NPR News Now: 08-17-2025 1PM EDT

Date: August 17, 2025
Host: Nora Ram, NPR

Episode Overview

This brisk five-minute news episode delivers NPR’s signature concise reporting on the day's top global and national headlines. Major stories include a high-stakes White House visit by Ukraine’s President Zelensky, a tragic mass shooting in Brooklyn, changes to US visa policy for Gaza residents, Bolivia’s unique presidential election, Air Canada resolving a strike, and a whimsical international robot competition in Beijing.

Key Discussion Points

1. Ukraine’s Zelensky to Visit Trump in DC

• [00:18-01:12]
• Summary: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to visit President Trump at the White House tomorrow, after a contentious prior meeting. This time, Zelensky is accompanied by key European and NATO leaders, including EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, and the NATO secretary general.
• Diplomatic Tensions: Trump is expected to pressure Zelensky to make a deal with Russia, likely involving territorial compromise—a point of major contention. Zelensky remains firm that Ukraine "will not give up land to an occupier," but signals openness to a "trilateral summit" with Russia and the US.
• Notable Quote:
  • Franco Ordonez (01:01):

    "Zelensky has said emphatically that Ukraine will not give up land to an occupier. That said, he did say...he's open to a trilateral [summit]."

2. Brooklyn Mass Shooting

• [01:12-02:12]
• Summary: A mass shooting at the Taste of the City Lounge in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, left three dead and nine wounded. Victims were aged 19 to 61.
• Details: At around 3am, multiple shooters opened fire in a crowded lounge. Police found 42 shell casings and responded quickly, but the shooters remain at large.
• Gang-Related Crime Context: NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch notes this is an anomaly in a year with historically low shooting rates; approximately 60% of shootings are gang-related.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Jessica Tisch (01:51):

    "We have the lowest number of shooting incidents and shooting victims seven months into the year that we've seen on record in the city of New York. Something like this is, of course, thank God, an anomaly."

  • Jessica Tisch (02:03):

    "The incident appears to be gang related, as are around 60 percent of the city's shootings."

3. US Halts Gaza Visitor Visas Amid Political Pressure

• [02:12-03:14]
• Summary: The US State Department has paused all visitor visas from Gaza for a full procedural review, following political outcry from a Trump supporter who described Gaza medical evacuees as a "national security threat."
• Social Media Reaction: Far-right activist Laura Loomer condemned the entry of Gaza children for medical treatment, posting inflammatory remarks and arguing that only Muslim countries should accept them.
• Humanitarian Impact: The group Heal Palestine has enabled some injured Gaza children to receive prosthetics and care in the US—a small number compared to the 10,000+ Palestinians needing urgent treatment outlined by the WHO.
• Notable Quote:
  • Laura Loomer (as quoted, 02:42):

    "Why are any Islamic invaders coming into the US under the Trump admin... She hopes all people from Gaza who came for medical care during the war are deported and that Muslim countries should be taking them in."

4. Air Canada Cancels Strike, Resumes Flights

• [03:14-03:44]
• Summary: Air Canada will resume flights after the government ordered an end to the flight attendants' strike, which stranded over 100,000 travelers worldwide at the height of summer travel.

5. Bolivia’s Election Excludes Biggest Political Names

• [03:44-04:30]
• Summary: Bolivia holds presidential elections without its dominant figures. Ex-President Evo Morales, banned from running and facing legal troubles, instructs supporters to nullify their ballots. The current president, also from the ruling MAS party, is deeply unpopular and is not running.
• Political Shift: Both leading candidates are right-wing and promise to liberalize Bolivia's economy and improve US relations amid dire inflation and economic crisis.
• Notable Quote:
  • Carrie Khan (04:17):

    "Inflation is soaring, poverty is rising and dollar reserves making imports, especially gas, scarce."

6. World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing

• [04:30-04:57]
• Summary: The World Humanoid Robot Games concluded in Beijing. Teams from 16 countries competed in events like soccer, running, and boxing, drawing cheers—especially when robots managed to stand up after falls.
• Memorable Moment:
  • Nora Ram (04:45):

    "The robots often crashed into each other. Some required human help to get back up. The audience cheered those robots who are able to get up on their own."

Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• On Ukraine Peace Talks:
  • Franco Ordonez (01:01):

    "Zelensky has said emphatically that Ukraine will not give up land to an occupier."

• Brooklyn Shooting as Anomaly:
  • Jessica Tisch (01:51):

    "Something like this is, of course, thank God, an anomaly."

• On Gaza Medical Visa Ban:
  • Laura Loomer (02:42):

    "Why are any Islamic invaders coming into the US under the Trump admin."

• Bolivia’s Crisis:
  • Carrie Khan (04:17):

    "Inflation is soaring, poverty is rising and dollar reserves making imports, especially gas, scarce."

• Robots Entertaining Beijing:
  • Nora Ram (04:45):

    "The audience cheered those robots who are able to get up on their own."

Important Timestamps

• Ukraine/Trump Meeting Preview: 00:18–01:12
• Brooklyn Mass Shooting: 01:12–02:12
• Gaza Visa Policy: 02:12–03:14
• Air Canada Strike Update: 03:14–03:44
• Bolivia Elections: 03:44–04:30
• World Humanoid Robot Games: 04:30–04:57

This episode delivers worldwide breaking news in NPR’s calm, factual tone, spotlighting high-stakes diplomacy, gun violence, political moves, humanitarian tensions, and a touch of international whimsy with robot sports.