Morning Announcements

Today’s Headlines: Two American hostages held in Gaza were released following an agreement between Hamas and the Qatari government. While Judith Raanan and her daughter Natalie were freed, around 200 hostages remained. Tensions persist in the region, with ongoing military activities, and there are concerns about verifying humanitarian aid deliveries. A group of U.S. Senators visited and met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, reinforcing their support for Israel's actions against Hamas. Back in the US, Samantha Woll, the president of a downtown Detroit synagogue, was tragically found stabbed to death outside her home. The Detroit Police Department, along with the FBI and Michigan State Police, is investigating the case, although a suspect and motive remain unknown. The U.S. House of Representatives still lacks a permanent speaker after three weeks. Nine Republican candidates are vying for the role, with a vote scheduled for Tuesday. This has been termed embarrassing by former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Two high-profile co-defendants of Donald Trump in the 2020 Georgia election interference case, Sidney Powell and Kenneth Cheseboro, have pleaded guilty. Powell admitted to six counts of conspiracy and agreed to testify and issue an apology, while Cheseboro confessed to one count and will follow the same process. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: AP News: Israel says two Americans held hostage by Hamas, a mother and daughter, have been released WA Post: Hezbollah steps up attacks, IDF says, fueling fears of wider conflict  The Guardian: Aid trucks enter Gaza but UN chief says people need ‘much, much more’ The Times Of Israel: Visiting US senators: Hamas must be destroyed, war was opened to prevent Saudi peace  Detroit Free Press: Detroit synagogue president Samantha Woll found fatally stabbed outside her home WA Post: Here are the nine Republicans running for House speaker Axios: Kevin McCarthy calls House speaker chaos "embarrassing" for GOP Business Insider: 2 of Trump's co-defendants pushed for speedy trials in Georgia. Now both have turned against him Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

Today’s Headlines: In recent news, the humanitarian effort to deliver aid to Gaza faces incremental progress as the United Nations calls for an immediate cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, following a diplomatic agreement brokered by the US between Israel and Egypt. While aid trucks remain queued at the Rafah crossing, delays are attributed to road repairs from Israeli strikes, with coordination for American evacuations along the same route. President Biden, in a rare prime-time address, seeks substantial military aid for Israel and Ukraine, requesting one billion dollars in funding while increasing resources for Taiwan and border security. Representative Jim Jordan's tumultuous bid for Speaker of the House highlights divisions within the Republican party, with backtracking and ongoing challenges in garnering support. In California, Senator Laphonza Butler decides not to seek re-election, impacting the Senate race, while Sidney Powell's guilty plea in a Georgia election interference case has the potential to influence Trump's legal situation. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: ABC News: In push for Gaza aid, some signs of progress CNN: Biden makes the case for wartime aid to Israel and Ukraine in primetime address The Hill: Jordan scraps plan for Speaker vote Thursday amid opposition: Live coverage The Hill: Butler won’t run for California Senate seat in 2024 Ap News: Sidney Powell pleads guilty over efforts to overturn Trump’s loss in Georgia and agrees to cooperate Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson