NPR News Now: 10-23-2025 1AM EDT

Host: Shea Stevens
Date: October 23, 2025

Episode Overview

This concise NPR News Now episode delivers the latest updates on major geopolitical events, U.S. domestic politics, medical technology advancements, and cultural milestones as of late October 2025. In just five minutes, the episode covers new U.S. sanctions against Russian oil companies, significant rulings and summit plans impacting the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Israel-Gaza crisis, an extraordinary Senate filibuster at the Capitol, President Trump's controversial actions and health update, and Misty Copeland's landmark ballet retirement.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Sanctions on Russian Oil Companies

[00:20–01:00]

• Announcement & Purpose: President Donald Trump declared sanctions targeting two major Russian oil firms in an effort to pressure the Kremlin toward a ceasefire in the war with Ukraine.
• Context: This escalation occurs after Trump canceled a planned meeting with Russian President Putin.
• Quote:

  "Today is a very big day in terms of what we're doing. Look, these are tremendous sanctions. These are very big. Those are against their two big oil companies. And we hope that they won't be on for long. We hope that the war will be settled."
  – President Trump, [00:37]

• Trump expressed a desire for quick conflict resolution, mentioning alternatives like missile-related measures but stating, "we don't think that's going to be necessary."
• NATO & EU Response: Trump made these remarks alongside the head of NATO. Meanwhile, the EU prepares for a summit to discuss further sanctions and the use of Russian frozen assets to aid Ukraine.

2. International Court Rebukes Israel's Gaza Blockade

[01:00–02:12]

• UN Ruling: The International Court of Justice ruled Israel must work with the UN to allow aid into Gaza, sharply criticizing the earlier-imposed blockade.
• Legal Context:

  “Israel, because it exercises a degree of control over Gaza, is deemed by the Geneva Convention an occupying power... an occupying power must provide humanitarian aid to the civilians under its occupation, in this case, Gazans.”
  – Rob Schmitz summarizing the ruling, [01:25]

• The court added that Israel cannot use "reasons of security" to block aid and clarified that the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) has not violated any laws, countering Israeli claims.

3. Senator Merkley’s 22.5-Hour Senate Speech

[02:12–03:08]

• Event: Oregon Democrat Jeff Merkley completed a marathon 22.5-hour speech on the Senate floor, the fourth-longest in U.S. Senate history.
• Purpose: Merkley strongly criticized the Trump administration amid a prolonged government shutdown, echoing warnings about major political risks:

  "We are in the most perilous moment, the biggest threat to our republic since the Civil War."
  – Senator Merkley, [02:35]

• Aftermath: The Senate again failed to advance a funding bill (12th failed attempt). Merkley’s protest was met with criticism from Republican Senator John Barrasso for keeping staff overnight without pay.
• Memorable Moment:

  "Merkley chugged a Gatorade" after finishing his speech. – Sam Greenglass, [03:00]

4. Financial Markets & President Trump’s Defense of Military Strikes

[03:08–03:54]

• Markets: U.S. futures were lower in overnight trading following a 334-point drop in the Dow Jones.
• Military Action: President Trump defended recent military strikes on drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean, noting that two latest fatalities brought the overall toll from these strikes to 34.
• Quote:

  "All of the vessels were hauling illegal drugs and... military action is needed to combat drug traffickers."
  – President Trump summarized by anchor, [03:08]

5. President Trump’s Health and Advancements in Medical AI

[03:54–04:36]

• Cardiac Age Assessment: Physicians, using AI on electrocardiogram (EKG) data, now estimate President Trump’s “cardiac age” at 65, though he is 79 years old.
• Innovation:

  "So I'm a cardiologist. I can't tell your age. I have no clue what your age is based on how we learn how to read an electrocardiogram. But this tool does things that the human eyes can't do."
  – Dr. Douglas Vaughn, Northwestern University, [04:15]

• Caveat: Tools are still under study for accuracy but show promise for early disease detection.

6. Misty Copeland’s Historic Retirement

[04:36–04:58]

• Milestone: Misty Copeland retired from the American Ballet Theater after her last performance at Lincoln Center. She became the first Black female principal dancer in the company’s 75-year history, marking a decade in that role.
• Financial Update: Asian shares were mostly down, with Tokyo off by 1%.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Trump, on sanctions: "These are tremendous sanctions. These are very big." [00:37]
• International Court, summarized by Rob Schmitz: “… an occupying power must provide humanitarian aid to the civilians under its occupation.” [01:25]
• Senator Merkley, on government peril: "We are in the most perilous moment, the biggest threat to our republic since the Civil War." [02:35]
• Senate Floor Humor: “Merkley chugged a Gatorade” after a 22.5-hour speech. [03:00]
• Dr. Douglas Vaughn, on AI's medical potential: “…this tool does things that the human eyes can't do.” [04:15]

Important Timestamps

• [00:20] — U.S. sanctions on Russian oil companies
• [01:00] — UN court ruling on Israel-Gaza blockade
• [02:12] — Senator Merkley’s marathon Senate speech
• [03:08] — Market update and Trump defends Caribbean military strikes
• [03:54] — AI estimates Trump’s cardiac age
• [04:36] — Misty Copeland’s retirement

This episode delivers a succinct yet comprehensive review of key global developments, U.S. political drama, and cultural achievements—all in NPR’s signature, matter-of-fact tone.