NPR News: 09-05-2025 2AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now – September 5, 2025, 2AM EDT

Host: Shea Stevens (NPR News Anchor)
Duration: ~5 minutes
Main Theme:
A fast-paced update on significant national and international news, covering developments in U.S. tariffs and business, politics, justice, health policy, the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, and a cultural tribute.

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Key Stories & Insights

Impact of New U.S. Tariffs on Campbell Soup Company

[00:19 – 01:23]

• Campbell Faces Mounting Costs:
  • New U.S. tariffs are contributing substantially to Campbell Soup Company’s operating costs, particularly import taxes on steel and aluminum for cans.
  • Lena Selyuk (NPR Reporter):

    “Campbell says tariffs are expected to account for about 4% of its cost of goods sold over the next fiscal year. That's hundreds of millions of dollars in costs.” [00:41]

  • The company is facing difficulties sourcing enough domestic steel, making imports (subject to a new 50% tariff from President Trump) unavoidable.
  • Campbell plans to mitigate expenses via supplier negotiation, improved productivity, cost savings, and “surgical and responsible price increases.”
  • Notable Quote:

    "There's simply not a way to source the needed amount of steel in the United States, so they have to import this key raw material." — Lena Selyuk [01:05]

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President Trump on Tariffs, Semiconductors, and Tech Superiority

[01:23 – 01:46]

• New Tariffs and Geopolitics:

  • President Trump to announce tariffs on semiconductor chips from companies that don’t relocate production to the U.S.
  • During a dinner with tech leaders, Trump dismissed concerns about China, Russia, and North Korea outpacing the U.S. in military artificial intelligence.
  • Donald Trump:

    “We have the smartest people. We have the greatest technology… They can copy, but they can't create like we can create.” [01:39]

• Comment on NYC Mayoral Race:

  • Trump suggests two out of four New York City mayoral candidates should drop out.

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Investigation of Former Advisor John Bolton

[01:46 – 02:48]

• Legal Scrutiny:
  • Federal agents searched John Bolton’s Maryland home; devices and documents were seized.
  • DOJ has filed redacted documents in federal court indicating investigation for potential mishandling or transmission of defense information and classified documents.
  • Ryan Lucas (NPR Reporter):

    “A redacted copy of the inventory from the Bolton search shows that agencies cell phones, hard drives and computers, as well as typed documents and a binder labeled Statements and Reflections to allied Strikes [were seized].” [02:28]

  • Bolton, a former Trump national security adviser, became a vocal critic after leaving the administration.

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Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Faces Senate

[02:48 – 03:14]

• Senate Hearing Highlights:
  • Kennedy is questioned by both parties in the Senate, defends firing CDC head and not recommending vaccines, including COVID-19 shots.
  • He accuses lawmakers of misinformation regarding his department’s actions.

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War and International Relations Updates

Gaza Conflict

[03:14 – 03:39]

• Rising Casualty Toll:
  • Gaza’s health ministry reports over 64,000 Palestinians killed since the war began in October 2023.
  • Recent Israeli strikes killed at least 28 people as military operations in Gaza City expand.
  • Background: War began after Hamas attacked Israel in October 2023, killing ~1,400 and kidnapping hundreds.

Ukraine’s International Support

[03:39 – 04:40]

• Coalition of Support:
  • Over 35 countries, mainly European, plus Australia and Canada, pledge support for Ukraine post-war with Russia.
  • Eleanor Beardsley (NPR Reporter):

    “French President Emmanuel Macron says the pillar of Ukraine's security will be its own military. 'We will accept no limit on the format or capacity of the Ukrainian army,' he said..." [03:58]

  • Macron notes Russia’s immense losses for limited territorial gain; urges an end to the war.
  • Upcoming: New U.S. proposals for bolstering European security guarantees will be defined soon.
  • Notable Quote:

    “Macron said Russia has lost more than a million soldiers to conquer less than 20% of Ukrainian territory in three years, so it has every reason to end the war.” — Eleanor Beardsley [04:15]

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Tribute: The Passing of Giorgio Armani

[04:40 – 04:57]

• Cultural Moment:
  • Renowned fashion designer Giorgio Armani has died at age 91.
  • Remembered for dressing celebrities, models, and notable figures over fifty years in fashion.

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Notable Quotes

• Donald Trump:

  “We have the smartest people. We have the greatest technology… They can copy, but they can't create like we can create.” [01:39]

• Lena Selyuk:

  "There's simply not a way to source the needed amount of steel in the United States, so they have to import this key raw material." [01:05]

• Eleanor Beardsley, quoting Macron:

  “We will accept no limit on the format or capacity of the Ukrainian army.” [03:58]
  “Macron said Russia has lost more than a million soldiers to conquer less than 20% of Ukrainian territory in three years...” [04:15]

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Additional Timestamps & Segments

• [02:48] – Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Senate hearing and vaccine policy
• [03:14] – Gaza war casualty update and Israeli military actions
• [03:39] – International coalition for Ukraine and Macron's remarks
• [04:40] – Giorgio Armani’s passing and legacy

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Summary Takeaway

This NPR News Now episode provides a concise yet substantive roundup of impactful news: the economic ripple effects of U.S. tariffs, mounting tensions and investigations in national politics, contentious health policies, ongoing international conflict, robust Western commitments to Ukraine, and the passing of a fashion legend. Each story is delivered with urgency and clarity, making it an essential update for listeners seeking to stay informed on current events.

Transcript

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[NPR News Anchor]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shea Stevens. Food giant Campbell says that new tariffs are accounting for a growing share of its costs. The company is particularly affected by import taxes, steel and aluminum needed to make cans for its soups. As NPR's Lena Selyuk reports, Campbell's plans to raise prices to offset some of those higher costs.

[NPR Reporter Lena Selyuk]

Campbell says tariffs are expected to account for about 4% of its cost of goods sold over the next fiscal year. That's hundreds of millions of dollars in costs. The company says it faces tariffs on various products. One is Rao's pasta sauce, which relies on imports from Italy. And the big one is steel, used for soup cans. But President Trump has added a new 50% tariff on steel, and Campbell's executives say there's simply not a way to source the needed amount of steel in the United States, so they have to import this key raw material. The company expects to cover these new costs in part by negotiating with suppliers, improving productivity, finding other cost savings, but also, quote, surgical and responsible price increases. Alina Seluk, NPR News.

[NPR News Anchor]

President Trump says he'll soon announce tariffs on semiconductor chips made by companies that don't move their production to the During a White House dinner with leaders of the tech industry, Trump said he's not concerned about China, Russia and North Korea gaining superiority in military artificial intelligence.

[President Donald Trump]

We have the smartest people. We have the greatest technology they can copy, but they can't create like we can create.

[NPR News Anchor]

Trump also weighed in on the New York City mayoral race, suggesting that two of the four candidates should drop out. Court records show that cell phones, computers and documents were seized during the recent raid on the home of former Trump adviser John bolton. More from NPR's Ryan Luc.

[NPR Reporter Ryan Lucas]

Federal agents conducted a search of John Bolton's Maryland home late last month. Now the Justice Department has filed in federal court a redacted version of the search warrant and other documents in response to a request from media organizations, including npr. The DOJ filing indicates that Bolton is under investigation for possibly gathering, transmitting or losing defense information and the potential unauthorized removal and retention of classified documents. A redacted copy of the inventory from the Bolton search shows that agencies cell phones, hard drives and computers, as well as typed documents and a binder labeled Statements and Reflections to allied Strikes. Bolton served as Trump's national security adviser before becoming a fierce Trump critic. Ryan Lucas, NPR News, Washington.

[NPR News Anchor]

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Fielded questions from Democrats and Republicans Thursday during a Senate hearing on his policies. Kennedy defended the firing of the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and his decision not to recommend vaccines, including the COVID 19 shots. He also accused lawmakers of lying about his department. U.S. futures are flat in after hours trading on Wall street. You're listening to NPR. The Gaza health ministry says more than 64,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war in Gaza. That includes at least 28 people killed by Israeli strikes early Thursday. The latest attacks came as Israeli troops expanded operations in parts of Gaza City. The war began in October 2023 when Hamas attacked Israel, killing around 1,400 people and kidnapping hundreds more. At least 35 countries are pledging to support Ukraine against Russian aggression. The so called coalition of the willing is mostly European, but includes Australia and Canada. As NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports, the nations say they're ready to commit troops and equipment once the war ends.

[NPR Reporter Eleanor Beardsley]

French President Emmanuel Macron says the pillar of Ukraine's security will be its own military. We will accept no limit on the format or capacity of the Ukrainian army, he said, and will help regenerate Ukrainian forces so they can resist attack and dissuade new Russian aggression. Macron said Russia has lost more than a million soldiers to conquer less than 20% of Ukrainian territory in three years, so it has every reason to end the war. After speaking with President Trump for an hour and a half, Macron And Zelensky said U.S. proposals for a backstop to the European security guarantees will be defined in the coming days. Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Paris.

[NPR News Anchor]

Tributes of pouring in for fashion icon Giorgio Mar Armani, who died Thursday at the age of 91. Armani dressed celebrities, models and some of the world's most powerful people during his 50 years in the fashion industry. This is NPR News.

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