NPR News: 08-17-2026 7AM EDT
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How is the Russia‑Ukraine conflict escalating with new attacks on supply chains?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Linda Kenyon. Fighting continues between Russia and Ukraine, with at least 20 people killed and dozens more injured and air attacks from both sides. The fighting included the largest single-day Ukrainian attack on Russia to date. NPR's Charles Maines in Moscow reports Ukraine is bringing the war home to Russians.
Ukraine struck another warehouse of Russia's largest online retailer, a company called Wild Berries, which is part of a wider campaign of interrupting business supply chains. Ukraine continues to strike oil facilities, which, by the way, has caused the return of gas shortages we saw earlier in the summer. And Ukraine is going after defense adjacent industries, factories that produce parts or products that might in some way contribute or help fund the Russian military. And all of this has come with a growing number of civilian casualties.
Five years into the conflict, the two countries appear locked in a war of attrition, with no end in sight.
Why is President Trump ordering a scale‑back of U.S.–South Korea joint military exercises?
As annual joint military exercises between the U.S. and South Korea begin this week, President Trump says he has instructed the Pentagon to substantially reduce future war games. NPR's Anthony Kuhn in Seoul reports the move suggests a concession and a possible attempt to restart diplomacy with North Korea.
President Trump said he was ordering the drills to be scaled back because of his good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and North Korea's unthreatening attitude towards the U.S. while Trump has been president. He said that the drills are costly and send a hostile signal to Pyongyang. He also noted that South Korea had declined his request for help in military operations against Iran. South Korea's defense ministry said that 10 days of exercises with the U.S. military aimed at defending South Korea against threats from the North began as planned.
What did Attorney General Todd Blanche say about DOJ independence from the White House?
Monday is a substitute day off after a Saturday holiday in South Korea and there was no immediate comment from South Korea's government. Anthony Kuhn, NPR News, Seoul.
Newly confirmed U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche refused to commit to remain independent from the White House. NPO's Jacqueline Diaz reports he was asked to make that pledge on NBC's Meet the Press. After
the scandal of Watergate, it was standard that the DOJ and the White House were kept completely separate, even though the president would nominate an attorney general. The DOJ handled its own affairs and prosecuted cases without input from the president. Blanche refused to pledge an independent DOJ when asked by Meet the Press host Kristen Welker.
No, I'm not going to pledge that.
How is Tropical Storm Lala affecting power and infrastructure in Hawaii?
And no attorney general should ever pledge that.
Blanche's comments were made just days after a close confirmation vote. He replaced Pam Bondi. who Trump fired after Bondi was seen as having not moved fast enough to prosecute his opponents, including former FBI Director James Comey. Jacqueline Diaz, NPR News. Blanche
previously served as President Trump's personal attorney. You're listening to NPR. More than 120,000 homes and businesses in Hawaii are without power this morning due to the strong winds and heavy rains of what is now Tropical Storm Lala. The storm's winds and flooding damaged or destroyed dozens of homes as it passed near the islands.
What is the extent of the historic flooding and casualties in Indiana?
Bill Dorman with Hawaii Public Radio reports more than two feet of rain fell on the Hawaiian
island. All public schools in the state of Hawaii are closed today. So are government offices. Exceptions are emergency workers and those working crucial services. And they have a lot to do. Damage assessments are still coming in. The southern part of Hawaii Island was one of the hardest hit areas, with half a dozen local bridges destroyed or heavily damaged. Rock slides, mud slides, and flooding of saturated ground remain challenges across the islands. Hawaiian Electric says tens of thousands of residents around the state are still without power.
What topics does the “If You Can Keep It” series cover in today’s political landscape?
Emergency crews restored electricity to thousands by Sunday night, but for so many, recovery is just beginning.
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Chapters
6 chapters
1
How is the Russia‑Ukraine conflict escalating with new attacks on supply chains?
0:00–0:59
2
Why is President Trump ordering a scale‑back of U.S.–South Korea joint military exercises?
0:59–1:48
3
What did Attorney General Todd Blanche say about DOJ independence from the White House?
1:48–2:32
4
How is Tropical Storm Lala affecting power and infrastructure in Hawaii?
2:32–3:16
5
What is the extent of the historic flooding and casualties in Indiana?
3:16–3:55
6
What topics does the “If You Can Keep It” series cover in today’s political landscape?
3:55–5:04