NPR News Now – October 27, 2025, 7AM EDT

Host: Korva Coleman
Duration: ~5 minutes
Theme: Fast-moving headlines on global politics, military developments, domestic policy, natural disasters, health research, and scientific news.

Episode Overview

This rapid-fire NPR News Now episode recaps the biggest stories from around the world as of October 27, 2025. Major topics include President Trump's diplomatic travels in Asia, a US military buildup near Venezuela, the impact of the continuing government shutdown on air travel, an update on Hurricane Melissa, new research on mental health and media, and approval of a new menopause medication.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. President Trump’s Asia Trip

[00:13–01:14]

• President Trump arrives in Tokyo after a summit in Malaysia.
• Japan's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, hosts Trump.
• Discussion of easing US-Japan trade tensions, with Takaichi considering purchases of US agricultural and industrial products.
• Trump also plans visits with Emperor Naruhito and to the USS George Washington.
• Hopes for a deal with China’s Xi Jinping at a South Korea summit.

Notable Quote:

"En route to Tokyo, President Trump said he looked forward to meeting Prime Minister Sanae Takechi, who he noted was a great friend to the late ex Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. ... To ease trade tensions, Abe's protege Takaichi will try to do the same by purchasing US Rice, soybeans and pickup trucks."
— Anthony Kuhn, NPR News [00:33]

2. US Military Presence in the Caribbean and Venezuela

[01:14–02:00]

• US warship docks in Trinidad and Tobago.
• Increased US military presence near Venezuela and Colombia.
• Senator Lindsey Graham strongly supports action against Venezuela’s leader, Nicolás Maduro.

Notable Quote:

"These military assets are moving forward to deal with a country that's got blood on its hands when it comes to Americans by flooding our country with drugs from Venezuela and Colombia. So I hope Maduro would leave peacefully, but I don't think he's going to stay around much longer."
— Sen. Lindsey Graham [01:41]

3. Federal Government Shutdown Impacting Air Travel

[02:00–03:05]

• Ongoing government shutdown in its 27th day.
• Air traffic controllers will miss their first full paycheck; shortage already causing cascade of delays.
• At LAX, flights between LA and Oakland delayed by nearly 900 minutes in total due to ground stops.

Notable Quote:

"These staffing shortages have been causing problems at various airports and here it affected LAX. Flights between Los Angeles and Oakland faced ground stops causing delays anywhere from around 50 minutes to nearly 90 minutes, a total of 900 minutes in delays, according to the FAA."
— Steve Futterman, NPR News [02:28]

4. Sports: World Series Update

[03:05–03:18]

• Game three of the World Series: LA Dodgers vs. Toronto Blue Jays.
• The series is tied 1-1.

5. Hurricane Melissa Threatens Jamaica

[03:18–03:52]

• Hurricane Melissa elevated to Category 5 with sustained winds of 160 mph.
• Headed directly for Jamaica; up to 40 inches of rain expected.
• Catastrophic flash flooding is forecast.

6. Media, Hope, and Stress: New Research

[03:52–04:26]

• Study from UC Santa Barbara: Watching inspiring videos or doing short meditations boosts hope and lowers stress across ages 18–86.
• Effects were "small but significant" even after ten days.

Notable Quote:

"We were actually quite surprised at how similar the effects of the inspiring videos were to the group that meditated. Both groups felt more hope and both had lower levels of stress ten days later."
— Researcher Robin Nabbe, UC Santa Barbara [04:11] (via Allison Aubrey report)

7. FDA Approves Non-Hormonal Menopause Drug

[04:26–04:56]

• The FDA greenlights Linquet, a non-hormonal, once-daily pill for menopausal symptoms.
• Expected availability in the US soon; may especially benefit Black women.

Memorable Moments & Quotes with Timestamps

• Diplomatic Nostalgia:
  "During Trump's first term, Abe entertained him with golf and wagyu burgers." — Anthony Kuhn [00:33]
• Military Tension:
  "I hope Maduro would leave peacefully, but I don't think he's going to stay around much longer." — Lindsey Graham [01:41]
• Travel Frustration:
  "Flights between Los Angeles and Oakland faced ground stops causing delays anywhere from around 50 minutes to nearly 90 minutes, a total of 900 minutes in delays..." — Steve Futterman [02:28]
• Positive Psychology in Minutes:
  "Both groups felt more hope and both had lower levels of stress ten days later." — Robin Nabbe [04:11]

Timeline of Key Segments

• 00:13 — Asia trip and Japan's new PM
• 01:14 — US military moves near Venezuela/Caribbean
• 02:00 — FAA, air traffic, and shutdown fallout
• 03:05 — World Series update
• 03:18 — Hurricane Melissa threat
• 03:52 — Media and mental health study
• 04:26 — FDA's new menopause treatment

This tight, news-focused episode packs urgent developments and insightful reporting into five minutes, tracing the intersections of diplomacy, military policy, public well-being, and science—all with NPR’s hallmark clarity.