FIFA scraps controversial deal to sell stakes in World Cup to private investors

FIFA President Gianni Infantino poses with the World Cup trophy following the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Play-Off draw at the FIFA

FIFA abandoned a plan to create a commercial venture and then sell stakes to minority investors, just days after unveiling it. The plan drew sharp condemnation — and a boycott from European nations.

(Image credit: Fabrice Coffrini)

NPR NewsJul 31, 2026, 11:24 PM

Prosecutors move to dismiss Reflecting Pool vandalism case, saying 'botched installation' to blame

Former Olympian David Hearn stands with his attorney Norman Eisen as he speaks to reporters and protestors gathered after his arraignment at Moultrie Courthouse on July 09, 2026 in Washington, DC.

The government had accused David Hearn of ripping a piece of sealant after a $14 million renovation. Hearn has repeatedly said that he simply touched the water in the pool out of curiosity last month.

(Image credit: Finn Gomez)

NPR NewsJul 31, 2026, 8:28 PM

Climate adaptation at its limits, says one scientist

A climate scientist says Earth is "passing the limits of adaptation" when it comes to withstanding the effects of climate change.

NPR NewsJul 31, 2026, 8:28 PM

Drone delivery helps in Rwanda, but only so much

A U.S. company in Rwanda has been providing medical supplies via drone. But even state-of-the-art technology can't overcome a weak health care infrastructure.

NPR NewsJul 31, 2026, 5:48 PM

Google adds AI to satellite images, raising fears of deepfakes in the sky

An AI-generated image showing multiple fires on and near Kharg Island, an Iranian island in the Persian Gulf.

Journalists, human rights advocates and open source analysts recoiled in horror at the move: "The opportunities for abuse and disinfo are literally boundless," said one.

(Image credit: Generated and annotated by NPR)

NPR NewsJul 31, 2026, 2:44 PM

Keeping cool without AC: Our readers share their tips

We asked our readers to tell us how they've fended off heat without the refrigerant blasts of an air conditioner. Here's what they shared.

(Image credit: Kadir Ilboga)

NPR NewsJul 31, 2026, 1:22 PM

In Nebraska, Americans begin to lose Medicaid under Trump's work rules

Timothy Herman leaves a senior center in Curtis, Nebraska. The state is the first in the nation to roll out work requirements for Medicaid, which President Trump created in his 2025 big budget law.

Nebraska's Medicaid director, in an exclusive interview with nonprofit news organization Tradeoffs, said roughly 200 people will lose health coverage on Aug. 1.

(Image credit: Rebecca S. Gratz for The Washington Post)

NPR NewsJul 31, 2026, 11:30 AM

Trump announced a deal for Hamas to disarm. And, the U.S. economy slowed a bit

President Trump speaks at a podium at the White House.

President Trump says a deal has been reached for Hamas to completely disarm and Israeli forces to withdraw from Gaza. And, the U.S. economy slowed some, but Americans continued to spend.

(Image credit: Andrew Harnik)

NPR NewsJul 31, 2026, 9:01 AM

Who's driving a bookmobile full of Epstein files? The quiz knows!

From left: Zendaya, Anthony Fauci, creepy robot lady.

Plus: scandalous Senate drama, Grammys drama and Homeric drama.

NPR NewsJul 31, 2026, 9:00 AM

Democrats show divisions on Israel amid competitive midterm elections

U.S. and Israel flags stand outside of the White House, Monday, July 27, 2026, in Washington.

Democratic socialists are on the ballot in high profile races coming up in Michigan and Wisconsin, putting mainstream Democrats in a tough position when it comes to the issue of Israel and Gaza.

(Image credit: Mark Schiefelbein)

NPR NewsJul 31, 2026, 9:00 AM

Trump's noncitizen voter data remains a mystery. But the claims raise midterm fears

Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin answers questions from reporters on July 17 after remarks about his agency alleging that more than 250,000 non-U.S. citizens are on the voter rolls in just four states. Those states dispute that tally.

