NPR News Now - NPR News: 08-17-2025 2AM EDT

Episode Date: August 17, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Dan Ronan. The European Union's top diplomat says Russia has no intention of ending its war on Ukraine anytime soon. Terry Schultz reports on the reaction of European leaders to Friday's Putin-Trumpet summit. After the summit failed to reach any agreements, EU foreign policy chief Kayakhalis says Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to drag out negotiations and hopes he gets away with it. President Trump called a handful of European leaders following the summit. They issued a statement welcoming Trump's meeting Monday with Ukrainian President Zelensky at the White House, pledging continued unwavering support for Ukraine.

But the statement does not address the fact that despite Trump saying before the summit, that an immediate ceasefire is the priority, as the Europeans wish, then he posted on social media that instead a full peace deal should be the goal, a position more aligned with Putin. For NPR News, I'm Terry Schultz in Brussels. Demonstrators around the country protested Saturday against Trump administration policies. They also showed support for Texas Democratic lawmakers who are refusing to vote on a Republican-backed plan to redraw congressional districts. Political analysts say Republicans could gain five-house seats before next year's critical mid-term elections.

In Chicago, Illinois State Senator Selena Villanueva said she's supporting the Texas Republicans, some of whom have been in Illinois refusing to return to Texas. Every instance in our nation's history, it has been the people of this country that have risen up against tyranny, against oppression, against those forces that seek to repress us and oppress us. And we will not let that continue to happen. Friday, California's Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled a plan to redistrict congressional voting lines in that state which could net Democrats five seats. He says it's a countermeasure to the action taking place in Texas.

The State Department says it's stopping Gaza visas for people in Gaza to conduct a review of the process used for humanitarian medical visas. NPR's Ritu Chatterley reports. The State Department announced on X that it's conducting a, quote, full and thorough review, close quote, of the process for medical humanitarian visas. These visas have been granted to injured children from Gaza and their family members to receive medical care in the U.S. Edward Ahmed Mijl is with the Council on American Islamic Relations, which released a statement condemning the State Department's decision.

It is sheer cruelty. It is literally going to put the lives of more children at risk. The State Department did not immediately respond to an interview request, and it's unclear how many of such visas it's granted in recent months. But on X, it described the number as small. Ritu Chateji, NPR News. Flooding in Pakistan has killed at least 220 people. We're listening to NPR. Britain's National Health Exercise Service reportedly plans to pay diet and exercise apps that help patients lose weight. Vicki Barker has more from London.

The NHS has begun prescribing such weight-loss drugs as Mungaro to obese patients, but only if they're accompanied by diet and exercise programs, which are increasingly offered online. Now, the Times of London reports participating diet and lifestyle apps, will be paid commissions based on how long and how well patients stick with their programs and whether weight loss goals are reached. An executive at one participating company told the times they're happy to be held to that rubric since studies have shown the weight loss apps can be twice as effective as in-person support with patients losing an average of 13 pounds after three years. For NPR News, I'm Vicki Barker in London.

Canada's government is forcing Air Canada and it's tend to thousand striking flight attendants into arbitration, bringing an end to a 12-hour strike that shut the airline down during the peak of the summer travel season. Union leaders say the government is rewarding the company for its refusal to negotiate. The airline said the impact of the brief walkout could take more than a week to fully restart its operations. The existing contract will stay in effect, while Canada's Industrial Labor Relations Board selects an arbitrator who will talk with both management and labor. Between Saturday through Sunday, Air Canada cancelled 966 flights.

From Washington, you're listening to NPR News. I'm Dan Roman. Support for NPR.