Up First from NPR

Forty years ago, the
space shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds after liftoff. Seven
astronauts were killed, including teacher-in-space Christa McAuliffe. It
was a devastating blow to the U.S. space program and a national tragedy
for the country. In the days after the explosion, the search for
answers began. Two NPR reporters, Howard Berkes and Daniel Zwerdling,
focused their reporting on the engineers who managed Challenger’s
booster rockets. On February 20, 1986, Berkes and Zwerdling broke a
major story, providing the first details of a last-minute effort by
those engineers to stop NASA from launching Challenger. In
this special NPR documentary, Howard Berkes unfolds an investigation
spanning forty years, from those desperate efforts in 1986 to delay the
launch, to decades of crushing guilt for some of the engineers, and to
the lessons learned that are as critical as ever as NASA’s budget and
workforce shrink.

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At least half of the U.S. population will be hit by a powerful winter storm this weekend - we'll tell you how Oklahoma, and other states, are preparing. Plus, a look at how President Trump is using the military overseas as well inside the U.S. during his second term. Plus, a look at consumer spending in the U.S. and how sustainable it is at present levels. 

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In Minnesota, protests and business closures spread as immigration operations continue and confrontations with federal agents intensify.
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Ukraine’s president delivers a blunt message to Europe, warning that the continent must stop relying on the U.S. and prepare to defend itself as Russia’s war grinds on.
And across the U.S., states are bracing for a massive winter storm threatening millions of people with dangerous weather conditions.

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Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Eric Westervelt, Willem Marx, Russell Lewis, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Alice Woelfle.It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Christopher Thomas.We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.Our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor.
(0:00) Introduction
(01:55) Minnesota Protests
(05:28) Zelenskyy Slams Europe In Davos
(09:00) Winter Storm Approaches 

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Rahm Emanuel has held many political jobs, and he's considering a run for President. In a wide-ranging interview with NPR's Steve Inskeep, he critiques democrats and offers advice for the upcoming midterms.
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This bonus episode of Up First was edited by Reena Advani. It was produced by Barry Gordemer and Kaity Kline. We get engineering support from Robert Rodriguez. Our Deputy Executive Producer is Kelley Dickens and our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor.

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European leaders meet for an emergency summit as allies weigh a possible deal with the U.S. on Greenland after President Trump walked back threats of military action and tariffs.
Trump’s clashes with Canada and Europe raise fresh doubts about the stability of U.S. alliances, as Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney warns coercion and tariff threats are changing the global order.
And Supreme Court justices had tough question for Trump's lawyers as they hear arguments over whether a president can fire a Federal Reserve governor, a case that could redefine the independence of the central bank.

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Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Miguel Macias, Andrew Sussman, Rafael Nam, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Alice Woelfle.It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Christopher Thomas.We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.Our deputy Executive Producer is Kelley Dickens.
(0:00) Introduction
(01:59) Greenland Emergency Summit
(05:27) New World Order
(09:10) SCOTUS Justices Hear Fed Case

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