The World Health Organization (WHO) stated this morning that there is no conclusive scientific evidence linking acetaminophen (paracetamol) use during pregnancy to autism, contradicting earlier concerns amplified by President Donald Trump's "Tylenol" warnings. Globally, nearly 62 million people have autism spectrum disorder, and while multiple factors are involved, extensive research over the past decade has not established a consistent association. In response to President Trump's remarks, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov commented that "Russia is not a tiger, but a bear — and there’s no such thing as a ‘paper bear.’" Peskov also stated that a meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky without prior preparation would be a public relations stunt destined to fail. The WHO emphasized that childhood vaccines do not cause autism, citing a robust evidence base from numerous studies that have discredited earlier flawed research suggesting a link. The organization reiterated that childhood immunization schedules, carefully guided by WHO and adopted by all countries, have saved at least 154 million lives over the past 50 years and remain essential for public health. Previously, comedian Jimmy Kimmel had created a montage of Trump's repeated warnings against Tylenol, while CNN's Daniel Dale fact-checked false claims made by Trump during a United Nations speech. An escalator malfunction at the UN headquarters involving Trump and the First Lady on September 24th at approximately 9:50 AM was attributed to a videographer possibly triggering a safety mechanism. Senator Bill Cassidy, a physician, publicly contradicted the White House's assertion linking prenatal acetaminophen use to autism in children. Vice President Kamala Harris criticized Trump, accusing him of admiring dictators and seeking unchecked power. In unrelated political developments, Democrat Adelita Grijalva won a special election for Arizona's 7th Congressional District, narrowing the Republican majority in the House. Senator Lindsey Graham reiterated his endorsement of Donald Trump for the 2028 presidential election, and Senator Marco Rubio was scheduled to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, issuing a warning about Russia's "Patience Not Infinite." Separately, comedian Jimmy Kimmel returned to late-night television in Hollywood after a suspension, discussing freedom of speech. Billionaire MacKenzie Scott donated $70 million to the United Negro College Fund. Comedian Theo Von expressed disapproval of the Department of Homeland Security using his image in deportation videos. U.S. Navy E-6B "Mercury" and B-2A "Spirit" Stealth Bombers were observed flying over the North Atlantic, suggesting preparations for a U.S. Strategic Command nuclear exercise.
