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Rescuers worked through the night looking for survivors trapped under dozens of collapsed buildings. The cities of Cali and Pereira were among the places worst hit.
Also on the programme: A Palestinian family in the West Bank says their house has been surrounded by Israeli settlers who they say have cut off their water and electricity; and Chinese authorities are warning of a rise in fake matchmaking agencies preying on the country's growing number of single men.
(Photo: Dozens of buildings have collapsed in the city of Cali. Credit: Reuters)
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More than 130 people have been killed after a powerful earthquake struck western Colombia. Rescuers are searching for those trapped under the rubble of destroyed buildings. Also: Turkey approves a law aimed at ending conflict with the Kurdish militant PKK group; we investigate China's "flash marriage" scams targeting lonely men; how tourism is impacting wildlife, especially elephants, in Zambia; Harry Potter fans get an undersea power cable rerouted to protect Dobby's fictional grave; and why we should smile at our dogs.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
Photo: Rescuers at the site of a collapsed building in Cali, Colombia, following earthquake
Credit: Sergio Acero/REUTERS
The Victoria falls, on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe, is considered one of the natural wonders of the world. But as Isa Jacobson reports, there is concern that development around the waterfall could threaten the delicate ecosystem and exacerbate conflict between humans and wildlife.
A consortium led by businessman Amit Bhatia, including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin are in talks to buy around a 30% stake in Liverpool football club. We find out why so many of the world's richest people keen to invest in the Premier League.
Elsewhere rising temperatures are affecting economies across the world and we have been hearing from some of the areas affected on how it is effecting the way they do business.
Also, Shein has been given the green light to IPO in Hong Kong. We find out why the valuation pitched to potential investors is low.
And we hear one business's reaction to the news that Denmark is preparing to scrap its royal warrant system, ending a centuries-old royal seal of approval.
PHOTO CREDIT: PA
At least 111 people have been killed and dozens more are injured after a powerful earthquake hit western Colombia, according to local officials. Dozens of buildings have collapsed. It comes less than two months after a double earthquake killed thousands in neighbouring Venezuela.
French lifeboat crews have described how a boat carrying a record 230 migrants across the Channel was "buckling" and could have led to a tragedy. The previous record for a single vessel of 165 was set last month. We hear why migrant boats are getting bigger.
And 40 years on from the release of Paul Simon's celebrated album 'Graceland'; did it raise up, or rip off, the South African artists he collaborated with?
An earthquake in western Colombia has killed more than 100 people and caused significant damage. The seven point four magnitude quake's epicentre was in the Choco region between Medellin and Cali - where dozens of buildings have collapsed. We talk to the mayor of Cali, Alejandro Eder.
Also in the programme: Police in eastern India have used tear gas and water cannon to disperse thousands of young people protesting against alleged corruption in civil service examinations. And 40 years on from its release, we've been hearing about the singer-songwriter, Paul Simon's controversial album, Graceland, from Ashley Kahn, the former member of the Graceland-tour production team.
(Photo: People search through the rubble of a collapsed building following an earthquake in Cali, Colombia, 10 August 2026. Credit Ernesto Guzman JR/EPA/Shutterstock )
After working exclusively with male mice while looking for a treatment for type 1 diabetes, Dr Ella Hubber begins to uncover a much bigger issue: modern medicine is not built equally for everyone. Along with journalist Chhavi Sachdev, she explores how decades of clinical research have overlooked women with serious consequences.
Through expert interviews, they examine how women were historically excluded from clinical trials, why biological differences matter in how drugs work, and how this has led to higher rates of side effects. The story reveals how gaps in research continue to shape women’s healthcare today.
As awareness grows, they also ask what change can look like. More representative trials, pharmaceutical companies held accountable, and medicine finally built for everyone.
Presenter/Producer: Ella Hubber
Researcher: Elliott Prince
Editor: Ilan Goodman
Scientists at EU's climate change monitoring programme warn the world's oceans were hotter last month than in any other July on record. Sea temperatures outside the polar regions reached nearly 21 degrees Celsius. Ukrainian armed forces launch a long range drone attack on a Russian oil refinery about 1,000 kilometres east of Moscow. A BBC investigation uncovers evidence suggesting South African special forces could have been involved in the death of a police detective. Police in India use water cannon to disperse thousands of people protesting about civil service examinations. Football confederations representing more than half of FIFA members issue statement criticising the president, Gianni Infantino. The trial of a former gang leader accused of involvement in the death of the rapper, Tupac Shakur, gets underway in Las Vegas. The actor, Michael Sheen, speaks about his documentary on the historic burying of toxic chemicals. And a zoo in Florida hires a full time acupuncture therapist to treat animals.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
Description: Beach in The Bahamas
Credit: BBC
The world's oceans hit their hottest ever recorded temperatures for July, partly fuelled by developing El Niño conditions in the Pacific, according to the EU's climate monitoring service Copernicus. The average sea surface temperature outside the world's polar regions was 20.96C last month, beating the previous high of 20.89C, set in 2023.
Also in the programme: Ukraine strikes a Russian oil refinery - with at least 13 killed. And Harry Potter fans force the rerouting of a multi-million dollar cable project to preserve the mock grave of the much-loved character.
(Picture credit: Getty Images)
The "Ice Silk Road" will run along the north Russian coast on its journey between Ningbo on China’s east coast and Felixstowe in the UK. Sea Legend, the Chinese container shipping company behind it, say the region is emerging as a viable alternative to the world’s traditional shipping routes.
Also, officials in Germany say falling water levels on the river Rhine could mean that it split into two separate sections for cargo boats. The river is forecast to drop below ten centimetres this week making part of it too low for commercial shipping and cruises.
BBC Africa Eye has seen evidence suggesting a South African police detective, Lieutenant Colonel Frans Mathipa, was shot dead by the country’s special forces while investigating the disappearance of a suspected Islamic State group militant. A former South African counter-terrorism police chief has told the BBC that the suspected IS militant, known as Abdella Abadigga, was being protected and used as an intelligence asset before he went missing. Seven special forces soldiers and one other are due to stand trial in connection with the detective’s murder. Of those, seven are accused, alongside four others, of abducting and murdering Abadigga. They deny the allegations.
And how one of Kenya's tallest men, Bradley Marongo went from being a commercial bus conductor to actor and content creator.
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Priya Sippy, Keikantse Shumba and Ayuba Iliya
Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga
Technical Producer: David Kinyanjui
Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla
We explain the order you put adjectives in when describing a dog!
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In a rare public spat, Israel firmly rejects the US president's Gaza peace plan saying troops will only withdraw from the territory once Hamas has handed over all its weapons. The high representative for Gaza for Donald Trump's Board of Peace insists that the US-backed peace plan for the territory is the only way forward. Nickolay Mladenov said further talks were under way that he hoped would lead to a positive outcome.
Also: In Canada, the vast western province of British Columbia is under a state of emergency, with more than 100 wildfires burning. Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated, including the 12000 residents of Summerland. The suspected Irish crime boss, Daniel Kinahan, is in custody in Ireland after appearing in court, following his extradition from the United Arab Emirates. He denies any wrongdoing. The Nigerian army says its soldiers have rescued 33 people who were kidnapped in the northwest of the country following an upsurge in abductions. Why the authorities in the UK are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to remove works by the renowned street artist Banksy. How Tom Holland's latest Spiderman film is breaking the box office. And, the remarkable discovery of a more than 2000-year-old Roman shipwreck off the coast of Sicily.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
Photo: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds a news conference
Credit: Reuters
South African police detective Frans Mathipa told his boss he feared that he would be killed by the country’s military. Two days later he was found shot dead in his car by the side of a motorway.
At the time of his death, Mathipa had been investigating whether special forces soldiers were behind the disappearance of Abdella Abadigga, a suspected member of so-called Islamic State or ISIS, and his bodyguard. So was Mathipa killed, as his colleagues believe, because of fears about what his investigation threatened to reveal?
Dino Mahtani and Yeshiel Panchia investigate an extraordinary case that sets one arm of the South African state against another.
Presenter: Dino Mahtani
Producer: Ed Main
Executive editors: Nick Norman-Butler and Andy Bell
Editor: Rebecca Henschke
Studio manager: Sam Dickinson
Archive: SABC and Facebook
Prime Minister Netanyahu rules out any Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza before Hamas is totally disarmed. We ask Israeli official Fleur Hassan-Nahoum what her government's objections are to the peace plan and get an American perspective from former US special envoy for the Middle East Frank Lowenstein.
Also in the programme: we hear from a Canadian mayor, Doug Homes, about the wildfires that are devastating British Columbia, driving tens of thousands of people from their homes and leading to a state of emergency across the province; and a champion Italian spear-fisherman and free diver, Giacomo de Mola, tells us how he stumbled upon a Roman shipwreck while searching for fish.
(Photo: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends funeral service for late U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham in Washington, D.C., July 28, 2026; Credit REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein)
On February 28th, in the opening hours of the first day of the US-Israel war against Iran, an attack on a school vin the southern city of Minab killed over 120 children. To date, its the deadliest civilian attack during the Iran war. Experts say the school was hit by a precision guided Tomahawk missile - a weapon that neither Israel nor Iran are known to possess. Yet five months on, the US government has not formally accepted responsibility.
We speak to the to the BBC’s Senior International Investigations Correspondent Nawal Al Maghafi, who recently returned from Iran where she visited Minab and met with survivors of the strike and the families of those who killed. We also hear from the BBC’s State Department Correspondent Tom Bateman about his attempts to get answers from US officials about the school strike.
For more episodes, just search 'The Global Story' wherever you get your BBC Podcasts.
The Houthis in Yemen say they've carried out a drone attack on a Saudi refinery on the Red Sea coast. The Iranian-backed group's military spokesman said the strike on the Aramco refinery in Jazan was in response to Saudi incursions into north-west Yemen.
Also in the programme: Israel accused of weaponising archaeology at ancient West Bank sites; Iran lays out a list of demands for the US to fulfill, even as it says talks on reopening the Strait of Hormuz are making progress; and a Ukrainian singer on preserving folk songs of her homeland and promoting Ukrainian culture.
(Photo: Houthi soldiers. Credit: EPA)
In Lagos, a vast patch of scrubland is being imagined as the future home of Kebulania: an ambitious African film city on the edge of Nigeria’s biggest metropolis, and one of the centres of Nollywood, the country’s multi-billion dollar film industry. Nigerian journalist Samuel Okocha follows the project in its earliest, most uncertain days – when the vision is big, but the buildings are yet to rise. At the proposed site, he joins community members, contractors and staff from Del-York Creative Arts, a Nigerian conglomerate film and media training company, as traditional leaders offer prayers and blessings.
Iran's security chief Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr has warned the Strait of Hormuz will not open until the United States agrees to six conditions. These include easing economic sanctions, paying war reparations and ending the US blockade of Iranian ports. The foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said earlier that Iran and Oman were "very close" to an agreement on a new shipping route through the Strait. Also: Ukraine's President Zelensky pleads for more European support on a visit to Serbia, a traditional Russian ally. The US Senate confirms Todd Blanche as the new attorney general, putting Donald Trump's former lawyer in charge of the justice department. Thousands of people flee their homes in the Canadian province of British Colombia as a raging wildfire doubles in size. Figures show for the first time more than half of Japanese men are taking paternity leave. And the growing concern over old literature being bought, scanned and destroyed to improve AI.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
Photo: Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz
Credit: Reuters
An Irish government jet has travelled to the United Arab Emirates as part of an operation to extradite suspected crime boss Daniel Kinahan. Kinahan has fought attempts to extradite him from the UAE.
Also in the programme: more controversy around Gianni Infantino; and Todd Blanche is confirmed as US attorney general.
(Photo: Daniel Kinahan pictured in 2016. CREDIT: Collins Photo Agency)
یورگن هابرماس از آن دسته فیلسوفان معاصری بود که با استقبال زیادی در ایران روبرو شد. چرا؟ چه ایدههایی در فلسفه سیاسی او در ایران مورد توجه قرار گرفت؟
میهمانها:
ایقان شهیدی، پژوهشگر علوم سیاسی
مهدی پارسا، پژوهشگر فلسفه
Thousands of migrant children are thought to still be in the Spanish territory of Ceuta, following the arrival of some 70,000 people there last week. Many of the migrants left of their own accord shortly after arriving in Ceuta, but at least 1,400 minors, some of them very young, are believed to still remain there.
Also in the programme: President Volodymyr Zelensky’s first official visit to Russia-friendly Serbia; Thailand’s prime minister vows to introduce stricter gun laws in the wake of a shooting on Bangkok’s outskirts; and electronic dance duo Groove Armada on why you’re never too old for the dancefloor…
(Photo: Red Cross volunteers distribute food to migrants on Trampolín beach in Ceuta, Spain, 4 August 2026. Credit: EPA/Shutterstock)
New Bell Prison in Douala, Cameroon, operates a bit like a city within a city. The facility has its own "taxis" (inmates who hand deliver messages), its own law enforcement (prisoners who help police the facility) and a market. The jail is overcrowded and under-resourced, and the occupants of New Bell have sometimes adapted the jail's overstretched systems to work for them. An on-site music studio and label, Jail Time Records, has also sprung up and found an international audience. Wedaeli Chibelushi, journalist for BBC World Online, Africa, tells the stories of some of the inmates involved.
In Egypt, Christians are a substantial minority, making up 10 to 15% of the population, but they're not always represented fairly in employment and public life. This month, the case of 13-year-old Makary Younan, who despite his talent was initially passed over for selection by a major Egyptian football academy, has led to a public debate over anti-Christian discrimination. BBC Arabic's Ahmed Omar has the story.
Wang Jibing, a Chinese food delivery rider in his fifties, has found a huge online following with reflective poems capturing his daily life and routines. Now, he's won one of China's top literary prizes. After growing up poor and doing many different jobs, Wang became a food delivery rider 2019. He often scribbles poems on scraps of paper between deliveries, but the prize he's won is named after poet Lu Xun, seen by many as the father of Chinese literature. Koh Ewe from the BBC's Hong Kong Bureau explains why so many Chinese people have taken him to their hearts.
This episode of The Documentary comes to you from The Fifth Floor, the show at the heart of global storytelling, with BBC journalists from all around the world.
Presented by Faranak Amidi.
Produced by Laura Thomas, Caroline Ferguson and Hannah Dean.
(Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)
We hear about the pioneering operation that fixed a baby's life-threatening condition while he was still in the womb. Theo and his mum Maisie underwent the surgery in Texas when she was 26 weeks pregnant. It was only the third operation of its kind in the world but doctors hope the technique could go on to help many more families.
Also: we join those jumping into a lake in Germany to help tackle the high number of children who can't swim. The ongoing heatwave in Europe has highlighted the importance of water safety skills for young people.
We meet a young blind man who's found self-confidence and friendship by taking up boxing. Adam Solan's now fighting for the sport to be added to the Paralympics.
Plus - the museum that's turned a bad review into a marketing campaign; the city showing how tourism can have a positive impact on the local environment; and the play celebrating the little-known story of Zambia's part in the space race.
Our weekly collection of inspiring, uplifting and happy news from around the world.
(Photo: Baby Theo shortly after his birth. Credit: Maisie Savage)
Presenter: Helena Burke. Music composed by Iona Hampson
A deadline approaches for 860,000 self-employed people and landlords who must start reporting their income and expenses in a new way. It is called Making Tax Digital and it affects small businesses with a turnover or gross income above £50,000 a year. They have until 7th August to report their income and expenditure to HMRC. What do they need to know?
It is “unacceptable” that the government has refused to commit to bringing the administration of the Civil Service Pension Scheme back in-house. That’s according to PCS Union, which says a rare joint committee hearing in Parliament this week highlighted the “catastrophic failures” of the scheme, leaving many members facing “unacceptable delays, errors and distress” when trying to access the pensions they have worked their entire careers to earn. The Cabinet Office, which has overall responsibility for the scheme, says immediately terminating the contract would cause more problems and severely disrupt the pension payroll, jeopordizing the financial security of hundreds of thousands of public servants.
How are rules which make banks reimburse victims of fraud going? A new report evaluates the first year of Mandatory Reimbursement.
And a major high street bank has changed its mind after deciding not to allow customers to deposit their cheques in a Post Office.
Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporters: Dan Whitworth and Jo Krasner
Researcher: Catherine Lund
Output Producer: Craig Henderson
Editor: Jess Quayle
Senior News Editor: Sara Wadeson
(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 11th July 2026)
Colombia's new right-wing president, Abelardo de la Espriella, has been sworn in, pledging to "relentlessly defeat narco-terrorism". Also: A US appeals court orders the Trump administration to halt construction of a new ballroom at the White House. The BBC tracks down the spy chief of Syria's former dictator Bashar al-Assad. Spain is bringing in border controls for travellers arriving from Italy, as a bilateral row over immigration grows. Hunter Biden, the son of the former US president Joe Biden, acknowledges that his father's decision to pardon him just before leaving the White House two years ago was "not good" for America. And how one country has come up with a new strategy to make tourism more sustainable.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
Photo: Abelardo de la Espriella salutes after being sworn in as president of Colombia
Credit: EPA/Shutterstock
Ariana Grande says she will be taking ‘a step back’ from public life. The reason, it seems, is the constant public commentary she faces – particularly surrounding her appearance. We bring together fans of the multi-award-winning singer and Oscar nominated actor to discuss the scrutiny facing women in the public eye. We also hear from women who have received abuse after posting on social media, including Ella, a high jump athlete from Finland. “I never imagined when I started doing sports as a little girl there would be a moment when I would receive messages that I should kill myself because I didn’t perform well or that I am the greatest embarrassment Finland has ever had” she says.
Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have signed a major defence pact in Mecca, saying an attack on one is an attack on all three. A former advisor to Turkey's president tells us what he thinks his country gets out of such an agreement.
Also in the programme: after the London-based head of Google DeepMind decides to step back, what does his move mean for the UK AI sector? We hear the views of the regulars in Soho about Westminster Council's plan to reduce 'vertical drinking', and we remember the life of William Orbit, groundbreaking producer behind the music of Madonna, Blur and U2.
The US saw a weaker market after losing 23,000 jobs in July and it's figures are much worse than expected. We'll be hearing why the American economy isn't creating more jobs.
Plus, could oil be the saviour of Venezuela's economic needs? As the conflict in the Middle East continues to choke global supplies, Venezuela has a unique opportunity to gain market share and investment through having the world's largest reserves.
And, Wetherspoons, a large pub chain in the UK has banned Meta's smart glasses which allows the wearer to film what they're looking at, sometimes without the subject's knowledge. We hear from a bar owner who's followed suit for their customers' privacy.
Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have signed a joint defence agreement - which commits all three countries to defending each other if attacked. The deal brings together three of the world's most powerful Muslim-majority countries. But although it pledges mutual support, it provides no specifics on the obligations of each party. The move to boost security cooperation follows the turmoil in the region triggered by the US war against Iran, which has drawn in Saudi Arabia and restricted its oil exports.
Also in the programme: A mega fine for Meta - what does it mean for children's safety on social media platforms? And 50 years on, the punks still pogo-ing like it's 1976.
(Photo: Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan shakes hands with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif looks on after they signed a joint defence agreement in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, August 7, 2026. Credit: Murat Cetinmuhurdar/Turkish Presidential Press Office/Handout via Reuters)
Writer: Shaun McKenna
Director: Marina Caldarone
Editor: Jeremy Howe
Brian Aldridge … Charles Collingwood
Jolene Archer … Buffy Davis
Kenton Archer … Richard Attlee
Harrison Burns … James Cartwright
Neil Carter … Brian Hewlett
Amber Gordon … Olivia Bernstone
Ed Grundy … Barry Farrimond
Eddie Grundy … Trevor Harrison
George Grundy … Angus Stobie
Keira Grundy … Mollie Kruczek
Bert Horrobin … David Sterne
Brad Horrobin … Taylor Uttley
Joy Horville … Jackie Lye
Jazzer McCreary … Ryan Kelly
Fallon Rogers … Joanna Van Kampen
Lucy Porter talks all things current-ish with Finlay Christie, Amy Annette and Christopher Macarthur-Boyd. Today - heatwaves, hosepipe bans, and a very hairy pizza.
Hosted by Lucy Porter
Written by Lucy Porter, Ruth Husko and Katie Sayer
Producer - Katie Sayer
Assistant producer - Molly Punshon
Executive producer - Victoria Lloyd
A Mighty Bunny production for BBC Radio 4
Teachers are among those killed and injured by a 14-year-old boy at a Bangkok school. He also took his own life. Earlier, he had killed his grandparents. Also: Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan sign a mutual defence agreement, saying an attack on one of them would be seen as an attack on all three. The Africa Centres for Disease Control says local communities must play a greater role in combating the Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo. A BBC investigation finds that Russia is seizing tens of thousands of homes across four regions of Ukraine it captured during its invasion. Moves in London to stop people in pubs from drinking while standing - but will this kill British pub culture? Residents in Italy hunt for a giant lizard with razor-sharp teeth and claws that's been spotted in Lombardy.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
Photo: Students with a relative after being evacuated from Debsirin Nonthaburi School, after a shooting incident at the school on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand
Credit: Reuters
Overall, the US economy shed 23,000 jobs in July in the latest sign of a cooling labour market. Traders say an interest rate rise is now less likely.
Meta, the owner of Instagram and Facebook, has been fined a record penalty of half a billion dollars in a court case over child safety.
And a row has broken out in the UK as a local authority tries to stop people standing up in pubs.
What do you think of when you hear South Sudan? Well, these days you might be thinking of the catwalk. The country is producing some of the world’s top international models like Anok Yai, Adut Akech and Alek Wek. Currently nine of the world’s top 50 models ranked by models.com are originally from South Sudan. Despite this, there are still challenges around visas and access to the international stages. Focus on Africa host, Nkechi Ogbonna, spoke to two rising stars from the industry, 19-year-old, Khloe Nyanda and 21-year-old Abraham Ajuong about their careers so far.
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Bella Twine, Fana Negash and Carolyne Jotham
Senior Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Priya Sippy
Technical Producer: Herbert Masua
Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla
At least seven people have died in Thailand after a teenage boy shot his grandparents and some schoolteachers on the outskirts of the capital city, Bangkok.
Authorities say the suspected shooter, 14, is also dead. The Thai prime minister has said the attack was "well prepared" with "clear steps and clear goals".
Also in the programme: A US court fines the social media giant Meta more than a half a billion dollars and labels it a public nuisance; an Iranian political prisoner tells us what it is like to fall foul of the Revolutionary Guards; and the promise and peril of a virus designed by AI.
(Photo shows police officers responding to a school shooting in Bang Kruai district, Thailand, on 7 August 2026. Credit: Rungroj Yongrit/EPA)
To the frustration of many, a lot of women’s clothes don’t have pockets. But why on Earth is that the case? Especially when men’s clothing seems to be full of pockets.
On Here For The History, Alice Loxton and Ben Henderson track the tumultuous and muddy history of women’s pockets. From capacious beginnings, through many fashion changes, to suffragette campaigning and societal expectations.
Alice and Ben unpick the surprising moments of pocket history that have contributed to the inconsistency of these sewn-in marvels today.
If you enjoy this episode, you can find more episodes of Here For The History on BBC Sounds. If you’re outside the UK, you can listen on BBC.com or wherever you get your BBC podcasts.
KEY SOURCES:
Pockets: An Intimate History of How We Keep Things Close by Hannah Carlson
The Pocket: A Hidden History of Women's Lives by Arianne Fennetaux and Barbara Burman
Scientists from Stanford University call the creation of new viruses by Artificial Intelligence a "significant turning point" which could revolutionise medicine with new drugs and treatments. It is the first time whole genomes have been successfully designed by AI. Critics worry that the new technology might cause harm. Also: A US court has fined Meta more than half-a-billion dollars and deemed it a public nuisance over child safety. The White House denies the US has a shortage of some weapons because of the Iran war. A former Governor in Mexico has been arrested, accused of tampering with evidence, in connection with the disappearance of 43 students in 2014. A BBC investigation has found that animal dewormer and a drug used to treat scabies are being sold and promoted as unproven cancer treatments. The sister of Meredith Kercher criticises a comedy show by Amanda Knox, who was convicted and later acquitted of her murder. And UEFA, which governs European football, says a boycott of competitions may still go ahead despite the backing of Gianni Infantino by FIFA.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
Photo: Brian Hie and Aditi Merchant examine a protein structure generated by Evo 2, an AI tool that can suggest genome designs.
Credit: Andrew Brodhead - Stanford University
In Lithuania, singer Rūgilė Daujotaitė was becoming a familiar face on television. She was performing at major music events, competing for a place at Eurovision, and building a life that, from the outside, appeared successful. But privately, she says she was struggling. Raised in a family shaped by New Age spirituality and occult beliefs, Rūgilė grew up searching for God through a mixture of traditions. As an adult, she moved to Amsterdam to study jazz, became involved in shamanic practices and Santo Daime ceremonies, and began taking ayahuasca - a powerful psychedelic brew used in some religious rituals. Colm Flynn travels to Vilnius to meet Rūgilė in the home where she first encountered many of the ideas that shaped her early life. She reflects on leading retreats, introducing others to practices she has since rejected, and the moment she began reading the Bible and questioning the world she had embraced.
This episode of The Documentary, comes to you from Heart and Soul, exploring personal approaches to spirituality from around the world.
This summer has been heatwave after heatwave, and countries like Turkey and Romania have seen a bumper harvest, we're taking a look at how the extreme heat is impacting farmers around Europe and what that could mean for food prices.
We'll hear from a SpaceX employee who's been made a millionaire after selling his shares, and is it ever acceptable to wear shorts to the office?
PHOTO CREDIT: EPA/Shutterstock
Prevent referrals in England and Wales were up 39% in the year to September 2025. It’s the highest number in a single year since records began in 2015. Where the age is known, 393 referrals were for children under 10, the largest proportion concerned 11 to 15-year-olds at 36%, followed by 16 to 17 year-olds at 13% of referrals. So, are more young people being radicalised, or are more people reporting concerning behaviour?
Also in the programme: Policing powers were stepped up in Thetford on Thursday as the Norfolk market town braced itself for further disorder linked to anti-immigration protests. And despite being banned from football at home, the Afghan women's team reunite 8,000 miles away in New Zealand.
Ukraine hits Russian oil refineries as Russa retaliates with ballistic missiles. Also in the programme: Is the US running dangerously low on hi-tech munitions? And the 97-year-old American woman daredevil flying on wings.
(Photo: A man looking at a mobile charging point in Crimea on the Black Sea as power outages continue as a result of strikes. Credit: Reuters)
As some SpaceX shares become available to sell, it's potentially a massive payday for staff. We hear from a former worker about his plans for the money.
Plus, across the world, communities are counting the costs of wildfires, conflict and geopolitical instability. The boss of Swiss Re speaks to Sarah Rogers about the impact on the insurance industry.
The BBC's Diplomatic Correspondent, Paul Adams, has been given rare access to a Ukrainian naval ship and a visit to one of the main ports in the Black Sea. He reports on the naval battle taking place at sea, as Russian attacks on Ukrainian vessels are increasing.
Also: a warm welcome in Bangkok for the Myanmar military ruler seen elsewhere as an international pariah. David Owori, the captain of one of Uganda's biggest football teams has died after being attacked near his home in the capital, Kampala. As wildfires continue to rage, a new study highlights how they can cause migraine headaches. A US Senate committee has voted to hold the former top health official Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress after he refused to answer questions during a hearing on the Covid-19 pandemic. Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi leads commemorations in Hiroshima on the 81st anniversary of the world's first use of nuclear weapons. Indonesia resumes the export of long-tailed macaques for use in laboratory experiments after a four year pause. Disney characters could become official TikTok stars after what's been called a “first of its kind” deal between the Hollywood studio and the video platform. And a 97-year-old woman in the UK has broken the Guinness World Record for being the oldest female wing walker.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
Photo: A civilian vessel on fire as Ukraine's navy spokesman reported a Russian military strike near the Black Sea port of Odesa, Ukraine July 2026.
Credit: REUTERS/Victor Sayenko
As tensions between the United States and Iran continue, security in the Strait of Hormuz remains under scrutiny. On 3 August, a Liberian-flagged vessel was attacked off the coast of Oman, leaving one crew member missing after a major fire, the latest in a series of attacks on ships flying Liberia's flag. With Liberia operating the world's largest shipping registry by gross tonnage, what do these attacks mean for the country?
And, a newly identified dinosaur species from Zimbabwe, named Musango matusadonaensis, is giving scientists fresh insight into what southern Africa looked like around 210 million years ago during the Late Triassic period.
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Bella Twine, Blessing Aderogba and Ayuba Iliya
Senior Producers: Keikantse Shumba
Technical Producer: Herbert Masua
Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla
Gianni Infantino remains Fifa president after receiving the backing of senior executives in a meeting in Morocco, where he apologised for "errors" he made.
Has the boss of world football done enough to save himself? HIs critics - especially in Europe - say they're not done yet.
Also in the programme: Ukraine carries out more strikes on Russian oil refineries; has Myanmar's military ruler broken out of diplomatic isolation; and we'll hear from a supporter of the black Cambridge professor who's resigned over allegations of fabrication and plagiarism who says the issue here turns on racism.
(Photo shows a file photo of FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Credit: Zac Goodwin/PA)
Nolan talks to Green Cllr Brian Smyth and TUV's Ron McDowell. He also chats to callers.
Widely regarded as the first professional woman writer in English literature, Aphra Behn (1640-1689) is best known for her plays and her novel Oroonoko, she's been an inspiration to countless writers across the ages.
This archive episode, first released in October 2017, was selected as part of a ten-episode series by Misha Glenny. In the episode, Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the life and times of Behn, who made her name and her living as a playwright, poet and writer of fiction during the Restoration. Virginia Woolf wrote of her: 'All women together, ought to let flowers fall upon the grave of Aphra Behn... for it was she who earned them the right to speak their minds'. Behn may well have spent some of her early life in Surinam, the setting for her novel Oroonoko, and there are records of her working in the Netherlands as a spy for Charles II. She was loyal to the Stuart kings and refused to write a poem on the coronation of William of Orange. She was regarded as an important writer in her lifetime and inspired others to write but fell out of favour for two centuries after her death when her work was seen as too bawdy, the product of a disreputable age.
With
Janet Todd
Former President of Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge University
Ros Ballaster
Professor of 18th Century Literature at Mansfield College, University of Oxford
and
Claire Bowditch
Post-doctoral Research Associate in English and Drama at Loughborough University
Producer: Simon Tillotson.
Reading list:
Kate Aughterson, Aphra Behn: The Comedies (Palgrave Macmillan, 2003)
Ros Ballaster, Seductive Forms: Women’s Amatory Fiction 1684-1740 (Oxford Clarendon Press, 1991)
Aphra Behn (ed. Joanna Lipking), Oroonoko (Norton and Co, 1997)
Aphra Behn (ed. Paul Salzman), Oroonoko and Other Writings (Oxford University Press, 2009)
Aphra Behn (ed. Jane Spencer), The Rover and Other Plays (Oxford University Press, 2008)
Aphra Behn (ed. Janet Todd), Oroonoko (Penguin Classics, 2003)
Aphra Behn (ed. Janet Todd), Oroonoko, the Rover and Other Works (Penguin Classics, 1999)
Aphra Behn (ed. Janet Todd), The Complete Works of Aphra Behn:7 vols. (Pickering and Chatto, 1992-6)
Claire Bowditch, The Works of Aphra Behn (Cambridge University Press, forthcoming)
W. J. Cameron, New Light on Aphra Behn (University of Auckland Press, 1961)
Maureen Duffy, The Passionate Shepherdess: Aphra Behn, 1640-89 (Jonathan Cape, 1977)
Derek Hughes, The Theatre of Aphra Behn (Palgrave Macmillan, 2001)
Derek Hughes (ed.), Versions of Blackness: Oroonoko, Race and Slavery (Cambridge University Press, 2007)
Jane Spencer, Aphra Behn’s Afterlife (Oxford University Press, 2000)
Janet Todd (ed.), Aphra Behn Studies (Cambridge University Press, 1996)
Janet Todd, Aphra Behn: A Secret Life (Fentum Press, 2017)
Janet Todd and Derek Hughes (eds.), The Cambridge Companion to Aphra Behn (Cambridge University Press, 2004)
S. J. Wiseman, Aphra Behn (Northcote House, 1996)
In Our Time is a BBC Studios production
Spanning history, religion, culture, science and philosophy, In Our Time from BBC Radio 4 is essential listening for the intellectually curious. In each episode, host Misha Glenny and expert guests explore the characters, events and discoveries that have shaped our world.
Gianni Infantino has apologised for "mistakes" made in the process of his controversial proposal to sell shares in football's World Cup to private investors, but will remain Fifa president after receiving the backing of senior executives in a meeting in Morocco. Also: officials in Nigeria say more than 300 people abducted over the past few months have been freed in a security operation. In a vote with implications for the future direction of the US Democratic Party, a left-winger has defeated a centrist candidate to contest a Senate seat in Michigan. Vaccines that can be stored at room temperature have been successfully trialled in patients for the first time. A University of Cambridge professor at the centre of a plagiarism row resigns. And how against all the odds, Afghanistan's women footballers are back on the pitch.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
Photo: File photo of FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Credit: PA Wire
In the late '90s, in daring feats of DIY networking on rooftops across Romania’s capital, Bucharest, teenagers are stringing computer cables between tower blocks to share an internet connection. This guerilla infrastructure starts out scrappy, but it sprawls into an impressive improvised network that catches the attention of telecom giants. Told by those who built it, this is the extraordinary story of how a homemade system became the backbone of a city - a reflection of what the internet was meant to be and what it became.
A former neo-Nazi, selected by the Conservatives to contest a council election, withdraws his candidacy
A prominent professor who denied claims of plagiarism has quit his role at Cambridge
Germany's Interior Minister has warned about a "new level of danger" after a drone with an explosive was found at Leipzig airport.
and we speak to the head of a Football Association backing the embattled FIFA President
FIFA's leadership is under scrutiny as Gianni Infantino hosts crisis meeting with senior officials as their are calls for him to resign. Ed Butler will be hearing what his future is looking like.
Also how a record drought is cutting rail freight in Europe and why the Saudi Crown Prince is buying one of the world's top video game developers.
Photo Credit: PA
The embattled FIFA president Gianni Infantino tries to shore up support at a crisis meeting in Morocco. We hear from his critics and his fans, including the head of Malawi's football association.
Also on the programme: We speak to the Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk who went on hunger strike in solidarity with thousands of students in India as they demanded change; and what does the victory of a progressive candidate in a Democratic primary for senate say about the party, its platform and its chances in November's US midterm elections?
(Photo: FIFA's Africa regional office in Sale, Morocco Credit: Jalal Morchidi/EPA/Shutterstock)
Scientists believe the upper section of a SpaceX rocket has crashed into the surface of the Moon at seven times the speed of sound. Also: police in Mexico are investigating why a social media influencer was shot dead during a live stream. The World Food Programme warns that the current El Niño weather phenomenon could leave nearly 50 million more people at risk of severe hunger. We hear from the 23 year old Moroccan man who crossed into the Spanish territory of Ceuta last week. Women cyclists using padded bras to get ahead in the Tour de France. And new research finds people prefer stories written by AI.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
Photo: The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off carrying two moon landers from the Kennedy Space Centre
Credit: Reuters
Zambia heads to the polls next week to elect a President, lawmakers and local council leaders. The election has been widely perceived as a two horse race following the emergance of an opposition coallition candidate. In an exclusive interview with President Hakainde Hichilema we ask why he is seeking another five year term in office and what he hopes to do differently if re-elected.
Also, the Ngorongoro Conservation Site in Tanzania is at the centre of a controversy as the host community is asking to be delisted from the UNESCO World Heritage site list following concerns that it is negatively affecting the lives of locals.
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Bella Twine and Ayuba Iliya
Senior Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Blessing Aderogba
Technical Producer: Herbert Masua
Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla
Newshour speaks to Sonam Wangchuk, who went on a hunger strike in solidarity with thousands of students in India as they demanded change.
Also on the programme: Kyiv suffers another wave of overnight strikes; and what a crash into the moon might teach us about its surface.
(Photo: Sonam Wangchuk, an education reformer who was on a hunger strike for 26 days to support the demand for resignation of India’s education minister, walks after paying homage at the Mahatma Gandhi memorial at Rajghat in New Delhi, India, July 27, 2026. REUTERS/Priyanshu Singh)
We look at whether artificial intelligence is a help, or a hazard when it comes to helping you with your personal finances.
One in five adults in the UK - around 11 million people - are already open to the idea of using AI to manage their finances, according to the Financial Conduct Authority. But using AI to manage our money is not without risk. The FCA, the organisation tasked with keeping us financially safe, says that regulators are in an "arms race" to keep up with AI in financial services. We speak to the man behind its new report, Sheldon Mills.
And with the increase in AI useage likely to attract the scammers and the deepfakers, just how will regulation evolve to protect us?
Alongside presenter Ruth Alexander and taking listener questions is Simon Belshaw who is Chief Client Officer at the investment company Hargreaves Lansdown. And we hear from Elle Farrell-Kingsley, and advocate for AI ethics who has previously worked on artificial intelligence for one of the big tech companies.
Presenter: Ruth Alexander
Producer: Craig Henderson
Researchers: Niamh McDermott, Catherine Lund
Editor: Jess Quayle
Senior News Editor: Sara Wadeson
Pictured: Sheldon Mills, Financial Conduct Authority
(This edition was first broadcast on Wednesday July 8, 2026)
Russia has again attacked the Ukrainian capital Kyiv with ballistic missiles, killing at least one person and injuring more than 20. Earlier President Zelensky shared video on social media of a drone hunting down a man in the southern city of Kherson, saying it showed an instance of a "safari" attack against civilians. Also: while diplomatic efforts continue to re-open the Strait of Hormuz, an Indian merchant ship is sunk in the Red Sea after being hit by a projectile. Conservationists in Kenya cast doubt on official explanations that 15 dead elephants were accidentally poisoned by farmers' pesticides. The US revokes the visa of Brazil's ambassador to Washington as diplomatic tensions between the two countries escalate. A group of British teenage girls who say they experience extreme misogyny at school have sent a campaign film to the British Prime Minister calling for change. Gianni Infantino has summoned FIFA's senior leaders to a meeting in Morocco on Wednesday. And reviving old franchises puts the video game developer Atari back in profit after more than a decade in the doldrums.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
Photo: Smoke rises in Kyiv during a Russian missile strike on August 1st.
Credit: Reuters
Aviation is being reimagined for a changing planet: Vertical take-off passenger cars for city centres. Hydrogen powered planes for zero carbon travel. Hyper-sonic flights to take the London to Sydney journey to under two hours.
Kelly Latimer, US Aerospace engineer, flight test pilot, and former Flight Test Director of Virgin Galactic; Rob Miller, Net-zero aviation pioneer and Director of the Whittle Lab at Cambridge University, UK and Daniel Moczydlower, president of the Brazilian future aircraft innovators, Embraer-X, join BBC presenter Caroline Steel on stage in London, to discuss their trailblazing work and answer questions from a live audience at the Royal Geographical Society, London.
Lift-off for Elon Musk's tech company, SpaceX, as it reports its first results since going public. We examine what the company is worth and hear investors' reaction.
Also, we look at Spotify's latest user numbers and explore whether the music streaming giant could be running out of new listeners.
Elsewhere, we hear from tech workers in Gaza, ten months after the US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
And, how Europe has spent the summer trying to buy its way out of the heat.
PHOTO CREDIT: (EPA/Shutterstock)
More than 170 migrants have been rescued after the boat they were using to cross the English Channel caught fire. The boat was attempting to travel to the UK when its engine caught fire, according to the French authorities. We hear from an aid worker about the changing tactics of people smugglers.
Also on the programme: the US primary election that could shape the future of the Democratic Party; and what we can learn from a rocket crashing into the moon.
Iran's foreign ministry spokesman says that talks with Oman on a new mechanism for vessels going through the strait have been positive. President Trump has so far rejected any deal that would allow Iran to maintain control over the waterway.
Also in the programme: Oil prices have again fallen, after the latest suggestions from US officials that a deal with Iran about reopening the Strait of Hormuz might soon be agreed; why SpaceX expects a space crash on the Moon; and 'Digital lifeline' - Gaza tech workers give glimpse of possible future.
(Photo credit: Getty Images)
EU interior ministers express strong solidarity with Spain over its handling of the Ceuta migrant crisis. In a video conference, they commended the swift reaction of the authorities in Madrid to the influx of more than 70,000 Moroccans into the Spanish territory last week. The surge was blamed on disinformation and people smugglers. Also: The world's biggest oil producer, Saudi Arabia's Saudi Aramco, posts record profits as the Iran war sends prices surging, and despite Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. A mass funeral has taken place in Gaza for over 100 people whose bodies have been recovered from rubble nearly three years after they were killed in an Israeli attack. A man accused of pretending to be a judge is ordered to stand trial in Egypt. Prosecutors allege he bribed officials with $60,000 to gain access to the Cairo courthouse where he had himself filmed as if he was presiding over trials. And we hear from one of the stars of The Odyssey -- Matt Damon's stunt double -- all 1.30m of her.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
Photo: Migrants wait in line to receive food and beverages from the Red Cross, following mass crossings of migrants on foot and by sea from Morocco into Spanish territory, in Ceuta, Spain, August 3, 2026.
Credit: REUTERS/Violeta Santos Moura
Oil companies are seeing their profits spike as the Iran war continues, but President Trump says they're making too much money. So why are profits so high? Sarah Rogers takes a look. Plus, how would you feel if the government was allowed to access data from your phone? US tech giant Apple has confirmed it has launched a new legal complaint against the UK government for trying to do just that.
A tiny enclave named Ceuta has become the flashpoint of a migration crisis between Morocco and Spain. Geographically situated in Africa, but under Spanish control, Ceuta has become a destination of over 60 000 migrants risking it all in the dangerous 5km swim from the Northern city of Finiduk in Morocco to the Spanish enclave. At least 72 people have died, according to authorities.
And, a proposal to place The Nile crocodiles around an Israeli prison sparks conversations on human rights and abuses The aim is to deter Palestinian security detainees from attempting to escape from the Israeli prisons but the proposal is also facing criticism from human rights groups who say it goes beyond prison security.
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Basma El Atti, Bella Twine and Carolyne Jotham
Senior Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Blessing Aderogba
Technical Producer: Herbert Masua
Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla
Ukraine steps up its attacks on Russia - with strikes on logistics warehouses and other infrastructure overnight. Officials say at least five people have been killed and 10 more injured.
Also on the programme: European Union interior ministers hold an emergency meeting to discuss last week's influx from Morocco of up to 70,000 migrants into the tiny Spanish territory of Ceuta; and the musical that uses humour to raise awareness about the chronic women's health condition endometriosis.
(Photo: A drone view shows the site where houses were heavily damaged by a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Mykolaiv, Ukraine in this handout picture released August 4, 2026. Press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Mykolaiv region/Handout via REUTERS)
Learn an expression to use when someone doesn't socialise much with other people and prefers to be alone.
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Russia says a Ukrainian drone has killed seven people, including three children, on a beach near the Russian Black Sea resort of Gelendzhik. The regional governor accused Ukraine of a deliberate strike on civilians, while Russia's foreign ministry called it an act of terrorism. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine. Both countries have always denied deliberately targeting civilians. Also: Iran insists no peace talks are happening, but Donald Trump insists they are; meanwhile another cargo vessel is reportedly struck in the Strait of Hormuz. We have an exclusive BBC report from Pakistani-administered Kashmir, where deadly clashes with protestors have been taking place. How Myanmar's efforts to end its diplomatic isolation could be boosted by the release of photos of the detained former leader, Aung San Suu Kyi. At least 18 people are reported to have been killed in attacks by gunmen in northwestern Nigeria. Teachers in Argentina are on strike over pay and job cuts. And we meet the Gazans still working in tech - despite living in tents.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
Photo: Map showing Russia, Black Sea, Ukraine and Gelendzhik
Credit: BBC
Amid the tents and the rubble Gaza is developing once again as an unlikely tech hub. Even before the 7 October 2023 attack and the subsequent war between Israel and Hamas, NGOs, with the backing of Google, had sought to develop tech start-ups in the Gaza strip. The digital economy was one of the few areas in which young Gazans in particular could seek to earn money for their families. During the two years of war they struggled for food and water. Forced to move from place to place, most of them lost their homes, their work, sometimes their laptops and plenty lost family members. Now 80% of Gazans are unemployed and have no income. Many of them live amid the rubble in tents. Stable electricity and internet are difficult to come by. And yet co-working hubs have begun to pop up, giving well educated graduates a chance to work remotely for foreign companies as coders, software engineers and app developers.. Yolande Knell reports on how its tech workers give a glimpse of a brighter, possible future, open to the world beyond Gaza’s borders.
This episode of The Documentary, comes to you from Assignment.
We explore the impact of the Danube river running at its lowest level in decades on freight, car production and nuclear reactors in the area.
Elsewhere in a big few days for the media sector, we explore why superheroes are back, the latest on the sale of Electronic Arts and why Netflix is going into short form content.
Also, why one of Europe's most wanted drugs fugitives is living freely and with government protection in west Africa
And how Japan and the US have carried out a rare joint intervention to prop up the Yen
PHOTO CREDIT: (REUTERS/Marton Monus)
Heatwave conditions in Europe are due to continue for at least another week, pushing temperatures above 40C in many countries. Rivers have dried up in central Europe and wildfires have forced thousands to evacuate their homes in Greece. We hear from an Italian climate scientist and get advice on travel to the continent.
Also on the programme: the wheelie bin rule prompting fury in Stockport; and a tribute to the late journalist Rod Liddle from his former editor.
President Trump has said talks with Iran are going on right now. Speaking to reporters, he said Iran faced decapitation unless it agreed a deal. Mr Trump also said oil companies were making too much money, as a result of the shortages caused by the war.
Also in the programme: Russian officials say seven people have been killed in a Ukrainian drone strike on a Black Sea beach resort; drought in eastern Europe and why it's having serious implications for Hungary and Romania's electricity generation; and we hear from Kim Aris after the Red Cross visits his mother Aung San Suu Kyi, who is a political prisoner in Myanmar.
(Photo credit: Reuters)
The English Football Association is set to become the latest governing body to withdraw support for Gianni Infantino's bid for re-election as head of FIFA, increasing the pressure on him to quit. Wales and Finland have already dropped their support. Mr Infantino is under pressure because of his abandoned plan to sell stakes in the World Cup and other tournaments. Also: Japan and the US say they took coordinated action to prop up the yen last week after the Japanese currency fell to a 40-year low. The number of ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo passes 3.600, making it the biggest outbreak of the disease there. The remarkable womb surgery which fixed a miracle baby with intestines outside its body. And the death of the "Horse Whisperer", Monty Roberts, who became friends with the late Queen Elizabeth.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
Photo: File photo, Gianni Infantino, Washington December 2025
Credit: PA
Zambia voters will head to the polls on the 13th of August in what is shaping up to be one of the country's most closely watched elections. Incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema is seeking a second term but faces a strong challenge from a united opposition. While several candidates are contesting the election, the race is widely seen as being between President Hichilema and Brian Mundubile, a lawyer, Member of Parliament, and the presidential candidate backed by an opposition alliance. We speak to opposition candidate Brian Mundubile
And young girls in northwestern Nigeria are defying insecurity challenges to pick interest in Cricket. Nigeria Cricket Federation has been honoured with the international Cricket Council (ICC) Criiio Cricket Festival of the Year award for a programme introducing girls to cricket in a region affected by kidnapping, and armed banditry
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Blessing Aderogba
Senior Producers: Keikantse Shumba
Technical Producer: Herbert Masua
Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla
The English Football Association is set to become the latest governing body to withdraw support for Gianni Infantino's bid for re-election as head of Fifa. Wales and Finland have already dropped their support for him. Infantino is under sustained pressure because of his abandoned plan to sell a stake in the World Cup and other tournaments to private investors.
Also in the programme: extreme heat, wildfires and droughts continue to cause havoc across Europe; and the pioneering "horse whisperer" Monty Roberts has died.
(Photo: Fifa head Gianni Infantino sits with both hands over his mouth, with a blurry football in the foreground. Credit: T Nick Potts/PA)
The world’s largest celebration of Irish music & culture, the Fleadh, kicks off in Belfast. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, reporter Elaine Mitchell, Maurice Brown from the Belfast bands, reporter Brendan Marshall, Belfast Night czar Michael Stewart & caller Peter speak with Nolan
"I've run a marathon." Look at the shorter form 'I've'. Learn how to use contractions.
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The Pakistani Taliban has claimed responsibility for a suicide bomb attack that killed at least 14 people - including six policemen - in the Swat Valley, north of the capital Islamabad.
Also: President Trump says new negotiations will begin on Monday with Iran on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending Tehran's nuclear ambitions. Two helicopters collided in Greece while trying to douse the wildfires raging across the mainland and some of the islands. One crew made an emergency landing and survived, but the other crew were killed. We have a special report from Sierra Leone about one of Europe's most wanted drug dealers. Security officials in Russia say an explosion that killed three people at a restaurant in Moscow was an act of terrorism. Seventy-two people drowned when tens of thousands of migrants surged into the Spanish territory of Ceuta from Morocco last Thursday. The American pop star and actress, Ariana Grande is withdrawing from public appearances and won't appear in an upcoming musical production in London. Scientists say they've found evidence that Ice Age people were more likely to kill female woolly mammoths than male ones. And New Zealander Sophie Woods sets a new record for the Via Alpina, which is one of the world's toughest athletic challenges.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
Photo: Rescue workers evacuate an injured victim following the suicide bombing in Mingora, Swat, Pakistan.
Credit: EPA/Shutterstock
Nine Yards, the designers behind the Paris 2024 Olympic skatepark, get to work on their next big challenge: the rebuild of Olympiaplein, one of Amsterdam's oldest and most cherished skating spots. Sean Allsop joins designers Jesper Kuipers and Jeroen Van Eggermond in the Netherlands, as they work through sketches and plans before presenting their vision to local skaters for crucial feedback. Then the team head out onto the building site, with concrete trucks, tight deadlines, and one shot to get the surface smooth for skaters of all levels, before the gates open and a community gets to skate again. We explore how skating has evolved from an underground sport into an established movement, the community within skateparks, and the intricate detail that goes into every park.
Russian authorities say a bomb blast at a restaurant in central Moscow has killed three people and wounded many more. Reports say a woman tried to bring an improvised explosive device into the restaurant, but was stopped by a security guard. Also: Spain installs a floating barrier in the sea to protect its North African territory of Ceuta. A look back at the life of the well known mountain climber, Nirmal Purja, who's died in an avalanche. We meet the marine biologist who spent 45 years investigating a new seaweed. And we visit a hacker rehab programme hoping to steer teenagers away from cyber-crime.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
Photo: Law enforcement officers at the site of an explosion at a restaurant in central Moscow, Russia
Credit: Reuters/Anastasia Barashkova
The extremist content quietly spreading on TikTok and Instagram, targeting unsuspecting young people. Through what is disguised as innocuous lifestyle content, supporters of jihadist groups like IS and al-Qaeda reach audiences outside their echo chamber. This is a recruitment drive that signals a move from direct operational instructions to “do-it-yourself jihad", with the aim of potentially inspiring lone wolf attacks. The Global Jigsaw explores the tactics used to obscure and evade detection, the challenges this poses for platforms, and how it has become a relentless game of whack-a-mole.
Find out more about BBC Monitoring on our website: monitoring.bbc.co.uk
Contributors: Mariam Soussi, Mina al-Lami
Producer: Kriszta Satori, Elchin Suleymanov
Presenter: Krassi Ivanova Twigg
Music: Pete Cunningham
حکمرانی مجتبی خامنهای، بر اساس نشانههایی که میبینیم، چگونه خواهد بود؟ آیا جمهوری اسلامی در نسخه سوم، ادامه جمهوری دوم خواهد بود؟
میهمانها:
فرخ نگهدار، تحلیلگر سیاسی
بابک دربیکی، تحلیلگر سیاسی
When Chinese policeman Dong Guangping wrote an article commemorating the 10th anniversary of the 1989 military crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Beijing, it kicked off a chain of events that led to him serving jail time and losing his job. But it also sparked the beginning of a deep desire to live more freely. So Dong began planning how he might escape China. Just a few weeks ago, back in late May, he finally achieved his dream, having taken the huge risk of crossing China's Yellow Sea in a dinghy to reach South Korean waters. Phoebe Kong, based in the BBC's Hong Kong bureau, explained how rare Dong's achievement really is.
Yemen has faced decades of economic hardship and war, but the khat industry is thriving. Khat is a plant, and when chewed it acts as a stimulant. It is estimated to consume one-third of Yemen's groundwater and occupy much of the country's agricultural land. Dalia Haidar of BBC Arabic has been looking into Yemen's relationship to khat and the problem it can cause.
The Fifth Floor is at the heart of global storytelling on the BBC World Service, bringing you the best stories from journalists in the BBC's 43 language services. We're here to help you make sense of the stories making headlines around the world; to excite your curiosity and to get to grips with the facts.
Recent episodes have investigated Russia’s youth armies and how they make soldiers of Ukrainian children; featured the BBC team who were the first journalists to the site of the Nigerian school kidnappings and reflected the effects of internet blackouts in Iran, Uganda and India.
If you want to know more about Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, and the legacy of Hugo Chavez; or how Vladimir Putin’s network of deep cover spies operates; or why Donald Trump signed an executive order granting white South Africans asylum in the US, we have all those stories and more.
This episode of The Documentary comes to you from The Fifth Floor, the show at the heart of global storytelling, with BBC journalists from all around the world.
Presented by Faranak Amidi.
Produced by Laura Thomas and Caroline Ferguson
(Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)
Parliament was asked this week to help tens of thousands of young adults get access to their own money. It is sitting in the state-backed Child Trust Funds set up more than 15 years ago with contributions from the government, parents and other relatives. However, because these young people have learning disabilities the legal process for getting hold of their own money can cost more than the couple of thousand pounds typically in their fund. What happens next?
New figures reveal that in a single year half a million people said 'no thanks' to joining a workplace pension. Like everyone taking up a new job they were automatically enrolled into a pension, but they opted out before it even began. How might that impact their future?
Capita has missed the deadline to return services to normal for civil servants facing long delays in getting their pensions sorted.
And, a major change to the Lifetime ISA could see it replaced with a new product designed solely for First Time Buyers. How will it work?
Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporters: Dan Whitworth and Meghan Owen
Researcher: Catherine Lund
Editor: Jess Quayle
Senior News Editor: Sara Wadeson
(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 4th July 2026)
Kelsey Pfendler has completed a record-breaking journey across the Pacific Ocean, where she became the fastest person to row solo from California to Hawaii -- as well as the youngest and the first American woman to do it alone. She hopes it will inspire more women to take risks.
Plus, the four Welsh grandmothers who met a professional wrestler by chance could have their story told on the big screen. Rose and her friends Lynne, Suzie and Christine met DeReiss on a flight to Las Vegas, where they were going to scatter her husband's ashes. Why people in some major cities are raving in sauna's. The potential breakthrough in the medical condition called 'twin to twin transfusion syndrome' and the seniors in Singapore taking up Parkour.
Our weekly collection of inspiring, uplifting and happy news from around the world.
(Image: Kelsey Pfendler on her rowing boat. Credit: Carlos Andina)
Presenter: Holly Gibbs. Music composed by Iona Hampson
Fifa president Gianni Infantino has scrapped the controversial plan to sell off stakes in the World Cup and other football competitions to private investors following global outrage. He said it had become clear the project had "created divisions" that are "no longer in the interest" of its original objective. Also: Hugging Face, the tech company hacked by OpenAI's rogue agent, calls for accountability. The UN warns El Niño will intensify extreme weather in the coming months. A discovery in the Amazon rainforest sheds light on ancient indigenous civilisations. And the unlikely friendships forged in the animal world.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
Photo: Illustration showing the FIFA logo, the numbers "20%" and a rising stock graph.
Credit: REUTERS/Dado Ruvic
Wildfires continue to burn across the continent. Thousands of people have been evacuated on the Greek island of Crete, as well as in western France, Spain, Portugal and Turkey. A blaze in central Spain has burned almost 80,000 hectares over the last week and is now considered the largest recorded wildfire in Spanish history. With temperatures hitting more than 40 degrees Celsius in south-western France, firefighters, planes and helicopters have been battling fires there. Muriele in France and Julian in Spain share their experiences of escaping the flames. Robin – on holiday with his family – describes what it was like as the fire approached their French campsite. “The pool was getting filled up with ash, you could see all black pine needles, bits of bark that were burnt, it blocked out the sun,” Robin tells us. We also bring together volunteers in France, helping to provide food and shelter for people displaced from their homes.
Ukrainian drone strikes hit Wildberries warehouses across Russia, with 16 distribution centres damaged or destroyed in the past fortnight. As the country's biggest online retailer faces disruption and a Lukoil oil refinery is also hit, we examine why Ukraine is targeting Russian business infrastructure.
Also, oil prices rise after Iran stops two vessels attempting to leave the Strait of Hormuz. We ask why crude has not surged even higher, and look at how China's hidden oil reserves have helped limit the impact on global markets.
FIFA faces a growing backlash over plans to sell minority stakes in a new commercial entity controlling future tournament rights, with UEFA, other federations and senior figures inside FIFA pushing back against the proposal.
Plus, we examine the collapse of an AI-focused hedge fund once valued at $45 billion, led by 24-year-old tech entrepreneur Leopold Aschenbrenner, after its assets were bought by a rival firm for less than $10 billion.
Image Credit: STRINGER/EPA/Shutterstock
Writer: Tim Stimpson
Director: Pip Swallow
Editor: Jeremy Howe
JoleneArcher … Buffy Davis
Kenton Archer … Richard Attlee
Harrison Burns … James Cartwright
Alice Carter … Hollie Chapman
Chris Carter … Wilf Scolding
Neil Carter … Brian Hewlett
Susan Carter …Charlotte Martin
Rex Fairbrother … Nick Barber
Alan Franks … John Telfer
Ed Grundy … Barry Farrimond
Bert Horrobin … David Sterne
Brad Horrobin … Taylor Uttley
Fallon Rogers … Joanna Van Kampen
Lynda Snell … Carole Boyd
Robert Snell … Michael Bertenshaw
Lottie Summers … Bonnie Baddoo
Spain's interior ministry says more than half of the migrants who arrived in the Spanish North African territory of Ceuta since Thursday morning have now returned to Morocco. Visiting Ceuta, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned the influx as an attack, and violation of Spanish sovereignty. He blamed smuggling gangs and promised the state would use all means to protect Ceuta's security. Also: a top advisor to the head of FIFA has resigned over plans to sell private stakes in the World Cup, hours after Asia's Football Confederation added its voice to the growing condemnation. Hamas says it's accepted a peace deal for Gaza which would see it lay down its arms, on condition that Israel withdraws from the territory and ends its attacks. Rescuers in Pakistan have recovered the bodies of several climbers near the site of an avalanche on the world's 12th highest summit, Broad Peak. We meet the man who filmed what is believed to be the first ever drone footage of a humpback whale giving birth. And the history of kissing.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
Photo: Migrants swim across to Ceuta from Morocco, Spain
Credit: Reduan Dris - EPA/Shutterstock
Asian markets rebound strongly after a turbulent week for some of the world's biggest chipmakers. We look at what's behind the turnaround and whether investors are still worried about AI spending.
Also, opposition grows to FIFA's plans to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors.
And another Ukrainian drone attack targets Russia, while China's factory activity unexpectedly contracts.
Africa's video gaming industry is booming. The sector generated more than $1 billion in revenue in 2024, with mobile gaming making up around 90% of the market, according to KPMG. Although the industry has long been dominated by men, more women are entering the space, building careers as content creators, professional gamers and esports competitors. But breaking into the industry isn't always easy. Many female gamers continue to face abuse and harassment online. So what is it like to be a woman in Africa's gaming community? And why are more young Africans choosing gaming as a full-time career?
Focus on Africa's Nkechi Ogbonna speaks to 30-year-old Techna from South Africa, who left her job to become a full-time gamer, and 25-year-old Saphra from Kenya about the opportunities, challenges and future of gaming on the continent.
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Fana Negash, Carolyne Jotham, Bella Twine and Brian Khisa
Senior Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Priya Sippy
Technical Producer: Davis Mwasaru
Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla
Hamas says it's agreed to a plan put forward by President Trump's Board of Peace to completely disarm in Gaza. The BBC understands that the proposal provides for the inventory and storage of Hamas's remaining heavy weapons under Palestinian oversight. There's been no comment yet from Israel, but Mr Trump said they would eventually withdraw from Gaza. Also, we hear from a settler in the occupied West Bank who says that God chose Jews to live there and not the Palestinians. Uefa votes to boycott the World Cup if Fifa goes ahead with a plan to sell off a stake in the tournament. Thousands of migrants from Morocco overwhelm border controls to get into Spain's African enclave of Ceuta. A team of experienced mountaineers is feared missing on one of the world's highest mountains in Pakistan. And the library book that's returned after being loaned out for 150 years.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
Photo:
Armed fighters from Hamas' Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Gaza Strip, February 2025.
Credit: Mohammed Saber/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
What does it mean to inherit a faith that served as a fortress for your father, but feels like a contradiction to you? Throughout his childhood in Oxford, Silas Gray was surrounded by the sights, sounds, and symbols of his father’s Rastafarian identity. He was even named after the Rastafarian spiritual figurehead, Emperor Haile Selassie I.
But this legacy weighs heavily. It anchors him to a complex world leader he’s not sure he’s aligned with. And he feels like an imposter carrying a name associated with a faith he doesn’t practise.
Desperate to find a version of this legacy he can comfortably own, Silas decides to do what his father spent forty years dreaming of but never actually did: he books a flight to Ethiopia and travels to the Rastafarian spiritual motherland of Shashamane, the land granted to the global black diaspora by the Emperor himself.
Silas encounters a living, breathing community where three generations of Rastafarians exist under one roof.
This is a deeply personal pilgrimage about a son trying to see what his father sees, heal a generational disconnect, and finally make peace with his name.
We hear why UEFA is threatening to boycott future World Cups in a major showdown with FIFA over plans to create a new commercial entity to run its tournaments. As the row intensifies, we'll ask what it means for the future of football's biggest business with the New York Times' Tariq Panja.
Also, the BBC's Nawal Al-Maghafi reports from Iran after a new wave of US strikes, looking at the impact on a country already facing deep economic and security pressures.
And we look at Washington's move to restrict Chinese-made robots from entering the US market on national security grounds, and what it means for the future of automation and global trade.
Photo Credit: Reuters
The US military says American forces hit dozens of targets across Iran in a two-hour wave of strikes after Iranian missile attacks on US forces in Jordan were intercepted. Iranian state media reported that the islands of Qeshm and Abadan, both central to the oil industry, were among the areas hit. Jordan and Kuwait have come under further attack from Iran in retaliation. Also: More than thirty people are known to have died in Japan's earthquake. An object that violated Polish airspace overnight was 'most likely' a Russian missile, according to the Polish Prime Minister. African migrants forced to leave South Africa after a wave of anti-immigration protests speak about their difficulties in rebuilding their lives. A French teenager falls foul of laws in Singapore over an incident with a straw, and in a world dominated by devices how small moments can help us reconnect with the physical world.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
Photo: A U.S. military aircraft takes off from an unknown location during what U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) says are strikes on Iran, in this screengrab from a handout video released on July 29, 2026
Credit: US Central Command
The US has moved to block new foreign-made robots from its market over national security concerns, with Chinese manufacturers expected to be hit hardest. Beijing says it could retaliate.
We also examine the health of the US economy, as growth disappoints and inflation remains stubbornly above the Federal Reserve's target.
And Australia's internet regulator takes legal action against Telegram over its alleged failure to remove terrorist content.
In Burkina Faso, the military-led government has launched a controversial campaign targeting what it describes as religious extremism. Transitional leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré, appears to be at odds with sections of the country's Muslim community after the arrests of some clerics and signing of a new law aimed at curbing radicalisation and extremist preaching. The government has announced plans to recall about 800 Burkinabè students studying Islamic law in Arab countries, while introducing a requirement for government approval before students can pursue similar studies abroad.
And today marks International Day of Friendship by the United Nations, a day that recognises how friendships between individuals, communities and cultures can foster understanding, strengthen connections and even contribute to peace. We speak to two sets of old friends who have known each other for more than two decades.
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Bella Twine and Ayuba Iliya
Senior Producers: Keikantse Shumba
Technical Producer: Davis Mwasaru
Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla
Misha Glenny and guests discuss a familiar feature of our beaches: seashells, from their astonishing shapes and patterns that teach us about Earth’s oceans, to the ways that humans have treasured shells throughout history. Seashells appear in the mythologies of countless cultures across the world - think of Botticelli’s Venus emerging from a giant scallop shell, Vishnu's sacred horn panchajanya, or the Aztec god Quetzalcōātl’s talisman cut from a conch shell. The urge to collect shells seems to be as old as our species. We’ve used them as decoration, currency, and musical instruments. But shells aren’t just beautiful objects washed up on our beaches. Many belong to one of the most diverse groups of the animal kingdom, Mollusca, and the remarkable morphology of forms and structures they grow in offer insight into the past, present, and future of the marine world.
With
Suzanne Williams
Merit Researcher at the Natural History Museum
Liz Harper
Professor of Evolutionary Malacology in the Department of Earth Sciences and Fellow at Gonville and Caius College, University of Cambridge
Helen Scales
Marine biologist and Author.
Producer: Martha Owen
Reading list:
S. Peter Dance, Shells (DK, 2022)
A.R. Irwin, S.T. Williams, D.I. Speiser and N.W. Roberts, ‘The marine gastropod Conomurex luhuanus (Strombidae) has high-resolution spatial vision and eyes with complex retinas’ (Journal of Experimental Biology 225:16, 2022)
Michael F. Land and Dan-Eric Nilsson, Animal Eyes (Oxford University Press, 2012)
Andreia Salvador, Interesting Shells (The Natural History Museum, 2022)
Helen Scales, Shell Day: A Story of 24 Hours and 24 Molluscan Lives (University of Chicago Press, 2026)
Helen Scales, The Shell Spotter's Guide (National Trust Books, 2024)
Helen Scales, What a Shell Can Tell: Where They Live, What They Eat, How They Move, and More (Phaidon Press, 2022)
Helen Scales, Spirals in Time: The Secret Life and Curious Afterlife of Seashells (Bloomsbury Sigma, 2015)
Paul D. Taylor, Fossils: The Essential Guide (University of Chicago Press, 2025)
Suzanne Williams, ‘Molluscan shell colour’ (Biological Reviews, 2017)
In Our Time is a BBC Studios production
Spanning history, religion, culture, science and philosophy, In Our Time from BBC Radio 4 is essential listening for the intellectually curious. In each episode, host Misha Glenny and expert guests explore the characters, events and discoveries that have shaped our world.
Donald Trump suggests introducing controls on artificial intelligence following OpenAI's admission that it lost control of systems under test. But the US president said any restrictions should not allow China to win the AI race. Also: Germany says deportations to Afghanistan are no longer limited to criminals. A special report from a train journey across Iran. A mystery illness kills elephants in Kenya. BTS decides not to compete in the Grammys - we find out why. And fancy a private tour of Stonehenge? It could be yours.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
Photo: A mobile phone display showing the icons of artificial intelligence (AI) apps Deepseek, Chatgpt and Gemini.
Credit: Hannibal Hanschke/EPA/Shutterstock
The 1st of July 1916 is still one of the deadliest days in the history of warfare. Nearly 20,000 men from the British Army and 6,000 German soldiers were killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. The World War One battle would last another four months and was one of the first examples of industrial warfare; three million men fought in it, over a-million soldiers were wounded, missing or killed. Jordan Dunbar investigates how, 110 years on, the battle still affects people and communities, and discovers new insights about its impact on his own family and on the history of Ireland.
We'll hear reaction from the world of football as Fifa offers federations $40 million each to rubberstamp its plan to sell some of its commercial rights. As FIFA sends a letter to football associations explaining the plan and giving them a deadline of mid-September to agree
Also, we find out the bizarre story of why eBay had to pay one couple $56 million after a campaign of harassment.
And why Cuba has moved to open crisis-ravaged parts of its state-run economy to private firms.
Elsewhere we get the latest from the US Federal Reserve which held rates despite rising inflation.
PHOTO CREDIT: Reuters
There's a growing backlash after Fifa announced plans to sell stakes in a $20bn subsidiary to manage its competitions. The EU's sports chief accused Fifa of relentless and corrosive commercialisation of football, while European football's governing body UEFA said the World Cup was not an "asset to trade". Also: after the resumption of fighting between the US and Iran, we hear more about a militia group in Iraq which was targeted in US-Saudi strikes. At least 14 people are now known to have died in the earthquake that struck the Japanese island of Kyushu. Russia's Federal Security Service has charged the Telegram founder Pavel Durov with facilitating terrorist activities and issued an international arrest warrant. We speak to one of the people who helped rescue horses from an equestrian centre caught up in the wildfires in France; videos of them galloping through the town have gone viral. The actor and musician Jared Leto is facing allegations of criminal sexual conduct by four women. Nepal says its tiger population is bouncing back... and why raving in a sauna is becoming popular in major cities around the world.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
Photo: Fifa President Gianni Infantino during World Cup 2026 press conference
Credit: Reuters/Henry Romero
Jewellery and a strong North American market helped luxury goods giants LVMH and Kering grow sales even as promblems in the Middle East and China hampered the sector overall. We get insight from the former head of LVMH's head of North America.
Elsewhere, it's "the same again" for tech investors in Asia, as trading on the Kospi index is holted to stave off a rout after Korean chipmakers SK Hynix and Samsung saw further sharp falls in their share prices.
World Business Express - Finance, economy and business news from BBC journalists around the world. The stories that matter: World Business Express brings you the essentials on the fast-changing global economy.
South Africa has announced plans to expand its strategic oil reserve for the first time since the apartheid era. this is in its response to the global supply shocks. The proposal aims to reserve approximately 36 million barrels, comprising 70% crude oil and 30% refined petroleum products, to meet 60 days of National demand. The proposal also requires licensed oil marketers to hold an additional 21 days of oil stock as a buffer. The government says this will mitigate oil supply shocks in cases of emergencies.
And an exclusive chat with award winning Ugandan hip-hop artist and pioneer of the music genre Uga-flow, Navio, on East Africa's music scene and how he's stayed relevant, more than 20 years in the industry
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Bella Twine and Ayuba Iliya
Senior Producers: Keikantse Shumba
Technical Producer: Davis Mwasaru
Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla
Buying a flat used to be a stepping stone to owning a house – but has this all changed?
Research is telling us that the gap in price between flats and houses has hit a 30 year high. According to the property platform Zoopla, so far this this year two-thirds of one and two-bedroom flats listed for sale still haven't been sold.
The leasehold system in England is being blamed, in large part, for the declining popularity of flats. There are concerns about the length of leases and the maintenance and service charges often involved when owning a flat. The Government is in the process of introducing new measures to deal with some of these issues.
So today we're asking - what does buying a flat mean for your finances? Maybe you live in one and love it! Perhaps your children do? Or are you struggling to sell and feeling a bit flattened?
Presenter Felicity Hannah puts listeners’ questions and concerns to an expert panel. Polly Gilbert is a director at the digital mortgage brokers Tembo, and Liam Spender is a trustee at the Leasehold Knowledge Partnership.
Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Producer: Craig Henderson
Editor: Jess Quayle
Senior News Editor: Sara Wadeson
(First broadcast 3pm Wednesday 1st July, 2026)
US targets militant groups in eastern Iraq aligned with Iran, in strikes co-ordinated with Saudi Arabia. It comes after Iran said it targeted a US military base and command centre in Jordan with ballistic missiles. Also: Donald Trump meets Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington for the first time since the conflict with Iran began; the death toll mounts in Japan's earthquake; FIFA boss, Gianni Infantino, criticised for commercialising football; Jewish settler attacks on Palestinians in the Israeli occupied West Bank reach a record high, according to the United Nations; Keiko Fujimori is sworn in as Peru's first elected female president; and a museum in the US makes the most of a terrible online review.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
Photo: An Iranian woman walks near an anti-US mural in a street in Tehran.
Credit: Abedin Taherkenareh/EPA/Shutterstock
Ed Butler investigates how one of Europe’s most wanted drug smugglers, Jos Leijdekkers, ended up in Sierra Leone while evading justice.
He also explores reports linking Leijdekkers to the family of Sierra Leone’s president, including claims that he has married the president’s daughter.
for more programmes like this search Business Daily wherever you get your BBC Podcasts
Presenter/producer: Ed Butler
FIFA faces a backlash from UEFA over plans to create a new company with private investors to run major tournaments, including the World Cup. So what could this mean for the future of football?
Some of the world's biggest tech companies, including SpaceX and Tesla, have seen sharp falls in their valuations. What's driving the sell-off, and is it likely to continue?
Peru has sworn in its first female president. What challenges lie ahead, and what could her presidency mean for the country's political future?
(Picture: FIFA President Gianni Infantino arrives at the stadium before the match REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian/File Photo)
Japanese firefighters say many people are trapped inside a shopping centre after a powerful earthquake in the southern prefecture of Kumamoto, on Kyushu island. Witnesses say there was an explosion and fire at the mall after the magnitude 7.1 earthquake. Also: French firefighters have likened efforts to contain wildfires there as a David versus Goliath struggle, despite some progress tackling blazes ravaging parts of France and Spain. We report from the front line of Ecuador's war against drugs. The French football star, Zinedine Zidane, has been appointed as the coach of the men's national team. And how to become a Big Ben apprentice.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
Photo: Aerial view showing the damaged Aeon Mall shopping centre, after the earthquake in Japan's Kumamoto prefecture
Credit: Kyodo via Reuters
Saudi Arabia has executed five more Ethiopian migrants after convicting them of smuggling hashish, a concentrated form of cannabis. The Saudi Interior Ministry announced on Monday, July 27th. This latest execution brings the total number of Ethiopians put to death in the last three months to 17. The ministry emphasized that the executions were intended “to protect the security of the citizen and resident from the scourge of drugs, and to impose the most severe penalties prescribed by law on its smugglers and promoters.”
And an exclusive interview with Zambia's Vice President Mutale Nalumango on her journey to high office and what her leadership means for women and young people, women in leadership and youth involvement in politics across Africa
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Blessing Aderogba
Senior Producers: Keikantse Shumba
Technical Producer: David Nzau
Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla
South Korea's Kospi index halts trading after huge falls for tech stocks like Samsung and SK Hynix. Are investors starting to fear the arrival of Chinese AI chipmakers? Also, firefighters in France and Spain are continuing to battle wildfires that have forced hundreds of thousands of people from their homes and seen tens of thousands of businesses forced to close. And one of London's most iconic landmarks is looking for an apprentice.
From Barcelona to Mallorca, anti-tourism protests have spread as residents say booming visitor numbers are driving up costs and putting pressure on local communities.
Wildfires are threatening France's famous Bordeaux wine region, with tourists urged to stay away as the flames spread.
And why Germany is making it harder for workers to call in sick.
(Picture: A demonstrator carries a placard during a protest against mass tourism and gentrification in the Balearic Islands, in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, Credit: REUTERS/Francisco Ubilla)
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Nolan talks to UUP leader Jon Burrows & Commissioner for Older People in NI Siobhan Casey
The French President, Emmanuel Macron, has promised to commit every available resource to contain the flames from the raging wildfires. In Spain, the prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, has warned of difficult times ahead with temperatures forecast to hit forty Celsius from Tuesday. Also, the United Nations body which fights AIDS has said the world risks a resurgence of the HIV epidemic due to funding cuts. President Trump has told reporters that the US is in "very deep talks with Iran" but that he would be ready for "strong military action" if diplomacy failed. In Kenya, activists launch a high-profile legal case which claims hazardous pesticides and herbicides that are meant to make farming more efficient have been harming people's health. Gianni Infantino, the head of football's world governing body, FIFA, has told critics of his handling of several high-profile controversies at the recent men's World Cup that they had missed the joy and togetherness experienced by millions of fans. And the UN cultural organisation, UNESCO, has unusually awarded World Heritage status to a battle ground: the Normandy beaches used for the D-Day landings in 1944.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
Photo: A Military Emergencies Unit (UME) worker carries a hose during a wildfire in San Martin de Valdeiglesias, Madrid, Spain, July 26, 2026.
Credit: REUTERS/Ana Beltran
In Kenya, a young lawyer is bringing a legal case against the Kenyan government, regulator, and several multinational agrochemical companies.
He’s working alongside activists and health practitioners, and they claim that hazardous pesticides and herbicides, designed to make farming for efficient, are damaging the health of farmers in Kenya.
They are demanding changes to regulation, as well as increased education and compensation for people who they claim, have had their health severely affected by high exposure to these products.
For Assignment, Josephine Casserly travels to Kenya to follow lawyers, health practitioners and scientists as they face the challenges of gathering evidence to support their case.
Firefighters have warned they are still not in control of a major wildfire near Bordeaux and fears grow that the situation in France and Spain will worsen as a fresh heatwave arrives. More than 300,000 people have been evacuated. Also: the Sudanese army says it has taken control of a major highway from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces which links the capital Khartoum to the besieged town of el-Obeid. Three people are killed in a shooting at a food festival in Seattle in the United States, despite the city's strict gun laws. The German anatomist, Gunther von Hagens, sometimes called Dr Death, has died; he was known for developing a technique called plastination, allowing him to display and dissect human bodies and animals in detail. A documentary film is being released about how the British pop duo Wham! made history in 1985 by becoming the first western band to perform their music in China. And the curse of County Mayo's Gaelic football team is over as it triumphs in the all-Ireland final after 75 years.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
Photo: Firefighters battle wildfires in Gironde department, France
Credit: REUTERS
The Women's African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) has kicked off in Morocco, with an expanded 16-team tournament bringing together the continent's best sides in the battle for the African title. The host country, Morocco has defeated Kenya , 4-0 (nil) in the opening match. Running till the 16th of August, the four semi-finalists will automatically qualify for next year's Women's World Cup, while the losing quarter-finalists will have another opportunity to reach the global stage through the inter-continental play-offs. This year, the stakes are higher than ever.
Meanwhile, authorities in Liberia and Nigeria are investigating major cocaine and methamphetamine operations in one of West Africa's largest drug crackdowns in recent years.
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Bella Twine
Senior Producers: Keikantse Shumba
Technical Producer: David Nzau
Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla
Wildfires are disrupting businesses, transport and tourism across France and Spain at the height of the summer holiday season.
Also in the programme, China's leading memory chip maker makes a blockbuster stock market debut.
And Indonesia faces fresh economic uncertainty after the surprise resignation of its central bank governor.
What's the connection between a teacher, a driver and a presenter? We explain.
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German police have shot dead the man accused of carrying out a deadly attack at a Pride event in Berlin. Abdul Ballout's death brings a huge manhunt to an end. Ballout, a German citizen with Lebanese heritage, had previously tried to join the Islamic State group. Also: Wildfires in south-western France are continuing to close in on the city of Bordeaux.
A wave of attacks by Israeli settlers has continued across the occupied West Bank, after four Palestinians and two Israelis were shot dead in a confrontation near Nablus on Friday. We hear about the opening fixtures at the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. A protected area for migratory animals becomes South Sudan's first ever UNESCO World Heritage Site. And, the Sicilian capital, Palermo, is among the first Italian cities to say goodbye to horse-drawn tourist carriages.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
Photo: Police officers secure the area at an allotment garden complex in the Berlin suburb of Spandau after a known Islamist, suspected of ramming a minivan into a crowd near Berlin's annual Christopher Street Day Pride parade on Saturday evening, was shot and killed in a police operation, in Berlin, Germany, July 26, 2026.
Credit: REUTERS/Christian Mang TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
The American artist James Turrell is famous for his Skyspaces. A Skyspace is chamber with an opening to the sky. Turrell bathes the roof with light that subtly changes colour, which affects our perception of the colour of the sky itself. Julian May travels to ARoS, the Art Museum in Aarhus, Denmark to meet James Turrell as he prepares his latest SkySpace, entitled As Seen Below – The Dome. It is a monumental work, which from the ground outside looks like tumulus, an ancient a grass covered burial mound. To experience the work Julian goes through an underground tunnel that brings him into the huge domed space flooded with changing coloured light. Through the opening the sky appears at once immensely deep, yet close.
James Turrell tells Julian that while most artists depict light, light is his material; his work is light itself. He speaks about how flying (he gained a pilot’s licence at the age of sixteen), the changing colours of the sky and the disorientating experience of speeding between clouds and fog inspires him. How, too, his upbringing and life as a Quaker has a profound influence.
This episode of The Documentary, comes to you from In the Studio, exploring the processes of the world’s most creative people.
The Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) is a mainstay of the US political calendar, a barometer of the Republican party mood, and has become, in recent years, a pro-Trump event, with a big budget and crowds in the thousands. Its first outing to the United Kingdom last week brought less of the bombast, but much the same flavour of politics, as figures from across the hard right assembled for debates on topics including migration, race, British identity and cryptocurrency, under the slogan ‘Save Britain. Save The West’. One of our producers, Hannah Moore, attended the conference to find a conservative movement reckoning with its identity, and divided on whether importing MAGA-style politics can unite the right.
For more episodes, just search 'The Global Story' wherever you get your BBC Podcasts.
Cars driven by Israeli volunteers wait at check points to give lifts to sick Palestinians to their hospital appointments - what the volunteers call “one hour of peace”. Since Hamas’s attacks on 7 October, it has become an increasingly rare space for Israelis and Palestinians to speak and build trust and connection amid the trauma of war. Most Palestinians from the occupied West Bank are prevented from travelling to Israel, among them patients in desperate need of specialised medical treatment. Some days there are more than 80 car rides, volunteer drivers, waiting at the checkpoint, by the separation barrier that divides Israel and the West Bank. Meanwhile in Gaza, patients who used to receive medical care in Israel are among around 20,000 patients on a long list awaiting medical evacuation. Jerusalem reporter Naomi Scherbel-Ball hears how they have survived more than two years of a devastating war, displaced from their homes and reliant on a health system all but destroyed by war. She also meets the Israeli volunteers, who had friends and family killed on 7 October. Despite the war, some have stayed in touch with the patients they used to drive from Gaza.
خشونت در انسان ناشی از رشد در فرهنگ و اجتماع خشن است یا مبنایی در بیولوژی انسان دارد؟ آیا خشونت ذاتی انسان است؟
میهمانها:
مازیار اشرفیان، بناب متخصص ژنتیک
نازی اکبری، رواندرمانگر
رضا علیجانی، دانشآموخته جامعهشناسی
این برنامه پیش از این یک بار دیگر نیز پخش شده است.
When it comes to conservation, adorable and majestic animals often attract the most concern for their plight. It's not so easy to get the public's attention when it comes to animals that are perceived as weird or creepy or downright unpleasant. The vulture, traditionally associated with death and carrion, falls into this unlucky group. Globally, around 70% of vultures are now under threat of extinction and Nigeria's vultures are no exception. BBC West Africa journalist Makuochi Okafor has been investigating this story.
In Vietnam, The Last Empress, a new film inspired by the life of the final empress of the Nguyen Dynasty, appears to be provoking a strong reaction. Nam Phuong is a well-known historical figure in Vietnam, who along with her husband, Bao Dai, she was also seen as a puppet of the French colonial regime. Since the release of the trailer for The Last Empress, this long debate in Vietnam has bubbled back to life. Duc Ha from the BBC's Bangkok bureau has been exploring the human story behind all the politics and controversy.
In a private party in a Russian town, Katya was about to blow out the candles on her 30th birthday cake when masked men burst into the nightclub that she had hired and began physically and verbally attacking her friends. The swoop was instigated by a vigilante group who want to accelerate President Vladimir Putin's promotion of what he sees as traditional Russian family values. As is sometimes the case in these raids, members of the town's police also joined them, shutting down the party and interrogating the guests. Amalia Zatari of BBC Russian has been looking into this vigilante group.
The Fifth Floor is at the heart of global storytelling on the BBC World Service, bringing you the best stories from journalists in the BBC's 43 language services. We're here to help you make sense of the stories making headlines around the world; to excite your curiosity and to get to grips with the facts.
Recent episodes have investigated Russia’s youth armies and how they make soldiers of Ukrainian children; featured the BBC team who were the first journalists to the site of the Nigerian school kidnappings and reflected the effects of internet blackouts in Iran, Uganda and India.
If you want to know more about Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, and the legacy of Hugo Chavez; or how Vladimir Putin’s network of deep cover spies operates; or why Donald Trump signed an executive order granting white South Africans asylum in the US, we have all those stories and more.
This episode of The Documentary comes to you from The Fifth Floor, the show at the heart of global storytelling, with BBC journalists from all around the world.
Presented by Faranak Amidi.
Produced by Laura Thomas, Caroline Ferguson and Hannah Dean.
(Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)
More than 15,000 people have responded to a Government review into access to banking services in just three weeks since it opened. The review comes after a decade which has seen almost 7,000 bank branches close, with hundreds more happening this year and some announced in just the past few days. Richard Lloyd, a former Director at the consumer group Which?, gives his first interview since being appointed to lead the review.
HMRC must "learn lessons" for the future after incorrectly suspending child benefit payments from thousands of claimants last year. That is the conclusion of a report published this week by the National Audit Office. The mistake happened during the wider roll out of a pilot scheme designed to cut some of the hundreds of millions of pounds estimated to be lost to fraud and error in child benefit claims each year.
People who are 66 today, born 27 June 1960, are the youngest people who will get the Winter Fuel Payment this year. Normally the qualifying date is three months later. How does the payment work?
And, VAT has been cut on summer attractions used by children - from theme parks to fast food - what kind of discounts are there?
Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporters: Sarah Rogers and Jo Krasner
Researcher: Catherine Lund
Editor: Jess Quayle
Senior News Editor: Sara Wadeson
(First broadcast at midday on Saturday 27th June, 2026)
It has been a month since the twin earthquakes in Venezuela, estimated to have killed more than five thousand people. But there have also been some remarkable stories of rescue with people being pulled alive from the rubble many days after the disaster.
In our conversations, we bring together people who survived disasters to discuss the long-term impact the events have had on their lives.
Marinel lived through Typhoon Haiyan, which hit the Philippines in 2013 and was one of the strongest typhoons in recorded history.
Jeff was a pupil at the junior school in Aberfan in South Wales. In 1966, 116 children were killed when waste from coal mines crashed down the mountainside engulfing his school.
“I did go to one counsellor and that counsellor said to me, when you review what you’ve been through, think of happy things like birthday parties,” Jeff tells us. “Well, the majority of people that would have come to my birthday party were now gone.”
We also bring together rescue workers to hear what motivates them and how they cope with confronting death and destruction.
This edition of The Documentary is from BBC Conversations where we bring people together to share their personal experiences of world events.
Presenter: James Reynolds
BBC producers: Ryan Keane, Lindsay Brown and Isabella Bull
Boffin Media producer: Richard Hollingham
Editors: Arja Haikonen and Harriet Oliver
A Boffin Media production in partnership with the BBC World Service Outside Source team.
Paramount agrees to pause its Warner Bros deal after dozen US states seek to block this deal.
We look at the impact of US tariffs of between 10 and 12.5% on imports from many of America’s major trading partners.
And how OpenAI's recent rogue attack on a fellow company may influence other AI firms to look at their cyber security systems.
(Picture: GV of American landmark the Hollywood sign, Hollywood Hills, LA, California. Credit: BBC)
Writer: Sarah McDonald Hughes
Director: Jesscia Bunch
Editor: Jeremy Howe
JoleneArcher … Buffy Davis
Harrison Burns … James Cartwright
Alice Carter … Hollie Chapman
Chris Carter … Wilf Scolding
Susan Carter … Charlotte Martin
Rex Fairbrother … Nick Barber
Alan Franks … John Telfer
Bert Horrobin … David Sterne
Brad Horrobin … Taylor Uttley
Chelsea Horrobin … Madeleine Leslay
Tracy Horrobin …. Susie Riddell
Elizabeth Pargetter … Alison Dowling
Fallon Rogers … Joanna Van Kampen
Lynda Snell … Carole Boyd
Carol Tregorran … Mia Soteriou
New import taxes have been placed on more than 60 trading partners of the United States. Businesses in Australia and Norway give us their reaction
Tech stocks continue to struggle
and should AI have a 'kill-switch'
Presenter: Barbara George
Editor: Justin Bones
Grammy-nominated Yemi Alade is one of Africa's biggest music stars and a trailblazer who has helped take Afrobeats to audiences around the world. She's collaborated with artists including Beyoncé and became the first female African Afrobeats artist to surpass 100 million views on a single music video. Now, she's touring the continent to promote her latest album. While in Kenya, she sat down with Focus on Africa host Nkechi Ogbonna to reflect on her longevity, the challenges women face in Africa's music industry, and what governments can do to better support artists.
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Keikantse Shumba, Fana Negash and Carolyne Kiambo
Senior Producers: Priyanka Sippy and Charles Gitonga
Technical Producer: Herbert Masua
Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla
Nolan speaks with Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, Robin Moira White & Maya Forstater
When her mother dies, Rimi Tanaka regrets that she never truly got to know her. And so when her mother’s literary agent calls Rimi out of the blue, and asks her if she wants to write the book Akemi was writing when she died, Rimi seizes the opportunity. Akemi was researching her samurai ancestry, learning more about their philosophical code, and how it can teach us to live a fuller life today. Can completing her mother’s spiritual quest help Rimi finally come closer to someone she felt she never fully knew?
Oil prices hit $100 a barrel for the first time since May as the escalating conflict in the Middle East reignites fears for global energy supplies.
Rising oil prices are impacting many industries including the travel sector. We speak to founder of Omio - one of the world's leading travel tech platforms.
And the World Bank estimates Venezuela's earthquakes caused $19.6bn in damage. Where will they get the money to rebuild?
(Picture: Wall tiles detached by the earthquake - stock photo. Credit: Getty Images)
Gaza's Hamas-run civil defence agency says it has finished counting the living Israeli hostages and has transferred them to different locations ahead of their release which is due to take place on Monday. We also get the latest from Gaza.
Also in the programme: Has there been a coup in Madagascar? And does classical music help you study?
(Photo: People look at pictures and messages displayed at "Hostages Square" amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in Tel Aviv, Israel, October 12, 2025. Credit: Reuters/Hannah McKay)
The billionaire Larry Ellison could soon control huge portions of America’s AI, attention economy and legacy media. He already owns swathes of AI infrastructure and is preparing to takeover TikTok, whilst his son, whose company already owns Paramount, is preparing a deal to buy Warner Bros. Discovery. So who is this ‘CEO of everything’, and how is his family dynasty becoming the 21st Century’s Rockerfellers?
With Asma Khalid in DC, Tristan Redman in London, and the backing of the BBC’s international newsroom, The Global Story brings clarity to politics, business and foreign policy in a time of connection and disruption. For more episodes, just search 'The Global Story' wherever you get your BBC Podcasts.
Fierce fighting is taking place between the Pakistani army and Afghan Taliban forces at multiple points along the Durand Line. It's the latest flare-up between the neighbours as insecurity rises in the border region. Also: Hamas says it will start releasing Israeli hostages on Monday as part of the Gaza peace process, the EU introduces new travel regulations for the Schengen area, we look back at the life and career of Diane Keaton who's died, Venezuela's Maria Corina Machado speaks to the BBC after winning the Nobel Peace Prize, a doctor's view on young people's relationship with plastic surgery, and the Cape Verde men's football team prepare for a match that could earn the island nation a spot in the World Cup.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
During the Brazilian military dictatorship, the Krenak indigenous people were banned from speaking their language, imprisoned in reformatories and forcibly displaced from their land. In 2024, the State asked them for forgiveness. Can it be granted?
Journalist Pūlama Kaufman travels to the remote city of Resplendor in the south-east of Brazil to meet up with Brazilian environmental journalist, Cristina Serra. Together, they are welcomed into the Krenak Indigenous territory where they speak with Karnak elders, philosophers and community leaders.
The Documentary uncovers the many layers to what Brazilian Civil Prosecutor Edmundo Dias calls an intentional, “genocide” of the Krenak, lead by Brazilian federal agencies. For decades, very little was known about what the Krenak suffered during the dictatorship, but now they are speaking out. And in 2024, the Amnesty Commission made its first ever apology to an Indigenous group when the president of the Commission got down on her knees in front of the Krenak.
President Trump's Middle East envoy has told a packed rally of relatives of Israeli hostages and their supporters in Tel Aviv that they were coming home. Steve Witkoff's remarks come ahead of Monday's expected release of 48 living and dead hostages by Hamas, as part of the Gaza peace deal. Mr Witkoff praised President Trump -- to cheers -- as well as the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu -- whose name was booed. We speak to a doctor at one of the Israeli hospitals where they're expected to arrive.
Also, protests in Madagascar, where at least twenty two people have been killed in recent weeks.
And the Hollywood actress Diane Keaton has died. She was 97. Known for her versatility, Diane Keaton first became famous in the early 1970s when she appeared in the Godfather films. She later won an Oscar for her role as Woody Allen's love interest in the 1977 romantic comedy, Annie Hall.
(Photo: U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff speaks at "Hostages square", flanked by Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza went into effect, in Tel Aviv, Israel, October 11, 2025. Credit: Reuters)
کمتر کسی توانسته با نام خود صفتی رایج کند که در سراسر دنیا در سیاست و حتی مکالمات روزمره مرتب به کار میرود. ماکیاولی چه میگفت؟ بین آنچه که ماکیاولیستی خواند میشود و نیکولو ماکیاولی چه مناسبتی وجود دارد؟
مهمانان برنامه:
رامین جهانبگلو، اسفندیار طبری، کیانوش بوستانی و میثم ارشدی
این برنامه پیش از این یک بار پخش شده است.
Donald Trump says Hamas is gathering the Israeli hostages "now", adding that he's confident the Gaza deal he helped broker will "hold".
As thousands of Palestinians have begun returning to Gaza's north and Hamas has until midday on Monday to release the hostages, we hear from the Gaza Strip and assess what Hamas and Israel are likely to do now.
Also in the programme: Donald Trump has said he could impose an additional 100% tariff on imports from China from next month after Beijing's move to tighten its rare earths export rules; and MTV, the world's first 24-hour music broadcaster, is to stop showing rolling pop videos in just about every country except the United States.
(Photo shows Crowds of Palestinians making their way up a narrow coastal road to Gaza's north. Credit: Haitham Imad/EPA)
We hear how a man's search for his birth mother ended in an unexpected but familiar place - his favourite local bakery. Vamarr Hunter was shocked to discover that the bakery's owner, whose company and motherly advice he'd enjoyed for years, was the woman who'd given him up for adoption when she was 17. Lenore Lindsey says being reunited has made her a warmer person and it feels like they were never separated.
Also: The international football star who cycles to work, uses public transport and wears second-hand clothes. Héctor Bellerín, who plays for Real Betis in Spain, uses his profile to champion greener choices - arguing that with power comes responsibility.
Green turtles have recovered from the brink of extinction, in what scientists are describing as a major conservation victory. They've been classed as endangered since the 1980s but their numbers are bouncing back.
The winner of one of the world's most prestigious prizes describes how he initially thought his wife was playing a joke on him. Fred Ramsdell missed the official announcement that he'd been awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine because he was on a hiking trip.
Plus the cafe that's providing work as well as food for the homeless, and a kind stranger who drove hundreds of miles just to return someone's lost bag.
Our weekly collection of inspiring, uplifting and happy news from around the world. (Photo credit: Lenore Lindsey)
India is known for its close knit families and communities, but modern work practices mean more and more people are living far from home, and suffering from loneliness. Reporter Sumedha Pal in Dehli shares the stories of some of the people in India who are trying to find creative solutions to connect with others.
Animated film 'K-pop Demon Hunters' has topped streaming and music charts globally, pitting a demon hunter girl-group Huntrx against a would be soul-stealing boy band, Saja Boys. It's an English language film, but Koreans have taken the protagonists to heart, as BBC Korean Yuna Ku reports.
Plus, why do mosques in Kashmir have such a distinctive look? We discuss with Aliya Nazki from BBC Urdu.
This episode of The Documentary comes to you from The Fifth Floor, the show at the heart of global storytelling, with BBC journalists from all around the world.
Presented by Faranak Amidi
This is an EcoAudio certified production.
President Trump has said he will impose additional 100% import tariffs on Chinese goods by next month, and put export controls on any and all critical software. He said this was in response to China placing new restrictions on exports of crucial rare earth minerals. The news led to US stock markets registering their biggest one-day fall in months. Also: Palestinians in Gaza returning to their homes following the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas say they've been shocked by the scale of destruction; the French president, Emmanuel Macron, has reappointed Sebastien Lecornu as prime minister, just four days after he resigned from the role; the green turtle has been rescued from the brink of extinction in what scientists are calling a major conservation victory.
President Donald Trump recently addressed what he described as the “horrible crisis” in autism, and rapid rise in reported cases over the last two decades. Previously, he has suggested a link between some vaccines and autism, and in his latest remarks, he warned pregnant women to avoid taking the painkiller Tylenol, or Paracetamol as it is known in many countries. Scientists around the world have condemned his remarks. They say the rise in reported cases of autism is due to increased understanding and diagnoses, and that there is no evidence to show that autism is caused by painkillers or vaccines. We speak to autistic people and the parents of autistic children to discuss their reactions to President Trump’s comments.
New figures reveal that more than a quarter of a million homeowners have temporarily reduced their mortgages payments, or extended their mortgage term, since lenders agreed to offer better support to customers in June 2023 through what was called the Mortgage Charter.
There's been a sharp rise in people taking their tax-free lump sum out of their pension over the past year. Since 2015 people over the age of 55 could take 25 per cent of their pension pots tax-free and then use the rest as they wished. These figures from the regulator the Financial Conduct Authority show tens of thousands more people made that choice - why?
Millions of people are missing out on tens of billions of pounds worth of help ranging from benefits to social tariffs from utility companies. That's according to the latest analysis Policy in Practice suggests. What type of benefits are people missing out on?
And the £100 limit on contactless card payments looks set to be scrapped. The regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority, published plans this week to let banks set their own limit - or indeed have no limit at all.
Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporters: Dan Whitworth and Jo Krasner
Researcher: Eimear Devlin
Editor: Jess Quayle
(First broadcast 12pm on Radio 4 on Saturday 13th September 2025)
President Trump is threatening to cancel his meeting with Xi Jinping and, in a post on Truth Social, warned of “strange things happening in China.” He says Beijing is planning sweeping export controls on rare earths — and the U.S. is now calculating a massive tariff hike.
U.S. businesses trading with China are watching closely —and soybean farmers especially so. We speak to their trade body and ask their reaction.
Plus, cocoa prices have taken a tumble to their lowest level in nearly two years, after a wild rally that squeezed chocolate makers and boosted farmer incomes. So what’s behind the drop, and what does it mean for growers on the ground?
And Pokémon cards have become a serious business. Since they first came out in 1996, the value of certain rare cards has skyrocketed — we’re talking up to 4,000% over the past two decades. So what’s behind the boom?
You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.
As Israeli tanks move out, Palestinians in Gaza move back to their homes, many in ruins. We hear from civilians inside the Gaza Strip and speak to a former US general on whether the ceasefire will hold.
Also on the programme: Venezuelans react as opposition leader María Corina Machado is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize; and we visit a small West London restaurant that caters to India's biggest film stars as the Prime Minister announces more Bollywood movies will be produced in the UK.
Palestinians in Gaza returning to their homes following the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas say they've been shocked by the scale of destruction. Also on the programme, The Venezuelan opposition leader and democracy activist, María Corina Machado, has been awarded this year's Nobel Peace Prize; and, the green turtle has been rescued from the brink of extinction in what scientists are calling a major conservation victory.
(Photo: Palestinians react near rubble following Israeli forces' withdrawal from the area, after Israel and Hamas agreed on the Gaza ceasefire, in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, October 10, 2025. REUTERS/Ramadan Abed TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)
Writer: Sarah Hehir
Director: Dave Payne
Editor: Jeremy Howe
Jolene Archer.... Buffy Davis
Chris Carter.... Wilf Scolding
Neil Carter.... Brian Hewlett
Susan Carter.... Charlotte Martin
Ruairi Donovan.... Arthur Hughes
Mick Fadmoor.... Martin Barrass
Amber Gordon.... Charlotte Jordan
Clarrie Grundy..... Heather Bell
Ed Grundy..... Barry Farrimond
Eddie Grundy.... Trevor Harrison
Emma Grundy.... Emerald O'Hanrahan
George Grundy.... Angus Stobie
Will Grundy.... Philip Molloy
Brad Horrobin.... Taylor Uttley
Adam Macy.... Andrew Wincott
Paul Mack.... Joshua Riley
Lily Pargetter.... Katie Redford
Fallon Rogers.... Joanna Van Kampen
Prison Guard.... Janice Connolly
At this week's Labour Conference, Kier Starmer warned that Britain faces a 'fork in the road'. Helping Andy Zaltzman decide which way to turn are Ian Smith, Celya AB, Hugo Rifkind and Zoe Lyons.
Written by Andy Zaltzman.
With additional material by: Cody Dahler, Eve Delaney and John Tothill
Producer: Georgia Keating and James Robinson
Executive Producer: Pete Strauss
Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman
Sound Editor: Marc Willcox
A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
Tens of thousands of Gazans make the long walk back to where they once lived after a ceasefire comes into force. Meanwhile, families in Israel wait for the return of the last remaining hostages held by Hamas. The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded to Venezuela's opposition leader, María Corina Machado, who expressed shock when first told of the award. Also, Taiwan seeks to protect itself against air attack from China with a defence system similar to Israel's Iron Dome, and the football referee who thinks we shouldn't want to win at all costs.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
The US has purchased Argentine pesos, taking the next step in a controversial effort to calm a currency crisis hitting the South American country and its president, Trump ally Javier Milei.
In the US though, it's a different story – farmers, especially soybean farmers, have lost ground to Argentina in global markets, especially in China, due to its trade war with the US.
And Pokémon cards are hitting record highs, as some of them have seen values rise by 4000%, according to Card Ladder, which tracks values.
Presenter: Sarah Rogers
Producer: Ahmed Adan
Editor: Justin Bones and Shea Conduct
Venezuela's opposition leader and pro-democracy activist María Corina Machado has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize.
For years, she has campaigned against Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro, whose 12-year rule is viewed by many nations as illegitimate. We'll speak to one of her close allies about what difference the award might make.
Also in the programme: Thousands of displaced Palestinians are heading back to what's left of their homes as a ceasefire comes into effect in Gaza; how AI-controlled weapons could become a reality on the battlefields of Ukraine; and a new species of pre-historic marine reptile that's just been identified by scientists.
(Photo shows Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado at a protest on 9 January 2025. Credit: Leonardo Fernandez Viloria/Reuters)
After two long years President Trump has announced a ceasefire agreement which should see the remaining hostages returned home in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners. How have the families of Israeli hostages and their loved ones, held captive in dark tunnels for hundreds of days, managed to hold onto hope? Do people deepen their faith during periods of immense suffering, or turn away from religion? For this edition of Heart and Soul, Naomi Scherbel-Ball explores how, two years on since the October 7th attacks, hostages and their families see their lives and their faith. Many of those held hostage in Gaza come from the kibbutzim, largely secular communities that border Gaza, or were taken from the Nova music festival. Some of those released have spoken about reconnecting with their Jewish faith, with one female hostage even translating her prayers into Arabic so she would be allowed to continue to pray by her captors. Others speak of the strength they found in their family, the kibbutzim movement and community. 65-year-old American-Israeli Keith Siegel, who was kidnapped with his wife Aviva, explains how his connection to Judaism deepened during nearly 500 days in captivity. On his release, his daughter asked what he would like for their first family shabbat meal together after nearly 500 days. “What I want most is a kippah and a kiddush cup”, he answered, referring to the head covering worn by observant Jewish men and the symbolic cup that is held during the Friday night blessing in Judaism. Now back with his family in Israel, he says his heart is not whole until the remaining hostages return.
This episode of The Documentary, comes to you from Heart and Soul, exploring personal approaches to spirituality from around the world
Produced and Presented by Naomi Scherbel-Ball
Executive Producer: Rajeev Gupta
Editor: Chloe Walker
Israel's government has agreed to the first phase of President Trump's plan to end the war in Gaza and secure the release of all remaining Israeli hostages. A ceasefire is expected to take effect within 24 hours, with hostage releases to follow within three days. Under the deal, Israel would free hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, begin withdrawing troops from parts of Gaza, and allow hundreds of aid trucks to enter the Strip. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hailed the move as a 'momentous development' and thanked President Trump, as well as US aides Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Also: a man convicted of raping Gisèle Pelicot, the woman at the centre of a high-profile trial in France, has had his sentence extended; New York’s Attorney General, Letitia James, has been indicted on federal charges of bank fraud; India's southern state of Karnataka has approved a plan to grant one day of paid menstrual leave per month; how a new AI arms race is transforming the war in Ukraine; a behind-the-scenes look at the race for the Nobel Peace Prize; and why the DNA of naked mole rats could hold the key to a longer life.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
The Chief Executive of JP Morgan Chase Jamie Dimon shares his views on AI, and whether he thinks the hype around it will continue. The German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz vows to do everything possible to counter EU rules banning the sale of new CO2 emitting cars after 2035. And we hear how Doanld Trumps tariffs pilicy is affecting Switzerland which is facing duties of some 39 per cent on its exports to the US. (Picture: Jamie Dimon. Credit; Shannon Stapleton Reuters)
Israeli ministers are meeting to discuss a deal brokered by US President Donald Trump which would see a ceasefire implemented in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages by Hamas. They are widely expected to approve the plan.
In this special episode of The World Tonight we speak to a former Israeli Prime Minister as well as a mother in Gaza who lost her husband at the beginning of the war, but speaks of her hope for the future.
Also on the programme: the chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee says if the Gaza plan works in bringing peace to the Middle East then US President Trump should "of course" get a Nobel Peace Prize. And an historian and veteran Middle East journalist discuss how significant this ceasefire agreement might be in the history of Israel and Palestine.
Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a ceasefire and hostage release deal, paving the way for a possible end to the conflict in Gaza. Also on the programme, a Hungarian author of apocalyptic novels wins the Nobel Prize for Literature.
(Photo: Einav Zangauker, the mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, reacts, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas agreed on the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire, at the "Hostages square", in Tel Aviv, Israel, October 9, 2025. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun)
The 2025 Nobel prizes are announced this week – how did Science in Action’s predictions fare? Science author and thinker Philip Ball judges.
Also, a new “Human Disease Blood Atlas” gets a boost, as described by Mathias Uhlén of SciLifeLab.
Meanwhile Nozair Khawaja of Free University of Berlin has been revisiting data from the Cassini mission to Enceladus, one of Saturn’s moons, back in 2008. His new analysis increases the prospects of habitable conditions deep on the ocean floor beneath the icy crust.
Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Alex Mansfield
Production Coordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth
(Image: Chair of the Nobel Committee for Chemistry explains a model during a press conference. Credit: Jonathan Nackstrand via Getty Images).
Government ministers in Israel meet to approve President Trump's peace plan. There's an outburst of joy and celebration in Israel and Gaza after the deal was signed. But will it hold? We also look at an attack on a hospital in the besieged city of El-Fasher in Sudan, and hear about the winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
In a BBC interview, the head of America's largest bank, J P Morgan, has warned that US stock markets do not currently reflect the level of risk of a serious fall. Jamie Dimon said he was "far more worried than others" about a major market correction.
China has tightened its rules on the export of rare earths – the elements that are crucial to the manufacture of many high-tech products.
And the price of silver hit its highest level in decades. The metal reached more than $50 an ounce.
Presenter: Sarah Rogers
Producer: Ahmed Adan
Editor: Justin Bones
US President Donald Trump says Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of his Gaza ceasefire deal.
We'll speak to the father of one of the Israeli hostages held in Gaza and get reaction from Gaza City. We also assess the chances and the many obstacles that remain in the way of a lasting peace deal.
Also on the programme: this year's Nobel Prize for Literature has been awarded to the Hungarian writer Laszlo Krasznahorkai; and the celebrated Chinese pianist Lang Lang on his new album.
(Photo: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio updates President Trump on the Gaza proposal on September 22 at the White House. Credit: Reuters)
Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina has asked for one year to fix the country's challenges, promising that if they persist, he will resign. He said this during a town-hall style meeting at his palace with various groups of government supporters. Many attendees had the opportunity to ask the president questions or simply share their views. We hear analysis.
Also, South Africa’s highest court rules that all parents of newborns, will now be entitled to equal parental leave.
And renewable energy overtakes coal as the world's leading source of electricity. What's the impact on African countries?
Presenter: Karnie Sharp
Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Stefania Okereke and Tanya Hines
Technical Producer: Frank McWeeny
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Karnie Sharp
A landmark agreement has been reached by Israel and Hamas for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all the remaining hostages. The deal is expected to come into force later on Thursday, after being ratified by the Israeli government, and would include the release of around two thousand Palestinian prisoners. It's the first phase of a US-led initiative and was agreed after intense negotiations in Egypt.
We bring you the latest developments and reactions to the deal from Israel and Gaza. The hostages could be released on Sunday or Monday, but we hear why some families say their joy is mixed with anger that it's taken so long. In Gaza, there were celebrations at the news and relief that the attacks could soon end and desperately needed aid could reach the hundreds of thousands in need. But there's also concern that many of the details of the plan remain unclear.
Our correspondents also explain how the deal was agreed overnight, and why it's been possible now, after just over two years of war. And we hear that some within the Israeli government remain opposed to plan.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories.
Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
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Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss 'the greatest poet of his age', Thomas Wyatt (1503 -1542), who brought the poetry of the Italian Renaissance into the English Tudor world, especially the sonnet, so preparing the way for Shakespeare and Donne. As an ambassador to Henry VIII and, allegedly, too close to Anne Boleyn, he experienced great privilege under intense scrutiny. Some of Wyatt's poems, such as They Flee From Me That Sometime Did Me Seek, are astonishingly fresh and conversational and yet he wrote them under the tightest constraints, when a syllable out of place could have condemned him to the Tower. With Brian Cummings 50th Anniversary Professor of English at the University of York Susan Brigden Retired Fellow at Lincoln College, University of Oxford And Laura Ashe Professor of English Literature at the University of Oxford Producer: Simon Tillotson In Our Time is a BBC Studios Audio Production Reading list: Thomas Betteridge and Suzannah Lipscomb (eds.), Henry VIII and the Court: Art, Politics and Performance (Routledge, 2016) Susan Brigden, Thomas Wyatt: The Heart’s Forest (Faber, 2012) Nicola Shulman, Graven with Diamonds: The Many Lives of Thomas Wyatt: Courtier, Poet, Assassin, Spy (Short Books, 2011) Chris Stamatakis, Sir Thomas Wyatt and the Rhetoric of Rewriting (Oxford University Press, 2012) Patricia Thomson (ed.), Thomas Wyatt: The Critical Heritage (Routledge, 1995) Greg Walker, Writing Under Tyranny: English Literature and the Henrician Reformation (Oxford University Press, 2005) Thomas Wyatt (ed. R. A. Rebholz), The Complete Poems (Penguin, 1978)
Spanning history, religion, culture, science and philosophy, In Our Time from BBC Radio 4 is essential listening for the intellectually curious. In each episode, host Melvyn Bragg and expert guests explore the characters, events and discoveries that have shaped our world.
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the dance which, from when it reached Britain in the early nineteenth century, revolutionised the relationship between music, literature and people here for the next hundred years. While it may seem formal now, it was the informality and daring that drove its popularity, with couples holding each other as they spun round a room to new lighter music popularised by Johann Strauss, father and son, such as The Blue Danube. Soon the Waltz expanded the creative world in poetry, ballet, novellas and music, from the Ballets Russes of Diaghilev to Moon River and Are You Lonesome Tonight. With Susan Jones Emeritus Professor of English Literature at the University of Oxford Derek B. Scott Professor Emeritus of Music at the University of Leeds And Theresa Buckland Emeritus Professor of Dance History and Ethnography at the University of Roehampton Producer: Simon Tillotson Reading list: Egil Bakka, Theresa Jill Buckland, Helena Saarikoski, and Anne von Bibra Wharton (eds.), Waltzing Through Europe: Attitudes towards Couple Dances in the Long Nineteenth Century, (Open Book Publishers, 2020) Theresa Jill Buckland, ‘How the Waltz was Won: Transmutations and the Acquisition of Style in Early English Modern Ballroom Dancing. Part One: Waltzing Under Attack’ (Dance Research, 36/1, 2018); ‘Part Two: The Waltz Regained’ (Dance Research, 36/2, 2018) Theresa Jill Buckland, Society Dancing: Fashionable Bodies in England, 1870-1920 (Palgrave Macmillan, 2011) Erica Buurman, The Viennese Ballroom in the Age of Beethoven (Cambridge University Press, 2022) Paul Cooper, ‘The Waltz in England, c. 1790-1820’ (Paper presented at Early Dance Circle conference, 2018) Sherril Dodds and Susan Cook (eds.), Bodies of Sound: Studies Across Popular Dance and Music (Ashgate, 2013), especially ‘Dancing Out of Time: The Forgotten Boston of Edwardian England’ by Theresa Jill Buckland Zelda Fitzgerald, Save Me the Waltz (first published 1932; Vintage Classics, 2001) Hilary French, Ballroom: A People's History of Dancing (Reaktion Books, 2022) Susan Jones, Literature, Modernism, and Dance (Oxford University Press, 2013) Mark Knowles, The Wicked Waltz and Other Scandalous Dances: Outrage at Couple Dancing in the 19th and Early 20th Centuries (McFarland, 2009) Rosamond Lehmann, Invitation to the Waltz (first published 1932; Virago, 2006) Eric McKee, Decorum of the Minuet, Delirium of the Waltz: A Study of Dance-Music Relations in 3/4 Time (Indiana University Press, 2012) Eduard Reeser, The History of the Walz (Continental Book Co., 1949) Stanley Sadie (ed.), The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, Vol. 27 (Macmillan, 2nd ed., 2000), especially ‘Waltz’ by Andrew Lamb Derek B. Scott, Sounds of the Metropolis: The 19th-Century Popular Music Revolution in London, New York, Paris and Vienna (Oxford University Press, 2008), especially the chapter ‘A Revolution on the Dance Floor, a Revolution in Musical Style: The Viennese Waltz’ Joseph Wechsberg, The Waltz Emperors: The Life and Times and Music of the Strauss Family (Putnam, 1973) Cheryl A. Wilson, Literature and Dance in Nineteenth-century Britain (Cambridge University Press, 2009) Virginia Woolf, The Voyage Out (first published 1915; William Collins, 2013) Virginia Woolf, The Years (first published 1937; Vintage Classics, 2016) David Wyn Jones, The Strauss Dynasty and Habsburg Vienna (Cambridge University Press, 2023) Sevin H. Yaraman, Revolving Embrace: The Waltz as Sex, Steps, and Sound (Pendragon Press, 2002) Rishona Zimring, Social Dance and the Modernist Imagination in Interwar Britain (Ashgate Press, 2013)
Spanning history, religion, culture, science and philosophy, In Our Time from BBC Radio 4 is essential listening for the intellectually curious. In each episode, host Melvyn Bragg and expert guests explore the characters, events and discoveries that have shaped our world.
President Donald Trump says Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of his Gaza peace deal and that hostages could be released within days. Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu called the agreement "a great day for Israel". Hamas confirmed the deal, but said it's awaiting details of a prisoner exchange. People have flooded the streets in Gaza and Israel to celebrate the announcement. Also: the French President, Emmanuel Macron says he'll name a new premier before the weekend. Ukraine's military accuses Russia of trying to erase Ukrainian culture by looting historical artefacts. US police have arrested a man who they believe intentionally started the Palisades fire, which devastated part of Los Angeles in January. The Portuguese athlete Cristiano Ronaldo has become the first billionaire footballer. UNICEF warns that the number of children displaced by armed gang violence in Haiti has almost doubled in the last year. Meanwhile, the United Nations is said to be intending to cut a quarter of its peacekeepers globally because of budget shortfalls, largely due to reduced US funding. The European Parliament has voted to ban the naming of meat-related terms like “burger” and “sausage” for plant-based products. And four decades on, the global hit musical Les Misérables is celebrated in London. The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
Frank McWeeny heads to the dancefloors of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) to uncover what Vietnamese alternative culture looks and sounds like today. With 70% of the country under 35, young people are the driving force behind a different image of Vietnam, far away from poverty and war. They are asserting their identity through music, fashion and their own take on traditional values. They are changing perceptions of what it means to be Vietnamese in 2025.
We hear from DIY music collective Dismal, forward-thinking underground club The Observatory, and members of the nightlife and fashion scenes.
Producer/presenter: Frank McWeeny
Editor: Susan Marling
A Just Radio production
Warnings the value of AI companies are stretched... we'll bring you reaction from industry experts.
Trade relations between India and the UK are at an all-time high according to politicians and business leaders... We ask what business opportunities that might offer.
And why we might need new names for vegetarian sausages and veggie burgers?
You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.
US President Donald Trump says "we are very close to a deal" to end the war in Gaza, after officials reported progress after a third day of indirect talks between Israel and Hamas in Egypt. The Times of Israel earlier reported a deal to release Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners could be imminent.
Also on the programme: as the number of people who died while homeless reached the highest on record last year, we hear from one mother on the loss of her son.
And 40 years on from its debut, the cast of Les Miserables unite for an anniversary that makes it the longest-running West End musical.
Former FBI director James Comey has pleaded not guilty in a US federal court to charges of making false statements to Congress and obstruction of justice.
Also on the programme: President Trump has called for the jailing of Illinois governor and Chicago mayor, accusing them of not doing enough to ensure the safety of federal immigration officers who are conducting raids in Chicago; France's outgoing Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu says President Emmanuel Macron could nominate a new prime minister in the next 48 hours; and the award-winning musical 'Les Misérables’ turns 40.
(Photo:James Comey, former director of the FBI, is seen in a frame grab from a video feed as he is sworn in remotely from his home during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing exploring the FBI's investigation of the 2016 Trump campaign and Russian election interference in Washington, on the 30th of September 2020. Credit: U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary/Handout via REUTERS)
Eswatini accepts 10 more US deportees, despite rights groups in the southern African state mounting legal action to block the plan. We ask what has the Eswatini government got in return?
Nigeria's Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaj, resigns after allegations that he forged his academic credentials.
And nurses and midwives protest in Ghana for not being paid their salaries for nearly ten months
Presenter: Nyasha Michelle
Producers: Mark Wilberforce, Patricia Whitehorne, Alfonso Daniels,
Senior producer: Sunita Nahar
Technical Producer: Nick Randell
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
President Trump's top aides and senior officials from Egypt and Qatar have joined the third day of indirect talks between Israel and Hamas on ending the Gaza war. At least 11 members of Pakistan's security forces have been killed by militants near the Afghan border. The Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to three scientists for developing entirely new materials with revolutionary properties. And for the first time the price of gold exceeds 4,000 dollars an ounce, having risen by 50 per cent the past 12 months.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
The Bank of England has warned of the risk of an AI-bubble, after it assessed some company values in the sector as "stretched". In a report out today, officials at the bank’s Financial Policy Committee drew comparisons with the pile-on for ‘dotcom’ stocks 25 years ago.
The price of gold has hit a record high of more than $4,000 an ounce as investors look for safe places to put their money over concerns about economic and political uncertainty around the world.
And the UK prime minister is leading a delegation of more than 100 entrepreneurs, business and cultural leaders and university vice-chancellors on his visit to India, as he attempts to boost UK investment.
Presenter: Sarah Rogers
Producer: Ahmed Adan
Editor: Justin Bones
The price of gold has hit a record high of more than $4,000 an ounce as investors look for safe places to put their money over concerns about economic and political uncertainty around the world.
Also in the programme: Is time running out for France's President Emmanuel Macron? And we meet the woman trying to become the first person on record to walk the length of Saudi Arabia, from north to south.
(Photo: Gold bars at bullion house in Mumbai. Credit: Reuters/Arko Datta/File Photo)
What does it mean to draw on and squander resources? Learn that and more in this podcast.
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Members of the Texas National Guard are gathering at an army facility outside Chicago, after orders from President Trump. Hundreds of troops have been deployed to the US's third largest city to support the Trump administration's immigration crackdown. The president has called Chicago a "war zone" following protests against federal immigration authorities. Illinois state officials accuse Mr Trump of an unconstitutional overreach and say he's using American troops to punish his political enemies.
Also: the US government shutdown is putting extra strain on understaffed airports, causing travel delays. Five people have been detained after an attack on the Ecuadorian president's car. The Japan based company using drones and artificial intelligence to detect malaria-carrying mosquitoes. An international trio of scientists is awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in physics. The couple putting their collection of 8,450 teapots up for auction, and why did so many women in a tiny Hungarian village poison their husbands?
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
We have identified seven members of an anti-Islamic biker gang who oversaw security teams at aid sites for starving Palestinians, run by the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Correspondent Andy Verity unearths who they are, what they believe and how their ideology may have fuelled their trips to Gaza.
Presenter: Andy Verity
Producers: Reha Kansara, Tom Beal and William Dahlgreen
Editors: Flora Carmichael and Anisa Subedar
About a quarter of a million 18-year-olds in the UK secured a university place this summer and are now preparing to head off to their chosen institution. The numbers increased by about 5% at a time when the costs associated with getting a degree are also rising.
There's a patchwork of different funding models across the UK, but for students in England and Wales tuition fees have gone up for the first time in eight years. We take a look at how tuition and day-to-day costs are funded across the UK, and hear from students about their housing - another major cost that has been increasing.
Debt is also now a major part of the university experience, with students in England graduating with an average debt of £53,000. One graduate explains how she has struggled to make a dent in her debt over the past 10 years despite holding well paid jobs.
Felicity Hannah is joined by Tom Allingham from the student money website Save the Student and Clare Dickens, director of the Student Life team at the University of Wolverhampton.
Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Producers: James Graham and Helen Ledwick
Editor: Jess Quayle
(This episode was first broadcast at 3pm on Radio 4 on the 10th of September 2025).
Israel has marked the second anniversary of the 7 October attacks. We speak to two parents - one Israeli, one Palestinian - about the impact that day has had on their families
Also on the programme:
We visit a school that scores high marks for its inclusive approach to special educational needs.
And the musicologist who has found previously unheard music by Henry Purcell in a local archive.
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney is in Washington, trying to revive trade talks with Donald Trump.
The European Union is turning up the pressure too, doubling its steel tariffs. Will that get Washington's attention?
And Hollywood’s pushing back against a new video tool which they say breaches copyright.
The attacks saw over 1,200 people killed and 251 others taken back to Gaza as hostages. It was the single deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. Israel responded by launching a military offensive in Gaza which has killed more than 67,000 people, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry. Its figures are seen as reliable by the UN and other international bodies. We'll hear from Eli Sharabi, an Israeli hostage held for almost five hundred days in the tunnels of Gaza, and ask how the last two years have re-shaped the region.
Also on the programme: how the victims of the Mynanmar military junta are suing a Norwegian telecoms firm; and the newly-crowned Nobel Prize winner, Fred Ramsdell, recalls how his digital detox was interrupted by the news of his win.
(Photo: People attend a ceremony in Tel Aviv to mark the two-year anniversary of the Hams-led October 7th attacks on Israel. Credit: REUTERS/Shir Torem)
A minute's silence has been observed across Israel to mark the Hamas-led attacks of 2023. There have been protests in Morocco for eleven straight days, and there's good news for whales off the Australian coast. How France is trying to find a way through its latest political crisis, and a leather-clad Argentine president headlines a rock concert.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
After more than a century of dominance, coal has been overtaken by renewable energy as the world’s biggest source of electricity – a historic moment, according to new data from the global energy think tank Ember.
In the UK, police say they have dismantled an international gang suspected of smuggling up to 40,000 stolen mobile phones from the UK to China in the past year.
The political crisis continues in France amid efforts to get a government together following the resignation of the third prime minister in a year.
Presenter: Sarah Rogers
Producers: Ahmed Adan and Niamh McDermott
Editor: Justin Bones
A Sudanese militia leader has been found guilty of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Darfur region more than 20 years ago. Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, also known as Ali Kushayb, is the first person to be tried by the International Criminal Court for the atrocities in Darfur. We get analysis.
Also, what's Africa's reaction to the appointment of the Anglican church's first female Archbishop of Canterbury?
And why are Egyptian children being arrested for online gaming?
Presenter: Nyasha Michelle
Producers: Patricia Whitehorne, Tanya Hines, Stefania Okereke, Mark Wilberforce and Saleck Zeid in London
Technical Producer: Pat Sissons
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Israelis are marking two years since Hamas's attacks on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage. Meanwhile mediators at talks on the US Gaza peace plan are reported to have reached an understanding with Israel and Hamas on a five-point framework for negotiations.
Also in the programme: the Nobel Prize for Physics; and some good news about humpback whales in Australia.
(Photo: Israelis visit memorials at the site of the Nova music festival, near Re'im, on the second anniversary of the 07 October 2023 Hamas attacks, near the Gaza border, southern Israel, 07 October 2025. Credit: Atef Safadi EPA/Shutterstock)
This is an expression that talks about an area, especially the one where you live. Learn how to use it with Feifei and Phil.
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Belfast Telegraph's Allison Morris and former senior police officer Alan Mains discuss.
Solar and wind power have overtaken coal as the world’s leading source of electricity for the first time on record. Record solar expansion and steady wind growth is driving the shift, with China and India among the countries leading the clean energy charge.
On the second anniversary of the October 7th Hamas attacks on Israel, talks on a Gaza ceasefire are ongoing, with President Trump claiming an agreement on his 20-point peace deal is close. Scientists win a Nobel Prize for discovering why the human immune system does not destroy the body. A rare insight into life in North Korea as a study suggests people are hunting wild animals to the point of extinction due to food shortages. Also: why scientists are freezing the eggs of an endangered butterfly, Bari Weiss becomes the new editor-in-chief of CBS News, and Instagram celebrates its 15th birthday.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
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With their pleated skirts and bowler hats the “cholita” women are a common sight in Bolivia’s administrative capital La Paz. They’re often from indigenous Aymara and Quechua cultures. Until recently cholita was used as a derogatory term to talk about their distinctive traditional clothing and they were discriminated against.
Jane Chambers travels to Bolivia to find out how these women are reclaiming their cultural heritage and going from outcasts to icons and what it says about society. Join her to meet the cholita wrestlers, fashion designers and mountaineers changing public opinion.
This episode of The Documentary comes to you from Assignment, investigations and journeys into the heart of global events.
Sébastien Lecornu was appointed France's prime minister less than four weeks ago. We explore what the political turmoil means for the country’s relationship with Europe and the world.
Also in the programme: The Nobel Prize for Medicine is awarded to three researchers for groundbreaking discoveries on the human immune system. And novelist Dame Jilly Cooper has died at the age of 88 – we speak to her friend, writer Rachel Johnson.
France faces fresh political turmoil as PM Sébastien Lecornu resigns. Sam Fenwick hears from businesses and investors on shifting confidence in the country’s economic direction.
We examine the worsening conditions for women in Afghanistan, where the UN reports that the Taliban have severely restricted women's rights to work, study, and dress freely.
And Japan’s markets rally as Sanae Takaichi becomes the country’s first female prime minister, with the Nikkei jumping nearly 5% on expectations of increased government spending and monetary easing.
France is facing further political chaos after the country's latest prime minister, Sébastien Lecornu, resigned after just 26 days in the role. We'll hear from a French parliamentarian with the right-of centre party, Les Républicains - and we'll get the long view on French politics from veteran French journalist Christine Ockrent.
Also - as indirect talks begin between Hamas and Israeli delegations over the US-led peace plan for Gaza, we'll hear from an American go-between who knows the Hamas negotiators; and we look at what the appointment of Bari Weiss at CBS News says about the political weather surrounding journalism in the US.
(Photo: French outgoing Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu, who presented his government's resignation to the French president this morning, leaves after he delivered a statement at the Hotel Matignon in Paris, France, October 6, 2025. Credit: REUTERS/Stephane Mahe)
The celebrated primatologist Jane Goodall died last week at the age of 91. In tribute, we’re re-sharing this interview from 2020, where she reflects on the years she spent living with the wild chimpanzees in Gombe in eastern Tanzania and why she believes the best way to bring about change is to ‘creep into people’s hearts’.
Jane shot to fame when she appeared on the cover of National Geographic magazine in 1963 and appeared in a documentary film directed by Orson Welles. Her ground breaking observations introduced us to the social and emotional lives of wild chimpanzees and changed our view of what it is to be human. Images of her younger self play-wrestling with baby chimps make Jane feel slightly apprehensive now but at the time she didn’t give it a second thought. However, she did take care to protect her young son. Seeing distressing footage of chimps who were living in captivity, she gave up fieldwork to become an activist, working to liberate chimpanzees that were being used for medical research or sold for meat or as pets, and setting up chimp sanctuaries for animals that were no longer able to live in the wild. For the last thirty years, she has campaigned gently but relentlessly to protect wild animals and wild places, touring the world and performing on stage in front of huge audiences. Her global youth programme, Roots and Shoots has inspired and empowered millions of people to understand and respect nature, leading some to call her ‘the mother Theresa of the environment’. A label she dislikes.
Producer: Anna Buckley
In France Sebastien Lecornu resigns as prime minister saying the conditions were not fulfilled for him to carry on. He criticised unwillingness by political parties to reach compromises. Several parties are calling for early elections and some are calling for President Macron to go - although he has always said he will not stand down before his term ends in 2027. Stocks fell sharply on the Paris exchange amid concerns about the political parties' ability to tackle the country's economic problems, especially its massive debt. Also: A Sudanese militia leader has been found guilty of war crimes in the first International Criminal Court verdict on atrocities in Darfur more than twenty years ago, Hamas' chief negotiator has met Egyptian and Qatari mediators ahead of indirect talks with Israeli officials later, and the British author and journalist, Jilly Cooper has died at the age of 88. She gained fame for her romantic novels - the best known of which are her Rutshire Chronicles. One of the books - Rivals was successfully serialised by Disney Plus in 2024.
Nearly a decade ago in Ghana, 15-year-old Kevin Moses died at Achimota High School. In a landmark ruling last year, Ghana’s High Court found the school negligent for Kevin's death. The school has appealed that decision. Between May 2023 and February 2024, six students died while in boarding school. Why are children dying in schools in Ghana?
Also, we hear differing views on what caused the recent floods in Sudan.
And how Nigeria's Green Falcons could become the first African team to qualify for the Women's Rugby League World Cup?
Presenter: Nyasha Michelle
Producers: Patricia Whitehorne, Piers Edwards and Stefania Okereke in London
Senior Journalist: Yvette Twagiramariya
Technical Producer: Pat Sissons
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
The chief negotiator for Hamas is reported to be meeting Egyptian and Qatari mediators in Cairo ahead of indirect talks, later in the day, with Israeli negotiators in Sharm El-Sheikh. They're looking to determine a date for the start of a Gaza truce and create conditions for the first phase of the peace plan, in which the remaining Israeli hostages would be swapped for hundreds of Palestinian detainees.
Also in the programme: The French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has quit. There is political turmoil caused by inconclusive snap elections; and this year's Nobel Prize for Medicine has been awarded to three researchers for discoveries on the human immune system.
(Photo: Smoke rises after Israeli air strikes at Tal Al Hawa neighborhood during an Israeli military operation in Gaza City, Gaza Strip, 06 October 2025. Credit: Mohammed Saber /EPA/Shutterstock)
France's government has fallen apart again over how to handle it's public spending budget. We hear how the collapse will affect French businesses.
In Japan, stocks have hit a record high after Sanae Takaichi won the party leadership making her the likely next Prime Minister.
UK car marker Jaguar Land Rover and Japanese beer maker Asahi are showing signs of recovery after separate cyber attacks halted both businesses.
And bitcoin has hit another new record high!
Presenter: Sarah Rogers
Producers: Ahmed Adan and Niamh Mc Dermott
Editor: Justin Bones
Learn how to use compound adjectives (e.g. low-fat yoghurt, high-quality carbohydrates).
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After growing up in the north of England British milliner Stephen Jones went on to become a pioneering British hat maker working in Paris. He has been creating avant-garde designs for the last 45 years, inspired by Surrealist art, trailblazing fashions at New Romantic club nights, and cinema. He was friends with pop star Boy George who wore his hats, and he famously created a tweed crown for Vivienne Westwood. Rather than a mere accessory, he aims to transform a hat into a statement of identity, and has collaborated with designers like Jean Paul Gaultier and Dior, helping to revitalise fine hat-making skills inspired by looks from copies of Vogue from the 1940s, 50s and 60s. The prestigious Palais Galliera fashion museum in Paris holds exhibitions every year, showcasing how fashion has evolved from the 18th century to the present day. Its focus is on the most iconic designers and Stephen Jones is one of only two hat makers ever to be included – a huge honour. Rosa Johnston-Flint joins Stephen in Paris as his retrospective is about to close and visits his workshop as he prepares his Spring-Summer 2026 collection for London Fashion Week.
Delegations from Hamas, Israel and the US meet in Egypt to discuss Trump peace plan for Gaza. Also: a special BBC investigation into the fast-growing crime of online sexual extortion; California Governor Newsom says he'll take legal action to stop President Trump from deploying National Guard troops to a Democrat-run city in Oregon; what's behind the seemingly unstoppable rise of bitcoin; and Norwegian crowned world porridge making champion with Viking recipe using black oats.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
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The prime minister of Georgia has announced plans to outlaw the main opposition parties. Irakli Kobakhidze was speaking a day after anti-government protesters tried to storm the presidential palace. We hear from opposition activist Giga Lemonjava.
Also in the programme: Israel and Hamas prepare for indirect talks; and inside legendary guitar shop Regent sounds.
(Picture: Georgian opposition parties supporters clash with riot police during a rally after local elections in Tbilisi, Georgia, 04 October 2025. Credit: EPA)
On Monday, President Trump outlined his proposal for a peace deal in Gaza, a moment he described as ‘potentially one of the great days ever in civilisation’. In a press conference announcing the plan, the President name-dropped Sir Tony Blair and said the former UK Prime Minister would have a key role in the governance of post-war Gaza. Blair has been part of high-level talks with the US and other parties about ending the conflict. To many in the Middle East he remains a divisive figure who is remembered primarily for his role in the US-led invasion of Iraq. So how did Blair become a central figure in this latest plan to end the war in Gaza, and what does this tell us about diplomacy under Trump 2.0? Asma Khalid speaks to the BBC’s diplomatic correspondent James Landale, who charts the story of Blair’s involvement in the Middle East and his warm relationship with President Trump.
Producers: Sam Chantarasak, Viv Jones
Senior news editor: China Collins
Mix: Travis Evans
With Asma Khalid in DC, Tristan Redman in London, and the backing of the BBC’s international newsroom, The Global Story brings clarity to politics, business and foreign policy in a time of connection and disruption. For more episodes, just search 'The Global Story' wherever you get your BBC Podcasts.
Picture: Former Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair. Credit: Victoria Jones/PA Wire
President Trump says Israel has agreed to an initial withdrawal line in Gaza. He says the details have been shared with Hamas and once the Palestinian group confirms it agrees with the line, there will be an immediate ceasefire and an exchange of hostages and prisoners. Also: Japan is on track to get its first ever female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi; Al-Shabaab claims responsibility for an explosion near a high-security prison in the Somali capital, Mogadishu; anti-government protests in Georgia and Madagascar; we look back at the life of the Czech novelist Ivan Klima, who's died aged 94; the US takes on India at a speed chess tournament; and the British and Irish film festival taking place in Dinard in France.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
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The narratives and the doctrines built on ever-growing suspicions and fears that are once again stirring the Middle East. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has not just threatened to redraw the map of Europe - it has transformed the global security landscape. The ripple effects have been felt way beyond the continent, reigniting fears not felt since the Cold War - of a new nuclear arms race. In this episode we go back to the beginnings of nuclear ambitions in the Middle East to weigh up the consequences for the world today. With contributions from Barry Sadid, Shaina Oppenheimer, Florence Dixon, and Nihan Kale.
یکی از شارحان هگل میگوید بسیاری از فیلسوفهای سیاسی از دین خود به هگل بیخبرند. آنها مفاهیم نظری دستگاه فلسفی او را مهمل میپندارند اما از ابزارها و رویکردهایی بهره میگیرند که سرچشمهشان هگل است. چرا هگل تا این حد بدفهمی ایجاد میکند و تا این حد مهم است؟
میهمانها:
سپید بیرشک، پژوهشگر فلسفه آلمانی
مهدی رجبی، پژوهشگر فلسفه سیاسی
Pavel Zarubin has access to President Putin that other journalists can only dream of. He interviews him regularly, and travels around the world covering huge geopolitical meetings, even posting to his vast social media audience from Putin's meetings with Donald Trump, Xi Jinping, and even from under the table of Putin's meeting with Kim Jong Un. BBC Russian's Elizaveta Fokht traces his career from truth seeking young reporter, to being the President's favoured journalist.
Sana Mir is one of Pakistan’s most famous cricket players. She played for her country in 226 matches, captaining the team in 137 of them. Being a woman in cricket in Pakistan was not always easy for her, but she has been very outspoken about the sexism and body shaming she faced as a professional athlete. She recently was the first Pakistani woman to be inducted into the International Cricket Council’s hall of fame, and Nazish Fiaz of BBC Urdu went to interview her.
This episode of The Documentary comes to you from The Fifth Floor, the show at the heart of global storytelling, with BBC journalists from all around the world.
Presented by Faranak Amidi
Produced by Rebecca Moore and Caroline Ferguson
An 18-year-old entrepreneur who has helped more than twenty thousand teenagers get skills, training and mentoring has been recognised with a global student prize. Adarsh Kumar grew up in poverty in rural Bihar and says he was inspired by wanting to solve the problems he saw around him - and the example set by his hardworking single mother. He plans to use the ten thousand dollar prize to help improve the lives of even more people - and believes the first step in changing the world is to change his home state.
Also: we find out how teenagers who've been struggling with school attendance are learning important life lessons - from three year olds. The scheme pairs them with a nursery child to give them a sense of responsibility and helping others.
We celebrate the winner of Fat Bear Week in Alaska - which saw tens of thousands of people around the world vote for the brown bear who'd done best at gorging on salmon and berries to prepare for winter.
How new technology is helping Premier League football fans with sight problems, the jollof rice wars heat up with a record breaking dish in Nigeria, and the people spreading joy over the internet through memes.
Plus an inspirational speech from a 12-year-old who wants to improve understanding about autism. Leo Bird says he's not broken, just different, and that's why his friends love him.
Our weekly collection of inspiring, uplifting and happy news from around the world.
Presenter: Jannat Jalil. Music composed by Iona Hampson
We look at changes which the Government has announced – and the speculation around those it hasn’t. Pension inheritance rules will change in 2027. It may seem a long time away, but people are making plans now. We hear from some of those pension planners as they try to clear up any confusion around the changes. We also look at speculation around what might be in the Chancellor Rachel Reeves' Autumn Budget, which she announced this week will take place on November 26.
His Majesty's Revenue and Customs tells Money Box it's deploying hundreds of staff to bring down waiting times for people making claims about missing state pension payments. It's already written to 370,000 people, mainly women, who took time off work to care for children and now might be getting less money than they should be because of an error in their National Insurance records. But given that HMRC has already admitted it's been, in its words, "inherently challenging" to try to fix the problem it might come as little surprise the vast majority of people still missing money, haven't been paid what they're owed.
Just a few weeks ago thousands of would-be university students found out whether they had achieved the right grades to get into the university of their choice. Now comes the reality check, when many wonder how they will afford to pay for it. Some argue that the level of Government maintenance loans only covers half the true cost of student living. The Higher Education Policy Institute has just conducted a study into maintenance loans in England and reckons they only cover half of the true costs of student life.
Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporter: Dan Whitworth
Researchers: Amber Mehmood, Jo Krasner, Catherine Lund
Editors: Jess Quayle, Craig Henderson
President Trump tells Israel to stop bombing Gaza after Hamas agrees to release all remaining hostages and seeks further talks on his peace plan. Also: The American rapper, Sean 'Diddy' Combs, is jailed for four years following his conviction on prostitution-related charges; the computers powered by lab-grown mini brains; the cruise company with no ship; and celebrating 75 years of the Peanuts comic strip featuring Snoopy.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
We look back over the past 12 months of the conflict between Israel and Hamas through the conversations we have recorded. It is almost two years since Hamas militants attacked Israel – killing 1200 people and taking 251 hostage. In response, the Israeli government vowed to destroy Hamas. Since then – according to the Hamas-run health ministry – more than 60,000 people have been killed in air and ground attacks, the United Nations says that most of the population has had to leave their homes, and half a million are facing starvation. Throughout the conflict, we have spoken to families of those killed by Hamas or taken hostage. One of our producers, Kristina, has also been receiving regular voice notes from 17-year-old Sanabel in Gaza. “October 7th is what I hate the most,” Sanabel says. “Because of this date, I lost everything in my life, literally everything.”
US farmers are under pressure with trade wars, crop prices and now a government shutdown. Andrew Peach speaks to two of them about how their livelihoods are being affected.
We also look at Taylor Swift's lastest album and speak to businesses which rely on her continued success.
And in Thailand we spend some time with the best female chef in the world.
Writer: Keri Davies
Director: Marina Caldarone
Editor: Jeremy Howe
28th September - 3rd October
Brian Aldridge.... Charles Collingwood
Pip Archer.... Daisy Badger
Alice Carter.... Hollie Chapman
Ian Craig.... Stephen Kennedy
Ruairi Donovan.... Arthur Hughes
Justin Elliott.... Simon Williams
Amber Gordon.... Charlotte Jordan
Ed Grundy.... Barry Farrimond
Emma Grundy.... Emerald O'Hanrahan
George Grundy.... Angus Stobie
Brad Horrobin.... Taylor Uttley
Alistair Lloyd.... Michael Lumsden
Paul Mack.... Joshua Riley
Adam Macy.... Andrew Wincott
Kirsty Miller.... Annabelle Dowler
Stella Pryor.... Lucy Speed
Prison Officer.... Janice Connolly
For the first time in its five hundred year history, the Church of England has chosen a woman as its leader. Dame Sarah Mullally will be known formally as the Archbishop of Canterbury and will be the most senior bishop and spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion, which has more than eighty five million followers worldwide. Speaking after the announcement she said she intended to be a shepherd to all. Also, British police say that one of the two victims killed in Thursday's attack on a synagogue in Manchester appears to have been hit by police gunfire. Munich Airport in Germany has become the latest European airport forced to halt operations because of unexplained drones. Taylor Swift's highly anticipated 12th studio album, "The Life of a Showgirl", has been released featuring songs that are expected to top charts around the world.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
Japan is facing a shortage of Asahi products, including beer, tea, and soft drinks after a major cyber-attack. We hear from businesses affected.
In China, the Government has proposed new standards for fast food deliveries.
TikTok has had its licence temporarily suspended in Indonesia.
Plus, the Women's Cricket World Cup is underway in India. There's been a record breaking attendance and biggest prize pot ever!
Presenter: Sarah Rogers
Producer: Niamh Mc Dermott
Editor: Justin Bones
In an exclusive interview with the BBC's Waihiga Mwaura, Botswana's President Duma Boko, outlines his plan to reduce his country's reliance on the diamond industry amid falling global demand, and how he is pushing for a 0% tariff deal with the US.
Guinea is showing signs of economic progress under the military-led regime. What is driving the country's economic growth?
And more than 200 million people worldwide are infected by schistosomiasis - also known as bilharzia - which is a disease caused by parasitic worms. The majority of those affected live in sub-Saharan Africa. How can the disease be prevented?
Presenter: Nyasha Michelle
Producers: Sunita Nahar, Mark Wilberforce and Stefania Okereke in London. Makuochi Okafor was in Nairobi
Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne
Technical Producer: Pat Sissons
Editors: Maryam Abdalla, Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Sam Fenwick takes a look at the soaring cost of cybercrime, as attacks sweep across industries and threaten global business stability, spotlighting Japan’s Asahi Breweries, one of the latest victims.
A liquefied natural gas platform meant to bring economic prosperity in the West African nation of Senegal is at the centre of controversy.
And in Tokyo, the race to lead Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party heats up. With five contenders and the economy centre stage, we explore what’s at stake for the nation’s future.
Also, Storm Amy is set to hit Northern Ireland today with The Met Office warning of gusts up to 80mph along exposed coasts.
Police have named the man who killed two people at a synagogue in Manchester. Jihad Al-Shamie, a 35-year-old British man of Syrian descent, was shot and killed by officers outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue. Also, Donald Trump has declared the US is now in an armed conflict with drug smugglers in the Caribbean Sea. A man alleged to be a high-up figure in the Tren de Aragua gang has been arrested in Colombia. A former Israeli hostage who was held in captivity in Gaza for 16 months has called on Hamas to sign President Trump's peace plan. The disgraced rapper, Sean Diddy Combs, is set to be sentenced on prostitution charges. Luxembourg's Grand Duke Henri is formally abdicating his throne. There is a rogue planet gobbling up gas and dust at an unprecedented rate. Open AI's Sora app raises yet more concerns about artificial intelligence and copyright.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
This programme contains discriminatory language On Greece’s Mount Athos, the most holy site in Eastern Orthodox Christianity, lies a rift in the faith. For more than 20 years, a banned monastery has operated illegally and at times violently towards their sacred community. Nikos Papanikolaou visits these excommunicated monks ready to become martyrs in order to protect their ultra-orthodox way of life. The inhabitants of Esphigmenou monastery are known as Greece’s "rebel monks". Living on a remote peninsula in the north of the country, they are holed up in their fortress-like monastery, emblazoned with a banner reading "Orthodoxy or Death". This schismatic brotherhood broke away from the mainstream church decades ago, an act which has led to their excommunication and violent clashes with police after attempts to evict them from their monastery. Nikos Papanikolaou travels to Mount Athos to meet Esphigmenou’s leader, Abbot Methodios.
This episode of The Documentary, comes to you from Heart and Soul, exploring personal approaches to spirituality from around the world.
Sam Fenwick takes a look at the soaring cost of cybercrime, as attacks sweep across industries and threaten global business stability, spotlighting Japan’s Asahi Breweries, one of the latest victims.
A liquefied natural gas platform meant to bring economic prosperity in the West African nation of Senegal is at the centre of controversy.
And in Tokyo, the race to lead Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party heats up. With five contenders and the economy centre stage, we explore what’s at stake for the nation’s future.
Scientists detect for the first time an unknown source of GPS interference coming from space. Also, as AI begins to design more and more DNA sequences being manufactured synthetically, how can those manufacturers be sure that what their customers are asking for will not produce toxic proteins or lethal weapons? And… how camera traps in polish forests reveal that the big bad wolf is more scared of humans than anything else.
For that last few years instances of deliberate jamming and interference of GNSS signals has become an expected feature of the wars the world is suffering. Yet this disruption of the signals that all of us use to navigate and tell the time nearly always emanate from devices on the ground, or maybe in the air. But in ongoing research reported recently by Todd Humphreys of University of Texas at Austin and colleagues around the world is beginning to reveal that since 2019 an intermittent yet powerful signal has been causing GPS failures across Europe and the North Atlantic. The episodes have been thankfully brief so far, but all the signs suggest it comes not from soldiers or aeroplanes, but from a distantly orbiting satellite somewhere over the Baltic Sea. It may not be malevolent, it could be a fault, but the net of suspicion is tightening.
A team of scientists including some from Microsoft report today in a paper in the journal Science an investigation to try to strengthen the vetting of synthetic DNA requests around the world. As AI-designed sequencies increase in number and application, the factories that produce the bespoke DNA are in danger of making and supplying potentially dangerous sequences to customers with malicious intents. But how do you spot the bad proteins out of the almost infinite possible DNA recipes? Tessa Alexanian of the International Biosecurity and Biosafety Initiative for Science, and one of the authors explains some of the thinking.
Finally, Liana Zanette of Western University in Ontario and colleagues have been hanging around in Polish forests scaring wolves. Why? Because as wolf numbers rise in protected reserves, more and more human-wolf interactions occur. And a suspicion has arisen that the legal protection they enjoy has led to them losing their fear of humans in a dangerous way. Not so, says Liana’s team, blowing away the straw arguments and setting fire to the political motivation to reduce their protection status. Wolves are still terrified of Nature’s apex predator – us.
Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Alex Mansfield
Production Coordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth
(Image: Simulation screen showing various flights for transportation and passengers. Credit: Oundum via Getty Images).
At least two people have been killed in an attack outside a synagogue in Manchester in northern England on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Three others are in a serious condition after the incident, in which a car was driven at people and a man was stabbed. Greater Manchester Police have confirmed the suspected assailant was shot dead by armed officers. Detectives have declared it a terrorist attack. Also: the head of Hamas’s armed wing in Gaza tells mediators he does not agree to the plan set out by US President Donald Trump to end the war with Israel. Rescue workers in Indonesia say there are no longer any signs of life under the rubble of a school which collapsed in East Java, with nearly sixty people still missing. Britain's Royal Society is marking 75 years since the mathematician and Second World War codebreaker, Alan Turing, created a test to help distinguish a machine from a human. And an ice core from Antarctica that may be more than 1.5 million years old is being melted down by scientists to unlock key information about Earth's climate.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
Elon Musk has become the first person ever to reach a net worth of more than $500billion. But how did he get to this point?
French authorities have charged the captain of an oil tanker travelling from Russia with refusing to follow instructions.
In Japan, who will be the next Prime Minister?
Also in Japan, the country is days away from running out of the nation's most popular beer.
Presenter: Leanna Byrne
Producer: Niamh Mc Dermott
Editor: Justin Bones
Violent clashes, arrests and deaths during Morocco’s GenZ 212 protests
Why Senegal's fishermen are blaming a BP natural gas project for lack of fish
And Nigeria's First Lady raises $13million for national library – but why has it taken so long?
Presenter : Nyasha Michelle
Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Mark Wilberforce, Bella Hassan and Joseph Keen in London. Makuochi Okafor was in Lagos.
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Technical Producer: Pat Sissons
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.
Also, the Labour government has ordered every GP practice in England to offer online appointment bookings throughout the day.
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the anchoress and mystic who, in the late fourteenth century, wrote about her visions of Christ suffering, in a work since known as Revelations of Divine Love. She is probably the first named woman writer in English, even if questions about her name and life remain open. Her account is an exploration of the meaning of her visions and is vivid and bold, both in its imagery and theology. From her confined cell in a Norwich parish church, in a land beset with plague, she dealt with the nature of sin and with the feminine side of God, and shared the message she received that God is love and, famously, that all shall be well and all manner of things shall be well. With Katherine Lewis Professor of Medieval History at the University of Huddersfield Philip Sheldrake Professor of Christian Spirituality at the Oblate School of Theology, Texas and Senior Research Associate of the Von Hugel Institute, University of Cambridge And Laura Kalas Senior Lecturer in Medieval English Literature at Swansea University Producer: Simon Tillotson Reading list: John H. Arnold and Katherine Lewis (eds.), A Companion to the Book of Margery Kempe (D.S. Brewer, 2004) Ritamary Bradley, Julian’s Way: A Practical Commentary on Julian of Norwich (Harper Collins, 1992) E. Colledge and J. Walsh (eds.), Julian of Norwich: Showings (Classics of Western Spirituality series, Paulist Press, 1978) Liz Herbert McAvoy (ed.), A Companion to Julian of Norwich (D.S. Brewer, 2008) Liz Herbert McAvoy, Authority and the Female Body in the Writings of Julian of Norwich and Margery Kempe (D.S. Brewer, 2004) Grace Jantzen, Julian of Norwich: Mystic and Theologian (new edition, Paulist Press, 2010) Julian of Norwich (trans. Barry Windeatt), Revelations of Divine Love (Oxford World's Classics, 2015) Julian of Norwich (ed. Nicholas Watson and Jacqueline Jenkins), The Writings of Julian of Norwich: A Vision Showed to a Devout Woman and a Revelation of Love, (Brepols, 2006) Laura Kalas, Margery Kempe’s Spiritual Medicine: Suffering, Transformation and the Life-Course (D.S. Brewer, 2020) Laura Kalas and Laura Varnam (eds.), Encountering the Book of Margery Kempe (Manchester University Press, 2021) Laura Kalas and Roberta Magnani (eds.), Women in Christianity in the Medieval Age: 1000-1500 (Routledge, forthcoming 2024) Ken Leech and Benedicta Ward (ed.), Julian the Solitary (SLG, 1998) Denise Nowakowski Baker and Sarah Salih (ed.), Julian of Norwich’s Legacy (Palgrave Macmillan, 2009) Joan M. Nuth, Wisdom’s Daughter: The Theology of Julian of Norwich (Crossroad Publishing, 1999) Philip Sheldrake, Julian of Norwich: “In God’s Sight”: Her Theology in Context (Wiley-Blackwell, 2019) E. Spearing (ed.), Julian of Norwich: Revelations of Divine Love (Penguin Books, 1998) Denys Turner, Julian of Norwich, Theologian (Yale University Press, 2011) Wolfgang Riehle, The Secret Within: Hermits, Recluses and Spiritual Outsiders in Medieval England (Cornell University Press, 2014) Caroline Walker Bynum, Jesus as Mother: Studies in the Spirituality of the High Middle Ages (University of California Press, 1982) Ann Warren, Anchorites and their Patrons in Medieval England (University of California Press, 1985) Hugh White (trans.), Ancrene Wisse: Guide for Anchoresses (Penguin Classics, 1993)
Spanning history, religion, culture, science and philosophy, In Our Time from BBC Radio 4 is essential listening for the intellectually curious. In each episode, host Melvyn Bragg and expert guests explore the characters, events and discoveries that have shaped our world.
The Israeli navy has intercepted boats carrying aid to Gaza and detained the activists on board. Also: Indonesian rescuers search for 59 children trapped under rubble of collapsed school, BBC analysis finds a surge in Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil refineries, the EU considers constructing a drone wall, comedy turns into controversy in Saudi Arabia, the latest on the US government shutdown, a preview of the Czech parliamentary elections, and we look back at the life of world-leading chimpanzee expert Jane Goodall.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
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According to the World Bank, more than 80 million people in Nigeria still lack access to electricity, making it the country with the largest energy access deficit in the world. But even among those connected to the grid, many struggle daily to keep the power going. Blackouts are frequent, infrastructure is fragile, and generators have become a lifeline for homes and businesses alike. Journalist and presenter Samuel Okocha hears from Nigerians about how unreliable electricity affects their lives. He speaks to economists, politicians, and renewable energy experts to understand the roots of the crisis, and how decentralisation and power theft are complicating efforts to fix it. In Abuja, Samuel visits his local dry cleaner and barber to see how they are coping with constant outages. Samuel also finds resilience. Across Nigeria, people are turning to solar energy and small-scale solutions, building their own systems to meet their needs.
The US government shutdown is less than a day old, and federal workers are already receiving furlough notices. It’s the first closure in almost seven years.
Also, how money can be used as a tool of control and manipulation within relationships. We explore what economic abuse is, and how it affects lives.
And with October here, Oktoberfest is underway. Thanks to the German diaspora, the beer-filled tradition has spread far beyond Munich.
The race to save dozens of students after a school collapses in Indonesia. At least four students were killed and about 100 injured, some critically, after the two-storey Islamic Boarding School in East Java caved in. Hundreds of students, most of them teenage boys, had gathered to pray in the building when it gave way. The authorities on Wednesday said crying and shouting could still be heard from under the rubble, while anxious relatives who had camped out at the school overnight awaited news of their loved ones.
Also: shutdown at Oktoberfest after an explosion in Munich, the controversial South African opposition politician Julius Malema is found guilty of gun charges, dozens are dead after an earthquake in the Philippines, and Indian doctors get help with their handwriting.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
The US government has shutdown after senators failed to agree on a funding bill. We look at the main reason behind the shutdown - healthcare.
Plus, what do investors think of Spotify's founder stepping down as CEO.
Presenter: Leanna Byrne
Producer: Niamh Mc Dermott
Editor: Justin Bones
The former president of the Democratic Republic of Congo is sentenced to death in absentia for crimes against humanity, treason and backing the Rwandan-supported M23 rebels in eastern Congo. The court has ordered his arrest, but his whereabouts remain unknown We look at the man and his life.
Also in the programme: Officials in Namibia have deployed hundreds of soldiers to battle a fire that has ravaged a third of the key nature reserve, Etosha National Park.
And we speak to a woman who suffered a heart attack, and we find how such attacks can be prevented.
Presenter Nyasha Michelle
Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Mark Filberforce and Ayub Ilia
Senior Producer: Sunita Nahar
Technical Producer: Philip Bull
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
What verbs can we use 'task'? Learn some here.
TRANSCRIPT
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Nolan talks to DUP's Sarah Bunting and former Sinn Fein election candidate Chris Donnelly
Being a tenant can be pricey — and it’s only getting pricier.
Private rents rose by almost six per cent in the year to July, and while the pace may be slowing, the average UK rent still stands at over £1,300 a month. So what does that mean for the millions of people living in private rented homes?
This week on Money Box Live, we're looking at the cost of renting — and what it’s doing to your finances.
We’ll hear from a family forced to live apart because they can’t afford to rent together, and from a woman struggling to rent because of debt problems. We’ll ask what the upcoming Renters Rights Bill means for tenants — and what tax breaks are available to people who choose to rent out a spare room.
With rising prices, limited supply, and big reforms on the horizon, join us as we unpack the pressures facing renters — and what support is out there.
Felicity Hannah is joined by Matt Hutchinson from Spare Room, Vicky Spratt, Housing Correspondent for The i, and Matt Sheeran from Money Wellness
Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Producer: Helen Ledwick
Editors: Jess Quayle and Craig Henderson
(This episode was first broadcast at 3pm on Radio 4 on the 3rd of September 2025).
A partial government shutdown has come into effect in the US. Democrats and Repulicans failed to agree on a spending bill, meaning hundreds of thousands of federal workers face not being paid. Also, the UN is appealing to the ruling Taliban to restore nationwide communications after the internet was cut across Afghanistan. The UN has announced a new security force to try and tackle gangs in Haiti. Leaders of the European Union will discuss how to protect their countries from drone attacks during meetings in Denmark. Scientists in the US are developing a technique that could use almost any cell in the body as the starting point of life. Official figures show Switzerland's glaciers have lost a quarter of their total volume over the past decade. Plus, an AI actor has been unveiled at the Zurich Film Festival.
A growing industry of content creators is teaching people how to make money from AI models, promising quick profits. Their strategy: steal content, alter faces with AI, and funnel users from Instagram to adult platforms. And one trend has caught the internet’s attention - Down’s Syndrome deepfakes. Rowan Ings and Nathalie Jimenez dive into the growing world of AI deepfakes, how it works, and hear from victims about the human cost of turning AI into a business of exploitation.
This episode of The Documentary, comes to you from BBC Trending in-depth reporting on the world of social media.
Funding for the US government will be cut off at the end of Tuesday unless President Donald Trump's Republican Party can agree with opposition Democrats on a way forward with a spending bill. Gideon Long hears from Democrats and Republicans, as well as US workers.
And, in Africa, a trade deal that's been the cornerstone of US-African economic relations for 25 years is set to expire. It's called the African Growth and Opportunity Act – AGOA for short.
Plus, Afghanistan businesspeople are appealing to the Taliban after a total internet shutdown in the country.
(File photo: A member of staff sits on steps close to the US Capitol, Washington, DC, USA, 30 September 2025. Photo by WILL OLIVER/EPA/Shutterstock)
To mark two years of the war in Gaza, our correspondents bring you this special episode of the Global News Podcast from the BBC Bureau in Jerusalem. Jon Donnison is joined by our Gaza correspondent Rushdi Abualouf, our International Editor Jeremy Bowen, and our Middle East correspondent Yolande Knell. They discuss the history of the conflict, their memories of the October 7th attacks, and respond to questions from BBC World Service listeners. As talk of a potential ceasefire brokered by the US President Donald Trump and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dominates the news agenda, we look back at the impact this war has had on people living in the Gaza Strip and Israel. The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
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President Trump says Hamas has days to accept a 20-point peace plan in Gaza or they will 'pay in hell'. Also: the search for survivors after a school collapses in Indonesia, a BBC undercover reporter investigates illegal dogfights in Europe, and the South African ambassador to France dies after falling out of a hotel window in Paris. Plus we look at the plight of migrants from Haiti who have crossed into the Dominican Republic.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
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The US government is hours away from shutting down unless a funding deal is struck. Who will feel the impact first? We hear from the people whose jobs and livelihoods are on the line.
In Africa, thousands of jobs are at risk as the US decides whether to renew the African Growth and Opportunity Act, a key trade pact between the countries.
Presenters: Leanna Byrne and Hannah Bewley
Producers: Victoriya Holland and Niamh McDermott
Editor: Shea Conduct
AGOA: Why is a vital US-Africa trade deal set to expire? And why will women be more affected?
Oil workers go on strike at Dangote Refinery in Nigeria following dismissal of hundreds of staff.
And professional boxing suspended in Ghana following the death of two boxers in 6 months.
Presenter Nyasha Michelle
Producers: Tanya Hines, Joseph Keen ,Yvette Twagiramariya, Stefania Okereke, Bella Hassan and Patricia Whitehorne in London
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Technical Producer: Philip Bull
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Teething problems are issues that you have when you’re getting used to something new. Learn how to use this expression with Feifei and Phil.
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President Trump has declared that peace in the Middle East is "beyond very close" as he presented a new plan alongside the Israeli prime minister, with both men saying Hamas must agree to it or Israel will finish its offensive in Gaza. The Palestinian group is studying the 20 point proposal. Afghanistan is hit by an internet blackout, as the Taliban enforces what it sees as a "morality" crackdown. A federal budget stand-off is threatening to shut down the US government for the first time in almost 7 years. A trade deal that's been the cornerstone of US-Africa economic relations for 25 years expires later today. UN investigators say they've found clear evidence that the Burmese army has replaced the Rohingya villages and homes it destroyed inside Myanmar with military infrastructure. Ukraine and Russia increasingly turn to convicts, as they struggle to recruit more soliders for the war in Ukraine. A convoy including Ecuador's president Daniel Noboa is attacked by protestors angry over a cut in fuel subsidies. Plus, the so-called Bitcoin Queen, accused of stealing more than five billion dollars worth of the cryptocurrency from investors, pleads guilty to charges in London.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
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How Haitians in the Dominican Republic are being targeted for expulsion.
The Dominican Republic is the Caribbean’s number one tourist destination. Last year 11 million visitors came here, many enjoying the five star resorts that skirt the island’s coast.
Much of the construction work building those tourist facilities is in fact done by Haitians, and many of the staff who work in them are from Haiti, which occupies the western half of this island of Hispaniola. Over recent years the tourism industry has helped make the Dominican economy the fastest growing in Latin America.
However, the Dominican government is now implementing one of the most systematic deportation policies anywhere in the world. Last year the president, Luis Abinader, announced that his country would expel illegal migrants at the rate of ten thousand a week. The chief target is Haitians and people of Haitian descent. President Abinader says he is keeping his country secure and implementing the constitution. Meanwhile Haitians in the Dominican Republic are living in fear of raids by the immigration authorities and of being sent back across the border, to a country riven by violence as well as political and economic instability.
John Murphy is in the Dominican Republic to talk to Haitians stuck between a rock and a hard place.
This episode of The Documentary comes to you from Assignment, investigations and journeys into the heart of global events.
U.S. pharmaceutical lobby group PhRMA has said that it would launch a new website in January to help patients buy prescription drugs directly from manufacturers, bypassing pharmacies. This comes after a deadline set by President Trump, asking the big pharmaceutical companies to voluntarily lower their prices. Gideon Long will hear from two patients about the struggles they face paying their medical bills.
And one of the world’s biggest video game publishers, Electronic Arts, is being taken into private ownership in a record-breaking leveraged buyout. A Saudi-backed fifty-five billion dollar purchase values the California-based firm at a twenty-five per cent premium to its closing New York share price on Friday.
(File photo: Abiraterone acetate cancer drug (AA250). Tablet of the prostate cancer drug abiraterone acetate, marketed under the name Zytiga.)
President Trump unveiled a wide-ranging Gaza peace plan on Monday and won cautious backing from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who warned he was still ready to "finish the job" against Hamas.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
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How much information can you extract from a burnt fragment of human bone?
Quite a lot, it turns out - not only about the individual, but also their broader lives and communities; and these are the stories unearthed by Jacqueline McKinley, a Principal Osteoarchaeologist with Wessex Archaeology.
During her career, Jackie has analysed thousands of ancient burial sites across the British Isles, bringing to life the old traditions around death via often cremated human remains. She's also assisted criminal investigators with forensic analysis, and contributed to some of the UK's best-loved archaeological TV shows.
And one thing she’s absolutely clear about: far from being macabre, osteoarchaeology is more about the living, than the dead...
In conversation with Professor Jim Al-Khalili, Jackie talks about the stories we can derive from skeletal remains, how western attitudes to death have gone through a major recent shift, and why she's kept some of her late father's bones.
Presented by Jim Al-Khalili
Produced for BBC Studios by Lucy Taylor
Reversion for World Service by Minnie Harrop
The BBC's cyber correspondent was offered money if he helped criminals hack his employer's IT systems. They said they would steal data or install malicious software and hold his employer to ransom. Joe Tidy played along with them for a couple of days before things turned ugly. Also: President Trump posts then deletes a video promoting fake news about something called med-beds which conspiracists believe have magic powers to restore missing limbs and reverse ageing. The Danish government temporarily bans civilians from flying drones, as it prepares to host an EU summit this week - this follows drone incursions in European airspace, prompting suspicions that Russia is deliberately testing Nato defences. And trials are carried out in Britain to test whether tomatoes can be genetically edited to boost people's vitamin D levels.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
What would it take for you to sell out your boss? Cyber criminals offer a BBC Correspondent a cut of the action in return for passcodes.
And Zimbabwe's government is ordered to cut back on spending as it grapples with its budget.
You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.
Presenter: Sarah Rogers
Producers: Niamh McDermott and Victoriya Holland
Editor: Justin Bones
Authorities in Madagascar impose a curfew in the capital, Antananarivo, after protests over frequent power and water shortages turn violent. As the police continue to patrol the streets, we ask whether the government has improved conditions in the country?
Also in the programme: The Island of Seychelles, one of the richest countries in Africa, holds a re-run of the presidential elections after the first secured no outright winner.
And two years on from the earthquake in Morocco, what kind of support have survivors received from the government?
Presenter: Nyasha Michelle
Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Bella Hassan, Jewel Kiriungi, Joseph Keen
Senior Producer: Sunita Nahar
Technical Producer: Philip Bull
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
Finn and Catherine give you some tips on how to remember new words.
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THE LONDON LETTER CHALLENGE - an easy English series for pre-intermediate (A2) learners
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Moldova's pro-European party has won a new majority in parliament after elections seen as critical for the country's future path to the EU. President Maia Sandu warned of "massive Russian interference" after voting on Sunday and said the future of her country was at stake. Also: A new US peace plan for Gaza, promoted by President Trump, would encourage Palestinians to remain in the territory and speaks of eventual Palestinian statehood, but neither Israel nor Hamas has given a conclusive response. The mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, has ended his bid for re-election. The first rollout of the HPV vaccine in Pakistan, designed to protect women against cervical cancer, has been hit by misinformation. The Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Nathan Law says he's been denied entry to Singapore. Switzerland has narrowly approved a plan to introduce electronic identity cards. Plus, we get the latest from golf's Ryder Cup and cricket's Asia Cup.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
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Inspiration for Emilia Wickstead’s luxury fashion brand comes from her childhood home in New Zealand, her adolescence in Italy’s most fashionable city Milan, but also from her hard-working fashion designer mother. Her feminine silhouettes and creative use of colour and textiles have made her a popular choice among members of the British Royal Family and Hollywood celebrities. Belinda Naylor has had a sneak preview of how Emilia’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection has taken shape – referencing the romance of bygone eras with a contemporary twist. Emilia explains the importance of teamwork, being a perfectionist and how she still gets a thrill from seeing women wear the designs from her own label, which she established in 2008.
Can Apple cut ties with China? Apple is promising to make more products in the US, backed by a $600bn investment over the next four years. But after decades of relying on Chinese manufacturing that promise is going to be tough to keep. We’re joined by journalist and author Patrick McGee. With hosts in Washington DC and London, The Global Story tells the intertwined story of America and the world.
کمتر حوزهای را از دانش بشری میتوان یافت که گئورک فریدریش هگل در مورد آن حرف نزده باشد. اما فلسفه تاریخ این فیلسوف آلمانی است که بیشترین تاثیر را بر پیروان او از جمله در ایران گذاشت. فلسفه تاریخ هگل به ما چه میگوید؟
میهمانها:
سپید بیرشک، پژوهشگر فلسفه آلمانی
مهدی رجبی، پژوهشگر فلسفه سیاسی
What happens when social media influencers join forces with politicians to promote their messages? Around the world political parties are switching from mainstream media to influencers to amplify their voices, in some cases even putting them on the official government payrolls. To find out what impact this is having on politics we've brought together Luis Fajardo from BBC Monitoring in Miami, who's examined the impact in Latin America, Famega Syavira, head of social media for BBC Indonesian, and Adline Okere, Igbo News Editor in Lagos, Nigeria.
The ‘Jerdon’s Courser’ is a critically endangered bird. It's only officially been sighted in the scrub forests of Eastern Ghats mountain range in Andra Pradesh in the Sri Lankamalleswara Wildlife Sanctuary, although recently there was great excitement when its call was recorded in a different location in southern India. BBC Telugu recently joined the nightly efforts by forest watchers to track down the bird last seen 16 years ago, as Satheesh Urugonda reports.
This episode of The Documentary comes to you from The Fifth Floor, the show at the heart of global storytelling, with BBC journalists from all around the world.
Presented by Faranak Amidi
Produced by Rebecca Moore and Caroline Ferguson
This is an EcoAudio certified production.
There are now more Russian drone attacks on Ukraine than ever before in the conflict. On some nights, hundreds are targeted at the country. In one raid this week, Ukraine's air force says Moscow launched 619 drones and missiles, killing at least three people and injuring dozens more. In our conversations we bring together Kateryna who has lost her home twice to Russian drones, Kamila, whose aunt was killed in a recent attack, and Inna. She happened to be out when her building was struck by a drone. Plus, drone pilots Andy and Oleksii give us an insight into their lives on the front line of the war.
Hundreds of former retained firefighters have come forward to claim millions of pounds in missing pension payments after Money Box covered the story earlier this summer. We'd reported how their union, the Fire and Rescue Service Association, had warned thousands of its members risked missing out on the payments very often worth tens of thousands of pounds for each individual.
Scammers have been sending texts pretending to be from the government to try and trick pensioners into applying for the Winter Fuel Payment. That's a payment that can be worth up to £300 off energy bills over the colder months. It's prompted the Department for Work and Pensions to issue a warning, telling people to beware of the texts, which ask people to click on link which could be used to steal money from victims.
How are the rumours about changes to stamp duty affecting the housing market?
And a reminder that if you’re the parent or carer of a 16-19 year old you’ve got until Sunday to renew your child benefit claim.
Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Reporter: Dan Whitworth
Researchers: Catherine Lund and Eimear Devlin
Editor: Jess Quayle
(First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 at 12pm Saturday 30th August 2025)
US President Donald Trump has announced a new wave of tariffs, including a 100% levy on branded or patented drug imports, 25% tariffs on heavy-duty trucks, 50% on kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities and 30% on upholstered furniture. Andrew Peach looks at how people in these sectors have reacted to these latest sweeping tariffs.
And, can you still make money from a Broadway show? Only a few of the 18 commercial musicals that opened on Broadway last season made a profit.
(Photo: US President Donald Trump on the South Lawn of the White House before boarding Marine One in Washington, DC, USA, 26 September 2025. Photo by KENT NISHIMURA/POOL/EPA/Shutterstock)
Writer: Tim Stimpson
Director: Marina Caldarone
Editor: Jeremy Howe
Brian Aldridge.... Charles Collingwood
Ben Archer.... Ben Norris
Jill Archer.... Patricia Greene
Pip Archer.... Daisy Badger
Leonard Berry.... Paul Copley
Susan Carter.... Charlotte Martin
Ruairi Donovan.... Arthur Hughes
Justin Elliott.... Simon Williams
Alan Franks.... John Telfer
Amber Gordon.... Charlotte Jordan
Emma Grundy.... Emerald O'Hanrahan
George Grundy.... Angus Stobie
Adam Macy.... Andrew Wincott
Azra Malik.... Yasmin Wilde
Stella Pryor.... Lucy Speed
Oliver Sterling.... Michael Cochrane
Dane.... Stavros Demetraki
Meg Mellor.... Sue Jenkins
US President Donald Trump has announced a new wave of tariffs, including a 100% levy on branded or patented drug imports from 1 October - unless a company is building a factory in the US. We hear from Germany's VFA association of pharmaceutical companies.
And, the price of love - hundreds of alleged romance scammers are arrested as part of an international operation. The CEO of a dating app tells us how to protect users from scammers.
Tattoos were once reserved for rockstars or sailors, but are now part of a mainstream industry predicted to be worth $6.5 billion by 2033. So what's behind this booming trade?
You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.
Presenter: Sarah Rogers
Producer: Victoriya Holland
Editor: Justin Bones
Malawi re-elects former President Peter Mutharika. At 85. How did he beat other contenders?
What's life like in Bunagana town along Uganda's recently reopened border with rebel held eastern DR Congo
Nigerian women push for more female MPs. Does reserving seats for women in parliament help ?
Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Mark Wilberforce, Nyasha Michelle and Stefania Okereke
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Technical Producer: Ricardo McCarthy
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
Cambridge anthropologist David Sneath is in Mongolia to find out how Buddhism continues to make a comeback after years of persecution under Communism. David tells the story of how a young Mongolian boy has recently been recognised as the new reincarnation in a lineage of major Buddhist leaders, once known in the country as ‘Holy Emperor’. The 10-year-old boy will, when formally enthroned, be considered the 10th Jebtsundamba Khutughtu in a lineage stretching back centuries. The Jebtsundamba Khutughtu (widely known to Mongolians as the “Bogd’) is a leader of the Gelugpa School within the tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, and the young boy was officially recognised by the Dalai Lama, the exiled Tibetan religious leader. David meets the boy’s mother, religious leaders and leading cultural figures to find out what is in store for the young Bogd. This episode of The Documentary, comes to you from Heart and Soul, exploring personal approaches to spirituality from around the world.
The White House says Trump will decide whether to attack Iran within two weeks because there is a "substantial chance of negotiations". Also: why killing a Lithuanian bear outraged hunters, and the search to name storms.
US President Trump will make a decision on whether to join Israeli strikes against Iran in the next two weeks, according to the White House Press Secretary. Karoline Leavitt cites a “substantial chance of negotiations” over Iran’s nuclear programme. We speak to former US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and examine the legality of British involvement.
MPs are preparing to vote in the third reading of a Bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales, we speak to two on either side of the debate.
And as Britain’s milliners show off their creations at the Royal Ascot event, we ask whether the hat industry is in danger of losing its traditional skills.
A war with Iran has been harming Israel, not just in the physical effect of missile strikes but also the impact of the conflict and instability on Israel's economy. Roger Hearing hears about how the country’s economy is coping with this.
Greenland's minister for business and mineral resources, Naaja Nathanielsen, tells us how she deals with threats of a an invasion by US President Donald Trump.
And Thailand, a country that has long kept a tight lid on gambling, could be about to change as the government is looking at legalising casinos to boost tourism.
In Washington DC earlier, President Trump said he would decide within the next two weeks whether or not to take military action against Iran. The US leader is reported to have agreed a potential plan of attack targeting Iran's nuclear facilities. The BBC’s Nomia Iqbal joins us from Washington to discuss what Trump might be thinking. We also get the latest on the Israeli Soroka Hospital that was struck by an Iranian missile overnight.
Also in the programme: Iran’s deputy foreign minister Saeed Khatibzadeh tells the BBC it would be "a big mistake” for the US to join in Israeli attacks; One of Elon Musk’s SpaceX rockets explodes on a Texas launchpad; and the project patching fragmented Roman frescoes back together in London.
(Photo: US President Donald Trump answers reporters' questions in the White House in Washington DC, USA, 18th June 2025.
Credit: Ken Cedeno/POOL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)
How half of the normal matter in the universe is finally confirmed to exist, not that most of us knew it wasn’t. Also, why the next big collider should be muon-muon, and a spider that hangs out around underwater methane seeps.
The universe is thought to consist of 70% Dark Energy, 25% Dark Matter, and just 5% Baryonic matter which is the atoms that make up you and me. At least, that’s what the models suggest. But a well-kept secret between astronomers and cosmologists for all these years has been that they haven’t actually ever seen almost half of that 5% normal matter because it is thinly dispersed as gas between the galaxies and galactic clusters. This week, two studies have been published putting that right.
Satisfactory model-match #1:
Liam Connor of Harvard University with colleagues from Caltech have been using a mysterious phenomenon called Fast Radio Bursts (FBRs) to infer what the intergalactic medium is in between, and how much of it there is.
Satisfactory model-match #2:
Konstanios Migkas of Leiden University and colleagues have been looking at the very faint x-ray signal from the intergalactic medium, removing the incidental x-ray sources such as black holes, and have managed to identify some structure - in this case a mind-bendingly huge filament of ionised gas stretching between two galactic superclusters - confirming the state of “Warm Hot Intergalactic Medium” (WHIM) as predicted for much of the universe.
Of course, there is not just the cosmological standard model (lambdaCDM) that these satisfy in science today. There is also the remarkably resilient Standard Model of particle physics. A report this week from the US National Academies recommends the US begins building the world’s next particle collider to follow the work of the LHC (and FCC) at Cern. It should, as University of Texas at Knoxville’s Tova Holmes tells us, collide not ordinary, stable, easy to manipulate particles like protons and electrons, but muons.
Finally, Shana Goffredi of Occidental College in California, has found a VERY odd spider. Diving to depths in the submersible Alvin, they have found that a species of small sea-spiders, Sericosura, actually farm bacteria on their exoskeleton. Why? Because they hang around methane seeps on the ocean floor, where a specialist bacteria can metabolize methane – something the spiders themselves can’t do. Not only do the spiders then graze on the bacteria they carry around, they even pass samples of the bacteria onto their offspring by leaving bacterial lunch-boxes in their egg-sacs.
Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Alex Mansfield, with Sophie Ormiston
Production Coordinator: Jasmine Cerys George
Photo Credit: Jack Madden, IllustrisTNG, Ralf Konietzka, Liam Connor/CfA
How do you solve a problem like price rises? That's the question central banks around the world are grappling with... and we've seen a flurry of decisions coming out of central banks around the world this week on interest rates.
Also, we go to Denmark, where military drones are big business at Europe’s biggest flying tech show.
Namibia is rolling out the red carpet for investment...
And Thailand could be hitting the jackpot as it plans to open casinos to boost tourism.
You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.
An Iranian missile hits a hospital in the Israeli town of Beersheba. Israel vows revenge. Also: Australia's poison mushroom trial draws to a close, and the archaeologists solving a 2000 year old jigsaw puzzle.
In a rare interview with the Iranian government from inside Tehran, Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh tells the BBC's Lyse Doucet it would be "a big mistake" for President Trump to join Israel's bombing campaign. It's a view shared by many of Mr Trump's most loyal supporters; we assess what's at stake, militarily and politically.
Also in the programme: a draft peace deal to end the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo; and the American businessman buying the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team for an eye-watering $10bn.
(IMAGE: Smoke rises near the Milad Tower following an Israeli airstrike on Tehran, Iran, 18 June 2025 / CREDIT: Abedin Taherkenareh / EPA-EFE / Shutterstock)
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu has ordered security agencies to bring an end to the wave of killings in Benue state. It's believed that more than 200 people were killed in attacks across various communities. What's behind the increase in violence?
Also, a young man from the DRC is on the path to sainthood in the Catholic Church. Who was he and what did he do to achieve this?
And we discuss the state of the book industry on the continent, following the first ever UNESCO report on the issue, with one of the authors of the report, Elitha van der Sandt and the internationally acclaimed Nigerian author, Lola Shoneyin.
Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Tom Kavanagh, Sunita Nahar and Wedaeli Chibelushi
Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Also, a health service department senior leader is working from France 3 weeks each month
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the life and role of one of the most significant figures in early 20th Century German history. Paul von Hindenburg (1847-1934) had been famous since 1914 as the victorious commander at the Battle of Tannenberg against Russian invaders, soon burnishing this fame on the Western Front and Hindenburg was to claim he would have won there too, if enemies at home had not 'stabbed Germany in the back'. He won Germany’s Presidential election twice during the Weimar Republic, as a candidate of national unity and, while he gained his second term as a ‘stop Hitler’ candidate, President Hindenburg was to appoint Hitler as Chancellor and transfer some of his charisma onto him – a move so disastrous that Germans were later to ask if the myth of Hindenburg had always been an illusion.
With
Anna von der Goltz
Professor of History at Georgetown University, Washington DC
Chris Clark
Regius Professor of History at the University of Cambridge
And
Colin Storer
Associate Professor in Modern European History at the University of Warwick
Producer: Simon Tillotson
Reading list:
William J. Astore and Dennis E. Showalter, Hindenburg: Icon of German Militarism (Potomac Books, 2005)
Benjamin Carter Hett, The Death of Democracy: Hitler's Rise to Power (William Heinemann, 2018)
Andreas Dorpalen, Hindenburg and the Weimar Republic (first published 1964; Princeton University Press, 2016)
Jürgen W. Falter, 'The Two Hindenburg Elections of 1925 and 1932: A Total Reversal of Voter Coalitions' (Central European History, 32/2, 1990)
Peter Fritzsche, 'Presidential Victory and Popular Festivity in Weimar Germany: Hindenburg's 1925 Election' (Central European History, 32/2, 1990)
Larry Eugene Jones, Hitler Versus Hindenburg: The 1932 Presidential Elections and the End of the Weimar Republic (Cambridge University Press, 2016)
Martin Kitchen, The Silent Dictatorship: The Politics of the German High Command under Hindenburg and Ludendorff, 1916-1918 (first published 1976; Routledge, 2021)
John Lee, The Warlords: Hindenburg and Ludendorff (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2005)
Frank McDonough, The Weimar Years: Rise and Fall, 1918-1933 (Apollo, 2023)
Nadine Rossol and Benjamin Ziemann (eds.), The Oxford Handbook of the Weimar Republic (Oxford University Press, 2022)
Richard Scully, 'Hindenburg: The Cartoon Titan of the Weimar Republic, 1918-1934' (German Studies Review, 35/3, 2012)
Colin Storer, A Short History of the Weimar Republic (Revised Edition, Bloomsbury, 2024)
Anna von der Goltz, Hindenburg: Power, Myth and the Rise of the Nazis (Oxford University Press, 2009)
Alexander Watson, Ring of Steel: Germany and Austria-Hungary at War, 1914-1918 (Penguin, 2015)
J. W. Wheeler-Bennett, Hindenburg: The Wooden Titan (first published 1936; Macmillan, 1967)
In Our Time is a BBC Studios Audio Production
The world is electrifying, and central to our decarbonisation drive is copper. The red metal is second only to silver as the best conductor of electricity and it is critical in the manufacture of wind turbines, electric cars and solar panels. Reporter Robin Markwell travels through Chile, where the reserves of some of the world’s largest copper mines are starting to dwindle. Can supply keep pace with soaring demand?
US president meets national security team again to discuss next steps on Iran. Also: once called the Russian Davos, the St Petersburg International Economic Forum fails to attract western business leaders.
President Donald Trump has struck an ambiguous tone when asked whether the US would join in Israel in launching strikes against Iran, telling reporters, "I may do it, I may not do it.” We hear from retired general David Petraeus about the President’s military options and ask whether the war could split Republican voters.
Also on the programme: The government is preparing for a rebellion over its welfare reforms. We hear from a Labour MP who's planning to oppose them. And the Irish food craze that's displacing the donor kebab as a night-time treat.
Will he or won’t he? Trump says he’s not decided if he’ll pull the US into Israel’s strikes on Iran. A shipping insurance expert explains how the conflict is driving up premiums for vessels in the region.
We’ll hear about a landmark deal between streaming giant Netflix and a French TV network.
And the toy company taking on Trump. The head of an Illinois-based business tells us why he’s challenging the legality of the US president’s tariffs.
Will the US get directly involved in Israel's military campaign against Iran? We hear from former CIA director and US commander in Afghanistan and Iraq, General David Petraeus. Also: low attendance and low morale at FIFA's Club World Cup; and mounds of clothing turn up in protected conservation sites in Ghana,
(Photo: U.S. President Donald Trump salutes as a U.S. flag is raised on a new flagpole installed on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S. June 18, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque)
We hear from Russia where Vladimir Putin has been briefing journalists ahead of a major economic forum. What is the real state of Russia's wartime economy right now?
Also, we're in Tehran hearing from local citizens who've messaged us on the human and economic fallout of the current bombardment they're facing.
And the rise and rise of Netflix, as the online streamer announces a world-first tie-in deal with a tv broadcaster in France.
You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.
The Anglophone Crisis in Cameroon is severely impacting education. With widespread school closures and displacement of teachers and students. Over 200,000 students are reportedly out of school.
Is China’s recent offer to extend zero-tariff treatment to almost all African countries a reason to celebrate?
And why Kenyan smallholder farmers went to court to fight for the right to sell indigenous seeds.
Presenter:: Audrey Brown
Producers: Bella Hassan in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos and Richard Kagoe in Nairobi.
Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Iran’s supreme leader says he will never surrender to Israel and warned the US not to intervene in the war. Also: More people killed in Gaza near an aid centre, and the tennis legend Martina Navratilova on her career.
Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, has warned that any US military intervention in his country will "cause irreparable damage for them". Speaking on state television, the Ayatollah decried what he called "threatening and ridiculous" comments from President Trump, who on Tuesday said Iran should surrender. As Israel's air bombardment of Iran continues for a sixth day, we ask an Israeli minister and a defence official from Mr Trump's first administration whether Israel can achieve its war aims without America's help.
Also in the programme: former tennis superstar Martina Navratilova discusses women’s sport; and French streaming service Deezer tackles fraud involving AI music.
(Photo: A TV screen displays the televised message of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran, June 18, 2025. CREDIT: Reuters)
What is a theory and which verbs are commonly used with it? In this podcast, you'll learn what 'formulate a theory' means and lots more. Learn collocations with Georgie.
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The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Quds force and the Basij militias are back in the news due to the conflict between Israel and Iran. What are they, how do they operate and how have they become so influential? In this episode, we look at the origins, the branding and the ideological blueprint of the Tehran-led influence network that has been shaping events in the Middle East for decades.
This bonus episode of The Documentary, comes to you from the Global Jigsaw, Looking at the world through the lens of its media.
Recently several videos from recruiters on LinkedIn have gone viral. The videos appear to show recruiters conducting routine job interviews over a video call, but something is up with the candidates. Their faces are blurred, and they appear to be using some sort of a filter. After some strange interaction with the recruiter, they drop off the call. But these creepy videos are not isolated incidents – many recruiters are reporting that this has happened to them multiple times. Who are these candidates really? We expose the phenomenon of North Korean IT workers applying for remote tech jobs in the US, and how this has become a significant revenue raising scheme for Kim Jong Un’s regime. The FBI believes thousands of North Koreans have made millions of dollars using fake, stolen or borrowed identities to work remotely. And now, there is evidence that the scheme is expanding into Europe. This episode of The Documentary, comes to you from BBC Trending in-depth reporting on the world of social media.
Donald Trump has demanded Iran's "unconditional surrender" and is said to be deciding if the US will join Israeli strikes on Iran. Also: offloading e-waste in Thailand, and how a 3D printed face changed a man's life.
Donald Trump has left the G7 in Alberta, Canada, early as the situation between Israel and Iran in the Middle East intensifies. We look at how his early departure might impact discussions leaders were looking to have on tariffs.
With western carmakers claiming that China's biggest car manufacturer, BYD, is only thriving due to government subsidies, we discuss whether it is playing fair.
Elsewhere, Andrew Peach speaks to a business owner in Texas after new data reveals that spending at restaurants and bars across the States have seen their sharpest fall in more than two years.
And why have songwriters been battling in court for a decade?
The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.
President Trump demands Iran’s unconditional surrender as Israel and Iran continue their attacks on each other. Also in the programme: Iranian Nobel laureate, Narges Mohammadi on fleeing Tehran; and we pay tribute to the piano virtuoso, Alfred Brendel.
(Photo: Smoke plumes over the Tehran skyline. Credit: Reuters.)
The countdown continues to trade deals with Washington. Ahead of President Trump's threatened tariff hikes next month, we're hearing from South East Asia, and looking at complaints that Chinese firms may be dumping goods, undermining regional economies.
Also in the show, the disruption to aviation from the Iran-Israel conflict.
And why Chinese officials are being ordered to drink less?
You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.
Zambia's former president, Edgar Lungu, reportedly left instructions that his political rival and current president Hakainde Hichilema "should not come anywhere near his body". Edgar Lungu died on the 5th of June and ever since, his family and the Zambian government have been locked in a tussle over his funeral. However, following days of negotiations, arrangements for his burial have now been finalised. This isn't the first time Zambia has experienced burial disputes for deceased former heads of state, including for its independence president, Kenneth Kaunda. Is there no legislation to guide these eventualities? Lawyer John Sangwa provides the answers.
Also, why there is a petition to ban pit bull dogs in Zimbabwe?
And, as one the art world's leading figures, Cameroonian artist, Koyo Kouoh is buried, we explore the legacy she leaves behind.
Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Sunita Nahar, Tom Kavanagh and Yvette Twagiramariya
Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
Gaza's health ministry says at least 51 Palestinians have been killed while waiting at a food distribution site in Gaza. Also: President Trump says he wants "a real end" to the fighting between Israel and Iran.
President Trump says he wants "a real end" to the fighting between Israel and Iran, not just a ceasefire. He said Iran should have done a deal with the US over its nuclear programme and he is now little inclined to negotiate. Mr Trump has returned early from the G7 summit in Canada because of the Middle East crisis. Meanwhile, Israel says it has killed Iran’s military chief of staff, Ali Shadmani, in a strike on central Tehran.
Also in the programme: The lost papers of a maths genius, saved from the shredder; and some spectacular finds at a Viking- age burial site in Denmark.
(Photo: Iranian Red Crescent Society members search through the rubble for victims after Israeli strikes, at an unspecified location in Iran, in this undated image released June 17, 2025 and obtained from social media. Iranian Red Crescent Society via Reuters)
Many of the people of Tehran have been heading out of the city, while social media videos show the lines of cars stretching into the distance, as many thousands of citizens speak of massive disruption and a fear of Israeli airstrikes. Ed Butler hears about people in Iran and looks at the economic impact of the conflict inflicted on the country's economy. Also, we hear from Thailand as the latest deadline for US President Donald Trump’s increased tariffs on US imports looms. And why the Canary Islands and other parts of Spain are protesting against tourism.
An expression meaning something exciting like a song or TV show is released. Learn it here.
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Ketamine was designed as an anaesthetic but its use as a recreational drug is growing fast, particularly among young people. In the UK, it’s doubled in less than ten years but it can cause serious side effects. The supply chain for the drug starts with pharmaceutical manufacturers in India then involves criminal gangs in Europe who use front companies to legally import vast quantities of the drug before flooding it onto the illegal market in the UK. Paul Kenyon investigates the trade.
This episode of The Documentary, comes to you from Assignment, investigations and journeys into the heart of global events.
Israel has hit Iranian state TV as Tehran has reportedly reached out to end the war. Also: The suspect in the killing of a Minnesotan lawmaker is charged with murder, and the owners splashing out on their pet's birthday.
For a fourth day running, Israel and Iran have struck targets inside each other's countries. As G7 leaders call for restraint, we ask what it would take for the US to become involved.
Also on the programme: A landmark report on child sexual abuse says the authorities "shied away from" the ethnicity of grooming gangs for fear of being branded racist. We speak to a journalist who has followed the scandal for 20 years. And as MI6 appoints its first ever female leader, we'll hear about the women of the secret service who blazed a trail for Blaise Metreweli.
Israel warns Tehran residents to evacuate as it continues its strikes on the Iranian capital, hitting Iran TV studios while many residents attempt to flee the capital. Also in the programme: Canada’s foreign minister on the G7 summit, and the athletics trial gripping Norway.
(Photo: Iranian flag in an empty square with images of slain senior commanders. Credit: Reuters)
Many of the people of Tehran have been heading out of the city, while social media videos show the lines of cars stretching into the distance, as many thousands of citizens speak of massive disruption and a fear of Israeli airstrikes. Ed Butler hears about people in Iran and looks at the economic impact of the conflict inflicted on the country's economy.
Also in the show we hear from Thailand as the latest deadline for US President Donald Trump’s increased tariffs on US imports looms.
And why the Canary Islands and other parts of Spain are protesting against tourism.
Poor resources, fears of crime and gang violence in townships on the outskirts of Cape Town, South Africa force some parents to send children on long daily commutes to former white-only schools.
Nigeria's president pardons the late ‘Ogoni 9' activists 30 years after their execution. Why is the pardon being rejected?
And coming to you soon the game on reclaiming looted African treasures
Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Blessing Aderogba in Lagos. Tom Kavanagh, Yvette Twagiramariya and Bella Hassan in London.
Technical Producer: Pat Sissons
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Israel says it has full control of the skies over Tehran and destroyed a third of Iran's missile launchers. Also: we hear from inside Iran, and for the first time, a woman takes charge of Britain's MI6 spy agency.
Israel says eight people have been killed in a third night of Iranian bombardment of Israeli cities, bringing the total to 24. Nearly 300 people are being treated in hospital. Iran meanwhile, has accused Israel of targeting a hospital in western Iran, condemning it as a war crime. Iran's health ministry says at least 224 people have been killed since the Israeli attacks started on Friday. We ask: what is Israel trying to achieve?
Also in the programme: Britain's foreign intelligence service is getting a new boss - the first woman to run the agency in its 116 year history; and we have a report from India, where families are still waiting for news after the Air India crash in Ahmedabad last week.
(Photo: Smoke rises, after what Iran says was an Israeli attack on Sharan Oil depot in Tehran, Iran, June 16, 2025. Credit: Majid Asgaripour/WANA West Asia News Agency via Reuters)
Hear about differences and similarities in vocabulary from both sides of the Atlantic.
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The Ghanaian artist Amoako Boafo has attracted global fame for his bold and sensual portraits. He paints bodies and faces using his fingertips instead of a brush, capturing form through direct, tactile gestures. When he went to art school in Vienna, he was struck by the extent to which Black subjects had been overlooked in global art. Determined to change the status quo, he drew inspiration from early 20th Century Viennese artists like Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele and added his own techniques to invent a fresh new style of portraiture. Lucy Ash follows his preparations for a major new show at Gagosian in London. It involves a transformation of the gallery space into a full-scale recreation of a Ghanaian courtyard – just like the shared space in which he was raised. With the help of his collaborator, Glenn De Roché, an architect famous for community buildings and with an artist friend who produced a set of playing cards, especially for the event. This episode of The Documentary, comes to you from In the Studio, exploring the processes of the world’s most creative people.
Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel are "over the skies of Tehran" and have killed an Iran intelligence chief. In response, Iran carries out its first daytime strikes into Israel.
Strikes by Israel and Iran continue as the conflict between the two countries intensifies and stretches into a third day. We’ll hear from the Israeli army, a former senior US envoy and a resident of Tehran.
Also on the programme: we speak to a senior US senator who was friends with the lawmakers killed in the Minnesota shootings; and the writer on writing about being unable, physically, to write.
(Photo: Israelis take shelter at the side of a highway as siren sounds following missile attack from Iran on Israel, in central Israel June 15, 2025. Credit: Reuters)
Iran and Israel continue trading strikes, seventy-two hours after Israel launched an attack against Iran's nuclear infrastructure and key military figures. We speak to key figures in the region to understand Israel's aims, the role of US diplomacy and how Iran might respond in the future.
Also in the programme: demonstrations take place across Spain, Portugal and Italy against over-tourism; and we talk to writer Hanif Kureishi about his creative process after becoming paralysed.
(Photo: People drive as fire and smoke rise from Tehran's oil warehouse in Tehran, Iran, after it was hit by an Israeli strike. Credit: Shutterstock).
A tiny dog famous for her big adventure reunites with her overjoyed owners, after 529 days in the wild. Also: the escaped Tennessee Zebra; why a man risked his life to save 41 others; and a footballing first for Senegal.
The search in the US for the man who shot dead a Democratic politician in a targeted killing. Also: Israel and Iran threaten to step up their attacks, and getting away from the electro-magnetic radiation of modern life.
Roughly a third of all global mammal extinctions in the last 500 years are thought to have occurred in Australia. At least 34 species have gone extinct since European colonisation, and over 2,000 species of mammals, birds and invertebrates are now listed as critically endangered or threatened. Without substantial and rapid change, this list is almost certain to grow. Ruth Evans investigates what can and should be done to prevent further casualties and turn things around.
Israel and Iran threaten to step up their military confrontation, nearly 48 hours after the Israeli strikes began. Newshour analyses Israel's strategy and assesses how close Iran was to making a nuclear weapon.
Also in the programme: two US politicians are shot in Minnesota; and Bangladesh's interim Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus on the ending of aid to his country.
(Picture: Missiles launched from Iran are intercepted, as seen from the city of Ashkelon, Israel, June 13, 2025. Credit: Reuters)
The Israeli air force says it's continuing to attack targets inside Iran. Overnight, Iran launched retaliatory air strikes across Israel. We test the mood in both countries and ask where the conflict might go next.
The Israeli military is continuing its strikes on Iran - following overnight explosions at Mehrabad airport in Tehran. On Friday Israeli planes struck Iranian nuclear and military sites assassinating several military leaders and nine top nuclear scientists. Iranian state media says sixty civilians including twenty children were also killed in an Israeli air strike on a residential complex in the capital. In response Iran has carried out missile strikes on Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Tehran has warned the US, France and Britain that their bases and ships in the region will be targeted if they help stop its strikes on Israel.
Also, we speak to Muhammad Yunus, the interim leader of Bangladesh.
And a new film about the West Virginia town, where people go to avoid the electro-magnetic radiation of modern life.
(photo: Rescuers work at the site of a damaged building, in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, June 14, 2025. Credit: REU)
Earlier this year, the Egyptian TV drama Lam Shamseya aired across the Arab world. It tackled sensitive topics, including child sexual abuse, and sparked difficult conversations in society. Faranak Amidi discusses the issues raised by this hit show with Ahmed Abdallah from BBC Arabic.
If you have been affected by the issues discussed in this episode, you could speak to a health professional, or an organisation that offers support. Details of help available in many countries can be found at Befrienders Worldwide. www.befrienders.org. In the UK a list of organisations that can help is available at bbc.co.uk/actionline.
Plus, Wycliffe Muia from BBC Africa explains why Uganda's iconic crested crane is endangered, and Mansur Abubakar, also from BBC Africa, meets one of the very few women driving kekes, small three-wheeled vehicles that people use as cabs, in the Nigerian city of Kano.
This episode of The Documentary comes to you from The Fifth Floor, the show at the heart of global storytelling, with BBC journalists from all around the world.
Presented by Faranak Amidi
Produced by Alice Gioia, Hannah Dean and Caroline Ferguson
(Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)
The fight against what is called push payment fraud - when victims are groomed and manipulated into transferring money to criminals - took a huge step forward in October when new regulations for banks and other finance companies were introduced to make the banks involved liable for the losses. It was the result of years of campaigning which Money Box has reported on from the very beginning. Now the first set of figures since then shows it is working better, but still not perfect. We'll hear from David Geale the Chief Executive of the Payment Systems Regulator.
This week, some of Britain's biggest pension funds have pledged to invest more of the money they look after into UK assets. Seventeen major workplace pension providers have signed the Mansion House Accord, a voluntary initiative which commits them to invest at least 10% of the pension funds into what it calls 'private markets' with half of that invested in the UK. The Treasury says this commitment will drive more investment into infrastructure and businesses, while driving higher returns for savers and reducing risk through diversified asset holdings. We'll speak to the Chief Executive of The People's Pension which is the UK's largest workplace pension fund.
If you get child benefit for a child aged 16 or over it will stop on 31 August unless you tell HMRC to continue paying it. What do you need to know?
And are we becoming too reliant on digital banking when we should all have some cash for emergencies?
Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporters: Dan Whitworth, Eimear Devlin and Catherine Lund
Researcher: Jo Krasner
Editor: Jess Quayle
(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 17th May 2025)
Loud blasts have been heard across Israel following another wave of retaliatory airstrikes by Iran, including in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Also: black box flight recorder found at Air India crash site.
After the fatal shooting in Pakistan of a teenage social media influencer, Sana Yousaf, we bring together female influencers around the world to share their experiences. Sana’s death has ignited a fierce debate about women on social media and the safety of influencers. We hear from three women in Pakistan. Between them, they have hundreds of thousands of followers on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube but face abuse every day. Zenith Irfan is the first woman to ride a motorbike solo across Pakistan, Mahnoor Rahim is a fashion influencer, and Sabah Malik is a comedian and cultural commentator in the country. We speak to female influencers in the US, Mexico City and Peru who share advice on how they stay safe. This episode of The Documentary, comes to you from BBC OS Conversations, bringing together people from around the world to discuss how major news stories are affecting their lives
How could the Israel-Iran attacks impact the global economy? We speak to experts on the region.
What's happening with global shipping? We speak to a company which transports freight in Europe, North America, Asia and the Middle East.
Also, what about the health of the Israeli economy? We sepak to the former Deputy Governor of the Bank of Israel.
The BBC World Service Debate considers the rapidly changing international landscape since Donald Trump returned to the White House.
The US President says his legacy will be as a peacemaker and unifier. So far he’s brought Putin to the negotiating table and made Europe take its security seriously in a way it hasn’t for decades. But his methods have horrified critics, who say his shock and awe approach to diplomacy is reckless and chaotic. The President’s unpredictability has rocked global alliances. Is Donald Trump making the world safer or more dangerous?
In front of a live audience in the BBC’s Radio Theatre in London, the BBC’s Chief International Correspondent, Lyse Doucet, is joined by:
KT McFarland, former US Deputy National Security Advisor to President Trump in his first term
Brian Wong, Assistant Professor and Fellow at Centre on Contemporary China, University of Hong Kong
Miguel Berger, German Ambassador to the UK
Azadeh Moaveni, journalist, writer and Associate Professor at New York University
(Photo: U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on June 12, 2025. Credit: REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein)
Iran has launched an aerial attack on Israel in an operation it's called True Promise 3. Black smoke has been seen rising over Tel Aviv's skyline. Earlier today, the Israeli military said it had struck the Isfahan nuclear facility in Iran - as its strikes on the country continued.
Also on the programme: Colombian superstar Shakira tells us about life as an immigrant in the US; and a report on the Air India crash.
(Image: Missiles launched from Iran are intercepted as seen from Tel Aviv, Israel on 13 June 2025.Credit: Reuters/Jamal Awad)
Writer: Keri Davies
Director: Kim Greengrass
Editor: Jeremy Howe
David Archer…. Timothy Bentinck
Helen Archer…. Louiza Patikas
Henry Archer…. Blayke Darby
Pip Archer…. Daisy Badger
Tom Archer…. William Troughton
Tony Archer…. David Troughton
Lilian Bellamy…. Sunny Ormonde
Justin Elliott…. Simon Williams
Alan Franks…. John Telfer
Jakob Hakansson…. Paul Venables
Kate Madikane…. Perdita Avery
Kirsty Miller…. Annabelle Dowler
Stella Pryor…. Lucy Speed
Crispin…. Hugh Dennis
Andy Zaltzman is joined by Glenn Moore, Felicity Ward, Athena Kugblenu and Marie Le Conte to break down the week in news. The panel discuss Musk and Trump's messy break up, getting Britain ready for a war and why children shouldn't be trusted to do town planning.
Written by Andy Zaltzman.
With additional material by: Eve Delaney, Jade Gebbie, Cameron Loxdale and Alexandra Haddow.
Producer: Pete Strauss
Executive Producer: Richard Morris
Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman
Sound Editor: Marc Willcox
A BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4
The first group of South African soldiers deployed to the Democratic Republic of Congo, arrive back in the country today. South Africa sent around one thousand five hundred troops to the DRC as part of a wider peacekeeping mission. In February, at least fourteen soldiers were killed during heavy clashes with the M23, a group fighting against the national government led by President Felix Tishekedi. At home in South Africa there has been public debate about the need for this deployment. Richard discusses the delayed end of mission amid reports of low morale and poor conditions in DRC with the BBC’s reporter, Nomsa Maseko.
Also, Ghana makes significant progress in reducing child labour
And does FIFA's expanded Club World Cup offer fresh opportunities to Africa's football clubs or not?
Presenter: Richard Kagoe
Producers: Bella Hassan and Yvette Twagiramariya in London and Charles Gitonga in Nairobi.
Technical Producer: Pat Sissons
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
Israel's military says Iran fired about 100 drones towards its territory, many of which were intercepted, in retaliation to Israeli air strikes overnight. Also: an update from the scene of crashed Air India flight AI17.
Israel has attacked Iran with military strikes that it says are targeting Tehran's nuclear programme. Iran says the head of its armed forces and the top commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard have been killed.
An investigation is underway into the crash of Air India flight AI-171, which went down shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad. Also: scientists discover a previously unknown species of dinosaur in Mongolia.
In March 2022, the senior pastor of The Redeemed Christian Church of God - Jesus House Parish, Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, resigned from his position at a church in Washington D.C., to ascend a traditional throne as Soun of Ogbomoso kingdom of Oyo state, in south-west Nigeria. His decision sent shock waves in the community as the role is considered part of traditional African spirituality - something an evangelical pastor is not expected to be linked with. But Ghandi insists that the same God who called him as a young man to become a pastor has called him now to become a king. Since ascending the throne, he has been drawn into a legal process by some of his cousins, who argue the throne is not for a pastor. There’s also pressure from local traditionalists, who are asking that the new king converts from Christianity to their traditional African religion. This episode of The Documentary, comes to you from Heart and Soul, exploring personal approaches to spirituality from around the world.
A London-bound Air India plane carrying 242 people crashes in a residential area shortly after take-off in Ahmedabad, western India. We hear from Anita Mendiratta, a specialist on aviation.
And we look at how the premier of the Canadian province of Alberta - the landlocked neighbour of the United States - has put forward plans for a new crude pipeline from the province to the Port of Prince Rupert in British Columbia to export through the Pacific.
ESA’s Solar Orbiter camera probe begins raising its orbit towards the sun’s poles, whilst Betelgeuse’s elusive buddy continues to sneak past our best telescopes.
Earlier this year, Solar Orbiter started to stretch its orbit over greater latitudes – effectively standing on cosmic tiptoes to catch a glimpse of the Sun’s poles. This week, we have seen the first ever pictures of them, and as solar scientist Steph Yardley tells us, the views will only get better.
Meanwhile, Andrea Dupree of the Harvard Smithsonian centre for Astrophysics and colleagues have had time to study new Hubble and Chandra telescope observations of the iconic star Betelgeuse searching for signs of its hypothesized binary companion – dubbed “Betelbuddy”. The papers that appeared on the Arxiv pre-print server have not yet been fully peer-reviewed, but it seems astronomers will have to keep looking.
Humans use machines to read gene sequences as best they can, but it takes time and isn’t perfect because we don’t know what all of it means. Of course nature has its own genome reader – the ribosome. It is this that interprets the genetic instructions contains in our DNA and translates them into actual proteins. Viruses, of course, use it too when a cell gets infected. Shira Weingarten-Gabbay has this week demonstrated how scientists can make use of ribosomes too. Working somewhat in reverse, her team have identified many thousands of proteins previously unknown, that could for example provide targets for future vaccines or antivirals should the need arise.
And finally, Nanshu Lu and team in the University of Texas at Austin have been working for some years on 2-dimensional wearable electronic “E-Tattoos” to monitor health non-invasively through our skin. Their latest work, describes “A wireless forehead e-tattoo for mental workload estimation”.
Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Alex Mansfield
Production Coordinator: Jasmine Cerys George
An Air India plane, bound for London with 242 people on board, crashed shortly after take-off in Ahmedabad. We catch up with the latest developments in western India, and what it means for the people and companies involved.
Elsewhere, police have been guarding government buildings as Kenya's leaders announce their annual budget in Parliament amid growing tensions in Nairobi.
The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.
More than 240 people killed in a plane crash in Ahmedabad. The Air India flight crashed into a residential area shortly after take-off. Also, Iran accused of failing to meet nuclear safeguard obligations.
Hospital services in Ghana grind to a halt after a nurses' strike escalates
What are the implications of Afreximbank's credit rating being lowered to one notch above junk
And will Ecowas ever realise its dream of a borderless region?
Presenter: Richard Kagoe
Producers: Nyasha Michelle, Patricia Whitehorne and Tom Kavanagh in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos.
Technical Producer: Philip Bull
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.
Air India flight to London crashes after take-off in Gujarat. It's reported there are no survivors. The airline says 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, a Canadian national and seven Portuguese nationals were on the flight
In 1710, the British Parliament passed a piece of legislation entitled An Act for the Encouragement of Learning. It became known as the Statute of Anne, and it was the world’s first copyright law.
Copyright protects and regulates a piece of work - whether that's a book, a painting, a piece of music or a software programme. It emerged as a way of balancing the interests of authors, artists, publishers, and the public in the context of evolving technologies and the rise of mechanical reproduction.
Writers and artists such as Alexander Pope, William Hogarth and Charles Dickens became involved in heated debates about ownership and originality that continue to this day - especially with the emergence of artificial intelligence.
With:
Lionel Bently, Herchel Smith Professor of Intellectual Property Law at the University of Cambridge
Will Slauter, Professor of History at Sorbonne University, Paris
Katie McGettigan, Senior Lecturer in American Literature at Royal Holloway, University of London.
Producer: Eliane Glaser
Reading list:
Isabella Alexander, Copyright Law and the Public Interest in the Nineteenth Century (Hart Publishing, 2010)
Isabella Alexander and H. Tomás Gómez-Arostegui (eds), Research Handbook on the History of Copyright Law (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2016)
David Bellos and Alexandre Montagu, Who Owns this Sentence? A History of Copyrights and Wrongs (Mountain Leopard Press, 2024)
Oren Bracha, Owning Ideas: The Intellectual Origins of American Intellectual Property, 1790-1909 (Cambridge University Press, 2016)
Elena Cooper, Art and Modern Copyright: The Contested Image (Cambridge University Press, 2018)
Ronan Deazley, On the Origin of the Right to Copy: Charting the Movement of Copyright Law in Eighteenth Century Britain, 1695–1775 (Hart Publishing, 2004)
Ronan Deazley, Rethinking Copyright: History, Theory, Language (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2006)
Ronan Deazley, Martin Kretschmer and Lionel Bently (eds.), Privilege and Property: Essays on the History of Copyright (Open Book Publishers, 2010)
Marie-Stéphanie Delamaire and Will Slauter (eds.), Circulation and Control: Artistic Culture and Intellectual Property in the Nineteenth Century (Open Book Publishers, 2021)
Melissa Homestead, American Women Authors and Literary Property, 1822-1869 (Cambridge University Press, 2005)
Adrian Johns, Piracy: The Intellectual Property Wars from Gutenberg to Gates (University of Chicago Press, 2009)
Meredith L. McGill, American Literature and the Culture of Reprinting, 1834-1853 (University of Pennsylvania Press, 2002)
Mark Rose, Authors and Owners: The Invention of Copyright (Harvard University Press, 1993)
Mark Rose, Authors in Court: Scenes from the Theater of Copyright (Harvard University Press, 2018)
Catherine Seville, Internationalisation of Copyright: Books, Buccaneers and the Black Flag in the Nineteenth Century (Cambridge University Press, 2006)
Brad Sherman and Lionel Bently, The Making of Modern Intellectual Property Law (Cambridge University Press, 1999)
Will Slauter, Who Owns the News? A History of Copyright (Stanford University Press, 2019)
Robert Spoo, Without Copyrights: Piracy, Publishing and the Public Domain (Oxford University Press, 2013)
In Our Time is a BBC Studios Audio production
Every year the UK produces around 50 million tyres for disposal. They are supposed to be sent for recycling. Instead, big money is being made by diverting tyres to illegal and dangerous 'pyrolysis' plants where they are melted down to extract oil and steel. Together with a team of journalists from Source Material, a not-for-profit group specialising in climate and corruption, we follow the tyres from the UK to India using tracking devices. The team discovers just how large scale this largely illicit business has become. Earlier this year, a makeshift pyrolysis plant exploded near Mumbai, killing four people. It had been processing tyres from abroad. Reporter Paul Kenyon confronts a tyre trader in the north of England who admits to shipping his waste tyres to India for pyrolysis.
Two people are facing the first federal charges in the LA unrest and could serve up to 10 years in prison. Also: Harvey Weinstein is found guilty on one charge of sexual assault, and rare good news from Gaza.
Disney and Universal are suing AI photo generation company Midjourney alleging its popular image generator had become a "bottomless pit of plagiarism". Rahul Tandon finds out how likely the lawsuit is to be successful.
Also, can we expect peace between the US and China in their crucial trade war as both sides say they have agreed on a "framework" for a deal?
And we hear how tensions between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk might be affecting investors.
You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.
US President Donald Trump claims a trade deal with China has been done. We explore the key issues in high-stakes trade talks in London. Did President Xi get what he wanted?
How a disgruntled worker caused an entrepreneur's worst nightmare in wiping out years of work at an Indian grocery delivery app.
And Devina Gupta hears why Ghana's nurses and midwives are striking, and how patients are facing treatment delays.
A 31-year-old blogger, Albert Ojwang, has died in police custody in Kenya. A post-mortem revealed that he was hit on the head and his death was likely to have been caused by assault. The results of the post-mortem contradict police previous claims which said Albert had "sustained head injuries after hitting his head against a cell wall". His death has sparked widespread outrage in Kenya. We'll find out more about the case.
Also, what happens to desperate people when humanitarian organisations cannot offer them the aid they need?
And why Botswana has paused production at some of its diamond mines
Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Bella Hassan and Yvette Twagiramariya
Technical Producer: Craig Kingham
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard
Police in LA say there have been mass arrests, amid protests over immigration raids. Also: Dozens more Palestinians are killed trying to get to aid centres in Gaza and the latest on Austria's school shooting.
You can make one, take one, and extend one, but what other verbs can we use with the 'noun' trip? Learn verbs that collocate with 'trip' with Phil in this podcast.
TRANSCRIPT
Find a free transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at:
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Israel says it's "outraged" by sanctions imposed by the UK and four other countries on ministers Ben-Gvir and Smotrich for "inciting violence." Also: Assad's Syrian prison enforcers, and recording the sounds of glaciers.
On 12 May, 59 Afrikaners arrived in Washington to receive “refugee” status. At a press conference, President Trump said he had acted because Afrikaners - the white minority community that ruled South Africa during apartheid - face an existential threat. His words echoed the views of his South African born former adviser, Elon Musk, who has repeatedly used his X platform to amplify false claims of a “white genocide”. Many South Africans, including several Afrikaners that we have spoken to, dismiss the idea that they are under attack as wild misinformation. So where does the idea that white South Africans are being uniquely targeted come from? And what impact is it having on the diplomatic relationship between the White House and Pretoria? This episode of The Documentary, comes to you from BBC Trending in-depth reporting on the world of social media.
Earlier this spring the Financial Conduct Authority warned that some banks and firms lack empathy when dealing with bereaved customers and called for them to do more.
Money Box Live received a huge response from our listeners when we covered the story, with emails from listeners about how they coped with their grief while managing finances following the death of a loved one.
Felicity Hannah is joined by lawyer Gary Rycroft and Sarah Middlemiss, from the end of life charity Marie Curie, to answer those questions and hear those experiences.
Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Producer: Catherine Lund and Sarah Rogers
Editor: Jess Quayle
(This episode was first broadcast at 3pm on Radio 4 on the 14th of May 2025)
U.S.-China trade talks in London are progressing and may extend to a third day, U.S. negotiators said, as both sides seek a breakthrough on rival export controls that risked derailing a fragile tariff truce.
The World Bank has followed the International Monetary Fund in sharply cutting its growth forecast for 2025 - Ana Swanson gives us the breakdown.
Pakistan announced that their defence spending is increasing by 17% in the fiscal year ending June 2026 - we get reaction from Uzair Younus, Principal at the Atlantic Council’s Asia Group.
While the US and China negotiating teams are locked in a second day of trade talks in London, we look at the key figures and businesses caught in the middle between the World’s two largest economies.
With the UK announcing a multibillion dollar project to build a new nuclear power station, Will Bain discusses how Europe is trying to have greater control of its energy supply in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
And why Japan is experiencing an extreme shortage of one of its staple foods - rice.
The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.
Russia says the paramilitary group Wagner has accomplished its mission and has left Mali, although a Russian presence remains in the West African country, through the Africa Corps. So what did the Wagner Group achieve?
Why has a separatist movement on the tiny, remote island of Annobón that is part of Equatorial Guinea, appealed to Argentina for support with its independence claim?
And new research shows that Africa now has more Christians than any other continent, surpassing Europe for the first time. We discuss what is driving that growth.
Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Tom Kavanagh, Alfonso Daniels, Nyasha Michelle, Victor Sylver and Joseph Keen
Technical Producer: Craig Kingham
Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
The Israeli army is investigating reports that drones fired on civilians. Also: Austria is in mourning after students and teachers were killed in a school shooting, and Japan's rice crisis.
An expression meaning whatever you say or do won't change the situation.
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TRANSCRIPT
Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-250609
FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
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Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus
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In the last two decades thousands of men have disappeared in Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest region. Activists and some of their families accuse the Pakistani authorities of enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings. The government is fighting an insurgency in the region, but denies any involvement in the disappearances. It says some of the missing men have joined militant groups or have simply left the province.
Mutilated bodies have continued to turn up, including in mass graves.
Farhat Javed reports on Balochistan’s Women of the Vanished - the mothers and daughters left behind who are still searching for their missing loved ones.
California sues Trump for deploying National Guard without Governor's permission. Also: another prisoner swap gets underway between Russia and Ukraine.
With trade tariffs slowing growth in China, the US wants to talk about rare earth minerals.
We'll have the latest on trade negotiations in London. And there's plenty of food on the programme as we meet meat producers in Spain worried about US tariffs.
We'll also hear how the cost of butter is soaring in New Zealand, even though much of it is made there.
Top government officials from the US and China have arrived in London for talks to see if there's any middle ground to end the ongoing trade war between the World's two largest economies. We look at what the sticking points will be, how they could take some heat out of the issue and if it will produce results.
France's President Emmanuel Macron has told delegates the "oceans are not for sale" as the spotlight falls on the international shipping industry at the UN Ocean Conference in Nice.
And Will Bain talks to Jennifer Haskell of Deloitte Sports Business Group as England's Women's Super League clubs revenue soars.
The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.
In 2023, Uganda voted in some of the world's harshest anti-homosexual legislation meaning that anybody engaging in certain same-sex acts can be sentenced to death. The World Bank decided to ban Uganda from receiving loans because of its legislation. The bank now says it's confident that new "mitigation measures" will allow it to roll out funding in such a way that does not harm or discriminate against LGBTQ+ community. We hear analysis.
Also, why increasing numbers of people in Togo are thinking about leaving ECOWAS
And why is Nigeria importing cows from Denmark?
Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya and Bella Hassan in London. Charles Gitonga in Nairobi and Blessing Aderogba in Lagos.
Technical Producer: Kane Masaba-Morgan
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Israel intercepts Gaza-bound aid yacht, carrying human rights activists. Trump deploys national guard at LA protests. UN Oceans talks open in France. Plus: South Korean sci-fi musical wins big at the Tonys.
Can you think out of the box or do you take the helicopter view at work? Learn business jargon.
FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
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Brian D’Souza, aka Auntie Flo, is a Scottish musician, DJ and sound recordist who has played at some of the biggest festivals and clubs around the world. His compositions fuse field recordings from around the globe with cutting edge production techniques to transport the listener to different places and states.
He has spent the last few years trying to bring together the natural and electronic worlds, experimenting with a complex setup of sensors and synthesisers to create music from plants. Last year he released an EP called Mycorrhizal Funghi that sampled the sounds of four different mushroom species and a full-length album called In My Dreams (I’m A Bird And I’m Free), built from field recordings and genres from across the world. Tom Raine follows Brian on a trip to Kenya and Goa to conduct field recordings and create plant music for a brand-new album and a listening app he is developing. This episode of The Documentary, comes to you from In the Studio, exploring the processes of the world’s most creative people.
Tensions escalate in LA as 2,000 National Guardsman arrive, and crowds protest for a third day against raids on undocumented migrants. Also: Palestinians shot dead near an aid site, and the Galapagos Islands' postman.
Hamas says six people were killed by Israeli gunfire near an aid distribution centre in Gaza. Israel says it fired warning shots. Also: Trump says his relationship with Musk is over and Coco Gauff wins the French Open.
صاحبان شرکتها و سکوهای بزرگ در شبکههای اجتماعی، ایلان ماسکهای دوران ما، صاحب ثروت افسانهای و قدرت و نفوذ سیاسی روزافزونی شدهاند. آیا شاهد ظهور شکل جدیدی از سرمایهداری هستیم؟
میهمانها:
کاوه آذرهوش، پژوهشگر رسانه و سیاست
حامد شیبانیراد، پژوهشگر تکنولوژی دیجیتال
Joy in China as Beanbag the Capybara returns after months on the run. The giant rodent's adventures had gripped social media. Also: an ingenious idea making cities greener; and the flatpack furniture world champion.
Moldova is a country torn between pro-Western and pro-Russian factions. In September this year, Moldovans will vote for a new leadership, and pro-European observers are worried that Russia will try to influence the outcome of these elections. Why? Natasha Matyukhina from BBC Monitoring explains.
This episode of The Documentary comes to you from The Fifth Floor, the show at the heart of global storytelling, with BBC journalists from all around the world.
Presented by Faranak Amidi
Produced by Alice Gioia and Caroline Ferguson
(Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)
Kilmar Ábrego García is returned to US to face criminal charges, three months after he was mistakenly deported. Also: Republicans try to contain Trump-Musk row, and study finds dehorning rhinos sharply cuts poaching.
For well over a decade, civil war blighted the lives of Syrians, as rebel forces battled against former President Bashar al-Assad and his brutal regime. More than 600,000 people were killed and 12 million others were forced from their homes during this time. In December last year, everything changed when Assad’s dictatorship was abruptly overthrown by his opponents. We hear from a range of people living and working in Syria as they describe how life was for them under the old regime, and how they have been affected by the country’s new leadership. They also discuss how the lifting of international sanctions has started to improve their ailing economy. Hoteliers describe how their hotels are now fully booked, and they are able to maintain and upgrade their buildings again. And three artists exchange views on organising performances now and their hopes for the future. Three students describe how having freedom of speech has transformed university life. This episode of The Documentary, comes to you from BBC OS Conversations, bringing together people from around the world to discuss how major news stories are affecting their lives
The US and China governments have announced their set to hold trade talks in London on Monday, so has a phone call between the presidents of the World's two largest economies begun the end of their ongoing tariff battle?
Elsewhere, we discuss whether the fallout between Donald Trump and Elon Musk will have any dramatic changes to US government's policy, while Andrew Peach speaks to diamond analyst Paul Zimnisky about why the main diamond company in Botswana says it's temporarily halting production.
And our correspondent Stephen McDonell reports from China on how the era of the driverless truck may finally have arrived.
The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.
Around 1 in 2 people living in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime according to Cancer Research UK. That stark statistic is a reminder how the disease can impact families up and down the country, but it's not just the health of people diagnosed that can forever be changed. The finances of those who survive the disease can also be devastating too. We'll hear from a man recovering from a cancer diagnosis about how it impacted his life, and speak to a charity that is calling for better financial support for cancer survivors.
As the Bank of England cuts interest rates to 4.25%, we’ll discuss what the best deals are at the moment. Data shows that while some lenders are offering deals at less than 4%, you’d need a big deposit and have to pay a fee, so what is out there and who can get it?
And investment platforms should be required to pass on voting rights to shareholders. That's the call from the trade body, the Association of Investment Companies. If you buy a share in a company you have the right to vote on corporate decisions. At the moment, some investment platforms pass on the right to vote, others require you to opt-in, some don't pass on the rights at all and some even charge to do it. The AIC wants that to change so that all platforms are required to pass on the rights, which would require a change in the law. In response, the Personal Investment Management and Financial Advice Association says a wholesale change to regulation to force this issue could result in significant costs to firms and an overwhelming level of paperwork for customers.
Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporter: Dan Whitworth
Researchers: Eimear Devlin and Jo Krasner
Editor: Jess Quayle
(First broadcast on Radio 4 at 12pm on Saturday 10th May 2025)
Writer: Katie Hims
Director: Kim Greengrass
Editor: Jeremy Howe
Ben Archer…. Ben Norris
David Archer…. Timothy Bentinck
Jill Archer…. Patricia Greene
Ruth Archer…. Felicity Finch
Tony Archer…. David Troughton
Lilian Bellamy…. Sunny Ormonde
Alice Carter…. Hollie Chapman
Chris Carter…. Wilf Scolding
Susan Carter…. Charlotte Martin
Justin Elliott…. Simon Williams
Joy Horville…. Jackie Lye
Akram Malik…. Asif Khan
Azra Malik…. Yasmin Wilde
Kirsty Miller…. Annabelle Dowler
Fallon Rogers…. Joanna Van Kampen
Arthur…. Mark Carey
Andy Zaltzman is joined by Armando Iannucci, Ria Lina, Ian Smith and Cindy Yu for more topical comedy quizzing. This week they explore Trump’s tariff turmoil, the King’s Canadian holiday, mixed messages in the Middle East and how the Department of Justice is having trouble finishing its sentences.
Written by Andy Zaltzman.
With additional material by: Mike Shephard, Peter Tellouche, Sascha LO and Eve Delaney.
Producer: James Robinson
Executive Producer: Pete Strauss
Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman
Sound Editor: Marc Willcox
A BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4
How has something meant to be big and beautiful, has created so much bad blood between he world's richest man, and the President of the world's richest economy?
With the US stock markets just open we'll look at the continuing fall out from President Trump's explosive social media bust up with Elon Musk - and what it means for some of Mr Musk's most important companies like the electric car firm Tesla and Space X.
Also why is one of Germany's biggest investment funds pulling its investment in one of the world's biggest energy firms?
You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.
Donald Trump has said Elon Musk has 'lost his mind' as the explosive row between the two men continues. Also: solving a brutal medieval murder, and what makes chimpanzees yawn.
Is Trump's latest travel ban part of a US disengagement from Africa?
Why are many countries now shifting their views on Western Sahara in favour of Morocco?
And how can digital skills be made more available for disabled people in Africa?
Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Sunita Nahar, Patricia Whitehorne and Tom Kavanagh in London, with Charles Gitonga, Richard Kagoe and Christine Ntayiai in Nairobi.
Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
Donald Trump and Elon Musk are involved in a rapidly escalating row, a week after the billionaire businessman left his job as a US presidential adviser. Also: gaming fans queue to buy the Nintendo Switch 2.
In the wake of the Assad regime’s fall in Syria, thousands of Alawites, a minority Shia sect historically linked to the former regime, have fled to Lebanon. They are seeking refuge from discrimination and sectarian violence that has left over 1,000 civilians dead, including women and children. The late Hafez al-Assad, Bashar's father, became the most powerful Alawite when he seized control of Syria in a coup in 1970. Under the rule of Hafez al-Assad and then his son Bashar - the ruling Assad’s recruited heavily from the Alawite community placing them in top posts in state, security and intelligence branches. Syria’s new President Ahmed al-Sharaa, promised to protect Syria's minorities, but has struggled to contain a wave of violence directed towards the Alawite community. Emily Wither travels to the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli to meet with Syrian Alawite refugees and a new youth movement. This episode of The Documentary, comes to you from Heart and Soul, exploring personal approaches to spirituality from around the world.
Tensions are flaring between Donald Trump and his former adviser Elon Musk, just days after a seemingly cordial Oval Office departure.
Plus, the European Union is calling on China to relax its grip on rare earth exports - vital components for everything from electric cars to household appliances. The restrictions have disrupted global supply chains and rattled industries across Europe and the U.S.
And as a Japanese company struggles to reconnect with its moon-bound spacecraft, we explore the growing commercial interest in lunar ventures.
As Nintendo launches its brand new Switch 2, we'll ask what the future holds for gaming consoles - as people increasingly stream their games.
Before that, David Harper hears how the restrictions on exports of rare earth materials from China are hitting production of items including cars.
Plus we've waited so long for sci-fi style deliveries from autonomous drones. Are they now becoming a reality?
You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.
Mothers in Lesotho are campaigning against a needle sharing method which exposes drug users to the risks of HIV and other diseases, taking root in the country. What is 'bluetoothing' or 'hotspotting'?
Also, the wider impact of the rising Islamist attacks in West Africa
And why do people choose Hunger strikes as a form of protest, and are they effective?
Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Bella Hassan and Yvette Twagiramariya
Technical Producer: Nick Randell
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
Israeli minister says the retrieval of two Israeli hostages' bodies in Gaza shows only force will bring back those who are still alive. Also: Nintendo's newest console, and are the Dead Sea Scrolls older than thought?
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the decisive role of one of the great 20th Century physicists in solving the question of nuclear fission. It is said that Meitner (1878-1968) made this breakthrough over Christmas 1938 while she was sitting on a log in Sweden during a snowy walk with her nephew Otto Frisch (1904-79). Both were Jewish-Austrian refugees who had only recently escaped from Nazi Germany. Others had already broken uranium into the smaller atom barium, but could not explain what they found; was the larger atom bursting, or the smaller atom being chipped off or was something else happening? They turned to Meitner. She, with Frisch, deduced the nucleus really was splitting like a drop of water into a dumbbell shape, with the electrical charges at each end forcing the divide, something previously thought impossible, and they named this ‘fission’. This was a crucial breakthrough for which Meitner was eventually widely recognised if not at first.
With
Jess Wade
A Royal Society University Research Fellow and Lecturer in Functional Materials at Imperial College, London
Frank Close
Professor Emeritus of Theoretical Physics and Fellow Emeritus at Exeter College, University of Oxford
And
Steven Bramwell
Director of the London Centre for Nanotechnology and Professor of Physics at University College London
Producer: Simon Tillotson
Reading list:
Frank Close, Destroyer of Worlds: The Deep History of the Nuclear Age, 1895-1965 (Allen Lane, 2025)
Ruth Lewin Sime, Lise Meitner: A Life in Physics (University of California Press, 1996)
Marissa Moss, The Woman Who Split the Atom: The Life of Lise Meitner (Abrams Books, 2022)
Patricia Rife, Lise Meitner and the Dawn of the Nuclear Age (Birkhauser Verlag, 1999)
In Our Time is a BBC Studios Audio Production
The Israeli government’s push to transform the media landscape has been described by critics as a “hostile takeover” that poses a threat to press freedom. The Global Jigsaw takes a look at what people in Israel see about the war in Gaza on their TV screens. We examine the methods and the motives behind the prime minister’s media squeeze, and ask what this means for the country priding itself on being "the only democracy" in the Middle East.
Producer: Kriszta Satori
Presenter: Krassi Ivanova Twigg
Contributor: Shaina Oppenheimer
A report by the US Congressional Budget Office in Washington found Wednesday that President Donald Trump’s tax bill adds $2.4 trillion to US debt.
Also, Rahul Tandon looks at the impact that hackers are having on some of the world's best-known retailers and other brands – North Face, Cartier and Victoria Secret are the latest companies being targeted.
Europe and the United States say progress has been made in their trade talks about the tariffs, but how important is the outcome of these talks to US wine importers? We hear from the president of Cynthia Hurley French Wines, which is based just outside Boston in Massachusetts.
Global stocks hit an all-time peak: does it mean the global markets are really suffering, despite increasing uncertainty about the direction of the American economy?
We'll also find out what affect some of President Trump's tariffs are likely to have in the US.
You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.
Mali's army says it has repelled attacks by jihadists on two military bases. Why is the Al-Qaeda linked group stepping up attacks?
South Africa's continued hunt for an alleged illegal mining kingpin in Lesotho
And why is Nigeria the worst place in the world to give birth in?
Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Sunita Nahar and Tom Kavanagh in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos
Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Do you rise up to the challenges you face? What poses a problem for you?. All these verbs are common collocations with 'challenge' - learn how to use them with Phil in this podcast.
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Informers are playing a key role in helping the Russian government silence dissent, now one victim has turned detective to uncover their persecutor’s true identity. In today’s Russia there is a hunt for the enemy within. Anybody who is accused of voicing opposition to the war in Ukraine can face losing their job, or being prosecuted and facing a fine, or in many cases prison. Academic Aleksandra Arkhipova was denounced by a mysterious serial informer called Anna Korobkova, and decided to become an exile in France. Korobkova boasted of taking pleasure in reporting hundreds of people for allegedly being unpatriotic. But nobody had met her or even knew what she looked like. So, Arkhipova began to piece the clues together to discover the true identity of the anonymous figure who ruined her life.
If your home isn't working for you, should you pack up and move or get the builders in and improve?
Moving is expensive, aside from the price of the house there's Stamp Duty and solicitors fees to think about. So, is it worth getting the builders in instead if you're desperate for an extra bedroom? Insurance firm Aviva predicts 7 million of us will renovate over the next two years, spending an average of £14,000 each.
But what happens if the renovations go wrong, you run out of money, or you're hoping to move but no-one wants to buy your home?
Felicity Hannah is joined by Beth Rudolf from the Conveyancing Association and Harvey Fremlin, Managing Director at The National Self Build & Renovation Centre.
Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Producer: Sarah Rogers/Helen Ledwick
Editor: Jess Quayle
(This episode was first broadcast at 3pm on Radio 4 on the 7th of May 2025)
The global steel industry is again braced to be impacted by Donald Trump's implementation of a 50% tariff, which he vowed last week in front of a crowd of steel workers in Pennsylvania.
In South Korea, the liberal candidate, Lee Jae-myung, has been confirmed as the clear winner of the presidential election.
The Dutch government has collapsed after Geert Wilders withdrew his far-right party from the governing coalition following a row over proposed legislation to restrict migration. However, some business owners say the lack of a functioning government in the Netherlands is affecting their ability to do business because key issues are not being addressed.
Laura Kyrke-Smith MP wants more care and support for new mothers struggling with their mental health. Her own friend died by suicide just 10 weeks after giving birth and she recently led a debate in parliament on the subject. Laura joined Nuala McGovern to discuss the changes she wants to see. They were joined by perinatal psychologist Dr Alain Gregoire from the Maternal Mental Health Alliance.As EastEnders celebrates its 40th anniversary, Woman’s Hour discusses the iconic soap’s track record of featuring strong female characters with actors Michelle Collins, Kellie Bright, Diane Parish and Heather Peace.How easy is it to navigate the role of grandparent? The pyschologist Terri Apter, author of Grandparenting: On Love and Relationships Across Generations joined Anita Rani to discuss the topic. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Women’s Prize for Fiction which was established to recognise the literary achievements of female writers. There have been huge improvements in sales for fiction written by women since then, however only 34 per cent of the top 500 non-fiction books in 2022 were written by women. The Women's Prize awarded its inaugural non-fiction category last year and have just released their 2025 longlist. Will it have the same impact as the Fiction Prize? The Women’s Prize co-founder Kate Mosse and this year’s Chair of the Non-Fiction Prize, journalist and author Kavita Puri join Nuala.Performance poet Caitlin O'Ryan's poem, At What Point, about walking home alone went viral. She performed an extract of the poem live in the studio. Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Dianne McGregor
The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, has said that Europe can no longer depend on the United States for military support. We hear from Europe's top foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas.
Also on the programme: Hamas has released another three Israeli hostages from captivity in Gaza in return for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners being held in Israeli jails; and why President Trump wants to get rid of the penny.
(Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during the 61st Munich Security Conference on 15 February. Credit: RONALD WITTEK/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
افغانستان در بیشتر شاخصهای توسعه در سطح جهانی در قعر جدول قرار دارد و چه از نظر اقتصادی، چه در حیطههای فرهنگی و اجتماعی، جزو رشد نیافتهترین کشورهاست. عامل اصلی توسعه نیافتگی افغانستان که به جنگهای طولانی دامن زده چیست؟میهمانها:
جاوید نادر، پژوهشگر جامعهشناسی سیاسی
بصیر آرین، پژوهشگر مطالعات توسعه
When the American troops withdrew from Afghanistan, they left behind $7bn of military supplies. Where are they now? Hafizullah Maroof from BBC Afghan will take us inside the Kabul flea market that sells second-hand military equipment to the Taliban. Plus: the origin story of capoeira, the Afro-Brazilian sport that blends dancing and martial arts, with Joao Fellet from BBC Brazil and Debula Kemoli from BBC Africa; and how the BBC's Pronunciation unit works with Language Service journalists to make sure we get international names right, with Martha Figueroa-Clark and Jo Kim.Presented by Faranak Amidi. Produced by Alice Gioia and Caroline Ferguson.(Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)
How a plea to fly a dog to the US ended in marriage. Adri Pendleton and Niklas Stöterau fell in love after he came to the rescue. Also: a son who's saved his dad's life, twice; and helping the homeless through tennis.
Thousands of people from all around the world came to Paris this week to talk about the impact of artificial intelligence in society. The rapidly growing technology can emulate a human response and has the potential to learn quickly. This allows it to generate images and words, for example, and do a range of jobs faster and cheaper than humans. We hear from three tech entrepreneurs in Ghana, Denmark and Nigeria where AI is making a positive impact on their businesses. There are other industries, however, where workers fear losing jobs due to AI. Two writers from the UK and the United States share how the technology has reduced some of their work prospects.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has held talks with US vice president, JD Vance, as a rift grows between the US and Europe over how to end the war in Ukraine. Also: YouTube celebrates its 20th birthday.
A senior MP has backed calls to start automatically paying out hundreds of millions of pounds to young adults if they haven’t claimed government-backed child trusts funds by the time they turn 21. Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, who is also chair of parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, says the move would help nearly half a million people born between 2002 and 2011 access one billion pounds of their own money that they don’t even know about. The government says the idea would be complex and costly.There has been a lot of talk on the news about gilts and the bond market. We're joined by Russ Mould, the investment director of AJ Bell, to explain what a gilt is and whether you can buy one?There's less than three months left to boost your state pension by to filling old gaps in your National Insurance record. At the moment people who have not yet reached pension age and those already on the new state pension can fill gaps in their record back as far as 2006. From this April that window will be shut. What should you do, if you think you've got gaps to fill?And, the couple who boosted their income by more than a hundred pounds a week after listening to Money Box. Find out how they did it.Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporter: Dan Whitworth
Researchers: Eimear Devlin and Jo Krasner
Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 18th January 2025)
Ukraine's President Zelensky meets the US Vice President JD Vance at the Munich security conference to discuss the future of the war in Ukraine.Also, there's been talk of the President Trump administration closing the Department of Education.And it's a Happy 20th Birthday to YouTube.The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.
In his speech at the Munich Security Conference, US Vice-President JD Vance has accused European governments - including the UK's - of retreating from their values and ignoring voter concerns on free speech and migration. We speak to the deputy leader of Germany's anti-immigration party Alternative for Germany (AfD) Beatrix von Storch.Also in the programme: The Ukrainian writer Andrey Kurkov on Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and the war in Ukraine. The number of people who report being the victim of anti-social behaviour is rising - we hear from one of them. Plus a celebration of South Africa's Bantu culture and music with cellist and singer Abel Selaocoe.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has met JD Vance at the Munich Security Conference, after the US vice president launched a withering attack on European countries. In a hard-hitting speech, Mr Vance said said there was "a new sheriff in town" as he criticised what he called a "retreat of fundamental values" across Europe. Also on the programme: we speak to the Egyptian sportswoman whose pregnancy during the Paris Olympics stunned the world; and the study explaining why so many people feel they have a separate stomach for pudding. (Picture: US vice president JD Vance pictured ahead of the bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Credit: REUTERS/Leah Millis)
Writer: Naylah Ahmed
Director: Julie Beckett
Editor: Jeremy HoweBen Archer…. Ben Norris
Helen Archer…. Louiza Patikas
Jolene Archer…. Buffy Davis
Pat Archer…. Patricia Gallimore
Tom Archer…. William Troughton
Tony Archer…. David Troughton
Harrison Burns…. James Cartwright
Alice Carter.... Hollie Chapman
Susan Carter…. Charlotte Martin
Mick Fadmoor…. Martin Barrass
Joy Horville…. Jackie Lye
Azra Malik…. Yasmin Wilde
Khalil Malik…. Krish Bassi
Zainab Malik…. Priyasasha Kumari
Fallon Rogers…. Joanna Van Kampen
Lynda Snell…. Carole Boyd
Lawrence…. Rupert Vansittart
On The News Quiz this week, Andy Zaltzman is joined by Ayesha Hazarika, Susie McCabe, Geoff Norcott and Pierre Novellie to discuss Britain's attempts to court the US and the EU, Trump's tariff turmoil, new report cards from Ofsted, and Starmer's uncovered voice coaching.Written by Andy Zaltzman.With additional material by: Jade Gebbie, Alex Kealy, Christina Riggs and Stuart McPherson.
Producer: Rajiv Karia
Executive Producer: Richard Morris
Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman
Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4
An Eco-Audio certified Production.
US President Donald Trump is sharpening plans to hit exports from countries that he says have trade policies that are unfair to the US. We will look at how each country is focusing on trade negotiations.
African heads of state meeting in Addis Ababa are discussing alternative sources to pay for medical services on the continent following the freezing of USAID funding.
And Will Bain finds out why English cricket’s governing body has been selling off stakes in the city-based franchises that make up its Hundred competition.
US Vice President J.D. Vance speaks at the Munich Security Conference. As Ukraine’s President Zelensky warns about Vladimir Putin’s European ambitions, is Europe now on its own when it comes to defence? Also in the programme: why did six federal prosecutors resign in protest in New York and D.C. yesterday? And the study explaining why humans feel there IS a separate stomach for pudding.(IMAGE: US Vice President JD Vance speaks during the 61st Munich Security Conference (MSC), in Munich, Germany, 14 February 2025 / CREDIT: Ronald Wittek/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
US and EU allies discuss Ukraine's peace prospects at the Munich Security Conference. The Russian delegation is not invited. Also: long sentences for rhino poachers in Indonesia, and the smell of mummies.
A month-long fishing ban in Sierra Leone leaves families struggling to cope.Who are AfriForum- the white Afrikaner minority group that's behind Donald Trump's intimidation of South Africa?And we meet Nada Hafez -The Egyptian fencer whose Olympic pregnancy stunned the world.Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Patricia Whitehorne, Nyasha Michelle, Frenny Jowi and Paul Bakibinga.
Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.
Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.
Abram Iskhakov is the caretaker of the oldest synagogue in Bukhara, one of the sacred cities of Islam. He is keeper of a Torah inscribed on deer velum and kept safe for 1000 years, or so the story goes. Abram has a powerful voice and recites for us a very special prayer, the Haqqoni, recited at both Jewish and Muslim mourning services in Persian, the language of his city and of Central Asian Jews from Samarkand to the borders of China. What does Haqqoni tell us about the culture of Central Asia? And as the Bukharan Jewish population migrates across the world, what is becoming of the Haqqoni?
The NATO secretary general, Mark Rutte, has called for unity as a rift opens up between Europe and the US on how to end the war in Ukraine. Also: love rats and Valentine's Day.
President Donald Trump announced reciprocal tariffs on all US imports.So how will the tariffs affect businesses in the US who import and export products? That's what we ask them.And Mexico is threatening to sue Google if the company refuses to change the name of the Gulf of America back to the Gulf of Mexico for Maps users in the US.The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.
US President Donald Trump repeated his pledge to meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine, and said US and Russian officials would meet at the Munich Security Conference beginning on Friday. Speaking to reporters in the White House, Trump said Ukraine would also be included in the negotiations.The parents of female Israeli hostages released by Hamas have spoken to the BBC about what their loved ones endured.And we hear from the centenarian who refuses to give up her favourite pastime: horse-riding.
The European Union's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, has accused President Trump of appeasing Russia over Ukraine. Newshour hears from NATO's former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander for Europe, Gen. Sir. Richard Shirreff.Also in the programme: Israel's hostage families speak of captivity ordeal; and the rise of Germany's AFD.(Picture: U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth holds a press conference during a NATO Defence Ministers meeting at the Alliance's headquarters in Brussels. credit: Reuters)
This week the recently spotted asteroid 2024 YR4 had its odds of missing us “spectacularly” slashed by 1 percentage point. Still nothing to worry about maintains Patrick Michel of the International Asteroid Warning Network, and he expects that with better tracking data in the next few months (even courtesy of the JWST) that tiny chance of collision will fall further. However, as he explains, it’s very comforting to know that we now have such a sophisticated tracking network, and even better, thanks to NASA’s DART mission, even a demonstrable method for doing something about it if the numbers go the other way…But other extraterrestrial bombardments are harder to detect at all. This week scientists of the KM3NeT collaboration report in the journal Nature their detection of the most energetic neutrino ever noticed. Almost countless numbers travel through the earth – and us – every second, but this little beauty arrived from deep space, plummeting through hundreds of miles of rock and sea (via Malta) to collide with a single molecule of water in the Mediterranean sea. As Paschal Coyle of Aix Marseille University happens to run a cubic kilometre of neutrino observatory in that area explains their huge instrument was barely begun when the record breaker smashed through the area in February 2023.Finally, years of breeding rice cultivars for higher yield may have subtly changed the plants relationship with the microbes in the paddies in which they grow, inadvertently boosting the amount of methane released into our atmosphere. New research, including 3 years of field trials in China have produced a new cultivar, breeding in some of the older stocks, with just as high yields yet up to 70 percent lower methane released. This could make a serious difference to global methane emissions, as Microbiologist Anna Schnürer of Uppsala BioCenter in Sweden describes.Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Alex Mansfield
Production Coordinator: Josie Hardy(Photo: Asteroid 2024 YR4 as observed by the Magdalena Ridge 2.4m telescope Credit: AFP/NASA/New Mexico Institute of Technology)
The Japanese car giants Honda and Nissan have abandoned plans for a merger, and in a joint statement, the manufacturers say they'll continue to work together on electric car production as they try to fight off competition from Chinese producers.
David Harper hears about whether AI regulation is holding back development in Europe. We ask an executive at one of the big players in the industry.
Also, shares in the low-cost airline Norwegian jumped on Thursday as markets reacted to the company's fourth-quarter financial results, which surpassed revenue expectations despite a net loss.
European countries are left reeling after Donald Trump cuts them out of negotiations with Russia over Ukraine: we speak to Estonia's foreign minister, and hear from Kyiv on how Ukraine sees its future.Also in the programme: unearthing a major piece of Roman history in an office basement in London; and we get the latest after a man drives a car into a crowd in Munich.(IMAGE: Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna speaks to the media as he attends Foreign Affairs Council at the EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, 27 January 2025 / CREDIT: Olivier Hoslet/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Senior figures in Europe have accused President Trump of making unnecessary concessions to Russia ahead of peace talks on Ukraine, and a breakthrough is reported in talks to get the Gaza ceasefire deal back on track.
The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights is holding a public hearing in Tanzania, on a case filed by DR Congo against Rwanda. The country accuses Rwanda of violating its sovereignty, orchestrating violence, and destabilizing the DRC. Rwanda denies the accusations. How significant is this? Also, a look at the growing economic partnership between the United Arab Emirates and Zimbabwe. What difference does it make to ordinary Zimbabweans?And why a separatist fighter in Cameroon handed over his weapons to become a teacher..Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Technical Producer: Phillip Bull
Producers: Sunita Nahar, Stefania Okereke, Yvette Twagiramariya and Bella Hassan
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
As part of the EastEnders 40th anniversary Woman’s Hour celebrates this iconic soap’s track record of featuring strong female characters and exploring some of the most pressing, contentious and emotional issues for women over the past four decades. Anita Rani presents live from the Fox & Hair salon in Walford. The salon is managed by Diane Parish’s character Denise Fox, whose love triangle storyline will be at the centre of the soap’s live interactive episode on Thursday 20th February. Viewers will be able to vote on whether her future should be with Jack or Ravi. She joins Anita to discuss the storyline.Anita also speaks to Kellie Bright who plays Linda Carter, Michelle Collins who plays Cindy Beale and Heather Peace whose character Eve Unwin recently was part of the first lesbian wedding on the show. With two thirds of the soap's audience being women, the executive producer Chris Clenshaw talks about his vision for putting female characters front and centre,, with lead storylines including explosive murder mystery The Six - and he explains how sensitive issues, such as Linda's alcoholism, are tackled with the help of charities and experts. When BBC One launched its first twice-weekly serial drama, on 19th February 1985 and it was based around a solidly working class community set in Albert Square in the East End of London. Anthony McNicholas is a retired academic, reader in communications and researcher on the history of the BBC and Jaci Stephen is the Soap Critic for the Daily Mail. They discuss the original idea for the series, the public service remit and celebrate the Square’s most formidable matriarchs over its 40-year history and discuss their impact. Presented by Anita Rani
Producer: Louise Corley
Editor: Deiniol Buxton
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss one of the most consequential battles of recent centuries. On 20th September 1792 at Valmy, 120 miles to the east of Paris, the army of the French Revolution faced Prussians, Austrians and French royalists heading for Paris to free Louis XVI and restore his power and end the Revolution. The professional soldiers in the French army were joined by citizens singing the Marseillaise and their refusal to give ground prompted their opponents to retreat when they might have stayed and won. The French success was transformative. The next day, back in Paris, the National Convention abolished the monarchy and declared the new Republic. Goethe, who was at Valmy, was to write that from that day forth began a new era in the history of the world.With Michael Rowe
Reader in European History at King’s College LondonHeidi Mehrkens
Lecturer in Modern European History at the University of AberdeenAndColin Jones
Professor Emeritus of History at Queen Mary, University of LondonProducer: Simon TillotsonReading listT. C. W. Blanning, The French Revolutionary Wars, 1787-1802 (Hodder Education, 1996)Elizabeth Cross, ‘The Myth of the Foreign Enemy? The Brunswick Manifesto and the Radicalization of the French Revolution’ (French History 25/2, 2011)Charles J. Esdaile, The Wars of the French Revolution, 1792-1801 (Routledge, 2018)John A. Lynn, ‘Valmy’ (MHQ: Quarterly Journal of Military History, Fall 1992)Munro Price, The Fall of the French Monarchy: Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette and the
baron de Breteuil (Macmillan, 2002)Simon Schama, Citizens: A Chronicle of the French Revolution (Penguin Books, 1989)Samuel F. Scott, From Yorktown to Valmy: The Transformation of the French Army in an Age of Revolution (University Press of Colorado, 1998)Marie-Cécile Thoral, From Valmy to Waterloo: France at War, 1792–1815 (Palgrave Macmillan, 2011)In Our Time is a BBC Studios Audio Production
The Nuxalk people of Canada's Pacific north-west were almost wiped out by colonisation. Now a community radio station is reviving their language and culture. Nuxalk Radio came on air 10 years ago, inspired by the indigenous Idle No More movement. For World Radio Day 2025, we celebrate this tiny outfit broadcasting from a trailer in the town of Bella Coola, British Columbia, to help an ancient nation recover its mother tongue, supressed for decades by the Canadian government, as well as its identity and self-respect.
US President Donald Trump says he will likely meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Saudi Arabia in the near future for negotiations on Ukraine. Also: London's first Roman basilica found under office basement.
President Donald Trump promised to bring prices down, but egg and energy prices in the US rose by its highest for six months in January. What does it mean for consumers and interest-rates?Roger Hearing speaks to a giant Indian tyre maker on doing business in an America wedded to tariffs.And Brazil's plan to become a major exporter of... cannabis.The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.
US President Donald Trump says he’ll meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, probably in Saudi Arabia, in the “not too distant future”. He was speaking after a 90 minute phonecall with Putin where they agreed to begin negotiations to end the war in Ukraine “immediately”. We ask what the diplomatic move means for European security.US politicians and commentators are saying the country is headed for a “constitutional crisis” due to President Trump’s actions. We explored what the term means.And a Roman basilica is being excavated in the basement of a London office block.
Donald Trump has announced that talks to end the war in Ukraine will start immediately. The US President had 'a lengthy and highly productive' phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, followed by a call to Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky. We hear from a former NATO Deputy Secretary General and a Ukrainian MP about the path going forward.Also in our programme: is the United States in the midst of a constitutional crisis? And we hear about a historic raid targetting the Sicilian mafia.(Photo: US President Trump Welcomes Released Russian Prisoner Mark Fogel. Credit: Shutterstock)
The new US defence secretary has delivered an uncompromising message to Ukraine three years after Russia's full-scale invasion began, saying Nato membership is unrealistic. We get a response from Ukraine's former prime minister.Also on the programme: A BBC investigation has uncovered allegations that the energy giant Shell ignored repeated warnings that a one-billion-dollar clean-up operation of polluted land in southern Nigeria has been beset by problems and corruption and why a Dublin city councillor is campaigning for the removal of key lockboxes.(Photo: US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks at a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group on the eve of a Nato defence ministers' meeting at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, 12 February, 2025. Credit: Johanna Geron/Reuters)
Nigerians are expressing outrage over a big jump in the price of mobile data charged by some of the country's major phone networks after a government announcement three weeks ago said it would be capped at a 50% price rise.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Washington and meets President Donald Trump later this week, and there will be some warm hugs and shared laughs. But what do Indian businesses expect from the meeting? We hear from the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce.
And David Harper hears from the boss of the legendary German toy company, Playmobil. The company might be a much-loved memory for many people, but it has been struggling in a competitive toy market.
The paramilitary RSF reported to have stormed Sudan's largest displacement camp. Also: oil clean-up 'scam' warnings ignored by Shell, whistleblower tells BBC, and the beavers who rescued a stalled conservation project.
Did Shell ignore clean-up warnings in southern Nigeria?Why residents of Cape Town’s brightly coloured Bo-Kaap neighbourhood are concerned about tourism numbersAnd calls for AI to bridge the gender equality gap in AfricaPresenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Frenny Jowi in Nairobi with Patricia Whitehorne and Nyasha Michelle in London.
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Technical Producer: Francesca Dunn
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Learning a language is great - you need to study it. Mastering it is even better. Once you've done that you can express things in complex language. Learn these verbs and others with Phil in this podcast.TRANSCRIPT
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Ellie Wilson, a rape survivor, is campaigning for the right for victims to be able to appear at parole hearings, after being denied permission to attend one for the man who raped her. She tells Nuala McGovern to why she wants the law changed so victims can appear at the hearings, alongside barrister Harriet Johnson who can explain more about the process.Did you know anyone can legally call themselves a nurse, regardless of qualifications? Labour MP Dawn Butler introduced a ten minute rule bill in parliament yesterday seeking to make ‘nurse ‘a protected title in UK law. Professor Alison Leary, Deputy President of Royal College of Nursing and a registered nurse who has been calling for the change joins Nuala to explain why this move is so important. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Women’s Prize for Fiction which was established to recognise the literary achievements of female writers. There have been huge improvements in sales for fiction written by women since then, however only 34 per cent of the top 500 Non-Fiction books in 2022 were written by women. The Women's Prize awarded its inaugural Non-fiction category last year and have just released their 2025 non-fiction longlist. Will it have the same impact as the Fiction prize? Nuala is joined by Women’s Prize co-founder Kate Mosse and this year’s Chair of the Non-Fiction Prize, journalist and author Kavita Puri.Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Lottie Garton
There is growing concern about cybercrimes like romance scams and sextortion targeting victims around the world. Hiding behind fake or hacked accounts, fraudsters bombard their targets with messages in the hope of extracting money or compromising personal information. In Nigeria, these operations are often honed in dedicated training academies. Known as 'Hustle Kingdoms', they help con artists stay up-to-date with the most effective techniques for carrying out digital fraud. BBC Trending explores how these schools operate, both in person and on social media, to train the next generation of scammers.
Israel says the ceasefire will end unless Hamas frees hostages by Saturday. Also: the US teacher held in Russia for four years is freed, and remembering the child chimney sweep whose death changed England's labour laws.
1 in 5 parents say they're struggling with the cost of sending their children to school according to the National Parent Survey.There're uniform costs, school trips, afterschool clubs and school dinners to consider, but is there a way to keep costs down?Some changes are on the way with government plans to give every parent of a child in a state primary school in England the legal right to a half hour breakfast club, as well as limits on how many branded uniform parents have to buy. This week Felicity Hannah will hear from parents and is joined by Jo Thurston, parenting coach from Action for Children’s Parent Talk service,
Sarah Coles, head of personal finance at the investment platform Hargreaves Lansdown and Neil Renton, Head Teacher of Harrogate Grammar School.Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Reporter: Sarah Rogers
Editor: Jess Quayle(This programme was first broadcast at 3pm on Wednesday the 15th of January 2025)
King Abdullah of Jordan met with Donald Trump at the White House after the American president had threatened to withhold $1.45 billion a year in US aid if Jordan did not agree to scheme
Also, as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says tariffs imposed by Donal Trump are "unacceptable,' a food market entrepreneur in Ottawa says they have seen shoppers boycott US goods
And, how diss tracks in a feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake have raised an estimated $15 million.
Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East flew to Moscow to collect American prisoner Marc Fogel. Could Fogel’s release signal a thaw in US-Russian relations, and what does it mean for American support for Ukraine? We speak to former US ambassador to Moscow Michael McFaul. Also on the programme: we'll be live in Jerusalem as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the ceasefire in Gaza will end if Hamas doesn't release hostages on Saturday; and we hear from the Essex headteacher whose school gives detention to pupils who score less than 90% on their maths homework.
American schoolteacher and former diplomat Marc Fogel has been released from prison in Russia and is on the way home to the US. The sixty-three year old teacher was detained in 2021 after he was found to be carrying a small amout of medical marijuana. He was then given a fourteen year prison sentence. Newshour speaks to his sister, Anne Fogel.Also in the programme: Donald Trump faces Jordan's King Abdullah in The White House in their first meeting since the US president proposed moving Gaza's population to Jordan; the European Union says it will respond "fimly" to Trump's new proposed steel tariffs while also adding the EU is committed to finding a mutually beneficial solution; and mounting concerns over the Covid-19 whistleblower's health in a Chinese prison as reports suggests she's on hungar strike.(Photo: Marc Fogel (right) pictured with his sisters. Credit: Anne Fogel)
Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, "Unjustified tariffs on the EU will not go unanswered". We get reaction from the European Steel Association.
The UK and US have not signed an international agreement on artificial intelligence (A.I.) at a global summit in Paris; meanwhile, Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, has rebuffed a $97.4bn bid to take over the firm from a consortium of investors led by Elon Musk.
And Will Bain hears whether oil giants are scaling back from renewable projects, as BP says it will "fundamentally reset" its strategy as profits dropped sharply last year, and is widely expected to say later this month that it will scale back renewables projects and increase oil and gas production.
As the Gaza ceasefire comes under increasing strain, the King of Jordan prepares for a tough meeting in the White House with President Donald Trump insisting Jordan, like Egypt, should make room for two million evicted Gazans. Also on the programme: at an international summit on Artificial Intelligence in Paris, the UK and the US refuse to sign the final communique; and we will hear from the governor of Kentucky on how his state could be caught in a new international trade war. (Photo: Palestinians make their way after Israeli forces withdrew from the Netzarim Corridor amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, near Gaza City, February 9, 2025. Credit: Reuters)
President Trump says Israel should cancel the ceasefire if Hamas doesn't release hostages by Saturday. He threatens to stop aid to Jordan and Egypt if they refuse Palestinians. Also: Musk’s bid to buy OpenAI is rebuffed.
In January this year DR Congo's Justice Minister Constant Mutamba said 127 people, aged between the ages of 18 and 35, had received the death sentence. Rights groups said that number was higher. The DRC government had announced it would resume executions in 2024 following a two-decade hiatus. Who are these men and why have they been sentenced to death?Also, why are global powers interested in the Seychelles, the smallest country in Africa?And we hear why, it really does take a village to raise a child!Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Technical Producer: Frank McWeeny
Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya and Bella Hassan
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Laura Kyrke-Smith MP wants more care and support for new mothers struggling with their mental health. Her own friend died by suicide just 10 weeks after giving birth and she recently led a debate in parliament on the subject. She joins Nuala McGovern to talk about the changes she wants to see, along with perinatal psychologist Dr Alain Gregoire from the Maternal Mental Health Alliance. What does the word 'ambition' mean to you? A study from the University of California has shown women may be put off applying for jobs when words such as 'ambition' or 'drive' appear in the ad, as they can feel intimidated. Nuala talks to Tiffanie Darke, the former CEO of female unemployment charity Smart Works, about women’s relationship to ambition and what they’re really looking for in a job.
Wafa al Mustafa has been searching for her father for 13 years, ever since he was arrested at their home in Damascus in 2013. She has become the face of the campaign by hundreds of Syrian families to find their loved ones who have disappeared. She tells us how her search is going, and the difference the fall of Assad’s regime has made.
Performance poet Caitlin O'Ryan's poem about women walking home has struck a chord with thousands of people online. She joins us to perform At What Point and share what made her want to get up on stage at a poetry open mic night for the first time a couple of years ago.
What happens when your child with special educational needs or disabilities, otherwise known as SEND, gets older? We hear from Laura Kerr from People First Dorset, a charity which aims to tackle loneliness amongst young people with learning disabilities, and Jo White, whose 17-year-old son Leon is autistic and non-verbal and has just left education.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Sarah Jane Griffiths
Expert also gives views on President Trump's latest comments on Israeli/Gaza ceasefire.
Welcome to our new music series My Song, My Home. In each episode we meet a new musician who tells us about their home town and performs a song to help you learn.Today, we meet musician Alice, who performs for us in Leeds city centre.WATCH ALICE PERFORM: Find a video of Alice’s song on our website https://bbc.in/4h8W7UEWORKSHEET: Find a full transcript, song lyrics and test what you’ve learned https://bbc.in/4hbYRR5FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
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In March 2023, the "final message" from Eden Knight, a young Saudi transgender woman, went viral on Twitter. It was viewed more than 35 million times. It laid bare Eden’s journey from the US back to Saudi Arabia, and the betrayal she claimed to have suffered. BBC Eye investigates the events that led up to Eden’s death, and those she claims were responsible for her return to Saudi Arabia where she tragically took her own life.
Hamas says it is postponing the next scheduled hostage release, blaming Israeli violations of the ceasefire deal. Also: the trial of Salman Rushdie’s attacker starts.
