The Actual News

Key Facts

• The DNC is targeting a dozen House districts held by Republicans with ads about Jeffrey Epstein.
• The ads call for releasing more details about Epstein’s sex trafficking case and his death.
• The ads will run on platforms popular with right-leaning audiences like Fox News and YouTube channels.
• The campaign lasts five days and focuses on 11 specific Republican representatives.
• The ads reference notable figures, including past footage of President Trump with Epstein.
• The DNC aims to reach up to a million people with this ad campaign.
• The campaign argues that Republicans failed to vote on releasing more Epstein information.
• The DNC claims they want to hold Republicans accountable for transparency on the matter.

Key Facts

• Sen. Padilla's bill aims to update immigration laws that have been in place since 1929.
• The bill proposes a new rule allowing immigrants to apply for a green card if they have been in the U.S. continuously for seven years.
• The current rule requires immigrants to have been in the U.S. since before January 1, 1972.
• This change would benefit DACA recipients and those with Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
• The proposal appears during increased immigration enforcement and the expiration of some TPS agreements.
• About 11 million undocumented immigrants currently live in the U.S.
• Republicans control Congress, which means immigration proposals face challenges in getting passed.
• A separate bill, the DIGNITY Act of 2025, addresses border security and immigration reforms but is stalled in the House.

Key Facts

• The 2028 Democratic presidential primary might have many candidates and could be the longest contest in recent history.
• Some Democratic politicians are visiting early primary states like Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina.
• Key politicians visiting these states include governors like Gavin Newsom and senators like Bernie Sanders.
• Some potential candidates, like Cory Booker and Ro Khanna, have millions of dollars in their campaign accounts.
• Politicians like Newsom and Whitmer are creating outside groups to raise more funds.
• Raising funds now allows potential candidates flexibility but does not guarantee they will run.
• Presidential campaigns are becoming longer and require more money than in previous years.
• Past presidential candidates have transferred millions of dollars from other funds to their campaign accounts.

Key Facts

• The UK plans to restore extradition cooperation with Hong Kong that was paused five years ago.
• Concerns arose due to Chinese national security laws affecting Hong Kong's political freedoms.
• The UK Home Office applied for Parliament approval for this change on July 17.
• Extradition agreements with Chile and Zimbabwe are also planned to be restored.
• Extradition cases with Hong Kong and Zimbabwe will be reviewed individually.
• Hong Kong implemented a national security law in 2020 and broadened it in 2024.
• Other countries like Canada, Australia, France, Germany, and the U.S. also halted extradition deals with Hong Kong in 2020.
• The laws in Hong Kong target activities like treason and espionage, justified by the government as necessary for security.

Key Facts

• President Trump recently described something as a "beautiful baby."
• It is unclear if Trump meant an actual baby or if he was speaking metaphorically.
• A quiz is available that includes a question about Trump's statement.
• Readers can submit their own quiz questions about news from July 21 to 29.
• Submissions are accepted until 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, July 29.
• If a submission is selected, contributors will be credited on NPR's website.
• The article emphasizes that submissions are subject to NPR's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Key Facts

• President Trump signed a domestic policy law in early July affecting poker players' taxes.
• Previously, poker players only paid taxes on their profits each year.
• The new law only allows 90% of gambling losses to be deducted from taxable income.
• As a result, some players may owe taxes even if they earn no net profit or lose money.
• High-stakes players will feel the impact more, as their potential earnings and losses are larger.
• The law also affects other forms of gambling, including sports betting.
• Many professional poker players, like Daniel Negreanu, argue the law is unfair.
• Rep. Dina Titus, from Nevada, reported a high level of public concern over this policy.

Key Facts

• A measles outbreak started in January, leading parents to get their children vaccinated.
• Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a known anti-vaccine activist, became Secretary of Health and Human Services.
• Kennedy replaced all 17 members of the CDC's vaccine advisory panel with new members who share his views.
• These changes have worried parents, especially those with children on Medicaid, about access to vaccines.
• Medicaid is a government program that helps low-income families and covers 40% of children in the U.S.
• The ACIP was responsible for advising which vaccines are included for insurance coverage.
• The uncertainty might lead families to pay for vaccines themselves if coverage changes.
• There is additional concern over a new budget law that might cut Medicaid spending by $1 trillion over ten years.

Key Facts

• Millions of people may lose health insurance due to new tax laws signed by President Trump.
• Health insurance premiums on state marketplaces are expected to increase, leading some to drop coverage or choose plans with higher deductibles.
• New rules for COVID-19 vaccines may result in some insurers no longer covering the cost, requiring patients to pay themselves.
• Copay costs for some Medicaid enrollees will increase to up to $35 for certain doctor visits.
• The administration rolled back regulations that would have removed medical debt from credit reports, affecting Americans' credit scores.
• Cuts to Medicaid were part of the tax legislation, though President Trump claimed these would not be noticeable.
• Advocates warn these changes could harm financial security by increasing medical debt for many families.

Key Facts

• President Trump's connections to Jeffrey Epstein raise ongoing questions.
• Epstein was a financier and convicted sex offender who died by suicide in prison nearly six years ago.
• Trump has used various strategies, such as blaming Democrats and media, to counter the story.
• A recent report revealed Trump's name appears multiple times in the Epstein files.
• Trump sued the Wall Street Journal for reporting on a letter to Epstein with Trump's name on it.
• Public satisfaction with the information release and its handling by the administration is low.
• The issue has emerged amid other discussions, such as the release of MLK assassination documents.
• Trump's statements against releasing the files suggest concerns about fueling further conspiracies.

