NPR News Now: 10-28-2025, 3AM EDT

Host: Shea Stevens
Date: October 28, 2025
Duration: 5 minutes
Description: Top news headlines and key global events updated hourly.

Episode Overview

This edition of NPR News Now provides a five-minute snapshot of major U.S. and international headlines as of early October 28, 2025. Urgent topics covered include the impending expiration of federal nutrition assistance due to a government shutdown, the dangerous approach of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica, diplomatic developments between the U.S. and Japan, state-level political maneuvers regarding redistricting, a major medical advancement in HIV prevention in South Africa, and former U.S. officials speaking out in a high-profile DOJ case.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Federal Shutdown Threatens Nutrition Assistance

[00:20-01:19]

• SNAP Funding Runs Dry: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is set to run out of funds in days if Congress cannot resolve the 28-day federal shutdown.
• No Compromise in Sight: “No sign of any compromise between Democrats and Republicans some 28 days into the shutdown…” – Shea Stevens [00:24]
• Funding for WIC Temporarily Secured: The Trump administration has shifted $300 million from state child nutrition accounts to extend the WIC program, which supports mothers and children, but warns there's no viable way to do the same for SNAP without risking school meal and infant formula funding.
• Fiscal Trade-offs: “Transferring any money from this $23 billion pool of funds to support SNAP would jeopardize money for school meals and infant formula.” – Stephen Fowler [01:11]

2. Hurricane Melissa Threatens Jamaica

[01:19-02:12]

• Historic Category 5 Storm: Jamaica braces for Hurricane Melissa, touted as possibly "the most powerful storm ever to hit Jamaica.” – Nick Davis [01:34]
• Severe Impacts Expected:
  • Storm surge up to 12 feet
  • Landslides and flooding in low-lying areas
  • Rainfall up to 30 inches
  • Mandatory evacuations underway in certain regions
• Timing: Landfall expected in the “early hours of tomorrow morning” with hurricane conditions lasting up to 12 hours.
• Memorable moment: “This storm is huge. It’ll cover the island with major hurricane conditions.” – Nick Davis [01:47]

3. U.S.–Japan Relations: Security and Trade

[02:12-03:14]

• President Trump in Tokyo: President Trump praises new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and backs her commitment to faster military buildup.
• Strategic Minerals & Trade:
  • U.S. and Japan agree to cooperate on rare earths minerals to reduce reliance on China.
  • Recent similar U.S. deals with Malaysia, Thailand, and Australia.
• North Korea Abductions: Trump promises to assist in resolving the long-standing issue of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 80s.
• Trade Pressures: “He’s also demanding concessions. He wants Japan to buy more American rice and soybeans, and to open its market to U.S. vehicles.” – Shama Khalil [03:08]
• Quote: “During his meeting with her, Mr. Trump said Japan was a great ally, adding that he’d be there to help whenever needed.” – Shama Khalil [02:56]

4. U.S. State Political Maneuvers: Redistricting

[03:14-03:56]

• Indiana: Governor Mike Braun calls a special legislative session to consider redistricting efforts to maintain GOP control in the House.
• Kansas: Admits insufficient votes to pass more Republican-friendly maps.
• Virginia: Democrats announce special session for redistricting on November 3rd.

5. Medical Breakthrough in HIV Prevention: South Africa

[03:56-04:33]

• Lenacapavir Approved: South Africa becomes the first African nation to approve Lenacapavir, a new HIV prevention drug.
• Key Features:
  • Twice-yearly injections
  • "Almost complete protection" against HIV
  • Described as “a game changer” by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority.
• Epidemic Context: Around 17% of South Africans aged 15–49 have HIV.
• Quote: “The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority called it a game changer, given the country has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates.” – Gabriela Emanuel [04:10]
• Logistics: Initial demand expected to outstrip supply; national rollout targeted for early next year.

6. DOJ Case Against Former FBI Director Comey

[04:33-04:58]

• Calls for Dismissal: Over 100 former Justice Department officials urge a federal judge to drop the DOJ's case against James Comey.
• Core Arguments:
  • Charges viewed as driven by political revenge, not legal standards.
  • Filing accuses DOJ of abandoning traditional prosecution practices.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the shutdown:
  “No sign of any compromise between Democrats and Republicans some 28 days into the shutdown…”
  — Shea Stevens [00:24]

• On storm threat:
  “This storm is huge. It’ll cover the island with major hurricane conditions.”
  — Nick Davis [01:47]

• On medical advancement:
  “The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority called it a game changer, given the country has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates.”
  — Gabriela Emanuel [04:10]

• On U.S.–Japan relations:
  “During his meeting with her, Mr. Trump said Japan was a great ally, adding that he’d be there to help whenever needed. But he's also demanding concessions.”
  — Shama Khalil [02:56]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• SNAP/WIC funding crisis: 00:20–01:19
• Hurricane Melissa/Jamaica: 01:19–02:12
• U.S.–Japan diplomacy/trade: 02:12–03:14
• Redistricting (IN, KS, VA): 03:14–03:56
• South Africa HIV breakthrough: 03:56–04:33
• Justice officials on Comey case: 04:33–04:58

This concise newscast touches on urgent social policy questions, major weather threats, global diplomacy, medical innovation, and evolving U.S. political strategy—providing listeners with an insightful roundup of headlines shaping the world as of October 28, 2025.