NPR News Now: 08-25-2025 6AM EDT

Host: Korva Coleman
Date: August 25, 2025
Duration: 5 minutes

Overview

This NPR News Now episode provides a concise roundup of pressing national and international news as of August 25, 2025. Key stories include developing immigration dilemmas in Maryland, an escalation of military readiness in Washington, D.C., Middle East tensions, trade changes affecting European shippers, new developments in the Emmett Till case, and a feel-good sports highlight.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ongoing Immigration Case: Kilmer Abrego Garcia

[00:16–00:52]

• Kilmer Abrego Garcia, a migrant wrongfully deported to El Salvador earlier this year, again faces deportation.
• His lawyer, Simon Sandoval Moshenbur, shares concerns about officials' latest intention to send Garcia to Uganda, suggesting this could be an unlawful workaround to deporting him to El Salvador.
• Quote:

  "The concern is that Uganda is just a very distant and out of the way layover right back to El Salvador. If Uganda is going to deport him right back to El Salvador, ... that's just as illegal as it would be for them to send him straight to El Salvador for a second time."
  — Simon Sandoval Moshenbur, [00:36]

2. National Guard Armed in Washington, D.C.

[00:52–01:49]

• National Guard troops deployed in Washington, D.C. are now carrying firearms, marking a significant policy shift.
• Stems from a directive by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
• Eva Pukach (NPR Correspondent):
  • Emphasizes weapons are for “last resort” use in response to imminent threats.
  • Over 2,200 Guard members are currently stationed in the city, drawn from six different states.
  • President Trump considering broader National Guard deployments to cities like New York, Chicago, and Baltimore.
• Quote:

  "The statement says the use of force is, quote, only as a last resort and solely in response to an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm and that the task force, quote, remains committed to protecting the safety and well being of the residents of the District of Columbia."
  — Eva Pukach, [01:07]

3. No Scheduled Russia–Ukraine Presidential Meeting

[01:49–02:23]

• Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov tells NBC that no meeting is scheduled between the Russian and Ukrainian presidents.
• Lavrov insists an agenda must be set before any such meeting, seemingly at odds with President Trump’s diplomatic interventions.

4. Israel Strikes Yemen After Missile Attack

[02:23–03:02]

• Israel launched airstrikes on Sana'a, Yemen, in response to Houthi militants firing a missile at Israel.
• Israeli military targeted a Houthi site, power plants, and a fuel storage facility.
• The missile attack reportedly involved a cluster bomb, first of its kind from Yemen targeting Israel.
• Context: Ongoing hostilities since the Gaza war, with repeated Houthi attacks in solidarity with Palestinians.
• Quote:

  "Israeli officials say the missile carried a cluster bomb, the first time this type of munition has been launched from Yemen."
  — Jackie Northam, [02:23]

5. Gaza: Journalists Killed in Hospital Attack

[03:02–03:14]

• Medics and reporters in Gaza report that Israeli attacks on a hospital have killed four Palestinian journalists working for international organizations.

6. European Shipping to US Impacted by Tariffs

[03:14–03:35]

• Several European delivery companies are pausing some international shipments to the US due to new tariffs from the Trump administration.
• Packages worth less than $800 now face levies.
• Letters are exempt from the policy change.

7. Emmett Till Case: New Documents Released

[03:35–04:37]

• To mark the 70th anniversary of Emmett Till's murder, the federal government is releasing new records that cast further light on the case.
• Thousands of pages from the National Archives reveal government inaction at the time.
• Historical Context:
  • 14-year-old Emmett Till was murdered after being accused by a white woman.
  • The men who confessed to the crime were acquitted.
  • The case became a catalyst in the civil rights movement.
• Quote:

  "The Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Review Board says the new documents offer long overdue clarity and note. Even after all these years, Emmett Till's story is still being written."
  — Amy Held, [04:23]

8. Little League World Series: Taiwan Triumphs

[04:37–04:56]

• Taiwan’s team won the Little League World Series, defeating Nevada 7-0.
• Star pitcher Lin Chin Si dominated, allowing just one hit over five innings.

Notable Quotes

• On Abrego Garcia’s Deportation:

  "Uganda is just a very distant and out of the way layover right back to El Salvador."
  — Simon Sandoval Moshenbur, [00:36]

• On the National Guard’s Deployment Policy:

  "The use of force is, quote, only as a last resort and solely in response to an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm..."
  — Eva Pukach, [01:07]

• On the Missiles from Yemen:

  "The missile carried a cluster bomb, the first time this type of munition has been launched from Yemen."
  — Jackie Northam, [02:23]

• On Emmett Till’s Legacy:

  "Even after all these years, Emmett Till's story is still being written."
  — Amy Held, [04:37]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:16] Immigration: Kilmer Abrego Garcia case
• [00:52] National Guard armed deployment in D.C.
• [01:49] Russia–Ukraine summit prospects
• [02:23] Israeli airstrikes on Yemen
• [03:02] Gaza hospital attack on journalists
• [03:14] European shipping paused over US tariffs
• [03:50] Emmett Till documents released
• [04:37] Little League World Series: Taiwan’s win

This five-minute news summary delivers essential headlines and evolving stories, blending hard-hitting issues (immigration, Middle East conflict, civil rights) with a notable sports moment. The report maintains a sober, informative tone typical of NPR’s even-handed, careful reporting.