Up First briefing: Qatar’s PM visits D.C.; Texas border control dispute escalates

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Qatar’s prime minister is in Washington, D.C. for talks with U.S. officers aimed toward finalizing a framework for a deal to cease preventing in Gaza and free Israeli hostages. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani can be warning that tensions within the area are “boiling up” following the assault on U.S. troops in Jordan, for which the U.S. blames an Iran-backed militia group and has promised to reply.

NPR’s Eyder Peralta tells Up First from Tel Aviv that the assault got here at a crucial time within the Israel-Hamas struggle, with a mounting Palestinian dying toll, greater than 100 Israeli hostages held in captivity and high-level negotiations taking place in Paris. Hamas has launched rockets at Tel Aviv for the primary time in weeks, whereas the Israeli navy killed three Palestinians in a raid on a West Financial institution hospital.  The concern, Peralta says, is that any American retaliation has the potential to impede the peace course of. He says mediators — together with from Qatar and the U.S. — have spoken optimistically in regards to the deal, although the 2 sides have but to agree on how lengthy a cease-fire would final. The Pentagon says there have been 160 assaults on U.S. bases because the Israel-Hamas struggle started. This is what we all know in regards to the strike in Jordan that killed three service members and wounded greater than 40. 

Try npr.org/mideastupdates for extra protection and evaluation of the battle.

The dispute between Texas and the Biden administration over immigration and border management is escalating. The state has seized management of Shelby Park, a park on the banks of the Rio Grande River, and blocked federal border patrol brokers from accessing the world, which has been a scorching spot for unlawful border crossings. That is regardless of the U.S. Supreme Court docket ruling final week that federal brokers can take away boundaries — together with miles of razor wire — arrange by state officers.

Julian Aguilar with the Texas Newsroom tells Up Firstthat Texas officers have been arresting migrants on trespassing expenses, versus federal brokers who typically detain then launch some migrants whereas they await immigration hearings.   Steve Vladek, a constitutional scholar on the College of Texas at Austin, says the Supreme Court docket ruling basically protects the federal government from sanctions in the event that they take away the wire, however does not order Texas to cease doing something. Aguilar says the courtroom will finally must resolve who holds the authority on immigration: states or the federal authorities.

Almost 100 tech corporations laid off some 25,000 workers in January alone, on the heels of final yr’s mass layoffs. All the main tech corporations downsizing this yr are wildly worthwhile. So what’s behind the frenzy? Specialists advised NPR that the layoffs look like aimed toward satisfying buyers — and peer strain.

Right now’s hear

A deep sea exploration firm has captured sonar photographs of what might be Amelia Earhart’s misplaced airplane on the backside of the Pacific Ocean. A drone workforce with Deep Sea Imaginative and prescient noticed the plane-shaped merchandise late final yr about 100 miles off Howland Island, the place Earhart and her navigator have been imagined to refuel earlier than they disappeared in 1937. CEO Tony Romeo advised Morning Version that the subsequent step is to ship a digital camera some 15,000 toes deep to get a more in-depth have a look at the potential airplane’s paint and serial quantity.

Deep dive

Researchers can estimate how rapidly you are getting older — and say they’re getting nearer to determining the way to gradual that course of down. NPR’s Allison Aubrey participated in a research on the Human Longevity Lab at Northwestern College Feinberg College of Medication, the place scientists are learning which sorts of interventions could assist individuals dwell longer and more healthy lives.

Components like poverty, housing, stress and crime can all play a task in life expectancy, along with wholesome habits like consuming effectively and avoiding smoking.  Past life-style modifications, researchers advised Aubrey that there could finally be different methods to decelerate getting older, corresponding to medicine or gene enhancing. They’re searching for interventions that may profit everybody, no matter socioeconomic standing.  Motivated by her expertise within the lab, Aubrey began a brand new mission, How To Thrive As You Age, and welcomes your habits and hacks at thrive@npr.org.

3 issues to know earlier than you go

Almost 1,000 manatees just lately gathered at a Florida state park, breaking a document and giving us FOMO.  A global sports activities tribunal has banned Russian determine skater Kamila Valieva for 4 years for doping. It additionally disqualified her 2022 Olympics competitors, clearing the best way for Staff USA to obtain its gold medal.  A Houston public faculty instructor is defying Texas’ restrictions on books with a secret shelf of banned books. Her college students inform NPR the titles make them really feel seen. 

This text was edited by Majd Al-Waheidi.