Israel-Gaza Latest, McConnell's Fading Influence, Super Bowl Preview

Two alleged kingpins of Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel were arrested in El Paso, Texas. Vice President Kamala Harris strikes a different tone than President Biden in a speech on the conflict between Israel and Gaza, and the 2024 Summer Olympic Games are underway in France. 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 Miguel Macias, Roberta Rampton, Russell Lewis, Janaya Williams and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Milton Guevara.We get engineering support from Andie Huether. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In a speech from the Oval Office, President Biden explained his reasons for declining to run for a second term. Vice President Kamala Harris has staked out her own approach to Israel and Gaza, and voters in Western PA share their thoughts on the campaigns and candidates. 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 Roberta Rampton, Gabriel Spitzer, Dana Farrington, Janaya Williams and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Milton Guevara. We get engineering support from Carleigh Strange. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address a joint meeting of Congress. Vice President Harris has started campaigning for President, and a new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll shows a surge in the number of undecided voters. 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, Roberta Rampton, Dana Farrington, Janaya Williams and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Milton Guevara. We get engineering support from Carleigh Strange. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Vice President Kamala Harris paid tribute to President Biden and rallied staff on Day One of her push to cement her place at the top of the Democratic ticket. Republicans are warning of possible legal obstacles to the Harris nomination, and the head of the Secret Service was on Capitol Hill answering questions about the assassination attempt on Donald Trump.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 Roberta Rampton, Megan Pratz, Anna Yuhkananov, Janaya Williams and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Destinee Adams and Milton Guevara. We get engineering support from Arthur Laurent. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Biden is dropping out of the Presidential race. He has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the party's new nominee, but it is unclear how Democrats will proceed. Republicans are attempting to tie her to Biden's biggest troubles, including immigration and inflation.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, Megan Pratz, Janaya Williams, and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Destinee Adams and Milton Guevara. We get engineering support from Arthur Laurent. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Fear can be a powerful weapon. Gao Zhi, a 44-year-old Chinese man, knows this well. In 2020, after criticizing the Communist Party on social media, he left China and gained asylum in the Netherlands. But after Wang Jingyu, a Chinese celebrity dissident, moves into Gao's home, things start to go terribly wrong. Gao fears he and his family are now in the crosshairs of the Chinese Communist Party. On this episode of The Sunday Story, NPR's Global Democracy Correspondent Frank Langfitt and a reporting partner bring us the story of Gao and Wang. It's a tale of how the fear authoritarian regimes sow can be used to create a world of lies, betrayal, and manipulation.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Former President Trump secured the nomination from the Republican Party, but the identity of his opponent grew more uncertain. A software flub caused havoc. A drone evaded Israeli air defenses and killed one in Tel Aviv.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Donald Trump formally accepts the Republican presidential nomination, in a more subdued speech than his usual fare, as he aims to widen his support. And pressure mounts on President Joe Biden to end his reelection bid.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 Megan Pratz, Padma Rama, Krishnadev Calamur, Olivia Hampton and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Lilly Quiroz, Ben Abrams and Mansee Khurana. We get engineering support from Arthur Laurent. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Republican vice presidential pick J.D. Vance welcomed by party faithful. Lawmakers plan a series of hearings next week over Trump's assassination attempt. And President Joe Biden has COVID, amid mounting questions over his reelection bid.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 Padma Rama, Krishnadev Calamur, Roberta Rampton, Olivia Hampton and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Lilly Quiroz, Ben Abrams and Mansee Khurana. We get engineering support from Andi Heuther. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Republicans vow to "make America safe again," but the statistics contradict their claims of growing crime. And Democrats who want to keep President Joe Biden off the ballot are opposing an obscure party rule.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 Ravenna Koenig, Alfredo Carbajal, Roberta Rampton, Olivia Hampton and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Mansee Khurana. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy