NPR News: 09-26-2025 5PM EDT

Summary

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NPR News Now — Episode Summary

Podcast: NPR News Now
Episode: NPR News: 09-26-2025 5PM EDT
Date: September 26, 2025
Host: Ryland Barton

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Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode delivers a concise roundup of the day's major national and international headlines, featuring developments from the U.S. Supreme Court, the United Nations, and notable updates in trade, domestic crime fighting strategies, media, and a highlight from Alaska's Fat Bear Week. News coverage blends political, diplomatic, health, cultural, and environmental updates in a five-minute digest.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Supreme Court Rule on Presidential Foreign Aid Power

[00:18]

• The Supreme Court ruled that President Trump may continue to withhold nearly $4 billion in foreign aid, siding with the administration's emergency appeal after a lower court had challenged the legality, suggesting only Congress had the authority to block the funding.
• Significance: The decision marks another judicial victory for President Trump in the ongoing debate over presidential powers and control of federal funds.

2. Israeli-Palestinian Conflict at the United Nations

[00:18–01:17]

• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United Nations with a "defiant" speech amid his country’s increasing isolation over ongoing conflict in Gaza and international moves towards recognizing Palestinian statehood.
• Notable Moment: Several nations’ delegates walked out as Netanyahu spoke.
• Quote:

  “We're not done yet. The final elements, the final remnants of Hamas are holed up in Gaza City. They vow to repeat the atrocities of October 7th again and again and again, no matter how diminished their forces. That is why Israel must finish the job. That is why we want to do so as fast as possible.”
  — Benjamin Netanyahu [00:52]

• Netanyahu asserted that recognizing Palestinian statehood “would encourage terrorism against Jews.”

3. U.S. Rejects UN Declaration on Chronic Diseases

[01:17–02:24]

• Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. rejected a U.N. declaration aimed at combating non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as cancer and diabetes, despite international support.
• Kennedy Jr. objected to the declaration but did not specify his reasons.
• Reaction:

  “It's a massive disappointment... But in the end, the rest of the governments will move forward and act.”
  — Alison Cox, NCD Alliance [02:06, 02:12]

• The declaration is set for consideration at the General Assembly’s next meeting, where approval is expected.

4. President Trump Announces New Tariffs; Asian Investment Promises

[02:24–03:11]

• President Trump plans to impose new tariffs on home furnishings, trucks, and pharmaceuticals starting next week.
• He claimed Japan and South Korea had pledged nearly a trillion dollars in U.S. investment in exchange for lower tariffs.
• Quote:

  “We have, as you know, in Japan, it's $550 billion, South Korea's $350 billion, that's up front.”
  — President Donald Trump [02:46]

• Skepticism:
  • South Korea warned paying so much upfront could cause a financial crisis, as the pledged amount far exceeds its annual exports to the U.S.
  • Economists doubt the feasibility of the claimed investments.
• Context: Reported by Anthony Kuhn from Seoul.

5. Federal Law Enforcement in Memphis, TN

[03:11]

• Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced that 13 federal agencies, including the National Guard, would help local crime-fighting efforts in Memphis.
• National Guard members would not be armed or make arrests unless requested.

6. Media Update: Jimmy Kimmel Returns to TV

[03:11]

• Sinclair Broadcast Group will return Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show to its stations after ABC suspended him over controversial remarks regarding the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

7. Cultural Highlight: Fat Bear Week in Alaska

[04:07–04:52]

• The annual Fat Bear Week contest at Katmai National Park is narrowing down to its final contestants.
• Featured Bears:
  • “Chunk” (Bear #32), last year’s runner-up, weighs over 1,200 pounds.
  • “Grazer” (Bear #128), two-time defending champion, could win a historic third title.
• Classroom Engagement:

  "A lot of them were Grazer, a lot of them were Chunk. But to be fair, those are two really excellent choices. And when you show them against all the other bears, Chunk is massive. And Grazer kicks everybody's butt. So they love her for that. So it's hard to compete with those two."
  — Jessica Franzen, teacher in Cabot, Arkansas [04:29]

• Voting will reopen Monday and the contest concludes Tuesday.

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Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• Benjamin Netanyahu:

  “We're not done yet. The final elements, the final remnants of Hamas are holed up in Gaza City. They vow to repeat the atrocities of October 7th again and again and again, no matter how diminished their forces. That is why Israel must finish the job. That is why we want to do so as fast as possible.”
  [00:52]

• Alison Cox (NCD Alliance):

  “It's a massive disappointment... But in the end, the rest of the governments will move forward and act.”
  [02:06, 02:12]

• President Donald Trump:

  “We have, as you know, in Japan, it's $550 billion, South Korea's $350 billion, that's up front.”
  [02:46]

• Jessica Franzen (Cabot, Arkansas teacher, on Fat Bear Week):

  "A lot of them were Grazer, a lot of them were Chunk. But to be fair, those are two really excellent choices. And when you show them against all the other bears, Chunk is massive. And Grazer kicks everybody's butt. So they love her for that. So it's hard to compete with those two."
  [04:29]

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Important Segment Timestamps

• Supreme Court & Israel/UN Update: 00:18–01:17
• U.S. Rejects UN NCD Declaration: 01:17–02:24
• Trump's Tariffs & Investment Promises: 02:24–03:11
• Federal Agencies to Memphis: 03:11
• Jimmy Kimmel Returns to TV: 03:11
• Fat Bear Week Feature: 04:07–04:52

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This summary encapsulates the fast-paced, informative tone of the episode, spotlighting notable quotes and providing clear, timestamped navigation for listeners seeking deeper insight into today's top headlines.

