NPR News Now

Episode: NPR News: 08-17-2025 7PM EDT
Date: August 17, 2025
Host: Jeanine Herbst

Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now update delivers concise coverage of major national and international news headlines as of the evening of August 17, 2025. The episode centers on developments in Ukraine peace talks, U.S. vaccine policy changes, a mass shooting in Brooklyn, Colorado’s efforts to protect public lands, and labor unrest at Air Canada.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ukraine Peace Negotiations & European Support

• Ukrainian President Zelenskyy visits Brussels: Zelenskyy pressed for an immediate ceasefire before any peace talks with Russia.
• International Divides:
  • Zelenskyy pushes back against President Trump’s reversal on ceasefire prerequisites.
  • EU leaders, including Ursula von der Leyen, highlight the urgency of halting violence regardless of terminology used (ceasefire vs. peace deal).
• Security Planning: ‘Coalition of the willing’ countries discuss potential peacekeeping force and security guarantees for Ukraine as leaders prepare to meet Trump in Washington.

Notable Quotes:

• [00:53] Zelenskyy: “It's necessary to cease fire and work quickly on a final deal. We'll talk about it in Washington.”
• [01:10] Ursula von der Leyen: “Whether we call it a ceasefire or it's a peace deal. Stop the killing.”

2. U.S. Federal Panel on Childhood Vaccine Safety

• Vaccine Safety Panel Reinstated: HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. revives a panel disbanded in the late 1990s to review vaccine safety.
• Policy Shifts:
  • The panel aims to minimize adverse reactions from vaccines.
  • Recent changes include rolling back COVID-19 vaccine recommendations, overhauling a vaccine committee, and withdrawing large funding tranches for mRNA vaccines.
• Implication: Marks a continued shift towards scrutiny and modification of federal vaccine guidelines under Kennedy’s leadership.

Notable Quote:

• [01:38] Will Stone: “The task force would work on recommendations to refine and develop vaccines with what it described as less serious adverse reactions than what's on the market.”

3. Brooklyn Nightclub Shooting

• Incident Details:
  • Mass shooting at a Brooklyn nightclub leaves 3 dead, at least 9 wounded.
  • NYPD investigates; multiple shooters believed to be involved.
• Gang-Related Violence:
  • A dispute inside the crowded club escalated.
  • 42 shell casings found from multiple calibers; a firearm recovered but origin uncertain.
• Concerns of Retaliation:
  • City officials brace for potential follow-up shootings.

Notable Quotes:

• [02:40] Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch: “Our crime scene investigators have now recovered 42 shell casings from multiple guns. The shell casings appear to be from .9 millimeter and .45 caliber weapons.”
• [03:01] Mayor Eric Adams: “We're always concerned after a shooting. The retaliatory shootings will follow if we don't get on the ground with our crisis management team and other partners.”

4. Pitkin County, Colorado: Blocking Future Public Land Sales

• Local Legislation:
  • Response to (now failed) federal proposal to sell public land for housing.
  • County rezones about 500,000 acres to restrict future development if transferred to private ownership.
• Motivation:
  • Preemptive measure to preserve public land and prevent potential development despite federal stances.

Notable Quote:

• [04:03] Suzanne Wolfe (Pitkin County): “If the land is ever transferred to private ownership, then you would have to go through a rezoning process with the county.”

5. Air Canada Flight Attendant Strike

• Labor Dispute Escalates:
  • Canadian government demands flight attendants return to work and enter arbitration.
  • Union refuses, calling order “blatantly unconstitutional.”
• Travel Chaos:
  • Air Canada cancels 240 flights, stranding estimated 100,000 travelers in peak season.
• Issues:
  • Strikers protest pay and scheduling practices.

Notable Quote:

• [04:14] Jeanine Herbst: “Air Canada says it had to cancel around 240 flights today, stranding an estimated 100,000 travelers. This during the peak summer season; flight attendants are striking over pay and also over scheduling issues.”

Memorable Moments & Quotes with Timestamps

• Volodymyr Zelenskyy (on ceasefire):
  “It's necessary to cease fire and work quickly on a final deal. We'll talk about it in Washington.” [00:53]

• Ursula von der Leyen (on prioritizing peace):
  “Whether we call it a ceasefire or it's a peace deal. Stop the killing.” [01:10]

• Commissioner Jessica Tisch (on crime scene):
  “Crime scene investigators have now recovered 42 shell casings from multiple guns...from .9 millimeter and .45 caliber weapons.” [02:40]

• Mayor Eric Adams (on risk of retaliation):
  “We're always concerned after a shooting. The retaliatory shootings will follow if we don't get on the ground with our crisis management team and other partners.” [03:01]

• Suzanne Wolfe (on future land rezoning):
  “If the land is ever transferred to private ownership, then you would have to go through a rezoning process with the county.” [04:03]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Ukraine peace negotiations: 00:20 – 01:29
• U.S. vaccine policy changes: 01:29 – 02:17
• Brooklyn nightclub shooting: 02:17 – 03:13
• Colorado blocks land development: 03:38 – 04:14
• Air Canada strike: 04:14 – 04:59

This episode delivers a rapid yet thorough overview of developing stories, blending international diplomacy, evolving health policies, public safety challenges, land management politics, and major labor disruptions, all in NPR's signature straightforward and authoritative tone.