The Actual News

Neutral summaries of your favorite news sources — just the facts.

Latest News

Recent developments and breaking news

‘They took our toilet’: How a settlement has squeezed a Palestinian village

‘They took our toilet’: How a settlement has squeezed a Palestinian village

Summary

A Palestinian family in Umm al-Khair village, located in the southern West Bank, is facing difficulties due to a nearby new Israeli settlement outpost. The family has limited access to their livestock enclosure and even their outdoor bathroom, as Israeli settlers and soldiers restrict their movements.

Key Facts

  • Umm al-Khair is a Palestinian village in the occupied West Bank near a new Israeli illegal settlement outpost.
  • The outpost was established in September near the family’s home, on land they used for farming and grazing.
  • The family has been blocked from reaching their sheep enclosure multiple times, sometimes only allowed access with Israeli soldiers present.
  • Settlers placed obstacles near the family's outdoor bathroom, including barbed wire, making it hard to reach.
  • The Israeli army declared the area around the bathroom a closed military zone, worsening access challenges.
  • The family must use a neighbor’s toilet, which requires crossing a road used by Israeli settlers; a child was previously injured on this road.
  • Since October 2023, there has been an increase in settler attacks in Umm al-Khair amid wider Israeli military actions in Gaza and the West Bank.
  • Some far-right Israeli political figures support the expansion of settlements in the region.
Read the Original

Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original article.

Oil markets fluctuate as tensions between U.S. and Iran flare

Oil markets fluctuate as tensions between U.S. and Iran flare

Summary

Oil prices have gone up recently because of rising tensions between the United States and Iran. This situation has made the oil markets unstable as people worry about possible conflict affecting oil supply.

Key Facts

  • Gas prices have increased due to the situation between the U.S. and Iran.
  • Tensions between these two countries are causing uncertainty in oil markets.
  • Oil markets respond quickly to political conflicts that might disrupt supply.
  • The rising prices affect consumers and businesses dependent on fuel.
  • Media outlets like CBS News and Axios are covering the story closely.
  • The current conflict is part of ongoing strained relations between the U.S. and Iran.
  • Market reactions show how global events can influence energy prices.
Read the Original

Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original article.

Timelapse shows World Cup final stadium nearly vanish in smoky haze

Timelapse shows World Cup final stadium nearly vanish in smoky haze

Summary

More than 800 wildfires in Canada have caused heavy smoke to spread into parts of the United States, including New York. This smoke created poor air quality conditions, with many people in New York City wearing masks to protect themselves.

Key Facts

  • Over 800 wildfires are burning across Canada.
  • Smoke from these fires has reached multiple US states, including New York.
  • On July 16, western New York had "very unhealthy" air quality.
  • The New York City metro area experienced "unhealthy" air quality.
  • Smoke haze blocked views of landmarks like MetLife Stadium, the Empire State Building, and the Statue of Liberty.
  • Many residents in New York City wore masks to reduce smoke inhalation.
  • Air quality alerts have been issued for affected areas.
  • The smoke is affecting both Canadian and US regions.
Read the Original

Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original article.

Watch: Helicopter rescues kids from Texas floodwaters

Watch: Helicopter rescues kids from Texas floodwaters

Summary

A helicopter rescue is underway in Texas to save children affected by floodwaters. A video captures a game warden announcing the rescue of a child.

Key Facts

  • Floodwaters in Texas have caused dangerous conditions.
  • Children are being rescued by helicopter.
  • A game warden is involved in the rescue efforts.
  • The rescue was recorded in a video.
  • Emergency teams are working to bring people to safety.
Read the Original

Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original article.

Leon Black walked out of Epstein interview after refusing to answer NDA questions

Leon Black walked out of Epstein interview after refusing to answer NDA questions

Summary

Leon Black, former CEO of Apollo Global Management, appeared before the House Oversight Committee to discuss his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. He refused to answer questions about nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) related to Epstein and walked out of the interview. Black has been subpoenaed to provide further testimony and to turn over NDAs.

Key Facts

  • Leon Black was interviewed by the House Oversight Committee on June 26, 2026, about his connection to Jeffrey Epstein.
  • Black refused to answer questions about nondisclosure agreements, citing attorney advice.
  • He walked out of the interview after refusing to discuss NDAs.
  • Black has been served with two subpoenas: one to appear for a deposition and one to provide NDAs.
  • Black agreed to pay a woman more than $21 million over 15 years after she allegedly blackmailed him, and Epstein was aware of these payments.
  • Black denied that Epstein advised him on NDAs despite Epstein’s involvement in managing some of Black’s finances.
  • Black’s attorney called the subpoenas a political stunt and denied Epstein’s involvement with NDAs.
  • The committee’s investigation is related to the government’s broader look into Epstein’s criminal activities and associates.
Read the Original

Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original article.

Diarrhea-causing parasite outbreak possibly tied to iceberg lettuce from Mexico

Diarrhea-causing parasite outbreak possibly tied to iceberg lettuce from Mexico

Summary

Health officials are investigating an outbreak of a parasite that causes diarrhea. They think the parasite may be linked to iceberg lettuce imported from Mexico.

Key Facts

  • The parasite causes a disease called cyclosporiasis.
  • People who ate iceberg lettuce from Mexico have gotten sick.
  • The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is leading the investigation.
  • Cyclosporiasis spreads through contaminated food or water.
  • The parasite causes symptoms like diarrhea.
  • Officials are trying to prevent more people from getting sick.
  • No specific brands of lettuce have been named yet.
  • The FDA may issue warnings or recalls if needed.
Read the Original

Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original article.

From us

Support no-spin news

The site stays free. If The Actual News is worth something to you, chip in — and get the daily digest by email.

What are your rights if you buy something that breaks?

What are your rights if you buy something that breaks?

Summary

The article explains what rights you have if you buy a product that stops working or breaks. It covers how consumers can handle such situations and what protections are available.

Key Facts

  • The article focuses on consumer rights related to faulty or broken products.
  • It discusses what you can do if something you bought does not work properly.
  • The content is intended to help consumers understand their protections.
  • It is relevant to personal finance and customer service topics.
  • The article is published under the business section.
Read the Original

Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original article.

What to know about bad air caused by wildfires and how to protect yourself

What to know about bad air caused by wildfires and how to protect yourself

Summary

Wildfires produce smoke that can travel far and cause poor air quality in many areas, even across state and national borders. Smoke from Canadian wildfires, for example, can affect cities in the United States, making the air unhealthy to breathe.

Key Facts

  • Wildfire smoke spreads over long distances.
  • Smoke from fires in one state can worsen air quality in other states.
  • Canadian wildfires can send smoke into U.S. cities.
  • Poor air quality poses health risks for people who breathe it.
  • Officials recommend staying indoors to reduce exposure.
  • Wildfire smoke impacts air from the Midwest to the East Coast.
  • Taking precautions can help protect people during wildfire smoke events.
Read the Original

Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original article.

VA Unveils Plan to Cut Red Tape for Veterans' Benefits

VA Unveils Plan to Cut Red Tape for Veterans' Benefits

Summary

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has proposed a plan to greatly reduce the paperwork for veterans and their families when applying for disability and survivor benefits. This change would cut the length of some application forms by about two-thirds and reduce the time needed to complete them, making the process simpler and faster.

Key Facts

  • The VA aims to reduce the disability compensation application from 15 pages to 5 pages.
  • The estimated time to complete the disability form will drop from 25 minutes to 15 minutes.
  • The form for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) will shrink from 20 pages to 7 pages.
  • Completing the DIC form is expected to take 25 minutes instead of 40 minutes.
  • VA Secretary Doug Collins said the goal is to remove unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles for veterans and their families.
  • The VA is accepting public comments on the proposal and hopes to have the new forms available by December 2026.
  • Veterans qualify for these benefits if they have service-related injuries or illnesses, including mental health conditions like PTSD.
  • Applications currently require a form called VA Form 21-526EZ and various supporting documents from medical records and personal statements.
Read the Original

Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original article.

Where peace talks stand as U.S., Iran continue days of strikes

Where peace talks stand as U.S., Iran continue days of strikes

Summary

The United States and Iran have been carrying out military strikes against each other while also working on peace talks. The negotiations aim to reach a deal to stop the conflict.

Key Facts

  • The U.S. and Iran are engaged in military strikes on each other.
  • Despite the strikes, both countries continue to negotiate for peace.
  • The talks focus on reaching a possible peace agreement.
  • CBS News reporter Charlie D'Agata is providing coverage of the events.
  • The situation involves ongoing conflict alongside diplomatic efforts.
Read the Original

Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original article.

Trump Faces New Impeachment Call After Election Integrity Speech

Trump Faces New Impeachment Call After Election Integrity Speech

Summary

Senator Ed Markey called for President Donald Trump’s impeachment after Trump gave a speech claiming foreign interference in U.S. elections. Trump said China obtained American voter data and tried to help Joe Biden in 2020, but critics said he did not provide proof. Some Democrats supported impeachment efforts, while Republicans pushed back.

