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Korva Coleman
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. A group of Democratic and an independent senator have helped Republicans pass a stopgap spending bill. It's aimed at ending the federal government shutdown. The legislation is supposed to assure a vote on higher premiums that Americans will pay next year for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. NPR's Luke Garrett says the senators explained.
Luke Garrett
Their change of heart when asked why now after blocking government funding for 40 days, Maine Senator Angus King said waiting just wasn't working. Bottom line, these Democrats said they believed the shutdown was hurting the country too much and they got real concessions from Republicans. But they're betting big that enough Republicans will cross the aisle in December to pass an extension on health care tax credits. That's definitely not a certainty.
Korva Coleman
NPR's Luke Garrett reporting. The Federal Aviation Administration is temporarily grounding all MD11 aircraft. It's in response to last week's deadly crash of a UPS cargo plane in Kentucky. The mayor of Louisville says 14 people were killed in the accident. NPR's Chandelyse Duster reports the grounding of the cargo planes will have a ripple effect on shipping.
Chandelyse Duster
FedEx and UPS grounding their MD11 aircraft could have an impact on holiday deliveries. Aviation Experts say the MD11 aircraft are a small part of UPS and FedEx fleets but carry thousands of packages each. Mike Stangle of Aerodynamic Advisory says delivery impacts could depend on how long the aircraft are grounded.
Mike Stangle
If it only lasts a few days, then we shouldn't see much of an impact on holiday, you know, package deliveries and things like that.
Chandelyse Duster
UPS and FedEx say contingency plans are in place to minimize disruption in deliveries. Aviation experts say holiday shoppers should plan to ship packages early to ensure gifts arrive on time. Chandelyse Duster, NPR News.
Korva Coleman
Hamas has handed over the body of an Israeli soldier held in Gaza since 2014. This may indicate progress toward phase two of a U. S brokered ceasefire between Israel and the militant group. President Trump's son in law, Jared Kushner is in Israel for talks today. NPR's Lauren Frayer has more.
Lauren Frayer
Phase one was halting violence, exchanging bodies and boosting humanitarian aid to Gaza. Phase two is disarming Hamas, deploying international troops and governing post war Hamas's handover of the remains of Hadar Goldin, an Israeli soldier killed in a previous Gaza war could impact phase two negotiations over some 200 Hamas fighters. They're believed to be holed up in Rafah in southern Gaza. Israel's demanding they surrender or be killed. The US Floated the idea of freeing them if they agree to disarm and in exchange for Goldin's body. As for an international security force, Turkey has been involved in talks, but an Israeli government spokesperson says there will be no Turkish boots on the ground. Lauren Fryer, NPR News, Tel Aviv.
Korva Coleman
You're listening to NPR News. President Trump has pardoned 77 people involved with efforts to undermine the 2020 election results. The White House says President Trump quot is putting an end to the Biden regime's communist tactics once and for all. Trump has continued to falsely claim he won the 2020 presidential election. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the US military has attacked two boats in the eastern Pacific. Writing online, he says six people were killed. He alleges they were engaged in drug trafficking. No evidence has been offered. The city of Jackson, Mississippi, began hosting the 82nd National Folk Festival this weekend. It's the country's oldest celebration of traditional arts. Mississippi Public Broadcasting's Shamira Muhammad has more.
Shamira Muhammad
The National Folk Festival has been featured in nearly 30 communities around the country, but it's the first time the festival is being hosted in the Deep South. Mississippi Delta Blues musician and artist James Johnson goes by the name Super Chicken. He makes guitars from items such as electric fans and cigar boxes, as well as an instrument called the Diddly Bow.
James Johnson
Diddly Bow is one of the Delta's first blues instruments, derived from an African instrument called a chorus.
Shamira Muhammad
Artists performed bluegrass, West African balafon, salsa, Irish music and DC Go Go. Jackson will continue to host the festival through 2027. For NPR News, I'm Shamir Muhammad in Jackson, Mississippi.
Korva Coleman
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Host: Korva Coleman | Duration: ~5 minutes
This episode of NPR News Now brings listeners the latest headlines and updates in a concise five-minute format. Key news stories include the end of the federal government shutdown, the FAA’s grounding of MD11 cargo planes after a deadly crash, developments in Israel-Gaza ceasefire talks, President Trump’s mass pardons related to the 2020 election, U.S. military action in the Pacific, and the National Folk Festival’s historic debut in Mississippi. The episode aims to inform listeners of major breaking news with quick, clear summaries.
A bipartisan group of Democratic senators and an independent joined Republicans to pass a temporary funding bill.
The bill is intended to end the 40-day federal government shutdown.
The legislation guarantees a future vote on higher health insurance premiums linked to the Affordable Care Act.
Luke Garrett (NPR):
"Their change of heart when asked why now after blocking government funding for 40 days, Maine Senator Angus King said waiting just wasn’t working. Bottom line, these Democrats said they believed the shutdown was hurting the country too much and they got real concessions from Republicans. But they're betting big that enough Republicans will cross the aisle in December to pass an extension on health care tax credits. That’s definitely not a certainty." [00:38]
The FAA grounded all MD11 aircraft following a deadly UPS cargo plane crash in Kentucky that killed 14 people.
This decision impacts both UPS and FedEx fleets during peak holiday shipping season.
Chandelyse Duster (NPR):
"FedEx and UPS grounding their MD11 aircraft could have an impact on holiday deliveries. Aviation Experts say the MD11 aircraft are a small part of UPS and FedEx fleets but carry thousands of packages each." [01:24]
"UPS and FedEx say contingency plans are in place to minimize disruption in deliveries. Aviation experts say holiday shoppers should plan to ship packages early to ensure gifts arrive on time." [01:54]
Mike Stangle (Aerodynamic Advisory):
"If it only lasts a few days, then we shouldn’t see much of an impact on holiday, you know, package deliveries and things like that." [01:45]
Hamas returned the remains of an Israeli soldier held since 2014, possibly advancing talks on a U.S.-brokered ceasefire.
The process involves halting violence, disarmament, exchange of bodies, and introduction of international forces.
Lauren Frayer (NPR, Tel Aviv):
"Phase one was halting violence, exchanging bodies and boosting humanitarian aid to Gaza. Phase two is disarming Hamas, deploying international troops and governing post-war." "Hamas's handover of the remains of Hadar Goldin, an Israeli soldier killed in a previous Gaza war could impact phase two negotiations over some 200 Hamas fighters. They're believed to be holed up in Rafah in southern Gaza. Israel's demanding they surrender or be killed. The US floated the idea of freeing them if they agree to disarm and in exchange for Goldin's body. As for an international security force, Turkey has been involved in talks, but an Israeli government spokesperson says there will be no Turkish boots on the ground." [02:26]
Jackson, Mississippi, hosts the National Folk Festival for the first time in the Deep South.
Performances include Delta Blues, bluegrass, West African, salsa, Irish, and DC Go Go music.
Shamira Muhammad (Mississippi Public Broadcasting):
"The National Folk Festival has been featured in nearly 30 communities around the country, but it's the first time the festival is being hosted in the Deep South."
James Johnson (Super Chicken, Blues musician):
"Diddly Bow is one of the Delta’s first blues instruments, derived from an African instrument called a chorus." [04:28]
Jackson will host the festival through 2027.
This episode of NPR News Now provides a whirlwind update on major U.S. and global stories, focusing on the reopening of the federal government, concerns around cargo air safety and holiday shipping, Middle East ceasefire diplomacy, significant presidential pardons, and a historic culture event in Mississippi. Listeners go into their day informed of urgent developments, with context and direct insights from NPR reporters and notable figures.