In Central Asia, the world's youngest desert occupies a basin that once held a vast saline lake. The Aral Sea. Up until the 1960s, the sea spanned more than 26 thousand square miles across two countries. It supported thriving fishing communities along its shores. But then, in the name of progress and development, much of the river water that fed the sea was diverted for agriculture. Now the Aral Sea has all but disappeared, shrunk to about tenth of its original size. The UN Environment Programme...
Sep 22, 2024•30 min
Serious allegations against a Republican gubernatorial candidate in North Carolina and tensions in Georgia over the counting of ballots are just two of this week's top political headlines - we'll bring you the latest. Plus, Israel turned pagers and two-way radios used by Hezbollah and civilians in Lebanon into mini bombs - we'll look at what that move, plus another air strike, could mean in the context of wider regional tensions. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adcho...
Sep 21, 2024•14 min
Former President Donald Trump tried to overturn the election results and slander election workers in 2020. Less than two months before this year's election, officials are preparing for new conspiracy theories. Online influencers are trying to find evidence of debunked events in Springfield, Ohio, and many people with sickle cell disease are slow to sign up for new genetic treatments. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up Fi...
Sep 20, 2024•13 min
People in Lebanon are unplugging electronics and turning off their phones after a second day of exploding devices. Israel, which has not publicly acknowledged any responsibility for the attacks, has a long history of covert operations, and one of the largest unions in the United States is staying on the sidelines of this year's presidential election. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter. Today's episode of...
Sep 19, 2024•14 min
Electronic pagers carried by members of the militant group Hezbollah exploded across Lebanon and Syria on Tuesday. The incident killed at least a dozen people and injured thousands more. The Federal Reserve is set to announce a long-awaited rate cut. And drug overdose deaths in the U.S. are falling sharply. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter. Today's episode of Up First was edited by Vincent Ni, Rafael N...
Sep 18, 2024•13 min
Before his alleged attempt to assassinate former President Donald Trump, a gunman had a different attention-grabbing cause. Ryan Wesley Routh said he was recruiting soldiers for Ukraine. Springfield, Ohio, which has been in the news after Trump and his running mate promoted a false story about immigrants, has canceled a festival celebrating cultural diversity. And Rupert Murdoch aims to change his will to affect who controls Fox News. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news o...
Sep 17, 2024•13 min
A man is in custody for what the FBI describes as an apparent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at his Florida golf club. Venezuela's government claims the CIA plotted to kill President Nicolás Maduro. And a court weighs the future of TikTok in the U.S. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter. Today's episode of Up First was edited by Russell Lewis, Tara Neill, Julia Redpath, HJ Mai and A...
Sep 16, 2024•14 min
Eating less beef could make a large dent in Americans' climate pollution. But data show it's men who are disproportionately eating beef. Now food and climate researchers are thinking about how to impact climate pollution through the lens of gender. But for many U.S. men, eating fewer burgers or steaks can require overcoming some big obstacles. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
Sep 15, 2024•29 min
Ukraine has been asking for permission to use Western-supplied long-range missiles to strike deep within Russian territory. The Biden administration has not given Ukraine the green light on that — we'll look at what that means in this protracted conflict. Also, it's been a year since a massive and coordinated United Auto Workers Strike secured better pay for workers - but a year on, workers are worried about job security. Plus, a new era in space tourism, with a civilian taking a space walk. He ...
Sep 14, 2024•17 min
Former President Donald Trump said he wont debate Vice President Kamala Harris as the candidates hit the campaign trail in key swing states. Boeing is facing a major strike after more than 30,000 machinists overwhelmingly rejected a contract offer, adding to the airline maker's ongoing struggles with safety and financial challenges. President Biden and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer may decide to give Ukraine long-range weapons when they meet at the White House today. And, California is moving f...
Sep 13, 2024•17 min
NPR gets a rare look inside Sudan where fighting between the Sudanese army and paramilitary forces has left millions displaced and struggling for survival. As grocery prices remain high, new data examines whether profits are outpacing rising costs. And the trial of three Memphis police officers begins with disturbing footage of the fatal traffic stop of 29 year-old Tyre Nichols. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First n...
Sep 12, 2024•13 min
Vice President Kamala Harris took the fight to former President Donald Trump as they faced off in their first presidential debate, clashing over the economy, abortion, immigration, and other issues. Congress is heading towards a potential government shutdown as House Republicans push a controversial bill, which faces opposition from both Democrats and some within their own party. And, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the UK's foreign secretary are in Kyiv, discussing lifting restrictions on...
Sep 11, 2024•16 min
Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are set to face off in their first, and possibly only, debate of the presidential campaign. An Israeli airstrike killed dozens and wounded many in a designated humanitarian zone in Gaza, raising concerns about civilian casualties and the escalating conflict. And bodycam footage shows NFL star Tyreek Hill being forcibly removed from his car by Miami police before Sunday's game. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important ne...
Sep 10, 2024•17 min
New details have emerged about the Georgia school shooting, including a phone call from the alleged gunman's mother warning the school just before the attack. Venezuela's opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez, believed to have won the presidential election, has fled to Spain. And, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill was detained by police just hours before the first Sunday of the NFL season, raising questions about his treatment during the encounter . Want more comprehensive analysis of the mo...
