NPR News Now — September 16, 2025, 2AM EDT

Host: Shea Stevens (NPR News Anchor)
Duration: 5 minutes

Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now update delivers the latest headlines and key developments from Washington and around the world. The episode covers a high-stakes legal battle at the Federal Reserve, ongoing diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, defense strategies in Ukraine, reflections on a conservative activist's legacy, legal action by the President, and a special look at the iconic film Jaws.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Federal Reserve Legal Showdown (00:21–01:17)

• Topic: Appeals court blocking the firing of Fed Governor Lisa Cook ahead of a key interest rate decision.

• Scott Horsley reports a federal appeals court, in a 2–1 decision, has temporarily blocked President Trump's attempt to fire Lisa Cook based on an unproven allegation involving a mortgage application.

• The decision is framed as a defense against political interference, citing the Federal Reserve Act’s intention to keep the central bank independent.

• President Trump has been pressing the Fed for significant rate cuts; the first one of the year is expected on Wednesday.

• Notably, new board member Stephen Miron, recently confirmed, will participate in the upcoming vote.

  “Cook and her attorneys argued that her ouster would be a violation of the Federal Reserve act, which is designed to insulate the central bank from political meddling by the White House.”
  — Scott Horsley (00:39)

2. U.S. Diplomacy and the Gaza Conflict (01:17–01:42)

• Topic: Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s Middle East diplomatic efforts following an Israeli strike on Hamas leaders in Qatar.
• Rubio met with Israeli PM Netanyahu in Jerusalem, urging diplomatic efforts to end the war in Gaza.

3. Ukraine’s Air Defense Innovations (01:42–02:27)

• Topic: President Zelensky’s proposal for more cost-effective drone defense for NATO allies.

• Zelensky claims Ukraine has developed cheaper, mass-produced interceptor drones and suggests Western partners use these strategies.

• He warns that Russia is testing NATO airspace, referencing drone incursions into Poland and Romania.

  “But we in Ukraine have much cheaper, more massive and systematic solutions.”
  — Volodymyr Zelenskyy, via Polina Litvinova (01:55)

4. Honoring Charlie Kirk and the Conservative Youth Movement (02:27–03:18)

• Topic: Vice President J.D. Vance's tribute to conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was slain.

• On the Charlie Kirk Show, Vance highlights Kirk's critical role in shaping the MAGA movement and influencing young conservative voters.

• Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Vance both credit Kirk with key political advocacy and staffing decisions within the Trump campaign.

• There's concern about the movement’s future leadership capacity on college campuses without Kirk.

  “Vance said he wouldn’t be VP without him.”
  — Domenico Montanaro (02:54)

  “He said specifically he’s worried about the ‘talent’ of who would be able to replace Kirk on these college campuses, for example."
  — Domenico Montanaro (03:13)

5. President Trump’s Lawsuit Against the New York Times (03:18–04:07)

• Topic: Trump suing the New York Times for alleged defamation to the tune of $15 billion, claiming it acts as a mouthpiece for Democrats and is engaged in personal smearing.
• The president has similar ongoing litigation with the Wall Street Journal and has previous judgments against other major media groups.

6. “Jaws” 50th Anniversary Exhibit (04:07–04:46)

• Topic: The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles hosts a special “Jaws” exhibit.

• Director Steven Spielberg recalls the challenges of filming, describing it as “a nightmare of fickle tides and finicky mechanical sharks.”

• Spielberg credits Jaws with launching his celebrated career and expresses heartfelt gratitude to the iconic shark prop.

  "This was a very hard experience when we seriously did not know how many weeks or months we were going to be in Martha's Vineyard shooting.”
  — Steven Spielberg (04:16)

  “Without you, you know, I don't know... certainly my next three or four movies wouldn't have been those same movies because Jaws gave me the chance to make anything I wanted to make.”
  — Steven Spielberg (04:35)

7. Financial Markets Update (04:48–05:01)

• Topic: U.S. futures are higher in after-hours trading; Asian markets mixed, with minor losses in Hong Kong and Shanghai.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Lisa Cook's Defense of the Fed:
  “Her ouster would be a violation of the Federal Reserve act, which is designed to insulate the central bank from political meddling by the White House.”
  — Scott Horsley (00:39)

• Ukraine’s Innovation Solutions:
  “But we in Ukraine have much cheaper, more massive and systematic solutions.”
  — President Zelenskyy (01:55)

• Vance on Kirk’s Legacy:
  “He said specifically he's worried about the 'talent' of who would be able to replace Kirk on these college campuses, for example.”
  — Domenico Montanaro (03:13)

• Spielberg’s Reflection on Jaws:
  “This was a very hard experience when we seriously did not know how many weeks or months we were going to be in Martha's Vineyard shooting.”
  — Steven Spielberg (04:16)

  “Without you, you know, I don't know... certainly my next three or four movies wouldn't have been those same movies because Jaws gave me the chance to make anything I wanted to make.”
  — Steven Spielberg (04:35)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Fed Legal Standoff: 00:21–01:17
• Diplomacy on Gaza War: 01:17–01:42
• Ukraine/NATO Drone Defense: 01:42–02:27
• Charlie Kirk Tribute & Concerns: 02:27–03:18
• Trump’s NYT Lawsuit: 03:18–04:07
• Jaws Anniversary Exhibit & Spielberg: 04:07–04:46
• Market Update: 04:48–05:01

This installment of NPR News Now provides a fast-moving, authoritative snapshot of the day’s crucial developments, capturing legal drama, international diplomacy, innovative defense strategies, political reflection, high-profile litigation, and a moment of Hollywood nostalgia.