NPR News Now - NPR News: 10-26-2025 7PM EDT

Episode Date: October 26, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Luis Skiyavoni. On the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur, President Trump met with Brazil's president. The meeting came after the U.S. imposed sanctions and 50 percent tariffs on Brazil over the trial of Trump-ally, former President Jayao Bolsonaro. Julia Carnero has details. President Luisina, Sulula da Silva, said he and Trump managed to do what had seemed impossible, flanked by Brazil and U.S. flags, they sat down to talk for around 45 minutes in what Lula described as a great meeting. He said they spoke in a frank and constructive way and agreed that their teams would start bilateral negotiations immediately to find solutions to the U.S. imposed sanctions and tariffs.

Before the meeting, reporters asked President Trump whether he could lift tariffs against Brazil immediately. Yeah, we can do things fast. We move quickly. We're very nimble. We're very nimble. Higher tariffs on Brazilian goods like coffee and beef. have been pushing up prices in the U.S. and have led Brazil to seek other markets.

For NPR News, I'm Julek Ahniru. The president of the Palestinian Authority has appointed an apparent successor amid uncertainty over the future role of the Palestinian leadership in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. NPR's Daniel Estrin has more. Mahmoud Abbas has been the internationally recognized Palestinian leader for 20 years. There have long been questions of who would replace him. Now, just weeks away from his 90th birthday, Abbas has decreed that if he is unable to fulfill his duties, his role would be taken over temporarily by his deputy Hussein as Sheikh.

Many Palestinians see him as being friendly to Israel. There's no telling if he would remain in the president's role indefinitely. This decree comes as the Palestinian leadership in the West Bank has been sidelined, while the U.S. and other countries work on a plan for post-war Gaza. President Trump told Time magazine he wasn't sure if Abbas had a future leadership role for the Palestinians. Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv. It's a busy week in stock markets this week with the Federal Reserve holding its latest policy meeting. And as NPR's Rafael NAM reports, big tech companies such as Alphabet will also report earnings.

On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve is expected to lower interest rates by a quarter percentage point, delivering its second consecutive cut. That's after data last week showed inflation running slightly lower than expected. But that inflation report will be the only government data the Fed will have for now as the shutdown continues. That means the Fed is in a bit of a blind period as he navigates an uncertain economy. AI will also be the main focus this week as a bunch of big tech companies such as Meta and Alphabet, the parent company of Google, report their latest quarterly results. Rafael NUMM in PR News. This is NPR.

A strike at three Boeing plants in the Midwest is poised to continue after rank-and-file workers voted to reject the company's latest contract offer. The facilities produce military aircraft and weapons. The company says the vote was extremely close. The issues are wages and retirement benefits. 3,200 machinists are involved. New polling shows most Americans agree that climate change is happening, and the government has a role in combating it. NPR's Jeff Brady reports that Democrats are more likely to say that, but there's also a divide between older and younger Republicans. As President Trump rolls back former President Biden's climate change policies, this poll shows Republicans under 45 years old are more likely than older Republicans to believe the climate is changing because of human activity.

Younger Republicans are more likely to support clean energy, electric car incentives, and funding to help people adapt to climate change. The poll is from the Associated Press, Nork Center for Public Affairs Research, and Energy Policy Institute at University of Chicago. Across the population, the poll shows 37 percent of Americans will consider buying an electric car, but many say price is a barrier. And 60 percent of Americans say the U.S. should play a bigger role in global climate efforts. Jeff Rady and Pierre News. While he's in Asia this week, President Trump says he's looking forward to meeting Japan's first woman, Prime Minister, Sana'a Takaichi, is a protege of the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who had bonded with Trump over their shared love of golf. I'm Louise Skiyvone and PR News, Washington.