An Urgent Message

The president makes a plea. October 20, 2023 Good morning! We've got the scoop on President Biden's Oval Office address last night, plus the latest on the search for a new House speaker and a look at [misinformation in the Middle East](. Then we'll tell you about [a concerning health update on Olympic icon Mary Lou Retton](. On the lighter side, we’re back with [our Golden Bachelor recap]( — and if you want to turn your life into a dating show, I’m also sharing [my tips for finding love after 40](.   In the News [President Biden speaks from the Oval Office]( Getty Images The President Speaks President Joe Biden gave a rare primetime address from the Oval Office last night — only the second time he's done so since he was elected. (The first was back in June, after he signed the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 into law, ending a crisis on the debt ceiling.) Thursday's topic was support — for Israel, which is mired in a bloody conflict with Hamas, and for Ukraine, which is still embroiled in its war with Russia. "Hamas and Putin represent different threats, but they share this in common: They both want to completely annihilate a neighboring democracy," Biden said. He urged Congress to pass a foreign aid package, adding that choosing not to act could have dire consequences: “History has taught us that when terrorists don’t pay a price for their terror, when dictators don’t pay a price for their aggression, they cause more chaos and death and more destruction.” [Watch the president's full remarks here.](   More Stories [The aftermath of the strike on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City. (Getty Images)]( The aftermath of the strike on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City. (Getty Images) Fact and fiction: The tragedies unfolding in the Middle East are already deeply painful, but they’re made even harder when the “news” coming out of this conflict can’t be trusted. We've got a look at [how misinformation spreads during wartime]( — even among reputable media outlets — and why it's so detrimental. An impasse: In yet another topsy-turvy turn of events, House Republicans scrapped a plan on Thursday to temporarily expand the powers of the interim speaker, North Carolina Rep. Patrick McHenry. Instead, embattled nominee Jim Jordan will try for a third time to win the gavel — but it’s looking like an uphill battle, with several holdouts who don't seem to be budging. The next vote is expected today at 10 a.m. Guilty: Donald Trump's former attorney Sidney Powell, who famously threatened to "release the Kraken" by revealing evidence that would convincingly show the 2020 election had been stolen, has now pleaded guilty to six misdemeanor counts of conspiracy to commit election interference. She'll serve six years of probation and pay $2,700 in restitution to the state of Georgia as well as a $6,000 fine — and could possibly be tapped to testify against her former client. Price check: The Covid-19 treatment Paxlovid may have [a notably unpleasant side effect](, but it is highly successful in treating the virus — and the cost of using it is about to go up. Pfizer previously sold the medication to the U.S. government at a discounted rate of $530, but it's soon moving to the commercial market, and the drugmaker plans to charge $1,390 for a five-day course. This price may not be what all patients actually pay, based on their insurance, but the steep markup is getting plenty of attention.   Honoring His Legacy [Matthew Shepard]( Photo courtesy of The Matthew Shepard Foundation Twenty-five years after Matthew Shepard’s tragic death, I caught up with his parents, Judy and Dennis, and our conversation is something I’ll be thinking about for a long time. We discussed how they keep Matthew’s memory alive, their take on the anti-LGBTQ legislation sweeping the country now, and their fascinating difference of opinion about their son’s attackers. If you missed it on the TODAY Show yesterday, you can [watch the full interview here](.   Must-Reads [Mary Lou Retton]( “A Scary Setback” Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton is hospitalized with a rare form of pneumonia, per her daughters. Here’s the latest update on her health. [Read More »]( [Katie Couric and John Molner on the beach]( Happily Ever After Dating after 40 isn't always easy, but finding "the one" later in life is completely rewarding. Here are 5 ways I pulled it off myself! [Read More »]( [Gerry from The Golden Bachelor]( Reality Recap This week on The Golden Bachelor, love is in the air and our favorite sport gets a close-up. Here’s a look at what you missed. [Read More »](   Extra Credit Tricks and treats: Get into the Halloween spirit without leaving your couch with these [10 spectacularly spooky movies]( that you can stream on Netflix right now. Two is better than one: If you've been in the wellness aisle recently, you might have noticed some new words in the probiotics section, like "prebiotic" and "synbiotic." To help clarify what these terms mean, we talked to our partners at Seed about [the benefits of synbiotics and what to consider when shopping for your next supplement](. Seasonal sensation: We know how much Wake-Up Callers love a water-resistant boot for fall, so we had to tell you about [the best pair we’ve found for this year](. They’re currently on sale for $70, so you don’t want to wait for a rainy day to scoop them up.   Superstar Strands Want to maintain your mane like an A-lister? [Jennifer Aniston's hair care travel kit]( lets you take the top-notch products from her LolaVie line on the road, and it's currently 20% off at Credo, our go-to destination for clean beauty. [Jennifer Aniston]( [TRY IT FOR YOURSELF](   One More Thing Whether you're headed out of town for the weekend or planning a trip for the future, don't take off without reading this list of [the 7 most annoying in-flight habits](, according to your fellow passengers. (And if you're guilty of any of them yourself, that'll be our little secret — as long as you don't become a repeat offender.) [READ MORE](   [Know it all, and help your friends catch up, too. 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