Key Facts

  • Senator Ed Markey wants President Trump impeached for harming election integrity.
  • Trump claimed Chinese government took 220 million American voter files and tried to create illegal ballots for Joe Biden in 2020.
  • Trump accused unnamed "deep state" members of hiding the truth about Chinese interference.
  • Critics from both parties said Trump did not show real evidence for widespread election fraud claims.
  • Several Democrats said Trump’s claims are false and warned he might try to interfere in future elections.
  • Supporters of Trump dismissed calls for impeachment and criticized officials who questioned Trump’s election fraud claims.
  • Two Democratic impeachment resolutions against Trump are in the House Judiciary Committee but have low chances to advance.
  • Trump was impeached twice before but was acquitted by the Senate each time.
Read the Original

Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original article.

House Democrat: Trump ‘lied to the American public’ in primetime address

House Democrat: Trump ‘lied to the American public’ in primetime address

Summary

Rep. Jim Himes, a Democratic member of the House Intelligence Committee, said that President Trump gave false information about election security during a speech. Himes criticized the president for misleading the American people.

Key Facts

  • Rep. Jim Himes represents Connecticut and is a senior member of the House Intelligence Committee.
  • Himes spoke on MS NOW after President Trump’s Thursday evening speech.
  • The speech focused on the security of U.S. elections.
  • Himes said President Trump lied to the American public in that speech.
  • The criticism came from a Democrat about the president’s claims on election security.
  • The event highlights ongoing political debate around election integrity in the U.S.
Read the Original

Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original article.

From us

The news is free. Support if you want.

Supporters get the day's brief in their inbox every morning at 7am. Pay what it's worth — most people choose $3.99/month.

Plainclothes ICE agents manhandle man during arrest attempt

Plainclothes ICE agents manhandle man during arrest attempt

Summary

Two plainclothes ICE agents tried to arrest a man at the Las Vegas airport by tackling him. The agents stopped and left after people nearby got involved. ICE later said the man was arrested at Los Angeles Airport for staying in the U.S. longer than allowed.

Key Facts

  • The incident happened at the Las Vegas airport on July 13, 2026.
  • Two ICE agents were not wearing uniforms when they arrested the man.
  • The agents tackled the man during the arrest attempt.
  • Bystanders intervened, causing the agents to walk away.
  • ICE stated the man was later arrested at Los Angeles Airport.
  • The reason for the arrest was overstaying his visa in the United States.
  • The video of the incident caused renewed criticism of ICE’s arrest methods.
Read the Original

Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original article.

France blocks access to Polymarket

France blocks access to Polymarket

Summary

France has blocked access to the online prediction market Polymarket after people kept placing bets despite a previous ban on transactions from France. The French gaming regulator says that allowing access to the site counts as illegal advertising and warns of fines.

Key Facts

  • France’s national gaming authority, ANJ, blocked Polymarket’s website in France.
  • This action follows a November 2024 ban on financial transactions to Polymarket from France.
  • Polymarket lets users bet on the outcomes of future events with real-time updated odds.
  • ANJ says accessing and promoting unauthorized betting sites is a criminal offense with fines up to 100,000 euros.
  • Visits from French internet addresses to Polymarket increased to over 578,000 last month despite the ban.
  • Problems linked to prediction markets include a hacking case involving French weather data and federal charges against a US soldier for betting with classified information.
  • Several European countries, like Germany, Italy, and Spain, also restrict or block access to prediction markets.
  • France still allows legal online sports betting.
Read the Original

Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original article.

France orders internet providers to block access to Polymarket prediction site

France orders internet providers to block access to Polymarket prediction site

Summary

France has ordered its internet providers to block access to Polymarket, an online site where people bet on future events. This follows an earlier ban on financial transactions to the site because visits from France kept increasing despite the ban.

Key Facts

  • France's national gambling regulator ANJ instructed internet providers to block Polymarket's website.
  • Polymarket is a prediction market where users place bets on the outcomes of future events.
  • France already banned financial transactions to Polymarket in November 2024.
  • Visits to Polymarket from France grew to over 578,000 last month despite the ban.
  • ANJ said advertising an illegal betting site is a crime with fines up to €100,000 ($114,000).
  • Problems linked to prediction markets include hacking of weather probes and misuse of classified information.
  • Other European countries like Germany, Italy, and Spain also restrict access to such prediction markets.
  • France allows online sports betting but restricts other online betting platforms like Polymarket.
Read the Original

Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original article.

ICE agent who fatally shot Maine man has history of violent behavior, AP reports

ICE agent who fatally shot Maine man has history of violent behavior, AP reports

Summary

An ICE agent who fatally shot a man in Maine has a past record of violent behavior. The Associated Press reported this information based on interviews with the victim’s family and court documents.

