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Up First from NPR

New episodes: Daily
Typical length: 13 min
Latest: 7 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

7 Oct 2026 · 13 minNew

Threats On US Bases Overseas, France Student Protest, German Spy Arrest

The U.S. pulled a dozen bombers out of Britain after officials identified a credible Iran-linked threat, raising new questions about how exposed American forces are to drone attacks overseas. French students are protesting teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms and deteriorating schools as demonstrations spread nationwide and clashes with police intensify. Germany has arrested former intelligence chief August Hanning on suspicion of attempted treason after prosecutors accused him of obtaining classified documents for a foreign spy service. Want more analysis of the most important news of…

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6 Oct 2026 · 14 minNew

Democrats Lead In Midterm Polls, Yemen War Front, Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger

With four weeks until the midterms, Democrats have the advantage in the polls and are increasingly competitive in Senate races that once looked safe for Republican. Saudi-backed forces in Yemen say they have pushed Houthi rebels back from areas around a key Red Sea shipping route, as the Houthis strike Saudi oil facilities and the fighting draws in more outside powers. Paramount and Warner Brothers complete their mega merger bringing major studios, streaming services, CNN and CBS News under one company. Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to…
5 Oct 2026 · 13 minNew

FlyDubai Pilot Investigation, SCOTUS Climate Change Case, Brazil Runoff Election

Investigators now believe the Flydubai co-pilot who attacked the captain intended to crash the plane into Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, raising new questions about how he was cleared to fly the route. The Supreme Court begins a new term with a case that could shape whether states and cities can make energy companies pay for climate-related damage. Brazil’s presidential election is headed to a runoff after Flávio Bolsonaro finished ahead of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, giving the right a stronger showing than expected. Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a…
4 Oct 2026 · 35 min

Fox News wanted war images in Ukraine - their journalists died

Fox News Correspondent Benjamin Hall had been accused by a colleague of taking unnecessary risks when reporting in Syria. Later, Fox News assigned Hall to cover the war in Ukraine. NPR’s David Folkenflik brings the in-depth story of a fatal reporting trip near Kyiv, where Hall was gravely wounded and two other Fox News journalists were killed. Now, the journalists’ families are suing Fox, saying the network put the story ahead of its people. One of the lawsuits says Fox gave Hall free rein to push the Fox news team into an area he’d been repeatedly warned was off limits. Two former high-risk…
3 Oct 2026 · 16 min

Growing Black Unemployment, Taxing California Billionaires, New Supreme Court Cases

The U.S. economy added fewer jobs than expected last month, and Black unemployment spiked. California voters will decide whether the state should charge a one-time tax on billionaires, an idea that has split Democrats. The Supreme Court begins its new term on Monday, with cases involving climate change, guns and religious rights. Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter. Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at…
2 Oct 2026 · 14 min

Wages Vs Inflation, Tennessee Failed Execution, Cornell Rape Case Special Prosecutor

The government has a sobering update on the job market, as workers face wages that fail to keep up with higher prices and borrowing costs. Tennessee has paused executions after Christa Pike survived two doses of a lethal injection drug, marking the state’s second failed execution this year. New York’s governor has appointed a special prosecutor in the Cornell sexual assault case after new questions emerged about what information campus police shared with the local district attorney. **correction note: A previous audio version of this story misstated the name of Christa Pike's attorney. Want…
1 Oct 2026 · 14 min

FlyDubai Midair Attack, Trump Midterm Campaigning, Hegseth Reshaping Military

A FlyDubai flight bound for Israel made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after one pilot allegedly stabbed the other and tried to crash the plane, with all passengers safe and investigators working to determine exactly what happened. President Trump is starting his midterm campaign push in Oklahoma and Alabama, raising questions about whether his presence would help or hurt Republicans in battleground states. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says he is reshaping the military around a new “warrior ethos,” with plans to cut more senior officers and overhaul parts of the Pentagon seven months…
30 Sep 2026 · 12 min

Trump AI Summit, US Pulls Out Of Iraq, SCOTUS Third Country Deportations

President Trump told AI executives they can police themselves and signed an order branding the technology “super intelligence,” even as some of those same companies say the rules for keeping it safe are still a work in progress. More than two decades after the U.S. first invaded Iraq, American forces have now left the country as Iran-backed militias remain powerful and some U.S. partners warn they are being left vulnerable. The Supreme Court is allowing the Trump administration to resume deporting some immigrants to countries they have no ties to while the justices consider whether the…
29 Sep 2026 · 13 min

