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Morning Announcements

Morning Announcements

Written by: Betches Media
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 Morning Announcements is your daily news rundown from Betches News--because the world’s a mess, and someone’s gotta explain it. Every morning, Betches co-founder and host Sami Sage cuts through the chaos to break down what actually matters, one unhinged headline at a time. All in under 10 minutes, so you can stay informed without spiraling.© Betches Media. All rights reserved. Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Friday, February 20th, 2026 - Ex-prince Andrew birthday arrest; “Board of Peace” pledges $7B for Gaza; ICE targets observers; Iran deadline extended

    Friday, February 20th, 2026 - Ex-prince Andrew birthday arrest; “Board of Peace” pledges $7B for Gaza; ICE targets observers; Iran deadline extended
    Feb 20 2026
    Today’s Headlines: In a genuinely shocking development, Prince Andrew was arrested in the UK on suspicion of misconduct in public office — a very restrained way of saying he allegedly shared sensitive government information with Jeffrey Epstein. It happened on his birthday, and King Charles said the law will take its course. It’s the first arrest of a senior royal since 1647, which is… not recent. Meanwhile in DC, Andrew and Epstein’s former bestie Donald Trump convened his self-styled “Board of Peace,” which he continues pitching as a potential replacement for the UN. The focus was Gaza: five countries pledged troops for a stabilization force, nine pledged a combined $7 billion — about 10% of the $70 billion estimated for rebuilding. Trump added a promised $10 billion from the US, source of funds TBD. Hamas has not fully agreed to disarm, but sure. On Iran, Trump warned that Tehran has 10 days to strike a nuclear deal or “bad things will happen,” then extended it to 15 by nightfall. In South Korea, former president Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to life in prison for his 2024 insurrection attempt and brief martial law stunt. The court said it damaged the military’s neutrality and the country’s credibility. Consequences. Back home, DHS has launched a nationwide review of naturalized citizens who may have voted before becoming citizens, requiring field offices to justify decisions not to prosecute. The administration is also reportedly exploring ways to criminalize observing ICE agents, despite most related arrests resulting in no charges. And finally, the EEOC is suing a Coca-Cola distributor over a women-only networking event, alleging discrimination. The company says it followed the law. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: AP News: Former Prince Andrew arrested and held for hours on suspicion of misconduct over ties to Epstein AP News: Trump heads to Georgia after securing Board of Peace pledges for Gaza relief funds CNN: Live updates: Trump indicates Iran decision within days and says Board of Peace will be ‘looking over’ UN The Guardian: South Korea’s former president Yoon Suk Yeol jailed for life for leading insurrection MS Now: White House directing DHS to hunt for voter fraud by naturalized citizens: Sources NPR: The Trump administration is increasingly trying to criminalize observing ICE Axios: Federal agency sues Coca-Cola bottler over work event that excluded men 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
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    8 mins
  • Thursday, February 19th, 2026 - Wexner testifies; Zuck funds politicians; War talk swirls around Iran; Mamdani acts after cold snap

    Thursday, February 19th, 2026 - Wexner testifies; Zuck funds politicians; War talk swirls around Iran; Mamdani acts after cold snap
    Feb 19 2026
    Today’s Headlines: Billionaire retail mogul Les Wexner testified before Congress about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein — but instead of appearing on Capitol Hill, lawmakers traveled to his Ohio mansion, where the 88-year-old was deposed with family members present. Notably, no Republicans on the House Oversight Committee showed up. Wexner, who once granted Epstein power of attorney, said he was “naive, gullible, and foolish” and claimed he was conned, despite building a multibillion-dollar empire. It wasn’t the only billionaire hot seat of the day. Mark Zuckerberg testified in a landmark trial against Meta over allegations the company knowingly made its platforms addictive and harmful to children. The case could influence more than 1,500 pending social media addiction lawsuits. Meanwhile, The New York Times reported Meta has set aside $65 million to back state-level politicians friendly to the AI industry through new super PACs in Illinois and Texas — timing that feels… strategic. In federal agency cleanup news, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration removed a webpage warning against bogus autism “treatments” like chlorine dioxide and raw camel milk, calling it routine housekeeping. On the foreign policy front, Donald Trump met with advisers to discuss Iran, as mixed signals emerge from nuclear talks in Geneva and two U.S. aircraft carriers sit in the Mediterranean. The administration also plans to withdraw roughly 1,000 U.S. troops from Syria over the next two months, though officials say the move is “conditions based.” Meanwhile, a potential U.S. arms sale to Taiwan is reportedly in limbo ahead of Trump’s planned meeting with Xi Jinping in Beijing. Back home, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the city will resume clearing homeless encampments following at least 19 deaths during a recent cold snap, with outreach led by homeless services rather than police. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: AP News: Billionaire Les Wexner says he was 'duped' by adviser Jeffrey Epstein, 'a world-class con man' Axios: Zuckerberg testifies in landmark social media addiction trial NYT: Meta Begins $65 Million Election Push to Advance A.I. Agenda ProPublica: Chlorine Dioxide, Raw Camel Milk: The FDA No Longer Warns Against These and Other Ineffective Autism Treatments Axios: Trump meets with top Iran advisers as war threat grows WSJ: U.S. Is Withdrawing All Forces From Syria, Officials Say WSJ: U.S. Arms Sale to Taiwan in Limbo Amid Pressure Campaign From China AP News: Mamdani reboots homeless encampment sweeps in New York City 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
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    10 mins
  • Wednesday, February 18th, 2026 - NM probes Epstein ranch; TX primary; Colbert vs FCC; Netflix vs Paramount; Trump files airport trademark

