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First Things First
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- 1
Naledi Pillay, chair of the UN Commission of Inquiry and newly announced Nobel Peace Prize winner, gave her first remarks after the award, saying that in Gaza 'we called things by their name'. Italian media, including la Repubblica, are covering the statement as the prize draws attention to her panel's findings on atrocities in Gaza and debate over the committee's choice.
- 2Dana White Urges Those Feeling Lost To Take One Step First●Dana White: If You Feel Lost In Life, Do THIS First!
UFC president Dana White is offering advice to people who feel directionless in life, telling them there is one thing they should do first to get back on track. The message has drawn wide attention, with audiences weighing in on whether the blunt, no-nonsense guidance that defines his fight-business career translates into useful life advice.
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Real Madrid go into their European tie against Partizan under pressure, with Spanish sports daily Marca describing the club as obliged to dispel its first European crisis of the season. Coverage in Spain frames the match as a key test after a difficult run in continental competition, with fans debating whether the side can turn things around.
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Japanese actress Haruka Ayase is drawing attention on two fronts. On the talk show 'Nichiyobi no Hatsugaku', her longtime friend, singer Kae Mochida of Every Little Thing, revealed anecdotes, including Ayase riding home on a LUUP e-bike and stories from her school days that surprised the studio. At the same time, Ayase is promoting her new film 'First Voice', inspired by Japan's first sexual harassment lawsuit, opening October 2, co-starring First Summer Uika and Honoka Matsumoto.
- 5Hegseth promises execution live stream as Trump 'pauses' on Iran●Hegseth promises execution live stream as Trump appears to 'pause' war on Iran | First Thing https://www.theguardian.com
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has said an execution will be live streamed, while President Donald Trump appears to have paused plans for a war with Iran, according to the Guardian's First Thing briefing. The pairing of the two statements has drawn attention, with commentators weighing the severity of promising a broadcast execution against relief over easing tensions with Iran.
- 6Hegseth pledges live broadcast as Trump appears to pause Iran strike▼First Thing: Hegseth promises execution live stream as Trump appears to ‘pause’ war on Iran
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said any military operation would be streamed live, while Donald Trump signalled he was holding off on strikes against Iran. The remarks came amid heightened tensions over Iran's nuclear programme, with the US president appearing to step back from imminent military action. Commentators are weighing what the apparent pause means for the region.
- 7Chattanooga Column Urges Parents to Raise Kinder Kids▼First Things First: Raising kids who would never…
First Things First, a Chattanooga-based family organisation, is drawing attention with commentary on raising children who would never engage in harmful or disrespectful behavior. The piece frames parenting as the frontline for shaping character, emphasizing consistent values at home. It is being read as part of an ongoing public conversation about discipline, screen time, and moral development in modern American family life.
- 8Honest conversations help adult children as parents age▼My parents are getting older, but they've done a lot to prepare. Being honest and upfront has been the most helpful.
A first-person account describes how a writer's aging parents prepared well for later life by being open and upfront with their family about plans, finances and wishes. The piece argues that honest communication between older parents and their adult children is the most helpful thing families can do, and it is resonating with readers navigating the same stage of life.
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A religious reflection titled 'First Things First: In Communion with the Catholic Church' is circulating, focused on what it means to be in communion with the Catholic Church. Beyond the headline and its faith-based framing, no further details about its content or reception are available, so the substance of the discussion remains unknown.
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Racing Club defeated Estudiantes de Río Cuarto 2-1 in a match that drew attention across Argentina. It was interim coach 'Chirola' Romero's first game in charge, and he said winning was no small thing after a hard blow, referring to the club's recent crisis and the departure of Vojvoda. Fans are also following updates on Zaracho's injury troubles since his return to the squad.
- 11Things Friends Forward Publishes Its 40th Edition●Edition 40 of Things Friends Forward is out on # Substack How many have you read?! 040: The Village Rules | 28 September
The newsletter Things Friends Forward has released its 40th edition, titled 'The Village Rules', covering 28 September to 4 October. The issue rounds up new music and mixtapes, reflects on 'the village we never leave', and examines what a new leader's first interview reveals about who sets the political framing. Readers are being asked how many editions they have read so far.
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A first-look photo has been released for the upcoming production of RENT at the Tom Stoppard Theatre in London's West End, featuring Gaten Matarazzo. The Stranger Things actor is among the cast drawing attention as anticipation builds for the musical's run, with theatre fans sharing the promotional image widely.
