Trump In Asia, U.S. Military In Caribbean, Shutdown Week 4

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🗓️ 27 October 2025

⏱️ 16 minutes

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Summary

President Trump’s Asia trip kicks off with peace deal between Cambodia and Thailand and a trade framework with China, before meeting with President Xi Jinping on Thursday. The massive U.S. military build up in the Caribbean waters off the coast of Venezuela is causing concern from Caracas to the U.S. Congress, Venezuelan troops conduct drills on their beaches this weekend. And federal workers face growing financial strain as the government shutdown threatens holiday travel and food benefits.

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Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Dana Farrington, Tara Neil, Kelsey Snell, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woelfle .

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Correction: In a previous audio version of this episode we refer to Venezuelan Minister Diosdado Cabello as Minister of Defense instead of Minister of Interior.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	President Trump stops in Tokyo on his way to a meeting with the President of China.
0:06.4	The two countries announced a framework for resolving their trade disputes.
0:10.3	What more will it take to reach an actual deal?
0:12.6	I'm Michelle Martin.
0:13.6	That's Stevenski, and this is up first from NPR News.
0:19.7	Venezuelan troops ran drills on their beaches this weekend as U.S. warships crowd the Caribbean.
0:25.1	What is the U.S. plan there?
0:26.7	Also, the federal workers' missing paychecks include air traffic controllers who are still on the job.
0:33.1	Here's what happens as some begin to miss work.
0:35.4	I can't guarantee you that your flight's going to be on time.
0:37.6	I can't guarantee you that your flight's not going to be canceled. Which is why some see
0:41.1	Thanksgiving as a possible end point for the shutdown. Stay with us. We've got the news you need
0:46.9	to start your day. This message comes from The Economist.
0:57.1	Introducing the Economist Insider, a new video offering with twice-weekly shows featuring
1:02.2	in-depth analysis and expertise to make sense of an increasingly complex and dangerous world.
1:08.1	More at Economist.com slash insider.
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1:18.0	you'll always get the mid-market exchange rate
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1:22.0	Join millions of customers
	...

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