Sep 09, 2024•13 min
Wilderness is a designation of an area intended to be free from human intervention unless it's deemed absolutely necessary. But as climate change increases the frequency and severity of wildfires when does it become necessary for land stewards to intervene? In Sequoia National Park this question of whether or not to intervene has land managers and environmentalists at odds with one another. Host Ayesha Rascoe talks with reporter Marissa Ortega-Welch about her new podcast series How Wild . In a s...
Sep 08, 2024•30 min
What can NASA and Boeing engineers are learn from the trouble-plagued Starliner capsule, which has just returned back to Earth without its crew? Plus, a look at where Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump stand on key foreign policy issues. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
Sep 07, 2024•17 min
While former President Donald Trump denies the incident, NPR has confirmed new details about the altercation at Arlington National Cemetery involving two of his campaign staffers. The father of the teenager accused in the Georgia school shooting now faces charges for allowing his son access to a firearm. And, the August jobs report is expected to shed light on whether strong hiring is driving up inflation, something the Federal Reserve is closely monitoring. Want more comprehensive analysis of t...
Sep 06, 2024•13 min
Authorities are investigating the fatal shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, where a 14-year-old is charged with killing four people and wounding nine others. Donald Trump's legal team heads to court today, with key decisions about his January 6th trial expected ahead of the November election. Candidates are heavily focusing on swing states like Pennsylvania and Georgia as the 2024 election nears its final stretch. And, two Russian nationals are accused of using U.S. influencers...
Sep 05, 2024•15 min
A major government reshuffle is underway in Ukraine as intensifying Russian missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian cities kills dozens and injures hundreds. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces mounting pressure from protesters and political rivals accusing him of prioritizing his political survival over Israel's security. And, a longtime New York political aide is accused of secretly working for the Chinese government, sparking concerns over foreign influence in U.S. policymaking. Wa...
Sep 04, 2024•14 min
The 2024 presidential election campaign is entering its final stretch as the candidates mobilize and prepare for next week's debate. Venezuelan courts issued an arrest warrant for opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez after he claimed victory in July's presidential election, he's accused of conspiring against President Nicolas Maduro's government. And Disney, which owns ESPN, ABC, and Disney-Plus, pulled it's programming from DirecTV over a public contract dispute. Want more comprehensive analys...
Sep 03, 2024•13 min
A nationwide strike is underway in Israel Massive protests in several Israeli cities are putting pressure on Benjamin Netanyahu's government following the military's recovery of six hostages killed in Gaza. Unions are getting extra attention this election cycle as candidate hope to win over swing states with strong union support. And both presidential candidates have put America's housing issues on their agenda, but they have very different and vague plans to fix it. Want more comprehensive anal...
Sep 02, 2024•13 min
By the time he was in middle school, writer Gabino Iglesias gravitated toward stories that unsettled him. Stories that scared him enough that he needed to turn on a light. Now a Bram Stoker Award-winning author, Iglesias writes this type of fiction himself. Today on The Sunday Story, Iglesias talks to host Ayesha Rascoe about his new novel, House of Bone and Rain, which centers on a group of friends determined to avenge a murder. Iglesias describes how he uses supernatural elements to make a sto...
Sep 01, 2024•21 min
Both presidential campaigns are aggressively courting voters in Georgia. Beginning this weekend, the United Nations is undertaking a polio vaccination campaign in Gaza. Experts urge caution as Mexico seeks to reform its judiciary. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
Aug 31, 2024•15 min
In her first major interview as the presidential nominee Kamala Harris was forward-looking while also defending Biden's policies. Donald Trump has been speaking in more moderate terms about reproductive rights. A deadly food-borne bacteria linked to deli meat has killed at least nine people a hospitalized dozens more. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
Aug 30, 2024•12 min
French authorities move to hold the CEO of tech giant Telegram responsible for serious crimes committed on the messaging app. Trump faces criticism for using slain troops at Arlington National Cemetery in campaign material. Some U.S. citizens are being targeted by GOP-led efforts to prevent noncitizens from voting. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
Aug 29, 2024•13 min
A new indictment against the former president in the January 6th case. Trump campaign staff had an altercation with an official at Arlington National Cemetery. Thousands of athletes with disabilities from all over the world gather for the Paralympics. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
Aug 28, 2024•12 min
Arguments over food prices are central to efforts to halt a 25 billion dollar grocery store merger. A rare and deadly mosquito borne illness has public parks in Massachusetts shut down at dusk. The Israel-Lebanon border is calm for now and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
Aug 27, 2024•13 min
The IDF and Hezbollah fired a major barrage of rockets across the Israel-Lebanon border. With just over two months left in the presidential race, what does the latest NPR poll tell us about where things stand? The U.S. Ambassador to India is accused of lying under oath to cover up the alleged inappropriate behavior of a close advisor. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
Aug 26, 2024•13 min
In the Xinjiang region of western China, the government has rounded up and detained at least hundreds of thousands of Uyghurs and other Muslim ethnic groups. Many haven't been heard from in years, and others are still desperately searching for their families. Western governments have called this crackdown a cultural genocide and a possible crime against humanity. NPR Correspondent Emily Feng has been reporting on Uyghurs inside and outside of China for years. In this episode, she profiles two Uy...
Aug 25, 2024•42 min
Now that the second of the two major political conventions is over, how are the parties positioning themselves for the rest of the campaign? An anti-trust case involving the two biggest grocery retailers starts Monday. In Afghanistan, the Taliban has codified new rules with familiar strictures. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
Aug 24, 2024•16 min
