NPR News Now – October 26, 2025, 12AM EDT

Host: Dale Willman
Duration: ~5 minutes

Overview

This NPR News Now episode delivers a concise snapshot of significant global and domestic events as of October 26, 2025. Major headlines include President Trump’s diplomatic trip to Asia with possible engagement with North Korea, escalating US-Canada trade tensions, the looming threat of Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean, security upheavals in Mali, World Series developments, and deadly attacks in Ukraine and Yemen.

Key News Highlights and Insights

1. President Trump’s Asia Trip

[00:17–01:20]

• First official trip of this term: President Trump departs for Asia, with planned stops in Malaysia and Japan before heading to South Korea.
• Open to Meeting North Korea:
  • Trump indicated willingness to meet North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, referencing their “great relationship.”
  • Last encounter: 2019 at the DMZ, prompted by a spontaneous Trump tweet.
  • Asia itinerary includes ASEAN summit (Malaysia) and APEC summit (South Korea), plus a meeting with China's Xi Jinping.

Notable Quote:

• “He and Kim had a great relationship and he says Kim knows that he's coming to the region, but he hasn't spoken with the North Korean leader.” — Deepa Shivaram ([00:41])

2. US-Canada Trade Tensions

[01:20–01:37]

• 10% Tariff Announced: President Trump to impose an additional 10% tariff on Canadian goods.
• Reason: Prompted by a Canadian provincial ad critical of Trump’s tariff policies, which reused a 1987 Ronald Reagan speech about tariffs’ negative economic impact.
• Latest Development: Early termination of trade talks with Canada by Trump.

3. Hurricane Melissa Threatens Jamaica

[01:37–02:07]

• Situation: Hurricane Melissa, currently in the Caribbean, is slow-moving toward Jamaica, expected to make landfall early next week.
• Danger: Potential to intensify to Category 4 (winds >130 mph). At least 4 deaths so far.
• Rainfall: Extreme rainfall up to 35 inches in some areas anticipated.

Notable Quote:

• “A lot more is going to be expected in terms of the quantity, the volume of water that's going to be bearing down on us and of course, more severe winds than we'd have experienced in previous events.” — Horace Glantz, Red Cross ([01:56])

4. US Safety Measures and Crisis in Mali

[02:07–03:13]

• US Pulls Personnel: Authorization for the departure of non-emergency staff and family members from Mali due to security and fuel supply concerns.
• Context:
  • Mali's military government is battling an Islamist insurgency.
  • Al-Qaeda-backed groups have imposed blockades and attacked fuel convoys.
  • American citizens advised against travel to Mali.

Notable Quote:

• “Mali's military government has been battling an Islamist insurgency in various regions. Al Qaeda backed militants have been trying to impose a blockade on fuel imports.” — Michael Kaloki ([02:46])

5. World Series: Dodgers Tie the Series

[03:13–04:06]

• Game 2 Recap: Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 5–1 to even the series at 1–1.
• Key Player: Dodger starter Yoshi Yamamoto excelled, conceding only one run on four hits.
• Turning Point: Two solo home runs in the 7th inning; two more runs added in the 8th.
• Next: Series resumes in Los Angeles after a break.

Notable Quote:

• “The star of Game 2 was the Dodger starter Yoshi Yamamoto. He was brilliant, allowing the Toronto batters just one run on four hits.” — Steve Futterman ([03:33])

6. Missile and Drone Strikes in Ukraine

[04:06–04:34]

• Attack Details: Russian forces launched overnight missile and drone strikes; at least 8 killed, 20 injured.
• Ukrainian Defense: Four missiles and 50 drones intercepted.
• Call for Help: President of Ukraine asks for 25 additional Patriot missile batteries from the US.

7. Houthi Crackdown on UN Workers in Yemen

[04:34–04:56]

• Recent Incident: Two World Food Program women abducted in Sana'a; one critically ill after premature birth.
• Scope: Over 55 UN staffers now held by Houthi rebels; UN operational suspensions continue in parts of Yemen.

Memorable Quotes

• On North Korea:
  “He and Kim had a great relationship and he says Kim knows that he's coming to the region, but he hasn't spoken with the North Korean leader.”
  — Deepa Shivaram ([00:41])

• On Hurricane Melissa:
  “A lot more is going to be expected in terms of the quantity, the volume of water that's going to be bearing down on us and of course, more severe winds than we'd have experienced in previous events.”
  — Horace Glantz, Red Cross ([01:56])

• On Mali’s Crisis:
  “Mali's military government has been battling an Islamist insurgency in various regions. Al Qaeda backed militants have been trying to impose a blockade on fuel imports.”
  — Michael Kaloki ([02:46])

• On World Series Game 2:
  “The star of Game 2 was the Dodger starter Yoshi Yamamoto. He was brilliant, allowing the Toronto batters just one run on four hits.”
  — Steve Futterman ([03:33])

Timestamps of Noteworthy Segments

• President Trump in Asia / North Korea Overture: [00:17–01:20]
• Canada Tariff Announcement: [01:20–01:37]
• Hurricane Melissa Threat: [01:37–02:07]
• Mali Crisis & US Departure: [02:07–03:13]
• World Series Update: [03:13–04:06]
• Ukraine Airstrikes: [04:06–04:34]
• UN Worker Abductions in Yemen: [04:34–04:56]

This episode concisely covers urgent global situations, economic policy moves, a major sports update, and humanitarian conflicts, offering listeners a quick yet substantive news briefing.