UK Terror Plot Investigation, Trump's Fuel Efficiency Rollback, Cornell Rape Case

Five men arrested near a U.S.-used air base in Britain have been released on bail but remain under investigation, as police say they have not determined whether a foreign state was involved. The Trump administration is rolling back fuel efficiency standards for new cars, saying the change will lower sticker prices even as critics warn drivers could pay more over time in fuel and other costs. And a 2024 sexual assault case at Cornell University is now under criminal investigation as the school faces growing scrutiny over how it handled the allegations. Want more analysis of the most important…
28 Sep 2026 · 13 min

Trump Rejects Iran's Ceasefire, UK Foiled Plot Near US Base, Trump Press Corps Fight

President Trump rejected Iran’s latest ceasefire proposal but says he remains open to talks, as questions grow over whether there is any realistic path toward ending the war. British police arrested five men on suspicion of preparing an attack near a military base used by the U.S. Air Force, as investigators work to determine whether a foreign government was involved. And President Trump’s fight with the press continues even after a judge restored White House access to three banned outlets, raising questions about whether the battle is costing him the media coverage he normally seeks. Want…
27 Sep 2026 · 33 min

Can clergy candidates help Democrats win in red states?

This November, a notable number of Democrats are running for Congress who all have one thing in common: they are members of the clergy. In a moment when the party is counting on every seat it can flip, will these clergy members be able to win over the party’s secular base? NPR’s religion correspondent Jason DeRose followed four of the candidates who are running competitive races in Texas and Iowa. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy
26 Sep 2026 · 14 min

Powerful storms hit the US, Supreme Court Rejects Missouri Maps, Mortgage Rates Rise

A weekend of wild weather as a couple of power storms are set to hit Hawaii and the Northeastern United States. The Supreme Court rejects the new congressional maps in Missouri that favored republicans. Mortgage rates and bond yields continue to rise, raising borrowing costs for both consumers and the government. Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org . See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your…
25 Sep 2026 · 13 min

Trump-Xi Summit, White House Media Ban Update, Netanyahu's UN Speech

President Trump hosts China's leader Xi Jinping. While their differences abound on many issues, they extend their truce on tariffs by two months. CNN and MS NOW are denied access to Trump's State dinner with Xi. And diplomats walk out during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's blistering speech at the U.N. Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter. Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org .…
24 Sep 2026 · 58 min

Tucker Carlson on his MAGA split and Trump's 'nihilism' | NPR's Newsmakers

Tucker Carlson is talking about what happened behind closed doors in his very public break with President Trump. In this episode of NPR's Newsmakers , Carlson told host Steve Inskeep about a meeting with Trump in which, he says, Trump dismissed his concerns about the Iran war by saying, "We'll all die anyway." Carlson has taken the view not only that Israel influenced Trump to launch the war, but that Israel gave Trump no choice, and in fact that outside forces control both American political parties, which he described as the "uniparty," a single organization. Carlson's theories have raised…
24 Sep 2026 · 13 min

Court Temporarily Blocks Media Ban, Trump-Xi White House Meeting, UNGA Diplomacy

A federal judge ordered the White House to temporarily restore press passes for CNN, MS NOW and Politico after finding the outlets are likely to succeed on their due process claim. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with President Trump at the White House today, with Taiwan, Iran, artificial intelligence and trade among the major issues on the table. At the United Nations General Assembly, Ukraine pushed for a limited ceasefire with Russia as Iran defends its position in the war with the U.S. and Venezuela’s interim leader promises elections without giving a timetable. Want more analysis of…
23 Sep 2026 · 13 min

US And Iran Talk At UNGA, Poll Shows Dems Lead Midterm, White House Media Ban Lawsuit

President Trump used his U.N. General Assembly speech to threaten Iran with “annihilation” while also revealing that U.S. and Iranian officials had resumed direct talks aimed at ending the conflict. A new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll shows Democrats with a double-digit advantage over Republicans in the congressional vote as President Trump remains a major factor shaping voters’ choices ahead of the midterms. CNN, MS NOW and Politico are asking a federal judge to restore their White House access, while the Trump administration argues the bans are justified by national-security and…
22 Sep 2026 · 13 min

