NPR News Reporter

Today's Up First was edited by Dana Farrington, Nishant Dehia, Sammy Yenigan. Of NPR's All Things Considered, we don't often get to credit this guy in this podcast. Anyway, Andrea DeLeon, Janaya Williams, and Alice Wolfley. It was produced by Lily Quiroz, Nia Dumas, and Christopher Thomas.

We get engineering support from the ever-supportive Arthur Laurent, and our technical director is Nisha Hainas. Join us tomorrow.

Nearly all the programs funded by the United States Agency for International Development, USAID, have been halted. President Trump seeks to remake the federal government and push the limits of executive power. In this case, the administration appears to be targeting an agency that was created by law, by an act of Congress. Right now, its website is down.

Hundreds of employees and contractors have been let go in the past week. And we have reports that Trump is considering trying to fold the agency into the State Department.

President Trump keeps saying he intends for the U.S. to seize the Panama Canal. So what did Secretary of State Marco Rubio say when he traveled to Panama? Our colleague Ari Shapiro is in Panama City.

The United States has provoked multiple confrontations now with its North American neighbors and allies.

He was in Panama, and our colleague Ari Shapiro is in Panama City. Ari, good morning. Hey, Steve. Thanks for joining us. What did the secretary do yesterday?

He is the first foreign leader to meet with Trump in his second term. Also, cannabis is now legal in half the states. A new NPR series helps consumers find safe options. Stay with us. We've got the news you need to start your day.

Yeah, I guess I should also note here, the United States, at least the president, is not taking the view of we have these concerns, solve them or we will act. He's saying we're going to take it back. So how are Panama's leaders reacting?

It would seem that Panama might be enough for a foreign trip, but where else is Rubio going?

NPR's Ari Shapiro will be hosting All Things Considered from the edge of the Panama Canal later today. He's in Panama City. Thanks, Ari. Thanks, Steve.

today. He's here at the invitation of the president and tomorrow becomes the first foreign leader to meet with Trump in his second term. Here's Netanyahu as he left for his trip.

They certainly have things to discuss. A ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas is holding in its third week as talks about the next phase of the deal are scheduled to begin today.

From what I smell on the streets, I'm surprised it's that low. Anyway, cannabis is now legal in almost half of U.S. states, but finding products that are safely sourced and properly regulated is not easy. So in the coming weeks, NPR is going to be looking at how consumers can navigate the new world of weed.