Ukraine's President Sits With NPR, Pope Leo Cancer, Ambassador Guilfoyle Forced Out5 CardsMichel Martin on Up First from NPR
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the White House threatened to cut intelligence sharing unless Ukraine stops long-range drone strikes on Russian oil refineries. He said five Russian ballistic missiles struck Kyiv and the region Monday, amid continued attacks after Russia broke an announced energy ceasefire.Michel Martin on Up First from NPR
A federal judge extended an order blocking President Trump from barring CNN, MSNBC, and Politico from the White House while their case proceeds toward trial. The judge found the outlets had made a strong case that the administration violated First and Fifth Amendment rights.Oregon School Shooting, Russia's View On US-Ukraine Split, DOJ Sues California4 CardsSteve Inskeep on Up First from NPR
Ukraine struck a major Russian oil refinery in Ryazan, southeast of Moscow, on Thursday, according to Russian authorities, though the damage was unclear. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia’s continued attacks ended his support for the energy ceasefire, while President Vladimir Putin promised retaliation and President Trump blamed Zelenskyy for blocking a settlement.Charles Maynes on Up First from NPR
The Kremlin said Russia had begun releasing diesel fuel to global markets after President Trump agreed with President Vladimir Putin to buy it despite sanctions, seeking lower gas prices before the US midterm elections. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the deal would give Russia billions for its war, while Ukraine’s air force said it had run out of US-made Patriot missiles.Trump's Midterm Travel, Ukraine Starshield Restrictions, Houthis Attack Aramco4 CardsGreg Myre on Up First from NPR
Russia intensified attacks on Ukraine with ballistic missiles and jet-powered drones as Ukraine faces shortages of air defenses and expects its toughest winter for electricity supplies. President Trump said intelligence sharing had not been cut, but the disruption appeared intentional, while Russia said its campaign targets Ukraine’s electricity grid.Greg Myre on Up First from NPR
Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said the Starshield satellite network was restored after restrictions disrupted drone communications, including automatic cutoffs when aircraft exceeded 100 miles per hour. Elon Musk said the US government and military control usage, amid disagreement between President Trump and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil facilities.Trump Pressures Ukraine, Trump's Midterm Priorities, Saudi Arabia Airport Attacks4 CardsMichel Martin on Up First from NPR
Saudi Arabia says Houthi attacks from Yemen killed at least 20 people at its airports in the past week, including 13 people killed and more than 300 wounded in Saturday’s strike on a passenger terminal. The Houthis, backed by Iran, say the attacks retaliate for Saudi airstrikes in Yemen. Riyadh Airport has been shut, testing Saudi security and economic plans.Michel Martin on Up First from NPR
The Trump administration lifted sanctions on Russian diesel imposed after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and President Trump described a plan to import millions of tons over time. Trump blamed Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries for higher US gas prices, while Mara Liasson said the Iran war is driving prices and the change is unlikely to immediately lower diesel costs.Bracing For Hurricane Isaias, Ukraine Pushes Russia Back, Iran War Impact On Midterms4 CardsDebbie Elliott on Up First from NPR
Hurricane Isaias, the season’s first hurricane, is strengthening over the Gulf of Mexico and is forecast to make landfall near the Alabama-Florida line, bringing possible impacts from Louisiana to Florida’s Big Bend. The National Hurricane Center says winds could exceed 100 miles per hour, storm surge could reach five to seven feet, and rainfall could total 15 inches, prompting evacuations and closures.Steve Inskeep on Up First from NPR
President Trump said the United States will not attack Iran before the November 3 midterm elections, while saying the war is necessary to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. An AP-NORC poll found seven in 10 disapprove of his handling of the war, and Trump’s approval rating has fallen from 48% to 37% as Republicans anticipate losing the House while defending their Senate majority.School Shooting in Bend, Elon Musk's Power, MN Senate Race3 CardsJacqueline Diaz on Up First from NPR
A Thursday shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, killed three children, ages five, eight, and 11, and 25-year-old teacher Megan Lambert, while a seven-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher were injured. Police say 16-year-old former student Griffin J. John II entered with a Maverick 88 12-gauge shotgun and was killed by parent Caleb Giammanco after firing at the school.Scott Simon on Up First from NPR
A new documentary examines Elon Musk’s influence across technology, finance, and politics, including at least $276 million in Republican campaign donations, with $158 million going to the Senate Leadership Fund. After Starlink military service was briefly restricted in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said people died because connectivity was lost, while Musk blamed the administration and officials offered conflicting explanations.Hurricane Isaias Prep, Competitive Midterm Races, Trump's Media Ban In Court3 CardsLaura Linehan on Up First from NPR
Tropical Storm Isaias became a hurricane overnight, with forecasters saying it could make landfall near the Alabama Gulf Coast and Florida Panhandle as early as Friday night. Communities prepared, while the National Weather Service in Birmingham forecast two to four inches of rain inland and officials evacuated non-essential personnel from eight Gulf production platforms.Michel Martin on Up First from NPR
CNN, MSDNow, and Politico sued the Trump administration in federal court in Washington, DC, after President Donald Trump barred their White House reporters, saying the outlets published negative stories. A judge’s temporary restraining order blocked the ban, while the outlets cite First and Fifth Amendment rights and the White House cites fake news and national security concerns as the order nears its end Thursday.Threats On US Bases Overseas, France Student Protest, German Spy Arrest3 CardsEleanor Beardsley on Up First from NPR
France’s student-led school protests spread nationwide, with hundreds of thousands marching alongside teachers, parents and labor unions as clashes and fires were reported. The government created a complaints platform and planned Friday school reflection sessions, while far-left presidential candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon promoted the movement and the prime minister prepared to address the nation.A Martínez on Up First from NPR
The U.S. withdrew all 12 B-1 bombers from Royal Air Force Base Fairford in southwest Britain after a U.S. official said a credible threat linked to Iran potentially involved a drone attack. British police arrested seven men near the base, but found no weapons and charged none. Iran denied involvement.Trump Midterm Campaigning, Rep. Omar Home Searched, Europe Pushes Back on Russia Deal2 CardsTerry Schultz on Up First from NPR
European officials criticized Trump’s Ukraine moves: he demanded Ukraine stop refinery attacks and said Zelensky should leave, while Ukraine and Russia appeared unaware of an energy truce. The EU sanctioned almost 1,600 Russia-linked entities. Trump lifted Russian-diesel sanctions and announced US purchases. Zelensky offered elections after a 60-day ceasefire.A Martínez on Up First from NPR
President Trump has accelerated midterm campaigning, rallying in Youngstown, Ohio, traveling to Alaska and planning more events. He says the rallies help turnout, though their effect is unknown, while Ohio GOP candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and Senator Jon Husted, facing Democrat Sherrod Brown, appeared briefly as Trump dominated.Hurricane Isaias Floods the Panhandle, A Russian Oil Deal, ICE Shooting in New York2 CardsAyesha Rascoe on Up First from NPR
Hurricane Isaias made landfall Friday near Destin, Florida, as a Category 2 storm with 105-mph winds, causing flooding, damage and power outages for more than 800,000 customers across Florida, Alabama and Georgia. President Trump approved disaster declarations for Alabama and Florida as forecasters warned of flash flooding, mudslides and tornadoes.Ayesha Rascoe on Up First from NPR
President Trump said President Vladimir Putin agreed to immediately supply more than 300,000 tons of Russian diesel to U.S. and global markets, while the Treasury Department issued a six-month waiver of sanctions imposed after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The Kremlin said Russia was ready to supply diesel, and the deal requires Russia to lift its export ban.