NPR News Now - NPR News: 10-13-2025 9AM 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 Skiavone. In the Middle East, all living Israeli hostages held by Hamas, 20 men in all have been turned over to Israel. The release came as President Trump arrived in Israel for the next stage in a U.S. brokered ceasefire deal. Trump went on to address the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem.

But as NPR's Greg Maury reports, the President's day is far from over. Next, he will attend more talks in Egypt, hosted by Egyptian President Abdel Fata al-Sisi. Trump will be flying to Charmel Sheikh Egypt on the Red Sea later today. That's where this formal signing ceremony for the ceasefire will take place. 20 or so national leaders are supposed to be there. Now, notably, Israel and Hamas leaders are not supposed to be there, although there's still last minute discussions going on, and perhaps that could happen. Today is a day of success and celebration, but this is stage one. Much harder stages are ahead and will play out for weeks, months, even years to come. NPR's Greg Myrie. About 20% of the U.S. Department of Education's remaining staff received RIF notices Friday,

as NPR's Corey Turner reports, that includes nearly everyone inside the Department's Office of Special Education. This office collects and analyzes data and annual reports from state. states, making sure they're following federal law and serving the nearly eight million kids with disabilities in the U.S. If staff worry a state has fallen out of compliance, they step in. They even have customer service reps who answer calls directly from parents and families. I spoke with six staffers who received Rift notices. They told me nearly the entire staff had been laid off Friday, except for a few top executives and support staff. One said, quote, this is decimating the office responsible for safeguarding the rights of infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities.

The Education Department did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Corey Turner, NPR News. The Nobel Prize in Economics was awarded today to three men for their research on technological change and how it fuels economic growth. NPR Scott Horsley reports two of the winners are in the U.S. The third is in Europe. Joel Moker of Northwestern University, Peter Howard of Brown University, and Philippe Aguon, the College of France and the London School of Economics,

will share the prize money of about $1.2 million. Jan Hassler, of the Nobel Committee, recognized the three for their research on how changing technology has helped to usher in higher living standards. Over the span of one or two centuries, almost everything has changed. Change, not stagnation, has become the new normal. The research also guides policymakers in how to manage the creative destructive, that comes with that change and build safety nets for people who might be displaced. Scott Horsley, MPR News, Washington.

This is NPR. China is calling on President Trump to withdraw his latest threat of a 100% tariff and other export control measures. Trump was reacting to China's latest restrictions on exports of rare earth materials critical in electronics production. For now, though, Trump says that he still plans to meet Chinese leaders Xi Jinping. at the end of this month in South Korea. French President, French Prime Minister, Sebastian Le Corneux, who resigned last week, only to be reinstated, has unveiled a second new government as he races to pass a budget and rein in mounting debt. But as Rebecca Rossman reports, opposition parties are already calling for a no-confidence vote. After his dramatic resignation and reinstatement last week, Le Colneux is moving quickly to stabilize France's government.

He unveiled a second cabinet. late Sunday, after the last one collapsed in just 14 hours, in hopes of passing a budget before a looming Monday deadline. The plan aims to rein in public spending as France faces one of the highest debt levels in the Eurozone. Several ministers have been replaced, including those overseeing finance and labor, as Lekron-Nu works to restore confidence in President Emmanuel Macron's struggling centrist coalition. But opposition parties say it's more of the same and are preparing another no-confidence vote later this week. Rebecca Rossman and Pierre-New. Paris. The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation today announced a 10-year commitment worth $50 million

to Atlanta's historically black colleges and universities, the goal to raise graduation rates at Morehouse, Morris Brown, and Spelman Colleges, and Clark Atlanta University. I'm Louise Giovanni.