- Looks like they're ahead of schedule. As the battle to retake Mosul, Iraq, from ISIS continues, Iraqi and Kurdish forces are advancing toward the city center today. American soldiers are supporting the offensive but not fighting on the front lines, although one US soldier has died so far during the battle. The Pentagon described the mission to take Mosul as "ahead of schedule," [1] suggesting it could be a shorter fight than expected.
- Happy birthday, Kim Kardashian [2]! The social media maven, reality TV star, fashion designer, and basically queen of the internet, turns 36. It's unlikely we'll hear from her today, though, since she's kept a low profile following the traumatic robbery in Paris a few weeks ago [3].
- Everyone loves a good roast — and Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump [4] did not disappoint at the legendary Al Smith charity dinner last night. As is tradition, the presidential candidates gave speeches poking fun at themselves and each other. Things got pretty awkward this year though when Trump was booed on stage [5] for making personal attacks on Clinton and calling her corrupt.
- Bourbon is so popular in the United States right now that the people making it are fed up. Exhausted from working 60- to 80-hour workweeks [6], workers at the Kentucky-based Jim Beam plant went on strike earlier this month, requesting fewer hours. But rest assured, America. They signed a new union bill today avoiding a national bourbon shortage.
- What would Nelson Mandela say? South Africa has initiated plans to exit the International Criminal Court [7], also known as the Hague, this year. Human Rights Watch called the move a "startling disregard for justice" and emphasized how concerning the proposal is. South Africa isn't the first country from the continent to exit the Hague this year either. Burundi will withdraw as well.