- 13Nobel Prize in Medicine 2026 Awarded to Genetics Trio●The 2026 Nobel Prize was announced today and it’s a genetics thing. Yay, Mind controlled mice. The Nobel committees anno
The Nobel Assembly has awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine to three scientists, the year's first Nobel announcement, made on Monday. The committee said the laureates laid the groundwork in genetics, with commentary linking the work to mind-controlled experiments in mice. Reaction online is light, with some excitement about the neuroscience angle.
- 14
Actress Ashida Mana took on her first-ever vinyl record challenge on the TV Asahi quiz show Doctor-chan, but struggled badly with the task. An unexpected mishap drew bursts of laughter from the studio, with the actress reportedly remarking 'It's not like that' as things went off-script. The lighthearted segment aired on the ANN network and was picked up by Yahoo! News in Japan.
- 15Blogger Shares Midweek Gratitude Post and Alien Prompt●Humpday Hopeful With all the daily blessings the Lord provides I enter this day feeling grateful. Daily writing prompt I
A blogger opened the midweek with a message of gratitude, saying the daily blessings the Lord provides leave her feeling thankful as she starts the day. The post is tied to a daily writing prompt asking readers a playful question: if aliens arrived tomorrow, what would be the first thing you would ask them. Readers are invited to view other responses to the challenge.
- 16Trump rebuked for urging Iran to strike US cities▼‘Deranged’ and ‘dangerous’ Trump calls for Iran to strike US cities amid historic ratings low | First Thing
Donald Trump is facing accusations of being 'deranged' and 'dangerous' after calling on Iran to strike US cities, remarks that drew widespread condemnation and came as his ratings hit a historic low. Critics seized on the comments as evidence of recklessness in his rhetoric toward Iran, while the episode renewed debate about his fitness for office and his handling of US-Iran tensions.
- 17DEWALT drilling robot wins Fast Company Next Big Things honor▼Fast Company Honors World-First Fleet-Capable Downward Drilling Robot; DEWALT Is the Only Tool Manufacturer Recognized in 2026 Next Big Things in Tech Awards Program
Fast Company has named a world-first fleet-capable downward drilling robot to its 2026 Next Big Things in Tech awards, with tool maker DEWALT announced as the only tool manufacturer recognized in this year's program. The recognition highlights the robot's ability to operate as part of a connected fleet while drilling downward, a capability the companies describe as an industry first. Further technical details and deployment plans were not included in the announcement.
- 18Vechta, last in the Bundesliga, chases first win against Ulm●Beim Besuch des früheren Erfolgstrainers: Der Tabellenletzte Vechta braucht gegen Ulm den ersten Sieg So hat sich RASTA
Rasta Vechta have lost all four of their opening Bundesliga basketball games and sit bottom of the table. They now face ratiopharm Ulm, where former successful coach is part of the backdrop, and urgently need a first victory of the season to turn things around.
- 19
Allison Janney, currently starring in Netflix's The Diplomat, is revisiting her early career, saying there was one thing she hated about her first role on Law & Order. The remark has drawn attention as the actress promotes her new series and reflects on decades of television work, from The West Wing to her Oscar-winning turn in I, Tonya.
- 20Trump criticised for urging Iran to target US cities●First Thing: ‘deranged’ and ‘dangerous’ Trump calls for Iran to strike US cities amid historic ratings low
Donald Trump is being described as 'deranged' and 'dangerous' after calling for Iran to strike US cities, according to Guardian reporting bundled in its First Thing briefing. The comments came as his approval ratings hit a historic low, drawing sharp criticism and debate over the former president's rhetoric on Iran and national security.
- 21Traveller's unusual first ritual for walking around Paris goes viral▼# paris # travel # france # europe # safety # video # viral # news # world # EarthsAttractions https://www. earthsattrac
A traveller has drawn attention online after revealing that the first thing she does upon arriving in Paris is pull a simple item from her bag before setting out on foot. She says the habit is a safety precaution for walking around the French capital, and viewers have reacted with surprise, sparking wider discussion among travellers about staying safe while sightseeing in Paris and other major European cities.
- 22Visitor heads straight to Din Tai Fung after landing in Singapore●landed in singapore & RUSHED here first thing. safe to say the hype is real :) din tai fung, sg ps: if you have reccos f
A traveller arriving in Singapore went straight to Din Tai Fung before anything else, saying the restaurant's hype is real and asking followers for recommendations on what else to do in the city. The post reflects the Taiwanese dumpling chain's enduring popularity in Singapore, where it remains a must-visit stop for tourists.
- 23Viewers call new show's first season solid but tame▼Very tame, it's not bad it's just solid-ok. I think we all expected a bit more spice, something wilder or more thrilling
Discussion of a television show's first season is focused on disappointment that it plays things safe. One viewer's take, widely echoed, is that the season is not bad, just solidly average, with good acting and casting undermined by odd story choices and a lack of the wilder, more thrilling moments many had expected. The overall mood among fans is mild letdown rather than outright rejection.
- 24Winless Titans Tied to $21M Blockbuster Trade Rumor▼NFL Rumors: Winless Titans Connected to $21M Blockbuster Trade
Reports link the Tennessee Titans, still searching for their first win of the season, to a trade valued at roughly $21 million. The rumor has circulated across NFL news outlets, with fans speculating about whether a big move could turn around the winless franchise's struggling season. Specifics about the player or team involved remain unclear as discussion continues.
- 25Bolsonaro's son Flávio takes lead in Brazil election race●Son of disgraced ex-president Jair Bolsonaro takes election lead in Brazil | First Thing https://www.theguardian.com/us-
Flávio Bolsonaro, son of Brazil's disgraced former president Jair Bolsonaro, has taken the lead in the country's election race, according to the Guardian's First Thing briefing. The development points to the continued strength of the Bolsonaro family in Brazilian politics despite the elder Bolsonaro's legal and political downfall, and is drawing attention to what it could mean for the country's right wing ahead of the vote.
- 26Readers reflect on the harsh realities of leaving it all for the woods●"The thing about fucking off to the woods is that unless you are a very particular, very rare sort of person, it does no
Book lovers are sharing a passage from Becky Chambers' 'A Prayer for the Crown-Shy' observing that retreating to the woods quickly reveals why people left them in the first place, unless you happen to be a rare sort of person suited to solitude. The line is being passed around as a Sunday sentence in reading communities, resonating with anyone who has fantasised about escaping modern life.
- 27Lakers tip off preseason with five storylines to watch●What to expect from the Lakers as preseason tips off: 5 things to watch https://www. nytimes.com/athletic/7660505/2 026/
The Los Angeles Lakers open their preseason schedule with a Monday game giving fans a first look at the reshaped roster. Coverage highlights five things to watch, including Bronny James and Luka Doncic as the team builds toward the new NBA season.
- 28Miami slammed for a 'relationship-first' work culture●Of course Miami has lots of smart people, but the functional operating level is very low. It's a relationship-first, ora
A commentary on Miami's work culture is drawing attention, arguing the city has plenty of smart people but a low functional operating level. The author describes Miami as a relationship-first, oral culture where people often don't read instructions, creating practical problems. The take concludes that raising standards would change things, and reactions to the assessment are circulating widely.
- 29Anthony Edwards warns NBA after Timberwolves' debut●Anthony Edwards has scary warning for NBA after new-look Wolves’ explosive debut
Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards issued a pointed warning to the rest of the NBA following his team's dominant first game with its revamped roster. The new-look Wolves opened with an explosive performance, and Edwards suggested the league should brace for what the retooled squad can do going forward, framing the debut as a sign of bigger things ahead this season.
- 30Extreme Thing festival announces lineup for return after decade●Full lineup announced for Extreme Thing’s return after 10-year absence
The full lineup has been announced for Extreme Thing's return, marking the Las Vegas festival's comeback after a 10-year absence. The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported the lineup reveal, giving fans their first complete look at the acts booked for the revived event. Longtime attendees have been awaiting details since news broke that the festival would return.
- 31Bolsonaro's son takes early lead in Brazil election race▼First Thing: Son of disgraced ex-president Jair Bolsonaro takes election lead in Brazil
A son of Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro has taken the lead in the country's election race, according to a Guardian briefing on the race. The development comes despite Bolsonaro's own political disgrace, and suggests his family retains strong support among Brazilian voters as the contest for the presidency takes shape.
- 32Bolsonaro's son takes lead in Brazil election race●Son of disgraced ex-president Jair Bolsonaro takes election lead in Brazil | First Thing
A son of Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro has taken the lead in an election race, according to the Guardian's First Thing briefing. The development marks a notable showing for the Bolsonaro family in Brazilian politics despite the ex-president's disgrace and legal troubles. Observers are watching closely as the race develops.
- 33Fernando Tatis Jr. surges into postseason after slow start●Three months of struggle unleashed a relentless second half for Tatis https://www. mlb.com/news/fernando-tatis-jr -rides
Fernando Tatis Jr. endured a difficult first three months of the MLB season, needing 239 plate appearances before hitting his first home run of the year. After relentless adjustments at the plate, the San Diego Padres star turned things around with a powerful second half, and he now carries that momentum into the postseason, starting with Milwaukee.