Violation of the ceasefire in Gaza; Government Shutdown Day 20: NPR

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Today’s most important news

The Gaza ceasefire was tested this weekend When Israel launched an attack on the region in response to an attack on its forces. The Israeli army announced on Sunday that “terrorists” attacked Israeli forces operating in the Rafah area, killing two soldiers. Hamas denied involvement in any attacks. Gaza officials say dozens were killed in Israeli raids. The two sides are exchanging accusations of violating the ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States.

• 🎧 Yesterday’s events represent the greatest threat to the ceasefire agreement Since the two sides signed the agreement, NPR’s Rob Schmitz says arrives first. Despite what happened, Hamas and Israel say they are still the same Committed to the spirit of the ceasefire. US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump’s advisor and son-in-law Jared Kushner arrive in Israel today, and Vice President J.D. Vance is expected to arrive tomorrow to put the ceasefire agreement back on track. The group will try to facilitate the return of the bodies of the remaining Israeli hostages, an important part of the first phase of the agreement.

The government shutdown enters its twentieth day In the absence of serious negotiations underway to end the matter. The longest shutdown was 35 days and occurred during Trump’s first term in the White House. However, it’s different this time, as there is less pressure to reach a deal because some of the effects are not as widely felt, says NPR’s Deirdre Walsh.

• 🎧 Instead of feeling pressured to withdraw because their projects are being targetedDemocrats are looking at and saying this is akin to the same tactics the Trump administration used before the shutdown happened. The Senate voted 10 times unsuccessfully on a temporary bill approved by the House of Representatives to fund the government. The next vote is expected tonight. Senate Democrats are expected to do so Continue to block this billThey did not budge on their position that health care subsidies that expire at the end of the year should be extended.

The United States plans to stop all subsidies to Colombia and implement new tariffs after the country’s leaderGustavo Petro said that Trump’s attacks on boats coming from Venezuela amount to murder. US forces destroyed boats in open waters in what the government describes as an anti-drug operation.

• 🎧 The US government says it struck at least seven ships He claims they were loaded with drugs destined for NPR’s Eder Peralta The big picture is that it has been decades Since the US military has taken such a position in the Americas. This has created tension in the region. Renaut Roberts, a fisherman in Trinidad, says he can hear drones flying at night. While Roberts says he thinks drugs are a problem, he says Trump can deal with it without bombing boats.

Cost of living

NPR series Cost of living: the price we pay The report examines what causes prices to rise and how people are coping after years of stubborn inflation.

Health care in the United States is the most expensive in the developed world and the price point is rising. Last year, the average annual premium for an employer-based health insurance plan for a family of four was more than $25,500. Of this total average, employers contributed about $19,200 and workers contributed the remainder. Total premiums have risen more than 24% since 2019, and are widely expected to rise next year. Here’s how rising costs affect people and businesses:

• ⚕️ Drug makers, hospitals, insurance companies, and other for-profit companies have raised the costs of access to medical care in the United States. For example, drug makers are developing more effective drugs, but they charge large fees for them.
• ⚕️ For many of the millions of people who get health insurance through their employer, their payroll deductions next year could rise by 6% to 7% on average.
• ⚕️ Some companies cover all insurance premiums. Offering health insurance with no premiums can help recruit new employees, reduce employee turnover rates, and help workers stay focused on their jobs, rather than expenses.

Hear more about what companies are doing Assistance with health insurance premiumsOr read a conversation about it. This week, the series will cover rising entertainment costs, such as ticket prices for sporting events. Stay up to date with the latest stories here.

How do rising prices change the way you live? Fill This model To share your story with NPR.

View the image

Cumbia across Latin America is a visual report covering the people, places and cultures that keep the genre alive in six countries.

The first cumbia song recorded in Ecuador in the 1960s had only one verse and was called “Cumbia Trieste”. The song, written by Polibio Mayorga, combined the rhythms of San Juanito music – traditional Andean music – with rural Colombian cumbia, which had arrived in the country via the recording industry. The result formed a new identity for many migrants who came to live in Ecuador’s urban centers. Mayorga laid the foundation for Ecuadorian cumbia music and musicians like Medardo Lozuriaga, who turned the genre into a national sensation. Luzuriaga has recorded more than 100 albums, and his emblematic cumbia music remains alive in the collective conscience of the entire country. Learn more about Ecuador’s influence on the music genre and see photos of the surrounding culture. You can also read the article in Spanish.

3 things you should know before you go

1. Sam Rivers, guitarist for the rock band Limp Bizkit, has died at the age of 48. The band said in a post on social media on Saturday, “Today we lost our brother.”
2. The Louvre Museum in Paris was robbed yesterday morning. Investigators are searching for four men who stole “priceless” jewelry, officials said.
3. OpenAI users have been banned from creating videos of Martin Luther King Jr. on its Sora app after his estate complained about widespread “disrespectful depictions.” Since the app launched three weeks ago, users have created hyper-realistic videos of King saying offensive and racist things.

This newsletter was edited by Obaid Manuel.