Government Shutdown Threatens as Ukraine-Russia Conflict Escalates: NPR

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Top Headlines Today

President Trump has called off a scheduled Thursday meeting with Democratic leaders aimed at negotiating a government funding agreement. This development heightens the likelihood of a government shutdown starting October 1. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries emphasized that the Democrats’ stance is straightforward: they want to “reverse the cuts, reduce expenses, and protect healthcare.” Trump criticized the Democrats’ insistence on including healthcare provisions in the funding bill as “unrealistic” on social media, stating that the meeting would not yield productive results.

• 🎧 NPR’s Deirdre Walsh tells Up First that avoiding a government shutdown now appears improbable. While Congress has occasionally expedited decisions when facing deadlines, no negotiations have commenced to facilitate this process. Republicans insist Democrats should approve a short-term, seven-week funding bill without attaching additional policy conditions. Some GOP members support healthcare subsidies but argue these should be addressed separately from the urgent funding legislation.

At the United Nations General Assembly, Trump asserted that Ukraine has the potential to regain all territories lost to Russia. He believes this goal is attainable with backing from the European Union and NATO. This marks a notable departure from his previous position, which suggested Kyiv might have to relinquish some land to Moscow to achieve peace.

• 🎧 This change in stance follows Trump’s meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and various European leaders at the U.N., NPR’s Michele Kelemen reports. Last month, Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and announced progress in their discussions. However, since then, Russia has intensified attacks on Ukrainian cities. Recently, Poland and Estonia convened emergency U.N. Security Council sessions after Russian drones violated Polish airspace and Russian aircraft were spotted over Estonia. European officials interpret these actions as evidence that Russia is not pursuing peace. Kelemen suggests Trump may be realizing that his personal rapport with Putin alone won’t resolve the conflict.

Jimmy Kimmel received a warm standing ovation upon his return to television after a nearly week-long suspension of his show. During his opening monologue, Kimmel expressed heartfelt gratitude to the network and supporters of free expression. He clarified that he never intended to trivialize the tragic killing involving Charlie Kirk. Kimmel also highlighted Erica Kirk’s forgiveness toward her husband’s killer as a powerful example for everyone to emulate.

• 🎧 Trump reacted on social media, expressing disbelief that Kimmel is back on air. NPR’s Mandalit del Barco interprets this as a veiled threat toward ABC. Last year, ABC settled a defamation lawsuit with Trump for $16 million. Now, Trump hints that this current situation could be even more financially rewarding.
• ➡️ Kimmel joked about having a stranger 48 hours than Tylenol, referencing the president’s unsubstantiated claim linking autism to acetaminophen, the active ingredient in the pain reliever. Here are three insights from an autism expert addressing this assertion.

Featured Audio

Artificial intelligence is increasingly woven into our daily lives, often in ways both visible and subtle. To explore AI’s impact on everyday experiences, It’s Been a Minute has launched a new series titled AI + U. In the episode “Can you trust AI search results?” host Brittany Luse chats with NPR’s Bobby Allyn about the importance of transparency in this fast-evolving field and debates whether AI primarily serves its users or its developers. They also share guidance on how to approach AI-generated content responsibly. Listen to the episode and read the transcript here.

In-Depth Report

Dried, raw Irish sea moss (Chondrus Crispus), packed with nutrients.
Katerina Solovyeva/500px Plus/Getty Images

Sea moss has surged in popularity on social media as a wellness “superfood,” touted for benefits like enhancing digestive health, promoting glowing skin, and improving sleep quality. You might have unknowingly consumed sea moss, as it’s commonly harvested for carrageenan-a thickening and stabilizing agent used in foods such as ice cream and puddings. Available in forms like capsules, powders, and gummies, sea moss is widely marketed, but what does science say about its effectiveness? Here’s the current understanding.

• ➡️ Most health claims stem from laboratory or animal research, which may not translate directly to humans. Clinical trials involving people have been limited in size and duration, notes Dr. Melinda Ring from Northwestern University.
• ➡️ Whole sea moss is a valuable source of dietary fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals like zinc, which support gut function and immunity. However, these nutrients are also abundant in many other foods.
• ➡️ Excessive consumption raises concerns due to the potential accumulation of heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, and mercury.
• ➡️ Sea moss contains high levels of iodine, essential for thyroid health, but overconsumption could disrupt thyroid function.
• ➡️ For those interested in trying sea moss, Dr. Ring recommends consuming it in its natural form or as a gel rather than relying on supplements.

Three Things to Remember Before You Go

The 2025 Booker Prize shortlist features seasoned authors: Susan Choi, Andrew Miller, Kiran Desai, Ben Markovits, Katie Kitamura, and David Szalay.
Premiere Scotland Ltd.

1. The six finalists for the 2025 Booker Prize are all experienced writers, many with over five published books. The winner, to be announced on November 10, will receive a $67,600 prize.
2. Starting with the 2026 Major League Baseball season, players will be able to challenge called balls and strikes during both regular and postseason games for the first time in history.
3. In July 2020, Lara Friedman was walking her large rottweiler, The Dude, when fireworks startled the dog, causing panic. The wet sidewalks from earlier rain made the situation hazardous. Fortunately, two strangers, Blake and Bubba, stepped in to help ensure their safe return home. Friedman remains deeply grateful for their kindness and plans to pay it forward.

This newsletter was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.