NPR News Now - NPR News: 09-23-2025 1PM EDT

Episode Date: September 23, 2025

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Live from NPR News, I'm Lakshmi Singh. President Trump's speech of the United Nations today took aim at migration, climate action, recognition of a Palestinian state and the relevance of the U.N. itself. Trump aired wide-ranging grievances on the opening day of the 80th U.N. General Assembly, New York. NPR's Frank Ordonez reports Trump is also holding one-on-one meetings with other world leaders. He's got a bunch of meetings scheduled for the rest of the day this afternoon with leaders of the Middle East about Gaza. but also with European leaders to discuss the war in Ukraine. Trump said in his speech that he was going to speak with European Union about European countries continuing to purchase Russian oil.

And P.R. Frank Ordonez, Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown no signs of ordering a halt in its war with its Ukrainian neighbor. Meanwhile, Trump has also expressed support for Brazil's besieged former president, Jayo Bolsonaro, who has been convicted of plotting a coup following his reelection loss. And waiting further into Latin America, American politics, Trump also took the unusual step today of endorsing libertarian president Javier Milay for a re-election in Argentina. At the same time, senior diplomats are in New York City for the General Assembly. The Secret Service says it shut down a network of devices that

could have been used to spy or disrupt communications. More from NPR's Jenna McLaughlin. High-profile meetings of world leaders are extremely attractive targets for espionage. So it's no surprise the U.S. Secret Service uncovered a network of more than 300 servers and 100,000 SIM cards in New York City in the days leading up to the 80th U.N. General Assembly. According to the Secret Service, those devices could have enabled bad actors to shut down communication networks in the area or to spy on the session. Matt McCool is the special agent in charge of the Washington Field Office. He made brief remarks in a video message.

This announcement is designed to safeguard critical infrastructure and responsibly provide the public what we can at this time. He said the investigation already uncovered a potential foreign actor involved. Jen McLaughlin, NPR News. President Trump canceled a White House meeting with top Democratic leaders initially planned for Thursday. NPR's Dieter Walsh reports efforts. The prospects of a government shutdown are rising. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said they planned to push for measures to lower health care costs as part of a government funding deal.

But in a post on his social media platform, the president called the demands from Democrats unsurious and ridiculous and said no meeting could be productive. The House approved an extension of current funding levels until November 21st, but the measure failed to advance in the Senate. Without any negotiations, a potential shutdown could start October 1st. Jeffrey says the president chickened out. The president left the door open to a future meeting if Democrats shift their demands. Deirdre Walsh, NPR News. At last check on Wall Street, the NASDAQ was down more than 100 points. The Dow was up slightly.

This is NPR News. Even though Disney-owned ABC's decided to put Jimmy Kimmel live back on the air tonight, not every market may see it. ABC Affiliate Group Next Star has joined Sinclair in announcing plans to continue preempting Kimmel's show pending assurances that the content meets its standards. ABC suspended Kimmel a week ago after he appeared to criticize MAGA rhetoric against liberal ideology in the aftermath of conservative activist Charlie Kirk's assassination. Yesterday, more than 400 of the biggest names and entertainment sign an open letter from the ACLU,

condemning Kimmel's suspension, and what they describe as an attack on constitutionally protected free speech. Opening statements got underway today in the federal government's case against big tech company Amazon. The Federal Trade Commission alleges Amazon manipulated millions of customers into signing up for its prime membership and then made it really hard to cancel. NPR's Alina Selyuk reports. The lawsuit marks one of the biggest federal cases against one of the first federal cases against one of the world's largest companies. And somewhat unusual for a dense antitrust case, a jury will determine whether Amazon broke the law. And note that Amazon is among NPR's financial supporters. The FTC says Amazon illegally used what are known as dark patterns, quote, manipulative design elements that trick people

into signing up for prime. And then the FTC says Amazon made people jump through too many hoops if they wanted to cancel. The company denies any wrongdoing and says its designs and disclosures follow industry standards. Alina Zellu, NPR News. U.S. stocks are trading lower this hour. The NASDAX off 100 points. SMPs down 18. The Dow is off four points. You're listening to NPR News.