NPR News: 07-18-2026 2PM EDT
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What happened in the latest U.S.-Iran strikes and who was affected?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Noor Aram. U.S. Central Command said today that two U.S. service members were killed yesterday in Jordan in missile and drone attacks by Iran. According to the statement, another U.S. service member is missing in action. The deaths came when the U.S. and Iran exchanged another round of strikes last night as their fight over control of the Strait of Hormuz grows more intense. The U.S. targeted military and surveillance sites across Iran. The attacks extended the conflict into a seventh straight night. NPR's Emily Fang has more.
How did CENTCOM and Iranian forces describe the targets and damage?
U.S. CENTCOM said it had launched strikes at military and surveillance sites across Iran without specifying the number of targets. Iran alleged the U.S. hit civilian sites as well, including a water desalination plant. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had targeted U.S. military assets in Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan in retaliation. Bahrain's defense ministry said it intercepted several Iranian aerial attacks. Kuwait said it had to cancel flights and that one of its power and water desalination plants was hit by an Iranian attack. Earlier, an Iranian news agency said Tehran could go after five key ports in the Middle East hosting U.S. military or commercial interests in retaliation for a U.S.
hit on a maritime control tower at an Iranian port in the city of Chahabar. Emily Fang, NPR News.
Which regions reported intercepted attacks and infrastructure damage?
Air quality warnings are expected to remain in effect throughout much of the U.S., at least through today, caused by smoke from wildfires in Minnesota and Canada. Millions of people are subjected to hazardous smoke drifting across the Great Lakes, Northeast, and Mid-Atlantic regions. Children, older adults, and people with lung or heart disease are urged to stay indoors. New York resident Lars Shapiro is searching for a high-quality face mask.
You can feel a little bit in your breathing, you know, and you just know that it's not good to breathe in all these toxins.
The National Weather Service says a string of heavy storms may improve air quality today. President Trump says he wants deceased Senator Lindsey Graham's sister to run in the special election to replace him. NPR's Tamara Keith has more on the story.
U.S. Senate seats don't come up often. Lindsey Graham had held his seat for more than 23 years and had just won a Republican primary to serve six more when he died suddenly. Trump, who was close with Graham, suggested that the senator's sister, Darlene Graham,
How is wildfire smoke impacting air quality across the U.S. today?
be named to replace him temporarily. She was sworn in earlier this week. Now in a post on Truth Social, Trump says he has asked her to run in the special Republican primary to replace her brother for the good of our country. He goes on to say having her serve a full term will honor his legacy and that if she decides to do it, she would have his complete and total endorsement. Tamara Keith, NPR News.
You're listening to NPR News in Washington. Protests are planned across the country today against the construction of data centers that support artificial intelligence. They're being coordinated by a group called Humans First. Residents are concerned about higher power bills and the effects on the environment caused by huge data centers. The Odyssey, Christopher Nolan's film based on Homer's epic poem, has set sail to bigger box office numbers than expected. NPR's Bob Mondello has details.
Tell me, oh muse, of that many-sided hero who traveled far and wide.
What did President Trump say about Lindsey Graham’s replacement and Darlene Graham?
Help me go home. The Greek poet Homer gets a co-screenwriting credit for The Odyssey, appropriate as his epic tale has been captivating audiences for centuries. But in exit polls, moviegoers say they're lining up for the director and the spectacle. No one could stand between me and home. Christopher Nolan shot the film entirely on IMAX cameras, a first for Hollywood. And at some theaters, where the film is showing in 70mm, Seats for this weekend sold out a year ago. The film was expected to open to about $85 million in North America, but estimates now range upwards from $120 million. With no other studio films opening, the Odyssey's main competition is Sunday's World Cup final.
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Chapters
6 chapters
1
What happened in the latest U.S.-Iran strikes and who was affected?
0:00–0:36
2
How did CENTCOM and Iranian forces describe the targets and damage?
0:36–1:24
3
Which regions reported intercepted attacks and infrastructure damage?
1:24–2:28
4
How is wildfire smoke impacting air quality across the U.S. today?
2:28–3:32
5
What did President Trump say about Lindsey Graham’s replacement and Darlene Graham?
3:32–4:21
6
Why are nationwide protests targeting AI data centers and what else is in today’s culture roundup?
4:21–5:04