Friday, May 24th, 2024

Today’s Headlines: President Biden welcomed Kenyan President William Ruto for a three-day state visit, marking Kenya as the first African country to be designated a major non-NATO ally. The visit included meetings with tech leaders and discussions on Kenya’s deployment of 1,000 troops to Haiti for a UN-led mission. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a surprise early national election for July 4th, as his Conservative Party trails the Labour Party in polls, possibly aiming to secure a better electoral outcome. In the US, the Supreme Court ruled that South Carolina's Republican-led redistricting did not constitute illegal gerrymandering, despite its impact on Black voters. Justice Clarence Thomas controversially suggested the Court overreached in its historic Brown vs. Board of Education decision banning school segregation. The Department of Justice filed an antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation, parent company of Ticketmaster, alleging monopolistic practices that harm consumers and artists. Additionally, the border deal fails again while Louisiana lawmakers passed a law classifying abortion medications as controlled substances, with strict penalties for possession without a prescription. Economic updates include a Federal Reserve survey indicating 65% of households are struggling with inflation, prompting major retailers like Target and Walmart to announce price cuts. The Department of Education also announced $7.7 billion in student debt cancellation for 160,000 borrowers under existing forgiveness programs. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: AP News: Biden is honoring Kenya with state visit as the East African nation prepares to send police to Haiti Reuters: Rishi Sunak calls UK national election for July 4 NBC News: Supreme Court throws out race claim in South Carolina redistricting case in win for GOP Axios: Clarence Thomas attacks Brown v. Board ruling amid 70th anniversary NBC News: 'It is time to break up Live Nation': DOJ sues Ticketmaster parent over alleged monopoly Axios: Bipartisan border deal fails again in Senate  WA Post: Louisiana House passes bill making abortion pills controlled substances  Reuters: US households still feel pinched by inflation, Fed survey says  WA Post: Grocers are finally lowering prices as consumers pull back  AP News: Biden administration canceling student loans for another 160000 borrowers Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices