NPR News Now - NPR News: 10-18-2025 6AM EDT

Episode Date: October 18, 2025

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In the U.S., national security news can feel far away from daily life. Distant wars, murky conflicts, diplomacy behind closed doors on our new show, Sources and Methods. NPR reporters on the ground bring you stories of real people, helping you understand why distant events matter here at home. Listen to sources and methods on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. President Trump says Ukraine and Russia should stop where they are and negotiate. And he's describing his Friday meeting with Ukraine's president of Alodemir Zelensky at the White House as cordial and interesting. Here's MPR's Michelle Kellerman reporting.

The Ukrainian leader came to Washington with hopes of getting long-range tomahawk missiles as well as more help with air defenses to stop daily Russian missile and drone strikes. He came away saying he was, quote, realistic about the prospects of getting tomahawks. But he says the meeting was productive and he agrees with Trump's message on truth social. President is right that we have to stop where we are. This is important to stop where we are and then to speak. But he says this is a message for Putin who started the war. Zelensky says he thinks Trump can pressure Putin to stop the aggression. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, the State Department.

A lawyer for former Congressman George Santos has told the Associated Press at Santos left a federal prison in New Jersey late last night. President Trump ordered Santos' release, commuting his more than seven-year prison sentence for fraud and identity theft. People expected to gather in communities across the country today to protest the Trump administration. Reporter Bruce Confeiser has more on the No King's rallies from New York. The No King's demonstrations will likely be the loudest expression of opposition to President Donald Trump since he took office in January. More than 2,500 rallies are planned across the country, but the largest one will likely be here in New York. Nationwide, more than 5 million protesters turned out for the last No King's protests in June,

and organizers expect a bigger turnout today. At least tens of thousands are expected to take to the streets in New York. This weekend's No King's rallies are being held amid the government shutdown now in its 18th day. President Trump is at Mara Lago today. He's scheduled to return to the White House late tomorrow. A landmark agreement cut emissions from global shipping has been postponed for at least a year. The deal was negotiated over a decade and then blocked by the Trump administration. Here's MPR's Camila Dominovsky. The giant ships that move cargo around the world mostly run on oil. Alternative fuels could cut emissions and help the global fight against climate change. The International Maritime Organization has spent years negotiating a deal that

would set legally binding rules to cut emissions. It was almost finalized this week. Then the U.S. started working to undo the deal. President Trump called the effort to cut emissions a, quote, green new scam tax that would raise costs. The U.S. is the world's largest oil producer, and along with other large producers like Russia and Saudi Arabia, managed to push the final decision on the rules back by at least a year. In a post on ex-Secretary of state Marco Rubio

called the vote a huge win for the president. Camila Dominooski, NPR News. And from Washington, this is NPR News. Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy says damage to remote villages hit by flooding last week is so bad that many evacuees will not be able to return to their homes for at least 18 months. He's made a request to the White House for a major disaster declaration. More than 2,000 people have either taken shelter in their communities or have been evacuated by military planes to Anchorage. One person was killed and two remain missing. Authorities in Cincinnati say at least 10 people were taken to the hospital last night.

after a third floor balcony collapsed. Police say five people have serious injuries and one is in critical condition. The building is located near the University of Cincinnati. It's described as a place where a lot of students live. Photos and videos posted online show the balcony on the ground and first responders working nearby. Stocks gained ground this week.

NPR Scott Horsley reports that markets were boosted by some big profits at some of the nation's biggest banks. J.P. Morgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo, and other big banks all reported solid profits for the most recent quarter, thanks in part to big deal-making fees. It was a busy summer for mergers and acquisitions, and the banks that helped broker those deals all took their cut. It was a less rosy season for some regional banks

that reported trouble with borrowers, but after some initial jitters, investors seemed to shrug off those concerns. Meanwhile, the Trump administration continues to send mixed signals on the trade outlook with China. For the week the Dow gained one and a half percent, The S&P 500 index rose 1.7%. And the NASDAQ jumped more than 2.1%. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

And I'm Jail Snyder. This is NPR News.