NPR News Now: October 22, 2025, 1AM EDT

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This five-minute NPR News Now update provides concise coverage of urgent national and international headlines. Major stories include the prolonged U.S. government shutdown and its impact on social programs, demands from key political parties, Trump’s call for compensation from the Justice Department, a White House security incident, Nicolas Sarkozy’s imprisonment, political redistricting in North Carolina, Malibu's approach to homelessness, and new heart health research for older women.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Extended U.S. Government Shutdown (00:18)

• Government Shutdown Duration: Now at 22 days with “no sign of ending.”
• Partisan Conflict:
  • Democrats: Demand extension of health care subsidies.
  • Republicans: Refuse to negotiate until after reopening.
• Impact on Food Banks:
  • Strained resources, with organizations like the Share Food Program in Philadelphia warning of potential suspension of operations.

George Matasek: “We are already having to serve many more folks than we ever had before with less resources than we've ever had.” (00:43)

• Comparison to Pandemic Relief: Noted previous bipartisan support for food programs during the pandemic, which is absent now.

2. Trump Seeks DOJ Damages (01:01)

• Claim: Trump is suggesting the Justice Department owes him $230 million in damages for investigating him.
• Details:
  • Trump says he’d donate any awarded money to charity or “restoring the White House.”
  • Acknowledges the oddity of being potentially paid by a department he leads.

Donald Trump: “That decision would have to go across my desk, and it's awfully strange to make a decision where I'm paying myself... But I was damaged very greatly.” (01:42)

• NPR reporting: Story has not been independently confirmed.
• Context: Critics raise concerns about Trump leveraging the Justice Department for personal and political gain.

3. White House Security Incident (02:05)

• Incident: Man arrested by the Secret Service after crashing a car into a barrier outside the White House.
• Details: Sparse; no injuries or additional information released at this time.

4. Nicolas Sarkozy Imprisoned (02:05)

• Event: Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy begins serving a five-year sentence for illegal campaign funding from Libya.
• Background:
  • Maintains innocence and intends to appeal.
  • Sarkozy is held in solitary confinement for protection in La Santé prison, Paris.
  • Third French leader to be jailed, referencing Louis XVI and Philippe Pétain.

Eleanor Beardsley: “Sarkozy is now incarcerated in Paris’s notorious La Santé prison, where he's being kept in solitary confinement for his own protection.” (02:30)

5. U.S. Markets & Political Redistricting (03:10)

• Markets: U.S. stock market futures described as stable in after-hours trading.
• North Carolina Redistricting:
  • Republican-controlled legislature redrawing congressional maps to favor GOP.
  • Prompted by Trump, parallel moves in Texas to add congressional seats.

6. Malibu’s Controversial Homelessness Policy (03:30)

• Policy: Malibu proposes removing homeless people from streets via arrest.
• Recent Moves: State of emergency declared; Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department directed to dismantle encampments and arrest those remaining.
• Aims: Transition people to shelters and mitigate fire risks linked to encampments.

7. Heart Health Study for Older Women (04:10)

• Research Outcome:
  • 4,000 steps/day linked to 27% reduced heart disease risk and 40% lower risk of premature death among women (average age: 72).
  • Flexible approach: benefits seen regardless of whether steps are taken all at once or throughout the day.
• Expert Comment:
  • Study author Rick Hamilla emphasizes fewer steps (4,000) suffice for significant benefit in older women.

Rick Hamilla: “They do not necessarily need 10,000 steps per day.” (04:41)

• Key Takeaway: Any increase in physical activity confers health benefits—even below the popular 10,000-step mark.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• George Matasek (Share Food Program director), on rising demand:
  “We are already having to serve many more folks than we ever had before with less resources than we've ever had.” (00:43)

• Donald Trump, on Justice Dept. damages:
  “That decision would have to go across my desk, and it's awfully strange to make a decision where I'm paying myself... But I was damaged very greatly.” (01:42)

• Eleanor Beardsley (on Sarkozy’s imprisonment):
  “Sarkozy is now incarcerated in Paris’s notorious La Santé prison, where he's being kept in solitary confinement for his own protection.” (02:30)

• Rick Hamilla (study author), on walking goals:
  “They do not necessarily need 10,000 steps per day.” (04:41)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:18 – U.S. government shutdown update, food bank strain (Shea Stevens/George Matasek)
• 01:01 – Trump’s DOJ damages demand, critics’ response (Elena Moore/Donald Trump)
• 02:05 – White House security barrier crash (Shea Stevens)
• 02:30 – Nicolas Sarkozy begins prison sentence (Eleanor Beardsley)
• 03:10 – U.S. financial markets and North Carolina redistricting (Shea Stevens)
• 03:30 – Malibu’s homeless policy and state of emergency (Shea Stevens)
• 04:10 – 4,000-step study for older women (Allison Aubrey/Rick Hamilla)

This fast-paced NPR News Now segment covers the major emerging stories at the intersection of U.S. politics, global headlines, public health, and social policy. Each update offers direct soundbites and essential context for ongoing developments.