NPR News Now - NPR News: 10-12-2025 1AM EDT

Episode Date: October 12, 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 and Hamas are preparing for the... The first big test of the ceasefire agreement intended to end the war in Gaza. Under the terms, Amas must soon release all remaining Israeli hostages,

while Israel must free almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. And Pierce Greg Myrie has more. A massive crowd filled Tel Aviv's hostage square, the plaza where there's been a vigil throughout the war for Israeli captives in Gaza. The featured speaker was Steve Whitkoff, the U.S. envoy who helped negotiate the truce. To the hostages themselves, our brothers and sisters. You are coming home. When Whitkoff mentioned President Trump, the crowd cheered wildly.

When he mentioned Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu, the crowd booed long and hard. On Monday, Hamas must release 20 hostages believed to be alive as well as 28 dead hostages. In turn, Israel must free the Palestinian prisoners and detainees. Greg Myrie, NPR News, Tel Aviv. Officials in Tennessee say 16 people were killed on Friday when an explosion leveled and explosives plant southwest of Nashville. 19 people were initially reported missing after the blast, and Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis says it took some time to notify the families of those who were killed. At this time, we have not located any survivors, and we are making the assumption that all are deceased at this moment. Two people who were missing were found and were safe.

The cause of the blast is still not known. the plant supplied and researched explosives for the military. The Chicago Marathon takes place on Sunday, and many residents still have concerns about federal agents operating in the city from member station WBEZ. Summer Van Benten reports that organizers expect many runners from Mexico. The novice is a predominantly Latino run club in Chicago with over 100 members. Many are gearing up for Sunday's big race. Organizer Enrique Rivera says he does not anticipate immigration rates at the Marathon.

He's most concerned about the runners as they prepare for the race. I'm more afraid of individuals that are out there trying to do this in a group of three or a group of four, right? That's where, you know, something can happen and your family won't find out for days. Race officials say they will be monitoring increased immigration enforcement and making runner and spectator safety the top priority. For NPR News, I'm Summer Van Benton in Chicago. President Trump says he's directed the Defense Department to ensure the U.S. troops are being paid this week. The government shutdown means most federal employees, including those troops, are not being paid.

In a social media post, Trump says he told Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to use all available funds to pay the troops. There does appear, however, to be no similar action for other federal employees who are still working without pay. You're listening to NPR News. Seven women were hanged as witches in a British town. The British government has been asked to pardon them. Vicki Barker reports from London.

Their names were Anne Ashby, Mary Brown, Anne Martin, Mildred Wright, Susan Pickenden, Anne Wilson, and Mary Reid. Their alleged crimes, bewitching to death a mother, a baby, and a three-year-old, and having carnal relations with the devil. Now, the city government of Maidstone, where the women were executed, has appealed to Britain's labor government to introduce legislation. legislation pardoning them and the hundreds of others executed for witchcraft in the Middle Ages. But past such attempts have failed, although in Scotland, which executed Europe's highest number of which is per capita, then First Minister Nicholas Sturgeon, did issue a formal apology in

2022. For NPR News, I'm Vicki Barker in London. The death toll from floods and landslides in Central Mexico has now reached 41 people. Heavy rains over the past two days. have flooded rivers and blocked roads and more than 30,000 homes have been destroyed. More than 320,000 people have also been affected by power outages. In a showdown between two unbeaten Big Ten football teams, number seven, Indiana, beat number three, Oregon on Saturday, 30 to 20. Fernando Mendoza threw for 215 yards

and a key fourth quarter touchdown in that win. Top-ranked Ohio State, meanwhile, beat Illinois 34 to 16. Number eight, Alabama, edged out number 14, Missouri, 27 to 24, and Slippery Rockbeat, Seton Hill, 49-7. I'm Dale Wilman, NPR News.