News Outlets Protest Trump's Media Bans, Trump At UNGA, Paramount Merger Settlement

Major news organizations are suspending use of White House pool coverage after President Trump banned reporters from CNN and two other outlets, with a court hearing set for Wednesday. President Trump addresses the United Nations this morning aiming to cast himself as a peacemaker, a day before Iran’s president speaks, with the war between them still unresolved. Paramount’s owners agreed to concessions to settle an antitrust lawsuit from a dozen states over their $111 billion bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, a deal critics say will not protect jobs or the independence of CBS and CNN. Want more…
21 Sep 2026 · 14 min

UN General Assembly Week, Trump's Triumphal Arch, Air Traffic Control AI

World leaders gather in New York for the U.N. General Assembly with the war between the U.S. and Iran dominating the agenda and questions about whether diplomacy can gain traction with Iran's president in attendance. President Trump says his planned "triumphal arch" memorial near Arlington National Cemetery will also house drones, snipers and ammunition, after a judge ordered the administration to give notice before work begins. CNN, MS Now and Politico are suing the Trump administration for banning them from the White House. Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a…
20 Sep 2026 · 30 min

An American journalist missing in Syria: what happened?

This is the story of one of the biggest missing-person cases of our time. It’s been more than fourteen years since American journalist Austin Tice vanished in Syria. There have been many stories about what happened to him. His disappearance has reached the highest levels of power and yet, so little is actually known. BBC’s award-winning investigative journalist Josh Baker brings us Where is Austin Tice? , a new series from NPR’s Embedded and BBC Radio 4. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship…
19 Sep 2026 · 16 min

Trump Bans Media from White House, Europe on High Alert, College Sports Bill

President Trump says he’s banning three news organizations – CNN, MS NOW and Politico – from the White House. Leaders in France, Poland and across the continent have warned that Russia may about to broaden its war in Europe. The warning comes after what they say is a spate of brazen Russian attacks. The Protect College Sports Act — a bill that promises to bring stability to college sports — is racing to clear some of its final hurdles. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR…
18 Sep 2026 · 13 min

Kennedy Center Demolition Threat, Trump's Troubles, Poland Warns Of Russian Attacks

A federal judge told President Trump he cannot demolish the Kennedy Center without 30 days’ notice, after the board shut the building and Trump threatened to rip it down if his name is not on it. The president has taken a series of hits this week, from the Supreme Court blocking his mail-in voting plan to the Fed increasing interest rates against his wishes, raising questions about how much institutions are willing to push back as the midterms approach. Poland’s prime minister says Russia is planning hybrid drone and missile attacks on European countries that support Ukraine, strikes Moscow…
17 Sep 2026 · 13 min

Fed Raises Interest Rates, Iran War and Oil Prices, EU-Canada Alliance

The Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the first time in three years as it tries to bring down stubborn inflation, putting new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh at odds with President Trump’s calls for lower rates. Rising fuel prices linked to the Iran war are driving protests and economic pressure around the world as Saudi Arabia faces attacks on its oil infrastructure and shipping routes. European Union President Ursula von der Leyen is proposing a new “associate member” relationship with Canada as the two draw closer amid tensions with the United States, while President Trump threatens new…
16 Sep 2026 · 13 min

Federal Reserve Interest Rates, Reports Reveal Iran War Costs, Kennedy Center Closure

The Federal Reserve is expected to raise interest rates for the first time in three years as the Iran war pushes inflation higher and borrowing costs are already climbing. Two new government reports put the cost of the Iran war at more than $30 billion and reveal extensive damage to U.S. bases and growing strain on key weapons stockpiles. The Kennedy Center board voted to close the building for renovations after a federal judge again blocked President Trump’s name from being added, while Trump says he will not move ahead unless that changes. Want more analysis of the most important news of…
15 Sep 2026 · 13 min

Trump Downplays AI Risks, SCOTUS Mail-In Voting Ruling, Kennedy Center Bankruptcy

President Trump dismissed warnings from leading AI companies that the technology is advancing too fast, calling fears of machines taking over a hoax and framing AI development as a race with China. The Supreme Court rejected the Trump administration’s bid to impose new Postal Service requirements on mail-in ballots, meaning voting by mail that has already started in several states will continue under existing rules. The Kennedy Center says it is on the brink of bankruptcy, with a memo warning the building may be unsafe to occupy as soon as today while the fight over putting President Trump’s…
14 Sep 2026 · 13 min

