Delve into the rich tapestry of arts, entertainment, and societal trends. From film reviews to cultural commentary, this category celebrates the diverse expressions of human creativity.
Mohammad Saiyub (above, in a Mumbai quarter on a February day) appeared in a photo that went viral in the early days of the pandemic. He and his childhood buddy Amrit Kumar were hitching home, a journey of nearly 1,000 miles. Kumar, who is a Hindu Dalit, fell ill. Saiyub, a Muslim, cradled his friend … Read more
As criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s response to the Iran war grows, government censors are scrambling to knock down memes that use the Indian leader as the punchline. STEVE INSKEEP, HOST: Let’s go next to India, where telling a joke can be dangerous if it’s about the prime minister, Narendra Modi. Free speech advocates … Read more
Vice President JD Vance enters his highest-profile moment Friday as lead U.S. negotiator in face-to-face talks with Iran. STEVE INSKEEP, HOST: This weekend’s negotiations to end the war with Iran puts some pressure on Vice President JD Vance. LEILA FADEL, HOST: Yeah. Vance is leading the U.S. team that will meet for talks in Islamabad, … Read more
First responders search under the rubble at the site of an Israeli airstrike in the village of Habbouch, southern Lebanon on April 10, 2026. ABBAS FAKIH/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption ABBAS FAKIH/AFP via Getty Images President Trump accused Tehran on Thursday of falling short of a days-old ceasefire agreement between the United … Read more
Vice President Vance meets with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on April 7, 2026, in Budapest, Hungary. Pool/Getty Images/Getty Images Europe hide caption toggle caption Pool/Getty Images/Getty Images Europe BUDAPEST – Hungary’s election on Sunday, April 12, is about more than who governs a country of almost 10 million. It is a test of a … Read more
In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping, right shakes hands with Kuomintang (KMT) party leader Cheng Li-wun in Beijing on Friday, April 10, 2026. Xie Huanchi/Xinhua/AP hide caption toggle caption Xie Huanchi/Xinhua/AP TAIPEI, Taiwan, and SHANGHAI — Chinese President Xi Jinping held a rare meeting with Cheng Li-wun, the leader … Read more
Good morning. You’re reading the Up First newsletter. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox, and listen to the Up First podcast for all the news you need to start your day. Today’s top stories Vice President Vance will head a U.S. delegation for peace talks with Iran in Pakistan this weekend. Negotiators will meet in the … Read more
The first signs an American aircraft was shot down came over the Telegram messaging app. Images of aircraft debris and a pilot’s empty ejection seat appeared on pro-Iranian channels. They were quickly followed by videos of search-and-rescue aircraft flying low over the mountains of southwestern Iran. Jake Godin got to work trying to figure out … Read more
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel delivers a welcome speech to participants of the “Nuestra America,” or Our America Convoy at the Convention Palace in Havana, Cuba, Friday, March 20, 2026. Adalberto Roque/Pool photo via AP hide caption toggle caption Adalberto Roque/Pool photo via AP SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel told NBC News’ … Read more
Pakistan has acted as a mediator between Washington D.C. and Tehran over the last few weeks, and helped broker the ceasefire agreement this week. NPR’s Juana Summers talks to Elizabeth Threlkeld, a senior fellow and director at the Stimson Center, about why Pakistan decided to step into this role. JUANA SUMMERS, HOST: As a shaky, … Read more