NPR News Now — 12PM EDT, October 26, 2025

Host: Nora Rahm | Podcast: NPR News Now
Episode Theme: A concise update on key U.S. and world news, including U.S.-China trade negotiations, the Virginia governor's race, Hurricane Melissa, Kurdish peace efforts in Turkey, a major jewel theft in Paris, and World Series results.

Key Stories & Discussion Points

1. U.S.–China Trade Talks: Rare Earths & Tariffs (00:15–01:22)

• Treasury Secretary Scott Bessen announced a “substantial framework” for a deal on rare earth metals and tariffs between the U.S. and China.
  • Tariffs Suspended: The U.S. will not impose new 100% tariffs on China, pending finalization of the deal.
  • Critical Issue: Chinese restrictions on exports of metals/materials used in U.S. cars, defense, and semiconductor chips.
• Scott Bessen (00:43):
  "We've reached a substantial framework for the two."
• Leverage During Talks:
  "The president had given me maximum leverage when he threatened 100% tariffs if the Chinese imposed their rare earth global export controls. So I think we have averted that."
  — Scott Bessen (00:58)
• Next Steps: The final agreement depends on an upcoming meeting between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday.
• Agriculture Side Note: Bessen expects China to resume buying U.S. soybeans, but details are not yet finalized.

2. Virginia Governor's Race: Closing Arguments (01:22–02:23)

• Context: Virginia’s gubernatorial race closes in on November 4th election day. Report from a Conservative political action event.
• Republican Candidate: Winsome Earl Sears (current Lieutenant Governor)
  • Focuses campaign on opposition to policies allowing transgender students to use facilities matching their gender identity:
    • Quote (01:43):
      "Love is not having my daughter having to be forced to undress in a locker room with a man. That's not love."
    • This line received a standing ovation at the event.
• Democratic Candidate: Abigail Spanberger
  • Advocates local control on gender policies.
  • Her campaign prioritizes affordability over culture war topics in the final stretch.

3. North American Elections Overview (02:23–02:40)

• Brief Headlines:
  • New Jersey: Gubernatorial election also on November 4th.
  • New York City: Upcoming mayoral selection.

4. Hurricane Melissa Threatens the Caribbean (02:23–03:08)

• Status: Melissa upgraded to Category 4 hurricane.
• Regions at Risk: Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic (under hurricane warnings); potentially Cuba, Southeast Bahamas, Turks and Caicos.
• Impact Predictions:
  • Rainfall: Up to 40 inches
  • Consequences: Flooding, landslides, power outages
  • Jamaica has activated hundreds of shelters and warned about storm surges up to 13 ft.

5. PKK Withdraws from Turkey: End of Decades-Long Insurgency (03:08–03:32)

• Kurdish PKK Statement: The group is withdrawing forces from Turkey, moving fighters to Iraq, aiming for peace with Ankara.
• Background:
  • Designation: PKK remains classified as a terrorist group by the U.S. and EU.
  • Impact: Decades of conflict have caused tens of thousands of deaths.

6. Louvre Jewel Heist: Arrests Made (03:32–04:33)

• Paris Update: Arrests connected to last weekend's high-profile theft from the Louvre.
• Details:
  • 4 men, disguised as workmen, used a ladder and a moving truck to steal $100M in 19th-century royal jewels (from Emperor Napoleon III's era).
  • Arrest Development: One suspect caught attempting to leave the country with stolen items at Charles de Gaulle Airport.
• Prosecutor’s Concerns: Early information leaks could jeopardize the ongoing investigation.
• Notable Story Elements: The audacious, daytime nature of the heist has stunned France.
  • Eleanor Beardsley (03:53):
    "The brazen daytime heist at the museum last Sunday stunned France, with four men dressed as workmen broke into an upper floor window using a ladder on a moving truck."

7. World Series Tied After Game 2 (04:33–04:54)

• Score Update: Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 5–1, evening the World Series at one game each.
• Next Games: Series shifts to Los Angeles for the next three games.

Notable Quotes

• Scott Bessen, on U.S.-China negotiations (00:58):
  "The president had given me maximum leverage when he threatened 100% tariffs... So I think we have averted that."
• Winsome Earl Sears, on gender policy (01:43):
  "Love is not having my daughter having to be forced to undress in a locker room with a man. That's not love."
• Eleanor Beardsley, on Louvre heist (03:53):
  "The brazen daytime heist at the museum last Sunday stunned France, with four men dressed as workmen broke into an upper floor window using a ladder on a moving truck."

Quick Reference Timeline

• 00:15: U.S.-China trade negotiations and rare earths update
• 01:22: Virginia and other election headlines
• 02:23: Hurricane Melissa update for the Caribbean
• 03:08: PKK announces withdrawal from Turkey
• 03:32: Louvre jewel theft arrests and details
• 04:33: MLB World Series tied after LA Dodgers win

This episode delivers breaking headlines and vital context on top U.S. and global stories in under five minutes, maintaining NPR's direct yet informative tone.