Gaza Peace Plan, Back Pain, and an AI Actress

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Adam Rogers
September 30, 2025

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Trump and Netanyahu announced a plan Monday to end the Gaza war, calling it Hamas's last chance to accept a deal. The plan requires Hamas to release all remaining hostages within 72 hours while Israel withdraws its forces and releases hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Trump promised Netanyahu 'full backing' to finish Hamas if they reject it.
The proposal establishes temporary governance led by Trump and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, with Palestinian technocrats managing civilian affairs before transferring power to a reformed Palestinian Authority. It requires Hamas to disarm in exchange for amnesty, a condition the group has previously rejected.
The Palestinian Authority welcomed the plan and pledged reforms. Hamas is reviewing the proposal 'in good faith' through Qatari and Egyptian mediators.

An experimental cannabis medication reduced chronic back pain in an 800-patient study by German drugmaker Vertanical. Patients taking the low-THC extract reported nearly 2-point pain reduction on an 11-point scale after 12 weeks, compared to 1.4 points for placebo.
Chronic lower back pain affects millions, with few proven treatments. Over-the-counter pain relievers cause stomach problems with long-term use, while opioids are no longer recommended after causing widespread addiction. Side effects from the cannabis drug included dizziness and nausea, with 17% discontinuing early, lower than typical opioid dropout rates.
Vertanical has applied for European regulatory approval and is working with the FDA on US trials. The drug contains microdoses of THC far below recreational marijuana levels and showed no signs of abuse or dependence.

A Chinese court sentenced 11 members of the Ming mafia family to death for running scam centers in Myanmar. The family generated over $1.4 billion through gambling, fraud, and drug trafficking from their base in Laukkai, a border town turned organized crime hub.
The family held at least 10,000 workers in compounds where they were beaten and forced to run online fraud operations targeting victims worldwide. Court documents show family members killed several workers, including shooting some to prevent them from escaping back to China.
Myanmar handed the family to Chinese authorities after insurgent groups captured Laukkai in 2023. The death sentences are China's harshest crackdown yet on border scam operations that have trapped over 100,000 workers. The business has largely relocated to Cambodia despite increased enforcement.

Congressional leaders left a Trump meeting with no deal to avoid Tuesday's government shutdown. Democrats demand $1.4 trillion in health care subsidies over 10 years while Republicans refuse to compromise. (More)

Forty former park superintendents urged Trump to close national parks during any shutdown, saying understaffed parks risk vandalism and visitor safety. (More)

Trump is sending 200 Oregon National Guard troops to protect immigration officers in Portland despite the governor's objections. (More)

Madagascar's president dissolved his government after protests over power cuts killed at least 22 people. The youth-led demonstrations were inspired by Kenya and Nepal's Gen Z movements. (More)

Iran hanged a man for allegedly spying for Israel, part of its largest execution wave in decades. Nine have been executed for espionage since Iran's June war with Israel. (More)

Denmark banned civilian drones after sightings at military sites forced airport closures, including shutting down Copenhagen for four hours. (More)

US stock markets closed higher on Monday (S&P +0.26%, Nasdaq +048%, Dow +0.15%). A rebound in AI stock pushed the major indexes higher. (More)

OpenAI launched Instant Checkout, letting users buy products through ChatGPT, starting with Etsy sellers. Etsy's stock jumped 16% and Shopify, joining soon, rose 6%. (More)

Electronic Arts will be bought by Saudi Arabia's investment fund and partners for $55 billion. The Saudi fund becomes the majority owner, with Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner's firm also investing. (More)

Miami Dolphins star Tyreek Hill was carted off and taken to a hospital after his left knee twisted severely on a tackle Monday night during the team’s 27-21 win over the New York Jets. (More)

Bad Bunny will headline the Super Bowl halftime show on February 8, 2026, at Levi's Stadium in California. (More)

Dolly Parton postponed her first Las Vegas residency in 32 years for medical procedures. Her December shows have been moved to September 2026. (More)

Female black widows leave pheromones on their webs that decompose into a cheesy smell, attracting males for weeks. (More)

Over 99% of heart attack and stroke patients had elevated risk factors beforehand, a study of 9 million people found, refuting the idea that heart problems strike without warning. (More)

OpenAI added parental controls for teen ChatGPT users, blocking graphic content and limiting hours. Parents also get self-harm alerts. But teens can bypass controls by using ChatGPT without logging in. (More)

Why popcorn ceilings used to be popular (and why they disappeared).

Introducing AI actress Tilly Norwood.

Egyptian wrestler pulls a ship using his teeth.

Why the world’s oldest person is often a woman.

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