Elon Musk has bid to purchase the non profit tech firm, Open AIPresident Donald Trump says he's going to impose a 25% import tax on imports of steel and aluminium from abroadAnd is the US falling out of love with fast food? McDonald’s sales have declined, we find out why
The Palestinian militant group accused Israel of "delaying the return of displaced persons to northern Gaza", "targeting them with shelling and gunfire in various areas of the Strip", and of breaching the agreement on aid supplies. In response, Israel accused Hamas of a "complete violation of the ceasefire agreement and the deal to release the hostages."Also on the programme: A global AI summit has kicked off in Paris- we'll hear from one of French President Emmanuel Macron's tech advisers; and we'll speak to Oscar-nominated actor Renée Zellweger on her reprise of the character of Bridget Jones for the film Mad About The Boy.(Photo: Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, attends a protest in Tel Aviv in support of the hostages kidnapped during the October 7th attacks in Israel on February 10, 2025. Credit: REUTERS/Shir Torem)
A small, informal survey leads to shocking revelations about the US justice system, with its truths only uncovered decades later. Meanwhile, an ambitious portfolio manager discovers a perfect graph outlining eye-watering profits. But something doesn't seem right. Could the graph be accurate, or is it hiding a far more sinister truth? This story delves into the power of data, the hidden forces behind it, and the unexpected revelations that can change everything
US President Donald Trump says he will impose 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports on Monday—a move that will have the biggest impact on Canada.
Is tech failure at a multinational corporation and putting customers offline for a few hours worse than a cyberattack at a small company in one city? We hear about major disruptions to IT systems and how difficult it is to assess the most damage.
The US Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, has been told to stop minting one-cent coins, or pennies, by US President Donald Trump in an announcement on social media. So, is this the end of the one-cent coin, and what difference does that make if one cent won't buy you very much? We hear experts’ thoughts.
President Trump has said he'll announce further tariffs on America’s trading partners in the coming days, including a 25% charge on all steel and aluminium imports. We'll hear from the country most exposed - Canada.Also on the programme: Can an Artificial Intelligence summit in Paris deliver new global rules; and the East Jerusalem bookshop raided by Israeli police, and its owners in court, over disrupting public order. One of their brothers says it's an assault on free speech.(File Picture: Workers weld steel at Steelcon, a structural steel design and fabrication company, January 31, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos Osorio)
Governments in Europe and elsewhere express concern and vow countermeasures about President Trump's tariffs on steel and aluminium imports. Also: US doubles down on Gaza plan, and sled dog championships in Sweden.
After a recent summit, leaders from east and southern Africa called for an immediate ceasefire to end the fighting in eastern DR Congo. Willing the warring parties listen?After a fire kills 16 children in Zamfara state, north western Nigeria, how can schools there be made safer?How will Sam Nujoma the first president of Namibia be remembered?Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Victor Sylver, Patricia Whitehorne, and Nyasha Michelle in London with Frenny Jowi in Nairobi.
Technical Producer: Frank McWeeny
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi are our editors.
England have won the Netball Nations Cup for the first time after beating South Africa. It proved sixth time lucky for the Vitality Roses after being defeated in the five previous finals. To celebrate, Nuala McGovern is joined by head coach Jess Thirlby and former England Netball captain, Pamela Cookey.Last month, Eleanor Frances received a settlement of £116,000 from two Whitehall departments that she worked in as a civil servant, the agreement was reached without liability. She had claimed constructive dismissal after raising concerns about a lack of impartiality in HR policies on gender and sex. DCMS and DSIT are now revising their Gender Reassignment policies. In her first broadcast interview, Eleanor tells Nuala why she brought the case.With New York fashion week in full swing we take a look at the decline of the body positivity movement. As with everything in fashion, trends come and go but when the body positivity movement hit the catwalk and more diverse models were used many thought the change was here to stay. To discuss, Nuala is joined by fashion writer Victoria Moss and plus-sized model Enrika. Laila Souief has been on hunger strike for 134 days, campaigning for the release of her British-Egyptian son Alaa Abdel Fattah, who is being held as a political prisoner in Egypt. Today she is calling for the Prime Minister to take more decisive action in getting him released. She tells Nuala how she’s dealing with the hunger strike aged 68, and what she wants from the government.Inspired by the convict ships that transported prisoners from Ireland and England to Australia and the misogyny that’s travelled down through generations, Emilia Hart’s new book, The Sirens, explores the healing power of water and sisterhood.Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Emma Pearce
Learn how to use compound adjectives (e.g. low-fat yoghurt, high-quality carbohydrates). FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
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We hope our advice doesn't fall on stony ground. Learn a new expressionTRANSCRIPT
Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-250210FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
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Bárbara Sánchez-Kane is a Mexican fashion designer with eclectic influences - from quinceañera dresses to BDSM harnesses, Jesus's loincloth to lucha libre wrestlers in lingerie. Bárbara revels in the camp and complexity of everyday gender performance. Resisting traditional notions of masculine and feminine, Bárbara creates spaces of tension between these contrasting costumes. We join Bárbara in Mexico City to follow the creation of her next line, from studio sketches to final fittings.
Israeli troops withdraw from the Netzarim Corridor allowing thousands of Gazans to return to the north of the strip. Also: Polls close in Ecuador's presidential election, and Namibia's first president, Sam Nujoma, has died.
Israeli forces have withdrawn from a military zone cutting off northern Gaza from the rest of the territory, allowing hundreds of Palestinians to return home. The Netzarim Corridor had effectively cut the Gaza strip in two, trapping hundreds of thousands of people in the south. Meanwhile, Israeli negotiators have returned to Qatar to continue talks on the ceasefire agreement with Hamas. We speak to our correspondent in the region as well as an analyst on Middle Eastern conflict resolution.
Also on the programme: An expert on human trafficking in Libya takes us through the motivations of smugglers, after the bodies of more than 50 migrants were found in a mass grave in the south-east of the country; and Donald Trump expected to make history as the first sitting US president to attend the Super Bowl.
(Picture: Palestinians travel from the southern Gaza Strip towards the north following the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Netzarim Corridor, central Gaza Strip Credit: Mohammed Saber/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Israeli forces withdraw from a corridor bisecting the Gaza Strip - will they now commit to pulling out of Gaza entirely? We hear from an Israeli government minister. Also in the programme: President Trump accuses South Africa of seeking to seize white-owned land with a new law - we ask the minister responsible if that's true; and the joys of going to a concert in the dark.(IMAGE: Palestinians wait to cross through a checkpoint run by U.S. and Egyptian security contractors after Israeli forces withdrew from the Netzarim Corridor, allowing people to travel in both directions between southern and northern Gaza, February 9, 2025 / CREDIT: Reuters / Dawoud Abu Alkas)
Ousted President Bashar al-Assad has been linked to Syria’s multi-billion dollar Captagon trade. Rebel leaders vow to end it—but what will it take to break the country's link to the drug?
For years now, an Islamist insurgency in the Sahel region has been claiming thousands of lives and displacing millions of people. There are fears that it is spreading to one of West Africa’s most stable countries. Ed Butler investigates some new and disturbing indications that fighting on Ghana’s northern border with Burkina Faso has the potential to spread south as well. It is not just the Islamist insurgency, but homegrown conflicts inside Ghana that have the potential to spread. And we hear accounts of smuggled livestock, fuel and weapons, as well as stories of Ghanaian fighters joining the Islamist uprising in the north.
Katie Smith is in New Orleans on the eve of Super Bowl LIX to bring you the atmosphere and the stories ahead of Philadelphia Eagles v Kansas City Chiefs. Katie meets Jackie Wallace who had it all, but the three-time Super Bowl star had a demon he could not deal with. After retirement, he slipped into addiction and lost everything. New Orleans is the home of Jazz, and the father of Jazz is Fats Waller. His great grandson, Darren Waller was a big name in the NFL. He retired last year to turn his mind to music. We catch up with him to talk about football, fame and his family's musical heritage. Plus, New Orleans is known as the party capital of the South, but in August 2005 that all changed. Now when people think of New Orleans, they think of Hurricane Katrina. Doug Thornton was, and still is, the manager of the Super Dome, and through his eyes we will learn what it was like to be in the Super Dome when Katrina hit and how it was rebuilt.
Three Israeli hostages have been exchanged for 183 Palestinian prisoners as part of an internationally brokered Gaza ceasefire deal.
The Red Cross says it's uncomfortable with the way the exchange of hostages for prisoners under the Gaza deal is handled. It's urged both sides to conduct future exchanges in a private and dignified way.Also in the programme: Why Baltic nations are only now joining the European energy grid – we hear from Latvia’s energy minister; and a Spanish member of the European Parliament tells us why the new Patriots Group of radical parties of the right believe they can change Europe.(Photo: Hamas fighters escort Ohad Ben-Ami, one of the three Israeli hostages released today, onto the stage before handing them over to the Red Cross. Credit: Haitham Imad / Shutterstock)
Anita Rani speaks to Emma Webber and Sinead O’Malley Kumar, mothers of Barnaby and Grace, both 19, who were killed in Nottingham in June 2023. They’ll be responding to the findings of a major review of the NHS care of Valdo Calocane, the man who attacked their children. The Oscar-nominated actress Mikey Madison tells Clare McDonnell about playing the title role in Anora, a film about a sex worker in New York. Mikey spent months embedded in a strip club to fully immerse herself in the world. The film is nominated for six Academy Awards as well as BAFTAs and Golden Globes.New research has quantified for the first time how many young people have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria by GPs in England. Anita hears from Professor of Health Policy, Tim Doran, about the work academics at the University of York are doing. They studied a decade’s worth of NHS records and discovered a 50-fold increase in this particular diagnosis between 2011 and 2021. However each general practice will only see one or two such patients each year. The West End star Marisha Wallace, the latest actor to play Sally Bowles in Cabaret at The Kit Kat Club in London, performs a song from the show.The actor and writer Daisy May Cooper talks to Clare McDonnell about the second series of the BBC female-friendship thriller, Am I Being Unreasonable, which she both co-wrote and stars in. Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Rabeka Nurmahomed
Editor: Rebecca Myatt
گروههای اصلی چریکی که پیش از انقلاب سال پنجاه و هفت در ایران مبارزه مسلحانه در پیش گرفتند، یعنی مجاهد و فدایی، چه نقشی در زمینهسازی برای انقلاب ایفا کردند؟ تاثیر آنان بر سیاست امنیتی حکومت چه بود؟میهمانها:
سعید شاهسوندی، عضو پیشین مجاهد
احمد پورمندی، عضو پیشین فدایی
We meet a volunteer vet who helps animals in need around the world. He says it's taught him to love life, and accept people. Also: an 88 year old foster dad; the joy of rare baby frogs; and why a pub gave away 300 pints.
Aalia Farzan of BBC Afghan services left her life in Afghanistan after the Taliban retook the country in 2021 and came to London, and it was there she met her now husband. She speaks about this unlikely love story, and sheds some light on what Afghan courtship entails.
Ilona Hromliuk of BBC Ukrainian has spoken to women who travel thousands of miles across Ukraine, to go on a date with their husbands who are fighting on the frontlines. Presenter: Feranak Amidi
Producers: Caroline Ferguson and Alice Gioia(Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)
Many countries have condemned President Trump in recent days for his proposal to “take over” the Gaza strip while “resettling” Palestinians in neighbouring countries. We hear from two women in Gaza, returning to what’ is left of their homes. Weam shares with us an audio diary of her recent experiences and we bring her together with Farida to discuss why they want to stay where they are. Donald Trump’s proposal for Gaza would be the largest shift in US policy on the Middle East in decades. Many other nations still support the two-state solution, which would create two separate states – Israel and an independent Palestine – something the Netanyahu government of Israel is against. For our second conversation, we bring together two Israelis who have been involved in past peace talks. What do they think of Donald Trump’s plan?
The Government made a start this week on its manifesto promise to provide free breakfast clubs in every primary school in England. The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill got through its first big step in the House of Commons on Wednesday and will give every parent of a child in a state primary school in England the legal right to a half hour breakfast club for their children with food and childcare. Schools Minister Stephen Morgan speaks to Paul Lewis about the plans.New research form the housing and homelessness charity Shelter, seen exclusively by this programme, suggests more than half of those facing housing worries have been kept awake at night over the past year due to concerns about things like high rents, poor conditions and the risk of eviction. What can be done to help them?And millions of people who need to file a self assessment tax form have still not done it - and the deadline is less than three weeks away on January 31st. Listen for the Money Box guide on what you need to know.Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporter: Dan Whitworth
Researchers: Emma Smith, Eimear Devlin and Jo Krasner
Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 11th January 2025)
A US judge says he'll halt parts of Trump's attempt to dismantle USAID - the world's largest aid agency. Also; Ecuador chooses president against backdrop of gang violence, and the quest to map the world's seabeds.
President Trump says the US will export record volumes of liquified natural gas to Japan.And USAID should be closed down, according to Trump.Also on the programme today, the British government has demanded that Apple provide its security agencies with backdoor access to encrypted data stored by users across the world.And now that the wildfires around Los Angeles have been contained, how will the region recover and rebuild?The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.
Writer: Sarah Hehir
Director: Dave Payne
Editor: Jeremy HoweBen Archer…. Ben Norris
Jolene Archer….. Buffy Davis
Kenton Archer…. Richard Attlee
Tom Archer….. William Troughton
Harrison Burns….. James Cartwright
Alice Carter….. Hollie Chapman
Chris Carter….. Wilf Scolding
Chelsea Horrobin…. Madeleine Leslay
Tracy Horrobin…. Susie Riddell
Zainab Malik…. Priyasasha Kumari
Hannah Riley…. Helen Longworth
Fallon Rogers…. Joanna Van Kampen
Lynda Snell…. Carole Boyd
Robert Snell…. Michael Bertenshaw
Lawrence…. Rupert Vansittart
U.S. President Donald Trump hosts the Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba for the first time, as the two allies work to boost business and security ties. But, given Japan runs a trade defecit with America - can the two stay on friendly economic terms? We hear from one business owner who certainly hopes so... Also on the programme today we'll be live at a major meeting of those looking to mine critical minerals in Africa. And it's Super Bowl Sunday in the United States this weekend and that means a lot of people watching television adverts which cost companies million dollars. Despite their cost, are these ads good for business?You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!
The International Criminal Court has vowed to continue its work after Donald Trump imposed sanctions on its officials because it issued a war crimes arrest warrant against the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.
South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has moved to defuse a row with the new US administration over a new land law by speaking to Elon Musk. However, President Ramaphosa has said his country "will not be bullied". What's at stake for the country? Also why have Moroccans decided to call a general strike? It's the first one in almost a decadeAnd Rwanda faces allegations of sports washing, a claim the country denies. What's going on? Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Bella Hassan and Nysaha Michelle
Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
The West End star Marisha Wallace joins Anita Rani in the studio. She's the latest actor to play Sally Bowles in Cabaret at The Kit Kat Club in London, alongside Billy Porter who plays Emcee. Marisha talks about the significance of them both playing these roles together and her journey to the top. The UN has reported that more than 100 female prisoners were raped and then burned alive during a jailbreak in the Congolese city of Goma. The conflict in eastern DR Congo dates back to the 1990s but has rapidly escalated in recent weeks. Since the start of 2025, more than 400,000 people have been forced from their homes, according to the UN's refugee agency. We’re joined by Anne Soy, the BBC’s Deputy Africa Editor & Senior Correspondent based in Nairobi.
What's it like giving birth in prison? New play Scenes from Lost Mothers, currently touring universities and prisons, explores the real-life experiences of pregnant women and new mothers in prison. Performed by actors with lived experience of the criminal justice system, or at risk of entering it, it’s based on research from the Lost Mothers Project and explores the impact of separating imprisoned mothers from their newborns. We hear from the project's lead, midwife and associate professor, Dr Laura Abbott, and a mother shares her experience.
Emma Hakansson is an ex-model turned ethical fashion campaigner and film director, who founded her own organisation - Collective Fashion Justice. She joins Anita to talk about her new film featuring a community of women in the Amazon who make a sustainable leather alternative which helps keep their environment protected.
Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Sarah Jane Griffiths
Editor: Deiniol Buxton
The Muslim feminist movement is growing in Turkey with young women becoming increasingly vocal about their rights and place in a traditionally patriarchal society. Emily Wither has been speaking to the co-founders of the country’s first Muslim Feminist association about how they have overcome pushback from their own communities, threats to their organisation and navigated a civil society that’s rooted in secularism.
Egypt warns Israeli support for Donald Trump's proposal to displace Palestinians from Gaza threatens the ceasefire. Also: the earthquake crisis in Santorini, and the "Kerrygold rush" that’s created millionaire farmers.
The mystery swarm of small earthquakes near the island of Santorini beg for more data collection. Also, NOAA in the US goes offline and whales learn song like kids learn language.Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Alex Mansfield
Production Coordinator: Josie Hardy(Photo: GREECE-QUAKE. Credit: -/AFP via Getty Images)
South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to deliver his first State of the Nation address since last year's elections, focusing on development and driving economic growth, job creation, and development.
Norwegian energy giant Equinor is halving investment in renewable energy over the next two years while increasing oil and gas production.
And Sam Fenwick also hears about more than 100 farmers in County Kerry in southwest Ireland, who are set to become millionaires after their dairy cooperative agreed to sell its shares to the Kerry Group, one of Ireland's biggest food producers.
Last month was ‘warmest January on record’; Also Donald Trump says no US troops would be needed to take over Gaza, and selfie-taking officially now one of world's most dangerous activities.
Kenya's Business Registration Service (BRS) reveals a major data breach has exposed sensitive information of numerous private companiesWill the killing of several key jihadist militants spell the end of IS in Somalia?And how will the late Aga Khan, leader of millions of Shia Ismaili Muslims, be remembered?Presenter: Blessing AderogbaProducers: Charles Gitonga in Nairobi with Bella Hassan and Amie Liebowitz in London.
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Technical Producer:
Editors : Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.
Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.
Stephen talks to 20 yo on how Troubles-related trauma shaped direction of her young life.
After talks in Germany on government spending collapsed, chancellor Olaf Scholz was forced to dissolve his coalition and call for snap elections, to be held on 23 February. The new chancellor looks like a foregone conclusion - opposition leader Friedrich Merz. But there is so much more at stake in these elections than the next few years in the chancellor's seat. In the run up to Germany’s snap general elections Jeremy Cliffe goes to Ludwigshafen, a symbol of Germany's economic woes.
UN Secretary-General warns US against ethnic cleansing in Gaza, after President Trump proposes taking ownership of the territory. Also: rebels capture mining town in DR Congo, and how often should you wash your clothes?
China complains to the World Trade Organisation about Donald Trump's tariffs, but with no active judging panel, what can the WTO do?Roger Hearing discusses why the US Postal Service has U-turned after refusing to handle any parcels from China and Hong Kong, as well as the growing trade war between the World's two leading economies.Elsewhere, the issue of de-banking has been debated in the US Congress, so are financial institutions discriminating against certain groups or industries?And a man from Indonesia has been hired as Japan's first-ever foreign bus driver. Does this show the Japanese government's new determination to let in more overseas workers?The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.
Economy and trade minister Carlos Cuerpo outlines the strong trade ties between Madrid and Beijing, with Spain importing large volumes of trucks, cars, vans and spare parts from China. After the United States, China is the European Union’s second-biggest trading partner. Why has the US Postal Service changed its mind and is now accepting all packages from China and Hong Kong? And Honda’s share price rises on reports a merger with Nissan may be called off.
President Trump says the US to 'takeover' Gaza. His comments have caused anger and dismay across the region and beyond. Also: the first glimpse inside a burnt scroll after 2,000 years.
Uganda’s Supreme Court recently ruled that trying civilians in military courts is unconstitutional. Human rights groups welcomed the decision as a major step in protecting the right to a fair trial, but the government criticized the move. Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni said his government would continue to prosecute civilians in military tribunals, despite the ruling. We hear analysis of this.Also the government in Botswana has struck a new deal with the diamond mining giant De Beers. What's the deal and how does Botswana benefit?And Langa, the old game from Nigeria, gets a new lease of life!Presenter: Blessing Aderogba
Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya and Bella Hassan in London
Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
There are some words that we often use together. These are called collocations. Learn some of the verbs that we often use with the noun 'car' with Neil in this podcast.TRANSCRIPT
Find a free transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at:
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Women in prison are resorting to self-harm because of “astonishing gaps” in basic services including strict time limits when contacting their children, according to a new report from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons for England and Wales released today. The report's author Sandra Fieldhouse joins Anita Rani, as does the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice Shabana Mahmood. Singer and stand-up comedian Hajar J Woodland joins Anita to discuss her show, First Love, coming to Soho Theatre in London. After being raised in a household where singing wasn't encouraged, her show explores the boundaries we put up around ourselves and what it means to finally find love and your voice. New research has quantified for the first time how many young people have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria by GPs in England. Academics at the University of York studied a decade’s worth of NHS records and discovered a 50-fold increase in this particular diagnosis between 2011 and 2021. However each general practice will only see one or two such patients each year. Anita speaks to Professor of Health Policy Tim Doran.The French have been told to wear the same T-shirt for five days before washing it, and sports clothing three times. It’s part of advice from the government’s Ecological Transition Agency, which is trying to get people to do less laundry to save water. So how often should we really be washing our clothes? Anita is joined by Professor Sally Bloomfield from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine to tell us more. Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Emma Pearce
In September last year, musician Michael Smith of North Carolina was charged with stealing millions from music streaming services. The US Department of Justice has accused him of using artificial intelligence tools and thousands of bots to fraudulently stream songs billions of times - taking millions of dollars of royalties which otherwise would have been paid to real artists. The case has been labelled as ‘unprecedented’ and ‘the first of its kind’. But could fraud on music streaming services actually be much more prevalent than any of the platforms let on? BBC Trending speaks to music industry insiders, and those fighting back against streaming fraud.
Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu has met Donald Trump at the White House, the first foreign leader to visit in the US president's second term. Also: scientists in Spain work to save olive trees from a deadly bacterium.
Money Box Live broadcasts from Grange Crescent Residential Care Home in Sheffield for a special programme on the cost of care.Unlike NHS services, social care is not free at the point of use. It costs an average of around £60,000 per year to live in a residential care home and considerably more if you need nursing care.Last week the Department of Health and Social Care announced a new review into care costs, but the independent commission tasked with the job will not publish it's final report until 2028.We'll be speaking to residents and family members about how they're paying their care bills and hearing from the care home manager about how it all works.Joining Felicity Hannah is Claire Rintoul, CEO of the charity Sheffcare which operates Grange Crescent Residential Care Home as well as eight others in the city,
Professor Vic Rayner, Chair of the Care Providers Alliance which represents independent and voluntary adult social care providers in England and from the Society of later life advisors, Independent Financial Advisor Jonathan Rowley.Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Producer: Sarah Rogers
Production Coordinators: Emma Smith and Molly Pipe
Editor: Jess Quayle(This programme was first broadcast 3pm on Wednesday the 8th of January, 2025)
The US China tariffs are still on, even if Donald Trump pressed pause on the ones on Mexico and Canada.A call had been expected between President Trump and his Chinese counterpart... but it hasn't happened - and the US president says he's in no hurry. So, it's 10% on China's imports to the US and China has put on its own 10% on US goods and curbing exports of rare earth metals.We'll bring you the latest in the trade war.
You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!
Estonia's Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur tells Will Bain that more countries should up their military spending to five per cent of GDP, in an effort to combat Russian aggression. It follows US President Donald Trump's assertion that too many members of the NATO military alliance rely on America's military might and spending. China announces retaliatory tariffs against the US after President Trump imposed a ten per cent tax on all Chinese imports. The counter-measures includes tax on coal, gas, oil and cars. Plus we hear about why Germans take more sick leave than most - and hear about a iconic gaming franchise - The Sims, which celebrates 25 years.
China has pledged to impose tariffs on some US imports in response to American import taxes on its products. Also: Swedish police investigate a school shooting, and scientists are monitoring Antarctic krill from space.
President Donald Trump has said he will cut all future funding to South Africa over allegations that it was confiscating land. South Africa's President Ramaphosa says that is not true.Concerns that the conflict in eastern DR Congo could spread deadly diseases.And what is are the reasons behind Namibia's high unemployment. Presenter: Blessing Aderogba
Producers: Frenny Jowi and Charles Gitonga in Nairobi with Victor Sylver and Nyasha Michelle in London.
Senior Producer :Paul Bakibinga
Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Actor and writer Daisy May Cooper shot to fame with This Country, the mockumentary about rural poverty in the Cotswolds that she wrote and starred in with her brother Charlie. She followed that with the lead in BBC/HBO show Rain Dogs and in 2022 she co-wrote and starred in the twisting female-friendship thriller Am I Being Unreasonable? With the second series about to drop on BBC 1 and BBC iPlayer Daisy joins Clare McDonnell in the Woman’s Hour studio. A new BBC podcast has uncovered some shocking allegations of grooming, trafficking and sexual exploitation linked to a yoga movement. The Bad Guru podcast follows Miranda who joined a yoga class in the UK which she discovered had links to the Atman Federation, an international yoga movement led by the Romanian guru Gregorian Bivalaru. After becoming part of the wider movement, Miranda says that she was groomed and sexually exploited. Clare hears from Miranda and from the podcast’s presenter, investigative journalist Cat McShane. From her close relationship with her mum to her mental health struggles as a teenager, 24-year-old Fiona-Lee from Howden in Yorkshire writes earnestly about the emotional rollercoaster that is adolescence to adulthood. Her EP, ‘Nothing Compares to Nineteen,’ is released on the 7th of March and she joins Clare to perform the track 'Lavender'.Presenter: Clare McDonnell
Producer: Laura Northedge
Welcome to our new music series My Song, My Home. In each episode we meet a new musician who tells us about their home town and performs a song to help you learn.Today, we meet Grace, who performs for us in a library in Liverpool.With thanks to the University of Liverpool.WATCH GRACE PERFORM: Find a video of Grace’s song on our website https://bbc.in/4fVYkkZWORKSHEET: Find a full transcript, song lyrics and test what you’ve learned https://bbc.in/3PmHwsIFIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
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Spain is the world’s largest producer of olive oil. But successive, brutal droughts have led to plummeting production, whilst prices have reached record highs. For 2024 / 2025, the weather’s been better - Spain’s predicted to increase the quantity of olives harvested. Even so, this remains a stressed industry. Climate change hasn’t gone away - as we saw so devastatingly last year in Valencia. And in some areas of Spain, the scarcity of water has persisted, with predictions of a near 90% drop in olive production. Critics say super-intensive farming - the rise of the olive ‘mega-farm’ – may also further threaten depleted water resources. Meanwhile, the soaring price of the olives that produce ‘liquid gold’ means rural law enforcement is taken up with cases of theft by criminal gangs targeting this precious commodity.For Assignment, Linda Pressly and Esperanza Escribano report from the olive groves of Spain at harvest time.
The US President Donald Trump agrees to postpone the imposition of 25% import tariffs on Canada and Mexico for thirty days, after they agree to strengthen borders. Also: the asteroid that could collide with the Earth.
US President Donald Trump and Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau reached the deal. Proposed tariffs will be paused for at least 30 days.We hear from the US, Canada and Mexico. What businesses should expect in the future?You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!
At a conference in Mexico, one scientist’s outburst sparks a global quest to find a ‘golden spike’ - the boundary marking the shift into a new geological period dominated by humans, not volcanoes or asteroids. From plastics and concrete to nuclear fallout, the data they uncover reveals a planet profoundly altered. But can they convince their colleagues and the world of the extent of this transformation? Meanwhile, in a small Italian city nestled in the Apennine mountains, a series of low-level tremors raise the question: Is this just a passing phase, or a warning of something much more devastating?
Will Bain hears about a day of turmoil on the international stock and currency markets, after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed 25% tariffs on all imports from Canada & Mexico at the weekend. Both nations have threatened to retaliate over the move, which will come into effect on Tuesday. In this special edition we hear from the US and Mexico, and get a European response too as fears of an international trade war intensify.
EU leaders warn of retaliation and stocks plummet in reaction to Trump's proposed tariffs. Also, Spain's former football head in court because of that kiss and a rescue mission for Chilean frogs.
Gabon's military government recently announced that the presidential elections will be held on the 12th of April. It's a key step to re-establish civilian rule following a coup in August 2023. How significant is this?Also we'll look at the links between Sierra Leone's President and one of Europe's most wanted criminals.And what does the new passport issued by the Alliance of Sahel States mean?Presenter: Blessing Aderogba in Lagos
Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer
Producers: Bella Hassan and Yvette Twagiramariya in London
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Oscar-nominated actor Mikey Madison joins Clare McDonnell in the Woman’s Hour studio. She speaks about playing the title role in Anora, a film about a sex worker in New York. Mikey spent months embedded in a strip club to fully immerse herself in the world. The film is nominated for six Academy Awards as well as Bafta’s and Golden Globes – we speak to Mikey about how she’s finding receiving such attention so early in her career. Top Guns: Inside the RAF is a Channel 4 documentary that gives viewers a rare view of RAF operations both in the air and on the ground. One of the women featured in the new series is Chief of Staff Jenni, who was recently stationed at an airbase in Romania. She joins Clare to tell us more about being a woman in the RAF and her experiences.Jojo Moyes is the bestselling author of 17 novels, including the smash hit Me Before You which was adapted into a Hollywood film. Her new novel We All Live Here tells the story of Lila, a woman dealing with divorce, teenage children and duelling fathers. Jojo joins Clare in the studio to tell us about this ultimate sandwich situation.Presenter: Clare McDonnell
Producer: Lottie Garton
Finn and Catherine give you some tips on how to remember new words. FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
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An expression that means you are doing something that will cause you future problems.TRANSCRIPT
Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-250203FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
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Since President Trump was inaugurated in January, migrants – and especially the border the US shares with Mexico - have dominated the news. In this bonus edition, we share an episode we made in 2024 and provide updates on the people we met. The first part charts some of the fallout from the first Trump administration’s policy of forcibly separating migrant children from their parents on the southern border back in 2017/2018. The second half explores the deeply troubling impact of organised crime and the cartels on migrants as they journey across Mexico towards the United States.
US Secretary of State Rubio tells Panama it must 'reduce China's influence' over the canal. Also: Netanyahu and Trump to discuss the ceasefire, and why Bill Gates thinks he would be diagnosed as neurodiverse nowadays.
BBC Eye investigates police abuse of psychiatric detention in China. In 2012, China introduced a law to curb the widespread abuse of psychiatric hospitals by the authorities, but it hasn’t worked. We reveal how the police found ways to circumvent the law, allowing them to punish protesters without going through the criminal justice system. With almost no checks and balances, the number of people being illegally sent to psychiatric hospitals is said to be surging. Testimonies from protestors, detained for months in secure psychiatric wards reveal how they were restrained, forcibly treated with psychoactive drugs and even subjected to electric shock therapy. Their crime? “Picking quarrels and troublemaking” the catch all offence police use against anyone threatening to disturb “social harmony”.
President Zelensky has accused Moscow of bombing a school in Ukrainian-occupied Russia killing four and injuring dozens. Also: the Taliban takes over Afghanistan's only luxury hotel, and the romance of the orchid.
In the last year, women with disabilities experienced domestic abuse at more than twice the rate of those without, according to the latest figures from the Crime Survey for England and Wales. Yet data from Women’s Aid shows less than 1% of refuge vacancies in England are suitable for wheelchair users. Where does this leave women with disabilities impacted by domestic abuse? Anita Rani hears one anonymous woman’s experience and is joined by Angie Airlie, CEO of Stay Safe East and Rebecca Goshawk, a director of Solace Women’s Aid.Mrs Robinson is a feature-length documentary about Ireland’s first female president, Mary Robinson. Telling the story of her childhood and career for the first time on screen, it was filmed over three years, and takes a deep-dive into Mary Robinson’s career as she discusses the significant controversies throughout her tenure, her own professional regrets and examines how her gift for bridging differences was instrumental in bringing about seismic change in Ireland. Mary Robinson joined Clare McDonnell to talk about it.Preet Chandi, better known as Polar Preet, broke world records in 2023 when she made the longest solo and unsupported journey across Antarctica, crossing 922 miles in 70 days. Now Preet is setting her sights on the North Pole, hoping to cross 500 miles of sea ice to reach it in under 70 days. She joined Anita to discuss why she’s making the change to the North Pole, how she plans to get there and how she plans on dealing with polar bears.Reality star turned documentary filmmaker Vicky Pattison joined Clare to discuss her latest project, Vicky Pattison: My Deepfake Sex Tape. The documentary sees her exploring the proliferation of videos generated by AI, whereby people’s faces are placed onto pornographic images and shared without their consent. Vicky talked about creating her own deepfake sex tape and looks at the impact the phenomenon is having on women and girls.The singer-songwriter Rumer is a MOBO award winner and double Brit Award nominee. Her new album In Session is out, celebrating the 15th anniversary of her platinum debut album Seasons Of My Soul. The success that followed that album affected Rumer's mental health. She stepped away from the industry and relocated to the US. Now back in the UK she has returned to the record that has shaped so much of her life both professionally and personally. Rumer joined Anita to talk about her life ...
در ایران آنچه که تربیت در محیط روحانی خوانده شده، یعنی خانوادهای که در آن پدر معمم یا در عبارت رایج آخوند است، سالها به عنوان الگو تبلیغ شده است. تربیت در چنین خانوادههایی چگونه است و تا چه حد متمایز از دیگر خانوادههاست؟
میهمانها:
یاسر میردامادی، مدرس فلسفه و دین
امیریحیی آیتاللهی، پژوهشگر فلسفه سیاسی
We meet security guard Armia Khalil, whose kindness to a visitor led to his sculpture being exhibited at New York's Met Museum. Also: new hope for Parkinson's; beer that's good for you; and Bhutan welcomes Ed Sheeran.
Thousands of women in Iran were arrested in 2022 after the Woman, Life, Freedom protests against the mandatory hijab. Many of them were sent to Evin, a notorious prison known for housing people with political charges. Through multiple reliable sources BBC Persian has pieced together what day to day life is like for women in Evin and turned it into an animation, 'Songs from Inside'. Presented by Faranak Amidi. Produced by Caroline Ferguson, Alice Gioia and Hannah Dean.'Songs from Inside' is part of the BBC 100 Women series and is available to watch on the BBC World Service YouTube page. To find out more about the other inspiring and influential women on this year's list go to bbc.co.uk/100women. You can also follow BBC 100 Women on Facebook and Instagram.(Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)
South Korea's political chaos worsens as police refuse to arrest the impeached President. Also: Russia says it has captured a key town in eastern Ukraine, and the wild cat that's come back from the brink of extinction.
55 African airlines have been banned from EU skies after a newly revised blacklist was released. Which airlines are they and why the ban? Also why are some Kenyan farmers resisting government plans to vaccinate their livestock?And the legacy of Dada Masilo, the young South African dancer who died at the age of 39.Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya and Aime Liebowitz in London. Susan Gachuhi in Nairobi
Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, completes his final official duties today before stepping down. So what’s next for the Church of England? And how are women playing a part in the reform of safeguarding? Nuala McGovern is joined by the BBC’s Religion Editor, Aleem Maqbool. Also joining the conversation is Rowena Pailing, who used to be Vice Dean of Blackburn Cathedral but who resigned over what she calls safeguarding concerns, and Reverend Jenny Penn, who was an important part of the investigation into former priest David Tudor.Pencils at the ready – because comedian and presenter Mel Giedroyc is back with a new ITV gameshow, taking Pictionary from our living rooms to the TV screen. Mel tells Nuala about getting competitive during family games nights, how she’s enjoyed getting older, and why blind optimism is both her best and worst trait.Women in Syria are calling for recognition from the new regime, and asking to be involved in the running of the country. The caretaker government has made several appointments of former al-Qaeda hardliners that have caused concern about what the new leadership intends for women in the country. BBC Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet joins Nuala to tell us more.What’s the best advice you’ve ever had? Or even the best you’ve given? Nuala is joined by grandmother-granddaughter pair Christine and Christina, whose video on TikTok of Christine giving Christina advice has been seen by millions of people. They’ll speak about going viral, their special relationship and how they hope their videos help other people. Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Lottie Garton
Also - Mark Simpson talks football after the thriller match between Man Utd and Liverpool
Cough, thought, enough, although: Learn how to pronounce words with 'ough'.FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
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A state of emergency is declared across parts of the United States as a major winter storm brings chaos to road, air and train travel. Also: prisoners in a high security jail try to find redemption through singing.
You might not know the name Dan Perri, but you will probably have seen his work: he designed the title sequences for some of the most famous films in cinema history. Mark Burman hears how he created the titles for Star Wars, Raging Bull, Taxi Driver and The Exorcist.
Thousands of rival demonstrators have been protesting in South Korea's capital Seoul where the impeached president President Yoon Suk Yeol is refusing to hand himself in to investigators.Also on the programme: Venezuela's opposition leader, Edmundo Gonzalez, is touring South America ahead of the inauguration of Nicolas Maduro who he insists lost last year's presidential election; and we ask - after 15 months of war - is there anywhere in Gaza where Palestinians can still get medical treatment?
And we'll hear the sound of a prison choir from Mississippi.Photo: People take part in a protest against the impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol near his official residence in Seoul, South Korea, January 5, 2025. (Credit: REUTERS/Tyrone Siu)
A motorcade carrying the body of the former US president, Jimmy Carter, has arrived in Atlanta -- the capital of his home state, Georgia. He will lie in repose for a few days for the public to pay their respects.
A bell tolls 39 times outside the childhood home of the 39th President of the United States, Jimmy Carter, as commemorations for his life and service to his country begin. We hear from his grandson and Democrat activist, Angelo Fuster who was working in the state capitol of Georgia when Jimmy Carter entered politics in the 1960s.Also on the programme: A supporter of the new government in Syria defends its decision to remove the teaching of evolution from the school classroom; and how the new teenage darts champion of the world is helping the game attract talent even younger.(Photo: A military body bearer team carries the casket of former President Jimmy Carter Credit: Brynn Anderson/Pool via REUTERS)
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, has proposed "a new National Care Service", as part of the government's plan to shake-up adult social care with increased funding and an independent commission headed by crossbench peer Baroness Louise Casey. As adult social care is a predominantly female work force - and women make up the majority of people carrying out unpaid caring responsibilities - what impact could these changes have? Kylie Pentelow was joined by Melanie Williams, President of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services and Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK.On New Year’s Day, Nuala McGovern explored all things women and walking in this special programme. She was joined by the comedian and author Miranda Hart to discuss how her battle with chronic illness gave her a new appreciation for getting outdoors and walking, following 10 years out of the spotlight with chronic fatigue.Many people will have visited or been visited by their adult children over the holidays. Being a parent to adult children, as well as being the adult child, can be complicated. What are the pitfalls? How can we ensure that relationship stays strong? Clare McDonnell was joined by psychotherapist Dr Julia Samuel and actor Helen Lederer to discuss.Four women from Pembrokeshire in Wales are about to set off on an Atlantic rowing challenge that’s been three years in the planning. They’re set to break two world records along the way. 32-year-old Sophie Pierce will be the first person with cystic fibrosis to row any ocean and 70-year-old Janine Williams will be the oldest woman to complete this challenge. She’s due to set a Guinness World Record. Along with Miyah and Polly, the women will spend 60 days together in a 10-metre-long ocean rowing boat to cross 3,200 miles unaided from Lanzarote to Antigua. Sophie and Janine spoke to Kylie on the day before they left for Lanzarote.What’s it like fostering in your forties? Author Beth Moran had three children in her twenties but decided to take up fostering once they flew the nest. Her new novel It Had To Be You is inspired by her experiences of fostering 13 children in five years and she joined Clare to discuss the challenges her family faced.A new Dolly Parton musical Here You Come Again is packed with the biggest and most rhinestoned hits from the country legend, and is currently playing ...
میتوان سیاستهای دولت آمریکا را یکی از عوامل موثر در انقلاب ایران شمرد؟ جیمی کارتر با سیاستهایی که متفاوت از روسای جمهور پیشین در ایالات متحده بود تا چه حد در انقلاب ایران سهم داشت؟
German officials have told the BBC that a decision by the new Islamist authorities in Syria to erase evolution from the school curriculum is troubling - a concern that is echoed by many Syrians. We hear from Germany's Special Coordinator for Syria and from Syrian writer Rima Flihan.
Also on the programme: The US Surgeon General has called for risk warnings on alcoholic beverages, similar to the labels on cigarettes, following new research that links the drinks to seven types of cancer; and why a New York judge is insisting on sentencing US president-elect Donald Trump days before his inauguration.(Photo: Head of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and Syria's de facto leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, meets with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and Syria's newly appointed Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, in Damascus, Syria January 3, 2025. Credit: Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham/Handout via REUTERS)
Meet the Buz Stop Boys, a group of volunteers helping to clean the streets of Ghana. Also, the treehouse escape for people with chronic illnesses, and the Hawaiian crow which went extinct in 2002 returns to the wild.Presenter: Nick Miles. Music composed by Iona Hampson
A few years ago, the town of Anam in Southern Nigeria was known for all the wrong reasons: high levels of crime and knife and gun violence. A group of local women, known as 'ụmụadas', decided to take matters into their own hands and confronted criminals with... their kitchen spoons. BBC Igbo editor Adline Okere, who is an ụmụada herself, has the story. Plus, how Subagunam Kannan's passion for filming ants in his own house led him to make a viral video for BBC Tamil, and a train journey through Thailand and Laos with Thuong Le from BBC Vietnamese.Produced by Alice Gioia and Hannah Dean. (Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)
Around 9 out of 10 charities have told a new report they've had at least one issue with banking in the past two years. The Charity Finance Group and National Council for Voluntary Organisations spoke to almost 2,000 charities in the UK and found more than three quarters had struggled to change the named signatories on their bank account and 4 in 10 said that the checks they were asked to complete weren't designed for voluntary organisations. We'll speak to one of the authors of that report and get reaction from UK Finance, which represents banks.What were the key announcements in the Scottish Budget? We'll discuss income tax thresholds and a promise to lift the two-child benefit cap.If you're a pensioner missing the Winter Fuel Payment this year - what other help could you get if you're struggling? We'll look at Attendance Allowance - who's eligible and how you can apply.And, what's the best advice to make sure you're not inadvertently insuring the same thing twice?Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Reporter: Dan Whitworth
Researchers: Emma Smith and Jo Krasner
Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 7th December 2024)
“I’m looking for a man in finance …” is the opening line of one of the most viewed, copied and remixed social media posts of the year. The woman behind it, Megan Boni, aka TikTok’s Girl on Couch, invented the rhyme as a jokey description of the perfect man she and her single friends would like to meet. She posted it one evening, and the internet went wild. It has been a similar story for Scottish actor Kirsty Paterson. Kirsty was photographed looking dejected in a sad green Oompa Loompa wig at possibly the world’s worst Willie Wonka-inspired event ever. The picture, which she hates, was shared around the world, and the initial publicity led to a slew of vicious replies. Megan and Kirsty are joined by Kelley Heyer, the inventor of the Charli XCX's Apple Dance, and Auri Kananen, Finnish queen of housecleaning videos, to discuss what it is like to ‘go viral’, and what happens next.
Trump-backed Mike Johnson has been re-elected as US House Speaker in the first round of voting, after overcoming a Republican revolt. Also: Apple to pay $95m to settle Siri "listening" lawsuit.
How will President Bidens decision to block Nippon Steel’s takeover of US Steel impact Americas relationship with Japan
India’s scan to pay transactions will hit one billion by 2026-27. What does this shift to a cashless society mean for the country?
And how should couples handle money related disagreements? We hear from Reema Khrais, host of 'This is Uncomfortable' podcast
Musk used X, his social media platform, to call for Robinson to be freed from prison, where he's serving 18 months for contempt of court. The tech giant is reportedly considering a large donation to Mr Farage’s party, Reform UK.Also on the programme: long-term funding proposals for adult social care reform in England are unlikely to be delivered before 2028 - we hear from the leader of the Liberal Democrats, Sir Ed Davey; and Luke Littler has become the youngest darts world champion in history, aged 17.(Photo: Reform UK leader Nigel Farage speaking during the Reform UK East Midlands Conference in Leicester. Credit: Jacob King/PA Wire)
Foreign ministers from France and Germany have met in Damascus with Syria's de facto leader to discuss the future of the country. Also on the programme,
the Republican Congressman Mike Johnson has narrowly won re-election to the most powerful seat in the US House of Representatives; and do whales mourn the dead? (Photo: Head of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and Syria's de facto leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani meets with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in Damascus, Syria January 3, 2025. Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham/Handout via REUTERS)
WRITER: Sarah McDonald Hughes
DIRECTOR: Kim Greengrass
EDITOR: Jeremy HoweHelen Archer…. Louiza Patikas
Henry Archer…. Blayke Darby
Pat Archer…. Patricia Gallimore
Tony Archer…. David Troughton
Lee Bryce…. Ryan Early
Chris Carter…. Wilf Scolding
Neil Carter…. Brian Hewlett
Susan Carter…. Charlotte Martin
Rex Fairbrother…. Nick Barber
Emma Grundy…. Emerald O’Hanrahan
Joy Horville…. Jackie Lye
Khalil Malik…. Krish Bassi
Kirsty Miller…. Annabelle Dowler
Hannah Riley…. Helen Longworth
Lynda Snell… Carole Boyd
Landing slap-bang in the no-man’s land between Christmas and New Year, the Naked Week team will be heading out of the trenches to challenge the news to a game of football. This week, we find out which of the year's political memoirs passes our special test, and we ask the big Christmas question 'When Is Bins?'Expect festive advice, guests full of joy and wonder, and a little drummer boy (budget depending), as the show sticks its hand into all the Christmas current affairs, pulls out a bag of news-giblets and stuffs the airwaves with irreverent features, mischievous set-pieces and more jokes than you can shake a seasonal stick at.Presenter of Presents: Andrew Hunter MurrayChief Christmas Correspondent: Amy HoggartWritten by:
Jon Holmes
Jason Hazeley
Katie Sayer
Sarah Dempster
Gareth Ceredig
Adam Macqueen
Louis MianProduced by Jon Ho-ho-ho-Holmes.Production Team: Katie Sayer, Phoebe Butler, Laura Grimshaw, Jerry Peal, Tony Churnside.An unusual production for BBC Radio 4
US where President Biden has blocked the takeover of US Steel -- the nation's third-biggest steelmaker -- by the Japanese company Nippon Steel. We hear from Syria as it destroys what had been its number one cash export - highly addictive amphetamines.Also in the show, could Slovakia really be about to switch off Ukraine's electricity supply?
Anti-corruption investigators wanted to arrest the former president for his failed attempt to impose martial law. Mr Yoon, who has been impeached, is still in the presidential compound. Supporters of the impeached president were out in force too. Some were seen waving the American flag, and carrying placards saying "stop the steal."Also on the programme, we hear about the plight of health workers from Gaza who are being detained by Israeli authorities, often without charge. And we go to Australia where debate is raging over crocodiles; just how many are too many and how should a cull work? (Picture: Supporters of President Yoon clash with police in Seoul. Credit: Reuters)
South Korean police called off an attempt to arrest the suspended president Yoon Suk Yeol, following a long standoff with his security team. Anti-corruption officers have appealed to the acting president to intervene.
Egypt once had the highest rate of hepatitis C in the world, but has now almost completely wiped out the liver attacking virus in less than 10 years. How did they do that?Could the African mealworm be a solution to tackling plastic waste? Kenyan researchers say the larvae of the darkling beetle species native to Africa can digest plastic in their guts and degrade styrofoam, one the most harmful materials to the environment.Also in the podcast, how Nigerian pet owners are having to make heartbreaking decisions about their animal companions as the high cost of living continues to squeeze finances.Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Nyasha Michelle, Stefania Okereke, Aimie Liebovitz and Bella Hassan in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos
Technical Producer: Philip Bull
Senior Journalist: Patricia Whitehorne
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
This morning the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, has proposed "a new National Care Service", as part of the government's plan to shake-up adult social care with increased funding and an independent commission headed by crossbench peer Baroness Louise Casey. As adult social care is a predominantly female work force - and women make up the majority of people carrying out unpaid caring responsibilities - what impact could these changes have? Kylie Pentelow is joined by Melanie Williams, President of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services and Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK.The Women’s Rugby World Cup is being held later this year in England. Whilst Scotland and Wales will be competing, England currently sit at the top of the world rankings – with many hoping this could be women’s rugby’s ‘Lionesses moment’. To discuss whether this is likely and how best to ensure the tournament has a positive legacy, Kylie Pentelow is joined by Fi Tomas, women’s sport reporter at the Telegraph, and Christina Philippou, an associate professor in accounting and sport finance at the University of Portsmouth. Comedian Amy Gledhill is about to start a new residency at Soho Theatre in London with her award-winning solo show, Make Me Look Fit On The Poster. She joins Kylie to talk about writing autobiographical comedy, romance, bin bags... and why she is hoping her work will make people think as well as laugh.Juhea Kim’s first novel Beasts of a Little Land was set in Korea and covered the conflicts of the 20th Century. Her second novel, City of Night Birds, explores a wildly different subject, modern Russian ballet, and follows the story of talented ballerina Natalia as she finds fame and struggles to cope with the demands of international stardom. Juhea joins Kylie to discuss how her own experiences as a dancer inspired her novel.Presenter: Kylie Pentelow
Producer: Rebecca Myatt
In the aftermath of Bangladesh’s political unrest and the student-led protests that led to the collapse of Sheikh Hasina’s government in August 2024, the country is facing a period of transition and uncertainty. Amid the chaos, harrowing videos and reports of violent attacks against the Hindu minority flooded social media—images of burning buildings, horrifying violence, and women weeping as they pleaded for help. However, some began to doubt the veracity and authenticity of these videos after they seemed to be sensationalised by right-wing influencers and news outlets in neighbouring India.Despite this, shocking new videos of alleged attacks continue to appear on social media, with little or no acknowledgement from a world that is now questioning their legitimacy. In the first episode of a two-part series for BBC World Service’s Heart & Soul, reporter Sahar Zand travels to Bangladesh to investigate the truth behind the contradictory news headlines and the contrasting videos emerging daily online. There, Sahar follows two Hindu university students, Sukanto and Banamali, who have made it their mission to verify and document what they describe as brutal assaults on their community, determined to set the record straight.Sahar follows Sukanto and Banamali as they travel to some of the worst-affected areas, and sees and hears firsthand accounts of homes burned, families separated, temples desecrated, and entire villages torn apart by mob violence. Despite their tireless efforts to report the truth, the two friends say that the Hindu experience in Bangladesh has been met with silence from both the world's media and the country's authorities. Producer: Sahar Zand
Executive producer: Rajeev Gupta
The FBI says the man who carried out a deadly attack in New Orleans was acting alone, and he had declared his support for ISIS militants. Also: do you use traditional maps or an app to find your way around a city?
We hear from the owner of several restaurants in New Orleans after a man drove a truck into a crowd. The attack took place at Bourbon Street a well-known tourist hotspot that is filled with restaurants, bars and clubs.Presenter Rahul Tandon talks to a US based bike manufacturer about the impact tariffs will have on the global economy as well as on companies like his which rely on Chinese parts to keep the business going.We are also in Mexico to hear about its trading relationship with US with the imminent arrival of Donald Trump. The plans to curb immigration along the border between the country.
The FBI now says the man who carried out Wednesday's deadly attack in New Orleans was acting alone, and members of the public are not in any danger. It confirmed that Shamsud-Din Jabbar - a US-born military veteran - had declared his support for Islamic State militants, and the attack was a premeditated act of terrorism. We hear from a New Orleans City Councilman on how the city is coping with the aftermath of the attack. Also in the programme: how El Salvador has cut its homicide rate to make it one of the safest countries in the Western Hemisphere; and with just weeks before Donald Trump is inaugurated as the new president of the United States, how might the relationship between him and the world’s media be characterised? (Photo: Military personnel stand near the site where people were killed by a man driving a truck in an attack during New Year's celebrations, in New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S., January 1, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz)
Sars CoV-2 has been with us for five years. In the second of a 2-part special, Science in Action asks how well was science prepared for it? And are we any better prepared for the next one? Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Alex Mansfield, with Debbie Kilbride
Production Coordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth
The US authorities are investigating whether Wednesday's deadly truck attack in New Orleans is linked to an explosion outside a Trump hotel in Las Vegas on the same day. The FBI believes the man who rammed his car into a crowd in New Orleans killing fifteen people was not acting alone.Also in the programme: Netherlands to open archive on people accused of wartime Nazi collaboration; and 250 years since the birth of the novelist Jane Austen.(Photo: The attack took place in an extremely busy area full of bars and restaurants. Credit: EPA)
Details have emerged about some of the 15 people killed in New Orleans on New Year's Day. Also: Syria's new Islamist-led administration outlines changes to education, and huge footprints reveal how dinosaurs got around
Ivory Coast has confirmed, French troops stationed in the region for decades, will begin withdrawing from Ivorian soil this month. This marks another shift in the growing trend across West Africa, where France is seeing a reduction in their military presence. An analyst explains the genesis of this resentment.Also, French President Emmanuel Macron was recently heckled during his visit to cyclone-hit Mayotte. What's France's relationship with Mayotte?And will the rights of the Kua people in Botswana, also known as Bushmen, be better under new President Boko Duma's government ? Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producer: Sunita Nahar in London
Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
In 1974, a group of around 40 women met in London to discuss the ongoing rape crisis and what to do about it. That meeting eventually led to the establishment of the UK's first ever Rape Crisis centre, which opened its doors and helpline on 15 May 1976. Since then, an entire network of Rape Crisis centres has been established by passionate groups of women around the country. Kylie Pentelow is joined by Dr Kate Cook, co-author of Rape Crisis: Responding to Sexual Violence, and Lee Eggleston, long-standing chair on the board of Rape Crisis England and Wales and who works on the front line of a rape crisis centre.Are you an introverted parent to extroverted children? Are they the life and soul of the party when you’d prefer to stay at home? Or are they always talking to random strangers when you’d prefer not to? This is the situation Grace Victory finds herself in. She tells Kylie how she manages two extroverted children, and psychologist Dr Tara Quinn-Cirillo joins to give tips.There has been a rise in the number of children across England needing specialist treatment for severe mental health crisis, according to official NHS data analysed by the mental health charity YoungMinds. They found it shows a 10% increase in emergency, very urgent and urgent referrals for under-18s. There were 34,793 emergency, very urgent or urgent referrals to child and adolescent mental health services crisis teams between April and October 2024 that compared with 31,749 in the same six-month period in 2023. Kate Silverton, qualified child counsellor and author, joins Kylie.Four women from Pembrokeshire in Wales are about to set off on an Atlantic rowing challenge that’s been three years in the planning. They’re set to break two world records along the way. 32-year-old Sophie Pierce will be the first person with cystic fibrosis to row any ocean and 70-year-old Janine Williams will be the oldest woman to complete this challenge. She’s due to set a Guinness World Record. Along with Miyah and Polly, the women will spend 60 days together in a 10-metre-long ocean rowing boat to cross 3,200 miles unaided from Lanzarote to Antigua. Sophie and Janine speak to Kylie on the day before they leave for Lanzarote.
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss one of the greatest romantic poets in Persian literature. Nizami Ganjavi (c1141–1209) is was born in the city of Ganja in what is now Azerbaijan and his popularity soon spread throughout the Persian-speaking lands and beyond. Nizami is best known for his Khamsa, a set of five epic poems that contains a famous retelling of the tragic love story of King Khosrow II (c570-628) and the Christian princess Shirin (unknown-628) and the legend of Layla and Majnun. Not only did he write romances: his poetry also displays a dazzling knowledge of philosophy, astronomy, botany and the life of Alexander the Great.With Christine van Ruymbeke
Professor of Persian Literature and Culture at the University of CambridgeNarguess Farzad
Senior Lecturer in Persian Studies at SOAS, University of LondonAndDominic Parviz Brookshaw
Professor of Persian Literature and Iranian Culture at the University of OxfordProducer: Simon TillotsonReading list:Laurence Binyon, The Poems of Nizami (The Studio Limited, 1928)Barbara Brend, Treasures of Herat: Two Manuscripts of the Khamsah of Nizami in the British Library (Gingko, 2020)Barbara Brend, The Emperor Akbar’s Khamsa of Nizami (British Library, 1995)J-C. Burgel and C. van Ruymbeke, A Key to the Treasure of the Hakim: Artistic and Humanistic Aspects of Nizami Ganjavi’s Khamsa (Leiden University Press, 2011)Nizami Ganjavi (trans. P.J. Chelkowski), Mirror of the Invisible World: Tales from the Khamseh of Nizami (Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1975)Nizami Ganjavi (trans. Dick Davis), Layli and Majnun (Penguin Books, 2021)Nizami Ganjavi (trans. Rudolf Gelpke), The Story of Layla and Majnun (first published 1966: Omega Publications, 1997)Nizami Ganjavi (trans. Rudolf Gelpke), The Story of the Seven Princesses (Bruno Cassirer Ltd, 1976)Nizami Ganjavi (trans. Julie Scott Meisami, The Haft Paykar: A Medieval Persian Romance (Oxford University Press, 1995)Nizami Ganjavi (trans. Colin Turner), Layla and Majnun (Blake Publishing, 1997)
Dominic Parviz Brookshaw, Hafiz and His Contemporaries: Poetry, Performance and Patronage in Fourteenth-Century Iran (Bloomsbury, 2019)Julie Scott Meisami, Medieval Persian Court Poetry (Princeton University Press, 2014)Asghar Seyed-Gohrab, Layli and Majnun: Love, Madness and Mystic Longing in Nizami’s Epic Romance (Brill, 2003)Kamran Talattof, Jerome W. Clinton, and K. Allin Luther, The Poetry of Nizami Ganjavi: Knowledge, Love, and Rhetoric (Palgrave, 2000)C. van Ruymbeke, Science and Poetry in Medieval Persia: The Botany of Nizami's Khamsa (Cambridge University Press, 2007) In Our Time is a BBC Studios Audio Production
We look at how South Korea's political instability is continuing to effect its economy.How might President-elect Donald Trump’s policies affect different parts of the world?And as thousands of artistic works come into the public domain in the United States, we look at how people might plan to monetise them.
In Palermo, and across southern Italy, there are two main types of stray dog. There are the semi-wild packs that live on the edge of human settlements, and then there are the cani di quartiere (dogs of the neighbourhood). These dogs are known by everyone and owned by no one. They sprawl out for naps in the middle of the pavement, frequent the same butchers for their scraps, play with the neighbourhood kids, and have friends - canine and human - all over the territory. Unlike strays in other parts of Europe, they are not rounded up and treated as a nuisance. They are protected by law, which guarantees their freedom as long as they are not a danger to people, animals, or property. British writer and producer Georgia Walker has been fascinated by the lives of these animals, and what they mean to the city.
US authorities say they do not believe the man who rammed his truck into New Year revellers acted alone. Also: a Tesla Cybertruck explodes outside Trump Tower in Las Vegas, and the shipping forecast celebrates 100 years.
The FBI says it doesn't believe the man who rammed his car into a throng of people in New Orleans before opening fire on police was solely responsible for the attack. The suspect has been identified as a 42-year-old US citizen from Texas, Shamsud-Din Jabbar. While we were on air it was confirmed the death toll from the attack has risen to 15.As Ukraine ends a transit agreement allowing Russia to pipe gas through the country, we explore where Europe will look for future supplies.And 2025 marks 250 years since the birth of Jane Austen. With events planned around the world to mark the anniversary, we look at the enduring appeal of her novels.
The suspect in the New Orleans vehicle attack has been identified as a 42-year-old US citizen from Texas. An Islamic State flag was found in the vehicle and two improvised bombs have been made safe.Also on the programme: Russian gas supplies to much of Europe through Ukraine have stopped, after Kyiv refused to renew a transit agreement with Moscow; and scientists have developed a new way of studying DNA in human remains that they say will change our understanding of history. (Photo: New Orleans Police Chief Ann Kirkpatrick speaks next to Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry at a news conference. Credit: Reuters)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that his country would not allow Russia to "earn additional billions on our blood" after stopping Russian gas transit to the EU following the expiration of a five-year deal.Ivory Coast has announced that French troops will withdraw from the West African nation, further reducing the military stake of the former colonial power in the region. Leanna Byrne asks if this also means it will lose economic influence. And with US President-elect Donald Trump set to take office later this month, could his policies favour Indian businesses?
At least 10 people have died after a man intentionally drove into a large crowd in New Orleans and then began firing a weapon, according to police; they said the attacker was "hell-bent on carnage".Also in the programme: Russian gas has stopped flowing into the European Union through Ukraine after President Zelensky refused to renew transit agreements; and.the children from Gaza finally reunited with their families.(Photo shows police cars attending the scene on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. on 1 January 2025. Credit: ABC Affiliate WGNO via Reuters)
Ten killed in New Orleans as a truck drives into crowds in the French Quarter. Also, the flow of gas from Russia to Europe stops as Ukraine refuses to renew a transit deal and trains are 200 years old this year.
During his first term as US president, Donald Trump had a very limited engagement with Africa, so what will his return to the White House mean for the continent? We hear from a political analyst on the potential opportunities and perils for US-Africa relations. Did you know that drowning is one of the leading causes of death globally for children and young people under 30? Podcast host Audrey Brown has a conversation with the World Health Organization about how they are helping countries, including in Africa, to devise effective drowning prevention strategies, and she makes a new year resolution that she is determined to keep. Also in this episode, we meet the remarkable 25-year-old Malawian, Tusaiwe Munkhondya, who through her foundations, has fostered dozens of children and provided help and support to vulnerable people across Malawi.Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya in London and Susan Gachuhi in Nairobi
Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
First you 'devise' a plan, then you 'go ahead' with it. If you find problems, then you have to choose whether to 'press on' with it, 'scrap' it, or 'shelve' it. These are some verbs that are commonly used with the noun 'plan'. You can learn these and more with Phil in this podcast.TRANSCRIPT
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Almost a million women are trapped in dangerous relationships because of economic abuse, figures from a dedicated charity suggest.Economic abuse is now a legally recognised form of domestic abuse. It could include not allowing access to cash or bank accounts or the things money buys like food and clothing.The charity Surviving Economic Abuse reports that 1 in 7 women in the UK have experienced this kind of control and coercion at the hands of a partner and we know that men can face it too. Felicity Hannah is joined by Sam Smethers the CEO of Charity Surviving Economic Abuse and also solicitor Gary Rycroft.Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Producer: Sarah Rogers
Researcher: Emma Smith
Editor: Jess QuayleIf you've been affected by any of the issues in this programme then details of help are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline, or you can call for free, at any time to hear recorded information on 08000 155 947.(This episode was first broadcast at 3pm on Wednesday the 4th of December 2024)
The fear of an Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury, or ACL, hangs over all athletes. It is a season-ending injury, agonising, and with a long painful recovery. But why is it happening to so many female footballers? Research shows that ACL injuries are up to six times more likely to happen to female athletes than male. Former England International Footballer Lianne Sanderson, who suffered an ACL injury in 2016, explores the science behind this statistic and finds out about the solutions that are being put in place. From the UK charity initiative Power Up To Play, established by medical professionals to offer preventative support at grassroots level, to experts at Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center in Norway and the team at IDA Boots who are making female-specific soccer cleats, Lianne introduces a number of solutions and learns about the science of ACL injuries in female athletes.
A judge in Ecuador orders the detention of sixteen military personnel over the disappearance of four boys whose badly burned bodies have been found outside an air force base.
The flow of Russian gas through Ukraine is about to come to an end. What will happen next?We'll look at the rollercoaster year for blockbuster films, the incredible 'Taylor Swift effect' that set the music world on fire and the unfortunate wave of layoffs that have hit the gaming industry. We’ll discuss what 2025 might look like for entertainment around the world. You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!
Syria's de facto leader says he'll host a national dialogue conference in the new year bringing together the country's various political factions and society groups. As the country emerges from a 13-year civil war, we look ahead to what 2025 could bring.The New Years Honours list has prompted a backlash as Sadiq Khan was awarded a knighthood. The Conservatives called it a "reward for failure".And we speak to the DJ who will open a 35-hour New Year's rave at the legendary Berlin techno club Watergate, which is closing amid rising costs.
The UN human rights office is warning that repeated Israeli attacks on hospitals in Gaza raise serious concerns about war crimes and crimes against humanity.
We'll hear from the UN as well as a spokesman for the Israeli government.Also in the programme: After South Korea's deadliest plane crash, an aviation safety expert calls on regulators to be more pro-active; Pitt and Jolie agree a divorce settlement, seemingly bringing to an end one of the longest and most contentious splits in Hollywood history. And we'll be dedicating the second half of this programme to a selection of the newsiest moments of 2024.(Photo: Sila's father, Mahmoud Fasih, carries her tiny body to be buried. Credit: BBC)
As Russian gas supplies through Ukraine come to a halt, Moldova is left grappling with an energy crisis. Former Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister Nicu Popescu and energy expert Jaime Concha join Roger Hearing to discuss the country’s options and the impact on the wider energy market.Plus after a challenging 2024, Australia’s hospitality industry looks toward recovery in 2025. Wes Lambert of the Australian Restaurant & Café Association reflects on the struggles and opportunities for bars, restaurants, and cafes in the new year.
Winter's bitter cold is taking a terrible toll in Gaza. In the past week alone, six babies have perished from hypothermia and with hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians living in tents, and temperatures expected to drop even further, the UN Children’s agency is warning more children’s lives are at risk. Unicef, like all aid agencies, says they continue to face obstacles on bringing life-saving aid into Gaza. Israel blames Hamas, accusing it of stealing the aid.Also in the programme: Scientists claim to have detected which volcano erupted in 1831, causing catastrophic weather which led to widespread crop failures and devastating famines; and our look back at the reporting highlights of 2024.(Photo: People pray next to the bodies of two Palestinian babies who died of hypothermia at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip on 29 December 2024. Credit: Reuters/Ramadan Abed)
South Africa has become a key player in the International drugs trade, that's according to the global crime index. The country has a growing domestic market and now shares trade connections with South America, Europe, Hong Kong and Australia. We'll hear from South African journalist and author Caryn Dolley who has written about how deeply entrenched South Africa is in the international narco sceneAlso, why are there so few legal protections for whistleblowers? And advice on pension funds and why we need to start thinking about it!Presenter: Audrey Brown
Technical Producer: Nick Randell
Producers: Rob Wilson and Bella Hassan in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
Six babies in Gaza have died from the cold weather within a two week period according to local health officials.
What’s it like fostering in your 40s? Author Beth Moran had three children in her twenties but decided to take up fostering once they flew the nest. Her new novel It Had To Be You is inspired by her experiences of fostering thirteen children in five years.Singer-songwriter Theo Bleak has received huge acclaim recently for her raw lyrics and soaring melodies. As well as supporting Suede, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds and Joesef on tour, her debut LP Pain was also nominated for Scottish Album of the Year. Theo performs her latest single You Said You’d Feel It All Again live in the Woman’s Hour studio.The director Sam Taylor-Johnson was 42 when she met husband to be Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who was 18 at the time. They recently made a red carpet appearance with her two eldest daughters and the hashtag #SameAgeAsStepDaughter became a TikTok trend. Clare McDonnell is joined by Alexandra who was her husband’s third wife and at 30 had stepdaughters of 26 and 20 from his first two marriages. She joins Clare McDonnell, along with parenting expert and family psychologist Anna Mathur.Presenter: Clare McDonnell
Producer: Laura Northedge
Many of us hope to turn over a new leaf when a new year starts.TRANSCRIPT
Find a full transcript for this episode
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Tourists are flooding to Cambodia's "8th wonder of the world," the ancient temple complex at Angkor. But the rapid expansion of the site comes at a terrible cost, as tens of thousands of people are ousted. The authorities call some "illegal squatters" and claim others volunteered to leave. But human rights groups say the evictions are forced, illegal and target families who've worked the land for generations. Many say they're now debt-ridden and struggling to survive. Jill McGivering travelled to Angkor to meet those at the heart of the crisis.
Russia and Ukraine carry out a major prisoner swap with at least 300 people set free. Also: The UN warns of climate breakdown after a 'decade of deadly heat', and what will make people want to have more children?
The prospects for both Ukraine and Russia in 2025, as President Joe Biden makes probably his last multi-billion dollar grant of aid to Ukraine's economy. Also we're looking at tariffs today. How US companies are responding to the prospect of a Trump presidency which might be about to slap much higher import duties on goods from around the world?And we're in Scotland where - to some local dismay - the end of year festival, Hogmanay, has partly at least been cancelled.You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!
The traditional Hogmonay celebrations in Scotland's capital have been cancelled as wind, rain and snow are forecast to batter the UK in the coming days. Yellow weather warnings are in place between Monday and Thursday, while flood alerts and flood warnings - including a rare severe flood warning - are in place across Scotland.Grief is turning to anger for families of those who died in South Korea's worst ever plane crash. They're demanding more communication from the authorities.And we reflect on a quarter of a century of Vladimir Putin in charge of Russia, as New Year's Eve marks the anniversary of his takeover.
Tributes are being paid to the former US president and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Jimmy Carter, who has died at the age of 100.He helped broker a peace accord between Egypt and Israel, but his time in office also saw a struggling US economy and a disastrous attempt to free American hostages seized in Iran.Also on the programme: the president of Trinidad and Tobago has declared a state of emergency across the Caribbean nation; and a study finds that a single cigarette can take 20 minutes off a smoker’s life expectancy.(Photo: Former US President Jimmy Carter gives the media an update on his recent cancer diagnosis at the Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, 20 August 2015. Credit: EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Former President Jimmy Carter has died, aged 100. Leanna Byrne looks back on his life and his economic legacy with former executive director of the American Foreign Service Association, Ian Houston.
Salah Elbakkoush, a former advisor to Libya's High Council of State, tells us about the country's eastern-based government approving a proposal to end fuel subsidies.
Plus we hear about a Tequila 'lake' - with Mexico having 500 million litres of the spirit because of falling demand.
Joe Biden leads tributes to former President Jimmy Carter as his humanitarian legacy is celebrated. Also: uncertainty in Ukraine - we hear from the frontline, and 5 charged in connection with popstar Liam Payne's death.
More than 80 people have been abducted over recent weeks in Kenya, sparking a rise in public anger and more protests on the streets. But why are the kidnappings happening and who is being targeted? We talk to our reporter in Nairobi who has been following events.Also in this episode, we hear about the journeys of African migrants from West Africa to the Canary Islands, the painful realities that push them away from home, and the dangers that come with crossing the Atlantic ocean.And we hear from Cape Verde on how the country has managed to transform its agricultural sector after years of a severe drought left it struggling to survive. Could Cape Verde be a model for other African countries?Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Nyasha Michelle, Victor Sylver and Bella Hassan in London. Susan Gachuhi in Nairobi
Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne
Technical Producer: Philip Bull
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
The former US President Jimmy Carter - who came to politics after a successful career as a peanut farmer – is credited with bringing peace between Egypt and Israel for which he received a Nobel prize. We hear from those who worked with him and those who prepared catfish suppers for the late president.
Also in the programme: Agony and anger in South Korea over the country’s worst plane crash.(Photo: Former President Carter holding peanuts in a field. Credit: Jimmy Carter Library/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Many people will have visited or been visited by their adult children over the holidays. Being a parent to adult children, as well as being the adult child, can be complicated. What are the pitfalls? How can we ensure that relationship stays strong? Clare McDonnell is joined by psychotherapist Dr Julia Samuel and actor and author Helen Lederer to discuss.‘Unfortunately, she was a Nymphomaniac’ – that’s the title of a new book written to debunk the misogynist myths of Imperial Rome and to put the record straight about the lives and fates of Roman women. Its author, the journalist Joan Smith, joins Clare to give us a fresh perspective on the ancient world.New Dolly Parton musical Here You Come Again is packed with the biggest and most rhinestoned hits from the country legend, and is currently playing at the Riverside Studios in London before it heads on tour across the UK next month. Actress Tricia Paoluccio joins Clare to discuss what it’s like becoming Dolly in the show – and gives a special live performance in the studio. Presenter: Clare McDonnell
Producer: Lottie Garton
Former US President Jimmy Carter has died aged 100. The 39th U.S. President and Nobel prize winner lived longer than any president in history. He celebrated his 100th birthday in October 2024. How did a peanut farmer from the Deep South and Georgia Governor become president? Justin speaks to Jonathan Alter, author of His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life. From brokering peace in the Middle East, to famously promising the American people he would never lie, Carter served as president from 1977 to 1981. It was period beset by economic and diplomatic crises. The Carter Center, which advocates for democracy and human rights around the world, said he died on Sunday afternoon at his home in Plains, Georgia. HOST: * Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter GUEST Jonathan Alter, author of His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life. GET IN TOUCH: * Join our online community: https://discord.gg/qSrxqNcmRB * Send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 9480 * Email Americast@bbc.co.uk * Or use #Americast This episode was made by Chris Flynn with Joe McFadden. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham. If you want to be notified every time we publish a new episode, please subscribe to us on BBC Sounds by hitting the subscribe button on the app. You can now listen to Americast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Americast”. It works on most smart speakers. US Election Unspun: Sign up for Anthony’s BBC newsletter: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68093155 Americast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Americast also makes lots of other podcasts, including The Global Story, The Today Podcast, and of course Newscast and Ukrainecast. If you enjoy Americast (and if you're reading this then you hopefully do), then we think that you will enjoy some of our other pods too. See links below. The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd The Today Podcast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Ukrainecast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0bqztzm
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Argentinian artist Tomás Saraceno's studio is two big and old industrial units covered in graffiti, in what was East Berlin. This was where the company AGFA developed and made the chemicals that made colour photography possible. The ground is so polluted Saraceno's lease forbids him from growing any vegetables, and this matters to this environmentally concerned artist. But the industrial past of Studio Saracen is fitting as Tomás’ work is highly technical. Here he has an architecture department, an arachnid research laboratory and an engineering works. He has about 40 people working on different projects.
Tomás talks to Julian May about some of his projects, including Aerocene - sculptural hot air balloons that ascend and fly without the use of any fossil fuels, by capturing the reflected heat of the sun. His ambition is to create a kind of slow aviation, in which his balloons circumnavigate the globe on air currents.
Carter went on to become an international statesman and human rights campaigner. Also: South Korea mourns the victims of its worst-ever air disaster. And incumbent in Croatia elections fails to avoid second round.
Palestinian officials say seven people have been killed in an Israeli strike on a hospital in the centre of Gaza City. The Hamas authorities say other people were seriously injured in the attack on al-Wafaa hospital -- one of the last remaining medical facilities in the Gaza Strip. Israel said the strike was aimed at Hamas fighters and the building hit was no longer a hospital. We speak to the head of a group of Israeli doctors campaigning to stop Israel’s attacks in Gaza. Also in the programme: Georgia’s outgoing president vows to defend democracy; and the latest controversy over the restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral.(Picture: Damage is seen after an Israeli strike on al-Wafaa hospital, according to the Palestinian civil defence. Credit: Reuters)
179 people were killed when a plane crashed at Muan International Airport in South Korea. It burst into flames after skidding off the runway and hitting a wall. The only survivors were two members of the flight crew.
A special bonus episode remembering some past HARDtalk guests who died in 2024. All of them made a significant impact, whether it be in politics, activism or culture. Here is a chance to reflect on their lives and motivation.For more in-depth, hard-hitting interviews with newsworthy personalities, go to bbcworldservice.com/HARDTalk or search for HARDTalk wherever you got this podcast.
The Russian president apologises over the downing of an Azerbaijani plane in Russian airspace - without directly taking blame. Also: chess champion walks out of tournament over jeans row.
Oscar-winning Michelle Yeoh’s career has spanned four decades. Starting out as a martial arts actor, she became a key figure in the Hong Kong action scene. But it was her role in James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies that catapulted her into Hollywood. She's since starred in many hits including Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and the multi-Oscar winning movie - including for her own performance - Everything Everywhere all At Once. Now, she’s in the film adaptation of the musical Wicked. She joined Nuala McGovern live in the studio to discuss it.We look back at a special programme, that came live from the Radio Theatre in Broadcasting House in London, looking at the support for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities – or SEND as it’s often known in England. Nuala heard from guest panellists including Kellie Bright, an actress in EastEnders but also a mum to a child with SEND, Katie, who is 17 and says she was completely failed by the SEND system, and the Minister for School Standards, Catherine McKinnell.On 22 September 1994, the American TV show Friends premiered on NBC and the characters Monica, Rachel, Phoebe, Joey, Chandler and Ross became household names. To celebrate its 30th anniversary, Anita spoke to one of the show’s writers and producers, Betsy Borns and the journalist Emma Loffhagen about why the show still resonates today.We hear from listener Siobhan Daniels. She wrote to us on Instagram: 'I would love you to talk about van life and an alternative way of living.' Siobhan is 65 years old and after selling her home and possessions has lived in her motorhome for the last five years. Preterm birth is the leading cause of neonatal deaths in the UK. Last month the House of Lords Preterm Birth Committee published a report calling on the government to do more to reduce the risks of babies being born prematurely and to improve the lives of those families who are affected. Anita discussed the proposed changes with Nadia Leake, who gave birth to twins eleven years ago at just 22 weeks and is the author of 'Surviving Prematurity,'Corinne Bailey Rae's latest album is a complete departure from her previous work. Black Rainbows is inspired by a trip to Stony Island Arts Bank, a Chicago-based archive of black art and culture. The record spans punk, rock, experimental jazz, electronica and more. She joined Anita for a ...
زیبایی چیست؟ اگر جواب این سوال دشوار است بگویید آیا بوتاکس زیبایی میآورد؟ وقتی میگوییم چیزی زیباست از چه
حرف میزنیم و قضاوتمان از کجا میآید؟میهمانها:
مهدی پارسا، پژهشگر فلسفه و تاریخ هنر
امیر گنجوی، فیلمساز و پژوهشگر تاریخ هنر
We meet the family who kept their shop open on Christmas Day to help locals feel less lonely. Also, the parents creating visual memories for their children and the restaurant where most of the staff have Down's Syndrome.
Why are old Bollywood hits being re-released in cinemas? And why are horror movies doing so well this year? Journalists Meryl Sebastian, Yasser Usman and Shoaib Sharifi discuss all things Bollywood. Produced by Alice Gioia, Caroline Ferguson and Hannah Dean. (Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)
A new report about the UK’s main financial regulator was published this week, concluding the Financial Conduct Authority is "seen as incompetent at best, dishonest at worst." The report was put together by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Investment Fraud and Fairer Financial Services, which is made up of cross-party MPs and members of the House of Lords. They spoke to victims of financial scandals who lost money in frauds and heard testimony from people who worked, and some who still do work, for the organisation. The FCA has said it sympathises with those who have lost out as a result of wrongdoing in financial services, however it strongly rejects the characterisation of the organisation. We'll hear from the co-author of the report and, in his first interview since its publication, we'll speak to Nikhil Rathi, the Chief Executive of the Financial Conduct Authority.What deals can people expect if they’re re-mortgaging their homes over the next 6 months? We'll hear from listeners affected and get some advice from a mortgage broker.And, the 9 year old coin collector who has found a special £2 coin and wants to know whether to spend it or save it.Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Reporter: Dan Whitworth
Researcher: Emma Smith
Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 30th November 2024)
Earlier this year, five countries won Olympics medals for the first time in history. We celebrate three of those athletes from Nepal, Cape Verde and Dominica and hear about the challenges on their journey to sporting greatness. Thea LaFond, who won gold in the triple jump for Dominica had little financial support early on in her athletics career and was often the only person in her event who also had a full-time job. We hear how the athletes’ experiences not only affected their country, but also inspired others. Nepalese Paralympian Palesha Goverdhan, who won a bronze medal in Taekwondo says, “It has shown people, especially athletes and persons with disabilities, that anything is possible.” And, Cape Verde boxer David de Pina had to leave his country and family to get the right training.
Mexico has announced an emergency strategy to protect migrants in the US, after president-elect, Donald Trump, threatened to deport millions of illegal people. Also: the virtual blaze that is an internet success.
The US has imposed sanctions on Georgia's former prime minister and billionaire founder of the Georgian Dream party, Bidzina Ivanishvili.One of crypto-currency's most notorious figures is facing extradition to the US on charges of massive fraud. What do we know about Do Kwan?Also in the show, nine months on from the Baltimore Bridge disaster, we speak to two local companies about how they're trying to put their businesses back together.And how volunteering - also a multi-billion dollar industry in the US though often overlooked, is back on the rise in the US.You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!
One of northern Gaza’s last functioning hospitals has been forcibly evacuated by Israeli military, according to medics. Also on the programme: the US envoy for Yemen on the Israeli attack on Sana’a airport; fog alert in UK airports; celebrated composer Hans Zimmer on taking the stage; and one of the UK’s longest serving postmen retires.(Photo: A bed is damaged inside Kamal Adwan hospital, during the ongoing Israeli military operation, in northern Gaza, December 18, 2024. Credit: REUTERS/Stringer)
WRITER: Avin Shah
DIRECTOR: Jess Bunch
EDITOR: Jeremy HoweBrian Aldridge…. Charles Collingwood
Jolene Archer…. Buffy Davis
Kenton Archer…. Richard Attlee
Alice Carter…. Hollie Chapman
Mick Fadmoor…. Martin Barrass
Alan Franks…. John Telfer
Eddie Grundy…. Trevor Harrison
Will Grundy…. Philip Molloy
Jakob Hakansson…. Paul Venables
Joy Horville…. Jackie Lye
Paul Mack…. Joshua Riley
Kate Madikane…. Perdita Avery
The team give the news a hard stare as they try to recruit a spy and steal some of the Uncanny podcast's listening figures by contacting Nigel Farage with a ouija board.From The Skewer’s Jon Holmes comes The Naked Week, a fresh way of dressing the week’s news in the altogether and parading it around for everyone to laugh at.Host Andrew Hunter Murray and chief correspondent Amy Hoggart will strip away the curtain and dive into not only the big stories, but also the way the news is packaged and presented.From award-winning writers and a crack team of contemporary satirists - and recorded in front of a live audience - The Naked Week delivers a topical news nude straight to your ears.Written by:
Jon Holmes
Katie Sayer
Sarah Dempster
Gareth Ceredig
Jason Hazeley
Adam Macqueen
Louis MianGuests: Neil Frost and Chris Banatvala.Production Team: Laura Grimshaw, Tony Churnside, Jerry Peal, Katie Sayer, Phoebe ButlerProduced and Directed by Jon Holmes
Executive Producer: Philip AbramsAn unusual production for BBC Radio 4
We explore the economic legacy of Manmohan Singh, India’s former Prime Minister, who has died. Mr Singh is credited with liberalising India’s economy.What will happen to Chinas economy in 2025? We hear from the BBC’s Nick Marsh.And we celebrate Britain's longest-serving Royal Mail postman, who’s leaving the service after 60 years.
Nato steps up efforts to protect cables in the Baltic Sea after a power line is cut between Finland and Estonia. Russia accused of sabotage. Also: Another impeachment in South Korea, and NASA sun probe makes history.
What is “ Ivoirité ” ? We explore this controversial concept and its effects as Ivory Coast prepares for general election in 2025. Also, why women in Morocco are welcoming a review of child custody, divorce, and polygamy law, and why dolls aren’t just dolls- find out how they can affect a child’s behaviour in later life.
Haiti has been ravaged by political instability and gang violence since the assassination of the country’s president in 2021 – and this year it’s spiralled with armed gangs in control of much of the capital Port-au-Prince. Alongside the violence is an escalating humanitarian crisis, which is severely impacting women and children with widespread hunger and malnutrition. Kylie Pentalow finds out more from the BBC’s senior investigations correspondent Nawal Al-Maghafi.In the Netherlands, the 31st December 2024 marks the deadline for people to register if they want their child to have a double-barrelled surname. Children in the Netherlands automatically took their father’s name, but in 1998 the law changed to allow them to take their mother’s name instead - but only with the consent of the father. A group of women who believe this is discriminatory are challenging the law. Kylie speaks to Linde Bryk, head of strategic court cases at women’s rights organisation Bureau Clara Wichmann, and Maartje Passchier who has been affected by the law change. The science teacher turned actor, writer and comedian Shazia Mirza has been taking part in a landmark year for Muslim women in comedy – performing in a touring show called Comedy Queens, where the lineup is entirely female and Muslim. She’s also been reflecting on her earlier years, growing up in a strict religious family in Birmingham, as she is writing a memoir. She joins Kylie to discuss her life before standup.On Christmas Day we had a programme devoted to the seasonal theme of Comfort - what it is, why we crave it, and the myriad of ways we can find it. Co-presenters Nuala McGovern and Anita Rani also discussed the flip side - importance of getting outside your comfort zone - with guests including organisational psychologist Fiona Murden and the food critic Grace Dent
BBC News is releasing a new episode of Imposter Syndrome today on iplayer with guest Sir Richard Branson. Therapist Julia Bueno joins Kylie to discuss the ways that imposter syndrome or self-criticism affects so many of us. In 2022 Julia published ‘Everyone’s A Critic’ based on conversations with her patients and she shares ways to cope when imposter syndrome starts to hold you back. The artist Celia Pym works with textiles to create her pieces. Her latest exhibition: Socks: The Art of Care and Repair looks at sustainability in fashion and the importance of mending. Presented by Kylie Pentalow
Producer: ...
In 2019 a devastating fire ripped through the historic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Locals looked on in disbelief, and millions watched on television around the world, as the iconic wooden spire came crashing down into the flames. Many thought Notre Dame was lost forever, but the 860-year-old Cathedral was not for giving up and over the past four years a team of skilled workers, at a cost of 700 million Euros, have painstakingly reconstructed this medieval masterpiece. Colm Flynn meet five people who say the symbolism of this Cathedral's restoration has had a profound impact on their faith. From a young wheelchair user who constructed a wheelchair for Pope Francis from the Cathedral's burnt wood, to the firefighter who saved the sacred chalice from the flames, to the young female footballer involved in the Paris Olympics who is now inspired to see the cathedral's rebirth and a choir made up of the Cathedral's architects and carpenters.
Israeli airstrikes have hit a number of sites in Yemen, after Houthi militants have been targeting Israel and vessels in the Red Sea. Also; Bald eagle officially declared US national bird after nearly 250 years.
The European Union threatens to impose further sanctions on Russia, as a Moscow-linked cargo ship is blamed for severing an underwater cable in the Baltic Sea. Also, we profile Manmohan Singh, the former prime minister credited with transforming India’s economy. Plus, a controversial anti-LGBT bill in Ghana could put western aid to the country at risk. You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!
Sars CoV-2 has been with us for five years. In the first of a 2-part special, Science in Action asks how well was science prepared for it? And are we any better prepared for the next one?Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Alex Mansfield, with Debbie Kilbride
Production Coordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth
Air Tanzania, has been added to the European Union Aviation Safety Agency's (EASA) list of airlines that have been restricted from operating within the European Union. So what are the shortcomings? We sought answers from an aerospace expert. Did you know that South Africa’s unique succulent plants are under threat from poachers? We have a first-hand account from our correspondent who has been to the remote biodiversity hotspot that has become the hub of an illegal trade. And new research, that included delving into the Vatican archives, has revealed how an Angolan prince, became a key figure in the fight against the trans-Atlantic slave trade, a century before its abolition.Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Rob Wilson, Bella Hassan and Stefania Okereke in London
Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne
Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Memorial events have been held around the Indian Ocean to mark 20 years since the tsunami that killed more than 220,000 people. Also: Did Russia down an Azerbaijani plane? And the rise of non-alcoholic wine.
In a Boxing Day special, Anita Rani celebrates a favourite Christmas activity: puzzles and games.Anita hears from Leslie Scott, the woman who invented Jenga, and steps into the world of crosswords and general knowledge quizzes with Kate Mepham, setter for the Daily Telegraph.She pays tribute to Agatha Christie, the woman behind the most famous puzzles ever written, with novelist and essayist John Lanchester, and host of the Shedunnit podcast, Caroline Crampton.Anne Corbett, professor in dementia research at the University of Exeter, explains the role games can play in the battle to keep our minds fit and healthy.And Anita dives into gaming with Gabrielle Zevin, author of Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, one of the bestselling novels of recent years: a love story set in the world of video games. Eimear Noone, the composer behind World of Warcraft and the first woman to conduct at the Oscars, explains how video game soundtracks come together, while Frankie Ward, Esports host and journalist, has tips on the best games to play while breastfeeding.Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Hannah Sander
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the intense political activity at the turn of the 18th Century, when many politicians in London went to great lengths to find a Protestant successor to the throne of Great Britain and Ireland and others went to equal lengths to oppose them. Queen Anne had no surviving children and, following the old rules, there were at least 50 Catholic candidates ahead of any Protestant ones and among those by far the most obvious candidate was James, the only son of James II. Yet with the passing of the Act of Settlement in 1701 ahead of Anne's own succession, focus turned to Europe and to Princess Sophia, an Electress of the Holy Roman Empire in Hanover who, as a granddaughter of James I, thus became next in line to be crowned at Westminster Abbey. It was not clear that Hanover would want this role, given its own ambitions and the risks, in Europe, of siding with Protestants, and soon George I was minded to break the rules of succession so that he would be the last Hanoverian monarch as well as the first.WithAndreas Gestrich
Professor Emeritus at Trier University and Former Director of the German Historical Institute in LondonElaine Chalus
Professor of British History at the University of LiverpoolAnd Mark Knights
Professor of History at the University of WarwickProducer: Simon TillotsonReading list:J.M. Beattie, The English Court in the Reign of George I (Cambridge University Press, 1967)Jeremy Black, The Hanoverians: The History of a Dynasty (Hambledon Continuum, 2006)Justin Champion, Republican Learning: John Toland and the Crisis of Christian Culture 1696-1722 (Manchester University Press, 2003), especially his chapter ‘Anglia libera: Protestant liberties and the Hanoverian succession, 1700–14’Linda Colley, Britons: Forging the Nation 1707 – 1837 (Yale University Press, 2009)Andreas Gestrich and Michael Schaich (eds), The Hanoverian Succession: Dynastic Politics and Monarchical Culture (Ashgate, 2015)Ragnhild Hatton, George I: Elector and King (Thames & Hudson Ltd, 1979)Mark Knights, Representation and Misrepresentation in Later Stuart Britain: Partisanship and Political Culture (Oxford University Press, 2005) Mark Knights, Faction Displayed: Reconsidering the Impeachment of Dr Henry Sacheverell (Blackwell, 2012)Joanna Marschner, Queen Caroline: Cultural Politics at the Early Eighteenth-Century Court (Yale University Press, 2014)Ashley Marshall, ‘Radical Steele: Popular Politics and the Limits of Authority’ (Journal of British Studies 58, 2019)Paul Monod, Jacobitism and the English People, 1688-1788 (Cambridge University Press, 1989)Hannah Smith, Georgian Monarchy: Politics and Culture 1714-1760 (Cambridge University Press, 2006)Daniel Szechi, 1715: The Great Jacobite ...
The city of Florence is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. But are new technologies and hyper-tourism changing it forever? Writer Kamin Mohammadi tells the story of how one road - the Via Di San Niccolo - has changed. Kamin lived there when she first moved to the city 16 years ago, and she has seen the changes first-hand.She speaks to friends who still live on the street, business owners who have experienced the changes, about whether the character of the city has been forever altered.But Kamin’s story, like many she knows in Florence, is complicated. The book she wrote about the city’s lifestyle encouraged many of her readers to travel there and experience it for themselves. Many others – from bar owners to cookery writers – similarly depend on tourism. She asks all of them what the city can do to retain the character that residents – and tourists – love.
Thousands of Sudanese Christians face Christmas away from home as the Sudan war continues. We hear from one woman who was born into a Muslim family but converted to Christianity, on how her community tries to help those fleeing the war, and how she maintains Christmas traditions despite living in exile in Egypt.We meet one of the young people who was at the forefront of the unprecedented #RejectFinanceBill2024 protests in Kenya. And Ivorian chef Brice Assemian joins us in the studio to discuss and serve up the dish that the UN agency, Unesco, has declared a part of the unique heritage of Ivory Coast.Presenter Audrey Brown
Producers: Rob Wilson and Yvette Twagiramariya in London.
Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne
Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark.
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.
A market can be a specific, physical location to buy things, but it can also be a more abstract economic system. Listen to Georgie talk about some verbs that you are likely to hear with the word 'market'.TRANSCRIPT
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The happiest stories of 2024 - from the extraordinary achievement in raising Notre Dame Cathedral from the ashes, to the success of the chopsticks manoeuvre to catch a rocket booster; and the baby hippo who went viral.
As this is the season of Comfort & Joy, today’s programme is devoted to the theme of ‘Comfort’. At this time of year when many women are frazzled and craving a bit of comfort, Nuala McGovern and Anita Rani explore why it so important with their guests. Fiona Murden is an organisational psychologist, award winning author of the books Defining You and Mirror Thinking and host of the podcast Dot to Dot – Life Connected. She explains what comfort is, why we crave it and why it’s necessary, but she also discusses the importance of sometimes pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone. Molly Case is a former cardiac care nurse and now works in palliative and end of life care. She works out what matters most to the people she cares for and how she can provide a level of comfort for them.The Reverend Bryony Taylor is a priest in the Church of England and works as Rector of Barlborough and Clowne in the Derby Diocese. She is also the author of More TV Vicar? a book about Christians on the television. She describes how faith can be a source of comfort for many people, especially at this time of year.The food writer Grace Dent, and chef and restauranteur Dipna Anand, recall the favourite foods from childhood that bring them emotional comfort and bring back happy and nostalgic memories, as well as what they will be having for Christmas. Hygge took the world by storm when Meik Wiking published The Little Book of Hygge – The Danish Way to Live Well in 2016. Hygge has been described as a quality of cosiness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or wellbeing. Anita and Nuala are joined by Becci Coombes, whose father is Danish. She grew up with a love of all things Hygge and runs an online business - Hygge Style. The band The Unthanks are known for combining traditional English folk, particularly Northumbrian folk music, with other musical genres. They have just finished a UK tour, and they have a new album out – The Unthanks In Winter. They perform two songs live in the studio: Bleary Winter and The Cherry Tree Carol.Presented by Nuala McGovern and Anita Rani.
Producer: Louise Corley
A special episode from the HARDTalk podcast. HARDtalk’s Stephen Sackur looks back on some of the most powerful moments from 2024 in his end of year review.For more in-depth, hard-hitting interviews with newsworthy personalities, go to bbcworldservice.com/HARDTalk or search for HARDTalk wherever you got this podcast.
But questions have been asked whether the cargo vessel, which was under US sanctions, was heading for the Syrian coast, on a voyage to recover military supplies left by Russian forces in Syria when Bashar al-Assad fell.
A maritime security and sanctions expert talks to us about how Russia's commercial fleet operates under swingeing sanctions.
Also, World Business Report looks back on a year of strikes by doctors from around the world. We hear from medics in Kenya, India and the UK to find out more about why they felt they had to withdraw their labour
Armed men in Haiti kill at least two journalists and a police officer, after opening fire at the reopening of its biggest public hospital. Also: Syria’s rebel factions agree to merge under the defence ministry.
The decision over the potential $15 billion takeover by Japan's Nippon Steel has been referred to the President over National Security concerns. Joe Biden has 15 days to decide if the deal can go through.Also, American Airlines grounds all US flights after a technical issue. Plus James Wickham reflects on some of the biggest business and economics stories of the past year with Susan Schmidt, portfolio manager at Exchange Capital Resources in Chicago, and Bill Blain, Strategist and Head of Alternative Assets, Shard Capital, who's on England's south coast.
The probe is plunging into the sun's outer atmosphere, amid brutal temperatures. Also; the UN warns that famine is spreading in Sudan, with Darfur among the worst affected regions.
Dozens of people have died in stampedes to collect Christmas hampers in Nigeria raising concerns about safety at these events. Also in the programme, why South Sudanese civil servants have not been paid their salaries for nearly a year, and what South African shop owners are saying about the government's new regulations to address food poisonings.
Bestselling author Minette Walters shot to fame in the 1990s with her award-winning gritty crime novels The Ice House, The Sculptress and The Scold’s Bridle. She continued to write successful crime fiction for over twenty years until, inspired by a plague pit, Minette changed tack in 2017 and began to write historical novels. She joins Krupa Padhy to discuss her new novel The Players.Struggling with menopause symptoms? Social media is full of ads promising miracle cures, but many are too good to be true. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned several ads for making unsubstantiated claims about menopause relief. Krupa discusses this issue with Donna Castle from the ASA, menopause expert Dr Paula Briggs and Katrina Anderson from Mills Reeve.The summer box office hit It Ends With Us, starring Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, has taken a dramatic turn off-screen. Last week, Lively filed a legal complaint against her co-star, accusing him of sexual harassment and orchestrating a smear campaign against her. The BBC’s Yasmin Rufo tells Krupa the latest.The Gavin and Stacey finale will be on our screens on Christmas Day, BBC 1 at 9pm. Krupa speaks to our own slice of Barry Island - Linda Bailey is the tour guide of the official Gavin and Stacey Bus Tour on Barry. She runs the tour as Nessa’s second cousin - Sally from the Valleys - and they visit all the filming locations.Festive rom-coms tend to follow a comfortably predictable format - small towns covered in snow, romantic misunderstandings and a happy ending. Film critic Rhianna Dillon and journalist Kayleigh Dray join Krupa to discuss this year’s releases, whether there’s a deeper meaning behind them and the rise of the 'cinnamon roll' man.
Lonely, without a home and many gripped by addiction - homeless charities say demand for support has soared this year. Holly Hamilton sits in for Stephen, on Christmas Eve 2024.
If you 'can't go wrong' with a suggestion, you can't fail if you use it.TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-241223FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
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Ukraine and Poland are neighbours and close allies in today’s conflict with Russia. But the ghosts of victims of an earlier war have returned to divide them. Tens of thousands of Poles were murdered by Ukrainians in Volhynia, in what's now western Ukraine, in 1943. Most of the victims still lie in unmarked graves, and Ukraine has only just lifted a ban on exhuming the bodies.That followed heavy diplomatic pressure by Poland, about to take over the presidency of the European Union. It threatened to block moves towards Ukrainian integration with the EU unless the ban were lifted.But Poland’s demand has stirred a controversy inside Ukraine about one of the darkest periods of its history. Ukrainian nationalists who were involved in the massacre - and their leader Stepan Bandera - are regarded by many Ukrainians as heroes.Reporter Tim Whewell travels through Poland and western Ukraine to try to find out what really happened in 1943, and ask whether Poland and Ukraine can ever lay a fiercely-contested history to rest. And can the record of Ukraine's Second World War nationalists be openly discussed without giving a propaganda victory to Russia, which has tried to use the subject to vilify Ukraine?
A long-awaited report into Matt Gaetz says the former congressman paid for sex and drugs while in office. Also: marches take place in Magdeburg, and a new government in France after days of political turmoil.
Honda and Nissan plan to merge as the two Japanese firms seek to fight back against competition from the Chinese car industry.Joining forces would create one of the world's biggest car producers alongside Toyota, Volkswagen, General Motors and Ford.We look at one of Donald Trump's key economic appointments.And who is France's new finance minister?
Sam Fenwick hears from former chief operating officer & long-time executive at Nissan Andy Palmer, as Honda and Nissan announce a plan to merge. It would mean the new, world's third-biggest carmaker, which could also include Mitsubishi, could be in operation by August 2026. Plus US President-elect Donald Trump has said the fees charged to use the Panama Canal are “ridiculous” and that it should be handed back to the US unless the “rip-off” stops. We ask if those fees have risen and whether Mr. Trump's words are an empty threat.
The president switched 37 capital punishment convictions to life in prison without parole. Also: motoring giants Nissan and Honda take their first steps to merge, and tactics taken in South Korea to increase the country’s birth rate.
Malawi's government is demanding billions in unpaid taxes and royalties from a US-based gemstone company for rubies exported over the last 10 years. The companies deny the claimsThe tale of the child bride social media sensation in South Sudan.And a couple share their painful experience with infertilityPresenter Audrey Brown
Producers: Gachuhi and Charles Gitonga in Nairobi. Stefania Okereke, Yvette Twagiramariya and Amie Liebowitz in London.
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Technical Producer: Jonny Hall
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.
Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Amy Dowden was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer last year, and she shared her treatment journey in a BBC documentary. Now, Amy is preparing for a comeback with the show's live tour, as well as a tour of her own: Reborn, with dancer Carlos Gu. Amy joins Krupa Padhy to tell us more.South Korea is currently experiencing huge-scale protests against President Yoon Suk Yeol. Young women are instrumental to these protests, campaigning against the President who is often seen as a representation of a patriarchal society. BBC News Correspondent Jean Mackenzie is in Seoul – she joins Krupa to tell us more about the role being played by women.Metal detecting is an activity often linked to men, but there’s a women-only metal detecting group on Facebook that has thousands of members. Jade Cuttle is a member – she’s also a BBC New Generation Thinker, journalist & PhD Researcher at Cambridge. She joins Krupa to tell us why she thinks more women should consider taking it up as a hobby.In a significant development for Syria, Aisha al-Dibs has been appointed as the head of the Women's Affairs Office under the Syrian interim government. What does this mean for women in Syria, and what has their reaction been? Krupa speaks to Dr Rim Turkmani, Director of Syria Conflict Research Programme at the London School of Economics.As a new production of Oliver! hits the West End, we look at the character of Nancy. Who was she and what does she mean to us today? Professor Jenny Hartley, academic advisor to the Charles Dickens Museum, and Shanay Holmes, who is playing Nancy in the new production, join Krupa to discuss Nancy and to perform a song from the musical. Presenter: Krupa Padhy
Producer: Lottie Garton
Travel chaos for passengers trying to get home for Christmas hit with road, air and ferry delays. Holly Hamilton attempts to bring some festive cheer amongst it all, she sits in for Nolan.
Carefree or careless? The suffixes -free and -less.FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
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Mark Reid visits a school in Bulgaria where they are teaching their pupils how to make movies. They are making a short film about their local horse market. There are classes like this across the world, in Germany, Japan and the United Kingdom, to name but a few. And it is all part of a project is called Le Cinema Cent Ans De Jeunesse.
Turkey says there's no room for Kurdish militias in Syria's future. Also: Germany promises a thorough investigation into the Magdeburg attack.
Donald Trump's return to the White House is seen as a potential threat to European security. Some think he may abandon Nato - but the organisation's new secretary general seems convinced he will be persuaded to stay.
What would the potential loss of Syria naval and air bases mean for Russia? The fall of the Assad regime triggered the start of possibly the greatest reshaping of the Middle East in decades, throwing into uncertainty the fate of Russia’s military bases in the country, among many other things. Tartus and Hmeimim served as a springboard for Moscow’s foreign missions elsewhere. We assess their significance for the Kremlin’s strategic footprint in Africa, and explore the alternatives.
The German city of Magdeburg is in mourning after a Christmas attack killed five. We hear the possible motives of the suspect. Also: Albania shuts down TikTok, and in Guatamala children are rescued from a sect.
It's the rape trial that has shocked the world. Gisèle Pelicot's ex-husband Dominique was sentenced yesterday to 20 years in prison for her rape, alongside 50 other men. We hear Gisèle's own words, and Anita Rani was joined by the BBC's Andrew Harding who has covered the trial from the beginning, and French journalist and founder of The Women's Voices website Cynthia Illouz. Anne-Marie Duff joined Nuala McGovern to talk about her latest stage role in The Little Foxes at London’s Young Vic Theatre. It’s a family drama where she plays Regina Hubbard, an ambitious woman who is thwarted by her position in Alabama society in the early 1900s, where her less financially savvy brothers have the power and autonomy to run the family business. Anne-Marie discusses playing ruthless characters and the stage roles that place women front and centre.A recent report by the National Council for the Training of Journalists found that 91% of UK journalists come from white ethnic groups. This has increased by 3% since last year. Amid large numbers of job cuts within the sector, what can be done to help keep female black and minority ethnic journalists within the profession? Nuala was joined by Habiba Katsha, a freelance journalist considering an alternative career, and award-winning writer and journalist Afua Hirsch.Daisy Edgar-Jones and her co-star Paul Mescal rocketed into the public gaze in the BBC adaptation of Sally Rooney’s novel Normal People. Following a couple of notable film performances Daisy is now on stage as the formidable, if unhappy, Maggie in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. She joined Anita Rani live in the Woman’s Hour studio.Noel Streatfield’s classic children’s book Ballet Shoes was written in 1936, and had never been staged - until now. The National Theatre’s production of Ballet Shoes is directed by Katy Rudd and tells the story of the three Fossil sisters, Pauline, Petrova and Posy, who were given their name because they were all “discovered” as babies on the travels of adventurer Great Uncle Matthew and then abandoned to his Great Niece Sylvia, or Garnie, played by Pearl Mackie. Anita was joined by Katy and Pearl to discuss this children's classic.Would you ask your friends to describe you in one word? Comedian Sophie Duker did. She joined Nuala to talk about their responses and how it influenced her new standup show, But Daddy, I Love Her.Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Annette Wells
Editor: Rebecca ...
بیست سال زندگی به عنوان بانوی اول، ترومای یک انقلاب، مرگ همسر و داغ دو فرزند جوان در تبعید. فرح پهلوی در نقشهای متفاوت از شهبانو تا مادر و همسر و فعال اپوزیسیونی چگونه بوده؟این برنامه در نهم آذر ضبط شده است.میهمانها:
سوده راد، فعال برابری جنسیتی
فروغ کنعانی، پژوهشگر علوم اجتماعی
K-dramas are taking the world by storm. What's the secret of their success? BBC journalists Faith Oshoko, Julie Yoonnyung Lee and Samantha Haque discuss all things K-drama and offer their recommendations for series to get stuck into during the holiday period. Produced by Hannah Dean and Alice Gioia. (Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)
More than 800,000 people have called a dedicated fraud line, which connects them with their bank if they think they’re being scammed, since it started 3 years ago. Stop Scams UK, which set up 159, says 20 banks are now part of the service. We'll hear from a woman who called the number after losing £4,000 in a scam and find out more about how it works.Complaints about the wealth manager St James Place have risen sharply amid a major historical review of the ongoing fees it charged its customers. Fifteen thousand clients complained to the company directly in the first half of this year, and complaints to the Financial Ombudsman Service quadrupled in that time compared to the year before. St James Place says beginning last year, it saw an increase in the number of complaints received. While these have since reduced, it continues to do everything it can to work through them as quickly as possible. It has put in place processes including training and recruitment to maximise the number it can complete without jeopardising the quality of the investigation, and says that it apologises for any delays clients may experience during that time. Some first-time buyers are finding that Lifetime ISAs, a government scheme that adds a 25% bonus to everything you put in towards your deposit, aren't working for them when they come to buy a home. It is because there's a £450,000 cap on the price of the property you can buy, which some find prices them out of buying where they live. The Treasury says that across the vast majority of the country and in most London boroughs, the average price for a first-time home remains below the cap. Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Reporter: Dan Whitworth
Researcher: Emma Smith
Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12pm November 23th 2024)
It has been two weeks since the fall of the Assad regime and the horror of the brutal and corrupt system he oversaw has been laid bare. Since the start of the civil war in 2011, it is estimated that 100,000 people – men, women and children – disappeared without trace into Assad’s prison system. Omar was 15 years old when he was taken from his home to be starved and tortured in the notorious Saydnaya prison near Damascus. He tells Mark Lowen that he can never forgive his captors. After rebel forces released prisoners, families across the country have been able to celebrate the return of loved ones. Meanwhile, others try to discover if their loved ones are still alive. Maan in Damascus, whose older brother Muneer was arrested in 2014, and Hiba, whose father was arrested in Aleppo in 2011, share their experiences.
US in last ditch shut down vote, unless congress can agree on a spending planThe Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, could be facing a confidence vote after he reshuffled a third of his cabinet today.And German automaker Volkswagen was on the brink of a major strike, however the company's bosses and union leaders have struck a deal, avoiding site closures.
WRITER: Tim Stimpson
DIRECTOR: Pip Swallow
EDITOR: Jeremy HoweDavid Archer…. Timothy Bentinck
Helen Archer…. Louiza Patikas
Natasha Archer…. Mali Harries
Ruth Archer…. Felicity Finch
Leonard Berry…. Paul Copley
Susan Carter…. Charlotte Martin
Vince Casey…. Tony Turner
Clarrie Grundy…. Heather Bell
Ed Grundy…. Barry Farrimond
Eddie Grundy…. Trevor Harrison
Emma Grundy…. Emerald O’Hanrahan
Brad Horrobin…. Taylor Uttley
Kirsty Miller…. Annabelle Dowler
A damning verdict from Swiss MPs on the failure of one of their largest banks.Plus, the latest on the looming US government shutdown.Malaysia resumes the hunt for an airliner that disappeared ten years ago.And 80 million of them are sold in Europe every year, but what goes into growing a Christmas tree?
Piracy off the coast in Somalia, had cost the global economy around 7 billion US dollars just over a decade ago. Since then, international security patrols in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean shipping lane all but eliminated piracy. But in recent months, there’s been a resurgence off the coast of the autonomous region of Puntland. Why is that? Also, what's behind the fire at the parliamentary buildings in Liberia? And why Nigerians are not all that happy about "Detty December"? Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Bella Hassan and Rob Wilson in London. Todah Opeyemi in Lagos.
Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
Daisy Edgar Jones and her co-star, Paul Mescal rocketed into the public gaze in the BBC adaptation of Sally Rooney’s novel Normal People. Following a couple of notable film performances Daisy is now on stage as the formidable if unhappy Maggie in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. She joins Anita live in the Woman’s Hour studio.Bryony Page, Olympic medallist and trailblazer for British gymnastics, made history at the Paris 2024 Olympics by winning Team GB’s first-ever trampoline gold. Known for her resilience and determination, she reflects on the achievements and challenges of her career, and shares her hopes for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
Russia has again targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure; we hear from the governor of one of the regions that has been hit. Also in the programme: Israeli airstrikes on Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza kill at least forty-six people in a multi-storey building; why Maoris and their supporters are marching to protest against a proposed change to New Zealand’s founding treaty; and the drama that portrays former German Chancellor Angela Merkel as an amateur sleuth.(IMAGE: Firefighters work at the site of a critical infrastructure facility hit by a Russian missile strike, in Vinnytsia region, Ukraine November 17, 2024 / CREDIT: Press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Vinnytsia region/Handout via REUTERS)
Singapore has some of the harshest drug laws in the world and the government. Trafficking illegal narcotics can result in decades in prison and even a death sentence. But do they really deter drug crimes?The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide, one big story every weekday, making sense of the news with our experts around the world.For more, go to bbcworldservice.com/globalstory or search for The Global Story wherever you got this podcast.
Back in 2015, BBC World Service launched the first BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year award, to raise the profile of the women’s game but also highlight key issues within the sport. Ten years ago, the current Champions League winners Barcelona and the Women’s Super League in England still weren’t professional, the Women’s World Cup was about to kick off in Canada using artificial pitches, much to the dismay of players and coaches – something which has never been repeated! To mark an historic 10th year of the award, past winners including Norway’s Ada Hegerberg, Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala and England’s Lucy Bronze reflect on winning the trophy. Along with previous nominees, they discuss key moments in the last decade and the challenges still ahead for the women’s game.
Joe Biden has met Xi Jinping as concerns over a US-China trade war grow. Also: the discovery of ancient volcanoes on the Moon, and a secret garden in Venice is opened to the public for the first time in 500 years.
US and Chinese leaders to discuss “delicate transition” in Lima as President Biden holds his last talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on sides of APEC summit.
Also in the programme: families of Israeli hostages in Gaza on Donald Trump’s hopes to secure the hostages release; and we ask what happened on the dark side of the moon nearly three billion years ago?(IMAGE: President Biden the APEC summit in Peru. CREDIT: Reuters/Leah Millis)
A new Woman's Hour series, Forgotten Children, explores the impact on families when one or both parents are sent to prison. Reporter Jo Morris hears from Kerry Wright, who was just 17 and living in Spain with her parents when British police arrived at their door and arrested both of them, from Nan (not her real name), whose daughter received a prison sentence, leaving Nan to care for her five grandchildren and to Emily (not her real name), whose husband was sentenced to prison for domestic abuse. Nuala McGovern also spoke to Sarah Burrows, founder of Children Heard and Seen, a charity supporting children and families with parents or partners serving prison sentences, and Lucy Baldwin who is a research fellow at Durham University and a criminal justice consultant.As a new musical adaptation of The Devil Wears Prada, with lyrics contributed by the American musician Shaina Taub and music by Elton John, hits London's West End, Anita Rani was joined by the show’s leading ladies, Vanessa Williams, Georgie Buckland and Amy Di Bartolomeo to discuss the enduring appeal of this story.Nuala spoke to TV presenter and author Giovanna Fletcher from the Himalayas at the start of her trek to raise money and awareness for CoppaFeel! the breast cancer charity.Preterm birth is the leading cause of neonatal death in the UK. Today the House of Lords Preterm Birth Committee have published a report calling on the government to do more to reduce the risks of babies being born prematurely and to improve the lives of those families who are affected. Anita discusses proposed changes with Nadia Leake, who gave birth to twins eleven years ago at just 22 weeks and is the author of 'Surviving Prematurity,' Evelyn Forde was the first black female president of the Association of School and College Leaders, awarded an MBE for services to education, and named Times Educational Supplement Headteacher of the Year in 2020. In her book Herstory: A Leadership Manifesto, Evelyn shares her journey through the education system, her experiences of racism in her career, alongside the testimonies of other black leaders in the sector. With just 1% of headteachers in state schools in England from a black background, she joined Nuala to discuss why she thinks urgent action is needed to address the issue in education.
A new musical – Mozart: Her Story - tells the story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s sister Maria-Anna, ...
نظامهای سیاسی یا باثبات و مقتدرند یا رو به فروپاشی. در میانه این دو قطب، این نظامها یا میتوانند گذاری مسالمتآمیز از سر بگذرانند یا ناتوان از امکان گذار به سرعت مسیر سراشیب طی میکنند. مختصات هر یک از این دو روند چیست؟میهمانها:
تورج اتابکی، پژوهشگر تاریخ اجتماعی
حبیب حسینیفرد، روزنامهنگار
President Zelensky says that with Donald Trump in power in the US, Ukraine's war with Russia will end sooner than expected: does this signal a big change in his thinking? We hear from a Ukrainian MP.Also in the programme: we hear live from South Africa where a stand-off continues between police and illegal miners at an abandoned gold mine; and we follow the Afghans leaving their homeland in the hope of making it to the UK.(IMAGE: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky attends a press conference after the 5th summit of the European Political Community (EPC) in Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary, 07 November 2024 / CREDIT: Zoltan Balogh /EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Hollywood star Idris Elba recently announced he'll soon relocate to Africa and promote the film industry there. He spoke to BBC Africa's Thomas Naadi about it. The British actor is not alone: BBC Africa Eye's Nour Abida has been following the journeys of a group of second generation French nationals who want to move back to Senegal. Her documentary, The Homecoming, is available on the BBC World Service YouTube channel. Produced by Alice Gioia and Hannah Dean. (Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)
Billy and Susan's life changed when they spotted a starving otter. Now, Molly is part of the family and a film has been made about their story. Also, the invention giving people with disabilities greater freedom.
It was a big week for carers as the Government announced an independent review into Carer's Allowance overpayments after families were told to pay back thousands of pounds, often pushing them into debt.The review will look at what happened, but in the meantime the Department for Work and Pensions has told Money Box it will continue to collect almost quarter of a billion pounds it says it's owed from more than a hundred thousand carers. We hear from Karina who cares for her 22-year-old daughter and ended up in £11,000 worth of debt. The DWP said it is committed to working with anyone struggling with repayment terms.A major investment firm has said it will review its Child Trust Fund accounts after Money Box revealed one young man's £250 investment had all but disappeared when he claimed it at 18 due to high administration charges.In the run up to the Chancellor's budget we look at fuel duty and whether the 5p cut could be scrapped.
And beware the thieves pretending to offer a solution to lost Winter Fuel Payments. Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporters: Dan Whitworth and Emma Smith
Researcher: Jo Krasner
Editor: Sarah Rogers
More than two weeks after the floods that swept through the Valencia region of Spain, the streets are still being cleared of mud and debris. More than 220 people are known to have died but many more have lost their homes and businesses. In our conversations, a family shares their experience of searching for their father and we hear how a mother is struggling to come to terms with the events she witnessed. Meanwhile, recriminations are flying over who is to blame. Officials are facing criticism for failing to issue a weather warning to people’s phones in time, and for the slow mobilisation in the aftermath of the disaster. Three volunteers who have been helping with the rescue effort share their frustrations with the government response.
An aide to the Israeli PM has been accused of altering 7 October records to improve Mr Netanyahu's image. Also: the growing trade in smuggling tarantulas, and why people prefer AI-generated poetry.
A French mother who's suing TikTok for exposing her daughter to harmful content tells us she blames the social media giant for causing the teenager to take her own life. As Australia moves to ban under-16s from social media, we ask if other countries will follow. Also tonight:After Donald Trump's nomination of the vaccine sceptic Robert F Kennedy Junior to lead the US Department of Health - we look at the links between him and the discredited British anti-vaxxer Andrew Wakefield.And Mercury Prize winners Ezra Collective who tonight have become the first jazz musicians to headline Wembley Arena.
European vaccine shares fall on the nomination by Donald Trump of vaccine sceptic Robert F Kennedy Junior as US Health Secretary. We look at his views on food, nutrition and agriculture.Also on the programme: why the South African authorities are determined to starve thousands of illegal miners to force them out of a mine; and the man caught smuggling hundreds of tarantulas and bullet ants by plane at great risk to himself.(Photo: Robert F Kennedy Jr speaks at Bitcoin 2024 in Nashville in July. Credit: Reuters)
Writer: Katie Hims
Director: Mel Ward
Editor: Jeremy HoweHelen Archer…. Louiza Patikas
Jolene Archer…. Buffy Davis
Natasha Archer…. Mali Harries
Pat Archer…. Patricia Gallimore
Tom Archer…. William Troughton
Tony Archer…. David Troughton
Harrison Burns…. James Cartwright
Neil Carter…. Brian Hewlett
Susan Carter…. Charlotte Martin
Rex Fairbrother…. Nick Barber
Emma Grundy…. Emerald O‘Hanrahan
George Grundy …. Angus Stobie
Kirsty Miller…. Annabelle Dowler
Fallon Rogers…. Joanna Van Kampen
What really swung it for Donald Trump and how did Joe Biden really react to the result? Kemi Badenoch’s first decision as Tory leader, and Nigel Farage’s Trump victory podcast.This week's impressionists are Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Lewis MacLeod, Jess Robinson and Duncan Wisbey.The episode was written by: Tom Jamieson and Nev Fountain, Laurence Howarth, Ed Amsden and Tom Coles, Rob Darke, Edward Tew, Cody Dahler, Joe Topping, Peter Tellouche, Duncan Wisbey with additional material by Jennifer Walker and Vicky Richards.Song lyrics by Bill Dare and Duncan Wisbey
Music by Duncan Wisbey
Executive Producer: James Robinson
Produced and created by Bill Dare
Production Co-ordinator: Caroline Barlow
Global vaccine makers' shares dip after news that Robert F Kennedy Jr is Donald Trump's pick to lead US health department. We find out why.
One of China's investments in a Colombian mine has backfired after a drug gang commandeered part of the business. We look into what happened.
The European Union has delayed by a year a regulation that was going to ban the import of goods linked to deforestation, a move that has been criticised by companies like chocolate maker Ferrero Rocher. We talk to one of its executives.
Sri Lanka has a new president. We hear about the challenges he'll face to lift the economy.
And we hear from our correspondent in the US about the latest ruling against a crypto scam.
South African authorities try to force as many as 4,000 illegal miners - known as zama zamas - to return to the surface, by denying them food and water. The miners, who have been stuck underground, fear they will be arrested. Who are they? And could the government's hardline operation be challenged in the courts?What next for Mali - now that the multinational UN peacekeeping force, MINUSMA, has officially ended its mission after being ordered out of the country by the military government. And Miss Somalia, Khadija Omar, tells us about her journey from the stifling heat of a refugee camp to making history on a global stage as the first hijab-wearing beauty queen to take part in the Miss Universe pageant.Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Nyasha Michelle and Amie Liebowitz in London. Susan Gachuhi in Nairobi, and Blessing Aderogba in Lagos
Technical Producer: Nick Randell
Senior Journalist: Patricia Whitehorne
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
The left-wing alliance of Sri Lanka's new leader wins a landslide. Also; volunteers enter South Africa mine to aid illegal workers, and a look ahead to one of the most controversial boxing bouts in modern history.
Donald Trump is continuing to build a controversial administration, having picked vaccine sceptic and former independent presidential candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr as his health secretary. Kennedy, commonly known by his initials RFK Jr, has a history of spreading health information that scientists say is false. We hear from a senior adviser to the Trump 2024 election campaign, as well as a former CDC director with serious concerns about the choice.Also on the programme: the latest from the UN climate talks in Azerbaijan, as well as the remarkable discovery of a pre-historic ecosystem in the Italian Alps.(Picture: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. attends the America First Policy Institute gala at Mar-A-Lago in Florida Credit: REUTERS/Carlos Barria)
This week Woman’s Hour has featured the Forgotten Children series about the impact on children when a parent is sent to prison. So what do the Government intend to do about the problem? Anita Rani speaks to Labour MP Jake Richards and Conservative MP Richard Holden about the possibility of cross party action on this issue. A video has been going viral since yesterday: New Zealand MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke brought the country’s parliament to a halt by performing a haka in protest at a controversial bill seeking to reinterpret the country's founding treaty with Māori people. Maori journalist Jamie Tahana tells Anita what happened, and what it means for the country. Actor Halle Berry attended a fashion show wearing the same dress she memorably wore while accepting the Oscar for best actress in 2002. Thanks to her role in “Monster’s Ball,” Berry was the first black woman in history to take home the accolade, making the gown — which features a burgundy skirt and sheer bodice adorned with floral appliqué — all the more special. Anita explores this with Rosana Lai fashion editor at Glamour UK.COP29 - the UN's climate conference – has been taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan this week. The assembled delegates have been discussing ways to limit and prepare for future climate change with a particular focus on how to finance poorer countries adaptation to climate change. To coincide with this annual event LinkedIn has released some new data about green jobs and skills. Anita speaks to Sue Duke, VP of Global Public Policy for LinkedIn & their spokesperson for global gender parity.The Oliver award-winning cabaret, comedy and circus sensation La Clique was born at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2004 and has since toured the globe. It is celebrating twenty years with a new show just opened at London’s Leicester Square. We meet two of its artists: Katharine Arnold, an aerialist and choreographer and Miranda Menzies, who specialises in the ancient art of hair suspension.Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Louise Corley
Editor: Karen Dalziel
Anti-social behaviour linked to bonfire site costing ratepayers £20K with damage to pitch
At the age of 34, Donna Mulhearn – a committed Christian - had grown disillusioned with her career as a journalist and political adviser. When she heard someone on the radio seeking volunteers to serve as human shields in Iraq, Donna - already opposed to the war and a staunch advocate of non-violent action - immediately knew what she had to do. Despite the objections of concerned family and friends, she travelled to Baghdad to join hundreds of other volunteers from around the world. But all too soon things got complicated. The Iraqi authorities had their own ideas about where the human shields should be deployed – and then Donna, along with other volunteers, witnessed scenes of carnage. Despite all this, Mike Wooldridge, asks, does she feel with hindsight that she did the right thing?
A Brazilian judge says a foiled suicide bomber wanted to blow up the country's Supreme Court. Also: the hundreds of miners hiding in a South African mine, and the dead British soldiers - identified after 70 years.
The UK must "rebuild relations" with the European Union "while respecting the decision of the British people" who voted to leave in 2016, the Bank of England's governor has said. We ask if the prospect of tariffs under a Donald Trump presidency could make the UK seek closer ties with the EU.Donald Trump has nominated the anti-vaccine activist Robert F Kennedy Junior as his Health Secretary.We're in South Africa where thousands of illegal miners are stuck underground, refusing to leave for fear of arrest. One person has already died. And satirical magazine The Onion buys the consipiracy theory website - Infowars - with the help of parents who lost their children in a school shooting in Sandy Hook, in the US state of Connecticut.
The number of adults living with diabetes worldwide has exceeded 800 million, more than quadrupling since 1990. This is according to new data published in the journal The Lancet on World Diabetes Day.Also on the programme: Police in Brazil say an attack on the Supreme Court was a terrorist incident; and there is growing anger over Donald Trump's choices for some of the most powerful positions in the next US government, particularly his choice of Attorney General.(Photo: A person using a set of weighing scales. Credit: PA)
Before December, the United Nations aims to have a global treaty in place covering efforts to limit global plastic production and pollution. In a paper in the journal Science, a team of scientists have used machine learning to estimate what happens by 2050 if we do nothing. But they have also found that the problem is solvable, with the right political will, and as marine ecologist Neil Nathan of UCSB points out, with surprisingly little new rules, waste could be reduced by 91%.Machine learning this week has also helped in the creation of Evo, a tool that has created a sort of chat-GPT for the language of life, DNA. Patrick Hsu, of the University of California at Berkeley is very optimistic that the power of this tool both to predict function and one day even design whole organisms is a foundational new approach. Migratory birds navigate vast distances without GPS. It’s long been strongly suspected that they use the earth’s magnetic field to find their way, but Richard Holland of Bangor University and colleagues have found nuance in the way they do, and publish their findings in Proceedings of the Royal Society B this week. Using electromagnetic cages they have fooled individual warblers into acting as if they were in Russia, whilst actually still being in Austria.Meanwhile, Daniele Sorini, a cosmologist at Durham University has been thinking about dark energy and the possibility of our existence. In a thought experiment wondering what changing the density of dark energy would do to the likelihood of our being here to even think about it. Slightly contrary to what many reason is the fine-tuning of universal constants to allow us, as intelligent observers, to exist, Daniele and colleagues calculate that actually our observed density of dark energy is not the most likely to allow intelligent life. If there are other universes in the multiverse, most observers would think there was much more dark energy than we do. You can read up about it in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, if you are an intelligent observer yourself.Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Alex Mansfield with Eliane Glaser
Production Coordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth (Image: Plastic waste issues in Philippines. Credit: Daniel Ceng/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Philippines braces for a fifth typhoon in three weeks. Past storms left more 150 dead, and thousands have now been evacuated. We get the latest.
As the consequences of global warming become more clear, some of the private finance is now backing stronger moves into renewable energy to mitigate what is happening. We hear about this new trend.
And around 4,000 illegal miners are stuck inside an old mine with police officers waiting for them outside. The miners fear they will be arrested if they come out but their families have a different version. We find out.
Donald Trump has nominated former Republican US Congressman Matt Gaetz for the role of US attorney-general.
He is a man with many critics, including within his own party. So will the Senate approve the nomination?
Also on the programme: Super Typhoon Usagi makes landfall in an already storm-battered Philippines; and the academic from London who is under house arrest in Azerbaijan while the UN climate change conference continues.Photo: Former US Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz speaks at a campaign rally for Donald Trump in Henderson, Nevada U.S. 31st October 2024. Credit: Reuters/Mike Blake
The Israeli authorities have caused massive and deliberate forced displacement of Palestinians in Gaza, in what amounts to a war crime, according to a new report by Human Rights Watch.
The European Union has announced it will not renew its fishing agreement with Senegal, citing concerns over the country’s efforts to curb illegal fishing. European officials pointed to inadequate monitoring and surveillance systems in Dakar. Without a renewed agreement European vessels will be required to exit Senegalese waters when the deal expires on Sunday. What are the reasons behind this decision? Also, did you know that two in three children endure violent punishment or discipline at home and at school?And making the case for tourism in Africa...it's not only about the fauna and the flora!Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Sunita Nahar, Joseph Keen and Nyasha Michelle in London
Technical Producer: Nick Randell
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Preterm birth is the leading cause of neonatal death in the UK. Today the House of Lords Preterm Birth Committee have published a report calling on the government to do more to reduce the risks of babies being born prematurely and to improve the lives of those families who are affected. Anita Rani discusses proposed changes with Nadia Leake, who gave birth to twins eleven years ago at just 22 weeks and author of 'Surviving Prematurity,' Caroline Lee-Davey, CEO of the charity Bliss, which supports parents and families of premature or sick babies, and Baroness Laura Wyld, a member of the Preterm Birth Committee.A Georgian heiress and her husband are suing a property developer for over £36 million after buying a mansion and discovering a “moth infestation”… “of extreme proportions”. The couple describe killing up to 100 moths a day, watching them land on their children’s toothbrushes, plates of food and cutlery. And they are now seeking damages including £50,000 for moth-shredded clothes. The property developer denies all claims. Well, it's that time of year where you may be getting your winter woollies out and we wondered what's the best way to deal with such an occurrence? Anita is joined by Harriet Walker, Fashion Editor at The Times, who has been having her own nightmare experience with moths.In the next instalment of Woman's Hour's week-long series Forgotten Children, which looks at the impact on families when one or both parents serve time in prison, reporter Jo Morris speaks to Emily (not her real name), whose husband was sentenced to prison for crimes he committed against her. Emily discovered that, not only did she have to face the stigma of her children’s father being in prison, but as a single-parent she also struggled to access services to help her children cope with their father’s imprisonment. As a new musical adaptation of The Devil Wears Prada, with lyrics contributed by the American musician Shaina Taub and music by Elton John, hits London's West End, Anita is joined by the show’s leading ladies, Vanessa Williams, Georgie Buckland and Amy Di Bartolomeo to discuss the enduring appeal of this story. Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Rebecca Myatt
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Austrian-British economist Friedrich Hayek's The Road to Serfdom (1944) in which Hayek (1899-1992) warned that the way Britain was running its wartime economy would not work in peacetime and could lead to tyranny. His target was centralised planning, arguing this disempowered individuals and wasted their knowledge, while empowering those ill-suited to run an economy. He was concerned about the support for the perceived success of Soviet centralisation, when he saw this and Fascist systems as two sides of the same coin. When Reader's Digest selectively condensed Hayek’s book in 1945, and presented it not so much as a warning against tyranny as a proof against socialism, it became phenomenally influential around the world. With Bruce Caldwell
Research Professor of Economics at Duke University and Director of the Center for the History of Political EconomyMelissa Lane
The Class of 1943 Professor of Politics at Princeton University and the 50th Professor of Rhetoric at Gresham College in LondonAndBen Jackson
Professor of Modern History and fellow of University College at the University of OxfordProducer: Simon TillotsonReading list:Angus Burgin, The Great Persuasion: Reinventing Free Markets Since the Depression (Harvard University Press, 2012)Bruce Caldwell, Hayek’s Challenge: An Intellectual Biography of F.A. Hayek (University of Chicago Press, 2004)Bruce Caldwell, ‘The Road to Serfdom After 75 Years’ (Journal of Economic Literature 58, 2020)Bruce Caldwell and Hansjoerg Klausinger, Hayek: A Life 1899-1950 (University of Chicago Press, 2022)M. Desai, Marx’s Revenge: The Resurgence of Capitalism and the Death of Statist Socialism (Verso, 2002)Edward Feser (ed.), The Cambridge Companion to Hayek (Cambridge University Press, 2006)Andrew Gamble, Hayek: The Iron Cage of Liberty (Polity, 1996)Friedrich Hayek, Collectivist Economic Planning (first published 1935; Ludwig von Mises Institute, 2015), especially ‘The Nature and History of the Problem’ and ‘The Present State of the Debate’ by Friedrich HayekFriedrich Hayek (ed. Bruce Caldwell), The Road to Serfdom: Text and Documents: The Definitive Edition (first published 1944; Routledge, 2008. Also vol. 2 of The Collected Works of F. A. Hayek, University of Chicago Press, 2007)Friedrich Hayek, The Road to Serfdom: Condensed Version (Institute of Economic Affairs, 2005; The Reader’s Digest condensation of the book)Friedrich Hayek, ‘The Use of Knowledge in Society’ (American Economic Review, vol. 35, 1945; vol. 15 of The Collected Works of F. A. Hayek, University of Chicago Press) Friedrich Hayek, Individualism and Economic Order (first published 1948; University of Chicago Press, 1996), especially the essays ‘Economics and Knowledge’ (1937), ‘Individualism: ...
You can spend hours in an airport and never learn anything about the people around you. But follow the chaplains of London Heathrow, and you might start to see things - and people - differently. Headed up by Reverend Ruth Bottoms, a team of 20 multi-faith chaplains offer sanctuary and support to passengers and staff in the unpredictable environment of a mega airport. Counselling nervous fliers, responding to crises, leading daily masses in Heathrow’s own chapel - these chaplains respond to whatever comes their way.Jude Shapiro spends a week with the chaplains and those they encounter to see what happens when faith, flight and the stresses of Europe’s busiest airport combine.With thanks to the Heathrow Multi-Faith Chaplaincy and Heathrow Airport.Presenter/producer: Jude Shapiro
Executive producer: Jack Howson
Sound engineer: Arlie Adlington
A Peanut and Crumb production for BBC World Service
Republicans secure total control of US congress after winning the House of Representatives. Also: climate impact of jet condensation trails and the kidults rediscovering the joy of toys.
US President-elect Donald Trump has picked Elon Musk for a role in government cost-cutting, as part of his drive to "dismantle" bureaucracy. We speak to Trevor Traina, former United States Ambassador to Austria during Donald Trump's first presidency. Also, China is showing off its latest generation of stealth fighter jets and other military hardware at its Zhuhai Airshow.Why Germany is in the midst of a lot of political and economic trouble? And the New York City council passed a bill that will prevent tenants from having to pay fees to brokers hired by landlords.You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!
As Donald Trump returns to the White House for a handover chat with Joe Biden, the president-elect learns that his Republican Party will fully control Congress - and makes a series of eye-catching nominations for top jobs. We try to unpack what it all means for America - and the world.Also tonight:The Chancellor will unveil plans tomorrow for what she calls the biggest pensions shake up in decades. We have the latest.And as a nation frets over the great taramasalata shortage - Jay Rayner helps us make a do-it-yourself dip.
President Biden and Donald Trump have held initial transition talks in the White House as the Republicans makes further significant nominations including Marco Rubio for secretary of state and Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence. We hear from Estonia's foreign minister Margus Tsahkna.Also in the programme: a cheap way to reduce damage from contrails; and more heavy flooding in the Valencia region of Spain.(Picture: US President Biden hosts President-elect Trump at the White House, Washington Dc, USA. Credit: EPA-EFE)
Donald Trump has picked Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk and biotech investor Vivek Ramaswamy to lead a new "Department of Government Efficiency" that will focus on cutting costs in the US administration. But is there much to cut? We find out.
The US-president elect has still to name a Treasury Secretary, and there are two names that are being suggested by his aides and advisers: Scott Bessent and Howard Lutnik. We hear more about them.
India has given birth to some of the world's most innovative start-up companies in recent years. Our correspondent in that country tells us how they're targeting rural areas.
And despite the fall in toy sales in the UK, there is a new type of customer who is gaining ground: adults. We look into the increasing number of grown-up customers buying toys.
How will the NATO military alliance and support for Ukraine hold together with Donald Trump in the White House? Also on the programme: the United States will continue to send military support to Israel despite the passing of a deadline for improved conditions in Gaza; and, a conversation with Samantha Harvey, whose novel "Orbital" has won the Booker Prize. (Photo: ETTORE FERRARI/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock (14868645ab)
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte speaks during a joint press conference with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (not pictured) following their meeting at the Chigi Palace in Rome, Italy, 05 November 2024. Rutte took office as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's 14th Secretary General on 01 October 2024.)
The US Secretary of State also said Israel had achieved its war aims in Gaza – and the fighting there should stop. Elsewhere: President Elect Donald Trump puts Elon Musk in charge of rooting out government inefficiency.
As COP 29- the climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan focuses on finance. What is the status of the loss and damage fund?
Meanwhile a UN panel in Sudan to investigate possible war crimes in Darfur
And is Lakurawa really a new jihadist group in Nigeria? How does it operate?Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Charles Gitonga, Susan Gachuhi and Bella Hassan
Technical Producer: Philip Bull
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editor: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
An area can be a large geographic place, or a smaller place like a room. There are some words that we often use together. These are called collocations. Learn some of the verbs that we often use with the noun 'area' with Georgie.TRANSCRIPT
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The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has resigned from his post. What’s the reaction from women within the Church of England? We hear the third part of our week-long series Forgotten Children, which looks at the impact on families when one or both parents serve time in prison. Reporter Jo Morris spoke to a woman we’re calling Nan, whose daughter was sentenced to prison, leaving Nan to care for her five grandchildren for two years in her two bedroom house. COP29 - the UN's annual climate conference - is underway in Baku, Azerbaijan. To discuss the issues for women Nuala is joined by Fiona Harvey, the Guardian’s Environment Editor, live from COP29 and Adelaide Lusambili, an associate professor at Africa International University in Kenya, who looks at how climate extremes are affecting maternal outcomes.A new musical – Mozart: Her Story - tells the story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s sister Nan, who taught him how to play the piano. Nuala is joined by the lyricist, Tegan Summer, and actor, Gabrielle Brooks who gives a performance from the new show. Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Lottie Garton
Each year it’s estimated that £23 billion worth of help and support – from housing benefits to pension credit – goes unclaimed according to Policy in Practice. We look at the kind of help that is available, and hear from listeners on their experiences trying to claim the benefits they’re entitled to, as well as who might be able to get money off their childcare or broadband bills.Presenter Felicity Hannah is joined by a panel of experts who answer your questions on how to make the best of the available support: Rachael Walker, research and policy director at Policy In Practice; Sam Hubbard, Head of Core Services at Citizens Advice in Staffordshire North and Stoke On Trent and David Samson, a benefits expert at Turn2Us.And we hear from a range of people with their own experiences of trying to secure benefits – sometimes during life-changing moments. Gary from Lincolnshire tells us how he had to become a carer for his poorly wife. But during a difficult journey to obtain benefits, it was only by chance that he discovered certain types of support he was entitled to. Meanwhile, Esther from London tells us how she wasn’t aware she could be entitled to a carer’s allowance for her children – two of whom have complex needs . Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Producer: Craig Henderson
Editor: Sarah Rogers(This episode was first broadcast on Wednesday 16th October 2024).
The Archbishop of Canterbury has resigned over an abuse scandal. Also: the six word google search that can expose you to hacking, and the female magician who pulled off a disappearing act from the all male Magic Circle.
The Archbishop of Canterbury has announced he will step down from his role following a damning report into a prolific child abuser associated with the Church of England. The review found that Justin Welby "could and should" have reported John Smyth's abuse of boys and young men to police in 2013. We look at the future of the Church and the challenges it faces in selecting a new leader.The BBC understands that more than 100 Post Office branches and hundreds of head office jobs are at risk as part of a radical shake-up of the business.And the Booker Prize has gone to Samantha Harvey’s for her "beautiful and ambitious" novel Orbital.
President Xi goes to Lima, as Peru gears up for the thirty-first Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation economic leaders' meeting. Bitcoin continues to hit new highs following Trump's victory. How long can it continue?Jaguar is betting big on EVs and is even going so far as to stopping selling its new petrol cars in the UK entirely.You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!
The Israeli army has announced the opening of a new aid crossing into Gaza, just as a US deadline demanding the improvement of humanitarian conditions expires. As humanitarian agencies say the situation is still desperate, we'll hear from the Israeli military.Also on the programme: The spiritual leader of the Anglican Church resigns over a child abuse scandal, the Russian doctor jailed for five years after a patient denounced her comments on the war in Ukraine; and one of the greatest paintings in the world may be about to become even greater!(Photo: A UN-backed report recently warned there was an imminent likelihood of famine in northern Gaza. Credit: AFP)
Israel opens a fifth border crossing as aid agencies say it has missed a US deadline to boost aid into Gaza. Also: New Zealand's PM apologises to children in care, and a Russian doctor is jailed for pro-Ukraine comments.
Oil giant Shell wins ruling that it does not have to comply with specific targets to reduce its carbon emissions. Roger Hearing hears from our correspondent in the Hague, Anna Holligan, about what the ruling means for the industry.
We find out how the wine industry is being impacted by extreme weather events and climate change. Plus we look at the rise and fall of the Bio-Tech company ‘23 and Me’, as it's set to lay off 40% of its workforce
The UN chief, Antonio Guterres, has told the COP climate summit in Azerbaijan that to double down on the use of fossil fuels is "absurd" and that the "clean energy revolution" has arrived. However, the host, Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev, described his country's reserves of oil and gas as "a gift from God".
We speak to a woman in Canada's Nova Scotia province whose six-year-old son was killed by flash floods linked to climate change. Also in the programme: the leader of the Anglican Church - the archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby - has resigned, after a report found he failed to do enough to stop a prolific child abuser; and the female magician who tricked her way into Britain's all-male Magic Circle club, but who has since disappeared.(Picture: People embrace as they stand near damage to a road, after the heaviest rain to hit the Canadian province of Nova Scotia in more than 50 years triggered floods on July 23, 2023. Credit: REUTERS/John Morris)
Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, will hold its general election tomorrow. The incumbent president, Muse Bihi Abdi, is seeking re-election. Somaliland says it would like to be recognised by the international community. Why isn't it recognised and what will the elections mean for the region? Also we'll get reaction as Nigeria allows women free access to c-sections. And we'll meet one of the world's smartest mathematicians, from Cameroon!Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Nyasha Michelle, Sunita Nahar and Victor Sylver in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos
Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
When someone tells you 'that's on you', they're telling you that it's your fault.TRANSCRIPT
Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-241111FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
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Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.
The Saudi Crown Prince says Israel's actions in Gaza amount to "genocide". Also: COP29 gets underway amid warning 2024 will be hottest year on record, and scientists rethink chances of life on Uranus.
A private members' bill to legalise assisted dying has been published ahead of the first debate on the issue at the end of this month. The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill is being introduced by Kim Leadbeater MP, who says it will contain "the strictest protections and safeguards of any legislation anywhere in the world". We speak to a co-sponsor of the Bill and a doctor who opposes it.Pressure is growing on the Archbishop of Canterbury to quit after a report heavily criticised his handling of a child abuser in the Church of England.Gary Lineker will step down as presenter of Match of the Day at the end of the season.And the owner of half a century's worth of NME magazines takes us on a musical odyssey through his collection as he prepares to auction the lot.
It's been three weeks since Italy's far-right government signed the five-year migration deal with Albania. Now, a court has blocked Italy's plan to send asylum seekers to the Balkan nation, disrupting Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's main migration policy and raising questions about what's next. Also, we find out why dockers have been locked out of the Port of Montreal after they reject their latest pay offer. And we'll speak to one man who's riding the waves of retirement... quite literally.You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!
The COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan has opened with a warning from the United Nations that this year is almost certain to be the hottest on record.Also in the programme: is it time to rethink the war in Ukraine? And new information on the planet Uranus.(Picture: A night view shows the venue of the United Nations climate change conference, known as COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan November 11, 2024.
Credit: Reuters/Murad Sezer)
In recent decades, we have taken huge steps forward in treating formerly fatal viruses - with pharmacological breakthroughs revolutionising treatment for conditions such as HIV, hepatitis and herpes. Raymond Schinazi has played a big role in that revolution.Ray was born in Egypt, where his mother’s brush with a potentially deadly illness during his childhood inspired a fascination with medicine. His childhood was scattered; after his family were forced to leave their homeland and travelled to Italy as refugees, Ray ended up on a scholarship to a British boarding school - and subsequently went on to study and flourish in the world of chemistry and biology.Today, Ray is the director of the Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology at Emory University in Atlanta, where he also set up the renowned Center for AIDS Research. His work in the early days of HIV studies led to drugs that many with the virus still take today; while his contribution to developing a cure for Hepatitis C has saved millions of lives around the world.Speaking to Jim al-Khalili, Ray reflects on his route to success and explains why he is confident that more big breakthroughs are on the horizon.
World leaders meet in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, to discuss the funding of policies against global warming in the COP29. We get the latest from our correspondent.
In Iceland, a team of scientists are preparing to drill into one of the world's most active volcanoes. Could it provide a source of cheap green energy? We find out.
Iran's latest attempt to reduce pollution is resulting in power cuts throughout the country. We hear why.
And after the devastating floods in the Spanish region of Valencia, we look into how companies could help keep employees safe during a natural disaster.
The UN has warned 2024 will be the hottest year on record, as its annual climate conference begins in Baku. Also on the programme: BBC on set with Squid Game's director; how an international effort caught one of the world's most prolific online child abusers - we'll hear from some of his victims; and China's mass bike-ride for breakfast buns! (Photo: Dr al-Jaber (left) handed Babayev the COP gavel at the opening of the summit this morning. Credit: Reuters)
COP29 has kicked off in Azerbaijan, with finance for developing countries at the centre. An Indian court rules that entering a hotel room with a man does not equal consent. Also: We hear from the director of Squid Game.
The ECOWAS Court recently declared Sierra Leone’s loitering laws discriminatory and ordered their amendment or repealA BBC investigation sees evidence that devastating flood water in South Sudan is spreading pollution from the oil industry.And why is there a dispute over uranium production in Niger ?Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Patricia Whitehorne, Bella Hassan, Joseph Keen and Paul Bakibinga.
Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Chaos at Belfast International Airport security as delays cause passengers to miss flights. Stephen Nolan fights for you.
A new Woman's Hour series, Forgotten Children, explores the impact on families when one or both parents are sent to prison. Reporter Jo Morris hears from Kerry Wright, who was just 17 and living in Spain with her parents when British police arrived at their door and arrested both of them. Kerry’s parents were sentenced to prison in the UK, forcing her to leave her studies at an international school in Spain and return to England, uncertain of how to support herself.COP29, the UN's annual climate conference, kicks off today in Baku, Azerbaijan, where leaders from around 200 nations will gather to discuss strategies for limiting climate change. Emiliya Mychasuk, climate editor at the Financial Times, joins Nuala McGovern to talk about the new women’s leadership coalition. Evelyn Forde was the first black female President of the Association of School and College Leaders, awarded an MBE for services to education, and named Times Educational Supplement Headteacher of the Year in 2020. In her book Herstory: A Leadership Manifesto, she shares her journey through the education system, her experiences of racism in her career, alongside the testimonies of other black leaders in the sector. With just 1% of headteachers in state schools in England from a black background, she joins Nuala to discuss why she thinks urgent action is needed to address the issue in education. June Spencer, who played matriarch Peggy Woolley in The Archers for nearly 70 years—from 1951 until her retirement in 2022—has died at the age of 105. As one of the show’s original cast members, she was described by current editor Jeremy Howe as "a legend." Pat Gallimore, who plays Pat Archer and was Peggy's daughter-in-law in the series, joins Nuala to pay tribute.A hundred years on we celebrate the Electrical Association for Women. It became pivotal in emancipating women from the drudgery of everyday manual household tasks through the use of electricity, enabling women more time and opportunity to enter the labour market. It also pioneered electrical safety, standardising the three pin plug. Nuala hears from 91-year-old Adrienne Peters, who was an early member and, Henrietta Heald, historian and author of Magnificent women and their revolutionary machines.Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Dianne McGregor
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A historic trial is underway in Sweden. Two European executives of a Swedish oil company are accused of aiding and abetting war crimes in South Sudan. George Tai, whose family was killed in the so-called “oil wars”, hopes the case will set a legal precedent. BBC Eye investigates the legacy of oil in South Sudan: from violence to pollution and asks who should be held responsible?
The Saudi Crown Prince says Israel's actions in Gaza amount to "genocide". Also: COP29 gets underway amid warning 2024 will be hottest year on record, and scientists rethink chances of life on Uranus.
Israel has declared the defeat of Hezbollah but the group continued firing rockets from Lebanon. Also: the COP 29 climate meeting gets underway, and the secret of making a great panettone from the new world champion.
More than a hundred heads of state and government are gathering in Azerbaijan for the UN's annual climate summit - known as COP 29. 2024 is predicted to be the warmest year on record. But will previous commitments to limit global temperature rises to 1.5 celsius be achievable with the new US administration promises to withdrawal from the Paris climate treaty, as Donald Trump promises to 'drill, baby, drill.' We hear about climate financing and from the conservative coalition for climate solutions.Also in the programme: the new Israeli Defence Minister - Israel Katz - has said Hezbollah has been defeated, and has described the killing of the group’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, as the “crowning achievement"; and the Nubian pyramids of of Meroë threatened by Sudan's civil war.(Photo: Kiki Ritmeijer and Sarah Nasrawi, both UN Youth Representatives on Sustainable Development from the Netherlands, pose for a selfie outside the venue ahead of the United Nations climate change conference, known as COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan November 10, 2024. Credit: Reuters/Murad Sezer)
The UN climate summit is opening in Azerbaijan with 2024 set to be the first year to breach the 1.5C global warming limit. But could President-elect Donald Trump's energy policies undermine the goal of reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions? Also on the programme: Russia and Ukraine attack each other with drones in their heaviest assault of the war; and Dutch police use a hologram of a sex worker murdered 15 years ago in a fresh bid to find her killer.(Photo: Climate activists project a message onto Tower Bridge ahead of COP29 climate talks in London. Credit: Reuters)
We've teamed up with the The Climate Question to answer your questions about climate change. We learn how far nations are from meeting their targets, how people are coping with the impact, and about possible solutions.
Sydney has one of the most recognisable opera house in the world, but some of the most innovative opera-making is happening at the other end of town, in the building where they used to build train carriages. Sydney Chamber Opera, led by o Jack Symonds, is a young, experimental collective of opera makers, collaborating with the established national company Opera Australia to bring Jack's epic Gilgamesh to the stage. Directed by Kip Williams, it is a new opera based on a very old story of queer desire, environmentalism, and dancing scorpions. Ce Benedict follows Gilgamesh from pianos falling through floorboards in rehearsals, to Opera Australia's artistic director unexpectedly stepping down, through to the literal glitter of opening night.
Tens of thousands protest in Valencia over the Spanish authorities' handling of the deadly floods. Also: the women giving up sex with men because of Donald Trump, and an emperor penguin's epic journey to Australia.
Qatar says that it will not mediate in peace talks between Israel and Hamas until the attitudes of both sides improve.Also in the programme: One hundred and thirty thousand people have been demonstrating in the Spanish city of Valencia over the regional government's handling of last week's deadly flash floods; and why young Americans voted for Donald J. Trump.(Image: General view shows northern Gaza. Credit: REUTERS/Amir Cohen)
In one of his first moves since his victory in the US election, President-elect Donald Trump has named his 2024 campaign manager, Susie Wiles, as his chief of staff in the White House. She will make history as the first woman to hold the title. But what do we know about the woman Trump referred to as the "ice maiden"? Kylie Pentelow was joined by Anne McElvoy, Executive Editor at Politico and host of the Power Play podcast to discuss.The Women's 100 metre Olympic champion Julien Alfred joined Clare McDonnell in the studio. Her gold medal in Paris was the first time St Lucia had won an Olympic medal. She discusses what it took to become a champion and also having a national day named after her.A Woman's Hour listener is fed up with the phrase 'Dear Sirs'. Ellie Rees is the co-founder of Brickworks Estate Agency and despite her team being all female, they are often addressed in this way. Clare was joined by Ellie and by Susie Dent, the author and lexicographer to discuss this.Do you have a first date red-flag question? What would be an absolute sure-fire, definite no-no answer which would tell you there is definitely going to be no second date? Olivia Rodrigo, the American singer-songwriter and actor, is quoted as saying that if her date wants to go to space, that is a red flag for her. Krupa Padhy spoke to Helen Coffey, senior journalist at the Independent who's written her take on questions she would ask, and Poppy Jay, director and podcaster most famously on Brown Girls Do It Too and now the spin-off Big Boy Energy.Irina Janakievska is a food writer and recipe developer. Born in what is now North Macedonia, she left her career in corporate law to follow her passion for sharing her love of Balkan cuisine. In her new cookery book, The Balkan Kitchen, she takes us on a culinary and cultural journey across the former Yugoslavia with recipes that speak for the vast and varied cuisine of a region overshadowed by conflict in recent years – from North Macedonia to Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia and Kosovo.Presenter: Kylie Pentelow
Producer: Annette Wells
Editor: Rebecca Myatt
انقلاب فرانسه چگونه انقلابی بود که با گذشت نزدیک به دو و نیم قرن همچنان محل مناقشه کسانیست که آن را آغاز فصلی نو در تاریخ بشر میدانند و آنها که میراثش را مخرب و آیدهالهایش را گمراهکننده میشمارند؟میهمانها:
بهروز فراهانی، تحلیلگر سیاسی
حجت کلاشی، دانشآموخته علوم سیاسی
A separatist group in western Pakistan says it carried out a suicide bombing at a railway station which killed at least 25 people and injured dozens more. The separatist militant group, Balochistan Liberation Army, said the blast at Quetta station targeted an army unit. Also in the programme: a senior advisor to Donald Trump's campaign says Ukraine needs to acknowledge that it has lost Crimea to Russia; and we delve into the mystery of UK's oldest satellite which is thousands of kilometres away from where it should be.
(Picture: Pakistani security officials inspect the scene of a blast at a railway station in Quetta, Balochistan. Credit: SAMI KHAN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
We hear about innovative environmental projects awarded millions of dollars in this year's Earthshot prizes. Also: the twins cleaning streets for free; detecting tumours with graphene; and a remarkable Himalayan rescue.Presenter: Andrew Peach. Music composed by Iona Hampson.
Why are people protesting on the streets of Tbilisi, in Georgia, and how did people vote in Indian-administered Kashmir? With correspondents Nina Akhmeteli and Raghvendra Rao. Produced by Alice Gioia and Hannah Dean. (Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)
The Government is writing to 120,000 people aged 66 or more encouraging them to claim the means-tested benefit pension credit, which will also entitle them to the winter fuel payment. The letters will go out from next month to people the Department for Work and Pensions has identified as likely to be entitled following a targeted trial scheme last year.Also on the programme, a leading debt charity calls for the way council tax debt is collected to be reformed, and why do millions of renters not insure their belongings?Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporters: Dan Whitworth and Emma Smith
Researcher: Jo Krasner
Editor: Sarah Rogers(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 12th October 2024)
On 20 January, Republican Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 47th president of the United States. His domestic pledges include promises to bring down prices, tackle immigration, introduce tariffs on imports, and cut tax. Throughout the election campaign, we have been hearing from people from across the US - Republicans, Democrats and those who were undecided – about the issues that matter to them. In the lead up to the election, we heard from American voters from across the political spectrum and, this time in our conversations, host Mark Lowen hears widely contrasting views on the future of the country.
The US has brought charges over an alleged Iranian plot to assassinate Donald Trump. Also: calls for the Archbishop of Canterbury to resign over an abuse scandal, and why Swedish police can now seize luxury goods.
3 people are charged in connection with a plot to kill the US President-electPressure is growing on the Archbishop of Canterbury over a report into a prolific child abuser in the Church of England.Violent attacks against Israeli football fans in the heart of Amsterdam.The Emperor Penguin normally never gets out of the Antarctic - so why did Gus wash up on the warm side of western Australia?
There are reports that Donald Trump wants his former trade representative back when he returns to the White House - what does it mean for the economy?Robert Lighthizer was the man who pushed protectionism and tariffs on imports during President Trump's first term. So what will it mean for global trade if he takes up his old job? And will this provoke another trade war with China?Also, why are Swedish police seizing luxury items without formal suspicion?You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!
The Dutch government says sorry to Israel after visiting Israeli football fans are attacked in Amsterdam in what the city's mayor describes as an explosion of antisemitism.Also in the programme: Did Kamala Harris's gender cost her the top job? And, US singer Beyoncé becomes the most nominated artist in the Grammy’s history.(Image: A woman wrapped in an Israel flag following the violence targeting fans of an Israeli soccer team in Amsterdam. Credit: REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw)
WRITER: Nick Warburton
DIRECTOR: Kim Greengrass & Marina Caldarone
EDITOR: Jeremy HoweHelen Archer…. Louiza Patikas
Natasha Archer…. Mali Harries
Tom Archer…. William Troughton
Lilian Bellamy…. Sunny Ormonde
Harrison Burns…. James Cartwright
Susan Carter…. Charlotte Martin
Justin Elliott…. Simon Williams
Miranda Elliott…. Lucy Fleming
Rex Fairbrother…. Nick Barber
Ed Grundy…. Barry Farrimond
Emma Grundy…. Emerald O‘Hanrahan
George Grundy…. Angus Stobie
Will Grundy…. Philip Molloy
Brad Horrobin…. Taylor Uttley
Kirsty Miller…. Annabelle Dowler
Megan Miller…. Susan Twist
Fallon Rogers…. Joanna Van Kampen
Sarah Byron…. Michelle Greenidge
What was Rachel Reeves’ real inspiration for her budget? What advice is Kamala Harris giving to Joe Biden, and what exactly is a ‘working person’? JD Vance and Tim Walz make their first appearances on the show and Rishi Sunak probably his last.This week's impressionists are Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Lewis MacLeod, Jess Robinson and Jason Forbes.The episode was written by: Tom Jamieson and Nev Fountain, Laurence Howarth, Ed Amsden and Tom Coles, Cody Dahler, Rob Darke, Edward Tew, Sophie Dickson with additional material by Jennifer Walker.Sound design: Rich Evans
Executive Producer: Richard Morris
Produced and created by Bill Dare
Production Coordinator: Caroline Barlow
The United Nations' Human Rights Chief Volker Türk has warned that the violence in Israel and Gaza could amount to war crimes or even genocide. A new UN report says nearly 70 per cent of the thousands of fatalities were women and children. The report covers Hamas’ attack in Israel on October 7th and the first six months of Israel’s war in Gaza. Mr Türk said there had to be justice for what he described as horrific violence. In response, Israel says the report "fails to accurately reflect the realities on the ground". Also in the programme: the mayor of Amsterdam has condemned the violent attacks on Israeli citizens following a football match saying they brought to mind anti-Jewish pogroms; we speak to the Prime Minister of Belgium about Europe’s relationship with US President-elect Donald Trump; and we hear about efforts to train the next generation of arm wrestlers in South Africa.(Picture: A Palestinian views the site of a missile strike on a house in the central Gaza Strip on November 7, 2024. Credit: Reuters/Abd Elhkeem Khaled)
Clashes erupt after football match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv. Dozens arrested. UN warns that Myanmar's Rakhine state faces famine. The US state of Nevada is projected as another Trump win in the US, and new DNA evidence rewrites the stories of Pompeii victims.
The Mauritian government has ended its recent suspension of social media, which threatened voters’ access to information ahead of the general elections on the 10th of November. Once a proud democracy, how are Mauritians feeling about the upcoming election?Also are more African domestic workers escaping Lebanon, as the war continues? And how did some African migrants vote in the recent US elections? Presenter: Audrey Brown
Technical Producer: Craig Kingham
Producers: Nyasha Michelle, Bella Hassan and Joseph Keen in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos.
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard.
Former England and Manchester City captain Steph Houghton was one of the first big names in women's football. In her new book, Leading From The Back, she details her experience of fighting to take the women's game from niche to mainstream. She also talks to Kylie about her husband, former footballer Stephen Darby, who was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 2018.Award-winning Turkish writer and political thinker Ece Temelkuran speaks to Anita Rani about a new play based on her novel Women Who Blow on Knots. It's set against the backdrop of the Arab Spring in 2012, and four women embark on a road trip starting from Tunisia through Libya and Egypt to Lebanon, and is currently at the Arcola Theatre in East London. This Sunday, Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light starts on BBC One. The much anticipated second series of the TV adaption of Hilary Mantel’s novels starts when Anne Boleyn is executed, and Henry VIII marries his third Queen, Jane Seymour. Jane is played by Peaky Blinders actress Kate Phillips – she joins Kylie to talk more about the iconic role.
Marta is a Brazilian phenomenon. A six-time FIFA World Player of the Year, record goal scorer who’s even the hero of her opponents, but where did her love of football begin and what challenges has she faced in her incredible 20 year career? This is the story of Brazil’s global icon.
Amongst others, you’ll hear from her former Brazil coach Pia Sundhage, Uefa’s head of women’s football Nadine Kessler, Marta’s Brazil teammate Cristiane and Marta’s first coach in Rio, Helena Pacheco.
Marta burst on to the global stage as a 17-year-old at the 2003 World Cup and secured a breakthrough move to Sweden soon after, landing in snow at the airport. It was a world away from her home in Brazil. Yet in the five years in Sweden, Marta would arrive as a young talent and leave as the biggest global star the game has ever seen lighting up the 2007 World Cup; bamboozling the USA defence with her dribbling, speed and flair and one of the best goals on the grandest stage.
Now with a cabinet full of medals and trophies, she topped her final appearance in a competitive match for Brazil by winning silver at the Paris Olympics. A fitting finale for Marta - who transformed the women’s game.Image: Marta of Brazil celebrates a penalty during the Women's Football Semi Final between Brazil and Sweden on Day 11 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Maracana Stadium on August 16, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
Twenty years ago, one man took it into his hands to educate Arab-Israelis about the Holocaust and its ongoing psychological effects. Khaled Kasab Mahameed, a lawyer from Nazareth, opened what is believed to be the first ever Arab-led Holocaust museum. His aim: to open the eyes of his fellow Arabs to the trauma of the Holocaust while at the same time reminding Jewish Israelis of the suffering of his own Palestinian people. Mike Wooldridge hears Khaled’s story and discovers why, despite his enormous idealism, he soon found himself the target of criticism from both sides of the conflict.
Joe Biden has promised a 'peaceful' transition and praised Kamala Harris; Elon Musk's plans for America as he prepares to join the Trump administration, and arm-wrestling in Africa.
America’s central bank has announced a quarter-point rate cut - rates down to 4.5% from 4.75%. It's been the second time in a row that the US Federal Reserve has lowered interest rates. Mostly because the inflation continues to ease and a Trump presidency hangs over the central bank. We hear from economists what will happen next. Also, Rahul Tandon talks to Everett Eissenstat, a former Trump trade adviser. And we look at German economy and find out why the Japanese car giant Nissan has announced plans to cut 9000 jobs from its global workforce.You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!
President-elect Donald Trump has started to appoint his transition team ahead of re-entering the White House. While we were on air Trump announced that his campaign co-chair Susie Wiles will become his Chief of Staff. Many businesses in the UK are looking to see who will shape his economic policy and tariff regime. We spoke to his former Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross.The BBC's Political Editor Chris Mason has been speaking to Foreign Secretary David Lammy about his litany of insults directed towards Donald Trump when Lammy was a backbench MP.As European leaders meet in Budapest, we discuss whether Trump's re-election will lead to fundamental changes to the relationship that's existed between Europe and the US since 1945.And Australia says it'll ban social media for those under 16.
In his first public address since the US Presidential election, Joe Biden has commended Kamala Harris, saying she led an inspiring campaign, and has promised a peaceful transition for Donald Trump. We'll ask a newly elected congressman, Brendan Boyle, what the Democratic Party will do next. And speak to Matt Duss, executive vice president at the Center for International Policy, why things went so wrong for the democrats. And one Mr Trump's most most loyal lieutenants, his former secretary of commerce, Wilbur Ross, on what he thinks of Donald Trump's economic plans this time around. Also on the programme: UNESCO to hold a meeting to consider enhancing protection for cultural sites in Lebanon where Israel is continuing to launch strikes; and President Zelensky says calls for a ceasefire in Ukraine without guarantees of security for the country are dangerous and irresponsible.(Photo: President Biden. Credit: Reuters)
Many coronaviruses exist in nature that we don’t know much about. We don’t even know how and whether most of them might bind to human cells. Research published in Nature, by scientists at Wuhan and Washington Universities, describes a new way of designing novel receptor sites on cell cultures so that many types of coronavirus may now be cultured and studied to ascertain their risk to humans. Cambridge virologist Ravindra Gupta, who is not one of the authors, gives Science in Action his take on the risks versus the reward.Dotted around the remains of Pompeii, visitors are often struck by the plaster casts of some of the victims’ dying moments. During recent restoration of several of these casts, scientists were able to extract DNA samples from bones which had previously been enveloped by plaster since their initial discovery. As Alissa Mittnik of the Max Plank Institute describes, some of the findings confound our previous narratives about their lives, relationships, and even their genders.Rozenn Pineau, a plant evolutionary geneticist at the University of Chicago in Illinois, has been investigating the unique evolutionary history of the world's oldest (and biggest) tree - "Pando".And finally, the oldest known tadpole is described from a 160 million year old Argentinian fossil by biologist Mariana Chuliver.Presented by Roland Pease
Produced by Alex Mansfield, with Eliane Glaser
Production Coordination by Jana Bennett-Holesworth (Image: Illustration of Covid-19 coronavirus binding to human cell. Credit: Kateryna Kon via Getty Images)
President-elect Donald Trump is preparing to select his top team ahead of his return to the White House, after vice president Kamala Harris vowed a "peaceful transfer of power". On this edition Newshour, we will examine how economic concerns among voters affected the result. We'll also speak to Nobel Prize winning economist Daron Acemoglu. Also in the programme: opposition parties in Germany call for snap elections after the collapse of the country's governing coalition; and Australia says it wants to ban under 16s from accessing social media.(Photo: The US Capitol Building at sunset in Washington DC taken on 06 November 2024. Credit: GRAEME SLOAN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Europe's top brass are weighing up a way forward as the American prepares for power. Also: we find out about migrant workers on the streets of war-torn Lebanon, and it's goodbye to the world's most famous breakdancer.
Police in Maputo fire tear gas in a bid to stop opposition protests against the results of last month's disputed election. Mozambique has seen weeks of unrest since the victory by the Frelimo party. The ICC says there has been no payment into a fund for victims of Uganda warlord Dominic OngwenAnd why are so many African countries facing foreign currency and fuel shortages? Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Victor Sylver, Bella Hassan and Daniel Dadzie in London. Charles Gitonga and Frenny Jowi in Nairobi.
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris
Editors : Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
As Donald Trump has been declared the winner of the 2024 US Presidential Election and the election coverage dominates front pages around the world, we discuss what a second Trump presidency may mean for women. Krupa Padhy speaks to Woman's Hour presenter Nuala McGovern, who is in Washington DC, about what’s happened overnight, the latest news from the Harris campaign and any further information that has been revealed about women voters. Krupa is also joined by US Deputy Editor for the Telegraph, Rozina Sabur, and Dr Leslie Vinjamuri, Director of the US and Americas programme at Chatham House.Iqra Ismail, a football coach and refugee advocate, was prevented from playing in a match last month because she wears tracksuit bottoms rather than shorts, which she says compromises her religious beliefs. Iqra, who captained Somalia in 2019, was expected to play her first game against an east London team, but was told by the referee that club shorts were a requirement. Iqra joins Krupa to discuss why she has chosen to speak out.Do you have a first date red-flag question? What would be an absolute sure-fire, definite no-no answer which would tell you there is definitely going to be no second date? Olivia Rodrigo, the American singer-songwriter and actor, is quoted as saying that if her date wants to go to space, that is a red flag for her. Krupa talks to Helen Coffey, senior journalist at the Independent who's written her take on questions she would ask, and Poppy Jay, director and podcaster most famously on Brown Girls Do It Too and now the spin-off Big Boy Energy.From Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus to Gustav Klimt’s Mother and Child, women’s bodies have been a major theme throughout art history. But can we ‘reinvent’ the classic nude? Artist Sophie Tea is famed for doing just that, with paintings celebrating the female form and women of all shapes and sizes. Sophie joins Krupa in the studio to discuss finding fame on social media, pushing back against the ‘ideal’ body type and trying to make women feel a little bit nicer about themselves.Presenter: Krupa Padhy
Producer: Rebecca Myatt
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the author of 'I, Claudius' who was also one of the finest poets of the twentieth century. Robert Graves (1895 -1985) placed his poetry far above his prose. He once declared that from the age of 15 poetry had been his ruling passion and that he lived his life according to poetic principles, writing in prose only to pay the bills and that he bred the pedigree dogs of his prose to feed the cats of his poetry. Yet it’s for his prose that he’s most famous today, including 'I Claudius', his brilliant account of the debauchery of Imperial Rome, and 'Goodbye to All That', the unforgettable memoir of his early life including the time during the First World War when he was so badly wounded at the Somme that The Times listed him as dead. WithPaul O’Prey
Emeritus Professor of Modern Literature at the University of Roehampton, LondonFran Brearton
Professor of Modern Poetry at Queen’s University, BelfastAndBob Davis
Professor of Religious and Cultural Education at the University of GlasgowProducer: Simon TillotsonRobert Graves (ed. Paul O'Prey), In Broken Images: Selected Letters of Robert Graves 1914-1946 (Hutchinson, 1982)Robert Graves (ed. Paul O'Prey), Between Moon and Moon: Selected letters of Robert Graves 1946-1972 (Hutchinson, 1984)Robert Graves (ed. Beryl Graves and Dunstan Ward), The Complete Poems (Penguin Modern Classics, 2003)Robert Graves, I, Claudius (republished by Penguin, 2006)Robert Graves, King Jesus (republished by Penguin, 2011)Robert Graves, The White Goddess (republished by Faber, 1999)Robert Graves, The Greek Myths (republished by Penguin, 2017)Robert Graves (ed. Michael Longley), Selected Poems (Faber, 2013)Robert Graves (ed. Fran Brearton, intro. Andrew Motion), Goodbye to All That: An Autobiography: The Original Edition (first published 1929; Penguin Classics, 2014)William Graves, Wild Olives: Life in Majorca with Robert Graves (Pimlico, 2001)Richard Perceval Graves, Robert Graves: The Assault Heroic, 1895-1926 (Macmillan, 1986, vol. 1 of the biography)Richard Perceval Graves, Robert Graves: The Years with Laura, 1926-1940 (Viking, 1990, vol. 2 of the biography)Richard Perceval Graves, Robert Graves and the White Goddess, 1940-1985 (Orion, 1995, vol. 3 of the biography)Miranda Seymour: Robert Graves: Life on the Edge (Henry Holt & Co, 1995)In Our Time is a BBC Studios Audio Production
When rising sea levels threaten a country’s very existence, how can its culture be preserved? Tuvalu wants to create an online replica of its landscape and an archive of its language, music and important artefacts. Prianka Srinivasan finds out how the government’s “digital nation” plan is developing, and speaks to Tuvaluans about what they are already doing to celebrate and pass on the country’s heritage and customs.
Kamala Harris concedes defeat in the US presidential elections. We look at why she lost. We explore Donald Trump's policy priorities and how his leadership could impact Europe. Also: Who voted for Trump?
Democratic candidate Kamala Harris has called the president-elect to concede. Trump surged among Latino and young male voters relative to his 2020 performance. We hear from voters in the Midwestern battleground state of Wisconsin. Also on the programme: we hear reaction to Trump’s victory from Gaza and Ukraine; and the potential impact of a second Trump administration on international treaties to limit global warming. (Picture: at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, Florida, U.S., November 6, 2024. Credit: REUTERS/Brian Snyder)
Will Bain hears from Tomas Philipson, a former economic advisor to the now President-elect Trump on what his new administration’s policies will be.Young voters in Nevada tell us how they feel about the election result.Plus with the election will China be facing a huge expansion of tariffs on imports to the US?
Donald Trump has won a historic second four years in the White House. He becomes the first former president to return to the White House in more than 130 years and, at 78, the oldest man elected to America's highest office. Claiming victory at a rally in Florida on Wednesday morning, Trump told supporters that he would usher in “a new golden age” and "restore America to greatness".(Photo: Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump takes the stage following early results from the 2024 U.S. presidential election in Palm Beach County Convention Center, in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., November 6, 2024. REUTERS/Callaghan O'Hare)
Over 30 children in Nigeria, who were arrested in August after taking part in anti-government demonstrations were detained and charged with treason. Those charges have now been dropped, following outrage in the country. The country's President Bola Tinubu also called for the release of the minors. But why were children detained in the first place? Also a warning from Equatorial Guinea's vice president Teodoro Obiang Mangue, who has said, civil servants caught having sex in their offices will face "severe measures" And the town that's slowly coming to life after war in the Central African Republic. What's life like now for the residents of Bossangoa? Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Sunita Nahar in London. Frenny Jowi in Nairobi and Blessing Aderogba in Lagos.
Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris
Senior Journalists: Joseph Keen
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Donald Trump pledges to lead the US into a new golden age after winning US presidential election. We'll have world reaction and assess the potential impact on the global economy and environment.
A fact is something we know to be true. But do you know which verbs we most commonly hear with 'fact'? Learn about them in this podcast with Georgie.TRANSCRIPT
Find a free transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at:
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As results come in from the 2024 US Presidential Election, Krupa Padhy speaks to Woman’s Hour presenter Nuala McGovern from Washington DC about what we know so far, and the big ticket issues for women in this election. Krupa gets reaction from Sarah Elliott, spokesperson for Republicans Overseas UK and Sharon Manitta, spokesperson for Democrats Abroad UK. And, as further results come in from the battleground states, she speaks to Emma Long, Associate Professor in American History and Politics at the University of East Anglia.Award-winning comedian Hannah Gadsby is in London for four nights only with their new show: Woof!. They join Krupa to talk about their diagnosis of Autism and ADHD and how that influences their work, and what they want people to get from their performance. Irina Jankievska is a food writer and recipe developer. Born in what is now North Macedonia, she left her career in corporate law to follow her passion for sharing her love of Balkan cuisine. In her new cookery book, The Balkan Kitchen, she takes us on a culinary and cultural journey across the former Yugoslavia with recipes that speak for the vast and varied cuisine of a region overshadowed by conflict in recent years – from North Macedonia to Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia and Kosovo. Presented by Krupa Padhy
Producer: Louise Corley
Donald Trump poised to make historic comeback not seen in the US in more than a century.
Buying a home is legendarily one of the most stressful events in life so today on Money Box Live we're going to try to take some of the pressure off by talking you through how it should work.Obviously there's much more to it than finding your dream house and a lot that can happen between viewing a property and getting the keys.We talk to first-time buyers on the property hunt in Stockport in Greater Manchester, and our panel of experts, Simon Gammon, Head of Finance at Knight Frank and Beth Rudolf from the Conveyancing Association joins Felicity Hannah to take questions from listeners.Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Producer: Craig Henderson/Sarah Rogers
Editor: Sarah RogersThis episode was first broadcast on Weds 9th October 2024.
US Election Special: What we know so far. Donald Trump is projected to have won Georgia and North Carolina - two of the seven swing seats that will determine the outcome of the US presidential election.
A bonus episode from the People Fixing the World podcast. 2024 has been called a record breaking year for elections, with billions of people eligible to take part in all types of votes. But how can we make sure people can vote safely and securely? We visit Australia's Northern Territory to see how voting takes place in incredibly remote communities. We also find out how a group of eminent women in Uganda is combating violence and intimidation during elections. And we hear how Estonia operates one of the most high-tech elections in the world. People Fixing the World looks at common challenges around the world and the creative ways people are trying to tackle them. Discover more of the people and projects trying to make the world a better place at bbcworldservice.com/peoplefixingtheworld or, just search for People Fixing the World wherever you got this podcast.Presenter: Myra Anubi
Producers: Katie Solleveld, Richard Kenny
Australia reporter: Laetitia Lemke
Sound mix: Hal Haines
Editor: Jon Bithrey
US exit polls show state of the democracy and the economy are the most important issues. Also Israel's Prime Minister fires his Defence Secretary and a piece of 77 year-old cake goes for a princely sum.
Millions of people in America cast their vote for the US presidential election in what experts are predicting will be a neck-to-neck race. Tens of millions of early ballots have already been cast. We hear from Wisconsin a key swing-state and talk about the role played by disinformation.
Also in the programme: Israel's Prime Minister, Benyamin Netanyahu, has sacked the country's Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant, citing a breakdown of trust; and can a European songbook foster unity across the continent?(Photo: Voters fill out their ballots for the presidential election during early voting ahead of the polls closing November 5 in Detroit, Michigan. Credit: Rebecca Cook / Reuters)
James Wickham is joined by Ritika Gupta, our North America Business Correspondent, and George Conboy, the Chairman of Brighton Securities, as voters head to the polls in the US Presidential election. We ask what investors are looking for from a new President - and when we might find out who exactly that is.In Spain, the embattled prime minister Pedro Sanchez has announced an eleven-billion-dollar aid and reconstruction package for areas affected by devastating flash floods. Plus we hear about Nintendo's disappointing profits - and whether the promise of a new console is what's holding back sales.You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.
Will it be Donald Trump or Kamala Harris? Americans elect their new president. Also: workers at Boeing get back to work with a massive pay rise and it's a happy birthday for some of your smart speakers - Alexa turns ten.
After failure to pay civil servants and armed forces for a year-is South Sudan on the verge of becoming a failed state?What do Nigerians make of their former compatriot Kemi Badenoch, who has become the first black woman to lead a major political party in the UK And why are Nigeria and South Africa able to export power but can't meet domestic demand?Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Amie Liebowitz in London and Blessing Aderogba in Lagos.
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Technical Producer: Gabriel O'Regan
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
This week sees the culmination of the women's tennis season as the WTA finals are held, somewhat controversially, in Saudi Arabia. So far, top seed Aryna Sabalenka is through to the first semi-final, the second semi-final will be decided tomorrow. However, the decision to hold the tournament in a country which has been criticised for it's treatment of women has been in the spotlight and under scrutiny. To discuss this more, Clare McDonnell is joined by sports reporter Catherine Whitaker and Felix Jakens who is head of campaigns at Amnesty International.A Woman's Hour listener is fed up with the phrase 'Dear Sirs' - Ellie Rees is the co-founder of Brickworks Estate Agency and despite her team being all female, they are often addressed in this way. Clare is joined by Ellie to discuss this, and also by Susie Dent, the author and lexicographer. ADWOMEN: 100 Years of Women in Advertising opens this week at the Museum of Brands in London. It features iconic adverts from the 1920s to the present day looking at the creative women within advertising and the portrayal of women within the adverts themselves. It also examines the impact of advertising on women’s lives through defining periods of social history. Clare speaks to Alice Kain, the curator, and Sabina Usher, Head of Strategy and Partner at OMD.Playwright Caitriona Cunningham has drawn on her own experience of being in a mother and baby home in 1979 for The Marian Hotel, a production that’s currently touring Northern Ireland. In it, a group of young pregnant unmarried women hold each other up with sharp, dark humour against the backdrop of the Troubles. Caitriona joins Clare to explain why she decided to tell this story now.Presenter: Clare McDonnell
Producer: Emma Pearce
An expression that means including all your imperfections.TRANSCRIPT
Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-241104FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
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Polling day in USA - Chris Buckler reports from Pennsylvania-one of the key swing states
Ghanaian journalist Justice Baidoo is teaching his young children how to speak the ancient African language of Ahanta. He home schools them with lessons several times a week in an effort to keep the indigenous language alive in a continent where many are disappearing due to the over dominance of English and French, and in more recent years the added power of American culture through mass media, online and through mobile phones. Justice travels across Ghana to hear how locals are trying to revive the language of Animere in the Kecheibe and Kunda villages by setting up a radio station and running regular dedicated church services attracting a one-thousand-strong congregation. Other languages under threat include Twi, Ewe, Ga, Fanti. Waala and Frafra.
On the final day of campaigning the race for US President is too close to call. Also, Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu faces allegations of leaking classified documents and we hear from St Lucia's first Olympic medal winner.
Hours before the US elections we take a look at the different economic routes proposed by Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, and their differing views on taxes, tariffs and inflation.
A lot of money has been spent on campaigning and advertising. We find out how much.
And what does the US presidential election mean for world trade? We hear from our correspondent in the US.
From anorexia nervosa to binge-eating, eating disorders are potentially fatal conditions that are traditionally very difficult to diagnose and treat - not least because those affected often don’t recognise that there’s anything wrong. But also because of the diverse factors that can influence and encourage them.Janet Treasure is a Professor of Psychiatry at King’s College, London - where she's focused on understanding the drivers behind these disorders, to help develop more effective treatments. Her study of twins in the 1980s offered one of the earliest arguments of a genetic link to anorexia, rather than the purely psychological motivations accepted at the time; while her most recent work explores holistic ways to better treat these conditions.Speaking to Jim Al-Khalili, Janet explains the work that's revealed anorexia's roots in both body and mind - as well as how attitudes towards eating disorders are slowly changing.
As Americans prepare to go to the polls, Will Bain is joined by the BBC's Economics Editor Faisal Islam to discuss what the US election means for both the future of the world's number 1 economy, but also the wider world.We look at what the result might mean for the goods we trade, the prices we pay and how whoever wins will shape the direction of the global economy over the next four years.Our North America Business Correspondent Michelle Fleury takes a look at the issues of trade and tariffs, while we're also joined by Dr Shuichiro Nishioka, Associate Professor of Economics at West Virginia University to take a historic look at what tariffs mean for the US.
Musician Quincy Jones who worked with Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra and many others, has died at the age of 91. Also: we look at the final day of campaigning in the US election, and a new way to detect cancer.
As piracy returns off the coast of Somalia, we hear from Pakistani and Iranian fishermen who fear being kidnapped. After years of being pushed back, the problem is once again on the rise. Also, find out how Africa's genetic variation could benefit the medical world. And how financial technology is changing business transactions on the African continent. Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Bella Hassan, Nyasha Michelle and Yvette Twagiramariya
Technical Producer: Gabriel O'Regan
Senior Journalist: Joseph Keen
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
Catherine and Finn talk about spelling words with double letters in 6 Minute Vocabulary.FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
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The Women's 100 metre Olympic champion Julien Alfred joins Clare McDonnell in the studio. Her gold medal in Paris was the first time Saint Lucia had won an Olympic medal. She discusses what it look to become a champion and also having a national day named after her. The author Eliza Clark is publishing a new collection of short stories: She’s Always Hungry. She joins Clare to talk about why she wanted to cover topics from matriarchal societies to body image, and how she thinks female authors deserve more respect.Natalie Hewit spent two months in Antarctica directing and producing on the documentary film Endurance, about Ernest Shackleton’s expedition. It was a labour of love, and features restored footage and AI-recreated voices of the original crew in 1914, as well as chronicling the discovery in 2022 of Shackleton’s ship, 3000 metres down in the icy waters of the Weddell Sea. Presenter: Clare McDonnell
Producer: Lottie Garton
Formed by guitarist and vocalist Shayan, TRIVAX was formed in 2009, in the underground music scene of his home city, Tehran. The capital of a country where freedom of expression is severely restricted, resulting in tough censorship laws. The Iranian government tightly controls musical content, prohibiting lyrics or themes deemed critical of the regime, or inconsistent with Islamic values, and heavy metal tends to fall under this category. Escaping to the UK, Shayan found a like-minded ally in bassist Sully, who had similarly left Syria after facing jail time for his metal associations, and they teamed up with British drummer Matt Croton. Now, TRIVAX utilises the adversity of its members’ roots, to produce its unique trademark sounds they call "Eastern Death Magic”; a combination of black metal with Middle Eastern influences and on a mission to fight against oppression and totalitarianism through music. Sahar Zand follows them as they work on their latest track Against All Opposition.
Moldova's pro-EU president Maia Sandu appears on course for a second term. The King of Spain is met by angry protesters during a visit to flood-hit Valencia. US presidential candidates make last pitch for support.
Your weekly bonus episode from The Global Story podcast.As well as electing a president, Americans will also choose governors, representatives, and senators. Although these races may have been overshadowed, they could determine how much power the next president has.The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide, one big story every weekday, making sense of the news with our experts around the world.For more, go to bbcworldservice.com/globalstory or search for The Global Story wherever you got this podcast.
The Danish town of Kalundborg should be a boom town, as the main manufacturing site for the weight loss drug Wegovy. The pharmaceutical company which makes it, Novo Nordisk, is the most valuable in Europe and has invested $8.5 billion dollars in a new plant there. Despite this economic bounty, Kalundborg’s schools are underperforming and entertainment opportunities are limited. Many young keen people say it’s peaceful but dull and can’t wait to get out to study and work in bigger cities like the capital, Copenhagen. Can the mayor persuade people to move and live there long term?
Donald Trump and Kamala Harris make their pitches on the final weekend of campaigning in the United States. Also: a polio clinic is hit in northern Gaza on the day a vaccination drive was restarted.
British-Egyptian activist and Maths professor Laila Soueif has been on hunger strike for the past month to protest her son Alaa’s incarceration in Egypt. He is the country’s most high profile political prisoner. Laila and her daughter Sanaa – who has faced arrest and imprisonment herself – joined Anita Rani to talk about why they won’t stop fighting for Alaa’s release.The BAFTA-winning actress Anna Maxwell Martin stars as Delia in the new ITV series Until I Kill You. It tells the true story of Delia Balmer, who was the girlfriend of serial killer John Sweeney. Anna joined Nuala McGovern to talk about why she wanted to tell Delia’s story, as well as her personal experiences of grief and struggles with the special educational needs system.The United States goes to the polls next week and presidential candidates are campaigning furiously, with the two frontrunners being the Democratic nominee and current Vice President, Kamala Harris and the Republican nominee and former President, Donald Trump. As a programme, we’re taking a look at whether there’s such a thing as the ‘the woman’s vote'. How are different groups of women likely to vote and why? Nuala spoke to Kathy Frankovic, Consultant to YouGov America and former director of surveys for CBS News and Debbie Walsh, Director of the Centre for Women and American Politics at Rutgers University.Sacked from her job by voicemail the day after she informed her employer she was pregnant Joeli Brearley set up Pregnant Then Screwed to end pregnancy and maternity discrimination. The charity has helped to influence new flexible working and redundancy protection laws, providing advice to hundreds of thousands of women when they face discrimination and challenging employers and government in high profile cases. After ten years Joeli is stepping down as CEO. She joined Nuala in the Woman's Hour studio.Film historian Jennifer Smyth talked to Nuala about the life and legacy of the pioneering American screenwriter, Mary McCall Jr. The first woman president of the Screen Writers Guild in 1942, Mary was a key negotiator ensuring better rights and wages for all screenwriters in the film industry. But after years of standing up to male studio heads, she would be blacklisted and go from being one of the biggest earners in Hollywood to living on nickels and dimes.Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Annette Wells
Editor: Emma Pearce
فلسفه در مورد موسیقی چه میگوید؟ زبان موسیقی زبانی مفهومی نیست با این حال موسیقی درونیترین حالات بشر را بیان یا خلق میکند. چطور؟
میهمانها:
حسین حدیثی، آهنگساز و مدرس نظریه موسیقی
سجاد سپهری، آهنگساز و پژوهشگر آموزشی
How are the popular Ikat designs made? BBC journalist Ibrat Safo explores Uzbekistan's love story with textiles. Plus, Sanjaya Dhakal of BBC Nepali explains why a group of Kathmandu artists launched an inventive campaign to repatriate their country's stolen art.'Silk Roads' is at the British Museum in London until February 2025.Produced by Alice Gioia, Caroline Ferguson and Hannah Dean. (Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)
Charlotte and Dave met as strangers in a moment of crisis, and went on to marry. Also, the son who reunited with his father after 19 years, and the friends that have been meeting up every week in the same spot since 1968
Presenter: Jannat Jalil. Music composed by Iona Hampson.
In a special programme broadcast live from the Atrium in Quay House at MediaCityUK, Paul Lewis discusses a momentous change in the way banks treat customers who have money stolen from their bank accounts by what is called Authorised Push Payment Fraud. In 2023 a record number of people lost hundreds of millions of pounds to thieves who tricked them, manipulated them and then drained their bank accounts.On October 7th new rules will come into force which mean nearly all transfers will be covered, so that victims will be refunded in the vast majority of cases up to a limit of £85,000.Money Box gets hundreds of emails from people who've lost money to scams and frauds and this will be life changing for those who find themselves a victim of this kind of crime. To mark this change, the team will be joined by a panel of experts and people who've lost thousands of pounds in these sort of scams. Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporter: Dan Whitworth
Researchers: Catherine Lund and Jo Krasner
Studio Producer: Sarah Rogers
Studio Managers: Pete Smith, Matthew Dempsey and Cameron Ward
Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 5th October 2024)
Throughout the presidential election campaign, we have been hearing from voters across the political spectrum. One issue keeps coming up: how much it costs to live, to feed the family, to fuel a car, or to pay the rent or mortgage. Surveys have consistently indicated the economy is a top concern for Americans – transcending age and political affiliation. Since the pandemic, most people in the country have experienced steep price rises of many essentials like housing, groceries and fuel. But the economic outlook is good. Last week, the US Commerce Department released the latest figures on the state of the nation’s finances. They showed that the economy grew by 2.8 percent and that the country is on track for one of the strongest economic performances of any major economy this year. So why aren’t people feeling it? In our conversations, we bring together young people in Connecticut, Texas and Pennsylvania.
As the US presidential election approaches, Donald Trump attempts to drum up support from Arab-American voters in Michigan, while Kamala Harris holds rallies in Wisconsin. Also: can avatars help people with psychosis?
The world's biggest economy added just 12,000 jobs last month, far below expectations and down from a revised 223,000 in September. At the same time, the level of unemployment hasn't risen, and consumer spending is up. So what does this mean for the election?
Botswana is set to experience a shift in governing parties for the first time in nearly sixty years, largely attributed to a decline in global diamond demand.
And just how much wealth exists in the world? Roger Hearing speaks to Dr Renaud Foucart who seems to have worked it out.
Writer: Daniel Thurman
Director: Marina Caldarone & Kim Greengrass
Editor: Jeremy HoweHelen Archer…. Louiza Patikas
Henry Archer…. Blayke Darby
Jolene Archer…. Buffy Davis
Kenton Archer…. Richard Attlee
Pat Archer…. Patricia Gallimore
Lilian Bellamy…. Sunny Ormonde
Harrison Burns…. James Cartwright
Justin Elliott…. Simon Williams
Rex Fairbrother…. Rex Barber
Martyn Gibson… Jon Glover
Ed Grundy…. Barry Farrimond
Brad Horrobin…. Taylor Uttley
Azra Malik…. Yasmin Wilde
Khalil Malik…. Krish Bassi
Kirsty Miller…. Annabelle Dowler
Fallon Rogers…. Joanna Van Kampen
Wesley…. Barrie Rutter
Inspector Norris…. Bharti Patel
Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi concedes defeat, marking the end of rule for the Democratic Party (BDP). What went wrong for the party that has been in power since independence in 1966?Plus, we hear from the Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi, who says government tactics to silence critics are from a bygone era.And the separatist Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) group, that is seeking to break away from the rest of Nigeria, has been in court to reverse its designation as a terrorist organisation. But what is the history behind the movement, and will they ever achieve their aims?Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya and Nyasha Michelle a in London. Charles Gitonga in Nairobi, and Blessing Aderogba in Lagos
Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne
Senior Journalist: Patricia Whitehorne
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
On World Business Report Andrew Peach looks at the clear up operation for homes and businesses in Spain where flooding has killed more than two hundred people.In the US, jobs growth slows as hurricanes and strikes take their toll. But what does it mean for the election? We'll hear what the markets are expecting and focus on affordable housing in the swing state of Georgia.And Hello Kitty, is fifty find out more about the feline success story.
More than 200 people are now confirmed dead in the flash flooding in Spain. Also: Thailand recognises hundreds of thousands of stateless people living there as Thai citizens.
British-Egyptian activist and Maths professor Laila Soueif has been on hunger strike for the past month to protest her son Alaa’s incarceration in Egypt. He is the country’s most high profile political prisoner. Laila and her daughter Sanaa – who has faced arrest and imprisonment herself – join Anita Rani to talk about why they won’t stop fighting for Alaa’s release.Donna Ockenden, the midwife best known for leading independent investigations into the shocking maternity scandals says she's 'disgusted' at the experience her disabled daughter, Phoebe, had in A+E recently. Phoebe and Donna join Anita for their first broadcast interview to explain what went wrong.It’s not uncommon to see young children using a tablet or a video game, but how much time on these devices is too much? That’s a question many parents are asking. A new UK study – the first of its kind – has explored how children under three engage with digital technology at home. The research reveals the significant extent of toddlers’ access to various devices and highlights how these devices can actually support their early language and literacy development. Anita is joined by Professor Rosie Flewitt who led the study.Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Maryam Maruf
Editor: Sarah Crawley
Studio Manager: Sue Maillot
This week on The News Quiz, join guest host Ian Smith, along with Geoff Norcott, Amy Hoggart, Alasdair Beckett-King and Susie McCabe, as they break down accusations of Labour door-knocking across international lines, Musk's superpac and Trump's Big Mac, and the wild adventures of King Charles in the South Pacific.Written by Ian Smith.With additional material by: Alex Kealy, Cameron Loxdale, Christina Riggs and Laura Davis.
Producer: Rajiv Karia
Executive Producer: Richard Morris
Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman
Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4
An Eco-Audio certified Production
This is the story of the day when the USA women’s national team, dubbed the 99ers, became instant stars and how one photograph of match winner Brandi Chastain went on to inspire a nation. 2015 World Cup winner Heather O’Reilly takes you back to the start of the decade to uncover the challenges the women’s game faced during the 1990s with journalist and long-time sport reporter Kelly Whiteside all the way to 10 July 1999 - the day the 99ers won the World Cup 5-4 on penalties against China on home soil in front of record breaking crowds.25 years on from this historic moment, hear from 99ers Joy Fawcett, Mia Hamm, Carla Overbeck, USA goalkeeper Briana Scurry and Brandi Chastain, plus hear from Robert Beck, the Sport Illustrated photographer who captured the most iconic photo in women’s football.Image: Captain Carla Overbeck #4 of the US Women's Soccer Team raises the World Cup Trophy, as the team celebrates their victory over Team China in the Championship match of the FIFA Women's World Cup at the Rose Bowl on July 10, 1999 in Pasadena, California. Team USA defeated Team China 5-4 in sudden death after two overtimes. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Vanessa’s Fridays saw her dancing the night away in the night clubs of Liverpool, having drinks with friends, sometimes staying out all night. But now Fridays are times of prayer with new friends at the mosque. She took her vows – shahada – to become a Muslim within a month of Hamas attacking Israel and the resulting military campaign in Gaza and says the unshakeable faith of Palestinian Muslims then was the catalyst for her conversion. Now, wearing a full hijab, she has made it clear to all around her, her life has totally changed. She no longer sees the friends she used to spend so much time with. But that loss has partly been made up through the support of her new friends, many of whom are also converts to Islam. In Liverpool where she lives, the South African born Vanessa, plans to change her name to Amina, after the prophet Mohammed’s mother, further marking herself out as Muslim and identifying with the global Muslim community – or Ummah.
Hundreds of people in Spain, aided by drones, have been deployed to a rescue mission after recent flash floods claimed many lives. Also: the first artwork made by a humanoid robot, Ai-da, goes up for auction.
The US stands on the verge of an election, with the final major economic data showing lower unemployment and stronger-than-expected consumer spending. But will this shift the outcome?Plus, we’re in Arizona, a hotly contested state, where immigration takes centre stage.And the EU opens an investigation into Temu, one of the world’s largest online retailers from China.
This week at least 150 people have been killed due to devastating flash flooding sweeping through areas of Valencia in Spain. Ana Camarasa Belmonte, Professor of Physical Geography at the University of Valencia, has been studying the flood patterns and hydrology of the area for years. Even she was astounded by the magnitude of the inundation. And, as Jess Neumann of Reading University in the UK tells Roland, part of the tragedy is that the effective communication of risk somehow relies on citizens being able to adequately imagine the almost unimaginable.Ten years ago this week, Friederike Otto and colleagues founded the World Weather Attribution network. The network aims to provide quick analysis of climate change's impact on on extreme weather events. They have already found that the Spanish flooding was made more intense, and more likely, by our warming world. Earlier in the week they published a different analysis of the 10 most deadly, extreme-weather events of this century. They concluded that all 10 events were made more extreme or more likely by climate change, and that these 10 events alone account for some 570,000 deaths.In the US, Scientists have tested the strain of H5N1 bird flu swabbed from the eye of an infected Texan farm worker. They found it to be both lethal and transmissible via the respiratory tract of mice and ferrets. It contains a mutation PB2-627K, common in avian viruses in mammalian cells, as Amie Eisfeld of the Universoity of Wisconsin-Madison explains.Presented by Roland Pease
Produced by Alex Mansfield
Production Coordination by Jana Bennett-Holesworth(Image: Aftermath of catastrophic floods in Spain's Valencia. Credit: Anadolu via Getty Images)
Sam Fenwick looks at the issues that are driving Lebanon’s economy into a downwards spiral. We look at the economic cost of war as new research suggests Lebanon's GDP could shrink by over 20% amid the ongoing conflict. The US election is hotting up. We'll look at the cost of health care and how it might determine how people vote. And find out why a Tasmanian ferry takes an unexpected 'Berth' more than ten thousand miles away in Edinburgh.
Rescue efforts continue in Spain to find survivors of flash flooding which have killed more than 100 people. Also: super typhoon hits Taiwan, and North Korea tests its longest-range intercontinental ballistic missile.
Civil society groups have warned the risk of sexual violence in Sudan is so severe that some women are taking their own lives. Campaigners have told the BBC of several cases of women taking their lives, either after enduring sexual violence or to avoid it. On Tuesday, a major UN report highlighted 'staggering' levels of sexual violence in Sudan, attributing the worst atrocities to the paramilitary RSF group. Aslo, find out how upcoming elections in the US could impact Africa.And could Compressed Natural Gas provide an alternative to petrol in Nigeria?Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Bella Hassan and Victor Sylver in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos.
Technical Producer: Nick Randell
Senior Journalist: Joseph Keen
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
Families and young people paying paramilitary and crime gangs not to shoot them - youth worker sets out the shocking reality.
Following the announcement of Labour’s first budget in fourteen years – and the first Budget announced by a woman Chancellor – we hear how women across the country will be affected. Anita Rani speaks to Mehreen Khan, the economics editor of The Times, Sara Reis, deputy director and head of research at Women’s Budget Group and Jo, a participant in the Changing Realities project, a collaboration of parents and carers on a low income and researchers from the University of York and Child Poverty Action.With Halloween upon us, Queen of African Horror Nuzo Onoh joins Anita to talk about her new novel Where the Dead Brides Gather, her journey to getting published and spooky celebrations in Nigeria. How many of us have grown up with parts of our lives unknown to our parents? Born with a degenerative muscular disease, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Mats Steen was in a wheelchair by the age of 8, and was in an out of hospital right up until he died at the age of 25. As his family mourned his loss, it emerged that Mats had an online life that his parents knew nothing about. In a new Netflix documentary, his mother Trude, his father Robert and his sister Mia describe what it was like to discover Mats' secret world. Trude joins Anita to discuss. Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Laura Northedge
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the notorious attack of 4th of May 1886 at a workers rally in Chicago when somebody threw a bomb that killed a policeman, Mathias J. Degan. The chaotic shooting that followed left more people dead and sent shockwaves across America and Europe. This was in Haymarket Square at a protest for an eight hour working day following a call for a general strike and the police killing of striking workers the day before, at a time when labour relations in America were marked by violent conflict. The bomber was never identified but two of the speakers at the rally, both of then anarchists and six of their supporters were accused of inciting murder. Four of them, George Engel, Adolph Fischer, Albert Parsons, and August Spies were hanged on 11th November 1887 only to be pardoned in the following years while a fifth, Louis Ling, had killed himself after he was convicted. The May International Workers Day was created in their memory.With Ruth Kinna
Professor of Political Theory at Loughborough UniversityChristopher Phelps
Associate Professor of American Studies at the University of NottinghamAnd Gary Gerstle
Paul Mellon Professor of American History Emeritus at the University of CambridgeProducer: Simon TillotsonReading list:Paul Avrich, The Haymarket Tragedy (Princeton University Press, 1984)Henry David, The History of the Haymarket Affair (Collier Books, 1963)James Green, Death in the Haymarket: A Story of Chicago, the First Labor Movement and the Bombing that Divided Gilded Age America (Pantheon, 2006)Carl Levy and Matthew S. Adams (eds.), The Palgrave Handbook of Anarchism (Palgrave Macmillan, 2018), especially 'Haymarket and the Rise of Syndicalism' by Kenyon Zimmer Franklin Rosemont and David Roediger, Haymarket Scrapbook: 125th Anniversary Edition (AK Press, 2012)In Our Time is a BBC Studios Audio Production
The Pantanal, in western Brazil, is the world’s largest tropical wetland, and home to tens of thousands of animal species. But expansion of shipping and development is causing an increase in wildfires, and the loss of unique habitats. The Jaguar is the apex predator in the Pantanal, roaming over vast hunting grounds, but the changing environment means that they are now under threat too. Reporter James Harper travels down the rivers of the Pantanal, talking to activists, conservation experts and local businessmen to explore the debate over the future of the Pantanal and its famous big cats.
Spain is enduring its worst flooding disaster in decades, with scores of people dead and dozens more missing. Also: remembering the iconic boxing fight between Ali and Foreman.
The UK’s new Labour government has announced its first budget with big tax rises it says are needed to restore public services. Rahul Tandon examines whether a single budget has the power to transform an economy, and the challenges facing many high-income countries as they wrestle with budget holes and high debt. Elsewhere, embattled car giant Volkswagen reports a drop in profits, coming soon after reported layoffs and plant closures. Also, the Bank of Japan is set to announce interest rates, the first meeting since the country’s snap election. You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you.
Trouble for Volkswagen as its profits drop and it clashes with unions over possible plant closures, Roger Hearing finds out more.The EU imposes tariffs on electric vehicle imports from China, and there are reports from Beijing that the government is pushing its carmakers not to invest in EU members who backed the tariffs.Britain's new Labour government sets out its first budget with big tax rises it says are needed to restore public services.And we hear from India about the traditional push to buy gold ahead of the Diwali festival.
Chad's President Mahamat Déby has ordered an army offensive against Islamist militants after 40 soldiers were killed in an attack on a military base. But can the Chadian army defeat Boko Haram?A Congolese asylum seeker to the US shares his story and his message to the presidential candidates.And we hear how a TikTok game could be endangering social cohesion in Somalia.Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Amie Liebowitz and Kaine Pirie in London. Charles Gitonga in Nairobi
Technical Producer: Nick Randell
Senior Journalist: Patricia Whitehorne
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
This month the new government will reveal its plans for the nation's finances in the Budget.We've been told 'difficult decisions' lie ahead as the Chancellor Rachel Reeves seeks to plug what she says is a £22bn black hole left by the previous government.There's been plenty of speculation around Capital Gains Tax, Inheritance Tax and pensions tax relief - but what are they and who pays them?Our email inbox has been full of questions from listeners - so on this weeks Money Box Live we will be answering as many as we can.Felicity Hannah is joined by Elsa Littlewood, Tax partner at accountancy and business advisory firm BDO and Kirsty Stone a financial planner at The Private Office.We also have a new way to get in touch, WhatsApp Money Box on 03306 783183.Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Producer: Sarah Rogers
Editor: Jess Quayle(This episode was first broadcast on Wednesday the 2nd of October 2024)
A report is information which can be presented verbally or in writing. There are some words that we often use together. These are called collocations. Learn some of the verbs that we often use with the noun 'report' with Beth in this podcast.TRANSCRIPT
Find a free transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at:
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Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.
They call it the Big Game. Somali influencers are taking part in clan-based battles on TikTok. A US college student who spent $4000 in just four minutes tells the BBC she regrets ever getting involved. She felt addicted to the draw of defending her clan and says she was later harassed by an influencer. The trend is taking Somali social media by storm but many are worried these games go beyond entertainment and are contributing to a toxic environment online.
The European Commission has given approval for steep tariffs on electric vehicles made in China. It closes an investigation which started a year ago. They will remain in place for five years.We hear about plans by homeware company Ikea to put money into a hardship fund for victims of the former communist regime in East Germany. Some including political prisoners were forced to make products for the company.We hear about Tik Tok's founder Zhang Yiming. He is number one on China's Rich List with an estimated net worth of 49 billion dollars. Presenter Rahul Tandon examines these and some of the other global business stories of the day.
The UK's lowest-paid workers could get a salary increase of 6% next year according to local media reports. We look into the consequences this could have. Also in the programme, we talk to US voters in Nevada about their concerns regarding the rise in cost of living. And we hear about HSBC's unexpected jump in profits.
Britain agrees to give sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius but what follows next?Why the Islamic police in Kano northern Nigeria is cracking down on sports bettingAnd why are parents sending very young children to boarding school in Lesotho?Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Bella Hassan and Nyasha Michelle in London. Frenny Jowi in Nairobi.
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Technical Producer: Nick Randell
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Leading Friday prayers in Tehran, Iran’s Supreme Leader told a crowd of thousands that Iran’s allies must ‘fasten the seatbelt of resistance from Iran to Afghanistan’. Israel has continued to intensify its strikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.
Also on the programme: we speak to the widow of the man who was killed during July’s assassination attempt on Donald Trump; and Brazil is hit by its worst wildfires in two decades.(Picture: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaking during the Friday prayer ceremony in Tehran, Iran, 04 October 2024 Credit: IRANIAN SUPREME LEADER OFFICE/HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Iran’s supreme leader tells a crowd in Tehran that the October 7th massacre was a 'legitimate act'. Also: EU hits China with EV sales tariffs, world's first ovarian cancer vaccine and Google Search's AI makeover.
The current conflict in Lebanon has forced thousands of women and children in refugee camps to once again leave their homes for their own safety. Kylie Pentelow is joined by the BBC’s Senior International Correspondent Orla Guerin to get the latest on the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, and speaks to CEO and co-founder of the Alsama Project, Meike Ziervogel, to hear what impact it is having on women and children.Woman’s Hour listener Fran Blackett got in touch with us because she wanted to talk about fell running, and why she wants more women involved in the sport. She joins Kylie to explain what fell running is, why she’s so passionate about it, and more about her women’s running group, Run Like a Haggis.Are you in your 'protective hag' era? That's what the author and journalist Poorna Bell calls the position she finds herself in. Recently she’s written about feeling an increasing sense of protectiveness towards younger women. Poorna joins Kylie to talk about this stage of life and what it means to her.It's being reported that Melania Trump - the wife of former President Donald Trump - has expressed explicit support for abortion rights - one of the key dividing lines in the US presidential election. Her stance appears to be in sharp contrast with the position of her husband, as he enters the final leg of the US presidential race. Gina Yannitell Rheinhardt, Professor of Government and an expert in US politics at the University of Essex, joins Kylie to discuss.When Cathy Hollingworth was first diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago, she decided to document her journey through poetry. Now she’s publishing a collection of 22 poems called Getting It Off My Chest. She joins Kylie to discuss the poems and how they helped her get through her treatment, as well as what she hopes others can learn about talking to people with cancer.Presenter: Kylie Pentelow
Producer: Lottie Garton
A year on from the Hamas attack on Israel, Jackie Leonard and Katya Adler from The Global Story put BBC listener questions to our Middle East correspondent, Yolande Knell, and the BBC's security correspondent, Frank Gardner.
Robin Morgan, Ian Smith, Alice Fraser, and Ash Sarkar join Andy Zaltzman to quiz the newsThis week on The News Quiz the panel plough through Keir Starmer's first Labour conference as PM, analyse the effectiveness of the UN, and celebrate the coming of Earth's new moon... All hail Moon 2!Written by Andy ZaltzmanWith additional material by: Jade Gebbie, Mark Granger, Sharon Wanjohi, and Christina Riggs
Producer: Sam Holmes
Executive Producer: James Robinson
Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman
Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4
An Eco-Audio certified Production
Oil prices rose after Joe Biden said he was discussing possible Israeli strikes on Iran’s oil infrastructure. Also: the sequel to the asteroid which killed off dinosaurs, and the 31-year treasure hunt for the Golden Owl.
Peter Adamski seemed to have it all. At 19, he had met Kathy, the love of his life and the woman he would marry. In his 20s, he landed a prestigious job with the pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson, jetting around the world in first class for business meetings. He had a healthy baby boy, John, his wealth soared into the millions, and he owned three houses. He was living the American dream. But everything changed when he and Kathy received the news from a doctor: "Kathy, you have early-onset Alzheimer’s." The future they had envisioned together was abruptly replaced by the prospect of a long, painful farewell. After Kathy’s passing, Peter felt as though he had lost all sense of meaning - until one night, he felt a profound call from God. At 65, he became a Catholic priest, and he believes his life has never been more fulfilling.
Proposals to change the law to give terminally-ill people in England and Wales the choice to die are to be voted on in parliament for the first time in nearly a decade. We hear from the Labour MP putting forward the bill, from an opponent and from a terminally-ill woman.Our international editor Jeremy Bowen interviews the most senior leader of Hamas outside Gaza.And on National Poetry Day we have a reading by Michael Rosen.
More explosions tore through the Lebanese capital today as Israeli military says it hit Hezbollah targets in Beirut. Israel has also continued to warn people in southern Lebanon to leave their homes - including in the region of Nabatieh. It comes as the Israeli army says Hezbollah has fired 200 rockets into Israel today.One of the most senior leaders of Hamas - which is designated a terrorist organisation by the UK and other governments - has told the BBC that the current crisis they provoked in the Middle East, which has led to the deaths of thousands of people in the past year, is justified. The Deputy leader of Hamas, Khalil al Haya, said the October 7th attacks, which killed 1200 people, mostly Israeli civilians, were necessary to place the issue of Palestinian statehood back on the global agenda. He insisted without it, the cycle of violence in the Middle East would not end. Also in programme: we discuss the UK government's decision to give up sovereignty of the remote but strategic Chagos islands after 200 years of rule; and whether the hit US sitcom 'Cheers' is set for British remake 30 years on.
(Photo: Beirut Bachoura neighbourhood Credit: Louisa Gouliamaki for Reuters)
As we were putting the finishing touches to last week’s Science in Action, the US National Weather Service was warning of Hurricane Helene’s fast approach to the Florida coast – alerting people to ‘unsurvivable’ storm surges of up to 6 metres. But the category 4 storm powered, as forecast, far past the coast and into the rugged interior of Tennessee and the Carolinas. 150 billion tonnes of rainfall are estimated to have been dumped there, with devastating consequences for the towns and villages snuggled into the deep-cut valleys of the region. Bloomberg says the event could cost $160 billion. Extreme warmth in the Gulf of Mexico helped fuel the hurricane, and within a few days Berkeley climatologist Michael Wehner had computed the fingerprint of climate change on the event. The journal Nature published this week a study estimating the true number of casualties of hurricanes like Helene – not just those registered in the immediate aftermath, deaths caused by the instant trauma, but those in the months, even years, that follow, because of the disruption to lives and infrastructure. Rachel Young of Stanford University was herself surprised by the scale of harm her calculations revealed. At least the dams held in North Carolina during Helene, although the sight of torrents of water gushing down the protective spillways at the peak was fearsome to see. A year ago, the two dams upstream of the Libyan port Derna both failed during Storm Daniel – ripping out the heart of the city and claiming at least 6000 lives. We reported what we could at the time here on Science in Action. But a World Bank study on the disaster reported back to an international dam conference in India this week a more detailed investigation – though the fractious politics of Libya put constraints on their work. Climate change was a massive part – normal monthly September rain in the area is 1.5 mm – but over 200 mm, maybe 400, fell on the hills behind Derna the night of the 10th. But it was the report of independent engineer Ahmed Chraibi that interested Science in Action – on the condition of the two dams, one just on the edge of the city, the other larger one 15 km upstream. He confirmed these had been built, in the 70s, for flood protection not to store water, but were in a shocking state long before ...
The UK is to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius after 50 years but will keep military base on Diego Garcia. Also: Lebanon says two soldiers have been killed by Israel, as Israel continues its Hezbollah offensive.
The Israeli Defence Forces have struck targets in southern Lebanon and the capital, Beirut. Israel’s armed forces also ordered the evacuation of more than 20 villages in the south. Also on the programme: The UK agrees to surrender its control over the Chagos Islands, handing the archipelago to Mauritius; and the researchers sequencing the genomes of 100,000 new born to better understand genetic conditions. (Photo: An Israeli Air Force air strike on a southern Lebanese village, as seen from northern Israel, 3 October 2024. Credit: Reuters/Jim Urquhart)
Kenya's Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua, who calls himself the “truthful man”, is facing impeachment. Before he was elected as a member of parliament in 2017 little was known about the man, who would in five short years, rise to become Kenya’s second-in-command. So who is he and why is he facing impeachment? Also how are Tunisian's feeling ahead of their Presidential elections on Sunday? And once a popular event in Zimbabwe, what do Zimbabweans now think of their State of Nation Address and how are they reacting to their currency's recent crash? Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Frenny Jowi in Nairobi. Rob Wilson and Benjamin Woodroof in London.
Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
Mums who give up work or cut their hours because they have a child with special educational needs and disabilities say problems with school transport is one of the reasons. An opinion poll from Opinium commissioned by Woman's Hour for a programme on SEND last month revealed 12% of mothers flagged lack of appropriate funded transport as a problem. Woman's Hour hears from three mums, Ellie Partridge, Ramandeep Kaur and Sabiha Aziz, who are struggling to transport their children with SEND to school, and in some cases are having to pay hundreds of pounds a month. Kylie Pentelow is joined by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman Amerdeep Somal as she exclusively shares the outcome of a complaint against Sandwell Council in the West Midlands for failing to provide transport for a disabled child.Today the Women's T20 cricket World Cup kicks off in the UAE. For some, this will be a tournament of firsts; At 11am, Scotland will be making their T20 debut against Bangladesh. Joining Kylie to look ahead to the event is the cricket commentator Alison Mitchell.In 2021, Netflix premiered the documentary Wild Wild Country which drew global attention to the Rajneesh movement, a group of around 30,000 people at the movement’s height, who followed an Indian spiritual guru called Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh. But what really drew the attention of many of the people who had grown up as part of this international community was that the experience of children was barely reflected in the six-part series. Maroesja Perizonius and her mother were part of the Rajneesh movement, joining when Maroosha was six. Maroesja has created a new documentary, Children of the Cult. She joins Kylie to talk about this very deeply personal project along with Sargam, another woman whose family became followers when she was a child. Who were Alice Diamond, the Queen of 40 Thieves, and the Fake Heiress? In a brand new series of Lady Killers, the historian Lucy Worsley switches her attention to swindlers, con women and hustlers. From queens of the underworld, hoaxers and scammers, Lucy and a team of all female detectives travel back in time to revisit the audacious and surprising crimes of women who were trying to make it in a world made for men. Lucy joins Kylie to discuss the stories of some of these women and what their crimes teach us about women’s lives.Presenter: Kylie Pentelow
Producer: Rebecca Myatt
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Thomas Hardy (1840 -1928) and his commitment to poetry, which he prized far above his novels. In the 1890s, once he had earned enough from his fiction, Hardy stopped writing novels altogether and returned to the poetry he had largely put aside since his twenties. He hoped that he might be ranked one day alongside Shelley and Byron, worthy of inclusion in a collection such as Palgrave's Golden Treasury which had inspired him. Hardy kept writing poems for the rest of his life, in different styles and metres, and he explored genres from nature, to war, to epic. Among his best known are what he called his Poems of 1912 to 13, responding to his grief at the death of his first wife, Emma (1840 -1912), who he credited as the one who had made it possible for him to leave his work as an architect's clerk and to write the novels that made him famous. With Mark Ford
Poet, and Professor of English and American Literature, University College London Jane Thomas
Emeritus Professor of English at the University of Hull and Senior Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Leeds Tim Armstrong
Professor of Modern English and American Literature at Royal Holloway, University of London Producer: Simon TillotsonIn Our Time is a BBC Studios Audio Production
A bonus episode from the Lives Less Ordinary podcast. British-Iranian Anoosheh Ashoori spent years in one of Iran’s toughest prisons after being snatched off the street by security forces. He was falsely accused of espionage, but realised he'd become a pawn in a game of global politics.
For more extraordinary personal stories from around the world, go to bbcworldservice.com/liveslessordinary or search for Live Less Ordinary wherever you get your BBC podcasts.Presenter: Mobeen Azhar
Producer: Harry Graham
Joe Biden says he doesn't support Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Also: scientists analyse 130,000 brain cells of a fruit fly, and the ban on 'honking' in the Bangladeshi capital.
Israel says it has lost eight IDF soldiers in fighting in southern Lebanon, as it continues its operation against Hezbollah. Meanwhile Beirut suffered further Israeli air strikes. Netanyahu's government is also considering how to respond to Iran's massive missile attack yesterday.The four MPs vying to become leader of the Conservative Party delivered keynote speeches on the final day of the party conference.And after the south-eastern US was battered by Hurricane Helene, we spoke to a man who braved a seven hour drive and five hour walk through storm-ravaged areas to reach his daughter's wedding.
OpenAI's value surges to $157bn in funding deal where the maker of ChatGPT raised $6.6bn from a pool of investors that include Microsoft. We also hear from North Carolina, where damages caused by hurricane Helene could have serious implications for the tech-industry. And we take a look at the effect that the latest conflict in the Middle East is having on Israel’s economy.
President Biden has said the US does not support an attack by Israel on Iran's nuclear sites, while the UN secretary general has warned of the danger of a regional war across the Middle East. We speak to expert on why diplomacy is crucial at this stage. Also in the programme: Biden visits Hurricane Helene-ravaged areas; and the discovery of an unknown species of moth. (Image: Smoke rises following an Israeli military strike in southern Lebanon. Credit: STR/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Working parents and carers of children aged 9 months or over are now entitled to 15 hours of funded childcare a week during term time.50 hours of nursery can cost around £14,000 a year, so it's a welcome relief for many. There had been warnings that parents would struggle to find places but the government says it is confident about meeting demand.From next September, the offer is set to rise to 30 hours, and include children up to school age too.Education Minister, Baroness Smith has said it'll be a challenge to meet that level of demand with the Department for Education estimating about 85,000 more childcare places and 40,000 extra staff will be needed by 2025.On today's programme we will be hearing from parents as well as the CEO of Kids Planet, one of the countries largest providers. Felicity Hannah will also be joined by Jonathan Broadberry, Policy Director at the National Day Nurseries Association and Emma Broome, Chief Executive of children's charity Coram.We'll also look at the new rules coming in to make childcare cheaper in Northern Ireland.Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Producer: Sarah Rogers
Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast at 3pm on Wednesday the 4th of September, 2024)
Lebanon conflict: As Israel continues to attack, we learn the plight of foreigners stranded thereWe assess the state of security in Mali following last month's deadly attack in the capital, BamakoAnd outrage in Egypt after a video showing possible sexual harassment by male doctors goes viral. A medical association vows to investigate.Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Bella Hassan, Yvette Twagiramariya and Nyasha Michelle in London. With Frenny Jowi in Nairobi.
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
With reports of close combat between Israeli soldiers and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, we hear from both sides of the border. And how will Israel respond to Iran's barrage of missiles last night? We also get reaction from Tehran to Iran's decision to attack Israel directly; and we ask where this all leaves American influence in the region - is it now just a bystander?(IMAGE: Smoke billows amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Tyre, southern Lebanon October 2, 2024 / CREDIT: REUTERS/Aziz Taher)
Israel's military says a team commander has died in the fighting, a day after it announced its invasion. Also: we ask how Israel will respond to Iran's missile attack, and reaction from the US vice-president debate.
If your teachers tell you to work on your English, they have a good point! And Georgie has a number of points to make about the word 'point'. Listen to Georgie now to find out more.TRANSCRIPT
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In her speech at Labour conference the Secretary of State for Justice Shabana Mahmood said: "for women, prison isn’t working." To discuss her latest announcement, as well as the launch of the Women's Justice Board, Nuala is joined by the former Chief Inspector of Prisons, Dame Anne Owers, and Lily Blundell, Head of Community Programmes at the charity, Women in Prison. A manhunt is continuing following a suspected acid attack outside a school in west London. The attack took place outside Westminster Academy in Westbourne Park, after school, on Monday afternoon. The school was closed yesterday, with lessons taking place online and many staff working from home.
Acid attacks increased by 69% in England and Wales last year, with female victims exceeding the number of male victims for the first time, according to one leading charity. Nuala discusses the incident with BBC's Steve Knibbs and Ayesha Nayyar, who is a campaigner and solicitor.The London Piano Festival runs at Kings Place from Friday 4 - Sunday 6 October. Nuala is joined by Katya Apekisheva, co-founder of the festival, a Professor of Piano at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and prize-winning pianist Rose McLachlan, to explore of the lives and music of women piano composers from the last two centuries. Dr Beth Shapiro is an evolutionary biologist working in de-extinction. She is a pioneer in the ancient DNA field, and features in a new documentary: Hunt for the Oldest DNA. Her work goes towards saving species from extinction and fighting against climate change. She joins Nuala to talk about her work and why it’s so important.
Presented by Nuala McGovern
Producer: Louise Corley
Israel says 180 missiles were fired from Iran, most of which were intercepted. Also: Mexico's first female president Claudia Sheinbaum has been sworn in.
In May, riots broke out in the French overseas territory of New Caledonia - a group of islands in the South Pacific. Protesters were calling for independence from the European nation that has ruled the archipelago for more than a century and a half. Amid the violence came an unusual claim - that Azerbaijan, a seemingly disconnected nation thousands of miles from both Paris and the Pacific Ocean - was stoking the violence online. BBC Trending asks if there is any truth to the claim. And if so, what might Azerbaijan be hoping to achieve?
Iran has launched around 180 missiles but most of them were intercepted. The attack comes after Israeli troops invaded Lebanon, in a ground operation against Hezbollah. We get the latest.
As the conflict in the Middle East escalates, collateral effects start to be seen in the oil market, where prices have risen, and neighbouring countries like Syria, to where thousands of people have crossed from Lebanon seeking shelter. We take a look at what's unfolding in the region.
And Canada’s international trade minister tells the BBC about the country's commercial relations with China now that tariffs of 100% on electric vehicles imported from the Asian giant have come into force.
Israel has vowed a 'powerful response' to a wave of missile strikes by Iran. Tehran says it was in response to Israeli attacks on its allies, Hezbollah and Hamas.The UK and US have condemned the Iranian attack and reiterated that Israel has the right to defend itself. The strikes came after Israel launched its cross-border ground operation against the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group in Lebanon.
Explosions have been heard across Israel after Iran said it had launched dozens of ballistic missiles towards the country. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said it launched the missiles in retaliation for recent attacks that killed the leaders of Hezbollah and Hamas, as well as a senior Iranian commander.Also on the programme: reaction from Israel and an academic close to the Iranian government.(Image: A man holds children as people take cover during an air raid siren after Iran fired a salvo of ballistic missiles, amid cross-border hostilities in central Israel on 1 October 2024.Credit: Reuters/Ronen Zvulun)
Tens of thousands of dock workers in the US walk out in a dispute over pay and automation. Will Bain hears from our North America business correspondent Michelle Fleury, who's at the port of Newark. We also hear how the dispute could affect global supply chains, and the CEO of one of the world's biggest warehouse firms, Prologis, on how it could affect them.
In the Middle East, the Israeli military has been carrying out what it describes as limited, localised raids against Hezbollah across its border with Lebanon. We hear from a Lebanese economist on how the Middle East's economy is likely to react, and hear about a jump in oil prices following the US' announcement that there are signs that Iran is preparing to launch an imminent missile attack against Israel.
Plus we're in Paris to find out about the city's fashion week - and the luxury market's challenges with declining sales.
The newly appointed Foreign Minister of the DR Congo, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, tells Focus on Africa, the crisis faced in her country is an international not a regional one. We'll get the details from the BBC's Wahiga Mwaura.Also we'll hear from a member of Eswatini's opposition party after an alleged poisoning attempt on their leader.And why illegal lithium mining is on the rise in Nigeria.Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Rob Wilson in London and Blessing Aderogba in Lagos
Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Israel's ground invasion in Lebanon continues. Also: scientists warn it may be too late to save many of Switzerland's glaciers; and the play with no rehearsal or director.
Israel has told the residents of more than twenty locations in southern Lebanon to evacuate immediately. Its forces have been carrying out what it describes as limited, localised raids across the Lebanese border against Hezbollah. We hear from Peter Lerner of the IDF, Lebanese businessman and independent MP Neemat Frem, and Dina Esfandiary of the Crisis Group on how Iran may respond to Nasrallah's killing. Also in the programme: the BBC's Barbara Plett Usher reports from Sudan, where famine is spreading as the civil war goes on; and a look at water worries in Panama, one of the world's wettest countries.(IMAGE: Palestinian refugee camp has hit in Lebanon / CREDIT: EPA)
Jakarta is facing all sorts of problems - deadly floods, land subsidence, extreme pollution, notorious traffic and overcrowding. Indonesia’s outgoing president has come up with an extreme solution: moving the country’s capital a thousand kilometres away, to the middle of the rainforest. Will the new city be a futuristic utopia and a model for sustainable urbanisation - or an eye-wateringly expensive, ecologically disastrous ghost town? BBC Indonesia reporter Astudestra Ajengrastri travels to the island of Borneo to find out if the ambitious plans will live up to reality.
Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.
Israel launches a "localised, targeted" ground operation against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, backed by air strikes and artillery fire. The US says it supports the incursion and warns against mission creep.
The Israeli military says troops are carrying out raids on villages in southern Lebanon, while further air strikes hit Beirut. Also: hundreds unaccounted for in the US in the aftermath of Hurricane Helen.
Panama is one of the wettest countries in the world. It also has a world famous shipping canal which earns it billions of dollars a year. With big money and high rainfall combined, it should be straightforward to meet the water needs of its four million plus people.But hundreds of thousands of Panamanians don’t have access to piped water. With a growing population and a drought, last year the Canal Authority reduced the number of ships passing through by a third, losing it and the country hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue. The Authority says this was done to protect drinking water for the 2.5 million people who rely on the same water supply the Canal uses to work its massive locks. With uncertainty over the impact of climate change, Panamanians are asking whether there’ll be enough fresh water to satisfy the enormous demand from the canal’s locks with the basic need to have regular access to clean water. Jane Chambers travels to Panama to meet the people involved in the struggles for access to water.
A BBC reporter in Beirut has heard explosions in the south of the city after Israel's army ordered an evacuation of three areas. Israel is reportedly poised to mount a ground incursion into Lebanon. Hezbollah's deputy leader Naim Qassem says the group is ready for an Israeli ground offensive and says the battle "may be long".The Conservative mayor of Tees Valley, Lord Houchen, has told the BBC that all four candidates for the party leadership need to be "more honest" on how they plan to deliver the policies they're advocating.And we speak to the cruise ship passengers who met while stranded in Belfast and became engaged, as they finally prepare to set off on their delayed voyage.
US ports brace for shut down as dockworkers strike is set to halt container traffic along the east and gulf coasts. We get the latest. The markets haven't welcome the arrival of Japan's new Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba. We find out why. And we take a look at the 10-billion merger of the last two remaining satellite TV providers in the US.
The US State Department says Israel has informed Washington of its plans to go into Lebanon. We track the latest events, and here from retired Israeli military man Amir Avivi and Lebanese politician Michel Helou. Also in the programme: the trail of destruction left across North Carolina by Hurricane Helene, and love blossoms when a cruise ship is delayed in Northern Ireland.(Photo: Israeli forces firing towards Lebanon near the Israel-Lebanon border on 30 September, 2024. Credit: The Associated Press)
Take a trip around the supermarket and you'll see shelves of products claiming to be 'high in protein'. Scroll through your social media and you'll find beautiful, sculpted people offering recipes and ideas for packing more protein into your diet.Science presenters Dr Julia Ravey and Dr Ella Hubber have noticed this too. They wanted to unpick the protein puzzle to find out what it does in our bodies and how much we really need. Can this macronutrient really help us lose weight, get fit and be healthier?Along the way, they speak to Professor Giles Yeo from the University of Cambridge, Bridget Benelam from the British Nutrition Foundation, Paralympian hopeful Harrison Walsh, and food historian Pen Vogler.Presenters: Dr Julia Ravey and Dr Ella Hubber
Producer: Alice Lipscombe-Southwell
Editor: Martin SmithCredits: @thefitadam/@TSCPodcast/@tadhgmoody/@meg_squats/@aussiefitness
Japan’s new PM has called an early election. Roger Hearing hears how the markets reacted to the surprise win of Shigeru Ishiba in the race to become president of the Liberal Democratic Party.
The auto company Stellantis which owns Aston Martin, Peugeot, Citroen, Fiat and Jeep has become the latest European car manufacturer to issue a profit warning
And global rice prices have been falling on Monday, following India's recent decision to resume exports.
Israel continues to strike Hezbollah, Hamas and Houthi targets, as speculation about an Israeli ground invasion of Lebanon grows. We hear live from the Middle East, where Hezbollah's deputy leader has made a defiant speech after the killing of Hassan Nasrallah.Also in the programme: as Austria's far-right Freedom Party wins the election, we hear how its leader, Herbert Kickl, came to power. And Roger McGuinn of the Byrds looks back at the life and music of Kris Kristofferson.(IMAGE: Smoke billows over Khiam, amid ongoing cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as pictured from Marjayoun, near the Lebanese border with Israel, September 30, 2024 / CREDIT: Reuters/Karamallah Daher)
BBC Africa Eye investigates how some sailors were tricked into smuggling cocaine to Cape Verde. We’ll also meet the rap artist and former cocaine addict who is helping addicts
Why South Sudan lawyers are challenging the postponement of elections in court
Plus, harrowing tales of the conditions young Kenyan doctors operate underPresenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Bella Hassan, Nyasha Michelle and Rob Wilson in London with Frenny Jowi in Nairobi.
Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Hezbollah's deputy leader, Naim Qassem, says the group is ready if Israel invades Lebanon. Also: Marine Le Pen on trial accused of embezzling European parliamentary funds, and UK ends coal power after 142 years.
Senior Sinn Féin figure resigns after providing references for former colleague who was later convicted of child sex offences.
For this special edition of Woman's Hour, Nuala McGovern travels to Tuam, County Galway in Ireland to visit the site of a former mother and baby home which came to the world’s attention in 2014. It was revealed that up to 796 babies and young children who died in the care of the nuns who ran the home, had been disposed of in a disused sewage tank. Now, more than a decade since the scandal broke, work is starting on a full excavation. Nuala has an exclusive interview with Daniel MacSweeney, who is in charge of the excavation, and hopes to provide answers for families who want to give their children a decent burial. She also speaks to the women who uncovered the scandal - Catherine Corless and Anna Corrigan, as well as journalist Alison O'Reilly who broke the story, and to Paul Ford, a survivor of the Tuam home, whose baby sister's remains may be in the mass grave. If you believe you are related to a child buried in Tuam, please contact Daniel MacSweeney's team. The confidential phone line is 00 353 1 5391777, or email info@dait.ie The postal address is: Office of the Director of Authorised Intervention, Tuam (ODAIT), Custom House, Flood Street, Galway, H91 XV2C, Ireland.And we're inviting you to also share your story with us, you can email Woman's Hour via the 'Contact Us' tab above.Contributors:
Catherine Corless, campaigner and Tuam resident
Paul Ford, Tuam mother and baby home survivor
Daniel MacSweeney, Director of Authorised
Intervention at Tuam
Anna Corrigan, Tuam Babies Family Group
Alison O'Reilly, journalist at the Irish ExaminerPresenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Sarah Crawley
AP/Digital: Claire Fox
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Here's an expression about waiting patiently for an opportunity.[Image: Getty]Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-240930FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
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Ian Rankin is on a deadline to complete his next Inspector Rebus thriller. He is happy with the first draft: “at the moment, it is perfect!”. But what will others make of it? In the second of two episodes recorded across Scotland over several months, we follow the bestselling crime writer to the remote, coastal town of Cromarty. He comes here to escape reality, and to write without distraction. But on this occasion, there is a crime fiction festival taking place. Will he get any work done?
Ian Rankin has been called “the king of crime fiction”. His Inspector Rebus books have sold more than 30 million copies worldwide, translated into 37 languages. And yet, as he embarks on writing the next in his series, he reveals that “sitting down and actually writing the books is hard… and it's not getting any easier.” Where does he begin and where might the series end? Recorded across Scotland over several months, we follow Ian Rankin as he gets his next novel into shape.
Lebanon's health ministry has said more than 50 people were killed in Israeli strikes on Sunday. Also: early results in Austria's general election indicate the far-right Freedom Party is heading for a victory.
Israel has attacked Houthi sites in Yemen it said were used to transport Iranian weapons and oil. The strikes came as Israel carried out more attacks across Lebanon, and Hezbollah fired more rockets into northern IsraelAlso on the programme: Austria's far right Freedom Party is heading for victory in national elections; and the Pope has been berated on a visit to Belgium about the clerical abuse of children and gender inequality in the Church.(Photo: Smoke rises from the site of Israeli air strikes in the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, Yemen on September 29, 2024. Credit: REUTERS/Stringer)
Lebanon's prime minister has said continuing Israeli attacks could displace as many as a million people. Najib Mikati appealed for a diplomatic solution to the crisis. He was speaking as Israel carried out more airstrikes in Lebanon after killing Hezbollah's leader Hassan Nasrallah on Friday. We hear from the IDF spokesman, Peter Lerner, and Nasser Yassin, Lebanon's Minister of Environment and has been given responsibility for providing for all those internally displaced people. We will also be asking to Iranian academic and write, Azadeh Moaveni, about how Nasrallah's death could affect Hezbollah's standing in Lebanon and the rest of the region. Also in the programme: Saudi Arabia has carried out nearly two hundred executions this year - the highest in more than three decades; and ahead of the VICE presidential debate in the US - we'll be in Nebraska - what are the big election issues in rural America?Presenter: Julian Marshall. (Photo: Residents in Beirut seek refuge on the streets after Israeli air strikes in the city. Credit: EPA)
Your weekly bonus episode of The Global Story. When OceanGate's Titan submersible went missing last June, it sparked a monumental rescue mission which captured the attention of the world. After days of searching, authorities concluded that the vessel had suffered a catastrophic implosion, and that all five passengers died almost instantly. For the past two weeks, the US Coast Guard has been hearing testimonies from former employees and industry experts, to try to identify what went wrong. On this episode, Azadeh Moshiri is joined by the BBC's science editor, Rebecca Morelle, to discuss the most revealing evidence, and consider whether the tragic event could have been avoided. The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide, one big story every weekday, making sense of the news with our experts around the world.For more, go to bbcworldservice.com/globalstory or search for The Global Story wherever you got this podcast.We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell #TheGlobalStory. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.comYou can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.Producers: Laurie Kalus and Eleanor Sly
Sound engineers: Phil Bull and Mike Regaard
Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas
Senior news editor: Richard Fenton-Smith
The Taliban in Afghanistan are to be taken to the International Court of Justice for gender discrimination by Canada, Australia, Germany and the Netherlands. This is the first time that the ICJ has been used by one country to take another to court over women's rights. Krupa Padhy is joined by the BBC’s Chief International Correspondent, Lyse Doucet.Two weeks of paternity leave isn’t enough, according to the Dad Shift, a campaign group which is calling for more affordable paternity leave. Last week, they made headlines by attaching life-size model babies in slings to statues of men across London, in a bid to raise awareness of the issue. Research suggests that a third of eligible parents don’t take up the two weeks of statutory paid leave. George Gabriel from the Dad Shift; Scott Inglis, a parent and trade union rep for the University and College Union; and Dr Sarah Forbes, Director of the Equal Parenting Project at the University of York, join Krupa to discuss how current policies are working for parents. What would happen if a mysterious woman on a flight began predicting the deaths of her fellow passengers? This is the premise of Australian writer Liane Moriarty’s latest book, Here One Moment. Liane joins Krupa to discuss her novels, which include the Emmy and Golden Globe-winning Big Little Lies. The classic Levi's 501 jeans have been voted the nation's most iconic fashion piece of all time. Originally patented in 1873, the 501 recently celebrated its 150th year. Second to the jeans came the classic Ralph Lauren polo shirt, ahead of the timeless Chanel little black dress. Joining Krupa to discuss all things jeans is Lauren Cochrane, senior Guardian fashion writer and Hannah Rogers, Assistant Fashion Editor at the Times Presenter: Krupa Padhy
Producer: Rebecca Myatt
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says they have "settled the score" with the killing of Hassan Nasrallah, as Iran vows to avenge his death. Also: many killed and missing in Nepal floods.
The Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hailed the killing of the Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut as a historic turning point that will help Israel achieve its war goals. On the programme: We will talk to a spokesman for Israel's military, which dropped the bomb that killed Nasrallah on Friday; also ask how the group's backer, Iran, may respond, and assess the risks for the wider Middle East; and hear how Hezbollah supporters in Lebanon have reacted to the killing.(Photo: A group in Beirut carry a photo of Nasrallah and chant slogans. Credit: Getty Images)
Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated actor Demi Moore is a name recognised by many, from her standout role as Molly Jensen in the film Ghost, to Lieutenant Commander Joanne Galloway in A Few Good Men. But it’s her role as Elisabeth Sparkle in new movie, The Substance, which has got a lot of people talking. Many see it as a commentary on Hollywood’s beauty standards and fear of ageing. Demi joined Kylie Pentelow live to discuss it.The BBC recently broadcast Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods, a documentary and podcast which alleged that former Harrods chairman Mohamed Al Fayed sexually assaulted women who worked at the store. Kylie spoke to the woman who was the catalyst for the documentary - Sophia Stone and to her husband Keaton Stone. Sophia alleges that she was groomed and then sexually assaulted by Al Fayed. Keaton was determined to help her and approached other women who had worked at Harrods. The BBC has heard testimony from more than 20 female ex-employees who say Al Fayed, who died last year, sexually assaulted or raped them. The current owners say they are "utterly appalled" by the allegations and are seeking to settle claims "in the quickest way possible”.The language used by healthcare professionals to describe pregnancy loss exacerbates the grief and trauma experienced by some individuals. Words such as incompetent cervix, products of conception, and empty sac to name but a few. That’s according to a study published this month by University College London. We hear from Dr Beth Malory, Lecturer in English Linguistics at UCL who led the study.It's officially the start of cuffing season, apparently that time of the year where you want to stay home, under a blanket, with a takeaway and someone you love. But how are people looking for partners nowadays? Are we over dating apps and looking to return to meeting people in real life? Anita was joined by Olivia Petter, author or Millenial Love, and Oenone Fobart, co-host of the Everything is Content podcast.What would happen if a mysterious woman on a flight began predicting the deaths of her fellow passengers? This is the premise of Australian writer Liane Moriarty’s latest book, Here One Moment. Liane joined Krupa to discuss her novels, which include the Emmy and Golden Globe-winning Big Little Lies.Presenter: Krupa Padhy
Producer: Annette Wells
Editor: Deiniol Buxton
محافظهکاری چیست؟ یک فلسفه سیاسی است یا یک منش و روش که میتواند با فلسفههای گوناگون در آمیزد؟ چرا مفهوم محافظهکاری و مصداقهای آن اغلب مورد بیمهری قرار میگیرند؟
The Iranian-backed group Hezbollah has described its leader Hassan Nasrallah as a martyr and vowed to continue its battle against Israel. An Israeli Defence Forces spokesman said his death made the world "a safer place".
Hezbollah has confirmed the death of its leader in an Israeli airstrike. The Iran- backed group vowed to continue its fight against Israel. Also on the programme, US presidential candidate and Vice President Kamala Harris has given details of tough new measures she says will strengthen immigration control as she visited the Mexico border.
On October 1st, Claudia Sheinbaum will take office and become Mexico's first female president. What will her presidency look like? With Laura García from BBC Mundo and Luis Fajardo from BBC Monitoring. Produced by Caroline Ferguson and Alice Gioia.(Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)
Many pensioners in England and Wales will lose Winter Fuel Payments this year. This annual payment had been universal and worth £200 or £300 pounds a year, depending on your age. From this winter it will be restricted to pensioners receiving Pension Credit or other means-tested benefits. The reason for means testing it this way is to save money - about £1.5bn each year. In a statement the government told us that "given the dire state of the public finances we have inherited, it’s right that we target support to those who need it most." So how will you be affected? The Department for Work and Pensions has urged people to check if they could be eligible for Pension Credit - you can check here: https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator.The Post Office handled a record amount of cash last month with customers either depositing or withdrawing more than £3.7bn. That new figure beat previous record highs set in May and April suggesting not only is there continued demand for cash, but that people are using Post Office branches more and more to get it. Dan Whitworth visits a branch in North Lincolnshire.And, what does the expansion of funded childcare hours for working parents mean for those who’re set to benefit? Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Reporter: Dan Whitworth
Researcher: Catherine Lund
Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 31st August 2024)
At the One Young World summit in Canada, we meet leaders and innovators from around the world including a 22-year-old MP, a woman using AI to tackle cyberbullying, and the founder of a fashion brand praised by Beyoncé.
The escalating conflict between Hezbollah in Lebanon and Israel is being described as one of the most intense in recent times. The current fighting has been taking place since October last year with the start of the conflict in Gaza. There have been hundreds of deaths in the past couple of weeks, thousands of injuries and tens of thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes. In our conversations, we talk with two doctors in Beirut who treated victims of the exploding pagers and walkie-talkies that targeted Hezbollah operatives. We also bring together people in southern Lebanon, including Zaahra who is reluctant to leave her home despite bombardment by Israeli forces. “It’s our land, it’s where we grew up,” she tells host Luke Jones.
Huge blasts in Beirut as Israel attacks Hezbollah HQ, reportedly targeting the group’s leader. Also: the ongoing violence in Haiti, and the man asked to leave a restaurant because his face was scaring customers.
From today, a range of Chinese goods entering the US will have to pay steeps tariffs. The Biden administration has imposed a 50% duty on solar cells and 25% on steel, aluminium, EV batteries and key minerals. There is a 100% duty on electric vehicles to protect the American auto industry. So, can the American auto companies fill the gap by making affordable electric cars?Meanwhile, there is trouble is brewing in the US East coast. Ten of the busiest North American ports are at risk of shutdown next week due to a union strike. And the international gold price recently soared to record highs. How long will the gold boom last?
Dame Maggie Smith dies - the King and Sir Keir Starmer have both described the actor as a "national treasure"Israeli military bombs what it says is Hezbollah's central headquarters in Beirut Kamal Harris visit the US-Mexico borderand plans to expand Wimbledon by building 39 new tennis courts are approved
Several buildings are destroyed by a series of huge explosions in a densely-populated area in Lebanon's capital; Iran describes the attack as ‘a game changing escalation’. Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to keep fighting Hezbollah, telling world leaders at the UN General Assembly 'We are winning'. Also in the programme: we hear from Haiti where armed gangs are targeting journalists; and Sir Michael Palin pays tribute to actress Dame Maggie Smith, who has died at the age of 89.(IMAGE: A screen grab shows smoke rising behind buildings in Beirut, Lebanon on 27 September 2024. CREDIT: Reuters TV)
Simon Evans, Ian Smith, Aditi Mittal and Anushka Asthana join Andy Zaltzman to quiz the news.This week on The News Quiz the panel go through the PM's wardrobe, take a splash into the Lib Dems' conference, and take on the year's greatest mystery... where are all the butterflies?Written by Andy ZaltzmanWith additional material by: Cameron Loxdale, Sarah Campbell, Owen Pullar and Peter Tellouche
Producer: Sam Holmes
Executive Producer: Pete Strauss
Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman
Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4
An Eco-Audio certified Production
Writer: Tim Stimpson
Director: Pip Swallow
Editor: Jeremy HoweDavid Archer…. Timothy Bentinck
Jolene Archer…. Buffy Davies
Kenton Archer…. Richard Attlee
Pat Archer…. Patricia Gallimore
Tony Archer…. David Troughton
Harrison Burns…. James Cartwright
Usha Franks…. Souad Faress
Ed Grundy…. Barry Farrimond
Eddie Grundy…. Trevor Harrison
Emma Grundy…. Emerald O‘Hanrahan
George Grundy…. Angus Stobie
Tracy Horrobin…. Susie Riddell
Alistair Lloyd…. Michael Lumsden
Jim Lloyd…. John Rowe
Jazzer McCreary…. Ryan Kelly
Lynda Snell…. Carole Boyd
Oliver Stirling…. Michael Cochrane
Is another trade war brewing between the world's two biggest economies? The United States has just increased the level of border taxes - tariffs - on electric vehicles as well as on solar panels and batteries from China. Beijing has vowed to respond. Rob Young looks at the reasons behind the move.Also, Japan has suffered what's often called three lost economic decades. Well, it's about to get a new prime minister. So, what's his plan for the world's fourth biggest economy?And we look at the workers being fooled by artificial intelligence clones of their boss. Would you be able to tell the difference?
The leader of the Sudanese army has told UN General Assembly in New York, that a peace deal depends on the paramilitary Rapid Support Force laying down their arms. The army has also launched a major offensive in the capital Khartoum, targeting areas in the hands of RSF. The BBC's Barbara Plett has got rare access to Sudan. She's accompanied the army to some areas and reports on the how the war is devastating lives.Also, was there an attempted coup in Benin, and by whom? And the remains of South African anti apartheid freedom fighters who died whilst in exile, are returned home for proper burial.Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Victor Sylver and Rob Wilson in London
Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Ediros: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
Hurricane Helene heads to US state of Georgia after hitting Florida. Also: Japan has a new prime minister; actress Maggie Smith dies.
In a rare report from Sudan's war-torn capital Khartoum, women have told the BBC about the gendered violence they face in areas controlled by the rebel Rapid Support Forces group.They detail the harassment they face going about everyday lives and the threats to their families.Also in the programme: Japan's ruling party picks a new Prime Minister, as it tries to recover from a series of scandals; and the Israeli prime minister says negotiations on a ceasefire in Lebanon are continuing, but Israeli warplanes have been carrying out more airstrikes against Hezbollah.(Photo shows a close-up of a woman's hands, with chipped blue nail polish. Credit: Hassan Lali/BBC)
Volodymyr Zelensky has outlined his Ukrainian victory plan at the White House; Kamala Harris warned other aggressors would become emboldened if Putin won. Also: a new map of the Milky Way, and the world's oldest cheese.
In Turkey's largest city, Istanbul, queues of people of all faiths visit a Greek Orthodox Church on the first day of each month to make a wish. Emily Wither spoke to devotees who shared their hopes and desires, as they stood patiently in long lines. No one knows exactly how the tradition started, but visitors take a gold key and descend the stairs to the underground Byzantine chapel to visit an ancient spring believed to have miraculous and spiritual powers. Once their wish comes true, they return the key to the church, who pass it on to others wishing for good luck.
Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party will choose its new leader on Friday, after Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s surprise announcement that he’s stepping down. But what do we know about those vying to take over from him? And how will a new leader effect the economy?Meanwhile, in Spain, union groups have taken to the street in support of a law that would shorten the workday. Unions gathered around the country to put pressure on the national employer’s confederation to back the law, which would reduce the working week to 37.5 hours. And, you might have thought Elon Musk would be a prime candidate to be invited to the British government's inaugural International Investment Summit attracting investment to the UK. But the BBC understands he has - very purposefully - not been invited.
The US says a call for a twenty-one day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was coordinated with Israel, despite its government's apparent rejection of the proposal. We get reaction and hear about people fleeing from Lebanon to Syria.In Washington, Volodymir Zelensky presents his plan for victory in Ukraine's war with Russia.And Baroness Sayeeda Warsi resigns from the Conservative Party in the House of Lords, saying the party has moved to the far right.
President Zelensky persuaded the US President to give Ukraine more aid – but also alienated Republicans – during his visit to the US. Does the fate of Ukraine now turn on the result of November's US election?Also in the programme: we hear from Syria, as tens of thousands of refugees cross the border fleeing Israeli attacks on Lebanon; and crowds in Mexico City call for justice, ten years on from the killing of 43 students which shocked the world.(IMAGE: US President Joe Biden (R) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (L), during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 26 September 2024. / CREDIT: Alexander Drago/POOL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Valerie Trouet of the University of Arizona tells us how tree-ring data has been used to show how the jet stream has shaped extreme weather in Europe for centuries, influencing harvests, wildfires and epidemics. Monash University’s Andy Tomkins discusses how, around 460 million years ago, the Earth was briefly encircled by a ring of dust – like Saturn is today, and that the resulting temporary astronomical shade may have cooled the planet. Andy proposes that this dust came from an asteroid which had a close encounter with our planet. And the cell biology of choking on your drink with Laura Seeholzer from the University of California, San Francisco. Laura has won the 2024 Eppendorf & Science Prize for Neurobiology recognising her work on the discovery of how neuroendocrine cells protect our airways.Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Jonathan Blackwell
Production co-ordinator: Andrew Rhys Lewis(Photo: Members of the research team collected tree ring samples at various locations in Europe, including the Balkan region. Credit: Courtesy of Valerie Trouet)
Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has told the military to continue striking Hezbollah with full force in Lebanon, despite international calls for a ceasefire. There's been a large explosion in Beirut. Unconfirmed reports suggest the commander of Hezbollah's drone operations was the target. We speak to Boaz Bismuth, a member of parliament for Mr Netanyahu's Likud party.Also, a new documentary about the survivors of the Hamas attack on the Nova music festival in Israel, nearly a year ago -- we'll hear from one of them and the director.And recreating the exhibition of Monet's paintings of a smog-filled London that cemented his reputation.(Photo: Buildings destroyed after air strikes in Saksakiyeh, south Lebanon. Credit: REU)
Devina Gupta looks at how China's slowing economy is helping some countries…Also, from cooling economies to cooling appliances that are becoming dangerous for our planet we look at the latest UN report and find out how a business in India is using solar energy to run a cold storage unit.And - South Korea's plan to make dog meat farmers move away from their profession.
Kenyan police are alleged to have used unlawful force during protests in June. How African countries benefit from having satellites in spaceAnd Ethiopia finally launches a stock market. Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Frenny Jowi and Charles Gitonga in Nairobi. Bella Hassan and Nyasha Michelle in London.
Technical producer : Nick Randell
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga.
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Israeli PM tells military to keep fighting with 'full force'. Also: President Biden announces the release of billions of dollars of aid for Ukraine, and the world's longest-serving death row inmate acquitted in Japan.
Nolan Exclusive – Hundreds of thousands of pounds stolen from NI restaurants on Just Eat platform.
A bonus Newshour episode in which James Menendez explores the US election. In this special podcast extra, we'll be speaking to Midwesterners who suddenly find themselves centre stage in the election. We'll head to Georgia to focus on the people who haven't yet decided how they'll vote. And, while some people are wondering what's going to happen in the next 40 days, we'll hear from the survivalists in Oregon, preparing for a once-in-three-hundred-years natural disaster.
What is best practice for journalists when it comes to reporting on rape cases? Why does the way it's reported matter and what sort of a difference can considered reporting make? The End Violence Against Women Coalition (EVAW) with academic Alessia Tranchese are launching a new resource addressing responsible reporting on rape, based on an analysis of twelve years’ coverage in the British press. With te two most recent examples of Gisele Pelicot in France and the ex-employees of Mohamed Al-Fayed in mind, journalist Yvonne Roberts and CEO of EVAW Andrea Simons join Anita Rani to discuss.The war in Sudan began in April last year and shows no signs of ending. It has claimed thousands of lives, displaced millions of people and plunged parts of the country into famine. Laila Baker from the United Nations’ agency for sexual and reproductive health and rights joins us to talk to us about the situation for women on the ground in Sudan.It's officially the start of cuffing season. That time of the year where you want to stay home, under a blanket, with a takeaway and someone you love. But how are people looking for partners nowadays? Are we over dating apps and looking to return to meeting people in real life? Anita is joined by Olivia Petter, author of Millenial Love, and Oenone Fobart, co-host of the Everything is Content podcast.Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Laura Northedge
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the idea of charismatic authority developed by Max Weber (1864-1920) to explain why people welcome some as their legitimate rulers and follow them loyally, for better or worse, while following others only dutifully or grudgingly. Weber was fascinated by those such as Napoleon (above) and Washington who achieved power not by right, as with traditional monarchs, or by law as with the bureaucratic world around him in Germany, but by revolution or insurrection. Drawing on the experience of religious figures, he contended that these leaders, often outsiders, needed to be seen as exceptional, heroic and even miraculous to command loyalty, and could stay in power for as long as the people were enthralled and the miracles they had promised kept coming. After the Second World War, Weber's idea attracted new attention as a way of understanding why some reviled leaders once had mass support and, with the arrival of television, why some politicians were more engaging and influential on screen than others. With Linda Woodhead, The FD Maurice Professor and Head of the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at King's College London
David Bell, The Lapidus Professor in the Department of History at Princeton University Tom Wright, Reader in Rhetoric at the University of Sussex Producer: Simon TillotsonIn Our Time is a BBC Studios Audio Production
A bonus episode from The Inquiry. Just over three years ago the Taliban seized Kabul and stormed to power in Afghanistan. They soon declared a new government which is still not recognised by any other country. The Taliban claim they have made improvements to the country. War is over and, they say, there is more peace and security than before they came to power. But millions of people are struggling to survive in the country, there is a restrictive rule of law that is imposed by a very hierarchical government structure and half the population need aid. This week on The Inquiry we’re asking ‘How are the Taliban governing Afghanistan?’ The Inquiry gets beyond the headlines to explore the trends, forces and ideas shaping the world. For more episodes just search for The Inquiry wherever you get your BBC Podcasts. Presenter: Emily Wither
Producers: Louise Clarke and Matt Toulson
Editor: Tara McDermott T
echnical Producers: Nicky Edwards and Cameron Ward
Contributors: Dr Weeda Mehran, co-director for Advanced Internationalist studies at Exeter University Graeme Smith, senior analyst for the International Crisis Group Dr Orzala Nemet, research associate at ODI Overseas Development Institute Javid Ahmad, non-resident scholar at the Middle East Institute in Washington DC
The army chief told troops to be ready for a cross-border ground operation. The UN says more than 90,000 people have been displaced in Lebanon since Monday. Also: walking on the moon at Europe's lunar life simulator.
The head of Israel's armed forces has told IDF soldiers to "prepare yourselves" for a possible ground offensive into Lebanon. Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said air strikes by Israeli jets are "preparing the ground for your possible entry".The Prime Ministers says people claiming long-term sickness benefit should be looking for work. How hard is it to re-enter the job market after an illness?And former Conservative cabinet minister Michael Gove has been appointed as the new editor of right-wing magazine The Spectator.
Pakistan looks ahead to an anticipated $7bn IMF package as the country emerges from one of its worst economic crises since independence. Now, the government has amped up its efforts to raise nearly $46bn in taxes for the year - we hear from the former governor of the country’s state bank about what needs to happen next.Meanwhile, in the US, the main presidential candidates are setting out their vision for the economy. Donald Trump currently has a 6% poll lead over Kamala Harris on the economy, but she’s been making gains. And, US plane maker Boeing faces more turbulence after a warning from the safety regulator, which has told US politicians that they won't let the company boost production until it addresses a series of issues. We hear from a former Boeing employee about his concerns, and how he expects the current struggle between the company and workers to play out.
Is Israel preparing for a full-scale ground incursion of Lebanon? Israel has been actively striking against southern Lebanon – but also aiming north of the capital city Beirut. We get an on-the-ground update from those living amongst the airstrikes.Also in the programme: We take a closer look on how the escalation of the conflict in Lebanon is affecting the race in one of the swing states in the upcoming US election; and we hear from an Israeli soldier who did fight on Lebanese ground – in 2006.(Photo: Smoke billows over southern Lebanon following an Israeli strike as seen from Tyre. Credit: REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh)
A coalition of civil society organizations, labor unions, media outlets and religious leaders in Ghana have intensified pressure on the government to act decisively against illegal mining, known as galamsey. What impact does galamsey have on the country? Also, an appeal from Amnesty International to release four activists detained in Angola. There's concern over their detriorating health. We'll hear from the wife of one of those detained. And a challenge to the organisers of Fashion Week in Nigeria..to add plus size models to the catwalk!Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Rob Wilson in London. Frenny Jowi in Nairobi and Todah Opeyemi in Lagos.
Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
We hear from a doctor in Pakistan who says he sees parents who do not have enough money to take their dead children home, highlighting the growing and devastating pressures poor families face as rising costs leave them unable to afford basic medication. Devina Gupta finds out if an IMF bailout package can help the country’s health care system.Also, what does an IMF bailout look like for Bangladesh?And in Ghana where an IMF bailout may have slowed inflation, food prices are still rising, we find out why…
The latest on the exodus from southern Lebanon, as well as international reaction. Also: Women and children are dying in Sudan's Darfur region as the healthcare system collapses, the 'hidden' crime wave in Cuba, and how to tell if someone is actually addicted to their smartphone.
Collocations are words that commonly go together. Learn common collocations with 'way'. Think of 'a way' as a path in front of you, and let nothing stand in your way of English proficiency! TRANSCRIPT
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Questions for DUP Education Minister Paul Givan for meeting with Loyalist Communities Council.
Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated actor Demi Moore is a name recognised by many, from her standout role as Molly Jensen in the film Ghost, to Lieutenant Commander Joanne Galloway in A Few Good Men. But it’s her role as Elisabeth Sparkle in new movie, The Substance, which has got a lot of people talking. Many see it as a commentary on Hollywood’s beauty standards and fear of ageing. Demi joins Kylie Pentelow live to discuss it.Last week the BBC broadcast Al-Fayed: Predator at Harrods, a documentary and podcast which alleged that former Harrods chairman Mohamed Al-Fayed sexually assaulted women who worked at the store. Kylie speaks to the woman who was the catalyst for the documentary - Sofia Stone and to her husband Keaton Stone. Sofia alleges that she was groomed and then sexually assaulted by Al-Fayed. Keaton was determined to help her and approached other women who had worked at Harrods. The BBC has heard testimony from more than 20 female ex-employees who say Al-Fayed, who died last year, sexually assaulted or raped them. The current owners say they are "utterly appalled" by the allegations and are seeking to settle claims "in the quickest way possible”.How women cracked Wall Street, the iconic hub of New York's finance district, is the subject of writer and historian Paulina Bren's book She Wolves. It tells the inside story of these women, from the sixties up until 9/11.Today the charity Women for Women release their findings which offers a rare glimpse in to the perspectives of women living in conflict areas. The charity’s International Director Sara Bowcutt joins Kylie to explain their findings.Presenter: Kylie Pentelow
Producer: Emma Pearce
A bonus episode from The Climate Question podcast.BBC Climate Editor Justin Rowlatt travels to Somalia to investigate the links between global warming and the decades-long conflict there. He hears how Somalis are responding by launching businesses and their own renewables industry.For more episodes on the issues facing our planet and how we might combat them, just search for The Climate Question wherever you get your BBC podcasts. Presenter: Justin Rowlatt
Producer in Somalia: Stuart Phillips
Producers in London: Miho Tanaka, Sara Hegarty
Sound Mix: Tom Brignell and David Crackles
Editor: Simon Watts
What do Hollywood legend Leo DiCaprio, Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, and English zoologist Jane Goodall have in common? They have all taken to social media to call for the protection of the Masungi Georeserve, a popular ecotourism destination in the Philippines. This comes after the Philippine government proposed scrapping a contract with the reserve that handed it control over 2,700 hectares of land for reforestation purposes. As public debate rages on, BBC Trending has uncovered evidence of an online disinformation campaign targeting the nature reserve’s keepers. But who is the puppet master pulling the strings from the shadows?
Officials say two days of attacks have created carnage across the country. Also: US IT firm CrowdStrike apologises for the world's worst computer glitch, and the country with a growing number of mountain gorillas.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has told British nationals in Lebanon "now is the time to leave" as Israeli air strikes targeting Hezbollah continue. An additional 700 UK military personnel are being flown to Cyprus tonight, joining 500 who were sent earlier this year. Meanwhile thousands of Lebanese civilians are fleeing the country's south and the Bekaa Valley. Hezbollah has fired hundreds of rockets into Israel.Volodymyr Zelensky has spoken at the United Nations Security Council saying "Russia can only be forced into peace."And a sound designer in LA has developed a new way to start marathons that avoids the sound of a gunshot.
President Biden has led calls at the annual gathering of the UN General Assembly to prevent a slide into full-scale war between Israel and Hezbollah. After another day of cross-border strikes, Israel says it's killed a senior commander of the Lebanese group in Beirut. Also in the programme, Ukraine's president speaks to the United Nations; and how an octopus and a fish join forces and go hunting.(Photo: Smoke billows over southern Lebanon, amid ongoing cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Tyre, southern Lebanon September 24, 2024. REUTERS/Aziz Taher)
New stimulus measures are being introduced by China’s central bank to reduce interest rates on existing mortgages. Devina Gupta speaks to lead economist Betty Wang.Also, is fashion giant Shein benefiting from tax loopholes in the UK? The boss of a popular clothing chain Superdry thinks so, we find out more…And - Singapore sees the biggest corruption scandal in its recent history, we look at why this conviction has had a huge global interest.
The Tanzanian opposition is concerned by abductions in the country they suggest are meant to cower the opposition. The Zimbabwe plans to cull at least 200 elephants. The meat will be used to feed hungry people. So what are the challenges and advantages of eating elephant meat?And why did Botswana's ex-president return home to face trial. Does he have other plans afoot?Presenter :Charles Gitonga
Producers: Nyasha Michelle, Bella Hassan and Patricia Whitehorne in London and Blessing Aderogba in Lagos.
Technical producer: Chris Ablakwa
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
The Lebanese government says 558 people have been killed in Israeli strikes since Monday. Meanwhile, Hezbollah rockets trigger alarms in Northern Israel. Also: Sweden accuses Iran of stirring up division through hacking.
Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.
Here's an expression that means 'from the beginning'. [Image: Getty]
Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-240923FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
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Israel says it hit over one thousand Hezbollah targets and tells civilians in southern Lebanon to flee areas near the group's weapons. Also: Albania plans microstate within its borders.
The US ‘pro-life’ movement has gained ground in recent years, with courts overturning women’s right to an abortion and questioning the legality of IVF fertility treatments. The question at the heart of the debate is when does life begin? ‘Pro-life’ has become synonymous with evangelical Christianity - often considered a powerful voting bloc in America. But how united are Christian preachers? And what does this tell us about the upcoming election? Ellie House reports from the divided churches in the swing state of Michigan.
Officials in Lebanon say almost 500 people have been killed and more than 1,600 injured, after a wave of Israeli airstrikes in the south of the country. It's been the deadliest day of conflict across the border in nearly two decades. We speak to the Lebanese health minister, Firass Abiad, who says thousands of people are fleeing their homes and heading north to escape the bombardment. Also in the programme: We look ahead to Sir Keir Starmer's speech at the Labour Conference in Liverpool; and the tensions over the government's policy towards Israel.
Lebanese health officials say Israeli airstrikes against Hezbollah have killed more than three-hundred-and-fifty people. It's the deadliest day of conflict across the border in nearly two decades. Also on the programme, for the first time in 10 years, Indian administered Kashmir is voting in local assembly elections; and new music from Pakistan’s Qawalli maestro Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan released years after his death.(Photo: Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system operates for interceptions as rockets are launched from Lebanon towards Israel, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, as seen from Haifa, Israel, September 23, 2024. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun)
What is the universe made of? Where does space dust come from? And how exactly might one go about putting on a one-man-show about Sir Isaac Newton?These are all questions that Mike Edmunds, Emeritus Professor of Astrophysics at Cardiff University and President of the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), has tackled during his distinguished career. And although physics is his first love, Mike is fascinated by an array of scientific disciplines - with achievements ranging from interpreting the spread of chemical elements in the Universe, to decoding the world’s oldest-known astronomical artefact.Recording in front of an audience at the RAS in London, Professor Jim Al-Khalili talks to Mike about his life, work and inspirations. And who knows, Sir Isaac might even make an appearance…
We hear reaction from Ghana where President Nana Akufo Addo signed the gender equality bill. Women's rights advocates are calling for the immediate implementation of the nearly 30-year-old bill.Also, what is the legacy of Ali Bongo, the disposed president of Gabon? The former head of state has in a letter, announced he has quit politics.And how the demand for frankincense is promoting poor harvesting methods in countries like Ethiopia and Somalia.Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Rob Wilson, Stefania Okereke, Nyasha Michelle and Frenny Jowi
Technical Producer: Ricardo McCarthy
Senior Producer: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
We are heading to Sri Lanka which has a new president but long-standing economic problems – Devina Gupta speaks to the country's former finance minister Eraan Wickramaratne.Also, with the growing transmission of Mpox in Africa, businesses are having to consider how they can manage to continue operations, we find out more…Plus, could strikes at a Samsung factory in India cause supply problems as we head into the festive season?
