Podcasts about headlines trump

Today's Headlines: Trump's America 250 Great American State Fair opened on the National Mall in the rain, the power went out, the ferris wheel didn't work, there was no fair food, at least 10 states declined to send delegations, and Trump called it "packed to the brim" — the North Carolina booth displayed a Confederate flag overlay on a video loop before sponsors pulled out, which is on brand for an event whose main attractions were a Turning Point USA booth and a broken ferris wheel. Trump also unveiled a limited edition passport featuring his own face with the words "welcome, but be good!," announced plans to renovate a DC golf course starting September 1st, and personally inspected Lafayette Park to ensure it will have exactly 47 maple trees because he's the 47th president. The administration also announced the "Patriot Games" — aka the Hunger Games — a high school athletic competition on the National Mall in August where kids from each state compete for a $250,000 scholarship they split two ways, streaming on ESPN. The Iran war is back on: Trump announced strikes on Iranian targets after an attack on a commercial tanker, threatened to "militarily complete the job," Iran responded by asserting full control of the Strait, threatening to halt negotiations, and launching drone and missile attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait — while Israel and Lebanon signed a framework agreement requiring Israel to withdraw if Lebanon verifies Hezbollah has been fully dismantled, with the US committing $100 million in humanitarian aid. On the Russia beat, coup rumors against Putin got louder this weekend as Russia continues losing in Ukraine, Putin has dramatically increased his personal security, and former Russian defense minister Sergei Ivanov — once seen as Putin's potential successor — died at 73, with his death announced first by a basketball organization he was honorary president of, which is suspicious to say the least. In other news, a new CNN analysis found that Americans in Democratic congressional districts live longer, with nearly 70% of House Democrats representing districts where life expectancy exceeds the national average versus over 70% of Republicans representing districts where it falls below, alongside higher rates of diabetes, obesity, and uninsured residents in Republican districts. Mississippi passed a law creating a registry of undocumented immigrants to share with ICE, covering fewer than 30,000 people out of nearly 3 million state residents. And finally, a dangerous heat dome is forecast for the central and eastern US just in time for July 4th celebrations, so happy 250th America. Resources/Articles mentioned:  Newsweek: Map Shows States Skipping America 250 Fair News Observer: Confederate flag fuels fresh controversy over NC at national ‘State Fair' WaPo: Organizers remove Confederate flag image from N.C. booth at fair on the Mall Forbes: Trump's Patriot Games: What We Know About Nationally Televised Event NYT: White House Releases Images of the Trump ‘Patriot Passport' WaPo: Work on East Potomac Golf Links overhaul will begin Sept. 1, Trump says DW: How real is a coup threat against Russia's president? MSN: Putin faces internal strains as ally Ivanov dies at 73 Axios: U.S. launches fresh Iran strikes as Trump threatens to "complete the job" WaPo: Iran insists it has sole control of Hormuz, ignoring Trump's threats AP News: Iran attacks Bahrain and Kuwait following US strikes and threatens to halt talks MS Now: Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement after marathon talks AP News: A new law could create a list of immigrants illegally living in Mississippi. Advocates are alarmed CNN: Americans now live longer in Democratic-held House districts. Here's why NYT: A ‘Heat Dome' Could Bring Triple- Digit Temperatures to the Midwest and Eastern U.S.  Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's Headlines: Trump signed the Iran peace deal remotely in a hastily arranged gaggle — not the formal Swiss ceremony originally planned — after the two-page memorandum was leaked ahead of signing, forcing him to spend his G7 time defending a deal he'd spent two days trying to keep secret. The terms are as follows:  immediate ceasefire on all fronts including Lebanon, the US ends its naval blockade and Iran opens the Strait within 30 days, the US and allies finance at least $300 billion in Iranian reconstruction, sanctions end, and Iran pinky promises no nuclear weapons with the rest of the nuclear questions to be negotiated later. Trump's own base and Netanyahu both hated it, largely because it's worse than the JCPOA Obama negotiated — which Trump spent years calling the worst deal in history. Israel continued launching strikes on Lebanon right up until the deal was signed, because of course it did. On the election beat, Trump's Senate picks won in Georgia, Oklahoma, and Alabama, but his Georgia governor pick lost to a healthcare executive who spent $200 million of his own money, and an election denier lost the Georgia secretary of state race, which is the best news of the week. Georgia Republicans also quietly admitted they don't have enough time to redistrict before the midterms, so that particular voter suppression project is on hold until at least 2028. The Trump administration announced it's dismantling the Department of Education by moving special education oversight to HHS and civil rights enforcement to the DOJ, because nothing says "we care about disabled kids" like putting their education under the same department currently being run by a guy who thinks vaccines cause autism. And finally, Sean Penn wrote and is directing a January 6th movie with Bradley Cooper reportedly in talks to play a cop caught up in the insurrection, interesting. Resources/Articles mentioned: WSJ: Apple to Raise Prices Due to Memory Chip Crunch, Tim Cook Says X:  Antifa_Ultras  WaPo: After draping White House in gold, Trump heads to ‘the real deal': Versailles NYT: Vance Is Pressed on Epstein, Race and His Boss on ‘The View' The Independent: Trump's 14 point Iran deal leaked as president threatens to drop bombs again if Tehran doesn't ‘behave' NBC News: Israel cut out of Iran deal as Trump keeps deriding Netanyahu in public NBC News: Georgia Republicans backtrack on redistricting plans NYT: Takeaways From the Runoff and Primary Elections in Georgia, Alabama and Oklahoma WaPo: Education Dept. plans to move special ed and civil rights out of the agency Sean Penn To Direct Timely Movie Next, Re-Teaming With Warner Bros On Story Of January 6th Cop With Bradley Cooper In Talks To Star Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's Headlines: Trump attended the G7 in France while touting his Iran deal as a global security breakthrough, despite refusing to release the actual terms — which Iranian state media helpfully shared anyway: Iran gets $24 billion in unfrozen funds plus a $300 billion reconstruction fund, the Strait reopens in 30 days under Iranian arrangements, and the US commits to full withdrawal and non-interference, which Netanyahu is reportedly furious about across every dimension. The deal is technically a nonbinding "memorandum of understanding," not an actual agreement, and the real terms won't be released until it's signed in Switzerland on Friday, so we're essentially taking Iran's word for it. Markets didn't care — stocks shot up and oil fell — which is the most functional thing to happen all week. The Kennedy Center, now controlled by Trump's handpicked loyalists, announced a new endowment in Trump's name to honor his "significant contributions," which is one way to get around a court order removing it from the facade. In revenge lawsuits news, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the DOJ is investigating him, his wife, family, and former staff, calling it political retaliation for considering a 2028 presidential run — and separately, DOJ antitrust lawyers who spent months scrutinizing Paramount's Warner Brothers acquisition and were leaning toward challenging it were blindsided when senior DOJ leadership suddenly closed the investigation and approved the merger on Friday. Anthropic disabled its new Mythos and Claude Fable 5 models less than a week after release, following a Trump administration order citing national security concerns and a claimed jailbreak vulnerability — this comes after the Defense Department designated Anthropic a supply chain risk after the company refused to let the government use its AI for mass domestic surveillance and fully autonomous weapons. The UK banned children under 16 from all social media platforms effective spring 2027, though Australia enacted a similar ban seven months ago and found 70% of kids under 16 just used VPNs to get around it, so. Finally, Mitch McConnell was hospitalized again on Sunday, is apparently doing better, and remains the only missing congressman anyone notices. Resources/Articles mentioned: The Hill: Kennedy Center establishing new endowment in Trump's name AP News: Trump heads to G7 summit with wind at his back after announcing agreement aimed at ending Iran war NBC: Trump and Iran reach tentative deal to end war, reopen Hormuz WSJ: Israel Is Alarmed by Trump's Deal With Iran AP News: Stocks leap worldwide, and oil prices drop after the US and Iran reach a tentative deal on their war Axios: California Gov. Newsom says he's under investigation by the Justice Department WSJ: Justice Department Decision to Allow Paramount Deal Surprised Staff Investigators WIRED: Anthropic Says It's Taking Claude Fable 5 Offline to Comply With US Government Order WIRED: The UK Places a Sweeping Ban on Social Media for Kids Under 16 WDRB: Sen. Rand Paul says Mitch McConnell is ‘doing better' in the hospital Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's Headlines: Trump's 80th birthday UFC fight at the White House went ahead as planned, sponsored by Meta, Polymarket, Bud Light, and Monster Energy, with fighters' bonuses paid in Trump crypto instead of actual dollars, weigh-ins at the Lincoln Memorial, and a crowd of million-dollar VIP ticket holders plus military members pre-screened for waist-to-height ratio — just as the Founders intended. The $14 million reflecting pool renovation, completed mere days ago, is already growing green algae because the color choice is algae growth friendly, which is a perfect metaphor. The Kennedy Center name removal deadline came and went with maximum drama — the Trump administration filed last-minute court motions to stop it, millions watched a live stream of construction workers put up a giant tarp, though the tarp remains up for unclear reasons. On the war beat, The US and Iran reportedly agreed on a peace deal, with a formal signing scheduled for Friday in Switzerland — terms not fully disclosed because the administration was busy with the birthday cage match — but the Navy blockade will end and the Strait of Hormuz will open toll-free when signed, kicking off 60 days of nuclear negotiations. The deal was briefly delayed by Israel launching strikes on Beirut, prompting Trump to tell Axios "Why did Bibi have to do a f---ing attack? I was so pissed off. He has no f---ing judgement" — which is a remarkable thing to say about your closest ally on your birthday. On the erosion of free press, the DOJ approved Paramount's $110 billion acquisition of Warner Brothers Discovery, with Bari Weiss reportedly set to oversee CNN as well as CBS News after the deal closes, because apparently the documented viewership collapse at CBS wasn't enough of a red flag. And finally, Argentina's Javier Milei submitted legislation to create