NPR News Now — October 20, 2025, 11AM EDT

Host: Korva Coleman
Podcast: NPR News Now

Episode Overview

This concise five-minute NPR News Now episode delivers breaking updates on major national and global stories as of October 20, 2025. Key topics include escalating US-Colombia tensions, the latest on Russia’s war on Ukraine, domestic military deployment considerations, a potential security threat near President Trump’s travel, and a dramatic art heist in Paris.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. US-Colombia Relations and Caribbean Incident

• US Aid Cut and Tariffs: President Trump announced a cut to US aid to Colombia and threatened new tariffs, citing concerns over drug trafficking.
• Boat Attack Controversy:
  • The US claims military strikes in the Caribbean target drug traffickers, while Colombia's president accuses the US of attacking civilian fishing vessels, labeling recent attacks as "murder."
  • Quote:
    “[The US] says it is attacking boats there to stop international drug trafficking.” (Ada Peralta, 00:18)
  • Significance: This represents an unusually aggressive US military posture in the Americas, leading to high regional tension.
  • Quote:
    “It has been decades since the US Military has taken this kind of posture in the Americas. So the region is tense.” (Pete Hegseth, 00:39)

2. Russia-Ukraine War & Donbas Solution Proposal

• Trump’s Proposal: President Trump suggests that ceding the Donbas region to Russia could end the war.
• Ukrainian Response: President Zelensky rejects this, warning it would not prevent future Russian aggression and doubts Putin's intentions.
• Media Briefing:
  • Zelensky downplayed reported tension in his recent meeting with Trump, but says Trump appears to be easing up on Putin after prior criticism.
  • Quote:
    “Zelensky said Russian President Vladimir Putin wants these regions to show that he has, quote, won this war, but that Russia will attack Ukraine again.” (Joanna Kakissis, 01:24)
  • Quote:
    “Zelensky did say that Trump appears to be giving President Putin another chance after weeks of criticizing the Kremlin.” (Joanna Kakissis, 01:24-02:10)

3. National Guard & The Insurrection Act in San Francisco

• Federal Intervention: Trump threatened to send National Guard troops to San Francisco and cited the Insurrection Act as the legal basis.
• Legal Analysis:
  • Loyola Law School’s Jessica Levinson notes this would be an unprecedented use in modern times and likely faces court challenges.
  • Quote:
    “It would be a escalation of the president's ability to use the military on domestic soil and that we really have not seen the Insurrection act used in modern American history in the way that that President Trump wants to use it.” (Jessica Levinson, 02:45)
  • Note: The Insurrection Act has not been invoked in over 30 years.

4. FBI Investigates Hunting Stand Near President Trump in Florida

• Security Breach:
  • A hunting stand with a view of Air Force One’s approach path was found near West Palm Beach International Airport.
  • No suspects were found on site; advanced cell phone analytics are being deployed as part of the investigation.
  • Quote:
    “FBI Director Kash Patel says...the FBI is deploying, quote, cell phone analytics capabilities and collecting all evidence at the scene.” (Luke Garrett, 03:32)
• Context:
  • Trump has faced two assassination attempts in the last year, adding gravity to the security incident.

5. Louvre Jewel Heist in Paris

• Theft Details:
  • Thieves stole jewels once owned by Emperor Napoleon in a swift museum heist.
• Art Recovery Perspective:
  • Christopher Marinello warns the gems will likely be broken up to avoid detection.
  • Quote:
    “Nobody would buy them intact. So this is why they have to hide what they've done by breaking them up. And that's an unbelievable crime against cultural heritage.” (Christopher Marinello, 04:33)

6. Markets Update

• Dow Jones: The Dow is up over 400 points, or about 1%. (No timestamped quote necessary; reported at 04:43)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On US-Colombia Boat Strike:
  “It has been decades since the US Military has taken this kind of posture in the Americas. So the region is tense.”
  — Pete Hegseth (00:39)

• On Ukraine War Negotiations:
  “Zelensky said Russian President Vladimir Putin wants these regions to show that he has, quote, won this war, but that Russia will attack Ukraine again.”
  — Joanna Kakissis (01:24)

• On Insurrection Act Usage:
  “It would be a escalation of the president's ability to use the military on domestic soil and that we really have not seen the Insurrection act used in modern American history in the way that that President Trump wants to use it.”
  — Jessica Levinson (02:45)

• On Louvre Jewel Theft:
  “Nobody would buy them intact… that’s an unbelievable crime against cultural heritage.”
  — Christopher Marinello (04:33)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• US-Colombia Tensions & Boat Attack: 00:18–01:01
• Ukraine-Russia Donbas Proposal & Zelensky Response: 01:01–02:10
• San Francisco/National Guard/Insurrection Act: 02:10–03:05
• FBI Investigates Hunting Stand Near Trump: 03:12–04:14
• Louvre Museum Jewel Heist: 04:14–04:43
• Markets Update: 04:43–04:56

This NPR News Now segment provides a snapshot of significant political, security, and cultural developments as of October 20, 2025.