NPR News Now – November 3, 2025, 3PM EST

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Duration: ~5 minutes

Overview

This episode delivers a concise roundup of major national and international news, focusing on government shutdown impacts in the U.S., continuing conflict-related humanitarian issues abroad, and updates on pop culture and economic headlines. The episode maintains NPR’s direct, informative tone and is designed for listeners seeking a fast yet thorough briefing.

Key News Highlights & Discussion Points

1. Federal Food Assistance Amid Shutdown

[00:23]

• Lakshmi Singh reports that the Trump administration is disbursing about half the normal federal food assistance through SNAP after court orders, impacting 42 million Americans (about 12% of the population).
• The U.S. government shutdown is nearing a new record duration.
• Quote:

  “This month it's paying out about half of the federal food assistance people would normally get through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.” – Lakshmi Singh (00:23)

2. Presidential Actions during the Shutdown

[01:01]

• Tamara Keith details President Trump’s activities:
  • Been outside Washington for nearly half of the shutdown, including trips to Florida and his Mar-a-Lago resort.
  • Hosted a “Great Gatsby themed costume party on Air Force One” (01:14).
  • Trump claims negotiations are unnecessary, placing onus on Democrats.
• Quote:

  “Trump said he doesn't need to negotiate and it's up to Democrats to end the shutdown by backing down. Plus, all they have to do is, [Vote to open the country.]” – Host 1 and Host 2 (01:17-01:25)

• Past presidents typically remain in D.C. to negotiate during shutdowns.

3. Impact on Federal Workers and Contractors

[01:41 – 02:25]

• Hundreds of thousands of federal workers are either furloughed or working without pay.
• Scott Horsley: Focuses on “government contractors,” a group not guaranteed retroactive pay.
• Bernard Yaros (Oxford Economics) estimates the shutdown delays $800 million in contracts per workday, with half going to small businesses—who are increasingly “impatient.”
• Quote:

  “Unlike federal employees, contractors are not guaranteed to be made whole once the shutdown ends.” – Bernard Yaros (01:56)

4. Israel-Gaza Body Exchange

[02:25 – 03:19]

• The Red Cross facilitated an exchange across the Gaza border.
• Israel returned 45 Palestinian bodies; Hamas returned those of 3 Israeli soldiers.
• Ongoing challenges in identifying remains due to lack of DNA kits; Gaza’s ministry posts photos online for families.
• Quote:

  “The return of his body marks the end of her family’s long night.” – Host 2, referring to the family of Omer Neutra (02:52)

5. Famine in Darfur, Sudan

[03:19 – 04:10]

• A global hunger group confirms recurring famine conditions in Darfur, driven by intensifying internal fighting and blocked aid.
• “Collapse in livelihoods, starvation and extremely high malnutrition” define the crisis.

6. Hollywood’s Worst Box Office Weekend

[04:10 – 04:55]

• Neta Ulaby: “The worst at the box office for 2025”—just $50 million weekend-wide, making it the worst non-pandemic October since 1997.
• Contributing factors: college sports, Halloween, MLB, no major new releases.
• Mentioned films: “Black Phone 2,” “Regretting You,” “The Smashing Machine,” “The Neutron Movie,” Bruce Springsteen biopic.
• Quote:

  “That's not only the worst weekend of the year, it ended the worst October since 1997, not counting the year of the pandemic.” – Neta Ulaby (04:41)

7. Economic Note

[04:55]

• Dow Jones Industrial Average is down over 200 points.

Notable Quotes

• Lakshmi Singh [00:23]: “SNAP serves about 42 million people, roughly 12% of the U.S. population.”
• Host 1 [01:14]: “He hosted an extravagant Great Gatsby themed costume party on Air Force One.”
• Bernard Yaros [01:56]: “Unlike federal employees, contractors are not guaranteed to be made whole once the shutdown ends.”
• Host 2 [02:52]: “The mother of soldier Omer Neutra... said the return of his body marks the end of her family’s long night.”
• Neta Ulaby [04:41]: “It ended the worst October since 1997, not counting the year of the pandemic.”

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [00:23] – Federal Food Assistance, SNAP Cuts
• [01:01] – President’s Activities During the Shutdown
• [01:41] – Impact on Federal Workers & Contractors
• [02:25] – Israel-Gaza Body Exchange
• [03:19] – Famine in Darfur, Sudan
• [04:10] – Hollywood Box Office Slump
• [04:55] – Dow Jones Update

Tone & Delivery

• Language is clear, precise, and urgent—NPR’s hallmark.
• Focus remains on facts, with empathetic acknowledgment of human impact (especially regarding SNAP recipients, contractors, and families affected by conflict).

For listeners needing the essential stories in a few minutes, this episode delivers direct updates on issues affecting millions—from macroeconomic ripples and global crises to nationally felt entertainment and business shifts.