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 NPR's reporting by subscribing to Up First+ and unlock sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org/upfirst
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more
Three days after twin earthquakes hit Venezuela, rescue teams race against time, President Trump's interest in overhauling elections is not shared by all of his Republican colleagues on Capitol Hill, and New Mexico tries to provide free childcare for all residents. 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...
NPR's Up First reports on the dire situation in Venezuela following two powerful earthquakes, with thousands missing and severe infrastructure damage, prompting international aid discussions. The Supreme Court issued significant immigration rulings, making it harder for hundreds of thousands to retain legal status and claim asylum. Additionally, President Trump seeks to regain farmer support with an $11 billion aid package amidst discontent caused by his trade policies.
Venezuela got hit by two of the most powerful earthquakes in its history, striking seconds apart near the capital and collapsing buildings as the government braces for a high death toll and the U.S. rushes in aid. President Trump blew up a popular bipartisan housing bill both parties wanted, refusing to sign it until the Senate passes his own elections bill that doesn't have the votes, it's the latest example of his demand for loyalty from Republicans and allies alike. And one of the Army's top ...
President Trump is having lunch on Capitol Hill today with Senate Republicans, after four GOP senators broke with him to advance a resolution pushing to end the war with Iran and Trump's clashes with Majority Leader John Thune over the filibuster, voter ID, and the president's handling of the war with Iran. Congress passed the largest housing bill in decades last night with strong bipartisan support, aiming to make homeownership more attainable by cracking down on corporate investors buying sing...
The U.S. has lifted oil sanctions on Iran for the first time in decades, letting Tehran sell its oil openly at higher prices meant to push Iran to comply on its nuclear program, even as the two sides are already split over whether Iran agreed to let inspectors back in. President Trump heads to Pennsylvania today to talk up the economy and his promise that gas and grocery prices will fall now that the war is ending, but his approval is at record lows with even some Republicans unhappy over his ha...
This episode covers the resignation of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, detailing the reasons for his fall from power and the rise of likely successor Andy Burnham, against the backdrop of a decade of political instability in the UK. It also reports on the first round of US-Iran talks in Switzerland, highlighting encouraging progress and a 60-day roadmap despite initial threats, focusing on the war in Lebanon and the Strait of Hormuz. Finally, it analyzes President Trump's struggle to garner support for the Iran deal within his own party due to both his MAGA base's opposition to foreign wars and GOP hawks' concerns about the deal's perceived weakness.
Who are the workers behind the global scam industry? In Cambodia, more than 200,000 scam workers have been released from fortified compounds, where many of them had been trafficked, held against their will, and forced to work for little pay. The Cambodian government’s recent crackdown has enabled reporters to get a closer look at an industry responsible for defrauding Americans of at least 20 billion dollars in 2025. But how did these workers end up in Cambodia, and what was the promise that dre...
PART 2: With the Cambodian government’s ongoing crackdown on the scam industry, tens of thousands of former scammers are stranded on the streets of Phnom Penh. Are they being treated as criminals or as victims themselves of a global industry designed to extract their labor? In part 2 of our series on The Sunday Story , investigative reporter Shibani Mahtani continues the story of one Ugandan scam worker as he tries to make his way home. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection an...
Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah renew their ceasefire while Iran and the U.S. try to push ahead with negotiating a broader deal. We'll also look at how the preliminary agreement is being viewed domestically, and at President Trump's G7 appearance. Plus, we'll have the latest on the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where aid is starting to arrive. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsors...
The deal to end the war with Iran is already looking shaky, with Vice President Vance delaying his trip to Switzerland to start negotiations and Israel still bombing Lebanon even though the deal says that has to stop. Vance is supposed to lead difficult negotiations with Iran, but he has limited diplomatic experience with a 60 days goal of going through a long list of tough issues still left to settle. And the Obama Presidential Center opens to the public in Chicago today, where Obama used the d...
