NPR News Now - NPR News: 10-27-2025 3AM EDT

Episode Date: October 27, 2025

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Live from NPR news, I'm Dale Wilman. President Trump is traveling to Japan for meetings Tuesday with that country's new prime minister. He's also scheduled to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping later this week, as NPR's Deepa Shiverum tells us. He wants a trade deal. Lately, tensions between the U.S. and China like spiked again over trade when China announced they were going to further limit exports on rare earth minerals, which the U.S. really needs for technology, military equipment. Trump said that he could raise tariffs again on China by November 1st. but the U.S. and China agreed to a framework for a trade deal that was announced just hours ago, though I will say nothing will be final until they meet.

President Trump has ordered military attacks on dozens of alleged drug smugglers since September. Ten boats have been struck, and at least 43 people reportedly have died. Now a GOP voice is sharply critical of those efforts, NPR's Luke Garrett. The White House says the alleged drug smugglers are invading the U.S. by transporting deadly narcotics. But GOP Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky tells Fox News, he has seen. no evidence to support military strikes. I would call them extrajudicial killings, and this is akin to what China does, to Iran does with drug dealers. They summarily execute people without presenting evidence to the public,

so it's wrong. The two people that survived the U.S. strikes were released. For Paul, this raises more questions. If they were drug dealers, why wouldn't we prosecute them, present evidence of the drugs, show the arms they were about to invade us with, or show us something. Trump has argued alleged drug traffickers are terrorists and the military has the right to kill them without Congress. Luke Garrett and PR News, Washington. It was a stronger than expected showing for Argentina's president in Sundays closely watched midterm elections. In a victory speech, he said he would continue with his mission of economic reform. Natalie Alcoba reports from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Argentina's president, Javier Millet, had reason to celebrate Sunday. The

libertarian leader clenched a strong victory in a test of his political power and a quasi-referendum on his tough economic prescriptions. Miles La Libertada Vanza Party secured more than 40% of the popular vote, almost nine points ahead of the main opposition, the left-leaning perinist coalition. This election drew more eyes than usual due to the unexpected intervention of the United States in Argentina's economy. The results of this election will likely please President Donald Trump, a supporter of Milay and his policies.

The U.S. has recently approved a $20 billion currency swap with Argentina to steady a floundering peso. For NPR News, I'm Natalie Alcoba in Buenos Aires. Police now have two suspects in custody one week after a daring theft at the Louvre Museum in Paris. Jules valued at more than $102 million were stolen from the museum and the theft that took less than eight minutes. One of those arrested was caught at a Paris airport attempting to leave the country. You're listening to NPR News.

In Sudan, the paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces, say they've captured the Sudanese Army headquarters in a key city. As Michael Koloki reports, it could be a significant gain for the group more than two years into a brutal civil war. Al-Fashar is the Sudanese Army's last stronghold in the Darfur region, located in the west of the country. The paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces, or RSF, who have besieged the city for several months, now claim they have taken control of the army's headquarters there.

The United Nations warns that thousands of civilians trapped in Alfasha as a result of the siege have been cut off from food, water and health care. Last week, the RSF said it was facilitating the exit of civilians from the city. Sam, who have managed to leave, have reported abuses by RSF soldiers, including sexual assaults. The warring factions have created a humanitarian crisis in Sudan, with thousands of civilians killed and millions displaced. For NPR news, I'm Michael Kaloki in NER. Iraq. Ukraine's Air Force says Russia launched 101 drones overnight. At the Ukrainian capital of

Kiev, three people were killed in their homes and 29 people were wounded, including seven children. The attack came one day after another drone attack that killed four people. The Ohio State University continues to hold onto the top spot in college football this week, receiving 54 first-place votes in the latest AP top 25. Indiana is in second, followed by Texas A&M, Alabama, and Georgia. Oregon continues to hold down the number two spot, while old miss is in seventh, followed by Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt, and Miami. The Big 12 conference, meanwhile, landed a season high five teams in the top 25 this week. I'm Dale Wilman, NPR News.