NPR News Now – October 26, 2025, 3AM EDT

Host: Dale Willman
Episode Overview:
This concise, five-minute news update delivers the latest headlines from the US and around the world, including a shooting at a Pennsylvania university, President Trump’s visit to Asia, a major hurricane heading for Jamaica, significant international elections, a potential media mega-merger, and highlights from college football.

Key Stories & Discussion Points

1. Shooting at Lincoln University, Pennsylvania

[00:19]

• Incident: At least one person was killed and six injured during a shooting outside Lincoln University’s International Cultural Center during homecoming weekend.
• Details: Police have detained one individual found with a gun; no confirmation if he was the shooter. There might have been more than one perpetrator, and no motive has been provided.
• Quote:
  • “Police have detained one person they say had a gun, but are not saying he was involved with the shooting.” — Dale Willman [00:19]

2. President Trump Attends Southeast Asian Summit

[00:39]

• Context: President Trump is in Malaysia for the ASEAN summit, aiming to secure a trade deal. His regional approach is drawing criticism.
• Criticism: Trump is seen as more focused on US interests and personal image over regional collaboration.
• Quote:
  • “There’s some criticism in the region that ASEAN and APEC are multilateral forums... while the US seems to be focused on great power competition and trade protectionism.” — Anthony Kuhn [01:04]
  • “President Trump wants to preside over a Thai Cambodian ceasefire deal, apparently to burnish his peacemaker image, which has led to some criticism... that Trump is more focused on himself than Southeast Asia.” — Anthony Kuhn [01:15]

3. Hurricane Melissa Approaching Jamaica

[01:29]

• Situation: Hurricane Melissa, currently in the Caribbean, is expected to hit Jamaica by early next week. Meteorologists predict up to 35 inches of rain in some areas and potentially catastrophic winds.
• Impacts: The storm could escalate to a Category 4 before landfall.
• Red Cross Statement:
  • “A lot more is going to be expected in terms of the quantity, the volume of water...and, of course, more severe winds than would have [been] experienced in previous events.” — Horace Glance [01:44]

4. Controversial Presidential Election in Ivory Coast

[02:15]

• Elections Open: Over 8 million registered voters in the Ivory Coast, the world’s top cocoa producer.
• Power Struggle: Incumbent Alassane Ouattara is running for a fourth term, citing constitutional changes. Major opposition leaders have been barred, and there is heavy security presence.
• Potential Unrest: Previous elections have led to violence; tensions are high again.
• Quote:
  • “Alison Mutara, who came to power in 2010, says changes he oversaw to the constitution in 2016 allow him to run for more than the two term limit ahead of today’s vote.” — Kate Bartlett [02:23]

5. World Series Update

[02:57]

• Status: The Los Angeles Dodgers tie the series 1-1 with a 5-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. Notably, Yoshi Yamamoto retired his last 20 batters.
• Next Game: Game 3 will be played in Los Angeles on Monday.

6. Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery Merger Reports

[03:38]

• Business News: Reports suggest Paramount is looking to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), which is undergoing a corporate split.
• Writer’s Guild Response: The WGA (east and west) warns the merger would “harm workers, diminish competition, and would be a disaster for consumers.”
• Quote:
  • “Media mergers harm workers, diminish competition and would be a disaster for consumers. The unions also said they'd work with regulators to block the potential merger.” — Andrew Limbong [04:06]

7. College Football Highlights

[04:18]

• Major Results:
  • #2 Indiana beats UCLA decisively, 56–6.
  • #3 Texas A&M tops #20 LSU, 49–25 with Marcel Reed’s standout performance.
  • #4 Alabama survives with a last-minute rally against unranked South Carolina, 29–22.
  • #6 Oregon hands Wisconsin its sixth straight loss.
• Notable Player:
  • “Jordan Davis, meanwhile, ran for 102 yards and a pair of touchdowns. His number six Oregon overcame a slow start...” — Dale Willman [04:26]

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• “There’s some criticism in the region that ASEAN and APEC are multilateral forums... while the US seems to be focused on great power competition and trade protectionism.” — Anthony Kuhn [01:04]
• “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 would have experienced in previous events.” — Horace Glance [01:44]
• “Alison Mutara, who came to power in 2010, says changes he oversaw to the constitution in 2016 allow him to run for more than the two term limit ahead of today’s vote.” — Kate Bartlett [02:23]
• “Media mergers harm workers, diminish competition and would be a disaster for consumers.” — Andrew Limbong [04:06]

Episode Structure Reference

00:19 – Shooting at Lincoln University
00:39 – President Trump attends the ASEAN summit
01:29 – Hurricane Melissa update
02:15 – Ivory Coast election coverage
02:57 – World Series tied (Dodgers vs. Blue Jays)
03:38 – Media industry merger speculation
04:18 – College football highlights

For listeners seeking a rapid, globe-spanning overview, this episode provides breaking updates and pithy expert commentary on current affairs, sports, and business—all delivered in NPR’s trademark calm, authoritative style.