A 6-year-old girl from China named Lian Yunzhi set a new women’s speed record for solving a 3x3 Rubik’s Cube in just over 4 seconds. She broke the record twice during official competitions in Wuhan and Guangzhou.
Key Facts
Lian Yunzhi is 6 years old and from Chengdu, Sichuan province, China.
She solved the Rubik’s Cube five times with average times of 4.52 and 4.27 seconds.
These times set a new women’s world record for speedcubing, the fastest average under 4.5 seconds.
Lian learned to solve Rubik’s Cubes through extracurricular classes alongside dance and music.
She knows over 1,300 solving algorithms and practices 2 to 3 hours daily.
Her mother said cubing helps improve focus, memory, logical thinking, and spatial awareness.
The competitions were certified by the World Cube Association, an official group that oversees Rubik’s Cube events.
Videos showed Lian happily celebrating her success after solving the cube.
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The United States, Denmark, and Greenland signed an agreement about Greenland's security. An expert said the deal does not give the U.S. many new rights, but President Trump wanted to reduce the small chance of Greenland building closer ties with China.
Key Facts
The U.S., Denmark, and Greenland agreed on a security deal involving Greenland.
The expert interviewed is Mikaa Blugeon-Mered from the University of Québec Trois Rivières.
The agreement does not significantly increase U.S. rights or control in Greenland.
President Donald Trump aimed to prevent Greenland from moving closer to China.
Some Trump voters support taking action due to concerns about China’s influence.
Greenland is important strategically because of its location in the Arctic.
Denmark represents Greenland in foreign affairs but Greenland has its own government.
The deal is mainly about security cooperation, not ownership or new U.S. powers.
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NASA’s leader, Jared Isaacman, said the agency must be careful about its international partnerships as the competition to build bases on the Moon grows. The focus is on the Moon’s south pole, where valuable water ice and sunlight make it a key spot for long-term space missions, including future trips to Mars. NASA wants to work only with partners who bring real benefits to the mission.
Key Facts
NASA sees the Moon’s south pole as the best place for a base because of water ice and sunlight for power.
Water ice in craters can be used for water, air, and rocket fuel, which helps support a permanent Moon base.
The south pole has limited "parking spots" that provide access to water ice and near-constant sunlight.
China and Russia plan to place a nuclear reactor near the south pole, making competition for this area urgent.
NASA will only partner with other countries if they contribute significantly to the mission.
NASA’s leader referenced President Trump’s direction to only make good deals with partners, not merely symbolic alliances.
A good example of a partnership is with Italy, which is investing over $5 billion to develop living quarters for astronauts on the Moon.
Japan is also investing billions to support NASA’s Moon missions.
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Russian journalists Roman Badanin and Mikhail Rubin faced raids and threats from Russian intelligence due to their investigations into President Vladimir Putin. They fled Russia after their media project Proekt was banned, and together wrote a detailed book portraying Putin as a cruel leader who uses fear and violence to stay in power.
Key Facts
In June 2021, masked officers from the Russian intelligence agency FSB raided the homes of journalists Badanin and Rubin in Moscow.
Badanin and Rubin co-founded Proekt, an independent media outlet focused on investigative journalism that was later declared "undesirable" by the Kremlin.
Rubin was warned by security agents and his parents were questioned about his activities, showing the pressure on journalists in Russia.
After the raids, Rubin found his passport left on a table, signaling he was allowed to leave Russia, which he did soon after.
Badanin, on holiday in Morocco at the time of the raid, chose not to return to Russia to avoid prison.
Their book, The Tsar in Person, offers an 800-page biography of Putin from his early days to his long rule, portraying him as a dictator using cruel tactics.
The book details suspicious deaths and attacks on Putin's opponents, suggesting a pattern of violent repression.
The book is banned in Russia and is aimed at educating young Russians and audiences abroad about Putin's rule and Russian history since the Soviet Union collapsed.
