NPR News Now - NPR News: 09-16-2025 2PM EDT

Episode Date: September 16, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Lakshmi Singh. The man accused of assassinating conservative activists and Trump ally Charlie Kirk is expected to be charged shortly. Meanwhile, FBI Director Cash Patel has been defending his handling of the investigation into Kirk's shooting last week, saying the Bureau acted quickly to put out a reward and images of the suspect, Tyler Robinson. A few hours later, that suspect was in custody, pursuant to the interrogation of the suspect's own father who stated, when I saw that video that you released, I recognized it was my son. The FBI director testifying today on Capitol Hill, Patel's ability to lead the FBI in general has come under scrutiny after he was criticized for speaking too quickly about a suspect in Kirk's killing and publicly discussing evidence in an open criminal case. Sound of Luigi Mangione leaving court escorted by police today. Terrorism charges have been dropped against him. We still charge with the murder of the United Health Executive Brian Thompson.

NPR's Quill Lawrence has more from New York. The Manhattan Supreme Court judge wrote there wasn't evidence for terrorism charges against the 27-year-old Mangione. The charge of second-degree murder stands for last December's killing of United Health Care CEO Brian Thompson. The 50-year-old father of two was in Midtown Manhattan for an investor conference. The state murder charge could send Mangione to prison for life, and he also faces federal charges that carry the death penalty. The killing tapped into widespread public frustration against the U.S. healthcare industry, and some have even celebrated Mangione,

as concern about political violence in the United States is on the rise. Quill-Lorrence NPR News, New York. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Qatar's ruler during a brief stop in the Gulf Arab country following a two-day visit to Israel. That visit came a week after Israel bombed Qatar's capital targeting Hamas's political leaders there. NPR's Aibatrawi reports. Qatar says the attack breached its sovereignty, killing at least six people in Doha, none of them senior Hamas officials. Qatar, which has been a mediator between Israel and Hamas in the war in Gaza, says Israel is trying to thwart chances for a ceasefire and displaced Palestinians outside Gaza.

Rubio told reporters just before landing in Qatar that the U.S. understands they're very upset about, quote, everything that happened. We want them to know that if there's any country in the world that could help, you know, end this through a negotiation, it's Qatar, and we appreciate that. Rubio traveled to Qatar from Israel, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refused to rule out further strikes on Hamesh, wherever they are. Ayapotrawi and Pierre News, Dubai. U.S. stocks are trading lower this hour. The Dow Jones Industrial average now down more than 100 points. at 45,780. From Washington, this is NPR News. People are posting their tributes to Robert Redford on social media.

Jane Fonda, Morgan Freeman, and Antonio Banderas are among the celebrities mourning the news of Redford's death at the age of 89. He's being remembered for his contributions to award-winning films that endure, such as all the presidents meant out of Africa and ordinary people for which he won an Oscar for Best Director. Redford's impact was also strongly felt off-screen as a fierce advocate for independent filmmaking and the protection of the environment. One of the arts or art world's most prestigious honors has been announced, theater director Rosalbo Rolland has won the Dorothy and Lilly and Gish Prize for 2025.

Here's NPR's Anastasius Yulchus. In 1979, Rosalbo Rollon co-founded a traveling theater company in the Bronx. Now known as Prejones, Puerto Rican traveling theater, the group has performed in 38 states and 18 countries. Roland says winning the Gish Prize is an affirmation. The fact that a group of people that I respect got together and discussed my life and my career and made this decision, that's what we take with us. What we take is our reputation and the way people feel about you. Roland says the award will help her and her colleagues rest easier about the years. head and keep their eyes on their artistic mission.

Anastasi Azeelukas, NPR News, New York. The NASDAQ-A-11, the SMP, is down five. The Dow's off 104 points. I'm Lakshmi-Sing-NPR News in Washington.