NPR News Now – September 23, 2025, 1AM EDT

Host: Shea Stevens
Duration: 5 minutes
Theme: Rapid-fire update on major news events in the United States and around the world, focused on political developments, health guidance, and international affairs.

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a concise roundup of national and international headlines, including: controversial health guidance from President Trump on acetaminophen, a looming US government shutdown, the domestic terrorism designation of ANTIFA, the release of a prominent Egyptian activist, and developments in US-Russia nuclear arms policy.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. President Trump's Health Warning on Acetaminophen

[00:19]

• President Trump cautions pregnant women and infants against using acetaminophen (Tylenol), linking it to unproven autism claims.

  • Quote: “President Trump says pregnant women and infants should not consume the painkiller acetaminophen... citing unproven claims of a link between use of the drug during pregnancy and autism.” – Shea Stevens [00:19]

• The FDA will update the label of an existing drug to reflect possible benefits for autism symptoms.

  • Quote: “This gives hope to the many parents with autistic children that it may be possible to improve their lives. That's one of the things that I'm very, very happy about.” – FDA Representative [00:37]

• Tylenol maker Ken View maintains the drug is safe for use during pregnancy, highlighting a lack of scientific evidence for Trump’s claims.

2. Looming Government Shutdown and Bipartisan Talks

[00:56–02:09]

• Top congressional Democrats, including Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, seek a meeting with President Trump to avert a government shutdown on October 1.

  • Quote: “They accused President Trump of allowing a government shutdown without bipartisan negotiations.” – Claudia Grisales [01:22]

• Trump shows skepticism about the effectiveness of such talks:

  • Quote: “Trump told reporters he would, quote, love to meet with them, but did not think it would have any impact.” – Claudia Grisales [01:38]

• Congressional Republicans failed to pass a stopgap funding bill; Democrats demand action on health care costs before helping pass any spending measure.

3. ANTIFA Designated as a Domestic Terrorist Organization

[02:09–03:10]

• Trump signs executive order designating ANTIFA as a domestic terrorist group and directs investigation of related individuals and entities.

  • Quote: “President Trump has signed an executive order that designates ANTIFA as a domestic terrorist organization.” – Shea Stevens [02:09]

• Analysis from Jason Blazakis, security expert:

  • Legal obstacles remain, as US law lacks precedent for domestic terrorist group designations; foreign terrorist designations operate under different legal authorities.
  • Quote: “The US Government has a definition of domestic terrorism, but does not have the legal authorities to designate entire organizations as domestic terrorist groups.” – Jason Blazakis [02:45]

4. Human Rights and Prisoner Release in Egypt

[03:10–04:16]

• Egypt’s president pardons seven people, including well-known activist Alaa Abdel Fattah, who was imprisoned during and after the 2011 Arab Spring.

  • Quote: “He was added to a terrorism list and was serving a five year prison sentence on charges of spreading false news for posting on Facebook about torture in Egyptian jails.” – Ariel Batrawi [03:47]

• Abdel Fattah’s story highlights years of high-profile activism, family campaigns for his release, and his dual British citizenship.

5. Russia Offers Extension on New START Treaty

[04:16–04:50]

• Russia proposes a one-year extension of its nuclear arms treaty (New START) after its 2026 expiration.
  • Quote: “Russian President Vladimir Putin says he is willing to honor the New START treaty for a year after the treaty expires...” – Shea Stevens [04:16]
  • Putin frames the extension as ensuring predictability and restraint in nuclear arms.

Notable Quotes

• Shea Stevens: “President Trump says pregnant women and infants should not consume the painkiller acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol. Trump is citing unproven claims...”
• FDA Representative: “This gives hope to the many parents with autistic children that it may be possible to improve their lives.”
• Claudia Grisales: “They accused President Trump of allowing a government shutdown without bipartisan negotiations.”
• Jason Blazakis: “The US Government has a definition of domestic terrorism, but does not have the legal authorities to designate entire organizations as domestic terrorist groups.”
• Ariel Batrawi: “He was added to a terrorism list and was serving a five year prison sentence on charges of spreading false news for posting on Facebook about torture in Egyptian jails.”

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |---------------|---------------------------------------------------------| | 00:19 | President Trump's warning on acetaminophen | | 00:37 | FDA on drug label update, hopes for autism treatment | | 00:56 | Tylenol maker response; gov’t shutdown preview | | 01:22 | Bipartisan talks to avert a government shutdown | | 02:09 | ANTIFA designated as domestic terrorist group | | 02:45 | Legal analysis on domestic terrorism designation | | 03:10 | Wall Street update, Egypt activist release | | 03:30 | Alaa Abdel Fattah's case summary | | 04:16 | Russia proposes New START treaty extension |

Conclusion

This fast-paced episode provides urgent updates on significant policy moves and international stories with an emphasis on the intersection of politics, law, health, and human rights. It captures complex stories in a concise manner, offering context and expert perspectives that help listeners catch up on essential news in just a few minutes.