NPR News Now: 10-28-2025 12PM EDT — Episode Summary

Overview

This episode of NPR News Now, aired on October 28, 2025, delivers a concise five-minute roundup of major national and international news. The headline stories include the 28th day of a U.S. federal government shutdown and related court hearings, ongoing catastrophic impacts from Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica, controversial U.S. military actions in the Pacific, important economic updates, shifts in U.S. obesity rates tied to medication use, and a deadly plane crash in Kenya.

Key News Stories & Highlights

1. Federal Government Shutdown and Court Hearings

• [00:15–01:15]
• The U.S. shutdown stretches into its 28th day.
• A critical hearing takes place in California over President Trump’s decision to lay off federal workers during the shutdown.
• Unions argue federal employees face severe emotional trauma atop previous cuts.
• The administration contests both the court's jurisdiction and that unions failed to demonstrate irreparable harm.

Quote:

“The federal employee unions that brought the case, meanwhile, argue that federal workers are suffering emotional trauma as a result of the recent layoffs…”
— Andrea Hsu, [00:51]

2. Hurricane Melissa Hits Jamaica

• [01:15–01:40]
• Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm with sustained winds of up to 185 mph, brings catastrophic rain and wind to Jamaica.
• Over 2.8 million residents and many tourists are taking shelter.

3. U.S. Military Strikes in the Pacific

• [01:41–02:22]
• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announces U.S. forces destroyed four boats in the eastern Pacific, allegedly carrying narcotics.
• 14 people killed; only one survivor, rescued by Mexican crews.
• The classified footage of the strikes is released; previous survivors repatriated due to lack of evidence for prosecution.
• Bipartisan lawmakers condemn these killings as potentially illegal “executions without trial.”

Quote:

“Some US Lawmakers from both parties have called the killings executions without trial and illegal, and... the military is breaking US and international law when it kills civilians.”
— Lakshmi Singh, [02:10]

4. Economic Updates: Trade, Markets, and Amazon Layoffs

• [02:26–03:07]
• Investors hopeful for a de-escalation at the upcoming Trump-Xi summit.
• President Trump meets the new Japanese Prime Minister.
• Amazon plans to cut 14,000 corporate jobs while pivoting towards artificial intelligence.
• The Federal Reserve is expected to cut its benchmark interest rate, following a slight dip in inflation.

Quote:

“Investors are optimistic that an expected meeting this week between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping will lead to a ratcheting down of trade tensions...”
— Scott Horsley, [02:27]

• Market Update:
  "At last check on Wall street, the dow is up 155 points." — Lakshmi Singh, [03:07]

5. Obesity Rates and GLP-1 Medications

• [03:44–04:30]
• U.S. obesity rates fall to 37%, down from an all-time high of nearly 40%.
• The decrease correlates with increased uptake of GLP-1 injectable drugs — doubling usage to 12.4%.
• Despite the improvement in obesity, diabetes rates reach a new high at 13.8%.

Quote:

“…obesity rates decreased to 37% in its most recent survey, down from 39.9% in 2022. Meanwhile, use of GLP1 drugs more than doubled to 12.4% over the past year and a half.”
— Yuki Noguchi, [03:51]

6. Deadly Plane Crash in Kenya

• [04:30–04:54]
• Mombasa Air Safari plane crash in Kenya results in 11 deaths, primarily Hungarian and German nationals.
• The aircraft crashed during heavy rain en route to the Masai Mara Reserve.

Memorable Moments

• The emotional toll on federal workers (“suffering emotional trauma”) highlights the human impact of the shutdown ([00:51]).
• Lawmakers’ bipartisan outrage at military actions signals a significant moment in accountability and legality debates ([02:10]).
• The link between medical advances (GLP-1 drugs) and public health statistics marks a transformative shift ([03:51]).

Timestamps of Major Segments

• 00:15–01:15: Federal Government Shutdown & Court Hearing
• 01:15–01:40: Hurricane Melissa’s Impact
• 01:41–02:22: U.S. Military Strikes & Political Response
• 02:26–03:07: Economy: Trade, Amazon, Fed, and Wall St.
• 03:44–04:30: Obesity Rates and Medications
• 04:30–04:54: Kenyan Plane Crash

Conclusion

This fast-paced episode delivers a powerful snapshot of global political, economic, and humanitarian developments. The reporting is factual yet emphasizes the profound human and political consequences shaping the news cycle.