Good morning. You’re reading the Up First newsletter. Subscribe to get it in your inbox and listen to the Up First podcast for the news you need to start your day.
Today’s top stories
President Trump set a new deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, posting a profane social media threat saying he would bomb Iran’s power plants and bridges if the waterway is not reopened by 8 p.m. ET tomorrow. Last week he had said countries that rely on oil transiting the strait would have to secure it themselves. International law protects civilian infrastructure. The president also said U.S. forces rescued a U.S. Air Force officer after his plane was shot down in Iran.
On the ground:
– NPR’s Carrie Kahn, reporting from Tel Aviv, described a very intense morning. She reported that airspace has proven less secure than U.S. and Israeli officials suggested; a strike in Haifa has killed Israelis, and Kuwait and the UAE say they intercepted multiple missiles from Iran. Gulf states worry their defenses may not hold if Iran escalates. Iranian officials called Trump’s remarks desperate and obscene; Iran’s presidential spokesman said the strait will only be opened once Iran is compensated for war costs.
– NPR’s Mara Liasson said the reported rescue bolstered the president politically and averted a potential hostage crisis. She noted the incident followed Iran shooting down a U.S. fighter jet, contradicting Trump’s claim that Iran’s military had been totally destroyed. Liasson added that Trump’s shifting aims for the Strait of Hormuz suggest no clear strategy ahead of a midterm year in which his approval is low and he pledged not to start new foreign wars.
– Lebanon’s government says at least 54 medics have been killed since the war with Iran began; some human rights groups allege first responders are being targeted, a claim Israel denies.
NASA’s Artemis II mission is due to make its closest approach to the moon this afternoon after launching from Kennedy Space Center last week. The Orion capsule will carry astronauts farther from Earth than any humans have been.
Artemis II notes:
– A team of lunar scientists on Earth identified 35 surface targets for the crew to observe and photograph. Human observation can complement robotic imagery and help refine future landing sites.
– The crew has already shared striking photos of Earth and behind-the-scenes shots from inside the cabin.
Accessibility update for students with disabilities
A revision to Americans with Disabilities Act regulations, effective at the end of the month, could make it easier for blind students to navigate college. The rule sets technical standards for digital accessibility, treating inaccessible web content and apps like physical barriers that exclude people with mobility impairments. NPR spoke with blind students who said lack of digital access has blocked their education and left them feeling forgotten.
Savannah Guthrie returns to Today
Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie returned to work after more than two months following the disappearance of her mother, Nancy Guthrie, who was last seen Jan. 31. The family has publicly addressed ransom notes and said they offered to pay for her return but received no response. Guthrie said her mother inspired her to come back: ‘I won’t let sadness win. For her.’
Life advice: talk about money early
Entrepreneur and author Vivian Tu urges couples to be open about finances early. She says vulnerability about money strengthened her relationship and offers practical questions and steps for couples who want to be ‘financially naked’:
– Start light if needed — try a fun hypothetical (for example, planning a $100,000 vacation) to reveal values.
– Before exclusivity, discuss career goals, homeownership plans, and where you want to live; watch each other’s spending habits.
– If moving in together, share income, assets, debts, and monthly expenses.
– Keep ongoing conversations about long-term goals, including whether you want children and how many.
Picture show: rare Death Valley sage
Botanist Naomi Fraga has spent more than 15 years trying to collect seeds from the rare Death Valley sage for a native seed vault. The plant is elusive — some years it doesn’t flower — and this year’s big bloom gave Fraga another chance to gather seeds. See photos of her search and finds in Death Valley.
3 things to know before you go
1. The Wireless Festival in North London lost several major sponsors and drew criticism from Prime Minister Keir Starmer after announcing Ye (Kanye West) as a three-night headliner in July.
2. The Writers Guild of America reached a tentative agreement with Hollywood studios, ending the work stoppage that paused many productions in 2023 and delayed schedules.
3. Political instability and natural disasters depressed attendance at American museums in 2025, The Art Newspaper reports in its annual survey of the world’s 100 most visited art museums.
This newsletter was edited by Treye Green.