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.

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

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Morning Announcements

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

Wednesday, May 15th, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The New York Times revealed Hamas's secret police in Gaza, overseen by leader Yahya Sinwar, has been surveilling Palestinian civilians' political activities, online presence, and personal lives. The General Security Service, part of Hamas, acts as a government intelligence agency, using informants to monitor dissent, following individuals to check for infidelity, and censoring criticism on social media while promoting Hamas's messages. Meanwhile, President Biden signed legislation banning Russian imports of enriched uranium to cut off a significant revenue source to Russia amid the Ukraine invasion. Enriched uranium is a main fuel for US nuclear power plants, with Russia supplying about 20% of it, costing American companies around $1 billion yearly. The legislation also unlocks $2.7 billion for domestic uranium enrichment. In Defendant Donald updates, Michael Cohen testified in Donald Trump's trial about his involvement in concealing affairs. Cohen described Trump's motives and actions regarding Stormy Daniels' payment. Additionally, new reports suggest Trump could owe the IRS $100 million due to questionable tax practices. Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves signed a bill prohibiting transgender individuals from using public school bathrooms that match their gender identities. Lastly, six US airlines are suing the Biden administration over new transparency rules on flight fees, claiming they would confuse consumers.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NY Times: Secret Hamas Files Show It Spied on Everyday Palestinians - The New York Times 

WA Post: U.S. bans Russian uranium imports, key to nuclear fuel supply 

AP News: Star witness Michael Cohen says Trump was intimately involved in all aspects of hush money scheme 

ProPublica: IRS Audit of Trump Could Cost Former President More Than $100 Million


NBC News: Mississippi enacts transgender bathroom ban in public schools 

AP News: US airlines are suing the Biden administration over a new rule to make certain fees easier to spot 


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, May 14th, 2024

Today’s Headlines: The Biden administration delayed bomb shipments to Israel to prevent civilian casualties in potential assaults on Rafah. Netanyahu criticized this, but Blinken clarified that high payload bombs are withheld due to their impact in populated areas. Israel hasn't shared post-strike civilian protection plans, raising concerns about insurgency. The US aims for a different approach to demilitarize Gaza, with $26 billion aid coming. A State Department report noted concerns about US-supplied weapons' use without concrete evidence. Israel increased humanitarian aid access. Meanwhile, a senior FBI official warned of foreign interference in US elections through disinformation spread, particularly via AI deep fakes and robocalls. A recent intelligence report noted Russia's attempts to denigrate the Democratic party and weaken support for Ukraine, while Iran aimed to exploit US social divisions. China sought to influence specific races, targeting candidates critical of China. On the Coup Beat, an appellate court upheld Steve Bannon's contempt conviction, but he's not immediately starting his sentence. Michael Cohen's testimony begins today in the ongoing hush money trial.. Additionally, Senator Bob Menendez faces federal charges again and Barron Trump was announced as a Republican delegate but declined due to prior commitments.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

​​Reuters: Israel due to get billions of dollars more in US weapons despite Biden pause


Axios: Israel has not shown U.S. plan for protecting civilians in Gaza: Blinken


The Guardian: US finds Israel’s use of weapons in Gaza ‘inconsistent’ with human rights law, but will not cut flow of arms | Biden administration


AP News: FBI warns that foreign adversaries could use AI to spread disinformation about US elections 

WA Post: Steve Bannon’s appeal of criminal conviction for Jan. 6 testimony fails


WA Post: The Trump Trials: Waiting for Cohen


WA Post: Sen. Bob Menendez’s trial, where gold bars may shine, begins Monday 

The Guardian:Barron Trump will not be a delegate at Republican National Convention after all



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

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