NPR News Now - NPR News: 10-09-2025 2AM EDT

Episode Date: October 9, 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. President Trump says Israel and Hamas have signed off on the first phase of a U.S. plan to end the war in Gaza.

As NPR's Michelle Kellerman reports, Trump also says he may travel to the region soon. It begins with Hamas releasing all remaining hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, but also includes a long-term plan to rebuild. Trump says he could travel to the region as early as this weekend, and he's not ruling out a visit to Gaza. I may do that. We haven't decided exactly how you'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 says he will

leave Saturday or Sunday. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, Washington. Former FBI director James Comey has pleaded not guilty to criminal charges of lying and obstruction during a 2020 congressional hearing. As NPR's Kerry Johnson reports, Comey was read his rights in a Virginia courthouse where he he once worked as a federal prosecutor. This trial is going to take place in Alexandria, Virginia, a suburb of D.C. The court's known as the rocket docket for how fast

things move. In fact, the arraignment started five minutes early. That never happens, but Judge Michael Knockmanoff said it was fitting. The judge directed both sides to meet and talk about any classified information in the case to try to avoid problems later. He said he would not tolerate delays.

He set a trial date for January 5th of next year. NPR's Gary Johnson. Comey's legal team, meanwhile, plans to challenge the indictment and the use of an unappointed lawyer to oversee the government's case. Some federal employees are speaking out against White House threats of mass layoffs and the failure to guarantee back pay for workers on furlough. 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 that. 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 OMB 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, NPR News.

The U.S. Senate has defeated legislation that was aimed at curbing President Trump's use of military force to destroy boats in the Caribbean. Trump says the boats are carrying drugs and traffickers, who he calls armed combatants. But Columbia's president says one of the boats recently destroyed in a U.S. airstrike was carrying civilians from his country. You're listening to NPR. President Trump is threatening to jail, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, and Shepard. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. Trump suggests both Democratic officials should be punished for resisting the federalizing of National Guard troops. Guard members from Texas arrived this week in Chicago after Governor Pritzker rejected the president's orders to mobilize the Illinois Guard. Trump insists some cities run by Democrats need federal intervention to quell anti-ice protests, violence, and to protect government property. The Niagara Falls tourist attraction Marine Land says 30 beluga whales, facing possible euthanization, should not be sent to a proposed sanctuary in Nova Scotia.

As Dan Carpenshuk reports, the now defunct Marine Land says the proposed sanctuary lacks any proven financial viability. Marine Land has been trying to sell the 30 belugas to avoid bankruptcy. It appealed to Ottawa for urgent financial help, saying it can no longer feed and care for the whales. But last week, the Canadian government denied an export permit to ship the whales to an aquarium in China. The amusement park says it has no choice but to begin euthanizing the belugas. Marine Land also says the proposed whale sanctuary in eastern Nova Scotia is too polluted, and there has not been any development on the project in five years. Marine land alleges serious environmental issues, including toxic arsenic on the floor of the site,

remain unresolved. And based on the lack of progress, it's unclear when the proposed sanctuary could even take in the whales. For NPR News, I'm Dan Carpenchuk in Toronto. U.S. futures are virtually unchanged, and after-hours trading on Wall Street, Asian shares are mixed. This is NPR News. Across the country, states and counties are rushing to change their voting rules. Stacey Abrams says these attacks on voting rights are part of the authoritarian playbook.

You may not be into politics, but politics is into you and it is a stalker. Listen to Code Switch in the NPR app or wherever you get your podcast. podcast.