NPR News Now – October 28, 2025, 1PM EDT

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Duration: ~5 minutes
Main Theme: Rapid update on major global news stories, including Hurricane Melissa's approach to Jamaica, renewed conflict in Gaza, Amazon layoffs, U.S.-Japan diplomacy, stock market updates, and a scientific discovery about Napoleon’s army.

Episode Overview

This fast-paced NPR News Now episode delivers crucial updates on breaking international news, business, science, and politics. Listeners are briefed on the devastating hurricane nearing Jamaica, escalating conflict in Gaza following a ceasefire breach, massive Amazon layoffs, President Trump's diplomatic engagement with Japan’s Prime Minister Takaichi, Wall Street gains, and new research on the deadly retreat of Napoleon’s army from Russia.

Key News Stories and Insights

1. Hurricane Melissa Threatens Jamaica

[00:18–01:10]

• Situation: Jamaica braces for Hurricane Melissa—a Category 5 storm with sustained winds of 185 mph.
• Technical Details from Expert:
  • Central pressure measured at 892 millibars.
  • “Just six other Atlantic storms have had a pressure under 900 millibars. So what's clear is that Hurricane Melissa will go down in history.” (Hurricane Expert, 00:46)
• Significance: Poses life-threatening risk to the island; among strongest Atlantic storms ever recorded.

2. Israeli Strikes in Gaza after Ceasefire Tensions

[01:10–02:22]

• Developments:
  • Israeli PM Netanyahu orders military action in Gaza, triggering concerns over the recently brokered ceasefire by President Trump.
  • Triggered by allegations that Hamas gave only partial remains of a hostage as part of the ceasefire terms.
  • Israel claims drone footage shows Hamas operatives burying remains for Red Cross discovery.
• Netanyahu’s Stance:
  • Calls Hamas’ action a “clear violation of the U.S. negotiated ceasefire.” (Lakshmi Singh, 01:58)

3. Amazon Announces Massive Layoffs

[02:22–03:06]

• Action: 14,000 corporate jobs to be eliminated (~4% of workforce).
• Motivation: Streamlining to invest more in AI; pressure from investors post-pandemic and due to sluggish AI business growth.
• Company Strategy:
  • “Reducing bureaucracy, removing layers and shifting resources to ensure we're investing in our biggest bets.” (Alina Selyukh, 02:24)
• Note: Amazon listed as recent NPR financial supporter.

4. U.S. Stock Markets Rally

[03:06–03:23]

• Update: Dow Jones up 373 points (approx. 0.75%) at press time.

5. Trump Meets Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi

[03:23–04:03]

• Diplomacy Highlights:
  • New PM Sanae Takaichi positions herself as protege of late PM Abe.
  • Engages Trump with “gifts” (Abe golf putter, American beef and rice) and offers to nominate him for a Nobel Peace Prize.
  • Both governments discuss $550B Japanese investment package in exchange for lower U.S. tariffs.
• Quote:
  • “She'd nominate him for a Nobel Peace Prize.” (Anthony Kuhn, 03:36)
• Next Steps: Trump heads to South Korea for additional regional summits.

6. Scientific Insights on Napoleon’s Army Deaths [04:03–04:55]

• Discovery: Ancient DNA from 13 exhumed soldiers—two bacteria (paratyphoid fever, relapsing fever) contributed to massive death tolls.
• Expert Context:
  • Michaela Binder notes: “These wars were anything but glamorous. For some of them, the death in battle would have been a relief.” (Alina Selyukh quoting Binder, 04:41)
• Bigger Picture: Disease, not just combat, decimated Napoleon’s forces.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Hurricane Melissa’s Power:

  • “This is a monster storm. It’s not an overstatement…Hurricane Melissa will go down in history.” (Hurricane Expert, 00:46)

• On Amazon’s Shift to AI:

  • “Generative AI would mean fewer corporate workers in the next few years.” (Alina Selyukh, summarizing CEO communication, 02:53)

• On Disease and War:

  • “For some of them, the death in battle would have been a relief, a…relief, she says, from bodies riddled with disease.” (Michaela Binder via Alina Selyukh & Ari Daniel, 04:41–04:50)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:18] – Hurricane Melissa targets Jamaica
• [01:10] – Israeli strikes on Gaza post-ceasefire
• [02:22] – Amazon layoffs and AI shift
• [03:06] – U.S. markets update
• [03:23] – Trump-Takaichi meeting in Japan
• [04:03] – Disease in Napoleon’s army

Summary

This NPR News Now edition concisely covers urgent global and U.S. news. Listeners receive essential updates on a record-shattering hurricane, fresh Middle East conflict, sweeping tech layoffs, Biden-era diplomatic overtures, economic optimism on Wall Street, and cutting-edge archaeological science—each segment briskly delivered, grounded in direct expert analysis and memorable reporting.