Today’s Headlines: President Trump met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to discuss trade, where Carney affirmed Canada’s status as the U.S.'s largest trading partner despite Trump’s contrary claims. Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent admitted that the U.S. has yet to start formal trade talks with China, even as Trump downplayed the impact of not trading. In Asia, China, Japan, South Korea, and ASEAN formed a financial stability agreement, while India launched missile strikes in Kashmir following a massacre of Hindu tourists, escalating tensions with Pakistan. Domestically, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced backlash over his use of Signal for sensitive communications amid reports of a government archiving tool hack. Hegseth also announced cuts to senior military ranks, reducing four-star officers by 20%. In a surprising move, the Trump administration sought to dismiss a lawsuit limiting access to the abortion pill mifepristone. The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to temporarily allow Trump’s transgender military ban, affecting over 4,000 service members. Meanwhile, the Vatican conclave began, as 133 cardinals gathered to elect a new Pope, needing a two-thirds majority to win.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

CNN: Trump’s Oval Office meeting with Carney didn’t reach Zelensky-level tension. But it wasn’t all neighborliness

Fox: US has yet to launch trade negotiations with China, Treasury secretary says

Reuters: Japan, China, South Korea, ASEAN enhance regional financial safety net 

The Guardian: Kashmir crisis live: India missile attack kills eight; Pakistan official says two Indian fighter jets shot down

WSJ: Hegseth Used Multiple Signal Chats for Official Pentagon Business

Axios: Signal archiving tool Trump officials used suspends services after hack claims 

NY Times: Trump Administration Asks Court to Dismiss Abortion Pill Case

NBC News: Supreme Court allows Trump to implement transgender military ban

Reuters: Cardinals enter seclusion ahead of secret conclave to elect new pope 

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

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