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Chapter 1: What did Elon Musk say about his political spending plans?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. Billionaire Elon Musk says he plans to cut back his political spending. As NPR's Bobby Allen reports, Musk's spending in the 2024 presidential election for President Trump made him the country's top political donor.
In an interview with Bloomberg News at the Qatar Economic Forum, Musk said his days of funneling his wealth into politics may be behind him.
In terms of political spending, I'm going to do a lot less in the future.
Chapter 2: Why is Musk reducing his political contributions?
And why is that?
I think I've done enough.
Musk spent nearly $300 million to support Trump for president, but some Republicans are beginning to see his support as a liability. He spent millions to back a Wisconsin Supreme Court judicial candidate who lost. And polls show Musk is far less popular than Trump. Musk did keep the door open to political spending, saying if there's a reason to resume it, he will.
Chapter 3: How has Trump's political agenda been received?
Chapter 4: What are the implications of Musk's support for Trump?
I think I've done enough.
Musk spent nearly $300 million to support Trump for president, but some Republicans are beginning to see his support as a liability. He spent millions to back a Wisconsin Supreme Court judicial candidate who lost. And polls show Musk is far less popular than Trump. Musk did keep the door open to political spending, saying if there's a reason to resume it, he will.
In recent weeks, Musk's prominence at the White House has faded, but he still does have the ear of Trump. Bobby Allen of PR News.
Chapter 5: What is happening in Gaza currently?
President Trump traveled to Capitol Hill today to lobby on behalf of his so-called Big Beautiful Bill. Trump imploring House Republican lawmakers to put aside their internal differences over his tax cut and spending plan. Trump was upbeat, even as it remains unclear whether the multi-trillion dollar measure has the support ahead of a plan vote this week.
The plan includes sweeping tax breaks and cuts to Medicaid, food stamps and green energy programs. Israeli strikes have expanded across Gaza. Israel ordering a mass evacuation of civilians in southern Gaza as part of a widening offensive aimed at pressuring Hamas and releasing hostages. Here's NPR's Adil Al-Shalchi.
Chapter 6: How are civilians affected by the conflict in Gaza?
Thousands of Palestinians make their way out of Khan Yunus, dust rising from the destroyed streets. A man balances his children and suitcases on a horse-drawn cart. Israel's military says the southern Gaza city of Khan Yunus is now designated a dangerous combat zone. Carrying a big yellow water can over his shoulders, Tahir al-Farra says he's desperate.
No food, no drink, no education, no health, no medical care, he says. Just displacement, humiliation, destruction and death every day. Ceasefire talks resumed this week, but broke down within two days. Hadil Al-Shauchi, NPR News, Tel Aviv.
The FDA has announced plans to limit access to COVID vaccines. NPR's Rob Stein has more.
The FDA says that it plans to impose new requirements on COVID vaccines to focus on immunizing people at highest risk for serious complications from COVID. That would include people who are age 65 and older and younger people with other health problems.
For children and younger healthy adults, the FDA wants vaccine companies to conduct additional research to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines. The FDA says the moves are necessary to restore trust in the vaccines.
Critics say the moves are unnecessary because the vaccines are very safe and effective, and they would limit the ability of younger, healthy people to get vaccinated. Rob Stein, NPR News.
This is NPR. Southwest Airlines says it wants passengers to be in keeping their portable chargers in plain sight while using them. The move comes amid concerns about the rising number of lithium battery fires. There have already been 19 this year. The airline cites the growing number of devices powered by lithium-ion batteries. It says the new policy will take effect later this month.
A summer reading list that included made-up book titles by famous authors has appeared in major newspapers. As NPR's Elizabeth Blair reports, the list was generated by AI and was a piece of fiction in its own right.
Percival Everett never wrote a book called The Rainmakers, and Isabel Allende never wrote a book called Tidewater Dreams. But both of those fake titles and descriptions of them appeared on a summer reading list published in the Chicago Sun-Times and the Philadelphia Inquirer. The list of mostly fake books set off a wave of angry comments on social media.
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