NPR News Now - NPR News: 10-01-2025 2AM EDT

Episode Date: October 1, 2025

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In the U.S., national security news can feel far away from daily life. Distant wars, murky conflicts, diplomacy behind closed doors on our new show, Sources and Methods. NPR reporters on the ground bring you stories of real people, helping you understand why distant events matter here at home. Listen to sources and methods on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shay Stevens. The federal government is in partial shutdown after the Senate failed to pass two competing short-term budget bills Tuesday night. As NPR's Andrea Shoe reports, thousands of federal workers are to be furloughed, but government operations will continue. In a shutdown, some government functions that are not funded by Congress do continue.

Social security checks still go out. Your mail will still be delivered. Other functions considered necessary to protect life or property would also continue, but the Trump administration, has not made explicitly clear what those would be. Max Steyer, the CEO of the nonpartisan partnership for public service, says the administration has already demonstrated and even threatened... To pursue an agenda that is personal to the president as opposed to in the public's interest. Steyer warns government shutdowns make the government slower and less efficient. He says they interrupt modernization efforts and training programs and lead to a loss of talent.

Andrea Shue and PR News. President Trump says the military, is needed to combat, quote, the invasion from within, and that U.S. cities can be used as a training ground for armed forces. Trump told military brass gathered in Virginia that he'll sign in order to create a quick reaction force to quell civil disturbances. Retired general, Wesley Clark, says he's not comfortable with the idea of sending troops into American cities. We've got to be really careful about using American troops in the United States. They don't belong here. There's a way they can be used.

if the Insurrection Act is declared. But I'm looking at the threat environment in these cities, and I don't see a threat environment that justifies calling out U.S. troops. Clark says he's worried about a possible hidden agenda behind the domestic use of the military. He says service members want to do their jobs, but in a proper manner that does not target U.S. citizens. At least seven NATO countries and Ukraine are sending security reinforcements to Denmark, as European leaders prepare to hold meetings there. As Derry Schultz reports, Washington has offered counter-dron equipment following recent incursions into Danish airspace.

Denmark says they were hybrid attacks, but that it's still assessing who's responsible for drones that flew around its airspace every night for a week. But with dozens of European leaders coming to Copenhagen for summits Wednesday and Thursday, the government isn't taking any chances. Civilian drones are banned from flying in Danish airspace until Friday. and in the meantime, NATO allies are helping keep watch over the capital. NATO Secretary General Mark Ruta says it's important for NATO and the European Union to work together against Russia and other adversaries. First of all, we have to keep our sky safe. The European country most experienced in countering aerial attacks,

Ukraine has sent a team of specialists to help train Danes to deal with drones. For NPR news, I'm Terry Schultz in Brussels. This is NPR. A rescue operation continues in Indonesia, where an Islamic school collapsed during afternoon prayers. At least three students were killed in Monday's disaster, eight were pulled from the debris, and more than 90 others are believed trapped inside. Crews were pumping oxygen and water inside the concrete rubble, hoping to assist any survivors. The school is located in the east Java town of C. Darjo.

A magnitude 6.9 earthquake has jolted the central Philippines, province of Cebu, killing at least 31 people and injuring scores others. Several Heritage Churches suffered significant damage. The quake was centered about 10 miles northeast of Bogo. Alaska's Fat Bear Week has a new champion, and his name is Chunk. Alaska Public Media's Ava White has details on the winner. It's the first time Chunk has been dubbed the fattest bear in Catmine National Park and Preserve. He has dark brown fur, a scar across his muzzle, and, most Notably, a broken jaw that staff say will never fully heal. Cat My Park Ranger Sarah Bruce says staff didn't know if he'd still be able to feast on salmon,

but he persevered and ate so much he now weighs over 1,200 pounds. I think he just has really great stories to tell, and I think folks really cling on to what they can learn from the bears through their resilience, through their perseverance, and their boldness. His victory was declared Tuesday evening after he triumphed in a matchup after matchup in a bracket that drew a record number of voters from around the world, according to the National Park Service. Ava White reporting, this is NPR News. Every year in the U.S., about 1,000 people die in jail, many of them awaiting trial. This isn't a problem that someone else has to deal with.

We all are at risk for dying in jails. In a special series, we'll look at why people are dying in jail. how to prevent it from happening on here and now anytime, a podcast from NPR and WBOR.