Trump officials say they found 250,000 noncitizens on voter rolls in just four states. Those states don't know where the numbers came from, and some worry what the claims may portend for the midterms.

(Image credit: Anna Moneymaker)

NPR NewsJul 31, 2026, 9:00 AM

450k borrowers say they were ripped off. Their student loans are being erased

Sweet v. DeVos in 2019 to Sweet v. Cardona during the Biden administration, and now Sweet v. McMahon for Trump's current education secretary, Linda McMahon.'/>

The borrowers say they were defrauded by their colleges, but the class-action lawsuit to erase their federal student loans has been tangled up in courts for years.

(Image credit: Oliver Contreras)

NPR NewsJul 31, 2026, 9:00 AM

One Big Beautiful Bill cut healthcare funds. Now, Republicans have to sell the costs

An ad from Rep. David Valadao, R-Calif., highlights affordability challenges for healthcare.

Blanketing the airwaves with ads about healthcare, Republican candidates who voted to cut federal funding in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act are positioning themselves as advocates for lower costs.

(Image credit: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

NPR NewsJul 31, 2026, 8:49 AM

Morning news brief

President Trump says he may pull Todd Blanche's nomination, Trump says a deal has been made to disarm Hamas and withdraw Israeli forces from Gaza, the U.S. economy is growing, but at a slower pace.

NPR NewsJul 31, 2026, 8:45 AM

Thousands in France allowed to return home as Europe tackles wildfires and heatwave

A plane releases fire retardant as it flies over a forest near Blagon, during wildfires in southwestern France, July 29, 2026.

Firefighters in the Gironde region of France said the situation had "stabilized", after a week of wildfires caused by a major heatwave across Europe.

(Image credit: Emma Da Silva)

NPR NewsJul 31, 2026, 8:44 AM

'I can do this': Woman with cancer reflects on her life and facing death

For StoryCorps, Karán Founds-Benton talks to her friend about her cancer diagnosis and facing death.

NPR NewsJul 31, 2026, 6:02 AM

Spain deploys military to Ceuta after thousands of people breach Morocco's border

Migrants cross from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, Thursday, July 30, 2026.

Spain will deploy its military to restore order at its border with Morocco in Ceuta after thousands of migrants streamed into the tiny Spanish territory, with at least nine dying in the attempt.

(Image credit: Antonio Sempere)

NPR NewsJul 31, 2026, 5:40 AM

Death toll from southwestern Japan quake climbs to 34

Heavy machinery removes debris at AEON Mall, which was damaged by an explosion following an earthquake, in Kashima, Kumamoto Prefecture, southern Japan, Friday, July 31, 2026.

Searchers continued to work in the Kumamoto area, including at the site of the collapsed mall, where some of the most serious damage was recorded.

(Image credit: Kyodo News)

NPR NewsJul 31, 2026, 5:20 AM

Trump announces a deal for Hamas to disarm, but many hurdles and uncertainty remain

Palestinians salvage their belongings from the rubble of a building and tents destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, Thursday, July 30, 2026.

President Trump says a deal has been reached for Hamas to disarm and Israel to withdraw its forces from Gaza. But many hurdles, conditions and long timelines remain to wind down the war in the Palestinian territory.

(Image credit: Jehad Alshrafi)

NPR NewsJul 30, 2026, 8:37 PM

Mortgage rates hit their highest level in a year, driven by war and inflation concerns

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage reached 6.66% on average Thursday.

(Image credit: FREDERIC J. BROWN)

NPR NewsJul 30, 2026, 8:37 PM

After Fauci Senate hearing, experts worry about 'chilling effect' on public health

Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing in Washington, D.C. Experts worry that the pursuit of Fauci is helping to create a "chilling effect" on public health staffing and infrastructure in the U.S.

The accusations against Dr. Anthony Fauci, once the nation's leading infectious disease expert, have some experts worrying that these events may further erode public health staffing in the U.S.

