NPR News Now - NPR News: 08-03-2025 10AM EDT

Episode Date: August 3, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. White House envoy Steve Witkoff is expected in Moscow today where he will likely meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The meeting comes as the clock ticks on President Trump's demand that Russia end the war in Ukraine by the end of this week or face massive new economic penalties, as NPR's Charles Maynes reports. Witkoff will seek to convey Trump's deep frustration over Putin's ongoing attacks on Ukrainian cities despite months of US-led peace negotiations. Yet even Trump

has expressed doubt that the threat of secondary sanctions and tariffs on countries buying Russian energy exports will change Moscow's behavior. Putin has never responded directly to Trump's threats but in comments before the press on Friday, obliquely noted that inflated expectations inevitably led to disappointments. Putin said Russia hoped for more peace talks but insisted his forces continue to have the momentum. Crimean officials have also argued that the Russian economy is now largely immune to U.S. economic pressure after more than three years of Western sanctions.

Charles Mainz in PR News. Before heading to Moscow, Steve Witkoff met this weekend with family members of hostages still in Gaza. In a statement after the meeting, he said that he is committed to bringing all 50 remaining hostages, both living and dead, back to Israel. And Piers Emily Fang met with some of the families. The hostages' families chanted, You are not alone, we are with you. And they held pictures of their loved ones

after meeting with Kof. Here's Ruby Hen, the father of Itai Hen, an Israeli soldier and one of two remaining U.S. citizens held in Gaza. Just listening to each family member, what he has to say and hear their pain and make it personal. And I think that by itself is commendable.

The Israeli government believes both Americans are no longer alive. Hen and other families are pushing for an immediate ceasefire with Hamas so the approximately 20 hostages still believed to be alive can come home along with the remains of Henson and other hostages who've died in captivity. Emily Fang and Peer News, Tel Aviv. Democratic members of the Texas state legislature say the fight over the redrawing of congressional districts is not over yet. State House member Chris Turner condemning the plan saying Democrats

will stand with underrepresented communities. This fight is far from over and Democrats will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with you in this fight. What is happening here is wrong and everybody knows it, but we will not give up. Turner said Texas Republicans are afraid of disobeying President Trump, who has urged them to redraw the state's congressional map

to favor Republican candidates. The Texas House could vote on the redraw map this week. Democrats could also walk out to deny Republicans a quorum. Senate Majority Leader John Thune sent senators home last night for their August recess without a deal with Democrats to advance dozens of President Trump's nominees. Republicans say they may try to change Senate rules to speed up the process. And you're listening to NPR News. Wildfires burning in Canada are leading to

air quality concerns in the U.S. Parts of the Midwest as well as upstate New York and northern New England remain under air quality alerts. British police say 15 people have been arrested so far this weekend during protests in several cities outside hotels, housing asylum seekers. Vicki Barker reports from London. Phone video footage shows police outside one hotel housing migrants in North London trying to separate anti-migrant groups from anti-racism counter-demonstrators. Some of the anti-migrant protesters wore mega hats for Make England Great Again. There were similar scenes in Newcastle and Manchester. Police say locals' misgivings about the impact the hotels might have on their neighborhoods

are being fanned by far-right groups. The protests have been escalating this summer, even though immigration officials say the number of hotels being used for asylum seekers has fallen from more than 400 two summers ago to just over 200 today. For NPR News, I'm Vicki Barker in London. The U.S. wrapped up the World Swimming Championships in Singapore with a world record in the Women's Four by 100 Medley Relay. The event was the last of the eight-day competition.

The U.S. finished with nine gold medals. And in golf, the women's British Open will crown a champion today. Japan's Miyu Yamashita is taking a slim one-shot lead into the final round. I'm Giles Snyder. This is NPR News from Washington.