DHS Shutdown, Ukraine Peace Talks, Olympics Stars Stumble

U.S. and Iranian officials meet again in Geneva as the Trump administration sends more military forces to the region while pressing Tehran to limit its nuclear program.Nine defendants go on trial in Texas over a shooting outside an ICE detention center, in a case federal prosecutors are framing as terrorism and defense attorneys say grew out of a protest.And Reverend Jesse Jesse Jackson, the civil leader, presidential candidate and longtime advocate for racial and economic justice, has died at age 84.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 James Hider, Alfredo Carbajal, 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. And our technical director is Simon-Laslo Janssen.Our Supervising Senior Producer is Vince Pearson.(0:00) Introduction(02:17) US-Iran Talks(05:40) Texas ICE Shooting Trial(09:26) Rev. Jesse Jackson Dies At 84Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

If enjoyed this, check out the Up First Winter Games Video Podcast. You'll find it at youtube.com/npr. This bonus episode of Up First was edited by Eric Whitney. Our visual editors include Nicole Werbeck, Elizabeth Gillis, Grace Raver and Pablo Valdivia. It was produced by Lauren Migaki, Brianna Scott, Ana Perez, Barry Gordemer and Elizabeth Baker. We get engineering support from Jay Czys, Andie Huether, Becky Brown and Josephine Nyounai. Our Executive Producers are Adam Verdugo, Jay Shaylor and Samantha Melbourneweaver. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Congress is out on recess as a partial shutdown at the Department of Homeland Security is underway after talks collapsed over immigration enforcement reforms.Officials from the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine prepare for new peace talks in Geneva as Moscow presses territorial demands and Kyiv insists on security guarantees.And at the Winter Olympics in Italy, American speed skater Jordan Stolz is making history while other superstar athletes struggle with the intense pressure of competing on the world’s biggest stage.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 Jason Breslow, Kate Bartlett, Tina Kraya, Eric Whitney, Mohamad ElBardicy and Adam Bearne.It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas.Our director is Christopher Thomas.We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. And our technical director is Simon-Laslo Janssen.(0:00) Introduction(01:57) DHS Shutdown(05:38) Ukraine Peace Talks(09:26) Olympics Stars StumbleLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

How do you find the strength to face the unimaginable? In September of 2024, Gisèle Pelicot took the stand in an unprecedented mass rape trial in France. On trial was her former husband, along with 50 other men. Police had found images and videos of her husband and dozens of men raping Pelicot while she was drugged and unconscious. In this episode of The Sunday Story, Gisèle Pelicot sits down with NPR’s Michel Martin to talk about the pain of discovering what had happened to her, the harm it did to her family, and her decision to reject shame and speak up on behalf of victims of sexual assault.Pelicot’s new memoir, “A Hymn to Life,” will be published on February 17th.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

We get the latest from the Munich Security Conference, where U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a speech before European leaders. We also look at the reasons behind why the FDA rejected Moderna's new flu vaccine and how that decision could shape future clinical trials. Plus, we'll look at the what happened with U.S Olympic figure skater Illia Malinin, dubbed the "Quad God," on the ice yesterday. Tipped to win the gold, Malinin didn't end up even medaling. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Federal immigration agents are pulling back from Minnesota after months of aggressive immigration enforcement that led to thousands of arrests, weeks of protests, and the fatal shooting of two U.S. citizens. Congress is racing to fund the Department of Homeland Security before a shutdown, with Democrats demanding changes to immigration enforcement and negotiations still stalled. And the Environmental Protection Agency is scrapping the legal basis for regulating greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks.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 Eric Westervelt, Jason Breslow, 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.Our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor.(0:00) Introduction(01:55) ICE Leaving Minnesota(05:48) DHS Funding Deadline (09:31) EPA Vehicle EmissionsLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Attorney General Pam Bondi clashed with lawmakers during a Capitol Hill hearing dominated by questions about the Justice Department’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files.President Trump’s tariff agenda faces a rare Republican pushback in Congress, even as the White House argues the policy is bringing money into the United States.And a new jobs report shows stronger hiring to start the year, but revised data suggests the labor market was far weaker in 2025 than previously believed.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, Rebekah Metzler, Rafael Nam, 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.Our deputy Executive Producer is Kelley Dickens.(0:00) Introduction(02:07) Bondi's Heated Hearing(06:04) Pushback On Trump's Tariffs(09:54) Revised 2025 Jobs ReportLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The FBI released door camera footage from the home of Nancy Guthrie, the 84 year-old mother of Today Show host Savanah Guthrie who's been missing for eleven days.President Trump meets with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss Israel’s security, as the White House signals possible progress in nuclear talks with Iran. And immigration officials defend enforcement tactics on Capitol Hill while lawmakers remain divided ahead of a Friday deadline to fund the Department of Homeland Security.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, Anna Yukhananov, Emma Bowman, Kate Bartlett, 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 Simon-Laslo Janssen.Our Supervising Producer is Michael Lipkin.(0:00) Introduction(01:58) Guthrie Door Camera Footage(05:29) Trump & Netanyahu Meet On Iran(09:11) DHS House HearingLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Congress has until Friday to reach a deal to fund the Department of Homeland Security, with negotiations stalled over Democratic demands to overhaul immigration enforcement.Britain’s prime minister Keir Starmer is fighting to hold onto power after new revelations show he hired a Washington ambassador with ties to Jeffrey Epstein, triggering calls for him to step down.And Savannah Guthrie issues another emotional plea for her missing mother as a ransom deadline passes and investigators say they still have no suspects in the disappearance.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 Kelsey Snell, Kate Bartlett, 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 and our technical director is Carleigh Strange.Our Supervising Senior Producer is Vince Pearson.(0:00) Introduction(01:54) DHS Funding Negotiations(05:40) UK Epstein Fallout(09:27) Latest on Guthrie InvestigationLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The search for Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie, enters a second week as her family says they’ve received a message from the people who took her and investigators continue to look for suspects.Ghislaine Maxwell is set to be questioned by members of Congress about Jeffrey Epstein, his crimes, and the powerful figures connected to him, even as she continues to challenge her own conviction.And the Seattle Seahawks win Super Bowl 60, beating the New England Patriots 29-13, using a dominant defense to secure the franchise’s second championship.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 James Doubek, Megan Pratz, Russell Lewis, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Adriana Gallardo.It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Ava Pukatch. Our director is Christopher Thomas.We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.(0:00) Introduction(01:58) Guthrie Investigation(05:37) Ghislaine Maxwell Deposition(09:20) Seahawks Win Super Bowl LXLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy