Gaza Ceasefire Approved, LA Fire Arrest, & New M&Ms

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Adam Rogers
October 09, 2025

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President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the “first phase” of his peace plan to end the Gaza war. Both sides independently confirmed the deal, which includes releasing hostages, Israeli troop withdrawals, and the entry of humanitarian aid.
The agreement, negotiated with mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, would also swap 1,950 Palestinian prisoners for the remaining 48 Israeli hostages, 20 of whom are still alive. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his government will meet on Thursday to approve the deal.
Major uncertainties remain about Hamas disarmament and who will govern Gaza after withdrawal. Hamas demanded guarantees Israel will implement the deal fully, while Israeli far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir urged Netanyahu to reject it and pursue 'complete victory.

A 29-year-old Uber driver was charged with starting the Palisades Fire that killed 12 people in the most destructive blaze in Los Angeles history. Jonathan Rinderknecht allegedly used a lighter to start a fire on New Year's Day that smoldered underground and reignited January 7 during high winds, destroying thousands of homes in Pacific Palisades and Malibu.
Investigators say Rinderknecht started the fire after dropping off a passenger, then fled when fire trucks arrived, but returned to watch crews fight it. He made several 911 calls reporting the fire, and during a January 24 interview, revealed details about where it started that weren't yet public.
He faces charges carrying a minimum five-year sentence. The Palisades Fire was one of two January blazes that killed over 30 people total. The cause of the second Eaton Fire that killed 19 in Altadena remains under investigation.

Former FBI Director James Comey pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges of making false statements to Congress and obstructing a congressional proceeding. The indictment came after President Trump publicly demanded prosecution. Trump fired Comey during his first term after he helped launch the Russia investigation.
Prosecutors allege Comey authorized FBI deputy Andrew McCabe to leak information to the Wall Street Journal in 2016 about investigations into Trump and Hillary Clinton, then lied to Congress in 2017 and 2020 by denying he authorized any leaks. Comey stands by his testimony, and his legal team plans to challenge the charges as vindictive prosecution.
The case is being prosecuted by Trump’s former personal attorney, Lindsey Halligan, who has no prior prosecutorial experience and was appointed after Trump forced the previous US Attorney to resign. The trial begins January 5.

California became the first state to ban ultraprocessed foods from school meals, giving districts until 2035 to phase out products with harmful additives linked to cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. (More)

Derrick Groves, the last of 10 inmates who escaped through a toilet hole in a New Orleans jail, was caught in Atlanta after four months on the run. (More)

The IRS furloughed 34,000 workers, nearly half its staff, on the eighth day of the government shutdown, while 40,000 employees stay to handle essential tax operations. (More)

Germany ended fast-track citizenship for highly skilled workers after three years, reflecting growing anti-immigration sentiment even as the country faces severe labor shortages. (More)

China's government banned pessimistic social media posts about jobs and the economy after youth unemployment reached 19%, forcing platforms to delete content officials say spreads "negative emotions." (More)

Workers found two World War I-era hand grenades hidden in French onions heading to a Dutch factory, but experts couldn't identify the century-old chemical weapons or why they were there. (More)

US stock markets closed mixed on Wednesday (S&P +0.58%, Nasdaq +1.12%, Dow +0.00%). The S&P and Nasdaq bounced back from losses to record fresh highs, while the Dow traded flat. (More)

CoreWeave stock rose 8% after launching automated AI training tools that cost 40% less than Nvidia chips, following new deals worth $6.5 billion with OpenAI and $14.2 billion with Meta. (More)

Federal Reserve officials voted 11-1 to cut interest rates in September but barely split 10-9 on making two versus three total cuts this year amid growing unemployment worries. (More)

The Toronto Blue Jays beat the Yankees 5-2 to reach their first American League Championship Series in nine years, bouncing back after blowing a five-run lead Tuesday. (More)

The NCAA's Division I approved letting college athletes bet on pro sports amid rising gambling violations, though the change needs approval from two more divisions, and college betting remains banned. (More)

Taylor Swift's album The Life of a Showgirl sold 3.5 million copies in five days, breaking Adele's decade-old record despite mixed reviews from critics and fans alike. (More)

Half of American adults take supplements, but doctors say many people don't need what they're taking and warn that unnecessary vitamins can interact dangerously with medications or cause harm. (More)

The CDC's acting director asked vaccine makers to split the combined MMR shot into three separate vaccines despite no scientific evidence showing benefits and no standalone options currently approved. (More)

A study found the Red Sea dried into a salt desert 6.2 million years ago before the Indian Ocean burst through volcanic ridges, refilling it and carving a 200-mile underwater canyon. (More)

Math explains why world records are getting harder to beat.

Our brains can handle about 150 friends.

M&Ms is releasing a new candy.

Why being a sports fan could be bad for your body.

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