(Image credit: Al Drago/Bloomberg)

NPR NewsJul 30, 2026, 5:47 PM

The Trump administration wants $10 million more to cover its July Fourth celebrations

Spectators on the National Mall watch fireworks on July 4. The Trump administration has asked Congress for an additional $10 to pay for the fireworks show, the Great American State Fair and a prayer event on the mall.

Congress allocated $150 million for 250th birthday events. The Trump-backed group that planned the state fair and July 4th fireworks is asking for an additional $10 million in reimbursements.

(Image credit: Kevin Dietsch)

NPR NewsJul 30, 2026, 5:47 PM

Are you choosing to stay single? We want to hear from you

Millions of Americans are navigating life independently. We want to hear about your experiences on solo living for our upcoming stories.

Solo living, solo travel, and solo dining are all being embraced as more adults are choosing to remain single. Many Americans aren't interested in dating, and being single is a symbol of autonomy.

(Image credit: SeventyFour/iStockphoto)

NPR NewsJul 30, 2026, 5:38 PM

European soccer leaders to boycott the World Cup in an unprecedented step

FIFA President Gianni Infantino looks on prior to the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 quarter final match between Fluminense FC and Al Hilal at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fl., on July 4, 2025.

In an unprecedented step, European nations said they would boycott the World Cup unless FIFA reverses a controversial deal to sell minority stakes to the marquee soccer tournament.

(Image credit: Alex Grimm)

NPR NewsJul 30, 2026, 4:30 PM

Trump says he 'may' pull Blanche AG nomination temporarily

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche appears at his confirmation hearing on July 15, 2026 in Washington, D.C.

The news comes as two key Republicans are withholding their support over concerns about the Justice Department's deal with President Trump.

(Image credit: Win McNamee)

NPR NewsJul 30, 2026, 2:47 PM

The economy slowed a bit -- but Americans continued to spend

Consumer spending continued to power the U.S. economy in April, May and June, as GDP expanded at an annual rate of 1.5%.

The U.S. economy grew at an annual rate of 1.5% in the spring, according to the Commerce Department. That's a modest slowdown from the previous quarter — but consumer spending picked up steam.

(Image credit: Joe Raedle)

NPR NewsJul 30, 2026, 1:10 PM

Alien Terrorist Removal Court to hold its first-ever hearing after 30 years

A banner of an image of President Trump is displayed on the facade of the U.S. Department of Justice headquarters in Washington, D.C., in February 2026.

Congress created the Alien Terrorist Removal Court in 1996 to make it easier for the Justice Department to use classified evidence to deport people from U.S. soil.

(Image credit: Drew Angerer)

NPR NewsJul 30, 2026, 11:45 AM

Sen. Paul threatens to hold Fauci in contempt. And, a new rule undercuts U.S. asylum

Former NIH Director Anthony Fauci listens during a hearing with the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on July 29, 2026, in Washington, D.C.

Sen. Rand Paul is moving to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress after he invoked his Fifth Amendment rights. And, the Trump administration has announced a new rule for the asylum process.

(Image credit: Anna Moneymaker)

NPR NewsJul 30, 2026, 9:53 AM

Russian strikes across Ukraine kill at least 8 civilians and wound dozens

Rescuers work at the damaged apartment building following a Russian air attack in Lviv, Ukraine, Thursday, July 30, 2026.

The blitz expanded Russia's almost daily bombardment of Ukrainian cities as Moscow apparently looked to exploit Kyiv's critical shortage of Western-supplied anti-ballistic missile defenses.

(Image credit: Mykola Tys)

NPR NewsJul 30, 2026, 9:00 AM

Digital habits that rob attention and energy — and how to combat them

NPR journalist Manoush Zomorodi and her latest book, Body Electric: The Hidden Health Costs of the Digital Age and New Science to Reclaim Your Well-Being.

There's a reason why double- or triple-screening your devices makes you feel tired, says NPR's Manoush Zomorodi. She explains the science of information overload and how to reclaim calm and focus.

(Image credit: Flatiron Books/Tory Williams/NPR)