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Episode Date: July 2, 2026

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Rylan Barton. Qatar's Prime Minister met in Doha today with White House envoys Steve Whitkoff and President Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner. They discussed the next steps in the interim peace deal with Iran. NPR's Auba trial reports Iran's delegation arrived in Qatar but won't hold direct talks with the U.S. envoys. Qatar says its Prime Minister, Mohamed al-Fani, discussed the interim peace deal with the White House envoys and the situation in Lebanon, where there's a shaky ceasefire.

The health ministry there says Israeli attacks have killed more than 40 people in the past two weeks. Iran says its negotiators are discussing with Qatari mediators the need for a full Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon in talks today in Doha. Iran's foreign ministry says its delegation is also raising the issue of the release of billions of dollars in frozen assets as part of the deal signed with the U.S. The talks in Qatar come just days after Iran and the U.S. traded fire, following Iranian attacks on ships, transiting the strait of her moves without its permission. Aya-Beltrawi, NPR News, Dubai.

A federal judge has ordered the Defense Department to lift its requirement that journalists be accompanied by an escort while in the Pentagon. The ruling is another legal setback to the Trump administration's effort to restrict media coverage of the Pentagon. Most Americans feel proud of their country, but are also worried about its future. The latest NPR PBS News Marist poll points to how Americans are feeling ahead of its 250th birthday. Mahom Javeh has more. Looking ahead. Most Americans think America's best days are yet to come. Jason Withington works in information technology in Missouri

and identifies as a moderate. He thinks America's future is promising, as long as certain things are taken care of. In order for our economy to keep growing and for my kids' generation and my grandkids' generation, we've got to get the debt under control. When asked to think ahead to America's 300th birthday, the majority of Americans say they're not too confident,

or not confident at all about the future for up-and-coming generations. Maham Javed, NPR News. Scientists say they've taken a big step towards creating a fully functional synthetic cell. NPR's Rob Stein has more. Researchers at the University of Minnesota say they made their cell from scratch in their laboratory. Other scientists have previously engineered cell-like structures, but the Minnesota researchers say their creation, dubbed the spud cell, is the first that can perform some of the key functions of living cells.

Those include the ability to feed, grow, divide, and spontaneously develop new capabilities. Much more work is needed, but the researchers say their cells could someday have many important uses, including helping produce new medicines. Critics, however, worry that synthetic cells could pose future risks. Rob Stein in Peer News. NPR News from Washington. Advice columnist E. Gene Carroll has asked a judge to require President Trump to pay her $5 million from a jury verdict that found Trump sexually abused her in 1996 and defamed her.

The amount has grown to nearly $5.8 million with interest. Carol's lawyers say Trump is trying to further delay release of the money after the Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal of the case. About 20 states have adopted bathroom bills, restricting transgender students. California is moving against the national tide with a law that takes effect today. Izzy Bloom from Member Station KQED reports. The new state law requires California's public and charter K-12 schools to provide and maintain at least one all-gender restroom. Governor Gavin Newsom signed it in 2023 as part of a slate of new protections for the LGBTQ community.

Jorge Reyes Salinas from Equality California, a sponsor of the bill, says its delayed rollout comes as a growing number of states, pass laws curbing trans youth's access to gender-affirming care and athletics. And California has chosen this different approach, which is expanding options rather than restricting them. The bill drew no formal opposition, but Republicans who voted against it raised concerns about the cost to schools. For NPR news, I'm Izzy Bloom in San Francisco. World Cup players are dealing with a new rule that results in a red card for anyone

covering their mouth when verbally confronting another player. Yesterday, Ecuador defender Piero Inca Pia was kicked out of a match against Mexico. FIFA created the rule to prevent players from hiding abusive comments. This is NPR News from Washington.