NPR News: 08-20-2025 2AM EDT

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Dan Ronan.

The Kremlin is playing down talk of an imminent trilateral meeting between Presidents Trump, Zelensky, and Putin and face-to-face negotiations to end Russia's war in Ukraine.

On Fox News, Trump said the Alaska Summit last Friday with Putin, and the meeting with European leaders Monday has pushed the movement towards peace with Ukraine forward.

I had a very successful meeting with President Putin.

I had a very successful meeting with President Zelensky.

And now I thought it would be better if they met without me.

Just to see.

I want to see what goes on.

You know, they had a hard relationship, very bad, very bad relationship.

And now we'll see how they do.

And if necessary, and it probably would be, but if necessary, I'll go and I'll probably be able to get it closed.

Trump also admitted that ending the war is, in his words, a tough one, and it's possible Putin is not interested in ending the hostilities.

The Agriculture Department says it will stop funding solar projects on U.S.

farmland.

The announcement from the Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, marks the Trump administration's latest effort to strip federal support for the renewable energy industry.

NPR's Michael Copley reports.

Rollins wrote on the social media site X that ending agriculture department funding for solar projects will preserve land for the next generation of farmers.

The USDA has been giving out grants to help pay for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.

The department said that subsidized solar projects have raised the cost of farmland.

But a lot of farmers say leasing land to renewable energy companies is a critical source of income.

And the USDA website says its grants boost energy independence and can help lower energy costs.

The USDA announcement comes days after the Trump administration made it harder for companies building wind and solar projects to qualify for federal tax incentives.

Michael Copley, NPR News.

Mexico's president is denying that her country has an agreement with the U.S.

Drug Enforcement Administration.

This comes one day after the agency indicated otherwise.

From member station KJZZ Nina Kravinsky reports.

A statement from the DEA released Monday announced a, quote, bold bilateral initiative to strengthen collaboration between the U.S.

and Mexico.

The DEA said the project is aimed at dismantling cartel drug smuggling corridors along the southwest border.

But Mexican President Claudia Scheinbaum told reporters she didn't know why the agency put out that statement.

There is no agreement with the DEA, Schoenbaum says.

Scheinbaum did say four members of the Mexican police force attended a workshop in Texas, which was mentioned in the DEA press release, but that no Mexican security forces have entered into an agreement with the U.S.

agency.

For NPR News, I'm Nina Kravinsky in Hermosillo, Mexico.

The price of gasoline continues to fall.

AAA says unleaded regular, now $313 a gallon, compared to $341 a year ago.

You're listening to NPR News.

People who live along the eastern seaboard are keeping a close watch on Hurricane Aaron, which is causing rough surf and large waves from Florida to Canada.

North Carolina's Governor Josh Stein Tuesday declared a state of emergency to assist in the state's response and mobilize resources.

The outer edges of the storm are expected to bring damaging tropical force winds, large swells, and life-threatening rip currents.

The biggest swells are expected Wednesday into last Thursday.

Aaron is now a Category 2 hurricane, packing maximum sustained winds of 100 miles per hour.

It is 500 miles east-southeast of Cape Hatteras.

Five members of the Canadian military have been suspended.

this after a video showed them giving Nazi salutes.

As Dan Carpentuck reports, the head of the Canadian Army says he's deeply disturbed and profoundly disappointed in the reports of the video.

Lieutenant General Michael Wright says the video was shared with the military by a member of the public.

The matter has been referred to military police and a disciplinary investigation is now underway.

Five active members of the 5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group based in Quebec City have been suspended.

Wright says the behavior depicted in the video is unacceptable and swift action will be taken, which could result in dismissal from the armed forces.

It's the second recent incident involving alleged extremism within the Canadian military.

In July, police charged four people, including active military members, with planning to take over land near Quebec City and create an anti-government militia.

For NPR News, I'm Dan Karpinchuck in Toronto.

And you're listening to NPR News from Washington.

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