NPR News Now – August 18, 2025, 10PM EDT

Overview:
This five-minute NPR News Now episode, hosted by Windsor Johnston, covers key global and national headlines, including major diplomatic developments between the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia; political changes in the FBI; the end of a Texas measles outbreak; U.S. stock market updates; a deadly natural disaster in Pakistan; redistricting politics in Texas; and Nepal’s public health milestone.

Key Highlights & Discussion Points

1. U.S., Ukraine, and Russia Diplomacy

• NPR Correspondent: Windsor Johnston
• Summary: President Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and several European leaders at the White House, following Trump’s recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. Trump claims progress toward a deal to end the war in Ukraine.
• Notable Quote:
  • Zelensky: “The Alaska summit reinforced my belief that while difficult, peace is within reach. And I believe that in a very significant step, President Putin agreed that Russia would accept security guarantees for Ukraine. And this is one of the key points that we need to consider and we're going to be considering that at the table also.” [00:42]
• Further Developments:
  • Trump is proposing a three-way summit between the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia, although the Kremlin has yet to agree.
  • The release of over 1,000 Ukrainian prisoners is being discussed as part of a potential agreement.

2. Missouri’s Attorney General Joins FBI

• NPR Reporter: Jason Rosenbaum, St. Louis Public Radio [01:31]
• Summary:
  • Andrew Bailey, Missouri Attorney General, will resign in September to become FBI co-deputy director alongside Dan Bongino.
  • His tenure was marked by controversy: attempted restrictions on transgender healthcare for adults, efforts to maintain abortion restrictions despite new state constitutional amendments protecting abortion rights.
  • Bailey is joining amidst scrutiny of the FBI’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case files.
• Notable Quote:
  • Rosenbaum: “Bailey attracted nationwide controversy after he unsuccessfully sought to bar transgender adults from accessing gender affirming care. He's also sought to preserve Missouri's abortion restrictions after voters there passed a constitutional amendment to protecting abortion rights.” [01:31]

3. Texas Measles Outbreak Declared Over

• NPR Reporter: Gabriela Alcorta Solorio, Texas Public Radio [02:21]
• Summary:
  • The measles outbreak, which began in west Texas in January and reached 762 cases, is officially over after 42 days with no new cases.
  • Two children died (both unvaccinated), and 99 people were hospitalized.
  • Ongoing vigilance is advised due to outbreaks elsewhere in the U.S. and globally.
• Notable Quote:
  • Solorio: “Texas officials say just because the outbreak is over here, the threat is still very real due to ongoing outbreaks across the country and globally. Monitoring for new cases will continue.” [02:21]

4. U.S. Stock Market Update

• NPR Correspondent: Windsor Johnston [03:05]
• Details:
  • Dow closed down 34 points
  • NASDAQ up 6
  • S&P down a fraction

5. Texas Political Standoff on Redistricting

• NPR Correspondent: Windsor Johnston [03:05]
• Summary:
  • Texas House Democrats ended a two-week walkout and returned for a special legislative session.
  • Republican-proposed redistricting aims to add five more GOP seats to the U.S. House in the upcoming midterms.
  • Democrats had attempted to block this plan by leaving the state.

6. Catastrophic Flooding in Northern Pakistan

• NPR Reporter: Dia Hadid, Mumbai [04:00]
• Summary:
  • At least 300 killed after torrential rain and a sudden cloud burst caused landslides and flash floods, destroying entire villages.
  • Over half the fatalities were in Banar, an alpine area; many residents received no advance warning.
  • 145 people from one village are missing or dead, and extreme weather is expected to continue, raising the flooding threat downstream.
• Notable Quote:
  • Hadid: “Abdul Wahid says about half the village has been destroyed and some 145 residents are missing or dead. The government is now warning that the extreme rains are likely to continue for several more days. And now there is a threat of flooding further downstream.” [04:00]

7. Health Milestone: Nepal Eliminates Rubella

• NPR Correspondent: Windsor Johnston [04:38]
• Summary:
  • World Health Organization announces Nepal has eliminated rubella as a public health problem.
  • Rubella is a virus that poses severe risks to pregnant women, including miscarriages and birth defects.

Notable Quotes

• Volodymyr Zelensky (Ukraine President):
  • “The Alaska summit reinforced my belief that while difficult, peace is within reach…” [00:42]
• Jason Rosenbaum (St. Louis Public Radio):
  • “Bailey attracted nationwide controversy after he unsuccessfully sought to bar transgender adults from accessing gender affirming care…” [01:31]
• Gabriela Alcorta Solorio (Texas Public Radio):
  • “The outbreak of measles in west Texas reached 762 cases before the state declared the outbreak over…” [02:21]
• Dia Hadid (NPR):
  • “Abdul Wahid says about half the village has been destroyed and some 145 residents are missing or dead…” [04:00]

Important Timestamps

• 00:19: Ukraine-Russia-US diplomatic updates
• 01:31: FBI leadership shake-up
• 02:21: Texas measles outbreak resolution
• 03:05: Stock market close and Texas politics
• 04:00: Deadly floods and landslides in Pakistan
• 04:38: Nepal eliminates rubella

Tone:
The tone is factual, concise, and urgent, typical of NPR’s fast-paced news updates.

Summary Usefulness:
This summary provides an at-a-glance understanding of the episode’s most critical news stories—ideal for those who need to stay informed without listening to the full broadcast.