NPR News Now – 09-26-2025, 4PM EDT

Host: Lakshmi Singh (NPR)
Date: September 26, 2025
Length: ~5 Minutes

Overview

This tightly packed NPR News Now episode delivers the latest headline stories from the United States and abroad in the span of five minutes. Main topics include the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey, developments regarding Jimmy Kimmel’s show amidst media blackout controversy, international fallout from the recognition of Palestine, urgent federal cybersecurity actions, an NYC shooting linked to CTE, a major Interpol romance scam bust in Africa, and the day’s stock market update.

Key News Segments & Insights

1. James Comey Indicted

• [00:19] Lakshmi Singh opens with breaking news: Former FBI Director James Comey is indicted on charges of making false statements and obstruction of justice.
• President Trump reacts sharply:
  • Quote ([00:35]):
    “He’s a dirty cop. He’s always been a dirty cop. Everybody knew it.” – Donald Trump
• Lakshmi notes that Comey has denied the charges, referencing prior public confrontations with Trump.

2. Jimmy Kimmel Live Returns Amidst Broadcasting Controversy

• [00:39] Jimmy Kimmel Live returns to Sinclair’s ABC-affiliated stations, ending a blackout affecting dozens of U.S. cities.
• Background:
  • Kimmel’s suspension by ABC (under FCC pressure) followed a monologue criticized by conservatives.
  • The assassination of Charlie Kirk in Utah triggered further preemptions by major broadcasters.

3. Israel, Palestine, and Global Diplomacy

• [00:59] Recognition of Palestine as a state becomes a central global issue.
• [01:28] Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a defiant speech at the UN General Assembly after a notable walkout:
  • Quote ([01:41]): “Giving the Palestinians a state one mile from Jerusalem after October 7th is like giving Al Qaeda a state one mile from New York City after September 11th. This is sheer madness. It’s insane and we won’t do it.” – Benjamin Netanyahu
  • Netanyahu frames the recognition as a reward for terrorism by Hamas.
• [01:57] Noted that while U.S. and Israeli diplomats applauded, President Trump has opposed Israeli plans to annex the West Bank.
• Upcoming diplomatic engagement: Netanyahu and Trump to meet on Monday.

4. Urgent Cybersecurity Advisory

• [02:15] Jenna McLaughlin reports on a federal cybersecurity alert:
  • Federal agencies are ordered to inventory information systems amid concerns over a newly discovered vulnerability.
• CISA (Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) issues urgent warnings about Cisco product flaws exploited by hackers (“zero days”).
• Cisco acknowledges an active investigation; hacking group suspected to have ties to China.
• Context: Chinese state-backed groups linked to sophisticated government network compromises.

5. NYC Shooting & CTE Link

• [03:14] Lakshmi reports new findings in July’s Manhattan office building shooting in which Shane Tamura killed four people and himself.
• Medical examiner confirms Tamura had CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy), possibly linked to his football background.
• A note blamed the NFL, whose headquarters are in the affected office building.

6. Interpol-Led Crackdown on Internet Romance Scams in Africa

• [04:06] Emmanuel Akinwotu reports:
  • Major Interpol operation in 14 African countries resulted in 260 arrests.
  • Focused on internet romance scams (“sextortion”), identifying over 1,000 victims and nearly $3 million in losses.
  • Ghana: 68 suspects arrested, $70,000 recovered.
  • Cote d’Ivoire: Extortion ring with 800 victims dismantled.
  • Fastest-growing online security threat disproportionately impacting young people, especially in the U.S.
  • Quote ([04:40]):
    “Internet romance scams and sextortion are among the fastest growing online security threats in the world, and many victims are young people based in the U.S.” – Emmanuel Akinwotu

7. Market Update

• [04:46] U.S. stock market closes higher:
  • Dow Jones up nearly 300 points (over 0.5%), ending at 46,247.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Donald Trump on Comey ([00:35]): “He’s a dirty cop. He’s always been a dirty cop. Everybody knew it.”
• Netanyahu at the UN ([01:41]): “Giving the Palestinians a state one mile from Jerusalem after October 7th is like giving Al Qaeda a state one mile from New York City after September 11th. This is sheer madness. It’s insane and we won’t do it.”
• Emmanuel Akinwotu on online scams ([04:40]): “Internet romance scams and sextortion are among the fastest growing online security threats in the world, and many victims are young people based in the U.S.”

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [00:19] – Indictment of James Comey and Trump’s response
• [00:39] – Return of Jimmy Kimmel Live and media blackout background
• [01:28] – Netanyahu’s UN speech, global recognition of Palestine
• [02:15] – Federal cybersecurity warning and Cisco vulnerabilities
• [03:14] – NYC shooting/CTE updates and connection to NFL
• [04:06] – Interpol’s internet scams and mass arrests in Africa
• [04:46] – U.S. stock market update

Summary

In just five minutes, this NPR News Now episode delivers a brisk roundup of major national and international headlines, highlighting legal and political drama in the U.S., shifting global attitudes toward Palestine, urgent cybersecurity threats, a tragic shooting linked to sports-connected brain disease, an international crime crackdown, and a positive finish on Wall Street.