--:-- Ryland Barton: This message comes from Amazon Business. Free your team from time-consuming office tasks with smart business buying tools. Enable buyers to find and purchase items fast. Learn more about the technology, insights, and support available at AmazonBusiness.com.
--:-- Ryland Barton: Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. Around 1,700 Palestinians were released from Israeli prison and returned to Gaza today as part of a ceasefire deal in the war between Israel and Hamas.
--:-- Ryland Barton: In return, the remaining 20 hostages still alive after being held in Gaza for more than two years were returned to Israel, along with several bodies of hostages. NPR's Kat Lonsdorf has more.
--:-- Kat Lonsdorf: The Palestinians' return to Gaza were part of thousands, seized by Israeli forces and imprisoned without charges during the war. In the city of Khan Yunus, loved ones cheered at their release.
--:-- Kat Lonsdorf: Islam Ahmed, a journalist from northern Gaza who was detained by the Israeli military late last year, spoke with NPR's Anas Baba.
--:-- Anas Baba: It was miserable in prison. We were beaten and humiliated, Ahmed said, noting he lost more than 60 pounds in 10 months.
--:-- Islam Ahmed: Israel prison service has defended its treatment of Palestinians although human rights groups in Israel and abroad have documented serious mistreatment.
--:-- Kat Lonsdorf: Around 200 Palestinian prisoners were also released, many who had been serving sentences for serious crimes against Israelis and exiled to other countries.
--:-- Kat Lonsdorf: Major questions remain about the future of Gaza, including whether Hamas will disarm and who will govern the enclave. But after celebrating the first steps of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal, President Trump is trying to advance broader peace in the region.
--:-- Donald Trump: He's calling for a new era of harmony in the Middle East. All the momentum now is toward a great, glorious and lasting peace. And our commitment to fulfilling the 20-point plan we developed together will be the crucial foundation for achieving that bright future.
--:-- Donald Trump: And it's being worked on right now as we speak. Trump spoke during a global summit in Egypt on Gaza's future. Trump urged world leaders to end old feuds and said the Israel-Hamas ceasefire is the first step to peace.
--:-- Ryland Barton: Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson says the government shutdown may become the longest in history.
--:-- Mike Johnson: Johnson is refusing to call the House back into session. The Senate was closed today for the federal holiday and senators aren't any closer to passing a funding bill.
--:-- Mike Johnson: Johnson says he won't negotiate with Democrats until they stop making demands for extending health care subsidies.
--:-- Ryland Barton: Our members are doing very productive work. We're in constant communication with them and we are ready to come back and continue the work in our committees and everything on the House floor.
--:-- Mike Johnson: We will return to legislative session as soon as the Democrats come to their senses and open the government.
--:-- Ryland Barton: The closure has halted routine government operations and left airports scrambling with flight disruptions. Hundreds of thousands of federal workers have been furloughed without pay.
--:-- Ryland Barton: The Trump administration is also using the shutdown to justify laying off thousands more. Vice President J.D. Vance says there could be deeper cuts to the federal workforce the longer the government shutdown goes on.
--:-- J.D. Vance: He said the new cuts would be painful. Hundreds of thousands of workers are now furloughed.
--:-- Ryland Barton: From Washington, this is NPR News.
--:-- Ryland Barton: A bus veered off a road and plunged down an embankment in South Africa, killing at least 42 people and injuring another 49.
--:-- Ryland Barton: The crash happened about 250 miles north of Pretoria. The transportation ministry says that victims include seven children.
--:-- Ryland Barton: The bus was carrying Zimbabwean and Malawian nationals on their way to their home countries.
--:-- Ryland Barton: One of the country's most powerful media watchdogs has filed for bankruptcy.
--:-- Ryland Barton: As NPR's Netta Ulipi reports, the organization organized mass complaints against broadcast indecency.
--:-- Netta Ulipi: When Justin Timberlake ripped off part of Janet Jackson's costume during the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show, members of the Parents Television Council filed more than 60 complaints with the FCC claiming they could see her nipple.
--:-- Netta Ulipi: The conservative group was known for marshalling consumer pushbacks against depictions of sex, drugs, and violence on popular shows like Family Guy, which responded with parodies.
--:-- Netta Ulipi: You've got to censor television, you fools! Now follow my orders.
--:-- Ryland Barton: The group, which changed its name to the Parents Television and Media Council, filed for bankruptcy earlier this month.
--:-- Ryland Barton: It was funded by donations that had dropped by more than 75 percent over the past 20 years.
--:-- Ryland Barton: Netta Ulipi, NPR News.
--:-- Ryland Barton: The NBA is planning to revamp its all-star game, pitting U.S. players against international stars.
--:-- Ryland Barton: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says the goal is to create a fun and exciting experience for fans.
--:-- Ryland Barton: NBA players like Giannis Antetokounmpo, who's from Greece, and Nikola Jokic, who's from Serbia, support the idea, hoping it'll add intensity to the game.
--:-- Ryland Barton: I'm Ryland Barton. This is NPR News.
--:-- Ryland Barton: This message comes from Bombas. You need better socks and slippers and underwear because you should love what you wear every day.
--:-- Ryland Barton: One purchased equals one donated. Go to bombas.com slash NPR and use code NPR for 20% off.
