On “DeProgram with Ted Rall and John Kiriakou, where political cartoonist Ted Rall and CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou bring you behind the scenes of today’s most pressing news with razor-sharp insight, we cover the dismissal of terrorism charges against Luigi Mangione, U.S. military officials observing Russia-Belarus war games for the first time in years, the loss of Robert Redford, Trump’s $15 billion lawsuit against The New York Times, the looming government shutdown threat, and Russia’s alleged program re-educating Ukrainian children.

• Luigi Gets a Win: A New York judge throws out terrorism charges against Luigi Mangione for killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, rejecting claims the act aimed to “evoke terror.” The second-degree murder charge remains, carrying 15 years to life, while Mangione faces a federal death penalty case.

• To Russia with Half-Hearted Love: U.S. military officials observe joint Russia-Belarus “Zapad-2025” drills, the first such visit since the Ukraine invasion. Belarus, a key Russian ally, hosted the exercises. The Pentagon confirms the observation, signaling heightened U.S. attention to regional dynamics. What’s going on?

• Robert Redford: The Hollywood legend dies at 89, leaving a legacy of iconic films like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and The Sting. His Sundance Festival revolutionized independent cinema, launching directors like Quentin Tarantino. Redford’s minimalist acting and activism reshaped the industry.

• Trump’s Lawsuit Against NYT: The President sues The New York Times and four reporters for $15 billion, claiming defamatory articles and a book timed to damage his 2024 campaign. The lawsuit alleges “actual malice” in reports questioning his business success and military remarks.

• Will Democrats Finally Resist?: House Republicans unveil a stopgap bill to fund the government through November 21. Democrats demand bipartisan talks, citing expiring healthcare subsidies, as a shutdown looms by September 30. Schumer warns of a “Trump shutdown.” Is the Democratic “resistance” about to make its first appearance?

• Is Russia Indoctrinating Ukrainian Kids?: Yale investigators accuse Russia of a re-education program for Ukrainian children is twice as large as estimated, with 210 sites training them for Russian military service. The program, likened to Nazi-era kidnappings, would violate Geneva Conventions. But evidence is thin.