NPR News Now: August 15, 2025 - Comprehensive Summary

Release Date: August 15, 2025
Host: Doualisai Kautel
Duration: Approximately 5 minutes

1. Democracy and Gerrymandering Concerns

In the opening segment, Doualisai Kautel reports on a significant statement by former President Barack Obama regarding democratic processes and gerrymandering. Speaking to Texas Democrats in Illinois, Obama emphasized the importance of fair electoral practices.

Barack Obama (00:38): "Actions, because of your courage. What you've seen is California responding, other states looking at what they can do to offset this mid-decade gerrymandering. That is highly irregular and is not what we should be doing to balance out the maps for this upcoming election."

Obama criticized the maneuvering by current officials to manipulate electoral maps, highlighting the irregularity of such actions and advocating for more transparent democratic processes.

2. Texas Political Strategy and US-Russia Relations

Kautel further discusses Texas Governor Greg Abbott's intentions to order new congressional maps at the behest of President Trump. This move is seen as an attempt to influence the upcoming midterm elections in favor of Republicans.

Simultaneously, tensions rise in US-Russia relations as President Trump prepares for high-stakes talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Michelle Kellerman, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expresses concern over the administration's handling of these negotiations.

Jeanne Shaheen (01:31): "It makes a difference. Diplomacy is not successful very often, when it's done, fly by the seat of your pants. And that's what we're seeing too often here with this administration."

Kellerman warns that the State Department's reduced workforce and lack of expertise on Russia and Ukraine place the US at a disadvantage, potentially undermining the effectiveness of high-level diplomatic engagements.

3. End of Target and Ulta Partnership

The collaboration between the State Department, Target, and cosmetics retailer Ulta comes to an end four years into their partnership. Alina Selyuk provides an in-depth analysis of this development.

Alina Selyuk (02:27): "For Ulta, selling makeup at Target was a way to reach more customers during the shutdowns of the coronavirus pandemic. For Target, it's been a way to attract people to its stores because even when shoppers tightened their budgets, they've been spending more on beauty products."

The dissolution of this partnership poses challenges for Target, which has faced declining sales and increased competition. Additionally, Target has been dealing with backlash over its stance on LGBTQ issues and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The company is set to address investors with its latest quarterly report next week.

4. Judicial Ruling on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

A federal judge has invalidated two actions from the Trump administration aimed at dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. In response, top leaders of religious groups in Washington, D.C., issued a joint statement condemning President Trump's rhetoric.

Religious Leaders Statement (03:05): "We call on our political and civics leaders to reject fear-based governance and work together in a spirit of dignity and respect."

The religious groups argue that Trump's characterization of criminals and youth as dangerous exacerbates the risk of arbitrary arrests and excessive force, calling for more respectful and unifying governance.

5. Inca Khipus and Ancient Record-Keeping

In a fascinating archaeological update, Nell Greenfield Boyce reports on a recent study about the Inca empire's use of khipus—a complex system of knotted strings—for record-keeping.

Nell Greenfield Boyce (03:56): "The knotted strings are known as khipus. Everything from census data to agricultural records got encoded in khipus."

Researchers from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland discovered a 500-year-old khipu incorporating human hair, likely serving as a maker's signature. Chemical analysis revealed that the individual associated with this khipu adhered to a plain vegetarian diet, challenging previous assumptions that only the elite produced such records.

6. Sports Highlight: Venus Williams at the US Open

Concluding the news segments, Kautel shares a remarkable sports milestone. Seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Venus Williams is set to compete in the US Open later this month at the age of 45, aiming for another singles championship title.

Doualisai Kautel (04:37): "Seven time Grand Slam singles champion Venus Williams continues to make history, this time returning to the US Open later this month as a 45-year-old competing for another singles championship title."

Williams' participation underscores her enduring talent and dedication to tennis, inspiring athletes and fans alike.

This episode of NPR News Now provides a comprehensive overview of pressing political issues, international relations, corporate developments, judicial actions on social policies, historical discoveries, and inspiring sports achievements, ensuring listeners are well-informed on a variety of topics.