Trump and Xi strike cordial tone at summit. And, Netanyahu gives defiant UNGA speech
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President Trump (L) and China's President Xi Jinping shake hands as they leave after their talks at the Gimhae Air Base, located next to the Gimhae International Airport in Busan on October 30, 2025. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
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Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images
President Trump hosted Chinese leader Xi Jinping for a state dinner last night, after the two met for around three hours at the White House. It was the first of a two-day summit for the leaders of the world's two largest economies.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returns to Israel today after a short trip to address the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Dozens of diplomats walked out as Netanyahu took the podium for his address, while some supporters cheered from the public gallery. Netanyahu went on to celebrate and defend the U.S. and Israeli-led war in Iran, reject claims that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza and downplay the escalating settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, where settlements are illegal under international law.
The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has surpassed 7% for the first time in more than a year. The sharp rise in rates since March risks further squeezing homebuyers' budgets and deepening the freeze on the housing market. High mortgage rates contributed to a 2% decline in existing home sales in August from the previous month, according to the National Association of Realtors. Housing researchers had hoped 2026 would provide some relief. But while mortgage rates briefly fell below 6% in February, they quickly shot back up after the war in Iran led to volatility in bond markets
The Fed's interest rate hike is bound to raise borrowing costs across the economy — but it's intended to help bring down inflation. LM Otero/AP hide caption
toggle caption
LM Otero/AP
Earlier this month, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates a quarter percentage point, aiming to slow the acceleration of inflation. But how does that actually work? Here's a clearer explanation.
Silent Hill: Townfall, Control Resonant, and Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave Konami, Remedy Entertainment, Nintendo hide caption
toggle caption
Konami, Remedy Entertainment, Nintendo
Check out what NPR is watching, reading and listening to this weekend:
🍿 Movies: Documentary films can often get lost in the shuffle when talking about upcoming films. Pop Culture Happy Hour highlights new documentaries worth checking out.
📺 TV: In a new HBO docuseries, Jay-Z dissects his catalog with producer Rick Rubin. The series hopes to further cement the artist's legacy as one of the most revered lyricists of our time.
📚 Books: New DNA analysis has added evidence that Thomas Jefferson fathered children with Sally Hemings, a woman whom he held in slavery. The twists and turns of the investigation are detailed in a new book, History by a Hair.
🎵 Music: Ella Langley's "Choosin Texas" is now the longest-running No. 1 Billboard hit of all time. NPR's Stephen Thompson breaks down five reasons it's had so much staying power.
🍟 Food: Longtime friends Brian Landry and Peter Harris have known each other since the 5th grade. The chef and jazz musician have teamed up on a new cookbook, Rhythm & Roux: The Simmer and Swing of New Orleans, that pays tribute to two of the Big Easy's staples.
🎮 Gaming: Game publishers are rushing to debut their work before Grand Theft Auto 6's release in November. Here are some of the best and biggest games of September.
❓Quiz: Stop! If you want to give yourself the best chance of acing this week's news quiz, you'll want to make sure you read the rest of this newsletter before taking it.
A campaign poster urges Swiss voters to reject a neutrality initiative ahead of a Sept. 27 nationwide vote on whether to enshrine permanent armed neutrality in the constitution and limit participation in military alliances and sanctions. Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
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Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images
This newsletter was edited by Majd Al-Waheidi. Brittney Melton contributed.
Trump and Xi's U.S. summit continues after a state dinner Thursday night. And, Netanyahu returns to Israel after giving a defensive and defiant speech at the U.N. General Assembly
This lens runs the verified story through Cinnamon's AI — wired in the next step.
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.
President Trump (L) and China's President Xi Jinping shake hands as they leave after their talks at the Gimhae Air Base, located next to the Gimhae International Airport in Busan on October 30, 2025. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
toggle caption
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images
President Trump hosted Chinese leader Xi Jinping for a state dinner last night, after the two met for around three hours at the White House. It was the first of a two-day summit for the leaders of the world's two largest economies.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returns to Israel today after a short trip to address the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Dozens of diplomats walked out as Netanyahu took the podium for his address, while some supporters cheered from the public gallery. Netanyahu went on to celebrate and defend the U.S. and Israeli-led war in Iran, reject claims that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza and downplay the escalating settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, where settlements are illegal under international law.
The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has surpassed 7% for the first time in more than a year. The sharp rise in rates since March risks further squeezing homebuyers' budgets and deepening the freeze on the housing market. High mortgage rates contributed to a 2% decline in existing home sales in August from the previous month, according to the National Association of Realtors. Housing researchers had hoped 2026 would provide some relief. But while mortgage rates briefly fell below 6% in February, they quickly shot back up after the war in Iran led to volatility in bond markets
The Fed's interest rate hike is bound to raise borrowing costs across the economy — but it's intended to help bring down inflation. LM Otero/AP hide caption
toggle caption
LM Otero/AP
Earlier this month, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates a quarter percentage point, aiming to slow the acceleration of inflation. But how does that actually work? Here's a clearer explanation.
Silent Hill: Townfall, Control Resonant, and Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave Konami, Remedy Entertainment, Nintendo hide caption
toggle caption
Konami, Remedy Entertainment, Nintendo
Check out what NPR is watching, reading and listening to this weekend:
🍿 Movies: Documentary films can often get lost in the shuffle when talking about upcoming films. Pop Culture Happy Hour highlights new documentaries worth checking out.
