NPR News Now – September 23, 2025, 9AM EDT

Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now episode, anchored by Korva Coleman, covers the latest national and international headlines. Major stories include the opening of the UN General Assembly with a focus on Palestine recognition, the U.S. designation of ANTIFA as a domestic terrorist organization, the return of Jimmy Kimmel to late-night TV, a significant security incident at Copenhagen Airport, former Vice President Kamala Harris’s revealing new memoir, and a historic donation to HBCUs from MacKenzie Scott.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. UN General Assembly Opens in New York

[00:16–01:14]

• President Trump is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly, with Palestine recognition high on the agenda.
• Several U.S. allies—including Canada, Australia, France, and the UK—have recognized Palestine, sparking debate.
• Quote:
  • Riyadh Mansour, Palestinian ambassador to the UN, emphasizes the significance:

    “This is an accumulation of so many things, especially when countries like France, UK and the others to recognize the state of Palestine. It's an investment in peace and saving the two state solution.” (00:40)

• Israel has condemned these recognitions, arguing it empowers Hamas.

2. Secret Service Disrupts Communications Threat

[00:54–01:14]

• Secret Service dismantled a network of sophisticated electronic devices in New York, which posed risks to emergency and UN communications.

3. U.S. Designates ANTIFA a Domestic Terrorist Organization

[01:14–02:10]

• President Trump signed an executive order declaring ANTIFA a domestic terrorist group.
• Key context:
  • Jason Blazakis, Middlebury Institute, explains:

    “ANTIFA is not a structured group... the domestic terrorist designation represents a first and that it may run into trouble.” (01:24)

  • Odette Youssef, NPR reporter, notes:

    “The U.S. Government... does not have the legal authorities to designate entire organizations as domestic terrorist groups.” (01:45)

  • Blazakis adds:

    “No such process exists for purely domestic groups because of the risk of infringing on First Amendment freedoms.” (01:55)

• Legal obstacles stem from First Amendment concerns and the decentralized nature of ANTIFA.

4. Jimmy Kimmel Live Returns After Suspension

[02:10–03:14]

• "Jimmy Kimmel Live" resumes less than a week after ABC suspended it due to Kimmel’s comments following activist Charlie Kirk’s killing.
• Kimmel’s return celebrated across late-night TV:
  • Seth Meyers:

    “Our friend Jimmy Kimmel will be back.” (02:31)

  • Stephen Colbert:

    “Our long national late nightmare is over.” (02:42)

• ABC and Disney reversed their decision to avoid tension.
• Sinclair Broadcast Group (owns ABC affiliates in 30 markets) will not air Kimmel for now, pending talks with ABC.

5. Large Drone Incident Over Copenhagen Airport

[03:14–03:46]

• Danish police investigate 2–3 “very large drones” flying over Copenhagen Airport for hours.
• Security risk was significant; drones weren't shot down due to passenger safety.
• Danish Prime Minister describes it as “the most serious attack yet on Danish critical infrastructure.”

6. Kamala Harris Book Tour Announcement

[03:46–04:25]

• Former Vice President Kamala Harris begins touring for her memoir, 107 Days, chronicling her 2024 White House run.
  • Recounts “chaotic and frustrating moments,” including a candid call with President Biden questioning her loyalty.
  • Reveals her initial running mate choice was Pete Buttigieg but reconsidered, stating concerns over how America would receive “a black woman president, a Jewish first gentleman, and a gay vice president.”
  • International stops in London and Toronto planned.
• Quote:
  • Deepa Shivaram, NPR reporter, on Harris’s candor:

    “She… writes about her own running mate selection process, revealing that her first choice was actually former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. But she didn't think America would support a ticket with a black woman president, a Jewish first gentleman and a gay vice president.” (03:57)

7. $70 Million Donation to HBCUs from MacKenzie Scott

[04:25–04:57]

• UNCF (United Negro College Fund) receives a $70 million donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott.
• Funds aimed to bolster 37 private Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
• Mackenzie Scott is the former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Riyadh Mansour (Palestinian Ambassador to the UN):

  “It's an investment in peace and saving the two state solution.” (00:44)

• Jason Blazakis (Middlebury Institute):

  “ANTIFA is not a structured group... the designation represents a first and that it may run into trouble.” (01:24)

• Stephen Colbert (CBS):

  “Our long national late nightmare is over.” (02:42)

• Deepa Shivaram (NPR) on Harris's VP selection:

  “She didn't think America would support a ticket with a black woman president, a Jewish first gentleman and a gay vice president.” (03:57)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• UN General Assembly opens / Palestinian recognition: 00:16–01:14
• Secret Service disrupts comms threat: 00:54–01:14
• ANTIFA designation and legal analysis: 01:14–02:10
• Jimmy Kimmel returns to ABC: 02:10–03:14
• Drone incident at Copenhagen Airport: 03:14–03:46
• Kamala Harris memoir and book tour: 03:46–04:25
• MacKenzie Scott donates $70M to HBCUs: 04:25–04:57

This episode packed a range of pressing headlines, global developments, and notable cultural moments into five concise minutes—characteristic of NPR's trusted and informative news style.