NPR News: 07-11-2026 8PM EDT

Summary

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NPR News Now: July 11, 2026, 8PM EDT

Host: Jeanine Herbst (NPR)
Episode Theme:
A fast-paced briefing on major U.S. and international news stories, including developments in the U.S.–Iran conflict, a dangerous European heat wave, landmark U.S. housing legislation, updates on the FIFA World Cup, diplomatic progress on a key international bridge, and a major Kia vehicle recall.

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Key Story Summaries

1. Escalation in U.S.–Iran Tensions

[00:18–01:39]

• The U.S. military has initiated strikes on Iran in retaliation for Iran targeting a civilian container ship in the Strait of Hormuz.
• Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps claims to have closed the strategic strait after firing warning shots at a ship.
• Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s new leader, made a strong audio statement, pledging vengeance for his father (the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei) and for Iranian casualties in recent conflicts.
  • Memorable quote:

    “We pledge to take revenge for your pure blood and all the martyrs of these two wars.” — Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei (read on Iranian state media) [01:10]

  • The late supreme leader was killed in U.S.–Israeli airstrikes in February, and his successor was not seen publicly during the funeral procession.
• Correspondent: Hadil Al Shalchi (Istanbul)

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2. Paris Suffering Under Third Heat Wave of 2026

[01:39–02:33]

• Paris landmarks—including the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre—are closing early as temperatures soar above 100°F.
• Most Parisian buildings lack air conditioning due to historically milder summers.
• Scientists confirm the heat waves are driven by climate change; Europe is warming faster than any other continent.
• Paris authorities have responded by extending park hours and providing additional drinking water stations. Crowds are swimming in the Seine, despite concerns over water cleanliness.
  • Notable quote:

    “Docks set up along the Seine river for swimming are attracting huge crowds and as people cast aside reservations over cleanliness in order to cool off.” — Eleanor Beardsley [02:22]

• Correspondent: Eleanor Beardsley (Paris)

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3. Major U.S. Affordable Housing Legislation Becomes Law

[02:33–03:09]

• The largest housing bill in three decades became law automatically at midnight after President Trump refused to sign it, calling it "a big yawn" and using his inaction to protest the Senate’s failure to pass his voter ID bill.
  • Remarkable moment:

    “He refused to sign the bipartisan bill, calling it a big yawn, saying it was a protest against the Senate for not passing his voter ID bill.” — Jeanine Herbst [02:35]

• The law aims to lower housing costs via regulatory reforms and increased construction.
• Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) emphasized the urgent need for solutions to homelessness:
  • Quote:

    “Over 770,000 people are on the street every night in this country, over 700,000. And so now in this bill, we're going to make it possible for people to have affordable housing.” — Rep. Maxine Waters [02:56]

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4. FIFA Men's World Cup: Latest Results

[03:09–03:33]

• England defeated Norway 2–1 and will play the winner of Argentina vs. Switzerland in the quarterfinals in Atlanta next week.

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5. Gordie Howe Bridge Opening Moves Forward

[03:33–04:24]

• The long-delayed opening of the new bridge between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario is set for the end of the month, following negotiations between President Trump and the Canadian government.
• Canada—despite funding the entire construction—agreed to a new toll-sharing arrangement: 50% of profits to Canada and 50% to a 15-year joint economic development fund (operator still undecided).
  • Memorable moment:

    “Trump had delayed the opening for weeks, saying Canada was not treating the US Fairly on trade issues, even though Canada paid the full cost of constructing the bridge.” — Dan Karpenschak [03:56]

• Correspondent: Dan Karpenschak (Toronto)

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6. Kia Telluride Recall Due to Fire Hazard

[04:24–04:57]

• Kia is urgently recalling over 460,000 Telluride SUVs (model years 2020–2024) after multiple reports of fires, even occurring after prior repairs.
• Owners are advised to park affected vehicles outside and away from buildings. Fires have occurred whether vehicles were parked or being driven, linked to overheating of the front power seat motor from a stuck slide knob.
  • Key detail:

    “Kia also says fires could happen whether the vehicle is being driven or is parked.” — Jeanine Herbst [04:44]

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Notable Quotes & Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote/Highlight | |-----------|----------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:10 | Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei (via state media) | “We pledge to take revenge for your pure blood and all the martyrs of these two wars.” | | 02:22 | Eleanor Beardsley | “Docks set up along the Seine river for swimming are attracting huge crowds...” | | 02:56 | Rep. Maxine Waters | “Over 770,000 people are on the street every night in this country...affordable housing.” | | 03:56 | Dan Karpenschak | “Trump had delayed the opening for weeks, saying Canada was not treating the US fairly...” | | 04:44 | Jeanine Herbst | “Kia also says fires could happen whether the vehicle is being driven or is parked.” |

