NPR News Now – September 24, 2025, 1 AM EDT

Brief Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now episode, hosted by Shea Stevens, presents an update on the latest national and international headlines as of early September 24, 2025. Major topics include President Trump's evolving stance on Ukraine, international espionage tensions at the UN General Assembly, controversy over Tylenol and autism, late-night show suspensions amid controversy, federal changes to education grants, and severe weather events across the globe.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. President Trump's Position on the Ukraine War

Timestamps: 00:19–00:43

• Shift in Stance: President Trump, in a meeting with Ukrainian President Zelensky, publicly blamed Russia for the ongoing war in Ukraine.
  • “It could be that Russia is a paper tiger. I don't know what they are, but three and a half years of fighting and killing Everybody, of killing 7,000 people a week for nothing.” – Unnamed commentator (00:32)
• Support for Ukraine: Trump praised Zelensky’s leadership and expressed belief that Ukraine can reclaim all occupied territory.
• NATO Involvement: Trump stated that NATO members should shoot down Russian aircraft violating their airspace.

2. Secret Service Disrupts Possible Espionage Network

Timestamps: 00:43–01:45

• UN General Assembly Security: The U.S. Secret Service dismantled a vast network of 300+ servers and 100,000 SIM cards in NYC before the 80th UNGA, amid concerns of espionage and communication disruption.
• Potential Threats:
  • “Those devices could have enabled bad actors to shut down communication networks in the area or to spy on the session.” – Jenna McLaughlin, NPR (01:24)
• Foreign Involvement: Preliminary investigation uncovered a potential foreign actor (country not specified).
• Official Remark: “This announcement is designed to safeguard critical infrastructure and responsibly provide the public what we can at this time.” – Matt McCool, Secret Service (01:39)

3. Tylenol and Autism Controversy

Timestamps: 01:51–02:41

• Trump's Warning: President Trump’s recent warning about Tylenol raising autism risk during pregnancy has sown confusion among the public.
• Medical Perspective: Pediatricians, including Dr. Nicole Baldwin, clarify the scientific consensus:
  • “There is no evidence that taking Tylenol while pregnant causes autism in children, which the FDA has acknowledged.” – Dr. Nicole Baldwin (02:01)
  • Untreated high fevers pose risk for mothers and fetuses, so Tylenol remains recommended when clinically appropriate.
• On Correlation vs. Causation: “Some studies have pointed to a link between autism and Tylenol, but these correlations could be a fluke or coincidence. Both shark bites and eating cream increase in summer, but that doesn't mean that one causes the other.” – Dr. Nicole Baldwin (02:22)
• Key Summary: Medical experts warn against equating correlation with causality and urge parents to follow evidence-based advice.

4. Jim Kimmel Returns After Suspension

Timestamps: 02:41–03:32

• Background: Jim Kimmel's late night show returned after ABC suspended it due to his comments about the murder of Charlie Kirk.
• Broadcast Disruption: Major broadcasters (Nextstar and Sinclair) preempted the show in some regions, though streaming access remained available.
• Market Impact: Uncertainty about show distribution, relevant for hundreds of U.S. markets.

5. Federal GEAR UP Grants Cancelled Over DEI Policies

Timestamps: 03:32–04:16

• Trump Administration Move: The administration is revoking nine federal college-prep grants due to their inclusion of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies.
• Program Impact: GEAR UP grants, totaling nearly $170 million, directly funded counseling programs at 220 schools, especially in Cleveland, Akron, and several states.
  • “Those students see you every day and they believed in you and you built that relationship with them. So it's just an amazing feeling to have and we don't want that to be removed.” – Winter Mason, Counselor, Akron (03:45)
• Dept. of Education Statement: Most GEAR UP grants remain in effect; the move targets select programs.

6. Severe Weather Updates

Timestamps: 04:16–04:57

Atlantic Hurricane Gabrielle

• Current Status: Category 4, moving towards the Azores, with potential to weaken—still poses threat of coastal floods and high waves.

Super Typhoon Ragasa

• Regional Impact: Blamed for at least 14 deaths in Taiwan and 4 in the Philippines; severe evacuations in Shenzhen, China (over 400,000 people).
• Historical Context: Described as the strongest storm to impact the region in years, with landfall expected Wednesday.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Trump’s stark assessment:
  “It could be that Russia is a paper tiger. ... three and a half years of fighting and killing Everybody, of killing 7,000 people a week for nothing.” (00:32)

• Pediatric clarification on Tylenol risk:
  “There is no evidence that taking Tylenol while pregnant causes autism in children, which the FDA has acknowledged.” – Dr. Nicole Baldwin (02:01)

• Real-life impact of GEAR UP grant cancellations:
  “Those students see you every day and they believed in you and you built that relationship with them. So it's just an amazing feeling to have and we don't want that to be removed.” – Winter Mason, Counselor (03:45)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Ukraine War & Trump statement: 00:19–00:43
• UNGA Espionage Threat: 01:12–01:45
• Tylenol and Autism Debate: 01:51–02:41
• Jim Kimmel’s Show Controversy: 02:41–03:32
• GEAR UP Grant Cancellations: 03:32–04:16
• Severe Storms Worldwide: 04:16–04:57

This concise yet comprehensive episode of NPR News Now covers global conflict, public health messaging, media controversies, education policy changes, and severe weather—offering listeners critical news highlights as of September 24, 2025.