Christmas in Bethlehem is somber this year. In the wake of the war in Gaza, church leaders are canceling traditional celebrations. The 2024 presidential election year is upon us and it's promising to be unlike any we've seen before. And, although little legislation was passed this year, Congress has seen plenty of action.

Today's episode of Up First was edited by Michael Sullivan, Roberta Rampton, Kelsey Snell and Mohamad ElBardicy. It was produced by Julie Depenbrock and Mansee Khurana. We get engineering support from Phil Edfors. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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As China's economy slows and optimism fades, aging workers who've spent decades of their lives building up Chinese cities find themselves in a difficult position. They're facing mandated retirement, but have little to show for years of backbreaking work.

In this episode of The Sunday Story, NPR correspondent Emily Feng tells the story of migrant workers in China, and brings us the voices of two construction workers who labored in hopes of achieving the Chinese dream, but found it out of reach. Now they wonder: how will they survive in old age?

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The UN Security Council agreed on a resolution pressing for more humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. In the territory itself, people are suffering from lack of food and water and intermittent communications blackouts. A jury found two paramedics guilty in the death of Elijah McClain while he was in police custody.

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In the U.N. Security Council, negotiators try to win U.S. support for a resolution in Gaza. Violet rhetoric swirls online after Trump ballot decision in Colorado. Leaders in Michigan say Chicago is experiencing a migrant crisis.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Cheryl Corley, Ally Schweitzer, Michael Sullivan, Andrew Sussman, and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Claire Murashima, David West and Kaity Kline. We get engineering support from Robert Rodriguez and Phil Edfors, and our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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Negotiations between Israel and Hamas are underway with Egypt helping to broker a deal. European Union leaders hail a breakthrough agreement on migration. Intense rain events are getting more common, say climate scientists.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Neela Banerjee, Ally Schweitzer, Michael Sullivan, and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Claire Murashima, David West and Kaity Kline. We get engineering support from Robert Rodriguez and our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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The Colorado Supreme Court blocks Donald Trump from that state's 2024 presidential primary, citing the 14th Amendment. The latest from the war between Israel and Hamas. Nearly 40 million Congolese vote for a new president.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Ally Schweitzer, Michael Sullivan, Ben Swayse, and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Claire Murashima, David West and Kaity Kline. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott and our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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The U.S. announces Operation Prosperity Guardian in response to attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea. Texas criminalizes border crossings at the state level. Catholics react to the Vatican allowing priests to bless same-sex couples.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Ryland Barton, Cheryl Corley, Michael Sullivan, Ally Schweitzer, and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Claire Murashima, David West and Kaity Kline. We get engineering support from Robert Rodriguez, and our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin urges a wind-down in Israel's major combat operations. Republicans in Congress seek tighter border controls in exchange for Ukraine and Israel aid. Newspaper founder Jimmy Lai goes on trial in Hong Kong.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Dana Farrington, Ally Schweitzer, and Michael Sullivan. It was produced by Claire Murashima, David West and Kaity Kline. We get engineering support from Phil Edfors. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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Today on The Sunday Story host Ayesha Rascoe explores the media's challenge in covering Donald Trump. As he campaigns for a second term as President, Trump is increasingly threatening retribution and violent acts if he's reelected. Rascoe speaks with a journalist and a scholar who both believe the media is failing to convey the danger Trump poses to American democracy.

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The Israeli military said it accidentally killed three hostages held in Gaza. In a statement, the army said it mistook them as a threat and fired. Just because inflation is cooling down doesn't mean prices are also going down - and they won't be any time soon. Two former police officers face murder charges after the fatal shooting of a mentally ill woman last June in San Antonio, Texas. Advocates there hope for mental health and police reform.

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