NPR News Now: October 27, 2025, 8PM EDT – Episode Summary

Overview

This episode of NPR News Now provides a quick, five-minute national and international news roundup. Major topics include the prolonged U.S. government shutdown and its impact, closures of Chinese academic partnerships across American universities, developments in the Louvre jewelry heist investigation, Hurricane Melissa’s threat to Jamaica and the Caribbean, new research on Napoleon’s army deaths in Russia, and an update on the 2025 MLB World Series.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Prolonged U.S. Government Shutdown & Impact on Social Programs

• The shutdown has extended into its 27th day, with “no closer to an agreement” among congressional leaders.
  (Giles Snyder, 00:15)
• Over a million federal workers have missed pay, and the SNAP food assistance program is nearly out of funds.
• Stephen Fowler reports that SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) “has long been a target of the Trump administration,” which has prioritized cuts to SNAP across his terms.
• The "one big beautiful bill" of early 2025 included “some of the largest ever reductions to SNAP.”
• Fowler notes:

  “Almost everything the White House has done during the shutdown has been focused on blaming Democrats, targeting programs and places they feel disproportionately impact Democrats. And this is no different.”
  (Stephen Fowler, 00:40)

• Other benefits at risk if a deal isn't reached: early education and additional programs serving tens of millions.

2. Academic Partnerships with China Under Scrutiny

• Universities are closing partner programs with Chinese institutions after pressure from a House committee report warning of national security risks.
  (Giles Snyder, 01:03)
• In Arizona:
  • Northern Arizona University ended its dual degree in Electrical Engineering with Chongqing University (China) after being cited in the committee report.
  • University of Arizona shut down four tech “micro campuses” in China.
• University spokesperson Mitch Zach says:

  “We've communicated directly with those affected and are working with enrolled students to help them continue their education, the report states.”
  (Mitch Zach, 01:54)

• At least eight major universities (including UC Berkeley, Georgia Tech) have ended such partnerships; over 50 others continue them. (Mitchell Marisco, 02:01)

3. Louvre Jewel Heist Investigation

• French police are questioning two suspects believed to be connected to the Louvre tiara and necklace heist. (Giles Snyder, 02:12)
• They have “two more days to get the suspects to talk before they must release or charge them.”
  (Eleanor Beardsley, 02:28)
• French media debates include how the jewelry could be removed from the country.
• Former Paris police director Christian Flesch reflects:

  “Who can imagine you'd scale a ladder up to a balcony of the Louvre without having a minimum guarantee of what the security situation is inside?”
  (Christian Flesch via Eleanor Beardsley, 02:28)

• Suspects were identified from DNA on a hair inside a motorcycle helmet left at the scene.
  (Eleanor Beardsley, 02:28)

4. Hurricane Melissa Threatens Jamaica and Caribbean

• Hurricane Melissa is on course to hit Jamaica by early tomorrow—could be “the strongest to hit the island since record keeping began in 1851.”
  (Giles Snyder, 03:13)
• Intensified to Category 5 over the hot Caribbean Sea, which meteorologists link to climate change.
• Southeastern Cuba and the Bahamas are also at risk.

5. Pathogens Behind Napoleon’s Army Deaths

• New research has identified paratyphoid fever and relapsing fever as key pathogens hastening the deaths of Napoleon's soldiers during the 1812 Russian retreat. (Ari Daniel, 03:55)
• Ancient DNA from teeth in a Lithuanian mass grave revealed these infectious killers.
• Michaela Binder, bioarchaeologist (not part of the study), notes:

  “These wars were anything but glamorous. For some of them, the death in battle would have been a relief.”
  (Michaela Binder, 04:23)

6. 2025 Major League Baseball World Series Update

• Game 3 is underway in Los Angeles. Previous games in Toronto: Blue Jays won Game 1, Dodgers won Game 2 and are vying for back-to-back championships.
  (Giles Snyder, 04:37)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Almost everything the White House has done during the shutdown has been focused on blaming Democrats, targeting programs and places they feel disproportionately impact Democrats. And this is no different.”
  — Stephen Fowler (00:40)
• “Who can imagine you'd scale a ladder up to a balcony of the Louvre without having a minimum guarantee of what the security situation is inside?”
  — Christian Flesch via Eleanor Beardsley (02:28)
• “These wars were anything but glamorous. For some of them, the death in battle would have been a relief.”
  — Michaela Binder (04:23)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:15 — Government Shutdown, Impact on SNAP and Federal Workers
• 01:03 — University Closures of China Partnerships
• 02:12 — Louvre Heist Investigation Developments
• 03:13 — Hurricane Melissa, Climate and Weather Update
• 03:55 — Napoleon's Army and Pathogen Research
• 04:37 — 2025 MLB World Series Game 3 Update

This episode delivers rapid-fire reporting on urgent governmental, educational, and international events, offering listeners sharp context and the latest developments across major headlines.