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Live from NPR News, I'm Lakshmi singh. Vice President J.D. vance is meeting with Israeli leaders. He and other top envoys from the US Are in the region to help shore up the fragile Israel Hamas ceasefire that Washington recently brokered. Their visit follows violence over the weekend that threatened to derail the truce.
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Every time something bad happens, that every time that there's an act of violence, there's this inclination to say, oh, this is the end of the ceasefire, this is the end of the peace plan. It's not the end. It is, in fact, exactly how this is going to have to happen. When you have people who hate each other, who have been fighting against each other for a very long time, we are doing very well. We are in a very good place. We're going to have to keep working on it, but I think we have the team to do exactly that.
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The parties are focused on the second phase of the ceasefire. It includes Hamas disarmament, Israeli troop withdrawals and an interim government in Gaza. A federal judge in Chicago is ordering the Trump administration's top Border Patrol official to be deposed in a lawsuit over the treatment of immigration protesters. Michael Puente of member station WBEZ reports.
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Gregory Bevino, the US Border Patrol commander at large, and two other federal officials will have to answer questions about tactics used for the so called Operation Midway Blitz. District Judge Sarah Ellis heard testimony Monday on whether ICE and Border Patrol agents are complying with her temporary restraining order issued October 9th prohibiting the targeting of protesters and the press during demonstrations. Ellis called for the hearing because she had concerns over recent confrontations where tear gas was used without warning to the public. Another hearing is set for early next month. For NPR News, I'm Michael Puente in Chicago.
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Former FBI Director James Comey is asking a judge to throw out the false statement case against him. Comey's among President Trump's most outspoken critics, and as NPR's Kerry Johnson tells us, Comey alleges he's being unfairly targeted.
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President Trump fired Comey as the FBI director in 2017, and Comey went on to become a fierce critic. The Justice Department won an indictment against Comey for allegedly misleading and obstructing Congress under pressure from Trump, who's called him a dirty cop and a slime ball. Now Comey's moving to dismiss the case because he says it's a vindictive or selective prosecution. He says at least at least four top officials during President Trump's first term allegedly lied to Congress and none of them was charged with any crimes. The president's animus against Comey is so intense that the Justice Department recently fired Comey's daughter without any clear reason. Carrie Johnson, NPR News, Washington.
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At last check on Wall street, the dow was up 328 points, or roughly 3/4 of a percent at 47,035. The S&P gained 8. The Nasdaq was off 20 points. This is NPR News. In a display of unity, Senate Republicans are expected to spend lunch with President Trump at the White House today as the government shutdown stretches into a 21st day. Republicans publicly blame Democrats for the disruption of federal workers. On an 11th vote yesterday, they were unable to overcome Democratic opposition to a measure that would reopen the government. Democrats are holding out for a restoration of health care protections. The Toronto Blue Jays are headed to the World Series after winning Game seven of the American League Championship Series against the Seattle Mariners four runs to three. There they'll take on the defending champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers. Here's NPR's Becky Sullivan.
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The Mariners took the Blue Jays to the brink in the alcs. Seattle first took a two game lead. Then after Toronto battled back to force Game seven, Seattle jumped out to a two run lead. But the Blue Jays took the lead on a three run home run from George Springer in the seventh inning. Now Toronto is headed back to the for the first time since they won back to back titles in 1992 and 93. This time they'll try to keep the Dodgers from going back to back. The star studded Los Angeles lineup swept the Milwaukee brewers in the nlcs. Their pitchers combined to give up only one run per game. Shohei Ohtani hit three home runs and pitched six in a third shutout innings in the victory that clinched the series. Game one of the World Series will take place Friday in Los Angeles. Becky Sullivan. In PR News, the Trump White House.
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Has begun demolition of part of the East Wing to build a 250 million dollar ballroom. President Trump has said the ballroom's construction would not interfere with the mansion itself. It's NPR.
Episode: NPR News: 10-21-2025 12PM EDT
Date: October 21, 2025
Host: Lakshmi Singh
This episode of NPR News Now delivers a rapid five-minute update on major national and international events as of midday October 21, 2025. Key topics include U.S. diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, courtroom developments involving former FBI Director James Comey, ongoing political maneuvering amid a persistent government shutdown, the Blue Jays’ dramatic journey to the World Series, and new construction at the Trump White House.
Notable Quote:
“Every time something bad happens... there’s this inclination to say, oh, this is the end of the ceasefire, this is the end of the peace plan. It’s not the end. ...We are in a very good place. We’re going to have to keep working on it, but I think we have the team to do exactly that.” (Unattributed U.S. official, 00:20)
Notable Details:
Notable Quote:
“The president’s animus against Comey is so intense that the Justice Department recently fired Comey’s daughter without any clear reason.” (Kerry Johnson, 02:30)
Notable Quote:
“Now Toronto is headed back... for the first time since they won back to back titles in 1992 and 93. This time they’ll try to keep the Dodgers from going back to back.” (Becky Sullivan, 04:08)
Diplomacy and Realism:
“When you have people who hate each other... this is exactly how this is going to have to happen.” (U.S. official, 00:22)
Judiciary Accountability:
Judge Ellis’s assertive response to recent protest events in Chicago reflects growing judicial oversight of federal agencies.
Sports Drama:
“The Blue Jays took the lead on a three run home run from George Springer in the seventh inning.” (Becky Sullivan, 03:51)
This concise newscast captures a cross-section of critical news, blending high-stakes international affairs, pressing domestic legal developments, tense political negotiations, and uplifting sports milestones. The tone remains straightforward and fact-driven, with moments of candid analysis and sharp reporting.