Three unknown people came out of a manhole in New York City's Upper East Side early Wednesday and then ran away, according to police. This event happened while leaders were meeting in the city for the United Nations General Assembly but does not seem connected to the meeting.
Key Facts
The three people left a manhole and escaped in two cars heading north on Park Avenue.
Police said these cases are similar to recent ones where people enter sewers to find valuables or metal scraps after storms.
The New York City Police Department (NYPD) is working with federal partners to increase security, especially during the UN General Assembly.
Police responded to a 911 call at about 4:35 a.m. at East 61st Street and Park Avenue.
No one has been arrested yet, and the investigation is still ongoing.
Similar incidents occurred in August and May, with people climbing in and out of manholes in New York.
The NYPD does not believe this incident is related to the United Nations General Assembly meeting.
Police have a strong security plan to address these sewer-related incidents.
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Sylvester Stallone shared that before he became famous, he worked several unusual jobs, including cleaning lion cages at New York City's Central Park Zoo. He moved to New York to become a writer and actor, later writing the screenplay for "Rocky," which won major awards and changed his career.
Key Facts
Sylvester Stallone cleaned lion cages at Central Park Zoo before his acting career.
He felt bad for the lions and noticed the strong smell on himself afterward.
Stallone had to shower with his clothes on because he couldn’t afford a laundromat.
He moved to New York City in his early 20s to pursue writing and acting.
In 1975, Stallone wrote the screenplay for "Rocky," which won three Academy Awards.
He also co-wrote and starred in "First Blood" and its sequel "Rambo."
Stallone experienced about eight years of career difficulties after early success.
His show "Tulsa King" will have a new season starting in October, and he has a new memoir released soon.
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Danish intelligence warns that Russia might attack a Nato country soon. The warning follows a recent fire at a Starlink satellite station in Poland, which officials say was sabotage and part of Russia’s hybrid warfare tactics against Europe.
Key Facts
Danish intelligence says there is a low but rising chance Russia could strike Nato targets or send troops into a nearby country.
A fire damaged a Starlink satellite station in Poland, disrupting internet used by Ukraine’s military.
Polish officials see the fire as likely linked to Russia’s new attack strategy called hybrid warfare.
Hybrid warfare includes non-military actions like cyber-attacks, sabotage, and spreading false information.
Germany accused Russia of trying to attack Leipzig/Halle airport with drones recently.
European intelligence chiefs believe Russia is preparing more aggressive moves to test Nato’s support for Ukraine.
Russia may increase hybrid attacks that could cause serious damage and loss of life.
Denmark’s report says a full-scale invasion of a Nato country is unlikely but cannot be fully ruled out.
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Sylvester Stallone shared a story about working unusual jobs before he became a famous actor. One of these jobs included cleaning lion cages at the Central Park Zoo. He discussed this during an interview on CBS Sunday Morning.
Key Facts
Sylvester Stallone worked several odd jobs before becoming well-known.
He cleaned lion cages at the Central Park Zoo.
Stallone described this job as one of his wildest experiences.
The story was shared in an interview with Tracy Smith.
The interview aired on the CBS Sunday Morning show.
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The documentary NAZA, made by Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, claims Israel used artificial intelligence (AI) in Gaza to target civilians. After being shown in theaters worldwide, the film will be available for free streaming on The Guardian’s website starting in November.
Key Facts
NAZA is a documentary about Israel’s military actions in Gaza, focusing on the use of AI to identify assassination targets.
The film is based on hidden testimony from Israeli military and intelligence sources.
It describes an AI system called Lavender that uses surveillance data to help select targets, with an estimated error rate of up to 10%.
The filmmakers say more than 73,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in Gaza.
NAZA won the Special Jury Prize at the Venice International Film Festival in 2024.
Israeli Culture Minister Miki Zoha called the filmmakers traitors and wants their citizenship revoked.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu plans to pass a law to strip citizenship from those who defame soldiers.
The film will premiere at the New York Film Festival and will be accessible for free online after its theater run.
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A man named Del Somerville was jailed for throwing a plastic bottle and swearing at police during a protest against migrants arriving in Portsmouth. He admitted to violent disorder but denied assaulting a police officer, with that charge set for a later trial.
Key Facts
Del Somerville, 42, admitted to violent disorder after a protest near Eastney Marina on 6 September.
The protest happened after about 120 migrants were brought ashore by the RNLI after crossing the Channel.
Somerville was identified in police video throwing a plastic bottle and swearing at officers.
He said he threw the bottle in frustration, claiming he intended to throw it into a bush.
Judge Daniel Sawyer called Somerville a "thug" and said the sentence is meant to discourage violence at future protests.
Somerville denies assaulting a police officer in a separate incident on 11 September and will face a trial for that.
The protest began peacefully but later involved violent disorder charges for several men.
The RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew faced online abuse after bringing the migrants ashore.
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Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas spoke at the UN General Assembly via video after being denied a U.S. visa for a second year. He criticized Israeli policies, saying they threaten the survival of Palestinians and called on the international community to act and support a two-state solution.
Key Facts
Abbas addressed the UN on September 24, 2026, through a prerecorded video from Ramallah.
The United States denied visas to Abbas and other top Palestinian officials, preventing their physical attendance.
Abbas warned that Israeli policies could lead to a new Nakba (a catastrophe referring to past Palestinian displacement).
He described the situation as dangerous due to military occupation in the West Bank and war in Gaza.
Abbas urged the world to stop silence or arms supplies to Israel and asked for stronger international protection of Palestinians.
He called for Gaza, East Jerusalem, and the West Bank to be governed by one state with unified laws and government.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposes a Palestinian state while he is in power.
The international community supports President Trump’s Board of Peace plan for Gaza’s administration, but Abbas rejects splitting Gaza politically from the West Bank.
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China will send two giant pandas, Ping Ping and Fu Shuang, to Zoo Atlanta as part of a new agreement to support panda conservation and strengthen relations between China and the United States. The zoo is preparing its facilities to welcome the pandas, but the exact arrival date has not been announced.
Key Facts
Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that two pandas, Ping Ping (male) and Fu Shuang (female), will be sent to Zoo Atlanta.
The pandas come from the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China.
The pandas symbolize friendship between China and the United States.
Zoo Atlanta is upgrading its facilities to provide a safe and comfortable home for the pandas.
Zoo officials have not revealed when the pandas will arrive in Atlanta.
In the previous panda program, pandas Lun Lun and Yang Yang lived at Zoo Atlanta until 2024 and had seven offspring.
Giant pandas have been a symbol of U.S.-China friendship since 1972.
Currently, two U.S. zoos, the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., and the San Diego Zoo, have pandas from China as part of conservation programs.
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Chinese President Xi Jinping met with President Donald Trump at the White House to discuss ways for the US and China to avoid military conflict. Xi suggested better communication, mutual trust, and cooperation between the two countries and their militaries to reduce tensions.
Key Facts
Xi Jinping called for stronger communication and cooperation between China and the US.
He mentioned avoiding the "Thucydides trap," which refers to conflict arising when a rising power challenges a dominant one.
Xi proposed regular military talks to prevent crises and build trust.
He invited 100,000 young Americans to visit China for student exchanges.
The meeting took place amid ongoing US-China competition over trade and technology, including tariffs.
President Trump welcomed Xi and praised their progress on trade and cooperation.
Trump emphasized discussions on security, technology, and artificial intelligence (AI) during the visit.
This was Xi’s second state visit to the US, the first being in 2015 under President Obama.
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Deaths related to smoking seem to be rising in the U.S., even though fewer people smoke. A new study found that this rise is mainly because smokers today are older than in the past, and smoking harms increase with age, not because smoking itself has become more dangerous.
Key Facts
Smoking rates in the U.S. dropped from 42.6% in 1965 to 11.6% in 2022.
Smoking among youth also dropped sharply from 36.4% in 1997 to 3.8% in 2021.
