NPR News Now: October 29, 2025, 12AM EDT

Host: Shea Stevens
Duration: ~5 minutes
Theme: A concise update on major global and national news developments, including U.S. politics, legal actions, disasters, and sports.

Main Topics Overview

This NPR News Now segment covers President Trump’s upcoming Asia trip, legal and political challenges around U.S. government operations and social safety nets, the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean, international political unrest and trials, and a World Series update. The episode maintains a brisk, fact-focused tone.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. President Trump’s Asia Trip and Middle East Ceasefire Tensions

• [00:20] President Trump is en route to South Korea for the upcoming APEC summit.
  • Plans a side meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping to discuss the trafficking of fentanyl.
  • Addressed media questions about claims from Israel that Hamas breached the U.S.-brokered Gaza ceasefire.
  • Notable Quote:

    “Nothing's going to jeopardize. ... Hamas is a very small part of peace in the Middle east and they have to behave. ... If they're good, they're going to be happy. And if they're not, they're going to be terminated. Their lives will be terminated.”
    — President Trump ([00:44])

2. U.S. Government Shutdown: Legal Rulings Affecting Federal Workers

• [01:05] Federal judge in San Francisco, Susan Ilston, issued an open-ended injunction preventing the firing of federal workers represented by unions during the government shutdown.
  • The ruling is a response to union challenges over the administration's plans.

3. SNAP Benefits Suspension: State Legal Pushback

• [01:05–02:27] 25 Democratic state leaders (including 23 Attorneys General and 3 governors) are suing the U.S. Agriculture Department over the suspension of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits.
  • Notable Quote:

    “Emergency funds sitting around that the president could use to fund the SNAP program. All he has to do is be willing to do it.”
    — Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear ([01:57])

  • The USDA has $23 billion in “Section 32” funds being used for other programs (e.g., WIC).
  • House Speaker Mike Johnson asserts those reserves can’t legally be used for SNAP.
  • Impact: Over 42 million low-income Americans depend on SNAP.

4. Hurricane Melissa: Devastation in Jamaica & Threat to Cuba

• [02:27–03:16] Hurricane Melissa, strongest ever to hit Jamaica, has moved on, downgraded to Category 3 (130 mph winds).
  • Catastrophic flooding expected in Jamaica; information is scarce due to widespread power outages.
  • Kingston’s main airport remains closed, delaying aid flights.
  • Notable Quote:

    “Once day breaks on the island, the extent of the damage beyond those initial reports will start to become clearer.”
    — Will Grant, BBC ([02:44])

5. U.S. Senate Vote on Brazil Tariffs & Political Turbulence in Brazil

• [03:16] Senate blocks Trump-imposed 50% tariffs on imports from Brazil; would cancel national emergencies cited for tariffs.
• Ongoing police crackdown in Brazil leads to at least 81 arrests in drug trafficking cases.
• Mass protests over proposed amnesty for former President Jair Bolsonaro, recently convicted for attempting a coup following his 2022 re-election defeat.

6. Japan: Trial Begins for Former Prime Minister Abe’s Assassination

• [04:08] Tetsuya Yamagami pleads guilty to assassinating former PM Shinzo Abe in 2022 with a homemade gun.
  • Motive: Yamagami stated his mother’s significant donations to a controversial church with political ties to Abe’s party led to the killing.
  • Notable Quote:

    “Tetsuya Yamagami told the court everything is true after prosecutors read out charges including murder in violation of Japan’s strict gun control laws.”
    — Ashish Valentine, NPR ([04:08])

7. World Series Update

• [04:48] In Taipei, the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-2 in Game Four of the World Series.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On Middle East Peace Process:
  “Hamas is a very small part of peace in the Middle east and they have to behave. ... If they're not, they're going to be terminated. Their lives will be terminated.”
  — President Trump ([00:44])

• On SNAP Funding:
  “Emergency funds sitting around that the president could use to fund the SNAP program. All he has to do is be willing to do it.”
  — Governor Beshear ([01:57])

• On Jamaican Hurricane Recovery:
  “Once day breaks on the island, the extent of the damage beyond those initial reports will start to become clearer.”
  — Will Grant, BBC ([02:44])

• On Abe’s Assassin’s Admission:
  “Tetsuya Yamagami told the court everything is true after prosecutors read out charges including murder...”
  — Ashish Valentine, NPR ([04:08])

Key Timestamps

• 00:20 – Trump’s trip to South Korea, APEC summit, and Middle East comments
• 01:05 – Federal judge blocks firing of unionized federal workers
• 01:45 – States sue over SNAP benefits suspension
• 02:27 – Hurricane Melissa’s destruction in Jamaica
• 03:16 – U.S. Senate tax vote, political turmoil in Brazil
• 04:08 – Japan: Trial of Shinzo Abe’s assassin begins
• 04:48 – World Series, Game Four result: Blue Jays vs. Dodgers

This NPR News Now edition offers a rapid, authoritative glimpse at pivotal U.S. and world news, balancing political, legal, disaster, and sports updates with concise, clear reporting.