Senate passes $9 billion in spending cuts

Army veteran detained by ICE, experimental embryos, and a cosmic first

ADVERTISEMENT View in Browser Policy changes, but facts endure. AP delivers accurate, fact-based journalism to keep the world informed in every administration. Support independent reporting today. Donate. By Sarah Naffa July 17, 2025 By Sarah Naffa July 17, 2025 In the news today: The Senate has passed about $9 billion in federal spending cuts requested by President Donald Trump; a U.S. Army veteran detained by ICE in a California farm raid warns it could happen to anyone; and eight babies were born in Britain with the help of an experimental technique that uses DNA from three people to avoid genetic disease. Also, scientists capture the birth of planets outside our solar system. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., talks with reporters outside the Senate chamber at the Capitol in Washington on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.) POLITICS Senate passes $9 billion in spending cuts to public broadcasting, foreign aid requested by Trump The Senate has passed about $9 billion in federal spending cuts requested by President Donald Trump, including deep reductions to public broadcasting and foreign aid, moving forward on one of the president's top priorities despite concerns from several Republican senators. The 51-48 vote came after 2 a.m. Thursday. The legislation now moves to the House. Read more. Why this matters: The legislation would claw back nearly $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which represents the full amount it's due to receive during the next two budget years. The corporation distributes more than 70% of the money to more than 1,500 locally operated public television and radio stations, with much of the remainder assigned to National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service to support national programming. The legislation would also claw back about $8 billion in foreign aid spending. Among the cuts are $800 million for a program that provides emergency shelter, water and sanitation and family reunification for those who flee their own countries and $496 million to provide food, water and health care for countries hit by natural disasters and conflicts. There is also a $4.15 billion cut for programs that aim to boost economies and democratic institutions in developing nations. Democrats argued the Trump administration's animus toward foreign aid programs would hurt America's standing in the world and create a vacuum for China to fill. It could also complicate efforts to pass additional spending bills this year, as Democrats and even some Republicans have argued they are ceding congressional spending powers to Trump with little idea of how the White House Office of Management and Budget would apply the cuts. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ 1.4M of the nation's poorest renters risk losing their homes with Trump's proposed HUD time limit   20 states sue FEMA for canceling grant program that guards against natural disasters   State Department layoffs affect key Trump priorities like intelligence, energy and China   Trump administration pulls $4B in federal funding for California's bullet train project   Bipartisan support helps foundations avoid tax increase in new Trump legislation   Justice Department fires Maurene Comey, prosecutor who worked on Epstein case and daughter of ex-FBI director   In their own words: Trump, Patel, Bongino and Bondi on the Epstein scandal   Urban League declares a 'state of emergency' for civil rights in the US in response to Trump   RFK Jr. and other Trump officials embrace psychedelics after FDA setback   Jill Biden aide invokes Fifth to decline testimony in Republican investigation   Trump hosts Persian Gulf leaders at White House as new violence raises questions about progress toward peace   US will build repair facilities for the Philippine navy near the disputed South China Sea   Nvidia CEO downplays role in lifting US ban on chip sales to China   Huckabee makes surprise visit to Netanyahu's trial   Federal court says Arkansas can enforce ban on critical race theory in classrooms   By the numbers: Wisconsin's race for governor   Trump says Coca-Cola will use real sugar in its US flagship drink. The company isn't confirming that   The online gunseller with Donald Trump Jr. on its board makes its market debut. Shares plunge   Vance rails against 'elites in Washington' promoting four-year college   WATCH: Pennsylvania residents react to Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' as Vance visits the state U.S. NEWS Army veteran and US citizen arrested in California immigration raid warns it could happen to anyone U.S. Army veteran George Retes, 25, who works as a security guard at Glass House Farms in Camarillo, said he was arriving at work on July 10 when several federal agents surrounded his car and — despite him identifying himself as a U.S. citizen — broke his window, pepper-sprayed him and dragged him out. Read more. Why this matters: Retes said federal agents never told him why he was arrested or allowed him to contact a lawyer or his family during his three-day detention. Authorities never let him shower or change clothes, even though he was covered in tear gas and pepper spray, Retes said, adding that his hands burned throughout the first night he spent in custody. On Sunday, an officer had him sign a paper and walked him out of the detention center. He said he was told he faced no charges. "They gave me nothing I could wrap my head around," Retes said, explaining that he was met with silence on his way out when he asked about being "locked up for three days with no reason and no charges." Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, confirmed Retes' arrest but didn't say on what charges. Retes said he plans to sue for wrongful detention. A federal judge on Friday ordered the Trump administration to halt indiscriminate immigration stops and arrests without warrants in seven California counties. Immigrant advocates accused federal agents of detaining people because they looked Latino. The Justice Department appealed on Monday and asked for the order to be stayed. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Federal lawsuit seeks to stop ICE agents from arresting people at immigration courts Nationwide protests planned against Trump's immigration crackdown and health care cuts What to know about the African kingdom of Eswatini, where the US sent 5 deportees HEALTH Healthy babies born in Britain after scientists used DNA from three people to avoid genetic disease Eight healthy babies were born in Britain with the help of an experimental technique that uses DNA from three people to help mothers avoid passing devastating rare diseases to their children, researchers reported Wednesday. Read more. What to know: Using this method means the embryo has DNA from three people — from the mother's egg, the father's sperm and the donor's mitochondria — and it required a 2016 U.K. law change to approve it. It is also allowed in Australia but not in many other countries, including the U.S. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Researchers try new ways of preserving more hearts for transplants A martial art that emerged among the enslaved in Brazil is helping Parkinson's patients Choking is a major risk for older adults. Here's how to prevent it ADVERTISEMENT IN OTHER NEWS READ 7.3 magnitude quake: Brief Alaska tsunami warning after powerful earthquake Pakistan: Heavy monsoon rains kill 54 people in 24 hours Iraq: A fire at a newly opened mall kills more than 60 people New prime minister: Zelenskyy shakes up Ukrainian Cabinet to reinvigorate war effort Audun Groenvold: Norwegian Olympic ski cross medalist dies after being struck by lightning Athletes walk the red carpet: High fashion at the ESPY awards show Today in History: In 1918, Russia's Czar Nicholas II and his family were executed by the Bolsheviks WATCH AP Explains: Email error sparked secret scramble to bring Afghans to Britain Cosmic first: Scientists spy the birth of planets outside solar system A CHANGE OF PACE A mine detection rat with the demining organization APOPO works in a landmine field in Siem Reap, Cambodia, in June. (AP Photo/Anton L. Delgado) Meet the rats sniffing out landmines in Cambodia In Cambodia, teams of the not-so-little critters have become indispensable in helping specialists detect land mines that have killed and maimed thousands in the Southeast Asian country. Please let us know what you think of this newsletter. You can sign up for more and invite a friend here. For news in real time visit APNews.com. - Sarah Please let us know what you think of this newsletter. You can sign up for more and invite a friend here. For news in real time visit APNews.com. - Sarah SUPPORT THE AP. DONATE. Manage preferences or unsubscribe | Privacy Policy *Advertisers have no control over editorial decisions or content. If you're interested in advertising, contact us here. ADVERTISEMENT