podcast
CNN 5 Things
We bring you 5 stories that will get you up to speed and on with your day. Updates at 7am, 12pm, and 6pm Eastern, every weekday.

After months of planning, the US and Israel struck Iran as part of a massive operation aimed at unseating the hardline Iranian regime. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the strikes, according to Israeli sources. Iran has retaliated, hitting US military bases and major population centers across the region. So how long will this war last? And is regime change even feasible? We break down what we know as of Saturday afternoon.
For more: Trump launches the regime-change effort in Iran that he pledged to avoid
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Guest: Natasha Bertrand, CNN Correspondent
Host: David Rind
Producer: Paola Ortiz
Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin
Photo: AP
Feb 28, 2026
A goldendoodle left at an airport gets lifted up by local heroes. A Texas swim team makes major waves for a beloved custodian. Giant tortoises return to the Galápagos after nearly 200 years. Parents are dialing back screen time with retro tech. Plus, Team USA’s women’s hockey Olympic champs are hearing from their biggest fans – thanks to a hotline.
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Host/Producer: Krista Bo Polanco
Producer: Eryn Mathewson
Showrunner: Faiz Jamil
Senior Producer: Felicia Patinkin
Editorial Support: Vanessa Yurkevich, Lacey Russell
Feb 28, 2026
We start with details on former President Bill Clinton’s testimony to lawmakers in their Jeffrey Epstein investigation. The US ambassador to Israel gave an urgent warning over a potential US military strike on Iran. President Donald Trump made a major move against an American AI company. The father of a teenage Georgia school shooter took the stand in his own defense. Plus, why NASA’s plans to put man back on the moon will look differently.
Feb 27, 2026
It’s former President Bill Clinton’s turn to testify before the House Oversight committee in its Jefferey Epstein probe. AI company Anthropic faces a key deadline from the Pentagon today. New federal data on US measles cases has public health officials bracing for the worst. Today's fresh strikes are escalating the conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Plus, the company that’s cut almost half of its workforce because of AI.
Feb 27, 2026
Lawmakers spent hours questioning Hillary Clinton about Jeffrey Epstein. Paramount wins out over Netflix in WBD bidding war. Jurors watch Colt Grey’s movements before school shooting. Columbia University accuses DHS of using false pretenses to arrest one of their students. Plus, NY Governor saves an “instructional” vanity license plate.
Feb 27, 2026
We'll give you the latest from Hillary Clinton's closed-door interview with lawmakers as part of their Jeffrey Epstein investigation. We’ll tell you how a third round of US talks went with Iran and Ukraine. Two neighboring countries exchanged cross-border strikes. We have details on the mayor of New York City’s unannounced visit to the White House. Plus, mortgage rates cracked a key threshold for the first time in more than three years.
Feb 26, 2026
The former first lady turned presidential candidate faces tough questions over alleged links to Jeffrey Epstein. High-stakes nuclear talks between the US and Iran continue in Switzerland. The US and Cuba are investigating a deadly shooting involving Cuban forces and passengers on a Florida-registered speedboat. The FBI Director is ousting employees who investigated President Donald Trump’s mishandling of documents at Mar-a-Lago. Plus, we'll tell you what could be causing men in their 50s to age faster.
Feb 26, 2026
The Clintons to give depositions on Epstein to the House Oversight Committee. The FBI raided the home of LA’s School Superintendent. Lawmakers grill Surgeon General nominee, Dr. Casey Means. Mom and daughter team finds the world’s largest coral colony. Plus, US Women’s hockey team calls Trump joke, “distasteful.”
Feb 26, 2026
We start with the Trump administration’s latest sanctions on Iran ahead of high-stakes nuclear talks tomorrow. Travelers may soon experience delays getting through airport security as the partial government shutdown continues. A prominent economist is leaving his post amid the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. The FBI made notable searches today in connection to a federal investigation. Plus, the astronaut whose medical issue prompted NASA’s first early return from the International Space Station.
Feb 25, 2026
We start the political strategy behind the longest State of the Union speech yet. President Donald Trump’s pick for surgeon general, a MAHA influencer, was grilled on Capitol Hill today. A CNN investigation found nearly 100 documents appear to be missing from the Justice Department’s investigation on Jeffrey Epstein. The US Embassy is offering diplomatic services to a Israeli settlement in the Occupied West Bank. Plus, we explain why AI company Anthropic is ditching its core safety principal.
Feb 25, 2026







