Morning Rundown covers Gaza hospital explosion and House speaker vote.

President Biden Arrives in Israel Amidst Deadly Blast in Gaza, Threatening Diplomatic Efforts

President Joe Biden has landed in Israel for a critical visit, occurring in the aftermath of a devastating explosion at a Gaza hospital that has ignited anger and protests throughout the Middle East, and posing a potential setback to ongoing diplomatic endeavors. The Palestinian Health Ministry reported that the Israeli bombing of the al-Ahli Baptist Hospital resulted in the deaths of 200 to 300 individuals, labeling it a deliberate attack. Israel, however, claims that the blast was caused by a misfired rocket from a Palestinian militant group.

During a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Biden suggested that he believed the responsible party was not Israel, stating, “based on what I’ve seen it appears as though it was done by the other team – not you.” However, he provided no specific information or evidence to support this claim. The explosion and its aftermath have complicated the President’s diplomatic agenda, as he was originally scheduled to meet with Arab leaders in Jordan, but the summit was canceled due to the incident. An expert from London’s Chatham House has noted the added complexity of the situation, stating that “everyone is behaving according to their preconceived narratives.”

The blast has sparked widespread anger and unrest throughout the Middle East, with hundreds of civilians taking to the streets in cities such as Beirut, Istanbul, Amman, Tehran, and the West Bank to express solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza. Tear gas was reportedly used to disperse crowds outside the U.S. Embassy in Beirut. Follow our live coverage for up-to-date information on the situation.

House to Vote on Speaker, Jim Jordan’s Future Uncertain

Another floor vote for the position of House Speaker is expected to take place today after Rep. Jim Jordan failed to garner enough support in yesterday’s vote. Jordan received the backing of 200 lawmakers, with 20 Republicans voting for other candidates. These results indicate that Jordan still has much work ahead of him to persuade those who did not vote in his favor. Notably, Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, who was removed from his position two weeks ago, supported Jordan. On the Democratic side, all 212 members voted for Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries from New York.

For further background on Jordan, an Ohio Republican, it is worth noting that he is the primary investigator for the Judiciary Committee in the case involving President Joe Biden and his family. He also played a significant role in former President Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, raising questions about his credibility. Additionally, Jordan’s previous job as a wrestling coach has been subject to scrutiny. To learn more about Jordan’s political career and controversies, click here.

Prosecutors May Recharge Alec Baldwin in Connection with “Rust” Shooting

It appears that actor Alec Baldwin may face new charges in connection with the fatal shooting on the set of the movie “Rust.” Sources familiar with the matter suggest that prosecutors in New Mexico have unearthed new evidence and no longer believe the gun used on set was modified, leading them to consider bringing charges against Baldwin. The case will likely be presented to a grand jury next month. In October 2021, Baldwin accidentally fired a live round from a prop gun, resulting in the death of the film’s cinematographer and the injury of the director.

Chuck Todd Explores Hypothetical Path for Third-Party Candidate

With many voters expressing a desire to avoid a rematch between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump in the upcoming presidential election, the question arises: Could this be an opportune moment for a third-party candidate to emerge and capture voters’ attention? NBC’s chief political analyst, Chuck Todd, acknowledges that while it is possible, it is highly unlikely. Finding a candidate who can unify voters and has the willingness to enter the spotlight would present a significant challenge. Nonetheless, Todd suggests that there is one individual who could potentially attract voter support. Read his full analysis here.

New Study Challenges Notion that Hitting the Snooze Button Affects Sleep Quality

A recent study published in the Journal of Sleep Research indicates that hitting the snooze button multiple times does not negatively impact sleep quality. In fact, the research suggests that repeatedly hitting the snooze button for 30 minutes can result in increased alertness compared to waking up without any breaks. Different individuals have various reasons for pressing the snooze button, including feeling extensively tired or desiring a more gradual wake-up. However, it is important to recognize that hitting snooze does reduce one’s overall sleep time by an average of six minutes.

In Brief:

– Donald Trump intends to appeal a gag order issued in his federal election interference case, arguing that it is unconstitutional.
– A woman known as the “Bullhorn Lady,” who participated in the Capitol riot by smashing a window and providing instructions to rioters, has been sentenced to over four years in prison.
– Britney Spears has revealed in an upcoming memoir that she had an abortion after becoming pregnant with Justin Timberlake.
– Authorities in Colorado discovered nearly 200 bodies at a funeral home that advertised “green burials,” a far larger number than anticipated.
– The FDA is proposing a ban on formaldehyde as an ingredient in hair relaxers due to safety concerns.
– A man who was wrongly incarcerated for 16 years in Florida and exonerated in 2020 was fatally shot during a traffic stop in Georgia.

Staff Pick: Embracing Latino Comfort Foods in the Culinary World

NBC Latino explores the rising popularity of Latino comfort foods among food enthusiasts. Reporter Raul A. Reyes delves into the lively debate surrounding the perfect empanada, taking readers into one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the world: Queens. As a Queens resident, I can personally attest to the wide array of Latin American stuffed foods, such as empanadas, tamales, pasteles, and arepas, that contribute to the culinary mosaic and multiculturalism of the Latino community. Learn more about these delectable treats and their significance here.