Lebanon's health ministry says more than seven hundred people were injured in the bombardment. Also: Sri Lanka’s new president has been sworn in, and why vineyard owners need to adapt their wine with the times.
Lebanon's health ministry says hundreds of people have been killed and more than a thousand wounded in Israeli strikes today - the deadliest day of Israel-Hezbollah conflict in the past year. Over the border in northern Israel, we hear from a resident who has returned home, despite the danger.
Also on the programme: Election disinformation among Latinos in the US, and a Sufi musical legend's new gift.
(Picture: Smoke billows from the site of Israeli airstrikes near Lebanese villages, as seen from Marjaayoun, southern Lebanon Credit: Stringer/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock )
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has told the BBC it's "right" not to accept donations for clothing now she's in government. This is following reports that she took £7,500 from a donor for clothing between January 2023 to May 2024. Keir Starmer, his wife Lady Victoria Starmer and the Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner have also accepted money for clothes, and on Friday, Downing Street said that would no longer continue. To discuss the issue of women and donations, Kylie Pentelow is joined by political journalists Rachel Sylvester from the Times and Eleni Courea from the Guardian.The Sundance award-winning film, Girls Will Be Girls, follows the journey of 16-year-old Mira, who discovers desire and romance whilst attending a strict boarding school nestled in the Himalayas. But her rebellious sexual awakening is disrupted by her mother, who never got to come of age herself. Kylie discusses the film with the writer and director, Shuchi Talati, and actress Preeti Panigrahi who plays Mira.The Labour Party conference is underway in Liverpool. A topic likely to feature heavily in tomorrow’s speech by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is women’s safety. Joining Kylie to give us their views on what they think needs to be prioritised by this government is director and founder of the Centre for Women’s Justice, Harriet Wistrich, and the campaigner Georgia Harrison. Elizabeth Strout is the Pulitzer prize-winning author of many novels including Olive Kitteridge and the Lucy Barton books. Tell Me Everything is her latest novel where she revisits several of the characters who appear in her previous work. She joins Kylie live in the Woman’s Hour studio to talk about her characters and themes of friendship.Presented by Kylie Pentelow
Producer: Louise Corley
'REcycle', 'PREpacked', 'PROactive' - we talk about prefixes in 6 Minute Vocabulary.FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
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Israel and Hezbollah have threatened to increase their cross-border attacks, despite international appeals to calm the situation in the Middle East. Also: unknown Mozart music performed for first time in recent history.
Erdem Moralıoğlu is one of the UK’s most admired and creative fashion designers. Born in Canada to a Turkish father and British mother, he studied fashion at the Royal College of Art and went on to found his eponymous label in 2005. He has dressed the Princess of Wales, Michelle Obama and Nicole Kidman. His Spring Summer 2024 collection was inspired by the the late Dowager Duchess of Devonshire, also known as Debo, one of the famous Mitford sisters - the ‘It’ girls of the 1930s and '40s. Working closely with Susie Stokoe, head of textiles at Chatsworth House, Erdem has drawn on his own designs and many of the Duchess’ clothes and created an exhibition called Imaginary Conversations. Belinda Naylor meets Erdem at his studio in east London to discuss his inspirations and visits Chatsworth House to observe the installation of the exhibition.
Eddie may be fighting a losing battle, and there’s sabotage afoot at the Flower and Produce Show.
Hezbollah fired more rockets into Israel and Israel again attacked Lebanon from the air, as the UN warns the region is on 'the brink of imminent catastrophe'. We hear from a journalist who writes for a Hezbollah news site.Also in the programme: evidence that the United Arab Emirates is smuggling weapons to rebel forces in Sudan under the flag of the Red Crescent; and as the hit show 'Friends' turns 30, we hear from one guest star.(IMAGE: Smoke billows over southern Lebanon, amid ongoing cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as pictured from Marjayoun, Lebanon, near the border with Israel, September 22, 2024 / CREDIT: Karamallah Daher / REUTERS)
A bonus episode from The Global Story.Rupert Murdoch is locked in a secret court battle with three of his eldest children, over the future of his media empire. The news mogul owns some of the most influential outlets in the world, including Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, and The Times of London. It has been reported that Mr Murdoch wants to amend a family trust to ensure his son and political disciple Lachlan inherits controlling voting rights at News Corp and Fox, but a campaign to unseal the proceedings has been unsuccessful.On this episode, Lucy Hockings is joined by the BBC's culture and media editor Katie Razzall, and Brian Stelter, chief media analyst at CNN. They unpack what we know about the succession fight, and discuss whether the public should have a right to know what's going on behind closed doors.The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide, one big story every weekday, making sense of the news with our experts around the world.Insights you can trust, from the BBC World Service. For more, go to bbcworldservice.com/globalstory or search for The Global Story wherever you got this podcast.We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell #TheGlobalStory. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.comYou can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.Producers: Laurie Kalus and Alix Pickles.Sound Engineer: Mike Regaard.Assistant Editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas.Senior News Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith.
Israel says the move to limit gatherings in the north of the country is needed because it expects Hezbollah to escalate rocket attacks from Lebanon. Also: hundreds of paratroopers mark daring WW2 offensive at Arnhem.
Amid the 2015 migrant crisis, when millions of refugees were seeking safety in Europe, Germany’s then Chancellor, Angela Merkel, took an extraordinary step to take in more than a million asylum seekers, mostly from the Middle East. She famously declared, “Wir Schaffen Das” - We can do it. Now, almost 10 years on, many from this generation of refugees are living settled lives in Germany and a recent liberalisation in German citizenship law means they are now eligible for citizenship, giving them a vote in where Germany goes from here. But it is a fraught time to become German. The AfD, a far right party harshly opposed to immigration of all kinds, is rising in popularity, especially in the former East. Damien McGuinness meets former refugees now on a path to citizenship, and finds out what this piece of paper means to them.
The US national security adviser has said there’s a real risk that an escalation in fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon could ignite a regional war. Since Jake Sullivan voiced his concerns, the Israeli military says it's launched fresh attacks on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. Also, we speak to Robert Baer, a former CIA agent, on the attacks in Beirut and the killing of senior Hezbollah commander, Ibrahim Aqil.
And supporting a parent with dementia, we hear from one science writer about her mother's experience.(Photo: Medical personnel work at the site of Friday's Israeli strike, as search and rescue operations continued on Saturday. Credit: Reuters)
Dame Tracey Emin is one of the most famous artists and leading figures of the Young British Artists movement of the 1990s. Hers is a uniquely provocative, confessional style which confronts issues such as trauma of abortion, rape, alcoholism and sexual history. In recent years Tracey has focussed on painting and she has just published her first in-depth exploration of her painted work, simply called Paintings. Anita Rani talks to her about that and her latest exhibition, I followed you to the End, on now at the White Cube gallery in London.Nikki Doucet has been called the most powerful person in English women’s football. She is the newly appointed CEO of the Women’s Professional Leagues Ltd which took over leadership of the two top tiers of women's football from the Football Association this summer. Nikki and her team have big plans to revolutionise the women's game, as she tells Clare McDonnell.Four-time Oscar nominee Saoirse Ronan broke into Hollywood at 13 years old with her performance as Briony Tallis in Atonement. She has also appeared as Jo March in Little Women, as the lead actress in Brooklyn and won a Golden Globe for her performance in Lady Bird. She joins Clare to discuss her latest role in the film The Outrun in which she plays Rona, a young woman struggling with addiction.The number of women taking up NHS cervical screening test invitations has been declining for the last 20 years. Healthwatch England did research with women who were reluctant to accept NHS invitations for screening and found that 73% would do an at-home test instead. A trial done by King’s College, London earlier this year found that if self-sample kits were available on the NHS, 400,000 more women would be screened per year. Chief Executive of Healthwatch England, Louise Ansari, and Dr Anita Lim, lead investigator of the King’s College London trial, join Clare to talk about their findings.On 22 September 1994, the American TV show Friends premiered on NBC and the characters Monica, Rachel, Phoebe, Joey, Chandler and Ross became household names. To celebrate its 30th anniversary, Anita speaks to one of the show’s writers and producers, Betsy Borns. Plus, we hear from journalist Emma Loffhagen about why the show still resonates with Gen Z all these years later.Carrie Hope Fletcher is an author, singer, West End star – and now a new mum. She joins Anita to talk about ...
Lebanon's health minister says at least thirty-one people are now known to have been killed by Friday's Israeli airstrike in Beirut - a third of them women and children.Also in the programme: do France's rape laws and the way it prosecutes cases need to change? And on World Alzheimer's Day, what's it like when your mother forgets who you are?(IMAGE: Residents near the site targeted by an Israeli strike the previous day, in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, 21 September 2024 / CREDIT: Wael Hamzeh/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
We hear about the freedom and independence a visually impaired man found by running with an AI guide. Also: South Africa's hospital train; an usual diplomatic job share; and the dog whose love of binmen has gone viral.Presenter: Jackie Leonard. Music composed by Iona Hampson
Pavel Kushnir was a classical pianist. But according to Russian authorities, he was also a dangerous dissident. In July 2024, he died on hunger strike in a remote prison in Far East Russia. Who was Pavel Kushnir, and why did he end up in jail? Liza Fokht from BBC Russian has been trying to piece together Pavel Kushnir’s story.Produced by Alice Gioia, Caroline Ferguson and Hannah Dean.(Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)
حیوان آزاری رایج در ایران ناشی از چیست؟ می توان حیوان را واجد حقوق اولیه ای چون حق حیات دانست و می توان حیوان دوستی را معیاری برای سلامت جوامع بشری نامید؟ مهمانها: حسن یوسفی اشکوری؛ پژوهشگر مطالعات اسلامی، جلال ایجادی؛ زیست بوم شناس و عضو حزب سبزهای فرانسه و پژمان اکبرزاده؛ فعال مدنی و مدافع حقوق حیوانات.
Hezbollah confirmed Ibrahim Aqil's death after Israel said he was one of several senior Hezbollah figures killed in the strike. Also: Peppa Pig, Thunderbirds and Dalek voice actor David Graham dies aged 99.
The rock legend Jon Bon Jovi made headlines around the world and earned much praise after he was seen helping a distressed woman on the ledge of a bridge in Nashville, Tennessee. He approached her, talked to her, and gave her a warm hug after she climbed back to safety. “What I’ve noticed is the most potent medicine that I can give somebody is a caring heart and a hug in their times of trial,” says first responder Marc Maikoski who has been involved in many such incidents in his own area in California. Marc and our other guests discuss how “seeing” an individual can be the crucial moment for a person in a dark moment and how the intervention of a stranger, who takes the time and shows the courage to talk, can turn a situation around.
Tensions continue to rise in Lebanon and there is growing fear of escalating conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. Over the past decade Lebanon’s economy has shrunk dramatically, the currency has collapsed, and prices have skyrocketed. Many are living under fear and uncertainty. We hear from Lebanon's business community on how they are coping in the current climate.Elsewhere, in Kenya a court has ruled that Facebook's parent company Meta can be sued over the dismissal of content moderators. These workers say they were fired for trying to form a union and that they were blacklisted from new jobs when Meta changed contractors. And Leanna Byrne looks at the strike by Boeing production workers, which has already racked up over half a billion dollars in losses.
The Israeli military says it killed the head of an elite Hezbollah unit along with other commanders in an airstrike in Beirut. We get reaction from a Lebanese member of parliament and from a former US ambassador to Beirut at the time of the 2006 Lebanon war.Also on the programme: the millions of Ukrainians suffering from mental health issues because of the war; and a new blood test that could be an early warning of diabetes and obesity in children.(Photo: Smoke rises from Beirut southern suburbs on 20 September, 2024. Credit: Reuters)
Writer: Liz John
Director: Mel Ward
Editor: Jeremy HoweJolene Archer…. Buffy Davies
Kenton Archer…. Richard Attlee
Pat Archer…. Patricia Gallimore
Tom Archer…. William Troughton
Tony Archer…. David Troughton
Susan Carter…. Charlotte Martin
Ian Craig…. Stephen Kennedy
Ed Grundy…. Barry Farrimond
Eddie Grundy…. Trevor Harrison
Emma Grundy…. Emerald O‘Hanrahan
Will Grundy…. Philip Molloy
Tracy Horrobin…. Susie Riddell
Adam Macy…. Andrew Wincott
Fallon Rogers…. Joanna Van Kampen
Simon Evans, Ria Lina, Glenn Moore, and Coco Khan join Andy Zaltzman to quiz the news.This week on The News Quiz the panel look towards a cold winter for pensioners, an early fall for prisoners, and try to figure out exactly what was being said during the US Presidential debate.Written by Andy ZaltzmanWith additional material by: Mike Shephard, Christiana Riggs, Rebecca Bain, Sam Lyden and Teresa Burns
Producer: Sam Holmes
Executive Producer: James Robinson
Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman
Sound Editor: Giles AspenA BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4
An Eco-Audio certified Production
The Israeli military says it's carried out a "targeted strike" on the Lebanese capital Beirut, after Hezbollah fired more than 100 rockets into Israel. Lebanon's health ministry says 3 people have been confirmed killed and 17 more injured.
Also on the programme: BBC reporting reveals the number of Russian fighters killed in Ukraine has reached 70,000; and a new study reveals that fussy eating may well be genetic.
(Photo: People inspect the site of an Israeli strike in the southern suburbs of Beirut on September 20, 2024. Credit: REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir)
Israel and Hezbollah exchange fire across the Lebanese border, there are fears the situation could spiral out of control. Also: a warning Haiti situation is catastrophic, and fussy eaters can blame their parents.
The boss of the world's largest sportswear maker, Nike, is to step down as the company's market share falls and rivals produce more innovative footwear.Also in Lebanon, the country's economy minister says the situation is escalating by the hour. Lebanon had already endured one of the worst financial meltdowns in history. Rob Young hears from the minister, a business owner and get a briefing on the state of the country's economy amid a slide towards -- what many fear will be -- an all-out war.And we look at why tensions have resurfaced between China and Japan, Asia's biggest economies.
Nigeria warns of massive potential flooding after neighbouring Cameroon releases dam waters. Why has Nigeria failed to construct a buffer dam over the years?We look at cybersecurity and its best practice in AfricaAnd why is Hungary sending soldiers to Chad? Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Blessing Aderogba, Charles Gitonga, Rob Wilson, Patricia Whitehorne and Bella Hassan
Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Dame Tracey Emin, one of the most famous artists and leading figures of the Young British Artists movement of the 1990s. Hers is a uniquely provocative, confessional style which confronts issues such as trauma of abortion, rape, alcoholism and sexual history. In recent years Tracey has focussed on painting and she has just published her first in-depth exploration of her painted work, simply called Paintings. It coincides with a new exhibition, I followed you to the end, at the White Cube gallery in London, which features mostly paintings that her treatment and recovery from bladder cancer.A man who raped, and stabbed a woman 60 times in Northumberland 27 years ago has been recommended for release by the parole board. Steven Ling was jailed for life in 1998 after murdering Joanne Tulip. Ms Tulip’s mother, Doreen Soulsby has condemned the decision. She shares her story with Anita.Dame Maureen Lipman proposed to her partner, David Turner, as a joke. And he said yes! The two 78-year-olds are now engaged. Dame Maureen joins Anita to tell her the story of how it happened, and why she was the one who proposed. Since this summer, Woman’s Hour has been taking a deep dive into the world of 'genre fiction', the women who write it and the women who read it. We’ve turned the pages of Romantasy; Science fiction; Historical novels; Spy and Thrillers. Today it’s the turn of YA, Young Adult fiction. To discuss the YA genre and what’s in it for women, Anita is joined by Catherine Doyle, co-author of the Twin Crowns trilogy, whose new YA novel, an epic, enemies-to-lovers fantasy, The Dagger and The Flame, is out this month; and Laura Dockrill, author of Lorali and Big Bones.
Bara’atu Ibrahim speaks to Jibra’il Omar, formerly Timothy Weeks; an Australian educator who was held captive for three years in Afghanistan by the Taliban. However, Jibra’il Omar made news six years ago, after he converted to Islam whilst in captivity, and astonishingly went back to Afghanistan after his release. Over a period of some months, Bara’atu built up a relationship with Jibra’il over a messaging service whilst he was in Kabul. She spoke to him on two occasions, where he shared his story and gives the reasons of why he decided it was right for him to become a Muslim, and moreover celebrate with his captors once they came back into power.
Israeli warplanes flew low over Beirut - creating sonic booms. Also: We look at the repercussions of false claims by Donald Trump that immigrants are eating pets, the EU sends 11 billion dollars to rebuild after Storm Boris and the runaway capybara in England thats captured international attention.
Under the shadow of conflict is normal life possible in Lebanon? The country has had a major economic crisis for almost a decade, and there is growing fear of escalating conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. We hear from Lebanon's business community on the challenges of working under the shadow of increasing violence.Also, in the programme, Roger Hearing looks at the ongoing legal dispute between Brazil and the social media platform X. The company, which has more than 22 million users in Brazil, has appointed a new lawyer who has told the BBC that the company has decided to comply with all the court orders. Elsewhere, the sportswear brand Nike has just announced its CEO John Donahoe will retire next month and will be replaced by Elliott Hill, a veteran former Nike executive.
Israel says it has struck dozens of Hezbollah sites in Lebanon in an intensifying bombing campaign as it focuses its military's attention northwards. The militant group's leader says the deadly synchronised explosions of its devices crossed all red lines.Also on the programme: the EU is providing €10bn ($11bn) to rebuild towns and infrastructure in central and eastern Europe devastated by Storm Boris; and children in Sweden will start school a year earlier in an overhaul of an education system that famously favoured play over formal learning. (Photo: Hassan Nasrallah is a Shia cleric who has led Hezbollah since 1992. Credit: Reuters)
The Sahara Desert has been experiencing unusually heavy rainfall due to an extratropical cyclone, causing flash floods in Morocco. We hear from Moshe Armon of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. A 485 million-year temperature record of Earth reveals Phanerozoic climate variability. Brian Huber of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington DC tells us more. And Mary Lewis of Reading University discusses new research looking into what puberty was like for our ancestors towards the end of the last ice age. Teenagers from 25,000 years ago went through similar puberty stages as modern-day adolescents. Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Jonathan Blackwell
Production Coordinator: Andrew Rhys Lewis (Image: Moroccan municipal workers and members of Auxiliary Forces help drain a road in a flooded neighbourhood in the city of Ouarzazate. Credit: ABDERAHIM ELBCIR/AFP via Getty Images)
“There’s no playground, no place to play football, and no wedding venue anymore. It’s all been washed away,” the words of a hotel owner just south of Wrocław, in Poland, hit by the worst floods in 25 years. You’ll be hearing more about her story…Also, in today’s tech-focused episode Sam Fenwick will be discussing the United Nations’ call for stronger regulation of artificial intelligence.You'll hear a special report on who tech titans might be backing in the US election. And how have global investors reacted to the big interest rate cut in the United States?
The authorities in Lebanon have banned pagers and walkie-talkies from all flights out of Beirut. Also: Mohamed Al Fayed accused of multiple rapes by staff, and Ukraine energy sector faces 'sternest test yet'.
Lebanon is still in shock after explosions of pagers and walkie-talkies killed dozens and injured thousands of people this week. So is the region heading for a wider war? We hear from the former Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert. Also on the programme: Sarah Gillis of Space X describes what it was like to take a violin into space; and how the entire human genome has been stored on a crystal. ( Pic: Mourners attend the funeral of Hezbollah member. Credit : Reuters
Over one thousand children are feared still missing in Pibor, South Sudan. An initiative is now underway to try and reunite abducted children with their families. Over the past few weeks, around 200 of them have been brought back home. But why are they being abducted and by whom? Also why did thousands of young people attempt to cross the border between Morocco and Ceuta, in the northern part of the continent over the weekend? And did you know that Ceuta is still a Spanish territory? And why has South Africa's famous son, Elon Musk still not agreed a deal with the South African government and his company, Starlink? Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Rob Wilson, Yvette Twagiramariya and Stefania Okereke
Technical Producer: Nick Randell
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Alice Mutehngi and Andre Lombard
Maternity failings at scandal-hit hospitals are becoming more widespread, according to the Care Quality Commission. In a review of 131 maternity units across the NHS in England, 48% have been rated as requiring improvement or inadequate. Anita Rani gets the latest from BBC health correspondent Nick Triggle, and speaks to NHS midwife and author Leah Hazard about whether women can keep themselves safe on maternity wards.On 22 September 1994, the American TV show Friends premiered on NBC. Monica, Rachel, Phoebe, Joey, Chandler and Ross became household names. To celebrate its 30th anniversary, Anita speaks to one of the show’s writers and producers, Betsy Borns. Plus, we hear from journalist Emma Loffhagen about why the show still resonates with Gen Z all these years later. Reporter Melanie Abbott joins Anita – she has been investigating breast implant illness. Thousands of women are having their implants removed because they think they are making them sick. We hear from Caroline George who had hers taken out four months ago, and from a doctor and researcher, Prabath Nanayakkara, in the Netherlands who has been running a specific clinic for this for 12 years. He thinks that the UK desperately needs a similar resource. Breast surgeon Steven Thrush will tell us what is happening here in the UK where it seems much harder to get a diagnosis.Stand-up comedian, writer, and actor Lucy Beaumont joins Anita to talk about the next leg of her tour – Lucy Beaumont Live. She’ll tell us about the stories and jokes we can expect on the tour, as well as why she thinks the world of comedy has gone backwards to being male-dominated. Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Lottie Garton
Man shot in both legs by IRA in 1990s in case of 'mistaken identity' yet to receive compensation. Also, a former key figure in the DUP urges party to rebrand and change its name. Presented by Mark Simpson.
In 1956 Oxford University awarded an honorary degree to the former US president Harry S. Truman for his role in ending the Second World War. One philosopher, Elizabeth Anscombe (1919 – 2001), objected strongly.She argued that although dropping nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki may have ended the fighting, it amounted to the murder of tens of thousands of innocent civilians. It was therefore an irredeemably immoral act. And there was something fundamentally wrong with a moral philosophy that didn’t see that.This was the starting point for a body of work that changed the terms in which philosophers discussed moral and ethical questions in the second half of the twentieth century.A leading student of the philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein, Anscombe combined his insights with rejuvenated interpretations of Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas that made these ancient figures speak to modern issues and concerns. Anscombe was also instrumental in making action, and the question of what it means to intend to do something, a leading area of philosophical work.WithRachael Wiseman, Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of LiverpoolConstantine Sandis, Visiting Professor of Philosophy at the University of Hertfordshire, and Director of Lex AcademicRoger Teichmann, Lecturer in Philosophy at St Hilda’s College, University of OxfordProducer: Luke MulhallIn Our Time is a BBC Studios Audio Production
Hezbollah's walkie-talkies were targeted in another day of blasts in Lebanon killing at least 20 and injuring hundreds. Also: first US interest rate cut in four years, and scientists discover that gibbons like to dance.
China's Belt and Road Initiative stretches physically with infrastructure projects across the globe, but there is one initiative that is the most ambitious yet - The Space Silk Road. The space race is heating up with new entrants like India and private companies like SpaceX, but it is the Chinese who are set to dominate by 2045. Central to the Space Silk Road is a controversial station in Patagonia, Argentina. The Espacio Lejano Ground Station has a powerful 16-story antenna, with an 8-foot barbed wire fence that surrounds the entire compound. Katy Watson asks astronomers, space engineers and Argentinian residents, how President Xi's Space Silk Road is impacting their universe.
The US Federal Reserve has slashed interest rates by half a point, the first reduction in more than four years. We talk to experts and businesses about the impact this will have in the economy.A second wave of blasts have taken place in Lebanon, leaving at least 14 dead and more than 450 injured. We hear more about the exploding devices and their origins.And reports of X being available again for users in Brazil have emerged weeks after the social platform was temporarily banned by a judge in the country. We look into what is happening.
Over the past four years, consumer prices worldwide have been on the rise. In the United States, inflation soared to 9.1% in June 2022, marking its highest rate since November 1981. Similarly, advanced economies have faced significant inflationary pressures. Later today, the US central bank, the Federal Reserve, will announce its latest decision on interest rates and is expected to cut rates for the first time in more than four years. Elsewhere, the UK has announced inflation figures of 2.2%, but are consumers feeling any better off? Presenter Sam Fenwick examines if businesses have also been struggling with higher prices for energy and raw materials along with increased wages.
Russian arms depot erupts after a Ukrainian drone attack where explosions can be seen from space. Also: Hezbollah blames Israel for exploding pagers across Lebanon, and US brand Tupperware files for bankruptcy.
Ahead of knife-edge December elections there are demands for an independent forensic audit of the voter register. The electoral commission says it is not needed. Why is the opposition party NDC adamant?Communities in Guinea welcome the return of land taken from them violently by previous governmentsAfrica's future is urban- we explore what's behind the growth of megacities on the continent?Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Sunita Nahar, Bella Hassan, Yvette Twagiramariya, Kaine Pieri and Nyasha Michelle in London.
Technical Producer: Nick Randell
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
You can drum up or feign interest in something. These are examples of verbs that are commonly used with the noun 'interest'. You can learn these and more with PhilTRANSCRIPT
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The Iranian government is not coy about its silence tactics. Since Iran's Woman Life Freedom Movement began on 16 September 2022, unlawful executions, imprisonment, physical and sexual abuse has dominated headlines across the globe. It is estimated that tens of thousands of people have received some form of government retribution – and at the heart of it is a complex surveillance system that aids security forces in its endeavours. The Supreme Cyber Council oversees digital rule in the country, and combined with FATA (the Cyber police), BASIJ (volunteer law enforcement working with Iran’s security forces) and surveillance spy software amongst other things, clamping down on dissent has never been easier. We speak to the women on the digital frontline between the state and their communities, investigate how court summons are issued based on social media posts and talk to experts about Iran’s surveillance tactics.
Four-time Oscar nominee Saoirse Ronan broke into Hollywood at 13 years old with her performance as Briony Tallis in Atonement. She has also appeared as Jo March in Little Women, as the lead actress in Brooklyn and won a Golden Globe for her performance in Lady Bird. She joins Clare McDonnell to discuss her latest role in the film The Outrun in which she plays Rona, a young woman struggling with addiction.Nikki Doucet has been called the most powerful person in English women’s football. She is the newly appointed CEO of the Women’s Professional Leagues Ltd which took over leadership of the two top tiers of women's football from the Football Association this summer. Nikki and her team have big plans to revolutionise the women's game and she joins Clare to tell her about them. The number of children who are fully vaccinated for MMR - measles, mumps and rubella - has fallen to the lowest level in 14 years. According to NHS figures, this year 91.9% of children aged five received one dose of the MMR vaccine and only 83.9% have had two doses. To reach herd immunity – the point where diseases stop spreading - at least 95% per cent of children need to be immunised. Clare discusses the issues with Carly Danesh-Jones, a parent who previously held vaccine hesitancy views and changed her mind, and Dr Vanessa Saliba, a UK Health and Security Agency consultant epidemiologist.It’s been 20 years since the singer, songwriter and actor Joanna Levesque - or JoJo - signed her first record deal at the age of just 12 years old and shot to the top of the pop-and-R&B charts. Her cool-girl appearance and upbeat music with hits such as Leave (Get Out) to Baby It's You earned her millions of fans across the world. She joins Clare to discuss her memoir Over The Influence which delves into the challenges she faced, from her parent’s addiction problems, through to her own struggles growing up in the limelight. Presenter: by Clare McDonnell
Produced by Louise Corley
Is the new Grand Central Station adding to the traffic woes of Belfast motorists? Our reporter Taylor Johnson investigates. We also take a look at safety on the roads and what is being done to protect you. Presented by Mark Simpson.
Johnny, Rocky and Rambo were performers in the world’s last travelling dolphin circus and inside a Bali hotel swimming pool. This is the story of the fight to shut the circus down and the long journey to try to return the performing dolphins to the ocean. We hear why the world’s most famous dolphin trainer changed sides - playing a role instead in the fight for their freedom. It is the story of how Femke Den Haas, the Indonesian campaign director of the Dolphin Project, teamed up with former trainer Ric O'Barry.
Hezbollah blames Israel for blowing up hundreds of pagers in Lebanon. Israel has yet to comment. Also: rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs awaits trial over sex trafficking charges; and Instagram boosts privacy on teen accounts.
The US Federal Reserve is likely to cut interests rates tomorrow. We discuss the implications with experts in the United States.
And why the Indian Supreme Court is stepping into the row about female doctors' safety at the Kolkata Hospital where a young medic was raped and murdered on her rest break.
And on the ground in Sri Lanka ahead of this weekend's election, we hear how the country's slow recovery from economic turmoil will be an important factor in the vote.
Bill Gates has told the BBC that governments need to do more to help those living in extreme poverty. Since the pandemic many have cut their aid budgets. A report from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation warns that 40 million additional children will suffer from hunger in the coming years because of climate change and a drop in aid in Africa from nearly 40% of the global total in 2010 to just 25%.Elsewhere, Thailand’s new Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has announced a $13.5 billion cash handout programme for low-income earners and vulnerable groups that will start next week, and will hopefully give the economy a boost. And twenty-four hour party people. How will Montreal's economy benefit from extending their drinking hours?
Kenya’s President Ruto has struck a labour deal with Germany, but how will the policy work, and will the skilled and semi-skilled workers arriving from Kenya be well-received? Is Tanzania's increasing involvement in the tobacco industry sacrificing the health of its population? And why did a student take Ghana's education department to court over his hairstyle?Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Charles Gitonga and Frenny Jowi in Nairobi. Yvette Twagiramariya, Benjamin Woodroof and Nyasha Michelle in London
Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne
Technical producer: Francesca Dunne
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus calls the situation in Sudan very alarming and the largest displacement crisis in the world. Also: Flooding from Typhoon Yagi has killed more than 220 people in Myanmar. And how to windsurf from the Netherlands to the UK and back.
The actress Kim Cattrall has starred in films and on stage, but is probably best known for TV series Sex And The City. She is now in a new audio drama, Central Intelligence, which tells the story of the CIA from the perspective of Eloise Page. Eloise joined on the agency’s first day in 1947 and became the highest ranking female officer. Kim joins Clare McDonnell to discuss Eloise, her passion for radio, and the enduring appeal of Samantha Jones.In sentencing Huw Edwards, the former BBC News presenter, for accessing child sexual abuse images, the magistrate said that he did not pose a risk to the public or children, and that an immediate custodial sentence was not necessary because the evidence showed he could be rehabilitated. Edwards must now attend 25 sex offender treatment sessions. We look at how these treatment programmes work and how effective they are proven to be, with Deborah Denis, CEO of the Lucy Faithfull Foundation and Professor Belinda Winder, Research Director of the Centre for Crime, Offending, Prevention and Engagement at Nottingham Trent University.The number of women taking up NHS cervical screening test invitations has been declining for the last 20 years. Healthwatch England did research with women who were reluctant to accept NHS invitations for screening and found that 73% would do an at-home test instead. A trial done by King’s College London earlier this year found that if self-sample kits were available on the NHS, 400,000 more women would be screened per year. Chief Executive of Healthwatch England Louise Ansari and Dr Anita Lim, lead investigator of the King’s College London trial, join Clare to tell us more.Sarah Pearse is the best-selling author of the Detective Elin Warner trilogy. She recently released the last novel in the series, The Wilds which includes themes of coercive control and was written with advice from the charity Refuge. She talks to Clare about the role fiction can play in highlighting issues of domestic violence and coercive control.
Here's an expression you can use about somewhere you live or visit very often.Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-240916FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
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Industrialisation, modern cityscapes and strong economic growth promote an image of a youthful, vigorous Malaysia. But the country is now ageing rapidly, and this sudden transformation seems to have caught many - including the government - by surprise: Despite their country’s development, millions have little or no retirement income and face destitution or dependence in their golden years. What little provision is available was compromised during the Covid pandemic when the government allowed workers to withdraw retirement funds just to survive lockdown. Those who did so can now have almost nothing left in their accounts. Without any universal pension, many older Malaysians rely on their families – but younger relatives are often struggling in a low wage economy and find it increasingly difficult to provide for anyone but themselves. As Claire Bolderson reports, Malaysians may have to change their attitudes to retirement and to saving if they are to avoid the spectre of serious poverty in old age.
The US Secret Service says agents' swift action foiled Donald Trump's 'assassination'. Also: the submersible which imploded as it descended to the Titanic, and the UK PM talks stopping migrants with the Italians.
Tik Tok takes to the courts to fight the US Government's ultimatum to get rid of its Chinese parent company and more troubles for strike-bound Boeing; the Seattle aviation giant is cutting back on spending and may furlough white-collar staff.
Also, in West Bengal, why people celebrating the state's most popular festival may not be able to enjoy their traditional fish treat
With 86 billion nerve cells joined together in a network of 100 trillion connections, the human brain is the most complex system in the known universe.Dr Hannah Critchlow is an internationally acclaimed neuroscientist who has spent her career demystifying and explaining the brain to audiences around the world. Through her writing, broadcasting and lectures to audiences – whether in schools, festivals or online – she has become one of the public faces of neuroscience.She tells Prof Jim Al-Khalili that her desire to understand the brain began when she spent a year after school as a nursing assistant in a psychiatric hospital. The experience of working with young patients - many the same age as her - made her ask what it is within each individual brain which determines people’s very different life trajectories.In her books she explores the idea that much of our character and behaviour is hard-wired into us before we are even born. And most recently she has considered collective intelligence, asking how we can bring all our individual brains together and harness their power in one ‘super brain’.And we get to hear Jim’s own mind at work as Hannah attaches electrodes to his head and turns his brain waves into sound.
Why did Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye dissolve the National Assembly?Consensual same sex acts are not a crime in Ivory Coast, so why are homophobic attacks on the rise?Plus, we meet the man who's trying to save African indigenous vegetables from dying out.Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Charles Gitonga in Nairobi and Nyasha Michelle, Bella Hassan and Yvette Twagiramariya in London.
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Technical producer: Francesca Dunne
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Frank McWeeny heads to Georgia’s capital Tbilisi, to meet the underground music community leading protests against government clampdown on freedom of expression and civil society groups. How vital is dancing in a country going through the biggest political and social crisis of its generation? We hear from the city most important techno club Bassiani, militant radio station and event space Mutant Radio, and members of the nightlife scene.
His known activity paints a mixed picture of his politics and he appears to have felt strongly about Ukraine's war effort. Also in this podcast: Germany introduces controls on all of its external borders, an American pastor held in a Chinese jail for 18 years is finally home, the BBC gets rare testimony from women in Iran who say they've been persecuted after posting on social media, and the big winners and losers at this year's Emmy awards.
Carrie Hope Fletcher is an author, singer, West End star – and now a new mum. She’s about to start a brand new tour around the UK, called Love Letters, which will feature musical theatre favourites and love letters from the audience. She joins Clare McDonnell to talk about the tour, what it’s like being a musical theatre Mum and gives a live performance in the studio.National treasure Sandi Toksvig talks to Clare about her first adult novel in 12 years. When Stevie and Amber move into their new home, they are surprised to find that the old woman they bought it from, a cantankerous and outrageous 79-year-old called Dorothy, is still living there. Friends of Dorothy is a joyful and uplifting celebration of LGBTQ+ relationships and chosen family. This month marks the halfway point – or 20th anniversary – of the Breast Cancer Now Generations Study. As one of the world’s largest and longest-running studies into the causes of breast cancer, it looks at the causes of breast cancer by following 110,000 women from the UK over 40 years. As a result, scientists are developing breast cancer risk tools that will help to identify women at high risk, even if they do not have a family history of the disease. Clare is joined by co-leader of the study Professor Amy Berrington and Amanda Jones who is a participant.Presenter: Clare McDonnell
Producer: Maryam Maruf
Editor: Olivia Bolton
Studio Manager: Duncan Hannant
We'll also get the first reaction from a DUP MLA on Casement since the big announcement.
How do you pronounce the words night and knight?FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
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A man has been detained after US Secret Service agents spotted a rifle in the bushes at Donald Trump's Florida golf course. Also: MI5 security service in the UK lowers entry requirement for potential spies.
Peruvian singer Lenin Tamayo has been dubbed the founder of ‘Q-pop’. He combines traditional Andean folk music with K-pop inspired instrumentation and dance. His songs mix Quechua – one of Peru’s indigenous languages, and the official tongue of the Inca Empire – and Spanish. Lenin first launched his career when his videos went viral on TikTok. Now, he’s working on his second EP. It’s a sweltering day in bustling Lima, and presenter Martin Riepl heads up to the North of the city. Lenin’s in his studio, wrestling with his new song, ‘La Llaqta’. Over the next five months, Martin follows this song’s journey from initial concept to live performance. He visits Lenin at home, backstage, in a storyboarding meeting, and at a dance rehearsal, uncovering Lenin’s process of fusing two very different musical styles. Presented by Martin Riepl
A bonus episode from The Global Story. Democrats and Republicans are donating billions to back candidates in November’s election. So far, the 2024 US election has been defined by surprises and unprecedented moments. But if one thing is certain, it's that the election will cost a lot of money. Donors from both major parties are donating billions of dollars in the hopes of seeing their candidates win the White House and hundreds of local races. So, what is all that money spent on? And what impact is it having on US politics? Katya Adler speaks to the BBC’s correspondent in Washington DC, Anthony Zurcher, and Matt Foster from American University, also in the capital. The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide, one big story every weekday, making sense of the news with our experts around the world.Insights you can trust, from the BBC World Service. For more, go to bbcworldservice.com/globalstory or search for The Global Story wherever you got this podcast.We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell #TheGlobalStory. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.comYou can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.Producers: Richard Moran and Alix Pickles.
Sound Engineer: Hannah Montgomery.
Assistant Editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas.
Senior News Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith.
Romania has set up displacement camps after floods killed a number of people and destroyed thousands of homes. Also: Peru buries its former President, Alberto Fujimori, with a complex tussle over his legacy.
Africa is home to around one-third of the world's languages, but only a smattering of them are available online and in translation software. So when young Beninese computer scientist Bonaventure Dossou, who was fluent in French, experienced difficulties communicating with his mother, who spoke the local language Fon, he came up with an idea. Bonaventure and a friend developed a French to Fon translation app, with speech recognition functionality, using an old missionary bible and volunteer questionnaires as the source data. Although rudimentary, they put the code online as open-source to be used by others. Bonaventure has since joined with other young African computer scientists and language activists called Masakane to use this code and share knowledge to increase digital accessibility for African and other lower-resourced languages. They want to be able to communicate across the African continent using translation software, with the ultimate goal being an "African Babel Fish", a simultaneous speech-to-speech translation for African languages. James Jackson explores what role their ground-breaking software could play for societies in Africa disrupted by language barriers. A Whistledown production for BBC World Service Photo: A woman using a mobile phone Credit: Getty Images
Tracy-Ann Oberman has reprised her role as Eastenders’ Chrissie Watts. She talks to Nuala about stepping back into this character after almost two decades, and her recent adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. In it, Tracy-Ann plays a female version of the Jewish character, Shylock, and sets the action in 1930s London during the rise of Oswald Mosley, the antisemitic founder of the British Union of Fascists.We look back at Tuesday's special programme, live from the Radio Theatre in Broadcasting House in London, looking at the support for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities – or SEND as it’s often known in England. Nuala heard from guest panellists including Kellie Bright, an actress in EastEnders but also a mum to a child with SEND, Katie, who is 17 and says she was completely failed by the SEND system, Marsha Martin, the founder and CEO of the charity Black SEN Mamas and the Minister for School Standards, Catherine McKinnell.Visual artist Bharti Kher’s new exhibition, Target Queen at the Southbank Centre, features supersized bindis reimagined from their microscopic form to the macro size worn by the goddess, transforming the brutalist building into a powerful feminine force. Bharti joins Anita to discuss the exhibition.The newly elected Chair of the Women and Equalities Select Committee, Labour MP Sarah Owen, joins Anita Rani on the programme to discuss the remit of her new role and what she hopes to achieve.A new play, The Lightest Element, which has opened at Hampstead Theatre, explores the life and career of astronomer Cecila Payne-Gaposchkin, the first person to work out what stars are made of. Anita is joined by actor Maureen Beatie, who plays Cecilia, and the playwright Stella Feehilly.
The woman who's beaten the odds to fulfil her childhood astronaut dream. Also: a photography camp for children in Belize; and Moo Deng, the viral baby pygmy hippo.Our weekly collection of happy stories and positive news.
Why are exams so stressful? Chinese journalists Wanqing Zhang and Eric Junzhe share personal memories about the infamous Gaokao exam in China, which this year reached a record of 13.42 million applicants; and India correspondent Soutik Biswas reports on the exam scandals threatening the future of millions of young people in India. Plus: why do we have recurring nightmares about exams? Caroline Steel from CrowdScience has the answer. If you also have questions about exams, email them to crowdscience@bbc.co.uk. Produced by Caroline Ferguson, Alice Gioia and Hannah Dean.(Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)
ترور فخریزاده و هنیه و ضربههای امنیتی دیگر به جمهوری اسلامی نه فقط به تاسیسات و عوامل و متحدان بلکه به غرور آن هم آسیب جدی رسانده. چنین وضعیتی به چه پاسخی علیه اسراییل خواهد انجامید؟ مهمانهای برنامه: رزا پرتو؛ تحلیلگر مسائل سیاسی و حمیدرضا عزیزی؛ پژوهشگر روابط بینالملل.
After the meeting, the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer gave no indication if the UK and US would allow Ukraine to use long-range weapons inside Russia. Also: stranded Nasa astronauts say being left behind was hard.
For millions of us, our phones or computers are the first place we go to look for romance. Dating apps are a multi-billion dollar business, and for a good few years it’s been booming. But recently there’s been discussion about whether they’re in decline, with fewer downloads and some regular users saying they feel burned out by their experiences on them. For some, the novelty has just worn off. Others have been put off by interactions with people they’ve been matched with. Host Luke Jones hears from three people who have decided they don’t want to meet people this way any more. Faith, a 27-year old Nigerian woman living in the UK says the final straw for her came when her date phoned her to arrange where to meet. “I could hear a girl’s voice in the background. I said ‘Who is that?’ and he said, "That’s my girlfriend, she stays with me". "He said oh they’re just going through a separation just now so they decided to take a break so he decided to download a dating app." On the other hand, there are success stories. Dyuti in India wrote a dating app profile specially designed to filter out all non-suitable matches, then met and instantly clicked with the man who’s now her fiancé. Victor and Tricia are another happy couple, and would never have met without a dating app, since they were living thousands of miles apparent when they first met digitally. Tricia was astonished that Victor, a Londoner, was prepared to fly to Singapore to meet her, “If guys from the same country I was living in would not make that much effort into meeting me, why would someone from 10,000km away, fly all the way over to see me?” They’d got on well online, and got on even better face to face, and were married a year later. A Boffin Media production in partnership with the OS team. (Photo: Faith. Credit: Faith)
Pakistan authorities have been trying to find the best way to achieve the IMF deal, bring down the inflation and safe the country from the default, but could things be about to improve? Also, we find out how China can produce affordable EVs for under $20,000 and why Elon Musk's social media company "X" moving to Texas?
Russia expels six British diplomats on the day the UK's PM is due to hold talks on Ukraine with President Biden at the White House. Also: China raises retirement age, and after 22 years the Grand Tour runs out of road.
China is set to gradually raise its retirement age for the first time in decades, as the nation grapples with an ageing population and a shrinking pension fund. Under the new plan, men will retire at 63 instead of 60, while most women will work until 58, up from 55.Plus, it's a challenging period for aircraft manufacturer Boeing, as workers have overwhelmingly voted to strike over a contract and pay dispute.And Kenya's president William Ruto is in Germany to sign a labour agreement that will enable up to 250,000 skilled Kenyan workers to travel to and work in Germany.
Devastating floods caused by a burst dam in northeastern Nigeria have submerged entire residential areas, displacing tens of thousands of people and animals. Authorities say at least thirty people have died. Two hundered prisoners also escaped from the Maiduguri state prison. It's been described as the worst flooding in thirty years, reports our correspondent Azzezat Olaoluwa in Maiduguri.Also, how the influence of so-called Islamic State in Mali is making things worse for women and girls in the Sahel.And the long history behind naked protests in Uganda. Three young women who staged a nude protest against corruption in front of the country's parliamentary buildings recently, are facing charges in a court of law.Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Bella Hassan, Susan Gachuhi and Alfonso Daniels.
Technical Producer: Nick Randell
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
The Chief Executive of Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre has stepped down. It follows an independent review which found the centre failed to protect women-only spaces. It was commissioned by Rape Crisis Scotland - after an employment tribunal found the centre in Edinburgh had unlawfully discriminated against an employee - who believed sexual assault victims should be able to choose the sex of those supporting them. Anita Rani hears more from Lorna Gordon, the BBC's Scotland correspondent.
Karen Maguire received an out-of-court settlement from South Lanarkshire Council last year after her adoption of a two-year-old boy broke down. She won the payout after her lawyer argued that the council had failed to provide her with sufficient background information on the child and did not support her during the placement. Karen tells Anita why she has decided to speak out. And Anita also hears from Dr Polly Cowan from Scottish Adoption and Fostering, who has separately carried out research into child adoption breakdowns.
Visual artist Bharti Kher’s new exhibition, Target Queen at the Southbank Centre, features supersized bindis reimagined from their microscopic form to the macro size worn by the goddess, transforming the brutalist building into a powerful feminine force. Bharti joins Anita to discuss the exhibition.
Director Fawzia Mirza joins Anita to talk about her feature film debut, The Queen of My Dreams. Set across Karachi and Canada, the film follows Azra, a queer aspiring actress who clashes with—and ultimately reconciles with—her conservative Pakistani mother. Partly inspired by Fawzia's own life, it explores the bonds between mothers and daughters and how gay brown girls can also have an epic Bollywood-style romance.Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Dianne McGregor
The Russian president didn’t specify Moscow's response if Ukraine is given permission to use long-range missiles. Also: the technology hoping to help patients who have lost sensitivity in their hands and fingers.
Ibiza is an island of contrasts. A place which triggers thoughts of raucous partying, superstar DJs and excess. But it's also an area of raw natural beauty, rugged hills, with a rich spiritual history. No-one knows this duality better than Kim Booth - she's experienced both faces of the Balearic paradise island. Kim first visited as a party go-er tourist and 30 years on, she’s now a resident offering an alternative side to Ibiza. This tiny island island swells from a few hundred thousand residents, to over a million when tourists flock there over the summer months. But what pressure does this put on the people and the nature of Ibiza? After working in PR and for some of the biggest names in the music industry like superclub Pacha and dance label Defected Records, Kim chose a different path. Facing personal traumas in her life with the loss of her mum and her brother being murdered, Kim turned away from the parties and discovered the Red Road indigenous teachings. After experiencing this wisdom in Central and South America, her life mission changed. She brings healers and musicians from around the world to provide an alternative experience for those looking to “go inwards” - on an island full of people “losing themselves.” But is it realistic to unite these two worlds together in one of the busiest, commercial hotspots in the world? Reporter Amber Haque travels to Ibiza to witness the coming together of ancient, indigenous practices, on the tourist-packed island that is full of modern conflicts. Presenter: Amber Haque
Producer: Rajeev Gupta
Editor: Miriam Williamson
Production Coordinator: Mica Nepomuceno
Although Boeing executives and union representatives reached a deal earlier this week that includes a 25% pay rise over four years, the aviation giant facing the potential strike as it has yet to be approved by union members. We hear from the aviation consultant who is going to attend the Union meeting.Also, why the historic downturn of the Paraguay River can play crucial role for the Paraguayan economy? And what future can we see in the space travel business?
Writer: Liz John
Director: Kim Greengrass
Editor: Jeremy HoweDavid Archer…. Timothy Bentinck
Tony Archer…. David Troughton
Brian Aldridge…. Charles Collingwood
Harrison Burns…. James Cartwright
Alice Carter…. Hollie Chapman
Chris Carter…. Wilf Scolding
Neil Carter…. Brian Hewlett
Susan Carter…. Charlotte Martin
Ruairi Donovan…. Arthur Hughes
Emma Grundy…. Emerald O’Hanrahan
George Grundy…. Angus Stobie
Will Grundy…. Philip Molloy
Brad Horrobin…. Taylor Uttley
Joy Horville…. Jackie Lye
Alistair Lloyd…. Michael Lumsden
Jazzer McCreary…. Ryan Kelly
Fallon Rogers…. Joanna Van Kampen
Robert Snell…. Michael Bertenshaw
The SpaceX mission sees the first private spacewalk. Jared Isaacman was followed by fellow non-professional astronaut, Sarah Gillis. They were testing new space suits. Also: wine is made from bananas in Malawi, and Jon Bon Jovi helps talk woman off a bridge.
Chinese stock markets have fallen to a five-year low, with investors concerned about the health of its economy.
Elsewhere, the European Central Bank cuts interest rates again. Boeing makes a last ditch appeal to workers ahead of their vote on a new contract which includes a 25% pay rise offer.
And we examine the economic legacy of Peru's former president Alberto Fujimori who has died.
Why are workers at Kenya's main airports objecting to a planned deal to lease the facility to India's Adani Group for 30 years?
How Cameroon's simmering secessionist rebellion is affecting schooling for children
And why African women need to be involved in developing Artificial Intelligence.
Presenter : Audrey Brown
Producers: Charles Gitonga and Susan Gachuhi in Nairobi, Todah Opeyemi in Lagos with Bella Hassan and Paul Bakibinga in London
Technical Producer: Nick Randell
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
The BBC's Disinformation and Social Media Correspondent, Marianna Spring, speaks to parents, teenagers and social media company insiders to investigate whether the content pushed to their feeds is harming them. We hear what happens when two teens give up their phones for the week, and ask: should teenagers give up their smartphones?
President Zelensky says Russia will be held accountable for a deadly missile attack in Poltava. Also: Prague honours the man who saved Jewish children from the Nazis, and NY governor's ex-aide charged as Chinese agent.
A pregnant woman and six children are among the dead after a small boat capsized in the Channel in the worst tragedy of its kind this year. We're live on the French coast - and ask whether the new government's plan to "smash the gangs" will help to prevent future tragedies. Also tonight:The final report into the Grenfell Tower fire is published tomorrow - we hear what it means to survivors. And as a street in Prague is named after Sir Nicolas Winton - we speak to one of the children he rescued from the Nazis and who was there for the ceremony.
President Zelensky says 2 Russian missiles struck a military training institute and a hospital in the central Ukrainian city, the worst single attack on a city this year.Also on the programme: An attempt by inmates to break out of a high-security prison in the Democratic Republic of Congo has led to the deaths of 129 people; and the Prague street named after Sir Nicholas Winton, the British man who saved hundreds of Jewish children from the Holocaust.(Photo: An image of a damaged building in Poltava.)
We start in Germany, where perhaps the biggest warnings yet about the pressure on Europe's car industry have come from one of the continent's biggest firms. Volkswagen - VW - has warned it could close factories for the first time in its history as it comes under increasing financial pressure.Also today the boss of one of the world's biggest delivery firms warns of disruption to global trade,And, fancy an AI dating - wingman?
As African leaders gather in Beijing this week for the China-Africa summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping may have one thing under his belt to boast about - satellite TV rolled out in Africa. But have villagers really benefiited or not? Also, an announcement asking to free members of the Muslim Brotherhood from Egypt's prisons is quickly withdrawn. Why? And in Cape Town, artists from across the continent come together to perform challenging art for challenging times!Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Bella Hassan and Stefania Okereke
Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
A BBC investigation has found that the number of illegal Israeli settler outposts in the occupied West Bank has risen rapidly in recent years. Documents seen by the BBC also show that sanctioned settlers have been supported by an organisation funded by the Israeli government.Also on the programme: why did Mongolian authorities fail to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin? And Catholics in Indonesia welcome Pope Francis as he embarks on his longest tour yet. (Photo: Moshe Sharvit was one of the extremist settlers sanctioned by the UK. Credit: BBC)
At least forty people are killed in a deadly Russian missile attack as President Putin visits Mongolia - where he could be arrested. Also: the boss of Volkswagen goes on trial and we hear about Sikh superheroes.
Head teacher Ruth Perry took her own life in January last year whilst waiting for the publication of an Ofsted report she knew would grade her school as "inadequate". Ruth’s sister, Professor Julia Waters, has been campaigning for change in the way Ofsted rates schools ever since. A review was published today into Ofsted's response to Ruth Perry’s death, and yesterday the Government announced changes to the way the school's inspector for England rates schools. Nuala McGovern is joined by Professor Waters to give her response. Susanne Bier is an award-winning director who has worked with stars from Jennifer Lawrence to Sandra Bullock. Her newest project, The Perfect Couple, stars Nicole Kidman and centres around a wealthy family in Nantucket. Susanne joins Nuala to talk about the series and how she’s leading the way for female directors.Today we speak to not just one Paralympic medallist but two - Team GB triathletes Lauren Steadman and Claire Cashmore. Yesterday they won bronze and silver in the Para-triathlon category, PTS5. They join Nuala on the line from Paris. To mother is a political act. That’s the premise of a new book – Mother State: A Political History of Motherhood, which reimagines the history of modern Britain through the figure and work of the mother. The author Helen Charman tells Nuala why she believes that motherhood is inherently a political state, and why it matters, whether you have children or not. Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Emma Pearce
For more than six months, a BBC Eye team has been investigating extremist settlers establishing a new type of illegal settlement known as a “herding outpost”.
Some have been sanctioned by the UK and US governments for forcing Palestinians from their homes as part of a “campaign of violence and intimidation”.
In this documentary we tell the story of the Palestinian communities living on the frontline of their outposts.
We expose how some of these settlers have been supported by two powerful organisations in Israel, one which describes itself as “an arm of the Israeli state”.Image credit: BBC Eye
Tension in PSNI between gay and straight officers over support for those seeking promotion. Also, is it time to crack down on mobile phones in schools? What is Ozempic?
Here's an expression you can use when you're in a desperate situation. [Image: Getty] Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-240902 FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus LIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️ 6 Minute English ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ Learning English Stories They're all available by searching in your podcast app.
The once glamorous Cypriot beach resort of Varosha has stood empty and frozen in time since war divided the island 50 years ago, but it is now partially open to tourists and there are hotly contested plans for its renewal.Maria Margaronis speaks to Varosha's former inhabitants - mostly Greek Cypriots - who fled in 1974 when Turkish troops invaded the island and have been unable to return ever since, after Turkey fenced off the town as a bargaining chip for future peace negotiations.Some of these Varoshians want to rebuild the resort together with the island's Turkish Cypriots - a potential model for diffusing hostilities across the whole island - and the UN says its original inhabitants must be allowed to return. But, following decades of failed peace talks, the internationally unrecognised Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which controls Varosha, now says it intends to re-open and redevelop the entire town.
Pressure mounts on the Israeli prime minister, following the killing of six hostages. Also: the Mayor of Paris provokes protests saying she wants the Olympic rings to stay on the Eiffel Tower forever; and how to hold a fashion show in a war zone.
Campaign donations have been a key feature of the 2024 US election. Since Kamala Harris entered the presidential race huge donation figures have been widely reported in the media. One Republican donor tells us why he’s hoping for a Trump win. We examine where campaign donations are coming from and how decisive they might be in this election. Also in the programme, Rahul Tandon looks at the protests and general strike in Israel following the death of six hostages held by Hamas, and looking back at Mexico’s President Lopez Obrador’s economic record as he prepares to leave office.
The Foreign Secretary has announced that the government is suspending thirty arms export licences to Israel. David Lammy told MPs that there was a "clear risk" that British-made parts might be used to commit acts which violate international humanitarian law. They include components for fighter jets, helicopters and drones. Israel criticised the move as a "disappointing decision" at a "sensitive moment".Also in the programme: Venezuela has reacted furiously to the seizure by the US of its leader, Nicolas Maduro's personal jet; and is it time to end compulsory multiplication tests for nine year-olds?
President Biden has said that a final deal for a ceasefire - and the release of hostages held in Gaza - is very close to being presented to Israel and Hamas, by mediators. He also said did not think the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, was doing enough to secure an agreement. Benjamin Netanyahu has been appealing to the public for their continued support. He also asked for forgiveness from Israelis for not being able to bring back alive the six hostages who were found dead in Gaza on Saturday. We hear from a member of the Israeli Government and our Diplomatic Correspondent James Landale .Also on the programme: What is dynamic pricing, and why has it caused upset amongst fans trying to secure tickets to see Oasis in the UK?; and US political statistician, Nate Silver, talks about his latest book and why we should all take more risks. (Photo: Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu holds press conference in Jerusalem. Credit:Ohad Zwigenberg EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Dr Sheila Willis is a forensic scientist who was Director General of Forensic Science Ireland for many years.She has spent her life using science to help solve cases, working on crime scenes and then analysing material in the lab, and presenting scientific evidence in court.It’s a complicated business. Forensic science relies on powerful technology, such as DNA analysis, but it cannot be that alone - it’s also about human judgement, logical reasoning and asking the right questions.It is these fundamentals of forensic science that Sheila has fought for through her long career and what she fears may be becoming lost from the field now.We find out what happens when the two very different worlds of science and the law clash in the courtroom. How to walk the line of presenting scientific evidence where there is pressure to be definitive where often science cannot be - and what this part of the job has in common with food packaging.And what makes a good forensic scientist?We’ll turn the studio at London’s Broadcasting House into a live crime scene to see if host Professor Jim Al-Khalili would be any good as a forensic investigator…
Businesses, schools, universities and transport across Israel have been disrupted by a general strike called to put pressure on the government to agree a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal with Hamas. We find out how firms are operating and from one boss who's encouraging his staff to strike.Also, Thailand's war on an "alien" fish that it fears could cost its economy almost $300 million.And cries of foul play from fans of the band Oasis, after a ticketing meltdown and experiencing the rough side of dynamic pricing.
Hundreds of thousands strike in Israel to pressurise PM Netanyahu to secure a hostage release deal with Hamas. Also: Analysis of Germany's regional elections, and how boys are flooded with violent social media content.
The arrival of Egyptian military planes in Somalia ratchets up tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia, raising tensions in the already fragile Horn of AfricaA dam bursts in Sudan killing at dozens of people, intensifying the suffering of a country already facing the ravages of war - we ask why dams fail so often in Africa?And doctors in Nigeria have been striking to demand the release of one of their colleagues kidnapped by bandits.
Israel's main union federation says hundreds of thousands of people have taken part in a strike to demand the government reach a deal with Hamas to free hostages from Gaza. A court has now ordered them to return to work.Also in the programme: Germany's far right AfD party wins Thuringia state election; and Sir Ian McKellen on continuing his acting career after a fall on stage.(Picture: Israeli protesters during an Israeli hostages families' protest in Tel Aviv. Credit: ATEF SAFADI/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
One or two-word Ofsted inspection grades for England's schools are being scrapped immediately. Early next year, school improvement teams will be set up in every area, and the Government says it will continue to intervene in struggling schools. By September 2025, parents will be able to view a new "report card" describing what inspectors have found at a school. BBC Correspondent Ellie Price joins Nuala McGovern to discuss the changes, as does Sir Michael Wilshaw, former Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills, and Emma, a parent campaigner from Sheffield.A new film about to hit our cinema screens looks at three estranged sisters, in very different stages of life who move back in together during their dying father’s final days. His Three Daughters stars Carrie Coon, Elizabeth Olsen and Natasha Lyonne and it covers several themes that might really resonate with many women. It hits selected UK cinemas on Friday 6 September and Netflix on 20 September. Emmy-nominated Carrie Coon, known for her work in The Gilded Age and the new Ghostbusters reboot, and Elizabeth Olsen, Emmy-nominated Marvel Universe Star who played Wanda Maximoff, the Scarlett Witch as well as real-life figure, Candy Montgomery in the miniseries Love & Death, both join Nuala live in the studio to discuss it.As schools go back across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, children aren’t the only ones who might feel the pressure of making friends at school. Alliances and friendships between parents at the school gates will also be forged, broken, renewed or even ignored. So if you’re a mum dropping off or picking up the kids today, how do you feel about hanging out with other mum friends? Do you struggle to make those relationships? Or do you thrive on them? And does having mum friends impact how your own children make friends and socialise? The writers Rhiannon Picton-James and Jayne Cherrington-Cook join Nuala to discuss.
Frank McWeeny heads to Georgia’s capital Tbilisi, to meet the underground music community leading protests against government clampdown on freedom of expression and civil society groups. How vital is dancing in a country going through the biggest political and social crisis of its generation? We hear from the city most important techno club Bassiani, militant radio station and event space Mutant Radio, and members of the nightlife scene.Photo of Bassiani club main room, taken in 2019. Credit: Bassiani.
Stormont cuts winter fuel payments - a local decision taken by locally accountable politicians. Plus, Stephen chats to a ticketing security expert, ahead of the momentous Oasis reunion gigs next year.
Do you ever 'meet up with' your friend in the park? We talk about multi-word verbs. FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus LIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️ 6 Minute English ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ Learning Easy English They're all available by searching in your podcast app.
American artist Laurie Anderson is putting the finishing touches to her new album Amelia at Miraval Studios in southern France. This is Laurie's first record in six years, and she tells the story of renowned female aviator Amelia Earhart’s tragic last flight in 1937. Earhart’s plane disappeared without trace over the Pacific as she attempted to circumnavigate the globe. The fate of Amelia and her navigator Fred Noonan became one of the most enduring mysteries of the last century. This 22-track album has been almost 25 years in the making, and Laurie has come to Miraval Studios in southern France to work with Emmy-winning sound engineer Damien Quintard. We go behind the scenes as they collaborate on a complex mix, which includes the Filharmonie Brno orchestra, a string trio and other solo musicians.
Germany's AfD becomes first far-right party to win state election since Nazi era. Also: the mysterious death of the 'Russian spy whale', and the South African beauty queen crowned Miss Nigeria after a nationality row.
Exit polls suggest the far right Alternative for Germany is on course to win a state election for the first time. The party is predicted to win around 33% percent of the votes in Thuringia and in the neighbouring state of Saxony, exit polls put the AfD in second place.Also in the programme: Protests have erupted in Israel after six hostages were killed in Gaza, increasing the pressure on Binyamin Netanyahu’s government; and an opera version of the famous UK fictional detective Sherlock Holmes goes on stage. (Picture: Right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) top candidate Bjoern Hoecke gives thumbs up on the day of the Thuringia state election in Erfurt, Germany, September 1. Credit: Reuters).
Emma takes matters into her own hands, and the fate of the Ambridge cricket team is revealed.
The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the killing of six hostages in Gaza shows Hamas doesn't want a ceasefire deal. The deaths came as aid agencies begin a mass vaccination campaign against polio in the Palestinian territory. We look in detail at both.Also in the programme: What is driving voters from eastern Germany? And an opera based on one of the best known Sherlock Holmes novels.(Photo: A combination picture shows undated handout images of hostages Ori Danino, Carmel Gat, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, and Almog Sarusi, who were kidnapped by Hamas during the October 7 attacks, and whose bodies have been found underground in the Rafah area of the Gaza Strip and returned to Israel, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. Credit: Courtesy of Bring Them Home Now/Handout via Reuters)
This is a bonus episode from The Global Story asking - Are ultra-processed foods impossible to avoid?Research into ultra-processed foods suggests they could be linked to health problems including cancers, heart disease, obesity and depression - but scientists are yet to agree on how they actually affect us. Often mass-produced, and containing multiple additives, UPFs have become the target of nutritionists and clean-living advocates alike. But, given how common they are, can we realistically avoid them? On this episode, Lucy Hockings speaks with BBC health reporter Philippa Roxby, and Ruth Alexander, presenter of The Food Chain podcast from the BBC World Service. Together, they unpack what we really know about UPFs. The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide, one big story every weekday, making sense of the news with our experts around the world.Insights you can trust, from the BBC World Service. For more, go to bbcworldservice.com/globalstory or search for The Global Story wherever you got this podcast.We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell #TheGlobalStory. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.comYou can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.Producers: Beth Timmins, Laurie Kalus, and Alice Aylett Roberts.
Sound Engineers: Ben Andrews and Mike Regaard.
Assistant Editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas.
Senior News Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith.
Kavita Puri goes to India to meet the last survivors of the 1943 Bengal famine. She looks for traces of how war and famine impacted Kolkata and then travels from the city along the road to where the story of famine begins. Kavita goes deep into the countryside and the jungle in West Bengal to find people who lived through that devastating time more than 80 years ago. For the past year and a half Kavita has been asking why there is no memorial to the three million people who died. But then in the Bengal jungle she finally finds it – and it’s not what she expected.
Israel and Hamas agree to localised pauses in fighting to enable more than 600,000 Palestinian children to be vaccinated. Also: The weight loss drug that studies suggest can treat other illnesses linked to heart failure, arthritis, Alzheimer's and even cancer, and the armless Paralympic archer.
UN agencies and local health officials in the Gaza Strip are launching an ambitious campaign to vaccinate 640,000 children against polio. To be effective, the World Health Organization (WHO) says at least 90% of children under 10 must be immunised in a short time frame. We hear from parents on the ground in Gaza.Also on the programme: another challenge for tech billionaire Elon Musk over his social website 'X', now it's been blocked in Brazil; and the dulcet tones of marmoset monkeys speaking to each other. (Picture: The mother of Palestinian boy Abdul Rahman Abu Al-Jidyan, who is the first person to contract polio in Gaza in 25 years, gestures as she looks after him in their tent, in Deir Al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip Credit: REUTERS/Ramadan Abed)
A new Netflix series, Kaos is a modern, darkly comic retelling of Greek mythology that will perhaps have you seeing the gender politics of ancient Greece in a new light. Stage and film actor Janet McTeer stars as the Queen of the gods, Hera. Janet joins Anita to talk about Hera’s sexual power as well as her previous roles and what has changed in the industry.If you were watching the Paris Olympics, you might have spotted identical twins Lina and Laviai Nielsen taking to the track. The Olympic duo join Nuala to discuss competing together at an elite level in athletics, winning bronze side-by-side for Team GB, and navigating triumphs and challenges in the public eye after Lina’s Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis.Protests have been happening across India after a 31-year-old junior doctor was raped and murdered in a hospital in Kolkata earlier this month. Her death prompted marches and strikes nationwide over safety issues for female doctors and this soon developed into a talking point for women’s safety in general. BBC Delhi Correspondent Kirti Dubey joins Anita Rani to report on the latest news, along with Dr Aishwarya Singh Raghuvanshi, a female doctor in India.The Post Office Horizon scandal has been described as the most widespread miscarriage of justice in British legal history. One of those impacted was Ravinder Naga. In 2009, he falsely confessed to stealing money from his mum's Post Office to protect her from going to prison. Last week his conviction was overturned after 15 years. Anita talks to Ravinder and his mum Gurbash about what happened, and the impact it had on their relationship.The play Shifters follows former children friends Des and Dre, they are first loves whose relationship twists and turns over a decade. Currently on at the Duke of York’s Theatre, is the third play in the West End to be written by a black British woman. The writer Benedict Lombe joins Nuala, along with Heather Agyepong who plays Des.Los Bitchos are an all-female band from countries across the world who play a range of instrumental music from the style of Colombia folk music to Turkish psychedelic rock! All four members - Nic Crawshaw, Josefine Jonsson, Serra Petale and Agustina Ruiz, join Anita to perform live.Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Annette Wells
Editor: Louise Corley
We meet Manette, the 102 year old who has become the Britain's oldest skydiver. Also: as the Paralympics get underway, we hear the stories of inspiring athletes including USA swimmer, Ali Truwit, who was attacked by a shark.Presenter: Rachel Wright. Music composed by Iona Hampson.
X, formerly Twitter, has been banned in Brazil after its owner Elon Musk refused to comply with court orders to suspend certain accounts.Also on the programme: The Ukrainian city of Kharkiv comes under Russian attack again, we hear from a resident living there. And we hear about monkeys who call each other by name. (Photo: Elon Musk, owner of X. Credit: Reuters/David Swanson)
Could a cup of coffee become an act of love and remembrance? BBC Ukrainian's Ilona Hromliuk speaks to the relatives of fallen soldiers who have opened 'memory cafés' to pay tribute to their loved ones. Plus, Alfred Lasteck from BBC Africa tells us about a pioneering conservation project that helped restore the coral reef around the Mnemba island in Zanzibar, and sports journalist Emmanuel Akindubuwa meets the power couple of Nigerian para table tennis. Produced by Alice Gioia and Hannah Dean.(Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)
آیا نفت و گاز در آینده اهمیت خود را حفظ خواهد کرد و کشورهای صادرکنندهی آن خواهند توانست جایگاه ژئوپولیتیک خود را نگه دارند؟ مهمانهای برنامه: جواد کیپور؛ کارشناس انرژی و علم صالح؛ استاد دانشگاه.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russian attack on Kharkiv could have been prevented if international donors allowed their weapons to be used inside Russia. Also: do marmoset monkeys call each other by name?
The withdrawal of US troops in 2021 prompted the collapse of the Afghan military, an interim government and then a power grab by the hardline Islamist regime. Since then there have been increasingly harsh restrictions on everything from freedom of movement to clothing. Women and girls are now longer able to attend school after the age of 12 or university and must not speak in public. Host Luke Jones brings together three women in Kabul and in the nearby Ghazni province to hear about their lives, ambitions and how the latest laws make them feel.
Hospices say services are at serious risk of being cut because of a crisis in funding. A hospice caring for terminally ill people tells us it's planning to cut jobs - and beds. We ask whether, as well as money, the relationship between hospices and the NHS needs to change.Also tonight:A Labour MP, revealed by the BBC to be renting out flats with black mould and ant infestations, says he's profoundly sorry that tenants have been let down. We have the latest.Is Germany about to face fresh political upheaval? We look ahead to this weekend's crunch elections where the far-right is expected to surge.As Terry's the chocolatier provokes controversy among chocolate lovers by offering a version of its chocolate orange without the orange flavour, a food psychologist explains why it might still taste... orangey.
An attack on Ukraine’s second biggest city leaves five dead. It comes at the end of a week in which Ukraine says Russia has launched more than four hundred missile and drone strikes. We’ll hear from Kharkiv and from the embattled town of Pokrovsk.Also in the programme, Burkina Faso’s losing battle against a jihadist insurgency – and multi-award winning British actor Gary Oldman on the one honour missing from his trophy cabinet(Photo: Ukrainian rescuers at the suite of a damaged residential building in Kharkiv after the attack. Credit: SERGEY KOZLOV/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
WRITER: Katie Hims
DIRECTOR: Dave Payne
EDITOR: Jeremy HoweLilian Bellamy…. Sunny Ormonde
Harrison Burns…. James Cartwright
Alice Carter…. Hollie Chapman
Neil Carter…. Brian Hewlett
Susan Carter…. Charlotte Martin
Justin Elliot…. Simon Williams
Emma Grundy…. Emerald O’Hanrahan
George Grundy…. Angus Stobie
Brad Horrobin…. Taylor Uttley
Tracy Horrobin…. Susie Riddell
Joy Horville…. Jackie Lye
Alistair Lloyd…. Michael Lumsden
Kate Madikane…. Perdita Avery
Dr Azra Malik.... Yasmin Wilde
Fallon Rogers …. Joanna Van Kampen
Laura… Claire Cage
Confused by candidates? If you're feeling adrift ahead of the Conservative leadership election, TL;DR has done the reading for you.Alex Kealy joins Catherine Bohart to look at the runners and riders. In the sidebar, Russian stand-up Olga Koch looks at why a strong opposition is politically useful, and Financial Times columnist Stephen Bush looks at what it takes for an opposition to get back in the driving seat.Written by Catherine Bohart, with Madeleine Brettingham, Sarah Campbell, and Georgie Flinn.Produced by Victoria LloydRecorded by Merlin Kerr at Monkey Barrel in EdinburghEdited by David ThomasProduction Coordinator - Beverly TaggA Mighty Bunny production for BBC Radio 4
In her first TV interview of the US election campaign, Kamala Harris sets out her vision for president and promises to 'turn the page'. Also: tributes to New Zealand's Māori King who’s died, and carbonara in a can.
Elon Musk's social platform X expects to be blocked in Brazil after missing a judge's deadline to appoint a new legal representative. We get the latest.
As The Maldives see their credit rating downgraded by ratings agency Fitch, investors fear the archipelago could become the first country to default on a sukuk, an Islamic financial product similar to a bond. We hear more about the islands' situation.
And as more young Africans are leave their countries in search of a better future, we find out what happens to the elderly parents who are left behind.
Every year hundreds of thousands of people go missing or are ‘forcibly disappeared’ around the world, and Africa has one of the highest number of cases. On International Day of the Disappeared we hear the testimony of one affected family, and discuss what needs to be done to effectively deal with the crisis. As health officials from several African nations conclude a week-long summit to discuss the MPox outbreak, are they closer to delivering on plans for the rollout of vaccines?
And what are the challenges of being a female stand-up comedian in Tanzania? Comedy sketch performer, Sakinah Chandoo, shares her wit and wisdom.Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Bella Hassan, Yvette Twagiramariya, Stefania Okereke and Sunita Nahar in London. Susan Gachuhi was in Nairobi.
Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer
Senior Journalist: Patricia Whitehorne
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Nicki Chapman is well-known for presenting shows like Escape to the Country and Wanted Down Under and also a regular presenter on BBC Radio 2. She started out as a record plugger in the music industry – and now she’s written her memoir, So Tell Me What You Want, which lifts the lid on what it was like managing and touring with the likes of David Bowie, Take That, and S Club.Two sisters, Eileen Macleod and Maureen Bedford, are to receive honorary degrees at the ages of 90 and 95, more than 60 years after they finished studying. The pair trained at the Bedford College of Physical Education in the 1940s and 1950s, but did not receive formal degree qualifications. Anita talked them both about gaining qualifications in their nineties.The Post Office Horizon scandal has been described as the most widespread miscarriage of justice in British legal history. One of those impacted was Ravinder Naga. In 2009, he falsely confessed to stealing money from his mum's Post Office to protect her from going to prison. Last week his conviction was overturned after 15 years. Anita talks to Ravinder and his mum Gurbash about what happened, and the impact it had on their relationship.Los Bitchos are an all-female band from countries across the world who play a range of instrumental music from the style of Colombia folk music to Turkish psychedelic rock! All four members - Nic Crawshaw, Josefine Jonsson, Serra Petale and Agustina Ruiz, join Anita to discuss their latest album, Talkie Talkie, and to perform live in the studio.Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Lottie Garton
Outgoing SDLP leader Colum Eastwood sits down one on one with Nolan, as they discuss all his most memorable moments in charge, as well as his thoughts on the Oasis reunion.
Twenty years ago, reporter Julia Paul was teaching media to young women in an Afghanistan where the Taliban were in retreat, if only temporarily. Now she has tracked down two of them again to find out how their lives have fared in the decades since. Some have fled abroad while others are still in Afghanistan, imprisoned in their homes. But even for those who have escaped, life is far from easy. As one of the army of secular western aid workers that flooded Afghan society all those years ago, Julia discusses with the women whether or not the West should have intervened in the first place.
The IAEA says Tehran now has almost enough of the uranium material to make four nuclear bombs if enriched further. Also: Ukraine F-16 fighter jet crashes just weeks after it was donated by NATO allies.
The World Health Organisation says Israel has agreed to "humanitarian pauses" in Gaza in order to allow the administration of polio vaccines to more than 600,000 children. The agreement comes days after UN officials said a 10-month-old baby had been partially paralysed after contracting Gaza’s first case of polio for 25 years.In the United States, Democratic Presidential nominee Kamala Harris has recorded her first broadcast interview. She sat down with CNN alongside her running mate Tim Walz.And the Met Office has issued its list of storm names for the upcoming year, including one paying tribute to a weather forecaster whose prediction saved the D-Day landings.
Israel’s operation continued in the West Bank for a second day. One of the top commanders of the militant group, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, was killed. We speak to a journalist who met him earlier this year.Also in the programme: the fish stinking up a storm in Greece; and we meet the passenger aboard the cruise ship, cruising nowhere.(Photo: An Israeli military vehicle takes part in a raid in the West Bank. Credit: REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta:)
In 1977 astronomers recorded a brief and strange radio transmission that looked like it perhaps had even come from an alien civilization. It was named the Wow! signal – because that’s what astronomer Jerry Ehman wrote on the computer printout upon its discovery. But now a team including Abel Méndez of the University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo have come up with an astrophysical hypothesis. An oil tanker which was attacked by Yemen's Houthi rebels in the Red Sea last week is still on fire and may be leaking oil, the US Pentagon says. The talk now is of an agreement to salvage the tanker so a crisis may be avoided, but marine ecologist Carlos Duarte of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia explains how precious ecosystems are at risk. A meta-analysis of Mediterranean Sea marine species reveals the profound impact of the Messinian Salinity Crisis. Konstantina Agiadi of the University of Vienna tells us how this drastic environmental event resulted in the almost complete evaporation of the Mediterranean Sea roughly 5.5 million years ago and how the resulting changes still influence ecosystems today. Wildfires that swept across Canada last year are still burning in some parts. A new study has confirmed that they put into the atmosphere a vast amount of burned carbon, over half a billion tonnes. Only China, India and the USA emitted more fossil-fuel based carbon in that period. Brendan Byrne of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has been using satellite-based observations to track the carbon release. Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Jonathan Blackwell
Production Coordinator: Andrew Rhys Lewis(Image: The Wow! signal represented as "6EQUJ5". Credit: NAAPO)
Germany’s DAX Index, which tracks the country's 40 largest companies on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, has hit a record high as investors expect the European Central Bank to cut rates. We get the latest.
Certain African countries have seen prices and taxes rise in the last few years, leading people to take the streets. We hear from some of them.
And could universal basic income help protect the Amazon rainforest? We hear about a pilot project that aims to find out.
The UN's secretary-general has called on Israel to halt its military operation in the occupied West Bank, saying it’s "fuelling an already explosive situation".We hear from the territory and look at the Israeli accusation that Iran is supplying arms to Palestinian militants.Also in the programme: Why the founder of the Telegram messaging app has been placed under formal investigation in France for complicity in organised crime; and why some say it's time to reintroduce once-extinct beavers into the wild in parts of the UK.(Photo shows UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaking during a press conference. Credit: Lirio da Fonseca/Reuters)
The EU's top diplomat Josep Borrell wants some Israeli ministers sanctioned for anti-Palestinian 'hate messages'. Also: hopes for a cancer vaccine, and dancing round the clock in Buenos Aires at the World Tango Festival.
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is on a three-day trip to west Africa. He's hoping to curb the record number of unauthorised migrants travelling by boat to Europe via the Canary Islands. But why is migration increasing?Also why is there a delay in paying the Kenyan police deployed in Haiti? And what does naming of a lion, after the leader of the opposition, tell us about politics in Tanzania today?Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Joseph Keen, Bella Hassan and Patricia Whitehorne
Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Protests have been happening across India after a 31-year-old junior doctor was raped and murdered in a hospital in Kolkata earlier this month. Her death prompted marches and strikes nationwide over safety issues for female doctors and this soon developed into a talking point for women’s safety in general. BBC Delhi Correspondent Kirti Dubey joins Anita Rani to report on the latest news, along with Dr Aishwarya Singh Raghuvanshi, a female doctor in India.A new Netflix series, Kaos is a modern, darkly comic retelling of Greek mythology that will perhaps have you seeing the gender politics of ancient Greece in a new light. Stage and film actor Janet McTeer stars as the Queen of the gods, Hera. Janet joins Anita to talk about Hera’s sexual power as well as her previous roles and what has changed in the industry.In a new analysis, researchers from Imperial College, London estimate that the number of people living with food allergies in England has more than doubled since 2008, with the largest increase seen in young children. Using anonymised data from GP practices covering 13 million patients, researchers estimated trends in the prevalence of food allergy in the UK population. Anita is joined by Dr Paul Turner, Professor of Paediatric Allergy at the National Heart and Lung Institute at Imperial College, who led the research.Author Clare Chambers’ novel Small Pleasures was inspired by an interview she heard on Woman’s Hour about a 1950’s local newspaper competition to find a “virgin mother”. That book, Clare’s ninth, became a whirlwind bestseller and now she’s back with another, Shy Creatures. Based on a newspaper article Clare discovered in an archive, this story focusses on a man who is found with a beard down to his waist and whose aunts have kept him locked away for several decades. Set in Croydon in 1964, the novel takes in the world of 1960s psychiatry and is told from the perspective of art therapist Helen, a single woman in her thirties and is having an affair with a married man. Clare joins Anita to tell her all about it.Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Rebecca Myatt
Focus on winter fuel payments as pensioners remain in the dark over what Stormont will do. Stephen also looks at this weeks Skinny Dipping event in Portstewart, will he take part!?
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss one of the most celebrated thinkers of the twentieth century. Walter Benjamin (1892-1940) was a German Jewish philosopher, critic, historian, an investigator of culture, a maker of radio programmes and more. Notably, in his Arcades Project, he looked into the past of Paris to understand the modern age and, in The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction, examined how the new media of film and photography enabled art to be politicised, and politics to become a form of art. The rise of the Nazis in Germany forced him into exile, and he worked in Paris in dread of what was to come; when his escape from France in 1940 was blocked at the Spanish border, he took his own life.WithEsther Leslie
Professor of Political Aesthetics at Birkbeck, University of LondonKevin McLaughlin
Dean of the Faculty and Professor of English, Comparative Literature and German Studies at Brown UniversityAndCarolin Duttlinger
Professor of German Literature and Culture at the University of OxfordProducer: Simon TillotsonIn Our Time is a BBC Studios Audio Production
One of the highlights of the Paralympics is wheelchair tennis and one of its true champions is Kgothatso Montjane. KG, as she likes to be known, was born with amniotic band syndrome, a condition that prevents limbs from developing properly. It did not stop her from pursuing her dreams. In 2021 KG became the first black South African to compete at Wimbledon. She tells the story of her life and career, the big successes and the challenges she faced. She speaks to Brad Parks, who co-invented the game, and Shingo Kunieda, regarded to be the best male player of all time, former champion Jordanne Whiley, and KG’s hero Esther Vergeer.
The FBI said the gunman who tried to kill Donald Trump last month had searched extensively online for events by the former US president and Joe Biden. Also: the 2024 Paralympics opening ceremony lights up Paris.
In the last half hour the artificial intelligence giants Nvidia has released earnings for April to June.. The chipmaker has seen huge growth over the last few years, driven by the AI boom. How will it impact world markets?Also, in the programme, Devina Gupta finds out how fin-tech company Klarna has already cut its workforce from 5,000 to 3,800 in the past year, and wants to reduce that to 2,000 employees by using AI in marketing and customer service.
The biggest Israeli military operation in the occupied West Bank in years continues tonight. We ask what's behind it - and speak to the head of the city's biggest hospital. Also on the programme:The Paralympics are underway - with a glittering opening ceremony in Paris - we're live in the French capital.After the Prime Minister refuses to rule out the UK entering a youth exchange scheme with the EU - we debate whether that could be a good idea.And why has it reportedly taken an underground practice known as "beaver bombing" to get them back into the wild?
The raids were the biggest in the occupied West Bank for twenty years, with four Palestinian cities targeted simultaneously. We speak to Palestinian and Israeli politicians, as well as the BBC’s own journalist in Jenin. Also on the programme: as the Paralympics opening ceremony gets underway, we hear from a British wheelchair rugby player hoping to retain his gold medal title; and nuclear plants under threat in Russia’s war with Ukraine. (Picture: Smoke rises over Jenin refugee camp, 28 August 2024 Credit: ALAA BADARNEH/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
The UK's Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, visits Germany to explore a 'reset' of relations with the European Union. But how easy is his quest? We find out.
Ageing population is also a big concern in the UK, where 15 million people are over the age of 50 and economically inactive. As this trend rises, we look into what companies are doing to recruit these older workers.
The National Football League (NFL) has taken a historic step which could transform the financing of American football. We hear the details.
An El Nino induced drought is intensifying across southern Africa and has left almost 70 million people in urgent need of aid. Countries affected include Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Malawi and Zambia. We hear about the devastating impact it's having on a community in Northern Zimbabwe.Also the Gambian government wants to make ammendments to the country's constitution..but does it enjoy the support of all its citizens? And the African athletes going for gold at this year's Paralympics! Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Nour Abida, Rob Wilson, Joseph Keen and Bella Hassan in London
Techincal Producer: Jonny Hall
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Israeli security forces said they are conducting "a counterterrorism operation” targeting at least four Palestinian cities. Local journalists said they had not seen anything of this scope and scale in the West Bank since the days of the second Palestinian uprising two decades ago. We hear from a hospital in Jenin as well as the view from Israel. Also on the programme: the head of the UN's international atomic energy agency tells us why fighting around Russia's Kursk nuclear plant is dangerous; and, as the Paris Paralympics opens, we hear from a competitor who is seven months pregnant.(Picture: An Israeli military vehicle takes part in a raid in Jenin, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Credit: REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta)
At least nine Palestinians have been killed as Israel raids cities in the north of the West Bank. Also: Japan issues an emergency warning as a powerful typhoon approaches, and Paris prepares to host the Paralympics.
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PM addresses 'painful' decisions like winter fuel allowance cut, but NI pensioners still in the dark as they await Stormont decision...
The Real Thing is a play within a play currently on stage at the Old Vic in London. It encourages the audience to question why we fall in love, what is fact and what is fiction. And can we can ever really know if the love we are experiencing is the real thing? Actors Susan Wokoma and Bel Powley star in the production and join Nuala in the Woman’s Hour studio to discuss.Over the summer Woman’s Hour is taking a deep dive into the world of “genre” fiction and today we are entering the gripping and shady world of spy fiction and thrillers. Ava Glass joins Nuala to discuss her new spy novel The Trap. She is joined by Charlotte Philby, author and granddaughter of infamous double-agent Kim Philby, who has also written books about spies but her latest The End of Summer falls firmly in the thriller genre.Omulbanin Sultani was studying medicine at Kateb University in Kabul when the Taliban banned women from universities in 2022. Last week, she arrived in Scotland, along with eighteen other female medical students from Afghanistan to complete their doctor training. The move - organised by the Linda Norgrove Foundation - took three years. Nuala speaks to Omulbanin, who is now a student at the University of St Andrews.Quizzer Jenny Ryan – better known as the Bolton brainbox ‘The Vixen’ on the hit ITV quiz The Chase – is breaking away from teatime telly to invite audiences to an evening of song, storytelling and showbiz secrets. She joins Nuala to talk about her passion for quizzing, her cabaret show, Jenny Ryan: Out Of The Box, and to sing live.Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Laura Northedge
Not every dream job has an obvious route to success, so how do you make your passion project pay without falling behind on your bills?Visa research shows that around 45% of Gen Zs (people born between the late1990s and the early 2010) have a side hustle, but it's not just for the cash. More than a quarter of those are working at a passion project.So how do you make it if you want a career in comedy or to bag an Olympic gold? Do you have to tell your boss if you're doing extra work on the side? And what should you do about tax? Today we're talking to an Olympian who worked as a custody officer, a comic book writer who worked in a biology lab and an aspiring DJ who's on a zero-hours bar contract.Felicity Hannah is joined by Jack Gamble, Director and CEO of the Campaign for the Arts and employment lawyer Rupa Mooker.Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Producer: Sarah Rogers & Catherine Lund
Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 3pm Wednesday 31st July 2024)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said their incursion into Russia's Kursk region is part of a "victory plan" that he will present to the White House. Also: have Swiss scientists made a chocolate breakthrough?
Hezbollah has both political and military wings both of which are designated by several countries as terror organisations. It emerged several decades ago in Lebanon.Since Israel launched its war in Gaza in the wake of the Hamas attacks of October 7th, it has intensified its military activities along the border between Israel and Lebanon.The persistent question has been what is it trying to achieve? Are the attacks intended as a show of support for the Palestinians in Gaza or an attempt to take advantage of Israel’s diverted military focus? And could this dangerous front lead to an all-out war in the Middle East?This week on the Inquiry we are asking: What does Hezbollah want?Contributors:
Aurélie Daher, Associate Professor in political science at the University Paris-Dauphine
Lina Khatib, Associate Fellow with the Middle East and North Africa program at Chatham House
Dr Bashir Saade, Lecturer of Politics and Religion at the University of Stirling in Scotland
Mehran Kamrava, Professor of government at Georgetown University in QatarPresenter: Tanya Beckett
The Pentagon says an oil tanker in the Red Sea which was recently attacked by Yemen's Houthi rebels is still on fire and appears to be leaking oil. The tanker was carrying about 1 million barrels of crude oil and this can put the fishing grounds and lead Yemen to the biggest famine of the 21st century.Also, in the programme, Roger Hearing talks about the rise in the US consumer confidence, and he finds out why Estonian authorities are planning to rent prison cells.
Sir Keir Starmer once again rounded on the Conservative record in government as he promised "tough action" to "fix the foundations of the country". Speaking from the Downing Street garden, the prime minister said people would have to "accept short-term pain for long-term good" ahead of the Budget in October.In the Middle East, another hostage was rescued by the IDF in Gaza. Farhan Elkadi is a Bedouin Arab who worked at a kibbutz in southern Israel from where he was captured on October 7th. He was found in an underground tunnel.And an extremely rare orchid that some people thought was instinct in Britain has been found, but the finder won't reveal where.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenksy says the incursion into Russia's Kursk region is part of a victory plan he intends to present to US President Joe Biden next month. Mr Zelensky said the main point of the plan was to force Russia to end the war on fair terms. He said it would be up to Mr Biden whether to give Kyiv what was needed to achieve this.Also in the programme: we speak to a Bedouin Arab community leader and friend of hostage Farhan al-Qadi who was rescued from Gaza by Israel's military today; and the plan by Namibia to kill hundreds of wild animals and use the meat to feed its drought-stricken people. (Picture: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky holds a press conference on the ongoing war with Russia. Credit: Valentyn/Ogirenko/REUTERS)
The US national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, is visiting China, where he'll meet with authorities to discuss Taiwan, and trade. We get the latest.
As India becomes the most populous country on Earth, its population is ages rapidly. We take a look at businesses trying to cash in on the booming silver economy.
And the construction of an airport in The Philippines has been delayed because due to a sand shortage. We hear about the relevance of sand for the construction industry, and the environmental implications this has.
In a rare move, Burkina Faso’s military-led government has acknowledged that a deadly attack has taken place in which at least 200 security officers and villagers were killed. Some reports say it could be one of the worst ever in the country. So who was behind the attack and why is the military government unable to contain the violence?Zambia faces a maize contamination crisis as aflatoxins – produced by certain mould and fungi - kill dozens of dogs, sparking health concerns. How can communities keep their food safe? And what sparked the massive fallout at at the top of South Africa's opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) that has led to the departure and defection of the party’s deputy leader.Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Bella Hassan and Yvette Twagiramariya in London. Susan Gachuhi in Nairobi
Technical Producer: Jonny Hall
Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
The Israeli military says it has rescued a Bedouin Arab hostage who was kidnapped by Hamas gunmen during the 7 October attack on Israel and taken back to Gaza. Kaid Farhan Elkadi, 52, was rescued in a “complex operation in the southern Gaza Strip” by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet domestic security service, according to a statement.Also in the programme: Russia launched another wave of strikes on Ukraine, with four people killed, a day after one of its biggest air attacks of the war; and the UN Secretary general tells us why the threat to small islands is so huge.(Photo: Kaid Farhan Elkadi was abducted from Kibbutz Magen, where he worked as a security guard.)
The head of Ukraine's military, Oleksandr Syrsky, has warned that the Russians are building up their forces near the strategically important town of Pokrovsk. China's Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, says he's hoping for substantive discussions with the US National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan as they meet for the first time in eight years. And Britsh pop stars, Oasis, announce their reunion.
The Paris Paralympic Games begin tomorrow. Nuala is joined by Paralympian turned broadcaster Rachael Latham to talk us through the women we should be looking out for over the next 12 days.Composer and singer-songwriter Errollyn Wallen joins Nuala after being appointed the new Master of the King's Music. The position has existed since the 17th century and is awarded to musicians who have added to the musical life of the nation, but Wallen is only the second woman to hold the post. Her work is some of the most performed among living composers, and includes 22 operas. The play Shifters follows former children friends Des and Dre, they are first loves whose relationship twists and turns over a decade. Currently on at the Duke of York’s Theatre, is the third play in the West End to be written by a black British woman. The writer Benedict Lombe joins Nuala, along with Heather Agyepong who plays Des.
'Painful' budget coming soon warns PM - what decisions will Stormont make over pressures on public finances?
Here's an expression about increasing intensity.[Image: Getty]Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-240826FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
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Why Armenians in Jerusalem say they are fighting an existential battle.
Is the identity of the Old City of Jerusalem changing - house by house? This small patch of land is of vital importance to Christians, Muslims and Jews alike. But, amid accusations of dodgy deals, corruption and trickery, there are concerns that the Old City’s historic multi-ethnic and multi-religious identity is being altered. In the Armenian Quarter a battle is going on for the control of land which the local community says is essential to its well-being and even its survival. Emily Wither visits one of the most contested cities in the world.
At least six people were killed and dozens wounded in Russia's biggest air attack on Ukraine of the war so far. Missiles and drones were fired into more than half of Ukraine's regions. Also, the WHO sets out plans to curb the spread of mpox and, four privately trained astronauts prepare to test a new type of space suit.
The Prime Minister set to warn that "things will get worse before they get better" in a speech from Downing Street’s rose garden. Also in the programme: Ukraine says Russia has used hundreds of missiles and drones to target the country's energy network, in the biggest air attack of the war so far. And, Gallagher brothers tease Oasis reunion – we speak to a fan who manages the rural studio where they recorded 'What's the story morning glory?'.
Telegram is one of the world's biggest social media and messaging platforms along with Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok and WeChat. Pavel Durov, CEO of the app is to stay in French custody until at least Wednesday - French prosecutors say. What should we read into the detention of the owner of an app? Is this a new hardline in dealing with social media? Is it a blow against free-speech?We also hear from Jesper Brodin, chief executive at Ingka which operates IKEA stores and find out what it is like in the country that was the most populous on earth?
We hear from civilians living through the bombardment, one of the largest air attacks Russia has launched on Ukraine in the war so far. Also on the programme: a stark warning on the spread of mpox from Africa’s Centre for Disease Control and Prevention; and after the Solingen stabbing attack Germany’s centre-left government toughens its stance on migration. (Picture: Local resident Ihor sorts items next to his house damaged during a Russian missile and drone strike outside Dnipro August 26, 2024. Credit: REUTERS/Mykola Synelnykov)
Professor Charles Godfray, Director of the the Oxford Martin School tells Jim Al-Kahlili about the intricate world of population dynamics, and how a healthy obsession with parasitic wasps might help us solve some of humanity's biggest problems, from the fight against Malaria to sustainably feeding a global community of 9 billion people.
The owner of Telegram, Pavel Durov, has been arrested in France for offences related to the app. We get the latest.
The oil tanker attacked by Houthi rebels last week is still on fire in the Red Sea. We find out the consequences this can have on the shipping industry.
People in Australia can now refuse to respond to their employers outside working hours. We hear more about the countries new "right to disconnect" law.
Children in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo are worst-affected by the current outbreak of mpox, which has been declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization. The country accounts for nearly all of this year’s recorded cases and more than 450 deaths.Also in the programme: Ukraine comes under a massive new air assault from Russia; where Israel and Hezbollah stand after Sunday's major exchange of fire; and the right to switch off is enshrined in law in Australia!(Photo: All of Nzigire Kanigo's children have contracted mpox, including two-year-old Ansima. Credit: Glody Murhabazi)
The Maasai community in northern Tanzania has continued to protest against what they call forcible evictions from their ancestral lands at the Ngorongoro conservation area and a UNSECO heritage site. Why are they being relocated? Kenya’s national carrier, Kenya Airways, has announced that it is out of the doldrums, and has posted its first net profit in more than a decade. What lessons have they learnt from the past, and is the recovery sustainable? And Uganda proposes a new law that will require teachers to attain a bachelor’s degree to continue in the profession.Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Bella Hassan and Karnie Sharp in London. Frenny Jowi in Nairobi
Technical Producer: Philip Bull
Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
The president says Russia targeted his country with some two hundred missiles and drones. Also: dozens killed in multiple attacks in Pakistan’s Balochistan, and England's first overseas manager, Sven-Göran Eriksson dies aged 76.
Whether you have a sister or not, it’s a relationship that has long fascinated us. In this special edition of Woman’s Hour, Nuala McGovern explores what makes the female sibling dynamic so compelling.If you were watching the Paris Olympics, you might have spotted identical twins Lina and Laviai Nielsen taking to the track. The Olympic duo join Nuala to discuss competing together at an elite level in athletics, winning bronze side-by-side for Team GB, and navigating triumphs and challenges in the public eye after Lina’s Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis.Psychotherapist Jennifer Gledhill joins Nuala to talk about the psychology of sister relationships. What pushes you apart, and what brings you together? She also gives her tips on how to have a better relationship with your sister.How do you deal with the grief of losing a sister? British-Kurdish activist Payzee Mahmod’s joins Nuala to talk about her beloved sister Banaz, who was murdered aged 20 in a so-called 'honour' killing. Their father and uncle are serving life sentences for the murder. Nuala and Payzee talk about loss, legacy and how Banaz’s death drove Payzee’s campaign against child marriage.What is Nuala like as a sister? Joining us from Ireland to spill the beans are Nuala’s own two sisters – Vera and Eileen!Film historian Alex Von Tunzelmann charts one of the most famous sisterly feuds in Hollywood history – the explosive rivalry between the Oscar-winning British actresses, Olivia de Havilland and Joan Fontaine.And what if you don’t have biological sisters or didn’t grow up with them, but want the support system that can come with a sisterhood? Angel, from London, is now 21 years old and was in the care system from the age of five. She’s a mentor and ‘big sister’ for Sister System, a charity that works with care-experienced women and girls. Angel and the charity’s founder Okela Douglas join Nuala to discuss why sisterhood can have such a profound impact.Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producers: Maryam Maruf and Erin Downes
Editor: Olivia Bolton
Studio Manager: Gayl GordonArchive: Fleabag / Two Brothers Pictures / Harry Bradbeer; Pride and Prejudice / Working Title Films / Joe Wright; Little Women / Columbia Pictures / Greta GerwigThe book reading is from Joan Fontaine’s memoir, No Bed of Roses published by William Morrow and Company
The NI Chamber of Commerce says clarity and an urgent plan is needed as next phase of Brexit looms. Also, we touch on the story as Kirstie Allsopp is contacted by social services for allowing her 15 year old son to go interrailing around Europe.
We explain how some adjectives end in either -ic or -ical, depending on their meaning.FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
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✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followusLIKE PODCASTS?
Try some of our other popular podcasts including:
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Daniel Libeskind is one of the world's leading architects. Amongst his many projects, he devised the masterplan for the redevelopment of Ground Zero in New York and designed the Jewish Museum in Berlin. He tells Samira Ahmed about the Albert Einstein House in Jerusalem, a new building which will house Einstein's work and belongings, from his favourite novels, his letters as a peace campaigner, to his papers laying out his famous theory of relativity. He also talks Samira through the many other global projects he is working on, including a museum of anthropology in Iquique, Chile.
Israel says it carried out a pre-emptive strike in Lebanon. Hezbollah said it retaliated for the death of a top leader. Also: Telegram has condemned the arrest of its founder, and is Mont Blanc getting dangerous?
Israel's overnight strikes on Hezbollah targets were rapidly answered with Hezbollah rocket and drone attacks on targets in Israel. So, what now? The BBC’s Jon Donnison and Hugo Bachega give us updates following a press conference given earlier by the leader of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah.
Elsewhere in the programme: the UN reacts to new laws imposed by the Taliban in Afghanistan, which include prohibiting women from singing and reading aloud in public; and an iconic shirt in American sports history has been auctioned off for over $24 million dollars.(Photo: People watch Hezbollah Secretary-General delivering a televised speech in Beirut, Lebanon, 25th August 2024. Credit: Abbas Salman/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
The Israeli military says it has launched a wave of pre-emptive strikes against Hezbollah targets across Lebanon to thwart a large-scale attack, as Hezbollah said it had still fired more than 300 missiles towards Israel in what it described as the first phase of its response to the assassination of one of its commanders last month.
Also on the programme: Germany sees calls for restrictions on the right of asylum following the murder of three people at a festival in the town of Solingen; and the founder of the Telegram app has been detained in France.
(Photo: A view shows smoke and fire on the Lebanese side of the border with Israel, as seen from Tyre, southern Lebanon. August 25, 2024. Credit: Aziz Taher/Reuters)
This is a bonus episode from The Global Story. Mohammed bin Salman: The unstoppable prince?After ruthlessly outmanoeuvring hundreds of rivals, Mohammed bin Salman has become the most powerful man in Saudi Arabia. The crown prince believes his sweeping vision for the country will bring in investment, top flight sport and visitors from around the world. His only demand in return... absolute loyalty. So, is MBS unstoppable?On this episode Caitríona Perry speaks to Jonathan Rugman, journalist and producer of a new documentary “The Kingdom: The World’s Most Powerful Prince”, which shines a fresh light on how he got to power and how far he’ll go to maintain it. They are also joined by the BBC World Service Arab Affairs Editor Sebastian Usher, who has spent time in Saudi Arabia for many years.Listeners in the UK can watch “The Kingdom: The World’s Most Powerful Prince” on iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m001zprm/the-kingdom-the-worlds-most-powerful-princeThe Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide, one big story every weekday, making sense of the news with our experts around the world. Insights you can trust, from the BBC World Service. For more, go to bbcworldservice.com/globalstory or search for The Global Story wherever you got this podcast.We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell #TheGlobalStory. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com You can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.Producers: Richard Moran and Alix Pickles.Sound Engineer: Mike Regaard and Jack Graysmark.Assistant Editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas.Senior Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith.
Israel's military says it launched a wave of pre-emptive air strikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. It said it hit more than two-hundred sites, after detecting Hezbollah preparations for strikes on Israeli territory. Hezbollah says it's started "phase one" of an attack on Israel - in retaliation for the killing of one of its leaders last month.We'll have analysis of what's happened so far, look at what's expected in the coming hours and examine what this could mean for war in the wider region.
Deepthi Jeevanji grew up in a rural Indian village where she was bullied and mocked for being different. In Paris this summer, she will become India’s first ever Paralympian with an intellectual impairment. After winning 400m gold at this year’s World Para Athletics Championships, she may also come home with a medal. Dan Pepper, a British ex-Paralympic swimmer who has an intellectual disability, travels to India to meet Deepthi, her parents, and the team around her, as well as speaking to others across the world about the challenges facing athletes with an intellectual impairment.
Islamic State has claimed responsibility for a mass stabbing in Germany, saying it was to avenge suffering in Gaza. Also: French police arrest a man in connection with an explosion outside a synagogue.
Officers made the arrest in a building housing refugees located close to the site of the attack and near where a knife was found.
Also in the programme:
The French president describes an explosion outside a synagogue in the south of the country as an act of terror - and we hear about how Jews see their future in France; and the astronauts who need to stay in space not for the eight days they were expecting, but for eight months.(Photo: A placard reading 'Why?' among flowers and tributes placed on a sidewalk near the scene after a knife attack, in Solingen, Germany, 24 August 2024. Credit: Volker Hartmann/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Listener Week is when all the topics, interviews and discussions are chosen by YOU!We hear from listener Siobhan Daniels. She wrote to us on Instagram: 'I would love you to talk about van life and an alternative way of living.' Siobhan is 65 years old and after selling her home and possessions has lived in her motorhome for five years. She joins Nuala McGovern on the programme.Listener Kitty Dowry wanted us to take a look at so called 'risky' sports, and to encourage us all to look at them in a different way. Kitty is a climber; she has been doing it for 10 years and wants to see more women give it a go, even those who might have written it off for fear of it being too dangerous. Kitty joins Anita, as does Hazel Findlay, a professional climber and coach.As part of Listener Week we have been asked by widows to discuss one side effect of bereavement – hyper-arousal, and the term ‘Widow’s Fire’. Nuala McGovern explores these ideas with listener Lizzie, Stacey Heale, who has written a book – Now is Not the Time for Flowers - about her experience of being widowed, and also by the psychotherapist Lucy Beresford, who can shed some light on what might be going on.How one moment or person can change your life’s trajectory. Listener Bettie tells Anita how a childhood invite to a friend's house introduced her to a new way of life -one she says saved her.Listener Sarah Palmer got in touch to tell us about the volunteer work she does with the charity Pets As Therapy. She joined Nuala to talk about how her life has been “immeasurably improved” because of her dog Haggis and the work they do together visiting local hospitals and care homes.Why do so many of us feel bad about our tummies and why are the rounded or wobbly ones never celebrated? That’s what listener Carole wants to know. Content creator Lottie Drynan created the IBS blog The Tummy Diaries and #mybloatedwardrobe and has learned to love her rounded stomach. She joins Nuala McGovern, along with Charlotte Boyce, Associate Professor in Victorian Literature and Culture at Portsmouth University, and columnist Pravina Ruda to discuss our historical and cultural relationship with our tummies.Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Annette Wells
Editor: Sarah Crawley
In 2022, the city of Bakhmut in Eastern Ukraine was attacked by Russian forces. The fight for Bakhmut lasted over 10 months and claimed the lives of thousands of people on both sides, becoming the longest and bloodiest battle in this war so far. But why was this sleepy town such an important target for Russia? And what role did the mercenary Wagner group play there? BBC Russian’s Olga Ivshina and Ukrainecast presenter Vitaly Shevchenko investigate. Produced by Alice Gioia and Hannah Dean. (Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)
We hear about a huge summer water fight that brings joy to young and old at a preschool with a difference. All Seasons in Minnesota is run inside a care home for older people -- where the children learn from their elders, and make them smile.
Also: How breastfeeding women helped an Orangutan at Dublin Zoo learn to care for her baby.
The first person to swim from Italy to Albania tells us about the gruelling event - and how a delivery of ice cream in the middle of the sea kept her going.
We meet the Nigerian table tennis players making history as the first African couple to compete at the Paralympics.
And we hear about a new version of London's famous tube map.Our weekly collection of happy stories and positive news from around the world.
مشروعیت مفهومیست که در ادوار انتخاباتی در ایران مرتب به آن ارجاع داده میشود. ولی آیا فهم واضحی از مشروعیت و حداقلی از توافق بر سر آن وجود دارد تا این حد از ارجاع به آن را موجه سازد؟ مهمانهای برنامه: جمشید فاروقی؛ پژوهشگر فلسفه سیاسی و امیریحیی آیت اللهی؛ پژوهشگر فلسفه سیاسی.
Nearly 10,000 people have needed free debt advice because of accidental overpayments by the Department for Work and Pensions in the past 12 months. That's according to figures from Money Wellness, a debt advice company which is funded by the government's Money and Pension Service. It says because most of its clients are low income households these debts can have significant knock-on impacts on the rest of their finances. The DWP says its staff work hard to support customers, and it's important to explore ways to reduce fraud and error so it can support the most vulnerable in society. What will the new Pensions Bill announced by the Labour government in the King's Speech mean for your finances? We'll discuss plans to bring small pension pots, which people get after short term jobs, together.Campaigners are calling for bereavement support payments to be extended for longer and for the amount given to families to rise with inflation. At the moment parents under pension age whose partner dies are entitled to bereavement benefits - as much £3,500 followed by 18 monthly payments of up to £350. The charity Widowed and Young would like those payments to be in place for longer. The Department for Work and Pensions told us that it knows losing a loved one is devastating and that it's committed to supporting those most in need through the welfare system. And what's the best way to pay while you’re on holiday abroad?Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporters: Dan Whitworth, Sarah Rogers and Jo Krasner
Researchers: Immie Rhodes
Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 27th July 2024)
The recent rape and murder of a trainee doctor after a 36-hour hospital shift has, according to India’s top court, “shocked the conscience of the nation". It has produced protests, strikes and outrage and has focussed conversations on what it is like to be female in India, both at work and during everyday life. Arunima, for instance, lives close to the hospital, in Kolkata, where the murder happened. For her, even travelling on public transport has been traumatising after being touched inappropriately by another passenger. “That person was a father,” she said. “He had his own daughter literally sitting right on his lap". Host Luke Jones also hears from women doctors about security issues at their own hospitals in Ahmedabad, Gujarat - such as inadequate facilities to change scrubs or to sleep after long shifts. And two men share their thoughts on what is to blame for how some Indian men treat women and what changes they feel need to be made.
RFK - Robert F Kennedy Junior - suspends his US presidential campaign and backs Donald Trump. Also: rescue efforts continue in flood-struck Bangladesh, and the jelly that plays computer games.
As the US jobless claims rate rises to 4.3% and concerns over housing affordability grow, the head of the Federal Reserve signals that it might be time to cut interest rates. We explore what a shift towards job market support could mean for Americans.Plus, are tech giants ready to embrace open-source software? We delve into the potential impacts of opening up operating codes to developers.And, with Saudi Arabia hosting the Esports World Cup and offering a record $60 million prize pool, we discuss the controversy surrounding the event. Is it a case of sports-washing? We speak to Rod ‘Slasher’ Breslau, a prominent figure in the gaming community, for his insights.
WRITER: SARAH HEHIR
DIRECTOR: PIP SWALLOW
EDITOR: JEREMY HOWENatasha Archer…. Mali Harries
Pat Archer…. Patricia Gallimore
Lilian Bellamy…. Sunny Ormonde
Susan Carter…. Charlotte Martin
Ed Grundy…. Barry Farrimond
Emma Grundy…. Emerald O’Hanrahan
George Grundy…. Angus Stobie
Will Grundy…. Philip Molloy
Don James…. Thom Petty
Alistair Lloyd…. Michael Lumsden
Jim Lloyd…. John Rowe
Paul Mack…. Joshua Riley
Jazzer McCreary…. Ryan Kelly
Denise Metcalf…. Clare Perkins
Kirsty Miller…. Annabelle Dowler
Yevgeny Prigozhin was at one time the leader of the well known Russian mercenary group, Wagner. The group, since Prigozhin's death a year ago, has changed its name to Africa Corps. Has this altered Russia's operations on the continent? Also how is Burundi coping with the outbreak of Mpox?And is it a good idea to save up for your funeral? We find out why some Kenyans are doing just that.Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Nour Abida, Marco Oriunto, Bella Hassan and Sunita Nahar in London. Susan Gachuhi and Frenny Jowi are in Nairobi.
Technical Producer : Jonathan Greer
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
Kamala Harris has officially accepted the Democrats' nomination for the US presidency. Also: India's prime minister has embraced Ukraine's president on a visit to Kyiv, and an Australian transgender woman wins a landmark discrimination case.
Listener Week is when all the topics, interviews and discussions are chosen by YOU!Woman's Hour listener Elaine asked the programme to discuss the issue of having sex in later life. Elaine is in her seventies and her partner would like to resume a sexual relationship. They are both negotiating medical conditions and she feels reluctant. Elaine would like to know what is typical or normal in your seventies. Sex and relationship therapist Charlene Douglas and Dr Clare Gerada, former President of the Royal College of General Practitioners, explain the medical and emotional challenges around intimacy in later life and the accommodations that can be made if older couples want to have sex.Listener Teigan Banks got in touch. ‘I would love to talk about how losing my mum at 11 has led to attachment to maternal figures throughout my life and sometimes this can be negative. In all the grief media I see this is something I never see spoken about and it can be quite isolating. I’m sure other people who have lost parents have experienced similar things. I’m 21 now and this is something I still struggle with. I can feel guilty for these attachments as I feel like I’m forgetting my own mum. But knowing these people can’t really replace my mum or be that for me.’ Anita is joined by Teigan to talk about these issues and also by Julia Samuel, a psychotherapist, the author of Grief Works. Why can women’s haircuts cost more than men’s, at the same salon? One listener has asked us to find out. Anita is joined by Caroline Larissey, chief executive of the National Hair and Beauty Federation, a trade organisation for the hair, barbering and beauty industries, and equality lawyer Elizabeth McGlone, who has short hair.Listener Kitty Dowry wanted us to take a look at so called 'risky' sports, and to encourage us all to look at them in a different way. Kitty is a climber; she has been doing it for 10 years and wants to see more women give it a go, even those who might have written it off for fear of it being too dangerous. Kitty joins Anita, as does Hazel Findlay, a professional climber and coach. Listener Ameya is a 20 year old singer-songwriter. She joins Anita to talk about her music, explain how her songs represent her neurodiversity, and discuss why it’s important for her, as ...
Pope Francis was hailed as a reformist when he became Pope in 2013. He vowed to get a handle on the scandals plaguing the Catholic Church, including how the Vatican managed its money. In 2015, he appointed the Vatican's first ever auditor, former Deloitte CEO and chairman Libero Milone. Along with his business partner, they went through the various Vatican departments checking the books, but came up against resistance from the 'old guard'. In one Vatican office in particular, Milone claims he met strong opposition when trying to audit their accounts. Eventually he claims being forced to resign because he was starting to uncover major financial irregularities. A few years after he was forced out, a high ranking Cardinal, Angelo Becciu, was found guilty in a Vatican court of embezzlement and fraud, for losing the Vatican over €100 million in a London property investment. Now Milone is taking a €9.3m lawsuit against the Vatican for unfair dismissal, loss of income, and emotional distress. Colm Flynn went to meet Libero Milone in Rome. LIbero says he took on the job as a way of giving back to his Church, and, driven by his faith.
Kamala Harris will formally accept the Democratic Party's nomination for US president. Also: ousted Bangladeshi leader Sheikh Hasina has her diplomatic passport revoked; and Trinidad and Tobago redraws its coat of arms.
We examine what Kamala Harris could do for American voters on lower incomes, as she prepares to address the Democratic National Convention.Also, major disruption to Canada's rail freight network could be short-lived.And what's behind the sudden departure of Nestlé's top boss?
Fishery assessment models – the “backbone” of fisheries management – overestimate the sustainability of the world’s fisheries, according to a study of 230 fisheries worldwide, and populations of many overfished species are in far worse condition than has been reported. We hear from Rainer Froese of GEOMAR - Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel. The lunar south pole contains evidence of ancient magma ocean. An analysis of lunar soil in the Moon’s southern high-latitude regions, performed using data from India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission, suggests the presence of remnants of a former ocean of magma. Roland speaks to Santosh Vadawale of India’s Physical Research Laboratory. Stephanie Haustein of the School of Information Studies at Ottawa University discusses the article processing costs for open access of the journal publishing giants in science. The risk of a banana apocalypse could be near, but biologists, including Li-Jun Ma of the University of Massachusetts, might have found a key to their survival. Bananas are facing functional extinction due to the disease Fusarium wilt of banana caused by a fungal pathogen. Discovery of molecular mechanisms used by the banana-destroying microbe brings hope. Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Jonathan Blackwell
Production Coordinator: Andrew Rhys Lewis
At least 30 people have died and around 200 people are still missing after a boat sank in the Lukeni River in DR Congo. It's the latest fatal boat accident in the central African country, where overloading boats is often the problem. Why do these fatal accidents keep happening?Also why were charges dropped against the Libyans arrested while undergoing training at an illegal military camp in South Africa? And who benefits from Lesotho's 'white gold'?Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Frenny Jowi, Bella Hassan, Yvette Twagiramariya and Nyasha Michelle
Techninal Proudcers: Francesca Dunn and Jonathan Greer
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
The Indonesian parliament appears to drop controversial plans to change the election laws, as protests took place in cities across the country.
The authorities used water cannon after some demonstrators tried to tear down the gates of the parliament complex. Also, Tim Walz speaks to the Democratic National Congress in Chicago after formally accepting the Democratic nomination to run for US vice president and, one of the world's largest diamonds has been unearthed in Botswana.
Listener Week is when all the topics, interviews and discussions are chosen by YOU!What is it like to parent a neurodivergent child when you are neurodivergent yourself? Anita Rani speaks to listener Rachel, who discovered she had ADHD after her daughter was diagnosed, and Jo, whose children have dyslexia.How one moment or person can change your life’s trajectory. Listener Bettie tells Anita how a childhood invite to a friend's house introduced her to a new way of life—one she says saved her. The menstrual cycle, periods, time of the month. One listener, Tracey, wanted to know what things were like for women dealing with this in centuries past. Anita finds out more from Dr Sara Read, who is a Senior Lecturer in English at Loughborough University, with a specific focus on women’s reproductive health and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.A listener asked us on social media: How can childless people leave a legacy? Statistics from the Office for National Statistics found that more than half (50.1%) of women in England and Wales born in 1990 were without a child when they turned 30. Whether it’s by choice or circumstance, many women don’t have children – what legacy do you leave without them? Anita discusses the idea with author Marianne Power and Nicola Brant who is Head of the Estates, Tax & Succession at the firm Thomson Snell & Passmore. As part of Listener Week, we discussed tummies and feeling confident about your midriff. One listener got in touch to say she’d started belly dancing to help with this. Belly dance instructor Leilah Isaac tells Anita why she finds it so empowering.Presented by Anita Rani
Producer: Louise Corley
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss George Orwell's (1903-1950) final novel, published in 1949, set in a dystopian London which is now found in Airstrip One, part of the totalitarian superstate of Oceania which is always at war and where the protagonist, Winston Smith, works at the Ministry of Truth as a rewriter of history: 'Who controls the past,' ran the Party slogan, 'controls the future: who controls the present controls the past.' The influence of Orwell's novel is immeasurable, highlighting threats to personal freedom with concepts he named such as doublespeak, thoughtcrime, Room 101, Big Brother, memory hole and thought police.WithDavid Dwan
Professor of English Literature and Intellectual History at the University of OxfordLisa Mullen
Teaching Associate in Modern Contemporary Literature at the University of CambridgeAndJohn Bowen
Professor of English Literature at the University of YorkProducer: Simon TillotsonIn Our Time is a BBC Sounds Audio Production
A day of heavy exchanges between the Israeli military and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Also: a report says Brazil has lost more than a third of its natural areas since records began, and new video releases at Gamescom.
For every 10 babies born across the world one will be preterm and the fate of these tiny babies is often very uncertain. They are kept alive by science, care, and luck. Time in a neonatal unit can be a stressful and unpredictable time. We meet the people who are creating equipment and aids to create a kinder experience for both parents and babies alike to give them a better start in life. People like the founder of the Danish Octo Project, which kickstarted a movement across the world crocheting tiny Octopus toys to emulate the umbilical cord for premature babies, the engineer who kept her baby alive when the neonatal unit housing her son lost power in a devastating storm, leading to a remarkable invention. Finally, the foundation bringing purple butterflies to NICUs across the UK to help identify surviving children of multiple births.
Aid trucks have entered the Sudanese region of Darfur from Chad after a four month gap, bringing food to a population now at risk of famine. Could this lead to a broader deal to end the country's devastating civil war? We speak to the US special envoy, Tom Perriello, who leads the peace talks in Geneva. Also in the programme:Is it time to scrap the policy of compulsory resits for students who don't make the grade in GCSE English and Maths? And, the life and legacy of Irish feminist icon, Nell McCafferty, who dies at the age of 80.
Gold prices hit new record high as investors pile back into the commodity ahead of expected interest rate cuts in the US. We look into the details.
A month after the resignation of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, the BBC talks to former IMF economist and new central bank Governor, Ahsan Mansur, about the economic challenges the country faces.
And we find out why protesters in Serbia are against a lithium mine that could cover 90% of the metal's demand in Europe.
A number of prominent Democrats are due to speak on day three of the gathering. Tim Walz is expected to deliver the keynote address as he officially accepts the vice presidential nomination. We speak to Congresswoman Dina Titus. Also in the programme: The Palestinian movement Fatah has accused Israel of trying to start a regional war, after it killed a senior official from the group; and we remember the life of pioneering Irish feminist and journalist Nell McCafferty and her decades of activism. (Photo: Democratic vice presidential candidate Minnesota Governor Tim Walz gestures during a campaign rally at Fiserv Arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, 20 August 2024. Credit: EPA)
Ed attempts to do the right thing, and there’s light at the end of the tunnel for Denise.
African domestic workers trapped by their labour contracts in Lebanon as border tensions with Israel escalateA young Liberian poet in America tells us why bookshops are needed back home. And why are Mixed Martial Arts rising in popularity in Africa. Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Bella Hassan, Joseph Keen, Rob Wilson and Nyasha Michelle in London. Blessing Aderogba and Todah Opeyemi in Lagos
Technical Producer Nick Randell
Senior Producer Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Barack and Michelle Obama electrify Democrats at the party convention but warn of a tight race for the White House. Also: a new law in Hungary could make Ukrainians homeless, and Jennifer Lopez files for divorce from Ben Affleck.
It can take a lot of energy to create a podcast but Phil doesn't mind. He really wants to tell you about the word 'energy'.TRANSCRIPT
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Listener Week is when all the topics, interviews and discussions are chosen by YOU!As part of Listener Week we have been asked by widows to discuss one side effect of bereavement – hyper-arousal, and the term ‘Widow’s Fire’. Nuala McGovern explores these ideas with listener Lizzie, Stacey Heale, who has written a book – Now is Not the Time for Flowers - about her experience of being widowed, and also by the psychotherapist Lucy Beresford, who can shed some light on what might be going on.DNA testing for family ancestry is becoming more popular, with some companies having millions of users. A listener we are calling Sarah wrote: ‘I would like to hear about non-paternity events. This is when you discover that a parent is not your biological parent often via a DNA test. I made this discovery in my fifties. Increasing we are hearing about the impact of these discoveries but until it happens to you it is incomprehensible to understand. I would like to hear these issues explored.’ Nuala speaks to her and also to Laura House, genetic genealogist at Ancestry, and Lucy Beresford.A listener who tried decluttering and didn't like it asked us to look into 'the craze of removing any superfluous stuff in their house.' Nuala is joined by journalist Rebecca Reid and professional organiser Jenn Jordan to discuss if household streamlining has become an additional burden for women, or a helpful tool to stay on top of life admin.There is an iconic spot in Ireland called the Forty Foot and it's where people go to swim in Dublin Bay. If you watched the Apple TV series Bad Sisters, you might have seen it. But 50 years ago, women ‘weren’t allowed’ to swim there, so a group took to the waters in their bikinis – and had a less than welcome reaction from the men. Listener, journalist and feminist Rosita Sweetman suggested we discuss this on the programme. She joins Nuala, as does one of the women who mounted the invasion - activist, writer and poet, Mary Dorcey.
Multiple sources have given blow by blow accounts of how the Ulster Unionist party ousted their leader Doug Beattie.
Multiple sources are also questioning this morning whether it is the party officers who now need driven out of the party. As you will hear, Beattie sent in a resignation letter. The Nolan Show can reveal what he said in that letter, that some believe infuriated the party officers. We can also reveal, that just two party officers supported Beattie staying as leader, but the Ulster Unionist Party finds itself with a problem- the entire MLA group wanted Beattie to be the leader. Will the party officers survive? Or is Beattie gone as leader forever? The inside story - on Nolan.
Felicity Hannah looks at giving someone Lasting Power of Attorney - that's the authority to manage your financial affairs in the event that you couldn't. What are they, how do they work and how much do they cost? This programme is dedicated to answering your questions. On the panel we have Sam Cox, knowledge officer from the Alzheimer's Society and Melinda Giles, partner and head of court protection at Giles Wilson Law.Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Producer: Neil Morrow
Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 3pm Wednesday 24th July 2024)
The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, said there was no more time to waste to reach a Gaza ceasefire deal. Also: Africa's main public health agency announces plans to make 10m mpox vaccines available for use across the continent, and researchers say drone swarms could stop wildfires.
Fishermen from the Philippines, Ghana and Sri Lanka speak out about how badly, they say, they were treated by a Scottish fishing company that hired them. Most of the fishermen have been waiting in the UK for more than 10 years for their case to be heard. Despite two extensive police investigations, no convictions have been secured for human trafficking or modern slavery. This is the first time the fishermen have spoken out.
Tesla's Chinese-made electric vehicles imported into the European Union will be subject to lower tariffs than those produced by competitors. We listen to the EU's arguments, and look at the implications this can have on the European market.
Ghana's president has launched the start of the construction of a multibillion-dollar petroleum hub in the west of the country. But landowners at the proposed site are not happy about it. We find out why.
And 'Black Myth: Wukong', a new game made by Chinese developers, has become one of the most played ever on one of the top gaming platforms. We hear about the game's plot, and why it's so popular.
British tech tycoon Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah Lynch are among the six people still missing after a British-flagged superyacht, named the Bayesian, sank in a storm off Sicily on Monday. Fifteen people, including a woman and her one-year-old baby, were rescued; one body has been recovered. Divers have been struggling to enter the wreck which is lying on its side, nearly 50 metres under the water. We assess the challenges facing rescue teams with a marine salvage expert.Also on the programme:An exclusive interview with the gay British-Mexican man who has returned to the UK after being convicted of drug charges in Qatar;The Scottish sandwich shop offering customers ‘seagull insurance’ for an extra £1…
Efrat Machikawa, niece of 80-year-old hostage Gadi Moses, calls on negotiators to 'seal the deal' while the opposition in Israel accuses the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, of sabotaging Gaza peace talks. Also in the programme: Rohingya persecution in Myanmar; and the oldest person in the world dies at 117.(Picture: A combination picture shows undated handout images of Israeli hostages Alex Dancyg, Yoram Metzger, Yagev Buchshtab, Chaim Peri and Abraham Munder and hostage Nadav Popplewell, who were kidnapped in the deadly October 7 attack by Hamas. Courtesy of Bring Them Home Now/The Hostages)
Anti-government insurgents in Myanmar have been accused of a "massacre" of Rohingya Muslims. Thousands have fled to Bangladesh in the past two weeks after facing violence again. The BBC has gathered evidence of a particularly deadly attack on 5 August in which scores of fleeing Rohingyas were bombed, they say, by a rebel group.Also in the programme: The Israeli army says it's recovered the bodies of another six hostages from Gaza; and the Democratic convention in Chicago, the old guard of the party pour scorn on the old foe, Donald Trump.(Photo shows three people are visible in a hut which appears to be made of bamboo; the woman is wearing a head and face covering, and the man has a medical face covering on. Credit: Aamir Peerzada/BBC)
A video appearing to show a young woman being sexually assaulted in Tanzania went viral, prompting an outcry in the East African nation. This past weekend a police commander in the capital, Dodoma, was removed from her post following controversial comments in which she linked the victim in the video to sex work. So what's been the reaction in Tanzania?Also, why is Libya's Central Bank under siege? And why did Kenya's government first try to control the price of tea and then reversed the plan? Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Bella Hassan and Nyasha Michelle in London and Charles Gitonga in Nairobi
Technical Producer: Nick Randell
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
President Biden wept as he handed the baton to his Vice President, Kamala Harris, during the Democratic National Convention. Also, Israel retrieves the bodies of six hostages as Anthony Blinken is on his latest peace mission; and testimony from Muslim Rohingyas as they are bombed by both sides in Myanmar's civil war.
Listener Week is when all the topics, interviews and discussions are chosen by YOU!Why do so many of us feel bad about our tummies and why are the rounded or wobbly ones never celebrated? That’s what listener Carole wants to know. Content creator Lottie Drynan created the IBS blog The Tummy Diaries and #mybloatedwardrobe and has learned to love her rounded stomach. She joins Nuala McGovern, along with Charlotte Boyce, Associate Professor in Victorian Literature and Culture at Portsmouth University, and columnist Pravina Ruda to discuss our historical and cultural relationship with our tummies.Four years on from the start of the Covid 19 pandemic, many listeners have contacted Woman’s Hour to tell us about their experience of Long Covid. Nuala hears from Lexi Boreham who says she’s been “flattened” by the condition and speaks to respiratory physician Dr Melissa Heightman about the latest treatments and research. Listener Lottie contacted Woman’s Hour because she wanted us to discuss later in life lesbians and what happens when you embrace the sexuality you secretly always knew you had, or perhaps you have only just acknowledged. Nuala speaks to psychotherapist Miriam, who has researched and written about later in life lesbians, and to Georgia who came out around eight years ago after 20 years of marriage to a man.Listener Sarah Palmer from Farnham in Surrey tells us how her life has been transformed through her volunteering work with the charity Pets As Therapy. She’s one of the 4,000 people across the UK who take their dogs and cats into care homes, hospitals and prisons every week. She’ll speak to Nuala about her life and work with Haggis, a two year old cockapoo.Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Lottie Garton
Mental health ramifications for police officers past and present - what support is there? Also, Stephen celebrates his birthday with some of your calls.
Listen to our fantastic, wonderful programme about strong adjectives.FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
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Learn an expression that means getting used to something.An expression that means something is very high quality.[Image: Getty]Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-240819FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
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In Ukraine drone technology is transforming the battlefield and the rules of war are being rewritten. The BBC’s Quentin Sommerville travels to the frontlines in the northeast of the country, and meets some of the Ukrainian prisoners who could help solve a critical shortage of manpower in the country’s war with Russia.
Kamala Harris will be officially confirmed as party's presidential candidate at the event but pro-Palestinian demonstrations threaten to disrupt the unity message. Also: UK tech tycoon Mike Lynch among missing after yacht sinks off the coast of Sicily, and the talk show host Phil Donahue dies aged 88.
The US Democrats are promising a celebration of President Joe Biden on the first day of their Convention in Chicago. But with thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters in Chicago tonight, could discontent over Gaza harm Kamala Harris's election prospects?Also tonight:The British tech tycoon Mike Lynch and five others are missing after a luxury yacht sank in a storm off the coast of Sicily. So what might have caused the superyacht to sink?Allegations that dozens of workers were trafficked by a small, family-owned, Scottish fishing firm.
The Democratic National Convention kicks off in Chicago, in a four-day event that will see Kamala Harris formally confirmed as the party's presidential candidate. We hear from correspondents on the ground.
The government in Nicaragua has outlawed 1,500 civil society groups in one day. They're accused of failing to report their finances and face the confiscation of all their property. We hear about the economic implications.
And British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch is among the missing along with his 18-year-old daughter after the superyacht they were sailing in sank in Sicily. We get the latest.
The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, who's held talks with Israeli leaders, also said that Israel has approved a proposal aimed at bridging the divide between both sides. Also on the programme: President Biden is due to address the opening day of the Democratic Convention in Chicago; and the luxury super-yacht which sank in a storm in the Mediterranean. (Photo: U.S Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks to members of the press in Israel on August 19, 2024. Credit: Kevin Mohatt/Reuters)
Sir Jonathan Van-Tam, or ‘JVT’ as he's arguably better known, first came to widespread public attention in his role as Deputy Chief Medical Officer during the Covid-19 pandemic.But even before that, Jonathan had built an impressive career based on a long-held fascination with respiratory illness and infectious diseases. He’s worked across the public and private sectors, contributing significantly to improving our understanding of influenza and treatments to address such viruses.It’s hard to believe that back in his teens, JVT – the man who advised the nation on pandemic precautions and helped make the UK’s vaccine roll-out possible – nearly didn’t get the grades he needed to go to medical school. But early challenges aside, Jonathan went on to discover a love for both medical research and public speaking: making complex public health messages easier to digest – not least by using analogies relating to his beloved football.Speaking to Professor Jim Al-Khalili in the first episode of a new series of The Life Scientific, Jonathan discusses his life and career: from academic emphasis in childhood and imposter syndrome at medical school, to pandemic pressures around Covid-19 and big birthday celebrations.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said now is "probably the best, maybe the last opportunity" to secure a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza.We'll hear from a senior Hamas official, and a member of Israel's main governing party about their thoughts on the situation.Also in the programme: As the Democrats' convention begins in Chicago, can Kamala Harris keep up her campaign's momentum? And as Ukraine and Russia both make incursions into each other's territory, what does this mean for the conflict?(Photo shows US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meeting with Israel's President Isaac Herzog in Tel Aviv, Israel on 19 August 2024. Credit: Kevin Mohatt/Reuters)
At the start of a day of meetings with Israeli leaders, Mr Blinken said it was time to say yes to a deal without excuses. Also: Russian officials say Ukraine has struck a third key bridge in the Kursk region and Chicago hosts the Democratic National Convention.
Why did a Western Cape court order that dozens of homeless people be evicted from the streets of Cape Town?We take a closer look at Nigeria's multiple exchange ratesAnd what lures African athletes to compete for other countries?Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Blessing Aderogba in Lagos. Bella Hassan and Rob Wilson in London.
Technical Producer: Nick Randell
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Welcome to Woman's Hour's Listener Week, when all the topics, interviews and discussions are chosen by YOU!On today's programme, we hear from listener Siobhan Daniels. She wrote to us on Instagram: 'I would love you to talk about van life and an alternative way of living.' Siobhan is 65 years old and after selling her home and possessions has lived in her motorhome for five years. She joins Nuala McGovern on the programme. A message from a listener raised his concerns about the amount of time it had taken for his daughter’s case to get to trial after she was sexually assaulted. He asked Woman’s Hour to speak to the Crown Prosecution Service about why these delays occur. The CPS were unavilable for an interview and have sent us a statement. To discuss this topic we are joined live by Rape Crisis CEO, Ciara Bergman and barrister and author, Harriet Johnson.What’s it like being a cathedral stonemason? After a listener asked to hear more about women working in heritage crafts, reporter Martha Owen went to meet Rachael Wragg, a stonemason at Lincoln Cathedral. Also known as @thegingermason on social media, Rachael tells us about working the stone, why she decided to retrain as a mason, and why she loves her job.For some surrogacy is extremely contentious, for others it's life changing. Our listener Helen Trenchard wanted to speak about her experience of having a baby by surrogate. It is legal in the UK although it is an offence to advertise that you are seeking a surrogate or are a potential surrogate looking for "intendend parents”. Nuala explores the topic with Helen and Rena Miras-Pye who carried Helen's baby. Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Emma Pearce
How words change depending on whether a man or a woman is doing the job.FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
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Artist Ad Minoliti lives and works in the Argentinian capital Buenos Aires. They are known for their vibrant, geometric designs and the colours in their artworks often leap from the canvas onto the walls and floors of the gallery space. Nature and the environment are an important part of their work and Ad surrounds themselves with wildlife, from growing plants to encourage butterflies and bees at their home, to helping to cultivate green spaces in Buenos Aires. Ad is creating an installation for Un Été au Havre, A Summer in Le Havre festival in northern France and wants their artwork to be enjoyed not only by people, but be beneficial for nature as well. The BBC's Andrea Kidd joins them in their studio as they design their piece called Hôtel des Oiseaux, a bird hotel that will be a welcoming space for the birds.
President Zelensky outlines his aims for the cross-border offensive. Also: a last US diplomatic push for a Gaza ceasefire and the release of hostages, and President Macron leads tributes to the French actor, Alain Delon.
Almost two weeks into its attack on Russia's Kursk region, Ukraine has rendered unusable another bridge over the river Seym, further complicating logistics for Russian forces, and making it more difficult for them to bring in reinforcements. Earlier in the week, the Ukrainians destroyed another bridge. Correspondents say cutting Russian access may indicate Kyiv is planning to hold and expand the ground they've taken, to form a buffer zone to protect Ukraine's Sumy region. Also in the programme: With 78 days to go until the US Presidential election, what are the polls saying? and gamers make it to the rich list.(Photo: A satellite image shows a bridge collapsed over the Seym river in the Glushkovo district, after a Ukrainian strike in the Kursk region. Credit: Handout via Reuters.)
Ukraine says it has destroyed a second bridge in Russia, as it continues its offensive in the Kursk region. The commander of the Ukrainian air force posted a video appearing to show the moment the bridge was brought down, saying the aim was to cut Russian supply lines.Also on the programme: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken due in Israel, in a renewed push for a Gaza ceasefire deal. We look back at the life and times of handsome French film star Alain Delon, who died aged 88 today. And we speak to Parwana Fayyaz and Batool Haidari, two writers involved in “My Dear Kabul”, a book featuring the WhatsApp messages that gave 23 Afghan women solace when the Taliban took over their country three years ago.(Photo: A destroyed Russian tank outside Ukrainian-controlled Russian town of Sudzha, Kursk region. Credit: YAN DOBRONOSOV/AFP/Getty Images)
This is a Bonus episode from The Global Story - Is Twitch too big to fail?The world's largest live-streaming platform, Twitch, faces an uncertain future. Media reports suggest that parent company Amazon has become frustrated by its failure to make profit, and rumours are swirling of a third round of layoffs within a year. But does its loyal audience of 240 million active monthly users make it too big to fail? On this episode, Caitríona Perry is joined by BBC tech reporter Tom Gerken, and the BBC's former gaming correspondent Steffan Powell. They examine what makes Twitch unique, and discuss whether the platform is under threat from its rivals.
This episode was made by Laurie Kalus and Tom Kavanagh. The technical producers were Ben Andrews and Jonny Baker. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Richard Fenton-Smith.The Global Story brings you one big story every weekday, making sense of the news with our experts around the world. Insights you can trust, from the BBC World Service. For more, go to bbcworldservice.com/globalstory or search for The Global Story wherever you got this podcast.
Venezuela's opposition leader has urged supporters to continue protesting against President Maduro. Also: the UN nuclear watchdog's safety warning about Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia plant, and why sunlight is good for you.
In August of 2023, the tourist epicentre of the Hawaiian island of Maui caught fire and the blaze engulfed 2,000 houses, 800 businesses and took the lives of at least 115 people. But the history of the town of Lahaina means it did not go from being the lush and prosperous capital of Hawaii it once was, to disappearing through flames overnight. Born and raised on the island of Maui, Pūlama Kaufman returns there and, with cultural leader Hokulani Holt. They ask questions about the hidden stories of mistreatment, illegal ownership and cultural stripping that may have contributed to seeing Lahaina hidden under ash.
Large opposition rallies in Venezuela, as opposition leader Maria Machado calls for the details of the presidential elections - which the opposition claim President Nicholas Maduro lost – to be published. Also in the programme; Indian doctors strike to protest the murder of a woman colleague; and a new play sheds light on the life of the rock icon, Janis Joplin.(Photo: Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Machado greeting her supporters in a rally in Caracas. Credit: Shutterstock)
Lebanon says at least ten people have been killed in an Israeli strike on a residential building in the southern city of Nabatieh. Israel said it was targeting a Hezbollah weapons depot. Lebanese media say Hezbollah has fired more than forty rockets into northern Israel in retaliation. We have an interview with Lebanon's health minister, Firass Abiad. Also in the programme: Doctors in India go on strike in protest at the rape and murder of a junior doctor in a hospital last week; and the London play that reflects on the legacy of rock legend, Janis Joplin.(Photo: A man inspects the scene at an industrial area hit by an airstrike in Wadi Al Kfour, Nabatieh province, southern Lebanon, 17 August 2024. Credit: EPA)
Meet the newlyweds with a twist; 87-year old Bev says it was love at first sight when 89-year-old Mark moved into the same care home as her. Also, the Olympic marathon runner who is celebrating coming last. Presenter: Oliver Conway. Music composed by Iona Hampson.
India's ancient caste system can result in controversy and discrimination in the country. But a new trend has sprung up of young women flaunting their caste on social media. Our Delhi correspondent Divya Arya has met some of these women, to try and find out why they are so keen to express 'caste pride'. Plus BBC Mundo's Laura García meets the residents of a Parisian retirement home who have found their own way of embracing the Olympic spirit.
Produced by Caroline Ferguson and Alice Gioia. (Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)
روانشناسی تا قرن نوزده یک حیطهی دانش مستقل نبود و اغلب فیلسوفها بودند که حرفهای روانشناسانه میزدند. از آن زمان نظریهپردازان روانشناس با پیریزی مرزهای روانشناسی با دانشهای، دیگر همواره در پی دفاع از رشته و حرفهی خود بودهاند. چرا؟ مهمانهای برنامه: رضا کاظمزاده؛ روانشناس و امانوئل شکریان؛ منتقد فرهنگی.
New tactics to fight mobile phone fraud are being rolled out across England and Wales. It's when mobile phones are stolen not for the value of the physical handset but for criminals to access the banking and financial apps and steal money from victims. Paul Lewis speaks to the national lead on robbery, Commander Richard Smith, about how new intelligence and techniques to pursue suspects have led to arrests and prosecutions going to court.More and more of us are paying tax on our savings. Recent figures suggest that in April over 6 million savings accounts were set to earn enough interest to have to pay tax. That is more than double the number of accounts the year before, according to analysis by the lender Shawbrook. In November, HMRC told us that for the majority of customers this tax on savings interest is automatically collected using their tax code, but many listeners get in touch concerned they will have to pay tax and wondering how to do it. What should they do?Listeners and lawyers who are court appointed deputies say banks won't let them act properly for the person they protect. We’ll speak to the Association of Lifetime Lawyers about what they're seeing. UK Finance, which represents banks, says it knows there's more to be done and that it's working with members and government bodies to look at how greater consistency can be achieved across the industry.And, what's a children’s pension and how do they work?Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporters: Dan Whitworth and Catherine Lund
Researcher: Jo Krasner
Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 20th July 2024)
Health officials have confirmed the first polio case in Gaza for 25 years. The UN wants the vaccination of 600,000 children. Also: Kamala Harris unveils her economic plan, and fantasy football's threat to mental health.
International condemnation followed the elections in Venezuela at the end of July that saw President Maduro declared the winner for a third consecutive term. Those who oppose him have been protesting. There has been violence, many injuries and hundreds arrested and detained. We bring together Venezuelans inside the country and those aboard. You can hear the pride and hope that people have for their country, but also their underlying fears. We hear from a family that is spread across the world. The mother explains why she is the only one remaining in the country. Although she misses her family, her love for her country and its people make her reluctant to leave. However, she reveals how she has a ladder from a window in her home in case she needs to make a quick escape.
Kamala Harris has outlined her economic programme ahead of the US presidential election in November. She discussed what the so called "opportunity economy" would mean for Americans, and in particular the middle class, while also addressing the key issues of the campaign – health care costs and rising food inflation.The English Premier League is the most-watched sports league in the world, broadcasting in 212 territories to 643 million homes, with a potential TV audience of 4.7 billion people. But as the new football season kicks off, Rahul Tandon finds out why people in Peru support Manchester United rather than their local club sides. Thailand’s youngest-ever head of government, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, faces the difficult task of managing relations with the military, which constrains the power of elected governments.And we travel to the world's highest single arch railway bridge, which connects Indian-administered Kashmir with the rest of India for the first time by rail.The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.
Aid agencies are warning of a critical shortage of treatments and vaccines for Mpox across Africa, and are urging wealthy countries with supplies to share them. The warning comes following the World Health Organisation’s decision to declare the latest Mpox outbreak a global health emergency.Also in the programme: The three countries trying to mediate a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza have presented a new proposal to Israel and Hamas; and US Congressman Joaquin Castro congressman on a mission to make his country's musical heritage more Latino!(Photo: Hundreds of deaths from mpox have been recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Credit: Reuters)
Writer: Avin Shah
Director: Marina Caldarone
Editor: Jeremy HoweBen Archer…. Ben Norris
David Archer…. Timothy Bentinck
Ruth Archer…. Felicity Finch
Lilian Bellamy…. Sunny Ormonde
Alice Carter…. Hollie Chapman
Justin Elliott…. Simon Williams
Emma Grundy…. Emerald O’Hanrahan
George Grundy…. Angus Stobie
Will Grundy…. Philip Molloy
Alistair Lloyd…. Michael Lumsden
Paul Mack…. Joshua Riley
Kate Madikane…. Perdita Avery
Azra Malik…. Yasmin Wilde
Lily Pargetter…. Katie Redford
Lynda Snell…. Carole Boyd
Kieron…. Adam Young
Yasmin…. Suzanne Packer
"It's devastating. This was the moment I realised it's finally here, like a boomerang." A resident of the Kursk region describes the moment she realised the war had come to Russia.Also in the programme: one Palestinian killed in West Bank settler violence; and Thailand's new prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.(Picture: A sign reading 'Kursk - 108 km' on a road not far from the Ukraine - Russian border, Ukraine, 15 August 2024. Mandatory Credit: EPA-EFE)
A Chinese company has initiated plans to seize Nigerian assets in in the United Kingdom, United States of America and in six other countries. What's going on? Also, can US negotiators convince General Burhan's side to attend the Sudan Peace talks in Geneva?And why was there a media blackout in Senegal? Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Rob Wilson, Bella Hassan and Nyasha Michelle
Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
Paetongtarn Shinawatra becomes Thailand's youngest ever prime minister. Also: Anger grows after Israeli settlers torch West Bank village, and the WHO warns wealthy countries against stockpiling Mpox vaccines.
A new study just published says that perimenopausal women are more likely to experience bipolar and major depressive disorder. Cardiff University academics worked with charity Bipolar UK and the UK Biobank, a large-scale biomedical database, to look at nearly 130,000 UK women and focused on the four years around the last menstrual period. Dr Clare Dolman, an ambassador for Bipolar UK and patient and public involvement lead on the project, joins Jessica Creighton.We Might Regret This is a brand new BBC comedy that has been pegged by reviews as ‘the next Fleabag’. It centres on Freya, who is an artist and tetraplegic, as she moves in with her partner and hires her best friend to be her personal assistant. The series is partly based on the experiences of Kyla Harris, the co-creator who stars as Freya. She joins Jessica to talk about everything from having a third person in a relationship to misconceptions around disability.What do you think of maternity clothes? For mums-to-be in 2024, it's apparently all about low-cut jeans and crop tops, moving away from traditional maternity wear. Retailers are recording a decrease of maternity clothes searches with women instead opting for regular clothes, perhaps in a bigger size. So why the shift? Jessica is joined by Assistant Fashion Editor at The Times, Hannah Rogers and influencer and author Alex Light to discuss.A brand new documentary film called Daughters follows four girls whose fathers are in prison in the US. They are all preparing for a special prison visit – a father-daughter dance that sees some of them meeting for the first time. Co-director of the film and CEO of Girls for a Change Angela Patton joins Jessica to talk about her work with black girls and their fathers, along with a father and daughter from the UK who have personal experience of the challenges of a father being in prison.
Columns. Analysis. The Guardian's Long Read. Who has time? Catherine Bohart, that's who, and she's going beyond the headlines to give you the lowdown on one of the biggest stories this week, with our usual nerd sidekick, guest expert and roving comedian correspondent.This week: What's with all the riotous goings-on?Writer Tom Neenan explores what's been happening on the streets, Professor Anand Menon explains how this fits into the context of the rise of the far right across Europe and Zoe Lyons wonders why British fascists don't seem to scrub up quite as well as their continental equivalents...Written by Catherine Bohart, with Madeleine Brettingham, Sarah Campbell, Georgie Flinn, Ellen Robertson and Pravanya Pillay.Produced by Lyndsay Fenner & Ben WalkerRecorded and Edited by David ThomasProduction Coordinator - Beverly Tagg & Elise BramichA Mighty Bunny production for BBC Radio 4
Despite some opposition from within their own faith communities, Muti’ah and Angelica are on a mission to teach other Muslim women how to have healthy and safe sex lives.Geeta Pendse meets them both and finds out how to deliver sex education that is both useful and appropriate for their students.Presenter: Geeta Pendse
Producer: Linda Walker
Series producer: Rajeev Gupta
Production co-ordinator: Mica Nepomuceno
The first case of a deadly Mpox variant has been found outside Africa. Sweden has reported a case of someone who was infected in Africa where there is a major outbreak of the Mpox Clade 1 variant. The World Health Organisation says it expects more infections will be found in Europe in the coming days. Also: five people are charged over the death of Friends star Matthew Perry, and Washington condemns Russia for sending a ballerina to jail for donating to a US-funded pro-Ukraine charity.
As Sweden's confirmed the first case of the new Mpox variant outside Africa, we spoke to Paul Chaplin, of drug manufacturer Bavaria Nordic who are the main producer of the vaccine, on whether there's enough of the vaccine to fight the disease.In the US the White House says its negotiated a big cut in the prices of some key medicines. The deal was reached with big pharmaceutical companies and covers ten medicines for conditions including diabetes and heart failure. But how has the US government achieved such a deal? Rahul Tandon speaks to a health policy professor in Tennessee.And we discuss the problem's facing India's economy, where issues of women in the workplace are back in the spot light after the rape and murder of a female doctor in Kolkata. The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.
More than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed as a result of Israeli military action in Gaza since the 7 October Hamas-led attack on Israel, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Negotiations over a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal have resumed today in Doha, with mediators facing a number of potential sticking points including control of land along Gaza’s border with Egypt. We get analysis from an Israeli pollster, and hear from a displaced Palestinian woman about life inside Gaza.Also on the programme:Five people have been charged in the drug-related death of Matthew Perry last year;And the ballerina jailed for 12 years in Russia for donating £40 to a charity supporting Ukraine.
A new round of Middle East peace talks have begun, despite Hamas’s refusal to send a delegation. The US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby says there’s been a “promising start” to the meetings. Delegations are coming together as the Hamas-run health ministry says the Gaza death toll has now reached 40,000.
Also on the programme: Five people have been charged in connection with the ketamine-related death of ‘Friends’ actor Matthew Perry; and three years on since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan, a UN representative for the country tells us how women’s rights have been affected.(Photo: Families of Hamas hostages protest for their release, Tel Aviv, Israel, 15th August 2024. Credit: Abir Sultan/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
In June this year there was the first detected occurrence of rabies in Cape fur seals, discovered after a rabies case in a dog that had been bitten by a seal. Professor Wanda Markotter, Director of the Centre for Viral Zoonoses at University of Pretoria, has been trying to work out how the virus spread into seals and how to keep people (and their pet dogs) safe. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a seismic “advisory” last week alerting local authorities and the public to a heightened risk of a massive, tsunami-generating earthquake on its southeast coast. Californian emergency manager and sociologist James Goltz, has been working with Japanese experts to evaluate a new dynamic alert system that they introduced after the great 2011 earthquake and tsunami which claimed up to 20,000 lives further north. We hear from Professor Alan Jamieson from the depths of the Tonga Trench. He recently dived into it to see what weird and wonderful creatures he’d find there – but when he reached the bottom, he didn’t see what he expected...! And Steven Goderis of the Free University of Brussels tells us about the Chicxulub impactor - the massive asteroid smacked into Earth off the Mexican coast causing the mass extinction event which wiped out the dinosaurs. He’s part of a paper in the journal Science, looking into the history of the impactor - revealing it was a rare carbonaceous asteroid from beyond Jupiter. Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Jonathan Blackwell
Production Coordinator: Andrew Rhys Lewis (Image: Fighting Seals. Credit: Edwin Remsberg via Getty Images)
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the mpox outbreak in parts of Africa a public health emergency of international concern. We hear about the economic implications.
Japan registered an annual GDP growth of 3.1% in the second quarter of the year, a figure above expectations. But can we say the country-s economy is back on its feet? We find out.
And North Korea will soon open some areas of the country to new visitors after years of shut borders, according to some tour operators. We talk to one of them.
India's prime minister, Narendra Modi, has condemned violence against women after a night of protests across the country following the rape and murder last week of a young doctor in Kolkata. How bad is the situation for women in India?Also in the programme: the woman jailed in Russia for donating $51 to Ukraine; Meta owner Mark Zuckerberg's statue of his wife.(Picture: A woman holds a candle during a vigil condemning the rape and murder of a trainee medic at a government-run hospital in Kolkata, on a street in Mumbai, India. Credit: Reuters)
Will Africa's past experience with health emergencies help in tackling the Mpox outbreak?Could a rift within Ethiopia's TPLF party derail the Pretoria peace agreement?And was a landslide at a rubbish dump in the Ugandan capital that killed at least 30 people preventable?Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Joseph Keen, Charles Gitonga and Nyasha Michelle
Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors:Alice Muthengi and Andre LombArd
Hamas says more than 40,000 have been killed in Gaza since the war began ten months ago. Meanwhile new ceasefire talks have begun in Qatar - without Hamas. Also: India's Prime Minister condemns violence against women as anger sweeps the nation over the rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata, North Korea to open to tourism after five years, Mark Zuckerberg reveals 'Roman' statue of his wife, should we go and live on Mars? And the new theatre and TV trend - age-blind casting.
Fresh from the Paris Olympics games, the Team GB weightlifter Emily Campbell joins Jessica Creighton on the programme. Best known for her no nonsense attitude, fabulous hair and of course, lifting extremely heavy weights she joins Jessica to discuss adding bronze to her silver medal from Tokyo. In 2020, Jade McCrossen-Nethercott had the case against her alleged rapist dropped by the CPS. They said that the defence had suggested she suffered from ‘sexsomnia’, where a person performs sexual acts in their sleep. Jade put in a Victim’s Right to Review and received an apology from the CPS for dropping the case, which cannot be re-opened. Jade then sued the CPS – and has now received £35,000 in compensation for damages. Jade joins Jessica to tell her how it feels to have that compensation.Fame found artist Beryl Cook in the 1970s through her colourful, humorous depictions of everyday people. Actress and artist Kara Wilson has always been a fan and wanted to uncover the person behind the art with her play about Beryl, now playing at the Edinburgh Fringe. At the same time, she’s living with her daughter comedian Nina Conti, who also has a show and film on at the Fringe. They both join Jessica to discuss their individual projects and what it’s like living together again.Presenter: Jessica Creighton
Producer: Lottie Garton
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the astonishing work of Michelangelo (1477-1564) in this great chapel in the Vatican, firstly the ceiling with images from Genesis (of which the image above is a detail) and later The Last Judgement on the altar wall. For the Papacy, Michelangelo's achievement was a bold affirmation of the spiritual and political status of the Vatican, of Rome and of the Catholic Church. For the artist himself, already famous as the sculptor of David in Florence, it was a test of his skill and stamina, and of the potential for art to amaze which he realised in his astonishing mastery of the human form.WithCatherine Fletcher
Professor of History at Manchester Metropolitan UniversitySarah Vowles
The Smirnov Family Curator of Italian and French Prints and Drawings at the British MuseumAndMatthias Wivel
The Aud Jebsen Curator of Sixteenth-Century Italian Paintings at the National GalleryProducer: Simon Tillotson
In Our Time is a BBC Studios Audio Production
Scientists are alarmed at the high fatality rate and rapid spread of a new mpox variant in parts of Africa. Also: more delays for astronauts stuck in space as Nasa ponders return, and a TV weather presenter in Australia speaks out about an on-air panic attack.
In 2015, the United Nations and the World Health Organisation set out their blueprints to eradicate Tuberculosis by 2030. TB is a potentially deadly bacterial disease that, despite being preventable and curable, kills just over a million people around the world every year. The disease is prevalent in India,
where one person dies every 90 seconds from TB. In 2017, the Indian government announced their plans to eradicate TB by 2025. But with that date looming, can the country with the highest global burden of TB succeed in its massive challenge? We hear from policymakers about the public health strategies they have formulated and the medical professionals on the ground who are employing them across the country.
Ukraine’s operation into Russian territory is now in its second week – its deepest and most significant incursion into the country since Moscow’s full-scale invasion began. We hear rare testimony from a local official inside Kursk, and speak to a senior Russian diplomat.Also tonight:The story of the British man who spent 38 years in prison in the US – despite a judge finding he was innocent of the crime;And the congressman who’s on a mission to get more music by Latin artists inducted into America’s National Recording Registry…
New data shows inflation in US is slowing down. Will it mean the US central bank will cut interest rates in September? We speak to a panel of guests sharing their thoughts.And Japan is set for a new Prime Minister as Kishida bows out as party leader.
We hear from Yan Furtsev, a Russian opposition politician in Kursk helping evacuees from areas under Ukrainian control. President Zelensky said around one hundred Russian troops had been taken prisoner, but Russian state TV claimed that the Ukrainian advance had been almost ‘completely blocked’. Also on the programme: a special report from Afghanistan, where hundreds of thousands of refugees have been forced to return after being expelled by Pakistan; and with the rise of ‘age-blind’ casting, can older actors play roles traditionally given to much younger performers? (Picture: Ukrainian servicemen ride military vehicles from a crossing point at the border with Russia in Sumy region, Ukraine August 13, 2024. Credit: REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyi)
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announces he will step down in September, once his party has elected a new leader. Rise in the cost of living and scandals in his party has plummeted his government's approval ratings. We get the latest.
Many YouTube users in Russia report that the platform has either stopped working or they're being restricted access to certain channels. We hear about the impact this is having on businesses that rely on YouTube to get their income.
In Seville, the city council says it will cut the water supply to unlicensed tourist apartments. We hear what residents think about this plan.
Thomas Kwoyelo, a child soldier-turned-rebel commander in the notorious Lord's Resistance Army has been found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity in a landmark case in Uganda. He denied all 78 charges that were brought against him. Who is he and what role did he play in the LRA?Also a conversation with a journalist travelling around Sudan, bearing witness to what's happening in the country And what's behind the violence against other African nationals in South Africa?Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Bella Hassan, Rob Wilson, Joseph Keen and Nyasha Michelle
Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
Since the war between Hamas and Israel erupted in October 2023, the fear has been that the conflict in Gaza could lead to a wider regional war across the Middle East. Questions are growing as to whether Iran will retaliate against Israel, which is widely believed to be responsible for a strike that killed former Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. US President Joe Biden thinks a ceasefire deal could make all the difference. We hear from a former Israeli diplomat and an expert on Iranian politics.
Also in the programme: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky claims Ukrainian forces have continued to advance further into Russia's Kursk region; and an Australian weather presenter tells us what it was like to experience a panic attack live on air.(Photo: Smoke rises after an explosion following an Israeli airstrike in the Central Gaza Strip, July 20th, 2024. Credit: Reuters/Omar Naaman)
Average rents in the UK rose by well over 8% in the past year, according to the ONS. In today’s King’s Speech, the new government has committed to introducing legislation to give greater rights and protections to people renting their homes. That included ending no fault evictions and reforming grounds for possession.So what will that mean for your money and your home?Joining us are Jasmine Basran from Crisis - a charity for people experiencing homelessness, Richard Donnell, from the property platform Zoopla and Richard Blanco, a landlord and property expert from the National Residential Landlords Association.Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Producer: Sarah Rogers
Studio Producer: Neil Morrow
Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 3pm Wednesday 17th July 2024)
Thailand's Constitutional Court dismisses Prime Minister Sretta Thavisin for breach of ethics. Also: Thousands of corpses traded in China funeral scandal, Melbourne joins Paris in outlawing e-scooters, and neighbours turn on each other in Portofino air con crackdown.
A picture may be worth a thousand words but this podcast is worth even more - even though it doesn't need a thousand words! Listen to Phil talk about the word 'paint'.TRANSCRIPT
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Throughout the summer we’ve been taking a look into the world of 'genre fiction' – the women who read it and the women who write it. In the latest of this series, we’re going to discuss science fiction. Seen by some as 'a genre for men,' there are lots of women authors and readers who think otherwise. Bafta-nominated screenwriter and playwright, Moira Buffini, who's written The Dig and TV series Harlots, joins Nuala to discuss her debut science fiction novel, Songlight. Larissa Lai, science fiction novelist and professor at University of Toronto, with two novels shortlisted by the Otherwise Award joins Nuala to discuss the genre.Say She She is a female-led band based out of Brooklyn, New York led by Piya Malik Sabrina Mileo Cunningham, and Nya Gazelle Brown. Their sound has been described as ‘disco-delic with dreamy harmonies’, and they have been crowned one of BBC 6 Music’s Artists of The Year. They are now in the UK to perform at Camp Bestival and All Points East. They join Nuala McGovern to discuss their music, their influences, and the issues that inspire their tracks.Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Laura Northedge
The US President Joe Biden said such a deal would help deter Iran from launching attacks on Israel. Iran blames Israel for the killing of a Hamas leader in Tehran, and says it will retaliate. Also: Mpox is declared a public health emergency in Africa, and the rarely-seen Titanic artefacts kept in a secret warehouse.
Air Pollution is responsible for around seven million deaths every year. Governments around the world have been trying to tackle it with a variety of measures. But now, the fight against air pollution is increasingly catching the imagination of artists and designers. In Al Hudayriyat Island in Abu Dhabi, a 7m high installation, Smog Free Tower by Dutch Studio Roosegaarde, bills itself as "the world's first smog vacuum cleaner." It purifies 30,000 cubic metres of air per hour and the dirt filtered from this urban smog is compressed into jewellery - Smog Free Ring - sold to finance the project. In Delhi and Bangalore, AIR INK is "turning air pollution into ink solution" by capturing the black particles that float in the atmosphere and turning them into ink. Founder Anirudh Sharma and His co-founder, Nikhil Kaushik, say taking air pollution and turning it into as means the more AIR INK on your page, the less pollution in your lungs.
The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, has said his country now controls seventy-four communities in the Kursk region of western Russia. It's a week since Kyiv sent large numbers of troops over the border into Kursk in a surprise military incursion that caught Russia off guard. We will have a view from Moscow while our correspondent reports from the border with the Kursk region. Also in the programme: The highly infectious disease, Mpox, has been declared a public health emergency in Africa by the continent’s leading health body; and Banksy's eighth London artwork in eight days defaced. (Photo: The offensive into Russia has boosted morale on the Ukrainian side. Credit: Reuters)
South Korea is advising carmakers to disclose EV batteries information after fire incidents caused concerns over their safety. We look into the details.
Car leasing companies say they are having to take cuts when selling used electric cars. We hear about the impact this can have in the industry.
And beer is at the heart of a dispute between the Democratic Republic of Congo, And Zambia. We listen to what is happening at the border of the two neighbouring countries.
The Ukrainian army has pushed its way into Russian land and claim to have taken control of 1,000 sq kms of territory.
In the programme today we discuss Ukraine's surprise incursion and get reaction from Moscow.
Also on the programme: Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s relationship, and the battle of the air cons in Portofino, Italy.(Photo: A damaged car on the side of the road following the Ukrainian incursion in the Kursk border region. Credit: Reuters)
Why are so many potential presidential contestants in jail ahead of October presidential polls in Tunisia?We find out why Nigerian demonstrators were waving Russian flags at protests And how a novel method of mental health therapy- the friendship bench- could be making its way to a place near you.Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Charles Gitonga, Susan Gachuhi and Frenny Jowi in Nairobi. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos and Nyasha Michelle and Bella Hassan in London
Senior Producer:Paul Bakibinga
Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
Donald Trump says he'll hold another election rally at the site of the assassination attempt against him during a conversation with Elon Musk, which was livestreamed on X to an audience of several million people. Also, Indian doctors go on strike over the rape and murder of one of their colleagues, and how the authorities at South Korean airports try to avoid unwelcome insects creeping into the country.
Annie Ernaux’s Booker-nominated book, Les Années, traces her journey from childhood in post-war France to old age in the post-9/11 era. Now adapted for the stage, Gina Mckee, Deborah Findlay and Romola Garai, alongside Anjli Mohindra and Harmony Rose-Bremner, are the five actors portraying different stages in the life of an ‘unnamed’ French woman. Romola Garai joins Nuala McGovern in the Woman’s Hour studio. We talk to Regina Barzilay, a Professor of AI & Health in the Department of Computer Science at MIT, about how her own breast cancer diagnosis shifted her research to predicting cancer. Regina and her team have built an Artificial Intelligence system that can predict almost half of all incidences of breast cancer up to five years before they happen. And author Rebecca Watson on her latest novel I Will Crash - a unique take on sibling torment. Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Lisa Jenkinson
An expression that means something is very high quality.[Image: Getty]For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.comFind a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-240812FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
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Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia had brought war to others and now it was coming back. The local Russian governor said some 28 villages in the region had fallen to Ukrainian forces. Also: White House says an Iranian attack on Israel could come this week, and scientists find a reservoir of liquid water deep in the crust of Mars.
The so-called ‘parents’ revolution’ is happening in America - and it’s a revolt against the public education system. School choice campaigns are gaining ground across the country, fighting for tax-funded vouchers giving parents the opportunity to select their preferred school. More and more families are ditching institutions altogether, with homeschooling reportedly the fastest growing form of education in the US. Why are families turning away from traditional schooling, and what does this mean for the future of America’s education system? Alex Last travels to Arizona - a state at the forefront of the school choice movement - to find out more.
Ukraine’s top commander has said Kyiv’s forces now control 1,000 square kilometres of Russia’s neighbouring Kursk region as they press their biggest cross-border incursion in two-and-a-half years of full-scale war. We get an update from Sumy, the region of Ukraine which borders Kursk, and hear from an ally of Vladimir Putin.
Also on the programme:
Thousands of residents have been evacuated from their homes as large wildfires reach the suburbs of Athens in Greece;
And scientists have discovered a reservoir of liquid water on Mars, raising fresh questions about the possibility of life on the Red Planet.
The governor of Russia's Kursk region has told President Putin that one- hundred- and- eighty- thousand residents are being evacuated as Ukraine continues its surprise offensive. Mr Putin vowed that the enemy would be "kicked out."In the programme today we will be looking at some Russian reaction to the Ukrainian incursion into Kursk and in particular what Russian military bloggers are saying. Also in the programme: The fires in Greece getting nearer to Athens; and two male flamingos in a zoo in Southern England who have successfully nurtured an egg!(Photo: Residents in parts of the Kursk region have been warned to shelter in basements, and a growing number have been evacuated. Credit: Reuters)
Dr Chris van Tulleken wrestles with the dilemma of slaughter. Could he bring himself to dispatch an animal himself? Is he happy supporting an industry which kills animals in his name? And if not, what could he eat instead?Chris explores the rise of the alternative protein industry – plant-based meat alternatives, lab-grown meat, or most shocking of all for some, actual meat abstinence, Veganism.And it is time to revisit that initial question: what’s influencing our choices when it comes to eating chicken, what impact is that having – and are we bothered?
The International Labour Organisation says youth unemployment has fallen to its lowest level in 15 years but it warns challenges are bigger for young people in certain regions. We look into where this is happening.
Inflation in India has dropped to 3.54% in July, and is now the lowest in almost five years. We hear about the reasons and the consequences of this decline.
And the business travel industry has recovered from the pandemic blow despite companies making less trips. We look at how corporate travel is evolving after Covid.
Russia is evacuating a growing number of people from another border region as Ukraine's surprise attack continues. Some 11,000 people in the Belgorod region have been moved, Russian state media reported, because of "enemy action" near the borderAlso in the programme, the US has ordered the rapid deployment of a submarine and aircraft carrier to the Middle East as fears grow of a wider regional conflict; and Bhutan's one and only Olympic competitor talks about the joys of coming last. (Photo: Russian service members drive a tank in the area bordering Ukraine in Kursk region. Credit: Russian Defence Ministry/Handout via REUTERS).
Former finance minister Manuel Chang was found guilty of fraud and money laundering in a major corruption case, which came to be known as the 'tuna bond' scandal. It involved two billion dolars and crippled Mozambique's economy. How did this scandal change the country and what measures have been put in place against corruption?Also, the impact of forced evictions in AbidjanAnd celebrating the new stars in African sport, at the end of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris!Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Rob Wilson, Joseph Keen and Bella Hassan.
Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
Speaking at a Russian security council meeting, he said the Russian army must dislodge Kyiv's troops from the border region. Also: The leader of a Kenyan cult goes on trial for manslaughter over the deaths of more than four hundred of his followers; and the Italian media is exercised about rumours that Madonna wants to hire the ancient ruins of Pompeii to stage a birthday party.
For the first time in history, the Paris 2024 Olympic Games saw an equal number of men and women competing. But that's not always been the case - in fact, back in 1912, the father of the Olympic games Pierre de Coubertin said that having women compete in the games would be 'impractical, uninteresting, ungainly and, I do not hesitate to add, improper'. Luckily, the Olympics didn’t just have the father of the games – it also had the MOTHER of games, Alice Milliat. BBC Mundo’s Laura Garcia tells us all about this sometimes forgotten figure behind the Olympics.One of the most influential women in the tech industry has died. Susan Wojcicki, the former CEO of YouTube and one of Google’s earliest employees, she died on Friday at the age of 56 from lung cancer. Sheryl Sandberg, the former Chief Operating Officer at Meta, paid tribute to Wojcicki on Instagram, writing: "As one of the most important women leaders in tech — the first to lead a major company — she was dedicated to expanding opportunities for women across Silicon Valley. I don’t believe my career would be what it is today without her unwavering support." Professor Gina Neff, executive director of the Minderoo Centre for Technology at University of Cambridge discusses her impact.The Paris Paralympics are two weeks away, and Nuala McGovern is joined by archery champion Jodie Grinham. Having already won a silver medal in Rio and a gold at this year's European Para Cup, Jodie will be looking to medal again this summer. She has already broken one record, being the first member of Team GB's para team to compete whilst pregnant.The Wicker Man is regarded as a masterpiece of British cinema. But when the film was first released in 1973, it was a flop, and the director Robin Hardy was secretly relying on his wife Caroline to bankroll the entire production. Their son Justin Hardy talks to Nuala about the cache of long lost letters that revealed his mother’s hidden role and about his documentary, Children of The Wicker Man.Mary Bridget Davies is playing Janis in A Night With Janis Joplin. It's a biographical musical about the life of Janis Joplin and her musical influences. It includes all the big Janis hits, including Piece of My Heart, Cry Baby, Me and Bobby McGee, performed by Mary - a role she was Tony-nominated for in the Broadway ...
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Russia's defence ministry said its forces had engaged Ukrainian troops near the villages of Tolpino and Obshchy Kolodez, as the offensive in the Kursk region entered a sixth day. Also: President Biden explains why he dropped out of White House race, and Tom Cruise abseils off stadium roof in Olympic closing ceremony in Paris.
The Norwegian artist Edvard Munch is best known for his expressionist painting The Scream. A pastel version of it fetched $ 120 million when it was last auctioned in 2012, making it the most expensive piece of art ever sold at an auction. The art exhibition Edvard Munch: Trembling, shifts the focus to his landscape paintings, revealing a very different side of the artist and showing the vivid colours he used. Presenting this exhibition on both sides of the Atlantic - in the US, then in Germany and Norway - makes the show open up to a wider audience. But what does it take for an exhibition to go on a journey? The Museum Barberini in Potsdam, Germany grants the BBC exclusive access to witness what happens behind closed doors, when art works worth millions move across countries.
The closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics is taking place in the Stade de France, bringing an end to a festival of sport that has thrilled audiences around the world. In his first interview since dropping his re-election bid, President Biden says he wanted to avoid becoming a distraction in the campaign to defeat Donald Trump. And allegations of torture as the Zimbabwe authorities round up political dissidents ahead of a regional summit in the capital.(Photo: French swimmer Leon Marchand carries the Olympic flame taken from at the Olympic cauldron at the Jardin des Tuileries and to be taken to the Closing Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Stade de France Stadium in Paris, France, 11 August 2024. Credit: Reuters)
On the final day of the Summer Olympics, France's Sports Minister reflects on what the Games have meant for her country. And we look at the cultural and social impact of the Games in Paris. Also in the programme: Donald Trump's presidential campaign team says its internal communications have been hacked by Iran; and 160 opposition members and activists have been arrested in Zimbabwe ahead of a regional summit. We hear from a lawyer representing some of them. (Picture: Sifan Hassan of Netherlands celebrates after winning gold in women's marathon. Credit: REUTERS/Lisa Leutner)
This is a bonus episode from The Global Story - Overtourism: Can travel hotspots cope with the crowds?2024 is expected to be a record-breaking year for tourism, with more travellers going on holiday than ever before. But hotspots like Venice, Hawaii and Bali are also struggling from overtourism. Rajan Datar, host of the BBC's Travel Show, has been meeting people who live in some of the world's tourism hotspots and tells Lucy Hockings about the impact huge numbers of visitors are having on communities and the environment.This episode was made by Alice Aylett Roberts, Richard Moran and Eleanor Sly. The technical producer was Johnny Hall. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Sam Bonham.The Global Story brings you one big story every weekday, making sense of the news with our experts around the world. Insights you can trust, from the BBC World Service. For more, go to bbcworldservice.com/globalstory or search for The Global Story wherever you got this podcast.
The US is home to around seven million undocumented migrants from central and south America. Many have been in the US for years, providing a vital workforce for many sectors of the US economy. But they have no health cover, or workplace benefits and many live under the constant threat of deportation back home. As Americans prepare for another presidential race where immigration is likely to figure high again on the agenda, Mike Lanchin travels to the state of Maryland, to hear about the lives of some of its large undocumented Latino population. He speaks to Maria who gets up at 5am for work, but has no holiday or sick pay. He meets Delmi, who has been using false papers to get work, and Toño who came to the US as an unaccompanied minor but now has a temporary work permit.
An Israeli air strike on a school building sheltering displaced Palestinians in Gaza City has killed dozens of people and drawn strong international condemnation. Also: Russia steps up evacuations of the Kursk region following the cross border attack by Ukraine. In Bangladesh, the chief justice of the supreme court has become the latest senior official to resign in the face of large demonstrations. The authorities in Japan are urging people to avoid hoarding despite concern about the possibility of a mega earthquake. And the secretive British graffiti artist Banksy has been creating a series of unusual images on the streets of London.
The White House has said far too many civilians continue to be killed in Gaza, after a deadly Israeli airstrike on a school where displaced Palestinian were sheltering. The director of a local hospital said more than seventy people died. Israel said nineteen Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters were killed. Egypt and Qatar - mediators in Gaza ceasefire talks - have condemned the strike. We hear from local residents in Gaza city. Also on the programme: the former head of YouTube and one of the highest profile chief executives in Silicon Valley - Susan Wojcicki - has died at the age of 56; and, sweeping change in Bangladesh, how is interim leader Mohammad Yunus doing?(Picture: Aftermath of an Israeli strike on a school sheltering displaced people in Gaza City. Credit:
Mahmoud Issa, for Reauters)
Lottie Tomlinson rose to fame as the younger sister of One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson. At 16, she went on tour with the band as a makeup artist and a decade on, has become an entrepreneur. Lottie’s mother and sister died within a few years of each other, when she was just 20-years-old. She joins Anita to talk about her experience of grief, which she’s written about her new memoir, Lucky Girl.Madwomen of the West is currently on stage at the Riverside Studios in London. Set in a suburban mansion - a group of women gather for an eventful birthday brunch and discuss topics ranging from gender politics to professional expectations, shifting marital relationships, menopause and womanhood. With four leading women over the age of 70 it stars stage and screen luminaries Marilu Henner, Caroline Aaron, Brooke Adams, and Melanie Mayron. Caroline and Marilu join Nuala.New figures released today suggest that children under two are present at 13% of police call outs to domestic abuse incidents in England, amounting to around 185,000 babies and toddlers. So what can the effect be on children of witnessing domestic abuse? And what can be done to overcome the trauma they could experience? We hear from Lauren Seager-Smith, CEO of the For Baby's Sake Trust and Dr Sheila Redfern, consultant clinical child and adolescent psychologist and Head of Family Trauma at Anna Freud, a world-leading mental health charity for children and families.Food writer Meera Sodha’s new cookbook, Dinner: 120 Vegan and Vegetarian Recipes for the Most Important Meal of the Day, pays homage to the restorative power of cooking for the ones you love. Meera says it was written in the midst of ‘a difficult personal time and much reflection.’ She joins Nuala to talk about mental health and rediscovering her love for food.The British roots, blues and Americana rock sensation Elles Bailey is a real trailblazer: she's a mother, a label boss, an artist, a champion of women in music, and she has been inducted into the UK Blues Hall of Fame. She joins Anita to talk about her unique voice, her new album and to perform live in the studio.Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Annette Wells
Editor: Louise Corley
An Israeli air strike on a school building sheltering displaced Palestinians in Gaza City has killed more than 70 people. The situation is reported to be "catastrophic".A spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces said al-Taba’een school "served as an active Hamas and Islamic Jihad military facility" with approximately 20 "militants" operating there. Hamas denies this.Also in the programme: In Bangladesh, after the ousting of long-time prime minister Sheikh Hasina, now the chief justice resigns after student leaders called for him to go; and 12 years after she lost out to a dope cheat, we speak to the Olympic 400m hurdler who's finally got the gold medal she deserved.(Photo shows the damage at the site of an Israeli strike on a school in Gaza City on 10 August 2024. Credit: Mahmoud Issa/Reuters)
More than 9 out of 10 people did not pay for financial advice in the past two years and that number is growing. The figures come from surveys by the financial services consultancy The LangCat. It found the proportion of people paying for financial advice fell from 11% of adults to 9% between this year's report and one they did a year ago. We'll hear from them about the reasons behind it.What will the new government do to change employment rights and wages? We’ll discuss the potential new employment bill ahead of the King's Speech.And the new security measures people can take to protect themselves from mobile phone fraud. This is when people's phones are stolen not for the value of the physical handsets but so criminals can try to access the financial apps stored on them to steal hundreds or, often, thousands of pounds from victims. Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporters: Dan Whitworth and Catherine Lund
Researcher: Jo Krasner
Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 13th July 2024)
We hear about the giant personalities of the panda pair bringing joy to the crowds at San Diego Zoo. The super relaxed male and curious, playful female are the first pandas sent to the US from China in more than twenty years.Also: How Botswana celebrated its first gold medal at an Olympics with a nationwide party - and an afternoon off work.
We hear from a woman who's defied tradition in southern Iraq to set up the region's first all female cafe.
We visit Amsterdam's Offline Club -- where people have to ditch their smartphones and talk to people in real life.
For the first time ever, there's space at the Olympics for breastfeeding and childcare.
And how gold was followed by diamonds for one champion at the Olympics.Our weekly collection of happy stories and positive news from around the world.
According to the UN, from 2008-2018 over 18,000 Vietnamese citizens a year married foreigners. The vast majority of them are women, and many find their foreign husbands through special matchmaking agencies. Thoung Lee from BBC Vietnamese has been looking into this profitable and controversial business.Produced by Caroline Ferguson, Hannah Dean and Alice Gioia.(Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)
بالا گرفتن تنش با اسراییل چه تاثیری بر سمت و سوی سیاست در ایران خواهد داشت؟ فضای داخل امنیتیتر و سیاست خارجی شرقگراتر میشود یا مسیر متفاوتی در پیش گرفته میشود؟ میهمانها: بابک دربیکی؛ تحلیلگر سیاسی و امیرمصدق کاتوزیان؛ تحلیلگر سیاسی.
After weeks of student-led demonstrations and violence across Bangladesh, which caused the deaths of hundreds of people, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has fled to India and resigned after 15 years of controversial rule. Many of those left behind are celebrating what they are describing as a second independence. The man brought in to temporarily lead the country – the Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus – has called on young people to help rebuild the South Asian country. Generation Z, who are mostly in their teens and 20s, have played a large role in forcing political change. Hosts Luke Jones and James Reynolds bring some of those young voices together to hear their thoughts and hopes for the future.
Authorities say the aircraft landed in a residential area in the state of São Paulo, but no-one on the ground has been injured. Also: The UN nuclear agency has urged Russia and Ukraine to exercise maximum restraint, as fighting in western Russia draws closer to the Kursk nuclear power plant. Rappler, the Philippines news site critical of the former government's deadly war on drugs, is to stay open after a court overturned a closure order, and the Russian chess champion accused of smearing poison on her rival's pieces.
Fedecamara, the Venezuelan Federation of Chambers of Commerce, calls for transparency in election results to help businesses recover markets' trust and attract foreign investment. We talk to its president, Adan Celis.
Voiceover and movement actors continue striking in the US. They want the videogame industry to agree to pay performers when their work is used by AI to generate new scenes. We hear from one of the union's negotiators.
Colombian policymakers are pushing a bill to ban merchandise featuring the late drug lord Pablo Escobar, who has become a local attraction for international tourists in the last decade. We hear about the consequences this could have on tourism.
President Putin has declared a "federal level" state of emergency on day four of a large Ukrainian military incursion into the Russian border region of Kursk, with more troops and munitions being rushed to the area. As fighting draws closer to a nuclear power plant we hear from analyst Professor Michael Clarke who explains what Ukraine is hoping to achieve. Also on the programme: Venezuela's 10-day block on X, formerly Twitter; and Botswana declares a half-day national holiday to celebrate Olympian Letsile Teboho, the first African to win Gold in the 200-metre sprint.(Picture: Ukrainian service members ride an Armoured Personnel Carrier near the Russian border in Sumy region. Credit:
Viacheslav Ratynskyi for Reuters)
Writer, Nick Warburton
Director, Pip Swallow
Editor, Jeremy HoweLilian Bellamy ….. Sunny Ormonde
Harrison Burns ….. James Cartwright
Alice Carter ….. Hollie Chapman
Chris Carter ….. Wilf Scolding
Justin Elliott ….. Simon Williams
Will Grundy ….. Philip Molloy
Emma Grundy ….. Emerald O'Hanrahan
Ed Grundy ….. Barry Farrimond
George Grundy ….. Angus Stobie
Joy Horville ….. Jackie Lye
Alistair Lloyd ….. Michael Lumsden
Kate Madikane ….. Perdita Avery
Kirsty Miller ….. Annabelle Dowler
Fallon Rogers ….. Joanna Van Kampen
Lynda Snell ….. Carole Boyd
John Mack ….. Richard Pepple
Columns. Analysis. The Guardian's Long Read. Who has time? Catherine Bohart, that's who, and she's going beyond the headlines to give you the lowdown on one of the biggest stories this week, alongside a guest journalist and roving correspondent Sunil Patel.This week: what's Putin's endgame in Ukraine?Topical comedy stalwart Gareth Gwynn is our guide through the detail, and historian Julia Leikin joins to explain how the region's past is affecting its present.Meanwhile, in the TL;DR Sidebar, comedian Sunil Patel looks at the advantages of having a former comedian as your President when on a war-time footing.Written by Catherine Bohart, with Madeleine Brettingham, Sarah Campbell and Georgie Flinn.Produced by Victoria Lloyd & Lyndsay FennerRecorded at the Museum of Comedy, and Edited by David ThomasProduction Coordinators - Beverly Tagg & Anna MadleyA Mighty Bunny production for BBC Radio 4
Over the past few days Ukrainian forces have launched a ground offensive inside Russia in the Kursk region. Russia's defence ministry says it's sending reinforcements and so far, four villages have been evacuated near the area. Military analyst Alexander Lord talks us through Ukraine’s change in strategy. Also in the programme: A victory for press freedom in the Philippines today. Rappler, the news organisation run by Nobel prize winner Maria Ressa, will have its corporate license restored. We hear from her. And in Brazil, deforestation in the Amazon has decreased by 46% compared to the past year. (Credit: Photo by Russian Emergencies Ministry HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
An unprecented assault by Ukraine into Russia's Kursk region enters its fourth day, and an airbase in Lipetsk has also been targetted. We have Russian reaction. Also: In Thailand the main opposition party reinvents itself - two days after being disbanded by the country's top court because of laws against insulting the monarchy, and how a sad meme has been turned into a musical at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland.
Talks aimed at ending the 16-month conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces are due to take place in Geneva. Can lifestyle audits help curb corruption by Kenya's public servants?And we meet the Cameroonian lawyer who's walking a marathon at the Paris Olympics to highlight disability.Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Victor Sylver and Nyasha Michelle in London. Charles Gitonga and Frenny Jowi in Nairobi
Technical Producer : Jack Graysmark
Senior Producer Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
This evening at the Olympics, Algerian boxer Imane Khelif will fight for a gold medal in the women’s welterweight event. Tomorrow, Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting will compete for gold in the final of the women’s featherweight boxing. Both boxers have faced serious controversy over their eligibility to compete. To take us through what’s going on, Anita Rani speaks to the BBC’s Sport Editor, Dan Roan.Lottie Tomlinson rose to fame as the younger sister of One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson. At 16, she went on tour with the band as a makeup artist and a decade on, has become an entrepreneur. Lottie’s mother and sister died within a few years of each other, when she was just 20-years-old. She joins Anita to talk about her experience of grief, which she’s written about her new memoir, Lucky Girl.When writer and counsellor Lucy Cavendish split up from her partner it took her a while to realise that the friends she had believed she shared with him were now his and his alone. She joins Anita, along with Rosie Wilby, comedian and author the book The Breakup Monologues, to discuss why friendships can fracture in a break-up and the politics of who gets to keep the friends.The South African soprano Golda Schultz is one of the opera world’s most versatile and in demand performers. After a music filled childhood, she started training as a journalist but made the leap to become a professional singer and overcame severe stage fright. She talks to Anita about her appearance at this year’s Edinburgh International Festival in Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte.Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Maryam Maruf
Editor: Olivia Bolton
Studio Manager: Duncan Hannant
Stephen also talks to a teenager about the fear he feels living in Belfast as a minority
New digital technologies including AI have started to find a place in the grieving process, sometimes alongside more traditional religious rituals. 'Grief tech' concepts are springing up across the world, aiming to mask the finality of death for those left behind. Nkem Ifejika, who lost his mother three years ago, samples some grief tech products. He meets Stephen Smith, creator of StoryFile, a system which enables him to interact with his late mother almost as if he was interviewing her on video in the here and now. He talks to Japanese media artist Etsuko Ichihara, who has developed a robot that mirrors the physical personality, speech and gestures of a person who has died. And Nkem hears from Justin Harrison, who has been working on recreating the essence of his late mother’s personality.
The first TV debate has been confirmed between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. It will be hosted by ABC on September 10th. Mr Trump has said he wants another two debates in the same month. Also: Muhammad Yunus is sworn in as head of an interim government in Bangladesh, and the drones that could save the forests of Madagascar.
Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus is sworn in as leader of Bangladesh’s interim government days after Former Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina fled across the border to India. We get the latest.
As US voters prepare to elect their new president, the cost of housing remains one of the main topics in the agenda. We take a look at the challenges Americans face to get on the property ladder.
And Nasa is rushing to bring back to Earth two astronauts who blasted off on a test mission to the International Space Station, and whose spaceship is now considered unsafe for the trip back home. We hear how Elon Musk’s SpaceX might have the solution to Nasa’s problem.
ABC News has announced that Donald Trump and Kamala Harris will face off in a Presidential debate on 10 September. Speaking at his home in Florida, Trump said he's agreed with other broadcasters to two further debates. Trump's press conference was intended to regain momentum as his campaign appeared to falter after the Democratic nomination passed to Harris.Here in the UK, Northern Ireland's Assembly was recalled from summer recess in response to racist riots in Belfast. We spoke to Justice Minister Naomi Long.And a boxer who lives in Bolton has become the first medal winner for the Refugee Olympic Team after claiming bronze in the middle-weight division.
Muhammad Yunus has been sworn in as Bangladesh's interim leader. He flew into Dhaka after Sheikh Hasina - who ruled the country for 15 years - fled to India following weeks of student-led protests. We hear from someone who worked with Mr Yunus in microfinance - the field that led him to win a Nobel peace prize in 2006.Also in our programme: as Kamala Harris draws closer in the polls, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump held his first conference since her nomination as his Democratic opponent; and the Norwegian Foreign Minister responds to Israel's decision to strip eight Norwegian diplomats of their diplomatic accreditation.(Photo: Muhammad Yunus signs the oath book as the country’s head of the interim government in Bangladesh. Credit: Reuters / Mohammad Ponir Hossain)
Cases of bird flu in farm workers in the US may be going underreported, due to supposed poor surveillance and lack of testing. We hear from Amy Maxmen of KFF Health News who has been reporting on a study in Texas. We hear from Bradley Moore, Professor of Marine Chemical Biology at University of California, San Diego about marine algae using massive enzymes, dubbed PKZILLAs to biosynthesize fish-killing toxins. BBC Science Correspondent Jonathan Amos gives us the latest on the two American astronauts who blasted off on a test mission to the International Space Station on 5 June, expecting to be back home in a matter of days. But the pair are still there, floating high above the Earth two months later - stuck indefinitely - now facing the sudden prospect of missing the summer entirely and even spending Christmas and New Year in space. And sea lion camera crews are helping researchers explore previously unmapped ocean habitats in southern Australia. Nathan Angelakis of the University of Adelaide tells us about working with the animal camera operators and what we can learn from viewing their movements. Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Jonathan Blackwell
Production co-ordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth (Image: Young Farmer and Cows on Dairy Farm. Credit: EyeJoy via Getty Images)
After the celebrations on the streets and jubilant return to Bangladesh for Muhammad Yunus - we hear the economic reality facing the interim leader and his country...Also, we hear from Professor Lorna Woods, from the University of Essex as the UK authorities grapple with the part social media played in widespread anti-immigration riots.
A United Nations report says fake or substandard medicines could be causing the deaths of around half a million people across Africa. This new study found, if people continue to be exposed to fake medicines, they could develop a resistance to genuine medication. How do you spot fakes?Also why the concept of the family home needs a legal definition to protect the rights of women and children.And the impact of illegal shark fishing in the Congo.Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Frenny Jowi, Bella Hassan, Joseph Keen and Blessing Aderogba
Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus - a longtime political foe of Bangladesh's ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina - has been named the country's interim leader. The 84-year-old was appointed a day after Ms Hasina fled the country following weeks of deadly protests that brought her resignation.
Also on the programme: The former president of Catalonia, in Spain, pops up briefly in Barcelona but is at risk of arrest; and the two astronauts struggling to find a way back to earth.
(Picture: Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus attends a press briefing along with student leaders in Dhaka. Credit: Reuters/Mohammad Ponir Hossain)
Nobel Peace laureate says his first talk is to restore law and order after the violent unrest that toppled Sheikh Hasina. Also: Catalan police are searching for the separatist leader Carles Puigdemont after his surprise return from exile; and the Moroccan B-Girl taking part in the very first Olympic breaking competition.
A bonus episode from The Global Jigsaw looks at how the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan has led to the erasure of women from public life. There’s a UN-led campaign to recognise it as “gender apartheid”, but the international community is divided and lacking leverage. Three years after the group took the capital Kabul, our experts explain what life is like for half of the population and why women have become a proxy for the nation’s image of itself. Producer: Kriszta Satori, Elchin Suleymanov
Presenter: Krassi TwiggThe Global Jigsaw looks at the world through the lens of its media. Think of us as your media detectives, helping you get past the propaganda and misinformation. The Global Jigsaw comes from BBC Monitoring, which tracks, deciphers, and analyses news media in 100 languages. At BBC Monitoring, we don’t just speak the language, we understand the narrative. So we can help you untangle the context and single out rhetoric from reality, deception from truth. For more episodes just search The Global Jigsaw wherever you got this podcast.
First to the news that thousands of anti-racism protesters gathered in cities and towns across England last night. They were rallying in response to a week of anti-immigration rioting and racist violence, sparked by misinformation over the deadly stabbings in Southport on 29 July.
Thousands of extra police officers had been deployed last night but the protests were largely peaceful with few serious incidents.
Some of the largest gatherings were in north London, Brighton and Bristol. To discuss, Anita Rani is joined by Labour’s Susan Dungworth, the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, and Aisha Gill, a Professor in Criminology, Head of the Centre for Gender and Violence Research at the University of Bristol. The British roots, blues and Americana rock sensation Elles Bailey is a real trailblazer: she's a mother, a label boss, an artist, a champion of women in music, and she has been inducted into the UKBlues Hall of Fame. She joins Anita to talk about her unique voice, her new album and to perform live in the studio.New figures released today suggest that children under two are present at 13% of police call outs to domestic abuse incidents in England, amounting to around 185,000 babies and toddlers. So what can the effect be on children of witnessing domestic abuse? And what can be done to overcome the trauma they could experience? We hear from Lauren Seager-Smith, CEO of the For Baby's Sake Trust and Dr Sheila Redfern, consultant clinical child and adolescent psychologist and Head of Family Trauma at Anna Freud, a world-leading mental health charity for children and families.New York Times bestselling author Abi Daré discusses her much-anticipated second novel, And So I Roar, which follows tenacious teenager Adunni and her fight for freedom in rural Nigeria.Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Kirsty Starkey
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Alexis de Tocqueville (1805-1859) and his examination of the American democratic system. He wrote De La Démocratie en Amérique in two parts, published in 1835 and 1840, when France was ruled by the July Monarchy of Louis-Philippe. Tocqueville was interested in how aspects of American democracy, in the age of President Andrew Jackson, could be applied to Europe as it moved away from rule by monarchs and aristocrats. His work has been revisited by politicians ever since, particularly in America, with its analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of direct democracy and its warnings of mediocrity and the tyranny of the majority.WithRobert Gildea
Professor of Modern History at the University of OxfordSusan-Mary Grant
Professor of American History at Newcastle UniversityandJeremy Jennings
Professor of Political Theory and Head of the School of Politics & Economics at King's College LondonProducer: Simon TillotsonIn Our Time is a BBC Sounds Audio Production
This is a bonus episode for The Documentary of The Engineers: Intelligent Machines. This year, we speak to a panel of three engineers at the forefront of the 'Machine Learning: AI' revolution with an enthusiastic live audience.Intelligent machines are remaking our world. The speed of their improvement is accelerating fast and every day there are more things they can do better than us. There are risks, but the opportunities for human society are enormous. ‘Machine Learning: AI’ is the technological revolution of our era. Three engineers at the forefront of that revolution come to London to join Caroline Steel and a public audience at the Great Hall of Imperial College:Regina Barzilay from MIT created a major breakthrough in detecting early stage breast cancer. She also led the team that used machine learning to discover Halicin, the first new antibiotic in 30 years. David Silver is Principal Scientist at Google DeepMind. He led the AlphaGo team that built the AI to defeat the world’s best human player of Go. Paolo Pirjanian founded Embodied, and is a pioneer in developing emotionally intelligent robots to aid child development. Producer: Charlie Taylor (Image: 3D hologram AI brain displayed by digital circuit and semiconductor. Credit: Yuichiro Chino/Getty Images)
A state of emergency has been declared in the Kursk region of Russia, as a rare cross-border attack by Ukrainian troops has continued for a second day. Also: A series of concerts in Vienna by Taylor Swift has been cancelled because of a terror threat, and a parrot is recognised by Guinness World Records for its memory skills.
The runaway success of Disney's Inside Out 2 has helped boost the entertainment giant's profits, but there are troubles elsewhere in the Magic Kingdom. Roger Hearing will be finding out why consumer demand seems to be slowing. We hear how a tribe who live in the Bolivian rainforest may live a far healthier life than people with far more material wealth.And how much do Olympians really get paid if they win a gold, silver or bronze medal?
Russia has declared a state of emergency in the Kursk region in response to what Moscow says is a continuing cross-border incursion by the Ukrainian military. Also on the programme, police forces across England are deploying thousands of officers as eight days of unrest continues; and, a Bolivian tribe's secret to reducing the effects of ageing.(Photo: Russian President Vladimir Putin meets cabinet members after Ukrainian attack in Kursk, Novo Ogaryovo, Russian Federation - 07 Aug 2024. VALERIY SHARIFULIN/SPUTNIK/KREMLIN POOL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Under pressure from investors, mining giant Glencore is shelving its plans to sell off its coal-mining business. What does that say about the company’s commitment to a greener transition? We examine the cost of living in Nigeria, which has seen a week of protests. And why Elon Musk is suing companies who refused to advertise on his social media platform X.
Mali and now Niger say they've cut diplomatic relations with Ukraine. How much involvement does Kyiv have in the Sahel?
Why are multinational companies leaving Nigeria?
And we hear more about the world's greatest running rivalry: Kenya vs Ethiopia
Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers : Victor Sylver, Charles Gitonga, Sunita Nahar and Nyasha Michelle
Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
A new government has taken office so what might that mean for the financial issues you've told us you care about?A big topic you got in touch with us about is the cost of care in old age.Unlike NHS services, social care is not free at the point of use and a place in residential care costs around £60,000 a year according to carehome.co.uk. The bill can go up enormously for anyone who needs extra support. Plus it's a devolved issue with different rules depending on where you live.A cap limiting the cost of personal care to £86,000 per person over a lifetime is due to come into force in October 2025 in England but will this still be the case? Felicity Hannah is joined by Nadra Ahmed from the National Care Association, which represents care homes and Simon Bottery, Senior Fellow in Social Care at The King's Fund, which is an independent think tank, specialising in health.Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Producer: Sarah Rogers and Immie Rhodes
Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast at 3pm on Wednesday July 10th 2024)
A Thai court has ordered the dissolution of the country's biggest opposition party. Also: Russia’s President Putin has called a rare incursion of Ukrainian troops into Russian territory a “major provocation”.
Let's learn about the word 'consider'. Phil explains three different ways that you can use it and gives you a lot of examples.TRANSCRIPT
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Kerry-Ann Knight, who served in the army for over a decade, has spoken out about the years of racist and sexist abuse she received whilst serving saying that it made her life "a living hell". She joins Nuala to discuss her experience of taking the Ministry of Defence to an employment tribunal where she accepted a substantial settlement, along with an apology. Her experience has led to lawyer Emma Norton - who's an expert in this field - to call for an inquiry in to the experiences of black and minoritised service personnel in the armed forces. A new exhibition, Gardening Bohemia, at the Garden Museum in London explores the relationship between women in the Bloomsbury group and gardening. Plus a book out earlier this year, Rural Hours, looks at the influence of time spent in the countryside on three women writers associated with the group, including Virginia Woolf. Curator Claudia Tobin and author Harriet Baker discuss.When illustrator and author Kate Pankhurst started writing the Fantastically Great Women book, she didn’t know she was a distant relative of suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst – or that the book would become an award-winning pop musical. With the show currently on at The Other Palace in London, Nuala talks to Kate about why she wanted to celebrate historic women and their achievements, plus cast member Anelisa Lamola performs live in the studio.Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Dianne McGregor
Tim Walz told a rally in Philadelphia that Republican contenders in November's presidential election are " weird as hell". Also: Hamas names Yahya Sinwar as new overall leader, and Philippe Petit is to mark 50 years since his Twin Towers high-wire walk.
A killer fungus is ravaging plantations of the Cavendish banana worldwide. It travels through the soil at lightning speed and chokes the banana plant so its leaves shrivel up and die. The disease is known as Tropical Race 4, or TR4 for short, and it has spread across the globe from Australia, to the Philippines, Pakistan and Mozambique. Now TR4 is widespread across Latin America. In Colombia where 30,000 people are employed in banana plantations, the government declared a state of national emergency when the fungus first arrived on farms in 2019. An international community of scientists is experimenting with different techniques to try to halt the spread of TR4 whether that's through gene-editing, selective breeding or injecting microbes into the soil.
A major Democratic party donor in the US tells us why adding Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to the Harris presidential ticket is the right pick for the party. We find out who is being lined up as Bangladesh's interim leader and what they want for their economy. And Uber was once a company synonymous with government rows but have managed to ride out the market storm - one taxi ride at a time.
Kamala Harris has picked a former football coach to be on her team. The US Vice President - and Democratic nominee for president - has chosen the Governor of Minnesota Tim Walz as her running mate. We're live in Philadelphia - where they're holding their first joint rally - and ask a leading Democratic Congresswoman why the man who branded Donald Trump "weird" can help defeat the former Republican president and his running mate, JD Vance. Also tonight:The prime minister has told communities they'll be safe ahead of planned anti-immigration gatherings tomorrow. We hear from one immigration lawyer who's been targeted.And the star pianist couple - originally from Russia - on artistic freedom in the land they left behind.
The US Vice-President, Kamala Harris, has chosen the Minnesota governor, Tim Walz, as her running-mate for the presidential election in November. Also on the programme: the president of Bangladesh has dissolved parliament, paving the way for the formation of an interim government; and a high-wire artist remembers the day he walked between the Twin Towers in New York. (Photo: Photo by SHAWN THEW/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock Minnesota Governor Tim Walz walks out of the West Wing to deliver remarks to the news media following his meeting with US President Joe Biden at the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 03 July 2024.)
Alistair faces the consequences of his actions, and there’s an awkward encounter for Fallon.
Kamala Harris has picked Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as running mate in the US presidential elections. The former high school teacher will be vice-president if she wins. We get the latest.
Students in Bangladesh want the country's Nobel Peace Prize winner, Muhammad Yunus, to be named chief adviser of a new interim government. This comes a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country in the face of a popular uprising. We hear about Yunus's work and the state of the nation's economy.
A US judge has ruled Google acted illegally to crush its competition and maintain a monopoly on online search and related advertising. We take a look at the consequences of the ruling.
The US Vice-President Kamala Harris has chosen the governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz, as her running mate for November's presidential election. We hear from one of his old friends.Also on the programme: the president of Bangladesh has dissolved parliament to enable a new government to be formed, a day after the prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, was ousted by protesters. And the British government condemns Elon Musk's comments that civil war is inevitable in Britain as unrest continues across the country.(Picture: VP Candidate Tim Walz, the current governor of Minnesota. Credit: Reuters)
Kamala Harris has named the Governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz, to be her vice-presidential running mate. Also: Bangladesh's president dissolves parliament, clearing the way for the formation of a new government, disturbing evidence of torture of Palestinians in Israeli jails, and the Algerian winner of Africa's first Olympic gold medal in gymnastics.
The United Kingdom is experiencing almost a week of violent disorder after three girls were fatally stabbed in the town of Southport, in England. The subsequent unrest in towns and cities has been fuelled by misinformation online, the far-right and anti-immigration sentiment. How did the UK get to this point? Also, why does Lesotho have the highest suicide rates in the world? And Somalia sentences seven young Tik Tok users to jail for 'indecency' and 'incitement'.Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producer: Sunita Nahar, Bella Hassan, Frenny Jowi and Rob Wilson
Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice MuthengiPlease Note: If you have been affected by the content on suicide in this episode, do search for the BBC's Action line or contact a local support group for help.
An expression that means you say something without preparing first. Learn it here.[Image: Getty]For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.comFind a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-240805FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
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The Paris 2024 Olympics was set to be the first where men could compete alongside women in the synchronised swimming. Bill May has been campaigning for this change for the last 30 years. He speaks to Nuala about why he thinks men should be included in the sport.Food writer Meera Sodha’s new cookbook - Dinner: 120 Vegan and Vegetarian Recipes for the Most Important Meal of the Day - pays homage to the restorative power of cooking for the ones you love. Meera says it was written in the midst of ‘a difficult personal time and much reflection.’ She joins Nuala to talk mental health and rediscovering her love for food.Do you have any idea what your IQ is? New analysis from The Economist shows that brain development is being hindered across the world due to a lack of nutrition, war and even sexism - issues mainly affecting women and children. Are they getting left behind? Nuala is joined by the Deputy Editor of The Economist, Robert Guest and Dr Meera Shekar, Global Lead for Nutrition at The World Bank’s Health, Nutrition & Population Global Practice.Emma O’Halloran’s opera, Mary Motorhead, tells the story of a woman who is behind bars for murder. Emma speaks to Nuala about showing a different side to the stereotypical female opera lead. Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Lottie Garton
Blatant racist challenged by Nolan following Belfast disorder. Stephen also speaks to the Chair of the Police Federation Liam Kelly
Weeks of increasingly violent unrest forced the Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to step down. She's fled to India, ending a run of 15 years in power. Also: the UN says nine of its staff members in Gaza may have been involved in the October 7th attack on Israel last year, and a 15 year old teenager has become Britain's youngest ever Chess Grandmaster.
The Italian town of Monfalcone on the Adriatic coast has an ethnic make-up unique to the country. Of a population of just over thirty thousand, more than six thousand are from Bangladesh. They’ve come to help construct huge cruise ships, providing labour to do the type of manual jobs which Italians no longer want to do.For years, they worshipped at two Islamic centres in the town. Then, in November, the town’s far right mayor, Anna Maria Cisint, tried to effectively ban collective prayer there, along with stopping cricket - the Bangladeshi national sport - from being played within the town.She says she is defending Christian values. Her critics say she is building walls rather than bridges. For Assignment, Sofia Bettiza travels to Italy to discover how the country is dealing with the increasing numbers of legal migrants coming to work in a country which needs their labour.
Weak economic data from the US has fuelled speculation that the world's largest economy is slowing. In London, the FTSE 100 fell and stocks in Asia have tumbled. We take a look at what's perplexing investors around the world.The Bangladesh Prime Minister resigns following weeks of deadly anti-government protests we find out how the garment and textiles industry has been impacted.And we hear how product placement is being used at the Olympic Game after one brand became highly visible during the opening ceremony.
There've been clashes between police and protestors in Plymouth - as police say they've made almost 380 arrests in connection with violent disorder across parts of England and Northern Ireland. The former Yorkshire cricketer - Azeem Rafiq - tells us about the impact on his family in Rotherham. And we ask if far-right violence should be treated as terrorism.Also tonight:A historic day in Bangladesh as the Prime Minister resigns and flees the country - after months of student protests. The deposed PM - Sheikh Hasina - is reportedly on her way to London tonight. Will she be welcomed here?And we speak to Britain's youngest-ever chess grandmaster - the 15-year-old who counts the chancellor among those he's beaten.
The prime minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, has resigned and fled to India after weeks of unrest - the army chief says an interim government will be formed. Also on the programme, Nearly 400 people have been arrested after a series of violent protests erupted across the UK last Tuesday; and, a presidential candidate solves a ten-year bear mystery.(Photo: People climb the statue of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the Bijoy Sarani area, as they celebrate the resignation of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka, Bangladesh, August 5, 2024. REUTERS/Mohammad Ponir Hossain TPX)
We're a planet addicted to chicken - and our appetites fuel a massive global industry... but is it one we should support?As Chris wrestles with how he personally feels about this weird and wonderful bird, he decides to take a look at the business as a whole: a global industry that's cited by some as a shining example of a super-efficient food production system, one that could help drive food security around the world.But others say it’s a cruel, destructive and outdated structure that makes a few people richer while exploiting others – along with animals and the environment.In Brazil, one of the world’s biggest chicken and soya producers, our reporter Leonardo Milano hears accusations of threats and pollution relating to the feed sector; while in Africa, Chris learns about poultry-farming initiatives helping to make struggling nations more food-secure.And then there are the other challenges that the industry is wrestling with: from antimicrobial resistance to the threat of another major global pandemic, potentially stemming from chicken farms…So is there a ‘big business bad guy’ to blame – or does responsibility lie closer to home, with unquestioning consumers like Chris?
It's been a torrid day on the world's stock markets. Japan's Nikkei index leads the sell-off with a fall of over 12 percent. European and US markets are also down. And in Bangladesh, the prime minister resigns and flees the country just before protesters storm her official residence. What happens next, and will Bangladeshi businesses now be able to get back on their feet?
The long-serving prime minster of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, has resigned and fled the country in a military helicopter. In the morning, tens of thousands of people defied curfew orders and marched towards the capital, Dhaka. Crowds cheered in the street upon hearing the news about the PM stepping down.
Also on the programme: the International Boxing Association weighs in on the controversy surrounding Olympic boxers Imane Khelif of Algeria and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting; and the British government holds an emergency meeting after anti-immigration riots.(Photo: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addresses a meeting with foreign observers and journalists in Dhaka, 8th January 2024. Credit: Monirul Alam/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Hundreds gather in protest at popular Lido beach in Mogadishu after a deadly Al-Shabab militant attack. The African Union declares coffee a strategic commodity. What does that mean?
And is Nigeria ready for a new state?
Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Claudia Efemini, Nyasha Michelle and Sunita Nahar in LondonTechnical Producer :Jonny Hall
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors : Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned and fled the country after anti-government protests in which hundreds of people have been killed. Huge crowds of protesters have been celebrating in the streets of the capital, but there has also been widespread looting, including in the Prime Minister's official residence. The army chief, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, says he will be forming an interim government. Also: The Japanese stock exchange has had one of the worst days in its history. The biggest drop was in Japan, where the Nikkei 225 index plunged more than 12 per cent. And we find out about the frontrunners for the US Democratic Vice-President nominee - Senator Mark Kelly, and two Governors, Tim Walz and Josh Shapiro.
Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.
Learn about words that sound the same but have different meanings.FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
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The British prime minister Kier Starmer says people in the UK have a right to be safe. He also condemned the violence targeting Muslim communities. Also: scores of people killed in Bangladesh anti-government protest, and kimchi - a traditional Korean side dish consisting of salted and fermented vegetables - is becoming popular around the world.
Known to many as breakdancing, breaking sprung up in the economic and social unrest of 1970s New York, as a form of expressive protest. Today, it is also a globalised and dizzyingly virtuosic competitive dance sport - and now it is making its debut at the Paris Olympics. We follow Australian competitor Rachael Gunn (B-girl Raygun) as she hits pause on her day-job as a university lecturer and prepares for her debut on the Olympics stage. In conversations across the final 100 days, as she practises at home in Sydney, tests out new moves in the UK, and gets settled in Paris, we hear about the challenges of training, experimenting, and honing her performance.
More than ninety people have been killed in Bangladesh in clashes between police and anti-government protesters demanding the resignation of the prime minister, Sheikh Hasina. Also in the programme: Saudi Arabia is one of the latest countries urging their citizens to leave Lebanon immediately amid fears of an all-out war between Israel and the Iranian backed militant group Hezbollah; and exports of the South Korean staple kimchi are on a record rise worldwide. (Picture: Mass Students' Procession in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Credit: MONIRUL ALAM/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
At least 25 people have been killed in Bangladesh in worsening clashes between police and anti-government protesters who are demanding that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina step down. We hear from a student and a government minister. Also in the programme: Riots and looting in several British towns and cities; and life becomes easier for breastfeeding athletes at the Paris Olympics.(Photo: Demonstrators shout slogans after occupying a street during a protest. Dhaka, Bangladesh, August 4, 2024. Reuters/Mohammad Ponir Hossain)
This is a bonus episode from The Global Story - CrowdStrike: Is our tech too vulnerable?What can we learn from the biggest IT outage in history? A glitch at the major cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike brought banks, hospitals, airports, and thousands of businesses to a standstill. It was a reminder that our digital world is reliant on a few big companies to keep it running. So how vulnerable are they to accidents or attacks that could shut down wide sections of society? Lucy Hockings speaks to the BBC's Cyber Correspondent Joe Tidy. This episode was made by Peter Goffin and Alix Pickles. The technical producers were Jack Graysmark and Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Richard Fenton-Smith.The Global Story brings you one big story every weekday, making sense of the news with our experts around the world. Insights you can trust, from the BBC World Service. For more, go to bbcworldservice.com/globalstory or search for The Global Story wherever you got this podcast.
Maria Corina Machado appeared at a protest rally in Caracas, defying threats of arrest from President Maduro. She urged her supporters to continue protesting against fraud in last week's presidential election. Also: beach attack in Somali capital kills dozens, and the US rock band Aerosmith retires from touring due to singer Steven Tyler's vocal cord damage.
Hong Kong's history is being revised and erased - it's early origins, colonial legacy, post 1997 handover period and the crucial years since the mass 2019 democracy protests are being uprooted, overturned and rewritten by a government guided by the ruling Communist Party in Beijing. This 'rewriting' of history is being enforced in schools, universities, libraries, the local media and online. This process has seen library shelves raided, museums closed for 'review', art galleries censored, media archives wiped, commemorations and memorials banned. Every department of government seems affected - library users asked to scour the shelves for 'banned' books, the arts sector to purge itself of 'anti-China elements', the annual commemorations of the 1989 Tiananmen Square Massacre shut down. Democracy activists, authors of children's books, students, and newspaper owners have been jailed for holding contradictory views, telling alternative narratives. All in the few years since 2019 and Covid-19. Hong Kong is a changed place - a place where memory wars are being fought, where history and your interpretation of it can lead to long prison sentences or exile.
Venezuela's opposition leader, Maria Corina Machado, has turned up at a mass rally in Caracas, defying government calls for her arrest.
Also in the programme: there has been international condemnation after an attack in Somalia's capital Mogadishu. At least 37 people were killed on Friday in a suicide attack carried out by al-Shabab militants; and the US rock band Aerosmith have announced their immediate retirement from touring due to Steven Tyler's vocal injury. (Photo: Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado attends a protest in Caracas. Credit: REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria)
Amanda Abbington joins Anita Rani to talk about her new role in Tawni O’Dell’s play When It Happens To You. Amanda plays Tara, a mother who is desperately trying to hold her family together after her daughter is brutally attacked. She discusses playing a mother whose own trauma is triggered by her daughter’s experiences and how a culture of shame can lead to women’s silence.The Labour government has confirmed that it will act on its manifesto commitment to change the way private school fees are taxed across the UK. The current exemption from VAT will be removed, in order to fund 6,500 new teachers in England, and the change is coming in January next year, sooner than previously thought. Nuala McGovern gets the latest from the BBC’s Education Correspondent Elaine Dunkley, and then speaks to Sarah, a parent whose son is at private school, and by Sarah Cunnane from the Independent Schools Council and Harry Quilter-Pinner from the IPPR to discuss.The Dutch beach volleyball player Steven van de Velde has caused controversy at this year’s Paris Olympics. He is a convicted child rapist and was met with some booing when he came out for his debut match on Sunday. In 2014, when he was 19, he raped a 12-year-old British girl. He met his victim on Facebook and travelled from Amsterdam to the UK. His involvement has raised questions of whether it's appropriate for him to be representing his country at the highest level. Nuala is joined by Mhairi Maclennan, a survivor of sexual abuse herself who is also the CEO of Kyniska Advocacy, which supports women and victims of abuse in sport and Jo Easton, joint CEO and Director of Policy and Advocacy of the charity Unlock which campaigns for people with criminal records.Irita Marriott says she is one of very few women in the UK to own an auction house. She’s the subject of a new documentary that follows her setting up her business and discovering personal stories along with antiques. She joins Nuala to talk about what it’s like to be a woman in the industry and why she loves it so much.Hailed as the 'Carmen of our time', mezzo-soprano Aigul Akhmetshina was chosen to lead the cast of Bizet’s immortal masterpiece in eight international productions in one season. At the age of 27, Aigul has made history as the youngest artist ever to take on the ...
The September 11 pardon given to the perpetrators has been revoked as torture was used against them in Guantanamo Bay. Also in the programme: a Druze eyewitness recounts last week’s attack in the Golan Heights which killed 12 children; and we hear from the prisoners released from Russia.(Photo: Woman in the 9/11 memorial in New York. Credit: Reuters)
A new blood test for Alzheimer's appears to be able to spot the disease up to ten years before symptoms develop. It's hoped it could lead to earlier treatment and slow progression of the disease, giving patients better quality of life for longer.
Also: The 50-year-old X Games champion, Andy MacDonald, who's aiming to outdo the teenagers in Olympic skateboarding.
How Platypus Rescue HQ is hoping to help the animals make more babies, called puggles.
Why a travel blogger in Germany woke up to dozens of messages from students in China.
And, in a country famous for its food, what's on the menu for Olympic and Paralympic athletes?Our weekly collection of happy stories and positive news from around the world.
Three years ago the Taliban took control of Afghanistan. BBC Afghan journalists Shekiba Habib and Shoaib Sharifi were living and following the events as they unfolded and continue to do so.Produced by Caroline Ferguson and Alice Gioia. (Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)
آیا عمربن خطاب مبدع نهی از منکر به شکلی خشک و بنیادگرایانه بود؟ از سوی دیگر، آیا او نبود که دیوانسالاری و نظم ونسق امپراتوری اسلامی را بنیاد گذاشت؟ میهمانها: مجیب الرحمان رحیمی؛ پژوهشگر تاریخ اسلام، حسن یوسفی اشکوری؛ پژوهشگر تاریخ اسلام و داریوش محمدپور؛ استاد دانشگاه.
The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has swept to power promising change, but there will be no change in the rates of the three big taxes - income tax, National Insurance, and VAT to protect what their Manifesto called 'working people'. So what will the new Labour government and the new Chancellor Rachel Reeves mean for our money? The listener being chased for more than £60,000 worth of energy debt she didn't owe. It comes as new, exclusive figures reveal more people are seeking help from Citizens Advice over debt collection.And there are signs that mortgage rates are beginning to creep downwards – what does that mean for those coming off a fixed rate deal? Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporter: Dan Whitworth
Researchers: Catherine Lund and Jo Krasner
Studio Production: Craig Henderson
Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 6th July 2024)
It began as a peaceful student protest against the way some government jobs are reserved for war veterans and their families. The violence that followed is some of the worst the country has witnessed in recent years. More than 200 people are reported dead, with most blamed on police gunfire. Host James Reynolds speaks with those in Bangladesh and hears stories of what they have witnessed; their fears for their safety and that of friends and family. They describe being afraid to leave their homes and being unable to sleep and eat.
The US Vice-President Kamala Harris has been formally chosen as the presidential nominee by the Democratic National Convention, after receiving enough party delegate votes. She is both the first black and South Asian woman to become the leader of a major US political party. Also: Instagram is blocked in Turkey amid accusations of censorship, and why Zanzibar could become Africa’s Hollywood.
There is unrest in Sunderland tonight, the latest community to be disturbed. Several hundred rioters are on the streets - a car has been set on fire and police have came under attack. We are live there - and ask how online misinformation - feared to be driving these disturbances countrywide - can be tackled.Also tonight:In her first interview since being released as part of a major prisoner swap, a leading Russian dissident who was jailed for protesting against the invasion of Ukraine tells us what it's like to finally be free.And I've been to the Tudor manor house which once inspired Hilary Mantel, and where newly uncovered paper-cuttings which slipped between the floorboards are giving in a rare insight into the education of girls in the 17th century.
Two of the most high-profile Russian dissidents freed as part of a major prisoner swap say they refused officials' demands to plead for mercy from President Putin to secure their release. Vladimir Kara-Murza and Ilya Yashin said they considered him a tyrant, a murderer and a war criminal.Also in the programme, the Venezuelan government cracks down on protests against last weekend's disputed election.And North Korea is hoping that Donald Trump becomes the next US President - that's according to a senior North Korean defector.(Photo: Released prisoners make press statement in Bonn following prisoner swap between Russia and the West, Germany - 02 Aug 2024. Credit: EPA)
Writer, Naylah Ahmed
Director, Dave Payne
Editor, Jeremy Howe Jill Archer ….. Patricia Greene
David Archer ….. Timothy Bentinck
Ruth Archer ….. Felicity Finch
Pip Archer ….. Daisy Badger
Brian Aldridge ….. Charles Collingwood
Susan Carter ….. Charlotte Martin
Alice Carter …… Hollie Chapman
Chris Carter ….. Wilf Scolding
Emma Grundy ….. Emerald O'Hanrahan
George Grundy ….. Angus Stobie
Jakob Hakansson ….. Paul Venables
Chelsea Horrobin …… Madeleine Leslay
Alistair Lloyd ….. Michael Lumsden
Jim Lloyd ….. John Rowe
Jazzer McCreary ….. Ryan Kelly
Stella Pryor ….. Lucy Speed
Fallon Rogers ….. Joanna Van Kampen
Paul Mack ….. Joshua Riley
Columns. Analysis. The Guardian's Long Read. Who has time? Catherine Bohart, that's who, and she's going beyond the headlines to give you the lowdown on one of the biggest stories this week, alongside a guest journalist and roving correspondent Sunil Patel.This week: Biden steps down, Kamala steps up, but what's going to happen next? Puzzled by US politics? We've got you babes.Katy Balls, political editor of The Spectator, and US politics junkie, is our guide through it all; and Professor Sarah Churchwell joins to look deeper into how a younger candidate might affect the vote.Meanwhile, in the TL;DR Sidebar, comedian Sunil Patel throws his hat in the ring to be the Vice Presidential nominee. For both Trump and Harris.Written by Catherine Bohart, with Madeleine Brettingham, Sarah Campbell and Ellen Robertson.Produced by Victoria Lloyd & Lyndsay FennerRecorded at the Museum of Comedy, and Edited by David ThomasProduction Coordinators - Beverly Tagg & Katie SayerA Mighty Bunny production for BBC Radio 4
As the US publishes disappointing jobs figures we look back at a week in which global stock markets have wobbled.Also, we look at how protests in Bangladesh have affected the country’s leading garment trade industry. Its’ taken a financial hit worth billions of dollars….And, as the athletics kicks off at Paris 2024 - how the super-shoe has become a controversial issue for athletes.
The Kremlin has admitted that Vadim Krasikov, a convicted killer released as part of the prisoner exchange with the US, was a Russian spy working for the FSB.We'll hear from the investigator who first uncovered his identity and helped negotiate the deal: We will also get reaction from Washington and from a Russian politician loyal to Vladimir Putin.Also in the programme: An exclusive interview with a high-ranking North Korean defector who tells us why Kim Jong-Un is hoping Donald Trump will be re-elected as president; and why there is controversy surrounding the women's boxing at the Olympics in Paris.(Photo shows Russian citizens released after the Russian-US prisoner swap disembarking from a plane at Vnukovo International Airport in Moscow, Russia on 1 August 2024. Credit: Sergei Ilyin/Sputnik/Kremlin Pool via EPA)
The Kremlin confirms convicted assassin Vadim Krasikov, released in a huge east-west prisoner swap, was a Russian security agent.The historic exchange freed 24 prisoners from seven countries - three of whom have now returned to the US.Also: Hundreds of mourners gather in Doha to offer funeral prayers for assassinated Hamas leader Ismael Haniyeh, and a senior North Korean defector says his country is rooting for another Donald Trump presidency.The day’s top stories from BBC News and our correspondents across the world. Delivered twice a day on weekdays, daily at weekends.
Algeria's Imane Khelif found herself at the centre of controversy at the Olympic games in Paris after her opponent, Italy's Angela Carini surrendered, just 46 seconds into the boxing match. The result generated immediate discussion because Khelif had in the past failed testosterone and gender eligibility tests at the World Championships. Carina later said, "I have never been hit so hard in my life". Who is Imane Khelif and why is her gender being questioned? Also, Botswana's President calls on businesses to adopt a police station? What does this mean and what's the reaction in Botswana? And why forest fires are on the rise in Morocco.Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Susan Gachuhi and Charles Gitonga in Nairobi. Rob Wilson, Bella Hassan and Patricia Whitehorn in London.
Technical Producer: Philip Bull
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
Amanda Abbington joins Anita Rani to talk about her new role in Tawni O’Dell’s play When It Happens To You. Amanda plays Tara, a mother who is desperately trying to hold her family together after her daughter is brutally attacked. She discusses playing a mother whose own trauma is triggered by her daughter’s experiences and how a culture of shame can lead to women’s silence.In the latest in our series on ‘genre fiction’, we turn to the UK’s most popular genre: crime fiction. Jane Casey is the creator of the award-winning and gritty Maeve Kerrigan detective series, most recently appearing in A Stranger in the Family. Janice Hallett has been dubbed the 'Queen of cosy crime' for her unconventional and popular epistolary style mystery books, including her new novel The Examiner. They talk to Anita about the evolution of women as murderers and sleuths in crime fiction, and whether crime can ever be 'cosy'.Is there asbestos in make-up? The new Radio 4 series Talc Tales investigates questions about the safety of talc in make-up and cosmetics after women diagnosed with cancer have launched court cases against some cosmetic companies, claiming products are contaminated with asbestos. Anita is joined in the studio by BBC journalist Phoebe Keane to hear what she found while making the series.For a while now there has been a war going on social media over the length of your socks. If you are a millennial you are most likely wearing ankle socks. Whereas Gen-Z are hiking them right up to their knees. Anita delves into sock politics with Frankie Graddon and Ellie Muir.Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Laura Northedge
Stormont Executive has abandoned the PSNI over funding - Chief Constable Jon Boutcher is on for an explosive interview.
The would-be Olympic champion who is now fighting to overcome his past traumas in Jordan.
President Biden hails biggest prisoner swap since Cold War a 'feat of diplomacy'. In total, 10 Russians -- including 2 children -- were exchanged for 16 Westerners and Russians imprisoned in Russia. It was a seven nation prisoner swap which involved complicated and long negotiations. Also: Three men accused of plotting the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States in 2001 who have been detained in Guantanamo Bay receive a plea deal. We get reaction from a family member of one of the victims, and in the Olympics a clash in the women's boxing was abandoned after just 46 secs amidst controversy over gender eligibility rules.
The American journalist Evan Gershkovich has been freed in one of the most dramatic prisoner swaps between the US and Russia since the end of the Cold War. We hear from one of his editors.Also tonight:Why whistleblowers who gave evidence to an internal BBC inquiry into the behaviour towards them of Huw Edwards are criticising with the way it was handled. A female boxer who abandoned her Olympic bout after 46 seconds against an opponent has re-ignited the debate over gender and sport. We discuss what rules should govern levels of testorone in boxing.And Andy Murray's career has ended, after he and his doubles partner lost their Olympics match. We have a tribute from fellow former pro, Jo Drury.
A major prisoner exchange between Russia, the US and four European countries has taken place, with the Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich among those freed.
Also on the programme: Israel says it's received intelligence confirming that the head of Hamas's military wing, Mohammed Deif, was killed in an air strike in Gaza last month; and Muslim girls in London learn to fence. (Photo: Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who is on trial on spying charges, smiles inside an enclosure for defendants before a court hearing in Yekaterinburg, Russia June 26, 2024. REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina/File Photo)
NASA’s Perseverance Rover has found a fascinating rock on Mars that may indicate it hosted microbial life billions of years ago. Abigail Allwood, exobiologist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab, is on the team scrutinising the new Martian data. And a couple of newly discovered, approximately 500 year old fossils from the ‘Cambrian explosion’ of complexity caught presenter Roland Pease’s eye this week. First Martin Smith from Durham University tells us about a tiny grub that’s ancestor to worms, insects, spiders and crustaceans. Then Ma Xiaoya, who has positions at both Yunnan University in China and Exeter University in the UK, tells us about a spiny slug that was also discovered in a famous fossil site in China. And the first sightings of the landscapes on the underside of the ice shelves that fringe Antarctica. These float atop the ocean around the frozen continent but effectively hold back the glaciers and ice sheets on the vast landmass. Their physical condition therefore is pretty critical in this warming world, Anna Wohlin of Gothenburg University tells us. Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Jonathan Blackwell
Production Co-ordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth (Image: NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover taking a selfie on Mars. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS)
We report from Nigeria where young people are making their voices heard, as they protest about economic hardships.The Bank of England has cut interest rates for the first time in more than four years. It’s down from 5.25 per-cent to 5 per-cent. We'll find out how the news is being received by British businesses.And when did airline safety videos turn into epic productions? We find out why one major airline has invested in a lavish production designed to keep passengers’ attention during those often tedious safety demonstrations…
Kenyan authorities begin the process of culling a million Indian house crowsWhy are hundreds of thousands of people in Lesotho now facing severe food insecurity ?And three journalists sentenced to years in prison after writing about corruption in Morocco released after pardons from King Mohammed VIPresenter: Audrey Brown
Producers : Blessing Aderogba in Lagos and Sunita Nahar in London
Technical Producer: Philip Bull
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
Three US citizens - reporter Evan Gershkovich, Marine veteran Paul Whelan, and Russian-American radio journalist Alsu Kurmasheva - imprisoned in Russia are expected to be released today under a major prisoner exchange deal between Russia and the West.The exchange will involve 24 prisoners held in Russia, the US, Germany and three other Western countries.Also in the programme: Israel says its received information confirming that the head of Hamas' military wing in Gaza was killed in an airstrike; and the US says it's reached a plea deal with three men accused of plotting the 9/11 attacks - but some families of the victims say they're furious at the way the cases have been handled.(Photo shows the journalist Evan Gershkovich standing inside a glass defendant's cage in Yekaterinburg's Sverdlovsk Regional Court, Russia on 19 July 2024, Credit; Stringer/EPA)
The US says journalist Evan Gershkovich part of prisoner exchange agreed with Russia. Germany and three other European countries included in deal. Also: funeral for Hamas leader killed in Iran.
PSNI All Ireland celebration - should police be able to celebrate with the community? Or is impartiality more important?
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the most abundant lifeform on Earth: the viruses that 'eat' bacteria. Early in the 20th century, scientists noticed that something in their Petri dishes was making bacteria disappear and they called these bacteriophages, things that eat bacteria. From studying these phages, it soon became clear that they offered countless real or potential benefits for understanding our world, from the tracking of diseases to helping unlock the secrets of DNA to treatments for long term bacterial infections. With further research, they could be an answer to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance.With Martha Clokie
Director for the Centre for Phage Research and Professor of Microbiology at the University of LeicesterJames Ebdon
Professor of Environmental Microbiology at the University of BrightonAnd Claas Kirchhelle
Historian and Chargé de Recherche at the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research’s CERMES3 Unit in Paris.Producer: Simon TillotsonIn Our Time is a BBC Studios Audio ProductionReading list: James Ebdon, ‘Tackling sources of contamination in water: The age of phage’ (Microbiologist, Society for Applied Microbiology, Vol 20.1, 2022) Thomas Häusler, Viruses vs. Superbugs: A Solution to the Antibiotics Crisis? (Palgrave Macmillan, 2006)Tom Ireland, The Good Virus: The Untold Story of Phages: The Mysterious Microbes that Rule Our World, Shape Our Health and Can Save Our Future (Hodder Press, 2024)Claas Kirchhelle and Charlotte Kirchhelle, ‘Northern Normal–Laboratory Networks, Microbial Culture Collections, and Taxonomies of Power (1939-2000)’ (SocArXiv Papers, 2024) Dmitriy Myelnikov, ‘An alternative cure: the adoption and survival of bacteriophage therapy in the USSR, 1922–1955’ (Journal of the History of Medicine and Allied Sciences 73, no. 4, 2018)Forest Rohwer, Merry Youle, Heather Maughan and Nao Hisakawa, Life in our Phage World: A Centennial Field Guide to Earth’s most Diverse Inhabitants (Wholon, 2014)Steffanie Strathdee and Thomas Patterson (2019) The Perfect Predator: A Scientist’s Race to Save Her Husband from a Deadly Superbug: A Memoir (Hachette Books, 2020)William C. Summers, Félix d`Herelle and the Origins of Molecular Biology (Yale University Press, 1999)William C. Summers, The American Phage Group: Founders of Molecular Biology (University Press, 2023)
Following the death of the acclaimed Irish author Edna O’Brien, who died aged 93 in July 2024, a bonus edition of World Book Club which was first published in 2008. Edna O’Brien was born in rural County Clare in 1930, and found her education by nuns suffocating. She moved to Dublin, and subsequently spent much of her life in London. The Country Girls tells the story of two girls from rural Ireland growing up in a convent school before moving to Dublin to begin their adult lives.
Israel says it's delivered crushing blows to its enemies; Iran vows revenge. Also: the contested Venezuelan election as seen by international observers, and Donald Trump questions Kamala Harris's racial identity.
Hamas says its political leader Ismail Haniyeh has been killed in an Israeli attack in the Iranian capital, hours after a Hezbollah commander was blown up in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut. The twin assassinations risk escalating the conflict in the Middle East. Speaking tonight, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was "prepared for any scenario".The Culture Secretary has called an urgent meeting with the BBC’s director general over the handling of the Huw Edwards case, with the meeting expected to take place tomorrow. Lisa Nandy wants “further clarity” from BBC management about the case.And could the Moon become the Noah's Ark of the space age? Scientists believe the lunar south pole could be used to store endangered organisms.
Lebanon and the Lebanese people are still suffering a debilitating economic crisis that has gripped the country since 2019. On Monday Israel struck a major blow against the Iranian backed Hezbollah with an attack on Beirut. There are fears this will further hurt an already weak economy. We hear from the local business owner who's struggling to run a restaurant.Also, in the programme, Ed Butler looks at the ongoing protests in Venezuela following Sunday’s Presidential elections, and finds out how the US sanctions are affecting Georgia.
Israeli PM says his country dealt crushing blows to its enemies, it was his first statement since killing of Hezbollah’s Shukr and Hamas’ leader Haniyeh. Also in the programme: Columbia’s former president on the Venezuelan elections; Sudan’s army chief survive an attempt on his life; and the Kosovan music festival organised by Dua Lipa.(Photo: protesters in Tehran hold the picture of Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas leader killed in Tehran. Credit: Reuters)
Almost 300,000 flights will take off over the summer months and whilst most holidays go without a hitch, others fail to get off the ground.Last year saw widespread disruption at airports, in August there was an exceptional IT failure at the UK’s main air traffic services provider NATS over a bank holiday Monday which affected around three quarters of a million people. Strikes and staff shortages also caused disruption.In this programme we'll discuss what your rights are if your trip is delayed or cancelled, as well as a Brexit passport rule which has been catching thousands of passengers out.Felicity Hannah is joined by consumer rights champion Jane Hawkes and Sean Tipton from ABTA, which is the association of travel agents and tour operators.Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Producer: Sarah Rogers
Editor: Jess Quayle(This episode was first broadcast on the 3rd of July 2024.)
We look at the reasons behind Boeings large financial decline and how this will affect its supply chainWe also look at why Japan is bucking the trend and raising interest rates. And we look ahead to the crucial US decision on interest rates later on Wednesday, as pressure grows for a reduction. Also, today we find out why some of the shares in the biggest tech companies on the planet have been slipping this week. And, why financial incentives attracting remote digital workers in South Africa are not proving popular with some of the locals...
The Palestinian militant group, Hamas, says its political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, has been killed in Iran. Will this lead to a regional escalation?Also on the programme: Costa Rica has said it is prepared to offer the Venezuelan opposition leader, Maria Corina Machado, asylum after reports the government in Caracas had issued an arrest warrant for her; and Australia starts the world-first peanut allergy treatment for babies. (Photo: Palestinian group Hamas' top leader, Ismail Haniyeh, pictured in March. Credit: Reuters)
The Labour government has confirmed that it will act on its manifesto commitment to change the way private school fees are taxed across the UK. The current exemption from VAT will be removed, in order to fund 6,500 new teachers in England, and the change is coming in January next year, sooner than previously thought. Nuala McGovern gets the latest from the BBC’s Education Correspondent Elaine Dunkley, then speaks to Sarah, a parent whose son is at private school, and is also joined by Sarah Cunnane from the Independent Schools Council and Harry Quilter-Pinner from the IPPR to discuss.The Dutch beach volleyball player Steven van de Velde has caused controversy at this year’s Paris Olympics. He is a convicted child rapist and was met with some booing when he came out for his debut match on Sunday. In 2014, when he was 19, he raped a 12-year-old British girl. He met his victim on Facebook and travelled from Amsterdam to the UK. His involvement has raised questions of whether it's appropriate for him to be representing his country at the highest level. Nuala is joined by Mhairi Maclennan, a survivor of sexual abuse herself who is also the CEO of Kyniska Advocacy, which supports women and victims of abuse in sport and Jo Easton, joint CEO and Director of Policy and Advocacy of the charity Unlock which campaigns for people with criminal records.Concert pianist Mishka Rushdie Momen’s new album, Reformation, recreates Tudor music from this tumultuous time in English history. She talks to Nuala about the role that some women played in developing music – including the influence of Elizabeth I, musical nuns and risqué dances.How do you feel about people on public transport playing content loudly on their phones? Do you sit through the noise or ask them to listen on headphones? Journalist Hannah Ewens recently did the latter and talks to Nuala about how it’s revolutionised her commute. Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Maryam Maruf
Studio Managers: Steve Greenwood and Emma Harth
Thirty-six members of Uganda’s opposition Forum for Democratic Change Katonga party - or FDC Katonga – were recently arrested in Kenya and taken back home to face terrorism charges. A party spokesperson insists they have done nothing wrong. So why were they in Kenya, and why have the Ugandan authorities detained them? Egyptian fencer Nada Hafez has competed at the Paris Olympics while seven months pregnant. A few online comments have called her participation irresponsible. What are the risks to performing in elite sport with a baby on the way? And it is almost a year since Nigeria’s flag designer died but he has still not been buried. Why has there been no action on plans for a state funeral?Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Rob Wilson, Yvette Twagiramariya and Joseph Keen in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos.
Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark
Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Hamas says it's political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, has been killed in an Israeli strike in the Iranian capital. Iran vows revenge. Also, Kamala Harris takes her campaign fight to the crucial state of Georgia, and don't underestimate the memory of a goldfish.
How appropriate! Beth has created a podcast to help you use the word 'appropriate'!TRANSCRIPT
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The Israeli military said Fuad Shukr was 'eliminated' but local security sources say he was not in the building that was hit. Also: the new head of the US Secret Service apologises for its failure to stop Donald Trump's would-be assassin, and protests across Turkey - as its parliament legislates to round up the country's four million stray dogs.
In a bonus episode of The Global Story podcast - Divorce: The art of breaking up. The Global Story brings you one big story every weekday, making sense of the news with our experts around the world. Insights you can trust, from the BBC World Service. For more, go to bbcworldservice.com/globalstory or search for The Global Story wherever you get your BBC podcasts.Divorce rates have been in decline across the West for decades. Experts put this down to a variety of factors, from fewer marriages to a widening dating pool, but cultural differences mean it is difficult to draw broad conclusions on the trends around splitting up. So how can we judge how attitudes to divorce have changed? On today's episode Lucy Hockings is joined by divorce mediator and former BBC presenter Joanna Gosling, as well as Marina Adshade, a professor at the University of British Columbia who focusses on the economics of sex and relationships. They interrogate some of the stats on divorce, and discuss how the process of dissolving marriage is portrayed in popular culture. The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell #TheGlobalStory. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com You can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480. Producer: Alice Aylett Roberts, Laurie Kalus and Emilia Jansson
Sound engineer: Hannah Montgomery and Phil Bull
Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas
Editor is Richard Fenton-Smith
Several officers have been injured and a police van set on fire during a protest just hours after a vigil took place to remember the victims of a knife attack in which three children were killed. We hear the latest on the ground.Also on the programme:Angela Rayner has unveiled an overhaul of England's planning rules to help deliver Labour's promise of 1.5 million new homes by 2029. We discuss with two young renters, and get political reaction from the constituencies of Milton Keynes North and South Cambridgeshire.And with Kamala Harris about to choose her running mate, we ask what the vice-presidential vetters will be looking for…
Protests in Venezuela have been met by violent repression, as critics question the validity of election results that were declared in favour of the incumbent President Nicolas Maduro, who has presided over almost a decade of economic collapse. We'll get the latest from Caracas.Also, Microsoft's earnings for this quarter are up, but its cloud arm underperformed.And what 's happened to US consumer confidence, on the day before the Fed decides whether to lower interest rates?
Mass protests in Venezuela as Maduro’s win is disputed as he faces more challenges even among his former supporters. Also in the programme: Israel says it targeted a Hezbollah commander in a Beirut strike, it says he was responsible for Saturday’s deadly attack on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights; and the Turkish parliament passes a law to rid the streets of stray dogs.(Picture: Supporters of the Venezuelan presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia in Caracas. Credit: Shutterstock)
We look at what's going on with Germany's economy… once Europe's driving force, new data today suggests its economy went into reverse from April to June. Also today, why a mega fine for one of the world's biggest holiday booking platforms could be the start of the latest round in the continuing battle between governments and Big Tech.
Dozens of people remain trapped as heavy rains hamper rescue efforts in the in the southern state of Kerala. Also: the men's triathlon event is postponed in the Paris Olympics after water tests on Tuesday showed the Seine wasn't clean enough for the swimming race, and what effect is the demise of the landline in favour of the mobile having on our brains and behaviour?
Ethiopia became the third African economy in 3 years to default on its government debt. To get IMF's fiscal support, it has had to lower the worth of its currency, making the Birr fall by 30% against the US dollar.We hear about the continued suffering with malnutrition of children in Katsina northern NigeriaAnd how did Senegal get its largest national park removed from the UN’s list of World Heritage in Danger list?Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Charles Gitonga in Nairobi. Patricia Whitehorne, Sunita Nahar and Yvette Twagiramariya in London.
Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
There have been protests across Venezuela against the re-election of President Nicolas Maduro, which the opposition says was fraudulent. Caracas has ordered diplomats from seven Latin American countries to leave because of their refusal to recognise Maduro's official victory.Also on the programme, the Israeli government has vowed a harsh response to a rocket attack three days ago that killed 12 young people from the Druze community in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights; and, at the Paris Olympics, athletes have expressed frustration after the men's triathlon was postponed by a day because of pollution in the River Seine.(Photo: A demonstrator reacts when Molotov cocktails hit the ground in front of security forces during protests against election results after Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro and his opposition rival Edmundo Gonzalez claimed victory in Sunday's presidential election, in Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela July 29, 2024. REUTERS/Samir Aponte)
The Chancellor makes announcements on pay deals & changes to winter fuel allowance – how will it impact NI? Also, Bob Ballard, the veteran Olympics commentator, loses his job after alleged 'sexist remark.
Many of us will have been enjoying watching some coverage of the Olympics in Paris. But is that coverage occasionally sexist? The head of the Olympic Broadcasting Service has asked that camera operators avoid sexist filming of sporting events. This comes as a commentator for the channel Eurosport has been removed after making sexist remarks about Australia’s female swimmers. Dr Andrea Geurin, Professor of sport business, marketing and communication at Loughborough University, joins Nuala to discuss. Have you seen a lot of orange around recently? The fake tan is back – but it’s apparently now better than before, more sophisticated. Celebrities are sporting the bronzed look, and sales of fake tan are up – but why has it returned? And is it actually good for you? Nuala is joined by Assistant Editor of Femail Jessica Taylor to discuss. Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Lottie Garton
This expression is all about being in control.[Image: Getty]For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.comFind a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-240729FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
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The demonstrators in Caracas say the Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's re-election was fraudulent. He has accused his opponents of trying to stage a coup. Also: the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is jeered by crowds on a visit to the scene of a deadly rocket strike in the Golan Heights, and a man's late graduation after a parrot sparks a rent row.
In a special edition of HARDtalk Stephen Sackur looks back at some of the guests who have risked their personal freedom to disclose secret information. What motivates these whistleblowers?This is a bonus episode from HARDtalk, a show that brings you in-depth, hard-hitting interviews with newsworthy personalities. For more episodes search for HARDtalk wherever your get your BBC podcasts.
The people of Venezuela face an uncertain future as president Nicolas Maduro claims victory in its presidential election - but the opposition has reacted with fury, and is claiming foul play.So what does this mean for citizens and businesses?And we hear from the widow of the pilot who died when Boeing 737 Max crashed.
Two children have been killed and nine injured, six critically, in a "ferocious" knife attack at a children's dance workshop. Two adults are also in a critical condition after being stabbed as they tried to protect children at the Taylor Swift-themed event on Hart Street in Southport, Merseyside Police said. A 17-year-old boy, from Banks in Lancashire, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.The Chancellor lambasted her predecessor over what she called a "cover-up" of the state of public finances, with projected overspends in multiple departments. Rachel Reeves announced billions of pounds of spending cuts to tackle the deficits, but also committed to above inflation pay rises for public sector workers.And are high-production airline safety videos effective? We speak to a former flight attendant turned actor.
Tension in Lebanon as Israel vows to strike Hezbollah following Saturday’s deadly attack on the Golan Heights. Also in the programme: President Biden proposes an overhaul of the Supreme Court; Venezuela’s president, Nicholas Maduro claims victory; and could Zambia honour its commitments for free primary and secondary education?(Photo: Empty hall in Rafik Hariri International Airport as airlines cancel their flights to Lebanon. Credit: Shutterstock)
Chris has learned how to make better chicken choices, and what those choices really mean.So why is he STILL eating RUBBISH?Like many of us, Chris is always trying to eat better food: healthy, high welfare, good for the environment. This kind of consumer demand is making the chicken industry better, in tiny increments. So why do so many of us give ourselves a pass when it comes to the food we KNOW we shouldn’t be eating, yet we do in absolutely vast amounts… fast food?Chicken is at the very heart of this industry. As a cheap meat that doesn’t have a strong taste, can easily take on other flavours and doesn’t have any religious restrictions, it’s the ideal takeaway ingredient; from nuggets to chow mein to tikka masala.And although we might be careful about chicken choices when buying it raw to prepare at home, somehow we don’t seem to mind turning a blind eye to the origins and nutritional content of our fast food favourites, especially if we’re hungry…Chris discovers just how bad this food can be for both us and the planet, and why we’re powerless to resist it.
We'll be looking at why Ethiopia has decided to allow its currency to be traded on international markets - and what that means in practice both at home and abroad Also, today, what impact could Venezuela's contested election have on the country's key industry - oil. And we'll be hearing from Amazon Web Services on how big tech, has entered the Olympic Games...
A large group of Libyans have been charged with visa violations after being arrested by South African police at an illegal military training camp. But how did the site, in Mpumalanga province, go undetected?African leaders have signed up to the first pan-African human rights legislation to address the unique challenges faced by persons with disabilities. Zambian musician John Chiti who was born with albinism and is visually impaired, says it means governments can now be held to account. And how the war in Sudan is destroying the country's ancient archaeological legacy, through the mass looting and destruction of historical and important artefacts.Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Rob Wilson and Joseph Keen in London; Frenny Jowi in Nairobi
Technical Producer: Jonny Hall
Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice MuthengiShow less
The opposition says vote tallies as well as quick counts, show opposition leader, Edmundo Gonzalez had a lead of 40 percentage points over the incumbent. Opposition parties got behind Mr Gonzalez in an attempt to unseat President Maduro after 11 years in power. Opinion polls conducted ahead of the election suggest Mr Gonzalez would roundly defeat the president.Also on the programme: Remembering the trailblazing Irish writer, Edna O’Brien; and what does it take to make an Olympic comeback?(Photo: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro celebrates after partial results are announced by the electoral council in Caracas, Venezuela. Credit: Ronald Penar/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
The opposition has denounced the official result of the Presidential election as fraud. Also: Germany and other countries have urged their citizens to leave Lebanon immediately, ahead of an expected response by Israel to a deadly attack it has blamed on Hezbollah, and Turkey debates a new law to curb its large stray dog population.
Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.
Armagh win the All Ireland football final for the first time in 22 years. It couldn't have been any tighter after they beat Galway by one point. It's only the second time in their history that they have won the Sam Maguire. But not everyone is happy, some unionists have criticised the police for appearing to take part in celebrations following Armagh's victory. Videos appear to show officers in police vehicles waving flags and sounding their sirens. TUV leader Jim Allister says he has contacted the police ombudsman. Did the PSNI over step the mark? Or should the PSNI be grateful to have officers building relationships with the locals?
There are fears that a major Israeli reprisal against the Lebanese group, Hezbollah, could ignite a regional war. Hezbollah has denied carrying out the strike in Majdal Shams. Also: Venezuelans vote in election challenging Maduro's grip on power, and the Irish author Edna O'Brien dies aged 93.
Dr Willard Wigan MBE creates the smallest handmade sculptures in the world. He uses high powered microscopes and custom-made tools formed from shards of diamond, hypodermic needles, and paintbrushes made from eyelashes. Willard’s talent and determination propelled him to international acclaim. His work sells for six-figure sums, and he has exhibited internationally. However, his path to success has been far from easy. As a schoolboy, he struggled with reading and writing due to unrecognised autism, his teachers dismissed him, and he endured routine bullying and racism. Willard's latest sculpture, a tribute to Charles Darwin, is crafted on the end of a pencil – a canvas rich in symbolism.
Venezuela's Attorney General, Tarek William Saab, has dismissed concerns about fraud and government intimidation in the presidential election. He tells BBC Newshour that millions of people had been voting in peace across the country, adding that Venezuela had one of the world's most reliable voting systems.Also on the programme: Fears of an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah - we'll have the latest and hear from the Druze community; and Public Enemy's Flavor Flav tells us why he's the hype man for the USA's Olympic water polo team.(Photo: a Venezuelan citizen paints his face with the national flag during presidential election day in Venezuela. Credit: Luis Eduardo Noriega, Shutterstock)
Israel's air force says it has hit Hezbollah targets in Lebanon which comes after the deadly rocket strike on a football pitch in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights that left twelve children and young adults dead and dozens injured, according to Israeli authorities. The Israel Defence Forces said a rocket was fired by the powerful Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, a claim strongly denied by the group. We hear from Lebanon’s Foreign Minister and a government spokesperson.Also on the programme: polls have opened in Venezuela in the most tensely awaited presidential election in more than a decade; and we get the latest on a busy day at the Olympics with Simone Biles making her return to gymnastics. (Photo: Emergency personnel inspect the area after rockets were launched across Lebanon's border with Israel which, according to Israel's ambulance services, people were killed, at a soccer pitch in Majdal Shams, a Druze village in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, July 27, 2024. REUTERS/Ammar Awad)
This is a bonus episode from The Global Story - taking a look at a much-debated slogan, and a journey through the land that it refers to; from the River Jordan to the Mediterranean sea. Since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas last year, the cry “From the River to the Sea” has been heard more and more as a pro-Palestinian slogan. But what river? What sea? And what exactly does the phrase mean? It is the subject of intense controversy.
BBC Current Affairs journalist Tim Whewell joins our presenter Lucy Hockings to discuss his journey from the River Jordan to the Mediterranean Sea, across a tiny stretch of land - that is perhaps the most argued-over in the world.
The Global Story brings you one big story every weekday, making sense of the news with our experts around the world. Insights you can trust, from the BBC World Service. For more, go to bbcworldservice.com/globalstory or search for The Global Story wherever you got this podcast.
The Israel Defense Forces said a rocket fired by the Lebanese Hezbollah group fell on the Druze town of Majdal Shams - a claim denied by the movement. Also: Trump courts crypto industry votes, and why is hip-hop playing an increasingly prominent role in world music?
We visit the Las Patronas women 30 years on from when the young Romero Vazquez sisters first threw a loaf of bread onto the infamously dangerous La Bestia train. A train meant only for cargo, but which has become a dangerous mode of transport for more than 400,000 migrants every year. It begins from near the border of Guatemala, and along its 2000 mile journey migrants from Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Mexico itself cling to its roof, heading north to America. Norma Romero guides us through the last 30 years since her and her sister first made the decision to help the passing migrants.
The IDF said that a Hamas command and control centre was embedded inside the school. We hear from an MSF nurse working in the emergency room in a nearby hospital about the casualties she's witnessed.Also on the programme: The first images of the devastation caused by Wildfires in Canada emerge; and as they're set to play Serbia in the Olympic Games tomorrow, we ask if the United States has lost its dominance over basketball.(Photo: A Palestinian man carries a body following an Israeli strike in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip. Credit: REUTERS/Ramadan Abed)
The Paris 2024 Olympics start this evening with the opening ceremony. It's the first time an equal number of men and women will compete in a summer Games. To discuss the sportswomen you should keep an eye out for, Anita Rani is joined by Jeanette Kwakye, a former Olympian herself and now BBC pundit, and also BBC Sport reporter Laura Scott.A new film, The Commandant’s Shadow, follows Hans Jürgen Höss, the 87-year-old son of Rudolf Höss, the camp commandant of Auschwitz who masterminded the murder of more than a million Jews. While Hans enjoyed a happy childhood playing with many toys in the family villa, Anita Lasker-Wallfisch played cello in the orchestra to survive the notorious concentration camp. Eight decades later, the two come face-to-face, together with their children, Kai Höss and Maya Lasker-Wallfisch. Anita and Maya join Nuala to tell their story.Zara Sehar recently won the audience vote at the Roundhouse Poetry Slam competition, and joins Anita to talk about her work and perform from one of her poems, (Hon)our Killings. In it she mentions spoons in knickers, a tactic suggested to young girls being taken out of the country who are at airports and at risk of forced marriage. Natasha Rattu, Executive Director at Karma Nirvana explains why they give this advice to British-Asian girls.The sculptor Dominique White has a new exhibition at the Whitechapel Gallery in London. It is four large sculptures made of iron, driftwood and detritus from the sea, lit in such a way to suggest that you are submerged, or looking at a shipwreck on the seabed. It was created during Dominique’s six-month residency in Italy, the time granted to her when she won the Max Mara art prize for women in 2023.Former refugee lawyer turned comedian Sashi Perera joins Nuala to discuss who we choose as our emergency contacts and her new stand-up show, Boundaries.When is it socially acceptable to bring your partner to hang out with your friends? According to academic and writer Kate Lister the answer is never. In her recent i Paper column, Kate explains that the presence of a partner alters the dynamic, and that friendships ought to be safe havens from romantic relationships. While some couples prefer to socialise together, Kate argues that time and effort should be invested into individual friendships. Kate joins Nuala for a frank discussion on the murky friendship politics of bringing your partner ...
Sheng Lihao and Huang Yuting won the first 2024 Olympic gold medals in the mixed 10m air rifle. Fourteen gold medals are up for grabs today, including in diving, fencing, and rugby sevens.
Also on the programme, we look ahead to tomorrow's presidential election in Venezuela. And how does it feel when life imitates art? We meet Mike Bartlett, whose 2022 play "The 47th" depicted a presidential contest between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.
(Picture: Sheng Lihao and Huang Yuting Credit: Reuters / Alfiky)
In countries like Somalia and Iran, where women are largely expected to present themselves with modesty, what role can make-up play? Bella Hassan of BBC Focus on Africa is from Somalia and Mina Joshaghani of BBC Persian is from Iran. They tell us about how make-up functions in a conservative society.
(Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich)
With the Paris Olympics underway, we hear about Beacon -- the therapy dog that's helped the USA Gymnastics team cope with the pressure and stress of competitive sport. His handler and owner, Tracey, tells us his friendly face and intuitive nature make him perfect for the job -- and that some of the gymnasts even talk to him.Also: the first horse rider from the Arab world to qualify for Olympic equestrian eventing tells us it's a huge honour to represent the region's history.How a new type of IVF is helping protect the future of threatened southern white Rhinos.A woman who travelled solo across Africa on a motorcycle says the three month journey made her feel alive.We're in Denmark to learn about a project that helps people with mental health issues - by prescribing a course of museum visits, concerts and other cultural activities.And we find out about the Olympic couples competing in the city of love.Our weekly collection of happy stories and positive news from around the world.Presenter: Jannat Jalil. Music composed by Iona Hampson.
سادهزیست بود و پسرانش را وادار کرد در معیشت به او که خلیفهی یک امپراتوری ثروتمند شده بود اتکا نکنند. عمربنخطاب چگونه خلیفهای بود؟ میهمانها: مجیب الرحمان رحیمی؛ پژوهشگر تاریخ اسلام، حسن یوسفی اشکوری؛ پژوهشگر تاریخ اسلام و داریوش محمدپور؛ استاد دانشگاه.
This time next week the General Election will be over. As the days count down we'll get into the nitty gritty with listener questions on Inheritance Tax, Capital Gains Tax and ISAs. Some lawyers and listeners who are acting as powers of attorney have told Money Box they're having problems dealing with banks on behalf of their clients and relatives. The Association of Lifetime Lawyers, a group of legal professionals who support vulnerable and older people, has also told this programme banks need a more streamlined and consistent approach to dealing with powers of attorney. UK Finance which speaks for the banks acknowledged there is more to be done. It says banks are working with members and government bodies to look at how greater consistency can be achieved across the industry.And a tribute to former Money Box presenter and founder Vincent Duggleby, who sadly passed away earlier this month.Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporter: Felicity Hannah
Researchers: Neil Morrow, Catherine Lund and Jo Krasner
Editor: Jess Quayle (First broadcast 12pm Saturday 29th June 2024)
In spectacular style, bridges and riverbanks were used as catwalks, stages and grandstands, with performances Lady Gaga in French and the French-Malian singer, Aya Nakamura. The culmination of the show included Celine Dion standing on an illuminated Eiffel Tower. Also: Bangladesh police detain protest leaders at a hospital, and a Scottish peat bog gets UNESCO world heritage status.
Could a woman of colour be the next president of the United States? That is what much of America has been asking this week and it is at the heart of our conversations. Race remains a major political and social issue in the US and there is plenty of discussion about Ms Harris’s background as a black and Asian-American woman. We bring together three black women Democratic party supporters: Kay in New York, Ashley in Oklahoma City and Keosha in Washington DC. With President Biden standing down, we get their reaction to the new choice for Democratic candidate in November’s elections.
The world's athletes sailed up the River Seine for the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics. The flotilla was peppered with performances of music and entertainment including Lady Gaga, dancers of the Moulin Rouge, and French-Malian singer Aya Nakamura, in a tribute to the French capital's cultural history. The Olympic flame was a cauldron shaped like a hot air balloon that rose high above the Parisian sky.In the US, Kamala Harris is reaching the end of week one as the Democratic presumptive nominee in the Presidential election. We speak to a pollster about her chances of success.And what must it be like to experience scuba diving without sight? A visually impaired diver describes the orchestra of ocean sounds she hears every time she plunges below.
Venezuelans head to the polls amid growing concerns about election fairness and economic instability.Long: : Venezuelans head to the polls this Sunday for a presidential election fraught with concerns over fairness and transparency, against a backdrop of prolonged political and economic turmoil. The Paris Olympics are set to dazzle with a grand opening ceremony, despite earlier arson attacks on the train network raising security issues. The games are anticipated to inject 5 to 10 billion euros into the French economy.Plus Argentina’s strong peso is creating a unique economic challenge: inflation is surpassing currency devaluation, prompting many Argentinians to cross borders for cheaper goods in neighbouring countries due to high domestic tariffs.
The opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics is underway, with a flotilla of boats taking the athletes down the River Seine as an accordionist plays Piaf on a bridge. The rain has for now abated, sparing the hundreds of thousands of spectators gathered on the quays and bridges. Meanwhile, the French intelligence services are hunting those who disrupted the Olympic festivities by sabotaging the high-speed rail lines into Paris -- also affecting locals setting off for the summer holidays.Hospital staff in Bangladesh say plain-clothes police have taken away three leaders of the recent student protests. They were being treated in Dhaka for injuries allegedly sustained in custody. And we will hear about the nationwide women only student organization in America, that Kamala Harris hopes will help her win the presidency.(Photo: A torchbearer runs atop the Musee d'Orsay during the opening ceremony. Credit: REUTERS/Peter Cziborra)
Writer: Tim Stimpson
Director: Mel Ward
Editor: Jeremy HoweBen Archer…. Ben Norris
Pat Archer…. Pat Gallimore
Pip Archer…. Daisy Badger
Tom Archer…. William Troughton
Lilian Bellamy…. Sunny Ormonde
Neil Carter…. Brian Hewlett
Susan Carter…. Charlotte Martin
Vince Casey…. Tony Turner
Ed Grundy…. Barry Farrimond
Emma Grundy…. Emerald O’Hanrahan
George Grundy…. Angus Stobie
Alistair Lloyd…. Michael Lumsden
Paul Mack…. Joshua Riley
Denise Metcalf…. Clare Perkins
Elizabeth Pargetter…. Alison Dowling
Lily Pargetter…. Katie Redford
Fallon Rogers…. Joanna Van Kampen
Lynda Snell…. Carole Boyd
In this special edition of World Business Report on the day of the opening ceremony in Paris, we're on the banks of the Seine where the event takes place, and hear from businesses who say that the security lockdown in the area has hit their trade badly.Will Bain also goes behind the scenes of what it takes to run a team involved in the Olympics. Each country has a Team Leader or Ambassador - or in Olympics terminology they're called Chef de Mission. we hear from Anindya Bakrie who has this role looking after the Indonesian team - he is CEO of Bakrie and Brothers, one of the country’s biggest conglomerates.And we look at how smaller brands are muscling in on the bigger names of fashion giants such as Ralph Lauren, Stella McCartney and Nike. This year’s games will see some smaller labels on the podium as athletes wear less-well known clothing brands.
he Olympics opening ceremony expected to get under way in Paris today. Audiences from all over the world are expected to watch.How can Nigeria solve its oil theft problem?And what is causing Namibia's housing crisis, and could mushrooms provide the answer?Presenter : Charles Gitonga
Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Stefania Okereke, Rob Wilson and Patricia Whitehorne in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos.
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Technical producer: Nick Randell
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
Some 800,000 passengers affected after three high speed rail lines into Paris targeted by arson attacks. The French rail operator, SNCF, says disruption is expected to continue throughout the weekend. Also: In the US, former president Barack Obama backs Vice President Kamala Harris in her election campaign, Open AI launches its rival to the long dominant Google search engine, and two leaders of one of the world's most dangerous and powerful crime syndicates have been arrested in Texas.
The French rail network has been disrupted by a series of acts of sabotage, affecting hundreds of thousands of passengers - just hours before the Olympic opening ceremony gets under way in Paris. Also on the programme, a humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Ethiopia's troubled Tigray region; and, a crisis for Japanese deer as tourists behave inappropriately. (Photo: A SNCF railway worker carries cable wires at the site where vandals targeted France's high-speed train network with a series of coordinated actions that brought major disruption, ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony, in Croisilles, northern France July 26, 2024. REUTERS/Brian Snyder)
The Paris 2024 Olympics start this evening with the opening ceremony. It's the first time an equal number of men and women will compete in a summer Games. To discuss the sportswomen you should keep an eye out for, Anita Rani is joined by Jeanette Kwakye, a former Olympian herself and now BBC pundit, and also BBC Sport reporter Laura Scott. Adoption England have described an ‘unprecedented’ decline in adoption rates. For the first time in recent years, there are now more children in need of adoption than those looking to adopt. To discuss why, Anita is joined by Sarah Johal, National Adoption Strategic Lead for Adoption England and Hollie Mortimer, who adopted her daughter two years ago. There are a record-breaking number of women on the shortlist of nominees for the Mercury Prize 2024. Eight out of the 12 nominations are women or female-fronted bands. To talk about the impact of this, Anita is joined by nominees Corinne Bailey Rae and Nia Archives, alongside music journalist Mary Mandefield.So much is known about the causes of disease and death in women all over the world – so why are so many women still dying? Sophie Harman, Professor of International Politics at Queen Mary University of London, has written a new book: Sick Of It, that examines this question. She joins Anita to talk about how she thinks women’s health gets caught in the crossfire of global politics, and what the solutions could be.Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Lottie Garton
Irish language school in East Belfast prompts debate, Just Stop Oil activists handed sentences for non violent protests and All-Ireland fever grips Armagh.
On a busy street in Los Angeles a group of people in yellow vests are holding a ladder against a lamppost. Up the ladder, 34-year-old Evan Clark is ripping down a sign that is nailed to the post. It reads “Jesus: The way, the truth, the life”. These are members of the Atheist Street Pirates, local activists who track and remove religious signs affixed to public property. This group say that there are laws that forbid the erection of religious messages on public property. Nastaran Tavakoli-Far travels to Los Angeles and joins the Atheist Street Pirates out on a hunt for religious signs.
President Nicholas Maduro has asked voters to support him to secure peace and stability, a week after saying there would be a "bloodbath" if he lost. The opposition candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, leads most opinion polls but there are fears the vote won't be fair. Also: Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has met President Biden to discuss efforts towards a ceasefire-for-hostages deal in Gaza, and why Donald Trump's running mate, JD Vance, is no friend of the Hollywood star, Jennifer Aniston.
The US has reported a growth rate of 2.8% so is it enough to signal the end of fears about a recession? Roger Hearing speaks to Bonnie Wilson, Associate Professor, Department of Economics at Saint Louis University.Also find out why Donald Trump takes centre stage at this years Bitcoin conference. We find out why Mr Trump wasn’t always the staunch crypto supporter he is today.And, Venezuela’s presidential election takes place this Sunday, with a unified opposition hoping to remove President Nicolas Maduro from power. Catherine Ellis reports from the town of Barquisimeto
Protestors in Manchester have gathered tonight outside the offices of the Mayor Andy Burnham, after a video was circulated on social media of a man being kicked and stamped on by a police officer at Manchester Airport. We get reaction from the city.Also on the programme: President Biden is pushing for a Gaza ceasefire with Israel's Prime Minister.What does the private sector make of the new GB Energy company intended to turn Britain into a "green energy superpower"?And as the Paris Olympics kicks off tomorrow, there’s been an international outcry at one member of the Dutch team: a convicted rapist.
