--:-- Host: This message comes from Dataiku. Companies can struggle to turn data into real AI apps. Dataiku makes it easy with low-code tools so anyone can build and scale AI. Visit dataiku.com slash NPR.
--:-- Host: Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. Israel and Hamas are preparing for the first big test of the ceasefire agreement intended to end the war in Gaza. Under the terms, Hamas must soon release all remaining Israeli hostages, while Israel must free almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. And Pierce Greg Myrie has more.
--:-- Pierce Greg Myrie: A massive crowd filled Tel Aviv's hostage square, the plaza where there's been a vigil throughout the war for Israeli captives in Gaza. The featured speaker was Steve Whitcoff, the U.S. envoy who helped negotiate the truce.
--:-- Steve Whitcoff: To the hostages themselves, our brothers and sisters, you are coming home.
--:-- Pierce Greg Myrie: When Whitcoff mentioned President Trump, the crowd cheered wildly. When he mentioned Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu, the crowd booed long and hard.
--:-- Steve Whitcoff: On Monday Hamas must release 20 hostages believed to be alive as well as 28 dead hostages In turn Israel must free the Palestinian prisoners and detainees
--:-- Pierce Greg Myrie: Greg Myrie NPR News Tel Aviv
--:-- Host: Officials in Tennessee say 16 people were killed on Friday when an explosion leveled an explosives plant southwest of Nashville 19 people were initially reported missing after the blast, and Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis says it took some time to notify the families of those who were killed.
--:-- Chris Davis: At this time, we have not located any survivors, and we are making the assumption that all are deceased at this point. Two people who were missing were found and were safe.
--:-- Host: The cause of the blast is still not known. The plant supplied and researched explosives for the military.
--:-- Host: The Chicago Marathon takes place on Sunday, and many residents still have concerns about federal agents operating in the city. From member station WBEZ, Summer Van Benton reports that organizers expect many runners from Mexico.
--:-- Summer Van Benton: Venados is a predominantly Latino run club in Chicago with over 100 members. Many are gearing up for Sunday's big race. Organizer Enrique Rivera says he does not anticipate immigration raids at the marathon.
--:-- Enrique Rivera: He's most concerned about the runners as they prepare for the race. I'm more afraid of individuals that are out there trying to do this in a group of three, a group of four. That where something can happen and your family won find out for days
--:-- Summer Van Benton: Race officials say they will be monitoring increased immigration enforcement and making runner and spectator safety the top priority
--:-- Host: For NPR News, I'm Summer Van Binten in Chicago.
--:-- Host: President Trump says he's directed the Defense Department to ensure that U.S. troops are being paid this week. The government shutdown means most federal employees, including those troops, are not being paid.
--:-- Host: In a social media post, Trump says he told Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to use all available funds to pay the troops. There does appear, however, to be no similar action for other federal employees who are still working without pay.
--:-- Host: You're listening to NPR News.
--:-- Host: 373 years after seven women were hanged as witches in a British town, the British government has been asked to pardon them. Vicki Barker reports from London.
--:-- Vicki Barker: Their names were Anne Ashby, Mary Brown, Anne Martin, Mildred Wright, Susan Pickenden, Anne Wilson, and Mary Reed. Their alleged crimes, bewitching to death a mother, a baby, and a three-year-old, and having carnal relations with the devil.
--:-- Vicki Barker: Now the city government of Maidstone where the women were executed has appealed to Britain Labour government to introduce legislation pardoning them and the hundreds of others executed for witchcraft in the Middle Ages
--:-- Host: But past such attempts have failed although in Scotland which executed Europe highest number of witches per capita, then-First Minister Nicola Sturgeon did issue a formal apology in 2022.
--:-- Vicki Barker: For NPR News, I'm Vicki Barker in London.
--:-- Host: The death toll from floods and landslides in Central Mexico has now reached 41 people. Heavy rains over the past two days have flooded rivers and blocked roads, and more than 30,000 homes have been destroyed. More than 320,000 people have also been affected by power outages.
--:-- Host: In a showdown between two unbeaten Big Ten football teams, No. 7 Indiana beat No. 3 Oregon on Saturday 30-20. Fernando Mendoza threw for 215 yards in a key fourth quarter touchdown in that win.
--:-- Host: Top-ranked Ohio State, meanwhile, beat Illinois 34-16. Number eight, Alabama edged out number 14, Missouri 27-24, and Slippery Rock beat Seton Hill 49-7.
--:-- Host: I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.
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