DOGE savings; Ukraine-Russia war; Israeli hostages : NPR

Good morning. You are studying the Up First e-newsletter. Subscribe right here to get it delivered to your inbox, and pay attention to the Up First podcast for all of the information it is advisable to begin your day.

In the present day’s prime tales

The Trump administration has posted a brand new on-line tracker that claims the Division of Authorities Effectivity has to date saved $55 billion in federal authorities spending. The fee-cutting effort, championed by Elon Musk and President Trump, promised receipts. Nevertheless, the numbers add as much as far much less in financial savings than claimed, in keeping with an NPR evaluation.

🎧 DOGE shared an inventory of among the authorities contracts that had been canceled lately, which allegedly provides as much as round $16 billion in financial savings, NPR’s Stephen Fowler tells Up First. After digging by means of 130,000 contracts, Fowler discovered that DOGE’s claims had been overstated by billions of {dollars}. Half of the financial savings claimed within the receipts come from what DOGE stated was a typo entered into the federal contract database a couple of years in the past that made a list price as much as $8 million seem like $8 billion as a substitute. The typo was fastened a couple of weeks in the past. Fowler says a 3rd of the entries additionally do not end in financial savings as a result of these contracts have already been maxed out and would not see future financial savings.

Trump is escalating his assaults on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy by calling him a “dictator.” The U.S. has pressed Zelenskyy to undergo peace talks with Russia, which have excluded Ukraine so far. Yesterday, Zelenskyy stated he desires the U.S. to cease utilizing disinformation when speaking about Russia’s warfare on Ukraine after Trump accused Ukraine of beginning the warfare.

🎧 Trump has had combined criticism and reward for Zelenskyy all through their relationship, NPR’s Franco Ordoñez says. Zelenskyy seems to be dealing with the latest assaults cautiously, significantly Trump’s assertions that he deceived the U.S. into spending billions of {dollars} on the warfare. Moreover, Zelenskyy has expressed considerations in regards to the conferences between the Trump administration and Russian officers. There may be widespread fear throughout Europe that if Russia halts its combating in Ukraine, it might solely be a short lived pause. Potential for future invasions might have an effect on different European nations.

Hamas has launched the our bodies of what it says are 4 Israeli hostages, together with a mom and her two sons. They are going to endure forensic testing in Israel to verify their identities. This marks the primary time Hamas has launched the our bodies of hostages beneath the present ceasefire deal.

🎧 The our bodies are believed to be 33-year-old Shiri Bibas, her sons Ariel and Kfir, ages 4 and 9 months, and 84-year-old Oded Lifshitz, in keeping with NPR’s Kat Lonsdorf. Hamas says Israeli strikes killed the 4 hostages throughout their time in captivity. Bibas’ husband was additionally taken with the remainder of the household on Oct. 7, 2023 and launched alive on Feb. 1. They turned an emblem in Israel of the plight of the hostages in Gaza. On Saturday, Hamas is anticipated to honor its dedication to the primary section of the ceasefire and launch the remaining six residing hostages. In response, Israel is anticipated to launch over 600 Palestinian prisoners and detainees from Israeli jails.

In the present day’s pay attention

Yesterday marked the eightieth anniversary of the start of the ferocious WWII Battle of Iwo Jima. Tens of 1000’s of U.S. troopers invaded a strategically important island held by Japan. The Library of Congress has preserved recordings from Marine Corps fight correspondents on the frontlines. These embrace interviews with troopers, music, and the sounds of warfare. Some recordings are so vivid that it feels just like the warfare is unfolding in your thoughts. Take heed to recordings from the battle right here.

From our hosts

This essay was written by Michel Martin, Morning Version and Up First host

This is likely one of the issues we wrestle with in placing exhibits collectively: Is one thing a “native” story or is it “nationwide?” In different phrases, is that this one thing solely the individuals who stay within the environs of NPR HQ are anxious about or eager about? Or is that this one thing we predict individuals across the nation (even all over the world) would possibly need to know?

That is what was on my thoughts after I pitched a narrative about comic W. Kamau Bell’s resolution to proceed together with his look on the Kennedy Middle final week after he realized that Trump had dismissed the management of the performing arts venue and appointed a board of loyalists that in flip put in him as chairman. Bell, whose comedy has all the time been infused together with his progressive politics, was actually flying to the venue when he discovered what occurred (he paid for the airplane Wi-Fi!) and he additionally discovered that different performers had been canceling…what would HE do?

That was his dilemma. This was ours: Positive, the Kennedy Middle is a world-class venue and TV exhibits just like the Kennedy Middle Honors are taped there. However in case you do not stay right here or go to stay performances, do you care?

The mass layoffs of federal staff are completely different. Some 80% stay exterior of the D.C. space, and their work, in fact, impacts everybody within the nation. However is the matter of who controls a cultural useful resource — and the way performers really feel about that — one thing lots of people can be focused on?

I feel that what occurs within the DMV does matter — as a result of it is an attention-grabbing place in its personal proper. However I additionally suppose that tradition has energy, and individuals who direct the tradition have energy. Simply how a lot energy is all the time a query. Why else do individuals care a lot about, say, what’s on SNL? Or Jason Aldean’s lyrics? Or who Taylor Swift is voting for?

Anyway, I assumed Bell’s dilemma match into that. And it appears, judging by how many individuals listened to the story or learn it on-line, you agreed. Should you missed it this week, pay attention right here to study why Bell finally did not cancel his efficiency.

3 issues to know earlier than you go

Hurricane, the hero Belgian Malinois who protected the Obama White Home from an intruder, died this week on the age of 16. He was a Particular Operations Canine for the Secret Service and have become probably the most adorned canine in U.S. historical past.Kansas lawmakers are contemplating a proposal to permit individuals within the state who receive raccoon possession permits to maintain them as pets. (by way of KMUW)Anthropology Professor Cara Ocobock from the College of Notre Dame research reindeer herders in Finland to grasp how people developed to endure excessive chilly. This is what she discovered. (by way of KCUR)

This text was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.