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Historic World Cup furor at 'incomprehensible' FIFA decision to let U.S. forward Balogun play

FILE - FIFA President Gianni Infantino, right, awards President Donald Trump with the FIFA Peace Prize during the draw for the 2026 soccer World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington, Dec. 5, 2025.

The Belgian soccer federation is challenging FIFA's ruling to let Balogun play despite getting a red card in his previous game. Belgium's statement came just 11 hours before kickoff in Seattle. European soccer body UEFA criticizes FIFA's "incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision."

(Image credit: Chris Carlson)

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Trump, Mamdani give contrasting July 4th speeches. And, U.S. faces Belgium in World Cup

A young Trump supporter is watching fireworks during the "Salute to America" Independence Day celebration on the National Mall in Washington, DC, in the early morning hours of July 5, 2026.

For the nation's 250th birthday, President Trump and NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani had opposing visions of America. And, the U.S. and Belgium face off today in the FIFA World Cup.

(Image credit: Alex Wroblewski)

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These Medicare beneficiaries thought their drug plan was free. Then they lost it

Thousands of Medicare beneficiaries lost drug coverage after their premiums went up and they didn

Thousands of people lost coverage over as little as $8 in delinquent payments. They didn't know their zero-dollar premiums had gone up and they owed money. Most now can't get coverage until 2027.

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Marriage used to be a glide path to citizenship. Now there are more speed bumps

People wave U.S. flags to celebrate becoming U.S. citizens after taking the oath of allegiance during a naturalization ceremony in Boston in January 2025.

Spouses of U.S. citizens have traditionally had a special place in immigration law. That's no longer the case, according to the administration and immigration lawyers.

(Image credit: Joseph Prezioso)

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Hate food waste? 7 creative ways to turn your leftovers into a new meal

Turn the last few ingredients and leftovers in your fridge into completely new dishes you can enjoy

We asked our audience to share their favorite go-to recipes for leftovers. Here are seven dishes — like stuffed peppers and a biryani casserole — that can help you use up all your fridge scraps.

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Fast walkers in their 80s cut their risk of cognitive decline by half, study finds

In a study, researchers found that people in their 80s and older who walked faster than their peers were less likely to develop cognitive decline.

A new study of people 80 and older with exceptional gaits finds fast walkers have about a 50% lower risk of cognitive decline, showing the connection between physical health and brain health.

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Former Marine says military veterans running for office advance bipartisan politics

A former Marine says in a new book that military veterans running for office can bring Washington the courage to work across party lines.

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Huge crowds of mourners join a funeral procession for Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Flower petals are thrown on the coffins of Iran

Iran holds a funeral procession for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei more than four months after he was killed in U.S.-Israeli strikes.

(Image credit: Atta Kenare)

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The U.S. faces Belgium in the World Cup on the heels of Trump-Infantino red card call

U.S. striker Folarin Balogun will be in the lineup in the World Cup Round of 16 match against Belgium on Monday. A FIFA disciplinary committee suspended his one-game suspension following his controversial red card in the match against Bosnia-Herzegovina on July 1, 2026 in Santa Clara, Calif.

The U.S. striker Folarin Balogun is expected to start against Belgium in a Round of 16 match after a surprise decision by FIFA to allow him to play despite receiving a red card last week.

(Image credit: Jamie Squire)

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Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine's capital kills at least 11

Emergency services personnel work to extinguish a fire following Russian missile attacks in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, July 6, 2026.

Russia launched waves of missiles and drones targeting Kyiv early Monday that killed at least 11 people, authorities said.

(Image credit: Danylo Antoniuk)

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Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine's capital kills at least 12

Emergency services personnel work to extinguish a fire following Russian missile attacks in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, July 6, 2026.

Russia launched waves of missiles and drones at Kyiv early Monday, killing at least 12 people in an attack that exposed widening gaps in Ukraine's air defenses, authorities said.

(Image credit: Danylo Antoniuk)

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Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine's capital kills at least 10

Emergency services personnel work to extinguish a fire following Russian missile attacks in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, July 6, 2026.

Russia launched waves of missiles and drones targeting Kyiv early Monday that killed at least 10 people, authorities said.

(Image credit: Danylo Antoniuk)

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Trump won spending promises from NATO last year. This week, he'll try to enforce them

President Donald Trump speaks during a media conference at the end of the NATO summit as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, right, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listen in The Hague, Netherlands, June 25, 2025.

President Donald Trump is heading to Ankara, Turkey, for the annual NATO summit. Last year, he pushed NATO allies to spend more on defense. This year, his mission is to try to enforce those pledges.

(Image credit: Alex Brandon)

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Mexico's World Cup run ends early again with loss to England at Estadio Azteca

Mexico players react following the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Mexico and England in Mexico City, Sunday, July 5, 2026.

Playing at altitude with the passionate backing of 80,824 fans at Estadio Azteca, and with a man advantage for most of the second half, Mexico scored twice but could never equalize and lost 3-2.

(Image credit: Natacha Pisarenko)

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Y si sí: the phrase uniting Mexico during the World Cup

Mexico's World Cup run has inspired a phrase heard across the country: "Y si sí." Or in English: "What if we can?" Anamaria Sayre reports from Mexico City.

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Thunderstorms, heat and wind will hamper efforts to contain Colorado wildfires

The Aspen Acres Fire burns on Friday in Rye, Colo.

Thunderstorms with high winds could make it more difficult to contain a massive wildfire that has scorched parts of southern Colorado.

(Image credit: Michael Ciaglo)

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National Guard troops fatally shoot a man in downtown Memphis

Members of the National Guard patrol in Memphis on October 11, 2025.

Memphis police say National Guard troops fired their weapons in the early morning hours of July 5, killing a man who was armed with a handgun. State investigators will handle the case.

(Image credit: Brett Carlsen)

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Folarin Balogun's soccer ban suspended by FIFA, allowing U.S. striker to play Belgium

United States

U.S. soccer star Folarin Balogun has had his World Cup ban suspended by FIFA, making him free to play in the United States' round of 16 game against Belgium on Monday.

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Guam and surrounding Pacific islands brace for impact of Super Typhoon Bavi

This satellite image from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows Typhoon Bavi east of the U.S. Pacific island territory of Guam on Friday, July 3, 2026.

People in the Northern Mariana Islands – remote U.S. territories in the Pacific Ocean – are preparing for Super Typhoon Bavi, which experts say could bring winds of over 180 miles per hour.

(Image credit: National Oceanic and Atmospheric)

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Construction is a man's game. These women are demolishing the barriers

Students take part in a tiling class at the Buildher training facility in Nairobi, Kenya.

Women make up a miniscule 3% of construction workers in Kenya. But a nonprofit group is offering them a way to get into the game ... and to get ahead.

(Image credit: Tommy Trenchard for NPR)

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A new law in California will clarify 'sell by' dates to reduce food waste

NPR's Ayesha Rascoe speaks with Nick Lapis of Californians Against Waste about the new law that standardizes food label "use by" dates and how that reduces consumer confusion and tons of food waste.

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Pennsylvania's proposed data centers are bringing strangers together in protest

Proposals to build six data centers in the small community of Archbald, Pennsylvania, have brought strangers together to fight the plans there — and elsewhere in the state.

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Paul Pelosi in hit-and-run in California, car left with major damage, authorities say

Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and her husband Paul arrive at the funeral services for Clive Davis at Central Synagogue in New York, Monday, June 29, 2026.

The husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was involved in a hit-and-run in California that left a parked car with "major" damage, authorities said Saturday.

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Pastor freed from prison in China weeks after Trump requested his release

FILE - Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri speaks during an interview at the Zion Church in Beijing, China, Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018.

A pastor of a prominent underground church who was detained in China in October has been released, less than two months after U.S. President Donald Trump brought up his case when meeting Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

(Image credit: Ng Han Guan)

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In Mount Rushmore speech, Trump veers from U.S. exceptionalism to warnings about communism

President Trump gestures after speaking at Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Friday, July 3, 2026, near Keystone, S.D.

President Trump ushered in America's 250th anniversary with a darkly political speech that swerved from the typically apolitical, unifying speeches past presidents have given to mark Independence Day.

(Image credit: Alex Brandon)

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Washington's July 4 parade is off. The fireworks are still on

National stand guard near the Washington Monument at the national mall, during an Independence Day event honoring the nation

Organizers called off the Independence Day Parade late Friday, citing an extreme heat warning with temperatures expected to reach up to 115 degrees. The evening fireworks display remains scheduled.

(Image credit: Rahmat Gul)

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Move over Chutes & Ladders: Schisto & Ladders has educational value plus worms

The game "Schisto & Ladders" is introduced to students in an elementary school in a part of Nigeria where the neglected tropical disease schistosomiasis, spread by parasitic worms, affects many residents. This version of the classic "Chutes & Ladders" games aims to teach children how to avoid getting infected — and details of the treatment for those who catch it.

Spread by parasitic worms that can infect via a splash of water, schistosomiasis causes debilitating symptoms. It hits kids hard. A board game teaches how to prevent it.

(Image credit: Daniel Amao)

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China's military promotes 2 new generals after anti-corruption purge thins ranks

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping, bottom left, who is also Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) poses for photos with newly promoted generals Wang Shuguang, top left and Wang Gang, top right while Zhang Shengmin, Vice Chairman of the CMC stands at the right in Beijing, on Friday, July 3, 2026.

The shake-up is believed to be an effort to ensure the military's loyalty to the Communist Party and its leader, Xi Jinping.

(Image credit: Li Gang)

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Opinion: America is still a work in progress

The American flag.

Poets like Walt Whitman and Langston Hughes have written movingly about America.

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'Cautiously optimistic': Swing voters describe their view of America at 250

In NPR

As America turns 250, voters from our Swing Shift project talk about the state of the country. Their views ranged from "uncertain" and "concerned" to "excited" and "cautiously optimistic."

(Image credit: Illustrations by Tara Anand)

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