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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.

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[00:00]
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[00:20]
Shea Stevens
LIVE from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shea Stevens. The Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program called snap, will run out of money on Saturday unless Congress ends the federal shutdown by then. No sign of any compromise between Democrats and Republicans some 28 days into the shutdown. As NPR Stephen Fowler reports, the Trump administration has shifted funds from other programs to extend wic, another program which aids mothers and children.
[00:49]
Stephen Fowler
According to federal budget documents, the Trump administration transferred the $300 million for WIC from a state child nutrition programs account that's funded in part by a portion of customs duties collected the previous calendar year. These so called section 32 funds are separate from the increased revenue generated from sweeping tariffs imposed by President Trump in recent months. The Trump administration said transferring any money from this $23 billion pool of funds to support SNAP would jeopardize money for school meals and infant formula.
[01:20]
Shea Stevens
NPR's Stephen Fowler. Jamaica is bracing for impact from Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm expecting to pass over the island today. Storm surge up to 12ft. Landslides and flooding are expected in low lying areas. As Nick Davis reports, forecast forecasters are predicting that Melissa will be the most powerful storm ever to hit Jamaica.
[01:40]
Nick Davis
The storm has slowly been moving along the south coast between three and seven miles an hour for about a day, only about 100 miles out, but it's due to turn inland tonight, bringing record levels of rainfall up to 30 inches. So with that extensive flooding, this storm is huge. It'll cover the island with major hurricane conditions. And so the government has put in place a mandatory evacuation order in some low lying areas. Hurricane Melissa is expected to make landfall in the early hours of tomorrow morning and be here for almost 12 hours before it leaves. For NPR News, I'm Nick Davis.
[02:13]
Shea Stevens
In Jamaica, President Trump has heaped praise on Japan's new prime Minister, Sanae Takahichi. During their meeting in Tokyo, Trump told the Japanese prime minister that she would be one of the greatest premiers and welcomed her pledge to accelerate Japan's military buildup. The BBC's Shama Khalil has more.
[02:35]
Shama Khalil
The two countries agreed to cooperate on the production and supply of critical rare earths minerals as Washington tries to reduce its reliance on China. In recent days, the US Signed similar deals with Malaysia, Thailand and Australia. President Trump also met the families of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea in the 70s and 80s, saying that the US will do everything in its power to help return them. This is a critical day for Japan and its new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi. 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. He wants Japan to buy more American rice and soybeans and to open its market to U.S. vehicles.
[03:14]
Shea Stevens
The BBC, Shama Khalil reporting. This is NPR. Indiana is the latest state to consider redistricting to help the Republican Party retain control of the U.S. house. Republican Governor Mike Braun has called the legislature into special session next week to consider the move. Republicans in Indiana and in Kansas say they do not have the votes to pass more GOP friendly congressional maps. Meanwhile, Democrats in Virginia's legislature plan to meet in special session on November 3rd to consider redistricting. South Africa has become the first African nation to approve a new HIV prevention drug that's being hailed as revolutionary. NPR's Gabriela Emanjuel has details.
[03:57]
Gabriela Emanuel
The medication is called Lenacapavir. With twice a year injections, it offers almost complete protection against contracting hiv. The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority called it a game changer, given the country has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates. Around 17% of people ages 15 to 49 have HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. South Africa's health minister told local media he worries demand for Lenacapavir will initially outstrip supply. The country hopes to start providing the injections early next year. Gabriela Emanuel, NPR news.
[04:34]
Shea Stevens
More than 100 former Justice Department officials are urging a federal judge to dismiss the DOJ's case against former FBI Director James Comey. They've signed a court brief arguing that the charges against Comey are being fueled by political revenge and not legal standards. The filing also accuses DOJ of tossing aside long standing practices that govern prosecutions. This is NPR News.
[04:58]
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