Who Wants to Be a Trillionaire? Plus: Starmer's Social Media Ban

Politics Uncensored

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Thursday, 18 June 2026 - 45 minutes

Ali hosts from Makerfield for the last time before the by-election. He’s joined by author and historian, Alex von Tunzelmann to unpack the big stories of the week.The Week Unwrapped: The US and Iran sign a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ - Just as we thought things in the Middle East were getting boring…The US announced that a framework peace deal with Iran has been reached, bringing the 15 week conflict to a tentative end. A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed by Washington and Tehran, and both parties are set to meet in Switzerland later this week for the initial talks. Ali and Alex discuss whether the US has achieved its foreign policy goal, how Iran will fare from the deal and the reaction from Israel.Ban on Palestine Action was lawful, court of appeal rulesOn Monday, the Court of Appeal ruled that the government's proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation is lawful. Earlier this year, the High Court found the proscription was disproportionate, in a judgment that threatened to undermine hundreds of ongoing criminal prosecutions. That ruling has now been overturned, in a win for the government. Ali and Alex unpack the significance of this and what it means for the right to protest in this country.Voters head to the polls in MakerfieldAll eyes are on Makerfield as voters head to the polls after weeks of build-up for one of the biggest by-elections this country has seen. Ali and Alex look ahead to what it might mean for the Labour Party if Andy Burnham wins, and what the scenario might be if he doesn’t.Elon Musk becomes the world’s first trillionaire Entrepreneur Elon Musk is the world's first trillionaire. The milestone came over the weekend after the stock market debut of SpaceX, the company behind his rocket launches, satellite internet network and artificial intelligence business. Musk was already the richest person on the planet, but reaching a net worth of $1 trillion marks a new era of affluence. Ali and Alex discuss what this means for Musk’s power and political influence and public attitudes towards extreme wealth. Keir Starmer announces a ban on social media for under-16’sEarlier this week, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced plans for the UK to restrict social media access for under-16s. The government says the measures would go further than ‘any country in the world’ to protect children from online harms. The new rules will mean that starting from 2027, young people under-16 would be barred from a range of major platforms, including Snapchat, TikTok and Instagram. Cosima Wiltshire, Lead of Strategy and Public Affairs at FlippGen, tells us her thoughts on the ban, how young people have reacted and how the government can make social media a safer place for all. Guests:Alex von Tunzelmann, Author and Historian. You can find her on Instagram: @alexvontunzelmann Cosima Wiltshire, Lead of Strategy and Public Affairs at FlippGen. You can find her on Instagram: @cosimawiltshireProducer:  Monica Lillis  

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