Consider This from NPR - Can the global HIV/AIDS fight recover from Trump’s cuts?

HIV has been in retreat around the world. 

Fewer people are dying of the disease.

New infections are decreasing. 

More HIV positive people have access to life saving medicine.

Those trend lines have been moving in the right direction for decades. 

And US investment is one big reason.


The Trump Administration dismantled foreign assistance through USAID, it continued PEPFAR — the President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief — but much of the work is either no longer happening or happening at a very reduced capacity.

For decades, the United States led global efforts to end HIV/AIDS. That's no longer happening. Where will the trend lines go from here? 

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This episode was produced by Jeffrey Pierre. You also heard reporting in this episode from NPR’s Gabrielle Emanuel from Zambia.

It was edited by Courtney Dorning and Rebecca Davis.

Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.


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1A - The News Roundup For September 12, 2025

Republican provocateur and online personality Charlie Kirk was shot and killed while hosting an event at Utah Valley University this week. Despite authorities searching for the person responsible, no suspects are in custody.

Donald Trump’s takeover of the Washington D.C. police department expired Thursday evening. Trump signaled that he would seek an extension, but that desire has reportedly cooled.

Meanwhile, in an attempt to harm Hamas, Israel bombed the Qatari capital of Doha this week. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signaled that he and his forces are prepared to do so again despite a rare condemnation of Israeli military strategy by the U.S.

Poland invoked NATO’s Article 4 this week after Russian drones entered its airspace, leading to consultations between representatives of the alliances member nations.

France’s government has collapsed again. Now, President Emmanuel Macron has appointed outgoing defense minister Sébastien Lecornu as the country’s next prime minister.

We get into all this and more during this week’s News Roundup.

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Up First from NPR - Kirk Shooting Investigation, Economic Round-up, Brazil’s Bolsanaro Convicted

Police have released video and pictures of a suspect who they believe shot and killed right-wing activist Charlie Kirk in Utah, and authorities are urging the public to come forward with tips. Stocks are surging on hopes of lower interest rates, even as Americans face rising prices at the store and a cooling job market. And in Brazil, former President Jair Bolsonaro has been found guilty of plotting a coup after losing the 2022 election.

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 Eric Whitney, Rafael Nam, Tara Neil, Mohamad ElBardicy, Alice Woelfle.

It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas.

We get engineering support from David Greenburg. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

And our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor

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Short Wave - The Most Convincing Evidence Yet Of Life On Mars

Was there ever life on Mars? Planetary scientists think there could have been but there hasn’t been any direct evidence. After years of roaming Mars, NASA’s Perseverance rover saw spots on Mars rocks. These spots could be the most likely clue that Mars had organic life millions of years ago. Host Regina G. Barber speaks with recent PhD graduate and planetary scientist Hemani Kalucha. She explains why the size, shape and color of these spots – as well as the location of these rocks on Mars – point to ancient life.


Interested in more science behind skincare products? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org.


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The Indicator from Planet Money - ICE raids, cooling on capitalism, and a Murdoch settlement

It’s … Indicators of the Week! Our weekly look at some of the most fascinating economic numbers from the news. 

On today’s episode: the concept of capitalism is cooling in American minds; the U.S. policies behind the Hyundai ICE raid; and an influential family’s succession saga comes to a thrilling (and expensive!) conclusion. 

Related episodes: 
Salvaging democratic capitalism, with Martin Wolf
How to pass on a global media empireFor sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.

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NPR's Book of the Day - ‘2024’ and ‘From the Clinics to the Capitol’ dissect opposing political movements

Today’s episode features two books that dissect very different case studies in politics: Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign and the anti-abortion movement. First, in July 2024, Harris’ presidential campaign launched like a rocket – but it seemed to stall shortly after. 2024 goes behind the scenes of the Harris team as they leapt into the race months before the election. In today’s episode, NPR’s Scott Detrow speaks with two of the book’s authors, Tyler Pager and Isaac Arnsdorf, about how Harris’ inner circle saw crucial campaign moments. Then, Carol Mason’s new book From the Clinics to the Capitol breaks down the political strategy of the anti-abortion movement. In today’s episode, she speaks with NPR’s Sarah McCammon about ties between the movement and white nationalism.


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1A - The Future Of Telehealth Abortions

The nation’s patchwork system of abortion laws is once again being challenged.

This time, opponents are targeting telehealth abortions. That’s when a provider in a state where abortion is legal meets virtually with a patient and sends them pills to take at home.

Those patients come from states all over the country – even those with abortion bans. A quarter of all abortions in the U.S. are done via telehealth. That’s according to a June report from the Society of Family Planning.

Now, attorneys general in Texas and Louisiana are suing a doctor in New York for prescribing pills to patients in their states, where abortion is almost completely banned. New York is one of several states that’s enacted shield laws after Roe was overturned. These statutes ban cooperation with other states’ attempts to enforce abortion bans.

Now that this has evolved into a battle between states, the Supreme Court is expected to weigh in soon. Their decision could drastically change access to abortion nationwide.

So, what’s at stake in this case? And how did states’ rights become the latest flashpoint in the battle over abortion access?

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Consider This from NPR - Young Conservatives Are Asking What’s Next For the Movement Charlie Kirk Started

For many young conservatives, Charlie Kirk was more than just another political activist or online personality.


He was the face of their movement -- a glimpse at how life for their generation could look by embracing a more hard-right, MAGA worldview. Charlie Kirk's followers are in shock and grief over his assassination.


As they try to make sense of his killing, many are also asking what's next for the movement he started.


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Email us at considerthis@npr.org.


This episode was produced by Kai McNamee and Mia Venkat. 


It was edited by John Ketchum and Courtney Dorning. .


Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.





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State of the World from NPR - Looking Back at the Man Who Helped Shape the U.N.

In the early 1960s, U Thant, a practicing Buddhist from a remote town in Burma, became the first non-Western secretary-general of the United Nations. He immediately faced unfolding crises around the world. We talk with U Thant’s grandson about his new book “Peacemaker: U Thant and the Forgotten Quest for a Just World.”

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Up First from NPR - Latest on the Kirk Investigation, Who Was Charlie Kirk?, Russian Drones Over Poland

Police are still searching for the gunman who killed right-wing activist Charlie Kirk during a speech at a Utah college campus. We look back at Kirk’s rise in conservative politics through Turning Point USA and the controversies that defined him. And in Europe, Russian drones crossing into Poland are testing NATO’s limits and raising fears of a wider war.

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 Eric Westervelt, Megan Pratz, Kate Bartlett, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woefle.

It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas.

We get engineering support from Zo van Ginhoven. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

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