NPR News: 10-26-2025 3PM EDT

Summary

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NPR News Now: October 26, 2025 – 3PM EDT

Host: Nora Ram
Duration: ~5 Minutes
Format: Rapid-fire news update

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Overview

This episode delivers a concise roundup of major news stories on politics, international affairs, severe weather events, trade developments, a high-profile theft, and unusual smuggling activity. The tone is brisk and authoritative, providing listeners with headline-level reporting and select insightful commentary.

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Key Stories & Discussion Points

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1. US Military Actions Against Alleged Drug Smugglers

[00:16–01:22]

• President Trump ordered military strikes resulting in the killing of at least 43 alleged drug smugglers since September; 10 boats were destroyed.

• White House justification: Claims these individuals were 'invading' the US with deadly narcotics.

• Republican Dissent:

  • Senator Rand Paul criticized the actions, likening them to extrajudicial killings conducted by authoritarian regimes such as China and Iran.
  • Questions due process, citing lack of evidence for military engagement and raising concerns over the release of two survivors.

  Notable Quotes:

  • Rand Paul [00:47]:
    “I would call them extrajudicial killings. And this is akin to what China does, to what Iran does with drug dealers. They summarily execute people without presenting evidence to the public. So it's wrong.”
  • Rand Paul [01:03]:
    “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?”

• Trump’s Position: Asserts that drug traffickers are terrorists, thus justify military action without congressional approval.

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2. Palestinian Authority Succession Plan

[01:22–02:21]

• Mahmoud Abbas (approaching 90 and the recognized Palestinian leader for 20 years) issues a decree stating that if incapacitated, his deputy Hussein Esheik will serve as interim president.

• Context: Palestinian Authority’s influence is waning, particularly amid international efforts to outline a postwar plan for Gaza.

• Perception: Many Palestinians see Esheik as pro-Israel, raising uncertainty about his potential longevity in the leadership role.

  Notable Quote:

  • Daniel Estrin [01:34]:
    “There’s no telling if he would remain in the president’s role indefinitely. This decree comes as the Palestinian leadership in the West Bank has been sidelined while the US and other countries work on a plan for postwar Gaza.”

• US Perspective: President Trump reportedly told Time magazine he’s unsure of Abbas’s role in future leadership for Palestinians.

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3. Hurricane Melissa Threatens Caribbean

[02:21–03:12]

• Category 4 Hurricane Melissa forecast to intensify, targeting Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic.

• Impact:

  • Several deaths already reported in Haiti and the Dominican Republic due to flooding.
  • Jamaica has opened hundreds of shelters; authorities warn of up to 13ft storm surge.
  • Up to 40 inches of rain predicted, leading to flood, landslide, and power outage risks across multiple islands, including Cuba, the southeast Bahamas, and Turks and Caicos.

  Notable Moments:

  • Matt Bloom [02:29]:
    “Forecasters say the storm could continue to intensify before making landfall in the coming days. Several deaths have already been reported in Haiti and the Dominican Republic due to flooding.”

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4. US-China Trade Breakthrough on Rare Earths and Tariffs

[03:12–03:42]

• Treasury Secretary Scott Bessen reports a substantial framework has been agreed upon between US and Chinese officials concerning rare earth metals and tariffs.

• Immediate Outcome:

  • US halts the threat of 100% tariffs on Chinese goods, pending a summit between President Trump and President Xi Jinping in South Korea later in the week.

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5. Louvre Crown Jewels Heist: Arrests Made

[03:42–04:36]

• Authorities in Paris make arrests related to the high-profile daytime theft of French crown jewels from the Louvre Museum.

  • Four men, disguised as workmen, used a ladder from a moving truck to access a second-floor window.
  • $100 million in 19th-century jewels stolen; one arrested suspect was caught at Charles de Gaulle Airport with some of the loot.

  Notable Details:

  • Eleanor Beardsley [03:57]:
    “The brazen daytime heist at the museum last Sunday stunned France... Four men dressed as workmen broke into an upper floor window using a ladder on a moving truck. They made off with $100 million worth of royal jewels from the 19th-century reign of Emperor Napoleon III.”

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6. Balloon Smuggling Grounds Vilnius Airport

[04:36–04:55]

• Vilnius Airport (Lithuania) reopens after the arrival of balloons suspected of smuggling contraband cigarettes from Belarus caused a temporary closure.

