NPR News Now – September 1, 2025, 2PM EDT

Host: Nora Rahm
Duration: ~5 minutes
Episode Purpose:
This NPR News Now update delivers a concise roundup of the day’s top stories, ranging from U.S. government actions on COVID vaccines, a deadly earthquake in Afghanistan, major diplomatic developments in Asia, to postal policy changes and Labor Day economic updates.

1. President Trump Challenges COVID-19 Vaccine Data

Summary:
President Trump publicly questioned the effectiveness and transparency of COVID-19 vaccines, calling on pharmaceutical companies to substantiate their claims and release more data. This marks a notable shift from his previous support and occurs amid tighter vaccine eligibility announced by his administration.

Key Points & Timeline:

• [00:18] Host Nora Rahm introduces the lead story.
• [00:35] NPR’s Kat Lansdorf reports:
  • Trump queries whether vaccines are truly a “miracle that saved millions of lives.”
  • He made his remarks on Truth Social.
  • This follows Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s announcement of stricter vaccine eligibility.
  • Trump’s stance has shifted since 2020, when he praised vaccines.
  • The White House, via spokesperson Kush Desai, emphasized reliance on “gold standard science.”

Notable Quotes:

• Trump questioned whether or not [the vaccines] are a, quote, 'miracle that saved millions of lives.' — Kat Lansdorf ([00:41])
• The only driving principle of health decision making in this administration is gold standard science. — Kush Desai, White House spokesperson ([01:07])

2. Earthquake in Afghanistan: Massive Casualties and Difficult Relief

Summary:
A magnitude 6 earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan, with over 800 deaths and 2,500 injuries reported, primarily in Kunar Province. Rescue operations are hampered by remote terrain and landslides.

Key Points & Timeline:

• [01:19] Nora Rahm relays the confirmed death toll and injuries.
• [01:43] BBC’s Yogatala Maya, reporting from the field:
  • Relief supplies are en route, but access is slow.
  • Helicopters are being deployed as roads are blocked by landslides.

Notable Quotes:

• Rescue and relief operations are going to take time. — Yogatala Maya ([01:43])
• They are running helicopters... because the road to the worst affected villages... has been cut off because of landslides. — Yogatala Maya ([01:58])

3. China’s SCO Summit: Geopolitics and U.S.-India Relations

Summary:
The largest-ever Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, hosted by President Xi Jinping, is seen as a display of Chinese influence amid significant shifts in U.S. foreign policy. India’s participation gains extra significance following recent heavy U.S. tariffs.

Key Points & Timeline:

• [02:09] Nora Rahm previews the story.
• [02:28] NPR’s Dia Hadid details:
  • Xi Jinping condemns “bullying behaviour,” referencing Trump.
  • China offers financial aid to member countries; India’s Prime Minister Modi attends after U.S.-imposed 50% tariffs.
  • Analyst Siddharth Ramadi warns Trump’s strategy could push India closer to China.

Notable Quotes:

• This is where I think the Trump administration could be making its mistake. It could be underestimating the ways in which this present disruption could force India towards a relationship with China. — Siddharth Ramadi ([02:49])
• He says Trump has weakened Modi and India. That may ultimately strengthen China’s hand vis a vis the United States. — Dia Hadid ([03:02])

4. International Incident: GPS Jamming over Bulgaria

Summary:
Bulgarian officials suspect Russian involvement in a GPS jamming incident affecting a European Commission flight carrying President Ursula von der Leyen. Flight controllers switched to manual navigation; all aboard landed safely.

Key Points & Timeline:

• [03:13] Nora Rahm summarizes the incident and safe landing.

5. USPS Postmark Policy May Change: Ramifications for Bills and Ballots

Summary:
The U.S. Postal Service proposes clarifying that postmark dates do not always align with the day mail is deposited. This could impact timely bill payments and voting by mail. The change stems from altered mail processing schedules due to recent USPS reorganizations.

Key Points & Timeline:

• [03:57] NPR’s Anzi Le Wang explains the proposed policy and potential complications:
  • Postmarks may not reflect drop-off dates.
  • To guarantee a same-day postmark, customers should request it in person.

Notable Quotes:

• Postmark date does not inherently or necessarily align with the date a piece of mail was first accepted... — Anzi Le Wang ([04:11])
• Because of a controversial reorganization plan, more parts of the country may not get their first class mail processed until the day after they're collected. — Anzi Le Wang ([04:19])

6. Labor Day Market Pause & Jobs Report Preview

Summary:

• [04:41] Wall Street is closed for Labor Day.
• The Department of Labor will release its latest jobs report Friday, against a backdrop of slowing job growth.
• President Trump has fired the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Memorable Segment Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------|-----------| | Trump on COVID vaccine effectiveness | 00:35 | | Afghanistan earthquake rescue update | 01:43 | | China-India-U.S. geopolitical tension | 02:28 | | USPS postmark policy changes | 03:57 |

Overall Tone & Language

The update maintains NPR's neutral, composed tone with factual reporting, occasional pointed quotes from government officials and analysts, and measured urgency in international crisis coverage. The rapid-fire format allows coverage of global, political, and policy-driven topics in a digestible five-minute frame.