NPR News: 08-01-2026 1PM EDT - NPR News Now

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[00:01]
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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. A new report from the Commerce department says the US gross domestic product grew at an annual pace of 1.5% during the spring quarter, slower growth than the economy saw last year. NPR's Scott Horsley reports.
[00:19]
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If consumers have to pay more for every gallon of gas, that leaves less money in their pockets to spend on everything else. And that's especially true for lower income households. The war with Iran has caused higher inflation on average and people's wages are not keeping up with those higher prices. So far that has not forced most people to cut back on spending, but it has pushed them to dip into savings or put more of their spending on the credit card.
[00:45]
A
That's NPR's Scott Horsley reporting. President Trump's social media platform Truth Social has started selling an early access version of his post to investment banks and other institutions. As NPR's Bobby Allen reports, the service has raised alarm among legal experts and former Wall street regulators.
[01:07]
C
For $100,000 a month, Truth API offers an early feed of the president's Truth Social posts. Since Trump regularly uses his social media site to make news about the economy and world affairs or hints at government policy, the posts can move the stock market. Former regulators with the securities and Exchange Commission told NPR the service appears to violate insider trading laws against misusing government information for private gain. In response, a spokes for Trump Media and Technology Group said the new product gives customers faster access to public information, saying critics have, quote, invented new theories of insider trading to attack the president. Government disclosure showed Trump made more than $2 billion while in office last year. Bobby Allen, NPR News.
[01:49]
A
Violence continues in Gaza despite President Trump's announcement of what he called a breakthrough agreement for Hamas to disarm. The Gaza Health Ministry says Israeli strikes killed 152 Palestinians in, including 21 children. NPR's Anas Baba reports from Gaza City.
[02:10]
D
Israel continues to bomb across Gaza while expanding the territory under its military control to more than two thirds of the strip. Those operations have continued even as U S led efforts focus on securing a lasting ceasefire, Hamas, disarmament and a new administration for Gaza. The latest Israeli airstrike before dawn Saturday hit medication warehouses. Israel's military says the warehouses stored rifles without providing any evidence. The Gaza Health Ministry says two warehouses were destroyed while the blast also damaged more than 200 tents sheltering displaced family nearby. The ministry says more than 1,200 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks since the U S backed ceasefire reached last October. Eneas Babo, NPR News, Gaza city.
[02:56]
A
This is NPR News in Washington. Nearly 200,000 people are returning home in southwestern France after emergency crews contained a massive wildfire that broke out more than a week ago. New fires have broken out elsewhere in France and Greece as hot, dry conditions continue across much of southern Europe. Plans by the United States to reduce the number of locations that service visa operations in several African countries is taking effect. Michael Koloki reports from Nairobi.
[03:32]
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And consulates in over 20 African cities are realigning their routine visa services. The affected locations include Lusaka in Zambia, Namibia's capital, Windhoek, and the South African city of Durban. Residents of those areas who wish to apply for a US visa will be required to apply through one of 20 designated visa locations, such as Ghana's capital, Accra, and Nairobi in Kenya, according to the State Department. The changes aim to strengthen national security by promoting more uniform screening, vetting and education standards, as well as improving efficiency. The department adds that realigning visa services to designated hubs has previously been carried out successfully in several African nations and in Europe as well. For NPR News, I'm Michael Kaloki in Nairobi.
[04:12]
A
For the first time in more than a century, a total solar eclipse will cross mainland Spain next summer. On August 12, daytime darkness will sweep across the Iberian Peninsula, along with parts of Greenland and Iceland, with totality lasting up to 2 minutes and 18 seconds. A partial eclipse will also be visible across Alaska, Canada, the northern U.S. much of Europe and West Africa. This is NPR News in Washington.
[04:41]
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This message comes from Charles Schwab with their original podcast, Choiceology. Choiceology is a show about the psychology and economics behind people's decisions. Download the latest episode and subscribe@schwab.com podcast.

