NPR News Now - NPR News: 09-18-2025 12PM EDT

Episode Date: September 18, 2025

NPR News: 09-18-2025 12PM EDTLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Live from NPR News, I'm Lakshmi Singh. Major unions are joining some of the biggest names in entertainment and sounding the alarm about censorship in the wake of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel's indefinite suspension. Yesterday, Disney-owned ABC Yanked Kimmel's late-night show from air after receiving backlash over his remarks about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk last week. President Trump is applauding the latest move, and Pierre's Mandolita El Barco has details. Host Jimmy Kimmel had called Charlie Kirk's murder Senseless. During his monologue on Monday, he said this.

We hit some new lows over the weekend with the Maga Gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it. That sparked a backlash by Kirk's supporters, the chair of the Federal Communications Commission, and ABC affiliates from Next Star and Sinclair, who demanded Kimmel apologize to the Kirk family and donate to his group. Turning Point USA. Many have denounced Kimmel's suspension as censorship. Mandolit Del Barco, NPR News. Well, Kimmel came up during Trump's state visit in the UK today. Jimmy Kimmel is not a talented person. He had very bad ratings, and they should have fired him a long time ago. So, you know, you can call that free speech or not. He was fired for lack of talent.

Trump also had a lot to say about major tech deals with Britain, the Gaza War, and his disappointment in Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump says Putin, has let him down in failing to take steps to end its war with Ukraine. And Pierce Tamara Keith reports on Trump's remarks during a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Kier-Starmer at Chekers. For some time now, Trump has been warning of stern consequences for Putin if he doesn't end the war. But at the press conference, Trump was non-committal when asked about actually imposing those consequences.

It doesn't affect the United States. And he, look, it doesn't so much affect you. Of course, you are a lot closer to the scene than we are. We have a whole ocean separating. us. UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer jumped in. We have to put extra pressure on Putin. And it's only when the president has put pressure on Putin that he's actually shown any inclination to move. So we have to ramp that pressure up. Starmer said the UK and France are willing to take the lead. Tamara Keith, NPR News. Starbucks employees in three states are suing their employer over the company's new dress code. They say Starbucks failed to reimburse them for the expense of having to buy new clothes. Starbucks says it wants the employee's green aprons to stand out. The new dress

coat keeps clothing colors and materials largely to black, khaki, and denim. Certain tattoos and facial piercings are also restricted. U.S. stocks are trading higher. The Sauer. The Dow is up 88 points at 46,107. The S&P has gained 36 points in the next. NASDAQ is up more than 200 points. It's NPR news. Advisors to the CDC's panel meet today to consider two controversial changes to childhood vaccination recommendations. NPR's Rob Stein. The advisors will consider recommending against vaccinating all newborn babies against hepatitis B within the first 24 hours of birth. Instead, the advisors are considering recommending waiting until babies are at least one. month old if their mothers test negative for the virus. The advisors will also vote whether to

recommend against kids getting one shot for measles, mumps, rebella, and chicken pox before age four. Instead, the advisors will consider recommending kids that age get a separate shot for measles. Most doctors oppose both changes. Rob Stein, NPR News. French President Emmanuel Macron's policies are prompting widespread protests. Here's NPR's Eleanor Beardsley. Train strikers gathering around the Galdonore station called for open-ended strikes until Macron gets the message. Public transport and schools are severely disrupted as train drivers and teachers walk off the job.

Nearly half the country's high school and middle school teachers are striking. They say Macron's policies for the rich hurt workers, and the new prime minister from the center right will continue these bad policies. Speaking from a Paris march, Jean-Luc Menon head of the far left. France on Bowd Party said the new prime minister will be forced out just like the one before, but Macron needs to go too. He's lost four prime ministers, he said. Normally in a democracy, there are consequences for that. Eleanor Beardsley and Pierre News, Paris. It's NPR.