Up First from NPR

President Trump’s speech at Mount Rushmore turns dark. Despite the heat, Americans are finding ways to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary. Two former Trump allies want to start a new political party. And after four months, Iranians officially mourn Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamanei, killed in Israeli/U.S. airstrikes. 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

The United States turns 250 tomorrow, but a brutal heat wave is already forcing cities to cancel parades and fireworks, and Washington D.C. will decide this morning whether the public can even attend its July Fourth events. Russia hit Kyiv with one of the deadliest strikes of the war overnight, firing nearly 600 missiles and drones that killed at least 27 people, Moscow says it's payback for Ukraine's attacks on its oil facilities. And Democrats are hoping to take back the House this fall, but infighting is getting in the way as progressive upsets energize blue-city voters while raising doubts about whether that message plays in the places the party actually needs. 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 Luis Clemens, Tina Kraja, Jason Breslow, Mohamed ElBardicy and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas. Our director is Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. Our technical director is Zac Coleman. And our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor. (0:00) Introduction (01:50) July 4th Heat Wave (05:11) Russian Strikes On Ukraine (09:03) Future Of Democratic Party 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

President Trump and his family brought in more than a billion dollars last year, much of it from cryptocurrency ventures that have dwarfed his real estate business and raised questions about potential conflicts of interest. Democratic socialists scored another big win in Colorado as Melat Kiros upset longtime Congresswoman Diana DeGette in the Democratic primary, the latest in a string of progressive victories that Republicans are already using to paint the whole party as too extreme. And the U.S. men’s team advanced to the World Cup round of 16 with their first knockout win in 24 years against Bosnia-Herzegovina, though they’ll be without their top scorer after a red card in a match played under dangerous heat in the East. 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 Jan Johnson, Russell Lewis, Jason Breslow, Alice Woelfle and Mohamed ElBardicy It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas. Our director is Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. Our technical director is Zac Coleman. And our deputy Executive Producer is Kelley Dickens. (0:00) Introduction (01:54) Trump's Crypto Earnings (05:43) Democratic Socialists Rising (09:26) USA Advances In 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

The Supreme Court closed out its term with a major loss for President Trump, upholding birthright citizenship, though the justices handed him plenty of power elsewhere over the course of the year. Democratic socialist Melat Kiros pulled off a stunning upset in Colorado's primary, unseating a 15-term congresswoman in the third such win for the left in a week, while an anti-Washington mood also cost longtime Senator Michael Bennet his bid for governor. And the World Cup enters its knockout rounds as a brutal heat wave grips the East, putting more than 100 million people under extreme heat warnings and setting up some of the biggest games to be played in dangerous conditions. 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 Anna Yukhananov, Padma Rama, Barrie Hardimon, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas. Our director is Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. Our technical director is Zac Coleman. And our Supervising Producer is Michael Lipkin. (0:00) Introduction (02:07) SCOTUS Upholds Birthright Citizenship (05:54) Colorado Primary Results (09:35) World Cup Heats Up 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

The U.S. Supreme Court wrapped up its term with three consequential decisions, upholding birthright citizenship guarantees, striking down campaign finance limits and allowing trans athlete bans. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter. This bonus episode of Up First was produced by Ana Perez, Lilly Quiroz, and Milton Guevara. We get engineering support from Zac Coleman and Damian Herring. Our deputy executive producer is Kelley Dickens and our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor. 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

The U.S. and Iran are set to meet in Qatar today after a weekend of trading fire that strained their fragile ceasefire, though the two sides can't even agree on whether the meeting is happening, while in Lebanon a deal meant to end the fighting is drawing fierce backlash from people who say their government sold them out. It's the last day of the Supreme Court's term, with a long-awaited ruling on birthright citizenship that could decide whether every child born on U.S. soil is automatically an American citizen, a major test of the 14th Amendment and President Trump's immigration agenda. And it's primary day in Colorado, where the races offer clues about the national mood with a democratic socialist on the rise, a fight for Latino votes, and rural voters who feel left behind by Washington. 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, Larry Kaplow, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas. Our director is Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. Our technical director is Zac Coleman. And our Supervising Senior Producer is Vince Pearson. (0:00) Introduction (01:53) US & Iran In Qatar For Talks (05:17) SCOTUS Birthright Ruling (09:02) Colorado Primary Preview 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

The ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is barely holding after a weekend of strikes, with the U.S. hitting Iran and Iran firing back at American bases in Bahrain and Kuwait, though talks are still set to resume and Israel and Lebanon have reached a deal of their own. Search and rescue efforts continue across Venezuela five days after two powerful earthquakes, with the death toll approaching 1,500 and thousands still missing as families dig through rubble themselves. And President Trump's immigration agenda just got a boost from the Supreme Court, with hundreds of thousands of Haitians and Syrians now told to find new legal status or leave the country, even as a bigger ruling on birthright citizenship is still to come. 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, Miguel Macias, Tara Neill, Dana Farrington, Mohamad ElBardicy and Adam Bearne. It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas. Our director is Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott and our technical director is Zac Coleman. (0:00) Introduction (01:58) US-Iran Strikes Test Talks (05:36) Venezuela Quake Search & Rescue (09:24) Trump's Immigration Wins 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

What happens to famous works of art when they are stolen from museums and private art collections? In the Netherlands, museums and collectors reach out to Arthur Brand, a self-styled art detective who works to track down art that has gone missing and fallen into the criminal underworld. This week on The Sunday Story , when a famous Van Gogh painting is stolen from a museum, Brand teams up with an unlikely partner – art thief Octave Durham. Together, the pair work to rescue a masterpiece from the underground market and return it to its museum home. 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

Three days after twin earthquakes hit Venezuela, rescue teams race against time, President Trump's interest in overhauling elections is not shared by all of his Republican colleagues on Capitol Hill, and New Mexico tries to provide free childcare for all residents. 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

Rescuers in Venezuela are racing to reach thousands still missing after two powerful earthquakes struck seconds apart, with at least 235 people confirmed dead, hundreds still trapped, and U.S. search teams now heading to help. The Supreme Court handed President Trump two big immigration wins, clearing the way for his administration to strip legal status from hundreds of thousands of immigrants and making it harder for migrants to claim asylum at the border. And President Trump is trying to win back farmers hurt by his own tariffs and the Iran war, dangling 11 billion dollars in new aid even as many in farm country say they'd rather have good profits than government checks. 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 Tara Neill, Anna Yukhananov, Rebekah Metzler, Mohamad ElBardicy, and HJ Mai. It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas. Our director is Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. And our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor. (0:00) Introduction (01:59) Venezuela Earthquakes Aftermath (05:45) SCOTUS Immigration Rulings (09:30) Trump Offers Farmers Aid 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

Venezuela got hit by two of the most powerful earthquakes in its history, striking seconds apart near the capital and collapsing buildings as the government braces for a high death toll and the U.S. rushes in aid. President Trump blew up a popular bipartisan housing bill both parties wanted, refusing to sign it until the Senate passes his own elections bill that doesn't have the votes, it's the latest example of his demand for loyalty from Republicans and allies alike. And one of the Army's top generals, Chris Donahue, is set to retire in a move that surprised many, drawing more attention to a pattern of Pentagon shake-ups under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. 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 Tara Neill, Rebekah Metzler, Andrew Sussman, Mohamad ElBardicy, and HJ Mai. It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas. Our director is Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. And our deputy Executive Producer is Kelley Dickens. (0:00) Introduction (01:55) Venezuela Earthquakes (05:41) Trump Senate Fight (09:26) Pentagon Shuffles 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

President Trump is having lunch on Capitol Hill today with Senate Republicans, after four GOP senators broke with him to advance a resolution pushing to end the war with Iran and Trump's clashes with Majority Leader John Thune over the filibuster, voter ID, and the president's handling of the war with Iran. Congress passed the largest housing bill in decades last night with strong bipartisan support, aiming to make homeownership more attainable by cracking down on corporate investors buying single-family homes. And in New York, democratic socialist candidates scored big wins in congressional primaries, including upsets backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, raising new questions about how far left the Democratic Party will go as it tries to retake the House in November. 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 Jason Breslow, Kara Platoni, Padma Rama, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Olivia Hampton. It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas. Our director is Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. And our Supervising Producer is Reena Advani. (0:00) Introduction (01:57) Trump Vs Thune (05:42) Road To Housing Act (09:24) Democratic Socialist Win In New York Primaries 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

