The Actual News

Key Facts

Key Facts

• NPR's Life Kit offers guidance on managing car emergencies.
• The segment suggests useful actions for drivers in unexpected situations on the road.
• The content will be available as an audio piece.
• Basic safety practices mentioned include using seatbelts and turn signals.
• The advice aims to help drivers stay safe and informed during emergencies.

Key Facts

• A Delta Airlines plane experienced a fire in one engine during take-off.
• The aircraft was a Boeing 767-400.
• The flight was traveling from Los Angeles to Atlanta.
• After the engine issue, the pilot circled back and landed safely in Los Angeles.
• A Delta Airlines spokesperson confirmed the fire in the left engine.
• The incident was captured on video by a person who shared it on a YouTube channel.

Key Facts

• Right-wing influencers who usually support Trump are now criticizing him for not releasing Epstein-related files.
• Jeffrey Epstein was involved in illegal activities and had connections with many powerful people.
• There is a growing push in media to label the violence in Gaza as genocide.
• An Israeli scholar has prompted new discussions about Gaza in the media.
• In Germany, pro-Palestinian voices claim they are being suppressed in media and protests.
• Some say the media's focus on Gaza comes too late for those affected.

Key Facts

• The show is called "Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me!" and aired on July 19, 2025.
• James Gunn, co-chairman and CEO of DC Studios, was a guest on the show.
• The episode was recorded in Chicago with host Peter Sagal and scorekeeper Bill Kurtis.
• Panelists included Paula Poundstone, Adam Burke, and Bobcat Goldthwait.
• James Gunn participated in a game segment about t-shirt guns.
• The show also included a segment where panelists shared three stories about a discovery related to William Shakespeare, but only one story was true.
• Bill Kurtis read news-related limericks during the show.

Key Facts

• A car hit a crowd outside a nightclub in Los Angeles, injuring 30 people.
• The driver had a gunshot wound and was taken to a hospital.
• Police are looking for a suspect who supposedly shot the driver.
• Twenty-three of the injured people were sent to hospitals.
• Three of the victims are in critical condition.
• The car also damaged a taco truck and a valet stand.
• The nightclub, Vermont Hollywood, was holding a reggae/hip hop event.
• A fight reportedly occurred outside the club just before the crash.

Key Facts

• A vehicle drove into a crowd in East Hollywood, Los Angeles.
• More than 20 people were injured in the incident.
• Five people are in critical condition.
• Eight to ten people have serious injuries.
• Ten to fifteen people are in fair condition.
• The accident happened around 2:00 a.m. local time.
• It occurred on Santa Monica Boulevard.
• The Los Angeles Fire Department shared information about the incident.

Key Facts

• A vehicle hit a crowd on Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles.
• At least 20 people were injured in the incident.
• Up to five people are critically injured.
• Up to ten people are in a serious condition.
• The incident happened at 2 a.m. local time in East Hollywood.
• Photos show a grey car on the pavement with debris around it.
• There is a large police presence at the scene.

Key Facts

• The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the M23 rebels signed a declaration in Qatar to stop fighting.
• The fighting in eastern Congo has killed thousands and displaced hundreds of thousands this year.
• M23 is mainly composed of ethnic Tutsi fighters and has links to events from the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
• Qatar helped arrange a key meeting in March between Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame.
• The DRC had initially refused to negotiate with M23, labeling it a “terrorist group,” but later agreed to talks.
• The US hosted talks between the DRC and Rwanda, where an agreement was signed in June with warnings from then-US President Donald Trump.
• Congo, the United Nations, and Western countries claim Rwanda supports M23, but Rwanda denies this, stating its actions are in self-defense.
• Several neighboring countries have troops in the area due to the ongoing conflict.

Key Facts

• The Genius Act is the first major cryptocurrency law passed by Congress.
• President Trump signed the Genius Act into law on July 18, 2025.
• The law focuses on stablecoins, a form of cryptocurrency backed by real currencies.
• Congress passed the Genius Act and another bill called the CLARITY Act during "crypto week."
• The CLARITY Act proposes shifting cryptocurrency regulation to a body called the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
• The total value of cryptocurrencies reached $4 trillion shortly after the Genius Act's approval.
• Crypto supporters view stablecoins as a secure and efficient way to transfer money globally.

Key Facts

• The U.S. Army will cut back its Military Working Equid program.
• 141 out of 236 military horses, donkeys, and mules will be available for adoption.
• These animals are mostly used in ceremonial roles like parades, honor guards, and funerals.
• Horses have not been used in combat since 1942 by the U.S. military.
• The Army states these horses are an important part of military tradition and heritage.
• Reducing the program is expected to save the Army about $2 million yearly.
• Ceremonial animals will continue their roles at Arlington National Cemetery and Joint Base San Antonio.

Key Facts

• Congress recently decided to reduce federal funding for public media.
• Mitch Teich is the General Manager at North Country Public Radio.
• Teich spoke with NPR's Scott Simon about the funding cuts.
• The discussion was aired on the Weekend Edition Saturday program.
• The conversation explored the future impact on the radio station.
• Federal funding is a financial source for public radio stations like NPR.

Key Facts

• Cell phone service is often poor in rural areas of the U.S.
• Recent flooding in Texas highlighted these service issues.
• Curtis Knobloch from the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative was interviewed.
• The discussion focused on problems with rural cell coverage.
• Possible solutions to improve coverage were also talked about.
• Interviews about these issues aired on NPR's Weekend Edition Saturday.

Key Facts

• Central Texans are working on rebuilding after flooding.
• Many people face challenges because they lack flood insurance.
• Only 7 percent of Texas homeowners have government-provided flood insurance.
• Without flood insurance, people have fewer financial resources to rebuild.
• Flood insurance is meant to help cover damage costs after floods.

Key Facts

• The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline was launched three years ago and has handled over 16 million calls, texts, and chats.
• Nearly 10% of these contacts came from gay and transgender young people.
• LGBTQ+ youth had a "Press 3" option to reach counselors familiar with their mental health needs.
• The funding specifically for LGBTQ+ services ran out after being allocated more than $33 million for 2025.
• Total funding for all 988 services in 2025 was nearly $520 million.
• LGBTQ+ youth are more likely to feel persistent sadness or attempt suicide compared to peers, according to the CDC.
• The veteran support option on the 988 Lifeline remains available by pressing 1.
• Demand for the specialized LGBTQ+ service grew from 2,000 contacts per month to nearly 70,000.

Key Facts

• The California red-legged frog is the largest native frog species west of the Rocky Mountains.
• It is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
• Frog eggs were moved from Baja California in Mexico to Southern California to reintroduce the species.
• Over five years, 87 egg masses were moved to help the frogs return to their historic range.
• AI technology helped researchers detect the frogs by analyzing audio recordings.
• The frogs were heard in the wild in San Diego County for the first time in 25 years.
• The frogs were once a common food source and were mentioned in a famous story by Mark Twain.

Key Facts

• Texas passed a law called the Life of the Mother Act to clarify its abortion ban's emergency exceptions.
• The law aims to specify when abortions are allowed if they can save a woman's life or prevent major health issues.
• Currently, doctors risk facing up to 99 years in prison if they perform an abortion outside the allowed situations.
• Many new doctors avoid training in Texas due to the unclear abortion rules, affecting their education and future family planning.
• The law was a result of efforts by doctors, patients, and coalition groups that include both medical and anti-abortion communities.
• It clarifies that a woman's death or health issue does not need to be immediate to qualify for an emergency abortion.
• Doctors can discuss abortion openly to determine if it's the best treatment.
• The law requires the state to prove if a doctor is accused of breaking the law.

Key Facts

• The USDA wants states to share data on SNAP beneficiaries by July 30.
• This data includes names, birth dates, addresses, Social Security numbers, and benefit amounts.
• Over 40 million people use SNAP benefits each month.
• A federal lawsuit has been filed to postpone the data collection, with a hearing set for July 23.
• Some senators wrote a letter to the USDA expressing worries about privacy and potential legal violations.
• The USDA’s notice about this data collection is open for public comments until July 23.
• The Trump administration is linking personal data for uses such as immigration enforcement.
• A recent federal agreement lets Immigration and Customs Enforcement access Medicaid data for locating immigrants.

Key Facts

• The US is limiting travel visas for Brazilian judicial officials and their families.
• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced this decision, criticizing the Brazilian court.
• Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes is accused of unfair actions against Bolsonaro.
• Bolsonaro is accused of attempting to overturn a presidential election result.
• If convicted of coup charges, Bolsonaro faces a 12-year sentence.
• Bolsonaro must wear an ankle monitor and is banned from contacting foreign officials.
• The US has reportedly revoked visas for seven Brazilian Supreme Court justices.
• Bolsonaro and former US President Donald Trump maintain friendly relations.

Key Facts

• The attack happened in Zamfara state, located in northwest Nigeria.
• At least nine people were confirmed dead, and at least 15 people were abducted.
• The assailants are part of armed groups locally referred to as bandits.
• These bandits have historically kidnapped thousands and made local travel dangerous.
• Zamfara state is known for frequent attacks and high tension between these groups and local farmers.
• Nigerian authorities and local vigilante groups are working together to fight these bandit groups.
• A past significant incident in Jangebe involved almost 300 schoolgirls being kidnapped in 2021.
• The attack lasted nearly two hours, causing many villagers to flee their homes.