NPR News Now: August 8, 2025, 10AM EDT Summary
Host: Korva Coleman
1. Armenia and Azerbaijan Peace Talks
Korva Coleman [00:17]:
The White House announced that the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan are slated to meet with President Donald Trump today to sign a roadmap for a peace agreement. These two nations, both former Soviet satellites, have been embroiled in a prolonged conflict over a disputed enclave in Azerbaijan that sought independence with Armenian support. This meeting, potentially occurring as early as next week in the United Arab Emirates, marks the first summit between the two countries' leaders since Russia initiated its full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago.
Mayan Schechter [00:57]:
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham expressed optimism about the dialogue, stating, "I'm glad the two leaders could talk." However, he voiced concerns regarding President Trump's tariff strategy linked to his sanctions bill, which now boasts 85 co-sponsors. The bill proposes imposing tariffs up to 500% on imports from nations purchasing Russian gas, oil, or uranium. Despite its backing, the bill remains stagnant, and Senator Graham fears Trump's unilateral tariff approach might face legal challenges.
Lindsey Graham [01:18]:
"His ability to issue tariffs, I think, is going to be legally challenged, and I don't know if he wins or loses, but the bill would allow him to do the same thing."
Mayan Schechter [01:27]:
Addressing President Putin's sincerity in seeking peace, Graham remarked, "I don't trust him as far as I can throw him."
2. Escalation of Conflict in Gaza
Korva Coleman [01:38]:
The Israeli security cabinet has greenlit a plan to intensify military operations in Gaza, aiming to seize control of Gaza City. This decision has sparked significant criticism internationally and has caused divisions within Israel itself. A notable Israeli citizen shared concerns:
Israeli Citizen [01:56]:
"I know the plan is to get rid of Hamas, but we've been trying for two whole years. We haven't made that much progress and we've lost so many soldiers and we still haven't brought all the hostages home. So it just doesn't seem that there's any real forward movement with this plan."
Additionally, tens of thousands of Israelis participated in nationwide protests yesterday, reflecting the nation's polarized stance on the matter.
3. Federal Reserve Board Nomination and Market Response
Korva Coleman [02:10]:
In economic news, the stock market opened higher this morning as President Trump announced a temporary appointment for the Federal Reserve Board.
Scott Horsley [02:27]:
President Trump intends to nominate White House economist Stephen Myron to fill a vacancy on the Fed's seven-member governing board for six months. This position became available when Fed Governor Adriana Coogler decided to depart early to return to her role at Georgetown University, ahead of her term's original end in January. While Trump seeks a permanent nominee, he has criticized the Federal Reserve for not taking more aggressive actions to reduce interest rates. The cautious stance of the Fed is attributed to concerns that Trump's tariff policies might reignite inflation. In related market movements, Asian stocks showed mixed results overnight, with Japan's Nikkei index experiencing a significant rise, contrasted by declines in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Seoul.
Korva Coleman [03:08]:
Reflecting on Wall Street's performance, the Dow Jones Industrial Average is up by 225 points, and the NASDAQ has increased by 130 points.
4. Increased Federal Law Enforcement in Washington, D.C.
Korva Coleman [03:08]:
The White House has directed a heightened presence of federal law enforcement in Washington, D.C., in response to rising crime concerns. President Trump has recently criticized the district's safety, citing incidents such as the attack on a former Doge worker. He has also hinted at the possibility of a federal takeover of Washington D.C.'s local government to address these issues.
5. NASA's Ambitious Lunar Nuclear Reactor Project
Korva Coleman [03:08]:
In aerospace news, NASA is accelerating its plans to install a nuclear reactor on the moon.
Chandelyse Duster [03:49]:
Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy has issued a directive to develop a lunar nuclear reactor by 2030. Space nuclear power expert Roger Myers emphasized the necessity of this initiative, stating, "Long lunar nighttime, the sun and batteries does not work. We're going to have to have nuclear power." While Myers commends the accelerated timeline, Katie Huff from the University of Illinois expressed concerns about the financial implications, noting that funding the reactor could divert resources from critical programs such as Earth science, climate observation, and space-based weather forecasting.
Katie Huff [04:21]:
"Earth science, climate observation, space-based weather forecasting, all the kinds of things that NASA does in a public-serving way for our day-to-day needs."
The Trump administration has proposed significant budget cuts to these essential programs in the upcoming fiscal year, raising alarms among the scientific community.
6. Wildfires Ravage Southern California
Korva Coleman [04:38]:
Wildfire activity continues to escalate in the western United States. The Gifford Fire in Southern California has expanded to over 150 square miles, prompting evacuation orders in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. Firefighters are battling the blazes as residents brace for further developments.
This summary encapsulates the major news segments from the NPR News Now episode released on August 8, 2025. For real-time updates and comprehensive coverage, please refer to NPR's official channels.