The U.S. has lifted oil sanctions on Iran for the first time in decades, letting Tehran sell its oil openly at higher prices meant to push Iran to comply on its nuclear program, even as the two sides are already split over whether Iran agreed to let inspectors back in. President Trump heads to Pennsylvania today to talk up the economy and his promise that gas and grocery prices will fall now that the war is ending, but his approval is at record lows with even some Republicans unhappy over his handling of the economy. And a federal judge in Minnesota threw out grand jury subpoenas from the Trump administration, ruling they were used to harass and retaliate against state and local officials who wouldn't help carry out the president's immigration crackdown. 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, Rebekah Metzler, Cheryl Corley, Mohamad ElBardicy, and John Stolnis. It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas. Our director is Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. And our Supervising Senior Producer is Vince Pearson. (0:00) Introduction (01:57) US Lifts Oil Sanctions On Iran (05:23) Trump Shifts To Economy (09:17) Minnesota Subpoenas Thrown Out 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

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has resigned after months of pressure and a collapse of support within his own party, with popular Manchester mayor Andy Burnham his likely successor and on track to become Britain's seventh prime minister in just ten years. The first round of U.S.-Iran talks wrapped in Switzerland with mediators announcing encouraging progress and a 60-day roadmap toward a final deal, though Iran says the real test remains whether the ceasefire holds in Lebanon. And President Trump is struggling to sell the Iran deal to his own party, his MAGA base is angry he went to war at all and GOP hawks are calling the agreement too weak as the midterm elections loom. 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, Anna Yukhananov, James Doubek, Mohamad ElBardicy, and John Stolnis. It was produced by Ziad Buchh. Our director is Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. (0:00) Introduction (01:57) UK PM Starmer Resigns (05:28) First Round Of US-Iran Talks (09:08) Iran Deal Scrutiny 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

Who are the workers behind the global scam industry? In Cambodia, more than 200,000 scam workers have been released from fortified compounds, where many of them had been trafficked, held against their will, and forced to work for little pay. The Cambodian government’s recent crackdown has enabled reporters to get a closer look at an industry responsible for defrauding Americans of at least 20 billion dollars in 2025. But how did these workers end up in Cambodia, and what was the promise that drew them there? In this two-part series for The Sunday Story , investigative reporter Shibani Mahtani dives into the previously hidden world of the global scam industry. And she follows the story of one Ugandan man, who traveled far from home for a job that was “too good to be true.” Listen to Part 2 here . 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

PART 2: With the Cambodian government’s ongoing crackdown on the scam industry, tens of thousands of former scammers are stranded on the streets of Phnom Penh. Are they being treated as criminals or as victims themselves of a global industry designed to extract their labor? In part 2 of our series on The Sunday Story , investigative reporter Shibani Mahtani continues the story of one Ugandan scam worker as he tries to make his way home. 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

Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah renew their ceasefire while Iran and the U.S. try to push ahead with negotiating a broader deal. We'll also look at how the preliminary agreement is being viewed domestically, and at President Trump's G7 appearance. Plus, we'll have the latest on the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where aid is starting to arrive. 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

The deal to end the war with Iran is already looking shaky, with Vice President Vance delaying his trip to Switzerland to start negotiations and Israel still bombing Lebanon even though the deal says that has to stop. Vance is supposed to lead difficult negotiations with Iran, but he has limited diplomatic experience with a 60 days goal of going through a long list of tough issues still left to settle. And the Obama Presidential Center opens to the public in Chicago today, where Obama used the dedication to tell people not to miss the past, but to remember what is still possible. 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 Kate Bartlett, Dana Farrington, Megan Pratz, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Lindsay Totty. It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Ava Pukatch. Our director is Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Simon-Laslo Janssen. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. And our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor. (0:00) Introduction (02:19) US-Iran Talks Delayed (05:55) Vance Peace Architect (09:16) Obama Presidential Center Opens 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

President Trump and Iran’s president have signed an initial agreement to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but Israel was left out of the negotiations and Trump is openly criticizing its continued attacks in Lebanon. President Trump is once again putting Senate Republicans in a tough spot, he's holding back his pick for Director of National Intelligence until his demands are met, leaving his temporary pick Bill Pulte to lead the nation’s intelligence agencies, with Trump threatening to block a key spy tool until he gets his way. And a new NPR/PBS News/ Marist poll finds Americans still aren’t happy with the economy or with President Trump, his approval numbers at the lowest they’ve been, even dropping among groups that helped put him in office. 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, Megan Pratz, Mohamad ElBardicy, and HJ Mai. It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Ava Pukatch. Our director is Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. And our deputy Executive Producer is Kelley Dickens. (0:00) Introduction (01:57) Trump Signs Initial Deal With Iran (05:42) Trump Withholds DNI Nominee (09:31) Trump Approval Poll 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

