“Burkina Faso’s military-led government has dissolved all political parties and scrapped the legal framework governing their operations, according to a decree approved by the West African nation’s council of ministers on Thursday. The decision by the military rulers who seized power in September 2022 is the latest move to tighten control following the suspension of political activities after the coup. Burkina Faso’s Interior Minister Emile Zerbo said the decision was part of a broader effort to ‘rebuild the state’ after what he said was widespread abuses and dysfunction in the country’s multiparty system.” (01/29/26)
“The Trump administration may be starting to show small signs of regret after its lies about Alex Pretti’s killing proved too much for Americans. But make no mistake: The wind-down is about quelling a PR crisis amid tanking poll numbers — not regret for their terrorist-like behavior. President Trump and his inner circle still insist that rounding people up and crushing dissidents brings peace to American cities besieged by the assault of having an immigrant community. In fact, some, like Steve Bannon, are calling for further escalation.” (01/29/26)
“Rich, Lori, and Riley discuss the injunction keeping the NH safety inspection racket in place, Rich’s previous court escapades, War with Iran, and what deal is Trump currently getting with Greenland.” (01/29/26)
“A federal judge has rejected for now Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger ‘s bid to gain more spending power in the state’s race for governor, upholding campaign finance rules that some Republicans argue give certain candidates an unfair advantage. Raffensperger’s independent political action committee, Safe Affordable Georgia, filed a federal lawsuit in December asking permission to raise unlimited funds for his campaign. One of his opponents in the GOP primary, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, has been able to do that under a 2021 state law that created leadership committees like the one he chairs, which can raise unlimited funds for candidates. Attorneys for Safe Affordable Georgia argued current law violates Raffensperger’s First Amendment rights by subjecting him to different rules than his opponent and requested that the limits for his committee be waived during the ongoing campaign.” (01/29/26)
“French lawmakers on Wednesday unanimously approved a bill seeking to end the notion of ‘marital duty’ after criticism from women’s rights groups about how it ignores the idea of sexual consent in marriage and marital rape. The text – backed by more than 120 MPs in the lower house National Assembly – clarifies in the civil code that cohabitation does not create any obligation for spouses to have sexual relations. The cross-party bill will now have to go through the Senate upper chamber. The French civil code lists four duties attached to marriage – fidelity, support, assistance and cohabitation – but it does not mention sexual obligation.” (01/29/26)
“There are better, safer ways to help strategic industries and boost American competitiveness than for Washington to take an opaque and open-ended stake in a private firm with taxpayer money.” (01/29/26)
“I’ve been around various social media platforms since the 1990s. I’ve had lots of spirited disagreements with people through the years. I’ve also seen the toxicity that can result when intellectually dishonest bad-faith actors engage in reprehensible personal attacks. I have learned not to even dignify those kinds of attacks with a ‘No comment.’ … I don’t require agreement with my posts. I don’t require that people agree with one another. But if you can’t practice civility with me and other discussants, you’re out of here. Go peddle your poisons elsewhere.” (01/29/26)
