NPR News Now: September 7, 2025 – 9AM EDT

Host: Giles Snyder
Duration: 5 minutes
Theme: A concise roundup of major national and international news, with on-the-ground reporting and direct remarks from those in the news.

1. Overview

This episode provides a brisk, five-minute update on the morning’s most important headlines, covering national unrest over federal intervention in Chicago, political upheaval in Japan, a significant Russian attack in Kyiv, diplomatic negotiations between South Korea and the U.S., major accolades at the Venice Film Festival, and highlights from the U.S. Open tennis tournament.

2. Key Discussion Points & Insights

Protests in Chicago Over Federal Troop Threat

• [00:16–01:15]
  • Protesters march in downtown Chicago, responding to President Trump’s threats to deploy National Guard troops and immigration agents.
  • The protests center around concerns for immigrants and the appropriateness of military involvement in domestic policing.
  • Kevin Ryan, a Chicago native and Marine, voices opposition, emphasizing the military’s lack of training for police work and raising constitutional concerns.
  • Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker strongly condemns the President’s stance, stating on social media:

    “The president of the United States is threatening to go to war with an American city. This is not a joke. This is not normal.”
    (Governor J.B. Pritzker, [00:56])

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba Announces Resignation

• [01:15–02:19]
  • Reporting from Seoul, Anthony Kuhn explains Prime Minister Ishiba’s resignation is meant to soothe divisions in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) after a historic electoral defeat.
  • Factors for the loss cited: inflation, party corruption, and the rise of the nationalist, anti-immigrant opposition party Sanseto.
  • The resignation underscores a period of political instability: Ishiba is the eighth of the last ten Japanese Prime Ministers to serve only about a year.
  • Notable insight:

    "Voters' dissatisfaction with the political establishment is also evident in the rise of Sanseto, an opposition party espousing nationalist, anti-immigrant views."
    (Anthony Kuhn, [01:38])

Major Russian Drone and Missile Attack on Kyiv

• [02:19–03:11]
  • Russia launched its largest aerial assault yet on Kyiv's main government compound since the start of the invasion.
  • BBC’s Sarah Rainsford reports live from the scene:
    • Up to 800 drones were launched, with cruise missiles seen flying at extremely high speeds across central Kyiv.
    • Extensive damage with fire and smoke at the official “heart of Kyiv.”
  • Notable on-site description:

    "This street behind me here with a fire engine all the way up there, this is a street that leads up to all of the main government and administrative buildings in Kyiv... This was a massive drone and missile attack on Ukraine, the biggest yet."
    (Sarah Rainsford, [02:31])

South Korean Workers Detained in Georgia

• [03:11–03:51]
  • South Korea negotiates release of workers detained at a Hyundai plant following a U.S. immigration raid.
  • Approximately 300 South Korean nationals were among the 450 detained.
  • Workers expected to return home on a chartered flight after completion of administrative procedures.

Venice Film Festival Awards

• [03:51–04:31]
  • Jim Jarmusch’s 'Father, Mother, Sister, Brother' wins the coveted Golden Lion for its exploration of family relationships.
  • Mubi plans a December release for the film.
  • Jarmusch and others recently criticized Mubi for receiving investment tied to the Israeli military.
  • Other highlights:
    • Grand Jury Prize: 'The Voice of Hindrajab,' a Gaza-based docudrama.
    • Best Director: Benny Safdie for 'The Smashing Machine,' a sports drama.
  • Wry film quote:

    “You've always been my favorite son. Well, your only son, as far as we know.”
    (Film clip, [03:58])

U.S. Open Tennis Finals

• [04:31–04:56]
  • President Trump anticipated to attend the men’s final at the U.S. Open in New York.
  • Yonex Sinner (Italy) defends his title against Carlos Alcaraz (Spain).
  • In the women's event, Irina Sabulinkum clinches her second consecutive US Open and fourth major.

3. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Kevin Ryan on Chicago Troop Deployment

  "The military is not trained to police... It's unconstitutional and it's, it's dangerous."
  (Kevin Ryan, [00:49–00:53])

• Governor J.B. Pritzker on Federal Intervention

  “The president of the United States is threatening to go to war with an American city. This is not a joke. This is not normal.”
  (Cited by Kat Lonsdorf, [00:56])

• Sarah Rainsford on Kyiv Attack

  "This was a massive drone and missile attack on Ukraine, the biggest yet..."
  (Sarah Rainsford, [02:31])

• Humor in Jarmusch’s Award-Winning Film

  "You've always been my favorite son. Well, your only son, as far as we know."
  (Film clip, [03:58])

4. Timestamps for Key Segments

• Protests in Chicago: [00:16–01:15]
• Japanese PM Resigns: [01:15–02:19]
• Kyiv Attack Report: [02:19–03:11]
• South Korean Workers Detained: [03:11–03:51]
• Venice Film Festival Awards: [03:51–04:31]
• US Open Tennis Finals Preview: [04:31–04:56]

This NPR News Now episode offers a rapid, yet nuanced, sweep across high-impact global and national stories, capturing both official actions and the voices of those directly affected.