on the debate stage Wednesday, yet the forum may have created more questions than answers for political observers, as Democrats struggle to coalesce around a candidate ahead of the June primary. The debate came just weeks after former Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), who was seen as a Democratic front-runner in the race, dropped out and… Source link

7 takeaways from Olly Robbins’ evidence on the Peter Mandelson vetting saga – POLITICO

7 takeaways from Olly Robbins’ evidence on the Peter Mandelson vetting saga – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

This is particularly wounding for Starmer because Doyle, like Mandelson, has since been embroiled in a scandal over his past association with a pedophile. (Mandelson resigned over the depth of his friendship with the late convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein in September, while Doyle campaigned in 2017 for a friend who had been charged with child sex offenses, and was later convicted.) It was in March 2025, when Robbins was making large numbers of career civil servants redundant in a restructure. He told MPs he was “under strict instruction” from No. 10’s private office not to discuss the offer with then-Foreign Secretary David Lammy. “I felt quite uncomfortable about it and I kept giving advice that I thought this would be very hard for the office, and was hard for me personally to defend,” he added. “I don’t know what the origin of the suggestion was, and I don’t know who exactly was behind it or how serious it was,” he went on. David Lammy speaks to reporters before a “Meeting in Defence of Democracy,” a …

Freshmen standouts, OL battles and other post-spring takeaways on USC football

Freshmen standouts, OL battles and other post-spring takeaways on USC football

Published by Sam Flores

Welcome back to the Times of Troy newsletter, where we’re happy to report that the USC beat had a chance to sit down with USC’s assistants over some breakfast burritos last week. It’ll be a while before we’re talking football again. So why not get in a few parting takeaways from the spring and my various conversations with assistants? 1. It doesn’t feel all that bold anymore to predict that Trent Mosley will have an influence immediately as a freshman this fall. The Rancho Margarita star receiver has done nothing but impress since his arrival at USC. “Trent had a really, really strong spring,” tight ends/inside receivers coach Chad Savage said. “Super excited for the future he’s got at USC. He carries himself like a pro. The way he handled the playbook for an early enrollee is very, very impressive.” I’ve been around long enough to know those comments check all the boxes for a breakout player. If he’s not starting right away in the slot, it will only be a matter of time. 2. …

11 Major Takeaways From Watches and Wonders 2026

11 Major Takeaways From Watches and Wonders 2026

Published by Jenni Sidey

Are watches more inaccessible than ever? The strangest press appointment I had was at F.P. Journe’s manufacture in the heart of Geneva., In a back room, among tables set up for the brand’s VVIP clients to sip the wine Journe makes and eat fat chunks of Parmesan, the novelties were displayed in two vitrines. Journe has 13 novelties in total this year. They were good, interesting watches I’d love to show you! But I can’t. Not because I don’t have images, but because a small sign appended to the glass cases housing the watches cautioned something I’ve never seen at a press event for a new product: No photos. The independent maker has never been hotter than it is right now. Last year, a Journe watch made in collaboration with and owned by the director Francis Ford Coppola sold for $10.75 million at auction, and nearly every piece—both vintage and modern—is exploding in price right now. Even the Elegante, FPJ’s take on a quartz watch that starts for about $17,000, is now selling for upwards …

Trump’s primetime speech on Iran war: Key takeaways | US-Israel war on Iran News

Trump’s primetime speech on Iran war: Key takeaways | US-Israel war on Iran News

Published by Sam Flores

Washington, DC – When the White House announced that Donald Trump would be making a speech to the nation about the war on Iran, it was expected that the United States president would make a major announcement. But in his remarks late on Wednesday, which lasted less than 20 minutes, Trump only repeated the same statements he has been circulating for weeks. Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list Some analysts had expected Trump to announce either an end to the war or an escalation in the conflict, such as ground operations inside Iran, but the US president only gave the public and the media more of the same rhetoric. Here are the key takeaways from the address: More of the same In his brief remarks, the US president made four familiar points: The war is necessary; it has already been won; it must continue; and it will wrap up soon – all arguments he has been making daily. The US president did not provide details on how the war would actually end or …

4 World Cup takeaways for the U.S. men’s national soccer team : NPR

4 World Cup takeaways for the U.S. men’s national soccer team : NPR

Published by Sam Flores

Weston McKennie of the United States (right) and Samu Costa of Portugal compete for the ball during a match in Atlanta on Tuesday. Portugal defeated the U.S. 2-0, giving the USMNT another disappointing loss ahead of this summer’s World Cup. Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images ATLANTA — Coming into last month’s pair of international tune-up games, the U.S. men’s national soccer team had been riding high on a five-game unbeaten streak since September. This was a reality check. The USMNT took its lumps, losing to Belgium 5-2 on Saturday and to Portugal 2-0 on Tuesday. The two matches were an intentional step up in competition level, a chance to see how the Americans would fare against top European teams — the kinds of squads they’ll have to beat if they want to go on a run in this summer’s FIFA World Cup. “Even if it’s painful, it’s the only way to improve. It’s the only way to learn. It’s the only way to see how these top players …

Takeaways from CPAC 2026 : NPR

Takeaways from CPAC 2026 : NPR

Published by Sam Flores

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks during a discussion Friday at the Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC. Brandon Bell/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Brandon Bell/Getty Images Members of the Republican faithful are gathering in Dallas on Saturday for the final day of the Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC, the annual event known for high-profile appearances from the most prominent figures in the MAGA movement. And while celebrations of President Trump’s agenda have been front and center, missing from the lineup this year was the president himself. Instead of closing out the multi-day conference with a rally-type address akin to previous years, Trump skipped CPAC this year for the first time in a decade. His absence comes at a tense moment in his second term. Saturday marks one month since the U.S. began strikes against Iran — a move that has caused divides within the president’s historically loyal base. Here are a few takeaways from the conference so far. The war in Iran looms over CPAC While polling shows most Americans may be against …