NPR News Now: 10-14-2025, 3PM EDT

Podcast: NPR News Now
Host: Lakshmi Singh
Date: October 14, 2025
Duration: 5 minutes (news content: ~00:33–05:12)

Episode Overview

In this brisk, five-minute news segment, NPR delivers a succinct update on the key stories dominating the U.S. and global headlines. The episode centers on pivotal political developments in Washington, tense ceasefire negotiations involving Israel and Hamas, poignant cultural losses, and notable moves in the upcoming U.S. midterm elections. Throughout, the reporting remains factual and measured, providing listeners with both essential details and broader context.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Government Shutdown Continues

• [00:33–01:17]
  • The U.S. Senate is reconvening to vote on a measure that could reopen the federal government, now shut down for 14 days.
  • Republican Pressure: GOP leaders urge Senate Democrats to adopt a short-term House-approved funding measure.
  • Impact on Workers:
    • Quote, Rep. Virginia Fox (R-NC), House Rules Committee Chairwoman:
      “Today, 400,000 federal workers will receive partial paychecks. … This will be the last paycheck that these federal workers receive until Democrats grow a spine and reopen the federal government.” [01:01]
  • Democratic Concerns:
    • Democrats oppose the GOP measure, insisting on restoring expiring health care protections (notably pandemic-era insurance tax credits) and revoking Medicaid cuts.

2. Israel-Hamas Ceasefire and Exchange of Remains

• [01:17–02:31]
  • Israel returns the remains of 45 deceased Palestinians to Gaza as part of a ceasefire agreement; the effort is marred by logistical challenges.
  • Field Report:
    • Greg Myre, NPR News (Tel Aviv):
      “Under the ceasefire, Hamas is supposed to return all 28 dead hostages. Hamas says it needs more time to locate all of the Israeli bodies due to the heavy fighting. Some may be buried under rubble.” [01:49]
  • Only four remains of Israeli hostages have been recovered so far, leading to rising Israeli frustration.

3. Trump, Milei Meeting & Israel-Hamas Ceasefire

• [02:31–02:53]
  • President Trump hosts Argentine President Javier Milei and addresses reporters about the ongoing Israel-Hamas ceasefire.
  • Warning to Hamas:
    • Donald Trump:
      “We have told them we want disarm and they will disarm and if they don't disarm, we will disarm them and it'll happen quickly and perhaps violently.” [02:41]
    • On a timeline for disarmament: “A reasonable period of time pretty quickly.” [02:53]

4. Obituary: R&B Artist D'Angelo

• [02:53–03:49]
  • The music world mourns D'Angelo, celebrated R&B and neo-soul pioneer, dies at 51 after a private cancer battle.
  • D’Angelo (Michael Eugene Archer) leaves behind a legacy of only three full-length albums, considered highly influential in shaping modern soul music.

5. Charlie Kirk to Receive Presidential Medal of Freedom (Posthumous)

• [03:49–04:23]
  • President Trump will award the Medal of Freedom posthumously to conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was killed last month.
  • On Kirk’s Legacy:
    • Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR:
      “Since Charlie Kirk’s death, she [Erica Kirk] has taken over as CEO of Turning Point USA, the campus activist organization he founded. Kirk was beloved among the MAGA movement and often deliberately provocative. … He also promoted baseless claims of election fraud in the 2020 presidential election and called the Civil Rights Act a mistake.” [03:49]
  • The medal ceremony will include Kirk’s widow, Erica Kirk.

6. Former President Obama Backs California Dems in 2026

• [04:23–04:53]
  • Barack Obama appears in a 30-second spot urging California voters to support Proposition 50, a 2026 midterm ballot measure designed to boost Democrats’ chances in the U.S. House.
  • Ballot outcome may shift up to five House seats to Democrats in response to Trump’s call for GOP-led redistricting.

7. Markets Update

• [04:53–05:12]
  • The Dow Jones Industrial Average is noted to be up 412 points (1%), at 46,479.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Rep. Virginia Fox (on federal workers and the shutdown):
  “This will be the last paycheck that these federal workers receive until Democrats grow a spine and reopen the federal government.” [01:01]

• Donald Trump (on disarming Hamas):
  “We have told them we want disarm and they will disarm and if they don't disarm, we will disarm them and it'll happen quickly and perhaps violently.” [02:41]

• Danielle Kurtzleben (on Charlie Kirk’s career and controversy):
  “His organization created a watch list of professors perceived to be too liberal, leading to harassment of those professors.” [03:49]

Segment Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamps | Description | |-----------------------------|-------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------| | Government Shutdown | 00:33–01:17 | Senate vote, partisan standoff, impact on workers | | Israel-Hamas Ceasefire | 01:17–02:31 | Exchange of remains, delays, on-the-ground updates | | Trump’s Remarks | 02:31–02:53 | Ceasefire status, disarmament ultimatum to Hamas | | D'Angelo’s Passing | 02:53–03:49 | Legacy of R&B icon, public reaction | | Charlie Kirk Medal | 03:49–04:23 | Trump’s announcement, Kirk’s legacy, activism and controversy | | Obama Supports Prop 50 | 04:23–04:53 | Midterm strategy, implications for House control | | Markets Update | 04:53–05:12 | Dow Jones news |

This episode provides a rapid-fire overview of the critical stories of the day, featuring clear and candid reporting from NPR’s correspondents, direct attribution of quotes to the relevant speakers, and a focus on both national and international developments that matter most right now.