NPR News Now – October 13, 2025, 8AM EDT

Host: Louise Schiavone
Duration: 5 Minutes
Episode Theme:
A concise, up-to-the-minute briefing on major domestic and international news stories, featuring breaking developments in the Middle East, U.S. political and legal conflicts, international crises, public health updates, and severe weather events.

1. Historic Hostage Release and Middle East Peace Efforts

[00:18–01:35]

• Release of Israeli Hostages:
  • All 20 remaining living Israeli hostages have been freed by Hamas, ending what Schiavone calls “a historic day” in the Middle East.
• President Trump in Israel:
  • President Trump arrives in Israel as the releases begin and addresses the Knesset:

    “For so many families across this land, it has been years since you've known a single day of true peace. But now, at last, not only for Israelis, but also for Palestinians and for many others, the long and painful nightmare is finally over.”
    (Donald Trump, 00:33)

• Upcoming Peace Summit in Egypt:
  • Trump to attend a peace summit in Egypt with world leaders to mark the Israel-Hamas ceasefire.
  • Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu declines the invitation, citing time constraints before a Jewish holiday.

    “It would have been the first meeting between the Israeli and Palestinian leaders in nearly 10 years. But Netanyahu’s office said he was turning down the invitation... due to time constraints ahead of a Jewish religious holiday this evening.”
    (Daniel Estrin, 01:12)

2. U.S. Legal Battles Over National Guard Deployment

[01:35–02:33]

• Trump Administration’s Fight Over Troop Deployment in Illinois:
  • The courts have allowed federal control of National Guard troops in Illinois but blocked further deployment for now.
• Vice President J.D. Vance’s Stance:

  “We’re obviously going to litigate this as much as we can. We think that we have the authority to provide proper safety to our citizens all over the United States, but particularly in Chicago.”
  (Vice President J.D. Vance, 02:03)

• Pushback from State Leadership:
  • Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker maintains there is “no need” for National Guard deployment, accusing Trump of overstepping.

3. Ongoing U.S. Government Shutdown

[02:33–02:52]

• Congress Out of Session on Columbus Day:
  • Government shutdown reaches 13 days; hundreds of thousands of federal employees have been furloughed.
• Potential Deeper Workforce Cuts:
  • Vice President Vance signals forthcoming “deeper cuts” if spending legislation remains stalled.

4. Attempted Coup in Madagascar

[02:52–03:12]

• Unrest on Indian Ocean Island:
  • President Andry Rajoelina’s office announces an attempted coup, following demonstrations involving youth and elite soldiers.

5. U.S.-Ukraine Military Support Update

[03:12–03:32]

• Possible Deployment of Long-Range Missiles:
  • Trump considers sending Tomahawk long-range missiles to Ukraine, stating:

    “If Moscow does not settle its war in Ukraine soon, he would not rule out sending what he called an incredible and offensive long-range weapon.”
    (Louise Schiavone paraphrasing, 03:28)

  • Comments follow a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

6. Resurgence of Measles in the United States

[03:32–04:31]

• Record Measles Cases:
  • Over 1,500 confirmed cases this year, highest in three decades.
• Quarantines in South Carolina:
  • 153 unvaccinated school children quarantined for 21 days after exposure.
• Expert Commentary:

  “It spreads incredibly quickly from unvaccinated people to unvaccinated people.”
  (Infectious disease doctor Adam Ratner, as quoted at 04:16)

  • Ongoing outbreaks threaten the U.S. “measles elimination status.”

7. Severe Weather Along the East Coast

[04:31–04:56]

• Nor’easter Impacts:
  • Washed-out roads and air travel delays in New Jersey, New York, and the Carolinas.
  • Delaware National Guard deployed for flood response.

Notable Quotes

• Donald Trump (regarding peace in the Middle East, 00:33):
  “But now, at last, not only for Israelis, but also for Palestinians and for many others, the long and painful nightmare is finally over.”

• Vice President J.D. Vance (on court fight, 02:03):
  “We’re obviously going to litigate this as much as we can. We think that we have the authority to provide proper safety to our citizens all over the United States, but particularly in Chicago.”

• Dr. Adam Ratner (on measles, 04:16):
  “It spreads incredibly quickly from unvaccinated people to unvaccinated people.”

Summary Flow

This five-minute bulletin delivers rapid-fire yet substantial updates on historic Middle East developments and peace efforts, legal disputes over domestic troop deployments, prolonged government dysfunction, international instability, emerging military support decisions, urgent public health warnings, and weather emergencies. Speakers maintain a factual, urgent tone throughout, matching the rapid news format for listeners seeking an efficient yet comprehensive update.