NPR News Now – October 25, 2025, 1PM EDT

Host: Norah Ram
Date: October 25, 2025
Duration: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This episode of NPR News Now delivers a concise five-minute update on major international and domestic news stories. The episode covers President Trump’s Asia trip, developments in a prolonged U.S. government shutdown, a consequential voting rights court decision, a tragic mass shooting in North Carolina, safety concerns in Mali, and a major Pride event in Taiwan.

Key Stories & Discussion Points

1. President Trump’s Asia Trip and Détente Efforts

(00:00–00:55)

• President Trump embarks on his first Asia visit since returning to office.
  • First stop: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
  • Anticipated meetings: Possible sideline meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea, though unconfirmed.
• US-China Relations:
  • Ongoing trade talks in Kuala Lumpur as both sides seek to de-escalate tensions.
  • President Trump highlights the possibility of mutual concessions.
• North Korea Context:
  • Trump states openness to meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, but "currently no plans for the two to meet on this trip." (Anthony Kuhn, 00:51)
  • Reference made to their previous meetings in 2018 and 2019.

Notable Quote:

“He expects a good meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, but that both sides may need to make concessions.”
— Anthony Kuhn, NPR News, Seoul (00:16)

2. US Military in Caribbean and Drug Interdiction

(00:55–01:18)

• USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier deployed to the Caribbean to reinforce anti-drug operations, joining many other US assets.
• Recent Military Actions:
  • US forces struck at least ten vessels alleged to be carrying drugs to US shores.
  • At least 40 people were killed (no further details provided).

3. Impact of Ongoing Government Shutdown

(01:18–01:55)

• Shutdown Duration: Now in its 25th day, affecting much more than just federal employees.
• Food Insecurity & Local Impact:
  • Christopher Ivy of Forgotten Harvest (Detroit, MI) stresses risks to food supply for the vulnerable.
  • Heavy reliance on community donations as government support dries up.
• SNAP Benefits:
  • Loss of supplemental nutrition assistance has increased anxiety for many households.

Notable Quote:

“If the government shutdown continues, there will be less food out there, government food and things like that for Forgotten Harvest to receive. … We're going to really have to lean into the community support that we need to be able to help us get through this difficult time for everybody.”
— Christopher Ivy, Forgotten Harvest (01:32)

4. Court Ruling Weakens Voting Rights Act Protections

(01:55–02:56)

• Federal Appeals Court Decision:
  • Refusal to review a panel ruling denying private entities the right to sue under Section 208 of the Voting Rights Act—now, only the US Attorney General may sue.
  • Immediate repercussions for voters with disabilities and limited English proficiency in seven states.
• Case Background:
  • Arkansas United challenged a state law capping the number of people one can assist in voting.
  • District court had found it violated federal law, but higher court overturned, limiting who can enforce the Act.
• Wider Impact:
  • Related cases are pending before the Supreme Court, including broader questions about the Act’s constitutionality.

Notable Quote:

“A panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled private groups like Arkansas United and individuals did not have the right to sue. Only the U.S. attorney general does. The full 8th Circuit now has rejected a request to review that ruling.”
— Hansi Luong, NPR News (02:28)

5. Mass Shooting in North Carolina

(02:56–03:19)

• Incident Details:
  • Two killed, eleven wounded (some critically) at a rural party near the South Carolina border.
  • Law enforcement believes it was an isolated incident; no ongoing threat.

6. Security and Safety Concerns in Mali

(03:19–04:10)

• US Authorizes Departure:
  • Non-emergency US personnel and their families leaving Mali amid security worries.
  • Fuel shortages due to Al Qaeda–aligned militants attempting to blockade supply routes.
  • Recent attack on a fuel convoy near Bamako and ongoing insurgency.

Notable Quote:

“The State Department also authorized the departure of Family members of U.S. government Employees in Mali and warned American citizens not to travel to the West African nation.”
— Michael Kaloki, NPR News, Nairobi (03:35)

7. Taiwan Pride Parade

(04:10–end)

• Event: Enormous turnout in Taipei for annual LGBTQ Pride, highlighting Taiwan's progressive stance as the first in East Asia to legalize same-sex marriage.
• President Lang Ching Te (Taiwan):
  • Advocates respect and kindness for all in a social media post.
• Geopolitical Note:
  • China, where same-sex marriage is not legal, continues to claim Taiwan as its territory.

Notable Quote:

“President Lang Ching Te posted on Facebook that everyone deserves respect and kindness. Same sex marriage is not recognized in China. China claims Taiwan as its own territory.”
— Norah Ram, NPR News (04:27)

Memorable Moments & Tone

• The episode maintains a measured, news-focused tone, relaying updates succinctly without editorializing.
• Notably urgent was the commentary on food insecurity during the government shutdown and the voting rights court decision’s national implications.

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 00:00 – Trump’s Asia trip and US-China/North Korea relations
• 00:55 – US military activity in the Caribbean
• 01:18 – Impact of government shutdown on food security (Christopher Ivy interview)
• 01:55 – Voting Rights Act decision and implications (Hansi Luong)
• 02:56 – North Carolina mass shooting
• 03:19 – US safety alerts & withdrawals in Mali (Michael Kaloki)
• 04:10 – Taiwan Pride Parade and regional significance

This 5-minute summary captures the pressing domestic and global issues headlining late October 2025, with attention to their causes, affected communities, and geopolitical reverberations.