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Tension In Two Ceasefires, Navy Secretary Out, Trump's Slumping Approval Apr 23, 2026

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Iran seized two cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz as both the U.S. and Iran claim control of the waterway. The White House insists the ceasefire, which Iran has not officially acknowledged, is holding. In Lebanon, a journalist was killed in an Israeli strike even as Israel and Lebanon meet in Washington today to extend their truce.
The Secretary of the Navy is out with no explanation, the latest in more than 30 high-level departures at the Pentagon under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as the war in Iran enters its eighth week.
And with the midterms are six months away, President Trump's approval rating on the economy has dropped to 30 percent, the Iran war is two weeks past his own deadline, and his tariffs were struck down by the Supreme Court.
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 Ruth Sherlock, Andrew Sussman, Rebekah Metzler, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Lindsay Totty.
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
(02:00) Tension In Two Ceasefires
(05:18) Navy Secretary Out
(09:05) Trump's Slumping Approval
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Trump Extends Ceasefire Indefinitely, VA Redistricting Results, Warsh Fed Hearing Apr 22, 2026

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President Trump extends the ceasefire with Iran indefinitely as Iran calls the extension meaningless and accuses the U.S. of preparing a surprise attack.
Virginia voters narrowly approved a ballot measure letting Democrats redraw the state's congressional map, potentially flipping four House seats this fall.
And Kevin Warsh told the Senate he wouldn't be the president's sock puppet at the Federal Reserve, but Republican Senator Thom Tillis is still threatening to block his confirmation until the Justice Department drops its investigation of current Fed Chair Jerome Powell.
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, Ben Swasey, Rafael Nam, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Lindsay Totty.
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 Michael Lipkin.
(0:00) Introduction
(01:54) Trump Extends Ceasefire Indefinitely
(05:44) VA Redistricting Results
(09:18) Warsh Fed Hearing
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Iran Ceasefire Deadline, Labor Secretary Out, Hearing For New Fed Chair Apr 21, 2026

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The ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran expires soon as President Trump calls an extension highly unlikely and Vice President JD Vance heads to Pakistan for talks Iran won't publicly confirm it will attend.
Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned amid allegations of an affair with her bodyguard, drinking on the job, and using taxpayer money for personal travel, becoming the third cabinet member to leave in less than two months.
And President Trump's pick to lead the Federal Reserve faces his confirmation hearing today, but Republican Senator Thom Tillis is threatening to block it until the Justice Department drops its investigation of current Fed Chair Jerome Powell.
A previous version of the story "Iran Ceasefire Deadline" incorrectly said the ceasefire between the US, Iran and Israel expires today. It expires on Wednesday.
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 Ruth Sherlock, Emily Kopp, Rafael Nam, 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 Supervising Senior Producer is Vince Pearson.
(0:00) Introduction
(01:58) Iran Ceasefire Deadline
(05:59) Labor Secretary Out
(09:33) Hearing For New Fed Chair
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Trump and Iran Talks, Iran Reacts to Ship Seized, Tariff Refunds Apr 20, 2026

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The U.S. fired on and seized an Iranian cargo ship that tried to break through the naval blockade. Iran calls it piracy and vows to retaliate with the ceasefire set to expire Wednesday.
Iran is back to blocking the Strait of Hormuz as both sides accuse each other of violating the ceasefire and a new round of talks in Pakistan have yet to be confirmed by Tehran.
And businesses can finally start applying today for refunds on $166 billion in tariffs the Supreme Court ruled were collected illegally, in what could be a scramble for hundreds of thousands of importers.
Correction: A previous version of the story "Iran reacts to ship seized" incorrectly said the death toll in Lebanon was more than 1,000. It is more than 2,000.
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, Ruth Sherlock, Rafael Nam, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Lindsay Totty.
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 Carleigh Strange.
(0:00) Introduction
(01:55) Trump and Iran Talks
(05:34) Iran Reacts to Ship Seized
(09:30) Tariff Refunds
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In one Iowa city, public schools compete in the free market. Are students better off? Apr 19, 2026

