NPR News Now – September 10, 2025, 3AM EDT

Host: Shea Stevens
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This episode of NPR News Now delivers a concise update on significant global and national events. Key stories include upcoming Supreme Court hearings on Trump-era tariffs, a judicial block against the firing of a Federal Reserve governor, escalating violence surrounding a Gaza ceasefire proposal, Russian drones breaching NATO airspace, Jair Bolsonaro’s high-stakes trial in Brazil, Ethiopia’s controversial dam opening, sweeping layoffs at Novo Nordisk, and a record-breaking box office weekend.

Major News Stories and Discussion Points

1. Supreme Court to Hear Arguments on Trump’s Tariffs

[00:21–01:10]

• Issue: The Supreme Court will take up the legal challenge to President Trump’s sweeping tariffs in early November.
• Context:
  • Tariffs were justified as measures to hinder fentanyl smuggling and address major trade deficits.
  • Two lower courts found the tariffs exceeded authority granted by Congress.
• Stakeholder Impact:
  • The business community, usually pro-Trump, opposes the tariffs due to “profound harms” on especially small businesses.
• Notable Quote:

  “The business community, which normally backs Trump policies, is on the other side this time, contending that the tariffs have inflicted profound harms on American businesses, particularly small businesses.” — Nina Totenberg [00:54]

2. Federal Judge Blocks the Firing of Fed Governor Lisa Cook

[01:10–01:51]

• Event: A federal judge has blocked the attempt to fire Lisa Cook, citing the crucial legal separation between the Federal Reserve and political forces.
• Backstory:
  • Bill Pulte of the Federal Housing Finance Agency pushed for Cook’s firing over allegations of double-claiming primary residences—a situation reportedly mirrored by Pulte’s family and several cabinet members.
• Political Undertone:
  • The action is presented as a defense of central bank independence during a period of heightened political engagement with financial oversight.

3. Israeli Strike in Doha Amid Gaza Ceasefire Talks

[01:10–02:03]

• Incident: Israel launched an attack on a Doha building with top Hamas officials meeting about a Gaza ceasefire proposal.
  • Casualties: At least five Hamas officials and a Qatari security officer killed.
• US Response:
  • President Trump commented:

    “I’m not thrilled about the whole situation. It’s not a good situation. But I will say this. We want the hostages back, but we are not thrilled about the way that went down.” — President Trump [01:51]

• Background:
  • The strike followed Hamas’s claim of responsibility for the killing of six Israelis in Jerusalem, prompting warnings of possible Israeli retaliation.

4. Russian Drones Violate Polish Airspace

[02:03–02:43]

• Event: Poland reports shooting down Russian drones during strikes near Ukraine’s border—an escalation involving a NATO member’s airspace.
• Wider Context:
  • Occurred one day after Russia’s largest air assault on Ukraine to date (24 killed, 19 wounded).

5. Brazil’s Supreme Court Nears Verdict in Bolsonaro Coup Trial

[02:43–03:15]

• Event: Brazil’s Supreme Court nears a watershed verdict in ex-President Jair Bolsonaro’s coup attempt trial post-2022 election.
• Judicial Process:
  • Justice Alexandre de Moraes, himself sanctioned by the US, leads the trial, voting to convict Bolsonaro.
  • His assessment: Bolsonaro orchestrated a criminal organization to overturn the government and eviscerate the rule of law.
• Notable Quote:

  “He found that Jair Bolsonaro did, in fact, lead a criminal organization that planned to overthrow the government and violently abolish the rule of law.” — Giulia Canaro [02:50]

  • At least three out of five judges need to convict; verdict expected by week’s end.

6. Ethiopia Opens Massive Dam on Nile Tributary

[03:15–03:44]

• Development: Ethiopia inaugurates a $5 billion dam to power its economy and grid.
• Tension: Egypt opposes the project over fears of diminished Nile water access.

7. Novo Nordisk Slashes 9,000 Jobs Amid Restructuring

[03:44–04:10]

• Corporate Move: The Danish pharmaceutical company, known for Ozempic and Wegovy, announces 9,000 layoffs.
• Projected Savings: About $1.2 billion.

8. Box Office Record: ‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’

[04:10–04:58]

• Cultural Impact: The fourth "Conjuring" film scores the biggest horror opening ever ($194 million global debut).
• Theater Industry Reaction:

  “It really became a cultural event, and so we’re really excited. It really changed the trajectory of September.” — Bobby Bagby Ford, B&B Theaters [04:28]

• Industry Outlook:
  • The strong box office performance is expected to continue with upcoming releases like “Demon: Infinity Castle,” “Wicked for Good,” and “Avatar: Fire and Ash.”

Notable Quotes and Moments

• Nina Totenberg [00:54]:

  “…the tariffs have inflicted profound harms on American businesses, particularly small businesses.”

• President Trump [01:51]:

  “We want the hostages back, but we are not thrilled about the way that went down.”

• Giulia Canaro [02:50]:

  “He found that Jair Bolsonaro did, in fact, lead a criminal organization that planned to overthrow the government and violently abolish the rule of law.”

• Bobby Bagby Ford [04:28]:

  “It really became a cultural event, and so we’re really excited…”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Trump Tariffs Supreme Court Hearing: 00:21–01:10
• Fed Governor Firing Blocked: 01:10–01:51
• Israeli Attack in Doha & Trump’s Response: 01:51–02:03
• Russian Drones Over Poland: 02:03–02:43
• Bolsonaro Trial Advances: 02:43–03:15
• Ethiopian Dam Opens: 03:15–03:44
• Novo Nordisk Layoffs: 03:44–04:10
• ‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’ Box Office: 04:10–04:58

This rapid-fire news update covers pressing legal, geopolitical, financial, and cultural developments, providing listeners with a snapshot of a fast-moving global news cycle.