NPR News Now - NPR News: 08-27-2025 9AM EDT

Episode Date: August 27, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has yet to respond to a ceasefire proposal accepted by Hamas 10 days ago. Itai Stern reports from Tel Aviv, where hundreds of thousands of Israelis filled the streets yesterday, demanding an end to the war and the return of hostages. At an Israeli cabinet meeting, ministers did not discuss the ceasefire proposal, according to a person familiar with the matter. Instead, the focus of the meeting

was on plans for a military takeover of Gaza City. Mass protest took place across Israel Tuesday. Demonstrators called for an agreement that would end the war and bring home the 50 hostages still held by Hamas. Naomi Kaviv traveled from Jerusalem to join a rally in Tel Aviv. U.S. envoy,

Thir Witkoff told Fox News, officials are holding a quote, large meeting today at the White House about Gaza. For NPR news, I'm Itai Stern in Tel Aviv. The Danish foreign minister is calling on the top American diplomat in Copenhagen to explain reports of a secret U.S. influence campaign aimed at stirring up divisions between the Danish government and Greenland. Terry Schultz reports.

The Danish public broadcaster DR has published an extensive report citing the National Security Agency in claiming U.S. representatives have been present in Greenland attempting to create discord between the government of the semi-autonomous region and the government of Denmark. The DR report quotes anonymous sources

in linking this campaign to the Trump administration, something the Danish government is trying to establish. Foreign Minister Lars Lig Erasmussen says he was not surprised by the reports, but is demanding an explanation from U.S. officials. To the extent, that there would be official participation in sanctioning or otherwise a hand in what could be termed influence campaigns, he told Danish media. That is contrary to all international rules. For NPR News,

I'm Terry Schultz. A central bank official says she has no plans to step down after President Trump moved to fire her this week over allegations of mortgage fraud. Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook has denied the claims and has not been charged with a crime. Democratic Senator Mark Warner calls Trump's move unprecedented. The president's never fired a Federal Reserve governor, directly here where there's a charge made, but no evidence has been presented. Texas Republican Pete Sessions, who sits on the House Financial Services Committee, is defending the president's decision, saying the firing is justified if the fraud allegations are true. Attorneys for Cook are planning to file a lawsuit to block Trump's efforts to remove her. On Wall Street, Dow Futures, are

trading higher at this hour. This is NPR News. Heavy rains have caused massive flooding and landslides across parts of Southeast Asia. In Vietnam, at least seven people were killed and more than two dozen others are missing. Nearly eight inches of rain fell overnight in the northeast, prompting flood warnings in low-lying areas. In northern Thailand, one person was killed after a landslide hit near Chiang Mai. Officials say homes were damaged and several people were heard in flash floods and mudslides. Many colleges and universities in the U.S. are reporting fewer international students on campus as fall classes begin. NPRs, Alyssa NADMORNI reports one major factor has been delays in foreign students obtaining visas.

Welcome. We're so excited that you're here on campus. At the University at Buffalo, a public research university in western New York, students are on campus. campus for the beginning of the academic year. But Buffalo is expecting a decline of about 750 international students this fall, many in graduate programs in the STEM fields. And it's not alone. Arizona State University reported a decline for the first time since 2020. Universities in Texas, Missouri, Illinois, and Massachusetts have announced drops. Over the summer, the Trump administration temporarily paused and then revamped student visa interviews, leading to long delays and lots of anxiety for accepted students.

One organization estimates that international enrollment overall could drop by about 15%, a big financial hit for universities and the U.S. economy. Alyssa Adwarning, NPR News, Buffalo, New York. I'm Windsor-Johnston, and you're listening to NPR News from Washington.