AI Development Slowdown, Gulf States Postpone Iran Talks, Republican Midterm Strategy

Leaders of some of the biggest AI companies say it is time to slow the pace of development after a string of incidents in which their systems went off script, even as President Trump says the United States should not ease up in the race with China. Talks between Iran and Gulf Arab states aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz were postponed as Iran-backed Houthis expand their control near another major shipping route and attacks put more pressure on Saudi oil exports. President Trump’s promise to give Americans $5,000 if Republicans keep control of Congress is getting a mixed response…
13 Sep 2026 · 28 min

The Clancy trial and a split over postpartum psychosis

Last week, a judge declared a mistrial in the murder case of Lindsay Clancy, leading the public to wonder: What really went on in the jury room? On this episode of The Sunday Story, Ayesha Rascoe talks to WBUR’s Deborah Becker, who was at the courthouse for the duration of the trial. She explains why this trial ended without a verdict – and what the public interest in the case says about an evolving view of postpartum psychosis. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy…
12 Sep 2026 · 15 min

BRICS Summit in India, Amazon Air Plane Crash, Federal Film Tax Bill

India hosts the 18th BRICS summit in New Delhi this weekend. The crash of an Amazon cargo jet in Miami is raising concerns about the safety culture at the retail giant's air operations. Congress weighs in on potential federal tax incentives to keep film production in the United States. Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org . See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.…
11 Sep 2026 · 14 min

Remembering 9/11, Republican Midterm Convention Wraps, SCOTUS Missouri Redistricting

Communities across the country will gather today to mark 25 years since the September 11 attacks, remembering the nearly 3,000 people who died that day and those later killed by illnesses from the toxic air at Ground Zero. President Trump closed the Republican midterm convention last night by urging supporters to vote as if he were on the ballot, even as large sections of the arena sat empty and he suggested he might not campaign as hard as he did for himself. The U.S. Supreme Court blocked Missouri’s Trump-backed Republican congressional map, after which the state’s secretary of state was…
10 Sep 2026 · 13 min

Trump Convention Speech, Missouri Contempt And Redistricting, Apple's Foldable iPhone

President Trump spoke on the first night of the Republican midterm convention, asking voters to pretend he is on the ballot and promising every adult $5,000 if Republicans keep Congress. Missouri election officials are caught between conflicting state and federal court rulings over which congressional map to use in November, with a Republican-drawn map that could help the party flip a Kansas City seat still in dispute. And Apple unveiled its first foldable iPhone under new CEO John Ternus, a roughly $2,000 device that marks the company’s biggest iPhone redesign in nearly two decades. Want…
9 Sep 2026 · 13 min

US Strikes Iran Oil Tankers, Israeli Settlements Sanctions, Smithsonian Head Retires

The U.S. has destroyed eight Iranian oil tankers since Saturday, as Iran fires back at American forces and Gulf countries reconsider the risks of hosting U.S. bases. Britain, Canada and France are moving to restrict trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, with Britain accusing settlers of ethnic cleansing and Israel responding with diplomatic retaliation. And Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch is retiring after nearly four decades at the institution, as the Trump administration continues criticizing the Smithsonian over exhibits it says are anti-white and too focused on…

About Up First from NPR

NPR's Up First is the news you need to start your day. The three biggest stories of the day, with reporting and analysis from NPR News — in 10 minutes. Available weekdays at 6:30 a.m. ET, with hosts Leila Fadel, Steve Inskeep, Michel Martin and A Martinez. Also available on Saturdays at 9 a.m. ET, with Ayesha Rascoe and Scott Simon. On Sundays, hear a longer exploration behind the headlines with Ayesha Rascoe on "The Sunday Story," available by 8 a.m. ET. Subscribe and listen, then support your local NPR station at donate.npr.org. Support public media by joining NPR+ at plus.npr.org . You’ll get perks for over 25 NPR podcasts, including sponsor-free listening for Up First, NPR News Now, and more.

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Publisher: NPR
Language: English
Category: News
New episodes: Daily
Typical length: 13 min
Latest episode: 7 Oct 2026
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