NPR News: July 17, 2025 | 5 AM EDT
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Foreign Aid Cuts Approved by the Senate
In a significant move, the Senate has approved a Trump administration request to reduce foreign aid and funding by $9 billion. Amy Held reports:
"Senators held a rapid fire run through of amendments to the package of cuts known as rescission that the White House sent to Congress last month." [00:32]
The proposed amendments by Democrats, which aimed to preserve funds for public broadcasting, were largely rejected along party lines. Notably, the Senate removed cuts to PEPFAR (the George W. Bush-era U.S. AIDS Relief Program), ensuring continued support for combating AIDS globally. This decision sends the bill back to the House for a final vote before the Friday deadline.
Bipartisan Legislation to Assist Veterans Facing Foreclosure
Highlighting a rare instance of bipartisan cooperation, Congress has passed new legislation aimed at preventing thousands of veterans from losing their homes to foreclosure. Amy Held introduces the segment, with Chris Arnold providing detailed insights:
"The bill, which is expected to be signed by President Trump, directs the VA to stand up a safety net for vets who've fallen behind on their mortgages." [01:21]
Under this legislation, eligible veterans can defer missed mortgage payments, placing them at the end of their loan terms. This measure addresses previous inconsistencies where veterans with VA loans lacked access to such relief options, especially following a 2022 mishap by the Biden administration that left many veterans at risk. Industry and housing groups have expressed relief, anticipating that the new law will safeguard thousands of veterans against foreclosure.
Weather and Natural Disasters
Flood Watch Issued for Southern Louisiana
A tropical storm system approaching the Gulf Coast has triggered a flood watch for southern Louisiana. Amy Held updates listeners on the situation:
"Thousands of sandbags are being distributed in New Orleans, where Mayor Latoya Cantrell says the flood risk goes on into the weekend." [02:06]
Mayor Latoya Cantrell emphasized the ongoing threat:
"I have been seeing firsthand… how other cities have been impacted by rainfall just in the past couple of days." [02:20]
Residents are urged to remain vigilant and prepare for potential flooding through the weekend.
Wildfires Rage in Oregon and Arizona
Oregon's Governor Tina Kotek has declared a state of emergency as wildfires continue to devastate the region:
"The fire risk is only increasing amid hot and dry weather." [02:38]
A particularly destructive wildfire in Arizona has consumed over 11,000 acres, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge, and remains entirely uncontained. Nationwide, more than 100 large fires are actively burning without containment, exacerbating concerns over air quality and safety.
Lightning Strikes Claim Lives in New Jersey
Tragic incidents involving lightning strikes have occurred recently in New Jersey. Amy Held reports:
A 61-year-old man was killed, and 13 others were injured during a lightning strike at an archery club in southern New Jersey. Jackson Township police noted that approximately half of the injured were children from a scout group. Additionally, a 28-year-old succumbed to injuries from a lightning strike at a northern New Jersey golf tournament held the previous week. The National Weather Service states that the U.S. averages over 19 lightning fatalities annually. Officials advise seeking shelter when caught outdoors during thunderstorms, as lightning strikes are more prevalent during the warmer summer months.
British Scientists Achieve Breakthrough with Three-Parent Babies
In groundbreaking research, British scientists have successfully created "three-parent babies" to prevent severe inherited mitochondrial disorders. Rob Stein elaborates:
"Doctors at Newcastle University say they helped families plagued by rare but often terrible inherited diseases known as mitochondrial disorders give birth to eight apparently healthy babies." [04:02]
The technique involves combining most of the parents' genes with a small amount of healthy mitochondrial DNA from a donor egg, resulting in a healthy child with genetic material from three individuals. While hailed as a significant advancement in preventing inherited diseases, some critics express concerns about the potential for "designer babies" and ethical implications surrounding genetic modifications.
Market Update
Asian stock markets show mixed performance, while European markets are trading on a higher note. Amy Held provides a brief overview:
"Asian shares are mixed, European markets trading higher." [04:50]
This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the NPR News Now episode released on July 17, 2025. For the latest updates, continue listening to NPR.