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

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Right this moment’s high tales

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

• 🎧 DOGE shared an inventory of a few of the authorities contracts that have been canceled just lately, which allegedly provides as much as round $16 billion in financial savings, NPR’s Stephen Fowler tells Up First. After digging by way of 130,000 contracts, Fowler discovered that DOGE’s claims have 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 price as much as $8 million appear 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 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 needs the U.S. to stop using disinformation when speaking about Russia’s struggle on Ukraine after Trump accused Ukraine of beginning the struggle.

• 🎧 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 current assaults cautiously, significantly Trump’s assertions that he deceived the U.S. into spending billions of {dollars} on the struggle. Moreover, Zelenskyy has expressed issues concerning the conferences between the Trump administration and Russian officers. There’s widespread fear throughout Europe that if Russia halts its preventing in Ukraine, it could 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 may endure forensic testing in Israel to substantiate their identities. This marks the first time Hamas has released the our bodies of hostages below 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 line 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 release the remaining six living hostages. In response, Israel is anticipated to launch over 600 Palestinian prisoners and detainees from Israeli jails.

Right this moment’s hear

One of many first waves of Marines to hit the seaside hug the bottom as they land on Iwo Jima, on D-Day, Feb. 19, 1945.

AP

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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 crucial island held by Japan. The Library of Congress has preserved recordings from Marine Corps fight correspondents on the frontlines. These embody interviews with troopers, music, and the sounds of struggle. Some recordings are so vivid that it feels just like the struggle is unfolding in your thoughts. Hearken to recordings from the battle here.

From our hosts

W. Kamau Bell attends Gold Gala 2024 at The Music Heart on Could 11, 2024 in Los Angeles.

Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Photographs for Gold Home

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Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Photographs for Gold Home

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

This is among the issues we battle 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 reside within the environs of NPR HQ are apprehensive about or enthusiastic about? Or is that this one thing we predict individuals across the nation (even world wide) may wish to know?

That is what was on my thoughts after I pitched a narrative about comic W. Kamau Bell’s determination to continue with his appearance at the Kennedy Center 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 along 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 have been canceling…what would HE do?

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

The mass layoffs of federal workers are totally different. Some 80% reside 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 could be concerned with?

I believe 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 believed 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, listen here to study why Bell in the end 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 safeguarding White Home grounds and in addition being a superb boy.

Peter Summers/Getty Photographs/Getty Photographs Europe

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Peter Summers/Getty Photographs/Getty Photographs Europe

1. 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.
2. Kansas lawmakers are contemplating a proposal to permit individuals within the state who receive raccoon possession permits to keep them as pets. (through KMUW)
3. Anthropology Professor Cara Ocobock from the College of Notre Dame research reindeer herders in Finland to know how people advanced to endure excessive chilly. Here is what she found. (through KCUR)

This text was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.