a legal category for "non-human corporations" — essentially corporate personhood for AI systems — as part of his plan to make Argentina the Silicon Valley of unregulated AI, which Peter Thiel is presumably thrilled about. Resources/Articles mentioned:  NBC News: No heavyweights allowed: Troops must meet fitness criteria to attend White House UFC event The Guardian: UFC to pay White House fighters in crypto issued by Trump company TikTok: MAYBE WE'LL NEVER EVER TAKE IT DOWN | eiffel tower Yahoo: A tarp now covers where Trump's name used to hang at the Kennedy Center The Independent: Algae in the Reflecting Pool started growing just days after Trump's $14M renovation: report Axios: Scoop: Trump aides fear Haberman and Swan obtained Situation Room tapes for "Regime Change" USA Today: CBS won't air UFC White House event, viewers will need Paramount+ to watch The Guardian: Gee, whiz: elephant relieves itself on floor of Texas Republican convention  WSJ: U.S. and Iran Say They Have Reached a Deal to Stop Fighting NY Post: CBS News boss Bari Weiss poised to oversee CNN editorial operations: report Axios: Scoop: Paramount seeks business counterpart for Bari Weiss at CBS News Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this month's Headlines edition of The Imprint Weekly Podcast, we start by discussing a new announcement by the First Lady enabling states to start and contribute to Trump Accounts for kids in foster care. We also discuss a new bill that would significantly alter a major federal welfare program, new research on child brain development, and several other headlines. Reading RoomMelania Trump Urges Governors and Businesses to Donate to ‘Trump Accounts' for Foster Youthhttps://imprintnews.org/top-stories/melania-trump-urges-governors-and-businesses-to-donate-to-trump-accounts-for-foster-youth/275296House Considers Bill Tightening Access to TANFhttps://imprintnews.org/youth-services-insider/house-considers-bill-tightening-access-to-tanf/275198Socioeconomic factors are becoming 'biologically embedded' in children's brainshttps://www.npr.org/2026/06/11/nx-s1-5849937/child-brain-development-stress-sleep-neighborhood-economicsKentucky's only state-funded kinship reunification program to close June 30https://www.wkyt.com/2026/06/04/kentuckys-only-state-funded-kinship-reunification-program-close-june-30/Officials open Southern Nevada's First Foster Care Health and Wellness Clinichttps://knpr.org/health/2026-06-01/officials-open-southern-nevadas-first-foster-care-health-and-wellness-clinicHamilton County Juvenile Court Adds New Pre-Trial Requirements for Youth This Summerhttps://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/finding-solutions/hamilton-county-juvenile-court-adds-new-pre-trial-requirements-for-youth-this-summerNYC Poised to Cut Foster Care Prevention Services Amid Budget Tighteninghttps://imprintnews.org/top-stories/nyc-poised-to-cut-foster-care-prevention-services/275087‘No Real Choice:' New Report Examines How Foster Youth View Abortionhttps://imprintnews.org/top-stories/new-report-examines-how-foster-youth-view-abortion/275101Report Finds Foster Youth in NY's Largest Public School Districts More Likely to Be Suspendedhttps://imprintnews.org/top-stories/report-finds-foster-youth-in-nys-largest-public-school-districts-more-likely-to-be-suspended/275150

Today's Headlines: Trump attended the Knicks game last night, shutting down a 10-block radius around Madison Square Garden to sit with owner James Dolan and the usual suspects of administration figures — all of whom got to watch their boss get booed louder than the Spurs during the National Anthem. Trump spent the next morning posting at 5am that Israel and Iran must stop "shooting", which neither country is taking seriously given that strikes continued yesterday despite him reportedly calling Netanyahu directly to ask him to stop — again. Meanwhile, Spencer Pratt officially lost the LA mayoral race to progressive Nithya Raman, who will face Karen Bass in November, and Trump responded by claiming without evidence that "two republicans are being cheated" in California, using the state's slow vote-counting as cover to pre-seed election fraud claims — a preview of his midterm strategy. In other news, five cases of flesh-eating New World screwworm have now been confirmed across Texas and New Mexico, with the USDA building a $750 million sterile fly factory in Texas to combat it, while RFK Jr. — according to multiple colleagues — has shown "little interest in managing the details of his department" and is instead hunting for evidence that vaccines are harmful, receiving almost no Ebola briefings, and leaving nearly half of NIH's 27 institutes without permanent directors. The Pentagon accidentally deleted Mormons from its approved religion list, added them back after Senator Mike Lee lost his mind, then failed to classify them as Christians — a three-step own goal that somehow happened in one week. And OpenAI filed its IPO paperwork with the SEC, becoming the third trillion-dollar AI company to go public after Anthropic and SpaceX, in what was described in an unsigned blog post as something they're announcing only because "we expect it to leak" — which is a strange way to announce a trillion-dollar IPO. Resources/Articles mentioned: Axios: Trump visit locks down midtown Manhattan, scrambling Knicks game NYT: President Trump roundly booed by New York crowd at NBA Finals Game 3 at MSG WTOP: Epstein files reading room to open in DC Axios: Trump calls on Israel and Iran to "immediately stop shooting" as ceasefire frays NBC LA: Nithya Raman overtakes Spencer Pratt for 2nd place in LA mayoral race, results show NYT: Trump Previews Fall Strategy With Baseless Claims of California Vote Fraud AP News: A flesh-eating cattle parasite spreads beyond Texas as new screwworm cases are found NYT: RFK Jr. Appears Disengaged on Many Health Department Matters Beyond Vaccines WaPo: After Mormon lawmakers object, Pentagon revises Christian religious categories Wired: OpenAI Confidentially Files for IPO on the Heels of SpaceX and Anthropic Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: Prime Minister Mark Carney wants public opinion on the Ontario government's expansion plan for Billy Bishop Toronto Island Airport, Trump took in Game 3 of the NBA Finals in-person, birth rates are dropping with a link to smartphones, and what's the state of the federal Conservatives right now? We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Today's Headlines: Trump's Meet the Press interview derailed when Kristen Welker told him to his face that he lost in 2020, but not before he confirmed on the record that he wants January 6th defendants who assaulted police officers compensated, called them victims of "dirty cops," denied ever promising no new wars, and compared Iran favorably to Vietnam. Coincidentally, a Vietnam veteran filed a lawsuit over the UFC fight night at the White House, arguing it wasn't authorized by Congress and benefits Trump directly since he bought UFC parent company stock while promoting the event, with the Lincoln Memorial scheduled to host fighter weigh-ins, which is a sentence that exists. Trump will also be at the Knicks game inconveniencing everyone with TSA screening and canceled watch parties. On the war beat, Iran fired missiles at Israel for the first time since the April ceasefire, Israel bombed Beirut, oil spiked 3.6%, and Trump responded by calling Fox News to criticize Israel and telling Axios he was phoning Netanyahu because "each of them had their fun" — not the standard framework for analyzing a missile exchange. The May jobs report came in better than expected with 172,000 payrolls added, but markets dipped anyway, prompting Trump to post that "stocks should go up not down, that's the way it was for 200 years," which is not how markets work. And finally, a former Social Security Administration executive blew the whistle on a DOGE-backed plan to mark 2.7 million living people — citizens, permanent residents, teenagers, senior citizens — as dead in federal databases to make life impossible for immigrants and funnel them into Social Security offices where they could be arrested, which didn't go through, though last year officials did successfully file 6,000 people into the Death Master File, some of whom had to physically show up to prove they were alive. Resources/Articles mentioned: NBC News: Read the transcript: President Donald Trump interviewed by NBC News' ‘Meet the Press' moderator Kristen Welker NYT: Trump Defends Compensation Fund and Iran War in ‘Meet the Press' Interview NYT: Lawsuit Aims to Stop U.F.C. Fights at White House on Trump's Birthday AP News: No bags, no watch parties at Madison Square Garden with Trump attending Game 3 of the NBA Finals NYT: Live Updates: Iran Fires Missiles at Israel for First Time Since April Cease-Fire NYT: Israel Bombs Beirut Outskirts as Fighting With Hezbollah Escalates Axios: Trump tells Axios he will ask Netanyahu not to strike back at Iran Bloomberg: Oil Jumps As Israel retaliates Against Iran After Missile Attacks CNBC: Jobs report May 2026 Fortune: Trump stunned as stocks fall on great jobs report. Barclays explains why ‘we are entering the warning zone' WaPo: Whistleblower claims DOGE planned to mark 2.7 million people dead Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's episode, Trump puts the generosity in genocide, we'll learn that communion could taste a lot worse, and Promise Backlund will be here with this year's hottest beach read.---To make a per episode donation at Patreon.com, click here: http://www.patreon.com/ScathingAtheistTo buy our book, click here: https://www.amazon.com/Outbreak-Crisis-Religion-Ruined-Pandemic/dp/B08L2HSVS8/If you see a news story you think we might be interested in, you can send it here: scathingnews@gmail.comTo check out our sister show, The Skepticrat, click here: https://audioboom.com/channel/the-skepticratTo check out our sister show's hot friend, God Awful Movies, click here: https://audioboom.com/channel/god-awful-moviesTo check out our half-sister show, Citation Needed, click here: http://citationpod.com/To check out our sister show's sister show, D and D minus, click here: https://danddminus.libsyn.com/Report instances of harassment or abuse connected to this show to the Creator Accountability Network here: https://creatoraccountabilitynetwork.org/---Guest Links:You can pick up a copy of Promise's book here: https://medialabbooks.com/products/9781964487557_gospel-of-liesFind more from Promise here: https://linktr.ee/eve_wasframedGet tickets to see Noah and Seth Andrews in Cincinnati: https://www.sethandrews.com/cincinnatiLearn more about the Ark Park Protest here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1734215087598856/---Headlines:Trump approves aid for Cuba, as long as it violates church state separation: https://theconversation.com/trump-administration-pledges-100m-in-aid-for-cuba-but-only-if-catholic-or-other-faith-based-groups-distribute-it-283451AIs don't like religion – particularly Jehovah's Witnesses, study claims: https://www.theregister.com/ai-ml/2026/05/27/ais-dont-like-religion-particularly-jehovahs-witnesses-study-claims/5247286GOP Senator Mike Lee says Talarico will sacrifice your children to the demon Moloch: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/gop-senator-bizarrely-accuses-james-talarico-of-religious-child-sacrifice_n_6a19bd4ce4b005ae4180807fPastor makes kid eat a Bible page on stage: https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/swallow-it-a-christian-prophet-toldOne Million Moms wants FCC to change TV rating to be more conservative: https://onemillionmoms.com/current-campaigns/help-1mm-stand-up-for-parental-rights/

Headlines: Trump rebuked by Congress over war powers, as Iran and Lebanon agree to new ceasefire Elderly man was stabbed before shooting home invader in rural NSW Melbourne Neo-Nazis convicted over ANZAC Day boos, as High Court dismisses hate group challenge Mary the Tassie Devil is still on the loose Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's Headlines: Trump had a rough weekend legally — a federal judge blocked the Traitor Fund in response to a lawsuit from a fired January 6th prosecutor, and another judge ordered Trump's name removed from the Kennedy Center within two weeks on the grounds that he never had legal authority to put it there. Trump responded by posting he has "no interest" in the Kennedy Center anymore and threatening to cancel his own America 250 celebration, which is already in freefall after nearly every performer dropped out once they realized it was Trump's birthday rally and not the legitimate congressional celebration — leaving Vanilla Ice, Kid Rock, and eventually Trump himself as the headline act for anyone who paid $1.5 million for a VIP package expecting a concert. On the Iran beat, Trump is requesting edits to the deal his own negotiators already agreed to, with a senior official explaining the response will take three days because…caves. The Delaney Hall ICE detention center in Newark escalated to a mandatory curfew for the surrounding half-mile, with ICE in riot gear pepper spraying protesters while detainees continue a 10-day hunger strike over conditions that remain uncorrected. Pam Bondi's Epstein testimony was exactly as useless as expected — she blamed Todd Blanche, refused to answer Trump-related questions, and wasn't under oath — so the House Oversight Committee is now going after Blanche directly. In AI-is-a-scam news, a Pizza Hut franchisee is suing corporate for $100 million after a mandatory AI rollout tanked delivery times, and Starbucks scrapped its AI inventory system after nine months because it could not count milk — hallucinating bottles that weren't there — which is a real thing that happened with technology that costs more than a person with eyes. And finally, a three-foot meteorite may have landed in Cape Cod Bay on Saturday, with a double boom heard from Delaware to Montreal, which would normally be bigger news if we had any remaining capacity for surprise. Resources/Articles mentioned: NBC News: Judge halts Trump ‘anti-weaponization' fund after Jan. 6 prosecutor sues Axios: Trump's name must be removed from Kennedy Center, judge orders Politico: Trump vents about judge who blocked Kennedy Center changes ABC News: Trump to headline 250th anniversary celebration on National Mall after several artists back out CNBC: New York passes Mamdani's pied-a-terre tax. Here's who pays and how much NYT: Dell Gets a $9.7 Billion Defense Contract. Trump's Portfolio Stands to Benefit WaPo: Trump misses deadline to disclose tens of millions of dollars in stock trades ABC 7 NY: Delaney Hall protests: Newark Mayor Ras Baraka orders mandatory curfew for half mile surrounding facility Politico: Bondi shifts responsibility for Epstein files' release to Todd Blanche, making him Democrats' next target Yahoo: The owner of 110 Pizza Huts is suing the chain, claiming $100 million in losses from the botch adaption of an AI tool Fortune: Starbucks quietly retires its AI inventory tool after barista complaints of inaccuracies  WCVB: NASA: Meteorite that thousands heard over Mass. may have landed in Cape Cod Bay Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's Headlines: Trump's Treasury appointees are pushing to put his face on a new $250 bill — the printing director who resisted was reassigned, Trump personally gave the artist edits, and the whole plan is technically illegal since living people have been banned from US currency since 1866. ProPublica revealed that the White House intervened to help Don Jr.'s venture firm secure a $620 million Pentagon loan for a rare earth startup called Vulcan Elements, pushed through by Peter Navarro with officials told to approve it at unusual speed because "the call came from the White House." The DOJ also opened an investigation into E. Jean Carroll — who won two civil cases against Trump and is owed over $80 million — over whether she committed perjury by not disclosing that a nonprofit covered some of her legal fees, because losing twice apparently wasn't enough. April's inflation came in at 3.3% — the highest since May 2023 — with personal income growth falling below the inflation rate and the savings rate dropping from 3.6% to 2.6%, meaning people are draining their savings to cover rising costs. Pam Bondi testified before the House Oversight Committee about the Epstein files coverup without being under oath, represented by a DOJ attorney from the same agency she led during the coverup, which rendered the whole exercise fairly decorative. On Iran, negotiators reportedly reached a 60-day memorandum of understanding to extend the ceasefire and open the Strait of Hormuz — though Trump hasn't approved it, Iran hasn't confirmed it, so "ceasefire" continues to be a creative use of the word. A former CIA officer was charged with stealing 300 gold bars worth $40 million, stashing them at home, and claiming work expenses — he also faked his entire résumé across three job applications over nine years and was somehow hired anyway, which raises some questions about the CIA. And Peter Thiel relocated his family to Argentina because he prefers Javier Milei's vibe and is worried about America's future — ok, Peter.  Resources/Articles mentioned: WaPo: Trump $250 bill pushed by Treasury appointees ProPublica: The White House Intervened to Get a $620 Million Deal for a Company Tied to Donald Trump Jr. CNN: Exclusive: Justice Department launches a criminal investigation into Trump accuser E. Jean Carroll Axios: Scoop: U.S. and Iran reach deal but need Trump's final approval, officials say NBC News: Iran and U.S. trade new strikes as Trump dismisses pressure to end war CBS News: The first inflation report under new Fed chief Kevin Warsh shows prices at highest in nearly 3 years The Hill: Epstein survivors have little faith Pam Bondi interview will produce answers NBC News: Former CIA officer accused of stealing 300 gold bars, sources say NYT: In Argentina, U.S. Tech Billionaire Peter Thiel Finds An Escape Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's Headlines: Trump got a three-hour physical at Walter Reed and posted that everything checked out "PERFECTLY." and is also building a UFC cage on the White House lawn for a $60 million birthday fight with VIP packages at $1.5 million each — because that's what the people's house needs. On a completely different note, Pope Leo dropped his first encyclical, a 42,000-word document warning the world's 1.4 billion Catholics about AI concentrating power in the hands of a tiny elite, with Anthropic cofounder Christopher Olah participating in the Vatican's formal presentation — and the Pope also issued the first-ever papal apology for the Vatican's role in legitimizing the trans-Atlantic slave trade, framing it as a warning about what AI could recreate. Back to the war nobody can define, the military carried out "self-defense strikes" against Iranian missile sites while Trump posted that negotiations are "proceeding nicely" and a spokesperson insisted they were "using restraint during the ongoing ceasefire" — ok. Meanwhile, New Jersey Senator Andy Kim got pepper sprayed at a protest outside the Delaney Hall ICE detention center after state officials were barred from inspecting conditions that led detainees to organize a hunger strike. Speaking of the administration burying bad news, the DOJ filed motions on the Friday before Memorial Day to dismiss the most serious January 6th seditious conspiracy cases, then one hour later scrubbed all records of January 6th prosecutions from their social media archives, calling them "partisan propaganda." On the redistricting wars, federal judges blocked Alabama's racially gerrymandered map citing "undisputed evidence of intentional racial discrimination," South Carolina's Republicans declined to redraw their maps only because early voting had already started, and Ken Paxton — too corrupt even for most Republicans — won the Texas Senate Republican primary with Trump's endorsement, setting up a general election against Democrat James Talarico. Resources/Articles mentioned: AP News: Trump wraps up 3-hour medical visit to Walter Reed and declares 'Everything checked out PERFECTLY' BBC: White House erects UFC cage ahead of 250th anniversary celebration Vatican: Encyclical Letter of His Holiness Leo XIV Magnifica Humanitas (15 May 2026) WaPo: Anthropic aligns with Vatican over White House as Pope Leo addresses AI fears PBS News: Pope Leo XIV makes historic apology for Vatican's role in legitimizing slavery Ole-in-legitimizing-slavery NJ: ICE agents pepper-spray protesters, N.J. senator in clash outside Delaney Hall in Newark AP News: US military says it carried out 'self-defense' strikes in Iran, including on missile launch sites Axios: Trump asked Muslim leaders to join Abraham Accords after Iran war ends  NYT: Trump Administration Chips Away at Last Traces of Broad Inquiry Into Jan. 6 AP News: Federal court blocks Alabama plan for new congressional districts that could help Republicans AP News: South Carolina Senate rejects Trump's call to redraw congressional map for midterm elections NYT: Texas U.S. Senate Republican Runoff Live Election Results 2026: Cornyn vs. Paxton Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's Headlines: Trump announced the US and Iran were near "finalization" of a deal on Saturday, then posted less than 24 hours later that he's "not in a rush" — with the reported framework giving Iran $25 billion in unfrozen assets in exchange for disposing of enriched uranium and temporarily reopening the Strait of Hormuz, while Iranian officials claim American diplomats have been privately telling them to ignore Trump's posts because they're "primarily for media consumption," which is either reassuring or terrifying. Tulsi Gabbard resigned as Director of National Intelligence citing her husband's rare bone cancer diagnosis, though it follows months of reporting that Trump was already planning to fire her. A gunman opened fire at a White House security checkpoint Saturday, was shot by officers, and died at the hospital — he had previously been arrested for walking into a restricted White House area while claiming to be Jesus Christ. A federal prosecutor was indicted for trying to leak Jack Smith's sealed Mar-a-Lago report by disguising it as a file called "bundt_cake_recipe.pdf" and emailing it to herself, which is both a federal crime and the most creative act of resistance we've seen all year. Hasan Piker and CodePink's Medea Benjamin were reportedly subpoenaed over a humanitarian aid trip to Cuba — except neither actually received subpoenas, and Piker had cleared the trip with the Treasury Department's own office beforehand. Minnesota became the first state to ban prediction market platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket outright, and the Trump administration immediately sued the state in response. CBS issued copyright notices against Colbert's surprise public access appearance the day after his Late Show finale, then backed off after universal backlash. And New York City recovered $9 million in unpaid idling fines from Amazon, because a $2 trillion company apparently couldn't be bothered to pay its tickets. Resources/Articles mentioned: WSJ: Trump Says He Is in No Rush for an Iran Deal That Is Far From Finished Substack - Dean Blundell: BREAKING: US Officials Told Iran That Trump's Truth Social Lie About a Deal is Just "Political Theatre For an American Audience" and "Not to Worry About It." NBC News: Secret Service kills man who opened fire at White House security checkpoint PBS: Tulsi Gabbard resigns as Trump's national intelligence director HuffPost: Hasan Piker, Medea Benjamin Reportedly Subpoenaed Over Cuba Trip Forbes: Prosecutor Tried Hiding Secret Trump Report In A Bundt Cake Recipe, Indictment Alleges Yahoo: Minnesota signs nation's first ban targeting Kalshi and Polymarket as Trump administration sues NBC News: CBS backs off effort to stop sharing of Colbert's surprise ‘Only in Monroe' segment amid backlash Patch: NYC Recovers Millions From Amazon Truck Violations | New York City, NY Patch Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's Headlines: Trump is reportedly willing to drop his $10 billion IRS lawsuit in exchange for a $1.7 billion government slush fund to pay out political allies — including $230 million for himself, a waiver on all family tax audits, and a public IRS apology — totally extortion. Meanwhile, Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy, one of the only Republicans who voted to convict Trump after January 6th, lost his primary and became the first senator in 12 years to lose one, because minimal backbone has a price in today's GOP. Because hantavirus clearly wasn't enough to worry about, the WHO declared Ebola a global health emergency after outbreaks in Uganda and the DRC with 246 suspected cases, no available vaccine, and no functioning USAID to help — and the person Trump put in charge of the hantavirus response is a urologist who specializes in penile implants and has promoted pandemic conspiracy theories, so we're in great hands. In other news, Trump's new counterterrorism strategy ranks drug cartels above Islamist militants, considers leftists on par with al-Qaeda, and doesn't mention far-right extremism at all, though Sebastian Gorka did find time to call out Tucker Carlson specifically. In global matters, a commander of Iranian-backed militia Kataib Hezbollah was charged with plotting attacks on 20 Jewish sites across the US, Europe, and Canada, a drone struck a UAE nuclear power plant with no injuries, and Trump told Axios Iran will get "hit much harder" despite having no leverage — while US officials now believe China will invade Taiwan within four years, Cuba has acquired 300 military drones from Russia and Iran and is reportedly eyeing Guantanamo Bay or Key West, and Ukraine launched its largest drone attack of the entire war — 600 drones across 14 Russian regions — in retaliation for Russia's assault last week. Finally, Harvey Weinstein's third trial ended in a mistrial after nine of twelve mostly-male jurors wanted to acquit him, a French judge opened an inquiry into MBS's role in Khashoggi's murder, and Everlane is being acquired by Shein for $100 million. Resources/Articles mentioned:  Time: Trump May Drop IRS Suit in Return for $1.7 Billion ‘Weaponization' Fund CNN: Trump sent a message by targeting Bill Cassidy. In defeat, Cassidy delivered one back WSJ: Thomas Massie's Lonely and Expensive Fight Against Trump NYT: W.H.O. Declares Ebola Outbreak a Global Health Emergency The New Republic: Trump's Hantavirus Official Is a Penis Implant Specialist PrPublica: Trump Counterterror Plan Targets Leftists, Ignores Far-Right Violence Ken Klippenstein: New Counterterror Strategy Eyes Tucker Carlson Time: The Iran-Backed Militia Behind a Terror Plot Against American Jews AP News: Drone strikes UAE nuclear plant as US and Iran signal they are prepared to resume war Axios: Trump warns Iran "clock is ticking" until US launches harder strikes Axios: Scoop: Trump advisers fear China may target Taiwan in next 5 years Axios: Exclusive: U.S. eyes attack-drone threat from Cuba The Guardian: At least four people killed in Russia as Ukraine launches retaliatory strikes Euronews: French judge opens probe into 2018 killing of Jamal Khashoggi CNN: Judge declares a mistrial in Harvey Weinstein's rape retrial after jury deadlocks Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's Headlines: Trump's personal aide Natalie Harp — dubbed the "Human Printer" by the Wall Street Journal — follows the president around with a printer for his Truth Social posts and is responsible for his midnight rage posting, including the Obama monkeys video, because no one else on his comms team has any visibility into what goes out at 2am. Trump returned from China having spent most of his time complimenting Xi Jinping's height, claiming Xi promised to stop arming Iran while continuing to buy their oil, getting nowhere on tariffs, and receiving a firm warning to back off Taiwan — which makes 70% of the world's semiconductors — with the one concrete outcome being China agreeing to buy 200 Boeing jets, which sent Boeing's stock down 4% because the market wanted 500. Kash Patel, meanwhile, used an FBI work trip to Hawaii to do a "VIP snorkel" around the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor where snorkeling is explicitly prohibited, and is separately being reported to have padded the FBI's arrest statistics by adding people to the Most Wanted List right before they're captured. The FDA commissioner resigned after the administration approved blueberry, mango, and menthol flavored vaping pods over his objections, and RFK Jr.'s chief spokesperson quit the next day for the same reason — flavored vapes being, apparently, everyone's line in the sand. On a darker public health note, ProPublica found that the growing MAHA-driven trend of parents rejecting Vitamin K shots for newborns — not a vaccine, just a blood-clotting intervention — has led to a measurable increase in infant deaths from preventable brain bleeds. Two House members have been missing for weeks and are both running for reelection, PCOS has been renamed PMOS because the old name caused decades of misdiagnosis, Stephen Miller's wife is in talks with Paramount for a podcast deal, and King Charles announced the UK will finally prioritize banning conversion therapy, which several prime ministers have promised and never delivered. Resources/Articles mentioned: NYT: After Xi's Warning on Taiwan, He and Trump Strike Positive Tone: Live Updates on Trump's China Visit WSJ: The Late-Night Truth Social Storms That Offer a Window Into the President's Mind PBS: FBI Director Kash Patel took 'VIP snorkel' at a Pearl Harbor memorial, emails show MS Now: FBI insiders: Kash Patel is ‘padding the stats' to boost his record of arrests Forbes: 2 House Members Have Been Absent For Weeks, Missing Dozens Of Votes NYT: Marty Makary, Trump's F.D.A. Commissioner, Resigns After Weeks of Pressure The Hill: RFK Jr.'s chief HHS spokesperson resigns over flavored vapes ProPublica: Babies Are Bleeding to Death as Parents Reject a Vitamin Shot Given at Birth AP News: The condition PCOS is now called PMOS. What to know about the name change and what it means for care Axios: Scoop: Paramount in talks with Katie Miller for podcast deal as it eyes expansion Them: U.K. Government Pledges for Fifth Time in Eight Years to Ban Conversion Therapy Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's Headlines: Trump touched down in Beijing for his Xi Jinping summit — greeted by a military band and hundreds of children waving flags — while Elon Musk technically skipped his own OpenAI trial to attend as emotional support, despite the judge explicitly not excusing him. On the Iran war, US intelligence assessed that Iran still has operational access to 30 of its 33 missile sites and about 70% of its prewar missile stockpile, which is not what "totally obliterated" means, and for the seventh time Senate Democrats tried to advance a war powers resolution to force a congressional vote on Iran and for the seventh time it failed. On the domestic front, the DOJ is discussing settling Trump's personal tax return lawsuit for up to $10 billion in taxpayer money — potentially including dropping all audits of Trump, his family, and his businesses — while the FBI has been running an internal "payback squad" of agents handling cases against Trump's political enemies out of off-site locations for over a year. Trump got his preferred Fed chair with Kevin Warsh confirmed 54-45, the narrowest margin in modern history, and the White House is planning 250 pardons to celebrate America's 250th birthday because of course it is. On the redistricting front, Louisiana senators stayed up all night to advance a map eliminating one of the state's two majority-Black districts, and South Carolina's governor called a special session specifically to pass a new map eliminating Jim Clyburn's seat with a simple majority instead of the usual two-thirds vote. Alligator Alcatraz is closing after costing Florida hundreds of millions in under a year, and Alex Murdaugh's murder convictions were unanimously overturned by South Carolina's Supreme Court after it emerged the court clerk told jurors not to be "fooled" by him — before writing a book about the trial. Resources/Articles mentioned: NYT: How China Sent a Message to Trump on His Arrival NBC News:A judge told Musk he wasn't excused from trial. He went to China with Trump anyway NYT: U.S. Intelligence Shows Iran Retains Substantial Missile Capabilities The Guardian: Senate fails to curb Trump's war on Iran even as Republican opposition grows CNN: Justice Department considers settling Trump's $10 billion IRS leak lawsuit WSJ: White House Explores 250 Pardons to Mark America's 250th Birthday Not Us: FBI Created ‘Payback Squad' to Handle Political Cases, Sources Say WSJ: Kevin Warsh Is Confirmed as Fed Chair in 54–45 Senate Vote NYT: Florida Plans to Close ‘Alligator Alcatraz,' Vendors Are Reportedly Told Axios NoLa: Louisiana advances congressional map with reduced Black representation The Hill: McMaster set to call South Carolina special session on redistricting: Reports NYT: Alex Murdaugh Murder Convictions Overturned by South Carolina's Top Court Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Headlines: Trump boasts of high-powered delegation to China Aussie hantavirus passengers to begin their journey home Labor has a new senator, as Tammy Tyrell switches sides Budget reactions see major Aussie banks lose value Deep Dive: Coles misled its customers over false discounts, a Federal Court ruled today. The supermarket raised prices only to slightly drop them, and then presented the new, higher, prices as “Down Down” discounts. Coles shoppers were misled over hundreds of common supermarket items, the judge found. In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by Joel Gibson, consumer expert, to talk about what penalties Coles could face and whether we’ll ever be able to trust supermarkets again. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's headlines include: U.S. President Donald Trump has called China's Xi Jinping a great leader and a friend as they kick off two days of talks ‌set to cover trade, the Iran war, and U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. Former Jacqui Lambie Network senator Tammy Tyrrell has announced she is joining the Labor Party. Six passengers from a cruise ship at the centre of a deadly hantavirus outbreak will soon return to Australia, after the Government confirmed a flight has been secured for the evacuees. And today’s good news! A Spanish cyclist won a stage of one of the world’s biggest races despite taking an accidental detour and crashing his bike. Hosts: Zara Seidler and Lucy TassellProducer: Rosa Bowden Want to support The Daily Aus? That's so kind! The best way to do that is to click ‘follow’ on Spotify or Apple and to leave us a five-star review. We would be so grateful. The Daily Aus is a media company focused on delivering accessible and digestible news to young people. We are completely independent. Want more from TDA?Subscribe to The Daily Aus newsletterSubscribe to The Daily Aus’ YouTube Channel Have feedback for us?We’re always looking for new ways to improve what we do. If you’ve got feedback, we’re all ears. Tell us here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's Headlines: Trump had a full episode between 1am and sunrise Tuesday, posting dozens of times about the 2020 election, the reflecting pool, and Barack Obama — before waking up and telling reporters he doesn't think about Americans' financial situations "at all." He also disowned his favorite pool guy after the reflecting pool paint job came out bubbly, uneven, and full of holes, despite having previously bragged about this being the greatest pool contractor in history — he then flew to China to meet Xi Jinping, bringing 16 CEOs including Elon Musk and Tim Cook, to meet with the country actively helping Iran win his war. On the war front, the Pentagon is considering renaming the conflict "Operation Sledgehammer" — not just rebranding, but a legal strategy to restart the 60-day congressional authorization clock — while Hegseth told Congress the $29 billion war could resume without their approval, which even some Republicans found uncomfortable but not uncomfortable enough to act on. Meanwhile on Capitol Hill, Kash Patel denied the drinking allegations before Congress and offered to take an alcohol disorder test only if Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen takes it with him, which is a choice. In Epstein files news, Democrats held a field hearing in Palm Beach where Epstein survivors testified, including one woman appearing publicly for the first time only because her name was published unredacted in the files, who revealed Epstein was assaulting her while in prison and that she couldn't report it because her visa was tied to him — one of at least 55 people whose immigration status was connected to his estate. In a completely under-covered story, the former mayor of Arcadia, California pleaded guilty to acting as an illegal foreign agent for China after running a fake local news site publishing pro-China propaganda on government directives. And finally, Stephen Colbert's late night show ends next Thursday, closing out with Seth Meyers, John Oliver, and both Jimmys — which was a good TV moment in an otherwise chaotic week. Resources/Articles mentioned:  CNN: In wild late-night posting spree, Trump attacks Obama with imaginary quote and false conspiracy theories NBC News: Trump says he's not thinking about Americans' finances ‘even a little bit' in Iran talks  NYT: Reflecting Pool Repairs Appear Uneven and Behind Schedule, Officials Say NYT: Trump to Be Joined by Elon Musk and Other CEOs at Xi Summit in China NBC News: Pentagon considering renaming Iran war ‘Sledgehammer' if ceasefire collapses AP News: Hegseth gets bipartisan grilling on rising costs of the Iran war and Trump's end game The Hill: Patel agrees to take alcohol test after heated exchange with Van Hollen The Guardian: Epstein survivors give tearful testimony in House field hearing in Palm Beach ABC News: California mayor charged with acting as illegal agent for China NYT: Stephen Colbert Hosts 4 of His ‘Best Television Friends' Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's Headlines: Trump kicked off the week rejecting Iran's latest peace proposal with "I don't like it — totally unacceptable," while a confidential Economist document reveals Russia offered Iran 5,000 advanced drones and training for 10,000 soldiers to use them against American troops. Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei hasn't been seen publicly since being severely injured in the airstrike that killed most of his family, complicating Iran's ability to negotiate. Someone also unveiled a 22-foot golden Trump statue at a Florida golf course, which his evangelical adviser insists is definitely not idol worship. In the redistricting wars, Virginia's Supreme Court struck down the congressional map that Virginia voters just voted for — the same court that previously cleared it — handing Republicans a significant midterm advantage before the south has even finished gerrymandering. Trump announced an "election integrity army" in every state this November, the FBI opened a new investigation into Wisconsin's 2020 election results, and the DOJ subpoenaed Fulton County for the names of every 2020 election worker, which Fulton County is fighting in court. To distract from all of this, the Pentagon started releasing UFO files, which is a thing that is happening. In brain worm updates, RFK Jr. is reportedly exploring banning certain SSRIs including Zoloft, Prozac, and Lexapro — his department denied it, though he just announced initiatives to reduce SSRI prescriptions. The Trump administration is also planning to cut Social Security disability benefits for people living with family members by up to a third, potentially affecting 400,000 people — call your congresspeople. Trump Media posted a $405 million loss on just $900,000 in revenue, 600,000 MAGA fans who paid a nonrefundable deposit for the Trump Phone in 2025 still don't have their devices and are finally revolting, and the Hantavirus cruise passengers are being carefully evacuated home from the Canary Islands with isolation protocols in place. And finally, Rudy Giuliani — who was read his last rites last week — is attempting to get his hospital bills covered by a federal fund for 9/11 first responders, which is one way to handle bankruptcy. Resources/Articles mentioned: Newsweek: Pastor defends Golden Trump statue from biblical backlash WSJ: Trump Blasts Iran's Response on Reopening Hormuz, Handling Uranium The Economist: Secret document reveals Russia's plans to aid Iran NYT: Virginia Court Strikes Down Redistricted Voting Map in a Huge Blow to Democrats Advance Local: Trump: GOP will have ‘election integrity army' in every state during 2026 midterms Wausau Pilot & Review: FBI is investigating Wisconsin's 2020 election, sources confirm -  PBS: Justice Department seeks the names of 2020 election workers in Georgia's Fulton County NBC News: Pentagon releases declassified UFO files including videos and photos held by the government for decades Politico: Wiles cracks down on leaks CNBC: U.S. payrolls jump more than expected, but the report had several red flags for the economy The Daily Beast: MAGA Fans Revolt Over Trump Phone Disaster Bloomberg: Trump Media Posts $405 Million Loss Driven by Crypto Holdings CNN: Live updates: Hantavirus outbreak, passengers disembark cruise ship in Tenerife Reuters: Exclusive: Kennedy's health officials explored US ban of some widely used antidepressants ProPublica: The Trump Administration Aims to Penalize Disabled Adults Who Live With Their Families The Daily Beast: Rudy Giuliani Wants 9/11 Health Fund to Cover His Medical Bills Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's Headlines: Trump hosted kids at the White House for a Presidential Fitness Award ceremony, fell asleep while RFK Jr. spoke, and used the occasion to rant about Iran to a room full of children — meanwhile, Pete Hegseth was simultaneously insisting the ceasefire was still intact while missiles were actively flying over the Strait of Hormuz, and Marco Rubio filled in at the press briefing to tout US humanitarian aid for Cuba, a country we are currently blockading. In other news, over a quarter of DOJ attorneys — roughly 3,400 lawyers with an average tenure of over 13 years — have walked out or been fired since Trump took office, ICE's own internal records confirm a 37% spike in use of force against detainees across 98 facilities, and a new study from the National Bureau of Economic Research found that ICE enforcement is actually hurting US-born workers in construction and similar sectors, with no wage increases to show for it. In creepy Congress members news, Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards is under investigation for alleged misconduct toward two female staffers in their 20s, including gifts, a handwritten love letter, and a Las Vegas vacation he took during a government shutdown he almost missed voting to end — his office also had a 59% staff turnover rate in 2025, more than double the House average. In tech and media news, the White House is planning an executive order on AI oversight involving Anthropic, Google, and OpenAI before models are released to the public, Pennsylvania sued Character.AI for having its chatbot impersonate a licensed psychiatrist complete with a fake license number, and James Murdoch is reportedly in talks to acquire Vox Media, which owns New York Magazine, The Verge, and Eater, potentially outbidding the competing offer from former NBC spinoff Versant. And finally, NPR went to Panama looking for Polymarket's corporate headquarters and found an essentially empty office where nobody had ever heard of the $15 billion prediction market platform — which also happens to share a law firm with FTX, so that's extremely reassuring. Resources/Articles mentioned: The New Republic: Trump, 79, Falls Asleep After Bragging to Kids About Iran War Plans Common Dreams: Hegseth Brags About Attacks on Iranian Ships in Strait of Hormuz While Claiming Ceasefire Holds The Hill: Marco Rubio gets presidential tryout in White House briefing room Axios: Scoop: Rep. Chuck Edwards singled out young female aides for special attention Financial Times: US Department of Justice loses a quarter of its lawyers WaPo: Internal ICE records reveal widespread use of force in detention centers Axios: ICE activity hurts some U.S.-born workers, study finds Axios: SEC proposes rule to allow public companies to report twice a year NYT: White House Considers Vetting A.I. Models Before They Are Released Reuters: Pennsylvania sues Character AI, says chatbot poses as doctors NYT: James Murdoch's Company Said to Be in Talks to Acquire Major Parts of Vox Media NPR: NPR went looking for Polymarket's Panama headquarters. It's elusive  Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Headlines: Trump unhappy with Iran's proposal to end the war The US names a new Aussie ambassador Rebel Wilson begins her evidence in court PM announces new levy on Big Tech Elon Musk is suing Sam Altman: expect fireworks Elbie the dog saved from window ledge ordeal Deep Dive: On 28 April, 1996, a gunman killed 35 people in Australia’s worst mass shooting. Within months, Prime Minister John Howard had harnessed the grief of the country to implement world-leading gun control laws. We didn’t have another mass shooting for decades, until recently. In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by Mike Amor, who reported from the scene of the Port Arthur massacre. You can find the Alannah & Madeline Foundation here. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: Trump responds to shooter’s manifesto Iran’s foreign minister is meeting with Putin Two children dead in Bowen Mountain house fire Abduction fears for Alice Springs 5-year-old And: ANZAC Day with Brian Barry Deep Dive: Testicular cancer is the most common cancer among young men; and it’s highly treatable. April is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month, and in this episode of The Briefing Natarsha Belling is joined by race car driver Thomas Randle to talk about his diagnosis and how he survived the disease. Plus: Randle gives some potentially life-saving advice. