U.K. Expels Russian Diplomats For Attempted Assassination of Double Agent

Here’s what you’ll find on today’s show:

— A five month-long investigation by KQED exposed the government response to California’s North Bay wildfires as rife with mismanagement. The blaze tore through northern California, ultimately causing the deaths of 44 people and leaving more than 21,000 homes damaged or destroyed. Where did the government’s response go awry?

— On Wednesday, British officials announced plans to expel 23 Russian diplomats following the attempted murder of former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter. Britain had given Moscow a Tuesday night deadline to cooperate with the investigation, which they did not adhere to. Prime Minister Theresa May announced to parliament that the diplomats had one week to leave. May said it was the biggest such expulsion in more than 30 years, and she further vowed to crack down on Russian intelligence agents in Great Britain.

— Seven years ago, in the small town of Daraa in Syria, revolutionary sentiments erupted onto the public square. But the goals of this reformist movement were never realized, and the Syrian state quickly became embroiled in a brutal civil war. On the war’s seventh anniversary, we tell the story of the movement’s early days, and what happened to the once-promising campaign for democracy. 

— Convicted terrorist Hamid Hayat appealed his case’s original verdict. Now, 11 years later, a federal judge is reviewing the facts underlying his conviction, and she is trying to get to the bottom of Hayat’s activity in Pakistan. In order to do this, the judge is employing video conferencing technology to swear in witnesses and obtain testimony. But how much weight does an American oath carry on foreign soil?

— Drag queens are a really big deal. The hit reality TV show “RuPaul’s Drag Race” helped make drag mainstream, and there’s serious love for the queens. But what about the kings? Drag kings have a rich history too, but they don’t have nearly the same pop culture status or recognition.