Zahran Mamdani interview; Democracy in U.S. ballot : NPR

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Right this moment’s prime tales

A brand new NPR/PBS Information/Marist ballot reveals that 76% of Individuals consider democracy is dealing with a critical risk. That share contains 89% of Democrats, 80% of Independents and 57% of Republicans. Moreover, 73% view politically motivated violence as a major concern. These findings emerge throughout President Trump’s second time period, when the U.S. is notably polarized.

• 🎧 Folks have low confidence in political management within the U.S., no matter whether or not it is because of Trump, congressional Republicans or congressional Democrats, NPR’s Domenico Montanaro tells Up First. Trump has a 43% job approval. In key concern areas, like immigration, overseas coverage and the financial system, the president receives related percentages. Proper now, solely 44% of Democrats approve of their get together’s strategy in Congress, in comparison with 73% of Republicans who approve of their get together. Montanaro says Democrats have quite a lot of work to do in the event that they wish to take again the Home subsequent yr.

Senate Republicans purpose to cross Trump’s vital tax and spending invoice later as we speak. Nonetheless, they first want to deal with a sequence of modification votes from each events, that are at the moment ongoing after a prolonged in a single day session. Democrats oppose the plan’s passage, and Republicans face inside divisions as they work to get the invoice on Trump’s desk by Friday.

• 🎧 A lot of the combat is centered on the megabill’s provision to increase tax cuts handed through the president’s first time period, NPR’s Claudia Grisales says. The supply would value trillions of {dollars} to put in. To assist pay for it, Republican fiscal hawks need deep cuts to Medicaid, however average Republicans oppose the transfer. The sweeping invoice will contact a number of sides of life, together with retaining the present baby tax credit score ranges and new spending for protection and immigration enforcement. Earlier than the invoice reaches the president’s desk, the Home might want to log off on the Senate invoice. With the modifications the Senate has made, it’s not clear if it will likely be a easy course of for the Home.

The U.S. Company for Worldwide Growth formally shuts down and merges its remaining operations with the State Division as we speak. A brand new examine in The Lancet estimates that it has saved over 90 million lives prior to now twenty years. When the Trump administration took workplace originally of 2025, certainly one of its first main strikes was dismantling USAID.

• 🎧 Company employees says the shuttering of the company has been very laborious for them, telling NPR’s Fatma Tanis that it is hitting them that that is the top. The Trump administration has slashed overseas help and made it clear it believes most U.S. overseas help would not align with the president’s America First coverage. The administration hasn’t outlined a imaginative and prescient for the longer term of the USAID applications that can proceed. Tanis says it’s laborious to overstate the affect of shutting down USAID. It’s going to imply cuts to hundreds of applications in low-income international locations that handle well being points. The brand new examine initiatives that the cuts may lead to 14 million preventable deaths by 2030.

Right this moment’s pay attention

Zohran Mamdani launched his mayoral marketing campaign for New York Metropolis final yr with odds stacked towards him as he confronted resistance from his personal get together’s institution. He tried laborious to maintain affordability the focus of his marketing campaign, however encountered makes an attempt from others to misrepresent his identification. Unfounded claims had been made suggesting he would promote Islamic regulation, whereas some accused him of supporting terrorism and being antisemitic. For probably the most half, New Yorkers did not fall for these assaults. Mamdani is now the presumptive Democratic candidate after receiving probably the most votes within the main final week. Morning Version host Leila Fadel sits down with Mamdani to debate what his victory means for his get together and the way he plans to implement his insurance policies if he turns into mayor, regardless of skepticism about their feasibility. Hearken to the interview or learn extra about him and watch a video of the interview right here.

Dwelling higher

Dwelling Higher is a particular sequence about what it takes to remain wholesome in America.

Most cancers survivors and advocates say that every one too typically, even well-intentioned individuals get the basics mistaken after they share their dangerous information. What’s worse is when individuals disappear with out a phrase. The phenomenon is so widespread that many most cancers sufferers name it “most cancers ghosting.” This typically happens as a result of individuals could also be uncertain of learn how to reply. However the silence may be much more painful than the remedies themselves, a number of most cancers survivors inform NPR. This is recommendation for what to do and say — and what to not say — when a beloved one faces most cancers.

• ❤️ It may be scary for you as a beloved certainly one of somebody with most cancers, however bear in mind, they’re dealing with a much bigger concern. Connection and presence are essential, even when you do not know what to say; simply being there makes a distinction.
• ❤️ If it feels awkward, acknowledge the strain and ask whether or not the affected person needs to speak about it. In the event that they do, simply pay attention and permit them area to vent.
• ❤️ When conveying understanding, keep away from sharing your individual tales or unsolicited recommendation, as it might overlook the individual’s distinctive expertise. Every most cancers journey is completely different, and others’ tales may be irrelevant or set off fears.
• ❤️ Individuals who survive most cancers and not have remedy ought to nonetheless obtain continued assist. This might simply imply remembering to honor how most cancers has left its mark.

3 issues to know earlier than you go

Bobby Vylan of Bob Vylan crowdsurfs in entrance of the West Holts stage throughout day 4 of Glastonbury pageant 2025 on June 28 in Glastonbury, England.

Leon Neal/Getty Photographs

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Leon Neal/Getty Photographs

1. British punk-rap duo Bob Vylan is below investigation within the U.Okay. after its lead singer led chants towards the Israeli navy throughout a set at Glastonbury, which was broadcast reside on Saturday.
2. The WNBA is increasing to a document of 18 groups by including three new franchises: Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia.
3. France has issued a restrictive out of doors smoking ban, together with at public parks, swimming swimming pools, seashores, or wherever youngsters could also be current, to make sure their safety.

This text was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.