President Biden is meeting the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the White House to discuss efforts to secure a ceasefire and the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza. Mr Biden has previously criticised Israel for the number of Palestinian civilians killed during its war against Hamas. He has made clear that he wants to ensure that a deal to end the war and free the hostages will be delivered during his last six months in office. We speak to Jonathan Dekel-Chen, whose son, Sagui Dekel-Chen, who was captured by Hamas on October 7th and has been held in Gaza for the past 10 months. Jonathan is part of a delegation of hostage families who have travelled to Washington to meet with Mr Biden and prime minister Netanyahu. We have a special report on how drones are being used - close to the Ukraine-Russia frontline - our correspondent has been on that frontline.And we will look at took ahead to Sunday's Presidential Election in Venezuela.(Photo credit: Getty Images)
The near extinction of vultures in India may be responsible for an additional half a million human deaths between 2000 and 2005. The widespread use of the painkiller diclofenac in herds of cattle, starting in 1994, led to a massive decline in vulture populations in India, as the drug is poisonous to them. We hear from environmental economist Anant Sudarshan of Warwick University. Cooking like a Neanderthal - Mariana Nabais of the Catalan Institute of Human Paleoecology and Social Evolution has been replicating ancient butchering methods to learn how Neanderthals ate birds. A faster test for sepsis – we hear from Sunghoon Kwon of Seoul National University about a new method for identifying the pathogens involved in sepsis cases. The test has the potential to reduce the turnaround times normally associated with developing treatments for infections and may improve patient outcomes. And it seems we may have inherited some conversational habits from chimps – or rather from whatever came before us and chimps 6 million years ago. Cat Hobaiter of the School of Psychology and Neuroscience of St Andrews University and her colleagues have found that like humans, wild chimps engage in snappy, turn-taking conversations. Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Jonathan Blackwell
Production Coordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth(Image: World Wildlife Day - Gyps fulvus feeding on a buffalo carcass at Kaziranga National Park in Assam, India. Credit: Anuwar Hazarika/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The international watchdog, Amnesty International, is calling for a nationwide arms embargo on Sudan after its investigation found that a constant flow of weapons is fuelling the devastating war. But how can the supply of arms be stopped?For the first time, sub Saharan Africa has seen a dramatic drop in new HIV infections compared to the rest of the world, so what is driving that success?And we hear from Gofa in southern Ethiopia, where there are fears that the death toll will continue to rise following the deadly landslides.Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Sunita Nahar and Yvette Twagiramariya in London; Frenny Jowi in Nairobi
Technical Producer: Nick Randell
Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
In his first address to the nation since he pulled out of the presidential race, President Biden said saving democracy is more important than personal ambition. Also in the programme: Rescue teams in Taiwan race to save the crew of a sunken ship in the wake of Typhoon Gaemi; and will Deadpool and Wolverine revive Marvel’s fortunes?
(Photo: Biden in the Oval Office. Credit: Reuters)
Authorities in the Philippines are racing to contain a major oil spill from a capsized ship in Manila Bay. Clean up operations are being hampered by strong winds and high waves brought by Typhoon Gaemi, which is now making landfall in southern China. Also in this podcast: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is to meet with US President Joe Biden as pressure builds for a hostage deal. The Israeli army has recovered another five bodies from Gaza. Accusations that Sudan's bloody civil war is being fuelled by the illegal trade in weapons, how the battlefield in Ukraine has been transformed into a war of drones, and we take a look inside the Olympic Village ahead of the games kicking off in Paris.
Kamala Harris has spoken about making childcare and eldercare more affordable, securing universal paid maternity leave and signing into law a bill that would restore and protect the right to abortion. So could these policies win her female votes, and how does this fit in with her strategy to try and beat Trump in the US presidential election? Anita Rani speaks to Dr Leslie Vinjamuri, director of Chatham House's US and Americas programme.Zara Sehar recently won the audience vote at the Roundhouse Poetry Slam competition, and joins Anita to talk about her work and perform from one of her poems, (Hon)our Killings. In it she mentions spoons in knickers, a tactic suggested to young girls being taken out of the country who are at airports and at risk of forced marriage. Natasha Rattu, Executive Director at Karma Nirvana explains why they give this advice to British-Asian girls.Rebecca Achieng Ajulu-Bushell was the first black woman to swim for Great Britain. Born in the UK, her family moved to Kenya when she was four. She started swimming competitively from the age of six and was world number one in the 50 metres breaststroke, aged 15. But Rebecca walked away from the sport ahead of the London 2012 Olympics. She has written a memoir, These Heavy Black Bones, in which she delves into how she achieved success but also what it cost her, physically and mentally, and why she gave it all up.It's 50 years since the death of the American singer Cass Elliot. She died at just 32, and her musical legacy includes some of the best-known songs of the 60s and 70s, from both her time in The Mamas & the Papas and her solo career. Eddi Fiegel, author of Dream a Little Dream of Me: The Life of 'Mama' Cass Elliot, tells Anita who she was.
West Belfast homeless centre forced to close after car rammed into building and threatening graffiti appeared. Stephen and the team get to the heart of the issue.
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the work of the great French Impressionist Claude Monet (1840-1926) in London, initially in 1870 and then from 1899. He spent his first visit in poverty, escaping from war in France, while by the second he had become so commercially successful that he stayed at the Savoy Hotel. There, from his balcony, he began a series of almost a hundred paintings that captured the essence of this dynamic city at that time, with fog and smoke almost obscuring the bridges, boats and Houses of Parliament. The pollution was terrible for health but the diffraction through the sooty droplets offered an ever-changing light that captivated Monet, and he was to paint the Thames more than he did his water lilies or haystacks or Rouen Cathedral. On his return to France, Monet appeared to have a new confidence to explore an art that was more abstract than impressionist.WithKaren Serres
Senior Curator of Paintings at the Courtauld Gallery, London
Curator of the exhibition 'Monet and London. Views of the Thames'Frances Fowle
Professor of Nineteenth-Century Art at the University of Edinburgh and Senior Curator of French Art at the National Galleries of ScotlandAnd Jackie Wullschläger
Chief Art Critic for the Financial Times and author of ‘Monet, The Restless Vision’In Our Time is a BBC Studios Audio ProductionProducer: Simon Tillotson
Studio production: John GoudieReading list:Caroline Corbeau Parsons, Impressionists in London: French Artists in Exile 1870-1904 (Tate Publishing, 2017)Frances Fowle, Monet and French Landscape: Vétheuil and Normandy (National Galleries of Scotland, 2007), especially the chapter ‘Making Money out of Monet: Marketing Monet in Britain 1870-1905’Robert Gordon and Andrew Forge, Monet (Harry N. Abrams, 1983)Paul Hayes Tucker, Monet in the ’90s: The Series Paintings (Yale University Press, 1990)Paul Hayes Tucker, Monet in the 20th Century (Yale University Press, 1998)Katharine A. Lochnan, Turner, Whistler, Monet (Tate Publishing, 2005)Nicholas Reed, Monet and the Thames: Paintings and Modern Views of Monet’s London (Lilburne Press, 1998)Grace Seiberling, Monet in London (High Museum of Art, 1988)Karen Serres, Frances Fowle and Jennifer A. Thompson, Monet and London: Views of the Thames (Paul Holberton Publishing, 2024 – catalogue to accompany Courtauld Gallery exhibition)Charles Stuckey, Monet: A Retrospective (Random House, 1985)Daniel Wildenstein, Monet: The Triumph of Impressionism (first published 1996; Taschen, 2022)Jackie Wullschläger, Monet: The Restless Vision (Allen Lane, 2023)
The Israeli prime minister's speech to a joint session of Congress received standing ovations from mostly Republicans but it was boycotted by several Democrats. Also: the British equestrian, Charlotte Dujardin, has withdrawn from the Olympics after a video emerged of her whipping her horse, and why Komodo dragons are such dangerous predators.
In the industrial town of Haryana in Northern India, young girls are breaking barriers training hard to become the next generation of gold medal-winning wrestlers, following their idols who have tasted Olympic glory abroad and made a stand against attitudes to women at home. But their success has come at a price. BBC journalist Divya Arya looks at what it takes for these girls to become an Indian wrestling heroine.
China begins mining copper in Afghanistan following a deal made years before the Taliban takeover in 2021. What could it mean for the Afghan people and for future investors?Plus, a UK cosmetic surgery firm drops its legal actions against former clients who criticised it in online reviews.And Salt Lake City celebrates getting the Winter Olympics in 2034.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a landmark address before a joint session of the United States Congress in which he enjoined US politicians to continue supporting his country's war against Hamas in Gaza and its confrontation with Iran. "When we fight Iran, we're fighting the most radical and murderous enemy of the United States of America," Mr Netanyahu said. But protesters outside the Capitol building labelled him a "war criminal" and called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.A whistleblower who released a video of Olympian Charlotte Dujardin, appearing repeatedly to whip a horse she was training, says she did so in order to "save dressage". What impact could the video have on the equestrian sport?And we spoke to the biographer of celebrated Canadian author Alice Munro, who passed away in May. Her daughter now says she was sexually abused by her stepfather, and accused her mother of turning a blind eye.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has addressed both chambers of the US Congress in a bid to bolster support for his country's war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Also on the programme: Germany bans an Iranian-linked group accusing it of promoting extremism; and we hear from the scene of two landslides in a remote region of Ethiopia, which have killed more than 200 people.(Photo: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses a joint meeting of Congress in the chamber of the House of Representatives at the US Capitol. Credit: Getty Images)
Presenter Will Bain examines the ongoing turbulence in supply chains and the under-the-radar aviation deals at Farnborough in the south of England, where the biggest names in global aviation are convening for its renowned air show. We'll also delve into the continuing fallout from the global IT outage, focusing on what’s next for the company at the centre of it, CrowdStrike.Plus, we explore why luxury goods stocks are selling off, as shares in one of the industry’s biggest names, LVMH, take a hit.
Some 200,000 children, young people and vulnerable adults suffered abuse while in social care in New Zealand over the last 70 years, a landmark investigation has found.New Zealand's prime minister says it's a "dark day" for the country. We'll hear from a survivor of abuse in the system about the impact it's had.Also in the programme: Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu is due to address the US Congress in Washington DC today amid protests, and ahead of the Olympics in Paris, there is a spy-drone scandal.(Photo shows survivors of the care system looking emotional in New Zealand. Credit: Getty Images)
Dozens arrested in Uganda for involvement in banned anti-corruption protests. President Yoweri Museveni had warned before the event that protesters were "playing with fire".Sierra Leone jails 11 people over an alleged coup attempt, who are they and are all the cases concluded? ?And we meet Gabriella Ghermandi, the Ethiopian ethno-musicologist who is all for women’s empowerment Presenter: Charles GitongaProducers :Joseph Keen, Victor Sylver, Rob Wilson, Yvette Twagiramariya, Bella Hassan and Nyasha Michelle all in London.
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Technical Producer: Philip Bull
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.
A public inquiry finds 200,000 people suffered abuse over the past 70 years. The prime minister, Christopher Luxon, called it "a dark and sorrowful day in the country's history". Māoris and people with disabilities were particularly affected. The publication follows a six-year investigation. Also: Typhoon Gaemi is battering Taiwan with powerful winds and torrential rain, and Janet Jackson on growing up in one of music's most famous families.
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Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign has been inspired by Charli XCX and her recent album release, Brat. The link between the two is all over social media – but what does it all mean? Nuala McGovern is joined by former Editor in Chief of Vice and co-host of the Good Bad Billionaire podcast on BBC World Service to explain the trend, and columnist for The Times, Alice Thomson on Kamala Harris’ appeal to women.A new film the Commandant’s Shadow follows Hans Jürgen Höss, the 87-year-old son of Rudolf Höss, the camp commandant of Auschwitz who masterminded the murder of more than a million Jews. While Hans enjoyed a happy childhood playing with many toys in the family villa, Anita Lasker-Wallfisch played cello in the orchestra to survive the notorious concentration camp. Eight decades later, the two come face-to-face, together with their children, Kai Höss and Maya Lasker-Wallfisch. Anita and Maya join Nuala to tell their story.A new study has found that women in Scotland have reached a landmark moment in business - with the number of female entrepreneurs matching the number of men for the first time. Nuala is joined by primary school teacher turned tech entreprenuer Genna Masterton who runs a business in Glasgow.Former refugee lawyer turned comedian Sashi Perera joins Nuala to discuss who we choose as our emergency contacts and her new stand-up show, Boundaries. A new malaria vaccine, licenced for children five months and older, began its roll out in the Ivory Coast last week. Nuala is joined by Dr Mehreen Datoo, who played a pivotal role in the vaccine’s development, after her own experience of malaria almost took her life. Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Emma Pearce
UFF and UDA flags erected outside a new social housing development in north Belfast. A woman fighting for her disabled daughters rights to be looked after appropriately in a care home finally gets the result she was entitled to all along and the BBC has once again revealed its annual list of the corporation's highest earning talent.
Around 38,000 children move into care every year in the UK. That's one every 15 minutes and a significant number of looked-after children will remain in the system until they reach adulthood. So what happens then? In this programme Felicity Hannah talks about what happens when you leave care. Without the bank of Mum and Dad, what financial support are those young people promised? We're joined by Jess and Callum, two care leavers as well as Kirsty Doull, Care and Transitions Lead at CELCIS, which is the Centre for Excellence for Children's Care and Protection, Carrie Wilson-Harrop from the Care Leavers Association and Clare Bracey, Policy, Campaigns and Communications Director at the care leavers charity, Become.Presented and Produced by Felicity Hannah.
Producer: Neil Morrow
Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 3pm Wednesday 26th June, 2024)
Kim Cheatle said she took 'full responsibility' for the security lapse surrounding the assassination attempt on Donald Trump. She had faced calls from Democrats and Republicans to step down. Also: scientists push for a new HIV vaccine to be made available across the globe, and sharks off the coast of Brazil test positive for cocaine.
In 1993 the legislators in Cobb County Atlanta passed a resolution stating that “lifestyles advocated by the gay community are incompatible with the standards to which this community describes“. The northern suburb was due to welcome the Olympics in 1996 as host of the volleyball competition. This is the inspiring story of a small campaign group who forced a change. After months of high-profile protests the organising committee stripped Cobb County as a host venue and diverted the torch relay away from its streets.
Presenter Devina Gupta examines India’s first budget for the new coalition government led by Narendra Modi. There are plans to grow the economy by creating jobs and attracting new investment from abroad. We are in Bangladesh to hear from an internet service provider about how he is trying to keep services going for businesses after protests turned violent in the country. And we hear how one of the main airlines in the US, Delta is struggling to get its operation back to normal after last week's IT outage. Cybersecurity firm Crowdstrike triggered the chaos with its faulty computer update.
The head of US Secret Service has resigned following the attempted assassination of Donald Trump - hours after facing an extraordinary grilling in Congress. We have reaction from one of the Republican lawmakers on the committee that questioned her.Also on the programme:Seven Labour MPs have had the whip suspended after voting against the government in favour of scrapping the two-child benefit cap. We have the latest from Westminster.We hear from the husband of an American journalist who's been jailed for six and a half years in Russia for allegedly spreading "false information".And as Team GB says it'll offer athletes military-style “decompression” counselling at the end of the Paris Olympics to help them deal with the “post-Games blues”, we speak to the swimmer Rebecca Adlington about sporting moodswings.
Kamala Harris, buoyed up by high profile Democratic endorsements and a massive influx of donations from ordinary supporters, takes to the US campaign trail in Wisconsin.Also in the programme: why is the UK facing what some are calling a national emergency of violence against women and girls? And scientists push for a game-changing drug that prevents HIV infection to be made cheaply and globally available.(IMAGE: US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign event at West Allis, Wisconsin, USA, USA, 23 July 2024 / CREDIT:Jeffrey Phelps/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Ben is surprised about Alistair and Denise, but Lily is more defensive. Ben also learns that Freddie has been bullied at work and grills Lily for more info, quickly realising that it was Lily who influenced Vince to act – but she insists that Freddie is not to know. At the shop, Neil and Susan chat about how well Ed and Emma are doing with the tree surgery business. Meanwhile, Ed’s looking for ideas for Emma’s upcoming 40th birthday. Susan encourages Neil to take George for a pint and chance to bond. Neil makes small talk with Alistair about the under 16s’ cricket training and the Cantering On event – Susan is keen to ensure that Alice isn’t blamed for Strangles at the Stables. Unsympathetic Alistair’s drawn into talking about the night of the crash into the Am, and talk of Alistair and Denise that night prompts Paul to make a revealing comment about the pair in front of Neil and Susan. Paul storms home and opens up to Lily about how he’s been left questioning everything. As Paul defends his broken Dad, Lily tries to get him to see things from Denise and Alistair’s perspective, drawing on her own experience falling for Russ. Life is messy. Ben pops his head in – Alistair is at the door.Alistair tries to explain himself – it’s genuine, not a tawdry affair, but he never intended to come between Paul’s parents. Paul finds Alistair disgusting – he took advantage of his mum when she was vulnerable. Paul has no intention of working with Alistair – he can take his job and shove it!
For eons, salt has been crucial to human health, culture, and diet. On this episode of The Evidence, we explore the strange science of salt taste – why it can be sweet, salty, or even a flavour enhancer. We look at how salt keeps our bodies running, and what happens if we have to little of it. And while too little salt may be bad, too much is also a problem. What does the science say about how much salt is optimal, and what can we do to make sure we’re eating the right amount? Claudia Hammond is joined by a panel of salty experts who will help find the answers to these questions and more.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits Washington DC for the first time since the Hamas attacks of October the 7th plunged the Middle East into war and chaos.The visit comes as he is under pressure to end the war in Gaza from both Israelis and the US administration.Also in the programme: Kamala Harris starts the Presidentical race behind in the polls and with just over 100 days to go - can she turn things around? And Hollywood star Keanu Reeves talks to us about life, death, and his new book.(File photo shows Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US president Joe Biden in Tel Aviv, Israel on 18 October 2023. Credit: Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters)
Zambia’s President Hakinde Hichilema has fired the entire board of the country’s Anti-Corruption Commission after allegations that certain officials on the body tasked with fighting corruption, were taking bribes. The accusations have been strongly denied, but a former chairman says the board needs to be reformed.Ethiopia has seen a surge in kidnappings for ransom in recent years and the country’s largest region, Oromia, is one of the worst affected. Who are the groups behind the abductions and what are their motives?And how can artisanal and informal mining in sub-Saharan Africa be made safer?Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Nyasha Michelle in London; Blessing Aderogba in Lagos; and Charles Gitonga in Nairobi
Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark
Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.
The US vice-president's campaign has secured a record amount of donations. Also, China says Hamas, Fatah and a dozen other Palestinian factions have agreed to set up an interim administration for Gaza, and the first blind Barbie doll goes on sale.
A mother’s fight to get vital services for her profoundly disabled daughter after moving home to NI. Also, could the UK government face a court challenge to force an Irish unity referendum? & we cover the row over whether open air religious services should be held in Ebrington Square in Derry.
What makes women become whistleblowers? And what happens after they’ve brought wrongdoing to light? Nuala talks to lawyer-turned-author Megan Davis about her experience blowing the whistle on financial crime, how it inspired writing her new thriller Bay of Thieves, and how a whistle-blower can make the perfect character for crime fiction.When is it socially acceptable to bring your partner to hang out with your friends? According to academic and writer Kate Lister the answer is never. In her recent iPaper column, Kate explains that the presence of a partner alters the dynamic, and that friendships ought to be safe havens from romantic relationships. While some couples prefer to socialise together, Kate argues that time and effort should be invested into individual friendships. Kate joins Nuala for a frank discussion on the murky friendship politics of bringing your partner to lunch.It’s been just over a year now since the University of Cambridge appointed its first American vice-chancellor, Professor Deborah Prentice. Before she moved to Cambridge, she was provost at Princeton, where she spent 34 years of her academic career as a psychologist specialising in the study of social norms that govern human behaviour, including gender stereotypes. She joins Nuala McGovern to reflect on what she has learnt since arriving in the post.Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Laura Northedge
Learn a phrase that means 'everything'![Image: Getty]For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.comFind a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-240722FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
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Kamala Harris accused Donald Trump of taking the US backwards. She promised more gun control and protection for reproductive rights. In his first public comments since pulling out of the race, Joe Biden urged Democrats to embrace Ms Harris. Also: an oxygen discovery has defied knowledge of the deep ocean, and with life expectancy increasing, China will raise its official retirement age.
The Apartheid Killer. All the victims were black and the youngest was just 12 years old. Relatives are still searching for graves, years later. At least 39 people were killed in the city of East London, South Africa – by one person. After years of investigation, we’ve tracked him down. To hear more, search for World of Secrets, wherever you get your BBC podcasts. You can also listen here https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w13xtvs0/episodes/downloads
World of Secrets is the home of major BBC global investigations and gripping storytelling, holding the powerful to account. Follow or subscribe to catch up on previous seasons and to hear what’s coming up in 2024.
Presenter Devina Gupta speaks to a former campaign manager for Kamala Harris Jill Habig about the challenges that lie ahead for her in a bid to become US President. We hear how she is continuing to secure funds. We also examines India's newly elected government’s first budget. How will it play out given Narendra Modi’s poor showing in the polls and reliance on coalition partners? We also assess how the Chinese economy will fare after The People's Bank of China decided to cut short-term rates. Its hoped this will reduce borrowing costs and help businesses.
Nancy Pelosi has become the latest leading democrat to back Kamala Harris after Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential race. We ask how she could fare with voters against Donald Trump.As the US considers electing its first Black woman as president, we get an insight into what Kamala Harris could bring to the job from the former Mayor of San Francisco who dated her when she was a young prosecutor 30 years ago. Also on the programme:The Conservatives have revealed their plans for electing the party's next leader - who won't be in post until November. We have the latest from Westminster.And, fresh from opening the Proms, the acclaimed pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason on her call for the government to back music in schools.
What do we know about US Vice President Kamala Harris, who is thought most likely to win the Democratic Party nomination after the withdrawal of Joe Biden? What are her strengths - what are her weaknesses - and does she have a path to victory?
Also in the programme: the battles between the Mexican state and the drug cartels claim yet another victim - Mexico City's police intelligence chief; and a BBC investigation tracks down one of South Africa's most notorious serial killers – Louis van Schoor – who shot dead dozens of black men and boys in the late eighties, but was controversially released from prison, and now says police colluded in his crimes.(IMAGE: U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris looks on during an event with the women and men's National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Champion teams in her first public appearance since President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race, on the South Lawn of the White House, Washington, U.S., July 22, 2024 / CREDIT: Reuters/Nathan Howard)
Do YOU know what you're eating? Are you sure?Dr Chris van Tulleken is keen to make good food choices, and buy the best chicken possible for his dinner. High welfare, tasty, and good for the environment, ideally. But it's not as easy as that. How CAN he make good food choices if he has no idea what he's buying?Chris explores what we actually know about the food we buy, and to what extent we can trust what's on a label.He also uncovers the startling truth about two very different ways that we buy chicken - lifting the lid on why sometimes, even the most moral meat shoppers turn a blind eye...
Donations to President Joe Biden's party saw a huge spike after he announced he was no longer running in the US election. Donors had pressured Mr Biden to step aside. But his departure from the candidacy leaves a number of questions - particularly when it comes to the vast sums of money required to secure a term in the White House. Also on the programme, Will Bain looks ahead to one of the aviation world's biggest events.
Angola's new law with lengthy prison sentences for vandalism. Who are the real targets-criminals or the opposition?Can Zambia stop boys from being abducted to undergo circumcision? And is China muscling in on Nigeria's potentially lucrative car market?Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Rob Wilson, Patricia Whitehorne, Bella Hassan and Yvette Twagiramariya in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos.
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Technical Producer: Craig Kingham
Editors :Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
Many leading Democrats in the United States have followed Joe Biden's lead by backing his vice president, Kamala Harris as the party's new presidential nominee for the November elections. It follows Mr Biden's decision to withdraw from the election process.Also in the programme: Hundreds killed and arrested following unrest in Bangladesh and anti-tourism demonstrations in Spain.(Picture: US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Credit: Tierney L. Cross/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
President Biden has bowed to pressure and made the decision to drop out of the US presidential race. He’s endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the potential Democrat Party nominee to run against Donald Trump – but is America ready for another female presidential nominee? Nuala McGovern is joined by Kelly Dittmar, Director of Research at the non-partisan Center for American Women and Politics and Kimberly Peeler- Allen, co-founder of Higher Heights, an organisation that works to mobilise black women voters, and which endorsed the Vice President yesterday.The Paris Olympics starts on Friday and it looks like they will be the first Games ever to have equal numbers of male and female athletes – but not of coaches. The figure for female coaches at the last Olympics in Tokyo, was just 13%. So what’s happening to try and shift that dial? Nuala speaks to Dr Elizabeth Pike from Hertfordshire University who leads the Women in Sport High Performance pathway, and Emily Handyside, Head Coach for Wales Netball, and Coaching Performance Pathway Manager at UK Coaching.Nine months since the current Israel-Gaza war began, we look at pregnancy and giving birth in a war zone. Nuala hears from a mum in Gaza who recently gave birth, and also from a midwife trying to deliver care under constant bombing. We also speak to Hiba Al Hejazi from CARE International UK about the humanitarian support available for women in Gaza. Plus, Nuala is joined by Washington Post Middle East correspondent Louisa Loveluck to talk about the wider situation, including the worries of some of the Israeli hostages' families about the passing of nine months since their loved ones were abducted.The sculptor Dominique White has a new exhibition at the Whitechapel Gallery in London. It is four large sculptures made of iron, driftwood and detritus from the sea, lit in such a way to suggest that you are submerged, or looking at a shipwreck on the seabed. It was created during Dominique’s six-month residency in Italy, the time granted to her when she won the Max Mara art prize for women in 2023.Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Maryam Maruf
Studio manager: Sue Maillot
Major Democrat politicians and donors - including the Clintons - support Vice-President Kamala Harris as the party's new presidential nominee. Also: soldiers deployed as student protests continue to ramp up in Bangladesh, and the BBC confronts a convicted South African who killed dozens of black men during apartheid.
When your elected representatives are arguing that you will be disproportionately affected by a council decision, their written submission talking about you will be kept secret from you. This is the position of Ards and North Down council, regarding a vote on the union flag being flown at war memorials all year round. But, the decision raises fundamental questions about democracy and the public interest.
We explain the order you put adjectives in when describing a dog!
For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.com
Massimo Bottura’s Osteria Francescana has twice been named the world’s best restaurant. Situated in Bottura’s hometown of Modena, a place renowned for racing cars and balsamic vinegar, the triple Michelin-starred establishment blends traditional Italian cooking with a truly avant-garde sense of design and creativity. Bottura is the leader of the culinary movement that sees food as edible art. Food journalist and cookbook author Emiko Davies spends a weekend in Modena with Bottura and his restauranteur wife Lara Gilmore.
US President Joe Biden withdraws from the presidential race after weeks of mounting pressure from Democrats. On this special edition of Newhour, we look at President Biden’s legacy, reactions from Democrats and Republicans, and our correspondents in Washington and in Biden’s beach house in Delaware. Picture: US Vice President Kamala Harris and US President Joe Biden on a stage in Raleigh, North Carolina. Credit: ALLISON JOYCE/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock.
He says it’s in the best interest of his party and the country. Mr Biden endorses Vice-President Kamala Harris as the new Democratic nominee. Donald Trump says Biden “was not fit to run for president”.
The Supreme Court in Bangladesh has scrapped most of the quotas on government jobs, that have triggered widespread anti-government protests. Thousands of students have been agitating since the beginning of the month against the quota system saying it favoured those close to the governing Awami League. Around 150 people have died.Also in the programme: Israel says it has intercepted a missile launched from Yemen shortly after the Israeli air force carried out a series of strikes on Yemeni territory; and botanists decide to change hundreds of plant names which contain a word with racist connotations.(Photo: A member of the Bangladesh Army interrogates a man who came outside during a curfew imposed in response to student-led protests against government job quotas. Credit: Reuters).
The US Republican presidential candidate told supporters that he had taken 'a bullet for democracy'. Thousands had waited for hours to attend the rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Also: an American woman is reunited with her family after spending 43 years in jail for a crime she didn't commit, and how France is planning to turn the Paris Olympics into a gourmet experience.
The destruction of the Roma by the Nazi state and allies and their subsequent post war fate is little understood and still being written. Historian Celia Donert tells the story of this forgotten holocaust and explores its contested memory and legacy.
Clashes continue in Dhaka despite a nationwide curfew imposed to curb the student protests. Also in the programme: Israel launches its first direct strikes against the Houthis in Yemen; and we remember the pioneering black American Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee.(Photo: Smoke rising as clashes between security forces and protesters continue despite a nationwide curfew. Credit: Reuters)
The Portuguese-Canadian singer-songwriter Nelly Furtado has sold more than 40 million records worldwide and won awards including a Grammy. Her upbeat, genre-defying pop music dominated the charts in the 2000s, from her break out hit I’m Like A Bird to her 2006 album Loose and its stand out hit Maneater. After finding that her music had been rediscovered by a whole new generation of fans on social media, she’s back with 7, her first album since 2017.In February 2021, a coup returned Myanmar to military rule, overthrowing the democratically elected government. Under the regime, violence against civilians has escalated, with thousands jailed, tortured and killed – although the numbers are believed be much higher. At least three million people have been displaced. Just two weeks ago, a UN Report outlined the gendered impact of the coup: It found that military forces have committed widespread forms of sexual violence. However, despite the coup's devastating impact, women and girls are taking on key roles within the resistance movement. Also this month, there have been separate news reports that women are being conscripted into the military. Nuala discussed the situation with Tin Htar Swe, the former head of The BBC's Burmese Service.Woman's Hour broadcast from Lord's Cricket Ground as England faced New Zealand for the culmination of a five-match T20 International series and to mark 25 years since the Marylebone Cricket Club, that runs Lord’s, allowed women to become members. During the programme she spoke to World Cup winning cricketer Ebony Rainford-Brent and the England and Wales Cricket Board’s Head of the Women’s professional game, Beth Barrett-Wild. She also spoke to girls about why they love playing cricket. Nuala was also given a tour of Lord’s – taking in the spots of most significance to women’s history at the ground. She heard about Baroness Rachel Heyhoe Flint and Martha Grace, the mother of a player who is considered one of the all time greats, W. G. Grace. Her tour guide Rachel Pagan met her just outside the ground. Taking children out of school during term time was in the news this week as the new Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said there "will have to be consequences" for parents who fail to keep their children in school. It’s illegal to take children out without the school’s permission. Minimum fines, imposed by local authorities, for taking children out of class without permission for five school ...
There've been sporadic clashes in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, as the military enforces a national curfew to quell anti- government protests. In one neighbourhood, witnesses said riot police used live ammunition against protesters. In all, over a hundred people have died during days of unrest over a quota system for government jobs. In California, Disneyland workers vote for strike action. Union officials say low wages forced some employees into homelessness. And we hear how new revelations about sexual abuse which have emerged since the death of the Canadian author Alice Munro could affect her legacy.
Ambassador Lim Ki-mo started singing Brazilian songs at public events to raise spirits during the covid pandemic. Videos posted online went viral and he was invited to perform at a famous Samba club in Rio. He tells us it's an expression of his joy and love for Brazil but he never expected to become so popular.Also: With the Paris Olympics and Paralympics approaching, we meet some of the athletes representing the Refugee Team after having to flee their home countries.Has Dublin experienced the biggest earthquake of Taylor Swift's Eras tour? Experts detected seismic waves from Shake It Off more than a hundred kilometers away.We hear how a new type of tourism is bringing money to local communities across Thailand.
There's good news for a critically endangered crocodile in Cambodia -- with a record breaking hatching of babies.
And why a man left unable to talk or move after a stroke aged just 16 is mentoring children and writing his life story.Our weekly collection of happy stories and positive news from around the world.
What is it like to cover such a globally significant sporting event such as the Olympic Games? We've invited three of our Fifth Floor colleagues to discuss what the Olympics means to their audiences and to tell us about some of the lesser known stories behind this year's games.
Joining us are Celestine Korey from BBC Sports Africa, based in Nairobi and Pooria Jefereh from BBC Persian, who are both heading to Paris for the games. We'll also hear from BBC Uzbek’s Firuz Rahimi who has spent the past few years following the incredible story of two sisters from Afghanistan who'll represent their country in the cycling despite the road to geting there being anything but smooth. (Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich)
لیبرالیسم را اگر بخواهیم بفهمیم باید به آرای جان لاک فیلسوف سدهی هفده انگلیس رجوع کنیم. جان لاک چه گفت و اهمیت او در چیست؟ مهمانهای برنامه: ایقان شهیدی، پژوهشگر اندیشه سیاسی و عباس ولی، استاد علوم سیاسی.
There's less than a fortnight to go before the polls open in the General Election. The deadline's passed to register to vote, but there's still plenty of time to work out where you'll put that cross on the ballot paper. This week Money Box is talking about housing - focusing on your questions and comments.Imagine being told you owe more than £7,000 for your gas. You spend months trying to explain there's no way you could possibly owe anywhere near that amount, only to be told one day that because you still haven't paid it your details are being passed onto a debt collection agency. We investigate one listener's story.And new research shared exclusively with Money Box suggests almost a third of people are struggling to afford their car insurance. In a survey of more than 4,000 people the abrdn Financial Fairness Trust, a charity who carry out research to help improve living standards across the UK, found almost 1 in 3 people described their car insurance premiums as ‘unaffordable’. What can you do about it?Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporters: Dan Whitworth and Catherine Lund
Researcher: Jo Krasner
Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast at 12pm Saturday 22nd June 2024)
The former President, with his face bloodied, surrounded by Secret Service agents, the American flag behind him, his fist in the air defiant – how much will that image change the United States? This is the focus of our conversations in this week’s edition of the programme. We bring together witnesses to the shooting in Pennsylvania and hear from people at this week’s Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. There, supporters with tears in their eyes and bandages on their ears, show their love for Donald Trump.
Affected healthcare, banking and airline systems are slowly coming back online. The crisis was caused by a faulty software update. Also: the UN's top court rules that Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories is illegal, and a trailblazer for women in Asian martial arts movies, Cheng Pei-pei, has died at the age of 78.
This Friday was one of the least easiest for many people across the globe. A raft of global institutions - including hospitals, major banks, media outlets and airlines - have reported a mass IT outage, affecting their ability to offer services. Delays are still ongoing at many of the major world airports after thousands of flights were cancelled. Devina Gupta finds out how can anyone be prepared for anything like this? And who is going to pay for this IT disaster?
Is it Cherio, Joe? With speculation in the United States that the president could pull out of the presidential campaign as soon as this weekend, we ask a former aide to Kamala Harris, the vice president, about what a ticket led by her could be like.Also on the programme:As the world grapples with the effects of what's been called the worst IT outage ever - just how fragile is the fabric of our digital world? A government advisor on why he's waging war on "ugly" phone boxes blighting Britain's streets.And we speak to the 27-year-old musician who wrote the video game-inspired composition which premiered at this evening's First Night of the Proms.
The head of cybersecurity firm, CrowdStrike, has apologised after a faulty software update caused disruption to transport, healthcare and businesses around the world. We ask how global tech infrastructure can make us vulnerable to massive failures.Also in our programme: the International Court of Justice has said Israel's continued presence in the occupied Palestinian territories is illegal and should come to an end as rapidly as possible; and we hear from a pastor who spoke at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.(Photo: mass IT outage hits companies and infrastructure around the world. Credit: Leung Man Hei / Shutterstock)
Writer: Tim Stimpson
Director: Dave Payne
Editor: Jeremy HoweNatasha Archer…. Mali Harries
Pip Archer…. Daisy Badger
Ruth Archer…. Felicity Finch
Neil Carter…. Brian Hewlett
Susan Carter…. Charlotte Martin
Vince Casey…. Tony Turner
Chelsea Horrobin…. Madeleine Leslay
Tracy Horrobin…. Susie Riddell
Alistair Lloyd…. Michael Lumsden
Paul Mack…. Joshua Riley
Jazzer McCreary…. Ryan Kelly
Denise Metcalf…. Clare Perkins
Freddie Pargetter…. Toby Laurence
Lily Pargetter…. Katie Redford
Fallon Rogers…. Joanna Van Kampen
Stella Pryor…. Lucy Speed
Oliver Stirling…. Michael Cochrane
Lottie Summers…. Bonnie Baddoo
As queues stacked up at airports, TV channels went off-air and medical appointments were postponed, anti-virus firm Crowdstrike quickly became a household name when it confirmed a bug in its software was to blame for IT issues on Microsoft devices across the world. Gideon Long speaks to businesses affected by the outage.
Early findings into why a school building in Nigeria's Plateau state collapsed killing more than 20 children, have revealed many shortcomings. But the tragedy was one of more than 20 reported cases in the past few months. How can rules and regulations be tightened to prevent building collapses?Sierra Leone is considering dropping jury trials. What are the arguments for and against the proposed change to the justice system?And we meet Cindy Ngamba, one of the first people to compete for an Olympic medal in boxing as part of the refugee team. How did she become interested in the sport?Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Nyasha Michelle, Sunita Nahar, Victor Sylver and Claudia Efemini in London. Blessing Aderogba in Lagos.
Technical Producer: Ricardo McCarthy
Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.
The problem was caused by a software update - a fix has been deployed. Also: the US journalist, Evan Gershkovich, is sentenced to 16 years in jail by a court in Russia, and the most powerful man in Vietnam -- the head of the communist party, Nguyen Phu Trong -- has died at the age of eighty.
A major IT outage has affected businesses and organisations in much of the world, from airports and banks to hospitals and media outlets, including Australia's public broadcaster.Also in the programme: a Russian court sentences the American journalist Evan Gershkovich to 16 years in prison on charges of spying; and less than a week after the attempt on his life, Donald Trump addresses the Republican Convention.(IMAGE: Passengers look at flight information screens at Zurich Airport in Kloten, Switzerland, 19 July 2024. Due to a major worldwide IT outage, check-in for air travelers and flight operations are severely restricted and most flights are delayed or canceled / CREDIT: Gaetan Bally/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Vula Malinga started out as one of the lead singers for the London Community Gospel Choir, before becoming a lead vocalist with Basement Jaxx and she has also collaborated with the likes of Adele, Dizzee Rascal and Beverley Knight. Tomorrow night Vula will don her flares and sequins as one of the soloists at the BBC Prom – Everybody Dance! The Sound of Disco, at the Royal Albert Hall. Along with the BBC Concert Orchestra will perform iconic disco classics from the late 1970s Studio 54 era. She joins Anita to reveal more and to perform live in the studio.Tomorrow marks 50 years since the Turkish invasion of Cyprus and an element of this story which often goes untold is the treatment of women during this time. Particularly, the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war. For many, what happened to them is still a taboo subject. During her time as an MP, Skevi Koukouma raised this issue in parliament in 2015. Skevi is now the General Secretary of The Progressive Women’s Movement of POGO, an NGO which focuses on gender equality and social justice. She joins Woman’s Hour, along with Natassa Frederickou, the Vice President of the ZOE Vs War Violence Foundation, which aims to raise awareness of gender based violence in times of war.And debut author Nilesha Chauvet’s novel The Revenge of Rita Marsh tells the story of a young woman who runs a care home for the elderly by day and a paedophile hunting group by night. Nilesha joins Anita along with Dr Kat Hadjimatheou, senior lecturer in the Department of Sociology and Criminology at Essex University, to discuss the real paedophile hunters, why and how they do it and whether they help or hinder the criminal justice system.Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Laura Northedge
UK government and NI Executive 'failed their citizens' with flawed pandemic plans. Also, Global IT outages wreak havoc from Japan to New Zealand, as flights are grounded and businesses impacted - we invite some top experts onto the show for their analysis.
Barack Obama has reportedly joined other senior Democrats in urging Mr Biden to consider his position. The 81-year-old president has suspended campaigning while he recovers from Covid. Also: thousands of rare bird eggs have been seized in Australia, and the American comedian Bob Newhart has died at 94.
In Tbilisi, Georgia, a radical experiment in interfaith relations is taking place. The Peace Project is one of the world’s first to bring a mosque, synagogue, church, and other places of worship together under one roof. Sounds of Muslim prayer, Shabbat services, and Georgian hymns fill the air as worshippers from different faiths mingle and break bread in the communal Hall of Abraham. The project is the brainchild of Malkhaz Songulashvili, a maverick Bishop of Georgia’s Evangelical-Baptist Church, and is attracting attention from religious leaders around the world.
A High Security Alert has been issued for the whole of Bangladesh, as violent clashes between students and police continue. The capital Dhaka is in the midst of a near-total internet blackout, with phone lines also down. On Thursday evening, several thousand protestors stormed the state broadcaster BTV, vandalising furniture, smashing windows and lights and setting parts of it on fire. We speak to Ali Riaz, Professor at the Department of Politics and Government at Illinois State University.Angel City FC has become the world's most expensive women's sports team following a $250m takeover. The Los Angeles-based side have been taken over by a US couple, Willow Bay and Bob Iger - he's the CEO of the Walt Disney Company – and they will become the new controlling owners of the club. Their star player Christen Press gives her reaction. Also, in the programme, we talk about a new minimum wage in Nigeria and look at the final day of the 2024 Republican National Convention in the US city of Milwaukee.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky told the BBC's Chris Mason he had met Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer with just one request: to strike inside Russia with British weapons. Zelensky said Ukraine needed to take out launch sites for missiles which are hitting his country's civilian infrastructure. During the exclusive interview after the European Political Community summit at Blenheim Palace, he also said Ukraine would never be pressured by a US administration to surrender to Russia.In the US, President Biden faced renewed pressure to end his bid for re-election. Reports claim Barack Obama has said Biden must rethink whether he can win.And in Bangladesh dozens of people have been killed in clashes between police and students, who are protesting over a law that withholds a quota of civil service jobs for relatives of those who fought in Bangladesh's war of independence from Pakistan.
Trump is set to take centre stage at the Republican National Convention on Thursday evening to deliver a speech and formally accept the party's presidential nomination - we hear from his former national security advisor.
Also on the programme: In Bangladesh the internet is cut off as protesters set fire to the headquarters of the national broadcaster;
the stegosaurus bones that have sold for $44.6M. And can Britain learn lessons from an unusually high death toll during the Covid pandemic?(Photo: Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump stands with members of his extended family on Day 3 of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Credit: Reuters / O'hare)
There’s an update from asteroid expert Patrick Michel about the European Space Agency’s Rapid Apophis Mission for Space Safety. The ESA have received permission to begin preparatory work for the planetary defence mission which will rendezvous with the asteroid Apophis, that will be passing by the Earth on Friday, April 13th 2029. And in news from the Moon this week – a massive cave has been discovered on its surface that might be a window into the body’s sub-surface, and even a ready-made lunar base for future astronauts to use. The claim was made in Nature Astronomy by a team of Italian planetary scientists, and two experts in remote sensing who have been re-interpreting radar data from a NASA orbiter - Leonardo Carrer and Lorenzo Bruzzone from University of Trento in Italy.
In the magazine Science, there’s a call for a re-doubling of efforts to tackle malaria in Africa as signs grow that a leading treatment, Artemisinin, is becoming less effective. Deus Ishengoma, a malaria expert with the Tanzanian National Institute for Medical Research, is worried, having seen the transformation Artemesinin made in the past. Tiny solar-powered flying robots - an ultra-lightweight, solar-powered micro aerial vehicle capable of sustained flight is described in a paper published in Nature. Peng Jinzhe of the School of Energy and Power Engineering at Beihang University was part of the team behind the 8 millimetre robot. Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Jonathan Blackwell
Production Coordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth (Image: ESA’s Ramses mission to asteroid Apophis. Credit: The European Space Agency)
Former Brazilian model, wellness influencer and spiritual life coach Kat Torres was an inspiration and a lifeline to women all over the world. More than a million people on Instagram followed her extraordinary career trajectory from extreme poverty in Brazil, to a European modelling career and a life of luxury in the US.
But behind the perfectly curated posts is a story of witchcraft, sexual exploitation and human trafficking; a dark and secretive sorority that led to missing women and sent their families and the FBI on a desperate search to find them.
After months of investigations, a team from BBC Eye and BBC News Brasil uncover a wellness empire built on half-truths and lies. For the documentary Hannah Price tells the story of her enslaved followers and the heavy price they paid. And for the first time - in a surreal confrontation behind the walls of a Brazilian prison - we hear from the self-proclaimed “guru” who exerted absolute control.
Protests in Kenya and Bangladesh which were ignited by high prices and increasing job insecurity have evolved into political movements. In both countries, people are challenging the role of their elected leaders. Sam Fenwick explores if fragile economies influenced the demonstrations.Also, Ursula von der Leyen has won a second term as European Commission President, pledging great prosperity for EU citizens.
Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.
South Africa’s parliament reopens after landmark elections that lead to the formation of a government of national unity after the governing ANC lost its majority. We talk to international co-operation minister, Ronald Lamola. Is the ANC buying time or wasting time?
Somalia imposes a 5 percent tax on digital transactions sparking causing a public outcry
And why is Turkey boosting cooperation with Niger? Prsenter : Audrey Brown
Producers :Bella Hassan, Joseph Keen and Sunita Nahar in London and Susan Gachuhi in Nairobi
Technical Producer: Jonny Hall
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga.
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.
Members of the European Parliament backed her at a vote in Strasbourg on Thursday. She will now serve another five years at the helm of the EU. Also: The team set up to represent the world's refugees at the Paris Olympics, a step in the right direction for gay rights in South Korea -- and how getting a bit fatter round the middle is slowing down the Earth's rotation.
Jailed for rioting - extraordinary interview with a former teenage rioter. The Nolan Show investigates the reality of rioting. Why do people do it? How do they stop doing it? What are the real consequences? It's a compelling, tragic and essential conversation.
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the doctrine of Karma as developed initially among Hindus, Jains and Buddhists in India from the first millennium BCE. Common to each is an idea, broadly, that you reap what you sow: how you act in this world has consequences either for your later life or your future lives, depending on your view of rebirth and transmigration. From this flow different ideas including those about free will, engagement with the world or disengagement, the nature of ethics and whether intention matters, and these ideas continue to develop today.With Monima Chadha
Professor of Indian Philosophy and Tutorial Fellow at Lady Margaret Hall, University of OxfordJessica Frazier
Lecturer in the Study of Religion at the University of Oxford and a Fellow of the Oxford Centre for Hindu StudiesAndKaren O’Brien-Kop
Lecturer in Asian Religions at Kings College LondonProducer: Simon TillotsonIn Our Time is a BBC Studios Audio ProductionReading list:J. Bronkhorst, Karma (University of Hawaii Press, 2011)J. H. Davis (ed.), A Mirror is for Reflection: Understanding Buddhist Ethics (Oxford University Press, 2017), especially ‘Buddhism Without Reincarnation? Examining the Prospects of a “Naturalized” Buddhism’ by J. WesterhoffJ. Ganeri (ed.), Ethics and Epics: Philosophy, Culture, and Religion (Oxford University Press, 2002), especially ‘Karma and the Moral Order’ by B. K. MatilalY. Krishan, The Doctrine of Karma: Its Origin and Development in Brāhmaṇical, Buddhist and Jaina Traditions (Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited, 1997)N.K.G. Mendis (ed.), The Questions of King Milinda: An Abridgement of Milindapañha (Buddhist Publication Society, 1993)M. Siderits, How Things Are: An Introduction to Buddhist Metaphysics (Oxford University Press, 2022)M. Vargas and J. Dorris (eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Moral Psychology (Oxford Univesrity Press, 2022), especially ‘Karma, Moral Responsibility and Buddhist Ethics’ by B. FinniganJ. Zu, 'Collective Karma Cluster Concepts in Chinese Canonical Sources: A Note' (Journal of Global Buddhism, Vol.24: 2, 2023)
The White House says the US president is experiencing 'mild symptoms' after testing positive during a campaign trip to Las Vegas. The news comes as top Democrat Adam Schiff called on Mr Biden to 'pass the torch'. The California congressman is the most prominent Democrat yet to publicly call for the president to step aside. Also: the Caribbean island of Carriacou struggles to cope with the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, and the skeleton of a stegosaurus sells at auction for more than 44 million dollars - a record amount for a dinosaur.
Donald Trump's recent comments suggesting Taiwan should pay for its own defence have sent shockwaves through global markets, leading to a significant drop in semiconductor stocks.In the UK, the King's Speech in Parliament has proposed a dramatic shift in the transportation sector by suggesting the nationalisation of the railways. And presenter Roger Hearing dives into the world of sports as the WNBA finalises its next national media rights package, set to bring in approximately $2.2 billion over the next 11 years.
The King has set out Labour's plans for government at the State Opening of Parliament. But could the new government's promise to take the "brakes off" Britain's economy be jeopardised by its workers' rights plans?Also on the programme:As the prime minister prepares to welcome leaders to Britain for the biggest European summit in years, is a new relationship between the UK and the EU on the horizon?And the pet food for cats and dogs with a difference: the UK has become the first European country to approve the sale of "lab grown" meat. Are humans the next recipients? We speak live to its creator.
China says it is suspending nuclear non-proliferation and arms control talks with the United States in response to recent US military sales to Taiwan. Also on the programme: We speak to a former reporter for the Wall Street Journal in Hong Kong, who says she was fired because she was determined to chair a press union there; and the mayor of Paris has taken a plunge into the river Seine to prove it is clean enough for competitive swimming ahead of the Olympic Games. (Photo: Chinese President Xi Jinping applauds at the closing session of the National People's Congress. Credit: Reuters)
Long: Bangladesh shuts down schools as student protests turn deadly amid calls for a reform of the quota system for public sector jobs. We hear from the Bangladesh law minister Anisul Huq. Also in the programme: Paris Olympics organising committee chair says the Seine River is safe for sport; and the Gazan man with Down’s syndrome attacked by Israeli army dog. (Photo: Funeral prayers of six Bengali students killed in Dhaka. Credit: Reuters)
University students have been holding rallies for days against the system of reserving some public sector jobs for the relatives of war heroes, from when the country gained independence from Pakistan.Some jobs are also reserved for women, ethnic minorities and people with disabilities.Also, Britain's King Charles opens parliament, and the new government promises to "take the brakes off Britain" -- by boosting house building. Will it lead to more investment? We'll hear from a building firm. And the luxury fashion brands being investigated for how they treat workers in their supply chains.
The manager of a coffee farmers's co-operative says small scale farmers in Africa are concerned that they may soon be unable to sell their produce to Europe because of the impact of the European Union's deforestation regulations.New information about the largest rainforest in Southern Africa raises questions about discovery - is it just a foreign concept? And, two decades after his country's capital was conquered by Italy, Ethiopia's Abebe Bikila became the first black African to win Olympic gold, running barefoot in Rome.Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Joseph Keen and Sunita Nahar in London, and Susan Gachuhi in Nairobi.
Technical producer: Jonny Hall
Senior Journalist: Patricia Whitehorne
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard.Show less
After months of anticipation, Anne Hidalgo took a dip in the Seine to show the river is clean enough to host open-swimming competitions during the 2024 Olympics. Also: Police in Thailand say six Vietnamese tourists found dead in a luxury hotel were poisoned with cyanide, students protest in Bangladesh over a lack of job and what Afro-futurism means for Africans around the world...We'll bring you the best reports and analysis from the BBC's correspondents around the world.
Phil said that preparing this programme on the word 'cause' was hard work but he didn't mind because it was for a good cause - you! Listen to him now.TRANSCRIPT
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Today, Woman's Hour comes live from Lord's Cricket Ground as England face New Zealand for the culmination of a five-match T20 International series. To talk us through the upcoming game we are joined by Ebony Rainford-Brent MBE. Ebony is a World Cup-winning cricketer, now turned presenter and pundit. We begin by looking at the grassroots game which is growing at a fast rate. We hear from girls at Carlton Cricket Club about why they love the sport, also from 16-year-old Honor Black who’s clothing company, Maiden, designs kit specifically for girls. We also hear again from Ebony Rainford-Brent. Ebony was the first black woman to play cricket for England and founded the African-Caribbean Engagement Programme, ACE, which creates opportunities for young cricketers to take up the game. Nuala gets a tour around the 'Home of Cricket', and the spots of most significance to women’s history at Lord's. Woman's Hour also looks at the situation for women’s cricket in 2024. How far has the sport come and what is left to do? Beth Barrett-Wild is Director of the Women’s Professional Game at the England and Wales Cricket Board and joins Nuala live. They will discuss the many successes in the women’s game but also a damning report which found that women were treated as ‘second class citizens’ in cricket and recommended that the ECB strive to ensure equal pay on average at domestic level by 2029 and at international level by 2030.Ahead of England's match against New Zealand in the culmination of the five-match T20 International series, New Zealand’s star player and former captain Suzie Bates joins Nuala to look ahead to the game and discuss women’s cricket in NZ. Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Emma Pearce and Claire Fox
Children's Commissioner hits out as children as young as 7 involved in attacking police, and we bring you the latest on our Southern Trust story. One mother attempts to get specialist care for her daughter.
The number of people working into their late 60s, their 70s and beyond is rising. In this programme we'll discuss what that means for their employment rights and what it tells us about their finances.Back in the 90s, only around 5% of peopled aged 65 or older were in work. In the early 2000s, that rose to around 6%. But recently released data from the Office for National Statistics shows that today almost 12% of people in that age group are in some form of employment. That's almost one and a half million people.Felicity Hannah is joined by older workers to explore their finances, their struggles and their rights to challenge discrimination. She'll be joined by Dr Emily Andrews, Deputy Director for Work at the Centre for Aging Better, and Sarah Jackman, an employment lawyer at the law firm Dentons.Presented and Produced by Felicity Hannah
Studio production: Amber Mehmood
Editor: Sara Wadeson(First broadcast 3pm Wednesday 19th June, 2024)
In this second part of his journey from the River Jordan to the Mediterranean Sea, across the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Israel, reporter Tim Whewell continues his exploration of the physical and human reality behind the slogan “From the River to the Sea”, a phrase which creates intense controversy. In this podcast he descends from the high ridge of the West Bank hills to the Israeli Mediterranean coast at Herzlia, known for its beaches and high-tech industry – and then continues along the sea, to end his journey at the ruined ancient city of Caesarea. Along the way, on the West Bank, he encounters a Palestinian dry stone waller and an Israeli hairdresser – and then, crossing into Israel, he talks to Jewish Israelis including teachers, activists and a journalist – and to Palestinian citizens of Israel. Finally, he meets a group of young Israelis who have recently finished their military service. Some of them have been fighting in Gaza. What future do all these people hope for, in the 90 kilometres between the River and the Sea? Presenter/producer: Tim Whewell Sound mixing: Neil Churchill Production co-ordinator: Gemma Ashman Editor: Penny Murphy (Photo shows some of the people Tim meets in the two parts of the series. Clockwise from top left: Ben Levy, Israeli nature ranger; Sulieman Mleahat, Palestinian development worker; Susie Becher, Israeli political activist; Okayla Shehadi, retired Palestinian citizen of Israel.)
Since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas last year, the cry “From the River to the Sea” has been heard more and more as a pro-Palestinian slogan. But what river? What sea? And what exactly does the phrase mean? It’s the subject of intense controversy. In this two-part series, reporter Tim Whewell travels from the River Jordan to the Mediterranean Sea, across a tiny stretch of land – just over an hour by car if you don’t stop - that’s perhaps the most argued-over in the world. Along the way, he meets shepherds and teachers, soldiers and gardeners, artists and activists - Palestinians and Israelis of many different views and backgrounds. The shortest line from the River to the Sea doesn’t pass through Gaza. But everyone Tim meets on his journey across the Israeli-occupied West Bank of the River, and in Israel, is living in the terrible shadow of the October 7th Hamas attack on Israel and the war that’s followed. The future of the often-beautiful, fast-changing, overcrowded region he crosses will be at the heart of any eventual solution to the Middle East conflict. In this first programme, he goes from the Jordan, through the Israeli settlement of Argaman, the Palestinian herding community of al-Farisiyah and the Palestinian village of Duma, ending up at the Israeli settlement of Shilo. What do people in those places think now – and do they have any hope for the future? (In Part 2, Tim leaves the West Bank and travels through Israel.) Presenter/producer: Tim Whewell Sound mixing: Andy Fell and Neil Churchill Production co-ordinator: Gemma Ashman Editor: Penny Murphy (Photo shows some of the people Tim meets in the two parts of the series. Clockwise from top left: Ben Levy, Israeli nature ranger; Sulieman Mleahat, Palestinian development worker; Susie Becher, Israeli political activist; Okayla Shehadi, retired Palestinian citizen of Israel.)
Vaughan Gething resigned after 118 days in the role, will his exit give Welsh Labour a chance to reset? We speak to the first Labour politician to hold that job, Alun Michael, about how the party comes back together. Also in the programme: What could be in Labour’s first King’s Speech? And, the Oscar-nominated actress who just got her first leading film role at the age of ninety four.
He was found guilty on all 16 charges, including bribery, acting as a foreign agent, and obstructing justice. Also: Police in Thailand are investigating the mysterious deaths of six foreign nationals whose bodies were found in a Bangkok hotel suite, and the American rock duo, Tenacious D, cancel the rest of their world tour after an on-stage quip in Australia about the near fatal attempt on Donald Trump’s life. We'll bring you the best reports and analysis from the BBC's correspondents around the world.
Presenter Rahul Tandon explores what lies ahead for Bangladesh after the government indefinitely closed all schools and colleges. Six people have died in student protests over a quota system for government employment.French President Emmanuel Macron’s government has resigned . It follows political deadlock in France as it prepares to host the Summer Olympics.Rwandan leader Paul Kagame is poised to extend his 24-year reign. Provisional election results indicate he has secured a fourth term with 99 percent of the vote.
Ukraine is facing up to a crisis of military recruitment, as a deadline passes for all men there, between the ages of 18 and 60 to register their details. A reluctance, among some, to fight the ongoing Russian invasion, is fuelled by a controversial mobilisation law, which means there is no cap on people's length of service. Also on the programme: A Republican party spokeswoman tells us about Mr Trump's triumphant return to the US election campaign; and how a senior North Korean diplomat managed to defect to the South.(Picture: U.S President Donald Trump listens during a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Credit: REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst)
Elsewhere, Devina Gupta looks to the debate around low-carbon fertilisers, and in Turkey, the government is set to approve a new bill hoping to steady the country's shaky economy. And what's it like being a delivery company on Amazon Prime Day? We speak to one firm in India.
Is the role of the church in Kenyan politics changing? We hear the perspective of a senior member of the umbrella group- the National Council of Churches of Kenya Why has Chadian President Mahamat Deby cancelled an official visit to Paris scheduled for this week?We talk to the founder of a beauty pageant in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu, a place with a reputation for danger.
JD Vance is Donald Trump's running mate, we speak to his university roommate and explore how Vance went from a never-Trumper to his running mate. Also on the programme: Kenyan police arrest a man who says he killed 42 women; and the remote mountain-top rainforest in Mozambique, now a conservation area.(Photo: JD Vance walking with his wife in the Republican national Convention. Credit: Shutterstock)
The Ukrainian government is struggling to replace battlefield losses in its ongoing war against Russia which is well into its third year. Also: why Donald Trump picked JD Vance as his running mate, and Gareth Southgate is resigning as England manager, even though his team reached the final of the Euros football tournament.
One of the most iconic musicals of all time, Hello, Dolly!, has returned to the London Palladium, with Jerry Herman’s unforgettable score including Put On Your Sunday Clothes, Before the Parade Passes By, It Only Takes a Moment and Hello, Dolly! It’s a huge, no-expense-spared production, with a cast of 40, and the legendary Imelda Staunton as the witty and charming matchmaker Dolly Levi. Jenna Russell plays the millineress Irene Molloy. Jenna is well known for her TV roles in Call The Midwife and Eastenders, and many theatre roles, including Guys and Dolls, Merrily We Roll Along, and her Olivier award-winning turn as Dot in Sunday In The Park With George. Nuala McGovern speaks to Jenna about the revival of Hello, Dolly! and the show’s message to new audiences. In February 2021, a coup returned Myanmar to military rule, overthrowing the democratically elected government. Under the regime, violence against civilians has escalated, with thousands jailed, tortured and killed – although the numbers are believed be much higher. At least three million people have been displaced. Just two weeks ago, a UN Report outlined the gendered impact of the coup: It found that military forces have committed widespread forms of sexual violence. However, despite the coup's devastating impact, women and girls are taking on key roles within the resistance movement. Also this month, there have been seperate news reports that women are being conscripted into the military. Nuala discusses the situation with Tin Htar Swe, the former head of The BBC's Burmese Service. Nine-year-old Ella Adoo-Kissi-Deborah was the first person in the world to have air pollution listed as a cause of death. She lived near the South Circular Road in Lewisham, South East London and died of a fatal asthma attack in 2013. Her mother, Rosamund, who has been campaigning since her daughters death, is now seeking is seeking an official apology from the government as her high court claim against them heads to trial. She explains why she wants an official apology from the government. Nuala also speaks to Sophie Howe who is the former First Generation Commissioner for Wales where she advised the government on policy around transport and climate change - she now does this for other countries. SAnnie Garthwaite’s second novel, The King’s Mother, tells the story of historical figure Cecily Neville, mother of Edward IV and Richard III. Annie believes Cecily’s role in the Wars of ...
We explore the horrific online abuse of the young UUP candidate Jay Basra, how can this still be happening in 2024? Also, a Mother fights to have her daughter ( who has a severe form of epilepsy and learning difficulties) recognised by the care system in this country. Can it really be that she's denied crucial care, just because of where she was born?
Here's an expression about trying something new.
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Project Rescue Children claims to save children from trafficking and abuse across the world, but the BBC has uncovered evidence of false and misleading social media posts. The charity's director, Adam Whittington, has raised thousands of pounds from sponsors and donors. But the BBC’s Hayley Mortimer has found that unsuspecting children are being used as props, and the rescue centres have no children. Project Rescue Children rejects the BBC's findings and says its work has benefitted hundreds of children worldwide.
The announcement came at the opening of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee where Trump was officially endorsed as the party's candidate for the presidential election. Also, Pakistani government intends to ban Imran Khan's political party, and scientists discover a deep cave on the Moon which they say could be an ideal location for a permanent base.
Presenter Rahul Tandon discusses the announcement of Iowa Senator JD Vance as Donald Trump’s pick to be his running mate in November’s Presidential election.Rahul speaks to Vivek Ramaswamy - who himself was a candidate for the Republican Presidential nomination.And we hear about the new law in Indonesia where maternity leave has been extended from 3 months to six months for certain people.
Two days after an attempt on his life, Donald Trump used the first day of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee to announce JD Vance as his running-mate for the 2024 Presidential election. Vance, Senator for Ohio, is a former US Marine and venture capitalist who rose to fame after writing Hillbilly Elegy, a memoir about his family and white working-class background. He initially criticised Trump but has become one of his most ardent supporters.Here in the UK the government is preparing to set out its legislative agenda in the King's Speech on Wednesday. It will include a new law to make a specific criminal offence of spiking. We speak to a campaigner and victim who welcome the move.And a year since it was illegally felled, one artist has set out to preserve the touch of the Sycamore Gap tree.
Donald Trump is in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention, two days after he survived an assassination attempt. We hear from our correspondent on the ground in Milwaukee and from Donald Trump's former chief of staff
Also on the programme: Counting is under way in Rwanda's presidential and parliamentary elections.; and scientists say they've found the first cave on the moon that could be a natural spot for a future research base.
(Picture: Ohio Senator J.D. Vance is endorsed by former U.S. President Donald Trump Credit: REUTERS/Gaelen Morse)
We’ve heard about the potential problems around chicken welfare. But how does that square with their impact on the environment?Dr Chris van Tulleken finds out what it takes to produce the most eco-friendly chicken meat possible. And makes a devastating discovery. Welfare concerns, and environmental credentials, often pull in OPPOSITE directions. Does he want to eat the happiest birds, or the ones kindest to the planet?Halfway through his poultry quest, Chris remains massively conflicted: he loves chicken, but some of what he’s discovered makes him question how much he eats it. Will he still be able to look at it the same way as he goes deeper down the rabbit hole? And more importantly, should he keep serving it up to the family?
Zimbabwe's President Emerson Mnangagwa has announced public hearings into the mass killings of Zimbabwe's Ndebele people 40 years ago. The president says the hearings will be a mechanism to bring healing and national cohesion. But a survivor of the massacre of opposition supporters, tells us he does not trust the process.Also, why are major gas companies threatening to pull out of South Africa? And Zambia has spent millions of dollars on hiring new teachers and making primary and secondary education free, but the policy has also worsened class overcrowding.Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Bella Hassan, Rob Wilson and Joseph Keen in London. Charles Gitonga in Nairobi.
Technical producer: Craig Kingham
Senior Journalist: Paul Bakibinga
Editors : Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard.
We look at how U.S markets have reacted since the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.Elsewhere, Devina Gupta looks to China where a key Communist party meeting is taking place, against a backdrop of sluggish spending which is also causing headaches for luxury brands such as Burberry. We also hear about new maternity leave rules in Indonesia, and the potential challenges.
Police in Kenya suspect he is behind the gruesome murders of at least nine women. Their bodies were found in a former quarry used as a rubbish dump near Nairobi. Under interrogation the suspect has admitted killing 42 women. Also: Republicans arrive for their national convention in Milwaukee where Donald Trump will be confirmed as the Republican presidential candidate after the assassination attempt on him. We also hear from a photographer who captured the image of the bullet that hit Mr Trump's ear at the rally in Pennsylvania. And, chaos and violence at the Copa America final in Miami, and a new cheaper malaria vaccine is rolled out in Africa
Two days after surviving an assassination attempt, Donald Trump is in Milwaukee, joining thousands of supporters and political heavyweights at the start of the Republican National Convention. The four day event will culminate with his acceptance speech as the Republican candidate to contest November’s presidential election. Mr Trump has signalled that he has rewritten his speech to switch from denouncing President Biden to call for national unity, after the attempt on his life. Both men have said America must now come together.We'll be in Milwaukee where the Republican National Convention is being held. We'll also hear from a friend of Donald Trump.(Photo: Supporters of former US President Donald Trump wait for his arrival in Milwaukee, after he survived an assassination attempt. Credit: Reuters/Carlos Barria)
Reflections on a day that shook America, as Donald Trump survives a deadly shooting in Pennsylvania which leaves one person dead and seriously injures another. Where does that leave America now? Also, England bravely bow out of the European Championships at the final hurdle, having been beaten 2-1 by a dazzling Spanish side, despite a wonderful Cole Palmer strike. Northern Irish football legend Gerry Armstrong gives his opinion, with Stephen back in the presenting hotseat.
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Inspired by a story told to her by an Indigenous elder, Taipei-based artist Anchi Lin, also known by her Atayal name Ciwas Tahos, is working on a new multi-media installation. Anchi has dedicated her research and creative work to exploring the Indigenous space of Temahahoi, a place where queer, gender non-conforming people lived and could communicate with bees, who were also their protection from approaching intruders. Combining new technology, handmade ceramics and traditional bee chasing skills, Anchi Lin celebrates her Indigenous culture and identity in her work.
Neighbours cannot believe the quiet young man they knew opened fire on Donald Trump. President Biden has promised a swift investigation into the attempted assassination. Also: how young protestors in Kenya are successfully challenging the relationship between Christian leaders and politicians, and tributes are paid to the American broadcaster and sex-therapist, Doctor Ruth, who has died aged 96.
Former US President Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt after being shot at a Republican rally in Pennsylvania.
We get political reactions from congressmen from both the Republican and Democratic party and speak to the New York Times photographer who captured the image of a bullet streaking past Mr Trump. Also in the programme: the role has political violence in US political history; and we get the latest sports update from Wimbledon and the Euro football finals.(Photo: Donald Trump gets escorted off stage after being shot at the Republican rally in Pennsylvania. Credit: REUTERS)
Donald Trump urges Americans to unite in the face of wickedness after he survives an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. We consider the implications for the election campaign and ask how the gunman was able to get so close.
A bullet hit his ear while he was speaking at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. President Biden has urged everyone to condemn the attack.We will hear from eye witnesses to the attack and we'll examine the security failures which led to it. And we'll also be asking what effect this is likely to have on the presidential campaign? (Picture: Donald Trump being taken to safety by his security detail. Credit: Maxell / EPA)
Donald Trump was speaking at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. US secret service agents rushed on to the stage to protect him. He appeared to have blood on his ear and was taken away by car. A spokesman for Mr Trump's campaign team said he was fine and undergoing medical checks.
An Israeli strike has killed dozens in al-Mawasi, a designated humanitarian area in Gaza, where large numbers of displaced Palestinians have been sheltering in tents. The Israeli Defence Force said the strike's objective were two top Hamas leaders.
We hear from UNRWA about the scenes at Nasser hospital, which is close to the strike's location.Also in our programme: France struggles to appoint a new Prime Minister, and criminal charges of involuntary homicide are dropped against actor Alec Baldwin. (Photo: a Palestinian woman and her children mourning the death of her husband killed following an Israeli air strike in the Al-Mawasi area. Credit: Saber / Shutterstock).
A record-breaking number of women MPs have been elected following Labour's win at the general election. It's also the first time in parliamentary history that the proportion of women elected is more than 40%. Harriet Harman, the now ex-Labour MP and former Mother of the House, gives her reaction.Three women who say they were the victims of a racial attack have had the charges of assault made against them by their assailant discontinued by the CPS. Selma Taha, the executive director for advocacy group Southall Black Sisters, and Danae Thomas, two of the women, join Anita Rani to talk about what impact the charges being dropped has had, and how they’re hoping this might impact further action against racist violence against women and girls.Cathy Rentzenbrink is known for her non-fiction books – but now she’s written a second fiction novel – Ordinary Time. It tells the story of Ann, a reluctant vicar’s wife, and her grappling with ideas of marriage, duty and temptation. She joins Nuala McGovern to discuss.A recent article in the New York Times coined the phrase "medium friends" to describe “not our besties, but more than just acquaintances.” Anita talks to Dr Susan MacDougall, a social anthropologist at Oxford University, and to Shazia Mirza, a comedian and writer, about friendship levels.Women are turning to increasingly risky ways to get weight-loss drugs, like Ozempic and Wegovy, as online prescribers become more stringent about who they will give them to. Two young women tell Woman’s Hour’s Melanie Abbott about using drugs they buy on the black market, despite the potential dangers. Plus Professor Kamila Hawthorne from the Royal College of GPs talks to Nuala.
Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Dianne McGregor
When listener Sophia decided to donate a kidney to a stranger through a domino transplant scheme, her teenage daughter Katie objected. But years later, Katie decided to do the same - inspired by the chain of goodness her mother started, and the joy of meeting organ recipients at the transplant games.
Also: Big Ocean - the first K-pop band whose members all have hearing impairments. As the Paris Olympics approach, we look back at the amazing story of two athletes who chose to share gold in Tokyo. Wild horses return to Kazakhstan for the first time in over two hundred years, thanks to a zoo breeding programme. The innovative system helping grow crops in arid regions with less water. And the children who got to perform at London's famous Royal Opera House.Our weekly collection of happy stories and positive news from around the world.
Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry says at least 71 people have been killed in an Israeli airstrike near the southern city of Khan Younis. Israeli defence sources are reported to have described the incident as a "very significant" strike with reports a senior Hamas commander, Mohammed Deif, was the target.Also in the programme: Russia spies arrested in Australia; and Captain Flinders is buried again.(Picture: People mourn at Nasser hospital, following the killing of Palestinians in an Israeli strike at a tent camp, amid Israel-Hamas conflict, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip July 13, 2024. Credit: Reuters)
جمهوری اسلامی ایران آرمان فلسطین را آرمان خود میداند و میگوید تالش برای تحقق آن از اهداف بنیادیاش است. ولی جمهوری اسلامی به آرمان فلسطین کمک کرده یا به آن ضربه زده؟
مهمانهای برنامه: کاملیا انتخابیفرد؛ سردبیر ایندیپندنت فارسی و تحلیلگر مسائل خاورمیانه و قیس قریشی؛ تحلیلگر جهان عرب.
Hundreds of thousands of men are currently fighting for Ukraine, and the army needs yet more soldiers. We speak to three BBC Ukrainian colleagues about the way this is changing the country, and how it's viewed by Ukrainians. Daria Taradai and Ilona Hromliuk join us from Kyiv, and Anastasiya Zanuda joins us from Warsaw. (Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich)
Nineteen days to go before your cross on a ballot paper will help decide who runs the country. You have been telling Money Box what matters to you. This week we'll discuss how much tax you already pay and whether that will change after 4th July. The head of the UK payment regulator has rejected calls to delay a new fraud reimbursement plan which is due to begin on 7th October. It will mean that victims of fraud are fully reimbursed for losses up to £415,000. We'll have more on this story.And more than half a million people are now getting help with their finances, often saving substantial sums of money, thanks to something called the Vulnerability Registration Service. What is it and how does it work?Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporter: Dan Whitworth
Researchers: Immie Rhodes and Jo Krasner
Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 15th June, 2024)
President Joe Biden's re-election campaign is under intense scrutiny amid questions over his age. Also: children killed in Nigeria school collapse, and the first British post box with the King Charles III cypher.
People in both the UK and France have voted for change in snap elections, sending a signal that they are unhappy with many aspects of their lives. To get a sense of why people voted the way they did, host James Reynolds takes a mini tour of towns and cities across the UK. In Bradford, a city in the north of England, he meets Anna who wanted equal opportunities and voters in the town of Worthing on England’s south coast, which has just elected its first ever Labour MP. Pam and Mike tell us about the challenges they have experienced since Brexit, when Britain left the European Union. We also visit a café and shop in the port town of Dover, and we end our journey, across the English Channel in France.
Thousands of prisoners will be released early from September to ease overcrowding in English and Welsh prisons. The plans were announced by Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who blamed the previous Conservative government for the situation, calling it a "disgraceful dereliction of duty". We spoke to one prisoner who has just been released.US President Biden is in Detroit, Michigan for a campaign rally, having failed to staunch the tide of Democratic politicians calling for him to end his bid for re-election over concerns about his mental acuity.And we speak to two new MPs on how they've found their first week in Parliament.
Presenter Rahul Tandon discusses the ongoing debate about the future of Joe Biden. One of Donald Trump’s biggest supporters Vivek Ramaswamy assesses the shortcomings of the current President. Saudia Arabia has boosted imports of the dirtiest type of oil after hot weather. We hear why the world’s biggest crude exporter buys fuel oil for power plants.French Football is facing a financial crisis because it cannot find a TV deal. We find out what impact this could have on the professional game in the country.
Nearly twenty US Congressional Democrats have publicly urged President Joe Biden to step down from the presidential race, amid concerns that his faculties are declining with age. He has vowed to stay on despite making several blunders. Could Vice-President Kamala Harris replace Mr Biden as candidate if he steps down?Also in the programme: UN peace talks to end Sudan's civil war fall through; and a new expedition seeks to explore the Titanic shipwreck.(Photo: US Vice-President Kamala Harris campaigning in Greensboro, North Carolina. Credit: Lesser)
WRITER: Naylah Ahmed
DIRECTOR: Rosemary Watts
EDITOR: Jeremy HoweBen Archer…. Ben Norris
David Archer…. Timothy Bentinck
Pip Archer… Daisy Badger
Lilian Bellamy…. Sunny Ormonde
Chris Carter…. Wilf Scolding
Neil Carter…. Brian Hewlett
Justin Elliot…. Simon Williams
Emma Grundy…. Emerald O’Hanrahan
George Grundy…. Angus Stobie
Joy Horville…. Jackie Lye
Alistair Lloyd…. Michael Lumsden
John Mack…. Richard Pepple
Paul Mack…. Joshua Riley
Jazzer McCreary…. Ryan Kelly
Denise Metcalf…. Clare Perkins
Stella Pryor…. Lucy Speed
Lucy Porter, Ria Lina, Simon Evans, and Hugo Rifkind join Andy Zaltzman to quiz the news in this post-General Election special.It's official: Sir Keir Starmer will be the next Prime Minister of the UK. Join The News Quiz for this post-vote episode recorded on the Friday morning after the vote has come in. Covering the exit polls, results, the winners, the losers, the other losers, and the rest.Written by Andy ZaltzmanWith additional material by: Peter Tellouche, Alice Fraser, Cameron Loxdale, Stu Cooper and Christina Riggs
Producer: Sam Holmes
Executive Producer: James Robinson
Production Co-ordinator: Sarah Nicholls
Sound Editor: Chris MacleanA BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4
An Eco-Audio certified Production
Pressure appears to be building on Joe Biden to step aside in November’s electoral contest with his Republican rival Donald Trump.We look at the role that donors have been playing in this election, and what it means if they stop funding the president.Also, it's the biggest wedding in India - we take you to Mumbai where Asia's richest man is splurging millions of dollars for his son's nuptials.
Nigerian authorities guilty of violating protesters rights during mass demonstrations against police brutality, known as #EndSars, in 2020. Why hasn't police behaviour changed?Can Africa's booming population be harnessed?And can anyone stand in the way of another presidential term for Rwanda's Paul Kagame?Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Charles Gitonga and Frenny Jowi in Nairobi. Nyasha Michelle and Joseph Keen in London.
Technical producer. Philip Bull
Senior Journalist: Paul Bakibinga
Editors : Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard.
Joe Biden has promised to stay on as Democratic presidential candidate despite making several faux pas at the recent NATO summit, including introducing President Zelensky as Putin. Also on the programme: the president of Colombia has called on the UN to make cocaine legal. He believes it will help bring peace to his country, which has battled an armed conflict for 60 years. And, do narcissists become more agreeable as they get older?(Photo: Joe Biden has faced accusations of being too old to run for US President. Credit: Shutterstock)
There's more concern in the US, but mirth in Moscow. Also: the head of Japan's navy resigns over a series of scandals including the mishandling of classified documents by staff, and scientists return to the wreck of the Titanic for the first time since the Titan submersible disaster - but this time it will be robots making the dive.
Three women who were the victims of a racial attack have had the charges of assault made against them by their assailant discontinued by the CPS. Selma Taha, the executive director for advocacy group Southall Black Sisters, and Danae Thomas, two of the women, join Anita Rani to talk about what impact the charges being dropped has had, and how they’re hoping this might impact further action against racist violence against women and girls. Saturday’s Wimbledon champion will be a first time winner in SW19. Czech player Barbora Krejcikova will face Italy’s Jasmine Paolini after they each won their semi-final – one of the semi-finals was the longest on record! Anita is joined by BBC Sport’s Karthi Gnanasegaram from the commentary box at Wimbledon. The Australian vocalist, pianist and trumpeter Audrey Powne was drawn to jazz from a young age. Her style ranges from hook-laden synth pop songs to long form cinematic soundscapes, RnB ballads and free jazz improvisations. She has recently released her debut album, From The Fire, and she joins Anita to talk about her work, the inspiration behind the album and to perform live in the studio.Radio 4 and Woman’s Hour are remembering Dr Michael Mosley’s life and work. "Exercise snacking” is one of the approaches that Dr Mosley tried out on his Radio 4 podcast Just One Thing. Marie Murphy, Director of the Physical Activity for Health Research Centre at the University of Edinburgh and Professor of Exercise and Health at Ulster University, explains how you can boost your fitness even if you don’t have much time for exercise. WOW (Women of the World) has published a new anthology, allowing young women from across the globe to pen a letter about issues most important to them. Anita speaks to two of its contributors, Mwinono Chumbu from Malawi and Olivia Mandle from Spain.Presented by Anita Rani
Producer: Louise Corley
The BBC's Rahila Bano, explains why her family decided to break with the Muslim tradition of a congregational prayer reading for her mother after she passed away. Instead she decided to concentrate on one of the five pillars of Islam - to give alms or charity and on her mother's wishes to focus on those who are poor and in need. Rahila spoke to her sister about it for the first time since her mum’s death. She also spoke to a friend who lost her mother about why she decided to organise a prayer gathering in her mother's memory and to an Islamic scholar who says “khatams” are not really part of Islam
The US president, Joe Biden, who is under intense scrutiny amid concerns over his age, held a high-stakes news conference in Washington. Also: the Israeli defence minister has called for a state inquiry into what led to the Hamas attacks of October the seventh last year, and are you an early bird or a night owl?
Rahul Tandon hears from Democratic donors and swing state voters as President Biden prepares for a high-stakes news conference following the NATO summit in Washington DC.
We also examine Kenya's financial situation - as the President dismisses the cabinet following the deadly riots over tax changes.
At a NATO summit, held in Washington, marking 75 years of the alliance, the focus is firmly on the health of the host - the US president Joe Biden. He's expected to speak at a press conference which is being described as a 'make or break' moment. Despite his insistence that his disastrous performance in that television debate with Donald Trump will not stop him from seeking re-election in November, there are growing voices on his own side who no longer see it that way. We speak to a Democratic pollster who worked on Barack Obama's presidential campaign. Also on the programme:We reflect on the life and work of actor Shelley Duvall, who has died at the age of 75.
And we look ahead to the Euros Final on Sunday which will see Spain face England - what are the Spanish thinking about thinking ahead of the match? We speak to a football journalist in the country.
Nato members have pledged their support for an "irreversible path" to future membership for Ukraine, as well as more aid. In response, former Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev said he hoped this would end "either with the disappearance of Ukraine, or NATO -- or better still, both”. A US State Department director tells Newshour that Russia is trying to “undermine the alliance and threaten” the war-torn nation.
Also in the programme: US President Joe Biden prepares to take to the stage at a NATO summit news conference. Will he reassure critics that he is a competent candidate for the 2024 election? Moreover, researchers film male lions swimming over a mile to find mates - in a species first. We speak to a big cat expert. Photo: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky hugs NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the 2024 NATO Conference in Washington DC, 11th July 2024.
Credit: Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
The 2024 north Atlantic hurricane season has started with a bang, with Hurricane Beryl traversing the whole ocean, and leaving a trail of destruction across the Caribbean, into Mexico and Texas. Presenter Roland Pease speaks to climate expert Michael Mann of Pennsylvania University about this hurricane season and the role of climate change.And Roland speaks to Amie Eisfeld of the Influenza Research Institute at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, who has been looking at the infection and transmission of bovine H5N1 influenza (bird flu). The virus is shown to be transmitted through the milk of cows with bovine flu to mice and by intranasal exposure to mice and ferrets. The findings are published in Nature this week.Ancient genomics: Neolithic farmers hit hard by the plague. Repeated outbreaks of plague may have contributed to the decline in Neolithic populations in Scandinavia, a Nature paper suggests. The analysis of ancient DNA from more than 100 individuals sheds light on the fate of these farmers around 5000 years ago. Roland speaks to geneticist Frederik Seersholm of the Lundbeck Foundation GeoGenetics Centre in Copenhagen.And a cheap coating that can be painted easily onto the glass of greenhouses converts part of the sunlight spectrum into red light that should boost the rate at which plants grow. Roland joins the chemists and crop scientists to see if there really is a difference with tomatoes and strawberries.Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Jonathan Blackwell
Production Coordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth (Image: Hurricane Beryl batters northern Jamaica after killing 7 people in southeast Caribbean. Credit: Anadolu/Getty Images)
Will he stand in November, or won't he? US president Joe Biden under even greater pressure to step back amid fears about his mental and physical fitness. We hear from Morris Pearl, Chairman of the Patriotic Millionaires group. Also, we hear from the trade union movement in South Korea on the indefinite strike hitting Samsung. And with two major football finals on the horizon, we look at how demand for classic shirts has taken off.
More than half the population in Sudan - nearly 26 million people - face acute hunger as the ongoing war hinders agricultural production. The UN agency for Food and Agriculture (FAO) says it is trying to provide seed to farmers to help grow food.Who are Nigeria's ghost workers who are costing the economy millions of dollars? And will a new government plan succeed in exposing them and crackdown on the problem?And a Congolese entomologist says protein-rich insects are the food of the future.Presenter :Audrey Brown
Producers: Bella Hassan in London, Frenny Jowi in Nairobi and Blessing Aderogba in Lagos.
Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark
Senior Journalist: Patricia Whitehorne
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
China has fiercely rejected accusations from Nato - whose leaders are meeting in Washington - that it's helping maintain Russia's war in Ukraine. The military alliance said Beijing had become Russia's "decisive enabler", with its "large-scale support for Russia’s defence industrial base". Beijing urged nations to reflect on the "root causes" of the war. Also on the programme: A survey of Jewish people in thirteen EU countries has found they continue to face high levels of antisemitism; the renewed pressures on US president Joe Biden to stand down; and early birds versus night owls, a new study has deemed one smarter than the other, we hear from both sides.(Picture:75th NATO Summit in Washington DC, USA - 11 Jul 2024 Credit: Alessandro di Meo/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Beijing denies it is prolonging Russia's war in Ukraine describing them as smears. Also; a Russian human rights activist compares the country's judicial system to Nazi Germany, and a pair of astronauts stuck in space look on the bright side.
Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss "The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling" (1749) by Henry Fielding (1707-1754), one of the most influential of the early English novels and a favourite of Dickens. Coleridge wrote that it had one of the 'three most perfect plots ever planned'. Fielding had made his name in the theatre with satirical plays that were so painful for their targets in government that, from then until the 1960s, plays required approval before being staged; seeking other ways to make a living, Fielding turned to law and to fiction. 'Tom Jones' is one of the great comic novels, with the tightness of a farce and the ambition of a Greek epic as told by the finest raconteur. While other authors might present Tom as a rake and a libertine, Fielding makes him the hero for his fundamental good nature, so offering a caution not to judge anyone too soon, if ever.With Judith Hawley
Professor of 18th Century Literature at Royal Holloway, University of LondonHenry Power
Professor of English Literature at the University of ExeterAndCharlotte Roberts
Associate Professor of English Literature at University College LondonProducer: Simon TillotsonIn Our Time is a BBC Studios Audio ProductionReading list:Martin C. Battestin with Ruthe R. Battestin, Henry Fielding: A Life (Routledge, 1989)J. M. Beattie, The First English Detectives: The Bow Street Runners and the Policing of London, 1750–1840 (Oxford University Press, 2012)
S. Dickie, Cruelty and Laughter: Forgotten Comic Literature and the Unsentimental Eighteenth Century (University of Chicago Press, 2011)J.A. Downie (ed.), The Oxford Handbook of the Eighteenth-Century Novel (Oxford University Press, 2020)Henry Fielding (ed. John Bender and Simon Stern), The History of Tom Jones (Oxford University Press, 2008)Henry Fielding (ed. Tom Keymer), The Journal of a Voyage to Lisbon (Penguin Classics, 1996)Ronald Paulson, The Life of Henry Fielding: A Critical Biography (Wiley Blackwell, 2000)Henry Power, Epic into Novel: Henry Fielding, Scriblerian Satire, and the Consumption of Classical Literature (Oxford University Press, 2015)Claude Rawson, Henry Fielding and the Augustan Ideal under Stress (first published 1972; Routledge, 2021)Claude Rawson (ed.), The Cambridge Companion to Henry Fielding (Cambridge University Press, 2007)
Football rarely stops in Turkey, but when two earthquakes causes tens of thousands to die in the south-east region of the country early in 2023, even the passionately followed Super Lig top division is suspended. Hatayspor - a team from the league - loses its star player Christian Atsu to the rubble of a collapsed building. Its home city of Antakya is all but wiped from the map. A year later, football writer James Montague travels to his home nation of Turkey to tell the story of the indomitable club's improbable, and symbolic fight to survive in the aftermath of the disaster.
The outgoing NATO secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, said the alliance also pledged a minimum forty billion dollars of military aid to Kyiv over the coming year. Also: the Hollywood actor George Clooney has become the latest high-profile Democrat to urge President Biden to drop his bid for re-election, and we look at the latest backlash against mass tourism in Europe.
A suspect wanted over a crossbow attack which left three women dead has been captured. A major police manhunt for Kyle Clifford, 26, ended when he was found injured near a cemetery in North London. The victims of the attack in Bushey, Hertfordshire, have been identified as Carol Hunt, 61, Hannah Hunt, 28, and Louise Hunt, 25. They are the wife and two daughters of BBC racing commentator John Hunt. Locals described them as "kind, friendly and gentle" people who "always made time for others".England fans are celebrating as a last-minute goal from substitute Olly Watkins put them through to the final of the Euros. Watkins goal on top of Harry Kane's first-half penalty was enough to seal a 2-1 victory over the Netherlands. They'll face Spain in Berlin on Sunday.Hollywood actor George Clooney has called on President Joe Biden to bow out of the election race. In a New York Times op-ed he wrote: "Top Democrats - Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, Nancy Pelosi - and senators, representatives and other candidates who face losing in November need to ask this president to voluntarily step aside."
Rahul Tandon hears from Biden donor Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, who says it's "crunch time" for the President as pressure mounts over whether he should try for re-election.
Meanwhile the US administration imposes tariffs on Mexican steel imports - those which have been partly made in China. Is this an anti-China move - or a election ploy?
We also find out why the charge is very much reduced on lithium-ion batteries - with prices down 51% in China, this year alone.
Israeli leaflets dropped across Gaza City warn inhabitants to leave in advance of a new round of urban combat. An estimated quarter-of-a-million people are still living there. We hear from Israeli spokesman David Mencer and Sam Rose from UNWRA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees in Gaza. Also in the programme: US actor Alec Baldwin appears in court accused of involuntary manslaughter after fatal filmset shooting; and the UK's 'sugar tax' shown to sharply reduce consumers' sugar intake.(Photo: Palestinians inspect damage after Israeli forces withdrew from Shejaiya neighborhood in eastern Gaza city. Credit: REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas)
After a three-day strike at the world's largest maker of semiconductors, smartphones and TVs, the labour union at Samsung Electronics in South Korea has declared an indefinite strike.The union, which has 30,000 members, claims the strike has impacted production, but Samsung denies this. We hear from Professor Daejong Kim from the Graduate School of Business at Sejong University.Also, Roger Hearing finds out why India's prime minister Narendra Modi is visiting Austria and why the global alcohol industry is obsessed with celebrity-owned drinks.
All through Ghana civil servants have been on strike following the government's failure to honour a pledge to raise their pay. Can their grievances be addressed?We meet a doctor who carries out operations to reverse female genital mutilation.And why are Somalis being forced to remove bodies from a graveyard in Mogadishu?Presenter :Audrey Brown
Producers: Joseph Keen, Patricia Whitehorne and Bella Hassan in London. Frenny Jowi and Susan Gachuhi in Nairobi
Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark
Senior Journalist: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
NATO leaders gather in Washington DC, with the defence of Ukraine top of their agenda. We hear from a mother whose 12-year-old son survived Russia's missile attack on Kyiv's children's hospital on Monday. Also in the programme: a Democratic congressman defends the beleaguered US president; and the 16-year-old footballing sensation who just propelled Spain into the finals of the Euros.(IMAGE: Rescuers work at the site of a missile strike on the 'Okhmatdyt' children's hospital in Kyiv, Ukraine. A total of 29 people have been killed, including four children, and 117 others injured, including 10 children, as a result of shelling in Kyiv on 08 July / CREDIT: Maxym Marusenk / /EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Israel has told all residents of Gaza City to evacuate- the second time they've had to leave the biggest city in the territory. It comes as indirect ceasefire talks resume in Qatar.Also in this podcast:NATO leaders meet in Washington for a second day, with Ukraine defence at the top of the agenda.Scientists discover traces of toxic metals in tampons and another joke from American TV show 'The Simpsons' is coming true.The Global News Podcast brings you the day's top stories from BBC News, covering world events, politics, culture and more.
Let's learn about the word 'quality' with Phil.TRANSCRIPT
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Hannah Mills is the most successful female sailor in Olympic history, having won medals at the London, Rio and Tokyo Olympic Games. Now she’s taking part in the Sail Grand Prix, and international sailing competition. Ahead of the finals this weekend, she joins Nuala to talk about the work going into making the sport more gender equitable. Nusrit Mehtab spent 30 years serving in the Metropolitan police before resigning, citing her own mental health and the toxic culture as reasons. Now she’s written a memoir looking back on her career. She joins Nuala to talk about the more shocking revelations as well as what it was that kept her going.Cathy Rentzenbrink is known for her non-fiction books – but now she’s written a second fiction novel – Ordinary Time. It tells the story of Ann, a reluctant vicar’s wife, and her grappling with ideas of marriage, duty and temptation. Cathy joins Nuala to tell us more.Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Lottie Garton
We ask why are more cancer patients here waiting longer for treatment than anywhere else in the UK? The Nolan Show asks the question. Also, the oath of allegiance taken by MP's to the King, do we still need it? How important is it to you? And the new PM's trip to Washington for the NATO summit, we take a look at what it means. Presented by Holly Hamilton.
It is one of the most bizarre crimes of our times. Con men posing as police officers are forcing Chinese students to fake their own kidnapping. Elaine Chong reports on the extremes to which criminals will go to make money from their victims. The scammers trick Chinese people studying abroad into believing that they are wanted for crimes back in their homeland, and that they must hand over large sums of money to avoid repercussions for them or their family. When the students can no longer meet the escalating demands they are told to fake their own kidnapping so the fake police can seek a ransom from their relatives back in China.
Ukraine is high on the agenda at the three-day summit. In his opening remarks, President Biden pledged more air defence systems for Kyiv. Meanwhile Democratic party politicians have held meetings over concerns about Mr Biden's fitness for re-election. Also in this podcast, a Russian court issues an arrest warrant for opposition figure Yulia Navalnya, the trial of actor Alex Baldwin begins in New Mexico, and how Denmark is encouraging tourists to go green.
NATO leaders meet in Washington, amid a rising deathtoll in Ukraine and a debate around the future of US President Biden. What will come from the reunion of the alliance?Elsewhere, Vivienne Nunis looks at the successful launch of Europe's newest rocket, and why the non-alcholic beer market has investors' attention.
Democratic party politicians have been holding meetings today after concerns were raised about US president Joe Biden's ability to beat Donald Trump in the race for the White House. We speak to a Democratic congressman who supports the president. Also in the programme:Joe Biden is set to host a NATO summit in Washington DC as pressure grows around his presidential re-election campaign.And social media is awash with concerns about traces of toxic metals in tampons. We speak to a researcher who first raised concerns.
As NATO leaders meet, in Washington, for the organisation's seventy-fifth anniversary summit, war rages on in Europe. Should Ukraine be allowed to join the club - to protect it from Vladimir Putin?
We speak to a former Deputy Secretary General of NATO about the likelihood of Ukraine joining the alliance.
Also on the programme: campaigners in Australia are putting pressure on ministers to help more disabled people and those with medical conditions get visas; and the Danish capital Copenhagen announces plans to reward eco-friendly tourists with free food and activities.Photo: Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and NATO secretary-general attend a press conference, in Kyiv, April 29, 2024. Credit: REUTERS/Thomas Peter.
Alistair finds himself in an uncomfortable position, and Pip makes a surprising discovery.
The US president Joe Biden is welcoming the heads of NATO member states to Washington today, for its annual summit. Among the key topics on the agenda are affirming support for Ukraine and strengthening deterrence and defense. We speak to Sweden’s Minister for Defence Pål Jonson. Also, in the programme, we find out what new trade deals between India and Russia have been discussed in Moscow today and the European Space Agency joins the space race.
Refugees and migrants taking land routes across Africa to get to the Mediterranean and Europe, face extreme violence, abuse and exploitation, with far more believed to be dying there than at sea, a UN-backed report says. Plus, why is Tanzania struggling with a huge shortage of university professors? And how the Eritrean cyclist Biniam Girmay made history at the gruelling Tour de France.Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Joseph Keen, Bella Hassan, and Nyasha Michelle in London. Charles Gitonga in Nairobi
Technical Producer: Nick Randell
Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
NATO leaders meet in Washington, with Russia's attack on Kyiv's children's hospital expected to be on the agenda. Plus, what would a second Trump presidency mean for the alliance?Also in the programme: we hear from Congressman Adam Smith, the latest Democrat to say Joe Biden should stand down as the party's presidential candidate. And the people campaigning to overturn Australia's immigration ban on people with disabilities.(IMAGE: A view of the convention centre on the day of the NATO 75th Anniversary celebratory event in Washington, U.S., July 9, 2024 / CREDIT: Reuters
/ Yves Herman)
UN to discuss Russia's bombardment of children's hospital. School students in South Korea to receive suicide prevention education. Officials investigate China tanker cooking oil scandal. We report on Australia's strict visa rules regarding disabilities. And human rights groups warn of increased attacks against gays in Ghana.
Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.
Racist and sectarian graffiti daubed on walls in Antrim, bonfire season approaches and it's essentially freshers week for MP's, as hundreds of new faces from across the UK will fill the corridors of Parliament. Presented by Holly Hamilton.
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In a new exhibition Wendy breaks conventions, painting on walls and installing herself in the gallery, becoming part of the art. Wendy Sharpe is an multi-award winning Australian artist working on a new exhibition Spellbound for the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney. In this exhibition she breaks all the rules, by painting directly onto walls, hanging works upside down or touching and installing not only her studio in this museum, but also herself, as she paints a mural directly on the wall in front of the public. Regina Botros joins her as she works towards this immersive, labyrinth-like exhibition, where the lines between art and artist are blurred.
Joe Biden has faced ongoing questions surrounding his ability to carry on as president, after his recent debate performance. Now, he's written to Democratic lawmakers, calling for unity and reassuring them he has the ability to run against Donald Trump. Also on this podcast: NATO condemns a Russian airstrike on a children's hospital in Kyiv, a Kenyan doomsday cult leader goes on trial, plane-maker Boeing faces more safety concerns, and a painting in Sydney depicting Jesus as a cartoon character causes a stir.
President Emmanuel Macron of France has asked his prime minister, Gabriel Attal, to stay in the role for now, after no political group won a majority in French parliamentary elections. We'll speak to a former government minister and a former head of the Bank of France and reflect on the result.Also in the programme:The UN has condemned a series of Russian missile attacks which killed at least 36 people across Ukraine including some at a children's hospital in Kyiv.And Rishi Sunak has confirmed his interim shadow cabinet, after 12 members of his top team lost their seats in the general election.
Snap elections have produced a win for a left-wing coalition and a somewhat unexpected defeat for the far-right. But no party, or group of parties, has overall control and it isn't clear whether President Macron's gamble of calling those elections has paid off. We hear from one of their MPs.Russia's latest barrage of missile attacks has killed dozens of people, including at a children's hospital in Kyiv. And it comes the day before NATO holds its summit of leaders of the western world, in Washington.Pic: Deputy of LFI Matilde Panod (L) and leader of La France Insoumise (LFI) Jean-Luc Melenchon arrive to the Headquarter of the Party for a meeting in Paris Credit: Andre Pain/EPA)
We eat chicken. A LOT of it. We might love the taste, but what about how we're treating those birds?After witnessing first-hand the reality of indoor chicken farming - how most of the chicken we eat is raised - Dr Chris van Tulleken wants to know: are the birds happy enough, or is our method of rearing cheap chicken actually cruel?If so, what’s the ‘happier’ alternative – and do carnivores like Chris care enough to pay the price for that, or does a love of meat ultimately trump ethics?Chris battles with his conscience, and finds the answer hard to stomach.
The West African regional grouping Ecowas has warned that it risks disintegration and worsened insecurity after Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger formed a breakaway confederation. Can the three landlocked countries go it alone?Can your social media presence be inherited after you die?And a new look at how electronic waste can be recycled in GhanaPresenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Joseph Keen, Bella Hassan, Yvette Twagiramariya and Nyasha Michelle in London. Susan Gachuhi and Charles Gitonga in Nairobi.
Technical Producer: Nick Randell
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
France which is Europe's second largest economy - woke up to an unexpected result in the second round of its general election.
Projections showed the far-right National Rally had failed to win a majority. It had been the largest party after first-round voting - but today, the left-wing coalition, the New Popular Front, has most seats, while President Macron’s centre alliance came second. Sam Fenwick gets reaction from businesses and economists about what the result of a hung parliament in France could mean.
So, from one election without a clear winner to another with a very clear outcome; UK Labours new Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, outlines her plans for delivering economic growth.
And Boeing has agreed to plead guilty to a criminal fraud conspiracy charge stemming from two crashes of 737 Max jetliners that killed three hundred and 46 people. As part of the plea deal, Boeing will pay a criminal fine of nearly $250 million.
Russia unleashes a barrage of missiles on Ukraine killing dozens of people, some at the main children's hospital in Kyiv. We hear from one of the doctors.Also in the programme: extended coverage of the French election results and their implications, live from Newshour's team in Paris. With none of the three main blocs getting anywhere near a majority - but the Left nudging ahead after Sunday's second round - is one of the world's major economies heading for political deadlock and uncertainty?(IMAGE: Rescuers work at Ohmatdyt Children's Hospital that was damaged during Russian missile strikes on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine July 8, 2024 / CREDIT: Reuters / Oleksandr Ratushniak)
Among the targets of Russia's latest barrage of missiles is a children's hospital in Kyiv. The city's mayor, Vitaliy Klitschko, called it genocide. Also, the tricky business of forming a government after the inconclusive election in France, and how rule changes in artistic swimming could make the sport more exciting.
Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.
England's penalty heroes dramatically beat Switzerland to reach the semi final of the European Championships, Kier Starmer makes his way to Northern Ireland to meet political leaders at Stormont and what will a new Labour government really mean for Northern Ireland? Presented by Holly Hamilton.
What's the connection between a teacher, a driver or a presenter?FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
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In a coastal region of eastern Kenya at least one elderly person is being killed every week – in the name of witchcraft. There are violent attacks on people accused of being witches across much of Africa. But, according to human rights groups, the seventy or so murders every year in Kilifi County are about more than fear of the supernatural. For Assignment, Njeri Nwangi from BBC Africa Eye investigates the real motives behind these brutal attacks and the impunity that enables them. She meets victims, relatives and perpetrators. Listeners might find some of the details in this programme upsetting. Archive: ‘Witches’ Burnt in Kenya, NTD News
Exit polls show surprise lead for left alliance, with the far right in third place. No bloc will have a majority to govern on its own. Also: the prominent US congressman Adam Schiff says Vice President Kamala Harris could overwhelmingly beat Donald Trump; and NASA volunteers emerge from year living in simulated Mars base.
A left-wing coalition is projected to win parliamentary elections in France, prompting the French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal to announce his resignation. But there is no outright winner and a coalition of centre and leftist parties has held off the far right's ambitions for a majority in Parliament. But if there is no dominant party, what impact will that have? (Photo: French far-right leader Marine Le Pen talks to journalists after early projections were announced. Credit: Reuters)
Large numbers of French people are voting in the second round of parliamentary elections. Turnout at midday was the highest in over forty years. Attention is focused on whether the far- right National Rally can win an absolute majority.Also in the programme: Reports quoting Hamas sources say the militant group has accepted Washington’s proposal to begin talks on releasing Israeli hostages; and for how much longer can Joe Biden resist pressure to stand aside as the Democratic party's presidential candidate?(Photo: A woman exits a voting booth with her ballot in hand in the second round of the early French parliamentary elections, at a polling station in Paris, France, July 7, 2024. REUTERS/Yara Nardi)
President Pezeshkian beat hardline coservative rival Saeed Jalili in a second round vote. The 71 year old heart surgeon wants constructive negotiations with western powers over a renewal of the faltering 2015 nuclear deal. We assess its prospects of happening. Also: Hamas says a strike on a UN-run school in Gaza has killed at least 16 people. Israel says it was used by Hamas operatives. A fifth Democratic member of Congress has urged Joe Biden to withdraw from the US presidential race. And there's nervousness in France ahead of Sunday's second round vote that could bring in a far right government.
Voters go to the polls tomorrow in a runoff legislative election between the far-right and a coalition of moderate and centrist parties.Also in the programme: What might the new Iranian president do - we look at his policy agenda at home and abroad; and the new-look British cabinet. (Photo: Election posters of the French far-right National Rally. Credit: REUTERS/Benoit Tessier)
A new series was released this week on Netflix. It is called Man with 1,000 Kids, and Netflix is billing it as the true story of Jonathan Meijer, a man accused of travelling the world, deceiving women into having his babies - via sperm donation - on a mass scale. Nuala McGovern talks to Jonathan Meijer, the sperm donor, to mums Natalie and Suzanne, who had a baby conceived with Jonathan’s donor sperm, to Natalie Hill, the executive producer who pitched the original idea for these films to Netflix and to Rachel Cutting, director of compliance and information at the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), the UK’s independent regulator of fertility treatment.Gabby Logan joins Krupa Padhy to talk about her new book The Midpoint Plan. She’s challenging the stereotype of middle age. With fewer insecurities, children leaving home and perhaps a bit more money in the bank, she believes we should see it as the best point in our lives. Plus, if we look after ourselves in midlife, we’ll be happier in old age.Summer is here, which means it's wedding season, and brides-to-be across the country are asking themselves the eternal question: what do I wear for the occasion? Kathryn Wheeler, who married earlier this year, decided to do something that old superstitions advice against: make her own wedding dress. In the process, she learned much more than just sewing skills. She also learned a life lesson, to embrace imperfections.It’s 25 year since the New York Times’ best-selling author Lisa Jewell published her first novel, Ralph’s Party. Since then she’s written another twenty-one novels, and more recently a number of dark psychological thrillers, including Then She Was Gone, The Family Upstairs and the award winning None of This is True. She joins Krupa Padhy to discuss her latest work – Breaking the Dark – which is a Jessica Jones Marvel crime novel, exploring the world of the private detective and former superhero. By the time she was 19, Michelle De Swarte had gone from a council estate in London to the catwalks of Manhattan. Her twenties were a swirl of parties and high end glamour but by her thirties she was broke and in need - as she once put it - of a “new personality”. Desperate to find a way out of fashion, she reinvented herself as a stand-up comedian. Michelle De Swarte joins Nuala to talk about ...
He beat the hardline conservative candidate Saeed Jalili after securing 53.3% of the more than 30 million votes counted.Also in the programme: The UK's new Prime Minister holds his first cabinet meeting; and Turkey's ruling party are working on a new bill aimed at getting stray dogs off the streets.(Photo: Iranian presidential reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian speaks during an election campaign in Tehran. Credit: STR/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Imagine bumping into a stranger who has the power and kindness to make your dreams come true. Listener Uta tells us how her chance meeting with Harry led to a place at the University she'd thought was out of reach -- and changed her life forever. They talk about why you should take a chance on strangers and always be willing to help others.
Also: We hear from the inspiring young woman helping farmers boost their crops in Kenya using artificial intelligence.
Why K-pop stars New Jeans are guiding people around a museum in Europe.
The Indonesian women playing heavy metal in hijabs to break down stereotypes.
Scientists find lifelong learning isn't reserved for humans -- chimps can do it too.
And the world's first school exam in skateboarding.Our weekly collection of positive stories and happy news from around the world.
A virtual tour of Brazil's giant ravines, the radio shows helping Maasai people to protect their land and a real life Squid Game in South Korea: how BBC journalists around the world are finding new and engaging ways to cover climate change stories. Featuring Carol Olona and Shin Suzuki, Caroline Mwende and Suhnwook Lee. Produced by Alice Gioia and Caroline Ferguson. (Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich)
آنارشیسم چیست؟ حرکت آنارشیستی چه مختصاتی دارد؟ چرا در تاریخ سیاسی ایران به رغم شناخت کم از آنارشیسم، از آن به عنوان ناسزای سیاسی استفاده شده است؟
As we continue our series of listener questions ahead of the election, we focus on the Cost of Care and how care later in life should be paid for. Dan Whitworth has been to Shipley to meet Graham, who’s concerned about the cost of his own care – he wants to know what politicians plan to do about it.Energy companies are continuing to hang on to billions of pounds of their customers' money, which has built up as credit on their accounts. The energy regulator Ofgem says that during 2023, the average amount of credit in energy accounts for people who pay for their gas and electricity by fixed direct debit was £3.7 billion pounds. What's behind that?More than half a million people were left without their Child Benefit payment this week, after a technical issue at HMRC. What was done to help them?And this week, new banknotes featuring a portrait of King Charles III came into circulation – how can you get hold of one?Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Reporter: Dan Whitworth
Researchers: Jo Krasner and Catherine Lund
Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast at 12pm Saturday 8th June, 2024)
The UK's first female finance minister Rachel Reeves said the central mission was to boost economic growth nationwide. Also: Hungary's Russia-friendly prime minister meets Vladimir Putin in Moscow, and Kenyan leader responds to criticism from young people in online debate.
Like many countries, Kenya is struggling with a cost of living crisis and how to balance the books. The government’s answer was a plan to raise taxes, in what was called the Finance Bill, and this created a spark for protests across the country. According to estimates by the state-funded rights commission, 39 people have been killed in those demonstrations. Parliament was set on fire and hundreds were arrested. Many of those protesters are in their 20s, from what is known as Generation Z. Ultimately, President Ruto said he would not go ahead with tax increases, and he would listen to the country’s youth - but the protests continue. Host James Reynolds brings together several Gen Z protesters to discuss what is making them so angry.
After a momentous change for British politics, the new Prime Minister, Labour's Keir Starmer has been welcoming in his new cabinet. And amongst the members of his top team was the country's first ever female finance minister. Also, in the programme, Devina Gupta looks at the big elections showdown in France this weekend. And the boss of Esports World Cup joins us from Saudi Arabia to talk about allegations of Sports washing.
The new prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has promised a period of what he called national renewal. We ask how Sir Keir will govern, and who's made it into his top team.Jeremy Corbyn, his predecessor, defied electoral history, holding his seat as independent with nearly 50% of the vote. He joins us live.Also on the World Tonight:The Conservatives have their smallest number of MPs at a general election in modern times. Tory activists join us to discuss what's next for their party.
And after just the fourth change in the UK's governing party in 45 years - we reflect on this seismic moment with the distinguished historians Sir Anthony Seldon and Sir Simon Schama.
Hours after his Labour Party was swept to office with a massive electoral majority, Britain's new prime minister Keir Starmer has assembled his senior government team. Britain's first female chancellor of the exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said the government's central mission was to restore economic growth nationwide.
Also in the programme: Hungarian PM Viktor Orban visits Moscow; and Joe Biden claims he isn’t dropping out.
(Photo: Newly elected Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria outside No 10 Downing Street after the Labour party won a landslide victory at the 2024 General Election. CREDIT: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)
Writer: Sarah McDonald Hughes
Director: Peter Leslie WildKenton Archer…. Richard Attlee
Josh Archer…. Angus Imrie
Lilian Bellamy…. Sunny Ormonde
Harrison Burns…. James Cartwright
Alice Carter…. Hollie Chapman
Chris Carter…. Wilf Scolding
Susan Carter…. Charlotte Martin
Harry Chilcott…. Jack Ashton
Justin Elliott…. Simon Williams
Ed Grundy…. Barry Farrimond
Emma Grundy…. Emerald O‘Hanrahan
George Grundy…. Angus Stobie
Paul Mack…. Joshua Riley
Adam Macy…. Andrew Wincott
In a bonus episode of The Global Story podcast - A historic loss for the conservatives ushers in a new era in British politics.The Global Story brings you one big story every weekday, making sense of the news with our experts around the world. Insights you can trust, from the BBC, with Katya Adler. For more, go to bbcworldservice.com/globalstory or search for The Global Story wherever you get your BBC podcasts.
Geoff Norcott, Stuart Mitchell, Daliso Chaponda and Katy Balls join Andy Zaltzman to quiz the news.With just one week to go before the UK heads to the polls, Andy and the Panel analyse the final head-to-head debate, discuss the pitfalls of workplace betting, and finally bring a voice to the political elephants in the room.Written by Andy ZaltzmanWith additional material by: Toussaint Douglass, Mark Granger, Angela Channell, & Pete Tellouche
Producer: Sam Holmes
Executive Producer: Richard Morris
Production Co-ordinators: Sarah Nicholls
Sound Editor: Rich EvansA BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4
An Eco-Audio certified Production
Keir Starmer said Britain had voted for national renewal, and his government would serve all of its people whether they voted for his Labour Party or not. The former prime minister, Rishi Sunak, said he would step down as Conservative Party leader, but not immediately. Also, European leaders react with anger as the Hungarian prime minister visits Vladimir Putin, and people in Iran vote in the second round of the presidential election.
On World Business Report we have a panel of experts who have been there and know how it works to explain how markets have reacted to the news of a new UK government, ways to boost economic growth and how, practically does Britain's new finance minister get started in a new job?France also prepares for the second round of its election on Sunday, we hear how businesses are trying to navigate the current political uncertainty there.
Britain's outgoing prime minister, Rishi Sunak, has left Downing Street after his Conservative Party suffered a crushing defeat in Thursday's general election. After 14 years in opposition the Labour Party, led by Keir Starmer, won with a landslide majority.
We have a special edition of Newshour broadcasting from outside the UK parliament.(Picture: Sir Keir Starmer announces the victory of the Labour Party in the UK Election. Credit: Reu / Plunkett)
Burkina Faso's military is facing increased pressure after reports of a recent spate of the deadly attacks of soldiers by jihadist fighters. The Junta government lead by Ibrahim Traore ,has kept mum about this incidents.Why are soldiers deserting the army in the Democratic Republic of Congo? 25 soldiers have been sentenced to death for running away from battle with the M23 militia group.And members of Kenya’s LGBTQ community call for greater freedoms Presenter:Audrey Brown
Producers: Bella Hassan, Nyasha Michelle, Claudia Efemini and Joseph Keen in London. Susan Gachuhi in Nairobi
Senior Producer: Karnie Sharp
Technical Producer: Craig Kingham
Editors:Alice Muthengi adnd Andre Lombard
So we started farming this bird called chicken, and it spread around the world. But what does it actually TAKE to feed us the amount of chicken we want to consume?100 years ago this was a scrawny, egg-laying bird, only good for a stew once her eggs ran out – no one ate chicken meat. Fast forward to today and it’s the most consumed protein on the planet. How did we come to eat it in the first place, and what are the consequences of producing chicken meat on the vast, industrial scales we now consume it?Dr Chris van Tulleken uncovers the extraordinary accident of history that birthed a new industry, and changed the way we eat – and think about – meat forever.
A night of surprises in Northern Ireland - your reaction to the election results. Chris Buckler is in the hot seat.
Keir Starmer's Labour party wins a huge parliamentary majority. Scores of former government ministers lose seats after 14 years of Conservative leadership. We examine the popularity of the new right-wing Reform party, and the results in Scotland. Also: The impact of social media on campaigning, and the view of newspapers around the world.
Sepharad is the Hebrew word for Spain and Jews who trace their ancestry there are called Sephardic Jews. Five hundred years ago they were expelled from Spain. Their exile created new communities stretching from Brazil to Amsterdam to Istanbul and today, Israel. It is a culture filled with food and songs of longing for a homeland. Michael Goldfarb goes on a journey from the past to the present in search of Sepharad.
Millions of people voted at the UK General election. Rahul Tandon finds out what the exit polls tell us about how the contest could go and what it means global economy.
Exit polls estimate a Labour majority of a-hundred-and-seventy seats in the new British parliament. Rishi Sunak and his Conservative party appear to have suffered one of their worst ever nights. Also: US President Joe Biden welcomes Israel's announcement that it will resume talks with Hamas in Qatar, and why you can no longer cuddle a Koala in Brisbane.
France's centrist Prime Minister Gabriel Attal warns of a "climate of fear" ahead of parliamentary elections on Sunday - while national football star Kylian Mbappe urges people to vote against the far right National Rally.Also in the programme: negotiations resume between Israel and Hamas on a Gaza ceasefire deal; and as pressure mounts on 81-year old US President Joe Biden to stand aside as Democratic Party candidate, we hear some sobering thoughts from Malaysia's former prime minister, who was 94 when he resigned.(IMAGE: French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal is seen after Ensemble Pour La Republique candidate and French Government spokesperson Prisca Thevenot and her team were targeted by an unidentified group of youth while they were out putting up campaign posters prior to the second round of the early French parliamentary elections, in Meudon-la-Foret, near Paris, France, July 4, 2024 / CREDIT: Reuters/Benoit Tessier)
Science in Action is at the UK's Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition, hunting for dark matter, melting ancient ice, cleaning up disused mines and looking for the batteries of the future. Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Alex Mansfield
Production Coordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth(Image: Pile of used batteries ready for recycling. Credit: Mindful Media via Getty Images)
Will Bain finds out more about the malaria vaccine that scientists and economists think could save some economies millions…Also, those EU tariffs on Chinese electric cars have come into force - we'll look at what that might mean next…And finally, we're off for a spot of wine tasting.
New efforts to end the fighting in Gaza and secure the release of remaining Israeli hostages are under way. Meanwhile the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah says it's launched more than 200 rockets and attack drones towards Israel, in response to the killing of one of its senior commanders. We hear from our correspondent in the region.Also on the programme: The election in France and how the issue of immigration is driving a wedge between communities in the port of Marseille; and we hear all about how IVF could help save rhinos from extinction.(Photo: Hezbollah hits Israel with over 200 rockets after commander's killing; Credit: Mostafa Alkhrouf/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The Lebanese armed movement, Hezbollah, says it has fired more than two hundred rockets and explosive drones into northern Israel, targeting several military bases. The barrage follows the killing of one of the group’s senior commanders in an Israeli strike on Wednesday. The Israeli army says it shot down a number of projectiles and has responded by destroying seven rocket launch sites in southern Lebanon. Also: strong winds and heavy rain hit the Cayman Islands as Hurricane Beryl makes its way towards the coast of Mexico, and the nine year old girl who's now England's youngest international chess star.
Africa's youngest nation, South Sudan will head to the polls this December, but critics say they are disappointed with the government’s lack of preparedness. These elections will be the first ever conducted in the country since it gained independence from Sudan in 2011. However, several conditions listed in a peace agreement, drawn up in September 2018, have not yet been met. Is the country ready?Also, what's causing the Gen Z inspired protests in Kenya to continue, despite some concessions by the president?And we learn more about the allegations that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is defending senior officials accused of corruption.Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers Kaine Pieri, Bella Hassan, Joseph Keen and Sunita Nahar in London and Charles Gitonga in Nairobi.
Senior Producer Paul Bakibinga
Technical Producer: Craig Kingham.
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard.
It’s 25 year since the New York Times’ best-selling author Lisa Jewell published her first novel, Ralph’s Party. Since then she’s written another twenty-one novels, and more recently a number of dark psychological thrillers, including Then She Was Gone, The Family Upstairs and the award winning None of This is True. She joins Krupa Padhy to discuss her latest work – Breaking the Dark – which is a Jessica Jones Marvel crime novel, exploring the world of the private detective and former superhero. Over the summer Woman’s Hour is looking at ‘genre fiction’. Today we start the series with the ever-popular genre of romance and its new sub-genre, romantasy. Lindsey Kelk published her first romance novel I Heart New York in 2009. Her new novel Love Story is just that, as well as being an interrogation of the very concept of romantic fiction. Sarah A. Parker’s romantasy novel When the Moon Hatched went from an independently published TikTok sensation to Sunday Times bestseller. Both authors join Krupa to discuss the stigma and success of the romance genre.A video of a 19 month old baby babbling has gone viral after people noticed she had a Scouse accent. The video, which shows baby Orla chatting away to her Mum’s friend, has been viewed more than 20 million times. To explain what’s going on when babies and very young children are learning language, and how can they have an accent before they can properly speak, Krupa is joined by Professor Julian Pine, Professor of Psychology at the University of Liverpool.A recent advertising campaign for Bluebella the underwear brand, features three of the GB women's rugby team members in the brand’s lingerie, on a rugby pitch. The campaign has had a mixed response. Krupa discusses with rugby journalist, Victoria Rush, and Sarah Bellew, head of communications for Women in Sport a charity that tackles gender inequality in sport.More than 150 pages of court transcripts from a 2006 grand jury criminal investigation into Jeffrey Epstein were released to the public on Monday. A judge in Florida ordered the release of the documents which had been kept secret for nearly two decades. They included first hand testimony from teenage victims as young as 14. To discuss the significance of this Krupa speaks to Emma Long, Head of American Studies at the University of East Anglia Presented by Krupa Padhy
Producer: Louise Corley
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Saga of the Earls of Orkney, as told in the 13th Century by an unknown Icelander. This was the story of arguably the most important, strategically, of all the islands in the British Viking world, when the Earls controlled Shetland, Orkney and Caithness from which they could raid the Irish and British coasts, from Dublin round to Lindisfarne. The Saga combines myth with history, bringing to life the places on those islands where Vikings met, drank, made treaties, told stories, became saints, plotted and fought.With Judith Jesch
Professor of Viking Studies at the University of NottinghamJane Harrison
Archaeologist and Research Associate at Oxford and Newcastle UniversitiesAnd Alex Woolf
Senior Lecturer in History at the University of St AndrewsProducer: Simon TillotsonIn Our Time is a BBC Studios Audio ProductionReading list:Theodore M. Andersson, The Growth of Medieval Icelandic Sagas, 1180-1280, (Cornell University Press, 2012)Margaret Clunies Ross, The Cambridge Introduction to the Old Norse-Icelandic Saga (Cambridge University Press, 2010)Robert Cook (trans.), Njals Saga (Penguin, 2001)Barbara E. Crawford, The Northern Earldoms: Orkney and Caithness from AD 870 to 1470 (John Donald Short Run Press, 2013)Shami Ghosh, Kings’ Sagas and Norwegian History: Problems and Perspectives (Brill, 2011)J. Graham-Campbell and C. E. Batey, Vikings in Scotland (Edinburgh University Press, 2002)David Griffiths, J. Harrison and Michael Athanson, Beside the Ocean: Coastal Landscapes at the Bay of Skaill, Marwick, and Birsay Bay, Orkney: Archaeological Research 2003-18 (Oxbow Books, 2019)Jane Harrison, Building Mounds: Orkney and the Vikings (Routledge, forthcoming)Ármann Jakobsson and Sverrir Jakobsson (eds.), The Routledge Research Companion to the Medieval Icelandic Sagas (Routledge, 2017)Judith Jesch, The Viking Diaspora (Routledge, 2015)Judith Jesch, ‘Earl Rögnvaldr of Orkney, a Poet of the Viking Diaspora’ (Journal of the North Atlantic, Special Volume 4, 2013)Judith Jesch, The Poetry of Orkneyinga Saga (H.M. Chadwick Memorial Lectures, University of Cambridge, 2020)Devra Kunin (trans.), A History of Norway and the Passion and Miracles of the Blessed Olafr (Viking Society for Northern Research, 2001)Rory McTurk (ed.), A Companion to Old Norse-Icelandic Literature and Culture (Wiley-Blackwell, 2004)Tom Muir, Orkney in the Sagas (Orkney Islands Council, 2005)Else Mundal (ed.), Dating the Sagas: Reviews and Revisions (Museum Tusculanum Press, 2013)Heather O’Donoghue, Old Norse-Icelandic Literature: A Short Introduction, (John Wiley & Sons, 2004)
Heather O'Donoghue and Eleanor Parker (eds.), The Cambridge History of Old Norse-Icelandic Literature (Cambridge University Press, 2024), especially 'Landscape and Material Culture' by Jane Harrison and ‘Diaspora Sagas’ by Judith JeschRichard Oram, Domination and Lordship, Scotland ...
Questions have been swirling around whether the US president Joe Biden will continue his re-election bid after last week's disastrous TV debate. Also: Israeli strike kills senior Hezbollah commander in Lebanon, and world's oldest cave art found showing humans and pig.
In many countries around the world, trying to take your own life is still a criminal offence. People who have attempted suicide are often put in prison and deep-rooted religious beliefs and cultural attitudes are often behind the criminalisation laws. Journalist Ashley Byrne looks into Malawi where people face jail sentences of up to two years and Bangladesh and Kenya who have been arrested, beaten up and faced problems rebuilding their lives. Ashley (whose partner tried to take his own life twice) also speaks to mental health specialists in countries which have recently changed the law like Singapore and Pakistan. He hears how despite decriminalisation stigma around suicide prevails.
Hurricane Beryl has hit Jamaica, bringing with it catastrophic damage. A number of people have already been killed in the path of the storm, including in Grenada, as well as St Vincent and the Grenadines. Devina Gupta talks to local business owners and finds out how climate change is impacting insurance companies across the globe. Also, in the programme, we talk to Austin D. Goolsbee, president of the Chicago Federal Reserve. We also take a look at the UK’s general election and one of the big voter issues - the price of buying a home.
As Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak make their final pitches ahead of polling day on Thursday, we look back at the election campaign with the two main parties - and hear from voters still weighing up their options. Also on the programme:The White House insists - again - that Joe Biden will not drop out of the US presidential race. But - with persistent and growing criticism of his debate performance - a senior member of Mr Biden's democratic party tells us he may have to. And Hurricane Beryl is closing in on Jamaica, bringing winds of nearly 150mph. The UN's climate chief tells us it's a wake-up call.
Hurricane Beryl is battering southern Jamaica with sustained winds of up to two- hundred- and- thirty kilometres an hour. It may make landfall there in the coming hours. There are reports of power cuts in many places, including the capital, Kingston. The Category Four storm is already causing dangerous winds and a sea surge. The Jamaican prime minister, Andrew Holness, has declared a twelve-hour daytime curfew across the island. The hurricane caused extensive damage on other Caribbean islands. Seven people are known to have died so far.
Also in the programme: the UK prepares to go to the polls; and what effect is AI having on the climate?
(Photo: Sea waves break as Hurricane Beryl approaches, as seen from the Caribbean Terrace neighbourhood in Kingston, Jamaica. CREDIT: REUTERS/Marco Bello)
The court has also ruled that Japan's twenty-year statute of limitations does not apply in such cases, paving the way for thousands to seek redress. Also: the United Nations says aid sent to the people of Sudan has been looted on an industrial scale, a mother says she killed her terminally ill seven year old son to end his suffering, and voters in the UK go to the polls on Thursday, we look at the issue of immigration.
The UK is less than 24 hours away from polls opening in a landmark general election. The next government will inherit a low growth economy and a complicated relationship with its biggest trading partner, the European Union. Waiting lists within the National Health Service, and rise in the cost of living have been among the major issues during the campaign.
Britain's political parties are making their last push for support on the eve of voting in the general election, with the governing Conservatives still far behind in opinion polls. We have a special broadcast from the English West Midlands.
Also in the programme: Child marriage ban welcomed in Sierra Leone; and what women's BMX at the Olympics has done for the sport.
(Photo: Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak. Credit: PA and Reuters)
Two countries with major links to Africa are holding make or break elections this week. Britain and France. These elections will usher in new governments which may have completely new approaches to the continent. How will the outcome of the British and French elections impact Africa? And should Africans care? Also, Sierra Leone receives a million dollar grant from a US development agency, to scale up its electricity supply. How did they land the deal and how will the money be used?And the ancient language in danger of disappearing in Ethiopia. Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Sunita Nahar, Victor Sylver and Joseph Keen.
Tech Producer: Jonathan Greer
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
Listen to Beth explain how to use the word 'general'. How many ways do you use the word 'general'?TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/course/eiam/unit-3/session-91FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
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Dog attacks policewoman in North Belfast viral video, tension builds as Northern Ireland prepares to head to the polls tomorrow, trainline closure begins between Belfast and Lisburn and the weather shows no signs of getting better anytime soon. Meanwhile, Türkiye survive by the skin of their teeth against a determined Austria in the European Championships. Mark Simpson is in the hot seat for this exciting episode.
President Joe Biden has called on major drug companies to cut the price of weight loss medication Hurricane Beryl, a category 5 storm is heading towards Jamaica. We hear more from disaster modeller Enki Research And Jayson Tatum will sign a five-year deal, worth $314 million dollars with the Boston Celtics, making it the largest contract in NBA history.
Lloyd Doggett is the first to call publicly for the US president Joe Biden to withdraw, in response to his poor performance in a televised debate with Donald Trump last week. Also: scores killed in crush in India, and do ants amputate the legs of fellow ants to save their lives?
Chinese people around the world are being targeted by a scam in which conmen posing as police, trick them into believing they are wanted for a crime back in China. Victims are threatened with extradition to China unless they hand over “bail” money. In the first of a two-part investigation into Chinese police impersonation scams, Elaine Chong speaks to Helen, a British Chinese woman who handed over her life savings. The gang convinced Helen they were genuine police by faking documents and creating the impression they were calling her from a police station.
On the penultimate day of campaigning, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson took to the stage at a Conservative rally in central London, warning that a Labour government would be "pregnant with horrors". Sir Keir Starmer spent the day in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire and spoke to the BBC's Chris Mason on prison overcrowding, pensioners' tax, and immigration.In the US, the fallout continues from Joe Biden's dismal debate performance last week, as the first Democratic Congressman publicly called for Biden to step aside. After the Supreme Court ruled Donald Trump enjoyed partial immunity for actions taken in office, a New York judge delayed sentencing in his criminal hush money trial.Meanwhile Britain's Supreme Court issued a significant verdict in a dispute between the owners of the Manchester Ship Canal and United Utilities, which will allow the latter to be sued for damages over the dumping of raw sewage in the waterway.
The second and final round of France's election is fast approaching, as centrist and left-wing politicians ramp up tactics to prevent Marine Le Pen's far-right party, National Rally, from gaining power. The deadline for candidates to pull out of seats where they are not the main challenger to the National Rally has now passed.
We hear from a candidate from the radical left party France Unbowed who decided to pull out of the race and we speak to a pollster about the National Rally's electoral prospects.Also in the programme: Haiti's new interim government; and what lies ahead for the NATO alliance?(Photo: Marine Le Pen reacts on stage after partial results in the first round of the early French parliamentary elections in Henin-Beaumont, France, June 30, 2024. Credit: Reuters / Yves Herman)
Dr Chris van Tulleken is on a mission to find out what we’re eating, why, and who or what might be influencing our decisions. And he’s starting his quest to uncover food truths with the most eaten meat in the world, and one of the most numerous animals on our planet: chicken.He’s recently been forced to confront a serious gap in his food knowledge - what happens before it gets to our plates - and has decided this, the world’s most popular meat, is an ideal starting point.Chris’ initial investigations reveal the vast scale of modern chicken consumption; and how a once revered jungle fowl was manipulated to become a modern food success story, a fast-growing heavy-breasted beast to feed the masses.Now, he's torn: is this a triumph of human ingenuity – or the creation of a monster?
The Israeli military has ordered Palestinians to leave a wide sweep of land to the east of the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis. Witnesses say many people are already fleeing. Rockets have also been fired from Gaza into Israel.Also on the programme: Donald Trump's former strategist Steve Bannon speaks to us just before heading to jail; and will women turn out to vote in Iran's second round of elections?(Photo: Palestinians flee Khan Younis Credit: Reuters/Mohammed Salem)
The head of IEA Dr Fatih has told World Business Report that unless the thousands of currently operating coal plants around the world are retired early the world has zero chance of keeping global warming within 1.5 degrees. He speaks exclusively to Rahun Tandon on this issue.Sri Lanka is set to save $5 billion following a restructure of its bilateral debt, much of which is owed to China. A deal has been reached to cut the interest rates Sri Lanka pays.And people in the United Kingdom are getting set to cast their votes in the general election on Thursday.The Conservative party have been in government for 14 years, but they're behind in the polls - so there could be a change of leadership in the UK over the next few days – former USA ambassador to the UK Matthew Barzun explains how a change in government can affect trading relationships between the US and the UK.
The latest evacuation order by the Israeli army has affected a quarter of a million people in southern Gaza, according to the UN. Medical staff say one of the main hospitals is moving its patients.Also in this podcast:- Donald Trump's former aide, Steve Bannon, says he has a 'MAGA' army to stop Democrats winning the White House again
- Ten members of an environmental group in Cambodia are given lengthy jail terms
- Two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray says he will not be playing in this year's singles, as he prepares to bow out of professional tennisThe Global News Podcast brings you the day's top stories from BBC News, covering world events, politics, culture and more.
Nigerian authorities say that suspected female suicide bombers participated in coordinated attacks in Nigeria that killed dozens of people. Why do young girls and women become suicide bombers?How the lives of displaced people in Mozambique's troubled Cabo Delgado Province are being rebuilt.And can local communities in Africa can be involved in conservation ? Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Sunita Nahar, Bella Hassan and Nyasha Michelle in London. Charles Gitonga in Nairobi.
Technical Producer: Gabriel O'Regan
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
British scientist Dame Carol Robinson, Professor of Chemistry at the University of Oxford and a trailblazer in the field of mass spectrometry, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award during this year’s European Inventor Award 2024 ceremony. She will be first ever British winner. She is receiving the award not just for her outstanding work but also for championing women in STEM. She joins Nuala McGovern to explain why she’s passionate about women in science. Woman’s Hour has already spoken to five of the seven main political parties in the run up to the general election. Today, Nuala speaks to Maria Caulfield, Minister of State for Mental Health and Women’s Health Strategy, representing the leader of the Conservative party, Rishi Sunak. Woman's Hour invited Labour's Sir Keir Starmer on to the programme as part of our series of party leader interviews ahead of the general election. Labour did not put forward a representative for this interview, so we hear from Ione Wells, BBC political correspondent, about Labour's manifesto pledges regarding women.By the time she was 19, Michelle De Swarte had gone from a council estate in London to the catwalks of Manhattan. Her twenties were a swirl of parties and high end glamour but by her thirties she was broke and in need - as she once put it - of a “new personality”. Desperate to find a way out of fashion, she reinvented herself as a stand-up comedian. Michelle De Swarte joins Nuala to talk about putting some of her own experiences into a new BBC comedy, Spent. Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Olivia Skinner
Disabled boy's great grandmothers hit out at sectarian house attack, outside Antrim. Also, Stormont announce extra money for public services and Portugal's Christiano Ronaldo finds redemption from the penalty spot as they beat Slovenia to reach the last 16 of the European Championships.
Here's an expression that means you can do something without having to think about it, because it's so familiar to you. [Image: Getty] For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.com Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2024/ep-240701FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
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In a landmark decision, the United States Supreme Court has granted Donald Trump — and all U.S. presidents — absolute immunity from "official" presidential acts. The ruling will further delay the former president's case which alleges he plotted to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Also in this podcast:
- Hurricane Beryl forces thousands to take shelter as it moves across the Caribbean.
- A young Kenyan protester tells us why she is returning to the streets, one week on from the violent clashes in Nairobi.
- Eritrean cyclist Biniam Girmay makes history becoming the first black African to win a stage on the Tour De France.The Global News Podcast brings you the day's top stories from BBC News, covering world events, politics, culture and more.
Centrist and left-wing politicians in France are scrambling to strike deals that will reduce the chances of the far-right National Rally winning a majority in the second round of voting of legislative elections on Sunday. Marine Le Pen's party emerged as the largest after the first round of voting. But agreements between parties opposed to her would see candidates step aside in some constituencies to increase the chances of another candidate beating the National Rally. We explain how it works and what the election could mean for the future of Europe.In the US, the Supreme Court has ruled that Donald Trump does enjoy immunity for some of the actions he took as president. Trump hailed it as a victory, but in her dissent one justice said the ruling made the President "a king above the law".And 32 years since passengers and crew of a British Airways flight were used as human shields by Saddam Hussein, we speak to one of those who is taking legal action against the airline and the British government for allegedly putting them in danger.
Efforts by centrist and left-wing blocs in France to stop the far right National Rally from winning an overall parliamentary majority in next Sunday's second round have seen more than 150 of their candidates drop out. Such tactics -- traditionally known as a 'Republican Front' -- have been successful in previous elections. We speak to one of President Macron's Ministers.Also in the programme: Donald Trump has hailed as a 'big win' for democracy the Supreme Court's ruling giving him substantial immunity from prosecution for actions taken in his former role as president. We hear from a Democratic Congresswoman; and is Sweden the dream location to start a family? New parents can now gift maternity or paternity pay to friends and family who help out.(Photo: Jordan Bardella has vowed only to be French prime minister if his National Rally (RN) party wins an absolute majority. Credit: Reuters/Benoir Tessier)
Opponents of the French far-right National Rally party have begun stepping aside in favour of better placed candidates in the hope of limiting its gains in next Sunday's second round of parliamentary elections. In several constituencies just one candidate will face the RN. The party's co-leader, Jordan Bardella, has expressed confidence that it could win an absolute majority.Also in the programme: We speak to the injured Palestinian man who says Israeli soldiers tied him to army vehicle; and behind the scenes at the late Queen's favourite house - as tourists are allowed into Balmoral Castle!(Photo: Jean-Luc Mélenchon said his party's guideline was simple: not one more vote for RN. Credit: AFP)
Lawyers representing family members of victims tragically killed in the Boeing plane crash say they will be offered financial compensation. Rahul Tandon speaks to Paul Njoroge who lost his family in an Ethiopian plane crash.Plus, we get French market reaction to the first round of the country's elections....and South Africa's new cabinet is announced - what will be first on its economic to-do list?
South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has unveiled a new coalition government, after his party, the African National Congress lost its parliamentary majority in May's elections. Mr Ramaphosa said "the government of national unity is unprecedented in the history of our democracy". What do South Africans think of the new cabinet?Also a conversation with Ugandan designer Latif Madoi who was arrested and relased on bail.And can Tunisia's Ons Jabeur bring home tennis's most title..Wimbledon Champion? Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Joseph Keen, Sunita Nahar, Rob Wilson, Nyasha Michelle and Bella Hassan
Technical Producer: Gabriel O Regan
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
Els and Jan have fewer than three days left on Earth. Childhood sweethearts who met in kindergarten more than six decades ago, they know precisely when they will die. And how. On an early summer’s Monday morning they will travel to a nearby hospice. Some of their family and friends will accompany them. And then precisely at 10.30am - holding hands, they hope - two doctors will administer lethal medication to each of them.In the Netherlands, euthanasia and assisted suicide are legal if someone is suffering unbearably with no prospect of getting better. The suffering can be physical or psychological. Els was diagnosed with dementia. Jan lived with pain 24/7.Last year, 33 Dutch couples chose to die like Els and Jan. And in February, one of the Netherlands’ former Prime Ministers ended his life by euthanasia together with his wife. For Assignment, Linda Pressly meets Els and Jan as they prepare for the end. And she explores the complex issue of allowing euthanasia in cases of dementia. A warning: some listeners might find the content of this documentary upsetting.
Marine Le Pen's party seeks majority, as a week of deal-making begins ahead of the next vote in French assembly elections. Also: airports shut as Caribbean residents urged to shelter ahead of hurricane Beryl, and we hear from tennis fans at the gates of Wimbledon.
Gabby Logan joins Krupa Padhy to talk about her new book The Midpoint Plan. She’s challenging the stereotype of middle age. With fewer insecurities, children leaving home and perhaps a bit more money in the bank, she believes we should see it as the best point in our lives. Plus, if we look after ourselves in midlife, we’ll be happier in old age.Woman’s Hour has invited the leaders of all the main political parties for an interview in the run-up to the General Election. Today, in place of the Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, Krupa is joined by Ann Widdecombe, the party’s Immigration and Justice spokesperson. Monday 1st July marks the first day of this year’s Wimbledon. Players will be donning their whites to play at the All England Club. Molly McElwee, freelance sports journalist joins us live from Wimbledon to discuss the women we should be on the lookout for and who might rise to the top over the next two weeks.Summer is here, which means it's wedding season, and brides-to-be across the country are asking themselves the eternal question: what do I wear for the occasion? Kathryn Wheeler, who married earlier this year, decided to do something that old superstitions advice against: make her own wedding dress. In the process, she learned much more than just sewing skills. She also learned a life lesson - to embrace imperfections. Presenter: Krupa Padhy
Producer: Kirsty Starkey
Homes in a new social housing development just outside Antrim are attacked, the search for missing British teenager Jay Slater is called off by Spanish Police and Jude Bellingham's balletic brilliance keeps England in the European Championships.
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Script writer Baek Mi-kyoung has pioneered female narratives on Korean television, putting women front and centre of acclaimed dramas like Mine and The Lady in Dignity. Seven years ago, her K-drama Strong Girl Bong-soon was a huge success. Audiences fell in love with this rom-com about a cute girl with supernatural strength. / Next, Baek wanted to create an all-action multigenerational female superhero series. But would the budget match her ambitions? Vibeke Venema meets her as the series, Strong Girl Nam-soon, is going to air - and the all-important TV ratings are coming in.
Exit polls suggest Marine Le Pen’s National Rally won the biggest share of the vote – far more than President Macron’s party. Also: Australia introduces some of the world's toughest new regulations on vaping, and Indonesia’s hijab-wearing heavy metal band takes Glastonbury by storm.
France's far right National Rally has made big gains in the first round of the parliamentary elections, exit polls suggest.Celebrating her party's early success, Marine Le Pen says "democracy has spoken" as she declares President Emmanuel Macron's camp "practically wiped out". Meanwhile, Mr Macron is calling for a broad alliance against Ms Le Pen's party ahead of next week's second round.
Also in the programme: The UN holds talks with members of the Afghan Taliban in Qatar: does bringing them to the table imply recognition of their government? And the prime minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines on preparations for Hurricane Beryl.(Photo shows Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally party, speaking to journalists after partial results in the first round of the early French parliamentary elections in Henin-Beaumont, France on 30 June 2024. Credit: Yves Herman/Reuters)
Round one of the French parliamentary elections: with the far right party of Marine Le Pen ahead in the polls, what's expected and what could happen in the next two weeks as the three main voting blocs compete for votes?Also in the programme: the United Nations says conditions for Palestinians in the northern Gaza Strip are 'unbearable' following a flare-up in the fighting there - we hear from UNRWA inside Gaza; and we look at the economic impact of banning TikTok in India.(IMAGE: A voter casts their ballot in the first round of France's early parliamentary elections, at a polling station in Paris, France, 30 June 2024 / CREDIT: MOHAMMED BADRA/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Nigeria is Africa’s economic powerhouse - so why are so many young people trying to leave and find opportunities in other countries? It’s become so common there’s even a word for it: Japa, Yoruba for escape.Last year, Nigeria’s immigration service issued a record number of passports - almost 2 million.So when we were in Lagos we spoke to the BBC’s Faith Oshoko, who explained what drives young professionals to move abroad.And we chatted to students - would they ever Japa? And would they come back?To find out more of what is going on in the world search for "What in the World" wherever you get your BBC Podcasts.
Next Friday's poll will be between hardliner Saeed Jalili and rival Masoud Pezeshkian, seen as a reformist, who both failed to secure a majority. Also: the acquittal of all 28 people charged with money laundering following the Panama Papers scandal, and a Yazidi choir of victims of the Islamic State group sing of their memories.
In Iran - the only reformist candidate in presidential elections will face a run-off, at the end of next week, with an ultra-conservative rival. Also on the programme, 10 years after Islamic State declared their “Caliphate”, Yazidis are still struggling to recover from genocide; and, Amnesty International says armed criminals may have been introduced into protests in Kenya to inflame the situation.(Photo: An Iranian woman casts her vote in a polling station during the presidential election, in Tehran, Iran, 28 June 2024. Iran holds presidential elections on 28 June, following the death of late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash on 19 May 2024.STRINGER/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Girls Just Want to Have Fundamental Rights' has become a popular placard at women's rights events around the world. The singer behind the anthem that inspired it is none other than Cyndi Lauper. She joins Anita Rani to reflect on her 40-year career, becoming a feminist figure and performing on the iconic Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury.Wimbledon starts next week and amongst the usual pre-match discussions about favourites and performances, there’s also been a serious conversation about how top-level tennis handles allegations of domestic abuse. Clare McDonnell is joined by the host of the Tennis podcast, Catherine Whitaker to discuss recent cases.Danish actress Sofie Gråbøl is best known to British viewers for her role as Sarah Lund in Scandi Noir crime drama The Killing. Now she’s returning to our cinema screens in a new film, Rose. Sophie plays Inger, a woman with serious mental health challenges, who takes a bus trip to Paris with her sister, Ellen. She discusses how she researched the character of Inger, by talking to the real woman that she is based on.Novelist Helen Heckety joins Nuala to talk about her debut work, Alter Ego. It’s about a young woman who decides to leave her old life behind and move to a new place where no one knows she is disabled. Helen, who has a physical disability that can sometimes be invisible, was compelled to write about a disabled character she had never seen represented in literature.The term ‘matrescence’ has been around since the 70s, but it’s only recently becoming more commonly known as a concept. It describes the process of becoming a new mother, and the emotional and physical changes you go through after the birth of your child. But then how should we talk about the experience of matrescence when your kids are teenagers, you’re in mid-life and you start the menopause? The parenting expert and childcare author Sarah Ockwell-Smith has a name for that – inspired by a Greek goddess, she calls it ‘demetrescence' and she explains all to Nuala McGovern.Corinne Bailey Rae's latest album is a complete departure from her previous work. Black Rainbows is inspired by a trip to Stony Island Arts Bank, a Chicago-based archive of black art and culture. The record spans punk, rock, experimental jazz, electronica and more. She joins Anita for a very special performance live from the Woman's Hour Glastonbury picnic table.Presenter: Claire McDonnell
Producer: Annette Wells
Editor: Rebecca ...
Presidential elections in Iran go to a second round, with the only candidate to have criticised the status quo clearly ahead. But after a record low turnout, the authorities denied that there was widespread voter apathy.
Also in the programme: ten years after the founding of the Islamic Caliphate, some victims of IS sing their memories; and how TikTok is being used to recruit guerilla fighters in Colombia.(IMAGE: An Iranian woman look at the presidential candidates lists before casting her vote in a polling station during the presidential election, in Tehran, Iran, 28 June 2024 / CREDIT: EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Instant loan apps promise easy money. But what's the catch? Investigative reporter Poonam Agarwal and filmmaker Ronny Sen take us behind the scenes of their award-winning documentary The Trap: Inside the blackmail scam destroying lives across India.This programme contains discussion of suicide and suicide attempts. If you feel affected by this topic, you could speak to a health professional or an organisation that offers support. Details of help available in many countries can be found at: www.befrienders.orgProduced by Alice Gioia and Caroline Ferguson. (Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich)
Preschool teacher Carissa got tested as soon as she heard her former pupil, 5 year old Ezra, needed a liver transplant. She tells us she didn't think twice about donating and wants him to be able to do 'five year old things'. Ezra's mum Karen says she's overwhelmed that someone would be willing to do something so selfless and giving for her son.
Also: A new drug that could protect women from getting HIV with just two injections a year.
The extraordinary Euro 2024 football victory that's helped a country believe in itself.
How volunteers managed to save priceless works of art at the start of the war in Ukraine.
We're back in Finland for an equestrian competition with no animals - where people jump and ride wooden stick toys called hobby horses.
And we hear from Debbie Wileman - whose lockdown social videos have led to a new career as a Judy Garland impersonator.
Our weekly collection of happy news and positive stories from around the world.
We hear from a pensioner on benefits who tells us she was shocked to find herself having to pay tax on her pension for the first time. With expert help, we explain the so-called ‘triple-lock’ mechanism and why the point at which you can be taxed on your pension has become a big talking point in the election campaign. Also in the programme, sneaky hidden extras on your online shopping have been banned under new laws passed this month. So called ‘drip pricing’ is when consumers are shown an initial price for an item or service, only to find additional fees are added on later at the checkout. We look what the rules are and how they'll work.Every time you use Mastercard or Visa debit or credit card to pay for something – the business you’re buying from has to pay fees. Some of these fees are optional, but many of them are mandatory. But now an interim report by the watchdog - the Payments Systems Regulator – found that these fees charged to shops and other businesses by Visa and Mastercard have been rising much faster than inflation, 30 % faster, but that there is no evidence that the service provided has improvedAnd we look at the scale of fake stamps in the UK. Royal Mail initially responded by charging people a penalty if they received items that were sent with a fake stamp. Although those fines are now ‘paused’, we reveal just how much they amounted to.Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporters: Sarah Rogers and Neil Morrow.
Researchers: Sandra Hardial and Neil Morrow
Editor: Craig Henderson(This programme was first broadcast Saturday June 1, 2024)
The annual pilgrimage to Mecca, in Saudi Arabia, is something millions of people look forward to as an immensely spiritual experience. A main pillar of Islam, Muslims try to do it at least once in their lives, if they are physically and financially able. Saudi Arabia says 1.8 million people took part in Hajj this year. It coincided with a heatwave where temperatures reached more than 50C. Some 1,300 people died, many of those due to the intense heat. Three Muslims - from Kenya, the United States and Saudi Arabia – share their experiences of Hajj, including spiritual enlightenment, overcrowding, bereavement and sexual harassment.
US President Joe Biden has spoken at a rally in North Carolina - his first public event since he struggled in the first televised debate of the 2024 presidential campaign. He directly addressed concerns about his age, admitting he doesn't debate like he used to, but "when you get knocked down, you get back up". His Republican opponent, Donald Trump, also held a rally. He boasted to voters in Virginia about his past presidential record and claimed victory in Thursday's debate. Also: The roof of the main airport terminal in the Indian city of Delhi collapses in heavy rain, and the Colombian schoolchildren being lured by rebels on TikTok.
In a 6-3 vote, the US Supreme Court killed a legal precedent that conservatives have attacked for decades, known as the "Chevron deference". The court decided in 1984 that judges should defer to federal agencies in interpreting ambiguous parts of statutes. However, from now on the courts alone will decide. Roger Hearing speaks to our reporter Nada Tawfik who tells us more about the Chevron Deference and a scientist who is among those opposing the judgement.As Iran votes in a new president, what are the economic challenges the new man will face? Kenyan police have arrived in Haiti to try to tackle the endemic gang violence there - a Haitian professor tells us what difference they're likely to make. We hear from a gang leader and Professor in Haiti. And it was the busiest day ever for American air travel - a big post-covid recovery - but do the airlines and airports have enough capacity?
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage doubled down on claims his party was "set up" after undercover filming for Channel 4 News recorded racist and homophobic remarks apparently made by some of his campaigners. Speaking at a BBC Question Time special, Farage pointed to previous acting experience from one of those covertly recorded to suggest his remarks had been part of an "act".In the US, President Biden sought to regain his footing in the election campaign after a faltering performance in last night's Presidential debate against his predecessor Donald Trump. Speculation continues as to whether he'll face pressure to step aside over concerns about his age and mental acuity.And the doner kebab threatens to cause some diplomatic indigestion as German makers push back on a Turkish attempt to get official EU protection for their version of the dish.
Speaking at a rally in the state of North Carolina, US president Joe Biden tells the audience: "I'm not a young man... I don't debate as well as I used to, but I know what I do know, I know how to tell the truth". Mr Biden's comments come after his stumbling performance at 2024's first presidential TV debate against Donald Trump. The BBC's Nomia Iqbal discusses his most recent speech.
Also in the programme: Voting has been extended in Iran's presidential election; how beeswax is helping Ukrainians preserve food amid war; and actor Russell Crowe tells us about his upcoming Glastonbury music festival performance.
Photo: US President Joe Biden speaks during a campaign rally in Raleigh, North Carolina. Credit: REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz.
Writer: Liz John
Director: Mel Ward
Editor: Jeremy HoweLilian Bellamy…. Sunny Ormonde
Harrison Burns…. James Cartwright
Chris Carter…. Wilf Scolding
Neil Carter…. Brian Hewlett
Susan Carter…. Charlotte Martin
Justin Elliot…. Simon Williams
Miranda Elliott…. Lucy Fleming
George Grundy…. Angus Stobie
Eddie Grundy…. Trevor Harrison
Will Grundy…. Philip Malloy
Mick Fadmoor…. Martin Barrass
Joy Horville…. Jackie Lye
Adam Macy…. Andrew Wincott
Jazzer McCreary…. Ryan Kelly
Kirsty Miller…. Annabelle Dowler
Freddie Pargetter…. Toby Laurence
Lily Pargetter…. Katie Redford
Lynda Snell…. Carole Boyd
Oliver Sterling…. Michael Cochrane
Meg Mellor…. Sue Jenkins
President Javier Milei’s plans to slash public spending has been approved by Parliament. Devina Gupta speaks to reporter Natalio Cosoy based in Argentina about what this controversial approval could mean for ordinary citizens.We head to India's capital city - Delhi which has seen its highest rainfall in over 80 years.And find out how investors are reacting to two big upcoming elections - the US and France.
US Democrats are discussing whether Joe Biden can continue as the party's presidential candidate in the wake of his halting display in a televised election debate with Donald Trump. We speak to Jaime Harrison, chair of the Democratic National Committee.Also in the programme: Millions of Iranians vote in a presidential election; and a new electric car battery which charges in under five minutes.(Photo: Composite photo of Democratic Party presidential candidate, US President Joe Biden (R) and Republican presidential candidate, former US President Donald Trump (L) speak during a presidential debate in Atlanta, Georgia, 27 June 2024. Credit: Brian SnyderReuters)
Sierra Leone recently passed a landmark bill to ban child marriage. The country has one of the highest child marriage rates in the world. How easy will it be to eliminate the practice?Also we hear from the new chancellor for the University of Nairobi Professor Patrick Verkooijen. What's his view on the Gen Z inspired protests in Kenya?And how did Togo manage to eliminate four neglected tropical diseases? Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Aime Liebowitz, Bella Hassan, Victor Sylver and Rob Wilson in London. Frenny Jowi and Charles Gitonga in Nairobi.
Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
After president Joe Biden's faltering performance in the TV debate with Donald Trump there are calls to replace him. Also, Iranians are voting to elect a new president to replace Ebrahim Raisi who was killed last month in a helicopter crash, and why radioactive rhino horns help conservation efforts.
'Girls Just Want to Have Fundamental Rights' has become a popular placard at women's rights events around the world. The singer behind the anthem that inspired it is none other than Cyndi Lauper. She joins Anita Rani to reflect on her 40-year career, becoming a feminist figure and performing on the iconic Pyramid Stage. Corinne Bailey Rae's latest album is a complete departure from her previous work. Black Rainbows is inspired by a trip to Stony Island Arts Bank, a Chicago-based archive of black art and culture. The record spans punk, rock, experimental jazz, electronica and more. She joins Anita for a very special performance live from the Woman's Hour Glastonbury picnic table. Would you ever go to a festival on your own? Woman's Hour listeners give their tips for how to do a festival solo. Glastonbury is the biggest festival in the UK, hosting around 200,000 people over five days. It’s a massive operation that involves security, transport, food, water, and electricity-supply infrastructure and 11,000 people are there as staff and volunteers. So who are some of the women working hard behind the scenes to make it all possible? Two of them join Anita live: Jade Dunbar is the stage manager at Circus Big Top, and Martina Brown owns Jerk Village, a stall serving Jamaican food.This year Glastonbury hosts its first ever dedicated South Asian space, Arrivals. It’s been created, designed and built by a South Asian team and is a collaboration between South Asian collectives. Anita talks to revered icon of the 90s underground scene DJ Ritu and to up and coming star DJ Nadi who are both performing at Arrivals.Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Emma Pearce
Alasdair Beckett-King, Simon Evans, Laura Smyth, and Cindy Yu join Andy Zaltzman to quiz the news.Two weeks before the General Election, Andy and the Panel discuss the risks of a super majority, nuclear war, and an international love in between a pair of the world's scariest men.Written by Andy ZaltzmanWith additional material by: Cameron Loxdale, Jade Gebbie, Dan Sweryt, & Pete Tellouche
Producer: Sam Holmes
Executive Producer: James Robinson
Production Co-ordinators: Sarah Nicholls & Dan Marchini
Sound Editor: Chris MacleanA BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4
An Eco-Audio certified Production
Joe Biden and Donald Trump will be using the stage at the CNN debate in Atlanta to try and convince voters to back them in November. Also: Palestinians flee Gaza City's Shejaiya area amid heavy bombardment, and Elon Musk's SpaceX hired to destroy International Space Station.
Roma photographer Artúr Čonka joins the annual Romani pilgrimage to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer in the south of France. Thousands of Romani from across western Europe gather in the small town in Provence each year to honour their patron saint, Sara-la-Kâli, who represents motherly love, is a protector of the oppressed, and is even said to help couples conceive. It is Artúr's first time on the pilgrimage and is keen to uncover the legends behind this enigmatic saint and what she represents to the Romani community today. The streets are packed with musicians playing rumba, flamenco and manouche jazz. Artúr meets writer and scrap metal dealer Kerensa Smith, film-maker and journalist Jake Bowers and Dutch pilgrim Kali Van Esch who has been coming every year since she was a baby.
Joe Biden and Donald Trump are about to take part in the first televised debate of this US presidential campaign. What should we expect? We hear live from the Democratic and Republican camps.Also on the programme:Sir Keir Starmer is facing a backlash over comments he made about Bangladeshi asylum seekers. A senior Labour councillor tells us why she's quit the party.And the DJ who's launched the first dedicated South Asian stage at Glastonbury.
The Supreme Court has blocked a $6bn settlement that shielded the Sackler family, who own Purdue, from future legal action. The pharmaceuticals company is widely blamed for the US opioid crisis. We dig into what the ruling means.Meanwhile, we speak to two executives heading the $2bln Korean company behind "webtoons", which has just launched on the Nasdaq stock exchange. And India's government looks into reports that iPhone maker Foxconn is excluding married women from working at its main factory.
US President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump prepare to go head to head in televised debates. We ask a former adviser to Biden and a Republican pollster about what’s to expect and what’s at stake.
Also on the programme: more protests in Kenya even after the President U-Turns on his controversial tax policy; a BBC investigation tracks down a prolific people smuggler involved in trafficking people across the English Channel; and new research warns that AI-generated essays score higher grades than student-written scripts and are virtually impossible for universities to detect.
(Picture: The press room in the McCamish Pavilion on the Georgia Institute of Technology campus ahead of the first 2024 presidential debate Credit: REUTERS/Marco Bello)
We head to Kenya where a day after President Ruto rolled back controversial tax increases, young protestors are still out on the streets . As police fire tear gas to try and disperse crowds, Devina Gupta finds out what the impact has been on daily life and businesses. Also, how families in Zambia are struggling with rising costs, driven by a prolonged drought. From the US - what to expect in the first presidential debate today, and why pharmacy chain Walgreens is shutting a significant number of stores.
Ministers of Ecowas, the regional and political organisation for fifteen west African countries, are meeting in Abuja to discuss the formation of a new regional force against terrorism and unconstitutional government changes. The talks come amidst a rise in jihadist activity across the Sahel and after recent coups. Is a new regional force, the answer to the challenges faced by countries in West Africa?Also a recent strain of mpox in the DRC has been described as the "most dangerous yet". Another strain has been detected in South Africa. What do you need to know about the virus? And what’s it like being queer in Nigeria? The BBC is let into a secretly held event for Nigeria's LGBTQ+ community. Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Victor Sylver, Amie Liebowitz, Bella Hassan and Sunita Nahar
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
The former head of Bolivia's army is in custody after leading what the government described as an attempted coup. Seconds before his arrest on Wednesday, General Juan José Zúñiga told reporters he'd been ordered to stage the uprising by the president. He said Luis Acre wanted to boost his own popularity by putting armoured vehicles on the streets.
Also in the programme: The BBC tracks down a man thought to be behind deadly trips for migrants across the English Channel; and are British voters fed-up with politicians?
(Photo: Bolivian General Juan José Zúñiga is presented after his arrest by the authorities for an apparent coup attempt in La Paz, Bolivia June 26, 2024. Credit: Reuters/Claudia Morales)
He is thought organise illegal boat crossings between France and the UK, including a trip in April which resulted in the death of a seven-year-old girl. Also in this podcast: Joe Biden and Donald Trump prepare to go head-to-head in their first election debate, Bolivia's opposition says the attempted military coup on Wednesday was staged by the president, and Denmark introduces the world's first tax on cows.
Katie - a 20 year old student nurse - attacked and strangled as she tried to help a patient. PPS review decision not to prosecute as nurse speaks out on Nolan after she was attacked by a patient.
In the next of the Woman’s Hour interviews with the leaders of the main political parties in the run-up to the General Election, Clare speaks to John Swinney, Scotland’s First Minister and leader of the Scottish Nationalist Party. What does it mean to be an adult orphan? Does the term still apply if you lose both parents when you’re no longer a child? Playwright Naomi Westerman was writing about death rituals when she lost her whole family, turning the academic into the deeply personal. Naomi talks to Clare about her experiences and is joined by Flora Baker, the author of The Adult Orphan Club.Wimbledon starts next week and amongst the usual pre-match discussions about favourites and performances, there’s also been a serious conversation about how top-level tennis handles allegations of domestic abuse. Clare is joined by the host of the Tennis podcast, Catherine Whitaker to discuss recent cases. Marine biologist Christine Figgener went viral after sharing a video of a turtle with a plastic straw lodged in its nose, bolstering the campaign to get rid of plastic straws altogether. She joins Clare to discuss her new book about her efforts to protect sea creatures, My Life With Turtles. Presenter: Clare McDonnell
Producer: Olivia Skinner
The brilliant cricketer Frank Worrell became the first permanent Black captain of the West Indies team in 1960 – but he had to wait for a decade to get the job, denied by the elitism, insularity and racism of Caribbean cricket's rulers. BBC producer and cricket author Simon Lister travels to Barbados to find out how Worrell's upbringing, his cricketing adventures and his determination not to be cowed by the powers that ran island cricket, shaped a man who changed the West Indian game for ever. Simon Lister also considers Frank Worrell's legacy for today, speaking to Ebony Rainford-Brent, England's women's first Black cricketer who discovered that she had a unique connection to Frank Worrell that changed her life.
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss one of the canonical figures from the history of political thought. Marsilius of Padua (c1275 to c1343) wrote 'Defensor Pacis' (The Defender of the Peace) around 1324 when the Papacy, the Holy Roman Emperor and the French King were fighting over who had supreme power on Earth. In this work Marsilius argued that the people were the source of all power and they alone could elect a leader to act on their behalf; they could remove their leaders when they chose and, afterwards, could hold them to account for their actions. He appeared to favour an elected Holy Roman Emperor and he was clear that there were no grounds for the Papacy to have secular power, let alone gather taxes and wealth, and that clerics should return to the poverty of the Apostles. Protestants naturally found his work attractive in the 16th Century when breaking with Rome. In the 20th Century Marsilius has been seen as an early advocate for popular sovereignty and republican democracy, to the extent possible in his time.With Annabel Brett
Professor of Political Thought and History at the University of CambridgeGeorge Garnett
Professor of Medieval History and Fellow and Tutor at St Hugh’s College, University of OxfordAnd Serena Ferente
Professor of Medieval History at the University of AmsterdamProducer: Simon Tillotson
In Our Time is a BBC Sounds Audio ProductionReading list: Richard Bourke and Quentin Skinner (eds), Popular Sovereignty in Historical Perspective (Cambridge University Press, 2016), especially 'Popolo and law in Marsilius and the jurists' by Serena FerenteJ. Canning, Ideas of Power in the Late Middle Ages, 1296-1417 (Cambridge University Press, 2011)H.W.C. Davis (ed.), Essays in Mediaeval History presented to Reginald Lane Poole (Clarendon Press, 1927), especially ‘The authors cited in the Defensor Pacis’ by C.W. Previté-OrtonGeorge Garnett, Marsilius of Padua and ‘The Truth of History’ (Oxford University Press, 2006) J.R. Hale, J.R.L. Highfield and B. Smalley (eds.), Europe in the Late Middle Ages (Faber and Faber, 1965), especially ‘Marsilius of Padua and political thought of his time’ by N. RubinsteinJoel Kaye, 'Equalization in the Body and the Body Politic: From Galen to Marsilius of Padua’ (Mélanges de l'Ecole Française de Rome 125, 2013)Xavier Márquez (ed.), Democratic Moments: Reading Democratic Texts (Bloomsbury, 2018), especially ‘Consent and popular sovereignty in medieval political thought: Marsilius of Padua’s Defensor pacis’ by T. Shogimen Marsiglio of Padua (trans. Cary J. Nederman), Defensor Minor and De Translatione Imperii (Cambridge University Press, ...
The president of Bolivia, Luis Arce, seems to have defeated a military coup attempt in the city. He later made a social media address from inside the presidential palace, a short time after a tank knocked down a main gate, allowing troops to enter the complex. Also: Sunak and Starmer clash in final UK election debate, and music festival blamed for gazelle deaths in Spain.
The Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition seized their final opportunity to define themselves and their policies ahead of next Thursday's election. With a week to go before polling day, Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer engaged in their most fiery debate yet, clashing repeatedly on issues like welfare reform, tax rises, immigration both legal and illegal, and trans rights.As we went on air, reports emerged from Bolivia that soldiers and military vehicles were surrounding government buildings in the capital La Paz. The BBC's Will Grant provided updates.And legendary rocker Pete Townshend talks about his half-century old album, Quadrophenia, enjoying a new lease of life as it's adapted into a ballet by Sadler's Wells Theatre.
In Bolivia, factions of the military have attempted to enter the presidential palace in what's being described as an attempted coup. We dig into what might be behind the movement.
Elsewhere, Roger Hearing looks at the latest in Kenya following deadly riots. And we hear from the Dubai boss of one of the world's largest free trade areas, who has defended its policy to continue trading even with countries locked in conflict.
President Ruto of Kenya has abandoned planned tax rises in response to deadly protests on Tuesday. Newshour gets reaction from a young protestor.Also in the programme: the US Supreme Court's accidental abortion leak; and an astronaut on when things go wrong in space; (Picture: Kenyan President Ruto withdraws controversial tax bill in the wake of violent protests, Nairobi, Kenya - 26 Jun 2024 leak. Credit: handout)
Somalia's ambassador to the United Nations recently accused Ethiopian troops of making illegal incursions across their shared border. Relations between the two countries have continued to decline ever since Ethiopia signed a non-binding agreement with the breakaway Republic of Somaliland earlier this year. Why Africans continue to pay a high price for denied visas into Europe.And how floating solar panels can help Africa become more energy sufficient. Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Susan Gachuhi, Frenny Jowi, Sunita Nahar, Bella Hassan, Nyasha Michelle and Patricia Whitehorne.
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Kenya’s President has declined to sign a contentious finance bill that has sparked nationwide deadly protests. The bill has been sent back to parliament for amendments. Leanna Byrne speaks to a Kenyan influencer who explains how the proposals could affect her work.Volkswagen has jolted the electric vehicle industry by partnering with an EV start-up... We'll get the ins-and-outs of that deal. And the Japanese yen has dropped to its lowest level in 34 years, which has people wondering: Will the government intervene?
At least 13 protesters were killed during protests in Kenya, doctors say, and a section of the parliament buildings went up in flames as demonstrations against new tax proposals escalated on Tuesday.We hear from Kenya's governing party about the situation.Also in the programme: the UN warns about lethal new synthetic drugs; Julian Assange arrives back in Australia; and what to wear to sing along with Shania Twain at Glastonbury.(Photo shows flames and smoke coming out of a building during a protest near the Kenyan parliament against tax hikes in Nairobi, Kenya on 25 June 2024. Credit: EPA)
Julian Assange returns to Australia a free man after a court appearance on a remote Pacific island. Also: American journalist Evan Gershkovich has gone on trial in Russia on spying charges, an Islamist rebel is found guilty of war crimes in Mali and who is filling the Legend slot in this year's Glastonbury festival?
Listen to Beth explain how to use the word 'material' and then you can use material everyday.TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcriptf or this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/course/eiam/unit-3/session-90FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
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Woman’s Hour has invited the leaders of all the main political parties for an interview in the run-up to the General Election. Today, in place of the Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, Nuala McGovern is joined by Christine Jardine, the party’s Women and Equalities spokesperson.Danish actress Sofie Gråbøl is best known to British viewers for her role as Sarah Lund in Scandi Noir crime drama The Killing. Now she’s returning to our cinema screens in a new film, Rose. Sophie plays Inger, a woman with serious mental health challenges, who takes a bus trip to Paris with her sister, Ellen. She discusses how she researched the character of Inger, by talking to the real woman that she is based on. At the start of the month, comedian Grace Campbell wrote candidly about her mental health struggles after having an abortion and the response to her piece has been overwhelming. She speaks to Nuala about her experience, being pro-choice and how she’s sharing this as part of her stand-up. Last weekend protests were held in four cities in the Republic of Ireland calling for justice after a serving soldier was given a suspended sentence for an attack on a woman which left her unconscious and with a broken nose. The Irish Defence Forces have confirmed that a review has been launched. Yesterday the protests continued outside the Dail, the Irish Assembly and Natasha was given a standing ovation inside as she watched from the public gallery. Presented by Nuala McGovern
Producer: Louise Corley
Whooping cough, Covid and other respiratory infections - what should you do if you're showing symptoms? GP Dr Alan Stout spoke to Nolan.
The court on the US territory of Saipan is expected to allow the Wikileaks founder, Julian Assange, to walk free and return to his native Australia. Also: the Kenyan president, William Ruto, has described violence during huge protests against tax rises as an unprecedented attack on the country's democracy, and scientists in Japan are working on creating human-like skin for robots.
The websites have names like DC Weekly and Chicago Crier. They are filled with thousands of legitimate-looking stories, plucked from real news websites and rewritten by artificial intelligence. But BBC Trending has found that these sites are part of a wide-ranging operation designed to insert false stories into political debates, over Ukraine and now gradually shifting to the US election campaign. One of the people involved is John Dougan, a former Florida police officer now living in Moscow. Online evidence links him to the network of sites, which reference American cities and are populated by fake journalists. Experts believe they are part of a wide effort to influence American public opinion in advance of November’s presidential election.
Presenter Rahul Tandon examines the widespread protests over tax rises taking place in Kenya. Many young people are involved in the demonstrations across the country.We hear from an informal advisor to Donald Trump about what the former President’s economic vision will be if he is elected again. Deadly heat waves are becoming more intense and frequent across different parts of the globe. We are in India to hear how this is affecting the rural poor.
A fifth Conservative is being looked into by the Gambling Commission in relation to alleged bets on the date of the general election. We have the latest from Westminster - and ask how voters are responding to the growing controversy. At least five people have been killed in Kenya during mass protests against the government's plans to raise taxes.The founder of Wikileaks, Julian Assange, has arrived in a remote US territory in the Pacific to plead guilty to a charge of espionage - we're live on the island.And the legendary Irish broadcaster Michael O'Muircheartaigh has died at the age of 93 after a career spanning six decades. We have a tribute from the comedian Dara O'Briain.
People have been killed and injured in Kenya as demonstrators break into parliament in escalating protests over government tax hikes. President Ruto has promised a tough response.Also in the programme: Wikileaks founder Julian Assange prepares for a court hearing on a remote US island that could lead to his freedom. But the debate continues - was he a hero or villain for leaking classified US documents? And as scientists make progress in attaching living human skin to humanoid robots, we hear about the potential advantages.(IMAGE: People attend a demonstration against Kenya's proposed finance bill 2024/2025 in Nairobi, Kenya, June 25, 2024 / CREDIT: Reuters / Monicah Mwangi)
Protesters in Kenya embarked on yet another round of demonstrations against a new finance bill that seeks to introduce new taxes. Police appeared overwhelmed in some parts of the capital, Nairobi. Demonstrators were seen approaching the parliament complex, where fire could be seen. Why have demonstrations darkened? Also Nigeria's Centre for Disease Control expresses particular concern over this year's outbreak of cholera. Over 50 people have died from the disease.And a new study in Sierra Leone says political discourse can have a devastating impact on mental health. Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Charles Gitonga, Sunita Nahar, Rob Wilson and Victor Sylver
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Julian Assange has for years fought extradition to the United States, accused of leaking a huge quantity of classified defence documents. He will now return to Australia, where his wife Stella Assange is waiting for him. But first, he has to appear in court in a United States territory in the pacific. Also on this podcast, protests erupt in Kenya over new tax proposals, Israel's supreme court orders ultra-orthodox religious students can no longer avoid being drafted into the military, and why a sample of dirt and rocks from the far side of the moon has scientists excited.
With just over a week to go until the UK heads to the polls for the general election, what’s the situation for women voters in Northern Ireland? BBC Northern Ireland political correspondent Jayne McCormack joins Nuala McGovern to discuss what political candidates there are offering women.The term ‘matrescence’ has been around since the 70s, but it’s only recently becoming more commonly known as a concept. It describes the process of becoming a new mother, and the emotional and physical changes you go through after the birth of your child. But then how should we talk about the experience of matrescence when your kids are teenagers, you’re in mid-life and you start the menopause? The parenting expert and childcare author Sarah Ockwell-Smith has a name for that – inspired by a Greek goddess, she calls it ‘demetrescence' and she explains all to Nuala.Faith Omole is best known as an actress. Last year she was nominated for Olivier Awards for her role in the musical Standing at the Sky’s Edge, and earlier this year she played Regan in King Lear at the Almeida in north London. But now she’s well on the way to be know at least as well for her writing too. Last week her first performed play, My Father’s Fable, premiered at Bush Theatre in London. It tells a gripping story of grief, belonging, and a family on the edge. And in a BBC first, Radio 3’s Georgia Mann will be at Glastonbury this year. She is opening the Crow’s Nest stage on Friday, spinning classical tunes in a DJ set. She joins Nuala McGovern to discuss how she has selected the music for her set, why classical music is becoming more present outside traditional spaces, and how prepared she is for camping.Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Laura Northedge
For more great language tips and programmes visit bbclearningenglish.com (Image: Getty)Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at:
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In late 2023 a group of German journalists released a podcast series, Legion: Most Wanted. It described their ultimately unsuccessful search for a terrorist suspect, Daniela Klette, using an AI facial recognition tool. She had been on the run for more than 30 years, together with two accomplices. The trio are believed by the police to have been members of the Red Army Faction, the RAF, an anti-imperialist terrorist group, often referred to as the Baader Meinhof gang. The RAF claimed responsibility in the late 1980s and early 1990s for the assassination of a number of prominent Germans. None of these crimes has ever been cleared up.
The head of the UN children's agency says Sudan is one of the worst places in the world for children. Also: France's Macron warns of civil war if extremists win snap polls, and Spanish nuns are excommunicated for rebelling against Vatican over property deal.
Some of the world's largest music labels are suing two artificial intelligence firms, claiming they are training their models with copyrighted music.Elsewhere, Rahul Tandon looks into the latest fight Apple is facing in the EU, and why there's trouble rumbling in the Premier League.
Emmanuel Macron says that the policies of his far-right and hard-left rivals risk pushing France towards a civil war, as the country prepares for an election in less than a week's time.Also on the programme: A look at the issues most discussed in Northern Ireland ahead of the UK general elections; and the future of the Jewish residents in Russia’s Dagestan after Sunday’s gun attack.(Picture: The French president Emmanuel Macron speaking at an event in Paris. Credit: Bertrand Guay / EPA)
Nine million children don't get enough to eat and almost none are in school.Also on the programme: following the coordinated attacks against churches and synagogues in Dagestan, Moscow's former Chief Rabbi tell us that the Kremlin is focussing on the wrong enemy. And the rebel nuns in Spain who picked a fight with the Vatican over land and are now excommunicated.(Picture: Children in Sudan. Credit: Reuters)
Namibian activist Friedel Dausab, who won a landmark case when judges ruled that laws banning same-sex acts between men are unconstitutional, says he drew strength from his Christian faith and from his mum.Over a billion dollars has been pledged to develop vaccines in Africa. How will it work and will African insitutions be able to access the money? And who is Michael Usi, the former comedian who is now Malawi's new vice president?Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Rob Wilson, Frenny Jowi and Bella Hassan
Senior Journalist: Patricia Whitehorne
Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
Footage posted on social media show people shooting at police cars. Among the dead are 15 police officers. The attacks targeted churches and synagogues in Derbent and Makhachkala. Investigators say five gunmen were killed. Most of the attackers, they said, came from one small area of Dagestan. In its first comments, the Kremlin dismissed the possibility of another wave of Islamist violence in the Northern Caucasus. Also: a huge fire at a lithium battery factory in South Korea kills 22 people including 18 Chinese workers, and Princess Anne - the sister of King Charles - has been admitted to hospital in England after an incident involving a horse.
Attacks on police posts, churches and a synagogue in Russia's North Caucasus republic of Dagestan have left 19 people dead, 15 of whom were police officers, along with four civilians. Five gunmen also died.The apparently coordinated attacks targeted the cities of Derbent and Makhachkala on the Orthodox festival of Pentecost, with an Orthodox priest among those killed. Are there growing concerns about the threat posed by Islamist terror groups in the region?Also in the programme: We'll hear from a former head of the Shin Bet - Israel's domestic intelligence service. How concerned is he about an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon? And we'll hear from a composer who’s beginning a tour of works inspired by the changing sound of summer.(Photo shows damage to the Kele-Numaz synagogue following a terror attack in Derbent, Republic of Dagestan, Russia on 24 June 2024. Credit: Video on the Telegram channel of the head of Dagestan Republic Sergey Melikov via EPA)
Labour is setting out plans to simplify the process for someone to legally change their gender, if the party wins the election. The requirement for them to provide documentary proof that they've lived as their preferred gender would be scrapped. A two-year 'cooling off period' would be introduced instead. Geri Scott senior political correspondent has been reporting on the story for The Times and joins Nuala McGovern. This weekend marked the final dates of Taylor Swift’s her Eras tour in the UK - until she returns again in August. The show has been described as a ‘masterpiece’ and ‘seven shades of incredible.’ Journalists Polly Vernon and Anna Willis were lucky enough to attend, they join Nuala to go over their highlights. Novelist Helen Heckety joins Nuala to talk about her debut work, Alter Ego. It’s about a young woman who decides to leave her old life behind and move to a new place where no one knows she is disabled. Helen, who has a physical disability that can sometimes be invisible, was compelled to write about a disabled character she had never seen represented in literature.Have you been enjoying the Euros? While many fans are cheering on their teams there are some who dread these major sporting tournaments. Research by Lancaster University found that cases of abuse increased by 38% when England lost a match and by 26% when they won or drew. The National Police Chiefs' Council has sent out recommendations to police forces in England and Wales to help safeguard victims and target perpetrators of domestic abuse. The BBC’s Home Affairs Correspondent, Daniel Sandford, has been out with Sussex Police, who have been reaching out to known potential victims, and even providing them with equipment to keep them safe.Today marks the start of World Female Ranger Week, an initiative set up by adventurer and conservationist, Holly Budge. It is estimated that only 11% of rangers across the world are female. These women do an important but dangerous job, protecting wildlife from poachers. Holly is also the founder of How Many Elephants, an anti-poaching conservation charity. She joins Nuala to talk on how her adventures led to becoming an advocate for female rangers and animal conservation.Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Maryam Maruf
Studio Manager: Donald McDonald
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Pay offer made to striking school support staff. Education Minister Paul Givan and Patrick Mulholland from NIPSA spoke to Nolan.
Hanna Harris is Helsinki’s chief design officer and the second person in the job since the role was created in 2016. But why does a city need a chief design officer? And, what can design do to boost wellbeing? Erika Benke joins Hanna as she searches for new pioneering opportunities that have the potential to change people’s lives. They visit a vast decommissioned power plant, inviting local people to share their views on how to give an industrial facility that has served its purpose, a new lease of life. They also go to an old playground that is about to be transformed into a new themed playground where children can learn about computing, algorithms and AI. As Hanna travels a cross the city, we hear her plotting, planning and exploring ideas and infecting others with her passion for design.
Gunmen in the southern Russian republic have killed police officers and a priest in what officials are calling acts of terror. Also: the US prepares to receive two new pandas from China, and the man whose home was turned into a cannabis farm.
Gunmen in Russia's North Caucasus republic of Dagestan have killed six police officers in a series of attacks, security officials say. Twelve other officers were also wounded in the attacks. A synagogue, two churches and a police checkpoint were targeted in the cities of Derbent and Makhachkala.Also in the programme: Countdown to Iran's Presidential elections next week with five hard-line candidates and a reformist; and the absent landlord who found that his family home had been turned into a cannabis farm.(Photo: A view shows plumes of smoke rising from building in Derbent, Dagestan, June 23, 2024, in this still image obtained from a video. Credit: Reuters/via a third party)
Recent events begin to take their toll on Chris, and the Grundys debate their next move.
The Israeli military says it is to investigate an incident in which an injured Palestinian was strapped to an Israeli military vehicle in the West bank. But Israeli human rights group B'Tselem is sceptical.Also on the programme: French feminists protesting against what they see as the threat to women's rights of the far right National Rally party; and chaos over the exams for higher education that has sparked further protests across India.(Photo: Footage shows wounded Palestinian strapped to Israeli army jeep. Credit: BBC)
After a lull in activities, in 2024 the Islamic State Group claimed to be behind several major attacks, showing the world they have not gone away. Among them was the storming by gunmen of a Moscow concert hall. Ten years after the Islamist extremists declared the establishment of a caliphate, our Jihadist Media Monitoring Team considers the current capabilities and ambitions of the group that once ruled over a large territory in Iraq and Syria. Producer: Kriszta Satori
Presenter: Krassi Twigg
The Supreme Court has ordered a retrial for Toomaj Salehi who was sentenced to death after speaking out in support of protests that had exploded across Iran. Also: the new documentary about the designer of the wrap dress, Diane von Furstenberg, and the world's ugliest dog.
Writer Alvin Hall returns to the world he grew up in, to shed light on the political present and share a haunting portrait of a disappearing way of life. This is Wakulla County, Florida and it is an America most people do not know. It has long been deeply rural, a place of unspoilt wilderness and incredible natural beauty. But it has also been a place with a violent history of racial segregation and oppression. The security Alvin experienced as a child growing up in one of the county's self-sufficient Black “village” communities contrasts with horrific racial violence he has only gained knowledge of as an adult. But change is coming. Since Alvin’s last visit almost 10 years ago unprecedented development has swept the county and it seems as if decades of racial division might really be starting to wear away. Is this really the beginning of the end?
At least 22 Palestinians have been killed in shelling near the Gaza office of Red Cross, the agency says. We hear from William Schomburg, the head of the ICRC delegation in Gaza.Also in the programme: The lawyer for a Florida family suing Nasa for space junk that fell on their property; and why the King of the Competitive Eating circuit has been banned from taking part in the annual Fourth of July Nathan's Hot Dog Eating competition.(Photo: A delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) inspects a makeshift displacement camp in Rafah's Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip on 29 May 2024. Credit: Bashar Taleb/AFP via Getty Images)
Rachel Stevens was one of the founding members of S Club 7, the pop band that took the world by storm in the early 2000s. She joins Anita to talk about her memoir Finding my Voice: A story of strength, belief and S Club, which covers her time in the hit-making band, her solo career and what it's been like being in the public eye.In a special extended 90 minute programme, Nuala McGovern hosted the Woman's Hour Election Debate. Senior women from the main political parties of Great Britain outlined their priorities for women and answered your questions.Taking part were: Scottish National Party spokesperson for Consular Affairs and International Engagement Hannah Bardell; Reform UK candidate Maria Bowtell; Green Party spokesperson for Housing and Communities Ellie Chowns; Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats Daisy Cooper; Conservative Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work Mims Davies; Labour's Shadow Minister for Industry and Decarbonisation Sarah Jones and Plaid Cymru’s Westminster Leader Liz Saville Roberts.Actor Jill Halfpenny has starred in popular TV series such as Byker Grove, Coronation Street, EastEnders and The Cuckoo. She won an Olivier Award for her role in the musical Legally Blonde and she won the second series of BBC 1's Strictly Come Dancing. But, two tragic events have framed Jill’s life story; when she was four years old her dad died suddenly of a heart attack. Then in 2017, in similarly tragic circumstances, her partner Matt died. Jill talks to Clare about confronting her grief head-on, something she examines in her new book, A Life Reimagined.For over a century, many Americans believed that interracial marriage was illegitimate and until the late 1960s, the American legal system supported that belief. Wedding Band: A Love/Hate Story in Black and White is a play written in the 1960s that explores the impact of these laws. Anita is joined by Monique Touko, the director of a new production of the play, and American historian Dr Leni Sorensen who had a black father and white mother in 1940s California.Can you ever really be just best friends with the love of your life? Laura Dockrill talks to Nuala about the thrills and awful heartache of first love, the inspiration for her first adult novel, ‘I love you, I love you, I love you.’Presenter Clare McDonnell
Producer: Annette Wells
Editor: Louise Corley
در فاصلهای کوتاه از اعتراضات زن، زندگی، آزادی که به سرکوب شدید معترضان انجامید، اصلاحطلبها در تلاشند تا مردم را به پای صندوقهای رای بکشانند. آیا موفق میشوند؟میهمانها:
شیوا محبوبی، فعال سیاسی
فرهاد گوهردانی، پژوهشگر مطالعات توسعه
When Celia's daughter asked about regrets, she posted a message about a puffin sweater she wished she'd bought. Just days later, a man she'd never met sent her the exact same one for free - saying it felt so good to be kind.
Also: The earthquakes being caused by enthusiastic fans during Taylor Swift's Eras Tour.
A BBC radio programme reaches 46 people celebrating mid winter in Antarctica.
How artificial intelligence could help us understand what dogs are trying to say.
Why a sculptor decided to create dozens of art galleries and museums around the world - underwater.
And the festival celebrating the enduring traditions of Flamenco dancing - and bringing it into the twenty first century.Our weekly collection of happy news and positive stories from around the world.
The Red Cross says 22 people were killed in shelling near its offices in Gaza. It's called on both Hamas and the Israeli military to do more to protect civilians. We speak to William Schomburg who is the head of the ICRC delegation in Gaza.Also in the programme: Ukraine says there has been another massive Russian attack on its energy infrastructure; a new documentary about the designer of the wrap around dress - Diane Von Furstenberg; and should NASA pay for damage caused by falling space junk?(Photo credit: AFP)
10 years ago, IS proclaimed the creation of an Islamic State or Caliphate in Iraq and Syria. They went on to dominate headlines for years, committing terrible attacks and atrocities in the Middle East and beyond. Despite losing territory in 2019, the group still exists and is active in many countries around the world. Jihadist media specialist Mina Al-Lami analyses IS' most recent activities and the threats posed by them and other militant groups.Produced by Caroline Ferguson and Alice Gioia.(Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich)
Paloma Faith is an award-winning singer, songwriter and actor. She has released six albums, including her most recent The Glorification of Sadness, received a BRIT Award, been a judge on The Voice UK as well as an actor in films such as St Trinian’s and TV’s series Pennyworth. She is also the mother of two daughters. She joins Clare to discuss her book – MILF - in which she delves into the issues that face women today from puberty and sexual awakenings, to battling through the expectations of patriarchy and the Supermum myth.Far-right parties across Europe made significant gains in the European elections, and women have been at the forefront of this right-wing shift in several countries. Right-wing groups which include those led by Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni, France’s Marine Le Pen and Germany’s Alice Weidel are set to gain further seats in European parliament. To hear about the female leaders of Europe’s far-right and what this shift could mean for women, Anita is joined by the host of EU Confidential Politico's Sarah Wheaton and Shona Murray, Europe correspondent for Euronews.Nearly 300 rapes and sexual assaults reported by sex workers during the Emma Caldwell murder investigation were not dealt with by police at the time, the BBC has learned. 276 reports of sex crimes made by sex workers working in Glasgow during the murder inquiry were filed away and not acted upon. Investigate journalist Sam Poling, whose work was pivotal in bringing Emma Caldwell’s killer, Iain Packer, to justice in February of this year, joins Clare McDonnell to discuss, along with former Detective Sergeant Willie Mason.The American singer-songwriter, Chaka Khan, known as the Queen of Funk, is celebrating her 50th anniversary in music this year. With hits such as Ain't Nobody, I Feel for You and the anthem I'm Every Woman her music has sold an estimated 70 million records, winning her 10 Grammy Awards. She is curating Meltdown 2024 at the Royal Festival Hall, and opens the festival tomorrow night. She shares her plans and discusses her favourite songs.Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Annette Wells
Editor: Rebecca Myatt
What are the financial issues that you will be considering when you decide how to cast your vote in the General Election in July?
Research shows that the economy and inflation are two big issues on our minds - we'll hear from some potential voters on what they'd like to see.New figures from UK Finance, which represents banks and other finance firms, revealed that in 2023 a record number of people lost more than £450 million to thieves who tricked them, manipulated them and then drained their bank account. The slightly better news is that more of them got their money back. We'll delve into the details.And almost three quarters of a million tax credit renewal letters are hitting people's doormats over the next few weeks - and thousands of people will need to act or face losing their payments. What should you do if that’s you? Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporters: Dan Whitworth, Sandra Hardial and Neil Morrow
Studio Producer: Craig Henderson
Editor: Jess Quayle(This programme was first broadcast Saturday 25th May 2024)
The war in Ukraine has contributed to a heightened awareness of security in parts of Europe, and in some countries, the reintroduction of different forms of national service has become a debate once again. In the UK, the ruling Conservative party has promised a system of national service if re-elected. In Italy too, deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini has introduced a controversial bill to bring back mandatory military service. In Germany, the defence minister has presented a proposal for selective military service focused on volunteers to boost its depleted armed forces. Our conversations in this edition bring people together who have completed national service in some form.
Court in Switzerland sentences four members of the billionaire family to jail for exploiting domestic staff. Also: the fierce battle for a small Ukrainian town, and John F. Kennedy's watch will go under the hammer.
A Swiss court has sentenced four members of the UK's richest family to prison sentences ranging from four to four-and-a-half years.Prakash and Kamal Hinduja as well as son Ajay and his wife Namrata were found guilty of exploitation - usury in the Swiss penal code - and illegal employment.Also, in the programme, Rahul Tandon finds out how Canadian farmers working during extreme heat and a deal looks finally sealed to sell Queen's back catalogue...the most valuable in rock.
It's one of the biggest battlegrounds of the election campaign - what the parties will do about immigration. We visit what in 2016 was the UK's most enthusiastic Brexit-backing constituency to find out why this is such a signficant concern for many voters - and we have live discussion on the political offer with two business leaders.Also tonight:Nigel Farage has told the BBC the EU and Nato “provoked” Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. We get reaction from a former head of Nato.After a Chief Constable is sacked for lying about his career and achievements - has the quality of our police chiefs declined?And France's football star Kylian Mbappe has worn a custom-fit mask at the Euros after breaking his nose. One of the leading designers of bespoke masks shows me how they work.
Also on the programme, The US state of Hawaii has agreed to take action to decarbonize its transport by 2045 after a lawsuit was brought by thirteen young people – we hear from one of their representatives, and four members of the Hindujas, known as Britain’s wealthiest family, have been handed jail sentences for exploiting servants in their villa in Geneva.(Picture: A fire blazes on the Israeli side of the Israel-Lebanon border following attacks from Lebanon, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, in northern Israel June 18, 2024. REUTERS/Ayal Margolin )
This special programme is dedicated to the team of scientists and support staff isolated at British research stations in the Antarctic midwinter. For the staff living at three British Antarctic Survey research stations (Rothera, Bird Island and South Georgia), and at other national bases across the frozen continent, midwinter is a special time. With no sunlight, Antarctica is at its coldest and those stationed on the frozen continent face months of total isolation. Midwinter celebrations at the British research stations include a feast, exchange of presents, watching the 1982 horror film The Thing (where an alien monster terrorises an Antarctic base) and listening - on short wave - to the BBC’s Midwinter Broadcast. Presenter Cerys Matthews features messages from family and friends at home, as well as music requests from Antarctica.
Writer: Keri Davies
Director: Dave Payne
Editor: Jeremy HoweTony Archer…. David Troughton
Lilian Bellamy…. Sunny Ormonde
Harrison Burns…. James Cartwright
Alice Carter…. Hollie Chapman
Justin Elliott…. Simon Williams
Mick Fadmoor…. Martin Barrass
George Grundy…. Angus Stobie
Jakob Hakansson…. Paul Venables
Joy Horville…. Jackie Lye
Adam Macy…. Andrew Wincott
Paul Mack…. Joshua Riley
Azra Malik…. Yasmin Wilde
Kirsty Miller…. Annabelle Dowler
Fallon Rogers…. Joanna Van Kampen
Oliver Sterling…. Michael Cochrane
Lucy Porter, Alasdair Beckett-King, Athena Kugblenu and Hugo Rifkind join Andy Zaltzman to quiz the news.This week and the General Election gets closer still, Andy and the Panel will be mulling over the manifestos, inspecting political interviews, and spotlight scandals in the world of competitive eating.Written by Andy ZaltzmanWith additional material by: Christina Riggs, Meryl O'Rourke, Mike Shephard, Herries Anderton & Pete Tellouche
Producer: Sam Holmes
Executive Producer: Pete Strauss
Production Co-ordinator: Sarah Nicholls
Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4
An Eco-Audio certified Production
Lobby groups say at least 200 people were injured and more than 100 arrested across Kenya. Protesters say the controversial finance bill that includes additional taxes would choke the economy and raise the cost of living. Also: parts of southern China have once in a century flooding, while the north is hit by extreme temperatures and drought, how wild chimpanzees seek out medicinal plants, and Stonehenge marks the summer solstice - the longest period of daylight in the northern hemisphere.
We look into the booming religious tourism sector and its challenges, amid hundreds of pilgrim deaths in Saudi.Elsewhere, Rob Young looks into the latest US inflation data and asks why a former football star is turning his eye to African fintech.
Kenya braces itself for more marches next week when lawmakers take a final vote on the controversial tax proposals. But who are the young people taking to the streets and are they really changing the face of protest in Kenya?Also what are the factors hampering Burundi's economyAnd why are South African traditional healers, or Sangomas as they're known, being trained to test clients for HIV?Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Rob Wilson, Susan Gachuhi, Bella Hassan and Nyasha Michelle
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Technical Producer: Jack Graysmark
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
The UN says more than a million people are at risk. Meanwhile a US-built pier designed to facilitate aid deliveries into the Gaza Strip was re-anchored on Wednesday. In recent weeks, strong winds and heavy seas had struck the $300m structure. So how much aid has got in via the pier?
Also on the programme: we visit the hometown of French president Emmanuel Macron in the run up to the general election in July; and new research suggests wild chimpanzees in Uganda are ‘self-medicating’ with healing plants.
(Picture: A child in Gaza waits to receive food. Credit: Reuters / Khaled)
Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.
And environmentalists win their latest legal bid to stop huge caverns under Larne lough
The US ambassador to China tells the BBC that despite a competitive relationship, the two countries are now talking more regularly to prevent escalation in the disputed South China Sea. Also on the podcast: India's government is accused of failing the education system after cancelling an exam taken by nearly a million people, a look back on the life of Canadian film star, Donald Sutherland, and the Spanish feline that looks to be saved from extinction.
The inflation is the rate at which prices increases - so when we say the inflation rate is slowing down it does not mean that prices are falling .
So we wanted to discuss why inflation is still so sticky with someone in the US who has been looking at it for some time - someone involved in those crucial decisions on interest rates
Rahul Tandon spoke to Austin Goolsbee President of the Federal Reserve bank of Chicago one of 12 Reserve banks in the US.
The leaders of the four biggest political parties: Sir Ed Davey of the Liberal Democrats, John Swinney of the SNP, Sir Keir Starmer of Labour, and the Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, faced a half hour grilling each from a live Question Time audience in York. Sunak told the audience he was "incredibly angry" to learn of allegations that Tory insiders placed bets on the election.Senior IDF commander, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, told Israeli media that it is wrong to say Hamas can be eliminated. That's despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted Hamas's destruction is the objective of the military operation in Gaza.And after a six-decade acting career, Donald Sutherland passed away at the age of 88.
It is now more than a year since civil war erupted in Sudan following a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. 14 months on, the figures show that over 6 million people have been displaced within the country, with at least one and half million people fleeing across Sudan's borders. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi has just got back from the country and explains what he has seen.Also on the programme, we reflect on the life of actor Donald Sutherland who has died at the age of 88; and we hear from Kenya where young people have taken to the streets to try to force the government to back down on its plan for tax rises. (Picture: A handout photograph, shows a woman and baby at the Zamzam displacement camp, close to El Fasher in North Darfur, Sudan, January 2024, MSF/Mohamed Zakaria/Handout via REUTERS)
How has China reached the top spot of scientific research so quickly? Science editor of The Economist, Ainslie Johnstone, gives us the CCPs grand, broad plans whilst Nature’s Asia and Pacific editor, Gemma Conroy, digs into the specifics of China’s future particle collider. Also, Gene Kirtsky, who has been studying cicadas for 50 years, discusses the spectacle of the millions of insects which have been emerging across the USA this summer. And Unexpected Elements' Marnie Chesterton gets close and personal with the stinkiest plant in the world at Kew Garden in London.
Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Ella Hubber
Production Coordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth(Image: Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory Under Construction. Credit: VCG / Getty Images.)
EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles could backfire, after Chinese car companies called on their government to introduce import taxes on EU petrol cars, in response. Vishala Sri-Pathma dives into whether this is a sign of things to come.Elsewhere, we look at protests in Kenya over a slew of unpopular tax proposals. And we examine the prospects for closer economic ties between Russia and Vietnam after President Putin’s visit to Hanoi.
Demonstrators, many of them young, were armed only with their smart phones. Police in Nairobi came on horseback and used water cannon. The Kenyan government plans to raise more than two-and-a-half billion dollars in new taxes. Also: a day after signing a defence agreement with North Korea, Russia's President Putin visits Vietnam, the new treatment that leaves heart attack victims more active than they were, and the British musician Rapman on his Netflix show about superheroes in London.
Hundreds of Muslim worshippers have reportedly died during Hajj, the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca. Most of the deaths have been because of heat-related illnesses. Saudi Arabia has been hit by sweltering temperatures this year. What measures are in place to help travellers mitigate the risks from these high temperatures? Also, why are cases of sexually transmitted infections on the rise on the continent? And why do many students from across Africa prefer studying at Western Universities? What's the attraction and how are they treated once they get into a University in the West? Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Frenny Jowi, Susan Gachuhi, Patricia Whitehorne, Nyasha Michelle and Bella Hassan.
Technical Producer :Jack Graysmark
Senior Producer:Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
A group of scientists from an organisation called the World Weather Attribution group have said that recent heatwaves in North America and Europe were made 35 times more likely because of global warming. There have been heatwaves in parts of southeast Asia, in Greece and Turkey. Also hundreds of people have died in Saudi Arabia, where 1.8 million are taking part in the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, because of temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit). Also in the programme: Vladimir Putin visits Vietnam ; and how shockwaves can help regenerate heart tissue after a bypass operation. (Photo: India issues heatwave red alert, New Delhi Credit: HARISH TYAGI/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Rachel Stevens was one of the founding members of S Club 7, the pop band that took the world by storm in the early 2000s. She joins Anita to talk about her memoir Finding my voice: A story of strength, belief and S Club, which covers her time in the hit-making band, her solo career and what it's been like being in the public eye.Anita is joined by Ella Janneh who has won a civil case against her former therapist, over claims he raped her during a therapy session at his clinic in London. She has been awarded more than £200,000 in damages. A day after the incident in 2016, she went to the Metropolitan Police, but the case was dropped two years later. Ella explains why she decided to pursue a civil case and how she’s been affected. Two new studies from Scandinavia suggest that having children doesn’t harm women’s pay, at least not in the long run. Christian Odendahl, the European economics editor at The Economist, talks Anita through the findings of the new research into the “motherhood penalty.”For over a century, many Americans believed that interracial marriage was illegitimate and until the late 1960s, the American legal system supported that belief. Wedding Band: A Love/Hate Story in Black and White is a play written in the 1960s that explores the impact of these laws. Anita is joined by Monique Touko, the director of a new production of the play, and American historian Dr Leni Sorensen who had a black father and white mother in 1940s California.Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Olivia Skinner
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the woman who, for almost fifty years, was the most powerful figure in the Chinese court. Cixi (1835-1908) started out at court as one of the Emperor's many concubines, yet was the only one who gave him a son to succeed him and who also possessed great political skill and ambition. When their son became emperor he was still a young child and Cixi ruled first through him and then, following his death, through another child emperor. This was a time of rapid change in China, when western powers and Japan humiliated the forces of the Qing empire time after time, and Cixi had the chance to push forward the modernising reforms the country needed to thrive. However, when she found those reforms conflicted with her own interests or those of the Qing dynasty, she was arguably obstructive or too slow to act and she has been personally blamed for some of those many humiliations even when the fault lay elsewhere. With Yangwen Zheng
Professor of Chinese History at the University of ManchesterRana Mitter
The S.T. Lee Professor of US-Asia Relations at the Harvard Kennedy SchoolAndRonald Po
Associate Professor in the Department of International History at London School of Economics and Visiting Professor at Leiden UniversityProducer: Simon Tillotson
In Our Time is a BBC Studios Audio ProductionReading list: Pearl S. Buck, Imperial Woman: The Story of the Last Empress of China (first published 1956; Open Road Media, 2013) Katharine A. Carl, With the Empress Dowager (first published 1906; General Books LLC, 2009)Jung Chang, Empress Dowager Cixi: The Concubine Who Launched Modern China (Jonathan Cape, 2013)Princess Der Ling, Old Buddha (first published 1929; Kessinger Publishing, 2007)
Joseph W. Esherick, The Origins of the Boxer Uprising (University of California Press, 1987)John K. Fairbank and Merle Goldman, China: A New History (Harvard University Press, 2006)Peter Gue Zarrow and Rebecca Karl (eds.), Rethinking the 1898 Reform Period: Political and Cultural Change in Late Qing China (Harvard University Press, 2002)Grant Hayter-Menzies, Imperial Masquerade: The Legend of Princess Der Ling (Hong Kong University Press, 2008)Keith Laidler, The Last Empress: The She-Dragon of China (Wiley, 2003)Keith McMahon, Celestial Women: Imperial Wives and Concubines in China from Song to Qing (Rowman & Littlefield, 2020)Anchee Min, The Last Empress (Bloomsbury, 2011)Ying-Chen Peng, Artful Subversion: Empress Dowager Cixi’s Image Making (Yale University Press, 2023).Sarah Pike Conger, Letters from China: with Particular Reference to the Empress Dowager and the Women ...
Many of the most brutal cases took place in Aleppo between 2011 and 2013. Also: hundreds of people are reported to have died during this year's Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia as temperatures in Mecca exceeded fifty degrees, and scientists shed light on why some people do not get Covid-19.
There has been devastating human and economic consequences of the heatwaves in several parts of the world. At least five hundred and fifty pilgrims have died during the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca
In the UK inflation has come under the 2 per cent target for the first time in three yearsAnd the surging prices of luxury goods have turned off turned off some shoppers. We ask why?
Over 800 ethnically-Korean refugees fled Ukraine for Koryo Village in South Korea’s Gwangju province following Russia’s invasion. Many Koryoin are women and children who escaped Ukraine when male family members were drafted. Some have secured legal status and jobs, while others await document processing. They are descendants of Koreans who fled to the Soviet Union during the Japanese occupation of Korea. Journalist So Jeong Lee visits the village, observing new arrivals and a school where children learn Korean. But recent elections have led to new government policies which will impact the Koryoin.
An officer in the Prime Minister's close protection team has been arrested over alleged bets on when the general election would be held. We have the latest from Westminster.Also tonight:As inflation hits the Bank of England's target for the first time in almost three years - could the Bank cut interest rates tomorrow? We speak to a former deputy governor of the Bank. Scientists have found micro plastics in penises for the first time. How concerned should we be about micro plastics entering the human body? And what now for the Tartan Army as Scotland earn a draw with Switzerland? We're live in Cologne.
The lead author of a UN-backed investigation tells us both Hamas and Israel are responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity. But Navi Pillay says neither side cooperated with the report. So how valuable can it be? Also on the programme: Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un have signed a strategic partnership treaty - we ask what Russia and North Korea can gain from each other; and Naomi Campbell looks back at her career on and off the catwalk.(Photo: A girl sits as Palestinians gather to receive food cooked by a charity kitchen. Credit: Reuters)
Citroen CEO Thierry Koskas tells the BBC about its plans to compete with Chinese manufacturers, and why it's "confident" it can beat them on home turf.Elsewhere, Roger Hearing looks at whether Nvidia - now the world's most valuable company - is in a price bubble. And he hears from South Africa's new coalition about plans to boost the country’s economy.
Amnesty International is calling on Egypt to stop arresting Sudanese people seeking refuge from war. The human rights watchdog says Egypt must also stop sending refugees back to Sudan. Our correspondent in Cairo tells us how these refugees are perceived and treated.Also why is violence once again on the rise in Mozambique's Cabo Delgado Province?And how did Famo, a genre of music in Lesotho, came to be associated with gang violence?Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Bella Hassan, Rob Wilson, Patricia Whitehorn and Nyasha Michelle
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer
Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un have hailed closer relations between Russia and North Korea on a day of choreographed events in Pyongyang. The two leaders stood beneath huge portraits of themselves as they watched a military parade. Mr Kim said he unconditionally supported Russia's military action in Ukraine. Also in the programme: The displaced Gazan families forced to live next to vast rubbish dumps; deadly heat at the Hajj; a presidential debate in Iran; and the world's smelliest plant!(Photo credit: KCNA)
Accord signed on Vladimir Putin's first visit to Pyongyang in more than twenty years. Kim Jong-un said he unconditionally supported Russia's military action in Ukraine. Mr Putin said he appreciated North Korea's unwavering support. Also: Cyril Ramaphosa is sworn in for a second term as President of South Africa, Nvidia becomes the world's most valuable company, and the flower that stinks of rotting meat.
Get ready to hear Beth explain how to use the word 'during' in 60 seconds - it's amazing!TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcriptf or this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/course/eiam/unit-3/session-87FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
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Chip-maker Nvidia has become the world’s most valuable company after its share price climbed to an all-time high. It is now worth $3.34tn with the price having nearly doubled since the start of this year.Also, Devina Gupta takes a look at President Joe Biden's new policy that is likely to change the lives of tens of thousands of migrants married to US citizens, and finds out why stock exchange workers are going on strike in Italy.
A survey published today by Women in Football shows that 88% of women working in the industry believe they have to work harder than men to achieve the same recognition and benefits - the research also found that 74% of men agree with them. It also found that 89% of women working in the game have experienced discrimination in the workplace. Nuala speaks to Yvonne Harrison, Chief Executive Officer Women in Football.Can you ever really be just best friends with the love of your life? Laura Dockrill talks to Nuala about the thrills and awful heartache of first love, the inspiration for her first adult novel, ‘I love you, I love you, I love you.’Having more women on surgical teams is associated with fewer complications for patients and a lower rate of morbidity after 90 days, a major study from Canada has found. The lead author of the study Dr Julie Hallet explains the findings and Nuala is joined by Ms Tamzin Cuming, consultant colorectal surgeon and Chair of the Royal College of Surgeons of England's Women in Surgery Forum.
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On Friday a prominent activist in China’s #MeToo movement, Sophia Huang, was sentenced to five years in prison for "subversion against the state”. As a journalist, Sophia reported ground-breaking stories about sexual abuse victims and gender discrimination. Journalists Jessie Lau and Lijia Zhang join Nuala live in the studio to bring us up to date with the latest in her case and discuss the wider experience of women in China.Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Laura Northedge
And parents asking to increase provision for special needs pupils after 19 years of age.
Under the existing rules, foreigners who arrive illegally into the United States and marry US citizens must wait abroad for their applications to be processed. Also: Putin arrives in North Korea ahead of talks with Kim Jong Un, and McDonald's withdraws its malfunctioning AI ordering software.
Fighters from dissident armed groups in Colombia are using TikTok to glorify their lives as guerrillas and recruit youngsters. These armed groups did not like the terms of a peace treaty negotiated between the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the government in 2016, and they kept fighting against the Colombian government. Videos glorifying life inside the guerrilla: money, cars, guns, women, community and purpose, have struck a chord with teens, particularly in rural areas like the Cauca region in west Colombia. So how popular are these TikToks and what does it mean for Colombia?
With the deadline to register to vote looming, we speak to young voters who are still weighing up their choices.Also in the programme: US President Biden announces a new policy that would protect hundreds of thousands of undocumented spouses of US citizens from deportation. We hear from one of the affected families, and ask how this feeds into the politics of immigration in America. And, as the Post Office Inquiry continues, two forensic accountants take centre stage to expose the truth.
President Joe Biden announces a new policy that would protect hundreds of thousands of undocumented spouses of US citizens from deportation, according to administration officials. Also in the programme: Kenyan’s government scraps a financial bill amid violent protests; and a citizens group has decided how the fortune of an Austro-German heiress will be given away. (Photo: President Joe Biden during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington. Credit: Reuters).
Kenya's government has bowed to public pressure and scrapped plans to introduce new taxes on items like bread and motor vehicles. Why were Kenyans so angry with the tax increments? Ethiopia one of sub-Saharan Africa's major economies, opens up its banking sector to foreign investors. What will it mean for the country? And why is Sierra Leone considering updating its child protection laws?
Russian leader Vladimir Putin is in North Korea for his first talks there in almost a quarter of a century. We hear what two of the world's most sanctioned nations have to offer each other's economies.Roger Hearing finds out why Boeing's CEO is likely to get a grilling when he appears before the US Senate.With another US electric vehicle start-up filing for bankruptcy, what does it mean for the industry? Meanwhile, how can a new AI tool help fruit growers improve their profits by predicting their harvest?The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.
North Korea is preparing to welcome Vladimir Putin on his first visit there in more than twenty years. Also: Police in Kenya have fired tear gas and used water cannon to try to disperse protestors opposed to a new finance bill. The Senate in Thailand has passed a law allowing same sex marriage - the first country in Southeast Asia to do so. And why has a parkour runner at a UNESCO protected site in Italy sparked fury?
Mr Putin is expected to arrive in the capital to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un – but what do both countries want? Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised North Korea for "firmly supporting" Moscow's war in Ukraine. This is his first visit to Pyongyang in 24 years.In eight days, the US journalist Evan Gershkovich will stand trial on espionage charges in Russia. The Wall Street Journal reporter has been accused of collecting information for the CIA. We’ll hear from his editor, Emma Tucker.Also in the programme, a new report says next month's Paris Olympics could be the hottest games ever. We'll hear from India's top triathlete, Pragnya Mohan, who's already had to relocate her training away from her home country's heat.(Photo: Russian and North Korean leaders at a meeting in September in the Russian city of Vladivostok Credits: REUTERS)
In a special extended 90 minute programme, Nuala McGovern hosts the Woman's Hour Election Debate. Senior women from the main political parties of Great Britain outline their priorities for women and answer your questions. Taking part are: Scottish National Party spokesperson for Consular Affairs and International Engagement Hannah Bardell; Reform UK candidate Maria Bowtell; Green Party spokesperson for Housing and Communities Ellie Chowns; Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats Daisy Cooper; Conservative Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work Mims Davies; Labour's Shadow Minister for Industry and Decarbonisation Sarah Jones and Plaid Cymru’s Westminster Leader Liz Saville Roberts.
Is Russia Europe’s last empire? Is its invasion of Ukraine a “colonial war”? Is “decolonising” the country the only way of ensuring it stops being a threat to its neighbours and world peace?Since last year, “decolonising Russia” has become a buzz-phrase in Ukraine and other former members of the soviet union, among many Western strategists and politicians, Russian studies experts – and Russia’s own liberal opposition and ethnic minorities.And that’s triggered a vigorous debate about whether the term “decolonisation” is really relevant to Russia – and what it means. Is it about challenging the “imperial mindset” of its rulers – and perhaps of every ordinary Russian? Or perhaps it means dismembering the country itself?In “Assignment: Decolonising Russia” Tim Whewell dissects a new and vital controversy with the help of historians, policy makers and activists in the former Soviet Union, the West and the Global South.
Ever felt like you’re on the rollercoaster of life and you don’t know a good way to say it?(Image: Getty)TRANSCRIPT
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United States Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, has called for a warning label to be placed on social media platforms advising of the damage to adolescents’ mental health. We hear from a whistleblower on his experiences of working in a social media company. Our colleague Ed Butler explores ‘over tourism’, where locals feel left out of tourist hotspotsAnd The Pixar film Inside Out 2 has dramatically exceeded ticket sales predictions on its opening weekend, bucking a trend of poor performances from new film releases. Rahul Tandon asks why.
The governor Wes Moore said his executive order marked "the most sweeping state-level pardon in American history". Also: the Kremlin has confirmed that the Russian president Vladimir Putin will travel to North Korea on Tuesday, and the British actor Ian McKellen falls off stage during a performance in London.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dissolved his six-member war cabinet, a widely expected decision that follows the departure of centrist opposition leader Benny Gantz and his ally Gadi Eisenkot.
Also on the programme: Migrant deaths in the Mediterranean allegedly at the hands of the Greek coastguard, we hear testimony from those who witnessed others thrown overboard; and the international effort to find hundreds of species of ‘missing’ birds
(Photo: Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu Credit: Gil Cohen Magen via Reuters)
Dr Julia Ravey and Dr Ella Hubber both have a love of science, but it turns out there’s a lot they don’t know about some of the leading women at the front of the inventing game. In Unstoppable, Dr Julia and Dr Ella tell each other the hidden, world-shaping stories of the engineers, innovators and inventors they wish they’d known about when they were starting out as scientists. This week, the inventor whose incredible capacity to solve problems inspired today’s most popular period products. Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner – known as Beatrice – grew up in a family of inventors, creating her first invention at just six years old. And she didn’t stop there – she continued to invent throughout her adult life, including a new and improved sanitary pad in a time when there was still a big taboo around periods. However, as an African American woman during a time of racial segregation, Beatrice faced injustice and discrimination when trying to get her inventions patented. But if anything, this spurred Beatrice on, and at one point in time she held the most patents of any African American woman. Dr Julia and Dr Ella are joined by Professor Sharra Vostral and Ashleigh Coren as they tell Beatrice’s remarkable story. Presenters: Dr Ella Hubber and Dr Julia Ravey
Producers: Ella Hubber and Julia Ravey
Assistant Producer: Sophie Ormiston
Production Coordinator: Elisabeth Tuohy
Editor: Holly Squire
The economist Thomas Piketty – author of international bestseller Capital in the Twenty-First Century – joins Roger Hearing to discuss the upcoming French elections, as fears of a far right election win make markets nervous.We also take a look at the world’s second largest economy, China. Its premier Li Qiang is on a visit to Australia to try to repair a fractured relationship that has caused major problems for trade. Meanwhile China seems poised to impose tariffs on EU pork - is this just retaliation for tariffs on Chinese electric cars?
Today marks the official start of campaigning for the snap general election in France. It was called by President Emmanuel Macron after his Renaissance party lost heavily to the anti-immigration National Rally in the recent EU parliamentary polls.
Also in the programme: the BBC hears testimony that the Greek coastguard caused the deaths of migrants in the Mediterranean; and the music stars with a difference -- K-pop's first hearing-impaired group.
(Photo: People take part in a demonstration against the French far right party National Rally after the results of the European elections, in Paris, France, 15 June 2024. Credit: Mandatory Credit: Photo by Andre Pain/ EPA-EFE/REX Shutterstock)
Israel's PM dissolves his six-member war cabinet with no plans for a replacement. The BBC hears from witnesses who say the Greek coastguard threw migrants to their deaths. Also: Denmark says it's looking at additional ways of stopping Russian oil exports passing through the Baltic Sea, and news
avoidance at record levels.
Female students at the University of Juba in South Sudan say, they were arrested and beaten by police following a protest against a rise in hostel fees. It's caused concern amongst civil society groups in the country. We'll hear reaction from Jackline Nasiwa, a human rights defender and director of Centre for Inclusive Governance, Peace and Justice in South Sudan.Also a task team in Sierra Leone finds that the addictive drug Kush is one hundred times more potent than heroinAnd can AI help farmers on the continent with pest control? Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Rob Wilson, Bella Hassan and Frenny Jowi
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Technical Producer: Jonny Hall
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
Last week, listener Charlotte got in touch with the programme to share her story. She was diagnosed with terminal cancer in April and was told she might only have months to live. She talks to Nuala about staying optimistic, juggling the admin of an illness with childcare, and the impact it’s having on her family. Adrienne Betteley, Strategic Advisor for End of Life Care at Macmillan Cancer Support, discusses dealing with a terminal diagnosis, how best to tell your children, and the support that's available.Tinessa Kaur has become the first Sikh woman to win the prestigious Young Pro-Bono Barrister of the Year award 2024 .She dedicates around 30 hours a week to her pro bono work in underrepresented communities. Her journey to the Bar hasn’t been easy, At just 17, while pursuing her A levels, she faced homelessness in Leicester where she lived. Now 32, the pupil barrister is hoping to inspire others from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue a career in the profession.Debbie Wileman is the British singing sensation who captured world-wide attention during the pandemic when her uncanny impersonations of Judy Garland went viral. She’s since performed at Carnegie Hall and now she'll be making her West End debut as Judy – while still doing day job at an optician’s.Producer: Maryam Maruf
Studio Managers: Emma Harth and Duncan Hannant
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For artist Nazanin Moradi, who was brought up in Iran where women are “second-class citizens in every sense,” reversing the “unfair” gender roles is paramount. In her new project, the multidisciplinary artist challenges male domination and toxic masculinity, within a fragmented historical context where fantasy meets rebellion. She does this by changing the narrative of ancient Mesopotamian mythology, fixating on the legendary battle where the supremely powerful dragon goddess of oceans Tiamat, was killed by the storm god Marduk. Sahar Zand spends time with Nazanin as she embarks on the ambitious project.
The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, was speaking at the close of a summit for peace in Switzerland. Also: Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has described the introduction of daily "tactical pauses" in military activity in a part of southern Gaza as “unacceptable”, and the original multi-coloured dancefloor used in the 1977 film, Saturday Night Fever, has been sold at auction.
The Ukraine peace summit ends in Switzerland with strong support for Kyiv and a call for dialogue - but is Russia listening?Also in the programme: the heat dome spreading across the US, with dangerous consequences; and some advice on living happily from the world's happiest country.(IMAGE: (L-R) President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, Swiss Federal President Viola Amherd, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, President Gabriel Boric Font of Chile and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada attend the closing press conference of the Summit on Peace in Ukraine in Stansstad near Lucerne, Switzerland, 16 June 2024 / CREDIT: Allessandro della Valle / POOL / EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
The Israeli military says it will hold a daily "tactical pause of military activity" along a road in southern Gaza to enable more humanitarian aid to enter but emphasised that there is no ceasefire and combat would continue in Rafah. They will only affect a route that leads northwards from the key Kerem Shalom crossing, which Gaza shares with Israel. World leaders at the Ukraine summit for peace in Switzerland are exploring ways of ensuring the security of nuclear sites and of Ukraine's food exports. Also on the programme: the mystery and history surrounding the desk of literary giant Dr Samuel Johnson; and we hear from the father of Swedish DJ Avicii, on his son's life and death.(Photo: Displaced Palestinians collect donated food in Khan Yunis camp Credit: Photo by HAITHAM IMAD/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Eighty years ago at least three million Indians, who were British subjects, died in the Bengal Famine. But today different generations in Britain are coming to terms with this difficult past. Kavita Puri meets the granddaughter of a senior colonial figure, who is only just learning about her grandfather's role in the famine. Initially she feels shame, but discoveries in her family archive change her perspective. A 97 year-old British man makes a surprising revelation about his role in the Bengal famine. And three generations on, British Bengalis mark the famine in Britain, in an unexpected way.
The two-day gathering follows President Putin outlining Russia’s ceasefire terms, which have been widely dismissed. Russia has not been invited to the peace summit and China, a key strategic partner, is not attending. Also: Israel has launched an investigation into the deaths of eight IDF soldiers in Rafah, and Sweden welcomes home two citizens who had been arrested in Iran after a prisoner swap.
Delegates at a peace summit for Ukraine in Switzerland have been voicing their support for Kyiv, but some have questioned the meeting's purpose without Russia in attendance. Leaders from 90 countries are attending.Also on the programme: we'll look back over a turbulent few days in France after President Macron's surprise snap election call last Sunday; and with the Olympics due to start in just over a month, what is the current status of Russian athletes? (Picture: President Zelensky of Ukraine in Switzerland. Credit: EPA)
اخلاق انتخاباتی چیست و چه تفاوتی با اخلاق فردی دارد؟ عقل و احساس چه نقشی دارند؟
میهمانها:
حسین دباغ، مدرس فلسفه اخلاق
پیمان عارف، تحلیلگر سیاسی
More than 90 countries and global institutions are in Switzerland to discuss how to end the conflict in Ukraine. So what is need to happen to start a peace process? Also on the programme: a Russian journalist tells us the dangers of being a journalist - including poisoning; and how will the new coalition government in South Africa team up with its rivals? (Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrive to attend a media briefing during the Summit on Peace in Ukraine. Credit: ALESSANDRO DELLA VALLE/POOL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
This week's edition comes from Finland, the country repeatedly crowned the happiest in the world, and the Helsinki Happiness Hacks event introduced people - selected from thousands of applicants across the globe - to Finns willing to share the secrets of their contentment. These include skateboarding, dancing with friends, messy art, walking barefoot, ice cream for breakfast, and of course, a sauna. And we explore how happiness is measured and why a dose of pessimism doesn’t preclude happiness.
Would you turn to AI to create your perfect partner? Wanqing Zhang from the BBC Global China Unit has been looking into an AI dating trend that is going viral in China. Plus, Daria Taradai from BBC Ukraine tells us what it's like to live and work with power cuts in Kyiv. Produced by Caroline Ferguson and Alice Gioia. (Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich)
Money Box can reveal that the government is recouping more than £250m pounds from over 100,000 carers who it says broke the earnings rule and should have lost their carer's allowance. The numbers came from a Parliamentary Question this week asked by the chair of the work and pensions select committee, Twice as many women as men are being chased for these overpayments.We hear from a carer who has around £5000 worth of debt as well as finding out more about rights for carers affected.The Department for Work and Pensions told us, “The total amount of Carer’s Allowance overpayments includes historical debts which the department is seeking to recover. In comparison, Carer’s Allowance expenditure is forecast to be £4.2 billion this year alone.”
“Carers across the UK are unsung heroes who make a huge difference to someone else’s life, and we have increased Carer's Allowance by almost £1,500 since 2010.” Also on the programme, a report by spending watchdog the National Audit Office has revealed callers to HMRC helplines were on hold for a total of 789 years in 2022/23. Are we saving enough for our retirement? Pensions and investment mutual Royal London gives Money Box exclusive figures.And how do you spend a £50 note? We get to the bottom of what shops are allowed to accept.Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporters: Dan Whitworth and Sandra Hardial
Researcher: Jo Krasner
Editor: Sarah Rogers
In their closing statement - G7 leaders have issued their starkest warning yet to China over its support for Russia, attacking Beijing for “enabling” Russia’s war in Ukraine, and threatened more sanctions if Beijing keeps transferring material used by Moscow’s defence industry.Smartphones outnumber people now, according to the World Economic Forum. We talk with 'The Phone Lady' who's business aims to help people overcome their phone phobia.Our Europe Correspondent Nick Beake reports from Munich after hosts Germany have won their opening game of the 2024 European Football Championships, with a huge 5-1 win over Scotland.We also discuss America's third largest bank - Wells Fargo - after they fired more than a dozen employees following allegations that some were faking keyboard activity to fool the firm into thinking they were working.
Politics in Europe took a shift to the right following the recent European parliamentary elections, with far-right parties making gains in several countries, most notably France. The size of victory for the opposition National Rally Party led President Macron to call a snap national election. We bring together two men who support Marine Le Pen’s far-right party to discuss what’s informing their views. A major concern, they say, is fear about crime and security, which causes some people to carry knives.
Bump stocks were banned after they were used in America's deadliest mass shooting in 2017. Western leaders dismiss Russian President Putin's call for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, as they meet at the G7 summit in southern Italy. Also: A Chinese court sentences a journalist who reported on #MeToo to jail for "subversion", and why grey whales are shrinking.
South Africa's newly formed national unity government need to get the economy growing again. We hear from entrepreneur and outspoken critic of the ANC Rob Hersov on what can be done.Meta has halted its AI models in Europe after the Irish privacy regulator told it to delay its plan to harness data from Facebook and Instagram users. We look at what happened and why. Also, Devina Gupta turns to Venezuela where Presidential elections are set for July 28. Edmundo Gonzalez, a little-known former diplomat has been chosen by various parties to be their candidate after the most prominent opposition leader had been barred from running.
The Princess of Wales delivered an update on her cancer treatment on Friday, saying she was making "good progress" but adding that chemotherapy meant "there are good days and bad days". She will attend Trooping the Colour on Saturday in her first public appearance this year.In South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa of the African National Congress has been re-elected as President in a new government of national unity comprising the ANC, the centre-right Democratic Alliance, and smaller parties.And Scotland got off to a bruising start in their return to international football at the Euros, losing 5-1 to Germany after defender Ryan Porteous was sent off. We speak to a fan who's been following the national side since 1965.
South Africa's governing African National Congress (ANC) and the main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) have agreed to form a government of national unity, along with two smaller opposition parties. We look at the state of politics in South Africa as the once mighty African National Congress is forced to share power.
Also in the programme: The first match of the European football championships has begun - so how strong are politically nationalist feelings among the fans? And we'll hear from the German comedian who's just had an audience with the Pope.
(Photo: The DA and ANC parties have been bitter rivals for many years. Credit: Getty Images)
Residents of Rafah say western areas of the overcrowded city have come under heavy fire, over the past 24 hours, with Israeli helicopter missions and street battles. We hear from a spokesman from the UN's agency for children. Also in the programme: South Africa is on course for a historic coalition government after the centre right Democratic Alliance announced it would join the African National Congress; and researchers say Pacific grey whales are rapidly getting smaller.(Photo: Girls walk while carrying a container as Palestinians flee Rafah following heavy fighting, 13 June 2024. Credit: Hatem Khaled/Reuters)
Writer: Nick Warburton
Director: Julie Beckett
Editor: Jeremy HoweJosh Archer…. Angus Imrie
Pip Archer…. Daisy Badger
Lilian Bellamy…. Sunny Ormonde
Harrison Burns…. James Cartwright
Alan Franks…. John Telfer
Ed Grundy….. Barry Farrimond
Emma Grundy…. Emerald O’Hanrahan
George Grundy…. Angus Stobie
Will Grundy…. Philip Malloy
Paul Mack…. Joshua Riley
Kirsty Miller…. Annabelle Dowler
Lily Pargetter…. Katie Redford
Stella Pryor…. Lucy Speed
Fallon Rogers…. Joanna Van Kampen
Oliver Sterling…. Michael Cochrane
Andy Zaltzman quizzes the week's news. Providing all the answers are Ian Smith, Geoff Norcott, Shaparak Khorsandi and Anushka Asthana.In this first episode of the new series, the panel catches up on all things General Election, Trumped up charges (all 34), and a recently discovered royal kid.Written by Andy ZaltzmanWith additional material by: Christina Riggs, Jade Gebbie, Mike Shephard & Stephen Mawhinney
Producer: Sam Holmes
Executive Producer: Richard Morris
Production Co-ordinator: Sarah Nicholls
Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4
An Eco-Audio certified Production
Nigeria, a nation once notorious for military rule, is marking 25 years of democracy, at a time when several of its West African neighbours have had coups in recent years. But as many Nigerians struggle to earn enough to live on, amid an economic crisis and dramatically rising prices, some appear to be very unhappy with how they are being governed. So, is democracy working in Nigeria? Also, why are young people being targeted to smoke e-cigarettes?And we'll learn more about the social media influencer from Kenya, spreading disinformation about climate change.Presenter:Charles Gitonga
Technical Producer:Nick Randell
Producers: Joseph Keen, Rob Wilson, Bella Hassan and Patricia Whitehorne
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
South Africa's main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), says it has agreed a deal with the governing African National Congress (ANC) to form a government of national unity. How will it change the economy? Also, in the programme, Rahul Tandon finds out why Japan is become very popular tourism destination and how it affecting local businesses.
Three political parties have supported the ANC’s bid for a unity government. The ANC lost its parliamentary majority in last month’s election. Parliament has already been sworn in. Also: G7 leaders focus on tensions with China on the second day of their summit in Italy; And the authorities in Thailand search for three oil tankers which went missing.
Attar is the essential oil that is produced when aromatics like jasmine and sandalwood are pressed and distilled. It has been a feature of life in India, as well as many other parts of the world, for over 5,000 years, and it has been the defining industry of the Indian city of Kannauj for over a thousand. But whereas once this ancient discipline employed nearly all the city’s residents, it’s now suffering severely from the impact of climate change and the rise of synthetic perfumes. Journalist Jigyasa Mishra meets the farmers, flower pickers and traditional perfumers of Kannauj to better understand the way of life attar sustains and to ask: can anything be done to reverse the trend?Producers: Jigyasa Mishra and Artemis IrvineA Whistledown Production for BBC World Service
Earlier this month, the British Olympic Association announced the 42 athletes selected to represent Team GB in rowing at 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Among them is the two-time Olympic gold medallist Helen Glover competing at this level for the 4th time as part of the Women’s four. In 2015 Helen was ranked the top female rower in the world and went on to become the first mother to row for Team GB in 2021. Now having had three children she has her sights set on the podium once more - joining the ranks of other athletes who've achieved sporting success after having a family - cyclist Dame Laura Kenny, sprinter Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce, and tennis players Elina Svitolina and Serena Williams. Helen joins Anita Rani.In the next of the Woman’s Hour interviews with the leaders of the main political parties in the run-up to the General Election, Anita speaks to Carla Denyer, co-leader of the Green Party of England and Wales. Meltdown festival opens at the Southbank Centre in London on Friday. Anita Rani hears from one the acts selected by the legendary American singer/songwriter Chaka Khan. It's the pan-African, all female super group Les Amazones d'Afrique, who shot to global fame in 2017, when President Obama included one of their songs among his 20 favourite tracks of the year. They were formed in Mali in 2014, with the goal of campaigning for gender equality and eradicating ancestral violence. Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Kirsty Starkey
Editor: Karen Dalziel
George Antone is a member of the only Roman Catholic Church in Gaza, part of a dwindling Christian community whose roots in this area, go back to the 4th Century. When war broke out in October 2023, he is convinced that staying in Gaza City is the right option - for safety and to continue bearing witness to Jesus in this part of the world. His is the first family to move into the compound of the Holy Family Church and he helps lead the parish through the next months as they suffer deaths of loved ones, near starvation and destruction of their homes. Throughout it all, he keeps in contact with BBC Producer Catherine Murray sending her WhatsApp messages from a warzone.
In a separate landmark security deal, the US pledges to provide Ukraine with a range of military aid and training over the next decade. Also: The US Supreme Court rejects an attempt to restrict access to a widely-used abortion drug, and endangered wild horses return to the Kazakh plains for the first time in centuries.
The U.S. Supreme Court has backed Starbucks challenge to a judicial order to rehire seven Memphis employees. They were fired as
they sought to form a union. Presenter Devina Gupta examines the implications of the verdict. Disney and Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida agree to end a feud over $17 billion in planned development at Walt Disney World. Disney say the deal will fuel new investment. New York has passed a pair of proposed laws that aim to make social media less harmful to children. We hear what the legislation might mean if it is signed off by the State governor.
Sir Keir Starmer has set out Labour's plans for government, saying economic growth is the party's "core business". We assess how credible Labour's plan to grow the economy really is - and get the view from businesses. Also tonight:World leaders at the G7 summit in Italy have made an historic agreement to raise $50bn dollars for Ukraine from frozen Russian assets. How much difference could that make?Celine Dion speaks about the illness that's kept her away from the stage - and how she's determined to sing again.And why does June feel more like January - what's causing our unseasonably cold weather?
Presidents Joe Biden and Volodymyr Zelensky sign a ten year security deal as the G7 agreed to send Ukraine $50bn in aid from frozen Russian assets.Also on the programme: Argentina's president Javier Milei gets Senate approval for his economic reform plans; and the airlift to return endangered wild horses to the plains of Kazakhstan for the first time in more than two hundred years.(Photo: Presidents Biden and Zelensky arrive at a press conference in Fasano, Italy. Credit: Reuters)
With mice being the latest species to carry the disease, pandemic expert Rick Bright calls for stronger counter measures. “It’s like PTSD from February 2020” he says. The authorities in the USA are responding too slow to the spread of H5N1 bird flu through its dairy farms – even mice are carrying the virus now, and not enough is known of how it is evolving and whether humans are threatened. He talks Roland through the complex political and public health issues. Child sacrifices in the Mayan empire a thousand years ago have been confirmed with DNA evidence from bones recovered in the 1960s from an underground pit. Some victims were twins, possibly indicating a brutal ritualistic re-enactment of an ancient myth involving divine twins. Geneticist Rodrigo Barquera describes the analysis. Mature orchids perform a unique form of offspring-care, feeding tiny seedlings with nutrients via networks of thread-like fungal hyphae in the soil, according to experiments conducted at Sheffield University. Mycologist Katie Field has been delving into this underground sustenance network. Geoscientists at the edge of the Arctic ocean are looking for ancient clues to the stability of the Atlantic circulation that brings critical warmth to Europe and the northern hemisphere. Could past changes help unravel the influence of global warming? Roland talks to Renata Lucchi in the control room of Research Vessel JOIDES Resolution. Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Alex Mansfield
Production Co-ordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth(Image: Mouse sitting on grain. Credit: SAEED KHAN/Getty Images)
The G7 is a group of the world's most powerful and economically advanced democracies, and G7 leaders have now arrived for a summit in Italy. Top of the agenda is a plan to use fifty billion dollars in interest from frozen Russian assets as a loan for Ukraine.And Russia penalised by new Western sanctions - this time aimed at the Moscow stock exchange. But will any of it really hurt the Russian economy?Roger Hearing also finds out why Spanish restaurant workers under pressure because everybody eats so late.
In this edition of Newshour, presented by Tim Franks: Can the G7 leaders squeeze Russia more over Ukraine? Argentina's radical economic reforms move ahead. Another huge increase in the world's displaced. And a big advance in the fight against antibiotic resistance.(Photo: Discussions have begun at the G7 meeting in Puglia, southern Italy. Credit: PA MEDIA)
The United States' envoy to Sudan has warned that the fall of the besieged city of el-Fasher in western Darfur, is imminent. It's the only city still under army control in the region. What happens if the city falls? And what will the wider impact be?Also Malawi mourns the death of its Vice President and 9 other passengers folliwng an airplane crash, we'll find out more about Mr Chilima, the man and the politician.And have you ever heard of the condition gynaecomastia? We'll hear a personal testimony.Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Joseph Keen, Bella Hassan, Patricia Whitehorne and Frenny Jowi
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Leaders want to use $50bn in interest from frozen Russian assets to extend a loan to Ukraine. Also: Hungary is ordered to pay a fine for violating the European Union's rules on asylum and immigration, and residents in a suburb of Nairobi in Kenya are on high alert after a lioness eats a family dog.
Up until the 1980s, stillborn babies were swiftly taken from their mothers who weren’t always told what had happened to them. Now one of those mothers is calling for an apology after finding the grave of her stillborn son more than five decades after he was born. Gina Jacobs talks to Anita about how she found where her son Robert had been buried and how she’s working to help other women do the same. The American singer-songwriter, Chaka Khan, known as the Queen of Funk, is celebrating her 50th anniversary in music this year. With hits such as Ain't Nobody, I Feel for You and the anthem I'm Every Woman her music has sold an estimated 70 million records, winning her 10 Grammy Awards. She is curating Meltdown 2024 at the Royal Festival Hall, and opens the festival tomorrow night. She shares her plans and discusses her favourite songs.Far-right parties across Europe made significant gains in the European elections, and women have been at the forefront of this right-wing shift in several countries. Right-wing groups which include those led by Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni, France’s Marine Le Pen and Germany’s Alice Weidel are set to gain further seats in European parliament. To hear about the female leaders of Europe’s far-right and what this shift could mean for women, Anita is joined by the host of EU Confidential Politico's Sarah Wheaton and Shona Murray, Europe correspondent for Euronews.Presenter: Anita Rani
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss one of the most significant philosophers of the twentieth century, Philippa Foot (1920 - 2010). Her central question was, “Why be moral?” Drawing on Aristotle and Aquinas, Foot spent her life working through her instinct that there was something lacking in the prevailing philosophy of the 1950s and 1960s which held that values could only be subjective. Could there really be no objective response to the horrors of the concentration camps that she had seen on newsreels, no way of saying that such acts were morally wrong? Foot developed an ethics based on virtues, in which humans needed virtues to flourish as surely as plants needed light and water. While working through her ideas she explored applied ethics and the difference between doing something and letting it happen, an idea she illustrated with what became The Trolley Problem.With Anil Gomes
Fellow and Tutor in Philosophy at Trinity College, University of OxfordSophie Grace Chappell
Professor of Philosophy at the Open UniversityAnd Rachael Wiseman
Reader in Philosophy at the University of LiverpoolProducer: Simon Tillotson
In Our Time is a BBC Studios Audio ProductionReading list:Philippa Foot, Virtues and Vices (Oxford University Press, 1978)Philippa Foot, Moral Dilemmas (Oxford University Press, 2002)Philippa Foot, Natural Goodness (Oxford University Press, 2001)John Hacker-Wright, Philippa Foot's Moral Thought (Bloomsbury, 2013)Benjamin Lipscomb, The Women Are Up To Something (Oxford University Press, 2021)Clare Mac Cumhaill and Rachael Wiseman, Metaphysical Animals: How Four Women Brought Philosophy Back to Life (Chatto, 2022)Dan Russell (ed.), The Cambridge Companion to Virtue Ethics (Cambridge University Press), especially ‘Virtue Ethics in the Twentieth Century’ by Timothy (now Sophie Grace) Chappell
Lawmakers in Congress were debating drastic measures put forward by President Javier Milei to address the country's dire economic situation. Also: US top diplomat Antony Blinken says a deal to end the war in Gaza is still possible, and EU health officials warn that an invasive mosquito is spreading dengue fever in Europe.
With just over three weeks to polling day, the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition faced live questions from Sky News and a TV audience. With many voters still undecided, we speak to Leo and Janet - two people who can't make up their mind - on what it'll take for any party to win them over.The BBC has also spoken to the parents of Andrey Kozlov, one of four Israeli hostages who was rescued in a raid last week. They spoke of the psychological toll of his months of captivity.And we hear from the five-year-old girl who sat with her unconscious mum overnight before walking to her school to find help.
The U.S. economy is not out of the woods yet with inflation forecasted to rise and interest rates holding. Sam Fenwick speaks to local business owners in Texas about the knock on affect it’s having on their business.Over to China now and shares in several Chinese electric car companies have taken a hit after the European Union imposed new tariffs. So how might China react?And the US Senate investigates whether BMW has been using parts made by forced labour. The U.S. Senate Finance Committee has found evidence the German carmaker imported at least 8,000 Mini Coopers into the United States, which contained parts from the Chinese supplier. We speak to Committee Chairman, Ron Wyden, about what prompted the investigation.
The report, compiled by investigators from the UN's Commission of Inquiry, accused both sides of war crimes for mounting attacks against civilian populations and "murder or wilful killings". We hear an Israeli response, and from a Hamas spokesman.Also in the programme: Haiti's Prime Minister and new government are sworn in; and France's conservative party, Les Républicains, says it's dumped its leader.(Photo: A woman and child walk among debris in the central Gaza Strip on June 9, 2024. Credit: Reuters/Abed Khaled)
The EU invented new import tariffs - up to 38% on Chinese electric vehicles triggering a potential trade war with China. With Chinese car makers having plenty of surplus capacity and moving into international markets, the EU lawmakers fear their own companies will be unable to compete. They claim hefty subsidies for domestic production allow Chinese firms to keep prices at a level other firms will struggle to match.Also, in the programme, Will Bain talks about Ukrainian reconstruction conference in Berlin.
Several hundred people are jailed in Tunisia just for writing bad cheques. Human rights campaigners are calling for Tunisia to replace this system with alternatives to prison for repaying debt.A look at the worsening relations between West African neighbours Niger and Benin.Plus, an initiative to close down orphanages in a bid to end child exploitation.
A commission of UN investigators finds both Hamas and Israel responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity: we hear how Israel has responded and get the latest on diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.Also in the programme: President Macron of France explains his decision to call a snap vote following his party's defeat in the EU elections; and we pay tribute to the French 1960s icon Francoise Hardy, who has died.
The report comes as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visits Qatar to push for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal. Israel - which refused to co-operate with the investigation - was quick to reject the report, accusing it of “systematic anti-Israeli discrimination". Also: North Darfur's main city is on the brink of falling to Sudan's paramilitary RSF, according to a US envoy, and Denmark recalls Korean ramen for being too spicy.
It’s always nice to have a nice programme to listen to. Beth’s here to tell you all about the word ‘nice’ in 60 seconds.TRANSCRIPT
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Paloma Faith is an award-winning singer, songwriter and actor. She has released six albums, including her most recent The Glorification of Sadness, received a BRIT Award, been a judge on The Voice UK as well as an actor in films such as St Trinian’s and TV’s series Pennyworth. She is also the mother of two daughters. She joins Clare to discuss her book – MILF - in which she delves into the issues that face women today from puberty and sexual awakenings, to battling through the expectations of patriarchy and the Supermum myth.In the first of our Woman’s Hour interviews with the leaders of the main political parties in the run-up to the General Election, Clare McDonnell is joined by Rhun ap Iorwerth, who leads Plaid Cymru, or the Party of Wales.A new study in England says that a third of cases where newborns are at risk of being taken into care involve parents who have learning disabilities or learning difficulties. The research – which was commissioned by the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory – also finds that in over 80% of these cases, the parents’ learning disabilities or difficulties had not been identified until their cases reached court. Clare is joined by the report author Katy Burch, child protection lawyer Reagan Persaud and she also hears from a parent whose children were recently taken into care. And following golfer Rory McIlroy's announcement that he and his wife Erica have "resolved their differences" and dismissed the divorce petition he filed for last month, we ask what keeps some couples returning time and again to particular relationships. Clare talks to behavourial psychologist & relationship coach Jo Hemmings.Presented by Clare McDonnell
Producer: Laura Northedge
Do you get as much as you give when it comes to your job? We've had some important jobs numbers this week - with official data showing there are more vacancies than there were before covid but, the number is falling, while unemployment is rising. But alongside that, wages are going up too - by around 6%.In this episode, we ask if you’re getting enough value out of your employer. We hear from listeners on how they asked their bosses for a pay rise, how they dealt with back pay and how they're making use of employee perks.Felicity Hannah is joined by Amanda Arrowsmith, People and Transformation Director for the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, and James Reed, Chairman and CEO at Reed Recruitment. Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Producer: Amber Mehmood
Editor: Sarah Rogers
Hunter Biden was accused of lying about his drug use on a handgun application form. Also: Hamas seeks a "complete halt" to the war in Gaza in response to an American ceasefire proposal, and the Italian robbery that caused a stink.
Jusper Machogu is a farmer from south-western Kenya who describes himself as a “climate sceptic”. He wrongly claims that climate change is a “scam” or a “hoax” designed to hold Africa back. On social media, he has also become known as a staunch defender of fossil fuel exploration in Africa. His views have caught the eye of those in the West who, like him, deny the overwhelming scientific consensus on global warming. They have helped him grow his following and spread his message globally. But, in doing so, has Mr Machogu unwittingly become a tool for the fossil fuel industry? How dangerous is the message of social media influencers like him?
The Prime Minister unveils the Conservatives' General Election manifesto, with a promise to reduce the tax take by 17 billion pounds.Also in the programme:A US court has found Hunter Biden, the son of US president Joe Biden, guilty on all counts in his federal gun crimes case, will it influence how Americans vote in November?And, previously unseen diary of Christine Keeler, the woman at the heart of the Profumo affair, is to go up for auction. We spoke to her son Seymour Platt.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has opened the latest international donors’ meeting to help rebuild Ukraine. During the conference, Ukrainian allies promised to support the protection of its cities from Russian missiles, while Mr. Scholz urged international businesses to put their faith and money into post-war reconstruction.The Mexican peso takes another tumble. It's fallen nearly 10 percent in a week. Sam Fenwick talks to one of the country's former deputy finance ministers about what's scaring investors. And finally, the attention turns to the rebuilding of Baltimore bridge. Is it time to future proof bridge constructions following the aftermath of its collapse?
A US court has found President Biden's son, Hunter,guilty of lying about his drug use when buying a gun. He has been found guilty on all three charges in a federal gun crime trial. The jury in Delaware found that he'd lied about his drug use on a form while buying a weapon in 2018. He is the first child of a sitting president to be convicted in a federal court. How will this affect his father's re-election campaign?Also in the programme: Donors have gathered in Germany for a conference on Ukraine's reconstruction, but there are concerns as to whether it's free of corruption; how President Macron's surprise announcement of a snap election has triggered a potentially dramatic re-alignment in French politics; and we'll hear about a production of King Lear - staged by Ukrainians in Ukrainian - in the town of Shakespeare's birth.(Photo shows Hunter Biden holding hands with First Lady Jill Biden and his wife Melissa Cohen Biden as he departs his federal gun trial in Wilmington, Delaware, USA on 11 June 2024. Credit: Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA)
At the international conference on the country’s long-term reconstruction EU leaders announced agreements with banks worth 1.4 billion euros ($1.5 billion) to help attract private investment for Ukraine at a conference in Berlin.Investors are going to offer a business case for investing, and talk up Ukraine's potential in sectors including renewables, IT and pharmaceuticals.Also, Rahul Tandon finds out why a court in the US has ordered one of the world's biggest banana producers to pay nearly $40 million in damages in Colombia and why Singapore Airlines offers compensation to passengers after the turbulence.
Millions of children in northern Nigeria are without sufficient food, that's according to the aid agency, MSF. The persistent malnutrition crisis in the region, MSF says, stems from inflation, security issues and insufficient healthcare infrastructure. We'll hear from Dr Simba Tirima in Maiduguri.Also its almost 10 years since so called Islamic state made their presence known. What's been their influence in Africa?And the growing interest of Formula 1 on the continent. Any chance of an African Grand Prix? Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Bella Hassan, Rob Wilson, Emmanuela Alausa and Yvette Twagiramariya
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
The UN Security Council votes for a ceasefire in Gaza - and the Secretary General pleads for it to happen - so what's the hold-up? Also in the programme: the vice-president of Malawi has been killed in a plane crash; and Chiquita, one of the world's biggest banana producers, is ordered to pay millions in damages to victims of a Colombian paramilitary group.(IMAGE: Members of the U.N. Security Council vote on a U.S.-drafted resolution backing a proposal outlined by U.S. President Joe Biden for a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas in the Gaza Strip, at U.N. headquarters in New York City, U.S., June 10, 2024 / CREDIT: REUTERS/Stephanie Keith)
US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, made his comments as Hamas is yet to respond to an American ceasefire plan which was backed by the UN Security Council on Monday night. Also, a plane carrying Malawi's vice president has crashed, killing everyone on board, and elephants call different members of the herd by name.
Thornaby Football Club’s committee is facing criticism after they announced that the Teeside-based club would be dropping all of its women’s section. First team manager Abbey Lyle tells Clare McDonnell what this means for the women and girls in the club, the support they’ve received since, and what it says about grassroots women’s sport. Clare also discusses the issues with Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, former Paralympian and Chair of Sport Wales and the CEO of Women in Sport, Stephanie Hilborne.Clare talks to the Canadian writer and social activist Naomi Klein about her book Doppelganger, now out in the UK in paperback. The book is a result of her being mistaken for another Naomi – Wolf, for years. Naomi Klein uses her doppelganger as a metaphor to explain many of the issues facing the modern world, from climate change and politics, to obsession with wellness and the ways we parent our children. British writer Lucy Foley began her career writing historical fiction before making an extremely successful switch to crime and thrillers, and with New York Times bestsellers The Paris Apartment and The Guest List under her belt, Lucy has sold more than five and half million books. She joins Clare to discuss her latest novel, The Midnight Feast, which takes place during the opening of a luxury wellness retreat and explores the clash between the insta-ready super-rich and some very disgruntled locals.Grammy-award winning American folk singer/songwriter Aoife O’Donovan has released three critically-acclaimed solo albums, is co-founder and front woman of the string band, Crooked Still, and is also one third of the all-female group I’m With Her. Her latest album, All My Friends, is inspired by the passage of the 19th amendment and the evolving landscape of women’s rights in America over the past century. She joins Clare to discuss the themes and to perform live in the studio.Presented by Clare McDonnell
Producer: Louise Corley
Heavy lifting isn’t about the gym. Learn this expression here.(Image: Getty)TRANSCRIPT
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The UN proposal sets out conditions for a "complete ceasefire" in Gaza and the release of hostages held by Hamas. Also: Aircraft carrying Malawi vice-president goes missing, and two-in-one flu and Covid jab passes advanced trial.
Greystones made global headlines a year ago when, concerned by rising anxiety levels among their pupils, the headteachers from all the primary schools in the town invited parents to sign a voluntary pact or code; not to buy their child a smartphone before they moved up to secondary school. In Ireland that’s usually at age 12. Beth McLeod talks to teachers, pupils and parents about their reaction to the initiative. Has there been any backlash? At one of the town’s secondary schools she meets an assistant headteacher who is passionately demanding a culture change around phone use for older students too, warning parents that although they think they are giving their children access to the internet, they are really giving the internet access to their children. She speaks to teenagers about their views on what is the right age to be on social media and asks the Irish Health Minister what the government is doing to hold tech companies to account.
After what is seen as one of the biggest blunders in recent political history, Rishi Sunak is trying to claw back the initiative. So will there be a big surprise in tomorrow's Tory manifesto that could take the heat off the prime minister?And as Mr Sunak tells the BBC it has become harder for people to own their own home under the Conservatives, we ask what parties are offering on housing in the election.Also on the programme:US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken is in Israel as the country is engulfed in political chaos. Can he make a difference this time?And after Emmanuel Macron's shock decision to call a snap parliamentary election we ask whether the French president's gamble is backfiring - and what is drawing so many young people across Europe to the far-right.
From Apple iPhone’s to Call of Duty 6 we have blockbuster names from the world of tech for you today - including a controversial plan to sell the new video game via a subscription model. How will that work? Also today, we hear from a former Indian finance minister about the challenges facing the new one as Prime Minister Narendra Modi starts a third term in office. And we consider BP's plan to make all its employees come clean about their workplace love affairs.
France's political leaders are scrambling to prepare for snap elections after President Emmanuel Macron dissolved parliament in response to a stinging European vote defeat by the far-right National Rally. These snap legislative elections could be a turning point for Macron's presidency. If the RN wins an absolute majority of seats in the National Assembly, it could provide France's next prime minister.
Also in the programme: a military aircraft in Malawi carrying the country's vice president has been reported missing; and wildfires are raging across the world's largest tropical wetland: the Pantanal, in Brazil.(Photo: Emmanuel Macron after voting in European Elections Credit: Hannah McKay/POOL/EPA-EFE/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK)
In her last year of high school, Olga González-Sanabria went on a field trip to the University of Puerto Rico’s school of engineering – and immediately knew that was what she wanted to do. She followed her passion and after university was recruited by Nasa, where she carried out instrumental work, without which we would not have the International Space Station.As the very first Latina woman working in engineering at Nasa, Olga’s career has not always been an easy ride, but is filled with remarkable achievements. Dr Ella and Dr Julia tell her story, and Olga herself gives us a first-hand account of her life so far.Presenters: Dr Ella Hubber and Dr Julia Ravey
Producers: Ella Hubber and Julia Ravey
Assistant producer: Sophie Ormiston
Production co-ordinator: Elisabeth Tuohy
Editor: Holly Squire (Photo: Olga González-Sanabria. Credit: Nasa Glenn Research Center)
European stocks fell on Monday as traders reacted to initial results from the EU Parliament elections and the surprise call for parliamentary elections by French President Emmanuel Macron. Rahul Tandon finds how an early EU election results indicate that populist, far-right parties could have a bigger hand in European policymaking and affecting economy. Also, in the programme, we are talking about Japanese carmakers crisis and finds out why India is returning to a coalition government.
Somalia was recently elected by the United Nations General Assembly to be a member of the 15 member U.N.Security Council. This is for a two-year term starting next year. What does Somalia bring to the top table at the UN?Also, how huge quantities of gold are being smuggled out of AfricaAnd we meet the Ghanaian dance duo Afronita and Abigail who wowed a talent show in Britain.Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Technical Producer: Ricardo McCarthy
Producers: Bella Hassan, Rob Wilson, Yvette Twagiramariya, Daniel Dadzie, Emmanuella Alausa and Nyasha Michelle
Senior Producers: Karnie Sharp and Paul Bakibinga
Editors : Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
France’s President Macron plays political poker after a thumping in the European elections, gambling on snap elections for the national parliament. And as the far right makes gains across much – if not all – of Europe, we ask, where next for the European Union?Also in the programme: as the US secretary of state begins his latest Middle East tour, what's changed in Israel? And the widow of the Islamic State leader says she couldn't stop her husband's crimes.(IMAGE: Supporters watch French President Emmanuel Macron's speech on a large screen at the electoral party after the announcement of the results of the European Parliamentary elections in Paris, France, 09 June 2024 / CREDIT: Christophe Petit-Tesson / EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Ursula von der Leyen says the result comes with great responsibility for the parties on the political centre. The reactions in France following a surprise parliamentary election. Plus analysis on why voters have backed far right parties in such large numbers. Also: the BBC speaks to the widow of the IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi about the persecution of Yazidis in Iraq, and the South African photographer who's won international acclaim for challenging discrimination.
Nearly 300 rapes and sexual assaults reported by sex workers during the Emma Caldwell murder investigation were not dealt with by police at the time, the BBC has learned. 276 reports of sex crimes made by sex workers working in Glasgow during the murder inquiry were filed away and not acted upon. Investigate journalist Sam Poling, whose work was pivotal in bringing Emma Caldwell’s killer, Iain Packer, to justice in February of this year, joins Clare McDonnell to discuss, along with former Detective Sergeant Willie Mason.
Baroness Delyth Morgan, the chief executive of Breast Cancer Now, the largest breast cancer charity, is stepping down after 23 years. She joined Breakthrough Breast Cancer in 1995, where she led fundraising efforts that resulted in the opening of the UK's first dedicated breast cancer research facility in 1999. The crossbench peer, who sits in the House of Lords, joins Clare McDonnell to reflect on her tenure as well as the treatment and outlook for breast cancer.
Conservationist Isabella Tree tells Clare about turning her failing farmland estate into one of Europe's most significant rewilding experiments. Her bestselling book about the Knepp Estate project has now been made into a film. Later this week, Wilding is released in cinemas.
Virginie Viard, the creative director at Chanel, has announced her resignation from the fashion house. Only three people have held this prestigious position in the brand’s 114-year history: Viard, Karl Lagerfeld, and Coco Chanel. Who is in the frame for this esteemed role? And what will be the impact of a change in creative vision at Chanel on the fashion industry at large? Clare talks to Justine Picardie, writer and biographer of Coco Chanel, and Victoria Moss, fashion director at the Evening Standard.
Presenter: Clare McDonnell
Producer: Dianne McGregor
Released in 2017, the video game Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice saw players take control of dark-age warrior Senua as she battled to rescue the soul of her dead lover from the Norse underworld. The action-adventure game from British studio Ninja Theory won awards for its gameplay, acting and storytelling, as well as plaudits for its nuanced and well-researched depiction of psychosis. German actor Melina Juergens was awarded a Bafta for her performance as the titular character. Now studio head Dominic Matthews and his team are working on the sequel, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II. Nathan Jones joins Dominic, Melina and the rest of the team in Cambridge as they tell this next chapter of their story.
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The French president Emmanuel Macron has called elections on 30 June and 7 July, after exit polls show his party is set to be trounced by National Rally in the European elections. Also: Israeli war cabinet minister Benny Gantz quits the emergency government, and tributes are paid to the popular TV presenter Dr Michael Mosley who was found dead on the Greek island of Symi.
Israeli war cabinet minister Benny Gantz has quit the emergency government in a sign of deepening divisions over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's post-conflict plans for Gaza.Also on the programme: French President Emmanuel Macron has dissolved the Parliament and called snap elections in the wake of tonight's European election results; and Narendra Modi has been sworn in as India's prime minister for a third term. (Photo: Benny Gantz holds a press conference in Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv. Credit: ABIR SULTAN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says 274 Palestinians were killed during Saturday's Israeli offensive on the Nuseirat refugee camp. The operation led to the rescue of four Israeli hostages. Israel has previously estimated there were fewer than one hundred casualties. Footage from the area's Al-Aqsa hospital shows badly wounded people lying on the ground. We speak to a doctor who was there.
Also in the programme: millions vote to elect representatives to the European Parliament; and will Americans learn to love cricket?
(Photo: The Hamas-run health ministry has started naming people it says were killed as Israeli forces fought Hamas in and around the Nuseirat refugee camp. Credit: Reuters)
The Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, the Hajj, attracted no fewer than two million pilgrims in 2023. But this pilgrim boom has an environmental downside: climate scientists are warning that the five-day Hajj alone, with its bargain flights, hotels, catering and local transport, produces over 1.8 million tonnes of greenhouse gases, roughly the amount New York City emits every two weeks. Yet the Saudi government has plans to go much bigger still: by 2030, they want 30 million pilgrims a year to take part in the Hajj and Umrah. Zubeida Malik asks what the Saudi authorities, local groups and campaigners, religious scholars and the pilgrims themselves can do to reduce the environmental footprint of one of the largest religious gatherings on the planet.
The high representative of the EU, Josep Borrell, said that reports of -- what he called -- "another massacre of civilians" were appalling. The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says more than two hundred Palestinians were killed in the Israeli raid, to rescue the four hostages. Also: President Biden says France remains America's best friend, after a wide-ranging discussion with his French counterpart in the Élysée palace, and tributes are paid to the Nasa "Earthrise" astronaut William Anders who has died in a plane crash aged 90.
For the hundreds of people who live in a cluster of villages between India and Pakistan, a map drawn up long ago still causes daily struggles. Punjab - the land of the five rivers - was carved up to create Pakistan during The Partition of 1947 when India gained its independence from colonial rule. Two rivers went to Pakistan, two stayed with India and one, the Ravi, crosses both countries. For 72 years, communities who live by the Ravi on the Indian side have been asking for a permanent bridge, so they can access hospitals, schools, shops, banks. What they have got is a makeshift pontoon bridge, which has to be dismantled for the monsoon season. Journalist Chhavi Sachdev travels to the western part of India to meet the Indian people whose lives are shaped by the Ravi river.
Noa Argamani, 26, Almog Meir Jan, 22, Andrei Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 41, were freed during a "high-risk, complex mission" from two separate buildings in the Nuseirat area, the Israel Defense Forces said. Hamas claims more than two hundred Palestinians were killed by Israeli attacks in the same area as the raid took place. The IDF said the released hostages were all in good health, and they were later pictured embracing family members at a medical centre near Tel Aviv.Also on the programme: A celebration of the first colour photo of earth taken from space on the occasion of the photographer, Bill Anders’ death; and UNESCO celebrates the unique cultural importance of Italian opera.(Photo: Almog Meir Jan, a rescued hostage embraces a loved one Credit: Israeli Army handout via REUTERS)
Israeli security forces say they've rescued four hostages from two separate locations during a special operation in Nuseirat, in central Gaza. They've been named as Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov and Shlomi Ziv. All had been abducted by Hamas from the Nova music festival on October the seventh. They're said to be in good medical condition and have been transferred to hospital. Gaza's Al-Aqsa hospital says at least fifty Palestinians - including children - were killed during the Israeli operation.
Also in the programme: The astronaut who took the ground-breaking first colour photo of Earth from space, William Anders, has died; and as UNESCO celebrates Italian opera, we listen in.(Photo: People react outside a medical centre, after the military say four hostages rescued alive from the central Gaza Strip on Saturday, in Ramat Gan, Israel 8 June, 2024. Credit: Marko Djurica/Reuters)
Christian nearly drowned while swimming in the sea in Italy as a child. He returned to the beach with his wife and child - only to find that Yuri, the man who saved his life, was still there. The two men tell us about their emotional reunion and the profound effect the experience has had on them.
Also: The New York couple who found a safe full of cash, and get to keep it, thanks to the increasingly popular hobby of magnet fishing.
We speak to Yazzy Chamberlain and her grandad John, whose duets of classic songs have earned them millions of online viewers -- including Coldplay.
How the powers of nature are being used to help solve water shortages in Mexico City by cleaning polluted rivers.
The skull of a giant prehistoric bird known as the demon duck has been found in Australia.
And don't waste a moment - the final message from Rob Burrow, rugby league star and Motor Neurone Disease campaigner.Our weekly collection of happy news and positive stories from around the world.
دههی چهل خورشیدی در ایران سالهای صنعتی شدن و تغییرات بنیادی در بافت اجتماعی و دههی شکوفایی هنر و ادبیات ایران بود. ولی آیا روندهای این دهه نبود که به انقلاب سال پنجاه و هفت انجامید؟
The election of Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum is a moment of history. For the first time, a woman is in charge of the country. Host James Reynolds travels around the country hearing about the challenges facing the new president through the lives and concerns and hopes of the people he spoke to. Many live in fear of criminal cartels and armed gangs, and women feel unsafe on the streets. Ricardo, whose brother was abducted and sister was murdered, is afraid to go out with his daughters. In a migration camp in Tijuana, a couple with two young daughters describe how they left their hometown after receiving death threats from a cartel and Ana, who wants to be a doctor, hopes a woman in power will make a difference.
The Pension Dashboard is intended to provide an online service to millions of people who have paid into a pension at work by showing all their pots and their value in one place. But the National Audit Office this week revealed a 'digital skills' shortage is behind delays, providers now have until October 2026 to connect to it. The costs of the dashboard are also up by almost a quarter to £279 million. Some people hoping to sell their leasehold homes are being charged large amounts by their freeholder to fill out a simple form which helps the sale to go through smoothly. We hear from 'Harry' who was just days away from exchanging contracts on his two bed flat in London when his sale collapsed because his freeholder wouldn't sign an LPE1 form unless Harry paid more than £20,000. The forms contain information such as ground rent and service charges and rules on pets.
Also in the programme we answer listener questions about how to protect your money when banks merge, and applications open on the 12th of May for the next round of government funded childcare. Working parents in England with children aged nine months to under two years can apply for 15 hours of subsidised childcare starting from September. Parents have been encouraged by the Department for Education to act as soon as possible to secure their place. Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporters: Dan Whitworth and Jo Krasner
Researcher: Sandra Hardial
Editor: Sarah RogersThis episode was first broadcast on Saturday the 11th of May.
Israel's envoy to the UN says he's been informed of the decision, which has not been confirmed by the UN. The report on children and armed conflict will also include Hamas and Islamic Jihad. President Biden has spoken in defence of democracy, and against isolationism, on the site of a Nazi stronghold stormed by American troops on D-Day. We explore the impact of YouTube's new restrictions on gun videos in reducing youth violence. And, the stress suffered by students in China as they face end-of-high school exams.
The 7-party debate covered taxation, immigration and defence ahead of the general election on 4 July. It featured Penny Mordaunt (The Conservatives), Angela Rayner (Labour), Daisy Cooper (Liberal Democrat), Nigel Farage (Reform UK), Stephen Flynn (Scottish National Party), Carla Denyer (The Green Party), and Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru).Also in the programme - Taylor Swift begins the UK leg of her Eras tour in Edinburgh. Shaun Ley meets fans at The Black Dog pub in London, which attracts Swifties from across the globe.
