The Actual News

Key Facts:

• Max Verstappen is a four-time world champion in Formula 1 racing.
• Christian Horner is leaving his role as team boss of Red Bull.
• Verstappen is contracted to stay with Red Bull until 2028.
• He is focusing on improving his car's speed and performance.
• Verstappen confirmed that there will be a new team boss, Laurent Mekies.
• He mentioned past tensions between Horner and his father do not influence his decision to stay.
• Currently, Verstappen is in third place in the drivers' standings.
• He plans to perform well at the Belgian Grand Prix, held in a country connected to his background.

Key Facts:

• The International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion on climate change.
• All countries must address climate change, as it is linked to human rights.
• Countries that do not reduce emissions could have to pay reparations for environmental harm.
• Restitution may include repairing damaged infrastructure and restoring ecosystems.
• The exact amount for compensation can be hard to calculate because damage can be uncertain.
• This ruling was requested by the U.N. General Assembly and influenced by Pacific Island activists.
• The opinion serves as guidance to other courts and governments but is not legally binding.
• Implementation of the court’s guidance is uncertain and depends on countries' willingness to follow the advice.

Key Facts:

• Hulk Hogan was a famous American wrestler whose real name was Terry Bollea.
• He died at the age of 71, as announced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
• Hogan helped WWE gain global recognition in the 1980s with his entertaining persona.
• He was known for his distinctive look, including his handlebar mustache and bandanas.
• Hogan took part in WrestleMania events and appeared at WrestleMania 21 in 2005.
• He endorsed Donald Trump during the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
• Hogan was among the first WWE stars to act in Hollywood films like "Rocky III" and "Santa With Muscles."

Key Facts:

• The US fertility rate is now 1.6 children per woman.
• This rate has been decreasing for almost two decades.
• In the early 1960s, the fertility rate was 3.5 children per woman.
• The rate fell to 1.7 in 1976 and went up to 2.1 in 2007.
• The US fertility rate is similar to those in Western Europe.
• Economic factors can influence birth rates, including housing and financial stability.
• Some government officials have suggested tax changes to encourage having children.
• There are concerns about cuts to social programs and medical research related to fertility.

Key Facts:

• The maximum price for electricity from offshore wind is now £113 per megawatt-hour, up from £102 in 2024.
• Floating offshore wind technology, which is newer, is priced at £271/MWh, up from £245.
• Onshore wind's price has risen slightly from £89/MWh to £92/MWh.
• Solar energy prices have decreased to £75/MWh from £85/MWh.
• The government backs contracts by agreeing to pay a fixed price for electricity from these projects for up to 20 years.
• Companies compete in auctions by submitting bids lower than the maximum price to win contracts.
• If market prices are higher than the set price, companies return the extra money to energy suppliers.
• In 2023, no offshore wind projects received bids due to previous price limitations.

Key Facts:

• The government raised the maximum price it will pay for new wind-generated electricity.
• This increase aims to support goals of reducing household energy costs and using less fossil fuel for power by 2030.
• Auctions in August allow firms to bid for contracts to generate renewable energy.
• The new maximum price for offshore wind is £113 per megawatt-hour, up from £102.
• Floating offshore wind prices rose to £271/MWh from £245.
• Onshore wind prices increased slightly, while solar energy costs decreased.
• Companies submit bids below the maximum price to secure contracts, and actual prices may be lower.
• Contract lengths for wind and solar projects have extended from 15 to 20 years.

Key Facts:

• There were 530,643 reported shoplifting incidents in the year ending March 2025, a 20% increase from the previous year.
• The Office for National Statistics (ONS) highlighted a sharp rise in shop thefts since the pandemic.
• Retailers report increasing concerns about organized crime, with gangs targeting multiple stores.
• Shoplifting cost retailers and customers an estimated £2.2 billion annually.
• Many shop staff report feeling threatened as shoplifting incidents rise.
• The Association of Convenience Stores reported over 6.2 million shoplifting incidents last year.
• Some retailers are reluctant to report thefts due to a lack of faith in police investigations.
• The government introduced a Crime and Policing Bill to address street theft, including shoplifting.
• The bill proposes removing the £200 threshold for prioritizing shoplifting cases, aiming to signal that all thefts will be taken seriously.

Key Facts:

• Delta Airlines aims to use AI to set the prices for 20% of its domestic flights.
• AI, or Artificial Intelligence, refers to computers or machines doing tasks that typically require human intelligence.
• Lawmakers and customers have expressed concerns about privacy issues related to AI's use.
• Privacy concerns relate to how customer data might be used or shared.
• Consumer protection worries include fair treatment of customers and transparent pricing.
• The discussion about AI-based pricing reflects ongoing debates about technology and privacy.

Key Facts:

• Researchers studied how people react to robot personalities.
• The study found that neurotic robots, showing traits like anxiety, can feel more relatable to humans.
• Neurotic robots are common in science fiction.
• The study shifted the focus from mostly studying outgoing robot traits.
• Robots with different personalities are used to see how they affect human interaction.

