While any homeless child or teenager is cause for concern, those who don't conform to gender norms have it even tougher.

We sat down on Wednesday with Lee Strock, the head of the Urban Justice Center's Peter Cicchino Youth Project to find out just how difficult it is to be not only a homeless teen, but a gender-questioning homeless teen.

The Urban Justice Center handles issues related to discrimination and oppression and claims it defends "the rights of people who are overlooked or turned away by other organizations" from sex workers to street vendors to Iraqi refugees.

Modern society doesn't have the means to "accommodate the needs of these people," Strock said, referring to transgender individuals.

Those needs could be as simple as choosing a gender on an official form to as complicated as finding a safe place to sleep for the night.

"We see a lot of incidents where people experience violence at the hands of peers, family, anyone in life," he said, explaining why these teenagers end up coming to the center for advice.

But it's not just family members. New York City homeless shelters are not the safest places, especially for anyone who doesn't fit societal norms, Strock said.

"Our clients are generally more vulnerable," he said.

While the center doesn't work on criminal cases, it handles everything from helping asylum-seeking immigrants find a home in the country to helping teens work with their legal aid attorneys.

The center operates on a strict policy of confidentiality so they couldn't tell us much about individual cases, but we did learn that Strock and his team often see lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals leave countries in Central and Latin America, as well as Africa, after experiencing discrimination.

DON'T MISS: This Prominent Legal Advocate For New York's Homeless Tells Us Which NYC Mayor He Hates The Most >

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An NYPD officer was arrested yesterday for allegedly breaking into fellow cops' lockers and stealing their guns.

Nicholas Mina sneaked the guns out of the high-security locker room in April, along with bulletproof vests, cash, and an iPad, the New York Post reported Friday.

"This is the lowest crime – to steal from your fellow cops. Somebody you work with, you dress with, you change with. To rob a gun that could be used against a fellow cop someday. There's nothing lower," a retired officer who knows Mina told the New York Post.

Mina allegedly sold the guns to buyers on the street who had no idea he was a cop.

He was arrested along with three other suspects who do not work for the department. It's unclear what role they played, according to the New York Post.

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Some New York City hospitals have almost no reserves to pay for malpractice lawsuits and aren't even insured against doctors' mistakes, the New York Times reported Monday.

Three Brooklyn hospitals — Interfaith Medical Center, Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center and Wyckoff Heights Medical Center — are completely self-insured in the event of a malpractice lawsuit, the Times reported, citing a 2009 health department survey.

This means the hospital itself reserves money for potential lawsuits instead of paying for insurance.

What's worse, Interfaith and Wyckoff have no money saved in case of a lawsuit, the Times reported, citing financial records and hospital officials. The Times could not determine whether Kingsbrook still had money set aside for liability.

University of Pennsylvania law professor Tom Baker told the Times that cutting malpractice lawsuit insurance may make short-term sense for a struggling hospital, but it's ultimately a huge disservice to patients who risk losing an award if they are the victim of malpractice.

“From a social perspective, it’s very irresponsible," Baker said. "They’re taking in these people knowing they’re not able to make good on the harm they caused. Even a really good hospital is going to have a certain amount of medical malpractice. It’s inevitable.”

Representatives for the three hospitals could not immediately be reached for comment Monday.

Now, check out your local hospital's safety ratings >

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Well girls, it's nice to know you'll be safe on the train isn't it?

The L train in Brooklyn erupted in screaming and wrestling Friday night when two women boarded and accused a white man with scraggly black hair and a black t-shirt of groping them at a previous subway stop.

A group of men already on the train forced the accused groper out of his seat, wrapped their arms around his neck, and dragged him off the train.

Police later identified the man as Victor Sigler, according to The New York Post.

The brawny good Samaritans seemed to have a good time wrestling with Sigler, with one man shouting "Damn, this boy's strong! Woo-hoo!"

