Morning Announcements Morning Announcements

Today’s Headlines: In Gaza, two weapons experts identified US-made ammunition in an Israeli strike on a UN school, killing 40 and wounding 74. Israel claims the target was Hamas militants at the school. Meanwhile, fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon has escalated, with US and French officials working to de-escalate the situation to prevent Iranian intervention. Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened to sell long-range weapons to countries hostile to the West if NATO continues arming Ukraine. He also hinted at Russia's willingness to use nuclear weapons if its sovereignty is threatened, suggesting their weapons are more powerful than those used by the US in WWII. The European Central Bank and the Bank of Canada cut interest rates to 3.75% for the first time in five years, diverging from the US Federal Reserve. Meanwhile, Steve Bannon must report to prison on July 1st to serve his four-month sentence for contempt of Congress after defying a January 6th committee subpoena, though he plans to appeal to the Supreme Court. A new H5N2 bird flu strain has resulted in the death of a 59-year-old in Mexico. The World Health Organization indicates the risk from bird flu remains low, despite the emergence of different strains like H5N2 in Mexico and H5N1 in the US.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

WA Post: Israel used U.S. munition in deadly strike on U.N. school, experts say


Axios: Biden officials warn Israel "limited war" with Lebanon may draw Iran to intervene


AP News: Putin warns that Russia could provide long-range weapons to others to strike Western targets


Axios: European Central Bank cuts interest rates, diverging from the Fed


AP News: Trump ally Steve Bannon must surrender to prison by July 1 to start contempt sentence, judge says


Axios: Mexico death linked to bird flu not previously seen in humans



Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Today’s Headlines: In a recent Senate vote, Republicans blocked the Right to Contraception Act from reaching the floor, arguing that contraception is already protected under Supreme Court precedent, despite parallels to past assurances about Roe v. Wade. Meanwhile, an appeals court in Georgia has paused proceedings in Donald Trump’s election interference case due to potential conflicts of interest involving District Attorney Fani Willis, delaying the case until October. Additionally, the NYPD is moving to revoke Trump’s concealed carry permit following his recent conviction, as is standard for convicted felons in New York. In another legal matter, Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg insists on maintaining Trump's partial gag order through sentencing due to his repeated violations. In international news, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been reelected for a third term, but his party, BJP, lost its parliamentary majority. Lastly, Epoch Times CEO Bill Guan has been charged with money laundering and bank fraud, allegedly involving $67 million. The Epoch Times claims these charges do not affect their news activities, despite the funds being tied to the publication.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NBC News: Senate Republicans block bill to protect access to contraception


Politico: Appeals court halts Trump’s criminal proceedings in Georgia amid scrutiny of Fani Willis


NY Times: Trump’s Gun License May Be Revoked by NYPD


Axios: Manhattan DA opposes Trump effort to lift gag order in hush money case


BBC: Narendra Modi set for third term as coalition backs him for PM


CNBC: Epoch Times CFO Bill Guan is charged in alleged $67 million global money laundering scheme



Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Today’s Headlines: President Biden made headlines with strong comments on two major fronts. In an interview with Time Magazine, he suggested that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might be extending the Gaza operation for political reasons, given Netanyahu's plummeting popularity and pending corruption charges. Biden also signed an executive order temporarily shutting down asylum requests at the southern border when crossings exceed 2500 per day, marking the most severe immigration policy enacted by a Democratic president in modern history. This move comes after House Republicans twice rejected a bipartisan border bill.The Senate is set to vote on the Right to Contraception Act, aiming to protect access to contraception, though it is not expected to pass in the House. Additionally, a new study by the Commonwealth Fund revealed that childbirth in the U.S. is deadlier than in any other high-income nation, with a particularly high maternal mortality rate among Black women. The study emphasizes that most pregnancy-related deaths are preventable with better access to care and paid parental leave. In legal news, Wisconsin's attorney general has filed felony charges against three of Trump's advisors for their roles in a fake electors scheme during the 2020 election. This case is part of broader efforts to address election interference, with similar charges filed in Arizona and Georgia. Finally, new ProPublica reporting revealed that several witnesses in criminal cases against Trump have received significant financial benefits, such as high-paying jobs and severance packages, potentially influencing their testimony.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

The Guardian: Biden: ‘every reason’ to believe Netanyahu is prolonging Gaza war for political gain


NBC News: Biden signs executive order drastically tightening border


Axios: Schumer: Senate to vote on "Right to Contraception" Wednesday


WA Post: Childbirth deadlier for Americans, especially Black women, study finds


AP News: Wisconsin AG Josh Kaul files felony charges against attorneys, aide who worked for Trump 

Pro Publica: Multiple Trump Witnesses Have Received Significant Financial Benefits From His Businesses, Campaign



Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s Headlines: European leaders are anxious about a potential second Trump term, fearing disruptions in areas such as Ukraine, NATO, and climate change. NATO is preparing for prolonged U.S. election uncertainty. The Biden administration has reversed its policy, now allowing Ukraine to use U.S. weapons to strike targets within Russia. Russia is targeting the Paris Olympics with a disinformation campaign using fake news sites and a propaganda documentary, aiming to destabilize the event. Mexico has elected Claudia Sheinbaum as its first female and Jewish president. She is a protege of former president López Obrador, whose tenure was marked by violence and anti-democratic actions.Panama is relocating residents from Gardi Sugdub island due to rising sea levels. Ticketmaster experienced a data breach affecting over 560 million customers, with the hack going unreported for 11 days. Lastly, three major pharmaceutical companies are reducing the cost of inhalers to $35 a month, following a Senate investigation into price disparities.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

The Atlantic: What Europe Fears 

Politico: How Biden got to a ‘yes’ on letting Ukraine hit inside Russia


The Reuters: Russian disinformation campaign takes aim at Paris Olympics, Microsoft says


AP News: Mexico elects Claudia Sheinbaum as its first female president


NY Times: Claudia Sheinbaum Is Elected Mexico’s First Female President


AP News: Panama prepares to evacuate first island in face of rising sea levels


The Verge: Live Nation took 11 days to confirm the massive Ticketmaster data breach


NBC News: Some drugmakers to cap cost of asthma inhalers at $35 a month



Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s Headlines: This week starts off with significant updates. Israel has accepted a framework proposed by President Biden to wind down the war in Gaza, though Netanyahu's advisor has criticized it. The three-phase plan includes a temporary truce, hostage release, and negotiations for a longer ceasefire, but Netanyahu insists no permanent ceasefire will occur until Hamas is deposed. Meanwhile, Trump, recently convicted on 34 felony counts, suggested house arrest or prison could be a "breaking point" for the public while leveraging his conviction for fundraising, reportedly raising $52.8 million in a day. Additionally, Trump has secured support from several billionaires. RFK Jr. criticized Trump's trial as "profoundly undemocratic" and faced allegations of shady fundraising practices by his super PAC. The Supreme Court rejected a challenge to Texas's abortion ban, while Samuel Alito faced further scrutiny over neighbor disputes. Finally, Joe Manchin switched his party registration to independent, and jury selection begins in Hunter Biden’s federal gun charges trial.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Reuters: Biden's Gaza plan 'not a good deal' but Israel accepts it, Netanyahu aide says


CNN: Congressional leaders invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address joint meeting of Congress


NBC News: Trump suggests there could be a 'breaking point' for the public if he is imprisoned after hush money conviction


CBS News: Trump campaign says it raised $52.8 million after guilty verdict in fundraising blitz


WA Post: What Trump promised oil CEOs as he asked them to steer $1 billion to his campaign


Axios: Billionaire donors rally back to Trump


Rolling Stone: RFK Jr., Parrots Trump, Says Guilty Verdict ‘Weaponizing the Courts'


MSNBC: RFK Jr. tried to whitesplain the Confederacy. It didn't go well.


CBS News: DNC files third complaint against RFK Jr. super PAC, alleging shady fundraising practices and concealment


Axios: RFK Jr. files FEC complaint against CNN over upcoming Biden, Trump debate


The Guardian: Neighbors say Alitos used security detail car to intimidate them after sign dispute


AP News: Texas Supreme Court rejects challenge to state's abortion law over medical exceptions


WA Post: Manchin changes party registration to independent, fueling speculation


AP News: From collapsed plea deal to trial: How Hunter Biden has come to face jurors on federal gun charges 


Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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Today’s Headlines: A jury found Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, with sentencing set for July 11th, shortly before the Republican National Convention where he is to be formally nominated. Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg hasn't disclosed if prosecutors will seek prison time, with alternatives being house arrest or probation. Trump, declaring himself "a very innocent man," blamed the judge and his low polling in Manhattan. In other court news, Chief Justice John Roberts declined a meeting with Democratic senators regarding ethics and Justice Alito's recusal from January 6th cases, affirming that justices decide their own recusals. Lastly, the Treasury Department announced that starting next year, Americans can file their taxes for free through the new IRS Direct File program, following a successful pilot with 140,000 participants. Some lawmakers are advocating for a system where the government calculates and tells citizens what they owe, simplifying the tax process.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

AP News: Guilty: Trump becomes first former US president convicted of felony crimes


PBS: Chief Justice Roberts rejects Senate Democrats’ request to discuss Supreme Court ethics


Axios: IRS opening free online tax filing program to all states



Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson


Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices