NPR News Now - NPR News: 08-24-2025 1PM EDT
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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Rahm.
Ukraine is marking 34 years of independence today.
NPR's Polina Litvinova reports from Kiev,
it coincides with three and a half years since Russia's full-scale invasion.
Ukraine's President Volodymer Zelensky congratulated Ukrainians
on Independence Day from Maidan, the main square of the Ukrainian capital.
In his video address, Zelensky said that Ukraine is fighting for a just peace,
and the right to determine its own future.
Today, both the U.S. and Europe agree,
Ukraine hasn't yet fully won, but it will certainly not lose, he says.
Ukraine has secured its independence.
It was 1991 when it declared independence from Soviet rule.
Now 34 years later and days after President Trump declared
a diplomatic breakthrough in his bid to get a peace deal done,
ceasefire negotiations between Ukraine,
and Russia appear to have stalled.
Polina Litvinov, NPR News, Kyiv.
The Israeli military continues as offensive in Gaza.
Today, Israeli warplanes and tanks struck areas around Gaza City,
which it says is one of the last major strongholds of Hamas.
Dozens of Palestinians were killed.
The new congressional map pushed through the Texas legislature by Republicans
is already facing legal challenge.
A lawsuit was filed just hour.
after the Texas Senate approved the map.
It was requested by President Trump
to improve Republican prospects
in next year's mid-term elections.
Texas Public Radio's Jerry Clayton has more.
Lawmakers approved the map on Saturday in the early morning hours.
The new map heavily favors Republicans
and was pushed by the Trump administration
to shore up Republican ranks in Congress
for the approaching mid-term elections.
The lawsuit was filed against Governor Greg Abbott
and Secretary of State Jane Nelson
on behalf of 13 Texas residents collectively called the Gonzales plaintiffs.
The suit claims the redrawn map is racially discriminatory and also argues that the
redrawing of congressional maps before the next census is unconstitutional.
The map was pushed through by Republicans after a lengthy battle which saw Democrats at one point
fleeing the state to break quorum.
For NPR news, I'm Jerry Clayton in San Antonio.
Multiple wildfires are burning in California.
The picket fire in Napa Valley has scorched more than 6,800 acres since it began Thursday.
It's now about 11% contained.
Cal Fire spokesman Jason Clay says that's going in the right direction.
We are making progress.
The containment number, although it's coming up slow, it's showing signs of our improvement.
Firefighters say the Gifford Fire in San Luisbo in Santa Barbara is 95% contained.
It's scorched more than 131,000 acres.
This is NPR News in Washington.
Thousands of demonstrators gathered across Australia today,
calling for an end to the war in Gaza and help for starving Palestinians.
They called on Australia to end its arms trade with Israel.
Activists demonstrated in at least five British cities this weekend,
protesting the government's practice of using hotels to house asylum seekers.
Vicki Barker reports from London.
Anti-migrant protesters shouting,
send them home outside one hotel in the Scottish city of Perth.
Fears that the mostly male migrants pose a threat to local women and girls
mixed with anger at government funds housing foreigners when locals are hurting.
But this counter-demonstrator told the BBC.
The way that asylum seekers have been demonised and the language that is being used is horrific.
And badging it up as concern about community is,
Bigotry. The anti-migrant protesters, a mix of locals and far-right agitators, have been
heartened by a recent high court ruling ordering the British government to clear one hotel
of asylum seekers. They consider that a start. For NPR news, I'm Vicki Barker in London.
Thousands of people are in the Lithuanian capital this weekend for the Corgi Race Villnius.
120 teams from across Europe compete in group and solo racing for best costumes.
and the mightiest voice.
The weekend culminates today with the world corgi meetup
when dogs in Lithuania will be connected live
with corgis in the U.S., Poland, and Ireland.
I'm Nora Rahm, NPR News, in Washington.