Today’s Headlines: Hamas released three Israeli hostages in exchange for 183 Palestinian prisoners in a staged handoff at gunpoint, as talks begin on the next phase of the truce. Meanwhile, Trump and Musk continue their battle against federal judges blocking their unconstitutional moves, with DOGE physically securing agencies and targeting the Pentagon next. Trump has also expelled major news outlets from Pentagon press spaces, taken control of the Kennedy Center, and announced new steel tariffs. Germany orders X to release election data amid concerns over Musk’s support for the far-right. Steve Wynn is pushing the Supreme Court to roll back press protections, while the FCC investigates a San Francisco radio station for reporting on ICE activity. And in a major shift, Google has scrapped its AI ethics pledge, clearing the way for AI-powered surveillance and weaponry.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

NY Times: Hamas Makes Gaunt Israeli Hostages Thank Captors Before Release 

CBS News: Judge blocks Trump administration from placing 2,200 USAID employees on leave 

WA Post: CFPB halts work after Trump appoints Bessent as acting head 

NY Times: Democratic Lawmakers Denied Entry to the Department of Education 

The Guardian: Trump hints Musk ‘Doge’ team has free rein with Pentagon next in line for cuts 

Axios: Musk says DOGE staffer who resigned over racist tweets "will be brought back" 

AP News: The Trump administration is throwing more Pentagon reporters out of their workspaces


AP News: Trump says he's firing Kennedy Center board of trustees members and naming himself chairman


AP News: Trump says he will announce 25% steel and aluminum tariffs Monday, and more import duties are coming


Tech Crunch: German court orders X to give data access to democracy researchers ahead of federal elections


The NV Independant: Attorneys for Steve Wynn ask Supreme Court to overturn landmark libel rule


SF Standard: FCC investigating SF radio station for broadcasting ICE agent activity


CNBC: Google removes pledge to not use AI for weapons, surveillance 


Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson
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