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Public education used to enjoy strong bipartisan support, but across the country, there’s a growing push to offer students alternatives to traditional public schools. The idea behind “school choice” is that competition improves education. President Trump and Republicans have attacked public education for failing students and for being too “woke,” while Democrats who strongly oppose school choice often dismiss valid criticism of public schools.
Today on The Sunday Story, NPR education correspondent Cory Turner travels to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to understand how school choice can change a city's education landscape. Are students better served when schools compete in a free market?
You can find more of Cory's reporting from Cedar Rapids here.
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Hormuz Latest, Trump Rallies Amid Sinking Approval, Tariff Refunds Apr 18, 2026

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Iran says it is clamping back down on the Strait of Hormuz, putting the ceasefire at risk. President Trump appeared at a rally at an Arizona megachurch. Businesses are preparing for Monday's launch of an online portal for tariff refunds.
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Zohran Mamdani on NYC as a blueprint for Democrats | NPR's Newsmakers Apr 17, 2026

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In this special episode of Up First, we’re sharing the latest episode of NPR’s Newsmakers, featuring New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Through his first 100 days in office, Mamdani has focused on “pothole politics” — a blend of high-level legislative wins and intense focus on everyday essential services that keep the city running. The 34-year-old mayor has delivered on progressive campaign promises, from more funding for child care to new taxes on the ultrawealthy. He views his government as a model for how Democrats can deliver on policies that benefit the working class.
Mamdani sat down with host Leila Fadel at City Hall to discuss how he views his accomplishments so far, his approach to working with President Trump and the message he believes Democrats should deliver during this year’s midterm elections.
NPR's Newsmakers is where you'll find NPR's biggest interviews. Watch or listen wherever you get your podcasts.
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Lebanon-Israel Ceasefire, Hegseth On Blockade, Trump Nominates New CDC Director Apr 17, 2026

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A 10-day ceasefire is now in effect between Israel and Lebanon, but Israel says it is not leaving southern Lebanon and Hezbollah says that gives it the right to resist.
The U.S. naval blockade on Iran is firmly in place as Defense Secretary Hegseth compared reporters covering the war to the enemies of Jesus in the Bible, part of a pattern of religious language from the Pentagon that is raising eyebrows.
And President Trump has nominated Dr. Erica Schwartz to lead the CDC after nearly a year without a confirmed director, as the agency has been struggling under budget cuts and a loss of public trust.
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 Ruth Sherlock, Andrew Sussman,Kris Husted, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Lindsay Totty.
It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas.
Our director is Christopher Thomas.
We get engineering support from David Greenburg. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.
And our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor.
(0:00) Introduction
(01:54) Lebanon-Israel Ceasefire
(05:34) Hegseth On Blockade
(09:46) Trump Nominates New CDC Director
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Trump's Iran War Timeline, Iran Blockade And Peace Talks, GOP And Trump Pope Feud Apr 16, 2026

Show notes

President Trump keeps saying the war with Iran is very close to over, but peace talks have stalled and Iran is threatening to block Red Sea traffic if the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports continues.
Pakistan is trying to restart peace talks between the U.S and Iran, and Trump posted that the leaders of Israel and Lebanon will speak today for the first time in 34 years.
Vice President JD Vance told a Catholic audience that the Pope should be careful when he talks about theology, as Trump's feud with Pope Leo puts some of his most loyal supporters in an awkward spot.
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, Ruth Sherlock, Dana Farrington, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Lindsay Totty.
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
(01:57) Trump's Iran War Timeline
(05:42) Iran Blockade And Peace Talks
(09:34) GOP And Trump Pope Feud
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

Dave Chappelle on free speech and the purpose of comedy | NPR’s Newsmakers Apr 15, 2026

Show notes

In this bonus episode of Up First, we’re sharing the latest episode of NPR’s Newsmakers, featuring comedian Dave Chappelle. The provocative comedian and architect of Chappelle’s Show is one of the biggest names in comedy. Now in arguably the most successful chapter of his life and career, he views himself not just as an entertainer -- but as a professional processor of events and experiences. He describes comedians as 'the nation's kidney' -- an essential organ for processing the raw experiences of life.
Chappelle believes that function is one shared by comics and journalists -- they both process events and help audiences make sense of the world. That conviction is why he recently invested $15 million into the infrastructure of WYSO, the public radio station in his hometown of Yellow Springs, Ohio.
In this conversation, Chappelle tells host Michel Martin why free speech is so important to him, and why he refuses to let public expectations dictate his art.
NPR's Newsmakers is where you'll find NPR's biggest interviews. Follow the show wherever you listen to podcasts or subscribe and watch on NPR’s YouTube channel.
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