NPR News Now - NPR News: 10-25-2025 1PM EDT

Episode Date: October 25, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Noor Rahm. President Trump has embarked on his first trip to Asia since returning to the White House. NPR's Anthony Kuhn reports from Seoul on one of the main challenges on his six-day trip. President Trump told reporters en route to his first stop in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, that he expects a good meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, but that both sides may need to make concessions. U.S. and Chinese trade officials held talks in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday seeking to de-S. escalate the trade spat. China has not yet confirmed that Xi Jinping will meet Trump on the

sidelines of the Asia-Pacific economic cooperation in South Korea next week. President Trump also said he's open to meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un while he's in South Korea. Kim has made similar remarks and the two met three times in 2018 and 2019, but there are currently no plans for the two to meet on this trip. Anthony Kuhn, NPR News, Seoul. The Pentagon is deploying the aircraft carrier U.S.S. S. Gerald Ford to the Caribbean to join the dozens of ships and aircraft already in the region. U.S. forces have struck at least ten vessels that the administration claims were carrying drugs bound for the U.S. At least 40 people were killed. The government shut down now in its 25th day affects more than federal workers. Christopher Ivy works at Forgotten Harvest in Detroit. It collects surplus food and delivers tens of thousands of pounds each day,

to sites across Southeast Michigan. He worries about the effect on his work. If the government shutdown continues, there will be less food out there, government food and things like that for Forgotten Harvest to receive. And we'll lean on our supporters, whether it be our food donors

or our financial donors. We're going to really have to lean into the community support that we need to be able to help us get through this difficult time for everybody. He says the people he serves every day are also affected by SNAP benefits ending. He says right now they're anxious about the future.

A federal appeals court has declined to review a panel ruling that weakens federal voting rights protections in seven states. The ruling affects voters with disabilities and those with limited English proficiency. NPR's Hansi Luong reports. The Immigrant Advocacy Group, Arkansas United, sued over a state law that bans a person from helping more than six voters cast ballots. A part of the Voting Rights Act, known as Section 208, generally allows voters who need help because of a disability or an inability to read or write to get help. to get help from a person of their choice. A judge ruled the Arkansas law violated the Voting Rights Act. But after Republican state officials appealed,

a panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled private groups like Arkansas United and individuals did not have the right to sue. Only the U.S. Attorney General does. The full A circuit now has rejected a request to review that ruling. Two similar cases are before the Supreme Court, which is also reviewing the constitutionality of another key part of the Voting Rights Act. Hansi Luong, NPR News. NPR News in Washington. Police in southeast or North Carolina are investigating a mass shooting

at a party overnight. The sheriff's office says two people were killed and 11 others were wounded, some critically. They say this appears to have been an isolated incident and there's no threat to the public. It happened in a rural area near the South Carolina border. The United States has authorized the departure of non-emergency personnel from Mali, citing safety concerns. Michael Koloki reports the U.S. embassy there warned that persistent fuel supply disruptions in the country could affect security. In a statement, the State Department also authorized the departure of family members of U.S. government employees in Mali and warned American citizens not to travel to the West African nation. Mali's military government has been battling an Islamist insurgency in various regions.

Al-Qaeda-backed militants have been trying to impose a blockade on fuel. imports. Last month, several fuel trucks were destroyed when militants attacked a vehicle convoy that was heading to the capital Bamako and the military escort. For NPR news, I'm Michael Kaloki in Nairobi. In Taiwan, crowds fill the streets of central Taipei today for the annual pride parade to celebrate the LGBTQ plus community. Taiwan was the first in East Asia to legalize same-sex marriage. President Long Qing-Tai posted on Facebook that everyone does deserves respect and kindness. Same-sex marriage is not recognized in China. China claims Taiwan as its own territory. I'm Nora Rahm. NPR News in Washington.