NPR News: 07-15-2026 7AM EDT
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. A U.S.
What is happening with the U.S. naval blockade and control of the Strait of Hormuz?
naval blockade is back in place in the Strait of Hormuz as tensions with Iran escalate. President Trump now says the U.S. will take full control of the key waterway after previously declaring it open for business. NPR's Tom Bowman reports in order to do that, the U.S. would have to sharply reduce Tehran's ability to attack commercial ships.
Full control for the U.S. would mean that you have to eliminate or severely reduce Iran's power to fire drones or missiles at commercial ships.
How has Iran been targeting commercial ships and what are the reported casualties?
Iran has hit at least seven commercial ships in the past week, damaging some. And the U.S. says nearly a dozen crew members are killed, wounded or missing.
That's NPR's Tom Bowman reporting. China has announced economic growth of more than 4 percent in the second quarter, the lowest rate in more than three years. Danny Vincent reports the slowdown comes amid weak domestic demand and rising oil prices caused by the war in Iran.
China's second-quarter growth fell below Beijing's full-year target, but the authorities said growth for the first half of the year remained on track. In March, China lowered its annual growth target to between 4.5% and 5%, the least ambitious target since 1991. A surge in exports helped to support the world's second-largest economy, driven partly by the boom in artificial intelligence and the demand for Chinese electric vehicles. But spending at home remained weak, with many young people struggling to secure work. For NPR News, I'm Danny Vincent in Hong Kong.
The Department of Homeland Security says it will pause for now conducting traffic stops as part of its immigration crackdown. NPR's Sergio Martinez Beltran reports the shift in policy comes after two people were killed by federal immigration agents in Maine and Texas.
Joan Sebastian Duran Guerrero was killed in Maine this week and Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was killed in Texas last week. Both deaths stemmed from traffic stops. Neither of the men were the intended immigration enforcement targets. The Department of Homeland Security accused Duran Guerrero of being a public safety threat. and Salgado Araujo of weaponizing his car to run over an ICE officer. But no video evidence has been presented to back up DHS's claims. NPR confirmed that the agency will pause, at least for now, conducting traffic stops. White House borders are Tom Homan told reporters the agency will review whether the training for ICE officers is sufficient and whether they need more support to be safe.
Sergio Martinez Beltran, NPR News, Austin, Texas.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanch goes before the Senate Judiciary Committee today for the first of two days of confirmation hearings. Senators are expected to question Blanch about the department's independence and its handling of the Epstein files. This is NPR News in Washington. England and Argentina are set to face off in a World Cup semifinal today. NPR's Becky Sullivan reports the matchup will be the newest chapter in the long-time rivalry between the two teams on and off the field.
The England-Argentina rivalry has had plenty of controversial moments over the decades, like the infamous Hand of God goal scored by Diego Maradona in 1986. And of course, in 1982, there was a war between the two over the Falkland Islands, whose sovereignty is disputed to this day. This is the sixth time these two nations have met at the World Cup. This time, Argentina is the defending champion, led by the 39-year-old megastar Lionel Messi, who has scored eight goals at this World Cup so far. Meanwhile, England is playing for its first appearance in the World Cup final since 1966. Their captain, Harry Kane, and young attacker Jude Bellingham have six goals apiece. The winner will move on to face Spain in the final on Sunday in New Jersey.
Becky Sullivan in PR News, Atlanta.
New York has become the first state to halt the development of large data centers used to power artificial intelligence. Governor Kathy Hochul announced a moratorium on Tuesday that could last up to a year while the state develops new environmental and energy standards.
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Chapters
4 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:00–0:05
2
What is happening with the U.S. naval blockade and control of the Strait of Hormuz?
0:05–0:34
3
How has Iran been targeting commercial ships and what are the reported casualties?
0:34–4:21
4
Why is China’s second-quarter growth slowing and what sectors are keeping it afloat?
4:21–5:03