NPR News: 07-21-2026 9AM EDT
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Janine Hurst.
What is the latest on Iran-Pakistan diplomatic talks and who is involved?
Iran's interior minister is meeting Pakistan's military chief today, according to Iranian state media. It's one of the first visits by any leading Iranian official to Pakistan since this cycle of clashes between the U.S. and Iran started in mid-June. NPR's Diya Hadid has more.
Pakistani officials, led by the army chief of staff, Field Marshal Asil Munir, have been mediating between the sides ever since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran in late February. Pakistan mediated the first ceasefire between the US and Iran on April 8. Then in mid-June, the country mediated a memorandum of understanding. It was meant to lead to negotiations for a comprehensive peace deal. But early this month, Iran targeted three ships in the Strait of Hormuz. It said they had violated the understanding, which Iran interprets as giving it control over the vital waterway. Clashes have been escalating since. Pakistani officials have called on both sides to adhere to the memorandum. Dee Hadid, NPR News.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth heads to Capitol Hill today to ask the Senate Appropriations Committee for a nearly $90 billion funding boost, most of that for military operations in Iran. This as President Trump heads to Dover, Delaware today for the dignified transfer of American service members killed over the weekend in the U.S. war against Iran. Two died in an Iranian strike on a base in Jordan Friday. One is missing. Another died in a drone incident in northern Iraq Saturday. Gas prices are on the rise.
How did Pakistan mediate the ceasefire and what led to renewed clashes in mid-June?
The national average for a gallon of regular has again topped $4, as NPR's Stephen Basaja reports.
All sorts of travelers are feeling the rise in 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 U.S. and Iran brought those prices down. Now with the ceasefire over and fighting intensifying, prices are climbing again. Stephen Basaja, NPR News.
Arizona is the only state with a primary election today, and the results will help determine control of Congress. For Member Station KJZZ, Cameron Sanchez reports.
Arizona is a purple state with several competitive races, including the one for the state's first congressional district. The winner there will replace longtime Republican Congressman David Schweikert, who is running for governor. Former NFL kicker and Trump-endorsed C, Jay Feeley, is the Republican frontrunner. On the Democratic side, candidates Amish Shah and Marlene Gallon-Woods have a shot. All of Arizona's statewide offices are also up for election and are mostly held by incumbent Democrats. Republicans hope to take back the offices of governor, secretary of state, and attorney general this year. For NPR News, I'm Cameron Sanchez in Phoenix. This is NPR News.
The White House says the luxury jet gifted to the U.S. by Qatar will get an upgrade this fall, though it's not clear what those upgrades will be. It will be out of service for a month. The plane has already undergone $400 million worth of renovations. Qatar gifted the Boeing 747 last year after President Trump complained, saying the plane used as Air Force One was too old and too small. New research from the American Heart Association looks at how many cups of coffee each day are safe to drink. And Pierce Maria Godoy has more.
In a new scientific statement, the AHA says drinking up to five 8-ounce cups of coffee per day, or about 400 milligrams of caffeine, is generally safe for most adults. It also appears to be linked to a lower risk of several cardiovascular conditions, including heart failure, heart disease, and stroke in some people. Research has linked drinking caffeinated coffee without added sugars, flavors, or cream to a lower risk of conditions including type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
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Chapters
4 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:01–0:05
2
What is the latest on Iran-Pakistan diplomatic talks and who is involved?
0:05–1:30
3
How did Pakistan mediate the ceasefire and what led to renewed clashes in mid-June?
1:30–4:48
4
What is the Pentagon requesting from Congress about funding for operations in Iran?
4:48–5:03