U.S. and world news for Oct. 27

Trump arrives in Tokyo

President Trump is on a diplomatic tour in Asia, where he is firming up a series of agreements in the region. This morning, Trump arrived in Tokyo — the second stop on his tour — where he visited Japan’s Emperor Naruhito. He will meet the country’s first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, on Tuesday. Over the weekend, Trump visited Malaysia and joined the signing of a peace declaration between Thailand and Cambodia. U.S. trade negotiators also reached the framework of a trade deal with China, averting a planned 157% tariff on Chinese goods and laying the groundwork for potential talks between Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping later this week. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said an escalation in tariffs on China is now “effectively off the table.”

Trump won’t reveal why he had MRI

President Donald Trump said that he received an MRI scan during a recent trip to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center – marking the first time he has provided a reason for his second medical exam this year and, according to CNN, raising new questions about the president’s health. MRI, magnetic resonance imaging, often is reserved for times when imaging of a patient is needed because a very serious illness is suspected. “We had an MRI, and the machine, you know, the whole thing, and it was perfect,” Trump told reporters. Trump, who at 79 is one of the oldest presidents in U.S. history, declined to say why he received the MRI during the Walter Reed visit earlier this month, telling reporters to “ask the doctors.”

Newsom and Harris hint at running for president

California Gov. Gavin Newsom teased a potential 2028 run for president when asked in an interview on Sunday if he’d seriously consider it after the 2026 midterms. “Yeah, I’d be lying otherwise,” Newsom said on CBS’ Sunday Morning. On Saturday, former Vice President Kamala Harris told the BBC that she “possibly” will run for president again and expressed confidence that America will see a woman in the Oval Office in the future. “I am not done,” Harris said. Other Democrats seen as possible contenders in 2028 include Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s names are also in the mix..

Hurricane Melissa threatens Jamaica

Jamaica is preparing for what could be the strongest hurricane ever to make landfall on the island nation. Hurricane Melissa strengthened into a rare Category 5 hurricane today ahead of striking Jamaica on Tuesday morning, according to the National Hurricane Center. Those in Jamaica need to “seek shelter now,” the NHC said Sunday, warning that heavy rain and damaging winds could trigger “catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding and numerous landslides.” Beyond the dangerous storm surge, rainfall totals up to 30 inches are expected from Melissa in Jamaica and Hispaniola through Wednesday, with some areas seeing up to 40 inches. Haiti, Cuba and the Dominican Republic are also forecast to face severe impacts from the storm.

Louvre heist suspects in custody

French police have two suspects in custody who they say are linked to last weekend’s crown jewel heist at the Louvre museum. Authorities tracked down the suspects by using their DNA, CNN affiliate BFMTV reported. One man was arrested at Charles de Gaulle Airport near Paris while trying to leave the country. Another man was arrested in the Parisian suburb of Aubervilliers, where both men are from. Dozens of investigators have been involved in chasing down at least four suspects who targeted the Louvre’s Apollo Gallery in a brazen daylight raid, fleeing with jewelry worth tens of millions in a matter of minutes. Local authorities say at least two other suspects remain at large. It is unclear if any of the jewels were recovered.

Trump administration silences British commentator

U.S. immigration authorities detained British commentator Sami Hamdi, revoked his visa and announced he would be deported rather than allowed to complete his U.S. speaking tour. Hamdi, a British Muslim journalist, spoke at a gala for the Council on American Islamic Relations in California on Saturday and was scheduled to appear at another CAIR event in Florida the next day, but was taken into custody at San Francisco International Airport. CAIR on Sunday called for his release and accused the Trump administration of detaining him over his criticism of the Israeli government. Since January, the Trump administration has used its immigration crackdown to take into custody and try to deport people who have expressed opinions it didn’t like, including those who have criticized Israel’s conduct in the Gaza war.