NPR News Now – October 19, 2025, 8PM EDT

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This episode of "NPR News Now" delivers concise updates on major global and domestic stories: renewed violence between Israel and Hamas after a fragile ceasefire, a controversial US military strike on a Colombian boat, emerging research on COVID vaccines and cancer survival, escalating tensions between President Trump and Colombian President Petro over drug policy, a high-profile jewel heist at the Louvre, and a brief look at US futures markets.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Gaza Ceasefire Breaks Down Amid Fierce Airstrikes

[00:18–01:29]

• Situation:
  After a week-long ceasefire, Israel launched its heaviest airstrikes in Gaza following attacks by Hamas.
• Casualties:
  At least 35 Palestinians (including two children) and two Israeli soldiers reported dead.
• Political Tension:
  • Both Israel and Hamas accuse each other of breaking the deal brokered by President Trump.
  • Israeli officials halted movement in Gaza and closed the Rafah border indefinitely pending return of deceased hostages' bodies.
  • Hamas claims it needs international help to recover more bodies.
• Quote (Carrie Khan, NPR News, Tel Aviv):

  "Gaza’s health officials say among the dozens of Palestinians killed were two children. An Israeli official ... said Israel halted the movement of all inside Gaza. But later a spokesman said the military will abide by the ceasefire." [01:06]

2. US Military Airstrike on Colombian Boat

[01:29–02:28]

• Incident:
  President Trump authorized a deadly airstrike on a boat in international waters.
• Conflicting Claims:
  • US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth describes the targeted boat as a drug-smuggling vessel connected to Colombia’s National Liberation Army (ELN).
  • Colombian President Gustavo Petro disputes this, asserting the boat was a family fishing vessel.
• Outcome:
  • Three deaths, bringing the campaign’s toll to at least 31.
• Video Evidence:
  Released footage shows the destruction of the targeted boat.
• Quotes:
  • (Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth):

    "The vessel was with the National Liberation Army, a Colombian rebel group and designated terrorist organization. He likened the group to Al Qaeda." [01:57]

  • (President Gustavo Petro):

    "[The boat] belonged to a humble family, lovers of the sea from which they drew their food." [02:16]

3. COVID-19 Vaccine Shows Promise Beyond Virus Protection

[02:28–03:12]

• Research Findings:
  • University of Florida studies of 1,000+ advanced cancer patients showed those who had received a COVID-19 vaccine (in addition to immunotherapy drugs) had significantly better survival rates.
• Scientists’ Conclusion:
  • The vaccines may stimulate the immune system to better fight cancer, but further research is needed.
• Quote (Rob Stein, NPR News):

  "The researchers say the COVID vaccines appear to help rev up the immune system to battle cancer, but more research is needed to explore how the COVID vaccines might help cancer patients." [03:04]

4. Diplomatic Tensions Between Trump and Colombia Over Drug Policy

[03:12–04:02]

• Escalation:
  President Trump accuses Colombian President Gustavo Petro of failing to combat narcotics, threatens to cut U.S. aid.
• Petro’s Response:
  Petro denies allegations, defending Colombia’s anti-narcotics work.
• Aid Impact:
  $230 million in U.S. assistance cited for the previous fiscal year.
• Quote:
  • (Narrator, Jeanine Herbst):

    "Trump says he'll slash U.S. assistance because Colombia's leftist president, quote, does nothing to stop drug production and is, quote, an illegal drug leader." [03:25]

5. Dramatic Jewel Heist at the Louvre

[04:02–04:42]

• Crime Details:
  • Three masked men, wielding chainsaws and box cutters, stole nine pieces of jewelry—including necklaces, a brooch, and a tiara—from the Apollo Gallery in just seven minutes.
  • The thieves escaped on motorcycles; no injuries reported.
  • The stolen items described as having "inestimable cultural and historical value."
• Quote (Museum spokesperson, via Rebecca Rossman, Paris):

  "The pieces are of, quote, inestimable cultural and historical value." [04:21]

6. Brief Market Update

[04:42–04:57]

• Snapshot:
  Dow futures: ±3 points;
  Nasdaq futures: +15;
  S&P 500 futures: +1.

Notable Moments & Quotes

• Carrie Khan (on Gaza):

  "An Israeli official...said Israel halted the movement of all inside Gaza. But later a spokesman said the military will abide by the ceasefire." [01:06]

• Secretary Hegseth (on Colombian Strike):

  "The vessel was with the National Liberation Army, a Colombian rebel group and designated terrorist organization. He likened the group to Al Qaeda." [01:57]

• President Gustavo Petro (on Colombian Strike):

  "[The boat] belonged to a humble family, lovers of the sea from which they drew their food." [02:16]

• Rob Stein (on COVID vaccines):

  "COVID vaccines appear to help rev up the immune system to battle cancer, but more research is needed..." [03:04]

• Jeanine Herbst (Trump–Colombia feud):

  "Trump says he'll slash U.S. assistance because Colombia's leftist president, quote, does nothing to stop drug production and is, quote, an illegal drug leader." [03:25]

• Louvre Spokesperson:

  "The pieces are of, quote, inestimable cultural and historical value." [04:21]

Segment Timestamps

• [00:18] Gaza airstrikes and ceasefire breakdown
• [01:29] U.S. airstrike controversy with Colombia
• [02:28] COVID-19 vaccine and cancer study
• [03:12] Trump, U.S. aid, and Colombian relations
• [04:02] Louvre jewel heist
• [04:42] U.S. futures market update

For concise, up-to-date world news, this episode delivers crucial information on urgent international conflicts, scientific developments, high-stakes diplomacy, high-profile crime, and financial trends.