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Today’s high tales

In his State of the Union handle final night time, President Joe Biden rejected issues over his age and drew a pointy distinction along with his possible 2024 rival, former President Donald Trump, by his agenda on points like abortion, immigration and the economy. Here are six key moments and five takeaways from his speech.

President Biden delivers the State of the Union handle within the House chamber of the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on March 7.

Shawn Thew/POOL/AFP through Getty Images

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Shawn Thew/POOL/AFP through Getty Images

President Biden delivers the State of the Union handle within the House chamber of the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on March 7.

Shawn Thew/POOL/AFP through Getty Images

• NPR’s Asma Khalid tells Up First there have been a number of expectations for Biden, “not just for the content of his speech, but the performance.” She describes him as “feisty,” however says he did have some stumbles. Biden has been criticized for failing to indicate empathy for Palestinians amid the conflict in Gaza. Last night time, he “spoke in more compassionate terms about Palestinians than we heard from him before,” Khalid says.
•  Karen Seagraves is the type of impartial voter the Biden administration desires to win over for the 2024 election. NPR checked in together with her on the finish of the State of the Union. Here’s why she was unimpressed.
• In their rebuttal speeches, Sen. Katie Britt and Rep. Mónica De La Cruz focused on immigration, reiterating the GOP argument that Biden created a “border crisis.” 

The Republican National Committee meets to elect new management as we speak. Committee members are anticipated to choose a number of Trump loyalists — together with a member of the family.

• “The RNC no longer has to play a neutral role in the presidential primary now that Nikki Haley has dropped out,” NPR’s Franco Ordoñez says. This marks an important moment for Trump, as he’ll now get the occasion assets he is been longing for months as he seems to shut the fundraising hole with Biden and the Democrats. 

Haiti prolonged its state of emergency for one more 30 days. Armed gangs have surrounded the nation’s principal airport in Port-au-Prince, and performing Prime Minister Ariel Henry is stranded in Puerto Rico. After a collection of coordinated assaults on authorities buildings, the gangs are demanding Henry’s ousting. Here’s what to know in regards to the violence in Haiti.

• “It’s pretty bad in Port-au-Prince,” NPR’s Eyder Peralta says. UNICEF experiences that a number of basic social services are on the brink of collapse. Prices of products and gas have skyrocketed, and hospitals have closed. Haitians have been taking to the streets demanding that Henry resign for greater than a 12 months. He was appointed, not elected, after the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. Peralta experiences that in that point, Haiti has “spiraled very closely to anarchy.” 

Life recommendation

Journalist Emily Siner went on a visit to Japan together with her 8-month-old son and knew it could be daunting. What ought to she pack? What ought to she count on?

Photo Illustration by Becky Harlan/NPR

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Photo Illustration by Becky Harlan/NPR

Journalist Emily Siner went on a visit to Japan together with her 8-month-old son and knew it could be daunting. What ought to she pack? What ought to she count on?

Photo Illustration by Becky Harlan/NPR

Traveling with a younger baby could be a harrowing expertise. Preethi Harbuck runs the weblog “Local Passport Family” and is a mother of six. With the precise mindset and preparation, she says it may be enjoyable for all. Here are her tips:

• Take a smaller follow journey to get a way of what it is wish to journey together with your baby. 
• Pack frivolously. Focus on primary gear like a stroller, automobile seat and service. Cut down on massive stuff and contemplate shopping for issues like diapers and child meals after you land. 
• Redirect your consideration to the optimistic when issues inevitably go incorrect. 

Weekend picks

Clockwise from high left: Billie Eilish, Mark Ronson, Scott George, Diane Warren and Jon Batiste.

Getty Images

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Getty Images

Clockwise from high left: Billie Eilish, Mark Ronson, Scott George, Diane Warren and Jon Batiste.

Getty Images

Check out what NPR is watching, studying and listening to this weekend:

Movies: The 5 documentaries nominated for an Oscar all tackle powerful subjects. While they are often laborious to observe, this is why NPR’s Linda Holmes thinks you should see them anyway.

TV: Peacock’s new courting present, Couple to Throuple has one thing in frequent with different exhibits within the style: It’s horrible but watchable. Tune in to see how 4 {couples} exploring polyamory try and discover a “third.”

Books: Black romance authors are writing broader, deeper and extra numerous novels than ever. Here are five of the best new reads.

Music: As is custom, NPR’s Stephen Thompson has cruelly ranked this 12 months’s Oscar nominees for greatest authentic music.

Quiz: How did you do on yesterday’s Super Tuesday pop quiz? If you did not get the rating you needed, this week’s news quiz is an opportunity to redeem your self.

3 issues to know earlier than you go

The new airport safety prototype has a video monitor that gives step-by-step directions for passengers to finish screening at their very own tempo.

TSA at Harry Reid International Airport at Las Vegas

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TSA at Harry Reid International Airport at Las Vegas

The new airport safety prototype has a video monitor that gives step-by-step directions for passengers to finish screening at their very own tempo.

TSA at Harry Reid International Airport at Las Vegas

1. The Transportation Security Administration exams a self-service screening system for airport safety checkpoints later this month. The system will probably be installed at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas.
2. Scientists have found a worm-like amphibian that feeds its youngsters milk. It’s an instance of convergent evolution, the method by which very totally different species can evolve comparable traits.
3. Cole Brauer, a sailor from Maine, has develop into the primary American lady to sail nonstop around the world solo. (through Maine Public)

This e-newsletter was edited by Olivia Hampton.