Transcript

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[Ryland Barton]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. The Supreme Court rules President Trump can continue to freeze nearly $4 billion in foreign aid, handing him another victory in a dispute over presidential power. The administration sough an emergency appeal after a lower court ruled that Trump's action was likely illegal and that only Congress could withhold the funding. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave a defiant speech at the United nations despite growing international isolation over his refusal to end the devastating war in Gaza. He told world leaders that Israel must destroy Hamas.

[Benjamin Netanyahu]

We're not done yet. The final elements, the final remnants of Hamas are holed up in Gaza City. They vow to repeat the atrocities of October 7th again and again and again, no matter how diminished their forces. That is why Israel must finish the job. That is why we want to do so as fast as possible.

[Ryland Barton]

Delegates from multiple nations walked out of the General assembly hall as Netanyahu began speaking. Responding to countries recent decisions to recognize Palestinian statehood. Netanyahu said it would encourage terrorism against Jews. At the last minute, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Rejected a United nations declaration at the General Assembly, NPR's Gabriela Emanuel says the proposal offered a plan for combating chronic diseases.

[Gabriela Emanuel]

The declaration lays out a roadmap for preventing and controlling NCDs or non communicable diseases like cancer and diabetes. The document has widespread support from countries around the world. But when RFK Jr took the mic, he said the US objected to the declaration. He says it overlooks pressing health issues, but he didn't provide specifics.

[Alison Cox]

It's a massive disappointment.

[Gabriela Emanuel]

Alison Cox is with the NCD alliance, an advocacy group.

[Alison Cox]

But in the end, the rest of the governments will move forward and act.

[Gabriela Emanuel]

The declaration will be considered in the General assembly next month, where it's expected to win approval. Gabriela Emanuel, NPR News.

[Ryland Barton]

President Trump has announced he'll impose a raft of new tariffs starting next week, hitting some home furnishings, heavy trucks and pharmaceuticals. Trump says Japan and South Korea have promised U.S. investments worth nearly a trillion dollars. NPR's Anthony Kuhn reports. That's supposed to be an exchange for lower tariffs.

[President Donald Trump]

Speaking in the Oval Office, President Trump said his trade deals with foreign countries are going well.

We have, as you know, In Japan, it's 550 billion, South Korea's $350 billion, that's up front.

South Korea has warned that paying so much money up front could drain its foreign currency reserves and trigger a financial crisis. Some economists note that $350 billion is more than twice the annual value of South Korea's exports to the U.S. anthony Kuhn, NPR News, Seoul.

[Ryland Barton]

You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Tennessee Republican Governor Bill Lee says federal law enforcement will help fight crime in Memphis starting next week. LE13 federal agencies will arrive in phases, including the National Guard. He says the Guard members will not make arrests and will not be armed unless local officials request it. Sinclair Broadcast Group says it will bring Jimmy Kimmel's late night show back to its TV stations. ABC reinstated Kimmel this week after suspending him for his remarks about the response to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. And voting continues in the Fat Bear Week contest at Katmai national park and Preserve in Alaska. The original bracket of 12 is thinning even as some familiar bears continue fattening up and advancing towards final matchups next week. Alaska Public Media's Ava White reports.

[Ava White]

One is number 32 or Chunk, a 1200 pound plus bear who was last year's runner up. Another is two time defending champion number 128, or Grazer. She'll be the first bear to achieve a consecutive three peat if she wins. Jessica Franzen is a teacher in Cabot, Arkansas. She's following that Bear Week with her students who are split between Grazer and Chunk.

[Jessica Franzen]

A lot of them were Grazer, a lot of them were Chunk. But to be fair, those are two really excellent choices. And when you show them against all the other bears, Chunk is massive. And Grazer kicks everybody's butt. So they love her for that. So it's hard to compete with those two.

[Ava White]

Boating is closed for the weekend, but reopens Monday. That Bear Week ends Tuesday. You can vote [e-mail] For NPR News, I'm Ava White in Anchorage.

[Ryland Barton]

And I'm Rylan Barton. This is NPR News from Washington.

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Listen to this podcast sponsor free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app by subscribing to NPR News Now [e-mail] that's plus.NPR.org.