Podcast: Up First

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 James Hider, Tara Neill, Krishnadev Calamur, Janaya Williams, and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams, Nia Dumas and Milton Guevara. We get engineering support from Arthur Laurent. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.Tensions are high between Israel and Iranian-backed Hezbollah after a rocket hit a soccer field filled with children in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Nicolas Maduro was declared the winner of the Venezuelan Presidential election, and Donald Trump has been ramping up attacks on Kamala Harris as her campaign continues to energize Democrats.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

This past spring, in the east African nation of Uganda, the country's highest court upheld The Anti-Homosexuality act. It calls for tough sentences-sometimes even the death penalty - for LGBTQ+ people. On this episode of The Sunday Story, the tale of a trans woman in Uganda who calls herself Rihanna Mukasa. Rihanna was one of the first to be brought to court under the Anti-Homosexuality Act. As she fought a convoluted legal battle, she was brutalized in prison for nine months. After her release, Rihanna found an unexpected ally in her deeply traditional and religious mother. Together, they've become outspoken critics of the government, risking their lives to stand up for LGBTQ+ rights in the country that considers them criminals.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Paris pulls off its opening ceremonies despite security risks. The U.S. government responds to TikTok's efforts to stay operating under its current owner. Consumer companies notice shoppers shying away from high prices.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Two alleged kingpins of Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel were arrested in El Paso, Texas. Vice President Kamala Harris strikes a different tone than President Biden in a speech on the conflict between Israel and Gaza, and the 2024 Summer Olympic Games are underway in France. 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 Miguel Macias, Roberta Rampton, Russell Lewis, Janaya Williams and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Milton Guevara.We get engineering support from Andie Huether. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In a speech from the Oval Office, President Biden explained his reasons for declining to run for a second term. Vice President Kamala Harris has staked out her own approach to Israel and Gaza, and voters in Western PA share their thoughts on the campaigns and candidates. 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 Roberta Rampton, Gabriel Spitzer, Dana Farrington, Janaya Williams and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Milton Guevara. We get engineering support from Carleigh Strange. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address a joint meeting of Congress. Vice President Harris has started campaigning for President, and a new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll shows a surge in the number of undecided voters. 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 Andrew Sussman, Roberta Rampton, Dana Farrington, Janaya Williams and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Milton Guevara. We get engineering support from Carleigh Strange. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Vice President Kamala Harris paid tribute to President Biden and rallied staff on Day One of her push to cement her place at the top of the Democratic ticket. Republicans are warning of possible legal obstacles to the Harris nomination, and the head of the Secret Service was on Capitol Hill answering questions about the assassination attempt on Donald Trump.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 Roberta Rampton, Megan Pratz, Anna Yuhkananov, Janaya Williams and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Destinee Adams and Milton Guevara. We get engineering support from Arthur Laurent. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Biden is dropping out of the Presidential race. He has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the party's new nominee, but it is unclear how Democrats will proceed. Republicans are attempting to tie her to Biden's biggest troubles, including immigration and inflation.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 Krishnadev Calamur, Megan Pratz, Janaya Williams, and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Destinee Adams and Milton Guevara. We get engineering support from Arthur Laurent. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Fear can be a powerful weapon. Gao Zhi, a 44-year-old Chinese man, knows this well. In 2020, after criticizing the Communist Party on social media, he left China and gained asylum in the Netherlands. But after Wang Jingyu, a Chinese celebrity dissident, moves into Gao's home, things start to go terribly wrong. Gao fears he and his family are now in the crosshairs of the Chinese Communist Party. On this episode of The Sunday Story, NPR's Global Democracy Correspondent Frank Langfitt and a reporting partner bring us the story of Gao and Wang. It's a tale of how the fear authoritarian regimes sow can be used to create a world of lies, betrayal, and manipulation.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Former President Trump secured the nomination from the Republican Party, but the identity of his opponent grew more uncertain. A software flub caused havoc. A drone evaded Israeli air defenses and killed one in Tel Aviv.