URL: NPR

World News

Friday, July 3, 2026

• Australian officials ask fans to respect the privacy of Neil, a trouble-making seal
  The 5-year-old seal has a social media following twice the size of Tasmania's population, and his antics include bending traffic bollards and blocking roads.
  
• Ex-HK bookseller Lam Wing-kee, detained by China in 2015, dies in Taiwan at 70
  Lam was one of five people from Causeway Bay Books who disappeared in 2015. He later detailed his detention by Chinese authorities.
  

Thursday, July 2, 2026

• Are the wars in Ukraine and Iran showing the limits of global powers?
  We look at the Russian attacks on Kyiv and the overall state of the wars between Russia and Ukraine and the U.S. and Iran.
  
• Trump denies conflict of interest over crypto. And, Vatican excommunicates rebel group
  Trump and his family earned over $1 billion last year through cryptocurrency ventures and other businesses. And, the Vatican declared that the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X has entered schism.
  
• Former ethics lawyer says Trump's crypto poses 'clear conflict of interest'
  Former White House ethics lawyer Richard Painter says President Trump "stands alone" in having substantial financial conflicts of interest and that, "for every other executive branch official, it would be a violation."
  
• Vatican declares Society of St. Pius X in schism, excommunicates bishops
  The Vatican responded Thursday to a traditionalist society that consecrated bishops without the pope's consent, declaring the Society of St. Pius X in schism and excommunicating its bishops and priests.
  
• Russia hits Ukraine's capital with a massive drone and missile attack, killing at least 18
  Russia launched a large-scale attack on Ukraine's capital overnight into Thursday, with ballistic and cruise missiles and drones, killing several people.
  
• U.S. and Iran hold separate meetings in Qatar and agree to continue discussions
  U.S. and Iranian negotiators met separately on Wednesday with Qatari and Pakistani mediators, with "positive progress made," and they agreed to continue discussions, host Qatar said.
  
• A major Russian attack kills 17 in Kyiv as Ukraine keeps striking Moscow's oil sector
  Loud explosions shook Kyiv for hours during the night, with many people sheltering at subway stations. Emergency crews were digging through the rubble of collapsed buildings in search of victims.
  

Wednesday, July 1, 2026

• Untold casualties and humanitarian needs: What to know a week from Venezuela's quakes
  Here's a look at some of the major developments since major back-to-back earthquakes rocked Venezuela on June 24, devastating parts of a country already reeling from crisis after crisis.