NPR News Now – October 26, 2025, 7AM EDT

Overview
This five-minute episode covers key global and national headlines, reporting on breaking international diplomacy, a major heist in Paris, U.S. gubernatorial elections, dire weather updates, a campus shooting, and a memorable moment in college football.

Major Headlines & Key Discussion Points

1. Paris Crown Jewels Heist – Suspects Arrested

• [00:18] Giles Snyder reports that two suspects have been arrested in connection with last weekend’s theft of French crown jewels from the Louvre Museum.
  • One suspect was detained while preparing to leave the country.
  • The arrests mark a significant step in the ongoing investigation.

2. Thailand–Cambodia Peace Agreement

• [00:18–01:24] President Trump oversees a diplomatic breakthrough, brokering a normalization deal following a short border war between Thailand and Cambodia.
  • Trump, speaking from Malaysia, calls it “a monumental step,” emphasizing that while not a final settlement, it initiates demilitarization.
  • Quote — Thailand’s Foreign Minister Sei Sak Phyong Kikao (01:00):
    • “We’ve made it known that we are looking ahead to restoring our ties and not only that, making our ties even better. And this was in front of two friends and also in front of the press. So I think that I’m confident that both sides are under obligation to implement what we’ve agreed.”
  • Trump is attending the Southeast Asian nations summit in Kuala Lumpur and will meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping later this week.

3. New Jersey Governor’s Race – Election Dynamics

• [01:24–02:20] Coverage from Bruce Kahnfeiser on the start of early voting in New Jersey, one of only two states with gubernatorial elections this year.
  • Democratic Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill leads, but her margin over Republican Jack Cittarelli is shrinking.
  • Notable historical context:
    • It’s been 100 years since Democrats won three straight gubernatorial races in NJ.
    • Over 50 years since the state elected a governor of the same party as the sitting U.S. president.
  • Governor Phil Murphy (Democrat) is term-limited after eight years.

4. Hurricane Melissa – Caribbean In Danger

• [02:20–03:11] Matt Bloom updates on Hurricane Melissa, now a Category 4 storm threatening Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic.
  • The storm is likely to strengthen, with severe flooding already reported in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
  • Jamaica has opened hundreds of shelters; storm surge predictions up to 13 feet.
  • Could drop up to 40 inches of rain, risking “massive flooding, landslides and power outages.”
  • Advisory extended to Cuba, Southeast Bahamas, Turks and Caicos.

5. Pennsylvania Shooting – Lincoln University Incident

• [03:11–03:45] Giles Snyder and the Chester County DA (Christopher Debrina Sarabe) report on a shooting at Lincoln University’s homecoming.
  • Seven shot, one fatally, in what DA Sarabe described as a “chaotic scene” (03:32):
    • “It was a chaotic scene and people fled in every direction.”
  • One individual detained with a firearm; conditions of injured not disclosed.
  • Lincoln is a historically Black college near Philadelphia.

6. College Football Windfall – Vanderbilt Student Triumphs

• [03:45–04:54] Cynthia Abrams recounts a heartwarming story from ESPN’s College Game Day at Vanderbilt.
  • Sophomore Tyler Wang wins $500,000 by kicking a 33-yard field goal in socks.
  • Wang, a chemical engineering and economics major, plans to help his parents pay tuition.
  • Quote from segment (04:13):
    • Abrams: "Even with the school on college football’s biggest stage, sophomore Tyler Wang didn’t falter [...] nailed the 33-yard attempt on his first kick while only wearing a pair of socks."

Memorable Quotes

• Sei Sak Phyong Kikao (Thailand FM) [01:00]:
  “We’ve made it known that we are looking ahead to restoring our ties and not only that, making our ties even better. [...] I’m confident that both sides are under obligation to implement what we’ve agreed.”
• DA Christopher Debrina Sarabe [03:32]:
  “It was a chaotic scene and people fled in every direction.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Paris Heist Arrests: 00:18
• Thailand-Cambodia Diplomatic Deal: 00:18–01:24
• New Jersey Gubernatorial Election Preview: 01:24–02:20
• Hurricane Melissa Threatens Caribbean: 02:20–03:11
• Lincoln University Shooting: 03:11–03:45
• Vanderbilt Student Field Goal: 03:45–04:54

This concise update delivers major breaking news across international relations, U.S. politics, severe weather, crime, and culture in NPR's direct, factual tone.