Topic: Cruises

The Dutch government is moving forward with extreme "green agenda" policies, including the compulsory purchase of farms to reduce nitrogen pollution and a planned ban on cruise ships by 2035. These measures, combined with reduced flight slots at Schiphol and a strained electrical grid unable to support new housing or rapid EV charging, lead the hosts to describe the country as being in decline.

Former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb discussed the Hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship, noting a two-to-six-week incubation period. He disagreed with other experts by suggesting a longer window of observation is needed to determine if additional cases will emerge from the initial exposure.

Speaker Mike Johnson distinguishes between a regional military buildup and "boots on the ground," suggesting the presence of forces serves as a diplomatic bargaining chip. General Steve Anderson warns that the IRGC consists of 200,000 committed fighters who will utilize asymmetric capabilities, including mines and homemade cruise missiles. Speculation arises that the U.S. may be negotiating with a renegade IRGC faction to secure oil exports.

A viral deepfake video featuring a reunion of Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise has sparked outrage among Hollywood unions. The video was created using ByteDance's new AI generator, C-Dance 2.0. Industry experts, including Deadpool writer Rhett Reese, suggest the technology represents a "doomsday scenario" for the film industry. The hosts argue that the technology cannot be "uninvented" and will lead to massive litigation over likeness rights.

President Volodymyr Zelensky met with President Trump in a boardroom setting to lobby for long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles, offering thousands of Ukrainian-produced drones in exchange. Trump has remained hesitant to provide the missiles, which require U.S. guidance systems and strategic salvos to be effective. Analysts suggest Trump may be using the possibility of the transfer as a rhetorical lever in diplomatic talks with Russia.

Major European tourist destinations are implementing new taxes and restrictions to manage record-breaking visitor numbers. Rome is considering a fee for the Trevi Fountain, following Venice's pilot program of a 5-euro entry tax. Barcelona has vowed to end all short-term apartment rentals by 2028, while Greece is levying a 20-euro tax on cruise ship passengers visiting Santorini and Mykonos.

Listener trivia reveals that former Entertainment Tonight host John Tesh wrote the iconic NBA theme song. The hosts dismiss suggestions for a "No Agenda Cruise" or a large-scale "No Agenda Con," preferring to maintain their current twice-weekly broadcast schedule and decentralized meetup model.

Los Angeles City Council members removed "No U-Turn" and "No Cruising" signs in Silver Lake, claiming they were originally installed in the 1990s to profile and harass the gay community. The event featured a drag queen and a banner referencing "Baby Gay," a term used for children adopted by gay couples. Critics dismissed the event as confusing virtue signaling.

A Microsoft report claims Russian influence actors are targeting the upcoming Paris Olympics with disinformation, including a fake documentary featuring a deepfake Tom Cruise. The report warns of potential disruptive cyber attacks and phishing scams. The hosts express skepticism, noting that Russia's conflict with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) predates the current war in Ukraine.

Listeners are encouraged to support local farmers' markets and small-batch artisans as a defense against disruptions in the food supply. A travel agent producer offers services for river cruises, while "Eli the Coffee Guy" promotes Gigawatt Coffee Roasters as a high-quality alternative to corporate brands.

The USS Carney, a Navy destroyer, intercepted three cruise missiles and several drones launched by Houthi forces in Yemen. The Pentagon stated the projectiles were potentially heading toward targets in Israel.

The IRS is utilizing new funding to deploy AI tools aimed at identifying tax evasion patterns among high-income earners and large partnerships. While the agency claims to target 1,600 millionaires with significant debt, the discussion suggests the tools will eventually be used against small businesses and LLCs. Separately, a video from San Francisco shows a civilian attacking a Cruise self-driving taxi, specifically targeting its LiDAR sensors.

Protesters in San Francisco, organized under the "Safe Street Rebel" group, have discovered that placing orange traffic cones on the hoods of Waymo and Cruise autonomous vehicles causes the cars to malfunction and stop. This "monkey business activism" follows reports of self-driving cars blocking emergency vehicles and fire trucks. Consequently, city officials have ordered Cruise to reduce its fleet size by half until safety concerns are addressed.

California regulators voted 3-1 to allow Cruise and Waymo to expand their driverless taxi services in San Francisco, despite strong opposition from the city's fire and police departments. Fire Chief Jeanine Nicholson warned that autonomous vehicles have blocked firehouse driveways and interfered with emergency scenes. The hosts mock the technology's reliability, referencing a recent incident where a car drove into wet cement.

California regulators approved the 24/7 expansion of Waymo and Cruise self-driving taxis in San Francisco despite opposition from city officials and first responders. The San Francisco Fire Department reported 55 incidents of robo-taxis interfering with emergency vehicles this year. Local taxi drivers expressed fear for their livelihoods as the unmanned vehicles are cleared to compete for passengers at all hours.

A Cruise self-driving car obstructed emergency responders at the scene of the Mission District shooting, leading to a confrontation with a police officer. The company claimed the vehicle performed a U-turn, but video evidence suggests the AI-controlled car simply stopped in the middle of the street due to flashing emergency lights, highlighting ongoing issues with autonomous vehicle navigation in crisis zones.

The Russian Ambassador to the UK, Andrey Kelin, warned in a BBC interview that the provision of long-range missiles and aircraft by NATO countries is escalating the conflict to a "new dimension." He claimed that Russia has not yet begun to "act very seriously" and dismissed the impact of Western tanks and planes. Meanwhile, reports of drone and missile strikes continue in both Kyiv and the Russian border region of Belgorod.

Autonomous vehicles from Waymo and Cruise are causing increasing disruptions in San Francisco, including blocking emergency responders and interfering with fire scenes. Fire Chief Jeanine Nicholson reported that robot cars often freeze when encountering emergency lights, leading to a tripling of 911 calls related to autonomous vehicle malfunctions. Despite local safety concerns, the companies plan to expand operations to Los Angeles.

The upcoming coronation concert at Windsor Castle is discussed, featuring performers like Lionel Richie and Katy Perry. The hosts recount an old tabloid story involving Lionel Richie's personal life before moving on to the guest list, which includes Tom Cruise and Nicole Scherzinger. Speculation arises regarding King Charles's longevity on the throne, with the suggestion that this event serves as a rehearsal for the eventual reign of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel received the UN Nansen Prize for her open-door refugee policy. Meanwhile, the Netherlands has begun housing asylum seekers on luxury cruise ships, a move that has drawn criticism from locals facing economic hardship. New York City Mayor Eric Adams has reportedly closed a similar deal to house migrants on a Norwegian cruise ship.