The Actual News

Key Facts

• Starting next year, the Prince and Princess of Wales will grant Royal Warrants.
• Royal Warrants are approvals that indicate certain goods and services are favored by the British monarchy.
• King Charles III and Queen Camilla have already granted over 400 Royal Warrants.
• Items with these warrants include brands like Bentley, Jaguar, and Burberry.
• The list also includes unique items like brooms from A. Nash and services like Milborrow Chimney Sweeps.
• A survey found that 19% of U.S. voters would prefer the British monarch over their current U.S. President.
• More than a third of young Americans aged 19 to 29 favor bringing back a monarchy.

Key Facts

• Kabul's groundwater levels have dropped by 25 to 30 meters in the past decade.
• Water extraction in Kabul exceeds natural recharge by 44 million cubic meters each year.
• Nearly half of Kabul's bore wells, which provide drinking water, are dry, according to UNICEF.
• 80% of the groundwater is unsafe for consumption due to contamination.
• Kabul's population has grown from less than one million to six million since 2001, increasing water demand.
• The divide between wealthy and poor residents is worsening, as richer people can afford deeper wells.
• Approximately 120,000 unregulated bore wells exist in Kabul, adding to the water management challenges.
• The water crisis could displace approximately three million residents by 2030 if not addressed.

Key Facts

• The Dalai Lama said he hopes to live to 130 years old.
• He made this statement ahead of his 90th birthday.
• Followers held a ceremony offering prayers for his long life.
• He confirmed that his successor will be chosen according to past Tibetan Buddhist traditions.
• The Dalai Lama has set up a foundation to recognize his future reincarnation.
• Chinese officials argue they should approve his successor via a traditional lottery involving a "golden urn."
• Since 1959, the Dalai Lama has lived in Dharamshala, India, after leaving Tibet due to a failed uprising against China.

Key Facts

• Ione Wells investigates the issue of Chile's stolen children.
• These children were taken during Chile's military dictatorship.
• The investigation seeks to find if technology can aid families in getting answers.
• The story is part of a broader tech program.
• The program "Chile's Lost Children" first aired on July 5, 2025.
• It is available to watch for 11 months.
• The episode lasts 25 minutes.

Key Facts

• Rachel Reeves appeared emotional during a political event, which affected financial markets temporarily.
• Both men and women report crying at work for various personal and professional reasons.
• Some people feel pressure to hide emotions in certain work environments, particularly male-dominated ones.
• Experts now often see emotional intelligence, which means understanding and expressing emotions, as a positive trait in the workplace.
• Supportive work environments can lead to happier and more motivated employees.
• Crying at work is no longer widely seen as a sign of weakness, according to some career experts.
• Personal stories from various professionals highlight that showing emotion at work can be acceptable and even beneficial.

Key Facts

• The bill plans to cut about $1 trillion from Medicaid over the next ten years.
• It was passed in the House mostly along party lines, with just two Republican Representatives voting against it.
• Experts predict the cuts will cause healthcare costs to rise for patients and could force hospitals to close.
• Nearly 12 million people might lose health insurance by 2034 due to reductions in Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act.
• Rural hospitals are expected to suffer the most, with possible funding reductions of 20% in half of the states.
• About 20% of Americans live in rural areas where Medicaid is essential for healthcare funding.
• As many as 338 hospitals could close in the U.S., with nearly 800 already in financial difficulty.
• The bill includes $50 billion for rural hospitals to help with financial stress, but it might not be enough to prevent closures.

Key Facts

• A five-story building collapsed in the Lyari neighborhood of Karachi, Pakistan.
• At least eight people died, and nine others were hurt in the incident.
• It happened around 10 a.m. local time on a Friday.
• Up to 100 people were estimated to live in the building.
• Rescuers are searching for additional people who might be trapped.
• The narrow street made it hard for rescuers to bring in heavy equipment.
• Building collapses are common in Pakistan due to poor construction standards.
• Karachi is known for illegal building work and weak safety rules, leading to frequent incidents.

Key Facts

• The newer form of baseball is called "banana ball."
• "Banana ball" is known for being fast-paced and entertaining.
• The Savannah Bananas team is part of this baseball style.
• The recent game mentioned was against a team called the Firefighters.
• "Banana ball" is attracting a lot of attention and interest from the audience.

Key Facts

• Protests have erupted in Kenya following a blogger's death while in police custody.
• A demonstrator was also shot at close range by police.
• The protests are happening a year after a previous incident where the police violently suppressed demonstrations.
• People in Kenya are demanding accountability from the police.
• Concerns are growing about ongoing police brutality in the country.
• There is a focus on why officers continue to avoid punishment for their actions.

Key Facts

• President William Ruto wants to build an 8,000-seat church at the State House in Nairobi.
• The project's cost is estimated at $9 million.
• Ruto says he will pay for the church himself.
• The construction raises questions about using state property for a religious building.
• Critics argue the project may conflict with Kenya's secular constitution.
• Kenya has a diverse religious population, including Christians, Muslims, and other faiths.
• Some have criticized the church's cost during a time of economic hardship for many Kenyans.

Key Facts

Key Facts

• The One Big Beautiful Bill Act was signed by Speaker of the House Mike Johnson on July 3, 2025.
• The bill makes many tax cuts permanent.
• The funding for these tax cuts will partly come from reducing Medicaid, a government program that helps provide health care to low-income individuals.
• Along with cutting Medicaid, the government plans to borrow more money.
• The bill's impact on the federal deficit, which is the amount the government overspends compared to its income, is a major concern discussed.
• The episode explores how the increased borrowing and spending cuts might affect everyday life for people.
• Planet Money's episode discusses other related topics such as the national debt and tax policies.
• The podcast episode was hosted by several NPR journalists, including Sally Helm and Kenny Malone.

Key Facts

• President Zelenskyy spoke with President Trump about strengthening Ukraine's air defenses.
• They agreed to collaborate on air defense and joint defense production.
• The call took place after a large Russian drone attack on Kyiv.
• Russia used 539 drones and 11 missiles in the attack, killing one person and injuring 23.
• Ukraine seeks more Patriot missiles from the US for defense against Russian air strikes.
• US discussion with Germany included air defense and trade issues related to Ukraine.
• Ukraine emphasizes the importance of cooperation with the US in defense technologies, especially regarding drones.
• Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for international support, mentioning its role in protecting Ukrainian independence.

Key Facts

• Elon Musk proposed the creation of a new political party via social media.
• This proposal follows disagreement with Trump's new budget bill.
• The "One Big Beautiful Bill," supported by Trump, includes permanent tax cuts from 2017.
• The bill passed Congress, raising the debt ceiling by $5 trillion.
• It is expected to add $3.3 trillion to the national deficit.
• The bill reduces funding for Medicaid and food assistance programs.
• Fiscal conservatives and some Republicans opposed the increase in debt.
• Senator Rand Paul was among a few Republicans who voted against the bill.

Key Facts

• Thomas Partey faces five rape charges and one sexual assault charge in the UK.
• The incidents involve three women and occurred between 2021-2022.
• The first police report was made in February 2022, leading to an investigation.
• Partey is a former midfielder for Arsenal, a football club in the English Premier League.
• He became a free agent after his contract with Arsenal ended recently.
• Partey was initially arrested in July 2022 but was not named publicly at that time.
• He will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on August 5.
• Partey was signed by Arsenal from Atletico Madrid for €50 million in October 2020.

Key Facts

• Peter Kyle sent a letter to the Alan Turing Institute, emphasizing defence and security.
• The government sees improving AI capabilities as vital for national security.
• Kyle suggested restructuring the institute's leadership team.
• Future funding will depend on how well the institute meets these new priorities.
• The Alan Turing Institute has been focusing on AI's use in various fields, including national security.
• The institute was initially established for data science and expanded to include AI in 2017.
• There are plans for an increase in UK defence spending and AI technology use.
• The Institute has been through leadership and strategy changes in recent months.

Key Facts

• Asa Winstanley is a journalist from Britain.
• He covers issues related to Palestine.
• Police raided his home in October 2024.
• The raid included taking his personal devices.
• In May 2025, a court ruled that the seizure was unlawful.
• Winstanley mentions concerns about current laws being used against journalists.

Key Facts

• The UN documented 613 Palestinian deaths near GHF aid sites by June 27.
• Deaths mainly occurred at food distribution points managed by the Israeli- and U.S.-supported GHF.
• The Gaza Health Ministry reports over 650 deaths and more than 4,000 injuries.
• Witnesses and officials claim Israeli military actions caused civilian deaths near these aid sites.
• Many of the injured are treated at Nasser Hospital, which is overwhelmed with patients.
• Only 16 out of 36 hospitals in Gaza are partially functional, with just over 1,800 beds available.
• The UN and NGOs have criticized the GHF for continuing operations despite the violence.
• Over 130 humanitarian groups have called for the closure of GHF’s current aid operations.

Key Facts

• The Fourth of July marks the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
• The first celebration in Philadelphia happened a year later, but it wasn't widely celebrated until after the War of 1812.
• John Adams predicted fireworks would be part of future Independence Day celebrations back in 1776.
• Fireworks have been part of celebrations around the world, originally starting in ancient China.
• John Adams, who felt July 2 was the true date of independence, did not celebrate on July 4.
• Fireworks sales in the U.S. rose from $407 million in 2000 to $2.2 billion in 2024.
• Fireworks-related injuries still send thousands of people to the emergency room each year.

Key Facts