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AI Development Slowdown, Gulf States Postpone Iran Talks, Republican Midterm Strategy Sep 14, 2026

Show notes

Leaders of some of the biggest AI companies say it is time to slow the pace of development after a string of incidents in which their systems went off script, even as President Trump says the United States should not ease up in the race with China.
Talks between Iran and Gulf Arab states aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz were postponed as Iran-backed Houthis expand their control near another major shipping route and attacks put more pressure on Saudi oil exports.
President Trump’s promise to give Americans $5,000 if Republicans keep control of Congress is getting a mixed response inside his own party, as Republicans head into the midterms with high prices, the Iran war and Trump’s low approval ratings weighing on them.
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Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Rafeal Nam, Anna Yukhananov, Tina Kraja, Mohamad ElBardicy and HJ Mai.
It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas.
Our director is Christopher Thomas.
We get engineering support from Zac Coleman.
Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.
(0:00) Introduction
(01:54) AI Development Slowdown
(06:00) Gulf States Postpone Iran Talks
(09:27) Republican Midterm Strategy
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The Clancy trial and a split over postpartum psychosis Sep 13, 2026

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Last week, a judge declared a mistrial in the murder case of Lindsay Clancy, leading the public to wonder: What really went on in the jury room?
On this episode of The Sunday Story, Ayesha Rascoe talks to WBUR’s Deborah Becker, who was at the courthouse for the duration of the trial. She explains why this trial ended without a verdict – and what the public interest in the case says about an evolving view of postpartum psychosis.
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BRICS Summit in India, Amazon Air Plane Crash, Federal Film Tax Bill Sep 12, 2026

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India hosts the 18th BRICS summit in New Delhi this weekend. The crash of an Amazon cargo jet in Miami is raising concerns about the safety culture at the retail giant's air operations. Congress weighs in on potential federal tax incentives to keep film production in the United States.
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Remembering 9/11, Republican Midterm Convention Wraps, SCOTUS Missouri Redistricting Sep 11, 2026

Show notes

Communities across the country will gather today to mark 25 years since the September 11 attacks, remembering the nearly 3,000 people who died that day and those later killed by illnesses from the toxic air at Ground Zero.
President Trump closed the Republican midterm convention last night by urging supporters to vote as if he were on the ballot, even as large sections of the arena sat empty and he suggested he might not campaign as hard as he did for himself.
The U.S. Supreme Court blocked Missouri’s Trump-backed Republican congressional map, after which the state’s secretary of state was found in contempt but said local officials will now use the old districts, leaving Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver favored to keep his seat.
Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.

Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.
Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Jennifer Portman, Megan Pratz, 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 Neisha Heinis and Robert Rodriguez.
Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.
And our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor.
(0:00) Introduction
(01:59) Remembering 9/11
(05:47) Republican Midterm Convention Wraps
(10:06) SCOTUS Missouri Redistricting
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Trump Convention Speech, Missouri Contempt And Redistricting, Apple's Foldable iPhone Sep 10, 2026

Show notes

President Trump spoke on the first night of the Republican midterm convention, asking voters to pretend he is on the ballot and promising every adult $5,000 if Republicans keep Congress.
Missouri election officials are caught between conflicting state and federal court rulings over which congressional map to use in November, with a Republican-drawn map that could help the party flip a Kansas City seat still in dispute.
And Apple unveiled its first foldable iPhone under new CEO John Ternus, a roughly $2,000 device that marks the company’s biggest iPhone redesign in nearly two decades.
Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.
Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.
Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Megan Pratz, Larry Kaplow, Kara Platoni, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Alice Woelfle.
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
(01:54) Trump Convention Speech
(05:30) Missouri Contempt And Redistricting
(09:04) Apple's Foldable iPhone
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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US Strikes Iran Oil Tankers, Israeli Settlements Sanctions, Smithsonian Head Retires Sep 09, 2026

Show notes

The U.S. has destroyed eight Iranian oil tankers since Saturday, as Iran fires back at American forces and Gulf countries reconsider the risks of hosting U.S. bases.
Britain, Canada and France are moving to restrict trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, with Britain accusing settlers of ethnic cleansing and Israel responding with diplomatic retaliation.
And Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch is retiring after nearly four decades at the institution, as the Trump administration continues criticizing the Smithsonian over exhibits it says are anti-white and too focused on negative parts of American history.
Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.
Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.
Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Miguel Macias, Tina Kraja, Clare Lombardo, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Alice Woelfle.
It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas.
Our director is Christopher Thomas.
We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis and Robert Rodriguez.
Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.
And our Supervising Producer is Michael Lipkin.
(0:00) Introduction
(01:55) US Strikes Iranian Oil Tankers
(05:45) Israeli Settlements Sanctions
(09:17) Smithsonian Head Retires
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Canada's Retaliatory Tariffs On US, Trumpapalooza Convention, Miami Cargo Plane Crash Sep 08, 2026

Show notes

Canada’s retaliatory tariffs on about $20 billion worth of U.S. goods took effect at midnight, matching President Trump’s latest duties after talks collapsed last month.
Republicans are gathering in Dallas this week for an unusual midterm convention headlined both nights by President Trump, who wants voters to pretend he is on the ballot as the party looks to energize voters ahead of the midterm election.
Investigators recovered the flight recorders from the Amazon cargo plane that overran a runway in Miami, killing five people on the ground as the NTSB examines what caused the crash.
Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.
Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.
Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Megan Pratz, James Hider, Martha Ann Overland, Miguel Macias, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Alice Woelfle.
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
(02:25) Canada's Retaliatory Tariffs On US
(06:25) Trumpapalooza Convention
(10:02) Miami Cargo Plane Crash
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

Miami Plane Crash, Witkoff & Kushner Visit Ukraine, Far-Right AfD Wins In Germany Sep 07, 2026

Show notes

Authorities in Florida are investigating why an Amazon cargo plane overran the runway at Miami International Airport on Sunday, killing five people and injuring five more.
President Trump's envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, made their first wartime visit to Kyiv after talks in Moscow, offering no breakthrough as Ukraine pushes for renewed peace talks and more air defenses.
And Germany’s far-right AfD more than doubled its vote in a state election in Saxony-Anhalt, a result that could produce the country’s first far-right regional government since Nazi Germany.
Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.

Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.
Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Miguel Macias, Tina Kraja, Mohamad ElBardicy and Lindsay Totty.
It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Julie Depenbrock.
Our director is Christopher Thomas.
We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis and Robert Rodriguez.
And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.
(0:00) Introduction
(01:56) Miami Plane Crash
(05:32) Witkoff & Kushner Visit Ukraine
(08:59) Far-Right AfD Wins In Germany
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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From SPF to skin color, sunscreen’s effectiveness is complicated Sep 06, 2026

Show notes

Sunscreen may seem simple: slather it on, stay protected. But the science is more complicated than the label suggests. Why is it so hard to stay safe in the sun?
On The Sunday Story, we dig into the surprisingly high-tech world of sunscreen and the questions swirling around it. Justine Paradis of New Hampshire Public Radio breaks down the new ingredients, dispels SPF myths, and points to updated guidance around sunscreen use and how it relates to skin color.
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Negotiators to Moscow and Kyiv, Judge Issues Order on Arch, Western Wildfires Sep 05, 2026

Show notes

U.S. envoys arrived in Moscow today to revive efforts to end the war in Ukraine. The administration is rushing to build a triumphal arch overlooking Arlington National Cemetery despite legal efforts to stop it. Wildfires have burned more than 8,000,000 acres this season. Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.
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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