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Up First from NPR

Up First from NPR

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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.

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Episodes
  • Trump's Whiplash Foreign Policy, Iran War Escalates, Graham Platner Drops Out

    Trump's Whiplash Foreign Policy, Iran War Escalates, Graham Platner Drops Out
    Jul 9 2026
    President Trump keeps swinging between threats and flattery, calling Iran's leaders rational and smart three weeks ago and scum this week, and he's a similar tactic with NATO allies, going from freeloaders to friends in a single summit.
    The U.S. struck Iran for a second straight night, hitting some 90 military targets near the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran fired back at American bases in Kuwait and Bahrain, putting Israel's military on full readiness and leaving the region bracing for more.
    And Graham Platner has suspended his Senate campaign in Maine, still denying the rape allegation that brought him down, and now Democrats have until the end of the month to pick someone new for a race they think they can win.

    Want more 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 Rebekah Metzler, Tina Kraja, Jason Breslow, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woelfle.

    It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas

    Our director is Christopher Thomas

    We get engineering support from Eowyn Fain and our technical director is Damian Herring.

    Our deputy Executive Producer is Kelley Dickens.

    (0:00) Introduction
    (01:58) Trump's Whiplash Foreign Policy
    (05:31) Iran War Escalates
    (09:10) Graham Platner Drops Out

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    12 mins
  • Iran Ceasefire Over, Platner Replacements Emerge, Olympic Committee Lifts Russia Ban

    Iran Ceasefire Over, Platner Replacements Emerge, Olympic Committee Lifts Russia Ban
    Jul 8 2026
    President Trump declared the ceasefire with Iran over at the NATO summit this morning, after the two sides traded heavy strikes overnight.
    Maine Democrats appear ready to move on from Graham Platner, who still hasn't said whether he'll drop his Senate bid after an accusation of sexual assault he denies, as party leaders scramble to line up a replacement before a fast-approaching deadline.
    And the International Olympic Committee has lifted its ban on Russia, opening the door to the 2028 Los Angeles Games even as Russian missiles kill civilians in Ukraine, a decision that has Ukrainians furious.

    Want more 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 Miguel Macias, Rebekah Metzler, Megan Pratz, Jennifer Portman, Alice Woelfle, and Mohamad ElBardicy.

    It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas

    Our director is Christopher Thomas.

    We get engineering support from Eowyn Fain. Our technical director is Damian Herring.

    Our Supervising Producer is HJ Mai.

    (0:00) Introduction
    (01:58) Iran Ceasefire Over
    (05:35) Platner Replacements Emerge
    (09:27) Olympic Committee Lifts Russia Ban

    See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

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    13 mins
  • Platner Pressured To Drop Out, NATO Summit In Turkey, US Out Of World Cup

    Platner Pressured To Drop Out, NATO Summit In Turkey, US Out Of World Cup
    Jul 7 2026
    Maine Democrat Graham Platner is facing growing calls to drop out of his Senate race after Politico published a former girlfriend's allegation of sexual assault, which he denies, in a blow to a party that saw the seat as key to retaking the Senate.
    NATO leaders are gathering in Turkey with President Trump among them, as he presses allies to spend more on their own defense while they look for reassurance that the U.S. still stands behind the alliance.
    And the U.S. men’s team’s World Cup run is over after a 4-1 loss to Belgium in the round of 16, capping Team USA's tournament full of promise and political controversy.

    Want more 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 Tina Kraja, Jason Breslow, Russell Lewis, Alice Woelfle, and Mohamed ElBardicy

    It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas

    Our director is Christopher Thomas.

    We get engineering support from Eowyn Fain. Our technical director is Damian Herring.

    And our Supervising Senior Producer is Vince Pearson.

    (0:00) Introduction
    (01:51) Platner Pressured To Drop Out
    (05:54) NATO Summit In Turkey
    (09:34) US Out Of World Cup

    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
    Show More Show Less
    14 mins
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