NPR News Now - NPR News: 10-28-2025 4AM EDT

Episode Date: October 28, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shea Stevens. President Trump is meeting at this hour with U.S. troops in Japan, his second stop on a nearly week-long trip to the Indo-Pacific. Trump told those gathered that he'll introduce an executive order to rebuild U.S. aircraft carriers that use steam. After an earlier meeting with Japan's new leader, NPR's Deeper Shiboram reports, that Trump called Japan a U.S. ally on the strongest level. Japanese Prime Minister Taikachi hosted Trump for a bilateral meeting and a lunch in Tokyo. Trump congratulated the prime minister on her recent election win, becoming the first female prime minister of Japan. The two leaders signed an agreement affirming the U.S.-Japan relationship

is in its, quote, golden era. Anything I can do to help Japan, we will be there. We are an ally at the strongest level. The two leaders also signed an agreement on rare earth's minerals. A final trade agreement is still being finalized, but the Japanese prime minister has teased a purchase of Ford F-150 trucks from the U.S. DEPA Chivaram, NPR News, Tokyo. More than 100 former Justice Department officials are condemning the prosecution of former FBI director James Comey. As NPR's Kerry Johnson reports, the attorneys say they're coming together in bipartisan fashion because they're worried about the rule of law.

The unusual group includes former attorneys general and their top deputies. They're speaking with one voice to warn about the prosecution of former FBI director Jim Comey. Their new friend of the court brief says that case appears to be motivated by President Trump's animosity and a dangerous exercise of the power to prosecute. Comey's pleaded not guilty to charges of misleading Congress. He's trying to get the case thrown out by arguing he's the target of a vindictive or selective prosecution. Carrie Johnson, NPR News, Washington. Many doctors say political attacks on science and medicine are affecting patient care,

especially in rural communities. The story from NPR's Yuki Noguchi. Dr. Banu Symington is one of only five full-time oncologists in Wyoming and is close to retirement. She sees misinformation and conspiracy theories putting patients in peril. Some, for example, are taking an anti-parasite drug because it was endorsed on a conservative podcast as a treatment for cancer. I have patients who are covertly taking ivermectin, and then they end up in the intensive care unit because of a complication from the ivermectin. Experts say the shortage of doctors in rural areas is making this problem worse, but the Trump administration's changes to immigration and health policies are also making recruitment of

clinicians tougher in America's rural communities. Yuki NPR News. U.S. futures are flat and after hours trading on Wall Street. on Asia-Pacificing market shares are lower. This is NPR. Remaining federal funding for food aid is set to run dry this weekend as the federal shutdown continues, and state-run food programs could be out of funds by the end of next week. Nearly 42 million Americans are in danger of losing food aid under the SNAP program.

One in eight U.S. residents receives an average $187 a month for groceries. Another attempt to use genetically modified pig organ to help a transplant patient has failed. The story from NPR's Rob Stein. The Mass General Brigham Hospital in Boston says surgeons removed a genetically modified pig kidney from a New Hampshire man last week. Doctors say they had to end the experiment because the kidney's function began decreasing. The organ had functioned for 271 days, setting a record for genetically modified pig organs. The recipient will resume dialysis. Doctors hope pig kidneys delivers, hearts, and other organs will help solve the organ shortage.

But so far, all the recipients have either died or had to have their animal organs removed. Researchers remain hopeful, however, and plan to continue trying pig organs in more patients. Rob Stein and PR News. In the World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers have won game three. by beating the Toronto Blue Jays 6 to 5 in 18 innings. The Dodgers are looking to win a back-to-back Major League Championship. Again, U.S. futures are flat, and after-hours trading, shares are lower on age-specific markets. You're listening to NPR News.