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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm RYLAND BARTON. The U.S. is carrying out its 10th consecutive day of strikes on Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. It comes as Iran has attacked American Gulf allies and three US Service members were killed in recent days. Meanwhile, the State Department says Israel and Lebanon are moving ahead with a deal to begin restoring Lebanese sovereignty in the south and stop attacks from Iranian backed Hezbollah on Israel, Lebanon. Lebanon's president is set to visit the White house tomorrow, as NPR's Michelle Keleman reports.
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio says he's been talking to Lebanese President Joseph Aoun about international investments and a future when Ayoun's government, not Iranian Bakt Hezbollah, is fully in control of the country.
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I think President Ayoun will be able to return to Lebanon and say to the people of Lebanon that he is the one that's getting positive results for the people. All Lebanese, including Christians, Sunni and Shia and Bedouin and Druze. All the people of a very diverse country, not Hezbollah, not Israel, controls much
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of southern Lebanon but is pulling back in Several pilot zones. U.S. officials say this gives the Lebanese state a chance to reassert control in areas historically dominated by Hezbollah. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, the State Department.
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Several Texas communities are starting recovery efforts after heavy floods damaged property and took the lives of two people. But some are still in danger. The Texas Newsroom's Blaze Gainey reports.
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During a press conference Monday afternoon, Governor Greg Abbott said, while the skies are clear, waters continue to rise, posing threats to several areas near Nueces River.
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Evacuations will continue in areas like Uvalde, where Nueces is one of four rivers that flow through and around the Uvalley area. We also remain concerned at this time for Cotulla, Tilden and Carrizo Springs.
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Abbott, who surveyed Kerr and Kendall counties today, says the damage looks worse than last year so far. In Kerr county, more than and 35 homes sustained major damage or have been completely destroyed. More assessments will continue. For NPR News, I'm Blaise Gainey in Austin.
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The national average price for a gallon of regular gas once again reached $4 a gallon. NPR's Stephen Bisaha reports. Fuel costs are rising as the Iran war escalates.
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All sorts of travelers are feeling the rising costs. Commercial truck drivers diesel is now above $5.10 a gallon. Nationally, flyers at the start of July, domestic flights were up about $93 on average from a year earlier, according to the travel site Kayak. And if you're trading in crude oil, a barrel started the week priced above $82, up about $25 since the year's start. Average gas prices peaked around $4.50 in May, but the ceasefire between the US and Iran brought those prices down. Now, with the ceasefire over and fighting intensifying, prices are climbing again. Stephen Bassaha, NPR News.
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This is NPR News. Defaults on student loans have surged across the US as borrowers struggle to keep up with payments. The numbers have spiked since payments started coming due again following a lengthy pause intended to provide relief during the COVID 19 pandemic. Today, around nine and a half million people, one in five federal student loan borrowers, are in default, meaning they are more than nine months behind on their payments. Students in India are demanding the resignation of the country's education minister. NPR's Omkar Khandikar reports. The government has offered to negotiate with protesters.
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Protesters sang songs and chanted slogans calling for a revolution, demanding the resignation of India's education minister, Dharmendra Pradhan. A series of university and government job entrance exam papers were leaked in recent years, sparking outrage as the Indian police charged at protesters with batons and tear gas. Some retaliated by throwing stones. The escalation comes after weeks of peaceful protests by Cockroach Janta Party, a satire turned political group that has millions of Gen Z followers on social media. The ruling BJP party has refused to discuss their demands in the Parliament. Omka Khandekar, NPR News, New Delhi.
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Mount Olympus, the mythological home of ancient Greece's gods, may soon join UNESCO's World Heritage List. Greeks hope the mountain's blend of myth, culture and natural beauty will secure it a place when the World Heritage Committee meets in South Korea next week. Locals say the mountain needs protection as an increase in tourism impacts its environment. This is NPR News from Washington.
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This concise five-minute news summary from NPR covers major ongoing world and U.S. events, including escalating U.S.-Iran tensions, diplomatic progress in Lebanon, severe flooding in Texas, rising fuel prices, student loan defaults, protests in India, and Greece's bid to get Mount Olympus on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
On U.S. Diplomatic Hopes in Lebanon:
"President Ayoun will be able to return to Lebanon and say to the people... All Lebanese, including Christians, Sunni and Shia and Bedouin and Druze. All the people of a very diverse country..."
— Secretary of State Marco Rubio (00:45–01:01)
On Flood Recovery in Texas:
"In Kerr county, more than 35 homes sustained major damage or have been completely destroyed. More assessments will continue."
— Blaze Gainey (02:01)
On Global Travel Costs:
"Average gas prices peaked around $4.50 in May, but the ceasefire between the US and Iran brought those prices down. Now, with the ceasefire over and fighting intensifying, prices are climbing again."
— Stephen Bisaha (02:46)
On India's University Protesters:
"A series of university and government job entrance exam papers were leaked... as Indian police charged at protesters with batons and tear gas. Some retaliated by throwing stones."
— Omkar Khandikar (03:42)
By focusing on top global and domestic headlines, this episode provides a vivid snapshot of current events, expertly blending reporting on conflict, environmental crises, economic stressors, social upheavals, and cultural heritage.