The men then restrained Sigler on the subway platform until police arrived. Sigler was later charged with forcible touching, according to the Post.

Watch the full fight for yourself:

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Coca-Cola, Pepsi and others have mobilized their forces against New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg's proposed soda ban, reports Laura Petrecca at USA Today.

Hundreds of soda makers, sellers, trade groups and more have created New Yorkers for Beverage Choices — a coalition that's taking on Bloomberg's ban. It's being spearheaded by the American Beverage Association, which is providing funding.

Here's what they're doing in the PR blitz, according to USA Today:

• A social media campaign mocking Bloomberg for promoting the July 4 hot dog eating contest
• Radio ads promoting the freedom to cheer for whatever sports team you want, live anywhere you want, and drink any soda size you want
• Airplane banners that say, "No drinks for u! New Yorkers for Beverage Choices"
• A petition that more than 60,000 New Yorkers have signed
• Movie marquee ads that read "Say no to the NYC ban" (though this isn't an "official" part of the coalition)

It's on now!

NOW SEE: If You Think The Soda Ban Is Bad, Check Out All The Things That Are Illegal In Singapore >

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After a lucrative rap career. Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson went into a career in business and is now licensed to promote boxers in the state of New York, as Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix reports via Twitter.

Fiddy is also applying for permission to promote fighters and matches in Nevada, which has now turned into the prime destination for the largest matches in the struggling sport. Since 50 Cent is well known for loving his money his promotion company is called TMT, short for The Money Team.

Speaking of dolla bills, Jackson is also widely known for being very close friends with Floyd "Money" Mayweather, arguably the best boxer in the world after Manny Pacquiao's controversial loss earlier this summer. In the beginning of January, Fiddy and Mayweather posted pictures of themselves in a Las Vegas hotel room carrying gigantic stacks of cash.

Mannix also reports that the TMT company already has two clients: gold medalist and former featherweight champ Yuriorkis Gamboa and middleweight, and former Olympic medalist Andre Dirrell.

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Summer in New York City can be unbearable.

Heat radiates off the concrete, making the city feel like it's a solid 20 degrees hotter than nearby suburbs, the overcrowded streets are a sweat-fest, and the subway platforms turn into inadvertent saunas.

So during the dog days of summer, New Yorkers look for any excuse to escape the city.

The Hamptons is a favorite weekend getaway, but a weekend in the Hamptons can feel suspiciously similar to a weekend in New York City (albeit on the beach), as the entire in-crowd shuffles between the city and the island.

But there are places where you can actually get away from the crowds, the scene, and the hustle and bustle. Find yourself in a truly laid-back state-of-mind at any one of these three weekend retreats from New York City.

The Catskills

The Catskills epitomize laid-back retreat.

There are no sceney lounges nor swanky hotels here.

There are, however, farmer's markets serving fresh-off-the-farm produce, quaint small towns, and breathtaking natural scenery--the rolling mountains here inspired James Fenimore Cooper and his famous historical novel, The Last of the Mohicans.

Distance from New York City: Woodstock is just over 100 miles from the city.

Where to Stay in the Catskills

The Emerson Resort & Spa is one of the few large luxury properties in the area; it's got a great spa (try their Emerson Signature Massage at $105 for a 50-minute massage, which uses Warm herbal infused oils).

For a more offbeat experience, book a cabin, suite, or trailer at Kate's Lazy Meadow, owned by Kate Pierson of the B-52s. She tried to create her own version of "Love Shack" right here in the Catskills; the eclectic accommodations are retro chic with bright furnishings and kitschy decor.

Where to Eat in the Catskills

The charming town of Phoenicia is home to Brio's Restaurant & Pizzeria, which serves delicious pizza baked in a wood-fired oven plus an array of fresh salads, sandwiches, and more.

For breakfast, head to Sweet Sues, just down the street from Brio's, for hearty portions of mouthwatering pancakes, waffles, omelets, and fresh-out-of-the-oven baked goods.

