dn2026-0417-es

This episode of Democracy Now! covers a global surge in conflict and political tension, beginning with a 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon following weeks of intense Israeli airstrikes that killed nearly 2,200 people, including 172 children. The ceasefire, brokered by the U.S., brought temporary relief but left deep devastation, with entire regions like the south of Lebanon isolated and over 1.2 million displaced. In Israel, mass protests erupted after the Supreme Court lifted a wartime ban on public gatherings, highlighting domestic dissent over military actions in the occupied territories. Meanwhile, U.S. Congress narrowly rejected efforts to limit President Trump’s war powers against Iran, even as the Pentagon deployed thousands more troops to the Middle East and Trump claimed talks with Iran were imminent. In Ukraine, Russian drone and missile attacks during Orthodox Easter killed 17, including a child, intensifying the humanitarian crisis. Domestically, the U.S. House passed a short-term extension of the FISA surveillance law despite privacy concerns, while also approving a temporary protection status (TPS) extension for 330,000 Haitian immigrants—marked by a powerful story of survivor Rebecca, who fled Haiti’s post-earthquake chaos. The episode also details rising immigration enforcement violence, including a federal agent accused of shooting two people during a traffic stop in Minnesota, and the controversial 'Operation Metro Surge' in the Twin Cities. Texas Governor Greg Abbott threatened to cut millions in public safety funding from major cities unless they cooperate with immigration enforcement. In Virginia, former vice-governor Justin Fairfax was fatally shot by his estranged wife, reigniting past allegations of sexual misconduct. Finally, Hampshire College announced it would close by the end of 2026 due to financial strain, part of a broader crisis affecting over 400 private U.S. colleges and universities.