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Military commanders, intelligence officials, diplomatic power players. They know things you may not about where the world is headed. And we will pull back the curtain on what they're thinking on sources and methods, NPR's new national security podcast, our team will help you understand America's shifting role in the world. Listen to Sources and Methods from npr.
Giles Snyder
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. The first court hearing from the man accused of killing conservative actors activist Charlie Kirk wrapped up a short time ago. 22 year old Tyler Robinson appeared virtually from a county jail where he will remain without bail. The county judge read the seven charges against him. They include aggravated murder, a charge that carries the death penalty. FBI Director Cash Patel was on Capitol Hill today. He faced sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers on the Senate Judiciary Committee. As NPR's Ryan Lucas reports.
Ryan Lucas
Over the more than four hour hearing, Democrats accused Patel of politicizing the bureau and and pressed him on his firing of FBI agents, including some of the most senior and lauded agents at the bureau. Here's New Jersey Democrat Cory Booker. I believe you're failing as a leader and that your failure does have serious implications for the safety and security of Americans and our families. Patel, with the support of Republicans on the committee, defended his leadership. He said that the FBI has helped bring down violent crimes since he's been in charge. And and Patel denied that anyone has been fired from the FBI for improper reasons. Ryan Lucas, NPR News, Washington.
Giles Snyder
Overseas, a UN Panel of experts accusing Israeli leaders of inciting genocide in Gaza. Israel dismissing the report, which comes as Israel began its ground offensive in Gaza city today. Here's NPR's Michelle Kellerman.
Michelle Kellerman
The head of the commission of inquiry, which was set up by the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, laid out a long list of atrocities in Gaza. And Navi Pillay said the killings, the aid blockages and force displacements displacement amount to genocide. The commission concluded that Israel has committed genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza and that it is continuing with that genocide. Israel called the report libelous and accused Pillay and the other investigators of being proxies of Hamas. She says she wished the Israelis would cooperate or at least tell the commission where the report was wrong on the facts. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News.
Giles Snyder
The State Department Legendary actor Robert Redford has died. He was 89 years old. His decades long career included unforgettable performances in films such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and out of Africa. NPR's Netta Ulaby reports.
Netta Ulaby
Robert Redford was way more than one of the most handsome men in history. Here he is melting Barbra Streisand in the film the Way we were from 1973.
Giles Snyder
Can I ask you a personal question? Sure. Do you smile all the time?
Sam Greenglass
No, no, no.
Netta Ulaby
As an actor, Redford was more understated than his good looks would suggest. He transformed Hollywood's independent film scene with his Sundance Institute and Festival. And Robert Redford was a producer, director and ardent environmentalist. Netta Ulipi, NPR News.
Giles Snyder
And you're listening to NPR News. President Trump is giving the popular social media app TikTok time to complete a deal that would keep it available in the U.S. he has formally extended the deadline to December 16, the fourth time he has bypassed a federal law requiring the app's Chinese owner to sell TikTok assets to an American company or face a ban. Yesterday, Trump said he and Chinese President Xi Jinping would discuss TikTok on Friday. The Georgia prosecutor who brought criminal charges against President Trump and 18 others has been permanently barred from continuing the case. Sam Greenglass of member station WABE reports from Atlanta. The ruling from the Georgia Supreme Court makes it even less likely that Trump will ever face trial in Georgia for attempting to undermine the 2020 election.
Sam Greenglass
In a 4:3 decision, the Georgia Supreme Court declined to hear Fulton County District Attorney Fawney Willis appeal of a lower court ruling disqualifying her. The Georgia Court of Appeals found Willis had to be removed from the prosecution because her relationship with a special prosecutor she hired created an appearance of impropriety. Now it'll be to the director of the Prosecuting Attorneys Council of Georgia to find another prosecutor. Willis says she hopes that person will have the courage to do what the evidence and the law demand. Trump called it a great decision and said Willis should be jailed. Her case against him was spurred in part by Trump asking Georgia's secretary of state to find him votes after his 2020 loss. For NPR News, I'm Sam Greenglass in Atlanta.
Giles Snyder
Dallas wing star Paige Beckers is the WNBA's rookie of the year. The vote from sports writers and broadcasters overwhelmingly interrupt her favorite the league said Today she won 70 of 72 ballots. This is NPR.
Sam Greenglass
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Date: September 16, 2025, 6PM EDT
Host: Giles Snyder (with reports from Ryan Lucas, Michelle Kellerman, Netta Ulaby, and Sam Greenglass)
This episode of NPR News Now covers top national and global news stories in a concise five-minute update. Key topics include developments in high-profile legal cases, political hearings in Washington, international accusations regarding the Israel-Gaza conflict, the death of actor Robert Redford, updates on the future of TikTok in the United States, a significant Georgia court ruling regarding former President Trump, and a major WNBA award.
"I believe you're failing as a leader and that your failure does have serious implications for the safety and security of Americans and our families."
"The commission concluded that Israel has committed genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza and that it is continuing with that genocide." (01:56)
Celebrated for roles in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Out of Africa, and The Way We Were.
Not just a movie star: key figure in independent film (Sundance Institute & Festival), accomplished director, environmental advocate.
Emotional audio moment (clip from The Way We Were, 02:53):
Giles Snyder (as Redford):
"Can I ask you a personal question?"
Sam Greenglass:
"Do you smile all the time?"
(Lighthearted interlude)
"[She] hopes that person will have the courage to do what the evidence and the law demand." (04:23)
"[Trump] called it a great decision and said Willis should be jailed." (04:27)
Sen. Cory Booker challenging FBI Director Patel (01:08):
"I believe you're failing as a leader and that your failure does have serious implications for the safety and security of Americans and our families."
UN panel’s pronouncement (01:56):
"The commission concluded that Israel has committed genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza and that it is continuing with that genocide."
— Navi Pillay
Redford remembrance (02:53-02:58):
Giles Snyder (in character): "Can I ask you a personal question?"
Sam Greenglass: "Do you smile all the time?"
Willis on case handoff (04:23):
"Willis says she hopes that person will have the courage to do what the evidence and the law demand."
— Sam Greenglass
Trump’s reaction (04:27):
"Trump called it a great decision and said Willis should be jailed."
— Sam Greenglass
This episode provided a rapid, nuanced overview of significant headlines, combining hard news with moments of reflection and cultural remembrance — true to the informative, steady tone NPR listeners expect.