NPR News Now – October 4, 2025, 10AM EDT

Host: Giles Snyder
Theme: Top headlines and updates on U.S. politics, immigration, international conflicts, and more.

Government Shutdown Enters Fourth Day

[00:15 – 01:11]

• Current Status:
  The federal government shutdown is in its fourth day, with no sign of resolution.
• Potential Layoffs:
  White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt explained the ongoing impacts on government employees.
  • Quote — Caroline Levitt [00:27]:
    "The Office of Management and Budget is in constant communication and contact right now with our Cabinet secretaries and agencies across the board to identify, unfortunately, where layoffs have to be made and where cuts have to happen."
• Political Stalemate:
  • Democrats demand assurance that Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance subsidies will be extended.
  • House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries questions Republican sincerity in negotiating ACA-related issues.
    • Quote — Hakeem Jeffries [00:52]:
      "We believe that Republicans have any interest in addressing the Affordable Care Act based on their word, when for 15 years Republicans have been doing everything possible to gut the Affordable Care Act?"
• Outlook:
  The shutdown is likely to extend into next week, as the Senate is not in session and negotiations are stalled.

Immigration Update: DHS Expands “Voluntary Stipends”

[01:11 – 02:06]

• New Program:
  The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is expanding financial incentives for undocumented minors to voluntarily leave the U.S.
• Details:
  • Teens over 14 who arrived unaccompanied can receive $2,500 for agreeing to self-deport and waiving their hearing before an immigration judge.
  • Payments are issued upon return to home country.
  • The program is described by DHS as “strictly voluntary.”
• Concerns Raised:
  • Advocacy groups worry that children could be coerced or put in danger, especially without legal counsel.
  • Reporting — Jordan Riding [01:33]:
    "Organizations representing immigrant children have raised concerns that the offer of money may put children in danger, especially if the decision isn't made with a lawyer."

Middle East: Israel–Gaza War Shift

[02:06 – 03:09]

• Military Reassessment:
  Israel says it is curtailing its military activity in Gaza, aligning with President Trump’s new peace plan.
• Plan Components:
  • Hamas has reportedly agreed to elements of Trump's plan, including the release of hostages and the transfer of power to a Palestinian entity.
  • Key issues—like Hamas disarmament and an Israeli troop withdrawal timeline—remain unresolved.
• Statements:
  • Prime Minister Netanyahu signaled cooperation, but without detailing how or when.
• Situation on the Ground:
  • Explosions and injuries continued overnight.
  • Israeli military cautions residents to avoid combat zones in Gaza City.
• Reporting — Carrie Kahn [02:22]:
  "Forces in Gaza were ordered to, reduce activity to, quote, a minimum and only for defensive actions... Gaza’s civil defense reported multiple explosions and injuries overnight."

International News Briefs

[03:09 – 04:37]

• Ukraine:
  • Russian drone strikes hit a passenger train northeast of Kyiv; dozens injured, including three children.
  • Ukraine targeted one of Russia’s largest oil refineries near St. Petersburg in response.
• Japan:
  • Sanae Takechi elected as the ruling party’s leader, poised to become Japan’s first woman Prime Minister.
• UK Protests:
  • Pro-Palestinian protests are going ahead in London and Manchester, despite calls for postponement after Thursday’s synagogue attack in Manchester.
  • Activist Jonathan Porritz expresses intentions:
    • Quote — Jonathan Porritz [04:08]:
      "But I don't think that means that we should be asked to give up on our right to stand up for those who are being devastated by an ongoing real time genocide in Gaza."
  • Prime Minister Keir Starmer, himself the husband of a Jewish woman, urged suspension of protests but lacks power to prohibit them due to Britain’s legal protections for peaceful protest.
  • Reporting — Vicki Barker [03:58]:
    "But with the right to peaceful protest enshrined in British law, he does not have the power to stop them."

Sports Brief: WNBA Finals

[04:37 – 04:54]

• The Las Vegas Aces defeated the Phoenix Mercury 89-86 in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals in a closely contested match.
• Game 2 is scheduled for tomorrow in Las Vegas.

Notable Quotes and Moments (with Timestamps)

• "The Office of Management and Budget is in constant communication... to identify, unfortunately, where layoffs have to be made and where cuts have to happen."
  — Caroline Levitt, White House Press Secretary [00:27]
• "We believe that Republicans have any interest in addressing the Affordable Care Act based on their word, when for 15 years Republicans have been doing everything possible to gut the Affordable Care Act?"
  — Hakeem Jeffries, House Minority Leader [00:52]
• "Organizations representing immigrant children have raised concerns that the offer of money may put children in danger, especially if the decision isn't made with a lawyer."
  — Jordan Riding, NPR [01:33]
• "But I don't think that means that we should be asked to give up on our right to stand up for those who are being devastated by an ongoing real time genocide in Gaza."
  — Jonathan Porritz, Protest Activist [04:08]

Summary prepared for listeners to get up to speed on the essential news and standout voices from the NPR News Now, 10AM EDT, October 4, 2025 edition.