• Dave Chappelle on free speech and the purpose of comedy | NPR’s Newsmakers
    Apr 15 2026
    In this bonus episode of Up First, we’re sharing the latest episode of NPR’s Newsmakers, featuring comedian Dave Chappelle. The provocative comedian and architect of Chappelle’s Show is one of the biggest names in comedy. Now in arguably the most successful chapter of his life and career, he views himself not just as an entertainer -- but as a professional processor of events and experiences. He describes comedians as 'the nation's kidney' -- an essential organ for processing the raw experiences of life.

    Chappelle believes that function is one shared by comics and journalists -- they both process events and help audiences make sense of the world. That conviction is why he recently invested $15 million into the infrastructure of WYSO, the public radio station in his hometown of Yellow Springs, Ohio.

    In this conversation, Chappelle tells host Michel Martin why free speech is so important to him, and why he refuses to let public expectations dictate his art.

    NPR's Newsmakers is where you'll find NPR's biggest interviews. Follow the show wherever you listen to podcasts or subscribe and watch on NPR’s YouTube channel.

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    39 Min.
  • Middle East War Negotiations, War And The Global Economy, New Swalwell Allegations
    Apr 15 2026
    President Trump says new talks with Iran could happen in the next two days, and negotiations with Israel, Lebanon and Hamas all unfold simultaneously across the region.
    The Iran war is pushing up prices on everything from gas to groceries, with fuel protests spreading across Europe and the IMF warning of a global recession.
    And a second woman has accused Eric Swalwell of rape, saying she was drugged in a West Hollywood hotel room, as Swalwell resigned from Congress and faces potential criminal investigations in three cities.

    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 Ruth Sherlock, Tina Kraja , Padma Rama, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Alice Woelfle.

    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.

    And our Supervising Producer is Reena Advani.

    (0:00) Introduction
    (01:51) Middle East War Negotiations
    (05:25) War And The Global Economy
    (09:06) New Swalwell Allegations

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    13 Min.
  • Swalwell Resignation, Strait Of Hormuz Standoff, Trump Feuds with Pope Leo
    Apr 14 2026
    Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell is resigning after multiple women accused him of sexual assault and misconduct, just one week after he was seen as a frontrunner in California's governor's race.
    The U.S. and Iran are both blocking the Strait of Hormuz, oil prices are surging, and virtually every country on earth is feeling the pain.
    And President Trump is feuding with the first American-born pope, calling him weak on crime for opposing the war, the pope says he has no fear of the Trump administration.

    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, Andrew Sussman, Rebekah Metzler, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Alice Woelfle.

    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 Stacey Abbott.

    And our Supervising Senior Producer is Vince Pearson.

    (0:00) Introduction
    (01:57) Swalwell Resignation
    (05:45) Strait Of Hormuz Standoff
    (09:38) Trump Feuds with Pope Leo

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    13 Min.
  • Trump's Blockade, Israel-Lebanon Talks, Hungary's Orbán Out
    Apr 13 2026
    President Trump announced a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz after peace talks with Iran collapsed, as Iran warns any warship approaching the waterway will face a severe response.
    Israel continues striking Lebanon despite the ceasefire, killing more than 100 people over the weekend including a Red Cross paramedic, even as ambassadors from Israel and Lebanon prepare to meet in Washington on Tuesday with Hezbollah telling NPR they have no intention of disarming.
    And Hungary's Viktor Orbán is out after 16 years in power, with voters turning out in record numbers to oust the Trump ally and hand his challenger a landslide victory.

    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 Andrew Sussman, Ruth Sherlock, Tina Kraja, Mohamad ElBardicy, and HJ Mai.

    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
    (01:54) Trump's Blockade
    (05:32) Israel-Lebanon Talks
    (09:25) Hungary's Orbán Out

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    12 Min.
  • Dozens of Black pilots disappeared during WWII. Who are the men still lost?
    Apr 12 2026
    Dozens of Tuskegee Airmen went missing in action during World War II. Most of them have not been found. Who were these men and what happened to them? In her book, "Forgotten Souls," NPR investigative correspondent Cheryl W. Thompson tells their stories.

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    17 Min.
  • US/Iran Peace Talks, Hungary Election Preview, Congress Returns Monday
    Apr 11 2026
    Delegations from the US and Iran are in Pakistan to negotiate an end to the six-week-old war. Voters in Hungary weigh in ahead of tomorrow’s national election where polls signal trouble for Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Congressional lawmakers have a big to-do list when they return to Washington next week.

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    16 Min.
  • Vance Iran Negotiations, Israel-Lebanon Talks, Artemis II Return To Earth
    Apr 10 2026
    Vice President JD Vance is heading to Pakistan this weekend to lead peace talks with Iran, as the ceasefire is already under enormous stress.
    More than 300 people have been killed in Lebanon since Israel's massive offensive Wednesday, with Netanyahu telling Israelis the strikes will not stop even as he says he'll open direct talks with Lebanon for the first time in history.
    And the Artemis II crew splashes down near California tonight after a record-breaking trip around the moon.

    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, Gerry Holmes, Amina Khan, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Taylor Haney.

    It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Ava Pukatch.

    Our director is Kaity Kline.

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

    And our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor.

    (0:00) Introduction
    (01:58) Vance Iran Negotiations
    (05:30) Israel-Lebanon Talks
    (09:23) Artemis II Return To Earth

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    13 Min.
  • Trump and NATO, Shaky Ceasefire In Middle East, Lebanon's Day Of Mourning
    Apr 9 2026
    President Trump met with NATO's Secretary-General at the White House and blasted the alliance afterward for not helping during the war, as the ceasefire is already showing cracks less than 24 hours after it was announced.
    Iran's Revolutionary Guard says it has started blocking ships in the Strait of Hormuz again, as Iran warns the U.S. it must choose between a ceasefire and continued war via Israel.
    And Lebanon declared a national day of mourning after Israeli strikes killed more than 250 people in a single day, with Hezbollah firing rockets into northern Israel this morning despite the ceasefire.

    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, Gerry Holmes, Mohamad ElBardicy and Taylor Haney.

    It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Ava Pukatch.

    Our director is Kaity Kline.

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

    And our deputy Executive Producer is Kelley Dickens.

    (0:00) Introduction
    (01:53) Trump and NATO
    (05:22) Shaky Ceasefire In Middle East
    (09:04) Lebanon's Day Of Mourning

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    12 Min.