In the U.S., national security news can feel far away from daily life.

Distant wars, murky conflicts, diplomacy behind closed doors on our new show, Sources and Methods.

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Rylan Barton.

It's an historic day in the Middle East as the last of the living hostages held by Hamas were freed today in a ceasefire deal.

NPR's Daniel Estrin reports from Tel Aviv on reunions of the 20

freed hostages that they had with their families.

Videos show the moments freed hostages first saw their families.

The mother of 23-year-old Barr Cooperstein threw herself onto her son, reciting a Jewish prayer in tears.

32-year-old Avinaan Orr returned from captivity today and greeted his girlfriend, a former

hostage, with a scream and kisses.

Hamas said it was returning only a few of the deceased Israeli hostages bodies today.

Israel said a deliberate delay would violate the ceasefire deal. Daniel. returning only a few of the deceased Israeli hostages bodies today.

Israel said a deliberate delay would violate the ceasefire deal.

Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

Republican Speaker Mike Johnson says the federal government shutdown may become the longest in history,

saying he won't negotiate with Democrats until they hit pause on their health care demands. Johnson said he was

unaware of the details of the thousands of federal workers being fired by the Trump administration

during the shutdown. Vice President J.D. Vance has warned of painful cuts ahead, even as employee

unions sue. Thousands of flights have been delayed and hundreds more have been canceled as a result of a nor'easter.

The storm began over the weekend and continues to drench parts of the Mid-Atlantic. NPR's Julianna Kim reports.

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