NPR News: At the World Cup, has 'VAR' gone too far? Some fans say it's ruining the tournament

At the World Cup, has 'VAR' gone too far? Some fans say it's ruining the tournament
In this World Cup, VAR, or video assistant referee, has become ubiquitous (and despised by many). But there was a time when fans and teams loved it. What went wrong?

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NPR News: China's Xi calls for step up of global effort in AI, as US curbs squeeze China's tech access

China's Xi calls for step up of global effort in AI, as US curbs squeeze China's tech access
American-led restrictions have blocked China from accessing some of the world's most advanced technologies, spurring China's efforts to build its own know-how and intensifying the tech race between the world's two biggest economies.

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NPR News: Japan revises law to ensure supply of (male) heirs to the imperial throne

Japan revises law to ensure supply of (male) heirs to the imperial throne
A popular princess drives support for having a female Japanese Emperor. But the country's first female prime minister opposes it.

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NPR News: Pop-up cities help house firefighters battling Western wildfires

Pop-up cities help house firefighters battling Western wildfires
Across Western states tent cities are popping up to house, feed and care for thousands of wildland firefighters staffing nearby fires.

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NPR News: Dismissal of Ukraine's popular defense minister draws intense criticism

Dismissal of Ukraine's popular defense minister draws intense criticism
As Ukraine signs drone deals and awaits licenses for Patriot missiles, the country's popular, tech-savvy defense minister, who helped Ukraine turn the tables on Russia through drone warfare, is fired.

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NPR News: The band playing when a Bangkok bar caught fire mourns its members among the 33 dead

The band playing when a Bangkok bar caught fire mourns its members among the 33 dead
Victims of this week's flash fire at a Bangkok music bar that took more than 30 lives included four of the six core members of the band playing when the blaze broke out.

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NPR News: Trump will speak on elections in Thursday primetime address

Trump will speak on elections in Thursday primetime address
The speech comes as President Trump has escalated calls for Republicans to pass tighter federal voting rules for November's midterm elections.

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