You're reading the Up First newsletter.
asserted
You → read → 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.
asserted
you → subscribe → day
The Trump administration announced a new U.S. partnership with the Venezuelan government to develop a significant portion of Venezuela's oil reserves.
asserted
administration → announce → reserves
An official, who spoke to NPR on the condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly about the deal, said that the U.S. government is forming a joint venture with a private Venezuelan company.
asserted
government → speak → company
According to the administration, the U.S. will receive 55% of the oil produced from this venture, which is estimated at approximately 65 billion barrels.
uncertain
which → accord → barrels
President Trump says this deal will help lower gas prices, but energy experts are skeptical.
asserted
experts → say → prices
Here's what you need to know.
asserted
you → need → what
The deal comes as Venezuela's democratic future faces uncertainty after the U.S. captured former leader Nicolás Maduro earlier this year, NPR's Franco Ordoñez tells Up First.
asserted
Ordoñez → come → Maduro
The Trump administration had outlined a three-stage strategy for Venezuela that started with stabilization and economic revival before moving to new elections, but Ordoñez says this deal throws these plans into question.
asserted
deal → outline → question
Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez has touted the deal.
asserted
Rodriguez → tout → deal
Ordoñez says there's no question that Venezuela needs investment in its oil industry and that the U.S. would benefit from greater access to Venezuelan oil, but there could be political costs.
uncertain
U.S. → say → oil
Some in Venezuela and South Florida have pushed back on the deal, saying that the U.S. is undermining Venezuela's sovereignty and legitimizing an unelected government, Ordoñez says.
asserted
Ordoñez → push → government
The U.S. and Iran have exchanged fire again for the first time in a month.
asserted
U.S. → exchange → month
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard said that a U.S. drone attack killed some of its troops on Larak Island, near the Strait of Hormuz.
asserted
attack → say → Hormuz
Iran retaliated by targeting U.S. bases in Jordan.
asserted
Iran → retaliate → Jordan
The U.S. military said in a statement that it struck the Iranian launch sites after observing Iranian forces preparing to deploy sea mines into the key waterway.
asserted
forces → say → waterway
The U.S. military finished clearing sea mines from the strait's international shipping routes just last week, according to U.S. Central Command.
uncertain
military → finish → Command
It's too early to tell whether this incident will turn into a full-blown, days-long exchange of attacks, NPR's Hadeel-Al Shalchi says.
asserted
Shalchi → tell → attacks
Iran's Ministry of Affairs said that the country will "not hesitate to exercise the inherent right of self-defense."
asserted
country → say → defense
The U.S. responded by saying its strikes were not an act of aggression, but "limited and precise" actions aimed at preventing Iranian forces from laying additional mines.
asserted
strikes → respond → mines
The House of Representatives returns today for one week, and it has one main goal: Fund the government.
asserted
it → return → government
Funding is set to lapse at the end of September, but this week's vote could serve as a stopgap until December, preventing a shutdown during the midterm elections.
uncertain
vote → set → elections
The Senate has already passed the measure, so this House vote is the final step.
asserted
vote → pass → measure
Trump's second term has already seen two record-setting federal government shutdowns, NPR's Eric McDaniel says.
asserted
McDaniel → see → shutdowns
In a White House Statement, Trump strongly opposed another one.
asserted
Trump → oppose → one
As the midterms loom, McDaniel says Republicans are in a tough spot.
asserted
Republicans → loom → spot
Many Americans are upset about the cost of living, which makes it hard for Republicans to tout their legislative achievements from last year, such as changes to tax rules on tips.
asserted
Republicans → make → tips
At least 15 people are missing after a severe flood in the Grand Canyon on Saturday.
asserted
people → miss → Saturday
The Arizona Department of Public Safety and the National Park Service evacuated at least 62 individuals from Phantom Ranch and the lower North Kaibab trail to the South Rim, according to a release from the NPS.
uncertain
Department → evacuate → NPS
The flooding destroyed the Black Bridge and Silver Bridge, which crosses the Colorado River, as well as nearly all the footbridges crossing Bright Angel Creek.
asserted
which → destroy → Creek
Multiple trails have also been closed due to the damage.
asserted
trails → close → damage
Life advice
Trying for a baby can be an exciting moment in life, but it can also be challenging.
asserted
it → try → life
Many factors come into play when trying to conceive, including medical history, genetics, hormone balance and even just pure luck.
asserted
factors → come → history
Though it can often feel like rolling the dice, there are some lifestyle changes men and women can make to help support fertility.
asserted
men → feel → fertility
If you're on your parenthood journey, check out this comic-style guide for seven evidence-backed ways to get you started.
asserted
you → check → ways
- 👶 Include high-protein foods and plenty of leafy green vegetables in your diet to help stabilize your blood sugar, which plays an important role in hormone balance.
asserted
which → include → balance
It can enhance sperm volume and increase blood flow to the reproductive organs.
asserted
It → enhance → organs
- 👶 Start taking prenatal vitamins a few months before you plan to get pregnant.
asserted
you → start → vitamins
These can help provide the nutrients you need when pregnancy occurs.
asserted
pregnancy → help → nutrients
Men, keep in mind that wearing overly tight underwear, prolonged exposure to heat or experiencing repeated testicular trauma can result in a low sperm count.
asserted
wearing → keep → count
…and 24 more, not listed.
