Up First from NPR - House Shutdown Vote, Minneapolis Immigration Operations, Trump Kennedy Center Closure

A partial government shutdown is under way after Congress missed its funding deadline, with lawmakers advancing a plan to reopen most agencies while negotiations over Homeland Security and immigration enforcement continue.
A federal judge ruled the Trump administration can keep its immigration enforcement surge in Minneapolis going, even as plans to draw down agents haven’t materialized and residents see ongoing arrests and protests.
And President Trump says the performing arts center built as a memorial to President John F. Kennedy will close for two years for a massive renovation.

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, Russell Lewis, Mohamad ElBardicy and Adrianna Gallardo.

It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ava Pukatch and Christopher Thomas.

We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

(0:00) Introduction
(01:54) House Shutdown Vote
(05:34) Minneapolis Immigration Operations
(09:16) Trump Kennedy Center Closure

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Start Here - Epstein’s Inbox: What We Learned from New Docs

An avalanche of Jeffrey Epstein documents raises new questions about his relationships with the world’s elite. A 5-year-old boy has been sent back to Minneapolis with his father after spending days in a migrant detention center. And reports of a $500 billion investment in a Trump-backed crypto fund prompt concerns about conflicts of interest at the White House.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Daily Detail - The Daily Detail for 2.2.26

Alabama

  • Sen. Tuberville says "somethings up" re: FBI raid at election center in GA
  • A bill is offered in AL House that makes it a felony to invade a church service
  • Bill from state lawmaker allows judge to deny bond to illegals charged in a violent crime
  • A former state lawmaker is challenging the residency status of John Wahl as he runs in Lt. Governor's race
  • Bryan Dawson explains what an "agi-prop" is in the protests in Minnesota

National

  • Judge denies an injunction to stop DHS and ICE action in the Twin Cities
  • Border czar Homan says ICE is not going anywhere from state of MN
  • Deputy AG Blanche talks about the recent arrest of Don Lemon in MN
  • House Speaker believes a partial government shutdown will be short-lived
  • Plaintiff in NY is awarded $2M after suing over transgender surgery when she was a teen
  • Singer Jelly Roll gives praise to Jesus after winning Grammy Award

Global News Podcast - Boy, 5, and father detained by ICE in Minnesota are released

Liam Ramos and his father were freed from detention in Texas and are now back in Minneapolis. The detention of the boy, photographed wearing a blue bunny-shaped hat, and a Spider-Man backpack sparked a national outcry. Also: The former British Ambassador to Washington, Peter Mandelson, has resigned from the governing Labour Party because he said he does not want to cause further embarrassment by his links to Jeffrey Epstein. He appeared in the latest release of files by the US Department of Justice. Israel has said the Rafah border crossing -- between Gaza and Egypt -- will re-open for Palestinians on Monday. Oil prices fall by three percent in early trading amid signs of a de-escalation in tensions between Iran and the US. Artificial intelligence now has its own social network. And we'll bring you a round up of who won, who lost and who performed on stage at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.

The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.

Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.

Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

Newshour - US president ‘hopeful’ of Iran deal

Donald Trump says Iran negotiating 'seriously' as Supreme Leader in Tehran warns of regional war if US attacks. Iran's foreign minister says "fruitful" talks are taking place on his country's nuclear programme, even as American military forces continue to build in the Middle East.

Also in the programme: French tech giant Capgemini to sell US subsidiary working for ICE; and a new exhibition reveals the peaceful side of the Samurai.

(Picture: US President, Donald Trump. Credit: REUTERS/Nathan Howard)

Consider This from NPR - Faith leaders in Memphis support Afghan refugees, and each other

Stephen Cook, the senior pastor of Second Baptist Church in Memphis, has become friends with Latif Salar, the leader of the Christ Community Afghan Church - and since the Trump administration halted asylum processing for all immigrants from Afghanistan last Fall, the two have been working closely together to support members of Salar's congregation who fear deportation. 


For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. 


Email us at considerthis@npr.org. This episode was produced by Kathryn Fink. It was edited by Sarah Robbins. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Newshour - Trump says Iran talking “seriously” with US about nuclear curbs

President Trump says the Iranians are talking "seriously" with the United States about curbs on their nuclear programme. Iran's supreme leader warns if America attacks, there'll be regional war.

We'll be asking where concessions might be made to prevent a military confrontation.

Also in the programme: A second woman says she was trafficked to the UK by Jeffrey Epstein for sex with the former prince, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor; a new exhibition explores the legacy of Japan's Samurai warriors; and Carlos Alcaraz triumphs over Novak Djokovic to become the youngest man to win a career Grand Slam in tennis.

(Photo shows Donald Trump speaking after disembarking from Air Force One in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., January 31, 2026. Nathan Howard/Reuters)

Global News Podcast - The Global Story: The mystery of Putin and the apartment bombs

In September 1999, just weeks into Vladimir Putin’s first premiership, four bombs blew up four apartment buildings, over a period of twelve days, killing hundreds and plunging the entire nation into fear. The government blamed Chechen militants, a conclusion corroborated by many journalists at the time. But whispers of a darker conspiracy persist to this day. A new BBC podcast, The History Bureau: Putin and the Apartment Bombs, tells the story of those bombings and re-examines how these tragic events helped propel Vladimir Putin to power. Asma talks to the host of the series, Helena Merriman.

The Global Story brings clarity to politics, business and foreign policy in a time of connection and disruption. For more episodes, just search 'The Global Story' wherever you get your BBC Podcasts.

Producers: Viv Jones Executive producer: Bridget Harney Mix: Travis Evans Senior news editor: China Collins Photo: Moscow apartment buildings in the 1990s. (Credit: BBC)

WSJ What’s News - Is Cuba Next? Inside Washington’s Push for Regime Change

Cuba is at a breaking point. From severe fuel shortages to a public health crisis, the island’s economic distress has reached a fever pitch. Now, the Trump administration believes it has the leverage to do what others couldn't: force regime change. This week, Luke Vargas explores the mechanics of this renewed pressure campaign and America’s power projection abroad with WSJ’s José de Córdoba in Mexico and Vera Bergengruen in Washington. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Up First from NPR - Women in the Skilled Trades Face New Hurdles

President Trump has a vision for the American workforce. Forget expensive college educations. His eye is on the skilled trades. The U.S. Department of Labor has adopted the slogan “Make America Skilled Again.”

But who gets to be part of this renaissance? 

Since the 1980s, women have made small but meaningful gains in the construction trades. Now there are concerns that President Trump’s campaign to end diversity, equity and inclusion will stall that progress — setting back both women and the construction industry.

Today on the Sunday Story, we ask how women fit into this administration’s vision of this skilled trades future.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy