NPR News Now – October 29, 2025, 2AM EDT

Host: Shea Stevens (NPR News Anchor)
Length: 5 minutes
Episode Theme: The latest major news updates from around the world, with special focus on U.S. politics, weather emergencies, shifting global alliances, economic policies, tech workforce changes, and sports highlights.

Main Stories Overview

This concise five-minute NPR news update covers significant global and domestic events. Major topics include a North Korean missile launch timed with President Trump’s visit to South Korea, Hurricane Melissa’s threat to Cuba, a major U.S. Senate decision on Brazilian tariffs, looming SNAP food aid funding issues, large-scale corporate layoffs at Amazon and UPS, and World Series baseball action.

Key News Highlights & Insights

1. North Korea Launches Cruise Missiles Ahead of Trump Visit

[00:19-01:13]

• Event: North Korea launched nuclear-capable cruise missiles from a warship, just before President Trump’s arrival in South Korea for a regional summit.
• Details:
  • Missiles flew for about two hours over the Yellow Sea, hitting a target en route to South Korea.
  • No confirmed meeting planned between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, though Trump indicated he “would return to meet him soon.”
  • Trump is in Gyeongju, South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit.
  • Scheduled meetings: South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (Wednesday), China’s Xi Jinping (Thursday).

Notable Quote:

"President Trump said the north has been test firing missiles for decades and this is just another one."
— Anthony Kuhn, NPR Correspondent [00:37]

2. Hurricane Melissa Heads for Cuba

[01:13-01:47]

• Event: Hurricane Melissa, labeled “the strongest Atlantic hurricane on record,” is advancing toward Cuba after impacting Jamaica.
• Impact:
  • Over 700,000 people evacuated in Cuba.
  • Forecasters warn the Category 4 storm could cause catastrophic damage.

3. Senate Votes to Block Brazilian Tariffs

[01:13-02:22]

• Event: U.S. Senate approved a resolution blocking President Trump’s 50% import tariffs on Brazilian products.

  • Vote: 52-48, with 5 Republicans (including Rand Paul) siding with Democrats.

• Sen. Rand Paul’s Stance:
  [01:47]

  "I for one still believe in the principle of no taxation without representation and will vote to terminate this contrived emergency and end these unconstitutional import taxes."

• Democratic Response:
  [02:00-02:22]

  "It's a financial nightmare for working in middle class households. So today Democrats will present Republicans with a simple vote. Do you want lower costs for families? Tie yourself to Donald Trump as he runs our economy into the dirt with his trade war."
  — Democratic spokesperson (voiced by Chuck Schumer)

• Outlook: Senate will address a similar resolution regarding Canadian import tariffs later in the week.

4. SNAP Food Aid Program Funding Crisis

[02:22-03:15]

• Event: Federal SNAP food aid may run out of money by the weekend. Democratic-led states are suing to force federal intervention.
• Louisiana’s Response:
  • Officials threaten to furlough staff tied to SNAP.
  • Governor Jeff Landry declared a state of emergency; asked legislature to fund benefits for vulnerable populations through November.
  • The state Senate will vote on emergency funding Wednesday.

Notable Quote:

"The state may have to furlough staff who work directly with SNAP or have roles supported by SNAP funding… Governor Jeff Landry declared a state of emergency over the lack of SNAP funding last week."
— Mel Bridges, WRKF Reporter [02:44]

5. Corporate Layoffs at Amazon and UPS

[03:15-03:49]

• Amazon:
  • Cutting approximately 1,400 corporate jobs—the largest tech sector cut since 2023.
  • Cited reason: shifting focus toward artificial intelligence.
• UPS:
  • Announced up to 48,000 layoffs so far this year.
  • Despite layoffs, UPS reported better-than-expected earnings and projects $21B in revenue.

6. World Series Update: Blue Jays Even Series

[03:49-04:49]

• Result: Toronto Blue Jays defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-2, evening the series at two games each.
• Game Highlights:
  • Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hits a two-run homer off Shohei Ohtani in the third inning.
  • Blue Jays scored four runs in the seventh, putting the game out of reach.
  • Game 5 scheduled for Wednesday; series will return to Toronto.

Notable Quote:

"One night after losing a marathon 18 inning game, the Toronto Blue Jays respond with an impressive win… In the third, the Blue Jay slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a two run homer off of LA's Shohei Ohtani."
— Steve Futterman, NPR Sports Reporter [04:04]

7. Financial Markets Brief

[04:49-04:57]

• U.S. stock futures: Flat in after-hours trading.
• Asia-Pacific markets: Mixed performance.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Anthony Kuhn, NPR:
  "President Trump said the north has been test firing missiles for decades and this is just another one." [00:37]

• Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY):
  "I for one still believe in the principle of no taxation without representation and will vote to terminate this contrived emergency and end these unconstitutional import taxes." [01:47]

• Democratic Spokesperson (Chuck Schumer):
  "It's a financial nightmare for working in middle class households... Do you want lower costs for families? Tie yourself to Donald Trump as he runs our economy into the dirt with his trade war." [02:04]

• Mel Bridges, WRKF (Louisiana):
  "The state may have to furlough staff who work directly with SNAP or have roles supported by SNAP funding." [02:44]

• Steve Futterman, NPR Sports:
  "The Blue Jay slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a two run homer off of LA's Shohei Ohtani. Toronto continued to lead 2-1 until the seventh. That's when the Blue Jays scored four more runs." [04:04]

Summary Table: Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Time | |-----------------------------------------|-----------| | North Korea Missile Launch | 00:19-01:13 | | Hurricane Melissa Approaches Cuba | 01:13-01:47 | | Senate Votes to Block Brazil Tariffs | 01:13-02:22 | | SNAP Food Aid Crisis | 02:22-03:15 | | Amazon and UPS Layoffs | 03:15-03:49 | | World Series Update | 03:49-04:49 | | Financial Markets Brief | 04:49-04:57 |

Tone & Language

The episode maintains NPR’s trademark clear, measured, and factual journalistic style, delivering rapid-fire but thorough coverage of high-impact global and domestic developments, with direct speaker attributions and occasional pointed political rhetoric from both parties.

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