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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.Support NPR's reporting by subscribing to Up First+ and unlock sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org/upfirst

  • 12 minutes 28 seconds
    President Trump Third Term, Smithsonian Executive Order, Myanmar Earthquake
    President Trump declines to rule out the possibility of serving a third term in office as the Constitution stipulates a two-term limit. The executive order "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History" seeks to influence the Smithsonian Institution and the monuments and memorials overseen by the Department of the Interior. And, the death toll in Myanmar is rising as the window to find survivors following Friday's earthquake closes.

    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, Clare Lombardo, Ryland Barton, Lisa Thomson and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Chris Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis and our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

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    31 March 2025, 10:20 am
  • 29 minutes 5 seconds
    Gambling with Memes
    What do Moo Deng the pygmy hippo, social media sensation Hawk Tuah, and the President of the United States all have in common? They've all inspired highly valuable, highly volatile memecoins. The memecoin began as a sort of joke cryptocurrency, but it soon became very real.

    On today's episode of The Sunday Story, we turn to our friends at NPR's Planet Money to help us understand the phenomenon of memecoins. What are they, and how did they go from a one-off joke to a speculative frenzy worth tens of billions of dollars? Who are the winners and losers in this brazen new market?

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    30 March 2025, 7:00 am
  • 17 minutes 5 seconds
    Myanmar Quake, Who Pays Tariffs, E.O. Impacts On Arts
    A powerful earthquake struck Southeast Asia Friday, killing more than 1,000 people. New tariffs come into effect in days, with American consumers likely paying for them. President Trump's executive actions targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion are having effects on arts and culture across the country.

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    29 March 2025, 1:12 pm
  • 17 minutes 10 seconds
    ICE Student Arrests, HHS Cuts, Stefanik Nomination Pulled, China Trade City
    The Trump administration has revoked hundreds of visas of foreign students, including PhD student Rumeysa Ozturk who was detained on the street by ICE agents. The Trump administration plans to cut 20,000 jobs from the Department of Health and Human Services. President Trump pulls Elise Stefanik's nomination for UN Ambassador to keep her in the House, protecting the GOP's razor-thin majority. And, NPR looks at how U.S. tariffs are putting pressure on Chinese businesses, with some raising prices and others making trade-offs to stay competitive.

    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 Eric Westervelt, Jane Greenhalgh, Jason Breslow, Reena Advani, Arezou Rezvani and Mohamad ElBardicy.
    It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Milton Guevara, Aowen Cao, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas.
    We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis, and our technical director is Carleigh Strange.
    Our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor.

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    28 March 2025, 10:12 am
  • 12 minutes 45 seconds
    Intelligence Officials Testify, Trump's Auto Tariffs, DOGE Access
    A group chat among top U.S. national security officials discussing airstrikes in Yemen has been made public, sparking outrage and raising questions about the Trump administration's handling of classified information. President Trump imposes a 25% tariff on car imports to boost U.S. manufacturing, but auto industry leaders warn it could raise prices and disrupt markets. And, the Department of Government Efficiency's access to sensitive personal data from multiple federal agencies is sparking legal battles over privacy and security.

    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 Anna Yukhananov, Brett Neely, Ryland Barton, Arezou Rezvani and Mohamad ElBardicy.
    It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas.
    We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis, and our technical director is Carleigh Strange

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    27 March 2025, 10:10 am
  • 12 minutes 30 seconds
    Intel Hearing On Group Chat, Return To Office Mandate, Black Sea Deal
    President Trump's top intelligence officials face tough questions from lawmakers after a group chat security breach involving secret war plans and a journalist. Federal workers are being called back to the office, but some are finding chaotic conditions, including assignments to storage units. And, the U.S. brokers a deal to allow safe passage through the Black Sea, but Russia demands sanctions relief before it takes effect.

    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 Anna Yukhananov, Brett Neely, Ryland Barton, Arezou Rezvani and Mohamad ElBardicy.
    It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas.
    We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis, and our technical director is Carleigh Strange

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    26 March 2025, 10:13 am
  • 12 minutes 47 seconds
    War Plans Group Chat, Alien Enemies Act, U.S. Greenland Visit
    A national security breach reveals that U.S. military plans were accidentally shared in a group chat on a commercial app, including a journalist. The Trump Administration faces legal challenges over deporting Venezuelan migrants under a centuries-old law, while the White House invokes state secrets privilege to block a court inquiry. And, Second Lady Usha Vance's controversial visit to Greenland raises questions about the U.S. government's intentions amid ongoing diplomatic tensions.

    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, Eric Westervelt, Roberta Rampton, Janaya Williams and Mohamad ElBardicy.
    It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas.
    We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott, and our technical director is Carleigh Strange

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    25 March 2025, 10:04 am
  • 12 minutes 34 seconds
    Occupy Gaza Plan, Ukraine Ceasefire Talks, China Economy
    As the death toll reaches 50,000 Palestinians killed, Israel is considering a full-scale ground invasion and military occupation of Gaza. U.S. officials are meeting with Russian and Ukrainian diplomats in Saudi Arabia to negotiate a potential ceasefire. And, China's premier is calling for open markets and global investment amid the country's economic slowdown.

    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 Alex Leff, Ryland Barton, Reena Advani, Janaya Williams and Mohamad ElBardicy.
    It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas.
    We get engineering support from Arthur Laurent , and our technical director is Carleigh Strange

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    24 March 2025, 10:17 am
  • 29 minutes 29 seconds
    The Long Shadow of Duterte's Drug War
    With the recent arrest of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte for crimes against humanity, a spotlight is again on actions taken during his presidency. Even years after Duterte declared his war on drugs, the reverberations continue to tear through the country. The loved ones of those killed are still left seeking justice and the extra-judicial killings, commonly called EJKs, that defined Duterte's war continue to sow fear amongst the people.

    Today on The Sunday Story, we share an episode that originally aired last year with reporter Emily Feng. She traveled to the Philippines to understand the aftermath of Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs.

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    23 March 2025, 7:00 am
  • 16 minutes 22 seconds
    DHS job cuts, Travel troubles under Trump, Sudan Civil War latest
    The Department of Homeland Security makes cuts to its office for civil rights and civil liberties and other oversight offices, saying these offices slow down enforcement. Immigration officials at checkpoints are detaining travelers to the US over what were once minor visa violations. Sudan's military has retaken the seat of the country's government after nearly two years.

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    22 March 2025, 2:35 pm
  • 15 minutes 22 seconds
    School Funding, Venezuelan Deportation Hearing, Key Bridge Inspection
    President Trump shuts down the Department of Education, leaving federal funding for schools in limbo. A judge demands answers from the Trump administration after Venezuelan migrants were deported despite a court order. And, Maryland failed to inspect the Francis Scott Key Bridge before its collapse last year, raising concerns about other bridges nationwide.

    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 Nicole Cohen, Anna Yukhananov, Luis Clemens, Alice Woelfle and Mohamad ElBardicy.
    It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas.
    We get engineering support from Simon-Laslo Janssen, and our technical director is Stacey Abbott.

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    21 March 2025, 10:32 am
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