Today’s Headlines: A gunman identified as 27-year-old Shane Devon Tamura drove from Las Vegas to Manhattan and opened fire inside an office building at Park Avenue and 52nd Street, killing five people. Among the victims were Blackstone employee Wesley LePatner and NYPD officer Didarul Islam, both survived by their young families. Tamura, who left behind a letter referencing mental health struggles and possible CTE, also seriously injured an NFL employee before killing himself. Meanwhile, Ghislaine Maxwell’s lawyer told Congress she’ll plead the Fifth unless she gets immunity, advance questions, a courtroom win, and a temporary prison release to testify. The Oversight Committee said absolutely not. Separately, Trump tried to explain why he distanced himself from Epstein, claiming Epstein “stole” spa workers from Mar-a-Lago—possibly even Virginia Giuffre. And across the Atlantic, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned that Britain will recognize a Palestinian state at the UN this fall unless Israel agrees to a long-term ceasefire, addresses the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and revives two-state talks.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NYT: Gunman Kills 4, Including Police Officer, in Midtown Manhattan Shooting

CNN: Maxwell offers to testify before Congress but with major conditions, including immunity

Axios: Trump elaborates on spa workers he accused Epstein of poaching 

AP News: Starmer says UK will recognize Palestinian state unless Israel agrees ceasefire, ends Gaza suffering

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

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