Today’s Headlines: Sudan’s civil war took a dark turn after the paramilitary RSF captured El Fasher, giving them full control of Darfur’s major cities. The group is accused of killing hundreds and filming their own war crimes as hundreds of thousands flee. Meanwhile, Trump’s threatening to send the U.S. military “guns-a-blazing” into Nigeria to “protect cherished Christians” from Boko Haram, declaring the country a “state of particular concern.” Nigerian officials politely said thanks but no thanks—they’re still, you know, a sovereign nation. In Venezuela, the U.S. carried out yet another boat strike (the 15th since September), as reports suggest Trump’s team is prepping direct hits on Venezuelan military targets linked to drug trafficking. In local matters, Trump’s demanding Senate Republicans ditch the filibuster to end the government shutdown while partying at Mar-a-Lago as SNAP benefits expire. A judge ordered the USDA to pay SNAP recipients “as soon as possible,” but leaked emails show the agency told grocery stores not to offer discounts to hungry families. Very on-brand. In other news, the White House fired the entire Commission of Fine Arts to make way for friendlier faces on upcoming construction projects, the FBI may have overhyped a supposed Michigan “terror plot” that might’ve just been teenage gamers, and newly released records show JP Morgan flagged over $1 billion in suspicious Epstein-related transactions—names like Dershowitz, Wexner, and Leon Black—while both the bank and Trump’s first administration looked the other way. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: PBS: Sudan’s brutal civil war escalates as paramilitary forces go on killing rampage NBC News: Trump tells Defense Department to 'prepare for possible action' in Nigeria NYT: Latest U.S. Military Boat Strike in Caribbean Sea Kills 3, Pete Hegseth Says Miami Herald: U.S. ready to strike military targets inside Venezuela The Independent: Venezuela claims to have captured ‘CIA backed cell plotting false flag attack’ as tensions with US grow WSJ: Trump Urges Republicans to End the Filibuster to Reopen Government X: USDA sent an email to grocery stores telling them they are prohibited from offering special discounts People: USDA sent an email to grocery stores telling them they are prohibited from offering special discounts ABC News: White House fires members of commission that is to weigh in on Trump’s construction projects NBC News: FBI foiled a 'potential terrorist attack' in Michigan planned for Halloween weekend, Director Kash Patel says AP News: Michigan lawyer says a Halloween terror plot that FBI Director Kash Patel described never existed NYT: JPMorgan Alerted U.S. to Epstein Transfers Involving Wall St. Figures Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices