Good morning. You are studying the Up First e-newsletter. Subscribe right here to get it delivered to your inbox, and hear to the Up First podcast for all of the information you want to begin your day.
Immediately’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. Nonetheless, the numbers add as much as far much less in financial savings than claimed, in accordance with an NPR evaluation.
Elon Musk speaks as President Trump appears to be like on within the Oval Workplace of the White Home on Feb. 11.
Jim Watson/AFP by way of Getty Photos
conceal caption
toggle caption
Jim Watson/AFP by way of Getty Photos
- 🎧 DOGE shared a listing of among the authorities contracts that had been canceled not too long ago, which allegedly provides as much as round $16 billion in financial savings, NPR’s Stephen Fowler tells Up First. After digging by 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 just a few years in the past that made a list value as much as $8 million seem like $8 billion as a substitute. The typo was fastened just a few weeks in the past. Fowler says a 3rd of the entries additionally do not lead to 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 to date. Yesterday, Zelenskyy stated he needs 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, notably 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 preventing in Ukraine, it could solely be a short lived pause. Potential for future invasions may 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’ll endure forensic testing in Israel to verify their identities. This marks the first 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 accordance 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 a logo in Israel of the plight of the hostages in Gaza. On Saturday, Hamas is predicted to honor its dedication to the primary part of the ceasefire and launch the remaining six dwelling hostages. In response, Israel is predicted to launch over 600 Palestinian prisoners and detainees from Israeli jails.
Immediately’s hear
One of many first waves of Marines to hit the seashore hug the bottom as they land on Iwo Jima, on D-Day, Feb. 19, 1945.
AP
conceal caption
toggle caption
AP
Yesterday marked the eightieth anniversary of the start of the ferocious WWII Battle of Iwo Jima. Tens of hundreds of U.S. troopers invaded a strategically vital 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. Hearken to recordings from the battle right here.
From our hosts
W. Kamau Bell attends Gold Gala 2024 at The Music Middle on Could 11, 2024 in Los Angeles.
Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Photos for Gold Home
conceal caption
toggle caption
Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Photos for Gold Home
This essay was written by Michel Martin, Morning Version and Up First host
This is without doubt one of the issues we wrestle with in placing reveals collectively: Is one thing a “native” story or is it “nationwide?” In different phrases, is that this one thing solely the individuals who dwell within the environs of NPR HQ are apprehensive about or fascinated about? Or is that this one thing we predict individuals across the nation (even all over the world) would possibly wish to know?
That is what was on my thoughts after I pitched a narrative about comic W. Kamau Bell’s choice 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 at all times been infused together with his progressive politics, was actually flying to the venue when he came upon what occurred (he paid for the airplane Wi-Fi!) and he additionally came upon 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 reveals just like the Kennedy Middle Honors are taped there. However if you happen to do not dwell right here or go to dwell performances, do you care?
The mass layoffs of federal workers are totally different. Some 80% dwell outdoors of the D.C. space, and their work, after all, 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 could be inquisitive about?
I feel that what occurs within the DMV does matter — as a result of it is an fascinating place in its personal proper. However I additionally assume that tradition has energy, and individuals who direct the tradition have energy. Simply how a lot energy is at all times 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. In case you missed it this week, hear right here to study why Bell finally did not cancel his efficiency.
3 issues to know earlier than you go
Hurricane throughout a PDSA’s Order of Benefit ceremony in London. He was awarded for shielding White Home grounds and in addition being boy.
Peter Summers/Getty Photos/Getty Photos Europe
conceal caption
toggle caption
Peter Summers/Getty Photos/Getty Photos Europe
- 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 essentially the most adorned canine in U.S. historical past.
- Kansas lawmakers are contemplating a proposal to permit individuals within the state who acquire raccoon possession permits to preserve them as pets. (by way of KMUW)
- Anthropology Professor Cara Ocobock from the College of Notre Dame research reindeer herders in Finland to know how people developed to endure excessive chilly. Here is what she discovered. (by way of KCUR)
This article was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.
