NPR News Now: September 25, 2025, 12PM EDT

Host: Lakshmi Singh | Duration: ~5 minutes

Overview

This concise NPR News Now update covers the latest major news headlines for September 25, 2025. Key topics include Amazon’s record settlement over its Prime membership practices, new threats of federal employee layoffs during a potential government shutdown, a targeted shooting at a Dallas ICE facility, a sobering global cancer projection, and updates on the U.S. housing and economic outlook.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Amazon Settles Landmark Prime Membership Case

[00:20]

• Summary:
  Amazon agreed to settle a notable antitrust case relating to its Prime membership program. The Federal Trade Commission alleged that Amazon’s web designs manipulated tens of millions into difficult-to-cancel subscriptions.
• Settlement Details:
  • $1 billion in civil penalties to the government
  • $1.5 billion in redress payments to affected consumers
  • Settlement reached as a jury trial was about to begin in Seattle
• Notable Quote:
  “Amazon, without admitting wrongdoing, has agreed to pay a historic $1 billion in civil penalties…”
  — Lakshmi Singh ([00:20])

2. White House Threatens Permanent Layoffs in Event of Shutdown

[01:31]

• Summary:
  Amid looming government shutdown fears, the White House is signaling an unprecedented move—permanent layoffs for certain federal employees, not just furloughs.
• Details:
  • President Trump insists Democrats pass a short-term funding bill
  • A White House memo indicated agencies may issue “reduction in force” notices for employees working on projects "not consistent with the president's priorities"
  • This is a shift from previous shutdowns where furloughs were usually temporary
• Political Response:
  Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called it “an attempt at intimidation."
• Notable Quote:
  “…if there is a shutdown, they expect agencies to issue reduction in force notices to employees working on projects that are not consistent with the president's priorities. This would be a significant shift from past government shutdowns…”
  — Tamara Keith ([01:31])

3. Dallas ICE Facility Shooting Investigated as Targeted Violence

[02:13]

• Summary:
  The FBI is investigating a shooting at a Dallas ICE facility as targeted violence. One detainee died, two others are critically injured.
• Details:
  • Shooter identified as Joshua John; died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound
  • Neighbors shocked; authorities still seeking a motive
  • Five unspent bullet casings found, one inscribed with “anti ice”
• Memorable Moment:
  “I would have never imagined that such a thing, you know, someone that felt so disenfranchised would live so close to me.”
  — Sherry Davis, neighbor ([02:51])

4. Global Cancer Deaths Projected to Nearly Double by 2050

[03:14]

• Summary:
  New research in The Lancet projects that global cancer deaths could nearly double by 2050, disproportionately impacting low- and middle-income countries.
• Key Findings:
  • Two decades of data from 200+ countries analyzed
  • In 2023, ~18.5 million cancer deaths (up 75% from previous decades)
  • Survival improvements mainly in wealthier nations; death rate worsening elsewhere
  • Nearly half of deaths are from cancers with avoidable risk factors (smoking, diet)
• Notable Quote:
  “…the increase in cancer mortality wasn't equal across countries. While chances of surviving many cancers improved in wealthy countries, death rates got worse in many poorer ones…”
  — Jonathan Lambert ([03:32])

5. U.S. Home Sales, Economic, and Trade Update

[04:16]

• Summary:
  Updates concerning the U.S. housing market and broader economic trends.
• Details:
  • Existing home sales down 0.2% in August
  • Inventory of homes also fell, but average prices rose to $422,000+
  • Revised Commerce Department data: GDP grew 3.8% (annualized) in spring, up from earlier estimate
  • Nation’s trade deficit narrowed in August after higher tariffs took effect
• Notable Quote:
  “…the number of homes on the market was also down, but the average selling price inched up to more than $422,000.”
  — Scott Horsley ([04:21])

Memorable Moments & Quotes

On Amazon’s Settlement:

• “Amazon, without admitting wrongdoing, has agreed to pay a historic $1 billion in civil penalties to the government and an additional one and a half billion in redress payments to affected consumers.”
  — Lakshmi Singh ([00:20])

On Shutdown Threats:

• “…if there is a shutdown, they expect agencies to issue reduction in force notices to employees working on projects that are not consistent with the president's priorities. This would be a significant shift from past government shutdowns when employees were only temporarily furloughed.”
  — Tamara Keith ([01:31])

On Local Shock After Dallas Shooting:

• “I would have never imagined that such a thing, you know, someone that felt so disenfranchised would live so close to me.”
  — Sherry Davis ([02:51])

On Global Cancer Inequality:

• “…the increase in cancer mortality wasn't equal across countries. While chances of surviving many cancers improved in wealthy countries, death rates got worse in many poorer ones, where it can be harder to access treatment.”
  — Jonathan Lambert ([03:32])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:20] — Amazon’s Prime membership settlement
• [01:31] — White House threats over government shutdown
• [02:13] — Dallas ICE facility shooting
• [03:14] — Global cancer study
• [04:16] — U.S. housing and economic updates

For more updates, visit npr.org.