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We all wonder about life's big questions. Why are we here? What are we to do? And how to make sense of it all. On Ye Gods with Scott Carter, I talk with politicos, priests, actors and atheists on how they wrestle with life's mysteries. Their stories will spark reflection, challenge assumptions, and maybe even bring you some clarity on your own journey. Listen to Ye Gods, part of the NPR network, wherever you get your podcasts.
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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. In Gaza, thousands of Palestinians are walking north back to their homes as the first phase of a peace plan from President Trump is underway. NPR's Iia Batrawi reports. Beyond the release of Palestinian detainees by Israel and hostages by Hamas, there's a lot of uncertainty over how this will unfold over the next 72 hours.
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We are also looking to see whether Egypt's border with Gaza opens for heavy machinery to enter that is going to be needed for Hamas to retrieve some of the bodies of hostages it holds that are buried, I believe, in different parts of Gaza. It's also needed to recover Palestinians from under the rubble of Israeli airstrikes, including one last night just before this deal was signed that struck a residential building in Gaza city. At least 40 people are missing under the rubble of that Israeli airstrike rescue.
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Crews say NPR's Aya Batrawi. Meanwhile, Israel is expected to allow hundreds of trucks of UN Aid into Gaza soon to reverse severe malnutrition and starvation. And Trump is expected in Egypt and Israel on Sunday. The Trump administration claims that assaults on ICE officers are up 1,1000%, but they haven't provided any data or proof of this. Colorado Public Radio's Allison Sherry says a review of federal court filings also doesn't.
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Show proof the administration has not only claimed an eye popping increase on assaults on federal immigration officers, but they've also assured the public that anyone who assaults an officer will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Colorado Public Radio looked nationally at federal court charges for assaults on federal officers and have seen an increase since Trump took office. Roughly 25% more cases have been filed against people for assaulting an ICE officer. A lot of those charges come from cities that have seen increased immigration enforcement, including Los Angeles. The administration has not commented, though, on how or where they're coming up with the 1000%. For NPR News, I'm Allison Sherry in Denver.
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President Trump is at Walter Reed Military Medical center today for what the White House is calling a routine physical. As NPR's Tamara Keith reports, there's been a lot of focus lately on the president's health.
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Trump is the oldest second term president in U.S. history and has recently experienced swollen ankles and bruising on his hands. Today's visit comes six months after Trump's last annual physical. He told reporters this week he's feeling fine.
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Physically I feel very good. Mentally, I feel very good. You know, I did about six, seven months ago. I do physicals. I like to when I'm around, I like to check always early, always be early. It's a lesson for a lot of people.
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In July, the White House said Trump had a common circulatory condition known as chronic venous insufficiency, but remains in excellent health. Tamara Keith, NPR News.
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Wall Street's trading lower at this hour. The dow is down 627 points. You're listening to NPR News. The federal government shutdown continues now in its 10th day. The Senate has taken multiple votes on competing bills for short term fund to end the shutdown, but all have failed. The Senate isn't scheduled to work this weekend, and House Speaker Mike Johnson sent the House home three weeks ago. Hundreds of thousands of federal workers are furloughed, though some deemed essential, like air traffic controllers and TSA agents, are required to show up for work. A basketball folk hero has died. Sister Jean Delores Schmidt was the chaplain for the Loyola University men's basketball team in Chicago. As NPR Cheryl Corley reports, Sister Jean became an international celebrity when the team made it to the NCAA final four in 2018.
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Born in 1919, Sister Jean played intramural basketball as a young girl. She became a nun after graduating from high school and was a teacher for decades. The beloved student advisor became a bit more famous when the Loyola Ramblers made it to the Final Four.
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And the Ramblers are moving in.
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And there was Sister Jean on the sidelines, decked out in the school colors and rooting on from her wheelchair with. She was in her late 90s when Sister Jean told NPR she had a simple wish.
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When I die, I want to go to heaven and I want my friends to be there, too.
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Sister Jean was 106. She had retired earlier this year because of health issues. Cheryl Corley, NPR News, Chicago.
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Wall Street's trading lower after President Trump said China is becoming hostile over rare earth minerals. The Dow down 611, Nasdaq down 615s and P500 down 130. This is NPR.
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This tightly packed 5-minute NPR News Now update delivers the latest headlines on major ongoing stories. Key themes include the unfolding Gaza ceasefire and peace plan, questions about reported assaults on ICE officers, updates on President Trump’s health, the ongoing federal government shutdown, financial market performance, and the passing of basketball legend Sister Jean.
On Gaza Peace Plan Uncertainty:
"There's a lot of uncertainty over how this will unfold over the next 72 hours.”
— Aya Batrawi, NPR (00:36)
On Official ICE Assault Statistics:
"The administration has not only claimed an eye-popping increase... but they've also assured the public that anyone who assaults an officer will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
— Allison Sherry, Colorado Public Radio (01:39)
On Presidential Health:
"Physically I feel very good. Mentally, I feel very good... always check early. Always be early. It's a lesson for a lot of people."
— Donald Trump (02:52)
On Sister Jean’s Philosophy:
"When I die, I want to go to heaven and I want my friends to be there, too."
— Sister Jean (04:38)
This concise episode balances breaking world news with domestic developments, providing a snapshot of U.S. and global current events, with moments of reflection on public figures and legacy.