Asma Khalid

A president cannot unilaterally change the tax code, but large portions of this sweeping 2017 tax law are set to expire at the end of 2025. And the president said tax cuts are at the top of his legislative agenda.

A president cannot unilaterally change the tax code, but large portions of this sweeping 2017 tax law are set to expire at the end of 2025. And the president said tax cuts are at the top of his legislative agenda.

No tax on tips. Asma Khalid, NPR News.

No tax on tips. Asma Khalid, NPR News.

Biden says this was one of the toughest negotiations he's ever experienced. The deal largely holds to the framework, he says, that he outlined back in May, but it was reached in Biden's final days in office. The White House says it worked closely with the incoming administration, specifically Donald Trump's Middle East envoy.

Biden says this was one of the toughest negotiations he's ever experienced. The deal largely holds to the framework, he says, that he outlined back in May, but it was reached in Biden's final days in office. The White House says it worked closely with the incoming administration, specifically Donald Trump's Middle East envoy.

Trump is taking credit for the deal, posting on social media that it only happened as a result of his, quote, historic victory in November.

Trump is taking credit for the deal, posting on social media that it only happened as a result of his, quote, historic victory in November.

Good morning and happy holidays. Thanks for starting your day with us. I'm Asma Khalid. Whether you're squeezing in a quiet moment before the kids wake up, or whether today's a work day for you, like it is for me, Up First is here for you, no matter what your day has in store. We're here to bring you independent reporting, context, and analysis about the biggest stories of the day.

Good morning and happy holidays. Thanks for starting your day with us. I'm Asma Khalid. Whether you're squeezing in a quiet moment before the kids wake up, or whether today's a work day for you, like it is for me, Up First is here for you, no matter what your day has in store. We're here to bring you independent reporting, context, and analysis about the biggest stories of the day.

Good morning and happy holidays. Thanks for starting your day with us. I'm Asma Khalid. Whether you're squeezing in a quiet moment before the kids wake up, or whether today's a work day for you, like it is for me, Up First is here for you, no matter what your day has in store. We're here to bring you independent reporting, context, and analysis about the biggest stories of the day.

And you can give back to NPR to support this service you rely on. Sign up for NPR Plus today and join our mission of creating a more informed public. You'll also unlock sponsor-free listening to Up First and get similar perks for more than 25 NPR podcasts. If you're already a Plus supporter, thank you so much. If not, you can sign up right now at plus.npr.org. That's plus.npr.org.

And you can give back to NPR to support this service you rely on. Sign up for NPR Plus today and join our mission of creating a more informed public. You'll also unlock sponsor-free listening to Up First and get similar perks for more than 25 NPR podcasts. If you're already a Plus supporter, thank you so much. If not, you can sign up right now at plus.npr.org. That's plus.npr.org.

And you can give back to NPR to support this service you rely on. Sign up for NPR Plus today and join our mission of creating a more informed public. You'll also unlock sponsor-free listening to Up First and get similar perks for more than 25 NPR podcasts. If you're already a Plus supporter, thank you so much. If not, you can sign up right now at plus.npr.org. That's plus.npr.org.

Alrighty, now on to the news. It's a subdued Christmas in Bethlehem with the war in neighboring Gaza.

Alrighty, now on to the news. It's a subdued Christmas in Bethlehem with the war in neighboring Gaza.

Alrighty, now on to the news. It's a subdued Christmas in Bethlehem with the war in neighboring Gaza.

What it's like for local Palestinians in the city Christians celebrate as the birthplace of Jesus. I'm Asma Khalid and this is Up First from NPR News. Famine has spread in Sudan, where people are experiencing one of the world's worst humanitarian disasters.

What it's like for local Palestinians in the city Christians celebrate as the birthplace of Jesus. I'm Asma Khalid and this is Up First from NPR News. Famine has spread in Sudan, where people are experiencing one of the world's worst humanitarian disasters.

What it's like for local Palestinians in the city Christians celebrate as the birthplace of Jesus. I'm Asma Khalid and this is Up First from NPR News. Famine has spread in Sudan, where people are experiencing one of the world's worst humanitarian disasters.