Woodstock is a vegan's dream: try the Garden Cafe on The Green for creative vegan cuisine.

For dinner, try to score a reservation at Peekamoose in Big Indian. The owners here have a serious pedigree (they've served stints at some of New York's best restaurants, including Le Bernardin, Gramercy Tavern, and Atlantic Grill), and chose to open up this homey yet refined restaurant in a restored farmhouse closer to the source of their produce. Try their slow braised beef short ribs--they are melt-in-your-mouth amazing.

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The man suspected of killing his girlfriend and setting a fire near her dead body to destroy any evidence has reportedly confessed to the crime while hiding out in New York.

Jonathan Smith, who has been on the run since July 14, spoke to a priest at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi on West 31st Street and admitted to bludgeoning Darlene Hart, the New York Post reported Wednesday morning.

"Someone is dead, and I feel really bad about it," Smith reportedly said to the unnamed priest.

The priest contacted police who later arrested Smith and got a formal confession, according to the Post.

Following the crime, Smith reportedly left Ohio and drove straight to New York where he stayed at a homeless shelter, according to the Post.

Normally priests are forbidden from disclosing any information given in a confession, New York Archdiocese spokesman Joseph Zwilling told the New York Post.

"But if someone is going down the street and happens to say, 'Hi, Father, I killed Bob,' that's another thing entirely," Zwilling told the Post.

Hart's mom, Phyllis Hart, claims Smith killed her daughter out of jealousy.

"She always had more male than female friends," Hart told the Post. "And Jonathan could not handle that."

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A photo posted by Gothamist's Jen Carlson on Monday of a scary-looking carcass found along the East River had everyone rehashing memories of the "Montauk Monster," another unidentified mutant animal that washed up on a Long Island beach in 2008. 

Click here to see pictures > 

The latest pictures were taken by Denise Ginley, who spotted the dead animal under the Brooklyn Bridge over the weekend. 

So far, the best guess of what the creature might be include: a giant rat, a cooked pig or a small, bloated dog.  

Will we ever really know?  

Even Ginley told Joe Coscarelli of the The Daily Intel that the animal's feet are "not pig-like at all." She speculates that it could be a "monstrously huge rat." 

Check out the photos for yourself and tell us what you think.

Ginley told Gothamist that the deformed creature was about two feet from head to tail.

Some parts of the animal's skin were grey, blue or green and others were red, the photographer told WABC's Kemberly Richardson. "It sort of had a raccoon face and was bloated and didn't smell," she said.

Source: WABC

Ginley first speculated that the animal carcass was a giant rat.

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Bagel lovers, rejoice! New York City's iconic H&H Bagels is coming back to Manhattan, less than a year after its last location closed in Midtown.

Randy Narod, owner of the Long Island Bagel Café chain, told the New York Times on Tuesday that he is planning on opening the famous bagel shop this fall on Fulton Street in lower Manhattan.

Grub Street speculated Monday that H&H was reopening after it discovered that the company had signed a lease for 1,800 square feet at 125 Fulton Street.

Narod told the NYT that he purchased the H&H trademark earlier this year from former owner Helmer Toro. Toro closed H&H's 46th street store in January after dealing with tax and debt issues.

At the new H&H, Narod said customers will be able to order toasted bagels as well as add toppings like cream cheese and lox. Narod also told the NYT he plans on selling more than just bagels at the new location. The store will offer more traditional lunch fare, like soups, salads and sandwiches, similar to Narod's Long Island Bagel Café locations.

If the new location is successful, Narod told the NYT he plans on opening more H&H locations.

Now, read about the world's most expensive foods, including a $330,000 bagel >

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A breathtaking and pristine Armonk, NY estate called Linwood is on sale for $14.9 million.

The estate has six bedrooms, seven bathrooms, and three half baths. The home spans nearly 12,600 feet on 12.62 acres of land.

The "Neo-classical" estate, as the listing describes it, was designed by New York designer Kenneth Alpert.

Welcome to Linwood.

An illuminated porch greets visitors.

The two-story foyer boasts a sweeping staircase.

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The views from the top floors of skyscrapers in cities like New York and Tokyo can be breathtaking and yet terrifying, especially if you are looking down.

Photographer Navid Baraty has captured what you can see from the dizzying heights of skyscrapers in a stunning collection of photos.

Check out the vertigo-inducing "Intersection" gallery courtesy of Navid Baraty.

Midtown, New York City

Courtesy of Navid Baraty

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Midtown, New York City

Courtesy of Navid Baraty

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Ginza, Tokyo

Courtesy of Navid Baraty

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A home in Amagansett Dunes near East Hampton that's made completely of re-purposed shipping containers is listed for $1.395 million.

The listing describes the home as an "eco-luxe Beach Box," and it does in fact look like a box.

The house has four bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, and sits on .17 acres.

[via AOL Real Estate]

Welcome to the Beach Box.

There are white oak floors through out the house.

The kitchen features EcoTop counters made of recycled and bamboo fibers.

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"Manhattan Monster Mania" has taken over the Internet.

The hysteria touched off on Monday when Gothamist published a photo of a hairless animal carcass found in the sand along the East River. The images were taken by photographer Denise Ginley over the weekend as she was walking under the Brooklyn Bridge. 

While there's still no conclusive evidence as to what the grisly-looking creature may be (the New York Parks Department managed to dispose of the evidence after declaring it was a cooked pig), the decomposed body is reminiscent of another furless animal, dubbed the "Montauk Monster," that washed up on Long Island beach in 2008.   

This made us wonder: Is the "Manhattan Monster" really all that unusual? 

Maybe not. 

Nicky Papers is the founder of Montauk-Monster.com, a site devoted to "uncovering the truth about the original “Montauk Monster.” Over the past couple of years, readers have sent her dozens of photos of other mysterious creatures found on beaches. It turns out, there are quite a few! Especially in Connecticut and Long Island!

Papers was kind enough to share some photos with us. Head over to the website for the full set. 

Found April 2009 in Old Lyme, CT. According to the eyewitness, "The police had showed up to check out the site, and shortly after there were men in unusual uniform who came to take the specimen away."

Source: Montauk Monster 

Found along the beach in Milford, CT.

Source: Montauk Monster 

Found on a beach on Northwestern Long Island, in Lloyd Neck, N.Y.

Source: Montauk Monster 

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UPDATE 8.59pm EST: Severe thunderstom warnings for New York City have ended. Some rain can be expected through the rest of the night. Everyone can now rest easy. 

UPDATE 7.55pm EST: The storm has arrived over Manhattan.

Click here for the live, interactive map. 

BEFORE: Severe thunderstroms are expected to move through New York and Central Pennsylvania this evening, bringing heavy rain, dangerous lighting and possible tornadoes, according to wunderground.com. 

The storms are expected to hit New York City and Philadepla after 7 p.m. with gusts over 60 mph, says AccuWeather.com's senior meterologist Henry Margusity.  

According to the website, 56,000 are currently without power in Pennsylvania.

The Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect unitl 11 p.m. 

Here's the full statement: 

... Severe thunderstorms expected this evening... 

A line of severe thunderstorms is currently moving through central
New York and central Pennsylvania... and is on track to enter the
forecast area this evening. These storms have a history of
producing wind damage... and are not likely to weaken as they
approach the local area.

This line will first enter the lower Hudson Valley... northeast
New Jersey... and New York City between 5 PM and 6 PM... and will
move east into Connecticut and Long Island between 7 PM and 8 PM.
Additional thunderstorms will linger over the area through
midnight.

