Friday, October 31st, 2025 - Trump in Beijing; SNAP set to expire; New refugee cap; Louvre heist arrests; Bye-bye “Prince” Andrew
Description
Today’s Headlines: Trump’s Asia trip is somehow still going, with his latest stop in Beijing producing no trade deal — but plenty of showmanship. After what he called an “amazing” meeting with Xi Jinping, Trump said China will resume buying U.S. soybeans and pause export limits on rare earth minerals, while the U.S. cuts fentanyl tariffs from 20% to 10%. Missing from the talks: Taiwan, Russian oil, or China’s access to Nvidia’s AI chips. Also not discussed (but probably should’ve been): Trump’s pre-meeting Truth Social post saying he’s ordering the military to restart nuclear weapons testing — something no U.S. president has done since 1992. The Kremlin warned that if Washington breaks the moratorium, Moscow “will act accordingly.” Back in the US, SNAP and WIC benefits for over 40 million Americans are set to expire tomorrow as Senate Republicans blocked emergency funding, while also refusing to let Democrats use USDA contingency funds to keep the programs alive. Meanwhile, coffee might finally get cheaper — Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Rand Paul introduced a bipartisan bill to repeal Trump’s coffee tariffs. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker asked ICE to pause raids in Chicago over Halloween weekend after agents fired tear gas near a kids’ parade. The administration also announced it’ll cap refugee admissions at 7,500 next year — down from 125,000 — prioritizing white South Africans. The DOJ has reopened an investigation into Black Lives Matter leaders over alleged donor fraud from 2020, despite a prior review finding no wrongdoing. In corporate circus news, OpenAI is reportedly preparing to go public at a trillion-dollar valuation (sure, why not), five more suspects were arrested in the $100 million Louvre jewel heist, and King Charles has officially stripped Prince Andrew of his royal title and booted him from royal property — so long, “Prince” Andrew.
Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:
NBC News: What Trump and Xi did and didn't agree upon in their meeting
PBS News: Trump appears to suggest the U.S. will resume testing nuclear weapons for first time in 30 years
NOTUS: Senate Republicans Block Democratic Effort to Fund SNAP During the Shutdown
ALX Now: Warner urges Trump administration to use USDA funds to prevent SNAP benefits from expiring
KOLO: Cortez Masto, Rand Paul push to repeal Trump tariffs on coffee
Axios: Immigration enforcement will continue over Halloween in Chicago, Noem says
AP News: Trump administration live updates: Refugees limited mostly to white South Africans
CNN: Justice Department investigating fraud allegations in Black Lives Matter movement, AP sources say
Reuters: Exclusive: OpenAI lays groundwork for juggernaut IPO at up to $1 trillion valuation
CNN: Five new suspects arrested over Louvre heist – but still no sign of looted jewels
WSJ: Prince Andrew Stripped of Royal Title by King Charles
Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson
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