NPR News Now — September 23, 2025, 6AM EDT

Brief Overview

This NPR News Now episode, hosted by Korva Coleman, delivers a brisk rundown of major national and international news as of September 23, 2025. Key stories include President Trump’s scheduled address at the UN General Assembly and new health guidelines for pregnant women, a consequential Supreme Court ruling on regulatory agency leadership, the escalating war and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Texas’ restrictive new bathroom law, and security concerns at Copenhagen Airport after a drone incident.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. President Trump at the UN and New Health Guidelines

• [00:18] President Trump is set to address the UN General Assembly in New York, with planned side meetings including Middle Eastern leaders, European officials, and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy.

• Ongoing Russian attacks on Ukraine frame this diplomatic activity.

• The Trump administration advises pregnant women to avoid acetaminophen (Tylenol) to prevent autism—a move not backed by scientific consensus.

  • [00:52] A spokesperson emphasizes limiting Tylenol except in medically necessary cases, such as high fevers.
  • The lack of clear scientific evidence is raising concerns among doctor groups and autism activists, who warn that untreated fever poses real risks for pregnant women.

  "President Trump told pregnant women to just tough out any pain."
  — Korva Coleman [00:18]

2. Supreme Court Emergency Order & Federal Trade Commission Shakeup

• [01:08] The Supreme Court issues a temporary order permitting President Trump to dismiss Rebecca Slaughter, the last Democrat on the Federal Trade Commission.

  • This step signals the likely end of a century-old rule prohibiting presidents from firing bipartisan agency members except for misconduct.
  • Justice Kagan’s dissent: She cautions against using emergency powers to erode the congressional framework of bipartisan agencies and reshape separation of powers.

  "The court seems all but certain to overturn a nearly century-old precedent that barred presidents from firing members of bipartisan regulatory agencies except for bad conduct."
  — Nina Totenberg [01:31]

  "The emergency docket should not be used, as it was here, to transfer government authority from Congress to the president and thus to reshape the nation's separation of powers."
  — Justice Elena Kagan, via Nina Totenberg [01:31]

3. Gaza War Intensifies, Hospitals Shuttered

• [02:17] Reports indicate a third Israeli division has entered Gaza, with combat operations forcing hospitals out of service.

  • At least three hospitals in Gaza City shut down due to ongoing shelling and airstrikes.
  • El Rantisi, Gaza’s only pediatric specialty hospital, was bombed last week and now operates with a skeleton crew.
  • Red Cross supplied medicine and 500 body bags, citing extreme conditions in remaining facilities.

  "Only two doctors and a nurse remain at Al Rantisi, now offering first aid, according to staff."
  — Eha Batrawi [02:31]

  "The International Committee of the Red Cross says conditions at the hospitals still functioning in Gaza City are extreme. It sent one of them some gas medicine along with 500 body bags to bury the dead."
  — Eha Batrawi [02:31]

4. Jimmy Kimmel Returns Amid Free Speech Dispute

• [03:14] ABC reinstates talk show host Jimmy Kimmel after public backlash over his temporary removal related to remarks about Charlie Kirk’s death. Both left and right criticized ABC for a perceived free speech violation.

5. Texas Enacts Restroom Law Targeting Trans Community

• [03:14] Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a new law requiring people to use public restrooms matching sex assigned at birth.

  • Applies to schools, universities, prisons, and government buildings; non-compliance is subject to fines.

  "It'll keep men out of women's restrooms."
  — Governor Greg Abbott (via Blaze Gainey) [03:52]

  • The ACLU of Texas condemns the law as discriminatory, predicting increased "gender policing" and harassment of trans and nonbinary individuals.

  "It's going to do that by causing what we call gender policing, which is where basically a complete stranger takes a look at you and decides internally whether or not you belong in a sex-segregated space and harasses you about it."
  — Ash Hall, ACLU of Texas [04:17]

  • A lawsuit challenging the law remains a possibility.

6. Danish Drone Incident — Infrastructure Threatened

• [04:36] Danish police are investigating unidentified, large drones that repeatedly flew over Copenhagen Airport for hours.
  • Authorities could not take down the drones due to the proximity of passengers.
  • Official statements characterize the incident as a serious attack on critical infrastructure.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "President Trump told pregnant women to just tough out any pain." — Korva Coleman [00:18]
• "The court seems all but certain to overturn a nearly century-old precedent..." — Nina Totenberg [01:31]
• "Only two doctors and a nurse remain at Al Rantisi, now offering first aid..." — Eha Batrawi [02:31]
• "It's going to do that by causing what we call gender policing..." — Ash Hall, ACLU of Texas [04:17]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:18] President Trump’s UN plans and pregnancy health guidance
• [01:08] Supreme Court allows FTC shakeup
• [02:17] Israeli military returns to Gaza, effects on hospitals
• [03:14] Jimmy Kimmel reinstated; Texas restroom law signed
• [04:36] Large drones fly over Copenhagen Airport

NPR’s five-minute news summary for September 23, 2025, encapsulates major political, legal, humanitarian, and security news, offering context and direct speaker perspectives on rapidly developing stories.