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: Trump announces 3-week Lebanon-Israel ceasefire Charges for soldier who gambled on Maduro capture Ben Roberts-Smith to attend ANZAC Day event More tech layoffs: Microsoft and Meta Spotify turns 20, releases top artists of all time Deep Dive: The nation’s biggest radio drama went to court today. Both Kyle and Jackie O are suing their former boss, ARN, and ARN is suing them right back. Kyle appeared in court, while Jackie O has said she never wants to be in the same room as Kyle again. In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by workplace relations lawyer Michael Byrnes to explain the strengths and weaknesses of each legal suit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's Headlines: Trump announced a 10-day Lebanon-Israel ceasefire, claimed the Iran war is "going swimmingly," and said Iran agreed to hand over nuclear material — which Iran has not confirmed. The head of the International Energy Agency warned Europe has roughly six weeks of jet fuel left due to the Strait of Hormuz situation, with possible flight cancellations and energy shortages ahead. Congress failed for the third time to pass a War Powers resolution to curb the Iran war, this time losing 214-213. At $10 billion a week, the White House budget director refused to say how much the war will cost, explaining that costs "fluctuate." It was a full day of congressional hearings. RFK Jr. faced the first of seven back-to-back days of testimony. Trump nominated an actual doctor — a 24-year public health veteran — to lead the CDC, which is genuinely surprising. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll testified that he pushed back against Hegseth's general-firing spree, with Republicans on the committee taking his side. Pete Hegseth quoted Pulp Fiction instead of the Bible at a Pentagon prayer service. Budget director Russell Vought testified that DHS is "disintegrating." ICE deported 442,000 people last year, but only 38% had any kind of criminal record — pending charges included.Minnesota prosecutors charged a federal ICE agent with assault for pointing his gun at drivers on a state highway — the first case of its kind, with 17 more incidents under review. An 86-year-old French widow of an American military veteran has been in ICE detention since April 1st, after missing an immigration appointment while settling her late husband's estate — reportedly tipped off by his son over an inheritance dispute. A judge blocked above-ground construction on Trump's White House ballroom pending congressional authorization, though underground bunker work continues. His 250-foot DC arch cleared a federal design review despite massive public opposition. Spirit Airlines could liquidate as early as this week. United Airlines' CEO pitched Trump on merging with American Airlines — which would control nearly 40% of the global airline market. Democrats won New Jersey's special election by 59 points. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: NYT: Pope Leo, Amid Standoff With Trump, Says ‘Woe to Those Who Manipulate Religion' Axios: Trump announces 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon WSJ: Cease-Fire Between Israel and Lebanon Takes Effect WaPo: Trump says Iran agrees to hand over ‘nuclear dust' AP News: AP Exclusive: Europe has 'maybe 6 weeks of jet fuel left,' energy agency head warns Axios: House hands Trump a win with failed Iran war powers vote The Hill: Cease-Fire Between Israel and Lebanon Takes Effect CNN: Public health veteran is Trump's pick to lead CDC as administration shifts tone on vaccines WaPo: Republicans back Army Secretary Dan Driscoll amid clash with Hegseth The Hill: Hegseth shares air rescue group's ‘Pulp Fiction' prayer at Pentagon service The Hill: White House budget director Vought declines to tell senators cost of Iran war The Hill: White House OMB Director Russell Vought: DHS ‘disintegrating' Axios: ICE deported 442k people in fiscal year 2025 The Hill: France calls on US to release 86-year-old widow of veteran detained by ICE NYT: ICE Agent Charged With Assault After Motorists Say He Brandished Gun NYT: Judge Again Halts Aboveground Construction on Trump Ballroom WaPo: Trump's 250-foot arch receives early design approval as public pans it CNBC: Spirit Airlines could liquidate as early as this week, sources say The Guardian: United Airlines CEO reportedly pitched merger with American, sparking competition fears | Business NYT: Analilia Mejia, a Progressive Democrat, Wins Mikie Sherrill's House Seat Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's episode, Donald Trump gets THIS close to saying he won the papal election too, we meet a bigotry-based puppet act almost as obnoxious as Jeff Dunham, and Ross Douthat will devote six whole pages to the problem of evil.---To make a per episode donation at Patreon.com, click here: http://www.patreon.com/ScathingAtheistGet your ticket to see Noah live in Cincinnati here: https://www.sethandrews.com/cincinnatiTo buy our book, click here: https://www.amazon.com/Outbreak-Crisis-Religion-Ruined-Pandemic/dp/B08L2HSVS8/If you see a news story you think we might be interested in, you can send it here: scathingnews@gmail.comTo check out our sister show, The Skepticrat, click here: https://audioboom.com/channel/the-skepticratTo check out our sister show's hot friend, God Awful Movies, click here: https://audioboom.com/channel/god-awful-moviesTo check out our half-sister show, Citation Needed, click here: http://citationpod.com/To check out our sister show's sister show, D and D minus, click here: https://danddminus.libsyn.com/Report instances of harassment or abuse connected to this show to the Creator Accountability Network here: https://creatoraccountabilitynetwork.org/---Headlines:Trump feuds with Pope: https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/04/13/us/trump-news and https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-pope-leo-what-they-said-c9a721a132f1941eaebc139e1213937dhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2026/04/11/anthropic-christians-claude-morals/Nuns caring for cancer patients challenge NY LGBT law forcing them to 'violate' beliefs on sex: https://www.christianpost.com/news/nuns-challenge-new-york-lgbt-law-they-say-violates-their-faith.htmlNewsmax reports that aliens are too androgynous and never pee standing up: https://www.wonkette.com/p/newsmax-guy-why-do-we-never-see-aliensTrump shares image of himself as Jesus: https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/13/trump-social-media-jesus-image-deleted-00869061National puppetry group faces backlash for platforming anti-LGBTQ Christian puppetry grouphttps://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/national-puppetry-group-faces-backlash

Plus: Conservative leadership is now being called into question after a series of floor crossings in the House of Commons, a new drug to fight pancreatic cancer is into global trials, a new report shows Ontario high schoolers' attendance is lagging despite new legislation proposed by the Ford government, and what will Carney change with a majority government? We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Today's Headlines: Trump held a press conference yesterday that was, by his standards, relatively contained. He threatened to decimate every bridge in Iran by midnight, said he could "take out" the country "in one night," and when asked if bombing civilian infrastructure constitutes a war crime, said he's "not concerned at all." He also threatened to jail reporters who don't reveal sources from the rescued pilot story, and went on his standard NATO rant — adding that his desire to leave NATO "all began with Greenland." France quietly pulled its entire $15 billion gold reserve out of the U.S. and moved it to Paris.  A 45-day ceasefire proposal from Egypt, Pakistan, and Turkey was rejected by Iran, and Trump said he won't extend his 8pm (or was it midnight?) deadline. The Strait remains closed to U.S. ships and the humanitarian cost is mounting: critical medical supplies, food, and aid are piling up at Dubai's port, with clinics across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia facing shortages. The cost of shipping goods now exceeds the value of the goods themselves in some cases. The Supreme Court cleared the way for the DOJ to dismiss Steve Bannon's contempt of Congress conviction — because why the heck not? Justice Samuel Alito was briefly hospitalized in March after getting sick at a Federalist Society dinner held in his honor. The Supreme Court didn't mention it until CNN asked. Artemis II made its historic moon flyby, and the crew named a previously unnamed bright spot "Carroll" after Commander Reid Weisman's late wife. Texas Rep. Tony Gonzalez, already under ethics investigation, now has a second staffer alleging he sent her hundreds of explicit texts she rebuffed. Savannah Guthrie returned to the Today Show after two months — her mother Nancy still has not been found. Kanye's Wireless Festival has now lost Pepsi, Diageo, PayPal, and Rockstar Energy as sponsors. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:  WaPo: At White House Easter Egg Roll, Trump tells the children about the war WaPo: Trump threatens to jail reporters if they don't turn over Iran source The Guardian: Trump's homeland security secretary mulls removing customs agents from airports to punish sanctuary cities – as it happened Mining: France pulls last gold held in US for $15B gain - MINING.COM The Hill: US, Iran receive draft ceasefire proposal: Reports NPR: Medical supplies are stuck in Dubai, as clinics around the world face shortages SCOTUS: Court-allows-steve-bannon-to-move-forward-on-dismissal-of-criminal-charges-against-him CNN: Exclusive: Justice Samuel Alito was taken to a hospital last month in previously undisclosed incident BBC: Emotional crew names Moon crater after commander's late wife NBC News:  Second staffer says Rep. Tony Gonzales sent her sexually explicit text messages NPR: Savannah Guthrie returns to the 'Today' show months after her mother's disappearance Rolling Stone: Wireless Festival Loses Diageo and Rockstar Energy Sponsorships Over Kanye West Booking Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: The Artemis II crew is headed back to Earth after making history, nine Canadian miners have been found dead, a deadly attack in Istanbul, and a high-stakes federal byelection is less than a week away. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia’s most decorated soldier, has been arrested at Sydney Airport over allegations of war crimes. It comes after a joint operation by the AFP and the Office of the Special Investigator. In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by lawyer Justin Quill to explain what this latest development means. Headlines: Trump repeats threat to destroy civilian infrastructure in Iran PM Albanese will be travelling to Singapore to address the fuel shortage One Nation surges in the latest Newspoll The Artemis mission is heading home See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's Headlines: Trump spent Easter Sunday posting threats on social media that Tuesday would be "power plant day and bridge day" in Iran, told Axios he's in "deep negotiations" but will blow up "everything over there" if no deal is reached, skipped Easter Mass and the Easter Egg Roll, and cryptically posted "TUESDAY 8PM EASTERN.” Meanwhile, two U.S. fighter jets were struck by Iranian fire on Friday, with one pilot rescued from a mountain crevice in Iran in a genuinely dramatic search and rescue operation. Pope Leo used his first Easter Mass to tell world leaders to choose dialogue over domination. Nobody in this administration was listening. March's jobs report came in surprisingly strong — 178,000 jobs added versus a forecast of 59,000, reversing February's loss of 133,000 — with unemployment ticking down to 4.3%. A federal judge upheld his own decision blocking the DOJ's subpoena of Fed Chair Jerome Powell, again ruling the investigation is politically motivated. NASA's Artemis II flew by the moon and will be headed home, touching down Friday near San Diego — the photos are genuinely worth looking up. Tiger Woods was arrested on a DUI charge in Florida after flipping his SUV, and told the arresting deputy he had "just been talking to the president" — the first known attempt at "do you know who my president is." Kanye West sold out two nights at SoFi Stadium, but pressure is mounting to pull him from headlining London's Wireless Festival in July after his "Heil Hitler" era last year. Pepsi already pulled its sponsorship. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the booking "deeply concerning." Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: Time: How a U.S. Airman Shot Down in Iran Was Rescued From a Mountain Crevice Axios: Trump to Axios: Iran deal possible by Tues., otherwise "I am blowing up everything" WaPo: On Easter, Pope Leo delivers commanding message of peace to a world at war CNBC: Jobs report March 2026: Axios: Judge rejects Department of Justice bid to reinstate Powell subpoenas AP News: It's time for Artemis II to break Apollo 13's distance record. What to know about the moon flyby AP News: After crash, Tiger Woods told deputy he was 'talking to the president,' body camera shows AP News: Pressure mounts on Ye to be pulled from his headline role at a summer festival in London Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: The Artemis II crew fly around the Moon, early voting is underway in federal by-elections that could give the Liberals a majority government, a community and country mark eight years since the Humboldt Broncos crash, Savannah Guthrie returns to Today, and is it time for Canada to toughen up its social media laws for youth? We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Today's Headlines: Trump gave a primetime Oval Office address to declare the Iran war is winding down and all military objectives have been met, while blaming NATO for the Strait of Hormuz still being closed. The same Strait he started a war over is now apparently not a "core objective." Two thousand five hundred Marines are still en route to the Middle East. He also became the first sitting president to personally attend his own Supreme Court oral arguments — on birthright citizenship — where even conservative justices appeared skeptical. Then he signed an executive order creating a federal citizenship list to restrict mail-in ballots and voting eligibility, despite the Constitution giving the federal government no authority over elections. Lawsuits incoming in 3, 2, 1.Republicans largely caved on the 47-day DHS shutdown — TSA, FEMA, the Coast Guard, and CISA will be funded, while ICE and CBP funding gets handled separately, because Democrats held the line on basic law enforcement accountability. Trump responded by telling the Telegraph he's strongly considering pulling the U.S. out of NATO, calling it a "paper tiger — and Putin knows that too, by the way." Cool thing to share publicly! A joint investigation by The Post and Courier corroborated accounts from an Epstein victim who told the FBI four times in 2019 that Trump sexually assaulted her when she was 13 years old in 1984. Dozens of pages from her FBI interviews were missing from the Epstein files dump until their absence was flagged by a journalist — some were released under public pressure, not all. Warren Buffett revealed he hasn't spoken to Bill Gates since the Epstein files dropped, saying he doesn't want to be called as a witness. Pete Hegseth reversed the suspension of the Army pilots who buzzed Kid Rock's house, tweeting "No punishment. No investigation. Carry on, patriots." SpaceX filed to go public in June at a valuation that would make Elon Musk the world's first trillionaire. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: NYT: Hegseth Reverses Helicopter Crew Suspension Over Kid Rock Flyby Politico: ‘I came, I saw, I conquered:' Trump set to claim victory in Iran at primetime address The Guardian: Top Senate Democrat says ‘House Republicans caved' as deal to fund DHS moves forward – as it happened | US Congress NYT: Supreme Court Rejects a Ban on ‘Conversion Therapy' for Minors NYT: Trump Signs Order Seeking Federal Control of Mail Voting as He Promotes False Claims TNR: Mike Johnson and House GOP Finally Cave to Democrats on Shutdown Reuters: Trump says U.S. strongly considering NATO exit, Telegraph newspaper says  The Post & Courier: She claimed to FBI that Epstein and Trump abused her. We checked it out. CNBC: Epstein files: Buffett says he hasn't talked to Bill Gates 'since the whole thing was unveiled' NYT: Elon Musk's SpaceX Files to Go Public, Setting Stage for Huge I.P.O. Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's Headlines: Trump is reportedly ready to declare victory in Iran and walk away — even if the Strait of Hormuz stays closed — because keeping it open would exceed his preferred timeline. Gas prices with a 4 or 5 as the first digit are the new normal, indefinitely. The U.S. simultaneously sent a third aircraft carrier to the region. Then the IRGC published a target list of 18 American companies — Apple, Google, Microsoft, Meta, Nvidia, Tesla, Oracle, Palantir, Chase, and Boeing among them — with strikes planned starting April 1st, prompting immediate evacuations of employees and anyone within a kilometer of their facilities. January 6th insurrectionists — including a pardoned Proud Boy who threw chairs at officers and a man convicted of child molestation after receiving his pardon — filed an $18 million class action lawsuit against the federal government for excessive force during the insurrection. With the DOJ already paying Babbitt's estate $5 million and Flynn $1.25 million, the math isn't crazy. On transvisibility day, the Supreme Court ruled 8-1 to strike down Colorado's conversion therapy ban for LGBTQ minors — a ruling that will overturn similar bans in 20+ states, with Ketanji Brown Jackson the lone dissent. Additionally, the Daily Mail published allegations that Kristi Noem's husband has been living a secret cross-dressing double life. Noem's team says she's "devastated and blindsided." In Shit With Trump's Name On It: a federal judge blocked the $400 million White House ballroom, ruling Trump is the "steward" not the "owner." Palm Beach airport was renamed Donald J. Trump International — the only one named after someone twice impeached and convicted of 34 felonies. Eric Trump unveiled a Miami skyscraper presidential library. A guerrilla art group installed a gold marble toilet on the National Mall with a plaque reading "A Throne Fit for a King." Finally, NASA's Artemis II launches tonight at 6:24pm ET — first lunar mission since 1972, no landing, just a test run for 2028 and an Army Apache was caught hovering over Kid Rock's pool after detouring from a No Kings protest flyover. Kid Rock said they'd be fine because his "buddy is the Commander-in-Chief." Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:  WSJ: Trump Tells Aides He's Willing to End War Without Reopening Strait of Hormuz WSJ: Third U.S. Aircraft Carrier Deploys to Middle East  The Hill: Iran says it will target US tech companies in Middle East Politico: Members of Jan. 6 mob sue police who fended off Capitol attack NYT: Supreme Court Rejects Colorado Law Banning ‘Conversion Therapy' for L.G.B.T.Q. Minors NY Post: Kristi Noem weighs in on report husband lives cross-dressing double life: ‘The family was blindsided by this' NBC News: Federal judge temporarily blocks construction of Trump's White House ballroom NYT: DeSantis Signs Bill to Rename Florida Airport for Trump CNN: Trump shares renderings of a towering presidential library  WaPo: Golden toilet statue on Mall pays faux tribute to Trump renovations NYT: NASA Is Launching Astronauts to the Moon, but Americans Aren't That Excited Politico: Army investigating video of Apache helicopter at Kid Rock's Nashville home Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's Headlines: Trump let a sanctioned Russian oil tanker through the Cuba blockade this weekend for "humanitarian reasons" — which raises the obvious question of what the three-month blockade that caused island-wide blackouts and hospital failures was for. When asked, Trump said he had "no problem" with countries sending oil to Cuba. The Iran war is getting darker by the day. Italy's defense minister said he can no longer sleep knowing what's coming. Trump threatened to destroy Iran's desalination plants — its drinking water infrastructure — on Monday morning. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain are all lobbying Trump to keep the war going and potentially send ground troops, while Zelensky warned a prolonged Iran war is a massive gift to Russia — which, per Zelensky, shared drone warfare expertise with Iran AND provided satellite imagery of U.S. military bases days before Iran struck them. Oil hit $116 a barrel. Pope Leo XIV used his Palm Sunday address to say God does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war. Nobody in this administration was listening. On the home front, TSA workers are finally getting paid including backpay — turns out it only required that same pen Trump spent four minutes praising at his cabinet meeting. In other news, Kash Patel directed FBI agents to pull a decade-old investigative file on California Congressman Eric Swalwell, who is now running for governor, in what would be a highly unusual release of a file from an investigation that resulted in zero charges. The Supreme Court hears arguments on birthright citizenship tomorrow — April Fools Day. A federal judge blocked the Nexstar-Tegna merger that would have given one company control of local TV for 60% of U.S. households. OkCupid settled with the FTC after sharing the photos and location data of 3 million users with a facial recognition company — no fine, no admission of wrongdoing, just a pinky promise not to do it again. And three thieves stole a Matisse, a Renoir, and a Cézanne from an Italian museum in three minutes flat, abandoning a fourth painting when an alarm went off. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: Politico: White House: Russian tanker allowed to break Cuba blockade for ‘humanitarian reasons' LA Repubblica: Crosetto: “No al voto anticipato finché c'è questa guerra. Archiviamo il referendum” AP News: Trump again threatens widespread destruction in Iran if a deal is not reached 'shortly' AP News: Gulf allies privately make the case to Trump to keep fighting until Iran is decisively defeated Axios: Exclusive: Zelensky says Russia winning from Iran war BBC: Latin Patriarch will have access to Jerusalem holy site after police stopped entry ABC 7 LA: Pope Leo XIV rejects claims that God justifies war in Palm Sunday Mass message AP News: Airport bottlenecks ease as TSA workers get paid, but shutdown continues The Guardian: Democrats decry ‘smear' as Trump FBI pushes for release of Eric Swalwell file PBS News: LISTEN LIVE: Supreme Court considers constitutionality of Trump's birthright citizenship order NBC News: Judge pauses blockbuster merger between TV station owners Nexstar and Tegna Engadget: OkCupid settles FTC case on alleged misuse of its users' personal data NBC News: Thieves steal paintings by Renoir, Cézanne and Matisse in Italy museum heist Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's Headlines: Trump held a two-hour cabinet meeting yesterday dedicated largely to his Sharpie, his ballroom renovation, and claiming Iran is "begging" for a deal while insisting he's definitely not desperate for one. He then paused strikes on Iranian energy plants until April 6th, privately told advisors he wants the war wrapped in four to six weeks, and the Pentagon simultaneously floated sending 10,000 more ground troops. Israel killed Iran's navy commander — the architect of the Strait of Hormuz blockade. And the USPS announced a 7% fuel surcharge on packages, citing the Iran war. The cost of this conflict is now literally showing up in your shipping rates. In wannabe king news, Trump announced he'd sign an executive order to pay TSA workers — something he could have done at any point instead of using their paychecks as leverage. He's also eyeing the White House Treaty Room as a potential bedroom. And his signature will begin appearing on U.S. currency in June, ending a 165-year tradition, to mark America's 250th birthday. At CPAC, Deputy AG Todd Blanche boasted that Kash Patel has purged everyone involved in Trump's prosecution from the FBI, endorsed the view that all executive branch employees work directly for Trump, and floated having ICE agents show up at polling locations on Election Day. The DOJ settled with Michael Flynn for $1.25 million — for the crimes he pleaded guilty to — while the Miami Herald reported that bags of shredded documents were found outside the jail where Epstein died days after his death, the FBI closed the inquiry and an anonymous letter to a federal judge alleged a coverup. The DOJ also issued two new criminal referrals against New York AG Letitia James, this time for homeowners insurance fraud, based largely on social media posts from a Trump ally. Tomorrow is the third round of No Kings protests — 3,000+ events nationwide, with Bruce Springsteen, Joan Baez, Jane Fonda, and Bernie Sanders headlining the flagship rally in Minnesota. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: AP News: Trump interrupts a Cabinet meeting dealing with the Iran war and rising prices to talk Sharpies WSJ: Trump Tells Aides He Wants Speedy End to Iran War WSJ: Exclusive: Pentagon Weighs Sending Another 10,000 Ground Troops to the Middle East The Guardian: IRGC naval commander killed in Israeli strike was hardliner who understood power of strait of Hormuz WVTM: USPS seeks a temporary 8% charge on Priority Mail and other products to offset transportation costs NBC News: Trump says he will order DHS to 'immediately' pay TSA officers as partial shutdown drags on NYT: Trump Eyes White House Treaty Room for Latest Renovation Project Reuters: Exclusive: Trump signature to appear on US currency, ending 165-year tradition NYT: Trump Calls for Law Cracking Down on Crime and ‘Rogue Judges' The Hill: Blanche boasts of having ‘cleaned house' at DOJ, FBI following Trump prosecutions NYT: Justice Dept. Settles Flynn's Wrongful Prosecution Suit for $1.25 Million Miami Herald: Bags of documents shredded after Epstein's death at NY jail NBC News: Trump housing official seeks new DOJ prosecution of Letitia James KARE 11: 'No Kings' rally set for St. Paul with Joan Baez, Jane Fonda, Maggie Rogers and Bruce Springsteen Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: ⁠⁠⁠betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"His future as President politically rests on what happens, really, in the next 48 hours." US President Donald Trump has issued an ultimatum that could end the war with Iran, but how likely is it to actually work? Today, Senior Fellow at the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney walks us through what the next few days of this conflict could look like both in the region, and further abroad.

Plus: Canadian home sales slow, the Vatican returns Indigenous items to Canada, a federal investigation into numerous fishing regulations is underway, and what is A-I baby slop? We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: The cost of living saw a big cool down last month, Carney is in London, rising fuel costs, and will Canada's immigration system regret relying on Artificial Intelligence? We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: February was a bad month for the labour market, Carney arrives in Norway, Canadians are changing their March Break travel plans, NASA's historic flight, and is Canada missing the mark on alcohol awareness? We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

President Trump fired Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Plus: The federal government is pledging support for food aid for Cuba admist a humanitarian crisis, Canadian travellers return from Mexico after two days of violence, health care advocates are in Ottawa, the latest on the search for Nancy Guthrie, and how close is Canada to a Carney majority? We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: A new poll finds two-thirds of Canadians support Prime Minister Mark Carney's economic plan and delivery pace, the fallout of former Prince Andrew's arrest, the latest on the Ryan Wedding case, and Day 14 at the Winter Games. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca  Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Ep. 175 Hot Headlines: Trump-Kennedy Center Closing? Katie, Josh, and Kevin talk about the President posting about closing the Trump-Kennedy Center for two years for “renovations,” and funding of the NEA, among other topics, because you can't talk about a Presidential social media post without diving into the state of America.  Follow us on social media and let us know your thoughts and questions - https://linktr.ee/nobusinesslikepod Our theme song is composed by Vic Davi.

Today's Headlines: Trump's Venezuela operation keeps getting weirder. Nicolás Maduro and his wife pled not guilty in Manhattan court and Maduro insists he's “still president” — despite currently living at the detention center. Trump walked back his claim that Marco Rubio would “run Venezuela,” and is now elevating Stephen Miller to help oversee things with interim leader Delcy Rodriguez — while warning he'll launch more strikes if she doesn't cooperate. Meanwhile, Trump allies say opposition leader María Corina Machado blew her shot at power by… not giving Trump her Nobel Prize. To make things…more chaotic, Trump has started floating similar threats toward Cuba, Mexico, Colombia — and Greenland — prompting Greenland's prime minister to remind him that their country is “not an object of superpower rhetoric.” Congress only got briefed on the Venezuela strikes after the fact, because Trump says lawmakers “leak,” though somehow oil companies heard before and after. Also suspicious: someone made $400k on Polymarket betting Maduro would be deposed in January. Abroad, protests in Iran continue, and a British intel report says Ayatollah Khamenei has a “Plan B” escape route to Moscow if things collapse. In other news, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth censured Sen. Mark Kelly in the first step toward possible rank demotion — all because Kelly appeared in a video noting it's legal to refuse illegal military orders. The administration also slashed the number of recommended childhood vaccines from 17 to 11 — a move that could reshape insurance coverage and access next year and Arizona's Supreme Court building was evacuated after a suspicious package containing homemade explosive material was found. Lastly, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced he won't seek a third term following months of harassment fueled by Trump and right-wing trolls resurfacing an old Somali daycare fraud case. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: NBC News: Live updates: Maduro arrives at New York courthouse for first court appearance since capture in Venezuela The New Republic: Trump Wants Stephen Miller to Have a Terrifying New Role in Venezuela WaPo: U.S. plan to ‘run' Venezuela clouded in confusion and uncertainty Newsweek: Cuba's ‘Days Are Numbered'—Lindsey Graham Yahoo: Greenland's Prime Minister Just Delivered A Brutal Reality Check To Donald Trump The Independent: Gunfire heard near Venezuelan presidential palace The Times: Ayatollah Khamenei plans to flee to Moscow if Iran unrest intensifies AP News: Hegseth censures Sen. Kelly after Democrats' video urging troops to resist unlawful orders PBS: Trump administration cuts number of vaccines it recommends for every child The Guardian: Arizona supreme court evacuated after package tests positive for explosives AP News: Walz, Democrats' 2024 VP pick, drops bid for third term as Minnesota governor; Klobuchar considers Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's Headlines: Trump escalated toward open conflict with Venezuela by labeling the country a “foreign terrorist organization,” blockading sanctioned oil tankers, and laying groundwork that looks a lot like a path to war — even as U.S. oil companies quietly signal they're not interested in going back. Abroad, Britain's MI6 chief warned that tech billionaires and algorithms are reshaping global power faster than politicians, while Putin doubled down on threatening Ukraine with either invasion or “negotiation,” plus some nuclear saber-rattling for flair. Back home, Trump expanded his travel ban, House Republicans briefly rebelled to pass a doomed healthcare bill, and Jack Smith told Congress he found proof Trump tried to overturn the 2020 election and obstruct justice. The FCC chair openly claimed the agency isn't independent from the president — then removed the word “independent” from its website mid-hearing — as the Senate confirmed Elon Musk's friend to run NASA. Meanwhile, Dan Bongino announced he's quitting the FBI, Alan Dershowitz floated a very “it depends” take on a third Trump term, Ghislaine Maxwell moved to toss her conviction, and the DOJ is legally required to release the Epstein files tomorrow. On the crime front, the Brown University shooter is still at large, an MIT professor's killing is now a homicide investigation, Nick Reiner appeared in court for his parents' murders, and — in truly end-times energy — the Oscars are leaving ABC for YouTube. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: NYT: Venezuela's Navy Begins Escorting Ships as U.S. Threatens Blockade Politico: Trump administration asking US oil industry to return to Venezuela — but getting no takers I-News: MI6 chief: Tech giants are closer to running the world than politicians WSJ: Putin Warns He Will Achieve Aims in Ukraine Through Negotiation or War Axios: Trump expands travel ban to Syrians, Palestinians and others AP News: Meet the 4 Republicans who defied House Speaker Mike Johnson on ACA subsidies NBC News: Jack Smith tells Congress he could prove Trump engaged in a 'criminal scheme' to overturn 2020 election AP News: FCC leader says agency is no longer independent as he's grilled by Democrats over Kimmel controversy Axios: Dan Bongino announces FBI exit WSJ: Trump Told by Alan Dershowitz Constitutionality of Third Term Is Unclear AP News: Imprisoned Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell seeks release, citing 'new evidence' Axios: MIT professor Loureiro shot at home: Police launch homicide investigation AP News: Rob and Michele Reiner's son appears in court on murder charges while siblings speak of their loss Hollywood Reporter: Oscars Bolts from ABC to YouTube Starting in 2029 Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices