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People are scrambling to higher ground across the Pacific, after a magnitude 8.8 earthquake off Russia's east. It's recorded four-metre waves, with half-metre waves reaching Japan and tsunami alerts in effect for Alaska, Hawaii and the entire US west coast. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says Hawaiian residents are 'scrambling' - and traffic is building up. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Contradicting statements out of the US and Israel over the hunger crisis in Gaza. The region's health authority says 14 people have died in the past 24 hours due to starvation, which Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denies. He says Israel's enabled humanitarian aid throughout the duration of the war, otherwise there would be no Gazans. But US President Donald Trump says he's seen it, and is promising to set up food centres. US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking that the question now is how long does a starving kid continue to starve while new systems are being set up? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Russia has yet to respond to the latest ultimatum from US President Donald Trump. Trump says Vladimir Putin has between 10 and 12 days to make progress on ending the war with Ukraine to avoid sanctions. That's shrunk from the 50 days he gave the Russian leader two weeks ago. US correspondent Toni Waterman says there's been no official response from the Kremlin. She told Ryan Bridge former Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has warned sanctioning Russia would be disastrous. Waterman says the leader has claimed it would start war between the US and Russia. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
US correspondent Leon Busby joined Piney to discuss the WNBA All-Star game, NBA offseason, and the MLB. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Unprecedented discussions between a high-ranking US justice official and Ghislaine Maxwell. CNN reports Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche met with Jeffery Epstein's accomplice in her Florida prison, where she's serving a 20 year sentence for child sex trafficking and abuse offences. Intelligence Analyst John Miller says a meeting like this is unheard of, speculating they could have discussed others involved in the scheme, or what she'd be willing to say publicly on President Trump. US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking it's all occurring as the Epstein saga blew up on Capitol Hill. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
More tributes for heavy metal pioneer Ozzy Osbourne, who's died aged 76. Band-mates of Black Sabbath's lead singer say they've lost a brother. Musos from Pearl Jam, Metallica and Aerosmith are calling Osbourne a hero, and an inspiration for generations. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says Osbourne helped bring metal music into the mainstream - at least, in the US. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The fallout over the Epstein files appears to have ground Capitol Hill to a halt. CNN reports Speaker Mike Johnson closed proceedings for August recess a day earlier than planned, ahead of votes around the release of the files. US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking that Johnson says the whole issue should be allowed to cool down, saying they've been ‘clear and transparent'. However, Arnold says, this is not the view of the MAGA faithful, with Republican activist Marjorie Taylor Green saying “if there is no justice and no accountability, people are going to get sick of it”. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
US President Donald Trump is now asking for some of the Epstein documents to be released. The President, who earlier this week was calling for people to forget about the files, has now changed his approach to the situation. US Correspondent Dan Mitchinson told Ryan Bridge, ‘I think he wants to try and get ahead of this, even though he has been trying to divert attention from it.' These documents are suspected of containing important information about the identities of some of Jeffery Epstein's clients. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mike Johnson, the US Speaker of the House, has called for the Justice Department to release the files of deceased sex-offender Jeffrey Epstein. President Donald Trump has been facing increased backlash from fellow Republicans for not properly handling the case - which Trump campaigned on getting to the bottom of. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says the White House has been trying to shift public attention away from this case - but the division is making it hard to ignore. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, the FBI investigation that Trump promised would reveal all about Jeffrey Epstein concluded there was no evidence to implicate anyone else in his abuse. But diaries from Epstein's most prominent victim, Virginia Giuffre, released exclusively to The Times, tell a different story.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Josie Ensor, US Correspondent, The Times.Host: Luke Jones.Producer: Anna Dowell.Further reading: Jeffrey Epstein victim's diary ‘contradicts' FBI blackmail claims.Clips: MSNBC, Sky News Australia, The Dan Bongino Show, The Washington Examiner, ABC News, Tucker Carlson, Breaking Points.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The death toll from flash floods in Texas has risen to 111 - including 28 children - and the numbers missing have skyrocketed to 173. It's the US's deadliest freshwater flooding in nearly 50 years. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says fingers have been pointed at the Republicans in charge - claiming their cuts to emergency services have worsened the impact of the disaster. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The death toll from flash floods that struck central Texas has now climbed to at least 108 people. Search and rescue efforts have reached their fifth day, with the dead including 28 children due to flooding west of San Antonio. Dozens of people are still missing. US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Heather du Plessis-Allan hundreds of volunteers have joined in. He says searches along the Guadalupe River are slow and dirty. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
US correspondent Leon Busby joined Piney to recap the latest from the NBA off-season. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Republicans are celebrating after US President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful" bill crossed the line. Trump is expected to sign his sweeping domestic policy bill tomorrow as he celebrates the Fourth of July at the White House. House Speaker Mike Johnson claims everything was a disaster under the Joe Biden and Kamala Harris administration. US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking there was a lot of drama throughout the entire process, but eventually, Trump bullied the vast majority of House Republicans into signing onto the bill. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
After hours of stalemate, Republicans in the US Senate narrowly passed President Donald Trump's latest bill on tax and spending. The 'big, beautiful' bill passed with Vice-President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote after over 24 hours of debate. US correspondent Charles Feldman says Elon Musk extensively criticised the bill, and he's recently threatened to support campaigns against Congress Republicans voting for it. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
People are swarming outside a New York courthouse following Sean “Diddy” Combs' conviction. The 55-year-old hip hop mogul's been found guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution. But he's been acquitted of his more serious charges, of racketeering conspiracy and two counts of sex trafficking. US Correspondent Mitch McCann is outside the courthouse and told Ryan Bridge social media influencers are everywhere, streaming live from outside. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The US President is facing questions over health coverage cuts in his tax and spending bill, which just passed the Senate The casting vote of Vice-President JD Vance was needed, but it still needs House approval before it can be signed by Donald Trump by July 4th. The Congressional Budget Office says 11.8 million people could lose health coverage if it becomes law. US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking that Trump originally said they wouldn't touch Medicaid, which has turned out to be a lie. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The latest from the One Big Beautiful Bill being voted on in the Senate, while the Supreme Court delivers a win for Trump on birthright citizenship.
The Trump Administration has hit out at reporters pushing back against their official line on Iran. US President Donald Trump continues to insist the strikes from the US obliterated Iran's nuclear sites – a stance Iran's Supreme Leader claims is exaggerated. Fox News' Pentagon Correspondent Jennifer Griffin questioned Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth during a press conference, asking if the White House was certain all the highly enriched uranium was inside the Fordow Mountain – the location hit by the US. US Correspondent Kirk Clyatt joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to break down the latest developments. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Reports claim US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities did not destroy the Iranian nuclear programme - and likely only set it back. Details of the initial damage assessment from the Pentagon's Defence Intelligence Agency were recently leaked and the White House has been quick to fire back against it. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says Trump's conduct has been 'surprising' for a world leader. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The US is making veiled threats towards Iran - and demanding the country's unconditional surrender. Donald Trump is back in the White House after leaving the G7 summit in Canada early, to deal with escalation in the Middle East. The US President has spoken with Israel's Prime Minister, and says his administration knows exactly where Iran's supreme leader is. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says the US originally stated it wasn't going to intervene - but that appears to have changed. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
President Donald Trump's recent social media posts hint at major escalations in the Iran and Israel conflict. Israel and Iran continue to trade strikes, with at least 224 Iranians and 24 Israelis killed since hostilities began after Israel's initial attack on Friday. US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking Trump's posts mean we could be on a brink of a rapid shift in the American role in the Iran and Israel conflict. He says Trump wrote that they now have complete and total control of the skies of Iran, which echoes exactly what Israel's leader Benjamin Netanyahu said in his most recent US interview. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
US police have found a 'hit list' of names after they confronted the man who shot and killed Democrat Melissa Hortman and her husband in the state of Minnesota. US correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking that the 57-year-old suspect got away - but police were able to search his vehicle. He says they found a papers listing around 70 names of other targets - as well as anti-abortion material. The gunman had also shot another Democratic senator and his wife in their home - they both survived.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, US sports correspondent Leon Busby joined Piney to recap the action from the States, including the NHL finals, the NBA finals and the NCAA players pay ruling. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
India's set to lead an investigation into a plane crash in Ahmedabad, which has killed at least 290. The Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed onto a doctor's hostel right after take-off, heading for London's Gatwick Airport. According to the Telegraph, the last words from the pilot were 'Mayday, no thrust, losing power, unable to lift'. US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking this is the first fatal crash by this particular Boeing model, of which there's about a thousand in service around the world. He says experts believe the black box should contain a significant amount of information about the crash, and no doubt Boeing and US safety inspectors will play some role in the investigation. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Unrest is spreading in the US over immigrant deportations. Donald Trump is sending hundreds of US Marines and has ordered 2000 more National Guard troops to go to LA's immigration protests. California Governor Gavin Newsom's called the US President's orders deranged and has filed a lawsuit. US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking of the 2000 National Guard troops deployed, only 315 were mission assigned, the other 1700 having no particular responsibility. He says that 100 arrests have been made, but no charges have been laid. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Protesters are being arrested one-by-one in downtown LA's mile-square curfew zone. Mayor Karen Bass called the curfew after looting and violence at the protests over the President's migrant deportations. Californian leaders are slamming Donald Trump for sending in Marines and troops to California, and demonstrations have broken out in other US cities. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says many believe the US president has over-stepped his authority. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
About 500 Marines are being deployed to Los Angeles to support National Guard troops in protecting federal buildings. There was a major escalation in the military's role amid ongoing protests despite objections from California Governor Gavin Newsom. We get the latest on the situation there with Martha Kellner, US Correspondent for Sky News.
David gives an update on events in LA, where the National Guard as been sent in and President Trump's conflict with Elon Musk.
The Governor of California has criticised Donald Trump's decision to send the National Guard to Los Angeles while the President's 'bromance' with Elon Musk has ended in a firestorm of tweets. We get the latest Stateside from David Blevins, US Correspondent for Sky News.
US President Donald Trump has gotten into a public spat with Elon Musk, and it's left experts wondering what this could mean for next year's midterm elections. The pair have taken aim at each other on social media, with Trump threatening to cut federal contracts helping Musk and Musk calling for Trump's impeachment - among other accusations. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says people are looking to the future - and many have opted to 'stay in the shadows'. "Especially with so much relying on this tax and domestic policy that the President's trying to pass." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A new travel ban by Donald Trump is affectingpeople from a dozen countries from entering the United States. Those countries include Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Hati, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. It's a resurrection of his first term policy. US Correspondent Dan Mitchinson talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about the ban, Elon Musk and Trump's blow up and are Walmart customers really having their shopping delivered by drone? LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The public breakdown between the Donald Trump and Elon Musk is snowballing - as the Tesla CEO calls for the US President's impeachment. Musk criticised Donald Trump's spending bill days after his departure from the President's administration. Trump says he's very disappointed, as Musk knew every aspect of the bill and never had a problem until he left. Musk's hit back, sharing a post saying Trump should be impeached and replaced by Vice-President JD Vance. He also claimed Trump appears in unreleased Epstein files. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Elon Musk has come out swinging against US President Donald Trump's 'big, beautiful' tax and spending bill. In a post on X this morning, the Tesla CEO called the bill an 'outrageous, pork-filled, disgusting abomination'. Musk added those who voted for it knew it was wrong - and should be ashamed. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson weighs in on these events - and wonders if this is an attempt on Elon's part to redeem himself. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
President Trump's tariffs have been ruled illegal by a federal court, but the Oval Office is appealing. Meanwhile, Trump announced steel and aluminium tariffs would double to 50 per cent - and the court has not struck these down. Elon Musk is leaving as questions rise about his drug use, and the President's legislation to enact much of his agenda, the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' is falling foul with fiscal hawks in his party because of the amount of debt it puts on the Government.
