Good morning. You’re reading the Up First newsletter.
Today’s top stories
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he is optimistic about reaching an agreement between Russia and Ukraine after U.S. and Ukrainian officials met in Geneva to discuss President Trump’s 28-point peace plan. The president has given Ukraine a Thursday deadline to accept the proposal. European leaders are skeptical, saying the plan needs more work—especially because many heads of state were not consulted when it was drafted, even though it commits them to reconstruction funding and participation in enforcement measures if the proposal is violated. The Kremlin has not weighed in on the Geneva meetings; the U.S. plans separate talks with Russia.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican who rose as one of Trump’s strongest defenders, abruptly announced she will resign from Congress effective Jan. 5. Recently she has become one of Trump’s most vocal critics, saying he abandoned his own agenda. From Greene’s perspective, NPR reporting finds, she hasn’t shifted ideologically; rather, she believes Trump and others in the party have diverged from America First conservatism. Observers note that Trump’s approach to governing and coalition-building differs from traditional conservatism, and tensions in the MAGA coalition have grown as a result.
Over the weekend, Israel and Hamas each accused the other of violating the Gaza ceasefire. The truce has held for just over six weeks, but tensions remain high: Israel struck Beirut for the first time since June, killing a Hezbollah commander, prompting fears for the longer-standing ceasefire along the Lebanon-Israel border. Much of the first phase of the Israel-Hamas agreement—such as pauses in major combat—has been completed. The next phase envisions an International Stabilization Force in Gaza, but key questions remain about who will contribute forces, how they will be trained, and how the arrangement will be enforced. Despite allegations of violations and ongoing violence, the current deal has so far prevented a full return to widespread war.
Cost of living
NPR’s series “Cost of Living: The Price We Pay” looks at rising prices and how people cope. Over the past 30 years, average tuition at public and private four-year colleges has roughly doubled after adjusting for inflation. Many students don’t pay sticker price because of financial aid and merit awards; that reduced amount is called the net price—but even net prices are higher than two decades ago.
What’s driving the rise?
– Reduced state funding: Cuts to state support have pushed public colleges to raise tuition to cover shortfalls.
– Prestige pricing: High tuition can signal prestige, and some affluent families are willing to pay full price—around 40% of Harvard’s incoming class pays full tuition.
– Opaque pricing: Costs vary widely by institution and state, and families often learn the true cost late in the admissions process, making comparisons difficult.
This week the series will explore holiday shopping costs and other pressures. NPR invites readers to share their experiences with higher prices.
Living better
Living Better, a special NPR series on health, highlights hair loss, a condition that affects an estimated half of all women at some point. Not all remedies work for every person or every type of hair loss; evidence-based options exist, but diagnosis matters.
Key points:
– Hair sheds in a staggered pattern, so occasional clumps in a drain don’t necessarily indicate permanent loss.
– The most common cause of permanent hair thinning is androgenetic alopecia, often starting at the top of the head in women and appearing as widening parts.
– If you’re unsure about your type of hair loss, an in-person dermatologist visit is often best; telehealth can be a useful alternative when specialists have long waitlists.
3 things to know before you go
1. Tatiana Schlossberg, granddaughter of President John F. Kennedy, revealed in The New Yorker that she has been diagnosed with a rare, terminal form of acute myeloid leukemia.
2. NPR’s Books We Love returns with more than 380 recommended titles from the year, spanning cookbooks, mysteries, thrillers and more.
3. A homeless advocacy group within Cincinnati Public Schools will provide a lot where more than 4,000 homeless students and their families can sleep in cars while awaiting housing; the program is set to launch in March 2026. (via WBUR)
This newsletter was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.