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Since December, the U.S. has been stopping and seizing oil tankers traveling in and out of Venezuela. They are part of what is known as a ghost fleet — tankers that try to secretly move oil around the world, funding states such as Venezuela, Iran and Russia. Christiaan Triebert, a reporter on the Visual Investigations team, explains what these ghost fleets are and why their days might now be numbered. Guest: Christiaan Triebert, a reporter for The New York Times working on the Visual Investigations team. Background reading: sixth oil tanker linked to VenezuelaWhat are “ghost fleet” shipsPhoto: Andy Buchanan/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

In the face of bipartisan backlash, President Trump recalls Border Patrol commander-at-large Greg Bovino from Minneapolis. Minnesota officials mount a court challenge to the Trump administration’s presence on the streets. And dozens of states are recovering from an icy winter storm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The prime minister may have seen off the challenge for the moment – but what will be the cost to his leadership? Peter Walker reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Federal agents killed a second civilian observer in Minneapolis this weekend. Now, the Trump administration is feeling the political pressure. This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto and Miles Bryan with help from Ariana Aspuru, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Andrea Lopez-Cruzado, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Noel King. A makeshift memorial for Alex Pretti after he was shot dead by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis. Photo by Octavio JONES / AFP via Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast.⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

US federal agents shot and killed 37-year-old Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on Saturday, the second such killing in the city in less than three weeks. Pretti was an intensive care nurse with no criminal record, yet authorities raced to portray him as a violent ‘gunman’ who threatened to ‘massacre’ law enforcement. Video evidence directly contradicts this account. Protests have since erupted across the US and the Trump administration has said it is ‘reviewing’ the incident. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian columnist Moira Donegan. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Warning: This episode contains strong language. Border Patrol agents shot and killed Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a Minneapolis resident, on Saturday. It was the second fatal shooting by federal agents in the city during protests against a ramped-up immigration enforcement effort by the Trump administration. Devon Lum, from the Visual Investigations team, and Ernesto Londoño, who covers the Midwest, explain how the shooting unfolded and what may come next. Guest: Devon LumVisual InvestigationsErnesto LondoñoBackground reading: A moment-by-moment look at the shooting Mr. PrettiHere’s what we knowFor more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

Another demonstrator has been killed by federal agents in Minneapolis - and several videos seem to contradict the Trump administration’s initial claims. Revelations about Alex Pretti’s concealed carry permit spark a debate over Second Amendment rights at protests. And congressional Democrats threaten a potential government shutdown over ICE funding. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

(Jan 26, 2026) People in the western part of the North Country say they are continuing to struggle with affordability, according to an annual survey of communities. Also: We take a sub-zero snowshoe trek out to a frozen waterfall in the northern Adirondacks.

Are the German people on board with the government’s massive militarisation programme? Kate Connolly reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Bland colors, AI summaries, and declining literacy rates have lots of us worried that we’re losing our intelligence to the modern world. Can we get it back? This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo By BSIP/UIG Via Getty Images. If you have a question, give us a call on 1-800-618-8545 or send us a note here. Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pop culture has not been kind to the Neanderthal. In books, movies and even TV commercials, the species is portrayed as rough and mindless, a brutish type that was rightly supplanted by our Homo sapiens ancestors. But even 40,000 years after the last Neanderthals walked the earth, we continue to make discoveries that challenge that portrayal. New research suggests Neanderthals might have been less primitive — and a lot more like modern humans — than we might have thought. The Times science reporters Carl Zimmer and Franz Lidz discuss recent discoveries about Neanderthals, and what those discoveries can tell us about the origins of humanity. On Today’s Episode: Carl Zimmer writes the Origins column and covers news about science for The Times. Franz Lidz writes about archaeology for The Times. Background Reading: The Year in Neanderthals Morning Person? You Might Have Neanderthal Genes to Thank. What Makes Your Brain Different From a Neanderthal’s? The Neanderthal Inside Us Photo: Frank Franklin II/Associated Press Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

Thousands of federal immigration officers have descended onto Minneapolis. The state is in a full-blown conflict with the Trump administration. What can Democratic leaders do, and what it would mean if Trump invoked the Insurrection Act there? This episode was produced by Jesse Ash, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Andrea Lopez-Cruzado and Danielle Hewitt, engineered by Shannon Mahoney, and hosted by Astead Herndon. A demonstrator holds a photo of Renee Nicole Good, the anti-ICE protester fatally shot by an ICE officer in Minneapolis. Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP via Getty Images. You can also watch this episode on video at ⁠⁠youtube.com/vox⁠⁠. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast.⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The “Hamnet” director on trying to overcome her deepest fears — and open her heart. theinterview@nytimes.comyoutube.com/@TheInterviewPodcastnytimes.com/theinterview Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

More young people are insisting on prenups. They’re not just for millionaires and celebrities anymore. This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Jolie Myers and Jenny Lawton, fact checked by Andrea López-Cruzado, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King. Photo by Chantal CASANOVA/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast.⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Donald Trump’s maximalist approach to foreign policy reached a crescendo this week, with the US president dominating proceedings at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Trump rescinded his threat to seize the Danish territory of Greenland, and launched his so-called board of peace for Gaza. It’s been a chaotic week in Trumpworld – but there is increasing resistance from other world leaders, and signs of an emergent new world order. The Canadian prime minister, Mark Carney, has warned that ‘the old order is not coming back … We shouldn’t mourn it. Nostalgia is not a strategy.’ Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Three years after his appointment as special counsel, Jack Smith finally delivered the legal argument against President Trump on Thursday that he was never allowed to make in court. Glenn Thrush, who reports on the Justice Department, explains what Mr. Smith told Congress and why his message is likely to make him Mr. Trump’s next target. Guest: Glenn Thrush, who reports on the Justice Department for The New York Times. Background reading: Jack Smith defended the decisionfour takeaways from what he saidPhoto: Kenny Holston/The New York Times For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

Former Special Prosecutor Jack Smith defends his investigation into President Trump to Congress. “Sinners” sets a new record for Oscar nominations. And a code-breaker claims he’s solved the Zodiac case – and that it’s connected to another famous murder. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

(Jan 23, 2026) A replica portrait of George Washington owned by Clarkson University sold at auction today for $2.8 million. We hear the fascinating story behind the portrait that was one of the inspirations for the dollar bill. Also: The Adirondack Park Agency approved a battery storage site near Great Sacandaga Lake at its meeting yesterday.

There have been a slew of defections as Reform rides high in the polls. But is it changing the party? Peter Walker reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

President Trump has given up trying to buy Greenland — at least for now. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan and Dustin DeSoto, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Andrea Lopez-Cruzado, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King. President Trump on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast.⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices