NPR News Now: June 3, 2025, 10 AM EDT

Hosted by Korva Coleman

Violence Escalates in Gaza Amid Food Delivery Efforts

Korva Coleman [00:15]: Health officials in Gaza and the International Committee of the Red Cross report that 27 Palestinians have been killed and dozens injured by the Israeli military today. The casualties occurred as Palestinians attempted to receive food deliveries from a private U.S.-backed contractor.

Hadil Al Shalchi [00:41]: "It was another day of chaos and confusion as thousands of Palestinians tried to receive food from a site delivering supplies in the south of Gaza." Witnesses reported that the Israeli military fired into the crowd, initially with warning shots and subsequently targeting individuals who persisted despite warnings. The Israeli military is investigating the incident, asserting that the shooting occurred outside the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation's (GHF) secure distribution site.

United Nations Statement: Aid distribution has become a "death trap," highlighting the dire situation as Gaza edges closer to famine.

Violent Attack in Boulder and Economic Concerns

Korva Coleman [01:25]: The suspect responsible for Sunday's deadly attack on peaceful marchers in Boulder, who were advocating for Israeli hostages in Gaza, is set to return to court on Thursday. He faces 16 counts of attempted murder and a federal hate crime charge.

Scott Horsley [01:56]: International economic forecasts predict slower growth, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping over 80 points in early trading today. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) forecasts U.S. economic growth at 1.6% for this year, down from 2.8% last year, attributing the slowdown partly to President Trump's trade policies.

Dollar General Performance: In contrast, discount retailer Dollar General has thrived amid economic anxiety, reporting record quarterly sales exceeding $10 billion and stronger-than-expected profits, leading to an increased earnings forecast for the year.

Global Markets: Asian stocks showed mixed results, with gains in Hong Kong and Shanghai but declines in Tokyo. South Korea's stock market was closed due to elections.

Reopening of Newark Liberty International Airport Runway

Korva Coleman [02:37]: Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the reopening of a runway at Newark Liberty International Airport, which had been plagued by flight delays and air traffic controller equipment failures.

Sean Duffy [02:57]: "Today we're celebrating the opening of Newark's Runway. And this is a 60-day project that was completed 13 days early."

Despite the early completion, the Dow Jones slipped 40 points, reflecting ongoing market sensitivities.

Ukrainian Military Actions and Wildlife Milestones

Korva Coleman [03:09]: Ukrainian officials claim to have attacked a significant bridge in Crimea using underwater explosives, aiming to disrupt the flow of Russian military equipment. This marks the third reported attack on the bridge by Ukraine.

Madison Almond [03:46]: In lighter news, an eaglet named Sunny, residing in the mountains east of Los Angeles, has fled the nest for the first time, captivating tens of thousands of online viewers.

Sandy Steers [04:01]: "Sunny flew from the nest, increasing her chances of survival, but it also means we won’t see her as much."

Madison Almond [04:09]: The sibling eaglet, Gizmo, is expected to follow suit soon after practicing flight over the past weeks.

FEMA's Preparedness Amid Hurricane Season Start

Korva Coleman [04:23]: Reports have emerged that the acting head of FEMA, David Richardson, was unaware of the start of the Atlantic hurricane season, which commenced last Sunday and will continue through the end of November.

Department of Homeland Security Statement: DHS clarified that Richardson was making a joke and assured that FEMA is fully prepared to respond to disasters and protect Americans throughout the hurricane season.

For more detailed updates, listeners can tune into NPR News Now for continuous coverage.

Notable Quotes:

• Hadil Al Shalchi [00:41]: "It was another day of chaos and confusion as thousands of Palestinians tried to receive food from a site delivering supplies in the south of Gaza."

• Sean Duffy [02:57]: "Today we're celebrating the opening of Newark's Runway. And this is a 60-day project that was completed 13 days early."

• Sandy Steers [04:01]: "Sunny flew from the nest and that gives her a much higher chance of success in life. But at the same time, it means we won't see her as much."

This summary encapsulates the key events and discussions from the NPR News Now episode released on June 3, 2025, providing a comprehensive overview for those who missed the live broadcast.