NPR News Now - NPR News: 10-29-2025 3AM EDT

Episode Date: October 29, 2025

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America's global role is shifting fast. On sources and methods, we explain how and why. I'm Mary Louise Kelly. I've talked to spies. I've reported from war zones I've interviewed ambassadors, generals, presidents. Want to understand what is happening around the world and how it affects us? Join me and my fellow reporters as we break it down for you. Listen to sources and methods on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shay Stevens.

President Trump is in South Korea after securing new multi-billion dollar investments from Japan. Trump plans to meet with government and business leaders gathered in the city of Gyeongjo for the APEC summit beginning Thursday. In opening remarks, Trump touted the U.S. economy and criticized Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell. Mortgage rates are down despite the fact that we have an incompetent head of the Fed. He's incompetent. I call him Jerome Too Late. He's always too late. Jerome too late Powell, but he's out of there in another couple of months.

We'll be very happy about that. Trump is expected to meet with leaders of South Korea and China on Thursday. The President says he does not plan to meet with North Korea's leader during his trip and shrugged off the North's latest mistle test ahead of his arrival. In a rare bipartisan rebuke of President Trump, the Senate has voted to block his emergency tariffs on goods from Brazil. NPR's Claudé Grisalysalis reports that it's part of a series of, of votes, testing the Senate's support for the President's levies on several countries.

Five Republicans joined Democrats to approve the measure terminating Trump's use of an emergency provision earlier this year to place 50 percent tariffs on Brazilian goods. As he was leaving the Senate subway ahead of the vote, North Carolina's Tom Tillis said he was a yes because the tariffs are not tied to any business or trade reasons and hurt U.S. commerce. I think in that case, I just don't think there's a rational basis for it. Trump triggered the Brazil tariffs to pressure the government to end a, quote, witch hunt against his far-right ally, former Brazilian President Jaiyr Bolsonaro. The Senate will take up similar measures focused on Canada and other countries later this week. Claude Riesalis and Pierre News, the Capitol.

Hurricane Melissa is heading towards Cuba after wreaking havoc in Jamaica. Melissa has been downgraded to a category three storm with top winds of 130 miles per hour. The National Hurricane Center says Jamaica will likely experience. more flooding, as the BBC's Will Grant reports. Hurricane Melissa, officially the most powerful storm ever to hit Jamaica, has now passed over the island, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The authorities are trying to establish a full picture of the impact, but with power cut off to much of the country, information remains patchy. Once day breaks on the island, the extent of the damage beyond those initial

reports will start to become clearer. However, the main airport in the capital Kingston may remain closed for another day before aid flights can begin to land. The BBC's Will Grant's reporting. At least 14 people were killed in Tuesday's U.S. military strikes on four boats in the Pacific. Defense Secretary Pete Hegsef alleges the boats were hauling narcotics from South America. At least 57 people have been killed so far this year in U.S. military strikes on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean and in the Pacific. This is NPR. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered targeted strikes in Gaza Tuesday after accusing Hamas of violating the ceasefire.

At least 63 people were killed in the strikes coming after an Israeli official reported a Hamas attack on Israeli defense forces. Netanyahu has reportedly met with senior security officials to discuss Hamas' alleged attempt to stage the return of partial hostage remains. Dron footage shows Hamas operative burying a bag with remains. so that the International Red Cross could find them. In Virginia, Democrats in the General Assembly have submitted a draft constitutional amendment that would allow the state legislature to draw new congressional maps. It's their answer to redistricting efforts being pushed by President Trump in Republican-led states. From member station VPN, Jod Khalil, has details.

Just five years ago, Virginia voters approved a bipartisan redistricting commission. The new amendment would let the General Assembly draw maps. between the normal redistricting process, but only if another state redraws its maps. Republicans call the process illegal and anti-democratic, with some arguing that Virginia shouldn't join gerrymandering efforts being undertaken by other states. The constitutional amendment faces several obstacles before it can take effect prior to the 2026 midterms. If legislators approve it this week, they'll have to pass it again in January with newly elected members. Voters would then have to approve it in a referendum. For NPR

News. I'm Jad Khalil in Richmond. US futures are little changed and after hours trading on Wall Street on Asia-Pacific market shares are mixed down a fraction in Hong Kong. This is NPR News. Support for NPR and the following message come from the Kresgey Foundation with Pathbreakers, a podcast about transforming communities through innovation, from revolutionizing higher education to supporting artists who are driving change. Pathbreakers is available on podcast platforms.