NPR News: 04-19-2026 1AM EDT
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman.
What recent incidents are testing the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon?
The ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon is being tested over two incidents Saturday, including the killing of a French soldier. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports.
President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that a French soldier serving in the UN peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon was killed. He added that, quote, everything suggests, end quote, that Hezbollah was behind the attack. The Israeli military says it also conducted strikes against a threatening target. Polls show more than 70% of Israelis are against pausing their fight against Hezbollah. Tel Aviv resident Sari Hafez says a ceasefire will only allow the group to rearm. We want that this time it will be the end, but the final end. We don't want another little war for one year later or two years later. We want quiet. She says Hezbollah is weakened and now is the time to defeat them. Eleanor Beersley, NPR News, Tel Aviv.
Israel, meanwhile, says Sunday that one soldier was killed during combat in southern Lebanon and nine others were injured, including one in serious condition. Iran Saturday once again closed the Strait of Hormuz to ship traffic, and government officials say it will stay that way until the U.S. stops its blockade on Iranian ports and ships. And the country's Revolutionary Guard says any ship approaching the strait will be considered as cooperating with the enemy and will also be attacked. James Kraska is a professor at the U.S. Naval War College. He says Iran's blockade is illegal.
Iran has an obligation to keep the Strait open in accordance with international law for all other states that are neutral states, so all the Gulf Arab states as well as all states not involved in the conflict. Of course, those states don't lose their rights. They enjoy the right of transit passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
And Kraska adds that the U.S. blockade of Iran's ports is lawful under international law. North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles into the sea Sunday. It was the latest in a series of weapons tests. As NPR's Anthony Kuhn reports from Seoul, North Korea has been developing new military technologies used in conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff says the missiles were launched from around the east coast port city of Shinpo and flew eastward into the sea. Japan also detected the launch. North Korea conducted three missile tests earlier this month, including a missile with cluster bombs and a graphite bomb that disables electrical grids. In February, North Korea listed new military capabilities it plans to develop over the next five years. It includes AI-assisted drones, nuclear-capable cruise missiles, and anti-satellite weapons. Pyongyang's biggest takeaway from Ukraine and Iran, though, is that its best insurance against being attacked is its nuclear arsenal. Anthony Kuhn, NPR News, Seoul.
And you're listening to NPR News. Hundreds of animal rights activists stormed a controversial Wisconsin dog breeding facility Saturday morning. Wisconsin Public Radio's Corinne Hess tells us why.
Ridgeland Farms near Madison, Wisconsin is expected to close this summer. But animal rights activists say the 2,000 dogs being held there are being mistreated. Ridgeland is one of the country's largest breeders of beagles for research. Dane County Sheriff Kelvin Barrett says about 400 violent activists attempted to break into the facility.
I want to be very clear. This is not a peaceful protest, and we will do everything and use every resource we have to keep and maintain the peace.
Madison activist Amy Van Artisan says police used tear gas on protesters.
Many people were also hit with rubber bullets. The police response was just really devastating and disappointing.
The protest was planned for Sunday, but moved up a day by activists. For NPR News, I'm Corrine Hess in Milwaukee.
An investigation is underway in Trinidad and Tobago after 56 bodies were found dumped at one of the country's cemeteries. All but six of the bodies were infants.
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