    Wednesday, February 18th, 2026 - NM probes Epstein ranch; TX primary; Colbert vs FCC; Netflix vs Paramount; Trump files airport trademark
    Feb 18 2026
    Today’s Headlines: New Mexico has approved a bipartisan “truth commission” to investigate alleged sexual abuse and trafficking at Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch near Santa Fe. The commission will have subpoena power, a $2 million budget funded by a Deutsche Bank settlement, and will operate through 2026. Meanwhile, Epstein’s former benefactor Les Wexner is set to testify before the House Oversight Committee behind closed doors at his Ohio home. Early voting is underway in Texas’ Senate primaries after late-night host Stephen Colbert said CBS forced him to cancel an interview with Democratic candidate James Talarico following FCC guidance on political airtime. In media shakeups, Anderson Cooper is leaving CBS’ 60 Minutes, and independent journalist Georgia Fort pleaded not guilty to federal felony charges tied to covering an anti-ICE protest. On the corporate front, Warner Bros. Discovery reopened talks with Paramount over a $77.9 billion acquisition bid as Netflix circles with a competing offer. The Trump administration is reportedly reviewing its relationship with AI company Anthropic after questions about military use of its Claude model, while Palantir sued Swiss outlet Republik over an investigative report. Meta is facing scrutiny over AI chatbot safety for minors and a patent for AI systems that simulate deceased users. EU regulators are investigating Shein under the Digital Services Act, and the Trump administration has spent at least $40 million deporting migrants to third countries, including Cameroon. Nuclear talks between U.S. and Iranian officials in Geneva reportedly made progress toward a potential new deal. In Argentina, the Senate passed sweeping labor reforms sparking nationwide strike threats. Trump-linked businesses also filed trademarks for “President Donald J. Trump International Airport.” Civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson has died at 84. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: The Guardian: New Mexico approves truth commission on alleged Jeffrey Epstein ranch abuse Dispatch: What do we know about Les Wexner and Epstein as deposition approaches? NYT: Colbert Slams Trump Administration After CBS Pulls Talarico Interview Status: Cooper’s Final Minutes Minnesota Reformer: Journalist Georgia Fort pleads not guilty to felony charges stemming from church protest WSJ: Warner Reopens Talks With Paramount After Sweetened Offer Axios: Exclusive: Pentagon threatens Anthropic punishment European Journalist: Switzerland: US analytics firm takes Republik magazine to court – European Federation of Journalists Mashable: Meta wins patent for AI that could post for dead social media users Axios: Unreleased Meta product didn't protect kids from exploitation, tests found PBS News: Shein under investigation in EU over illegal products and addictive online design features AP News: More third-country nationals have been deported by the US to Cameroon, lawyers tell Axios: U.S. and Iran say progress made in Geneva nuclear talks Reuters: Argentine unions to hold general strike over labor reform bill Gerben Law: Trump’s Private Company Files Trademark for ‘President Donald J. Trump International Airport’ Axios: Civil rights icon Jesse Jackson dies at 84 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
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    15 mins
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