The risk of dying from smoking-related diseases rose by about 50% between 1987 and 2013 when looking at the whole population.
When comparing smokers and nonsmokers of the same age, the risk has stayed roughly the same over time.
The rise in overall smoking death risk is due to an older group of smokers, as fewer young people are smoking.
Older smokers have a higher chance of dying from smoking-related illnesses.
The study used data from the U.S. National Health Interview Survey from 1987 to 2013, linked with death records up to 2018.
Researchers say smoking is still a major cause of preventable death but warn that age must be carefully considered when studying smoking risks.
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The U.K. has created a new space unit called the Royal Air Force's Number 3 Space Effects Squadron to protect British satellites and counter threats in space, especially from Russia. This squadron will use advanced technology to disrupt hostile activities and help defend national interests in space.
Key Facts
The new squadron is part of the Royal Air Force and focuses on disrupting enemy actions and protecting U.K. satellites.
It will use Electronic Warfare to disrupt, degrade, and deny hostile space activities.
Britain has previously accused Russia of following and interfering with British satellites.
The squadron will also warn of missile attacks and support both defensive and offensive space operations.
In 2025, the U.K. joined other countries in condemning Russia for jamming and spoofing satellite signals.
The U.K.'s updated space strategy plans £7.8 billion ($10.3 billion) in funding through 2029/30 for its space sector and defense.
Satellite services contribute about 18% of the U.K.'s economy, supporting energy, finance, and defense systems.
International law limits the disruption of other countries’ satellites unless justified, according to experts.
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Autumn has started in the Northeast of the United States, and many people are excited to see the colorful fall leaves. This seasonal event draws tourists who enjoy viewing the changing colors in nature.
Key Facts
Fall has officially begun in the Northeast region of the U.S.
People known as "leaf peepers" travel to see the fall foliage.
Fall foliage refers to the changing colors of leaves on trees during autumn.
This is a popular seasonal event that attracts visitors across America.
The article highlights the growing enthusiasm for this annual natural display.
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Musician Rick Wakeman performed a piano concert for 150 rescued moon bears at a sanctuary in Vietnam. The event aimed to raise awareness about the cruel treatment of bears kept for bile extraction, a practice recently banned in Vietnam but still ongoing in some places.
Key Facts
Rick Wakeman played live piano music at Animals Asia’s bear sanctuary in Tam Dao national park, Vietnam.
The sanctuary houses 150 rescued moon bears, many of which were kept in cruel conditions for bile extraction.
Bile is taken from bears with needles for use in traditional Chinese medicine.
Vietnam recently banned bear bile farming, but some bears remain in small, cramped cages.
Wakeman has sponsored rescue bears since 2016 and adopted a young bear from the sanctuary.
The moon bear population has dropped dramatically due to illegal wildlife trade and bile farming.
The concert was intended to encourage the Vietnamese government to free the remaining 125 bears still held in cages.
Wakeman believes animals respond to gentle, melodic music and hopes the bears enjoyed the concert.
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A study from Brazil found that just seven days of strength training can shrink fat cells and improve fat-burning in obese mice, even without weight loss. The research shows that exercise starts improving fat tissue health before any changes appear on the scale.
Key Facts
Researchers at the University of Campinas in Brazil studied obese mice on a high-fat diet.
Mice underwent seven strength-training sessions by climbing stairs with weights on their tails.
Strength training reduced the size of fat cells around the intestines, a key area of harmful visceral fat.
Fat cell reduction happened without any overall weight loss in the mice.
Exercise reactivated fat breakdown processes that obesity had previously impaired.
Smaller fat cells indicate better metabolic health and less inflammation risk.
The study suggests body weight alone is not enough to measure exercise benefits.
More research is needed to see if these effects happen the same way in humans.
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A new review of scientific research found that eating a lot of ultra-processed foods may harm brain health, especially as people get older. These foods, often high in sugar and unhealthy fats, might increase the risk of memory problems and dementia.
Key Facts
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are industrially made and often include artificial ingredients not usually found in home cooking.
