NPR News Now – October 28, 2025, 7AM EDT

Episode Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now update delivers key global and domestic headlines as of the morning of October 28, 2025. Covered topics include President Trump’s diplomatic travel in Asia, the ongoing U.S. federal shutdown and its impact on air traffic controllers, Hurricane Melissa’s threat to Jamaica, flooding in Florida, fuel disruptions in Mali, new data on obesity trends and medical treatments, and results from a dramatic Dodgers-Blue Jays World Series game.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. President Trump in Japan: Diplomatic Visits and Agreements

• [00:17–00:53] President Trump is in Japan, meeting troops and newly elected Japanese Prime Minister Taikachi, the country’s first female prime minister.
• They marked the bilateral relationship as entering a "golden era," highlighted by an official agreement.
• Quote:

  "Anything I can do to help Japan, we will be there. We are an ally at the strongest level."
  — President Trump (00:47)

• Additional agreement signed to cooperate on rare earth minerals; a trade deal is in progress. PM Taikachi hinted at a significant Ford F150 truck purchase.
• Trump’s Asia itinerary includes visits to South Korea and future talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on trade issues.

2. Federal Government Shutdown: Air Traffic Controllers Affected

• [01:08–02:11] The federal shutdown nears a month, furloughing most government workers. Air traffic controllers remain on duty but are missing paychecks.
• Controllers plan to hand out informational leaflets at major U.S. airports to highlight the shutdown’s impact, with some already taking second jobs out of necessity.
• Quote:

  "Air traffic controllers will receive back pay after the shutdown ends, but their labor union says many started second jobs to pay their bills during the last shutdown."
  — Marlon Hyde (01:43)

3. Hurricane Melissa Approaches Jamaica: Record Threat

• [02:11–02:49] Hurricane Melissa, with sustained winds of 175 mph, heads directly for Jamaica. It’s the first storm of this power to make landfall on Jamaica since modern records began.

• Quote:

  "This is just the first time a storm of this magnitude has hit the island head on since modern records began. But storms like this one are getting more likely. You know, climate change makes large, powerful storms more common."
  — Rebecca Hersher (02:27)

• Separately, central Florida received over 1.5 feet of rain, causing flash floods unrelated to the hurricane.

4. Mali Fuel Crisis: Militants Disrupt Imports

• [02:49–03:54] In Mali, militants have blocked key fuel import routes, aiming to weaken the military government installed five years ago.

5. Drop in U.S. Obesity Rates Linked to Obesity Drugs

• [03:54–04:39] For the first time in decades, U.S. obesity rates have declined (now 37%, down from nearly 40%), correlating with a sharp increase in GLP-1 injectable medication use.
• GLP-1 usage has more than doubled in the past year and a half (now 12.4% of adults). However, diabetes rates have hit a new high of 13.8%.
• Quote:

  "Over the past three years and tracking with the increased popularity of injectable obesity medications, Gallup's National Health and Well Being Index finds obesity rates decreased to 37% in its most recent survey, down from 39.9% in 2022."
  — Yuki Noguchi (03:54)

6. Sports: Marathon Baseball in Los Angeles

• [04:39–04:57] The LA Dodgers edged out the Toronto Blue Jays 6–5 in an 18-inning, six-and-a-half-hour World Series Game 3. Game 4 is set for tonight.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Trump on Japan relations:

  "We are an ally at the strongest level." (00:47)

• Hurricane severity and climate change:

  "Climate change makes large, powerful storms more common. It also makes very rainy storms more likely." — Rebecca Hersher (02:27)

• Obesity medications and trends:

  "Use of GLP1 drugs more than doubled to 12.4% over the past year and a half." — Yuki Noguchi (03:54)

• Labor impact of shutdown:

  "Many started second jobs to pay their bills during the last shutdown." — Marlon Hyde (01:43)

Timeline of Major Segments

• 00:17 – Trump in Japan, diplomatic meetings, and rare earth mineral agreement
• 01:08 – Trump’s Asia tour continues; shutdown impacts air traffic controllers
• 02:11 – Hurricane Melissa threatens Jamaica; Florida flooding
• 02:49 – Fuel blockade in Mali
• 03:54 – Obesity rates drop, GLP-1 medication use rises
• 04:39 – Dodgers win marathon World Series Game 3

This NPR News Now segment succinctly encapsulates the pressing news stories of the morning—from global politics to climate impacts and shifting health trends—providing essential updates for listeners on the go.