NPR News Now: July 21, 2025 – 9 AM EDT

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Release Date: July 21, 2025

1. Gaza Faces Intensifying Hunger Crisis Amid Violent Clashes

Timestamp: 00:18 – 01:11

Lakshmi Singh opens the episode with a harrowing report from Gaza, where health officials have highlighted a burgeoning hunger crisis compounded by recent violence. "More than 100 Palestinians were killed as they attempted to reach lifesaving supplies yesterday," Singh reports, underscoring the severity of the situation. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have contested these numbers, asserting that they "fired warning shots at crowds" and deny responsibility for such a high casualty count.

NPR's Anas Baba converses with Dr. Noor Sharif, an American physician stationed at Gaza's Shifa Hospital, offering a grim firsthand account of the aftermath. At [00:50], Dr. Sharif recounts a particularly traumatic sight:

Dr. Noor Sharif: "I saw you today once I entered the hospital in the ER and I saw you freeze."

Baba elaborates on the chaos and devastation Dr. Sharif witnessed:

Anas Baba: "I think I was in shock. I've never seen anything like this in my entire life. Lots of young children have come in with gunshot wounds to the head and to the abdomen. Chest people are coming in with severe malnutrition."

The encounter is described as possibly the deadliest for aid workers and the civilians they aim to assist, highlighting the dire humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.

2. Texas Lawmakers Convene for Special Session Focused on Redistricting

Timestamp: 01:11 – 02:11

Transitioning to U.S. domestic politics, Lakshmi Singh reports on the commencement of a legislative special session in Austin, Texas. The focal point of this session is the contentious issue of congressional redistricting. Houston Public Media's Andrew Schneider provides an in-depth analysis:

Andrew Schneider: "Governor Greg Abbott put redistricting on the special session call following a letter from the U.S. Justice Department naming four Democratic districts as, quote, unconstitutional racial gerrymanders."

This move has sparked significant controversy. Houston Democratic Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher critiques the initiative:

Fletcher: "It's Abbott and President Donald Trump who want to push racial gerrymanders through."

Anas Baba echoes these sentiments, emphasizing the partisan implications:

Anas Baba: "I am obviously deeply concerned and everyone in Texas should be concerned and everyone across the country should be concerned about what this represents, which is an absolute, absolute partisan power grab."

Additional insights reveal that former President Trump has instructed Texas Republican members of Congress to aim for gaining five seats in this mid-decade redistricting effort, indicating high-stakes maneuvering within the state's political landscape.

3. Japan's Ruling Coalition Loses Historic Majority in Upper House Elections

Timestamp: 02:11 – 03:13

In international news, Japan's political landscape has undergone a seismic shift. Lakshmi Singh reports that Japan's ruling coalition has lost its majority in the upper house of Parliament—a first since 1955. NPR's Anthony Kuhn details the electoral outcome:

Anthony Kuhn: "The ruling Liberal Democratic Party and coalition partner the Kome Party failed to get the 50 seats they needed to retain the upper house majority. Two thirds of the contested seats were taken by opposition parties, with center-right and right-wing parties making the most dramatic gains."

Among the challengers are the Sansei Party, which promotes a "Japanese first" nationalist agenda, signaling a rise in nationalist sentiments within the country. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba addresses the implications of this loss:

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba: "I have a responsibility to stay on and deal with pressing problems such as Japan's aging population, rising cost of living and tariff negotiations with the US."

However, Ishiba acknowledges the growing pressure within his party:

Kuhn: "Having lost two parliamentary elections in a row, pressure within the party for ICIBA to step down is likely to grow."

This political upheaval poses significant questions about the future direction of Japan's governance and policy priorities.

4. Harvard University Challenges Federal Funding Cuts in Court

Timestamp: 03:13 – 03:51

Turning to higher education and federal policy, Lakshmi Singh reports that Harvard University is embroiled in a legal battle to reclaim $2.6 billion in research funding that was previously cut by the Trump administration. The dispute centers around allegations of governmental retaliation:

Singh: "Harvard argues that the federal government is retaliating in a bid to influence the Ivy League's academic decisions. The administration says its policies are part of a broader attempt to rein in spending."

This lawsuit underscores the ongoing tensions between academic institutions and federal authorities over funding and autonomy, with broader implications for research and educational freedoms.

5. PepsiCo Adapts Product Line to Cater to Health-Conscious Consumers

Timestamp: 03:51 – 04:37

In the business sector, PepsiCo is making strategic moves to attract a more health-aware demographic amidst rising consumer health consciousness and climbing food prices. NPR's Amy Held provides the details:

Amy Held: "Climbing food prices and Americans changing eating habits have taken a bite out of packaged food sales. Now PepsiCo, maker of Fritos, Doritos and Cheetos, is releasing some new products with protein."

During an earnings call, PepsiCo's CEO outlined the company's new focus areas:

CEO: "We're starting with Popcorners, Quaker Snacks, and then it's on to bigger brands, even drinks. Fiber will be another focus. Lay's and Tostitos will be relaunched free from artificial colors and flavors. And the company says they are moving away from some seed oils in favor of avocado and olive oil."

These initiatives align with the national "Make America Healthy Again" movement, spearheaded by Health Secretary Robert Kennedy, which advocates for dietary changes to combat rising chronic diseases.

6. Alaska Airlines Resumes Operations After IT Outage; Stock Market Slightly Higher

Timestamp: 04:37 – 04:57

Finally, Lakshmi Singh updates listeners on recent disruptions in the aviation sector and the stock market's early movements:

Singh: "Alaska Airlines says its flights are back in the air following last night's system-wide ground stop. The airline says an IT outage led to all its flights being halted. Alaska Airlines says some residual flight delays are possible today. U.S. stocks have opened slightly higher."

The resolution of the IT issues marks a return to normalcy for Alaska Airlines, though travelers may still experience minor delays. Concurrently, the stock market shows modest gains as the day begins.

Conclusion

Lakshmi Singh wraps up the episode by encapsulating the diverse range of stories—from humanitarian crises and political upheavals to legal battles, corporate strategies, and operational recoveries—all within the rapid five-minute news cycle. This comprehensive summary ensures that listeners are well-informed on the key issues shaping today's headlines.

Note: This summary excludes advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections as per the provided instructions.