FlyDubai Midair Attack, Trump Midterm Campaigning, Hegseth Reshaping Military

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1. 

   6 Oct 2026 · 14 min

   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…

2. 

   5 Oct 2026 · 13 min

   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…

3. 

   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…

4. 

   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…

5. 

   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…

6. 

   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…

7. 

   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…

8. 

   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…

9. 

   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

10. 

    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…