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U.S. to reinstate Hormuz blockade. And, states sue over Paramount-Warner deal

This picture shows ships sailing near the Strait of Hormuz off the eastern coast of the United Arab Emirates at Khor Fakkan on July 13, 2026.

The United States plans to reinstate a blockade over the Strait of Hormuz today. And, several states are suing to stop the massive Paramount-Warner Bros. merger.

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Family of a man shot by agents responding to a 911 call seeks answers

A troubling pattern of federal agents fatally shooting civilians is developing, with deaths in Maine, Texas and Tennessee. The family of a man shot by agents told NPR they want answers.

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'The Trojan Teddy Bear': The promise and peril of childhood in the age of AI

In <!-- raw HTML omitted -->A.I. Artificial Intelligence<!-- raw HTML omitted -->, Monica introduces Teddy to David. The seemingly ordinary teddy bear quickly reveals himself to be an intelligent companion capable of conversation and emotional support.

AI is moving beyond chatbots and into toys, dolls, and robots built to befriend children. A leading child-development expert says the technology offers real promise — but also risks crowding out the human relationships children need most.

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The U.S. is set to reinstate a blockade over the Strait of Hormuz

A ship sails off the coast of Ajman on July 10, 2026.

The U.S. military announced it will begin its blockade of Iranian ships over the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, as Iran vowed to assert its own control over the critical international waterway.

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Morning news brief

Trump says the U.S. will collect tolls and impose blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, man killed by federal agents in Maine, states sue to stop Paramount-Warner Bros merger.

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Platner's voters are reeling as Maine Democratic Party races to choose his replacement

Maine Senate hopeful, Democrat David Costello, speaks with a potential voter as he gathers signatures, required to be considered at the party

Graham Platner generated enthusiasm in Maine with his progressive policies. Now he's out of the race, and his supporters have to decide what's next, as Maine Democrats prepare to choose a nominee.

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Trump's National Guard deployment in D.C. has been extended until 2029

Members of the Army National Guard patrol at the Lincoln Memorial on July 02, 2026 in Washington, D.C.

President Trump's deployment of the National Guard to Washington, D.C. has been extended several times. Now, it's set to last until Inauguration Day 2029.

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Some states will ask voters to make it harder to pass constitutional amendments

Voters leave their polling station in Kansas City after voting in the Missouri primary election on Aug. 2, 2022. In 2026, Missouri is one state considering tougher thresholds for enacting state constitutional amendments.

Several states have ballot measures this year that could raise the thresholds needed to pass state constitutional amendments. Many advocates are critical of such limits on direct democracy.

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Your cheat sheet to the teams headed to the World Cup semi-finals

Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina is thrown in the air by teammates after the 3-2 victory during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt at Atlanta Stadium on July 07, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.

We're at the final stretch of the World Cup. It feels like just yesterday, international fans were arriving in the U.S. and marveling at Buc-ee's and unlimited free soda.

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Death toll from a Bangkok music bar fire rises to 30, dozens remain in hospital

A relative of a victim in a music bar fire pays respect to the victim

More than 70 people were injured, with 24 of them still in critical condition, according to a statement by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.

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The star-studded World Cup semifinals kick off with France vs. Spain

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The expanded World Cup allowed FIFA to introduce a new seeding system that placed the world's top teams in opposite corners of the knockout bracket. Now, the semifinals are both heavyweight matchups.

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Trump's HHS abandons threat to withhold Medicare and Medicaid funding over trans care

Protestors rally for healthcare for transgender people at a march in June 2025 in Manhattan. NPR has learned the Trump administration shelved a plan to cut off all Medicare and Medicaid funding to any hospital that provided gender-affirming care to minors.

NPR has learned that the Department of Health and Human Services will not be finalizing its most aggressive attempt to end gender-affirming care for youth nationally.

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South Carolina's governor names Lindsey Graham's sister to serve out his term

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., attends a press conference on Dec. 7, 2023. South Carolina

South Carolina's governor says he is appointing Darline Graham Nordone to finish the term of her late brother. Top Republicans, including President Trump, have coalesced around the pick.

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On foreign policy, Graham's influence may have been felt the most

Over the course of his three decades in Congress, Lindsey Graham was a major influence on Capitol Hill and throughout the world as one of the most vocal advocates for U.S. military might.

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Trump says the U.S. will reinstate its blockade on Iran and charge a toll on ships

This frame grab taken from AFPTV video footage on Sunday shows cargo ships anchoring near the Strait of Hormuz off the eastern coast of the United Arab Emirates at Khor Fakkan.

The move comes after the U.S. and Iran exchanged fire for the third weekend in a row, raising the specter of a return to all-out war after a shaky ceasefire took effect in June.

