Connect with us

News

Stock markets fall over tariff concerns. And, fentanyl deaths drop in every state

Published

on

Stock markets fall over tariff concerns. And, fentanyl deaths drop in every state

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

The U.S. stock market fell again yesterday, leaving investors worried that President Trump’s tariffs could slow down the economy and potentially lead to a recession. The Dow, which tracks 30 major U.S. companies, fell 890 points, or nearly 2.1%, yesterday. The S&P fell by 2.7% and the Nasdaq slumped 4%.

A trader works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) at the opening bell in New York City on March 10, 2025.

Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images


hide caption

Advertisement

toggle caption

Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images

  • 🎧 Investors began to worry when Trump didn’t rule out the possibility of a recession during an interview with Fox News anchor Maria Bartiromo. His statement came after tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China went into effect. One of the big concerns over tariffs is that they could significantly hike consumer prices, which would contribute to inflation and hurt the economy, NPR’s Maria Aspan tells Up First. The back and forth with tariff policy has created a lot of swings in the stock market and that volatility makes it hard for consumers and investors to plan.

A federal judge in New York has ordered the government not to deport Mahmoud Khalil, who was arrested Saturday by ICE officers. Khalil, a lawful permanent U.S. resident and recent Columbia University graduate, participated in college protests against the Israel-Gaza war. He was sent to a detention center in Louisiana to await deportation.

  • 🎧 Khalil’s attorneys filed a habeas corpus petition in federal court in New York challenging his arrest, NPR’s Ryland Barton says. That hearing is expected tomorrow. His lawyers also say that his transfer to Louisiana undermines his ability to access legal counsel and family. Trump posted on social media that Khalil’s arrest was the first of many. Khalil’s attorneys say he is being used as an example by the Trump administration to stifle lawful dissent, which violates the First Amendment.

For the first time, every U.S. state and the District of Columbia have seen at least some recovery from the fentanyl crisis, as the deadliest phase appears to have ended. A new analysis of the U.S. overdose data by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill shows that a decline in the death toll linked to the drug began much earlier than once understood. The findings suggest improvements may be sustainable. Drug overdose deaths in the U.S. dropped to 87,000 from October 2023 to September 2024, down from around 114,000 the previous year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Here’s a state-by-state breakdown of the drop in overdose deaths from when they peaked.

Deep dive

Attendees applaud as Brad Schimel announces his run for Wisconsin State Supreme Court on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023, in Waukesha, Wis.

Attendees applaud as Brad Schimel announces his run for Wisconsin State Supreme Court on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023, in Waukesha, Wis.

Angela Major/WPR

Advertisement


hide caption

toggle caption

Angela Major/WPR

Advertisement

All eyes are on Wisconsin this year. A spring election has attracted significant donations as control of the state’s Supreme Court hangs in the balance. Voters may feel déja vu: Two years ago, two candidates competed for an open seat in a high-profile court race, drawing attention nationwide. Interest groups contributed millions of dollars to influence the outcome. Early predictions indicate that the current race is set to be more expensive than the 2023 election. Here’s why state Supreme Court races can be so costly and combative:

  • ⚖️ The U.S. has been electing judges since the 1840s. In the 1980s, after an era of pro-consumer legal changes to tort law, elected judges began to attract pro-business donors.
  • ⚖️ 2000 marked another change: the first TV ads for judicial races, which occurred five decades after the U.S.’ first political ad.
  • ⚖️ The topic of abortion revved voters up during Wisconsin’s spring 2023 election. During that cycle, groups and donors poured in an estimated $56 million to the high court race. Abortion has repeatedly motivated high-cost court races.
  • ⚖️ Legal experts warn that it can be dangerous after judges emerge after expensive races, because they sometimes decide on cases involving donors to their campaign.

Living better

Stressless_3_9.jpg

Living Better is a special series about what it takes to stay healthy in America.

When you recall someone doing something kind for you or vice versa, the memory likely brings you joy. Jessica Borelli, a professor of psychological science at University of California, Irvine, developed a technique called relational savoring to encourage people to reflect deeply on meaningful moments. The practice helps people feel more secure in relationships and has been linked to increased well-being and decreased negative moods. Here are some ways to practice relational savoring:

  • 🥰 Plan ahead for spending time with loved ones. Going to an event with the goal of creating lasting family memories will put you in the right mindset to do so.
  • 🥰 Imagine it is years in the future, and you are spending time with someone you have seen grow up. Then, travel back to the present moment. What was already special will become imbued with even more meaning.
  • 🥰 Capture how things look, sound, smell, taste and feel in the moment. This makes it easier to recall and relive a positive experience later. Taking photos can also help.

