NPR News Now: October 11, 2025, 5PM EDT

Overview
This five-minute NPR News Now episode, anchored by Jeanine Herbst, delivers succinct updates on critical national and international stories. Key topics include the federal government shutdown and its ripple effects, a deadly industrial explosion in Tennessee, ongoing war-related prisoner exchanges in the Middle East, a deadly contamination incident in India, and the global celebration of World Migratory Bird Day.

1. Industrial Explosion in Tennessee

[00:16–01:15]

• Vigils and Search Efforts:
  Vigils are being held for the presumed victims of a fatal explosion at Accurate Energetic Systems, an explosives processing plant in Tennessee. There have been no survivors recovered, and the search involves hundreds of responders operating under hazardous conditions.
• Investigation Underway:
  A federal investigative team has joined local authorities. Sheriff Chris Davis emphasizes the need for thoroughness:

  "Can I say we're going to rule out foul play? We can't answer that. That might be days or weeks or months before we can do that." — Chris Davis, Humphreys County Sheriff [00:55]

• Support for Families:
  The company’s CEO communicated their "hearts are broken" and asked for prayers, highlighting the community’s sense of grief and loss.

2. Federal Government Shutdown & Impact on Farmers

[01:15–02:11]

• Midwestern Farmers Struggling:
  Farmer Richard Oswald in Missouri, like many others, faces consecutive financial setbacks due to high fertilizer costs, tariffs, and grain price drops, compounded now by the government shutdown.

  "I've literally done this for 55 years. It's been something that has always been there." — Richard Oswald [01:47]

• Shutdown Complications:
  President Trump’s promised farm bailout is delayed, the USDA is mostly shut down, creating uncertainty around when or if aid can be distributed. Economists warn of a likely rise in farm foreclosures.

3. Israel-Hamas Final Hostage Exchange

[02:11–03:12]

• Upcoming Exchange:
  The final planned hostage, prisoner, and detainee exchange between Israel and Hamas is set for Monday, fueling a mixture of hope and anxiety on both sides.
• Gaza’s Uncertain Future:
  Tens of thousands of Palestinians are returning to Gaza City, confronting devastation and seeking a new beginning.

  "It feels like I'M witnessing a place being born again. But Gazans here, they don't wait for permission to live. They carry hope like oxygen." — Anas Baba, NPR Gaza Correspondent [02:41]

• In Israel:
  Hospitals, led by professionals like Dr. Mikhail Steinman of Bellinson Hospital, are preparing to care for released hostages:

  "Welcome home." — Dr. Mikhail Steinman [03:01]
  "Oh, so glad to see you." [03:02]

• Diplomatic Developments:
  President Trump is scheduled to visit Egypt and Israel on Monday.

4. Child Deaths in India from Contaminated Cough Syrup

[03:12–04:21]

• Outbreak Details:
  At least 21 children in India have died after consuming cough syrup tainted with diethylene glycol, an industrial chemical.
• Global Pattern:
  This is not an isolated case; similar incidents have occurred worldwide due to cost-cutting by unscrupulous manufacturers.

  "This is not some sort of accident. This [is] intentionally done...to reduce the cost of the drug and to pocket more money." — Saifuddin Ahmed, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health [03:54]

• Law Enforcement:
  The local authorities have arrested the owner of the drug manufacturer, and the WHO’s new report highlights criminal packaging and distribution of the toxic solvent.

5. World Migratory Bird Day

[04:21–04:56]

• Event Overview:
  Celebrated biannually, the event honors migratory birds and the importance of creating urban environments where people and birds can thrive together. Poorly managed expansion threatens bird populations.

Memorable Quotes

• On the Tennessee Explosion Investigation:
  "Can I say we're going to rule out foul play? We can't answer that. That might be days or weeks or months before we can do that." — Sheriff Chris Davis [00:55]

• On the Struggles of Farmers:
  "I've literally done this for 55 years. It's been something that has always been there." — Richard Oswald [01:47]

• On Hope Amidst Devastation in Gaza:
  "Gazans here, they don't wait for permission to live. They carry hope like oxygen." — Anas Baba [02:41]

• On Contaminated Medicine:
  "This is not some sort of accident. This [is] intentionally done...to reduce the cost of the drug and to pocket more money." — Saifuddin Ahmed [03:54]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:16] Tennessee industrial explosion and investigation
• [01:15] Impact of government shutdown on Midwest farmers
• [02:11] Israel-Hamas prisoner exchange and humanitarian perspectives
• [03:12] Indian children die from toxic cough syrup
• [04:21] World Migratory Bird Day and urban wildlife coexistence

Tone and Language

The episode maintains NPR's hallmark factual, calm, and empathetic reporting, highlighting the immediate human impacts of global and national challenges while threading hope and collective responsibility throughout.