Key Facts:

• More than 40 million people use food assistance programs funded by the federal government.
• The USDA wants states to share data from the past five years on people in the SNAP program.
• The data includes names, birth dates, Social Security numbers, and addresses.
• The USDA also wants information on immigration status, education, and employment.
• The USDA says this data will help check SNAP eligibility and fight fraud.
• The request is linked to a Trump executive order to improve data sharing and reduce program abuse.
• Critics argue there are existing ways to oversee SNAP without collecting all this personal data.
• Legal challenges claim the USDA's plan may break federal privacy laws.

Key Facts:

• Floods on July 4th damaged RV parks by the Guadalupe River in Texas.
• Many people living there lost their homes.
• Residents are unsure if they will receive help from FEMA, a U.S. government agency.
• The area is popular with people who like living close to nature.
• Neighbors are supporting each other during the cleanup process.

Key Facts:

• Tesla is working on more affordable car models, starting "first builds" in June.
• Sales dropped by 12% to $22.4 billion, marking the biggest decline in over a decade.
• Profits fell by 16% to $1.1 billion as car deliveries decreased by 14%.
• U.S. tariffs cost Tesla $300 million from April to June.
• The end of a U.S. tax credit for electric car buyers may negatively impact Tesla.
• Tesla's share price has fallen by about 30% from its peak last year.
• Elon Musk expects European sales to rise once self-driving software is approved there, with the Netherlands likely being the first country to grant approval.

Key Facts:

• President Trump stated he supports the success of Musk's companies.
• The White House initially suggested Trump did not favor giving government contracts to Musk's AI business, xAI.
• Trump communicated his support via a social media post on Truth Social.
• Trump's statement aimed to calm recent tensions with Musk.
• Although supportive, Tesla shares experienced a 9% drop after weak earnings and tax concerns.
• The situation may develop based on Musk's response to Trump's statements.

Key Facts:

• Thai and Cambodian soldiers fought along their border, causing at least 12 deaths.
• The conflict involved small arms, artillery, rockets, and airstrikes by Thailand.
• The fighting started after a mine explosion injured five Thai soldiers.
• Both countries accused each other of initiating the conflict and targeting civilians.
• The clashes affected four Thai provinces, prompting evacuations for safety.
• Thailand removed its ambassador from Cambodia and closed land border crossings.
• Cambodia requested the U.N. Security Council to address Thailand’s actions.
• The border disputes between the two countries have a long history, with previous conflicts occurring over the same issues.

Key Facts:

• Mohammed al-Qedra was shot while trying to get food at an aid distribution center in Gaza.
• Many Palestinians have been injured or killed near centers run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
• Over 1,000 Palestinians have died trying to get food aid in the past two months according to the UN.
• The aid centers are inside Israeli military zones and operated by US contractors.
• Israel claims its military only fires warning shots and accuses Hamas of causing chaos.
• UK-Med operates field hospitals in Gaza, treating thousands of patients, many with gunshot wounds.
• Dr. Aseel Horabi, a Palestinian medic, reports severe food scarcity and increasing casualties.
• People in Gaza face high food prices and shortages, leading them to risk their lives for aid.

Key Facts:

• People can donate to the U.S. government to help reduce national debt using Venmo, among other payment methods.
• The U.S. Treasury Department has accepted these donations since 1996.
• As of now, people have donated $67.3 million in total.
• The U.S. national debt is $36.7 trillion and increases by about $55,000 every second.
• A Venmo donation form limits a single gift to $999,999.99.
• During a testing process, it took 1 minute and 20 seconds to make a donation, during which time the debt grew by $4.4 million.
• To cover the current debt, every person in the U.S. would need to donate around $100,000.

Key Facts:

Key Facts:

• The wildfire began around midday on Wednesday.
• About 100 square kilometers (38 square miles) have been affected.
• Two people died, found in a burned vehicle.
• At least 10 people are injured, with two in serious condition.
• Temperatures reached 43°C (109.4°F) and may rise to 44°C (111.2°F).
• Winds made it hard to control the fire.
• A 14-kilometer (8.7-mile) area was evacuated.
• Over 250 firefighters and 13 aircraft are fighting the fire.
• Spain, Jordan, and the UK are providing firefighting assistance.
• The cause of the fire is unknown, but winds helped it spread.
• Cyprus is also dealing with drought, impacting water resources.

Key Facts:

• Three miners are trapped underground in a mine in northern British Columbia.
• The incident occurred at the Red Chris mine, located on Tahltan Nation territory.
• The miners are believed to be uninjured and have moved to a secure area.
• This secure area has food, water, and ventilation to last for a long period.
• The initial collapse happened near where the miners were working, but a second collapse blocked their exit.
• Two of the miners are from British Columbia, and one is from Ontario.
• The Red Chris mine is an open-pit copper and gold mine built in 2014.
• Mine operations have been paused while rescue efforts are underway.

Key Facts:

• Clashes happened along the Thai-Cambodian border near the Prasat Ta Moan Thom Temple.
• At least 11 people died; most were civilians, including an eight-year-old child.
• Fighting involved heavy weapons and fighter jets from both countries.
• Shelling in Thailand hit civilian places, including a gas station, causing deaths and injuries.
• Each side blames the other for starting the conflict.
• Cambodia used surveillance drones, and Thailand responded with air attacks.
• Diplomatic relations have worsened, and Thailand closed all border crossings with Cambodia.
• Long-standing border disputes go back to 1907 agreements drawn during French colonial times in the region.