This episode covers President Trump's initial agreement with Iran to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with sanctions set to be lifted, though concerns about Iran's nuclear program persist. It also details Trump's contentious decision to withhold his DNI nominee, putting Senate Republicans in a difficult position. Finally, new poll results reveal declining approval for Trump and dissatisfaction with the economy, even among his base.
NPR's Up First details the controversial US-Iran deal, still secret even to Israel, and its implications for regional stability, particularly concerning frozen funds and the Lebanon conflict. The episode also explores President Trump's G7 summit, where he addressed the Iran deal and shifted his focus to the war in Ukraine, while navigating complex relationships with allies like Israel. Finally, it examines the Georgia primary runoffs, showcasing a divided outcome for Trump-backed candidates in key Senate and gubernatorial races, alongside results from other states.
This episode of Up First examines Israel's strong disapproval of the pending US-Iran agreement, feeling sidelined and concerned about Iran's nuclear program and proxies. It also delves into President Trump's activities at the G7 summit, where leaders discussed the Iran deal, pressure on Russia regarding Ukraine, and other global issues. Finally, the episode previews critical primary runoffs in Georgia, highlighting the rift within the Republican party regarding Trump's endorsements, along with updates on other significant state and local races.
President Trump says a deal has been reached to end the war with Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but the agreement is set to be signed Friday in Switzerland and leaves out Israel, whose opposition is calling it one of the country's worst failures. Just hours after announcing the deal, President Trump hosted a UFC fight on the White House lawn on his 80th birthday for the nation's 250th. And right after the fight, Trump headed to the G7 summit in the French Alps, where he is expected to arr...
This episode delves into the 2020 killing of Antonio Mays Jr. at Seattle's Capitol Hill Occupied Protest (CHOP), where he was shot and killed. Initially reported as self-defense against an attacking vehicle, Antonio's father later filed a lawsuit asserting his son was a protester, not an aggressor. Reporters uncover a "circle of silence" from both protesters and police, hindering the investigation into who killed Antonio and why. The episode also analyzes live-streamed videos from the scene, revealing new details and unanswered questions.
The stalemate in Iran continues to vex the president, the merger of Paramount and Warner Brothers Discovery gets an all-clear from Washington, and the Knicks and Spurs fight for the NBA title. 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
President Trump canceled planned strikes on Iran citing progress in negotiations and says a deal that reopens the Strait of Hormuz could be signed within days, capping a week of whiplash that saw the U.S. bomb Iran three nights in a row and Trump threaten to seize an Iranian island. The UFC holds seven fights on the White House lawn Sunday for America's 250th birthday, one of a growing list of side projects taking up President Trump's time as a watchdog group sues over his stake in UFC's parent ...
The U.S. unleashed a second straight night of strikes on Iran with President Trump saying Iran is taking too long to negotiate, as Iran fires back at U.S. bases in Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan and Trump reveals U.S. efforts to help oil tankers slip past the Iranian blockade. Inflation jumped to its highest level in more than three years last month, largely driven by soaring gas prices since the war with Iran began, leaving many families like Emily Inlow in Kentucky struggling as wages fail to keep...
Iran launched attacks on Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan overnight after the U.S. struck Iranian targets in retaliation for an Iranian attack that downed a U.S. helicopter, raising fears of an escalation spiral that could derail any deal. Primary results are in from Maine, Nevada, North Dakota and South Carolina, with Maine's high-stakes Senate matchup now set between Democrat Graham Platner and Republican Susan Collins, and Trump's endorsed candidate for South Carolina governor headed to a runoff. A...
Israel and Iran have temporarily halted missile exchanges following US intervention, though conditions remain for potential renewed conflict and a US-Iran deal seems distant. Voters across four states are participating in primaries, with notable races in Maine, South Carolina, and Nevada testing Trump's influence and setting the stage for competitive general elections. Additionally, California's slow ballot counting has prompted President Trump to echo unsubstantiated fraud claims, raising concerns about potential responses to future election results.
