NPR News Now - NPR News: 10-12-2025 1PM 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 in Washington, I'm Nora Rahm. As Israelis wait for the hostage release as part of the first phase of a ceasefire deal, a U.S.-backed food program in Gaza that faced international criticism appears to be shutting down. As NPR's Daniel Estrin reports from Tel Aviv,

the future of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation is in doubt. According to videos and eyewitness reports in Gaza, the group's sites have been dismantled and abandoned. The group says there may be temporary closures, but it hasn't discussed its long-term plans. With a ceasefire in place, aid and food is expected to flood Gaza now through other channels. The Trump administration helped set up the GHF food program this year and funded it after Israel blocked food aid leading to widespread starvation. United Nations officials called the system death traps.

Israeli troops were stationed nearby and Gaza health officials said troops killed hundreds of Palestinians as they approached the sites to get food in recent months. Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv. President Trump leaves this afternoon. on a trip to the Middle East. He's to speak to the Israeli Parliament tomorrow, then go to Egypt for a summit on the future of Gaza. China says President Trump's latest tariffs on Chinese goods are hypocritical. But as NPR's John Rewish reports, Beijing stopped short of announcing fresh steps to retaliate. China's Commerce Ministry said new U.S. port fees on Chinese ships and the addition of Chinese firms to a trade blacklist had severely harmed China's interests and undermine the

atmosphere for bilateral economic and trade talks. Beijing responded in kind, adding American firms to a Chinese trade blacklist and imposing port fees on U.S. ships. It also widened curbs on exports of rare earth minerals. President Trump labeled that move very hostile and announced that he would retaliate by jacking tariffs on Chinese imports up another 100 percent next month. Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are slated to meet in South Korea in the coming weeks, but the renewed trade friction cast doubt over the rare summit. John Rewich, NPR News, Beijing. It's day 12 of the government shutdown. There's no apparent movement towards ending the stalemate. Democrats say any short-term measure to reopen the government must include

a plan to extend health insurance subsidies due to expire at the end of the year. The Trump administration is using the shutdown to lay off thousands of federal workers. NPR's Stephen Fowler has more. Trump administration officials have said that Democrats cause the government shutdown. The The government shutdown means making hard choices about spending and staffing, and the White House feels like it's forced to make these tough decisions. At the same time, this is an extension of that Department of Government Efficiency push to slash the federal government size and scope. And before the shutdown even, we've reported on agencies hiring people back because they can't do basic functions or carry out the president's agenda items. NPR's Stephen Fowler. This is NPR News.

Washington. A major storm system is expected in the northeastern U.S. over the next few days. Forecasters say it may bring more than three inches of rain from the Carolinas to New England through Tuesday. A state of emergency is in effect for all of New Jersey. In New York, Staten Island canceled a half-marathon scheduled for today. Voters in New Orleans have elected a new mayor, a former TV journalist heard Democratic politician. NPR's Matt Bloom report. Out of a wide field, Helena Moreno won over half the vote and will take office in January. The 48-year-old got her start as a local TV reporter covering the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. She currently serves on the city council and is campaigned on fixing city services and fighting corruption.

She spoke to supporters after claiming victory. I want you who've been just so frustrated to just hold on. Just hold on because we're about to take the city in a whole new direction. New Orleans has drawn the national spotlight this year for a federal indictment against its current mayor and as one of several Democratic-run cities where President Trump has said he wants to deploy National Guard troops to fight crime. Matt Bloom, NPR News, New Orleans. In Major League Baseball, the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Chicago Cubs last night to win the National League Division Series, three games to two. They'll face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series, which begins tomorrow night.

The American League series begins tonight with the Seattle Mariners playing the Toronto Blue Jays. I'm Nora Rahm, NPR News, in Washington.