3 things to know before you go

Fire and rescue services attend after a collision between oil tanker MV Stena Immaculate and the cargo vessel MV Solong off the coast of the Humber Estuary on Monday.

Fire and rescue services attend after a collision between oil tanker MV Stena Immaculate and the cargo vessel MV Solong off the coast of the Humber Estuary on Monday.

Getty Images/Getty Images Europe


hide caption

Advertisement

toggle caption

Getty Images/Getty Images Europe

  1. Jet fuel is leaking into the North Sea after a U.S.-flagged fuel tanker collided with a container ship off Britain’s coast. Authorities say 37 people have been brought to shore.
  2. Ellen Wyoming DeLoy was taking Portland, Ore.’s light rail system home one night about 15 years ago. While exiting the station, she heard a persistent ringing noise from the train. The conductor, her unsung hero, alerted her to a man who was following her.
  3. Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen yesterday introduced a bill named the “Harriet Tubman Tribute Act of 2025.” The proposed legislation calls for the Treasury secretary to include Tubman’s face on all $20 bills printed after Dec. 31, 2030, renewing efforts to replace President Andrew Jackson.

This newsletter was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.

Advertisement

News

Senate Adopts GOP Budget, Laying the Groundwork to Fund ICE and Reopen DHS

Published

on

Senate Adopts GOP Budget, Laying the Groundwork to Fund ICE and Reopen DHS

The Senate early Thursday morning adopted a Republican budget blueprint that would pave the way for a $70 billion increase for immigration enforcement and the eventual reopening of the Department of Homeland Security.

Republicans pushed through the plan on a nearly party-line vote of 50 to 48. It came after an overnight marathon of rapid-fire votes, known as a vote-a-rama, in which the G.O.P. beat back a series of Democratic proposals aimed at addressing the high cost of health care, housing, food and energy. The debate put the two parties’ dueling messages on vivid display six months before the midterm elections.

Republicans, who are using the budget plan to lay the groundwork to eventually push through a filibuster-proof bill providing a multiyear funding stream for President Trump’s immigration crackdown, used the all-night session to highlight their hard-line stance on border security, seeking to portray Democrats as unwilling to safeguard the country.

Democrats tried and failed to add a series of changes aimed at addressing cost-of-living issues, seizing the opportunity to hammer Republicans as out of touch with and unwilling to act on the concerns of everyday Americans.

Here’s what to know about the budget plan and the nocturnal ritual senators engaged in before adopting it.

Advertisement

The budget blueprint is a crucial piece of Republicans’ plan to fund the Department of Homeland Security and end a shutdown that has lasted for more than two months. After Democrats refused to fund immigration enforcement without new restrictions on agents’ tactics and conduct, the G.O.P. struck a deal with them to pass a spending bill that would fund everything but ICE and the Border Patrol. Republicans said they would fund those agencies through a special budget bill that Democrats could not block.

“We can fix this with Republican votes, and we will,” said Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina and the Budget Committee chairman. “Every Democrat has opposed money for the Border Patrol and ICE at a time of great peril.”

In resorting to a new budget blueprint, Republicans laid the groundwork to deny Democrats a chance to stop the immigration enforcement funding. But they also submitted themselves to a vote-a-rama, in which any senator can propose unlimited changes to such a measure before it is adopted.

The budget measure now goes to the House, which must adopt it before lawmakers in both chambers can draft the legislation funding immigration enforcement. That bill will provide yet another opportunity for a vote-a-rama even closer to the November election.

Democrats took to the floor to criticize Republicans for supercharging funding for federal immigration enforcement rather than moving legislation that would address Americans’ concerns over affordability.

Advertisement

“This is what Republicans are fighting for,” said Senator Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York and the Democratic leader. “To maintain two unchecked rogue agencies that are dreaded in all corners of this country instead of reducing your health care costs, your housing costs, your grocery costs, your gas costs.”

Democrats offered a host of amendments along those lines, all of which were defeated by Republicans — and that was the point. The proposals were meant to put the G.O.P. in a tough political spot, showcasing their opposition to helping Americans afford high living costs. Fewer than a handful of G.O.P. senators crossed party lines to support them.

The G.O.P. thwarted an effort by Mr. Schumer to require that the budget measure lower out-of-pocket health care costs for Americans. Two Republicans who are up for re-election this year, Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Dan Sullivan of Alaska, voted with Democrats, but the proposal was still defeated.