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Episode Flow / Timeline

• [00:18] U.S.–Iran crisis updates and new Iranian leadership statement
• [01:39] Paris heat wave, museum closures, and adaptive measures
• [02:33] Landmark U.S. affordable housing bill enacted; homelessness quotes
• [03:09] FIFA World Cup quarterfinals update (England beats Norway)
• [03:33] Gordie Howe Bridge negotiations conclude; cross-border trade implications
• [04:24] Large-scale Kia Telluride SUV recall for fire risk

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This episode provided rapid, sharply reported coverage on urgent international conflict, climate-driven crises, major legislative news, sports milestones, diplomatic agreements, and consumer safety alerts—offering listeners a comprehensive snapshot of breaking developments around the globe.

Transcript

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[Jeanine Herbst]

In Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. The U.S. military says it's striking Iran again in response to Tehran striking a civilian container ship in in the Strait of Hormuz. And Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps says the strait is now closed after firing what it says were warning shots at a ship. Meanwhile, Iran's leader, Ayatollah Moshtabi Khamenei, delivered a defiant message days after his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was buried. He was killed in US Israeli airstrikes in February. And PEER's Hadil Al Shulci has more.

[Hadil Al Shalchi]

In his second audio address, Iran's current leader, Ayatollah Mustaba Khamenei, called his father's killers criminals and promise to uphold the late supreme leader's legacy. We pledge to take revenge for your pure blood and all the martyrs of these two wars, mustafa Khamenei said, referring to Iran's war with Israel in June 2025 and the current war with the US and Israel. Like his first address in March, Mushta Bahenei's speech was read by a news anchor on Iranian state media and the leader did not appear on camera. Three of Ayatollahi Khamenei's sons attended his funeral this week, but his fourth son and successor, Mujtaba Khamenei, was not seen publicly during the days long procession. Hadil Al Shalchi, NPR News, Istanbul.

[Jeanine Herbst]

The Eiffel Tower and other Paris landmarks closed early today amidst another brutal heat wave, France's third this year, which is causing power outages. And PAR's Eleanor Beardsley has more.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

In addition to the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre museum will close early due to temperatures forecast to soar above 100 degrees Fahrenheit through next week. Paris is mostly UN air conditioned as temperatures are usually in the mid-80s this time of year. Scientists say the frequent and prolonged heat waves are due to global warming caused by man made greenhouse emissions. Europe is warming faster than any other continent. Paris is extending heat wave measures with parks open all night and drinking water stations available. Docks set up along the Seine river for swimming are attracting huge crowds and as people cast aside reservations over cleanliness in order to cool off. Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Paris.

[Jeanine Herbst]

The biggest housing bill in 30 years became law at midnight without President Trump's signature. He refused to sign the bipartisan bill, calling it a big yawn, saying it was a protest against the Senate for not passing his voter ID bill. The housing bill contains dozens of provisions aimed at driving down the price of housing. Democratic Congresswoman Maxine Waters in Los Angeles.

[Maxine Waters]

Over 7 70,000 people are on the street every night in this country, over 700,000. And so now in this bill, we're going to make it possible for people to have affordable housing.

[Jeanine Herbst]

The bill loosens regulations to encouraging housing construction. You're listening to NPR News. The FIFA Men's World cup soccer tournament quarterfinals continues today, earlier, just now, really, England beat Norway 2 to 1 and will face the winner of the game later tonight between Argentina and Switzerland to meet in the quarterfinals in Atlanta next week. The delay over the opening of a new bridge between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, may soon be over. As Dan Carpentuk reports, both President Trump and the Canadian government say the Gordie Howe Bridge will officially open at the end of the month.

[Dan Karpenschak]

Trump posted on social media Friday that he was able to get a much better deal and congratulated the Canadian government. Trump had delayed the opening for weeks, saying Canada was not treating the US Fairly on trade issues, even though Canada paid the full cost of constructing the bridge. Ottawa officials say the two countries have agreed on a new series of toll measures and the creation of a 15 year economic development fund in which Canada will get half of the bridge's toll profits and the other half will go into the fund, although it's not yet clear who will operate that fund. For NPR News, I'm Dan Karpenschak in Toronto.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Kia is recalling more than 460,000 Telluride SUVs urging owners to once again park their vehicles outside and away from buildings. This after several customers reported fires following previous repairs. Certain 2020-2024 Tellurides are affected. And the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is warning people that the front power seat motor can overheat due to a stuck slide knob. Kia also says fires could happen whether the vehicle is being driven or is parked. You're listening to NPR News.

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