NPR News: 09-21-2026 6AM EDT
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What is the United Nations General Assembly agenda and why is President Trump speaking?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. World leaders are gathering at the United Nations in New York this week. It's for the General Assembly's high level debate. And Pierre's Michelle Kelleman reports President Trump will be among the first speakers tomorrow
morning. This is the last General Assembly for Secretary General Antonio Guterres, who has raised concerns about a fragmented world. He's pushing for a ceasefire in Russia's war against Ukraine and de-escalation in the Persian Gulf. The leaders of Brazil, Kenya, Canada, and the European Union echo that, writing in a joint op-ed in the Financial Times calling for cooperation over fragmentation. Climate change and AI are expected to be major themes, though last year President Trump called climate change a hoax. In addition to his speech, he's expected to meet Ukraine's president and Venezuela's interim leader who took over after the US ousted Nicolas Maduro, Michelle Kellan, and PR News New York.
Why are Austin officials demanding answers after an ICE agent shot a Hispanic motorist?
Today President Trump meets
New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani at the mayor's mansion. City officials in Austin, Texas are demanding more information about why ICE agents shot and injured a Hispanic motorist yesterday. The Homeland Security Department says the man was a citizen of Venezuela who was supposed to be deported from the U.S. Austin Mayor Kirk Watson is furious.
A person being shot on the streets of Austin by someone purporting to be law
enforcement, uh particularly when it's ice. The man was reported to be in serious but stable condition at a local hospital in Austin. Dozens of community members gathered at the shooting scene to protest. The mayor of Austin is seeking an independent investigation. The Department of Homeland Security says it has the man in federal custody pending removal from the US.
How is Turkey’s new defense pact with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan expected to shape Middle‑East security?
Turkey says it's ready to provide Saudi Arabia with military help following drone strikes on the Saudi capital by the Iranian backed Houthi rebels based in Yemen. NPR's Hadil Al Shelchi reports it's the first test of a defense pact signed last month by Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan.
In a press conference, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Saudi Arabia may require, quote, military assistance, especially on quote some technical issues. Fidan said Turkey was ready to assist with those needs, but didn't outline exactly what they may be. Some experts say it could involve air defense systems. In August, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, along with Pakistan, signed a pact called the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement. It features a provision similar to NATO's Article V that an attack on one country is an attack on all and a promise to share defense intelligence. Turkey is also a NATO member with its second largest military. Fidan has previously cautioned Saudi Arabia not to get dragged into the US war with Iran.
What is the proposed U.S.–China dialogue on artificial intelligence and why does it matter?
Hadil al Shalci, n PR News, Istanbul. This is NPR.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant says the US and China are talking about setting up an official dialogue about artificial intelligence. The idea is to allow both countries to communicate about AI related incidents involving national security. This comes ahead of this week's meeting between President Trump and Chinese President Xi. As screens take over more of our lives, we appear to be speaking less to each other. NPR's Amy Held reports the growing silence could have unintended consequences. We are at
a loss for words. An analysis of daily audio recordings over 14 years starting in 2005 finds people spoke three hundred and thirty-eight fewer words each day on average.
How has daily spoken communication declined in the U.S. and what are the social consequences?
A 28% drop in all. The researchers who published their findings in Perspectives on Psychological Science say the word drop is wearing away at social connection. And more, says Mary Ellen MacDonald, author of More Than Words, How Talking Sharpens the Mind and Shapes Our World. Talking focuses our attention, improves long-term planning. Helps to regulate our emotions. She says AI communication and companions aren't helping. Giving us even less reasons to converse. The researchers say even a brief chat with a neighbor or a stranger can make up for the word decline.
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Chapters
6 chapters
1
What is the United Nations General Assembly agenda and why is President Trump speaking?
0:00–0:59
2
Why are Austin officials demanding answers after an ICE agent shot a Hispanic motorist?
0:59–1:54
3
How is Turkey’s new defense pact with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan expected to shape Middle‑East security?
1:54–2:55
4
What is the proposed U.S.–China dialogue on artificial intelligence and why does it matter?
2:55–3:45
5
How has daily spoken communication declined in the U.S. and what are the social consequences?
3:45–4:19
6
What is Fat Bear Week and why is it a highlight of NPR’s weekend coverage?
4:19–5:04