NPR News Now - NPR News: 10-08-2025 11PM EDT

Episode Date: October 9, 2025

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President Trump says Israel and Amos have agreed on the first phase of his peace proposal. Trump is likely to travel to the region soon, as NPR's Michelle Kellerman reports. In a message on truth, Social President Trump announced a deal on the first phase of his peace plan. That means all of the remaining hostages will be released very soon, he writes, and Israel will withdraw troops to an agreed-upon line. Mediators say aid will be allowed to enter Gaza. Trump told reporters earlier in the day that he could, travel to the region this weekend.

I'll be going to Egypt, most likely. That's where everybody is gathered right now. We appreciate that very much. But I'll be making the rounds, as the expression goes, that probably will. He didn't rule out visiting Gaza when he was asked. A group representing families of the remaining hostages thanked Trump for what they're calling this historic breakthrough. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, Washington.

Some federal workers are speaking out against President Trump's threat of mass layoffs. They're also not happy about a draft White House memo, suggesting that some furloughed workers may not get back pay. More from NPR's Andrea Shue. Sarah Cobran has worked at the National Cancer Institute for more than two decades, so she's been through a number of shutdowns. She says they're never easy, but she hasn't seen anything like this, with the president and his budget office threatening to fire furloughed workers. She spoke to NPR in her personal capacity. There's nothing about us being on furlough that gives extra powers to owe him. or the executive branch. It doesn't change anything. And she fully expects to be paid when the

shutdown ends. Oh, yes, of course. That's the law now. That's the law. President Trump and Congressional Republicans say Democrats are wholly to blame for the shutdown and the harm it's causing. Democrats counter that Republicans have refused to negotiate. Andrea Shue and PR News. A suspect has been arrested in connection with the Palisades fire that ravaged the Los Angeles area in January. Steve Futterman reports that the blaze destroyed. around 6,800 structures and killed 12 people. Officials say the suspect, who was an Uber driver, maliciously set a fire on January 1st that was never completely extinguished,

and the following week reignited as the Palisades fire. Bill Asseley is the acting U.S. attorney in L.A. The fire continued to smolder and burn underground until on January 7th, heavy winds caused this underground fire to surface. Authorities say the same. suspect may have had an unusual interest in fires. He created AI images of a city burning and repeatedly played a French rap song whose video depicted a trash cam being said ablaze. For NPR news, I'm Steve Futterman in Los Angeles.

On Wall Street, stocks closed mix, with the Dowell edging a point lower, the NASDAQ rose 255 points. This is NPR. Former FBI Director James Comey has pleaded not guilty to a criminal charge as of lying to Congress and obstruction during a Senate hearing in 2020. Comey's legal team argues that the prosecution is politically motivated and should be dismissed. The case has heightened concerns about whether the Justice Department is being weaponized to go after President Trump's perceived political enemies. Comey's trial is set to begin on January 5th.

An Amsterdam-based evolutionary biologist has won a MacArthur Genius Grant. NPR's Nate Brott has details. Kier's focuses on a specific type of fungus that penetrates plant roots, creating what's essentially an underground economy. The fungus gives plants things it needs like nitrogen and phosphorus. The plant gives the fungi, sugars, and fats. It's a symbiotic relationship that's existed for millions of years that Kier says underpins healthy ecosystems. And she says winning a MacArthur changes how she sees the world. Because all of a sudden, people are understanding that fungi are important. Like, in many ways, it feels more like an award for fungi than an award for me.

She says the $800,000 award will help further her research and our understanding of the world beneath our feet. The MacArthur Foundation is a funder of NPR. Nate Rot, NPR News. Joan Kennedy, the first wife of late Senator Edward Kennedy, has died at the age of 89. Mrs. Kennedy worked on a number of charitable causes, including helping the mentally challenged while also battling mental health issues herself. She and the senator divorced in 1982. This is NPR News. 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. Thank you.