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Donald Trump formally accepts the Republican presidential nomination, in a more subdued speech than his usual fare, as he aims to widen his support. And pressure mounts on President Joe Biden to end his reelection bid.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 Megan Pratz, Padma Rama, Krishnadev Calamur, Olivia Hampton and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Lilly Quiroz, Ben Abrams and Mansee Khurana. We get engineering support from Arthur Laurent. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Republican vice presidential pick J.D. Vance welcomed by party faithful. Lawmakers plan a series of hearings next week over Trump's assassination attempt. And President Joe Biden has COVID, amid mounting questions over his reelection bid.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 Padma Rama, Krishnadev Calamur, Roberta Rampton, Olivia Hampton and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Lilly Quiroz, Ben Abrams and Mansee Khurana. We get engineering support from Andi Heuther. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Republicans vow to "make America safe again," but the statistics contradict their claims of growing crime. And Democrats who want to keep President Joe Biden off the ballot are opposing an obscure party rule.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 Ravenna Koenig, Alfredo Carbajal, Roberta Rampton, Olivia Hampton and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Mansee Khurana. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Donald Trump has picked Senator J.D. Vance as his vice presidential nominee. The U.S. Secret Service is in crisis following the attempted assassination of Trump. And President Joe Biden is shifting his campaign.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 Megan Pratz, Roberta Rampton, Kelsey Snell, Olivia Hampton and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Mansee Khurana. We get engineering support from Arthur Laurent. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Details emerge about the person who allegedly tried to assassinate Donald Trump. Conspiracy theories abound over the event that left Trump hurt. And the attempted assassination will impact the tenor of the Republican National Convention and speeches there.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 Krishnadev Calamur, Padma Rama, Brett Neely, Andrew Sussman, Olivia Hampton and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Mansee Khurana. We get engineering support from Arthur Laurent. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Whoopi Goldberg is an icon of entertainment. She's played many roles in Hollywood, and she has perhaps been most inspirational for the way she has shown up as herself. But before the acclaim, Whoopi Goldberg was known as Caryn Johnson and in her own words, "A little bit different.. and out there."In her new memoir, "Bits and Pieces," she dives into her upbringing with her mother, Emma, and brother, Clyde, and how her relationships with them shaped her sense of herself. In this episode of The Sunday Story, Goldberg sits down with host Ayesha Rascoe to talk about the previously untold stories that made her who she is today. They discuss family, love, and coping with loss.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Biden continues to work to overcome calls from within his own party to step aside. A Hezbollah spokesman says the Lebanese militant group will follow Hamas' acceptance or rejection of any potential ceasefire agreement with Israel. Two major international soccer tournaments electrify fans this Sunday.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Biden held a press conference on the sidelines of the NATO summit and his performance was closely watched by Democratic lawmakers, European allies and the American public. A new NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll measured public opinion about President Biden post-debate, and Israel ordered hundreds of thousands of people in Gaza City to evacuate.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 Dana Farrington, Roberta Rampton, Mark Katkov, Janaya Williams and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Kaity Kline. We get engineering support from Arthur Laurent. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Biden is facing more calls to step down, putting Vice President Kamala Harris under fresh scrutiny from Republicans and others. Donald Trump is attempting to distance himself from Project 2025, a controversial plan for the conservative overhaul of government. And Houston residents are recovering after Hurricane Beryl knocked out power to more than two million homes and businesses. 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 Roberta Rampton, Megan Pratz, Eric Westervelt, Janaya Williams and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Kaity Kline. We get engineering support from Hannah Gluvna. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Biden spoke to world leaders at the NATO summit in Washington and sought to reassure them about the strength of the alliance and of his Presidency. Ukrainians are condemning a deadly missile strike on a children's hospital in Kyiv, and an NPR investigation tracked down one source of execution drugs in Texas.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 Roberta Rampton, John Helton, Robert Little, Janaya Williams, and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Kaity Kline. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. And our technical director is Stacey Abbott.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy