Up First

Some U.S. lawmakers question whether aid to Ukraine should continue amid a battlefield stalemate. Sen. Tommy Tuberville drops his hold on more than 400 military promotions. And four Republican presidential candidates prepare for a fourth debate in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Clarification: A previous version of this episode did not make clear that Congressional Republicans have additionalborder policy requests including proposed requirements for asylum cases and ways to curtail illegal crossings. 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 Mark Katkov, Kelsey Snell and Megan Pratz. It was produced by Lilly Quiroz, Mansee Khurana and Lindsay Totty. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.

The Justice Department accuses former U.S. ambassador Victor Manuel Rocha of working as a "clandestine agent" on behalf of Cuba. The Pentagon says that Houthi rebels from Yemen attacked an American naval destroyer and three commercial ships in the Red Sea. And South Africa marks the 10th anniversary of the death of Nelson Mandela. Today's episode of Up First was edited by Kirshnadev Calamur, Andrew Sussman and Miguel Macias. It was produced by Lilly Quiroz, Mansee Khurana and Lindsay Totty. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.

Israel says it expanded its ground offensive against Hamas to all parts of Gaza. This includes the occupied territory's southern areas, where people fled to in the early days of the war. What does this mean for the civilians in Gaza? The Supreme Court on Monday hears arguments for and against a bankruptcy settlement. It involves Purdue Pharma, maker of the pain medication OxyContin. And former Wyoming Congresswoman Liz Cheney warns about the threat of a second Trump presidency. Up First was edited by Michael Sullivan, Krishnadev Calamur, Reena Advani and HJ Mai. It was produced by Lilly Quiroz, Mansee Khurana and Lindsay Totty. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.

In this week's episode, Ayesha shares the latest series out of NPR's Embedded. In "All The Only Ones," Laine Kaplan-Levenson unearths the little-known and often neglected history of trans youth in America. The series follows the lives of young transgender people today and travels back in time to the turn of the 20th century to meet some of the earliest trans youth documented in American history. You can listen to the 3-part series on the Embedded feed here.

Fighting between Israel and Hamas has resumed after a seven-day pause. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai. Sandra Day O'Connor is remembered as a champion of women in the law.

Israeli airstrikes on Gaza resumed on Friday after a weeklong ceasefire. What does the return to war mean for civilians? The White House wants lawmakers to provide additional funds to Israel and Ukraine. House Republicans won't go along, unless they get a concession on their border policy. And Florida's Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis debated California Democrat Gavin Newsom. Up First was edited by Michael Sullivan, Kelsey Snell, Dana Farrington and HJ Mai. It was produced by Ana Perez, Ben Abrams and Julie Depenbrock. We get engineering support from Phil Edfors and Arthur Laurent. And our technical director is Stacey Abbott. Our Executive Producer is Erika Aguilar.

Israel and Hamas agree to extend a temporary truce by another day. The House weighs whether to expel first-term Republican Congressman George Santos. And the Department of Justice indicts an Indian intelligence officer for allegedly ordering the assassination of a Sikh separatist in New York. Up First is produced by Ana Perez, Ben Abrams, and Julie Depenbrock. Our editors are Michael Sullivan and Kelsey Snell. We get engineering support from Phil Edfors and Arthur Laurent. And our technical director is Stacey Abbott.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks with NATO foreign ministers in Brussels before heading to the Middle East. President Biden visits Colorado where he's expected to tout his administration's investment in clean energy jobs. And world leaders prepare to begin climate change negotiations in Dubai. Up First is produced by Ana Perez, Ben Abrams, and Julie Depenbrock. Our editors are Mark Katkov, Dana Farrington, and Sadie Babits. We get engineering support from Phil Edfors Arthur Laurent. And our technical director is Stacey Abbott.

President Biden says Israel and Hamas have agreed to extend a temporary truce for two more days. Authorities investigate the shooting of three men of Palestinian descent as a hate crime. And the 2024 race for the Republican presidential nominee shapes up. Up First is produced by Ana Perez, Ben Abrams, and Julie Depenbrock. Our editors are Michael Sullivan, Andrea DeLeon, and Megan Pratz. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott and Arthur Laurent. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

Israel and Hamas consider extending a four-day pause in fighting. Global climate talks begin later this week in Dubai. And three days of memorial events start in Georgia for former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, who died on Nov. 19 at the age of 96. Up First is produced by Ana Perez, Julie Depenbrock, and Ben Abrams. Our editors are Michael Sullivan, Neela Bannerjee, and Russell Lewis. We get engineering support from Phil Edfors and Arthur Laurent. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

Today on The Sunday Story host Ayesha Rascoe heads to Westchester County, in upstate New York to meet with The New York Times Crossword editor Will Shortz. The two sit down at the table tennis center Will owns to talk about how he became the Puzzlemaster on Weekend Edition Sunday, his love for all things puzzles and how recently, in his seventies, he has finally found love in his personal life as well.

