NPR News Now - NPR News: 08-10-2025 8AM EDT

Episode Date: August 10, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jail Snyder. Tens of thousands gathered in Central Tel Aviv and other Israeli cities last night, calling for an end to the war in Gaza and to bring the remaining hostages home. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports a protest took on added urgency following the Israeli security cabinet's approval of a plan that would escalate the war. Organizers say more than 60,000 people turned out to protest in television. There's a mood of anger and desperation after the government's decision to launch an offensive into Gaza City, an area where hundreds of thousands of Palestinian civilians are sheltering,

and where it's possible some of the 20 remaining living hostages may be held. Israel's government says it's necessary to disarm Hamas, but protesters say that is a death sentence for the hostages and will cause needless carnage among civilians. Families of hostages are calling on Israelis and business leaders to shut down the country's economy. The mother of one hostage warned that silence is, quote, deadly. Eleanor Beardsley and Pear News, Tel Aviv. Police in London on guard for more protests today after they arrested nearly 500 people this weekend at a rally near the British Parliament. The rally was in support of a pro-Palestinian protest group that was banned by the British government.

European leaders standing by Ukraine ahead of this Friday's meeting in Alaska between President Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, with Poland's Foreign Minister Radosov-Sikorsky, insisting that Ukraine must be. be represented. It has to be a fair peace, and Ukraine's security interests and sovereignty has to be respected. And remember, Ukraine is not passive in this, is fighting quite effectively, defeated Russia at sea, is giving tat for tat in the air, and is imposing huge penalties on the Russian land forces, and the Russian economy is beginning to suffer. So Ukraine has cards to play, too. onto a joint statement of support that also includes France, Britain, and Germany. Firefighters are making more progress against a California brush fire burning in Los Angeles and Ventura County.

State fire officials say that blaze is now 47 percent contained, and Pierce-Shaundalise Duster has more. The canyon fire started on Thursday and has burned more than 5,000 acres, officials say. Thousands have been evacuated because of the wildfire. Officials say three firefews, fighters 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. Shandalee Duster, NPR News. This is NPR News from Washington.

Former Congressman Beto O'Rourke is now suing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. During a rally in Fort Worth this weekend, O'Rourke said he took his fight to be allowed to raise funds for Texas Democrats who have fled the state to a court in El Paso. They have so far successfully blocked Republicans from redrawing congressional maps. Paxton said Friday that he won a temporary restraining order. 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. Well, scientists have a pretty good grasp on how life works above water as it has not been

all that clear how some animals can survive almost six miles under the ocean's surface, at least until now. And Paris Regina Barber reports on a new study that explains why life can indeed thrive at those depths. The Hidal Zone is the deepest part of the ocean. named for the Greek god of the underworld Hades. No sunlight reaches down this far. And for a long time, scientists thought any life in the trenches here

mostly survived off dead animal scraps falling from the surface. But after exploring life up close, researchers now think some deep-sea creatures may also get energy from chemicals seeping out of the ocean floor. Specifically, the researchers think that microbes inside the animals use those chemicals to make organic compounds that the animals then eat. Up next for the researchers, more trenches and maybe more hope from life thriving amid extremes. Regina Barber, NPR News. And I'm Jail Snyder.

This is NPR News.