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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Ramm. The US Launched a wave of new strikes against Iran for an eighth straight day, targeting what it says were strategic drone and missile sites. This comes after two US Service members were killed Friday in Jordan from Iranian strikes. NPR's Cary Khan reports from Tel Aviv.
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U.S. central Command says along with the military sites, it also struck forces with the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps to, quote, swiftly punish Iran for the attacks in Jordan. The brief statement by CENTCOM did not provide more details. Early Sunday, Kuwait's military said it was intercepting incoming missiles and drones from Iran. Bahrain, too, has reported incoming fire from Iran. The stepped up back and forth strikes show no sign of letting up. No public peace talks or negotiations are taking place. The United States has reinstated a blockade on Iranian ports as Iran continues to vow to control the Strait of Hormuz. Shipping traffic through the vital waterway has dropped dramatically, radically during the last week of strikes. Carrie Khan, NPR News, Tel Aviv.
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Ukrainian officials say Russia launched one of its largest ballistic missile attacks of the war early this morning, mainly targeting the capital, Kyiv. At least one person was killed. President Trump is pressing Congress to pass the Save America act legislation to overhaul election laws. It includes a requirement that people prove they're US Citizens. Gabriel Sterling is the director of special projects at Georgia's secretary of state's office. He says voting by noncitizens is not an issue. In any event, now is not the time to change the law.
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You can't make widespread changes across 50 states and the District of Columbia in that period of time. People are building ballots, they're getting poll workers. This kind of stress causes a problem for election administrators who should be doing the blocking and tackling of getting elections done. And when they're interfered with this way and stressed out this way, that's when they can make the errors the basis for fraud claims.
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Later, he was interviewed on npr. Investors in the US Will be paying close attention to major earnings reports out this week. NPR's Rafael Naom looks at the week ahead.
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We're starting to enter the real busy period in terms of the earnings season. One of the companies that investors are keenly waiting for is Alphabet, which will report on Wednesday. The tech giant is giving an update of his business at a time when there are continued concerns about whether massive investments in AI will pay off for investors. But it's not just AI. Earnings reports also provide a good look at how top companies are navigating an uncertain economic environment as the war with Iran continues. Among the other top companies reporting this week are General Motors, Tesla and American Express. Rafael Nam, NPR News.
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You're listening to NPR News in Washington. Floodwaters are now receding in south central Texas after days of heavy rains. Recovery has begun, with crews clearing debris from highways and rebuilding roads. Governor Greg Abbott has requested federal disaster assistance, which will help pay for the cleanup and provide money to residents affected by the floods. A report from the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine reviews the way scientists can now pinpoint the influence of human caused climate change on specific weather events like hurricanes and heat waves. NPR's Alejandra Barunda reports.
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The report's findings could be important for several major climate cases making their way through the legal system. The report assesses climate attribution science. In the past decade or so, the rapidly advancing field has gotten much better at figuring out just how much worse or how much more likely bad weather events like hurricanes are because of burning fossil fuels. Some legal cases hinge on that knowledge. A case from Oregon, for example, is seeking damages for dozens of deaths in a 2021 heat wave that scientists found was intensified by climate change. The case alleges that fossil fuel companies knew their products could worsen the risks. Alejandra Barunda, NPR News.
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After 103 matches played in the U.S. mexico and Canada, the World cup final gets underway in about an hour. Spain and defending champion Argentina are competing for the most prestigious trophy in soccer. The men's championship includes a new feature, a halftime show with a mix of talent including Madonna, Coldplay and a school group from Staten island called the PS22 chorus. I'm Nora Raum, NPR News.
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Host: Nora Raum (NPR)
Episode Theme:
A concise roundup of current global and national news, focusing on rising Middle East tensions, legislative changes to US election laws, climate science advances, and key upcoming events.
Summary:
This episode gives a brisk but substantive overview of major global and US events as of July 19, 2026, from intensifying military action involving the US and Iran, to legal and political debates on election integrity, market outlooks amid global instability, environmental disaster recovery, and scientific advances shaping climate litigation. The World Cup final and its expanded halftime entertainment round out this wide-ranging news capsule.