Today’s Headlines: In this episode, the Biden administration is considering sanctioning an Israeli military unit, Netzah Yehuda, known for its far-right ideology and comprised of ultra-Orthodox Jewish soldiers. This follows reports of the unit's reactivation after it was moved out of the West Bank due to convictions for torturing Palestinian detainees. Meanwhile, classified documents reveal Russia's plan to undermine the US and NATO through various means, including a water system hack in Texas. Defendant Donald's trial advances with opening statements and witness testimonies, while the Biden administration launches the American Climate Corps to train young people in green industries.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

WSJ: Israel's Military Spy Chief Resigns Over Oct. 7 Hamas Attack


BBC: US-Israel: Netanyahu vows to reject any US sanctions on army units


WA Post: Secret Russian foreign policy document urges action to weaken the U.S.


WA Post: Tex. hack may be first disruption of U.S. water system by Russia


AP News: Trump trial: Highlights from opening statements and first witness testimony


ACC: American Climate Corps



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

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Tuesday, April 23rd, 2024

Morning Announcements is a daily show brought to you by the Betches Sup, here to help you make sense of the world in the wake of 2020’s chaos. Every morning, Betches co-founder and host Sami Sage gives you quick daily updates with the most important info you need to know about politics and current events. Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz.

News

Politics

News Commentary

Daily News

Today’s Headlines: Yesterday, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the foreign minister, and other top cabinet members died in a helicopter crash in northwest Iran near the Azerbaijan border. Raisi was a contender to succeed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Now, Khamenei’s son is a likely, though unpopular, successor. Iran will hold a presidential election on June 28th. Meanwhile, the ICC prosecutor is seeking arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Hamas leaders for war crimes, sparking backlash from Netanyahu and President Biden. The U.S. House may vote on sanctions against the ICC. In Trump's trial, Michael Cohen's testimony ended, and the defense introduced surprise witnesses. The judge reserved judgment on a dismissal motion. Additionally, Truth Social’s parent company reported significant financial losses but remains highly valued due to meme stock status. Finally, the Senate plans to vote on a bipartisan border package, though it's expected to face opposition from Republicans despite their past negotiations.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

AP News: Iran's president killed in helicopter crash, election set for next month


WA Post: Biden criticizes ‘outrageous’ ICC arrest warrant ask for Israeli leaders 

WA Post: Prosecution rests in Trump hush money trial


Axios: Trump's Truth Social loses $328 million in the first quarter


Axios: Senate will again vote on bipartisan border package



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

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Tuesday, May 21st, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Yesterday, Iran's state media reported that a helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi and the foreign minister crashed due to extreme fog conditions near the northwest border. As of 9:30 PM Eastern on Sunday, the helicopter had not been recovered, and search and rescue operations were ongoing. Raisi, elected in 2021, is a hard-liner under US sanctions for alleged human rights violations and known for accelerating Iran's nuclear program and ties with Russia. If Raisi doesn't survive, the vice president will serve as interim president, with an election required within 50 days. Meanwhile, the Israeli military recovered the bodies of three Israeli hostages in Rafah, with around 100 hostages still captive. Inside Prime Minister Netanyahu's war cabinet, members are demanding a decisive strategy to end the war, accusing Netanyahu of prioritizing his political survival. In other news, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito's home flew an upside-down flag post-2020 election, a symbol adopted by the "stop the steal" movement. Alito attributed this to a dispute his wife had with a neighbor over anti-Trump signs. Additionally, Rudy Giuliani was served indictment papers in Arizona for his role in attempting to overturn the 2020 election at his 80th birthday party. Finally, David DePape, who attacked Nancy Pelosi's husband, was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Reuters: Helicopter carrying Iranian President Raisi crashes, search under way


NY Times: Who is Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi?


