German election; Friedrich Merz; Greenpeace; Ukraine : NPR

Good morning. You are studying the Up First publication. Subscribe right here to get it delivered to your inbox, and listen to the Up First podcast for all of the information that you must begin your day.

At this time’s prime tales

French President Emmanuel Macron will meet President Trump right this moment in Washington, D.C., the place he’s anticipated to current the European plan for peace in Ukraine. European leaders had been surprised final week by Trump’s abrupt reversal on alliances, falsely accusing Ukraine of beginning the struggle with Russia.

• 🎧 Macron desires Trump to grasp that Russia poses an existential risk to Europe, NPR’s Eleanor Beardsley tells Up First. France and Britain, Europe’s solely nuclear powers, are stated to be prepared to supply a European navy pressure, together with boots on the bottom and naval ships within the Black Sea, to safe a peace deal in Ukraine. Combining navy, monetary and humanitarian support, Europe has given greater than the U.S. for the struggle in Ukraine. Many European nations say they’re prepared to increase defense spending after the wake-up name that the U.S., an ally of 80 years, might not have their backs sooner or later.
• ➡️ As negotiations proceed, here are key developments to regulate relating to the struggle and efforts to finish it.

Germany’s center-right Christian Democrat chief Friedrich Merz is poised to take over because the nation’s new chancellor, based on outcomes from Sunday’s election. Merz taking the place would probably return the nation to a extra steady two-party authorities, which has run Germany for many of the previous three many years.

• 🎧 Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s authorities collapsed over a dispute about find out how to revive the financial system and his three-party coalition authorities had a tough time rising to the problem of chaotic instances in Europe, NPR’s Rob Schmitz says. Scholz’s center-left Social Democrats will probably keep in authorities, but it surely’s the center-right Christian Democrats underneath Merz that can be main now. Merz desires to maneuver quick and type a authorities by mid-April. His primary precedence is strengthening Europe as fast as possible to achieve independence from the U.S.

Greenpeace USA is dealing with a $300 million lawsuit that might pressure the group to close down. The trial begins right this moment. Vitality Switch, the corporate that constructed Dakota Entry Pipeline, claims it suffered damages due to the 2016 and 2017 protests led by Native Individuals towards the pipeline.

• 🎧 Vitality Switch claims that Greenpeace and different activists conspired to boost cash, incite protests, damage the corporate’s repute and delay the pipeline’s development. The 1,100-mile pipeline was delayed by an estimated 90 days, Vitality Switch’s now Government Chairman Kelcy Warren stated in 2017. Greenpeace calls this a SLAPP go well with, which is a strategic lawsuit towards public participation. Primarily, a rich firm takes a much less rich critic to courtroom, forcing them to spend time and money defending themselves as a substitute of protesting, NPR’s Jeff Brady says. Greenpeace hopes to win to dissuade different corporations from submitting related instances.

Life recommendation

Take your cooldown as severely as you’re taking your exercise. One examine confirmed that those that spent 20 minutes foam rolling after a exercise after which once more just a few days later had higher efficiency and fewer ache than those that skipped it. Make certain to replenish your self with protein — and carb-rich snacks.

Beck Harlan/NPR

conceal caption

toggle caption

Beck Harlan/NPR

Put up-workout restoration may also help cut back an individual’s threat of harm and soreness and enhance athletic efficiency. Nonetheless, many individuals do not prioritize these actions after train. When folks do not find time for self-care, it may be a recipe for catastrophe. Listed below are essential activities to do after hitting the fitness center:

• 👟 Cooling down after a exercise may also help stop dizziness and fatigue. Spend 10-Quarter-hour doing low-intensity motion after your train.
• 👟 Should you really feel that you could’t get away from bed the morning after your exercise, you are too sore. Foam rolling could make a giant distinction. It is a sort of light soft-tissue therapeutic massage that may be accomplished after a exercise.
• 👟 Stretching is the important thing to stopping accidents. Stretches ought to really feel like a light-weight pull in your muscle groups. Intention to carry the strikes for about 30 seconds.

Image present

The city of Peine, close to the Salt flats and one of many closest cities to the lithium mining operations. thirteenth of April, 2024. Antofagasta, Chile.

Cristóbal Olivares for NPR

conceal caption

toggle caption

Cristóbal Olivares for NPR

Chile is the world’s second-largest lithium producer. As soon as concentrated lithium carbonate salts are purified and exported, they’re made into batteries that find yourself in cellphones and electrical automobiles. Nonetheless, in lithium-rich communities, there may be little consensus amongst locals about what needs to be accomplished with the proceeds of the lithium growth. Some communities across the salt flat have accepted compensation from the businesses that arrange there. In the meantime, some members of the Indigenous Lickanantay neighborhood are adamant that the injury being accomplished is irreparable and can’t be offset by funds. The groundwater extraction by the mining has led to the collapse of the Atacama salt flat. See photos from the community affected by lithium operations.

3 issues to know earlier than you go

Staff open a glass case containing a number of the 113 Benin Bronzes which can be being returned to Nigeria after British troops looted them within the late nineteenth century, throughout a handing over ceremony on the Wereldmuseum (World Museum) in Leiden on February 19, 2025.

FREEK VAN DEN BERGH/ANP/AFP through Getty Photos/AFP

conceal caption

toggle caption

FREEK VAN DEN BERGH/ANP/AFP through Getty Photos/AFP

1. The Netherlands plans to return over 100 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria, practically 130 years after these items, which embody plaques, private ornaments, figures, and extra, had been taken by the British and offered to the Dutch.
2. The Vatican introduced yesterday morning that Pope Francis, 88, had a peaceable evening however remains in critical condition for a fancy respiratory an infection. He entered the hospital per week and a half in the past for therapy.
3. New York Yankees gamers and uniformed employees can now put on “well-groomed beards,” after the staff lifted its nearly 50-year-old policy.

This article was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.