Tuesday morning news: September 12, 2023

Iran deal » The Biden administration has sealed a deal with Iran to free five American citizens.

In exchange, the United States is freeing five Iranian prisoners and unfreezing $6 billion dollars in Iranian cash has been tied up in South Korea under sanctions.

Washington and Tehran outlined the agreement weeks ago, and it was widely expected.

Many Republicans say while they celebrate the freedom of the American prisoners, the move sets a dangerous precedent, calling it a “ransom” payment.

Earthquake update » International rescue teams in Morocco are searching for survivors of a devastating earthquake that rocked the country last week. WORLD’s Lauren Canterberry has more.

LAUREN CANTERBERRY: Rescue crews from Spain, Britain, and Qatar are on the ground digging through rubble. And countries around the world are promising to send humanitarian aid.

Authorities have confirmed that more than 2,600 people died in the 6.8-magnitude quake and weekend aftershocks.

Thousands of Morraccans are wounded and many of them are also now homeless.

Friday’s earthquake is the strongest to hit the country’s center in more than a century.

For WORLD, I’m Lauren Canterberry.

Libya flooding » Meantime in Libya, authorities say more than two thousand people are dead in the northern coastal city of Derna alone after a massive storm triggering widespread flooding over the weekend.

Two dams near the city reportedly collapsed, unleashing walls of water than entirely submerged some neighborhoods.

MOSMARI: [Speaking Arabic]

Military spokesman for Libya’s eastern government Ahmed Al-Mosmari says thousands more are missing in the city.

The United Nations has pledged diaster relief help.

Google antitrust » Google is heading to a federal courtroom today at the start of what some are calling the biggest monopoly trial of the digital era. WORLD’s Josh Schumacher has more.

JOSH SCHUMACHER: The Justice Department and a coalition of states sued Google back in 2020.

Google controls roughly 90 percent of the internet search market, and the suit claims the company stifled competition. It says that among other things, the tech giant paid device manufacturers and internet browsers to make Google their default search tool.

Google contends that it has not broken any antitrust rules, that it does face competition, and it is not a monopoly.

International courts have already blocked Google’s attempts to force Android phones to use it as the default search engine.

For WORLD, I’m Josh Schumacher.

Kremlin confirms upcoming Kim visit » The Kremlin has confirmed that North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un will meet face to face with Vladimir Putin in Russia.

U.S. State Dept. Spokesman Matthew Miller said Washington believes Putin wants to buy ammunition from Kim for the war in Ukraine. He called it a sign of Putin’s deperation.

MILLER: No only has he failed to achieve his goals on the battlefield, but you see him traveling across his own country, hat in hand, to beg Kim Jong Un for military assistance.

The meeting could happen as early as today.

Miller said an arms deal would violate UN Security Council resolutions. And he said the United States will continue to ratchet up sanctions as needed.

Harris refuses to support any abortion limits » Vice President Kamala Harris this week refused to say if she believes there should be any limits at all on abortions in America.

CBS’ Margaret Brennan asked Harris:

BRENNAN: What is it that you believe? I mean, what week of pregnancy should abortion access be cut off?

HARRIS: We need to restore the protections of Roe vs Wade.

Brennan then mocked conservatives who note that some Democrats support having zero restrictions on abortion.

BRENNAN: They say that allows Democrats to perform abortions up until birth, which is statistically not accurate.

HARRIS: Which is ridiculous. And it’s ridiculous.

BRENNAN: I understand that.

But when Brennan repeatedly asked Harris to refute conservative criticism by stating exactly when she thinks abortion should be illegal, she would only repeat that Roe v Wade should be restored.

Smuckers to buy Hostess » The Smuckers company, known mostly for peanut butter and jelly is adding some legendary sweet treats to its roster. WORLD’s Kristen Flavin reports:

KRISTEN FLAVIN: Smuckers says they’re acquiring the food giant Hostess Brand company, makers of the iconic Twinkie, Snowballs, Ding Dongs, and more.

The deal will reportedly top five-and-a-half billion dollars. Or enough to buy about one-and-a-half billion boxes of Twinkies!

Hostess shares shot up almost 30 percent on news of the sale. But stock of Smuckers has dipped, as some investors think the price tag for Hostess was too high.

For WORLD, I’m Kristen Flavin.

I'm Kent Covington.

Straight ahead: New challenges to protecting the unborn in Mexico. Plus, Making a joyful noise to the Lord…on YouTube.

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