NPR News Now: 10-26-2025, 10AM EDT

Date: October 26, 2025
Host: Giles Snyder
Duration: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This concise NPR News Now episode delivers rapid updates on major global and national events. Covered topics include the normalization of relations between Thailand and Cambodia, developing trade negotiations between the U.S. and China, a dramatic theft in Paris, Hurricane Melissa’s intensification, a tragic campus shooting in Pennsylvania, and the passing of actress June Lockhart. The tone is brisk, clear, and factual, befitting a newscast.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Thailand and Cambodia Normalize Relations

[00:13]–[01:09]

• Event: President Trump oversees the signing of an agreement between Thailand and Cambodia after a recent border conflict.
• Details:
  • The agreement is the start of a demilitarization process, not a final settlement.
  • Trump, speaking in Malaysia, hailed the deal as “monumental.”
• Notable Quote:
  • Se Hasok Feng Keqiao (Thailand’s Foreign Minister), [00:45]:

    “We've made it known that we are looking ahead to restoring our ties and not only that, making our ties even better. … I'm confident that both sides under obligation to implement what we've agreed.”

2. US-China Trade Talks Amid Tariff Threats – ASEAN Summit

[01:09]–[02:03]

• Event: Ongoing high-stakes trade negotiations on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur.
• Context:
  • Trump is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea soon.
  • The US threatens to impose 100% tariffs on China by November 1 if negotiations fail.
• Details:
  • U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant calls the framework developed “very successful.”
• Notable Quotes:
  • Adam Hancock (NPR Correspondent, [01:25]:)

    “The US President is threatening to slap 100% tariffs on China on November 1 if a deal isn't reached, but today said he is optimistic about an agreement with Beijing and expects future meetings with Chinese leaders both in China and in the US.”

3. Paris Crown Jewels Theft – Arrests Begin

[02:03]–[02:17]

• Update: French authorities arrest a suspect in connection with last weekend’s theft of crown jewels from the Louvre Museum.
• Details: One suspect was apprehended trying to leave the country.

4. Hurricane Melissa Intensifies

[02:17]–[03:13]

• Event: Hurricane Melissa is now a Category 4 storm threatening Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic.
• Details:
  • Maximum sustained winds: 140 mph.
  • Several deaths due to flooding have already occurred.
  • Over 100 shelters activated in Jamaica; warnings of up to 13ft storm surges and up to 40 inches of rain.
  • Threats of massive flooding, landslides, and power outages.
  • Other islands at risk: Cuba, Southeast Bahamas, Turks and Caicos.
• Notable Quote:
  • Matt Bloom (NPR Correspondent, [02:30]:)

    “The slow moving hurricane is expected to drop as much as 40 inches of rain on the region over the coming days, causing massive flooding, landslides and power outages.”

5. Shooting at Lincoln University Homecoming, Pennsylvania

[03:13]–[03:45]

• Incident: Shooting disruptions at Lincoln University homecoming in Pennsylvania; 1 dead, multiple wounded.
• Details:
  • Shooting happened just before 9:30 p.m.; a chaotic scene with people fleeing.
  • One firearm-carrying person detained; conditions of injured not released.
• Notable Quote:
  • Christopher de Barena Sarabe (Chester County District Attorney, [03:32]:)

    “At about 9:30, just before 9:30, that festivity was interrupted and decimated by gunfire. It was a chaotic scene and people fled in every direction.”

6. Obituary: June Lockhart, Television Icon

[03:45]–[04:52]

• News: June Lockhart, beloved actress, dies at age 100 of natural causes at her Santa Monica home.
• Career Highlights:
  • Best known for maternal roles in Lassie (1958–1964) and Lost in Space (1960s).
  • Born in New York in 1925, MGM screen debut in A Christmas Carol alongside her parents.
• Memorable Clips:
  • Lassie:

    June Lockhart ([04:19]): “There's no room in this house for two stubborn females.”

  • Lost in Space:

    June Lockhart ([04:31]): “Aren't you forgetting a small ingredient for happiness known as love?”

• Notable Quote:
  • Chloe Veltman (NPR Correspondent, [04:09]):

    "June Lockhart was one of television's most beloved mothers. She cared for an adopted son and a famous dog as Ruth Martin in the popular series Lassie … and later in the 1960s, Lockhart explored far off planets as the matriarch Maureen Robinson in the kitsch adventure series Lost in Space."

Notable Quotes Recap

• Se Hasok Feng Keqiao (Thailand FM, [00:45]):
  “We've made it known that we are looking ahead to restoring our ties … I’m confident that both sides under obligation to implement what we’ve agreed.”
• Adam Hancock (NPR, [01:25]):
  “The US President is threatening to slap 100% tariffs on China … but today said he is optimistic about an agreement.”
• Matt Bloom (NPR, [02:30]):
  “The slow moving hurricane is expected to drop as much as 40 inches of rain on the region over the coming days…”
• Christopher de Barena Sarabe (DA, [03:32]):
  “It was a chaotic scene and people fled in every direction.”
• June Lockhart (in Lassie, [04:19]):
  “There’s no room in this house for two stubborn females.”
• June Lockhart (in Lost in Space, [04:31]):
  “Aren’t you forgetting a small ingredient for happiness known as love?”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Thailand–Cambodia peace deal: [00:13]–[01:09]
• US–China trade talks: [01:09]–[02:03]
• Paris crown jewels arrest: [02:03]–[02:17]
• Hurricane Melissa: [02:17]–[03:13]
• PA university shooting: [03:13]–[03:45]
• June Lockhart obituary: [03:45]–[04:52]

This episode provided a swift, information-rich snapshot of major domestic and international stories, blending breaking news, diplomatic updates, disaster warnings, crime reports, and a heartfelt remembrance of a television legend.