Kevin Warsh Sworn In as US Federal Reserve Chair
Warsh will lead the central bank at a time when its independence has come under scrutiny amid political pressure. Kevin Warsh has been sworn in as the new chair of the United States Federal Reserve Board of Governors, succeeding Jerome Powell, who has held the position since 2018. Warsh took the oath of office on
Planned Parenthood Offers ‘Just In Case’ Abortion Pills
The Planned Parenthood clinic in Pullman, Washington. Abortion pills will be offered in advance for future use at Planned Parenthood clinics in Washington state and Hawaii. Don and Melinda Crawford/Universal Images Group via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Don and Melinda Crawford/Universal Images Group via Getty Images When abortion restrictions are in the news
Fewer Storms Predicted, But Risk of Destructive Hurricanes Remains
People walk past damage from Hurricane Melissa in Black River, Jamaica on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. Federal forecasters predict 8 to 14 named storms, including tropical storms and hurricanes, will form in the Atlantic in 2026. Matias Delacroix/AP hide caption toggle caption Matias Delacroix/AP Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center expect slightly fewer storms than
Lebanon’s First Responders: Duty Amid Relentless Loss
The father of Hussein Jaber, who was killed in an Israeli strike on Nabatieh, in southern Lebanon, on May 12, cries during the funeral ceremony in Sidon the following day. Diego Ibarra Sánchez/for NPR hide caption toggle caption Diego Ibarra Sánchez/for NPR SIDON, Lebanon — In this southern Lebanese city, Nareej Ramal is weeping in
Can Starship’s Redesign Make or Break SpaceX’s IPO?
SpaceX's latest version of it's mega rocket Starship goes through testing as it is prepared for a test flight from Starbase, Texas, Wednesday, May 20, 2026. Eric Gay/AP hide caption toggle caption Eric Gay/AP As SpaceX prepares for its public offering, it's undergoing a critical test of the largest rocket ever built. Later on Thursday
Women Challenging Public Smoking in China
These women are trying to change Chinese smoking culture Despite public smoking bans in a number of Chinese cities, smoking is still a big thing — mainly among men. Johannes Eisele/AFP/via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Johannes Eisele/AFP/via Getty Images Hilda Wang scolds smokers and posts videos of the encounters. She says she's a
Walmart to Use Tariff Refunds to Lower Prices Amid Gas Pain
A customer shops at Walmart in Little Rock, Ark. Will Newton/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Will Newton/Getty Images Stay up to date with our Up First newsletter sent every weekday morning. Walmart will likely put its tariff refunds toward lowering store prices, executives said on Thursday, as they described shoppers who are increasingly anxious
Can Collins’ Federal Funding Win Her Re‑Election?
Campaign signs sit next to a road in Rockport, Maine. Graham Platner is expected to be the Democratic nominee and would face off against incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins in the general election. Joe Raedle/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Joe Raedle/Getty Images The outcome of a pivotal Senate race in Maine could hinge on
GOP Rushes Immigration Funding; U.S. Indicts Raúl Castro
Republicans Push Immigration Funding, Trump Gives Iran More Time, Castro Charged Good morning. You're reading the Up First newsletter. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox, and listen to the Up First podcast for all the news you need to start your day. Today's top stories Republicans in Congress are racing to approve
Researchers Say Trump Administration Is Undermining Science
Harvard professor Sean Eddy, whose federal funding was terminated by the Trump administration last year, describes the loss as a "10-year hit to a lab." Jodi Hilton for NPR hide caption toggle caption Jodi Hilton for NPR Standing in his laboratory, Harvard professor Sean Eddy gazes at a row of vacant work stations. More than