NPR News Now - NPR News: 09-18-2025 3PM EDT

Episode Date: September 18, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Lakshmi Seng. The U.S. and Britain have signed a major trade partnership to support artificial intelligence and other new technologies in the United Kingdom. President Trump spent the second day of his historic state visit at Checkers, British Prime Minister Kirstarmer's official country residents. This trip has galvanized $350 billion in deals across many sectors, and we're committed to ensuring that the U.K. is a secure and reliable. supply of the best AI hardware and software on earth. And we supply that and we'll make sure we

supply it in quantity to the UK. Trump and Starrmer also acknowledge disagreements, including those related to the UK's intention to formally recognize a Palestinian state ahead of the UN General Assembly next week. People are sharing mixed reactions following ABC's decision to suspend the Jimmy Kimmel late-night talk show indefinitely. The network move followed remarks Kimmel made Monday night suggesting MAGA supporters are trying to use the death of Charlie Kirk to score political points. Here's Steve Futterman. Jimmy Kimmel's Wednesday night show was about to begin taping when ABC pulled the plug. Comedian Wanda Sykes was set to be a guest.

She is concerned about free speech. Hey, for those of you who pray, now's the time to do it. Love you, Jimmy. President Trump was asked about the Kimmel suspension during his news conference. in the UK. Well, Jimmy Kimmel was right because he had bad ratings more than anything else, and he said a horrible thing about a great gentleman known as Charlie Kirk, and Jimmy Kimmel is not a talented person. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr says he believes late-night talk shows have political agendas. For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Los Angeles. The U.S. Census Bureau's

internal watchdog is raising concerns the Bureau may not be able to recruit enough temporary workers to carry out next year's major field test for the next national headcount in 2030. NPR's Hansi Lowong reports at Bureau says the test are designed to help produce an accurate tally of the country's residents that will be used to redistribute political representation and federal funding. Next month, the Census Bureau is set to start recruiting workers for what it calls the 2026 census test in parts of Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas. But the Commerce Department Inspector General's office has found that uncertain funding from Congress and President Trump's ongoing hiring freeze on federal workers have helped put the Bureau at risk of not finalizing a staffing plan in time.

That could lead to delays in recruiting workers who are supposed to help the Bureau develop better ways of addressing longstanding undercounts of populations such as children under the age of five, people of color, and renters. The 2030 census counts are set to be used to determine each state share of congressional seats, electoral college votes, and trillions in federal funding in the next decade. On Zila Wong, 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.

Much of France has been paralyzed by strikes and protests against President Emmanuel Macron and what people call his policies for the wealthy. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports many high school students are among the protesters. These students are blocking their Paris high school and calling for solidarity with workers. 12th grader Mila Schink says they're against Macron's budget of austerity. That wants to cut the social security system. that wants to cut in health and in education, which would only weigh heavy on the people that are already vulnerable.

She says Macron is also denying democracy because he keeps naming prime ministers from his camp when he doesn't have the support. He went against people's opinion and is governing with a minority and is trying to pass budgets while having a minority. Macron has passed many reform measures using an emergency clause in the Constitution because he doesn't have the votes in Parliament. Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Paris. The U.S. Army says a helicopter crash near joint-based Lewis McCord in Washington State last night.

Still nowhere yet on injuries or how many people were involved. You're listening to NPR News.