10 Things to Know for Monday September 23, 2013

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today:

1. KENYA STRIKES AT AL-QAIDA-LINKED FIGHTERS  The military launches an operation to free hostages and capture or kill armed militants after a bloodbath at an upscale Nairobi mall. But hours later, the standoff continues. KENYA-MALL ATTACK

2. GOP'S CONCLUSION FROM MASSACRE  Republican lawmakers say the attack shows al-Qaida is growing in size and strength, belying the Obama administration's claims that it has grown weaker. KENYA-MALL ATTACK-AL-SHABAB-ANALYSIS

3. FAMILIAR PROBLEMS AWAIT OBAMA AT UN  The president, attending the annual General Assembly meetings, will be confronted by three longstanding issues — Iran, Syria and the elusive peace between Israel and the Palestinians. OBAMA-DIPLOMACY

4. US STRUGGLES TO FULFILL AID PLEDGE  Making good on its promise of nearly $1.3 billion in assistance to millions of desperate Syrians in the chaotic war zone is proving difficult. SYRIAN AID-DISTRIBUTION WOES

5. 'BREAKING BAD' HONORED AS TV'S BEST DRAMA  It's the first Emmy for the brutal saga and comes one week before AMC is due to air the series finale. EMMYS

6. WHY YOU NEEDN'T FRET IF YOU MISSED THE EMMYS  The AP's Frazier Moore says the show was just so-so and Neil Patrick Harris fell short as the host. EMMYS-REVIEW

7. FAREWELL TO THE VW BUS  Volkswagen says production will end Dec. 31 in Brazil, the last place in the world where the iconic vehicle is still being made. BRAZIL-END OF THE VW VAN

8. HOW RIHANNA TIPPED OFF THE COPS  A photo she tweeted showing her cuddling an endangered primate leads to the arrest of two people in Thailand for allegedly peddling protected species. THAILAND-RIHANNA

9. NEW HAZARD FOR SEWER SYSTEMS  Increasingly popular bathroom wipes — thick, premoistened towelettes — aren't as flushable as the ads say.  WIPE WOES

10. WHO'S STILL WINLESS IN THE NFL  Three weeks into the season, six teams still haven't won a game — including the Pittsburgh Steelers. BEARS-STEELERS