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Political cartoonist Ted Rall and CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou start your week with a federally-driven crisis in Portland, where 300 California National Guard troops were federalized over that state’s governor’s objections, and were due to be sent to Oregon because Oregon’s governor refuses mobilization. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek complains about “breathtaking abuse,” saying there is no insurrection or national security threat. But a federal judge has blocked the invasion of Portland…for now.
As predicted on DeProgram, militant moderate Sébastian Lecornu is out as French prime minister after 26 days. President Emmanuel Macron has three options now. He can appoint another prime minister. He can once again dissolve the National Assembly and call for new elections that either the far Right or the far Left would win. Or he can resign himself.
Financial expert Aquilles Larrea joins to discuss the effect of the government shutdown on working Americans.
A shocking development in the Middle East, where Trump’s Gaza deal is being shoved down Netanyahu’s throat—and Bibi says he likes it, at least according to Trump. Israel will be forced into phased withdrawals and Gaza City bombings will stop at once in exchange for the remaining hostages. Hamas hasn’t agreed to disarm or give up control, but Trump tells Jake Tapper they face “complete obliteration” if they refuse. Is he referring to a nuclear option?
In the Pacific, Fiji confronts a “national crisis” with HIV cases exploding 11x to 5,900 in a decade, fueled by meth-fueled “bluetoothing” blood-sharing and needle shortages amid conservative rule. Assistant Health Minister Penioni Ravunawa warns of 3,000+ new infections by year’s end, with 41 pediatric cases under 15 last year and experts fearing an “avalanche” from underreporting and resource gaps, as UNAIDS urges stigma-free testing.
Finally, a wild situation roils the Philippines as a disinformation storm rages, with Duterte loyalists spreading rumors of fake CIA-backed coup plots and military defections on social media to distract from corruption scandals, eroding trust in Marcos’s regime.
