NPR News Now — October 26, 2025, 9AM EDT

Brief Overview

This concise newscast covers major headlines from around the globe in under five minutes. Topics include arrests in the Louvre crown jewels theft, President Trump’s diplomatic efforts in Asia, US-China trade talks, New Jersey gubernatorial elections, a PKK peace process in Turkey, the threat from Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean, and a World Series update. The report combines swift updates with direct coverage and significant quotes from primary sources.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Paris Louvre Crown Jewels Theft Arrests

• [00:20–01:15]

  • French authorities made arrests related to last weekend’s $100 million crown jewels heist from the Louvre Museum.
    • Four men, disguised as workmen, entered via an upper floor window, using a ladder on a moving truck.
    • At least one suspect was caught at Charles de Gaulle Airport with some of the stolen items.
    • The Paris prosecutor condemned premature leaks, fearing it could compromise the investigation.

  Notable Quote

  • Eleanor Beardsley, NPR Paris:
    • “The brazen daytime heist at the museum last Sunday stunned France.” [00:47]
    • “One was preparing to board a flight from Charles de Gaulle Airport with some of the stolen items from the Louvre.” [01:07]

2. President Trump’s Indo-Pacific Trip & ASEAN Diplomacy

• [01:15–02:01]

  • President Trump visits Malaysia on his Indo-Pacific tour, attending the ASEAN summit.
  • He presided over the signing of a peace deal, brokering a truce after a border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand.
    • Trump’s pressure included threats of increased tariffs to bring parties to the negotiating table.
  • Additional agreements signed: trade with Cambodia and critical minerals with Thailand.
  • President to travel next to Tokyo.

  Notable Quote

  • President Trump:
    • “And we're so honored to be involved in that. So important to me. Two great countries, but they were, they were going at it.” [01:41]
  • Deepa Shivaram, NPR:
    • “President Trump helped broker a peace agreement by threatening to increase tariffs on Cambodia and Thailand.” [01:33]

3. US-China Trade Agreement Framework

• [02:01–02:19]
  • Treasury Secretary Scott Besant and Chinese officials achieved a framework on a trade agreement.
    • Points of contention focused on China’s export controls of rare earth minerals.
    • Presidents Trump and Xi Jinping are scheduled for further talks later in the week.

4. New Jersey Gubernatorial Election Insights

• [02:19–03:14]

  • Early voting started in New Jersey, one of only two states (with Virginia) holding gubernatorial elections this year.
  • Democratic Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill leads Republican Jack Cittarelli, but polls indicate a narrowing race.
  • Governor Phil Murphy (Democrat) is term-limited.
  • The race breaks with two historical voting patterns:
    • Democrats have not held three straight gubernatorial wins in 100 years.
    • New Jersey hasn’t elected a governor from the sitting president’s party in 50 years.

  Notable Quote

  • Bruce Konviser, NPR:
    • “The gubernatorial race in the Garden State is being closely watched as a window into voters’ take on the first months of the second Trump administration.” [02:39]
    • “Two historical trends will collide in this election.” [02:53]

5. PKK Withdrawal from Turkey

• [03:14–04:15]

  • The PKK announced withdrawal from Turkey, relocating militants to northern Iraq as part of peace negotiations.
  • This aims to minimize “possible provocations.”
  • Turkey’s ruling AK Party expressed support.
  • The PKK, designated a terrorist organization by Turkey and the US, has fought an insurgency since 1984.

  Notable Quote

  • Jerry Buscarin, NPR Istanbul:
    • “This effort, it said, would focus on forces that might be vulnerable to, quote, possible provocations.” [03:40]
    • “Tens of thousands of people have died in the fighting.” [04:08]

6. Hurricane Melissa Threatens Jamaica

• [04:15–04:43]
  • Hurricane Melissa is now a powerful Category 4 storm, bringing heavy rain and severe winds.
  • Catastrophic flooding and landslides are possible for Jamaica and Haiti.
  • Several deaths in Haiti and the Dominican Republic have already been reported.
  • Landfall expected Monday night or Tuesday morning in Jamaica.

7. World Series Update

• [04:43–04:58]
  • The Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays are tied 1–1 after the Dodgers’ 5–1 win.
  • Game 3 is scheduled for tomorrow in Los Angeles.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• “The brazen daytime heist at the museum last Sunday stunned France.” — Eleanor Beardsley, [00:47]
• “And we're so honored to be involved in that. So important to me. Two great countries, but they were, they were going at it.” — President Trump, [01:41]
• “The gubernatorial race in the Garden State is being closely watched as a window into voters’ take on the first months of the second Trump administration.” — Bruce Konviser, [02:39]
• “This effort, it said, would focus on forces that might be vulnerable to, quote, possible provocations.” — Jerry Buscarin, [03:40]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:20] — Louvre jewel theft arrests in Paris
• [01:15] — President Trump at ASEAN Summit, Cambodia-Thailand peace deal
• [02:01] — Treasury Secretary on US-China trade framework
• [02:35] — Early voting in New Jersey’s governor race
• [03:14] — PKK withdrawal announcement
• [04:15] — Hurricane Melissa impacts Jamaica, Haiti
• [04:43] — World Series update

This segment delivers crisp updates on global politics, security, weather, and sports, consistent with NPR’s concise, authoritative style.