UPDATED: 12 PM ET: Shutdown countdown, US in Syria, new species discovered & more

The US is hours away from a government shutdown, while lawmakers scramble to find an agreement on a funding bill. The Federal Reserve’s go-to inflation gauge ticked up less than expected last month. American officials are in Syria, while US military forces continue airstrikes on ISIS targets in the country. President Joe Biden is set to approve more student debt relief. Plus, researchers say they’re discovered dozens of new species in northwestern Peru. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices