NPR News Now — September 5, 2025, 7AM EDT

Host: Korva Coleman
Duration: ~5 minutes
Episode Theme:
A concise roundup of top global and US news stories, including the ongoing war in Gaza, domestic policy updates from the Trump administration, US-Japan trade negotiations, new LSD mental health research, the death of a notable civil rights figure, and more.

1. The War in Gaza Reaches 700 Days

[00:15–01:19]

• Marks the 700th day since the start of the conflict, which began with a Hamas attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people.
• New casualty figures from Gaza’s Health Ministry:
  • Over 19,000 Palestinian children killed (roughly a third of the 64,000+ total deaths).
  • More than 56,300 children have lost one or both parents.
  • 1,000+ children have lost limbs.
• Contested Numbers: Israel disputes the Health Ministry’s data, although the UN describes them as “historically credible.”
• Israeli forces claim control over 40% of Gaza City and intend to expand their offensive to recover hostages and dismantle Hamas.
• Notable Quote:
  • “The health ministry’s figures also show more than 56,300 children have had one or both parents killed in Israel strikes.”
    — Eye Batrari, 00:46

2. Trump Administration Plans Military Assistance for ICE Operations in Chicago

[01:19–02:12]

• The Department of Homeland Security has asked the Pentagon for support in immigration enforcement around Chicago.
• Proposed use of Naval Station Great Lakes (30 miles from Chicago) for logistical needs.
• President Trump threatens to deploy the National Guard in Chicago without local/state approval, claiming it's necessary to fight crime.
• Opposition from Chicago’s Mayor and Illinois' Governor, who call such a move unconstitutional.
• Notable Quote:
  • “President Trump has recently spoken of sending National Guard troops to fight crime in Chicago, and he said he’s prepared to do it without getting approval from state or city officials.”
    — Quill Lawrence, 01:44

3. US–Japan Tariff Negotiations

[02:12–02:59]

• The White House announces:
  • Tariffs on Japanese automobiles cut from 27.5% to 15%
  • Lifting of some Trump-era tariffs (e.g., on steel and aluminum for certain Japanese aircraft)
  • Japan to increase US market access for some American exports and invest $550 billion+ in the US
• Status: No binding agreement—details remain unfinished, and other recent “framework” trade deals also remain pending.
• Notable Quote:
  • "The executive order also says Japan is giving the US Greater market access for some of its exports and that Japan has promised to invest more than $550 billion in the U.S. however, there has been no binding agreement between the two countries..."
    — Danielle Kurtzleben, 02:38

4. Markets & Policy Updates

[02:59–03:36]

• The August jobs report is due for release; there’s a noticeable slowdown in US hiring.
• Dow futures down in premarket trading.
• President Trump to sign an executive order renaming the Department of Defense as the "Department of War" (as a secondary title).

5. Breakthrough Study: LSD for Treating Anxiety

[03:36–04:20]

• A new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association finds that LSD (specifically, compound MM120 by Mindmed) may relieve symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in adults.
• Study details:
  • 198 participants with GAD
  • Higher doses of LSD resulted in noticeably reduced anxiety and depression
  • Positive effects lasted the full 12-week study, even though LSD was metabolized within a day
  • Two further, larger studies are planned
• Notable Quote:
  • “By the next day, the drug, for all intents and purposes, was out of their system. And yet the patient’s average anxiety was...”
    — John Hamilton, 03:52
  • “…greatly reduced, and this improvement lasted for the duration of the 12 week study.”
    — Dr. David Feifel, 03:59

6. Civil Rights Leader Joseph McNeil Dies at 83

[04:20–04:55]

• Joseph McNeil, a leader of the influential 1960 Greensboro sit-in, dies at 83.
  • His protest—with three fellow North Carolina A&T students—ignited a wave of nonviolent demonstrations.
  • The Woolworth lunch counter was desegregated after six months.
  • McNeil later became a Major General in the Air Force and served in Vietnam.
• Notable Quote:
  • "McNeil and his fellow activists were soon joined by hundreds of others. The Greensboro lunch counter was desegregated six months later."
    — Korva Coleman, 04:28

Timestamp Guide by Segment

• [00:15] — Headlines, introduction to Gaza war
• [00:34] — Gaza war casualties, Israeli military update
• [01:19] — U.S. military support for ICE in Chicago
• [02:12] — U.S.–Japan tariff updates
• [02:59] — Jobs report, Trump order renaming Defense Dept.
• [03:36] — LSD study for anxiety
• [04:20] — Joseph McNeil obituary

This episode provides a rapid, factual, and at times sobering briefing on headline topics, with direct quotes and reporting from correspondents on the ground.