CBS News: Bodies of three hostages, including Shani Louk, recovered by Israeli forces in Gaza, officials say


NY Times: Israel-Hamas War in Gaza: Latest Updates


NY Times: Display at Alito’s Home Renews Questions of Supreme Court’s Impartiality


NBC News: Rudy Giuliani is served indictment papers at his own birthday party after mocking Arizona attorney general 

WA Post: Attacker of Paul Pelosi, David DePape, sentenced to 30 years in prison



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

Monday, May 20th, 2024

Today’s Headlines: President Biden is moving to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug, which would officially recognize its medical benefits and allow for more federal research. The DEA has opened a 60-day public comment period on this proposal, inviting Americans to weigh in. At the same time, Congress has passed the $105 billion FAA Reauthorization Act, aimed at making flying safer and more accessible for people with disabilities, including better provisions for wheelchair users and improved emergency procedures. In other news, a recent review shows Latine students are more segregated in schools now than they’ve been since 1968, often ending up in under-resourced schools. In Trump’s criminal trial, Michael Cohen's credibility was put under intense scrutiny during cross-examination, with the trial expected to conclude soon. Lastly, Vice President Harris has agreed to participate in a vice-presidential debate hosted by CBS News. The debate will take place after the Republican National Convention, where she'll learn who her opponent will be.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NBC News: Justice Department takes 'major step' toward rescheduling marijuana


NPR: Senate passes FAA reauthorization bill, sending legislation to the House 

Axios: Latino students are the most segregated they've been since 1968


AP News: Michael Cohen pressed on his crimes and lies as defense attacks key Trump hush money trial witness


Axios: Biden-Harris campaign accepts VP debate invite from CBS



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

Friday, May 17th, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Hundreds of thousands of Gazans are evacuating Rafah as Israel expands its operation there. Despite US and EU discouragement, the Biden administration plans to provide over $1 billion in military aid to Israel. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced $2 billion in new military financing for Ukraine as Russia advances towards Kharkiv. In other news, President Biden proposed a debate with former President Trump, accepted for June 27th, moderated by CNN's Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, with a second debate on September 10th hosted by ABC News. While details are being discussed, both campaigns have expressed concerns about the Commission on Presidential Debates. Defendant Donald’s trial continues, and Senator Bob Menendez's bribery trial began. April’s inflation report shows CPI rose by 3.4%, slightly less than March, but still above the Fed's target. The Fed is unlikely to lower interest rates before fall.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

Reuters: Blinken offers new US aid as Kyiv reels from renewed Russian attacks


NBC News: Biden and Trump agree to debates in late June and September 

NY Times: Robert Menendez ‘Put His Power Up For Sale,’ Prosecutors Say in Senator’s Trial 

Axios: Finally, some relief: Inflation and retail sales reports point to cooler economy 


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

Thursday, May 16th, 2024

Today’s Headlines: Michael Cohen continued his testimony at Donald Trump’s trial, providing details of how Trump directed the falsification of business records to reimburse Cohen for the Stormy Daniels payment. The defense hasn't confirmed if Trump will testify. In a separate development, a New York court rejected Trump's appeal of gag orders imposed by Judge Juan Merchan, which he violated 10 times. Meanwhile, contractors paid by RFK Jr's campaign in NYC allegedly hid his name on ballot petitions, potentially constituting election fraud. In other news, 8 people died in a Florida bus crash, with the pickup truck driver charged with DUI manslaughter. The DOJ accused Boeing of violating a settlement related to 737 Max crashes, while Elon Musk must comply with an SEC subpoena regarding his takeover of Twitter, despite his attorneys' arguments against it.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

AP News: Cohen gives insider details at trial as Trump's defense attorney accuses him of seeking vengeance


NY Times: Appeals Court Upholds Gag Order on Trump in Manhattan Trial 

NY Times: Are R.F.K. Jr. Signature Gatherers Misleading New Yorkers for Ballot Access? 

NBC News: 8 dead after bus carrying farm workers in Florida hit by truck, whose driver is charged with DUI-manslaughter


AP News: Justice Department says Boeing violated deal that avoided prosecution after 737 Max crashes


Axios: Musk must testify in SEC investigation, court rules



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

Tuesday, April 23rd, 2024

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