Key Facts

• Columbia University will pay a $200 million fine to the federal government over three years.
• An additional $21 million will settle a religious workplace harassment investigation by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
• The university did not admit to violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act or any wrongdoing.
• The settlement allows Columbia to access $1.3 billion in previously frozen federal funding for research.
• Columbia will make changes to tackle antisemitism, including updating their policies and hiring new faculty.
• The university will give more training on antisemitism to its community.
• Columbia will name coordinators to handle antisemitism reports and support Jewish students.

Key Facts

• Ozzy Osbourne was the lead singer of the band Black Sabbath.
• He passed away at the age of 76.
• Osbourne helped shape the heavy metal music genre.
• His style evolved from 1970s trends to a distinctive gothic look.
• In the 1970s, he was known for wearing flashy platform boots and being shirtless on stage.
• By the 1990s, his style included goth elements like black clothes, round glasses, and a cane.
• Osbourne's cross pendants were handcrafted by his father.
• MTV's launch in the 1980s increased the importance of fashion for musicians like Osbourne.

Key Facts

• Former President Donald Trump visited the Federal Reserve's headquarters.
• Lawmakers are receiving questions about documents related to Jeffrey Epstein.
• Starvation is spreading among people in Gaza.
• Ceasefire talks in Gaza are currently not moving forward.
• The news is delivered by Michel Martin and Sacha Pfeiffer on National Morning news.

Key Facts

• U.S. Treasuries are government bonds often regarded as safe investments.
• They have been considered reliable by investors for decades.
• Recently, there is increasing doubt about their stability.
• This change in perception has happened over the past few months.
• U.S. Treasuries are important for both domestic and international investors.
• Trust in these bonds impacts the overall financial market.

Key Facts

• The Trump administration supports Alina Habba staying as New Jersey's federal prosecutor.
• A court has selected a different person for the position.
• Alina Habba is currently in an interim, which means temporary, role.
• The position in question is the top federal prosecutor spot in New Jersey.
• The article's focus is on a legal and administrative decision regarding a federal post.

Key Facts

Key Facts

• Alina Habba declared she is the acting U.S. attorney for New Jersey.
• Federal judges had recently appointed a different interim U.S. attorney.
• Desiree Leigh Grace was named by judges but was later removed by Alina Habba and her supporters.
• The DOJ indicated Habba could remain in the acting role for 210 days after her nomination was withdrawn.
• The U.S. Code limits interim U.S. attorneys to serve for 120 days without Senate confirmation or court extension.
• A legal expert noted that withdrawing a nomination does not change the fact it was submitted.
• This situation might lead to legal challenges regarding the legitimacy of Habba's position.

Key Facts

• Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche met with Ghislaine Maxwell, an associate of Jeffrey Epstein.
• Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison for sex trafficking.
• The House Oversight Committee has subpoenaed Maxwell for a deposition.
• Maxwell's attorney stated she answered all questions truthfully during the interview.
• Maxwell was found guilty in 2022 of conspiring to sex traffic minors.
• She has denied the charges and claimed she was scapegoated after Epstein's death.
• Maxwell tried to have her case reviewed by the Supreme Court, but the DOJ opposed this appeal.

Key Facts

• Four traders, Jay Merchant, Jonathan Mathew, Philippe Moryoussef, and Christian Bittar, are appealing their convictions related to Libor rate manipulation.
• Their appeal comes after the UK Supreme Court overturned the rate-rigging convictions of two other traders, Tom Hayes and Carlo Palombo.
• Libor, the interest rate used in loans between banks, was central to the financial crisis in 2008.
• The Serious Fraud Office had investigated these traders for manipulating Libor to make a profit.
• The Libor-related scandal was exposed in 2012, revealing banks inflated rates for trading profit and lowered them to hide financial struggles.
• Libor has been discontinued and its European counterpart, Euribor, is undergoing changes.
• The traders argue their actions were normal business practices, not crimes, amidst public frustration over the financial crisis.
• The Serious Fraud Office has chosen not to seek a retrial for the overturned cases of Hayes and Palombo, citing no public interest benefit.

Key Facts

• House Democrats are discussing how much attention to give to Jeffrey Epstein-related issues during their summer break.
• Democratic leaders encouraged members to discuss a report linking President Trump to Epstein.
• Some Democrats prefer to focus on other issues like health care and economic policies instead.
• Rep. Tom Suozzi and Rep. Henry Cuellar expressed that topics like health care are priorities for them.
• Other Democrats, like Rep. Greg Casar, believe that discussing Epstein is connected to broader political themes they care about.
• House Democratic leadership has sent guidance on how to talk about the Epstein issue to its members.
• The Democratic messaging group plans to meet to discuss strategy regarding the Epstein issue.
• There are differing opinions among Democrats on the best approach to discussing Epstein while addressing other political priorities.

Key Facts

• Fermentalg is a company working with microalgae to find useful food pigments.
• They have developed a pigment called Galdieria blue from the microalgae Galdieria sulphuraria.
• The US FDA approved Galdieria blue and other natural color sources like Butterfly pea flower extract.
• The FDA plans to phase out synthetic dyes like Red Dye No. 3 and Yellow Dye 5 and 6.
• There is a growing push to remove artificial food dyes due to health concerns.
• Natural color producers like Sensient extract colors from crops such as carrots and potatoes.
• Matching the vividness of synthetic dyes with natural alternatives is a challenge for companies.