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By Sunup
Morning news brief

Friday, September 25, 2026

· The free headline edition

The bottom line

  • Trump and Xi met: pandas for Atlanta, a student pledge, no major new deals.
  • The Senate rejected a resolution to end U.S. hostilities with Iran, 49–50.
  • Oil rose nearly 3%; mortgage rates topped 7% for the first time since January 2025.
  • Hurricane Nolo threatens Hawaii; a nor’easter cut the Outer Banks highway.

The World Overnight

Trump and Xi meet; pandas and students, few new deals

At Thursday’s White House welcome, Xi Jinping said two giant pandas will go to Zoo Atlanta and China will invite 100,000 young Americans to study there over five years.

Sources: AP · ABC News · CNBC · Deseret News

Netanyahu defends Iran and Gaza wars at UN

Many delegates walked out as Israel’s prime minister addressed the General Assembly.

Sources: UN News · NBC News · RTÉ · CBC

Russian drone kills teenager in Kyiv

A drone hit a 16-story apartment building in central Kyiv early Friday, killing a 14-year-old boy and injuring at least seven people, city officials said.

Sources: Kyiv Independent · Ukrinform

Ethiopia’s army says it killed 272 Tigrayan fighters as the renewed conflict widens; the figure could not be independently confirmed.

Sources: Al Jazeera · Reuters · NPR

Defense & Security

Saudis intercept six Houthi ballistic missiles

The Saudi-led coalition said it downed six missiles fired from Yemen toward Taif and the oil-export port of Yanbu.

Sources: Al Jazeera · Reuters · AP

Washington

Senate rejects Iran war powers resolution, 49–50

The measure would have required congressional approval for continued U.S. hostilities with Iran.

Sources: AP · CBS News · NBC News · NPR

FDA nominee calls approved vaccines safe

Dr. Heidi Overton, 37, told the Senate health committee that vaccines on the market are “safe and effective, according to the FDA,” and that she has “not seen any causal evidence” linking Tylenol to autism.

Sources: ABC News · STAT · NBC News

NYT/Siena Senate polls, likely voters: Michigan, El-Sayed (D) 49%, Rogers (R) 44%; New Hampshire, Pappas (D) 50%, Sununu (R) 45%; Maine, Collins (R) 49%, Jackson (D) 46%.

Sources: Siena Research Institute · The New York Times

Markets & Your Money

Stocks flat as bond yields keep rising

The Dow fell for a third day and the 30-year Treasury yield touched its highest since 2004.

Sources: AP · CNBC · Reuters

Mortgage rates pass 7%

The average 30-year fixed rate rose to 7.03% from 6.95% a week earlier, the first reading above 7% since January 2025.

Sources: Freddie Mac · Fox Business

Part D drug-plan premiums to rise in 2027

A program that has held down premiums for stand-alone Medicare Part D plans ends Dec. 31.

Sources: CMS · PBS NewsHour

Health & Science

1 in 5 older adults at risk of serious drug interactions

A JAMA study of about 5,000 Americans aged 62 to 85 found 35.7% take five or more prescriptions, up from 31% in 2015–16.

Sources: JAMA · News-Medical · MedicalXpress

American Life

Hurricane Nolo threatens Hawaii’s Big Island

A hurricane watch covers Hawaii County. Nolo, with 80 mph winds late Thursday, was about 240 miles south and strengthening.

Sources: NOAA Hurricane Center · weather.com

Nor’easter closes Outer Banks highway

Ocean water breached a dune and closed 16 miles of N.C. Highway 12, likely through the weekend.

Sources: WRAL · weather.com

Sports Desk

NFL Falcons 35, Packers 14. Bijan Robinson ran for 194 yards.

Sources: AP · Fox Sports

MLB Cubs 2, Marlins 1; the Cubs clinch a playoff berth.

Sources: Chicago Sun-Times · MLB.com

GOLF Presidents Cup after Day 1: U.S. 3, International 2.

Sources: CBS Sports · PGA Tour

On Today’s Calendar

MORNING Xi Jinping’s last day: tea at the White House and a National Archives visit, then departure.

Sources: AP · Reuters

ANY TIME Supreme Court ruling possible on Missouri’s congressional map.

Sources: SCOTUSblog · Fox News

One Good Thing

From 121 losses to the playoffs

Two years after a modern-record 121-loss season, the Chicago White Sox clinched a playoff berth with a 9–1 win over Kansas City.

Sources: ESPN · MLB.com

Researched and written each morning with AI assistance. Every item is checked against at least two independent news reports, then re-verified by a second, independent fact-check before sending. Editor: A. J. Hale. Corrections: hello@bysunup.com · How it’s made