📺 TV: In a new HBO docuseries, Jay-Z dissects his catalog with producer Rick Rubin. The series hopes to further cement the artist's legacy as one of the most revered lyricists of our time.
📚 Books: New DNA analysis has added evidence that Thomas Jefferson fathered children with Sally Hemings, a woman whom he held in slavery. The twists and turns of the investigation are detailed in a new book, History by a Hair.
🎵 Music: Ella Langley's "Choosin Texas" is now the longest-running No. 1 Billboard hit of all time. NPR's Stephen Thompson breaks down five reasons it's had so much staying power.
🍟 Food: Longtime friends Brian Landry and Peter Harris have known each other since the 5th grade. The chef and jazz musician have teamed up on a new cookbook, Rhythm & Roux: The Simmer and Swing of New Orleans, that pays tribute to two of the Big Easy's staples.
🎮 Gaming: Game publishers are rushing to debut their work before Grand Theft Auto 6's release in November. Here are some of the best and biggest games of September.
❓Quiz: Stop! If you want to give yourself the best chance of acing this week's news quiz, you'll want to make sure you read the rest of this newsletter before taking it.
A campaign poster urges Swiss voters to reject a neutrality initiative ahead of a Sept. 27 nationwide vote on whether to enshrine permanent armed neutrality in the constitution and limit participation in military alliances and sanctions. Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
toggle caption
Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images
This newsletter was edited by Majd Al-Waheidi. Brittney Melton contributed.
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.
President Trump (L) and China's President Xi Jinping shake hands as they leave after their talks at the Gimhae Air Base, located next to the Gimhae International Airport in Busan on October 30, 2025. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
toggle caption
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images
President Trump hosted Chinese leader Xi Jinping for a state dinner last night, after the two met for around three hours at the White House. It was the first of a two-day summit for the leaders of the world's two largest economies.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returns to Israel today after a short trip to address the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Dozens of diplomats walked out as Netanyahu took the podium for his address, while some supporters cheered from the public gallery. Netanyahu went on to celebrate and defend the U.S. and Israeli-led war in Iran, reject claims that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza and downplay the escalating settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, where settlements are illegal under international law.
The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has surpassed 7% for the first time in more than a year. The sharp rise in rates since March risks further squeezing homebuyers' budgets and deepening the freeze on the housing market. High mortgage rates contributed to a 2% decline in existing home sales in August from the previous month, according to the National Association of Realtors. Housing researchers had hoped 2026 would provide some relief. But while mortgage rates briefly fell below 6% in February, they quickly shot back up after the war in Iran led to volatility in bond markets
The Fed's interest rate hike is bound to raise borrowing costs across the economy — but it's intended to help bring down inflation. LM Otero/AP hide caption
toggle caption
LM Otero/AP
Earlier this month, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates a quarter percentage point, aiming to slow the acceleration of inflation. But how does that actually work? Here's a clearer explanation.
Silent Hill: Townfall, Control Resonant, and Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave Konami, Remedy Entertainment, Nintendo hide caption
toggle caption
Konami, Remedy Entertainment, Nintendo
Check out what NPR is watching, reading and listening to this weekend:
🍿 Movies: Documentary films can often get lost in the shuffle when talking about upcoming films. Pop Culture Happy Hour highlights new documentaries worth checking out.
📺 TV: In a new HBO docuseries, Jay-Z dissects his catalog with producer Rick Rubin. The series hopes to further cement the artist's legacy as one of the most revered lyricists of our time.
📚 Books: New DNA analysis has added evidence that Thomas Jefferson fathered children with Sally Hemings, a woman whom he held in slavery. The twists and turns of the investigation are detailed in a new book, History by a Hair.
🎵 Music: Ella Langley's "Choosin Texas" is now the longest-running No. 1 Billboard hit of all time. NPR's Stephen Thompson breaks down five reasons it's had so much staying power.
🍟 Food: Longtime friends Brian Landry and Peter Harris have known each other since the 5th grade. The chef and jazz musician have teamed up on a new cookbook, Rhythm & Roux: The Simmer and Swing of New Orleans, that pays tribute to two of the Big Easy's staples.
🎮 Gaming: Game publishers are rushing to debut their work before Grand Theft Auto 6's release in November. Here are some of the best and biggest games of September.
❓Quiz: Stop! If you want to give yourself the best chance of acing this week's news quiz, you'll want to make sure you read the rest of this newsletter before taking it.
A campaign poster urges Swiss voters to reject a neutrality initiative ahead of a Sept. 27 nationwide vote on whether to enshrine permanent armed neutrality in the constitution and limit participation in military alliances and sanctions. Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
toggle caption
Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images
This newsletter was edited by Majd Al-Waheidi. Brittney Melton contributed.
Read the full story at NPR ↗ · NPR ↗ · NPR ↗
This lens runs the verified story through Cinnamon's AI — wired in the next step.
- Trump and Xi's U.S.
- summit continues after a state dinner Thursday night.
- And, Netanyahu returns to Israel after giving a defensive and defiant speech at the U.N.