NPR News Now – October 26, 2025, 10PM EDT

Host: Louise Schiavone
Duration: 5 minutes
Theme: The episode provides a concise roundup of major global and national events, including U.S. military actions, political updates in Argentina, severe weather warnings, escalating violence in the DRC, effects of a prolonged U.S. government shutdown, and ongoing projects by Elon Musk's Boring Company.

1. U.S. Military Strikes Against Alleged Drug Smugglers

Reported by: Luke Garrett
Segment Start: [00:17]

• Summary: President Trump has ordered military attacks on boats allegedly used by drug smugglers since September, resulting in at least 43 reported deaths.
• Controversy:
  • GOP Senator Rand Paul criticizes the actions, calling them “extrajudicial killings,” and draws parallels to harsh tactics employed by China and Iran.
  • Questions are raised about the lack of public evidence and due process for those accused.
• Key Quotes:
  • [00:48] Rand Paul: "I would call them extrajudicial killings. And this is akin to what China does [and] Iran does with drug dealers. They summarily execute people without presenting evidence to the public. So it's wrong."
  • [01:04] Rand Paul: "If they were drug dealers, why wouldn't we prosecute them, present evidence of the drugs, show the arms they were about to invade us with or show us something?"
• White House Position: Trump continues to argue that alleged drug traffickers are terrorists, authorizing military force without Congressional approval.

2. Argentina’s Midterm Elections and Regional Implications

Segment Start: [01:23]

• Summary: President Javier Milei wins crucial midterm elections, giving him a strong mandate to pursue his far-right free-market reforms.
• International Context:
  • Milei's policies have Washington’s attention and are strongly supported by the Trump administration.
• Relevance: Seen as a pivotal moment for South American policy and U.S.-Argentina relations.

3. Hurricane Melissa Threatens Jamaica and the Caribbean

Segment Start: [01:36]

• Current Status: Hurricane Melissa, with winds exceeding 140 mph, is nearing Kingston, Jamaica, and is expected to make landfall late Monday or early Tuesday.
• Potential Impact: Catastrophic flash flooding and landslides are anticipated across Jamaica, with nearby countries—Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic—also at risk.
• Urgent Warning:
  • [02:07] Desmond Mackenzie (Jamaican official): "There is nothing more we can do as a government but to beg and beseech persons to heed the warning."

4. Sexual Violence Crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Reported by: Fatma Tanis
Segment Start: [02:18]

• Summary: The UN reports a 30% year-over-year increase in sexual violence against women and girls in the DRC, with Doctors Without Borders treating over 40,000 survivors—a record high.
• Compounding Challenges:
  • Ongoing conflict (now in its 30th year)
  • Vital services for survivors disrupted by violence and recent U.S. foreign aid cuts.
• UN Call to Action: The agency urges immediate funding increases for life-saving medical and mental health support.

5. Effects of the Federal Shutdown: Delays and Aid Disruptions

Segment Start: [03:16]

• Flight Disruptions:
  • Continued government shutdown (now in day 26) is causing delays and cancellations at U.S. airports, notably LAX, due to staffing shortages.
  • The Department of Transportation warns disruptions will continue.
• Food Aid at Risk:
  • The USDA warns that federal food aid distributions will halt on November 1st without a spending resolution.

6. The Boring Company’s Unauthorized Tunnel in Nashville

Reported by: Mariana Bacall
Segment Start: [04:04]

• Key Developments:
  • Elon Musk's company starts tunnel work in Nashville, bypassing city government since the route is on state roads.
  • The company worked primarily with Tennessee Republicans, leasing state land at no cost.
  • No environmental reviews were conducted prior to the project’s start.
• Risks Highlighted:
  • Nashville’s limestone geology increases the risk of sinkholes due to tunneling.

7. Louvre Crown Jewel Theft – Arrests Made

Segment Start: [04:41]

• Update: French authorities have apprehended two suspects related to the theft of crown jewels from the Louvre.
• Details: One suspect was detained at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport while attempting to leave the country.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Rand Paul on military strikes:
  • [00:48] “I would call them extrajudicial killings... So it's wrong.”
  • [01:04] “If they were drug dealers, why wouldn't we prosecute them, present evidence... or show us something?”
• Desmond Mackenzie’s plea to Jamaicans:
  • [02:07] “There is nothing more we can do as a government but to beg and beseech persons to heed the warning.”

Timestamps of Important Segments

• [00:17] U.S. military strikes on drug smugglers
• [01:23] Argentina’s pivotal midterm elections
• [01:36] Hurricane Melissa’s approach to Jamaica
• [02:18] Escalating sexual violence in the DRC
• [03:16] Federal shutdown impacts flights and food aid
• [04:04] Boring Company’s tunnel controversy in Nashville
• [04:41] Arrests in the Louvre crown jewel theft

This episode of NPR News Now delivers a brisk overview of critical global and domestic stories, marked by pointed criticism of executive power, mounting international crises, and the tangible effects of ongoing policy disputes and extreme weather events.