NPR News Now: September 23, 2025 — 10AM EDT

Host: Korva Coleman
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This brief NPR News Now segment, anchored by Korva Coleman, covers the latest political, international, economic, and social news developments as of the morning of September 23, 2025. Major topics include tense federal spending negotiations in Washington, urgent remarks at the UN General Assembly regarding the Gaza conflict, cybersecurity updates affecting major corporations, new federal warnings about health risks, and social buzz around a viral religious prediction.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Federal Spending Standoff & Government Shutdown Risks

• [00:16]
  • President Trump canceled a planned meeting with top Congressional Democrats, citing it "wouldn’t be productive."
  • Democrats (Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries) had planned to negotiate on federal spending to avert a government shutdown scheduled for next week.
  • Democrats demand Republicans rescind significant cuts to federal health care programs; President Trump labels those demands “unserious and ridiculous.”

2. United Nations: Focus on Catastrophic Conflicts

• [00:47] – [01:36]
  • President Trump is attending the UN General Assembly in New York City.
  • Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary General, opens the assembly focusing on global wars, especially Gaza:
    • "Nothing can justify the horrific Hamas terror attacks of October 7 and the taking of hostages, both of which I have repeatedly condemned. And nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people and the systematic destruction of Gaza."
      — Antonio Guterres [01:16]
    • Guterres calls for the release of all hostages and an immediate Israel-Hamas ceasefire.
  • President Trump is scheduled to address the UN delegates later in the morning.

3. Security Concerns at the UN: Secret Service Discovery

• [01:36] – [02:07]
  • The U.S. Secret Service uncovered a major cache of communication equipment—enough to disrupt local phone systems and emergency communications during the UN events. The equipment included 100,000 SIM cards.

4. Economic News: Markets and Industry Updates

• [02:27] – [03:08] (Reporter: Scott Horsley)
  • Market Update:
    • Dow up by about 280 points in early trading, and 260 points later in the hour.
  • Boeing:
    • Shares rise on news of Uzbekistan Airways’ intention to buy nearly two dozen Dreamliners.
    • Potential deal with China for more U.S.-made jets on the horizon.
  • Jaguar Land Rover:
    • UK auto plants remain idle for another week following a major cyberattack, affecting over 30,000 workers.
  • Federal Reserve:
    • Chair Jerome Powell to deliver economic outlook remarks in Rhode Island following a recent interest rate cut.
  • Quote:
    • “Boeing shares got a lift from news that Uzbekistan Airways plans to buy nearly two dozen Dreamliners.”
      — Scott Horsley [02:27]

5. President Trump’s Statement on Health & Tylenol

• [03:08]
  • President Trump announces warnings to pregnant women against Tylenol, claiming its active ingredient causes autism.
  • The medical community and autism activists strongly dispute the claim, noting no scientific basis.

6. Cuts to College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP)

• [03:35] – [04:34] (Reporter: Jordan Owens)
  • The U.S. Education Department has cut funding for CAMP, a federal program supporting students from migrant and seasonal farmworker families.
  • The abrupt cuts (mid-cycle) have forced colleges to lay off staff and prepare for closures.
  • Advocacy groups have sued the Trump administration to restore the funding.
  • Quote:
    • “The loss of funding has forced some schools to lay off staff and prepare for the closure of projects.”
      — Kate Covington (Association President-Elect), via Jordan Owens [04:17]

7. Viral Religious Prediction Causes Stir

• [04:34]
  • A South African preacher’s viral video claims the Rapture will happen today or tomorrow.
  • The prediction, rooted in evangelical beliefs, provoked both alarm and humor online.
  • Quote:
    • “The social video has prompted both concern and jokes.”
      — Korva Coleman [04:50]

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Antonio Guterres on Gaza:
  "Nothing can justify the horrific Hamas terror attacks of October 7… And nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people and the systematic destruction of Gaza." [01:16]
• Scott Horsley on Boeing:
  "Boeing shares got a lift from news that Uzbekistan Airways plans to buy nearly two dozen Dreamliners." [02:27]
• Korva Coleman on the Rapture Prediction:
  "The social video has prompted both concern and jokes." [04:50]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Federal Spending/Shutdown: [00:16]
• UN General Assembly & Guterres Remarks: [00:47]–[01:36]
• Secret Service Security Bust: [01:36]–[02:07]
• Economic/Business Developments: [02:27]–[03:08]
• Trump on Tylenol & Autism: [03:08]
• CAMP Funding Cuts: [03:35]–[04:34]
• Viral Rapture Prediction: [04:34]

For concise, up-to-the-minute news, this episode provides essential context and quotations for current U.S. political negotiations, international diplomacy, security concerns, economic indicators, contentious presidential statements, and social buzz.