Apple News Today 
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<p>In a recent pulse-check on the health of our democracy by <a href="https://brightlinewatch.org/accelerated-transgressions-in-the-second-trump-presidency/">Bright Line Watch</a>, hundreds of scholars warned that the U.S. is heading swiftly toward authoritarianism. <a href="https://ruthbenghiat.com">Ruth Ben-Ghiat,</a> a professor of history at New York University who specializes in the subject, explains how we got here.<span class="Apple-converted-space"></span></p> <p>Plus, <a href="https://apple.news/AUaDlQje-RKqVTCnTIRqnbg">setbacks</a> for Trump in court, pregnant people in states with abortion bans are almost <a href="https://apple.news/A4kVqQPsGT_yW_rs6gq5cMQ">twice as likely to die</a> during pregnancy or soon after giving birth, and the <a href="https://apple.news/A8LUDpuxfThOFZMELOVzgrg">hidden costs</a> of being polite to a chatbot.<span class="Apple-converted-space"></span></p> <p>Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.</p>
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Episodes to Learn English
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- Republicans revolt over Trump’s “anti-weaponization” fund May 22, 2026
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- Trump sued the IRS. Now it’s banned from auditing his past tax returns. May 20, 2026
- What Trump’s approval ratings say about his hold on the GOP May 19, 2026
- How another Republican targeted by Trump lost a primary May 18, 2026
- How one Supreme Court decision could shift political power for decades May 16, 2026
- Vessels attacked in the Strait of Hormuz as sailors grow desperate May 15, 2026
- Trump touches down in Beijing — and gets a warning from Xi May 14, 2026
- Inflation is soaring. How consumers are feeling the squeeze. May 13, 2026
- Trump heads to China for high-stakes talks — but Iran looms large May 12, 2026
- “Totally unacceptable”: Trump rejects Iran’s latest negotiation offer May 11, 2026
- Rebroadcast: They work full-time jobs. Why are they homeless? May 9, 2026
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