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Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Start | End | |---------------------------------------------------|--------|--------| | US Military Strikes/Drug Smugglers | 00:16 | 01:22 | | Palestinian Authority Succession | 01:22 | 02:21 | | Hurricane Melissa Threat | 02:21 | 03:12 | | US-China Rare Earths Trade Agreement | 03:12 | 03:42 | | Louvre Crown Jewels Heist | 03:42 | 04:36 | | Vilnius Airport/Balloon Smuggling | 04:36 | 04:55 |

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Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• Rand Paul [00:47]: “I would call them extrajudicial killings. And this is akin to what China does to Iran does with drug dealers. They summarily execute people without presenting evidence to the public. So it's wrong.”
• Daniel Estrin [01:34]: “There’s no telling if he would remain in the president’s role indefinitely. This decree comes as the Palestinian leadership in the West Bank has been sidelined...”
• Matt Bloom [02:29]: “Forecasters say the storm could continue to intensify before making landfall in the coming days. Several deaths have already been reported...”
• Eleanor Beardsley [03:57]: “The brazen daytime heist at the museum last Sunday stunned France…”

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Conclusion

This NPR News Now update delivers rapid, matter-of-fact coverage of major ongoing and breaking news, providing a spectrum of political, international, environmental, and human interest stories with notable input from policymakers and correspondents. The episode’s brevity and scope make it highly informative for listeners needing an immediate grasp of key global events.

Transcript

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[Nora Ram]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Nora Ram. President Trump has ordered the military killing of dozens of alleged drug smugglers. Since September, 10 boats have been blown up at Trump's direction. At least 43 people reportedly died. A Republican senator says this is wrong. NPR's Luke Garrett reports.

[Luke Garrett]

The White House says the alleged drug smugglers are invading the US by transporting deadly narcotics. But GOP Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky tells Fox News he has seen no evidence to support military strikes.

[Rand Paul]

I would call them extrajudicial killings. And this is akin to what China does to Iran does with drug dealers. They summarily execute people without presenting evidence to the public. So it's wrong.

[Luke Garrett]

The two people that survived the US Strikes were released. For Paul, this raises more questions.

[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?

[Luke Garrett]

Trump has argued alleged drug traffickers are terrorists and the military has the right to kill them without Congress. Luke Garrett, NPR News, Washington.

[Nora Ram]

The president of the Palestinian Authority has appointed an apparent successor amid uncertainty over the future role of the Palestinian leadership in the Israeli occupied West Bank. NPR's Daniel Estrin has more.

[Daniel Estrin]

Mahmoud Abbas has been the internationally recognized Palestinian leader for 20 years. There have long been questions of who would replace him. Now, just weeks away from his 90th birthday, Abbas has decreed that if he is unable to fulfill his duties, his role would be taken, taken over temporarily by his deputy, Hussein Esheik. Many Palestinians see him as being friendly to Israel. There's no telling if he would remain in the president's role indefinitely. This decree comes as the Palestinian leadership in the west bank has been sidelined while the US and other countries work on a plan for post war Gaza. President Trump told Time magazine he wasn't sure if Abbas had a future leadership role for the Palestinians. Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

[Nora Ram]

Hurricane melissa, a Category 4 storm is threatening Jamaica, Haiti and the Dominican Republic. NPR's Matt Bloom reports.

[Matt Bloom]

Forecasters say the storm could continue to intensify before making landfall in the coming days. Several deaths have already been reported in Haiti and the Dominican Republic due to flooding. Authorities in Jamaica say they've activated hundreds of shelters and are warning residents of storm surge of up to 13ft along parts of the coast. 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. Parts of Cuba, the Southeast, Bahamas and Turks and Caicos are also being warned of potential impacts this week. Matt Bloom, NPR News.

[Nora Ram]

This is NPR News. In Washington. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessen said today that top U.S. and Chinese economic officials agreed on a substantial framework for a trade agreement on rare earth metals and tariffs. He says this means for now the US will not impose 100% tariffs on Chinese goods that President Trump had threatened. He said it's not final until President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping meet in South Korea on Thursday. Authorities in Paris have begun making arrests in last weekend's theft of some of the French crown jewels from the Louvre Museum. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports. One was apprehended last night while trying to leave the country.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

In a statement, the Paris prosecutor condemned the leak of information in the case, which she said had forced them to reveal facts prematurely that could compromise the investigation. The brazen daytime heist at the museum last Sunday stunned France who Four men dressed as workmen broke into an upper floor window using a ladder on a moving truck. They made off with $100 million worth of royal jewels from the 19th century reign of Emperor Napoleon III. According to Le Parisien newspaper, the men arrested are from the Paris suburbs. One was preparing to board a flight from Charles de Gaulle Airport with some of the stolen items from the Louvre. Eleanor Beardsley and Pierre news, Paris.

[Nora Ram]

The airport in Vilnius, Lithuania, is reopened today. Flights had been suspended last night for a second balloons. Officials say the approaching balloons appear to be carrying contraband cigarettes being smuggled into Lithuania from neighboring Belarus. I'm Nora Ramm, NPR News.

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