NPR News Now: October 24, 2025, 1PM EDT

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Runtime: 5 minutes

Overview

This edition of NPR News Now offers a brisk roundup of major national and international stories as of October 24, 2025. Top topics include the ongoing federal government shutdown and its impact on workers, the latest inflation and Social Security updates, U.S.-Israel relations amid a Gaza ceasefire, a diplomatic fallout between the U.S. and Canada, stock market movements, and a study examining how AI chatbots support teens in crisis.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Federal Government Shutdown

[00:17-01:01]

• Federal Workers Missing Paychecks:
  Today marks a milestone as federal workers across the country miss their first full paychecks since the start of the shutdown.

• Blame Game:
  President Trump and Republican allies claim Democrats are at fault for blocking a GOP-backed short-term bill meant to reopen the government.
  Democrats are holding out for maintaining healthcare subsidies and other protections.

• House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries' Criticism:
  The shutdown has now lasted 24 days.

  • Quote:

    "Donald Trump is demolishing parts of the White House in real time. Why? So he can construct some gaudy ballroom where he can be celebrated as if he was a king? All of this has been happening during the 24 days of the Trump Republican shutdown."
    — Commentator/Analyst [00:44]

2. U.S. Inflation and Social Security Adjustments

[01:01-02:07]

• Slower-than-Expected Consumer Price Increase:
  Inflation rose 3% annually in September, slightly below forecasts. The data was released nine days late due to the shutdown.
• Federal Reserve Outlook:
  Economists now expect another interest rate cut next week.
• Impact on Social Security:
  The inflation number factors into Social Security’s cost of living adjustment (COLA), impacting 75 million Americans.

  • The 2026 COLA will be 2.8%, or an average increase of $56 per month for retirees, starting in January.

  • Notable Coverage:

    "The federal government published the September inflation report nine days late, but called workers back specifically to work on this crucial update."
    — Maria Aspen [01:27]

3. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s Trip to Israel

[02:07-02:44]

• Gaza Truce Coordination:
  Rubio visited the U.S.-Israel Civil Military Coordination Center, calling the orchestration of the Gaza ceasefire "an historic mission."
• Objectives:
  • Sustaining a truce
  • Delivering humanitarian aid
  • Preparing for a stabilization force in Gaza
• Concerns About Gaza:
  • Quote:

    "There will never be peace as long as there's an area or a territory that's being used as a launchpad to threaten Israel's security."
    — Commentator/Analyst [02:35]

• Controversy Over U.N. Agency:
  Rubio referred to the U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) as a "subsidiary of Hamas," aligning with Israeli allegations, though the U.N.'s highest court rejected this view. Rubio said UNRWA will not operate in Gaza, but other U.N. agencies may.

4. Market Update

[03:06]

• Stocks Rally:
  The Dow Jones is trading more than 1% higher, up over 550 points.

5. U.S.-Canada Trade Dispute

[03:07-04:09]

• Trade Talks Collapse:
  President Trump halts negotiations with Canada after Ontario uses a clip of Ronald Reagan in a trade-related TV ad.
• Dispute Details:
  • Ontario is accused of exploiting Reagan’s 1987 address on free and fair trade.
  • Trump reacts strongly on Truth Social.
  • The Reagan Presidential Foundation claims the audio was misused and is considering legal action.

6. AI Chatbots and Teen Crisis Support

[04:09-04:56]

• New Study from JAMA Open Forum:
  Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital tested 25 popular AI chatbots, both companion and general assistance types, on their handling of sensitive scenarios involving teens:
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Sexual assault
  • Substance abuse
• Findings:

  • 60% of the time, chatbots recognized the crisis’s seriousness.

  • Only 36% provided concrete, useful resources.

  • General purpose chatbots like ChatGPT outperformed specialized companion apps.

  • Memorable Moment:

    "General assistance chatbots like ChatGPT were more likely to respond appropriately than companion apps."
    — Ritu Chatterjee [04:50]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Critique of White House Actions During Shutdown:

  "Donald Trump is demolishing parts of the White House in real time. Why? So he can construct some gaudy ballroom where he can be celebrated as if he was a king?" (Commentator/Analyst, [00:44])

• Israeli Security Concerns:

  "There will never be peace as long as there's an area or a territory that's being used as a launchpad to threaten Israel's security." (Commentator/Analyst, [02:35])

• Study-Supported Doubts on AI for Teens in Crisis:

  "General assistance chatbots like ChatGPT were more likely to respond appropriately than companion apps." (Ritu Chatterjee, [04:50])

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------|-------------| | Federal Shutdown/White House Critique | 00:17-01:01 | | Inflation & Social Security | 01:01-02:07 | | Rubio in Israel/Gaza Ceasefire | 02:07-02:44 | | Market Update | 03:06 | | U.S.-Canada Reagan Ad Controversy | 03:07-04:09 | | AI Chatbots and Teen Support Study | 04:09-04:56 |

This concise news update delivers the latest headlines and expert insights across U.S. politics, the economy, international relations, and social trends, offering listeners a comprehensive briefing in just five minutes.