NPR News Now - NPR News: 09-22-2025 12PM EDT

Episode Date: September 22, 2025

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Live from NPR News, I'm Lakshmi Singh. President Trump says history will not forget Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist who was assassinated nearly two weeks ago during an outdoor rally on a Utah college campus. Trump eulogized Kirk during a memorial service in Arizona yesterday that heavily reflected Kirk's Christian faith. He did not hate his opponents. He wanted the best for them. That's where I disagreed with Charlie.

I hate my opponent, and I don't want the best for them. I'm sorry. I am sorry, Erica. Trump apologizing to Kirk's widow, who struck a very different tone from the president's as she declared that she did forgive her husband's killer. NPR's Luke Garrett has more. Erica Kirk spoke for nearly an hour at a PAC State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. She remembered her last moments with Kirk and then forgave his alleged killer. I forgive him because it was what Christ did. and is what Charlie would do. Erica Kirk then assured the crowd that she will lead Kirk's turning point USA

and its mission for young men in America. To all the men watching around the world, except Charlie's challenge and embrace true manhood. She also thanked the second lady, Ushavance, for her comfort in the days following Kirk's assassination. Luke Garrett and PR News. Erica Kirk embrace the Trump at the end of the president's remarks as a choral rendition of America the beautiful rang out from speakers at the event.

A 22-year-old man faces aggravated murder, firearms, and obstruction charges in connection with Charlie Kirk's killing, Utah prosecutors have said they will seek the death penalty. The war in Gaza will figure prominently at this week's UN General Assembly in New York. France is set to announce its recognition of a Palestinian state, as have several other major Western countries while the U.S. and Israel stand opposed. Despite the growing international push for sovereign Palestinian state, many living in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, and especially in Gaza, say there's little to celebrate as the war rages on.

Here's NPR's Kerry Kahn. 40-year-old Mohamed al-Najar lives in a tent with his family of seven in Gaza City, which is under Israeli evacuation orders. He says recognition has no value. With the war in Israel's genocide continuing, he says, They eliminate people, trees, everything, what Palestinian state is the world talking about, he asks. Israel's prime minister says recognition rewards Hamas for terrorism. He's threatened retaliation.

France and Saudi Arabia hold meetings this week on Palestine recognition at the UN. A Saudi official who was not authorized to speak to the press told NPR and informed Israel via Washington that any retaliation is, quote, outright rejected. Kerry Khan, NPR News, Tel Aviv. From Washington, this is NPR News. A hurricane is getting stronger in the Atlantic. We have more from NPR's, Matt Bloom. The National Weather Service says the chances of direct landfall in Bermuda are decreasing, but the island could still see heavy rainfall and winds through the beginning of this week.

Meteorologists say parts of the East Coast, including North Carolina and New England, could see swells in dangerous rip currents. Gabrielle is the seventh-named storm of this year's Atlantic season, only two of which have strengthened into hurricanes. The season lasts through the end of November. Matt Bloom, NPR News. Alaska's Catmine National Park and Preserve is home to the world's largest salmon run and some really fat bears. Twelve of them are vying to win the annual online fat bear week competition. Alaska Public Media is Abe White has details.

Thousands of people around the world are watching webcams trained on the famously fat bears feasting on salmon and catmye. Attention will ramp up this week for Fat Bear Week, where a dozen chunky contenders will face off in the bracket-style voting competition for the title of Fattest Bear. Sarah Bruce is a ranger at the park and says the event is Katmai's hallmark event. That Bear Week brings the park into the living room of anybody who wants to enjoy this place. Even just this past week, we had a bear cam fan who visited the park from New Zealand. Online voting for Fat Bear Week opens tomorrow and runs through September 30th. For NPR News, I'm Ava White in Anchorage. I'm Lakshmi Singh, NPR News, in Washington.