NPR News: 09-18-2025 1PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: September 18, 2025, 1PM EDT

Host: Lakshmi Singh (NPR News)

---

Overview

This NPR News Now episode provides a brisk yet comprehensive update on major national and international developments as of September 18, 2025. Topics include legal maneuvering by the Trump administration regarding the Federal Reserve, international stances on Palestinian statehood, U.S. immigration court decisions, medical research on skin cancer prevention, shifting mortgage rates, and the whimsical Fat Bear Week competition.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump Administration and Federal Reserve Controversy

[00:18]

• The Trump administration asks the U.S. Supreme Court to approve the firing of Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve’s board after a federal appeals court blocked her dismissal.
  • Trump accuses Cook of mortgage fraud but there is no public evidence.
  • This event highlights ongoing tensions about presidential influence over the Fed’s independence.

---

2. UK and U.S. Discord on Palestinian Statehood

[00:18]–[01:32]

• British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government threatens to recognize a Palestinian state unless Israel commits to peace in Gaza.
• In a joint press conference, President Trump disagrees with Starmer, insisting recognition would “reward Hamas.”
  • Other nations (France, Canada, Australia) considering recognition, showing growing global pressure on Israel.
• Tense but civil disagreement between leaders on Middle East policy.

Notable Quote:

“I have a disagreement with the prime minister on that score. One of our few disagreements, actually.”
—President Trump ([01:13]-[01:18])

---

3. Judicial Halt on Deportation of Unaccompanied Minors

[01:32]–[02:30]

• Federal judge Timothy Kelly (a Trump appointee) extends legal protection for Guatemalan and Honduran children, blocking their deportation.
  • The children’s lawyers argue that deportation violates their due process and federal law.
  • Guatemalan President Arevalo expresses concern over child detainee conditions.
• Most affected children are residing in shelters in Arizona.
• The injunction remains indefinite while the U.S. government considers appeal.

Notable Quote:

“Their removal would be a violation of their due process rights and federal law.”
— Ximena Bustillo, NPR ([01:47])

---

4. Medical Research: Vitamin B3 and Skin Cancer

[02:30]–[03:15]

• New study with 33,000 veterans confirms that nicotinamide (vitamin B3) supplements significantly reduce skin cancer recurrence.
  • Study finds a 53% risk reduction in non-melanoma skin cancers.
  • 500 mg twice daily dosage; supplement is over-the-counter.

Notable Quote:

“A 53% reduction in the risk of skin cancers among patients taking nicotinamide B3.”
— Study referenced by Allison Aubrey ([02:59]-[03:05])

---

5. Mortgage Rate Decline & Fed Interest Rate Cut

[03:15]–[04:08]

• 30-year mortgage rates fell to 6.26% (from 6.35% last week) and 15-year rates to 5.41%.
  • Triggered by the Fed lowering short-term interest rates for the first time this year.
• Rates drop amid criticism of Trump’s attempts to influence Fed independence.

---

6. Fat Bear Week: Fat Bear Junior Competition

[04:08]–[04:55]

• Katmai National Park’s annual event showcases brown bears bulking up for winter.
  • Cubs compete in “Fat Bear Junior,” many related to past champions (e.g., Cub 128 Junior).
  • Voting opens for the public to choose the “fattest” bear cub, who advances to the full bracket next week.
  • Celebrates wildlife resilience in an accessible, lighthearted way.

Notable Quote:

“The National Park Service encourages voters to vote for the bear they best believe exemplifies fatness and success in brown bears.”
— NPR ([04:08])

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Trump said… it’s important to remember the Hamas-led attacks against Israel on October 7, 2023. He acknowledged, though, that he had a different opinion regarding recognizing the Palestinian state.” ([00:48])
• On deportations: “Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo has told reporters he wanted to prevent vulnerable children from being sent to ICE detention centers.” ([01:47])
• On skin cancer study: “Supplements are widely available over the counter. The participants took 500 milligrams twice a day for at least 30 days.” —Allison Aubrey ([03:05])

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Trump vs. Fed & Lisa Cook – [00:18]
• UK/US Clash on Palestine – [00:18]–[01:32]
• Deportation Blocked for Minors – [01:32]–[02:30]
• Vitamin B3 Skin Cancer Study – [02:30]–[03:15]
• Mortgage Rate Drop & Fed Cut – [03:15]–[04:08]
• Fat Bear Week Junior – [04:08]–[04:55]

---

This concise and informative bulletin captures pivotal developments in U.S. governance, international relations, legal action on immigration, medical research, economic shifts, and cultural celebrations—all in under five minutes.

Transcript

[Sponsor/Advertiser]

This message comes from Doctors Without Borders. Doctors Without Borders is meeting this moment of need with action, but they can't do it alone. Help provide life saving care around the world. Learn how to donate today @dormans without borders.org NPR.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Live from NPR News, I'm Lakshmi Singh. The Trump administration is now asking the US Supreme Court to allow the president to to fire Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve's governing board days after a federal appeals court blocked Cook's dismissal without evidence. Trump has accused Cook of committing mortgage fraud. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says his government will recognize a Palestinian state unless Israel commits to peace in Gaza. NPR's Franco Ordonez reports. President Trump says he disagrees.

[Franco Ordonez]

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, during a joint press conference, said he and President Trump agreed on the need to end the conflict in Gaza and secure the release of the hostages. Trump said he wants the immediate release of hostages and said that it's important to remember the Hamas led attacks against Israel on October 7, 2023. He acknowledged, though, that he had a different opinion regarding recognizing the Palestinian state.

[Interjecting Commentator]

I have a disagreement with the prime.

[Ximena Bustillo]

Minister on that score.

[Franco Ordonez]

One of our few disagreements, actually. France, Canada and Australia have also said they would recognize a Palestinian state. Trump has said doing so would only reward Hamas. Franco Ordonez, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

A judge in Washington, D.C. has temporarily blocked the administration from deporting Guatemalan and Honduran children who were sent to the U.S. unaccompanied. U.S. district Judge Timothy Kelly extended a decision first issued over the Labor Day weekend. NPR's Jimena Bustiya reports.

[Ximena Bustillo]

Lawyers for dozens of minors say their clients fear going home and their removal would be a violation of their due process rights and federal law. Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo has told reporters he wanted to prevent vulnerable children from being sent to ICE detention centers. Arevalo says his officials have toured detention centers for Guatemalans and were very concerned for the young migrants. Nearly all the children were in the custody of Health and Human Services Department's Office of Refugee Resettlement and living at shelters in the Phoenix and Tucson areas. Kelly, who was appointed by Trump, granted a preliminary injunction that extends temporary protection indefinitely. The the government can appeal this decision. Ximena Bustillo, NPR News, Washington.

[Lakshmi Singh]

A new study finds vitamin B3 supplements may help prevent a recurrence of skin cancer. NPR's Allison Opry reports. The study included more than 33,000 veterans who've been treated for the disease.

[Allison Aubrey]

Doctors who perform skin cancer surgeries often recommend nicotinamide, a form of vitamin B3. Small studies have shown it can help prevent non melanoma skin cancers. The new research adds to the evidence, says study author Lee Wheelis of Vanderbilt University.

[Interjecting Commentator]

A 53% reduction in the risk of.

[Sponsor/Advertiser]

Skin cancers among patients taking nicotinamide B3.

[Allison Aubrey]

Supplements are widely available over the counter. The participants took 500 milligrams twice a day for at least 30 days. Alison Aubrey, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

This is NPR. Anyone shopping for affordable mortgage rates is finding the borrowing costs for a 30 year loan have fallen this week to 6.26% from 6.35 last week. The housing finance entity Freddie Mac says the average rate on a 15 year mortgage has also fallen since last week to 5.41%. Yesterday. The Fed lowered short term interest rates for the first time this year by a quarter percentage point. This coming as critics accused Trump of trying to assert his authority on the central bank, which was designed to be independent. Fat Bear Week, which celebrates the resilience of brown bears, has its main event next week with adult bears fighting for the title of Fattest Bear of the Year. First up, though, chubby cubs competing in Fat Bear Junior. NPR's Ava Pukach reports. Voting in the Junior tournament opens today.

[Interjecting Commentator]

The National Park Service encourages voters to vote for the bear they best believe exemplifies fatness and success in brown bears. The bears beef up for the winter, gorging on salmon in Brooks river in Alaska's Katmai national park and Preserve. Cubs competing in Fat Bear Jr have familial ties to some of the iron giants of fat bear week. Cub 128 junior is the offspring of defending champ Grazer and is taking on two cubs from bear803 who are competing together. The other semifinal matchup is a sibling rivalry, with Bear 26's female and male cub facing off. The winner of the Friday final advances to the 12 bear bracket, which will be announced Monday. Eva Pukach, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

It's npr.

[Sponsor/Advertiser]

This message comes from Ollie. Back to school season can take a lot out of parents. Ollie is dedicated to helping you prioritize your wellness with solutions that fit seamlessly into your routine, like Women's Multi and Probiotic Mango for your immune system and Ollie's Sleep Gummies for nighttime rest when occasional sleepless. Shop these products and [e-mail] or retailers nationwide. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.