NPR News Now - NPR News: 10-22-2025 6PM EDT

Episode Date: October 22, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Rylan Barton. The Trump administration has announced sanctions on Russia's two largest oil companies. It comes after efforts to end the war in Ukraine have repeatedly failed. Ukraine's President Volodemir Zelensky has been asking for more foreign help, and Trump canceled a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss ending the war. Hopefully he'll become reasonable and hopefully Zelensky will be reasonable to. You know, it takes two to tango, as I say. The Treasury Department said the sanctions are a result of,

quote, Russia's lack of serious commitment to a peace process. Putin directly drills, directed drills of the country's nuclear forces today, including practice missile launches from land and by submarine. The drills also involved bombers firing long-range missiles. Russia's military said the exercise tested the skills of military command structures. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth ordered the Pentagon to limit its communications with Congress. It comes after he cracked down on press access as NPR's Quill Lawrence reports. In a memo obtained by NPR, Hegeseth instructs all defense staff, with the

exception of inspectors general, to get permission before sharing information with congressional offices. The memo says, unauthorized engagements with Congress, no matter how well-intentioned, may undermine department-wide priorities. But that may be hard to implement, since lawmakers from both parties request information from military officials about everything from the National Guard to nuclear weapons hundreds of times each day, according to a congressional aide who was not authorized to speak publicly. The aid said this memo fits an alarming trend by the Pentagon to clamp down on public scrutiny and congressional oversight. Quill Lawrence NPR News. The generational divide within the Democratic Party has come into sharp focus in New York City's

mayoral race. As NPR's Brian Mann reports, newcomer Zoran Mondani is leading the race in part by appealing to young voters. Mamdani, who's 34, has maintained a solid lead over Democratic Party veteran and former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, in part by creating. videos like this one that have gone viral on social media. People are looking for politics that actually lead somewhere. Poll show Mamdani has built a big advantage among younger voters. Cuomo, who's 67, was forced to run as an independent after losing the Democratic primary to Mamdani.

He acknowledged his campaign fell behind, messaging on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. I did not do enough on social media, which is a very effective medium now. Cuomo was running out of time to shake up this race. The candidates appear tonight in a televised. debate, along with Republican Curtis Lewa. Brian Mann, NPR News, New York. North Carolina's Republican-led legislature passed a new congressional map that could help the GOP win another seat today. It comes after President Trump called on Republican-led states to redistrict to help Republicans keep control of Congress. Texas and Missouri lawmakers

already redrew their maps. California lawmakers are asking voters to approve a map there to help Democrats. This is NPR News from Washington. President Trump is pushing back at criticism from beef producers over his proposal to purchase beef from Argentina. The White House has been mulling a plan to buy Argentine beef as a way to lower costs for U.S. consumers. In a social media post, Trump said America's farmers would be, quote, terrible if it weren't for him. He's supporting Argentina's struggling economy ahead of elections seen as a referendum on his ally, President Javier Malay. Peru's new president declared a state of emergency in the capital in the capital in the last. the latest attempt to stem a surge in violence in recent years.

President Jose Heddy said the emergency in Lima will last 30 days. He's considering deploying soldiers and restricting freedom of assembly and movement. And Coca-Cola is launching a new glass bottle version of its signature drink made with cane sugar. As Marlon Hyde from member station WABE reports, the Trump administration has been pushing for the change. For Coke drinkers looking to avoid high fructose corn syrup, they now have a new option. The Atlanta-based beverage giant is rolling out a new, 12-ounce single-served glass bottle of Coke made with U.S. cane sugar. Corn syrup is used as an ingredient for coax in the U.S. and has been for a long time,

partly because of cost. However, President Trump and his administration have pushed for the company to go away from using high-fructose corn syrup. Coke already offers products in the U.S. that use cane sugar, like Mexican Coke, except the sugar is imported from Mexico. A Coca-Cola spokesperson confirmed to NPR that the new soda will be available in select cities and retailers. For NPR news, I'm Marlon Hyde in Atlanta. And I'm Rylan Barton. You're listening to NPR News from Washington.