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Here's the Scoop
Extended Ceasefire in Lebanon, Islamabad Talks, and Trump Fast-Tracking Psychedelics
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- [00:01]
Savannah Sellers
I don't have to keep on thinking, like, wherever I'm going, like, if it's
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Erica Edwards
going to be safe, if I'm going
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Savannah Sellers
to be able to make it. So it was all like, it's such a good feeling. Hey, everybody, and welcome to here's the scoop from NBC News. I'm Savannah Sellars filling in for Yasmin Vasugi. And today on the show, a web of complex negotiations just yielded another ceasefire extension between Israel and Lebanon. But what does this mean for a peace plan between the US And Iran? Yasmin joins us from Lebanon with the diplomacy behind the scenes. Plus, the FDA just fast tracked three psychedelic drug trials. What could that mean for mental health treatment? But first, while the US And Iran could be getting back to the negotiating table, Thursday's talks between Israel and Lebanon and Washington secured a ceasefire extension in Beirut. People breathed a sigh of relief. It's great to see our people like
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Yasmin Vasugi
be relieved for a couple of weeks from the concept bombardment from Israel.
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Savannah Sellers
It's been lately hard to like live with everything. And with the ceasefire, I think we look down, but they're still holding out hope for a more permanent end.
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Erica Edwards
I think it's something that is not right because they can't let us stay living in instability.
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Savannah Sellers
Yaz joins me now as her assignment in Lebanon winds down. Hey, Yaz.
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Yasmin Vasugi
Hi, Savannah. Good to see you in the chair.
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Savannah Sellers
Good to see you too. Yeah, thanks for letting me keep the seat warm. So let's start with this three week ceasefire extension. The ambassadors of Lebanon and Israel met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, D.C. yesterday. But we still don't have a lot of the details here. You though you did speak with an official inside the Lebanese government, specifically the advisor to the House Speaker. What did you learn about the state of negotiations?
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Yasmin Vasugi
So you're right in saying that there aren't a lot of details. The three week ceasefire is exactly what it is. It is a three week extension of the ceasefire that Lebanon and Israel were already inside of. So as you heard from some of the people that we just listened to on the streets of Beirut, there is a certain sigh of relief that they can return to a sense of normalcy, at least for now. But what they reiterated to me and what I also heard from the government today in my conversations and the advisor to the speaker of Parliament was that there is no conclusive ending to this war still. And where does this lead? So let's talk about what the asks are and whether or not they can actually get there. So Israel is saying we have built this demarcation area, this buffer zone, which is 10 km in from the border between Israel and Lebanon, for safety and security purposes. It allows them to basically see and protect from Hezbollah fighters and Hezbollah advances. But there has been fighting, as there was even this morning amidst the extension of the ceasefire, inside this buffer zone, back and forth between Hezbollah fighters and the idf. So Israel is saying, okay, we will pull out of this secured area, this buffer zone, if you're able to disarm Hezbollah, Lebanon instead is saying, you must pull out. In order for us to disarm Hezbollah, there must be trust established in order for us to then go to Hezbollah leaders and Hezbollah fighters and say disarm, because there is nothing else to fight. That's one people must be able to return to their homes in this buffer zone. About a million plus people have had to leave their homes amidst this war. Some of their homes are just completely gone. Right. They must release political prisoners. This is Lebanon saying this to Israel. And then they must begin the rebuilding process. It does not seem as if the Lebanese government wants to, quote, unquote, normalize relations with Israel. And, you know, while a lot of people are breathing a sigh of relief that they have more time, there's also a lot of people saying, okay, then when are we going to end this thing and how are we actually going to get there?
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Savannah Sellers
Is there any indication, no matter what order of events things happened in between Israel pulling back from that buffer zone and the disarmament, is there any indication that Hezbollah would actually disarm?