Hamas released 24 hostages Friday as Israel freed 39 Palestinian prisoners. Another exchange is expected today. Anti-immigrant sentiment fuels looting and vandalism in central Dublin. Why "buy now pay later" plans are expected to grow even more common this holiday season.

A four day cease-fire takes effect between Israel and Gaza ahead of the possible release of 50 hostages for 150 Palestinian prisoners. Progressive prosecutors across the country face resistance from police departments that see them as soft on crime. And a journalist remembers the impact Rosalynn Carter had on journalism related to the often neglected subject of mental health. Up First is produced by Ana Perez, Claire Murashima, and Chad Campbell. Our editors are Michael Sullivan, Barrie Hardimon, and Diane Webber. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott and Josephine Nyounai. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

Israel says the release of 50 hostages in Gaza in return for 150 Palestinians will not start before Friday. Retailers forecast a record numbers of shoppers over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Protesters rally against a new, police training facility in Atlanta. Up First is produced by Ana Perez, Claire Murashima, and Chad Campbell. Our editors are Michael Sullivan, Emily Kopp, Susanna Capeluto. We get engineering support from Gilly Moon, Phil Edfors, and Kwesi Lee. And our technical director is Stacey Abbott.

Israel and Hamas agree to a deal involving the release of some hostages in exchange for a multi-day cease-fire. Sam Altman returns to OpenAI as CEO after days of turmoil at the artificial intelligence company. And Wisconsin's Supreme Court hears a case related to gerrymandering in the state. Up First is produced by Ana Perez, Claire Murashima and Chad Campbell. Our editors are Didi Schanche, Uri Berliner and Ben Swayse. We get engineering support from Phil Edfors and Arthur Laurent. And our technical director is Stacey Abbott.

Ukraine enters winter with stalled front lines and uncertainty over the West's continued support for its war with Russia. Migrants set up camps in the tiny border town of Jacumba, California without basic necessities or support from aid organizations. And tens of millions of travelers prepare to take to the skies as Thanksgiving nears. Up First is produced by Ana Perez, Chad Campbell and Claire Murashima. Our editors are Michael Sullivan, Andrea DeLeon, and Russell Lewis. We get engineering support from Carleigh Strange and Arthur Laurent. And our technical director is Stacey Abbott.

Officials discuss a possible deal related to the release of some hostages in Gaza in exchange for a pause in fighting. Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter dies at 96 in Plains, Georgia. And Javier Milei wins Argentina's presidential run-off. Up First is produced by Ana Perez, Chad Campbell and Claire Murashima. Our editors are Susanna Capelouto, Michael Sullivan and Tara Neill. We get engineering support from Carleigh Strange and Arthur Laurent. And our technical director is Stacey Abbott.

In 2011, NPR correspondent Howard Berkes noticed an anomaly in the sidebar of a government report on the Upper Big Branch mine disaster in West Virginia. It suggested that there was an extraordinarily high rate of black lung disease among the coal miners who'd been killed in the explosion. And it set him on a decade-long investigation to understand the cause of a hidden epidemic, the toll it took on miners and their families, and why government agencies had failed to prevent it. You can find more of Howard's landmark reporting on black lung disease on the episode page.

Israeli troops are evacuating Al-Shifa Hospital now that it's under their control. A maverick politician could become Argentina's next president. Why would a movie studio decide against releasing a movie it's already finished?

Israel says it is uncovering an intricate network of tunnels used by Hamas in Gaza. Members of United Auto Workers approve a contract negotiated by the union. And prosecutors in Guatemala say they intend to bring charges against President-elect Bernardo Arevalo. Up First is produced by Ana Perez and Shelby Hawkins. Our editors are Michael Sullivan, Emily Kopp and Tara Neill. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott and Arthur Laurent. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. Our show director is Ziad Buchh. And our executive producer is Erika Aguilar.