Examples of UPFs are packaged snacks, sugary drinks, instant meals, processed meats, and some breakfast cereals.
People who eat more UPFs tend to perform worse on memory and thinking tests.
UPFs are linked to health issues like obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and heart disease, which also raise dementia risk.
UPFs may cause low-level inflammation in the body, which could harm the brain over time.
The gut microbiome, which affects brain health, may be disrupted by highly processed diets.
Not all processed foods are unhealthy; minimally processed options like frozen vegetables and canned beans can be good.
Experts recommend eating more fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, and other minimally processed foods to protect brain health.
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Pope Leo XIV’s upcoming visit to France is affected by tensions with the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX), a traditionalist Catholic group recently excommunicated by the Vatican after ordaining bishops without permission. The dispute reflects a deeper conflict within the Catholic Church about modern reforms introduced in the 1960s.
Key Facts
The Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) is a conservative Catholic group that opposes changes made at the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II) in the 1960s.
The Vatican excommunicated SSPX members in July for ordaining bishops without Pope Leo XIV's approval.
SSPX members reject many modern practices, such as conducting Mass in the local language and religious freedom. They prefer Latin Mass and traditional rituals.
The SSPX has about 600,000 followers worldwide, mostly in France and the US.
The SSPX organizes an annual Pilgrimage of Christ the King in Lourdes, but local authorities have barred their events following the excommunication.
Previous popes had tried to improve relations with SSPX, but Pope Leo XIV’s actions suggest a stricter approach.
The Vatican’s recent declaration labels any layperson formally supporting SSPX as schismatic and excommunicated, which is a stronger stance than before.
Pope Leo XIV aims to unify the Church around the reforms of Vatican II while maintaining peace.
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The BBC plans to bring back the children’s TV show Play School after a 38-year break. The new version will be updated for today’s digital world, including content on a new CBeebies Parenting YouTube channel aimed at helping parents with quality children’s programs.
Key Facts
Play School originally aired for over 20 years starting in 1964 and was known for its wholesome content.
The BBC is reviving the show to meet demand for quality children’s programming amid many online options.
The new Play School will be a live-action series featuring songs, stories, music, movement, and play.
Content will also appear on a new BBC YouTube channel for parents called CBeebies Parenting, offering play ideas and expert advice.
The BBC wants the show to keep the values that made it popular, including creativity, curiosity, and learning through play.
The revival fits with the BBC’s push to create strong children’s brands in a growing global market.
Pre-production for the new Play School starts in February 2027, with episodes planned for 2027-28.
There have been concerns about declining quality in children’s TV and too much low-quality online content, which the BBC aims to address.
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Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas gave a speech to the United Nations General Assembly from his office after the U.S. denied him a visa to attend. He said that the Palestinian people are facing one of the most dangerous times in their history.
Key Facts
President Abbas spoke to the UN General Assembly through a prerecorded message.
The speech was delivered from Ramallah because the U.S. denied visas to him and other top Palestinian officials.
This is the second year in a row that the U.S. refused Palestinian leaders visas to attend the UN meeting.
Abbas described the current situation for Palestinians as extremely dangerous.
The speech highlighted the severe challenges facing the Palestinian people today.
The denial of visas reflects ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Palestinian leadership.
The UN General Assembly is a platform for world leaders to discuss global issues.
Abbas’s message aimed to raise international awareness of the Palestinian situation.
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Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas spoke to the United Nations General Assembly by video, saying Israel’s actions now threaten the survival of the Palestinian people, not just the chance for two separate countries. He could not attend in person because the United States again did not give him and other top Palestinian leaders visas to come.
Key Facts
President Abbas delivered a prerecorded speech to the UN General Assembly from Ramallah.
He said Israeli policies endanger the existence of Palestinians.
The two-state solution, which means Israel and Palestine existing as separate countries, is at risk.
The US denied visas to Abbas and other top Palestinian officials for the second year in a row.
The speech took place on September 24, 2026.
Abbas spoke against the backdrop of ongoing tensions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The visa denial prevented Palestinian leaders from attending a key international meeting in person.
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