European leaders pledge to again Ukraine. And, takeaways from the Oscars

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At the moment’s prime tales

A number of international leaders — largely from Europe — pledged over the weekend to help Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and work collectively to cease Russia’s conflict in his nation. The renewed help comes after President Trump scolded Zelenskyy throughout his Friday go to to the White Home’s Oval Workplace. The following day, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed Zelenskyy and advised him Europe had his again.

• 🎧 “Europe must do the heavy lifting,” Starmer stated final evening. Starmer is speaking about funding Europe’s protection, which could not be a precedence for Trump’s administration, NPR’s Lauren Frayer tells Up First. Starmer hiked British protection and introduced one other $2 billion in financing for Ukraine to purchase extra air protection missiles. Britain and France are additionally working with Ukraine on a ceasefire plan that they’ll current to the U.S. Starmer hopes to promote Trump on safety ensures for European forces.

A brand new NPR investigation has uncovered issues with the system for policing federal judges’ dangerous habits and a pervasive tradition of worry about whistle-blowing. NPR justice correspondent Carrie Johnson spoke with 42 people who find themselves present and former workers of the federal courts. They described dangerous experiences with greater than two dozen judges nationwide from each main political events.

• 🎧 A typical theme Johnson heard throughout the interviews is {that a} decide has the ability to make or break a younger lawyer’s profession with just one or two telephone calls. Clerkships keep on their resume for the remainder of their legislation careers. Individuals knowledgeable Johnson they had been afraid to report bullying or harassment by federal judges as a result of the inner techniques are sophisticated, the results are large, and there is not any assure they’ll stay nameless.

NPR’s Pop Tradition Joyful Hour host Linda Holmes joins the publication at present to interrupt down the Oscars:

The Oscars had been handed out final evening. There was one massive winner, quite a lot of heartfelt speeches and never a lot politics. Listed below are takeaways from the night: 🏆 Many movies had been acknowledged, however it was actually Anora’s evening – the indie obtained 5 awards.

• 🏆 The one actual shock was Mikey Madison (Anora) beating closely favored Demi Moore (The Substance) for greatest actress.
• 🏆 Hollywood largely left politics at dwelling, however two documentary filmmakers spoke powerfully about Palestinian rights.
• 🏆 Emilia Pérez’s Oscar marketing campaign was a rollercoaster, however Zoe Saldaña nonetheless made historical past as the primary Dominican American to win an Oscar. She received greatest supporting actress.
• 🏆 Internet hosting’s onerous, however Conan O’Brien was as much as the duty.
• 🏆 Nobody missed the very best unique tune performances (they skipped these this yr), and the present’s construction left slightly extra time to talk from the center

Take a look at images from the crimson carpet and see the full checklist of winners.

Keep popular culture savvy by subscribing to the Pop Tradition Joyful Hour publication. As soon as per week, you will get NPR’s information to TV, books, music and extra.

Life recommendation

Tax day is April fifteenth. We posed six frequent tax inquiries to New York-based tax attorneys Hana Borochov and Leo Gabovich.

Amr Bo Shanab/Getty Pictures/fStop

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Amr Bo Shanab/Getty Pictures/fStop

Submitting taxes can embrace complicated jargon, and there could be monetary and authorized penalties in the event you make a mistake. New York-based tax attorneys Hana Boruchov and Leo Gabovich weigh in on burning tax-related questions from Life Package‘s viewers.

• 💵 In the event you personal companies, are a freelancer or simply need somebody educated to information you, it is extremely beneficial that you simply rent an accountant.
• 💵 In the event you did not get a 1099 type for work, you could possibly take the danger and never report the revenue. However in the event you get audited, you’d should pay the tax.
• 💵 You may apply for a cost plan if you cannot afford to pay your tax invoice.

Take a look at extra solutions from the attorneys right here.

Image present

A snowshoe trek to Wolf Pond in New York’s Adirondack Mountains. After breaking path by way of the woods, the icy lake opens as much as views of the Excessive Peaks Wilderness.

Brian Mann/NPR

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Brian Mann/NPR

It has been a protracted, onerous winter with what might really feel like countless snowfall for a lot of the U.S. Nonetheless, for folks like NPR’s Brian Mann, it has been a playground. On a 19-degree Fahrenheit day, Mann hit the path in New York’s Adirondack Mountains together with his snowshoes. “One thing I love about winter hiking is that with the right boots and layers of clothes, you really can feel cozy and comfortable, even when exploring places like this.” Get a step-by-step have a look at Mann’s snowshoe hike right here.

3 issues to know earlier than you go

India’s Shreyas Iyer (L) performs a shot as Pakistan’s wicketkeeper captain Mohammad Rizwan watches throughout the ICC Champions Trophy one-day worldwide (ODI) cricket match between Pakistan and India on the Dubai Worldwide Stadium in Dubai on February 23, 2025.

Fadel Senna/AFP through Getty Pictures

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Fadel Senna/AFP through Getty Pictures

1. Pakistan is internet hosting the Worldwide Cricket Council Champions Trophy for the primary time in a era. Though the nation is now out of the match, internet hosting the occasion has given it a purpose to proceed celebrating.
2. Skype, the enduring video calling service acquired by Microsoft in 2011, will finish in Might.
3. Grammy-nominated R&B singer Angie Stone died in a automobile crash in Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday morning. She was 63.

This text was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.