NPR News Now – October 26, 2025, 5AM EDT

Podcast: NPR News Now
Host: Giles Snyder (NPR)
Date: October 26, 2025
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This hourly news update delivers the top headlines as of 5AM EDT, October 26, 2025. Stories include a major Southeast Asian ceasefire agreement brokered by President Trump, escalating US-Canada trade tensions, the World Series standings, the threat of Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean, a shooting incident at Lincoln University, and updates on the tightly watched gubernatorial and mayoral races in Virginia and New York.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Thailand-Cambodia Ceasefire Agreement

• President Trump announced an expanded ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia, calling it a "historic deal."
• The agreement builds on a Trump-brokered truce from three months prior that ended a deadly border dispute.
• Key Outcomes:
  • Release of 18 Cambodian POWs.
  • Deployment of ASEAN observers (including from Malaysia) to ensure peace.
• Trump presided over the signing at the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur while acknowledging that some border disagreements persist.
  • Quote, Trump: "I have no doubt that it will [endure]." (00:45)

2. U.S.-Canada Trade Tension Escalates

• President Trump announced an additional 10% tariff on Canadian goods. The move follows an anti-tariff ad campaign—aired in the US and financed by Ontario province—using clips of President Ronald Reagan to argue against tariffs.
• Trump terminated all Canada trade talks in response, calling the ads "a fraud."
• Ontario invested C$75 million in the campaign; they’ve agreed to pull the ads on Monday.
  • Quote, Giles Snyder: "Trump says they should have been taken off the air immediately, and he announced a further 10% tariff on Canadian goods as punishment." (01:29)
• Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney received no warning about the new tariffs and is currently at the ASEAN summit.
  • Reported by Dan Karpenchuk from Toronto.

3. World Series Update

• The Los Angeles Dodgers tied the series 1-1 against the Toronto Blue Jays, winning Game 2 (5-1).
  • Pitcher Yoshi Yamamoto delivered the first World Series complete game since 2015.
• Highlights:
  • Game was tied 1-1 through six innings.
  • Dodger catcher Will Smith hit a seventh-inning solo home run.
    • Game Call: "High drive deep to left field." (02:14)
    • Steve Futterman: "It's Smith with a big swing." (02:17)
  • Two more home runs and further scoring sealed the game for LA.
  • Manager Dave Roberts praised Yamamoto’s performance:
    • Quote, Dave Roberts: "Outstanding." (02:42)
    • Steve Futterman: "Yeah, he was just locked in tonight after an off day." (02:43)
  • Series resumes in Los Angeles for Game 3.

4. Hurricane Melissa Hits Jamaica

• Jamaica faces heavy rain and damaging winds from Hurricane Melissa, which is intensifying as it nears the island.
• Forecasters say Melissa could cause catastrophic flooding and landslides in Jamaica and Haiti as early as Tuesday.

5. Lincoln University Shooting, Pennsylvania

• One suspect is in custody after a shooting at Lincoln University’s homecoming, which left one dead and six injured.

6. Governor’s Races: Virginia & New Jersey

• Virginia’s closely-watched governor’s race nears Election Day (Nov 4).

  • Republican nominee: Winsome Earl Sears; received a standing ovation for remarks on transgender bathroom policy:
    • Quote, Winsome Earl Sears: "Love is not having my daughter having to be forced to undress in a locker room with a man, that's not love." (03:52)
  • Her opponent, Democrat Abigail Spanberger, argues for local control of such issues and focuses on affordability.

• Margaret Barthell reports from Sterling, Virginia.

• Early voting also underway in New York City (mayoral race: Democrat front-runner Zran Mamdani, facing Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa) and New Jersey’s governor’s race.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Time | Speaker/Context | Quote | |--------|------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:45 | President Trump (re: ceasefire) | "I have no doubt that it will." | | 01:29 | Giles Snyder (re: tariffs on Canada) | "Trump says they should have been taken off the air immediately, and he announced a further 10% tariff on Canadian goods as punishment."| | 02:14 | Fox Sports Game Call (World Series) | "High drive deep to left field." | | 02:17 | Steve Futterman (World Series) | "It's Smith with a big swing." | | 02:42 | Dave Roberts (Manager, Dodgers) | "Outstanding." | | 02:43 | Steve Futterman (World Series) | "Yeah, he was just locked in tonight after an off day." | | 03:52 | Winsome Earl Sears (VA Gov. race) | "Love is not having my daughter having to be forced to undress in a locker room with a man, that's not love."|

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Thailand-Cambodia Ceasefire (ASEAN): 00:18 – 01:05
• US-Canada Trade Dispute: 01:05 – 01:55
• World Series (Dodgers vs. Blue Jays): 01:55 – 02:53
• Hurricane Melissa Update: 02:53 – 03:18
• Lincoln University Shooting: 03:18 – 03:30
• Virginia Governor’s Race: 03:30 – 04:30
• NYC & NJ Election Updates: 04:30 – 04:56

For further developments, tune in for the next update.