NPR News Now: September 26, 2025, 6AM EDT

Host: Korva Coleman
Length: 5 minutes
Source: NPR

Episode Overview

This episode delivers the top headlines for September 26, 2025, focusing on the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey, escalating tensions around Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the United Nations, new U.S. military and trade developments, a community response to violence at an ICE facility, and major weather updates.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. James Comey Indicted on Criminal Charges

• [00:18–01:20]
• Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Virginia on two criminal counts: obstruction of justice and making false statements.
• The indictment follows pressure from President Trump, whose administration pushed the Justice Department as the statute of limitations was set to expire.
• Charges are related to Comey’s Senate testimony from September 2020 regarding the FBI investigation into Russian election interference and leaks to the media.
• The White House recently replaced a senior prosecutor skeptical of the case with Lindsey Halligan, an insurance lawyer with Trump ties but no prosecutorial experience.
• President Trump publicly celebrated the news, posting “justice in America” online.

Notable Quote:

“The charges against Jim Comey come after days of pressure from President Trump, who urged the Justice Department to hurry up and build a criminal case against him.”
— Carrie Johnson, NPR [00:33]

2. Netanyahu to Address United Nations Amid Genocide Allegations

• [01:20–02:12]
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to speak at the UN General Assembly, as the UN Commission recently declared Israeli leaders incited genocide in Gaza.
• Israel's military plans to broadcast Netanyahu’s speech on loudspeakers in Gaza as the country launches a new ground offensive.
• Netanyahu avoided much of European airspace due to an ICC arrest warrant relating to alleged war crimes.
• Expectations are that Netanyahu will criticize Western nations for their moves to recognize Palestinian statehood.

Notable Quote:

“Israel’s military is preparing to blast Netanyahu’s speech on loudspeakers in Gaza, where Israel has just started a new ground offensive.”
— Emily Fang, NPR [01:40]

3. US Politics: Trump, Israel, and Military Leadership Meeting

• [02:12–02:53]
• President Trump declared he will not allow Israel to annex the Israeli-occupied West Bank; he would not confirm if he discussed this directly with Netanyahu. The two are scheduled to meet on Monday.
• The Defense Department is summoning hundreds of high-ranking US generals and admirals to a large meeting in Virginia, to be addressed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
• Unprecedented in scale, this meeting could pose operational and national security challenges.

Notable Quote:

“I’ve never heard of anything on this scale... Secretary Hegseth has talked about reducing the number of admirals and generals who stand at more than 800.”
— Tom Bowman, NPR [02:53]

4. Trump Announces 100% Tariff on Imported Pharmaceuticals

• [03:12–03:51]
• President Trump announces sweeping new tariffs, notably a 100% tariff on pharmaceuticals not produced in the US, unless the manufacturer is actively building a US plant.

5. Community Response to ICE Facility Shooting in Dallas

• [03:51–04:26]
• Advocacy groups organize a vigil for victims after a shooting at a local ICE facility left one detainee dead and two hospitalized.
• Organizers at the vigil emphasize the need for transparency from ICE and shift attention to the experiences of victims rather than the agency itself.

Notable Quote:

“The truth is that we want the story to be told about the people being hurt. This story is not about ICE being attacked. It's about our community being attacked.”
— Tony Rodriguez, Vigil Organizer [04:01]

6. Weather Update: Hurricane and Typhoon Developments

• [04:26–04:57]
• Tropical Storm Umberto has rapidly strengthened into a hurricane in the Atlantic, with expectations to become a major hurricane this weekend (winds over 111 mph).
• The Philippines braces for Typhoon Buloi just days after Typhoon Ragasa, following significant fatalities in both the Philippines and Taiwan.

Notable Quotes Recap

• Carrie Johnson: “The charges against Jim Comey come after days of pressure from President Trump, who urged the Justice Department to hurry up and build a criminal case against him.” [00:33]
• Emily Fang: “Israel’s military is preparing to blast Netanyahu’s speech on loudspeakers in Gaza, where Israel has just started a new ground offensive.” [01:40]
• Tom Bowman: “I’ve never heard of anything on this scale... Secretary Hegseth has talked about reducing the number of admirals and generals who stand at more than 800.” [02:53]
• Tony Rodriguez: “The truth is that we want the story to be told about the people being hurt. This story is not about ICE being attacked. It's about our community being attacked.” [04:01]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Comey Indictment: 00:18–01:20
• Netanyahu’s UN Speech & Gaza: 01:20–02:12
• US Policy on Israel, Military Meeting: 02:12–02:53
• Pharmaceutical Tariffs/ICE Vigil: 03:12–04:26
• Weather (Hurricane/Typhoons): 04:26–04:57

This episode delivers concise, up-to-the-minute coverage on major international and domestic developments with voices from NPR’s core reporters. For listeners seeking a rapid yet thorough update on the day’s most pressing stories, this newscast offers an essential five-minute summary.