NPR News Now: October 21, 2025 – 8PM EDT

Episode Overview

This fast-paced NPR News update delivers major headlines from around the globe in a concise five-minute segment. Key stories include the resolution of a major Amazon cloud service outage, a U.S.–Australia deal on rare earth elements, impacts of the U.S. government shutdown on nuclear weapons facilities, new findings on marijuana for chronic pain, environmental controversies over Brazilian oil drilling near the Amazon, a military exercise incident in California, and the passing of Limp Bizkit bassist Sam Rivers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Amazon Cloud Outage Disrupts Global Internet

• Summary: Amazon’s cloud computing issue caused widespread internet disruptions, highlighting the global reliance on a handful of companies for online services.
• Quote: “The incident was the latest reminder that the Internet is increasingly dependent on a handful of cloud computing companies.” — Ryland Barton (00:07)

2. U.S.–Australia Rare Earth Elements Deal

• Summary: President Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a deal to boost investment in Australia’s rare earth processing capabilities. This strategic move is a response to China’s tightening export restrictions on critical minerals.
• Quote: “In about a year from now, we’ll have so much critical mineral and rare earths that you won’t know what to do with them.” — President Trump (quoted by Julia Carnero, 00:39)
• Insight: The agreement aims to secure diversified global supplies for vital manufacturing sectors.

3. U.S. Nuclear Weapons Facilities Impacted by Shutdown

• Summary: The government shutdown leads to the furlough of about 1,400 employees from the National Nuclear Security Administration, which manages the U.S. nuclear arsenal. A small core staff remains for safety and security oversight.
• Quote: “According to an Energy Department spokesperson, the furloughs are due to the, quote, Democrat shutdown.” — Jeff Brumfiel (01:32)
• Insight: The office responsible for transporting nuclear arms remains funded until the next week.

4. Marijuana for Chronic Back Pain: New Research

• Summary: Major German clinical trials indicate marijuana may outperform both placebos and opioids for chronic low back pain treatment, with fewer gastrointestinal side effects. U.S. trials are required before domestic approval.
• Quote: “It’s a really good study, and it’s, you know, one that we should repeat in the United States.” — Dr. Richard Price, UC Davis (reported by Will Stone, 02:38)
• Insight: Restrictive U.S. drug scheduling slows necessary follow-up research.

5. Brazil Approves Oil Drilling Near Amazon River Basin

• Summary: Petrobras, Brazil’s state oil company, gets approval to drill near the Amazon river mouth. The move is lauded by the government but faces backlash from environmentalists and a majority of Brazilians, especially as Brazil readies itself to host the COP30 UN climate conference.
• Quote: “The government’s drive to drill in the region has sparked protests from environmental and indigenous groups.” — Julia Carnero (03:31)
• Insight: The project exposes a conflict between economic ambitions and climate commitments.

6. California Marine Corps Exercise Incident

• Summary: Metal shrapnel from an artillery shell during a Marine Corps exercise damages a Highway Patrol vehicle over Interstate 5. Vice President J.D. Vance witnessed the event. No injuries reported.
• Quote: “The California Highway Patrol says no one was injured.” — Ryland Barton (04:15)

7. Limp Bizkit Bassist Sam Rivers Dies

• Summary: Sam Rivers, bassist for Limp Bizkit, has passed away at 48. Remembered fondly by his bandmates for his unique contribution to their sound.
• Quote: “On Saturday, his bandmates praised him as pure magic and the soul of the sound.” — Ryland Barton (04:27)

Notable Quotes

• “The incident was the latest reminder that the Internet is increasingly dependent on a handful of cloud computing companies.”
  — Ryland Barton (00:07)
• “In about a year from now, we’ll have so much critical mineral and rare earths that you won’t know what to do with them.”
  — President Trump (quoted by Julia Carnero, 00:39)
• “According to an Energy Department spokesperson, the furloughs are due to the, quote, Democrat shutdown.”
  — Jeff Brumfiel (01:32)
• “It’s a really good study, and it’s, you know, one that we should repeat in the United States.”
  — Dr. Richard Price (02:38)
• “The government’s drive to drill in the region has sparked protests from environmental and indigenous groups.”
  — Julia Carnero (03:31)
• “On Saturday, his bandmates praised him as pure magic and the soul of the sound.”
  — Ryland Barton (04:27)

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Time | Segment Description | |--------|---------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:00 | Amazon Cloud outage & worldwide impact | | 00:29 | U.S.–Australia rare earth elements deal announced | | 01:14 | US nuclear facilities affected by government shutdown | | 01:55 | Marijuana study for chronic back pain | | 02:52 | U.S. stocks and Petrobras oil drilling controversy | | 04:04 | California artillery exercise incident | | 04:24 | Limp Bizkit bassist Sam Rivers obituary |

Tone & Language

• Factual, urgent, and concise in classic NPR news style
• Occasional inclusion of direct quotations brings authentic voice and immediacy to key points

This five-minute episode quickly orients listeners to major breaking stories with clarity and context, ideal for anyone needing to catch up on vital news at a glance.