Republicans also squelched a move by Senator Ben Ray Lujan, Democrat of New Mexico, to create a fund that would lower grocery costs and reverse cuts to food aid programs that Republicans enacted last year. Ms. Collins and Mr. Sullivan again joined Democrats.

Also defeated by the G.O.P.: a proposal by Senator John Hickenlooper, Democrat of Colorado, to address rising consumer prices brought on by Mr. Trump’s tariffs and the war in Iran; one by Senator Edward J. Markey, Democrat of Massachusetts, to require the budget measure to address rising electricity prices, and another by Mr. Markey to create a fund to bring down housing costs.

Advertisement

Senator Jon Ossoff, a Democrat who is up for re-election in Georgia, also sought to add language requiring the budget plan to address health insurance companies denying or delaying access to care, but that, too was blocked by Republicans.

While Republicans had fewer proposals for changes to their own budget plan, they also sought to offer measures that would underscore their aggressive stance on immigration enforcement and dare Democrats to vote against them.

Mr. Graham offered an amendment to allocate funds toward a deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to the apprehension and deportation of adult immigrants convicted of rape, murder, or sexual abuse of a minor after illegally entering the United States. It passed unanimously.

Senator Josh Hawley, Republican of Missouri, sought to bar Medicaid payments to Planned Parenthood, which provides abortion and other services, and criticized the organization for providing transgender care to minors. Senator John Kennedy, Republican of Louisiana, also attempted to tack on the G.O.P. voter identification bill, known as the SAVE America Act. Both proposals were blocked when Democrats, joined by a few Republicans, voted to strike them as unrelated to the budget plan.

The Republicans who crossed party lines to oppose their own party’s proposals for new voting requirements were Ms. Collins along with Senators Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Thom Tillis of North Carolina.

Advertisement

Ms. Collins and Ms. Murkowski also opposed the effort to block payments to Planned Parenthood.

Continue Reading

News

Who is John Phelan, the US Navy Secretary fired by Pete Hegseth?

Published

on

Who is John Phelan, the US Navy Secretary fired by Pete Hegseth?

The firing of US Navy Secretary John Phelan is the latest in a shakeup of the American military during the war on Iran, now in its eighth week.

The Pentagon said Phelan would leave office immediately.

Recommended Stories

list of 3 itemsend of list

“On behalf of the Secretary of War and Deputy Secretary of War, we are grateful to Secretary Phelan for his service to the Department and the United States Navy,” said chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell. “We wish him well in his future endeavours”.

His firing comes at a critical moment, with US naval forces enforcing a blockade on Iranian ports and ships, and maintaining a heavy presence around the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas passes during peacetime.

Although the Pentagon gave no official reason for the dismissal, reports indicate the decision was linked to internal disputes, including tensions with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Advertisement

Phelan’s removal is part of a broader pattern of dismissals and restructuring within the US military under President Donald Trump’s administration – including during the current war.

So, who is John Phelan, and what impact could his firing have on US military strategy?

Who is John Phelan?

As the US Navy’s top civilian official, Phelan had various responsibilities, including overseeing recruiting, mobilising and organising, as well as construction and repair of ships and military equipment.

He was appointed in 2024 as a political ally of Trump, despite having no prior military or defence leadership experience.

Before entering government, Phelan was a businessman and investment executive, as well as a major Republican donor and fundraiser — a background that is fairly common among Trump appointees and advisers. The US president’s two top diplomatic negotiators, for instance, are Steve Witkoff — a real estate businessman with no prior diplomatic experience – and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

Advertisement

According to the Reuters news agency, Phelan’s tenure quickly became controversial. He faced criticism for moving too slowly on shipbuilding reforms and for strained relationships with key Pentagon figures, including Hegseth and his deputy, Steve Feinberg.

rump with U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant General Michael Borgschulte and Secretary of the Navy John Phelan (R) before the game between the Navy Midshipmen and the Army West Point Black Knights at M&T Bank Stadium [File: Tommy Gilligan/Imagn Images/Reuters]

In addition, Phelan was reportedly under an ethics investigation, which may have weakened his standing in the administration.

Navy Undersecretary Hung Cao, who was also reported to have a difficult relationship with Phelan, has become acting secretary. Fifty-four-year-old Cao is a 25-year Navy veteran who previously ran as a Republican candidate for the US Senate and House of Representatives in 2022 and 2024 respectively, but was unsuccessful on both occasions.

