Biden to hold summit with Japan, Philippines; FAFSA delays threaten college enrollment

Today’s top stories

• Many countries in Asia rely on China for trade and the U.S. for security, NPR’s Anthony Kuhn tells Up First. Now, nations feel pressured to pick sides because of the U.S.-China rivalry. Aaron Connelly, a Singapore-based expert in Southeast Asian politics, tells Kuhn that the U.S. has historically played a stabilizing role in Southeast Asia. But its rivalry with China is making Southeast Asia less safe. 

• High FAFSA completion numbers have historically meant higher college enrollment numbers, NPR’s Elissa Nadworny says. Students who have been accepted to college tell her it’s not real until the schools send them financial aid packages. In many cases, that hasn’t happened yet. For low-income students, these packages are crucial so they can make a decision about whether they can afford college.

• No one knew whether the package would pass “right up until the very end,” NPR’s Teri Schultz reports from Brussels. Human rights activists protested the vote, chanting, “This pact kills, vote no,” and launching paper airplanes with details of migrants who died at sea trying to make it to Europe. Some far-right lawmakers opposed the package, saying it doesn’t go far enough to block people from coming to Europe. Some on the far left say the package doesn’t do enough to protect people who need it or take the burden off frontline countries.

Deep dive

• This year’s tax season began a week later than last year’s. But the total number of returns filed so far remains even with 2023. 
• You can file for an extension to get six more months to file. Pay any taxes you think you may owe now, though, to avoid penalties and interest for a late payment.
• The IRS’s pilot “Direct File” program will let some people in 12 states file electronically directly with the federal government for free. You can also check out free tax filing options at the IRS Free File website.
• Wages have generally been rising, which means you could find yourself in a higher tax bracket.

Picture show

1. When the Clifford family welcomed Terrance the octopus into their home as a pet, they didn’t realize she was pregnant. With help from a friend, they’re taking care of Terrance and more than 20 octopus babies.
2. Alice Claus and her sister, Emily, traveled to Budapest for their uncle’s funeral in June 2021. After facing issues checking in to their rented apartment, the thought of climbing five staircases with their heavy suitcases made them want to cry — until an unsung hero stepped in.
3. The advocacy group Consumer Reports wants the federal government to remove Lunchables from the free and reduced-price lunch program after an analysis found high levels of sodium and heavy metals in them.

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