In a surprise ... many saw coming, Elon Musk has announced he is leaving his role in the United States Government. The billionaire's role was dedicated to reducing federal spending, work which became known as DOGE. He has complained that DOGE had become a “whipping boy” for dissatisfaction with the administration. US Correspondent Dan Mitchinson talks to Heather du Plessis-Allan about his step away, a tariff update and the forever chemicals found in American beer. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Elon Musk's time in the US Government has come to an end. He's posted on his platform, X, saying the mission of the Department of Government Efficiency —or DOGE— will only strengthen over time. A White House official has confirmed Musk's departure. US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking there's been mixed reviews about his work. Musk was only able to find $9 billion in savings, despite his pledges to cut at least $2 trillion, which tech journalist Kara Swisher says means his efforts were a failure. She says he did a lot more showmanship than he did work. On the other hand, Trump aide Stephen Miller says what DOGE has done is “among the most valuable services ever rendered to Government”. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A message sent to the Trump administration - by King Charles from Canada's throne. The monarch has given the traditional throne speech to mark the opening session of Canada's parliament. As the US President speaks of his desire to annex Canada, the King's presence is seen as a show of sovereign support. US correspondent Jonathan Kearsley says King Charles and Canada were looking to send Trump a message, but not a direct call-out. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Russia unleashed a massive drone and missile attack on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv on Sunday, killing 12 people. Ukrainian officials say it's the largest aerial assault since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. It came hours after the two countries swapped hundreds of prisoners in the third and final part of a major exchange. US Correspondent Richard Arnold talks to Mike Hosking about the raid and the seven people arrested after escaping prison in New Orleans. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A man has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder after an Israeli embassy couple were shot dead in Washington. The 30-year-old Chicago man was detained at the scene – the Capital Jewish Museum. He shouted “free Palestine” after being taken into custody. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Two people are dead and eight injured after a plane crashed in San Diego overnight. The small business jet crashed into the Murphy Canyon neighbourhood, spilling jet fuel across the road and engulfing multiple homes in flames. Police evacuated around 100 residents. US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking authorities are doing more searches, to make sure everyone's out. He says it's believed those killed were on board, but among those injured were people on the ground. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Joe Biden's earlier announcement that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer has revived questions about what health issues the former US president was facing while in office. President Donald Trump recently claimed he was 'surprised' the public wasn't notified a long time ago - and this doctor also earlier said Biden was cognitively fine. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says people are curious about why more wasn't revealed sooner. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Cal Thomas, nationally syndicated columnist, and US Correspondent with The Business Post, Marion McKeone, join Matt the go through all the latest in US politics.With Joe Biden being diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, and the Russia-Ukraine peace talks taking place – this week has been more than eventful in the White House.Listen here to get all the latest.
Joe Biden's prostate cancer diagnosis has come after earlier intense public scrutiny of his health fitness for the presidency. The former US President has an aggressive form of prostate cancer, with possible treatment available, although it's not curable and has spread to his bones. US correspondent Jonathan Kearsly says it comes at an interesting time - when his legacy is being questioned. "Hard questions, obviously, over his health, his mental acuity while he was in office - and now, two days before a book is set to be released about those very concerns." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
US President Donald Trump is facing strong opposition from members of his own party, after they blocked the advancement of the President's budget bill. Nicknamed the 'big beautiful bill' by Trump, the bill seeks to lock into place tax cuts which mostly benefit wealthy American's, while also calling for no taxes on tips. To pay for the tax cuts the Government would need to cut medical aid, food for the poor and clean energy initiatives. US Correspondent Richard Arnold talks to Mike Hosking about the bill and a terrorist attack in Palm Springs. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The US is sharing its low expectations of current Ukraine peace talks in Turkey, with both sides backing out of sending their leaders. Russia's sending low-level official Vladimir Medinsky, Ukraine's decided to send its defence minister instead. Donald Trump was preparing to go, only if Russian President Vladimir Putin was there. US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking Trump is now suggesting he expected this all along, saying he wasn't planning on going in the first place. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is rejecting an initial ceasefire deal with Ukraine, and instead proposing direct talks to start in Istanbul this week. The leaders of Britain, France, Germany and Poland visited Ukraine over the weekend, setting tomorrow as a deadline for Russian to accept a 30 day ceasefire or face additional sanctions. The Trump Administration said it will impose additional sanctions on Russia if they don't comply. US Correspondent Richard Arnold talks to Mike Hosking about the deal, the new royal jet for Washington and the latest on China-US trade talks. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This episode was originally published last November.On Sept 12, 2001, Blerim Skoro was approached by a man and a woman while he was in prison. They turned out to be CIA agents. That one meeting would change the course of his life and lead him on a journey across countries, inside terrorist groups, as he tried to make it home to his family.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Josie Ensor, US Correspondent, The Times and The Sunday Times.Host: Luke Jones.Producer: Taryn Siegel.Clips: Video filmed by Blerim Skoro, provided by ‘The Accidental Spy', directed by Anthony Wonke.Photo: John Beck for The Times.Further reading: I gave my life to the CIA. They betrayed meGet in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The US President wants to put 100 per cent tariffs on foreign made films - what will that do to the global film industry?
Danielle Kurtzleben is a political correspondent assigned to NPR's Washington Desk