Democrats have criticised Phelan’s removal, calling it “troubling”.

“I am concerned it is yet another example of the instability and dysfunction that have come to define the Department of Defense under President Trump and Secretary Hegseth,” said Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Advertisement

Who else has the Trump administration fired since the war with Iran began?

Phelan’s removal is the latest in a series of senior military leaders being fired or are leaving during the US-Israeli war on Iran, in addition to others since Trump was re-elected.

Among the most notable dismissals was Army Chief of Staff General Randy A. George, in the first week of April. George was appointed in 2023 under former US President Joe Biden.

According to reports, Hegseth also fired the head of the Army’s Transformation and Training Command, a unit concerned with modernising the army, and the Army’s chief of chaplains. The Pentagon has not confirmed their dismissal.

Why is Phelan’s dismissal significant?

The 62-year-old’s removal comes during a fragile ceasefire with Iran, as the ⁠⁠US continues to move more naval assets into the region.

The Navy is central to enforcing Trump’s blockade of Iranian ports to restrict Iran’s oil exports and apply economic pressure on Tehran, as the US president looks eager to wrap up the war, which is deeply unpopular to many Americans.

Advertisement

However, there are no indications that Trump is willing to end the blockade or other naval operations in the Strait of Hormuz, as negotiations between Washington and Tehran have come to a standstill.

Tensions have escalated in recent days after the US military seized an Iranian container ship. The US claimed it was attempting to sail from the Arabian Sea through the Strait of Hormuz to the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas.

Tehran responded by describing the attack and hijack as an act of “piracy”.

Iran has since captured two cargo ships and fired at another.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

Not a Deal-Breaker: White House Downplays Iranian Action Near the Strait

Published

on

Not a Deal-Breaker: White House Downplays Iranian Action Near the Strait

Just two weeks ago, President Trump threatened to wipe out Iran’s civilization if it did not open the Strait of Hormuz. Days later, he said any Iranian “who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be BLOWN TO HELL!”

Yet on Wednesday, after Iran seized two ships near the Strait of Hormuz, the White House was quick to argue the action was not a deal breaker for potential peace negotiations.

“These were not U.S. ships,” Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said on Fox News. “These were not Israeli ships.” Therefore, she explained, the Iranians had not violated a cease-fire with the United States that Mr. Trump has extended indefinitely.

She cautioned the news media against “blowing this out of proportion.”

The surprisingly tolerant tone from the White House suggests Mr. Trump is not eager to reignite a war that he started alongside Israel on Feb. 28 — a war that has proved unpopular with Americans and has gone on longer than he initially estimated.

Advertisement

The president on Tuesday extended a cease-fire between the United States and Iran that had been set to expire within hours, saying he wanted to give Tehran a chance to come up with a new proposal to end the war.

The American military has displayed its overwhelming might during the war, successfully striking thousands of targets. But it remains unclear whether Mr. Trump will accomplish the political objectives of the war.

The Iranian regime, even after its top leaders were killed, is still intact. Iran has not agreed to Mr. Trump’s demands to turn over its nuclear capabilities to the United States or significantly curtail them. And the Strait of Hormuz, a key passageway for world commerce that was open before the war, remains closed.

Nevertheless, the White House has repeatedly highlighted the military successes on the battlefield as evidence it is winning the war.

“We have completely confused and obliterated their regime,” Ms. Leavitt said on Fox Wednesday. “They are in a very weak position thanks to the actions taken by President Trump and our great United States armed forces, and so we will continue this important mission on our own.”

Advertisement

The oscillation between threats and a more conciliatory tone has long been one of Mr. Trump’s signature negotiating strategies.

Potential peace talks between the two countries are on hold. Vice President JD Vance had been poised to fly to Islamabad for negotiations. But the trip was postponed until Iran can “come up with a unified proposal,” Mr. Trump said.

The United States recently transmitted a written proposal to the Iranians intended to establish base-line points of agreement that could frame more detailed negotiations. The document covers a broad range of issues, but the core sticking points are the same ones that have bedeviled Western negotiators for more than a decade: the scope of Iran’s uranium enrichment program and the fate of its stockpile of enriched uranium.

Mr. Trump has not spoken publicly about the cease-fire, other than on social media. On Wednesday, he also posted about topics including “my Apprentice Juggernaut” — a reference to his former television show; the Virginia elections, which he called “rigged”; and a new book about Supreme Court Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr.

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending