NPR News Now – October 20, 2025, 2AM EDT

Host: Dan Ronan (NPR)
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a concise update on major national and international news stories, including widespread anti-Trump protests, rising US-Colombia tensions, key updates on US economic data amid a government shutdown, a tragic accident in Hong Kong, a major jewel heist at the Louvre, and important baseball playoff results.

Major News Highlights & Insights

1. Nationwide "No Kings" Protests Against Trump Administration

[00:17 – 01:07]

• Scale: Organizers claimed events in 2,600 locations nationwide with “millions” participating.
• Purpose: Protesters objected to the Trump administration, accusing President Trump of acting “more like a monarch than an elected official.”
• Administration's Response:
  • President Trump dismissed the protests:
    • “I think it’s a joke. I looked at the people. They're not representative of this country. … Paid for. I guess it was paid for by Soros and other radical left lunatics.” (Donald Trump, [00:44])
  • Called the demonstrations "very small, very ineffective," and described attendees as “whacked out.”
  • Republican Reaction:
    • House Speaker Mike Johnson labeled the protests the “Hate America rally.”
    • Other GOP figures called them “un-American.”

2. US-Colombia Relations Hit New Low

[01:07 – 02:16]

• Context: Fallout between President Trump and Colombian President Gustavo Petro.
  • Four months of insults between the two leaders.
  • Washington revoked Petro's US Visa.
• Escalating Tensions:
  • Trump’s policy of attacking suspected drug boats in the Caribbean has led to claims of civilian casualties.
  • Petro accused Trump of “murder,” after a fisherman’s death.
  • Trump on social media:
    • Called Petro “an illegal drug leader, strongly encouraging the massive production of drugs.”
    • Threatened to cut off US aid to Colombia.
• Petro’s Response:
  • Described himself as “the main enemy of Colombian traffickers.”
  • Claimed Trump is “uninformed about his country.”
  • Reporting by John Otis from Bogota, Colombia.

3. Key Economic Data to Be Released Amid Government Shutdown

[02:16 – 03:06]

• Highlight: Despite a government shutdown pausing all economic data, an exception is made for this week’s inflation numbers.
• Reason: These figures determine the Social Security Administration’s annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA).
  • “COLA determines how much Social Security benefits need to be adjusted for the following year.”
    (Rafael Nam, [02:28])
• Implications: The Federal Reserve will have this data for its upcoming policy meeting.
• Reporting by Rafael Nam.

4. Deadly Plane Accident in Hong Kong

[03:06 – 03:24]

• Incident: Two airport security workers killed after a 747 cargo plane skidded off the runway.

5. China’s Communist Party Convenes Leadership Meeting

[03:24 – 03:59]

• Event: A key four-day, closed-door meeting begins in Beijing, led by President Xi Jinping and 300+ top officials.
• Purpose: Shaping China’s political and economic agenda through 2030.
• Backdrop: Rising US-China trade tensions and an anticipated Trump-Xi summit in South Korea later this month.

6. Dramatic Jewel Heist at the Louvre, Paris

[03:59 – 04:38]

• Crime:
  • Three masked, chainsaw-wielding thieves robbed the Louvre’s Apollo Gallery in just seven minutes.
  • Stole nine pieces: necklaces, a brooch, and a tiara.
  • Items described as of “inestimable cultural and historical value.”
    (Museum Spokesperson, quoted by Rebecca Rossman, [03:59])
• Details: Thieves broke in via window, used box cutters on cases, escaped on motorcycles.
• Aftermath: No injuries; police investigating.
• Reporting by Rebecca Rossman from Paris.

7. ALCS Baseball Update: Blue Jays Force Game 7

[04:38 – 04:56]

• Sports: Toronto Blue Jays beat the Seattle Mariners 6–2, tying the series 3–3.
• Game 7: Set in Toronto; winner goes to World Series vs. Dodgers.

Notable Quotes

• Donald Trump (on protests):
  “It’s a joke. … We're checking it out. The demonstrations were very small, very ineffective, and the people were whacked out.” ([00:44])

• John Otis (on US-Colombia escalation):
  “Petro quickly responded by describing himself as the main enemy of Colombian traffickers and by saying that Trump was uninformed about his country.” ([02:16])

• Rafael Nam (on inflation data):
  “Like the full name implies, COLA determines how much Social Security benefits need to be adjusted for the following year. That also means the Federal Reserve will at least have this critical data before its policy meeting later this month.” ([02:28])

• Rebecca Rossman (on the Louvre heist):
  “Seven minutes. That’s how long police say it took three masked men armed with chainsaws to steal nine pieces of jewelry from the Louvre’s Apollo Gallery... The pieces are of, quote, inestimable cultural and historical value.” ([03:59])

Summary Table – Segment Timestamps

| Segment | Time Range | |---------------------------|-------------| | Anti-Trump Protests | 00:17–01:07 | | US-Colombia Tensions | 01:07–02:16 | | Inflation/SSA Update | 02:16–03:06 | | HK Airport Accident | 03:06–03:24 | | China Party Meeting | 03:24–03:59 | | Louvre Jewel Robbery | 03:59–04:38 | | ALCS Baseball | 04:38–04:56 |

This five-minute update delivers a brisk but thorough scan of top stories, spotlighting political flashpoints and dramatic world events with crisp reporting and impactful direct quotes.