NPR News: 08-18-2025 2PM EDT

Date: August 18, 2025
Host: Lakshmi Singh
Duration: 5 minutes
Podcast: NPR News Now

Overview

This episode delivers a succinct roundup of major news stories from around the globe, focusing on high-stakes discussions at the White House regarding the Russia-Ukraine war, a new study demonstrating increased contraceptive access via over-the-counter birth control pills, hurricane alerts for North Carolina, the much-anticipated return of Amtrak service on the Mississippi coast, and the creation of a massive new nature preserve in the Mayan rainforest.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. White House Talks: Russia-Ukraine War Diplomacy

[00:18–01:48]

• High-stakes diplomatic talks at the White House between Presidents Trump (U.S.), Zelensky (Ukraine), and anticipated involvement from Putin (Russia).
  • Trump suggests the possibility of three-way talks to pave a diplomatic way to end the war.
• Volodymyr Zelensky expresses optimism:

  “Everything works out well today. We'll have a try Lat and I think there will be a reasonable chance of ending the war when we do that.”
  (Zelensky, 00:34)

• Putin's demand for land concessions was raised, referencing Russia's request at Friday’s U.S.-Russia summit.
  • Zelensky did not directly address the question of ceding Ukrainian territory but reiterates Ukraine’s strength and alignment with U.S. efforts.
  • Quote:

    “I think we show that we are strong people and we supported the idea of the United States personally, of President Trump to stop this war, to make a diplomatic way of finishing this war.”
    (Zelensky, 00:56)

• European and NATO leaders are present, a marked change from previous tense meetings, notably the one in February that ended abruptly.
• Danielle Kurtzleben (NPR Correspondent):
  • Highlights the extraordinary nature of the gathering, emphasizing the urgency European leaders feel about Trump's mediation.
  • Notes Trump’s “progress towards peace” declaration after his Alaska meeting with Putin.
  • Next steps: Tri-lateral meeting including Zelensky, Trump, Putin, and European leaders.
  • Quote:

    “A gathering of this many European leaders at the White House at such short notice is extremely extraordinary and shows how concerned these leaders are as Trump attempts to broker a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia.”
    (Danielle Kurtzleben, 01:26)

2. Over-the-Counter Birth Control Pill: Expanding Access

[01:48–02:42]

• Two-year anniversary since FDA approval of the first non-prescription birth control pill.
• Oregon Health and Sciences University study:
  • Shows a “nearly 32 percentage point increase” in people using the pill who previously used no contraception.
  • Greatest impact observed among the uninsured and those in rural areas.
  • Dr. Maria Rodriguez (lead author), expresses excitement:

    “I was super excited about them because it showed exactly what I thought and hoped we would see, which is that the over the counter pill is reaching individuals that have the greatest structural barriers…”
    (Dr. Rodriguez, quoted by Katie Riddle, 02:19)

3. Hurricane Erin: Preparations in North Carolina

[02:42–03:07]

• Evacuations ordered for Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands.
• Dare County under state of emergency due to approaching Hurricane Erin.
  • Expected: tropical storm-force winds, hazardous waves, dangerous rip currents.
  • Not expected to make landfall on the eastern U.S.

4. Amtrak Returns to the Mississippi Coast

[03:07–03:56]

• Passenger rail service resumes between Mobile and New Orleans after 20 years—first time since Hurricane Katrina destroyed tracks.
• On-the-ground report by Stephen Bisaha (Gulf States Newsroom):
  • Captures “huge crowds and excitement,” “brass bands” at Mississippi stops.
  • Scenic Gulf Coast journey “exceeded expectations.”
  • Quote:

    “It really is a beautiful ride… each Mississippi stop we've been to it has exceeded expectations as far as like huge crowds and excitement with brass bands really celebrating...”
    (Stephen Bisaha, 03:32)

5. 14 Million Acre Mayan Rainforest Preserve

[03:56–04:51]

• Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize sign an agreement for a massive new nature preserve in the Mayan rainforest.
• Ada Peralta (NPR Correspondent):
  • Agreement signed near Calakmul, a key archaeological site.
  • Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum calls the area “the lungs for our planet,” “home to thousands of animal species,” and “an invaluable cultural legacy.”
  • The reserve is now the second largest in the Americas after the Amazon.
  • Quote:

    “Chainbaum said the area represents lungs for our planet, home to thousands of animal species and the heart of, quote, an invaluable cultural legacy that she says must be preserved for the future.”
    (Ada Peralta, 04:34)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Zelensky on the prospects for peace:

  “I think we show that we are strong people and we supported the idea of the United States personally, of President Trump to stop this war, to make a diplomatic way of finishing this war.”
  (00:56)

• Dr. Maria Rodriguez on the landmark study:

  “It showed exactly what I thought and hoped we would see, which is that the over the counter pill is reaching individuals that have the greatest structural barriers to obtaining contraception from the health system.”
  (02:19)

• Stephen Bisaha describes the energy at Amtrak stops:

  “Each Mississippi stop we’ve been to… huge crowds and excitement with brass bands really celebrating the first time this train has gone through here in 20 years since Hurricane Katrina ended the service…”
  (03:45)

• President Sheinbaum on the rainforest preserve:

  “…lungs for our planet, home to thousands of animal species and the heart of… an invaluable cultural legacy…”
  (04:34)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:18] — White House Ukraine-Russia Negotiations: Opening Reports
• [00:34] — Zelensky’s Statement on Three-way Talks
• [00:41] — Putin’s Land Concession Demands
• [01:09] — Diplomatic Climate and NATO/European Leaders’ Role
• [01:26] — Danielle Kurtzleben’s Analysis
• [01:48] — OTC Birth Control: Study Findings
• [02:42] — NC Hurricane Evacuations
• [03:32] — Amtrak Returns: On-the-Train Report
• [03:56] — Mayan Rainforest Preserve Agreement

This concise, yet comprehensive five-minute update delivers the most pressing stories with critical global, national, and local impacts, marked by first-hand accounts, expert voices, and quotes from key players.