The U.S. and Iran have a deal to end the war but the text remains secret with Israel denied a look and Congress asking to see it, as big questions linger over billions in frozen Iranian funds and the fighting in Lebanon. President Trump wraps up the G7 summit in France today, saying Iran is now in the rearview mirror as he criticizes Israel over Lebanon and turns his attention to ending the war in Ukraine. And primary runoffs in Georgia delivered a split for President Trump, whose backing helped Mike Collins win the Republican Senate nomination to face Jon Ossoff while his pick for governor lost to a self-funded billionaire. 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, Rebekah Metzler, Larry Kaplow, Mohamad ElBardicy, and HJ Mai. It was produced by Chad Campbell, Ziad Buchh and Ben Abrams. Our director is Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Stacy Abbott. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. And our Supervising Producer is Michael Lipkin. (0:00) Introduction (01:59) Big Questions About US-Iran Deal (05:45) Trump Wraps G7 Summit (09:36) Georgia Primary Results 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

The U.S.-Iran deal is set to be signed Friday, but Israel finds itself completely sidelined from the agreement and future talks, with none of its core goals on Iran's nuclear program met. President Trump is holding a flurry of meetings on the first full day of the G7 summit in France, huddling with Gulf leaders over the Iran deal and with G7 leaders on how to ramp up pressure on Russia over the war in Ukraine. And it's primary day again, with Georgia's Republican Senate runoff exposing a rift in the party as President Trump and the outgoing governor back opposite candidates to take on Democrat Jon Ossoff. 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, Rebekah Metzler, Ben Swasey, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Taylor Haney. It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Ben Abrams. Our director is Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Zo van Ginhoven. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. And our Supervising Senior Producer is Vince Pearson. (0:00) Introduction (01:51) Israel Reacts To Iran Deal (05:27) Trump Meets World Leaders At G7 (08:56) Georgia Primary Preview 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

President Trump says a deal has been reached to end the war with Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but the agreement is set to be signed Friday in Switzerland and leaves out Israel, whose opposition is calling it one of the country's worst failures. Just hours after announcing the deal, President Trump hosted a UFC fight on the White House lawn on his 80th birthday for the nation's 250th. And right after the fight, Trump headed to the G7 summit in the French Alps, where he is expected to arrive in triumph and lean on the same allies he berated for refusing to join the war. 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, Kelsey Snell, Miguel Macias, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Taylor Haney. It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Ben Abrams. Our director is Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Zo van Ginhoven. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. (0:00) Introduction (01:51) Iran Deal (05:24) UFC Event At White House (08:58) Trump Heads To G7 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

In the summer of 2020, sixteen-year-old Antonio Mays Jr. traveled a thousand miles to be part of the racial justice movement. He arrived in Seattle during the Capitol Hill Occupied Protest, known as CHOP. Less than a week later, he was shot and killed there. The case remains unsolved. Today on The Sunday Story, we bring you the first episode of a new series from NPR’s Embedded podcast that investigates Mays’ death. 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

The stalemate in Iran continues to vex the president, the merger of Paramount and Warner Brothers Discovery gets an all-clear from Washington, and the Knicks and Spurs fight for the NBA title. 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

President Trump canceled planned strikes on Iran citing progress in negotiations and says a deal that reopens the Strait of Hormuz could be signed within days, capping a week of whiplash that saw the U.S. bomb Iran three nights in a row and Trump threaten to seize an Iranian island. The UFC holds seven fights on the White House lawn Sunday for America's 250th birthday, one of a growing list of side projects taking up President Trump's time as a watchdog group sues over his stake in UFC's parent company. President Trump named federal prosecutor Jay Clayton to be the next Director of National Intelligence, after the backlash over his temporary pick was so fierce that Congress let a major surveillance tool expire. 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, Rebekah Metzler, Jason Breslow, Mohamad ElBardicy and HJ Mai. It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas. Our director is Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. And our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor. (0:00) Introduction (01:59) Trump Touts Progress In Iran Talks (05:46) UFC White House Freedom 250 (09:41) DNI Nomination 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