NPR News Now — October 26, 2025, 4PM EDT

Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now update delivers the latest headlines from around the world, emphasizing ongoing US-China trade negotiations, the conflict in Ukraine, domestic US stories including the ongoing government shutdown, and some lighter news highlights.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. US–China Trade Talks: Rare Earths, Tariffs, and Agriculture

• [00:11] Live from Washington, Nora Ramm leads with the announcement of a "substantial framework for an agreement" between the US and China on rare earth metals and tariffs.
• Details:
  • US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessen confirmed that the Biden administration (referencing President Trump in a bit of apparent timeline confusion) does not plan to impose the threatened 100% tariffs on Chinese goods.
  • Key Quote:
    “President Trump gave me a great deal of negotiating leverage with the threat of the 100% tariffs on November 1st, and I believe we've reached a very substantial framework that will avoid that and allow us to discuss many other things with the Chinese.”
    — Scott Bessen ([00:42])
  • The framework also includes substantial agriculture purchases for US farmers.
  • The deal is not final until a planned summit between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea on Thursday.

2. Russia Attacks Kyiv — Ongoing Ukraine Crisis

• [01:01] The Ukrainian capital endured another overnight attack by Russia, resulting in casualties.
• On-the-ground reporting from Kyiv:
  • [01:26] Hanna Palmerenko:
    • Over 100 drones were launched by Russia.
    • High-rise buildings in Kyiv struck.
    • State Emergency Services struggle with repeated civilian infrastructure attacks.
    • Key Quote:
      “The attacks on civilians in the capital is putting a heavy strain on the state emergency service who are still working on the site of previous attacks, he said.”
      — Hanna Palmerenko summarizing Pavlo Petrov ([01:26])
  • This marks the third attack on civilian/residential infrastructure in the past week.

3. White House Theater Demolished for Ballroom

• [02:10] The Trump administration has razed the White House’s historic movie theater to make way for a new $300 million ballroom.
• [02:23] Chloe Veltman:
  • The theater, converted from a cloak room by FDR in 1942, served presidents for 80+ years as a retreat and entertainment space.
  • Notable presidential anecdotes:
    • Bill Clinton called it “the best perk of the White House.”
    • Jimmy Carter watched hundreds of films there.
    • Richard Nixon watched "Patton" multiple times during the Vietnam War.
  • Theater historian Matt Lambrose:
  • Notable Quote:
    “There’s small moments that humanized each president that occurred in the space.”
    — Matt Lambrose ([02:55])
  • White House declined comment on rebuilding a new theater.

4. Domestic: Government Shutdown, Air Travel Delays, Labor Strikes

• [03:10] The government shutdown has reached its 26th day with little sign of resolution.
  • More air traffic controllers calling in sick due to lack of pay, leading to expected flight delays and cancellations (per Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy).
• Ongoing Boeing Strike
  • [03:10] Striking workers at a St. Louis Boeing plant rejected a contract, carrying the strike into week thirteen.
  • Union represents ~3200 workers, impacting military aircraft production.

5. Human Interest: Vanderbilt Student’s Game Day Win

• [03:59] Cynthia Abrams:
  • On ESPN’s College Game Day, Vanderbilt sophomore Tyler Wang kicked a 33-yard field goal for a $500,000 prize—“on his first kick, while only wearing a pair of socks.”
  • Wang, a chemical engineering and economics major, plans to use his winnings to help his parents pay his tuition.

6. Sports: World Series Update

• [04:41] The World Series is tied 1–1. Dodgers and Blue Jays will play Game Three in Los Angeles tomorrow night.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• US–China Trade:
  “President Trump gave me a great deal of negotiating leverage with the threat of the 100% tariffs on November 1st, and I believe we've reached a very substantial framework that will avoid that and allow us to discuss many other things with the Chinese.”
  — Scott Bessen, Treasury Secretary ([00:42])

• Ukraine Attacks:
  “The attacks on civilians in the capital is putting a heavy strain on the state emergency service who are still working on the site of previous attacks, he said.”
  — Hanna Palmerenko relaying Pavlo Petrov's remarks ([01:26])

• White House Movie Theater:
  “There’s small moments that humanized each president that occurred in the space.”
  — Matt Lambrose, theater historian ([02:55])

• Vanderbilt Student’s Kick:
  “...Nailed the 33 yard attempt on his first kick while only wearing a pair of socks.”
  — Cynthia Abrams ([03:59])

Timestamps of Important Segments

• US–China Trade Negotiations: [00:11] – [01:01]
• Ukraine Drone Attacks: [01:01] – [02:10]
• White House Theater Demolished: [02:10] – [03:10]
• Government Shutdown & Boeing Strike: [03:10] – [03:59]
• Vanderbilt Field Goal Win: [03:59] – [04:41]
• World Series Update: [04:41] – [04:54]

This concise yet comprehensive news roundup keeps listeners updated with critical world events, memorable anecdotes, and relevant domestic stories, all packed into five minutes.