NPR News Now – 10-19-2025 11PM EDT

Host: Dan Ronan (NPR News Anchor)
Date: October 20, 2025
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This rapid-fire NPR News Now episode provides concise updates on major global and national stories, including political moves in the U.S., escalating violence in the Middle East, cybersecurity tensions between China and the U.S., a jewel heist in Paris, a significant funeral in Kenya, and an aviation accident in Hong Kong. Each topic is relayed with characteristic NPR clarity and urgency.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Trump Considers Deploying Troops to San Francisco

[00:17–00:59]

• President Trump signals possible use of the Insurrection Act to deploy federal troops to San Francisco, citing city “deterioration.”
• Clarifies (on Air Force One) previous Fox News comments; asserts presidential authority and precedent for using the Act.
• Historical Note (Anchor): The Insurrection Act last invoked in 1992 during Los Angeles riots.

Notable Quote:

"We're trying to do it in a very nice way. I'm allowed, as you know, as president. Like 50% of the presidents have used the Insurrection Act.... We're trying to do it in a nicer manner, but we can always use the Insurrection act if we want."
— President Donald Trump [00:38]

2. Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Collapses in Gaza

[00:59–02:16]

• Fiercest Israeli airstrikes since the ceasefire; at least 35 Palestinians, including 2 children, killed; 2 Israeli soldiers killed by Hamas.
• Both sides accuse the other of violating the U.S.-brokered agreement.
• Israeli military temporarily halted all truck movement into Gaza.
• Rafah border (Egypt-Gaza) closed until Hamas returns bodies of hostages “at a reasonable pace.” Hamas says they need heavy equipment and international help.
• Reporter: Carrie Kahn from Tel Aviv, providing on-the-ground context.

Notable Quote:

"Gaza's health officials say among the dozens of Palestinians killed were two children.... Israeli officials say they have also closed the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza indefinitely until Hamas returns bodies of deceased hostages at a reasonable pace."
— Carrie Kahn [01:42]

3. China Accuses U.S. of Major Cyberattack

[02:16–03:09]

• China accuses U.S. National Security Agency of mounting a three-year cyberattack on the national time service, which is central to Chinese communications and infrastructure.
• China claims U.S. used 42 different cyber weapons to hack staff and systems, steal sensitive info.
• U.S. has not responded.
• Ongoing cyber tensions: both nations regularly accuse each other of aggression in cyberspace.
• Reporter: Ashish Valentine in Taipei.

Notable Quote:

"US intelligence allegedly used 42 types of cyber weapons to spy on staff members, cell phones and computer networks, and steal private information from the agency."
— Ashish Valentine [02:37]

4. Daring Heist at the Louvre Museum, Paris

[03:09–03:50]

• Four professional thieves stole 8 priceless Napoleonic era jewels from the Apollo Gallery in less than four minutes.
• French authorities, led by President Macron, vow to capture the suspects.

Notable Quote:

"Officials in Paris say this weekend's daring heist at the Louvre took as little as four minutes as professional thieves stole eight priceless Napoleonic era jewels from the museum's Apollo Gallery."
— NPR News Anchor [03:09]

5. Funeral of Kenya’s Former Prime Minister Marred by Violence

[03:50–04:32]

• Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga buried in his rural home, attended by thousands and African dignitaries.
• Previous funeral events in Nairobi turned deadly: security forces fired into crowds, causing multiple deaths, followed by a deadly stampede.
• Odinga remembered as a champion of democracy; served as PM (2008–2013).
• Reporter: Michael Koloki from Nairobi.

Notable Quote:

"A number of people were killed when security forces fired bullets and tear gas to disperse a huge crowd of mourners in the capital, Nairobi, with reports of more deaths the next day following a stampede..."
— Michael Koloki [04:05]

6. Deadly Runway Accident at Hong Kong International Airport

[04:32–04:56]

• Turkish cargo plane hits vehicle on runway, skids into sea.
• 2 airport workers killed; all four crew members survived.
• Plane owned by ACT ATC airline.

Additional Notable Segments

• Brief update: Key meeting of China’s top leaders underway in Beijing. [03:09]
• Closing Reminder: "This is NPR News." [04:56]

Memorable Quotes and Moments

• President Trump, on deploying the Insurrection Act:

  "...there's no more court cases, there's no more anything." [00:47]

• Carrie Kahn, describing the aftermath in Gaza:

  "Both sides accuse each other of violating the agreement brokered by President Trump." [01:15]

Timestamp Reference Guide

• 00:17 – Trump discusses potential use of Insurrection Act.
• 00:59 – Anchor provides background on Insurrection Act.
• 01:26 – Israel-Gaza escalation report.
• 02:16 – China accuses U.S. of cyberattack.
• 03:09 – Louvre jewel heist.
• 03:50 – Odinga funeral turns deadly in Kenya.
• 04:32 – Hong Kong airport crash.

This NPR News Now edition delivers snapshots of urgent events shaping U.S. politics, global conflicts, technological rivalries, crime, and tragedy—presented with the urgency and neutrality characteristic of NPR’s reporting style.