NPR News Now - NPR News: 10-12-2025 11PM EDT

Episode Date: October 13, 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, I'm Dale Wilman. Israel says it expects all living hostages being held by Hamas to be released on Monday, and in Gaza, Palestinians who are awaiting the release of hundreds of prisoners being held by Israel. These are critical elements of the ceasefire that began Friday morning.

President Trump, meanwhile, is on his way to the Middle East tonight. He's going to address Israeli Parliament, and he'll meet hostage families, families of the Israeli hostages, and then he'll travel to Sharm Shire, the Egyptian Red Sea Resort, where he will co-host a summit with Egyptian President Abdel Fatah Hassisi. El Sisi is calling it a peace summit. There are leaders of almost 20 countries and organizations invited, including regional and European heads of state. That's NPR's Jaina Rav with our report from Amman Jordan.

Vice President J.D. Vance says the Trump administration will continue its court fight to be able to deploy National Guard troops in Illinois. MPR's Joe Hernandez has this report. The ruling on Saturday allowed the Trump administration to keep the national Guard troops now in Illinois under federal control, but it blocked the deployment of those National Guard troops for now. Vice President Vance told ABCs this week on Sunday that the government would continue arguing its case in court. We're obviously going to litigate this as much as we can. We think that we have the authority to provide proper safety to our citizens all over the

United States, but particularly in Chicago. Illinois's Democratic Governor J.D. Pritzker has repeatedly said there's no need for the National Guard in Illinois or Chicago. and has accused Trump of overstepping his authority. So far this year, the Trump administration has deployed National Guard troops to a number of cities, including Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. Joe Hernandez, NPR News. The South saw a number of shootings this past weekend. Elise Gregg of Mississippi Public Broadcasting has more on that story.

In Mississippi, violence erupted amid homecoming festivities. Shootings near homecoming games for Jackson State and Alcorn State universities left four injured and at least two dead. Three towns in the Mississippi Delta also saw violence around high school games, leaving at least six dead and over a dozen injured. Elsewhere in South Carolina, at least four were killed and 20 injured at a shooting in a bar. The gun violence archive says there have been over 300 mass shootings in 2025. For NPR News, I'm Elise Gregg in Jackson. Vice President J.D. Vance is warning of deeper cuts to the federal workforce. The longer the government shutdown goes on, Vance spoke Sunday, as the shutdown

entered its 12th day. A major storm is moving up the east coast of the U.S. at this hour. The state of New Jersey is declared an emergency as the storm approaches. Air travel delays are expected as the region has hit with excessive rain, coastal flooding, and high winds. In Alaska, meanwhile, the remnants of typhoon, how long-broadled hurricane force winds and major flooding to many coastal communities, the storm surge has been so great. Some homes were pushed completely off their foundations. You're listening to NPR News. The death toll from Mexico's torrential rains has now reached 44, and officials say that number is likely to go higher as search teams combed through the wreckage of villages destroyed by floodwaters. Rains from two tropical storms off the country's west coast has sparked major flooding and landslides in the central part of Mexico.

The U.S. is denouncing the arrest of leaders of an underground Christian church in China, NPR's Chandalee's Duster reports. Zion Church says founder and leader. Ezra Jen was arrested Friday at his home in Bay High China. The church says more than 30 other pastors and church staff have also been arrested or are missing. Jen's daughter, Grace Jen Drexel, who lives in the U.S., says she and her family are worried, but they are also leaning on their faith in God. We also have faith in the Lord and we know that he is doing God's work and so we're thankful. U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, condemned the arrest.

and call for the release of Jen and other Christian leaders. A pastor at Zion Church says they will not be deterred by the crackdown. Shandalee's Duster and PR News. Tron Aries came on strong this weekend to take the top spot at North American movie theaters, bringing in $33.5 million in ticket sales. But that hall was much lower than the expectations for that Disney film. Roofman, meanwhile, also struggled to reach an audience coming in second, but with just $8 million in sales.

One battle after another was in third with $6.7 million, and Gabby's dollhouse was in fourth with $3.4 million. I'm Dale Wilman, NPR News.