NPR News: 09-09-2026 6PM EDT

0:00Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryle and Barton, President Trump gave $45,000 Christmas bonuses to a few of his West Wing aides, including his executive assistant, Natalie Harp. And Pierre's Luke Garrett reports that in Harp's case, the cash gift amounted to nearly one-third of her government salary. A White House disclosure shows Natalie Harp, communications adviser, Margot Martin, and Oval Office aide Chamberlain Harris each got $45,000. Oval Office director and former valet Walt Naughta received $20,000 in cash. The aides are among Trump's closest and most loyal. In a statement, the White House says the Christmas gifts are a quote longstanding practice by Trump, and that the cash has nothing to do with, quote, official government duties. It defended the gifts as, quote, permissible under relevant legal and ethical standards. Federal law does bar federal employees from receiving, quote, supplementation of salary. The Department of Justice did not immediately respond to questions regarding Trump's cash gifts and whether they violate US code.

1:01Luke Garrett and Pierre News, Washington. The price of oil went over $100 a barrel again today. It comes after the US military struck five Iranian oil carriers, and Iran says it targeted an air base in Jordan where US troops are positioned. And Pierre's Aeba Trouy has more on how the war has shaped the Gulf region over the last six months. The attacks on US bases since the start of the war have killed and wounded troops, prompting the Pentagon to pull back thousands of personnel from the region. The Navy's fifth fleet in Bahrain was hit by Iran early in the war, forcing a major drawdown of American military personnel there. Chief of Naval Operations, Darryl Kato, was asked recently during a live stream when sailors would be able to return to Bahrain to get their personal belongings. He answered, we're not getting back in there anytime soon. And in Qatar, Iranian strikes during the war caused billions in damage and halted gas production, despite the presence of some 10,000 US troops there before the war. The American bases across the Gulf are meant to be a deterrence, but it's now a factor in why Iran has attacked these Arab states.

2:02Aeba Trouy and Pierre News, Dubai. Stalks fell today as energy prices jumped. NPR Scott Horsey reports investors shrugged off an effort by the Treasury Secretary to keep government bond yields in check. The yield on long-term government debt rose despite the Treasury Department's announcement that it would buy back $6 billion worth of government bonds on Thursday. That's three times through team level of buybacks, a move that was designed to reassure investors and keep the yield on 10-year treasuries in check. Investors were not persuaded, and the yield continued to climb. The government's cost for borrowing money helps determine lots of other interest rates, on things like mortgages and auto loans. Investors are also demanding higher interest rates because of stubborn inflation. Rising tensions around the straight of four moves have pushed crude oil prices back above $100 a barrel, and diesel prices are at an all-time high. Scott Horsey in Pierre News, Washington. Major US stock indexes fell today. You are listening to NPR News from Washington. Republicans have gathered in Dallas for an unusual midterm convention that puts President

3:05Trump at center stage, but some party members are skipping the affair, citing scheduling conflicts or high attendance fees. Organizers describe it as a showcase for Trump's successes and Republican causes. Democratic US Senate candidate James Talleriko is hosting a food drive in Dallas in an attempt to contrast with the convention. Apple will start selling a foldable iPhone about the size of a passport next month. As NPR's John Ruich reports, it's the biggest change to the iconic product since it was introduced nearly 20 years ago. At Apple's annual iPhone launch event, executives talked about an updated iPhone, AirPods, and watch lineup, and then nearly an hour in, New CEO John Ternis said this. But actually, there is one more thing. It's a classic line that late Apple founder Steve Jobs made famous when he announced innovative new products like the first iPhone. The new foldable iPhone has a 5.4-inch exterior screen and is almost like a small iPad when opened with a 7.6-inch screen. The nearly $2,000 price tag goes to about $3,200 with all the bells and whistles, and

4:07let's say that may test the upper boundaries of what Apple users will pay for a phone. Apple is a financial supporter of NPR, John Ruich, NPR News. Papsd Blue Ribbon is offering up to $20,000 to anyone who provides new information that leads to the recovery of 1,602 stolen cases of PBR and non-alcoholic old Milwaukee beer. Police in Montclair, California said the beer was stolen last month from a warehouse in two separate incidents on the same day. This is NPR News. This message comes from MattressFirm. Different sleep preferences? MattressFirm's sleep experts can match you with a tempered visit MattressFirm's best sale of the year and save up to $1,400. Restrictions apply. See store for details.