NPR News Now – Episode Summary

Episode: NPR News: 10-26-2025 5PM EDT
Date: October 26, 2025
Host: Louise Schiavone
Duration: 5 minutes

Overview

This concise newscast delivers a snapshot of major global and national stories from politics and international relations to weather and culture. The episode covers a tentative US–China trade deal, humanitarian updates from Gaza, dramatic redistricting efforts in the US, a threatening hurricane, record Halloween spending, and a historic jewel heist in Paris.

Key News Segments & Insights

1. US–China Trade Negotiations

• Context (00:11–01:20):
  US and Chinese negotiators have reached a tentative agreement poised to prevent steep tariffs and export restrictions. The news precedes a closely watched summit between President Trump and President Xi Jinping at the ASEAN summit in Malaysia.
• Key Issues:
  • Trade of rare earth materials and China’s hold on US soybean purchases were contentious.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Emily Fang (NPR):

    “Chinese trade negotiator Li Chenggang told reporters in Malaysia where the talks were held that the two countries had a substantive exchange and also that the US presented its views forcefully but China protected its interests.” (00:47)

  • US Treasury Secretary Scott Besant (paraphrased):
    The proposed 100% tariff and China's strict export controls on rare earth minerals have been put aside for now.

2. Humanitarian Response in Gaza

• Context (01:20–02:12):
  Israel authorizes Red Cross and Egyptian rescue teams into Gaza to recover the bodies of hostages.
• Details:
  • Egyptian teams, skilled in search, rescue, and explosive dismantling, enter Gaza with engineering vehicles.
  • The mission aims to locate 13 Israeli and additional Palestinian victims, many trapped for days in hazardous, booby-trapped areas.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Rob Schmitz (NPR):

    “Their bodies are believed to be in areas that have been booby trapped for days... Among the bodies of hostages remaining in Gaza are two Americans.” (01:33–02:07)

  • President Trump (paraphrased):
    On Truth Social, warning Hamas to return hostages' bodies or face action from involved countries.

3. US Redistricting Efforts

• Context (02:12–03:09):
  Virginia is set to hold a special session addressing partisan redistricting, part of a broader, more frequent mid-cycle trend.
• Details:
  • Virginia Democrats respond to Republican-led efforts in other states to redraw congressional maps for party advantage.
  • Blue states (California, Illinois, Maryland) are joining the trend.
  • Redistricting, historically a post-census (every 10 years) process, is now increasingly politicized mid-cycle.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Mara Liasson (NPR):

    “Normally, redistricting happens every 10 years after the census is taken, but that custom appears to be yet another political norm cast aside during the Trump era.” (02:51)

4. Hurricane Melissa Threatens the Caribbean

• Context (03:09–03:48):
  Hurricane Melissa, with winds exceeding 130 mph, sits 100 miles from Jamaica.
• Forecast:
  • Expected landfall in Jamaica Monday night or Tuesday.
  • Subsequent impacts predicted for Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic later in the week.

5. Halloween Spending Trends

• Context (03:48–04:33):
  Americans’ Halloween spending is forecast to hit a record $13 billion, per the National Retail Federation.
• Insights:
  • 73% of surveyed Americans plan to celebrate Halloween, compared to about 50% in 2005.
  • Surge in spending not just on costumes for people but on pet costumes—a trend amplified by social media.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Jay Zagorsky (Boston University):

    “Over the past 20 years, there’s been a dramatic increase in the number of people who are celebrating Halloween.” (03:58)
    “One or two influencers start dressing up their pets, and then everyone’s like, oh, I need to dress up my pet, too.” (04:18)

  • Lauren Patterson (NPR):

    “People are predicted to spend nearly a billion on pet costumes this year.” (04:25)

6. Louvre Jewel Heist

• Context (04:33–04:54):
  French authorities have arrested two individuals in connection with the theft of historic gems worth millions from the Louvre.
  • One suspect was apprehended as he was preparing to flee the country.

Memorable Quotes by Timestamp

• “The US presented its views forcefully but China protected its interests.”
  — Emily Fang (00:47)
• “Their bodies are believed to be in areas that have been booby trapped for days … Among the bodies of hostages remaining in Gaza are two Americans.”
  — Rob Schmitz (01:33–02:07)
• “Normally, redistricting happens every 10 years after the census is taken, but that custom appears to be yet another political norm cast aside during the Trump era.”
  — Mara Liasson (02:51)
• “Over the past 20 years, there’s been a dramatic increase in the number of people who are celebrating Halloween.”
  — Jay Zagorsky (03:58)
• “One or two influencers start dressing up their pets, and then everyone’s like, oh, I need to dress up my pet, too.”
  — Jay Zagorsky (04:18)
• “People are predicted to spend nearly a billion on pet costumes this year.”
  — Lauren Patterson (04:25)

Noteworthy Segments by Timestamp

• US–China trade update: 00:11–01:20
• Gaza humanitarian teams: 01:20–02:12
• Virginia redistricting: 02:12–03:09
• Hurricane Melissa forecast: 03:09–03:48
• Halloween spending trends: 03:48–04:33
• Louvre jewel heist: 04:33–04:54

This episode delivers critical, fast-paced news updates across international affairs, US political shifts, climate threats, cultural spending, and criminal investigations—giving listeners a succinct but comprehensive news briefing.