The US special envoy to Sudan, Tom Perriello, warns other countries not to seek to benefit from the conflict there. Khartoum, he said, needed aid not arms.Also in the programme: are sanctions against Russia working? And sea urchins under threat.(Picture: Adam Hassan, who has an album with pictures of his son and father, who he said were killed by the RSF and Arab militias in the West Darfur town of Murnei in June, sits outside his makeshift shelter in Adre, Chad. Credit: Reuters)
A surprising guest appears at the Met Gala, and Rishi Sunak has an urgent message for Elon Musk.With writing from Nev Fountain & Tom Jamieson, Laurence Howarth, Ed Amsden & Tom Coles, Rob Darke, Edward Tew, Sarah Campbell, Sophie Dixon, Joe Topping, Lizzy Mansfield and Angela Channell. With additional material by Christopher Donovan.Exec: Pete Strauss
Sound Design: Rich Evans
Prod Co-Ordinator: Dan Marchini
Producer: Bill Dare
WRITER: Katie Hims
DIRECTOR: Pip Swallow
EDITOR: Jeremy HoweBen Archer…. Ben Norris
Kenton Archer ..... Richard Attlee
Lilian Bellamy…. Sunny Ormonde
Harrison Burns…. James Cartwright
Vince Casey…. Tony Turner
Mick Fadmoor…. Martin Barrass
Ed Grundy…. Barry Farrimond
Emma Grundy…. Emerald O‘Hanrahan
George Grundy…. Angus Stobie
Jakob Hakansson…. Paul Venables
Chelsea Horrobin…. Madeleine Leslay
Joy Horville…. Jackie Lye
Freddie Pargetter…. Toby Laurence
Lily Pargetter…. Katie Redford
Fallon Rogers…. Joanna Van Kampen
Lynda Snell…. Carole Boyd
Robert Snell…. Michael Bertenshaw
Oliver Sterling…. Michael Cochrane
Jason Burntwood…. Ian Conningham
Union workers at Samsung Electronics are holding the first ever strike in the company's five decade history. We find out why, and what impact it could have on. Elsewhere, Rob Young looks at oil giant Aramco's secondary listing, which was priced below expectations. And finally, we look at the multi billion-dollar drug industry focused on weight loss
President Biden and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, have been meeting in Paris, a day after they both attended commemorations of the Second World War D-Day landings. Mr Biden apologised for delays to the delivery of military aid, caused by some Republicans in Congress, but stressed that the US would not walk away from Ukraine. Also: the British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak apologises for skipping the main D-Day commemoration event in Normandy; and workers at the tech giant Samsung go on strike for the first time.
The Focus on Africa Podcast turns 1. On this special edition, we look back at the year that's been. We re-visit kidnappings in Nigeria, we head back to the Seychelles where an opposition leader was accused of witchcraft and remember the challenges and opportunities of being a first-born daughter.Presenters: Richard Kagoe and Audrey Brown
Producers: Rob Wilson, Nyasha Michelle, Daniel Dadzie, Patricia Whitehorne, Stefania Okereke, Sunita Nahar, Lola Schroer, Amie Liebowitz, Nour Abida and Tom Kavanagh in London. Charles Gitonga, Susan Gachuhi, Frenny Jowi in Nairobi and Todah Opeyemi in Lagos
Senior Journalists: Karnie Sharp and Paul Bakibinga
Technical Producer: Jonny Hall
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
With elections to the European Parliament underway, what's driving the rightward shift in the politics of many EU countries? Also in the programme: what humpback whales can tell us about the impact of climate change on the Antarctic; and the woman who allegedly inspired the stalker character in the hit Netflix show Baby Reindeer sues the streamer for defamation.
Scotland's most senior law officer has asked nine of the country's judges to overturn an 87-year-old rule on evidence in cases involving rape and other sexual offences. Since she became Lord Advocate in 2021, Dorothy Bain KC has often spoken of her desire to improve the criminal justice system for victims, particularly women and girls. She is now seeking radical changes which would allow more rape cases to reach court. Anita Rani talks to David Cowan, BBC Scotland's home affairs correspondent.A group of state secondary schools in Southwark, south London, has decided to act as a collective and shift their pupils away from smartphones. Children's use of smartphones, particularly in schools, continues to be a hot topic issue, and many schools have decided to create new policies to try and tackle what they call the damaging effects of smartphone use. One of those schools is Ark Walworth Academy in Southwark, and their headteacher, Jessica West, joins Anita to talk about the plans.This evening, Taylor Swift will take to the stage at Murrayfield in Edinburgh for the first part of her UK tour. It is the first of 17 UK dates, which will finish in a record-breaking eight-night run at London's Wembley Stadium. By then, she will have played to almost 1.2 million UK fans. Her international Eras tour is expected to make more than $2 billion (£1.5 billion) by the time she performs her final show in Canada this December. Jolene Campbell, reporter at The Daily Record, talks to Anita about the Swifties who have descended on the city.As a newborn baby in 1968, Helen Ward had been wrapped up warmly in a tartan bag and abandoned in a phone box in Ireland. She would spend years searching for her biological mother, but what she found instead were two full siblings who had also been abandoned as babies. Helen talks to Anita about the story she's spent a lifetime unravelling.As we enter wedding season, some listeners will be spending every weekend for the rest of summer at either a hen do or a wedding. But what is the etiquette when it comes to plus ones? Anita talks to Liz Wyse, Etiquette Adviser for Debrett's and journalist Rebecca Reid.Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Rebecca Myatt
Studio manager: Tim Heffer
Hundreds brave Arizona heat to see Donald Trump in his first campaign event since his New York hush-money trial conviction. Also in this Podcast: The UN says 35 children have been killed in an attack in central Sudan, World leaders mark D-Day's 80th anniversary, and how wild fish are becoming hooked on methamphetamine and other hardcore drugs.The Global News Podcast brings you the best analysis from BBC correspondents in London and around the world.
'Spiritual but not religious’ is the fastest growing faith category amongst Gen Z and Millennials around the world. However, in Nigeria, where most people identify as either Christian or Muslim, questioning doctrine or exploring alternative beliefs is still often seen as taboo. Kamsy and Ore were both raised in evangelical Christian households, but began questioning their faith in their early 20s. Separately, they began reading about other belief systems, such as Judaism, Buddhism and traditional African religions, and posting their thoughts and experiences on social media. Neither were prepared for the backlash they received. When the two of them finally connected, they bonded over how lonely their ‘deconstruction’ journeys had been. So they created a WhatsApp group for others like them. Today, The Table defines itself as a community for the irreligious yet spiritual, and aims to provide a space for connection and discussion free from the dogma.
The European Central Bank has announced a cut in its main interest rate from an all-time high of 4% to 3.75%. A Norwegian mining group has confirmed that it's discovered the largest deposit of rare earth minerals in Europe. And Virgin Australia plans to break new ground by allowing dogs and cats to fly in the main cabin on flights. The BBC’s Phil Mercer tells us morePhoto by FRIEDEMANN VOGEL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock. European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde addresses a press conference
King Charles and the Prince of Wales joined world leaders and veterans at a series of events to mark 80 years since D-Day, the largest amphibious invasion in military history. In a speech commemorating the anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, France, US President Joe Biden drew parallels between Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and World War Two. We discuss with a former US Army general, and hear from a D-Day veteran.Also on the programme:The BBC gains rare access to Myanmar, where Rakhine State has become a focal point for the country’s nationwide civil war;And we head to Redcar on the Yorkshire Coast, where one in three children live in poverty, to take a closer look at the issue ahead of the general election.
In Normandy, world leaders reflect on the sacrifice of war and the need for peace and the few surviving veterans tell their stories.Also on the programme: the UN in Gaza refutes Israeli claims the UN is too close to Hamas; and are Elon Musk's space dreams getting closer to reality?(Picture: D-Day veterans in Normandy. Credit: Reuters / Tessier)
The ‘origami’ superpowers of a single-celled pond hunter, it hunts by launching a neck-like proboscis that can extend more than 30 times its body length. Manu Prakash of Stanford University reveals the amazing mathematical mechanisms of the protist, Lacrymaria olor. Research from Elana Hobkirk at Durham University has found that the process of domestication and selective breeding has limited the ability of domestic dogs to use facial expressions to convey emotions as effectively as their wolf ancestors. Whilst we may be easily manipulated by the ‘puppy eyes’ of our pet dogs, they are no longer able to display the same range of emotions that wolves can, who need strong visual communication to maintain their packs. Who discovered the first black hole? Science writer Marcus Chown tells us about the discovery of Cygnus X-1 discovered by Paul Murdin and Louise Webster in 1971. And 100 years ago this week, Indian physicist Satyendra Nath Bose posted his revolutionary paper to Albert Einstein, which went on to influence quantum mechanics, low-temperature physics, atomic physics, and the physics of the particles that shape the Universe. Physicist Ajoy Ghatak and presenter Roland Pease discuss the story of the man who had the word ‘boson’ coined to memorialise him in the late 1920s. Also in the longer podcast version: It’s a microbe-eat-microbe world out there, with bacteria waging constant war against each other. It’s by dipping into their ever-evolving chemical arsenal that we keep our pharmacies supplied with the antibiotics we use to fight infectious bacteria - and computer biologist Luis Coelho of Queensland University of Technology has turned to genetics and AI to speed up the search for novel compounds. Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Jonathan Blackwell
Production Coordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth
Why is football such a universal language? Three BBC World Service journalists and football fans - Matias Zibell Garcia, Pooria Jafereh and Njoroge Muigai – explain what the game mean to their audiences in Argentina, Iran and Kenya, and look ahead at the summer season. Plus, Tamara Ebiwei from BBC Pidgin on why Nigerian players have to learn a new national anthem.Produced by Alice Gioia and Caroline Ferguson. (Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich)
The European Central Bank has cut interest rates for the first time in five years, but what does it mean for the Eurozone?We hear about the fall of one of India's biggest start-ups, and the BBC's Devina Gupta also looks at the story of online education company, Byjus, as its US lenders kick off bankruptcy proceedings.The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.
Russia and Sudan have formally agreed to set up what they call " a logistical support point on the Red Sea". It will be Russia's first naval base in Africa. Why does Russia need a naval base close to the Red Sea?Also, a jail term for Senegalese citizens for criticising Prime Minister Sonko on gay rights. What's going on? And we'll find out more about what's it like living with endometriosis, after the popular Kenyan DJ Jahmby Koikai died from the disease. Presenter: Richard Kagoe
Producers: Charles Gitonga, Yvette Twagiramariya, Bella Hassan and Joseph Keen
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
President Biden uses speech in Northern France to liken Ukraine's struggle against Russia to the fight to defeat Nazi Germany in the Second World War. We bring you the best reportage and analysis from BBC correspondents in London and around the world. Also in this podcast: Nepal says it has removed eleven tonnes of rubbish from popular Himalayan climbing routes during this year's clean-up campaign, and a week after Donald Trump was convicted of falsifying business records, the former president has had some good news from the courts - a more serious criminal case against him in the state of Georgia has been paused.
Western leaders and veterans of the Second World War are in northern France to mark 80 years since the D-Day landings -- the start of the operation to liberate northern Europe from the Nazis. We hear from the ceremonies, and from some of the survivors.Also in the programme: more than forty people have been killed in an Israeli airstrike on a UN-run school that was sheltering displaced families – we hear from UNRWA and the Israeli Defence Forces; and we talk to one of the scientists who have discovered a new way to predict dementia, many years before symptoms appear.
The singer-songwriter Natasha Khan, known by her stage name Bat for Lashes, joins Anita to talk about her new album, The Dream of Delphi. Named after her daughter Delphi, her new music explores motherhood through lush orchestral sounds. She discusses having a baby during the Covid lockdown and how the experience informed her song-writing. Vengeance is award-winning journalist and writer Saima Mir’s second novel, and the sequel to her crime thriller debut The Khan. The book continues the story of Jia Khan as she’s fighting to keep her position at the head of a crime syndicate her father created, and as the mysterious corpses of men begin to appear around the city. Saima joins Anita in the studio to discuss writing a British Asian crime family, creating the characters she wants to read, and why sisterhood is at the heart of her new novel.The mother of a 16 year-old-boy who ended his life after becoming the victim of a sextortion gang says the tech giant Meta has taken too long to hand over data which might help the investigation into his death. Joe Tidy, the BBC’s first Cyber Correspondent, explains how he’s been investigating Sextortion – a type of online blackmail which involves threatening to share intimate pictures of the victim. Today marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day, when thousands of Allied troops landed on beaches across Normandy, marking the start of the campaign to liberate Nazi-occupied northern Europe. What’s often forgotten is the important role that women played in organising this huge military project and making the D-Day happen. Anita Rani speaks to historian, teacher and writer Shalina Patel, who has told some of these women’s stories in her book The History Lessons, which celebrates stories and people beyond the usual narratives.Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Olivia Skinner
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss 'the greatest poet of his age', Thomas Wyatt (1503 -1542), who brought the poetry of the Italian Renaissance into the English Tudor world, especially the sonnet, so preparing the way for Shakespeare and Donne. As an ambassador to Henry VIII and, allegedly, too close to Anne Boleyn, he experienced great privilege under intense scrutiny. Some of Wyatt's poems, such as They Flee From Me That Sometime Did Me Seek, are astonishingly fresh and conversational and yet he wrote them under the tightest constraints, when a syllable out of place could have condemned him to the Tower. With Brian Cummings
50th Anniversary Professor of English at the University of YorkSusan Brigden
Retired Fellow at Lincoln College, University of OxfordAnd Laura Ashe
Professor of English Literature at the University of OxfordProducer: Simon Tillotson
In Our Time is a BBC Studios Audio ProductionReading list:Thomas Betteridge and Suzannah Lipscomb (eds.), Henry VIII and the Court: Art, Politics and Performance (Routledge, 2016)Susan Brigden, Thomas Wyatt: The Heart’s Forest (Faber, 2012)Nicola Shulman, Graven with Diamonds: The Many Lives of Thomas Wyatt: Courtier, Poet, Assassin, Spy (Short Books, 2011)Chris Stamatakis, Sir Thomas Wyatt and the Rhetoric of Rewriting (Oxford University Press, 2012)Patricia Thomson (ed.), Thomas Wyatt: The Critical Heritage (Routledge, 1995)Greg Walker, Writing Under Tyranny: English Literature and the Henrician Reformation (Oxford University Press, 2005)Thomas Wyatt (ed. R. A. Rebholz), The Complete Poems (Penguin, 1978)
Female genital mutilation affects around 230 million women and girls globally, with rates highest in Africa. FGM is considered a human rights violation and has no health benefits. That’s according to World Health Organisation. Hibo Wardere, a survivor from Somalia, recounts her ordeal and discusses the importance of education in ending the practice.The Gambia banned FGM in 2015, but it could be about to reverse this. BBC journalist Esther Ogola, who’s based in Nairobi, explains why. We also hear how Kenya has more than halved its victims - and discuss the likelihood of the practice ending by 2030, which is the UN’s goal.To find out more of what is going on in the world search for "What in the World" wherever you get your BBC Podcasts.Note: This episode contains some graphic descriptions of FGM.
Resistance groups say the village of Wad al-Nourah was besieged by the Rapid Support Forces on Tuesday before being attacked. Footage on social media shows dozens of bodies lined up for burial. The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the heads of oil and gas corporations the "godfathers of climate chaos"; and the AI tool that allows participants to receive advice from their future selves.
The First Minister of Wales, Vaughan Gething, struck a defiant tone after losing a vote of no-confidence in his leadership. The motion, brought by the Welsh Conservatives, is not binding. Gething is embroiled in a row over donations to his leadership campaign, including £200,000 from a company run by a man who was convicted twice for environmental offences.On both sides of the English channel soldiers and leaders took part in a day of commemoration ahead of the 80th anniversary of D-Day on Thursday.And we speak to three women who want to return to Parliament at the election, on what's drawn them back to Westminster.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called coal, oil and gas corporations the “godfathers of climate chaos” who had distorted the truth and deceived the public for decades. He said that just as tobacco advertising was banned because of the threat to health, the same should now apply to fossil fuels. Also in the programme, Rahul Tandon talks about Canada's interest rate cuts and finds out why a Hollywood film studio is refusing to release a film.
The UN Secretary General has called for immediate action to tackle climate change, including phasing out fossil fuels, banning ads about them, and imposing windfall taxes on energy companies. Antonio Guterres described fossil fuel firms as the godfathers of climate chaos, raking in profits while the planet burned.
Also in the programme: Narendra Modi is on course for a third term as India's prime minister, with his BJP securing the backing of allied parties to form a new coalition government; and how much impact do the blue lights from our phones and tablet screens actually have on our sleep.(Picture: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speak at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City on June 5, 2024. Credit: David Dee Delgado/REUTERS)
The St Petersburg International Economic Forum gets underway, with Russia hoping to woo investors from the Middle East, Asia and Africa - amid Western sanctions. We look into why the Chinese-Russian trade boom is now under the spotlight. Elsewhere, Will Bain looks into the latest electric vehicle player hoping to take on Tesla, before talking to the creator of the AI chatbot that mirrors the "future you..."
Russia's Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov is back in Africa having visited the continent several times in the past couple of years. What is Russia looking for in these frequent visits to the continent? And can it help with Libya?Also, how internet scams in Nigeria are impacting the lives of teenagers in different parts of the worldAnd why Madagascans are unhappy about internet access in their country.Presenter: Richard Kagoe
Producers: Charles Gitonga, Bella Hassan, Kaine Pieri and Joseph Keen
Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Climate scientists also warn that the crucial threshold of one-point-point-five Celsius could be breached within years. That threshold is considered vital to avoid the most catastrophic impacts of climate change. Also: four women register as candidates for Iran's presidential election, and the contribution of women to the D-Day landings 80 years ago.
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Can information become a weapon of war? Oleksandra Matviichuk, whose organisation was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, is documenting alleged Russian war crimes against Ukraine. She talks to Babita Sharma about how she uncovers the evidence. Babita also speaks to Anastasiia Romaniuk, a young Ukrainian digital platforms analyst, who is exposing disinformation around the war, and to Lisa Kaplan, founder and CEO of a US company which helps organisations protect themselves from social media manipulation.This content was created as a co-production between Nobel Prize Outreach and the BBC.
Image: Courtesy of Oleksandra Matviichuk
Nobel Prize laureate Sir Paul Nurse wants science, not politics, to guide the debate surrounding climate change. But how do you convince the denialists? Babita Sharma takes us through the evolving strategies of those who claim climate change isn’t real, and speaks to two young people who are trying to make a difference. UK climate activist Phoebe L Hanson founded Teach the Teacher, which gives school children the resources to engage with their teachers on climate change. Ugandan Nyombi Morris set up a non-profit organisation, Earth Volunteers, to mobilise young people like him who wanted to promote the fight against the climate crisis.This content was created as a co-production between Nobel Prize Outreach and the BBC.
Image credit: Francis Crick Institute
Attacked on social media - how Nobel Prize laureate Maria Ressa came under fire for doing her job as a journalist in the Philippines, covering the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte. She talks to Babita Sharma about the fight to stop social media being used to spread lies and hate against powerful women. Babita also speaks to two female digital pioneers. Lucina Di Meco is the co-founder of the California-based group She Persisted, which addresses the digital threat faced by women in politics. Audrey Pe is founder of the non-profit organisation WiTech, which aims to inspire young people to use technology to bring positive change.This content was created as a co-production between Nobel Prize Outreach and the BBC.
Image of Maria Ressa: Getty Images
How Nobel Prize laureate Katalin Kariko got caught up in the Covid vaccine disinformation wars. What was it like - as someone behind one of the vaccines – to be in the eye of the false information storm? Katalin tells her story to Babita Sharma. And US educator and artist Young Elder tells Babita how she helped to build trust in the vaccine among Baltimore’s black community. She works with Hip Hop Health, an organisation combating health and vaccine disinformation, started by rapper Doug E Fresh.This content was created as a co-production between Nobel Prize Outreach and the BBC.
Image: Courtesy of Katalin Kariko
Tina Fey, a colossus of the comedy world for more than two decades, is also the creative force behind Mean Girls. The original movie in 2004, starring Lindsay Lohan and Rachel McAdams, spawned a Broadway musical in 2018, and many of the songs were featured in this year’s modern movie remake. Tina is now bringing an updated stage version of Mean Girls The Musical to London, opening at the Savoy Theatre this week. She joins Nuala. The youth organisation Young Farmers has been accused of having a problem with how they treat women in the farming community. Young Farmers has more than 23,000 members aged 10-28 and aims to support young people in agriculture and the countryside as well as offering a range of social events for young people. And its at some of these events where journalist Abi Kay has found that incidents of sexual assault and harassment are ‘commonplace’. Abi joins Nuala to discuss.Alice Kyteler was born in 1263 and achieved enormous commercial success and wealth before becoming the first woman to be tried as a witch in Ireland. She is also the protagonist of the novel Bright I Burn which tells the story of an extraordinary woman who courted controversy and paid the price for her vast wealth and frequent marriages. Nuala is joined by the author Molly Aitken.On Monday, candidate registration for Iran’s upcoming snap elections closed and 80 people have signed up for the chance to become the country’s next President. Four of them are women. In the 45 year history of the Islamic Republic, no woman has been allowed to stand for the top office – even though plenty have tried. So why do women keep putting their name forward? BBC World Service Women's Affairs reporter Feranak Amidi explains.Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Maryam Maruf
This week marks two years since the historic reform in family law, known as the 'no fault divorce', was introduced. It was aimed at reducing conflict during separations and meant that couples could divorce without the need to apportion blame for the breakdown of their marriage. This change led to a surge in new applications at the time. Divorce itself hits the bank balance with annual incomes falling by an average of £9,700 in the year after separation, according to Legal & General. From living together to sharing bills, sharing debts and sharing accounts, the financial implications can be significant. In this Money Box episode we're looking at how to separate your finances after a split, and if you are breaking up, at what point should you make up a financial plan?Felicity Hannah is joined by Gary Rycroft, Senior Partner at Joseph A Jones, and Sarah Coles, Head of Personal Finance at Hargreaves Lansdown. Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Producer: Amber Mehmood
Editor: Sarah Rogers(This episode was first broadcast on the 8th May 2024).
Farmers' protests have been erupting across Europe, and on February 20th one image from a protest in Poland went viral. It showed a tractor carrying a soviet flag and bearing a slogan calling on Russian President Vladimir Putin to ‘bring order to Ukraine, Brussels and our rulers’. The man driving the tractor was arrested and is currently awaiting trial. After the image was released Poland’s foreign ministry spokesperson released a statement warning of attempts to take over the country’s agricultural protest movement by extreme and irresponsible groups ‘possibly under the influence of Russian agents.’ We attempt to track down the man behind the banner. Who is he? And what is the evidence for Russian involvement in, or amplification of, farmers’ protests in Poland and beyond?
An alliance led by Mr Modi has won enough seats to allow him to serve as prime minister for a third term. His BJP party has far fewer seats than it won in the last election five years ago. Also in this podcast: President Biden announces a new policy on immigration at the border with Mexico, the leaders of the UK's two main political parties, Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak, go head to head in a live TV debate, and pilots in Switzerland's Air Force to practice taking off from motorways.
Modi-led alliance claims victory in India’s general election despite having many critics of high unemployment figures and slow economic growth there. What look at what this means for the Indian economy. We hear from local reporters, economists and business owners in India.
The two leaders clashed over NHS, tax and immigration in their first head-to-head TV debate of the election campaign. We spoke to Michael Gove, Conservative’s Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities; and Labour's shadow health secretary Wes Streeting.Also in the programme: A shock result in India's general election as Narendra Modi loses his parliamentary majority but claims a win.And the tale of the tiny fossil hunter – how three pre-teens found a rare teenage T-rex.
The Indian Prime Minister says his third term is a historic feat, but his majority has been greatly reduced. Also on the programme, President Biden issues new measures against asylum seekers; the first TV debate ahead of the British elections; and the three boys in North Dakota who found a dinosaur.(Photo: Jubilant Modi supporters outside BJP HQ in Delhi. Credit: Shutterstock)
‘Catastrophic impacts’ - the warning from Health Trust bosses about potential cuts in our health service. Western Trust chairman Dr Tom Frawley spoke to Nolan.
The first-ever summit of African leaders and South Korea is underway in Seoul. South Korea has promised to boost development aid for Africa by up to $10 billion over the next six years. The country also aims to tap into Africa's rich mineral resources. How else can Africa benefit from this new forged relationship with South Korea? Also the UN warns that millions of people in Sudan are at risk of malnutrition and starvationAnd new initiatives on tackling bullying, are being discussed and planned in schools on the continent. Presenter: Richard Kagoe
Producers: Nyasha Michelle, Charles Gitonga, Yvette Twagiramariya, Bella Hassan and Emmanuella Aluasa
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to lose his majority, but hold on to power to win a third term in office as the final votes are counted. He called it "a historical feat in India’s history." Also on the podcast: Qatar says it's waiting for a clear position from Israel on the Gaza peace plan, the growing use of AI in scientific research papers, and why nostalgic music events have become so popular.
The BJP-led alliance is leading in just under 300 seats, while opposition parties are ahead in about 200. Meanwhile, more than two dozen opposition parties that joined to take on Mr Modi and the BJP, are hoping to prove exit polls wrong.Also on the programme: We hear from an Israeli hostage negotiator; and we look at why the Swiss Air Force is taking to the road.(Photo: Indian voters show their inked fingers after casting their vote during the last phase of the Indian parliament elections Credit: Manu Arora/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
A newborn baby found earlier this year in East London is the third child abandoned by the same parents. That’s the story being reported by the BBC’s Sanchia Berg, who has been given permission to share the details by a judge at East London Family Court. Sanchia joins Nuala McGovern to tell us more about the story, alongside freelance journalist Louise Tickle, who has previously reported from family courts.Following on from our special phone-in on boys last month, author Ruth Whippman speaks to Woman’s Hour about her new book, BoyMum, which looks at what it means both to be a boy, and to raise a boy. Ruth joins Nuala to discuss what she’s learned from investigating masculinity and boyhood, the impact on girls and boys, and how it’s changed the way she is raising her three sons.The ongoing war in Ukraine has led to a significant shift in the local job market, with more women now doing roles traditionally dominated by men, such as mining. After more than a thousand male workers left their jobs in a coal mine to fight Russia’s invasion, the energy company DTEK allowed women to work underground for the first time in its history. Nuala is joined by Ukrainian journalist and BBC World Service Europe editor, Kateryna Khinkulova to discuss this transformation and what it means for women in Ukraine.Arabian Adventures: The Secrets of the Nabateans is a new two-part documentary on BBC iPlayer that looks into a culture who had women in leadership roles in the 4th century BC. Alice Morrison, adventurer and author, joins Nuala to talk more about what she has discovered about Nabatean women, and what modern-day Saudi Arabian women make of them.
Some people just love causing trouble. This expression is about them!(Image: Getty)TRANSCRIPT
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Hunter Biden, the son of Joe Biden, has become the first child of a sitting US president to be a criminal defendant. He denies all charges against him. Also: Israel confirms deaths of four more hostages in Gaza, and Mr Beast overtakes T-Series for most YouTube subscribers.
El Salvador used to be known as one of the most dangerous places in the world. The central American country was dominated by rival gangs who terrorised the population. President Bukele declared a State of Emergency in 2022 and since then more than 76,000 people have been arrested – around 1% of the population. Two years on Jane Chambers travels to El Salvador to find out how people’s lives have changed – for better and for worse - since the crack down on crime.
Nigel Farage used an "emergency announcement" to reveal that he had taken over leadership of Reform UK from his colleague Richard Tice, and would stand at the election in the seat of Clacton. That's despite ruling out standing after the election was called over a week ago. The champion of Brexit said he wanted to lead a "political revolt". We spoke to the man he replaced, Richard Tice.Many Mexicans are celebrating the election of the first woman President after elections there, but others are concerned about her plans for the constitution.And what has become of Ruja Ignatova, the so-called "cryptoqueen" who disappeared in 2017? A BBC investigation found new evidence suggesting she may have been murdered.
Mexico's first female president, Claudia Sheinbaum, breaks a political glass ceiling and she wins the election. However, following the victory, investors have been reacting rather negatively. They’ve been selling off pesos—Mexico’s currency—over fears of radical constitutional changes. The peso slipped about 3% against the dollar, its lowest level since November last year. How will it affect local business owners and the economy?Also, in the programme, Sam Fenwick finds out why the boss of the World Bank, Ajay Banga, thinks it’s time for emerging economies to stop relying on infinite streams of cash from other governments.
Claudia Sheinbaum becomes Mexico’s first woman president, so how will she tackle the country’s violence and insecurity? Also in the programme: Nigeria’s public sector workers go on strike disrupting power supplies; and was the so-called Bulgarian Crypto-queen murdered?
( Photo: Claudia Sheinbaum addressing a victory rally in Mexico city. Credit: Reuters.)
Dr Julia Ravey and Dr Ella Hubber both have a love of science, but it turns out there’s a lot they don’t know about some of the leading women at the front of the inventing game. In Unstoppable, Dr Julia and Dr Ella tell each other the hidden, world-shaping stories of the engineers, innovators and inventors they wish they’d known about when they were starting out as scientists. This week, the story of an Indian chemist whose work laid the foundations to save thousands of lives. In a lab in 1950s Kolkata, Asima Chatterjee laboriously extracts chemicals from the Indian snakeroot plant. She knows she’ll have to send the products away – she doesn’t have the money or resources to analyse them in India. But the tireless and uncompromising chemist perseveres, and her work paved the way for modern-day chemotherapy treatments. Asima grew up in a time when it was uncommon for women in India to have an education, but went on to become a hugely influential figure in her field whose work is still repurposed and cited today. Dr Ella and Dr Julia take us through her inspirational journey, joined by Professor Sivapriya Kirubakaran and Dr Sarah O’Connor. Presenters: Dr Ella Hubber and Dr Julia Ravey
Producers: Ella Hubber and Julia Ravey
Assistant producer: Sophie Ormiston
Production Coordinator: Elisabeth Tuohy
Editor: Holly Squire
On World Business Report Will Bain hears from one of the main unions leading today's action on why they have called for an indefinite strike.Plus, in an exclusive interview with the BBC, the head of the World Bank tells us that developing nations cannot bank on the deep pockets of wealthier Western NationsAlso find out why Mexico's currency is slipping on a landslide win for a Presidential candidate promising more of the same And Shein has changed fast fashion and become a favourite with shoppers all round the world - so why is where it sells its shares proving so controversial?
Following last week's elections, South Africa’s ruling African National Congress, has lost its majority. The ANC now needs a coalition partner to ally with. It's begun closed-door negotiations with its political opponents, but who will it choose and why?Also Nigeria's public workers begin an indefinite nationwide strike following failed negotiations with the governmentAnd have you heard of 'adaptive' clothing? It's a new much needed fashion trend, helping people with disabilities to shop with ease.Presenter: Richard Kagoe
Producers; Rob Wilson, Charles Gitonga, Susan Gachuhi, Yvette Twagiramariya and Bella Hassan
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
An ally of outgoing left wing leader Andrés Manuel López Obrador, she has won a landslide victory with about sixty per cent of the vote. Even her most ardent supporters say they want to see more done to tackle violent crime in the drug-violence ravaged nation. Also on the programme: Hunter Biden, the son of the US President, goes on trial for gun charges; and the stray-dog rescuer of Ukraine on why she cannot stay away from the frontlines of war. (Picture: Claudia Sheinbaum addressing her supporters in Mexico City Credit: REUTERS/Alexandre Meneghini)
Supporters of Claudia Sheinbaum have been celebrating her landslide victory in Mexico's presidential election. Also: blackout in Nigeria as striking workers shut down the entire power grid, new blood test to predict breast cancer return and couple find safe full of cash while magnet fishing in New York.
In this short and sweet episode, learn some common binomials, or phrases made of two words.FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
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Claudia Sheinbaum will become Mexico's first woman president after an historic election win. BBC Journalist Laura Garcia joins Nuala McGovern to discuss what this moment means for the women and girls of Mexico. A new immersive exhibition, Connecting Hearts, by Swansea University, the Human Milk Foundation and artist Leanne Pearce, shows the impact of donating and receiving human milk. One of the paintings is of Claire-Michelle Pearson - a 'snowdrop' donor. She donated over 300 litres of milk after her son, Rupert, died during labour. She tells Nuala how it helped her grieve.Candice Carty-Williams’ debut novel, Queenie, has been adapted into a series for Channel 4. It tells the story of a 25-year-old woman as she straddles two different cultures at the same time as navigating romantic relationships, family stresses and work pressure. Dionne Brown plays Queenie in the series – she joins Nuala to tell us more about the series.A 20-year-old man who allegedly raped a 12-year-old girl in Spain has been acquitted because the court deemed their relationship ‘common’ as members of the Roma community. So what does this mean for the protection of Roma women and girls against violence across Europe? Nuala is joined by Judit Ignácz, from The European Roma Rights Centre, an international organisation working to combat discrimination against the Roma population, to discuss.A new type of blood test can predict the recurrence of breast cancer months or even years before it shows up on scans, which could potentailly pave the way for treatment to start before it becomes incurable. Nuala is joined by Simon Vincent, director of research, support and influencing at Breast Cancer Now, who part-funded this study. Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Emma Pearce
Do you want some cheap and cheerful tips to improve your English? Listen to learn more.FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
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Cyril Ramaphosa has admitted his African National Congress party has suffered a challenging election result. Also: Mexicans vote in election likely to see first woman president, and the media tycoon Rupert Murdoch marries for fifth time at the age of 93.
Andy Riley is an Emmy-winning scriptwriter and a million-selling author and cartoonist published in more than 20 countries, notably with the Bunny Suicides book series. Antonia Quirke follows him as he begins to write and draw the third book in his graphic novel series for children. The series is called Action Dude. That's the name of the main character, too; he lives for danger, he lives for excitement, he lives with his Mum because he's eight years old. Antonia also follows Andy as he performs a semi-improvised, hour-long stand up show with live drawing.
Voting is taking place in Mexico in an election which is almost certain to result in the country's first female president. More than twenty candidates have been killed in what is now the most violent election in modern Mexican history. Also in the programme: scientists in Britain have developed a blood test that could forecast the return of breast cancer years before tumours show up in scans; and will the T20 Cricket World Cup help the sport compete with more established sports in the United States.(A woman shows her inked thumb after voting at a polling station during general elections, in Comachuen, Mexico on June 2, 2024. Credit: Ivan Arias/Reuters)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu risks losing power if he agrees to the latest deal on the table for a ceasefire in Gaza. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich have threatened to bring down the government if Mr Netanyahu agrees to the deal. We speak to Hanoch Milwidsky, a member of the Knesset for Mr Netanyahu's Likud Party.Also in the programme: China lands a probe on the unexplored, far side of the moon; and coalition talks begin in South Africa, with the African National Congress losing its outright majority in the elections.(Photo: Israeli right-wing Knesset members Itamar ben Gvir (L) and Bezalel Smotrich (R) in the Israeli parliament in November 2022. Credit: Abir Sultan/Pool via REUTERS)
The Israeli National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, said any deal that resulted in a ceasefire in Gaza before Hamas was destroyed would be a victory for terrorism. Also: Boeing's first crewed Starliner launch delayed again over computer issues, and the life-saving Heimlich manoeuvre is fifty years old.
The ceasefire proposal between Israel and Hamas made by US President Joe Biden has received mixed reactions in Israel. The opposition has backed it but the two leading right-wing ministers have threatened to pull out of the coalition government if there is a deal. Mexicans will go to the polls this Sunday after a violent campaign. We hear from Professor Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera in Mexico City; And cybersecurity expert Lisa McKee explains the consequences of the recent Ticketmaster data breach.(Picture: Protesters demand release of hostages in Tel Aviv, Israel. Credit: Abir Sultan/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Ruth Jones joins Nuala McGovern to talk about playing the Mother Superior in a West End production of Sister Act. She discusses getting out of her comfort zone by appearing on stage for the first time since 2018 and working on her fourth novel. Plus what can fans of Gavin and Stacey expect from the Christmas special?This week, the Netball Super League, the UK's elite level domestic competition, relaunched and embarked on what it calls a "new era of transformational change". Anita Rani speaks to Claire Nelson, Managing Director of the Netball Super League, and London Pulse CEO Sam Bird.Politicians in The Gambia are debating whether to overturn the ban on female genital mutilation. Activist Fatou Baldeh MBE explains the impact this discussion is having on the ground and in other countries around the world.From the Pre-Raphaelites to Picasso, Vermeer to Freud, some of the most famous Western artwork involves an artist’s muse. So who are the muses who have inspired great art? How do they embody an artist’s vision? And why has the muse artist relationship led to abuse of power? Nuala was joined by guests including Penelope Tree was one of the most famous models of the 1960s and the muse of her then boyfriend, the photographer David Bailey. Grammy and Tony award-winning songwriter Anaïs Mitchell is the creator of the musical Hadestown – a genre-defying retelling of the Orpheus and Eurydice myth blending folk music and New Orleans jazz. With productions on Broadway and now at the Lyric Theatre in London, Anaïs performed live in the Woman’s Hour studio and talked about the origins and impact of Hadestown.Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Annette Wells
Editor: Louise Corley
South Africa is set to be governed by coalition after the ruling ANC loses its majority. With most results declared, the party has around 40%, its worst result for thirty years. It's now preparing to launch coalition talks with its rivals. Also in the programme: a new saliva test for prostate cancer; and Boeing prepares for its Starliner launch to the International Space Station(Picture: First-time voter in Kwazulu Natal dons a green and black MK party t-shirt. Credit: BBC)
To combat over-working culture, South Koreans have taken part in the annual 'space-out' competition, where they must simply sit still and do absolutely nothing for 90 minutes. But, they must not fall asleep. Also: meet the podcasters hoping to promote friendship between Morocco and Algeria, a hungry sea lion who hitched a ride with some rowers in Los Angeles, a potentially groundbreaking new treatment which could help restore movements to paralysed people, and the power of vibrations harnessed in sound therapy.Our weekly collection of happy news and positive stories from around the world
How many soldiers are fighting - and dying - for Russia in Ukraine? Who are they, and what do their stories tell us about Russia's frontline tactics? We'll ask Olga Ivshina, who has been monitoring Russian losses in Ukraine from day one. Plus, Anne McAlpine from BBC Alba dives into the history of Gaelic proverbs. Produced by Alice Gioia and Caroline Ferguson.(Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich)
اگزیستانسیالیسم صاحب یک دستگاه اخلاقی منسجم هست؟ مرام اگزیستانسیالیستی مرامی نخبهگرایانه نیست؟ اگزیستانسیالیسم چگونه وارد ایران شد و چه جاذبهای برای روشنفکران ایرانی داشت؟ مهمانها منوچهر حقیقیراد و فرهاد سلمانیان.
Digitally excluded. An elderly couple have their accounts frozen because their documents were out of date - despite having being customers for their bank for nearly two decades. We hear from Tom and Marian Doughty who say they were left with weeks of sleepless nights.Can you boost your state pension by filling old gaps in your national insurance record? A new online calculator from the Department for Work and Pensions and HMRC aims to answer that. The Treasury says the new service will bring “peace of mind” to people planning for their retirement and could help “thousands” of pensioners. Royal Mail has suspended the £5 penalty it charged people for letters sent with a new barcoded stamp which its machines had identified as fake. And what happens to your home when you break up with someone? Should you make a financial plan when the relationship is going well, in case it doesn't in the future?
Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporter: Dan Whitworth and Jo Krasner
Researcher: Sandra Hardial
Studio producer: Sarah Rogers
Editor: Neil Morrow(This episode was first broadcast on the 4th of May, 2024).
The plan would begin with a six-week ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israel Defence Forces from populated areas of Gaza. Also: Donald Trump to appeal what he called "rigged" conviction, and a rare fern has the largest genome of any organism on earth - fifty times more DNA than humans.
It was the biggest gold mine fraud of all time – a scam that devastated countless lives. But what really happened?
Major Republican donors have backed Donald Trump despite his conviction in a hush money case. Presenter Devina Gupta examines why there is still huge financial backing for the former President.Voters go to the polls in Mexico. The country’s new President is the be the first ever woman to lead the nation. We look at the economy she inherits, and what are her economic priorities likely to be.The owner of the hit online game Wordle is legally challenging a geography-based spinoff called Worldle.The New York Times, purchased Wordle for a seven figure sum in 2022. It accuses Worldle of attempting to capitalise on "the enormous goodwill” associated with its own brand.
President Biden has outlined a new ceasefire deal aimed at ending the war in Gaza and returning Israeli hostages. Mr Biden presented the plan as Israeli-conceived. It would involve three phases, beginning with a six-week truce during which hostages would be freed and Palestinian prisoners released and ending with a permanent ceasefire and reconstruction of Gaza.Donald Trump made a stump speech in his New York headquarters in which he repeated his scathing attacks on the trial against him. He was convicted on Thursday on 34 counts of falsifying business records.And the first full week of election campaigning draws to a close, we look back on the key moments.
President Biden has called on Israel and Hamas to accept a new proposal aimed at ending the war in Gaza. He said the three-phase approach - approved by Israeli officials - would initially involve a six-week ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. In his first response, Prime Minister Netanyahu said the war would only end with the elimination of Hamas' military and governmental capabilities. Also in the programme: Donald Trump has confirmed he'll appeal against his historic criminal conviction, in a tirade that included attacks on the judge and his political opponents; and South Africa's governing ANC loses its parliamentary majority - so what's gone wrong in the thirty years since it swept to power amid a wave of optimism.(Image: U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks at the White House on 31 May 2024. Credit: Reuters/Hockstein)
Writer: Sarah Hehir
Director: Pip Swallow
Editor: Jeremy HoweBen Archer… Ben Norris
Jolene Archer…. Buffy Davis
Pat Archer…. Patricia Gallimore
Harrison Burns…. James Cartwright
Lilian Bellamy… Sunny Ormonde
Vince Casey…. Tony Turner
George Grundy…. Angus Stobie
Jakob Hakansson…. Paul Venables
Chelsea Horrobin…. Madeleine Leslay
Tracy Horrobin…. Susie Riddell
Freddie Pargetter…. Toby Laurence
Fallon Rogers…. Joanna Van Kampen
Lynda Snell… Carole Boyd
Robert Snell…. Michael Bertenshaw
Oliver Sterling…. Michael Cochrane
Jason Burntwood…. Ian Conningham
The South African election is moving ever closer to a result, and it looks like the ANC will have to start talking to potential coalition partners. What could that mean for the economy there? Plus, we're getting reports of another major cyber-attack, this time affecting a major bank. And how does it feel when your niche web project becomes the focus of a trademark claim from a very large company with a very large legal budget?
The United States has sanctioned Uganda’s parliament speaker, her husband and others over corruption and rights abuses, but will the imposed restrictions have a wider impact?After the mysterious disappearance of a Zambia parliamentarian who was later found, opposition politicians fear the country’s democracy is under threat.And why is there a power tussle between the Cameroon government and the national football federation over who should be head coach of the national team - the Indomitable Lions.
Donald Trump becomes the first former or sitting US president to be convicted of a crime. Presenter Devina Gupta examines what this will mean for his bid to become President again.Plus, extreme heat is causing chaos in South Asia. What does this mean for businesses and workers in Pakistan and India?(Picture: Donald Trump Credit: Eduardo Muñoz/Reuters)
The US presidential election campaign has moved into uncharted territory, after the Republican presumptive candidate Donald Trump was found guilty of falsifying business records. The former president's criminal conviction does not prevent him from running - even if he's sentenced to jail. President Biden's campaign said the threat Mr Trump posed to America's democracy had never been greater - and the ballot box was the only way to keep him out of the White House. Many Republicans say the trial was a travesty of justice, and Mr Trump himself has claimed he is a political prisoner. Opinion polls before his conviction had the two candidates locked in a tight race.
Also in the programme: Germany joins the United States in saying it will allow Ukraine to use its weapons for limited strikes inside Russia; we'll hear from Moscow and from Kyiv.
(Photo: Former US President Donald Trump gestures to the media and the crowd outside Trump Tower after a jury found him guilty on all 34 counts in his criminal trial in New York, 30 May 2024. Credit: Peter Foley/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
US presidential election campaign moves into uncharted territory after Donald Trump was found guilty of falsifying business records. We bring you the best content, reportage and analysis of the Trump verdict and look at where the US election goes from here. Also in this podcast: the latest from South Africa on the political horse-trading expected as the ANC is tipped to lose its three-decade majority - why have some voters fallen out of love with the party? And in Canada for the first time an indigenous politician addresses a provincial parliament in his own language.
Politicians in The Gambia are debating whether to overturn the ban on female genital mutilation. Activist Fatou Baldeh MBE tells Anita Rani about the impact this discussion is having on the ground and in other countries around the world.Dr. Janine Bradbury is an award-winning poet and critic and a Senior Lecturer in Contemporary Writing and Culture at the University of York. She is also one of the 2024 cohort of ten New Generation Thinkers announced by the BBC and the Arts and Humanities Research Council last week. She joins Anita Rani to discuss her current work which explores the relationship between love, feeling, and reading and her debut poetry pamphlet, Sometimes Real Love Comes Quick & Easy.Singer Abi Sampa has become the first British woman to perform qawwali – a form of Sufi devotional music typically performed by men – at the Royal Albert Hall. Abi, who is also a trained dentist, talks to Anita about her genre-defying Orchestral Qawwali Project which mixes South Asian traditions with western choral music and balancing her careers in music and dentistry. Amanda Ross is best known as TV’s Queen of Books – she’s also co-founder and CEO of Cactus TV and Executive Producer of Between The Covers on BBC Two. She’s created and produced many major book-based campaigns on TV over the last 20 years, including Richard & Judy's Book Club. She personally selects the books featured and has been responsible for launching the careers of many bestselling authors, including Kate Mosse, David Nicholls and Victoria Hislop. Amanda is hosting the Between the Covers Live! UK Tour 2024 and joins Anita Rani to discuss.
The winners and losers in England's elections and the SNP Scottish leadership race, and what will Harry Kane do with his golden shoe?With writing from Nev Fountain & Tom Jamieson, Laurence Howarth, Ed Amsden & Tom Coles, Sarah Campbell, Rob Darke, Edward Tew, Sophie Dixon, Cody Dahler, Joe Topping, and Alex Bertulis-Fernandes. With additional material by Katie Sayer and Christopher Donovan.Exec: Pete Strauss
Sound Design: Rich Evans
Prod Co-Ordinator: Dan Marchini
Producer: Bill Dare
Anna Holligan spends time with Dutch Muslim Nora Akachar, whose world was turned upside down with the traditional progressive country voted for right-wing politician Geert Wilders. Nora is left questioning her identity and what it means for her to be Muslim in the Netherlands today.
The jury at Donald Trump's hush-money trial in New York found him guilty on all 34 counts. Mr Trump said the case was "rigged" and the real verdict would come in the presidential election in November. President Biden said it shows no one is above the law. He said Mr Trump continued to pose a great threat to democracy, and accused him of running what he called an increasingly unhinged campaign of revenge and retribution. But the Republican Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, called the verdict "a shameful day for America."
On 28 July last year the British cyclist Lizzy Banks received an email from UK Anti Doping to say she had return two Adverse Analytical Findings. The letter stated she faced the prospect of a two-year ban unless she could establish the source. Thus began a ten-month journey investigating, researching and writing submissions to establish how the contamination event occurred. Absolved of any blame, having proved on the balance of probabilities that her test was contaminated, Lizzy speaks to Nuala McGovern about how the process destroyed her mentally, emotionally and professionally.Olivier award-winning theatre maker Marisa Carnesky is taking over an entire street at this years’ Brighton Festival with her show, Carnesky's Showwomxn Sideshow Spectacular, honouring the forgotten women of the circus. Marisa shares with Anita Rani the lost history of ground-breaking women magicians, aerial artists and sword climbers and how their stories are being explored through a new generation of performers.Do you know what love bombing is? One of our Woman’s Hour listeners Lynn got in touch to say it’s something we should be discussing. She joins Nuala McGovern alongside relationship therapist Simone Bose to explain more about what love bombing is, and how we can all look out for the warning signs.The long awaited final report of the public inquiry into the infected blood scandal was published this week, The inquiry was announced in 2017 after years of campaigning by victims. From the 1970s to the early 1990s, approximately 30,000 people were infected with blood contaminated with HIV and Hepatitis C. Over 3,000 have since died, with one person estimated to die every four days in the UK. The affected groups include those who received infected blood via blood transfusions, such as women following childbirth, and individuals with haemophilia—predominantly males—and others with similar bleeding disorders who received contaminated blood products. Around 1,250 people with bleeding disorders, including 380 children were infected with HIV. Fewer than 250 are still alive today. Some transmitted HIV to their partners. Nuala McGovern speaks to Clair Walton, who gave evidence to the inquiry. She has been campaigning for years for the wives and partners who became infected to be heard and acknowledged.Clara Schumann was one of the greatest female musicians of the 19th Century – a virtuoso performer who gave over 1,500 concerts in a 60 year career, all while raising eight children and financially supporting her household. Concert pianist Lucy Parham and actress ...
The former US President Donald Trump has been found guilty of all 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal a pay-off to a porn star during his 2016 election campaign. It's the first time in US history that a former or serving president has been convicted of a criminal offence. He will be sentenced on the 11th of July. Trump called it a shameful day in US history.US President Joe Biden has reportedly agreed to Ukraine firing American weapons into Russian territory, but only on the Kharkiv border where the Russian military is gathering forces.And another Conservative MP says he'll back the Labour Party at the election, Mark Logan MP for Bolton North East says only Labour can "bring back optimism into British life".
President Biden has reportedly given the go-ahead to Ukraine to use its weaponry on targets within Russia as NATO foreign ministers meet in the Czech Republic to discuss the issue. We ask a NATO foreign minister what's changed. Also in the programme, we hear from Mexico ahead of this weekend's elections; and world-record breaker Sophie Holmes shares her remarkable story of running 36 marathons in as many days.Photo: A Ukrainian soldier fires a D-30 howitzer towards Russian troops in Kharkiv region, Ukraine Credit: REUTERS/Vyacheslav Madiyevskyy
AI is already being used in every branch of science, and will become more and more a feature of future breakthroughs. But with its power to find subtle patterns in massive data sets comes a concern about how we will know when to trust its outcomes, and how to rely on its predictions. Science in Action talks to Alison Noble who just completed a Royal Society report on trust in scientific AI.With highly pathogenic bird flu infecting around 70 dairy herds across 10 states in the USA, including a herd of alpacas, we get an update from health journalist Helen Branswell of StatNews on the latest science and efforts to get on top of the infection.Also, from the pioneers of the mRNA vaccines that helped turn around the COVID pandemic, an experimental version that could be rolled out rapidly if the bird flu does cross worryingly into people. University of Pennsylvania’s Scott Hensley described how it works, and how promising it looks.Science in Action also hears how Europe’s new EarthCARE satellite, equipped to peer deep inside clouds, will tackle one of the biggest unknowns in the science of global warming.Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Jonathan Blackwell
There's confusion today surrounding a claim by a notorious hacking group that they have accessed personal details of more than half-a-billion people who use the US website Ticketmaster – but is it true?Two months after the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge cut off the port of Baltimore, transportation businesses are counting the days until it can reopen. Plus David Harper finds out how Thailand is trying to encourage Digital Nomads to travel there to work. Finally, we explore whether having a famous resident can be a blessing or a curse for your town?
The landmark case has swept up Hong Kong’s best-known pro-democracy campaigners, and effectively wiped out that whole movement. Also: Spanish MP's have approved a highly contested law granting amnesty to separatists from the region of Catalonia, we're in South Africa where counting is underway in the country's elections, and Pop star Harry Styles' home village in England puts on its own guided tours.
Hong Kong has found 14 pro-democracy activists guilty of subversion in the largest use yet of a China-imposed National Security Law. They were among the 47 activists charged with trying to "overthrow" the government by organising an unofficial primary in 2020 to pick candidates who can run for office.Also in the programme: Will a US pharmaceutical company allow a low-cost version of its powerful new HIV drug for use in the developing world? And the lost Beatles guitar that has sold for millions.(Photo: Lawrence Lau, a barrister and former pro-democracy district councillor, leaves court during a break. A court in Hong Kong on 30 May convicted 14 defendants over 'conspiracy to subvert the state power' under the national security law. Credit: Leung Man Hei/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
It's one year since Bola Tinubu became Nigeria’s President. Mr Tinubu assumed office during a time of unprecedented challenges for Africa’s most populous country. How are Nigerian's feeling about his promise of a "renewed hope"? Somalia is the only sub-Saharan country to carry out the death penalty, where according to Amnesty International executions are on the rise. What's the attitude towards the death penalty there?And Zimbabwe re-launches it's national youth programme, which aims at equipping young people with life skills. What do young Zimbabweans think? Presenter: Richard Kagoe
Producers: Joseph Keen, Bella Hassan, Yvette Twagiramariya and Patricia Whitehorne
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Technical Producer: Phillip Bull
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
As prescriptions for weight loss drugs in the UK increase, Woman’s Hour explores how safe online prescriptions for things like Ozempic and Wegovy are. Fashion stylist Jeannie Annan Lewin tells us how she buys the drugs and how they have helped her. Anita Rani is joined by Alima Batchelor, from the Pharmacists Defence Association, and Professor James Kingsland, Chair of Digital Clinical Excellence. Cassidy Janson won an Olivier Award for her performance as Anne Hathaway in the musical & Juliet. She’s also appeared in Wicked, Chess and in the role of Carole King in the West End production of Beautiful. Cassidy is now performing in Jerry’s Girls at the Menier Chocolate Factory in London, which celebrates the life and legacy of the legendary award-winning Broadway composer Jerry Herman. Cassidy joins Anita and performs live.Yvette Fielding is best known for hosting the TV show Most Haunted, and for being the youngest ever presenter of Blue Peter. She was just 18 when she joined the iconic BBC children’s show in 1987. Yvette joins Anita to talk about her memoir Scream Queen, which charts her journey from child actor to 'ghost hunter'. Today is a big day in the world of women's sport. The Netball Super League, the UK's elite level domestic competition, has relaunched and embarks on what it calls a "new era of transformational change". Anita is joined by Claire Nelson, Managing Director of the Netball Super League, and London Pulse CEO Sam Bird. Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Emma Pearce
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the planet which is closest to our Sun. We see it as an evening or a morning star, close to where the Sun has just set or is about to rise, and observations of Mercury helped Copernicus understand that Earth and the other planets orbit the Sun, so displacing Earth from the centre of our system. In the 20th century, further observations of Mercury helped Einstein prove his general theory of relativity. For the last 50 years we have been sending missions there to reveal something of Mercury's secrets and how those relate to the wider universe, and he latest, BepiColombo, is out there in space now. WithEmma Bunce
Professor of Planetary Plasma Physics and Director of the Institute for Space at the University of LeicesterDavid Rothery
Professor of Planetary Geosciences at the Open UniversityAnd Carolin Crawford
Emeritus Fellow of Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge, and Emeritus Member of the Institute of Astronomy, CambridgeProducer: Simon Tillotson
In Our Time is a BBC Studios Audio productionReading list: Emma Bunce, ‘All (X-ray) eyes on Mercury’ (Astronomy & Geophysics, Volume 64, Issue 4, August 2023) Emma Bunce et al, ‘The BepiColombo Mercury Imaging X-Ray Spectrometer: Science Goals, Instrument Performance and Operations’ (Space Science Reviews: SpringerLink, volume 216, article number 126, Nov 2020)David A. Rothery, Planet Mercury: From Pale Pink Dot to Dynamic World (Springer, 2014)
Ghanaian gamer and broadcaster Kobby Spiky explores the video game landscape across Africa. He speaks to everyday gamers and developers about their experiences of playing and creating them. Although Asia and North America are usually seen as the hubs of the video game industry because they are the homes of the three major console manufacturers and some of the largest publishers in the world, countries like Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria are paving the way for Africa to emerge as the next big thing in gaming. As smartphones and tablets become more accessible, mobile gaming has taken hold across the continent. And as more people look for authentic characters and stories, African developers are standing out from their foreign competitors.
The 12 New Yorkers have asked to hear back some of the testimony. Also: Israel takes control of corridor between Gaza and Egypt, the iconic Ukrainian hotel being auctioned off for the war effort and why hardly any of us are using AI tools.
Provisional reports say that Temperatures have reached fifty-two degrees centigrade in the Indian capital, Delhi, as an intense heatwave sweeps across the north and west of the country. Rahul Tandon looks at how it’s affecting the lives of people there - and the economy.The price of heavily subsidised bread in Egypt is to quadruple from June. The BBC’s Sally Nibil explains just how significant the news is and why the subsidy is such an important source of government support for the less well off. Unionised workers of Samsung Electronics in Seoul are to strike next week in what will be the first-ever strike in the tech giant’s five decades of history - we look at the reason why.
The veteran Labour MP Diane Abbott has vowed to continue serving in the Commons "by any means". As the row deepens over how Labour has handled Britain's first black female MP, we ask whether a purge of the left is underway.As the prime minister campaigns in South West England - Shaun Ley has also been there to find out how much of a threat tactical voting poses to the Tories. Also: What a viral AI image about Rafah - shared nearly 45 million times on Instagram - tells us about the social media battle over Gaza.And an unwelcome gift from North Korea to the South: why is Pyongyang sending balloons filled with rubbish and excrement to its neighbour?
South Africans have been voting in the most pivotal election since the end of apartheid, which could see the African National Congress lose its majority for the first time. Newshour gets the latest and speaks to voters.Also in the programme: the impact on civilians as Israel pushes ahead with its military operation in Gaza; and the table tennis player who's qualified for the Paralympics tell us how he competes with no hands.Photo: People queue to cast their votes in the South African elections in Durban, South Africa Credit: REUTERS/Alaister Russell
Record breaking heat in northern India as temperatures hit 52 degrees.It's election day in South Africa and it's a crucial vote because the ANC could lose its majority for the first time since 1994 so could this call have a lot to do with the country's economy?Find out why Union workers at Samsung Electronics say they're going to hold the first ever strike since the company was founded over five decades ago... And one billionaire is making waves as he plans to travel down to the Titanic wreck in a submersible. Yes, we've got questions too…
South Africans go to the polls today in what is predicted to be the most competitive election since the end of apartheid. Also in the programme, Delhi hits record-level temperatures and South Korea's clean-up effort after North Korea sends hundreds of balloons of rubbish that land across the country(Picture: People wait in line to cast their votes in Johannesburg, South Africa. Credit: Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
Officials say the country is likely to experience longer and more intense heatwaves this year. Also: A senior Israeli official says he expects the fighting to continue in Gaza for at least the rest of the year; how North Korea is menacing its southern neighbour with balloons filled with rubbish; and as voters in South Africa go to the polls - President Cyril Ramaphosa believes support for his party is solid. Plus, the Nigerian criminals using nude photos to extort money from young people around the world.
The military junta in Burkina Faso extends its military rule for another five years. So does this mean it is consolidating its power?There have been chaotic scenes in Sierra Leone during the Bar Association’s ballot for a powerful executive, deeply steeped in the country’s politics, and Gen Z’s desire for promotion in the South African workplace – what are employers doing to accommodate them?
Phil has scheduled a time to talk to you about the word 'schedule'. That time is now and he will do it in 60 seconds.TRANSCRIPT
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Grammy and Tony award-winning songwriter Anaïs Mitchell is the creator of the musical Hadestown – a genre-defying retelling of the Orpheus and Eurydice myth blending folk music and New Orleans jazz. With productions on Broadway and now at the Lyric Theatre in London, Anaïs performs live in the Woman’s Hour studio and talks to Nuala about the origins and impact of Hadestown. The 'lad’s mag' Loaded is back - with Liz Hurley once again on the cover. Sarah Ditum, journalist and author of ‘Toxic: Women, Fame and The Noughties’, joins Nuala to give her reaction.In our series of hobbies you've restarted after decades, we hear from Rosie, who rediscovered her childhood roller skates whilst clearing out her parents' house. Now, she does regular roller skating lessons, and absolutely loves it. She tells our reporter Sarah Swadling all about it. What do you know about Nan Shepherd? The Scottish author, poet and naturalist has helped shape Scotland’s recent literary history with her work. A new play, Nan Shepherd: Naked and Unashamed, explores her life and legacy at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre. The play’s writer, Ellie Zeegan joins Nuala to discuss Nan’s legacy. Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Lottie Garton
Unpaid carers spend at least 35 hours a week looking after someone close to them. That someone may have an illness, a disability, a mental health problem or even an addiction, but what matters is that they cannot cope without that care.There are almost 6 million unpaid carers in the UK with 40% living in poverty according to charity Carers UK. This week we have a special audio diary from one carer trying to hold down a job around those care commitments, we will also hear from those who have given up work to care full time.The Department for Work and Pensions told us; 'We recognise the importance of carers, who play a vital role in our communities. We have increased Carer’s Allowance by almost £1,500 since 2010, with those on low incomes potentially eligible for an extra £2,400 a year.'So if you're unsure about the rules around carers allowance, assessments and where you can get help and support, Felicity Hannah is joined by Emily Holzhausen, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at Carers UK and Caroline Abrahams, Head of Charity at Age UK,Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Producer: Sarah Rogers
Editor: Sara WadesonThis episode was first broadcast on the 1st May 2024.
Emergency services in Gaza said four tank shells hit a cluster of tents in al-Mawasi - a supposed safe zone the Israelis had told Palestinians to move to to escape fighting in Rafah. Also: closing arguments in the fraud trial of former US president Donald Trump and the cancer survivor turned fashion designer.
In a viral thread posted on X in January this year, a 23-year-old Russian man claims he used ChatGPT to filter through and chat thousands of women on Tinder, eventually proposing to one that was selected by the algorithm. The scale and success of his experiment sparked scepticism. Some raised doubts about the technical plausibility of it, while others voiced concerns about the ethical implications of such an endeavour. In an attempt to better understand his experiment, BBC Trending interviewed the Russian man and asked experts what they made of it. As AI becomes more advanced and accessible, the story also highlights broader concerns about the future of this technology in online dating. How will AI reshape the landscape of online dating in the coming years? What biases may be inherent in its algorithms? Is using AI in this manner a form of catfishing?
The BBC has been told that Diane Abbot, the UK's first black female MP, has been allowed back into the Parliamentary Labour party after race row probe, but will she stand in the election?Also in the programme:
As Israeli tanks reach the centre of the southern Gazan city of Rafah, there are reports of an attack on a camp for displaced Palestinians in the west of the city. We hear from a British doctor in the area about the worsening conditions there.And, how AI is helping to find a female partner for a lonely male tree?
We speak to the founder of Argentina's top start-up about the country's tech scene as its president, Javier Milei, meets with the CEOs of Google, OpenAI, Meta and Apple. Elsewhere, Rahul Tandon looks into what the latest disruption in the Red Sea means, and he looks ahead to the South African elections.
Officials from Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry say Israeli strikes on a tent camp for displaced Palestinians to the west of Rafah have reportedly killed at least twenty-one people. The tents that were reportedly hit were in Al-Mawasi. Israel has denied targeting the area. Newshour hears from James Smith, a British doctor working with the NGO Cadus, currently based in Al Mawasi.Also in the programme: closing arguments in the Trump trial; and why peanut butter can help counter peanut allergies.(Picture: A girl looks on, while Palestinians travel on foot along with their belongings, as they flee Rafah due to an Israeli military operation, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip. Credit: Reuters)
In Sri Lanka, tea pickers have received a pay rise mandated by the Government, and, a BBC investigation reveals child labour in beauty industry supply chain.Also, Sam Fenwick discovers whether new EU border controls will improve security, or lead to travel chaos?Plus, a discussion on the challenges of running a small business in South Africa – is it worth the investment?
It's getting easier to access illegal arms in Kenya which has led to the rise in violent crime, especially in more deprived areas. What's fuelling the rise in gun crime? Also, why is Ghana turning to nuclear power?And a documentary explores the reality African students face when they choose to study abroad.Presenter: Richard Kagoe
Producers: Charles Gitonga, Bella Hassan, Yvette Twagiramariya and Rob Wilson
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Increased Russian shelling in the north-east city of Kharkiv has left residents feeling exposed calling into question how far Western allies of Ukraine can support the country by lifting restrictions on armaments.Also in the programme: a BBC World Service investigation has revealed that children as young as five are working in the fields in Egypt - picking jasmine for a global perfume industry that’s worth billions; and we speak to an Irish Minister about why it's important for Spain, Ireland and Norway to recognise Palestinian statehood.Image: Sergii Polituchyi, Ukrainian publisher and businessman, stands between shelves with burned books in his printing house, which was badly damaged by a recent Russian missile strike. Credit: REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko
Witnesses say Israeli tanks are in the southern Gaza city, despite a global outcry over the killing of dozens of Palestinian civilians after an Israeli air strike. Meanwhile, three European nations have officially recognised a Palestinian state. Also: On the eve of South Africa's election, we look at the lengths some people go to, to find a home, we have a special report from the besieged Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, and why an album has been given top billing at a museum in Australia.
Ruth Jones is live in the Woman’s Hour studio to talk about playing the Mother Superior in a West End production of Sister Act. She discusses getting out of her comfort zone by appearing on stage for the first time since 2018 and working on her fourth novel. Plus what can fans of Gavin and Stacey expect from a final Christmas special?What happens in relationships when one person wants a family and the other definitely doesn’t? Is missing out on the chance to have children a deal-breaker? Or do some couples decide to stay together, with one person choosing the relationship over a baby? As BBC Radio drama The Archers explores the dynamics between a couple in this situation, Nuala hears from Joanna Van Kampen who plays Fallon Rogers in The Archers and relationship therapist Cate Campbell. With the cost of renting and living on the rise, housing insecurity is an increasingly harsh reality for many. A survey by Shelter and YouGov found that 54% of women feel that being a renter has held them back. Three young women—Aimee, Rhiannon, and Rebecca—talk about the significant challenges they’ve faced in the rental market, and how this has affected their lives, plans, and sense of stability. Nuala is also joined by Jenny Lamb from Shelter to talk about how to best negotiate renting. Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Olivia Skinner
Here's an expression to use when things are just too vague.(Image: Getty)TRANSCRIPT
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Myanmar is in the grip of a country-wide insurgency as armed resistance groups, including many young people from the cities, attempt to overthrow a military regime which seized power in a coup three years ago. As much as two thirds of Myanmar, mostly the countryside, may now be under the control of the resistance. Access is extremely difficult, hundreds of journalists have been jailed, but our correspondent Quentin Sommerville has managed to travel to Karenni and Shan states – in the east of the Myanmar - with young revolutionaries. Some have taken up arms, but others - doctors and teachers - are supporting the insurgency with skills of their own.Presenter: Quentin Sommerville
Producer: Lindle Markwell
Editor: Penny Murphy
Sound Engineer: Andy Fell
Production Coordinator: Gemma Ashmanimage: KNDF graduates in Myanmar. Credit: BBC
The air strike targeted leaders of Hamas but killed dozens of Palestinians instead. The UN Security council has called an emergency meeting to discuss the incident, with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres describing the situation in southern Gaza as "a horror that had to stop". Also on the podcast: a series of explosions have hit the Russian-held city of Luhansk in eastern Ukraine, China bans a famous influencer from social media for boasting about his wealth, and why people flock from around the world to chase a wheel of cheese down a hill.
The global perfume industry is worth billions. Some luxury brands sell for hundreds of dollars a bottle. But BBC Eye Investigations has discovered that, when the sun goes down in Egypt, there is a hidden human cost to this industry. In the summer of 2023, the BBC visited four different locations in Egypt’s main jasmine-growing area, Al Gharbia, and found children - some as young as five - working at night to pick the jasmine that was supplied to some of the world’s leading perfume brands through factories in Egypt. The UN’s Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery tells the BBC what it’s uncovered ‘may constitute the worst form of child labour’. We hear the story of one family who say they have no choice but to take their children into the jasmine fields to work, in order to earn enough money to live. Reporter: Natasha Cox
Producers: Ahmed El Shamy and Louise Hidalgo
Editors: Rebecca Henschke and Rosie Garthwaite
Sound engineer: Neil Churchill + James Beard
South Africa's economy is under the spotlight, ahead of the elections there this week. The vote could see the ruling party ANC win less than 50% for the first time in its history. Elsewhere, Rahul Tandon looks at the AI battle heating up, with Elon Musk's new company raising $6 billion. And he goes inside the disruption facing business in Iceland, amid rising volcanic activity.
Israel's Prime Minister says the deaths of dozens of civilians in an air strike in southern Gaza was a tragic mishap. We hear from an eyewitness and, as international condemnation grows, we get a response from the Israeli government.Also tonight:Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer have been trading blows on the campaign trail - we have the latest. A rare account from a Ukrainian soldier held captive by Russia. And the change to plastic bottle caps that's been getting some people in a twist: what's behind the tethered bottle tops - and will it have a positive impact on the enivronment? We find out.
Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has spoken of the killing of dozens of Palestinians in a fire in Rafah after an Israeli air strike as a tragedy. We hear from a journalist in Rafah and get reaction from Amir Avivi, a retired IDF brigadier general.Also in the programme: Norwegian author Asne Seierstad; and China cracks down on influencers.(Picture: Palestinians search smouldering debris in the aftermath of a fatal Israeli air strike at a camp in Gaza. Credit: EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Dr Julia Ravey and Dr Ella Hubber both have a love of science, but it turns out there’s a lot they don’t know about some of the leading women at the front of the inventing game. In Unstoppable, Dr Julia and Dr Ella tell each other the hidden, world-shaping stories of the engineers, innovators and inventors they wish they’d known about when they were starting out as scientists. This week, the story of the woman who mastered viewing the world in microscopic detail – ultimately helping us discover the structure of DNA. Florence Bell’s scientific career began in the 1930s whilst studying at Cambridge University. The University didn’t grant degrees to women at the time, but this didn’t dissuade Florence. She was so talented at an imaging technique called X-ray crystallography that she started a PhD in the field – and it was during this time that she would make a pivotal discovery about the molecule of life. Florence is an unsung hero of the DNA story. Her work laid the foundation for a vital field of research, yet her contribution was buried for years. Dr Julia and Dr Ella tell Florence’s tale, with input from Dr Kersten Hall, science historian and visiting fellow at the University of Leeds. Presenters: Dr Ella Hubber and Dr Julia Ravey
Producers: Ella Hubber and Julia Ravey
Assistant producer: Sophie Ormiston
Production Coordinator: Elisabeth Tuohy
Editor: Holly Squire (Photo: Florence Bell. Credit: Courtesy of her son Chris Sawyer. No reuse)
Africa's wrestling with a $1.2tn debt, while global interest rates are at a 40-year high. This week’s African Development Bank summit is focusing on this debt crisis. What solutions are on the horizon, and how are businesses coping? Elsewhere, Sam Fenwick is looking at the global cost of shipping containers. They are on the rise again this month causing European retailers to order now to make sure stuff arrives in time for Christmas.The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.
Hamas says dozens of civilians were killed; Israel says it was targeting Hamas compound. Also: more than 2,000 people are now feared dead after Friday's landslide in Papua New Guinea, and the FBI investigates hundreds of treasures believed to have been stolen from the British Museum.
There's been condemnation by European and Arab countries of Israel's continuing bombardment of Gaza. Last night, Israel launched an air strike in Rafah that killed at least 45 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The Israeli military says it's reviewing the incident. But it said the air strike targeted a Hamas compound, killing two senior members of the group. Also in the programme: Emergency teams in Papua New Guinea say recovery efforts in the wake of a devastating landslide are being complicated by further ground movement; and the story of the rare painting by the Italian artist Caravaggio that nearly sold for a fraction of its value.(Picture: Palestinians try to put out a fire at the site of an Israeli strike near an area designated for displaced people, in Rafah on May 27, 2024. Credit: Mohammed Salem/REUTERS)
Kenya has been designated the status of non-NATO ally by the US President Joe Biden, making it the first sub-Saharan African country to receive
that designation. Learn what it means for Kenya and more widely for Africa.How an initiative in West Africa is improving accountability and transparency in the extraction sector, and a Namibian activist who is advocating for the end of fossil fuels in Africa.
From the Pre-Raphaelites to Picasso, Vermeer to Freud, some of the most famous Western artwork involves an artist’s muse. So who are the muses who have inspired great art? How do they embody an artist’s vision? And why has the muse artist relationship led to abuse of power? Nuala speaks to art historian and author Ruth Millington and to writer, curator and podcaster Alayo Akinkugbe.Penelope Tree was one of the most famous models of the 1960s and the muse of her then boyfriend, the photographer David Bailey. Despite appearing on the cover of Vogue and being credited by Bailey with kick-starting the flower-power movement, Penelope’s life became increasingly difficult as their relationship began to flounder. These events have inspired Penelope’s loosely biographical novel Piece of My Heart and she joins Nuala to discuss her depiction of life as a ‘60s muse.In ancient Greek mythology, the nine muses are the inspirational goddesses of the arts, science and literature. So who are the nine muses? Nuala speaks to classicist Professor Edith Hall.Dora Maar was as a photographer, painter and poet but is probably most famous as Pablo Picasso’s lover and muse. Author Louisa Treger captures the complexity of this artist and muse relationship in her novel The Paris Muse and joins Nuala to discuss how the inspiration Dora offered Picasso nearly destroyed her.We hear from Liza Lim, a Melbourne-based composer who collaborated with violinist and researcher Karin Hellqvist on a composition called ‘One and the Other (speculative Polskas for Karin)’, exploring Karin’s relationship to her heritage and Swedish musical traditions.Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Laura Northedge
Editor: Deiniol Buxton
Do you like to eat a full English breakfast? Listen to find out how to use this phrase.FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
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Chilean director and playwright Constanza Hola Chamy directs a professional cast and a community cast for her new play Mad Women, which highlights bipolar disorder. It is inspired by the lives of three outstanding Latin American artists: the Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, Chilean singer-songwriter and visual artist Violeta Parra and Columbian painter Judith Marquez, and their struggles with mental health. Felicity Finch follows Constanza as she and her international creative team collaborate and face the challenges of working with the two casts.
Officials say an entire village in a mountainous area of the north of the country was obliterated in the early hours of Friday morning. Rescuers are reported to be at risk because the land is still moving. Also: Palestinian health officials say Israel has carried out a deadly airstrike on an area for displaced people in southern Gaza and rehabilitating the humble pigeon - which has apparently been unfairly maligned in recent years.
About 670 people are buried under a landslide and are feared dead in Papua New Guinea. The United Nations based its estimate on the number of houses believed to have been swamped by up to eight metres of rock, earth and trees. We speak to a reporter in the country.Also in the programme: Another mass kidnapping in Nigeria. Amnesty International's country director tells us the authorities should be doing more to protect people; and the King of Clay returns to the French open - but could it be game over for Rafael Nadal by year's end?(Photo: People carry bags in the aftermath of a landslide in Enga Province, Papua New Guinea, May 24, 2024, in this still image obtained from a video. Credit: Andrew Ruing/Handout via Reuters)
Hundreds feared dead after landslide swept villages in Papua New Guinea. Also in the programme; Aid delivery resumes into Gaza; extreme heat in Pakistan; and we ask whether this could be Rafael Nadal’s last clay tournament.(Photo: Local men digging in Enga province in aftermath of the landslide in Papua New Guinea. Credit: Reuters/Emmanuel Eralia)
President Zelensky denounced the deadly airstrike on the crowded DIY superstore as an act of Russian madness. Also: massive fire at games arcade in India, and the Disney composer Richard Sherman dies aged 95.
The rise of China is a defining challenge for the West. How far should it co-operate, compete or confront Beijing? And were Western countries slow to respond to China’s growing assertiveness? The BBC’s Security Correspondent, Gordon Corera, delves into the worlds of espionage, surveillance, technology, the theft of commercial secrets, free speech at universities and political interference to explore the points of friction. In this documentary, he speaks to spy chiefs, former prime ministers and dissidents as well as those on the frontline of this Shadow War.
South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has promised to focus on job creation if the governing African National Congress is voted back into power next week. He was speaking during the ANC's final campaign rally at a football stadium in Johannesburg. Also in the programme: An American journalist recalls her meeting with Cambodian dictator Pol Pot in the 1970s; and are dumbphones the answer to parents woes about smartphones?(Photo: ANC supporters attend the African National Congress Party final election rally held in Johannesburg, South Africa. Credit: Kim Ludbrook/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
چه عواملی منجر به شکلگیری مضامین اگزیستانسیالیستی در اوایل قرن بیستم شدند؟ آیا میتوان از آرای متفکرانی چون کییر کگور، هایدگر و سارتر برداشت واحدی در خصوص اگزیستانسیالیسم داشت؟ میهمانها:
منوچهر حقیقیراد، پژوهشگر فلسفه
فرهاد سلمانیان، پژوهشگر فلسفه
Kenya's President says peacekeeping forces will help quell growing gang violence in Haiti and are expected to arrive in three weeks. In an exclusive interview with the BBC, William Ruto confirmed a planning team was already in Haiti and had met local police to secure arrangements before the Kenyan troops are deployed. We'll hear from a journalist on the ground in Haiti on what the peacekeepers can expect from local gangs.Also in the programme: Warnings rise over the possibility of genocide in Sudan's Darfur region. And a flowering plant last seen in the 1960s is re-introduced in Wales.(Picture: William Ruto speaking in Washington, D.C., May 24th 2024. Picture credit: REUTERS/Ken Cedeno)
How an injured greyhound found her voice, accompanying her adopted human 'big sister' while she plays the piano. Georgia, who now has a huge social media following, has a particular talent for opera.
Also: The man who nearly became America's first black astronaut finally makes it into space -- the oldest person ever to do so. Meanwhile the spaceships of the future, imagined by children from around the world, have been flying over New York. We meet the man who spent twelve years fighting to save a forest from mining - and won. And, after seagull boy and lion girl, goat woman.Our weekly collection of happy news and positive stories from around the world.
What's the price journalists pay for telling the truth? For many it's exile. We'll hear from two colleagues, TV presenter Shazia Haya from BBC Pashto and Nina Nazarova from BBC Russian, both living and working in exile.Produced by Alice Gioia and Caroline Ferguson.(Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich)Show less
A senior MP has told Money Box that the government must take urgent action to stop carers working up thousands of pounds of debt after unwittingly receiving overpayments of Carer's Allowance. Unpaid carers, who look after a loved one full time, are entitled to nearly £82 per week in Carer's Allowance. On top of that they can earn up to £151 take home pay. But stray above that earnings limit, even by just a few pence, and they lose the full allowance. The Department for Work and Pensions is alerted on a month by month basis when this happens, but in some cases carers were not told of their mistake for years. Labour MP Stephen Timms, Chair of the Work and Pensions Select Committee says it should never have taken so long for carers to be notified.
The UK's biggest credit card provider, Barclaycard, is cutting minimum payments on its card to 1% from July. It is not the only credit card provider to allow 1% minimum payments, and Barclaycard says it's made the changes to increase flexibility for customers. We look at what it means in practice for customers, in terms of how much more you'll ultimately pay in interest and how long it'll take to pay off the debt.
And we return to the subject of ISAs - Individual Savings Accounts. New changes this month should mean that customers can open multiple ISAs of the same type in the same tax year, and make partial transfers of funds between them. Money Box has learnt that many of the biggest ISA providers in the UK are not yet offering customers these new freedoms, why?Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporter: Dan Whitworth
Researchers: Sandra Hardial and Jo Krasner
Studio Producer: Craig Henderson
Editor: Beatrice Pickup(first broadcast on Saturday 27th April 2024)
In the United States, questions are being asked after two beauty queens, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA, stepped down in as many weeks. The sudden and controversial resignations have put the spotlight on a global, multi-million dollar business. We get a broader overview of what it is like to take part with former winners from Germany, Finland and Nigeria. Presenter James Reynolds also hears from two pageant judges and an organiser on how protections are put in place for those taking part.
In a dramatic move, the International Court of Justice supported a South African request that Israel should halt its operation in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. Also: US missionaries killed in Haiti gang violence, and Super Size Me director Morgan Spurlock dies aged 53.
The Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove has announced he won't be defending his Surrey constituency in July's general election, ending a political career that's lasted almost 20 years. His departure is the latest in a mass exodus of MPs choosing to leave the Commons. We'll ask what Mr Gove's decision may reveal about Conservative morale.
Also on the programme: The UN's top court has ruled Israel must "immediately halt its military offensive" in Rafah in southern Gaza. We get reaction from a senior Israeli MP.And why do Chinese viewers appear so enarmoured of Clarkson's Farm?
Eli Lilly announced investing another $5.3 billion in a manufacturing plant in Lebanon, Indiana. It will help company to expand the supply of its highly popular weight loss drug Zepbound, diabetes treatment Mounjaro and other medicines in its pipeline. How will it affect the local economy? Devina Gupta finds out why electricity prices are gone up in Texas and how the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), which governs university sports in the US, has reached a deal that could lead to college athletes getting paid.
The International Court of Justice has ruled that Israel must immediately halt its military operation in Rafah.
The United Nations' highest court has also ordered Israel to re-open the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Rafah to let in aid.
We speak to a legal expert about the importance of these rulings and we get the reaction from Israel and Gaza.Also in our programme: one of Britain's greatest miscarriages of justice is finally put right with the quashing of hundreds of convictions; and what does Artificial Intelligence hold for Hollywood's animal stars?(Photo: International Court of Justice President Nawaf Salam stands during an ICJ ruling on the situation in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip. Credit: Shutterstock)
Writer: Liz John
Director: Jeremy Howe
Editor: Jeremy HoweBen Archer…. Ben Norris
David Archer…. Timothy Bentinck
Tom Archer…. William Troughton
Pat Archer…. Patricia Gallimore
Harrison Burns…. James Cartwright
Neil Carter…. Brian Hewlett
Vince Casey…. Tony Turner
Mick Fadmoor…. Martin Barrass
George Grundy…. Angus Stobie
Joy Horville…. Jackie Lye
Alistair Lloyd…. Michael Lumsden
Jazzer McCreary…. Ryan Kelly
Kirsty Miller…. Annabelle Dowler
Elizabeth Pargetter…. Alison Dowling
Freddie Pargetter…. Toby Laurence
Lily Pargetter…. Katie Redford
Fallon Rogers…. Joanna Van Kampen
Inspector Norris…. Bharti Patel
The besieged city of El-Fasher in Sudan's Darfur region, is facing a growing risk of genocide as the world's attention is focused on other conflicts, that's the warning from a United Nations expert. Alice Wairimu Nderitu told the BBC, many civilians have been targeted based on their ethnicity in El-Fasher, where fierce fighting has intensified in recent days. What constitutes a genocide?Also why some of the main political parties in South Africa have raised concern about the rise in illegal immigration ahead of the general electionsAnd we meet 18 year old Helms Ategeka from Uganda who has broken the internet after being accepted into over 120 colleges in the United States! Presenter: Richard Kagoe
Producer: Frenny Jowi, Toda Opiyemi, Rob Wilson, Yvette Twagiramariya, Bella Hassan and Sunita Nahar.
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Technical Producer: Daniela Victoria Varela Hernandez
Editors are Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
We take a look at the Ukrainian economy as G7 leaders meet to discuss how to finance the recovery of the war-torn nation. Elsewhere, Rahul Tandon explores the key issues at stake ahead of South Africa's election next week, and looks at the new deal that could lead to U.S college athletes finally getting paid.
There's been a warning that Sudan's Darfur region is at growing risk of genocide. A United Nations expert, Alice Wairimu Nderitu, told the BBC that the Rapid Support Forces, who are at war with the army, were targeting communities based on their ethnicity.Also in the programme: International Court of Justice rules on Israel's Gaza operation; and The Boss honoured in London.(Picture: People fleeing the violence in West Darfur, cross the border into Adre, Chad, August 4, 2023. Credit: Reuters)
The IDF said the men's bodies were recovered from the northern town of Jabalia overnight in a joint operation with Israel's domestic intelligence agency. Also: emergency teams in Papua New Guinea search for people trapped after a massive landslide, and a gymnast from Uzbekistan has missed her chance to compete at her ninth consecutive Olympics.
Valérie Courtois was recently announced as the winner of the 2024 Shackleton medal for her work revolutionizing climate conservation in the Canadian arctic, most notably for her vision connecting Indigenous Guardians as ‘the eyes and ears on the ground’ to preserve ecosystems. As a member of the Ilnu community of Mashteuiatsh and director of the Indigenous Leadership Initiative, Valérie talks to Anita about leading the movement for Indigenous-led conservation and land stewardship.
Female voters could outnumber male for the first time in this year’s general election in India. As the world’s largest democracy goes to the polls for the penultimate round of voting for the Lok Sabha, or lower house of parliament, Anita speaks to the BBC’s Divya Arya in Delhi. They discuss what political issues are most important to women in this election, and how the main parties have been wooing them.Clara Schumann was one of the greatest female musicians of the 19th Century – a virtuoso performer who gave over 1,500 concerts in a 60 year career, all while raising eight children and financially supporting her household. Concert pianist Lucy Parham and actress Dame Harriet Walter join Anita to discuss their concert I, Clara which celebrates the ground-breaking life and work of Clara Schumann in her own right.
The Rwanda bill passes through parliament so will Rishi call an election? Who is really behind the rumours about Angela Rayner? Will Rylan and Stacey Solomon manage to say anything sensible? All questions answered.The series writers include: Nev Fountain & Tom Jamieson, Ed Amsden & Tom Coles, Laurence Howarth, Rob Darke, Edward Tew, Sophie Dixon, Sarah Campbell, Toussaint Douglass, Cody Dahler, Joe Topping, Alex Bertulis-Fernandes, Angela Channell, Lizzy Mansfield, Christina Riggs, Peter Tellouche, Rachel Thorne, and Sarah Dempster.Exec: James Robinson
Sound Design: Rich Evans
Prod Co-Ordinator: Dan Marchini
Producer: Bill Dare
Live Nation - which promotes concerts, owns venues and sells tickets through its Ticketmaster platform - currently controls around eighty percent of major entertainment ticket sales in the US. Also: the French president speaks of an "unprecedented insurrection movement" in New Caledonia, and do you get frustrated when your name is auto-corrected online?
Hervé lost a leg in a motorbike accident. On the eve of the operation, he made a deal with God: “If I walk again, I'll go to Santiago.” He did walk again, but not on pilgrimage. Instead, he got caught up in his business affairs, had a burn out, tried to kill himself and spent several months in a psychiatric hospital before he decided to keep his side of the bargain. He set out, with crutches and a prosthetic leg, for Santiago de Compostela, a journey of 1,920 kilometres from his home in Brittany in north west France to the cathedral that contains the relics of Saint James at the tip of north west Spain. John Laurenson walks with him for a couple of days to hear his story and talk about life, God, pilgrimage.
US regulators have sued Live Nation, accusing the entertainment giant of using illegal tactics to maintain a monopoly over the live music industry. The lawsuit from the Department of Justice said the firm's practices had kept out competitors, and led to higher ticket prices and worse service for customers.Also, Devina Gupta finds out how Russian president Vladimir Putin could use US property in the country to compensate for frozen Russian assets. And why one of Australia’s biggest banks, the Commonwealth, is predicting the country will become cashless by 2026.
On the first full day of campaigning for the general election - party leaders have been road-testing their slogans. On a day of claims and counter-claims about immigration - we do some fact-checking - and reflect on the campaign with our political editor. Also on the programme:A rare report from inside military-controlled Myanmar - on the human cost of the rebel insurgency.And, at the Chelsea Flower Show, a garden that helps torture victims cope with their trauma.
Medical workers with the resistance in Myanmar have spoken of the terrible injuries suffered by those fighting the ruling junta's troops. A BBC team met doctors in Karenni state. Thousands of people have been killed since Myanmar's army seized power in a coup three years ago.Also in the programme: A fifth senior army figure in Russia has been arrested; and inside Sudan's war-struck El Fasher.(Picture: A soldier from Karenni state who was injured during a fight against the Burmese army. Credit: Thierry Falise/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Fentanyl is a powerful morphine substitute, but it is also incredibly addictive – millions struggle with weaning themselves off it. And of the 600,000 drug deaths worldwide each year, the World Health Organisation estimates 80% are due to opioids in general, with synthetic opioids like fentanyl being a growing part of the problem. New work with genetically manipulated mice suggests that fentanyl affects two parts of the brain, one associated with the high, but also another that regulates fear. This knowledge could aid in the development of treatments to reduce addiction to the opioid. Early developers: Long before a developing implants into a mother's uterus, in fact as the fertilised egg divides for the first time into a pair of cells, which line becomes the future baby and which will become the 'life support' system of the placenta has been decided. Embryologist Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz explains why this early unfolding of the genetic programme is important, and why it's taken so long to discover it. Getting through pregnancy is only the first step in a person’s life. Surviving childhood, particularly for our old stone age ancestors, was the next challenge. And a new study looking at children’s teeth found at ancient archaeological sites gives clues as to why our ancestors fared better than the neanderthals around them during the last ice age. Supersense: twitching hairs on some caterpillars turn out to be early-warning sensors feeling the electric field of an approaching wasp, giving the potential prey precious moments to hide or escape death. Biophysicist Daniel Robert explains the challenge of seeing the electric world of insect hunters and hunted. Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Jonathan Blackwell
Production co-ordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth (Image: Fentanyl. Credit: Isaac Lee via Getty Images.)
The first batch of genetically modified mosquitoes is being released in Djibouti in a bid to stop the spread of malaria carrying vectors that bite during the day and thrive in urban areas. How does this work?Also, an overview of South Africa's 'historic' elections. Who are the main parties and what are the issues? And scientists trace the origins of one of Africa's most iconic trees, the baobab tree, to Madagascar. Why are they in decline on the Island? Presenter: Richard Kagoe
Producers: Charles Gitonga, Frenny Jowi, Rob Wilson and Paul Bakibinga
Technical Producer: Daniela Victoria Varela Hernandez
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
Germany's post-Covid recovery has not gone as planned, according to a damning new report by the country's commerce chamber.Elsewhere, Roger Hearing looks at news reports that the US is planning to sue Ticketmaster-owner Live Nation over anti-competitive practices. And we look inside the first state visit by an African leader to the US in over 15 years.
Russia pounds Kharkiv with missiles killing seven people as President Volodymyr Zelensky chides Ukraine's western allies for not providing enough military
support. Newshour hears from Kharkiv and from John Herbst a former US ambassador to Ukraine.Also in the programme: the dispute over the billion-dollar galleon; and campaigning starts in the UK's election.(Picture: A firefighter washes up his face as he works at a compound of a print works hit by Russian missile strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv, Ukraine May 23, 2024. Credit: Reuters)
Taiwan's new president, William Lai, has promised to defend freedom and democracy after China launched military exercises around the island. Beijing is simulating a full-scale attack and has described the exercises as "strong punishment" for what it calls Taiwan's "separatist acts". Also: A purge of the Russian military is continuing with the arrest of the deputy Chief of General Staff, Vadim Shamarin, after he was accused of taking bribes. At least nine people have been killed after a stage collapsed at an election rally in Mexico. Colombia seals off the site of an 18th century warship that went down loaded with treasure. And as the UK gets into general election campaign mode, we'll get some analysis from our political correspondent, Rob Watson.
Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss one of the greatest European playwrights of the twentieth century. The aim of Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956) was to make the familiar ‘strange’: with plays such as Mother Courage and The Caucasian Chalk Circle he wanted his audience not to sit back but to engage, observe and discover the contradictions in life, and act on what they learnt. He developed this approach in turbulent times, from Weimar Germany to the rise of the Nazis, to exile in Scandinavia and America and then post-war life in East Berlin, and he has since inspired dramatists around the world.WithLaura Bradley
Professor of German and Theatre at the University of EdinburghDavid Barnett
Professor of Theatre at the University of YorkAnd Tom Kuhn
Professor of Twentieth Century German Literature, Emeritus Fellow of St Hugh's College, University of OxfordProducer: Simon Tillotson
In Our Time is a BBC Studios Audio productionReading list: David Barnett, Brecht in Practice: Theatre, Theory and Performance (Bloomsbury, 2014)David Barnett, A History of the Berliner Ensemble (Cambridge University Press, 2015)Laura Bradley and Karen Leeder (eds.), Brecht and the GDR: Politics, Culture, Posterity (Camden House, 2015)Laura Bradley, ‘Training the Audience: Brecht and the Art of Spectatorship’ (The Modern Language Review, 111, 2016)Bertolt Brecht (ed. Marc Silberman, Tom Kuhn and Steve Giles), Brecht on Theatre (Bloomsbury, 2014)Bertolt Brecht (ed. Tom Kuhn, Steve Giles and Marc Silberman), Brecht on Performance (Bloomsbury, 2014)Bertolt Brecht (trans. Tom Kuhn and David Constantine), The Collected Poems of Bertolt Brecht (Norton Liveright, 2018) which includes the poem ‘Spring 1938’ read by Tom Kuhn in this programmeStephen Brockmann (ed.), Bertolt Brecht in Context (Cambridge University Press, 2021)Meg Mumford, Bertolt Brecht (Routledge, 2009)Stephen Parker, Bertolt Brecht: A Literary Life (Bloomsbury, 2014)Ronald Speirs, Brecht’s Poetry of Political Exile (Cambridge University Press, 2000)David Zoob, Brecht: A Practical Handbook (Nick Hern Books, 2018)
The world of esports is a wide and varied domain which has captured audiences around the world. OJ Borg explores how Denmark is leading the way in embracing the sport. Speaking to star players, schools that have embraced it in their curriculum and the fans pushing it forward, OJ investigates Denmark’s esports revolution.
The British Prime Minister sets July 4th as voting day. Also, reaction from Palestinians and Israelis to the decision of Spain, Ireland and Norway to recognise Palestine as a state; and Colombia bids farewell to its most famous Vallenato musician.
In a wet and noisy Downing Street, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed the rumours that had been swirling since early morning and called a general election for 4th July. Despite being far behind in the polls, Sunak said the Conservatives are the only party with a plan to maintain economic stability. Welcoming the election announcement, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said it was time to "stop the chaos" and vote for change. We speak to people around the country: MPs, the shadow cabinet, grassroots party activists and voters.Also, as former Chief Executive of the Post Office Paula Vennells gave an at times tearful testimony to the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry, we hear from one of those she apologised to, Lord Arbuthnot, who as an MP campaigned on behalf of subpostmasters.
UK's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has defended his political and economic record in the wake of some relatively positive inflation numbers. So, is this the right moment for a General Election? Find out how Brazil's farmers are adapting to climate change. While Ugandan farmers are adapting to elephants trespassing from South Sudan.
In a surprise move, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has called a summer UK general election to take place on 4th July. Also on the programme: lawyers for the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo say they have new evidence from whistleblowers that the US technology giant, Apple, is illegally obtaining minerals from gangs; and South Africa’s former president, Jacob Zuma, has told the BBC he wants to change the country’s constitution after he was barred from running for parliament in next week’s elections.(Photo: Rishi Sunak issues a statement outside 10 Downing Street, London, after calling a general election. Credit: Lucy North/PA Wire)
In the wake of three countries moving to formally recognise Palestine as a state and Israel recalling ambassadors to those countries, we hear from the Office of the Israeli Prime Minister. Also in the programme: Winner of this year’s international Booker Prize German writer Jenny Erpenbeck joins us in the studio along with her translator Michael Hofmann; and we hear about a new feature that will allow computers to continuously take snapshots of our screens. (Photo: Protests to mark the 76th anniversary of the Nakba in Ramallah. Credit: Reuters)
UK inflation hit its lowest in 3 years, but was still hotter than analysts expected. In this special episode, we record live from a Manchester food hall to talk to businesses and their customers about the price changes they're seeing.
they're seeing. We also speak to experts about what this means for central bank rate cuts, and how the UK is faring compared to major global economies.
Hundreds of migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa are being arrested and deported to desert areas in Morocco, Tunisia and Mauritania using funds made available by the European Union. An investigation by eight international news organisations says the migrants also face human rights abuses as countries try to stop them from reaching Europe.Also how illegal logging is funding the insurgency in Northern MozambiqueAnd a Kenyan mother's desperate attempt to help save her son from execution in Saudi Arabia.
Israel recalls envoys as Spain, Ireland and Norway commit to recognise Palestinian state. Also, Russia says it's captured another village in the Donetsk region of Ukraine. The German far-right party, the AFD, has banned its lead candidate from electioneering after a series of controversial statements. And we have a special report from Myanmar where insurgents fighting to overthrow the military junta in Myanmar have told the BBC they're confident of victory, after a series
of advances.
This programme is supreme - Beth is explaining how to use the word 'supreme'TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/course/eiam/unit-3/session-83FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
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The endurance runner Imo Boddy has smashed the 45-year-old world record and become the fastest known woman to complete the UK Three Peaks. She joins Nuala McGovern live on the programme.Do you know what love bombing is? One of our Woman’s Hour listeners Lynn got in touch to say it’s something we should be discussing. She joins Nuala alongside relationship therapist Simone Bose to explain more about what love bombing is, and how we can all look out for the warning signs.Nuala is joined by the artist Kerry Samantha Boyes whose work you may have seen in the Barbie Movie, or the Lord of the Rings. Kerry makes fake food for a living and her studio, The Fake Food Workshop, will be one of 104 studios open to the public for the Spring Fling art event, which takes place across Dumfries and Galloway this weekend.Some of Britain’s most vulnerable children are being detained and having their freedoms restricted under court orders known as “deprivation of liberty”. The most senior family court judge for England and Wales has called the growing use of the order a “crisis”. The BBC’s Ashley John-Baptiste has heard from young people who have spent parts of their childhood under these orders. Plus, former social worker Beverly Bennett-Jones joins Nuala. The Japanese Royal Family is one of the oldest in the world, the same dynasty has ruled for more than 2,500 years. But the current law means that only a male heir can inherit the Chrysanthemum throne and become the Emperor. This has caused a succession crisis in recent years as the Royal Family kept having girls. The BBC’s Tokyo Correspondent Shaimaa Khalil joins Nuala. Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Emma Pearce
Junior doctors tell Nolan they are struggling to pay their bills as strike begins over pay and conditions.
Around 10 million people across the UK live in a leasehold property. That means they viewed the house or flat, bought it, may be paying off a mortgage to eventually own it outright. However, they are actually tenants of whoever owns the freehold. What they have bought is the right to live in the property for a given amount of time. Sometimes that's for the best part of a thousand years - sometimes it's for much less.In this episode we hear from leaseholders on what some of the issues are, including ground rent and service charges and what can be done about them. We'll also hear from a charity which relies on leasehold revenues.It's a system that even ministers have described as feudal - behind the scenes, work continues on the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill, which is being examined by members of the House of Lords this week. The Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities say; “It is not fair that many leaseholders face unregulated ground rents for no guaranteed service in return."The Residential Freehold Association told us; “The Government’s own report into leaseholder perspectives highlighted that the vast majority of leaseholders are content with the leasehold system." To answer your comments and questions, Felicity Hannah is joined by Matt Lewis, a Consultant Solicitor at Commonhold and Leasehold Experts Limited and Martin Boyd, chair of the government funded Leasehold Advisory Service and also chair of the Leasehold Knowledge Partnership, which supports and campaigns on behalf of leaseholders. Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Producer: Sarah Rogers/Amber Mehmood
Editor: Beatrice PickupThis episode was first broadcast on the 24th of April 2024
Long Covid can ruin lives, and scientists are striving to understand the condition and beginning to get some early clues about possible treatments. While there are still more questions than answers, though, many have turned online for help. But could what they find there sometimes do more harm than good? Rachel Schraer goes undercover to investigate the Lightning Process, a controversial treatment programme for Long Covid being promoted online.
Reporter: Rachel Schraer
Producer: Paul Grant
Editor: Flora Carmichael
Seven people were seriously injured during the incident on Singapore Airlines flight from London. Also: Sixteen of the world’s largest AI firms have agreed on new safety guidelines, and schools are closed in northern India as the authorities deal with an intense heatwave.
73-year-old Geoff Kitchen died of a suspected heart attack during the flight from London to Singapore. Is flight turbulence getting worse? We’ll hear a former airline pilot. Also in the programme: Tory MP Craig Mackinlay breaks his silence after losing his hands and feet to sepsis; and how the greater spotted eagle's travel and breeding habits are being affected by the war in Ukraine?
As EU countries adopt a plan to use profits from frozen Russian assets for Ukraine defences and rebuilding, Ed Butler, looks at how the scheme might work and whether the idea risks undermining the rule of law.
Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson is taking legal advice after a new version of the AI bot, Chat GPT, was released with a voice she claims is eerily similar to her own - how can AI seek to develop while staying on the right right side of copyright laws?
And, Red Lobster, was once one of the world's largest seafood chains but as it files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, how did the once successful seafood franchise end up in such deep water?
Israeli war cabinet member Ron Dermer rejects the ICC prosecutor’s arrest warrants against Israel's prime minister and defence minister as ‘outrageous’. He also denied that there were food shortages or famine conditions in Gaza and said the Israeli government does have a plan for post-war Gaza.Also in the programme: One passenger dies and seven people are seriously injured due to extreme turbulence on a London to Singapore flight forced to make an emergency landing in Bangkok; and the EU decides to give the windfall profits of frozen Russian central bank assets to Ukraine.(Photo: Ron Dermer, former Israeli Ambassador to the United States, speaks during the Republican Jewish Coalition Annual Leadership Meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada, on 6 November 2021. Credit: Bridget Bennett/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
European Union’s landmark rules on artificial intelligence will enter into force next month The AI Act imposes strict transparency obligations on high-risk AI systems while such requirements for general-purpose AI models will be lighter.
At least 200 Kenyan police officers are set to arrive in Haiti as part of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission. This decision coincides with the current visit by President Ruto to the United States. Have sufficient preparations being made on the ground in Haiti to receive the troops? Also , there is renewed hope that a fresh round of talks can lead to lasting peace in South Sudan.And how effective is the ECOWAS court of justice?Presenter: Richard Kagoe
Producers: Frenny Jowi, Charles Gitonga, Rob Wilson and Paul Bakibinga
Technical Producer: Craig Kingham
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
A court in Greece has abandoned the trial of nine Egyptian men accused of causing the worst migrant shipwreck in the Mediterranean for a decade. Judges ruled they did not have jurisdiction to hear the case because the vessel sank in international waters. Also: OpenAI earns the wrath of Scarlett Johansson -- and one of Japan's most popular photo spots is blocked to obscure views of Mount Fuji.
A new documentary on BBC Two is looking at how new forensic techniques can help police re-examine old cases involving sexual assault and rape, helping to convict perpetrators from decades ago. Cold Case Investigators: Solving Britain’s Sex Crimes tells the story of three cases that were re-examined. One is that of Karen, who was raped in 1983. She joins Nuala McGovern alongside Detective Constable Hayley Dyas, who helped work on her case and finally get a conviction.On 28 July last year the British cyclist Lizzy Banks received an email from UK Anti Doping to say she had return two Adverse Analytical Findings. The letter stated she faced the prospect of a two-year ban unless she could establish the source. Thus began a ten-month journey investigating, researching and writing submissions to establish how the contamination event occurred. Absolved of any blame, having proved on the balance of probabilities that her test was contaminated, Lizzy speaks to Nuala about how the process destroyed her mentally, emotionally and professionally.The toy piano virtuoso Margaret Leng Tan is a leading force within avant-garde music and the first woman to earn a doctorate from the prestigious Juilliard School of Music in the US. She’s currently in London, performing her sonic autobiography Dragon Ladies Don’t Weep at the Southbank Centre this week. It’s a combination of spoken text, projected images and original music for toy piano, prepared piano, toys and percussion. It focuses on the obsessive compulsive disorder Margaret has had since her childhood. She explains how music helped her accept OCD as an integral part of who she is.Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Kirsty Starkey
Studio Manager: Duncan Hannant and Neva Missirian
A word to express surprise or shock.(Image: Getty)TRANSCRIPT
Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at:
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The Caspian Sea is the largest inland body of water in the world. Bordered by Kazakhstan, Russia, Iran, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan it spans 371,000 square kilometres and bridges Europe and Central Asia. It’s fed mainly by Russia’s Volga and Ural rivers and the sea is not only rich in oil and gas but is also home to numerous rare and endemic species, including the Caspian seal and 90% of the world’s remaining wild sturgeon. But the Caspian Sea is in crisis. Climate change and the damming of Russia’s rivers are causing the coastline to recede at an alarming rate. The sea’s levels have fallen by a metre in the last 4 years, a trend likely to increase. Recent studies have shown that the levels could drop between 9 and 18 metres by 2100. Last June Kazakh government officials declared a state of emergency over the Caspian. Iran has also raised the alarm with the UN. Antonia Bolingbroke-Kent travels to Kazakhstan for Assignment to report from the shores of the Caspian Sea on what can be done to prevent an environmental disaster.
The International Criminal Court seeks an arrest warrant for the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu and his Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes in Gaza. The ICC is also seeking a warrant for three Hamas leaders in Gaza. We hear from Israel and a legal expert on whether arrest warrants will be issued. Also: Here in the UK, an inquiry has concluded that there was a chilling cover up of Britain's biggest health disaster, in which 30-thousand people were infected with contaminated blood products over decades, and, in New Caledonia, the airport is closed and blockades continue after violence spread in the French overseas territory following a law to expand voting rights, and we'll hear what could possibly be the sound of summer.
growing speculation over who will eventually replace President Raisi begins as Iran enters 5 days of mourning.Plus, could Saudi Arabia’s largest aviation deal signal a snub to Boeing?Also, the ship that destroyed the bridge in Baltimore back in March is finally on the move.And we have a special look at the economies of Latin America with our reporter Gideon Long.
Israel’s Prime Minister said the attempt by International Criminal Court prosecutor Karim Khan to seek an arrest warrant was part of ‘the new antisemitism’. Khan is also seeking warrants against Israel’s Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant, and three leaders of Hamas. Also on the programme: Iran says it will hold elections on the 28th of June after its president, Ebrahim Raisi, was killed in a helicopter crash; and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak apologises to victims of the infected blood scandal, calling it a ‘day of shame’ for the British state. (Picture: Netanyahu addresses the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations in Jerusalem, February 18, 2024 Credit: REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun)
Dr Julia Ravey and Dr Ella Hubber both have a love of science, but it turns out there’s a lot they don’t know about some of the leading women at the front of the inventing game. In Unstoppable, Dr Julia and Dr Ella tell each other the hidden, world-shaping stories of the engineers, innovators and inventors they wish they’d known about when they were starting out as scientists. This week, the story of an engineer who turned plastic into gold, all starting from her mother’s backyard. Every day, around 500 tonnes of plastic waste is generated in the Kenyan city of Nairobi. Hardly any of it is recycled – but engineer Nzambi Matee is on a mission to change that. Frustrated by the level of pollution, in 2017 Nzambi constructed a laboratory in her mother’s backyard. It was here that she used her self-taught engineering skills to convert plastic waste into bricks that are stronger and more eco-friendly than concrete. Since then, Nzambi’s backyard operation has grown into a company – Gjenge Makers – and the bricks are widely used across Nairobi. And at only 31, Nzambi is just getting started. As Dr Julia and Dr Ella trace Nzambi’s journey, we hear from Nzambi herself about what it took to get to this point, as well as her ambitions for the future. Presenters: Dr Ella Hubber and Dr Julia Ravey
Producers: Ella Hubber and Julia Ravey
Assistant producer: Sophie Ormiston
Editor: Holly Squire
Taiwan's newly inaugurated president William Lai has called on China to stop threatening the island and accept the existence of its democracy.But Taiwan’s relationship with China is not the only thing that William Lai has to tackle. there are a number of economic challenges ahead of him like rising property prices and encouraging young Taiwanese people to stay and work in the country instead of heading to other prosperous Asian cities.
The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court says his office is seeking arrest warrants for the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. He alleges there is evidence to suggest starvation has been used as a method of warfare against civilians. The prosecutor has also applied for arrest warrants for three leaders of Hamas for war crimes and crimes against humanity in connection with the October the 7th attacks in Israel. He said the decisions were the outcome of an independent and impartial investigation. ICC judges will now decide whether to grant the warrants.
Also in the programme: As Iran confirms the death of president Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash, what's the mood in the capital Tehran? And will there be justice for victims of Britain's infected blood scandal?
(File photo: International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan. October 12, 2023. Reuters/Piroschka van de Wouw)
Tehran announces five days of national mourning. Also: hours after the inauguration of Taiwan's new president, China warns the self-governing island that independence is a dead end; and the UN human rights chief says he's deeply alarmed by the destruction of one of the main towns in Myanmar's Rakhine State and the expulsion of its Rohingya population.
The Democratic Republic of Congo says it has quashed an attempted coup on Sunday. The army said the group of people behind the attempted coup were foreigners or Congolese citizens based abroad. Who are these men and why would they want to topple the government?Also, are Universities on the continent doing enough to inspire the next generation?And meet Lord Spikeheart, the heavy metal music artist from Kenya, yes, from Kenya!Presenter: Richard Kagoe
Producers: Patricia Whitehorn, Rob Wilson, Nyasha Michelle and Bella Hassan
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
The long awaited final report of the public inquiry into the infected blood scandal is published today, The inquiry was announced in 2017 after years of campaigning by victims. From the 1970s to the early 1990s, approximately 30,000 people were infected with blood contaminated with HIV and Hepatitis C. Over 3,000 have since died, with one person estimated to die every four days in the UK. The affected groups include those who received infected blood via blood transfusions, such as women following childbirth, and individuals with haemophilia—predominantly males—and others with similar bleeding disorders who received contaminated blood products. Around 1,250 people with bleeding disorders, including 380 children were infected with HIV. Fewer than 250 are still alive today. Some transmitted HIV to their partners. Nuala McGovern speaks to Clair, who gave evidence to the inquiry. She has been campaigning for years for the wives and partners who became infected to be heard and acknowledged.Anita Pallenberg was the quintessential 1960s Rock and Roll 'It' girl. A model, actress and artist, she is best remembered as a muse for The Rolling Stones. But a new film about her life, Catching Fire: The Story Of Anita Pallenberg, puts her experiences front and centre and explores her unique creativity and her influence on the sound and swagger of The Stones. Her son Marlon Richards, who is an executive producer on the film, tells Nuala about her wild and intense life.The book Feminist Theatre – Then and Now brings to life the lived experiences of three generations of women working in British theatre over the last 50 years and reveals the struggle to succeed in an industry where gender, race, sexuality, class and parenthood were, and still can be, serious obstacles to success. Nuala is joined by the book’s editor Cheryl Robson and a contributor, the playwright Moira Buffini.Mary Morton has built up an army of 'street stitchers' - volunteers who sit in the parks and streets of Edinburgh and offer to advise on repairing the clothes of passers-by. Mary has not bought clothes for five years after becoming concerned about the impact of textiles on the environment and wants to teach people the skills to be able to repair and continue to wear their clothes. She joins Nuala.
Zoë Barrett and Patrick Eley have a unique way of thinking about space. They know just how to guide people from A to B with ease, no matter how higgledy-piggledy the building or complex the environment. Zoë and Patrick consider every detail of their work carefully, with aspects such as shape, colour, typeface, graphic design, materials and iconography forming an integral part of their strategically placed signage and maps. Their job is to make sense of confusion with beautiful, simple, modern designs and attractive invitations to ‘walk this way’.
A major search operation is continuing for Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister after their aircraft went missing in bad weather. Also: Argentina's President Javier Milei insults the Spanish PM's wife, and the how the battle to be the English Premier League champions went down to the wire.
Rescue teams in Iran are searching a remote mountain region for a helicopter carrying the country's president and foreign minister, which is reported to have crashed. We have the latest on the search mission - and ask what the outcome might mean for Iran. Also in the programme: as a second member of Israel's three-man war cabinet berates Benjamin Netanyahu over his lack of a plan for the day after the Gaza war, we ask where next for the prime minister; and an extraordinary row between Spain and Argentina over a presidential speech in Madrid.(IMAGE: A helicopter carrying Iran"s President Ebrahim Raisi takes off, near the Iran-Azerbaijan border, May 19, 2024. The helicopter with Raisi on board later crashed. / CREDIT: Ali Hamed Haghdoust/IRNA/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS)
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under increasing pressure to come up with a post-war plan for Gaza. We get the latest updates from Jerusalem, and speak to a member of Mr Netanyahu's party.We also talk about the rally organised in Madrid by Spanish political party Vox ahead of the European elections next month. Argentina's libertarian president Javier Milei is present, alongside European far right leaders.Also in our programme: protests in Georgia continue over a law seen as extending Russia's sphere of influence; and Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usky becomes the first undisputed world heavyweight champion this century.(Photo: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking at an event marking Holocaust Remembrance Day earlier this month. Credit: Reuters / Ronen Zvulun)
A bonus episode from The Global Jigsaw podcast. “China is not buying Africa, it is building Africa” is the view from Beijing. How is this landing with local audiences? There have been hints of a cooling down of Sino-African friendship. For this episode, the team travels to the Kenyan capital Nairobi to get a sense of Chinese influence on the ground, and understand why Beijing has chosen it as a hub for its media operation in Africa. For more, go to bbcworldservice.com/globaljigsaw or search for The Global Jigsaw wherever you get your BBC podcasts.Producer: Kriszta Satori Presenter: Krassi Twigg
The number of labels to describe different types of mental disorder has mushroomed in recent years. New categories include Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Prolonged Grief Disorder and Mild Cognitive Impairment. Many classifications have been created or influenced by a book called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Advocates of DSM say labels help people take ownership of their situation, provide them with answers, treatments and social support. Critics think it creates stigma, medicalises normality and leads to a glut of unnecessary and harmful drug prescriptions. UK based musician Jay Emme asks if labels help or hinders in everyday life and whether it’s time to drop the terms ‘mental’ and ‘disorder’?
Benny Gantz has set a three-week deadline for the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to agree to a plan that includes the establishment of a multinational civilian administration for Gaza. Also: Georgia's president vetoes "foreign agent" law, and a napkin linked to the footballer Lionel Messi sells at auction for nearly $1m.
Israel's opposition leader Benny Gantz has given the government three weeks to come up with a post-war plan for Gaza, or his party will quit the war coalition. He said the six-point action plan should include an internationally administered Gaza Strip.Also in the programme: the man charged with attempting to murder Slovakia's prime minister appears in court; and we preview the boxing match whose winner will become undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.(IMAGE: Israeli Emergency cabinet minister and opposition politician Benny Gantz addresses the press in Kiryat Shmona, Israel November 14, 2023 / CREDIT: Reuters / Evelyn Hockstein / File Photo)
A female officer in the military says she was raped by a senior officer who was responsible in the Royal Navy for behaviours and values, including sexual consent. Speaking exclusively to Woman’s Hour, the female officer, who we are calling Joanna, reported the incident and her allegations to the military police who brought charges against the officer. However, the Services Prosecution Authority later said that they wouldn’t be taking the case forward to a military court. The female officer, who feels she has been forced to leave the military, says that her career has been left in ruins, whilst his continues. The Royal Navy has said “sexual assault and other sexual offences are not tolerated in the Royal Navy and anything which falls short of the highest of standards is totally unacceptable" and that since the alleged incident they "have made significant changes to how incidents are reported and investigated." Nuala spoke to Joanna and the Conservative MP and member of the Defence Select Committee, Sarah Atherton.Period tracker apps claim to help women to predict when they might start their period and calculate the best time to attempt to conceive. The Information Commissioner's Office has said that a third of women have used one. A report out this week, however, has raised serious questions about the way in which this data is used. The study, by Kings College London and University College London, examined the privacy policies and data safety labels of 20 of the most popular of these kind of apps. Anita discusses the findings and implications with BBC Technology Reporter Shiona McCallum and the lead author of the study Dr Ruba Abu-Salma from Kings College London.Known for her dramatic and comedic roles on TV, stage and film the Olivier award-winning actor Tamsin Greig is currently performing in The Deep Blue Sea - Terence Rattigan’s 1950’s study of obsession and the destructive power of love - at the Theatre Royal Bath. She joined Nuala to explain the appeal of her latest role and why in 1952 legendary actor Peggy Ashcroft said she felt she had no clothes on when playing this part.Talking about her new book, 'How To Win A Grand Prix', Formula One expert Bernie Collins takes Anita behind the scenes of an F1 team, and explains how she forged a career working as a performance engineer at McLaren for names such as Jenson Button, then became Head ...
آیا موقعیت دین در ایران امروز، برای دینداران نگرانکننده است؟ مناسبت دین و دینداری با سبک زندگی امروزی در ایران چیست و آیا ایران وارد دوران پسا دینی شده است؟ چه تفاوتی میان «دین مدنی» و دینی که از آن به عنوان «دینِ تودهای» یاد میشود وجود دارد؟
Doctors treating Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico now say they will not be able to move him to the country's capital in the coming days. But they say he is in a serious but stable condition. Mr Fico is being treated in a small town hospital close to where he was shot on Wednesday. The man charged with attempting to murder Mr Fico has been in court on Saturday, with prosecutors arguing he must remain in custody pending his trial.Also in the programme: there's been a fifth night of unrest in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia sparked by changes to voting rights; and how Cuba's sugar industry is emblematic of the country's economic woes.(Picture: A convoy of police cars carrying a man accused of the attempted murder of the Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, arrives at court on 18 May, 2024. Credit: JAKUB GAVLAK/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
We hear from Georgia Laurie on the 'superhero move' to save her twin sister from a crocodile that's earned her a bravery award from King Charles. Her sister Melissa tells us how Georgia's singing helped her fight for her life.
Also: Bringing the joy of Irish dancing to a global stage -- the Gardiner Brothers, Michael and Matthew, talk about their rise to social media fame.
We go to Thailand to find out what happens if you let children take control of their school.
Sven the heartbroken reindeer finds new love after generous donors helped pay for a new stable mate.
Why Stevie Wonder wanted to become a citizen of Ghana.
And the girls football team who went from losing every game to winning their local cup -- beating a boys team five divisions above them.
Our weekly collection of the happiest stories in the world.
Park Jung-oh defected to South Korea from the North 26 years ago. Hearing how North Koreans in the Hwanghae Province suffer from food shortage, he started throwing bottles filled with rice and a USB stick into the Yellow Sea, hoping they would land on North Korean shores. Did his messages ever reach anyone? Rachel Lee from BBC Korean brings us this extraordinary story. Plus, Madina Dahiru Maishanu, the youngest presenter at BBC Hausa, shares stories from her award-winning show, Mahangar Zamani, and Thomas Naadi tells us about Stevie Wonder's love affair with Ghana.Produced by Alice Gioia and Caroline Ferguson.(Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich)
New regulations aim to ensure that victims of fraud are treated fairly, no matter who they trust with their money.
The financial watchdog, the Payment Systems Regulator, says many firms are not doing enough to refund victims of authorised push payment fraud. Currently the majority of high street banks are signed up to a voluntary charter that makes banks liable for customer losses. However many people hold accounts with firms known as Electronic Money Institutions, or EMIs. Such firms are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority but do not have a banking licence. The new rules from the Payment Systems Regulator will be mandatory for both banks and EMIs. When they come into force in October they should cover nearly all payments made by individuals in the UK except international ones and those involving cryptocurrency.
We hear from Money Box listener Carol, who had to spend a year fighting to get the money stolen from her refunded.
New changes to the way ISAs, Individual Savings Accounts, simpler come in this month. Officially they should mean that savers now have the option to open more than one cash or stocks & shares ISA in the same year. We look at whether providers will be allowing customers to take advantage.
And how do you pay for your car insurance? A new report from the consumer organisation Which? found that it can cost much more if you opt for monthly payments. A survey of 39 car insurance providers found an average APR of over 23% was charged for monthly payments, and the highest APR found was over 39%. Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporter: Dan Whitworth
Researchers: Sandra Hardial and Jo Krasner
Editor: Beatrice Pickup(first broadcast Saturday 20th April 2024)
Vast areas of the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul remain under water after the worst flooding in 80 years. Homes have been destroyed, thousands are without power or drinking water, and entire towns remain cut-off. The torrential rains began in Rio Grande do Sul at the end of April, saturating the ground and bursting the banks of the Taquari and Caí rivers. Those rivers flow into the Guaíba, which has led to severe flooding in the state capital, Porto Alegre. We bring together three residents of Porto Alegre and volunteer rescue workers to share their experiences of the flooding.
The three had been killed in the Hamas attack on Israel on the 7th of October and their bodies taken to Gaza. Also: Putin claims Russia is not seeking the capture of Kharkiv, and Indian spices face heat over global safety concerns.
Shareholders of plane maker Boeing approved a pay package of nearly $33 million for outgoing CEO Dave Calhoun - the highest ever agreed by the company - at its AGM on Friday. Mr Calhoun was also re-elected to stay on the troubled company’s board.Cubans are enduring some of their bleakest economic times since the Cold War – amid worsening inflation, a scarcity of basic goods and a decades-long US economic embargo. The BBC’s Correspondent, Will Grant, looks at how the situation has impacted on one of Cuba’s most quintessential industries – sugar – to see how tough the situation has become.
The IDF confirmed it has recovered the bodies of Shani Louk, Amit Buskila, and Itzhak Gelerenter, who were killed by Hamas at the Nova Music Festival during the October 7 attacks on Israel. About 125 hostages remain unaccounted for, with the others having been released or rescued. Meanwhile the US has confirmed the first shipment of humanitarian aid has arrived in Gaza via a temporary floating pier.As the Infected Blood Inquiry prepares to conclude on Monday, we speak to someone who contracted HIV from contaminated Factor VIII when she was five years old.And how do you measure the health of a rainforest? Researchers in Costa Rica are doing it through sound.
Russian forces continue to press ahead with their offensive in the Kharkiv region of north-east Ukraine as President Zelensky signs two new laws to boost army recruitment as Ukraine struggles to mobilise fighters. How much is Kyiv now on the back foot in the war?Also in the programme: Ecologists in Costa Rica have just completed one of the largest ever "eco-acoustic" surveys recording sounds of forests regenerating across the entire country; and the Vatican has said Catholics need to be more cautious about accepting phenomena as supernatural.(Photo: Local residents react after a rocket attack on a residential area in Kharkiv, north-eastern Ukraine, 7 April 2024, amid the Russian invasion. Credit: EPA/Sergey Kozlov)
WRITER: Sarah Hehir
DIRECTOR: Rosemary Watts
EDITOR: Jeremy HoweJolene Archer…. Buffy Davis
Kenton Archer…. Richard Attlee
Pip Archer…. Daisy Badger
Harrison Burns…. James Cartwright
Alice Carter…. Hollie Chapman
Chris Carter…. Wilf Scolding
Ruairi Donovan…. Arthur Hughes
George Grundy…. Angus Stobie
Jakob Hakansson…. Paul Venables
Chelsea Horrobin…. Madeleine Leslay
Tracy Horrobin…. Susie Riddell
Alistair Lloyd…. Michael Lumsden
Paul Mack…. Joshua Riley
Adam Macy…. Andrew Wincott
Kirsty Miller…. Annabelle Dowler
Freddie Pargetter…. Toby Laurence
Fallon Rogers…. Joanna Van Kampen
Mick…. Martin Barrass
Lisa…. Rhiannon Neads
The Now Show first aired on BBC Radio 4 in September 1998 and this week sees its last ever episode. Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis take a look back over the last 25 years, with help from the voices of Gemma Arrowsmith and Rory Bremner.They are joined by Glenn Moore investigating the Beijing Half Marathon scandal and Harriet Kemsley on the law firm who accidentally divorced the wrong couple. Plus, Jazz Emu looks to the future with an original song accompanied by his band Matt Hutson, Luke Bainbridge and Tom Marlow.The show was written by the cast with additional material from Mike Shephard, Cameron Loxdale, Carl Carzana and Christina Riggs.Producer: Sasha Bobak
Executive Producer: Rich Morris
Production Coordinator: Caroline BarlowA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
The United States has called for a temporary nationwide ceasefire following continued fighting between the national army and armed groups in Oromia and Amhara regions. The US alleges that the armed groups target schools, health centres and water infrastructure.Why has Gabon's deposed President Ali Bongo gone on hunger strike?And Audrey speaks to legendary singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder after he was granted Ghanaian citizenship earlier this week!Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Rob Wilson, Karnie Sharp,Bella Hassan, Charles Gitonga and Paul Bakibinga
Technical Producers : Jonny Hall and Daniela Victoria Varela Hernandez
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard.
China's real estate industry is facing major financial problems, leaving many empty or half-finished unused buildings. One of China’s largest real-estate companies, Country Garden of the verge of liquidation. Also, Roger Hearing finds out what's happening with businesses in New Caledonia. And we hear how the economic growth in India affecting people's life.
A temporary pier built by American troops has been used for the first time to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. The first consignments were brought ashore a few hours ago. The development follows a call by the US State Department on Thursday for Israel to do more to get aid into Gaza where conditions are deteriorating. The UN has said there will soon be no food left in the territory and warned that although the newly completed pier will help, re-opening land crossings is still the most effective way to get supplies into Gaza. Also, the UN humanitarian aid chief has defended the organisation's use of casualty figures during the war in Gaza after criticism by Israel. We have an interview with Martin Griffiths.We will hear from the frontline of the war in Ukraine. And did the Egyptians use waterways to construct the Pyramids?Also, we will speak to the Nigerian Minister for Women's Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, who's trying to ban mass weddings to protect young girls.(Photo: The aid will be collected from a floating base before being transported to Gaza. Credit: Reuters)
Israel tells UN's highest court, the ICJ, that accusations of genocide in Gaza are a distortion of facts as it defends its military campaign. US confirms first Gaza aid trucks arrive via pier. Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili on the controversial 'foreign agent' law. French police shoot dead man who set fire to a synagogue. The row in Australia over an unflattering portrait of the country's richest woman. And scientists say they've solved the mystery of how dozens of pyramids were built in Egypt.
Period tracker apps claim to help you to predict when you might start your period and calculate the best time to attempt to conceive. The Information Commissioner's Office has said that a third of women have used one. A report out this week, however, has raised serious questions about the way in which this data is used. The study, by Kings College London and University College London, examined the privacy policies and data safety labels of 20 of the most popular of these kind of apps. The authors say it is the most extensive evaluation of its kind completed to date. Anita discusses with BBC Technology Reporter Shiona McCallum and the lead author of the study Dr Ruba Abu-Salma from Kings College London. After going viral on social media earlier this year, new bar La Camionera is planning to open a permanent inclusive venue for “lesbians and their friends”. Reporter Martha Owen has been following as they prepare to open and hears why these spaces are important from DJ Yvonne Taylor, event organisers Jess Whiting Boult and Tabs Benjamin, and poet Joelle Taylor. And Anita Rani is joined by filmmakers Erica Rose and Elina Street, creators of The Lesbian Bar Project, to discuss their award-winning series about lesbian bars in the USA and Germany.
Director Amanda Nell Eu discusses her award-winning debut feature film, Tiger Stripes. An imaginative coming-of-age story about a girl who transforms into a jungle cat, it was Malaysia’s official entry to the 2024 Oscars. But this success came at a cost when the film was censored. Last weekend the Olympic Gold Medallist, Lauren Price MBE, became Wales’ first female boxing world champion – winning the WBA, IBO, and Ring Magazine World Titles in spectacular fashion in her hometown of Cardiff by beating WBA welterweight champion Jessica McCaskill. She joins Anita to
talk about her achievement, her diverse sporting career and her legacy.Presented by Anita Rani
Producer: Louise Corley
Studio Engineer: Bob Nettles
The Labour leader Keir Starmer has set out the "first steps" he would take if he enters government, but how much it echoes Tony Blair’s pledges in 1997? We speak to the Chair of the Labour Party Anneliese Dodds.
Also on the programme:
US criticises Chinese President Xi Jinping's pledge to deepen relations with his counterpart Vladimir Putin.
And, a missing Algerian man has been found alive in a hole near his home after being held captive by his neighbour for 27 years.
When Father Père Basile was 12 years of age, he started thinking of a religious life. But it never crossed his mind that he would someday be living in a cloistered abbey in the south of France producing wine. This monastery has incredible history as it is the site of the oldest papal vineyard in the world, dating back to the 14th Century. When Pope Clement V moved the papal capital from Rome to Avignon in France, his palace needed a steady stream of wine and so the vineyard was planted in Le Barroux. Presenter Colm Flynn travels to the abbey to meet Fr Père Basile, and hears his amazing story of growing up as the son of wealthy, world-travelling diplomats, and turning his back on that to pursue a deeper calling in life.
The US State Department wants Israel to provide sustained humanitarian access to both southern and northern Gaza. Also, the European Union begins a formal investigation into allegations that Facebook and Instagram are failing to protect the safety of children, and India's most famous footballer announces his retirement.
Two months after a container ship crash saw the collapse of a road bridge in Baltimore, killing six workers, Rahul Tandon speaks to the Executive Director of the Baltimore International Seafarers’ Centre about why staff on the ship are still stuck aboard.As the Dow Jones hits a record high we look at how a strong stock market is helping some to retire earlier than expected and on the day that Singapore Airlines announces staff bonuses worth nearly eight months' salary we look at how they came to receive such a generous payout.
A man has been charged with the attempted murder of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico after the politician was seriously hurt in a shooting attack. Mr Fico is in a serious but stable condition.Also on the programme: the president of Georgia tells the BBC why a controversial law just passed by the government is a move in the wrong direction; and the musician Elton John on his love of photography.
(Credit: Reuters)
They were the best northern and southern lights in decades, but why? And what’s next? We hear from astrophysicist Steph Yardley about the solar maximum, geomagnetic storms and atmospheric spectaculars.Also, the impossible heatwave in the Philippines made possible by global warming – the analysis of a continent-spanning climate extreme by the World Weather Attribution collaboration.Getting close up to raging tornadoes in order to fill in the big gaps that remain in the science of their development.And the tale of the lizard’s tail, and how it could lead to safer buildings in the future. (Photo: The aurora borealis, also known as the 'northern lights’, are seen over The Roaches near Leek, Staffordshire, Britain, May 10, 2024. Credit: Carl Recine/Reuters)Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Jonathan Blackwell
Schools in England should not teach about gender identity, according to new draft guidance from the government, due to be published in full today. There is also a plan to ban sex education for under-nines. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said the new guidance would ensure children were not "exposed to disturbing content". Anita Rani talks to Elaine Dunkley, BBC Education Correspondent to find out the latest.Talking about her new book, 'How To Win A Grand Prix', Formula One expert Bernie Collins takes Anita behind the scenes of an F1 team, and explains how she forged a career working as a performance engineer at McLaren for names such as Jenson Button, then became Head of Strategy at Aston Martin, with world champion Sebastian Vettel. Yesterday senior coroner Martin Fleming issued a warning after Georgia Brooke was fatally strangled or "choked" by her boyfriend, Luke Cannon, during sex. Mr Cannon was himself found dead the following day. The coroner described the practice of choking as "dangerous" and said "it all too often ends in fatal consequences". Georgia Brooke was twenty-six when she died in 2022. In his conclusion, Mr Fleming said that while there was no evidence that her boyfriend had intended to kill his girlfriend during the incident, he had used "excessive" force. Anita speaks to Fiona Mackenzie, the leader of the We Can't Consent to This campaign which was formed as a response to the increasing number of women and girls killed and injured in violence that is claimed to be consensual. 16-year-old Eleanor Shenderey from North Yorkshire has gone viral on social media after posting herself wearing handmade historical outfits. From the Tudors and the Victorians to the TV show Bridgerton, she has been inspired to make over 300 dresses - some of which have taken months to complete. Eleanor joins Anita to discuss how and why she does it. Lottie Mills won the BBC Young Writers’ Award in 2020 for her short story, The Changeling. It will now feature in her debut book, 'Monstrum,' alongside a collection of modern fairy tales, telling the experiences of characters excluded and othered by their societies. Lottie has cerebral palsy and hopes the book will challenge the representation of disability in fiction. She talks to Anita about how growing up with a disability, she always understood herself through stories: Greek mythology and British folklore; Shakespeare’s plays and Victorian fairy tales.Presenter: Anita ...
Putin vows China will "always be a good friend to Russia"- at the start of a two day visit to Beijing. Since the invasion of Ukraine, Putin has relied on Xi Jinping's support in the face of Western sanctions. Also: Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico remains in a serious condition in hospital after an assassination attempt, widespread floods in southern Brazil cause Olympic hopefuls to give up on their dream, and could English Premier League football scrap VAR?The day’s top stories from BBC News. Presented by Jannat Jalil.
A Swiss court has sentenced ex-Gambian minister,Ousman Sonko to 20 years in prison for crimes against humanity. Mr Sonko fled to Switzerland in 2016. He was arrested and had been in custody since 2017, after a human rights group based in Geneva filed a criminal complaint against him. Audrey speaks with Fatoumatta Sandeng, the daughter of the tortured opposition leader, Ebrima Solo Sandeng. Also why are some South Africans not happy about a new law which provides equal access to healthcare for all citizens? And a conversation with the Cameroonian-American singer Libianca, who received death threats for waving a flag.Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Rob Wilson, Richard Kagoe, Yvette Twagiramariya and Bella Hassan
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Chines leader Xi Jinping has been rolling out the red carpet for the Russian President Vladimir Putin during his two days visit. A Large portion of the meeting focused around the two countries' trade relationship. What do these two huge economies want from each other?Also, in the programme, Sam Fenwick looks at Kenya where the government announced a new tax policy that will increase the price of staples like bread, mobile phone data and money transfers.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping praised their friendship and deep ties in a joint appearance in Beijing. Also on the programme: World Food Programme (WFP) Executive Director, Cindy McCain, speaks about the agony of Gazans and the frustration of humanitarian aid agencies; and the Estonian foreign minister responds to the claims of the Georgian government that he’s acting like an old-school Soviet. (Photo: Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) attends a welcome ceremony with Chinese President Xi Jinping outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China. Credit: SERGEY BOBYLEV/SPUTNIK/KREMLIN POOL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Also, NI fiscal council says water charges and higher rates could help budget problems.
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Napoleon Bonaparte's temporary return to power in France in 1815, following his escape from exile on Elba . He arrived with fewer than a thousand men, yet three weeks later he had displaced Louis XVIII and taken charge of an army as large as any that the Allied Powers could muster individually. He saw that his best chance was to pick the Allies off one by one, starting with the Prussian and then the British/Allied armies in what is now Belgium. He appeared to be on the point of victory at Waterloo yet somehow it eluded him, and his plans were soon in tatters. His escape to America thwarted, he surrendered on 15th July and was exiled again but this time to Saint Helena. There he wrote his memoirs to help shape his legacy, while back in Europe there were still fears of his return.With Michael Rowe
Reader in European History at Kings College LondonKatherine Astbury
Professor of French Studies at the University of WarwickAndZack White
Leverhulme Early Career Research Fellow at the University of PortsmouthProducer: Simon Tillotson
In Our Time is a BBC Studios Audio production.Reading list:Katherine Astbury and Mark Philp (ed.), Napoleon's Hundred Days and the Politics of Legitimacy (Palgrave, 2018)Jeremy Black, The Battle of Waterloo: A New History (Icon Books, 2010)Michael Broers, Napoleon: The Decline and Fall of an Empire: 1811-1821 (Pegasus Books, 2022)Philip Dwyer, Citizen Emperor: Napoleon in power 1799-1815 (Bloomsbury, 2014)Charles J. Esdaile, Napoleon, France and Waterloo: The Eagle Rejected (Pen & Sword Military, 2016)Gareth Glover, Waterloo: Myth and Reality (Pen & Sword Military, 2014)Sudhir Hazareesingh, The Legend of Napoleon (Granta, 2014)John Hussey, Waterloo: The Campaign of 1815, Volume 1, From Elba to Ligny and Quatre Bras (Greenhill Books, 2017)Andrew Roberts, Napoleon the Great (Penguin Books, 2015)Brian Vick, The Congress of Vienna: Power and Politics after Napoleon (Harvard University Press, 2014) Zack White (ed.), The Sword and the Spirit: Proceedings of the first ‘War & Peace in the Age of Napoleon’ Conference (Helion and Company, 2021)
The attack happened in Handlova as the Slovak prime minister greeted people in front of a community centre where a government meeting had been held. Also: Biden and Trump agree to participate in two televised presidential debates in June and September, and a photography collection belonging to the British singer Elton John is going on display in London.
A bonus episode from The Global Story podcast. EncroChat: The crime family brought down by their violent messages.
The Global Story brings you one big story every weekday, making sense of the news with our experts around the world. Insights you can trust, from the BBC, with Katya Adler. For more, go to bbcworldservice.com/globalstory or search for The Global Story wherever you get your BBC podcasts.This programme contains descriptions some of you may find upsetting.
What’s the importance of the Russian President Vladmir Putin’s visit to China? Rahul Tandon explores the possible economic benefits to both countries.We hear how Russia is still managing to export oil via other countries around the world, and in effect making the sanctions ineffective. The Ambassador-at-Large with Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chan Hen Chee, talks to us about the country’s future direction after its long serving Prime Minister steps down.
An assassination attempt on the prime minister of Slovakia leaves him fighting for his life. We hear from a journalist who witnessed the aftermath of the shooting - and from Slovakia's deputy prime minister - who criticises the government's opponents. Also on the programme:As the UK government creates a new offence of "cuckooing" - when criminal gangs take over vulnerable people's homes - we hear about its impact on one family.And the acclaimed war photographer Sir Don McCullin reflects on a lifetime in photojournalism.
The Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico was shot several times after leaving a government meeting in what the interior minister described as a politically motivated attack. He has been in surgery in hospital for at least three and a half hours. His alleged attacker has been arrested. We have the latest from inside Slovakia and reaction across Europe. Also in the programme: the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken has insisted that Ukraine will prevail against the Russian invasion; and Beijing is set to welcome Russian President Vladimir Putin who arrives in China on a state visit.(Picture: Medical personnel carry Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico to hospital after being transported in a helicopter. Credit: JOJ TV/Handout via Reuters)
The Slovak Prime Minister, Robert Fico, is in hospital after being shot multiple times. He is now in a life-threatening condition, according to an update on his official social media account. Slovakia's President-elect Peter Pellegrini has said he is horrified by the attack. We'll get the latest.Also in the programme: Police scour northern France for a gang that killed two prison officers in an ambush; and we hear from the Ukrainian guitarist who played on stage with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.(Photo: Security officers move Slovak PM Robert Fico into a car after the shooting which happened after a government meeting in Handlova, Slovakia, May 15, 2024. Credit: Reuters/Radovan Stoklasa)
In a BBC exclusive, Latvia's central bank governor, Mārtiņš Kazāks, highlights how the interest from frozen Russian assets could help finance Ukraine’s army. EU ambassadors have already agreed this in principle. Also, Will Bain finds out why foreign investors in Georgia might reconsider their future after a controversial funding law was passed in the country. And we hear from an autoworker in Alabama as workers vote on unionisation.
Announcement comes as Russian forces mount an offensive in the northern Kharkiv region. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announces an extra $2 billion in foreign military financing to Ukraine. Also: Reports from Slovakia say the Prime Minister, Robert Fico, has been shot and taken to hospital following a cabinet meeting. A new study suggests millions of middle aged people may mistakenly think they're not obese because of the way they calculate their body fat, and American music legend Stevie Wonder is granted Ghanaian citizenship.
Over 2 billion people rely on polluting fuels to prepare meals, the UN Secretary-General warns at a summit on clean cooking in Africa. We hear from a young female environmentalist in Malawi with a solution.
Calls for an end to the abuse of power in Tunisia after a police raid on the Tunisian Bar Association headquarters and the arrest of two prominent lawyers.
And a Ghanaian influencer speaks out on plans to tax income earned on international platforms.
We have a good situation here - Beth is explaining how to use the word 'situation'TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/course/eiam/unit-3/session-82FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
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Over half of female footballers book pitches, only to find they’ve been reallocated to men. With twice as many women as men considering quitting the sport because of this, Arsenal forward and England Lioness Beth Mead tells Nuala McGovern about her concerns.A BBC investigation published today has highlighted the concerns of parents of vulnerable children sent hours away from home for urgent eating disorder treatment. They say there isn’t enough specialist mental health hospital care available locally on the NHS and they want an end to the postcode lottery. We hear from Donna whose daughter Annie had to be based far from her family and BBC Yorkshire investigations journalist Louise Fewster also joins Nuala.Mexican author and academic Cristina Rivera Garza has just won a Pulitzer Prize for her book about her sister, who was murdered in 1990. It’s called Liliana’s Invincible Summer: A Sister’s Search for Justice. Cristina joins Nuala to explain why she feels she wrote it with, not about, her sister, whose name and image are now carried at demonstrations against gender violence.How has the role of women in choral music changed? With girls as well as boys now singing in cathedral choirs and more music by female composers being commissioned and performed, women’s voices are becoming increasingly prominent. Composer Cecilia McDowell and singer Carris Jones talk about championing and celebrating women in this traditionally male world.
This week car insurance bosses, appeared in front of MP's as part of an investigation into the cost of premiums.They're continuing to rise and according to price comparison site Compare the Market are up 46% over the last year, making the typical payment for comprehensive insurance £892 a year. Consumer group Which? say some insurers are charging 'eye-watering' APR rates on those spreading the cost over the course of 12 months.So, we put your questions and comments to the Association of British Insurers who tell us it's been a difficult year for the industry.But it's not just insurance, we're also looking at the cost of fuel, maintenance and of course alternatives to running a car altogether.To answer your questions and comments Felicity Hannah is joined by Rachel Burgess the editor of magazine Auto car and Stuart Masson from online publication, The Car Expert. Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Producer: Sarah Rogers
Editor: Jess QuayleThis episode was first broadcast on Wed 17th April 2024
A bonus episode from the Lives Less Ordinary podcast. Manni Coe’s brother Reuben has Down’s syndrome, and had become isolated and non-verbal in a UK care home during the Covid pandemic – so he decided to stage a lockdown rescue mission.
For more extraordinary personal stories from around the world, go to bbcworldservice.com/liveslessordinary or search for Live Less Ordinary wherever you get your BBC podcasts.Presenter: Jo Fidgen
Producer: May Cameron
Opponents say the legislation will stifle democracy and are calling for the government to step down. The US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, says America will remain alongside Ukraine until its security is guaranteed. President Biden introduces new tariffs on imports from China. A new study has found that the summer of 2023 was the warmest in the northern hemisphere in 2000 years. Two prison officers have been killed in northern France, as an inmate was freed by a heavily armed gang while he was being transported back to jail. Voters in the EU take part in European Parliament elections next month, our correspondent hears from people in the German city of Hamburg. Flooding in southern Brazil worsens after three more days of heavy rain. Canada's first ever winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature Alice Munro has died at the age of ninety-two. Meryl Streep receives an honorary Palme D'Or at the opening ceremony of this year's Cannes Film Festival. Top news and analysis from our correspondents around the world.
Presenter Sam Fenwick assesses the impact of US tariffs on Chinese goods. Joe Biden is putting them on imports, including electric cars and semiconductors. We hear from the business community in Georgia worried a new law will put off foreign trade. It requires organisations which receive more than 20 per cent of funding from abroad to declare themselves as illegal. We examine sports betting in the US. States have been after states were allowed to legalise the industry. Betting on sports is part of the sports fan experience in many countries around the world but it's a relatively new thing in the US.
As US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken was telling an audience in Kyiv that American weapons are on their way to the country, hundreds of miles to the east Russian troops advanced further into the Kharkiv region. They've now reached the small city of Vovchansk.In New York, Donald Trump's former fixer Michael Cohen took to the stand in the Trump hush money trial for a second day, clashing with the former President's lawyers.And in Rome, the manager of the Italian capital's opera house settled on a unique way to get young people interested in the artform, inviting them for a sleepover in the grand building where they witnessed rehearsals, took part in a treasure hunt, and met the opera houses's ghost.
Riot police have been confronting protesters in Georgia's capital after the parliament passed a law forcing civil society and media organisations to register if they receive foreign funding. A former deputy US trade representative explains what's behind US President Joe Biden imposing fresh tariffs on Chinese imports, including electric vehicles.And the Canadian author, Nobel prize winner and exponent of the short story, Alice Munro has died at the age of 92. Her lifetime editor Douglas Gibson talks about what made her style distinctive. (Photo: Demonstrators hold a rally to protest against a bill on "foreign agents" in Tbilisi, Georgia, May 14, 2024. Credit: REUTERS/Irakli Gedenidze)
The US Secretary of State -- on a visit to Kyiv -- has said a new American weapons package will make a real difference to Ukraine's hard-pressed army. Also: Parliament in Georgia approves a contentious new law that will force civil society groups and media organisations to declare foreign funding. A Thai activist, who was detained for insulting the monarchy, has died in prison after a long hunger strike. And how a British woman saved her twin sister from a crocodile attack.
The White House has confirmed the United States is putting tariffs on 18 billion dollars worth of imports from China. They'll target sectors like electric vehicles, batteries, steel and critical minerals. The US government accusing China of "unfair trade practices".Also, in the programme, we find out why one of the largest mining companies decided to focus the business on copper instead of diamonds. And we will look at Rhodes where the economy is still recovering after wildfires.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visits the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, with the promise that US weapons are "on the way". But with towns in the north east around Kharkiv under constant Russian bombardment - will they arrive in time? Also in the programme: scuffles in Georgia's parliament over a proposed new law that's also triggered mass protests - we hear from President Salome Zourabichvili, who has the power to veto it; and the sister who fought off a crocodile to save her twin.(IMAGE: Ukraine"s President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomes US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during a meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine, 14 May 2024 / CREDIT: EPA/UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE HANDOUT)
Chad’s opposition leader, Succès Masra says he is challenging the preliminary results of the recent presidential election. Preliminary results show President Mahamat Deby won with just over 61% of the vote and the runner-up Succès Masra had just over 18%. So why are the results being challenged? Also why are South Africans enjoying a sustained period of electricity supply? Is it because of upcoming elections or has the main electricity supplier Eskom, changed things around? Former CEO of Eskom, Andre De Ruyter shares his view with Audrey. And why do Kenyans think that the song "Zakayo" by Tanzanian gospel singer Christina Shusho is really about them?Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Victor Sylver, Rob Wilson, Bella Hassan and Richard Kagoe
Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp
Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
How many women have decided not to have more children after a traumatic birth? The UK’s first inquiry into traumatic childbirth has found that too often poor care is normalised, with devastating effects on women’s mental and physical health. Nuala McGovern talks to one Woman’s Hour listener who decided she couldn’t face having another child after a traumatic birth, and to the author of the report, Dr Kim Thomas, about its recommendations. Journalist Decca Aitkenhead regularly sleepwalks. She talks to Nuala about her night-time escapades which include finding herself locked out in the middle of the night, eating food she’d find disgusting when awake and incredible strength that has seen her smash furniture to pieces. She’s joined by neurologist and sleep expert Prof Guy Leschziner who explains what’s going on in our brains when we sleepwalk, and how women are affected. Award-winning playwright and actor Lolita Chakrabarti discusses her new Radio 3 play, Calmer. All about motherhood and chaos, it follows three generations of ultra-successful women in one family - but their lives are not as ‘good’ as they appear on paper.Presenter: Nuala McGovern
An expression that means relax and celebrate.(Image: Getty)TRANSCRIPT
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In 1897 British colonial forces attacked and looted the ancient Kingdom of Benin in what is now southern Nigeria. Thousands of precious objects were taken, including stunning sculptures made of bronze, brass, ivory and terracotta. Some were decorative, some were sacred. Known collectively as the Benin Bronzes, they were famed for their craftsmanship and beauty. The majority ended up in museums around the world. But ever since, Nigerians have been demanding their return. The Bronzes became symbols of the wider global campaign for restitution by former colonial powers. Now finally, some have been handed back. Peter Macjob travels to Nigeria to track the return of the Bronzes, and find out what it means for Nigeria to have these lost treasures come home.
Mr Cohen told the court he conspired to bury stories harmful to Donald Trump's 2016 election campaign. Villagers close to Ukraine's north eastern border with Russia are moved away from their homes as Ukraine's military fights to contain recent Russian incursions. In Israel, fighting continues in parts of Gaza with clashes reported around Rafah. A big search and rescue operation is underway in Afghanistan after heavy rains cause flash flooding in the north. A former Kazakh economy minister is jailed for murdering his wife. A minute's silence is held in South Africa to mark one week since 30 people died when a building collapsed. A group of international politicians, named in the trial of the imprisoned democracy activist Jimmy Lai offer to testify as witnesses. A high court in Germany upholds a ruling that the intelligence services can investigate the far-right AfD party as a 'suspected extremist' organisation. One of Europe's most wanted people-smugglers -- nicknamed "The Scorpion" -- has been arrested in Iraq. And, Rome's Opera House stages a sleepover for 130 children. Top news and analysis from our correspondents around the world.
As huge protests continute in Georgia against a bill similar to one that was used to stifle dissent in Russia - is the country slipping back into Moscow's orbit?Also on the programme:Donald Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen has finished his first day of testimony at a New York court We find out how the courtroom drama played out. And The Beach Boys on how competition with The Beatles pushed them to be a better band.
Flooding in Brazil continues, bringing despair to residents and businesses alike. Can emergency government funds offer hope of rebuilding? Meanwhile, Sam Fenwick looks at what's expected in the Australian budget, and what Melinda Gates' departure from her namesake foundation means to the world of philanthropy
Donald Trump's former lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen testifies in the case against his former boss, but is he a credible witness? We hear from a former US federal prosecutor. Also in the programme: Kharkiv fighting intensifies as Russia troops advancing in north-east Ukraine; and how an Italian opera house is trying to convert children? (Photo: Michael Cohen is questioned by prosecutor as former U.S. President Donald Trump sits with his eyes closed. Credit: Reuters)
Dr Julia Ravey and Dr Ella Hubber both have a love of science, but it turns out there’s a lot they don’t know about some of the leading women at the front of the inventing game. In Unstoppable, Dr Julia and Dr Ella tell each other the hidden, world-shaping stories of the engineers, innovators and inventors they wish they’d known about when they were starting out as scientists. This week, the story of the Hollywood starlet whose brilliant ideas would go on to revolutionise the way we live. Known as the ‘most beautiful woman in film’ during the 1940s, Hedy Lamarr was one of the most in demand Hollywood actresses of her time. But she wasn’t just a movie star. From a young age, she also had a knack for inventing – she liked to take her toys apart just to see how they worked. And she carried this passion into her adult life – creating an invention that laid the groundwork for technology many of us couldn’t live without: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS. But it didn’t come without struggle. Dr Julia and Dr Ella take us through Hedy’s remarkable journey, and we get a first-hand look into Hedy’s life from her daughter Denise Loder-DeLuca. Presenters: Dr Ella Hubber and Dr Julia Ravey
Producers: Ella Hubber and Julia Ravey
Assistant producer: Sophie Ormiston
Editor: Holly Squire
The Somali government has asked the U.N. Security Council to end the U.N. political mission in Somalia that has been helping the war-ravaged country since 2013. Can Somalia afford to go it alone? Why is Nigeria's Senate calling for the death penalty for drug trafficking?And concern that African penguins are facing gradual extinction.Presenter : Audrey Brown
Producers: Charles Gitonga, Richard Kagoe, Rob Wilson and Paul Bakibinga
Technical Producer: Craig Kingham
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
Hundreds of Georgians joined protest against a foreign influence bill, described by critics as the "Russia law". People are concerned that the new law could be used by the government to clamp down on opponents, and could harm Georgia's hopes of joining the European Union.Also, Will Bain finds out why Russia's new Defence Minister is an economist and he hears about the project helping people escape extreme poverty by equipping them to start small businesses in Uganda.
Tens of thousands of Georgians demonstrate all night against a Russian-style foreign agents bill. Also: Release due for Chinese woman jailed over Covid reporting in Wuhan, how powerful is Hamas after seven months of war with Israel and raise a glass for World Cocktail Day.
The European Commission has condemned Georgian police action against protesters outside the parliament in Tbilisi. Newshour hears from an MP with the governing Georgian Dream party -- Nikoloz Samkharadze -- who voted for the controversial new "foreign influence" law.Also in the programme: on the front line in eastern Ukraine; and on patrol with South Africa's anti-crime volunteers.(Picture: Demonstrators take part in a rally to protest against a bill on "foreign agents" in Tbilisi, Georgia, May 13, 2024. Credit: Reuters)
Boring or bored? Learn about words that look similar but have very different meaning.FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
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This podcast is changing its name! Don’t worry, you will still be able to learn new expressions with The English We Speak. And we’ll also have some new programmes with authentic English conversation to help you learn. Make sure you follow this podcast: ‘Learning English Conversations’ on your podcast app to get all the latest episodes.Or find all our podcasts on our website https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/podcasts
A female officer in the military says she was raped by an senior officer who was responsible in the Royal Navy for behaviours and values, including sexual consent. Speaking exclusively to Woman’s Hour, the female officer, who we are calling Joanna, reported the incident and her allegations to the military police who brought charges against the officer. However, the Services Prosecution Authority later said that they wouldn’t be taking the case forward to a military court. The female officer, who feels she has been forced to leave the military, says that her career has been left in ruins, whilst his continues. The Royal Navy has said “sexual assault and other sexual offences are not tolerated in the Royal Navy and anything which falls short of the highest of standards is totally unacceptable" and that since the alleged incident they "have made significant changes to how incidents are reported and investigated." Nuala hears from Joanna and the reaction from the Conservative MP and member of the Defence Select Committee, Sarah Atherton. Known for her dramatic and comedic roles on TV, stage and film the Olivier award-winning actor Tamsin Greig is currently performing in The Deep Blue Sea - Terence Rattigan’s 1950’s study of obsession and the destructive power of love - at the Theatre Royal Bath. She joins Nuala to explain the appeal of her latest role and why in 1952 legendary actor Peggy Ashcroft said she felt she had no clothes on when playing this part.The singer-songwriter Lauren Mayberry of CHVRCHES is taking part in a new BBC Radio 6 Music initiative Change The Tune. It is an on air, digital and social media initiative to raise awareness of the impact that online abuse has on the lives of artists. She joins Nuala to discuss her experience and to talk about embarking on a solo career.Presented by Nuala McGovern
Producer: Louise Corley
Studio Engineer: Bob Nettles
Russian President Vladimir Putin is replacing his long-standing ally Sergei Shoigu as defence minister. Mr Shoigu, who has played a key role in the war in Ukraine, is to be appointed the head of Russia's Security Council. Also: The government crackdown on dissent in Tunisia, and the geologist who claims to have solved the mystery of where the Mona Lisa was painted.
Outside of a war zone, South Africa is one of the most dangerous places in the world. The country’s murder rate is now at a 20-year high. With trust in the police falling, communities say they have no option but to defend themselves. BBC Africa Eye’s Ayanda Charlie joins two volunteer units, a team of farmers near Pretoria, and a group in Diepsloot, a poor township near Johannesburg. We see the risks they take, and ask who holds patrols accountable.
Russia's President Putin removes his long-standing ally Sergei Shoigu as his defence minister. What does it mean for the war in Ukraine?Also on the programme: Israel marks memorial day for its fallen soldiers as the war in Gaza grinds on; and a prominent Tunisian lawyer has been arrested in the latest move of a presidential administration that has shown little tolerance for criticism.(Photo: Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu. Credit: MAKSIM BLINOV/SPUTNIK/KREMLIN/POOL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
One resident makes a horrifying discovery, and Tracy is on a mission to bring the community together.
The British Foreign Secretary David Cameron says restricting arms deliveries to Israel because of its war in Gaza would strengthen Hamas and make a deal to free Israeli hostages less likely. Lord Cameron told the BBC the Israeli army should not go into the city of Rafah, unless there is a plan to protect civilians. Also in the programme: We're at Everest Base Camp, speaking to the friend of a Nepali man who has just broken the world record, climbing Everest 29 times; and a deaf man tells us how groundbreaking new gene therapy could help him.(Photo: The British Foreign Secretary David Cameron. Credit: Jeff Overs/BBC)
Enter the magical world of children’s writer Cressida Cowell. She created the hugely successful How to Train Your Dragon series, which continues to excite children across the globe and has been turned into Oscar nominated animated films. For her latest series, Cressida explores teenage magic and Iron Age warriors. As she works on the illustrations for the second book in this new trilogy, The Wizards of Once: Twice Magic, she gives fellow children’s author Michael Rosen an insight into how she creates these worlds.
Israel is planning an assault on Hamas fighters in Rafah and orders tens of thousands more Palestinians to leave. Also: Switzerland wins the Eurovision Song Contest while Israel came fifth, and mass demonstrations in Georgia over a controversial proposed law.
Israel has told tens of thousands more Palestinians to leave Rafah, as it intensifies military operations in southern Gaza. Flyers dropped from the air and posts on social media told residents in the city’s eastern districts go to al-Mawasi, a narrow coastal area which Israel calls an ‘’expanded humanitarian zone’’. We hear from Jerusalem and Rafah.Also on the programme: Flash floods in Afghanistan claim the lives of hundreds; and reflections on the illustrious career of The Beach Boys.(Picture: Internally displaced Palestinians leave Rafah after Israeli evacuation order Credit: EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
The number of children in care is continuing to rise each year, and thousands of new foster carers are needed. The comedian and writer Kiri Pritchard-McLean has done just that. During lockdown, Kiri and her partner embarked on a journey to become foster carers in north Wales and she’s ‘evangelical’ about the role. It’s the subject of her new seven-month comedy tour, Peacock.The debate on assisted dying is often framed around the issues of choice for the terminally ill, but what about the rights of the disabled? Actor and disability rights campaigner Liz Carr has major concerns about potential changes to the law that she believes could leave people with disabilities at risk. She joins Clare McDonnell to discuss her documentary “Better Off Dead” which explores the debate from the perspective of disabled people.Four girls sitting in detention on a Saturday at their local Mosque are stuck in darkness after a power outage. To pass the time, they tell Somali folktales and bond in a modern day take on The Breakfast Club. That’s the scene for Dugsi Dayz, performing now at the Royal Court Theatre. The writer and actor Sabrina Ali told Hayley Hassell all about it.What would happen if you could only speak the truth – and not even tell white lies? That’s the subject of a new book by Radhika Sanghani, called The Girl Who Couldn’t Lie. Radhika herself hasn’t lied for two years – she told Clare why she wanted to write the book and the things she’s learnt from telling only the truth.Singer songwriter Rachel Chinouriri is one of the music industry’s rising stars, gaining plaudits from celebrity fans, including Adele, Sophie Turner and Florence Pugh, for her nostalgic Indie sounds. Rachel talks about her first album, What A Devastating Turn Of Events, which is an intimate exploration of her experiences and relationships.Presenter: Clare McDonnell
Producer: Annette Wells
Editor: Deiniol Buxton
The Israeli military has ordered another evacuation of tens of thousands more Palestinians from Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. Residents of eastern districts of the city were told to go to al-Mawasi, a narrow coastal area designated as a humanitarian zone by Israel. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, told the BBC that the area had no running water or proper sanitation.
Also in the programme: More than 150 people killed in flash floods in the north of Afghanistan; and a solar storm produces spectacular lightshows in many parts of the world.
(Photo: A Palestinian boy sits atop a vehicle loaded with belongings as he flees Rafah, after Israeli forces launched a ground and air operation in the eastern part of the southern Gaza City, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, May 11, 2024. Credit: Reuters/Hatem Khaled)
The volunteers restoring the beautiful beaches of Bali and beyond by clearing plastic pollution from Indonesia's rivers, and upcycling it into chairs. The profits are used to fund more river clean ups.
The deaf toddler who has near normal hearing after groundbreaking gene therapy.
Why are hundreds of sea lions gathering at Pier 39 in San Francisco?
After seagull boy, we bring you lion girl - the five year old whose amazing lion roar has been viewed millions of times.
We chat to two old friends who reconnected -- and then studied why old friends find it hard to reconnect.
And we meet the football fan who moved to a new country to support his team in the English Premier League.Our weekly collection of the happiest stories in the world.
The BBC's new Global China Unit tell Faranak Amidi about their investigation into Chinese mines overseas, and what it's like to work in them and live near them.Produced by Caroline Ferguson and Alice Gioia(Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich)
Tens of thousands of people who juggle caring for a loved one and having a job may be forced to cut the hours they work, according to the charity Carers UK. In April the National Living Wage was increased to £11.44, but the earnings limit for the Carer's Allowance did not go up by the same amount. The result is that some carers will be limited to working just over 13 hours a week, anything above that and they'll lose the entire benefit. Some carers have also faced demands to repay thousands of pounds that they've mistakenly received in over-payments over multiple years.
You've been contacting Money Box about rising car insurance costs. The Association of British Insurers says increases are largely down to above inflation increases to the cost of repairs, thefts and replacement cars. We look at how much premiums have risen by and what, if anything, you can do about it.
And employers - take note - new changes to employment law in England, Scotland and Wales this month will impact policies on flexible working, redundancy and paternity pay and leave amongst others. We'll speak to an employment lawyer about what these changes will mean in practice for both employees and employers.
Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporter: Dan Whitworth
Researcher: Sandra Hardial
Editor: Dan Whitworth(first broadcast Saturday 13th April 2024)
The United Nations General Assembly has enhanced Palestine's rights within the organisation and called for it to be accepted as a member. Also: India court grants bail to jailed opposition leader Arvind Kejriwal, and how important is it to read the small print?
The pandemic stopped most of us travelling anywhere, but now the United Nations predicts that international tourism will soon return to pre-Covid levels. While that might be welcome if you’re making money from tourism, the number of visitors can also cause problems. Hosts James Reynolds and Lukwesa Burak discuss how you balance the tourist dollar.Residents of Venice, Bali and Spain’s Canary Islands discuss their concerns, ranging from a lack of infrastructure and non-tourist housing to cultural insensitivity and the distribution of tourism income.“Tenerife has about one million residents and six million tourists visit every year,” says Brian. “With over 36 percent of the population living in or at risk of poverty, it’s obvious that mass tourism has failed the islanders.”We also discuss the role of travel influencers who share videos and photos with a mass audience on social media. Kristen Sarah in Costa Rica, who runs @Hopscotchtheglobe vlog, says: “As influencers, it’s our messaging that encourages and inspires others to follow in our footsteps,” she says. “A photo is just a photo. But if you don’t take in the place that you’re visiting, then what’s the point of even going?”A Boffin Media production in partnership with the BBC OS team.
Russian forces have launched a surprise new ground offensive in Ukraine - crossing the border into the Kharkiv region. We ask how dangerous could this be for Ukraine.Also on The World Tonight:The UK economy is out of recession and the prime minister says the economy has "turned a corner". Two former advisers to leaders, Conservative and Labour, discuss what impact the latest economic figures could have on the election strategy of the those two parties.And as Netflix hit Baby Reindeer finds itself in the headlines for all the wrong reasons, we ask how TV makers can avoid the pitfalls of drama based on real people.
President Zelensky says Russian forces have launched a surprise cross-border attack into Ukrainian territory near the city of Kharkiv. We hear from Kharkiv MP Mariia Mezentseva.Also in the programme: BBC tracks downs a notorious people smuggler; and free wine hidden in the small print.(Picture: At least two injured, including child, in Russian missile strike in Ukraine's Kharkiv. Credit: EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis present the week via topical stand-up and sketches. Starring Gareth Gwynn deep diving into the archives of the internet, Laura Lexx on Russ Cook’s incredible Africa run, and an original song from Jon Long. Voices from Daniel Barker and Gemma Arrowsmith.The show was written by the cast with additional material from Zoë Tomalin, Cody Dahler, Adrian Gray and Peter TelloucheProducer: Sasha Bobak
Executive Producer: Pete Strauss
Production Coordinator: Caroline BarlowA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
Writer: Naylah Ahmed
Director: Kim Greengrass & Mel Ward
Editor: Jeremy HoweBrian Aldridge…. Charles Collingwood
Harrison Burns…. James Cartwright
Alice Carter…. Hollie Chapman
Chris Carter…. Wilf Scolding
Alan Franks…. John Telfer
George Grundy…. Angus Stobie
Will Grundy…. Philip Malloy
Jakob Hakansson…. Paul Venables
Joy Horville…. Jackie Lye
Alistair Lloyd…. Michael Lumsden
Paul Mack…. Joshua Riley
Adam Macy…. Andrew Wincott
Kate Madikane…. Perdita Avery
Jazzer McCreary…. Ryan Kelly
Denise Metcalf…. Clare Perkins
Fallon Rogers…. Joanna Van Kampen
Mick…. Martin Barrass
Dr Ghanam…. Philip Arditti
The UK has emerged from recession – but can it hold its ground? And how does it compare to the rest of the world?Elsewhere, Emily Thomas digs into the agricultural impact of the floods in Brazil, and looks back at Chinese president Xi Jinping's visit to Europe.
A BBC investigation has located one of Europe's most wanted people smugglers in Iraq. Barzan Majeed, nicknamed the Scorpion, admitted trafficking thousands of people, knowing it was illegal and dangerous. He is still operating, after being deported from the United Kingdom eight years ago.Also in the programme: UNWRA closes it headquarters in Jerusalem following attacks; and why the future of the African penguin is threatened with extinction.(Picture: Barzan Majeed. Credit: BBC)
Human Rights Watch says ethnic cleansing has taken place in El Geneina against the Massalit and non-Arab residents. What's the evidence? Also, after more than three billion doses, the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid vaccine won't be manufactured anymore. Why is that, and how will this affect future vaccine uptake in Africa?And we explore attitudes to twins from Igbo Bora, a small rural community in southwest Nigeria which has an extraordinarily high number of them!Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Bella Hassan, Victor Sylver, Charles Gitonga and Rob Wilson
Senior Producer: Karnie harp
Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
President Zelenskyy says a fierce battle is underway and people are being evacuated in the Kharkiv region. Also: tensions grow between the US and Israel over the war in Gaza and Israel's offensive on Rafah, the BBC tracks down one of Europe's biggest people smugglers, and is there a future for the African penguin?
Five babies have died from whooping cough this year as cases continue to rise in England. Medical doctor Dr Saleyha Ahsan, who currently has whooping cough herself, joins Clare McDonnell to discuss.
Author, journalist and campaigner Dame Shirley Conran has died aged 91, days after receiving her damehood. Journalist Felicia Bromfield joins Clare to discuss her legacy.
What would happen if you could only speak the truth – and not even tell white lies? That’s the subject of a new book by Radhika Sanghani, called The Girl Who Couldn’t Lie. Radhika herself hasn’t lied for two years – she joins Clare to talk about why she wanted to write the book and the things she’s learnt from telling only the truth.
Despite the challenges posed by the Taliban regime, economic instability, poor infrastructure, and the ongoing suppression of women's rights, foreign tourism is reportedly increasing in Afghanistan. The country's authorities have begun training hospitality professionals and assert that Afghanistan is safe for foreigners, with all visitors welcomed and treated equally, including foreign women, they say. Sascha Heeney, who has recently visited Afghanistan, and Afghan journalist Zarghuna Khargar join Clare to discuss.
Presenter: Clare McDonnell
Producer: Dianne McGregor
The tech giant Apple has faced an online backlash in response to an advert featuring books and musical instrument being crushed, to demonstrate how their creativity has been compressed into the latest iPad.Also, with music catalogue company Hipgnosis facing a takeover, is it worth a price tag of $1.6 billion? And we hear from one of the Eurovision song contest’s most successful songwriters.
The Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his country will "stand alone" and "fight with its fingernails", after the US warned it could halt arms shipments if Israel ordered a full-scale invasion of Rafah in Gaza. Also: Israel heads to Eurovision final despite protests; and the tech company Apple faces a backlash over the destruction of musical instruments and books in an iPad advert.
In the heart of Colombia, very special Christmas celebrations take place not in December but in February. Its roots lie in the days of slavery when many Afro-Colombians were serving their masters' festivities during that time. In an act of cultural and racial resistance that has been preserved for nearly 200 years, Christmas celebrations in Quinamayo are held 40 days after the traditional birth date of Jesus and the amount of time that the Virgin Mary is said to have rested after delivery, and right after the end of harvest season. Christina Noreiga asks how the celebrations came about and why they have a special magic for both young and old.
Israeli tanks mass near the southern Gazan city of Rafah - as tens of thousands flee the area. Meanwhile US President Joe Biden faces fierce criticism at home for pausing a shipment of bombs to Israel.Also in the programme: a BBC investigation uncovers evidence that police in Saudi Arabia were authorised to kill people resisting the vast and controversial Neom development project. And we hear about Ukraine's plans to recruit prisoners for the frontline, after Russia's convict recruitment programme attracted widespread disapproval.(IMAGE: Israeli military vehicles are seen near the Israel-Gaza Border, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in southern Israel, May 9, 2024 / CREDIT: Reuters / Amir Cohen)
Could future blood transfusions be made safer by mixing in a new bacterial enzyme? Every year 118 million blood donations need to be carefully sorted to ensure the correct blood types go to the right patients. Prof Martin Olsson, of Lund University in Sweden, and colleagues in Denmark have published a study that suggests an enzyme made by bacteria in our gut could edit our blood cells to effectively convert type A, B and AB to type O. This would be a step towards a universal blood type that could be given to any patient. Papua New Guinea’s Naomi Longa is a “Sea Woman of Melanesia”. She works to train local women from the Kimbe Bay region of the Coral Triangle to dive, snorkel, navigate and use AI to monitor the coral reefs there. She is winner of this year’s Whitley Award, and tells us why it is socially and scientifically useful to get locals - specifically females - involved in conservation efforts there. Data scientist and roboticist Prof Daniele Rus of MIT has been using Machine Learning to decipher structure in a vast swath of Sperm Whale song data from Dominica. They have discovered a set of patterns and rules of context that seem to govern the way sperm whales structure their distinctive sets of clicks. The next step? See if we can decode any semantic content… Also, 200 years after Beethoven’s 9th symphony premiered, science says its composer couldn’t hold a beat. A cautionary tale of the hubris of genetic data miners, Laura Wesseldijk describes to Roland how she and her collaborators designed the paradoxical study to point out the limitations of finding any sort of “musical genius” genes with contemporary techniques. Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Alex Mansfield
Production Coordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth(Image: Two Sperm Whales, Caribbean Sea, Dominica. Credit: Reinhard Dirscherl via Getty Images)
There’s heartbreak in store for Chris, while suspicions are raised about recent events.
Almost three-thousand cabin crew members in India have taken part in a mass sick leave in protest for better working conditions. Air India have cancelled 85 flights while travel disruption continues for hundreds of passengers. Also, on the show – find out why Korean women are reluctant to have children. Plus, you can hear how Euro Vision song writers are earning a living for the annual singing competition.
A British girl born deaf can now hear unaided after a ground-breaking gene-therapy treatment. Opal Sandy was treated shortly before her first birthday and six months on can hear sounds as soft as a whisper and is starting to talk. Opal is part of a trial recruiting patients in the UK, US and Spain.
Also in the programme: the advocacy group Human Rights Watch has accused Sudan's Rapid Support Force of possible genocide in the city of El Geneina in Darfur; and US president Joe Biden has issued his strongest warning yet to Israel against launching a full-scale military assault on Rafah in southern Gaza.
Picture: Opal Sandy, who has received a ground-breaking so that she can hear unaided, reads with her mother Jo at their home. Credit: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)
Kenyan government doctors have signed an agreement to return to work in a bid to end a strike that started nearly 2 months ago. However, not all the doctors' demands have been met.Thousands of Sudanese refugees flee two UN camps in Ethiopia due to security concerns.And South Africa initiates plans to regulate the use of Artificial Intelligence.Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Charles Gitonga, Richard Kagoe, Susan Gachuhi, Rob Wilson and Paul Bakibinga
Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer
Editors : Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
The Rapid Support Forces in Sudan are facing allegations of war crimes and genocide in West Darfur. The New York-based Human Rights Watch says the leaders of the RSF and its Arab allies should be sanctioned for deliberately targeting non-Arab communities. It says the international community has failed to respond to the scale of the crisis in Sudan. Also: Saudi Arabia is accused of using lethal force to clear land for a futuristic desert city, why Russia is opening an embassy in Sierra Leone - after more than three decades, Japan announces expansion of whale hunting, a supplier to the aircraft manufacturer Boeing says major parts left its factory with serious defects, and a trial to send a former Paralympian into orbit.
The debate on assisted dying is often framed around the issues of choice for the terminally ill, but what about the rights of the disabled ? Actor and disability rights campaigner Liz Carr has major concerns about potential changes to the law that she believes could leave people with disabilities at risk. She joins Clare McDonnell to discuss her documentary “Better Off Dead” which explores the debate from the perspective of disabled people. Singer songwriter Rachel Chinouriri is one of the music industry’s rising stars, gaining plaudits from celebrity fans, including Adele, Sophie Turner and Florence Pugh, for her nostalgic Indie sounds. Rachel performs live in the Woman’s Hour studio and talks about her first album, What A Devastating Turn Of Events, which is an intimate exploration of Rachel’s experiences and relationships. Money is a topic many of us don't feel comfortable talking about. Be it in a romantic relationship, with our parents or even with our friends. But it's a topic that financial psychotherapist Vicky Reynal says is vitally important when it comes to our relationships. She joins Clare to discuss her new book, Money on Your Mind: The Psychology Behind Your Financial Habits, and how working on our financial wellbeing can help us in our lives.The former head of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, will stand trial for sexual assault over his behaviour in the Women's World Cup game against England last summer. He gave an unsolicited kiss to player Jenni Hermoso which was caught on camera and broadcast to billions worldwide, provoking fierce backlash and a national debate over sexism in Spain. Spain based sports journalist Molly McElwee explains the reaction in Spain. Presenter: Clare McDonnell
Producer: Olivia Skinner
Also, chaos is being predicted at hospital car parks as Stormont delay causes free parking
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Aristophanes' comedy in which the women of Athens and Sparta, led by Lysistrata, secure peace in the long-running war between them by staging a sex strike. To the men in the audience in 411BC, the idea that peace in the Peloponnesian War could be won so easily was ridiculous and the thought that their wives could have so much power over them was even more so. However Aristophanes' comedy also has the women seizing the treasure in the Acropolis that was meant to fund more fighting in an emergency, a fund the Athenians had recently had to draw on. They were in a perilous position and, much as they might laugh at Aristophanes' jokes, they knew there were real concerns about the actual cost of the war in terms of wealth and manpower. WithPaul Cartledge
AG Leventis Senior Research Fellow of Clare College, University of Cambridge Sarah Miles
Associate Professor in the Department of Classics and Ancient History at Durham UniversityAndJames Robson
Professor of Classical Studies at the Open UniversityProducer: Simon TillotsonReading list:Aristophanes (ed. Jeffrey Henderson), Lysistrata (Oxford University Press, 1987)Aristophanes (ed. Jeffrey Henderson), Three Plays by Aristophanes: Staging Women (Routledge, 2010)Aristophanes (ed. Jeffrey Henderson), Birds; Lysistrata; Women at the Thesmophoria (Loeb Classical Library series, Harvard University Press, 2014) Aristophanes (ed. Alan H. Sommerstein), Lysistrata and Other Plays: The Acharnians; The Clouds; Lysistrata (Penguin, 2002)Aristophanes (ed. Alan H. Sommerstein), Lysistrata (Aris & Phillips, 1998)Paul Cartledge, Aristophanes and his Theatre of the Absurd (Bristol Classical Press, 1999)Kenneth Dover, Aristophanic Comedy (University of California Press, 1972)Germaine Greer, Lysistrata: The Sex Strike: After Aristophanes (Aurora Metro Press, 2000)Tony Harrison, The Common Chorus: A Version of Aristophanes’ Lysistrata (Faber & Faber, 1992)Douglas M. MacDowell, Aristophanes and Athens: An Introduction to the Plays (Oxford University Press, 1995)S. Douglas Olson (ed.), Ancient Comedy and Reception: Essays in Honor of Jeffrey Henderson (De Gruyter, 2013), especially 'She (Don't) Gotta Have It: African-American reception of Lysistrata' by Kevin WetmoreJames Robson, Aristophanes: Lysistrata, Bloomsbury ancient comedy companions (Bloomsbury, 2023)James Robson, Aristophanes: An Introduction (Duckworth, 2009)Ralph M. Rosen and Helene P. Foley (eds.), Aristophanes and Politics. New Studies (Brill, 2020) Donald Sells, Parody, Politics and the Populace in Greek Old Comedy (Bloomsbury, 2018)David Stuttard (ed.), Looking at Lysistrata: Eight Essays and a New Version of Aristophanes' Provocative Comedy (Bristol Classical Press, 2010)
President Joe Biden has warned that if Israel launches a ground operation into Rafah he will not supply the offensive weapons that have been used in the past. Also: European Union to give profits from Russian assets to Ukraine, and Malaysia offers trade partners "orangutan diplomacy".
The small rural town of Igbo-Ora in south-western Nigeria proclaims itself to be the “twin capital of the world". It has an astonishingly high twin birth rate. Everyone here wants to have twins because in Yoruba culture they are believed to bring good fortune and are celebrated almost as deities. And yet, in another part of Nigeria, near the capital Abuja, a different community once viewed twins with fear. Twins were seen as the manifestations of evil spirits. There were even reports that some twins were killed as infants. Nigerian journalist Peter Macjob visits both communities, to hear about the lives of twins and explore the power of traditional beliefs.
A former employee of Boeing's biggest supplier has claimed that sections of 737 Max aircraft regularly left its factory with serious defects.Spirit Aerosystems builds fuselages for the 737 Max, which are then shipped to Boeing’s own plant for final assembly.Speaking publicly for the first time, former quality inspector Santiago Peredes told the BBC that some managers actively tried to discourage him from flagging up flaws in half-finished planes.Also, Rahul Tandon, finds out why there are a lot of concerns about whether the plan to use Russian assets for weapons is legal and why not everyone was keen to see the Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Hungary.
A boost for Labour as another Tory MP defects. But with growing disquiet amongst the Labour ranks - could the coup backfire?Also on the programme:University leaders will meet at Downing Street tomorrow to discuss what the prime minister calls an “unacceptable rise in antisemitism” on campuses. We'll speak to a Jewish student leader - and a pro-Palestinian protester who's gone on hunger strike.As Russia's military attache is expelled for spying - what goes on behind the gates of the Russian Embassy in London?And the sperm whale whisperer: we speak to the scientist who's been decoding the sounds from the deep that resemble a human language.
The US has confirmed that it suspended an arms shipment to Israel as its operation in Rafah intensifies.Also in the programme: our Berlin correspondent investigates Germany's strengthening far-right; and the ancient rock found by a lockdown gardener in Britain.
(Picture: Destroyed houses and mosque between Khan Younis and Rafah. Credit: Shutterstock)
The process of childbirth can be painful yet amazing, but at times and in some places, also very dangerous. Recorded in Malawi, East Africa, Claudia Hammond is joined by a panel of maternal health experts to figure out why it is that the equivalent of a large jumbo jet full of women die every day due to pregnancy or childbirth. Together, they examine how so many women can still be at risk during this period despite a greater access to healthcare. They also look into whether an eighty-year-old drug could be a game-changer when it comes to haemorrhage. Plus, they consider a study of 1.3 million women which asked what it is that women actually want from maternal healthcare. With Owen Chikwaza from the Malawi Ministry of Health, Linda Mipando of Kamuzu University and Elimase Kamanga-Gama, Director of the White Ribbon Alliance Malawi, Claudia looks at the many challenges and successes within the field, drawing from local experiences to offer global insights. Produced by: Margaret Sessa-Hawkins
Editor: Holly Squire
Production Coordinator: Siobhan Maguire
Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Studio Engineers: Andrew Saunderson and David Sproule (Photo: Pregnant woman being examined by a doctor. Credit: Holly Squire BBC)
We speak to the head of Sweden’s central bank, after it voted to cut interest rates; making it one of the first to do so in the region.
The bank moved ahead of the U.S Federal Reserve for the first time this century.Elsewhere, Ed Butler looks at why Ghana could face issues with the World Bank over its LGBT policies, and why the rising prices of doner kebabs in Germany is becoming a political issue.
The US last week paused a bomb shipment for Israel over concerns it was going ahead with a major ground operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, a senior US administration official said. Israel has not "fully addressed" US concerns over humanitarian needs of civilians in Rafah, the official said. An Israeli military official appeared to play down the US move. We hear analysis from the US and reaction from Israel. Also on the programme: How emissions from ships may be contributing to higher ocean temperatures; and the man who shaped the personality cult of North Korea’s ruling family. (Picture: Aftermath of an Israeli strike on a house in Rafah Credit: REUTERS/Mohamed Salem)
As the defence partnership between countries in the Sahel and the US and France ends, there's curiosity about which West African country will offer a base for French and US troops. Why is it important for these forces to have a base in West Africa? Also we revist the plight of migrants in Libya, after 107 people, including women and children are freed from captivity.And Audrey chats to ‘The Queen of Afrobeat'....singer-songwriter and actress, Tiwa Savage!
Sea temperatures broke records every day over the past year, hitting marine life hard and driving a new wave of coral bleaching.
China's President Xi Jinping visits Serbia. A BBC investigation uncovers clear ties between members of Germany's AfD party, and former neo-Nazi networks. Russia's last Eurovision contestant says she won't stop protesting against the war in Ukraine. And how a peanut and milk allergy trial is transforming lives.
The process of childbirth can be painful yet amazing, but at times and in some places, also very dangerous. Recorded in Malawi, East Africa, Claudia Hammond is joined by a panel of maternal health experts to figure out why it is that the equivalent of a large jumbo jet full of women die every day due to pregnancy or childbirth. Together, they examine how so many women can still be at risk during this period despite a greater access to healthcare. They also look into whether an eighty-year-old drug could be a game-changer when it comes to haemorrhage. Plus, they consider a study of 1.3 million women which asked what it is that women actually want from maternal healthcare. With Owen Chikwaza from the Malawi Ministry of Health, Linda Mipando of Kamuzu University and Elimase Kamanga-Gama, Director of the White Ribbon Alliance Malawi, Claudia looks at the many challenges and successes within the field, drawing from local experiences to offer global insights. Produced by: Margaret Sessa-Hawkins
Editor: Holly Squire
Production Coordinator: Siobhan Maguire
Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Studio Engineers: Andrew Saunderson and David Sproule (Photo: Pregnant woman being examined by a doctor. Credit: Holly Squire BBC)
Also, Social Workers begin strike action in Family and Childcare services in Belfast Trust
Hear from the journalists and whistleblowers behind the World of Secrets investigation, The Disciples, which tells the story of the cult of Nigerian prophet TB Joshua. Presenters Charlie Northcott and Yemisi Adegoke, producer Rob Byrne and whistleblowers Rae and Ajoke explain how the investigation came about. Plus, the presenter of season one of World of Secrets, Rianna Croxford, reveals how she investigated allegations of sexual exploitation made against the former CEO of fashion giant Abercrombie and Fitch.
Hosted by Hannah Ajala, presenter of the Love, Janessa podcast, and recorded in front of an audience in London.This episode contains references to sexual, physical and psychological abuseIf you have been affected by any of the issues in this podcast, please contact support organisations in your own country. For a list of organisations in the UK that can provide support for survivors of sexual abuse, go to bbc.co.uk/actionline.If you are suffering distress and need support, details of help available in many countries can be found at Befrienders Worldwide: befrienders.org.
Now that women’s sport is advancing, we need clear safeguarding rules for women and girls about what is and isn’t okay when it comes to talking about female health outside the realm of medicine. That’s the call from Baz Moffat, one of the co-founders of The Well HQ, which aims to break barriers in women’s sport and champion education about female health. She joins Hayley Hassell to tell us more about their new Safer Sport poster campaign and why it’s needed.Bestselling author Nadine Matheson has a new book coming out in the gory and gripping crime series focusing on black female detective DI Henley. Nadine is also a criminal defence lawyer and uses her own experiences in the world of criminal law to build her stories and characters. She talks to Hayley about the new book - ‘The Kill List’ - and why there aren’t more black female detectives in crime novels. Four girls sitting in a Mosque in detention are stuck in darkness after a power outage. To pass the time, they tell Somali folktales and bond in a modern day take on The Breakfast Club. That’s the scene for Dugsi Dayz, performing now at the Royal Court Theatre. The writer and actor Sabrina Ali joins Hayley in the Woman’s Hour to tell us more about it.Presenter: Hayley Hassell
Producer: Laura Northedge
Studio Producer: Neva Missirian
Data from the Financial Conduct Authority suggests fewer of us are struggling to pay our bills compared to last year, but the numbers are still high.The watchdog says more than 7 million people were finding it tough to pay bills and make repayments on borrowing at the start of the year, down from almost 11 million last year. However, despite the drop that's still far higher than before the cost of living pressures really started to bite.Price rises are slowing and energy bills have come down - so this could be a great moment to finally beat your bills back down and build a brilliant budget.In this episode we look at how to save money on your current repayments, budgeting, recovering from debt and hear from a super saver. Felicity Hannah is joined by consumer finance expert Martyn James and Jay Lowe, Head of Money Advice at Citizens Advice Staffordshire North and Stoke On Trent to answer your comments and questions.Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Producer: Sarah Rogers
Reporter: Neil Morrow
Editor: Jess QuayleThis episode was first broadcast on the 10th April 2023.
The porn star provided a detailed salacious account of her alleged sexual encounter with the former US president Donald Trump. Also: Israel takes Rafah crossing as truce talks continue, and the Swiss army knife maker is to produce a version without a blade.
TikTok has filed a lawsuit aiming to block a US law that would ban in the video app in the country unless it is sold by its Chinese parent company.In the filing, the social media company called the act an "extraordinary intrusion on free speech rights" of the company and its 170 million American users.Also, Rahul Tandon, looks at the Disney financial results and finds out what can you buy with Argentina's new 10 000 pesos banknote.
Airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Bristol, Newcastle and Manchester were all hit by a "technical issue" affecting passport control e-gates, causing long queues.The Home Office, which oversees Border Force, said it was working with the agency and affected airports to "resolve the issue as soon as possible and apologise to all passengers for the inconvenience caused."In Rafah, Israel's military operations continue, even as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sends a delegation of negotiators to Cairo for a potential ceasefire deal.And to mark the 200th anniversary of the premiere of Beethoven's 9th Symphony, we spoke to BBC Symphony Orchestra composer Sakari Omaro about the thrills and challenges of the piece.
Israel vows to continue attacks in Rafah as the UN chief warns of worsening humanitarian situation; also in the programme, Stormy Daniels appears at Trump’s hush money trial; Putin begins his fifth term in office; and Sir Owl, the Nepalese man dedicated to conserving owls. (Photo: Smoke in Rafah following and Israeli attack. Credit: Shutterstock)
Saudi’s state-oil company Aramco saw profits drop this week, but its payout to the government will still reach an eye-watering $31 billion. We see if the Saudi economy can cope with all its expensive mega projects.Also, Ed Butler explores the latest issues at Boeing, and finds out why India is becoming a hot new destination for big concerts.
Israel’s army says it has seized the Gazan side of the Rafah crossing with Egypt, after continuously bombarding eastern Rafah overnight. Tanks moved in on the vital entry point for aid, a day after Israel ordered civilians to evacuate the area. Meanwhile, truce talks are to resume in Cairo after Israel said terms which Hamas had agreed to were unacceptable.Also on the programme: A new insight into Alzheimer’s; the marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge slowed by online abuse; and an ode to the Ode to Joy. (Photo: People flee the eastern parts of Rafah after the Israeli military begins evacuating Palestinian civilians Credit: Reuters/Doaa al Baz)
What’s like to start again with nothing? On New Year's Eve of 2018, journalist Helen Chandler-Wilde lost everything she owned in a storage unit fire in Croydon, where she'd stowed all her possessions. She has written about it in the book, Lost & Found - 9 life-changing lessons about stuff from someone who lost everything. She joins Hayley Hassall to describe her experience and explain why we get so emotionally attached to our belongings.The BBC Series I Kissed a Girl started over the weekend... it's the first UK dating show for gay women. Dannii Minogue hosts the show where ten single women are matched up with a partner to see if sparks will fly and the women will find love. In the first episode, all the women are matched with a partner and start getting to know each other. Comedian Catherine Bohart and TV critic Daisy Jones discuss.The number of children in care is continuing to rise each year, and every year thousands of new foster carers are needed. The comedian and writer Kiri Pritchard-McLean has done just that. During lockdown, Kiri and her partner embarked on a journey to become foster carers in north Wales and she’s ‘evangelical’ about the role. It’s the subject of her new seven-month comedy tour, Peacock.The charity Karma Nirvana has today written to the victims and safeguarding minister Laura Farris, calling for the government to introduce a statutory definition of honour abuse. The charity’s executive director Natasha Rattu explains why, alongside a woman we are calling ‘Dana’ who is a victim of this abuse, who describes her experiences and what a statutory definition would mean to her.Presenter: Hayley Hassall
Producer: Kirsty Starkey
Studio Manager: Duncan Hannant
Two time Olympic champion marathon runner Eliud Kipchoge has been speaking to the BBC about the impact of social media abuse on him and his family.Togo's ruling party wins a parliamentary majority in legislative elections, is President Faure Gnassingbé set to extend his time in power?And can the tropical modernism architectural style help face the challenge of climate change?Presenter:Audrey Brown
Producers:Patricia Whitehorne, Rob Wilson,Bella Hassan, Victor Sylver and Paul Bakibinga
Technical Producer: Jonny Hall
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
It says the plot involved recruiting military officers who would abduct Mr Zelensky and then murder him. The assassinations, according to the statement, were to be timed for President Putin's inauguration, as a present. President Putin has now been sworn in for a fifth term. Humanitarian agencies say the closure of the two main crossings into southern Gaza is making it almost impossible to deliver aid, as Israel continues its offensive against Hamas. Rescuers in South Africa have made contact with some of the construction workers trapped under the rubble of a collapsed building. How AI is helping to identify victims of the Holocaust, and how major music artists are turning their attention to India.
And, security implications for 100's of NI soldiers after a hack of a MOD payroll system.
Zing is that special something that's hard to describe, but makes things more exciting.
Last year in Italy the biggest anti-mafia trial in 30 years reached a climax. On the stand were the Calabrian ‘Ndrangheta: they are estimated to run 80 percent of Europe’s cocaine and to make more money in a year than McDonalds and Deutsche Bank put together.With access to mafioso-turned-collaborator Emanuele Mancuso, journalist Francisco Garcia looks at why Emanuele testified against his powerful family. What has this trial meant for the 'Ndrangheta? And has it changed life for Calabrians today?
The day began with Israel warning civilians in eastern Rafah to flee as they began a long-anticipated military operation in the city in the south of the Gaza Strip. But by day's end some Gazans were celebrating as news reached them that Hamas has accepted a ceasefire deal put forward by Egypt and Qatar. Israel's operation continues though, as Prime Minister Netanyahu says the deal is "far from meeting Israel's demands". Nonetheless, he has sent a delegation to the negotiations.Meanwhile French President Emmanuel Macron has been welcoming his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, for a state visit. The pair discussed tariffs, trade, and the war in Ukraine.And should Wales, a land of song, have its own Eurovision entry? Campaigners have released a possible contender, it's called Anfonaf Angel and is sung by Sara Davies. We speak to her.
Hamas said on Monday it had approved a ceasefire proposal put forward over the weekend. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he could not agree to the proposal - but is willing to negotiate. Meanwhile, the Israeli military is conducting what it called "targeted strikes" against Hamas in eastern Rafah. On Monday morning, Israel urged 100,000 Palestinians to leave eastern Rafah ahead of a "limited" military operation. Also: Russia announces drills involving tactical nuclear weapons near Ukraine, and authorities in South Africa search for survivors trapped in a collapsed building.
On his first visit to Europe since 2019, president Xi Jinping has been talking about trade ties. The West is worried about cheap Chinese imports of electric cars.Also, Rahul Tandon finds out why global petrol demand growth could halve in 2024 and what impact the shutdown in Israel would have on Al Jazeera's business operations.
Hamas says it has accepted a proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza from international mediators. Israel says it's studying the terms, which are aimed at achieving an end to the war.
Also in the programme: we'll hear from Argentina's controversial president, Javier Milei; and busting the myth of one of the most famous deaths in rock and roll.(Picture: Palestinians in Rafah, Gaza celebrate after Hamas accepted a proposed cease-fire. Credit: Abed Rahim Khatib/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Underwater cameraman Roger Munns set himself and his team an incredible challenge. In 2008, they visited Tonga to film the biggest courtship ritual of the animal kingdom, the humpback heat run, for the very first time underwater and up close. In the first few days, Roger had intimate encounters with the whales but most of the time, he was sat on the back of the boat, waiting to find a heat run. After two unsuccessful weeks, he started to wonder whether they would ever see one. But a few days later somebody spotted a heat run, and everything sprang into action. Roger got in position and dove down ten meters underwater on a single breath. From then on, his job was just to wait and hold his camera ready. In a moment that seemed to stretch out time, he waited, nervously, for a group of 40-ton bus-sized whales to speed past him… And Victor Vescovo describes his adventures into the deep, diving to the deepest parts of all five oceans. Victor's longest dive was solo to the lowest point on Earth - the Challenger Deep at the bottom of the Marianas trench in the western Pacific. On reaching the bottom, some 35,853 feet below the ocean surface, should something have gone wrong, there was no hope of rescue. Victor describes his feelings before making this historic descent and on the way down. Touching down on the sea bed, he was astounded by the abundance of marine life. Victor describes how he hopes that the mapping, observations and sample collections he has made on his dives will advance scientific understanding of the deep oceans, and where his eternal quest to explore might take him next. Produced by Florian Bohr and Diane Hope Credits: Humpback whale mother and calf sounds - Acoustic Communications CNRS team & CETAMADA Humpback whale calf sounds - Lars Bejder (MMRP Hawaii), Peter T. Madsen (Aarhus University) & Simone Videsen (Aarhus University)
Chinese leader Xi Jinping chooses France for his first visit to the continent after a five-year absence. We get the latest.
Kosovo is home to Europe’s largest zinc, lead and silver mine. We visit it to know a bit more about central Europe’s smallest economy per capita.
And we hear about a new form of ghost flights and the fine that the Australian airline Qantas has just received for using them.
The evacuation comes ahead of an offensive in a region where more than 1.4 million people are sheltering. The Israeli military says the operation will be carried out with "limited scope". A senior Hamas official has described the move as a "dangerous escalation that will have consequences". Talks aimed at securing a ceasefire deal and the release of Israeli hostages have stalled. Also: China's President, Xi Jinping, is in France on the first stop of a tour of Europe. Combat veterans in Ukraine say the method of conscription should change. The people of Chad are voting for a new president after three years of military rule. Meanwhile, Argentina’s new president, Javier Milei, speaks for the first time to the BBC and defends his radical austerity plans. Mexican surfers pay tribute to three tourists from Australia and America whose bodies were found in a well, after they went missing on holiday. And correcting a music myth about Mama Cass Elliott. Top news and analysis from around the world.
Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands remain displaced across east Africa. Kenya and Tanzania escaped major damage from cyclone Hidaya, over the weekend, but they remain at risk of further flooding and landslides. Have governments done enough?Also why has the place of birth been removed from the passports of a group of people born in the Chagos Islands?And what's going on between Wizkid and Davido?Presenter: Daniel Dadzie
Producers: Audrey Brown, Bella Hassan and Charles Gitonga
Technical Producer: Phillip Bull
Senior Producer: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Air-dropped leaflets told Palestinians to leave ahead of a planned military operation. The Israeli Defence Forces directed civilians to an ‘expanded humanitarian area’ in the coastal strip of Al-Mawasi. Aid agencies say there is not enough infrastructure to support the wave of displaced people, and many fear the order marks the beginning of a major Israeli offensive in Rafah. Also on the programme: Argentina’s libertarian president Javier Milei speaks to the BBC’s Ione Wells about his economic ‘shock therapy’; and Ukraine’s war-weary troops fighting on the front lines for two years without a break. (Picture: Palestinians leave eastern Rafah as Israel orders evacuations, 6 May, 2024 Credit: HAITHAM IMAD/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
We are all ageing, if we're lucky, so in this Woman's Hour special programme, we're exploring how women can age well. Anita Rani is joined by a panel of women of different ages to talk about the possibility of re-invention and the wisdom of age, as well as the difficulties and barriers women face as they get older. What we can learn from each other and how can women of different generations support each other?
Author and psychologist, Dr Sharon Blackie’s book, Hagitude: Reimagining the Second Half of Life, explores stories of little-known but powerful elder women in European myth and folklore – with the hope of inspiring women now. She joins Anita to discuss what we can learn from these stories and the power she feels we can gain if we embrace getting older.
NHS GP Dr Radha Modgil is often to be found on BBC Radio 1’s Life Hacks. Radha joins the discussion to explain the things we can do specifically to age well. She highlights exercise and nutrition, as well as the real need for women to have purpose in their lives, no matter what age they are and how that can impact our ageing both physically and mentally.
Our reporter Martha Owen meets Lindi, Sue & Celia in the British Library in London, at a meeting for the Older Peoples Advisory Group – a forum for older community members – hosted by Age UK Camden. They give their thoughts on ageing, what they’ve enjoyed most about getting older and why dancing trumps housework.
Cally Beaton was formerly a top TV exec, then she swapped the boardroom for the stage and became a comedian at the age of 45. Ten years later, she now refuses to make self-deprecating jokes in her sets. She joins Anita to discuss what it's like ageing in the public eye, defying her age and the importance of advice from older – and younger – women.
The writer and content creator Pippa Stacey's perceptions of ageing have changed because of her experience of a chronic illness. Pippa was diagnosed with ME, also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, while she was at university. She joins Anita to reflect on the impact of the physical changes she has experienced, the pressures young women are under and why she wants to listen to older, and wiser, women.
Presenter: Anita Rani
Guest: Sharon Blackie ...
Indian artist Abhishek Singh’s comic books have sold more than half a million copies and been translated into Italian, Spanish, French and English. His interpretation of the Indian myth, Krishna: A Journey Within, was the first graphic novel by an Indian writer and artist to be published in American comic book history. Abhishek has long included environmental themes in his work, but after travelling round the mountains and forests of India, and spending time with elephants in particular, he realised that most mythic tales concern kings and queens and battles, all about humans and human activity. He decided it was time to create a new non-human mythology, one which centres on our vulnerable environment and the animals who live within it. Paul Waters joins him in Delhi as he paints one of his pictures for his new graphic novel The Hymns of Medhini.
The Qatar-based news network condemned the confiscation of broadcast equipment. Also: Israel closes an aid crossing into Gaza after three soldiers were killed in a Hamas rocket attack, and why there are Cubans now fighting for Russia in Ukraine.
Israel has shut down international news channel Al-Jazeera, accusing the platform of bias in its coverage of the Israel-Gaza war. The network has called the ban 'a criminal action' aimed at concealing the truth of the war. We get reaction from the International Federation of Journalists. Also: dozens killed in southern Brazil after floods and mudslides; and the death of actor Bernard Hill(Photo: an Al-Jazeera building in Doha. Credit: Reuters / Arafat Barbakh)
Brian’s words cut deep, and someone makes a terrible mistake with earth-shattering consequences.
Attempts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza continue with Hamas in Cairo. We hear from an Israeli man whose brother is being held hostage in Gaza, and from our own Gaza correspondent.Also in the programme: President Zelensky delivers a defiant Easter message in front of Kyiv's ancient cathedral, telling Ukrainians God is on their side; and Brazil's President Lula visits flood-hit areas in the south of the country.
Officials say another 70 people are missing in Rio Grande do Sul. Also, talks aimed at securing a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages continue in Cairo, and the Spanish Government tries to calm tensions with Argentina after some unguarded comments about the Argentine President.
Egypt is hosting the latest round of talks on a possible ceasefire in Gaza, and the release of Israeli hostages. Hamas negotiators are in Cairo, where mediators from Egypt, the US and Qatar are awaiting a response to the latest proposal. We'll hear from a former Israeli general.Also on the programme we hear about three arrests that have been made in Canada connected to a murder that's brought relations with India to a new low; and hear from a Madonna music fan among the big crowds at Brazil's Copacabana beach there for a free concert.Photo: Palestinians in the aftermath of Israeli bombing in Rafah 3rd May; Credit: AFP.
What is it really like to be a co-parent? Hayley Allen’s son spends the weekdays with his dad and she takes care of him at the weekends. Carly Harris’ two children spend 80% of their time with her and are looked after by their dad every other weekend. Clare talked to Hayley and Carly about the difficulties and benefits of co-parenting.As talks reach a conclusion in Ottawa this week on a legally binding global treaty on plastic pollution, we speak to film director and campaigner Eleanor Church. Her documentary, X Trillion, comes out this week, and takes the viewer on an all-female expedition to the North Pacific gyre, where much of the world's plastic waste ends up.The risk of ACL injuries in female football players is up to six times higher than their male counterparts. Leeds Beckett University is leading a new study into why this risk rate is so high and the impact on athletes. Knee surgeon to the sports stars Andy Williams explains why this may be happening and footballer Emma Samways, of Hashtag United in Essex, tells us about her ACL injury from earlier on this year.Perinatal suicide, while thankfully rare, is the leading cause of maternal death in the UK. A new study from King’s College London is the first of its kind to focus on the causes. The perinatal period runs from the start of pregnancy to a year after giving birth – and the suicide rates among these women has recently risen. Clare spoke to Dr Abigail Easter, the lead researcher, and Krystal Wilkinson, who shares her own experience.Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Annette Wells
Editor; Erin Riley
Efforts have intensified to secure a deal for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages, with talks resuming in Cairo on Saturday.
We hear from a former Israeli negotiator on his experience of dealing with Hamas.Also on the programme: how warmer temperatures mean Brazil is recording its highest ever rate of the potentially fatal dengue fever;
and we ask what it’s like being a foreigner living in Japan after President Biden suggests the country’s xenophobic.Photo: Shelters used by displaced Palestinians who fled from the northern Gaza strip at Deir Al Balah beach in the southern Gaza Strip. Credit: MOHAMMED SABER/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
This week, the adventures of Galena the cat who ended up hundreds of kilometres from home after climbing into a box. Also: How a stick on patch can vaccinate children against measles and rubella -- without the need for doctors or nurses. And video-calling isn't just for people, it's for parrots too. The happiest stories in the world - our weekly collection.
Nataliya Zotova of BBC Russian tells us how Yulia Navalnaya has stepped in for her husband since his death and how there is somewhat of a precedent for this in Russia. Plus Ikechukwu Kalu explains how the BBC Igbo social media team use proverbs to connect with their audience. Produced by Caroline Ferguson and Alice Gioia (Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich)
National Insurance - a tax millions of working age people pay on their wages - is being cut this weekend, for the second time this year. The main rate of National Insurance has now fallen by a third - from 12% last year to just 8%. The Treasury says combined with above-inflation increases to personal tax thresholds since 2010, this will save the average earner over £1,500 compared to what they would otherwise have paid. What difference will it make to your pay?The debt charity StepChange has told Money Box a third of people they helped last year were behind on their Council Tax payments with an average debt of more than £1,700. What can you do if you're struggling to pay?Plus, changes to Child Benefit mean it will become available to thousands more families from this weekend - how will that work?Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporters: Sarah Rogers and Eimear Devlin
Researchers: Sandra Hardial and Jo Krasner
Producer: Craig Henderson
Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 6th April 2024)
The war in Gaza has triggered demonstrations at dozens of universities thousands of miles away in the United States. There have been hundreds of arrests as police have gone in to break them up and remove the protest camps that have been set up. Amid the heightened tensions, three Jewish students with different views towards Israel and its government, share their experience on campus and the impact on their studies.. We also hear from protesters at two Ivy League universities in the US, Colombia and Harvard. One describes witnessing the police raids. They explain their motivation for being part of the protest and reflect on whether their actions might have possible repercussions in the future.
Police say they've been charged in connection with the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar last June. Also, the Kenyan president issues a warning that a powerful cyclone could be about to hit coastal areas, and Spain's government announces a national prize for bullfighting is to be abolished over concerns about animal welfare.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry is to reduce Turkish imports both to Israel and to the occupied Palestinian territories. It’s also appealing for sanctions against Turkey for violating existing trade agreements. Also, in the programme, we look at Brazil’s plans to propose a global annual tax for billionaires at the G20 in July
The Conservatives suffered big losses in Thursday's local elections. Labour swept to victory in places like Redditch, Thurrock and Hartlepool, as well as winning the Blackpool South parliamentary by-election. There was some consolation for the Tories in Tees Valley, where Conservative Ben Houchen was returned as mayor.The Kremlin has reacted angrily to Lord Cameron's remark that Ukraine has the right to use British weapons to hit targets inside Russia.And the twisted comedy series that's become a fan favourite, Inside No. 9, is heading to the West End.
The Sudanese city of El-Fasher is on the brink of a major clash between rival forces, trapping hundreds of thousands of civilians.Also on the programme: Turkey severs trade links with Israel over the war in Gaza; and Russian troops have been deployed to an airbase in Niger where American soldiers are located. (Photo: Newly arrived refugees from Darfur in Sudan sit on horse as they head to their shelters in Adre, Chad. Credit: Getty Images)
Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis present the week via topical stand-up and sketches. Starring Jon Holmes on animals making headlines, Angela Barnes on theft and an original song from Jonny & the Baptists. With voices from Ed Jones and Róisín O’Mahony.The show was written by the cast with additional material from Tasha Dhanraj, Mike Shepard, Alex Bertulis-Fernandes and Peter Tellouche.Producer: Sasha Bobak
Executive Producer: Pete Strauss
Production Coordinator: Caroline BarlowA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
Writer: Caroline Jester
Director: Rosemary Watts and Pip SwallowBrian Aldridge…. Charles Collingwood
Lilian Bellamy…. Sunny Ormonde
Alice Carter…. Hollie Chapman
Eddie Grundy…. Trevor Harrison
Emma Grundy…. Emerald O’Hanrahan
George Grundy…. Angus Stobie
Will Grundy…. Philip Molloy
Miranda Elliott…. Lucy Fleming
Jakob Hakansson…. Paul Venables
Chelsea Horrobin…. Madeleine Leslay
Joy Horville…. Jackie Lye
Alistair Lloyd…. Michael Lumsden
Jim Lloyd…. John Rowe
Kate Madikane…. Perdita Avery
Dr Azra Malik…. Yasmin Wilde
Denise Metcalf…. Clare Perkins
Lynda Snell…. Carole Boyd
Robert Snell…. Michael Bertenshaw
Mick…. Martin Barrass
The U.S. has withdrawn its troops from Chad, this follows a similar move in neighbouring Niger. The head of the US Africa Command says it was "temporary repositioning" of troops. What does he mean and how damaging is this to global security interests?Also why is there growing concern for the safety of children in South Africa?And cyclone Hidaya is expected to make landfall on the East African Coast, affecting mainly the already flooded countries of Tanzania and Kenya. How prepared are they?Presenter: Richard Kagoe
Producers: Charles Gitonga, Bella Hassan, Richard Kagoe and Paul Bakibinga
Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
The UN has warned that Sudan’s civil war is preventing the delivery of humanitarian aid. Toby Harward, the UN’s Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan, said fighting between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces around El-Fasher in Darfur has had led to an increase in arbitrary killings and the burning of villages.
Also on the programme: Turkey suspends all trade with Israel over its offensive in Gaza; and China launches a rocket to collect samples from the dark side of the Moon.
(Picture: Refugees from Darfur in Adre, Chad, 4 August 2023 Credit: REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra)
More than a million on the brink of famine as fighting intensifies around the city of Al-Fashir. A senior UN official tells the BBC there's been a breakdown in the rule of law, a spate of arbitrary killings -- and the burning of entire villages. Also: Turkey bans all trade with Israel -- and Italians face the end of puppy yoga.
On today's Woman's Hour phone-in we ask what it's like to be a boy in 2024 and how society is shaping our future men. On Monday we spoke to Catherine Carr about her Radio 4 series About the Boys. She spoke to boys up and down the country about how they felt about subjects like sex and consent, masculinity, friendship, life online and education and she found out that boys were experiencing confusing and often troubling messages about their role in society. She joins us, along with Richard Reeves, the President of the American Institute for Boys and Men to take your calls about boys.Please get in touch with your experiences and thoughts about boys; from bringing them up to being one.The phone lines open at 0800 on Friday 3 May. Call us on 03700 100 444 or you can text the programme - the number is 84844. Texts will be charged at your standard message rate. On social media we're @BBCWomansHour. And you can email us through our website.Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer Laura Northedge
Studio Manager: Bob Nettles
Over the past few weeks, Woman’s Hour has been having a frank conversation about pornography. Four women spoke about how porn has shaped their relationships, sex lives and self-image. Three men spoke openly together about their attitudes to and experience of porn. The film-maker Erika Lust explained why she wants to make ‘ethical’ porn and Dr Fiona Vera-Grey explains what she’s found out through the research and surveys she has done about pornography and by talking to 100 women for her book Women On Porn. In this special podcast episode, our reporter Ena Miller guides you through the stories and conversations you might have missed.Presenter/Reporter Ena Miller
Live item Producer: Emma Pearce
Series Producer: Erin Riley
The US President Joe Biden has urged pro-Palestinian protesters on university campuses to uphold the rule of law. Police have detained more than 2,000 people nationwide in the past fortnight at college rallies and protest camps. Also: Russia blamed for GPS interference affecting flights in Europe, and a wounded orangutan in Indonesia is seen using a plant as medicine.
Dating in the Jewish world can be a struggle - different denominations, beliefs, being Kosher or not Kosher, ideologies and geography makes navigating this world difficult to decode. Amie Liebowitz talks to matchmaker and dating coach Aleeza Ben Shalom from Netflix's Jewish Matchmaker and goes on her own quest to learn about the traditional and religious values of matchmaking.
Last month, Ankara introduced partial restrictions citing being refused permission to drop aid into Gaza. Their response was to introduce restrictions on trade. Now, it appears that all imports and exports from Israel have been blocked. The country’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz said this was "how a dictator behaves" "and they will lose."Also, in the programme, we look at Pandemic-era fitness darling Peloton is showing more signs of trouble, as the CEO steps down and announcing staff redundancies.
Polls have closed in the last big test of voter opinion before the general election - and one that may be decisive for the pime minister's immediate future. Experts are here with me in the studio to guide us through what lies ahead.France's moment of reckoning over sexual abuse allegations in its film industry. We speak to the actress who's become the symbol of France's Me Too Movement. And is it time we scrapped audio guides? We discuss with a leading British artist why he thinks they're part of a “terrible” modern scourge messing up the enjoyment of art.
The US has accused Russia of deploying chemical weapons as a "method of warfare" in Ukraine, in violation of international laws banning their use. We speak to a Ukrainian MP who is near the frontline in Donetsk region.Also on the programme: a UN expert says the death of an 8-year-old boy in the West Bank appears to be a “war crime” after reviewing evidence gathered by the BBC; and a paediatrician tells us how a small change in interior design can make a big difference to neurodiverse people. (Photo: Russian servicemen march to Red Square for a rehearsal for the annual military parade. Credit: EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
As bird flu is found in US farm cats fed on raw cow’s milk, chimpanzees are observed eating infected bat dung instead of vegetables. There is a constant threat of infections crossing from species to us and also from species to other species, particularly because of what we do. That is, after all, what happened to start the pandemic.We hear about the ongoing struggles of the Chinese virologist who broke his instructions in China in order to share the first COVID genetic data.And a strange tale of how tobacco growing might provide bat viruses a path into other species.Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Alex Mansfield
Production Coordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth(Image Credit: Jason Alden/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The Co-op Live Arena is Europe's biggest, with a capacity of 23,500. But fans have reacted with shock and confusion after it called off its opening concert at the last minute. We're outside the venue - and will ask what it means for the Co-op - which has bought the naming rights for the venue - but doesn't run it.Maersk, the world's second largest shipping company - says the Red Sea route might not be open for the rest of the year. Rahul Tandon asks what that means for the world's supply chain.Plus we hear from Japan as it continues to tackle a demographic issue - amid criticism from US President Joe Biden.
Hundreds of officers fire flares and stun grenades on protesters. Also: the EU announces a billion dollar package for Lebanon; and the American 'King of Twang' guitarist Duane Eddy dies at 86.
A UN-backed special court has issued an international arrest warrant for the former president of the Central African Republic, François Bozizé. This is in connection with an investigation into his alleged involvement in crimes against humanity committed by soldiers in a prison between 2009 and 2013. We'll get the details.Also why are gunmen guarding cocoa crops in Uganda?And a big victory for a small indigenous community in South Africa, who won a Goldman Environmental Prize for standing up to a multinational company.Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Rob Wilson, Charles Gitonga, Paul Bakibinga.
Senior Producer: Karnie Sharp
Technical Producer: Nick Randell
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
The BBC has carried out an investigation into the death of a Palestinian boy in the West Bank - an investigation which a UN expert says may amount to evidence of a war crime.
Also in the programme: as police in Los Angeles dismantle another pro-Palestinian university encampment, we'll hear from the veteran US senator Bernie Sanders; and how scientists reconstructed a Neanderthal woman's face.(Picture: Adam, eight, was shot in the head as he ran away from Israeli armoured vehicles. Credit: BBC)
Lawyer Harriet Wistrich is the founder and director of Centre for Women's Justice. She joins Anita Rani to talk about her new book, Sister in Law, which looks into ten of her hard-won cases over 30 years. They include Sally Challen’s appeal against her conviction for the murder of her husband, the victims of the taxi driver John Worboys, and the women caught up in the 'Spy Cops' scandal. Cases that she says demonstrate that "terrifyingly often, the law is not fit-for-purpose for half the population". The risk of ACL injuries in female football players is up to six times higher than their male counterparts. Leeds Beckett University is leading a new study into why this risk rate is so high and the impact on athletes. Knee surgeon to the sports stars Andy Williams explains why this may be happening and footballer Emma Samways, of Hashtag United in Essex, tells us about her ACL injury from earlier on this year. Chef Asma Khan has just been named as one of the 100 most influential people of the 2024, by the Time magazine. Asma is the founder of the London restaurant, Darjeeling Express, which has a women-only kitchen, mostly made up of South Asian immigrants over the age of 50. Asma has been a vocal champion for gender equality, she talks about the change she wants to see in the restaurant industry. Presenter: Anita Rani
Also, another tragedy on the A5 in Tyrone, while upgrades have faced delays & challenges
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Serbian-American inventor Nikola Tesla (1856-1943) and his role in the development of electrical systems towards the end of the nineteenth century. He made his name in New York in the contest over which current should flow into homes and factories in America. Some such as Edison backed direct current or DC while others such as Westinghouse backed alternating current or AC and Nikola Tesla’s invention of a motor that worked on AC swung it for the alternating system that went on to power the modern age. He ensured his reputation and ideas burnt brightly for the next decades, making him synonymous with the lone, genius inventor of the new science fiction. With Simon Schaffer
Emeritus Fellow of Darwin College, University of CambridgeJill Jonnes
Historian and author of “Empires of Light: Edison, Tesla, Westinghouse and the Race to Electrify the World”And Iwan Morus
Professor of History at Aberystwyth UniversityProducer: Simon TillotsonReading list: W. Bernard Carlson, Tesla: Inventor of the Electrical Age (Princeton University Press, 2013)Margaret Cheney and Robert Uth, Tesla: Master of Lightning (Barnes & Noble Books, 1999) Thomas P. Hughes, Networks of Power: Electrification in Western Society, 1880-1930 (Johns Hopkins University Press, 1983)Carolyn Marvin, When Old Technologies Were New (Open University Press, 1988)Iwan Rhys Morus, Nikola Tesla and the Electrical Future (Icon Books, 2019)Iwan Rhys Morus, How The Victorians Took Us To The Moon (Icon, 2022)David E. Nye, Electrifying America: Social Meanings of a New Technology (MIT Press, 1991)John J. O’Neill, Prodigal Genius: The Life of Nikola Tesla (first published 1944; Cosimo Classics, 2006)Marc J. Seifer, Wizard: The Life and Times of Nikola Tesla, Biography of a Genius (first published 1996; Citadel Press, 2016)Nikola Tesla, My Inventions: The Autobiography of Nikola Tesla (first published 1919; Martino Fine Books, 2011)Nikola Tesla, My Inventions and other Writings (Penguin, 2012)In Our Time is a BBC Studios Audio production
Riot police in Tbilisi fired tear gas and water cannon into crowds protesting against a law seen by the opposition as targeting media freedoms. The protestors also say that they are concerned about the future of the country - whether it will be closer to Russia or the EU. Also: US universities are gripped by protests over the war in Gaza, and can you be a cage fighter if you hate fighting?
South Africa is marking 30 years of democracy this year, reflecting on the remarkable transition from apartheid that captivated the world. While some South Africans are celebrating, others are questioning whether the promises of democracy have delivered. The BBC’s Nomsa Maseko embarks on a personal journey, starting from the polling station she accompanied her mother to in April 1994, to meet the people who fought for South Africa’s freedom, built its democratic institutions, and are seeking to improve their own lives today. She asks all of them: what does 30 years of democracy mean to you?
The US Federal Reserve says it needs greater confidence that inflation is easing before cutting interest rates. We get the latest from our correspondent in New York.
The housing market is one of the industries most impacted by the higher cost of borrowing. We hear from buyers and sellers.
And we have an exclusive interview with Pakistan's Finance Minister, Muhammad Aurangzeb, about the conditions the country has to meet after taking a loan from the International Monetary Fund.
There have been violent clashes between pro-Palestinian demonstrators and counter-protesters at University of California, Los Angeles. Meanwhile hundreds of people were arrested in New York, where students occupied part of Columbia University and demanded the institution cut ties with Israel.Also on the programme:Police in the South Caucasian country of Georgia fired tear gas and stun grenades to quell protests over new legislation that requires organisations with funding from abroad to register as foreign agents - it's been dubbed the "Russia law".And can you ban politicians from lying? Members of the Welsh Senedd think so, and are discussing a law to do just that.
An Israeli deadline looms for Hamas to respond to its offer of a ceasefire in return for the release of some hostages. We hear from Israeli politician Ohad Tal who is with the National Religious Party–Religious Zionism party.Also in the programme; US senator Bernie Sanders; and Emily Blunt and Ryan Gosling on the Fall Guy(Picture: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with the families of the hostages outside of a hotel, in Tel Aviv. Credit: Reuters)
Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb exclusively speaks to World Business Report about the latest and 24th International Monetary Fund bailout for the country - and says it should be its last.In this extended podcast version of the interview with Mr. Aurangzeb, he talks to Will Bain about the steps he thinks are necessary for Pakistan to achieve economic stability.The country's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has previously said the disbursement of $1.1 billion by the IMF will help the country achieve that, amid discussions for a new loan programme. The funding was the second and final tranche of Pakistan's $3 billion standby arrangement with the IMF which it secured last summer to help avert a sovereign default. Also, in the programme, we look at how the risk of flooding or landslides are affecting people living in Kenya.
The U.S. has warned of a looming potential "large scale massacre" in Al-Fashir, a city in Sudan. The United Nations says it's also concerned about a possible imminent attack. What's going on? Also state TV in Mali says the senior IS commander, Abu Huzeifa, who had a 5 million dollar bounty on his head has been killed by troops from Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. Who was he and why is his death being seen as significant? And we meet the award winning Cameroonian conservationist saving manatees.Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Victor Sylver, Rob Wilson, Patricia Whitehorne, Bella Hassan and Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Chaotic scenes on US university campuses after police raid a sit-in protest at Columbia University in New York making more than 100 arrests, and violence breaks out between rival demonstrators at UCLA in Los Angeles.Also in the programme: protestors in the Georgian capital Tbilisi clash with riot police as a proposed new law polarises opinion between pro EU and pro Russian elements; could this have far wider consequences? And we reflect on the life of American novelist Paul Auster who has died.(IMAGE: CHP officers put on their gear amid clashes near an encampment (not pictured) by supporters of Palestinians in Gaza, on the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., May 1, 2024 / CREDIT: Reuters / David Swanson)
UCLA is the latest US university campus to be hit by clashes between pro-Palestinian demonstrators and their opponents. The American Secretary of State Anthony Blinken pushes to get more aid into Gaza, while urging Hamas to accept a ceasefire deal. Why are women footballers more likely to get injured during their periods? And remembering Paul Auster, the American author who's died at the age of 77.
Being evicted from your home is an incredibly distressing time for anyone. Something 56-year-old Heidi Dodson is about to experience, she's being evicted by her private landlord from her home. She approached her local council for priority housing but was declined. In a letter from Thurrock Council, she was told she should be able to function 'reasonably well' if she ends up on the streets. Thurrock Council say they are 'truly sorry for the language used in this letter and the distress it has caused. Heidi speaks to Clare McDonnell along with Polly Neate, Chief Executive of housing charity Shelter. What is it really like to be a co-parent? Hayley Allen’s son spends the weekdays with his dad and she takes care of him at the weekends. Carly Harris’ two children spend 80% of their time with her and are looked after by their dad every other weekend. Clare talks to Hayley and Carly about the difficulties and benefits of co-parenting.Dr Jessica Taylor is a best-selling author and chartered psychologist who runs the research consultancy VictimFocus. Her new book, Underclass, is a memoir, detailing her childhood on a council estate in Stoke, the trauma and abuse she suffered and her journey to becoming a professional campaigning on behalf of other victims. Jessica joins Clare to talk about why she wanted to write it.As the second wife of Henry VIII Anne Boleyn’s life and death have been well-documented but what about her sister Mary? A new play, The Other Boleyn Girl, has opened at Chichester Festival Theatre based on Philippa Gregory's best-selling novel. Lucy Phelps plays Mary and Freya Mavor is Anne – they join Philippa Gregory in a conversation with Clare. Presenter: Clare McDonnell
Producer: Emma Pearce
Changpeng Zhao, the founder of the giant crypto exchange, Binance, will spend 4 months in a US prison. He had pled guilty to charges of enabling money laundering at the exchange. Ed Butler asks what it means for crypto.Meanwhile, in Argentina, a series of key reforms were passed which could spell privatization of a dozen companies. We speak to a former presidential candidate who says the reforms will spell trouble.Finally, Beijing, Brussels and Washington are preparing for a major showdown over electric cars.
April is a big month for our finances, some bills go up and one or two even come down. A big relief for many households will be the that energy prices are dropping, but one bill that is still going up is rent.UK rent prices rose 9% in the 12 months to February.Research shared exclusively with Money Box Live has revealed you're more likely to be in your overdraft if you're a renter compared to people with mortgages. You're also less likely to have savings to fall back on in an emergency.Meanwhile government plans to scrap no fault evictions for tenants in England have been delayed. Neither tenants nor landlords are happy with the current position.Felicity Hannah is joined by Sarah Pennells, Consumer Finance specialist at Royal London, Dan Wilson Craw, Deputy Director at Generation Rent UK, and Richard Donnell, director of research at the property platform Zoopla.Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Producer: Neil Morrow and Sarah Rogers
Reporter: Eimear Devlin
Editor: Jess Quayle(This episode was first broadcast on the 3rd April 2024)
The judge at the hush money trial in New York fined the former US president and warned him to stop making public statements about witnesses and jurors. Also: Colombian military loses millions of bullets; in the world of gaming, Manchester City's footballer Erling Haaland morphs into the Barbarian King in the
Clash of the Clans.
A bonus episode from the Lives Less Ordinary podcast.
Evy Mages grew up in and out of foster care in 1970s and 80s Austria. But even when she started a new life in the US, she was haunted by traumatic memories of a strange yellow house high up in the Alps, where she had been placed as an eight-year-old. It took an idle internet search in her 50s to reveal that this was actually an institution called a 'Kinderbeobachtungsstation', or 'child-observation station', where vulnerable children were experimented on by a psychologist using shocking methods. She decided to step back into her past to uncover the full, disturbing truth of what happened there. Evy's story first appeared in the New Yorker in 2023. Presenter: India Rakusen Producer: Edgar Maddicott Editor: Rebecca Vincent Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com or WhatsApp +44 330 678 2707
Binyamin Natanyahu reaffirms his intention to send troops to Rafah; UN Secretary-General says such an assault would be devastating. We unpick the latest developments, including speculation about a possible ceasefire deal, with analyst Ya'akov Katz. Also in the programme: Donald Trump is fined for contempt of court; and a Finnish cyber-criminal is jailed for trying to blackmail thousands of people with their confidential psychotherapy notes.(Photo: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on February 18, 2024. Credit: REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun//File Photo)
Zimbabwe introduces a new currency, the ZiG, to tackle its high inflation.The Argentinian parliament has approved sweeping austerity measures which has triggered mass protests. We also hear from Ecuador, a country which in the late 90s successfully dealt with high inflation.And we hear from Bumble CEO Lidiane Jones on women in tech and the path to success.
The Israeli PM Netanyahu says war won’t stop until the goal of defeating Hamas was achieved. Also: reports from Mali say senior figure in the Islamic State group in Africa has been killed. A leaked document obtained by the BBC says a teenager found dead during anti-government protests in Iran was sexually assaulted and killed by men working for security forces. The authorities had claimed Nika Shakarami took her own life. In The Gambia - a study has found that a stick-on measles vaccine patch could be an effective alternative to injections. And, a fascinating insight into the final hours of the philosopher Plato.
More than 160 people are now known to have been killed by weeks of flooding in Kenya following torrential rain, that's according to officials. We'll hear from the Kenyan President, William Ruto.Also former UK diplomat, Tim Cole, says it's time to reset London's relationship with Africa. What would that new relationship look like? And we meet young Africans pushing the boundaries of representation in the gaming industry!Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Charles Gitonga, Bella Hassan, Patricia Whitehorn, Nyasha Michelle and Rob Wilson
Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer
Senior Producer: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Dozens of pro-Palestine demonstrators at Columbia University in New York City have escalated their protest over the war in Gaza by occupying an academic building. Also on the programme: we speak to New Yorkers as their city is set to become the first in America to adopt a congestion charge; And a BBC investigation uncovers chilling details of an Iranian teenager's death in detention.
(Photo: Protestors link arms to barricade themselves in Hamilton Hall at Columbia University, in New York city. Credit: REUTERS)
Research by internationally-renowned sex expert Dr Debby Herbenick from 2020 found that 21% of women had been choked during sex, with this being nearly twice as prevalent among adults under 40. Why are more young people including this as part of their sex lives and what are both the short and long-term health consequences? Dr Debby and Medical Director of the Institute for Addressing Strangulation, Dr Catherine White, talk to Clare McDonnell.As talks reach a conclusion in Ottawa this week on a legally binding global treaty on plastic pollution, we speak to film director and campaigner Eleanor Church. Her documentary, X Trillion, comes out this week, and takes the viewer on an all-female expedition to the North Pacific gyre, where much of the world's plastic waste ends up.What sort of responsibilities do employers have towards women who are abused online because of their job? Dr Rebecca Whittington is the Online Safety Editor for Reach Plc, which publishes newspapers including The Mirror and The Express. She explains how she protects journalists from online harm. Presenter: Clare McDonnell
Producer: Kirsty Starkey
Studio Manager: Neva Missirian
Here's an expression that describes something solving a problem.(Image: Getty)TRANSCRIPT
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Energy ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) major democracies have agreed to phase out the use of coal power by 2035, putting a critical timeline on the plans first announced last year in Dubai. Also in the programme, Ed Butler looks at the new spending cap set to apply to football teams in the English Premiere League. And, we hear about the retreat of the grocery courier firm Getir from Europe and the U.S, and the future of the sector.
It's a quarter of a century since Kosovo emerged from a brutal war, one which pitted local ethnic Albanians against Serbs. Twenty-five years on, the government in Pristina is pressing ahead with reforms that could reinforce its separation from Serbia. They include banning the use of Serb dinars and curbing the import of things like Serb medicines. Pristina says the moves are needed to curb illegality and tax-evasion. But they’ve brought widespread complaints from local Serbs who feel victimised. Is the government justified in claiming there’s a rising risk of violence, or are the restrictions themselves making this more likely?
The US secretary of state Antony Blinken says he hopes Hamas will accept what he called Israel's "extraordinarily generous" offer for a Gaza truce. Also: Premier League football clubs back plan to look at spending cap, and how long should a blockbuster film be?
After Humza Yousaf's resignation we ask who is most likely to succeed him as first minister - and what the dramatic development means for Scottish independence - and UK politics.Also on the programme:Anger in Dublin after Rishi Sunak says a rise in asylum claims in Ireland shows the UK government's Rwanda policy is working. And why are more people than ever signing up to run marathons?
Western diplomats have expressed 'cautious optimism' over a potential ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.Our Gaza reporter and an Israeli journalist tell us more about the negotiations in Cairo.We also speak to the family of one of the hostages still being held captive in Gaza and we hear about the realities of reporting from the territory.Also in the programme: women in Amsterdam win the right to 'urination equality'; and the twelve-sided Roman mystery object that has been baffling experts for centuries.(Photo: U.S.Secretary of State Antony Blinken walks to the U.S.-Arab meeting with representatives from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and the Palestinian Authority in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Credit: REUTERS / Evelyn Hockstein / Pool)
Primatologist Catherine Hobaiter has spent more of her adult life in the rain forests of Uganda, with family bands of chimpanzees, than she has with her own human family members. For more than 20 years now she has spent 6 months every year at a remote field station, getting up before dawn every day to observe and collect behavioural data on family bands of chimps as they wake up and go about their daily lives. What is she trying to find out, that has gripped her for so long? It turns out that life in a chimpanzee troupe is every bit as gripping as a soap opera. But there are many more moments of beauty, revelation and the joy of discovery, as Catherine pursues her continuing, multi-decadal quest to understand what it means to be a chimpanzee. And when Sara Dykman set out to bicycle with the monarch butterfly migration, from the mountains of central Mexico, across the USA to Canada, she didn't think about the 10,201 miles that she would cover. Coping with headwinds, heavy rain storms, and everything from dirt roads to busy highways were not the challenge for Sara though. It was seeing how little of the Monarch's only food plant, milkweed, was left for them to feed on during their amazing, multigenerational, multinational migration. However, Sara found solace in the many conservationists and backyard butterfly gardeners she met along the way, and in the 9000 schoolchildren she gave talks to en route. The most emotional part of the journey for Sara was the last three miles - arriving successfully back at the monarch's overwintering site in Mexico. Produced by Diane Hope. Credits: Monarch butterfly recordings - Robert Mackay
The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is talking up an Israeli offer to Hamas – does this mean Israel and Hamas are on the verge of a new deal to pause hostilities? We also hear about the perils of being a journalist in Gaza.Also in the programme: Spain's Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez says he'll stay on, despite allegations about his family; and Nobel prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz on competing freedoms and the dangers of neoliberalism.(IMAGE: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks at the World Economic Forum's special meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - 29 Apr 2024
CREDIT: Deepu Das/HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
It is 30 years since South Africa held its first democratic elections. Three decades on, is it hope or gloom for the 'rainbow nation'?Also did a national emergency against sexual violence set up 5 years ago, make any difference in Sierra Leone?And we meet the Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama, using cloth to wrap up the brutalist Barbican centre in London and revealing a hidden history. Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Rob Wilson, Patricia Whitehorne, Nyasha Michelle and Paul Bakibinga
Editors :Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has urged Hamas to accept what he has called Israel's "extraordinarily generous" ceasefire proposal for Gaza. Also: Following five days of speculation and corruption allegations against his wife, the Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, says he will not resign. Meanwhile in Scotland First Minister Humza Yousaf has decided to step down. Cleanup and rescue operations continue in the US state of Oklahoma after deadly tornadoes. And the daily pain and suffering of working as a journalist in Gaza. Top news and analysis from around the world.
Also, a row is brewing over a rise in asylum seekers crossing into the Republic from NI
Catherine Carr has two teenage sons and, through talking to them and to other parents of teenaged boys, she became aware that boys were experiencing confusing and often troubling messages about their role in society. Catherine decided to speak to boys directly and, in a series which is running all week on Radio 4, About the Boys features the voices of teenage boys around the country discussing topics like sex and consent, masculinity, friendship, life online and education. She joins Clare McDonnell to talk about what she has learned.Perinatal suicide, while thankfully rare, is the leading cause of maternal death in the UK. A new study from King’s College London is the first of its kind to focus on the causes. The perinatal period runs from the start of pregnancy to a year after giving birth – and the suicide rates among these women has recently risen. Clare speaks to Dr Abigail Easter, the lead researcher, and Krystal Wilkinson, who shares her own experience.This week marks 30 years since South Africa’s first democratic elections following the end of apartheid. Millions of South African’s braved long queues to take part after decades of white minority rule which denied Black people the right to vote. But will the upcoming election at the end of May see as many turn out to vote, and are women in South Africa as engaged with politics as they were 30 years ago? Clare talks to the BBC's Nomsa Maseko about her own memories of 30 years ago, and what has happened in her country since.
Wangari Mathenge used to be a high-flying corporate lawyer before turning to her first love of art. She likes to express herself through her colourful palette, large-scale figurative paintings and immersive installations of places she has lived and worked. For this In The Studio, arts journalist Anna Bailey follows Wangari as she creates her next immersive experience, a life-sized replica of her Nairobi studio, where she invited 20 female domestic workers to have a day of rest, while also painting them for a new series of work which looks at the plight of female domestic workers in Kenya. Wangari also invites listeners into her Chicago studio, where she working on the next painting in the series. But as Anna finds out, rest is not only important to the workers but to Wangari herself. Presenter and producer Anna Bailey Executive producer Andrea Kidd.
Ukraine's commander-in-chief says his troops have fallen back to new positions west of three villages where Russia has concentrated significant forces. Also: Divisions emerge in the Israeli government with ministers at odds about a potential ceasefire and hostage release deal, and we hear who has won the International Prize for Arabic Fiction.
Ministers in Israel’s government are divided over a possible ceasefire deal with Hamas, which could see the return of Israeli hostages held in Gaza. Benny Gantz, a member of the war cabinet, said the government would have no right to exist if it prevented a deal, but far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich said a ceasefire would amount to a humiliating surrender. Also on the programme: As South Africa marks 30 years since the end of apartheid, voters ask whether the ANC can still deliver on the promise of freedom and democracy; and Iranian authorities clamp down on the Egyptian hit TV series Assassins. (Picture: Benny Gantz at a march by supporters of hostages in Gaza near Beit Shemesh, Israel, March 1, 2024 Credit: REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun)
The Palestinian President says only the US can prevent an Israeli attack on Rafah. Efforts are underway to negotiate a truce between Israel and Hamas to safeguard the southern Gaza city where more than a million have fled. The US Secretary of State is meeting Arab leaders to discuss the situation. Also in the programme: South Africa's democratic credentials, 30 years after the country's first true elections; Sophie Trudeau, wife of the Canadian prime minister, on separation and survival.(Photo: A Palestinian girl at the site of an Israeli strike on a house in Rafah last week. Credit: Reuters)
Over the past twenty years, paintings from a private collection of Russian and Ukrainian modern art have been sold to museums and private collectors around the world. Paintings were sold for hundreds of thousands of pounds from the Zaks collection, as it’s known. It was said to include over 200 oil paintings of some of the most treasured Russian and Ukrainian avant-garde artists, including those by El Lissitzky, Exter, Goncharova and Popova, putting it among the largest in the world. This has caught the eye of three art detectives and the BBC’s Grigor Atanesian follows them, along with forensic experts, to discover more about the collection, what’s been happening and if the paintings are real or worthless fakes.
President Cyril Ramaphosa pays tribute to those who helped bring white minority rule to an end, but acknowledges the challenges still faced by his country. Also: Hamas releases a video showing the first proof of life of two more hostages held in Gaza, and the passenger aged 101 who was classed as being just 1 year old by an airline.
About 100 people have been detained at Northeastern University in the US city of Boston as police broke up a pro-Palestinian protest. It's the latest standoff in a wave of pro-Palestinian sit-ins at campuses around the United States.Also in the programme: A resident of Haiti tells us he wants his country to be "occupied" to stop gang violence; and celebrations in South Africa marking 30 years since the first ever free and fair election in 1994.(Photo: Police watch as pro-Palestinian students occupy a tent encampment in the grounds of Northeastern University while calling for the school to divest from Israel. Boston, USA, 26 April 2024. Credit: CJ Gunther/ EPA-EFE /REX/Shutterstock)
The deaths of 21-year-old Diane Jones and her two young children, in a house fire in October 1995 shocked the community of Merthyr Tydfil. The police originally thought it was an accident - but in the days following the fire launched a triple murder investigation after petrol was found on the carpet. Just months later, Annette was charged with triple murder, manslaughter and arson with intent to endanger life. She was found guilty with the charge of arson and sentenced to 13 years. After two-and-a-half years, her conviction was overturned - but it troubled Annette until her death in 2017. Annette’s daughter, Nicole Jacob, is delving into her mum’s story in a new podcast, Wrongly Accused: The Annette Hewins Story. We hear from the journalist and broadcaster Zeinab Badawi to discuss her first book, An African History of Africa: From the Dawn of Humanity to Independence. The book has taken her seven years to research, travelling across 30 countries. She explains how the female African leaders that shaped their countries have often been written out of history.Ashley Mullenger's life changed unexpectedly when she signed up for a fishing trip on the coast of Norfolk. In her memoir, My Fishing Life, it follows her journey from a 9-5 office job, into the overwhelmingly male fishing industry to becoming Fisherman of the Year in 2022. Rhianon Bragg spoke to Woman’s Hour back in February about her concerns for her safety regarding the imminent release of her ex-boyfriend from prison, despite the fact that a Parole Board ruled a few months earlier that such a move would not be safe. In February 2020, Gareth Wynn Jones was given an extended determinate sentence of 4.5 years in prison, with an extended licence period of five years for the crimes of stalking, false imprisonment, making threats to kill and possession of a firearm. Now two months since his release and coinciding with National Stalking Awareness Week, we hear from Rhianon and also Emily Lingley Clark of the Suzy Lamplugh Trust.At the start of the year, acclaimed opera singer Sophie Bevan MBE took to Twitter to ask if other female singers also had voice struggles around the time of their periods. This led to her discovery of premenstrual vocal syndrome, which is when hormone changes cause vocal issues. She talks about the impact this has had on her career, alongside Dr Alan Watson, specialist in the ...
South Africa is marking 30 years since its first democratic elections, but the ANC could lose its grip on power due to endemic corruption, record levels of crime and unemployment, and infrastructure problems. Also in the programme: thousands of people in Australia take to the street to demand action following a surge in violence against women; and a hole in the ozone layer is causing problems for wildlife in the Antarctic. (Photo: Supporters of the African National Congress (ANC) in Soweto, South Africa. Credit: Reuters).
How is disinformation created and spread, and how is it impacting the way journalists work? We'll look at what's going on in Latin America, Russia and Nigeria with the help of three World Service journalists: Luis Fajardo is a senior editor with BBC Monitoring, covering South American media; Olga Robinson, also with Monitoring, is a disinformation analyst specialised in Russian affairs; and Olaronke Alo is part of the Disinformation Unit in Nigeria. Produced by Alice Gioia and Caroline Ferguson (Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich)
This week, we meet one of the hundreds of ballerinas who balanced on their toes in New York to set a new world record. Also: how a generous stranger gave a kidney to a five-year-old girl. And we hear from Europe's best seagull impersonator.
April brings many changes for our money, and this programme has all you need to know.From Monday 1st, there will be higher pay for people on the various minimum wages. For the first time 21 and 22 year olds join people aged 23 and over in getting what's called the National Living Wage. It's going up to £11.44 an hour, a near 10% rise. 18 to 20 year olds get a bigger boost with minimum wage up nearly 15% to £8.60 an hour, while 16 and 17 year olds and those on apprenticeships get the largest increase of more than 21%, taking their minimum hourly pay to £6.40. On the same day, the Energy Price Cap set by the regulator Ofgem will fall reducing the typical annual bill in England, Scotland, and Wales by 12% to £1,690 per year. That is the lowest it has been for two years. So will it be worth switching suppliers for a new fixed deal?It's 25 years since the introduction of tax-free ISAs. You have just a few days to make use of this year's allowance and there are some big changes next tax year. we’ve got all you need to know.Plus, what’s changing next week for childcare, why some people need to do a meter reading, and how to save money on stamps.Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporter: Dan Whitworth
Researchers: Sandra Hardial and Jo Krasner
Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 30th March 2024)
After months of delays, US politicians agreed a $61bn aid package of military assistance for Ukraine to support their fight with Russia. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said it could save thousands of lives in the war and President Joe Biden said it would make the world safer. In this edition, host Luke Jones hears from Americans who continuously raise support of their own for the Ukraine war effort. Many have family or friends in Ukraine and their fundraising supports everything from vehicles to medical aid to art therapy.
The $6bn package comes days after a huge military aid bill was approved in Washington. Also: UN investigators have dismissed or suspended cases against four UNRWA employees accused of involvement in the October 7th Hamas-led attacks because of a lack of evidence from Israel, and King Charles is to start returning to public duties in Britain after reacting positively to treatment for cancer.
America's top diplomat and the Chinese president have held talks in Beijing as both sides seek to stabilise relations. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has warned that Washington will act if China does not stop supplying Russia with items used in its assault on Ukraine.Also, in the programme, Roger Hearing finds out how Egypt authorities dealing with the inflation and who created World biggest 3D printer.
The Foreign Office has summoned the Russian Ambassador after two British men were charged with helping Russian intelligence. We explore the potential threat of alleged interference abroad by Moscow.Also on the programme:The King is to return to some public duties - they'll be the first since it was revealed he'd been diagnosed with cancer.Pro-Palestinian demonstrations on university campuses are growing across the United States - and so is the political backlash. A Republican congressman tells us it's time to clamp down harder.And who's to blame when debris from the International Space Station crashes through your roof? We explore the growing problem of space junk.
Writer: Sarah McDonald Hughes
Director: Kim GreengrassHelen Archer…. Louiza Patikas
Henry Archer…. Blayke Darby
Lilian Bellamy…. Sunny Ormonde
Harrison Burns…. James Cartwright
Alice Carter…. Hollie Chapman
Eve Chilcott…. Juliet Aubrey
Harry Chilcott…. Jack Ashton
Joy Horville…. Jackie Lye
Ed Grundy…. Barry Farrimond
Alistair Lloyd…. Michael Lumsden
Dr Azra Malik…. Yasmin Wilde
Denise Metcalf…. Clare Perkins
Fallon Rogers…. Joanna Van Kampen
Laura…. Claire Cage
Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis present the week via topical stand-up and sketches. Starring Geoff Norcott on cynical advertising strategies, Rachel Fairburn on our nation's obsession with conspiracy theories and an original song from Rachel Parris. With voices from Jon Culshaw and Laura Shavin.The show was written by the cast with additional material from Cameron Loxdale, Tasha Dhanraj, Pravanya Pillay & Christina Riggs.Producer: Sasha Bobak
Executive Producer: Rich Morris
Production Coordinator: Caroline BarlowA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
In an interview with the BBC, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says China is “helping Russia perpetuate its aggression against Ukraine”. But is there anything the US can do to stop it?Also in the programme: large scale trials begin of the first personalised anti-cancer mRNA vaccines, given in combination with antibodies as a treatment for the skin cancer melanoma; and Denmark abolishes a public holiday - to spend more money on defence.(IMAGE: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing, China, April 26, 2024. / CREDIT: Mark Schiefelbein/Pool via REUTERS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)
Could the US Secretary’s visit to Beijing further improve the US-China relationship that still crackles with tension and suspicion? Devina Gupta speaks to Prof Henry Gao, an expert in global trade at Singapore Management University.Over to Haiti and it is day one of the new interim government there which is trying to crackdown on gang violence we speak to the boss one of the main telecom companies - about what it is like to do business in this chaos and his hopes for stability.Messaging app WhatsApp says it will leave India if it is forced to break its end-to-end encryption, that is mandated by India's 2021 Information Technology Rules.Finally – what does it mean for a female flight attendant to get a CEO position for an Asian airline company? We find out how this story made headlines in Japan.
The Chinese leader tells the visiting US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, they should work together. Mr Blinken says he raised concerns about China's support for Russia in its war against Ukraine. Also: Britain begins tests of the first personalised vaccine for melanoma skin cancer -- based on the mRNA technology used in Covid jabs. And how talking to Twain the humpback whale could help us communicate with aliens from outer space.
More than 220 civilians, including at least 56 children, were massacred by Burkina Faso's military in a single day this year. That's the allegation by Human Rights Watch. So, how did HRW reach this conclusion and what's the response from the Burkina Faso government?Also why is the DR Congo warning big tech companies, like Apple, to not use minerals from the eastern part of the country? And we meet Nigerian Afrobeats artist, Arja Starr!Presenter: Richard Kagoe
Producers: Charles Gitonga, Stefania Okereke and Bella Hassan
Technical Producer: Danny Cox
Senior Producer: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.
On the southern shores of Vietnam, whales are revered as gods of the oceans. Eliza Lomas visits whale temples and a whale cemetery, hearing about the roots and rituals of the belief. We learn how worshippers’ lives are entwined with the sea, joining a festival where whales are honoured with a ceremonial journey. With lives at sea full of risk, we hear how these sacred creatures ensure fishermen a safe return to land.
Donald Trump argues he can't be indicted under the constitution for actions while he was in office. The ruling will determine whether the former President should face trial on charges that he plotted to overturn his 2020 election defeat. Also: New York's top court overturns one of Harvey Weinstein's rape convictions -- but the disgraced Hollywood producer will remain in jail, and the British synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys are back with a new album.
The US economy grew by less than forecast in the first three months of this year but inflation gathered pace, which could delay an interest rate cut.Official figures revealed the economy expanded at an annualised rate of 1.6%, far below expectations and the growth seen in the final months of 2023.Meanwhile, inflation, which measures the pace of price rises, has increased.
The future of Scotland's First Minister hangs in the balance as he faces a vote of no-confidence next week. Humza Yousaf ended his coalition agreement with the Greens, who will vote to oust him.Also on the programme:Hollywood actor Ashley Judd, who was one of the first women to accuse Harvey Weinstein of sexual harassment, relates her dismay after his 2020 rape conviction in New York was overturned.And we speak to the astrophysicist who's using the James Webb telescope to investigate signs of life on a distant planet.
At a hearing in Washington DC, Donald Trump's lawyers have been arguing that he cannot be tried for his alleged crimes, which include conspiring to overturn the 2020 US presidential election. We ask lawyer Amy Howe what this all means for him and his political future.Also in the programme: a new transitional council is sworn in to lead Haiti amid continuing violence and chaos; and the so-called 'Pushkin plot' to steal rare books from libraries across Europe and replace them with fakes.(Photo: US Supreme Court hears Trump immunity case, Washington. Credit: SHAWN THEW/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Friday, April 13th 2029 – mark it in your calendar. That’s the day an asteroid the size of an aircraft carrier will fly past Earth, closer than some satellites. Don’t worry – it will miss, but it’ll will pass so close to Earth that it will be visible to the naked eye of 2 billion people, particularly in North Africa and Western Europe.Roland Pease this week attended the Apophis T-5 Years conference at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in the Netherlands, meeting astronomers scrambling to get missions up to the object to learn what kind of threats such asteroids might pose to us in the future and to discuss the science of planetary defence. NASA’s OSIRIS-APEX, a follow-on to OSIRIS-REx, will study the physical changes due to the gravitational forces from the Earth as it closely passes us by. But will there be an armada of spacecraft sent to monitor Apophis? The European Space Agency hope to gather support for their own mission, RAMSES.Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Jonathan BlackwellImage Credit: JPL/Caltech
Day trippers will have to pay €5 to visit the famous Italian city. The local government wants to discourage low-budget tourists who don't stay overnight in Venice. We get the latest.
Mining giant BHP has proposed a buyout of Anglo American. The $39bn deal would forge the world's biggest copper miner in times when the price for this mineral is soaring. We look into the details.
And we hear about the challenges US businesses operating in China are facing.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is on a visit to China - offering a mixture of friendliness and warnings. We assess US-China relations and ask what, if anything, this visit could change.Also in the programme: the father of a US-Canadian aid worker killed in Gaza tells us the message he'd like today’s memorial service to send to the world; and the possible dangers of yet another artificial sweetener - one that's hard to avoid if you like soft drinks, cakes or chewing gum.(MAGE: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives at the Beijing Capital International Airport, in Beijing, China, April 25, 2024 / CREDIT: Mark Schiefelbein / Pool via REUTERS)
Human Rights Watch report says children were among those killed in what it calls one of the worst army abuse incidents in Burkina Faso in nearly a decade. Also: The US Secretary of State is in Beijing as the world's largest economies try to mend their relationship - will it work? We hear mixed reactions to a new tourist tax in Venice, and how did the famous Moulin Rouge cabaret club in Paris lose the sails of its windmill?
The World Bank has suspended a multi million dollar fund to expand Ruaha National Park in Tanzania, after it received allegations of serious abuse, which the Tanzanian government denies. We'll get the details. What is cloud seeding, how does it work and can drought stricken parts of Africa benefit from it or not? And a personal testimony from someone living with disability in a South Sudan refugee camp.
The Internet Watch Foundation annual report has said that children under six are being manipulated into “disturbing” acts of sexual abuse while parents think they are playing safely on household devices. They say 2023 was “the most extreme year on record”, finding more than 275,000 webpages containing child sexual abuse with a record amount of “category A” material. IWF’s CEO Susie Hargreaves joins Anita Rani to discuss the report’s findings. Beaux Harris lost her mother, grandmother and aunt to cancers caused by the same gene mutation – called BRCA1. Two years ago, Beaux discovered she has the same BRCA1 gene mutation. Anita talks to Dany Bell from Macmillan and to Beaux about her story and how she’s now chosen to fundraise to pay for preventative treatment. Cassie Werber’s new novel Open Season features a romantic relationship between two couples who are exploring the possibilities of open relationships. It’s a world that Cassie herself in familiar with in real-life with her husband, and she joins Anita to discuss the inspiration for her book. The deaths of 21-year-old Diane Jones and her two young children, in a house fire in October 1995 shocked the community of Merthyr Tydfil. The police originally thought it was an accident - but in the days following the fire launched a triple murder investigation after petrol was found on the carpet. Just months later, Annette was charged with triple murder, manslaughter and arson with intent to endanger life. She was found guilty with the charge of arson and sentenced to 13 years. After two-and-a-half years, her conviction was overturned - but it troubled Annette until her death in 2017. Annette’s daughter, Nicole Jacob, is delving into her mum’s story in a new podcast, Wrongly Accused: The Annette Hewins Story. She joins Anita to discuss.Presented by Anita Rani
Producer: Louise Corley
Studio Engineer: Bob Nettles
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Finnish epic poem that first appeared in print in 1835 in what was then the Grand Duchy of Finland, part of the Russian Empire and until recently part of Sweden. The compiler of this epic was a doctor, Elias Lönnrot (1802-1884), who had travelled the land to hear traditional poems about mythical heroes being sung in Finnish, the language of the peasantry, and writing them down in his own order to create this landmark work. In creating The Kalevala, Lönnrot helped the Finns realise they were a distinct people apart from Sweden and Russia, who deserved their own nation state and who came to demand independence, which they won in 1917. With Riitta Valijärvi
Associate Professor in Finnish and Minority Languages at University College LondonThomas Dubois
The Halls-Bascom Professor of Scandinavian Folklore and Literature at the University of Wisconsin-MadisonAnd Daniel Abondolo
Formerly Reader in Hungarian at University College LondonProducer: Simon TillotsonReading list:Nigel Fabb, What is Poetry? Language and Memory in the Poems of the World (Cambridge University Press, 2015)Frog, Satu Grünthal, Kati Kallio and Jarkko Niemi (eds), Versification: Metrics in Practice (Finnish Literature Society, 2021)Riho Grünthal et al., ‘Drastic demographic events triggered the Uralic spread’ (Diachronica, Volume 39, Issue 4, Aug 2022)Lauri Honko (ed.), The Kalevala and the World's Traditional Epics (Finnish Literature Society, 2002)The Kalevala Heritage: Archive Recordings of Ancient Finnish Songs. Online Catalogue no. ODE8492.Mauri Kunnas, The Canine Kalevala (Otava Publishing, 1992)Kuusi, Matti, et al. (eds.), Finnish Folk Poetry: Epic (Finnish Literature Society, 1977)Elias Lönnrot (trans. John Martin Crawford), Kalevala: The Epic Poem of Finland (first published 1887; CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2017)Elias Lönnrot (trans. W. F. Kirby), Kalevala: The Land of the Heroes (first published by J.M. Dent & Sons, 1907, 2 vols.; Continuum International Publishing Group Ltd, 2000) Elias Lönnrot (trans. Francis Peabody Magoun Jr.), The Kalevala, or Poems of the Kaleva District (Harvard University Press, 1963)Elias Lönnrot (trans. Eino Friberg), The Kalevala: Epic of the Finnish People (Otava Publishing, 1988)Elias Lönnrot (trans. Keith Bosley), The Kalevala: An Epic Poem after Oral Tradition (Oxford University Press, 1989)Kirsti Mäkinen, Pirkko-Liisa Surojegin, Kaarina Brooks, An Illustrated Kalevala: Myths and Legends from Finland (Floris Books, 2020)Sami Makkonen, Kalevala: The Graphic Novel (Ablaze, 2024)Juha Y. Pentikäinen (trans. Ritva Poom), Kalevala Mythology, (Indiana University Press, 1999)Tina K. Ramnarine, Ilmatar’s Inspirations: Nationalism, Globalization and the Changing Soundscapes of Finnish Folk Music (University of Chicago Press, 2003)
Jonathan Roper ...
Sweden has a global reputation for championing high taxes and social equality, but it has more dollar billionaires, relative to its population size, than almost anywhere else on the planet. Stockholm-based journalist Maddy Savage untangles the rise of the super rich, from the country’s booming tech sector to wealth and taxation policy shifts. She also delves into the deep-rooted cultural norms which can discourage Swedes from celebrating money, and investigates the rise in impact investing, as some of Sweden’s richest business leaders plough their cash into new startups prioritizing social and environmental sustainability. A Podlit AB production.
US House speaker confronts students, calling the protests anti-Semitic and demanding they stop, while protesters fear loss of free speech. After six months of conflict in Gaza, we look at the impact on the Israeli and West Bank economies. Also: President Zelensky welcomes the long-awaited US aid package to Ukraine. We ask how likely it is to change events on the ground. Portugal's surprise mea culpa as it says it wants to take full responsibility for its involvement in the slave trade, and how easy is it to reconnect with old friends?
US President Joe Biden has signed into law a long-awaited military aid package for Ukraine. We assess how quickly the munitions will reach Ukraine - and ask how much of a game-changer they could be on the battlefield.Also on the programme:Thousands of pro-Palestinian student protesters have clashed with police across the US - as demonstrations spread to more college campuses. We're live in New York where the protests began.We speak to Britain’s first qualified astronaut in more than a decade. And politicians and trainers - is it a good look?
US President Joe Biden says Ukraine will receive more arms and equipment within the week after the US Senate approved a $60bn aid package. But what difference will this make to the people there? Also on the programme: we hear the conflicting claims about the mass graves found in Gaza; and the ‘lost’ painting of Austrian artist Gustav Klimt that has been sold at auction in Vienna.(Photo: US President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the National Security Supplemental. Credit: EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
African leaders meeting at a security summit in Nigeria says the continent needs a new plan to tackle violent extremisim. The two-day counter-terrorism summit, supported by the United Nations, was also attended by African Union Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat What are the challenges facing the continent and how can it be tackled? Also why is so little money spent on healthcare in Africa? And a plan to save the South African rhino as poaching numbers rise.
The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken travels to Beijing in an attempt to curb support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine. We look into the details. Boeing reports results after a difficult quarter, and what happens to movies once they have been taken down from streaming platforms? We find out.
US to deliver more arms to Ukraine after Congress approved multi-billion dollars aid package to Kyiv; also in the programme we look into claims of mass graves in Gaza; why have Tesla’s profit’s dropped?; and a lost Klimt painting goes on auction in Vienna.(Photo: Ukraine supporter holding American and Ukrainian flags outside Congress. Credit: Shutterstock)
America's top diplomat Anthony Blinken arrives in Shanghai amid Chinese anger over Taiwan aid. Also: Relief in Ukraine after US senate approves aid package, and how AI helped discover Plato's grave.
The broadcaster Zeinab Badawi joins Krupa Padhy to discuss her first book, An African History of Africa: From the Dawn of Humanity to Independence. The book has taken her seven years to research, travelling across 30 countries. She explains how the female African leaders that shaped their countries have often been written out of history. At the start of the year, acclaimed opera singer Sophie Bevan took to Twitter to ask if other female singers also had voice struggles around the time of their periods. This led to her discovery of premenstrual vocal syndrome, which is when hormone changes cause vocal issues. She talks about the impact this has had on her career, alongside Dr Alan Watson, specialist in the biology of performance at the University of Cardiff.Democrats in the US state of Arizona are attempting to repeal a law from 1864 that bans nearly all abortions. Also the US Supreme Court will hear arguments in an Idaho hospital case, on whether hospitals can override state abortion restrictions in order to save a mother’s life. New York Times correspondent Elizabeth Dias explains how abortion rights are shaping this year’s presidential election and which camp could benefit from the abortion debate. Presenter: Krupa Padhy
Producer: Olivia Skinner
Also, a taxi driver shares his concerns with the cycle lane on the Dublin Road in Belfast
More than half of adults don't have a Will according to new research from insurance company Canada Life. The main reason people say they haven't sorted one is that they don't think they have enough money to leave behind. So what types of Will are there and what do they mean? We'll be hearing from one man who says he was disinherited over changes to a Mirror Will. We also speak to a mother concerned about digital assets following the death of her son.Plus, what happens if you don't have a Will at all, where will your estate go?Felicity Hannah is joined by Nina Sperring, Partner at Price, Slater, Gawne solicitors and is a member of STEP, the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners which specialises in estates and Wills and Jade Gani, Chief Executive of Circe Law and a Director of The Association of Lifetime Lawyers.Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Producer: Sarah Rogers
Reporter: Neil Morrow
Editor: Jess Quayle(This episode was first broadcast at 3pm Wednesday March 27th 2024)
The former US president Donald Trump denies falsifying business records to cover up a payment to a porn actress. Also: the Israeli military has rejected accusations that its forces buried the bodies of Palestinians at a medical compound in Gaza, and at what age do we become 'old'?
From deepfakes to the fear of AI taking jobs, to the social media giants making money from abusive content, our technology dominated world is in a crisis – what are the solutions?AI researcher Kerry McInerney applies a feminist perspective to data, algorithms and intelligent machines. AI-powered tech, and generative AI in particular, pose new challenges for cybersecurity. Kerry proposes a new take on AI, looking at how it can be used on a small scale, acknowledging culture and gender, tailoring the technology for local applications rather than trying to push for global, one size fits all strategies.And in addressing corporate responsibility for Big Tech, Kerry discusses how tackling harassment online requires an understanding of the social, political and psychological dimensions of harassment, particularly of women in the wider world, as opposed to seeing this as a technical problem.Dr Kerry McInerney is a research fellow at the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence, University of Cambridge, and the AI Now Institute.This is the last of four programmes from the Oxford Literary Festival, presented by Nuala McGovern, produced by Julian Siddle.Recorded in front of an audience at Worcester College Oxford.
The UK parliament has passed the Rwanda asylum law. People arriving on small boats can have their asylum claims processed in Rwanda. When is this likely to take place and why is it of global significance?Why is Zimbabwe's newly introduced gold-backed currency already on the decline? And a strong caution about harmful chemicals found in hair relaxers.Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers:Richard Kagoe, Patricia Whitehorne, Rob Wilson, Bella Hassan and Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
The British government wants to deter migrants from crossing the English Channel illegally on small boats. We get the latest.
Greece has come a long way from the sovereign debt crisis it fell into in 2009. But challenges still remain, we hear about them.
And we take a look at Elon Musk's latest row, this time, with Australia's Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese.
A new law in Britain aims to send people arriving on small boats to Rwanda to have their asylum claims processed. The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the plan made clear that people who arrived in Britain illegally would not be able to stay. The United Nations says the bill is the wrong solution and sets a dangerous precedent. Also in the programme: What Ukrainian soldiers on the frontline think about the supply of new American weapons; and Aboriginal people reclaim spears taken from Australia by Captain Cook in 1770. We speak to one of them.(Photo: Legal challenges meant the first Rwanda flight was cancelled shortly before take-off in June 2022. Credit: Reuters)
Migrants to be sent abroad for asylum processing. Ministers say the legislation will deter small boat crossings.
Father begins legal action against BP over son's cancer death in Iraq. Voyager-1 sends readable data again from deep space. Elon Musk Sydney church stabbing video row. The US state that wants to fine homeless sleepers. UK woman races topless in the London marathon to show her mastectomy scars. Shakespeare a man of words and numbers.
An expression that describes a habit you find strange, but doesn't make you not like someone. (Image: Getty)TRANSCRIPT
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Ten Men, A Year of Casual Sex is a new book from the author Kitty Ruskin. It follows a year of her life when she attempts to embody Samantha from Sex and the City and enjoy all the advantages of being young, free and single. As she details 10 men in 10 chapters, the stories range from sexy and funny to at times deeply confronting and violent, including rape. Kitty joins Krupa Padhy to discuss.Today, the government has accepted an amendment to the Victims and Prisoners Bill they say could be a big step forward for rape victims. The amendment will help ensure extra protection for victims’ counselling notes, by raising the threshold that needs to be met for the police to ask for them. It’s something that charities like Rape Crisis and the End Violence Against Women Coalition have been campaigning for. Joining Krupa is Baroness Gabby Bertin, the Conservative peer who tabled the amendment.According to new research, people who are 65 think that old age begins just before you turn 75. However, 74-year-olds think old age starts at 77. Women think old age starts later than men do. So when are you 'old' and what does 'old' mean? Krupa speaks to Steph Daniels who re-joined her local hockey team at 75, after a 40-year gap, and has just started managing a band again.ARFID stands for Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder. Commonly underdiagnosed as picky eating, we’ll hear how the eating disorder manifests in children and what it’s like for parents. Krupa speaks to a mother, Lisa Hale, whose son has the condition and Professor Sandeep Ranote, Clinical Spokesperson for the eating disorders charity BEAT.An adaption of Muriel Spark’s novel The Girls of Slender Means is currently on at The Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh. Set in the summer of 1945, it follows the adventures of a group of young women who are caught between hope and unhappiness. As each girl grapples with what happened in the war, they begin to imagine what lies ahead of them in peacetime. Actress and writer Gabriel Quigley tells Krupa how she felt adapting the words of one of the greatest British novelists.
For three decades Armenians ruled Karabakh – literally “Black Garden” – an unrecognised statelet inside neighbouring Azerbaijan. Many saw it as the cradle of their civilisation. But as Azerbaijan retook control last autumn, the entire population fled in just a few days. It was a historic catastrophe for Armenia. But the world barely noticed. How is Armenia coping with its loss? Can 100,000 refugees rebuild their lives? And will the cycle of hatred that caused the conflict ever be broken? Grigor Atanesian reports.
Defence lawyers tell jurors in New York there was no crime and the former US president Donald Trump is "cloaked in innocence". Also: Ecuadorean police arrest fugitive gang leader, Fabricio Colón Pico, and have you see the raccoons that are on the run in the Netherlands?
An independent review of the UN's operations in Gaza says it needs to improve its neutrality. We ask the head of the review whether countries that suspended donations because of Israeli allegations should resume them. Also on the programme: US prosecutors have accused Donald Trump of a conspiracy over hush money paid to a porn actress at the start of his criminal trial in New York; and we speak to the first woman to run the London Marathon topless to deliberately show the scars from her double mastectomy. (Photo: Catherine Colonna, Chair of the Independent Review of United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. Credit: EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Professor Ben Garrod and Dr Jess French get under the skin (and blubber) of the California sea lion, to crack the key to its success both on land and at sea. Its ability to dive hundreds of meters down, keep warm in icy waters, and run on land, can all be explained through its unique internal anatomy. They are joined by zookeeper and sea lion trainer Mae Betts, who adds insight into the intelligence of these sleek marine mammals.Co-Presenters: Ben Garrod and Jess French
Executive Producer: Adrian Washbourne
Producer: Ella Hubber
Editor: Martin Smith
Production Co-ordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth
Tesla has cut its prices again in a number of major markets - including the US, China and Germany - as the electric car giant run by multi-billionaire Elon Musk faces falling sales.The move comes after it reported a sharp fall in its global vehicle deliveries in the first three months of this year.Also, Vishala Sri-Pathma finds out of why government military spending increased in all five geographical regions and why Northern Ireland and its economy are betting big on film, TV and gaming.
Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio has urged regional leaders to forge common understanding and develop strategies to address the challenges posed by Autonomous Weapons Systems. What are autonomous weapons and what sort of threat do they pose to West African countries?Also how the remains of thousands of enslaved Africans on St Helena is reconnecting this island to the rest of the world.And the Nigerian artist causing outrage with his depictions of black people. What's behind his depiction and why is he doing it?Presenter: Audrey Brown
Producers: Nyasha Michelle, Victor Sylver and Patricia Whitehorne
Technical Producer: Jonny Hall
Senior Producer: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
The Israel Defense Forces said Major General Aharon Haliva would retire once his successor was selected. Also, the UK parliament prepares to vote on a bill to send some asylum seekers to Rwanda, and thousands of Filipino and US troops begin three weeks of military exercises.
The head of Israel's military intelligence has resigned over his role in failing to stop the Hamas attacks on October the seventh. Aharon Haliva is the highest-ranking official to step down over the assault, in which about twelve hundred people were killed and more than two hundred others abducted. He said his department had not lived up to the task it was entrusted with. Also in the programme: we look at the impact of Hindu nationalism with our Newshour's correspondent Jamie Coomarasamy reporting from the city of Mathura, in Uttar Pradesh; and we hear why senior officials in Milan want to ban afterhours ice-cream. (Photo: Maj Gen Aharon Haliva (L), Gaza in December 2024 Credit: IDF)
In a bonus episode from Delhi, James Coomarasamy explores identity and politics in India as the country conducts the world’s biggest election. He’s joined by journalists Divya Arya and Rajesh Joshi.
Also, a man threatened with arrest for "being openly Jewish" during Palestinian protests
Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.
Reports say the US is planning to cut military aid to the Netzah Yehuda battalion. Speaking on the eve of the Jewish holiday of Passover, the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, warned that attacks will be stepped up against Hamas in Gaza. Also: the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, says the new US package of military aid could help Ukraine turn the tide in the war against Russia, and tens of thousands of people took part in the London Marathon.
Philip K. Dick's novella The Minority Report was famously adapted into a science fiction blockbuster by director Steven Spielberg in 2002. More than 20 years later, it is now being adapted for the stage by writer David Haig and director Max Webster. Mark Burman goes behind the scenes of this bold adaptation, as the clock ticks down to opening night.
Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa is seeking support for tough measures to tackle gang violence, including plans for armed forces to work alongside police. We hear from Quito on the day of the vote, and ask how one of the safest countries in South America ended up with the region's highest recorded murder rate. Also in the programme: the ultra-orthodox battalion of the Israeli Defence Forces that may face US sanctions; and new plans in France to revitalise the national cuisine.(Photo: People wait in line to vote in a referendum proposed by Ecuador's government in Quito, Ecuador, Credit: Jose Jacome/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Ukraine's recent lack of air defence systems has been blamed for Russian forces capturing hundreds more square kilometres of Ukrainian territory. So what difference will the aid make? We speak a defence analyst and get reaction from the capital, Kyiv.Also on the programme: Newshour’s James Coomarasamy asks if India can stick to its ambitious plans to tackle climate change and develop renewable energy sources; and we ask if the government of Sierra Leone is serious about tackling the drug, called kush, which is devastating the country’s youth?Photo: Supporters of Ukraine wave US and Ukrainian flags outside the US Capitol after the House approved aid packages to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.
Credit: JIM LO SCALZO/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
Over the past few weeks, Woman’s Hour has been telling the stories of young people, staff and parents involved in SHiFT in Greater Manchester. SHiFT is a new approach to helping young people at risk of getting into serious trouble and it is all about relationships. Skilled professionals called ‘guides’ work with teenagers for an 18-month period and they just keep showing up. Our reporter Jo Morris went out and about with the team and spoke to teenagers and a mum about the impact of this new approach.In this special podcast episode, our presenter Nuala McGovern guides you through the stories you might have missed.Presenter: Nuala McGovern Reporter: Jo Morris Producer: Erin Riley
A bonus episode from the What in the World podcast.
Korean shamans hold significant cultural importance in Korean society. They are often portrayed in Korean dramas and films, adorned in shiny and colourful traditional attire, dancing on sharp knives, summoning spirits, and banishing demons. They offer fortune telling services and perform rituals to help people with their personal issues. In South Korean media, shamans are often portrayed as deceitful characters who misuse their status to manipulate people and profit from others… but that negative image is slowly changing as young shamans are modernising their approach. They now have shrines in the busy centre of Seoul and they've become big on social media, even offering consultations online. BBC journalist Soo Min Kim has been speaking to shamans and their customers about why people go to see them and how social media is making them more accessible.
The vote comes as Ukrainian troops face a weapons shortage, with Russia continuing its attacks. We get reaction and analysis from Washington and Kyiv, where President Zelensky says it will help his troops on the battlefield. The aid is worth billions of dollars, and the Kremlin doesn't like it. Also in this podcast covering the world's top news events: Iran's ayatollahs launch a new crackdown on women; a river disaster in central Africa; why people in the Canary Islands want tourists to stay away; the arts and housing complex in central London which has been covered in cloth; why China's swimmers failed drugs tests -- but were still allowed to enter the Olympics; and the major international organisation supporting women in tech runs out of cash and closes down.
After months of wrangling, US politicians have agreed on a 60-billion-dollar aid package for war-torn Ukraine. We hear reaction from an MP for Ukraine's governing party and a former advisor to the US Republican Party.Also in the programme: the Zambian foreign minister explains why his country is seeking international aid to help deal with an unprecedented drought; and the courageous man who rescued hundreds of people during ethnic killings in the West Darfur region of Sudan.(PHOTO: Supporters of Ukraine wave US and Ukrainian flags outside the US Capitol after the House approved foreign aid packages to Ukraine. CREDIT: JIM LO SCALZO/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
This week, Ruth Wilson explains why she’s running this year’s London Marathon for an Alzheimer’s research, following in the footsteps of her father who ran the first London Marathon in 1981.Tuesday was the deadline to register to vote in the local elections on May 2nd. The most recent data suggest that 4.3 million young people in England aren’t currently registered. We hear from Sharon Gaffka, who’s supporting the Give an X campaign, that's calling on young people to get involved. A survey by the youth led charity My Life My Say also says that fewer than 1 in 6 of young women trust politicians and more than four in 10 believe their vote won’t make a difference in an election. We also hear from Rosie Campbell, Professor of Politics and Director of the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership at King’s College London, to explain the trends behind the latest data.Social media platform Meta disabled Soul Sisters Pakistan for 43 hours earlier this month due to an intellectual property violation. Soul Sisters Pakistan was set up 11 years ago by the entrepreneur and activist Kanwal Ahmed as a support system for women to discuss topics considered taboo in Pakistani society, such as sex and divorce. In the past, the group has been accused by some of promoting divorce and 'wild' behaviour. With over 300,000 members, who dub themselves soulies, In 1927 journalist Sophie Treadwell attended the sensational trial of Ruth Snyder, a New York woman accused murdering her husband. Ruth was found guilty, along with her accomplice lover Henry Judd Gray, and both were executed by electric chair in January 1928. Those events inspired Sophie Treadwell to write the play Machinal, which premiered on Broadway later that year. A recent production has just transferred from the Theatre Royal Bath to the Old Vic in London and its star, Rosie Sheehy, along with US academic Dr Jessie Ramey join Jessica to discuss the case of Ruth Snyder and why Machinal still resonates with audiences today.Professor Netta Weinstein of the University of Reading, is the co-author of a new book, Solitude: The Science and Power of Being Alone and joins us to discuss the benefits of solitude.Jing Lusi stars as DC Hana Li in ITV’s new thriller Red Eye, set on a plane flying between London and Beijing. She joins Jessica Creighton to talk about what it’s like to play a lead role ...
How do you prepare for the worst-case scenario? Juna Moon has been talking to young people in South Korea about how they perceive the threat of war in the region and how they’re planning for it. Growing up in Taiwan after the 1999 Jiji earthquake, Joy Chang has been trained on what to do in case another quake hit. So when the ground started to shake in early April, she knew exactly what to do. Plus Hernando Álvarez shares the life advice he received from Nobel Prize winner Gabriel García Márquez, and the story behind a handwritten note listing the author's favourite books.Produced by Caroline Ferguson and Alice GioiaGabriel García Márquez' list of essential classics:1. The Bible
2. One Thousand and One Nights
2 (a) Plato and Aristotle
3. The Odyssey
3 (a) The Illustrious Philosophers. Diogenes Laertius
4. Sophocles: Oedipus
5. The Twelve Caesars (Suetonius)
6. Plutarch
7. The Divine Comedy (Inferno)
8. Horace (Poetry)
9. El Cid (Ballads)
10. Amadis of Gaul
11. Don Quixote
12. Poetry: Spanish Golden Age
13. Gargantua and Pantagruel
14. Paradise Lost - Milton
15. Chroniclers of the Indies(Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich)
This week, we meet the teenager whose dancing in the rain in Nigeria brought online fame that's inspired a documentary. Also: The Mongolian Yak herders helping to make fashion sustainable. And how a four-legged tour guide is keeping visitors on the right track.
This week marks 10 years since a landmark shift in the way we could all use our pensions. Back in the Spring of 2014 the then Chancellor George Osborne announced plans for new freedoms, allowing people over the age of 55 to take 25 per cent of their pension tax-free and use the rest as they wished. What impact did that have? Hundreds of survivors of economic and physical domestic abuse have been helped by a new scheme set up by one of the UK's biggest banks. TSB's "Flee Fund" was launched just over a year ago to offer financial help to people trying to escape abusive partners. Dan Whitworth reports from Preston.There was a rare U-turn from HMRC this week. On Tuesday it announced it was planning to close its self-assessment phone helpline for six months of every year. The tax authority said it wanted people to use a chatbot and access its online services instead. Then, just over 24 hours later, HMRC changed its mind and halted those plans. It says its "listened to the feedback and is halting the helpline changes as it recognises more needs to be done to ensure all taxpayers’ needs are met, whilst also encouraging them to transition to online services.” What does that mean?Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Reporters: Dan Whitworth and Jo Krasner
Researchers: Luke Smithurst, Eimear Devlin and Sandra Hardial.(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 23rd March 2024)
The situation in the Middle East is being described as uncharted territory following strikes involving Iran and Israel. This is framed around the war between Israel and Hamas, now in its seventh month. Three people in Israel share their experiences with host James Reynolds. Avi, Lianne and Liah describe what it was like when Iran launched drones and missiles at their country and how the Hamas-led attack of 7 October continues to impact every moment of their lives.
Police say he dowsed himself in an accelerant after throwing pamphlets about conspiracy theories into the air. Also: Iran's muted response to a presumed Israeli drone attack on Friday raises hopes that tensions between the foes can be kept in check, and the American football star Jason Kelce says he's 'incredibly stupid' for losing his coveted superbowl ring...in a tank of chilli.
US lawmakers could vote on a bill that corners the app's owner ByteDance with a stark choice: to sell or be banned.
Also in the programme, the French government addresses shrinkflation concerns with a new rule that will require stores to tell customers when a product becomes smaller but its price stays the same or increases.
And we look into why sales of wine have dropped in China.
Writer: Nick Warburton
Director: David PayneKenton Archer…. Richard Attlee
Natasha Archer…. Mali Harries
Lilian Bellamy…. Sunny Ormonde
Harrison Burns…. James Cartwright
Alice Carter…. Hollie Chapman
Chris Carter…. Wilf Scolding
Harry Chilcott…. Jack Ashton
Brad Horrobin…. Taylor Uttley
Chelsea Horrobin…. Madeleine Leslay
Kate Madikane…. Perdita Avery
Dr Azra Malik…. Yasmin Wilde
Jazzer McCreary…. Ryan Kelly
Kirsty Miller…. Annabelle Dowler
Lily Pargetter…. Katie Redford
Hannah Riley…. Helen Longworth
Fallon Rogers…. Joanna Van Kampen
Oliver Sterling…. Michael Cochrane
Mick…. Martin Barrass
Ruby Cosse…. Helen Atkinson Wood
After months of delay, the US House of Representatives appears poised to hold a vote this weekend on tens of billions of dollars worth of American military aid for Ukraine and Israel. The Republicans in Congress have been holding out on this issue for many months - tying it to immigration reform - but now House leader Mike Johnson says he's determined to bring the matter to a vote.Also, Ed Butler finds out why the number of bitcoin being produced will halve and what is happening in India as its general election begins.
Iranian state media says air defence systems were activated in several cities including Isfahan and Tabriz. Also: people in India begin voting in the first round of a seven phase general election, and the four fastest finishers in Beijing's half marathon have their prizes withdrawn.
There have been heavy clashes between Amhara and Tigray in Ethiopia over disputed territory, according to reports. What's going on and how will it impact the country?Also why did the popular Nigerian preacher, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, spread anti-vaccine messages to his followers? And as the countdown to the Paris Olympics continues, can an African country host the games?Presenter: Richard Kagoe
Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Bella Hassan and Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.
Also, the Royal College of Surgeons says patients are coming to harm due to waiting lists
What if you carry an inherited surname that you feel is profoundly un-Christian? Should you keep it or change it? Robert Beckford is going through this dilemma. His surname is a slave name, a brand of ownership passed down from his enslaved African ancestors in Jamaica. Over time, Robert has grown deeply uncomfortable with the meaning of this name and now wants to find a more spiritual alternative. He embarks on a journey of self-discovery, considering whether he should change or keep his inherited name.
President William Ruto declares 3 days of national mourning. Two survivors have been taken to hospital. Also: A Palestinian bid for full membership of the UN is vetoed by the US at the Security Council, and why so many of China's major cities are sinking.
The tech giant terminates 28 staff who protested against a contract signed with the government of Israel. We get the latest.
India's Bombay Stock Exchange warns investors against a deepfake video of its chief executive officer. We find out why.
And we take a look at what is happening inside the board of LVMH now that the chairman and CEO, Bernard Arnault, has integrated two more of his children.
A black hole just discovered in our Milky Way galaxy, weighing 33 times the mass of the Sun, and dating back to near the time of the Big Bang, gives new clues to the origins of this dark astronomical mysteries. And dancing with a Sun-like star in our galactic neighbourhood, it offers a great opportunity for astronomers to take a detailed look in coming years, as astronomer Professor Gerry Gilmore of Cambridge University tells the programme. Presenter Roland Pease has headed to the lab of Professor Ludovic Orlando in Toulouse, France where they are extracting ancient DNA from horses as part of a project called “Horsepower” - to reveal how our prehistoric ancestors tamed and domesticated these powerful animals (long after cattle and sheep) and in the process helped shape the extraordinary history of the first states of China and Mongolia.
And a deep look into the mechanisms of addiction – showing how drugs of abuse, such as cocaine, hijack the neuronal pathways that had evolved to drive our innate needs such as eating and drinking. Roland hears from psychiatrist Eric J. Nestler of the Friedman Brain Institute at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, how this could one day improve addiction treatments. Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Jonathan Blackwell
Production Coordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth (Image: An artist's impression shows the orbits of the most massive stellar black hole in our galaxy, dubbed Gaia BH3, and a companion star. Credit: European Southern Observatory via Reuters)
The UN has estimated the global Cost of Corruption at some 5% of the world's Gross Domestic Product.Today our sister programme Business Daily has been looking at this - specifically through the lens of shipping, and the demands of routine bribery facing sea-farers. Many of the goods we buy and consume have at some stage reached us by cargo ship... But for the seafarers who make that happen, it’s not always an easy process. Ruth Alexander of Business Daily and The Food Chain tells more about this.Also, we hear from a very upset passenger, who's been trying to fly away from the destroyed by floods airport in Dubai. And we find out why a coalition of Nestlé shareholders is demanding to increase healthy food sales.
Talks on the Italian island of Capri also include the Middle East crisis. Also: We hear from an Israeli hostage released last year whose husband is still captive in Gaza, Germany arrests two Russian dual nationals suspected of planning sabotage attacks, and what to do about fire ants in Australia.
The United Nations received financial pledges of just over six hundred million dollars to help with Ethiopia's humanitarian crisis. It fell short of the one billion dollars the UN was seeking. Around 15 million people are in need of humanitarian aid in the country. Is the amount pledged enough and how will the funds be distributed?Also why is gambling on the rise on the continent, attracting young people? And why is South Africa installing the continent's biggest battery and how will it work?Presenter: Richard Kagoe
Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya and Charles Gitonga
Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa
Senior Producer: Karnie Sharp
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Ruth Wilson explains why she’s running this year’s London marathon for an Alzheimer’s charity, following in the footsteps of her Father who ran the first London marathon in 1981. Ashley Storrie is the star and co-creator of a brand new BBC comedy series called Dinosaur. It centres around Nina, whose sister has just announced she’s getting married to someone she’s known for six weeks. Ashley joins Jessica to talk about why it was important to her to play an autistic woman, as she is autistic herself, and how writing the series is her dream job.During the Women's Rugby Six Nations, the Welsh Rugby Union is using a new technique to assess the impact a player's periods can have when they suffer a concussion. It's the first time data on concussion and periods has been gathered collectively and the hope is it'll help players adapt their training if necessary. Jo Perkins, Head Physio of the Welsh women's squad explains the research. And can sewing improve your mental health? Following Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s interview on Woman’s Hour about how sewing helped her while she was imprisoned, Jessica Crighton hears from other keen sewers about the impact it’s had on their lives.Presenter: Jessica Creighton
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the last pagan ruler of the Roman Empire. Fifty years after Constantine the Great converted to Christianity and introduced a policy of tolerating the faith across the empire, Julian (c.331 - 363 AD) aimed to promote paganism instead, branding Constantine the worst of all his predecessors. Julian was a philosopher-emperor in the mould of Marcus Aurelius and was noted in his lifetime for his letters and his satires, and it was his surprising success as a general in his youth in Gaul that had propelled him to power barely twenty years after a rival had slaughtered his family. Julian's pagan mission and his life were brought to a sudden end while on campaign against the Sasanian Empire in the east, but he left so much written evidence of his ideas that he remains one of the most intriguing of all the Roman emperors and a hero to the humanists of the Enlightenment. With James Corke-Webster
Reader in Classics, History and Liberal Arts at King’s College, LondonLea Niccolai
Assistant Professor in Classics at the University of Cambridge and Fellow and Director of Studies in Classics, Trinity College And Shaun Tougher
Professor of Late Roman and Byzantine History at Cardiff UniversityProducer: Simon TillotsonReading list:Polymnia Athanassiadi, Julian: An Intellectual Biography (first published 1981; Routledge, 2014)Nicholas Baker-Brian and Shaun Tougher (eds.), Emperor and Author: The Writings of Julian the Apostate (Classical Press of Wales, 2012)Nicholas Baker-Brian and Shaun Tougher (eds.), The Sons of Constantine, AD 337-361: In the Shadows of Constantine and Julian, (Palgrave Macmillan, 2020)G.W. Bowersock, Julian the Apostate (first published 1978; Harvard University Press, 1997)Susanna Elm, Sons of Hellenism, Fathers of the Church: Emperor Julian, Gregory of Nazianzus, and the Vision of Rome (University of California Press, 2012)Ari Finkelstein, The Specter of the Jews: Emperor Julian and the Rhetoric of Ethnicity in Syrian Antioch (University of California Press, 2018)David Neal Greenwood, Julian and Christianity: Revisiting the Constantinian Revolution (Cornell University Press, 2021)Lea Niccolai, Christianity, Philosophy, and Roman Power: Constantine, Julian, and the Bishops on Exegesis and Empire (Cambridge University Press, 2023)Stefan Rebenich and Hans-Ulrich Wiemer (eds), A Companion to Julian the Apostate (Brill, 2020)Rowland Smith, Julian’s Gods: Religion and Philosophy in the Thought and Action of Julian the Apostate (Routledge, 1995)H.C. Teitler, The Last Pagan Emperor: Julian the Apostate and the War against Christianity (Oxford University Press, 2017)Shaun Tougher, Julian the Apostate (Edinburgh University Press, 2007)W. C. Wright, ...
An eight-year-old girl holds two cards in her hand. She places several plastic poker chips into the middle of the dining room table and makes a bet. Science writer Alex O’Brien has been teaching her daughter how to play poker for three years. She believes that the game will give her daughter important life lessons for the future - critical thinking skills, empowerment, controlling emotions and understanding psychology, probability and risk. But when the game is associated with casinos, gambling and men (95% of players are male), not every one agrees with her decision - including poker players.
An eight-year-old girl holds two cards in her hand. She places several plastic poker chips into the middle of the dining room table and makes a bet. Science writer Alex O’Brien has been teaching her daughter how to play poker for three years. She believes that the game will give her daughter important life lessons for the future - critical thinking skills, empowerment, controlling emotions and understanding psychology, probability and risk. But when the game is associated with casinos, gambling and men (95% of players are male), not every one agrees with her decision - including poker players.
The vote on the 95 billion dollar bill is set for Saturday and includes more military funding for Israel, as well as humanitarian aid for Gaza. Also: Israel says it will make its own decision amid calls for restraint in the wake of Iran's unprecedented attack at the weekend, and could 2 fossilised jawbones found in southern England be from the biggest marine reptile ever to have lived?
A Boeing engineer has told US lawmakers that he was harassed and threatened after he raised concerns about the safety of the company's planes. We hear from engineers and their claims.President Biden is set to call for a tripling of US tariffs on steel and aluminium. His demand for tariff hikes comes as he tackles fraught relations with China.Should players be excluded from betting on a game? The jury’s out for one NBA player who was given a lifetime ban by the NBA for breaching gambling rules.
worrying reports for Donald Trump's campaign of what may be an impending cash shortfall. The Financial Times has calculated that he's raised $75mn less for his presidential bid than Joe Biden in recent months, and has 270,000 fewer unique donors than he had at the same stage of his White House run four years ago.So what difference does money make when it comes to winning US elections?Also, Ed Butler finds out why German sportswear giant Adidas hits huge profits from sales its Yeezy collection and what will be the cost of reconstruction of the Copenhagen's 17th-century old Stock Exchange.
The USAid Mission Director to Liberia Jim Wright has alleged that around 90% of pharmacies in the country are selling stolen medicine, donated by aid organisations. What's going on? Cattle rustling and banditry in northern Kenya is on the increase. What can be done to prevent this from happening? And a group of women accused of booing the Zimbabwean First Lady, Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, have been freed. We hear from the lawyer who represented them in court. Presenter:Richard Kagoe
Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Daniel Dadzie, Bella Hassan, Nyasha Michelle and Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
President Zelensky calls for more air defences after a missile attack kills at least 14. He described the attack in Chernihiv, which destroyed an eight-story building and damaged a hospital, as Russian terror. Also: A BBC investigation uncovers the death of more than 50,000 Russians in the war, and a controversial emoji forces Apple to update its software. All this and more in the podcast with the top news stories from around the world - from the BBC World Service.
Nat Sciver-Brunt is the first English woman to be honored as Wisden's leading cricketer in the world. She joins Jesscia Creighton to discuss the accolade and her career in the sport. A self-described hypochrondriac, the author Caroline Crampton's new book A Body of Glass is a personal memoir and history of this elusive conditon. Beginning in the age of Hippocrates she joins Jessica to discuss the gendered history of this outdated term and her realtionship with it. The actor Sian Brooke returns as Grace Ellis for the second series of Blue Lights on BBC One. She joins Jessica to talk about the role, and what she's learnt from diving into the world of policing in Belfast. Social media platform Meta disabled Soul Sisters Pakistan for 43 hours earlier this month due to an intellectual property violation. Soul Sisters Pakistan was set up 11 years ago by the entrepreneur and activist Kanwal Ahmed as a support system for women to discuss topics considered taboo in Pakistani society, such as sex and divorce. In the past, the group has been accused by some of promoting divorce and 'wild' behavior. With over 300,000 members, who dub themselves soulies, she joins Jessica to discuss.Presenter: Jessica Creighton
Producer: Dianne McGregor
Mortgage customers face rising rates, vanishing deals and latest figures have shown more people are struggling to keep up with their repayments. Mortgage arrears, hit a seven-year high in the final quarter of 2023. So what can you do if that's you? Felicity Hannah is joined by Charlotte Harrison of Skipton Building Society, Sally Mitchell from the Mortgage Mum, and Richard Lane from the debt charity Step Change - to discuss what's going on in the mortgage market and what you need to know.Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Reporter: Dan Whitworth
Producer: Neil Morrow
Editor: Jess Quayle(First broadcast 3pm Wednesday 20th March, 2024)
All aid for Gaza is subject to strict Israeli security checks. The UN is also calling on Israel to do more to stop the escalating violence in the West Bank. Also: Belgian police told to shut down meeting of right-wing European politicians in Brussels, and is France's culinary reputation in decline?
Could going vegan help feed the world and save the planet? While industry and energy production are often singled out as the main drivers of climate change, the global meat production industry is a bigger polluter. Veganism advocate Gary Francione and nutritionist Dr Ron Weiss join Nuala McGovern to discuss the pros and cons of veganism. While it might make sense from an ethical and climate change perspective, it is a massive cultural leap for many. We ask whether veganism could really be useful in places where food might not be readily available. And answer concerns over whether a non-meat diet can provide adequate nutrition.
Economic growth in the US will be stronger than expected – but what does this mean for small businesses? We hear from an American business owner about the impact of an economic boom coinciding inflation.Also, a UK legislation to ban cigarette sales leads to questions being raised on how tax duty for those specific sales will be recovered. Plus, is the return of investment ever worth anything for countries hosting global events? It has been estimated that in preparation for the Olympic games France has spent 9 billion euros and forcing additional contributions from the government – but is the investment worth it?
The global economy is set to grow 3.2% this year, slightly more than previously expected, according to the International Monetary Fund. It’s optimistic assessment in today's keenly awaited Global Growth forecast, suggests the world is heading for a soft landing rather than a crash over the next few months. Ed Butler talks to a former deputy director of the IMF.He also finds out what matters to young Indian voters as the country’s election gets closer, and talks to a Kenyan doctor about why he’s been joining the strikes for a month.
Chad's interim President Mahamat Idriss Déby has begun campaigning ahead of the country's next presidential election, which is just three weeks away. He faces nine other candidates, including the junta-appointed Prime Minister Succès Masra. President Deby has pledged to strengthen security and guarantee Chad's peace and stability. Will he keep his promises? Also a look at Russia's growing influence in the Sahel as Russian troops arrive in Niger.And how African youth are thinking about future investments.
As Israel's war cabinet meets to decide how to respond to Iran's drone attack, its allies urge restraint. Also: fighting continues in Gaza, and Copenhagen's iconic stock exchange is engulfed by fire.
Deborah Snyder has produced some of the biggest blockbusters and action franchises in the last decade including Wonder Woman, 300 and Watchmen. Her newest work, Rebel Moon - Part Two: The Scargiver arrives on Netflix this week. It's the second instalment of the Rebel Moon series, a space opera set in a fictional galaxy with a female protagonist. Deborah produced it alongside her husband and long-term creative collaborator, director Zack Snyder. She joins Jessica Creighton live in the studio.A proposed new UK tournament for women's tennis at The Queen's Club in London is facing a set-back. They need to convince the men's professional tennis circuit that they won't damage the grass for the men's tournament at the same club the following week. The week-long women's event would be staged for the first time in 2025, and would replace Eastbourne as the only Women's Tennis Association 500 event, taking place in the UK in the run-up to Wimbledon. Jess speaks to tennis broadcaster Catherine Whitaker to discuss.Today is the deadline to register to vote in the local elections on May 2nd. The most recent data suggest that 4.3 million young people in England aren’t currently registered. Jessica speaks to Sharon Gaffka, who’s supporting the Give an X campaign, calling on young people to get involved. A survey by the youth led charity My Life My Say also says that fewer than 1 in 6 of young women trust politicians and more than four in 10 believe their vote won’t make a difference in an election. Also joining Jessica is Rosie Campbell, Professor of Politics and Director of the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership at King’s College London, to explain the trends behind the latest data.In 1927 journalist Sophie Treadwell attended the sensational trial of Ruth Snyder, a New York woman accused murdering her husband. Ruth was found guilty, along with her accomplice lover Henry Judd Gray, and both were executed by electric chair in January 1928. Those events inspired Sophie Treadwell to write the play Machinal, which premiered on Broadway later that year. A recent production has just transferred from the Theatre Royal Bath to the Old Vic in London and its star, Rosie Sheehy, along with US academic Dr Jessie Ramey join Jessica to discuss the case of Ruth Snyder and why Machinal still resonates with audiences today.
An expression about exaggerating or praising someone too much.(Image: Getty)TRANSCRIPT
Find a full transcript for this episode and more programmes to help you with your English at:
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The former US president Donald Trump denies trying to disguise a hush money payment to an adult film star in 2016. Also: donors pledge more than $2bn in aid for Sudan, and record ocean temperatures have caused the mass bleaching of coral across large parts of the world's seas.
Reggaeton’s the soundtrack to Puerto Rico. The globally popular music reflects what’s going on in the cultural and political scene of the Spanish-speaking Caribbean Island.It started out as underground music in marginalised communities but was criticised for allegedly promoting violence and being too sexually explicit. Reggaeton has since been used as an anthem to overthrow a local governor and a way to criticise the island’s complex relationship with the United States. It’s also evolved from misogynist roots to reach new audiences in the LGBTQ community. Jane Chambers travels to Puerto Rico to meet the people and hear the music which is both maligned and revered.
Redundancies are expected after Tesla announces it will lay off more than 10% of its global vehicle workforce.Also how has a rise in consumer spend affected America’s economy which is grappling with inflation?Plus, the truth behind truth social continues as we look how Trump Media shares have been falling. And finally, is America’s immigration system broken? Our reporter Erin Delmore has been looking at the political and bureaucratic issues adding to America's labour shortage.
The tiny sap-sucking aphid, at just a few millimetres long, is the scourge of many gardeners and crop-growers worldwide, spreading astonishingly rapidly and inflicting huge damage as it seeks to outwit many host plants’ natural defences. With insights and guidance from aphid expert George Seddon-Roberts at the John Innes Centre, Norwich, some delicate dissecting tools, and a state of the art microscope, Professor Ben Garrod and Dr Jess French delve inside this herbivorous insect to unravel the anatomy and physiology that’s secured its extraordinary reproductive success, whilst offering new clues as to how we could curtail its damaging impact in the future.Co-Presenters: Ben Garrod and Jess French
Executive Producer: Adrian Washbourne
Producer: Ella Hubber
Editor: Martin Smith
Production Co-ordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth
Israel's economy is struggling in the wake of conflict with Hamas in Gaza. We hear from a start-up in the EV sector how tensions between Iran and Israel will affect businesses.Also, presenter Will Bain, looks at why Tesla is set to lay off more than 10% of its global electric vehicle workforce. And how Japan’s biggest brewer Asahi plans to expand its production of zero and low-alcohol drinks.
France is hosting an international conference on Sudan, one year after war broke out. It says, it's seeking much needed aid and attention. Observers say the Sudan crisis has been pushed out of the global conversation due to other ongoing conflicts. Will the conference make a difference? Why has Mali banned political activity and curtailed media freedoms?And cartoonist and satirist Jim Spire Ssentongo on the dangers and challenges of holding authority to account.Presenter: Richard Kagoe
Producers: Patricia Whitehorne, Yvette Twagiramariya, Bella Hassan and Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
Almost nine million people have been displaced and the UN is warning of looming famine. Also: Israel is still considering its response to Iran's attack at the weekend, and China investigates whether three African runners allowed a Chinese competitor to win a key race.
A bonus episode from The Global Story podcast.
Israel says 99% of the missiles and drones fired by Iran on Saturday night were intercepted without hitting their targets. Iran said the assault was in response to a deadly attack on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Syria two weeks ago. Now all eyes are on how Israel will respond to Iran's unprecedented move. James Reynolds talks to the BBC’s Chief International Correspondent, Lyse Doucet, who says the attack marks “a whole new chapter” in the relations between Iran and Israel. James is also joined by the BBC’s security correspondent Gordon Corera, and Siavash Ardalan from BBC Persian, to discuss how the players at the centre of this confrontation might decide their next move. The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. We’re keen to hear from you, wherever you are in the world. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell #TheGlobalStory. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com You can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480. The Global Story is part of the BBC News Podcasts family. The team that makes The Global Story also makes several other podcasts, such as Americast and Ukrainecast, which cover US news and the war in Ukraine. If you enjoy The Global Story, then we think that you will enjoy some of our other podcasts too. To find them, simply search on your favourite podcast app. This episode was made by Richard Moran. The technical producer was Annie Smith. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Sam Bonham.
Also, survivor of the Kingsmill Massacre says he has a duty to seek justice for friends
Australian police investigating the fatal stabbing of six people at the crowded shopping centre in Bondi Junction, Sydney say they're looking into whether the attacker deliberately targeted women. Joel Cauchi killed five women - and a male security guard who tried to intervene - before he was shot dead by police. Eight of the twelve injured who went to hospital, including a baby, are also female. To find out more Jessicax Creighton is joined by BBC Australia correspondent Katy Watson based in Sydney.Jing Lusi stars as DC Hana Li in ITV’s new thriller Red Eye, set on a plane flying between London and Beijing. She joins Jessica Creighton to talk about what it’s like to play a lead role for the first time, and how important it is to see British East Asian women as the main protagonist.Ten years ago 276 Nigerian school girls were abducted by the Islamist group Boko Haram from their school in Chibok, a town in the north-east of Nigeria. A decade later, dozens of the girls are still missing and kidnappings are once again on the rise in Nigeria. Jessica is joined from Lagos by BBC Africa Senior reporter Yemisi Adegoke.2024 marks the centenary of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. First written by British feminists, it was adopted by the League of Nations in 1924. Today we know it as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Dr Emily Baughan, Senior Lecturer in Modern History at the University of Sheffield explains the role women played in its creation. Plus, Danielle Scott, Assistant Vice Principal at Green Gates Academy, explains how the rights are still being used in schools today.A real life experience of a mugging in New York inspired Imogen Wade to write a poem which has just won the National Poetry Competition, coming first out of 19000 entries. She joins Jessica to share her poem and, as a counsellor, to explain how the act of writing helped her to process the experience.Presenter: Jessica Creighton
Producer: Louise Corley
Studio Engineer: Donald MacDonald
Finn and Alice look at a very important part of word building – suffixes.FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE:
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The UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, was speaking at a Security Council emergency meeting on Iran's missile and drone attacks on Israel. Also: Haiti's main political parties urge the outgoing prime minister, Ariel Henry, to speed up the installation of a new transitional council, and the teenager with a memory like an encyclopedia..
Danish landscape architect Helle Nebelong is a pioneer of the natural playground movement. Natural playgrounds are made of natural materials, rather than plastics, but they also encourage creativity and independence rather than rule-based games.
In The Studio follows Helle as she faces her biggest challenge yet - designing one of America's largest natural playgrounds, at Colene Hoose School in Normal, Illinois.
Israel says it intercepted vast majority of missiles and drones fired by Iran. Iran said the attack "achieved all its objectives". President Biden to discuss diplomatic response with other G7 leaders amid international calls for restraint. The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting later.
The Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his military was "ready for any scenario". Sirens were heard as Israel's air defences came into operation.
Dr Zoe Williams talks to researchers and clinicians around the world as she investigates how and why the care of women has been so neglected, and what moves are afoot to change that. She examines the historical inequalities in the diagnosis and treatment of women, particularly in the area of heart disease. There is an abiding myth that men are much more likely to suffer heart attacks than women, but heart disease is the number one killer of women in the US, and the British Heart Foundation estimates that nearly 10,000 British women would still be alive over the last decade alone had they received the same quality of care as men. This is a global problem. Dr Zoe Williams is a general practitioner in the NHS. She's also the resident doctor on ITV's This Morning and a regular expert on the BBC's The One Show. Producer: Alison Vernon-Smith Executive producer: Susan Marling
This week, it was announced that 883 actors, writers, comedians and creatives had signed an open letter in support of Francesca Amewudah-Rivers, the star in a new production of Romeo & Juliet, due to run in London's West End next month. The open letter came after a statement was published by the Jamie Lloyd Company, "Following the announcement of our Romeo & Juliet cast, there has been a barrage of deplorable racial abuse online directed towards a member of our company..." It was co-authored by actor Susan Wokoma who told us about the open letter.We hear from the new head of British Vogue Chioma Nnadi, a London born, fashion journalist, podcaster and the first black woman to lead the title.We hear the stories of women living in a women’s refuge in London.Do you remember our segment on female psychopaths? We hear from one woman who has been officially diagnosed with the condition, M.E Thomas.The pioneering feminist, journalist and activist Gloria Steinem made a name for herself in the 1960s and 70s through her journalism, which included going undercover at the New York Playboy Club to expose exploitative working conditions. She co-founded the Women's Action Alliance and in 1972 she co-founded Ms Magazine, putting conversations about gender equality, reproductive rights and social justice in the spotlight, and bringing the issues of the women's rights movement into the mainstream. Gloria has just celebrated her 90th birthday and tells us about the current state of reproductive rights in the US, the importance of community and hosting her own women's talking circle.Could we be happier and more successful if we acted like toddlers? Dr Hasan Merali, Paediatric emergency medicine physician, Associate Professor at McMaster University and author of Sleep Well, Take Risks, Squish the Peas, tells us what we can learn about self-improvement from toddlers.And we have music from the singer songwriter Rebecca Ferguson.Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Rabeka Nurmahomed
What is it like to work in Jerusalem right now? BBC journalist Shaina Oppenheimer shares her experience of living in Israel and monitoring the conflicting narratives published on Israeli and Palestinian media. Plus, BBC Mundo's Alicia Hernandez explains why Equatorial Guinea is the only African country which has Spanish as one of its official languages and shares the unusual local Spanish words she discovered.Produced by Caroline Ferguson and Alice Gioia
This week, we meet the 105 year-old man celebrating his thirteenth total solar eclipse. Also: The AI technology giving back a voice to the voiceless. And our intrepid reporter goes in search of the crookie.
The number of people falling victim to fraud involving cryptocurrency has more than doubled between 2020 and 2023 according to Action Fraud. The value of such fraud has also increased. Our reporter Dan Whitworth has met one such victim, an 86 year old in South Wales who lost over £70,000. Following a Money Box investigation she's now had her lost life savings refunded.
We've been reporting on difficulties people are having moving from working tax credits to Universal Credit. We hear from a listener who runs an annual skinny dipping event to raise money for charity, she's been told by her work coach that all her fundraising will be considered personal income for the purposes of Universal Credit.
In a week that some lenders increase interest rates, figures from the Bank of England show an increase in arrears on mortgage accounts. We hear how people are coping with their mortgage costs and what you can do if you're struggling to pay them. Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporter: Dan Whitworth
Researchers: Sandra Hardial and Jo Krasner
Editor: Beatrice Pickup(First broadcast Saturday 16th March 2024)
Sudan has experienced a year of civil war. It’s been described by the United Nations as “one of the worst humanitarian nightmares in recent history”. Over the past 12 months, we’ve heard from people in Sudan living through the violence and destruction. More than 14,000 people have died and more than 8 million people have been driven from their homes . In this edition, with Luke Jones and James Reynolds, we hear from Omnia, a recent college graduate, whose been separated from her family for a year. Her life stopped when the fighting began: “I have experienced displacement four times. I have experienced living in a war zone under bombings and shellings and mass shootings. Life has changed completely from what it was. But I would also say it’s a year of resilience and strength that I did not know I had in me.” Another of our guests is Samreen. She is an aid worker in Sudan, herself displaced by the war. She describes how overwhelmed she can be by requests for help: ”Knowing that you’re an aid worker, they ask you for stuff, they ask you to flee the country, they ask you to get to other safer locations, they ask you to help them in asylum seeking and there’s so little that we can do.” A Boffin Media production in partnership with the BBC OS team.
A nine-member political body, tasked with filling the leadership vacuum in Haiti, has been created although their names have not been made public. Also: the US says Iran could attack Israel with drones and missiles within hours, and a Norwegian minister resigns over plagiarism claims.
The interior ministry of Morocco says nearly two-thousand five hundred people have died following Friday's earthquake. Rescue teams are still battling to find survivors trapped in the rubble. We look at the economic impact on the country.
The EU is considering scrapping plans to impose regulations designed to improve animal welfare in the farming industry, over concerns about the impact it could have on food inflation.
Lab-grown meat can be labelled kosher and halal as long as its cells are derived in methods compliant with religious standards, according to two panels of experts commissioned by the industry.
The number of people killed in Friday's powerful earthquake in Morocco has risen to more than two thousand people, the interior ministry says. With a magnitude of 6.8, the earthquake which hit central Morocco is the biggest the area has seen since before 1900.
We explore the impact of military rule in Guinea two years after the fall of former President Alpha Conde.
And we hear how a British-Nigerian performance artist is using opera to reconnect with her Pidgin-speaking roots.
Rescue teams are still battling to find survivors trapped in the rubble following Friday's earthquake in Morocco. Heavy lifting equipment can't get through roads blocked by boulders, so villagers have been forced to dig with their hands through the debris from collapsed buildings.
Also in the programme: it is 50 years since the Chilean president Salvador Allende was overthrown by General Pinochet - we hear from someone who saw the coup unfold, and a man has been arrested in the UK for allegedly spying on behalf of China.
(Photo: Some are trying to salvage what they can, including here in a hamlet on the outskirts of Talaat N'Yaaqoub. Credit: Reuters)
The death toll continues to rise in the aftermath of Morocco's worst earthquake for more than half a century. Also: We hear from residents in war-torn Sudan, and the toxic culture of British ballet is exposed.
Millie Bobby Brown is a 19-year-old actress best known for her award-nominated performance as Eleven in Stranger Things, and for producing and starring in Enola Holmes. Now she has written a debut novel, Nineteen Steps, based on her grandmother’s life in the East End of London during the Second World War. She joins Nuala to talk about why she wanted to write the novel and why it’s so personal for her.
In recent months there’s been increasing momentum for what has been called Martha’s rule which would give patients the power to get an automatic second medical opinion from other experts. This comes after the death of 13-year-old Martha Mills who died in hospital. An inquest concluded that her death had been preventable. So what difference could Martha’s Rule make to how much say patients have to question the decisions made by doctors? Paediatrician and health campaigner Dr Guddi Singh wants to empower people so that medical care works in their best interests and joins Nuala.
Three quarters of police officers and staff accused of violence against women are not suspended by their force. That’s according to a joint investigation by the Independent newspaper and Refuge Charity. Nuala is joined by Ellie Butt, Head of Policy at Refuge.
Mercury Prize Winning Musician Arlo Parks has turned her hand to poetry with her debut book, The Magic Border. It combines original poetry, song lyrics and images and she joins Nuala for an interview and live reading of one of the poems.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Emma Pearce
Opener 00:00
Martha’s Rule 01:23
Police accused of violence against women 12:50
Millie Bobby Brown 23:49
Arlo Parks 42:48
Luis Rubiales resigns for kissing Spain's team captain Jenni Hermoso after they won the Women's World Cup. Also: Morocco faces a race against time to save survivors in earthquake rubble, and the magical sounds of a primeval European forest.
Eimer Ni Mhaoldomhnaigh is one of Ireland's leading screen costume designers - working on such productions as The Wind That Shakes The Barley, Jimmy's Hall and the recent, multi award-winning The Banshees of Inisherin. For many years she has also been compiling a collection of iconic items seen on the Irish screen. Eimer has been involved in the photographing of each item to museum standard, allowing the entire collection to be available online for anybody across the world to access, free. We follow Eimer as she oversees the meticulous photographing of her applauded and distinctive knitwear for the Banshees of Inisherin.
Morocco is facing a race against time to save those trapped under the rubble by Friday's earthquake, as emergency services battle to supply remote mountainous areas.
The earthquake, the country's deadliest in 60 years, struck below a cluster of villages south of Marrakesh. We'll hear about trauma and heartbreak in Morocco as reports begin to emerge from the remote mountainous areas totally devastated by the earthquake.
Also in the programme: After an airstrike on a market in Khartoum kills dozens of Sudanese civilians - we speak to a medic treating the wounded; and Luis Rubiales has resigned as president of the Spanish Football Federation following criticism for kissing Spain forward Jenni Hermoso at the Women's World Cup final.
(Photo shows three mourners crying during a funeral in Moulay Brahim, Morocco. Credit: Reuters)
The Moroccan army has cleared one of the main roads to the areas worst affected by Friday's earthquake, allowing vital assistance to reach people. A landslide had blocked the road to the small town of Asni in the Atlas mountains. Video footage shows ancient hilltop villages reduced to rubble and dust by the quake. More than 2,000 people have died in the earthquake.
Also in the programme: US President Joe Biden has arrived in Vietnam's capital Hanoi to sign a partnership agreement; and we hear from the actor Louis Garrel who has been a star of French cinema for 20 years.
(Picture: People inspect a destroyed building, in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake, in the town of Amizmiz. Credit: Nacho Doce/Reuters)
Science journalist Sue Nelson shares her personal journey to better understand a condition that affects millions worldwide. Inside her autistic inner world is a cacophony of brain chatter, anxiety and sensory issues - recreated within a 360 degree soundscape - that impact her life and interactions with others. Sue, who discovered she had autism last year aged 60, meets other autistic people, researchers and clinicians to try to make sense of her late diagnosis. Those who offer their own stories and experiences include Canadian actor Mickey Rowe, the first autistic actor to play the autistic lead character in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime; award-winning science writer Dr Camilla Pang; and former teacher Pete Wharmby, who left the profession to write about his condition to help others.
Entire villages have been flattened, and families are trapped under the rubble. Also: G20 leaders have come under fire for issuing a watered-down and ambiguous statement on the war in Ukraine. Kyiv said the text was nothing to be proud of, and after days evading capture, Britain's most wanted man is back in custody.
Morocco has declared three days of national mourning for the victims of last night's earthquake. So far more than 1000 people are known to have died, with reports of entire villages being razed to the ground. We hear from eye witnesses, a relief worker and a doctor.
Also in the programme: the star conductor who opened and closed London's Prom concerts says sexism is still rife in the classical music world; and a human rights campaigner from Bahrain tells us why she's risking her freedom to try to save her father.
Photo: A room damaged by a powerful earthquake in the village of Tansghart in the Asni area, Morocco Credit: Reuters/Abdelhak Balhaki
Economic abuse was officially recognised under the Domestic Abuse Act in 2021, yet a new study from the charity Surviving Economic Abuse suggests victims are still being let down by the police and the courts. Their CEO Nicola Sharp-Jeffs joins to tell us more about their findings, alongside ITV broadcaster Ruth Dodsworth who shares her own personal experience.
On Tuesday’s programme, the Conservative MP for Don Valley, Nick Fletcher, championed the idea of a Minister for Men. He says statistics show that 75% of people taking their lives are men, that the life expectancy of men is 3.7 years lower than it is for women, that 83% of rough sleepers are men. On Wednesday we heard your views - could a Minister help tackle some of the issues many young men seem to be struggling with, such as masculinity, pornography, consent and their role in society? Could a Minister for Men also make life better for women? And could it be a way to tackle the rise of influencers such as Andrew Tate – a self-declared misogynist?
Have you ever been in a 'situationship'? It's sort of a relationship but you're not exclusive. It's the subject of the debut novel of Taylor-Dior Rumble. The Situationship is published by Merky Books and it's been termed the label's first Rom-Com.
Rebuilding My Life series: When Martine Wright was rescued from the wreckage of a bombed Tube train on what became known as 7/7, her injuries were so severe that she could not be identified. Both her legs were amputated above the knee. 18 years on, Martine speaks about her road to recovery, physically and emotionally.
Is Belfast the new city of love? Well, it’s the backdrop to new Sky Atlantic romcom The Lovers, which follows local supermarket worker Janet and her love affair with English TV presenter, Seamus O’Hannigan who has a whole other life, and a girlfriend, back in London. Roisin Gallagher, who plays Janet, talks about filming in her hometown and the changing perceptions of Northern Ireland’s capital.
Presenter; Anita Rani
Producer: Rabeka Nurmahomed
Editor: Sarah Crawley
The 6.8 magnitude quake has killed more than 800 people in Morocco.
Also on the programme, India is hosting the latest G20 summit which has just admitted the African Union as a permanent member. And we also hear from one of the organisers of Belgrade Pride, which takes place today.
(Picture: A man and a boy walk beside a ruined building in Marrakesh. Credit: Morchidi / EPA)
Our weekly collection of the happiest stories in the world. This week, the blind schoolboy who helped rebuild his school in Yemen, a new app teaching people literacy skills in the Horn of Africa. And, how Tilos has become the world's first zero-waste island.
Rising costs are having an impact on almost everyone, but that impact is very different for different sections of the economy. Rising food production costs are pushing up everyone’s grocery bills, and squeezing farmers’ profit margins. How are farms adapting to survive difficult times? Are any of them finding new ways to thrive?
Felicity Hannah travels to South Wales to meet two farmers, both running family businesses. Kevin and Sian, who, since covid, have diversified their 200 acre mixed farm into a profit making business. And Abi who works alongside her parents and uncle on a 700 acres mixed farm of dairy, sheep, arable, and beef has seen costs spiral but has long term financial solutions for her family business to thrive again.
The programme also talks to Minette Batters, president of the National Farmers’ Union which represents 47,000 farming businesses across England and Wales, to ask what does the future look like for farmers.
Series Producer Smita Patel
Editor Clare Fordham
Studio Engineer Rod Farquhar
Africa causes little damage to the climate but tends to feel the brunt of changing weather patterns. That was the debate in recent days as Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, hosted Africa’s first-ever climate summit. More than a dozen African leaders discussed the continent's increasing exposure to climate change and what that means for the environment, food supply and the economy. They also wanted to get their case together ahead of the next big climate conference, COP 28, which will be held in Dubai at the end of the year. We went around the continent to bring together some of those who are affected by climate change. We hear from farmers, environmental journalists and climate activists, with guests from Liberia, Nigeria, Gambia, Ghana, Malawi and Kenya.
In It's first 'global stocktake' the organisation warns that radical change is needed, quickly. Also: Newly released documents in the US show that a grand jury in the state of Georgia recommended many more indictments, including that of Senator Lindsey Graham, and, Ezra Collective, become the first jazz band to win the prestigious Mercury music award.
Officials at the G20 summit in Delhi say the African Union could become a member. The proposal has been backed by the US and by India, which is hosting the meeting.
Gabon's ruling junta, which seized power in a coup last week, has appointed a former opposition leader as prime minister of its transitional government. Raymond Ndong Sima tells us that the decades-long influence of the Bongo family, which ruled for decades, is not over.
Also in the programme: Elon Musk says he didn't act on a request from Kyiv to activate his Starlink satellite network to help Ukraine carry out an attack; and the challenges that faced the first American women in space.
(Picture: Gabonese Prime Minister, Raymond Ndong Sima. Credit: Getty Images)
Writer, Katie Hims
Director, Rosemary Watts
Editor, Jeremy Howe
Ben Archer ..... Ben Norris
Pip Archer ..... Daisy Badger
Ruth Archer ..... Felicity Finch
Helen Archer ..... Louiza Patikas
Henry Archer ..... Blayke Darby
Natasha Archer ..... Mali Harries
Pat Archer ..... Patricia Gallimore
Susan Carter ..... Charlotte Martin
George Grundy ..... Angus Stobie
Mia Grundy ..... Molly Pipe
Brad Horrobin ..... Taylor Uttley
Chelsea Horrobin ..... Madeleine Leslay
Tracy Horrobin ..... Susie Riddell
Stella Pryor ..... Lucy Speed
Sykesy ..... Jasper Carrott
The third of our satirical specials this summer. In a topical mash-up of prank calls, interviews and features, Dom Joly offers his mischievously surreal take on the people and stories that are hitting the week's headlines. As Dom attempts to get to the bottom of the biggest stories of the week, he challenges experts and makes calls to the wrong people about the wrong thing, often at the wrong time. Best known for Trigger Happy TV which reinvented the hidden camera format, Dom actually has a degree in politics and is a former diplomat. He once stood against Alan Clarke in the 1997 general election. So make no mistake, in Dom Joly Breaks the News, Dom’s asking serious questions about that week's actual news. He just wonders whether approaching things from a slightly different angle might give us more interesting answers. Presenter – Dom Joly Producers – Alison Vernon-Smith and Julian Mayers A Yada-Yada Audio production for BBC Radio 4
Apple's stock market valuation has fallen by almost $200bn in two days after reports that Chinese government workers have been banned from using iPhones. We take a look at the implications this might have for the firm.
Chevron workers at two of the companies' LNG facilities in Australia have begun a strike that could have global repercussions. We get the latest from our correspondent in Sydney.
And as leaders of the world's major economies gather in India to attend the G20 summit, we find out what food they'll be served.
The worst downpour in 140 years shut schools and offices, and left streets under water. Also: The UK's massive manhunt for the terror suspect who escaped prison strapped under a lorry, and what it's like to go on a night out in wartime Ukraine.
Hong Kong and southern Chinese cities are battling widespread flooding as the region endures some of its heaviest rainfall on record. On Friday, streets and subway stations were under water in Hong Kong as officials shut schools and workplaces.
The region's weather bureau said the downpour, which began on Thursday, is the biggest to hit the city in nearly 140 years.
Also in the programme: As Delhi welcomes world leaders to the G20 summit hosted in India - what does Prime Minister Narendra Modi hope to achieve? And, the new boss of a Japanese pop talent agency faces sexual abuse allegations just a day after the previous boss stepped down.
(Photo shows drainage workers assisting a driver stranded due to flooding in Hong Kong. Credit: Reuters)
We go to Gabon to get the latest on the situation in the country, after the military forced President Ali Bongo from power. The transitional authorities have held talks with dissidents jailed under Ali Bongo, and have freed some political prisoners.
An update from Kadugli in Sudan, an area that has been experiencing heavy fighting in recent weeks. Tens of thousands of people have been displaced there, as the country as a whole faces up to a dire humanitarian situation.
Plus should Africa's hopes for the rugby World Cup rest on the current champions - South Africa?
Economic abuse was officially recognised under the Domestic Abuse Act in 2021, yet a new study from the charity Surviving Economic Abuse suggests victims are still being let down by the police and the courts. Their CEO Nicola Sharp-Jeffs joins to tell us more about their findings, alongside ITV broadcaster Ruth Dodsworth who shares her own personal experience.
What would you do if you weren’t afraid? That is the question Michal Oshman is asking in her latest book. As the former Head of Company Culture at TikTok and International Leadership Development Executive at Facebook, she is no stranger to success. But Michal says that she has spent most of her life hiding anxiety and fear under this success - and uses her book to explore how we can all replace uncertainty with purpose for a better life. She joins Anita Rani to discuss.
You might have seen in the papers and online that the actress Sophie Turner and the singer Joe Jonas are getting divorced. The couple met back in 2016 on Instagram, and were married a year later. They have two daughters together, but earlier this week released a joint statement saying they have 'mutually decided to amicably end' their marriage. However, TMZ reported that a source claimed that they had very different lifestyles. Sophie Likes to party, while Jo stays at home, they reported. Olivia-Anne Cleary is a senior editor and writer who felt compelled to write an article about it for Glamour magazine, Can We Please Stop Mum Shaming. She joins Anita to discuss.
When you think of traditional barbershop singers you probably think of men. But there are just as many female acapella singing groups as male. The Ladies Association of British Barbershop Singers has around 60 clubs as members. And Mountain Harmony Chorus, the only one in Wales, wrote to Woman's Hour during Listener Week, inviting us to one of their rehearsals. We hear from our reporter Melanie Abbott who went along.
Is Belfast the new city of love? Well it’s the backdrop to new Sky Atlantic romcom, The Lovers, which follows local supermarket worker Janet and her love affair with English TV presenter, Seamus O’Hannigan who has a whole other life, and a girlfriend, back in London. Roisin Gallagher, who plays Janet, joins Anita to talk about filming in her hometown and changing perceptions of Northern Ireland’s capital.
Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Hanna Ward
Studio Manager: Bob Nettles
But the NATO chief acknowledged that at 100 metres a day, it was painfully slow. Also: Dozens are killed in an attack by Islamist militants in north-eastern Mali, and Freddie Mercury's piano sells for two million dollars at auction.
The co-working company, WeWork, is looking to renegotiate nearly all of its office leases following a significant decline in its share value since the beginning of the year. The company has 777 locations in 39 countries with long term lease obligations totalling more than $13 billion.
Thousands of Haitians had been displaced from their homes in the capital Port-au-Prince in recent weeks. With gang violence out of control in the city, one woman tells Newshour how gangs raided her neighbourhood. Seven members of her family including her mother, siblings, and eldest son have not been heard from since.
Also in the programme: Mexico's Supreme Court legalises abortion across the country; and a sexual abuse scandal rocks Japan.
(Picture: Residents gather outside a military base demanding help after fleeing Carrefour-Feuilles, Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Credit: Reuters)
In September 2012 Arctic sea ice melted to its minimum ever recorded and the German research ice breaker, Polarstern, ventured deep into the region North of Russia to record findings. It’s now retracing its steps, over a decade later, to observe how things have progressed. Autun Purser and Antje Boethius describe the journey and the importance of documenting developments in the face of climate change.
Some 75 million individuals are believed to live with Long Covid and, in order to treat the plethora of symptoms presented by patients, researchers continue to search for the root source of the condition in the hope of better prescribing broad therapeutics. Akiko Iwasaki, Professor of Immunobiology at Yale University, updates Roland on the working hypotheses.
And one year on from the Hunga Tonga eruption, where a shockwave circled the globe four times, researchers have been able to calculate the speed of the currents in the southern Pacific Ocean. BBC correspondent Jon Amos caught up with Michael Clare to hear how other South Pacific Islands can learn from the most explosive volcanic eruption in 100 years.
Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Harrison Lewis
As imports and exports fall again in China, we ask what the economic slowdown means for the rest of the world. A separate report also shows a decline in the services sector of the world's second-largest economy. Senior Bloomberg correspondent in Hong Kong Rebecca Choong Wilkins gives us her analysis. Struggling co-working company WeWork is looking to renegotiate all of its office leases around the world as it questions remain over its ability to stat in business. CEO and co-founder of flexible workspace company Industrious, Jamie Hodari. We go behind-the-scenes of the World Cup of Flowers, taking place in Manchester, England.
Nigeria's Appeal Court has rejected challenges to Bola Tinubu's narrow victory in February's presidential election. As election petitions become more common in Africa we ask how fair are election challenges.
Between July and October 2022, about 70 children in the west African nation of The Gambia died because of suspected kidney ailments allegedly caused by consumption of cough syrup made in India. A year on since the first deaths in the Gambia, we hear from the families about their shared grief and their struggle for justice.
And meet young climate change activists on the frontline pushing for more action beyond pledges following the Africa Climate Summit that took place in Nairobi.
The head of Japan's most powerful talent agency resigns over allegations that her late uncle - who founded the firm - sexually abused young men.
Julie Fujishima's departure comes a week after investigators found Johnny and Associates' founder Kitagawa abused hundreds of boys and young men over six decades.
Also in the programme: America agrees to send Ukraine tank shells made of depleted uranium; and how Italian experts are helping to repair Odesa's cathedral, which was badly damaged by a Russian missile in July.
(Photo shows the former president of Johnny and Associates, Julie Fujishima, during a press conference in Tokyo, Japan on 7 September 2023. Credit: Franck Robichon/EPA)
The niece of, Johnny Kitagawa, the agency's founder has admitted for the first time that sexual abuse happened, as far back as the 1950s. Also: The ousted president of Gabon, Ali Bongo, has been released from house arrest. We find out where he is likely to be now, and despite years of civil war - in Yemen there's a story of hope and change, and we hear from the G20 chef in Delhi.
They also voted no confidence in the Chief Operating Officer and Assistant Chief Officer
This morning the 40 year fight for redress by families who claim their children were harmed by Primodos, a pregnancy testing drug used widely in the 1960s and 1970s, returns to the House of Commons. The scientific evidence for a causal link between the drug and birth defects is highly disputed. A cross party group campaigning for the families is expecting MPs from all parties to contribute to the debate, including the former Prime Minister Theresa May. Nuala is joined by Hannah Bardell MP, co-sponsor of the debate, and Marie Lyon, Chair of the Association for Children Damaged by Hormone Pregnancy Tests.
In the last in our series Rebuilding My Life, Nuala speaks to Wiz Wharton, author of Ghost Girl, Banana. Wiz was sectioned under the Mental Health Act 24 years ago, which led to a diagnosis of bipolar. She was forced to confront her demons and work out what needed to change, including owning her identity as a British-Chinese woman and learning how to stand up to the racism she had experienced all her life.
Exclusive reporting from The Guardian this week shows that cricket umpires were paid three times more to officiate the men’s Hundred this summer than the women’s. It comes just days after the England and Wales Cricket Board announced that the women’s teams will get the same match fees as the men’s. Nuala speaks to Raf Nicholson.
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the great epic poem attributed to Homer, telling the story of an intense episode in the Trojan War. It is framed by the wrath of the Greek hero Achilles, insulted by his leader Agamemnon and withdrawing from the battle that continued to rage, only returning when his close friend Patroclus is killed by the Trojan hero Hector. Achilles turns his anger from Agamemnon to Hector and the fated destruction of Troy comes ever closer.
With
Edith Hall
Professor of Classics at King's College London
Barbara Graziosi
Professor of Classics at Princeton University
And
Paul Cartledge
A.G. Leventis Senior Research Fellow and Emeritus Professor of Greek Culture at Clare College, Cambridge
Producer: Simon Tillotson.
They've done it without using sperm, eggs or a womb. Also: The US promises another billion dollars' worth of assistance for Ukraine - including depleted uranium ammunition for battle tanks, and the Rolling Stones unveil their first new album in 18 years.
African leaders have issued a declaration proposing new taxes across the world to fund action against climate change. The Nairobi Declaration was issued at the end of the three-day Africa Climate Summit in the Kenyan capital.
Turkey pushed up its inflation forecasts and cut those of economic growth on Wednesday, as President Erdogan appeared to endorse the big interest rate hikes that are driving a turnaround toward more orthodox policies.
The European Union Commission has designated six tech giants as 'gatekeepers'. This means, Amazon, Alphabet, Apple , Meta, Microsoft and TikTok owner ByteDance, have six months to comply with tougher obligations designed to open their platforms to more competitors.
The Prime Minister is set to announce that Britain will re-join the EU's flagship science research scheme, Horizon. We get reaction from Britain's leading scientists.
Also on the programme:
A nationwide manhunt is on for a terror suspect who's escaped from MP Wandsworth. We get reaction from a former head of the UK's Counter Terrorism Security Office.
And Margaret Betts - one of the last surviving female codebreakers of Bletchley Park - has died. Her son pays tribute to his mother.
President Zelensky has condemned a "deliberate" attack on Ukraine's "peaceful city" of Kostyantynivka. According to the Ukrainian authorities, 17 people were killed and more than 30 others were injured in the missile strike on a market area in the town.
Also in the programme: scientists grow cells that closely resemble a two-week-old fertilised human embryo; and a new Rolling Stones album.
(Photo: Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba (L) speaking with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (R) during his visit to Kyiv, Ukraine, 06 September 2023. CREDIT: EPA/FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTRY HANDOUT)
With inflation up, consumer sentiment down and business activity contracting in Germany, we ask if two decades of prosperity in the European powerhouse are at an end. In a special programme, Vivienne Nunis is joined by BBC correspondent Damien McGuiness in Berlin to discuss the core issues. We hear from Thilo Brodtmann, head of Germany's largest industrial association, the VDMA. Thorsten Schmidt, CEO of Heller Machine Tools in Nürtingen gives us his view on the recent slowdown in manufacturing output.
The US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, has attended a wreath- laying ceremony at a military cemetery in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. His unannounced visit aims to underline US support, three months into Ukraine's counter- offensive.
Also on the programme: African leaders call for new global taxes to fund action on global warming; and the Rolling Stones launch their first album of new material for 18 years.
(Image: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal shake hands prior to their meeting at the Prime Minister's Office in Kyiv, Ukraine, on 6 September 2023. Credit: REUTERS/SMIALOWSKI)
Taiwan's president is visiting Eswatini. It's to mark 55 years of cooperation with her country's last African ally. Has Taipei's influence on the continent waned ?
We examine the recent spate of coups in former French colonies in Africa.
Plus do we really need vultures? Fears that the scavengers are facing extinction
It comes as two studies show that this year is likely to be the hottest in human history with alarming consequences. Also: The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, is on a surprise trip to Ukraine, and the plague of bedbugs that's taken hold in France.
On yesterday's programme, the Conservative MP for Don Valley, Nick Fletcher, championed the idea of a Minister for Men. He says statistics show that 75% of people taking their lives are men, that the life expectancy of men is 3.7 years lower than it is for women, that 83% of rough sleepers are men and that 96% of the prison population is men.
Do you agree with Nick? Could a Minister help tackle some of the issues many young men seem to be struggling with, such as masculinity, pornography, consent and their role in society? Could a minister for men also make life better for women? And could it be a way to tackle the rise of influencers such as Andrew Tate – a self-declared misogynist?
Today Nuala McGovern talks to Michael Conroy, the founder of Men at Work, which focuses on unpicking some of the social influences on the values and beliefs of boys and young men – and how some of those influences can manifest in a range of problematic behaviours.
Hear him and have your say live on air by calling Nuala. The phone lines open at 0800 on Wednesday 6 September. Call us on 03700 100 444 or you can text the programme - the number is 84844. Texts will be charged at your standard message rate. On social media we're @BBCWomansHour. And you can email us through our website.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer Lisa Jenkinson
Studio Managers: Donald McDonald and Emma Harth
Hear the marvellous sounds of Europe's last primeval forest, Białoweiza, in an immersive experience rich with all kinds of bird song and animal sounds, including that of the rare European bison. They're recorded by Polish field recordist Izabela Dłużyk.
Izabela is unusual as a young woman recordist, in a profession dominated by men - all the more so because has been blind from birth. She developed a special sensitivity to birdsong ever since her family gave her a tape recorder at the age of 12, and she at once turned its microphone towards the sky. She identifies species entirely though her ears, with an extraordinarily detailed depth of field.
Hearing the forest through Izabela’s acute ears, we venture into her world as well as that of the wilderness she loves. Recorded on location in Białoweiza, we also hear night and dawn recordings that bring all sorts of surprises to the microphone.
Produced by Monica Whitlock. Mixed by Neil Churchill
Enrique Tarrio was found guilty of seditious conspiracy and obstructing official proceedings at a Washington court last May. Also: The Spanish women's football coach is sacked amid continuing scandal over controversial kiss, and conservationists to free 2,000 rhinos from a farm in South Africa.
The cost of oil climbs above $90 a barrel for the first time in 2023. We look at the reasons and the consequences this can have in countries that are already struggling with high fuel prices like Pakistan.
A new law has taken effect in New York City that restricts short term rentals through platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO. We find out the details.
And we hear about the Belgian government's initiative to put pressure on banks to get them to raise interest rates on deposits. But will it work?
China's economic strengths and weaknesses
The UK government to designate the Wagner group as a terrorist organisation
Police Scotland to pilot not investigating some crimes
Spain's football federation has sacked Jorge Vilda, the head coach of its World-Cup-winning women's team. He was a close ally of Luis Rubiales -- the suspended president, who has been under fire for kissing the player Jenni Hermoso on the lips, she says without her consent, as the team celebrated winning the tournament.
Also on the programme: why the North Korean leader seems likely to visit Russia's far east to meet President Putin; and why the hosts of the African climate change summit are being sued for inaction.
(Picture: President Putin and Kim Jong Un in Vladivostok in 2019. Credit: REUTERS)
n the early hours of 14th June, a heavily overcrowded, rusty fishing trawler carrying as many as 750 migrants capsized off the coast of Greece. The passengers - men, women and children from countries including Pakistan, Egypt and Syria - were fleeing conflict and poverty, hoping to start safer and more prosperous lives in Europe.
After its engine broke down, the boat drifted for several hours while desperate passengers made distress calls and waited for rescue. Only 104 people survived the sinking. More than 600 may have drowned, making this one of the deadliest disasters in Europe’s ongoing migration crisis.
For Assignment, Nick Beake travels to Greece to meet survivors of the sinking, who are now living in a refugee camp outside Athens. He hears how they endured a four-day voyage, during which several passengers died due to a lack of food, water and ventilation on board. Brutal smugglers forced them to board the dangerous boat, and confiscated water bottles and life jackets to make room for extra passengers.
Many of the survivors have accused the Greek coastguard of causing the sinking by attempting to tow the heavily overloaded vessel. Greek authorities have denied these claims. Nick meets a Greek activist who volunteers for an emergency hotline that received distress calls from passengers on the ship. She explains that the June 14th disaster is not the first time the Greek coastguard has come under scrutiny, and it has previously been accused of using aggressive and illegal tactics to deter migration.
Presented by Nick Beake
Producer: Viv Jones
Studio mix: Graham Puddifoot
Series Editor: Penny Murphy
Qantas CEO Alan Joyce is stepping down two months earlier than planned, as the airline faces growing controversies. In the past two years Qantas has faced a slew of criticism for expensive airfares, mass delays and cancellations, and its treatment of workers. Labor Senator Tony Sheldon gives his reaction to the news. South Africa's economy has grown more quickly than expected in the second quarter of 2023. This is despite ongoing power outages impacting the country. An ice cream seller in Soweto tells us how he's been affected. The maker of weight-loss drug Wegovy briefly became Europe's most valuable company, after the treatment was made available in the UK.
Kim Jong Un has not left North Korea for four years. US officials believe this is part of efforts by Moscow to boost supplies of weapons for its troops in Ukraine. It's expected to happen at the end of September.
Also on the programme: the children of Lebanon who cannot afford an education and who are forced into work. And how is it even possible for two people to tunnel through the Great Wall Of China?
(Picture: President Putin and Kim Jong Un in Vladivostok in 2019. Credit: Getty Images)
The government in the Democratic Republic of Congo has said that at least 43 people were killed when soldiers broke up a demonstration against UN peacekeepers in the eastern city of Goma on Wednesday. We ask what's behind the chronic instability in the DRC?
Around 80 percent of all farms in Africa are tilled by smallholder farmers. They produce most of the food we eat on the continent - and yet they get very little recognition for what they do. We hear from Wangari Kuria, the founder of Farmer on Fire. She is challenging the leaders currently meeting in Nairobi at the first Africa Climate Summit.
And we do a deep dive on the Bongos; the family that has held power in Gabon since 1967.
The cut in rations comes amid growing alarm over shrinking aid for Afghanistan under Taliban rule. Also: Two Swedish oil company executives go on trial accused of complicity in war crimes committed in Sudan, and why the old adage ‘opposites attract’ may be the opposite of good advice for daters.
A male politician is calling for a Minister for Men. Nick Fletcher the Conservative MP for Don Valley believes that men face such serious difficulties in today’s society that they need a specific champion.
The second in our Rebuilding My life series. When Martine Wright was rescued from the wreckage of a bombed tube train on what became known as 7/7, her injuries were so severe that she could not be identified. Both her legs were amputated above the knee. 18 years on, Martine speaks to Nuala about her road to recovery, physically and emotionally.
Past Lives is the directorial debut from the New York playwright turned filmmaker, Celine Song. She tells the story of Nora and her childhood sweetheart Hae Sung who she left behind in Seoul when her family immigrated to Canada. But they reconnect years later in New York, when Nora is happily married - and grapple with what they are to each other now…and whether they missed their chance.
Do you wish you cooked more but don't know where to start? Yotam Ottolenghi called Bee Wilson 'the ultimate food scholar'. She's the author of six books on food related subjects. Now she's written her first cookbook, The Secret of Cooking: Recipes for an Easier Life in the Kitchen.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Lucinda Montefiore
Slovakia may be a small country, but its upcoming elections could have a big impact across Europe and beyond. One of the strongest supporters of Ukraine in its war against Russia, Slovakia was the first Nato country to deliver fighter jets to its eastern neighbour. But could that soon change? September’s snap elections follow the collapse of Slovakia’s staunchly pro-Western government. Leading the polls is the populist party of former Prime Minister Robert Fico. The fiercely Moscow-friendly candidate has promised to end military aid to Ukraine, if he returns to power. John Kampfner travels across Slovakia to find out why the country looks set for a dramatic political about-turn.
It's believed the North Korean leader will discuss supplying arms to Russia for use in Ukraine. Also: scientists say invasive species are responsible for the majority of plant and animal extinctions, and the search engine Google turns 25.
MPs seek amendments to the Economic Crime Bill
Did Rishi Sunak cut capital spending on England's schools when chancellor?
Google's place in the AI race
Russian president Vladimir Putin says the agreement to allow Ukrainian grain exports on the Black Sea will be revived when his demands on exporting Russian products are met. We look into the impact this is having on Ukraine's economy.
Protests against soaring electricity bills continue in Pakistan. We hear about the challenges high energy rates pose for local businesses and why the government does not have many alternatives to help bring prices down.
And we get the latest from the biannual meeting held by the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which is taking place in Indonesia.
Scientists say invasive species are responsible for the majority of plant and animal extinctions and cost the world hundreds of billions dollars a year. The UN Convention on Biodiversity said they destroy forests and crops, and cause pollution. The UN study says human activity is making the effects worse, and recommends tougher border controls.
Also on the programme: teachers strike in South Korea; and classical music performed by dogs.
(Photo: A grey squirrel sitting on a branch. CREDIT: BBC)
Dr Erica McAlister uncovers a treasure trove of remarkable insects from the humble flea whose jump enables them to fly without wings and the mystery of the hawkmoth’s tongue, whose varying length has offered the simplest and most effective proof of Charles Darwin's theory of Natural Selection in action.
As Turkey's annual rate of inflation hits 58.94% in August, we analyse the reasons why. We hear from a local business owner in Ankara about his struggles with rising energy and food costs. We also take a closer look at two other countries struggling to control inflation: Pakistan and Argentina. Residents in Spain's capital city, Madrid, are dealing with the aftermath of flash flooding over the weekend. Transport links have been affected and many businesses have been forced to close. Internet search engine Google turns 25. We find out how the company with humble beginnings turned into a tech titan.
Ukraine is to get a new defence minister - but why now in the middle of the counteroffensive against Russia? And what difference will it make?
Also in the programme: the first ever Africa Climate Conference opens in Nairobi, with a focus on finance; we hear from the new head of the UN's Green Climate Fund, set up to help developing countries. And school teachers in South Korea go on strike over bullying by parents.
(IMAGE: Rustem Umerov, chairman of Ukraine's State Property Fund and President Zelensky's choice for defence minister to replace Oleksii Reznikov / CREDIT: Getty Images)
As the first ever Africa Climate Summit begins in Nairobi, we hear from a community suing the Kenyan government over climate damage.
We look at the serious danger to human life posed by air pollution in Nigeria's commercial capital Lagos.
Plus, can Kenyan police help bring stability to Haiti?
The Kenyan president has opened Africa's first climate summit, urging fellow leaders to focus on solutions rather than who's to blame for global warming. Also: Ukraine's Defence Minister confirms he is leaving his post, and we hear from dogs performing with an orchestra in Denmark.
A BBC investigation has found that at least five women have died after family courts allowed fathers accused of abuse to apply for contact with their children. Some took their own lives, and one had a heart attack outside a court. Nuala McGovern is joined by Dr Elizabeth Dalgarno who led the research in to this.
We often talk to women about the immediate impact of traumatic life-changing events. But what happens after the dust has settled? This week on Woman’s Hour we are inviting you to listen to three women’s experiences of picking up the pieces. Claire Russell lost her fiancé Mark to suicide in 2018, and miscarried their baby a few weeks later. Claire tells Nuala about how she began to recover.
Since the conflict in Sudan erupted again in April, there have been reports of the increased use of sexual violence against women and girls. More than four million women and girls are at risk of sexual violence across Sudan, according to the World Health Organization. Nuala speaks to CNN’s Nima Elbagir and to Duaa Tariq who is in Khartoum.
How reliable is DIY fertility testing in helping you plan for a baby? A recent report in the British Medical Journal has found that some DIY tests that were sold in the UK to measure oestrogen levels may have given misleading results. The report's author, Emma Wilkinson, joins Nuala alongside Dr Ippokratis Sarris, Consultant in Reproductive Medicine and Director of King’s Fertility.
Have you ever been in a 'situationship'? It's sort of a relationship but you're not exclusive. It's the subject of the debut novel of Taylor-Dior Rumble. The Situationship is published by Merky Books and it's been termed the label's first Rom-Com. Taylor-Dior joins Nuala in the studio.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Emma Pearce
Robyn Weintraub is a leading crossword designer who writes clues and fills in cells for the New York Times, famous for its challenging daily puzzles. She also creates for the New Yorker, People Magazine and the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament. Robyn is known for her distinct style, and keen readers recognise a “Robyn Puzzle” from the quotes and sayings she uses as hints.
Tara Gadomski follows Robyn over three intense days as she constructs a new crossword puzzle from blank page to completed grid. We get a glimpse of her long word lists and her daily puzzle-writing routine, and experience Robyn’s final verification - by pencil and paper - to make sure the puzzle is satisfying for the millions of people who will try to solve it then we discover whether Robyn’s puzzle has been accepted for publication by the New York Times
The generals say Ukrainian troops have breached the first line of Russian defences in the south, near Zaporizhzhia. Also: many people killed after air strike on Sudanese capital, and Paul McCartney launches a global search for his missing Beatles' 1961 Höfner guitar.
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has said he will ask parliament to dismiss the defence minister Oleksii Reznikov this week.
In his nightly television address, Mr Zelensky said Mr Reznikov had served for 550 days during a full-scale war and now was the time for what he called "new approaches". It will be the biggest shake up at the Ukrainian defence ministry since the Russian invasion.
Also in the programme: Israel says it's considering deporting asylum seekers who were involved in clashes on the streets of Tel Aviv on Saturday; and thousands have been stranded at America's Burning Man festival as heavy rain turns the site into a mudbath.
(Photo shows Ukraine's former defence minister Oleksii Reznikov at a NATO leaders summit in Vilnius, Lithuania on 11 July 2023. Credit: Ints Kalnins/Reuters)
Thousands of protesters are expected to take to the streets to demand the withdrawal of French troops from the country. On Saturday's there was mass demonstration. The demand to expel Niger’s former colonial ruler is backed by Niger’s military regime, which seized power in a coup in July.
Also on the programme: Pope Francis’s visit to Mongolia’s tiny flock of 1,500 ends with a Mass in an ice hockey arena. Flanked by two bishops from Hong Kong, the Pope urged Chinese Catholics to not only be good Christians, but ‘good citizens’.
And the ousted president of Gabon’s surprising relationship with the Godfather of Soul, James Brown.
(IMAGE: Supporters of the military junta protest against the French military presence in Niger, Niamey, 2 September 2023 CREDIT: ISSIFOU DJIBO/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Dozens of people are reported injured in Tel Aviv as demonstrations turned violent. Also: Ukraine's tycoon Ihor Kolomoisky detained in fraud case, and US singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffet dies aged seventy-six.
Police in Israel have opened an investigation into the use of live fire by officers, during clashes in Tel Aviv between rival groups of Eritrean asylum seekers. Nearly a hundred and fifty people were injured. We hear what life is like for the community living in Tel Aviv.
The Nobel Foundation has reversed a much-criticised decision to invite Russia, Belarus and Iran to this year's awards ceremony in Stockholm. Will Oslo, which hosts the Nobel Peace Prize do the same?
And a new film about Bobi Wine, Uganda's pop star turned opposition politician - speak to his wife and one of the directors of the film.
(Photo: Police said demonstrators for and against the Eritrean regime planned to rally in different areas, but did not stick to the arrangement. Credit: Reuters)
Nicky Perfect has spent most of her life in highly fraught and dangerous situations, working as a hostage negotiator. Now she’s written about her experience in a new book: Crisis: True Stories of my Life as a Hostage Negotiator. She joins Nuala McGovern to talk about some of the things she learnt along the way.
The TV presenter Sarah Beeny has spent much of her life in the unpredictable world of property renovation. Her latest book, The Simple Life - How I found Home, is about the many homes she's lived in. While she was writing it, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Sarah speaks to Nuala about her perspective on language around cancer, and why she loves having a chaotic home.
Emma Hayes is the manager of Chelsea Women Football Club. In her time, they have won six Women’s Super League titles, five FA Cups and two League Cups. Emma joins Hayley Hassall to discuss football, motherhood, women's health, and leadership – which is the subject of her new audiobook, Kill the Unicorn.
The Pulitzer prize-winning production Next to Normal is currently on stage at the Donmar Warehouse in London. It features a suburban wife and mother living with bipolar and haunted by her past. Actor Caissie Levy, who plays Diana, and birder and environmentalist, Mya-Rose Craig, share their experiences with Nuala.
Did you hear our special Bank Holiday programme about lists? They pop up everywhere in life – and can be good, or bad. Nuala discusses some historically bad lists with authors Helen Lewis and Anne Sebba.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Lottie Garton
India has launched its first observation mission to study the Sun in the latest success for the burgeoning space power. Large crowds gathered to watch the Aditya-L1 satellite blast off from Andhra Pradesh state, with India's Space Agency later confirming the craft had successfully separated from the rocket.
Also in the programme: Nobel Foundation cancels its invitation to the Russian and Belarus ambassadors to this year's ceremony after widespread criticism; and two members of the Proud Boys militia are sentenced.
(Photo: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)'s Aditya-L1 mission payloads blasting off from a launch pad aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) XL rocket, in Kolkata, India, 02 September 2023. Credit: Piyal Adhikary/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Our weekly collection of the happiest stories in the world. This week, the extraordinary difference a pioneering stem cell treatment has made to one of its patients, the man who saved a toddler as she fell from an apartment block in Italy. And, a chance to hear our politics correspondent, Rob Watson, like you've never heard him before.
Rising costs are having an impact on almost everyone, but that impact is very different for different social groups. Is anyone managing to make a difference to their own budget, however small? Whether they be high earners or low income households, how are people taking control of their finances?
Felicity Hannah meets Peter who lives alone in a rented flat in Stoke and has a disability that prevents him from working; Hollie, a new mum, living with her fiancé in Wigan, who’s trying to juggle money while on maternity leave with the rising costs of having a small baby. And Kishan, one of many people being bitten by monthly mortgage rate hikes. He lives in London and has three mortgages; his own plus two buy to lets.
The programme also talks to Dr Gemma Tetlow Chief Economist at the Institute for Government to ask what does Peter, Hollie and Kishan’s experience tell us about the cost of living crisis across the nation. Are households surviving or thriving?
Series Producer Smita Patel
Editor Clare Fordham
Studio Engineer Rod Farquhar
The US elections for the next president are not until November 2024, but the campaigning for votes is underway. And it’s two familiar faces who seem to be the ones to beat.
Host Lukwesa Barak hears from Democrats and Republicans across the country about what they make of their choices, and also from those who feel that neither party represents them.
The members of the Pro-Trump group were convicted over the US Capitol attack in January 2021. Also: Christie's cancels sales of jewellery from the widow of a German billionaire who made his fortune during the Nazi era, And Mohamed Al Fayed - the Egyptian businessman who owned Harrods in London has died.
Mohamed Al Fayed, former Harrods owner whose son Dodi was killed alongside Diana, Princess of Wales in car crash, has died aged 94.
Born in Egypt, he built a business empire in the Middle East before moving to the UK in the 1970s.
Families have been searching mortuaries in Johannesburg a day after the fire that killed over 70 people. The cause of the fire is still unknown. Forensic investigators have been at the site, picking through the charred remains of the burnt-out structure.
Also on the programme: Anger in Sweden over the decision to invite the Russian ambassador to the Nobel award ceremony; and a relative remembers one of the Moroccan jet skiers killed by the Algerian coastguard.
(Image: A view of damaged buildings in the aftermath of a deadly fire in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 1 September 2023. Credit: Reuters/Tassiem)
Writer, Caroline Jester
Director, Dave Payne
Editor, Jeremy Howe
David Archer ….. Timothy Bentinck
Ruth Archer ….. Felicity Finch
Pip Archer ….. Daisy Badger
Neil Carter ….. Brian Hewlett
Susan Carter ….. Charlotte Martin
Rex Fairbrother ….. Nick Barber
Emma Grundy ….. Emerald O'Hanrahan
Mia Grundy ….. Molly Pipe
Brad Horrobin ….. Taylor Uttley
Chelsea Horrobin ….. Madeleine Leslay
Tracy Horrobin ….. Susie Riddell
Jazzer McCreary ….. Ryan Kelly
Stella Pryor ….. Lucy Speed
Lynda Snell ….. Carole Boyd
Oliver Sterling ….. Michael Cochrane
Hannah Riley ….. Helen Longworth
Adil Shah ….. Ronny Jhutti
Hosted by Rhys James (Mock The Week, The Now Show), ‘What Are You Talking About?’ investigates the major issues of the week before solving them perfectly forever. Rhys will be joined by a gaggle of comedy’s fastest rising stars, including Alasdair Beckett-King and Celya AB, to look at the news and ask ‘Why?’, ‘How come?’ And ‘Why though?’
Vivienne Nunis hears about a new report which says that if nothing is done to redress Africa’s huge debt burden, the consequences will be felt far outside the continent.
New rules come into force today (Friday) in the Netherlands, which could further limit the export of high-end semiconductor technology to China.
From today, rented E-scooters will no longer be seen on the streets of Paris - after residents voted overwhelmingly in favour of getting rid of them.
Many buildings in the centre of the South African city of Johannesburg, where a horrific fire has killed more than 70 people, are deemed unfit to live in. Yet these old blocks, abandoned by their owners or the city authorities, are full of families often paying rent to criminal gangs who run them. The buildings, which lack running water, toilets or a legal electricity connection, are then said to have been "hijacked". We find out what this means.
A private plane found with more than $5m in cash, fake gold, guns and ammunition on board, is at the centre of a deepening investigation in the Zambian capital, Lusaka.
The African Climate Summit will take place in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi next week, featuring speakers from Kenya’s government, the African Union and the United Nations. Will the event be just hot air or will it provide a solid plan of action?
Super-typhoon Saola prompts flight cancellations, railway closures and severe weather warnings across Hong Kong and southern mainland China; we get an update from Hong Kong and hear about the global economic importance of Guangdong, in the typhoon's path.
Also in the programme: Algerian coastguards shoot dead two tourists who strayed into Algerian waters on their jet skis from a Moroccan resort; and we report from Kashmir, where journalists say the administration is carrying out a systematic campaign of arrests and intimidation.
(IMAGE: People brave strong winds in Hong Kong, China, as Super Typhoon Saola approaches, September 1, 2023. CREDIT: Reuters / Tyrone Siu)
74-year-old had appealed for a royal pardon from the Thai king. Also: Hong Kong is hit by a massive hurricane and why some bloggers in Russia are allowed to criticise the war in Ukraine.
Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.
Aaliyah grew up a devout Muslim but now makes adult content for the online service OnlyFans. She’s often pictured wearing a hijab. Aaliyah is her stage name. She’s had death threats but believes that expressing her sexuality and making her own choices about her body are empowering. She has also had support from young Muslim women and couples. She was brought up in the UK as a Muslim and began to question her faith at the age of 12, when her parents got divorced. She says, “My work now is definitely a rebellion against my upbringing. I’m tired of being told how women should be”. Aaliyah still describes herself as Muslim, and feels that her sex work is more important than the version of Islam she grew up with.
Can you be a sex worker and still follow your faith? Sex work has always challenged religion. Although it’s broadly considered immoral within Christianity, Islam and Judaism, sacred texts carry some mixed messages. Women sex workers often see male religious leaders condemning them in public, whilst buying their services in private.
In Bangalore in India, women at a sex workers cooperative think religion is compatible with their work. One Christian, who’s a mother and wife, says her family don’t know how she makes her living. “I can talk to God about it when I can’t talk to my husband”. In Nigeria, a Muslim sex worker we’re calling Zara operates in an area where sex work is illegal and dangerous. But she draws strength from her faith. “I know what God says about selling sex, that it’s against the religion but he understands that I have to do it.”
The President calls for urgent action to address inner city housing problems after dozens were killed. Also: Long sentences for two former leaders of the far-right Proud Boys for their role in the storming of the Capitol building in Washington in 2021, and the massive Watusi bull spotted in the passenger seat of a car on the move in Nebraska.
Florida’s Tropical Storm Idalia is the most expensive natural disaster to hit the United States this year.
Insurance companies in Florida are now under pressure; nine property insurance firms have closed down since 2021.
We hear from a business in Cedar Key which was badly damaged by the storm.
School safety worries: we hear from a school governor, a parent, and a structural engineer.
Also on the programme: Johannesburg fire, spinal cancer hope, Long Covid, and a classical music bust-up.
(Photo: An empty classroom in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, 2021. Credit: Reuters/Carl Recine)
The South African president says he expects actions to be taken to prevent any recurrence of the fire in a derelict building that killed more than 70 people in the South African city of Johannesburg. It's thought 200 families were living in an abandoned five storey building when it caught light. We hear from government minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.
Also in the programme: Filipino fishermen face off against China; and ABBA's Agnetha Fältskog's new single.
(Picture: Firefighters work at the scene of a deadly blaze, in Johannesburg, South Africa August 31, 2023. Credit: REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko)
Global sea levels are rising more than 3mm per year under current climate conditions. At this rate we are due to hit an alarming 7mm rise per year by the end of the century. If this is not slowed, it could lead to the drowning of essential coastal ecosystems like mangroves and lagoons, Professor of Environmental Science Neil Saintilan tells Science in Action.
The seas are also heating up. We’ve covered the devastating effect of marine heatwaves on vibrant sea life like coral reefs before. But what about the less glamourous bottom-dwelling fish? Ecologist Alexa Fredston has found that they may be more robust than we think.
Also this week, bird virus expert Michelle Wille tells us about the imminent threat of bird flu spreading from South America to Antartica where hundreds of thousands of sea birds are at risk.
And from one south pole to another, we have an update on how India’s mission on the lunar south pole is going with Lunar and Planetary Insitute scientist David Kring.
Image Credit: Marie Hickman
Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Ella Hubber
Editor: Richard Collings
More than 70 people have been killed and 50 injured in a fire in Johannesburg, South Africa. We get the latest on the search and recovery operation, and hear about so called "hi-jacked" buildings.
Also in the programme: former French president Francois Hollande on the coup in Gabon and how the situation compares to that in Niger; and why the wild boar in Bavaria's forests are still radioactive, long after Chernobyl.
[MAGE: An emergency services member climbs a ladder at the site of a fire that broke out at a five-storey building in the city centre, in Johannesburg, South Africa, 31 August 2023 / CREDIT: EPA / KIM LUDBROOK]
Army officers who seized power name a transitional leader for this nation rich in oil and manganese, a key mineral in the steel industry. We take a look at Gabon's economy, the role it could have played in the political crisis which unravelled this week, and the challenges it will face under new leadership.
Figures from China's manufacturing sector show that activity has dropped for the fifth month in a row. We look into the latest gloomy data on the state of the world's second largest economy.
And we hear how two years of drought in Spain, the number one global producer of olive oil, are making prices of the commodity soar.
At least 15 truck drivers stuck on the Egypt-Sudan border have recently died from heat stroke. Hundreds have been stuck at the border due to bureaucratic red tape causing congestion
What are the medium and long term implications of the coup in Gabon?
Plus we meet Koyo Kouoh, the woman in charge of the biggest museum of contemporary art in Africa.
A fire in a block of flats in the South African city of Johannesburg has killed more than 70 people. Officials said bodies had been found piled up at a locked gate that had prevented people fleeing. It's not known what caused the blaze. Also: the man the military has named as Gabon's interim leader says the ousted president Ali Bongo had no right to continue in office, and we find out how a team of online love scammers was brought down in Indonesia.
Emma Hayes has been manager of Chelsea Women football team for more than a decade, a reign made remarkable by six Women’s Super League titles, five FA Cups and two League Cups. Emma joins Hayley Hassall to discuss leadership in football and beyond, motherhood and women's health. Emma Hayes’ new audiobook, Kill the Unicorn, explores how her experience coaching elite female athletes has lessons for all of us.
On 24 May, the iconic singer Tina Turner died at the age of 83. For the last five years her life and music have been portrayed on stage in London’s West End to endless audiences keen to continue to enjoy her songs and watch the highs and lows, particularly of her early life, marriage to Ike Turner and then the revival of her career as a solo artist. Karis Anderson has recently taken on the role of Tina and joins Hayley in the Woman’s Hour studio.
Women in Afghanistan are turning to nursing as one of the few remaining professions they are permitted to do under the Taliban. But nursing itself is facing a crisis in the country. Former BBC Persia journalist Bahaar Joya is now a nurse in London. She describes the training she wants to provide for nurses in Afghanistan, and what the women there are telling her.
The hit BBC Three and HBO rom-com series Starstruck is back on our screens with its third season - following the main character Jessie and her best friend Kate through their late 20s and early 30s in London. Rose Matafeo has co-written the show and plays Jessie and Emma Sidi plays Kate. They join Hayley to discuss their characters and their friendship.
Presented by Hayley Hassall
Producer: Louise Corley
Studio Engineers: Andrew Garratt & Sue Maillot
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the ideas and life of the German theologian, born in Breslau/Wroclaw in 1906 and killed in the Flossenbürg concentration camp on 9th April 1945. Bonhoeffer developed ideas about the role of the Church in the secular world, in particular Germany after the Nazis took power in 1933 and demanded the Churches' support. He strongly opposed anti-Semitism and, with a role in the Military Intelligence Department, took part in the resistance, plotting to kill Hitler and meeting with contacts in the Allies. Bonhoeffer's ideas on Christian ethics and the relationship between Christianity and humanism spread more widely from the 1960s with the discovery of unpublished works, including those written in prison as he awaited execution.
With
Stephen Plant
Dean and Runcie Fellow at Trinity Hall at the University of Cambridge
Eleanor McLaughlin
Lecturer in Theology and Ethics at the University of Winchester and Lecturer in Ethics at Regent’s Park College at the University of Oxford
And
Tom Greggs
Marischal Chair of Divinity at the University of Aberdeen
Producer: Simon Tillotson
Gnawa music is a Moroccan spiritual musical tradition developed by descendants of enslaved people from Sub-Saharan Africa. It combines ritual poetry with traditional music and dance, and is traditionally only performed by men. But one female Moroccan artist, Asmâa Hamzaoui, has broken the mould. She's become an international star, who has even performed for Madonna on her birthday. For Assignment, reporter Myriam Francois travels to Casablanca to meet Asmaa and her family, and follows her to the Essaouira Festival, the annual celebration of Gnawa culture.
What does its ever-growing popularity tell us about the changing identity of a country that once saw itself primarily as part of the Arab world, but has now become more interested in its links to the rest of the African continent?
Presented by Myriam Francois
Produced by Tim Whewell
Series editor Penny Murphy
(Image: Asmâa Hamzaoui. Credit: BBC/Myriam Francois)
Gnawa music is a Moroccan spiritual musical tradition developed by descendants of enslaved people from Sub-Saharan Africa. It combines ritual poetry with traditional music and dance, and is traditionally only performed by men. But one female Moroccan artist, Asmâa Hamzaoui, has broken the mould. She's become an international star, who has even performed for Madonna on her birthday. For Assignment, reporter Myriam Francois travels to Casablanca to meet Asmaa and her family, and follows her to the Essaouira Festival, the annual celebration of Gnawa culture.
What does its ever-growing popularity tell us about the changing identity of a country that once saw itself primarily as part of the Arab world, but has now become more interested in its links to the rest of the African continent?
Presented by Myriam Francois
Produced by Tim Whewell
Series editor Penny Murphy
(Image: Asmâa Hamzaoui. Credit: BBC/Myriam Francois)
The deposed president, Ali Bongo, appeals for support while under house arrest. Also: Hurricane Idalia batters the US state of Florida before heading to Georgia, and Switzerland proposes sweeping new laws to combat money laundering.
Switzerland has outlined a series of measures to combat money laundering and increase transparency in its huge financial sector. They include a register of those who ultimately benefit from trusts and companies - Switzerland is the only European country that doesn't have one.
One of China's biggest property development firms, Country Garden, has reported half year losses of six-point-seven billion dollars. The announcement increases concerns about the troubled property sector, which accounts for more than a quarter of Chinese GDP.
Burger King must face a lawsuit that alleges it makes its Whopper burger appear larger on its menus than it is in reality, a US judge has ruled.
Analysing the evolving use of drones in the Russia-Ukraine war
The proposed closure of railway ticket offices in England
Should we be rethinking how we define cancer?
Gabon's President Ali Bongo appeals for help after the army deposed him in a coup and put him under house arrest. Army officers appeared on TV to say they had taken power. They say they have annulled the results of Saturday's election in which Mr Bongo was declared the winner, but the opposition claims it was fraudulent.
Also on the programme: a report from the front line in north-east Ukraine where modest Russian advances are costing Ukrainian lives; and hurricane Idalia batters the Gulf Coast of Florida.
(Picture: People celebrate in support of the military coup in a street in the capital of Gabon, Libreville Credit: REUTERS/Scott Ngokila)
Senior army officers in Gabon announced a coup shortly after President Ali Bongo's re-election was announced.
One of the BBC's team spends 24 hours with Tunisia's coast guard as it finds people desperate to cross continents.
How to win an argument? We debate the pros and cons of the art of debating with high school students.
Military officers in Gabon have appeared on on television to say they have seized power. They said they had placed President Ali Bongo under house arrest and were annulling the results of an election on Saturday, in which Mr Bongo was declared the winner.
His overthrow would end his family's 56-year hold on power in the resource-rich West African country and would be the eighth coup in a former French colony in Africa in the past three years. France has condemned the latest events.
Also in the programme: our correspondent sees at first hand how Russian kamikaze drones are slowing Ukraine's counteroffensive; Australia announces a date for a referendum on indigenous rights; and the international operation to bring down a hugely lucrative malware network.
(Photo shows a military vehicle passing by people celebrating in the city Port Gentil in Gabon. Credit: Gaetan M-Antchouwet via Reuters)
Electricity prices in the country have soared since the government cut energy subsidies to obtain a $3bn bailout from the International Monetary Fund leading to protests. We hear how this is impacting individuals and businesses.
Also in the programme, we get the latest from Gabon, where the military has seized power and placed President Ali Bongo, 64, under house arrest. We take a look at the economic background in which the coup has taken place.
Netflix has told the BBC that their gaming division is a "natural extension" of their entertainment business. We talk to one of the firm's gaming partners about the opportunities that the streaming giant has opened for the industry.
Military officers have placed President Ali Bongo under house arrest. Also: overnight drone and missile attacks on targets in both Russia and Ukraine, and Hurricane Idalia makes landfall in Florida.
Writer and activist Natasha Walter joins Nuala to discuss her new, very personal book, Before the Light Fades: a memoir of grief and resistance. One day in December 2017 Natasha's mother Ruth took her own life. Natasha, overwhelmed, by grief and guilt, starts to look back through Ruth's history, trying to understand how her life led to this death.
Last week scientists in America announced that they have taken an important step in understanding the human genome - our genetic blueprint - by decoding the Y chromosome which is passed from male parent to male offspring and determines biological sex and fertility. Professor Chris Barratt, head of Reproductive Medicine at Ninewells Hospital and the University of Dundee Medical School explains the implications of this research in relation to male infertility.
Next to Normal is a Pulitzer prize-winning production currently on stage at the Donmar Theatre in London. At its heart, Diana Goodman is a suburban wife and mother living with bipolar and haunted by her past. We speak to actor Caissie Levy playing Diana and birder and environmentalist, Mya-Rose Craig whose recent book Birdgirl talked about the impact on her and her family of having a mother with the same diagnosis.
One thing women who are getting older sometimes complain of, is they start to feel invisible. A dance group for women over 60 in Bath is turning that on its head. The YAMA company has danced on stages throughout the UK. Our reporter Melanie Abbott went to meet the group during a break in their summer rehearsal schedule.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Lucinda Montefiore
The Bank of England is expected to raise interest rates again this week, for the fourteenth consecutive time. The increase will hike the monthly repayments for anyone on a variable rate mortgage, for those trying to re-mortgage after coming off a fixed-rate and for first time buyers with new home loans.
In this podcast we look at the dilemmas created by high borrowing rates. The experts in this podcast are Sonya Matharu, Senior Mortgage Broker at The Mortgage Mum and Tom Bill, Head of UK Residential Research at Knight Frank.
Presenter: Sam Fenwick
Producer: Amber Mehmood
Researcher: Luke Smithurst
Editor: Jess Quayle
(First broadcast 3pm, Wednesday 2nd August, 2023)
Yevgeny Prigozhin was buried during a private service in his home town of St Petersburg. Also: Evacuation orders are issued in parts of Florida as an extremely dangerous hurricane heads towards the US Gulf coast, and could music from Mozart help to reduce pain in babies?
US commerce secretary, Gina Raimondo, is calling on Beijing to reduce the risk of doing business in China for American companies.
Two days of flight chaos has left thousands of passengers stranded. We ask the head of the UK's National Air Traffic Service what went wrong
The leader of the Wagner mercenary group Yevgeny Prigozhin has been buried in St Petersburg - days after he was killed in a plane crash. We're live in the Russian city - and have a rare interview with a former Wagner fighter.
And as the rapper Eminem tells US presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to stop performing his song - we look at the long battle between pop stars and politicians.
He was buried this Tuesday in a small private funeral in St Petersburg. He led a failed mutiny against the Russian authorities two months ago and the role of the mercenary group he commanded has played a decisive role in Ukraine's war. We hear from a former Wagner fighter about Prigozhin's legacy and the future of the mercenary group.
Also on the programme: Prosecutors in Uganda have for the first time charged someone with "aggravated homosexuality", punishable by death ; and the rapper Eminem has told Republican nominee Vivek Ramaswamy to stop using one of his songs during his political campaign.
(Picture: PMC Wagner group founder and chief Yevgeny Prigozhin funeral in St. Petersburg, St Petersburg, Russian Federation. Credit: Anatoly Maltsev via EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Gina Raimondo is the latest of four US top officials to visit China in the last two months. We look into what might come out from her four-day visit to the Asian superpower.
London has expanded its Ultra Low Emission Zone to make it the world's biggest anti pollution charging zone. We hear how much drivers will have to pay to drive within the city, and the impact it can have on workers and businesses.
And India, the world's largest rice exporter, has issued new curbs on exports of this cereal. We listen to the reasons and the potential consequences.
But the former Prime Minister is unlikely to be released soon. Also: A new study finds that air pollution is now the greatest external threat to human health - and people in South Asia are among the worst affected, and how doctors in Australia extracted a live worm from a woman's brain.
Sierra Leone is grappling with a serious substance crisis. A cheap and illegal synthetic drug known as Kush that is wreaking havoc among the youth.
Around 500 schools have been shutdown in Cameroon. Will they open in time for the new school year?
Plus what's life like as the great granddaughter of Emperor Haile Selassie?
The TV presenter Sarah Beeny has spent much of her life in the unpredictable world of property renovation. You'll find her in programmes such as Help! My House is Falling Down and Sarah Beeny’s New Life in the Country. Her latest book, The Simple Life - How I found Home is about the many homes she's lived in and her latest move to a former dairy farm in Somerset. While she was writing it, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Sarah joins Nuala.
Nuala speaks to actor Rebekah Staton, who stars in the new BBC drama The Following Events Are Based on a Pack of Lies. It follows two women who have nothing in common - except conman and celebrated so-called ecopreneur Rob. Staton plays Alice Newman, who had been trying to move on from Rob’s schemes that left her family penniless and his subsequent disappearance - until she sees him one day by chance.
On 1st February 2021, a coup d'état began in Myanmar where the National League for democracy was deposed by Myanmar's military.
Students studying at the country’s higher education institutes were left with a decision: continue their studies under the new regime or walk out.
In this documentary - A New Term in Myanmar - more than two years on from the coup, we will hear from five students at Parami University sharing their experiences of studying during the coup.
Offering a US style Liberal Arts education, Parami University is one of many institutions offering people another chance to begin, or in some cases, restart their learning.
From dealing with electricity blackouts to writing essays about philosophy for teachers who are only ever a tile on a screen and usually on the other side of the world - each student shares how they are using education as both resistance and hope for themselves and their country.
Alongside them, we will hear from Parami University staff and academics who explain how education continues during conflict.
Names and voices have been changed on some contributors
With thanks to Dr Shona Loong, Dr Will Buckingham, Dr Kyaw Moe Tun and students at Parami University
Photo credit - Quinn - Student at Parami University
Producer: Mollie Davidson
A 7digital Production for BBC World Service
Spanish Football Federation regional leaders have called on their president Luis Rubiales to immediately resign after he kissed the player Jenni Hermoso at the Women's World Cup final in Australia. Also: Trump faces trial a day before the vital Republican vote on Super Tuesday, and what was discovered in a time capsule when it was opened at the US Military Academy at West Point?
Shares in embattled Chinese property developer Evergrande have fallen almost 80% in their first day of trading in Hong Kong for a year and a half. The shares have lost more than 99% of their value in the past three years as Beijing cracked down on property firms.
Also, a technical issue at UK air traffic control has led to long flight delays and even though layoffs are down, employers are still finding ways to cut jobs
We report on the latest developments in the Spanish World Cup football sexism scandal: a criminal investigation, an urgent meeting and a reported hunger strike. But how far does the sport Europe-wide need to change?
Also in the programme: Donald Trump is told he'll face a major criminal trial in March -- the day before the major presidential primaries; and a totem pole taken by a British museum heads back to Canada.
(Photo: The church in Motril, Spain, where the mother of Spanish Football Federation President, Luis Rubiales is reported to be on hunger strike. Credit: Reuters)
Imagine a world in which your laptop or mobile device accesses the internet, not via radio waves – or WiFi – as it does today but by using light instead: LiFi.
Well, that world may not be as far away as you might think. In fact, the technology is already here; and it’s thanks in large part to the engineering ingenuity of Harald Haas, Distinguished Professor of Mobile Communications and Director of the Li-Fi Research and Development Centre at the University of Strathclyde.
He tells Jim Al-Khalili about the two decades he has spent researching optical wireless communications, building up to his LiFi breakthrough in 2011, where he made waves in the scientific community and beyond by showing how a simple desk lamp could be used to stream a video.
Harald’s research could well have a very real impact on people’s lives, reinventing the way we connect online – but, as Jim hears, his early life was dogged by a very real fear he may have the same devastating disease that took his mother's life at an early age; an experience that shaped his early years and which has driven him to succeed in his own life and career.
Shares of the Chinese property giant fell by almost 80% on its first day of trading since March last year. The firm had suspended its activity in the Hong Kong Stock Exchange as it aimed to release a global restructuring plan.
he US Commerce Secretary, Gina Raimondo, is the fourth member of Joe Biden's cabinet to visit China in the last two months. We look into what might come out of this three-day trip.
And thousands of airline passengers face potential delays and cancellations after a technical issue at UK air traffic control led it to bring in traffic restrictions to "maintain safety". We hear the latest.
The big drop highlights China's current problems in the property sector. Also: The billionaire founder of the electronics giant Foxconn is announcing he'll run for the presidency of Taiwan, and France announces that it is banning schoolgirls from wearing abayas, the loose fitting full length robes usually worn by Muslims.
The runner-up in Zimbabwe's presidential election, Nelson Chamisa, has accused President Emmerson Mnangagwa of carrying out an electoral coup. Former Independent National Electoral Commission of Nigeria chairperson Attahiru Muhammadu Jega is leading the Carter Center's observer mission to Zimbabwe. He talks about his role as electoral observer.
It has been more than a month since the military in Niger overthrew former President Bazoum. Burkina Faso and Mali have also been living under military governments that came to power through coups. In today's episode of Focus on Africa we ask have the juntas there delivered on their promises and what has life been like for the ordinary citizens ?
We speak with Ghanaian actor Majid Michel about how he coped with losing his voice after a car accident in 2015 and the secret to his longevity in the industry.
The Libyan foreign minister is reported to have been sacked for meeting her Israeli counterpart when the two countries don't have formal relations.
Libya - a strong backer of the Palestinian cause - does not recognise Israel, and the meeting has sparked protests in the majority Arab state. Israeli FM Eli Cohen said the "historic" meeting was "the first step" in establishing relations with Libya. So who sanctioned the encounter?
Also in the programme: Shares in the troubled Chinese property firm Evergrande have plummeted on their first day of trading for 18 months - is it simply too big to fail?; and the French government is banning the wearing of abayas -- the loose-fitting robes worn by some Muslim women -- in state-run schools.
(Photo shows demonstrators in Libya burning tyres to protest against the meeting of the foreign minister with her Israeli counterpart in Italy. Credit: STR/EPA)
To discuss the how and why of lists, Nuala is joined by Joanna Nolan, author of the book, Listful, and Lucy Ireland Gray, who put together a collection of about 200 shopping lists that she found discarded over the course of nearly 20 years in and around Hertfordshire, where she lives.
We consider the psychology of lists - in particular why and whether lists are good or bad for our mental health and creativity. Artist Alice Instone, Joanna Nolan, author of Listful, and Madeleine Dore, the author of, I didn’t do the thing today: On letting go of productivity guilt, join Nuala.
Lists in the public domain - with Nuala to discuss the good and bad of lists historically and in contemporary times, are journalist and writer Helen Lewis, author of Difficult women: A history of feminism in eleven fights, and writer Anne Sebba, author of 10 non-fiction books. Her most recent book is Ethel Rosenberg: A Cold War Tragedy.
The place of lists in music - songs with lists, the charts, playlists and more. Nuala is joined by Grammy-winning singer and songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae, whose album, Black Rainbows, is out in September, and music journalist Jude Rogers, the author of The sound of being human: How music shapes our lives.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Lucinda Montefiore
Russian officials say Yevgeny Prigozhin has been confirmed dead after genetic analysis of bodies found in Wednesday's plane crash. Also: Zimbabwean opposition leader has accused Emmerson Mnangagwa of carrying out a coup after official results showed the president won the recent election, and an Austrian town protests against mass tourism.
The French national team are known throughout the sporting world as "les bleus" because of their iconic kits, which echo the blue of the French national flag.
French sportswear brand Le Coq Sportif, in collaboration with the French Rugby Federation, have been creating and developing a new kit for the national squad ahead of France hosting the Rugby World Cup in September and October 2023.
Rosa Johnston-Flint talks to some of the creatives behind the design and manufacture of this new kit, and goes to Le Coq Sportif's factory in Romilly-sur-Seine, a small town not far from Paris, to watch the first shirt being made with fabric especially created in France.
Rugby is a rough contact sport, so how do you make a jersey that can withstand tackles while being as light as something worn by a cyclist and looking elegant under the spotlight of a home world cup?
Presenter/producer: Rosa Johnston-Flint
Executive producer: Andrea Kidd
Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been elected to a second term with 52.6% of the vote, the electoral commission says. But the opposition also claims to have won, saying there was widespread vote-rigging, and observers said the vote fell short of democratic standards.
Also in the programme: Russia says Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin has been confirmed dead after Wednesday's plane crash; and the tiny town of Hallstatt in Austria protests against receiving over a million tourists per year.
(Picture: Emmerson Mnangagwa speaks to the media at State House in Harare
The incumbent Emmerson Mnangagwa has been declared the winner of Zimbabwe's presidential election - despite criticism of an unfair process from international observers and the opposition. The Justice Minister tells Newshour the criticisms are rubbish.
Also in the programme: Russian officials confirm the Wagner mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin died in Wednesday's plane crash; and in Budapest fans have been cheering the athletes at the world athletics championships - but at what cost to Hungary?
Luis Rubiales refused to resign after kissing Jenni Hermoso on the lips following Spain's victory in Australia. Also: thousands mark the 60th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr's March on Washington, and a high-altitude heist shocks Switzerland.
Spain's entire coaching staff from their World Cup win, except for manager Jorge Vilda, has resigned over the Luis Rubiales scandal. Spanish FA president Rubiales was suspended on Saturday by Fifa after kissing forward Jenni Hermoso on the lips following the Women's World Cup final victory over England in Sydney – a kiss she says was non-consensual.
Also in the programme: spate of looting of stores and supermarkets around Argentina has led to dozens of arrests; and we hear from San Francisco, where driverless taxis are now in operation.
(Picture: People protest outside the Spanish Soccer Federation. Picture credit: REUTERS/Isabel Infantes)
A Listener Week Weekend Woman’s Hour Special, where you – our listeners – decide what you want to hear on the programme.
Our listener Rachel asked us to explore the potential of using psychedelic drugs in medicine, and whether these drugs might affect women differently to men. Anita Rani is joined by Professor David Nutt, Professor of Neuropsychopharmacology at Imperial College London; and Catherine Bird, Senior Clinical Trials Manager at the Centre for Affective Disorders at Kings College London.
Eric, a listener, suggested we find out more about Vulcana, the Victorian strongwoman known for her 'jaw-dropping feats of strength and her breath-taking beauty'. Author Rebecca F John and Sam Taylor, Britain’s Strongest Woman 2020, join Nuala McGovern to talk about strongwomen past and present.
A listener who we’re calling Jane tells Nuala about her addiction to shoplifting. She wanted to highlight her experience and her struggle to cope with her compulsion - and explains her anxiety about regularly breaking the law.
Listener Nelly has asked us to talk about living funerals. She was inspired by Kris Hallenga, the founder of the CoppaFeel breast cancer awareness charity, who has stage 4 breast cancer and who held a living funeral for herself. Nuala hears from Jenna, whose sister had a living funeral.
Franceska Murati is a 27-year-old businesswoman and this year’s Miss Central London. At four years old, she arrived in the UK having escaped war-torn Kosovo, smuggled in the back of a lorry. She shares her story.
And our listener Laura wanted us to look at heavy metal and the role women play in the scene. Nuala speaks to Lindsay Bishop, who conducted 10 years of field work for her PhD on the subject and Becky Baldwin, a bassist from the band Fury.
Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Lottie Garton
The Spanish football federation says it will take legal action over player Jenni Hermoso's comments about its president Luis Rubiales. Rubiales has refused to resign after kissing the player on the lips following Spain's Women's World Cup final win. Hermoso said on Friday she did not consent, but the federation has questioned her version of events.
Also in the programme: a new report finds that rape continues to be used as a weapon of war in Ethiopia's Tigray region; and we meet Kurdish Iranian musician Kayhan Kalhor - one of the world's great masters of the Persian violin.
(Picture: A group of protesters demonstrated outside the Spanish football federation headquarters. Caption: REUTERS/Isabel Infantes)
Our weekly collection of the happiest stories in the world. This week, huge relief in Pakistan after the rescue of two adults and six schoolboys after a cable car line snapped, the volunteers in Switzerland protecting livestock from wolves and therefore wolves from people, and some of the very best things about this year's Women's football world cup.
Care home leaders are the latest group criticising the Government for failing to get £400 of winter fuel help to the people entitled to it. The Energy Bill Support Scheme Alternative Fund was supposed to help nearly one million households who don't pay an energy supplier directly. 20,000 households in care homes got this money, but according to new BBC Verify analysis for this programme that suggests 1 in 7 who were eligible, didn't. The government says it spent billions of pounds helping millions of households last winter with their energy bills, covering nearly half the cost of a typical household's bill.
On Monday major changes begin in the way we are sold financial products and services by regulated firms like banks, insurers, advisers. Not only will they have to stick to the 20 year old rules about treating customers fairly. They will be subject to a new Consumer Duty. What is it and what does it mean?
A scheme which offers debt advice and help with money problems through doctors’ surgeries, is being extended thanks to some new funding. We first reported on the trial two years ago. Since then the Centre for Responsible Credit which runs the scheme says hundreds of people have been helped to access hundreds of thousands of pounds in support.
Plus, from 1st August most old first and second class stamps without barcodes are no longer valid. What should you do if you still have any old stamps?
Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporter: Dan Whitworth
Researchers: Sandra Hardial and Jo Krasner
Editor: Jess Quayle
(First broadcast, 12pm Saturday 29th July, 2023)
Luis Rubiales has refused to resign after kissing Jenni Hermoso at the women's World Cup final in Australia. Also: Maui officials release list of those still missing after recent wildfires, and the Trump mugshot sends social media into a frenzy with memes and jokes.
More than 60 people are currently feared lost at sea after trying to escape Senegal by boat for a better life in Europe. According to the UN, Africa accounts for only 14 percent of the global migrant population. Most Africans also migrate internally but, due to the recent tragedy from Senegal, we decided to focus on those - both skilled and unskilled - who want to leave the continent for elsewhere. Host James Reynolds and his colleague Lukwesa Burak hear from men and women across four countries in Africa to discover the many reasons why they want to leave.
We also hear from two unemployed mothers, one of whom is prepared to temporarily leave her young child with relatives in order to secure her own and her daughter’s future.
A co-production between the BBC OS team and Boffin Media.
The US Federal Reserve chairman has said the central bank will continue to raise interest rates "if appropriate" as inflation remains "too high". Jerome Powell told an annual gathering of central bankers that the pace of price rises had fallen from a peak.
The Director of the British Museum is stepping down over the way the institution under his leadership handled a series of thefts that have shaken its reputation.
The international leg of Taylor Swift's Eras tour kicked off last night in Mexico City. She is on track to make one billion US dollars from her Eras tour, which would make concert history.
Spain's football chief is refusing to bow to growing pressure to resign after his controversial kiss at the Women's Football World Cup final.
Luis Rubiales had been expected to quit at a press conference, but instead gave a defiant speech, claiming the kiss was consensual and he was the victim of fake feminism. His attitude has angered players and government ministers, with many seeing it as symptom of sexism in Spanish sport and wider society.
Also in the programme: Denmark is planning to ban the burning of holy books after a number of recent incidents involving the Koran caused anger in the Muslim world - we speak to an MP who's opposed; and why non-plastic drinking straws may not be so eco-friendly after all.
(Photo shows Luis Rubiales announcing he will be staying as president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation. Credit: Royal Spanish Football Federation via Reuters)
Writer, Tim Stimpson
Director, Pip Swallow
Editor, Jeremy Howe
David Archer ….. Timothy Bentinck
Helen Archer ….. Louiza Patikas
Natasha Archer ….. Mali Harries
Pat Archer ….. Patricia Gallimore
Ruth Archer ….. Felicity Finch
Pip Archer ….. Daisy Badger
Tom Archer ….. William Troughton
Susan Carter ….. Charlotte Martin
Rex Fairbrother ….. Nick Barber
Toby Fairbrother ….. Rhys Bevan
Emma Grundy ….. Emerald O’Hanrahan
George Grundy ….. Angus Stobie
Will Grundy ….. Philip Molloy
Stella Pryor ….. Lucy Speed
The first of our satirical specials this summer. The Newsmakers is an interview show where host Rachel Parris will deliver her views on the week's news and then talk to the people at the centre of those stories, from journalists to MPs to yacht-attacking orcas - all of whom are fictional, and played by comedians. Presented by Rachel Parris Guests: Rosie Holt Sam Pamphilion Michael Spicer Bilal Zafar Nim Odedra Additional material: Gareth Gwynn & Robin Morgan Recorded and edited by David Thomas Producer: Ed Morrish A Lead Mojo production for BBC Radio 4
Germany’s economy slowly recovered in the second quarter of the year but it’s still very weak. Slow performance continues to drag down growth across the whole Eurozone.
The Kremlin says western allegations that it gave an order to kill the Wagner paramilitary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin are a complete lie. We hear from a Russian journalist who has spoken to some of Wagner’s mercenary fighters.
Also in the programme: we pick apart the historic significance of the Donald Trump mugshot; and the head of Spain's football federation has insisted he won't resign over his controversial kiss at the Women's World Cup final.
(Photo: A woman lays flowers in Moscow. Credit: Reuters)
In a defiant speech, Luis Rubiales claimed an unsolicited kiss he gave a player after her world cup triumph, was consensual. Also: Donald Trump becomes the first former or serving US president to have his mugshot taken, and the latest manifestation of 'Swiftonomics' - what impact is Taylor Swift expected to have on the economies of the cities her one-hundred date world-tour is taking in?
The BRICS bloc of developing nations agreed this week s to admit six new countries. The countries Argentina, Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates - are set to join in January. Can this counter Western dominance?
As thousands of UN troops speed up their pull out of Mali, despite a deteriorating security situation. We talk to BBC Arabic’s Feras Kilani the first journalist to travel to Northern Mali since French forces ended their military operation there two years ago
Plus why are more airlines adopting the use of sustainable aviation fuel? We hear from an expert based in Kenya
Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.
Baptist minister Dr Martin Luther King Jr delivered his "I have a dream" speech on 28 August 1963 to crowds of over 250,000 in Washington DC as part of the Great March, which called for jobs and freedom for African Americans. It helped spur the passage of the US Civil Rights Act of 1964. On the 60th anniversary of this legendary speech, Emmy award-winning journalist Sherri Jackson meets speakers from differing religious backgrounds and experiences to talk about how they have been influenced by Dr King's words. They discuss the details of his vision, and the role of faith in securing social justice and in anti-racism protest today.
Produced by Nina Robinson
Series producer: Rajeev Gupta
Production coordinator: Mica Nepomuceno
The former president faces election 2020 fraud charges. He denies all thirteen charges, which include racketeering and making false statements. Also: President Putin breaks his silence over the presumed death of the Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin; and scientists observe a catastrophic die-off of emperor penguin chicks in Antarctica.
The BRICS group of nations has invited six countries to join them. They are Argentina, Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. We look at how some of these countries would benefit from joining this bloc.
Central banks from around the world are gathering for the annual three-day conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Turkey's central bank hiked interest rates on Thursday by more than expected as it steps up a new commitment to damp inflation through monetary policy.
Also in the programme: Donald Trump poised to hand himself in at Fulton County Jail over election racketeering charges; and the mother and daughter who travelled to space together
Former US president Donald Trump is surrender in the US state of Georgia to face charges of trying to overturn his 2020 election loss in the state.
The current frontrunner for the Republican nomination for next year's presidential election will likely be fingerprinted and have his mugshot taken at Fulton County jail in Atlanta. Mr Trump will return at a later date to enter a plea in court and his bail has been set at $200,000.
Also in the programme: Russia's President Putin says he sends his "most sincere condolences" to the families of the Wagner leaders apparently killed in a plane crash yesterday; and we'll head to Zimbabwe where police have arrested 41 election monitors and confiscated all their computers and phones.
(File photo of Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, Iowa on 12 August 2023. Credit: Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters)
Advances in brain-computer interfaces have allowed patients with paralysis to communicate faster, more accurately and more expressively with direct brain to speech translation. Co-author of an exciting new paper in the field, bioengineer Alex Silva, tells Science in Action about his team’s work with patient Ann.
The world has been following the Indian and Russian race to land on the lunar south pole. Producer Ella Hubber gives a timeline of the events leading up to that historic landing.
Also this week, a new prediction model allows us to better prepare for future extreme weather events. But is this worst-case scenario model scaremongering? Roland talks to author Erich Fischer about the projections.
And virologist Connor Bamford talks detecting bird flu in wastewater for betting monitoring.
Image Credit: Noah Berger
Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Ella Hubber
Editor: Richard Collings
Yevgeny Prigozhin was a head of the private military company and he used to personally operate the budget and salaries for the Wagner group. What will happen to Wagner now and who will take over the organisation?
Wagner boss Prigozhin is presumed dead after Russia plane crash. In his last address, he said the Wagner group is making Africa "more free". His presumed death received little media attention or official reactions in Mali and the Central African Republic where thousands of mercenaries are active. So in today's episode, we ask what would be the impact of Prigozhin’s presumed death on Wagner in Africa.
Also, in Tunisia dozens of environment activists are appealing harsh prison sentences handed down after protesting against a dangerous landfill site.
And how is climate change affecting livestock? More than one billion cows around the world could experience heat stress by the end of the century.
Speculation mounts after Wagner mercenary boss is presumed dead. Also: Japan begins pumping more than a million tonnes of treated radioactive water into the Pacific ocean and a sound on the island of Ireland that hasn't been heard for 200 years.
Listener Rachel asked Woman's Hour to explore the potential of using psychedelic drugs in medicine and whether these drugs might affect women differently to men. Academics have been researching psilocybin as a possible new treatment for depression, PTSD and anorexia, when used in conjunction with therapy. Anita is joined by Professor David Nutt, Professor of Neuropsychopharmacology at Imperial College London; and Catherine Bird, Senior Clinical Trials Manager at the Centre for Affective Disorders at Kings College London.
Helen, a listener, wanted Woman's Hour to highlight the importance of peripheral friendships. These are casual acquaintance relationships; the people in your life that you don’t see often, or your co-workers who give you joy, or kindness, but aren’t your close family. Anita meets Helen and they talk to Dr Gillian Sandstrom, a senior lecturer in the Psychology of Kindness at Sussex University, who has studied these relationships
Posthumous conception is when assisted reproductive technology is used to establish a pregnancy and produce genetic offspring following the death of a parent. Listener, Lauren McGregor, wrote to Woman's Hour wanting to discuss the importance of having the legal paperwork properly completed and signed should you ever find yourself in a situation when you have to consider this. Anita is joined by Lauren and a family lawyer, who has experience of working with fertility law, Louisa Gheveart.
Earlier this year, research from the University of Portsmouth showed there are 100 times more microplastics in the coast around the UK than there were six years ago. Anita Rani talks to the marine biologist and PhD student Emily Stevenson who is on a mission to clean up the patch of Cornwall’s north coast where she grew up. Emily founded Beach Guardian in 2017 with her dad to try to empower local communities to combat plastic waste along the coastline.
Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Rebecca Myatt
Studio manager: Giles Aspen
00:00 Opener
02:28 Psychedelics
17:12 Peripheral Friendship
30:45 Posthumous Conception
46:18 Beach Conservation
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the most powerful woman in the Crusader states in the century after the First Crusade. Melisende (1105-61) was born and raised after the mainly Frankish crusaders had taken Jerusalem from the Fatimids, and her father was King of Jerusalem. She was married to Fulk from Anjou, on the understanding they would rule together, and for 30 years she vied with him and then their son as they struggled to consolidate their Frankish state in the Holy Land.
The image above is of the coronation of Fulk with Melisende, from Livre d'Eracles, Guillaume de Tyr (1130?-1186)
Source: Bibliothèque nationale de France
With
Natasha Hodgson
Senior Lecturer in Medieval History and Director of the Centre for the Study of Religion and Conflict at Nottingham Trent University
Katherine Lewis
Senior Lecturer in History at the University of Huddersfield
and
Danielle Park
Visiting Lecturer at Royal Holloway, University of London
Producer: Simon Tillotson
In 2020 Belize was broke. Again. This small, climate-vulnerable, Central American nation is home to the western hemisphere’s longest barrier reef. And it was about to default on a debt of over half a billion dollars. Enter an American NGO... The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is the world’s largest conservation charity. TNC made an offer to the government of Belize: it would help restructure the debt, if Belize would channel the savings made into its precious coastal resources. In 2021, the deal became reality – creditors were paid off, and investors found for the new, so-called ‘blue bond.’ Belize’s debt shrank by 12% overnight. A win-win, right?
But as Linda Pressly finds on a trip to Belize for Assignment, the ‘blue bond’ hasn’t been universally welcomed. There are concerns about an international NGO having influence in a poor nation, and arguments about which Belizean marine organisations have benefitted from the new investment. And there is one unresolved question: what does the ‘blue bond’ agreement mean for the potential future exploration of offshore oil in Belizean waters?
Presenter/producer: Linda Pressly
Sound engineer: Neil Churchill
Editor: Penny Murphy
(Photo: Replanting corals to restore Belize’s barrier reef is critical work in an era of climate emergency. Credit: Fragments of Hope)
Prigozhin was on the passenger list of a jet which crashed in Russia killing everyone on board. Also, Donald Trump's former lawyer is booked on conspiracy charges, graphic evidence from Andrew Tate’s court case in Romania and fans say The Rolling Stones have announced a new album in a surprising way.
Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin was listed as a passenger on a private jet which crashed on Wednesday evening north of Moscow with no survivors, the Russian authorities said, raising fears among his allies that he had been killed.
India makes history by becoming the first nation to land near the Moon's south pole. One of the mission's major goals is to hunt for water-based ice, which scientists say could support human habitation on the Moon in future.
Plus, central bankers from around the world descend on the US mountain resort of Jackson Hole in Wyoming for the Federal Reserve’s annual gathering.
Latest reaction and analysis to reports of Prigozhin's death in plane crash
Special educational needs provision in England
India's successful moon landing
India makes history by becoming the first nation to land near the Moon's south pole. One of the mission's major goals is to hunt for water-based ice, which scientists say could support human habitation on the Moon in future.
Scientists hope to deploy a rover on the lunar surface to send images and data back to Earth. Also: Zimbabweans vote in a crucial presidential election, and a rare baby giraffe is born with no spots.
Haiti has been rocked by deadly violence since the assassination of the country’s President Jovenel Moïse two years ago. A Kenyan delegation has held meetings with Haitian police officials, weeks after the Kenyan government offered to lead a multinational team in tackling the country’s extreme gang violence. We hear from a local businessman on what life is like for ordinary citizens.
In the aftermath of the coup in Niger, false claims and misinformation are being shared online, adding to the tensions over the country's future. We look into some of the widely shared claims.
How can an entire nation's history be conserved? An ambitious initiative in Nigeria is currently in progress, involving the digitisation of all newspapers published since the country's independence in 1960.
For Woman's Hour's Listener Week, you, our listeners, decide what we cover on the programme.
Nuala McGovern is joined by Monica and chartered psychologist Catherine Hallissey to discuss when it might be the right decision to give up on your dream. We'd like to hear your views on the issue. Have you decided to change course or realised a goal isn’t meant to be?
Earlier this month, we heard the experiences of young people who are opting to live at home while they study at university because of the cost of living. That prompted a listener, Dr Pam Woolner from Newcastle University, to get in touch to tell us about the latest research by her colleague Dr Sam Shields. It looks into the experiences of working class women going to university and the challenges they face. Sam is senior lecturer in Education at Newcastle University and joins Nuala along with the writer Jessica Andrews who was the first in her family to go to university, leaving her home in the north-east of England to study in London.
One of our listeners got in touch to tell us that his daughter had discovered a previously unseen poem by Georgiana the Duchess of Devonshire, who you may know about from the Keira Knightley film, The Duchess. We’ll be bringing you that poem and discussing why the duchess was such an influential political figure in her day.
We hear from one listener about her love for her vintage Morris Minor car as part of our "Women On Wheels" series.
And Nelly has asked us to talk about living funerals. She was inspired by Kris Hallenga, the founder of the CoppaFeel breast cancer awareness charity, who has stage 4 breast cancer and who held a living funeral for herself.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Lisa Jenkinson
Studio Manager: Andrew Garratt
An average of 20 potential tenants request to view each available rental home, more than triple the amount in 2019, according to data commissioned by the BBC. The queue to view is even longer in some regions, reaching 30 in the North West of England, according to the property portal Rightmove.
From facing tough competition for a home to receiving a section 21 notice of eviction, we hear what renters are experiencing in the current market and we offer advice on what their rights are.
The experts on the panel are Nyree Applegarth, Partner at Higgs LLP, Tim Bannister, Director at Rightmove and Ben Beadle, Chief Executive at National Residential Landlords Association.
For tips on how to get ahead in the race to secure a rental property and information on your rights as a tenant go to the Tackling it Together section on the front page of the BBC News website.
Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Producer: Amber Mehmood
Reporter: Sam Gruet
Researcher: Luke Smithurst
Editor: Jess Quayle
(First Broadcast at 3pm, Wednesday 26th July, 2023)
All eight people who were stuck in a cable car dangling above a ravine have been rescued. The BRICS economic group - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa- consider adding new members to their bloc. Also: The latest from forest fires in Greece and Canada, and the rapper in Tunisia using her words to push for social change.
Neurodivergent students learn, think, and process information differently than their neurotypical peers. Because of this, they often face unique challenges in the school setting. Students may struggle with executive functioning skills, typical social and communication skills and have sensory processing difficulties. As a result, they may be more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and many other mental health crises - resulting in a difficult education in which they won't receive the grades or social experience that they could achieve. This programme uses the Østerskov Efterskole school in Denmark as a case study to determine whether their revolutionary LARP (Live Action Role Play) teaching techniques could aid the education of every neurodiverse pupil.
Microsoft has made a new bid to buy Call of Duty-maker Activision Blizzard in the latest twist in the tale of what would be the biggest deal of its kind in the gaming industry. Its original $69bn (£59bn) deal was blocked by UK regulators, but under the new offer Microsoft has agreed to transfer the rights to stream Activision games from the cloud to Ubisoft, a video games publisher, for 15 years.
The five Brics countries - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - are holding their 15th annual summit in Johannesburg. What's on the agenda?
Also, British microchip designing giant Arm has announced it has filed paperwork to sell its shares in the US. The Cambridge-based company, which designs chips for devices from smartphones to game consoles, plans to list on New York's Nasdaq in September.
The first day of the Summit BRICS 2023 is hosted by South Africa. Official meeting has been set aside for events involving the more than 70 countries invited as "friends" of the BRICS bloc. Delegations will gather to discuss the expansions, trades deals and de-dollarization.
Saudi border guards are accused of the mass killing of migrants along the Yemeni border in a new report by Human Rights Watch. The report says hundreds of people, many of them Ethiopians who cross war-torn Yemen to reach Saudi Arabia, have been shot dead.
We delve into the intricacies of coup attempts, as David Otto, Director for Geneva Centre for Africa Security & Strategic Studies shares insight on the crucial factors that determine their success or failure.
Plus we speak to Nigerian music producer and artist Eclipse Nkasi about the ethical way of using AI to produce music.
Rescuers are working to free eight people trapped in a cable car dangling above a ravine. Also: 18 bodies found in Greece after a forest fire, and Scotland looks to Portugal for inspiration on how to tackle drug abuse.
Also should people who murder children be sentenced to death?or remain in prison for life?
For listener week, you, our listeners, decide what we cover on the programme.
Listener Liz got in touch to say she wanted to know more about the women fighting on the front line in Ukraine. Nuala McGovern is joined by BBC journalist and reporter Olga Malchevska, whose home in Kyiv was bombed at the start of the war. She’s been back to Ukraine to meet three women who are fighting for their country – we’ll hear from one of them who was severely injured when the car she was in drove over a landmine.
As a child Julie De’Ath always wished she had an older brother, ‘an easy pass to get a boyfriend’, she said. Two years ago at the age of 67, she finally got one when she received a message on Facebook from a man claiming to be that brother. Her mother had given birth to a baby boy in the 1940s but being unmarried at the time, gave him up for adoption. It was a secret her mother took to her grave. Julie contacted Woman’s Hour as part of Listener week to share her story for the first time. We also speak to her long-lost half-brother, Tom, and to Miriam Silver, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, who specialises in parenting and children who have been adopted.
Victorian strongwoman Vulcana was known for her jaw-dropping feats of strength and her breathtaking beauty. Listener Eric suggested her story to us. He asked that we talk to author Rebecca F John, whose historical novel, Vulcana, fictionalises her life. She tells Nuala about the remarkable, and trailblazing, performer. Plus, Sam Taylor, Britain’s Strongest Woman 2020, tells us what it’s like being a modern-day strongwoman.
Franceska Murati is a 27-year-old businesswoman and this year’s Miss London. But there’s more to this beauty queen that meets the eye. At 4 years old, she arrived in the UK alongside her parents and older sister. They had escaped war-torn Kosovo, smuggling themselves on the back of a lorry. She shares her story.
It’s something we’ve all probably done at one point or another - eating alone. Whether that’s taking yourself out to a restaurant you’ve always wanted to go to, grabbing a meal while you’re on a solo trip, or cooking for just yourself at home. But despite how common eating alone is - given that in 2022 the Office of National Statistics showed almost one in three households in ...
Hundreds of people are still missing as the US President visits Maui. Also: Spain’s Women's World Cup champions arrive in Madrid, and a new Artificial Intelligence tool which measures the health of your heart.
Tropical Storm Hilary swept across the US state of California on Sunday night, bringing fierce winds and flooding to the Pacific coast. Now headed north to Nevada, the storm passed over Southern California, with record rainfall and flash flooding predicted in the Death Valley National Park. The storm is expected to deal a major blow to the region's economy, including its vineyards which last year generated over $88 billion for the US.
Left-winger Luisa Gonzalez is leading in Ecuador's presidential election. The poll was combined with a referendum, in which voters chose to end oil drilling in the Amazon.
Spain celebrates winning the Women's World Cup.
Anne-Marie Imafidon passed her computing A-Level at the age of 11 and by 16, was accepted to the University of Oxford to study Maths and Computer Science.
She's used to the 'child prodigy' label that's followed her throughout her career, but that doesn't mean she's had an easy ride.
It was a combination of personal experience and the discovery that the number of women working in the STEM sectors - Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics - was in free-fall that inspired Anne-Marie to found Stemettes: a not-for-profit social enterprise introducing girls to STEM ideas and careers in fun and accessible ways. It's now in its tenth year and still growing, while Anne-Marie has received an MBE, enjoyed a successful stint as the numbers guru on the TV series Countdown, and is the current President of the British Science Association.
In conversation in front of an audience at the UK's 2023 Cheltenham Science Festival, she tells Jim Al-Khalili about her quest for equality and diversity across the scientific community - and explains why she thinks everyone has the potential to be a 'child prodigy', given the right opportunity...
The BRICS group of developing economies – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa meet in Johannesburg this week for their annual summit.
Top of the agenda will be its expansion. Twenty-three countries have formally expressed an interest in joining the group, while officials have said a total of 40 are seeking membership. We find out why this economic group is so important.
South Africa to host Brics summit but Russia’s President Putin will only join by video link. On the agenda global economic and security matters and the creation of new financial institutions.
More than 1,400 people starve to death in Ethiopia's northern Tigray since food aid was suspended because of theft
And Ghanaian immunologist Yaw Bediako on how to expand research and keep African scientists on the continent.
Human Rights Watch says hundreds of people have been gunned down by security forces. Also: the British serial killer nurse who murdered at least seven babies has been sentenced to life in prison, and we learn about a refurbished ship using wind power to carry cargo.
For listener week you, our listeners, decide what we cover on the programme.
It might not have been World Cup glory for England's Lionesses but they still made history and have inspired many along the way. To take a look back at that history, Nuala is joined by two listeners: Sue Whyatt, who played for England in 1972, and successfully got her international cap following an email to us at Woman’s Hour, and Jo Clark, co-founder of Baller FC.
A listener speaks to Nuala about her addiction to shoplifting - fully aware that it's a criminal offence and not something that should be condoned, she wanted to highlight her story on the programme.
Listener Laura wanted us to look at heavy metal and the role women play in the scene. Nuala speaks to Lindsay Bishop, who conducted 10 years of field work for her PhD on the subject and Becky Baldwin, a bassist from the band Fury.
Sue Stewart explains why she got in touch with Woman’s Hour to tell us about the impact on her of the book Matrescence by Lucy Jones. Matrescence is the time during pregnancy, childbirth and early motherhood when women undergo far-reaching changes which Lucy Jones argues are more profound, wild and long lasting than we have ever been led to believe. We speak to Lucy and to Sue.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Emma Pearce
Catherine and Finn talk about spelling words with double letters in 6 Minute Vocabulary.
World famous violinist Nicola Benedetti starts her new job as Director of the Edinburgh International Festival. Anna Bailey follows her as she enters unchartered territory, commissioning new works and running an organisation. Nicola talks through her decisions for her first programme, which features over 2000 artists from 48 countries. And Anna follows the progress of some of those artists as they begin rehearsals in the Scottish capital.
The storm has made landfall on Mexico's Pacific coast and is heading for the south-western US. Also: why Russia's first moon mission in nearly fifty years has ended in failure, and how cats and dogs are helping war-ravaged Ukrainians.
Spain beat England 1-0 to win their first FIFA World Cup. Mani Djazmi, Maz Farookhi and Katie Smith are joined by former England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley to discuss the final and Spain manager Jorge Vilda’s role and future.
Image: Ivana Andres of Spain lifts the FIFA Women's World Cup Trophy following victory in the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Final match between Spain and England at Stadium Australia on August 20, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Maddie Meyer - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Officials say seven people, including a 6-year-old child, died when a missile struck a theatre in the northern city of Chernihiv. Also: the man attempting to swim the length of America's Hudson River, and the Italian prime minister's unusual act of diplomacy, after four Italian tourists left a restaurant in Albania without paying.
Madagascar is experiencing its worst famine for over 30 years. With successive years of drought, this began in the country’s deep south but as successive cyclones hit Madagascar in 2022 and 2023, people in the south-east are now also suffering from food insecurity. The United Nations has described this as the “world’s first climate-induced famine”. But some climate scientists claim there is little evidence suggesting global warming is the primary cause. Journalist Raissa Iousouff travels to the south of Madagascar in search of answers and meets many of the local people and communities who are fighting to survive.
۷۰ سال پس از سرنگونی دولت مصدق، وزیر خارجه سابق بریتانیا گفته کشورش باید نقشش را بپذیرد
Katie Smith, Mani Djazmi and Maz Farookhi take a ferry trip down the Parramatta River from Sydney's Circular Quay to the Olympic Park, where tomorrow either Spain or England will be crowned world champions for the very first time at Stadium Australia.
We hear from Women's Champions League-winning coach Lluis Cortes, Women's European Championship winner Jill Scott, Chelsea Women manager Emma Hayes and two-time Women’s World Cup-winning manager Jill Ellis, as well as England captain Millie Bright and Spanish football journalist Sara Gutierrez, as we build up to Sunday's tournament finale.
Image: The World Cup trophy prior to the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 Group A match between New Zealand and Norway at Eden Park on July 20, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Credit: DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Former Lioness and England's top female goal scorer, Ellen White, on England reaching the Fifa Women's World Cup final.
VJ day was on Tuesday, marking the anniversary of Japan's surrender, and the end of World War Two. Olga Henderson was 13 in 1945, starving in a camp in Singapore alongside other young internees. Now 91, Olga talks about her time in the camps recalled in her new – and first - book, In the Shadow of the Rising Sun.
A survey of 10,000 university students found that only 14% of pupils who had been in the care system progressed to higher education by age 19, compared to 47% of all other pupils. Kim Emenike, who was in care as a child, and Katharine Sacks-Jones, Chief Executive of the charity Become, which supports young care leavers, discuss the challenges they face.
Many baby boomers are experiencing the death of their parents much later than previous generations. The journalist Helen Bullough and clinical psychologist Dr Linda Blair discuss the impact of being parentless in older age.
Imagine being the first woman to travel to the Moon. The Nasa astronaut Christina Koch has been chosen as one of the four crew members who will orbit the Moon in the spacecraft Orion, as part of Nasa’s Artemis II mission in November next year.
TV presenter Sarah Greene, most well-known for her work on Blue Peter and Going Live is back on our screens with a brand-new BBC 1 quiz show, The Finish Line. She reflects on her career and tells us all about her new role.
Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Dianne McGregor
Our weekly collection of the happiest stories in the world. This week, Jordan Hogg and his campaign to get more disabled people working in the film and TV industry, the Ukrainian soldier who became a ballet star after losing both legs in the war, and the surfers rescued after 36 hours adrift off Indonesia.
In 2021, Afghanistan's women's national players fled Kabul to Australia, following the return to power of the Taliban. No women's team representing Afghanistan has kicked a ball in international football since.
We catch up with goalkeeper Fati, who's now living and studying in Melbourne, to find out what life's like in Australia, what she wants from FIFA, and how the Women's World Cup has impacted her.
Image: Footballer Fatima Yousufi speaks during the Angel City Equity Summit at Sydney Opera House on August 04, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Hanna Lassen/Getty Images)
Sick people in England are being caught out by the complex rules which exempt some from NHS prescription charges. The Patients Association says the rules surrounding the £9.65 per item levy should be simplified. The call comes after Money Box listeners told us how they struggled to navigate the rules. The NHS Business Services Authority which runs the system told us "Patients can check they are eligible for free NHS prescriptions before claiming by using the free eligibility checker at www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/check. It takes just three minutes".
Money Box can exclusively reveal that £55 million of fraud was prevented last year by bank and building society employees deliberately ignoring customers' instructions to transfer their money to thieves. They're allowed to do that in a branch because of what is called the banking protocol - a UK-wide law that allows staff in the branch to stop transfers and ask customers what they're doing with their money and why. We'll hear from Sophie who saved one of her customers £90,000.
And, what does this week's fall in inflation really mean for your personal finances?
Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporter: Dan Whitworth
Researchers: Sandra Hardial and Jo Krasner
Editor: Jess Quayle
(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 22nd July, 2023)
It is the deadliest wildfire in the United States in more than a century. On the Hawaiian island of Maui, block after block of the seaside town of Lahaina lies in ruins. Only the twisted wreckage of buildings and charred vegetation remain among the ashes. More than 100 people have been killed. Host James Reynolds speaks to Ella, who lost her family home in the fires and with two volunteers, Uilani and Alison.
The leaders of the three countries agreed to expand military and economic ties, and condemned China's actions in the South China Sea at a historic summit. Also: a nurse found guilty of murdering babies in her care has become Britain's most prolific child serial killer in modern times, and why Iceland's prime minister writes crime novels in her spare time.
Filing for bankruptcy protection will allow the heavily-indebted Evergrande to protect its assets in the US as it works on a multi-billion dollar deal with creditors. The company defaulted on its huge debts in 2021, which sent shockwaves through global financial markets. The move comes as problems in China's property market add to concerns about the world's second largest economy.
England will take on Spain in the Women’s World Cup final over the weekend. Co-hosting the tournament was expected to generate about a third of a billion dollars for the Australian economy.
Google AdSense - a technology used by Google to serve advertisements based on website content - does not support indigenous African languages. So what is Google doing to help African language websites monetise their content?
Writer, Liz John
Director, Jess Bunch
Editor, Jeremy Howe
Ben Archer ….. Ben Norris
David Archer ….. Timothy Bentinck
Helen Archer ….. Louiza Patikas
Henry Archer ….. Blayke Darby
Pip Archer ….. Daisy Badger
Ruth Archer ….. Felicity Finch
Ian Craig ….. Stephen Kennedy
Eddie Grundy ….. Trevor Harrison
Emma Grundy ….. Emerald O'Hanrahan
George Grundy ….. Angus Stobie
Tracy Horrobin ….. Susie Riddell
Kirsty Miller ….. Annabelle Dowler
Stella Pryor ….. Lucy Speed
Adil Shah ….. Ronny Jhutti
Lynda Snell ….. Carole Boyd
Oliver Sterling ….. Michael Cochrane
Rob Titchener ….. Timothy Watson
Announcer ….. Jack Ashton
Lottie ….. Bonnie Baddoo
Ruth tells Tracy that although she’s given a lot of thought to a long-term let for Hannah, she thinks Brookfield B and B has run its course. It would be less stressful for Ben, and Pip has a lot on and seems really out of sorts at the moment.
Henry’s achieved his 1000 metre swimming badge at Borchester Leisure Centre, and Kirsty and Helen are delighted. When Kirsty heads off to pick up Henry’s badge, Helen’s shocked to bump into Rob in the car park. She threatens to call the police, but he points out that Helen’s already visited him twice of her own volition. Helen thinks Rob’s bluffing when he says he met up with Henry at the County Show yesterday. But when Henry appears demanding to know what Rob’s doing there, Rob says Helen has a right to know about their meet-up. He taunts Henry, and Helen threatens again to call the police. Rob goes and Kirsty rings Natasha to make sure Jack’s safe. Helen’s incredulous that Henry contacted Rob, reminding him that Rob’s dangerous. Henry explains that Rob told him his dream was to see Henry and Jack before he died. Upset Helen tells Henry that Rob doesn’t care about him, all he wants is Jack. Rob’s a liar and now Henry is too. He could’ve put Jack in danger. When Henry storms off Kirsty tries to calm Helen down pointing out Henry’s as much as a victim as Helen. Now Henry’s been rejected all over again. Distraught Helen wonders what she’s done to Henry.
Writer, Liz John
Director, Jess Bunch
Editor, Jeremy Howe
Ben Archer... Ben Norris
David Archer... Timothy Bentinck
Helen Archer... Louiza Patikas
Henry Archer... Blayke Darby
Pip Archer... Daisy Badger
Ruth Archer... Felicity Finch
Ian Craig... Stephen Kennedy
Eddie Grundy... Trevor Harrison
Emma Grundy... Emerald O'Hanrahan
George Grundy... Angus Stobie
Tracy Horrobin... Susie Riddell
Kirsty Miller... Annabelle Dowler
Stella Pryor... Lucy Speed
Adil Shah... Ronny Jhutti
Lynda Snell... Carole Boyd
Oliver Sterling.. Michael Cochrane
Rob Titchener... Timothy Watson
Announcer.. Jack Ashton
Lottie... Bonnie Baddoo
The giant Chinese property developer, Evergrande, has played down its decision to file for bankruptcy protection in the United States. The company described the move as a 'normal procedure'. We hear concerns about property values are falling faster than Beijing has revealed.
And we will look at the Women’s World Cup final over the weekend - England will take on Spain. Co-hosting the tournament was expected to generate about a third of a billion dollars for the Australian economy.
Google AdSense - a technology used by the company to serve advertisements based on website content - does not support indigenous African languages. So what is Google doing to help African language websites monetise their content?
The BBC has been told that fourteen hundred people have died of starvation in Ethiopia's Tigray region since international food aid was suspended. Also: Russia has accused Ukraine of launching a drone attack on Moscow's business district, and Italian cheesemakers use technology to stop counterfeit cheese.
Zimbabwe prepares to hold its second election since the 2017 overthrow of President Robert Mugabe, with many disenchanted at a lack of progress under his successor Emmerson Mnangagwa. Many Zimbabweans face economic hardship, and some young people are turning to drugs to fill the void created by a lack of opportunities.
Plus, we look at the impact of the World Bank saying Uganda won’t receive new loans from the institution, as a result of the country passing a stringent anti-LGBTQ+ law in May. Uganda’s government has called the announcement unjust and hypocritical.
And we hear reactions from Ghana to the new government-imposed 10% tax on betting and lottery winnings. The move has not been well received by gamblers, but the authorities say they need the extra revenue.
Sunday sees the Women's World Cup final between England and Spain and to mark it we are joined by England's top female goal scorer, Ellen White. By the time of Ellen's retirement after last year’s Euros, she'd scored 52 goals in 113 international appearances. She joins Anita from Sydney to discuss the magic of Sarina Wiegman and her advice for the Lionesses ahead of Sunday's match.
Has anyone asked for a pay rise yet? With everything costing more and wages not quite keeping up, maybe it's time we did. Historically women are less likely to ask for a pay rise with a recent survey suggesting half of men have asked for a rise but only 37% of women have. Anita is joined by businesswoman and entrepreneur Sharmadean Reid to discuss.
Imagine being the first woman to travel to the Moon. The Nasa astronaut Christina Koch is edging closer to that entry in the history books. She has been chosen as one of the four crew members who will orbit the Moon in the spacecraft Orion, as part of Nasa’s Artermis II mission in November next year. All going well, the Artemis programme will continue in 2025 as Nasa and its partners attempt to land the first woman and first person of colour on the surface of the Moon. Anita speaks to Christina all about it.
A new study has found that the morning-after pill is made more effective when taken with an anti-inflammatory painkiller. The study found taking the morning-after pill combined with piroxicam - a drug used for arthritis pain - prevented 95% of pregnancies, whereas taking the morning-after pill alone prevented 63%. Anita is joined by the President of The Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health at The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Dr Janet Barter, to discuss the significance of these findings.
Ligwina Hananto is an Indonesian stand-up comedian journeying to Europe for the first time to appear at the Edinburgh Fringe. She joins Anita to talk about what it’s like to be a hijab-wearing comedian in a conservative Muslim society, and why she feels like she lives a double life.
Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Hanna Ward
Studio Manager: Bob Nettles
After the horrific role played by the German military in the Holocaust, arguably the last place you would expect to find a Jew would be in the German Armed Forces. And yet it is estimated that today there are around 300 practising Jewish military personnel, and since 2021 they have had their own chaplain, the first chief rabbi – and the first non-Christian - in nearly 90 years. With the help of serving personnel and the head of the military rabbinate, Shelly Kupferberg explores what it means to be Jewish in today’s German armed forces. Shelly also hears from Michael Fürst, the very first Jew to sign up after World War Two, who is now the president of the association of Jewish communities of Lower Saxony.
Georgia officials say the names and addresses of jurors have been shared online, after they voted to indict former President Donald Trump. Also: Britain invites Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman to visit, outraging human rights groups. And the musician Nile Rodgers accuses a far-right political party in Switzerland of stealing his hit song "We Are Family".
The US regulator says the country's largest crypto platform failed to register as an exchange. The move comes a day after a similar lawsuit against Binance and its CEO. We find out what this means for crypto investors.
Thousands of people are being evacuated downstream of a major dam at Nova Kakhovka which has been blown up in Russian-held Ukraine. We look into the economic implications.
And we hear about the challenges of navigating through South Africa's power outages from the CEO of Transnet, the country's rail, port and pipeline company.
President Volodymr Zelensky has said Russia must be held accountable for the destruction of Nova Kakhovka dam, which has caused extensive flooding in southern Ukraine. Mr Zelensky said the Russian-controlled dam on the Dnipro river was destroyed by an internal explosion, in what he called a war crime and an act of terrorism. Russia has denied responsibility, blaming Ukrainian shelling instead.
Also in the programme: Prince Harry has been giving evidence in court in London against a newspaper group he accuses of hacking his phone; and a Ghanian doctor describes the potentially disastrous consequences for local health services of richer nations recruiting large numbers of nurses from countries such as hers.
(Photo: A general view of the Nova Kakhovka dam that was breached in Kherson region, Ukraine on 6 June 2023 in this screen grab taken from a video obtained by Reuters)
Evacuations are underway in the Kherson region as water levels rise. Ukraine accuses Russia of blowing up the Nova Kakhova dam. Moscow denies this. Also: Prince Harry is in court alleging journalists illegally gathered information about him, and the Brazilian singer Astrud Gilberto, the voice in The Girl from Ipanema, has died at the age of 83.
From one last journey in the morning light to caring for an endling - the last of a species - Josie Long presents short documentaries and audio adventures that begin at the end.
Toughie
Featuring Mark Mandica
Produced by Sarah Craig
Including recordings by Mark Mandica and Thomas Bancroft
The Heart's Chorus (Extract)
Originally created for the HearSay Festival in 2019
With musical performances from Niamh O'Brien (harp) and Wes Swing (cello)
Produced and composed by Phil Smith
Setting Sail (Extract)
Originally broadcast in 1985
Produced by Piers Plowright
Curated by Axel Kacoutié, Eleanor McDowall and Andrea Rangecroft
Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4
Dakar's time of reckoning. Following days of violent protests triggered by the sentencing of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, the city counts its victims.
Also in the pod: Does ChatGPT speak your language? We speak to the people expanding the language capabilities of machine learning systems.
And we discuss ‘brain drain’ from the continent with two Ghanaian nurses who are currently working in the UK
Greg has some alarming Animal News, Lara from the farm park defends Quaxle and Gamesmaster Daisy spots a cheat in the Escape Room.
Four-time Grammy award nominated singer Candi Staton has moved between several musical genres during of the course of her celebrated career – from soul, R&B, gospel and disco. However, dance music has always been her main groove with iconic tracks such as the multi-platinum 'You Got the Love' and her classic anthem 'Young Hearts Run Free'. It has recently been remixed by UK producer Benji La Vida and has had more than 2.4 million streams on Spotify alone, and there are 60,000 TikTok reels of people doing a dance challenge to the song. Candi is in the UK to play the Kite Festival of Ideas and Music in Oxfordshire this Saturday. She joins Nuala to discuss her life and music.
Ghana's health system is struggling due to their nurses being recruited by high-income countries, according to the head of the International Council of Nurses. So what is it that makes Ghanaian Nurses want to come and work in the UK? Angela is a nurse from Ghana who also works with the Ghanaian Diaspora Nursing Alliance – she joins Nuala to discuss.
Eight primary schools in a town in Ireland have come together and decided together to ban smartphones, Nuala speaks to Principle Rachel Harper, the leader of the initiative and Parent and PTA member Laura Bourne, to find out why and how it's been received.
In our series about narcissistic mothers we have heard from the daughters so far. Today, a listener we are calling Bethany tells her side of the story. Her relationship with her daughter had been strained for a long time. In January she received a book in the post about how to spot and deal with a narcissistic mother, some passages were highlighted, and a letter. Since then she has not seen her daughter or her grandchildren. How does it feel to be labelled a narcissist and how can you move forward from there?
In 2016, at the age of 27, Emma Cline became very famous indeed when her first novel The Girls was published. Set in the summer of 69 in California 14 year old Evie is caught up in a Manson Family-like cult and the violence that follows. In her new novel ‘The Guest’ Alex is a young woman whose life could go either way. She exploits the men around her as they exploit her but what does she want and where will she end up?
Presented by ...
Sir Keir Starmer addresses the GMB union, amid criticism of the party’s plans to end new licences for oil and gas exploration in the North Sea. The union and the Labour leader are in conflict over the policy.
Today’s Justin Webb spoke to GMB General Secretary says he hopes Sir Keir will listen to the concerns, because "we need a managed decline and not a cliff edge". He put the GMB’s concerns to Jonathan Ashworth, Shadow Secretary for Work & Pensions.
Image Credit: Reuters/Henry Nicholls
如果有人建议你做一件你绝对不想做的事情，那么你可以怎样礼貌地拒绝？本期 “地道英语” 节目教你一种拒绝的方法，可以让熟人或朋友明白你不仅对某事完全不感兴趣，而且不会改变主意。听主持人介绍名词短语 “hard pass” 的含义和用法。
In 1872, Yellowstone became America and the world's first national park. Alongside erupting geysers, bubbling hot springs, canyons, and bison herds, we uncover the pivotal role of art in winning over the public and convincing politicians to set aside this unique landscape, which today spans 2.2 million acres. Shirl Ireland is a landscape and wildlife painter from Gardiner, Montana, and naturalist and guide Ashea Mills, tread the same terrain as painter Thomas Moran and photographer William Henry Jackson.
President Zelensky says his country's forces are delivering 'the news Ukrainians were expecting'. Also: Apple launches a much anticipated digital headset - its first brand-new product for eight years, and with the announcement of his departure, how Edward Enninful broke boundaries as editor of British Vogue.
Crypto giant Binance has been accused of engaging in a "web of deception" as it was hit with another lawsuit by US financial regulators. The top US financial watchdog - the Securities and Exchange Commission has charged it for breaking the country's investment laws.
With Ukraine's long-anticipated counter-offensive seemingly under way, we'll assess the state of play and the state of mind in Kyiv and Moscow.
Also on the programme:
As Apple unveils its augmented reality headset, should we be braced for a virtual reality future?
And the Australian mother who wrongfully spent 20 years in jail accused of killing her four children.
A statement a few hours ago from the Ukrainian defence ministry said its forces are "shifting to offensive actions" in some areas. But for such an under-stated statement, there's been a frenzy of speculation today. Is this the start of the long-expected, big counter-offensive by Ukraine against Russia?
Also - an astonishing miscarriage of justice in Australia- we'll hear from the law professor who first took up the case more than ten years ago; and the promise of solar energy captured in space.
(Photo: A Ukrainian serviceman stands near an anti-aircraft missile launcher Ukraine, 07 April 2023. Credit: Oleg Petrasyuk /EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
The country is the only member of the group of oil-producing countries, OPEC+, that will reduce output to boost prices. Will it work?
Also in the programme, we look into India's railway system after three trains collided leaving 275 dead.
And we hear the latest from the largest international meeting of the African private sector, which is taking place in Ivory Coast.
Russia says it has repelled a major attack by Ukrainian forces in the south-east, in the latest sign that the long-awaited counter-offensive may be underway. Also on the programme, in the run-up to the COP28 climate summit, climate negotiators are in Bonn today assessing where the world has got to in terms of cutting greenhouse gas emission targets; and, a woman once branded Australia's worst female serial killer has been pardoned and freed from prison after 20 years behind bars.
(Photo: Ukrainian serviceman prepares a shell for a D-30 howitzer at a position in a front line near the town of Soledar 06/05/2023 Reuters)
Information on the latest fighting has not been independently verified, but questions swirl around the possible Ukrainian counter-offensive. Also: more than 180 victims of the Odisha rail disaster in India are yet to be identified, and France attempts to break the record for the largest crowd doing a dictation exam.
UK Immigration Rules Change: Many postgraduate students, including those from Africa, have lost the right to bring their families. Audrey Brown unpacks the effects on prospective students.
Also in the pod: Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni says an attack late last month on the Ugandan peacekeeping mission in Somalia left over 50 soldiers dead. Al-Shabaab claims they killed many more. How will it affect Uganda - and the reputation of the army?
And going back to my roots. A British Somali journalist goes home for the first time. How does she reconcile the two very different aspects of living in present day Mogadishu- the positive and the ever present threat of danger.
Anna Asks The Nation about holidays and exes, Energetic Ellie turns the tables on Greg in Yesterday’s Quiz and the verdict is delivered on Quaxle the duck.
Video posted on social media shows a group of young people attacking a man on the ground
Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.
Russia’s defence ministry says it's thwarted several Ukrainian attacks in occupied parts of the Donetsk region, and inflicted reverses on mechanised units in a forested area of Luhansk. Kyiv hasn’t responded directly to the claims, saying only that there had been almost thirty combat clashes in Donetsk and Luhansk.
The defence analyst professor Michael Clarke told Today’s Mishal Husain the activity suggests Ukraine's counter-offensive is now underway with ground operations. She also spoke to Jeremy Bowen, the BBC’s International Editor, about the pluses and minuses facing the counter-offensive. And she received further analysis from General Sir Richard Barrons, a Former Commander of British Joint Forces Command; and Alina Frolova, a former deputy Defence minister of Ukraine.
Image credit: Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images
James Gallagher reports on a psychedelic renaissance; a new wave of research testing hallucinogenic drugs like magic mushrooms to treat mental health conditions.
There’s genuine excitement and some early encouraging evidence.
A manufacturer tells James that in five years’ time, it’s possible that psychedelics could be part of the medicine cabinet – but with the hype, there’s risk too and there’s much still to learn about who these drugs could help and how.
Comedian and computer scientist Olga Koch returns for a second series of her comedy and STEM stand up show, joined by her sassy digital assistant ALGO (voiced by Tia Kofi). This episode, Olga and ALGO try to agree on what is, and isn’t, fun.
Written by Olga Koch and Charlie Dinkin
Featuring Tia Kofi
Additional Material From Rajiv Karia, Cody Dahler and Kate Dehnert
Production Co-ordinator Katie Baum
Produced by Benjamin Sutton
A BBC Studios Production
The Old Oak will be Ken Loach's last feature film and Sharuna Sagar was granted exclusive access behind the scenes of this landmark movie. She joins the 86 year old director on his swansong as he brings together his loyal team for one last time. As with his previous two films, I, Daniel Blake and Sorry We Missed You, Ken returns to the North East of England, to tell the story of Syrian refugees who have been housed in an ex-mining village. With him are his long-standing partners, producer Rebecca O'Brien and writer Paul Laverty, and they reveal the secrets of Loach's success.
Anti-Kremlin Russian paramilitaries say they captured them. Also: The deputy head of Sudan's ruling council has called for the withdrawal of all forces from the capital, Khartoum, where there has been an alarming escalation in fighting, and could gay marriage be on the cards in Thailand?
Fighters opposed to the government in Moscow say they have captured some Russian soldiers in Belgorod, near the border with Ukraine.
Belgorod's top official replied to say he had agreed to meet the men's captors if the soldiers were still alive.
Russia has blamed Ukraine for recent attacks in its border territories. Kyiv denies being directly involved.
Also in the programme: As hundreds of thousands of Poles protest against a law looking into alleged Russian influence in Polish politics, we speak to the opposition mayor of the capital, Warsaw; and we hear from Uganda’s ‘Ghetto Kids’ competing to win a big cash prize in a British talent show.
(Photo shows members of Russian Volunteer Corps pose for a picture atop an armoured vehicle at Graivoron border crossing in Kozinka, Belgorod region, Russia. Credit: Russian Volunteer Corps via Reuters)
Mani Djazmi and Sarah Mulkerrins profile the eight teams set to make their Women’s World Cup debuts at the upcoming tournament in Australia and New Zealand.
They’re joined by journalist Jen O’Neill as the team go around the globe hearing from some of the players who will be representing their nation on the biggest stage.
Louise Quinn of Ireland describes how excitement is building in the squad, while there are also interviews with Reina Bonta of the Phillipines, Panama’s Riley Tanner and Morocco and Tottenham forward Rosella Ayane.
(Image: The World Cup trophy is displayed at an official Maori welcome. Photo by William West / AFP via Getty Images)
Mary Lawson joins James Naughtie and a group of readers to answer questions about her novel, Crow Lake. An international bestseller, it tells the story of four siblings, orphaned by a road accident who have to find a new way to live as a family. The story is narrated by Kate, looking back at that dramatic rupture in her childhood. As she tells her story, Kate comes to understand not only how it affected her, but also her siblings - big brothers Luke and Matt, and baby sister Bo. Meanwhile, on a neighbouring farm, the Pye family faced their own crisis....
Upcoming recordings
13 June 1830 BBC Broadcasting House in London - Julian Barnes on Arthur and George
13 July 1830 BBC Broadcasting House in London - Mick Herron on Slough House
email bookclub@bbc.co.uk
India's top rail official says the cause and those responsible for the country's worst train crash in decades have been identified. Meanwhile, officials in Odisha state have now revised downwards the number of dead to 275.
Also on the programme: China shuts down commemorations in Hong Kong of the anniversary of the 1989 brutal suppression of pro-democracy protests in Tiananmen Square; and we hear why mountaineers are calling for higher standards for those attempting to climb Mount Everest.
(Photo: People check a list at a hospital in Cuttack to see if their relatives have been taken there. Credit: Reuters)
Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh le Ruairidh MacIlleathain. Litir àireamh 1246. Roddy Maclean reads this week's letter for Gàidhlig learners.
This week marks the start of the 'Churches Unlocked' festival in South Wales running between the 3rd and 11th of June. During this time thirty churches will be welcoming the public for events; from bell ringing taster sessions to wildlife spotting in churchyards.
With the closure rate of churches in Wales increasing, Christopher Catling, Chief Executive of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales, explains why he believes it’s vital to preserve church buildings, and how he believes events like this can help. The festival’s founder Sarah Perons explains how she hopes the event will help connect communities with their historic buildings.
Delyth Liddell visits three churches taking part in the festival. At Margam Abbey Mark and Ruth Greenaway Robbins show her the historic Stanton Vestments and share their vision for a welcoming inclusive church. Bev Gulley takes Delyth on her ‘Trails and Tales’ talk about the great and the good buried at the Abbey, and tells some captivating Victorian tales.
At St. Cybi’s Church, Llangibi, Peter Foden leads a pilgrimage walk, ‘Camino Cybi,’ and shares the story of a wild-camping Cornish prince who founded the church in the sixth century.
In Barry pupils from Oak Field Primary School show Delyth around Merthyr Dyfan church and share why they love this small sanctuary situated in the middle of residential housing estates. Emma Ackland explains how the festival has given them the boost to open the church that has been locked since the Covid pandemic, apart from for Sunday worship.
In China, protesters have clashed with the police over the planned demolition of a mosque's dome in a largely Muslim town in Yunnan, a southern province which is one of the most ethnically diverse areas in the country. Social media videos showed crowds outside the 13th-century Najiaying Mosque in Nagu town this week and it's reported that the clashes were sparked when the community was told to take down its dome and minarets.
Twenty-five years after the Good Friday Agreement, education in Northern Ireland is still more than ninety percent segregated by religion. Now the Westminster government is trying to encourage the creation of integrated schools, but at the same time funding is being cut for "shared education" activities that attempt to bridge the sectarian divide.
The Ugandan government has passed legislation that further criminalises gay people with penalties that include imprisonment and even the death penalty for so-called aggravated cases. It has generated an outcry from the international community. Campaigners have suggested that foreign aid to the country should be withdrawn. Is there a moral case for stopping aid to countries that pass laws regarded by others as intolerant and harsh?
Producers: Catherine Murray & Peter Everett
Production Coordinator: David Baguley
Editor: Jonathan Hallewell
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs.
In today’s programme: are ecstasy and LSD set to become new treatments for depression? Who’s chattier in their first year of life, boys or girls? and We look at what allergies are, and how we can help fight against them.
Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.
he collision is one of the worst in decades, with 288 people confirmed dead and more than a thousand injured. Also: Turkey's president appoints an orthodox economist as his new finance minister, signalling a possible change in approach to his country's economic crisis and, as Burna Boy packs out a stadium in London, we hear why Afrobeats and African tunes are taking the world by storm.
At least 288 people have been killed and 1,000 injured in a crash involving three trains in India's eastern Odisha state. One passenger train derailed on to the adjacent track and was struck by an incoming train on Friday, also hitting a nearby stationary freight train. We'll hear from a survivor of the crash.
Also in the programme: President Joe Biden has signed a bill raising the US borrowing limit, averting "economic collapse" after weeks of negotiations with Republicans; and Manchester City defeat Manchester United to clinch the FA Cup final.
(Picture: Rescue workers sit at the site of a train collision in Odisha State, India; Credit: REUTERS/Adnan Abidi)
A woman who was stalked by her husband and then placed into witness protection with a new identity to escape him, says she feels like she's the one being punished. She's complained to the police about the way her case was handled after being told she failed an assessment and was no longer being supported by them in her new life. She spoke to our reporter Melanie Abbott, and says she felt completely cut adrift. We hear her story of how she had to uproot her two children and start a new life with a new job in a new town, while her husband is free to live wherever he likes. Academic Rachael Wheatley from the university of Derby tells Anita how she is training police to be better at dealing with stalkers and how victims need better support.
A new report by the Trade Union Congress has highlighted a gender pension gap between what men and women are living on in retirement. The estimate it’s currently running at 40.5%, which is more than double the current gender pay gap. Nuala talks to Nikki Pound from the TUC and financial expert Sarah Pennells Consumer finance specialist at Royal London - pensions insurance provider about the issues facing women and possible solutions.
You can’t read a tabloid newspaper without some form of cheating scandal filling the headlines. But what makes someone lie to the person they love? Nuala asks Natalie Lue, a boundaries and relationships coach about the big and little lies we tell in relationships.
Writer and Podcaster Jackie Adedeji speaks to Nuala about her new Channel 4 documentary UNTOLD: My Big Boobs, a look into the impacts of having big boobs and the rise in breast reduction surgery. Sarah Ditum also joins to discuss the cultural trends of breasts through the years.
Dr Edna Adan Ismail is known as the ‘Woman of Firsts’. She’s Somaliland’s first trained midwife, first female Minister of Foreign Affairs, and former First Lady. And now she has added another first to her title. She is this year’s winner of the Templeton Prize - making her the first black African woman to receive the honour. She has been awarded the £1.1 million prize for her contribution to women’s health. In 2002 she sold everything she owned to build The Edna Adan Hospital and University which has played a crucial role in cutting maternal mortality rates in Somaliland. She still ...
قدرت و میزان تاثیرگذاری آنچه که شهروندخبرنگار نامیده میشود در جریان جنبش زن زندگی آزادی بود که به نمایش گذاشته شد. شهروندخبرنگار چه فرصتهایی ایجاد میکند و چه خطراتی میآفریند؟ مهمانان این برنامه: رضا دقتی؛ عکاسخبرنگار و فرزاد صیفیکاران؛ روزنامهنگار.
Sudan what next after the US imposes sanctions on the waring factions?
Also, the latest from the political crisis in Senegal.
Plus, the Gambia's economic crisis, a warning of debt distress.
And our Resident Presidents have got something to tell us.
Those stories in this the final edition of the Africa Today Podcast, produced and presented by Esau Williams.
The frontman of one of the biggest music acts of the 90’s, Supergrass, Gaz was born in Oxford to a food scientist father and an English teaching mother.
The family moved to San Francisco for a few of Gaz’s formative years, before returning to Oxford and at 13, he met 15-year-old Danny Goffey on the school playing field and that was the beginning of musical history.
Supergrass released six studio albums in their 17 years and famously turned down an offer from Stephen Spielberg for the band to do a Monkees style TV series.
The band broke up in 2010 and although they reformed, and played Glastonbury last year, Gaz has been making critically acclaimed solo records and has just released his fourth album Turn the Car Around.
Inherited: My Father’s Name Is Dad by Fire
Passing on: Land by Patti Smith
Producer: Ben Mitchell
It’s 70 years since a New Zealand mountaineer and his Nepali-Indian Sherpa mountaineer guide reached the highest point on Earth. There have been celebrations in Nepal in recent days to mark the anniversary. Thousands of people have followed in their footsteps but this climbing season on Mount Everest is drawing international attention for the record number of climbers and the increased deaths on the mountain. James Reynolds hosts conversations that give us an insight into one of the toughest challenges on the planet, as well as the challenges posed by climate change and the overall impact on those who rely on the mountain to earn a living.
Hundreds more are injured as rescue teams scramble to help. Also: Three more Europeans have been released from Iran - following a prisoner swap involving a jailed Iranian diplomat last week, and Cynthia Weil, the prolific American songwriter behind "You've Lost that Lovin' Feeling", the most played song of the twentieth century, has died.
With South Africa expecting its worst ever blackouts, what options does the country have to ensure its economy doesn't continue to suffer? Rahul Tandon discusses the country's options and speaks to a Nigerian businessman on the impact that new president Bola Tinubu removal of fuel subsidies is having.
And with youth unemployment among 16 to 24-year-olds in China hitting a record 20.4 per cent in April, we ask why its so high.
Nearly 200 countries pledge to create a legally-binding treaty to combat plastic pollution
Former scriptwriter of Cheers, ahead of an auction of the TV series' bar
Latest figures released by the Japanese health ministry reveal the country's birth rate has declined in 2022 for the seventh consecutive year, underscoring the sense of crisis. This is part of a trend seen across the world. Also on the programme, two Austrian- Iranian dual nationals serving long prison sentences in Iran for spying have been released and are on their way home; and, an auction begins this weekend to sell off items from the set of the American sitcom, "Cheers". We take a look back at a much-loved classic of television.
Writer, Nick Warburton
Director, Kim Greengrass
Editor, Jeremy Howe
Brian Aldridge ….. Charles Collingwood
Helen Archer ….. Louiza Patikas
Pat Archer ….. Patricia Gallimore
Tom Archer ….. William Troughton
Tony Archer ….. David Troughton
Lee Bryce ….. Ryan Early
Harrison Burns ….. James Cartwright
Susan Carter ….. Charlotte Martin
Ian Craig ….. Stephen Kennedy
Justin Elliott ….. Simon Williams
Tracy Horrobin ….. Susie Riddell
Jim Lloyd ….. John Rowe
Adam Macy ….. Andrew Wincott
Jazzer McCreary ….. Ryan Kelly
Elizabeth Pargetter ….. Alison Dowling
Freddie Pargetter ….. Toby Laurence
Stella Pryor ….. Lucy Speed
Adil Shah ….. Ronny Jhutti
Oliver Sterling ….. Michael Cochrane
Harriet ….. Janice Fryett
Topical comedy quiz show, where Andy Zaltzman & a crack panel dive into this week's news.
The US labour market shows strong position than expected with 339,000 jobs in May. This fuels the markets interest – will the Federal Reserve and the US central bank, continue increasing interest rates?
A blood test for more than fifty types of cancer has shown it can detect two thirds of cancers correctly. Researchers at Oxford University said although the test remains a 'work in progress' it could increase the number of cancers identified and reduce hospital tests. Also: The US Secretary of State says Russia's invasion of Ukraine has been a strategic failure, in Senegal, police surround the house of an opposition leader after a jail sentence pronounced against him sparked deadly protests, and we hear from the Manchester City football star Erling Haaland ahead of the FA cup final on Saturday.
In this tragicomic tale - specially commissioned for Radio 4 and read by the author - a student breaks up the tedium of her summer job in inventive, and increasingly unhinged, ways.
Josie Long is an award-winning comedian, broadcaster and writer. She has recently published her first collection of short stories, Because I Don't Know What You Mean and What You Don't.
Producer: Ciaran Bermingham
The United Nations says organised crime networks are expanding smuggling routes in Southeast and East Asia to ship synthetic drugs through the region. Also in the programme: a BBC investigation uncovers how one member of one of Iran's most persecuted families spent 1,000 days in solitary confinement; and the teenaged Ukrainian refugee turned playwright.
(Photo: A handful of the synthetic drug crystal meth Credit: REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski)
Shocking news from Lara at the farm park, energetic Ellie plays a jolly game of WrongUns and Lorrie and Ayesha battle out the final of Yesterday’s Quiz.
Two female journalists in Iran are on trial for covering the death of 22 year old Mahsa Amini, the Kurdish-Iranian woman who died in custody last year sparking protests across the country and months of unrest and shocked the world. Mahsa was arrested and charged with not covering her hair properly and then reportedly so severely beaten she fell into a coma. Niloofar Homedi and Elaheh Mohammadi were among the first to report on her death; a photo taken by Niloofar for the Shargh daily newspaper showing Amini’s parents hugging each other in a Tehran hospital where their daughter was lying in a coma drew international attention. While Mohammadi, traveled to report on Mahsa Amini’s funeral. Faranak Amidi, BBC Near East Women Affairs Correspondent discusses.
Now Sex and the City fans have been celebrating some exciting, and rather unexpected, news - Variety magazine reports that Kim Cattrall will be reprising her role as Samantha Jones in the spin-off And Just Like That. She was noticeably absent from the first season, and it's reported that she will only be appearing in one scene in the show's finale. There has been much speculation about how it came to happen as she has reportedly had a strained relationship with fellow cast-mate Sarah Jessica Parker, who also acts as an Executive Producer on the show. Journalist and Sex and the City fan, Olivia Petter joins Anita.
One consequence of the overturning of Roe V Wade, which has made accessing an abortion more difficult in some US states, is that there’s been a rise in the number of men seeking vasectomies. An estimated 20,000 extra men chose to undergo the surgery between July and December last year. Anita Rani talks to Dr. Stanton Honig the director of the Yale Medicine Male Reproductive Health & Sexual Medicine Program.
A new study by the Universities of Glasgow and Cardiff has found that male characters in video games speak twice as much as female characters, and when female characters do speak, they’re more likely to apologise, hesitate or be polite. We discuss the findings and the reasons behind the gendered dialogue with a lead author of the study, Dr Stephanie Rennick, and games writer and narrative designer Samantha Webb.
African midwife Edna Adan Ismail is known as the ‘Woman of Firsts’. She’s Somaliland’s first trained midwife, first female Minister of Foreign Affairs, and former First Lady. And now she has added ...
The US government said the sanctions would cut off key financial flows to the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces. Also: Donald Trump reportedly caught on tape talking about keeping classified document after leaving office, and a Nepali guide saves the life of a climber found in the "death zone" on Mount Everest.
Jean Vanier changed Richard and Hazel’s lives. He founded the L’Arche movement – a global network inspired by Christian teaching – where people with and without learning disabilities live together in community. During his life, Vanier was hailed as “a living saint” and “a prophet”. But shortly after his death, a deep and disturbing secret emerged – that Vanier founded L’Arche to hide a mystical sex sect, coercing and abusing at least 25 women, all without disabilities. Richard and Hazel were stunned when they discovered the truth. Now they and 150 L’Arche communities are coming to terms with what has happened.
A verdict against Senegalese opposition politician, Ousmane Sonko, has been announced. What impact would it have on his aspirations for higher office?
And the controversial 'patriot' clause makes its way through Zimbabwe's parliament.
Those stories in depth in t his podcast presented by Esau Williams
Is Africa at growing risk of an economic meltdown? Ed Butler speaks to the head of the IMF's Africa programme, Abe Selassie, about what help those nations in debt trouble need.
Andrew Tate interview and analysis
Government's legal challenge over the Covid inquiry's demand for WhatsApp messages
Social media companies deleting evidence of war crimes
Social media personality Andrew Tate has denied fuelling a culture of misogyny and defended his reputation in a combative interview with the BBC.
Mr Tate, in his first television interview with a major broadcaster since being released into house arrest from police custody in Romania in April, dismissed the testimonies of individual women involved in the current investigation who have accused the former kickboxer of rape and exploitation when they were put to him.
Also in the programme: reports that peace talks between the warring factions in Sudan have collapsed -- but one resident of Khartoum tells us people barely noticed the last truce; and an operation begins to avert an environmental catastrophe off the coast of Yemen.
(Picture shows Andrew Tate during his interview with the BBC. Credit: BBC)
The California Condor has been brought back from the brink of extinction by dedicated conservation efforts over the past 30 years. Now, this critically endangered species is the latest victim of the H5N1 bird flu which is racing round the world. California Condor Coordinator Ashleigh Blackford and wildlife veterinarian Dr Samantha Gibbs from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service discuss their last-ditch efforts to vaccinate the birds against H5N1.
Huge 40,000 km plumes of water ice have been imaged erupting from Saturn’s moon Enceladus. Dr. Sara Faggi, a postdoctoral Researcher in the Solar System Division at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, dives into this incredible new observation from the James Webb Space Telescope.
Dr Pierre Galand from France’s Observatoire Océanologique de Banyuls has been part of a two-and-a-half-year expedition to sample the microorganisms in coral reefs across the world. His new research shows that this tiny life is much more diverse than previously understood and may be essential to life of the coral reefs. And, much deeper in the Ocean, researchers estimate that there are over 5000 unnamed species in the world’s largest mineral exploration region, the Clarion-Clipperton Zone. Muriel Rabone and Dr Adrian Glover from the Natural History Museum in London talk to Roland about this region of stunning biodiversity and the hope to protect it.
Contributors:
Ashleigh Blackford, California Condor Coordinator, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
Dr Samantha Gibbs, wildlife veterinarian, U.S Fish and Wildlife Service
Dr. Sara Faggi, Postdoctoral Researcher, Solar System Division, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Dr Pierre Galand, Observatoire Océanologique de Banyuls, Laboratoire d'Ecogéochimie des Environnements Benthiques
Muriel Rabone, Data and Sample Coordinator, SCAN. Life Sciences Division, Natural History Museum London
Dr Adrian Glover, Merit Researcher, Invertebrates Division, Life Sciences Department, Natural History Museum London
Image: An adult and juvenile California condor
Credit: Loi Nguyen
Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Ella Hubber
Editor: Richard Collings
Snaking queues have been spreading across Nigeria’s petrol stations after the new president Bola Tinubu announced the end of fuel subsidies on Monday. As panic buyers try to fill up their deposits amid fear of fuel shortages, we hear about the impact this is having on businesses.
One of Australia's most decorated soldiers has lost his civil court case against three newspapers which had accused him of carrying out war crimes in Afghanistan. A judge in Sydney decided that some of the allegations against Ben Roberts-Smith were substantially true. These include his involvement in the deaths of unarmed Afghans. He has denied all the allegations.
Also in the programme: European leaders are meeting in Moldova today for a summit focusing on the continent's security; and an endangered orchid which was flown from the United States has flowered in the UK for the first time today.
(FILE PHOTO: Ben Roberts-Smith. CREDIT: Getty Images)
The war in Ukraine dominates the summit of 47 nations in Moldova. Also: Australia's most-decorated living soldier loses a historic defamation case, and the US House of Representatives passes a crucial debt deal.
Greg cold calls a farm park to ask about the length of their ducks, Greg and Danny Howard’s friendship is put to the test, and it’s cowboy time at someone’s wedding.
Dozens of experts - including the heads of OpenAI and Google Deepmind - have supported a statement published on the webpage of the Centre for AI Safety, suggesting it could be an existential threat to humanity. On Wednesday night, the US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken & EU Tech Commissioner Margarethe Vestager met and spoke of their hopes of agreeing a new global code of conduct for AI.
Today’s Nick Robinson spoke to Nate Sharadin, Research fellow at the Center for AI Safety, and Dame Wendy Hall, the Regius Professor of Computer Science at the University of Southampton. She also co-chaired the UK government’s AI Review in 2017, and she's a member of the government's AI Council.
A woman who was stalked by her husband and then placed into witness protection with a new identity to escape him, says she feels like she's the one being punished. She's complained to the police about the way her case was handled after being told she failed an assessment and was no longer being supported by them in her new life. She spoke to our reporter Melanie Abbott, and says she felt completely cut adrift. We hear her story of how she had to uproot her two children and start a new life with a new job in a new town, while her husband is free to live wherever he likes. Academic Rachael Wheatley from the university of Derby tells Anita how she is training police to be better at dealing with stalkers and how victims need better support.
Did you grow up in the 90s and noughties during the advent of the internet, when MSN, chatrooms and MySpace were the dominant platforms? Harriet Gibsone is an author and millennial who was part of the first generation to come of age online. In her new memoir Is This OK? One Woman’s Search for Connection Online, she examines the long-term impact it had on her and the pros and cons of online connection at different stages of her life, from being a teen to becoming a mother struggling with early menopause. She joins Anita in the Woman's Hour studio.
Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma reflect on arguably the greatest Indian Premier League final ever and ask whether MS Dhoni should retire now after winning his fifth title with Chennai Super Kings? The final spanned three days after heavy rain on Sunday meant the final was held on Monday which was the reserve day. It finished at 1:35 on Tuesday morning.
Plus after Alison Mitchell’s trip to Uganda we are joined by Consy Aweko who captains the Uganda women's team to hear how cricket was established in the country and the challenges that they face. She also tells us how successful the team have been recently and their maternity policies.
Jim Maxwell shares his thoughts on how big a loss it will be for Australia in the upcoming Women’s Ashes without their captain Meg Lanning. Lanning will remain in Australia because of medical reasons.
Photo: Captain MS Dhoni of the Chennai Super Kings after their victory against Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on May 29, 2023 in Ahmedabad, India. (Credit: Getty Images)
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the revelatory collection of Biblical texts, legal documents, community rules and literary writings.
In 1946 a Bedouin shepherd boy was looking for a goat he’d lost in the hills above the Dead Sea. He threw a rock into a cave and heard a hollow sound. He’d hit a ceramic jar containing an ancient manuscript. This was the first of the Dead Sea Scrolls, a collection of about a thousand texts dating from around 250 BC to AD 68. It is the most substantial first hand evidence we have for the beliefs and practices of Judaism in and around the lifetime of Jesus.
The Dead Sea Scrolls have transformed our understanding of how the texts that make up the Hebrew Bible were edited and collected. They also offer a tantalising window onto the world from which Christianity eventually emerged.
With
Sarah Pearce
Ian Karten Professor of Jewish Studies and Head of the School of Humanities at the University of Southampton
Charlotte Hempel
Professor of Hebrew Bible and Second Temple Judaism at the University of Birmingham
and
George Brooke
Rylands Professor Emeritus of Biblical Criticism and Exegesis at the University of Manchester
Producer Luke Mulhall
Russia is supplying the Myanmar military with advanced fighter jets and training their pilots how to use them in a war against their own people. More than two years on from the coup, the country’s military is facing a countrywide armed uprising and their troops are struggling to hold ground and recruit foot-soldiers. So, the strategy is turning increasingly to the air with devastating consequences. BBC’s Asia editor Rebecca Henschke follows those fighting back on the ground and in the air. And meets defectors from the airforce who give exclusive insight into the strategy and psychology behind those operating these deadly machines.
(Photo credit: Free Burma Rangers)
The US House of Representatives debates a bipartisan deal to raise the government's debt ceiling and avoid a damaging default. Also: Russia says heavy shelling from Ukraine is behind its decision to evacuate hundreds of children from Belgorod, and how difficult is it to make tasteless peas?
After months of negotiations Congress finally votes on raising the US Government's $31.4 trillion debt ceiling. Ed Butler gets the latest from the vote and hears how it will affect those most in need.
As inflation in Sri Lanka falls 10%, but remains high at 25.2% we speak to the country's finance minister, Ranjith Siyambalapitiya.
And how much is the Women's World Cup worth? FIFA is threatening a blackout if broadcasters don't improve their bids.
A barrister will lead a review into ITV's handling of its investigation into Phillip Schofield's relationship with a colleague. We'll assess how serious a moment this is for the broadcaster.
Also on the programme:
The fate of thousands of Ukranian children - taken to Russia - and the mothers who've tracked them down. We'll speak to one of Britain's most distinguished criminal barristers, Helena Kennedy KC, who's on the Legal Task Force for Crimes in Ukraine.
And with just 50 days to go before the start of the Women's Football World Cup - will a deal be reached for the tournament to be televised?
Sudanese officials say the army has suspended ceasefire talks with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The Zimbabwe dollar has suffered a sharp drop, days after the government proposed additional measures to stabilise the currency.
And we speak to Mark Weston about his book 'The Saviour Fish', which looks at an environmental catastrophe caused by East Africa's British colonial government to Lake Victoria.
We celebrate the legacy of one of Africa's most celebrated authors and playwrights, Ama Ata Aidoo, who has passed away at age 81.
President Biden has warned of recession and millions of jobs lost if the deal doesn’t pass. We speak to one Republican congressman who says his own leaders have given away too much in negotiations.
Also on the programme: Russia begins evacuating children from the border region of Belgorod. We remember the life and work of the Ghanian writer Ama Ata Aidoo. And astronomers discover a 6,000 mile-long plume of water spurting out of Saturn’s moon.
(Republican speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy speaks to media ahead of the vote CREDIT: EPA)
As Uganda approves some of the harshest anti-LGBTQ legislation in the world, we hear from Dr Chloe Orkin, Professor of infection and inequities at Queen Mary University in London about the impact the new laws are already having on HIV health services.
Strict abortion laws in some US states are causing women to travel hundreds of miles to terminate their pregnancies across state lines. In the latest in our series on the health impacts of the US Supreme Court ruling on abortion, Claudia Hammond discusses the mental health consequences that these abortion restrictions can have. She speaks to Nancy Davis from Louisiana who had to travel over 1,300 miles to New York for a medically advised abortion after being told her unborn baby would not live to them. We also hear from Dr. Katherine Wisner, Professor of Psychiatry and Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Northwestern University in Chicago, who has researched the mental health ramifications of abortion restrictions.
BBC health and science correspondent James Gallagher discusses the reaction to a new UK study which claims that including certain foods and drinks can prevent age related memory loss. And how researchers in Canada and the USA have discovered a new superbug killing antibiotic using AI.
Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producers: Clare Salisbury and Jonathan Blackwell
FASHION RE-IMAGINED: Laurie Taylor talks to Angela McRobbie, Emeritus Professor at Goldsmiths, University of London about the working lives of independent designers in London, Berlin and Milan, at a time when fashion is under the spotlight due to concerns about the environment and exploitation in the industry. How might we create a more equitable and inclusive fashion future? Also, Kat Jungnickel, Reader in Sociology at Goldsmiths, uncovers the lesser-known clothing inventions which enabled women to access the male preserve of sports, move in new ways and expand female mobility and freedom.
Producer: Jayne Egerton
We're looking at Asia's two biggest economies: India and China. In India GDP has risen to 6.1% in GDP while China - once called the world's factory for producing cheap goods - is seeing a dip in manufacturing activity.
The court increased prison sentences for two Serbian officials convicted of training death squads during the Bosnian war in the 1990s. Also: A BBC investigation reveals new evidence of the trauma suffered by Ukrainian children taken to Russia, and the rare albino giant anteater discovered in Brazil.
Shadow minister Nick Thomas-Symonds said Dale Vince, a green energy entrepreneur, was a "legitimate person" to take money from.
Tory ministers have called for the donations to be returned, arguing it legitimises Just Stop Oil's tactics.
Protests by the environmental group, which wants the government to halt new licences for the exploration of oil and other fossil fuels in the UK, include blocking roads and disrupting sporting events.
Shadow international trade secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said Labour had been "extremely clear on our views on Just Stop Oil". "What they are doing is entirely counterproductive and the only debate it's provoking is about our public order laws," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
We spoke to Dale Vince about his support for Labour and the campaign group Just Stop Oil
Credit: Just Stop Oil/PA Wire
The BBC’s Eastern Europe correspondent Sarah Rainsford has found new evidence of what is happening to Ukraine’s missing children, and meets some of the families who are fighting to get them back.
Also on the programme: NATO says it’s going to send hundreds more troops to Kosovo after a number of its peacekeepers were injured in clashes with Serb protesters on Monday; and the “mad and offensive” medieval manuscript offering a rare glimpse into 15th-century live comedy performances.
(Image: Children who went to a Russian-organised summer camp from non-government controlled territories and were then taken to Russia, wait for departure to Kyiv after returning via the Ukraine-Belarus border, in Volyn region, Ukraine. April 7, 2023. Credit: REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko)
We hear from wacky Aunts and Uncles, Ellie who doesn’t like her food to be lonely, an eagle costumed gull scarer and a Ten To Ten bride to be!
When Rebecca Perry was growing up, she competed nationally and internationally as a trampolinist. She went on to become a published poet and has now ventured into non-fiction with a beautifully written memoir, On Trampolining. She joins Nuala in the studio.
A new report by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has highlighted a gender pension gap between what men and women are living on in retirement. The estimate it’s currently running at 40.5%, which is more than double the current gender pay gap. Nuala McGovern talks to Nikki Pound from the TUC and financial expert Sarah Pennells Consumer finance specialist at Royal London - pensions insurance provider about the issues facing women and possible solutions.
A new Channel 4 documentary out today, A Paedophile In The Family, looks at the life of Emily Victoria and how she carried the weight of being sexually abused by her father throughout her childhood. Following the release of her father from prison, she decided to reach out to those who knew her - teachers, family friends and her mother - to try and understand how the abuse she experienced from the age of two to eighteen remained hidden for so long. Emily joins Nuala in the studio.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Lucinda Montefiore
听众 Cinta 来信询问单词 “factor、element、component” 和 “ingredient” 的区别。名词 “factor” 的意思是 “因素”，它强调对结果产生的影响，而 “element、component” 和 “ingredient” 在表达 “事物的组成要素” 时几乎没有区别。听节目，学习这四个词的用法。
To mark the Coronation of King Charles III our presenter Adam Shaw gets exclusive access to the Royal Mint to witness how new £2 commemorative coins are produced and to see its extensive archives. In this programme, we discuss how different monarchs have affected our money and what the future might hold for the physical cash that we carry in our pockets. To help explore the Crown and our currency, Adam is joined be a panel of experts, Dominic Chorney, an Ancient Coin Specialist at Baldwin's, Catherine Schenk, Professor of Economic and Social History at the University of Oxford and Jennifer Adam, Curator at the Bank of England Museum.
Presenter: Adam Shaw
Producer: Amber Mehmood
Researcher: Jo Krasner
Editor: Jess Quayle
(First broadcast 3pm, Wednesday 3rd May, 2023)
The unrest was sparked when ethnic-Albanian mayors took office in Serb-majority areas, after being elected in a vote boycotted by Serbs. Also: experts say Artificial Intelligence or AI could lead to extinction of humanity, and would you join the no washing of clothes movement?
New research from economists in both Europe and the US shows that corporations are artificially stimulating current high levels of inflation. Ed Butler speaks to one of those behind the studies and asks if the price rises are all entirely justified.
We get the latest from Washington as President Biden urges Congress to pass a deal to raise the government's borrowing limit and prevent a potentially catastrophic default on US debt repayments.
And we hear the new warnings about the risks posed to humanity by the latest advances in artificial intelligence.
Today, three hundred and fifty leading AI experts agreed with him - warning that it poses an existential threat to humanity on a par with pandemics and nuclear war. We'll ask one of them what lies behind the apocalyptic language.
Also on the programme:
Despite the protests, a controversial talk by the gender critical academic Kathleen Stock went ahead tonight at the Oxford Union. We speak to two Oxford students on different sides of the free speech debate.
The rock band - Royal Blood - have sparked a backlash after insulting the crowd at a festival. So it that ever a good idea?
A group of leading artificial intelligence experts have issued a warning that the technology could be capable of making humanity extinct. In a short statement posted online top tech experts warned that the threat from AI is as great as pandemics and nuclear war.
Also in the programme: The search is continuing for four children believed to have survived a small-plane crash in the Colombian Jungle; and a new national security law has come into effect in the Chinese territory of Macau which punishes any opposition to Beijing.
(FILE PHOTO: A robot equipped with artificial intelligence is seen at the AI Xperience Centre in Brussels, Credit: Reuters/Yves Herman)
This week we have two more finalists in the All in the Mind Awards.
When Hollie met the love of her life Pete she felt she belonged for the first time. But then her new husband's cancer returned and this time it was terminal. Soon after he passed away, her dad and her cat died too. Having experienced so much loss, she attempted to take her own life. Then she found the charity the New Normal - which Ben formed with Jack when both their fathers died. The safe space of the online meetings helped her to keep going - and now the charity has members across the world. So what makes them so special?
When Aura took up her job working in a busy specialist GP practice for homeless people she had already experienced loss after her brother died because of addiction. When her alcoholic father died she got the emotional support she needed from her boss Dr Paul O'Reilly - who also helped her to grow in confidence in her role as an independent nurse prescriber.
Professor Catherine Loveday from the University of Westminster uncovers new research about how a lack of gender equality can change structures in the brain and how warmth and competence in a therapist could help convince sceptical clients that talking therapy might make a difference.
It's the time of year to perhaps start thinking about a holiday, and when you have a visual impairment there are often lots of things to consider. How you'll get there, whether the accommodation will be accessible and the kinds of activities that you'll do. So, we thought we'd look at some trips that could be suitable; including Sense Adventures, who offer walking holidays in the Malvern Hills and elsewhere, The Visually Impaired Sailing Association, who teach you how to sail a yacht and Christine Thomas tells us about why her static caravan in Cornwall is perfect for her independence.
A few weeks ago, we spoke about a consultation that the Civil Aviation Authority have launched, to gather people's experiences of accessibility when dealing with airlines. They have now added a phone line, as well as online and email submission options. The number to call is: 0330 138 5015. You can also email: consumerenforcement@caa.co.uk. For more information, visit: https://consultations.caa.co.uk/corporate-communications/performance-framework-for-airline-accessibility/
Sense Adventures: https://www.senseadventures.co.uk/
The Visually Impaired Sailing Association: https://visa-gb.org.uk/
Presenter: Peter White
Producer: Beth Hemmings
Production Coordinator: Liz Poole
Website image description: Peter White sits smiling in the centre of the image, wearing a dark green jumper. Above Peter's head is the BBC logo (three individual white squares house each of the three letters). Bottom centre and overlaying the image are the words "In Touch" and the Radio 4 logo (the word Radio in a bold white font, with the number 4 inside a white circle). The background is a bright mid-blue with two rectangles angled diagonally to the right. Both are behind Peter, one of a darker blue and the other is a lighter blue.
South Africa grants diplomatic immunity to officials attending the BRICS summit in August. Russian President Vladmir Putin is expected to attend.
Also, Uganda's President Museveni reacts to Ugandan Troops killed by Al-Shabab militants in Somalia.
And we'll find out how incessant illegal gold and diamond mining is polluting rivers in Sierra Leone.
Those stories and more in this podcast with Karnie Sharp.
Many business groups including corporate giants such as Google warned Uganda's government of the negative impact the anti-LGBTQ legislation could bring. Homosexual acts are already illegal in Uganda but now anyone convicted faces life imprisonment.
First multiple drone attack on city since invasion of Ukraine. Also: a former government scientist in China says the possibility that Covid-19 leaked from a laboratory should not be dismissed, and President Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela visits Brazil for the first time in eight years.
Moscow has been targeted by multiple drones, in the biggest such attack on the Russian capital since the invasion of Ukraine. The Russian defence ministry said eight drones had been brought down. Ukraine has denied carrying out the attack.
Also in the programme: Venezuela's president Nicolas Maduro has visited Brazil for the first time in eight years; and after a rock band complained about the reception from the crowd at a music concert in Scotland, we ask what's the etiquette for both artists and their audience?
(Picture: A man is seen through a window of a damaged multi-storey apartment block following a reported drone attack in Moscow. Credit: Reuters/Maxim Shemetov)
A recent BBC investigation found that illegal vapes confiscated from school pupils contained far higher levels of lead, nickel and chromium than deemed safe.
The prime minister Rishi Sunak said he was shocked by this finding and a new crackdown on vape marketing would prevent the "unacceptable" targeting of children and teens.
There will also be a review into the rules around the sale of "nicotine-free" products to under-18s.
Labour called the announcement a "baby step" and said urgent action was needed. There is now a fast-moving debate on how to tackle vaping by children.
We spoke to two headteachers of secondary schools in England and Kate Pike, the Lead Officer for Vaping at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, about whether these were the right measures.
(Photo credit: Getty Images)
As figures show more than a third of parents are using debt to pay for childcare, Nuala will be meeting two women who’ve gone deep into the red to pay nursery fees in order to maintain a career and discussing whether the financial risk has been worth it.
The government has announced that it is set to close what it calls an ‘unacceptable’ loophole which allows e-cigarettes to be given to teenagers - a ban on nicotine free products to under 18s is also being considered. Research by NHS Digital shows that one in five 15-year-old girls use electronic cigarettes, which is 7% higher than boys of the same age. Nuala is joined by Linda Bauld, Professor of Public Health at Edinburgh University as well as Leanne McGuire, the mother of a teenager who was addicted to vaping at 15 and Rob Pavey, the Headteacher at a secondary school in Oxford to discuss.
Writer and Podcaster Jackie Adedeji speaks to Nuala about her new Channel 4 documentary UNTOLD: My Big Boobs, a look into the impacts of having big boobs and the rise in breast reduction surgery. Sarah Ditum also joins to discuss the cultural trends of breasts through the years.
Succession has ended after four dramatic seasons. It has been called ‘the greatest TV show ever made.’ The satirical dark comedy-drama about power, politics and a family dynasty followed the highly dysfunctional Roy family. The show might be a fantastic snapshot into the lives of the top 1% but it has also produced some incredible female characters. Nuala hears more about the women in Succession from comedian Sara Barron, who co-hosts Firecrotch and Normcore: a Succession Podcast, and Journalist Laura Martin.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Emma Pearce
For years the people of Evin-Malmaison in north-east France have lived and brought up children in a town which is dangerously polluted. The Metaleurop Foundry attracted workers and their families, it provided life to the area - but it has now killed it with the pollution, which lies deep in the soil. Twenty years after the factory closed, the scale of the scandal has only just emerged, thanks to a new residents campaign. But who will takes responsibility? Marine Hay meets the families here who say they can't live with lead seeping into their water supply, but can't leave because, who would buy their houses?
Serb protestors were angry at ethnic Albanian mayors being installed in Serb-majority areas. Also: Erdogan supporters celebrate win in divided Turkey, and could tea, apples and berries stave off age-related memory loss?
In his inaugural address President Bola Tinubu announced the decades-long subsidy on petroleum products was being scrapped, leading to a rise in the price of petrol. Rahul Tandon finds out what the wider implications will be for the country already facing economic challenges.
We speak to the company behind the 3D printed schools being built in Ukraine.
And we hear why parents in France may be banned from posting pictures of their children on social media.
Activists in the country have called it a “dark day”. We speak to one LGBT activist about how the community will be affected.
Also on the programme: Russia launches a daytime attack on Ukraine’s capital Kyiv; and Turkey wakes up to five more years of Erdogan.
(File photo shows protest in South Africa in support of Uganda’s LGBT community. CREDIT: Reuters)
We’re familiar with fungal infections like Thrush and Athlete’s foot, but fungal diseases that can kill are on the increase. The World Health Organisation is so concerned that it’s published its first ever list of life threatening fungi.
In this edition of Discovery, James Gallagher hears stories of hospitals being shut down, a ruined honeymoon and fungal infections that consume human tissue leaving terrible disfigurement. Add to that ‘The Last of Us’, a hit video game turned TV series where a parasitic fungus manipulating the brains of ants has jumped to people. Sounds fanciful but while this particular fungus couldn’t cross from ants to humans, Dr Neil Stone explains why invasive fungal infections are on the rise and a potential pandemic should not be dismissed.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu is sworn in as Nigeria's new president.
Also, Somalia's president wants his people to have a direct say in choosing their leaders, the first time since 1969.
Those stories and much more in this his final Africa Today podcast with Hassan Arouni.
Turkey's president Erdogan won a historic third term, seeing off Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. But its left more questions than answers on the country's future economic direction.
And can the US finally get a deal done to avoid a debt crisis?
Recep Tayyip Erdogan's supporters are celebrating after Turkey's long-time president won Sunday's vote, securing another five years in power. But the country is divided. Almost half the electorate in the polarised country did not back his authoritarian vision of Turkey. We speak to Ibrahim Kalin, one of Erdogan's senior advisers.
Also on the programme: the devastation wrought in western Sudan; and we hear from the grandson of the last surviving member of the first ascent of Mount Everest.
(Image: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan acknowledges supporters after winning re-election in Turkey's run-off vote, at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey, on 28 May 2023. Credit: EPA-EFE/Savas)
The latest attack was unusual because it took place during the day and seemed to be targeted at the city centre. Also: New laws in Uganda mean LGBT people could face the death penalty and a musical blast from the past, as the band Sparks retake the pop scene
From September, officers will only attend mental health 999 calls where there is an "immediate threat to life". The Met argues the move will free up officer resources after a significant rise in the number of mental health incidents being dealt with by its officers in the past five years.
Some police chiefs believe this is down to the service increasingly being seen as the first resort for people in a crisis, as well as a lack of capacity in the NHS and social services to deal with growing mental health demands.
Sarah Hughes, chief executive of Mind, has warned there is not enough capacity in other public services to replace the work police officers currently do.
Zoe Billingham, who was previously Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue, said the proposals could create a "vacuum". Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, she warned there is "simply no other agency to call" other than the police for people in crisis.
Ken Marsh, chairman of the Met Police Federation - which represent officers up to the rank of inspector - broadly welcomed the announcement. He said police officers can be required to wait in hospital for up to 12 hours with people suffering from mental health problems or dementia.
Why do we lie? And what is happening in our brain when we do it? Nuala asks psychologist Dr Sharon Leal, Senior Research Fellow and Member of the International Centre for Research in Forensic Psychology at the University of Portsmouth and Professor Tali Sharot, director of the Affective Brain Lab. a professor of cognitive neuroscience at University College London, and the author of The Optimism Bias.
A 2019 study by Portsmouth University found that men were more than twice as likely to consider themselves expert liars who got away with it. But women can be just as good at lying. Nuala speaks to two women who are very good at it! Amanda Lovett, from the BAFTA award winning BBC gameshow The Traitors, won legions of fans for her steely ability to lie during the show, and Kirsty Mann is a writer and comedian - but she’s been keeping a very big secret from some of her comedy pals. She has a show about having a double life is called SKELETONS and is playing at the Edinburgh Fringe.
Some lies are bigger than other and can have a huge impact on your life. Nuala talks to writer Miranda Doyle about exposing her family's lies in her memoire Book of Untruths, and a listener we are calling Ravi, explains why she lied to her family about moving to the US for love.
Plus, you can’t read a tabloid newspaper without some form of cheating scandal filling the headlines. But what makes someone lie to the person they love? Nuala asks Natalie Lue, a boundaries and relationships coach, and author of The Joy of Saying No, and writer Rosie Green, author of How to Heal a Broken Heart and host of podcast Life’s Rosie about the big and little lies we tell in relationships.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Sophie Powling
Jayde Adams and her guest DJ Nick Grimshaw dive into the world of community apps and messageboards.
This week - a fart in a Carlisle supermarket, Grimmy's neighbours turn paparazzi at a time of crisis, and a found treasure of the Templar is not all it’s cracked up to be.
Producer: Cornelius Mendez
An unusual production for BBC Radio 4
Alberta is an award-winning Barbadian-Scottish multi-disciplinary artist whose work encompasses drawing, digital collage, film and video installation, sculpture, performance and writing. In this edition of In The Studio, Antonia Quirke follows the progress of a new painting, commissioned specifically for the exhibition. All is going well with the painting, until Alberta realises that it might be upside down.
His rule now extends into a third decade. Also: President Biden holds more talks with the Republican House speaker to finalise a crucial deal to raise the US debt ceiling, and the Malaysian Prime Minister calls for an end to fawning coverage of his government and urges the press to be more critical.
Turkey's long-time president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has won today's presidential election run-off. He told his supporters that Turkey itself was the only winner. We'll bring you the latest from our correspondent in the capital.
Also in the programme: One-person-one-vote could be returning to Somalia under plans agreed at a four-day conference in the capital Mogadishu; and authorities are urging the World Health Organisation to declare a public health emergency over a fungal outbreak linked to cosmetic surgery in Mexico.
(Picture: Supporters of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan react following early exit poll results for the second round of the presidential election outside the provincial headquarters of AK Party in Istanbul. Credit: Reuters/Hannah McKay)
The opposition challenger in the presidential run-off in Turkey has urged voters to get rid of the authoritiarian regime of Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The incumbent, however, is expected to extend his hold on power.
How a combination of booming tourism, government measures to attract foreign investment and the possibilities of remote working have sent house prices soaring leading to a housing crisis in Portugal.
Also, a deadly border clash between Iran and Afghanistan over access to water.
(Photo shows a woman voting during the second round of the presidential election, in Istanbul, Turkey. Credit: Reuters)
Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh le Ruairidh MacIlleathain. Litir àireamh 1245. Roddy Maclean reads this week's letter for Gàidhlig learners.
The government has announced plans to deal with the problem of child sex abuse, but what are the implications for religious organisations? Almost every week, there are news stories about churches or religious groups facing allegations of the abuse of children or vulnerable adults. While the issue exists across society, its prevalence in religious settings has been striking. We explore why this is the case and what churches need to do if they are to tackle it effectively.
The Florida Governor Ron DeSantis threw his hat into the US presidential ring this week. He's taking on Donald Trump for the Republican nomination and hopes to capture much of Donald Trump's religious base. DeSantis is a Catholic and often talks about the importance of faith. His policies in Florida have galvanised the Christian Right. We examine the likely importance of religion in the battle for the Republican presidential nomination.
How do you remember loved ones who have died? In Mexico, there is a celebratory "Day of the Dead". In Japan, a centuries old festival, called Obon. In Britain, there is a new invitation for us to reflect on our memories of friends and family who have died. It's called Celebration Day, and it falls today, May 28th. The idea is that on this day in particular we pause to cherish our memories and keep the lives of those who have died, more present in our minds.
Producer: Amanda Hancox
Presenter: William Crawley
Editor: Jonathan Hallewell
Religious affairs programme, tackling the issues of the day in a thought-provoking manner.
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs.
In today’s programme: What attracts mosquitoes to some people but not others? Grow not mow: why one Cambridge college has broken hundreds of years of tradition, and decided not to mow their lawn. And we look at the science of memory. What is it, and how can we improve our own memories?
New episodes released weekly. If you're in the UK, for more BBC podcasts listen on BBC Sounds: bbc.in/3UjecF5
Claim made to the BBC by one of Ukraine's most senior security officials. Also: Turkey holds its first ever presidential run-off election, with Recep Tayyip Erdogan seeking to extend his rule into a third decade in the face of a strong challenge from Kemal Kilicdaroglu and, Iraq announces a seventeen-billion dollar road and rail building project to link Europe and the Gulf.
The BBC has been investigating reports of possible war crimes on medical facilities and staff in Sudan, perpetrated by both sides in the conflict. Reports show bombing of hospitals, military occupation of healthcare facilities and the deliberate targeting of doctors. We have a special report.
Also in the programme: NATO has urged the government in Kosovo not to further escalate tensions with the Serb minority; and a race to save unique relics and remains in Cairo's City of the Dead as the government clears the way for roads and bridges.
(File photo: A Sudanese national flag is attached to a machine gun of Paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) soldiers as they wait for the arrival of Lieutenant General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, head of RSF. June 22, 2019. Credit: Reuters/Umit Bektas)
Broadcaster Eleanor Oldroyd, comedian Bob Mills, journalist Jim White and comedian Justin Moorhouse join Colin Murray for an hour of sporting punditry, humour and entertainment in the end of season Champion of Champions show. Points are awarded for informed comment, wit and passion, but taken away for nonsense and answers lacking in conviction.
In the final round, the top two points scorers go head-to-head in 'Defend the Indefensible' where they must both defend a statement however ludicrous or distasteful for twenty seconds. There can only be one winner, so who will be crowned this season’s FT Champ!?
Get the podcast from BBC Sounds
A recent survey of a thousand teenage girls has found that nearly half of them have struggled to access products at school. On Sunday a Period Parade will make its way through London to call for continued support to combat period inequality and shame. We hear from Emily Wilson - the International chief executive of I Rise, a period-equality charity.
Dr. Katriona O’Sullivan grew up as one of five children living in dire poverty, surrounded by addiction. She is now an award winning lecturer, whose work explores barrier to education. She tells us about her extraordinary life story, as told in her memoir ‘Poor’ and to explain how she triumphed through sheer determination.
As the Online Safety Bill progresses through the House of Lords, the former culture secretary Baroness Morgan of Cotes has tabled an amendment to the Bill calling for a Violence Against Women and Girls Code of Practice. She tells us why she believes a code is desperately needed to specifically address the harms to women and girls.
Sales of new petrol and diesel cars in the UK will end by 2030, but women are less likely than men to consider buying an electric vehicle, and the gap seems to be widening. Erin Baker, Editorial Director from AutoTrader and Beth Morley, a mobility and human insights manager from Cenex, discuss.
Let’s Eat Grandma are an electro-pop duo composed of best friends Rosa Walton and Jenny Hollingworth. They tell us about their friendship since the age of four and perform ‘Two Ribbons from their latest album.
Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Rabeka Nurmahomed
Ukraine is ready to launch its long-expected counter-offensive against Russian forces, one of the country's most senior security officials has told the BBC. Oleksiy Danilov would not name a date but said an assault to retake territory from President Vladimir Putin's occupying forces could begin "tomorrow, the day after tomorrow or in a week".
Also in the programme: A BBC investigation has seen evidence that both sides in Sudan's conflict could be carrying out war crimes on medical facilities and staff; and Henry Kissinger - one of the dominant figures in twentieth century US diplomacy - turns one- hundred today.
(Photo: Ukrainian troops have spent months training on Western equipment ahead of the expected attack. Credit: Getty Images)
مردم دل و دماغ ندارند. این را حتما در ایران یا در مورد ایرانیها کم نشنیدهاید. آیا جانب تراژیک زندگی برای ایرانیها جذابیت بیشتری دارد و منظر کمیک زیست انسانی غالبا فراموش میشود؟ مهمانهای برنامه: محمود فرجامی؛ طنزپرداز و پویا قدوسی؛ استاد دانشگاه هستند
Sadiq Khan was born in 1970 in Tooting, south London. He became a solicitor in the early 90’s specializing in Human rights issues, and an MP in 2005. He was first elected as London Mayor in 2016, becoming the third mayor of the city and its first Muslim mayor. In his new book 'Breathe: Tackling the Climate Emergency' he describes his reaction to being diagnosed with adult-onset asthma.
He reveals the music that was the soundtrack to the mad house he grew up in - and the inspirational song that politicised him.
Inherited: Our House by Madness
Passing on: Pride (In the Name of Love) by U2
Producer: Ben Mitchell
The prospects for many current employees hoping for a comfortable retirement looks "risky at best". That's the warning from the Institute for Fiscal Studies, which has started a major review of pensions together with Financial Fairness Trust, a charity funded by the investment firm Abrdn. We'll speak to the IFS and answer your questions on pensions.
The listener who had to remortgage but was turned down because he had a Ukrainian family living in part of his home.
Are you going to Europe this summer? If so, have you got your GHIC card which can give you cheap or free medical care in some countries? We'll explain how it works.
And next Saturday is the Coronation of Charles III. He and his wife, Camilla will be crowned King and Queen of the United Kingdom and 14 other Commonwealth countries. It is nearly 70 years since the last coronation in June 1953 when Charles's mother was crowned Queen Elizabeth II but what has changed in our personal finance since then? Paul Lewis speaks to Dr. Duncan Needham, Director of the Centre of Financial History at Cambridge University.
Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporter: Dan Whitworth
Researchers: Sandra Hardial and Jo Krasner
Editor: Justin Bones
(First broadcast, 12noon Saturday 29th April, 2023)
The exact cause is unknown, but the mental health condition ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) affects millions of lives around the world. Symptoms include hyperactive behaviour and maintaining concentration. To understand its effect a little more, we brought people together who are living with it. Two mothers in Kenya and the UK share their experiences of bringing up children with the condition. Host James Reynolds also hears from two couples living with ADHD in Nigeria and the United States, and rapper Jude MI Abaga.
Pristina is accused of undermining efforts to normalize relations with Serbia, which has puts its army on high alert. Also: a Russian border region bordering Ukraine comes under heavy bombardment, and the discovery of thousands of weird and wonderful species in an untouched area of the Pacific Ocean.
A former Metropolitan police officer, found guilty of gross misconduct over her investigation of Sarah Everard's killer, Wayne Couzens, says she's received hundreds of hate messages.
Also in the programme: Presenter Phillip Schofield has quit ITV after admitting to an affair with a younger male colleague at This Morning; and ahead of the second round of key Turkish presidential elections, we hear from the wife of a jailed critic of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The US House Speaker says there's been progress in the talks about a deal to raise the government debt limit for two years, and that negotiations with the White House will continue. Kevin McCarthy said the work would carry on until an agreement was reached - but he added this was just the start on cutting spending. The US needs to raise the debt ceiling so it can keep paying its bills and avoid a default that could happen in a week's time.
Will Bain talks to the US Chamber of Commerce, billionaire and Republican donor Ken Fisher, and Mark Shepherd, the Mayor of Clearfield in Utah.
The governor of Russia’s southwestern Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, said areas had come under heavy bombardment, suffering intense artillery and mortar shelling. He spoke of Ukraine hitting a whole string of villages following the arc of Russia’s border.
Also on the programme: We hear from Ayse Bugra, the wife of Turkish political prisoner Osman Kavala, ahead of the country’s election on Sunday. And the love of sleeper trains and why they are making a comeback.
(Image: Belgorod regional governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov. Credit: Sputnik/Reuters)
Al-Shabab have carried out an attack on a base of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia, housing Ugandan troops. The base is located around 100km from the capital, Mogadishu. The militant group said they captured the camp and killed dozens of ATMIS soldiers, but there's been no independent confirmation.
We hear from Kenya's Nancy Karigithu, who is in the running to become the first African woman to head the International Maritime Organisation.
Thousands of demonstrators gathered yesterday in the Malian capital, Bamako, to demand the departure of the UN mission in the country, known as MINUSMA.
And Uganda's parliament has passed a bill increasing paternity leave from four to seven days. MPs said they got the idea from neighbouring Kenya, where male working employees get two weeks of leave.
Writer, Daniel Thurman
Director, Jess Bunch
Editor, Jeremy Howe
Helen Archer ..... Louiza Patikas
Pat Archer ..... Patricia Gallimore
Tom Archer ..... William Troughton
Tony Archer ..... David Troughton
Lee Bryce ..... Ryan Early
Alice Carter ..... Hollie Chapman
Chris Carter ..... Wilf Scolding
Susan Carter ..... Charlotte Martin
Ian Craig ..... Stephen Kennedy
Emma Grundy ..... Emerald O'Hanrahan
Tracy Horrobin ..... Susie Riddell
Adam Macy ..... Andrew Wincott
Jazzer McCreary ..... Ryan Kelly
Kirsty Miller ..... Annabelle Dowler
Oliver Sterling ..... Michael Cochrane
Anna Tregorran.... Isobel Middleton
A Russian missile's struck a clinic in Ukraine; we'll hear how Ukrainian surgeons are learning to deal with warzone injuries. Also in the programme: the Venezuelan government's army of twitter trolls; and the Afghan film-maker hoping to bring the suffering of Afghan women under the Taliban to a wider audience thanks to some Hollywood stardust.
(Photo: Rescuers work at the site of a clinic heavily destroyed by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Dnipro, Ukraine May 26, 2023. Credit: REUTERS/Mykola Synelnykov)
With less than a week to go until the deadline is breached, we find out how close we are to a deal between the Democrats and the Republicans. Rahul Tandon gets the economist perspective on how the deal can get over the line.
After a year of strikes and union action, we speak to the General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation, which represents 45 million workers across the continent.
And we heard from Barcelona, where the city's status as a tourist magnet has come under scrutiny.
It also found the UK embassy didn't help a British couple who lived steps away. The family said an 85-year-old man was shot by snipers before his disabled wife died of starvation. Also: An Indian government official has been suspended after ordering an entire reservoir to be drained to recover his phone and why the US city of San Francisco has appointed a drag laureate.
Arielle leads Greg on one last wild goose chase to find the final key which opens the Big Weekend and a chicken korma is all that separates our quiz team.
In the last two years Turkey has withdrawn from the Istanbul Convention which "creates a comprehensive legal framework and approach to combat violence against women" and at the same time international observers have raise concerns over femicide rates in the country as well as violence against women and girls. Anita Rani talks to the independent journalist Barcin Yinanc and Ravza Kavakci from Erdogan’s ruling AKP party.
A recent survey of a thousand teenage girls has found that nearly half of them have struggled to access products at school. On Sunday a Period Parade will make it’s way through London to call for continued support to combat period inequality and shame. We talk to Emily Wilson - the International chief executive of I Rise, a period-equality charity
Tracey Curtis-Taylor is a British aviator who has paid tribute to pioneering female aviators like Lady Mary Heath and Amy Johnson by flying the paths they once flew. Now she’s written a book all about her flights, and the reasons behind them. She joins Anita in the studio to talk more about her adventures.
Bar Pandora is the emerging alt-pop project and stage name of Coventry-based musician, writer, artist & performer, Charlie Tophill. The new single Ultramess is out this week. Charlie joins Anita to discuss the inspiration for her work, overcoming shame and self-policing in the music industry.
Liz Harvie and Debbie Iromlou are both adult adoptees in their 50's and Woman's Hour listeners. Having heard our discussion about adoption on Tuesday they decided to get in touch. They wanted to talk about the impact of being adopted on their mental health all through their lives.
Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Lisa Jenkinson
Studio Manager: Duncan Hannant
The parents who murdered their 10 month old baby, Finley Boden, will be sentenced on Friday. Key documents which led to a court agreeing to return Finley to his parents in 2020, who then murdered him 39 days later, have been obtained by the BBC. One of the journalists that pushed for access to the court, and obtained transcripts of the case, is BBC Correspondent Sanchia Berg.
Today’s Amol Rajan then spoke to Josh MacAlister, the Chair of the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care, and to Toby Perkins, the Labour MP for Chesterfield, where Finely Boden spent his brief life. They discussed whether greater transparency is something family courts should strive towards, and what went so badly wrong in this case?
Image Credit: Derbyshire Police
by Ollie George Clark
Amy and Ben are like most writers and actors: they haven't had any proper work for ages so they set out to make their names by writing and producing a true crime podcast. But it's not long before they find themselves redefining the word 'true'.
Amy ..... Emma Sidi
Ben ..... Barney Fishwick
Becky ..... Kymberley Cochrane
Helen/Janey ..... Leah Marks
James/Dad ..... Gerard McDermott
Director, Sally Avens
One of the founding principles of the United States is that religion and politics, church and state, are separate. Yet today in America religious belief and politics have become inseparable. Self-styled "evangelical" Christians have become the dominant grassroots force in the Republican Party. "Evangelical" is not a denomination, it can mean different things to different people in terms of religious doctrine. The unifying principle seems to be in the political outlook of its adherents: deeply conservative in the 21st Century American political context. Michael Goldfarb explores the tension between a life of Christian faith and the dirty realities of secular politics.
Breakthrough made by scientists from the US and Canada. Also: The European police agency breaks up what it calls an extremely violent gun and drug trafficking gang in an international operation, and why orcas are sinking boats off the Iberian coast.
Nvidia, a US firm which specializes in chips powering artificial intelligence, surged as much as 27% on Thursday, putting the company on course for record performance with a market cap above $900 billion.
But where is the future of AI while there are raising concerns about regulating and its safety?
The Eurasian Economic Forum continues Moscow. Vladimir Putin is attending alongside leaders from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia.
Also in the programme: Rishi Sunak denies claims his government has lost control of immigration; and we have a special report on the Turkish Alevi community in North London
Long: The head of Russia’s Wagner group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, said they'd begun handing over control of the captured Ukrainian city to Moscow's army. Ukraine has dismissed claims that Bakhmut has fallen to Russia. We hear from military analyst Justin Crump on what we know so far.
Also on the programme: Net migration into Britain reaches a record high, and we hear from a scientist who used AI to discover a new antibiotic.
(Photo: An aerial view shows destructions in the frontline town of Bakhmut, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine. Credit: Reuters)
A star in the nearby Pinwheel Galaxy has exploded spectacularly into a supernova, dubbed SN 2023ixf. It is the brightest in a decade and has sprung astronomers around the world into a frenzy. Science in Action hears from both amateur and professional astronomers alike as they scramble to collect exciting new images and data.
Back on the ground, we hear from the Professor of Climate Change and Earth System Science at the University of Exeter, Tim Lenton about his new paper highlighting how rising global temperatures could push human populations from their homes.
Contributors
Dan Milisavljevic, Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, Purdue University.
Dr Jane Clark, Trustee of the Cardiff Astronomical Society
Bronco Oostermeyer, amateur astronomer
Raffaella Margutti, Associate Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Berkeley
Erez Zimmerman, Astrophysics PhD student, Weizmann institute of science
Professor Avishay Gal-Yam, Head of Experimental Astrophisics Group, Weizmann institute of science
Professor Tim Lenton, Director of the Global Systems Institute and Chair in Climate Change and Earth System Science at the University of Exeter
Image: Supernova SN 2023ixf
Credit: Dr Jane Clark and The Cardiff Astronomical Society
Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Ella Hubber
The IMF has approved a $3.5bn loan for Ivory Coast. It said the loan will help the country tackle the triple shocks of the Covid pandemic, global monetary tightening and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
It’s Africa Day! This year marks 60 years since the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU).
Plus, Sierra Leone’s iconic Cotton Tree has fallen during a storm in Freetown.
Three years on from the death of George Floyd, we look at what has changed for the African-American community.
This week Martin talks you through everything you need to know about the latest energy price cap.
What will you pay? How does it work? Are fixes coming back? Plus standing charges, switching and pre pay help!
You ‘tell us’ how your energy usage has changed over the last two years.
AND will Nihal finally get a Mastermind right, or will he go off the rails?
A conversation with Twitter's owner Elon Musk was delayed when the platform malfunctioned. Ron DeSantis is seeking the Republican nomination for 2024's US presidential election.
Also on the programme, Russia's Wagner mercenary group says its forces have begun withdrawing from the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. And we hear the story of a paralysed man who can walk again, thanks to AI.
(Picture: Ron DeSantis launches his campaign to be the Republican presidential candidate. Credit: Reuters)
As Germany enters recession, Rob Young looks at the key factors behind it and speaks to a manufacturer weathering the storm.
With a tense political future and struggling economy, how likely is Pakistan to get the IMF funding it so desperately needs?
And as Turkey holds a crucial election runoff we find out why voters are giving the incumbent President Erdoğan another chance.
Greg is feeling sheepish about not finding Arielle sooner and Welcome To The DCC – Dundee District Council – that is!
Ukraine insists it still controls parts of the shattered city. Also: A court in Vietnam has jailed a noodle seller who made fun of one of the country’s most powerful ministers, and tributes are paid to music legend Tina Turner, we look back at her life and talent.
On this week's Stumped we are joined by one of the fastest bowlers in the women's game, Shabnim Ismail who has just retired from International Cricket. South Africa made it to the 2023 World Cup Final at home in Cape Town but were narrowly beaten by Australia. In a revealing interview Ismail says that if players like Lizelle Lee, Mignon Du Preez, Trisha Chetty and Dane Van Niekerk were playing in the final, then they might have won the World Cup. All four of the players have retired from international cricket in the last twelve months.
We look ahead to the final of the Indian Premier League, ask whether Chennai Super Kings can win the title for the fifth time and discuss Gujarat Titan's star player Shubman Gill.
And the team debate whether Australian bowler Michael Neser should be in the Ashes squad.
Photo: Photo: Shabnim Ismail of South Africa celebrates taking the wicket of Shamima Sultana of Bangladesh during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup match between South Africa and Bangladesh at Newlands Cricket Ground on February 21, 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Credit: Getty Images)
Tributes are being paid to the Queen of Rock n Roll, Tina Turner, who has died aged 83 after a long illness. Turner became one of the world's most famous music icons, known for her smash hits What's Love Got to Do With It , We Don't Need Another Hero and The Best. To pay tribute to this music legend, Anita is joined by the music journalist Jacqueline Springer and Dhivya Kate Chetty, the director of When Tina Turner Came to Britain.
More than a million people have been displaced over the last five weeks as two men fight for control of Sudan. The United Nation’s Population Fund says there’s been a 900% increase in reports of gender based violence since the start of the conflict and doctors are reporting a rise in the number of women seeking help after being raped. Anita Rani talks to Nima Elbagir, a Sudanese-born journalist and CNN's Chief International Investigative Correspondent and Dr Attia Abdullah who’s a doctor in Khartoum and General Secretary of the Sudan doctors trade union.
Helen Hardy grew up in Newcastle loving football, playing it and watching it. At the 2019 Women's World Cup in 2019 she had a lightbulb moment as she looked around the stands and realised all the female fans were wearing men's football shirts, despite clearly being fans of the women's game. She set up Foudy's in 2020, the first retailer dedicated to selling shirts for women's football. The judges for this year's Woman's Hour Power List put her at Number 6 on the list.
Cleo Watson served in 10 Downing Street as Theresa May’s political adviser then Boris Johnson’s co-deputy chief of staff. She joins Anita to talk about her novel, Whips, which follows three young politicos trying to make a life for themselves in Westminster. It's got scandal, sisterhood and a lot of sex! But just how much of it is based on Cleo's own time behind the most famous black door in the UK?
Let’s Eat Grandma are an electro-pop duo composed of best friends Rosa Walton and Jenny Hollingworth. They used to write together in Rosa’s family home in Norwich and made their first song together aged just 10. Three albums later, including one which was nominated for an Ivor Novello award, they are soon to be performing at Meltdown Festival in London. They join Nuala in the studio to discuss their career, friendship and perform ...
Hamish Barclay was a teenager when he was given steroids to treat kidney problems and experienced a rare side effect of psychosis. Now 29, he's lived with a diagnosis of schizophrenia for ten years and thanks to support from his mother Josephine he's been able to return to making music. His sister Maudie helped him to nominate their mum for an All in the Mind Awards - and she's now reached the finals.
The family talk candidly to Claudia Hammond about the stigma around schizophrenia - they sometimes avoid using the word because they know it can put people off playing music with him in bands. Maudie says their mum shows incredible patience and love by driving him to London from Somerset and sitting in his classes, so he can study music and play his beloved guitar.
The voices - or auditory hallucinations - which Hamish hears make it hard for him to write songs - but the medication he takes is helping to push them into the background. We hear some of Hamish's compositions he's recorded with other students at his college - and about how much difference writing music has made to his mental health and wellbeing.
Tina Turner, the soul star behind hits like The Best and What's Love Got to Do With It, has died aged 83. She overcame abuse by her first husband and her decision to speak out about that violent marriage still inspires other women today.
The singer went on to become a global star with her combination of R&B, funk, rock and pop. Today's Amol Rajan speaks to Spice Girl and Women's Aid patron Mel B, and the singer and actress Mica Paris. Nick Robinson speaks to Liz Mitchell, lead singer of Boney M.
(Image credit: REUTERS/Rose Prouser)
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the highly influential American poet Walt Whitman.
In 1855 Whitman was working as a printer, journalist and property developer when he published his first collection of poetry. It began:
I celebrate myself,
And what I assume you shall assume
For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.
The book was called Leaves of Grass. In it, Whitman set out to break away from European literary forms and traditions. Using long lines written in free verse, he developed a poetry meant to express a distinctively American outlook.
Leaves of Grass is full of verse that celebrates both the sovereign individual, and the deep fellowship between individuals. Its optimism about the American experience was challenged by the Civil War and its aftermath, but Whitman emerged as a celebrity and a key figure in the development of American culture.
With
Sarah Churchwell
Professor of American Literature and the Public Understanding of the Humanities at the University of London
Peter Riley
Lecturer in 19th Century American Literature at the University of Exeter
and
Mark Ford
Professor of English and American Literature at University College London
Producer Luke Mulhall
Drought and hotter summers are killing Germany’s spruce forests. They’re a staple of the timber industry but are proving unable to cope with the consequences of climate change. Four out of five of Germany’s trees show signs of sickness, according to the latest survey of the health of the country’s forests. All tree species are affected. And although the last couple of years have seen more rain this hasn’t been enough to compensate for the damage already done.
One third of Germany is forested and trees are seen as a means of absorbing carbon emissions, as well as a source of wood for the building industry and heating. Forests are also a popular destination for recreation – hiking, biking or simply relaxing. Caroline Bayley has been to some of the country’s forests to find out what’s being done to rescue Germany’s trees before it’s too late.
Producer/presenter: Caroline Bayley
Editor: Penny Murphy
Studio: Engineer Rod Farquhar
Production co-ordinator: Helena Warwick-Cross
(Photo: Harz mountains by Caroline Bayley)
Her unmistakable voice on hits like The Best, and Private Dancer made Tina Turner a superstar. Also: Florida governor Ron DeSantis announces he is running for US president in 2024, and brain implants help paralysed man to walk again.
Ron DeSantis has filed the necessary paperwork to run for the US presidency, saying he's Donald Trump without the drama. Mr DeSantis is expected to be one of the strongest challengers to the current leader in the polling: Donald Trump, despite being some way behind him. Kasia Madera hears from David Kotok, the chair and chief investment officer of Cumberland Advisors - a money management firm in Florida.
Outbreaks of violence continue in Sudan, where a week-long ceasefire is meant to be in place between rival military forces. UN human rights chief, Volker Turk, said he had heard reports of fighting in parts of the capital, Khartoum.
In Libya, representatives of the High Council of State and the east-based parliament, the House of Representatives held a press conference after a two-day meeting in Morocco. The committee has announced a consensus on the election process for the presidency and parliament, aiming to hold elections in early 2024.
DRC president, Felix Tshisekedi is on his first official visit to Beijing. He is expected to meet Chinese President, Xi Jinping to review and sign several key trade deals.
And the United Nations and The Gambia's Ministry of Health are partnering to provide fistula repair surgery and rehabilitation to women suffering from Obstetric Fistula.
The American Grammy award-winning singer, whose soul classics and pop hits like The Best and What's Love Got to Do With It made her a superstar, has died at the age of 83. The White House described her death as a massive loss. We hear from her friend and co-writer Martyn Ware.
Also on the programme: We hear the latest the ground in Sudan where a week-long ceasefire between rival military forces appears to be breaking down. And is owning three Labradors worse for the environment than travelling by private jet?
(Image: Tina Turner performs in New York's Central Park in 1969 wearing a red leather outfit. Credit: Getty Images)
As new research is released showing that lower back pain is the leading cause of disability across the world, we ask Professor of musculoskeletal health at Sydney university, Manuela Ferreira what we can do to reduce the risks.
We’re talking empathy; the ability to resonate with how others feel. Do healthcare professionals have enough empathy? And can having too much sometimes cause people working in healthcare difficulties with their own mental health?
BBC health reporter Smitha Mundasad joins Claudia in the studio to discuss heart health. As a new report by the World Heart Foundation warns that deaths from cardiovascular disease have increased by more than 60 per cent over the last 3 decades, we look at a study from Japan that shows how keeping your legs strong can lead to a better prognosis after a heart attack.
And a device that could increase your chances of surviving an avalanche has been tested in Italy. Claudia and Smitha discuss the results.
Image Credit: Moyo Studio
Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producer: Clare Salisbury
Assistant Producer: Jonathan Blackwell
Digital intimacy - Laurie Taylor asks how the algorithms embedded in digital technologies are transforming our relationships. He's joined by Anthony Elliott, Distinguished Professor of Sociology at the University of South Australia and author of a new book which suggests that that machine intelligence is changing the nature of human bonds, from sexual partners to friendship and therapy. Also, Carolina Bandinelli, Associate Professor in Media and Creative Industries at the University of Warwick, discusses her study of Tinder, and other dating apps, and the surprising finding that sex and love are not at the core of how people use them.
Producer: Jayne Egerton
Just months after its first ever satellite mission in the UK reached space, Sir Richard Branson's firm has shut down. Will Bain finds out why it failed to take off, and what its collapse tells us about the cost of the space information race.
We hear about the business of running a business in one of Kenya's biggest refugee camps.
And it's a $2 billion industry, but is the message of gospel being lost in the secular world of commercialism?
The Russian border region of Belgorod has once again come under attack, with drones and shellfire striking villages overnight. On Tuesday Russia claimed to have defeated a group of saboteurs who crossed the border from Ukraine. Also: Tens of thousands of students have sued their universities in the UK demanding to be refunded part of fees they paid while there were no in-person classes during the pandemic, and France is banning domestic flights for journeys that can be completed in in two and a half hours by train.
After more than seven years taking evidence, six months ago the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse published their final report which put forward 20 recommendations for the government. This week the Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, announced they had accepted 19 of those put forward. Professor Alexis Jay, who chaired the IICSA for seven years, joins Nuala to explain why she is deeply disappointed with their response.
Dr. Katriona O’Sullivan grew up as one of five children living in dire poverty, surrounded by addiction. She is now an award winning lecturer, whose work explores barrier to education. She joins Nuala to discuss herlife story, as told in her moving, funny, brave and shocking memoir – Poor.
Sales of new petrol and diesel cars in the UK will end by 2030, but women are less likely than men to consider buying an electric vehicle, and the gap seems to be widening. Erin Baker, Editorial Director from AutoTrader and Beth Morley, a mobility and human insights manager from Cenex, join Nuala to discuss.
This month marks ten years since a law authorising same-sex couples to marry and adopt children was passed in France. But it wasn’t until 2021 that single women and lesbian couples were allowed to get fertility treatment following two years of parliamentary debate. A new French film - La Graine or The Seed - looks at the journey of a lesbian couple, Ines and Lucie, on their quest to have a baby, set before the law came into force in France To discuss the current situation I’m joined by the director Eloïse Lang, & journalist for France24, Claire Paccalin.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Lucinda Montefiore
Studio manager: Sue Maillot
Arielle is hidden away with another key to Radio 1’s Big Weekend and Greg wants an Big Weekend artist to be a good boy!
Inflation has fallen below 10 per cent for the first time since August - but the speed at which prices are rising has slowed less than expected. The Office for National Statistics says the annual rate at which the cost of living is rising fell to 8.7% in April, from 10.1% in March.
A slower rate of inflation does not mean prices are coming down, rather that they are not going up so quickly, and food costs are still 19.1% higher than a year ago, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Today's Martha Kearney speaks to Dr Sushil Wadhwani, a former member of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee who sits on the Chancellor’s Economy Advisory Council, and to Karen Betts, Chief Executive of the Food and Drink Federation.
(Image credit: Andy Rain/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
一位听众来信询问形容词 “sarcastic” 和 “ironic” 有何不同。这两个词都有 “讽刺的” 意思。虽然 “sarcastic” 和 “ironic” 所描述的事物之间有相似之处，但 “ironic” 所指的 “讽刺” 范围更广。本期节目讲解形容词 “sarcastic” 和 “ironic” 在含义和用法上的主要区别。
Small businesses represent as much as 99% of UK companies, according to government figures. They employ about half of the workforce and often contribute a vital service to local communities. The small business sector has been facing significant challenges - higher inflation, more expensive business loans and uncertain markets.
In this podcast, we look at both the challenges and the opportunities for small businesses.
The experts on the panel are:
Charlotte Thomason, Head of Policy and Government Relations at Enterprise Nation, an organisation which helps advise small businesses on how to set-up and grow.
Andy Chamberlain, Director of Policy at IPSE - The Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed.
Adnan Sajjad, an accountant specialising in helping small businesses.
Presenter: Adam Shaw
Producer: Amber Mehmood
Researcher: Catherine Lund
Editor: Beatrice Pickup
The US surgeon general said social media use by children and teenagers posed a profound challenge to their health and well-being. Also: residents in Khartoum say the city has been largely quiet since the latest truce began, and the last emperor of China's watch sells for more than $5m.
Brazil has one of the highest rates of trans and gender-diverse homicides in the world, and almost three-quarters of people killed each year are either black or mixed race. Many think the country's conservative and populist class explicitly targets Afro-Brazilians, whose voices are under-represented in politics and culture, despite making up more than half of the country's population. Frank McWeeny heads to Salvador to meet the queer and PoC collective Batekoo, who are changing perceptions by advocating for freedom of self-expression through music, dance, education and community politics.
Frank McWeeny heads to Beirut to meet the nightlife community behind the Grand Factory club, and explores how underground culture here survives even during chronic lack of opportunity. This scene is working tirelessly to remain active, while rebuilding both physically and psychologically. But how do you run a club in a country that is going through the worst economic and political crisis in its history?
Apple have announced a multi-billion-dollar deal with technology and manufacturing company Broadcom to produce 5G components to be used in its products. Kasia Madera hears from Stacy Ragson, Managing Director and Senior Analyst at U.S. Semiconductors and Semiconductor Capital Equipment in L.A.
The Russian government has said that armed insurgents who crossed the border from Ukraine to launch attacks in Russia's Belgorod region have been defeated.
Russia says 70 attackers were killed and insists the fighters are Ukrainian. But Kyiv has denied involvement and two Russian paramilitary groups have said they were behind the incursion.
Also in the programme: We'll look at how rolling blackouts in South Africa are disrupting the economy; and Brazil's Minister of Racial Equality joins us with her take on the racism row in Spanish football.
(Photo shows the logo of a Russian freedom fighters group. Credit: legionliberty.army)
A new BBC investigation has looked into what’s behind the power cuts in South Africa, as they look to worsen over winter.
Thousands of people in Ethiopia’s Tigray region have taken to the streets to demand the return of those displaced during the two-year conflict and the withdrawal of foreign troops.
Find out why beaches in Mozambique's capital Maputo will now close between 7pm and 5am local time.
We hear from a South Sudanese family who fled Khartoum over a month ago, but remain stuck at the Egypt-Sudan border.
A few months ago, we discussed whether the modern world has become easier or more difficult for people with visual impairments. It is a very nuanced and subjective question, that has been and will continue to be fed into, but we thought we'd pick it up again and look at people's attitudes. This can be when receiving a formal service, such as from your healthcare provider or bank or just from people in the street. We've brought together three people with differing attitudes: Roshni Hafeez, Richard Lane and Gavin Griffiths, to toss this question around.
Presenter: Peter White
Producer: Beth Hemmings
Production Coordinator: Liz Poole
Website image description: Peter White sits smiling in the centre of the image, wearing a dark green jumper. Above Peter's head is the BBC logo (three individual white squares house each of the three letters). Bottom centre and overlaying the image are the words "In Touch" and the Radio 4 logo (the word Radio in a bold white font, with the number 4 inside a white circle). The background is a bright mid-blue with two rectangles angled diagonally to the right. Both are behind Peter, one of a darker blue and the other is a lighter blue.
With many of the banks shut and people unable to work but a ceasefire appearing to hold, we get the latest on the economic situation facing the millions of people in Sudan. Rahul Tandon speaks to someone who has just fled the capital Khartoum.
We get reaction to comments from the Secretary General of South Africa’s governing African National Congress party that the country could become a failed state.
And we hear from Florida, where the battle between Disney and the Republican governor Ron DeSantis heads to court.
The United Nations says five weeks of fighting have created a catastrophe for people in Sudan. A new ceasefire has just started, so will aid now reach those in need?
Also on the programme: who are the fighters who crossed into Russia from Ukraine, attacking border villages? We'll also hear about the relatives of a nineteenth-century Ethiopian prince buried at Windsor Castle. Is it time for his remains to go home?
(Photo: Sudanese people disembark in Egypt after crossing the Nile River on a ferry from Sudan. Credit: Khaled Elfiqi /EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Narendra Modi is there to boost economic ties. Also: People living in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, say for the first time in more than five weeks there appears to be relative peace following the latest ceasefire, and Hong Kong's flagship airline Cathay Pacific has apologised after its flight attendants were alleged to have made fun of passengers who didn't speak English.
Arielle is hiding in Scotland once again and Lewis Capaldi and a Dinosaur may help you find her. Also, Becky Hill gets a quackers remix from a very tuneful duck.
According to a new report from Adoption UK nearly half of families with adopted children aged 13 to 25 say they are at ‘crisis point’ or ‘facing severe challenges’. Author, Becky Brooks, discusses her report alongside Clare, a parent of adopted children.
Indian women wrestlers have been living on the streets of Delhi in protest after they accused their sport's federation's top official of sexual harassment and abuse. There is just three months until the World Championships and the Asian Games when ordinarily these women would be focussed on intense training. Nuala discusses the situation with Divya Arya, Women's Affairs Journalist at BBC Delhi.
A new production of Rigoletto opens next week at Opera Holland Park. Described as “a propulsive tragedy of toxic masculinity and unfettered power”, the director, Cecilia Stinton, explains why she has set it in an Oxbridge-style college post World War I, and the relevance of the story to a modern audience. The soprano, Alison Langer, who plays the role of Gilda, also joins Nuala and performs live in the studio.
New research has found that women are twice as likely to die within 30 days of a heart attack compared with men. To explore why women continue to appear more vulnerable after having a heart attack Nuala is joined by consultant cardiologist Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan.
The Happy Couple is the second novel by the acclaimed Irish novelist Naoise Dolan, whose debut Exciting Times was longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction. It follows a young couple, Celine and Luke, in the run-up to their wedding and explores the creeping doubts they have about each other, marriage and monogamy. Naoise joins Nuala in the studio.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Emma Pearce
Vapes confiscated from school pupils contain high levels of lead, nickel and chromium, an investigation by BBC News finds. NHS data from September 2022 shows that vape usage among 15-year-olds has risen to 18%.
We hear from listeners concerned about their children vaping and the easy accessibility of vape products.
Today's Justin Webb also speaks to John Dunne, Director General of the UK Vaping Industry Association, and Alice Wiseman, Addiction Policy Lead for Association of Directors of Public Health.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Ukraine denies involvement and says Russian paramilitary groups are responsible for the incursion. Also: clashes as new Sudan ceasefire begins, and is the city of New York sinking?
What is it like to live through the collapse of your country, in a city you love and cannot bear to leave? Lina Mounzer is a writer and translator living in Beirut, and this is a question she wrestles with, both in her writing and her daily life. Lebanon has been in crisis since 2019 when the country’s financial system started to collapse - many people lost their life savings overnight. The 2020 Beirut port explosion then only increased people’s suffering. Lina speaks to friends, family and neighbours to hear how they are coping and trying to keep the spirit of the city alive.
US President Joe Biden and top congressional Republican Kevin McCarthy have been in talks over raising the U.S. federal government's $31.4 trillion debt ceiling. Kasia Madera hears from Nancy Kimelman, a Professor in Economics at Northeastern University.
A group of saboteurs has crossed from Ukraine into Russia's Belgorod region and clashes there have injured a number of people, Russian authorities say.
Ukraine denies responsibility and said Russian citizens from two paramilitary groups were behind the attack. We'll attempt to find out what exactly is going on around the border city of Belgorod.
Also in the programme: Real Madrid logs a hate crime with Spanish prosecutors after their star player Vinicius Junior suffered racist abuse at the weekend; and there's another big fine for Facebook's parent companty Meta from the EU for breaches of data protection, but what difference will it make?
[Photo shows a helicopter flying over Belgorod on 22 May. Credit: Telegram]
A week-long ceasefire in Sudan is due to come into effect later today, intended to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid following 6 weeks of conflict.
Also, Africa's richest man unveils a new oil refinery in Nigeria. It's received support from the government, but is it all good news for the country?
And Buckingham Palace declines a fresh request to return the remains of an Ethiopian prince who was buried at Windsor Castle in the 19th Century.
Those stories and more in this podcast with Karnie Sharp.
Soaring food prices mean putting food on the table is a daily struggle. This is the grim reality for millions around the world. But hunger, so long a feature in lower-income countries, is becoming a familiar picture in richer ones too.
James Gallagher reports from the UK, one of the wealthiest countries in the world, where food prices are rising at the fastest rate for 45 years and millions are turning to charity to feed themselves and their families.
He visits the charities which help people to continue to eat and cook healthy food and hears from Professor Sir Michael Marmot from University College London, who has spent a lifetime researching the consequences of inequality and poverty. Food insecurity, he tells James, damages the health of children and adults.
The owner of Facebook has been fined $1.3 billion for breaking EU rules on data protection, the largest fine ever handed down under the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation privacy law. Rahul Tandon speaks to the European Data Protection Board chair Dr Andrea Jelinek about why they’ve enforced the fine.
We get the latest as China’s chip war escalates as the country bans products from US companies.
And we find out how how American singer Jason Derulo made unexpected millions.
The tech firm violated European Union rules on data protection. Also: Pakistan's former prime minister, Imran Khan, tells the BBC he still fears arrest, and Real Madrid make a hate crime complaint to the Spanish authorities about racist abuse directed at a black player.
Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan, says he fears that general elections due by October won't be held. He told the BBC he believed there was a danger to his life, but said much more worrying was the danger to Pakistani democracy. We hear the response of a government minister.
Also in the programme: Ukraine and Russia disagree about who holds the Ukrainian town of Bakhmut - we hear from a former resident about the destruction of her home; and one of the best footballers in Spain says the country's top league "belongs to racists", after he's abused during a match.
(File photo: Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan gestures as he speaks to the members of the media at his residence in Lahore, Pakistan May 18, 2023. Reuters/Mohsin Raza/File Photo)
Starting on BBC Two, BBC Northern Ireland and BBC iPlayer tonight, Once Upon A Time In Northern Ireland gives voice to the people who lived through the Troubles, sharing intimate stories from all sides of the conflict. The series airs today on the anniversary of the referendum that ratified the Good Friday Agreement, on 22nd May 1998. Nuala is joined by two women, Denise and Bernadette, who chose to take part in the series to share their stories.
As the Online Safety Bill progresses through the House of Lords, the former culture secretary Baroness Morgan of Cotes has tabled an amendment to the Bill calling for a Violence Against Women and Girls Code of Practice. She said a code is desperately needed to specifically address the harms to women and girls. Further discussions will take place this week on the Bill. Baroness Nicky Morgan joins Nuala to discuss.
How do you feel if someone tells you you’re 'looking good for your age'? Not so secretly thrilled? Slightly indignant? Why are we likely to take it as a compliment if someone believes you look younger than you actually are? The American businesswoman and lifestyle guru Martha Stewart recently became the oldest woman on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, and has been praised for looking less than her 81 years. Why? Nuala is joined by Sam Baker of The Shift podcast, and Lucy Baker who blogs as The Geriatric Mum.
A new menopause drug to deal with hot flushes could be available by the end of the year in the UK. The non-hormonal drug fezolinetant has been hailed as 'game-changing' by some experts. At the same time, the supply of the HRT drug Utrogestan has been restricted by the government because of shortages. To find out more, Nuala is joined by Dr Annice Mukherjee, a consultant endocrinologist and visiting professor at the University of Coventry; and Dr Nina Wilson, an NHS GP and founder of the One Woman Health menopause clinic.
Martin Amis, one of the most celebrated British authors of his generation, has died aged 73.
He died of oesophageal cancer at his Florida home, the New York Times said, quoting his wife, the writer Isabel Fonseca.
Amis is best known for his 1984 novel Money, the 1989 work London Fields and 1995's The Information, and authored 14 novels, several non-fiction books and a memoir in a career spanning 50 years.
Speaking to Today's Justin Webb, author Ian McEwan and longtime friend of Mr Amis reflects on the life and legacy of the celebrated novelist.
Is it socially acceptable to leave a play if you're not enjoying it? Did Laura Smyth win big on The Grand National? And why does Michelle De Swarte have beef with Margate?
Find out the answers to all the above in another cracking episode of Bang On It.
Producer: Pete Strauss
Exec Producer: Rich Morris
Production Co-Ordinator: Katie Baum
Editor: Calum Sample
A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4
Centre-right Kyriakos Mitsotakis falls short of outright victory in Greek election and plans for a second round. Also: defiant Zelensky says Bakhmut not occupied by Russia, and Saudi Arabia's first female astronaut heads into space.
Lawrence Abu Hamdan is an artist and forensic investigator of sound. He describes himself as a 'private ear’, listening to, with and on behalf of people affected by corporate, state and environmental crimes. Whether that’s determining the type of ammunition and location of gunfire from sound alone, drawing on earwitness testimony for evidence, or uncovering crucial information buried within noise. As a new exhibition of his work opens at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, presenter Eliza Lomas follows as he prepares for a performance, After SFX. This piece interplays storytelling with live sound design and percussion, drawing from the artist’s investigative work to explore various aspects of sonic memory.
Over three days leaders of the G7 group of nations met in Hiroshima where they accused China of "economic coercision" and "malign practicies" and singled out Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
Also in the programme: Votes are in for Greece's parlimentary elections; and the first Saudi woman to voyage into space prepares for lift-off.
(Picture: leaders of the G7 nations in Hiroshima. Credit: EPA)
On the final day of the G7 summit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed Russia still does not occupy the embattled city of Bakhmut. He also added that Russia will feel Ukraine’s long-awaited counter offensive when it comes. Russia’s Wagner mercenaries claimed to have captured the city on Saturday.
Also on the programme: Sudan’s warring factions agree to a seven-day ceasefire; and the first Saudi woman to voyage into space prepares for lift-off.
(Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a news conference at the G7 nations meetings in Hiroshima, western Japan, 21 May 2023. Credit: EPA/Louise Delmotte)
Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh le Ruairidh MacIlleathain. Litir àireamh 1244. Roddy Maclean reads this week's letter for Gàidhlig learners.
As Easter draws to a close, Christians around the world will be focussing on the Day of Pentecost which comes a week today. This major festival has been given other names too - Whit Sunday or Whitsun for short. It’s even been referred to as the birthday of the church. Coming 50 days after Christ’s Resurrection, it’s the time when (according to the dramatic account in chapter 2 of the Acts of the Apostles) the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit. The passage continues, “Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them” The Holy Spirit had arrived in no uncertain terms. From then on – as the remainder of the Book of Acts relates - the disciples and their followers were inspired to go forth and set up the first churches in places like Corinth and Thessaloniki; their mission was far from easy.
Down the centuries, churches have been opened and closed and indeed the landscapes of Wales and other places around the world are punctuated with neglected and derelict churches which were once proud testaments to fervent revivals. Here in Wales, many places such as Llandudno, Llantwit Major and Llanbadrig are testament to church cells founded by saints about 1500 years ago. Now, despite an increasingly secular society today, new churches are being opened with congregations growing in number. We ask why.
With the help of his guests, Jonathan Thomas hears about the descent of the Holy Spirit on the very first Day of Pentecost, and its subsequent influence on new churches emerging around the Eastern Mediterranean and Asia Minor. He also explores the work of the Holy Spirit today in Pentecostal and mainstream denominations, and learns about the seeming exponential growth of neo-Pentecostal churches in south America.
Our guests:
Catrin Williams: Professor of New Testament Studies at the University of Wales, Trinity St David.
The Revd Dr Gareth Leyshon, a Roman Catholic priest and Director of Adult Education in the Archdiocese of Cardiff.
The Revd Dr Jonathan Black: Lecturer in Theology at Regents Theological College of the Elim Pentecostal Church, and a minister in the Apostolic Church.
Luca Sparey: an ordinand based at the Citizen Church in Cardiff.
Professor Bettina Schmidt: Director of the Alister Hardy Religious Experience Centre based in Lampeter.
Chris Smith and the panel are answering the questions you've been sending in over the past few weeks.
New episodes released weekly. If you're in the UK, for more BBC podcasts listen on BBC Sounds: bbc.in/3UjecF5
Twenty years after the US-led invasion, four young Iraqis recall life under foreign occupation and share their hopes and fears for the future. Shedding a light on post-Saddam Iraq are: 26-year-old Dima who rebelled against religious extremists in her native Basra and has rediscovered a love of singing; Bassam, an enthusiastic environmentalist helping re-green the city of Mosul; Ahmed, a Kurdish graduate struggling to make ends meet in a local barber shop; and Baraa, a female publisher, whose message to the world is “Iraqis need a second chance.”
Ukraine insists heavy fighting is still going on in besieged city. Also: A senior Cambodian opposition leader says democracy will be over if the constitutional court upholds his party's electoral disqualification, and the famous British author Martin Amis has died of cancer at the age of 73.
Russia says the F-16 deal means the West is continuing the path of escalation in the Ukraine conflict, something, it says, is fraught with "massive risks" for the West itself. We hear from a retired US Air Force Colonel about what difference the planes will make.
Also in the programme: British novelist Martin Amis dies; and BBC statue attacked.
(Picture: A Romanian Air Force pilot salutes from the cockpit of his F-16 Fighting Falcon after landing during a decommissioning ceremony in Romania. Credit: ROBERT GHEMENT/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Psychiatrists say they’re worried that some people with eating disorders are being offered palliative care. They say an eating disorder is not a terminal illness and most people can recover. Our reporter Carolyn Atkinson speaks to two women who currently have an eating disorder, and reports on what charities and professionals are saying about recover, and Hayley talks to mental health campaigner Hope Virgo about her experience.
Karen Millen started setting up her fashion brand just after she left college. She later sold the business, and made millions. Now, 20 years later, she’s back working for the company, creating a new collection. Anita speaks to her about what happened in between, and how it feels to be back.
Bafta-winning actor Suranne Jones is back on our screens with Maryland, a three-part drama about two sisters discovering that their mother was leading a secret life. Suranne plays the younger sister Becca. She joins Hayley to explain how the idea, which came to her in a dream, made it onto the small screen.
A new study suggests that humans kissing may have started more than a thousand years earlier than was previously thought. Dr Sophie Lund Rasmussen from the University of Oxford joins Anita to talk through what it means, and how the investigation came about because of a conversation at the dinner table.
Are men responsible for unwanted pregnancies? 'Ejaculate Responsibly: The conversation We Need to Have about Men and Contraception' is a stirring manifesto by American writer and award-winning blogger Gabrielle Blair, who thinks they are. According to Gabrielle, if you boil it right down all unwanted pregnancies are caused by irresponsible ejaculations. She joins Hayley to discuss her argument.
Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Lottie Garton
آیا از جنبش زن زندگی آزادی مراقبت شده؟ آنچه در آن امیدبخش بود حفظ شده؟ جوانهایی که در کف خیابان این جنبش را آغاز کردند از تحرکاتی که برای شکلدهی به آلترناتیو جمهوری اسلامی به ویژه در خارج صورت گرفته دلگرمی میگیرند؟ مهمانهای برنامه: شهریار آهی و نازیلا گلستان هر دو فعال سیاسی.
Rapper and author Guvna B, former GB badminton player Gail Emms, sports broadcaster Greg Brady and comedian Kae Kurd join Colin Murray for an hour of sporting punditry, humour and entertainment. Points are awarded for informed comment, wit and passion, but taken away for nonsense and answers lacking in conviction.
In the final round, the top two points scorers go head-to-head in 'Defend the Indefensible' where they must both defend a statement however ludicrous or distasteful for twenty seconds. There can only be one winner!
Get the podcast from BBC Sounds
On a mission to make sense of the world. A new podcast, with hosts John Simpson and Claire Graham. Episodes released weekly from 20 May 2023.
This week, the Office for National Statistics employment data showed that one reason behind the increase in the number of people in work is the growth in self-employment. Though the total numbers are still below pre-pandemic levels, more people are now starting a new business. We'll hear from four entrepreneurs about their experiences and have some advice for anyone thinking about doing so.
Money Box has learned more than 1,100 people have reported having had a total of £1.3m stolen from them in the last year by criminals using so called "hi mum" or "hi dad" scam messages. The figures from Action Fraud peaked in the run up to Christmas but the scam is still very active with hundreds of thousands of pounds being stolen in the first three months of this year alone. What should you look out for?
We often talk about the cost of living and the effect of rising inflation on lower income households, but this week there is new evidence of how it is hitting people earning between £40,000 and £80,000. We'll hear from Royal London whose research found over a third of people had gone overdrawn or borrowed in other ways - some even taking out expensive payday loans.
And a new report suggests tens of millions of pounds belonging to about 80,000 young people without mental capacity to make financial decisions could be locked in trust funds. What does that mean for families and what is the government's response?
Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporter: Dan Whitworth
Researchers: Sandra Hardial and Jo Krasner
Editor: Jess Quayle
(First broadcast 12noon Saturday 22nd April, 2023)
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) latest figures suggest that nearly seven million people have died due to Covid - although the true figure is likely to be much higher. While many more contracted the disease and avoided being seriously ill, one estimate suggests 65 million people have not fully recovered. These are the people with long Covid, whose symptoms have persisted for more than six months after being infected. This month, the WHO said Covid-19 is no longer a “global health emergency”, though it still poses a danger. Host James Reynolds hears from those who feel forgotten and misunderstood.
The European proposal was endorsed by President Biden at the G7 summit in Japan. Also: NASA has awarded a contract to build a Moon lander to Blue Origin -- owned by Amazon founder, Jeff Bezos, and why one of the world's most famous cities is sinking.
G7 countries agreed on more sanctions against Russia and demanded a complete withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine. In a statement, leaders from the Group of Seven nations meeting in Japan said they would "starve Russia of G7 technology, industrial equipment and services that support its war machine".
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has tweeted, saying he's beginning his first-ever visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia "to enhance bilateral relations". While speaking to Arab League leaders, Zelensky has accused some Arab leaders of "turning a blind eye" to Russia's invasion.
NASA has awarded the contract to build its astronaut Moon lander to a consortium led by Blue Origin - the space company owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
The UN says that the month-long conflict in Sudan has displaced more than a million people so far, including a quarter of a million refugees. The fighting is intense in Khartoum, but areas like Darfur in the west are also on fire.
And we hear about Nigeria's central Plateau State, where attacks earlier this week claimed at least one hundred lives. Some burials have taken place, but what are authorities doing to reassure people?
Those stories and much more in this podcast with Hassan Arouni.
Writer, Liz John
Director, Jeremy Howe
Editor, Jeremy Howe
Brian Aldridge ….. Charles Collingwood
Helen Archer ….. Louiza Patikas
Natasha Archer ….. Mali Harries
Pat Archer ….. Patricia Gallimore
Tom Archer ….. William Troughton
Tony Archer ….. David Troughton
Harrison Burns ….. James Cartwright
Alice Carter ….. Hollie Chapman
Neil Carter ….. Brian Hewlett
Ian Craig ….. Stephen Kennedy
Alan Franks ….. John Telfer
Emma Grundy ….. Emerald O'Hanrahan
George Grundy ….. Angus Stobie
Adam Macy ….. Andrew Wincott
Kate Madikane ….. Perdita Avery
Martyn Gibson ….. Jon Glover
Hannah Riley ….. Helen Longworth
Erin ….. Amy McAllister
Leaders of the G7 group of developed economies have agreed new sanctions against Russia on the first day of their annual summit being held in the Japanese city of Hiroshima. They said the measures would starve Moscow of their technology, industrial equipment, and services that supported its war against Ukraine. The measures will restrict the export of items "critical to Russia on the battlefield". Sanctions will also target groups accused of moving material to the front for Moscow. We examine how effective sanctions can be…
US president Joe Biden says he’s confident about reaching a budget agreement with Congress to avoid a default on US debt. Republicans and Democrats have until June 1 agree a deal which would allow the US to borrow more - or, in their language, raise the debt ceiling. Otherwise, the world's biggest economy will default on its $31.4 trillion (£25tn) debt. Experts believe this won’t happen but if it does, says one "it would make the global financial crisis look like a tea party". We report on how some companies are making plans, just in case…
And, as Greece goes to the polls to elect a new leader on Sunday, we look at how a country which once needed billions of dollars of IMF funding appears to have dragged itself out of the financial doldrums…or has it?
