"Life from NPR News and Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston.
The latest exchange of strikes between the U.S. and Iran is raising new fears of a broader regional war.
“U.S. forces have expanded attacks into northern Iran, while Tehran has retaliated with”
missiles and drones across the Gulf.
In Iraq, drones targeted Erbil today, the first such attack on the Kurdistan region's
capital since the April ceasefire, and P.R.s. Iran reports. The U.S. maintains a military base at Erbil's International Airport, which in the past has been heavily targeted by both Iran and Iranian-backed Iraqi militias. The Kurdistan region of Iraq's Security Directorate said U.S. led coalition forces shot
down eight drones Wednesday night, and the capital of Erbil's airspace. No casualties were reported. The drones were launched amid increased attacks between the U.S. and Iran this week. Iraqi Prime Minister, Ali al-Zaydi, currently on a visit to the U.S., said the attack was a criminal attempt aimed at disrupting Iraqi peace and stability.
Jane Arath, and Pionews, among. Nearly half of House Democrats voted yesterday to cut off U.S. aid to Israel.
“It wasn't enough to pass, but NPR's Barber's front reports that reflects a major political”
shift for the party.
The proposed amendment to a State Department funding bill would have removed over $3 billion
in funding to Israel. It ultimately failed. The measure was introduced by Republican Congressman Thomas Massey of Kentucky, who has long advocated for a more isolationist posture when it comes to foreign policy. The issue divided Democratic leaders who typically vote in lockstep.
The number two Democrat in the House, Catherine Clark, voted to remove the funding for Israel. House Minority Leader Hakim Jeffries called it "Overly Broad," and said it would also restrict the United States' ability to confront Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist organizations in the region. Barber's front and Pionews.
At least a dozen Democrats and Maine are seeking their party's nomination to take on Republican
Senators using Collins this fall.
“Kevin Miller, with Maine Public Reports, the field is rushing to reset at reformer nominee”
Graham Platner dropped out of the race. The list of candidates who filed papers by Wednesday's deadline includes several names familiar to Democratic voters. For instance, three of the contenders, former State Senate President Troy Jackson, Maine Secretary of State Shena Bellows, and former Maine CDC Director Nourov Shaw, competed in last month's
gubernatorial primary. Platner lost the support of state and national party leaders after a former romantic partner accused him of raping her five years ago. He strongly denied the allegations, but withdrew last week. The Maine Democratic Party is now under intense pressure from Platner's large and mobilized
base of supporters to choose a replacement with the same populist progressive agenda. For NPR News, I'm Kevin Miller. This is NPR News. The New York Times is asking a federal court to block justice department subpoenas issued to journalists who reported on security concerns surrounding the plane gifted by Qatar, intended
to serve as Air Force One, a lawyer for the Times says the demands violate the constitutional rights of the newspaper and its reporters. Cruisin the Western U.S. can continue battling dozens of large wildfires, and a boycott Rygok, a member station, KUOW says an ongoing drought in the Pacific Northwest, is feeling the flames.
In the range lands and forests of eastern Oregon and Washington state, something is ahead of schedule. Around this time of year, grasses, shrubs and trees are usually green and full of moisture. That makes them hard to burn. But this year, they are much, much drier.
In fact, conditions are more like mid-August than mid-July. That's because snowfall was at record lows in the Pacific Northwest to this winter, and temperatures have been higher than normal. Wildfire experts are warning these conditions make it especially risky for serious wildfires, with more fuel than usual ready to burn.
Scientists believe human-caused climate change is a primary driver of the increase in extreme and destructive wildfires around the globe. For NPR News, I'm Anna Boyko-Wyrock. Days of torrential rain have triggered widespread flooding across South and Central Texas. Some areas have received more than a foot of rain forcing evacuations and washing out
more than 100 roads. Emergency declarations have been issued for at least 59 counties. This is NPR. In year after Congress eliminated federal funding for public media, NPR remains committed to informing the public.
But a free press doesn't just happen, it's something we must protect. Without federal funding, we're relying on your support now. Please make your gift today at donate.npr.org.
