--:-- Nora Rahm: When someone you love is diagnosed with cancer or another serious illness, all you want to do is help. But where do you start?
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--:-- Nora Rahm: On the Life Kit podcast, we have tips for you. Your agenda should be, I'm going to be with you and be totally present to whatever comes up. Listen in the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts for different ways to offer support.
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--:-- Nora Rahm: Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Rahm.
--:-- Nora Rahm: Twenty Israelis held hostage for more than two years are free today. Hamas released them as part of a ceasefire plan brokered by the U.S. President Trump was in Israel today where he addressed the Israeli parliament. He's now in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to meet with other world leaders on the future of Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was invited to that meeting but declined. His office said it's too close to a Jewish holiday. Netanyahu did speak to the Israeli parliament alongside President Trump. A proposal that opens the door to an historic expansion of peace in our region and beyond our region.
--:-- Nora Rahm: Mr. President, you are committed to this peace. I am committed to this peace. And together, Mr. President, we will achieve this peace.
--:-- Nora Rahm: Under the deal Israel released more than 1 Palestinian detainees and promised to allow a surge of aid and other supplies into Gaza.
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--:-- Nora Rahm: About 20 percent of the U Department of Education remaining staff received RIF notices on Friday. As NPR's Corey Turner reports, that includes nearly everyone inside the department's Office of Special Education.
--:-- Corey Turner: This office collects and analyzes data and annual reports from states, making sure they're following federal law and serving the nearly 8 million kids with disabilities in the U.S. If staff worry a state has fallen out of compliance, they step in. They even have customer service reps who answer calls directly from parents and families.
--:-- Corey Turner: I spoke with six staffers who received RIF notices. They told me nearly the entire staff had been laid off Friday, except for a few top executives and support staff.
--:-- Corey Turner: One said, quote, this is decimating the office responsible for safeguarding the rights of infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities.
--:-- Nora Rahm: The Education Department did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
--:-- Corey Turner: Cori Turner, NPR News.
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--:-- Nora Rahm: After a flare-up in tensions over trade between the U.S. and China, Beijing says that threats and high tariffs are not the right way to engage with it. NPR's John Ruich has more.
--:-- John Ruich: Relations between China and the United States have worsened sharply over the past week with China adding restrictions to exports of rare earth minerals and President Trump pledging fresh 100 tariffs on Chinese goods in retaliation.
--:-- John Ruich: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian was asked about Trump new tariffs at a briefing in Beijing. He says China stands firmly against a string of steps by the U.S. that he says have seriously harmed China's interests.
--:-- John Ruich: Lin says the two sides should resolve their concerns through dialogue based on equality, mutual respect, and reciprocity, but he also issued a warning. If the U.S. persists on doing things its own way despite opposition. He says China will take resolute countermeasures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.
--:-- Nora Rahm: John Riewicz, NPR News, Beijing.
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--:-- Nora Rahm: At last check on Wall Street, the Dow is up 668 points.
--:-- Nora Rahm: This is NPR News in Washington.
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--:-- Nora Rahm: Two trains collided in eastern Slovakia this morning. Emergency medical services say that dozens of people were injured.
--:-- Nora Rahm: Broadway's musicians, who've been working without a contract since August 31st, voted overwhelmingly yesterday to authorize a strike if negotiations with producers break down.
--:-- Jeff London: Talks between both unions and the Broadway League, the organization which represents producers and theater owners, are ongoing. But coming on the heels of Broadway most successful season ever with a box office tally of close to billion the Musicians Union says it not interested in making concessions.
--:-- Jeff London: President Bob Stillman claims the league is threatening to cut wages health care, and jobs, stating, quote, local 802 Broadway musicians and other artists are ready to leverage every ounce of their collective power up to and including a strike.
--:-- Jeff London: The Broadway League has said, quote, we always prefer to negotiate with our union partners at the bargaining table rather than in the press.
--:-- Nora Rahm: For NPR News, I'm Jeff London in New York.
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--:-- Nora Rahm: When voters go to the polls in Nassau County, New York next month, they'll be filling a seat in the county legislature. But the Democratic candidate has been missing since April. Pedro's Cremidas hasn't been seen since he went swimming in Long Beach. Local Democrats tried to replace him on the ballot, but the Republicans sued. Now some Democrats are urging people vote for him anyway.
--:-- Nora Rahm: I'm Nora Rahm, NPR News in Washington.
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--:-- Terry Gross: Hi, it's Terry Gross, host of Fresh Air.
--:-- Terry Gross: Hey, take a break from the 24-hour news cycle with us and listen to long-form interviews with your favorite authors, actors, filmmakers, comedians, and musicians, the people making the art that nourishes us and speaks to our times.
--:-- Terry Gross: So listen to the Fresh Air podcast from NPR and WHYY.
