Senate Republicans advance Trump's tax and spending cuts bill after dramatic late-night vote

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans voted in a dramatic Saturday session, clearing a key procedural step as they race to pass President Donald Trump’s big bill of tax breaks, spending cuts and bolstered deportation funds by his July Fourth deadline. The vote tally was 51-49 but only after a tense night. Proceedings came to a standstill as senators huddled in negotiations on and off the floor for hours. There's still a long weekend of work to come. Republicans are using their majorities in Congress to push aside Democratic opposition. If the Senate can pass the bill in the days ahead, it would need to return to the House for more votes before it could reach the White House.

What's in the latest version of Trump's big bill now before the Senate

WASHINGTON (AP) — At some 940-pages, the legislation is a sprawling collection of tax breaks, spending cuts and other Republican priorities, including new money for national defense and deportations. Now it’s up to the Republican-controlled Congress to decide whether President Donald Trump’s signature’s domestic policy package will become law. Senators are working through the weekend to pass the bill and send it back to the House for a final vote. Democrats are united against it. The bill would make permanent many of the tax breaks passed in Trump's first term while adding new ones.

Israeli strikes kill at least 72 people in Gaza as ceasefire prospects move closer

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Health workers in Gaza say Israeli strikes killed at least 72 people across Gaza overnight and into Saturday. Relatives say the dead include a family with three children hit while sleeping in a tent city for the territory's many displaced people. Meanwhile, ceasefire prospects are said to be improving following 21 months of war. U.S. President Donald Trump says there could be an agreement within the next week. An official with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press that Israel’s minister for strategic affairs will arrive in Washington next week for talks on a ceasefire and other subjects. Israel broke the latest ceasefire in March.

Hundreds of thousands mourn top Iranian military commanders and scientists killed in Israeli strikes

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Hundreds of thousands of mourners gathered in Tehran for the funeral of top Iranian commanders and scientists killed in a 12-day war with Israel. The caskets of Revolutionary Guard chief Gen. Hossein Salami and missile program head Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh were paraded Saturday through the city. Israel targeted Iranian military leaders, scientists, and nuclear sites, claiming to have killed 30 commanders and 11 scientists. Iran fired over 550 missiles at Israel, most were intercepted. The conflict caused over 1,000 deaths, at least 417 civilians, according to the Washington-based Human Rights Activists group. Saturday marked the first public funerals since the ceasefire.

Democrats wrestle with how to conduct oversight as Trump officials crack down

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional Democrats are grappling with how to conduct oversight of the Trump administration after some colleagues were arrested and face charges for attempting to observe the administration's conduct. Lawmakers have increasingly reached out to researchers, local activists, lawmakers and business leaders to gain insights into the administration's actions. But Democrats concede that they have little ability to compel information from the Trump administration without gaining more power in Congress. Congressional Republicans have largely dismissed Democrats' behavior as inflammatory and inappropriate.

Chief Justice Roberts warns against heated political words about judges

WASHINGTON (AP) — Chief Justice John Roberts is warning that elected officials’ heated words about judges can lead to threats or acts of violence by others. Roberts' comments Saturday at a judicial conference come at a time when threats against judges are on the rise. Roberts didn't identify anyone by name. But he was clearly referring to Republican President Donald Trump and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer when he said he's felt compelled to issue public rebukes of figures in both parties in recent years. Roberts said the danger is that people might pick up on such criticism. He cited “serious threats of violence and murder of judges just simply for doing their work.”

Biden, Harris and Walz attend funeral for former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman has been honored at a funeral where former President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris attended. Hortman and her husband, Mark, were fatally shot two weeks ago by a man posing as a police officer. The attack also left a state senator and his wife seriously injured. Hortman, known for her impactful legislative work, was the first woman to lie in state at the Minnesota Capitol. Governor Tim Walz praised her dedication to public service. The suspect, Vance Boelter, remains in custody and faces charges that could lead to the federal death penalty.

Many forget the damage done by diseases like whooping cough, measles and rubella. Not these families

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — In the time before widespread vaccination, young children often lost their lives to devastating infectious diseases that ran rampant in America. Over the next century, vaccines virtually wiped out long-feared scourges like polio and measles and drastically reduced the toll of many others. Vaccine hesitancy grew as memories of these diseases faded. But some Americans know the reality of vaccine-preventable diseases all too well. Their lives were forever changed by rubella, measles, polio and whooping cough, and they clearly see the value of vaccines. Now, as preventable diseases begin to make a comeback, they long to spare others from similar pain.

At 100, this globetrotting Catholic priest still bakes pies, enjoys opera and celebrates daily Mass

BLUE BELL, Pa. (AP) — The Rev. James Kelly baptized and married thousands of people, ministered to the ill at hospitals, and traveled the world. He became friends with an opera superstar and with a saint. Kelly is the longest-serving priest in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. He recently celebrated the 75th anniversary of his ordination and his 100th birthday. He’s grateful and tries to make each day count. He listens to opera. He bakes pies. And he still wakes up at dawn every day to say Catholic Mass at the retired living community that he calls home.

‘Kisses yes, Bezos No,’ protesters say, as Bezos wedding bonanza stirs controversy in Venice

VENICE, Italy (AP) — Protesters in Venice have voiced strong opposition to Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez's extravagant wedding. On Saturday, hundreds marched through the city’s streets, criticizing the billionaire’s celebration as exploitative while residents face overtourism, high housing costs, and climate challenges. The couple’s three-day event included a private ceremony Friday with 200 celebrity guests, such as Oprah Winfrey and Leonardo DiCaprio. Protesters accused Bezos of “greenwashing” after his donation to environmental groups. Demonstrators carried banners reading “Kisses Yes, Bezos No,” contrasting the lavish festivities with Venice’s fragile environment and struggling citizens. The city defended the event, citing Venice’s history of hosting prominent figures.