Overview of NPR News: 09-27-2026 10PM EDT
This NPR news roundup covers a suspected terrorism investigation near a U.S.-used Royal Air Force base in England, a White House funding fight over healthcare and education cuts, Pope Leo’s remarks on clergy abuse in Lourdes, severe weather and flooding in the Northeastern U.S., plus notable sports, entertainment, and cultural updates.
Top National and International Headlines
Suspected terror plot near RAF Fairford
- Dozens of homes near an RAF base used by U.S. bombers remained evacuated after five men were arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist attack.
- Police said the Army’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit was still examining three vehicles near Welford.
- The base, RAF Fairford, hosts the U.S. Air Force’s 501st Combat Support Wing and has been used in U.S. operations in the region.
White House funding cuts spark backlash
- The White House told Congress it plans to cancel $810 million in healthcare- and education-related programs.
- Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins called the move a “pocket rescission” and said it is unlawful and an attempt to undermine Congress’s power of the purse.
- NPR notes this comes amid broader cuts to social safety net programs, adding to voter anger over inflation, gas prices, and high mortgage rates heading into the election.
Religion and Church Accountability
Pope Leo speaks on abuse at Lourdes
- Pope Leo addressed a large crowd at the Shrine of Lourdes in France and said the Catholic Church must confront the “deep wounds” caused by clergy abuse.
- Lourdes is one of Catholicism’s most important pilgrimage sites, but it has also been tied to scandal.
- Some mosaics at the shrine by an artist accused of abuse were reportedly covered during the Pope’s visit.
- Leo has previously called for listening to survivors and offering reparations.
Weather and Public Safety
Heavy rain causes flooding in the Northeast
- Drenching rain continued across the northeastern United States.
- Another round of flooding hit low-lying areas in New York and New Jersey.
- The storms also caused power outages in several Northeastern states.
Entertainment and Culture
“Avengers: Endgame” returns to theaters
- Marvel re-released Avengers: Endgame, pushing it back to the top of the box office.
- The rerelease includes four minutes of unseen footage and appears designed to build hype for Avengers: Doomsday, due in three months.
- The film’s ticket sales brought its total box office haul even closer to Avatar, the highest-grossing film of all time.
Pandas arrive in Atlanta
- Chinese pandas Ping Ping and Fu Xiang arrived at Zoo Atlanta under a new U.S.-China agreement.
- Their loan is part of China’s panda diplomacy.
- Their names were explained as meaning “peaceful” and “double happiness.”
Sports Update
Phillies advance in the NL Wild Card race
- The Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 7–3.
- Philadelphia will next face Atlanta in a best-of-three wild card series.
Key Takeaways
- Security concerns in the U.K. remain high after arrests linked to a possible terror attack near a U.S.-used air base.
- A major fight is brewing in Washington over the White House’s attempt to cut funding for social programs.
- Pope Leo is pressing the Catholic Church to confront abuse more directly.
- Severe weather continues to impact the Northeast with flooding and outages.
- In lighter news, Marvel, pandas, and MLB all made headlines.