NPR News Now – September 18, 2025, 6AM EDT

Host: Kristen Wright
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode delivers concise updates on major headlines from around the globe, including President Trump's state visit to the UK, broadcasting shakeups following controversial comments, ongoing civil rights concerns, sweeping protests in France, the Taliban Internet blackout, and the latest movement in U.S. Federal Reserve interest rates.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. President Trump’s State Visit to the UK

[00:11–01:15]

• President Trump meets Prime Minister Keir Starmer outside of London to discuss technology partnerships.
• Report covers last night's Windsor Castle banquet with King Charles.
• Trump uses speech to both praise the British monarchy and critique former President Biden:
  • Quote (President Trump, [00:45]):
    “We had a very sick country one year ago, and today I believe we're the hottest country anywhere in the world. In fact, nobody's even questioning it. But we owe so much of that to you and the footing that you gave us when we started today.”
• Trump will spend most of the day with Starmer, with a technology partnership agreement expected later and a joint afternoon press conference.

2. Broadcast Changes Following Jimmy Kimmel’s Comments

[01:15–02:11]

• ABC suspends Jimmy Kimmel Live indefinitely after comments made about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
• Steve Futterman reports: Kimmel accused MAGA-aligned groups of politicizing Kirk’s death.
  • Quote (Jimmy Kimmel, [01:36]):
    “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.”
• Network reactions:
  • ABC preempts Kimmel's show.
  • Nexstar pulls Kimmel off its ABC affiliates just before ABC’s announcement.
  • FCC chairman also criticizes Kimmel’s comments.

Broader Broadcasting Developments

• Nexstar’s acquisition of a broadcast rival awaits FCC approval.
• CBS cited financial reasons for ending The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (aligned with Trump's lawsuit against CBS and the parent company’s merger).
• CBS’s merger has cleared regulatory hurdles.

3. Autopsy and Civil Rights Probe in Mississippi Student’s Death

[02:11–03:04]

• 21-year-old Black college student Trey Reid was found hanging from a tree at Delta State University, Mississippi.
• Authorities say no evidence of foul play as of yet; family conducts independent investigation.
• Student reactions capture campus fear and uncertainty:
  • Quote (Marquan McKinney, first-year student, [03:00]):
    “Everybody's shooking up right now. There's a lot of emotions going on.”
• Civil rights groups demand a thorough investigation.

4. Massive Strikes and Protests in France

[03:25–04:08]

• Large-scale strikes and protests erupt against President Emmanuel Macron and newly appointed center-right Prime Minister.
• Government responds with heavy security:
  • 80,000 police deployed.
  • Armored, water-jet vehicles ready for crowd control.
• Discontent arises from both left and right; public wants policy and leadership change.
• Quote (Eleanor Beardsley, [03:25]):
  “Speaking on television, Interior Minister Bruno Retaillot said he's preparing for large and hybrid protests with a convergence of peaceful union marchers and violent left wing groups bent on destruction and fighting with police. He said they would be met with 80,000 police in the streets and tank like crowd control vehicles that shoot powerful jets of water...”
• Strikes shutter essential services: Schools, hospitals, transport.

5. Taliban Internet Blackout in Afghanistan

[04:08–04:45]

• Taliban cuts internet service countrywide, citing "immoral purposes."
• Partial restoration—services slowed; mobile internet still accessible.
• Major blow to Afghan women/girls: Many rely on online education after Taliban’s ban on schooling beyond grade six.
• Taliban seized power four years ago.

6. U.S. Federal Reserve Cuts Interest Rates

[04:45–04:54]

• Wall Street indices steady after the Federal Reserve’s quarter-point interest rate cut—the first in nine months.
• New benchmark rate: 4–4.25%.

Memorable Quotes

• President Trump ([00:45]):
  “We had a very sick country one year ago, and today I believe we're the hottest country anywhere in the world. In fact, nobody's even questioning it...”

• Jimmy Kimmel ([01:36]):
  “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.”

• Marquan McKinney, Delta State student ([03:00]):
  “Everybody's shooking up right now. There's a lot of emotions going on.”

• Eleanor Beardsley ([03:25]):
  “Interior Minister Bruno Retaillot said he's preparing for... a convergence of peaceful union marchers and violent left wing groups bent on destruction and fighting with police. He said they would be met with 80,000 police in the streets and tank like crowd control vehicles that shoot powerful jets of water...”

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [00:11] President Trump’s UK state visit
• [01:15] Jimmy Kimmel suspension and broadcast industry changes
• [02:11] CBS programming, M&A, and Mississippi student death
• [03:25] French protests and government response
• [04:08] Taliban cuts Internet in Afghanistan
• [04:45] Federal Reserve interest rate cut

This news update covers essential global and domestic stories, with rapid, focused reporting to keep listeners aware of evolving events. The concise soundbites and direct quotes capture the gravity and immediacy of global affairs as covered by NPR’s correspondents.