Topic: Ben Tracy

Media reports from Pyongyang describe a "defiant misfire" of a North Korean missile that exploded shortly after launch. During a massive military parade, North Korea displayed what appeared to be new intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and solid-fuel technology. The hosts question the authenticity of the weapons shown, suggesting the tubes might be empty or made of wood, while noting the "sweetened" audio used in news broadcasts.

China is expanding its social credit system nationwide, which has already barred 11 million citizens from flying and 4 million from using trains based on their behavior. CBS reporter Ben Tracy describes the system as an effort to "purify society." The discussion compares this to the American FICO score, noting how financial metrics are increasingly used to determine access to non-financial services like education.

North Korea attempted a missile launch that reportedly failed immediately after takeoff. This followed a massive military parade in Pyongyang celebrating the birth of Kim Il-sung, where new long-range ballistic missiles and ICBMs were displayed. CBS reporter Ben Tracy provided on-the-ground coverage of the parade, noting the defiant rhetoric from North Korean officials toward the Trump administration.