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Morocco is holding legislative elections on September 23, 2026. Young people in the country feel both hopeful and doubtful as they prepare to vote for representatives in the National Assembly for the first time since major youth protests nearly a year ago.
Key Facts
Morocco’s legislative elections are scheduled for September 23, 2026.
About 16 million Moroccans will vote for their National Assembly representatives.
This is the first election since large protests by young people (Gen Z protests) took place in Morocco.
Youth in Morocco have mixed feelings, showing both hope and skepticism about the election.
The National Assembly is the country’s legislative body, responsible for making laws.
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The UK government will send a British tanker plane to help Saudi Arabia by refueling its fighter jets in the air. This support aims to help Saudi Arabia defend itself against attacks from the Houthi group in Yemen.
Key Facts
The UK will provide aerial refueling to Saudi warplanes using a British tanker plane.
This assistance is described as "defensive" by the UK government.
Saudi Arabia requested this help after facing more attacks by Houthi drones and missiles.
The Houthis have increased their military actions, including a quick attack to take control of Yemen’s Red Sea coast.
The move shows the UK’s support for Saudi Arabia amid the conflict in Yemen.
The announcement was made on September 22, 2026.
The conflict involves the Houthi group attacking Saudi Arabia from Yemen.
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A teenage girl named Miriam Lee donated her organs after dying from sudden cardiac arrest, saving the life of a baby boy named Ollie who needed a liver transplant. Ten years later, Ollie is healthy and living a normal life, while health officials in the UK remind people to register as organ donors to help others in need.
Key Facts
Miriam Lee, 17, died suddenly in 2016 and donated her liver, kidneys, pancreas, eyes, and tissue to help others.
Her liver was transplanted to 11-month-old Ollie Jolliff, who had a life-threatening genetic condition.
Ollie’s older brother Kieran died from the same condition and never had a transplant option.
Miriam had signed the NHS Organ Donor Register before her death and wanted to help as many people as possible.
Ollie is now 10 years old, doing well, and attending school with passions and interests like other children.
Family consent for organ donation in the UK has fallen from 67% in 2020/21 to 57% last year.
NHS Blood and Transplant says there are 8,700 people currently waiting for organ transplants.
Officials urge the public to sign the NHS Organ Donor Register to increase the number of donors and save more lives.
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The European Union did not reach an agreement to remove sanctions on Russian businessmen Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman. EU countries were trying to approve lifting these sanctions as part of a larger deal to extend penalties on about 3,000 others linked to the war in Ukraine.
Key Facts
EU member states failed to finalize lifting sanctions on Russian oligarchs Usmanov and Fridman.
A provisional agreement had been made to remove these two from the EU blacklist.
The deal was part of a compromise to extend sanctions on nearly 3,000 individuals and groups.
The sanctions are related to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Diplomats were involved in negotiations to finalize the deal.
The failure to reach consensus means the sanctions on Usmanov and Fridman remain in place.
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The United Nations report says US military strikes on boats in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific are illegal and may be crimes against humanity. These strikes, which target alleged drug traffickers, killed at least 234 people between September last year and this month, and the US has not provided proof that the boats were involved in drug trafficking.
Key Facts
The UN report covers 70 US attacks on boats from September last year to this month, killing at least 234 people.
The UN Special Rapporteur, Ben Saul, calls the strikes "illegal" and "disproportionate" under law.
The report says attacking drug traffickers is not the same as a military attack on the US.
The US government claims the strikes stop deadly drugs from entering the country and frames them as military actions.
The UN found no proof that the targeted boats conducted armed attacks or were proxies of other countries.
Families of victims say many killed were fishermen, not drug smugglers.
The report questions the US’s use of force and calls for investigations and accountability.
The strikes did not stop cocaine from reaching the US, mainly because drugs often come by container ships, not small boats.
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Chinese leader Xi Jinping is visiting the United States for an official state visit, his first since 2015. President Donald Trump plans to welcome Xi with major honors as they discuss trade, diplomacy, and cooperation on global conflicts involving China’s allies.
