Episodes

  • US And Iran Talk At UNGA, Poll Shows Dems Lead Midterm, White House Media Ban Lawsuit

    US And Iran Talk At UNGA, Poll Shows Dems Lead Midterm, White House Media Ban Lawsuit
    Sep 23 2026
    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.

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    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


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    13 mins
  • News Outlets Protest Trump's Media Bans, Trump At UNGA, Paramount Merger Settlement

    News Outlets Protest Trump's Media Bans, Trump At UNGA, Paramount Merger Settlement
    Sep 22 2026
    Major news organizations are suspending use of White House pool coverage after President Trump banned reporters from CNN and two other outlets, with a court hearing set for Wednesday.
    President Trump addresses the United Nations this morning aiming to cast himself as a peacemaker, a day before Iran’s president speaks, with the war between them still unresolved.
    Paramount’s owners agreed to concessions to settle an antitrust lawsuit from a dozen states over their $111 billion bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, a deal critics say will not protect jobs or the independence of CBS and CNN.

    Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.

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    Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Kelsey Snell, Rebekah Metzler, Russell Lewis, Mohamad ElBardicy and Ally Schweitzer.

    It was produced by Julie Depenbrock and Nia Dumas.

    Our director is Christopher Thomas.

    We get engineering support from Simon-Laslo Janssen.

    Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

    And our Supervising Senior Producer is Vince Pearson.

    (0:00) Introduction
    (01:56) News Outlets Protest Trump's Media Ban
    (05:53) Trump Speaks at UNGA
    (09:28) Paramount Merger Settlement

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    13 mins
  • UN General Assembly Week, Trump's Triumphal Arch, Air Traffic Control AI

    UN General Assembly Week, Trump's Triumphal Arch, Air Traffic Control AI
    Sep 21 2026
    World leaders gather in New York for the U.N. General Assembly with the war between the U.S. and Iran dominating the agenda and questions about whether diplomacy can gain traction with Iran's president in attendance.
    President Trump says his planned "triumphal arch" memorial near Arlington National Cemetery will also house drones, snipers and ammunition, after a judge ordered the administration to give notice before work begins.
    CNN, MS Now and Politico are suing the Trump administration for banning them from the White House.

    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 Tara Neill, Dana Farrington, Jennifer Portman, Mohamad ElBardicy and HJ Mai.

    It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas.

    Our director is Christopher Thomas.

    We get engineering support from Zac Coleman.

    Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

    (0:00) Introduction
    (01:56) UN General Assembly Week
    (05:38) Trump's Triumphal Arch
    (09:23) Trump Bans Media

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    14 mins
  • An American journalist missing in Syria: what happened?

    An American journalist missing in Syria: what happened?
    Sep 20 2026
    This is the story of one of the biggest missing-person cases of our time. It’s been more than fourteen years since American journalist Austin Tice vanished in Syria. There have been many stories about what happened to him. His disappearance has reached the highest levels of power and yet, so little is actually known. BBC’s award-winning investigative journalist Josh Baker brings us Where is Austin Tice?, a new series from NPR’s Embedded and BBC Radio 4.

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    30 mins
  • Trump Bans Media from White House, Europe on High Alert, College Sports Bill

    Trump Bans Media from White House, Europe on High Alert, College Sports Bill
    Sep 19 2026
    President Trump says he’s banning three news organizations – CNN, MS NOW and Politico – from the White House.

    Leaders in France, Poland and across the continent have warned that Russia may about to broaden its war in Europe. The warning comes after what they say is a spate of brazen Russian attacks.

    The Protect College Sports Act — a bill that promises to bring stability to college sports — is racing to clear some of its final hurdles.

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    16 mins
  • Kennedy Center Demolition Threat, Trump's Troubles, Poland Warns Of Russian Attacks

    Kennedy Center Demolition Threat, Trump's Troubles, Poland Warns Of Russian Attacks
    Sep 18 2026
    A federal judge told President Trump he cannot demolish the Kennedy Center without 30 days’ notice, after the board shut the building and Trump threatened to rip it down if his name is not on it.
    The president has taken a series of hits this week, from the Supreme Court blocking his mail-in voting plan to the Fed increasing interest rates against his wishes, raising questions about how much institutions are willing to push back as the midterms approach.
    Poland’s prime minister says Russia is planning hybrid drone and missile attacks on European countries that support Ukraine, strikes Moscow would try to pass off as accidents to keep NATO from responding.

    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 Steve Drummond, Rebekah Metzler, Tina Kraja, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woelfle.

    It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas.

    Our director is Christopher Thomas.

    We get engineering support from Zac Coleman.

    Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

    And our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor.

    (0:00) Introduction
    (01:51) Kennedy Center Demolition Threat
    (05:44) Trump's Troubles
    (09:15) Poland Warns Of Russian Attacks

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    13 mins
  • Fed Raises Interest Rates, Iran War and Oil Prices, EU-Canada Alliance

    Fed Raises Interest Rates, Iran War and Oil Prices, EU-Canada Alliance
    Sep 17 2026
    The Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the first time in three years as it tries to bring down stubborn inflation, putting new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh at odds with President Trump’s calls for lower rates.
    Rising fuel prices linked to the Iran war are driving protests and economic pressure around the world as Saudi Arabia faces attacks on its oil infrastructure and shipping routes.
    European Union President Ursula von der Leyen is proposing a new “associate member” relationship with Canada as the two draw closer amid tensions with the United States, while President Trump threatens new trade penalties in response.

    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 Rebecca Rosman, Miguel Macias, Tina Kraja, Mohamad ElBardicy, Alice Woelfle and Lindsay Totty.

    It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas.

    Our director is Christopher Thomas.

    We get engineering support from Zac Coleman.

    Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

    And our deputy Executive Producer is Kelley Dickens.

    (0:00) Introduction
    (01:50) Fed Raises Interest Rates
    (05:11) Iran War and Oil Prices
    (09:42) EU-Canada Alliance

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    13 mins
  • Federal Reserve Interest Rates, Reports Reveal Iran War Costs, Kennedy Center Closure

    Federal Reserve Interest Rates, Reports Reveal Iran War Costs, Kennedy Center Closure
    Sep 16 2026
    The Federal Reserve is expected to raise interest rates for the first time in three years as the Iran war pushes inflation higher and borrowing costs are already climbing.
    Two new government reports put the cost of the Iran war at more than $30 billion and reveal extensive damage to U.S. bases and growing strain on key weapons stockpiles.
    The Kennedy Center board voted to close the building for renovations after a federal judge again blocked President Trump’s name from being added, while Trump says he will not move ahead unless that changes.

    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, Andrew Sussman, Steve Drummond, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Alice Woelfle.

    It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas.

    Our director is Christopher Thomas.

    We get engineering support from Zac Coleman.

    Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

    And our Supervising Producer is Michael Lipkin.

    (0:00) Introduction
    (01:54) Federal Reserve Interest Rates
    (05:29) Reports Reveal Iran War Costs
    (09:36) Kennedy Center Closure

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    Show more Show less
    13 mins