NPR News Now – October 27, 2025, 3AM EDT

Host: Dale Willman
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode covers key national and international stories, including President Trump's overseas trips and trade negotiations with Asia, controversial US military actions against drug smugglers, Argentina's pivotal midterm elections, a major jewel theft at the Louvre, developments in the Sudanese civil war, a deadly Russian drone strike in Ukraine, and the latest college football rankings.

Key News Segments & Insights

1. President Trump’s Asia Trip & US-China Trade Tensions

[00:19 – 00:56]

• President Trump is traveling to Japan to meet the new prime minister and will visit with China's Xi Jinping later in the week.
• Trade Deal Push: Trade tensions between the US and China have escalated after China moved to restrict rare earth mineral exports, which are vital for US technology and military.
• Trump is threatening additional tariffs by November 1, but a framework for a trade deal has just been announced.
  • Quote: “Nothing will be final until they meet.” – Deepa Shrestha [00:46]

2. US Military Attacks on Alleged Drug Smugglers

[00:56 – 01:55]

• Since September, President Trump has authorized military strikes on alleged drug smuggler boats:
  • 10 boats attacked, at least 43 killed.
• Controversy: GOP Senator Rand Paul strongly criticized these actions.
  • Rand Paul on Fox News:
    • Quote: “I would call them extrajudicial killings... This is akin to what China does to Iran does with drug dealers. They summarily execute people without presenting evidence to the public. So it's wrong.” – Rand Paul [01:20]
    • Paul's skepticism: If these were truly drug smugglers, why not prosecute and present evidence?
    • Quote: “If they were drug dealers, why wouldn't we prosecute them, present evidence... show the arms they were about to invade us with or show us something?” – Rand Paul [01:36]
• Trump’s Position: Alleged traffickers are “terrorists,” and the military may act without Congress’ approval.

3. Argentina’s Midterm Elections & US Intervention

[01:55 – 02:58]

• President Javier Milei of Argentina scored a decisive win in midterm elections, seen as a referendum on his tough economic policies (Libertarian, La Libertad Avanza party).
• His party won over 40% of the vote, beating the main opposition by almost 9 points.
• Notably, the US recently helped Argentina’s economy with a $20 billion currency swap to steady the peso.
  • Quote: “This election drew more eyes than usual due to the unexpected intervention of the United States in Argentina's economy.” – Natalie Alcoba [02:25]
  • Trump is a supporter of Milei and likely to be pleased with the outcome.

4. Louvre Jewel Theft in Paris

[02:58 – 03:32]

• French police arrested two suspects a week after over $102 million in jewels were stolen from the Louvre in under eight minutes.
• One suspect was apprehended at a Paris airport attempting to leave the country.

5. Sudan Civil War: Rapid Support Forces Capture Army HQ

[03:32 – 04:14]

• The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) claim they’ve captured Sudanese army HQ in Al Fasher, Darfur—a stronghold commander over months of siege.
• Untold Crisis: Thousands of civilians trapped without food, water, or healthcare. Reports of abuses, including sexual assaults, have surfaced.
  • Quote: “The United Nations warns that thousands of civilians trapped in Al Fasher as a result of the siege have been cut off from food, water and healthcare.” – Michael Koloki [03:44]
• Ongoing civil war has killed thousands, displaced millions.

6. Russian Drone Attack on Kyiv

[04:14 – 04:30]

• Ukraine’s air force reports 101 Russian drones targeted Kyiv overnight.
• Three killed in their homes, 29 wounded (seven children).
• Follows a deadly drone strike the previous day.

7. College Football Rankings

[04:30 – 04:58]

• Ohio State University remains #1 in the AP Top 25, with 54 first place votes. Indiana (#2), Texas A&M, Alabama, Georgia round out the top five.
• The Big 12 Conference has five teams in the top 25—a season high.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Deepa Shrestha (on US-China negotiations):
  “Nothing will be final until they meet.” [00:46]
• Sen. Rand Paul (on military strikes):
  “I would call them extrajudicial killings, and this is akin to what China does to Iran does with drug dealers. They summarily execute people without presenting evidence to the public. So it's wrong.” [01:20]
• Natalie Alcoba (on US role in Argentina):
  “This election drew more eyes than usual due to the unexpected intervention of the United States in Argentina's economy.” [02:25]
• Michael Koloki (on Sudan crisis):
  “The United Nations warns that thousands of civilians trapped in Al Fasher... have been cut off from food, water and healthcare.” [03:44]

Timestamps of Major Segments

• President Trump, US-China Trade/UI: 00:19–00:56
• US Military Drug Strikes/Rand Paul: 00:56–01:55
• Argentina Election & US Intervention: 01:55–02:58
• Louvre Jewel Theft Update: 02:58–03:32
• Sudan’s RSF Military Advance: 03:32–04:14
• Russian Drone Attack on Kyiv: 04:14–04:30
• College Football Rankings: 04:30–04:58

This episode delivers a rapid, wide-ranging briefing on urgent political, security, and cultural developments around the globe, in NPR’s straightforward and concise tone.