2026 midterms could be the most expensive on record. And, Macron condemns protests

Good morning.You're reading the Up First 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.The 2026 midterm elections are set to become the most expensive on record.

More than $15 billion has been raised to influence the outcome and control of Congress.At least one person died and more than a dozen were injured in a major Ukrainian drone strike yesterday on Saint Petersburg, Russia's former imperial capital.The attack targeted strategic sites, including a key port oil terminal.

Over the weekend, Russian missile strikes in Ukraine killed at least 11 people.This conflict continues as President Trump says that relieving pressure on Russia is the best way to end the war.French President Emmanuel Macron denounced violence over the weekend that he says has overshadowed largely peaceful protests across the country.

The unrest began as a student protest for better conditions and has expanded to include public-sector workers protesting high energy prices, the rising cost of living and social inequality.The Interior Ministry reported about 2,300 arrests and nearly 1,000 injured police officers.Living Better is a special series about what it takes to stay healthy in America.Saunas are gaining renewed attention in the wellness world for their potential to improve mental health.

This trend reflects the growing interest in the broader wellness movement and social connection, especially post-pandemic.While scientists understand how saunas affect the cardiovascular system, they are just beginning to explore their impact on mental health.

Here's what they know so far.Artist Jennifer Teresa Villanueva has captured her family's everyday life through her lens for eight years, revealing moments of love, care and sacrifice within their Chicago home.The personal project took root in 2018, sparked by her grandmother's hospitalization.

It started as a way to better understand her grandmother...