Key Facts
This is Xi Jinping’s first official state visit to Washington, D.C., since 2015.
Xi will be received with special military honors, including a flyover of U.S. military jets.
The visit aims to support Xi’s political position ahead of his expected fourth term in 2027.
President Trump seeks Xi’s help on conflicts involving Russia and Iran, who are China’s allies.
Trade deals with China are a priority for Trump before the U.S. midterm elections in November.
The visit includes a state dinner attended by leaders from major U.S. tech companies.
China is modernizing its military and expanding its influence in key economic sectors.
Beijing views the current global order as shifting in its favor and aims for a strategic stalemate with the U.S.
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President Ahmed al-Sharaa will present a plan for a "new Syria" at the United Nations General Assembly. People in Syria want their government to provide safety, fairness, and a stronger economy.
Key Facts
President Ahmed al-Sharaa is speaking at the UN General Assembly about a "new Syria."
Syrians inside the country want more safety from violence and conflict.
They are asking the government to bring justice for past wrongs.
A stronger and more stable economy is a major demand from the Syrian people.
The proposal aims to address the current challenges Syria faces.
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Typhoon Dujuan hit Japan near Tokyo, causing heavy rain, flooding, and landslides. More than one million people were told to evacuate, and hundreds of flights were cancelled to keep people safe.
Key Facts
Typhoon Dujuan affected the Tokyo area in Japan.
The storm brought very heavy rain and caused floods and landslides.
Over one million people were advised to evacuate their homes.
Hundreds of flights were cancelled due to the storm.
Authorities issued evacuation advisories early on Tuesday.
The typhoon’s impact led to safety measures being put in place for residents.
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French President Emmanuel Macron and President Donald Trump had a meeting in New York before the United Nations General Assembly. They discussed ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine and described their talks as constructive.
Key Facts
Macron and Trump met ahead of the UN General Assembly.
They talked about conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine.
Macron called the discussions “very constructive.”
The meeting took place in New York.
Both leaders are attending the annual UN gathering of world leaders.
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A fishing boat off the coast of Florida caught a U.S. military drone while fishing. The drone had fallen into the water during a military test and was later returned to the government.
Key Facts
A fishing boat crew caught a U.S. military drone while fishing in Gulf waters near Florida.
Daniel Arsenault, the boat captain, found the drone after spotting an object that looked like an upside-down boat.
Military helicopter pilots confirmed it was a target drone.
The drone is called LUCAS, short for Low-cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System.
The drone fell into the water during scheduled testing by Eglin Air Force Base on September 17.
The drone has been recovered and is now back in the Defense Department's possession.
LUCAS drones have been used in combat by U.S. forces in the Middle East, particularly by CENTCOM's Task Force Scorpion Strike.
Similar drones modeled after Iranian Shahed drones are actively used in military conflicts by the U.S., Iran, and Russia.
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President Donald Trump addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York, bringing his straightforward, power-focused style to international relations. He recently reached a security deal with Denmark over Greenland and pushed NATO allies to increase defense spending by threatening U.S. withdrawal.
Key Facts
President Trump spoke at the U.N. General Assembly in New York City.
He sees world politics as based on power and deal-making rather than idealism.
Trump made a security agreement with Denmark about Greenland, a key U.S. security area.
His threat to take Greenland by force shocked but succeeded in making a new deal.
Trump pressured NATO allies to spend more on defense by threatening to leave the alliance.
NATO allies are now increasing their defense budgets and taking more responsibility.
The U.S. depends on NATO to protect against Russia's nuclear threat and support trade.
Trump’s approach has influenced changes in Europe’s defense and U.S. relations in the Western Hemisphere.
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A rare first edition of Harper Lee's novel *To Kill A Mockingbird* was found in a box of donated books at an Oxfam shop in London. The British Library has bought the book to add it to its national collection.
Key Facts
The book was found at an Oxfam shop on Portobello Road, west London.
