NPR News Now — October 14, 2025, 11PM EDT

Overview

This NPR News Now episode provides a concise update on critical events from around the world, including developments in the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, the ongoing US federal government shutdown's impact on military families, a controversial US strike off Venezuela's coast, a major healthcare worker strike at Kaiser Permanente, political tension in the US House, and the passing of acclaimed musician D'Angelo.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Israel-Hamas Ceasefire and Remains Exchange

Reported by Greg Myre

• Status of Remains Exchange: Israel and Hamas are exchanging the remains of those killed amidst the Gaza conflict, under the initial phase of a ceasefire agreement. The process is incomplete and a source of contention.
  • Israel handed 45 Palestinian bodies to Gaza.
  • Hamas returned four more Israeli hostage bodies, totaling eight in two days.
  • Full exchange: Hamas must return 28 dead hostages, while Israel is to return several hundred Palestinian bodies.
• Challenges:
  • Hamas cites difficulty in locating Israeli bodies due to ongoing heavy fighting, with some believed buried under rubble.
  • Israel reduced aid to Gaza, accusing Hamas of insufficient cooperation in returning bodies.
• Quote:

  "Hamas says it needs more time to locate all the Israeli bodies due to the heavy fighting. Some may be buried under rubble."
  — Greg Myre [00:53]

2. Federal Government Shutdown: Impact on Servicemembers

Reported by Dan Boyce

• Unpaid Federal Workers: Active duty servicemembers may not receive pay as the shutdown enters the first missed payday.
• Advice to Military Families:
  • Nonprofit Homefront Military Network is advising military families to communicate proactively with landlords and lenders.
    • Quote:

      "Out to their landlords, for example, or their lenders or their mortgage company if they've got a car note to explain the situation and see if those lenders will work with them."
      — Kate Hatton, Executive Director [01:43]

• Financial Relief:
  • Some banks, including USAA, are offering no-interest loans (over $150 million so far) to support affected military members.

3. US Strike on Vessel off Venezuela’s Coast

Reported by Zita Peralta

• Military Action:
  • The US struck its sixth vessel in the Caribbean this year, claiming narcotics trafficking.
  • President Trump released a video of the strike, stating six "narco terrorists" were killed, but released no evidence of drugs on board.
  • Venezuela alleges a prior, similar strike killed civilians aboard a fishing vessel.
• Regional Reactions:
  • Colombian President Gustavo Petro argues US actions aim to destabilize Venezuela and seize oil resources, not fight drugs.
  • Quote:

    "This isn't a war against drugs... It's an attempt to topple the Venezuelan regime and get its oil."
    — President Gustavo Petro (as reported by Ada Pralta) [02:56]

4. Stock Market Update

Reported by Shae Stevens

• Daily Results:
  • Dow Jones: +202 points
  • NASDAQ: -172 points
  • S&P 500: -10 points

5. Kaiser Permanente Healthcare Workers Strike

Reported by Shae Stevens

• Strike Scope:
  • 31,000 healthcare workers strike over wage and staffing issues.
  • Workers demand a 25% wage hike over four years; Kaiser offers 21.5%.
  • Five-day walkout spans 500 facilities across CA, HI, and OR.
  • Striking roles: Nurses, pharmacists, midwives, rehab therapists.

6. Arizona House Membership Dispute

Reported by Claudia Grisales

• Delay in Swearing-In:
  • Speaker Mike Johnson is delaying the swearing-in of Arizona Congresswoman-elect Adelita Grijalva, despite state certification.
  • Johnson cites ongoing shutdown discussions; traditionally swearing-in is prompt.
  • Grijalva plans to join an effort to force a House vote to release Jeffrey Epstein records, leading to speculation about Johnson's motives, accusations he denies.
  • Quote:

    "The delay's adding to accusations that Johnson is trying to avoid the Epstein vote, a claim he has repeatedly denied."
    — Claudia Grisales [04:35]

7. R&B Singer D'Angelo Dies at 51

Reported by Shae Stevens

• Obituary:
  • D'Angelo (Michael Eugene Archer), Grammy-winning R&B artist noted for 1990s hit album "Brown Sugar," passes away at 51.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Hamas says it needs more time to locate all the Israeli bodies due to the heavy fighting. Some may be buried under rubble.” — Greg Myre [00:53]
• “Out to their landlords, for example, or their lenders or their mortgage company if they've got a car note to explain the situation and see if those lenders will work with them.” — Kate Hatton [01:43]
• “This isn't a war against drugs... It's an attempt to topple the Venezuelan regime and get its oil.” — President Gustavo Petro (reported by Zita Peralta) [02:56]
• “The delay's adding to accusations that Johnson is trying to avoid the Epstein vote, a claim he has repeatedly denied.” — Claudia Grisales [04:35]

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:18] Israel-Hamas remains exchange
• [01:20] Federal shutdown impacts servicemembers
• [02:11] US strike on Venezuelan vessel
• [03:02] Stock market update, Kaiser Permanente strike
• [03:56] Arizona House membership dispute, Jeffrey Epstein records
• [04:43] Death of D'Angelo

This concludes the summary of NPR News Now — October 14, 2025, 11PM EDT.