Japan chose Hiroshima as the host city to send a warning about the danger of nuclear weapons. Also: Syria's President Bashar al- Assad attends an Arab League summit for the first time in 12 years, and could a new app encourage families to share household chores in Spain?
A good bedside manner is a wanted quality in healthcare professionals. But as is performing procedures that can be painful or uncomfortable.
As medical students train to become doctors, they can experience changes in their levels of empathy; the ability to resonate with how others feel. Learning long lists of diagnoses and pathologies, the human body starts to resemble more of a machine. But how detrimental is this? Claudia Hammond asks Jeremy Howick, director of the Stoneygate Centre for empathic healthcare at the University of Leicester, who is training healthcare professionals to express more patient empathy to improve health outcomes and reduce burnout. Lasana Harris, professor of social neuroscience at UCL, describes how too much empathy might be a cause of burnout, and medics should toggle empathy on and off depending on context. Medical students from the University of Bristol express how they feel empathy should come into their future roles.
The finalists of the All in the Mind Awards continue to be announced. This week, we hear from Terri, who went through a huge period of loss at the same time as her foster child. During this time, foster care consultant Pam knew just want to say. She could help Terri see how her child was expressing her grief and also gave her permission to acknowledge the good job she was doing.
Catherine Loveday, professor of cognitive neuroscience at the University of Westminster, joins Claudia and describes how nostalgia can help with route remembering and how easy it is to implant childhood memories.
Produced in partnership with the Open University.
Producer: Julia Ravey
Content producer: Dan Welsh
The American singer/songwriter Kesha’s first major success came in 2009 when she was featured on rapper Flo Rida's number-one single "Right Round". She’s since had two number one albums and nine top ten singles including Tik Tok, We R Who We R, "Your Love Is My Drug," "Die Young, and "Timber" with Pitbull. She has earned two GRAMMY nominations. Today she releases her latest album – Gag Order. She joins Anita to discuss the themes of love, anxiety and spiritual awakening.
The best selling author of the Geek Girl series, Holly Smale, was diagnosed as autistic in 2021, at the age of 39. She said she felt relief that she now has an explanation for why she’s felt she’s never “fitted in”. She couldn’t herself anywhere. She needed to see herself in a book, so she wouldn’t feel so alone. Holly has now written her first adult fiction – the highly autobiographical, The Cassandra Complex. She joins Anita to explain why it’s important to her that autism is represented in the media.
Anita is joined by another one of the women on our Power List celebrating 30 women in sport. Manisha Tailor is the Assistant Head of Coaching at Championship club Queen's Park Rangers and is the first woman to hold such a position in men's professional football in England. Manisha is also the founder of Swaggarlicious, an organisation that uses community football sessions to engage with minority groups including women and girls, and especially those with mental health challenges.
‘Depp vs Heard’ is a three part C4 series that charts the tumultuous defamation trial between Johnny Depp and his former wife Amber Heard that was broadcast live in full. Mixing courtroom footage with the reaction from the millions who viewed it online, it’s a story of twists and turns. And questions if a jury ever be truly fair in the age of social media? The BAFTA-nominated documentary director Emma Cooper, joins Anita from Los Angeles.
Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Louise Corley
Fifteen year-old Khayri Mclean was stabbed to death walking home from school in Huddersfield. His mother Charlie pleaded for an end to knife crime, as his teenage murderers were sentenced to life.
Jovani Harriott, 17, and Jakele Pusey, 15, stabbed Khayri after ambushing him outside North Huddersfield Trust School last year. They will serve at least 18 years and 16 years respectively.
Nick Robinson spoke to reporter Annabel Deas, who interviewed one of the murderers when he was 11, and Alison Lowe, Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime in West Yorkshire. Justin Webb spoke to Sophie Simpson, Co-founder of Conscious Youth – she knew Khayri and is good friends with his mother - and AJ, who's 15 and attends Conscious Youth session.
(Image, Khayri McLean, Credit, West Yorkshire Police)
The first of a collection of dramas illuminating historical turning points. Inspired by true events, writer Ryan Craig tells the story behind the pioneering science that led to the birth of the first IVF baby.
At the heart of a story which celebrates the science and people involved is the working relationship between Physiologist, Robert Edwards and Obstetrician, Patrick Steptoe. Both mavericks who came into conflict with the establishment they conducted much of their ground-breaking research in a make-shift laboratory at the Oldham hospital where Steptoe worked and where John and Lesley Brown were finally to become parents.
Robert Edwards ….. Vincent Franklin
Patrick Steptoe ….. Pip Torrens
Lesley Brown ….. Katy Sobey
John Brown ….. Luke Allen-Gale
The Writer ….. Ryan Whittle
Ruth Edwards and Louise Brown ….. Katherine Press
Barry Bavister ….. Hasan Dixon
The Cambridge Master ….. Roger Ringrose
Jean Purdy ….. Kymberley Cochrane
Professor Höög ….. Ewan Bailey
Dr Hinton ….. Georgie Glen
The Vicar ….. Samuel James
Fiona ….. Leah Marks
Directed by Gemma Jenkins
This factually-based drama includes some imagined characters and scenes.
This drama was orignially broadcast on BBC Radio 4.
In Britain, the growth of Islam is being driven by a younger population, born and brought up in the United Kingdom. This includes BBC reporter Rahil Sheikh. Having grown up against the backdrop of the ‘war on terror’ and rising Islamophobia, he has seen how young Muslims have turned to social media to forge online safe spaces where they can connect, celebrate and discuss their faith. Young Muslims say these social media stars explain the faith in a more relatable way than the imams or spiritual leaders they may encounter in the mosque. But in recent years, Rahil has noticed that some of these male Muslim influencers have been using Islam to advocate alpha masculinity as a way of combating liberalism and feminism. Critics – including some Muslim women - argue this is a misguided interpretation of the faith.
6 months of rainfall fell in a day and a half, causing more than 20 rivers to burst their banks. Also: journalists are attacked during an Israeli ultranationalist march through occupied east Jerusalem, and why humans have been kissing for a lot longer than we originally thought.
Florida is going to lose 2,000 jobs as Walt Disney Co is scrapping plans to relocate their staff because of "changing business conditions" in the state. Currently, the company employed more than 75,000 people in Florida, attracts millions of visitors each year to Disney World, and had plans to invest $17 billion to expand the resort over the next decade.
Over the past few weeks, wildfires have scorched over 1,800 square miles of land across North West America and are still going strong. Dr Mike Flannigan, professor at the Department of Renewable Resources at the University of Alberta, talks to Roland about the weather patterns and record-breaking heat causing the devastating flames.
On the other side of the world, in Zambia, Dr Edgar Simulundu has been finding out why some humans attract mosquitoes more than others, and how we can use this to tackle the malaria epidemic.
Also this week, Professor Novel Chegou, lead investigator at Stellenbosch University Immunology Research Group, has been awarded the 2022 Africa Prize for his innovative method for quickly diagnosing tuberculosis. And we visit the Royal Society for a very different reason. Roland checks in on the “Ukraine's Recovery: Rebuilding with Research” conference, and the discussion to use evidence based approaches for rebuilding after war.
Contributors:
Dr Mike Flannigan, Department of Renewable Resources at the University of Alberta
Professor Novel Chegou Novel Chegou, lead investigator at Stellenbosch University Immunology Research Group
Dr Edgar Simulundu, Senior Lecturer at the University of Zambia
Uliana Avtonomova, Secretary General, Fund of the President of Ukraine for Education, Science, and Sports
Olena Sotnyk, lawyer and former member of the Ukrainian parliament
Dr Vesna Najdanovic, Energy and Bioproduct Research Institute
Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Ella Hubber
The International Monetary Fund's executive board has approved a $3bn three-year loan programme for Ghana. The West African nation has been battling its worst economic crisis in a generation.
In Burundi, a group of women have set off to go and work in Saudi Arabia, as part of a government-backed initiative which aims to curb illegal migration.
And in Nigeria, medical services at teaching hospitals across the country have been disrupted by a five-day strike by resident doctors who are demanding salary increases.
The month-long conflict in Sudan in East Africa is damaging the economies of its neighbours. The United Nations has made a record-breaking appeal for $3 billion worth of support for Sudan. But with thousands fleeing their homes for neighbouring countries, the critical port of Port Sudan virtually out of action, and fears for the security of major oil pipelines that cross the country - the conflict threatens a major regional crisis.
The issue of remote versus home-working is once again in the headlines after Twitter and Tesla boss Elon Musk said working from home is ‘morally wrong’ – because it was unfair on those who could not work remotely. More companies are beginning to insist on their employees attending the office more often – with the New York-based asset management company Black Rock the latest to insist that workers go into the office at least four days a week. We look at whether home-working days are numbered…
And - a small bakery in France is the proud of owner of a very special accolade - bakers of the best baguette in Paris. Of the 176 baguettes shortlisted for the prestigious prize, it was baguette number 142 from the bakery Au Levain des Pyrenees that proved a cut above the rest. The prize: to bake baguettes for none other than the President, for a year.
Ukraine's armed forces say almost all the missiles were shot down. Also: Rescue efforts continue in northern Italy after floods kill at least nine people, and Sting tells us his views on artificial intelligence in music.
Jim Maxwell catches up with Marcus Harris, who has been named in Australia’s squads for the World Test Championship final against India and the upcoming men’s Ashes series in England. Harris discusses competing with David Warner and Usman Khawaja for an opportunity to open the batting, explains why Steve Smith’s stint in the County Championship is of benefit to England just as much as it is to Australia, and rebuffs Stuart Broad’s claim that Australia’s win in the 2021 series is “void”.
We also get Harris’ thoughts on England dropping wicketkeeper Ben Foakes from their Test squad to face Ireland at the start of June to make room for the return of Jonny Bairstow.
Plus, Scotland’s Lorna Jack joins Jim, Charu Sharma and Nikesh Rughani to discuss becoming one of the first female cricketers in the country to receive a professional contract. Jack’s played almost 150 times for Scotland over a 16-year career. Away from cricket, she’s a police officer in Glasgow.
Image: Marcus Harris of Australia poses before an Australian Nets Session at Adelaide Oval on December 15, 2020 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.
England's water companies have apologised for sewage spills into rivers and seas. Following mounting pressure they have agreed invest 10bn to tackle the problem, but the move will lead to higher water bills.
Today's Nick Robinson spoke to the clean water campaigner Feargal Sharkey and to Ruth Kelly, Chair of industry group Water UK. He spoke to her about why they have decided to charge their customers for the repairs needed to clean up our waters.
Taken on:13 Jan 2023, 18:47
By :Environment Agency
Credit: PA
New Orleans is the murder capital of the United States: researchers into 2022’s crime figures say it suffered more homicides per capita than any other major city. Carjackings, armed robberies and other potentially lethal offences are also at sky high levels in ‘The Big Easy’ - a place better known for its happy mix of cuisine, carnival and colonial architecture.
Crime plagues many American cities, and some of these problems are down to familiar causes, with economic disparity, poor education and the prevalence of guns all at play. However, other factors appear unique to New Orleans, such as high incarceration rates; entrenched racial inequality and chronic police understaffing. Many people believe that the chaos and mistrust of authority which followed Hurricane Katrina’s devastation in 2005 has brutalised the generation which grew up in its shadow.
For Crossing Continents, the BBC’s Anna Adams meets those at the sharp end of this crisis in her adoptive city, and asks what went wrong. But as she also discovers, the spirit of the Big Easy can still be resilient, with some local people stepping up to do their failing authorities’ work for themselves in a variety of different social projects. To the backdrop of the city’s ever-present music, this is the story of a community that is literally under fire, and fighting for its life.
Presenter Anna Adams
Producer Mike Gallagher
Sound mix Rod Farquhar
Production coordinator Helena Warwick-Cross
Series editor Penny Murphy
(Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the life, ideas and legacy of the pioneering Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus (1707 – 1778). The philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau once wrote: "Tell him I know no greater man on earth".
The son of a parson, Linnaeus grew up in an impoverished part of Sweden but managed to gain a place at university. He went on to transform biology by making two major innovations. He devised a simpler method of naming species and he developed a new system for classifying plants and animals, a system that became known as the Linnaean hierarchy. He was also one of the first people to grow a banana in Europe.
With
Staffan Muller-Wille
University Lecturer in History of Life, Human and Earth Sciences at the University of Cambridge
Stella Sandford
Professor of Modern European Philosophy at Kingston University, London
and
Steve Jones
Senior Research Fellow in Genetics at University College, London
Producer Luke Mulhall
New Orleans is the murder capital of the United States: researchers into 2022’s crime figures say it suffered more homicides per capita than any other major city. Carjackings, armed robberies and other potentially lethal offences are also at sky high levels in ‘The Big Easy’ - a place better known for its happy mix of cuisine, carnival and colonial architecture.
Crime plagues many American cities, and some of these problems are down to familiar causes, with economic disparity, poor education and the prevalence of guns all at play. However, other factors appear unique to New Orleans, such as high incarceration rates; entrenched racial inequality and chronic police understaffing. Many people believe that the chaos and mistrust of authority which followed Hurricane Katrina’s devastation in 2005 has brutalised the generation which grew up in its shadow.
For Assignment, the BBC’s Anna Adams meets those at the sharp end of this crisis in her adoptive city, and asks what went wrong. But as she also discovers, the spirit of the Big Easy can still be resilient, with some local people stepping up to do their failing authorities’ work for themselves in a variety of different social projects. To the backdrop of the city’s ever-present music, this is the story of a community that is literally under fire, and fighting for its life.
Presenter Anna Adams
Producer Mike Gallagher
Sound mix Rod Farquhar
Production coordinator Helena Warwick-Cross
Series editor Penny Murphy
(Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)
More than half the population in need of humanitarian aid as brutal power struggle rages on. Also: Ecuador's president avoids impeachment by dissolving parliament and bringing forward elections, and a 'near catastrophic' car chase as paparazzi pursue Harry and Meghan in New York.
The International Monetary Fund has approved a three-year extended credit for the African nation, which will receive an immediate disbursement of about $600 million. We look into the crisis the country is going through and how this funds can help.
Also in the programme, we hear the latest from Pakistan, where political instability is affecting the economy. And we ask the Finance Minister of The Philippines, Benjamin Diokno, about the brain drain taking place in his country.
PRISON ABOLITION: Laurie Taylor talks to Tommie Shelby, Caldwell Titcomb Professor of African and African American Studies at Harvard University, about a new study which considers the case for ending imprisonment. Mass incarceration and its devastating impact on black communities have been widely condemned as neoslavery or “the new Jim Crow.” Can the practice of imprisonment be reformed, or does justice require it to be ended altogether? They’re joined by Clare McGlynn, Professor of Law at Durham University, who questions 'anti carceral' approaches from a feminist perspective – do they serve the interests of survivors of male violence against women and girls?
Producer: Jayne Egerton
Home testing kits for screening people for signs of diseases have become more and more common in recent years. Now a study in the US shows that mailing women from low-income backgrounds tests for HPV, almost doubled the uptake of cervical screening. So, is ‘do-it-yourself’ testing the answer for other conditions, in other countries? Claudia discusses with BBC health and science journalist Philippa Roxby.
Dr Ike Anya is a consultant in public health and published author. He explains why he hopes his new memoir ‘Small by Small’ about his student days spent studying medicine in Nigeria might inspire medics all around the world to share their own experiences.
We hear from the USA, where new nutritional standards on school meals aim to limit the amount of added sugar and salt in children’s’ lunchtime meals.
Philippa looks at the World Health Organisation’s decision to declassify the Covid-19 pandemic from being a global health emergency. And she brings Claudia a study that shows why taller people with long legs might have an advantage against stockier competitors in extreme sports events held in the heat.
Image Credit: The Good Brigade
Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producer: Clare Salisbury
Assistant Producer: Jonathan Blackwell
We hear from a doctor in Sudan who tells us how the country’s health system is coping amid continued fighting.
South Africa's president Cyril Ramaphosa has said six African leaders plan to travel to Russia and Ukraine to help find a resolution to the war.
The African Development Bank has announced plans to provide compensation to white farmers in Zimbabwe who lost land and assets during the controversial land reform policies under the late Robert Mugabe.
And reggae group, Morgan Heritage, have enlisted artists from across Africa and the diaspora for their latest album.
If you’re struggling to pay your rent, Martin shares his top tips. Plus how to check if you are due compensation from your energy firm and - is the energy price cap coming down in July?
It’s National Numeracy Day too, so Martin explains why you should shy away from numbers.
And you ‘tell us’ the WORST gifts you’ve been given…
Kenya and Somalia have agreed to reopen their common border after more than a decade, Kenya's interior minister said on Monday as ties warm between the two neighbours following years of tensions. The announcement came after a high-level joint ministerial meeting in Nairobi on cooperation including on security, as well as trade and the movement of people. We hear from a business operating near the border.
Japan's economy has had a double boost of good news in the last 24 hours, with stocks reaching their highest level in 33 years and new growth figures show it is emerging from recession AND faster than expected. But will it last...with clouds gathering as other countries face a slowdown in their own economies?
And why the precious metal platinum, is becoming even more valuable….
UN says the Earth will pass the global warming threshold between now and 2027. Also: floods in northern Italy have killed at least eight people and led to the cancellation of the Formula One Grand Prix, and why the former president of France will soon be wearing an electronic tag.
Bafta-winning actor Suranne Jones is back on our screens with Maryland, a three-part drama about two sisters discovering that their mother was leading a secret life. Suranne, who plays the younger sister Becca, is also executive producer on the series. She joins Hayley to explain how the idea, which came to her in a dream, made it onto the small screen.
A new law to be tabled in Parliament today would abolish no-fault evictions and make it illegal for landlords to refuse tenancies to those in receipt of benefits, as part of a long-promised overhaul of the private rental sector in England. Housing campaigners said the bill was a "huge opportunity" to improve the lives of the 11 million renters in England - but its still doesnt go far enough to help many renters, 40% of which are women. Melissa York, the assistant property editor at The Times and The Sunday Times & Polly Neate, Chief Exectuive of Shelter.
Psychiatrists say they’re worried that some people with eating disorders are being offered palliative care, warning it is not a terminal illness and most people can recover. Carolyn Atkinson reports and Hayley talks to mental health campaigner Hope Virgo.
Hayley talks to scientist and academic Athene Donald about her new book Not Just for the Boys which examines the historic societal exclusion of women from science and the systemic disadvantages women in science operate under. She looks at the common myths that science isn't creative and that it is carried out by a lone genius in an ivory tower, offering her perspective on what progress has been made, and how more is needed.
Presenter: Hayley Hassall
Producer: Lucinda Montefiore
Studio Manager: Steve Greenwood
Mariam al Sadiq Al Mahdi says the level of mistrust between the rival military factions is too deep. Also: Closing arguments have been heard in New York in the civil rape and defamation trial against former president Donald Trump, and the singer, Grace Bumbry, who was one of the first African Americans to become a star of international opera, has died in Vienna aged 86.
Although Russia's federal budget revenues from oil and gas, the lifeblood of its economy, fell 64% in April from the year-earlier period, the government has decided to increase taxes on the industry. The Kremlin is seeking additional money after spending heavily on the war in Ukraine.
As violence continues in Sudan, looting is causing shortages of basic supplies. We'll hear from an activist just outside the capital Khartoum, about what she's seen and why she has stayed where she is.
Also in the programme: Serbia's amnesty on illegal arms has seen around 1,500 weapons returned anonymously, as protests against the government's handling of two mass shootings take place in the capital Belgrade; and the American opera singer Grace Bumbry has died, aged 86.
(Picture: Smoke billows in Sudan's capital Khartoum. Picture credit: AFP)
War between Sudan's two military factions continues despite Saudi Arabia's mediation efforts. We hear the latest from Khartoum.
Also, the aftermath of floods and landslides in the East of the D R Congo - we speak to a civil society worker.
And music by Cameroon's Blanche Bailly.
Those stories and more in this podcast with Hassan Arouni.
James Gallagher is on a mission to find out what is the least amount of exercise you can do to still stay healthy. James goes on a Ramblers wellbeing walk, uses a treadmill for the first time and takes a hot bath all to find out how lazy he can be and still gain some health benefits.
Rahul Tandon is presenting and hears about China has warned the European Union not to go ahead with reported plans to impose sanctions on Chinese firms suspected of helping the Russian military. China's foreign ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin, said such action would undermine trust and cooperation between China and the EU.
As sides in the Sudan meet in Saudi Arabia for peace talks, there are reports from Khartoum suggesting that looting and lawlessness are now having a major impact on access to basic supplies.
The car market globally is going through a period of huge change - as the world moves towards electric cars. How fast is that move going to happen and what will it mean for the SUV sector which accounts for over 40 percent of global sales?
Saudi Arabia has confirmed that the first face to face talks between representatives from the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces are taking place. We hear from Renk in South Sudan, a small town civilians have fled to. Also: The United Nations has called on the Taliban to stop public stoning, flogging and executions, and the BBC unveils a new way of broadcasting.
An anti-monarchy protester detained during the Coronation says he believes the police had "every intention" of arresting him before the event.
Chief executive of the anti-monarchy group Republic, Graham Smith, was one of 64 people arrested by the Metropolitan Police in London on Saturday.
The Met said it had "a duty to intervene when protest becomes criminal and may cause serious disruption".
Justin Webb spoke to Graham Smith of Republic, but first Mishal Husain spoke to Caroline Russell, a Green Party member of the London assembly who chairs the Police, Crime Committee.
(Image, Republican protestors, Credit, Antonio Zazueta Olmos, Reuters)
Words to live by and finding hope in the face of terrible suffering, the life of the anchoress or hermit Julian of Norwich, the power of walking and nature to heal and art that replaces adverts with words of love – all part of this special Bank Holiday Woman’s Hour.
650 years ago a woman we only know as Julian of Norwich produced a book written while she was voluntarily walled up in a hermit’s cell which challenged the ideas of the time about sin and suffering. It presented a radical vision of love and hope that “All Shall Be Well and All Shall Be Well and All Manner of Things Shall be Well” . We hear about her life, how it has helped one woman through cancer treatment and inspired the lives of others and we hear from listeners about the words that they turn to for motivation and encouragement.
Nuala McGovern speaks to Claire Gilbert author of a new novel I Julian; Dr. Hetta Howes senior lecturer in medieval and early modern literature at City, University of London; Sally-Anne Lomas Trustee of The Friends of Julian and creative director of The Cloth of Kindness project and to Faye Smith founder of Hope Walking. And, the British Kenyan artist Grace Ndiritu explains why she emblazoned the words 'Wherever you are I hope you have found peace' on 30 billboards around Birmingham.
In this second series, blind stand-up comedian Jamie Macdonald playfully deconstructs some of the pre-conceptions of his disability, challenges stereotypes and takes a hilarious trip down memory lane to see how far things have come.
He tells his side of the Have I Got News for You story that needlessly outraged half of social media, and he shows that, even in hospital, the best of intentions can be misguided.
Written by Jamie MacDonald
Script guidance from Laura Lexx
Produced by Julia Sutherland
A Dabster production for BBC Radio 4
In recent years, dyed-in-the-wool New Yorker Kevin Kwan, author of Crazy Rich Asians, has made Los Angeles his home. The city is rich with art, fashion and intriguing social structures, all of which are key sources of inspiration for Kevin’s novels. Los Angeles has become his living and breathing studio, and going out into the city is a huge part of his creative process. In the first of several ‘deep dives’ into the LA life that sustains Kevin creatively, we attend the opening of a new show (featuring the work of artist Njideka Akunyili Crosby) at the Huntington Library, Art Museum and Gardens, out in Pasadena, where the old money families of LA live.
After twelve years in the diplomatic cold Syria has been let back into the Arab League. Also: Floods and landslides have killed at least four hundred people in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and a spectacular concert has been held at Windsor Castle near London to mark the coronation of King Charles.
The Arab League has readmitted Syria after more than a decade of suspension, as countries in the region push to normalise ties with President Bashar al-Assad. We hear from a former member of the Syrian opposition who is disappointed that Syria has been let back in.
Also in the programme: at least seven people have been killed and several others injured when an SUV mowed people down near a shelter for migrants in Brownsville, Texas; and Ukrainian officials have said Russia has sparked a "mad panic" by evacuating a town near the contested Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
(Picture: Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in August 12, 2020. Picture credit: The Syrian Arab News Agency)
James Naughtie and readers are joined by novelist Sarah Winman, answering questions about her novel Tin Man.
It's a moving and intimate portrait of three characters, Michael, Ellis and Annie. They variously fall in love, and fall out of touch, but are always deeply connected.
Tin Man is a short and powerful novel about love, loss and kindness.
Our next Bookclub recordings are with
Mary Lawson, discussing her novel Crow Lake, at 1300 on 24 May at BBC Broadcasting House in London.
Julian Barnes discussing Arthur and George at 1830 on Tuesday 13 June at BBC Broadcasting House, London.
email bookclub@bbc.co.uk to take part
The director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, warns of 'catastrophe' at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine. He urges warring parties to get 'back to their senses' and agree over a 'set of principles' to protect reactors.
Also in the programme: YouTubers in Turkey's election; and the EU's plan to regulate AI.
(Picture: A motorcade transporting the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) expert mission, escorted by the Russian military, arrives at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, March 29, 2023. credit: REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko)
Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh le Ruairidh MacIlleathain. Litir àireamh 1242. Roddy Maclean reads this week's letter for Gàidhlig learners.
This week sees the Coronation of King Charles III. Whilst the Coronation service itself is rooted in ancient Christian traditions and symbols, it breaks new ground, with a ‘faith procession’ of eight non-Christian clerics leading the way into Westminster Abbey, the presentation of ceremonial regalia involving Sikh, Hindu, Muslim and Jewish peers; Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, a practising Hindu, reading from the Bible; the blessing shared by leaders of different Christian denominations; and the King being greeted by non-Christian faith leaders. As Prince of Wales, King Charles once said he would prefer to become ‘Defender of Faith’ rather than ‘Defender of the Faith’. However, the King’s oaths, central to the service, remain unchanged, including the promise to maintain ‘the Protestant Reformed Religion’ as Supreme Governor of the Church of England. The oaths are, however, contextualised by the Archbishop of Canterbury, to illustrate the King’s commitment to the multi-faith and diverse landscape in Britain. But what exactly does this centuries old title of ‘Fidei Defensor’, ‘Defender of the faith’, mean in practical terms at the dawn of King Charles’ reign? What of the bigger picture - does it apply to us in Wales? Do we need one? And what of the place of other faiths?
To discuss these issues, Rosa Hunt is joined by:
The Very Rev Dr Sarah Rowland Jones, Dean of St Davids;
Alun Lenny, councillor, former mayor of Carmarthen and a non conformist lay preacher with the Annibynwyr
Catherine Pepinster, a journalist specialising in religious affairs, and author of 'Defenders of the Faith, the British Monarchy, Religion and the Coronation';
And Akhandadhi Das, A Vaishnava Hindu teacher and theologian
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs.
In today’s programme: What should we make of claims that China is building super weapons to hack and hijack US satellites? We also hear from the couple who have discovered one of the world's most important fossil deposits, almost on our own doorstep!
Plus ... we investigate the link between sport and concussion injuries.
New episodes released weekly. If you're in the UK, for more BBC podcasts listen on BBC Sounds: bbc.in/3UjecF5
The UN nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, says the threat of a severe nuclear accident must be prevented. Also: Britain's historic coronation spectacle, and a controversial repatriation plan for Rohingya refugees to Myanmar.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla have waved at crowds and watched a flypast from the balcony of Buckingham Palace in London after their Coronation at Westminster Abbey. They were joined by other members of the Royal Family, including the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children. We hear reflections from people in Commonwealth countries and from a friend of the new King.
Also in the programme: representatives from Sudan's warring armies have arrived in Saudi Arabia for their first face-to-face negotiation.
(Photo: King Charles III and Queen Camilla on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after their Coronation ceremony. Credit: Jeff Overs/BBC)
An estimated one in five new and expectant mums develop perinatal mental illnesses such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and psychosis, according to the Royal College of Psychiatrists. While every pregnant woman should be screened for mental health issues at their 10-week antenatal appointment, new data from NHS England shows one in six NHS Trusts are struggling to report if they are following the clinical guidelines. We hear from the Consultant Perinatal Psychiatrist Dr Trudi Seneviratne and Hayley Johnson a mum of two who experienced debilitating anxiety after the birth of her second child.
When Sheilagh Matheson and her husband offered to house a mother and her daughters fleeing from Ukraine little did she know that the girls were musical prodigies and that their music would stop passers-by in the street. Sheilagh and 17-year-old Khrystyna tell us their story.
The book ‘Honey, Baby, Mine’ is a new joint project of mother/daughter actors Diane Ladd, and Laura Dern Working. It's based on a series of walks and talks taken when about four years ago Diane faced a serious threat to her health.
Why does rejection hurt so much? The writer Kate Wills tells us about how her fear of rejection has held her back in life, and an experiment she did to try and cure it. Plus we hear from the Chartered psychologist Fiona Murden.
The new BBC comedy drama Black Ops centres around Dom and Kay, two Police Community Support Officers in East London who join the Metropolitan police in the hope of cleaning up their neighbourhood. Instead they find themselves working undercover to infiltrate a criminal gang. We hear from its star, Gbemisola Ikumelo,
Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Rabeka Nurmahomed
Editor: Beverley Purcell
Britain and the Commonwealth Realm, are welcoming a new monarch, King Charles III. King Charles and Queen Camilla left Westminster Abbey in the Gold State Coach after their formal coronation ceremony on Saturday.
Also in the programme: Peace talks are due to begin in Saudi Arabia between Sudan's warring factions; and Sweden has condemned Iran following the execution of a Swedish-Iranian dissident.
(Picture: King Charles III was formally crowned as monarch. Credit: PA Media)
The monarch was crowned in Westminster Abbey in London. We mark the historic moment and discuss the changing attitudes towards the king who is also head of state in several countries around the world.
Douglas Stuart’s debut novel Shuggie Bain won him The Booker Prize in 2020.
It centres around an alcoholic single mother and her gay son navigating life on a Glasgow estate and it reflects Douglas’ own troubled upbringing.
After near homelessness he earned a place at The Royal College of Art…and went on to land in the epicentre of New York fashion, working for huge brands.
In this edition of the podcast Douglas discusses how the music of Nick Drake helped spark romance between him and his now husband, and why Bobby Hebb's "Sunny" keeps the spirit of his late brother alive.
Music
Inherited - Pink Moon by Nick Drake
Pass on - Sunny by Bobby Hebb
Producers: Ben Mitchell and Catherine Powell
آیینهای ایرانی در دوران ساسانی چقدر موثر بود در شکل دادن به جایگاه علیابنابیطالب به عنوان امام اول شیعیان و سپس به مثابهی کالبدی که نور خدایی در آن تجلی یافته و در فرزندانش تداوم یافته؟ آیا شیعهای که امام علی و فرزندانش در کانون قرار دارند را نمیتوان اسلام ایرانی نامید؟ مهمانهای این برنامه: حسن یوسفی اشکوری؛ پژوهشگر تاریخ اسلام، محمدالله صخره؛ محقق اصول فقه حنفی و محسن بنایی؛ پژوهشگر عصر آغازین اسلام.
What are your children up to this weekend? Many will be busy eating chocolate eggs and enjoying their Easter break from school.
Some youngsters are out there running businesses, balancing their books and even turning a profit. In this Money Box Easter special, we meet some of those remarkable kids and ask how we can help children learn entrepreneurial skills - and whether they should be?
Featuring: Precisa, Max and Louis
Plus, Julian Hall, CEO of Ultra Education, and Zoe Bennet, Managing Director at Training Personified.
Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Editor: Jess Quayle
(First broadcast 12pm, Saturday 8th April 2023)
The fighting between Sudan’s military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces started around three weeks ago. Since then, the UN estimates that more than a 100,000 people have fled the country and more than a third of a million have been displaced within Sudan. Host James Reynolds hears from some of those who have been forced to flee their country.
Close to 20 million people are likely to have died during the last three years. Also: A wealthy Nigerian politician is jailed for plotting to steal the kidney of a man he trafficked to Britain, and why the Vatican is worried about the number of people who say they're communing with the Virgin Mary.
With final results in from the local elections, we ask what it means for elections next year; and we hear what enthusiasts and sceptics make of the coronation tomorrow.
The World Health Organisation says Covid- 19 is no longer a global health emergency, after three years of lives and economies turned upside down -- and millions of deaths.
Job creation in the US remained robust last month, despite turmoil in the banking sector and the impact of higher borrowing costs. Employers added 253,000 jobs, which was better than many analysts had expected.
Millions of people across the UK and beyond are preparing to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III - a symbolic ceremony combining a religious service and pageantry.
Serbia is embarking on a push to disarm the country after two mass shootings within forty-eight hours.
President Aleksandar Vucic said no new gun permits would be issued and existing owners would face increased background checks. We'll hear from our correspondent in Belgrade.
Also in the programme: The WHO declares that Covid 19 is no longer a global health emergency; and the Irish language as well as Welsh and Scots Gaelic, are to be used for the first time in a British royal coronation.
(A police officer guards as a Crime Scene Investigator looks for evidence at a crime scene site in the village of Dubona, near Mladenovac, Serbia. Credit: Andrej Cukic/EPA)
A former deputy president of the Nigerian senate, Ike Ekweremadu, has been given a nine-year jail term and his wife four-and-a-half years for conspiring to bring a 21-year-old Lagos street trader to the UK as a potential kidney donor for their sick daughter. A doctor who was also part of the plot received 10 years.
South Sudan’s foreign minister, Deng Dau Deng, says his country is continuing efforts to persuade the two sides fighting in Sudan to meet for peace talks.
Heavy gunfire continues to tear through the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, despite multiple ceasefire declarations.
Writer, Caroline Harrington
Director, Rosemary Watts
Editor, Jeremy Howe
Ben Archer ….. Ben Norris
Ruth Archer ….. Felicity Finch
Jill Archer ….. Patricia Greene
Helen Archer ….. Louiza Patikas
Natasha Archer ….. Mali Harries
Pat Archer ….. Patricia Gallimore
Tom Archer ….. William Troughton
Jolene Archer ….. Buffy Davis
Kenton Archer ….. Richard Attlee
Leonard Berry ….. Paul Copley
Lee Bryce ….. Ryan Early
Harrison Burns ….. James Cartwright
Justin Elliott ….. Simon Williams
Chelsea Horrobin ….. Madeleine Leslay
Tracy Horrobin ….. Susie Riddell
Joy Horville ….. Jackie Lye
Jim Lloyd ….. John Rowe
Kirsty Miller ….. Annabelle Dowler
Lynda Snell ….. Carole Boyd
Sykesy ….. Jasper Carrott
How is technology changing our lives? Search for Tech Life wherever you get your podcasts and subscribe or follow if you can.
The US banking crisis, which has seen three banks collapse, is pushing the price of gold up. Chinese consumers and central bank purchasing the precious metal is adding to its demand. We will be finding out what this means for consumers and retailers.
Apple have reported revenue falling by 3% to nearly 95 billion dollars this last quarter - the CEO, Tim Cook has highlighted growth in India as a key market for them. We take a look at why the tech giant is investing a lot on money in the country.
The coronation of King Charles the third will be a theatrical affair unlike anything seen for nearly seven decades, and it'll be watched by millions around the world. Our presenter Sam Fenwick will be bringing us the latest on the stories.
As Sudan's generals carry on their vicious fight, terrified civilians flee in all directions. Our reporter has made it to the southern border. We also hear from the World Food Programme about looting.
Also in the programme: The tech journalist secretly tracked by TikTok; and how to get a knitting machine to make your satellite antenna.
(Photo: People who fled Sudan wait outside the railway station in Aswan, Egypt, Credit: Photo by Khaled Elfiq//EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Eight people died and fourteen injured during the attack in a village south of Belgrade. Also, the leader of Russia's Wagner Group says he'll withdraw his troops from the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut in a row over ammunition, and thousands of people flee Sudan as efforts to broker peace talks continue.
A love story with songs, about two young women separated by war.
- Valya and Masha are teenage musicians, but they have to keep their relationship a secret, because of prejudice and fear of violence. And now Valya is a refugee, living with her mother in Wales, while Masha remains in Kyiv. Sarah Woods' drama tells their story, but also the story of the bandura, the Ukrainian national instrument, suppressed at various points in history, not least under Stalin, who had bandurists persecuted and murdered.
The drama draws upon interviews with Ukrainian refugees and features new music by Boff Whalley and a cast of Ukrainian performers.
Valya....Diana Simchuk
Nataliia....Elena Sophya Gryshchenko
Masha....Aliese Chydzhan
Susi.....Eiry Thomas
The bandura is played by Sonia Savchuk
Music by Boff Whalley, with Sonia Savchuk
Drama by Sarah Woods, with Diana Simchuk, Aliese Chydzhan, Elena Sophya Gryshchenko
Sound design by Catherine Robinson and Nigel Lewis
Directed by Emma Harding, BBC Audio Drama Wales
Donuts become ducknuts as the search for Long Boi continues, Callum Leslie is looking forward to working at the Coronation and show favourite Aileen is set a Eurovision task.
Plaid Cymru have apologised after a damning review found a culture of harassment, bullying and misogyny in the party. The Welsh nationalist party had "failed to implement a zero-tolerance approach to sexual harassment" and women had been "especially" let down. Dan Davies, the BBC Wales Political Correspondent, explains.
The journalist Kohinoor Sahota tells us why as a single British Asian woman she wanted to share her story about her plans to freeze her eggs next month. Rachel Cutting, an emrbryologist in the NHS for 25 years and now Director of Compliance and Information for the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority (HFEA) discusses the egg freezing process, and the success rate.
Lisa Selby is both the subject and the co-director of a new film called Blue Bag Life. In it Lisa examines her relationships with her mother Helen, who abandoned her at 10 months old, and her partner Elliot. Both were heroin addicts, and in the same year Helen dies and Elliot relapses and ends up in prison. An artist and academic, Lisa shot thousands of videos recording her conversations and thoughts during this difficult period in her life, which have been woven together in this feature-length documentary, Lisa joins Anita, along with one of her co-directors Rebecca Lloyd-Evans. Blue Bag Life is on BBC Four on Tuesday 9 May at 10pm, and then on the iPlayer.
Wrexham players and Hollywood club owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney celebrated the men's team promotion to the English Football League as well as the women's team which won promotion to the Adram Premier league. As thousands lined the streets, Katie Owen was invited to DJ on the open-top bus victory parade through the town. She explains what it was like to be part of the celebrations.
Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Dianne McGregor
For the first time, the public are being given an active role in a Coronation as they are invited to swear allegiance to the King at the ceremony on Saturday. The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has reiterated that the oath is voluntary.
Today's Justin Webb speaks to broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby, a close friend of the King, about what he believes the King thinks of the homage.
He also spoke to Samuel Kasumu, former No.10 special adviser for civil society and communities, and Helen Lewis, staff writer at the Atlantic magazine, about the controversial invitation.
Also, Christian football fans raise concerns over Irish Cup Final being played this Sunday
According to the national census, the number of British people who say they follow Shamanism as a religion has risen twelvefold in the space of 10 years. While the numbers are still low – at around 8,000 followers - the increase has put pressure on those who have followed the practice for years. The BBC’s Amber Haque visits a British shaman to find out what Shamanism is, what it means to her and her circle of believers and why they think it should be taken seriously.
The US President issues an executive order threatening sanctions. Also: Four members of the far-right Proud Boys militia have been convicted of seditious conspiracy in relation to the storming of the US Capitol building, and football team Napoli end a 33 year title drought by winning Italy's Serie A.
The US regional banking sector is coming under renewed pressure amid a crisis in confidence. Trading in the California lender PacWest was briefly suspended as shares fell more than fifty percent, after its owners confirmed it had explored strategic asset sales.
The White House has been holding a meeting with tech company bosses to discuss the risks of Artificial Intelligence. The vice president, Kamala Harris, told them they had a legal responsibility to ensure the safety of their products.
The British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran has won Thinking Out Loud copyright case. A New York court ruled today that Mr Sheeran did not copy Marvin Gaye's Let's Get It On when composing the track.
US President Joe Biden called the fighting in Sudan a betrayal of its people and issued an executive order authorising sanctions against the warring factions. We hear from a resident of Khartoum on the rise of robberies and violence in the capital. Also on the programme: A court in the United States has found that Ed Sheeran did not copy Marvin Gaye's hit, Let's Get It On, when composing Thinking Out Loud. And the southern Italian city of Naples hopes its football team will clinch its first league title since the days of Diego Maradona.
India is at the centre of much of the discussion on this week’s episode of Science In Action.
We hear about how a proposal to scrap Darwinian evolution from Indian secondary schools has led to signatures from thousands of scientists. Dr Vineeta Bal, Researcher at the National University of Immunology, is one of the signatories on a petition against the proposed changes. We spoke to her about why she is against them.
Also in India, a new SARS-CoV-2 variant, named XBBX.16 is being studied by epidemiologists in the country. Dr Rajesh Karyakarte, Professor of Microbiology at BJ Government Medical College, Pune, India, is behind the study.
Further study of the variant has been looked into by Kei Sato, Professor of Systems Virology at the University of Tokyo. Kei has been mapping how new variants could cause us problems, ahead of them doing so.
This kind of forward planning is something praised by Paul Bienaisz, Professor of Virology at The Rockefeller university. We talk to him about how vital this kind of work still is, even if many of us have confined the about the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic to memory.
Lastly, we hear from Dr Usama Kadri, Senior Lecturer in Applied Mathematics at Cardiff University who has looked at how we might be able to use a novel bit of technology of underwater technology (called hydrophones), often used for animal conservation, to be able to detect earthquakes in the deep sea.
Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Roland Pease
Producer: Ella Hubber
American president, Joe Biden has issued an executive order authorising sanctions against Sudan. He called the violence a tragedy and a betrayal of the Sudanese people.
Liberia is scheduled to hold its presidential election in October this year but what are the prospects for the country's future and what impact will Liberians in the diaspora have on the poll?
Plus a woman in Rwanda who is helping women open businesses and create jobs. She particularly helps students from rural parts of the country find work in the fashion industry.
South Africa, known for having 11 official languages is on course to add a 12th - SIGN language. The National Assembly passed the Constitutional Eighteenth Amendment Bill, which will make the necessary changes to the Constitution to recognize a 12th official language.
The European Central Bank has raised interest rates to 3.25%, as part of its ongoing efforts to lower inflation in the 20 countries that use the Euro. It is the seventh successive increase. We find out what this means for businesses in the Eurozone.
We hear from the CEO of Maersk as their profit figures are released and it shows that the global economy is slowing due to less freight moving around the world.
The bosses of the biggest tech companies in the world will meet with US Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House to discuss the future of AI. How will AI be regulated by the government? Our presenter Sam Fenwick will bringing us the latest on all the stories.
A seven-day ceasefire, due to come into force in Sudan, appears to be in tatters as clashes continue between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. The BBC’s Lyse Doucet speaks to Martin Griffiths, the UN’s aid chief, who has spoken with the two rival generals.
Also on the programme: Indigenous leaders from 12 Commonwealth countries have called on King Charles III to make a formal apology for centuries of colonialism; and the 83-year-old flautist from Northern Ireland who shared the stage with Lizzo at the Met Gala.
(IMAGE: Damaged cars and buildings in Khartoum North, 27 April CREDIT: REUTERS/ Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/File Photo)
UN aid chief says Sudan generals unwilling to end conflict. Martin Griffiths said the determination of the generals to keep fighting risked turning the war into a global tragedy. Also: Ukraine's President Zelensky tells the International Criminal Court he believes it will soon prosecute President Putin, and scientists get their hands on human DNA from 20,000 years ago.
An estimated one in five new and expectant mums develops perinatal mental illnesses according to the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Whilst every pregnant woman should be screened for mental health issues at their 10-week antenatal appointment, new data from NHS England shows one in six NHS Trusts are struggling to report if they are doing so. Anita is joined by Dr Trudi Seneviratne, Consultant Perinatal Psychiatrist and Registrar of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and Hayley Johnson, a mum who experienced debilitating anxiety after giving birth.
It's been a remarkable week for women's sport, with record breaking crowds. Anita is joined by one of the women on the Woman's Hour Power List 2023 who has been banging the drum of women's sport for over a decade, Tammy Parlour, co-founder and CEO of the Women's Sports Trust.
For the first time, the May edition of British Vogue features disabled models on its cover. One of these is Ellie Goldstein, the first model with Down's syndrome to ever star. She is one of fashion’s rising stars, advocating inclusivity across the industry. Anita talks to Ellie and her mum, Yvonne about Ellie's work.
The British tradition of kneeler making, hand-stitching kneeling cushions in churches, is a type of folk art that has been long overlooked. The earliest examples are from the 17th century and the reigns of Charles I and II. Will the coronation of a new king revive interest in this languishing art? Anita meets Elizabeth Bingham, author of Kneelers.
A new BBC six part comedy thriller Black Ops centres around Dom and Kay, two Police Community Support Officers in East London who join the Metropolitan police. In the hope of cleaning up their neighbourhood, they find themselves working undercover to infiltrate a criminal gang. Gbemisola Ikumelo, perhaps best known for the comedy sketch show Famalam is the co-creator. She talks to Anita about writing and starring in the series.
Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Rebecca Myatt
Studio manager: Bob Nettles
Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma discuss the volume of short format cricket. While the Indian Premier League continues to flourish, there is speculation that the ECB could be about to axe The Hundred in the UK in favour of a more sustainable T20 competition.
Cricket Australia have increased its salary cap in the Big Bash League to lure the top talent to the league, due to a number of overseas players quitting the league mid-season for the T20 tournaments in the UAE and South Africa. So how many competitions is too many?
We hear from Australia and Sussex player Steve Smith on playing in the County Championship and whether he will change his style of batting in the Ashes.
Plus we are joined by the first female member of ground staff to work at an international venue in England. Meg Lay works for Gloucestershire Cricket Club and tells us about the importance of getting more women involved in the game.
Photo: Lewis Gregory and Luke Wood of Trent Rockets celebrates victory during the Hundred Final match between Trent Rockets and Manchester Originals at Lord's Cricket Ground on September 03, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)
Greg refuses to fear the worst on the news that Long Boi, the long duck, is missing and mounts a nationwide search. Also, bananas, reindeer and rats are all debated as comedian Tom Davis becomes Fact Controller.
Sir Nigel Hamilton -former head of the Civil Service here -has met him more than 10 times
Thousands of Kenyan villagers are being given free cash as part of a huge trial being run by an American non-profit, GiveDirectly.
Why? Some aid organisations believe that simply giving people money is one of the most effective ways to tackle extreme poverty and boost development. After all, they argue, local people themselves know best how to use the funds to improve their lives. But does it work? Is it really a long term solution?
In 2018, the BBC visited a Kenyan village whose residents received money at the start of the trial. Five years on, Mary Harper returns to see what’s changed.
Photo: Woman frying fish in village in western Kenya (BBC)
Reporter: Mary Harper
Producer: Alex Last
Studio Manager: Graham Puddifoot
Series Editor: Penny Murphy
Production Coordinator: Helena Warwick-Cross
With special thanks to Fred Ooko
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Danish prince who became a very effective King of England in 1016.
Cnut inherited a kingdom in a sorry state. The north and east coast had been harried by Viking raiders, and his predecessor King Æthelred II had struggled to maintain order amongst the Anglo-Saxon nobility too. Cnut proved to be skilful ruler. Not only did he bring stability and order to the kingdom, he exported the Anglo-Saxon style of centralised government to Denmark. Under Cnut, England became the cosmopolitan centre of a multi-national North Atlantic Empire, and a major player in European politics.
With
Erin Goeres
Associate Professor of Old Norse Language and Literature at University College London
Pragya Vohra
Lecturer in Medieval History at the University of York
and
Elizabeth Tyler
Professor of Medieval Literature and Co-Director of the Centre for Medieval Studies at the University of York
Producer Luke Mulhall
Missy Elliott is considered one of the most important rappers of all time, who changed the landscape of hip-hop with her eccentric beats and innovative rhymes, with hits like Get Ur Freak On and Lose Control. She's also produced and written songs for other artists including Aaliyah, Destiny's Child and Ciara.
It's been announced that she will be the first female hip-hop artist to be chosen to join the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Today's Sean Farrington speaks to music journalist Jacqueline Springer and writer Christine Ochefu about the rapper's induction to the roll of honour in her first year of eligibility.
(Image credit: John Shearer/Getty Images)
Thousands of Kenyan villagers are being given free cash as part of a huge trial being run by an American non-profit, GiveDirectly.
Why? Some aid organisations believe that simply giving people money is one of the most effective ways to tackle extreme poverty and boost development. After all, they argue, local people themselves know best how to use the funds to improve their lives. But does it work? Is it really a long term solution? In 2018, the BBC visited a Kenyan village whose residents received money at the start of the trial. Five years on, the BBC’s Mary Harper returns to see what’s changed.
Photo: Woman frying fish in village in western Kenya (BBC)
Reporter: Mary Harper
Producer: Alex Last
Studio Manager: Graham Puddifoot
Series Editor: Penny Murphy
Production Coordinator: Helena Warwick-Cross
With special thanks to Fred Ooko
The Russian Presidency said Ukraine was behind Kremlin drone strikes. Also: A new drug has been hailed as a big step towards an effective treatment for Alzheimer's, and the US Federal Reserve has increased interest rates to the highest level in sixteen years.
The US Central Bank has raised its interest rates to its highest level in 16 years The moves are aimed at stabilising inflation and have pushed the target range for its benchmark rate to 5.25%. Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell said the US was "getting close or maybe even there" to pausing its rate-hike campaign but was prepared to do more if warranted. But there has been criticism from some economists with one describing the rise as ‘throwing the US labour market under a bus’.
We also report on an Israeli food-tech company that has announced it has managed to produce the world's first ever ready-to-cook fish fillet using 3-d printing technology.
And – just how does the French Finance Minister find the time to write erotic literature with the country facing a great deal of economic upheaval?
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has denied his country carried out an alleged drone attack on the Kremlin, which Russia says was an attempt on President Vladimir Putin's life. We speak to the BBC's Russia Editor Steve Rosenberg and an advisor to Ukraine's Defence Minister. Also on the programme: thousands of refugees flee from Sudan to South Sudan, a country ill-equipped to deal with such an influx. And the growing threat of fungal diseases to food security worldwide. (Image: a still image taken from a video appearing to show a flying object exploding near the Kremlin during the alleged drone attack in Moscow. Ostorozhno Novosti/Handout via REUTERS)
Fighting is continuing in various parts of Sudan. The army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo of the rival Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group, have agreed to a seven day ceasefire starting on Thursday. The two have also agreed to sit down for peace talks in neighbouring South Sudan.
Today is World Press Freedom Day, we hear from a journalist from Somalia on the challenges of reporting in the country.
An update on devastating floods in Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda.
Medical professionals in Khartoum tell us how they are managing to continue their work to treat people in hospitals despite the ongoing violence in Sudan. Some hospitals are out of service and doctors say they are struggling to secure medical supplies.
There is evidence that high blood pressure in young people in England is going undiagnosed, and levels are rising in the USA. Dr Graham Easton looks at the latest. He also discusses new research which may lead to earlier diagnosis of the degenerative condition Parkinson’s disease by testing for a build-up of abnormal proteins.
Ian Temple has Parkinson’s disease, but that hasn’t stopped him dancing. He is part of a group run by the English National Ballet for people with Parkinson’s. We hear from a dance class, and Elke Kalbe, Professor of medical psychology at the University of Cologne, explains how physical exercise like this might benefit people with the condition.
And have you ever heard someone with a near death experience recount that their life flashed before their eyes? We discuss new neuroscience which might explain the phenomenon.
Image credit: Ahmed Satti/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producer: Clare Salisbury
The Martin Lewis podcast is here and it’s an emotional one. As it is announced that the UK is to ban all cold calls selling financial products as part of a national crackdown on scams, Martin reveals that a relative of his was the victim of a scam call earlier this week – while he was in discussions with the government about the policy. Did you know 41% of crime in the UK is now fraud? Martin talks about how to keep yourself, and those you care about, safe.
Plus how you can get cashback on purchases, as well as paying no fees abroad… and why you REALLY need to figure out if you, or someone you know might be eligible for pension credits. It’s a complex system but there’s an eligibility checker to see if you’re entitled to more – but you’ve only got till May 19th – so get your skates on.
And this week’s Tell Us is all about the last time you used cash, and Nihal takes on Martin’s Money Mastermind one more time.
PRODUCER: Susanne Courtney
Dance Culture: Laurie Taylor takes a journey through the dancefloor with the music writer, Emma Warren, whose latest research combines social history and memoir to answer the question 'why do we dance together?' Also, Melin Levent Yuna, a sociologist and anthropologist at Acibaden University, explains why Istanbul has become the Tango capital of the world, after Buenos Aires, in spite of its conservative government.
Producer: Jayne Egerton
The U.S Federal reserve is expected to raise rates again this week. That would be the 10the straight increase since March of last year. We'll find out what the expected rise will mean for the U.S economy.
As the Coronation of King Charles III approaches new coins have started to circulate with his head on them. The BBC have been given exclusive access to the Royal Mint, where the coins are made.
And A.I and education learning. The share price of several major education companies has fallen sharply, as the impact of artificial intelligence is being felt in the sector. We hear from the CEO of a language learning app that is thriving from A.I..
Russia claims it has foiled an attempt by Ukraine to assassinate President Putin with a drone strike on the Kremlin.
Also in the programme: South Sudan's foreign minister on bringing peace to Sudan; and US Surgeon General warns of the dangers of loneliness.
(Picture: Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting on the development of unmanned aircraft, at the Rudnyovo industrial park in Moscow, Russia April 27, 2023. Credit: Sputnik/Mikhail Klimentyev/Kremlin)
Ukraine has denied carrying out the drone attacks on the Kremlin. Also: Eight schoolchildren and a security guard have been shot dead by a fellow pupil in a rare mass shooting in Serbia, and some of America's best-known late-night talk shows have been taken off air due to a strike by Hollywood writers over money and the use of artificial intelligence.
We find out if Gareth and Noah completed their task in Wrexham, Nathan has been buying far too much of something in Daventry and a lady has been getting far too excited at a Tchaikovsky gig.
For Ellie Wilson, now 25, it’s been a year since the man she once called her boyfriend was convicted of raping her and sentenced to five years in prison. Research shows that one in four women have been raped or sexually assaulted as adults, but it is estimated that only one in six will report it with less than 1% of reported cases ending in a conviction. Ellie speaks to Nuala to explain why she chose to waive her right to anonymity and what propels her to continue to campaign for reform of the justice system in light of her experience.
Plans for Britain’s first women’s-only tower block, to be built in Ealing, west London, have been approved. The brainchild of the housing association Women’s Pioneer Housing, it will be a 15-storey tower containing 102 flats to be rented to single women, in particular women who are disadvantaged in the housing market. Nuala is joined by the Chief Executive, Tracey Downie, and Vicky Spratt, the Housing Correspondent for the i newspaper, to discuss its potential social impact.
Why does rejection hurt so much? And what are some coping mechanisms can people use? Nuala discusses with the Chartered psychologist Fiona Murden, and Kate Wills who describes her fear of rejection, how it has held her back in life, and an experiment she undertook to try and cure it.
Many listeners will know that Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour has been broadcast for more than 75 years – since October 1946. But far less well known is an earlier programme called Women’s Hour, which first appeared 100 years ago, in early May 1923. To find about more Nuala speaks to Dr Kate Murphy, Visiting Fellow at Bournemouth University - and author of the book Behind the Wireless: A History of Early Women at the BBC.
Presented by Nuala McGovern
Producer: Louise Corley
Editor: Beverley Purcell
Should the police see indecent exposure as a red flag - a signal that the man who exposes himself could be on the path to committing violent sexual offences?
The case of Wayne Couzens, the police officer who murdered Sarah Everard, has persuaded the College of Policing - which sets standards for forces in England and Wales - to re-examine the evidence.
He pleaded guilty to three cases of indecent exposure before Sarah's murder.
Today's Nick Robinson speaks to Lisa Squire, whose daughter Libby was murdered after being a victim of indecent exposure and now campaigns for change, and Zoe Billingham, former Inspector of Constabulary.
一位听众想知道单词 “flame、blaze” 和 “flare” 的区别。简单地说：表示 “一股火焰、火舌” 时应用 “flame”；若要强调 “火势猛烈”，就应该用 “blaze”；而要表示 “火焰突然旺起来”，同时强调 “燃烧过程的突然和迅速”，就要用 “flare”。听节目，学习这三个近义词的含义和用法。
From 6th April, there's set to be a host of financial changes. From household bills, changes to pensions, national insurance and help for energy bills. Almost every household will be affected in some way.
We breakdown the main things that you need to know and put your questions to a panel of experts - Helen Thornley, from The Association of Tax Technicians and Sam Richardson, Deputy Editor at Which? Money Magazine.
Presenter: Dan Whitworth
Producer: Amber Mehmood
Reporter: Hannah Mullane
Editor: Jess Quayle
(First broadcast 3pm, Wednesday 5th April, 2023)
Also:
Nationwide Russian air strikes against Ukraine.
and
Karl Lagerfeld honoured at the Met Gala.
The government has announced that it will end British evacuation flights from Sudan on Saturday evening. We hear from a British GP who gave up waiting to be told when she and her family might be evacuated and made the dangerous journey over ground to the coast.
Also on the programme: the Earl of Harewood, whose family wealth came from slavery, says he thinks the British government should make an official apology; and how the followers of the Good News International Church in Kenya were told to starve themselves to death.
The rival parties say they will observe the truce from Thursday. Also: humans imitating birds in Belgium and England, and turning people's thoughts into written text with the help of AI.
Shares on Wall Street have been falling for some banks - trading in PacWest, seen as one of the weakest of the midsized regional banks, was briefly halted for volatility and was down 25 per cent by noon in New York. Western Alliance was down more than 20 per cent.
Thousands of Hollywood TV and movie screenwriters are today downing tools after last minute talks broke down over pay. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike, the first in 15 years, has seen more than 11,000 writers walking out. Tuesday’s late-night chat shows are expected to be the first to shut down. Forthcoming films could face delays.
And we report on the desperate measures people are taking in Sri Lanka - one of the hardest hit economies in the world at the moment. It's economy has collapsed by nearly a fifth in the last three years, and the latest central bank report has suggested further recession is inevitable this year too.
Violence has forced roughly 100,000 people to flee Sudan's borders. We speak to one Khartoum resident about what life is like there at the moment.
Also on the programme: The United Nations announces it will stay in Afghanistan to deliver aid despite the Taliban's decision to restrict women working with NGOs and UN agencies; and Newshour speaks to a professor at the University of Texas who has invented a way of translating someone's thoughts into written text. (Image: Smoke rises after aerial bombardment in Khartoum. Credit: Reuters)
This week's finalist in the All in the Mind Awards is Sian who's been nominated by her mother Myra who cannot believe how much support she has given her during a manic episode and her diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Even when Myra threatened to bite Sian, she still kept calm and understood that it was her illness which was affecting her behaviour. When she let her mum look after her beloved granddaughters, it helped Myra's confidence to grow. One of the Awards judges Maddie Leslay - who plays Chelsea in the Archers - found Myra and Sian's story really inspiring and full of unconditional love.
Losing language and communication skills after a stroke can be isolating - and some patients are told that there is a "window" when rehabilitation therapy needs to happen for it to work. Prof Alex Leff from the UCL Institute of Neurology says the brain's plasticity doesn't disappear completely as we age - and some of the participants in his studies saw big improvements many years after their strokes. Prof Jenny Crinnion explains how speech therapists prompt people experiencing "tip of the tongue" difficulties with finding words during the intensive speech and language therapy.
Studio guest Mathijs Lucassen from the Open University samples crisps from red, white and blue bowls to see which are the tastiest and most salty, replicating a study which hopes to help expand the food choices of picky eaters.
Produced in partnership with The Open University’
King Charles's Coronation will likely be a highly visual affair and so charity Living Paintings wanted to ensure that visually impaired children and young people get access to the event. They have gifted tactile images and audio guides to schools, homes and people caring for young visually impaired people. Our reporter Fern Lulham attended a school in Kent, to hear what the visually impaired children there thought of these accessible gifts.
Clay modelling is one of the best art forms for blind and partially sighted people; that is according to Essex based Allan Mabert anyway. Allan had an illustrious working life; being one of the first blind rehabilitation workers, he was a sportsman who competed in one of the early Paralympic Games, and as if that wasn't enough, he was also London's first blind magistrate. But now in his retirement, Allan has found a passion for art. We paid a visit to Allan's pottery class, to hear more about his new found hobby.
Presenter: Peter White
Producer: Beth Hemmings
Production Coordinator: Liz Poole
Website image description: Peter White sits smiling in the centre of the image, wearing a dark green jumper. Above Peter's head is the BBC logo (three individual white squares house each of the three letters). Bottom centre and overlaying the image are the words "In Touch" and the Radio 4 logo (the word Radio in a bold white font, with the number 4 inside a white circle). The background is a bright mid-blue with two rectangles angled diagonally to the right. Both are behind Peter, one of a darker blue and the other is a lighter blue.
Warring leaders in Sudan have agreed to a seven day truce to start on Thursday.
Another Kenyan pastor is due in court for aiding suicide. This comes hours after Pastor Paul Mackenzie's arraignment today after his deceased members were found in mass graves on his property.
And Uganda's Parliament has passed an anti-homosexuality bill that prescribes the death penalty for some offences.
The UN says more than 800,000 people could flee fighting in Sudan for neighbouring countries like Chad, Egypt and the Central African Republic. We will take a look at the economic challenges these countries face.
Banking giant HSBC says its profits got a $1.5bn boost from the purchase of collapsed Silicon Valley Bank's British business. They also managed a pre-tax profit more than three times the amount from January to March last year. How did they do it – we’ll take a look.
The world football governing body FIFA wants broadcasters to pay for the media rights as their President Gianni Infantino warns that if the UK Spain, France, Italy and Germany, do not improve their offers they won't be able to show the Women's World Cup game.
More than 100,000 people have fled since fighting began in Sudan in April. Also: Palestinian hunger striker dies in Israeli prison, and Hollywood film and TV writers go out on strike.
A man widely regarded as the godfather of artificial intelligence (AI) has quit his job at Google, warning about the risks posed by the technology he helped to develop. Dr Geoffrey Hinton joins a growing number of experts sharing their concerns about the speed at which AI is developing.
Also in the programme: a Kenyan preacher accused of encouraging his followers to starve themselves to death appears in court; and 83-year-old Motown legend Smokey Robinson returns with his first album of new material in over a decade.
(Photo: Artificial intelligence pioneer Geoffrey Hinton. Credit: REUTERS/Mark Blinch)
Charles III waited a very long time to become King. Since his investiture as Prince of Wales in 1969, he filled his life with activity, pursuing deeply held passions and causes – on the environment, farming, architecture, charities to help young people and projects to improve understanding between religious groups. We speak to the people who know him best, to explain the ideas and values which motivated him for so many decades. We discover how his many eclectic projects are rooted in his spiritual beliefs about the essential harmony of the universe and his reverence for the natural world.
Listener Dec gets up to whisky business in the bath, Izzy had a great time watching The Red Roses and "You dance- I annoint" Greg wonders what Pete Tong 's Coronation commentary would sound like.
There are two new books about the experience of caregiving: Who Cares: the hidden crisis of caregiving and how we solve it by Emily Kenway and Mothercare: on ambivalence and obligation by acclaimed American novelist, Lynne Tillman. Both Emily and Lynne cared for their mothers. There are differences in their stories, but also many shared experiences, experiences that apply to vast swathes of populations around the world who undertake unpaid caring for spouses, relative and friends. Lynne and Emily join Nuala in the studio.
When Sheilagh and her husband offered to house a mother and her daughters fleeing from Ukraine little did they realise that the girls were musical prodigies and that their music would stop passers by in the street. Sheilagh and 17 year old Khrystyna join Nuala to tell their story.
On Thursday the another series of Bridgerton will be available and focusses on Queen Charlotte. Described as a spin-off, it goes back in time to chronicle how the young queen at just seventeen finds herself married to the new King George III. Dr Olivette Oteli, research professor at SOAS explains who she was, what we know about her life and if there is any credibility to the longstanding speculation that she was the first woman of colour in the Royal family.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Lucinda Montefiore
Betty Webb is one of the last surviving women to have worked on cracking both the German and Japanese codes at Bletchley Park during World War 2.
She attended Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation in 1953 - and has been invited to this weekend’s coronation of King Charles III. A week later she will celebrate her 100th Birthday with a party at Bletchley park.
Her new book 'No More Secrets' tells the story of her childhood, recruitment to Bletchley and then the pentagon, her vital wartime role deciphering enemy communications, and how it felt to eventually be able to talk about her experiences which she had to keep secret for years. Today's Martha Kearney speaks to Betty Webb about the memoir and her invite to the coronation.
习语 “hats off” 的字面意思是 “脱帽”，但人们在生活中会用它来表达 “对某人作出的成就感到敬佩，以表谢意”。“Hats off” 是否也能用来向人道贺？听节目，学习 “hats off” 的用法。
Customers and former staff praise First Republic’s service as it is taken over by JP Morgan Chase. First Republic had been under pressure since last month, when the collapse of two other US lenders sparked fears about the state of the banking system. Authorities said they hoped the deal would resolve the panic. The failure of San Francisco-based First Republic is the second-largest in US history and the third in the country since March.
Hollywood writers and television producer approach a deadline to sign a new contract - or take strike action…the first such action in 15 years.
Meanwhile, in France the traditional May Day protests have been given extra momentum due to anger over the pension reforms that have been rammed through parliament by President Emmanuel Macron. Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets in France and violent clashes erupted in some cities; the authorities say more than one hundred police were injured and nearly three hundred people were detained .
Protesters expressed anger at pension reforms. Also: The UN warns Sudan is facing a humanitarian catastrophe as fighting continues, and the man widely considered the "godfather of AI" quits Google and warns of danger ahead.
Hundreds have been killed and thousands wounded, since fighting erupted in Sudan. We speak to the BBC's Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet who has been on board a Saudi ship that is picking up people fleeing the country.
Also on the programme: Police in Paris fire tear gas at demonstrators after violence broke out at a May Day rally; and the Hollywood writers threatening to go on strike.
(Photo shows black smoke rising above buildings in Khartoum. CREDIT: Reuters)
Customers and former staff praise First Republic’s service as it is taken over by JP Morgan Chase. First Republic had been under pressure since last month, when the collapse of two other US lenders sparked fears about the state of the banking system. Authorities said they hoped the deal would resolve the panic. The failure of San Francisco-based First Republic is the second-largest in US history and the third in the country since March.
Hollywood writers and television producer approach a deadline to sign a new contract - or take strike action…the first such action in 15 years.
Meanwhile, in France the traditional May Day protests have been given extra momentum due to anger over the pension reforms that have been rammed through parliament by President Emmanuel Macron. Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets in France and violent clashes erupted in some cities; the authorities say more than one hundred police were injured and nearly three hundred people were detained .
There is a bizarre number in maths referred to simply as ‘i’. It appears to break the rules of arithmetic - but turns out to be utterly essential for applications across engineering and physics. We are talking about the square root of -1, which makes no sense.
Professor Fry waxes lyrical about the beauty and power of this so-called ‘imaginary’ number to a sceptical Dr Rutherford.
Dr Michael Brooks, author of The Maths That Made Us, tells the surprising story of the duelling Italian mathematicians who gave birth to this strange idea, and shares how Silicon Valley turned it into cold hard cash. Professor Jeff O’Connell, Ohlone College California, demonstrates that it's all about oscillations, and Dr Eleanor Knox, philosopher of physics at KCL and a senior visiting fellow at the University of Pittsburgh reveals that imaginary numbers are indispensable for the most fundamental physics of all: quantum mechanics.
Fighting has continued in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, as the United Nations warns of a deepening humanitarian disaster. Thousands of people have fled the city, but the situation is getting worse for those left behind.
We take a look at Liberia's unfolding political equation as the country heads towards the presidential election in October. One of the main contenders, Joseph Boakai, has already sparked controversy by naming a surprise running mate.
And we go to Ethiopia and Morocco, where Labour Unions and workers have been prevented from staging protests on this day, International Workers’ Day.
Presenter Sam Fenwick will take a look at First Republic Bank as it has been sold to investment banking giant JP Morgan. First Republic has become the third US bank to collapse this year.
Globally there'll be fewer jobs around in the coming five years. Research suggests there could be a net loss of 14 million jobs. We hear from The World Economic Forum as they say says slower economic growth, supply chain shortages and inflation will affect job creation.
And we'll find out why Cuba's annual May Day parade in Havana has been cancelled.
Air strikes have pounded Khartoum, despite a truce aimed at allowing civilians to flee. More than 500 deaths have been reported with the true number of casualties believed to be much higher. Millions remain trapped in the Sudanese capital.
Also on the programme: we hear from the wife of a Wagner mercenary recruited to fight in Ukraine; and the monthly public transport pass that's getting people moving in Germany.
(Image: A man walks while smoke rises above buildings after aerial bombardment, during clashes between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the army in Khartoum, Sudan, on 1 May 2023. Credit: Nureldin Abdallah/Reuters)
First Republic is the third US bank to collapse in the last two months. Also: aid agencies warn of an escalating humanitarian disaster in Sudan, and how artificial intelligence can help detect early-stage lung cancer.
The book Honey, Baby, Mine is a joint project of mother/daughter actors Diane Ladd, and Laura Dern. Working together is not unusual for these two as over decades they have taken their connection onto our screens but as fictional parent and child. Now 87 and 56, they have both had, and continue to have, critically-acclaimed careers with many character roles, gaining them numerous awards and nominations. They join Nuala to discuss their latest project.
Nurses in England are taking part in what the Royal College of Nursing is calling 'the biggest walkout so far' today, and some teachers are striking tomorrow. Nuala speaks to Dr Susan Milner to talk about these female-dominated sectors taking industrial action.
Nuala is also joined by one of the Grassroots women on our Power List, celebrating the 30 most remarkable women in sport in the UK. Somayeh Caesar is a teaching assistant in London and has set up several sporting clubs for women and girls.
Service is the new novel by the author and critic Sarah Gilmartin. Famed Dublin chef Daniel Costello who runs a successful high-end restaurant is facing accusations of sexual assault. Set between the present day and the earlier noughties, the story is told from the perspective of three voices- the waitress, the chef, and the chef’s wife. It’s a story of power, abuse, complicity and Metoo. Sarah joins Nuala to discuss her new book.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Emma Pearce
In December, Today’s Mishal Husain spoke to Frank Cottrell-Boyce, author of children’s books including ‘Millions’ and ‘The Forgotten Coat’. After hearing the interview, Nadia Shireen, children’s author and illustrator, reached out to Frank with the idea of starting a podcast discussing children’s literature.
Now, five months later, Today’s Justin Webb heard about their new podcast, ‘Island of Brilliant’, where Frank and Nadia imagine themselves marooned on an island with nothing but children’s books to keep them company.
Aimed at adults, it’s both funny and imaginative: as Frank says, “boredom is the compost of imagination”.
The Primate of the Episcopal Church, Archbishop of Sudan, Ezekiel Kondo talks to Emily while barricaded into a church building for safety with 15 others. They are some of the millions who are trapped in the capital Khartoum where there are shortages of food, fuel and water. Gunfire is heard raging in the distance despite the ceasefire.
The President of Tibet tells us that the Dalai Lama's recent interaction with a young boy, where he asked him to 'suck his tongue', was misinterpreted. A video filmed at an event at the Dalai Lama's temple in Dharamshala in India in February, also showed the Buddhist leader kissing the boy on the lips. But Penpa Tsering, the Sikyong or President of Tibet, told Emily that while the Dalai Lama has apologised, he was actually asking the boy if he wanted to ‘eat his tongue’, a traditional expression in Tibet which means ‘I have nothing left to give you’.
A sweeping review of the government’s relationship with religion was released last week. It is called 'Does Government Do God?' It took 4 years to complete after a call for evidence that had over 21,000 responses from faith leaders, civil society champions and the public. Hear from its author Colin Bloom, the government's faith engagement advisor.
Emily gets exclusive access to the Dean of Westminster and access to the Abbey where preparations are taking place for next week's Coronation.
Details of the Order of Service have finally been released. Reporter Harry Farley has the latest.
Former choirmaster of the Chapel Royal, Andrew Gant, takes you on an atmospheric journey through 350 years of Coronation music.
Presenter Emily Buchanan
Editor: Tim Pemberton
Producers: Catherine Murray and Linda Walker
Studio Manager: Amy Brennan and Owain Williams
Dawn French and Edward Rowe star in a new sketch show with a Cornish flavour. Park the clichés and open your eyes to the reality of this wondrous funny and feral land.
Visit Rick Stein's Cornwall (he's got planning permission for it), meet LJ and Jess, the low energy Gen-Z receptionists at the Royal Hotel, and find out just how important shanty singers are to the Cornish economy.
Recorded in front of an audience at the Acorn Theatre in Penzance, Wosson Cornwall? is a sketch show celebrating everything that makes real contemporary Cornwall a culturally rich and funny place - its people, its history and its modern way of life.
This is the first episode in a four part series with an entirely Cornish cast and writing team.
The cast includes Dawn French (Vicar of Dibley / French and Saunders), Edward Rowe (star of Bafta-winning film BAIT and HBO’s Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon), Tamsyn Kelly (ITV2’s Stand Up Sketch Show, BBC New Comedian of the Year Award finalist 2021), Joanna Neary (Channel 4 sitcom Man Down and Gary Oldman film The Darkest Hour), Anna Keirle (award-winning Cornish stand-up, actress and writer) and award-winning actor Ciaran Clarke.
Written by James Henry, Morwenna Banks, Catherine Beazley, Max Davis, Jane Harvey, Tamsyn Kelly, Jo Neary, and Alex Smith.
Script Editor: James Henry
Music: The Jolly Strumpets
Production Co-ordinator: Tamara Shilham
Sound Design: David Thomas
Produced by Simon Nicholls
A Mighty Bunny production for BBC Radio 4
The acclaimed British theatre director, Tinuke Craig embarks on her opera debut at the English National Opera with Blue, a tale of police violence in America and its impact on a New York family. The opera has been composed by the Tony award-winning Jeanine Tesori, with a libretto by Tazewell Thompson. Anna Bailey follows Tinuke and her operatic collaborators as she embarks on a challenging new chapter in her career.
Warring sides agree to extend the current truce in Sudan even as the fighting continues. Also: Pope Benedict urges Hungarians to "open doors" to migrants, and Ding Liren has become China's first male world chess champion.
Air strikes have pounded Sudan's capital, Khartoum, despite a truce aimed at allowing civilians to flee.
The army said it was attacking the city to flush out its paramilitary rivals, the Rapid Response Forces (RSF). The fighting intensified even as the warring sides said they would extend the truce by another three days.
We'll hear about the challenges of moving around a city at war and also hear from Darfur in the west.
Also in the programme: China has its first world chess champion; and how legalisation in Thailand led to a marijuana boom.
(Photo shows a burnt out car in Khartoum, Sudan. Credit: Getty Images)
Tens of thousands of Sudanese have abandoned their homes and are fleeing the country. Satellite images show long bus convoys at the Egyptian border and in Port Sudan there has been a rush for the limited spaces on ships heading to Saudi Arabia. Our correspondent in the east of Chad says thousands of women, children and the elderly are fleeing the violence in the Darfur region.
Also in the programme: a key referendum in Uzbekistan; and history beckons in Naples.
(Photo: British nationals board an RAF plane during the evacuation from Wadi Seidna Air Base, Sudan. CREDIT: Arron Hoare/UK Ministry of Defence/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY.)
Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh le Ruairidh MacIlleathain. Litir àireamh 1241. Roddy Maclean reads this week's letter for Gàidhlig learners.
Sudan's army says it is launching a large scale attack on the capital, Khartoum, in an effort to recapture areas held by the rival Rapid Support Forces. Also: drone attack behind massive fire at Crimea fuel depot, and Freya the walrus is immortalised in a bronze statue in Oslo fjord.
People from all over the globe remember their meetings with King Charles III over the years. They include Dr Joe McInnes who took the former Prince for a dive beneath the ice of the North West passage in 1975, holocaust survivor Lily Ebert, Joseph Hammond who met the King when he visited a military cemetery in Ghana and former pop singer and Spice Girl Mel B who remembers several hilarious encounters with the King including one involving the former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela.
Sudan's army says it's launching a major assault on Khartoum with heavy weapons, to try to dislodge a rival militia force which is in control of large parts of the capital. As residents of Khartoum are told to brace for an escalation in the fighting, we hear how the rush to leave Sudan could tear some families apart. One woman says she is being told to leave her husband behind.
Also in the programme: there's frustration in Kyiv at the EU's deal that limits agricultural imports from Ukraine; and we speak to a woman whose visit to see Michelangelo's famous statue David has made international headlines.
(Photo: British nationals have been evacuated to Cyprus, before flying to the UK. Credit: Reuters)
What happens when a woman famous for talking to people, and for her razor sharp wit, is left stranded on a desert island with just herself and a hermit crab for company? Author, comedian, broadcaster and mental health campaigner Ruby Wax decided to spend 10 days completely cut off from the modern world and other humans, and you can see the results on Channel 5 in Ruby Wax : Cast Away. She joins Anita to discuss what it was like being alone on an uninhabited island near Madagascar.
In 2018 the people of Ireland voted to repeal the 8th amendment and grant women access to safe and free abortions up to 12 weeks into pregnancy. Ireland was promised ‘excellent’ abortion services but what is the reality 5 years on? On Wednesday, an independent review of abortion services was released that proposed 10 major changes to legislation. Anita is joined by Dr Deirdre Duffy, a Senior Lecturer in Sociology at Lancaster University who was involved in putting together the evidence base for the review.
Currently celebrating her 30th year in business, the celebrity colourist Jo Hansford MBE has been described as the “best tinter on the planet”. She started off cutting hair in her parents’ front room and is now one of the most famous female names in the business with two salons, her own range of products, and clients who’ve included Elizabeth Hurley, Angelina Jolie and Richard Burton, not to mention she is the woman in charge of the Queen Consort’s crowning glory! Jo spoke to Nuala about her career, passion for colour - and the upcoming coronation.
Zoe Lyons is known for being funny Radio 4 comedy shows like The New Quiz and seen her on TV shows like Live at the Apollo and QI. She also hosts the BBC2 quiz show 'Lightning'. Over the last couple of years, she has kept herself busy by having (what she describes as) ‘a monumental midlife crisis’. It involved buying a sports car, splitting up with her wife and running a 100k ultra marathon…Along the way her hair also started to fall out. Thankfully Zoe has been able to see the funny side and she’s used the experience to write her stand up show ‘Bald Ambition’…which she is currently touring around the country. Zoe joins Nuala to discuss.
Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Hanna Ward
Editor: Louise Corley
Fighting is continuing in parts of the Sudanese capital, Khartoum. Both the army and the RSF agreed to a ceasefire but it has not held. Tens of thousands of people are fleeing the country. Our correspondent Lyse Doucet is in Jeddah where many people fleeing the fighting have arrived.
Also on the programme: A court in the Netherlands has ordered a man suspected of fathering more than five hundred children to stop donating his sperm. And are laws designed to protect cows in India being used to target Muslims?
(Photo: Sudanese refugees who have fled the violence in their country gather to receive food supplements from World Food Programme (WFP). CREDIT: REUTERS/Mahamat Ramadane)
In this special extended programme broadcast live from Lincoln, the Money Box team covers all you need to know as the financial year comes to an end and a new one begins. For many household bills are going up, from broadband costs and water bills to council tax - but what can you do if you're struggling? The team are joined by organisations who're supporting people every day, to find out what help is out there.
We're in Skegness to find out how local people and businesses are coping with energy costs.
We'll discuss what tax changes are coming in from April, and what allowances you're entitled to. Plus we'll mark 50 years since the introduction of VAT - Value Added Tax.
Don't miss music from the City of Lincoln Band and a special introduction from the Official Town Crier of Lincoln City too.
Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Reporter: Dan Whitworth
Researcher: Sandra Hardial
Editor: Jess Quayle
(First broadcast 1130am on Saturday 1st April, 2023)
Quizzer and singer Jenny Ryan, Mirror chief football writer John Cross, broadcaster Martin Kelner and comedian Eddie Kadi join Colin Murray for an hour of sporting punditry, humour and entertainment. Points are awarded for informed comment, wit and passion, but taken away for nonsense and answers lacking in conviction.
In the final round, the top two points scorers go head-to-head in 'Defend the Indefensible' where they must both defend a statement however ludicrous or distasteful for twenty seconds. There can only be one winner!
Get the podcast from BBC Sounds.
Nurses will walk out in an ongoing row over pay starting on Sunday and finishing on Bank Holiday Monday. Today’s Mishal Husain spoke to the General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing and asked her about the decision to include A&E shifts in the strike.
Mishal also spoke to Nick Hulme, Chief Executive of Colchester and Ipswich hospitals, to ask him how the strike is going to affect his hospitals.
And with two of the biggest health unions now having voted to accept the government’s pay offer, BBC Health Editor Hugh Pym looks at the prospect of whether this could avert more nursing strikes.
Photo by ANDY RAIN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
The RSF paramilitary general Hemedti says his fighters don't want to destroy Sudan. Also: India's police to register case against wrestling chief, and US regulators approve first human oral pill derived from human waste.
Fentanyl is a potentially deadly synthetic opioid. The other month, a drug enforcement official in the country described it as the single deadliest drug threat the US has encountered. It’s been around since the 1960s and small doses are used safely every day by medics for pain relief. But as an illegal drug, Fentanyl is blamed for more than 70,000 deaths in the US every year. We bring together two parents who lost children to the drug. George Gerchow in Colorado tells us that one of the hardest aspects is dealing with the stigma and lack of support from the community.
The bank's shares plunge by more than 40% as plans for its survival fail to materialise. We ask experts what First Republic's clients can expect as news that the bank might be placed under receivership start to emerge.
The US financial sector continues to tremble as the Federal Reserve admits that it failed to act with "sufficient force and urgency" in its oversight of Silicon Valley Bank, which collapsed last month in the country's biggest bank failure since 2008. We find out more about the Fed's latest report on SVB.
And we hear about the skills needed to succeed in the music industry from Jason Derulo.
The leader of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, tells the BBC he’s ready for peace talks if there is a cessation of hostilities. The current ceasefire has not held, and nearly two weeks of fighting between rival factions of Sudan’s military have left hundreds dead.
Also in the programme: a wave of Russian air strikes on cities across Ukraine has left at least 25 people dead; and rehearsals start for what is being billed as the world’s first heavy metal dance experience – Black Sabbath The Ballet.
(Photo: General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo speaking in Khartoum. Credit: REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah)
Rival factions of Sudan's military agreed to renew a three-day ceasefire, following intensive diplomatic efforts by neighbouring countries, as well as the US, UK and UN. But there are reports that heavy fighting in the capital Khartoum is still going on.
In the wake of the cult deaths in Kenya, we delve into the mindset of a cult leader.
And one of the top football coaches in Sudan says he feels “torn” about fleeing the country to escape the civil war, leaving his players behind.
Writer, Sarah McDonald-Hughes
Director, Dave Payne
Editor, Jeremy Howe
Brian Aldridge ….. Charles Collingwood
Jolene Archer ….. Buffy Davis
Kenton Archer ….. Richard Attlee
Natasha Archer ….. Mali Harries
Pat Archer ….. Patricia Gallimore
Lilian Bellamy ….. Sunny Ormonde
Harrison Burns ….. James Cartwright
Alice Carter ….. Hollie Chapman
Chris Carter ….. Wilf Scolding
Susan Carter ….. Charlotte Martin
Justin Elliott ….. Simon Williams
Brad Horrobin ….. Taylor Uttley
Chelsea Horrobin ….. Madeleine Leslay
Tracy Horrobin ….. Susie Riddell
Paul Mack ….. Joshua Riley
Adam Macy ….. Andrew Wincott
Freddie Pargetter ….. Toby Laurence
Stella Pryor ….. Lucy Speed
Lynda Snell ….. Carole Boyd
Den ….. Laurence Saunders
The government-appointed chairman of the BBC, Richard Sharp, has resigned after admitting that he breached the British government's code for public appointments. We hear from a former Conservative culture minister.
Also in the programme: WHO on the crisis in Sudan; and Eva Green's victory in a London court.
(Picture: Richard Sharp resignation statement 28/04/2023. Credit: BBC)
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs.
In this week's episode: we speak to the team that think they’re close to cracking the male contraceptive pill. And the WHO announce their big vaccine catch-up: to protect the millions of children worldwide who’s routine vaccinations have been disrupted by Covid.
Plus, living with obesity is one of the biggest health challenges we face in the future, so we look at what’s being done about the problem.
New episodes released weekly. If you're in the UK, for more BBC podcasts listen on BBC Sounds: bbc.in/3UjecF5
Rahul Tandon hears about Sudanese who are trying to escape from the war and burying their money and gold according to Abdelaziz Musa, who fled to Egypt.
Taiwan’s economy sank into recession after shrinking 3% in the first quarter of 2023, worse than projected. This is the fastest pace since the global financial crisis, a sign of how the drop-off in global demand for chips has showed little sign of abating.
A controversial Canadian government bill to regulate streaming services has been passed by the Senate and become law. The legislation requires services such as Netflix and Spotify to pay to support Canadian media content, including music and TV shows. It also requires the platforms to promote and recommend Canadian programming, in English, French and indigenous languages.
At least eighteen people die in their homes, as Russia targets residential areas. Also: the first disabled astronaut experiences weightlessness for the first time and Carlos Acosta's Black Sabbath - the ballet.
The Met may be failing to identify serial killers because it is not properly investigating unexpected deaths, the police watchdog says.
It identified five key failings at the Metropolitan Police in a report: a lack of training, poor supervision, "unacceptable" record-keeping, confusing policies and "inadequate" intelligence procedures.
Today’s Mishal Husain spoke with Matt Parr, HM Inspector of the Constabulary, about the report.
Mishal also spoke to Donna Taylor, the sister of Jack Taylor who was the last victim of Stephen Port, about her experiences dealing with the police following her brother’s death. Finally, Mishal talked to Assistant Commissioner of the Met Police, Louisa Rolfe, regarding the dangers of poor police practices allowing history to ‘repeat itself’.
What happens when a woman famous for her razor sharp wit is left stranded on a desert island with just her own company and a hermit crab called Spartacus? Author, broadcaster and mental health campaigner Ruby Wax joins Anita to explain why she decided to spend 10 days completely cut off from the modern world and other humans.
What are all the ruffles doing in summer clothes? Why are baggy dresses back? And how do you go about doing your summer shopping without buying the same dress as eight other people at the party? Grazia journalist Hannah Banks Walker and columnist Martha Alexander join Anita to chat all things summer fashion.
The NHS Maternity services are in crisis. But how did we get to this point? What was it like to give birth at the very beginning of the NHS? Dr Emily Baughan, Senior Lecturer at Sheffield University, tells Anita how a forgotten book called National Baby can help us understand our current situation. The book was written by Sarah Campion, who had one of the very first truly ‘national babies’, cared for not just from cradle to grave, but in utero by the newly set up health service.
Where are all the female choreographers? Liv Lorent is an award-winning choreographer who has spent her career going against the tide in a male dominated arena. 30 years on, she says not much has changed. She speaks to Anita about how women are rare in the industry, which is still lagging behind in putting women behind as well as centre stage.
Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Lottie Garton
And it's the 41st year of the Belfast marathon this weekend, now with live BBC coverage
Welcome to hell. The true story of Scotland’s notorious serial killers, Burke and Hare.
On Christmas Eve in 1828, William Burke is on trial for murder at the High Court in Edinburgh. He’s accused of killing an old woman, Madgy Docherty. In the witness box is his accuser – William Hare - who is Burke’s accomplice in 16 murders.
What started these two former canal labourers on a mass killing spree? Money and medicine. In 1828, Edinburgh is a world-leading centre of medical training and dissection. The anatomists need cadavers on which to demonstrate and practice – but the supply of bodies from hospitals and prisons isn’t enough to meet the demand. Burke and Hare discover they can earn £10 by selling a dead body and decide they will lure victims to their lodging house and murder them.
Powerful five-part drama-documentary series from BBC Radio 4 with bonus scenes on BBC Sounds.
Written and dramatised by Colin MacDonald.
Narrator ….. Jack Lowden
Burke ….. Gavin Mitchell
Hare ….. James Boal
John Fisher ….. Robert Jack
Mary Paterson ….. Helen Mackay
Janet Brown ….. Nicola Roy
Madgy Docherty ….. Maureen Carr
Jamie ….. Kyle Gardiner
Sheriff Tait ….. Ron Donachie
Sir William Rae ….. Stuart McQuarrie
Robert Knox ….. Simon Donaldson
Other parts played by the cast.
Producer/director: Bruce Young
بعد حوالي ثلاثة أشهرعلى الزلزال، هل استعاد الناجون من الزلزال في أنطاكيا الأمل اثر فقدان بيوتهم في المدينة التي طالتها أضرار بالغة؟
نتحدث إلى سامية وعائلتها وهم أتراك من أصول عربية و إلى أحمد دحو صانع محتوى سوري شاب، هاجر إلى أنطاكيا قبل سبع سنوات لكن الزلزال دفعه إلى الهجرة مرة أخرى. الحلقة أعدتها وقدمتها بسمة كراشة بمساعدة بناني الخنشي و كريم إمام، و بإشراف رئيسة التحرير كريمة كواح.
يمكنكم الاستماع إلى حلقات إكسترا بودكاست على صفحة بي بي سي عربي بودكاست، ساوند كلاود، وسبوتيفاي و أبل بودكاست.
The warring sides in Sudan agreed to renew the truce just before it was due to end but there are doubts it can hold. Also: Washington imposes sanctions on Russian intelligence agency - the FSB, and the talk show host Jerry Springer dies aged 79.
Professor Robert Beckford explores the Christian understanding of reparations. He speaks to Christians in Barbados who say reparations from the Church are now both justified and necessary. But their perspective is only one side of the story. In England, representatives from the Church of England and the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel articulate their understanding of reparations and why they believe it is unnecessary. Robert looks into Christian scripture to explore if there could be a theological case for the payment of reparations.
The US economy grew 1.1% in the year to March, down from 2.6% in the previous quarter. American consumers kept spending despite inflation, contributing to GDP expansion. But growth slowed down as businesses pulled back on investment and hiring. We talk to experts and businesses about the consequences.
Also in the show, we take a look at Argentina’s latest interest rate hike, which now stands at 91%, and we hear the latest from the markets.
The Sudanese Armed Forces and rival Rapid Support Forces have agreed to extend the ongoing truce for a further 72 hours taking effect from the date of the end of the current ceasefire. Despite the preliminary extension, heavy fighting in parts of the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, has continued.
Also on the programme: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has suspended election campaigning after he fell ill during a live television interview; and we remember the life of the revolutionary talk show host Jerry Springer, who’s died aged 79.
(Photo: Damaged car and buildings are seen at the central market during clashes between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the army in Khartoum North, Sudan, April 27, 2023. Credit: REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah)
As Sudan’s 72-hour ceasefire deadline approaches, we speak to Deng Dau Deng, the foreign minister of neighbouring South Sudan which is leading mediation efforts. He told the BBC he hopes General Hamdan Dagalo will respond positively to an extension.
Sierra Leone’s president, Julius Maada Bio, dissolved parliament earlier this week ahead of elections in June.
We hear from the United States ambassador to Liberia, Michael McCarthy, on his recent statement accusing the Liberian government of corruption.
Eleven female MPs in Uganda have been arrested whilst taking part in a protest march against police brutality.
Khartoum’s National Public Health Laboratory has been caught up in the ongoing conflict in Sudan. Dr Maysoon Dahab and Dr Ayman Ahmed explain the situation and why health labs are often targeted in conflicts.
Virus hunters have used artificial intelligence to discover more than 180,000 new viruses. Professor Eddie Holmes and Dr Mang Shi tell Roland how AI is completely transforming the field of viral discovery.
Experts have forecasted a return to El Niño conditions later this year, which could bring with it extreme weather events. Dr Emily Becker explains how the predictions are made and the global impact of a strong El Niño.
And from future to historical weather – Roland talks to Professor Ed Hawkins about the powerful Storm Ulysses of 1903, and how it can help us better understand storms today.
Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Roland Pease
Assistant Producer: Sophie Ormiston
We are going to devote a lot of the programme to the world 's largest economy.
Rahul Tandon hears about the United States economic growth slowing in the last three months. Recent GDP figures show the US economy grew at an annualized rate of 1.1%. That’s down from 2 point 6 percent at the end of last year but does show growth despite fears over a recession.
The US House of Representatives on Wednesday narrowly passed a bill to raise the government's $31.4 trillion debt ceiling which includes sweeping spending cuts over the next decade. But it is unlikely to pass the Senate.
Shares in First Republic continue to be volatile as concerns continue over its future. The bank earlier this week announced that it has seen more than 100 billion dollars of withdrawals.
It's been a rollercoaster of a journey for Ireland since securing Test status back in 2017.
Ireland have lost all five Tests they have played but this week, made history by posting their highest Test score of 492 against Sri Lanka.
Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Sunil Gupta react to this achievement with Ireland's head coach Heinrich Malan.
Following Mickey Arthur's appointment of Director of Cricket for Pakistan, we discuss how it will work combined with his current role as coach of Derbyshire in the County Championship and if it is a sign of how coaching will change with dual roles?
We also discuss the return of Ajinkya Rahane to India’s Test team for the upcoming World Test Championship final against Australia.
Image: Ireland head coach Heinrich Malan before the Men's T20 International match between Ireland and New Zealand at Stormont in Belfast. (Photo By Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
The United Nations and South Sudan are leading efforts to arrange another three-day truce. Also, with just days to go before Turkey's election, President Erdogan is cancelling campaign appearances after falling ill. And the South Korean leader Yoon Suk-yeol serenades the White House with a karaoke classic.
This episode will render you oblivious, conked out and blissfully unaware. It’s about anaesthetics: those potent potions that send you into a deep, deathly sleep. Listener Alicia wants to know how they work, so our sleuths call on the expertise of consultant anaesthetist Dr Fiona Donald. Fiona shares her experience from the clinical frontline, and explains what we do and don’t know about how these chemicals work their mind-numbing magic.
We hear about ground-breaking research led by Professor Irene Tracey, which reveals how a pattern of slow brain waves can be used to determine the optimum dosage of these dangerous drugs.
And finally, Drs Rutherford and Fry wonder: what does all this tell us about normal consciousness? Professor Anil Seth shares how we can use brain tech to measure different levels of conscious awareness – from sleepy to psychedelic.
Chimpanzee expert and animal rights campaigner, Dame Jane Goodall, is passionate about saving animals and the environment, but says she does not believe in direct action that disrupts people’s everyday lives.
Today’s Martha Kearney talked with Dr Goodall about the impact her campaigns have had across generations, ahead of a new TV series called Jane's Animal Adventures, about a young girl inspired by Goodall's passion.
Martha also discussed environmental protests like blocking traffic, which Goodall claims are ‘counterproductive’ and don’t encourage positive change.
(Ian West/PA Wire)
In 2018 the people of Ireland voted to repeal the 8th amendment and grant women access to safe and free abortions up to 12 weeks into pregnancy. Ireland was promised ‘excellent’ abortion services but what is the reality 5 years on? Yesterday an independent review of abortion services was released that proposed 10 major changes to legislation. Dr Deirdre Duffy, a Senior Lecturer in Sociology at Lancaster University talks to Anita about the review.
As the nation prepares for the coronation, Anita Rani considers the issue of gender and sovereignty. The British people have only experienced Queenship so whilst the coronation of Charles III marks a return to the more traditional role of kingship, it’s a big shift for the public. She’ll be joined by Tracy Borman the author of numerous books and co-curator of Historic Royal Palaces and Professor Anna Whitehorn from City, University of London and Director of the Centre for the Study of Modern Monarchy.
The former President of the United States, Donald Trump, is facing a trial over an allegation that he raped an advice columnist nearly three decades ago. Jean Carroll, who is 79, is suing Mr Trump for allegedly assaulting her in a Manhattan department store in the 1990s, a charge the former president has denied. The civil trial, which started yesterday, is expected to last two weeks. Amanda Taub from the New York Times joins Anita to talk about how this historical case can be brought after several decades.
Under Pressure is an occasional series which looks at the stress put on relationships when life happens. Carla and Brendon met at school, their lives looked to be on one track and then things changed. Jo Morris went to meet them and Carla shared her personal experience about when her fibromyalgia, a long-term condition which can cause widespread, persistent pain, first began.
Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Rebecca Myatt
Studio manager: Andrew Garrett
50 years after the last US bombs fell on Laos, they’re still killing and maiming. In an effort to stop the march of communism, between 1964 and 1973, America dropped over two million tonnes of ordnance on neutral Laos: on average, a planeload of bombs was released every eight minutes, 24 hours a day. This is more than was dropped on Germany and Japan in the entire Second World War.
Laos, today a country of just 6 million people, remains the most heavily bombed country in the world per capita. Five decades after the war, these deadly items remain a persistent threat and daily reality for communities across Laos. More than 20,000 people have been killed or injured by UXO (unexploded ordnance, unexploded bombs, and explosive remnants of war) in Laos since the war ended in 1975, with people still killed and injured every year. Around half the victims are children. But UXO doesn’t just kill and maim, it renders agricultural land useless and prevents economic progress. Although Laos is rich in natural resources, its development has been crippled by the legacy of the war.
Antonia Bolingbroke-Kent travels to Laos to tell its story 50 years on.
Producer John Murphy
(Photo: Clearing unexploded bombs in northern Laos. Credit: MAG / Bart Verweij)
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Virginia Woolf's highly influential essay on women and literature, which considers both literary history and future opportunity.
In 1928 Woolf gave two lectures at Cambridge University about women and fiction. In front of an audience at Newnham College, she delivered the following words: “All I could do was offer you an opinion upon one minor point - a woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction; and that, as you will see, leaves the great problem of the true nature of woman and the true nature of fiction unsolved”.
These lectures formed the basis of a book she published the following year, and Woolf chose A Room Of One’s Own for its title. It is a text that set the scene for the study of women’s writing for the rest of the 20th century. Arguably, it initiated the discipline of women’s history too.
With
Hermione Lee
Emeritus Professor of English Literature at the University of Oxford
Michele Barrett
Emeritus Professor of Modern Literary and Cultural Theory at Queen Mary, University of London
and
Alexandra Harris
Professor of English at the University of Birmingham
Producer Luke Mulhall
One of Microsoft's senior leaders has hit out after the software giant's deal to buy US video game company Activision Blizzard was blocked by UK regulators.
Brad Smith, who is Microsoft's vice chair and president, tells Today's business presenter Sean Farrington of his disappointment at the Competition and Markets Authority's decision to block the proposed $68.7bn (£55bn) takeover which would see Microsoft get hold of massively popular games titles such as Call of Duty, Candy Crush, and World of Warcraft.
(Image credit: Reuters/Dado Ruvic)
50 years after the last US bombs fell on Laos, they’re still killing and maiming. In an effort to stop the march of communism, between 1964 and 1973, America dropped over two million tonnes of ordnance on neutral Laos: on average, a planeload of bombs was released every eight minutes, 24 hours a day. This is more than was dropped on Germany and Japan in the entire Second World War.
Laos, today a country of just 6 million people, remains the most heavily bombed country in the world per capita. Five decades after the war, these deadly items remain a persistent threat and daily reality for communities across Laos. More than 20,000 people have been killed or injured by UXO (unexploded ordnance, unexploded bombs, and explosive remnants of war) in Laos since the war ended in 1975, with people still killed and injured every year. Around half the victims are children. But UXO doesn’t just kill and maim, it renders agricultural land useless and prevents economic progress. Although Laos is rich in natural resources, its development has been crippled by the legacy of the war.
Antonia Bolingbroke-Kent travels to Laos to tell its story 50 years on.
Producer John Murphy
(Photo: Clearing unexploded bombs in northern Laos. Credit: MAG / Bart Verweij)
The deal is an attempt to prevent attacks from North Korea with Seoul to remain a non-nuclear state. Also: The Chinese and Ukrainian Presidents speak for the first time since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and trading is suspended in shares of the struggling American bank, First Republic, following a further sharp fall in its value.
Disney accuses Ron DeSantis of organising a campaign of "government retaliation" as it launches a lawsuit against the Florida Governor and other state officials. Devina Gupta finds out how this court battle might play out.
As UK Regulators block the multi-billion dollar deal between Activision Blizzard and Microsoft, we ask what it mean for investors looking to put money into the UK.
And we hear from the world’s largest blueberry exporter, Peru, which gained the title in only a decade.
A fragile three-day ceasefire in Sudan has been threatened by an outbreak of renewed fighting between rival factions of the military. The violence broke out on the western outskirts of Omdurman, a city across the Nile from the capital, Khartoum. But much of central Khartoum remains calm, and thousands of Sudanese and foreign nationals are trying to get out.
Also on the programme: China plays peacemaker in Ukraine; and a major decision by the Vatican will see lay people getting a greater say in running the Catholic Church.
(Photo: British nationals get evacuated by military personnel in Khartoum. CREDIT: Phot Arron Hoare/UK MOD/Pool via REUTERS)
Thousands of Sudanese and foreign nationals are trying to get out of the country, during a tenuous 72-hour ceasefire. Heavy clashes were reported in Khartoum, and across the Nile in Omdurman, and there are claims that the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces have seized an oil refinery 70 kilometres north of the capital.
The Sudanese Army is saying several former government officials suspected of war crimes have been able to leave prison in Khartoum, including Ahmed Haroun.
Zambian activist Chilekwa Mumba on why he won't give up on his fight for justice.
And we hear from Recho Rey - an up and coming rap artist from Uganda.
With some uncertainty in the banking world, Martin talks you through how safe your savings are and how to make the most of the savings you have.
Martin also answers your questions including ‘What is better: a Help to buy ISA or a Lifetime ISA?’ and ‘What should I do with my inheritance?’ and you ‘tell us’ about the strangest thing you’ve ever paid for…
Plus some podcast exclusive tips on how to get a discounted family pass for National Trust sites and how you can get your hands on a free baked potato and beans!
Democracy: Quinn Slobodian, Professor of the History of Ideas at Wellesley College, takes Laurie Taylor on the journey of radical libertarians who search for the perfect home, free from the burden of democratic oversight, from Hong Kong to Canary Wharf and the Honduras. What accounts for the explosion of new legal entities, including free ports, gated enclaves, city states and special economic zones?
They're joined by Mukulika Banerjee, Associate Professor of Anthropology at the London School of Economics, whose latest study into the lives of West Bengal villagers finds that they promote democratic values in everyday acts of citizenship at a time when Indian democracy is under threat. How do their creative practices around kinship, farming and religion promote republican virtues of cooperation, civility, solidarity and vigilance?
Producer: Jayne Egerton
David Harper hears about Microsoft's $68.7bn (£55bn) deal to buy US video game company Activision Blizzard being blocked in the UK by the Competition and Markets Authority. The proposed takeover would see Microsoft acquire such hit titles as Call of Duty and Candy Crush.
The Bank of England's top economist has said people in the UK need to accept that they are poorer otherwise prices will continue to rise.
The Panama Canal, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans is one of the world's busiest shipping routes, accounting for around 6% of global maritime trade. But it has a major problem. A severe lack of rainfall has forced the authorities to limit ship traffic for the fifth time during this drought season.
Ahmed Haroun, the former Sudanese minister of the interior who is wanted for crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court, has been released from prison in Sudan. Haroun has been accused of committing genocide in Darfur. He claimed that prison guards and the armed forces aided his escape.
Also on the programme: The drone pilots on the front line in Ukraine; and scientists solve a mystery about the brightest objects in the universe.
(IMAGE: Ahmed Haroun displays his finger covered with ink after casting his vote in Kadugli, central Sudan, 02 May 2011 CREDIT: EPA/PHILIP DHIL)
Ahmed Haroun reportedly escaped from jail in Khartoum. Also: Taliban kill IS leader behind Kabul airport bombing, China detains Taiwan-based publisher and the age of quiet quitting.
Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.
一位网友想知道单词 “need” 作常规动词和作情态动词时的用法。虽然常规动词 “need” 和情态动词 “need” 的意思都是 “需要”，但用法不同。在 “I need water.” 中，“need” 的词性是什么？情态动词 “need” 的否定形式是什么？听节目，学习如何正确使用半情态动词 “need”。
Felicity Hannah and Winifred Robinson take questions on the legal rights of renters with experts Jasmine Basran from the housing and homelessness charity Crisis and Tessa Shepperson founder of the The Landlord Law Services she advises landlords of their legal rights and responsibilities.
The number of people renting across England, Wales and Scotland has more than doubled in the last decade.
The picture in Northern Ireland is similar with the numbers of people renting is up by nearly 2 thirds in the last 20 years.
Producer: Catherine Lund
Studio Manager: Mitch Goodall
Editor: Clare Worden
The company admitted to conspiring to sell cigarette materials to North Korea in a case brought by the US authorities. Also: Iran's government targets disloyal celebrities and Harry Belafonte, the great American singer, actor and civil rights activist, has died at the age of ninety-six.
Agatha Christie is the world's most translated author, with her work being available in over 100 languages. And one of her most beloved characters, Miss Marple, is about to be resurrected with the help of 12 contemporary authors. In The Studio talks to two of those writers: Dreda Say Mitchell who specialises in a different type of crime story, the gritty gangster genre, and Kate Mosse, who is known for her historical sagas. They reveal how they rose to the challenge of reinventing one of the most famous characters in 20th Century fiction.
President Joe Biden has confirmed he's going for a second term in next year's election, saying it is a pivotal moment with freedoms and rights under threat. Roger Hearing discusses how the US economy has fared during the Biden presidency and what the challenges are for a second term.
We hear about the phenomenon of quiet quitting, where people doing the absolute minimum at work, or just leaving their jobs altogether.
And we find out how inflation is hitting the price of sweets.
The UK's first evacuation flight carrying British nationals from Sudan has landed in Cyprus. But we hear from one British woman whose grandparents are still stuck in Khartoum, unable to reach the aiport.
Also on the programme:
The Foreign Secretary tells us why Britain has to keep engaging with Beijing.
And should lynx be returned to Scotland?
A ceasefire in Sudan appears to be holding, although there have been reports of new gunfire and shelling. People on the ground confirm to us the situation is calmer, but they fear for the worst.
Also in the programme: Biden launches his bid for re-election, how please are with the announcement Democrats and Republicans?; and we remember actor and political activist Harry Belafonte who has died at 96.
(Photo: People fleeing clashes between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the army rest in Khartoum. Credit: Reuters).
We bring you the latest from Sudan, where gunfire has been heard in Khartoum despite a new 72-hour truce being agreed between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Police in Kenya have exhumed at least 89 bodies believed to be victims of a religious cult in Kenya’s southwest coastal region of Kilifi.
And we say goodbye to the legendary Bola Mosuro on her last day at the BBC.
All in the Mind returns for our 72nd series.
An experience hard to put into words but felt by many is the phenomenon of 'presence'. Claudia Hammond hears an account of a fearful-turned-friendly presence from Luke Robertson, an adventurer whose prolonged period of isolation whilst trekking across Antarctica led to continual run-ins with a non-existent figure. The potential neuroscientific and psychological theories behind these sensations are explained by Ben Alderson-Day, associate professor at Durham University and author of "Presence: The Strange Science and True Stories of the Unseen Other".
The All in the Mind Awards are back and this year, we received almost a thousand entries. Over the upcoming series, we will be hearing from our nine finalists who share their stories of how they have been helped in their hardest times. This week we hear from Vicki, who had a psychotic episode after juggling incredibly stressful events. After pausing her studies to care for her father with terminal lung cancer, the pandemic broke her normal confidence in being able to predict how the world worked. At this point, Vicki met Nikki, her care co-ordinator, who helped show Vicki that her situation was normal given all her stresses, and helped her confidence return.
Professor Catherine Loveday from University of Westminster joins Claudia to discuss whether there is a simple way to spot a liar and if botox injections can impact how the brain processes emotions.
Producer: Julia Ravey and Clare Salisbury
The Today Debate is about taking a subject and pulling it apart with more time than we could ever have during the Today programme in the morning.
Today presenter Mishal Husain was joined by a panel of guests in the BBC's Radio Theatre in Broadcasting House to look at the future of the Royal Family in 'The Today Debate: Do we need a Monarchy?'
Joining her were Billy Bragg, the singer and songwriter; Juliet Samuel, a columnist for the Times; Polly Toynbee, a columnist at the Guardian; Charles Moore, former editor of the Telegraph and the Spectator, biographer of Margaret Thatcher and Jason Arday, an academic who works on inequality, race and education.
Rahul Tandon hears about Netflix’s plan to invest two and a half billion dollars in South Korea over the next four years, marking a doubling in its investment since 2016. The announcement from the streaming giant came during a visit by South Korea's president, Yoon Suk Yeol, to the US, and followed talks with Netflix chief executive Ted Sarandos in Washington.
US President Joe Biden has announced he will run for re-election in 2024, setting the stage for a potential rematch with Donald Trump.
Sugar prices are the highest they have been since 2012 and cocoa prices at their highest since 2016. There are a number of factors at work - including bad weather and the war in Ukraine - which have worked together to create a major headache for the confectionery industry.
Residents of the war-torn Sudanese capital, Khartoum, are on the streets for the first time in days despite violations of a shaky ceasefire between two military factions. Both the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces have accused each other of today's attacks, hours after a US- brokered three-day pause came into effect.
Also in the programme: President Biden confirms he will run for a second term in November next year; and scientists sound the alarm about a recent and rapid rise in the temperature of the oceans, further adding to the rise in atmospheric warming.
(Photo: A woman carries a gallon of water during clashes between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the army in Khartoum North, Sudan on 22 April 2023. Credit: Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah)
His announcement sets up a potential rematch with Donald Trump in 2024. Also: Recent, rapid ocean warming ahead of El Niño alarms scientists, uneasy truce holds in Sudan and South Korea welcomes major Netflix investment.
Nurses are set to be given body-worn cameras in a crackdown on hospital sexual assaults under new government plans. A recent report published by The Women’s Rights Network revealed that thousands of sex attacks have been reported in hospitals across England and Wales in the past 4 years. Nuala is joined by Heather Binning, Founder of The Women’s Rights Network and Catriona Rubens, a solicitor at human rights law firm Leigh Day.
Stella Assange is the wife of Julian Assange, the founder of Wikileaks, a whistleblowing platform that publishes classified material provided by anonymous sources. He is currently being held in Belmarsh Prison pending extradition to the US, where he is wanted for 18 criminal charges related to obtaining and publishing classified information. Stella is leading a campaign to fight his extradition, which has been depicted in a new documentary, Ithaka. She tells Nuala why she thinks Julian should be released, how they first met and the impact of the campaign on their two young children.
Dr Lil Stevens recently found out that her grandfather Captain Leicester Stevens had taken part in an expedition to find a dinosaur in the rainforests of the Congo known as the Congo 'thunder lizard' (later dismissed as a hoax) following World War 1. Lil who works as a palaeontologist has dedicated her career to studying fossils and was amazed to discover the family connection.
Award-winning comedian Zoe Lyons tells Nuala about her ‘monumental' midlife crisis. It involved buying a sports car, having a brief marital separation and running a 100k ultra marathon… badly. Along the way her hair started to fall out. Thankfully Zoe has been able to explore the funny side and create her stand up show Bald Ambition.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Lucinda Montefiore
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has announced that the RAF will begin evacuating British nationals from Sudan.
Today’s Martha Kearney spoke to Osman, a British doctor who has been in Khartoum for the past week visiting family. He had decided to try and leave the country by road and said he would have found it difficult to get to an airfield.
Martha then heard from General Sir Richard Barrons, Former Commander of Joint Forces Command, on the logistical complexities of the evacuation and to Dr Atia Abdalla Atia, the secretary general of Sudan Doctors Union and a doctor based in Khartoum, about the conflict and the deteriorating situation in his hospital.
Image credit: Bundeswehr Handout, 23.04.23
你有没有经历过这种情况：你满腹牢骚，想要抱怨某件事情，却不想让旁人听清楚你说的是什么？英语表达 “under one's breath” 就可以用来形容这种 “低声嘀咕，自言自语” 的做法。听节目，学习这个习语的用法。
The US said it followed 2 days of intense negotiation with the warring parties. Also: The controversial right-wing US TV host Tucker Carlson parts company with Fox News days after it paid a huge settlement to end a defamation case, and India is set to surpass China to become the world's most populous country this week.
We travel to Turkey's Anatolian heartland to find out whether the region which helped propel President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to power in the early 2000s will do it again in May's crucial election, despite widespread disappointment with the government's preparation and response to February's deadly earthquake.
The right-wing TV host, Tucker Carlson, leaves Fox News, while another prominent American broadcaster, Don Lemon, is fired by CNN. Roger Hearing finds out what's behind the moves and what it means for the networks.
We get the latest on Disney's newest round of job and spending cuts.
And we hear just how much of a toll Russia's war in Ukraine and Western sanctions are having on the country's economy as the head of the country’s state owned bank VTB, suggests stakes in state owned companies could be sold in a new privatisation drive.
A lull in the fighting in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, has allowed some people to leave their homes for the first time in days to search for food. A BBC reporter in the city says the clashes between rival branches of the military are notably less intense, particularly outside army headquarters. Thousands of foreigners and Sudanese have now fled Khartoum, either by air or on a lengthy journey by road.
Also in the programme: Fox News parts ways with host Tucker Carlson; and the potential impact of a record number of climbing permits being issued for Mount Everest this year.
(Photo: People gather as they flee clashes between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the army in Khartoum. CREDIT: REUTERS/El-Tayeb Siddig)
Sudan's war has not let up and no ceasefire is apparent and as fighting intensifies, people are desperately trying to flee... Foreign embassies are evacuating their citizens and those Sudanese who can afford it are crossing to neighbouring Egypt.
Tens of thousands of foreign students remain stranded... We hear how Nigeria's government is planning to evacuate them.
Elsewhere, at least 58 bodies have been found in Masindi in Kenya, the victims of a religious cult.. It's feared more corpses may be unearthed.
Those stories and more in this podcast presented by Bola Mosuro.
Millions remain trapped without food, water or healthcare amid intense fighting between rival generals in Sudan. Hospitals across the country have ceased to function, with reports of bodies left to decompose in the absence of staff. Meanwhile, the exodus of diplomats continues. We speak to the Norwegian Ambassador to Sudan, who managed to escape the fighting.
Also on the programme: The body of the Spanish fascist leader Primo de Rivera is exhumed from its colossal, Franco-era mausoleum complex; and India’s faltering attempts to reintroduce cheetahs.
(IMAGE:A person pushes a wheelbarrow with water containers during clashes between the RSFand the army in Khartoum North, April 22, 2023 CREDIT: REUTERS/ Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/File Photo)
Rahul Tandon presents as the US asks South Korea to urge its chipmakers not to fill any gap in the market to support its policy on semiconductor chip manufacture. President Yoon Suk YeolI is visiting Washington this week and is expected to discuss the issue with President Biden amid tensions with China.
Hundreds of garment workers in Bangladesh have demonstrated for justice as survivors wept on the ruins of Rana Plaza factory that collapsed ten years ago, killing more than 1100 people.
As many countries rush to evacuate their nationals from Sudan, we look at the economic importance of the country - which is the third largest gold producer in Africa.
Some are being flown out from an airstrip near Khartoum during a lull in the fighting. Also: Kenya's president has condemned a religious cult that encouraged people to starve themselves to death, and the results of the European Seagull Screeching Championship.
It's been reported that a draft law that would recognise feminism as an extremist ideology is under consideration by Russia’s state duma - that's the lower chamber of parliament. Nuala asks the prominent women’s rights activist and opposition politician Alena Popova if this is a worrying time for feminists in the country.
Yesterday BBC Radio 1's Adele Roberts ran the London Marathon and broke the world record for the fastest time run by a woman with a stoma. Adele was diagnosed with Bowel Cancer two years ago and is very open and honest about daily life with her stoma, who's called Audrey. She spoke to Anita Friday ahead of the race - and joins Nuala today to celebrate her achievement.
England's Lionesses captain, and no. 1 on our 2023 Power List, Leah Williamson, will no longer be able to play in the World Cup this summer. She has ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament or ACL. She and her Arsenal team mate Beth Mead are just two of the footballers out of action with the same injury. So why are women six times more likely to suffer this type of injury? And what impact be on the England team? Nuala talks to Fiona Tomas, women's sports reporter for The Telegraph.
Another chance to hear Under Pressure, our series looking at what happens to relationships when couples are put under extreme strain - how do they cope? Today we hear from Kate and Annie. They had been together for more than thirty years when Annie became ill. In 2021 they told their story to our reporter Jo Morris. Sadly, Annie died at the end of January this year. Kate was happy for this interview to be repeated as a tribute to her beloved wife.
The US Supreme Court has preserved access to a commonly used early abortion pill, ruling that the drug Mifepristone can remain available while a legal case continues. This has been described as the most significant case since the Supreme Court ended the nationwide right to abortion last year, by overturning the landmark 1973 Roe V Wade. Emma Long, Associate Professor of American Literature and Politics at the University of East Anglia, joins Nuala to discuss.
UK diplomats and their families were evacuated from Khartoum on Sunday after fighting escalated. However, potentially thousands of British citizens remain stuck in warzones in Sudan, with many seeking help from the UK government.
The BBC’s West Africa correspondent Mayeni Jones spoke to some of those British citizens grappling with whether to flee Sudan or stay put and wait for help.
Today’s Mishal Husain put these stories to Andrew Mitchell, Minister for Development and Africa, to see what help the British government is able to provide.
Rob Delaney opens with a spirited attempt to get Shaun to visit his birthplace in Eastern Massachusetts, USA, selling it on the basis that as New England is quite like England anyway, it’ll be no bother for Shaun…
Your Place Or Mine is the travel podcast that isn’t going anywhere. Join Shaun as his guests try to convince him that it’s worth getting up off the sofa and seeing the world, giving us a personal guide to their favourite place on the planet. With resident geographer, historian and comedian Iszi Lawrence on hand to share facts, each week a familiar face will try to persuade Shaun that jetting off to their favourite destination is worth the hassle.
Your Place or Mine is a BBC Audio production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.
Producers: Becca Bryers & Hannah Hufford
The US, UK, France and Germany among countries removing citizens as fierce fighting continues. Also: A rare electoral success for a right wing party in the German capital Berlin, and a new course record is set at this year's London marathon.
“He’s a coward, he’s not a man.” Martine’s mum passes judgement on Farouk. A final push for answers takes Nawal to Yemen and Norway. And questions of betrayal ring alarm bells in London.
“He won’t wake up...I think he’s dead.” What Farouk did in the hours after Martine died and the bridges he burned to get away. Nawal’s investigation reaches a critical point. Will Farouk keep talking?
Friends panic when "street-smart" Martine fails to come home. Her family scrambles to help as a surprise move on Facebook makes something “click” with police.
The hunt for the suspected killer of 23-year-old Norwegian student Martine Vik Magnussen, whose body was found buried under rubble in a London basement in 2008. She died after a night out with "billionaire playboy" Farouk Abdulhak, son of one of Yemen’s richest and most powerful men. Police found Martine’s remains in Farouk's apartment building. But Farouk had already fled. Fifteen years later, he’s still on the run. The BBC's Nawal Al-Maghafi was born in Yemen and has been on the case for more than a decade. This is the story of how she finally tracked down the elusive Farouk Abdulhak.
A growing number of countries have evacuated diplomats from the Sudanese capital, Khartoum. There's been intense fighting in the city for more than a week, as a vicious power struggle between the army and a paramilitary group continues. Britain and the United States say they've already flown embassy staff out of Sudan. France, Germany and Italy have also been carrying out their own evacuation missions. But many foreign nationals remain trapped in Khartoum.
Also in the programme: the Russian culture wars; and the arrested Sikh separatist leader.
(Photo: A drone view shows smoke rising over the Khartoum North Light Industrial Area, in Bahri, Sudan. CREDIT: Video obtained by Reuters/ via REUTERS)
France is organising an evacuation of its citizens and embassy staff from the Sudanese capital after President Biden confirmed a US operation to extract its diplomats was over. Conflict has seen heavy bombardment in Khartoum, with hundreds killed and thousands more injured.
Also in the programme: Russia's arts community split over the war in Ukraine; and a radical preacher calling for Sikh independence from India has been arrested in Punjab state.
Picture: Smoke billows over residential buildings in eastern Khartoum on April 22, 2023. Picture credit: AFP via Getty Images
Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh le Ruairidh MacIlleathain. Litir àireamh 1240. Roddy Maclean reads this week's letter for Gàidhlig learners.
Azim Ahmed looks at the extraordinary life and work of the nineteenth century Liverpool solicitor William Abdullah Quilliam. Although brought up as a Wesleyan, Quilliam would convert to Islam after a visit to Morocco. He returned with indefatigable zeal to establish a mosque in Liverpool, and to create a British version of Islam, complete with hymns and a very distinctive version of the national anthem. Quilliam used the title of 'Sheikh al-Islam' of the British Isles, a title he claimed was conferred on him by the Sultan of Turkey. Azim talks to Professor Ron Geaves of Cardiff University, and to Yahya Birt, an Islamic community historian. In addition, Azim talks to writer and historian Christina Longden, whose Cardiff-born ancestor Robert Stanley went on to become one of Quilliam's most significant converts.
This programme was first broadcast in January.
This week marks the fourth anniversary of the Easter bombings in Sri Lanka, when militants inspired by the Islamic State group targeted Catholic churches and hotels in a series of attacks. 269 people were killed and more than 500 were injured. This year, alongside the grief and mourning at commemoration events, there is anger among survivors, human rights groups and the Catholic Church. They accuse the government of not doing enough to investigate the attacks and hold those responsible to account.
They're a cornerstone of life at Oxford University, the three academic terms: Michaelmas, Hilary and Trinity. At Cambridge, it's Michaelmas, Lent and Easter. Other universities have also given their terms traditional Christian names. But Swansea University has just become the latest to rename its terms using secular names instead. They believe the old Christian labels no longer resonate with their students. But it's caused a backlash, with some arguing that there's nothing wrong with recognising Christian roots. We hear the arguments for and against switching to secular names.
Part of the history of the holocaust has been rediscovered in the Lake District, where a group of Jewish children stayed to recuperate after being freed from Nazi concentration camps in 1945. Archaeologists from Staffordshire University have found everyday items, such as a tube of toothpaste, from the time when the young people known as the ‘Windermere Children’ stayed in the area. One of the survivors shares his extraordinary story with us. After being rescued from the Nazis, he described his new home in England as “paradise”.
Producers: Jonathan Hallewell and Louise Clarke
Presenter: Emily Buchanan
Production co-ordinator: David Baguley
Editors: Tim Pemberton and Helen Grady
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs.
In today’s programme: Scientists test out a new universal flu vaccine that fights all flus and last for several years. And why Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon might hold the melodic key to the ultimate night's sleep.
Plus, what are black holes and what would happen if you were to fall into one?!
Clashes between rival military factions in Sudan continue, making it difficult for foreign nationals to leave the country. Also: Kenya finds more bodies in "starvation cult" investigation, and Barry Humphries, the man behind Dame Edna Everage, dies aged 89.
The Sudanese capital, Khartoum, has suffered some of the most intense fighting since clashes began a week ago between rival military factions. Sustained gunfire around the international airport dashed any immediate hope of evacuating more foreign nationals. The first to leave have been welcomed in the Saudi port of Jeddah.
Also on the programme: Australian writer and entertainer Barry Humphries passes away; and Wrexham’s Hollywood story continues.
(Photo: Smoke rises over the city during the ongoing fighting between Sudanese army and paramilitaries of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Khartoum. CREDIT: EPA/STRINGER)
A second woman has come forward alleging that she was raped by two male colleagues when she worked at the Confederation of British Industry. Anita Rani speaks to the Guardian journalist who uncovered the story, Anna Isaac.
Is 'therapy speak' making us selfish? The language of the therapist’s couch has slowly seeped into everyday life, particularly online where words like ‘boundaries’, ‘self-care’ and ‘narcissist’ are increasingly common. But when it comes to friendships, is the idea of self-care making us give up on them too easily? Sociologist and writer Amy Charlotte Kean talks to Nuala McGovern about how our relationships are being affected.
The Secret Life of Bees was a New York Times bestseller for more than 125 weeks and was made into an award-winning film. Now the book has been adapted by Lynn Nottage, a playwright and screenwriter, for the stage. Anita Rani talks to Lynn, the only woman to have won the Pulitzer prize for drama twice, about her adaptation.
As the government prepares to launch the first nationwide test of a new emergency alert system on our smartphones on Sunday 23 April, domestic abuse charities are concerned about the potential risk to those in abusive relationships. Nuala McGovern speaks to Ellie Butt, Head of policy, public affairs and research at the charity Refuge.
Anita Rani is joined by Maggie Murphy, the CEO of Lewes Football Club. Maggie featured on our Power List highlighting 30 women working in sport in the UK. Maggie discusses why the club is so unique and how women’s football should grow.
Have you been watching Race Across The World? For its third series those involved are travelling from West to East Canada. Nuala McGovern talks to the only all-female team taking part - Cathie Rowe and Tricia Sail - two best friends, both in their late 40's who set out on a journey of a lifetime.
Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Lottie Garton
One week on from the sudden eruption of violence in Sudan, the leader of the Sudanese Armed Forces, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has agreed to facilitate the evacuation of British, US, French and Chinese foreign nationals “in the coming hours”. Previous plans to evacuate foreign nationals have not been implemented because of safety fears.
Also in the programme: more than 40 years after the deadly bombing of a synagogue in Paris, a French court has convicted a Lebanese-Canadian university professor of carrying out the attack; and can there be a Hollywood ending this football season for Welsh side Wrexham AFC?
(Photo: Smoke is seen to rise from buildings during clashes between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the army in Khartoum North, Sudan. April 22, 2023. Credit: REUTERS/ Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah)
علیابن ابیطالب که بود؟ حکمرانی او برای مسلمین که دچار چند دستگی شده بودند چه در پی داشت؟ چرا در تشیع جایگاهی والا یافت و در بعضی از آیینهای ایرانی خصایص فوق انسانی به او نسبت داده شد؟ مهمانهای این برنامه: حسن یوسفی اشکوری؛ پژوهشگر تاریخ اسلام، محمدالله صخره؛ محقق اصول فقه حنفی و محسن بنایی؛ پژوهشگر عصر آغازین اسلام.
Presenter Holly Hamilton, writer and broadcaster Dougie Anderson, presenter Rickie Haywood-Williams and comedian Neil Delamere join Colin Murray for an hour of sporting punditry, humour and entertainment. Points are awarded for informed comment, wit and passion, but taken away for nonsense and answers lacking in conviction.
In the final round, the top two points scorers go head-to-head in 'Defend the Indefensible' where they must both defend a statement however ludicrous or distasteful for twenty seconds. There can only be one winner!
Get the podcast from BBC Sounds
With the last series of hit TV show Succession on our screens, Today’s Justin Webb speaks to one of its writers and producers, Lucy Prebble, about what’s behind its success.
Succession follows the fictional, ultra-wealthy Roy family. The British playwright talks about why she’s proud the US series satirises the lives of the very rich, and discusses the changing nature of television, female characters and comedy writing.
(Image Credit: Ian West / PA)
Justice Secretary Dominic Raab hit out at “activist civil servants” as he resigned over bullying claims yesterday.
Lord McDonald, the top civil servant at the Foreign Office when Mr Raab was Foreign Secretary, rejects those criticisms in an exclusive interview with Today’s Justin Webb.
(Image Credit: James Manning / PA)
Felicity Hannah starts a week of BBC coverage on the theme of Rental Health. For Money Box she examines the 3 year freeze in Local Housing Allowance (the portion of Universal Credit designed to cover housing) is leaving some on low incomes struggling to afford rental properties.
Also on this episode as NatWest become the latest bank to impose restrictions on how much their customers can spend on crypto platforms and exchanges we ask if it’s ever a good idea to invest in this area.
And we'll have advice for you if you've lost money through a push payment scam.
Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Reporter: Dan Whitworth
Researcher: Sandra Hardial
Editor: Clare Worden
Both sides in the conflict in Sudan had agreed a three-day truce but bombing, shelling and gunfire continue. Also: Peru ex-president surrenders for extradition from US, and do you have an uneaten Easter egg from as long ago as 1939?
To live in Sudan is to have experienced violence, protest, dictatorship, political instability and upheaval. But the scale of fighting during the last week has shocked many. Caught in the middle have been the people, as residential areas have been pummelled by missiles. Amid the crossfire, they have faced no power and no food and have had to decide whether to remain hiding in their homes or risk going outside. Three women from Khartoum - Dallia, Sara and Enass - share their personal situations and concerns with host James Reynolds.
Chile's President Gabriel Boric has said he wants to partially nationalize the country's lithium industry. This comes as there is a high demand for the metal which is used in the production of electric vehicles. Chile is the world's second largest producer of lithium.
The New York Stock Exchange is the most valuable stock market in the world. We hear from the Head of International Capital Markets at the NYSE on if rising tensions between China and the US mean that companies from the world's second largest economy are thinking twice about listing in New York.
What if we could reverse your biological age or how about the idea of being able to increase our "healthspans" - live our healthy years for longer? Imagine feeling like you're 40 at 60. BBC Click presenter Lara Lewington has been to California and met a tech billionaire, who's trying to do just that.
Khartoum residents mark Eid amid heavy clashes between the army and the paramilitary RSF on Friday; also in the programme The UN's annual climate report warns glaciers are doomed to disappear;
the company continuing its legal fight against Fox News over their coverage of the last US presidential election; and 50 years after the Munich hostage crisis, Germany re-opens its investigation.
(Photo: Plumes of smoke across Khartoum. Credit: Reuters)
Sporadic fighting has continued in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, despite the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) saying they were prepared to respect a three-day ceasefire with the army to coincide with the Muslim holiday of Eid.
Agency (UNHCR) estimates that as many as 20,000 people have fled the conflict in Sudan's Darfur region to seek refuge in neighbouring Chad.
The conflict in Sudan is also having a big affect on its neighbours. First how Chad is dealing with the influx of refugees, meanwhile another neighbour - South Sudan - is concerned about its oil exports.
Writer, Paul Brodrick
Director, Kim Greengrass
Editor, Jeremy Howe
David Archer ….. Timothy Bentinck
Ruth Archer ….. Felicity Finch
Ben Archer ….. Ben Norris
Pat Archer ….. Patricia Gallimore
Tony Archer ….. David Troughton
Helen Archer ….. Louiza Patikas
Lee Bryce ….. Ryan Early
Ian Craig ….. Stephen Kennedy
Ed Grundy ….. Barry Farrimond
Brad Horrobin ….. Taylor Uttley
Chelsea Horrobin ….. Madeleine Leslay
Tracy Horrobin ….. Susie Riddell
Jim Lloyd ….. John Rowe
Adam Macy ….. Andrew Wincott
Jazzer McCreary ….. Ryan Kelly
Elizabeth Pargetter ….. Alison Dowling
Freddie Pargetter ….. Toby Laurence
Sykesy ….. Jasper Carrott
Den ….. Laurence Saunders
Erin ….. Amy McAllister
Sam Fenwick looks into the relationship between climate change and the unusually intense heatwave in India at this time of year.
The net worth of Elon Musk, the second wealthiest person on Earth, records a $12.6 billion drop. Are things going to change for the mastermind of Tesla and SpaceX?
Employees of German’s national operator Deutsche Bahn and aviation security at three German airports have been on strike, calling for pay rises to battle against the cost of living crisis.
Paramilitary RSF forces have agreed to a three-day truce on humanitarian grounds, but no comment from the army. Also: Britain's deputy prime minister resigns following a report on bullying allegations against him, and the case of the missing gold at Toronto Airport.
British Vogue editor-in-chief, Edward Enninful, says the latest issue with five disabled cover stars is one of his “proudest moments”.
Today’s Mishal Husain spoke with Mr Enninful about why he decided to work with disability activist Sinéad Burke to create the series and how she taught him ‘that a whole group of people are being ignored’.
And away from fashion, Martha Kearney looked at jogging. Specifically, the growing trend of running without headphones or other tech. She spoke with Julia Oosthuizen, Founder of Queen's Running Club, and Jimmy Watkins, co-founder of Running Punks about so-called ‘naked running’.
Greg becomes a pigeon for listener Craig and the legend that is Adele Roberts aims to smash a world record.
Academy award-winner Rachel Weisz joins Anita Rani to talk about her new series Dead Ringers, a psycho-sexual thriller about identical twins who are gynaecologists and obstetricians. It is a new adaptation of the 1988 film starring Jeremy Irons, in which Rachel plays twins Elliot and Beverly Mantle. She explains why it was important to her to adapt the story with female leads, and the technical process in performing both characters and what it felt like to watch someone giving birth.
Anita is joined by Maggie Murphy, the CEO of Lewes Football Club. Maggie featured on our Power List highlighting 30 women working in sport in the UK. Maggie discusses why the club is so unique and how women’s football should grow.
The US Supreme Court has delayed its decision on the abortion pill Mifepristone - until midnight Friday. Allowing access to the drug which is used for more that half of all U.S. abortions. The Supreme Court was asked to look into the matter at the request of President Joe Biden’s Administration after two federal judges issued opposing rulings on its use. This is the most significant case since the Supreme Court ended the nationwide right to abortion last year, by over turning the landmark 1973 Roe V Wade. But how much can we read into this delay? We ask associate Professor of American Literature and Politics at University of East Anglia Emma Long.
The Radio 1 DJ and presenter Adele Roberts joins Anita ahead of the London Marathon on Sunday. This is Adele's third marathon but her first since she was diagnosed with bowel cancer and she’s trying to break a World Record in the process!
Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Emma Pearce
We Should Definitely Have More Dancing by Clara Darcy and Ian Kershaw
Clara Darcy is a healthy young actor. She’s also (almost) care-free, (kind of) happily single and joyously dancing through life. But, little does she know her world is about to be turned upside down thanks to the arrival of a tumour, like a big fist - slap-bang in the middle of her head. Set in a radio studio in Manchester, Clara tells her astonishing real-life story. A poignant, yet life-affirming postcard from the edge.
Clara ..... Clara Darcy
Mum ..... Suzanna Hamilton
Laura ..... Shamia Chalabi
Omar .....Esh Alladi
Oncologist ..... Rupert Hill
Kersh ..... Ian Kershaw
Gary ..... Gary Brown
Sue ..... Sue Stonestreet
Production Co-ordinators - Vicky Moseley & Lorna Newman
Studio Manager - Simon Highfield
Sound Design - Sue Stonestreet
Director/Producer - Gary Brown
The stage version of this drama was presented at the famous and much missed Oldham Coliseum.
The Starship rocket -- the biggest ever developed -- started to tumble a few minutes into the maiden flight, and was destroyed by onboard charges. Also: criminal charges have been dropped against the US actor Alec Baldwin regarding a shooting on a film set in 2021, and what age do you think is the oldest windsurfer in the world?
What are the consequences of the Church of England's historic slave plantations in Barbados today? Theologian Robert Beckford considers why and how the Church's missionary arm, the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, got involved in the slavery business. He travels to Barbados to hear from a range of voices who tell the story of how in 1710, the Church turned the Codrington Plantation into a missionary experiment. The original mission failed but later generations did eventually adopt the Anglican faith. However, spurred by the country becoming a republic, some are now questioning the Church's historic role in slavery.
Elon Musk's SpaceX company's new rocket, Starship, has exploded on its first ever flight. The rocket blew up within minutes but the launch was still deemed a success. The Tesla owner has said his company will try again in a couple of months.
President Joe Biden has said the US will put another $1 billion into a US climate fund to help tackle climate change in developing countries. Biden announced his plans at the virtual Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate.
Sri Lanka's economy has shrunk by more than a fifth in the past three years - and that's prompted a mass exodus from the country. By some estimates as many as one in twenty-five Sri Lankans have left in the last twelve months alone.
The head of the Sudanese army says he can see only a military solution to nearly a week of fighting which has left more than three hundred people dead. General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan says he sees no room for talks with his paramilitary opponents of the Rapid Support Forces.
Also in the programme: One of the main critics of Tunisia's president - the opposition leader Rached Ghannouchi - has been jailed after being accused of plotting against state security. We hear from his daughter, and the country's Foreign Minister; and the SpaceX founder, Elon Musk, has insisted the test launch of the most powerful rocket ever built was a success - despite it exploding minutes after take off from Texas.
(Photo: Sudan's military leader General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan stands at the podium during a ceremony to sign the framework agreement between military rulers and civilian powers in Khartoum, Sudan on 5 December 2022. Credit: Reuters/El Tayeb Siddig/File Photo)
The pandemic showed Africa at the back of the global queue when it came to vaccines. That should never happen again if plans being debated in Cape Town this week go ahead. Roland talks to Seanette Wilson of South Africa's Biovac.
Also in the programme: life finds a way on plastic floating in the ocean; Greenland rock dust as a global fertiliser; and designing proteins from scratch.
Image Credit: Robert Bonet/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Roland Pease
Assistant Producer: Sophie Ormiston
Nearly a week of fighting between rival military factions in Sudan is now thought to have killed at least 330 people, the World Health Organization estimates.
Several African embassies have been concerned about the safety of their citizens in Sudan. We hear from a Kenya official on how they are trying to evacuate their nationals.
Unicef says 67 million children missed out on vaccinations between 2019 and 2021, of whom 48 million did not receive a single routine vaccine. Nigeria is one of the countries with the largest numbers of ‘zero-dose’ children.
Rached Ghannouchi, the leader of the Ennahda political party and one of the main opponents of the Tunisian president, Kais Saied, has been sent to jail, accused of threatening national security.
Ghannouchi, 81, whose Islamist--inspired party was the largest in parliament before Saied dissolved the chamber in July 2021 was arrested on Monday, his party said. We'll speak to his daughter.
Also in the programme: Growing anguish in Sudan's capital Khartoum as another planned ceasefire fails to take effect and how millions of children are missing out on routine vaccinations because of disruption caused by the pandemic.
(Photo shows supporters of Rached Ghannouchi holding his picture at a protest. Credit: Jihed Abidellaoui/Reuters)
Sam Fenwick hears about the European Commission’s offer to nations which had imposed restrictions on importing cheap grain from Ukraine.
Poland, Hungary and several other European countries had taken the action to protect their farming industries.
The European Commission had previously warned those nations’ actions wouldn’t be tolerated.
Plus the taps are turned on to a new natural gas field in Turkey and the Shanghai Motorshow looks towards electric vehicles.
At least 78 people have been killed at a school in Sanaa during a distribution of charity money. Also: More evidence of how fast the ice sheets are melting, and Michael Schumacher's family plan legal action after a magazine publishes an AI-generated interview of the F1 champion.
Alison Mitchell, Brett Sprigg and Charu Sharma are joined by Lawrence Booth, the editor of the Wisden Almanack. As the 160th edition is published he discusses the Wisden awards and how the book is still relevant in a digital age.
Plus Sachin Tendulkar turns 50 this week. We hear from the man himself on his career highlight and the team share some of their stand-out memories of the Indian legend. His son Arjun Tendulkar made his debut in the Indian Premier League this week meaning that the Tendulkar's are the first father-son duo to play in the IPL.
And we pay tribute to Aunty Faith Thomas who has died aged 90. She was the first Indigenous woman to play for Australia in any sport and represented Australia in an Ashes Test.
Photo: Sachin Tendulkar is seen during the Indian Premier League Final match between the Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad, India. (Credit: Getty Images)
Pooh Bee, a farting rhino and man laughing like a chicken! What has AJ got herself in to?
Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.
Record numbers are fleeing the island in the wake of a brutal economic crisis – perhaps one in twenty five Sri Lankans left last year alone. Some 300,000 went for contracted positions, mostly in the Gulf. But hundreds of thousands of others took less official routes. Many of them get scammed, some even lose their lives, as illegal migrants in what looks like a web of corruption and organised crime.
Ed Butler speaks to some of those who are involved in this industry, who’ve taken this perilous option, and asks why aren’t more Sri Lankans, and even the government, speaking out more loudly about what some see as a national tragedy?
Produced and presented by Ed Butler
Production coordinator Helena Warwick Cross
Series editor Penny Murphy
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Solon, who was elected archon or chief magistrate of Athens in 594 BC: some see him as the father of Athenian democracy.
In the first years of the 6th century BC, the city state of Athens was in crisis. The lower orders of society were ravaged by debt, to the point where some were being forced into slavery. An oppressive law code mandated the death penalty for everything from murder to petty theft. There was a real danger that the city could fall into either tyranny or civil war.
Solon instituted a programme of reforms that transformed Athens’ political and legal systems, its society and economy, so that later generations referred to him as Solon the Lawgiver.
With
Melissa Lane
Class of 1943 Professor of Politics at Princeton University
Hans van Wees
Grote Professor of Ancient History at University College London
and
William Allan
Professor of Greek and McConnell Laing Tutorial Fellow in Greek and Latin Languages and Literature at University College, University of Oxford
Producer Luke Mulhall
Poverty in the UK & US: Laurie Taylor talks to Matthew Desmond, Maurice P. During Professor of Sociology at Princeton University, whose latest study asks why the richest country on earth has more poverty than any other advanced democracy. Also Elizabeth Jane Richards, Senior Lecturer in Social Sciences at Edge Hill University, explores the way in which understandings of poverty have changed over time.
Producer: Jayne Egerton
Record numbers are fleeing the island in the wake of a brutal economic crisis – perhaps one in twenty five Sri Lankans left last year alone. Some 300,000 went for contracted positions, mostly in the Gulf. But hundreds of thousands of others took less official routes. Many of them get scammed, some even lose their lives, as illegal migrants in what looks like a web of corruption and organised crime.
Ed Butler speaks to some of those who are involved in this industry, who’ve taken this perilous option, and asks why aren’t more Sri Lankans, and even the government, speaking out more loudly about what some see as a national tragedy?
Produced and presented by Ed Butler
Production coordinator Helena Warwick Cross
Series editor Penny Murphy
(Photo by Abhishek Chinnappa/Getty Images)
Smoke was seen over the area of the army headquarters in the centre of Khartoum. Also: US Supreme Court delays abortion pill access decision, and could music increase our love of food?
Apple Chief Executive, Tim Cook, has met with Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, as he is looking for a market growth and investment in India.
Tesla shares dropped 2% after the electric-vehicle maker cuts down the price U.S for the sixth time this year. Tesla shares slid further in initial after-market trading on Wednesday following the company's quarterly report.
In the UK, people are struggling to pay their bills and are facing more financial pain within weeks after inflation defied predictions by staying in double-figures - at 10.1 per cent.
Also:
UK Inflation eases slightly – but food inflation still surging.
And
Russian ships accused of sabotage in the North Sea.
Violence goes on in Khartoum despite hopes of a ceasefire. We hear about the difficulties faced by humanitarian workers in Sudan. We also look at the background to the conflict in an interview with Jerome Tubiana, who once met one of the warring generals and now works for Doctors without Borders.
Also in the programme: the latest on the two American teenagers who have been charged with murder after a shooting at a birthday party; and the US Supreme Court temporarily extends access to an abortion pill.
(Photo: Smoke rises over Khartoum as fighting continues. Credit: STRINGER/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock )
More than a quarter of the world’s malaria cases happen in Nigeria according to the World Health Organisation. This week the country became the second, after Ghana to provisionally approve the use of malaria vaccine R21. Professor Matt Fox explains why scientists have called the vaccine a ‘world changer’.
We hear from dementia nurse Kemi Reeves who supports people living with dementia in Los Angeles. Her project has recently been shown to reduce the cost of caring for people with Alzheimers. We also hear about a new piece of research from the UK showing that hearing aids may protect against a higher risk of dementia.
As we learn more about ‘Long Covid’, we explore evidence that links breathlessness with having had disrupted sleep.
And have you ever been told you grind your teeth? Author Naomi Alderman was shocked recently when visiting the dentist to be told she had a condition called bruxism and hadn’t even realised. We ask whether experiencing the Covid pandemic may have led to more of us griding and clenching our teeth.
Image Credit: Halfpoint Images
Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producer: Clare Salisbury
The ceasefire in Sudan appears to be in doubt as gunfire can still be heard across the capital, Khartoum. Smoke can be seen over the area of the army headquarters in the centre of the city, where much of the fighting between rival military factions is centred.
The UN has now described Sudan's humanitarian situation as catastrophic with mass displacement of people.
Muslims around the world will be ending the holy month of Ramadan this week but what is it like to fast when you are living in a multi-faith family?
The South African Grannies International World Cup - where women 55 and older competed in front of cheering spectators.
The Martin Lewis Podcast is here - he tells you the ten things you MUST know about your pension, from how to find lost money in old pensions, to when you can opt in for extra pension contributions from your employer. PLUS when to ignore your warranty and still get what you want…
Elsewhere in the podcast, Martin reacts to the latest inflation figures, you ‘tell us’ your summer holiday bargains and Martin is challenging YOU to come up with a nickname for new podcast producer Lillie-Mae…
The latest inflation rate of the UK defied expectations with annual price rises of 10.1%. Food and non-alcoholic drink soared at the fastest rate in 46 years. Meanwhile the inflation in Eurozone eases down to 6.9%.
The trial between Fox and Dominion came to a dramatic end as a $787.5 million settlement was reached but the drama is far from over. We take a look at what might happen next.
Fox News has settled a landmark defamation case brought against it over its reporting of the last US presidential election. It'll pay $787.5 million dollars to Dominion voting systems, which said the broadcaster had admitted to telling lies. Newshour hears from a former close colleague of Rupert Murdoch, Andrew Neil.
Also in the programme: Another promised humanitarian ceasefire in Sudan fails to materialise; and Ukraine's Eurovision contenders.
(Picture: John Poulos, CEO of Dominion Voting Systems, and lawyers Davida Brook, Justin Nelson and Stephen Shackleford leave the courthouse after Dominion Voting Systems and Fox settled a defamation lawsuit for $787.5 million, avoiding trial, over Fox's coverage of debunked election-rigging claims. Credit: REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz)
Fierce fighting continues in the Sudanese capital following a collapsed ceasefire. Also: Is Russia spying in the North Sea? And, we hear from Ukraine's Eurovision Song Contest hopefuls
The former director general of the business lobbying group CBI says his reputation has been ‘totally destroyed’ after being fired over complaints about his behaviour.
Simon Jack, business editor for the BBC, spoke with Tony Danker, who says his name has been wrongly associated with separate claims of rape at the CBI.
Today’s Mishal Husain spoke with Brian McBride, President of the CBI, about the grounds for which Mr Danker was sacked, and questions of whether the CBI is fit to represent its nearly 200,000 members.
England Rugby legend Ellie Kildunne surprises a fellow rugby player in What’s My Age Again and show legend Roisin is back for some Animal News.
Kristine Kujath Thorp is the star of new ‘unromantic comedy’ Sick of Myself. The film follows the unhealthy and competitive relationship between bored waitress Signe and her boyfriend Thomas; both self-proclaimed narcissists obsessed with attention. When Thomas suddenly breaks through as a contemporary artist, Signe decides to do something drastic to attract sympathy and go viral. Kristine joins Nuala to talk about playing a true anti-hero.
We talk to BBC presenter Yalda Hakim about how the UN might take the "heartbreaking" decision to pull out of Afghanistan if it cannot persuade the Taliban to let local women work for the organisation.
In January the government announced that it would amend the Victims Bill currently going through parliament so that children born as a result of rape in England and Wales will be officially recognised as victims of crime. In a powerful new BBC documentary ‘Out of the Shadows: Born from Rape’, Sammy Woodhouse, the campaigner, and victim of the Rotherham grooming scandal, who was just 15 when she became pregnant hears for the first time from mothers as well as children born from rape, and she tells us why she is calling for more support for those affected. Sammy is joined by ‘Eva’, who tells her story.
Have you been watching Race Across The World? The BBC 1 programme where travellers can choose any route they like - but no flights or phones are allowed. Now in it's third series those involved are travelling from West to East Canada - the second biggest country in the world. The partnerships that you see between the pairs taking part are just as compelling as the wonderful Canadian landscapes on display. Nuala talks to the only all female team taking part Cathie Rowe and Tricia Sail - two best friends, both in their late 40's who set out on a journey of a lifetime.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Lisa Jenkinson
Studio Manager: Steve Greenwood
听众 Riley 想知道形容词 “affluent、rich” 和 “wealthy” 之间的差别。它们都有 “拥有大量金钱” 的意思，但用法不同。其中，哪个词相对更正式？哪个词强调 “拥有大量的财产或贵重物品”？怎么用 “rich” 指 “（食物）富含…”？本期节目讲解这三个近义词的用法。
In this podcast we hear from prospective and recent first-time buyers about the challenges, opportunities and top tips on taking the first steps into the housing market.
The experts on the panel are, Ray Boulger, Senior Mortgage Technical Manager at John Charcol and Aneisha Beveridge, Head of Research at the estate and letting agents, Hamptons.
Presenter: Adam Shaw
Producer: Amber Mehmood
Editor: Clare Worden
The US broadcaster will pay the voting machine company nearly $790 million after airing false claims about Donald Trump's election defeat. Also: Gunfire shatters an agreed ceasefire in the Sudanese capital Khartoum, and a full T-Rex skeleton sells at auction.
Coming soon: The hunt for the suspected killer of 23-year-old Norwegian student Martine Vik Magnussen, whose body was found buried under rubble in a London basement in 2008. She died after a night out with "billionaire playboy" Farouk Abdulhak, son of one of Yemen’s richest and most powerful men. Police found Martine’s remains in Farouk's apartment building. But Farouk had already fled. Fifteen years later, he’s still on the run. The BBC's Nawal Al-Maghafi was born in Yemen and has been on the case for more than a decade. This is the story of how she finally tracked down the elusive Farouk Abdulhak.
Murder in Mayfair is a new four-part mini-series from The Documentary, available on 24 April.
The US voting technology firm Dominion has settled with Fox News just before their defamation trial was due to begin. Dominion had sought $1.6bn (£1.3bn) from Fox, whom it claimed spread falsehoods about its voting machines in the 2020 presidential election. The final settlement agreed between both parties was for $787.5m.
Apple's Chief Executive - Tim Cook - has launched the company's first Indian retail store. He was presented with a vintage Mac, at the store's opening in Mumbai, where people from across India came to participate in the event.
The South Korean car company, Kia, has issued a plea to trade unions to drop a formal policy that favours hiring the children of long-time employees. The appeal follows pressure from the South Korean government on large companies to stop handing jobs to relatives of existing employees.
Despite Sudan’s two rival generals agreeing to a humanitarian pause to allow civilians to get medical help and supplies, fighting has continued in the Sudanese capital. We speak to a humanitarian worker in Khartoum.
Also on the programme: Newshour speaks to the wife of Russian opposition figure Vladimir Kara-Murza a day after he was sentenced to 25 years in jail for treason by a Russian court; and more than half a century after the contraceptive pill was first approved in the US, scientists are finally making headway with a male equivalent.
(Picture: Sudanese people carry buckets as they look for drinking water after supplies were affected due to the ongoing fighting between Sudanese army and paramilitaries of the Rapid Support Forces in Khartoum, Sudan, 18 April 2023. Credit: STRINGER/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Intense fighting has continued in Sudan, casting doubt over whether the rival military factions will commit to a 24-hour the humanitarian truce. We hear from the vice-president of the Doctors’ Union on the targeting of hospitals, and the inability to treat the injured.
Plus, the leader of Tunisia's opposition Ennahda Party has been detained, and the authorities have banned meetings at all of its offices.
And the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) celebrates sweeping the board in the recent senatorial elections, but what will that mean for democracy in the country?
We investigate why there are so many TV advertisements not verbally announcing who the brand or product is anywhere in the advert. This was pointed out by Nathan Tree, who has grown frustrated by the lack of inclusion and consumer choice. We put the question to Zoë Waller, who is an Executive Producer for the video production company, Studio Yes and to Malcom Phillips from the body that regulates advertising; the Advertising Standards Authority; Malcolm is their regulatory policy manager.
Beauty company Estee Lauder have recently released a new app that uses artificial intelligence to help visually impaired people apply make up. It is called the Voice-Enabled Makeup Assistant and can be used on iPhones (Androids within the year). Our reporter Fern Lulham tests it out, alongside make-up and fashion blogger Emily Davison.
Presenter: Peter White
Producer: Beth Hemmings
Production Coordinator: Liz Poole
Website image description: Peter White sits smiling in the centre of the image, wearing a dark green jumper. Above Peter's head is the BBC logo (three individual white squares house each of the three letters). Bottom centre and overlaying the image are the words "In Touch" and the Radio 4 logo (the word Radio in a bold white font, with the number 4 inside a white circle). The background is a bright mid-blue with two rectangles angled diagonally to the right. Both are behind Peter, one of a darker blue and the other is a lighter blue.
As Google's boss, Sunder Pichai, says he doesn't fully understand its AI products, tech investor Ian Hogarth tells us it's time for a public debate on the technology's future. Reporter Michael Kaloki joins us from Nairobi to explain how the legal battle between Facebook and its Kenyan moderators is intensifying. Alasdair Keane meets the amateur composer crafting the sound of all human knowledge for Wikipedia. And our Click colleague Lara Lewington tells us about the tech entrepreneur devoting his time - and money - to finding ways to extend healthy human life.
Subscribe or follow Tech Life wherever you get your podcasts to receive future editions.
The Chinese government released the nation’s latest economic statistics, showing a 4.5% growth comparing to the same period of 2022. But China’s young labour force, aged 16 to 24, suffers a 19.6% unemployment rate – What will happen when more fresh graduates finish schools this summer?
Apple’s Tim Cook flew to India to launch the tech giant’s first physical Apple Store in Mumbai, India. Hundreds of Apple’s fans queued for hours just to be the first ones who step in the new landmark. Apple plans to increase production of iPhones to the world most populated country.
Videos appear to show Mr Putin visiting military bases in the Kherson region. Also: Sudan's rival generals agree to a twenty-four hour ceasefire, Apple opens its first store in India, and the winner of the Sony World Photography Award has refused his prize after revealing his work was created using AI.
From pirate radio to queering futures, Josie Long presents short documentaries and audio adventures exploring fugitive acts of resistance.
Radio Free Dixie by Weyland McKenzie-Witter
Produced by Weyland McKenzie-Witter
Featuring Teishan Latner (Assistant professor of history at Thomas Jefferson University and author of Cuban Revolution in America: Havana and the Making of a United States Left, 1968-1992 (UNC Press, 2018).
Claude Marks is the co-director of the Freedom Archive in Berkeley California
2023 A2 History class from BSix College in Hackney
WHITE NOISE
Produced by Axel Kacoutié
A Symphony of Quiet
Produced by Tej Adeleye
Featuring Professor Kevin Quashie, Mabel, Bridget, Flo and Idris from Out & Proud African LGBTI (OPAL) and Petals
Curated by Axel Kacoutié, Eleanor McDowall and Andrea Rangecroft
Produced by Axel Kacoutié
Executive Producer: Alan Hall
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4
Sudan's rival generals have agreed a twenty-four-hour ceasefire following four days of intense fighting in Khartoum and other towns. We will hear from a resident of the capital Khartoum.
Also on the programme: Russian court rejects appeal to release American reporter Evan Gershkovich; and controversy over an award-winning photograph created by artificial intelligence.
(Picture: Smoke rises from burning aircraft inside Khartoum Airport during clashes between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the army in Khartoum. Credit: Reuters)
Chaos at the Snooker last night, prompts your stories of a hoover saving your bacon. Also, Dave is on for a gym based Rehearsing For The Worst Thing and Oh No! Barney is poorly.
A new report from the women’s and equalities committee at the Westminster parliament is calling on the government to eliminate what it calls ‘appalling disparities in maternal deaths between black and white women’. Black women are 3.7 times more likely to die in pregnancy, childbirth or six weeks afterwards than white women. Nuala discusses the issues with MP Caroline Nokes, who chairs the committee, and Sandra Igwe, who founded the Motherhood Group to support black women.
Last year the libel trial between feuding footballers' wives, Coleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy, gripped the nation. It was a strange mix of glamour, celebrity and amateur sleuthing. Now, the legal tussle has moved from the Royal Courts of Justice to London's West End stage in a show called Vardy V Rooney: The Wagatha Christie Trial. Nuala talks to the director, Lisa Spirling, and adapter, Liv Hennessy, to find out how they turned seven days of court transcripts into a play.
The former European Champion gymnast Ellie Downie is No 4 on our Woman’s Hour Power List. This year’s list focuses on women making change in the world of Sport – and Ellie did just that when she spoke out in 2020 about systemic abuse in the world of gymnastics – contributing to a major independent review into the sport. She retired from gymnastics in January this year – in order to protect her own mental health. Nuala will be finding out how she’s doing now, and what impact she thinks her honesty about her own experiences has had long term.
In 2021, an Oxford University analysis of maternal deaths in the UK found that black women were almost four times as likely to die in pregnancy and childbirth as white women - Asian and mixed ethnicity women were twice as likely. The data is part of a report published by the Women and Equalities Committee, which concluded that the role of racism in maternal deaths may have been underestimated by the government and the NHS – and that the "appalling disparity" is still not "fully understood".
Today’s Mishal Husain spoke to Professor Marian Knight, who leads a team that investigates every maternal death in the UK. Mishal then talked to mother and co-founder of organisation ‘Five X More’ - Tinuke Awe – who works on improving maternal mortality rates and health outcomes for black women. Finally Mishal heard from Donna Ockenden, a senior midwife who has been conducting independent reviews, who argued for “better, inclusive care”.
有时我们在遇到事情的时候可能会感到茫然无措、困惑不已、不确定该说什么或做什么才好。地道英语表达 “be at a loss” 就可以用来形容这种 “不知所措” 的感觉。听节目，学习这个表达的含义和用法。
Sam, Harsha and Siddhant are tech workers of Indian descent, who all say they have experienced discrimination in corporate America. They are not being singled out on the basis of race, gender, religion or nationality, but by an invisible factor; one they were born into, and one that others like them come to the US to try to escape. They say they have faced discrimination because of their caste.
More than 180 people are dead and about 1,800 wounded after three days of fighting. Also: Two New York residents have been arrested on charges of operating a Chinese "secret police station" in the city's Chinatown, and a luxurious Roman winery is discovered on the grounds of an ancient villa.
There have been economic tensions between the US and China that has been for some time dominating the news and the involvement of their respective allies. Is this a new trade war that is coming back to the boil?
Banks across the board are under pressure again to pay depositors more as interest rates continue to rise in the U.S.
The Japanese video game maker, Sega Sammy Holdings has agreed to buy the makers of Angry Birds for nearly 800 million dollars.
We focus on Sudan where fighting has rocked the capital and other cities since Saturday, in bloody clashes which have left nearly 100 dead.
The forces of General Fatah Al Burhan, commander in chief of the army, and his rival, General Mohamed Hamndan Dagalo, head of the Rapid Support Forces are talking tough. Will either heed ceasefire calls coming from the UN and African and international bodies?
We hear from activists on the ground who say they only have food for one more day, and foreign students forced out of their hostels by the fighting.
Those stories in this podcast presented by Bola Mosuro.
The UN has called for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan - where two generals are battling for power. We hear from one civilian caught in the middle of the fighting, and from Africa Minister Andrew Mitchell.
The world's oldest vehicle suspension bridge - linking Scotland and England over the River Tweed - has been re-opened after a massive overhaul. We speak to one of the engineers.
And a Quiche fit for a King? We get a verdict on the official 'Coronation Quiche' from the nation's taster-in-chief.
The UN special envoy to Sudan, Volker Perthes, has condemned the violence of the past three days and said he'd asked both the army and paramilitary forces to hold a brief ceasefire to allow humanitarian access to civilians.
Also in the programme: There's been widespread condemnation of the record jail term for one of President Putin's most fearless critics, Vladimir Kara-Murza; and our South-East Asia Correspondent Jonathan Head reports from inside Myanmar for the first time since the coup.
(Photo: Smoke rises from the tarmac of Khartoum International Airport as a fire burns, in Khartoum, Sudan on 17 April 2023 in this screen grab obtained from a social media video. Abdullah Abdel Moneim/via Reuters)
‘Can we bring back extinct species?’ wonders listener Mikko Campbell. Well, Professor Fry is pretty excited by the prospect of woolly mammoths roaming the Siberian tundra once more. And everyone is impressed with the science that might make it happen. But Dr Rutherford comes out STRONGLY against the whole thing. Can our expert guests win him over?
Dr Helen Pilcher shares the tale of Celia the lonely mountain goat, and makes the case for cloning to help protect species at risk of extinction. Professor Beth Shapiro sets out how biotech company ‘Colossal’ plans to engineer Asian elephants’ DNA to make a new group of mammoth-like creatures. And we hear how genetic technologies are being used in conservation efforts around the world.
BUT WHAT ABOUT T-REXES? Not gonna happen. Sorry.
Contributors: Dr Helen Pilcher, author of ‘Bring Back the King: The New Science of De-Extinction’, Professor Beth Shapiro from the University of California Santa Cruz, Dr Ben Novak of Revive and Restore and Tullis Matson from Nature’s SAFE.
Maggie O’Farrell’s historical novel Hamnet was published in 2020 to great critical acclaim, winning the Women's Prize. It tells the story of a gifted herbalist, Agnes Hathaway, who is married to a young William Shakespeare. We follow her on her journey as they meet, marry, and later come to terms with the death of their 11-year-old son, Hamnet. Now, the Royal Shakespeare Company is putting Hamnet on stage for the first time in Shakespeare’s birthplace of Stratford-upon-Avon. Presenter Dan Hardoon follows the RSC’s Acting Artistic Director Erica Whyman throughout the rehearsal process.
Fighting is continuing across Sudan for a third day, with battles raging in densely-populated areas, as rival generals compete for power. We hear from the capital Khartoum and the Darfur region in Sudan's west.
Also in the programme: Russian opposition activist Vladimir Kara-Murza sentenced to twenty-five years in jail; and jazz great Ahmed Jamal dies.
(Picture: Burnt-out passenger aircraft at Khartoum International Airport. Credit: Satellite image ©2023 Maxar Technologies)
With the Russian's invasion still going on in Ukraine, one of the only few options to export goods is going through land borders. But Slovakia just joined Poland and Hungary to ban cheap imports from Ukraine such as dairy, meats and grains, in order to protect their own agriculture industries.
The European Commission rejects these nations' decisions and warns unilateral moves will not be tolerated.
Japanese gaming tycoon Sega Sammy has just purchased Rovio, the company that created Angry Birds. Why is the deal significant in the mobile gaming world and how can they actually make money out of a free mobile game app?
Opposition activist Vladimir Kara-Murza criticised Russia's war in Ukraine. Also: honouring the women of the Northern Ireland peace process, we ask whether snoring is bad for your health and acclaimed Jazz pianist and composer Ahmad Jamal has died aged 92.
We hear many of your Tom DeLonge impressions, Liv with the desirable nose plays Yesterday’s Quiz and Chloe from Dundee has adopted the Nothing But Thieves song
This month Easter, Ramadan and Passover have all fallen at the same time. The three religious festivals have coincided with heightened tensions in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, as well as ongoing protests against the Jewish nationalist government of Benjamin Netanyahu. As Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter in the city of Jerusalem, the BBC’s International Editor Jeremy Bowen has been speaking to residents from across the religious and political divides.
Ian Paterson, who became known as the butchering breast surgeon, is currently serving a 20-year jail term after being convicted of 17 counts of wounding with intent and 3 counts of unlawful wounding. Now the Sunday Times has revealed that 27 inquests have been opened as a result of investigating the deaths of 650 of his patients. Nuala speaks to campaigner Debbie Douglas, who was one of Mr Paterson’s patients, and the Sunday Times Health Editor Shaun Lintern.
Is 'therapy speak' making us selfish? The prescriptive language of the therapist’s couch has slowly seeped into everyday life, particularly online where words like ‘boundaries’, ‘self-care’ and ‘narcissist’ are increasingly common. But when it comes to friendships, is the idea of self-care making us give up on them too easily? Sociologist and writer Amy Charlotte Kean talks to Nuala about how our relationships are being affected.
In the next in the Woman’s Hour Girl’s World series, Ena Miller has been talking to three girls in Glasgow, Saskia, Francesca and Olivia all of whom are 13 and 14 years of age. We often talk about girls and their lives on Woman’s Hour but we rarely talk to them, so Ena asks them - do they feel listened to?
Award-winning playwright and actor Lolita Chakrabarti joins Nuala in the Woman's Hour studio to talk about the new play 'Hamnet'. Maggie O’Farrell’s best-selling novel of the same name tells the story of the death of Shakespeare’s 11 year old son as she would have us believe it happened. Having sold more than 1.5m copies the story has now moved from paper to stage at the RSC in Stratford Upon Avon thanks to an adaptation by Lolita. She'll tell us why she was so drawn to telling the story of the people around Shakespeare.
A new BBC Africa Eye documentary, Uganda’s Stolen Innocence, investigates the increasing levels of sexual violence and incest in Uganda, particularly in the North. Documentary producer Nicola Milne and Ugandan lawyer Eunice Lakaraber Latim join Nuala to talk about the lack of faith in the justice system and how the legacy of the insurgency led by Joseph Kony fuelled this issue further.
Finn and Feifei help you learn this important part of speaking and writing, in English.
Ellie Taylor welcomes you to "Safe Space", a place where anyone can offload their controversial opinions without fear of judgment.
This week she wants to abolish the Internet, arguing that the online world isn't real and as a society we're far too reliant on it. Joining Ellie to help prove her point is regular sidekick Robin Morgan.
With special guest: Author, Filmmaker and Co-Host of MTV's Catfish UK, Oobah Butler. Oobah's best known for creating The Shed at Dulwich, a fictional restaurant which in 2017 became the top-rated venue in London on TripAdvisor, despite having never served a dish. He chats to Ellie about how he used the Internet to create his fictional restaurant and why he thinks people are too ready to trust what they read online.
Written by and starring Ellie Taylor and Robin Morgan.
Producer: Georgia Keating
Executive Producer: James Robinson
Production Co-ordinator: Becky Carewe-Jeffries
Sound editor: Marc Willcox
A BBC Studios production for Radio 4
Dozens of people have been killed, as the battle between two rival military factions spreads across the country. Also: Dissident FARC guerrillas say they are ready to start formal peace talks with the Colombian government next month, and it's curtains for Broadway's longest running musical, The Phantom Of The Opera.
Fierce clashes have been reported across Sudan as fighting between rival armed factions continues to spread.
The escalation came on the second day of clashes between the army and Rapid Support Forces paramilitaries, which have now left at least 59 dead.
We'll hear from residents of the capital Khartoum trapped by the conflict. And ask if the mediators now on their way to the country can stop the fighting?
Also in the programme: the Syrians risking their lives for a desert delicacy; and we report on the Team Ninja Trollhunters trying to combat climate change deniers online.
(Photo shows smoke rising over Khartoum as army and paramilitaries clash in power struggle. Credit: @lostshmi on Instagram/Reuters)
Fierce fighting is raging for a second day in the Sudanese capital Khartoum, as rival wings of the armed forces fight for power. Health workers say over 50 civilians and dozens of fighters have been killed as fighting spreads beyond the country's main city. We'll bring you the latest news and analysis from inside Sudan.
Also in the programme: two very different films are making the headlines right now. One is a Hollywood comedy-horror based on Bram Stoker's fictional vampire character, Dracula; the other is a thriller based in Egypt and centred on one of the country's most prestigious institutions. We'll hear from a film critic about one of the movies and the director of the other.
And a deeply personal book reflecting on what it's like caring for a family member with dementia. We speak to the US doctor who wrote it.
(Picture: Smoke rises over the city of Khartoum as army and paramilitaries clash in power struggle, Sudan, April 15, 2023 in this picture obtained from social media. Credit: Instagram @lostshmi/via REUTERS)
Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh le Ruairidh MacIlleathain. Litir àireamh 1239. Roddy Maclean reads this week's letter for Gàidhlig learners.
In the lead up to Eid-al-Fitr Muslims are not eating or drinking water during daylight hours. There are some Muslims who feel they cannot break the fast with their family this Ramadan - many of those identify as LGBTQ+. Some charities and organisations have been holding events to make sure they can share an Iftar with others. We hear from the events' organisers.
UN Special Rapporteur for Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, speaks about what its like for ethnic and religious minorities in the country and what plans are to protect people.
It's Easter in the Orthodox tradition and people of Russian and Ukrainian heritage will be standing side by side in worship in churches across the UK. The Russian Orthodox Church has allied itself with President Vladimir Putin, echoing Kremlin rhetoric in defending the invasion of Ukraine. However, Bishop Irenei of London and Western Europe says that: 'warfare is always a sign of man’s degradation'.
BBC Two's Pilgrimage is back on screens. The religious reality TV series sees celebrities take on a spiritual journey through Portugal. One of the contributors is actor Su Pollard, who was raised in the Church of England and will be telling Edward Stourton about the journey.
There are renewed tensions in Iran as the government has stepped up its crackdown on women not wearing the hijab. The law is being widely flouted, but in the last week it emerged that surveillance cameras are being used to identify unveiled women. Last year there were nationwide protests after the death in custody of 22 year old Mahsa Amini, who was arrested for not wearing her hijab properly. It is now understood that a fresh wave of demonstrations is planned. As well as the hijab issue, there is also growing discontent over levels of poverty in the country. We hear the latest news from Iran and some expert analysis.
Jurors who take a religious oath themselves are more likely to find a defendant who doesn't swear by almighty God guilty of an offence, according to a recent study published by Royal Holloway University of London. Should that mean swearing religious oaths in court be abolished or replaced completely with something more secular? There is a discussion with the study's author and an Anglican vicar who has a legal background.
Presenter: Edward Stourton
Producers: Katy Booth and Catherine Murray
Studio Managers: Amy Brennan and Jonathan Esp
Production co-ordinator: David Baguley
Editor: Tim Pemberton
"Get on the pill, get a job, and stay out of my life" - such were the less than encouraging words her father once addressed to the young Lorraine Cavanagh. Despite coming from a wealthy and privileged family background (her grandmother was the inventor of the modern bra, and the proprietor of a prestigious publishing house), Dr Cavanagh endured a childhood of emotional neglect, and sexual abuse at the hands of a stepfather she was encouraged to call 'Dad'. In this candid interview, Revd Cavanagh, who is now a Church in Wales priest, talks to Delyth Liddell about her new book, a memoir about coming to terms with her early life: Rebuilding the Ruined Places, and her journey of faith, trying to make sense of some of the paradoxes of her extraordinary, glamorous and yet emotionally starved upbringing in France, America, Spain and England.
This programme was first broadcast in January 2023.
Chris Berrow presents 5 Live Science this week, looking at the future of solar power, why some people are sensitive to magnetic fields, and the scientists studying bird poo! Plus, what exactly is pain, and what happens when you can’t control the amount of pain you're in?
Civilans told to stay inside as gunfire and explosions rocked the capital, Khartoum, during clashes between two rival factions of the military. Also: Germany switches off its last three nuclear power stations, though Germans are divided about whether it is the right decision, and revealed -- some of the stars performing at a special concert to mark the coronation of King Charles.
The Sudanese capital, Khartoum, has been rocked by gunfire and explosions as heavy fighting takes place between two rival factions of the military.
Casualty numbers are unclear, but doctors have called on humanitarian organisations to provide medical assistance to the injured.
We will have eye witness accounts and analysis on what is happening and why -- and those trapped in the middle of the fighting.
Also in the programme: The former Chief of Staff to the director of the CIA gives us his response to the Pentagon leaks and how damaging they could be to the war effort in Ukraine; and as families in Yemen are reunited with a large-scale prisoner swap underway, we hear from ICRC who have been involved in the operation transferring the detainees.
(Photo shows smoke rising near the Halfaya bridge in Khartoum during clashes between the Paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese army. Credit: Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/Reuters)
The writer Hadley Freeman stopped eating when she was 14, and spent the next three years in and out of hospital, battling with anorexia. Now in her mid-forties, she says she didn’t completely close the door on the disease until relatively recently. In Good Girls – A Story and Study of Anorexia, she gives an unflinching account of what happened to her and looks at what happens to girls who become anorexic now; what we know and what we don’t about the mental illness.
Brian Friel’s classic play Dancing at Lughnasa has opened at the National Theatre. Telling the story of the five Mundy sisters, two of the actors, more recently on our screens in Derry Girls - Siobhan McSweeney and Louisa Harland - discuss their new roles.
Emma Booth is on the Woman's Hour Power List, this year focussed on women in sport. Emma impressed the judges as she took a public stand against major golf brand TaylorMade and their lack of female imagery and golf products for women. She reflects on speaking out against such a well-known company and how it is to be a woman in golf.
The conservative peer Baroness Sayeeda Warsi has criticised the home secretary Suella Braverman for using "racist rhetoric". She says her recent comments on small boats and grooming gangs have "emboldened racists". We ask her why she's decided to speak out.
Have you ever heard an interview with a robot on the radio? We speak to the world’s first ultra-realistic artist robot, Ai-Da, and her creator, Aidan Meller.
What’s it like to become a pop star at almost 46? Twenty years ago Alexis Strum had a record deal and achieved her dream to make an album, but then it was pulled. She walked away from music – until now. She shares her story with Nuala.
Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Lucy Wai
Editor: Louise Corley
There has been fighting in Sudan between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). There are conflicting reports coming out of the country and the RSF says it has taken control of the airport and presidential palace but this has not been confirmed. We will hear from eyewitnesses in Khartoum.
Also on the programme: Germany is switching off its last three nuclear reactors after years of debate on the topic; and scientists think ancient viruses lingering in our DNA might help the body fight off cancer.
(Photo: smoke rises from the buildings in Khartoum. Credit: AFP)
ابن سینا دانشمندی بود که در پیوند دادن تفکر علمی و فلسفی در جهان اسلام با روشمندی فلاسفهی یونانی نقش مهمی بازی کرد. چرا ابوعلی سینا را باید بهتر بشناسیم؟ مهمانهای برنامه: داریوش محمدپور؛ پژوهشگر مطالعات اسلامی و کیارش آرامش؛ پژوهشگر اخلاق.
In the Persian gulf, a powerful storm appears to sink an oil tanker, prompting a dramatic Royal Navy rescue. But six weeks later, the same tanker causes a scandal when it drifts onto a luxury Bollywood beach in India - like a ghost. Environment journalists Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor delve into the unsolved mystery, investigating allegations of murky goings-on.
Broadcaster Eleanor Oldroyd, rapper and author Guvna B, sports journalist Thom Gibbs and comedian Tez Ilyas Graham join Colin Murray for an hour of sporting punditry, humour and entertainment. Points are awarded for informed comment, wit and passion, but taken away for nonsense and answers lacking in conviction.
In the final round, the top two points scorers go head-to-head in 'Defend the Indefensible' where they must both defend a statement however ludicrous or distasteful for twenty seconds. There can only be one winner!
Get the podcast from BBC Sounds
As well as being a consummate journalist, newsreader and broadcaster, Sophie does ‘beyond the limits’ running…the Marathon des Sables for example…for pleasure?!
In this edition of Inheritance Tracks he reveals the stories behind the music that continues to inspire him; from the highlands of Scotland to a powerful song gifted to his peers and contemporary gay men.
Music:
Inherited: Wild Mountain Thyme - Judy Collins
Pass on: Heading for Home by Peggy Seeger
Producers: Ben Mitchell and Ribika Moktan
A ground-breaking new medical trial has begun in the UK aimed at slowing the progress of multiple sclerosis. The Octopus trial is looking into whether existing drugs can be repurposed to help slow the progression of the condition. Alykhan, who was diagnosed with MS when he was still at school, is taking part in the study. He joins us in conversation with Professor Jeremy Chataway, from the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London, who is leading the trial.
A Money Box investigation has resulted in a £150,000 refund for a vulnerable romance fraud victim, after their bank initially refused to reimburse. The victim's family were told that a voluntary code, known as the Contingent Reimbursement Model or CRM, designed to protect victims of fraud would not apply in their case, because the payments had been made to an international bank account. We look at what, if anything, banks can do to prevent payments to criminal accounts overseas.
In the Spring Budget the Chancellor promised to end the so-called prepayment meter penalty, where customers currently pay an extra £45 compared to direct debit customers. We look at how the new policy will work, and if it's feasible to level the playing field between pre-payment meter customers and direct debit customers long term. And where does this leave customers who pay by cash or cheque?
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has announced another extension to the Help to Buy Equity loan scheme. For many buyers this extension came at the last possible moment, the previous deadline was the 31st March and some stood to lose their sales. Other buyers had already received their deposits back and won't benefit from the two-month extension. We hear from a buyer and a conveyancing solicitor.
Presenter: Dan Whitworth
Reporter: Aruna Iyengar and Dan Whitworth
Researchers: Sandra Hardial and Jo Krasner
Editor: Beatrice Pickup
France's top constitutional body clears government's highly unpopular move to raise pension age from 62 to 64. Also: The US airman accused of leaking confidential intelligence and defence documents has been officially charged in a court appearance in Boston, and the European Space Agency's mission, known as Juice, successfully launches on its way to explore the moons of Jupiter.
A twenty-one-year-old US National Guardsman Jack Teixeira has appeared in court in Boston accused of leaking highly-sensitive military intelligence. He’s said to have distributed very damaging intelligence on everything from Ukraine's war plans to Washington spying on its allies like South Korea. But there's one part of this that is especially interesting - it was all initially distributed on Discord, a social media platform, popular with gamers.
The US airman accused of leaking confidential intelligence and defence documents has been officially charged in a court appearance in Boston. Mr Teixeira was arrested by armed FBI agents at his family home in Massachusetts on Thursday.
Also on the programme: we speak to former Israeli prime minister, Naftali Bennett; and the agreement to try to stop Mexican drugs cartels smuggling fentanyl into the United States.
(Image: The federal courthouse where Jack Teixeira, a member of the U.S. Air Force National Guard suspected of leaking highly classified U.S. documents, made his initial appearance in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S, on 14 April 2023. Credit: Reuters/Owen Lambert)
The first three months of 2023 has been described as the ‘deadliest’ for migrants crossing the Mediterranean by the UN’s International Organisation for Migration (IOM). Pietro Bartolo, Member of the European Parliament for Lampedusa, off the coast of southern Italy, says there needs to be a fundamental rethink on how migrants are received and processed.
Plus, what is behind the deaths in Kenya linked to the Good News International Church?
And relatives of dozens of school girls who are still missing after being abducted in north-east Nigeria in 2014, have once again urged the government to seek their release.
Writer, Nick Warburton
Director, Marina Caldarone
Editor, Jeremy Howe
Brian Aldridge ….. Charles Collingwood
Helen Archer ….. Louiza Patikas
Natasha Archer ….. Mali Harries
Pat Archer ….. Patricia Gallimore
Tom Archer ….. William Troughton
Tony Archer ….. David Troughton
Lee Bryce ….. Ryan Early
Harrison Burns ….. James Cartwright
Alice Carter ….. Hollie Chapman
Chris Carter ….. Wilf Scolding
Ian Craig ….. Stephen Kennedy
Justin Elliot ….. Simon Williams
George Grundy ….. Angus Stobie
Mia Grundy ….. Molly Pipe
Brad Horrobin ….. Taylor Uttley
Tracy Horrobin ….. Susie Riddell
Jim Lloyd ….. John Rowe
Adam Macy ….. Andrew Wincott
Adil Shah ….. Ronny Jhutti
Oliver Sterling ….. Michael Cochrane
Rahul Tandon hears about Brazil’s president Lula da Silva’s remarks on countries moving away from the dollar as he meets with the Chinese president Xi Jinping. The two leaders are expected to sign twenty trade agreements.
The International Monetary Fund has projected that the economy of Sub-Saharan Africa will grow by 3.6 per cent in 2023 and accelerate to 4.2 per cent in 2024. Abebe Selassie, Director of the African Department at the IMF tells us more.
To France, where the Constitutional Court is due to make a key decision any minute now on President Macron's controversial pension reforms. Macron wants to raise the age of retirement from 62 to 64 but his plan has faced massive opposition from unions and ordinary people.
US firms are waiting to pump 'billions of dollars' of cash into the Northern Ireland economy if there’s more political stability there. That’s according to President Biden who is visiting the island of Ireland to mark 25-years since the Good Friday Agreement.
About 900 prisoners will be exchanged over the next three days. A Saudi delegation has left the capital Sanaa after talks with Houthi rebels, but said more negotiations would be needed to reach an agreement to end the eight-year civil war. Also: Police in Kenya are trying to track down and save members of a cult starving themselves to death, and a Spanish woman has emerged from a cave after 500 days living in complete isolation from other humans.
He's charged with the unauthorised removal and transmission of classified information. The files included confidential information about the war in Ukraine.
Also on the programme: Brazil's president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, has met the Chinese leader Xi Jinping as he continues his official visit to China. President Xi called for deeper cooperation with Brazil. And the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer has been launched by the European Space Agency.
(Picture: The arrest of Jack Teixeira. Credit: Reuters)
Presidential James plays WrongUns, Cassyette has found her Bacon Fries and Rupert gets bizzy with the quizzy chasing a 15 point lead.
A 21-year-old US airman will appear in court on Friday in connection with a leak of highly classified military documents about the Ukraine war and other national security issues. Jack Teixeira was arrested by the FBI at his family home in rural Massachusetts on Thursday.
Today’s Justin Webb spoke with Barbara Plett-Usher, correspondent in Washington, about Jack Teixeira and the role his involvement with online messaging platform, Discord, played in leaking confidential US intelligence. A representative of the Visual Investigation Team at the New York TImes, Christiaan Triebert, also explains how they successfully tracked down the suspect, after discovering 27 new leaked documents.
Then Justin looked at the future of US intelligence with Jim Jeffrey, former US Ambassador to Iraq, and Kurt Volker, former US Special Representative to Ukraine. Ambassador Jeffrey started by answering the question of how someone so young had access to such important material.
في الحلقة الثانية من بودكاست زواجي المختلط، تعرفكم سوسن على قصة زواج محمد شقيرمن مصر مع يوكو من اليابان، وكيف يواجهان التحديات التي تأتي من الاختلافات الثقافية بينهما أحيانا خاصة في مناسبات تجتمع فيها العائلات مثل شهر رمضان.
إكسترا رمضان: زواجي المختلط، من إنتاج بي بي سي إكسترا، تقديم وإعداد سوسن صبوح، ساعد في الإعداد بناني الخنشي و فتحي بن عيسى.
في رئاسة التحرير كريمة كواح
يمكنكم الاستماع إلى حلقات إكسترا بودكاست على صفحة بي بي سي عربي بودكاست، ساوند كلاود، وسبوتيفاي و أبل بودكاست
An English-language production of the Winner of the Best European Drama Award at the Audio Drama Awards 2022.
The Lion tells a compelling and thought-provoking story about a community's response to an escaped lion in a city. A host of characters, including the town's Chief Constable and an Economist, are forced to face the unprecedented crisis. Their differing - often conflicted - responses speak to a nation coming to grips with a new dawn.
This high-octane satire about the restoration of Estonian independence has resonance far beyond Estonia's national events of 1991, and speaks to collective responses to all manner of global and community crises.
Chief Constable . . . . . Mark Benton
Valter Saarniit . . . . . James Northcote
Commissioner . . . . . Ewan Bailey
Mayor . . . . . Georgie Glen
Heinz . . . . . Samuel James
Heli . . . . . Leah Marks
Secretary . . . . . Kymberley Cochrane
Makishev . . . . . Hasan Dixon
Meelis . . . . . Connor Curren
The drama is based on Martin Algus's short story The Lion. It was adapted for ERR, Estonian Public Radio, by Andres Noormets. Original sound design was by Külli Tüli. This English-language version was translated by Adam Cullen, edited by Peter Ringrose, and directed and produced for BBC Radio 4 by Andres Noormets and Sasha Yevtushenko.
In the heyday of the Sikh Empire, Kirtan - Sikh hymns - were performed using stringed instruments such as the sarangi, rabab and taus. The rich, complex tones these instruments create are said to evoke a deeper connection to Waheguru (God). But in the late 19th Century, these traditional instruments were replaced by European imports like the harmonium.
Now a new generation of diaspora Sikhs is painstakingly rebuilding that musical heritage - restoring scores and gathering to teach and learn traditional instruments. In 2022, the Akal Takht, the highest temporal authority for Sikhs, signalled a revival of stringed instruments in the Golden Temple, the holiest Sikh shrine. But can they attract and train enough musicians to put strings back at the heart of Sikh worship?
Monika Plaha meets one these musical pioneers, Harjinder Singh Lallie, and finds out how his beliefs fuel his work and how his music shapes his faith.
Producer: Rachel Briggs and Ajai Singh
Presenter: Monika Plaha
Editor: Helen Grady
Production co-ordinator: Mica Nepomuceno
Come with us! Heart and Soul is moving and we would love it if you can join us. You can now find all our episodes on The Documentary, the home of original, global storytelling, from the BBC World Service. Search for The Documentary, wherever you found this podcast, and don’t forget to subscribe or follow.
In the heyday of the Sikh Empire, Kirtan (Sikh hymns) were performed using stringed instruments such as the sarangi, rabab and taus. The rich, complex tones these instruments create are said to evoke a deeper connection to Waheguru (God). But in the late 19th Century, these traditional instruments were replaced by European imports like the harmonium. Now a new generation of diaspora Sikhs is painstakingly rebuilding that musical heritage - restoring scores and meeting up to teach and learn traditional instruments. Monika Plaha meets one these musical pioneers, Harjinder Singh Lallie, and finds out how his beliefs fuel his work and how his music shapes his faith.
The 21-year-old is accused of leaking classified government documents. Also: President Biden addresses the Irish parliament and calls for the United Kingdom to work more closely with Dublin to support Northern Ireland, and why dinosaur bones are the new collectables among the super rich.
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has started his trip to China.
The trip's aim is to upgrade relations with China now that Lula is back in office and seek new Chinese investment in the Latin American country.
At least 50 classified documents containing sensitive intelligence about countries around the world and the war in Ukraine, were leaked online. We speak to James Clapper former Director of National Intelligence until 2017 about how this was able to happen.
Also on the programme: British fashion designer Mary Quant dies aged 93; and Newshour speaks to a China-based sports journalist about the Women’s Tennis Association returning to the country years after a row over the safety of a tennis player.
(Picture: Alleged Pentagon leak suspect identified as Jack Teixeira. Credit: BBC)
H5N1 highly pathogenic avian flu is racing across the world, and has infected multiple species, including wild and farmed birds, and mammals from cats to sea lions. What can be done to control it? Roland Pease talks to global experts about the dangers to animal and human health, and about the measures to bring the outbreak under control.
Image: A government worker examines chicks for signs of bird flu infection at a poultry farm in Darul Imarah in Indonesia's Aceh province
Image credit: Chaideer Mahyuddin
Producer: Roland Pease
Assistant Producer: Sophie Ormiston
The Sudanese army has warned of a risk of confrontation as the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Force (RSF) redeploys across the country, including to the border city Merowe, without the military's approval.
The rapist and murderer Thabo Bester, who faked his death in prison and fled to Tanzania, has arrived back in South Africa, after being deported along with his celebrity doctor girlfriend, Nandipha Magudumana.
And Sierra Leonean TikTok influencer, ‘Juju Jeks’ tells us why she is a fan of the popular social media app.
Today we're going to be talking about debt - not the household debt that you might owe to your bank but the really big stuff - the debt that countries owe to financial institutions and, in some cases, to other countries. And we're talking about it because it's growing all the time - the world is more indebted now than it has ever been. The Covid pandemic triggered the biggest surge in debt around the world since World War II. That is what is being discussed at the IMF and World Bank Spring meetings. where finance ministers, central bankers, CEOs and experts are gathered. Listen to World Business Report to find out more
The US President, Joe Biden, has said it is a "pleasure to be back" as he met Irish President Michael D Higgins in Dublin. He is spending most of Thursday in the company of leading Irish politicians and will also address a joint session of the Irish parliament. Also on the programme: we hear from the Washington Post's Shane Harris on his investigation into the leaking of top-secret US documents. And the British fashion designer Mary Quant, credited with designing the mini-skirt that helped to define the Swinging '60s, has died aged 93. (Image: U.S. President Joe Biden meets with Ireland's Prime Minister Leo Varadkar at Farmleigh House, in Dublin, Ireland, April 13, 2023. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne)
American media says he's working on a military base and disdainful of the government. Also Mary Quant - whose revolutionary clothes came to symbolise the 1960s - has died; and the bird that loads drinking water in its feathers.
Charu Sharma, Brett Sprigg and Nikesh Rughani are joined by New Zealand umpire Kim Cotton. Kim became the first female on-field umpire to stand in a men’s international between two full-member nations. She tells us how this historic moment felt, her journey to becoming an umpire and how she is paving the way for the next generation.
Plus, with the Indian Premier League in full swing, the team discuss how the tournament has unfolded. And one of Australia’s most influential player agents, Neil Maxwell has said the next phase of the IPL revolution would have players asking for permission from their Indian owners to represent Australia, not the other way around. The team debate their thoughts on whether this will happen.
And with two months to go until the men's Ashes begins, Brett Sprigg assesses the mood in Australia.
Photo: Match Umpire Kim Cotton signals during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Final match between Australia and South Africa at Newlands Stadium on February 26, 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Credit: ICC via Getty Images)
Nicholas Hoult is here for Sit Down Stand Up and plays an amazing trump card. Plus, The President of The USA sings happy birthday to Patrice’s aunt.
For the first time ever the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons has begun collating data on the number of women undergoing labiaplasty where women want to reduce the size of the labia. It’s in response to the increased demand for the procedure which some fear could be driven by either body dysphoria or the prevalence of pornography. Anita Rani talks to cosmetic surgeon Dr Paraskevi Dimitriadi and psychologist Elizabeth Ritchie about the trend.
If you’ve had breast cancer – what do you know about the signs the disease may have progressed? The charity Met UP UK says the information given to the 55,900 people diagnosed every year is very patchy. Every day, 31 women in the UK die from secondary breast cancer, which is incurable. In Greater Manchester every patient is provided with an infographic in their end of treatment plan, about signs to look out for. NHS England says it has adopted this in its guidelines but can’t mandate every health trust uses it. We speak to Jo Taylor from METUP UK and oncologist Carlo Palmieri from Clatterbridge Health Centre about why this is important.
"Cluttercore" and "Clustercore" are the latest interior design trends popping up on social media. Minimalism is out, and rooms bursting at the seams with clashing colours and loads of knick-knacks are in. But it’s more than just having lots of items everywhere. You have to arrange the items in curated vignettes. So, how is it done? When does it become clutter? And, what's the history behind our desire to organise and curate? Anita is joined by Claire Bingham author of The New Naturalists: Inside the Homes of Creative Collectors, and Dr Vanessa Brown, senior lecturer at the Nottingham School of Art & Design at Nottingham Trent University.
Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Lisa Jenkinson
Studio Manager: Bob Nettles
The Gran Chaco Forest is Latin America’s second largest ecosystem. It is a mix of hot and arid scrublands, forests and wetlands, part of the River Plata basin, so large it extends into Paraguay, Brazil, Argentina and Bolivia. Large parts of the forests have already been cleared to make way for farms. Now a new highway being driven through it is heralding further change. The so called Bi-oceanic Corridor will transport the produce of cattle ranchers and soya-bean farmers in Brazil and Paraguay across to ports on the west coast. Members of some indigenous communities like the Ayoreo see it as a further threat to their way of life.
The new road is being cautiously welcomed by some members of the Mennonite Community, a Christian religious group who came to the Gran Chaco 100 years ago via Prussia, Russia and Canada and bought land from the government to farm. Will the impact of the road on the indigenous and Mennonite communities - and the environment - be worth the economic benefits? Jane Chambers travels across the Gran Chaco.
Produced by Bob Howard. The Paraguay producer was Santi Carneri.
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss how, between the 16th and 18th centuries, Europe was dominated by an economic way of thinking called mercantilism. The key idea was that exports should be as high as possible and imports minimised.
For more than 300 years, almost every ruler and political thinker was a mercantilist. Eventually, economists including Adam Smith, in his ground-breaking work of 1776 The Wealth of Nations, declared that mercantilism was a flawed concept and it became discredited. However, a mercantilist economic approach can still be found in modern times and today’s politicians sometimes still use rhetoric related to mercantilism.
With
D’Maris Coffman
Professor in Economics and Finance of the Built Environment at University College London
Craig Muldrew
Professor of Social and Economic History at the University of Cambridge and a Member of Queens’ College
and
Helen Paul, Lecturer in Economics and Economic History at the University of Southampton.
Producer Luke Mulhall
The Gran Chaco Forest is Latin America’s second largest ecosystem. It is a mix of hot and arid scrublands, forests and wetlands, part of the River Plata basin, so large it extends into Paraguay, Brazil, Argentina and Bolivia. Large parts of the forests have already been cleared to make way for farms. Now a new highway being driven through it is heralding further change. The so called Bioceanic Corridor will transport the produce of cattle ranchers and soya-bean farmers in Brazil and Paraguay across to ports on the west coast. Members of some indigenous communities like the Ayoreo see it as a further threat to their way of life.
The new road is being cautiously welcomed by some members of the Mennonite Community, a Christian religious group who came to the Gran Chaco 100 years ago via Prussia, Russia and Canada and bought land from the government to farm. Will the impact of the road on the indigenous and Mennonite communities - and the environment - be worth the economic benefits?
Jane Chambers travels across the Gran Chaco for Assignment. Produced by Bob Howard. The Paraguay producer was Santi Carneri.
According to the leaked US classified documents, Washington believes UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, is too willing to accommodate Russian interests. Also: study reveals cancer's 'infinite' ability to evolve, and Prince Harry to attend King Charles' coronation without his wife, Meghan.
Beyond Belief: The Life and Mission of John Hume is a new musical drama about the Irish politician who was one of the architects of the Northern Ireland peace process. Marie-Louise Muir goes behind the scenes of the production, staged in Hume's home city of Derry, with its director, Kieran Griffiths. She follows his young company of actors rehearsing for a major production which will be streamed live globally on the 25th anniversary of the signing of the historic peace accord, the Good Friday Agreement.
US inflation fell to 5% last month – the lowest rate since May 2021. March’s monthly consumer price index – which measures the price of a ‘basket’ of goods and services – continued its steady decline from its peak of just over 9%. It prompted US President Joe Biden to tweet that: “Inflation has come down 45% since its summer peak. Gas prices are down, and grocery prices fell last month for the first time since September 2020”. But the slowdown is not expected to sway officials at the Federal Reserve, who set interest rates. Economists are still expecting an increase.
They became fashionable during the pandemic...so why are so-called 'blank cheque' companies now being ripped up? Also known as special purpose acquisition companies - or Spacs - they raise cash by listing on the stock market before looking for a private company to merge with. The biggest of them in Europe, Pegasus Europe, is being wound up, prompting fears that Spacs may be reaching the end of the road.
And - do you fancy buying a dinosaur skeleton?...because if you do next week is your big chance. The full skeleton of a T-Rex goes to auction in Switzerland. But you'll need a minimum of around $5 million if you fancy bidding. There is, however, some concern about the whole ethics of selling off such rare fossils. Will the public ever get to see it in future - or will fossil ownership simply become another rich person's toy?
A rapid increase in the number of electric vehicles - both cars and trucks - is planned to help the US meet its pledge to reduce carbon emissions. But how practical is the proposal? We hear from Larry Burns, who used to head research programmes for General Motors.
Also in the programme: Will President Biden's visits to Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic help or hinder the peace process? And soccer's billion-dollar scam.
(File photo: an electric car plugged into a charging point. Credit: John Walton/PA Wire)
Media reports Tidermene Commune in north-eastern Mali's Menaka region seized by fighters from Islamic State Sahel. The development would leave the town of Menaka effectively under siege by militants at a time when the population of the municipality has soared due to insecurity following the year-long offensive by the jihadist group in both Menaka and Gao regions.
The Gambia's National Human Rights Commission released its fourth annual activity report for 2022. The Gambia is recovering from its terrible human rights record under the former dictator, Yahya Jammeh, who ruled for nearly a quarter of a century.
South Africa's ‘Soweto Skeleton Movers’ on how they use dance to deal with trauma. Their performance is a mixture of two dance styles - Pantsula and Skeleton.
Researchers in Zambia and Pakistan have shown that a drug which helps to stop bleeding in childbirth is safe to give by injection into a muscle - making it easier to save women’s lives where skilled help isn’t always close by. Tranexamic acid is usually given by a drip into a vein. But a new study by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine compared that method with giving an injection into the thigh and administering it as a drink in a solution. They found that the injection was just as effective as the drip – which doctors say will save time and lives.
We hear from one of the first people in the world to be given blood grown in a laboratory – and the scientist who made it possible. People with conditions like sickle cell anaemia could eventually benefit from this technology with lab blood tailored to their needs.
Overweight people with painful arthritic joints might be told it’s due to “wear and tear”. But Dr Graham Easton explains how a new study shows that changes to cells within our joints cause inflammation – and it’s not simply a case of extra weight putting pressure on our knees and hips.
Producer: Paula McGrath
CLASS AND EDUCATION
Laurie Taylor talks to Kalwant Bhopal, Professor of Education and Social Justice at the University of Birmingham, about her research into the inner workings of elite universities and the making of privilege.
They're joined by Iona Burnell Reilly, Senior Lecturer in the Sociology of Education at the University of East London, whose latest study presents a collection of autoethnographies, written by working class academics in higher education, and considers how have they become who they are in an industry steeped in elitism.
Producer: Jayne Egerton
President Biden is in Northern Ireland, marking the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. He has called for the return of power sharing government in a speech in the region's capital, Belfast.
Though short, it is a significant visit. We hear from the leader of one of the main political parties about its impact.
Also in the programme: The CEO of Twitter, Elon Musk, has given the BBC an exclusive interview, in which he says his tenure there so far has not been easy; and we'll hear about more details that have emerged on the bombing of a village in Myanmar causing the deaths of many civilians.
(Photo shows US president Joe Biden delivering his keynote speech at Ulster University in Belfast. Credit: Aaron Chown/PA Wire)
Running Twitter has been "quite painful" and "a rollercoaster", Elon Musk has said, in a hastily arranged live interview with the BBC.
The multi-billionaire entrepreneur, Elon Musk, said that Running Twitter has been "quite painful" and "a rollercoaster". In an exclusive interview with the BBC he also said he would sell the company if the right person came along.
US inflation eased last month to its lowest level in nearly two years, but an uptick in core prices will keep pressure on the Federal Reserve to press ahead with another interest rate increase in May.
And, well a pair of trainers once worn by basketball legend Michael Jordan has sold for $2.2m at auction, becoming the priciest shoes ever sold.
President Biden urged political parties in Northern Ireland to return to its power sharing assembly. Also in this podcast: Russia says video of a Ukrainian soldier apparently being beheaded is awful but needs verifying; Elon Musk tells us about the pain of running Twitter; and the volcano that's hurled smoke 20 kilometres into the sky.
Investigative reporter Simona Weinglass leads a BBC Eye investigation into a criminal network, believed to have scammed more than a billion dollars from victims across the globe. The organisation sponsored a top-tier football club to promote its online trading platform, promising investors the chance of astonishing returns. We hear from victims, undercover agents and police, in a bid to track down who is in charge.
Today’s Martha Kearney, presenting from Belfast, spoke to journalist Lyra McKee’s sister, Nichola Corner, and her friend, Alison Miller, about her tragic death four years ago on Easter Monday. Lyra was known as ‘the voice of a generation’, growing up after the Good Friday Agreement yet still surrounded by echoes of violence and division. Alison Miller directed the new documentary about her life and work – ‘Lyra’- which is airing Saturday 15th April.
Martha spoke to Ambassador Philip Reeker, former interim US Ambassador to the UK, about the preparation needed for a presidential visit, and Martin Mulholland, Chief Concierge who has worked for 40 years at the Europa - one of the most bombed hotels in Europe - where President Biden has been staying.
We have listeners Biden their time waiting for the Presidential motorcade, Millie and Rachel are getting very petty and we find out if Best Man Dave did the Zombie Toast?
Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.
听众 “刺猬” 想知道 “because of、due to、owing to” 和 “for” 有何不同。这些连接词都能引出事情发生的原因。它们当中有些较为正式，有些则常用于口语交流中。在它们中，哪个词后面必须接从句？哪个词后面要接名词或代词？哪个词作连接词的用法已经不常见？听节目，学习这四个连接词的用法和区别。
In this podcast we breakdown what was in the Spring 2023 budget and how the chancellor’s announcements impact your finances.
The experts on the panel are:
Laura Suter, Head of Personal Finance at AJ Bell
Dawn Register, Head of Tax Dispute Resolution at BDO
Matt Copeland, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at National Energy Action
Subrahmanian Krishnan Harihara, Head of Research at the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce
Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Producer: Amber Mehmood
Editor: Beatrice Pickup
The US President's visit comes on the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement -- a peace deal which helped end 30 years of violent conflict in Northern Ireland. Also: IMF predicts interest rates likely to fall back to pre-Covid levels, and China eagerly awaits return of panda from US zoo.
Bright or turbulent? Mixed views on the global economy’s prospects
The IMF and World Bank spring conference has been hearing mixed views on the immediate prospects for the global economy. IMF Chief economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas reckons that ‘turbulence is building and the situation is quite fragile’. But U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen felt that the future looked reasonably bright, and cautioned against ‘overdoing the negativism’.
The IMF also raises concerns about the sudden failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank in the United States, and the loss of market confidence in Credit Swiss. The fund warned that global financial stability risks have increased rapidly in the last few months because banks didn't prepare adequately for interest rates increases.
And – we report on a novel way of increasing productivity in Bangladesh – providing workers with free glasses to improve their eyesight.
At the start of President Biden's symbolic visit to Ireland on the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday peace agreement, we look at the Irish connections of several US presidents with journalist Lynne Kelleher.
Also in the programme: an interview with the chief economist of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) about global growth and interest rates. And the travails of Tupperware, the once-cult brand of airtight plastic containers.
(Photo: US President Joe Biden boards Air Force One for travel to Ireland. Credit: REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque)
Be My Eyes is a service that enables visually impaired people to connect with sighted assistance, via a smartphone app. You can get help with things like finding a lost item or identifying something you've just pulled from your fridge. But Be My Eyes are soon to release an additional feature called Virtual Assistant that uses artificial intelligence. It's thought that it will eliminate the need for sighted assistance and can suggest a recipe based on that something you've just pulled from your fridge. The BBC's Senior Correspondent in the US, Gary O'Donoghue has tested the new offering and he, along with Be My Eyes' CEO Mike Buckley, tell us more about how it works.
The world's first European Blind Football league is underway. Over the Easter Weekend, The Royal National College For The Blind's team played European sides and defended their spot at the top of the league table. We hear from RNC team captain and England player, Azeem Amir and RNC and England coach, Adam Bendall about the significance of this league and what is to come from the next two rounds.
Presenter: Peter White
Producer: Beth Hemmings
Production Coordinator: Liz Poole
Website image description: Peter White sits smiling in the centre of the image, wearing a dark green jumper. Above Peter's head is the BBC logo (three individual white squares house each of the three letters). Bottom centre and overlaying the image are the words "In Touch" and the Radio 4 logo (the word Radio in a bold white font, with the number 4 inside a white circle). The background is a bright mid-blue with two rectangles angled diagonally to the right. Both are behind Peter, one of a darker blue and the other is a lighter blue.
The rebel (M23) group is expected to fully withdraw from key areas in eastern DR Congo’s Nord Kivu province. Troops from the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) will take over areas surrendered by the rebels, whose resurgence in late 2021 has killed hundreds and displaced hundreds of thousands.
Scientists from the Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri) say they have found an invasive exotic freshwater snail which is not only decimating rice paddies, it's also putting people at risk of catching a strain of meningitis. The snail is believed to have arrived in the country in 2020 from South America
Sierra-Leonean fashion designer Sheila Winston-Martin tells us about her beautiful garments made of traditional Krio fabrics from her native Sierra Leone.
Tech Life looks into the world of Kidfluencers, and asks if too much of children's lives are shared online to make money - we speak to those involved in the industry in India. We also hear how cyber is playing a role in the war in Ukraine and we speak to Bolor Erdene Battsengel about digital life in Mongolia. Subscribe or follow Tech Life wherever you get your podcasts to receive future editions.
主持人菲菲本想给同事 Rob 一个惊喜，为他办一个生日聚会，但活动却没能如期举行 ，反而惹得 Rob 恼羞成怒。菲菲用表达 “go off on one” 来向 Neil 描述了 Rob 的反应。这是什么意思？生日聚会上究竟发生了什么？听节目，学习 “go off on one” 的意思和用法。
Rahul Tandon hears from experts as the International Monetary Fund says central bank financial stability actions should not take precedence over moves to calm inflation, unless a severe financial crisis occurs.
It’s also released a report saying Interest rates in major economies are expected to return to pre-pandemic levels.
Meanwhile as many as 93% of the countries most vulnerable to climate disasters are either in or at significant risk of debt distress - according to research by ActionAid International.
Switzerland's president, Alain Berset, says the government had no choice but to order the takeover of the troubled bank, Credit Suisse by its rival UBS, so as to prevent a financial crisis.
The attack targeted an area of resistance to the military government. Survivors say armed forces dropped a bomb on a village in the region of Sagaing, before firing on those below from a helicopter. Also: The UN faces an 'appalling choice' on whether to continue operations in Afghanistan, and the first woman to row solo across the Pacific Ocean.
Eavesdrop on the conversations of cows and go in search of the 'whistle pig', as Josie Long presents short documentaries and audio adventures about animals.
Extract from Actual bird record of a nightingale no. 1. Published by The Gramophone Company Ltd in 1910.
From the British Library Sound Archive, part of the Animals: Art, Science and Sound exhibition
https://sounds.bl.uk
Roger
Produced by Kalli Anderson
Does a Cow Know?
Featuring Samar Khan
Produced by Katie Revell
Curated by Axel Kacoutié, Eleanor McDowall and Andrea Rangecroft
Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4
Leaked Pentagon files have been shared across social media in recent days. The files include military assessments of the war in Ukraine and the extent to which the US spies on its allies. We ask a former US defence official what steps the Pentagon should take now.
Also in the programme: we hear from a junior doctor in England on the first of four days of industrial action for better pay; and the day President Biden arrives in Northern Ireland, we speak to a former US envoy to the province.
Photo:The Pentagon is seen from the air in Washington, U.S., March 3, 2022, more than a week after Russia invaded Ukraine. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts
We have a listener who celebrates a certain time of day, another who likes havin’ a bubble at work and a few others who can be very petty.
The writer Hadley Freeman stopped eating when she was 14, and spent the next three years in and out of hospital, battling with anorexia. Now in her mid-forties, she says she didn’t completely close the door on the disease until relatively recently. In Good Girls – A Story and Study of Anorexia, she gives an unflinching account of what happened to her and looks at what happens to girls who become anorexic now; what we know and what we don’t about the mental illness.
Did you know there are 36 new romantic comedy films coming out this year? From big blockbusters like Your Place or Mine featuring Reece Witherspoon and Ashton Kutcher to smaller budget hits like Rye Lane. So, are we having a rom com revival? We speak to film director Elizabeth Sankey, whose film Romantic Comedy looked at the history of the genre, and TV and film critic Rhianna Dhillon.
The Iranian police force have said that they plan to use smart technology in public places to identify and then penalise women who violate the country’s strict Islamic dress code. This comes a week after a video on social media showed a man throwing yoghurt over two women for not wearing a hijab. Nuala is joined by Faranak Amidi, the BBC’s Near East Women's Affairs correspondent to discuss.
Alexis Strum is an actress and sketch comedian. Twenty years ago she had a record deal and achieved her dream to make an album, but then it was pulled. She walked away from music – until now. A few weeks ago someone asked her to put her music up on Spotify and now she has finally launched her album including the song - Bad Haircut – which was inspired by a breakup, and has had 1 million views on TikTok. She joins Nuala to discuss becoming a pop star at nearly 46.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Emma Pearce
Today’s Martha Kearney, presenting from Belfast, spoke to former Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair, who helped negotiate the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. He shared mistakes he thought he had made under his administration, but also how the agreement has succeeded to this day, 25 years on. Sir Tony Blair shared what he would do if he was faced with today’s current struggles with devolution.
Martha Kearney then spoke to Tim McGarry, one of the writers of TV sitcom ‘Give My Head Peace’, and starring as the role Da. ‘Give My Head Peace’ hit the screens not long after the Good Friday Agreement and broke many taboos about The Troubles - it was based on two families - one Republican, one Loyalist. Even in the darkest of days, people often find a way of cracking a joke to ease the tension…
His comments were made during an interview with US broadcaster NBC. Also: A gunman kills four people in a bank shooting in Kentucky, new research suggests social inequalities could lead to water shortages, and Super Mario Bros movie breaks box office records.
Container ships are the monsters of the seas - the very biggest are almost half a kilometre long and piled high with up to 20,000 huge boxes. At any one time, there are tens of thousands of these floating cities on the move, many unable even to dock at local ports. It’s our relentless demand for more and cheaper stuff that drives the industry. We meet the British salvage man who’s making millions from the boxes that get left behind, lost or abandoned - yet another example of how invisible the world of shipping is, even though the whole planet depends on it.
Image: Jake Slinn, founder of JS Global, at Felixstowe docks
Shipping has long been one of the most opaque of global industries. Now many operations in the oil sector, which accounts for nearly a third of all seaborne trade, have become still more secretive, following the West's imposition of sanctions on Russian oil. A new "dark fleet" of ageing tankers with obscure ownership, flying flags of convenience, has been formed to avoid the sanctions - and there has been a big increase in risky ship-to-ship transfers at sea, which make it easier to disguise the oil's origin.
The Laconian Gulf in southern Greece is a major hub for such transfers, and locals now fear any accident could cause major environmental damage in an area which depends on tourism and fishing. Tim Whewell witnesses the operations close-up, and talks to campaigners who believe the influence of powerful shipowners makes local authorities turn a blind eye to possible dangers. Who is responsible for policing the operations of ships in international waters? And where is the oil going? The war in Ukraine has led to a major reshuffling of trade flows, as Asia becomes an ever bigger market for Russian crude.
Presenter: Tim Whewell
Producer: Monica Whitlock
Bulk carriers are the ships that keep the modern world going - like the MV Raeda and the MV Olivian Confidence carrying grain from Ukraine to Turkey, and flour to Afghanistan and Yemen. Zig zagging across the oceans for months at a time, bulk carriers keep us all going even in times of war and pandemic. "If it didn’t grow in your garden," says broker Aysu Gurgan, "a bulk carrier brought it to you."
Steel, sand, coal, cement - the very fabric of the modern world - all of it reaches us on bulkers. Unseen by the very populations that rely on them, each bulker is also home to international crews who spend half their lives on board.
Presenter: Tim Whewell
Producer: Monica Whitlock
The spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank are beginning in Washington - the major global financial institutions are gathering at a time of profound concern about the problem of persistent inflation, and concern about the health of the banking system after a number of failures of regional banks and wobbles in giant finance houses like Credit Suisse and Deutsche Bank.
President Joe Biden arrives in the province on Tuesday to join ceremonies marking the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday peace agreement. He will be meeting business leaders there - and that's significant because business problems with the post-Brexit arrangements in Northern Ireland have been a big factor in the current failure to re-establish devolved government.
And Jorge Luis Borges was Argentina's most famous writer - his works, including The Book of Sand, The Aleph and Universal History of Infamy, and he was a key figure in Spanish-language and international literature. He died in 1986 and his wife Maria Kodama became the fervent guardian of his literary estate. She was very strict over how her husband's work could be used, but she died at the end of March, and didn't leave a will. So now rights to the works of have fallen into limbo...
US President Joe Biden has dropped another hint that he will seek re-election in 2024. Mr Biden said on Monday that he "plans" on running again but added that he is "not prepared to announce it yet".
Also in the programme: Two prominent Chinese activists have been handed lengthy prison sentences after campaigning for greater government transparency. The wife of one tells us that she doesn't think he'll give up hope.
And why is the new Super Mario Bros Movie breaking box office records?
(Photo: US President Joe Biden greets guests at the Easter Egg Roll, a tradition dating back to 1878, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, 10 April 2023. Credit: Yuri Gripas/ABACA/POOL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Fears over the fate of 400 people stranded off the coast of Malta after they fled from Libya.
Also, thousands of Ethiopians take part in huge protests in Gonder, Betchena and Gojam in Amhara to denounce plans by the Federal government to disband the Amhara special forces.
And the strange case of convicted South African rapist and muderer Thabo Bester who's been extradited from Tanzania.
These stories and more in this podcast presented by Bola Mosuro.
The Great Pyramids of Giza are awesome feats of engineering and precision. So who built them - and how? Was it a mysteriously super-advanced civilization now oddly extinct? Was it even aliens?
Nah, course not! Rutherford and Fry investigate how these inspiring monuments were really constructed, and learn about the complex civilisation and efficient bureaucracy that made them possible.
Professor Sarah Parcak busts the myth that they were built by slaves. In fact, she reveals, it was gangs of well-paid blokes fuelled by the ancient Egyptian equivalent of burgers and beer. And Dr Chris Naunton explains how it was not some mysterious tech, but incredible organisation and teamwork which made it possible to transport massive stone blocks over long distances several thousand years before trucks arrived.
Dr Heba Abd El Gawad points out how racism led to bizarre assumptions in the history of archaeology, and how those assumptions linger in contemporary conspiracy theories which refuse to accept that Egyptians could have built the pyramids themselves!
Contributors: Professor Sarah Parcak, University of Alabama, Dr Chris Naunton, Egyptologist and broadcaster, Dr Heba Abd El Gawad, University College London
Bytedance, a parent company with TikTok, which operates in China, has recorded 79% increase in its profits to around $25 billion dollars last year.
Meanwhile China’s financial sector is reeling from a series of new corruption probes and a surge in surprise audits of venture funds.
And also - why are people in India consuming more ice cream in Winter?
China concludes three days military drills amid high tension in the South China Sea; also in the programme we speak to the wife of a Chinese activist sentenced to ten years in jail; and as Northern Ireland’s Good Friday Agreement turns twenty-five we hear from one of the peace campaigners who were involved in the negotiations.
(Photo: Taiwanese naval vessels in the South China Sea. Credit: Shutterstock)
Alexander Lukashenko says his country needs security guarantees from its ally, Russia, that it would defend its territory as if it were Moscow's own. Also: China says its military drills around Taiwan have ended successfully; and making dog-walking pay - lots!
How is the rapid progress in AI technology going to impact women? The Financial Times’ Artificial Intelligence Editor Madhumita Murgia joins Nuala McGovern to talk us through the issues of gender bias, legal grey areas and possible dangers for women as AI becomes more and more central to our lives.
Have you ever heard an interview with a robot on the radio? Nuala speaks to the world’s first ultra-realistic artist robot, Ai-Da. Ai-Da will tell us about her latest art project, as well as what she feels about people’s fears around artificial intelligence. Her creator, Aidan Meller, will also join the conversation to tell us why Ai-Da is so ground-breaking.
Where does the UK stand when it comes to AI progression? The government have recently released their ‘White Paper’, setting out investment aims for the technology industry. Verity Harding, visiting fellow at the Bennett Institute for Public Policy, to talk us through what’s in the plan for the future. Plus, hear how such investments can truly change the way we live, as Sarah Kerruish, Chief Operating Officer at Kheiron Med, tells us about MIA, the new artificial intelligence that helps radiologists identify 13% more breast cancers.
Does Artificial Intelligence really pose a threat to our jobs? And how will it impact women in the workplace? Professor Gina Neff, Executive Director of the Minderoo Centre for Technology and Democracy at Cambridge University, talk about the risk for women and what needs to be done to level the playing field when it comes to AI in the workplace.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Lottie Garton
Today’s Mishal Husain spoke to the founder of the humanitarian organisation ‘Save Ukraine’, Mykola Kuleba, who is also the Ukraine’s former children’s ombudsman.
Kuleba explained how the charity ‘Save Ukraine’ returned Ukrainian children home after they had been taken from Russian occupied areas.
Children were visiting what they had been told was a two week summer camp, and have only now been reunited with their parents six months later.
Some children, as young as eleven, spoke of being made to sing the Russian national anthem-- or write notes explaining why they hadn't. Thousands of Ukrainian families still have children in Russia.
Image credit: Valentyn Ogirenko, 07.04.23
Strength can look like a lot of things and, in this first episode of the stand-up series exploring women's weightlifting, comedian Jessica Fostekew starts at the most dirty, functional end of things - strongwoman.
It's where weightlifting meets theatre. You might have seen on the telly at Christmas, the one with Geoff Capes running around with a fridge on his little finger or giving an entire train a tow with his body.
Jess talks to four-times Britain's Strongest Woman Andrea Thompson and multiple world-record holder Mayyah Blair to get their take on strength, aesthetic and why the strongest women in the world still have to work part-time. And she tells us about the time she pulled an actual bus.
Lets face it, she goes on and on about it.
Written and Performed by Jessica Fostekew
Producer: Lyndsay Fenner
Executive Producer: Victoria Lloyd
Sound Recordist: David Thomas
A Mighty Bunny production for BBC Radio 4
The long-running war has left tens of thousands dead. Also: Benjamin Ferencz, the last surviving prosecutor from the Nuremberg trials after World War Two, has died aged 103, and the number of wild tigers in India has almost doubled over the past 20 years.
Saudi Arabia has backed Yemeni government forces against the rebels during the eight-year civil war. We speak to Farea al-Muslimi, a Yemen-born research fellow at the Chatham House foreign-affairs think-tank, about the significance of the meeting. Also on the programme: a funeral is held for two murdered British-Israeli sisters; and Newshour speaks to a conservation organisation in India about the success of a project to increase the country’s tiger population.
(IMAGE: The head of Houthi Supreme Council meets shakes hands with the Saudi ambassador to Yemen. CREDIT: Reuters)
Tensions rise in Jerusalem as three religious holidays converge, overnight Israel targeted Syrian military positions; Jordan warns of catastrophic consequences if Israeli forces storm Al-Aqsa Mosque; and we speak to the son of Benjamin Ferencz the last surviving prosecutor of the Nuremberg trials, who died aged 103.
(Photo: Israeli soldiers take up positions in Malkia on the Israel-Lebanon border. Credit: shutterstock)
Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh le Ruairidh MacIlleathain. Litir àireamh 1238. Roddy Maclean reads this week's letter for Gàidhlig learners.
The final part of a series of programmes on BBC Radio Wales marking the 900th anniversary of St David’s international recognition. David’s spiritual authority is said to have come from his reputed visit to Jerusalem in the 6th century, the city which is the focus of the Easter narrative and would have been at the centre of David’s world.
In the 21st century that city’s story is a complex and involved one: this programme does not seek to explain or explore those issues, but simply offers three Easter postcards from Jerusalem. These come from places connected with the events of Holy Week, which have been significant through the centuries. Their stories are told from the perspectives and through the voices of Christian visitors to and residents of a city which continues to inspire people from around the world.
Hundreds of pupils have gone to hospital, continuing the mysterious months-long phenomenon. Also: a personalised cancer jab is being developed, and a US judge suspends the approval of a widely-used abortion pill.
Tomorrow marks 25 years since one of the most significant moments in Northern Ireland's history: the Good Friday Agreement. It brought an end to decades of conflict, largely between Protestant unionists and Catholic nationalists. But what was the role of churches and faith leaders in restoring peace and then maintaining it?
Is music something that draws you to church, or keeps you away? The man in charge of evangelism in the Church of England says it can both attract and repel newcomers. The Rev Stephen Hance wants the church to offer a broader variety of music, to reflect our diverse backgrounds and tastes. He says the quality of music in church is also really important. We hear his thoughts along with those of Karen Gibson, conductor of the Kingdom Choir, a London based Gospel group.
Hiking can be physically demanding, but imagine doing it while fasting. Muslim Hikers was set up in the Peak District during lockdown and they're marking the holy month of Ramadan in the great outdoors. Twenty-year-old Sidra Ali takes us along on her overnight retreat, following a route with newly installed wooden signs, pointing in the direction of Mecca.
Producer: Jonathan Hallewell
Presenter: William Crawley
Editor: Tim Pemberton
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs.
In today’s programme: Nearly 2000 tech experts and scientists are calling for a halt to AI research: we talk to one of them. And “simply inexcusable”: the words of the World Health Organisation as it condemns China’s failure to share key Covid data from the beginning of the pandemic.
Plus we’re asking, “is there anybody out there?” - how likely it is we’re alone in this Universe?
A Trump-appointed federal judge in Texas has ordered a hold on the longstanding approval of a widely used abortion drug, mifepristone. But an hour later an Obama-picked judge in Washington state issued a competing ruling, ordering that access to the drug be preserved in 17 states. We hear from an abortion rights group and the Alliance Defending Freedom, the conservative Christian legal group which represented the plaintiffs in the Texas lawsuit. Also on the programme: China conducts military exercises around Taiwan; and what are the possibilities and pitfalls of AI-generated music? (FILE PHOTO: Boxes of mifepristone. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo)
The climate justice activist Mikaela Loach, who took the UK government to court for giving tax breaks to fossil fuels companies, discusses her new book It's Not That Radical: Climate Activism To Transform Our World.
Who is 'Stevenage Woman'? The Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer is being urged to focus on this female swing voter group in a new report by left-leaning think tank Labour Together. But how useful are these profiles and why are they used? With Rosie Campbell, professor of politics and Patrick English, associate director at YouGov.
The lawyer turned DJ Kavita Varu, who won the Inspiring Indian Women 'She inspires Rising Star' award.
It's 25 years since the Good Friday Agreement was signed - Aoife Smith, the programme manager for Community Dialogue, an organisation which aims to build trust amongst people who hold opposing political, social and religious views and Hilary Copeland who is the Director of Fighting Words NI, an arts and education charity for children and young people discuss their work to ensure that peace continues in Northern Ireland.
Are you afraid of the big, bad wolf? Where does this fear come from? Author Erica Berry was determined to find out after researching wild wolves in her home state of Oregon. In her book Wolfish she searches through folklore and literature to see how wolves have become the symbol of predatory men and how that has shaped our fear.
The popular 1980s trend of ‘getting your colours done’ is back. The hashtag #colouranalysis has had over 800 million views on TikTok. The journalist Kat Brown who is a big believer in the power of colour, and Nisha Hunjan, founder of Style ME UK, who uses colour analysis discuss.
Presenter: Jessica Creighton
Producer: Dianne McGregor
Texas judge suspends government approval of mifepristone abortion pill, but a judge in Washington ruled access to the drug must be preserved; also in the programme Chinese military drills around Taiwan and an exiled Russian journalist speaks about her imprisoned fiancé and her thoughts on her friend Evan Gershkovich arrest.
(Photo: Used boxes of Mifepristone in a waste basket in an abortion clinic. Copyright: Reuters)
Comedian Elis James, sports presenter Natalie Pike, football manager Phil Brown and comedian Ivo Graham join Colin Murray for an hour of sporting punditry, humour and entertainment. Points are awarded for informed comment, wit and passion, but taken away for nonsense and answers lacking in conviction.
In the final round, the top two points scorers go head-to-head in Defend the Indefensible, where they must both defend a statement however ludicrous or distasteful for twenty seconds. There can only be one winner!
Get the podcast from BBC Sounds.
اسکندر مقدونی ویرانگر تخت جمشید و برانداز آخرین شاه هخامنشی بود. با این حال چندین اسکندرنامه در مدح او نوشته شده است. چرا؟ اسکندر کبیر کیست و برای دوگانگی چهره ی او در فرهنگ و ادب فارسی چه توضیحی می توان یافت؟ این برنامه پیش از این یک بار پخش شده است.
Our new weekly collection of the happiest stories in the world. This week, educating girls in Afghanistan, the Finish octogenarian mastering Taekwondo, and dogs enjoying art in Greece.
Presented by Andrew Peach. Music produced by Iona Hampson.
Felicity Hannah hears how HMRC have extended the National Insurance top up deadline after a surge in calls plus a listener asks if a drop in house prices means they should worry about negative equity?
Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Editor: Clare Worden
Reporter: Dan Whitworth
Researcher: Eimear Devlin
Studio Manager: Olivia Miceli
As well as being a consummate journalist, newsreader and broadcaster, Sophie does ‘beyond the limits’ running…the Marathon des Sables for example…for pleasure?!
In this edition of Inheritance Tracks she reveals the very personal stories behind the music that continues to inspire her and evoke such fond and beautiful memories; from her Grandfather's peerless piano performances to the raucously fun jazz nights with the Raworth house band.
Music:
Inherited: Franz Schubert - Impromptu
Pass on: Frank Sinatra - Fly me to the moon
Producers:
Ben Mitchell and Ribika Moktan
Producers: Ben Mitchell and Ribika Moktan
Israeli police say a car rammed into people near the beach. Also: controversy over Nike's partnership with the US trans influencer, Dylan Mulvaney, and the FBI apologises for bursting into a hotel room - and arresting the wrong man.
Samsung blames a fall in profits on reduced demand for semiconductors and a slowing economy. Will Bain asks why have we gone from shortages to surplus.
We find out how ChatGPT could be in legal hot water over a defamation lawsuit in Australia.
And it's 25 years since the Good Friday Agreement, what has it meant for businesses in Northern Ireland.
Dozens of people have been killed in Nigeria after gunmen stormed a rural village and opened fire on residents. Many villagers are still missing following the attack in Benue State.
Tunisia's president casts doubt on an IMF bailout package, refusing to accept what he termed “diktats”. What will it mean for the country if there is no IMF loan?
And we also hear about the plight of many Cameroonians, lured by a job-phishing scam into Ghana and now find themselves stranded, with no job and no way home.
Funerals have been taking place for victims of the latest mass shooting in the United States. Six people – including three children aged 9 – were killed in the attack at the Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee.
Official data suggests guns are the leading cause of death for American children and teens - even more than car accidents. Researchers have recorded more than 130 mass shootings across the US so far this year. Their data suggests incidents have gone up significantly in recent years. The term “mass shooting” is generally understood to be incidents in which four or more people have been injured or killed.
Meanwhile, the debate about gun violence in the US continues to be highly polarised.
In this edition, we bring together those directly affected, who share the impact it has had on their lives.
Abede Dasilva and Max Schachter discuss dealing with the aftermath of a shooting. Abede’s brother Akilah was killed in 2018 at a Waffle House restaurant, also in Tennessee. Max’s son, Alex, was one of 17 victims murdered in the Parkland School shooting in Florida in the same year. We also talk to Jennifer Hubbard, whose six-year-old daughter Catherine was murdered by a lone gunman at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut.
Two mothers also tell us how they talk to their children about gun violence, and students in Tennessee send us messages about their protests against gun violence.
Writer, Sarah Hehir
Director, Dave Payne
Editor, Jeremy Howe
Adam Macy… Andrew Wincott
Adil Shah… Ronny Jhutti
Alice Carter…. Hollie Chapman
Brad Horrobin… Taylor Uttley
Brian Aldridge… Charles Collingwood
Chelsea Horrobin ….. Madeleine Leslay
George Grundy… Angus Stobie
Harrison Burns… James Cartwright
Helen Archer… Louiza Patikas
Jolene Archer… Buffy Davis
Justin Elliott…. Simon Williams
Kate Madikane… Perdita Avery
Lee Bryce… Ryan Early
Pat Archer… Patricia Gallimore
Susan Carter ….. Charlotte Martin
Tom Archer… William Troughton
Samsung Electronics announced that it would make a "meaningful" cut to chip production after flagging a 96% plunge in quarterly operating profit.
The chip-making giant said sales had dropped sharply due to a slow global economy and less demand after Covid.
The raids follow rocket salvos towards Israel. Also: A mother and daughter reunion in South Korea, Northern Ireland marks 25 years of peace, and new evidence that people were taking mind-altering drugs in Spain three thousand years ago.
The raids follow rocket salvos towards Israel. Also: A mother and daughter reunion in South Korea, Northern Ireland marks 25 years of peace, and new evidence that people were taking mind-altering drugs in Spain three thousand years ago.
The strikes follow clashes at al-Aqsa mosque and rocket attacks on Israel from Gaza and southern Lebanon. We get the latest news from Lebanon.
Also in the programme: as the 25th anniversary of the historic Good Friday peace agreement for Northern Ireland approaches, the threat of violence hasn't completely disappeared. We speak to Sara Canning, partner of the young journalist Lyra McKee, who was shot dead by local militants in Derry four years ago.
We'll also hear the story of a mother and daughter who fled North Korea; and learn about the hazards of Artificial Intelligence from an Australian who claims he has been defamed by a robot.
(Photo: Israeli Army strikes southern Lebanon, Alqulaylah. Credit: WAEL HAMZEH/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Today marks 25 years since the Good Friday Agreement was signed - bringing peace to Northern Ireland after 30 years of conflict. To mark this Jess Creighton is joined by two women working to continue that peace. Aoife Smith is the programme manager for Community Dialogue, an organisation which aims to build trust amongst people who hold opposing political, social and religious views and Hilary Copeland who is the Director of Fighting Words NI, an arts and education charity for children and young people.
Tanya Sarne was the woman behind the fashion brand Ghost. Launched in 1984, it became one of the biggest independent fashion brands in the 90s, famous for its outrageous parties and incredibly wearable but beautiful clothes. An only child to refugee parents, Tanya fell into fashion as an unemployed single mother of two, desperately trying to make a living. She's now written about her extraordinary life in a memoir, Free Spirit.
The civil rights group Black Equity Organisation is launching legal action following the Home Secretary's decision to drop three recommendations from the independent Windrush Inquiry. The recommendations in question are the establishment of a Migrants’ Commissioner, an increase in the powers of the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration and the running of reconciliation events. We discuss the reasons behind the judicial review with the CEO of the Black Equity Organisation, Dr Wanda Wyporska.
Angie Thomas is the global bestselling author of the novel The Hate U Give which was published in 2017, it became a best-seller and a film. Now, she has turned her hand to writing for younger readers with her new book Nic Blake And The Remarkables. Angie joins Jess Creighton to discuss.
Presented by Jess Creighton
Producer: Louise Corley
Editor: Beverley Purcell
A series of events are taking place to mark the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.
The Good Friday Agreement ended 30 years of violent conflict in Northern Ireland, known as the Troubles, which cost the lives of more than 3,500 people.
However divisions still persist. Police in Northern Ireland believe dissident republicans will use the anniversary to spark violence and attack officers.
The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) is currently blocking the formation of an executive as part of the party's protest against post-Brexit trading arrangements between the UK and EU.
The BBC’s Martha Kearney spoke to four people who have grown up since the peace agreement.
(Image: Aerial view over City Hall, Belfast, Credit: BBC)
يعرفكم أكسترا بودكاست خلال شهر رمضان على قصص أزواج من ثقافات مختلفة ، تحاورهم سوسن صبوح حول أثر اختلافاتهم الثقافية على حياتهم المشتركة، خاصة خلال المواسم الهامة كشهر رمضان.
في الحلقة الأولى من البودكاست تستمعون إلى قصة المغربي أمين بوسحاق و زوجته الهولندية فمكا.
أكسترا بودكاست “زواجي المختلط” من إعداد و تقديم سوسن صبوح، بمساعدة بناني الخنشي و فتحي بن عيسى، في رئاسة التحرير كريمة كواح.
تابعوا حلقات إكسترا بودكاست على موقع بي بي سي نيوز عربي سبوتيفاي ساوندكلاود وأبل بودكاست
By Robert Hudson
Inventive drama which explores the circumstances that led to the crashes of two Boeing 737 Max airplanes in a five month period, and the subsequent worldwide grounding of the entire fleet of the aircraft.
We are in Seattle in 2018, where a new passenger airplane is being assembled. It is a new 737 Max, Boeing's flagship aircraft designed to compete with its rival Airbus.
The aircraft's components are eagerly anticipating their maiden flight when they hear that another new 737 Max has crashed shortly after take off in Indonesia. The plane's Black Box flight recorder suspects that there is more to the story than pilot error, and embarks on a self-appointed mission to investigate what could have caused the crash.
Black Box . . . . . Fenella Woolgar
Chip . . . . . Clare Foster
Engine . . . . . Ed Gaughan
AOA . . . . . Kymberley Cochrane
Autopilot . . . . . Georgie Glen
Wing . . . . . Ewan Bailey
Firaz . . . . . Samuel James
Ed . . . . . Gerard McDermott
News Anchor . . . . . Leah Marks
Sound design: Keith Graham and Peter Ringrose
Production co-ordinator: Hannah O'Reilly
Director: Sasha Yevtushenko
Mexico has become the most dangerous country in the world to be a Catholic priest. In the past 15 years, 50 were killed in narco-related violence. And the young men who enter the priesthood in the region of western Mexico known as Tierra Caliente, meaning "hot land", are at particular risk. They will have to work in drug cartel-controlled communities, may have gang leaders or members in their congregations and will struggle with the ethical and theological dilemmas of publicly condemning these men’s actions at the risk of being murdered for speaking out. Even baptisms or delivering communion or receiving donations can prove extremely threatening: to refuse them any of the most sacred rituals of the Church is to defy the cartels. And few live to tell the tale having refused to bend to the cartels’ demands.
The BBC’s Mexico Correspondent, Will Grant travels to Tierra Caliente to meet a group of seminarians. In recent years, their director was attacked and almost killed. Members of a drug cartel entered their seminary, dragged off one of their colleagues and murdered him in the surrounding countryside. And the grave to one of their instructors is nestled by the chapel. All reminders, if any were needed, that these young men are about to join the world’s most dangerous priesthood. How are they prepared? Do they appreciate just what they are letting themselves in for? And how will they tackle the thorny ethical and spiritual questions which lie ahead as priests?
Come with us! Heart and Soul is moving and we would love it if you can join us. You can now find all our episodes on The Documentary, the home of original, global storytelling, from the BBC World Service. Search for The Documentary, wherever you found this podcast, and don’t forget to subscribe or follow.
The Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu earlier declared his country's enemies would pay a price for the attacks. Also: White House blames chaotic Afghan pull-out on Trump, and Star Wars production designer Norman Reynolds dies aged 89.
Mexico has become the most dangerous country in the world to be a Catholic priest. In the past 15 years, 50 were killed in narco-related violence. And the young men who enter the priesthood in the region of western Mexico known as Tierra Caliente, meaning "hot land", are at particular risk. They will have to work in drug cartel-controlled communities, may have gang leaders or members in their congregations, and will struggle with the ethical and theological dilemmas of publicly condemning these men’s actions at the risk of being murdered for speaking out. Even baptisms or delivering communion or receiving donations can prove extremely threatening: to refuse them any of the most sacred rituals of the Church is to defy the cartels. And few live to tell the tale, having refused to bend to the cartels’ demands.
The BBC’s Mexico correspondent, Will Grant, travels to Tierra Caliente to meet a group of seminarians. In recent years, their director was attacked and almost killed. Members of a drug cartel entered their seminary, dragged off one of their colleagues and murdered him in the surrounding countryside. And the grave to one of their instructors is nestled by the chapel. All reminders, if any were needed, that these young men are about to join the world’s most dangerous priesthood. How are they prepared? Do they appreciate just what they are letting themselves in for? And how will they tackle the thorny ethical and spiritual questions which lie ahead as priests?
IMF Chief Kristalina Georgieva says the next 5 years will see 3% growth, the slowest pace for more than 3 decades. Will Bain asks a former IMF official why the institution is making this warning now.
We hear from India as Central Bank there holds interest rates, the 2nd economy to do so in recent days following Australia.
And we gets the latest on the civil war engulfing golf, as the US Masters gets underway with 18 players from the Saudi-backed LIV taking part.
The Israeli military has accused the Palestinian militant group Hamas of firing dozens of rockets from southern Lebanon into northern Israel.
It said most of the 34 rockets were intercepted but that six hit Israeli territory, causing damage to buildings.
Hamas said it had no information about who fired the missiles. The attack was the biggest single barrage from Lebanon in 17 years.
Also in the programme: We'll hear what French President Emmanuel Macron's message for China was on his visit to Beijing; and the international golfers who have been told they cannot play for a lucrative Saudi tour without consequences.
(Photo shows Israeli security personnel checking the remains of a rocket in Shlomi, northern Israel on 6 April 2023. Credit: Fadi Amun/Reuters)
Chasing tornados in the American mid-West – scientists are trying to learn the maximum from the tornado outbreaks currently in America. Professor Karen Kosiba calls us from a radar truck studying the storms, and Professor John Allen explains the energy powering them.
From the weather of today to the skies of 800 years ago... Dr Sébastien Guillet reveals how lunar observations by medieval monks are helping untangle the connection between historic eruptions and climate.
Finally, we go back even further in time to the Bronze Age with Professor Elisa Guerra-Doce – to find out what drugs our ancestors were into.
Image credit: Getty Images / Michael B. Thomas
Producer: Roland Pease
Assistant Producer: Sophie Ormiston
Authorities in Ghana say 1,000 soldiers and police officers are being deployed to a north-eastern border town after gunmen killed an immigration officer and left two others in hospital.
Uganda's Director of Public Prosecutions has approved corruption charges against Karamoja Affairs Minister Mary Goretti Kitutu over her role in an iron sheets scandal in the north-eastern region.
Zimbabwe might implement a law criminalising the recruitment of its health personnel by other countries. Thousands of trained doctors and nurses have been streaming out of the country - actively recruited by head-hunters for better pay and working conditions.
Martha Lane Fox reflects on her thirty years in tech, including her front row seat in Elon Musk's takeover of Twitter, how she remains one of very few high profile women in the industry, and why we need to make sure the whole world shapes the debate on AI. Chenai Chair, from the Mozilla Foundation, joins us from Zimbabwe to explain the work they're doing to make sure minority languages are included in digital services. India business correspondent Nikhil Inamdar tells us about his experience seeing an app which is helping people in poor areas claim vital welfare payments. And Spencer Kelly, from our sister programme, Click, tells us what he found out about the future of food in his trip to the markets and laboratories of Singapore. Subscribe or follow Tech Life wherever you get your podcasts to receive future editions.
Emmanuel Macron appealed to the Chinese leader, Xi Jinping, to 'bring Russia to its senses' over the war. A Kremlin spokesperson dismissed the idea that China could mediate in the conflict. Also: Alarming new research about Antarctica's melting ice sheet, and a stolen platypus rides Australia's railway.
Since January this year, hundreds of thousands of people have walked out across France in protest of proposed changes to the national pension age. France's unions have stepped up action against the unpopular reforms.
The protests have made moving around cities difficult with regular traffic jams, train and flight delays.
French President Emmanuel Macron has urged his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to use his influence to help stop Russia's war in Ukraine. The French leader is on a state visit to China, which has refused to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Also on the programme: Japan runs out of space to bury chickens culled amid a record outbreak of bird flu. And months on from a devastating earthquake in Turkey, we hear about what life is like now in one of the country's worst-hit cities. (Image: French President Emmanuel Macron shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping after meeting the press at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, 06 April 2023. Ng Han Guan/POOL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Kavita Varu is a lawyer from Sheffield and a single mother of two who hit rock bottom just as we went into lockdown three years ago. She decided to learn how to DJ, bought some decks and taught herself. She started doing live sessions on social media, has since played in Ibiza and Amsterdam and recently won the Inspiring Indian Women “She Inspires Rising Star award”.
Academic and former international footballer Professor Laura McAllister has made history as the first Welsh woman to be elected to UEFA's executive committee. With a background in sports governance, Laura McAllister says she's on a mission to use her seat at the table to modernise the game and reflect the growth of the sport.
Iconic red-carpet looks from Lizzo and Phoebe Waller-Bridge go on display alongside the historic frocks that inspired them this spring. Crown to Couture at Kensington Palace gives audiences the exclusive chance to see Lizzo's spectacular 2022 Met Gala dress and Phoebe Waller-Bridge's Monique Lhuillier gown from the 2019 Emmys alongside original Georgian couture like the Silver Tissue Gown worn at the court of Charles II. We hear from Polly Putnam the curator of the exhibition.
'Romantic Comedy' is the new novel from the bestselling author Curtis Sittenfeld. Sally, a successful comedy writer in her own right meets Noah a global celebrity and she is thrown into turmoil. Can a 'normal' person date a superstar? It seems to work for her male colleagues who regularly step out with accomplished, beautiful women so why is Sally so plagued with insecurities? Curtis Sittenfeld joins Anita.
Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Kirsty Starkey
We hear from West Indies captain and WPL winner Hayley Matthews. She tells us that playing for her country is still her ‘number one priority’ and she speaks about the Fairbreak Invitational and the calibre of associate players in the competition.
We discuss a landmark week in Australia where Cricket Australia have announced an increase in payments for all centrally contracted cricketers, with female players now set to become the nation's highest paid women's athletes in Australian team sport.
And is there still a place for the physical booklet in cricket/sport when we are in a digital age? We ask this question to Ian Marshall who is the editor of the Playfair Cricket Annual. And the team debate their different preparation techniques for commentary.
Photo: PAARL, SOUTH AFRICA - FEBRUARY 19: Hayley Matthews of West Indies plays a shot during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup group B match between Pakistan and West Indies at Boland Park on February 19, 2023 in Paarl, South Africa. (Photo by Jan Kruger-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
The detectives recall the story Lucy Phelps gave about her missing husband and young son.
Housing Secretary Michael Gove has admitted that the government has made mistakes in the social housing sector.
His admission comes following our series on the death of 58-year-old Sheila Seleaone in Peckham, which went unnoticed by her housing association Peabody for more than two years.
Sheila's neighbours first alerted the housing association to maggots and 'the smell of death' in 2019 - it wasn't until February 2023 that Sheila's body was found in her flat.
Mr Gove told Today's Nick Robinson that some housing associations have a culture where monetary figures have been put 'ahead of the heart and soul engagement with the residents'.
(Photo Credit: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire)
After former police officer David Carrick was convicted for offences, including dozens of rapes, the Metropolitan Police began a review in January to root out unsuitable staff.
It has found that hundreds of officer cases need further checking - the Met Police Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley says the force can not succeed in its policing mission until changes are made.
Today's Mishal Husain talks with Sir Mark regarding the investigation of officer criminal convictions.
(Photo Credit: CARL DE SOUZA/Pool via REUTERS)
In Britain we have have failed for decades to build enough houses with good design and make living in them affordable – whether rented or bought. All this affects millions, especially young people. One place which seems to have a far better record is Vienna. Rents are affordable, the housing is high quality, there’s a good social mix with new estates designed with everyone in mind. So how has the City achieved this? And with pressures like a growing right to buy ethos, how sustainable all this in the face of future challenges? While the great Social Democratic tradition that Vienna’s housing embodies seems to have faded or disappeared across much of Europe, here it seems to have thrived. Is Vienna’s housing dream a one-off, or can it be a place everywhere else can learn from?
Reporter: Chris Bowlby
Producer: Jim Frank
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Ramayana, the ancient Hindu epic which is regarded as one of the greatest works of world literature. Its importance in Indian culture has been compared to that of the Iliad and Odyssey in the West, and it’s still seen as a sacred text by Hindus today.
Written in Sanskrit, it tells the story of the legendary prince and princess Rama and Sita, and the many challenges, misfortunes and choices that they face. About 24,000 verses long, the Ramayana is also one of the longest ancient epics. It’s a text that’s been hugely influential and it continues to be popular in India and elsewhere in Asia.
With
Jessica Frazier
Lecturer in the Study of Religion at the University of Oxford and a Fellow of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies
Chakravarthi Ram-Prasad
Distinguished Professor of Comparative Religion and Philosophy at Lancaster University
and
Naomi Appleton
Senior Lecturer in Asian Religions at the University of Edinburgh
The image above shows Rama, Sita, Hanuman, Lakshmana and devotees, from the Shree Jalaram Prarthana Mandal, Leicester.
Producer Luke Mulhall
Affordable housing is in widespread crisis. Many cities around the world have failed to build enough houses with good design and make living in them affordable – whether rented or bought. This effects millions, especially young people. One place which seems to have a far better record is Vienna. Rents are modest, the housing is high quality, there’s a good social mix with new estates designed with everyone in mind. So how has the City achieved this? And with pressures like a growing right to buy ethos, how sustainable all this in the face of future challenges? While the great Social Democratic tradition that Vienna’s housing embodies seems to have faded or disappeared across much of Europe, here it seems to have thrived. Is Vienna’s housing dream a one-off, or can it be a place everywhere else can learn from?
Reporter: Chris Bowlby
Producer: Jim Frank
Kevin McCarthy is the most senior politician to meet a Taiwanese leader on US soil since 1979. Also: Genesis Market cybercrime site is shut down in global police raids, and a deadly cobra in a cockpit forces an emergency landing in South Africa.
Police forces around the world have launched what's being called a major joint operation to dismantle one of the biggest criminal marketplaces online. Genesis Market is thought to have sold personal information stolen from more than two million people in the past six years or so. The details have allowed fraudsters to impersonate their victims online without raising suspicions. Often costing less than $1, the personal information let fraudsters log into bank and shopping accounts.
Law enforcement agencies from 17 countries were involved in the raids, which began at dawn on Tuesday. The operation was led by the FBI in the US and the Dutch National Police, working alongside the NCA in the UK, the Australian Federal Police, and countries across Europe. Globally, 200 searches were carried out and 120 people were arrested.
We hear from a lawyer representing thousands of tens of thousands of claimants who say they've been affected by Johnson and Johnson's trademarked talcum powder product. The claimants are considering a $9 BILLION settlement over claims that the talc-based powder caused cancer.
And, Sri Lanka's economic crisis is having a devastating effect on what used to be one of Asia's most successful emerging economies. It's shrunk by a fifth in the last 3 years alone. And that's having an impact on the population, hundreds of thousands of whom are simply packing up to leave the island. We speak to some of them leaving – and those left behind.
The latest on the dramatic developments in Scotland, with the arrest of Peter Murrell, the husband of Nicola Sturgeon, and the searching of their home.
Also, we hear from one of the Nepalese gurkhas who worked for the British in Kabul, who were rescued, and now are facing removal from the UK.
And we de-cipher the symbols on the Coronation invitation.
How did a convicted rapist manage to fake his own death and escape a high security prison in South Africa?
Also, Zimbabwean opposition spokeswoman found guilty for communicating falsehoods prejudicial to the government.
Plus, we meet the pilot who had to deal with a real life snake on a plane in South Africa.
Those stories and more in this podcast with Audrey Brown,
A global policing operation has shut down one of the world’s largest criminal marketplaces. Operation Cookie Monster saw the FBI, the Dutch Police and more than a dozen other law enforcement agencies raid Genesis Market, used to buy and sell more than 80 million passwords. We speak to the leader of the Dutch Police’s cyber crime unit.
Also on the programme: The President of Poland promises to deliver more fighter jets to Ukraine as Zelensky visits Warsaw and; the South African pilot forced to make an emergency landing after finding a stowaway cobra in his cockpit.
(IMAGE:File photo dated 06/08/13 of a woman using a laptop. CREDIT: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)
Women do 90% of the work in global healthcare but hold only a quarter of leadership roles. We hear from an American doctor who says patients are missing out on the unique perspective of women because they aren’t involved in strategic decision-making. Margaret in Nairobi has set up a WhatsApp group to help to improve the rights of community healthcare workers and Indian doctor Snigdha explains how equality can only happen if childcare and access to education for women are improved.
Pregnancy complications like pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes appear to make newborn babies “biologically younger” than those born to women who have healthy pregnancies. Researchers studied data from 1800 babies from 12 different parts of the United States and found that their so-called epigenetic age was reduced by around a week if their mothers had the conditions.
As students across the world ask the popular artificial intelligence programme Chat GPT to write their essays, Professor Graham Easton assesses how much impact it could have on healthcare, from breast cancer screening to medical record keeping.
Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producer: Paula McGrath
Image Credit: Getty Images/ SDI Productions
Asylum and 'home' - the impact of asylum dispersal and Syrian refugees' quest for home. Laurie Taylor talks to Jonathan Darling, Associate Professor in Human Geography at Durham University, about the system of housing and support for asylum seekers and refugees in Britain, from the first outsourced asylum accommodation contracts in 2012 to the renewed wave of outsourcing pursued by the Home Office today. Drawing on six years of research into Britain's dispersal system, and foregrounding the voices and experiences of refugees and asylum seekers, he argues that dispersal has caused suffering and played a central role in the erasure of asylum from public concern.
Also, Vicki Squire, Professor of International Politics at the University of Warwick, discusses the narrative recollections of people who have survived the current Syrian War, only to confront the challenges of forced displacement and relocation, from the West Midlands to London, Canada. What is the meaning of home to those who are subjected to complex migratory journeys and carry memories of extended family, community and homeland in a conflict which has displaced half the population? How do refugees create home ‘away’ from home?
Producer: Jayne Egerton
Three leading grain exporters have announced they will no longer handle Russian grain exports. From July, the companies will only charter cargo ships for agricultural shipments from Russia.
The move has stoked fresh concerns about global food security and increasing prices.
Israeli police and Palestinian worshippers clash at Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem. Also in the programme: the Ukrainian grain glut that is affecting Poland’s farmers; and the exhibition featuring work by a jailed Russian anti-war artist.
(Photo: Israeli policemen detain a Palestinian man in Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. Credit: Reuters)
Greg goes on a Bacon Fries quest but gets frazzled by the listeners, Mollie King is back to play Top Of The Shops and Ellie Goulding is getting very impersonal.
The French president made his comments during a visit to Beijing. Also: Ukraine's president visits Poland, and Rupert Murdoch calls off his engagement.
She is best known for her role as the Poplar-based midwife Trixie Franklin, in Call the Midwife. Helen George has also been a star of Strictly Come Dancing, sung with Elton John and at Buckingham Palace to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day. She now brings all her theatrical skills together by stepping into Deborah Kerr's shoes to play the part of Anna in a UK tour of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical The King and I.
Is ‘Stevenage Woman’ the new ‘Mondeo Man’? The Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer is being urged to focus on this female swing voter group in a new report by left-leaning think tank Labour Together. But how useful are these profiles and why are they used? And from ‘Workington Man’ to ‘Essex Man’, why are they typically male? We discuss with Rosie Campbell, Professor of politics and Patrick English, Associate Director at Yougov.
A House for Alice is the new novel by Diana Evans, a sequel to the much acclaimed Ordinary People. It is a multigenerational portrait of a black British family, and explores the impact of matriarch Alice’s decision to return to the country of her birth, Nigeria, to live out her later years. Diana joins Nuala in the studio to discuss the inspiration behind the novel.
Did you ever flick through Carole Jackson’s hit book ‘Colour Me Beautiful’ to “find your season”? The popular 1980s trend of ‘getting your colours done’ is back. The hashtag #colouranalysis has 766million views on TikTok and you can even find a filter to work out your colours for yourself. So, as we are once again asking ‘what season am I?” We talk to Journalist Kat Brown who is a big believer in the power of colour, and Nisha Hunjan, founder of Style ME UK, who uses colour analysis.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Emma Pearce
Sheila Seleoane lay dead for two and a half years before her body was found - despite repeated efforts to raise the alarm. Sheila was a 58-year-old medical secretary who died in her South London flat in August 2019.
In a final report by the BBC's Harry Farley, he goes back to speak to her neighbours.
Today's Martha Kearney speaks to Ian McDermott, chief executive of Peabody, the housing association which was Sheila’s landlord.
一位听众来信询问：在 “中国长城” 的英文名称 “The Great Wall of China” 中，为什么名词 “wall” 用单数，而在 “castle walls（城堡围墙）” 中却使用复数 “walls”？本期 “你问我答” 节目将回答这个问题，并讲解什么是名词单复数以及它们的使用方法。
Grocery prices have increased by 17.1% in the four weeks to 19th February, meaning it’s at the highest level they’ve ever been recorded. This could mean households see over £800 extra on their annual food shop (Kantar).
With grocery inflation being the second most important financial issue for the public, behind energy costs, we speak to shopper’s about how their household budgets are being affected.
The experts on the panel are, Kris Hamer, Director of Insights at the British Retail Consortium, Sabine Goodwin, Coordinator at the Independent Food Aid Network and Lisa Webb, consumer expert at Which.
Presenter: Dan Whitworth
Producer: Amber Mehmood
Editor: Clare Worden
The former US president addresses his supporters after pleading not guilty to all 34 criminal charges brought against him. In this special update, we report from Florida, New York and the traditional Republican stronghold of Arizona.
The former US President Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty to criminal charges. It’s the latest legal battle he faces. Will it put a strain on Trump’s $2.5 billion business empire?
Trump denied the charges during an hour-long court hearing in New York. He stands accused of falsifying records to conceal crimes. The charges focus on hush money paid to porn actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election.
Donald Trump faces other investigations away from the criminal courts, piling pressure on the former Republican President as he prepares to stand again in the next election in 2024 as well as leading a huge business, running golf clubs, hotels and a property portfolio.
And – Is the party is over for many of the world’s richest people. Forbes billionaires list has just come out and shows that half of billionaires on the list lost their wealth and got kicked off the list. For the second straight year, both the number of billionaires around the globe has declined, and total billionaire wealth has dropped too –down by $500 billion to $12.2 trillion.
The former US President Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty to criminal charges. It’s the latest legal battle he faces. Will it put a strain on Trump’s $2.5 billion business empire?
Trump denied the charges during an hour-long court hearing in New York. He stands accused of falsifying records to conceal crimes. The charges focus on hush money paid to porn actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election.
Donald Trump faces other investigations away from the criminal courts, piling pressure on the former Republican President as he prepares to stand again in the next election in 2024 as well as leading a huge business, running golf clubs, hotels and a property portfolio.
And – what makes a great company? We take a look at a new list of the top 100 companies to work for….
Manhattan prosecutors unveil details of the 34 criminal felonies the former US President is charged with. We report from the scene and speak to Marc Lotter, one of Donald Trump’s 2020 election campaign chiefs and former Federal Prosecutor Duncan Levin.
Also on the programme: Finland joins NATO, doubling the length of the bloc’s border with Russia. We ask if the accession of the traditionally neutral country worsen tensions with Russia; and one half of Daft Punk’s surprising foray into ballet and classical music.
(IMAGE: Trump sits in the courtroom for his arraignment in New York Criminal Court CREDIT: SETH WENIG/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
It's the first time a current or former US president has been arrested and appeared in a criminal court as a defendant. Also: Finland joins NATO, and the chairman of Credit Suisse apologises to shareholders.
Where do you go if you are seeking training on how to use the various technology? We look at whether the training provided by rehabilitation services goes deep enough and what alternatives are available to you. We speak to Simon Labbett, who is a rehab officer and Chair of the Rehabilitation Workers Professional Network, to Scott Wood who is a team leader at the RNIB's Technology for Life service and to Mike Townsend, who is representing the Technology Association of Visually Impaired People.
Blind stand-up comedian Chris McCausland has a new four part show, that airs on Radio 4's Tuesday night comedy slot. It's called You Heard it Here First and panellists have to decipher what is going on in a variety of audio clips. We review the first episode with visually impaired comedy writer and Assistant TV Producer, Reece Finnegan. On the episode in question, Chris' panellists were: Rhys James, Donna Preston, Alasdair Beckett-King and Ria Lina.
Presenter: Peter White
Producer: Beth Hemmings
Production Coordinator: Liz Poole
Website image description: Peter White sits smiling in the centre of the image, wearing a dark green jumper. Above Peter's head is the BBC logo (three individual white squares house each of the three letters). Bottom centre and overlaying the image are the words "In Touch" and the Radio 4 logo (the word Radio in a bold white font, with the number 4 inside a white circle). The background is a bright mid-blue with two rectangles angled diagonally to the right. Both are behind Peter, one of a darker blue and the other is a lighter blue.
Kenya is preparing to launch its first-ever Earth observation satellite in what is being described as a landmark achievement in the country’s space exploration efforts.
The latest on the plight of refugees and civilians affected by fighting in North Kivu province, in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
More people today face danger from mines and unexploded devices compared to two years ago. What are the areas facing the biggest danger and what kinds of mines or devices pose the problems?
South African rapper, Nasty C, speaks to us about his career and how the ongoing load-shedding situation in the country inspired his latest hit “Blackout”
Nato’s secretary general Jens Stoltenberg said it was a historic day. Finland applied to join the alliance in response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Also: New York braces for Donald Trump’s court appearance, and a new era for the electronic band Daft Punk.
Furious investors have criticised Credit Suisse chairman Alex Lehmann, at the bank’s final shareholder meeting.
Mr Lehmann apologised to the audience and explained why he thought the bank had failed.
Trump is under investigation over hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. We speak to the BBC's James Reynolds live outside the court and Jim Trusty, a member of Trump’s legal team.
Also on the programme: Finland joins Nato; and Newshour speaks to a member of Daft Punk who has turned to writing music for ballet.
(Image: A Trump supporter carries a sign outside a New York court CREDIT: EPA)
Josie Long presents short documentaries and audio adventures that invite a listener to participate. From a musical performance to sinking into the perspective of your wall.
Your Wall
Produced by Sharon Mashihi
Originally created for the audio issue of McSweeney’s magazine, in collaboration with Radiotopia
Sharon’s editor at McSweeney’s was Claire Boyle. Additional notes were provided by Audrey Mardavich and Julie Shapiro.
Three Layer Score
Produced by Kalli Anderson
Engineer: Chad Bernhard
Composer and Narrator: Elizandro Garcia Montoya
Performers: Kalli Anderson, Theo Carroll, Minna Finkelstein, Elwyn Finkelstein, Zack Finkelstein, Jacob Krupnick, Lu Olkowski, Jess Shane, Carly Stone, Kate Sutherland and Zoe Tennant
Late night, with headphones, in a completely, utterly, dark room, with some space to move
by Hofesh Shechter
From Everyday Moments, produced by Fuel
To hear more, visit Fuel Digital at https://fueltheatre.com/projects/everyday-moments/
Curated by Axel Kacoutié, Eleanor McDowall and Andrea Rangecroft
Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4
Munroe joins Greg to chat about their schooldays and play a game of What’s My Age Again. Also, Aileen has been asking a saucy question to Canadians and a farty flypast from a horse appears in Animal News.
On the Woman’s Hour Power List this year, sports reporter Fiona Tomas joins Nuala to discuss the change in kits for the England Women’s football team and her work as a journalist.
In the next in our series about narcissistic mothers we hear the story of a woman we are calling 'Scarlett'. She cut off all contact with the mother she believes is a narcissist and has no regrets.
Climate justice activist Mikaela Loach took the UK government to court for giving tax breaks to fossil fuel companies. Her urgent new book ‘It’s Not That Radical: Climate Action to Transform Our World’ makes the case for tackling the climate crisis in tandem with other inequalities, offering a more hopeful future through practical action. She joins Nuala in the studio.
Alison Kinnaird was rejected by Edinburgh Art School when she applied as a teenager. Now she’s one of the world’s leading glass artists – and says that rejection was the best thing that ever happened to her. She joins Nuala to explain why and to talk about some of the remarkable things she’s created.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Lucinda Montefiore
Sheila Seleoane was found in her Peckham flat in February 2023 and had to be identified by dental records.
Her neighbours initially made complains to their housing association, Peabody, about a foul stench and maggots in 2019 – but the housing association only made one “proactive attempt” to contact the tenant and cut off her gas.
Miss Seleoane’s last known contact was with her GP in August 2019, and when her body was found, the cause of her death was unascertained due to the advanced state of composition of her body.
But what was she like and who was she? In the second in a series of three, Harry Farley talks to Today’s Justin Webb about loneliness and isolation while living in an urban area.
不论是安排日程还是制定预算，有时需要预留一些 “允许变通、商量的空间”。英语表达 “wiggle room” 就指这种 “回旋余地”。主持人菲菲用表达 “wiggle room” 告诉同事 Neil 自己会争取更高的团队聚餐预算。听菲菲和 Neil 的对话，学习这个地道英语表达的含义和用法。
Shipping has long been one of the most opaque of global industries. Now many operations in the oil sector, which accounts for nearly a third of all seaborne trade, have become still more secretive, following the West's imposition of sanctions on Russian oil. A new "dark fleet" of ageing tankers with obscure ownership, flying flags of convenience, has been formed to avoid the sanctions - and there has been a big increase in risky ship-to-ship transfers at sea, which make it easier to disguise the oil's origin.
The Laconian Gulf in southern Greece is a major hub for such transfers, and locals now fear any accident could cause major environmental damage in an area which depends on tourism and fishing. Tim Whewell witnesses the operations close-up - and talks to campaigners who believe the influence of powerful shipowners makes local authorities turn a blind eye to possible dangers. Who is responsible for policing the operations of ships in international waters? And where is the oil going? The war in Ukraine has led to a major reshuffling of trade flows, as Asia becomes an ever more more bigger market for Russian crude.
Presenter: Tim Whewell
Producer: Monica Whitlock
(Photo: The vessel Merope anchored in the bay of Ceuta after having carried out oil transfer operations in international waters off the coast of Ceuta, 14 March, 2023. Credit: Antonio Sempere/Europa Press/Getty Images)
Oil prices have surged after several of the world’s largest exporters announced a cut in production. Saudi Arabia, Iraq and several Gulf states announced they were cutting output by more than a million barrels of oil a day. Also, Russia said it will extend its cut of half a million barrels per day until the end of the year. The price of Brent has risen by almost 6% as a result to around $85 a barrel. The cutback in production caught the rest of the world by surprise – not least in the US, which had been calling for an increase. Today oil producers in the US have been giving their reaction.
The French President, Emmanuel Macron is on his way to Beijing, aiming to build bridges between his country and China, just as the world's second-largest economy gets closer to Russia. Also heading there is the European Commission President, Ursula Von Der Leyen. Both she and President Macron will be meeting with President Xi on Wednesday. But while Macron seemingly wants to improve diplomatic relations, Von Der Leyen has been taking a spikier approach of late.
The cost of living crisis may be blighting livelihoods, indeed national economies all round the world, but there's at least one business that does seem to be booming at the moment. Weddings. Post pandemic the number of weddings is surging, a 60% increase compared to 2020 in the US, it's thought and by some estimates the global industry could quadruple over the next decade.
The former US President returns to his hometown to face charges over hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. On Tuesday he will become the first former president to be criminally indicted. We speak to the BBC’s James Reynolds live from Trump Tower and New York Times investigative journalist Susanne Craig.
