The Actual News

Key Facts

• "Angel Down" by Daniel Kraus is a novel about World War I soldiers who discover a fallen angel.
• Kraus writes the book using one very long sentence to create a sense of urgency.
• "Beasts of Carnaval" by Rosália Rodrigo is set on a dangerous Caribbean island with a link to the region's colonial history.
• The book follows a character searching for her missing brother on the island.
• "The Conjuring of America" by Lindsey Stewart examines the historical role of magical Black women in American history.
• Stewart explores connections between these women and events like the Civil Rights Movement and VooDoo practices.
• "An Oral History of Atlantis" by Ed Park is a collection of short stories blending humor and unexpected narratives, written over 25 years.

Key Facts

• The meeting aimed to promote a two-state solution, which means creating separate, independent nations for Israelis and Palestinians.
• France and Saudi Arabia co-chaired the event; they believe a two-state solution is the best way to achieve peace.
• Israel’s government and the United States did not participate, citing opposition and concerns about the meeting’s effectiveness.
• U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres stated recent events make a two-state solution seem more difficult.
• Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa urged countries to formally recognize Palestine as a state.
• The meeting was initially planned for June but was postponed due to increased Middle Eastern tensions.
• The idea of a two-state solution has international support and involves returning to pre-1967 boundaries.
• The two-state solution envisions both Israel and a new Palestinian state existing peacefully side by side.

Key Facts

• Over 60,000 Palestinians have died in the Israel-Hamas conflict since October 2023.
• The Gaza Health Ministry, which is trusted for its figures, provided these numbers.
• The conflict has displaced about 90% of Gaza's population.
• International organizations warn of a severe humanitarian crisis, including possible famine.
• Recent Israeli strikes killed at least 77 Palestinians, many while trying to get aid.
• Israel claims it targets only militants and uses care to avoid civilian harm.
• 14 Palestinians died near a humanitarian aid site, but no comments were made by involved parties on the incident.
• The situation in Gaza is described by experts as teetering on a severe food shortage crisis.

Key Facts

• The U.S. will impose a 15% fee (tariff) on certain drug imports from Europe.
• Wall Street analysts predict this could cost the drug industry between $13 billion and $19 billion.
• Many U.S. drugs and ingredients come from European countries like Ireland, Denmark, and Germany.
• The tariff may not apply to some generic medicines, according to the European Union leadership.
• Major pharmaceutical companies, such as Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson, use Ireland as a key production hub.
• Negotiations between industry lobbyists and U.S. policymakers are expected to determine the impact.
• The industry is monitoring a separate U.S. investigation that could lead to more tariffs on drugs from China and India.

Key Facts

• 30 people have died in Beijing from flooding.
• More than 80,000 people were evacuated to safety.
• Eight people died in a landslide in Chengde, northeast of Beijing.
• President Xi Jinping urged authorities to prepare for difficult situations and focus on rescue efforts.
• The Chinese government has set aside 200 million yuan ($28 million) for recovery efforts, including infrastructure repair.
• The outskirts of Beijing, particularly Miyun and Huairou, suffered severe damage.
• Around 130 villages lost power due to the floods.
• Extreme weather linked to climate change is affecting China, impacting lives and the economy, especially agriculture.

Key Facts

• At least 22 people died in a Russian air attack on southeastern Ukraine.
• Among those killed were 16 inmates and a pregnant woman.
• The attack followed a warning from U.S. President Trump to Russia to make peace within 10 to 12 days.
• Ukraine claimed it shot down 32 of 37 drones launched by Russia.
• Russian authorities reported Ukrainian drone attacks in the Rostov region, causing one death.
• A Ukrainian missile strike targeted a hospital in the city of Kamianske in central Ukraine, killing three people.
• Drone debris in Russia damaged a freight train and caused train delays, but no casualties were reported.
• Both Russia and Ukraine continue to accuse each other of targeting civilians, though both deny it.

Key Facts

• Overdose deaths decreased by 27% between 2023 and 2024.
• Factors contributing to the decline include a less deadly drug supply, better access to treatment, and more naloxone distribution.
• Nabarun Dasgupta, an expert on street drugs, confirmed the data showed a real decline.
• Dasgupta began researching overdoses after a friend named Tony Givens died from a heroin overdose in 2004.
• The reduction in fentanyl-related deaths in many states is the lowest since 2020.
• Dasgupta's work aims to provide critical information to people who use drugs.

Key Facts

• Trump's trade agreements are announced with big numbers but lack detailed terms.
• Europe is concerned about higher tariffs on metals than previously agreed.
• The U.K. deal involves changes to metal tariffs that need implementation.
• Japan plans to invest a small portion of the amount initially stated by Trump.
• Vietnam acknowledges a deal but has not confirmed the U.S. announced terms.
• A White House official stated the deals open new markets for the U.S.
• Analysts warn that key details of the deals remain unclear and could lead to misunderstandings.

Key Facts

• The festival took place in the Kurihama area of Yokosuka city, south of Tokyo.
• A mikoshi, a portable shrine, was central to the event.
• The shrine started its procession from Sumiyoshi Shrine.
• Shrine priests gave blessings and prayed for good fortune.
• At the beach, the mikoshi was carried into the water by bearers.
• The parade ended at a ferry terminal where prayers for safe travels were conducted.
• The festival highlighted community unity and was eagerly anticipated by locals.

