NPR News Now — September 1, 2025, 12AM EDT

Host: Dale Willman
Summary by Segment
Note: Ads and non-content sections omitted.

Main Theme / Purpose

This five-minute newscast presents the latest updates on U.S. federal court rulings, international diplomacy involving Russia and China, domestic political tensions around federal intervention in cities, tragic aviation news, developments in the Middle East and U.S. labor, as well as major sports results.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Court Rules Against Trump's Tariff Authority

• [00:18–01:16]
• The federal appeals court decided President Trump does not have unlimited authority to impose tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
• This ruling challenges his use of emergency powers—previously wielded to justify military deployments to the southern border and responses to protests in Los Angeles.
• The White House is defending the tariffs and plans to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.
• The outcome may affect other challenges to Trump's emergency powers.

Notable Quote:

• "Trump has sought to use his emergency powers liberally. That was the justification for sending the military to the border as well as the National Guard to Los Angeles to quell protests and try and take over law enforcement."
  — Franco Ordonez, [00:40]

2. Putin Visits China Amid Shifting Global Alignments

• [01:16–02:12]
• Vladimir Putin is in China for a four-day visit, meeting with Xi Jinping and Indian leader Narendra Modi.
• Emphasis is on building a “multipolar world” less dominated by the U.S.
• Key issues at the summit include opposition to U.S. economic policies, particularly tariffs imposed on India for purchasing discounted Russian oil during the Ukraine war.
• Russia's ties with China remain strong, and Putin’s visit includes appearances alongside Kim Jong Un at a major WWII anniversary military parade.

Notable Quote:

• "Putin will join a regional security summit in which anger over punitive US Economic policies are expected to take center stage. That includes by India, a US ally increasingly adrift after President Trump imposed steep tariffs over its purchase of discounted Russian oil amid the war in Ukraine."
  — Charles Maynes, [01:45]

3. Debate Over Use of National Guard in U.S. Cities

• [02:12–02:47]
• Increasing Democratic opposition to Trump’s plan to deploy the National Guard to cities like Chicago and Baltimore.
• The stated reason is to combat high crime, though statistics show crime has dropped in these locations.
• Maryland Governor Wes Moore criticizes the approach, emphasizing ongoing positive change and labeling Trump’s actions as political.

Notable Quote:

• "It would just be great if we could have the president of the United States to actually understand that this is one of the great American turnaround stories that's happening right now and we would love the help to be able to continue to do that work instead of this arrogant criticism and cynicism."
  — Governor Wes Moore, [02:31]

4. Colorado Plane Collision

• [02:47–03:10]
• Two small planes collided near Fort Morgan Airport, northeast of Denver.
• One person was killed; three were injured, but the others only sustained minor injuries.
• The incident is being investigated by the FAA.

5. Israel Kills Hamas Spokesman

• [03:10–03:36]
• The Israeli military says it has killed a longtime spokesman for Hamas’s armed wing.
• This is part of ongoing operations intended to dismantle Hamas leadership.
• The announcement coincides with Israeli discussions to expand their offensive in Gaza.

6. Labor Unions Protest Wind Farm Shutdown

• [03:36–04:27]
• The Trump administration stopped work on the Revolution Wind project near Rhode Island, citing "national security" (possible undersea drone threats and lack of review under Biden).
• Labor unions say hundreds of jobs are at risk and express uncertainty about future renewable energy investment.

Notable Quotes:

• "Booker says 2 million hours of work have already been completed and hundreds of workers were out over the water working to get the project online."
  — Andrea Hsu, [04:06]
• "Not only does that affect the individuals who are working on that, but an entire industry now is, you know what's going to happen, who's going to invest right now in renewable energy, and that just takes away future jobs and future opportunities."
  — Brent Booker, Laborers International Union, [04:15]

7. College Football Highlights

• [04:38–04:58]
• South Carolina defeated Virginia Tech 24–11: Lenoris Sellers with a 64-yard TD pass, Vickery Swain with an 80-yard punt return for a touchdown.
• Miami defeated Notre Dame 27–24.

Memorable Moments and Additional Highlights

• The show featured strong direct statements from policymakers and union leaders, underscoring both the domestic and international tensions shaping the news.
• A bipartisan thread on the strained relations between the federal government and states/cities, as well as international powers counterbalancing U.S. influence.

Timestamps Overview

| Segment | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------|-------------| | Court ruling on Trump’s tariffs | 00:18–01:16 | | Putin visits China, security summit | 01:16–02:12 | | National Guard debate in U.S. cities | 02:12–02:47 | | Colorado plane collision | 02:47–03:10 | | Israeli military kills Hamas spokesman | 03:10–03:36 | | Wind farm shutdown and labor reaction | 03:36–04:27 | | College football highlights | 04:38–04:58 |

End of Summary