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Episode Date: August 12, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. The White House says President Trump is preparing for his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday. Press Secretary Caroline Levitt described the upcoming meeting as a listening session. The goal of this meeting for the president is to walk away with a better understanding of how we can end this war. And the president said at this podium yesterday when he joined all of you in the room that he hopes in the future, there can be a trilateral meeting with these three leaders to finally bring this conflict to an end. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has not been invited, has said any agreement must start with some kind of truce or ceasefire. President Trump says he plans to discuss possible land swap, something that Zelensky has repeatedly rejected,

saying that Ukraine's constitution forbids giving away land. The United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, France, and other countries are sounding the alarm. over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The nations have issued statements saying the conditions there have reached unimaginable levels. NPR's Lauren Fraire reports from London. The UK and 23 other countries plus the European Union say famine is, quote, unfolding before our eyes. An urgent action is needed now to halt and reverse starvation in Gaza. In a joint statement, they say restrictive new registration requirements mean international aid groups may be forced to leave

Gaza imminently, which would worsen things even more. They're calling on Israel to unblock essential humanitarian actors from operating. All crossings and routes must be used, they say. There's been a global outcry, but Israel denies responsibility for hunger in Gaza, accusing Hamas instead of stealing aid, something that group denies. Lauren Freyer and PR News, London. Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer says the FDA may withdraw the authorization of the company's COVID-19 vaccine, for very young children. NPR's Rob Stein reports the move would add to a series of recent efforts by U.S. health agencies to change immunization policies. Pfizer's COVID vaccine has been available to kids ages six months to four years under what's called an emergency use authorization. But Pfizer says

the FDA has informed the company the agency may not renew that authorization. So the company is working with the FDA to try to keep the vaccine available for very young kids. They're at high risk for serious complications. But during this COVID vaccine would still be available for kids in that age group who have other health problems. But this could leave healthy kids in limbo. Rob Stein, NPR News. Stocks traded higher today on Wall Street. The Dow Jones Industrial average was up 483 points at the close. The NASDAQ up 296. This is NPR News. in Washington. All runways at Mexico City's main airport are back open after flights were suspended for

several hours this morning. Tarrantial rains have halted flights there for a second straight day, affecting about 20,000 passengers with cancellations, delays, and rerouting. The city is in the midst of one of its heaviest rainy seasons in years, with flooding continuing to disrupt travel. Pop star Taylor Swift has announced her next era. MPR's Rachel Treesman reports her new album will be called The Life of a Showgirl. The surprise announcement came early in the morning after cryptic Instagram posts and a late-night countdown clock on Swift's website. The Life of a Showgirl will be Swift's 12th studio album. It's the first since her 21-month era's tour ended in December and since she bought back the rights to her master recordings in May. The album's cover art and

release date will still be a surprise. Swift is expected to share more details in Wednesday's episode of New Heights, the podcast co-hosted by her boyfriend Travis Kelsey. Rachel Treasman NPR News. The White House says it plans to announce the recipients of the 48th Kennedy Center honors on Wednesday morning. In a post on social media today, President Trump said the event is making a major comeback with, quote, luxury, glamour, and entertainment restored after what he called hard times. Trump routinely skipped the annual event during his first term in office. Recapping stocks on Wall Street, the Dow up 483 points today.

The NASDAQ rose 296, the S&P, up 72 points. This is NPR News.