The Trump administration's decision to slash nearly all U.S. foreign aid has left dozens of water and sanitation projects half-finished across the globe, creating new hazards for some of the people they were designed to benefit, Reuters has found.

Taita-Taveta County

Dozens of water and sanitation projects funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) have been left incomplete following significant foreign aid cuts by the Trump administration. In southern Kenya, an unfinished irrigation canal now poses a risk to local farmers, while in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the cancellation of a planned reservoir has forced residents to travel long distances for water, exposing them to danger.

Reuters identified 21 unfinished projects in 16 countries, with hundreds of millions of dollars in funding canceled. While the Trump administration argues that U.S. funds should prioritize domestic needs, the halted projects have had serious consequences for vulnerable communities. The U.S. State Department did not comment on the impact of these decisions.

Trump funding cut stalls water projects, raising risk for millions

In a rural part of southern Kenya, what was meant to be a nearly two-mile-long irrigation canal sits unfinished. Building materials are abandoned, and a sign proudly declares this project was funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID. The canal was meant to deliver water to farmers and to prevent devastating flooding that had plagued this area. But left unfinished, what little has been done actually poses a risk. Juma Kobo is a local community leader. It will collapse. If nothing is done any time sooner, it's going to collapse. And the flow of water, with the destruction of some of the previous infrastructure, it will lead to more destruction to farms and to homes. Reuters has found that the Trump administration's decision to slash nearly all U.S. foreign aid has left dozens of water and sanitation projects half-finished across the globe. 21 unfinished projects in 16 countries have been identified after speaking to 17 sources familiar with the infrastructure plans. Most of these projects have not been previously reported. Interviews and internal documents show that with hundreds of millions of dollars in funding canceled since January, workers have put down their shovels and left holes half-dug and building supplies unguarded. The Trump administration and its supporters argue that the United States should spend its money to benefit Americans at home rather than sending it abroad. With an annual budget of $450 million, the U.S. water projects accounted for a small fraction of the $61 billion in foreign aid distributed by the United States last year. But it was money that had potentially life-saving consequences in places like Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. In an area where fighting between Congolese forces and M23 rebels has claimed thousands of lives, women and children hike for dangerous miles to wash clothes and collect water. A hydrant here was built with USAID funding, but plans for a larger reservoir have been scrapped. Evelyn Mbaswa said her 16-year-old son left home last week to collect water. He never returned. The children leave the house as early as 4 a.m. and return home around 5 p.m. without a drop of water. When we send young girls, they are raped. When we send young boys, they are kidnapped. I lost a boy a week ago, and he's still missing without a trace. It's all because of the lack of water. The U.S. State Department, which has taken over foreign aid from USAID, did not respond to a request for comment about the impact of halting the water projects.

Astronomer CEO Andy Byron, seen in a viral “kiss cam” video embracing an employee at a Coldplay concert, has resigned, the company says in a LinkedIn post.

Boston

Astronomer CEO resigns after viral incident at Coldplay concert

Stacey Williams, a former Sports Illustrated model who briefly dated Jeffrey Epstein speaks with CNN’s Brianna Keilar and describes Epstein’s relationship with Donald Trump. She also alleges Trump once groped her in 1993, but he denies the claim.

New York

Epstein’s ex-girlfriend describes alleged incident with Trump

A vehicle rammed into a crowd of people waiting to enter an East Hollywood nightclub, injuring 30, seven of them critically, in Los Angeles on Saturday morning. Authorities say bystanders attacked the driver, who also sustained a gunshot wound.

West Hollywood

Driver crashes into line of people in Hollywood, police say he was shot

President Trump is suing the Wall Street Journal for $20 billion in damages. The paper reported that he sent a risqué birthday letter to Jeffrey Epstein for his 50th birthday. Willie James Inman has the latest.

Washington

Trump sues over Wall Street Journal report linking him to Jeffrey Epstein

A boat full of tourists capsized during a storm in one of the country's most iconic tourist destinations, leaving at least 34 dead and eight missing. Rescue efforts continue as a new tropical storm approaches.

Hạ Long Bay

Dozens drown after tourist boat capsizes in Ha Long Bay

United States President Donald Trump has filed a defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal and its owners, including Rupert Murdoch over the publication of a bombshell report on the president’s friendship with the infamous high-society sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Trump sues Wall Street Journal, Rupert Murdoch over Epstein story

The agreement comes after intense clashes displaced tens of thousands of people and contributed to a worsening humanitarian crisis in a region still recovering from over a decade of brutal civil war.

As Suwayda

Middle East Conflict

U.S. says Israel-Syria agree to ceasefire, clashes continue in Sweida

President Trump announced that he is suing the publisher and owner of the Wall Street Journal, media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, and others in a $10 billion libel lawsuit.

Trump sues WSJ publisher, Rupert Murdoch over Epstein letter story

Ukraine has appointed a new prime minister, 39-year-old Yulia Svyrydenko, as part of a sweeping government reshuffle announced by President Volodymyr Zelenkskyy. This marks the most significant political shift since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.

Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

Yulia Svyrydenko takes charge as Ukraine's new prime minister

Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, currently on trial at the Supreme Court, has been ordered to wear an electronic ankle monitor. Bolsonaro is accused of leading an alleged attempt to stage a coup to overturn the 2022 election.

Rio de Janeiro

Brazil's Bolsonaro ordered to wear ankle monitor

At least three deputies were killed after an explosion at a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department training facility, officials said. Attorney General Pam Bondi said federal agents were at the scene.

Los Angeles

Three killed in explosion at L.A. County Sheriff's Department facility

The UK's Labour Party has passed a landmark electoral reform, aligning with Scotland and Wales in lowering the voting age from 18 to 16. The change fulfills a key promise by the ruling party but garnered criticism from the Conservative Party.

London

UK lowers voting age from 18 to 16 in historic electoral reform

The U.S. House of Representatives approved a rescissions package to slash $9 billion in foreign aid and public broadcasting funding, sending the bill to President Donald Trump's desk.

U.S. House passes $9 billion cut to foreign aid, public broadcasting

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday night ordered Attorney General Pam Bondi to help facilitate the release of grand jury transcripts related to Jeffrey Epstein as the administration faces pressure to share more materials on the case.

Trump orders release of Epstein-related grand jury transcripts

The European Union has agreed to impose a new round of sanctions against Russia, targeting the country's energy and financial sectors in a bid to tighten the screws on the Kremlin's war machine and force a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine.

Moscow

EU imposes new sanctions on Russia's oil and banks

U.S. President Donald Trump denies writing a letter signed 'Donald' beneath a nude sketch in Jeffrey Epstein’s 50th birthday album, details of which were published by the Wall Street Journal. The letter is now under review by the U.S. Justice Department.

Trump denies writing crude letter to Jeffrey Epstein

Following a call with President Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a rare apology, saying the only Catholic church in Gaza was hit by stray ammunition. The blast killed three civilians. Ramy Inocencio reports.

Jerusalem

Netanyahu apologizes for deadly strike on Catholic church in Gaza

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has suggested that TSA may soon end its restrictions on liquids in carry-on bags.

TSA may eliminate liquid restrictions on planes

A Tennessee judge on Thursday set Kilmar Abrego Garcia's criminal trial date for January 27, 2026. Abrego Garcia is facing human smuggling charges. CBS News justice correspondent Scott MacFarlane reports.

Tennessee

Judge sets Kilmar Abrego Garcia's criminal trial date for January 2026

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday that President Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency.

Trump diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency

Black-box recording indicates that the flight's captain switched off fuel flow to both engines of the recently crashed Air India airplane, according to media reports on Wednesday, citing preliminary U.S. assessment of evidence.

Ahmedabad

Flight captain switched off fuel flow to engines in Air India crash

The Department of Justice has fired Maurene Comey, a federal prosecutor and the daughter of ex-FBI director James Comey. This comes as the White House tries to mitigate demands for the Jeffrey Epstein files to be released.

DOJ fires Maurene Comey, who helped prosecute Jeffrey Epstein

The Senate approved a $9.4 billion rescissions request, sending it back to the House of Representatives for approval.

Senate approves spending cuts to foreign aid, public broadcasting

Israel has faced international condemnation over its three days of airstrikes in Syria. The European Union and the United Nations have called for a return to calm, while Iran has urged countries in the region to respond against Israel.

Damascus

World reacts to Israeli attacks on Syria’s Damascus

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz makes his first state visit to the United Kingdom to sign a historic defence cooperation treaty—the first of its kind between Germany and Britain since the Second World War. The agreement includes plans for joint defence efforts, boosting economic collaboration, and tackling illegal migration.

Germany and UK seal historic defence pact

Donald Trump says American-made weapons bought by NATO are being shipped to Ukraine. Trump's also threatening sanctions, saying his aim is to force Putin to negotiate an end to the war. But with Ukraine under nightly attack, there’s scepticism over whether he'll achieve anything.

U.S. ships NATO purchased Patriot missiles to Ukraine

Syria condemns Israel for fatal strikes on several government buildings in Damascus. The escalation threatens to disrupt new U.S.-brokered security talks between Israel and Syria, with both sides expressing concerns over stability in the region.

Israeli airstrikes on Syria threaten security talks

U.S. President Donald Trump is still dealing with fallout from his own supporters over his administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. CBS News Department of Justice reporter Jake Rosen has more.

Trump says Epstein conspiracy theory is hoax started by Democrats

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said that she spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and that the two had agreed to strengthen trade collaboration, particularly in light of the tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump set to go in effect on August 1.

Mexico City

Global Tariffs

Mexico plans to strengthen trade with Canada

Former President Barack Obama joined his wife, former first lady Michelle Obama, on her latest podcast episode with her brother Craig Robinson to address divorce rumors.

Breakdown