It is a first US edition of *To Kill A Mockingbird*, published in 1960.
Shop staff noticed the book while sorting through a box of American books.
The book’s dust jacket was worn, but the inside pages were in good condition.
The British Library acquired the book for its national collection.
*To Kill A Mockingbird* is a famous novel about racial injustice in Alabama, featuring lawyer Atticus Finch.
The novel has sold over 40 million copies worldwide and been translated into 40 languages.
Harper Lee received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and died in 2016 at age 89.
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United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will give his final speech at the UN General Assembly in New York before his term ends on December 31, 2026. Several world leaders, including President Donald Trump, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and French President Emmanuel Macron, are set to speak at the event amid global concerns about Iran, artificial intelligence, and the future of the UN.
Key Facts
Antonio Guterres will open the UN General Assembly and deliver his final speech as Secretary-General.
Guterres’ term as UN Secretary-General ends on December 31, 2026, with no clear successor yet named.
Around 130 heads of state and government are expected to speak at this year’s General Assembly.
President Donald Trump will speak at the Assembly after Guterres’ opening remarks.
Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and France’s President Emmanuel Macron are also scheduled to speak on Tuesday.
Concerns at the Assembly include global tensions involving Iran, the impact of artificial intelligence on society, and questions about the UN’s future.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian are scheduled to speak on Wednesday.
President Trump’s recent war against Iran and his decision to reduce US financial support to the UN are key topics of concern.
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New research shows that tropical regions will be the last to benefit from global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero. Despite reaching net zero, these areas, often poorer and near the equator, will continue to experience more warming for many decades, while richer, wealthier countries see less impact.
Key Facts
Tropical areas have warmed more compared to their historical average than higher latitude regions.
Reaching net zero emissions means balancing emitted greenhouse gases with removal, but the damage in tropical regions will persist for decades.
Wealthier countries have caused most warming but face less temperature increase than poorer tropical countries.
Tropical ecosystems, like coral reefs, are more sensitive to temperature changes and will stay affected longer.
The UN refugee agency reported that climate change increases risks of people becoming stateless, especially in low-lying Pacific islands losing land to rising seas.
About 4.5 million people are officially stateless, but the real number is likely higher due to lack of records.
Recommendations include supporting countries to protect citizenship rights and digitize records to help displaced people maintain legal identity.
Protecting children’s citizenship rights after climate disasters is important, especially when mothers have restricted rights to pass nationality.
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President Donald Trump will speak at the United Nations General Assembly to discuss current global conflicts including the war with Iran, the Gaza peace plan, and the Russia-Ukraine war. He will also meet with various world leaders and prepare to welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping to the White House.
Key Facts
President Trump’s UN speech will focus on his administration’s efforts to handle global conflicts like the war with Iran and peace efforts in Gaza.
The war with Iran will reach seven months next week.
Trump is working on a peace plan for Gaza involving Israel and Hamas.
The U.S. is trying to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Trump will meet leaders from the U.K., Japan, Gulf states, France, and Venezuela during the assembly.
China, the largest buyer of Russian oil, is involved in economic talks with the U.S., despite concerns about Chinese help to Iran.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will warn that continuing business with Iran will have consequences.
A new U.S. security agreement with Greenland is expected to be signed at the UN meeting.
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President Donald Trump announced a new deal with Denmark and Greenland on security matters related to Greenland. This agreement has helped ease tensions in the NATO alliance, though details of the deal have not been fully shared.
Key Facts
President Trump reached a security deal with Denmark and Greenland about the Arctic region.
The deal aims to improve cooperation and reduce conflict within NATO.
Exact details of the agreement have not been made public yet.
The announcement was met with both support and criticism from different groups.
Greenland is an important Arctic territory for security and defense reasons.
The deal marks progress in U.S.-Denmark-Greenland relations concerning the Arctic.
The agreement could affect future military and strategic moves in the Arctic region.
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