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Up First from NPR

Up First from NPR

NPR 500 Episodes Sep 20, 2026

NPR's Up First delivers the three biggest news stories of the day in 10 minutes, available weekdays at 6:30 a.m. ET. Hosted by Leila Fadel, Steve Inskeep, Michel Martin, and A Martinez, the podcast provides concise reporting and analysis from NPR News. Saturday editions feature Ayesha Rascoe and Scott Simon, while Sundays offer a deeper exploration with "The Sunday Story." Listeners can support their local NPR station at donate.npr.org.

Episodes

An American journalist missing in Syria: what happened?
An American journalist missing in Syria: what happened? Sep 20, 2026 1779 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
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 938 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 rac
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 762 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 institu
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 790 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 Unio
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 776 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 reno
Trump Downplays AI Risks, SCOTUS Mail-In Voting Ruling, Kennedy Center Bankruptcy
Trump Downplays AI Risks, SCOTUS Mail-In Voting Ruling, Kennedy Center Bankruptcy Sep 15, 2026 794 President Trump dismissed warnings from leading AI companies that the technology is advancing too fast, calling fears of machines taking over a hoax and framing AI development as a race with China.The Supreme Court rejected the Trump administration’s bid to impose new Postal Service requirements on mail-in ballots, meaning voting by mail that has already started in several states will continue und
AI Development Slowdown, Gulf States Postpone Iran Talks, Republican Midterm Strategy
AI Development Slowdown, Gulf States Postpone Iran Talks, Republican Midterm Strategy Sep 14, 2026 806 Leaders of some of the biggest AI companies say it is time to slow the pace of development after a string of incidents in which their systems went off script, even as President Trump says the United States should not ease up in the race with China.Talks between Iran and Gulf Arab states aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz were postponed as Iran-backed Houthis expand their control near another
The Clancy trial and a split over postpartum psychosis
The Clancy trial and a split over postpartum psychosis Sep 13, 2026 1708 Last week, a judge declared a mistrial in the murder case of Lindsay Clancy, leading the public to wonder: What really went on in the jury room?On this episode of The Sunday Story, Ayesha Rascoe talks to WBUR’s Deborah Becker, who was at the courthouse for the duration of the trial. She explains why this trial ended without a verdict – and what the public interest in the case says about an evolvin
BRICS Summit in India, Amazon Air Plane Crash, Federal Film Tax Bill
BRICS Summit in India, Amazon Air Plane Crash, Federal Film Tax Bill Sep 12, 2026 907 India hosts the 18th BRICS summit in New Delhi this weekend. The crash of an Amazon cargo jet in Miami is raising concerns about the safety culture at the retail giant's air operations. Congress weighs in on potential federal tax incentives to keep film production in the United States.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include spons
Remembering 9/11, Republican Midterm Convention Wraps, SCOTUS Missouri Redistricting
Remembering 9/11, Republican Midterm Convention Wraps, SCOTUS Missouri Redistricting Sep 11, 2026 810 Communities across the country will gather today to mark 25 years since the September 11 attacks, remembering the nearly 3,000 people who died that day and those later killed by illnesses from the toxic air at Ground Zero.President Trump closed the Republican midterm convention last night by urging supporters to vote as if he were on the ballot, even as large sections of the arena sat empty and he
Trump Convention Speech, Missouri Contempt And Redistricting, Apple's Foldable iPhone
Trump Convention Speech, Missouri Contempt And Redistricting, Apple's Foldable iPhone Sep 10, 2026 796 President Trump spoke on the first night of the Republican midterm convention, asking voters to pretend he is on the ballot and promising every adult $5,000 if Republicans keep Congress.Missouri election officials are caught between conflicting state and federal court rulings over which congressional map to use in November, with a Republican-drawn map that could help the party flip a Kansas City s
US Strikes Iran Oil Tankers, Israeli Settlements Sanctions, Smithsonian Head Retires
US Strikes Iran Oil Tankers, Israeli Settlements Sanctions, Smithsonian Head Retires Sep 9, 2026 776 The U.S. has destroyed eight Iranian oil tankers since Saturday, as Iran fires back at American forces and Gulf countries reconsider the risks of hosting U.S. bases.Britain, Canada and France are moving to restrict trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, with Britain accusing settlers of ethnic cleansing and Israel responding with diplomatic retaliation.And Smithsonian Secretary

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