Key Facts

• A Russian airstrike on a prison in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, killed 16 people and injured more than 30 others.
• The attack used high-explosive aerial glide bombs, causing significant damage to the prison and surrounding homes.
• Ukraine's chief of staff condemned the attack as a war crime.
• Zaporizhzhia is claimed by Russia but is mainly under Ukrainian control.
• The attack is part of ongoing strikes by Russia in the region since 2022.
• Ukraine's human rights commissioner stated that attacking a prison violates humanitarian law.
• US President Donald Trump warned Russia to agree to a ceasefire or face significant sanctions.
• Other areas in Ukraine, such as Dnipropetrovsk, also faced attacks, resulting in more deaths and injuries.

Key Facts

• Ukrainians protested against a new law on July 22 that could limit the independence of two anticorruption agencies, NABU and SAPO.
• The law gives the prosecutor general, who is appointed by the president and approved by parliament, more control over these agencies.
• Protests occurred in several cities, including Kyiv, Odesa, and Lviv.
• The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) was set up to investigate corruption among high-level officials.
• Many people see the law as a step back from reforms that followed the 2013-14 pro-democracy protests.
• President Zelenskyy argued the law is needed to remove any Russian influence within these agencies.
• Zelenskyy introduced a new bill to restore the independence of the anticorruption agencies after the protests.
• NABU had been investigating several senior officials, including those in Zelenskyy's own party.

Key Facts

• President Trump spent four days in Scotland.
• He announced a new plan for trade between the U.S. and the European Union.
• He discussed potential changes to U.S. policy towards Gaza.
• This visit was significant due to these announcements.
• Further audio details will be available on Morning Edition.

Key Facts

• Taiwanese President Lai canceled his trip after the US stopped his planned visit.
• The trip included visits to Paraguay, Guatemala, and Belize with US stopovers in New York and Dallas.
• Lai's office never officially confirmed this trip.
• Taiwan's president cannot officially visit the US because the US does not recognize Taiwan's government.
• Past Taiwanese leaders used US stopovers to meet US officials unofficially.
• Beijing conducted military drills after the previous Taiwan president's US visit.
• Trump reportedly blocked Lai's visit before considering a trip to China.
• US and China are engaged in trade talks with ongoing negotiations in Stockholm.

Key Facts

• President Trump denied seeking a summit with China's President Xi on his Truth Social platform.
• Trump mentioned he might go to China but only if President Xi invites him.
• News reports said Trump and Xi might meet during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea from October 30 to November 1.
• Trump and Xi last met in person at the G20 summit in Japan in 2019.
• The US and China are in talks to reduce trade tensions following US tariffs on Chinese goods.
• US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng had trade discussions in Sweden.
• The current trade negotiations are part of a truce that ends on August 12, but this deadline might be extended.

Key Facts

• Makon Kumar uses her toes to spin pottery, following a practice passed down by her ancestors.
• The Kumar community consists of about 540 people on Majuli Island, known for their pottery since the 16th century.
• Majuli Island has significantly shrunk due to erosion and flooding, reducing from 1,300 square kilometers to 483 square kilometers in a century.
• Flooding during the monsoon season disrupts the Kumar community's pottery work and leads to temporary displacement.
• The Brahmaputra Board's river embankments prevent traditional clay extraction, affecting the Kumars' access to clay.
• The board offers alternative clay sources through designated pits or boreholes, but it's unclear how many Kumars have applied.
• Pottery sales improve in November when tourists visit Majuli Island, providing some financial relief for the community.

Key Facts

• A gunman in Manhattan killed four people and then himself.
• President Trump visited Scotland, but no specific details on activities were provided.
• Israel is delivering food to Gaza.
• Aid groups believe the food being sent to Gaza is not enough.
• The information was shared on a morning edition news broadcast.

Key Facts

• Israel is allowing food and aid to enter Gaza.
• These deliveries occur during ten-hour daily pauses in fighting.
• Aid groups say the amount of food allowed is not enough for Gaza's needs.
• The aid includes both truck deliveries and air drops.
• The situation is part of the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Key Facts

Key Facts

• Approximately a third of Gaza's 2.1 million people have gone days without food.
• About 25% of Gaza’s population faces famine-like conditions.
• Nearly 100,000 women and children in Gaza suffer from severe acute malnutrition.
• Israel will stop military actions for 10 hours each day in some areas to let aid through.
• A significant decline in aid points, from 400 to just 4, has occurred in Gaza.
• Since the conflict began, 133 deaths due to starvation have been reported.
• The blockade on food and medical supply deliveries to Gaza was intensified in March 2025.
• Israel disputes claims of mass starvation despite health ministry reports.

Key Facts

• England played against Spain in the Women's Euro 2025 final.
• Spain scored first with a goal by Mariona Caldentey in the 25th minute.
• Alessia Russo scored in the second half to tie the game for England.
• The match went into extra time and then penalties.
• Chloe Kelly scored the decisive penalty in the shootout.
• England's victory was their second straight European Championship title.
• England had a challenging tournament but managed to recover in crucial moments.
• The team's resilience and depth were key to their success.