Up First from NPR

US Prepares For Possible Strikes, Midterm Early Voting, Trump BBC Deposition

Democratic Surrogates Campaign, US & Israel Plan Iran Strikes, Tesla SpaceX Merger

Democratic candidates are deploying high-profile surrogates like Barack Obama and Kamala Harris to competitive Senate races in deep red states, aiming to capitalize on increased black voter turnout. Meanwhile, the U.S. and Israel are coordinating potential military plans against Iran, with strikes likely delayed until ...

Zelenskyy Mending Ties, Trump In North Carolina, Saudi Arabia Gets British Support

Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy is actively seeking direct negotiations with Vladimir Putin while managing a precarious relationship with the Trump administration, which is currently engaging the Kremlin regarding the ongoing war. Simultaneously, the North Carolina Senate race highlights the limitations of Donald Trump’s...

Pushback On Trump's Russia Policy, Competitive Midterm Races, DOJ Noncitizen Voting

Bipartisan lawmakers are challenging President Trump’s recent policy shifts toward Russia, specifically the lifting of diesel sanctions and the suspension of military intelligence sharing with Ukraine. These actions, coupled with reports of disrupted Starlink services, have prompted concerns about the administration's ...

Trump Eases Russia Sanctions, Midterm Campaign Money, Violent Protests In France

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has intensified following major Ukrainian drone strikes on energy infrastructure in St. Petersburg, occurring alongside shifting U.S. policy stances that prioritize easing pressure on Moscow. Meanwhile, the 2026 U.S. midterm elections are on track to be the most expensive in hist...

Israelis have changed. Will they change their leader?

The upcoming Israeli elections are defined by the trauma of the October 7th attacks and deep societal polarization regarding the nation's future. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a significant challenge from former military chief Gadi Eizenkot, with the central debate focusing on whether to launch a national inq...

School Shooting in Bend, Elon Musk's Power, MN Senate Race

A tragic school shooting at Silver Rail Elementary in Bend, Oregon, claimed the lives of three children and a teacher, with investigations revealing the 16-year-old suspect was a former student in the school’s special education program. Meanwhile, the immense influence of Elon Musk continues to spark debate, as investi...

Oregon School Shooting, Russia's View On US-Ukraine Split, DOJ Sues California

A tragic school shooting in Bend, Oregon, left three children and a teacher dead after a 16-year-old suspect breached locked doors at Silver Rail Elementary before being killed by a bystander. Meanwhile, the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia has intensified, with Ukraine targeting Russian oil refineries in re...

Hasan Piker on his rise as a voice of the 'insurgent left' | NPR's Newsmakers

Hasan Piker, a prominent Twitch political commentator, addresses the intense media scrutiny and political backlash surrounding his socialist and anti-imperialist views. Despite being frequently characterized as a radical or a liability to the Democratic Party, he maintains that his primary goal is to advocate for econo...

Trump's Midterm Travel, Ukraine Starshield Restrictions, Houthis Attack Aramco

President Trump is prioritizing midterm campaign stops in reliably Republican states to mobilize his base, shifting away from earlier commitments to support a wider array of competitive candidates. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s military operations face significant hurdles as U.S.-supplied Starshield satellite technology—critica...

Ukraine's President Sits With NPR, Pope Leo Cancer, Ambassador Guilfoyle Forced Out

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reports that the White House has threatened to withhold critical intelligence sharing, potentially compromising Ukraine's defense against Russian ballistic missile strikes. This tension coincides with Russia’s ongoing attacks on energy infrastructure, despite a purported energy t...

Trump Midterm Campaigning, Rep. Omar Home Searched, Europe Pushes Back on Russia Deal

President Trump is intensifying his campaign travel ahead of the midterm elections, holding rallies that function more as personal showcases than support for local candidates. These events highlight the ongoing dominance of his political brand despite declining approval ratings. Simultaneously, federal agents have exec...

Trump Pressures Ukraine, Trump's Midterm Priorities, Saudi Arabia Airport Attacks

President Trump is pressuring Ukraine to hold wartime elections and remove President Volodymyr Zelensky, while simultaneously demanding an end to Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil refineries. Although Trump claims an "energy ceasefire" exists, Ukraine denies any such agreement, noting that Russia continues to targ...

The women who fought back when their jailers assaulted them

Systemic sexual abuse within the Central California Women's Prison persists due to a culture of silence and staff impunity. Incarcerated women, including Aliksandria Prout, face targeted exploitation by guards who manipulate prison movement systems—such as falsified attorney "ducats"—to isolate victims in areas without...

Hurricane Isaias Floods the Panhandle, A Russian Oil Deal, ICE Shooting in New York

Hurricane Isaias made landfall near Destin, Florida, as a Category 2 storm, causing widespread power outages for over 800,000 customers and significant infrastructure damage across the Gulf Coast. While the storm surge proved less destructive than initially feared, the remnants continue to threaten the Southeast with f...

Bracing For Hurricane Isaias, Ukraine Pushes Russia Back, Iran War Impact On Midterms

Hurricane Isaias threatens the Gulf Coast, with meteorologists warning of life-threatening storm surges, heavy rainfall, and potential winds exceeding 100 miles per hour. Residents across the Florida panhandle and Alabama are bracing for impact as officials order evacuations and pre-stage emergency resources. Meanwhile...

Hurricane Isaias Prep, Competitive Midterm Races, Trump's Media Ban In Court

Hurricane Isaias, having intensified into a hurricane, threatens the Gulf Coast, prompting widespread preparations from Mississippi to the Florida Panhandle, including the evacuation of oil platforms and the rescheduling of major sporting events. Simultaneously, the political landscape for the U.S. House remains volati...

Threats On US Bases Overseas, France Student Protest, German Spy Arrest

The U.S. military recently relocated long-range bombers from a British air base following a credible threat linked to Iran, highlighting the growing vulnerability of global military installations to drone attacks. Meanwhile, France faces widespread social unrest as high school students, joined by teachers and labor uni...

Democrats Lead In Midterm Polls, Yemen War Front, Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger

Democrats currently hold a decided advantage in midterm election polling, with momentum shifting in their favor over the last several months, particularly in Senate races. While historical trends and low presidential approval ratings suggest significant Democratic gains, structural factors like redistricting and the pa...

FlyDubai Pilot Investigation, SCOTUS Climate Change Case, Brazil Runoff Election

A FlyDubai co-pilot attempted to crash a commercial flight into Israel's Ben-Gurion Airport, triggering an international security investigation and intense political debate over aviation safety loopholes. Simultaneously, the U.S. Supreme Court begins its new term by addressing a climate change lawsuit from Boulder, Col...