An American journalist missing in Syria: what happened?

This is the story of one of the biggest missing-person cases of our time. It’s been more than fourteen years since American journalist Austin Tice vanished in Syria. There have been many stories about what happened to him. His disappearance has reached the highest levels of power and yet, so little is actually known. BBC’s award-winning investigative journalist Josh Baker brings us Where is Austin Tice?, a new series from NPR’s Embedded and BBC Radio 4. 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 he’s banning three news organizations – CNN, MS NOW and Politico – from the White House. Leaders in France, Poland and across the continent have warned that Russia may about to broaden its war in Europe. The warning comes after what they say is a spate of brazen Russian attacks. The Protect College Sports Act — a bill that promises to bring stability to college sports — is racing to clear some of its final hurdles.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

A federal judge told President Trump he cannot demolish the Kennedy Center without 30 days’ notice, after the board shut the building and Trump threatened to rip it down if his name is not on it.The president has taken a series of hits this week, from the Supreme Court blocking his mail-in voting plan to the Fed increasing interest rates against his wishes, raising questions about how much institutions are willing to push back as the midterms approach.Poland’s prime minister says Russia is planning hybrid drone and missile attacks on European countries that support Ukraine, strikes Moscow would try to pass off as accidents to keep NATO from responding.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 Steve Drummond, Rebekah Metzler, Tina Kraja, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woelfle.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.And our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor.(0:00) Introduction(01:51) Kennedy Center Demolition Threat(05:44) Trump's Troubles(09:15) Poland Warns Of Russian AttacksSee 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 Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the first time in three years as it tries to bring down stubborn inflation, putting new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh at odds with President Trump’s calls for lower rates.Rising fuel prices linked to the Iran war are driving protests and economic pressure around the world as Saudi Arabia faces attacks on its oil infrastructure and shipping routes.European Union President Ursula von der Leyen is proposing a new “associate member” relationship with Canada as the two draw closer amid tensions with the United States, while President Trump threatens new trade penalties in response.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 Rebecca Rosman, Miguel Macias, Tina Kraja, Mohamad ElBardicy, Alice Woelfle and Lindsay Totty.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.And our deputy Executive Producer is Kelley Dickens.(0:00) Introduction(01:50) Fed Raises Interest Rates(05:11) Iran War and Oil Prices(09:42) EU-Canada AllianceSee 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 Federal Reserve is expected to raise interest rates for the first time in three years as the Iran war pushes inflation higher and borrowing costs are already climbing.Two new government reports put the cost of the Iran war at more than $30 billion and reveal extensive damage to U.S. bases and growing strain on key weapons stockpiles.The Kennedy Center board voted to close the building for renovations after a federal judge again blocked President Trump’s name from being added, while Trump says he will not move ahead unless that changes.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 Rafael Nam, Andrew Sussman, Steve Drummond, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Alice Woelfle.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.And our Supervising Producer is Michael Lipkin.(0:00) Introduction(01:54) Federal Reserve Interest Rates(05:29) Reports Reveal Iran War Costs(09:36) Kennedy Center ClosureSee 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 dismissed warnings from leading AI companies that the technology is advancing too fast, calling fears of machines taking over a hoax and framing AI development as a race with China.The Supreme Court rejected the Trump administration’s bid to impose new Postal Service requirements on mail-in ballots, meaning voting by mail that has already started in several states will continue under existing rules.The Kennedy Center says it is on the brink of bankruptcy, with a memo warning the building may be unsafe to occupy as soon as today while the fight over putting President Trump’s name on it continues in the court.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 Rebekah Metzler, Ben Swasey, Steve Drummond, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Alice Woelfle.It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas.Our director is Christopher Thomas.We get engineering support from Zo vanGinhoven.Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.And our Supervising Senior Producer is Vince Pearson.(0:00) Introduction(01:55) Trump Downplays AI Risks(05:53) SCOTUS Mail-In Voting Ruling(09:42) Kennedy Center BankruptcySee 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

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.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 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 StrategySee 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

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.  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

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.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.NPR Privacy Policy

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 RedistrictingSee 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