Summary4 min read

NPR News Now – 08-01-2026, 1PM EDT

Host: NPR (Windsor Johnston)
Date: August 1, 2026
Length: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode delivers rapid-fire updates on major stories from the U.S. and around the world. Top developments include slower U.S. economic growth amid continued inflation, controversy over Truth Social's new financial product, persistent violence in Gaza, wildfire containment efforts in France, changes to U.S. visa services for Africans, and anticipation of a rare total solar eclipse set to cross Spain in 2027.

Key News Segments & Insights

1. U.S. Economic Growth Slows

[00:01] Windsor Johnston introduces the episode and the latest Commerce Department economic report:
- The U.S. GDP grew at 1.5% annual pace in the spring, which is slower than last year.
Scott Horsley [00:19]:
- Higher gasoline prices, driven by the ongoing war with Iran, are raising inflation and straining consumers, especially those with lower incomes.
- "If consumers have to pay more for every gallon of gas, that leaves less money in their pockets to spend on everything else." (Scott Horsley, 00:20)
- Consumers have not broadly reduced spending but are dipping into savings and using more credit.

2. Truth Social's Early-Access Service Raises Legal Red Flags

[00:44] Windsor Johnston reports on new concerns about President Trump's social media platform.
Bobby Allen [01:06]:
- Truth Social is offering an early API access product, “Truth API,” costing $100,000/month, providing investment banks and institutions with early access to Trump's postings.
- Trump's posts often contain market-moving news and hints on policy.
- Former SEC regulators warn the service may violate insider trading laws.
- Trump Media and Technology Group response: product offers “faster access to public information,” dismissing legal criticisms as "invented new theories of insider trading." (Trump Media & Technology spokesperson, paraphrased, 01:33)
- Trump earned over $2 billion while in office last year.

3. Ongoing Violence in Gaza Despite Claims of Progress

[01:49] Windsor Johnston updates on Gaza amid continued fighting.
Anas Baba [02:09]:
- Israeli strikes have killed 152 Palestinians, including 21 children, in recent attacks, per Gaza Health Ministry.
- Israel has expanded military control to over two-thirds of Gaza.
- U.S.-led efforts seek lasting ceasefire and new administration for Gaza.
- Recent airstrike hit medication warehouses; Israel claims (without evidence) these stored rifles.
- “The ministry says two warehouses were destroyed while the blast also damaged more than 200 tents sheltering displaced family nearby.” (Anas Baba, 02:27)
- Since the US-backed ceasefire in October, over 1,200 Palestinians have died.

4. France’s Wildfire Contained; Europe Faces Ongoing Fire Risks

[02:56] Nearly 200,000 evacuees return home in southwestern France after wildfire is contained.
- New wildfires have erupted elsewhere in France and Greece.
- Drought and heat still plague southern Europe.

5. U.S. Visa Service Consolidation in Africa

[03:31] Michael Kaloki gives details from Nairobi:
- U.S. consulates in 20+ African cities realign visa operations; affected applicants must now apply in major hubs like Accra (Ghana) or Nairobi (Kenya).
- Aim: improve security, efficiency, standardization in visa process.
- Similar consolidations successfully done in other countries.

6. Rare Total Solar Eclipse to Cross Spain in 2027

[04:11] Windsor Johnston highlights astronomical news:
- Next year, a total eclipse will cross mainland Spain (first time in over a century), Greenland, Iceland; totality up to 2m18s.
- Partial eclipse visible in much of Europe, North America, and West Africa.

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

“If consumers have to pay more for every gallon of gas, that leaves less money in their pockets to spend on everything else. And that's especially true for lower income households.”
— Scott Horsley, [00:20]
“Truth API offers an early feed of the president's Truth Social posts. ... the service appears to violate insider trading laws against misusing government information for private gain.”
— Bobby Allen, [01:09]
“The ministry says two warehouses were destroyed while the blast also damaged more than 200 tents sheltering displaced family nearby.”
— Anas Baba, [02:27]

Timestamps for Major Segments

[00:01] – U.S. GDP and economic outlook
[00:44] – Truth Social's investment feed & legal concerns
[01:49] – Gaza violence and ceasefire developments
[02:56] – France wildfire and European fire updates
[03:31] – U.S. visa service realignment in Africa
[04:11] – 2027 total solar eclipse announcement

This episode provides a concise yet comprehensive overview of fast-moving global and domestic affairs, illuminating economic pressures, legal controversies, humanitarian crises, and scientific events—capturing the complexity of today’s world in just five minutes.

