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NPR News: 07-13-2026 8PM EDT

July 14, 2026

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5 min read

The final month of a ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran has collapsed into a renewed naval blockade, with the U.S. military now authorized to charge a 20% fee on cargo it protects in the Strait of Hormuz. That development leads a Monday evening newscast that also covers a fatal ICE shooting in Maine, a multi-state lawsuit to block the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger, a major penalty for the Keystone Pipeline operator, and a new FTC concern about undisclosed song promotions on social media.

U.S. Resumes Naval Blockade of Iran

U.S. Central Command confirmed it will resume a naval blockade of Iran starting tomorrow, enforcing President Trump’s order to halt all traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports. The military will protect ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz that do not violate the blockade, but the president posted on social media that the U.S. would begin charging a 20% fee on any cargo it protects in the strait. The announcement comes after a cycle of tit-for-tat strikes between the U.S. and Iran, and against U.S. Gulf allies. The president has sent mixed signals, alternately stating that the ceasefire is over and that negotiations continue for a lasting peace deal. Before the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran in February, tanker traffic moved freely through the strait, which supplies 20% of the world’s oil.

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What you'll learn

  • 1 (00:20) **U.S. Resumes Naval Blockade of Iran** - CENTCOM confirms it will enforce a maritime blockade on all traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports, with the U.S. protecting non-violating ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
  • 2 (01:18) **ICE Officer Fatally Shoots Man in Maine** - An ICE officer shot and killed a 26-year-old Colombian native in Biddeford, Maine, who was not the target of the warrant being served.
  • 3 (02:13) **States Sue to Block Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery Merger** - Dozens of states, led by California, are suing to stop the $11 billion merger, arguing it would stifle competition in film studios and news outlets.
  • 4 (03:16) **Keystone Pipeline Operator to Pay $27 Million for Kansas Oil Spill** - Southbow agrees to a proposed legal settlement over a major 2022 spill, including a civil penalty and $40 million in required safety upgrades.
  • 5 (03:48) **Hidden Advertising in Music Promotion on Social Media** - NPR reports that influencers are often paid by record labels to promote songs without disclosing the sponsorship, violating FTC guidelines.
  • 6 (04:41) **Economists Urge Action on AI's Economic Impact** - Hundreds of economists, organized by Stanford's Digital Economy Lab, release an open letter calling for guardrails to ensure AI benefits society.
  • 7 Standout Quotes

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NPR News: 07-13-2026 8PM EDT

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