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Democratic strategist says transparency is Platner's 'only path forward'

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner speaks to voters during a town hall at Elks Lodge 188 on June 7 in Portland, Maine.

NPR's Steve Inskeep speaks with Democratic strategist Joel Payne about prominent Democrats on the national and state level urging Graham Platner to withdraw from the Maine Senate race.

(Image credit: Laura Brett)

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Meet 'Project 2029' — and its war on the annoyance economy

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Remember Project 2025? Democrats are building their own governing blueprint, and one proposal takes aim at the "annoyance economy": robocalls, endless hold times, hidden fees and other everyday frustrations.

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As climate change damages streets and highways, the road ahead may be expensive

Construction crews on June 27, 2023, work to repair a Houston road that was damaged from the heat. Roads were similarly damaged during the July Fourth weekend heat wave this year.

Heat waves are becoming more common and intense as a result of climate change — and roads are suffering as a result. Are the nation's roads up to meeting the challenge of a warmer, wetter future?

(Image credit: Mark Felix)

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Heirs of 'odious' 167-year-old Supreme Court ruling see modern parallels

Charlie Taney, the great-great-grandnephew of the man who wrote the Dred Scott opinion, and Lynne Jackson Scott

Descendants of Dred Scott and Chief Justice Roger Taney spoke about reconciliation at a church in the shadow of the Supreme Court last week as the high court wrestled with race and who can be an American.

(Image credit: Carrie Johnson)

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Trump's NATO pressure campaign continues as summit begins

U.S. President Donald Trump (R) and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte (L) appear during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House on June 24, 2026 in Washington, DC.

President Trump's arrival in Ankara kicks off another potentially tense meeting for NATO.

(Image credit: Andrew Harnik)

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Explosions rock Damascus, wounding 4, as French President Macron visits Syria

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, right, meets French President Emmanuel Macron at the presidential palace in Damascus, Syria on Tuesday.

The French president's office said that Macron was safe and that his meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa would continue as scheduled.

(Image credit: Ghaith Alsayed)

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Morning news brief

Graham Platner faces calls to end his Senate bid after sexual assault allegation, NATO summit begins in Turkey, U.S. men's run at the World Cup ends with loss to Belgium.

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China test-launches a ballistic missile in the South Pacific and raises regional concerns

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, a long-range ballistic missile bursts out of the sea during a test launched from a Chinese nuclear-powered submarines in the South Pacific on Monday.

The launch, using a dummy warhead, took place the same day Australia and Fiji signed a mutual defense treaty meant to counter Chinese influence in the Pacific.

(Image credit: Li Xiangchao)

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Tanker set ablaze after being struck by projectile in the Strait of Hormuz

Mourners attend the funeral procession of the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran, Iran, Monday, July 6, 2026.

Iranian state television said the tanker came under attack after ignoring warnings but did not directly claim the assault.

(Image credit: Vahid Salemi)

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What a divorce coach wishes couples knew before ending a marriage

Karen McNenny is a certified divorce coach, certified co-parenting specialist and author of the book <!-- raw HTML omitted -->The Good Divorce: How to End Your Marriage Without Ending Your Family<!-- raw HTML omitted -->.

Divorce is a tool, not a weapon, says Karen McNenny, author of a new book on the subject. She explains how to end a marriage while protecting your family and your mental health.

(Image credit: Wiley/Jossey-Bass/NPR, Nicole Wickens/NPR)

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The U.S. men's run at the World Cup ends with a 4-1 Round of 16 loss to Belgium

Charles De Ketelaere #17 of Belgium celebrates after scoring his team

The team was in the eye of a storm over a controversial phone call from President Trump to FIFA's head about a red card on a U.S. striker. But even with the U.S. at full strength, Belgium easily won.

(Image credit: Alex Grimm)

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Extreme heat on Independence Day will be America's new normal, experts say

People cope with extreme heat along the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Friday.

In cities across the U.S., parades were canceled and events were delayed because of the heat. Meanwhile, emergency rooms saw a high number of people with heat-related illnesses.

(Image credit: Amid Farahi)

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This World Cup marks end of era for Ronaldo and other soccer greats

Cristiano Ronaldo #7 of Portugal shows dejection after the team

Some of the greatest footballers of a generation played their final World Cup match this summer.

(Image credit: Lars Baron)

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USA set to take on Belgium in World Cup amid Trump red card controversy

Ahead of this evening's World Cup match between the U.S. and Belgium, the drama about the eligibility of U.S. striker Folarin Balogun continues to swirl following his red card in the previous match.

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Supreme Court lets Texas restrict minors' access to app stores for the time being

Spectators take photos with their smartphones during a World Cup match at the Houston Stadium in Houston on June 23. The Supreme Court is allowing Texas to enforce a law that limits minors

(Image credit: Paul Ellis)

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Platner denies sexual assault allegation, but says he will assess 'best path forward'

Graham Platner speaks to voters at a town hall at the Elks Lodge 188 on June 7, 2026 in Portland, Maine.

