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NPR News: 07-15-2026 1AM EDT

Explore episode Jul 15, 2026

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Israel Passes Ultra-Orthodox Military Service Exemption

At 2:43 · chapter starts 2:25

NPR's Carrie Kahn reports from Tel Aviv on a deeply contested vote in the Israeli parliament. Ultra-Orthodox parties, vital to Netanyahu's far-right governing coalition, threatened to withdraw support for a slate of controversial legislation unless they secured military service exemptions for tens of thousands of religious men. Netanyahu, also pushing to overhaul Israel's judicial system before lawmakers recess for summer, was in no position to call their bluff. The result: a bill passed protecting ultra-Orthodox men from prosecution and enlistment until November. The backlash was fierce — opponents flooded social media with cries of 'shame,' while Israel's military chief of staff issued a stark public rebuke, calling the law 'inconceivable' and 'unequivocally inconsistent with Israeli troop needs' at a time when the country remains at war.

Health & Fitness
El Salvador Eliminates Trachoma

NPR News: 07-15-2026 1AM EDT · Jul 15, 2026 Health & Fitness

El Salvador became the latest country to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem, according to the World Health Organization. Trachoma is the world's leading infectious cause of blindness — making El Salvador's achievement a significant public health milestone.

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