NPR News Now: August 13, 2025 – Detailed Summary

Release Date: August 14, 2025
Host: Windsor Johnston, NPR

1. U.S.-Russia Summit and Ukraine Involvement

Overview:
President Donald Trump is set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, a meeting that may pave the way for a subsequent conference involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. However, Trump is cautiously managing expectations regarding the potential for a second gathering.

Key Points:

• Upcoming Summit: President Trump announced that his meeting with Putin on Friday at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage will be pivotal in determining whether a follow-up meeting, including President Zelensky, will occur.

• Trump's Statement: “Now, there may be no second meeting because if I feel that it's not appropriate to have it because I didn't get the answers that we have to have, then we're not going to have a second meeting.” ([00:42])

• Positive Preliminary Communications: Trump mentioned that a call with Zelensky and other European leaders earlier in the day was productive.

• European Perspectives: Following Trump's call, German Chancellor Friedrich Mayers emphasized that Ukraine must be included in negotiations with Putin, highlighting the European stance on the matter.

Attribution:
Windsor Johnston and Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR News

2. Brazil Responds to U.S. Tariffs

Overview:
Brazil is taking significant steps to support its exporters impacted by the 50% tariffs imposed by President Trump on Brazilian exports. The Brazilian government has introduced a multi-billion-dollar fund to aid affected companies.

Key Points:

• Brazil’s Initiative: President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva announced approximately $5.6 billion in subsidized loans aimed at helping Brazilian companies affected by U.S. tariffs.

• Accusations Against the U.S.: Lula criticized the U.S. for portraying Brazil negatively, stating, "The US has portrayed Brazil as a devil they must fight. Brazil had no reason to be taxed. We respect human rights," ([01:30]).

• U.S. Criticisms of Brazil: The U.S. has accused Brazil of censoring critics and suppressing free speech through social media regulations. Brazil’s finance minister countered by asserting that Brazil is "more democratic than its aggressor."

• Political Tensions: Trump has demanded that Brazil drop a criminal case against its former far-right president, who was charged with attempting a coup to remain in power after losing his re-election bid.

Attribution:
Windsor Johnston and Kerry Kahn, NPR News, Rio de Janeiro

3. Impact of Ending Temporary Protected Status on Care Workers

Overview:
President Trump's decision to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for immigrants from several countries is creating instability among care workers in the United States. This policy change poses a threat to families reliant on these essential workers.

Key Points:

• Affected Populations: Immigrants from Honduras, Nicaragua, Haiti, and other nations will lose their authorization to live and work in the U.S., including those employed in home health care and nursing homes.

• Union Concerns: Arnoufal de la Cruz, leader of SEIU Local 2015 in California, expressed worries that the policy changes would negatively impact families who depend on these care workers.

• Trump’s Justification: “We were already in a huge care shortage, so there's not enough caregivers to,” ([02:51]) – Donald Trump.

• Administration’s Rationale: The Trump administration argues that TPS has been misused as an "asylum system," allowing unvetted individuals to reside in the U.S. indefinitely without proper screening.

Attribution:
Windsor Johnston and Andrea Hsu, NPR News

4. AOL Discontinues Dial-Up Internet Service

Overview:
AOL has announced the discontinuation of its dial-up Internet service, marking the end of an era for a technology that once dominated early Internet access. The company attributes this decision to the obsolescence of dial-up in the modern digital landscape.

Key Points:

• Technical Limitations: Dial-up requires a modem to convert digital data into audio signals over standard phone lines, limiting users to one device connection and significantly slower speeds compared to broadband.

• Usage Decline: As of 2022, only about 0.1% of American households relied on dial-up, according to Census Bureau data.

• AOL’s Statement: The company acknowledged that dial-up technology is no longer compatible with current operating systems and user needs, leading to its phase-out.

Attribution:
Windsor Johnston and Ayanna Archie, NPR News

5. President Trump to Host Kennedy Center Honors

Overview:
In a surprising move, President Trump announced that he will personally host the annual Kennedy Center Honors, a departure from tradition. This decision follows his acquisition of control over the Kennedy Center's board earlier in the year, with promises to implement significant changes.

Key Points:

• Selected Honorees:

  • Entertainment Industry: Actor Sylvester Stallone and actor Michael Crawford
  • Music Legends: Country singer George Strait, past disco icon Gloria Gaynor, and the rock band Kiss

• Trump’s Vision: He aims to "restore" the Kennedy Center's prestige through major alterations in its management and event execution.

• Historical Context: Previous honorees have included distinguished figures such as actress Meryl Streep, Beatles legend Paul McCartney, singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, and actor Dick Van Dyke.

Attribution:
Windsor Johnston, NPR News

Note: This summary excludes all advertising segments and focuses solely on the news content presented during the episode.