Severe thunderstorms are capable of damaging winds over 58 mph and
hail over 1 inch in diameter. Frequent and dangerous lightning
strikes are expected with these storms. Torrential rain with rates
between 1 and 2 inches per hour is likely... possibly producing
flash flooding over the area. Isolated tornadoes cannot be ruled
out.

Please stay advised for warnings that will be issued.

Here's a list of Tornado alerts for New York from Weather.com. 

Tornado Warning for: 
Delaware
Sullivan

Tornado Watch for: 
Albany
Broome
Cayuga
Chemung
Chenango
Columbia
Cortland
Delaware
Dutchess
Fulton
Greene
Hamilton
Herkimer
Madison
Montgomery
Oneida
Onondaga
Otsego
Rensselaer
Saratoga
Schenectady
Schoharie
Schuyler
Seneca
Steuben
Sullivan
Tioga
Tompkins
Ulster
Warren
Washington
Yates

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The worst of a severe wave of thunderstorms known as a derecho appears to be over, but it sure was dicey there for a second. Instagram was there to capture the drama in New York City as it unfolded. See scary cloud pictures below.  

Earlier, more than 800 flights in the U.S. were canceled, including 162 at LaGuardia Airport in New York, and 300,000 homes in New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio lost power, Bloomberg reports. 

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Who says New Yorkers are mean?

Brian Hester and Chase Bunn ran after Noah Udell through downtown Manhattan after Udell allegedly stole a woman's phone while she was standing outside her office.

“She was screaming, ‘Help!’ ” Hester told The New York Post, which first reported the story Friday morning. “They were wrestling. He snatched the phone and pushed her.”

“I just ran,” Hester added. “My coffee went everywhere, and my phone fell out of my pocket.”

The two men eventually caught Udell and wrestled him to the ground. But while Hester was trying to keep a crowd of angry onlookers from attacking Udell, the alleged thief jumped up and tried to run away, the Post reported.

Hester chased him again and caught Udell on Barclay Street near West Broadway.

“I was like, ‘I don’t have all day to be chasing you',’” Hester told the Post. Hester and Bunn then held Udell until police arrive.

Don't worry, Hester's chase wasn't in vain. He told the Post that Starbucks gave him a free refill to compensate for the coffee he spilled while trying to catch Udell.

Now watch a video Hester shot himself while detaining Udell, courtesy of the New York Post.

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Liu Bolin is the amazing artist who paints himself into any background.

He has been disguising himself to blend in urban or nature backdrops, creating the illusion of a human chameleon or a ghost. Bolin spends about 10 hours being painted for each work so he perfectly matches the background.

One of Bolin's recent projects includes painting fashion designers to visualize how other creative people – such as Angela Missoni and Jean Paul Gaultier – get lost in their work.

But Bolin's most famous project is 'Hiding In The City' with installments in Beijing, New York and Venice.

We are featuring Bolin's new work and some of his classic pieces in this gallery, courtesy of Liu Bolin and Eli Klein Fine Art.

First, here are a few of his famous photos:

Photos courtesy of Eli Klein Fine Art

He paints himself all over to blend into the background of city scenery.

Photos courtesy of Eli Klein Fine Art

And the result is amazing.

Photos courtesy of Eli Klein Fine Art

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Barberrys, the Long Island estate once owned by publishing tycoon Nelson Doubleday, is officially off the market, according the listing, which says the property is under contract. It had been listed for $14 million.

The home has eight bedrooms, eight full bathrooms, and three half bathrooms, and sits on 13 acres of land.

The property has lake views, a five-car garage, and tons of terrace space.

Welcome to Barberrys.

The home is surrounded by luscious greenery.

A small pond greets your guests.

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As America watches the (somewhat ridiculous) Olympic Opening Ceremonies in London, some wonder what could have been, had New York been selected as the host for the 2012 games.

While we'll never really know what Mayor Bloomberg would have had in store, this bid video gives us a pretty good idea of what it would have been like if the Olympics had been in the U.S.

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