NPR News Now - NPR News: 08-10-2025 5AM EDT

Episode Date: August 10, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. European leaders say they support President Trump's plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in an effort to end the war in Ukraine. But in a joint statement issued overnight, they stress the need to keep pressure on Moscow. NPR's Lauren Freyer reports from London. Leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Finland, and the European Commission say they welcome Trump's work to, quote, stop the Trump's work to, quote, stop the United Kingdom. killing in Ukraine, end Russia's war of aggression and achieve a just and lasting peace. They say they stand firmly by the side of Ukraine and call Russia's invasion unprovoked and

illegal. The statement was issued after Vice President J.D. Vance and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy met with Ukrainian and European officials over the weekend at Lammy's country mansion southeast of London. Trump plans to meet Putin in Alaska on Friday. It's been described as a bilateral meeting. But European leaders in the their statement said, quote, the path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine. Lauren Freyer and PR News, London. The decision by Israel's security cabinet to approve Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to seize control of Gaza City is being criticized both inside and outside of Israel.

International critics say it aggravates what they say is a catastrophe in Gaza. And thousands rallied in Tel Aviv and other Israeli cities last night. Here's NPR's Jena Raft. this decision was controversial even in Israel. Benjamin Netanyahu's government says it wants to destroy Hamas, but there are an increasing number of Israeli military experts who question whether they can do it this way, and they question the cost to Israel and its military conscripts. NPR's Jane Araf reporting there are fears among Israelis that a military takeover of Gaza City would put the remaining hostages held by Hamas at risk. Hundreds of people turned out for a rally in Fort

on Saturday, offering support for Democratic Texas lawmakers who fled the state capital in Austin to prevent passage of newly proposed congressional maps, Pablo Oral's Pena with member station KERA, reports that rallygoers are calling on leaders in states controlled by Democrats to redraw their own districts, gain their own advantage in the midterm elections. The proposed maps in Texas would potentially give Republicans five new congressional seats. Former U.S. Congressman Beto O'Rourke says Democrats nationwide shouldn't wait for the maps to be redrawn. If we do not win a majority, then a Republican majority, those quizzling corrupt cowards,

they will roll out the red carpet for a third Trump term, and we cannot allow that to pass. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued to block O'Rourke from raising funds for the Democratic representatives who fled the state. O'Rourke told the crowd Saturday that he has countersued. In Fort Worth, I'm Pablo Artaos-Bena. And this is NPR News. The 30-year-old man who opened fire on the headquarters of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta is reported to have distrusted the COVID-19 vaccine. He fired dozens of rounds and killed a police officer before police found him dead.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy voiced support for CDC employees this weekend, but some staffers who have been laid off say Kennedy shares responsibility for what happened. They're calling on him to step down. Firefighters are making more progress against a California brush fire burning in Los Angeles and Ventura County. State officials say that blaze is now 47 percent contained. M.P.R. Shandalees Duster has more. The canyon fires started on Thursday and has burned more than 5,000 acres, officials say. Thousands have been evacuated because of the wildfire. Officials say three firefighters have been injured battling the fire but are expected to recover.

Los Angeles County is under an air quality alert because of wildfire. smoke. Health officials are warning those in the area to protect their health by limiting time outdoors and physical activity. Los Angeles and Ventura County officials on Saturday said all evacuation warnings have been lifted. Authorities say they are investigating what caused the fire. Chandelice Duster and PR News. More than a dozen wildfires are burning in California, including the state's largest of the year so far. The Gifford Fire in Central California has scorched more than 113,000 acres and is 21% contained. It's been burning in the Los Padres National Forest since the beginning of the month. At least four people have been injured. I'm Giles Snyder. MPR News.