NPR News Now - NPR News: 10-13-2025 6AM 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 in Washington, I'm Louise Skiyavoni. In the Middle East this morning, a historic day as all 20 remaining living Israeli hostages have been freed by Hamas. All are men, mostly in their 20s and 30s. The remains of 28 dead hostages are also due to be released, although the Palestinian group says it has not been able to locate all of them.

NPR's Kerry Kahn has more on the unfolding scene from Jerusalem. Hamas has been turning over the 20 living hostages to the International Committee of the Red Cross a mourning. The Israeli military escorts them across the border for transfer to local hospitals. Videos of the released hostages with loved ones are being played on local media. One mother says she, quote, scream to the sky seeing her son. Cheers erupted as the images of the released hostages are transmitted to tens of thousands gathering in a downtown Tel Aviv Plaza dubbed hostages square. In Gaza, hospital officials are preparing for the return of Palestinian

prisoners expected from Israeli custody later today in all 2,000 Palestinian detainees and prisoners will be released. Carrie Khan, NPR News, Jerusalem. The release began early today just as President Trump arrived in Israel telling reporters aboard Air Force One, everybody is happy, whether it's Jewish or Muslim or the Arab countries. Every country is dancing in the streets, and it's a point in time. I don't think you'd ever see it again. Trump is due to speak to the Israeli parliament and then head to Egypt for what's being dubbed as a peace summit. The Office of Egyptian President Mahmouda Baas is telling reporters that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will participate in the summit talks to, as he states,

consolidate the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and reaffirm commitment to it. Long-running trade frictions between China and the United States are flaring anew. But Chinese statistics show that the country's trade is still going. strong. NPR's John Ruich has details from Beijing. Chinese exports accelerated in September, rising 8.3% from the same month last year. That's up from 4.4% growth in August and the fastest in half a year. It also beat analysts' expectations. A Reuters poll predicted export growth of 6%. Imports also jumped in September, up 7.4% from the same month last year, according to government statistics. The strong numbers could be wind in the sales of Chinese trade negotiators, as the

two countries face an impasse ahead of a planned meeting between Chinese leaders Xi Jinping and President Trump in South Korea around the end of the month. Beijing introduced fresh measures to control exports of rare earth minerals last week. President Trump responded by announcing a sharp increase in tariffs on Chinese goods and limits on software exports to China. John Rewitch, NPR News, Beijing. Recapping, all 20 remaining living Israeli hostages have been freed. This is NPR.

In Stockholm, the Nobel Prize in Economics has been awarded to Joel Mocer, Philippe Agion, and Peter Howitt, for having explained innovation-driven economic growth with one half to Mokker for having identified the prerequisites for sustained growth through technological progress, and the other half jointly to Philippe Agion and Peter Howitt, quote, for the theory of sustained growth through creative destruction. A storm system working its way up the East Coast created hazardous conditions from the Carolinas to New England. Heavy rain and gusty winds are expected to continue today. And PR Joe Hernandez has details. Much of the East Coast is feeling the effects of the system, including rain, strong winds, and the potential for flooding. The National Weather Service says wind gusts over 55 miles per hour are possible across the mid-Atlantic and into southern New England. According to forecasters, the storm is creating especially hazardous conditions along the shore, including rip currents. Major coastal flooding is also a concern from Virginia to New Jersey. At least one town in

Delaware was under a voluntary evacuation order due to the threat of coastal floods. The storm is also hampering air travel. The Federal Aviation Administration issued weather-related ground delays at several major airports in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York, and Boston. Joe Hernandez, PR News. Diane Keaton's legacy being recalled by fans and fellow actors a couple of days after word of her death, her Oscar-winning performances live on in film classics, including The Godfather and Annie Hall. I'm Louise Skiyvone and PR News, Washington.