NPR News Now: September 7, 2025, 9PM EDT

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Date: September 8, 2025
Podcast: NPR News Now
Episode: NPR News: 09-07-2025 9PM EDT
Duration: 5 minutes (advertisements and transitions excluded)

Episode Overview

This brief NPR News Now update delivers the top headlines from the evening of September 7, 2025. Stories include a major ICE raid at a Georgia Hyundai plant, rising National Guard-related worker absences, contentious Independence Day protests in Brazil, an increase in Asian market indexes, new federal scrutiny over US railroad bridge safety, and the aftermath of changes to US postal import tariffs.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Georgia Hyundai EV Battery Plant ICE Raid and its Aftermath

• [00:11–01:15]
• South Korean officials secured a deal for the release of over 300 nationals detained after an ICE raid at a Hyundai-LG battery plant in Georgia.
• The plant is a significant Korean investment and is adjacent to a Hyundai EV factory recently started in the state.
• The Department of Homeland Security confirms a months-long investigation led to the detention of 475 people, predominantly South Korean workers—making this the largest operation in agency history.
• The South Korean government is reviewing visa policies and arranging to repatriate affected workers.

Notable Quote:

• “A South Korean official said they plan to push to review visa policies and the country is chartering a plane to bring the Korean workers home.”
  — Molly Samuel ([00:37])

2. Record Absences from Work due to National Guard & Civil Service

• [01:15–01:59]
• US employers reported over 90,000 week-long absences from January to August due to National Guard or civil service deployment, more than double last year’s figure.
• The Labor Department states this is the highest absence rate since 2006 Iraq deployments.
• The increase is linked to President Trump’s recent orders to send thousands of troops to major US cities, with further deployments under consideration.
• The trend adds strain to both workers (being pulled away) and businesses (loss of labor).

Notable Quote:

• “The spike comes amid President Trump's ordering of thousands of troops to major US cities and as he considers new deployments.”
  — Windsor Johnston ([01:29])

3. Brazil’s Independence Day Protests and Political Crisis

• [01:59–03:01]
• Protests erupt nationwide as supporters of former far-right President Bolsonaro march under "React Brazil," decrying his ongoing Supreme Court trial for coup plotting post-election defeat.
• Tensions are inflamed by US President Trump’s support for Bolsonaro and newly imposed US tariffs (50%) on Brazilian exports.
• Official celebrations pushed “Sovereign Brazil”—a message of independence and resistance to foreign interference.
• Current Brazilian President Lula counters Trump’s comments, asserting Brazil’s autonomy.

Notable Quotes:

• “Bolsonaro faces five charges, including plotting a coup after his defeat to current President Luizinasu Lula da Silva in Brasilia.”
  — Julia Carneiro ([02:15])

• “President Lula said Brazil was nobody's colony and would not accept orders from anyone.”
  — Julia Carneiro ([02:37])

4. Asian Markets Update

• [03:01–03:12]
• The Nikkei index is up 1.6%, with Asian markets broadly trading higher at this hour.
• Terse update, no further details provided.

5. Expansion of Railroad Bridge Safety Oversight in the US

• [03:12–04:16]
• The Department of Transportation will train over 160 new inspectors to oversee more than 70,000 US railroad bridges.
• Prompted by an investigation showing the Federal Railroad Administration had just six staff responsible for nationwide bridge oversight, enabling firms to rely mainly on self-inspection.
• Revised approach enlists federal and state track inspectors to bridge inspections, with civil penalty authority.
• The SmartTD rail union welcomes the move while calling for additional reforms to address safety concerns.

Notable Quote:

• “Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said his agency will now train existing federal and state track inspectors to also inspect railroad bridges... Those workers will be able to recommend civil penalties for companies when defects are found.”
  — Lex Doig ([03:30])

• “The rail union SmartTD said on its website the development is a clear step forward in addressing rail workers safety concerns, saying though there is more work to be done.”
  — Lex Doig ([04:03])

6. US Postal Traffic Plummets After Tariff Policy Change

• [04:16–04:53]
• The UN’s Universal Postal Union reports an 80% drop in postal traffic to/from the US, following President Trump's cancellation of the de minimis ($800) tariff exemption on imports.
• 88 postal operators have suspended services to the US. Carriers cite inability to collect new duties as the primary barrier.
• The Universal Postal Union is developing systems for global post offices to calculate and collect new tariffs in hopes of resuming service soon.

Notable Quote:

• “The Universal Postal Union says 88 postal operators say they've suspended some or all postal services to the US until a solution can be reached because airlines and other carriers say they wouldn't be able to collect those duties.”
  — Jeanine Herbst ([04:28])

Noteworthy Segments with Timestamps

• Georgia ICE Raid & Korean Response — [00:11–01:15]
• US Worker Absences from Civil Service — [01:15–01:59]
• Brazil Independence Day Protests & US Involvement — [01:59–03:01]
• Asian Markets Rising — [03:01–03:12]
• Railroad Bridge Inspector Program Launched — [03:12–04:16]
• US Postal Tariff Fallout — [04:16–04:53]

Memorable Moments

• President Lula’s declaration of national sovereignty in response to US political pressure ([02:37]).
• Historic scale of the ICE raid on Korean automotive workers in Georgia ([00:37]).
• The revelation that only six federal employees previously oversaw bridge safety for the entire country ([03:30]).

This news briefing offers an efficient but substantial overview of major global and domestic developments, emphasizing political tension, economic shifts, and institutional reforms.