Good morning. You are studying the Up First e-newsletter. Subscribe right here to get it delivered to your inbox, and listen to the Up First podcast for all of the information it’s essential begin your day.
As we speak’s prime tales
The Senate authorised laws early this morning to rescind $9 billion in federal funding for NPR, PBS, their member stations and international help packages. Senate Majority Chief John Thune, R-S.D., famous that it has been over 30 years since a rescission bundle was handed. The Home is expected to vote on the rescission package later at present. If it passes, will probably be a win for President Trump and DOGE’s effort to slash general authorities spending.
Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., arrives to talk with reporters about Senate Republicans’ efforts to claw again $1.1 billion of funding authority from the Company for Public Broadcasting and about $8.3 billion from international help packages focused by DOGE, on the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, July 15, 2025.
J. Scott Applewhite/AP
disguise caption
toggle caption
J. Scott Applewhite/AP
- 🎧 Democrats have referred to as it a darkish day, stating that the invoice will hurt People who depend on public broadcasting and injury the U.S.’s status as a worldwide chief, NPR’s Deirdre Walsh tells Up First. The general bundle was slimmed down from $9.4 billion by eradicating a proposed $400 million minimize to PEPFAR, a worldwide public well being program created to fight HIV and AIDS that each Republicans and Democrats argue has been profitable. Alaska’s Lisa Murkowski, one among two Republican senators who voted towards the rescission, cited an emergency alert from an Alaska public radio station Wednesday afternoon for instance of what’s at stake if stations lose federal cash.
Be aware: Below NPR’s protocol for reporting on itself, no company official or information govt reviewed this story earlier than it was posted publicly.
Trump says he hasn’t dominated out firing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, forward of the top of his time period in Could. The president has change into more and more annoyed with Powell for months for not decreasing rates of interest. The Fed has been cautious about rates of interest as a result of it’s evaluating the impact of the president’s tariffs on inflation. Nevertheless, Trump says Powell’s resolution to not decrease charges is hurting the financial system.
- 🎧 NPR’s Deepa Shivaram says Trump might fireplace Powell, however provided that there’s official trigger, equivalent to fraud. The Supreme Courtroom dominated in Could that the president might fireplace heads of impartial businesses with out trigger, however it put the Fed in a unique class, calling it a “uniquely structured, quasi-private entity.” Paul Schiff Berman, a legislation professor at George Washington College, says it is potential the Supreme Courtroom would go together with no matter trigger Trump might present for firing Powell. Nevertheless, Berman says he thinks the damage has already been done to maintain the Federal Reserve an impartial entity.
The United Nations Safety Council will meet at present to debate the battle within the Center East. The assembly comes after Israel launched airstrikes yesterday into Syria’s capital of Damascus. The strikes hit the Defense Ministry headquarters and have been near the presidential palace. This was a big escalation towards Syria’s new authorities that took energy on the finish of a protracted civil conflict.
- 🎧 Israel says it hit Syrian army positions to assist militias from the Druze minority in a battle that is unfolding in Sweida in southern Syria. Interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has accused Israel of sowing division and attempting to turn his country into a theater of chaos. NPR’s Ruth Sherlock says that Israel’s resolution to intervene is deeply strategic. Israel would not belief al-Sharaa’s authorities, which is Islamist and would not need its Syrian military to get nearer to the Israeli border.
As we speak’s pay attention
The songs made by Moist Leg, fronted by Rhian Teasdale (left) and Hester Chambers sound like they arrive from nowhere, and in addition in every single place.
Hollie Fernando/Courtesy of the artist
disguise caption
toggle caption
Hollie Fernando/Courtesy of the artist
The songs made by Moist Leg, fronted by Rhian Teasdale (left) and Hester Chambers sound like they arrive from nowhere, and in addition in every single place.
Hollie Fernando/Courtesy of the artist
The snarky indie-rock band Moist Leg burst onto the music scene three years in the past when it launched “Chaise Longue.” The tune led to prompt, worldwide recognition and invites to play main festivals. The band then recorded its debut album, which earned two Grammy awards. Now, Moist Leg is following up its spectacular debut with a second album, Moisturizer. The band’s singer, Rhian Teasdale, spoke with Morning Version about how the brand new music reveals a softer facet whereas sustaining a playful angle. Hearken to Teasdale talk about the band’s music and rise to fame — in addition to snippets from the new album.
Deep dive
Newly-minted graduates are additionally encountering some storm clouds within the job market.
Spencer Platt/Getty Pictures
disguise caption
toggle caption
Support Greater and Subscribe to view content
This is premium stuff. Subscribe to read the entire article.
