Morning news brief

NPR | By A Martínez,

Leila Fadel

Published April 17, 2026 at 3:42 AM CDT

Israel and Lebanon agree to 10-day ceasefire, U.S. military officials say the blockade of Iranian ports and ceasefire is holding, Trump nominates former Coast Guard doctor as CDC chief.

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Morning Edition

A Martínez

A Martínez is one of the hosts of Morning Edition and Up First. He came to NPR in 2021 and is based out of NPR West.

Leila Fadel

Leila Fadel is a national correspondent for NPR based in Los Angeles, covering issues of culture, diversity, and race.

See stories by Leila Fadel

Israel and Lebanon begin tense 10-day ceasefire

Kat Lonsdorf, A Martínez

Israel and Lebanon agreed to the 10-day ceasefire, but Israel vowed to keep its forces in southern Lebanon, saying it would attack if threatened by Hezbollah.
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The historic ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon reveals a shifting role for Hezbollah in the decades-long war. NPR's Leila Fadel speaks with Maha Yahya of the Carnegie Middle East Center.
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Migrants deported from the U.S. routinely disappear into El Salvador's prisons the moment they land or in the weeks that follow. Many remain incommunicado from family and lawyers for years.
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A Martinez speaks with Morgan Neville about his new documentary about the creator of "Saturday Night Live," and how he persuaded the reclusive Lorne Michaels to consent.
White House seeks record defense budget, but Congress has questions about spending

Claudia Grisales, Leila Fadel

The White House is seeking $1.5 trillion from Congress for the Pentagon and is expected to send a separate ask for the Iran war. Lawmakers want more transparency around how the money will be spent.