NPR News Now - NPR News: 08-18-2025 1AM EDT

Episode Date: August 18, 2025

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Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Wilman. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky will be joined by several European leaders when he visits Washington for Monday's meeting with President Trump. As NPR's Greg Myrie reports, Zelensky and the Europeans want to present a united front during the current diplomatic efforts to bring a halt to Russia's war in Ukraine. Zelensky will be accompanied by the leaders of Britain, France, and Germany, among others.

Zelensky met in Brussels on Sunday with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who's also traveling to Washington. In a social media post, Zelensky said, quote, we agreed on the necessity of a ceasefire for subsequent diplomatic steps. Ukraine says the shooting should stop before it holds negotiations with Russia on a permanent peace deal. President Trump was also calling for a ceasefire. But after meeting Russian leader Vladimir Putin, Trump now appears more aligned with the Russians

who say a ceasefire is not a necessary first step. Greg Myrie, NPR News, Keev. Organizers of protest in Israel Sunday say hundreds of thousands of people gathered to demand a deal for the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza. Frustrations are growing there over plans for a new military offensive in some of Gaza's most populated areas. Many Israelis are concerned that the offensive could further endanger those hostages still alive. Air Canada Sunday suspended plans to restart negotiations with the Union representing more than 10,000 flight attendants. The decision came after the Union defied a government return to work order. The strike is affecting about 130,000 travelers in Canada

and around the world every day it continues. Vancouver resident Elizabeth Forney is stranded in Toronto. There is no rebooking options that are offered to us. Air Canada is trying to push a refund on us, which does not cover any rebooking with alternate carriers. So we're left either stranded in Toronto or to rebook ourselves with a competitive carrier. Canada's largest airline says it now plans to resume flights on Monday evening. The Department of Agriculture is ending a policy meant to address the long history of discrimination against minorities and women who farm, ranch, and otherwise work the land. Ray Solomon from Member Station, KUNC has our reports. The USDA has been trying to level the playing field for racial minorities and women in agriculture since the late 90s,

with more access to farm loans and grants. But in July, the agency abruptly announced those efforts were over, saying past discrimination had been, quote, sufficiently addressed. Nerissa Rivera is an indigenous Dene woman farming traditional crops in Colorado. She's relying on funds from two USDA grants and calls the change extremely disappointing. We're still at a disadvantage, like even to this generation. My people were heavily farmers. By taking our farms from us, there was a lot of lost knowledge around farming, and we don't have those resources. The USDA did not respond to further questions. For NPR News, I'm Ray Solomon in Denver. And you're listening to NPR News.

Pope Leo the 14th spent the last Sunday of his summer vacation celebrating a special mass with several dozen homeless and poor people, along with the church volunteers who helped them. He also invited them for lunch of the Lakeside Estate owned by the Vatican. More than 250 props and costumes from the hit television drama, Downton Abbey, are being auctioned off for charity starting Monday. Vicki Barker has our report from London. Timed to coincide with the latest and its producers say the last Downton Abbey film.

Props for sale include the famous panel of 20 brass bells that summoned Downton's servants. Its price estimated at $7,000 to $10,000. The 1920s wedding dress worn by Lady Mary, played by Michelle Dockery, is expected to fetch between $4,000 to day dresses worn by Maggie Smith as the Dowager Countess of Grantham have an estimated price range of $2,100 to $2,800. The online sale at Bonham's Auction House runs till September 16th. Proceeds will benefit a charity supporting children with life-limiting conditions. For NPR News, I'm Vicky Barker in London.

Aki O'Wahi joined her twin sister Chisanto on Sunday as a rookie L-PGA golf tour winner. She did it by closing with a 6-Under-66 for a four-stroke win at the events. in Portland, Oregon. She finished her bogey-free final round with birdies on the final two holes. Her sister, meanwhile, shot a 64 to tie for third. Shasato won her first tour victory in May in Mexico. I'm Dale Wilman, NPR News.