Key Facts

  • An ICE officer shot and killed a man in Maine.
  • The officer involved has a history of violent behavior.
  • The Associated Press gathered this information from family interviews and court records.
  • The shooting has raised concerns about the agent’s background.
  • ICE stands for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a U.S. agency.
  • The report was shared by CBS News and the Associated Press.
  • The victim’s family spoke publicly about the officer’s past behavior.
  • The incident is part of ongoing discussions about law enforcement conduct.
Read the Original

Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original article.

Trump doubles down on 2020 US voter fraud claims

Trump doubles down on 2020 US voter fraud claims

Summary

President Donald Trump gave a speech claiming that foreign countries, especially China, interfered in the 2020 U.S. presidential election. He said he would release secret documents to support his claims, although these accusations have been disputed before.

Key Facts

  • President Trump renewed claims that the 2020 U.S. election was affected by foreign interference.
  • He specifically accused China of having access to U.S. voter data.
  • Trump promised to declassify documents that he said prove these claims.
  • These election interference allegations have been widely challenged and debunked in the past.
  • The speech was broadcast on July 17, 2026.
  • Democrats say Trump is using these claims to challenge the results of the upcoming midterm elections.
  • Some news outlets debated whether to air the speech due to its unproven claims.
  • The focus of the speech was on election fraud and foreign interference in U.S. elections.
Read the Original

Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original article.

Ukraine suffers port attacks as protests persist over defence shake-up

Ukraine suffers port attacks as protests persist over defence shake-up

Summary

Russia launched deadly drone attacks on Ukrainian ports and vessels, killing several people including civilians and crew members on foreign ships. Meanwhile, Ukrainians protested for a second day against President Zelenskyy’s removal of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who was popular for his role in modernizing the military.

Key Facts

  • Russian drone strikes hit port infrastructure in Mykolaiv, damaging three foreign-registered vessels and killing two Ukrainians aboard one ship.
  • A drone attack in Kherson killed one woman and injured six others; an attack in Odesa killed one man.
  • Russia and Ukraine have increased attacks on military vessels in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, important for grain exports.
  • Russia’s Ministry of Defence reported hitting 24 Ukrainian military vessels in one week; Ukraine claims to have struck 12 Russian vessels the same day.
  • Ukraine also attacked a Russian oil refinery in the Yaroslavl region.
  • Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov was removed by President Zelenskyy, causing protests demanding his return.
  • Fedorov had conflicts with military chief Oleksandr Syrskyi and questioned Ukraine’s military leadership after his exit.
  • Yevgeniy Khmara, head of Ukraine’s security service, was named acting defence minister; former Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko was appointed to the defence and security council.
Read the Original

Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original article.

From us

No ads. Just the news.

It's free for everyone. If it's useful, support us and get the morning brief by email at a price that feels right.

Amazon Web Services customers receive bills for up to $1.5tn after global glitch

Amazon Web Services customers receive bills for up to $1.5tn after global glitch

Summary

Amazon Web Services (AWS) accidentally sent customers huge billing amounts, some as high as $1.5 trillion, due to a technical glitch. The problem caused alarm worldwide, affecting users from charities to students, before AWS identified the issue and began fixing it.

Key Facts

  • AWS billing system showed bills much higher than normal, reaching up to $1.5 trillion.
  • Customers usually pay small amounts, often less than a few dollars a month.
  • The glitch started around 3:38 am UK time on a Friday.
  • AWS investigated for about 1.5 hours and found an error in the pricing calculation system.
  • The company paused the billing estimation system and said it would take hours to fully fix.
  • People around the world expressed shock and concern on social media.
  • AWS apologized for the confusion caused by the incorrect bills.
  • The incident showed how many rely heavily on AWS for data and cloud services.
Read the Original

Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original article.

Donning protective kit for a first glance at the Bayeux Tapestry

Donning protective kit for a first glance at the Bayeux Tapestry

Summary

The Bayeux Tapestry, a 70-meter-long embroidery from the 11th century, has been brought from northern France to the British Museum in London. This is the first time in over 900 years that the tapestry, which shows events before the Battle of Hastings in 1066, has returned to the UK. The museum plans to display it to the public starting in September.

Key Facts

  • The Bayeux Tapestry is almost 1,000 years old and measures 70 meters long.
  • It illustrates events leading up to the Battle of Hastings and the Norman Conquest of England.
  • The tapestry was transported under police escort from a secret location in France.
  • It arrived in London last week, under the cover of darkness.
  • The British Museum will start showing the tapestry to visitors in September.
  • This is the first time the tapestry has been in the UK in more than 900 years.
  • The tapestry is believed to have been created in England originally.
Read the Original

Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original article.

Save articles & personalize your feed — Create a free account