NPR News Now — September 16, 2025, 4PM EDT

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Episode Overview:
This tightly-packed five-minute news update covers major legal, political, and scientific developments in the US and abroad. Key topics include charges in the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a tense Senate hearing for FBI Director Kash Patel, fresh UN accusations against Israel, the death of film legend Robert Redford, and a fascinating new study on octopuses.

1. Charges in Assassination of Charlie Kirk

[00:18–01:10]

• Summary:
  Utah authorities have charged 22-year-old Tyler Robinson with seven counts, including aggravated murder and firearm discharge, in the killing of conservative activist and Trump ally Charlie Kirk. The state is seeking the death penalty.

• Key Details:

  • Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray conveyed that Robinson's relatives described a leftward political shift.
  • Gray emphasized the presumption of innocence, cautioning against media and official commentary affecting the trial.

• Notable Quote:

  • Jeff Gray, on Robinson’s stated motive:
    "When asked why he did it, Robinson explained, there is too much evil and the guy referring to Charlie Kirk spreads too much hate." [00:45]

2. Senate Hearing: FBI Director Kash Patel Under Fire

[01:10–02:13]

• Summary:
  FBI Director Kash Patel faced fierce bipartisan scrutiny at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, already scheduled but intensified by the recent political violence. The hearing centered on his handling of the Kirk investigation and internal bureau controversies.

• Key Discussion Points:

  • Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) pressed Patel on the Kirk case and lawsuits from ex-FBI officials alleging political firings.
  • Republicans defended Patel, shifting focus to alleged left-wing sources of political violence.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Cory Booker, directly addressing Patel:
    "Donald Trump has shown us in his first term and in this term, he is not loyal to people like you. He will cut you loose. This may be the last time I have a hearing with you because I don't think you're long for your job." [01:48]

3. U.N. Accusations: Israel and the Gaza Conflict

[02:13–02:58]

• Summary:
  U.N. human rights experts accuse Israel of genocide in Gaza, though Secretary General António Guterres stops short of this, instead calling the Israeli military campaign "horrendous" and urging diplomatic resolutions.

• Key Takeaways:

  • Guterres urges world leaders to seriously address conflicts in Sudan, Ukraine, and Gaza as the UN General Assembly approaches.
  • He insists that accusations of genocide are for international courts to decide.

• Notable Quotes:

  • António Guterres:
    "A genocide independently of the names that are given." [02:43]
    "The truth is that this is something that it is morally, politically and legally intolerable." [02:48]

• Additional Detail:

  • Guterres is open to meeting Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu during the coming assembly, although no talks are yet scheduled.

4. US Stock Market Update

[03:09–03:13]

• Summary:
  The Dow closed 125 points lower; quick financial news with no additional commentary.

5. Remembering Robert Redford

[03:13–04:07]

• Summary:
  Famed actor and director Robert Redford has died at 89. His contributions to film—both on screen and as a director—were celebrated, including his Oscar for "Ordinary People" and his championing of independent film and climate causes.

• Memorable Moments:

  • Hosts reenact a famous exchange from "Barefoot in the Park":
    • Nell Greenfield Boyce: "Did you miss me today?" [03:31]
    • Lakshmi Singh: "No." [03:32]
    • Nell Greenfield Boyce: "Why not?" [03:33]
    • Lakshmi Singh: "Because you called me eight times. I don't talk to you that much when I'm home." [03:34]

• Key Point:

  • Redford’s behind-the-scenes legacy includes founding the Sundance Film Festival and advocacy for environmental causes.

6. New Octopus Science

[04:07–04:52]

• Summary:
  A new analysis reveals that each octopus arm is equally capable of all tasks, challenging any idea of "right-handed" or "specialized" arms.

• Scientific Highlights:

  • Researchers videotaped wild octopuses performing 15 behaviors and found all arms engage in the full range of movements.
  • Slight specialization: front arms are used more except for certain locomotion tasks, done with the back arms.

• Notable Quote:

  • Nell Greenfield Boyce:
    "They saw no evidence that octopuses are right or left handed, so to speak. But the front arms are used more often for most tasks, except for a couple of maneuvers used for locomotion, which were done more by the back arms." [04:39]

7. Closing

[04:52–04:57]

• Lakshmi Singh signs off from Washington.

Key Episode Themes

• The high-stakes ripple effects of political violence in America.
• Scrutiny and politicization of federal law enforcement leadership.
• Mounting international pressure and divergent rhetoric regarding the Gaza conflict.
• Personal loss and cultural legacy in the passing of Robert Redford.
• The continual unveiling of nature’s surprises—this time, the versatile octopus.

For a full listening experience, the episode is available via NPR News Now’s regular feeds. This summary condenses factual reporting and the episode’s notable tone and exchanges, skipping all sponsor messages and promos.