NPR News Now - NPR News: 10-12-2025 4AM 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. China says President Trump's latest tariffs on Chinese goods are hypocritical after the latest volleys of the trade war. But as MPR's John Ruich 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 undermined the atmosphere for bilateral economic and trade talks. This week, 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 used to manufacture everything from TVs to fighter planes. President Trump labeled that move very hostile and announced that he would retaliate by jacking tariffs on Chinese imports up another 100% next month and restricting software exports to China. 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.

Thousands of Palestinians are returning to their homes, in Gaza after Israeli troops withdrew to agreed upon lines under the new ceasefire plan. For the first time in years, there are no daily bombardments or airstrikes, and Pierre Zanis Baba reports from Gaza City. Police have begun to reappear on the streets in small numbers, but their return doesn't necessarily signal the return of law and order, or even the control on the ground. As of earlier this year, Gaza police reported that more than 1,400 officers

were killed in Israeli earlier. Earth strikes and attacks. As for Gaza people now, the return of police officers offers maybe a small sense of safety for NPR news. Tennis Baba reporting from Gaza City. Officials in Tennessee say 16 people were killed on Friday when an explosion leveled in 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. Lights are back on in much of Key following a Russian attack Friday on Ukraine's power infrastructure. Officials say more than 800,000 residents lost power following the drone and missiles attack. Residential buildings were also hit and at least 20 people were wounded. The Sudan Doctors Network says shelling by paramilitary forces overnight on a shelter has killed at least 53 people. The victims included 14 children and 15 women. The shelling and drone attack targeted a city in the country's Darfur region. At least 21 people were also wounded. The rapid support forces began an offensive on the city more

than a year ago. This is NPR News. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un praised this weekend the thousands of soldiers he sent to Russia to join its war against Ukraine. He was speaking on the 80th anniversary of the ruling workers party. Kim held a massive military parade to highlight the occasion. On display was a new yet-to-be-tested intercontinental ballistic missile, which the country describes as its most powerful nuclear strategic weapon system. The teams are now set for the next round of Major League Baseball, playoffs after the Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Chicago Cubs Saturday night in the remaining National League Division Series. Check Cornbach has more from Milwaukee. The Brewers held off the

Cubs by a score of three to one, winning the team's division series three games to two. Brewer's manager, Pat Murphy, says he's grateful to lead a club that he says has been underestimated. They've been doubted all year. Everyone. There's nobody predicting the Brewers playing the Dodgers in the series. Milwaukee begins playing the Los Angeles Dodgers and the National League Championship Series Monday night. The American League Championship Series gets underway Sunday evening with the Seattle Mariners taking on the Toronto Blue Jays. For NPR News, I'm Chuck Khrmbach in Milwaukee. The Oscar-winning star

known for films that included Annie Hall and the Godfather has died in California. Diane Keaton was 79 years old. No further details of her death have been released. Her career spend decades, and she charmed audiences with her roles in iconic movies, including Father of the Bride and First Wives Club. I'm Dale Wilman, NPR News.