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Episode Date: July 8, 2026

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Live from NPR news, I'm Giles Snyder. At the NATO summit in Turkey, President Trump is expected to sit down with Ukrainian leader of Alodemir Zelensky later today. Trump arrived in Ankara Tuesday as the war in Ukraine rages. MPR's Daniel Kurtzleben reports. Before leaving for the summit, President Trump had expressed optimism about bringing the Ukraine war to a close. When asked in Ankara about why he feels that way, Trump didn't elaborate. He added that he cares about, ending the war, even though he doesn't consider it very geopolitically important to the U.S. It affects Europe, much more. We're there to help Europe, but it doesn't affect the United States. We have an ocean in between. But, you know, it's just I can't stand watching what's happening. On July 4th, the president spoke to the leaders of both Russia and Ukraine. He is scheduled to speak in

person to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Wednesday afternoon. Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR News, The U.S. military says it has completed a series of strikes against Iran, saying more than 80 targets were hit in response to three merchant ships that were struck in the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. strikes followed the Trump administration's reversal of a decision that allowed Iran to openly sell crude oil for two months. Iran has retaliated the Revolutionary Guard, said Wednesday it has targeted U.S. military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait. Graham Platner is facing growing calls for him to step aside as a Democratic Senate nominee in Maine, following sexual assault allocations, Maine public Steve Missler. Almost immediately after the story was published, there was a cascade of calls for him to get out of the race from interest groups, congressional Democrats that had endorsed him, and even local gubernatorial candidates who sought his endorsement prior to the June primary.

Vermont Independent Senator Bernie Sanders, now the highest profile, Platon. supporter who is calling on him to bow out. A federal judge has rejected the Justice Department's attempt to gain access to the personal information of Fulton County Georgia's 22 election workers. It's a setback for President Trump's investigation into Georgia and his unsubstantiated claims that voter fraud there cost him the presidency. Melissa Fadoe of Member Station, WABE, has more. Fulton County officials argued a DOJ subpoena requesting the names and information of every county employee and poll volunteer was meant to harass and intimidate them. They asked a federal judge to intervene.

In his decision, U.S. District Judge William Ray called the subpoena highly burdensome and unreasonable. He also noted the statute of limitations has long since passed, so the feds couldn't use the information to charge anyone with a crime. Ray scolded the DOJ for trying to use grand jury powers to gain private information without a legitimate purpose. For NPR News, I'm Melissa Fisher. St.O. In Atlanta, this is NPR. Workers have begun stabilizing a Manhattan high rise after officials said two of its support columns buckled. Mayor Zeranamandani says contractors were given the green light to make

emergency repairs after a team went floor-by-floor Tuesday and observed no additional movement. Safety worries led officials to evacuate nearby buildings, including a school earlier Tuesday. The heat wave that hit the eastern U.S. last week caused some streets and highways to buckle. Experts say making roadways more resilient for a hotter future due to climate change could prove costly, as MPR. Scott Newman reports. One of the most dramatic heat-related road failures occurred along I-97 south of Baltimore. The damage to the concrete pavement snarled traffic over the holiday weekend. Charles Morone is president of the Minnesota-based non-profit strong towns that advocated. for more resilient urban areas.

He says engineers designed for a certain range of temperatures. But it's not uncommon for an extreme event to show you where your weak spots are. Marone says it's a balancing act for governments. They can accept the cost of repairs during extreme events or pay more for materials and construction techniques that make roads more resistant to weather fluctuations. Scott Newman and PR News, Washington. A comeback victory for the defending World Cup champions, Argentina.

Argentina scored a three goals to two win over Egypt Tuesday, despite trailing by two goals with only 11 minutes to play. Argentina will next face Switzerland and Saturday's quarter finals in Kansas City, Missouri. I'm Trial Snyder, NPR News.