Israel and Iran trade direct strikes following an Israeli attack on Beirut's southern suburbs that defied a U.S. request to stand down, further complicating U.S. efforts to reach a deal with Iran. President Trump abruptly walked out of an interview on Meet the Press after being pressed on his anti-weaponization fund and his repeated false claims that the 2020 election and last week's California primaries were rigged. And the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is spreading at an u...
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, is set to be the biggest ever with 48 teams. This episode explores the tournament's immense global appeal, the US team's underdog status and key players, and the anticipated entertainment, including a polarizing new halftime show. It also delves into the complex geopolitical challenges, such as visa issues impacting fans and teams, alongside critiques of FIFA's high ticket prices making the sport less accessible.
Today's episode delves into the Supreme Court's impending decisions on birthright citizenship, temporary protected status, and presidential firing powers, alongside a controversial ruling on Alabama voting districts. It then explores how pro-Trump influencers leverage prediction markets to spread unfounded election fraud claims about the Los Angeles mayoral race, raising concerns for future elections. Finally, the podcast reports from Guadalajara, Mexico, revealing the heartbreaking struggle of families searching for disappeared loved ones, a crisis largely ignored as the city prepares to host World Cup games.
Senate Republicans worked through the night to pass President Trump's $72 billion immigration enforcement bill, but voted not to block the president’s anti-weaponization fund. A handful of Republicans are breaking with President Trump over the war in Iran, his anti-weaponization fund, and his pick to lead national intelligence, raising the question of whether his grip on the party is starting to slip after a decade of dominance. And former national security adviser turned Trump critic John Bolto...
President Trump says he'll nominate acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to permanently lead the Department of Justice, even as his now-scrapped anti-weaponization fund continues to complicate a major immigration enforcement bill in Congress. President Trump confirms he cursed at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and called him crazy in a heated call that halted planned strikes on Beirut, exposing growing tension between the two longtime allies over the direction of the war. And Russia's...
Republican voters in Iowa rejected President Trump's pick for governor in last night's primary, a rare moment of pushback as voters in six states set up key November matchups including House races that could decide control of Congress. The Justice Department is scrapping President Trump's nearly $1.8 billion dollar anti-weaponization fund after sustained bipartisan backlash, though the DOJ says part of the IRS settlement shielding Trump and his family from past tax investigations still stands. A...
NPR's Up First reports on the Justice Department's temporary halt of President Trump's controversial anti-weaponization fund, facing bipartisan opposition and internal GOP pushback. The episode also details the fragile US-Iran ceasefire, strained by Israel's expanding war in Lebanon and Trump's shifting diplomatic interest. Finally, it examines California's primary day, focusing on competitive House races shaped by new congressional maps and the open seat of Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi.
Anti-establishment candidate Graham Platner seemingly came out of nowhere to become the presumptive Democratic nominee for the Senate seat in Maine. But his campaign has been dogged by controversies. There were the old, deleted Reddit posts in which he made racist comments and blamed sexual assault on victims. There was a now-covered tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol. And most recently, the Wall Street Journal reported that Platner exchanged sexually explicit messages with multiple women early in ...
Israeli forces captured a 900-year-old castle in southern Lebanon in their deepest incursion into the country in 26 years, complicating U.S. efforts to reach a deal with Iran even as the two sides traded more strikes over the weekend. Congress returns from its Memorial Day break facing a stalled immigration funding bill that has become tangled up with President Trump’s push for an anti-weaponization fund and possible payments to January 6 defendants. And the Trump administration’s anti-weaponiza...
Scientists say that sitting is the new smoking. The average American adult now sits for 9-10 hours per day. What’s the least amount of movement someone can do to offset the harms of our modern sedentary lifestyle? Manoush Zomorodi, host of NPR’s TED Radio Hour podcast, has spent the last several years trying to answer that question. After collaborating with Columbia University Medical Center on a major study, she brings Ayesha the answer. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection ...
