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Today’s top stories
The House voted yesterday to withdraw U.S. forces from the ongoing conflict in Iran, highlighting the escalating tensions in the Middle East. The non-binding resolution signals lawmakers’ disapproval of the war, which was not formally authorized by Congress. This is the second such move by the House since the conflict began. Following the House’s decision, Senate Democrats attempted to pass their own war powers resolution, but it narrowly failed with a 47-49 vote. During the past fortnight of intensified hostilities, the U.S. has conducted strikes on Iran, while Iran has retaliated by targeting American bases in the Gulf and Jordan, affecting global energy markets.
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The U.S. Capitol is seen from the Cannon House Office Building on July 22. J. Scott Applewhite/AP hide caption
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J. Scott Applewhite/AP
- 🎧 Brent crude oil hit its highest level since May yesterday, surging over 6% to reach $100 a barrel, NPR’s Hadeel Al-Shalchi reports on Up First. This surge will affect daily expenses, raising prices for school supplies and groceries, while companies like UPS add fuel surcharges. Prices spiked after Iran-backed Yemeni Houthis attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea. The Houthis claim their involvement is a response to Saudi Arabia’s actions in Yemen, including a siege and airport attacks. Earlier, the group threatened to block the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital oil transport route alongside the Strait of Hormuz, over which the U.S. and Iran are vying for control. The conflict has also led to some foreign missions scaling back in Iran, according to Al-Shalchi.
The Trump administration announced overnight the implementation of tariffs on 59 countries and the European Union. The tariffs, set at two levels of 10% and 12.5%, took effect at midnight, coinciding with the expiration of a 10% global tariff previously invalidated by the Supreme Court. The administration cited the importation of goods made with forced labor as the reason for these new tariffs, which cover over 99% of U.S. imports. However, key sectors like energy and many food items will remain exempt. Earlier this week, President Trump also signed orders imposing 50% tariffs on selected Canadian products.
- 🎧 Polls indicate widespread disapproval among Americans toward tariffs, with declining approval of Trump’s economic management, NPR’s Danielle Kurtzleben reports. Despite this, Trump views tariffs as a means to pressure other nations into trade concessions. As midterm elections approach, the administration claims their tariff strategy will yield long-term economic benefits. However, some economists warn of the risk in asking voters to support a potentially unpopular strategy amid uncertain outcomes.
A vigil in Madison, Wisconsin, last night drew hundreds mourning 38-year-old Corey Ruiz, who was shot and killed by police on Wednesday. Madison Police Chief John Patterson stated that officers responded to a call about a man checking cars. Upon arrival, Ruiz attempted to flee on a bicycle. During the arrest attempt, he reportedly brandished a knife, injuring one officer, who then shot Ruiz. Four officers were involved in the incident, and all have been placed on administrative leave. The injured officer’s name has not been released.
- 🎧 Emotions are heightened in Madison following the shooting, according to Sarah Lehr of NPR network station Wisconsin Public Radio. The community is particularly sensitive to this event, having witnessed two other fatal police shootings in the same area since 2012, Lehr notes. The Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation is examining the case. The involved officers were not equipped with body cameras, as the Madison police department does not have them across the board. However, dashboard cameras are in use, and several bystander videos of the incident exist, Lehr explains.
Living better
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Research into any health benefits of avocado oil lags behind the studies of other oils, such as olive and seed oils. fcafotodigital/Getty Images hide caption
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fcafotodigital/Getty Images
Living Better is a special series about what it takes to stay healthy in America.
Interest in avocado oil’s health benefits is on the rise, yet consumers may not be getting what they expect. A new study reveals that products marketed as containing avocado oil often do not contain it, exposing ongoing authenticity issues in the market. Selina Wang, who led the study, finds this particularly troubling given the high price of avocado oil products compared to olive or other vegetable oils. Here’s what the study discovered:
- 🥑 Researchers analyzed 54 products labeled as avocado oil and found that 89% were mixed with cheaper oils like soybean.
- 🥑 Comparatively, among 20 packaged foods made with olive oil, only one showed signs of adulteration.
- 🥑 While some view avocado oil as a healthier option than seed oils like canola and soybean, Sarah Berry, a nutrition professor at King’s College London, notes limited evidence of its health benefits beyond data on eating avocados.
- 🥑 The high cost of avocado oil is largely due to the expense of avocados, which yield a small amount of oil.
Weekend picks
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Check out what NPR is watching, reading and listening to this weekend:
🍿 Movies: Can’t make it to Broadway? No worries! Catch the film adaptation of Hadestown: The Musical, a retelling of the Greek tragedy of Orpheus and Eurydice, in theaters for a limited time.
📺 TV: Netflix’s latest series, The Hawk, stars Will Ferrell as a once-great golfer. In the show, he reunites with some former collaborators, including Molly Shannon, Luke Wilson, and Chris Parnell.
📚 Books: Grace Farris’ graphic memoir See One, Do One, Teach One offers an insider’s look at medical school, highlighting the challenges of student loans, friendships formed under pressure, and the elusive work-life balance.
🎵 Music: NPR’s New Music Friday highlights the best new albums out today, featuring artists like Charli XCX, Tyla, and Shania Twain. Check out the other albums that made the cut and enjoy a playlist of fresh tracks.
🕹️ Gaming: Discover the top games of 2026 so far as NPR staff showcase some of their favorites in this interactive list.
❓Quiz: This week’s quiz covers a range of topics, from an adorable yet deformed animal to international politics. Thankfully, the Up First newsletter has answered several questions throughout the week.
3 things to know before you go
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Sisters of the Little Way, Sister Danielle Lussier and Sister Theresa Theresa Alethia, pose for a portrait on the front porch of their home in Mt. Sterling, Ky. in April. Natosha Via for NPR hide caption
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Natosha Via for NPR
- Theresa Aletheia and Danielle Lussier, two Catholic sisters in Kentucky, are working to establish a new official order within the Catholic Church aimed at helping survivors of clergy abuse.
- Wang Hong received the Fields Medal yesterday, becoming the first Chinese woman to be honored with the world’s top mathematics award.
- The Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has claimed over 1,000 lives. Officials report that the virus is spreading at an unprecedented pace.
This newsletter was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.
