NPR News Now: August 24, 2025 – 2PM EDT

Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now episode provides a concise update on key world and U.S. current events, including major developments in Ukraine, South Korea–U.S. relations, partisan gerrymandering, the U.S. Open tennis tournament, and the Little League World Series. Anchored by Nora Ramm, the briefing features field reports, political statements, and voices from the world of sports.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Ukraine's Independence Day & Diplomacy

• Main focus: Ukraine marks its fourth Independence Day since Russia's full-scale invasion.
• Key event: President Volodymyr Zelensky delivers a defiant speech in Kyiv's Independence Square:
  “Ukraine will never surrender.”
  (NPR Anchor quoting Zelensky, 00:16)
• Canadian support: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visits Kyiv for talks on military aid and joint defense production.
  • Carney stresses the need for "security guarantees" for Ukraine and distrust of Russian President Vladimir Putin:

    “Russian President Vladimir Putin can never be trusted, and peace and security will require those guarantees for Ukraine.”
    (Dan Karpenschuk, 00:38)

  • Carney’s wider European mission aims to strengthen economic and security ties amid trade tensions with the U.S.

2. South Korea–U.S. Summit & Pacific Alliances

• Summit: South Korean President Lee Jae Myung travels to Washington for talks with President Trump.
  • Aim: Finalize a trade deal involving a $350 billion South Korean investment and lower tariffs.
  • Shift in alliance focus:

    “The US has been talking about modernizing its alliance with South Korea, which includes focusing less on deterring North Korea and more on countering China.”
    (Anthony Kuhn, 01:32)

  • Lee met with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in Tokyo prior to the summit.

3. U.S. Politics: Gerrymandering Controversy

• Republican moves: Vice President JD Vance defends GOP-led redistricting efforts in Texas, adding five favorable seats.
  • On NBC’s "Meet the Press":

    “All we're doing, frankly, is trying to make the situation a little bit more fair on a national scale. The Democrats have gerrymandered their states really aggressively.”
    (JD Vance, 02:41)

• Democratic response: Some states have independent commissions; California Democrats propose a ballot measure to add more blue-leaning districts.

4. Federal Intervention in Illinois

• Report: President Trump reportedly plans federal troop deployment to Chicago, citing crime, homelessness, and undocumented migrants.
• Governor reaction: Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker rebuffs the idea:
  • Asserts there is “no emergency in his state that requires military help” and accuses Trump of manufacturing a crisis.

5. U.S. Open Tennis & Athletic Highlights

• Tournament begins: Flushing Meadows, New York, hosts the year’s final Grand Slam.
  • Notable competitors: Zarina Sabalenka (Belarus, women’s top seed), Jannik Sinner (Italy, men’s top seed), and Novak Djokovic.
  • Venus Williams makes history as the oldest singles player in over four decades.
    • Williams, on her expectations:

      “I want to be my best. That's the expectation I have for myself—to get the best out of me. And that's all any player can ask for.”
      (Venus Williams, 04:24)

6. Little League World Series Final

• Matchup: Las Vegas vs. Taiwan in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
  • Las Vegas seeks its first title for Nevada; Taiwan aims for 18th overall.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “[Ukraine] will never surrender.”
  (President Zelensky as quoted by NPR Anchor, 00:16)
• “Russian President Vladimir Putin can never be trusted, and peace and security will require those guarantees for Ukraine.”
  (Dan Karpenschuk, 00:38)
• “The US has been talking about modernizing its alliance with South Korea, which includes focusing less on deterring North Korea and more on countering China.”
  (Anthony Kuhn, 01:32)
• “All we're doing, frankly, is trying to make the situation a little bit more fair on a national scale...”
  (JD Vance, 02:41)
• “I want to be my best. That's the expectation I have for myself—to get the best out of me. And that's all any player can ask for.”
  (Venus Williams, 04:24)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Ukraine Independence Day / Canadian PM Visit: 00:16 – 01:23
• South Korea–U.S. Summit Prep: 01:23 – 02:16
• Gerrymandering Politics: 02:16 – 03:11
• Illinois Troop Deployment Debate: 03:11 – 03:54
• US Open Tennis Highlights: 03:54 – 04:39
• Little League World Series Final: 04:39 – 04:55

Summary

This episode succinctly captures significant developments in global politics and culture, with authoritative voices, vivid reporting, and high-stakes moments from Kyiv to Chicago, Washington to Flushing Meadows. Whether addressing geopolitics, democracy, or sporting legends, NPR News Now delivers sharp insights into the day's most pressing stories.