Loading summary

Transcript10 lines

[00:01]
A
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. A new report from the Commerce department says the US gross domestic product grew at an annual pace of 1.5% during the spring quarter, slower growth than the economy saw last year. NPR's Scott Horsley reports.
[00:19]
B
If consumers have to pay more for every gallon of gas, that leaves less money in their pockets to spend on everything else. And that's especially true for lower income households. The war with Iran has caused higher inflation on average and people's wages are not keeping up with those higher prices. So far that has not forced most people to cut back on spending, but it has pushed them to dip into savings or put more of their spending on the credit card.
[00:45]
A
That's NPR's Scott Horsley reporting. President Trump's social media platform Truth Social has started selling an early access version of his post to investment banks and other institutions. As NPR's Bobby Allen reports, the service has raised alarm among legal experts and former Wall street regulators.
[01:07]
C
For $100,000 a month, Truth API offers an early feed of the president's Truth Social posts. Since Trump regularly uses his social media site to make news about the economy and world affairs or hints at government policy, the posts can move the stock market. Former regulators with the securities and Exchange Commission told NPR the service appears to violate insider trading laws against misusing government information for private gain. In response, a spokes for Trump Media and Technology Group said the new product gives customers faster access to public information, saying critics have, quote, invented new theories of insider trading to attack the president. Government disclosure showed Trump made more than $2 billion while in office last year. Bobby Allen, NPR News.
[01:49]
A
Violence continues in Gaza despite President Trump's announcement of what he called a breakthrough agreement for Hamas to disarm. The Gaza Health Ministry says Israeli strikes killed 152 Palestinians in, including 21 children. NPR's Anas Baba reports from Gaza City.
[02:10]
D
Israel continues to bomb across Gaza while expanding the territory under its military control to more than two thirds of the strip. Those operations have continued even as U S led efforts focus on securing a lasting ceasefire, Hamas, disarmament and a new administration for Gaza. The latest Israeli airstrike before dawn Saturday hit medication warehouses. Israel's military says the warehouses stored rifles without providing any evidence. The Gaza Health Ministry says two warehouses were destroyed while the blast also damaged more than 200 tents sheltering displaced family nearby. The ministry says more than 1,200 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks since the U S backed ceasefire reached last October. Eneas Babo, NPR News, Gaza city.
[02:56]
A
This is NPR News in Washington. Nearly 200,000 people are returning home in southwestern France after emergency crews contained a massive wildfire that broke out more than a week ago. New fires have broken out elsewhere in France and Greece as hot, dry conditions continue across much of southern Europe. Plans by the United States to reduce the number of locations that service visa operations in several African countries is taking effect. Michael Koloki reports from Nairobi.
[03:32]
E
And consulates in over 20 African cities are realigning their routine visa services. The affected locations include Lusaka in Zambia, Namibia's capital, Windhoek, and the South African city of Durban. Residents of those areas who wish to apply for a US visa will be required to apply through one of 20 designated visa locations, such as Ghana's capital, Accra, and Nairobi in Kenya, according to the State Department. The changes aim to strengthen national security by promoting more uniform screening, vetting and education standards, as well as improving efficiency. The department adds that realigning visa services to designated hubs has previously been carried out successfully in several African nations and in Europe as well. For NPR News, I'm Michael Kaloki in Nairobi.
[04:12]
A
For the first time in more than a century, a total solar eclipse will cross mainland Spain next summer. On August 12, daytime darkness will sweep across the Iberian Peninsula, along with parts of Greenland and Iceland, with totality lasting up to 2 minutes and 18 seconds. A partial eclipse will also be visible across Alaska, Canada, the northern U.S. much of Europe and West Africa. This is NPR News in Washington.
[04:41]
F
This message comes from Charles Schwab with their original podcast, Choiceology. Choiceology is a show about the psychology and economics behind people's decisions. Download the latest episode and subscribe@schwab.com podcast.