NPR News Now – September 9, 2025, 5PM EDT

Host: Louise Schiavone | Length: ~5 minutes

Overview

This episode delivers a concise roundup of major global and U.S. news stories, featuring coverage on Supreme Court arguments over Trump-era tariffs, U.S. diplomatic tensions following Israeli strikes in Qatar, New Mexico’s pioneering free childcare program, a legal settlement prioritizing Amtrak trains, a revision in U.S. job growth data, and escalating unrest in Nepal.

Key News Highlights & Insights

1. Supreme Court to Hear Arguments on Trump Tariffs

• Context: The U.S. Supreme Court is set to review the president's authority to use emergency powers for imposing sweeping tariffs.
• Relevance: The decision will potentially redefine executive limits on trade policy.
• Quote (Louise Schiavone, 00:01):

  "Trump administration tariff policies will be argued in the US Supreme Court the first week of November. At issue, the president's authority to invoke emergency powers to impose sweeping new tariffs on several countries."

2. U.S. and Israeli Tensions Over Strike in Qatar

• Backdrop: Israel launched strikes on Hamas targets inside Qatar, a nation deeply involved in regional peace talks, drawing sharp U.S. criticism.
• U.S. Response:
  • President Trump publicly disapproved of the Israeli action, emphasizing the strike undermines American and Israeli goals.
  • The White House, through Press Secretary Caroline Levitt, clarified the US learned of the strike just before it happened and immediately notified both the president and Qatari officials.
• Diplomacy:
  • The U.S. President communicated reassurance to both Israeli and Qatari leaders, aiming to prevent further such incidents.
• Quotes:
  • (Mara Liasson quoting Levitt, 00:29):

    “While the president has said that Hamas must be destroyed, Levitt said he believes that this particular attack inside Qatar does not advance Israel's or America's goals.”

  • (Caroline Levitt, 00:51):

    “The president has always made it very clear that he wants peace in the Middle East. He expects all of our allies and friends in the region, that includes both Qatar and Israel, to seek peace as well.”

  • (Mara Liasson, 01:02):

    “She says President Trump has spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and to the leaders of Qatar to assure them that such a thing will not happen again on their soil.”

3. New Mexico to Offer Universal Free Childcare

• Development: New Mexico becomes the first state to offer childcare free for all families, eliminating income eligibility requirements.
• Impact:
  • Average savings estimated at $12,000 per child per family.
  • New program incentives include higher entry-level staff pay and extended operational hours for centers.
• Funding & Implementation:
  • Regulatory path for expansion; requires additional legislative funding.
• Quotes:
  • (Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, via Taylor Velasquez, 01:31):

    “The state will officially remove income eligibility requirements from its child care assistance program ... will save families on average $12,000 per child.”

  • (Unidentified speaker, 01:43):

    “It's the difference between making it when inflation in this country remains too high, particularly in the areas of utilities and food.”

  • (Taylor Velasquez, 01:55):

    “The program includes incentives for child care programs that boost pay for entry level staff and commit to being open at least 10 hours a day.”

4. Norfolk Southern Agrees to Prioritize Amtrak Trains

• Legal Settlement:
  • After a lawsuit from the Justice Department, Norfolk Southern agrees to prioritize Amtrak’s Crescent Line over freight traffic as required by federal law.
• Background:
  • Chronic delays on the Crescent Line (NYC–New Orleans) had persisted, with complaints that lengthy freight trains blocked passenger service.
• Settlement Details:
  • Norfolk Southern to train employees for compliance and provide delay records.
• Quote (Joel Rose, 02:22):

  “Amtrak has complained for years that freight lines often prioritize their own trains, which can be difficult to pass because they are frequently a mile or even two miles long ... Norfolk Southern agrees to train its employees to give Amtrak Crescent trains the highest priority and to provide records when those passenger trains are delayed.”

5. U.S. Labor Market Weaker than Expected

• Data Revision:
  • Labor Department revises jobs added in previous year downward by 900,000, suggesting economic growth was overestimated.
• Implication:
  • Raises questions about the reported strength of labor recovery.

6. Political Turmoil and Protest Violence in Nepal

• Events:
  • Violent nationwide protests, government buildings torched, politicians attacked.
  • Catalyzed by security forces’ killing of 19 protesters.
• Government Response:
  • Prime Minister and Interior Minister resign.
  • Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdal urges restraint, with army pledging to ensure security.
• Deeper Causes:
  • Sparked by economic inequality and frustration at political elites flaunting wealth on social media.
• Quote (Dia Hadid, 03:40):

  “Anger has been building over Nepal's sharp inequality, with much fury directed to the children of political elites who've shared their luxurious lifestyles online. In a country of grinding poverty, with anger now directed at the country's political class, it's unclear who will have the legitimacy to govern.”

Notable Moments & Quotes

• President's Diplomatic Stand (01:02):

  “Such a thing will not happen again on their soil.” — Mara Liasson quoting the administration’s assurances to allies

• Economic Relief (01:43):

  “It's the difference between making it when inflation ... remains too high.”

• On Nepal’s Governance Crisis (03:40):

  “It's unclear who will have the legitimacy to govern.” — Dia Hadid

Important Segment Timestamps

| Timestamp | Topic | |---------------|---------------------------------------------| | 00:01 | Supreme Court to hear Trump tariff case | | 00:29–01:15 | US response to Israeli strike in Qatar | | 01:15–02:14 | New Mexico's universal childcare plan | | 02:14–02:56 | Amtrak vs. freight trains legal settlement | | 02:56 | Dow Jones, Jobs data, Nepal unrest | | 03:40–04:27 | Nepal political crisis & protest violence |

This summary provides a comprehensive yet succinct briefing on the day’s most significant news, with direct quotes and timestamps to help listeners locate crucial moments.