NPR News Now: October 25, 2025, 4AM EDT

Host: Dale Willman
Episode Theme: The latest national and international news, including escalating U.S. military actions near Venezuela, DOJ election oversight, severe weather threats in the Caribbean, World Series highlights, Ukraine diplomacy updates, and a significant Interpol operation targeting environmental crime in Latin America.

U.S. Military Moves in South America and Venezuela Tensions

Deployment of USS Gerald Ford Carrier Strike Group

• [00:16] The U.S. is deploying the USS Gerald Ford and its strike group to South American waters. The Pentagon claims the move is to "bolster the US capacity to detect and disrupt people who compromise the safety of the US."
• This action is fueling speculation about a possible upcoming strike on Venezuela by the Trump administration.
  • Quote:

    "The only assumption and analysis you have to give to it is that the possibility of some type of an action against the Maduro regime is possible."
    — James Story, former top U.S. diplomat in Venezuela ([00:45])

US Military Strikes in the Caribbean

• [00:53] Another lethal U.S. military strike was carried out in the Caribbean Sea, destroying a boat with six people aboard.
• Julia Carneiro reports that U.S. strikes in the region have resulted in over 40 deaths since early September.
• [01:07] President Trump announced that ground operations against drug cartels will occur "very soon," signaling escalating tensions.

Responses from Venezuelan and Colombian Leaders

• Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro:

  "Not war, just peace, just peace, just peace forever." ([01:21])

• U.S. military exercises near Venezuela include dramatized videos of soldiers and tanks.
• Colombian President Gustavo Petro called recent U.S. attacks "extrajudicial executions."
  — Julia Carneiro, NPR News ([01:26]–[01:48])

DOJ Sends Election Observers to California and New Jersey

Overview

• [01:48]–[02:44] The Justice Department will send federal election observers to five counties in California and one in New Jersey for the November elections, following requests from local Republican parties.

Details

• Aimed to ensure "transparency, ballot security and compliance with federal law."
• California's focus is its special election on congressional redistricting; New Jersey has a governor's race.
• All selected locations are in Democratic-led states and have experienced alleged voting issues, according to Republican party letters.
• New Jersey Attorney General Matt Blatkin criticizes the move as "highly inappropriate," implying concerns about voter intimidation.

Notable Quotes

• Quote (DOJ Position):

  "...ensure transparency, ballot security and compliance with federal law."
  — Hansi Le Wang, NPR News ([02:01])

• Quote (NJ Response):

  "...state officials are considering all of their options to prevent any effort to intimidate voters."
  — Hansi Le Wang, NPR News ([02:28])

Tropical Storm Melissa Threatens Haiti and Jamaica

[02:44–03:09]

• Tropical Storm Melissa may strengthen into a major hurricane and threatens to bring heavy rain, flooding, and landslides to southwest Haiti and Jamaica.
• The storm is nearly stationary, moving north at two miles per hour, increasing the risk of up to 35 inches of rain.

World Series Update: Blue Jays Dominate Game One

[03:09–03:29]

• Toronto Blue Jays defeated the LA Dodgers 11-4 in Game One.
• Noteworthy performance by rookie starter Trey Yousavich, limiting Dodgers to two runs over four innings in his seventh major league appearance.

Ukraine and Europe: Intensifying Pressure on Russia

[03:29–04:27]

• President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with European leaders in London about ending the war with Russia.
• UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer reaffirmed Europe's support for Ukraine:
  • Quote:

    "Ukraine's future is our future. What happens in the weeks and months ahead is pivotal for the security of the United Kingdom and all our allies."
    — Keir Starmer ([03:53])

• Coalition agreed on:
  • Removing Russian oil and gas from global markets
  • Providing Ukraine with long-range weapons
  • Releasing Russia’s frozen assets to support Ukraine
• Zelenskyy stressed, "pressure on the aggressor is the only way to end the war."

Interpol Crackdown on Environmental Crime in Latin America

[04:27–04:56]

• Interpol operation led to 225 arrests and hundreds of ongoing investigations focused on illegal logging, wildlife trafficking, and gold mining.
• More than 400 cases of environmental crime, seizure of timber, live animals, and weapons over the last two months.

Memorable Quotes

• James Story:

  "The only assumption and analysis you have to give to it is that the possibility of some type of an action against the Maduro regime is possible." ([00:45])

• President Nicolás Maduro:

  "Not war, just peace, just peace, just peace forever." ([01:21])

• Keir Starmer:

  "Ukraine's future is our future. What happens in the weeks and months ahead is pivotal for the security of the United Kingdom and all our allies." ([03:53])

Key Timestamps

• 00:16 — U.S. military deployment in South America; Venezuela concerns
• 01:07 — U.S. strikes in the Caribbean; regional implications
• 01:48 — DOJ sending election observers in CA and NJ
• 02:44 — Tropical Storm Melissa update
• 03:09 — World Series Game One highlights
• 03:29 — Ukraine-Europe discussions on pressuring Russia
• 04:27 — Major Interpol operation in Latin America

This episode distills major international and domestic headlines into concise updates and provides a snapshot of shifting geopolitical, environmental, and democratic landscapes as of October 25, 2025.