Good morning. You're reading the Up First newsletter. here to get it delivered to your inbox, and to the Up First podcast for all the news you need to start your day.
Today's top stories
The U.S. conducted strikes on Iran last night after an American helicopter was downed near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday. President Trump blamed Iran for the incident. Starting at 5 p.m., the U.S. strikes targeted "Iranian air defense, ground control stations, and surveillance radar sites near the Strait of Hormuz," the U.S. Central Command said. CENTCOM described the action as a "," and added that U.S. forces remain vigilant and ready to defend against any further Iranian threats. Trump said it was necessary to retaliate against Iran to uphold U.S. credibility. Iranian officials say they did not target the U.S. helicopter and suggested it went down in an accident. The troops on the downed helicopter were unharmed.
- 馃带 NPR correspondents in the region report that air raid sirens sounded across Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan overnight as Iranian missiles targeted U.S. military bases. The Iranian foreign minister issued a statement saying that attacks or . NPR's Franco Ordo帽ez says there is a real danger of Iranian retaliation against the strikes, which could spark a cycle of responses and counter-responses, each time growing more dangerous. The U.S. strikes complicate Trump's negotiations with Iran, especially if tensions can't be contained. Trump said yesterday that the U.S and Iran were just days away from a deal. After weeks of hearing the same thing, Americans are having a harder time buying into his messages on the conflict as gas prices and electricity costs continue to rise, Ordo帽ez says.
Maine, Nevada, North Dakota and South Carolina held their primaries yesterday, determining their candidates for several key matchups for the November general elections. In Maine, to challenge long-time Republican Sen. Susan Collins for the state's U.S. Senate seat. Here are .
- 馃带 Democrats are focused on gaining control of the Senate this November, and defeating Collins would be crucial in accomplishing that goal, NPR's Saige Miller says. While Collins isn't a Trump loyalist, her because of Trump's unpopularity both nationally and within her state. Platner believes his platform and personal transformation can resonate with voters, but he has faced many questions since launching his campaign in August. Recently, The New York Times reported that former romantic partners called Platner toxic and disrespectful to women. In the past, Platner's history may have led him to withdraw from the race. But Miller says the current political landscape is different, and many politicians have been able to weather scandals these days.
- 鉃★笍 In Nevada, Democratic voters have selected two-time state Attorney General Aaron Ford as their party's nominee to . See more results from Nevada's .
- 鉃★笍 In South Carolina, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson are headed into a to determine the Republican candidate, after neither secured a majority. Trump backed Evette in the race. Here are the .
- 鉃★笍 Here are North Dakota's .
- 鉃★笍 For a look at upcoming state primaries, special elections and the general election, check out .
The House narrowly voted yesterday to allocate roughly $70 billion to the Department of Homeland Security for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol, over immigration policy. The spending measure includes $38 billion for ICE, about 3.5 times the previous annual budget approved by Congress. The bill now heads to President Trump's desk and is set to fully finance these operations for the remainder of his term, adding to the tens of billions already approved last year.
- 馃带 The historic investment in Trump's immigration agenda ensures there will be more resources to enhance the administration's efforts to increase arrest and deportation rates, NPR's Ximena Bustillo says. The measure has no provisions for how much must be spent within a certain timeframe. Immigration advocates warn that regular appropriations bills often include provisions that would require DHS to report to Congress or the public on spending, program updates and demographics of those detained. This measure . Democrats were unable to secure a mandate for immigration officers to wear body cameras, provisions on warrants needed to enter homes or limitations on face coverings.
- 鉃★笍 ICE denies having a protester database. But in a previously unpublicized letter to Congress, recently-departed acting ICE director Todd Lyons said the agency collects data on people , which could include protesters. NPR is the first news organization to review the letter, which is dated April 21.
Bill Gates is set to appear before members of Congress today to answer questions about his relationship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as part of the House Oversight Committee's investigation. Gates has . The closed-door interview will not be recorded, but the Republican-led committee plans to release a transcript in the days afterward, similar to what it did after former Attorney General Pam Bondi testified. The Microsoft co-founder is among many influential figures mentioned in Justice Department documents about the disgraced financier. Appearing in the files does not necessarily imply criminal wrongdoing.
Today's listen
This week, The Last Ship becomes the first musical to be staged at New York's Metropolitan Opera. The show is inspired by rock star Sting's childhood spent in the shadow of a shipyard. When it first opened on Broadway in 2014, the musical struggled at the box office and received sharp reviews. In the renewed version, Sting takes on the lead role of foreman Jackie White, delivering his now raspy voice. He is joined on stage by his frequent collaborator, reggae star Shaggy. Sting says he first had the idea for this show in 1990, when he returned to his community of Wallsend, England, and found that the shipyard was closing down just as his parents were dying. Much of the music and lyrics are drawn from Sting's 1991 album The Soul Cages, and weave elements of his family's story into ballads, Celtic folk music and classical recordings that his mother collected. Listen to and for the story.
Living better
Living Better is a about what it takes to stay healthy in America.
Remote work has increasingly become more popular since the COVID-19 pandemic. But it could be taking a toll on people's mental health. A new study indicates work-from-home practices have made workers more socially isolated, anxious and depressed compared to those who work in-person in offices and other settings. Researchers found that people in remote roles are spending more hours alone during workdays and have increased their visits to mental healthcare providers. Here's a :
- 馃捇 Remote workers spent 58% more hours alone than those in non-remote jobs. These workers also saw a 72% increase in the likelihood of spending their entire day without any human contact.
- 馃捇 The rise in symptoms of emotional distress has been found to be worse for remote workers who live alone.
- 馃捇 As organizations begin to bring employees back to the office, employers should ensure that those who come in have other co-workers present, says Nicholas Epley, a professor of behavioral science at the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business, who wasn't involved in the study.
3 things to know before you go
- NASA yesterday who are scheduled to fly on the Artemis III mission as early as next year. This mission is a crucial test flight to prepare for a human landing on the lunar surface.
- A trust fund that helps pay Social Security benefits is in 2032, three months earlier than what was predicted last year.
- After years of declines, younger students are making gains in reading and math.
This newsletter was edited by .
Copyright 2026 NPR