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As we speak’s prime tales
President Trump introduced yesterday that he needs the U.S. to take over the Gaza Strip. Whereas chatting with reporters on the White Home alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he stated, “We’ll personal it and be liable for dismantling the entire harmful, unexploded bombs and different weapons on the positioning.” Trump steered it might turn out to be the “Riviera of the Middle East.” He did not rule out the potential of deploying U.S. troops for the duty.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump communicate throughout a joint press convention within the East Room of the White Home on Feb. 4. Netanyahu is the primary international chief to go to Trump since he returned to the White Home final month.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Pictures
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Chip Somodevilla/Getty Pictures
- 🎧 Trump has described Gaza as an uninhabitable demolition website and says the almost 2 million Palestinians there ought to go to different nations, NPR’s Aya Batrawy tells Up First. There is not electrical energy or working water in Gaza; given this actuality, some households would depart. Nonetheless, for individuals who have lived there for generations, leaving would imply the finish of hope for a Palestinian state. Batrawy says key Arab states don’t desire Hamas to rule Gaza however do not see mass displacement as the answer.
The Trump administration has begun sending migrants from the U.S. to a deportation holding facility in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. The primary planeload arrived yesterday. Trump says he needs to create room for 30,000 migrants at Guantánamo.
- 🎧 The U.S. has not launched the official quantity of people that have been despatched to Guantánamo up to now, but it surely seems to be small, NPR’s Sacha Pfeiffer says. Migrants might be held there briefly till the U.S. finds different nations to ship them to. Pfeiffer says she has acquired conflicting solutions from attorneys about whether or not sending migrants there’s authorized. Steve Vladeck, with Georgetown Legislation College, says it might be cheaper and simpler to carry migrants in a giant open area within the U.S. However by transport them to Guantánamo, Trump sends a sure message.
The Trump administration is placing all United States Company for Worldwide Improvement staff on administrative go away. A brand new directive despatched to all company employees globally and posted on-line said that staff should go on go away by Friday at 11:59 p.m. The observe ended with “Thank you for your service.” This transfer comes greater than two weeks after Trump and adviser Elon Musk stated they had been within the technique of shutting USAID down.
- 🎧 The observe was quick, not signed by any official and stated that “essential personnel expected to continue working” would be told by Thursday, in keeping with NPR’s Fatma Tanis. Round 10,000 individuals work for USAID. Many stay abroad and have been given 30 days to pack up and return house. Tanis says a number of officers from the company expressed shock and advised her that they had been gutted by the information. Many individuals she talked to additionally anticipate mass layoffs to come back subsequent.
Deep dive
MIAMI, FLORIDA: An American flag flies exterior of a Walmart retailer in Miami, Florida. In 2020, Walmart was one in every of many giant U.S. firms that pledged to combat racism and enhance inner range. However now it, Amazon, Fb, and lots of different firms are ending a few of these packages. (Photograph by Joe Raedle/Getty Pictures)
Joe Raedle/Getty Pictures/Getty Pictures North America
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Joe Raedle/Getty Pictures/Getty Pictures North America
Within the wake of George Floyd’s homicide in 2020, large companies began making guarantees to combat racism and enhance range. Now, company America is popping within the different route of DEI — range, fairness and inclusion. Trump signed govt orders final month to terminate what he calls “illegal” DEI packages and insurance policies all through the federal authorities. Some DEI consultants say companies did not suppose via their pledges or prices from the beginning. The scrutiny could also be a wake-up name and an opportunity to get it proper.
- 💼 When firms started DEI initiatives, they argued they might do extra for staff and society whereas making extra revenue for buyers. This technique quickly proved largely ineffective.
- 💼 Firms that worth DEI insurance policies ought to body them as a matter of morality relatively than simply income, Sekou Bermiss, an affiliate professor of technique and entrepreneurship on the UNC at Chapel Hill, says. A various group may help create merchandise that enchantment to extra shoppers, and staff can also really feel extra happy within the office.
- 💼 Many firms ending DEI packages have publicly stated they nonetheless wish to make everybody really feel included. Paradigm CEO Joelle Emerson says firms might rebrand these packages to take a extra considerate, efficient strategy.
Life recommendation
If you cannot cease shaking your knee, do not attempt to cease your self. “Embrace the fidget,” says Katy Bowman, a biomechanist and the writer of the ebook Rethink Your Place. That spontaneous motion will be your physique’s method of telling you it is time to maneuver.
Kiersten Essenpreis for NPR
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Kiersten Essenpreis for NPR
Science exhibits that fidgeting is nice to your well being. It will increase blood stream to limbs, helps regulate blood sugar, and reduces mortality danger from extended sitting. It might additionally relieve stress and nervousness. Bodily therapists and researchers clarify why we fidget and supply office-friendly methods to fulfill the necessity for motion.
- 🖊️ Fidgeting is an indication you want a break from a stagnant posture. Hearken to your physique and blend issues up. Attempt alternating between sitting, standing and transferring.
- 🖊️ Get forward of fidgeting by taking a motion break. Attempt going for a five-minute stroll each half-hour.
- 🖊️ When you want extra assist along with your sensory wants, you can strive holding some fidget toys at your desk.
3 issues to know earlier than you go
Billie Eilish performs onstage with Billie Joe Armstrong of Inexperienced Day through the FIREAID Profit Live performance for California Hearth Aid at The Kia Discussion board on January 30, 2025 in Inglewood, California.
Scott Dudelson/Getty Pictures for FIREAID/Getty Pictures North America
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Scott Dudelson/Getty Pictures for FIREAID/Getty Pictures North America
- The FireAid profit live performance, which options artists comparable to Olivia Rodrigo and Dr. Dre, is projected to have raised over $100 million for Los Angeles wildfire reduction.
- The 2025 Academy Awards are slated for March 2. To assist put together, Pop Tradition Pleased Hour has launched a pop-up publication that can undergo all 10 greatest image nominees. Click on right here to enroll.
- An 8-foot-tall snow sculpture of a butt was displayed on the south garden of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Artwork over the weekend. It is the most recent chilly collaboration from former Kansas Metropolis Artwork Institute college students. (through KCUR)
This text was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.
