About this episode
Today’s Headlines: Israel stirred up another front yesterday by striking Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar—right as they were meeting to discuss Trump’s ceasefire plan. Qatar, not thrilled about the timing, has suspended its mediator role. The White House is insisting the bombing was Israel’s call, not ours—though the optics are messy, given Qatar’s status as a U.S. ally. Meanwhile, Chief Justice John Roberts temporarily let Trump freeze $4 million in foreign aid while the Court takes up the case, and the justices agreed to fast-track Trump’s appeal to reinstate tariffs that lower courts already ruled illegal. In other Trump court news, a federal appeals court upheld the $83.3 million defamation payout he owes E. Jean Carroll, calling the damages “fair and reasonable.” On the economy, Labor Department revisions show 911,000 fewer jobs created in the past year than first reported—the biggest downward adjustment since 2002. The Census Bureau also found that inflation wiped out income gains for most Americans in 2024, except high earners, while the gender pay gap actually widened. And finally, South Carolina Republicans are moving toward one of the harshest abortion bans with no exceptions for rape, incest, or fatal fetal anomalies, women potentially facing murder charges and even the death penalty for terminating a pregnancy. The bill will serve as a model for other states. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: NBC News: Israel strikes Hamas leadership in Qatar, which had been mediating a ceasefire in Gaza Axios: Israel's attack in Qatar infuriated Trump advisers, officials say Axios: Supreme Court pauses judge's order on Trump foreign aid freeze Axios: Supreme Court to expedite Trump tariff case appeal AP News: Appeals court upholds E. Jean Carroll's $83.3M defamation judgment against Trump CNBC: Jobs report revisions September 2025: Axios: Gender pay gap is getting wider, reversing progress Substack: South Carolina Republicans Move to Ban Birth Control Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices