The hosts of NPR's All Things Considered help you make sense of a major news story and what it means for you, in 15 minutes. New episodes six days a week, Sunday through Friday.
Support NPR and get your news sponsor-free with Consider This+. Learn more at plus.npr.org/considerthis
The Trump administration has thrown so many curveballs at colleges and universities, it can be hard to keep track. But there's logic behind the many efforts, from cutting research grants to detaining international students involved in activism. NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with White House correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben and education correspondent Elissa Nadworny about what's at stake in the federal government's multi-pronged assault on higher education and what the administration hopes to accompl...
When Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced new COVID recommendations this week, it raised questions among clinicians and patients: Will those shots still be available to people who want them — and will insurance cover it? NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with Dr. Peter Hotez, co-director of the Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, about the CDC's new guidelines for healthy children and pregnant women — and whether they could make it more difficult for t...
When ISIS was at its height, its ranks included several hundred Americans. They were often young men radicalized online by savvy marketing that promised free housing and the chance to meet a wife. When the Islamic State collapsed, some of them ended up in huge detention camps in Syria, and the U.S. has been trying to bring them home. NPR's Sacha Pfeiffer reports on one American family coping with the aftermath of the child they lost, and the children they found. What happened to the families of ...
NPR and three public radio stations in Colorado sued President Trump on Tuesday over his executive order that seeks to end federal funding for NPR and PBS. NPR's media correspondent David Folkenflik breaks down the suit, and NPR CEO Katherine Maher answers Mary Louise Kelly's answers about the lawsuit, potential fall out, and future of NPR and public media. And a reminder about how NPR covers news about NPR: All Things Considered host Kelly and media correspondent Folkenflik, as well as the edit...
It's a classic Washington power move — the late-on-Friday news dump. This past Friday, at 4:30pm, start of a long holiday weekend, about half the staff of the National Security Council got emails asking them to leave by 5pm. Dozens of people abruptly dismissed. The restructuring of the NSC as Secretary of State and National Security advisor Marco Rubio has characterized it — continues a trend in this second term for President Trump, of radical downsizing. The Trump administration plans to cut th...
Misinformation originating from fringe internet communities and right-wing media ecosystems is increasingly reaching the highest levels of government. This episode examines how false narratives, such as the debunked claim of a white genocide in South Africa, are amplified by figures like Tucker Carlson and Elon Musk, influencing presidential statements, refugee policy, and executive orders. The discussion highlights the media landscape that supports these claims and the resulting breakdown of societal trust when fringe ideas impact policy.
NPR's Nina Totenberg, a Supreme Court reporter for 50 years, shares insights into the Court's current relationship with President Trump, characterized by tension over executive authority cases. She recounts her extensive career, including breaking major stories and covering landmark decisions like Roe v. Wade and Bush v. Gore. Totenberg also details the unique challenges and methods of reporting on the Supreme Court, often described as secretive compared to other branches of government.
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem stumbled on a basic civics question: what is habeas corpus? This constitutional protection, which prevents illegal detention, is under discussion because the Trump administration considered suspending it to aid mass deportations. A legal expert explains the history, significance, and strict constitutional requirements for suspending habeas corpus, emphasizing that the president cannot do so unilaterally and discussing how the current Supreme Court might view such an attempt.
This episode discusses the killing of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington D.C. and places it within the context of a documented rise in antisemitic incidents in the United States. Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Daniel Shapiro, shares his reaction and insights on confronting this hate and distinguishes between legitimate protest and violence tied to antisemitism.
Following recent system outages causing significant delays and cancellations, an air traffic controller discusses the harrowing conditions working Newark airspace. They attribute the problems partly to systemic issues like aging technology and staffing shortages, but also directly blame the FAA's controversial decision to move operations from New York to Philadelphia without adequate planning. The episode explores the human impact on controllers and the current state of flying into or out of Newark.
The U.S. economy is in flux, presenting challenges like resuming student loan payments, inflation, high housing costs, and a tough job market. This episode offers practical advice from a personal finance expert on budgeting, exploring flexible student loan repayment plans, managing credit card debt and considering consolidation, navigating career uncertainty, and the importance of seeking support for the emotional toll of financial hardship.
This episode explores the claims made in the new book "Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-up and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again" by journalists Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson. The authors discuss their reporting on Biden's alleged physical and cognitive decline, specific examples from the book, and the actions his inner circle reportedly took to conceal it from the public and other aides. They also touch on the justifications given for his re-election bid and reflections from sources.
President Trump's recent trip to the Middle East broke tradition with major business deals in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE. The visit culminated in a surprise announcement to lift sanctions on Syria and a meeting with interim Syrian President al-Sharaa. They discussed Syria potentially recognizing Israel, raising questions about a critical turning point for peace in the region and the likelihood of these promises being fulfilled.
NPR's John Ruwitch shares insights on covering the US-China trade war from China, detailing its immediate impact on businesses like those at the Canton Fair. He also discusses the vibrant Shanghai Auto Show, showcasing China's EV dominance, and the complexities foreign correspondents face. Ruwitch reflects on China's vast changes over decades and the current uncertainty about future economic confidence.
Six months after President Trump introduced the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), this episode explores its dramatic impact on federal workers and public services nationwide. Reporters share anecdotes from agencies like USDA, Forest Service, and nuclear security, detailing job cuts, forced resignations, and a lack of transparency regarding claimed savings. The discussion highlights how these changes affect essential services Americans rely on, like food inspection and wildfire response, and touches upon the legal challenges currently pausing the restructuring.
This episode explores the Supreme Court case challenging former President Trump's executive order on birthright citizenship, which has been blocked by nationwide injunctions. While the core constitutional question was raised, expert Amanda Frost details how the oral arguments heavily focused on the controversial power of judges to issue nationwide injunctions against federal policies and the potential chaos if such injunctions were eliminated or limited.
Nearly half a million people in Gaza now face starvation, according to a new report from the IPC, the international panel of famine experts who advise the United Nations. For more than ten weeks, Israel has halted the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza, to pressure Hamas to release Israeli hostages. Israel accuses Hamas of seizing aid, selling it on the black market and using aid distribution to reinforce its control of Gaza. The UN says hundreds of truckloads of lifesaving supplies are waiting ...
As Russia's neighbor, Poland is rapidly increasing its defense spending, now the highest among NATO members, and preparing its population for potential conflict. The country is undertaking significant efforts like training all adult males for war and fortifying its border with Russia, while simultaneously exploring security agreements with other European partners like France amidst uncertainty regarding US commitment.
Bill Gates discusses his decision to accelerate the spending of the Gates Foundation's assets, totaling over $200 billion, with the goal of sunsetting the foundation by 2045. He explains his motivation for giving away his wealth faster, highlighting opportunities for impact in global health and agriculture. Gates also addresses the concerning cuts in U.S. foreign aid and his perspective on the responsibility of enormous wealth, maintaining optimism for future progress.
This episode explores the election of the first American pope, Pope Leo XIV. It delves into the conclave experience, the cardinals' personal reflections, and the significance of Pope Leo choosing his name in honor of Leo XIII. The discussion also covers Pope Leo's initial messages on social justice, AI, global issues, and the challenges facing the Catholic Church, including the rise of the religiously unaffiliated.
Veteran NPR correspondent Sylvia Poggioli discusses the challenges of covering the Vatican, using St. Peter's Square's architecture as a metaphor for its opaque nature. She shares experiences with the Vatican press office, the difficulty of accessing officials, and how different popes—John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis—handled media and communication, often causing unexpected stirs.
NPR correspondent Emmanuel Akinwotu reports on the devastation in Khartoum after two years of civil war in Sudan. The report details the destruction of the city, including the looting of the National Museum and the brutal treatment of civilians by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Despite the widespread damage, signs of life and resilience emerge as residents begin to rebuild.
For the first time, the Catholic Church has elected an American pope, Robert Prevost, who has taken the name Leo XIV. This episode explores the surprise of his election, his extensive international and administrative background, and how his papacy might follow or diverge from Pope Francis's path. Experts discuss the symbolism of his chosen name, his potential stance on social issues, and the unique position of an American pope on the global stage during a significant geopolitical moment.
This episode of Consider This explores the recent air traffic control breakdown at Newark Airport and the broader issues plaguing the U.S. air traffic control system. David Grizzle, former COO of the FAA, discusses the outdated technology, staff shortages, and funding challenges that have contributed to the problem. Despite these issues, Grizzle asserts that flying remains safe but emphasizes the need for continuous improvement and modernization.
Este episodio examina el futuro del acercamiento de la Iglesia Católica a la comunidad LGBTQ tras el papado de Francisco. El Padre James Martin analiza el legado de Francisco, incluyendo gestos de bienvenida y bendiciones a parejas del mismo sexo, mientras reconoce la tensión entre las diferentes perspectivas dentro de la iglesia. Martin enfatiza la importancia del encuentro para superar la homofobia y confía en que el Espíritu Santo guiará la elección del próximo Papa.
President Trump's spending cuts are affecting communities across the country, including those that strongly supported him. This episode visits Rising Sun, Maryland, where critical FEMA grants for flood mitigation and wastewater treatment were canceled, causing frustration among residents. It also explores Emmitsburg, Maryland, home to the National Fire Academy, where abrupt class cancellations concern locals about economic impact and emergency preparedness. Many affected residents are Trump voters who agree with cutting waste but disagree with these specific targets.
This episode of Consider This explores the upcoming conclave to select the next pope, featuring insights from Cardinal Timothy Dolan and NPR's Sylvia Poggioli. The discussion covers the rituals, secrecy, and internal dynamics of the conclave, including the various factions and potential candidates. It also examines the challenges facing the Catholic Church and the factors influencing the Cardinals' decision-making process.
Over the past few months, world leaders and diplomats have talked about grand plans for ending the war in Ukraine. But what about daily life there right now? For our reporter's notebook series, we'll get on the ground with NPR correspondent Joanna Kakissis, who's been living and working in Ukraine for almost the entire war. We'll hear how everyday Ukrainians have adapted to a new normal. People go to work and kids go to school, but most nights Russian attacks continue. For sponsor-free episodes ...
Former Justice Department lawyer John Yoo discusses the legal justifications for detaining individuals indefinitely overseas, comparing the Bush administration's approach at Guantanamo Bay to the Trump administration's policy of deporting migrants to maximum security prisons in El Salvador. Yoo highlights key legal differences, including the argument over whether a state of war exists and the right to due process, and touches upon the relevance of the "torture memos" in the context of conditions in Salvadoran prisons.
This episode of Consider This explores the potential impact of President Trump's auto tariffs on the car industry and consumers. NPR speaks with Ford CEO Jim Farley about Ford's strategy, localization of parts, and the balance between affordability and domestic job creation. Farley discusses the uncertainty surrounding car prices and Ford's commitment to U.S. manufacturing.
