Up First from NPR
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 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. Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Megan Pratz, Tina Kraja, Russell Lewis, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas. Our director is Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis and Stacey Abbott. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. And our Supervising Senior Producer is Vince Pearson. (0:00) Introduction(02:13) Democrats Lead In Midterm Polls(06:41) Yemen War Front(10:19) Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger 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
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 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. Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Tina Kraja, Anna Yukhananov, Tara Neill, Mohamad ElBardicy and Taylor Haney. It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas. Our director is Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis and Patrick Murray. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. (0:00) Introduction(01:52) FlyDubai Pilot Investigation(05:19) SCOTUS Climate Change Case(09:03) Brazil Runoff Election 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
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. You can read more of David Folkenflik’s reporting on this story here. 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
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 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. NPR Privacy Policy
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 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. Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Rafael Nam, Susanna Capeluto, Gigi Douban, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas. Our director is Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis and Patrick Murray. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. And our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor. (0:00) Introduction(02:29) Wages Vs Inflation(06:49) Tennessee Failed Execution(10:25) Cornell Rape Case Special Prosecutor 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
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 into the war with Iran. 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. Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Tina Kraja, Rebekah Metzler, Andrew Sussman, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas. Our director is Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis and Patrick Murray. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. And our deputy Executive Producer is Kelley Dickens. (0:00) Introduction(02:18) FlyDubai Midair Attack(06:02) Trump Midterm Campaigning(09:51) Hegseth Reshaping Military 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
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 policy is legal. 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. Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Rebekah Metzler, Alina Hartounian, Tina Kraja, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Ben Abrams. Our director is Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis and Patrick Murray. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. And our Supervising Producer is Michael Lipkin. (0:00) Introduction(01:50) Trump AI Summit(05:40) US Pulls Out Of Iraq(09:16) SCOTUS Third Country Deportations 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
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 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. Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Tina Kraja, Kara Platoni, Gigi Douban, Mohamad ElBardicy and HJ Mai. It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas. Our director is Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis and Patrick Murray. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. And our Supervising Senior Producer is Vince Pearson. (0:00) Introduction(01:58) UK Terror Plot Investigation(05:43) Trump's Fuel Efficiency Rollback(09:43) Cornell Rape Case 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
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 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. Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Miguel Macias, Tina Kraja, Kelsey Snell, Mohamad ElBardicy and Ally Schweitzer. It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Ben Abrams. Our director is Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis and Patrick Murray. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. (0:00) Introduction(01:57) Trump Rejects Iran's Ceasefire(05:35) UK Foiled Plot On US Base(09:19) Trump Press Corps Fight 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
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
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 podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy
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. Today's episode of Up First was edited by Emily Kopp, Rebekah Metzler, James Hider, Tina Kraja, Alice Woelfle, and Reena Advani. It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas. Our director is Chris Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis . Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. And our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor. (0:00) Introduction(01:51) Trump-Xi Summit(05:40) White House Media Ban Update(09:08) Netanyahu's UN Speech 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
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 questions about antisemitism — a charge he denied before being asked. Carlson also revisits his years as a cable-TV partisan, talks about a possible third party and explains why he believes both major parties have failed Americans. In response to a request for comment from NPR, the White House did not address Carlson's claims specifically, instead sending along a social media post by the president that describes Carlson and others as "stupid people" who want Iran to have a nuclear weapon. Newsmakers is where you'll find NPR's biggest interviews. Follow or subscribe on Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you watch or listen to podcasts to get new episodes as soon as possible. You can also find Newsmakers on the NPR app. Newsmakers relies on supporters who value independent journalism and a free press. Join NPR+ today to support our work and get perks from the podcasts you trust. Go to 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. NPR Privacy Policy
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 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. Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Rebekah Metzler, Emily Kopp, Miguel Macias, Tara Neill, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Ally Schweitzer. It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Ben Abrams. Our director is Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. And our deputy Executive Producer is Kelley Dickens. (0:00) Introduction(01:54) Court Temporarily Blocks Media Ban(05:48) Trump-Xi White House Meeting(09:54) UNGA Diplomacy 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
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 professional-conduct concerns. 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. Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Rebekah Metzler, Megan Pratz, Emily Kopp, Mohamad ElBardicy and Ally Schweitzer. It was produced by Paige Waterhouse and Ben Abrams. Our director is Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. And our Supervising Producer is Michael Lipkin. (0:00) Introduction(1:58) Trump Speech UNGA(5:48) NPR Poll(9:34) Media take Trump to court 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
