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

Host: Luis Schiavone
Duration: ~5 minutes
Main Theme: Latest global and national news updates, highlighting major political, economic, and social developments.

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode delivers concise, up-to-the-minute coverage of major events around the globe, including U.S.-Brazil diplomatic efforts over trade sanctions, succession plans in Palestinian leadership, anticipated moves from the Federal Reserve, labor unrest at Boeing, and shifting American attitudes on climate policy—accompanied by a brief look at U.S.-Japan relations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. US-Brazil Relations Amid Trade Sanctions

[00:18–01:24]

• President Trump met with Brazil's President Lula da Silva at the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur.
• The meeting came after the U.S. imposed steep (50%) tariffs on Brazilian goods, in response to the trial of Trump ally Jair Bolsonaro.
• Pres. Lula called the conversation “frank and constructive,” agreeing to open immediate bilateral talks to address sanctions.
• Brazil seeks to counteract tariff pressure by exploring new markets as U.S. tariffs drive up domestic prices on imports like coffee and beef.

Notable Quotes:

• “Yeah, we can do things fast. We move quickly. We're very nimble.” — Donald Trump [01:08]

2. Palestinian Authority Leadership Transition

[01:24–02:24]

• President Mahmoud Abbas (approaching age 90) appointed his deputy, Hussein Eshaykh, as interim successor should he be unable to serve.
• Eshaykh is seen by many Palestinians as closer to Israel, raising questions about future leadership direction.
• The move occurs as Palestinian leadership is marginalized in West Bank governance discussions while the U.S. and allies plan for post-war Gaza.

Notable Mention:

• President Trump, in an interview with TIME, questioned Abbas’s future role in Palestinian leadership.

3. Economy: Federal Reserve Decision & Big Tech Earnings

[02:24–03:15]

• The Federal Reserve is set to cut interest rates by 0.25%, the second reduction in a row, responding to slightly cooler inflation data.
• Policy decisions are complicated by continued lack of government data during an ongoing shutdown—described as a “blind period.”
• Big tech earnings (Meta, Alphabet/Google) are in the spotlight, particularly regarding the role of artificial intelligence.

4. Labor: Boeing Strike Continues

[03:15–03:36]

• Over 3,200 machinists at three Boeing plants in the Midwest—producers of military aircraft and weapons—voted to continue their strike after rejecting the company’s contract offer.
• Main issues: wages and retirement benefits.
• The company reports a very tight vote margin.

5. Climate Change: Public Opinion and Policy Divide

[03:36–04:38]

• A new AP/NORC/EPIC poll finds broad agreement among Americans that climate change is real and government has a role.
• Notable generational and partisan divides:
  • Younger Republicans are more likely than their elders to accept human-driven climate change and support clean energy, electric vehicles, and adaptation funding.
  • 37% of all Americans would consider buying an electric car, though cost remains a barrier.
  • 60% of Americans believe the U.S. should play a larger part in global climate efforts.
• This shift comes as President Trump continues to roll back Biden-era climate policies.

6. US-Japan Relations: Meeting with First Female PM

[04:38–04:56]

• President Trump expressed anticipation for his upcoming meeting with Sanai Takaichi, Japan’s first woman prime minister.
• Takaichi is noted as a protégé of the late Shinzo Abe, with whom Trump shared a personal rapport.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Luis Schiavone:
  “Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Luis Schiavone.” [00:18]

• Giulia Carnero (on US-Brazil talks):
  “They spoke in a frank and constructive way and agreed that their teams would start bilateral negotiations immediately to find solutions to the US imposed sanctions and tariffs.” [00:46]

• Donald Trump (on resolving tariffs):
  “Yeah, we can do things fast. We move quickly. We're very nimble.” [01:08]

• Daniel Estrin (on Abbas’s succession decree):
  “There's no telling if he would remain in the president's role indefinitely.” [02:02]

• Jeff Brady (on climate poll findings):
  “Younger Republicans are more likely to support clean energy, electric car incentives, and funding to help people adapt to climate change.” [03:58] “60% of Americans say the US should play a bigger role in global climate efforts.” [04:29]

Segment Timestamps

• [00:18] US-Brazil sanctions & tariffs meeting at ASEAN summit
• [01:24] Palestinian Authority: Abbas names deputy as successor
• [02:24] Federal Reserve rate cut, tech company earnings amid shutdown
• [03:15] Boeing strike continues after contract rejection
• [03:51] Climate change: Republican divide, clean energy, and public support for climate action
• [04:38] US-Japan: Trump set to meet Japan’s first woman PM

Tone & Style

• Objective, succinct, and fact-focused, representative of NPR’s neutral news delivery.
• Sparing use of direct quotation, with reporters attributing viewpoints and outcomes to leaders and public opinion.

This summary provides a comprehensive snapshot of the episode’s most important stories, presenting a clear, timestamped map of breaking news and the evolving global landscape as of October 26, 2025.