NPR News: 07-18-2026 11PM EDT
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Live from NPR News in New York City, I'm Dua Halisa Kautau. Defense Secretary Pete Hexeth is calling the two American service members who were killed Friday during a strike in Jordan heroes. In a social media post, Hexeth said their sacrifice only stiffens our resolve. NPR's Shondalese Duster reports on the U.S. military response.
The U.S.
What new U.S. military strikes were launched and why were they ordered?
military says it has launched new strikes against Iran at President Trump's direction. The strikes, which the U.S. military said began around 6 o'clock p.m. Eastern time, are retaliation for a deadly Iranian attack in Jordan on Friday. Two American service members were killed and one is missing from the attack. U.S. Central Command said four other American service members were medically evacuated to Jordanian hospitals and have since been discharged. The U.S. military says new strikes are also designed to, quote, further degrade Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has closed the strait, and the U.S. military said it has reinstated a naval blockade. Shondalese Duster, NPR News.
A produce supplier is recalling all of its iceberg lettuce from the U.S. market because the produce may be contaminated with cyclospora. That's the parasite causing severe illness and diarrhea. NPR's Kristen Wright reports.
Taylor Farms is pulling its shredded iceberg lettuce sourced from Mexico from 27 states. The company said in a statement, the lettuce, quote, has the potential to be contaminated with cyclospora and that customers who bought it should throw it away immediately. Taylor Farms added on social media, none of its salad kits are associated with the outbreak that's causing severe illness and diarrhea. More than 1,600 cases have been reported to the CDC. On Friday, the agency linked the intestinal illness to iceberg lettuce at Taco Bell locations in five states. Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. Taylor Farms' recall suggests the possibly contaminated lettuce may have been more widely distributed than first indicated.
How did the Pentagon describe casualties and evacuations from the Jordan attack?
Kristen Wright, NPR News.
In south-central Texas, recovery efforts have begun as floodwaters recede after more than 30 inches of rain fell in some parts of the state. The Texas newsroom's Blaise Ganey reports.
Texas Department of Transportation, Division of Emergency Management and other agencies are traveling throughout the state, removing debris from roadways, conducting rescues and rebuilding roads. Governor Greg Abbott says a large amount of them are concentrated in Uvalde, one of the hardest hit areas. Especially the city and county of Uvalde, which almost became an island. because of what happened with the rivers around it. TxDOT has been working around the clock. Abbott has already sent the major disaster declaration to the federal government. If approved, it'll help the state pay for a portion of the cleanup and provide financial assistance to individuals impacted by the flood event. For NPR News, I'm Blaise Gainey.
You're listening to NPR from New York City. Nearly a month after major earthquakes hit Venezuela, bodies are still being recovered from under the rubble, especially in La Guara state, north of Caracas. Government officials updated the number of dead yesterday to more than 5,000. The Reuters news agency today released a new report suggesting civilians led rescue efforts during the first critical hours after the earthquakes hit, not Venezuelan troops or police. The acting president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez, said at least 4,000 officials were activated immediately. She's blamed critics for politicizing a humanitarian tragedy. A 27-year-old world record for the mile race was broken today by British runner Josh Kerr.
And Paris Hua Jingnan has more on how Kerr vowed to break the record and then did it.
When Kerr broke the world record in a packed London stadium Saturday, he was met with thunderous cheering from the audience. Kerr publicly announced back in late March that he wants to try and break the record.
Why is the U.S. aiming to degrade Iran's threat to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz?
The previous mile record was set in 1999 by Moroccan athlete Kikam Elgarouche, when Kerr was not yet two years old.
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Chapters
4 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:01–0:25
2
What new U.S. military strikes were launched and why were they ordered?
0:25–2:03
3
How did the Pentagon describe casualties and evacuations from the Jordan attack?
2:03–4:07
4
Why is the U.S. aiming to degrade Iran's threat to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz?
4:07–5:04