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States sue to stop Paramount-Warner Bros blockbuster merger

California Attorney General Rob Bonta is one of several attorneys general seeking to stop the merger of Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery.

California is among the states suing to block Paramount from buying Warner Bros. Discovery in a Hollywood mega-merger that would unite some of the nation's largest movie studios and TV newsrooms.

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The U.S.-Iran ceasefire grows more distant. And, Congress faces a consequential week

Huge crowds gather for the burial of Iran

The U.S. and Iran exchanged fire over the weekend amid tensions over the Strait of Hormuz. And, Congress returns from recess facing tight deadlines.

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Pythons' extreme biology may hold clues for treating human disease

Pythons have several unusual traits that scientists are studying for potential clues for treating human disease.

These snakes can go for months without eating, grow and shrink the size of their hearts and jump start their metabolism on a dime.

(Image credit: Ari Daniel for NPR)

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How federal prison guards stop lawsuits before they start

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Prisoners are allowed to file complaints about mistreatment — but doing so often comes with retaliation. That's according to an investigation by NPR and The Marshall Project.

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Eat your ice cream for a long, healthy life? This doctor says so

Oncologist and bioethicist Zeke Emanuel takes a back-to-basics approach to maintain good health in his new book, including tips like allowing yourself to enjoy ice cream.

Dr. Zeke Emanuel, a renowned U.S. health policy physician, takes on the wellness industry with a back-to-basics approach to optimizing good health.

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He was having a mental health crisis. Memphis task force agents came and shot him

Cindy Leachman Aldridge holds a photo of her late grandson, Jonah Neal, at her home on July 12 in Owensboro, Ky. Jonah Neal was killed in May in Memphis, Tenn. by a federal agent with the Memphis Safe Task Force.

Jonah Neal, 25, was struck by a Homeland Security Investigations agent in May. There have been at least four deadly shootings related to the task force.

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EV battery recycling has an economics problem. Colorado has a solution

Chris McQuiggen and Archie Brewton of Everett Auto Parts strap two Chevy Volt batteries to a pallet in preparation for shipping. The batteries are separated by a layer of wood so they don

For some electric vehicle batteries, it costs more to recycle them than they're worth. That creates all kinds of problems, which a new Colorado law aims to solve.

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Morning news brief

The U.S. strikes Iran for a third weekend as Iran retaliates by hitting Gulf nations, Sen. Lindsey Graham died Saturday at the age of 71, Congress returns from recess this week.

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Jubilee Media helps politicians connect with young people through viral debate videos

Jubilee Media produces some of the most watched content on YouTube. That includes the show "Surrounded," which has increasingly become a stop for politicians hoping to make inroads with young viewers.

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Sam Neill, known for 'Jurassic Park' and 'The Piano,' dies at 78, his family says

Sam Neill arrives at the premiere of "Apples Never Fall" on March 12, 2024, in Los Angeles.

In 2023, Neill disclosed he had been diagnosed with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Neill died on Monday in Sydney, according to a statement posted to the actor's social media page.

(Image credit: Richard Shotwell/AP Photo)

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McConnell says a fall led to his hospitalization, breaking weeks of silence

Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., speaks at an event, Aug. 2, 2025, in Fancy Farm, Ky.

Sen. Mitch McConnell on Sunday revealed that a fall led to his hospitalization, breaking the silence about his condition after weeks of mounting speculation about the Kentucky Republican's health.

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Want to own a real T. rex? It could cost you $30 million

"Gus,Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton, is pictured during a press preview at Sotheby's in New York City on July 1.'/>

The Tyrannosaurus rex fossil known as "Gus" will go up for auction on Tuesday. It's not the first time dinosaur bones have been sold to the highest bidder.

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Georgia's unique in the American Revolution told through its historical markers

NPR's Don Gonyea speaks with Andrew Iden, Executive Producer of Marked!: The Podcast, which examines Georgia's role in America's revolutionary period through the 2,000 roadside historical marker.

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Fire breaks out at a pub in Bangkok, killing at least 27 people, officials say

Rescuers carry the body of a victim of a fire in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, July 13, 2026.

Footage shared online by first responders shows a huge blaze raging and plumes coming out of the front door of the pub in the northern part of the Thai capital.

(Image credit: Sakchai Lalit)

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Toronto police looking for suspects after deadly shooting at festival

Police respond to an active shooter at the Salsa on St. Clair event in Toronto, Saturday, July 11, 2026.

At least two people are dead and at least four people are injured after a shooting on Saturday night at a festival celebrating Latin culture in Canada's biggest city.

(Image credit: Keito Newman)

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