NPR News Now - NPR News: 10-25-2025 9PM EDT

Episode Date: October 26, 2025

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Support for NPR comes from NPR member stations and Eric and Wendy Schmidt through the Schmidt Family Foundation, working toward a healthy, resilient, secure world for all. On the web at theshmit.org. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Louise Skiavone. President Trump is headed to Malaysia to begin several days of meetings with regional leaders. Speaking to reporters of Border Air Force One, the president said he would not say no to a meeting with North Korea's Kim Jong-un. I would if he would contact him. I mean, the last time I met, you know, I put it out over the internet that I'm coming to South Korea. If he'd like to meet, I'm open to it. On another subject, the president was asked about military action directed at Venezuelan boats,

believed to be headed to the U.S. with illegal drugs. We stopped all drugs virtually from coming in by scene. and we'll stop all drugs from coming in by land very shortly. You'll see that starting. They're not going to want to do that. They're not going to want to do that. But you're going to see drugs stopping coming into our country. The aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford is being deployed to the Caribbean to join the dozens of ships and aircraft already in the region.

A federal appeals court has declined to review a panel ruling that weakens federal voting rights protections in seven states. And PR's Hansi Lo Wong reports. The Immigrant Advocacy Group, Arkansas United, sued over a state law that bans a person from helping more than six voters cast ballots. A part of the Voting Rights Act, known as Section 208, generally allows voters who need help because of a disability or an inability to read a right to get help from a person of their choice. A judge ruled the Arkansas law violated the Voting Rights Act. But after Republican State officials appealed a panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled private groups like Arkansas United and individuals, did not have the right to sue. Only the U.S. Attorney General does. The full A circuit now has rejected a request to review that ruling. Two similar cases are before the Supreme Court, which is also

reviewing the constitutionality of another key part of the Voting Rights Act. Onzi Luong, NPR News. Ukraine says that Russian strikes in the last day have killed at least eight people and wounded dozens more across the country. NPR's Joanna KISSES reports from Kiev that the strikes hit neighborhoods and the energy grid, as Russia dismisses calls for a ceasefire. Russia launched nine ballistic missiles and 62 attack drones called Shaheeds, which resembled small planes and often carry warheads. Ukraine's military says it did shoot down 50 drones and four missiles. In the capital, Kiev, missiles killed at least two people and injured at least a dozen.

Russia also hit the southern Ukrainian region of Herzogne with glide bombs, artillery, and attack drones, killing at least three people there and injuring more than two dozen, including three children. Ukrainian president Volodymyer Zelenskyy says Ukraine wants to purchase 25 Patriot air defense systems from the U.S. to protect itself from Russian attacks. Joanna Kikisis, NPR News, Kiev. This is NPR News in Washington. Officials in Montgomery, Alabama, have unveiled statues commemorating two notable winners,

from the state on the Capitol grounds, the first statues of women to be featured there. Troy Public Radio's Reese, England, spoke with one of the sculptures. Rosa Parks' nine-foot, eight-inch statue depicts her taking a step toward Dexter Avenue, where the Montgomery bus boycott was organized. The statue sculptor, Julian Knight, hopes to contribute to Park's legacy of fighting for racial equality and honor the value she held dear. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. She believed in those words. The second statue unveiled depicts writer and disability rights advocate Helen Keller,

inviting viewers to join her in reading a book written in both Braille and Standard Texts. For NPR News, I'm Reese Singlin in Montgomery, Alabama. In Ireland, voters have elected left-wing independent candidate 68-year-old Catherine Connolly as their new president. That job is mostly ceremonial. In the African Nation of Ivory Coast, the 83-year-old incumbent, president is seeking a fourth term. Several opponents were blocked from challenging the re-election of Alasan Katara and four others are still on the ballot with him. Citizens there cast their

ballots today. It's another example of the overall trend in Africa where aged leaders seek to continue in power. Cameroon's leader is 92. Uganda's 81. Equatorial guineas is 83. This despite the fact that Africa's population on average is the youngest in the world. I'm Louise Skiavoni, NPR News, Washington. Support for NPR, and the following message come from Yarl and Pamela Mohn, thanking the people who make public radio great every day and also those who listen.