NPR News Now — September 25, 2025, 3PM EDT

Overview
This five-minute news briefing delivers updates on top U.S. and global headlines. Key stories include the Dallas ICE facility shooting, President Trump's meeting with Turkey’s Erdogan, an extraordinary Pentagon summit, housing market trends, a U.N. plan combating non-communicable diseases, and settlements involving Amazon and Starbucks.

Key Story Summaries & Insights

Dallas ICE Facility Shooting & Security Concerns

• [00:18–01:08]
  • A gunman targeted immigration agents at a Dallas ICE facility, shooting three detainees and killing one. The suspect was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
  • ICE Field Office Director Marcos Charles condemned ICE tracking apps that facilitated the attack. He argued that those who develop or share these apps are endangering law enforcement lives.
    • Notable Quote [00:42]:
      "Anyone who creates or distributes these apps designed to spot, track and locate ICE officers are well aware of the dangers… It's no different than giving a hitman the location of their intended target. And this is exactly what we saw happen in Dallas yesterday." — Marcos Charles

U.S.–Turkey Talks: Russian Energy, Defense, and Regional Stability

• [01:08–02:03]
  • President Trump, in a White House meeting, urged Turkish President Erdogan to stop buying Russian oil and gas—a point Trump has also raised with NATO allies.
    • Trump’s assessment via reporter Deepa Shivaram:
      Turkey is seen as influential with both Ukraine and Russia, and Trump believes Erdogan’s stance could sway the balance.
    • Notable Quote [01:42]:
      "I think he could have a big influence if he wants to. Right now he's very neutral." — Scott Newman, summarizing Trump's perspective
  • The U.S. will also discuss Patriot missile defense systems, F-35 fighter jets, and efforts to address the conflict in Gaza.

Pentagon Summons Global Military Leaders

• [02:03–02:25]
  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is convening hundreds of generals and admirals in Quantico, Virginia—a highly unusual step. The Pentagon confirmed this summit aims to strengthen strategic collaboration.

U.S. Housing Market Trends

• [02:25–03:14]
  • Existing Home Sales:
    • Slight decrease in August from July (-0.2%), but up nearly 2% compared to last year.
    • Median sales price rose 2% to $422,600.
    • Regional shifts: The Northeast saw the biggest decline; the Midwest had a slight uptick.
  • New Home Sales:
    • U.S. Census Bureau increased its estimate of annualized new single-family house sales by ~20% to 800,000 units.
  • Analysis:
    • Home sales have generally trended downward since their 2021 peak, mainly due to higher mortgage rates.

U.N. General Assembly: Inclusion of Dementia in Global Health Agenda

• [03:14–04:13]
  • World leaders are launching a new initiative against non-communicable diseases; for the first time, dementia is included in a political declaration.
    • Paola Barberino, Head of Alzheimer’s Disease International, describes this as a watershed moment for global health, especially affecting low-income countries where dementia incidence is rising.
      • Notable Quote [03:54]:
        "It's historical for us. It's a real watershed moment." — Lakshmi Singh, echoing Barberino
    • Dementia is projected to be the third leading cause of death globally by 2040.
      • Notable Quote [04:08]:
        "Countries are still in denial about the fact that dementia is a big problem." — Paola Barberino

Corporate News: Amazon and Starbucks

• [04:21–04:57]
  • Amazon Settlement:
    • Amazon agrees to a multi-billion dollar settlement with the U.S. government over its Prime program; regulators say Amazon’s website design manipulated tens of millions into buying—and being trapped in—subscriptions.
    • Amazon does not admit wrongdoing.
  • Starbucks Closures:
    • Starbucks announces the immediate closure of hundreds of stores in the U.S. and Canada as part of a turnaround plan.
    • About 900 non-retail employees will be affected.

Notable Quotes

• Marcos Charles (ICE) on ICE tracking apps [00:42]:

  "Anyone who creates or distributes these apps designed to spot, track and locate ICE officers are well aware of the dangers… It's no different than giving a hitman the location of their intended target. And this is exactly what we saw happen in Dallas yesterday."

• Scott Newman on Turkey's diplomatic influence [01:42]:

  "I think he could have a big influence if he wants to. Right now he's very neutral."

• Lakshmi Singh/Paola Barberino on dementia at the UN [03:54]:

  "It's historical for us. It's a real watershed moment."

• Paola Barberino on denial about dementia in low-income countries [04:08]:

  "Countries are still in denial about the fact that dementia is a big problem."

Timeline of Important Segments

• 00:18–01:08: Dallas ICE shooting & app controversy (Marcos Charles)
• 01:08–02:03: Trump–Erdogan meeting, Russian oil, defense sales, Gaza
• 02:03–02:25: Pentagon summit call
• 02:25–03:14: Housing market report (Scott Newman)
• 03:14–04:13: UN health plan includes dementia (Gabriela Emanuel, Paola Barberino)
• 04:21–04:57: Amazon settlement & Starbucks closures

Summary prepared in the informative, concise, and straightforward style characteristic of NPR’s newsroom.