Up First from NPR

Trump's Busy Week, Hit Song's Extreme Themes, Wagner Group's Africa Aims

From counterprogramming a GOP debate to posing for a mug shot in Georgia, Donald Trump had a busy week. A chart-topping song holds extreme themes. And Russia's Wagner mercenaries recruit for Africa. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? <a href="https://www.npr.org/newsletter/news">Subscribe</a> to the Up First newsletter. Today's episode of Up First was edited by Megan Pratz, Tara Neill, Michael Sullivan, Andrew Sussman, Jan Johnson and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Mansee Khurana and Claire Murashima. Our director is Lilly Quiroz. Our technical director is Zac Coleman, with engineering support from Carleigh Strange. And our executive producer is Erika Aguilar. Learn more about sponsor message choices: <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a> <a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>

NPR's Up First is the news you need to start your day. The three biggest stories of the day, with reporting and analysis from NPR News — in 10 minutes. Available weekdays at 6:30 a.m. ET, with hosts Leila Fadel, Steve Inskeep, Michel Martin and A Martinez. Also available on Saturdays at 9 a.m. ET, with Ayesha Rascoe and Scott Simon. On Sundays, hear a longer exploration behind the headlines with Ayesha Rascoe on "The Sunday Story," available by 8 a.m. ET. Subscribe and listen, then support your local NPR station at donate.npr.org. Support NPR's reporting by subscribing to Up First+ and unlock sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org/upfirst