NPR News Now: Episode Summary – August 12, 2025

Host: Windsor Johnston
Release Date: August 12, 2025
Duration: Approximately 5 minutes

1. Trump-Putin Summit Hopes Kept Low

[00:20] Windsor Johnston opens the episode by discussing the upcoming summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin scheduled for Friday in Alaska. This meeting marks their first face-to-face encounter since 2019.

[00:40] White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt addresses the summit, clarifying that President Putin extended the invitation. She temperates expectations by stating, “While Trump initially expressed some hope that a peace deal could be possible, this is unlikely given that Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky won't be there” (Levitt, [00:40]).

[00:58] An unnamed White House official elaborates on the summit’s purpose: “This is a listening exercise for the president... this is for the president to go and to get a more firm and better understanding of how we can hopefully bring this war to an end” ([00:58]).

[01:12] Levitt further mentions that the meeting will include a one-on-one component between Trump and Putin, emphasizing the private nature of their discussions.

2. DOJ Accuses George Washington University of Antisemitism Negligence

[01:20] Windsor Johnston transitions to a developing story involving the Department of Justice (DOJ) and George Washington University (GWU). The DOJ has notified GWU of violations concerning federal civil rights laws related to antisemitism on campus.

[01:43] NPR’s Alyssa Nadworny reports that the DOJ's letter accuses GWU of being “deliberately indifferent to antisemitism” during a pro-Palestinian encampment last spring. This indifference allegedly resulted in Jewish students and faculty feeling intimidated and fearful.

A GW spokesperson responded, stating, “The school condemns antisemitism and has taken action to hold independence and organizations accountable” ([01:43]).

Nadworny also notes that this is not an isolated case; last month, the DOJ similarly notified the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), leading to the Trump administration freezing $500 million in federal funding to the public university due to similar issues.

3. Inflation Concerns Amid New Tariffs

[02:24] The discussion shifts to the U.S. economy, with consumer prices rising by a moderate 2.7% compared to the previous year. NPR’s Scott Horsley provides an analysis indicating potential signs of higher inflation ahead.

[02:37] Horsley explains, “Earlier this month, the beginning of August, the president ordered a new round of tariffs, including a 50% levy on goods coming from Brazil, a big coffee producer. So there's probably more tariff-related inflation in the pipeline...” However, he adds, “it's not going to send inflation back to the 9% range we were at back in 2022” ([02:37]). The anticipated minor increases may still pose challenges for the Federal Reserve.

4. Wall Street Climbs as Markets Respond

[03:00] Windsor Johnston reports a positive day on Wall Street, with all major indices closing higher:

• Dow Jones Industrial Average: +483 points
• NASDAQ Composite: +296 points
• S&P 500: +72 points

This uptick reflects investor confidence amidst the current economic and political climate.

5. Mexico City Airport Resumes Operations Amid Weather Delays

[03:12] Aviation updates reveal that all runways at Mexico City's main airport have reopened after being suspended for several hours due to torrential rains. The weather disruptions have affected approximately 20,000 passengers with numerous cancellations, delays, and rerouting.

6. Perseid Meteor Shower Visibility Limited by Moonlight

[03:32] Astronomy enthusiasts are anticipating the peak of the annual Perseid meteor shower tonight into tomorrow morning. However, NPR’s Nell Greenfield Boyce warns that the moon's brightness—84% full—will hinder visibility, allowing only the brightest meteors to be seen.

[03:52] Boyce advises, “Your best shot to see them is in the pre-dawn hours in a place that's away from artificial lights. Give your eyes 15 to 30 minutes to adjust to the dark. No peeking at your phone and look at the sky in the opposite direction from the moon” ([03:52]).

7. Kennedy Center Honors Set to Return with Trump’s Endorsement

[04:32] The White House announced plans to reveal the recipients of the 48th Kennedy Center Honors on Wednesday morning. President Trump took to social media, celebrating the event's resurgence: “Luxury, glamour and entertainment restored after what he called hard times.”

Trump's remarks highlight a shift from his previous stance, as he notably skipped the annual event during his first term in office.

Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now delivered a concise yet comprehensive overview of pivotal national and international developments, ranging from high-stakes political summits and civil rights issues in education institutions to economic indicators, market movements, and even celestial events. Through expert analysis and authoritative voices, listeners are kept informed on the latest happenings shaping the world.