NPR News Now — September 22, 2025, 5AM EDT

Host: Dave Mattingly
Duration: ~5 minutes
Main Theme:
This episode covers major global and national news events, focusing on diplomatic shifts around Palestinian statehood, updates on the memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, U.S.–China relations and the TikTok deal, state immigration enforcement laws, a high-profile assassination attempt trial, and developments in the auto industry.

1. Formal Recognition of Palestinian State

(00:18–01:04)

• Key Point: Britain, Canada, and Australia formally recognize a Palestinian state, with France announcing plans to do the same at the impending UN General Assembly meetings.
• Context: The Assembly is meeting amid multiple ongoing global crises—wars (Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan), humanitarian issues, and concerns over rights, climate, and poverty.
• Notable Details:
  • There will be a meeting on the Palestine–Israel two-state solution; the U.S. and Israel will not attend.

Quote:

"The General Assembly’s high level week is occurring against a background of active wars in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan and elsewhere, and numerous humanitarian crises, as well as concerns over human rights violations, climate change, poverty and hunger... including one focusing on Palestine and a two-state solution which neither the US nor Israel will be attending."
— Linda Fasullo [00:40]

2. Memorial Service for Charlie Kirk

(01:04–01:48)

• Key Point: Erica Kirk, widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, addresses tens of thousands at his memorial in Arizona.
• Themes: Forgiveness, faith, and the future of Kirk's organizations.
• Erica Kirk publicly forgives Kirk's alleged assassin, referencing Christian beliefs and Charlie Kirk’s legacy.
• She vows to continue leading Turning Point USA, appealing to young men to "embrace true manhood."
• Presence of high-profile attendees: President Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, Donald Trump Jr., and Second Lady Usha Vance.

Quotes:

"I forgive him because it was what Christ did and is what Charlie would do."
— Erica Kirk [01:27]

"To all the men watching around the world—accept Charlie’s challenge and embrace true manhood."
— Erica Kirk [01:41]

3. U.S.–China: TikTok Deal Update

(02:02–03:02)

• Key Point: President Trump shares details about negotiations permitting TikTok to keep operating in the U.S., involving prominent tech and media figures.
• Details:
  • Larry Ellison (Oracle), Michael Dell (Dell Technologies), and Lachlan Murdoch are reportedly involved.
  • A law bars TikTok unless Chinese ownership is divested; the Biden administration (and now Trump’s, per recent election) continues negotiations amid broader U.S.–China tensions.
• Deadline for ByteDance to sell TikTok extended multiple times.

Quote:

"They're very well known people and Larry Ellison's one of them involved... Michael Dell is involved. Hate to tell you this, but a man named Lachlan..."
— Donald Trump [02:22]

4. California Immigration Law Enforcement

(03:02–03:28)

• Key Point: California becomes the first state to ban most federal law enforcement officers from concealing their faces during raids, targeting actions from agencies like ICE.
• Context: Comes after high-profile immigration raids in Los Angeles; part of broader state-level responses to federal immigration policies.

5. Trump Assassination Attempt Trial

(03:28–04:36)

• Key Point: The defense prepares to present its case in the Florida trial of Ryan Routh, charged with attempting to assassinate Donald Trump in 2024 at his West Palm Beach golf course.
• Details:
  • Prosecutors presented 38 witnesses who detailed Routh’s extensive surveillance of Trump’s club.
  • Evidence includes cell phone tracking and license plate data, showing months of preparation.
  • Routh, pleading not guilty, is representing himself with just three witnesses.

Summary:
"…cell phone data and photos from license plate readers showed that for more than a month before he was arrested, Routh was living in his SUV at a truck stop and spending as much as 16 hours some days in the area of Trump's West Palm Beach Golf Club."
— Greg Allen [03:58]

6. Nissan’s Push for Self-Driving Cars

(04:36–04:57)

• Key Point: Nissan is intensifying efforts to develop self-driving technology, following strategies of rivals like Toyota and GM.
• Background: The automaker has recently seen significant restructuring—job cuts, new CEO appointment, reporting recent losses.

Notable Quotes — At a Glance

• "I forgive him because it was what Christ did and is what Charlie would do."
  — Erica Kirk [01:27]
• "They're very well known people and Larry Ellison's one of them involved... Michael Dell is involved. Hate to tell you this, but a man named Lachlan..."
  — Donald Trump [02:22]
• "Cell phone data and photos from license plate readers showed... Routh was living in his SUV at a truck stop and spending as much as 16 hours some days in the area..."
  — Greg Allen [03:58]

Timeline of Major Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|----------------------------------------------| | 00:18 | International recognition of Palestine | | 01:04 | Charlie Kirk memorial & Erica Kirk’s remarks | | 02:02 | Trump updates on TikTok deal | | 03:02 | California law: facial covering bans | | 03:28 | Trump assassination attempt trial/news | | 04:36 | Nissan develops self-driving tech |

This tightly packed news update offers listeners a quick, authoritative round-up of the latest world and U.S. news, with a tone of seriousness and focus on the facts, as is typical of NPR’s reporting style.