Friday morning news: November 10, 2023

Israel » In the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, there will be relative calm today, at least for several hours.

Israel has agreed to daily humanitarian pauses in its war with Hamas, four-hour windows that will allow civilians to escape the combat zones.

State Dept. spokesman Vedant Patel:

PATEL: There will be two humanitarian corridors allowing people to flee the areas of hostilities in the northern part of Gaza.

President Biden pressed Israel for pauses in the war in large part to evacuate American citizens, and hopefully secure the release of Americans held captive by Hamas.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby:

KIRBY: We’d obviously like to see these pauses be useful in getting all 239 hostages back with their families to include the less than 10 Americans that we know are being held.

The White House is hoping to see those 4-hour windows expand. President Biden has been asking for a three-day humanitarian pause.

Blinken in SoKob » The growing military alliance between Russia and North Korea — also known as the DPRK, poses a threat to the region and to the entire world.

That’s the message from Secretary of State Tony Blinken who told reporters in Seoul, South Korea:

BLINKEN: We’re seeing the DPRK provide military equipment to Russia for pursuing its aggression against Ukraine. But we’re also seeing Russia provide technical and support to the DPRK for its own military programs.

Blinken talked with South Korean leaders Thursday about ways Washington and Seoul can work together with other allies to pressure Russia to stop sharing military technology with Pyongyang.

The secretary is in New Delhi today, the final stop on a tour of the Indo-Pacific region.

Pelosi attacker trial » The man accused of attacking Nancy Pelosi’s husband with a hammer last October is now facing trial. WORLD’s Josh Schumacher has more.

JOSH SCHUMACHER: David DePape has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted kidnapping of a federal official and assault with intent to retaliate against that official. Investigators say DePape broke into Nancy Pelosi's California home last October attacked her husband. He reportedly told officials that he wanted to kidnap Pelosi who was in Washington at the time.

His defense attorney argues that DePape is not guilty of the specific charges in question, because he was not after Nancy Pelosi to stop her from her official duties.

DePape allegedly believed several conspiracy theories regarding Pelosi and had other government officials he planned to kidnap, including California governor Gavin Newsom.

If convicted, he could serve up to life in prison.

For WORLD, I’m Josh Schumacher.

Manchin not seeking reelection » There’s only one of them in the U.S. Senate, and soon there may be none. Pro-life Democrats, that is.

West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin with this announcement Thursday:

MANCHIN: After months of deliberation and long conversations with my family, I believe in my heart of hearts that I have accomplished what I set out to do for West Virginia. I have made one of the toughest decisions of my life and decided that I will not be running for reelection to the United States Senate.

His announcement follows months of speculation that he might leave the Democratic party and run next year as an independent.

The red state senator has one of the most moderate voting records in the upper chamber and had repeatedly staved off GOP challengers.

His exit creates a key opportunity for Republicans to flip the West Virginia seat in 2024.

Fed speech » Inflation may be easing – but the U.S. is not out of the woods yet. That according to Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell.

Powell said the central bank’s in no hurry to raise interest rates again, but...

POWELL: We will continue to move carefully however, allowing us to address both the risk of being misled by a few good months of data and the risk of over tightening.

Powell says inflation may not be easing fast enough to reach the Fed’s goal of a 2 percent annual rate.

And that could mean more interest rate hikes still lie ahead.

Vatican transgender » The Vatican is taking another step to expand the acceptance of people who identify as transgender in the Roman Catholic church. WORLD’s Christina Grube has more.

SOUND: [Bells tolling]

CHRISTINA GRUBE: Pope Francis late last month signed a document to allow transgender Catholics to be baptized.The document was released this week.

It says such baptisms are only permitted if it does not cause—quote—“scandal or disorientation” among other Catholics.

The new guidance came in response to a set of questions submitted in July by a Brazilian bishop asking about LGBTQ people’s participation in baptisms and weddings.

The statement also said that adults who have undergone gender-transition surgery could be godparents and witnesses in Catholic weddings under certain conditions.

The Roman Catholic Church still prohibits Same-sex couples from serving as godparents.

For WORLD, I’m Christina Grube.

Actors strike follow-up » Hollywood is scrambling to get the cameras rolling again, after actors and studios struck a deal to end a monthslong strike.

Actor Rico E. Anderson said he got a call from his agent on Wednesday.

ANDERSON: When she hit me up around 5 and said the strike was over, she was like, “Get ready.”

But with everyone now trying film at the same time, there may not be enough skilled workers for the behind-the-scenes job on sets.

That means moviegoers might have to wait even longer for some films to hit the big screen. Studios were already forced to push back the planned releases of blockbusters like Gladiator 2, Avatar 3, and multiple Marvel movies.

I'm Kent Covington.

Straight ahead: Culture Friday with John Stonestreet. Plus, The Marvels hits the big screen.

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