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Yasmin Vasugi
So the advisor to speaker of Parliament said he believes Hezbollah will in fact disarm if Israel were to pull back. And they have created a plan, this non aggression pact that is a cooperation between the United States, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, in coordination with Tehran. They would essentially, you know, round up Hezbollah's weapons if in fact Israel were to pull back from this protective buffer zone that they have created. Whether or not that can become reality, I think is the question. This is also not something that's going to happen within the next week, two weeks, probably even three weeks. Right. Hezbollah weaponry, Hezbollah fighters, Hezbollah presence is widespread throughout the south. So, yes, as those talks played out
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Savannah Sellers
in Washington, D.C. yeah, the big ones that we were waiting for between the US And Iran in Pakistan did not happen. Those were put on ice. And President Trump even told reporters Thursday that the US Is really in no rush to end the war with Iran. I don't want to rush it. I want to take my time. We have plenty of time. And I want to get a great deal and then even asked about gas prices going up a little. And you know what they get for that? You know what they get for that? Iran without a nuclear weapon. Where do U S. Iran talks currently stand? What might we see when.
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Yasmin Vasugi
So there was actually kind of a big development today when it came to U S. Iran talks. We are now learning, it seems that Iran's foreign minister is traveling to Islamabad, Pakistan, that Steve Witkoff, the Middle east envoy to the Trump administration, alongside Jared Kushner, the President's son in law, are also traveling to Islamabad, Pakistan, that Vice President J.D. vance is on standby if in fact the talks head in the right direction, as is Ghaliba, the speaker of the parliament inside Iran who was part of the negotiations in the last round. So it seems as if there is a possibility that these talks could resume again. I will believe it when I see it, but it seems as if the parties are in transit. And we do know the Iranians have wanted J.D. vance a part of these negotiations for a couple of reasons, as they put it, most importantly because they felt as if the Vice President was against the US Strikes on Iran in the first place, hence why they want him a part of the negotiations and ending this war. And so I think we have to watch what happens there while the President is saying that he's in no hurry to end this war. We have seen the polling firsthand that citizens of the United States are not necessarily on board with the President continuing on. The economy is seeing some slumps and obviously we're seeing gas prices where they have been up and down throughout this war because of the blockades at the Strait of Hormuz.
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Savannah Sellers
Yes, quickly, before I let you go. I mean, you're wrapping up this time there, your assignment in Lebanon. It's been such a benefit to have you on the ground there with your reporting for us. What's your big takeaway before you head home?
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Yasmin Vasugi
It's super complicated here. It is super gray. There are so many factions that have interests and it's important for us to understand why it is that people believe in a certain ideology, why it is that people develop inherent mistrust in various nations. Part of that is history. Part of that is the way in which they believe. Part of that is lack of exposure. And so much of it comes to the surface in regions like this and in times like this, I mean, Savannah, there are 23, 24, 25 year olds who have told me they've never really known peace. They've known ceasefires, but they've never known true peace. They've never felt truly safe. And so if you can just for a moment put yourself in their shoes, whether or not they're Lebanese or Palestinian or Israeli or Iranian or whomever you are, right. That is the reality for people that are constantly at war is there is this inherent undercurrent of fear that at any moment your life could change what
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Savannah Sellers
was a service to us that you went and put yourself there to report for us. So, yes, thank you. Safe travels home. Can't wait to have my next door office neighbor.
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Erica Edwards
We're neighbors.
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Yasmin Vasugi
Everybody in office. Thanks, Savannah.
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Savannah Sellers
All right. We're going to take a very quick break. When we're back, why the Trump administration is improving access to medical marijuana and psychedelics. That's next. And hey, while you're waiting, why not pull that screen out right now, open up the podcast app where you're listening to us and hit subscribe. And if you already subscribe, do me a favor and rate and review us. Your input will help other listeners and watchers find us. Plus, we just really appreciate it. We're back in a minute.
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Dylan Dreyer
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Kate Snow
Hi, it's Kate Snow, NBC News anchor, host of the podcast the Drink. This month, I'm grabbing a matcha latte with comedian Taylor Tomlinson. The drink is always about someone's journey to the top, and Taylor's story is remarkable. She tells us all about her unlikely path from performing in churches all the way to headlining her own Netflix specials like her latest Prodigal Daughter. And she opens up about her religious upbringing, what drew her to stand up and how she feels when she gets on that stage. Hope you'll listen and follow the drink wherever you get your podcasts.
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Savannah Sellers
And we're back with here's the scoop from NBC News. Some people hear the words psychedelics and marijuana and think of tripping hippies and stoner. But this week, the Trump administration made moves that could ease restrictions on psychedelics to treat major depression and post traumatic stress disorder. And the news comes just a day after the department of justice took steps to reclassify medical marijuana from a Schedule 1 to Schedule 3 drug. So just how accessible could these drugs become? Who stands to benefit from these policy changes? I'm joined now by Erica Edwards, health and medical news writer and reporter for NBC News. Hi, Erica.
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Erica Edwards
Hi, good afternoon.
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Savannah Sellers
Great to see you again today. So Erica, you were the first actually to report on this FDA news when it comes to these psychedelic drugs. First just tell us what exactly is changing? What could it possibly mean for patients?
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Erica Edwards
Yeah, so here's what happened today. The FDA basically granted an accelerated review of three different psychedelic drugs. Two companies are studying psilocybin or magic mushrooms, two as a potential treatment for depression. Another company has been studying methylone or mdma, ecstasy for treatment of ptsd. And the normal FDA approval process can take a year or more. What this does today is that it speeds up that review process the companies put in their application for a drug. FDA goes over it. This new process could take just a few months. So in fact, FDA Commissioner Marty McCary told me that we could see the first psychedelic drug approved in the US by the end of the summer and that would be unprecedented. Savannah.
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Savannah Sellers
So as an admitted non expert on this, I do just remember 15 years ago or so working on stories related to this, related to psychedelics and how they could potentially treat PTSD research studies that were going on. So that kind of feels like this has been going on for a while. So explain like just how fast these are being fast tracked when it feels like it's kind of been a long time coming for some of these drugs.
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Erica Edwards
You're exactly right. So the studies have been ongoing about some of these drugs, psilocybin, for example, eth, methlone, for years here in the U.S. the problem though is that they are all classified as Schedule 1, like heroin. So they are, they are completely illegal here in the US and that really kind of has hampered researchers ability to get these drugs through an approval process. That's why the actions today are so important. That really speeds up the process to get those drugs to the market. Now that said, even if one of these drugs is ultimately approved, there will not be easy access for folks. Right. A lot of these drugs still produce that euphoric high. And researchers and scientists want to make sure that anytime folks use these drugs, they're done in a safe, controlled environment.
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Savannah Sellers
So meaning that this change doesn't necessarily mean that you're going to be able to pick this up as a prescription at the pharmacy and go use it at home?
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Erica Edwards
Absolutely not.
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Savannah Sellers
Erica. I know A community that could greatly benefit from this is, are our war veterans. It's an area that has been studied. I'm wondering how this could benefit the community further. And also has the fact that these drugs have been classified the way that they have meant that research is difficult, does this loosen that up?
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Erica Edwards
You're right. War veterans, former professional football players, wrestlers, all who have suffered concussions, repeated concussions, blows to the head, oftentimes come out of that, suffering from long term mental health consequences, anxiety, depression, sometimes substance use disorders. And I talked with a former professional wrestler who's now a neuroscientist, by the way, and he was saying that, you know, there's a great, great need for these people to go and find relief. And they're willing to do that, they're willing to spend the money, go to Mexico or these other countries to try to get this relief. But he's saying, you know, if we can really sort of pull research into this country, make sure that it's done in a safe environment, because remember, these are sometimes hours long, potentially emotionally upsetting highs that these people are going through. If we can move that here into the US that could be a safer environment.
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Savannah Sellers
Are researchers excited about this or concerned about this?
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Erica Edwards
A little bit of both, I would say. So. There is a lot of, you know, cautious optimism, if you, if you will. But they are very excited that potentially this could open the doors for expanded research, expanded money into research again to make sure that the science is really rock solid before any kind of approval.
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Savannah Sellers
What do critics have to say about the fast tracking aspect of this?
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Erica Edwards
There's a lot of worry that we're sort of putting the cart before the horse. Right? A lot of worry that this could mean people could take this as, you know, you can start using these drugs recreationally. That's not true. There's concern that those safety measures won't be put into place.
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Savannah Sellers
I've like seen even on reality TV shows, people going to what is some type of clinic usually seems pretty nice, laying on a couch, that kind of thing, and being administered these drugs. What does that landscape look like now prior to, to this fast tracking? How is it that some people have been using these drugs? Is that illegally? Is it only part of research studies?
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Erica Edwards
Well, oftentimes what you're seeing is people spending thousands of dollars going to Mexico or other places in the world to use these drugs. And yeah, they look like sort of resorts, right? You go in, there's a nice couch where you can lie down. But the other concern here is that, you know, Some of these drugs have really cardiotoxic effects. Sometimes your heart can stop, sometimes sudden death can occur. That' so important to get these studies done in a really controlled environment. There are a few states who have this legally when it comes to psilocybin, for example, Oregon and Colorado, those cost a lot of money and generally, scientists say are not done in a robust scientific manner that would require some kind of FDA approval.
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Savannah Sellers
Let's talk now, Erika, about the news for medicinal marijuana. What does this mean for researchers? Is that another win? And I'm assuming it's a win for the medicinal marijuana industry.
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Erica Edwards
So this is an executive order basically to speed up federal rescheduling of medical marijuana. Only what's been approved by the FDA already or what's been licensed in states already, from a Schedule 1 drug like heroin to a Schedule 3 drug that would carry fewer restrictions. The Justice Department has a hearing in late June to evaluate whether to move forward with that rescheduling. Legalization, however, is much different. That would, that's completely different. That would take an act of Congress to legalize recreational marijuana on a federal level. But a lot of researchers have been touting medical marijuana as a way to treat chronic pain, insomnia, as well as some other side effects from cancer.
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Savannah Sellers
What about the business of psychedelics? How does this fast tracking benefit them? Are there certain companies that benefit more than others and is there any concern there?
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Erica Edwards
There are three companies that have been given the priority vapor access. As of Friday, those three companies again are looking into psilocybin and methylone for in potential use for depression and ptsd. There is a concern that this fast tracking process might lead to some, you know, financial conflicts of interest sometimes. You know, there's been concern that businesses might, you know, give make financial donations to administrations who grant these priority vouchers. We'll have to see how that turns out.
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Savannah Sellers
How big a business could this be, though? I mean, it seems like companies could stand to benefit quite a bit if suddenly these drugs were classified differently.
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Erica Edwards
If these drugs are ultimately approved and used the way that scientists are pushing for. Right. In a safe, controlled environment, this could be a multimillion dollar, even billion dollar industry.
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Yasmin Vasugi
Wow.
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Savannah Sellers
All right. Erica Edwards, fascinating conversation. Thank you so much.
- [18:33]
Erica Edwards
Thank you.
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Savannah Sellers
We have to take a quick break, but when we're back, Gen Z would like to log off what a new poll reveals about younger Americans desires to live in earlier, less online eras. That's coming up in the headlines. Headlines. Stay informed with the NBC News app.
- [18:54]
Dylan Dreyer
Breaking news just coming in moments ago.
- [18:56]
Savannah Sellers
Watch read and listen throughout your day and now unlock even more with a subscription. It's the best of NBC News with fewer ad interruptions, including ad free articles, podcasts and full NBC News shows. Plus deeper access and exclusive content. Let's just take a step back. It's more content, context and clarity from the reporters you trust. Download the NBC News app now and subscribe for more. Hey everyone. I'm Dylan Dreyer, co host of the third hour of Today and mom to three wild boys. I've learned a lot in my years as a parent, mostly that I don't have it all figured out yet. And I'm not the only one. This is my new podcast, the Parent Chat. Each week I sit down with someone new for honest conversation and real world advice about parenting. I am over here just like winging it.
- [19:44]
Dylan Dreyer
Hey, I'm just trying not to screw
- [19:45]
Savannah Sellers
my own kids up. I'm not giving you advice on how
- [19:46]
Dylan Dreyer
not to screw yours up.
- [19:47]
Savannah Sellers
Search the parent chat on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.
- [19:52]
Dylan Dreyer
Hey guys, Willie Geist here reminding you to check out the Sunday Sit down podcast. On this week's episode, I get together with Red Hot stand up comedian Nikki Glaser to talk about the long career grind that has brought her to this starring moment hosting the Golden Globes killing at the Tom Brady roast. And now with another hit special on Hulu. You can get our conversation now for free wherever you download your podcasts.
- [20:23]
Savannah Sellers
And we're back with here's the scoop from NBC News. Let's get you some headlines. The Justice Department has dropped its criminal investigation into the Federal Reserve and chair Jerome Powell. The DOJ said it had been looking into cost overruns in a renovation project at the bank's headquarters, which critics say are evidence of potential mismanagement at the Fed. The decision is likely to clear the way for Trump's nominee to replace Powell, Kevin Warsh, to get a Senate vote. North Carolina Republican Tom Tillis had blocked Warsh's confirmation until the DOJ dropped what he called its bogus investigation into Powell. A White House spokesperson said the Office of the Inspector General was best positioned to get to the bottom of the Federal Reserve's, quote, fiscal mismanagement. The Federal Reserve declined to comment, but the Fed's inspector general has already reviewed the project twice and found no wrongdo. Powell has consistently denied any wrongdoing. A U.S. special Forces soldier who was involved in the raid on Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro has been arrested and charged with using classified information about the raid to bet and win money in prediction markets the feds alleged that the soldier, Gannon Ken Van Dyke, made more than $400,000 on the bets he placed on the platform Polymarket. In a statement, Polymarket said it had identified the user trading on classified information, refer the matter to the doj and cooperated with their investigation. It said that insider trading had no place on its platform and that the arrest was proof the system works. Van Dyke didn't respond to requests for comment. Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, says it's laying off 10% of its workforce, or about 8,000 employees, and will eliminate another 6,000 open roles. In an internal memo, a Meta executive didn't explicitly mention artificial intelligence as a reason for the cut cuts, but said the budgets were needed to compensate for spending elsewhere. The company had planned to double its AI spending in 2026 from $72 billion last year to 135 billion this year. The return of the 80s and 90s is real, from mom jeans and vintage flannel shirts to grunge bands and the what were you like in the 90s? Meme on social media. But a new NBC News Decision to Desk poll shows it's more than fashion nostalgia. Some members of Gen Z are so pessimistic about modern technology and the future of the country that they want to go full back to the future time machine. Almost half of adults ages 18 to 29 say they'd choose to live in the past if they could. A third said they'd pick a time period less than 50 years ago. A third of Gen Z say they're happy with the present. Only 15% said said they'd go to the future. It seems like it's about angst over the direction of the country. A majority of Gen Z respondents said they expect life will be worse for them compared to previous generations. And finally, the NFL draft kicked off with its first round Thursday night. As basically everyone expected, the Las Vegas Raiders picked former Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza first. But then, well, there were a lot of twists and turns out. Here's NBC News sports reporter and editor Tim Rohan on the biggest surprise of the night.
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Dylan Dreyer
The biggest surprise of the NFL draft came at pick number 13, when the Los Angeles Rams selected Ty Simpson, a quarterback from Alabama. Simpson wasn't really expected to go that high. A lot of prognosticators had him going in the late first, maybe second round of the draft. Also, the Rams don't really seem to need a quarterback. They already have Matthew Stafford, the reigning NFL MVP. But Stafford's 38 and only getting older. And the Rams must have liked Simpson enough to take him there.
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Savannah Sellers
More draft picks are coming from Pittsburgh tonight. We'll see if there are any more surprises that's going to do it for us at here's the Scoop from NBC News. I'm Savannah Sellers filling in for Yasmin Vasugi, and we will be back Monday with whatever the day may bring. And if you like what you heard, subscribe wherever you get your podcast. You can also subscribe to our daily newsletter, the Inside Scoop. It's a deeper dive on the main stories of the day that comes out every weeknight straight to your inbox. You can sign up for the Inside Scoop as part of our paid subscription@nbcnews.com thanks for listening. It's been fun to be with y'.
- [24:45]
Yasmin Vasugi
All.
- [24:45]
Savannah Sellers
Have a great weekend.
- [24:55]
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