NPR News Now: 09-07-2025 10PM EDT

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Date: September 8, 2025
Duration: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This concise episode delivers the top international, national, business, and sports news highlights as of September 8, 2025. Key stories cover: escalating EU condemnation of Russian airstrikes on Ukraine, President Trump’s domestic military maneuvers and political strategies, a Boeing labor strike, U.S. Open tennis results, and domestic box office updates.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. EU Condemnation of Russia’s Largest Airstrikes in Ukraine

[00:16 – 01:19]

• Summary: Recent overnight Russian airstrikes—described as the largest since the full-scale invasion—targeted a Ukrainian government building for the first time.
• EU Response:
  • European Council President Antonio Costa denounced Russia:

    "Talking about peace while escalating bombings and targeting government buildings and homes. This is Putin’s version of peace." (Antonio Costa, quoted on X; 00:37)

  • EU Foreign Policy Chief Kayakalis emphasized each Russian strike is deliberate, undermining peace talks brokered by President Trump.
  • European Commission Chief Ursula von der Leyen called the Kremlin’s actions “mocking diplomacy, trampling international law, and killing indiscriminately.”
  • The EU plans to fast-track its 19th set of sanctions against Russia within the month.

2. President Trump’s Comments & Mobilization of National Guard

[01:19 – 02:10]

• Summary: President Trump attempts to walk back prior remarks about Chicago "finding out why it's called the Department of War," related to his effort to rebrand the Department of Defense, as Chicago braces for a potential deployment of National Guard units.
• Legal Uncertainty:
  • NPR’s Mara Liasson highlights federal limitations, noting courts have previously ruled against Trump’s efforts to override state control of National Guard troops, referencing a denied move in Los Angeles.
• Political Context:
  • Trump’s motivation is linked to the 2026 midterm elections:

    "He says the midterm elections will be about crime. He wants them to be about crime... not about the Jeffrey Epstein files or vaccines or the economy." (Mara Liasson, 01:54)

• Public Reaction: Thousands marched in Washington, D.C., protesting the National Guard’s deployment and demanding federal forces withdraw.

3. Boeing Strike and Labor Dispute

[02:10 – 03:05]

• Summary: Boeing announced plans to hire replacements for 3,200 striking union workers in St. Louis, as contract negotiations remain unresolved.
• Union Perspective:
  • Mechanic Manson Graves criticizes this tactic:

    "Instead of him going in and sitting with the contract negotiation team to bargain a better contract, he's using these tactics to target the union members and to break us." (Manson Graves, 02:38)

  • Company executive Dan Gillian stated he will not adjust the economic framework of the contract.
• Impact: The strike affects key military production facilities, including those for fighter jets.

4. Financial and Sports Updates

[03:05 – 03:47]

• Business: U.S. futures contracts reported as trading higher at the hour (brief update, no elaboration) [03:05].
• Tennis:
  • Carlos Alcaraz claimed his sixth Grand Slam and the U.S. Open men’s title, regaining the world No. 1 ranking.
  • Alcaraz defeated Jannik Sinner in four sets—marking continued dominance by both players over the last two years.
  • A memorable winner’s podium quote from Alcaraz:

    "I'm seeing you more than my family. So it's—Jesus. So it's, I mean, it's great to share the courts." (Carlos Alcaraz, 04:00)

  • The Australian Open remains the only Grand Slam he hasn't yet won.

5. Entertainment – Box Office

[04:20 – 04:53]

• The Last Rites, a horror film, topped the box office with $83 million in ticket sales—making it the third-highest domestic horror opening ever.
  • The horror genre surpassed $1 billion in domestic revenue for 2025.
• Other notable entries:
  • “Hamilton” (Disney's filmed version) was second, grossing $10 million.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “This is Putin’s version of peace.”
  Antonio Costa, quoting on X regarding Russia’s attack on Ukraine [00:37]

• “Every Russian attack is a deliberate choice…Russia does not want peace.”
  EU Foreign Policy Chief Kayakalis, cited by Terry Schultz [00:47]

• “…the midterm elections will be about crime…He says the crime issue is good for Republicans.”
  Mara Liasson, discussing Trump’s political calculus [01:54]

• “He’s using these tactics to target the union members and to break us.”
  Manson Graves, Boeing mechanic [02:38]

• “I’m seeing you more than my family. So it’s—Jesus. So it’s, I mean, it’s great to share the courts.”
  Carlos Alcaraz to Jannik Sinner at the U.S. Open winner’s ceremony [04:00]

Useful Timestamps

• [00:16] EU condemnation of Russian airstrikes
• [01:19] Trump and National Guard deployment controversy
• [02:30] Boeing strike and union response
• [03:31] U.S. Open victory—Carlos Alcaraz
• [04:20] Weekend box office highlights

This episode offers a crisp, factual snapshot of critical headlines with direct quotes from those at the center of global and domestic developments, employing NPR’s signature straightforward tone.