NPR News Now: 08-17-2025 6PM EDT

Date: August 17, 2025
Host: Jeanine Herbst

Episode Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now episode offers a concise roundup of pressing global and domestic stories, including high-stakes international diplomacy, U.S. security developments, a humanitarian health crisis, space exploration progress, and the latest on severe weather impacting Puerto Rico.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Ukraine Peace Talks at the White House

Reported by Franco Ordonez

• Upcoming Meeting: President Zelenskyy of Ukraine is set to meet with President Trump at the White House, alongside EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, and a NATO Secretary General.
• Diplomatic Tension: Trump, deviating from his previous demand for an immediate ceasefire, now calls for broader peace negotiations—aligning more with Russian President Putin’s preferences.
• Zelenskyy’s Position: Zelenskyy remains firm on not ceding Ukrainian territory, setting up difficult negotiations.
• Memorable Quote:
  • “Trump has also made clear that he was going to push Zelensky to make a deal... he has emphatically said that Ukraine will not give up land to an occupier.”
    (Franco Ordonez, 00:32-01:14)

2. National Guard Deployment and Armed Presence in D.C.

Reported by Joe Hernandez

• Security Measures: National Guard members in Washington, D.C. may soon be armed as part of the Trump administration’s efforts to increase policing and control crime and homelessness in the city.
• Mixed Reactions: Some residents and city officials criticize the move, citing a decrease in violent crime compared to last year; others, including three Republican governors, are sending additional troops to support the effort.
• Memorable Quote:
  • “The Guard is on the streets of D.C. as part of President Trump's effort to take control of the city's police department and crack down on crime and homelessness.”
    (Joe Hernandez, 01:30-02:13)

3. Devastating Cholera Outbreak in Sudan

Reported by Fatma Tanis

• Crisis Scope: Nearly 100,000 cholera cases and approximately 25,500 related deaths over the past year, exacerbated by ongoing civil war.
• Dire Conditions: Overcrowded camps and water shortages in Darfur force people to drink contaminated water; heavy rains worsen the situation by damaging sewage systems.
• Response Challenges: Doctors Without Borders calls for increased international aid and vaccination campaigns, but WHO reports severe obstacles due to ongoing violence.
• Global Context: Cholera outbreaks worsen in other conflict-affected areas like the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Yemen.
• Key Quote:
  • “The situation is especially dire in Darfur... a water shortage means people have had no choice but to drink contaminated water.”
    (Fatma Tanis, 02:23-03:13)

4. SpaceX Starship to Launch After FAA Clearance

Reported by Jerry Clayton

• Upcoming Flight: Starship Flight 10 expected as early as August 24 after FAA clears SpaceX following a failed launch in May.
• Technical Issues Addressed: SpaceX claims to have corrected fuel component problems that led to the previous explosion.
• Role in Artemis Program: Starship is contracted to carry astronauts to the moon for Artemis 3 in 2027.
• Key Quote:
  • “The FAA wrapped up its investigation into the loss of Flight 9 just before SpaceX announced the next launch.”
    (Jerry Clayton, 03:32-04:15)

5. Hurricane Erin Impacts Puerto Rico

Reported directly by Jeanine Herbst

• Storm Update: Hurricane Erin, now a Category 3 storm with winds up to 125 mph, leaves thousands in Puerto Rico without power.
• Current Conditions: The storm is located 300 miles northwest of San Juan but continues to bring heavy rainfall (up to 4 inches in some areas).
• Forecast: While mainland U.S. landfall isn't expected, heavy storm surge and rip currents could affect the East Coast.
• Key Quote:
  • “The storm... will continue to produce heavy rainfall across the US territory with up to 4 inches of rain possible in spots.”
    (Jeanine Herbst, 04:15-04:57)

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Diplomatic Stakes:
  • Franco Ordonez: “Trump has shifted course from demanding a ceasefire and is now calling for negotiating a broader peace deal, which is Putin's preferred choice.” (00:32-01:14)
• Security Debate:
  • Joe Hernandez: “Some residents and officials have criticized Trump's plan and noted that Washington's violent crime rate is down compared to last year. Still others support the effort.” (01:30-02:13)
• Humanitarian Alarm:
  • Fatma Tanis: “Heavy rains are making it even worse by damaging sewage systems. Doctors Without Borders called for a scaled up international response and vaccination campaign.” (02:23-03:13)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Ukraine Peace Talks: 00:32 – 01:14
• National Guard in D.C.: 01:30 – 02:13
• Sudan Cholera Outbreak: 02:23 – 03:13
• SpaceX Starship Launch: 03:32 – 04:15
• Hurricane Erin in Puerto Rico: 04:15 – 04:57

Conclusion

This succinct NPR News update captures a fast-moving global landscape: fraught diplomacy over Ukraine, increased militarization of U.S. domestic response, a growing health crisis in Sudan, a significant milestone for crewed spaceflight, and the ongoing threat of severe weather. Each story is treated with the factual, urgent tone characteristic of NPR’s news team, providing listeners with both breadth and clarity on the day’s pressing events.