Former President Donald Trump says if he's elected he'll pardon many rioters convicted of crimes in connection with the Jan. 6 insurrection. Can he really do that? And the Islamic State claimed responsibility for a deadly attack in Iran this week. Why does the violent Sunni group have its sights set on Iran? Plus, a growing trove of unsealed court documents related to convicted sex-trafficker Jeffrey Epstein has revived conspiracy theories. What are people saying in the darkest corners of the web?

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Barrie Hardymon, Michael Sullivan and Brett Neely. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Taylor Haney. We get engineering support from Phil Edfors and our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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Explosions in Iran, a drone strike in Lebanon and a threat from Hezbollah's leader to punish those responsible. Is the risk of a wider regional conflict growing? And new court documents related to disgraced financier and convicted sex-trafficker Jeffrey Epstein are now public. Plus, a glimpse into the journey of migrants desperately trying to make it to the U.S.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Mark Katkov, Andrea DeLeon, and Tara Neill. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Taylor Haney. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbot. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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A top Hamas leader was killed in Lebanon's capital of Beirut. How big a blow is this for the militant group? And Harvard's president has resigned after just 6 months on the job. Does her departure point to an even bigger political battle brewing? Plus, New York's attorney general is hoping to oust the National Rifle Association's long-time leader from his position on corruption charges.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Catherine Laidlaw, Mark Katkov, Michael Sullivan and Andrea DeLeon. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Taylor Haney. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis . And our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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A landmark court ruling in Israel has delivered a blow to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing government while it wages war in Gaza. And state legislatures are planning to tackle issues this year that federal lawmakers have been slow to take on. Plus, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency may soon set limits on several so-called forever chemicals in drinking water.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Kevin Drew, Ally Schweitzer, and Susanna Capelouto . It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Lindsay Totty. Engineering support comes from Stacey Abbott and our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

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2024 will be a big year in American politics. How will the economy, immigration, abortion rights, ongoing wars, and looming criminal trials for the leading Republican candidate shape this year's presidential election? Also, why economic forecasters predict slower growth and lower inflation in the year to come. Plus, how many climate-focused companies are embracing artificial intelligence.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Dana Farrington, Uri Berliner, Neela Banerjee. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Adam Bearne, Ben Abrams and Lindsay Totty. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott and our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

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Today on The Sunday Story host Ayesha Rascoe talks to NPR labor correspondent Andrea Hsu and NPR culture correspondent Mandalit del Barco about the forces driving this year's massive strikes. More than half a million workers went on strike in 2023, largely from the private sector.

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More than 150 missiles and drones fell on Ukrainian cities on Friday, hitting a shopping mall and a maternity hospital. President Zelensky says there will be payback. The Israeli army says it will ramp up its offensive in Gaza, all while artillery exhanges between Hezbollah militants in Lebanon and Israel also increase. Three special counsels will be investigating former President Trump, President Biden, and Biden's son, Hunter. But some at the Department of Justice think they may be overused.

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The Israeli offensive in Gaza continues as new evacuation orders are issued. Around 1,000 trucks wait at the Ukraine-Poland border as a Polish truckers blockade protests the lack of shipping regulations. A Georgia judge rules in favor of newly drawn congressional maps that give republicans an advantage.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Susanna Capeluto, Michael Sullivan, Alice Woelfle and Miguel Macias. It was produced by Julie Depenbrock, Mansee Khurana and Chad Campbell. We get engineering support from Hannah Gluvna. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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The World Health Organization warns that disease could kill more people in Gaza than the bombings, if living conditions and health care systems do not improve. The New York Times sues the makers of ChatGPT, saying the chatbot threatens the digital news industry. Plus, 2023 is likely to be the hottest year on record and some scientists say we're not prepared for what's coming.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Neela Banerjee, Gabriel Spitzer, Denice Rios and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Julie Depenbrock, Mansee Khurana and Chad Campbell. We get engineering support from Hannah Gluvna. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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Secretary of State Antony Blinken travels to Mexico to discuss immigration policy as a caravan of thousands of migrants travels towards the southern border. Militias backed by Iran are targeting American and Israeli forces in several Middle Eastern countries. And the U.S. economy is showing signs of recovery, but President Biden isn't always getting credit for it.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Michael Sullivan, Dana Farrington, Alice Woelfle, Russell Lewis and Miguel Macias. It was produced by Julie Depenbrock, Mansee Khurana and Chad Campbell. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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