The Democratic candidate for Senate in Maine said he was assessing next steps after allegations of sexual assault were reported on Monday by Politico. Platner denied them as "categorically untrue."

(Image credit: Laura Brett)

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Man sues DHS after agents tracked him down for sending a scathing email to ICE

In side-by-side photos recorded by a doorbell camera, two federal agents in blue jackets are seen on David Streever

Federal agents tried to track David Streever to his home and hotel, and left him a warning notice that a critical email he sent the former head of ICE may have been illegal. Now he's suing.

(Image credit: David Streever)

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Militant LGBTQ+ rights group 'the Lavender Panthers' was founded on this day in 1973

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"Reverend Ray" Broshears founded the queer vigilante group the Lavender Panthers in 1973. The group's impact is still felt today.

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Historic World Cup furor at 'incomprehensible' FIFA decision to let U.S. forward Balogun play

FILE - FIFA President Gianni Infantino, right, awards President Donald Trump with the FIFA Peace Prize during the draw for the 2026 soccer World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington, Dec. 5, 2025.

The Belgian soccer federation is challenging FIFA's ruling to let Balogun play despite getting a red card in his previous game. Belgium's statement came just 11 hours before kickoff in Seattle. European soccer body UEFA criticizes FIFA's "incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision."

(Image credit: Chris Carlson)

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Trump, Mamdani give contrasting July 4th speeches. And, U.S. faces Belgium in World Cup

A young Trump supporter is watching fireworks during the "Salute to America" Independence Day celebration on the National Mall in Washington, DC, in the early morning hours of July 5, 2026.

For the nation's 250th birthday, President Trump and NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani had opposing visions of America. And, the U.S. and Belgium face off today in the FIFA World Cup.

(Image credit: Alex Wroblewski)

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These Medicare beneficiaries thought their drug plan was free. Then they lost it

Thousands of Medicare beneficiaries lost drug coverage after their premiums went up and they didn

Thousands of people lost coverage over as little as $8 in delinquent payments. They didn't know their zero-dollar premiums had gone up and they owed money. Most now can't get coverage until 2027.

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Marriage used to be a glide path to citizenship. Now there are more speed bumps

People wave U.S. flags to celebrate becoming U.S. citizens after taking the oath of allegiance during a naturalization ceremony in Boston in January 2025.

Spouses of U.S. citizens have traditionally had a special place in immigration law. That's no longer the case, according to the administration and immigration lawyers.

(Image credit: Joseph Prezioso)

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Hate food waste? 7 creative ways to turn your leftovers into a new meal

Turn the last few ingredients and leftovers in your fridge into completely new dishes you can enjoy

We asked our audience to share their favorite go-to recipes for leftovers. Here are seven dishes — like stuffed peppers and a biryani casserole — that can help you use up all your fridge scraps.

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Fast walkers in their 80s cut their risk of cognitive decline by half, study finds

In a study, researchers found that people in their 80s and older who walked faster than their peers were less likely to develop cognitive decline.

A new study of people 80 and older with exceptional gaits finds fast walkers have about a 50% lower risk of cognitive decline, showing the connection between physical health and brain health.

(Image credit: FG Trade)

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Former Marine says military veterans running for office advance bipartisan politics

A former Marine says in a new book that military veterans running for office can bring Washington the courage to work across party lines.

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Huge crowds of mourners join a funeral procession for Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Flower petals are thrown on the coffins of Iran

Iran holds a funeral procession for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei more than four months after he was killed in U.S.-Israeli strikes.

(Image credit: Atta Kenare)

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The U.S. faces Belgium in the World Cup on the heels of Trump-Infantino red card call

U.S. striker Folarin Balogun will be in the lineup in the World Cup Round of 16 match against Belgium on Monday. A FIFA disciplinary committee suspended his one-game suspension following his controversial red card in the match against Bosnia-Herzegovina on July 1, 2026 in Santa Clara, Calif.

The U.S. striker Folarin Balogun is expected to start against Belgium in a Round of 16 match after a surprise decision by FIFA to allow him to play despite receiving a red card last week.

(Image credit: Jamie Squire)

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Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine's capital kills at least 11

Emergency services personnel work to extinguish a fire following Russian missile attacks in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, July 6, 2026.

Russia launched waves of missiles and drones targeting Kyiv early Monday that killed at least 11 people, authorities said.

(Image credit: Danylo Antoniuk)

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Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine's capital kills at least 12

Emergency services personnel work to extinguish a fire following Russian missile attacks in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, July 6, 2026.

Russia launched waves of missiles and drones at Kyiv early Monday, killing at least 12 people in an attack that exposed widening gaps in Ukraine's air defenses, authorities said.

(Image credit: Danylo Antoniuk)

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Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine's capital kills at least 10

Emergency services personnel work to extinguish a fire following Russian missile attacks in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, July 6, 2026.

Russia launched waves of missiles and drones targeting Kyiv early Monday that killed at least 10 people, authorities said.

(Image credit: Danylo Antoniuk)

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