Also on the programme: NASA announces the four astronauts set to head to the moon for the first time since 1972 and; Newshour speaks to the inventor of the first mobile phone.
(IMAGE: Donald Trump’s plane at Palm Beach International Airport CREDIT: REUTERS/Marco Bello)
Donald Trump is the first former US president in history to face a criminal case. He denies any wrongdoing. Also: Finland to join Nato military alliance on Tuesday, and Nasa names its Artemis-2 crew destined for the Moon.
Oil prices have surged after several of the world’s largest exporters announced a cut in production. Saudi Arabia, Iraq and several Gulf states announced they were cutting output by more than a million barrels of oil a day. Also, Russia said it will extend its cut of half a million barrels per day until the end of the year. The price of Brent has risen by almost 6% as a result to around $85 a barrel. The cutback in production caught the rest of the world by surprise – not least in the US, which had been calling for an increase. Today oil producers in the US have been giving their reaction.
Also – we look at 50 years of the barcode…technology which transformed the global supply chain.
In Nigeria, an unspecified number of people have been killed and hundreds of houses burnt down in the Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi state. The attack on Sunday has heightened security concerns in the state which has witnessed similar incidents in the past.
In Kenya, protests which have been ongoing in the country have been called off. They were due to continue today, but Opposition leader Raila Odinga called them off after being approached by President William Ruto.
Sierra Leone general elections are just over two months away and the political barometre is heating up. In the latest flare up, the motorcade of the presidential hopeful for the main opposition APC had a bruising encounter with the police on a main highway leading to Freetown.
A Kenyan startup - Kubik - has been awarded Startup of the Year in a global competition which spans 120 countries. They remove plastic from the environment and use that to create building materials for housing.
The poet Nikita Gill has written several volumes of poetry, and enjoys engaging poetically with her audience using social media. Her work often explores Greek myths, and her latest project is a series of four books, each one focusing on a single goddess. For this episode of In the Studio, we join her as she starts with Hekate, often called the goddess of witchcraft, and about whom little is known, other than that she was brought up in the underworld by Styx.
Nikita describes Hekate as a dark anti-feminine goddess and a protest against what is expected of women, which is what appealed to her. But how do you go about creating a life for someone who is so mysterious? And as Nikita will also be illustrating her work, how will she decide how to visually portray her?
Follow Nikita across several months as she works towards completing her first draft of this exciting new work.
Presented and produced by Rebecca Armstrong for the BBC World Service
Russian investigators have detained a woman in the hunt for the killers of pro-war blogger Vladlen Tatarsky in a blast at a St Petersburg cafe. Also on the programme, a Newshour special broadcast from Ohio; and, Yunupingu, one of the most prominent and influential indigenous leaders of the past half century in Australia, has died.
(Photo: Darya Trepova, suspected of bringing explosives to the cafe where war blogger Vladlen Tatarsky was killed in an explosion, speaks on camera during her arrest in Saint-Petersburg. 03/04/2023 Reuters)
Oil prices have surged after Saudi Arabia, Iraq and several Gulf states said on Sunday they were cutting output by more than one million barrels of oil a day. In addition, Russia said it will extend its cut of half a million barrels per day until the end of the year. Now markets are raising concerns about petrol prices which is again demonstrating the dependence of the global economy from the oil industry.
Investigators have detained 26-year-old Darya Trepova in connection with the bombing that killed Vladlen Tatarsky in St Petersburg on Sunday. Also: the survivors of an English suicide bombing launch landmark legal action against the conspiracy theorist who claimed it was faked, and we hear from the man who made the first mobile phone call 50 years ago.
Listener Ben has a strange way of keeping his ears warm, a big movie star has been spotted at the bingo, we say goodbye to our favourite sneezy newsreader, Greg turns Saturday Kitchen into a beautiful chaos and What the Dicken’s is going on at the BBC?
Nuala McGovern talks to Costanza Hermanin from the European University Institute in Florence and Sarah De Lange from the University of Amsterdam about the success of this new breed of female leader.
In Afghanistan, the new school year has started. But for the second year running, a Taliban ban is keeping teenage girls out of school. The BBC World Service has launched a brand-new education series for children in the country aged 11-16 who are deprived from school, including girls whose secondary education has been stopped by the ruling Taliban. It's called Dars, which means 'lesson' in Dari and Pashto, the two national languages in Afghanistan. It is the first multi-platform educational programme for Afghan youth. We hear from one of the presenters of the programme Shazia Haya and one of its producers, Mariam Amam.
Are you afraid of the big, bad wolf? Where does this fear come from? Author Erica Berry was determined to find out after researching wild wolves in her home state of Oregon. In her book ‘Wolfish’ she searches through folklore and literature to see how wolves have become the symbol of predatory men and how that has shaped our fear.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Lisa Jenkinson
Studio Manager: Bob Nettles
Residents in a south London block of flats are considering legal action against a housing association, after their neighbour lay dead for two and a half years before her body was found, despite their efforts to raise the alarm.
58-year-old Sheila Seleoane, was a medical secretary, who was found in her flat in Peckham last year. For Sheila's neighbours though it had been obvious for a long time that something was wrong.
This week we’re looking more closely at Shelia's story, to explore what happened and what it tells us about modern Britain.
Harry Farley speaks to Today's Mishal Husain, and in the first of three reports, he asks why it took so long before Sheila was discovered?
Chris McCausland asks a panel of comedians to live in an audio only world, deciphering brainteaser sound cues for points and pride whilst trying not to muck about too much along the way.
In this episode, contestants try to figure out what on earth is being advertised on the TV, guess what famous objects or locations children are trying to describe, and work out the age of women based solely on the sound of their voice.
The competing comedians are Rhys James and Donna Preston, taking on Alasdair Beckett-King and Ria Lina.
Producer: Sasha Bobak
Executive Producer: Pete Strauss
Production Co-ordinator: Becky Carewe-Jeffries
Sound editor: Jerry Peal
Theme music ‘Colour me Groovy’ by The Rich Morton Sound
Recorded at the Backyard Comedy Club, Bethnal Green
Russia's Interior Ministry says Vladlen Tatarsky died and several others were injured. Also: The veteran leader of the Balkan state of Montenegro, Milo Djukanovic, has been defeated in a presidential election, and Parisians have voted to end on-street rentals of e-scooters.
Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga has called off mass anti-government protests following a televised appeal from President William Ruto. Demonstrations earlier this week had turned violent, and many feared a repeat of the inter-ethnic fighting of 2007 and 2008. We speak to Mr Odinga.
Also on the programme: an explosion in a St Petersburg café kills one of Russia’s most prominent military bloggers; and the grandfather of electronic pop, Ryuichi Sakamoto, has died at the age of 71.
(IMAGE: A supporter of Kenya's opposition leader Raila Odinga runs in front of a water cannon. CREDIT: REUTERS/John Muchucha)
President Volodymyr Zelensky has marked the anniversary of the retreat of Russian forces from Kyiv with a statement claiming Ukrainian troops had defeated the greatest force of evil of our time.
We will be speaking to the leader of a delegation from South Africa's governing ANC visiting Moscow. Why do they find it so hard to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine?
Also, should Paris ban electric scooters?
(Photo: Ukraine war: Russian strike on eastern city Kostyantynivka 'kills six' -- ruined apartment blocks in Kostyantynivka. Credit: @ANDRIYYERMAK/TWITTER)
Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh le Ruairidh MacIlleathain. Litir àireamh 1237. Roddy Maclean reads this week's letter for Gàidhlig learners.
Fr Matthew Roche-Saunders, a Catholic priest from the parish of Aberystwyth is in Rome, following in the footsteps of faithful pilgrims across the centuries. 900 years ago this year, as recorded by the English historian William of Malmesbury, Pope Callixtus II granted a privilege to St Davids to be of significant spiritual importance for pilgrims. As part of our 'In The Footsteps of David' series of programmes celebrating our patron saint, Fr Matthew explores the act of pilgrimage, hearing from others visiting places around the globe linked to Saint David, to understand more about this journey of faith.
Emily Buchanan explores the ethical and religious issues of the week. There's Ramadan recipes, an update on Pope Francis' health and we meet Christian nudists in Florida.
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs.
In today’s programme: Why we might need to re-draw dinosaur faces: it turns out T Rex had lips - how did we miss that? Also, as the UK government moves to make laughing gas illegal we look at how it works and why they’re doing this.
Plus these days nothing seems to be repairable - it’s almost as if manufacturers don’t want you to fix a broken gadget and instead buy a new one. We find out why that might be.
Tens of thousands protest despite postponement of controversial reforms. Also: A leading Ukrainian Orthodox cleric has appeared in court on suspicion of supporting the Russian invasion, and why the role-playing game dungeons and dragons could be a good form of therapy.
The abbot of a major monastery in Kyiv, Metropolitan Pavel Lebed, is suspected of backing Russian invasion and inciting religious hatred. We hear the latest from the Ukrainian capital.
Also in the programme: a look at the US ambitions of Bytedance, the company behind the controversial, Chinese-owned video-sharing app Tiktok; and the decline of a seasonal tradition, the April Fool.
(Photo: Metropolitan Pavlo of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, accused of being linked to Moscow, receives an accusation letter from members of the State Security Service in Kyiv. Credit: Press Service of the State Security Service of Ukraine/Handout via REUTERS)
The Conservative MP Miriam Cates said in the House of Commons that children were being exposed to “graphic” and "age inappropriate" material during their sex education classes. The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has decided to bring forward a review of the Department for Education’s Relationships and Sex Education guidance in England. Two parents, Fiona, a listener and parent of four and Clare Page who was concerned about what her daughter was being taught discuss.
Sian Richardson from Pembrokeshire in Wales is Number 12 on our Woman’s Hour Power List 2023. Sian started The Blue-tit Chill Swimmers nearly 10 years ago, a cold water swimming community which now boasts an incredible 100,000 members world-wide. She explains why she’s encouraging people to get in the water and enjoy the outdoors.
Leah Williamson, who took the Lionesses to victory at the Euros in 2022, tops the Woman's Hour Power List 2023. She explains what role her mum plays in her success and talks about male allies in women’s football.
Money and Love: An Intelligent Roadmap for Life’s Big Decisions, is written by Stanford professor emeritus Myra Strober, who is an early feminist economist and Abby Davisson, one of Myra's former pupils who is now a social innovation expert. They give detailed advice about navigating the crossroads of finances within a relationship at different life stages.
Pessimism is for Lightweights is a new collection of poems by the celebrated performance poet Salena Godden. Salena discusses the collection, how poetry can confront misogyny and injustice, and why she personified death as a woman in her debut novel Mrs Death Misses Death.
Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Paula McFarlane
Editor: Lucinda Montefiore
Severe weather in the United States has killed at least seven people and caused devastation across several states. Tornadoes killed three people in the state of Arkansas and injured more than twenty others. Further north, another three people died when a storm destroyed many homes in Indiana. In neighbouring Illinois, one person was killed when a theatre roof collapsed in the town of Belvidere.
Also on the programme: The authorities in Iran have promised to enforce rigorously the wearing of headscarves following months of protests. With a growing number of women going unveiled in public, MPs have given them days to act.
And we look at the fantasy role-play game Dungeons and Dragons - as a form of therapy.
(Photo: Tornado damage in Arkansas. Credit: Reuters)
در جریان جنبش زن زندگی آزادی شماری از کسب و کارها و صنایع در ایران توسط بخشی از اپوزیسیون متهم به همدستی با نظام اسلامی شدند، اتهامی که تعدادی از این کسب و کارها را دچار تلاطم کرد. با اینکه تلاطم از سر آنها گذشت این سوال برجا ماند که کسب و کارهایی که بزرگ میشوند چه ارتباطی با نهادهای حکومتی دارند. در مورد ماهیت اقتصاد ایران و اینکه سرمایهداری ست یا نه نظرات متفاوت است اما در این مورد که تصمیمها و مناسبات سیاسی تعیینکنندهی سمت و سوی اقتصاد ایران است کمتر اختلاف نظر وجود دارد.
Comedian Justin Moorhouse, football journalist and broadcaster Mina Rzouki, presenter Reece Parkinson and broadcaster David Alorka join guest host Jordan North for an hour of sporting punditry, humour and entertainment. Points are awarded for informed comment, wit and passion, but taken away for nonsense and answers lacking in conviction.
In the final round, the top two points scorers go head-to-head in 'Defend the Indefensible' where they must both defend a statement however ludicrous or distasteful for twenty seconds. There can only be one winner!
Get the podcast from BBC Sounds
Our new weekly collection of the happiest stories in the world. This week, how an amateur digger in Australia hit the jackpot, the boy who spent three years camping out for charity, and could the secret to happiness lie in our sweat?
Presented by Andrew Peach. Music produced by Iona Hampson.
For Elizabeth Day, nothing succeeds like failure as her award-winning podcast How To Fail With Elizabeth Day proves - and getting in the way of defeat once again is her new book Friendaholic: Confessions of a Friendship Addict.
In this edition of Inheritance Tracks she reveals how a warm down track in a spin class helped her through a tough time in her life and how the story behind one Abba classic struck a chord during her childhood living in Northern Ireland through The Troubles.
Today’s Martha Kearney spoke to Christopher Eccleston following the closure of the Oldham Coliseum due to a loss of funding from Arts Council England. They are giving money to build a new theatre in Oldham instead. The closing night saw an emotional Christopher Eccleston and Maxine Peake perform excerpts from a new adaptation of Ken Loach's film I, Daniel Blake - which was due to have been on the Coliseum stage this summer.
Eccleston talked about his frustration at the lack of funding, which he felt especially targets arts in the North West. The actor discussed growing up in a working class background and the ever-growing elitism of the arts: ‘you’ve got to be Oxbridge otherwise you can’t act’, he says.
He says he became an actor not for money, but for his own self-expression and ‘pursuit of the heart’, and that he couldn’t do so without the support of his wonderful family.
It’s illegal in around 30 countries in Africa to be in a same-sex relationship and recently there’s been political debate in places such as Uganda and Ghana around stricter laws. We’ve also reported on the BBC in the past few months about violence against LGBT people in Kenya and Egypt, for example. The proposed new law in Uganda is awaiting the president’s assent, and if approved, it may see people who identify as gay, lesbian or queer imprisoned for life. We’ve spent the past few weeks making contact with some of those who are affected.
The BBC understands that the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, is expected to extend the Energy Price Guarantee at current levels for a further three months- but what does that mean for your energy bills?
One of the UK's biggest flat share websites has told Money Box that rents are rising very fast: up almost 13% last year. In January 2022, the average UK monthly rent listed on SpareRoom was just over £650. By January this year it had risen to almost £750 pounds a month. We'll hear from them and also speak to a renter and landlord.
And, as food inflation rises, we'll also look at what kind of impact that's having on household finances? Dan Whitworth speaks to supermarket shoppers in Halifax.
Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Reporters: Dan Whitworth and Star MacFarlane
Researchers: Sandra Hardial and Jo Krasner
Editor: Jess Quayle
(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 4th March, 2023)
Mass casualty event declared with hundreds reported injured. Also: Two thousand Ugandan troops have moved into the Democratic Republic of Congo to take up peacekeeping duty in the eastern part of the country, and Lolita the killer whale set for freedom after more than 50 years in captivity.
Under the new US guidance other carmakers would be able to partake in a subsidy for electric vehicles purchases if it meets a threshold set by the government for sourcing and processing components.
The board of the International Monetary Fund has approved a four year package of loans for Ukraine, worth $15 billion. The IMF said the money would help ensure Ukraine's financial stability. Going to college is an expensive business - especially in the US.
A recent poll found a majority of Americans don’t think a college degree is worth the cost - 56% of Americans think earning a four-year degree is a bad bet compared with 42% who retain faith in the credential. We hear from an NYU graduate.
His legal team say he's 'angry but not worried' about the case. An agreement has reportedly been reached for Mr Trump not to be handcuffed when he gives himself up next week.
Also on the programme: President Zelensky and several European leaders have attended ceremonies marking the first anniversary of the liberation of Bucha, one of the towns most closely associated with Russian atrocities during the war in Ukraine. And the editor in chief of the Wall Street Journal updates us on the situation of the journalist Evan Gershkovich, who was arrested in Russia on espionage charges.
(Picture: US Newspapers Credit: Reuters)
A police officer who was injured during the protests in Western Kenya has died. Mr Odinga has warned of what he described as the ‘mother of all protests’ next Monday. Mr Odinga is also alleging that there has been an attempt to assassinate him.
What happens when people and wild animals compete for land and water? It is a big political issue in countries like Kenya, Zimbabwe, Gabon and beyond.
It is now a little over two weeks since Malawi experienced devastating effects of Cyclone Freddy. Search and rescue efforts continue - even though the possibility of finding survivors is dwindling. Life in the more than 500 camps for displaced people is difficult. Everyone is on guard - fearing an outbreak of waterborne diseases.
A new study shows that medieval Swahili people had African and Asian ancestry, and that the civilization incorporated Persian and Indian culture. We explore why this matters.
Writer, Tim Stimpson
Director, Gwenda Hughes
Editor, Jeremy Howe
David Archer ….. Timothy Bentinck
Helen Archer ….. Louiza Patikas
Natasha Archer ….. Mali Harries
Tom Archer ….. William Troughton
Brian Aldridge ….. Charles Collingwood
Lilian Bellamy ….. Sunny Ormonde
Lee Bryce ….. Ryan Early
Neil Carter ….. Brian Hewlett
Alice Carter ….. Hollie Chapman
Justin Elliot ….. Simon Williams
Ed Grundy ….. Barry Farrimond
George Grundy ….. Angus Stobie
Will Grundy ….. Philip Molloy
Jim Lloyd ….. John Rowe
Elizabeth Pargetter ….. Alison Dowling
Oliver Sterling ….. Michael Cochrane
Andy Zaltzman is joined by Simon Evans, Felicity Ward, Samira Ahmed and Alasdair Beckett-King. This week, we’ll be finding out what’s up with Matt Hancock’s WhatsApps, who wins with the Windsor Framework, and who King Charles had round for tea.
Hosted and written by Andy Zaltzman with additional material from Alice Fraser, Zoë Tomalin, Rhiannon Shaw and Jade Gebbie.
Producer: Georgia Keating
Executive Producer: Richard Morris
Production Co-ordinator: Becky Carewe-Jeffries
Sound Editor: Marc Willcox
A BBC Studios Production
Following similar moves by the US and the Netherlands, Japan announces measures that could restrict the supply of semiconductors to China. Rahul Tandon finds out why the country is taking these steps now.
As the IPL gets underway we take a look at how the broadcast deal for the world's richest cricket competition compares to other sports.
And, are you one of the billions of Candy Crush players? We hear from the boss of the company behind the game on a potential takeover from Microsoft.
His lawyer says he is upset and angry, but not worried. Also: we hear from Bucha one year after its liberation from Russian occupation, and do plants talk back to us?
A legal panel known as a grand jury has charged Donald Trump, making him the first US president to be indicted. The charge is believed to be connected to a payment to a porn actress for keeping quiet about an alleged affair. Also on the programme, President Zelensky has promised to punish every perpetrator of war crimes committed by Russian troops in Bucha, on the first anniversary of the town being retaken; and, a Bollywood movie angers Norwegians.
(Photo: Former U.S. President Donald Trump holds a campaign rally in Waco, Texas 25/03/2023 Reuters)
في الحلقة الثانية من بودكاست بي بي سي إكسترا "بلا وظيفة .. ما العمل؟" تواصل كل من منال جوهر وهالة صالح بحثهما عن فرص العمل بعد أن أصبحتا معرضتين لفقدان الوظيفة.. وتواصلان رحلتهما الملحمية التي تتطلب ليس فقط مجهود البحث ولكن النظر إلى داخل الذات للتعرف على مهارات ربما قد نسيها الزمن ولكنها في غاية الأهمية وقد يُبنى عليها المستقبل .. في هذه الحلقة تستعين منال وهالة بصديق وهو مقدم خدمات للتطوير المهني حاتم القناوي
بودكاست بلا وظيفة ...ما العمل؟ من إنتاج بي بي سي إكسترا، تقديم وإعداد منال جوهر وهالة صالح، ساعد في الإعداد بناني الخنشي و فتحي بن عيسى.رئاسة التحرير كريمة كواح.
يمكنكم الاستماع إلى حلقات إكسترا بودكاست السابقة على صفحة بي بي سي عربي بودكاست، ساوند كلاود، وسبوتيفاي و أبل بودكاست.
Steph’s supposed to be having a romantic weekend away with her boyfriend Matt. But he’s stuck in traffic. When a power cut in the holiday cottage catches her while on the phone to Finn, the voice behind VISUAL-EYEZ (an app for low vision users), Steph finds herself in a crisis that forces her to re-evaluate how capable she really is.
Claudine Toutoungi's sharply observed, real-time comedy drama about skewed perspectives, mixed signals and significant others.
Starring Charlotte Riley (Wuthering Heights, Peaky Blinders), Amit Shah (Happy Valley, The Witcher), Damien Molony (Being Human, Crashing), and Georgie Glen (Call the Midwife, The Crown).
CAST
Steph ..... Charlotte Riley
Matt ..... Amit Shah
Finn ..... Damien Molony
Sonya ..... Georgie Glen
Writer ..... Claudine Toutoungi
Director ..... Anne Isger
Sound ..... Ali Craig, Anne Bunting and Pete Ringrose
Production Co-ordinator ..... Maggie Olgiati
A BBC Audio Production for BBC Radio 4
Gwen was brought up as a strict evangelical Christian. She was taught that women needed to control the way they dressed and acted to control the behaviour of men. When she was sexually abused, she believed it was her fault. But when she first stepped into a nudist community, she felt free. She was naked, with other naked people, and her nakedness was not making other people molest her. She learnt that her body was not something she had to hide.
The BBC’s Josie Le Vay visits Gwen at her home in a nudist community in Florida, USA, as she reconciles with the harm purity culture has caused herself, and those she taught it to.
We meet Gwen’s neighbour, Michael, a retired chaplain and pastor, who runs nude bible reading sessions from his home and attends the nearby Garden of Eden church, which celebrates the ‘joy and innocence of Christian naturism’. And we hear how those who practise many of the evangelical teachings Gwen grew up with respond to her new nudist lifestyle; and her Christian friends who believe the Bible justifies their way of life.
Producer: Michael Gallagher
Presenter: Josie Le Vay
Editor: Helen Grady
Production co-ordinator: Mica Nepomuceno
Come with us! Heart and Soul is moving and we would love it if you can join us. You can now find all our episodes on The Documentary, the home of original, global storytelling, from the BBC World Service. Search for The Documentary, wherever you found this podcast, and don’t forget to subscribe or follow.
Gwen was brought up as a strict evangelical Christian. She was taught that women needed to control the way they dressed and acted to control the behaviour of men. When she was sexually abused, she believed it was her fault. But when she first stepped into a nudist community, she felt free. She was naked, with other naked people, and her nakedness was not making other people molest her. She learnt that her body was not something she had to hide. The BBC’s Josie Le Vay visits Gwen at her home in a nudist community in Florida, USA.
He is the first former US president to face criminal charges, over alleged hush money paid to a porn star. Finland will become the thirty-first member state of NATO, after the Turkish parliament voted to back its application to join the alliance, and the lengths being gone to to get 2 Chinese pandas in a Danish zoo to mate.
Banks with between $100 billion and $250 billion in assets are going to need to hold more liquid assets, increase their capital, submit to regular stress tests and write "living wills" according to President Joe Biden's latest plans to keep US banks afloat.
We take a look at one of the world’s fastest ageing countries – Japan. Less than 800,000 births were reported in the country last year which has prompted the government to plan more incentives for family planning for young couples.
Also we hear from an attorney in Orlando as Disney have managed to sidestep Florida's governors board plans with a clause that involves King Charles III.
Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine, Oleksiy Danilov, reflects on a year of war, including the “difficult and complicated situation” in Bakhmut, nuclear threat from Russia, and “very regrettable” situation at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia power plant.
Also on the programme, Brazil’s ex-president, Jair Bolsonaro, has returned from his self-imposed exile in the United States. We speak to his former Health Secretary. And a novel approach to getting pandas to mate in captivity.
(Photo: Oleksiy Danilov, Secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council, speaking during an interview in Kyiv, February 7, 2023. Credit: REUTERS/Anna Voitenko)
In this week's programme we'll be looking at a gene editing breakthrough – a new technique to correct genetic errors in sick patients. Roland speaks to Professor David Liu to learn about the base editing technology.
Also, we look into the complex causes of last year's post-pandemic spike in child hepatitis. Professor Judy Breuer and her colleagues may have found an explanation behind the unexpected outbreak.
And the James Webb Space Telescope continues to seek out the secrets of our universe. Professor Beth Biller and Dr Elsa Ducrot have the details on the atmospheres of two very distant, and very different, exoplanets.
Plus how to get sober – for mice. Professor Steven Kliewer explains how certain mammals have evolved to deal with the intoxicating effects of ethanol.
Image credit: Charles Hewitt/Picture Post/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Producer: Roland Pease
Assistant Producer: Sophie Ormiston
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja warns the anti-government demonstrations called by opposition leader Raila Odinga could see Kenya “sliding into a precipice.” He says the protests are costing lives and livelihoods.
Senegalese opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko, has been found guilty of libel and handed a two-month suspended jail sentence. What will that mean for his presidential ambition?
And a political party in Lesotho wants South Africa to return land that was grabbed before Independence.
The 4 bank executives the Zurich branch of Gazprombank were found guilty allowing a friend of Vladimir Putin to deposit huge sums in Swiss banks. Rahul Tandon asks if the Swiss Government could have done more to prevent it happening.
We get the latest as the International Court of Justice rules on a claim from Iran that Washington illegally allowed courts to freeze assets of Iranian companies.
And we find out how much tax Premier League football clubs may have avoided paying.
Please note: This programme contains references to mental health and conversations about suicide. For more support, go to https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1NGvFrTqWChr03LrYlw2Hkk/information-and-support-mental-health-self-harm
On this week’s Stumped, Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma speak with WPL winner and New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr. She tells us why she thinks Mumbai’s success in the inaugural competition is a pivotal moment for the women’s game, and explains why she’s a mental health advocate. Last year Kerr took a seven-month break from the sport to focus on her mental wellbeing and founded the website Out of the Rough to share stories and help others.
Kerr explains why it’s important to normalise conversations and remove stigma around the subject.
As the IPL gets underway, the team look ahead to the 16th edition of the competition and ask if anyone can challenge the defending champion Gujarat Titans. How will Brian Lara fair as the new Sunrisers Hyderabad head coach? And we discuss the fitness of England Test captain Ben Stokes.
Plus, as Stumped turns 400, we take a trip down memory lane to look back at the most memorable moments over the course of the show’s seven years (and counting).
Photo: Amelia Kerr of Team New Zealand prepares to bat prior to a T20 match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka on day five of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games at Edgbaston on August 02, 2022 on the Birmingham, England. (Credit: Getty Images)
The US newspaper, Wall Street Journal, has expressed deep concern for the safety of one of its reporters who's been arrested for spying in Russia. Also on the programme, a new report by the South Korean government says North Korea is using public executions to instil fear into its people; and, a simple blood test could prevent unnecessary chemotherapy treatment for thousands of bowel cancer patients every year.
(Photo: Reporter for U.S. newspaper The Wall Street Journal Evan Gershkovich leaves a court building in Moscow 30/03/2023 Reuters)
The controversial far right former president returns after his self-imposed exile. Also; concerns after a Wall Street Journal reporter is arrested in Russia, King Charles becomes the first British monarch to address the German parliament, and why moths are crucial in pollinating plants.
In his first state visit since becoming monarch, the King has told a banquet in Berlin the UK and Germany stand united. We hear from a senior German MP about how timely this trip could be in forging a post-Brexit relationship between the two countries.
Also on the programme:
As tributes flood in for Paul O'Grady, we hear about his role in the LGBT community during the AIDS epidemic.
And why hundreds of priests and monks face eviction from their monastery in Kyiv over alleged pro-Russian links.
Joe Lycett pulls out some Oscar worthy performances whilst trying to help out some listeners with their problems. Plus, we give you a chance to rant about what’s too big or too small and hear of a practical pony called princess.
New figures show there is still a huge backlog of criminal cases waiting to get to court. And the worst delays are for rape and sexual offences. Reporter Melanie Abbott talks to a man who will wait 6 years after reporting he was raped in 2018, and the impact it has had on him and his mother who has been fighting to help him. We hear from Rape Crisis about their report Breaking Point, which shows a record high of sexual offence cases waiting to be heard, and outlines possible solutions for reducing them.
Anita talks about women, money and love with the authors of a new self help book. Money and Love: An Intelligent Roadmap for Life’s Big Decisions, is written by two American women, Stanford professor emeritus Myra Strober, who is an early feminist economist and Abby Davisson, one of Myra's former pupils who is now a social innovation expert. They give detailed advice about navigating the crossroads of finances within a relationship at different life stages.
Why does everyone want to go viral? And what happens when you do? Anita speaks to writer Julia Boggio who has managed to go viral three times in her life. One of which landed her on the Oprah Winfrey show. But, when Julia wanted to publish her debut novel, Shooters, she was told that she didn’t have enough followers on social media. So, she decided to take matters into her own hands and tried to get her book viral. And it worked. She tells Anita how she managed it.
Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Hanna Ward
Studio Manager: Bob Nettles
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss megaliths - huge stones placed in the landscape, often visually striking and highly prominent.
Such stone monuments in Britain and Ireland mostly date from the Neolithic period, and the most ancient are up to 6,000 years old. In recent decades, scientific advances have enabled archaeologists to learn a large amount about megalithic structures and the people who built them, but much about these stones remains unknown and mysterious.
With
Vicki Cummings
Professor of Neolithic Archaeology at the University of Central Lancashire
Julian Thomas
Professor of Archaeology at the University of Manchester
and
Susan Greaney
Lecturer in Archaeology at the University of Exeter.
It was twelve years ago that the actor Jason Watkins and his wife Clara Francis lost their two year old daughter to sepsis. Now, the couple have made a documentary for ITV called "Jason and Clara: in memory of Maudie" - to raise awareness of the dangers of the condition. Today's Martha Kearney spoke to them about why they decided to make the documentary.
(IMAGE CREDIT: David M. Bennett / Getty Images)
How has Finland survived so long as an independent European country, up close to Russia, its aggressive neighbour? Over the decades it’s learnt to live with both the Soviet Union and then post-communist Russia next door and to benefit from the cross-border trade it offered. But Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has changed attitudes in Finland, seen most clearly in its decision to join Nato.
In this edition of Assignment, we report from the border towns of Lappeenranta and Imatra – which have gained economically from Russians crossing into Finland as tourists, for trade, to buy property and simply to go shopping. Now Russian tourist visas have been banned by the Finnish Government and the local mayor says the region is losing a million euros every day.
The country’s army has male conscription, defence spending is at NATO levels and Finland’s cities have underground shelters to protect its population.
Caroline Bayley looks at Finland’s relationship with Russia – past and present – and asks what’s next for these uneasy neighbours.
Producer/presenter Caroline Bayley
Editor Penny Murphy
Studio Engineer Rod Farquhar
Production co-ordinator Helena Warwick-Cross
(Photo: Almost deserted border post on Finland’s border with Russia. Credit: Caroline Bayley)
Low-lying Vanuatu has pushed for a legal opinion that could be cited in climate court cases. Also: Pope Francis has been taken to hospital with a respiratory infection, and Shaun the Sheep gets a hero's welcome following his trip around the moon.
The US is building stronger relationships in Ghana, Tanzania and Zambia as Kamala Harris takes a tour of Africa and announces more investment on the continent as the US government attempts to play catch up as it sees countries like China and Russia making big investments.
Key figures in the technology world want the training of powerful artificial intelligence systems to be suspended amid fears of a threat to humanity.
They have signed an open letter warning of potential risks, and say the race to develop AI systems, such as the presently popular ChatGPT, is out of control.
Also in the programme: How an over-the-counter treatment could save tens of thousands of lives among those overdosing on opoid drugs; and the suffering of cobalt miners in the Democratic Republic of Congo that you never knew your electric car was causing.
(Photo shows the introduction page of ChatGPT, an interactive AI chatbot model trained and developed by OpenAI, on its website. Credit: Wu Hao/EPA)
Here on Health Check, we’re always sniffing out the best global health research for our listeners – and this week is no different. We’ll hear about a study in Sweden where researchers are testing whether smelling other people’s body odour could be a useful part of therapy for social anxiety.
And what is One Health? A new report from the World Health Organization suggests a joint plan of action is needed to tackle animal and human health threats – and even to avert future pandemics. We’ll talk to intensive care doctor Matt Morgan about what we can learn from giraffes to treat brain injury, what a koala’s eating habits can reveal about gut health and how when faced with disease we might have a lot in common with ants…
We’ll also have a report from Somalia where five consecutive failed rainy seasons have left five million people with acute food shortages and nearly two million children at risk of malnutrition. With a sixth season projected to fail, medics are warning of severe and long lasting health implications, particularly for children.
And we’ll be joined by global health expert Dr Matt Fox to discuss how certain types of gut bacteria in babies could predict the chance of developing type 1 diabetes in later life.
Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producer: Gerry Holt & Helena Selby
Will is reminded of some painful history, and there’s life in the old dogs yet, Freddie.
The US Vice President is expected to land in Tanzania after visiting Ghana and ahead of reaching Zambia later in the week. The visit comes on the tail of a flurry of visits from top US government figures in Africa. We look at the main talking points of this latest visit.
Also in the pod: Kenyan President Ruto pledges to punish rioters who have committed crimes during the ongoing cost-of-living protests in the country.
Is it safe to fast during Ramadan if you have diabetes? We ask a Diabetologist in Nairobi.
The Martin Lewis Podcast is here and energy bills are once again top of the agenda.
For the first time in a long time you can fix your energy bills – but the question is should you? At the moment there’s only one company offering a fixed rate but there could be more to come. Martin and Nihal discuss the pros and cons of fixing and whether we really will see our energy bills drop considerably by the end of the summer.
You need to get a move on to claim hundreds of pounds back before the end of the tax year.. There are around 2.1 million couples eligible for the marriage tax allowance who don't get it. It can be worth up to £238 a year – but you can only claim back 4 years so you need to get your claim in before the end of this financial year. Did you have a PPI payout? You're likely due tax back, but go quick. Again you need to get your application in by the 5th April. Plus more tips that you wouldn’t have heard on the radio…
Elsewhere in the podcast, you ‘tell us’ whether you’ve already started your Christmas shopping, and Nihal’s Mastermind question is all about his knowledge of pharmaceuticals…
More than 2,000 women are taking the Swiss government to court claiming its policy on climate change is violating their right to life and health - the first time the European Court of Human Rights will hear such a case; also, scientists reveal brightest gamma explosion ever; and the British man who helped bring early jazz to Europe.
(Photo: Meltwater flows on the ice of the Pers Glacier in front of Mount Piz Palue near the Alpine resort of Pontresina, Switzerland Credit: REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann)
A group of experts, including likes of Elon Musk and the Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak have signed an open letter calling for a 6 month pause on the development of AI technologies. David Harper speaks to one of the signatories about their concerns over the future of the technology.
The BBC's Economics Editor Faisal Islam tells us about the risk social media poses to banks following the demise of Silicon Valley Bank.
And can Amsterdam tidy up its image? A new campaign is looking at deterring rowdy tourists visiting the Dutch capital.
The European Court of Human Rights hears a case brought against the Swiss Government over lack of action on climate change. Also, hundreds of people ask for a pause in the development of Artificial Intelligence, and young British men told to stay away from Amsterdam.
We hear of an innovative bus driver and pets that are getting too clever around the house.
She talks to Nuala McGovern about how she’s learned to cope with the condition in the elite sports world as well as the work she’s been doing to support other neurodivergent athletes to fulfil their potential.
There’s a new book out, The Equal Parent: how sharing the load helps the family thrive. Paul Morgan-Bentley, head of investigations at The Times, explores why it’s still so rare in this country for parents to spread or split the responsibility of parenthood, particularly early parenthood, and why it’s still expected that women should shoulder this pretty much alone. With him to discuss this and to explore ways the parental load could or should be spread more equally is writer and journalist Nell Frizzell who also has a book out: Holding the Baby: Milk, sweat and tears from the frontline of motherhood.
Lexi is an NHS nurse and mum of four, who succeeded in challenging ‘no kids’ barriers in the private rental market on the grounds that such bans disproportionately affect women. Going forward, the Property Ombudsman has determined that blanket bans on renting to families are in breach of its Code of Practice. This news comes as the charity Shelter publishes data which shows 1 in 5 parents in England have been unable to rent somewhere they wanted in the last five years because they have children. Lexi tells her story and we hear from the solicitor Jo Underwood.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Lisa Jenkinson
Studio Manager: Sue Maillot
Also,more attacks on properties -the dispute between rival factions of the UDA rumbles on.
Are you satisfied with the performance of the NHS? Fewer people than ever now answer yes to that question. Just 29% say they are satisfied with the health service in the latest British Social Attitudes Survey - that's the lowest level since the survey began 40 years ago. Today's Nick Robinson spoke to Rachel Power, Chief Executive of the Patients Association, and to Chris Hopson, Chief Strategy Officer of NHS England, about why satisfaction is so low and what NHS bosses plan to do about it.
(IMAGE CREDIT: ANDY RAIN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock (13802777b))
一位听众来信询问单词 “cross、across、crosswise” 和 “intersect” 的共同点和区别。它们当中有三个词都包含词根 “cross”，与 “交叉” 或 “穿过” 相关。“Across” 的副词含义是 “从一边到另一边地”；介词含义为 “在…另一边，在…各处”。“Crosswise” 同样可以作副词使用，表示 “交叉地，垂直穿过地”，但它是否常用？动词 “intersect” 指 “（道路或线条）交叉”。本期节目详细讲解这四个词的用法。
The Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, is expected to introduce measures in his March Budget to encourage people who have retired early to return to work in-order to help revive the economy.
In this podcast, we speak to people who are retired, people who are over 50 and looking for a new job, and some who are continuing to work after 70. With them, we identify what the barriers are keeping them out of work, and what the incentives are to keep them in the workforce.
The experts on the panel are, Kim Chaplain, specialist advisor for work at the Centre for Ageing Better, and Adrian Adair, chief operating officer at Morson Group.
Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Producer: Amber Mehmood
Researcher: Dan Bater
Editor: Jess Quayle
(First broadcast 3pm Wednesday 1st March, 2023)
The Olympic committee wants the athletes to compete as neutrals amid the ongoing ban in response to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Also: the scientists on a mission to make meatballs from the long-extinct mammoth, and the amateur Australian gold digger who has found a massive nugget.
The US Senate's banking committee had some blunt questions for US bank regulators including those from the central bank, the Federal Reserve about how they didn't spot the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank.
Now they’ll be lots of questions about whether more regulation is needed.
Dozens of people die in a fire in a migrant processing centre in northern Mexico close to the border with the United States.
Ciudad Juárez, where the fire occurred, is located across the Rio Grande river from El Paso, Texas and has seen an influx of people in recent weeks.
Many of the victims are thought to be people from Central and South America trying to reach the US.
Also in the programme: After another day of strikes and rallies in France against the government's pension reforms, we ask a union leader if they're ready to compromise; and the Syrian refugees in Lebanon forced to pick litter to earn a living.
(Photo shows Mexican firefighters removing injured migrants, mostly Venezuelans, from the National Migration Institute building in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. Credit: Jose Luis Gonzalez/Reuters)
We are debating a rather ambiguous question on this episode of In Touch: is the modern world more or less difficult for people who are blind and partially sighted? It is a difficult question because there are many variables to consider: your age, whether you have a job, how comfortable you are with the evolution of technology and, of course, your level of sight. To help us tackle it, we have invited Matt Johnson, who specializes in IT and data law, Roshni Hafeez, who is a VAT tax specialist with HMRC and Mike Lambert, who worked as a English lecturer in further education. There are also many areas to cover within this debate and so we have chosen to touch upon banking and trains and assess how technology interweaves into these and many other aspects of our society.
Presenter: Peter White
Producer: Beth Hemmings
Production Coordinator: Liz Poole and Paul Holloway
Website image description: Peter White sits smiling in the centre of the image, wearing a dark green jumper. Above Peter's head is the BBC logo (three individual white squares house each of the three letters). Bottom centre and overlaying the image are the words 'In Touch' and the Radio 4 logo (the word Radio in a bold white font, with the number 4 inside a white circle). The background is a bright mid-blue with two rectangles angled diagonally to the right. Both are behind Peter, one of a darker blue and the other is a lighter blue.
On Digital Planet’s final ever show we discuss the legacy of Gordon Moore, the father of transistors and creator of Moore’s law.
Special guests this week are Angelica Mari and Ghislaine Boddington.
The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell with expert commentary from Bill Thompson.
Studio Manager: Bob Nettles
Producer: Ania Lichtarowicz
We visit Kenya after violent protests broke out yesterday called by opposition leader, Raila Odinga. He spoke exclusively to the BBC’s Ferdinand Omondi about the demonstrations.
Ivorian director, Habibata Ouarme, discusses her latest film about female genital mutilation and reconstructive surgery.
And Angélique Kidjo has become the third African artist to be awarded the Polar Music Prize.
Rahul Tandon speaks to one of the authors of a new report that looks at how much is China lending to the world and asks if it is putting countries into debt traps.
We get the latest as one of world's biggest internet companies, the Chinese firm, Alibaba, says it's splitting up into six separate businesses.
And we hear from France as protests against pension reforms enter a 10th day.
The facility houses people detained while trying to enter the US. Also: Police say a mass shooting at a school in Nashville was a carefully planned attack, Elon Musk announces further changes to Twitter's blue tick, and the winners of the 2023 Polar Music Prize.
Josie Long presents short documentaries and audio adventures about life on wheels. A woman cyclist rolls solo though the Scottish landscape, a car park becomes a vortex of roller skaters and Jungle music at night, and listening to the rhythms of all that spins.
Carpark Cruisers and Jungle Movers
Produced by Olivia Davies
Wheel Talk
Composed and produced by Sami El-Enany
Postcards
Written and produced by Rowan Rheingans
Music composed and performed by Rowan Rheingans
Bagpipes by John-Francis Goodacre
Produced by Andrea Rangecroft
Curated by Axel Kacoutié, Eleanor McDowall and Andrea Rangecroft
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4
Opposition parties in Israel are preparing to enter talks with the far-right coalition over the government's judicial overhaul plan, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced its passage through parliament would be paused. We speak to a politician from the prime minister’s Likud party.
Also in the programme: We're live in Nashville Tennessee, after a primary school shooting kills six; and the remarkable Ethiopian pianist and nun Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou, who has died aged 99. We hear her play.
(Photo: Israeli protesters chant in a demonstration against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his nationalist coalition government's plan for judicial overhaul, in Tel Aviv, Israel, March 27, 2023. Credit: Reuters/Itai Ron)
We have a Jelly Lady update, an elephant heist and Nikita Kanda playing What's My Age Again? What's not to like?
Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.
And student medic has contacted us saying she has graduated, but there are no jobs here
Three gambling firms owned by William Hill are to pay penalties of £19.2m – the biggest ever UK gambling fine. In one case, a customer was allowed to open a new account and spend £23,000 in 20 minutes without any checks. Today's Nick Robinson spoke to the chief executive of the Gambling Commission, Andrew Rhodes, about the company’s failure to protect consumers and evidence of weak anti-money laundering controls. William Hill says it’s now under new ownership and management.
(IMAGE CREDIT: REUTERS/Phil Noble)
主持人菲菲每次去度假时总是赶上雨天。在向同事 Rob 讲述自己的度假经历时，菲菲用表达 “it's the story of my life” 感叹 “我就是这个命”。听他们的对话，学习地道英语表达 “it's the story of my life” 的含义和用法。
And more on how a court hears that the UVF control the illegal drug trade in East Belfast
Bulk carriers are the ships that keep the modern world going - like the MV Raeda and the MV Olivian Confidence carrying grain from Ukraine to Turkey, and flour to Afghanistan and Yemen. Zig zagging across the oceans for months at a time, bulk carriers keep us all going even in times of war and pandemic. ‘If it didn’t grow in your garden,’ says broker Aysu Gurgan, ‘A bulk carrier brought it to you.’ Steel, sand, coal, cement - the very fabric of the modern world - all of it reaches us on bulkers. Unseen by the very populations that rely on them, each bulker is also a home to international crews who spend half their lives on board.
Benjamin Netanyahu's plans provoked an outpouring of anger across Israeli society. Also: a heavily-armed young woman has killed six people, including children, at a school in the US state of Tennessee, and rehabilitating fictional villains - from being portrayed as ugly or disabled.
Protests in Kenya for a second Monday running, as promised by Riyla Odinga.
Also, business people in Kenya are callng for the political empass to be resolved.
And the American vice president, Kamala Harris, is in Ghana. What's on her agenda? We'll hear from our correspondent in Accra.
Those stories and more in this podcast with Audrey Brown.
After a few weeks of bad news about bank failures, financial markets are slowly coming back to normal. Central banks around the world have stressed that the banking system is safe and lenders are well capitalised. Analysts, however, admit that risks to financial stability have increased.
Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced he would delay a key part of controversial plans to overhaul the justice system to prevent a "rupture among our people". However it is unclear what a delay will achieve beyond buying time.
It followed intense protests after he fired his defence minister, who had spoken against the plans.
Also in the programme: Another school shooting in the US prompts renewed calls from the White House for gun control; and we ask if the steam has gone out of the Scottish independence movement with the appointment of a new governing party leader.
(Photo shows Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, Israel on 27 March 2023. Credit: Abir Sultan/EPA)
Close your eyes and think of a giraffe. Can you see it? I mean, really see it - in rich, vivid detail? If not - you aren’t alone!
We’ve had scores of messages from listeners who report having a ‘blind mind’s eye’. They don’t see mental images at all and they want to know why. Jude from Perth wants to know what makes her brain different, and Diane from Scotland wonders whether it affectes her ability to remember family holidays.
Our sleuths learn that this is a condition recently termed ‘aphantasia’. They meet the chap who came up with the name, Professor Adam Zeman, a neurologist from the University of Exeter, and quiz him on the brain mechanisms behind this mystery.
Professor Julia Simner - a psychologist who, herself, doesn’t see mental images - shares the surprising research into how aphants differ slightly from others in a range of cognitive skills. We also hear about the world class artists and animators who can’t visualise - but can create beautiful, imaginary worlds.
Philosophy professor Fiona Macpherson from the University of Glasgow, deepens the mystery: perhaps this largely hidden phenomenon is behind some of the most profound disagreements in the history of psychology. Our mental experiences are all very different - maybe that’s why thinkers have come up with such different theories about how our minds work.
Search for the “VVIQ” or Vividness of Visual Imagery questionnaire to take the test yourself. Look for “The Perception Census” to take part in this massive online study of perceptual variation. And look up the 'Aphtantasia Network' if you're curious to find out more.
Presenters: Hannah Fry and Adam Rutherford
Contributors: Professor Adam Zeman, Professor Julia Simner, Professor Fiona Macpherson
Today, there are protests in Kenya over the rising cost of living and in Germany, two of the country's biggest trade unions are holding a 24 hour strike over pay. Most flights, trains, ferries and buses have been cancelled. Workers want at least a 10% boost to their salaries, to help them cope with rapidly rising prices in Germany.
Israeli Prime Minister faces huge backlash, with widespread strikes and thousands protesting. Also: New leader of Scotland's main party pledges independence, and the eagerly awaited puffin migration to Northern Ireland.
Some of the biggest stars in the world reside in Calvin Harris’ contacts list, but there’s one in Greg’s that particularly excites him.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under immense pressure over controversial judicial reforms that he wants to push through. The changes to the country's justice system have provoked an outpouring of anger from nearly all parts of Israeli society, including its powerful military. Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in anger on Sunday evening after Mr Netanyahu fired his defence minister, who had called for a pause on the changes. We'll be live in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
Also in the programme: Our South East Asia correspondent reports from inside Myanmar for the first time since the coup in 2021; and we have a report from the town of Rolling Fork, Mississippi, almost wiped off the map by Friday's tornado.
(Photo: Protesters gather outside the Israeli Parliament ahead of mass protests in Jerusalem, 27 March 2023. Mass protests have been held in Israel for 12 weeks against the government's plans to reform the justice system and limit the power of the Supreme Court. Credit: Abir Sultan/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Earlier this month, the Conservative MP Miriam Cates said in the House of Commons that children were being exposed to 'graphic' and 'age inappropriate' material during their sex education classes. The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has decided to bring forward a planned review of the Department for Education’s Relationships and Sex Education guidance in England.
To shed light on what is being taught in schools, and what this review may cover, Nuala McGovern speaks to a range of stakeholders, including headteacher and President of the Association of School and College leaders Evelyn Forde, director of the Sex Education Forum Lucy Emmerson, academic Dr Sophie King-Hill, and Tanya Carter from the Safe Schools Alliance. We also hear from parents and listeners including young people themselves.
The winner of the contest to succeed Nicola Sturgeon as SNP leader is to be announced later. The winner will face a vote at Holyrood on Tuesday before also being confirmed as Scotland's new first minister. Regardless of who wins, their in tray is considerable. Today's Mishal Husain spoke to Carolyn Currie, Scotland chair of the Productivity Institute, Jeanne Freeman, former Scottish Health Secretary, and to Professor Lindsay Patterson, Professor of Education policy at the University of Edinburgh, about what the new SNP leader will face.
(IMAGE CREDIT: Ken Jack/Getty Images)
Steph McGovern asks some seriously funny minds to offer definitive answers to the great questions of our age. Or not.
Welcome to the world's most devious game of Would You Rather? With guests Zoe Lyons and Dane Baptiste.
Host: Steph McGovern
Guests: Zoe Lyons and Dane Baptiste
Devised and written by Jon Harvey & Joseph Morpurgo
With additional material from Laura Major
Researcher: Leah Marks
Recorded and mixed by Jerry Peal
Producer: Jon Harvey
Executive Producers: Ed Morrish and Polly Thomas
A Naked production for BBC Radio 4
Yoav Gallant had called for plans to overhaul the judiciary to be scrapped. Also: NATO allies condemn Moscow's plans to station nuclear weapons in Belarus, Lebanon gains an extra time zone, and we look back at the life of the founder of one of the world's biggest dumpling empires.
The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu has transferred Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant from his post. On Saturday, Mr Gallant called on the prime minister to halt legislation on his proposed changes to the judiciary. The controversial bill has divided the country with many seeing it as a threat to Israeli democracy.
Also in the programme: Kamala Harris arrives in Ghana as part of an Africa tour; and we hear from a Sierra Leonean living in Tunisia, on the difficulties facing sub-Saharan African migrants in the country.
(Picture: Israel's Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant has been dismissed. Credit: EPA/ATEF SAFADI)
Russia will station tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, President Vladimir Putin has declared. But he said the move would not violate nuclear non-proliferation agreements and compared it to the US stationing its weapons in Europe.
We'll hear what an advisor to Ukraine's Ministry of Defence thinks about the situation and what it tells us about the closeness between Russia and its neighbouring ally Belarus.
Also in the programme: As more lives are lost at sea off Tunisia, why are so many sub-Saharan migrants now using the country as a departure point to cross the Mediterranean to Europe? And why the people of Lebanon have woken up today in two time zones.
(Photo shows Vladimir Putin at a recent meeting with members of the Security Council. Credit: Alexei Babushkin/Kremlin via Reuters)
Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh le Ruairidh MacIlleathain. Litir àireamh 1236. Roddy Maclean reads this week's letter for Gàidhlig learners.
Delyth Liddell follows in St David's footsteps to Glastonbury, one of the most spiritually diverse places in Britain, and a community which David is said to have founded in the sixth century. David famously preached against heresy (the heresy of Pelagianism), so what what would he have made of a community that these days is home to 78 different spiritualities... and what would they have made of him?
Delyth visits the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey, accompanied by an Anglo-Saxon guide - Edgar the Anglo-Saxon - and in the beautiful surviving chapel of St Patrick speaks to the vicar of Glastonbury, Prebendary David McKeogh. That the once magnificent abbey now stands in ruins is a vivid demonstration of what happens when one orthodoxy is replaced by another, as the Reformation made heretics of former loyal Catholics, and dismissed the wonders of saintly cults such as the cult of St David. Dr Sarah White explains the nature of heresy past and present.
Nowadays, Glastonbury is a more tolerant, inclusive society - Delyth visits not only a Catholic shrine but also a pagan healing centre. Far from condemning modern pagans, many mainstream Christian denominations in the town are prepared to work alongside people who hold quite different views to their own - vicar David McGeogh recalls fondly the occasion when he organised a funeral for an artist, and elves, pixies and druids all joined in to say the Lord's Prayer. As Methodist minister Tina Swire explains, 'Glastonbury is a place of seekers... and we are all seeking something'.
We look at a decade of the Church of England under the leadership of Justin Welby. Professor Linda Woodhead and his biographer Dr Andrew Atherstone give their view on his progress so far.
Our reporter Vishva Samani looks a new Jewish housing development in Brighton, which contains a Jewish nursery, co-working space, Kosher restaurant, synagogue and resident Rabbi. We hear from residents, locals and a critic who says such projects are likely to increase misunderstanding rather than build bridges with the wider community.
We hear from British Sikhs who've have been protesting outside India’s High Commission this week as the search for a hardline Sikh separatist in India’s northern state of Punjab has escalated into a diplomatic clash with the United Kingdom. The BBC’s Surbhi Kaul in Delhi explains what the protests are about, why some Sikhs in the diaspora are campaigning for Khalistan, a separate Sikh homeland and how they have led to a diplomatic row.
A report into culture and standards into Met Police this week uncovered examples of faith-based bullying; bacon put in a Muslim officer's boots and a Sikh who had his beard trimmed. We talk to two officers, one Muslim and one Sikh about the environment they work in and what needs to happen next.
Dating, sex and swimming: three areas that have inspired frank questions about Ramadan in a BBC podcast called 'Not Even Water'. Emily talks to host Mehreen Baig and guest Farah Raja about the do's and don'ts of the holy month .Find out everything you need to know, but didn't dare ask.
PRESENTER: Emily Buchanan
EDITOR: Tim Pemberton
PRODUCERS: Catherine Murray & Jill Collins
REPORTER: Vishva Samani
STUDIO MANAGERS: Simon Highfield & Sue Stonestreet
PRODUCTION CO-ORDINATOR: David Baguley
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs.
In today’s programme: how scientists are making measuring animal welfare a top priority on farms, and why superglue might be the key to superior plastic recycling.
Plus we dive into the high seas treaty: the ambitious plan to protect 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030.
Russian President says move wouldn't violate nuclear non-proliferation agreements. Also: Israel's defence minister calls for a freeze of planned changes to the judiciary following another day of mass protests, and we meet the creator and author of the Oscar winning animated short film The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse.
The Rwandan dissident, Paul Rusesabagina, has been handed over to the Qatari government after being freed from jail. Mr Rusesabagina, whose heroism during the 1994 genocide was the subject of the film, Hotel Rwanda. He is later expected to fly to the United States to join his family.
Also in the programme: Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi condemns defamation ruling; and the US state of Mississippi is hit by tornadoes.
(Photo: Hotel Rwanda hero Paul Rusesabagina walks handcuffed with guards to attend a court hearing at the Kicukiro Primary court in Kigali, Rwanda. CREDIT: EPA/EUGENE UWIMANA)
We are a teeming mass of interconnected microbes and the impact of this microscopic universe on our health, our minds, even our moods, is profound.
Made in collaboration with Wellcome Collection, Claudia Hammond and an expert panel explore one of the fastest moving areas of science and what it means for modern medicine.
Recorded in front of a live audience at Wellcome’s Reading Room in London, Claudia discovers how our microbes could be harnessed to improve our mental and physical health.
And along with the scientific insights, there are important answers to questions everybody wants to know the answer to, such as why some peoples’ “emissions” smell so badly and how having a dog or cat enriches your microbiome.
On stage with Claudia are immunologist Professor Sheena Cruickshank from the University of Manchester, microbiologist Professor Glenn Gibson from the University of Reading and neuroscientist Professor John Cryan from University College Cork in Ireland.
Produced by: Fiona Hill and Elisabeth Tuohy
Studio Engineer: Bob Nettles and Emma Hearth
Image: Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of bacteria cultured from a sample of human faeces.
Credit: Steve Gschmeissner/Science Photo Library/Getty Images
Baroness Louise Casey has published the final report on her review into the Metropolitan Police. A female metropolitan police officer and Deputy Commissioner of the Met, Dame Lynne Owens, discuss the findings.
Known for shows like Love Island and The Only Way is Essex, social media influencer Georgia Harrison talks about her new TV documentary. It follows her successful legal battle against her former partner who filmed and shared a sex video of the two of them without her consent on the OnlyFans website.
Suzi Ruffell is on a mission to find the lighter moments in life as she navigates motherhood, touring the country and anxiety. The comedian's latest show Snappy is a series of confessional stories about settling down, living life with her "bossy toddler" and worrying about absolutely everything.
Mabel Constanduros was a trailblazing female broadcaster and comedian on BBC Radio in the early days of the corporation. She created the sitcom as a genre and brought soap operas to the UK. So why has history forgotten her? Mabel’s great-great nephew Jack Shillito and the academic Jennifer Purcell discuss.
Presenter Anita Rani
Producer: Paula McFarlane
Editor: Beverley Purcell
We start in Rwanda, where Paul Rusesabagina has been released from prison. He the manager of a hotel in Kigali in 1994 and is credited with saving the lives of more than a thousand people during the genocide. The movie "Hotel Rwanda" was inspired by his story. We bring you the latest on that story.
Also on the programme: An MI5 spy who helped bring peace to Northern Ireland by defying orders, has broken his silence to the BBC, and we go to Israel and hear the views of ordinary people to the government’s plan to reform the country's judiciary.
(Photo: Paul Rusesabagina, portrayed as a hero in a Hollywood movie about Rwanda's 1994 genocide, walks in handcuffs to a courtroom in Kigali, Rwanda February 26, 2021. Credit: REUTERS/Clement Uwiringiyimana)
شاید در حال حاضر صحبت از ادبیات افغانستان برای بسیاری از دوستداران آن در داخل و خارج کشور لوکس و حتی بیجا به نظر برسد. وقتی نه حق تحصیل برای زنان هست و نه نیازهای اولیهی مردم فراهم است، وقتی میلیونها نفر در سرما و گرسنگی به سر میبرند غم ادبیات را خوردن مضمون خوبی برای یک داستان کافکایی است. اما مگر حسرتها فراوان نیستند؟ حسرت ادبیات هم یکی از آنها. این موضوع بحث این هفتهی پرگار است. از مهمانهای این هفته میپرسیم آیا ادبیات افغانستان جان به در خواهد برد در شرایطی که بخش عمدهی آفرینندگان ادبی از کشور فرار کردند و آنانی که ماندند غم ادبیات احتمالا غم آخرشان است؟ آیا نسلی که در دو دههی اخیر شعر گفت و داستان نوشت میتواند به آفرینش ادبی ادامه دهد یا آن را کناری خواهد نهاد و با خاطرهی آن خواهد زیست؟
Journalist Jim White, former GB badminton player Gail Emms, sports broadcaster Greg Brady and comedian Bob Mills join Colin Murray for an hour of sporting punditry, humour and entertainment. Points are awarded for informed comment, wit and passion, but taken away for nonsense and answers lacking in conviction.
In the final round, the top two points scorers go head-to-head in 'Defend the Indefensible' where they must both defend a statement however ludicrous or distasteful for twenty seconds. There can only be one winner!
Get the podcast from BBC Sounds
Our new weekly collection of the happiest stories in the world. This week, an unusual cow brings joy to Australia, the happiest places in the world are revealed and how shrimps are saving lives.
Presented by Andrew Peach. Music produced by Iona Hampson.
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse started out as a few comforting drawings for friends, and eventually became a book which sold 8 million copies. It was then then turned into an animated film with a star studded voice cast which won an Oscar for Best Animated Short Film. Creator Charles Macksey speaks to Today’s Simon Jack about the meteoric rise of the project.
(IMAGE CREDIT: ETIENNE LAURENT/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock (13814888eb))
The Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, is expected to use his Budget on March 15th to introduce measures to to encourage people over 50 to return to work.
Since 2019 there has been a rise in the number of people defined as economically inactive. That means they are not working, self-employed, or looking for work to claim benefits. The number rose by 830,000 between 2019 and 2022, with three quarters of that increase among those aged 50 and over.
The Department for Work and Pensions has a programme to encourage people over 50 back into work by offering help with health support, pension planning and flexible working opportunities. Clare Worden visits Shrewsbury Job Centre to find out more.
Some energy customers are being left for months with faulty prepayment meters. Several people have told Money Box that although their electricity has not been disconnected the screens showing their credit has been blank since Christmas and they cannot top up, so they have no idea how much electricity they're using or what it is costing them. The law says suppliers should take 'appropriate action' within hours - arranging to fix or replace the meter. Or at the least to arrange an appointment.
We'll get reaction from their suppliers and talk to Matt Cole from the Fuel Bank Foundation.
And where should you put your money to make the most out of it? We'll talk savings with Anna Bowes from Savings Champion.
Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporter: Clare Worden
Researchers: Sandra Hardial and Jo Krasner
Editor: Jess Quayle
(First broadcast 12pm, Saturday 25th February, 2023)
Paul Rusesabagina's life inspired a Hollywood film about the 1994 genocide. Also: The UN has expressed grave concern about the summary killings of civilians and prisoners of war during Russia's war in Ukraine, highlighting a litany of other abuses, and The City Killer asteroid that's set to make a close-ish call with earth.
Our presenter Roger Hearing discusses the banking crisis as high profile investors fear there are more pockets of distress yet to emerge after the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank and problems at Credit Suisse. Museums come under the spotlight as the Acropolis Museum in Athens today welcomed back three fragments of the Parthenon marbles from the Vatican in a special ceremony. Many Greeks think more of its ancient treasures should be brought back home and not kept in foreign museums. And we head to Peru, where at least 13,000 people are struggling with damages caused by cyclone Yaku. It’s been a week since this rare phenomenon hit the country, but rains and landslides persist.
Opposition parties in India have accused the government of stifling democracy after Rahul Gandhi was disqualified from parliament over a defamation conviction. But a supporter of Prime Minister Modi tells us that it's a legal, not a political, matter.
Also on the programme, Rwanda has said it will release the jailed dissident Paul Rusesabagina, whose life inspired a Hollywood film about the 1994 genocide. And Utah has now become the first American state to require parental permission for anyone under eighteen to use social media platforms such as TikTok and Facebook. We will be joined by the governor of the state.
(Picture: Rahul Gandhi Credit: Getty)
Rwanda says it will release the human rights activist Paul Rusesabagina from prison. He was in jail serving a 25-year sentence for terrorism. His co-accused were also granted presidential clemency.
A cabinet reshuffle in the Democratic Republic of Congo includes unlikely names and old faces. What does it tell us about President Tshisekedi's game plan ahead of elections later this year?
In Tanzania - 193 people are in isolation following the death of five others from Marburg Disease. How are people feeling and what measures are in place in the quarantined areas?
Writer, Tim Stimpson
Director, Kim Greengrass
Editor, Jeremy Howe
Brian Aldridge ….. Charles Collingwood
Debbie Aldridge ….. Tamsin Greig
Ben Archer ….. Ben Norris
David Archer ….. Timothy Bentinck
Ruth Archer ….. Felicity Finch
Harrison Burns ….. James Cartwright
Susan Carter ….. Charlotte Martin
Justin Elliott ….. Simon Williams
Clarrie Grundy ….. Heather Bell
George Grundy ….. Angus Stobie
Chelsea Horrobin ….. Madeleine Leslay
Joy Horville ….. Jackie Lye
Jim Lloyd ….. John Rowe
Paul Mack ….. Joshua Riley
Adam Macy ….. Andrew Wincott
Our presenter Will Bain we be taking a look at Europe's Banking situation as Deutsche Banks shares fell by 14% and other banks are struggling. We will be hearing from the former head of the European Central Bank Peter Hahn on what he thinks is going wrong. The China Development Forum returns for the first time in person since before the pandemic. The event is usually attended by foreign representatives from across the world, however this year some US companies won't be attending. Popular TV show Succession is back on our screens. People absolutely love the show but what is it about boardroom drama that keeps us wanting more, we find out from a TV expert. (Picture: Economy graph: red down arrow, cash euro banknotes and stock exchange board.
Andy is joined by Ian Smith, Holly Walsh, Andy Parsons and from The Spectator, Kate Andrews. This week the panel discuss the war in Ukraine one year on, Keir Starmer's missions, and the editing of Dahl.
Hosted and written by Andy Zaltzman with additional material from Alice Fraser, Catherine Brinkworth, Jade Gebbie, and Will Hall.
Producer: Sam Holmes
Executive Producer: Richard Morris
Production Co-ordinator: Becky Carewe-Jeffries
Sound Editor: Marc Willcox
Our presenter Will Bain we be taking a look at Europe's Banking situation as Deutsche Banks shares fell by 14% and other banks are struggling. We will be hearing from the former head of the European Central Bank Peter Hahn on what he thinks is going wrong.
The China Development Forum returns for the first time in person since before the pandemic. The event is usually attended by foreign representatives from across the world, however this year some US companies won't be attending.
Popular TV show Succession is back on our screens. People absolutely love the show but what is it about boardroom drama that keeps us wanting more, we find out from a TV expert.
There has been violence in some French cities in the latest round of demonstrations against proposals to raise the state pension age. Also: The US state of Utah gives parents control over their children's social media, and how a drawing by a Russian child sparked a police investigation.
It’s fifty years since six newly elected female traders entered the floor of the London Stock Exchange for the first time after 200 years of exclusion. The number of women working in finance reached a peak in 1997 at almost six-hundred-thousand, but has dropped by more than thirty percent to around four-hundred-thousand last year. Half a century after the first women were allowed onto the floor at the London Stock Exchange, the ‘inequity’ that has held women back in the industry has still not been fully redressed. We talk to Julia Hoggett, CEO of the London Stock Exchange and Beryl Gayler, one of the first female dealers there.
Soaps and dramas are increasingly making mainstream issues an integral part of their storylines. Take the current Eastenders storyline following Lola Pearce’s terminal brain tumour diagnosis or Jean Slater’s battle with ovarian cancer in 2019. But what about a drama series that explores a cancer diagnosis through conversations on a social media app? The charity Breast Cancer Now has created the UK’s first group messaging series which consists of voice notes, messages and videos sent between four close friends as they navigate an unexpected breast cancer diagnosis together. Anita is joined by two of the women who inspired the story, Kelly Short and Lurline Thomas, as well as the Associate Director of Nursing and Health Information at Breast Cancer Now, Sally Kum, to discuss whether this could be Wea new way of supporting women with cancer.
Suzi Ruffell is on a mission to find the lighter moments in life as she navigates motherhood, touring the country and anxiety. The comedian's latest show Snappy is a series of confessional stories about settling down, living life with her "bossy toddler" and worrying about absolutely everything. Suzi Ruffell joins Anita Rani.
Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Lisa Jenkinson
Studio Manager: Duncan Hannant
Unless you can handle complete and utter wackiness, don’t listen to this podcast. There's wobbling WrongUns, quizzy rascals and pussy talk from Greg. You have been warned
By Edson Burton. The enigmatic drifter is back to help a troubled soul. James Persad has lost his wife Mavis, and he too seems lost. Can Deacon help? New supernatural drama starring Don Warrington and Ram John Holder.
CAST
Deacon - Don Warrington
James Persad - Ram John Holder
Mavis - Sutara Gayle
Michael - Lee Mengo
Ryan - Tristan Slowley
Youth - Hasan Dixon
Sound Design - Nigel Lewis
Producer - John Norton
A BBC Audio Drama Wales Production
هذه واحدة من القصص التي لا نسمعها كل يوم، عن رجل يعيش تحت الأنقاض بعد أن نزل سقف الفندق الذي يقيم فيه عليه ثم يخرج دون أن يكون قد مسه أذى. باسل يروي لنا تفاصيل قصته في بودكاست "ما بعد الزلزال" الذي نتحدث فيه عن طرق الشفاء من الصدمة وما تتركه من خوف وحزن. وعن القصص التي عندما نسمعها تفيض أرواحنا بالرقة والامتنان، نشارككم قصة ثناء ويمامتها شام وارتباط أقوى من الزلزال.
البودكاست من إعداد و تقديم بسمة كراشة، ساعد في الإعداد بناني الخنشي و كريم إمام و فتحي بن عيسى، في رئاسة التحرير كريمة كواح.
The Bank of England has raised interest rates again after inflation rose unexpectedly this week. Andrew Bailey, Governor of the Bank of England, told Today’s Sean Farrington that companies who raised prices risked driving up the cost of living, hurting those that can least afford it.
Sean also discusses with Mr Bailey the health of the UK economy and how to guard against a run on the banks in an age of social media and online banking.
(Image Credit: EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
All episodes of our catfishing podcast are now available. You meet someone online. It turns out many others think they have fallen for the same person. It’s the story of the scammers and the unwitting face of a digital con. With host, Hannah Ajala.
Search for Love, Janessa wherever you get your podcasts.
The Chinese app's boss, Shou Zi Chew, tried to defend the firm during a hostile questioning from the US House Committee on Energy and Commerce. We analyse what we learnt about TikTok from the hearing.
Video-sharing app accused of being an agent of the Chinese Communist party amid calls for it to be banned. Also: The Israeli prime minister vows to press ahead with his planned overhaul of the judiciary but says he wants to unite the country behind the changes, and the campaign in New Zealand to help youngsters navigate their breaks ups amicably.
The chief executive of TikTok has been defending the Chinese-owned video-sharing app in the face of hostile questioning at a US Congressional committee hearing. Shou Zi Chew denied TikTok is a national security risk and played down the company's connection to China. He insisted data would never be given to the Chinese Communist Party, but did accept that data is currently accessible to staff in China. The committee chair Cathy Rodgers described TikTok as a weapon of the Chinese Communist Party that ought to be banned. Members of Congress also accused TikTok of delivering harmful content to young people.
Also in the programme: A former Israeli Prime Minister tells Newshour that the government's plans for judicial reform have created the biggest crisis since the creation of Israel; and we report from the southern front of the war in Ukraine.
(Photo: TikTok Chief Executive Shou Zi Chew testifies before a House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing as lawmakers scrutinise the Chinese-owned video-sharing app. Credit: Reuters Evelyn Hockstein)
Former Nigerian senator Ike Ekweremadu and his wife Beatrice have been convicted of exploiting a young man from a poor village by bringing him to London to donate a kidney. The couple, and a doctor who was also found guilty, were convicted under Britain's Modern Slavery Act. We hear more about the case and get reaction from people in Nigeria.
Ethiopia's prime minister appoints Getachew Reda, spokesperson of the Tigray People's Liberation Front, as Tigray's new interim leader.
And French journalist Olivier Dubois, released by militants in Mali after being kidnapped and held hostage for nearly two years, tells us how he managed to keep his mind occupied during his months in captivity.
In the last weekly edition of the programme, presenter Mani Djazmi, Heather O'Reilly and Pat Nevin reflect on 22 years of World Football.
TikTok's boss Shou Zi Chew faced a grilling by the US congress over the safety of the social media app. TikTok is owned by Chinese company ByteDance and there are fears that the owners will share data with the Chinese government. The video hosting service has 150 million US users.
The European Commission has drafted a plan to allow the sales of new cars with internal combustion engines after 2035 if they run only on climate neutral e-fuels. This means carmakers could keep selling combustion engine vehicles after 2035, the date when a planned EU law is set to ban the sale of new CO2-emitting cars.
It is the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and its comes as cost of living has gone up around the world with food, fuel and gas prices up. Millions of Muslims around the world who are fasting are feeling the pinch of inflation.
Israel's parliament has passed a law limiting how a prime minister can be removed from office. The Israeli opposition says the legislation is aimed at protecting the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu who is facing corruption charges. We hear the view of former Prime Minister Ehud Barak. Also: A Nigerian senator and his wife have been convicted of trafficking a man to harvest a kidney for their daughter, and the good and the bad news about drinking coffee.
Israelis are holding demonstrations across the country in the latest mass protest against moves by the government to overhaul the judicial system.
The law would make it more difficult for courts to remove a prime minister deemed unfit for office.
We'll hear from a former prime minister who tells us he believes the government is looking increasingly isolated.
Also in the programme: The boss of Tiktok prepares to testify before Congress in the US about the company's links to the Chinese Communist Party; and is Germany trying to derail an EU ban on petrol and diesel vehicles from 2035?
(Photo shows demonstrators attending a "Day of Shutdown" protest in Tel Aviv, Israel on 23 March 2023. Credit: Ronen Zvulun/Reuters)
On this week’s Stumped, our very own Charu Sharma flies out to Mumbai to visit some of the game’s biggest stars as the inaugural Women’s Premier League reaches its finale.
First up is Australia captain Meg Lanning, who has just led the Delhi Capitals to the first ever WPL final. She tells us that the competition is “on another level” to anything else she’s experienced, and discusses her five-month break from sport in which she worked in a café.
Charu then catches up with India all-rounder Shikha Pandey, who says the introduction of the WPL means “India will probably go on and win that World Cup title”. Pandey spent ten years working as a squadron leader in the Indian Air Force, which she says shaped her as a person. She discusses the “immense pressure” on young girls in the country and hopes that the coverage of the WPL will inspire parents to encourage their daughters to pursue cricket.
Image: BBC
Ask The Nation raises a question of ear hygene, there’s controversy in the quiz and Oti Mabuse or Barry White anyone? It’s coffee time.
Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.
Nicola Sturgeon issued a "sincere, heartfelt and unreserved" apology on Tuesday to people affected by the practice of forced adoption in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. It is estimated 60,000 women in Scotland had babies adopted because they were unmarried. This apology follows others around the world including Australia and Ireland. The UK government has previously stated that an official state apology was not appropriate.
Today's Justin Webb speaks to Jill Killington who had a forced adoption of her son in 1960.
(Image credit: Liudmila_Fadzeyev/ Getty Images)
Paul Erdős (1913 – 1996) is one of the most celebrated mathematicians of the 20th century. During his long career, he made a number of impressive advances in our understanding of maths and developed whole new fields in the subject.
He was born into a Jewish family in Hungary just before the outbreak of World War I, and his life was shaped by the rise of fascism in Europe, anti-Semitism and the Cold War. His reputation for mathematical problem solving is unrivalled and he was extraordinarily prolific. He produced more than 1,500 papers and collaborated with around 500 other academics.
He also had an unconventional lifestyle. Instead of having a long-term post at one university, he spent much of his life travelling around visiting other mathematicians, often staying for just a few days.
With
Colva Roney-Dougal
Professor of Pure Mathematics at the University of St Andrews
Timothy Gowers
Professor of Mathematics at the College de France in Paris and Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge
and
Andrew Treglown
Associate Professor in Mathematics at the University of Birmingham
The image above shows a graph occurring in Ramsey Theory. It was created by Dr Katherine Staden, lecturer in the School of Mathematics at the Open University.
Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is destroying lives all over the United States. Manufactured illegally and at a huge profit by drug cartels in Mexico, it’s smuggled across the border into southern California and Arizona. The director at one entry point on the border acknowledges that they’re looking for needles in a haystack. And she says that they drug organisations have more money than they do.
In the second of a two-part series, Assignment crosses into the US from Mexico to run a rule over the devastation this lethal drug has left in its wake in San Diego County.
Presenter / producer: Linda Pressly
Producer: Tim Mansel
(Photo: The wall between the US and Mexico from the Mexican side. The city of San Diego is in the distance. Credit: Tim Mansel).
The former British prime minister was grilled about whether he lied about breaching Covid lockdown rules. Also: The White House warns Uganda of possible economic repercussions if a new law banning people from identifying as LGBT comes into force, and could the mystery surrounding what killed Beethoven finally have been solved?
For the ninth time in a row, the US Federal Reserve has increased interest rates, up by 0.25%. Announcing the rise Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell said the Fed is focused on tackling inflation. Roger Hearing gets reaction from both Wall Street and Main Street to the news.
Argentina's economy expanded in the fourth-quarter of 2022, despite inflation of 102% in the country. We hear what's behind the economic growth in the face of huge pressures.
And we get the latest from Florida, where the world's first launch of a 3D printed rocket is due to take place.
The UN opened its first conference on water security in almost half a century on Wednesday with a plea to governments to better manage one of humanity's shared resources. Co-chairwoman of the Global Commission on the Economics of Water, Mariana Mazzucato tells Newshour about the scale of the problem.
Also in the programme: Judicial reforms in Israel; and the life-giving molecule found on an asteroid.
(Photo: Haider Jalil, 10, fills a water tank from a truck outside his family home in the village of Al-Bouzayyat which sits on the bank of a former canal which has dried up, in Diwaniya, Iraq. Credit: REUTERS/Alaa Al-Marjani/File Photo)
Babies, peanut butter and allergies; Psychologist Professor Elaine Fox on how to navigate change; how changing the clocks twice a year affects our health and why misophonia, the strong reaction to sounds of other people breathing, yawning or chewing, could be more common than we thought.
Image Credit: Mohd Hafiez Mohd Razali / EyeEm
Uganda has passed one of the toughest pieces of anti-gay legislation in Africa. A rights activist tell us the bill has increased the fear of more attacks on gay people.
Five people have died from an outbreak of Marburg virus in Tanzania.
It has been three years since Malawi legalised cannabis, but the promise of an economic boom for farmers is yet to materialise.
And we look at the fluctuations in the market for the Benin Bronzes.
Founder of Money Saving Expert, Martin Lewis joins BBC Radio 5 Live’s Nihal Arthanayake to answer your questions – including what to consider when weighing up a large loan vs re-mortgaging.
The cost of living rose more than expected last month as salad and vegetable shortages helped push up food prices at the fastest rate in 45 years. Alcohol prices in restaurants and pubs also drove up costs for households, as inflation jumped to 10.4% in the year to February from 10.1% in January. Clothing costs, particularly for children and women, rose last month but fuel prices continued to fall.
Most broadband firms' contracts allow them to increase prices a few per cent above inflation even if you're mid-contract. This would increase a typical £40 bill to almost £46 a month. Yet millions of people are out of contract and free to leave their contract. Just like broadband, most mobile firms' contracts allow them to increase prices a few per cent above inflation even if you're mid-contract, which again means that millions are facing rises of up to 17.3% this April. There's little you can do mid-contract. But if your not and you're happy with your handset, you can save £100s with a cheap Sim.
The Energy Price Guarantee currently sets the price almost everyone pays for their energy. It’s a state-subsidised discount off the price cap rates which currently keeps a typical household bill at £2,500/year. However, there will still be a rise for everyone in April as the Government’s £66/£67 a month energy support is ending. And what you actually pay will depend on your usage, where you live and your payment method. Martin shares the average standing charges and unit rates for gas and electricity.
Elsewhere in the podcast, you Tell Us how your food shopping habits have been impacted by price increases. Have you changed the way you buy food? The sort of food you buy? Plus Nihal takes on Martin’s Money Mastermind and is quizzed on ways to pay for energy.
Producer: Isabelle Tudor
The US Federal Reserve will decided on whether to raise interest rate as they struggle to stabilise prices due to the rising cost of living. The collapse of two regional banks this months has highlighted their risks.
Ukraine has reached an agreement with the International Monetary Fund to secure more than 15 billion dollars worth of loans to help support the country's economy.
In Somalia as Ramadan begins, Muslims who usually break a dawn-to-dusk fast with lavish family meals, are now stressed to secure even the most basic diets due to rising food costs.
Rights groups in Uganda have expressed concern about a new draft law which would make it a crime for people to identify as LGBT. Also on the programme, the UN has warned of a looming global water crisis because of pollution and excessive consumption, ahead of its first big conference on the subject in decades; and we hear from one of the first women who joined the London Stock Exchange, fifty years ago.
(Photo: Uganda considers bill to criminalize identifying as LGBTQ in Kampala 21/03/2023 Reuters)
Overconsumption and climate change threaten future supplies. Also: Volodymr Zelensky visits Ukrainian troops near the embattled town of Bakhmut, Boris Johnson fights for his political life -- and everything you need to know about 3D cheesecake.
Greg finds a man blowing a trumpet into some Jelly, we have some big Jelly Lady news and Listener Erin gets wobbly about one of Radio 1’s Big Weekend acts.
On a special phone in edition of Woman's Hour we look at trust in the police following the review by Baroness Casey into a toxic culture at the Met Police. She found the 'the force has lost the trust and confidence of the people it is supposed to keep safe' and gave shocking examples of sexism, racism and homophobia. The report was commissioned in the aftermath of the rape and murder of Sarah Everard by PC Wayne Couzens, who has been sentenced to life imprisonment.
Since then, we’ve also had the sentencing of former police officer David Carrick, who pleaded guilty to 85 serious offences, including rapes, sexual assaults, false imprisonment, and coercive and controlling behaviour. He is now serving time in jail, for a minimum of 32 years. We want to hear your views - do you trust the police? Would you think twice about asking for help as a woman of colour or if you'd been sexually assaulted? Call Nuala McGovern to have your say on 03700 100 444. Lines open at 0830 Wednesday.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Lisa Jenkinson
Studio Mangaer: Gayl Gordon
The inflation rate rose unexpectedly to 10.4% in February, up from 10.1% in January. The Office for National Statistics says the Consumer Prices Index rate has been pushed up by higher prices in cafes, pubs and restaurants and the cost of food and clothing.
The BBC's Business Editor Simon Jack speaks to Minette Batters, President of National Farmers Union, and Karen Ward, Chief Market Strategist EMEA at J.P. Morgan Asset Management.
Today's Amol Rajan also speaks to Simon about the figures which measure how quickly prices go up.
(Image Credit: SolStock/ Getty Images)
听众 Evelyne 想知道单词 “being” 的含义和用法。“Being” 既可以作名词，也可以作动词。作名词时用法多样，比如，在搭配 “human being”、“came into being” 和 “my entire being” 当中，“being” 的意思都不同。此外，“being” 还是助动词 “be” 的现在分词。听节目，学习 “being” 的常见用法。
With the end of the tax year fast approaching, people are looking at their finances and investments. But in a cost of living crisis with unstable markets, are they performing, and how should we be investing?
The experts on the panel are Sangita Chawla, Managing Director at Standard Life, and Kirsty Stone, Chartered Financial Adviser at The Private Office.
Presenter: Adam Shaw
Producer: Amber Mehmood
Editor: Elisabeth Mahy
(First broadcast 3pm, Wednesday 22nd February 2023)
The quake, with a magnitude of 6.5, was centred in the Hindu Kush mountains. Also: UK defends sending shells made with depleted uranium to Ukraine after Putin warning, and Gwyneth Paltrow in court as ski crash trial begins.
Russia is looking to sign an agreement with China to build a new pipeline through Siberia. Moscow put forward the idea many years ago, but it has gained urgency as it turns to China to replace Europe as its main gas customer. Google is rolling out it’s AI Chat Bard. It can access up-to-date information from the internet and has a "Google it" button which accesses search. Ramadan, the month of fasting for Muslims is about to get underway. Dates are one fruit that is much sought after to break the fast and we hear from an Egyptian company that exports the fruit across the world.
Presenter Roger Hearing brings you up to date with the main global business stories.
A New York court investigating ex-president Donald Trump over allegations he paid hush money to a pornographic actress is poised to release its decision.
Also in the programme: Tim Franks reports from the West Bank; and Yusuf / Cat Stevens.
(Picture: Demonstrators shout and hold up signs outside New York Criminal Court in advance of a potential Indictment of former President Donald Trump in New York. Credit: Peter Foley/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
New data suggests that hundreds of ophthalmology patients are experiencing avoidable and irreversible harm to their vison by not being able to access NHS appointments. Over 70% of optometrists in the UK have also said they have seen a patient in the last six months who had experienced a delay to treatment of 12 months or more. Ophthalmology within the NHS is one of the biggest outpatient specialty and is experiencing severe pressure under patient need. So could a nationalised eye health strategy from Government be the answer? The Association of Optometrists and the Macular Society think so. We speak to Farah Topia, Optometrist and Clinical Advisor for the AOP and to the Macular Society's chief executive, Cathy Yelf.
The CSUN Assistive Technology Conference in California concluded last week. It is the world's largest event dedicated to exploring new ways technology can assist people with disabilities. Dave Williams from the RNIB was in attendance and he tells us what kind of exciting new technologies are in development.
Presenter: Peter White
Producer: Beth Hemmings
Production Coordinator: Liz Poole
Website image description: Peter White sits smiling in the centre of the image, wearing a dark green jumper. Above Peter's head is the BBC logo (three individual white squares house each of the three letters). Bottom centre and overlaying the image are the words "In Touch" and the Radio 4 logo (the word Radio in a bold white font, with the number 4 inside a white circle). The background is a bright mid-blue with two rectangles angled diagonally to the right. Both are behind Peter, one of a darker blue and the other is a lighter blue.
Could 3D-printing be serving us up a tasty food revolution, or is it the ultimate in gimmicky processed foods taking us yet further away from natural eating? In the kitchen, a 3D-printer builds up customised tasty treats like exotic cheesecakes, layer by layer, using edible pastes, gels and liquids. The results look delicious, and delicate, and can be tweaked to suit the individual’s specific nutritional needs. The latest possibilities are one of the main courses in the latest issue of npj Science of Food. One of the article’s authors is Dr Jonathan Blutinger worked at the Creative Machines Lab at Columbia University in New York where the research was carried out.
Jimmy Wales on AI and its impact on Wikipedia
In our second interview with Wikipedia Founder Jimmy Wales, Gareth asks about the balkanisation of the internet and how ChatGPT and other AI tech could impact Wikipedia.
Bollywood and the multiverse
India is now officially the most populated country in the world and everything there is measured in huge numbers. Take film, for example. With nearly two thousand films made each year in over 20 regional languages, India produces the most films worldwide. And Bollywood is just a part of it. This year marks 110 years since the first Indian feature movie was made - ‘Raja Harishchandra’, a silent movie by legendary Dadasaheb Phalke. Since then Indian film has come a long way, winning an Oscar in two categories at the Academy Awards this year. Our reporter Snezana Curcic recently went to Mumbai, the city where it all started. She’s explored how digitalisation has disrupted and affected the industry and Indian film audiences in recent years.
Pod EXTRA:
A make-up applying app for the visually impaired
How would you feel about applying make-up for a date or an important meeting without the aid of a mirror? Well, if you're blind or visually impaired, that's effectively a situation you might find yourself in on a regular basis. But now it seems help could be at hand. A new app called the Voice Enabled Makeup Assistant has been developed by the International cosmetics company Estee Lauder. So will it help if you're a blind dater, or is it all just lip service. Our reporter, Fern Lulham takes up the story.
The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell with expert commentary from Ghislaine Boddington.
Studio Manager: Giles Aspen
Producer: Ania Lichtarowicz
(Image: 3D-printed cheesecake using edible food inks, ...
Parliament in Uganda has passed a bill that may see people who identify as gay, lesbian or queer be imprisoned for life, if it is signed into law.
Kenya has received its first shipment from the ‘Grain from Ukraine’ programme.
Senegalese president, Macky Sall, has rejected claims it would unconstitutional for him to seek a third term in office.
And we hear from pioneering Malawian singer-songwriter, Ritaa, who is working on her debut album.
IMF has approved a $3bn bailout package for the bankrupted Sri Lanka. The nation's foreign minister pledged to reconstruct its state-own enterprises and their national airline but it seems like there is still a long road ahead for the island in South Asia, after getting multiple blows by the pandemic, increasing energy prices, tax cuts and the skyrocketed inflation.
BBC’s lead presenter Ed Butler joins Will Bain from Columbo, the nation's capital, to find out what is coming next for some 22 million Sri Lankans. How would things change?
(Picture: An ice-cream vendor waiting for customers at Galle Face Beach in Columbo, Sri Lanka. Credit: AFP via Getty Images)
As Israel's parliament votes to allow Israelis back into four settlements evacuated years ago, we'll hear from Tim Franks in the occupied West Bank. Also on the programme, Russia's president Vladimir Putin has been discussing the war in Ukraine with the Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is visiting Moscow; and, an Indonesian court has agreed to allow a lawsuit brought by parents of children who died after being given tainted cough syrup.
(Photo: Protests against Israel"s judicial overhaul, in Tel Aviv 18/03/2023 Reuters)
Listen to the music of decomposing mushrooms, look through a photographer's lens at a surprising streak of streaking in the 1970s, and explore the world of a Danish hospital clown who opens up a pocket of a different reality.
Josie Long presents short documentaries and audio adventures about the joys that lurk beneath the surface of things.
Mushroom Music
Featuring Mati Araoz
Produced by Seb Masters
A Different Reality
Featuring Boaz Barkan
Produced by Nanna Hauge Kristensen
The Streak!
Featuring Ron Harr
Including original compositions by Alan Goffinski
Produced by Alan Goffinski
Curated by Axel Kacoutié, Eleanor McDowall and Andrea Rangecroft
Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4
Xi Jinping calls Moscow and Beijing 'strategic partners and great neighbouring powers'; Also: Britain's biggest police force accused of racism, sexism and homophobia, and why do fish sing?
Star of Gossip Girl and You Penn Badgley is here for Unpopular Opinion (including some special surround sound bath farts). Also, Greg has some alarming advice for the Government, and Jumping Joeys and Labradors in Lakes are debated in Animal News.
Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.
A highly critical report on Britain's biggest police force has found it to be "institutionally racist, misogynist and homophobic". Baroness Louise Casey's review says the Metropolitan Police has failed to protect the public from staff who abuse women, and that female officers and staff routinely experienced sexism.
Mishal Husain speaks to the report's author Baroness Casey, as well as Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley about the findings. Mishal also spoke to the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan who, with the Home Secretary, is responsible for overseeing the Met.
(Image: Baroness Casey, Credit: Kirsty O'Connor/POOL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
我们在生活中可能会遇到一些虽然不愿意做，但非做不可的事情，不能讨价还价，不能找借口，也没得商量。英语表达 “no ifs or buts” 正好可以用来表达这个含义。听节目，学习 “no ifs or buts” 的用法。
UN secretary general Antonio Guterres says that all countries should bring forward their net zero carbon plans by a decade. Also: France's government survives a no-confidence vote, and the Chinese city of Guixi launches its own dating app for residents.
Sri Lanka has secured a $2.9bn bailout from the International Monetary Fund as it faces its worst economic and social crisis since independence. A day after
UBS Bank brought Credit Suisse out of financial trouble uncertainty in the markets have calmed down. The former finance Minister of Canada Joe Oliver gives his take on if politicians can have much influence on a financial crisis...
China's leader Xi Jinping showed the importance of close relations between Russia and China at a dinner hosted by Vladimir Putin on Monday. This comes days after an international court called for the Russian president's arrest for war crimes in Ukrain.
Also on the programme:
The death of a head teacher prompts calls for Ofsted inspections to be paused. We speak to a former education secretary.
A major UN report warns that if the catastrophic effects of global warming are to be slowed, there will need to be radical reductions in the use of fossil fuels. But the UN's top climate official tells us there is still time to act.
And a heated debate on whether the Elgin Marbles should be loaned to Greece by the British Museum.
The UN's International Panel on Climate Change says the world is on the brink of irrevocable damage, with global warming above 1.5 degrees Celsius now certain without drastic action. Also in the programme; a senior US figure involved in the invasion of Iraq expresses regret for his government's poor planning. And an iconic Indian cola brand attempts a comeback.
(Picture: File image of a power station. Credit: Getty Creative)
South Africa's opposition Economic Freedom Fighters call for a shutdown of the economy... we'll hear how it went.
Also, as Ramadan approaches, Egyptians despair over the rising cost of food.
Plus, music and money from Malawi's artists to help victims of Cyclone Freddy.
And how clever is Artificial Intelligence when it comes to knowledge about Africa?
Those stories and more in this podcast presented by Audrey Brown.
Think Sahara Desert, think intense heat and drought. We see the Sahara as an unrelenting, frazzling, white place. But geo-archaeologist Dr Judith Bunbury says in the not so distant past, the region looked more like a safari park.
In the more recent New Kingdom of Ancient Egypt, from around 3500 years ago (the time of some of Egypt’s most famous kings like Ahmose I, Thutmose III, Akhenaten, Tutankhamun and queens like Hatshepsut) core samples shows evidence of rainfall, huge lakes, springs, trees, birds, hares and even gazelle, very different from today.
By combining geology with archaeology, Dr Bunbury, from the department of Earth Sciences at the University of Cambridge and Senior Tutor at St Edmund’s College, tells Jim al-Khalili that evidence of how people adapted to their ever-changing landscape is buried in the mud, dust and sedimentary samples beneath these ancient sites, waiting to be discovered.
The geo-archaeological research by Judith and her team, has helped to demonstrate that the building of the temples at Karnak near Luxor, added to by each of the Pharaohs, was completely dependent on the mighty Nile, a river which, over millennia, has wriggled and writhed, creating new land on one bank as it consumes land on another. Buildings and monuments were adapted and extended as the river constantly changed course.
Banking stocks remain under pressure in London and across Europe today after the takeover of Credit Suisse by rival Swiss bank UBS failed to calm markets.
Will Bain talks to companies affected and financial experts about the implications for the global financial system.
Scientists say clean energy and technology can be exploited to avoid the growing climate disaster. But they warn a key global temperature goal will probably be missed. Also: Russia's playing host to the Chinese leader, Xi Jinping, in Moscow, and twenty years on - we hear from our correspondent who was there at the start of the US-led invasion of Iraq.
It's Xi Jinping's first visit since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year - we'll discuss the symbolism of the trip; also, European banking shares have fallen after an emergency takeover of the failing bank Credit Suisse, by its larger Swiss rival, UBS; and on the 20th anniversary of the US-led invasion of Iraq, our Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen speaks to those whose lives were turned upside-down.
(Photo: Russian matryoshka dolls with portraits of the Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin sold on a street souvenir shop in downtown Moscow. Credit: Yuri Kochetkov/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Jelly lady meets Fred Again, a conspiracy theory is disproved and Clara is here to help Greg announce The Radio 1 Big Weekend’s Saturday line up.
Also, George Best Belfast City Airport introduce £3 drop off charge at the express area.
Known for shows like Love Island and The Only Way is Essex, in her first radio interview social media influencer Georgia Harrison talks to Nuala McGovern about her new TV documentary. It follows her successful legal battle against her former partner Stephen Bear who filmed and shared a sex video of the two of them without her consent on the OnlyFans website
In 2007, when she was just 19 years old, Reyhaneh Jabbari was sentenced to death for the murder of the man who tried to rape her. She spent seven years on death row, dying at the age of 26. She is heralded as a symbol of resistance for women in Iran and now a new documentary tells her story. Seven Winters in Tehran brings together secretly filmed footage, powerful testimonies from family and friends and the words of Reyhaneh herself in her letters from prison voiced by Holy Spider actress Zar Amir Ebrahimi. Nuala McGovern talks to the director of the film Steffi Niederzoll and Reyhaneh’s mother Shole Pakravan.
Presenter Nuala McGovern
Producer Beverley Purcell
The businessman Henry Dimbleby who co-founded Leon has announced he is stepping down as a government adviser on food policy.
Today's Mishal Husain speaks to Henry Dimbleby about food policy and his new book 'Ravenous: How to get ourselves and Our Planet into Shape'.
(Image credit: RichLegg/ Getty Images)
It has been two decades since the ground invasion of Iraq began. British and US forces led the attack which led to the toppling of Saddam Hussain's regime. The instability that followed led to brutal sectarian conflict, and eventually the rise of the Islamic State.
The BBC's International Editor Jeremy Bowen has travelled through Iraq and reports on the legacy and consequences of the invasion in 2003.
Today's Justin Webb also speaks to Sir Jeremy Greenstock, UK Permanent Representative to the United Nations between 1998 and 2003 and the UK's Special Representative for Iraq.
(Image credit: REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani)
Learn how to use compound adjectives (e.g. low-fat yoghurt, high-quality carbohydrates).
Darren Harriott, Helen Bauer and Sara Barron on the weird and wonderful founder of pop art. And for the first time, one of the panellists falls violently in love with the subject during the recording and won't hear a word against him
Producer: Beth O’Dea
Evil Genius with Russell Kane is a BBC Audio Bristol production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds
The deal, backed by the Swiss government, follows weekend talks aimed at preventing the collapse of the Credit Suisse bank. Also: Saudi King invites Iran's president to visit Riyadh, and a skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus rex is to be auctioned in Europe.
Ukraine has condemned President Vladimir Putin's visit to the occupied city of Mariupol. It was the first time the Russian leader had been to a newly-occupied Russian territory in Ukraine, since ordering the invasion last year. Newshour spoke to Ukraine's prosecutor general, Andriy Kostin, about the visit.
Also in the programme: UBS agrees to rescue deal for Credit Suisse; and an accountant investigating high-level corruption, has been shot dead in South Africa.
(Picture: Russia's President, Vladimir Putin. Credit: Reuters)
President Putin has been to Mariupol - thought to be his first visit to Ukrainian territory occupied by Russia since the invasion a year ago. Also on the programme: emergency talks are continuing in Switzerland in an attempt to rescue the troubled bank, Credit Suisse, before the opening of financial markets on Monday; and a Tyrannosaurus Rex goes up for auction.
(Photo: Russian President Putin visits Crimea on ninth anniversary of Russia"s annexation 18/03/2023 European Pressphoto Agency)
Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh le Ruairidh MacIlleathain. Litir àireamh 1235. Roddy Maclean reads this week's letter for Gàidhlig learners.
St. David is said to have performed a number of miracles, from restoring the sight of a man who was blind to the famous occasion when a hill rose up beneath him so that the crowds could hear his preaching. As part of our series marking the 900th anniversary of St. David’s recognition as a saint, Roy Jenkins and guests discuss miracles today.
The panel examine how we make sense of St. David’s miracles in a contemporary context, whether miracles do in fact still happen, and if they do occur, why do so many earnest prayers go unanswered?
Roy Jenkins is joined by four guests; Julian Richards, who founded Cornerstone church with his wife Sarah more than thirty years ago and now heads up New Wine Cymru. Joshua Brown is a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Indiana University. His own experience of miraculous healing was recently featured in an article in the New York Times. He helped found the Global Medical Research Institute which investigates and publishes case studies of miraculous events. Gemma Simmonds is a sister of the Congregation of Jesus, a prolific writer who teaches at the Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology in Cambridge. She is a regular visitor to Lourdes. Lastly Trystan Owain-Hughes, a Christian theologian and author of Finding Hope and Meaning in Suffering. He’s the Director of Ministry Development for the Church in Wales.
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs.
This week: How doctors in the US have “cured” a woman with HIV. Does Venus have volcanoes? Re-examining 30 year old probe footage has got scientists wondering.
Plus we look at the value of national parks to our wellbeing, and the new project to make it easier to recharge not just your mental batteries but also your electric car in remote parts of the country.
The case focuses on alleged hush money paid on Mr Trump's behalf to a former porn star. Also: Russia and Ukraine agree to extend grain deal, and the hunt for olive thieves in Spain.
Is former US President Donald Trump about to be arrested? He claims he is - posting on social media that he's heard leaked reports that he will be indicted. The Manhattan district attorney’s office has been investigating alleged "hush-money" payments made to adult movie actress Stormy Daniels. We hear from the Associated Press’s National Political Reporter Michelle Price.
Also in the programme: the Ukrainian children forcibly taken to Russia – a key focus of the ICC indictment of Russian president Vladimir Putin. And actor Sam Neil on his Non-Hodgkins's lymphoma diagnosis.
(Photo: A message on 18 March 2023 on the Truth Social account of former US President Donald Trump reads that he expects to be arrested on Tuesday 21 March as prosecutors consider charges over hush money payments to a porn star, and calls on his supporters to protest. Credit: Social Media via Reuters)
Paris Hilton has been called ‘the first influencer’ and is known for being an ‘it-girl’. But behind the paparazzi pictures there’s a darker story. Now for the first time, Paris is telling her story in her own words in her new book Paris: The Memoir. She joins Anita Rani to talk about her life, why she wanted to write her story now, and being a new mother.
A major report has been published looking into the experiences of survivors of FGM in accessing post-FGM healthcare in the UK. Nuala McGovern speaks to Dr Laura Jones, University of Birmingham, one of the lead authors on the report; Mama Sylla, a survivor of FGM who has been recognised by the government for her work in raising awareness of FGM and Juliet Albert, Specialist FGM Midwife at Imperial College.
Multi-award winning singer-songwriter Annie Lennox has been using her voice for activism for the last 15 years. Now, she is fighting to get garment workers across the world a living wage. In a Woman’s Hour exclusive, Anita Rani speaks to her about her charity, The Circle, her belief in Global Feminism, and what it was like to meet Joni Mitchell. They are joined by Kalpona Akter, an ambassador for The Circle who worked in a garment factory when she was just 12 years old.
Ward Thomas are an English modern country-pop duo, composed of twin sisters Catherine and Lizzy. They join Nuala McGovern to talk about their UK tour and brand new album, Music In The Madness, as well as the stigma around country music and how it’s changed.
Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Lottie Garton
We go to Pakistan where former PM Imran Khan faces corruption charges in court in Islamabad. There have been clashes between his supporters and the police.
Also on the programme: one of Russia's most decorated writers, Mikhail Shishkin, gives us his reaction to the ICC's arrest warrant against Vladimir Putin; and the actor Sam Neill has revealed he has been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins lymphoma and is receiving chemotherapy.
(Photo: Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan in Lahore, Pakistan March 17, 2023. CREDIT: REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro)
Presenter Holly Hamilton, The Big Issue editor Paul McNamee, sports presenter Kate Mason and comedian Josh James join Colin Murray for an hour of sporting punditry, humour and entertainment. Points are awarded for informed comment, wit and passion, but taken away for nonsense and answers lacking in conviction.
In the final round, the top two points scorers go head-to-head in 'Defend the Indefensible' where they must both defend a statement however ludicrous or distasteful for twenty seconds. There can only be one winner!
Get the podcast from BBC Sounds
از ساواک چه می دانیم؟ ساواک تا چه در حد در ماموریت خود موفق بود؟ از ساواک در ماه ها و سالهای اول بعد از انقلاب چه باقی ماند؟
مهمانهای برنامه: احمد فراستی از رهبران عملیاتی اداره ی سوم ساواک، عرفان قانعی فرد تاریخ نگار، سعید شاهسوندی و مصطفی مدنی هر دو زندانی سیاسی در پیش و پس از انقلاب. این برنامه پیش از این یک بار پخش شده است.
Our new weekly collection of the happiest stories in the world. This week, how a computer data centre could heat pools around the globe, Paris Opera appoints its first black star ballet dancer, and a robotic elephant helping to improve animal rights in India.
Presented by Andrew Peach. Music produced by Iona Hampson.
The Office of the Public Guardian has told Money Box it apologises to its customers for the distress caused by delays in dealing with applications for Lasting Powers of Attorney. Its target is turning them round in eight weeks. But its own website says people should expect to wait twenty. It also says it has recruited more staff to process applications and teams have been working around the clock to reduce wait times and are now registering around 18,000 more LPAs a month than before the pandemic. We'll hear from listeners and speak to a legal expert.
If you're one of the millions of people who have a mortgage, or indeed would like to get one, you might have struggled to keep up with ongoing changes to the market in the last few months. In the past two weeks nine lenders have started offering fixed term deals at less than 4% while another has doubled the amount borrowers can overpay. We'll look at how they’re affecting new and existing customers.
How should I invest? New research looks at active and passive investing, we'll speak to co-author Professor Crawford Spence of King's College London.
And how can you avoid an huge estimated bill from your energy company?
Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporter: Dan Whitworth
Researchers: Sandra Hardial and Jo Krasner
Editor: Jess Quayle
(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 18th January, 2023)
It alleges the Russian President is responsible for war crimes for the unlawful deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia. Also: Shares in the troubled banks, Credit Suisse and First Republic, have plunged again as fears persist about their financial health, and the former soldier who has spent nearly 6 years walking the coastline of Great Britain.
Half a trillion dollars have been wiped from the value of bank shares around the world as financial shocks dived this week.
The fallout is ongoing after the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) spreads through global markets.
The authorities are stepping in to get the situation under control, but some deposit holders are still feeling nervous.
For now, many analysts say they think the shock will be contained.
The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for President Putin for the alleged trafficking of children from Russian occupied parts of Ukraine. We hear from the court’s chief prosecutor Karim Khan.
Also on the programme: shares fall once again at the troubled bank Credit Suisse; and we speak to Brazilian music legend Gilberto Gil.
(Picture: President Putin of Russia. Credit: Metzel / Reuters)
More bodies recovered in the wost-hit areas of Malawi, following the devastation caused by Storm Freddy.
Also, why are religious communities in the Kenyan coastal town of Mombasa staging anti-LGBTQI protests?
Plus our resident presidents are tackling a major issue... stay tuned...
Those stories and more in this podcast presented by Victoria Uwonkunda.
Writer, Naylah Ahmed
Director, Marina Caldarone
Editor, Jeremy Howe
Brian Aldridge ….. Charles Collingwood
Ben Archer ….. Ben Norris
Jill Archer ….. Patricia Greene
Josh Archer ….. Angus Imrie
Helen Archer ….. Louiza Patikas
Alice Carter ….. Hollie Chapman
Neil Carter ….. Brian Hewlett
Susan Carter ….. Charlotte Martin
Usha Franks ….. Souad Faress
Clarrie Grundy ….. Heather Bell
Eddie Grundy ….. Trevor Harrison
Jakob Hakansson ….. Paul Venables
Joy Horville ….. Jackie Lye
Alistair Lloyd ….. Michael Lumsden
Paul Mack ….. Joshua Riley
Adam Macy ….. Andrew Wincott
Sykesy ….. Jasper Carrott
Andy Zaltzman is joined by Zoe Lyons, Angela Barnes, Hugo Rifkind and Nish Kumar. On the agenda this week is Nicola Sturgeon's surprise resignation, Jeremy Corbyn being barred as a Labour candidate and the case of 200,000 stolen Cadbury Creme Eggs.
Hosted and written by Andy Zaltzman with additional material from Alice Fraser, Catherine Brinkworth, Eleanor Morton, Peter Tellouche and Cameron Loxdale.
Producer: Georgia Keating
Executive Producer: Pete Strauss
Production Co-ordinator: Becky Carewe-Jeffries
Sound Editor: Marc Willcox
A BBC Studios Production
Another bank bail-out has taken place this week. 11 giant US financial institutions said they will deposit $30 billion dollars in California’s First Republic Bank, to try to revive it from a whirling financial storm. Familiar names like J.P. Morgan and Citi are among those institutions which join the unusual bail-out campaign. US treasurer Janet Yellen reassured markets that banks in the US are still strong and healthy.
The French government strongarmed their lawmakers to push its controversial pension reform package through on Thursday, sparking another wave of protests in many cities. The unions are now calling for another national strike next Thursday. Will President Macron back down again?
Another bank bail-out has taken place this week. 11 giant US financial institutions said they will deposit $30 billion dollars in California’s First Republic Bank, to try to revive it from a whirling financial storm. Familiar names like J.P. Morgan and Citi are among those institutions which join the unusual bail-out campaign. US treasurer Janet Yellen reassured markets that banks in the US are still strong and healthy.
The French government strongarmed their lawmakers to push its controversial pension reform package through on Thursday, sparking another wave of protests in many cities. The unions are now calling for another national strike next Thursday. Will President Macron back down again?
The French President has used a special constitutional power to force his pension reforms through the national assembly. Crowds converged on Place de la Concorde in response to raising the retirement age from 62 to 64. The plans had sparked two months of heated political debate and strikes.
Also on the programme: the prospective meeting between the leaders of China and Russia; and greenwashing - we hear that there are now a number of associated terms - but what are green hushing, green crowding and green lighting?
(Image: Firefighters extinguish a fire after a demonstration near the National Assembly after the French National Assembly vote on the government's proposed pension reform law in Paris, France, on 16 March 2023. Credit: Badra/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
The visit comes as Beijing, an ally of Russia, has offered proposals to end the war in Ukraine, to which the West has given a lukewarm reception. Also: Slovakia follows Poland in sending fighter jets to Kiev and scientists say they have found a way to avoid peanut allergies…
Greg spices up some Hinge profiles, Lorraines on Gethin Jones’ parade and gets a call from a fuming pop star. Oh, and our favourite caller ever, Carl is back (even though he really doesn’t want to be).
Anita and Annie are joined by Kalpona Akter, an ambassador for The Circle who worked in a garment factory when she was just 12 years old.
The government’s first Menopause Employment Champion Helen Tomlinson joins the programme to discuss how she will advise employers on improving workplace support for women experiencing menopause symptoms.
And we hear about a revival of Tennessee Williams’s 1947 drama of passion, delusion and mental illness – A Streetcar Named Desire. Following a run at the Almeida Theatre in January it has transferred to the West End and opens at the Phoenix Theatre in London on Monday. The play dramatizes the experiences of Blanche DuBois, a former Southern belle who, after encountering a series of personal losses, leaves her once-prosperous situation to move into a shabby apartment in New Orleans rented by her younger sister Stella and brother-in-law, Stanley. Patsy Ferran and Anjana Vasan, who play Blanche and Stella respectively, join Anita Rani to discuss their characters and the sisters’ relationship.
Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Lisa Jenkinson
Studio Manager: Tim Heffer
Following on from the government’s announcement on better pay for health workers, Today’s Martha Kearney spoke to Sir Derek Jacobi who plays Ambrose in ‘Allelujah’, a new film which shows the pressures on the NHS.
‘Allelujah’ is based on the play by Alan Bennet, and set in a small Yorkshire hospital where most of the patients are elderly. The cast is drawn from some of the best known actors in the country including Jennifer Saunders, Dame Judi Dench and Sir Derek Jacobi.
Sir Derek told Martha about his bumptious character, Ambrose; and the joyful nature of an older ensemble cast – ‘we sit there… and travel back in time’. He spoke about his positive experiences at the NHS and the rejuvenating pleasure of being an actor for over sixty years.
IMAGE CREDIT: Eamonn M. McCormack and Stringer - Getty Images.jpg
منال جوهر وهالة صالح تشاركانكم تجربتيهما مع فقدان الوظيفة ومحاولاتهما المستمرة للتأقلم مع الوضع الجديد داخل مؤسسة بي بي سي التي تتجه نحو الإعلام الرقمي. في كل حلقة تحاور هالة ومنال شخصية جديدة للإجابة على تساؤلات متعلقة
برحلة البحث عن وظيفة أو مسار مهني و شخصي جديد.
بودكاست بلا وظيفة... ما العمل؟ من إنتاج بي بي سي إكسترا، تقديم وإعداد منال جوهر وهالة صالح، ساعد في الإعداد بناني الخنشي و فتحي بن عيسى.رئاسة التحرير كريمة كواح.
The French President used special powers to force the bill through Parliament without a vote. Also: Some of the biggest banks in the US pump billions of dollars into rescuing the struggling lender, First Republic, and the competition to help decipher scrolls that survived the volcanic eruption in Pompeii almost 2000 years ago.
Eleven US major private banks have confirmed they have launched a thirty-billion-dollar rescue package for First Republic Bank.
And what about those who never use banks at all? We hear about the challenges for the billions of unbanked people and businesses around the world.
Protests in Paris as the French president pushes through controversial plans to raise the pension age to 64.
And why sleeper trains are being revived across Europe from a 'slow travel' company founder.
Paris Hilton, reality TV star, so-called 'inventor of the selfie,' and business woman, joins Anita to talk about her new book 'Paris: The Memoir.' The former socialite first appeared on-screen in the early noughties with her hit reality TV show, The Simple Life. Now she’s opening up about her life in the spotlight.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has unveiled the contents of the Spring Budget in the House of Commons. What has changed for women? Anita is joined by Sarah Pennells, Consumer Finance Specialist at Royal London and Claer Barrett, Consumer Editor at the FT to discuss the Chancellor’s plans to tackle the cost of living crisis, reform childcare, pensions and benefits.
Some NHS maternity units in England have suspended the use of gas and air, also known as Entonox, in labour wards, after air quality tests showed unsafe levels of nitrous oxide on some maternity wards. Gas and air has been used for decades to help women in labour reduce their pain. But air quality tests have raised the risk of long-term effects for the midwives, nurses and doctors who are exposed to it for a long period of time in often-unventilated labour wards. Gaby Hinsliff, The Guardian columnist has been looking into this developing story.
Nearly 30 years after she last donned her legendary jumpsuit, TV presenter Anneka Rice is back on TV screens with a new series of Challenge Anneka. The original programmes aired in the late 1980s and early 1990s and saw her working on more than sixty huge scale projects, including renovating an orphanage in Romania and building a suspension bridge in Cornwall. She joins Woman's Hour to explain how this work changed the image of women on TV, and to discuss some of her fresh, epic challenges.
The battle for Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine has been the longest and bloodiest since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began last February. On a day when a UN-backed inquiry has accused Russia of war crimes in Ukraine, we hear from Ukrainian soldiers just 500 metres from Russian forces as they battle for the city in the Donbas region.
Also on the programme: the former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan tells us why he didn’t show up in court this week to face the charges against him; and a bid to ban the import of hunting trophies to the UK comes under fire from African conservationists.
(Picture: A Ukrainian soldier watches his surroundings at a frontline position near Bakhmut, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine on March 16, 2023. Credit: REUTERS/Violeta Santos Moura)
34 days after it first formed at the far end of the Indian Ocean, record-breaking Cyclone Freddy made a repeat landfall on Mozambique as well as passing over Malawi, causing extensive damage and loss of life. Climate scientists Liz Stephens and Izidine Pinto join Roland to give an update on the destruction and explain how Cyclone Freddy kept going for an exceptionally long time.
At the Third International Human Genome Summit in London last week, Professor Katsuhiko Hayashi announced he had created baby mice from eggs formed by male mouse cells. Dr Nitzan Gonen explains the underlying science, whilst Professor Hank Greely discusses the ethics and future prospects.
And from one rodent story to another, SARS-CoV-2 has been detected in brown rats scurrying around New York sewers. Dr Thomas DeLiberto from the US Department of Agriculture gives Roland the details.
Image credit: Jack McBrams/Getty Images
Producer: Roland Pease
Assistant Producer: Sophie Ormiston
We'll be in Malawi for the latest on efforts to help people caught in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Freddy.
Also, Anthony Blinken is the first US Secretary of State to visit Niger, but why now?
And what needs to be done to help children recover from the psychological effects of the war in Tigray?
Those stories and more in this podcast presented by Audrey Brown.
Former World Cup winner Heather O'Reilly and former professional player Pat Nevin join Mani Djazmi to discuss FIFA - football's world governing body decision to have a 48 team men's World Cup which will have 104 matches and spread across six weeks. Guinea is a country that has never qualified for the World Cup and Mani speaks to their goalkeeper Aly Keita who is in favour of expanding the competition.
The team also discuss the ongoing disagreement between United States coach Greg Berhalter and former teammate Claudio Reyna. Berhalter was cleared by an legal investigation into an incident of domestic violence 30 years ago. The incident from 1992 was brought to light by former USA players Claudio and Danielle Reyna who are parents of one of the USA's current players, Geo. They've been friends with the Berhalters for decades but were unhappy about the lack of playing time. The report also revealed new facts about Claudio Reyna whom, it says, was uncooperative and a pushy parent.
Plus have a panel accidentally started a riot? That's after a title-deciding match between Al-Ahed and Al-Ansar couldn't finish after a goal scored in injury-time by Ahed's Scottish striker Lee Erwin sparked a riot by Ansar fans who set seats on fire and threw them onto the pitch forcing the refereeing officials to run for cover.
We'll also hear a special guest!
Credit Suisse accepted a $54 billion bailout fund from Switzerland’s Central Bank, after its share price plunged up to 30% on Wednesday. The nation’s second largest bank’s stock price rebounded on Thursday but with issues surrounding the bank for years, investors are asking if the bailout money will save it from more trouble.
Despite the bank crisis in Europe, The European Central Bank has decided to raise Eurozone interests rate by 0.5 percentage points. Meanwhile in the UK, Tik Tok has been banned in all government devices – following similar moves in the EU and elsewhere.
(Picture: Getty Images)
US, Canada and EU have taken similar action amid concerns over data collection that they fear could be accessed by Beijing. Also: A United Nations commission says Russia has committed war crimes in Ukraine but a genocide has not taken place, and the 'Home of Cricket' is forced to overturn a plan to modernise because of a backlash from its members.
Imran Khan accuses the Pakistani government of trying to 'get him out of the way'. Speaking to Newshour from his compound the former Pakistani PM says only fresh elections can unlock the 'quagmire'.
Also in the programme Evgenia Kara-Murza on her husband's trial; and decoding the Herculaneum scrolls.
(Picture: Supporters of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, pose with a placard in a shape of a cricket bat, with "My-Red Line Imran Khan" written on it, as they gather with others outside Khan's house, in Lahore, Pakistan March 16, 2023. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro)
After scoring his first Test century since November 2019, is Virat Kohli finally returning to form? The former India captain has scored a ton in three formats of the game within the last six months, having endured a century drought in the three years prior. Alison Mitchell, Charu Sharma and Jim Maxwell praise his performance in India’s final series match with Australia and look ahead to the World Test Championship final between the two sides in June.
We also speak to a member of the Afghanistan women’s cricket team who fled the country following the takeover of the Taliban in 2021 and now resides in Melbourne, Australia. Firooza Afghan, 18, says the team have not yet received any support from the International Cricket Council and hopes that they will take action to enable them to represent Afghanistan from their base in Australia.
Plus, are New Zealand rivalling England to be Test cricket’s great entertainers? Within the last month, they’ve beaten England by a single run and edged past Sri Lanka on the last ball of the match, in two of the greatest ever Test match finishes.
Photo: Virat Kohli of India celebrates after scoring his century during day four of the Fourth Test match in the series between India and Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium.(Credit: Getty Images)
Niall joins us in wondering who Laura Averages is, we have a LIVE egg vending event from listener Craig and Greg helps out jazzing up some Hinge profiles.
The Chancellor Jeremy Hunt delivered his first Budget speech on Wednesday. It includes policies directed at getting people into work, and keeping them there, which are central to the Budget and will lead to key changes on childcare and pensions.
Today's Nick Robinson speaks to the Chancellor about his new economic measures and Today's Amol Rajan speaks to the Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
(Image credit: Jeff Overs/BBC)
In 1957 Stevie Smith published a poetry collection called Not Waving But Drowning – and its title poem gave us a phrase which has entered the language.
Its success has overshadowed her wider work as the author of more than half a dozen collections of poetry and three novels, mostly written while she worked as a secretary. Her poems, printed with her pen and ink sketches, can seem simple and comical, but often beneath the surface lurk themes of melancholy, loneliness, love and death.
With
Jeremy Noel-Tod
Associate Professor in the School of Literature, Drama and Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia
Noreen Masud
Lecturer in Twentieth Century Literature at the University of Bristol
and
Will May
Professor of Modern and Contemporary Literature at the University of Southampton
The photograph above shows Stevie Smith recording her story Sunday at Home, a finalist in the BBC Third Programme Short Story competition in 1949.
Fentanyl is deadly. Thousands of Americans die every year from a drug overdose – the majority of them after using a synthetic opioid like fentanyl.
Fentanyl was developed as a legal, and effective, pain killer. Now, fuelled by insatiable US demand, it’s illicitly produced in makeshift laboratories in Mexico by organised crime groups.
In the first of a two-part series, Assignment travels to the Mexican Pacific port of Manzanillo. This is one of the main entry points for the chemical ingredients required to make fentanyl. It’s a town where Mexico’s powerful cartels have fought for control, and where the mayor lives under armed guard after a failed assassination attempt.
Although the primary destination of Mexican-made fentanyl is the US, Mexico too has a rising number of addicts – especially in Tijuana on the Mexico / US border.
Presenter / producer: Linda Pressly
Producer: Tim Mansel
Producer in Mexico: Ulises Escamilla
[Photo: The Navy is in charge of security at Mexico’s seaports in a bid to stop the chemicals used to make fentanyl coming in from Asia. Credit: Tim Mansel]
Credit Suisse could be in line for support from regulators if it is needed. The comments from the Swiss National Bank come after shares in Credit Suisse plunged 24% to a record low.
Banks in Lebanon are facing a crisis with depositors holding some up to get their deposits out. We hear about the fallout from a former finance minister.
Argentina's inflation rate has soared past 100% for the first time since the end of hyperinflation in the early 90s. Consumer goods have more than doubled in price since 2022.
We hear what this means for people finances.
Swiss financial regulators say they are ready to help the troubled bank. Also: Poland arrests a group of foreigners on suspicion of spying for Russia, and nearly 200,000 are hospitalised in Thailand because of air pollution.
Credit Suisse could be in line for support from regulators if it is needed. The comments from the Swiss National Bank come after shares in Credit Suisse plunged 24% to a record low.
Banks in Lebanon are facing a crisis with depositors holding some up to get their deposits out. We hear about the fallout from a former finance minister.
Argentina's inflation rate has soared past 100% for the first time since the end of hyperinflation in the early 90s. Consumer goods have more than doubled in price since 2022, and we hear what this means for people finances.
Credit Suisse's shares have tumbled after it disclosed "material weakness" in its accounting controls. The worries have spread across share markets with all major European indexes falling sharply.
Also on the programme: a Pakistani court has ordered police to suspend their operation to detain the opposition leader, Imran Khan; and we hear about the giant seaweed island headed towards Florida's coastline.
(A screen displays information about Credit Suisse bank on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange in New York on 15 March 2023. Credit: Lane/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
“Diet and exercise” has been the weight-loss mantra for decades – but a drug designed for diabetes patients could now offer hope to people who are obese, at a time when researchers are warning that half of the world’s population are expected to be overweight or obese by 2035. One of the first to have injections of Semaglutide in the UK was Jan who's battled with her weight since childhood. Once the medication took effect she lost 4 stone and said her hunger disappeared. Professor Stephen O’Rahilly from the University of Cambridge explains how the drug mimics our body’s natural appetite signalling – but its effects disappear once you stop the weekly injections. Family doctor Margaret McCartney says it might help some who are obese – but warns that it’s also gained a reputation as a “Hollywood skinny drug", reflecting some of society’s ideas about beauty and celebrity culture.
Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producer: Paula McGrath
Up to five million people are affected by floods in Malawi. Things are so bad that even the helpers need help.
Also, the US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, is in Ethiopia. What's on the agenda?
And Professor Daniele Darlan - who risked her own safety to defend judicial independence in the Central African Republic.
Those stories and more in this podcast with Audrey Brown.
The Martin Lewis Podcast is here – and it’s a Budget 2023 special. Founder of Money Saving Expert, Martin Lewis reacts to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s Spring Budget.
Free childcare of 30 hours a week for working parents in England is being expanded to cover one and two-year-olds, but will only be fully implemented by September 2025. Currently, working parents with three and four-year-olds are eligible for 30 hours of free childcare per week. The plans are part of a government drive to encourage more people back to work to boost economic growth.
The Chancellor is also scrapping the lifetime allowance on tax-free pension contributions, which is currently £1.07m, to stop people like doctors from retiring early.
Plus the government will extend support for energy bills at current levels for a further three months. Typical household energy bills in Britain had been due to rise to £3,000 a year from April, but instead will be kept at £2,500 until the end of June. But a £400 winter fuel payment will not be renewed, meaning households' costs will still rise in the short term. The government also promised to bring prepayment energy charges in line with those for direct debit customers. This should save households about £45 a year on their energy bills from July.
Elsewhere in the podcast, you Tell Us your top budgeting tips, how do you stick to a budget? Is it 'credit card in freezer' or spreadsheets? What's worked surprisingly well for you? Plus Nihal takes on Martin’s Money Mastermind, and this week is quizzed on Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.
Producer: Isabelle Tudor
When we think of division in the Middle East, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict normally comes straight to mind. But there’s a new and dangerous tension in Israel – between its own Jewish people. The country now has its most right-wing government for decades, with controversial figures who’ve advocated violence and divisive policies. There’s also a plan to change the judicial system to give Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a small number of government figures vast control. Its critics say Israel is in danger of becoming a ‘democratic dictatorship’.
This political shift is now pitting ordinary Israeli Jews against each other. The ultra-orthodox Haredim and their conservative supporters are at odds with more liberal elements of society. Former Defence Minister Benny Gantz – a powerful figure in the former government – has even raised the spectre of a civil war in Israel, telling the new politicians that they’ll be responsible if a new conflict breaks out.
As efforts are made to maintain peace and hold the country together, the BBC’s Middle East Correspondent Yolande Knell meets two rabbis who are odds with one another in the heart of Jerusalem. Surrounded by the religious iconography that should symbolise the links between them, she explores why the two ends of the spectrum now find themselves so far apart. And she tries to persuade them to come together over a meal to find out if there’s any way to bridge the gaping political and theological differences in their thinking. But will they be willing to meet?
Presenter: Yolande Knell
Producer: Rajeev Gupta
Editor: Helen Grady
Production Coordinator: Mica Nepomuceno
The share price of Credit Suisse took another nosedive in the markets, hitting its all-time low for the second consecutive day by tanking up to 30% as Saudi National Bank, the Swiss bank's largest backer, ruled out the possibility of further financial help.
Share indexes across the world including the UK's FTSE-100, the US's Dow Jones and Nasdaq have been all down as Credit Suisse put more pressure on an already-anxious market.
Is Credit Suisse at risk of following Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank's footsteps? What impact would that have globally if it happened?
In the Middle East, Lebanese banks are on indefinite strike now. Nasser Saidi, the nation’s former finance minister, will paint us a picture of what’s going on there in today's programme.
(Picture: BBC)
The commercial capital, Blantyre, is worst-affected, with many having died in landslides. Also: the Pakistani authorities say they have suspended efforts to arrest the opposition leader, Imran Khan, because they're disrupting a prestigious cricket tournament, and celebrations - and controversy - over the re-introduction of wolves to Europe.
Malawi says over 220 people are now known to have died in floods and mudslides resulting from Tropical Storm Freddy.
The number may rise as rescue teams reach cut-off areas as the weather improves. We hear about the challenges from a UNICEF official.
Also in the programme: How cricket intervened in attempts by police in Pakistan to arrest the opposition politician, Imran Khan; and we hear from Afghan musicians who were forced to flee because after the Taliban took over.
(Photo shows people crossing a makeshift bridge where flood water affected the previous crossing in Blantyre, Malawi on 14 March 2023)
Greg may have an alternate career as a singer, listener Carl dons some brown pants for Ask The Nation and Aileen buys a new hat for becoming a successful matchmaker.
Also, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announces his budget later today - what will it mean for NI?
Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.
一位听众来信向我们提问：由 “if” 引导的从句应该用什么时态？这要视情况而定：在决定用什么时态时，除了要考虑由 “if” 引导的条件从句中所描述的事件何时发生以外，还要根据事件发生可能性的大小以及是否属实做出判断。听节目中主持人 Phil 和佳莹通过分析例句讲解 “if” 从句的时态。
The problem of debt is never too far from the headlines at the moment. This week a group of charities - Citizens Advice, Step Change and Christians Against Poverty - told the BBC they're seeing record numbers of people coming to them for help with problem debt. Why is that and what can people who're worried about debt do?
We'll also look at the "Buy Now Pay Later" industry as the government looks impose regulation on the sector for the first time. And we'll talk about when credit can be used in the right way.
All that and more with our panel of experts, Sarah Pennells, a consumer Finance Specialist at Royal London and Richard Lane, policy Director at debt charity Stepchange.
Presenter: Dan Whitworth
Producer: Sarah Rogers
Researchers: Jo Krasner and Star McFarlane
Editor: Jess Quayle
(First broadcast 3pm Wednesday 15th January, 2023)
The recent rise in migrant boat crossings between France and the UK is being fuelled, in part, by more sophisticated methods gangs are using to source the boats. The criminal gangs now control the production of inflatables, making it possible to significantly increase profits. Sue Mitchell teams up with former British soldier and aid worker, Rob Lawrie, to investigate how boats used in migrant Chanel crossings are sourced and the huge profits being made.
Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, is cutting 10,000 jobs. The tech giant laid off 11,000 employees last November.
China is to start issuing tourist visas to travellers for the first time in three years. The last cross-border control measure was imposed to guard against Covid-19 and comes after authorities declared victory over the virus.
It's a month after a devastating earthquake killed nearly 50,000 people in southern Turkey. Plans to rebuild the economy from the Syrian side of the border are underway. We hear the story of one child worker called Abdullah and how he is dealing with the aftermath of the quake.
Washington said it was operating in international airspace, and accused Moscow of recklessness. Also: The former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan says police acted outside the law when they tried to arrest him at his home in Lahore, and why the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard is making Tom Cruise's latest mission impossible.
An unmanned American surveillance drone has crashed in the Black Sea, in an incident involving two Russian fighter jets. The US and Russia have given very different accounts of what happened.
Also in the programme: almost 200 people have been killed in Malawi as Tropical Storm Freddy continues to bare down on south-east Africa; and President Joe Biden has chosen the community of Monterey Park to announce new measures on stricter background checks for gun ownership - he's using a presidential decree to bring them in.
(Photo: A US MQ-9 drone is on display during an air show at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. A Russian fighter jet struck the propeller of a US MQ-9 drone surveillance drone over the Black Sea, causing American forces to bring down the unmanned aerial vehicle in international waters, the US military said, an incident that highlighted soaring US-Russian tensions over Moscow's war in Ukraine. Credit: AP Photo/Massoud Hossaini)
Network Rail's Rupert Lown gives clarification as to when all tactile paving installation works will be completed across the entire UK train network.
Extant Theatre are a performing arts company that put visual impairment at the heart of all they do. One of their most recent renditions is a pantomime that is touring throughout March: the Super Power Panto. We sent along opera singer Bethan Langford to a performance in Wolverhampton during the first leg of its tour and she joins us to share her thoughts. Extant Theatre is run by visually impaired artistic director, Maria Oshodi. She joins us to give a little insight into her long career as a playwright and what the future looks like for Extant Theatre.
Remaining Super Power Panto dates:
Friday 17th March: Northern Stage, Newcastle
Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th March: Brixton House, London
Tuesday 28 March: Komedia, Brighton
Presenter: Peter White
Producer: Beth Hemmings
Production Coordinator: Liz Poole
Website image description: Peter White sits smiling in the centre of the image, wearing a dark green jumper. Above Peter's head is the BBC logo (three individual white squares house each of the three letters). Bottom centre and overlaying the image are the words "In Touch" and the Radio 4 logo (the word Radio in a bold white font, with the number 4 inside a white circle). The background is a bright mid-blue with two rectangles angled diagonally to the right. Both are behind Peter, one of a darker blue and the other is a lighter blue.
Digital Planet caught up with Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales. In the first of two interviews with Gareth, Jimmy explains why Wikipedia was restricted in Pakistan recently and how they overcame the block. And he gives his thoughts on Twitter’s plans to stop the bots and banish its free API.
6G – what we can expect
Professor Sana Salous, Chair of Communications Engineering at Durham University is about to submit her latest recommendations for the implementation of 6G connectivity to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). She’s on the show to explain how this will change the way we communicate and tells Gareth that we should be connected to 6G by 2030.
Computer labs for schoolchildren in rural Kenya
Nelly Cheboi’s nonprofit, TechLit Africa, has provided thousands of students across rural Kenya with access to donated, upcycled computers - and the chance for a brighter future. When she began working in the software industry, she realised that there are many computers that are thrown away as companies upgrade their technology infrastructure. So, together with a fellow software engineer they founded TechLit Africa. The students not only get upcycled computers but are also learning various skills such as coding. Wairimu Gitahi reports from Nairobi.
Podcast Extra
Following months of debate and discussion about what caused Gareth’s motorbike key fob to malfunction near a major TV transmitter, Imperial College and Durham University engineers have joined forces to establish what actually happened. Please do listen as we have a definitive answer.
The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell with expert commentary from Angelica Mari.
Studio Manager: Tim Heffer
Producer: Ania Lichtarowicz
(Image: Wikipedia logo seen on screen of laptop through magnifying glass.
Photo by Altan Gocher/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Malawi is reeling from the aftermath of Storm Freddy. Authorities say the death toll has risen to more than 190 people. We hear from those affected.
Nigeria’s Central Bank has said 200, 500 and 1000 old banknotes will remain legal tender until the end of the year after months of chaos.
We hear from Goma Volcano Observatory about a glow observed at the top of Nyamulagira volcano.
And despite three decades since the end of apartheid in South Africa, many alleged human rights violations remain unsolved.
Beijing has strongly criticised the significant naval deal. The pact is aimed at countering China's influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Also on the programme: a special report on outstanding cases of alleged human rights violations in South Africa under Apartheid; and we hear about a swimming pool heated by a computer.
(Photo: Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese at Point Loma naval base, San Diego, US, to discuss the Aukus trilateral security pact, 13 March 2023. Credit: Rousseau/PA Wire)
As the US bank crisis has unfolded in recent days, the global market has been rattled, but it looks like investors are now digesting the news about Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, as regional bank share surges.
The Nikkei share index dropped by more than 2% but some experts are saying this crisis is nothing like the one in 2008.
How big will the fallout be? Will the crisis alter the US Federal Reserve’s thinking on interest rate rises?
(Picture: Getty Images)
Beijing has described the move as embarking on a 'path of error and danger.' Russia said the submarine pact would bring years of confrontation to Asia. Also: India's supreme court has dismissed an appeal seeking more compensation for victims of the Bhopal gas leak, and riding motorbikes could become harder for tourists in Bali.
Have you ever been surprised by a musical instrument appearing from nowhere? Listener Jo has and we call the culprit. Also, Katie Thistleton is here for a game of Top Of The Shops and the show’s resident cupid Aileen has some news.
A shared experience of sonic joy crosses over the boundary of a prison wall, a conversation across generations explores being alive to the present moment, and an audio artwork from the archives plunges a listener into the sensation of time speeding up.
Josie Long presents short documentaries and audio adventures that hold you in the present tense.
The Evenings of Certain Lives (two extracts)
Produced by Barry Bermange
Composition by Delia Derbyshire (Radiophonic Workshop)
Listening / Reminiscing
by Lavender Suarez
(via the producer Kalli Anderson)
In The Moment
Produced by Amalie Sortland
Prisoncast!
These sounds were originally recorded for Season 4 of the Motive Podcast from WBEZ, hosted by Shannon Heffernan
WBEZ’s Lauren Frost and Alex Keefe headed up the original Prisoncast! broadcast, which was hosted by Ayana Contreras. But a big team of producers and editors came together to record and mix the sounds.
This Short Cuts edit was created by Shannon Heffernan
Curated by Axel Kacoutié, Eleanor McDowall and Andrea Rangecroft.
Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4
بعد سلسلة ممتدة على الهواء لأكثر من 17 عاماً، ودع فريق إكسترا الإذاعي مستمعيه في حلقة استثنائية تخللتها فقرات إبداعية ودردشات ورسائل من فريق البرنامج.
ويتزامن توقف برنامج إكسترا الإذاعي مع إنهاء البث لإذاعي بي بي سي عربي، والذي امتد طيلة 85 عاماً.
هذه الحلقة من إعداد وتقديم بسمة كراشة وسوسن صبوح ومحمد مطر وياسمين أبوخضرا.
Also PSNI plans new platform for cyclists to upload footage of motorists' careless driving
Nicola Williams’ new novel Until Proven Innocent sees the return of Lee Mitchell, a young barrister from a working-class Caribbean background, who is strong-armed into defending a supposedly corrupt racist police officer charged with the death of a 15-year-old pastor's son. Nicola served for many years as a criminal barrister, one of the few black women in that job, and draws on her experience of the criminal justice system in her writing. She joins Nuala to discuss juggling being a part-time Crown Court judge with writing, and how she draws on her legal experience in her books.
The House of Commons recently approved the introduction of exclusion zones around abortion clinics, and now some experts are recommending that the mandatory authorisation of abortions by two doctors should be dropped. To find out more, Nuala McGovern is joined by Fiona de Londras, Professor of Legal Studies at the University of Birmingham, and Professor Kaye Wellings, co-author of a new London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine abortion study.
بعد سلسلة ممتدة على الهواء لأكثر من 17 عاماً، ودع فريق إكسترا الإذاعي مستمعيه في حلقة استثنائية تخللتها فقرات إبداعية ودردشات ورسائل من فريق البرنامج.
ويتزامن توقف برنامج إكسترا الإذاعي مع إنهاء البث لإذاعي بي بي سي عربي، والذي امتد طيلة 85 عاماً.
هذه الحلقة من إعداد وتقديم بسمة كراشة وسوسن صبوح ومحمد مطر وياسمين أبوخضرا.
Lisa Squire, whose daughter Libby was killed in 2019, says indecent exposure and other “non contact sexual offences” need to be taken a lot more seriously.
She tells Mishal Husain she suspects the man who murdered Libby may have been the same man who had earlier exposed himself to her before her death.
(IMAGE CREDIT: Family Handout/PA Wire)
办公室的饼干罐里空空如也，是谁偷吃了所有的饼干？主持人菲菲看到同事 Rob 满嘴饼干渣，而且神色慌张、鬼鬼祟祟，便对 Rob 说 “caught red-handed”。 “饼干小偷” 到底是谁？听节目，学习地道英语表达 “caught red-handed” 的意思和用法。
Since 2020, when the so-called Nth Room scandal revealed how women and children were lured and blackmailed to make explicit videos for distribution through chatrooms, the lucrative online sexual exploitation of women and children has intensified. Sojeong Lee investigates why women in South Korea are so especially vulnerable to online abuse and exploitation and why so little has been achieved by government and police. How have the country’s economic and social characteristics led to this hotbed of digital sex crime?
President Biden has said the US banking system remains safe, after the failure of the California-based Silicon Valley Bank.
In a televised address from the White House, Mr Biden said his administration had acted to ensure that SVB customers would be able to get all their money.
It is the largest failure of a US bank since the financial crisis in 2008.
Over the weekend, Signature Bank was closed by the US regulator - the second closure in the past few days following the shutdown of Silicon Valley Bank.
HSBC’s UK arm has bought SVB’s UK subsidiary for a pound and finance minister Jeremy Hunt reassured all companies can access normal banking services at SVB UK.
US President Joe Biden has pledged to the public that their deposits would be protected, and people will continue to have access to their money but it seems like some investors smell blood in the water. First Republic Bank saw its shares crash 74 percent. Other banks are down sharply.
So what has happened in recent days and should we brace for impact for a full-blown financial crisis?
Their partnership aims to combat a perceived threat from China. Also: Russia and Ukraine extend a grain deal to prevent a global food crisis, and Dick Fosbury, the man who revolutionised the high jump in athletics has died at the age of 76.
Stocks in some US banks have continued to fall, despite President Biden's attempt to reassure Americans their money is safe after the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank. At one point shares in Western Alliance fell by 80%. Another bank First Republic was down by 75%. Earlier, Mr Biden used a televised address from the White House to say he would do whatever was needed to maintain stability. Stock markets across Europe closed down by more than 2%, with some banks suffering much steeper falls. Credit Suisse closed at a record low after declining by nearly 10%.
Also in the programme: Malawi declares a state of emergency as it struggles to deal with tropical storm Freddy - still battering south East Africa; and a nuclear powered submarine plan for Australia - so how will it affect tensions between the West and China?
(Photo: United States President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the United States banking system after the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) 13 March 2023. Credit: Chris Kleponis/POOL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Malawi’s government has declared a state of emergency, after Cyclone Freddy killed dozens of people and caused huge damage, with rescue efforts hampered by continuing poor weather.
Plus, we look at what Angola’s decision to send troops into eastern Congo means for the dynamics of the ongoing conflict in North Kivu province.
And we have a special report from Tanzania’s first commercial aquaculture farm, which it’s hoped will enable more people to eat fish.
Lineker 'delighted' to return as BBC reviews social media rules. The BBC Director General, Tim Davie, insists he has not backed down. Also: President Biden says the US banking system will hold up despite last week's collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, and the sci-fi movie Everything Everywhere All at Once wins seven Oscars, including best actress for Michelle Yeoh.
Shares in many American and European banks have plunged after the collapse of the California-based Silicon Valley Bank, with the US and UK governments intervening to keep markets stable.
We'll look at what can be done to prevent contagion.
Also in the prograamme: Flooding in a small town in Queensland, Australia has brought unexpected danger; and what the big wins at the Oscars mean for Asian representation on the big screen.
(Photo shows a destroyed Silicon Valley Bank. Credit: Dado Ruvic/Reuters)
Idris calls up some mega stars in one of the best SDSU’s yet! Also, we hear you “mum safe” gossip and Nat O’Leary explains a celeb feud.
As a new Channel 4 documentary is released, Nuala McGovern hears more about her life from director Charlie Russell.
Who were the female winners at the Academy Awards last night? What were the surprises and omissions? Who gave the best acceptance speeches? We talk to the film critic Karen Krizanovich and speech writer Heidi Ellert-McDermott.
Five women who say they were denied abortions despite risks to their lives are suing the State of Texas. In June last year the US supreme court overturned Roe v. Wade, the law that had made abortion a constitutional right for Americans for nearly half a century. Since the court’s ruling, a dozen states have made abortion illegal and many others have restricted it. We talk to the BBC’s reporter in Washington Holly Honderich about this issue and also hear the latest on the fallout over access to a widely use abortion pill which is becoming increasingly difficult to get.
And women in Berlin will soon be allowed to swim topless in public pools after a ruling by the city’s authorities. Will it catch on elsewhere?
Presenter: Michael Milham
Producer: Lisa Jenkinson
Studio Manager: Michael Milham.
It’s cold and it's grey out there right now, so time to start planning your holiday... welcome to Shaun's mini travel guides, to warm you up before Series 2. In this guide Shaun shares some seriously fab festivals, from Burning Man to the world's biggest food fight.
Your Place Or Mine is the travel podcast that isn’t going anywhere - not until guests can convince Shaun Keaveny it’s worth getting off the sofa for. Each week a familiar face will try to persuade Shaun and resident geographer, historian and comedian Iszi Lawrence that jetting off to their favourite destination is worth the hassle.
Your Place or Mine is a BBC Audio production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.
Producers: Becca Bryers and Hannah Hufford
The family of Hussein Abu Al-Khair say he was tortured until he made a confession. Also: Nicaragua has suspended relations with the Vatican, and the head of the WHO says it is vital to find the origins of the Covid virus.
The US Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen, says she's been working all weekend to prevent the consequences of a major bank collapse from spreading. The collapse of the Silicon Valley Bank was the biggest such failure in the US for fifteen years.
Also on the programme; is another Iranian American prisoner swap imminent? Iran's foreign minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, told state TV that a deal could be done soon, although the US denies it. And it's Oscar night and the film The Banshees of Inisherin has been nominated for nine awards. But even if it goes home empty handed, the film has changed the life of one woman, 83-year-old Delia Barry, who knitted the jumpers worn by the cast and who is now a social media sensation. We hear from her.
(Picture: The Silicon Valley Bank Credit: Getty)
Britain's Rishi Sunak and Australia's Anthony Albanese have gone to the Pacific coast to meet President Joe Biden at a summit in San Diego. AUKUS is on the agenda - the new defence pact established 18 months ago to counter what they see as a growing security threat from China in the Indo-Pacific region.
Also in the programme: the migrants crossing by sea. Will the Italian government’s latest policies help to save lives? And a look ahead to the Oscars.
(Photo: The Virginia-class USS North Dakota submarine is seen during bravo sea trials in this U.S. Photo credit: Navy handout picture 10/03/2023 Reuters)
Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh le Ruairidh MacIlleathain. Litir àireamh 1234. Roddy Maclean reads this week's letter for Gàidhlig learners.
As part of our series of programmes making the 900th anniversary of St David's international recognition, presenter and pastor Jonathan Thomas tries out a day in the life of St David.
Jonathan's own contemporary religious traditions are quite different from the ancient practices of a Celtic saint. As he visits key locations in West Wales connected with David, and follows in his footsteps and practices (or their present-day equivalents) - what will he make of life lived in the style of a 6th century monk? And what will today's West Walians make of him?
In this programme, Jonathan tries cold water immersion, street preaching, contemplative practices and more. Helping him along the way are St Davids' Cathedral librarian Mari James; Archdeacon of Ceredigion and dairy farmer Eileen Davis; and chaplain at the University of Wales Trinity St David, Emma Whittick.
No day in the life of a saint is complete without a trusty band of followers: Jonathan is joined for part of the programme by students from Trinity St David's Lampeter Campus, and conducts some of his saintly duties in the contemplative environment of the campus' chapel, refectory and library.
Dr Chris Smith is joined by a space scientist, a geologist, a psychologist and a linguist to answer some of the science questions you've been sending to the 5 Live Science team. To ask a question for a future edition, email 5livescience@bbc.co.uk
What happens when a friendship breaks down? How can you repair it? Should you even try?
In this special Sunday podcast, Nuala McGovern brings together all the interviews from Woman's Hour's 'Forever Friends?' series.
Annie and Lizzie first met at school, and Lizzie said she believed they were ‘kindred spirits’. But soon after Annie’s first child was born, Lizzie decided to cut off contact. They reflect on this period of silence and how their relationship has changed since they have rekindled the friendship.
Daniella and Nataliya – Nat and Dan - also met at school. An argument caused by gossip when they were both 17 led to the break-up of their friendship, but they reunited years later. They are now both in their thirties, living in London. They share their perspectives on how romantic relationships can impact close friendships.
Nina is a Woman's Hour listener who contacted the programme after hearing the series. She wanted to share her experience of repairing a long-term friendship.
Listener Christina was also inspired to reach out after hearing stories of friendship on Woman's Hour. Having ended contact with three close friends in four years, Christina wanted to ask if she was the reason her friendships kept falling apart.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Hatty Nash
The huge sea rescue operation comes nearly two weeks after a deadly shipwreck involving migrants off the Italian coast. Also: South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa is cleared of wrongdoing by anti-corruption authorities, and renewed calls to tighten Germany’s gun laws after a deadly shooting in Hamburg.
A major political row is raging in the UK following tweets by BBC presenter Gary Lineker. The director general of the BBC apologises after major disruption to its sports coverage.
Also on the programme; Cyclone Freddy has made landfall for the fourth time, battering the central coast of Mozambique. And the Italian coastguard says it's rescued a total of twelve hundred people who were in vessels that got into difficulty in the Mediterranean sea.
(Picture: BBC Sport presenter Gary Lineker. Credit: PA)
Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani education activist and the world’s youngest Nobel Prize laureate. Since she was shot by a member of the Taliban at just 15, Malala has spent nearly a decade fighting for the educational rights of girls and women across the globe. Now she’s turning her attention to Hollywood, as Executive Producer of the short documentary film Stranger At The Gate. She shares why she’s made this move into the world of film.
What happens if you and your partner disagree on whether or not to have children? If you have different opinions, do you walk away from an otherwise happy relationship? Relationship counsellor Val Sampson and Woman’s Hour listener Sarah discuss the healthiest ways to navigate the situation.
As the selection of finalists for the Woman's Hour Power List 2023 gets well underway, we speak to one woman who’s been put forward for consideration. Yvette Curtis is the founder of Wave Wahines, a surf club for women and girls. She talks about the power of grassroots sport and the importance of diversity in surfing.
One month after a powerful earthquake devastated parts of Turkey and Syria, hundreds of thousands of people still need adequate shelter and sanitation. But why are women and girls disproportionately feeling the aftershocks of the disaster? Novelist and political scientist Elif Shafak shares updates on the situation.
Willie Mae Thornton, better known as Big Mama Thornton, wrote the hits ‘Ball N’ Chain’ and ‘Hound Dog’ which won Elvis Presley great acclaim. But why is her contribution to rock and roll rarely recognised? The poet, writer and performer Pamela Sneed discusses the life and legacy of Big Mama Thornton.
Presenter: Krupa Padhy
Producer: Hatty Nash
A career bureaucrat, Li Qiang, has been sworn in as China's new premier and will be tasked with tackling a series of economic challenges. Also on the programme, Silicon Valley Bank has been shut down by regulators in the biggest banking failure in the United States since the financial crisis; and, clinical trials have shown that a gadget developed by British researchers can help a majority of those living with Tourette's Syndrome to control their symptoms.
(Photo: Fourth plenary session of the National People"s Congress (NPC) in Beijing 11/03/2023 Reuters)
ساواک، سازمان اطلاعات و امنیت کشور در ایران پیش از انقلاب، چگونه دستگاهی بود؟ در برخورد با مخالفان چه رفتاری داشت و تا چه حد در انجام وظیفهای که به آن محول شده بود، کارآمد بود؟
Our new weekly collection of the happiest stories in the world. This week, sharing the things about your home country that make you happy, NASA's new head of science on how her dad gave her a love of space, and how bees can not only solve puzzles, but teach each other how to do it.
Presented by Andrew Peach. Music produced by Iona Hampson.
The BBC's flagship football show is facing a crisis after its stars, pundits and commentators all boycott the show in solidarity with Gary Lineker. Today’s Amol Rajan spoke to former Director General of the BBC, Greg Dyke, who said he thinks the BBC was “mistaken.”
(IMAGE CREDIT: Ian Walton/PA Wire)
They broke ties in 2016 and have taken different sides in wars in Yemen and Syria. Also: The US sees its first major bank failure since the 2008 financial crisis,
and Donald Trump has been invited to testify to a grand jury over the Stormy Daniels case.
The charity Citizens Advice says it's seen a sharp rise in the number of working people accessing crisis support in the past few years. In 2022, of the 200,000 people helped with a food bank voucher or an emergency grant, almost 24,000 - about 1 in 8 of them - worked. That figure was up more than double the number in 2020. We'll speak to Citizens Advice and get a response from the government.
We'll hear from Harriett Baldwin, the Chair of the Treasury Select Committee, on how she wants banks to stop dragging their feet when it comes to implementing changes designed to stop people from becoming victims of push payment fraud. UK Finance, which speaks for banks, says the industry is investing billions to try to keep customers' money safe and is working on plans to slow down certain high-risk payments to prevent fraud.
From this week unmarried parents whose partner dies can claim bereavement support payment worth up to £9800. We reported a few weeks ago that the change was coming and this week the application process has opened. Anyone who thinks they should be eligible can now put in a claim online via gov.uk, over the phone or using a paper application form. More details here: www.gov.uk/bereavement-support-payment and from the charities Child Bereavement Network (https://childhoodbereavementnetwork.org.uk/) and Widowed and Young (https://www.widowedandyoung.org.uk/).
And we'll discuss what GDP means for our personal finance with Diane Coyle, Bennett Professor of Public Policy at the University of Cambridge and a former advisor to the UK Treasury.
Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporter: Dan Whitworth
Researchers: Eimear Devlin and Jo Krasner
Editor: Jess Quayle
(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 11th Feb, 2023)
Judgements made in the family courts can affect families forever, including placing children in care or for adoption.
After decades of calls for greater scrutiny of the family courts, at the end of January journalists gained access to report proceedings, in a landmark pilot scheme. Three court centres in Leeds, Carlisle and Cardiff allowed accredited journalists to report cases for the first time, providing the families involved remained anonymous.
Our Correspondent Sanchia Berg spent several weeks in Leeds Family Court attending hearings. This week Today has featured a series of her reports, highlighting some of the issues that are usually hidden, including a mother's 'remarkable turnaround' to win back her baby.
Today presenter Martha Kearney, also spoke to the judge who spearheaded the pilot, Justice Lieven.
US regulators have shut down Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and taken control of its customer deposits in the largest failure of a US bank since 2008.
The moves came as the firm, a key tech lender, was scrambling to raise money to plug a loss from the sale of assets affected by higher interest rates.
Its troubles prompted a rush of customer withdrawals and sparked fears about the state of the banking sector.
The most important issue is what will happen with the deposit holders and will they be able to get their money back.
Iran and Saudi Arabia are normalising their ties after a seven- year rupture. China - which mediated in the reconciliation process - and the UN have welcomed the move; Washington was more cautious. We hear from Saudi and Iran analysts. Also, what does Israel make of the agreement to restore diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and it's arch enemy.
The United States has seen its first major bank failure since the 2008 financial crisis after a run on the tech-focussed Silicon Valley Bank led regulators to close it down.
And a TV interview from inside a prison in Iran. A dual national US citizen pleads with President Biden to secure his release.
(Photo: China's director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission Wang Yi, Ali Shamkhani, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and Saudi national security adviser Musaad bin Mohammed Al Aiban meet in Beijing. Credit: China Daily)
Adam has his mind made up, and Lily has to mediate at Lower Loxley.
Writer, Daniel Thurman
Director, Julie Beckett
Editor, Jeremy Howe
Brian Aldridge ….. Charles Collingwood
Ben Archer ….. Ben Norris
Josh Archer ….. Angus Imrie
Helen Archer ….. Louiza Patikas
Tony Archer ….. David Troughton
Alice Carter ….. Hollie Chapman
Susan Carter ….. Charlotte Martin
Ian Craig ….. Stephen Kennedy
Clarrie Grundy ….. Heather Bell
Adam Macy ….. Andrew Wincott
Elizabeth Pargetter ….. Alison Dowling
Freddie Pargetter ….. Toby Laurence
Lily Pargetter ….. Katie Redford
Kate Madikane ….. Perdita Avery
Noluthando Madikane ….. Mogali Masuku
Several African nations unite in Malawi in a bid to create a taskforce to curb the spread of deadly Cholera.
Also, Mozambique braces itself for a second battering by Cyclone Freddy.
And our very own satirical resident presidents have their take on the recent elections in Nigeria.
Those stories and more in this podcast with Paul Bakibinga.
Andy Zaltzman is joined by Mark Steel, Ria Lina, Catherine Bohart and Camilla Long. This week the panel discuss President Zelensky's surprise visit to the UK, Rishi Sunak's cabinet reshuffle and Liz Truss' political comeback.
Hosted and written by Andy Zaltzman with additional material from Alice Fraser, Zoë Tomalin, Rebecca Bain and Cameron Loxdale.
Producer: Georgia Keating
Executive Producer: Richard Morris
Production Co-ordinator: Becky Carewe-Jeffries
Sound Editor: Marc Willcox
A BBC Studios Production
Xi Jinping has been anointed for a third term as president of China, cementing his position as the country's unchallenged leader. The appointment for what is a largely ceremonial role was expected -- but underlines the hold Mr Xi has over Chinese politics. We ask what he will do with his power.
Also in the programme: an extraordinary phone call from inside a Tehran prison. The US-Iranian national Siamak Namazi speaks to an American TV network. We hear from his brother, appealing for Washington's help; and can a summit between the leaders of France and Britain make the entente more cordiale?
(Photo: Chinese President Xi Jinping takes his oath during the Third Plenary Session of the National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing China, 10 March 2023. Credit: Mark R Cristino/pool/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Shares in Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), a key lender to technology start-ups, plunged after it announced plans to shore up its finances. Ed Butler finds out why other global shares have also suffered.
Iran and Saudi Arabia have agreed to re-establish diplomatic relations after seven years in a deal brokered by China seeking to reduce tensions in the oil-rich region.
And we bring you a UN breakthrough on a long and apparently intractable argument over a stranded oil tanker around the Gulf of Aden.
Also It’s the Oscars this weekend and every award season celebrities are invited to gifting suites where they can select free stuff in return for endorsements.
It caps a consolidation of power that has made him China's most dominant leader in generations. Also: rare and deadly Cyclone Freddy is expected to hit Mozambique for a second time, and scientists create the first detailed map of how an insect's brain is wired.
In 2025, Galapagos is an exciting new development in AI data manipulation. And Bryony is determined to use it to advance her career. But as soon as she presses the red button, she finds herself pulled along by forces she's not entirely in control of.
Thriller about big tech, data manipulation and the undermining of democracy, by Simon Scardifield and Andrew Day.
Bryony.....Hannah Daniel
Sydney.....Ashleigh Haddad
Gaynor.....Sara Gregory
Omar.....Danny Ashok
Titus.....John Pfumojena
Boniface.....Kel Matsena
Max.....Ewan Bailey
Euan…..Jamie Redford
Aneni….. Ntombizodwa Ndlovu
Fake Greta.....Sunja Hyde
Shapeshift Man…..Hasan Dixon
Sam…..Claire Cage
Production Co-ordinators.....Eleri McAuliffe and Lindsay Rees
Sound Design.....Catherine Robinson and Nigel Lewis
Directed by Philippa Swallow, John Norton and Emma Harding, BBC Audio Drama Wales
Singer-songwriter Mae Muller has been announced as this year’s British entry for Eurovision, she joins Krupa to discuss how excited she is to represent the UK.
Watch out Notting Hill, there is a new romantic comedy in town… and this time it’s set in Peckham. It’s called Rye Lane, and it stars David Jonsson and Vivian Oparah as Dom and Yas, two twenty-somethings who are both reeling from bad break-ups. It is the directorial debut of Raine Allen-Miller. She joins Krupa to discuss her journey into directing, her love of South London and how to make an unapologetically happy film.
What would you do if someone accused you of bullying them online and it wasn’t true? Well that is what happened to online business consultant and anti-bullying campaigner Lisa Johnson and she has recently won her High Court fight and has been awarded £25,000 in damages. Lisa speaks to Krupa Padhy to tell her story, alongside Lia Perin, a solicitor at Taylor Hampton, a firm specialising in privacy and defamation law.
Krupa is joined by Yvette Curtis, founder of Wave Wahines, to discuss her all female surf club.
Activist Leila Hassan Howe began her fight for racial justice in the early 70s inspired by the Black Panthers in America. She was a founding member of the Race Today Collective, worked for the Institute of Race Relations and became editor of the Race Today journal in 1986. She joins Krupa to talk about her journey as an advocate for the black community and the launch of Race Today’s on-line archive, which makes accessible a crucial resource for exploring the recent history of Black and Asian protest in Britain.
Presenter: Krupa Padhy
Producer: Emma Pearce
Also:
Israeli President says judicial reforms should be abandoned.
Sunak and Macron prepare for “reset” summit.
Trading Standards officers say one in three vaping products may fall foul of regulations - breaking the rules on nicotine strength and health warnings. They have also raised concerns about sales to children and want higher fines for shops. Today's Justin Webb spoke to a mother and her 15 year-old daughter about her vaping addiction, and to Kate Pike, Lead Officer for Vaping at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, about what can be done about it.
(IMAGE CREDIT: Nicholas.T.Ansell/PA Wire)
في الحلقة الأولى من إكسترا بودكاست "ما بعد الزلزال" نبدأ من ثالث يوم بعد الزلزال ونسافر عبر قصص الناجين إلى بر الحياة..التي سنعرف كيف استعادوها أو ماذا يفعلون ويحتاجون لاستعادتها، وإلى أي درجة يمكن للإنسان أن يصمد ارتباطه بكلبه عندما يمتحن هذا الارتباط.
إكسترا بودكاست "ما بعد الزلزال": إعداد وتقديم بسمة كراشة، ساعد في الإعداد بناني الخنشي ، فتحي بن عيسى و كريم إمام. رئيسة التحرير كريمة كواح.
By Lucy Catherine
In Autumn 2022, the writer Lucy Catherine travelled to the high arctic aboard a barquentine sailing ship with 29 other artists, searching for inspiration and healing in the polar twilight. In this drama-documentary, she tells the story of that personal voyage, combining it with a drama about two people travelling to the end of the world in search of a new beginning.
Anna . . . . . Amanda Hale
Lucas . . . . . Joel MacCormack
Sound design . . . . . Peter Ringrose
Director . . . . . Sasha Yevtushenko
The European Commission has replied to the US Inflation Reduction Act, a $369 billion programme of green subsidies, by loosening rules and allowing member states to offer companies as much government funding as they would get if they relocated to the US. We find out if this will help prevent an exodus of businesses working on green projects.
And as the Georgian government takes a step back in its plans to push ahead a controversial legislation on foreign agents, we explore how the economy is doing.
It includes big spending plans, worth more than six trillion dollars, with the focus on social programmes. Also: Italy's prime minister announces tough new penalties for people smugglers, after a cabinet meeting on the coast where dozens of migrants drowned last month, and the UK reveals its entrant for the Eurovision song contest.
After another blackout at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, the head of the UN's nuclear observatory has appealed for a protection zone.
Rafael Grossi has said that renewed Russian shelling, near Ukraine's biggest nuclear plant, has almost caused disaster. We'll find out from the president of the European Nuclear Society how likely he thinks an incident is at Zaporizhzhia.
Also in the programme: The fear of Russian influence that's bringing Georgian protesters out onto the streets in their thousands; and in Israel, protests reach new heights of fury against Prime Minister Netanyahu and his government.
(Photo shows the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in the course of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on 24 November 2022. Credit: Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters)
Human Genome Editing: The team meet experts at the Human Genome Editing Summit in London, seeking to cure genetic disease and ensure that it's safe and available to all.
Roland Pease hears from Victoria Gray, the first person to be cured of the debilitating and life-shortening disease sickle cell anaemia by gene editing, and from the scientists making it possible.
Also, the prospect of work to attempt gene rescue in fetuses before they are born.
But the technology is expensive and complex – the question troubling the participants is to ensure people across the world can benefit from it, not just the rich and privileged.
And what are the limitations of gene editing? Can it be made more effective, safer? And what of gene edits that will be inherited by future generations?
What makes a great business book and how do you make practical advice on a subject like accounting a riveting read? What makes you more likely to read a business book - a top business leader's journey to the top, like Sheryl Sandberg or Phil Knight of Nike, or one offering simple 'how to' advice. And what is the business model of business books themselves - do they sell loads of copies, or are they more about building up a public brand?
Join Evan Davis and guests , in the final programme of the current series, to learn about some great business reads and how business publishing is thriving.
GUESTS
Margaret Heffernan, Author, Uncharted. Former CEO and Entrepreneur.
Alison Jones, publisher Practical Inspiration Publishing and Presenter, The Extraordinary Business Book Club Podcast
Helen Kogan, Managing Director, Kogan Page, Business Book Publisher
PRODUCTION TEAM:
Producer: Julie Ball and Simon Tulett
Editor: China Collins
Sound: James Beard and Graham Puddifoot
Production Co-ordinators: Sophie Hill and Siobhan Reed.
A bill has been tabled in the Ugandan parliament which could see anyone engaging in same-sex relations go to jail for up to ten years.
Nigeria has postponed governorship and state assembly elections due to the ongoing dispute over the presidential vote.
A solar plant in Kigoma, Tanzania, is providing over 60,000 people with clean electricity.
And we find out how camels in Mauritania are helping the country fight jihadism.
Mani Djazmi is joined by Pat Nevin and Heather O’Reilly for the latest episode of World Football.
We speak to President of the Norwegian Football Federation, Lise Klaveness, about her ambitions to join UEFA and the importance of having female leaders in football.
And new Major League Soccer club St Louis City have started with two wins from two in the Western Conference - their sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel tells us how excited the city of St Louis is about their journey.
Photo: Norway Football Federation president Lise Klaveness talks during the 72nd FIFA Congress on March 31, 2022 at Doha Exhibition and Convention Center in Doha, Qatar. (Credit: Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
Joe Biden is today unveiling a new federal budget - one that he says would cut deficits by nearly $3tn over the next decade.
China's annual consumer inflation slowed to its lowest rate in a year in February.
Russia has been making a push to win friends in Africa by offering free giveaways. This week Malawi was pledged 25,000 tonnes of free-fertiliser, a prime commodity for Malawi farmer.
And report from central African Republic, a landlocked country in the heart of the continent, where people are struggling to cope with a recent sharp increase in the price of petrol and diesel.
Rafael Grossi's remarks came after more Russian shelling of the Zaporizhzhia plant in southern Ukraine. Also: Tens of thousands of Israelis have been staging mass protests against proposed judicial reforms, and we look back at the life of Chaim Topol who's died aged 87.
Congolese M23 rebels continue to seize swathes of territory even though there's supposed to be a ceasefire.
And today - International Women's day - we hear about Kenya's first girls only running camp.
Plus - three brave female photographers - who are working in conflict zones.
Those stories and more in this podcast with Hassan Arouni.
Disclaimer: Due to a production error, Wednesday's edition of the Africa Today podcast was posted on Thursday, March 09, 2023.
The Women’s Premier League is finally underway. Sunil Gupta tells us what it is like in India, the stand out stars and the team discuss the tournament so far.
Plus will the final Test match between India and Australia is underway. Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was in attendance alongside India’s prime minister Narendra Modi who took part in a series of events before the Test. The team debate the pageantry and whether the World Test Championship is making Test Matches shorter.
And we are joined by Jenny Thompson who is a former cricket writer and currently lives in Adelaide. She is about to begin a mammoth journey across the world to experience the impact women's cricket is making in many different countries around the world and the lessons we can all learn.
Photo: Tara Norris of Delhi Capitals celebrates the wicket of Heather Knight of Royal Challengers Bangalore during the WPL 2023 match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Capitals. (Credit: Getty Images)
Arielle Free braves the harshest weather conditions as she starts her final day of her Nose Day challenge and the generosity from all is keeping her warm.
Emily Watson is starring in a new film ‘God’s Creatures,’ set in a remote Irish fishing village. She plays a mother torn between protecting her son and her own sense of right and wrong. When she provides an alibi for him, the lie rips apart their family and local community. Emily joins Woman’s Hour to talk about her character, women in the oyster farming industry and her career up to now.
Krupa Padhy talks to academic Kathleen Stock about The Lesbian Project, a new organisation she is launching today alongside journalist Julie Bindel and the tennis star Martina Navratilova to combat “lesbian erasure” in the UK today. They say they’ve been subsumed into what they describe as “the expanding LGBTQ+ rainbow” which means they’ve lost their autonomous identity with distinct interests and needs.
Willie Mae Thornton, better known as Big Mama Thornton, wrote the song ‘Ball and Chain’ which won Elvis Presley great acclaim. She is one of the architects of rock n roll that has been wiped from the performance canon. The poet, writer and performer Pamela Sneed joins Krupa to discuss the life and legacy of Big Mama Thornton.
Criticism has been levelled at the Kenyan senator Gloria Orwoba after she appeared in the national parliament with a blood stain in the crotch area of her white suit, something she has since used to send a message about period poverty across the country. Some of her colleagues were unimpressed and she was told to leave for violating the dress code. Ministry of Health figures in Kenya from 2020 suggest that only about 65% of women and girls in urban areas, and 46% in rural areas have access to disposable menstrual pads. Senator Gloria Orwoba joins Krupa Padhy on the programme.
Presenter: Krupa Padhy
Studio Manager: Michael Millham
On 21 May 1838 an estimated 150,000 people assembled on Glasgow Green for a mass demonstration. There they witnessed the launch of the People’s Charter, a list of demands for political reform. The changes they called for included voting by secret ballot, equal-sized constituencies and, most importantly, that all men should have the vote.
The Chartists, as they came to be known, were the first national mass working-class movement. In the decade that followed, they collected six million signatures for their Petitions to Parliament: all were rejected, but their campaign had a significant and lasting impact.
With
Joan Allen
Visiting Fellow in History at Newcastle University and Chair of the Society for the Study of Labour History
Emma Griffin
Professor of Modern British History at the University of East Anglia and President of the Royal Historical Society
and
Robert Saunders
Reader in Modern British History at Queen Mary, University of London.
The image above shows a Chartist mass meeting on Kennington Common in London in April 1848.
Ireland’s housing estates continue to ring to the sound of horses with patches of grass used for grazing and garages as stables. Horses used to be an integral part of cities across Europe until the middle of the 20th century. But in Ireland, no matter how hard the authorities have tried to dissuade residents from keeping horses, the tradition survives.
Although horses have long been associated with the travelling community, Irish people from all backgrounds have a passion for owning them. For those on lower incomes, that’s often in housing estates and even in city centres. Some horses can be bought for the price of a packet of cigarettes and although there are supposedly strict ownership rules, these are routinely flouted. The authorities are caught between trying to protect animal welfare and respecting a key part of Irish culture.
For Assignment, Katie Flannery travels to Limerick and Dublin to hear about urban horses there.
Produced by Bob Howard.
(Photo by Bob Howard)
Demonstrators say the legislation is aimed at stifling the opposition. Also: A US congressional probe into the origins of the Covid pandemic opens, with a former top health official saying he believes the virus probably escaped from a Chinese lab, and the scientist who has created eggs from the cells of male mice.
Pakistan continues to face economic uncertainty after talks with the International Monetary Fund fail to come to a resolution. It comes as another car manufacturer in Pakistan stops production because it can't obtain the parts and raw materials it needs.
China is likely to continue its economic and defensive co-operation with Moscow, despite pressure from western nations. We examine what this means for the Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Rising rents are fuelling a cost of living crisis in Australia. Demand for affordable accommodation far exceeds the available supply of properties and its causing something called rental stress where households spend more than 30 per cent of their gross income on rent.
Police in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, have used teargas, water cannon and stun grenades against crowds who've again been demonstrating into the night outside parliament.
Also on the programme: the White House marks International Woman's Day by holding its annual International Woman Of Courage Awards. We meet two of them. And following the "Oscars So White" campaign, has diversity improved in movies?
(Picture: Protester outside Tblisi's parliament. Credit: Reuters)
A month on from the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, we assess what kind of impact the disaster may have had on mental health.
We hear from Professor Metin Basoglu, an expert in earthquake trauma and director of the Istanbul Centre for Behavioural Sciences. He explains how it is a unique kind of trauma rooted in fear and compounded by the uncontrollable nature of earthquakes and the thousands of aftershocks that come following the initial disaster.
Prof Basoglu tells us about the psychological treatment he developed based on his research with 10,000 survivors of the 1999 earthquake in Turkey and how an earthquake simulator can be used to tackle trauma symptoms.
We hear from researchers in the US and Kenya about a new discovery that has ended 100 years of searching for an airborne chemical that could hold the key to the way tsetse flies mate – and help to tackle the diseases they spread in humans.
Our guest in the studio is family doctor Ann Robinson who has the latest research on global health. Could socialising more often be linked to a longer life? And why might half of the world’s population be obese by 2035? We’ll explore all this and more.
Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producer: Gerry Holt
Image: Survivors of the earthquake in the city of Jenderes in the countryside of Aleppo, north-western Syria.
Credit: NurPhoto / Contributor
The Martin Lewis Podcast is here. Founder of Money Saving Expert, Martin Lewis answers your ISA questions. Interest rates are up, so ISAs are back for many, although you need to sort them by 5 April or sooner. Martin shares his key ISA need-knows.
Elsewhere in the podcast, you Tell Us what’s the oldest, working object, you have in your home that you never use. Plus when did you last use it? And how much are home's unused items worth, in total?
Nihal takes on Martin’s Money Mastermind and this week, is quizzed on how much of your private or company pension you are allowed to leave to your spouse in your will.
Plus Martin’s podcast exclusive tips – including how to get cheap EasyJet flights and an update on ‘How to Turn £800 into £5,500’. The government has now extended the deadline to buy back old National Insurance years until 31 July. If you're age 45 – 70, you may be able to boost your state pension by £1,000s.
Producer: Isabelle Tudor
As the Black Sea grain deal comes to an end in 10 days, the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, is in Ukraine to meet President Zelensky in an effort to safeguard the crucial grain export deal.
How much of a difference for East Africa has last year's Ukrainian grain deal made? We will find out from Kenya.
Four bankers, three of them Russians, are in court in Switzerland this week, facing charges that they helped to launder millions of dollars’ worth of investments.
In Australia, rising rents are fuelling a cost of living crisis and according to charities pushing people towards homelessness.
The United Nations says Afghanistan is the "most repressive country in the world" for women's rights. Also: Demonstrations continue in Georgia over fears a new law could limit free speech, and the world's first 3D printed space rocket prepares to launch.
Georgian opposition and civil society groups call for new protests against government plans to introduce controversial "foreign agent" legislation. We hear from opposition MP Grigol Gegelia.
Also on the programme, four bankers go on trial in Switzerland for hiding millions of dollars suspected to belong to Russia’s President Vladimir Putin; and we hear from the scientists who developed a new drug that could treat bone cancer.
(Picture: Participants protest against a draft law on "foreign agents", which critics say represents an authoritarian shift and could hurt the country's bid to join the European Union, during a rally outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, March 8. Credit: REUTERS/Irakli Gedenidze)
Day 4 of Arielle’s challenge and she is joined by Dean McCullough and various Breakfast Show Allstars and Greg gives her a chance to win some extra leg power.
Also:
RMT suspends industrial action.
And we speak to TikTok's head of public policy for the Americas
Should laws be changed so that the state helps you end your own life if that's your wish?
On International Women’s Day we talk to the foreign secretary, James Cleverly MP, as he travels to Sierra Leone to launch the UK’s new international women and girls strategy.
Dr Sabrina Cohen-Hatton is one the most senior fire fighters in the UK. The current Chief Fire Officer of West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service has in her 22 year career covered major incidents such as the London Bridge terror attack, the Finsbury Park terror attack and the aftermath of Grenfell. Last month on Woman’s Hour we discussed the fire service after recent reports hit the headlines of allegations of bullying and sexual harassment of female fire fighters at different services. Last year, an independent review found the London Fire Brigade to be institutionally racist and misogynistic. Just seven percent of fire fighters are women and there are even less in high leadership roles. Sabrina joins Nuala to talk about her new book The Gender Bias The Barriers That Hold Women Back, And How to Break Them, which unpicks why women are judged differently, and how we can tackle those biases, and also tells us whether she thinks the fire service has a problem with women.
Sunday marked the end of the European Indoor Championships in Istanbul, a golden weekend for Team GB women. Keely Hodgkinson retained her 800m title before team captain Jazmin Sawyers won a long jump Gold, earning her a first major title of her senior career with a world-leading jump of seven metres. Jazmin now holds the British Indoor record and joins Nuala.
What is it like to be a poet, a woman and a performer of poetry at this particular moment in time? Kim Moore aims to answer this question in her new book Are You Judging Me Yet? Poetry and Everyday Sexism. The book contains poems from her collection All the Men I Never Married, for which she won the Forward prize last year. She explains to Nuala McGovern why poetry is the perfect medium for exploring sexism.
The home secretary has acknowledged 80,000 people could cross the channel on small boats this year.
Suella Braverman was defending new proposals for anyone found to have entered the UK illegally to be removed from the country within 28 days, but also be blocked from returning or claiming British citizenship in future.
The United Nations Refugee Agency has accused the government of violating the Refugee Convention introduced after the Second World War through its proposals to tackle small boats.
The BBC’s Nick Robinson spoke to the home secretary and then to Madeleine Sumption, Director of the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford.
(Image, Migrants disembark border vessel, Credit, Gareth Fuller PA)
一位姓边的网友来信询问 “adequate、enough” 和 “sufficient” 的区别。这三个词的意思都和 “足够” 有关，但它们的词性和实际的用法不同。其中，“adequate” 和 “sufficient” 均为形容词，表示 “足够的”；“adequate” 强调 “（质量、水平、标准）刚够好”；“enough” 则可以作限定词、副词和代词使用。听 “你问我答” 节目，学习区分这三个词。
In the UK, millions of people go without the refunds, the replacements and resolutions they're entitled to - because they don’t know how to complain. In this podcast, we talk about the art of the complaint. What are your rights and how can you enforce them?
The experts on the panel are Lisa Webb, senior lawyer at the consumer rights company Which?, and Helen Dewdney, a consumer champion.
Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Producer: Amber Mehmood
Editor: Elisabeth Mahy
Israel claims one of the dead killed two Jewish settlers. Also: Five women have sued the American state of Texas, saying they were denied abortions even though their lives were in danger, and we go behind the scenes of David Attenborough’s new wildlife documentary on the British Isles.
The head of the US Federal Reserve Jerome Powell says he may have to raise interest rates after strong economic data. There is growing concern in the US that Tik Tok could share users sensitive information with the authorities in Beijing. Sri Lanka's government expects an IMF deal in place soon to resolve its economic woes.
The British PM, Rishi Sunak has said he is ‘up for the fight’ to bring in new legislation to prevent migrants crossing the Channel on small boats to reach the UK. We will hear from a supporter and a critic of the plan.
Also on the programme, TikTok spokesman defends its data policy in the United States; and did a pro-Ukraine group sabotage the Nord Stream gas pipeline from Russia?
(Picture: Rescue workers stand on board a Royal Navy lifeboat, at the Port of Dover in Dover, Britain. Credit: REUTERS/Peter Nicholls/File Photo)
It may seem that in some countries surveillance cameras are everywhere – recording almost our every move. We are using fingerprints and facial recognition to get access to our banking, work emails and even our healthcare systems. Alongside this rise in use comes a rapid increase in biometric data gathering, spurred on by contact tracing apps during COVID19. But where is this very personal data going, who is using it and how.
We bring together a panel of experts to discuss what’s happening now and what’s next for our biometric data – shouldn’t we be the ones in control of our own digital identity? Dr Stephanie Hare, author of Technology is Not Neutral: A Short Guide to Technology Ethics, Alice Thwaite, founder of the Hattusia consultancy and The Echo Chamber Club a philosophical research institute, and BBC China Editor Howard Zhang are all on the show.
The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell with expert commentary from Ghislaine Boddington.
Studio Manager: Andrew Garratt
Producer: Ania Lichtarowicz
(Illustration: A fingerprint scanner is integrated into a printed circuit. Credit: Surasak Suwanmake/Getty Images)
The Islamic Republic of Iran has seen widespread protests in recent months following the death of Mahsa Amini in custody. The news of the brutality of the regime against its protesting citizens has been widespread; we discuss how some protesters are being purposefully shot in their eyes and blinded. Khosro Isfahani is from the BBC's Monitoring Service and has been following the developments in Iran since the beginning, he provides us with a wider image of what is currently happening in Iran and explains the potential reasons behind these eye shootings.
We hear from two film makers, Tim Burton and Danielle Sellwood, who have recently held accessible screenings of outdoor adventure films at the Sheffield Adventure Film Festival. Both have been making a conscious effort to include accessibility features on the films that they make, be those closed captions and audio description. Danielle and Tim tell us how including AD on outdoor adventure films may encourage blind and partially sighted people to get more active. Fern Lulham also joins us and provides a wider analysis of current AD provisions on movies.
Presenter: Peter White
Producer: Beth Hemmings
Production Coordinator: Liz Poole
Website image description: Peter White sits smiling in the centre of the image, wearing a dark green jumper. Above Peter's head is the BBC logo (three individual white squares house each of the three letters). Bottom centre and overlaying the image are the words "In Touch" and the Radio 4 logo (the word Radio in a bold white font, with the number 4 inside a white circle). The background is a bright mid-blue with two rectangles angled diagonally to the right. Both are behind Peter, one of a darker blue and the other is a lighter blue.
A ceasefire has come into force in the Democratic Republic of Congo to put an end to fighting between the army and M23 rebels. Aid workers in eastern DRC say that clashes are continuing.
South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced the appointment the country's first-ever minister of electricity.
We meet the creators of a new animation series which tells the story of Ghana's independence movement.
And musician, Sodi Cookey, tell us about his new album, 'Love, Live and Protest'.
Former air force chiefs and current fighter pilot reservists in Israel have joined public condemnation of the government's planned legal changes. Also on the programme, Belarus opposition figure, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, has been sentenced to 15 years in jail; and, naturalist David Attenborough's new TV series explores the species of the British Isles.
(Photo: Protest against government's judicial overhaul outside U.S. Consulate in Tel Aviv 07/03/2023 Reuters)
Xi Jinping blames it for trying to 'contain', 'encircle' and 'suppress' his country. Also: Britain sets out legislation designed to stop asylum seekers crossing the English channel on small boats, and the head of Japan's space agency apologises for the failed launch of a new flagship rocket.
Arielle starts day 3 of her challenge and is helped out by Honorata who has far too many diaries, Rachel who is a spin class hero and Aileen who is a matchmaking maestro.
On last night’s Panorama, Twitter insiders told the BBC that the company is no longer able to protect users from trolls, following lay-offs and changes under the owner Elon Musk. Lisa Jennings Young is the former head of Content Design at Twitter, and worked on safety features aiming to protect users from online hate, including misogyny. In October 2022, Lisa's entire team was laid off, and she herself chose to leave in late November. To find out more about her time at Twitter, and how proactive design can protect women and girls on social media, Nuala speaks to Lisa from her home in San Francisco.
Heidi Thomas is best known as the writer and creator of Call The Midwife. Her newest project is a film adaptation of the Alan Bennett play Allelujah. Set in a much-loved geriatric hospital in Yorkshire – The Beth - that’s been earmarked for closure, it stars Jennifer Saunders as the formidable sister in charge. Heidi joins Nuala in the Woman’s Hour studio to talk about what it’s been like to go from writing about the start of life to the end.
Feminism isn’t as modern as we might think, and the patriarchy is more fragile than it appears. That’s the basis of a new book by science journalist Angela Saini. In The Patriarchs: How Men Came to Rule, Angela uncovers stories of female-led societies, and tells Nuala the lessons they might teach us.
Young women are using codewords to describe their experiences of sex, and in some cases assault, on social media platform TikTok. The hashtag ‘Mascara’ has racked up more than 100 million views over the past month or so, and is the latest code that’s developed to avoid TikTok’s censorship filters. Sophie Smith Galer joins Nuala to discuss this latest trend.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Lucinda Montefiore
David Porter -Director of Engineering at the Department for Infrastructure spoke to Nolan.
Wayne Couzens, the ex-police officer who murdered Sarah Everard was given a rare whole life sentence, meaning he will never be released from prison.
However he has now also pleaded guilty to three incidents of indecent exposure.
That means questions are now being asked as to whether his earlier offences could have identified him as a violent threat to women – and what his case tells us about so-called ‘flashers’ going on to commit far more serious sexual offences.
The BBC’s Justin Webb spoke to three women in their 20s who have all been subjected to indecent exposure, and to Dame Diana Johnson, Chair of the Home Affairs select committee.
(Image, young woman with head in hands, Credit Getty Images)
如果一个人 “唠唠叨叨，说个不停”，那么可能会让他人感到厌烦。主持人菲菲迟到了，她说这是因为在路上碰到了同事 Richard，而且用到了短语 “rabbit on”。不过，这个短语和 “rabbit（兔子）” 没有关系。听节目，学习 “rabbit on” 的含义和用法。
Three years after the official declaration of a pandemic, 65 million people - one in 10 who had Covid-19 - still have symptoms. Some are so ill they are yet to return to work. The Economist’s health editor, Natasha Loder, examines the science behind long Covid and hears about the challenges as researchers try to unravel the cause behind a condition associated with around 200 symptoms.
Former Nigerian vice President, Atiku Abubakar leads a 'black uniform' march by his party, PDP, to the headquarters of the electoral commission INEC. The Presidential candidate said the February 25th poll was compromised and his party demands a re-run after saying they'll challenge it in courts.
Also, a BBC investigation exposes a major trade in heroin on the Seychelles Islands, but also what could be the biggest heroin epidemic for a nation globally.
Plus, FESPACO ends in Burkina Faso with Tunisia winning the grand prize and a film by a Burkinabe director on the scourge of jihadism in the country coming second.
Those stories and more in this podcast with Bola Mosuro.
The city has been under sustained Russian bombardment for months. Also: Turkish opposition parties agree on a single candidate to challenge President Erdogan in elections due in May, and the couple jailed for 4 years in Spain for stealing wine.
We are looking close at the National People's Congress (NPC), a rubber-stamp parliament, which is due to confirm President Xi Jinping's third term.
The 'Two Sessions' as they are known, are the annual meetings of the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Committee. From a business and economics point of view, it's where the big decisions are rubber-stamped.
It's where Xi Jinping will be officially elected President, as we've just heard the new Premier - Li Qiang - will also be unveiled, and there's been an increase in military spending by more than 7%. From a World Business Report point of view, though, the crucial announcement that caught our eye was a 5% growth target for the next year. That's China's lowest target for more than three decades.
(Picture: The Great Hall of the People,Beijing,China. Picture Credit: Getty Images)
It is a month since the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, with officials putting the number of deaths in Turkey alone at 45,968. We hear from both sides of the border.
Also on the programme, fighter pilots in an elite Israeli Air Force squadron have vowed not to attend training, in an unprecedented protest against the government. Plus, latest analysis of a vase found in a Roman grave in Colchester in the mid-1800s reveals gladiator fights were staged in Roman Britain.
(Picture: An earthquake survivor in southern Turkey. Credit: BBC / Foster)
A fur-stripped mouse carcase might not sound like the cosiest of homes – but that is where the burying beetle makes its nest, and where Rebecca Kilner has focused much of her research.
A professor of evolutionary biology at the University of Cambridge, Rebecca’s work – initially with cuckoos, then more recently with beetles – has shed invaluable light on the relationship between social behaviours and evolution.
She tells Jim al-Khalili how the beetles' helpfully swift generational churn and mouse-based parenting has allowed her team to study evolution in action, demonstrating for the first time what was previously just evolutionary theory.
Adam, Kate and Alice have a childish squabble over the past, and does Josh have company?
Political leaders in Beijing have downgraded China's growth target to its lowest in decades. Meanwhile, military spending has increased by 7%. So what would a steadily-growing China mean for the global economy?
On the frontline towns of Bakhmut and Kupiansk, Ukranian soldiers brace for Russia's springtime offensive. Also on the programme, one month on from the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, it's estimated that a million and a half people are still sheltering in tents; and, Estonia's prime minister has won in a landslide election, an important moment for the small Baltic country standing up to Russia.
(Photo: A Ukrainian serviceman fires an automatic grenade launcher in Bakhmut 03/03/2023 Reuters)
UN says millions of people still homeless and living in fear. Also: Elon Musk mocks BBC report about abuse on Twitter, South Korean plan to resolve wartime labour dispute with Japan and Toblerone loses iconic Swiss mountain logo.
Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani education activist and the world’s youngest Nobel Prize laureate. Malala was just 15 when, on the way home from school, a member of the Taliban boarded her bus, asked for her by name, and shot her in the head. In the decade since, Malala has continued to fight for the educational rights of girls and women across the globe through her charity, the Malala Fund. Now she’s turned her attention to Hollywood, most recently as Executive Producer of the short documentary film Stranger At The Gate – which has been nominated for the Oscar for Best Documentary Short Film.
The Bristolian comic and star of last year’s Strictly Come Dancing, Jayde Adams has written a brand new show ‘Men, I Can Save You,’ to explore her relationships with men and learn from how she has been treated in the past. She talks to Woman’s Hour about how she wants to guide men to salvation with humour.
When should you bring up the topic of whether or not you want children with a partner? If you have different opinions, do you walk away from an otherwise happy relationship? Nuala is joined by Relationship Counsellor Val Sampson and listener Sarah to discuss the healthiest way to go about it.
Presented by Nuala McGovern
Producer: Louise Corley
It’s day 2 of Arielle Free’s Tour De Dance challenge and our dating expert, Aileen, joins the “Tendem” for a speed dating session. Also, weather expert Abbie Dewhurst gives us the week’s forecast and plays Yesterday’s Quiz.
Interested or interesting? Which adjective do you use? We discuss -ing and -ed adjectives
Series 2 episode 1 - "...I don't want to go..."
From filmmaker Jason Wingard and set and recorded on location in a car in Manchester, 'Where To, Mate?' is a semi-improvised comedy following our drivers Bernie, Ben and Saj as we eavesdrop on their taxi journeys around the North West.
Bernie picks up a couple on their way to the airport. Ben picks up a guy who doesn't want to go to a job interview.
Featuring local voices and character actors/comedians from the North.
Dialogue is improvised by the cast based on ideas by Jason Wingard and Carl Cooper.
Ben ..... Peter Slater
Bernie ..... Jo Enright
Jo ..... Nina Gilligan
Joe ..... Andy Salthouse
Nige ..... Keith Carter
Saj ..... Abdullah Afzal
Controller ..... Jason Wingard
Controller ..... Abdullah Afzal
Additional voices and material by the cast and crew.
Director: Jason Wingard
Producer: Carl Cooper
A BBC Studios Audio production for BBC Radio 4
Petrol bombs were thrown at police who fired tear gas and stun grenades. Also: A fire in a refugee camp in Bangladesh has left thousands homeless, and a deal has been reached to protect the world's oceans.
The Greek prime minister has asked for forgiveness after the country's worst ever train crash, which has prompted further protests in the capital Athens. In a statement, Kyriakos Mitsotakis said it should not have been possible for two trains heading in different directions to run on the same line without anyone noticing. 57 people died in Tuesday's collision between a passenger train and a freight train near Larissa.
Also in the programme: China has announced a sharp rise in military spending; and she was known as the mother of the disability rights movement in the US - Judy Heumann has died aged 75.
(Photo: A riot police officer prepares to throw a stun grenade next to flames in Athens as clashes take place during a demonstration, after the collision of two trains near the city of Larissa. March 5, 2023. Credit: Reuters/Alkis Konstantinidis)
Nadifa Mohamed joins James Naughtie and readers to talk about her award-winning novel The Fortune Men. Set in Cardiff in the 1950s, the novel is based on the real-life trial of Mahmood Mattan, a Somali seaman accused of murder. It's a powerful, moving read and a dazzling portrait of a proud, bewildered young man and his life in Cardiff's Tiger Bay.
Upcoming recordings:
15 March at 1830 at BBC Broadcasting House, London: Tan Twan Eng will be answering questions about his novel The Garden of Evening Mists.
19 April at 1300 at BBC Broadcasting House, London: Sarah Winman on her novel Tin Man
Email bookclub@bbc.co.uk to come along.
Nations have reached an historic agreement to protect the world's oceans following ten years of negotiations. The High Seas Treaty places 30% of the seas into protected areas by 2030, aiming to safeguard and recuperate nature. We hear from Rebecca Hubbard, director of the High Seas Alliance, and Dr. Robert Blasiak, a researcher at Stockholm University.
Also: Has President Emmanuel Macron boosted France's reputation with countries in Africa? We ask political scientist Niagale Bagayoko. After concluding his latest trip in the Democratic Republic of Congo, government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya tells us what kind of relationship Kinshasa would like with Paris in the future.
Plus, as China’s National People’s Congress gets underway, Dr. Jie Yu shares her thoughts on Beijing’s plans to increase military spending, and why the government has set a fairly modest economic growth target.
(Image: A humpback whale)
Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh le Ruairidh MacIlleathain. Litir àireamh 1233. Roddy Maclean reads this week's letter for Gàidhlig learners.
Roy Jenkins discusses contemporary Welsh identity in Bangor with four guests: the Archbishop of Wales and Bishop of Bangor Andrew John; historian Elin Jones, author of the recent book History Grounded, documenting the history of Wales; political commentator Theo Davies-Lewis, a regular writer for The Spectator and contributor to both BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio Wales; and Menna Machreth, former chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (the Welsh Language Society) and currently project manager for the Welsh-medium playgroups Mudiad Meithrin.
The panel discuss the relevance of St. David to contemporary society; when increasing numbers of people declare that they have no religion, what is the relevance of a saint’s day? What do the faith and works of a sixth-century monk mean for those who don’t share his beliefs? And in what sense can he be significant still to the faith, language and identity of a 21st century society?
Earlier this week British prime minister, Rishi Sunak, unveiled the Windsor Framework, a deal with the EU to fix post-Brexit trade problems in Northern Ireland. The Democratic Unionist Party, whose support is crucial to restoring the power-sharing government in the Province have yet to deliver their verdict on it. William Crawley assesses what this all means for the future preservation and strengthening of the Good Friday Agreement, twenty-five years after it's creation, with guests Dr. John Kirkpatrick, moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland; and Donal McKeown, the Roman Catholic bishop of Derry and Apostolic administrator of Down and Connor.
One month on from the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria, we revisit Islamic Relief's deputy director in Turkey, Salah Aboulgasem, for an update.
An exhibition at Lambeth Palace reveals how the Church of England profited from investments connected with slavery. Reporter Vishva Samani visits 'Enslavement: Voices from the Archives' and speaks to those who feel it fails to show the full extent of the Church's involvement.
William talks to author and senior fellow at Theos, Nicholas Spencer, about his new book Magisteria, in which he suggests that the troubled relationship between science and religion has definitively shaped human history.
Stranger at the Gate is the Oscar nominated true story about a former US marine intent on attacking a Mosque, but who ended up converting to Islam. William speaks to Bibi Bahrami, founder of the Islamic Centre of Muncie, about that episode and her subsequent friendship with Richard McKinney.
Producers: Jill Collins and Bara'atu Ibrahim
Production co-ordinator: David Baguley
Editors: Tim Pemberton and Helen Grady
Photo credit: Chris Vaughan / Church Commissioners for England
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs. In today’s programme we look at how taking a daily brisk walk could take 25% off your mortality rate. The northern - and southern - lights and why they’ve been so pronounced of late? And have scientists discovered the world’s first Roman sex toy?
Plus we look at the science of tectonics and ask, what can the Earth tell us about itself?
Five women. Five inspirational stories.
Earlier this year, Woman’s Hour spoke to women from all different backgrounds and professions about the moment they found their voice. When was the moment they realised they had to speak up? And how did it change them?
For International Women’s Day, Anita Rani brings you all of the interviews from the ‘Finding My Voice’ series, in a one-off special episode of the Woman’s Hour podcast.
Elika Ashoori was an actor and baker who rarely kept up with politics. That is, until 2017 when her father, Anoosheh, was detained by the Iranian authorities while visiting his mother. Over the next five years, she and her family fought for his release and she was forced to go through what she calls a ‘crash course’ in human rights campaigning. Her father was flown back the UK on the same plane as Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe in March 2022. Since then, Elika has dedicated herself to campaigning for the rights of women and girls in Iran, including cutting off her hair on ITV’s Lorraine.
Milly Johnson had always known she wanted to write novels but says, ‘I didn’t think that ordinary girls like me got those sorts of jobs.’ She was a 40-year-old single mum when she got her first publishing deal and now, 21 novels later, she’s a Sunday Times best-selling author and her books have sold over 3 million copies. She describes how she found her voice the moment she started putting the everyday experiences of Yorkshire women into her writing.
Moud Goba fled her home country of Zimbabwe at the age of 20 due to harassment she faced over her sexuality. She is now the Chair of the Board of Trustees for UK Black Pride and has spent over a decade helping other LGBTQ+ refugees and asylum seekers to integrate into their new communities. She explains how she found her voice as an activist once she was finally able to express her sexuality freely.
Shekeila Scarlett was excluded from school when she was 12 years old. Although she was reinstated at the school just 2 months later, the experience made her realised how distant young pupils were from the governors who made decisions about their school. At 26, she’s now the Chair of Governors at Stoke Newington School in Hackney, making her one of the youngest chairs of a school governing board in the UK.
In 2020, ...
Iran has agreed to restore surveillance cameras and allow inspections at its sites. Also: The Russian army and Wagner mercenaries put increasing pressure on Ukraine's soldiers to withdraw from the shattered city of Bakhmut, and the latest on what is believed to be the biggest drug bust in Australia's history.
The Russian army and Wagner mercenaries are putting increasing pressure on Ukraine's soldiers to withdraw from the shattered city of Bakhmut.
Also in the programme: The French president, Emmanuel Macron, has called for an end to what he called the brazen looting in the conflict-hit east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, during a visit to the capital Kinshasa; and we hear from the son of the world-renowned architect, Rafael Viñoly, who has died aged 78. Born in Uruguay, Viñoly was behind many acclaimed -- and controversial -- designs.
(Photo: A general view shows an empty street and buildings damaged by a Russian military strike, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in the front line city of Bakhmut, Ukraine on 3 March 2023. Credit: Reuters/Oleksandr Ratushniak)
Schoolgirls in Iran have been admitted to hospital this week after reportedly being poisoned by gas whilst at school. Many Iranians suspect the poisonings are a deliberate attempt to force girls’ schools to close, although the government has not confirmed. Faranak Amidi, BBC Near East Women's Affairs correspondent and Azadeh Pourzand, human rights researcher at SOAS discuss.
In new book Womb: The Inside Story of Where We All Began, NHS midwife Leah Hazard seeks to explore the organ she describes as 'woefully under-researched and misunderstood'. She shares what she has learnt from looking into the womb’s past, present and possible future.
Actor and singer Cynthia Erivo discusses her role in the upcoming film, Luther: The Fallen Sun, where she appears opposite Idris Elba. She shares her experience working on the movie version of the musical Wicked, playing the lead role of Elphaba, her 2020 oscar-nominated performance as Harriet Tubman, and her new found liberation in expressing her bisexuality.
Jo Cheetham was studying for a PhD and working as a nanny in London when she read news of an upcoming protest. Before she could talk herself out of it, Jo joined the No More Page 3 campaign team. We discuss her new memoir, Killjoy. Jo talks to us about the power of a grassroots campaign and everyday people doing extraordinary things.
On Monday, the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act came into effect, raising the age of marriage and civil partnership to 18 in England and Wales. It's what campaigners against child and forced marriage have worked towards for many years. We reflect on this social change with two listeners, Judith and Jeanette who willingly got married at 16.
Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Surya Elango
Editor: Louise Corley
After months of artillery bombardment, the battle for Bakhmut could be entering its closing stages, with reports of street-fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces. We hear from the deputy mayor of the city, as well as the families of soldiers taken prisoner by Russian forces.
Also on the programme: a mystery over the assassination of one of the Philippine president’s political allies and; talks between Iran and the UN’s nuclear watchdog after inspectors found traces of uranium that had been enriched to near weapons-grade.
(IMAGE:A Ukrainian soldier rides a military vehicle in Bakhmut. CREDIT: Reuters/Oleksandr Ratushniak)
جریان پادشاهی، بخشی از اپوزیسیون خارج از ایران از دیگر فعالان اپوزیسیون میخواهد بگویند جاوید شاه حال آنکه چهرهی مرکزی پادشاهیخواهان، شاهزاده رضا پهلوی، میگوید جمهوریخواهی را ترجیح میدهد. در اپوزیسیون خارج چه میگذرد؟ مهمانهای برنامه: کاملیا انتخابیفرد؛ سردبیر ایندیپندنت فارسی و امیر ممبینی؛ فعال سیاسی.
Football journalist and broadcaster Mina Rzouki, broadcaster Steffan Powell, presenter Craig Mitch and comedian Kae Kurd join Colin Murray for an hour of sporting punditry, humour and entertainment. Points are awarded for informed comment, wit and passion, but taken away for nonsense and answers lacking in conviction.
In the final round, the top two points scorers go head-to-head in 'Defend the Indefensible' where they must both defend a statement however ludicrous or distasteful for twenty seconds. There can only be one winner!
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Our new weekly collection of the happiest stories in the world along with the sounds that bring joy to our listeners. This week, the naughty Finnish huskies who've found a new home, the Caribbean sailor who survived 24 days at sea on ketchup, and the crafty octogenarian who knits for Hollywood. Presented by Andrew Peach. Music produced by Iona Hampson.
Paul Lewis hears how complaints to the Energy Ombudsman reached a record high last year. Plus, the child benefit trap that is catching parents unawares. And we hear one listener's difficult experiences trying to sort out the financial affairs of her terminally ill father.
Presented by Paul Lewis.
Reporter is Dan Whitworth.
Researchers were Sandra Hardial and Jo Krasner, studio manager Paul Lewis.
Our editor is Clare Worden.
This year marks 25 years since the Good Friday Agreement, signed by politicians from Northern Ireland and the British and Irish governments in an attempt to bring peace to Northern Ireland. Over his 26 years at the BBC, Denis Murray reported extensively on the peace process, including this pivotal moment. He explains to Claire Graham how it came about, its legacy and how it's still discussed in today's political battles.
Alex Murdaugh shot his wife and son on the family estate in South Carolina. Also: Pressure mounts on the former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson over what he said about Covid lockdown parties, and the White House reveals that President Biden has had a cancerous skin lesion successfully removed from his chest.
This year’s “Two Sessions” annual parliamentary gathering in Beijing takes places over the weekend, with one of the largest government reshuffles in a decade expected. We get the latest on what's in store for the weekend ahead and what it means for economies around the world.
We hear about the standoff between a group of airlines and the Dutch government over a cut to the number of flights through Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport.
And how much would you spend on a 300 year-old violin? One up for auction in New York could fetch up to $10 million, and our reporter got to play it.
A court in Belarus has sentenced Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatski to 10 years in prison. He was convicted of smuggling and financing "actions grossly violating public order", the Viasna human rights group said. Supporters of Mr Bialiatski, 60, say the authoritarian regime of Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko is trying to silence him. We hear from the UN's Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Belarus. Also on the programme: scientists identify a new disease in wild birds caused solely by plastic pollution; and we speak to the director of the Oscar-nominated documentary 'Fire of Love'. (File image of Ales Bialiatski. Credit: TATYANA ZENKOVICH/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Nigeria's Supreme Court has overturned a ban on old naira banknotes and ruled that the redesign was invalid. The justices said that not enough notice was given to the public before the old notes were withdrawn.
Several anti-France activists stage protests in parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo, to show their opposition to a planned visit by French President Emmanuel Macron.
And Nigerian filmmaker C J Obasi, talks to us about his film Mami Wata, and making it to Africa's biggest film and television festival, FESPACO.
Writer, Keri Davies
Director, Peter Leslie Wild
Editor, Jeremy Howe
Brian Aldridge ….. Charles Collingwood
Ben Archer ….. Ben Norris
Josh Archer ….. Angus Imrie
Helen Archer ….. Louiza Patikas
Tony Archer ….. David Troughton
Lilian Bellamy ….. Sunny Ormonde
Lee Bryce ….. Ryan Early
Harrison Burns ….. James Cartwright
Alice Carter ….. Hollie Chapman
Neil Carter ….. Brian Hewlett
Susan Carter ….. Charlotte Martin
Alan Franks ….. John Telfer
Brad Horrobin ….. Taylor Uttley
Chelsea Horrobin ….. Madeleine Leslay
Kate Madikane ….. Perdita Avery
Noluthando Madikane ….. Mogali Masuku
Freddie Pargetter ….. Toby Laurence
Lily Pargetter ….. Katie Redford
Sykesy ….. Jasper Carrott
For this week's News Quiz we're in Glasgow! Andy is joined by Frankie Boyle, Susie McCabe, Ashley Storrie and journalist Alex Massie. Up for discussion is the latest on strike action, the economy and the possibility of bringing a Dodo back to life.
Hosted and written by Andy Zaltzman with additional material from Alice Fraser, Max Davis, Stuart Mitchell, Carl Carzana and Jade Gebbie.
Producer: Georgia Keating
Executive Producer: James Robinson
Production Co-ordinator: Becky Carewe-Jeffries
Sound Editor: Marc Willcox
A BBC Studios Production
Nigeria's Supreme Court in a ruling Friday, said a presidential directive to discontinue the use of old naira notes following a redesign was illegal. The court said the old banknotes should continue to be legal tender, alongside new versions, until the end of this year.
Not enough of the new notes were released, leading to widespread anger and frustration.
Many people were unable to get cash to pay for food and slept outside banks.
Activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Ales Bialiatski, is jailed for ten years. We hear from one of his supporters.
Also on the programme, dozens of girls from 26 schools in Iran are being treated for poisoning after another wave of apparent toxic gas attacks. And we hear about "vocal fry" a vocal tic used by Kim Kardashian, Scarlett Johannson and, it has been discovered, by whales.
(Picture: Ales Bialiatski in 2021 Credit: EPA)
Bialiatski's protest group Viasna has documented human rights abuses carried out by the regime of the Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko. Also: Dozens of police officers are taken hostage in Colombia, and women footballers are unhappy with Fifa's choice of ambassador.
Actor, Bukky Bakray, who at 19, became the youngest BAFTA Rising Star Award recipient as well as one of the youngest 'Best Actress in a Leading Role' nominees for her critically acclaimed performance in the film Rocks. Bukky makes her stage debut in the coming of age play Sleepova in which four Black teenage friends explore sexuality, identity, relationships and family as they head towards adulthood while struggling to maintain their friendships. Bukky joins Anita in the studio to talk about her career and the power of female friendship.
Dozens of schoolgirls in Iran have been admitted to hospital this week after reportedly being poisoned by gas whilst at school. Over 1,000 girls have been affected by this since November and many Iranians suspect the poisonings are a deliberate attempt to force girls’ schools to close. The government hasn’t said whether it believes they are premeditated. We hear from Faranak Amidi, BBC Near East Women's Affairs correspondent and Azadeh Pourzand, Human Rights Researcher at SOAS.
So-called 'TikTok protests' have continued to take place in Britain's schools as hundreds of pupils rebelled against teachers over new rules with some clips attracting millions of views. Although the specific grievances vary from school-to-school, the social media trend appears to be spreading, with children in Southampton, Blackpool and Essex staging demonstrations in the last few days that were posted on the platform. Protests over a ban on school skirts at an Oxfordshire school led to police being called and the school being forced to temporarily close. That school has now U-turned on its uniform policy. So where is the balance between standing up for your rights and breaking school rules? Can the two ever be compatible or always at odds. And how can girls and young women in particular learn to find their voice and be listened to? Technology and innovation journalist and author, Becca Caddy, Sangeeta Pillai- the founder of Soul Soutras, and activist, and founder of Love Your Period, Molly Fenton discuss.
It has been 40 years since Karen Carpenter died. The singer and drummer was one half of soft-rock group The Carpenters, whose hit songs became the backdrop to the 1970s. Her death at 32 years of age from anorexia nervosa shocked the world. But did her early death overshadow her musical legacy? Lucy O’Brien has looked back over Karen’s life to write a biography, Lead Sister: The Story of Karen Carpenter.
Presenter: Anita ...
Some listeners try their best to scare Arielle Free ahead of her Tour De Dance challenge, The Cheesy Cheerleaders battle out the final of the quiz and
we find out if Shereen Cutkelvin is a WrongUn.
Also, electric cars - warning demand for public charging points is outstripping supply.
BBC Radio 2's Ken Bruce presents his final show on Friday as he leaves the station after 31 years hosting its weekday mid-morning show.
His slot is the most listened-to show on British radio, and he will now join rival commercial station Greatest Hits Radio.
Bruce was originally due to complete his Radio 2 contract on 24 March, but tweeted last week that the BBC had asked him to host the last edition of his weekday mid-morning show on 3 March instead.
Today's Garry Richardson speaks to Ken Bruce about his career at the BBC and quizzes him in a mini Today version of Popmaster.
(Photo credit: Pete Dadds/ BBC)
It took Salimata Sylla three hours to get to the away fixture she was due to play with her basketball team mates from the Parisian suburb of Aubervilliers. But it was only a few minutes before the match started that she learned she was going to sit the game out on the bench.
Despite playing for more than ten years in the French Championship, the federation that controls her sport decided to apply the rule that forbids female basketball players from wearing the hijab.
Her coach describes her as the backbone of the team and an ambassador for the sport. She’s been a face of basketball for many big brands on social media. And the hijab she wears is sold by mainstream sportswear manufacturers.
Salimata’s ban is the latest in country where the right to wear a hijab has long divided opinion. But in her case, it raises an interesting dilemma for France.
While domestic sporting federations enforce their ban on the hijab, their international counterparts have no such ban in place. So what will happen, Salimata wonders, when the Olympics come to Paris next year?
Reporter Claire Jones goes to Paris to meet Salimata to find out how she can resolve her wish to express her Muslim faith by wearing a hijab with her desire to play the sport she loves.
Presenter: Claire Jones
Producer: Helen Lee and Rob Cave
Production Coordinator: Mica Nepomuceno
Kyiv denies Moscow's claim that saboteurs fired at civilians in a border village. Also: The head of Britain’s domestic intelligence service apologises for MI5's failure to prevent a terrorist attack in Manchester in 2017, and the celebrated jazz saxophonist Wayne Shorter has died aged 89.
As the country waits on funds from the IMF, Pakistan's currency hits a historic low against the dollar and the Central Bank raises interest rates to 20%. We speak to the former Deputy Governor at Pakistan's Central Bank and a former IMF official to get perspectives from both sides.
We get reaction from the G20 meeting in India as angry exchanges over Russia's war in Ukraine dominated the talks.
And we hear about the new trend of de-influencers, telling us what not to buy.
A G20 meeting in New Delhi ends in acrimony, with disagreements over the Ukraine war making a joint statement impossible. Newshour hears from Jitendra Nath Misra, a former Indian ambassador.
Also in the programme: Greece's antiquated rail network; and the secret corridor inside the Great Pyramid of Giza.
(Picture: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a press conference on the sidelines of the G20 foreign ministers' meeting in New Delhi. Credit: Olivier Douliery/Pool via REUTERS)
The long rains of East Africa are forecast to fail again, for the third year running, precipitating a food crisis affecting millions. Science In Action explores the science of the drought, hears about new methods improving forecasts, and what is unusual about the region that makes it so vulnerable.
When we think of helium, for many of us balloons and squeaky voices come to mind. But the noble gas is critical for many aspects of modern life – and we’re facing a global shortage. Dr Annie Cheng and her colleagues at the University of Oxford are attempting to solve this by creating a model that has the potential to locate previously untapped reservoirs.
Image by Gerald Anderson/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Producer: Roland Pease
Assistant Producer: Sophie Ormiston
What's the best way to recruit people who have the right skills for the job, but are also the right cultural fit for your business? And how do you do that without discrimination? Evan Davis and guests discuss the many different hiring options available, from the standard CV and interview to social media snooping, and the importance of getting it right.
GUESTS
Michael Barrington Hibbert, CEO, Barrington Hibbert Associates
Sir John Timpson, chairman, Timpson Group
Claire Hamilton, head of UK talent acquisition, Capgemini
PRODUCTION TEAM
Producer: Simon Tulett
Editor: China Collins
Sound: Graham Puddifoot
Production Co-ordinators: Sophie Hill and Siobhan Reed
Labour Party's Peter Obi, who came third in Nigeria’s presidential election, has vowed to prove in court that his supporters were "robbed" of victory.
Madagascans start the process of rebuilding their lives, and homes after bearing the brunt of Cyclone Freddy as it tore through southern African.
And two West African states, Ivory Coast and Guinea, are repatriating their citizens from Tunisia following inflammatory remarks by President Kais Saied last week. Dark skinned Africans say they no longer feel safe in the north African country.
Almost 10 years ago, Peter MacJob’s life changed forever. Born and raised a devout Christian like so many of his fellow Nigerians, he fell out of love with the Church and discovered the traditional Yoruba religion of his ancestors. Other Africans appear to be doing the same thing, both on the continent and throughout the diaspora. But as Peter has found, it is not always easy to convert: Ifá, or Isese, involves effigies, divination, and making offerings to a range of deities, up to and including animal sacrifice.
Those not initiated into the faith often see it as superstitious and even sinister. Devotees say that outsiders misunderstand, and complain that Ifá is pejoratively depicted as devil worship. It is perhaps little wonder that after Peter adopted Ifá, he chose not to tell his family about it. But now he has decided it is time to come clean, taking a trip back to Nigeria to confront childhood friends and loved ones, in the hope that they will give their blessing.
Presenter: Peter MacJob
Producer: Michael Gallagher
Strand producer: Rajeev Gupta
Production co-ordinator: Mica Nepomuceno
Editor: Helen Grady
Turkish football writer Bora Isyar tells us about the resumption of the Turkish Süper Lig and the reaction of Besiktas fans, who threw toys onto the pitch in protest against the government’s handling of the earthquakes’ aftermath.
After the racist abuse of David Alaba for not voting for Karim Benzema in FIFA’s awards, and Pepe’s refusal to vote for Lionel Messi, we ask if players should have a say in awards. And we discuss the return to football of Jurgen Klinsmann.
Photo: Teddy bears and toys thrown on the field to be sent to the earthquake zone of the Vodafone Park Stadium prior to the Turkish Super Lig soccer match between Besiktas and Fraport TAV Antalyaspor, in Istanbul, Turkiye on February 26, 2023. (Credit: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
In sectors in Africa such as technology, fibre and broadband there needs to be a commitment to boosting the already entrepreneurship spirit of the continent. We hear from Nigerian and South African youths about what they want to see change as unemployment rises in their countries.
Pakistan is in a financial crisis as the rupee hit historic lows against the dollar. Inflation is decades high and it's not going to come down any time soon.
The Mobile World Congress trade fair started in Barcelona, Spain on Monday. We take a look at all of their latest gadgets and what the future of the industry will look like.
The meeting fails to produce a joint statement, as US and Russia clash over Ukraine. Also: there's growing anger in Greece after the country's worst ever train crash, and Egyptian archaeologists are celebrating the discovery of a hidden tunnel in the Great Pyramid of Giza.
There have been angry exchanges between Russia and the US at the G20 meeting of foreign ministers. The American Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said the meeting was hampered by Russia’s ‘unprovoked and unjustified’ invasion of Ukraine, while Russia’s Sergei Lavrov accused the West of drenching everything in ‘the sauce of so-called Russian aggression.’
Also on the programme: Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie talks about the Nigerian elections and; Romania makes an AI chatbot its newest government adviser.
Picture: Sergei Lavrov holds a news conference on the sidelines of G20 foreign ministers' meeting. Credit: REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis
Zara Larsson is here to review the Unpopular Opinions of old and there’s one that still shocks today and comedian Lloyd Griffith is still celebrating Grimsby’s win….Also, ever heard a hedgehog fart? Well, stick around people!
On this week’s episode of Stumped, Jim Maxwell tells us that he believes England would not enforce a follow-on against Australia in the Ashes. Brendon McCullum’s side became only the second side ever to lose a Test match having enforced the follow-on, as New Zealand won by a single run in Wellington to draw the two-match series. Would they be as bold against their great rivals in an Ashes series?
Charu Sharma dismisses Alyssa Healy’s claims that Harmanpreet Kaur’s run-out in India’s Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final loss to Australia was a result of “lazy running”. Australia went on to the win the tournament for a sixth time, beating South Africa in the final. We hear from South Africa’s star batter Laura Wolvaardt about the experience of playing a home World Cup.
Plus the head coach of Spain, Corey Rutgers joins us to discuss his side’s dismantling of the Isle of Man. Spain bowled them out for just 10 runs, which is the lowest total ever in a men’s T20 match. They then hit two sixes from the first two legitimate balls they faced to reach their target.
Image: England coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes leave the field at the end day five of the Second Test Match between New Zealand and England at Basin Reserve. (Credit: Getty Images)
Today’s Nick Robinson speaks to Isabel Oakeshott, the British political journalist who handed thousands of Matt Hancock’s private WhatsApps to the Daily Telegraph. She was given copies of the texts while helping the former Health Secretary write his book, ‘Pandemic Diaries’.
Today’s Amol Rajan then speaks to Anne Longfield, the Children's Commissioner during the pandemic, asking her whether closing schools was a good decision for the wellbeing of children. Nick Robinson picked up with Education Minister Nick Gibb, who told the programme he was awaiting the outcome of the Covid enquiry.
Image: BBC Images November 2022
Today’s Amol Rajan speaks to the historian Lord Hennessy about the changing nature of British politics before and after Covid-19. His latest book ‘A Duty of Care’ argues the pandemic can provide Britain with a moment to forge a better future.
“There are so many crucial clocks ticking… we can’t waste another decade,” he argues. He reveals his concerns about Britain’s ageing population, the more “fragmented” nature of society, and the rise of scandals. But he also shares his optimism for what the future holds for Britain.
Diana Parkes, the mother of a woman killed by her pilot husband more than a decade ago has called on the Justice Secretary to intervene over his possible release from prison in November. Anita talks to Diana Parkes, Joanna's best friend Hetti Barkworth-Nanton and the former Justice Secretary Robert Buckland.
Why do breast injuries in sport appear to go under-reported and what are the potential consequences? And can a well-fitting sports bra prevent a woman’s breasts from bouncing a reported 10,000 times during an hour-long run? World leading breast expert Associate Professor Deirdre McGhee from University of Wollongong, Australia joins Anita to discuss breast health and exercise.
When the wealthy financier Charles Vance Millar died, he left no direct heirs, so he decided to leave today’s equivalent of $9 million to the woman who had the most children over the next 10 years. This sparked what became known as “The Great Stork Derby”, a so-called contest that created a media frenzy. It’s the inspiration behind Caroline Lea’s new novel ‘Prize Women’. She speaks to Woman’s Hour about the real historical event.
Jo Cheetham was studying for a PhD and working as a nanny in London, when she read news of an upcoming protest. Before she could talk herself out of it, Jo officially joined the No More Page 3 campaign team. Over three years, Jo protested up and down the country, contended with trolls, gave a group performance on the West End stage and spoke at the Scottish Parliament. In her memoir 'Killjoy' Jo describes everyday people doing extraordinary things and the power of a grassroots campaign.
Presenter: Anita Rani
Studio manager: Bob Nettles
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the pioneering Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe (1546 – 1601) whose charts offered an unprecedented level of accuracy.
In 1572 Brahe's observations of a new star challenged the idea, inherited from Aristotle, that the heavens were unchanging. He went on to create his own observatory complex on the Danish island of Hven, and there, working before the invention of the telescope, he developed innovative instruments and gathered a team of assistants, taking a highly systematic approach to observation. A second, smaller source of renown was his metal prosthetic nose, which he needed after a serious injury sustained in a duel.
The image above shows Brahe aged 40, from the Atlas Major by Johann Blaeu.
With
Ole Grell
Emeritus Professor in Early Modern History at the Open University
Adam Mosley
Associate Professor of History at Swansea University
and
Emma Perkins
Affiliate Scholar in the Department of History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Cambridge.
In the last few years, powerful criminal gangs have terrorised a swathe of north west and central Nigeria. From camps in the forest, gangs of bandits on motorbikes have attacked villages killing and kidnapping men, women and children. So how can Nigeria's new leader restore security? What does it say about the future of security in Africa's most populous nation? Alex Last has been to the north western city of Katsina to meet some of those battling the bandits.
Photo: Some of the weapons used by vigilantes in Zamfara state, north west Nigeria, 2019 (Photo by Kola Sulaimon / AFP via Getty Images)
Reporter: Alex Last
Producer: Abdullahi Kaura Abubakar
Sound mix: Rod Farquhar
Series Editor: Penny Murphy
Production assistant: Helena Warwick-Cross
The transport minister resigns and three days of mourning are declared after more than 40 people are killed in a rail disaster. Also: Guinea and Ivory Coast are sending planes to evacuate their citizens from Tunisia following inflammatory remarks by the president against sub-Saharan Africans, and the singing legend Joni Mitchell is honoured by the US Library of Congress.
Sri Lanka workers defy strike ban to protest IMF bailout plan which is hitting their wallets. President Ranil Wickremesinghe is facing a public backlash over steep tax increases and spending cuts imposed to secure the IMF funding.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been declared Nigeria’s president elect but he inherits a country facing challenges including insecurity, unemployment and rising inflation.
We hear from the man helping him shape his response to perhaps his biggest challenge, turning Africa's largest economy around.
(Picture: An elephant mahout riding elephants in the forest. Picture Credit: Getty Images)
FBI Director Christopher Wray has said that the bureau believes Covid-19 most likely originated in a Chinese government-controlled lab. It is the first public confirmation of the FBI's classified judgement of how the pandemic virus emerged.
Many scientists point out there is no evidence that it leaked from a lab and other US government agencies have drawn differing conclusions to the FBI's. We'll hear from a former White House bio-defence official about what this report means.
Also in the programme: Nigeria's new president is a political veteran, but some in Nigeria say Bola Tinubu hasn't come clean about his medical problems; and the fishing scandal which has enmeshed Namibia and Iceland.
(Photo shows a masked woman stands at the window of a container turned into a Covid-19 fever clinic in Shanghai, China on 1 March 2023. Credit: Alex Plavevski/EPA)
In this week’s Health Check we’re talking about the protective effects of vaccines – but it’s not quite what you think…
We’re delving into the science of how some vaccines could have unexpected effects beyond their intended target. They’re called “non-specific effects” and we’re only just at the beginning of our understanding despite scientists documenting this curious biological phenomenon more than 100 years ago.
One of the earliest vaccines to be studied was the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine for Tuberculosis, better known as the BCG. Professor Christine Stabell-Benn gives us a history lesson and brings us up to date with her team’s research at the Bandim Health Project in Guinea-Bissau, Western Africa.
Also in the programme we hear about a new device for fixing bones being trialled in Gaza and Sri Lanka – and already in use in Ukraine. We hear from surgeons about what kind of patients they are treating and from UK researchers on hopes it will offer a low-cost, easy-to-make alternative in countries where there are shortages of these fixators.
Our studio guest this week is BBC News health and science journalist Philippa Roxby who’ll talk us through the latest after an 11-year-old girl in Cambodia died from the H5N1 strain of bird flu and we’ll discuss new studies on long Covid and how much exercise we should be aiming to do each day.
Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producer: Gerry Holt & Emily Knight
Nigeria's ruling party candidate, Bola Tinubu, has been declared president-elect of Africa's most populous nation after a weekend election that saw one of the lowest voter turn outs. The main opposition parties have disputed the result, describing the election as a sham and are planning to mount a legal challenge.
French President Emmanuel Macron has begun a four-nation tour of Central Africa, starting with a visit to Gabon. The trip comes after a speech he gave, announcing that France is reshaping its strategy on the continent.
And we hear about a play in Cameroon that is a mix of drama, poetry and music, wrapped in humour but it tackles the very serious and sensitive subject of the Anglophone crisis.
The Martin Lewis Podcast is here – founder of Money Saving Expert, Martin Lewis joins BBC Radio 5live’s Nihal Arthanayake to answer your energy questions. The Energy Price Cap will fall by 23% in April 2023, to £3,280/year for a typical household, but energy bills are currently controlled by the Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) – and this is set to rise by 20% from 1 April. This is why Martin has been urging Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to postpone the rise – a plea now backed by more than 85 other organisations. The energy secretary Grant Shapps said he is "very sympathetic" to the suggestions and he was working "hard" with Chancellor on the issue.
Elsewhere in the podcast, ‘Tell Us’ what is your best ever experience of customer service? When did a firm go above and beyond and who was it with? Did it make you more loyal in future? And Nihal takes on Martin’s Money Mastermind – this week he’s quizzed on pensions.
Plus Martin’s podcast exclusive money-saving tips, including changes to Chase, the app-based bank, which is a best or near best-buy in a good few categories. Also it’s Free Wills Month – it’s a charity event that lets you get solicitor-drafted wills for free. In return, they hope you'll make a donation or leave a 'bequest' in your will, leaving them something when you die.
The governing All Progressives Congress candidate, Bona Tinubu, is today celebrating victory in the Nigerian presidential election, winning 37 percent of the vote. Opposition parties are calling foul amid allegations of ballot stuffing. We speak to the APC Governor of Kaduna State and a spokesperson for the opposition Labour Party, who are demanding a re-run of the election.
Also in the programme: at least 36 people have been killed in Greece’s worst ever train crash; and a new exhibition explores the life, career, and numerous scandals of French musician Serge Gainsbourg
(Picture: Bola Tinubu celebrating election win. Credit: REUTERS/Marvellous Durowaiye)
Bola Tinubu has won a tight race to succeed Muhammadu Buhari as the next president of Nigeria. The 70-year-old veteran politician received 37% of the vote. We hear from local businesses in Nigeria about the challenges they face and what they want to see change.
Supermarket owners in Lebanon have started pricing their goods in dollars after the lira hit another record low, trading at more than eighty thousand to the dollar on the parallel market.
We also head to China as they have released its Purchasing Manager's Index which is an indicator for the country's manufacturing sector. It's great news for the Chinese economy as it turns out their factory activity has expanded at its fastest pace in more than a decade!
Search and rescue operations are ongoing, with more than 70 people taken to hospital. The Greek prime minister has visited the site of the disaster near the city of Larissa. Also: The FBI chief says Covid-19 most likely originated in a Chinese laboratory, Indigenous protests against wind turbines continue in Norway, and the Bolivian man who spent a month lost in the Amazon.
An Irish Goodbye is the story of two brothers, one with Down’s syndrome, who lose their mother. The dark comedy has already won a BAFTA and an Oscar nomination.
Today's Martha Kearney spoke to one of the film’s stars, James Martin, who has Down’s syndrome like the character he plays in the film. At his home in Belfast, they discussed his acting career, the film’s critical acclaim and its chances at next week’s Oscars.
CREDIT: BBC
Martha Kearney has been reporting from Belfast this week, looking at the impact on Northern Ireland from a lack of functioning government.
Martha spoke to Adele Johnstone, who is waiting for an inquiry to start after she – along with thousands of other mothers - was made to put her son up for adoption when she gave birth as an unmarried 17 year-old. A public inquiry into the scandal was put on hold after the power sharing government collapsed.
Martha also reported from the Thales plant, which makes the NLAW system distributed across Ukraine to help fight Russian tanks. She is the first journalist to visit the plant, which employs 800 people across Northern Ireland, since the war started.
Credit : BBC
Matt Hancock, the former Health Secretary, has disputed claims he rejected expert advice on Covid tests for people going into care homes at the start of the pandemic.
The Daily Telegraph newspaper has printed WhatsApp messages which suggest Mr Hancock was told in April 2020 that "testing of all going into care homes" was recommended. A spokesperson for Mr Hancock said the messages have been doctored to create a false story.
Today's Nick Robinson spoke to Lord Bethell, a health minister under Matt Hancock during the pandemic, about why these decisions were taken.
Credit:Reuters
Location: Oxford, United Kingdom
Listener Finlay was looking forward to a long and happy marriage – then he saw his wife-to-be making a sandwich and EVERYTHING changed! Also, are the Northern Lights cheating? and is Taylor Swift getting chased by turkeys?
People with eating disorders are being repeatedly failed by the system and radical changes need to be made to prevent further tragedies. That’s according to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman UK, Rob Behrens. He says little progress has been made in the six years since the publication of a report which highlighted serious failings in eating disorder services. Rob joins Nuala to talk about what those failings are, and what needs to be done.
In her memoir Outside the Sky is Blue, writer and journalist Christina Patterson tells her story of what it's like to grow up with a sibling who is mentally ill. Her older sister, Caroline, had her first breakdown when she was fourteen and Christina was nine. Later, Caroline was diagnosed with schizophrenia and was heavily medicated for the rest of her life. Christina joins Nuala to discuss growing up in a family in the shadow of mental illness.
Actor, singer, songwriter, and all round South London superstar Cynthia Erivo joins Nuala to speak about her role in the upcoming film, Luther: The Fallen Sun, where she appears opposite Idris Elba. She’ll also talk about making the movie version of the musical Wicked, where she is playing the lead role of Elphaba, and being one step away from an EGOT (an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony) award winner.
Would you want to know if you were going to get cancer? Journalist Hilary Osborne was diagnosed with breast cancer last year. She regrets not finding out sooner whether she carries the BRCA2 gene. Whereas comedian Michelle Brasier has been told by doctors she has a 97% chance of developing cancer, and is living life to the full. So, how do you face the stark reality of living with a hereditary and life-shortening illness? Hilary and Michelle join to Nuala to talk about their experiences.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Lottie Garton
一位网友想知道 “deteriorate” 和 “aggravate” 之间是否有区别。这两个词的意思都和 “事情变得更糟糕” 有关，但它们的用法不同。“Deteriorate” 作不及物动词使用，表示 “恶化，变坏”，但无需说明导致 “恶化” 的原因；“aggravate” 只能作及物动词使用，强调 “加剧，使（原本存在的问题变得）更严重”，它还有 “激怒” 的意思。本期节目讲解这对近义词在用法上的区别。
It’s estimated that more than 900,000 people in the UK have dementia but that’s a number that's on the rise.
It’s a diagnosis that raises a lot of questions, from the care that might be needed to the impact on family members, and of course there are worries about how best to manage finances as the illness progresses.
This podcast is for everyone, but especially anyone who has concerns about how to protect their financial future if they lose the ability to manage their own affairs. It’s also for anyone who wants to know how they can best provide support for the people they love.
To answer your questions, the experts in this podcast are, Victoria Lyons from the charity Dementia UK and Gary Rycroft a solicitor in private practice.
Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Producer: Amber Mehmood
Editor: Clare Worden
The electoral commission says complaints should be taken to court once all the results are in. Also: The US Supreme Court is considering a challenge to President Biden's plan to forgive billions of dollars' worth of student debt, and the smart suit that is transforming disabled children's lives.
Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said the plant for the electric car firm would be in Monterrey, which is about a nine-hour drive from Texas. Tesla is expected to share more in presentation to investors on Wednesday.
The candidate for Nigeria’s governing party, Bola Tinubu, has strengthened his lead in the elections, but three opposition parties have strongly criticised the poll and said it must be abandoned. We speak to a candidate from the opposition Labour Party, Ireti Heeba Kingibe, who joins the call in spite of just winning her own seat.
Also in the programme: what is behind the poisoning of hundreds of schoolgirls in Iran? And how the landmark trial that convicted Argentina's last military dictator has been turned into a film that’s been nominated for an Oscar.
Photo: People browse through a newspaper at a vendor's stand in the Ikeja district of Lagos, Nigeria, as election results trickle in. Credit: Akintunde Akinleye/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
Eleanor Burke recently travelled to Ireland via Gatwick Airport with her guide dog. She has made this journey many times before but this time was held up for an hour in the security area by a member of staff that was not satisfied with her guide dog's documentation. We invited her onto the program to tell us what happened. Adam Jones is Gatwick's Head of Passenger Services, he explains the steps they will be taking to ensure this does not happen to other guide dog owners.
Avanti West Coast are trialling a new WhatsApp messaging service, called Travel Companion, that will allow disabled passengers contact someone for help before, during and after their train journeys. Ricky West and Martin Byrne are both visually impaired and are working on the service, they tell us what people can expect from it. The number to contact the service is 07980037037.
And an update on the state of the tactile paving installations across the UK's rail network.
Presenter: Peter White
Producer: Beth Hemmings
Production Coordinator: Liz Poole
Website image description: Peter White sits smiling in the centre of the image, wearing a dark green jumper. Above Peter's head is the BBC logo (three individual white squares house each of the three letters). Bottom centre and overlaying the image are the words "In Touch" and the Radio 4 logo (the word Radio in a bold white font, with the number 4 inside a white circle). The background is a bright mid-blue with two rectangles angled diagonally to the right. Both are behind Peter, one of a darker blue and the other is a lighter blue.
As Ukraine enters the second year of the full-scale Russian invasion, we hear about an app through which citizens can help alert defence authorities of air attacks. To help prevent future attacks, the country’s Air Defence Forces want people to use their phones to report hostile airborne objects. Simply install an app, point your handset at the object, select the category – say a drone or a missile - and press the button. It means observers on the ground can pick up objects flying too low for radar detection. Gareth speaks to one of the app’s developers, Gennadiy Suldin of the tech start up NGO Technari.
Supercomputing predicting weather in Brazil – has it worked?
The clear up continues in Sao Paulo following last week’s devastating floods and landslides, which have claimed dozens of lives. But could these extreme weather events have been better predicted with supercomputers? Angelica Mari has been asking if Brazil’s supercomputers are super enough?
Spotting illegal farms in Taiwan with citizen tech
With 1500 hectares of farmland lost to illegal usage each year in Taiwan, an environmental advocacy group tried to find ways of bringing this attention to the wider public. Stuck for what to do and not wanting to use conventional means like petitions, they turned to Taiwan’s volunteer technology community for inspiration. Shiroma Silva went to find out more for Digital Planet.
The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell with expert commentary from Angelica Mari.
Studio Manager: Giles Aspen
Producer: Ania Lichtarowicz
(Image: A drone approaches for an attack in Kyiv on 17 October 2022. Credit: Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP/Getty Images)
Three opposition parties in Nigeria, The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), have called for Saturday’s presidential election to be cancelled and rerun, over alleged widespread irregularities. But the Independent National Electoral Commission remains steadfast in declaring state results.
More fathers are being given time off to spend with their new-born child according to a report, which shows paternity leave has quadrupled in Africa.
And in Uganda, we drop in on a 'silent café' in Kampala, where customers are encouraged to place their orders in sign language.
Does Chelsea know what she’s volunteering herself for? It’s time to learn a little more about ‘Sykesy’.
Opposition parties in Nigeria say the presidential election was a sham and demand for it to be rerun. Electoral officials have rejected the criticism. Also: Tik Tok, the video app, is at the centre of a diplomatic dispute between Beijing and Washington, and we hear an Israeli settler's view about the escalation of violence in the occupied West Bank. And we find out what is the secret of health and happiness ?
Beijing has accused the United States of overstretching the concept of national security, after the White House ordered government agencies to wipe TikTok from federal devices within thirty days. We find out why the US is so worried about the risks the app poses.
Latest GDP figures from India show that Asia's third largest economy grew at a rate of 13.5% in April to June, but has slowed since. We hear from Mumbai about how the year ahead looks for the nation's economy.
And we hear how striking workers in Sri Lanka risk losing their jobs if they take part in planned national protests.
What is it with Vicars eating Daffodils? Some kind of special message maybe? Also, Nadia Jae plays What’s My Age Again and Thor the walrus and Georgie The Opera Singing Dog are both back!!
We speak to an Israeli settler from the same settlement as two brothers who were killed in a shooting on Sunday. They were shot in a town called Hawara near Nablus in the West Bank; houses, cars and buildings were then burnt down by Israeli settlers afterwards. But Yonaton Behar from the Har Bracha settlement says it wasn’t a rampage at all.
Also in the programme: An update on elections in Nigeria and; A temple in India introduces a mechanical elephant to conduct rituals.
(Picture: A man walks among cars burnt in Hawara. Credit: REUTERS/Ammar Awad)
In her new book, Womb - The Inside Story of Where We All Began, NHS midwife Leah Hazard seeks to explore the organ she describes as 'woefully under-researched and misunderstood'. She shares with Nuala what she has learnt from looking into the womb’s past, present and possible future.
There have been accusations of Russian soldiers using sexual violence as a weapon of war during the current conflict in Ukraine. Progress is being made to bring the perpetrators to justice, but it’s slow. Nuala is joined by Anna Mykytenko, senior legal advisor to Global Rights Compliance; and Anna Orel, who works for the Andreev Foundation.
The laws surrounding fertility treatment and embryo research in the UK have remained largely unchanged for 30 years. Today a new consultation being held by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) opens. They want to hear from people who have been impacted by fertility treatment. Julia Chain, chair of the HFEA, joins Nuala.
As awards season continues we want to know - who should win best performance by a jumper? Mark Darcey’s reindeer jumper? Cameron Diaz’s knitwear in The Holiday? Fashion journalist Naomi Pike talks to Woman’s Hour about the most iconic knitwear in film - and we also hear from the creator of the most talked about jumpers of the moment. Delia Barry is 83 and personally knitted the jumpers you can see in the Oscar-nominated movie Banshees of Inisherin. She tells Nuala how she came to knit for films, and what it’s like to be the woman behind the new ‘it’ jumper.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Lucinda Montefiore
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak gives an exclusive interview to Today's Martha Kearney about his Northern Ireland Brexit deal with the European Union.
He says the new Brexit framework is a "huge step forward" for Northern Ireland, addressing key “challenges” with the original Brexit deal.
The Democratic Unionist Party are considering whether to back the deal and re-enter power sharing government at Stormont.
Mr Sunak says he understands parties need "time and space" to consider the details but argues: "The people of Northern Ireland need and deserve their government to be up and running."
(Photo: Rishi Sunak. Credit: Dan Kitwood/PA Wire)
主持人 Rob 本来说要帮菲菲布置客厅，好迎接她家人的来访，却临时反悔，菲菲不禁说： “Thanks a bunch!” 她为什么要谢谢 Rob？Rob 这才意识到，这是一句带有讽刺意味的反话。听他们的对话，学习这个地道英语表达的含义和用法。
The Flying Seagull Project travels the world with a simple goal: to enable and empower children in warzones and refugee camps to play. Theirs is a riproaring, irreverent, iridescent carnival that cuts through even the hoariest of cynics - and changes people's lives. From Glastonbury to a juvenile prison in Poland, and from a refugee camp in Bulgaria to a primary school in South London, reporter Georgia Moodie follows Ash Perrin, the founder of the Flying Seagulls as he gets kids from all walks of life to chuckle, yell and play.
British Prime Minister hails it as a new chapter after years of fraught relations with Brussels. Also: The strange case of the schoolgirls being poisoned in Iran, and Nigeria's main opposition parties allege fraud as votes are still being counted after the presidential election.
The UK and the EU reached a deal after months of talks over contentious post-Brexit trade rules for Northern Ireland. Details are now being pored over by lawmakers on both sides of the English Channel, but the plan is aimed at easing customs red-tape, equalizing some tax rules across the United Kingdom, and giving Northern Ireland’s lawmakers more of a say over the future of the arrangement.
The UK and the EU have finally managed to break the deadlock over trading arrangements for Northern Ireland after Britain's exit from the European Single Market and Customs Union. The British prime minister, Rishi Sunak, and Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, have hailed their deal as a 'decisive breakthrough'. We hear from George Parker of the Financial Times on what it means for Northern Ireland and Britain's relations with the EU.
Also in the programme, the violence by Israeli settlers in the West Bank town of Huwara; and an interview with the deputy mayor of Bakhmut, continuing scene of one of the bloodiest battles of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
(Photo: Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen shake hands at the end of a news conference on a post-Brexit deal in Windsor, Britain. Credit: CHRIS J RATCLIFFE/POOL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Nigerians wait with baited breath following Saturday's general election, but some in Rivers state protest over inability to cast their ballots. There were technical hitches during the voting, and today, some parties object to INEC, the electoral commission not uploading results online.
Meanwhile, in Lagos, a major upset in the making as provisional results have Bola Ahmed Tinubu beaten in the state by outsider, Peter Obi.
Those stories and others in this podcast with Bola Mosuro.
Tim Lamont is a young scientist making waves. Arriving on the Great Barrier Reef after a mass bleaching event, Tim saw his research plans disappear and was personally devastated by the destruction. But from that event he discovered a novel way to restore coral reefs. Playing the sounds of a healthy coral reef entices fish in to recolonise the wrecked reefs. Tim's emotional journey forced him to realise that environmental scientists can no longer just observe. They need to find new prisms with which to view the world and to intervene to save or protect the natural environment.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, announced they've reached a deal to revise post-Brexit trading arrangements in Northern Ireland. Mr Sunak says today's agreement marks a "new chapter" in the UK's relationship with the EU. We hear from business owners and economists about what the news means for the future of the economy in Northern Ireland.
We get the latest on the story of Bao Fan, the missing Billionaire technology dealmaker in China. His employer now say he's cooperating with Chinese authorities conducting an investigation.
And as the World Bank and the Kenyan Ministry of Energy meet to discuss a road map for African governments looking to tap solar electricity, we hear from the BBC Africa Business Editor about how it will be mapped out.
Israel has deployed extra troops to the occupied West Bank, after a Palestinian man was shot dead as Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian villages overnight, setting fire to houses and cars. The rioting was in response to the killing on Sunday of two Jewish brothers in one of the villages - Hawara.
Also in the programme: The British prime minister and the president of the European Commission discuss a new deal on post-Brexit trade involving Northern Ireland.
And Belarusian opposition figures say a Russian military plane has been damaged in a sabotage attack inside the country. We'll hear from the leader of the group that says it was behind the explosions.
(Photo: A building and cars burnt in an attack by Israeli settlers, following an incident where a Palestinian gunman killed two Israeli settlers, are seen near Hawara in the Israeli-Occupied West Bank, February 27, 2023. Credit: Reuters/Ammar Awad)
His company, China Renaissance Holdings, reported him missing ten days ago. Also: more than 100 people feared dead in Italy migrant shipwreck; and the multiverse drama, Everything Everywhere All at Once, sweeps up the prizes at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, ahead of the Oscars.
Blake Morrison is the last of 3 siblings, having lost both a sister and a half sister in recent years, he decided to go in search for the answers as to why the outcomes of their lives had been so different.
Blake spoke with Today's Justin Webb and Mishal Husain about his new memoir, Two sisters, in which he takes a look back at their lives and what led them down such different and difficult paths. He discusses the ethics of writing a memoir.
Tensions mount as listeners compete for some mega massive prizes on a Mega Massive Monday, a team of cheerleaders begin Yesterday’s Quiz and Lewis Capaldi has a new t-shirt.
Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.
Do you want some cheap and cheerful tips to improve your English? Listen to learn more.
There is already speculation that PM Rishi Sunak hasn't done enough to win over the DUP
John Lloyd and Anna Ptaszynski welcome entrepreneur Bill Liao, actress Miriam Margolyes OBE and comedian Chris McCausland to the first episode of a new series of The Museum of Curiosity. Inspiring questions such as: What is the best record? What would your favourite, long dead, author write about now? And how could a fruit fly save your life?
This series of The Museum of Curiosity has been recorded remotely.
The Museum’s exhibits were catalogued by Mike Turner, Mandy Fenton and Lydia Mizon of QI.
Exec Producer: James Robinson
Producer: Sam Holmes & Leying Lee
Production Co-ordinator: Sarah Nicholls
Sound: David Thomas
A BBC Studios production.
Security chiefs from both sides met for talks for the first time in years. Also: A boat carrying migrants has sunk off the coast of southern Italy, killing around 60 people, and Ian Fleming's famous Bond novels are being altered to reflect modern times.
Officials said at least 12 were children, including a baby and young twins. It's feared the casualty figure could rise as it's not clear how many people were on the vessel which sank off the coast of southern Italy.
Also on the programme, the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority have announced their joint commitment to take immediate steps to end a surge in violence. And controversy on the Indian edition of Masterchef, is it really OK to allow one guest to cook with paneer when everyone else has to cook with fish?
(Picture: Rescued migrants in Italy. Credit: Shutterstock)
More than 40 migrants, including a baby, have died and dozens more have survived after their overloaded boat sank in rough seas off southern Italy. The vessel reportedly broke apart while trying to land with more than 100 people on board near the coastal town of Crotone in the Calabria region. Also on the programme: Jordan hosts a high-level security meeting between Israeli and Palestinian officials, to try to calm a recent wave of deadly violence. And we go to Nigeria to get the latest on the country's tightest election since the end of military rule in 1999, with first results expected later on Sunday. (Image: Cutro, on the eastern coast of Italy's Calabria region, Italy, February 26, 2023. REUTERS/Giuseppe Pipita)
Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh le Ruairidh MacIlleathain. Litir àireamh 1232. Roddy Maclean reads this week's letter for Gàidhlig learners.
This year marks 900 years since St David’s place at the centre of Welsh identity was given international recognition by Pope Callixtus II. Two pilgrimages to St Davids, it was pronounced, were equivalent to one to Rome; a later version of this claims that three pilgrimages to the Pembrokeshire cathedral were equivalent to one pilgrimage to Jerusalem. But who really was St David, and what does he mean to us in 21st century Wales?
for BBC Radio Wales, All Things Considered and Celebration are marking this anniversary during the seven weeks from St David’s Day to Easter. We’re exploring the locations connected with his story to understand what motivated him, how he’s been seen across the centuries, and what he means to us now. We’ll reflect themes linked to St David, and hear from contemporary pilgrims following in his footsteps, and we’ll worship as David did.
David’s life and the stories which came to be told about him were from the very beginning shaped by an international dimension: David was given his status because of a relationship with Rome; he acquired his spiritual purpose because of a relationship with Jerusalem; his birth and upbringing involved a relationship with Brittany; while his spiritual leadership involved relationship with the whole island of Britain.
In this programme Sarah Rowland-Jones investigates some deeper connections between our patron saint and the Holy City. The earliest biography of St David, written 500 years after his death, claimed that David travelled to Jerusalem and met the Patriarch, who declared him archbishop of all the the Britons. This may sound fanciful, but there is an abundance of evidence that early Christians actually did make that arduous journey to the Holy Land - not least from Britain.
Not only that, David's famously austere monastic lifestyle is certainly indebted to the example set by the desert fathers, who lived in Egypt - a connection that David's earliest biographer, Rhigyfarch, explicitly acknowledges. Visiting the Garden of Gethsemane and the Old City of Jerusalem, Sarah searches for the historical context for a saint about whom so much has been written, but about whom so little is known for certain.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has been rejected as the ceremonial head of the Anglican communion by a group of conservative primates, over plans to offer blessings to same-sex couples. Archbishops representing 10 of the 42 provinces in the Anglican Communion, part of a group called the Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches, have signed a statement supporting the move. It's also been supported by the Church of England Evangelical Council. We hear what impact this may have, from religious affairs reporter Harry Farley.
What is prompting former Christians to turn their back on the church and convert to traditional African faiths such as ifa? BBC journalist Peter Macjob – himself an ex-Roman Catholic – tells us about his journey.
Thousands of school children from all backgrounds will soon have access to the expertise of cathedral choir leaders, thanks to the national Schools Singing Programme. The Programme, which is funded by the Hamish Ogston Foundation, was set up two years ago, working with Catholic schools. But now it's expanded to include six Anglican cathedrals, which will allow it to reach more than 20,000 children every week.
And an exhibition of textile art works, raising awareness about the threats to our natural world, has gone on display at Westminster. The Loving Earth Project was started by the Quaker Arts Network, and features more than 400 textile panels made by people all over the world.
Presented by Emily Buchanan.
Produced by Julia Paul and Dan Tierney.
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs. This week: the likelihood of commercial fusion power by 2040, male contraceptive pills, how shrimp use a trick of the light to disappear, and when our European ancestors first armed themselves with bows and arrows
The Nigerian presidential election is the biggest democratic exercise in Africa. Also: G20 deadlock after China refuses to condemn Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, and Australia's PM first to march in gay rights parade.
Nearly ninety million people were eligible to vote. The candidates of Nigeria's two dominant parties, Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar, are facing a challenge from Peter Obi, a former state governor who has used social media to capture the support of young people.
Also on the programme, our reporter Laura Bicker is on one of the helicopters bringing aid to Turkey's earth quake zone. And the marrying of Western and Eastern classical music, we hear from the legendary jazz musician John McLaughlan whose band, Shakti, returns with a new album.
(Picture: Voters queue in Nigeria Credit: Reuters)
Dame Melinda Simmons, the British Ambassador to Ukraine, joins Hayley Hassall to mark one year on from the Russian invasion. She talks about the impact the war is having on women and girls in the country, as well as the strength and heroism women are showing as they adapt their lives to exist in a constant state of war.
Who decides what’s reasonable or unreasonable? And how do we agree as a society on what is ‘reasonable’ behaviour? Dr Kirsty Sedgman speaks to Nuala McGovern about her new book, ‘On being Unreasonable: Breaking the rules and making things better’, which addresses societal divides over what is, or isn’t, reasonable.
New research from Cancer UK has shown that Black women from Caribbean and African backgrounds are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer at later stages. To talk about why this happens and what needs to be done to help black women get diagnosed earlier, Nuala McGovern speaks to Kruti Shroti from Cancer Research UK and Adobea Obeng, who tried three times to get medical help before being diagnosed with incurable breast cancer.
Irish singer-songwriter Eleanor McEvoy joins Nuala McGovern to talk about her newest album, ‘Gimme Some Wine’ and her UK tour. She explains how lockdown gave her time to heal and reflect on her life while creating new music, and how a purple AGA helped her to get over a particularly bad break-up!
Averil Mansfield qualified as a surgeon in the early 1970s, a time when female medics were outnumbered my men eight to one. When she told her consultant she was getting married, his reply was: ‘what a pity!’. She joins Hayley Hassall to talk about her inspirational career and her thoughts on the current state of the NHS.
Presenter: Hayley Hassall
Producer: Lottie Garton
Long queues have formed at polling stations in Nigeria as voters pick a new leader in the most unpredictable election since the end of military rule.
Also in the programme: Our reporter is on one of the helicopters bringing aid to Turkey's earth quake zone; and we debate who is to blame for the war in Ukraine.
(Photo credit: Getty Images)
Quizzer and singer Jenny Ryan, presenter and former footballer Liam MacDevitt, broadcaster Dougie Anderson and comedian Ian Moore join Colin Murray for an hour of sporting punditry, humour and entertainment. Points are awarded for informed comment, wit and passion, but taken away for nonsense and answers lacking in conviction.
In the final round, the top two points scorers go head-to-head in 'Defend the Indefensible' where they must both defend a statement however ludicrous or distasteful for twenty seconds. There can only be one winner!
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یک سال جنگ برای پوتین فقط جنگ روسیه با اوکراین نبوده بلکه جنگ با جبههای بوده که غرب مینامیم. چرا غرب نتوانسته پوتین را در اوکراین به عقبنشینی وادارد و چرا امید پوتین به اشغال اوکراین و سست کردن دمکراسیهای غربی نتیجه نداده؟ مهمانهای برنامه: عرفان نوربخش؛ دانش آموختهی مطالعات روسیه و قیس قریشی؛ تحلیلگر روابط بینالملل
March 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the departure of the last American combat troops from Vietnam. Vietnamese journalist Nga Pham uncovers the surprising story of the US veterans who served in Vietnam during the 1960s and early '70s, and have since returned as retirees and decided to make the country their home. Can it just be the cheap housing, affordable healthcare and low cost of living? Or is it a way of healing from the psychological trauma of their experiences serving in the US military during the war in Vietnam?
The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has led to tens of thousands of deaths. And it’s estimated around 8 million Ukrainians left the country to find sanctuary. James Reynolds meets mothers and their daughters who share their experiences of escaping the war and the challenges of making a new life for themselves in the UK. We also hear from three young Ukrainian women, currently living in London. They express the guilt they feel about leaving friends and family behind, while also offering observations on some quirks of British culture.
The shooting of Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell in Omagh stirred painful memories - not just of The Troubles but more recent violence. The young journalist Lyra McKee was fatally shot while covering rioting in Londonderry in 2019. Police have investigated links with dissident Republicans with both the attacks.
Father Martin Magill, a Catholic priest from the Falls Road in Belfast, gave a powerful speech at Lyra McKee's funeral. He spoke to Today's Martha Kearney about this latest violence.
Photo: Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell. Credit: Pacemaker
For the first time unmarried parents will be entitled to bereavement benefits after a change in law was passed this week. Until now these benefits have only been given to a bereaved spouse or civil partner. It comes more than four years since the Supreme Court ruled that denying them benefits was unlawful under the European Convention on Human Rights. The change will be backdated to the the day of that judgement 30 August 2018. We'll explain how it works and who can claim.
Nearly a third of the vouchers issued to people on prepayment energy meters so they can access the government's Energy Bills Support Scheme have not been claimed according to figures released this week. It means more than a million households on the lowest incomes struggling to pay their energy bills are missing out on £400 of financial support offered this winter by the government. We'll investigate why that's happening, and what you should do if you haven't claimed yours.
New figures from His Majesty's Revenue and Customs reveal that £5.3 billion was generated from inheritance tax, from April to December last year. That’s £700 million more than in the same period a year earlier. We'll explain how it works and who it applies to.
Plus a reminder that the deadline to fill out you Self Assessment tax return is in just a few days time. (31st January 2023)
Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporter: Dan Whitworth
Researchers: Sandra Hardial and Jo Krasner
Editor: Jess Quayle
(First broadcast 12pm, Saturday 28th January, 2023)
Relations between Eritrea and Ethiopia have historically been difficult. Eritrea won independence from Ethiopia in 1993 after a 30-year war. A bitter border war between the two countries began a few years later. But by 2020, Eritrea sent troops to fight alongside the Ethiopian government against rebel forces in its northern Tigray region. Kalkidan Yibeltal is a BBC correspondent in Addis Ababa. He explains the complex history between the two countries, and looks at the tentative peace now emerging in Tigray.
Moscow is accused of selling embargoed oil and other products through third parties. Also: a humanitarian crisis is deepening in southern Ethiopia due to a severe drought, and elephants may remember the smell of relatives they haven't seen for years.
Ukraine's year of war has brought about huge challenges for the country and the rest of the world's access to energy.
Russia's dominance of Europe in this area meant big headaches for countries trying to wean themselves off Russia's oil and gas.
There were fears of power cuts and freezing homes in Germany, Poland and elsewhere. One year on, did those fears become reality?
On the day Ukraine marks a year since the start of the war, we hear about the fierce fighting that is continuing in the east of Ukraine. Also in the programme: we speak to Olha, who lost her mother in Bucha last year; and we speak to Kenya’s UN ambassador to understand the different stances African countries have taken towards the war.
(Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responds to a question during a press conference in Kyiv. Credit: EPA).
A day before Nigeria's general election, the electoral commission says 87 million people are eligible to vote, but is everything ready?
Also, one year on from Russia's invasion of Ukraine: Is it all doom and gloom for Africa?
Plus our Resident Presidents.
More on those stories in this podcast with Paul Bakibinga.
Writer, Naylah Ahmed
Director, Gwenda Hughes
Editor, Jeremy Howe
Brian Aldridge ….. Charles Collingwood
Ben Archer ….. Ben Norris
David Archer ….. Timothy Bentinck
Ruth Archer ….. Felicity Finch
Helen Archer ….. Louiza Patikas
Tony Archer ….. David Troughton
Lilian Bellamy ….. Sunny Ormonde
Lee Bryce ….. Ryan Early
Alice Carter ….. Hollie Chapman
Susan Carter ….. Charlotte Martin
Kirsty Miller ….. Annabelle Dowler
Adil Shah ….. Ronny Jhutti
Lynda Snell ….. Carole Boyd
Roy Tucker ….. Ian Pepperell
Andy Zaltzman is joined by Geoff Norcott, Chris McCausland, Isabel Hardman and Maisie Adam. This week they discuss a taxing week for Nadhim Zahawi, a downer week for levelling up, and the small matter of the end of the world.
Hosted and written by Andy Zaltzman with additional material from Alice Fraser, Davina Bentley, Simon Alcock, and Cameron Loxdale.
Producer: Sam Holmes
Executive Producer: Pete Strauss
Production Co-ordinator: Becky Carewe-Jeffries
Sound Editor: Marc Willcox
A BBC Studios Production
Twelve months since Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine, farmers and food supply experts explain why the global impact of the invasion is still being felt. We speak to Oleg Ustenko, an economic advisor to President Zelensky. Also, a look ahead to Nigeria's national election.
One year after Moscow launched its invasion, ceremonies have been held in Kyiv and towns and cities across Ukraine - while in Russia the occasion is not being conspicuously marked. There's been no comment from President Putin, although the former president, Dmitry Medvedev, suggested his country should push Ukrainian forces all the way back to the Polish border. In Ukraine's capital, President Zelensky pledged to do everything to achieve victory in the year ahead.
Newshour's Lyse Doucet is live in the capital Kyiv and we'll be live in Moscow as well.
(Photo: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky hands a flag to a serviceman during a ceremony dedicated to the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. February 24, 2023. Credit: Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via Reuters)
President Zelensky pledges to do everything to achieve victory in the year ahead. China urges both sides to hold peace talks as soon as possible. Also, health officials in Cambodia test a dozen people for the H5N1 strain of bird flu and, a university in Ireland is asked to return human remains taken without permission more than a hundred years ago.
Various Isseys and Izzys put Gregg Wallace to the test, our quiz team get a great moo from Greg for some extra ringer dingers and prawn caller Leanne is back for WrongUns.
It is a year since Russian forces invaded Ukraine. The war has severely impacted social cohesion, community security and the resilience of local communities, especially women and girls. Approximately 5.4 million people have been displaced inside Ukraine, and 8 million people have registered as refugees across Europe. Woman’s Hour speaks to the UK ambassador to Ukraine, Dame Melinda Simmons her only UK interview on this first anniversary.
Leicester Cathedral is celebrating having a fully female clergy team in what it believes might be a first for England. Hayley Hassall speaks to one of the team of 5, the canon pastor Reverend Canon Alison Adams at Leicester Cathedral.
What do you do when something amazing happens to you whilst someone you love is going through something terrible?…a sibling, a best friend…or even a twin. That is what happened to twin sisters Chloe and Lydia. When Chloe was days away from giving birth, Lydia experienced her second miscarriage and it tested their bond to the limit. They join Hayley to share their story.
Do you sew or quilt? ‘The New Bend’ is the name of an exhibition running at the Hauser and Wirth gallery in Somerset until 8 May. It showcases the work of 12 contemporary artists and quilters whose work pays homage to the enduring legacy of the women of the Gee’s Bend Alabama quilters, who were quilting as early as the 19th century in the Alabama Black Belt in America. Hayley is joined by Ferren Gipson - art historian, textile artist and author of ‘Women’s Work: From Feminine Arts to Feminist Art’ to discuss quilting and reclaiming the idea of ‘women’s work’ within the history of art.
Presented by Hayley Hassall
Producer: Louise Corley
Studio Engineer: Bob Nettles
To mark exactly one year since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the BBC's Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet presents from Kyiv.
She speaks to Ukraine’s Minister of Culture Oleksandr Tkachenko about how things have changed in the country. Lyse also speaks to three Ukrainian women who are leading the fight against Russia.
The BBC's International Editor Jeremy Bowen reports on the current situation in the war, and has been catching up with Ukrainians previously heard in his reporting over last twelve months.
(Photo: Ukraine flag, Credit: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
On the eve of the anniversary, the UN vote called for the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine and a halt to the fighting. Also: the former US film mogul Harvey Weinstein begs for mercy as he is sentenced for another rape.
Former boss of collapsed crypto exchange FTX faces four new criminal charges accusing him of conspiring to make illegal political donations and to commit bank fraud.
Sam Bankman-Fried has already pleaded not guilty to defrauding customers and investors. FTX filed for bankruptcy last year, leaving many users unable to withdraw their funds.
Mr Bankman-Fried now faces a total of 12 criminal charges.
Voters in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, head to the polls this Saturday, 25 February, to elect a new president and parliamentary representatives.
In this special edition we hear why the 2023 general election is so important and what issues have been dominating the political campaigns. We also hear from young people who tell us how they hope the next president, Muhammadu Buhari's successor, will make a difference.
Cyclone Freddy has made landfall on Madagascar, leaving destruction in its wake. At the time this edition of Science In Action is going to air, Freddy is on course to reach Mozambique and South Africa. Freddy, which has been gaining strength since it originally formed on the 30th of January, is the most powerful southern hemisphere cyclone on record. Professor Francois Engelbrecht provides the science behind the storm system.
In the centre of our galaxy, an enormous cloud is heading towards the Milky Way’s supermassive black hole. Dr Anna Ciurlo tells us that this is a unique opportunity to study the influence of the black hole on the cloud’s shape and properties.
We’ve heard a lot about balloons floating above Earth recently… but what about sending balloons to Venus? That’s exactly what Dr Siddharth Krishnamoorthy is proposing in order to study Venus’s seismic activity. Recorders on a “floatilla” above the planet’s surface could listen into Venus-quakes and reveal Venus’s mysterious past.
And closer to home, scientists have discovered a new layer in the Earth’s core. We journey into the very centre of the Earth with Professor Hrvoje Tkalčić, who tells Roland what the innermost inner core can teach us about our planet’s past.
Image: NASA Earth Observatory image by Lauren Dauphin, using VIIRS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE, GIBS/Worldview, and the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS).
Producer: Roland Pease
Assistant Producer: Sophie Ormiston
Machines now have the ability to write novels, create works of art, or compose original songs thanks to artificial intelligence. In future the technology could be used to discover drugs, design entire buildings, or come up with new materials.
So how should businesses respond to the evolution of AI, most embodied by the AI chatbot ChatGPT? Evan Davis and guests discuss its potential for creating new products and increasing efficiency, as well as the risks involved in handing machines even more power.
GUESTS
Priya Lakhani, CEO, CENTURY Tech
Scott Petty, Chief Technology Officer, Vodafone
and Colin Murdoch, Chief Business Officer, DeepMind
PRODUCTION TEAM
Producer: Simon Tulett
Editor: China Collins
Sound: Neil Churchill and Graham Puddifoot
Production Co-ordinators: Sophie Hill and Siobhan Reed
Haiti's Chelsea Supris celebrates reaching the World Cup for the very first time in the country's history. And as football resumes in Turkey following the devastating earthquakes, the Gambian international Lamin Jallow finds himself searching for a new club after his team withdrew from the league.
Picture on website: Haiti's Roselord Borgella celebrates during their FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Playoff game against Chile. (Photo by Luis Veniegra/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
The South African government has agreed to take on $23bn of debt from the state power company Eskom. We speak to a former executive about how this move will help the country avoid continued blackouts.
A new regulating body for Football in England aims to keep the boardroom finances in check, and give the fans more of a say. We speak to one club owner about how it could impact clubs competing in the global sport industry.
And what makes milk, milk? The Food and Drug Administration in the US has now issued draft guidance that plant-based alternatives could now be marketed as milk.
Nigeria's political parties urged to stand firm on violence. The appeal comes hours after three separate attacks took place in the south-east of the country. Also: The UN's Middle East envoy is in the Gaza Strip as tensions rise between Israel and the Palestinians, and Europe's first sanctuary of darkness.
Ahead of an expected vote in the UN General Assembly about the war in Ukraine - which has its first anniversary on Friday - we go to Russia where it is Defender of the Fatherland Day. It's a celebration of the country's armed forces. How popular is Vladimir Putin inside Russia? We also hear from two Russian men escaping military service.
Also on the programme: the BBC Middle East correspondent in Nablus; and David Bowie’s archive at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
(Photo: Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a concert dedicated to Russian service members involved in the country's military campaign in Ukraine, on the eve of the Defender of the Fatherland Day at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia February 22, 2023. Credit: Sputnik/Mikhail Metzel/Pool via Reuters)
India have retained the Border-Gavaskar trophy after thrashing Australia in the first two Tests of the series. Jim Maxwell tells Alison Mitchell where it all went wrong for the tourists, as their attempts to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy end in premature failure.
Elsewhere in India, the chairman of their national selection committee has resigned following a sting operation by a local television channel. We discuss Chetan Sharma being caught on camera talking about the likes of Virat Kohli and Sourav Ganguly.
Plus, Sunil Gupta speaks to the founder of Khelo Kricket, Hadeel Obaid. It started as a website aiming to cover men’s grassroots cricket in Pakistan but has turned into an organisation which hosts tournaments for both men and women throughout the night. The player of the tournament in the first ever female edition, Fatima Sana, was named as the ICC’s Women’s Emerging Cricket of the Year in 2022.
Image: Khelo Kricket
Nick Robinson reports from Berlin, examining the dramatic turnaround in German attitudes to peace and war since the invasion of Ukraine and the angst that has produced.
We hear from the former bishop of Hanover on a 'Manifesto for Peace', deputy economy minister Niels Annen on whether we're at the start of a new Cold War - and Nick speaks to Timothy Garton Ash, historian and Professor of European Studies at Oxford University on how Russia's war in Ukraine has changed the politics of Europe.
(Credit: Getty Images)
Sir Keir Starmer launches what he calls five national "missions" - outlining his plans for the UK if Labour wins the next general election. They include delivering the highest growth in the G7. The others are being a clean energy superpower, securing the NHS for the future, making streets safe and breaking down barriers to opportunity by reforming childcare and education.
He spoke to the Today programme's Amol Rajan.
(Credit: Getty Images / Location: Manchester, United Kingdom / Copyright: Getty, Dominic Lipinski, Stringer)
Jeremiah Asiamah hears a crazy club story from listener Steph, Leanne’s been buying too many protein puddings, Aileen’s back to help out Arielle and “Intelligent input darlin’” - we get your best Kate Nash impressions.
Averil Mansfield was the UK’s first woman vascular surgeon and first female professor of surgery. She qualified as a surgeon in the early 1970s, at a time when only two per cent of her colleagues were female – and was often met with disbelief bordering on amusement when telling people what she did. She talks to Woman’s Hour about her medical achievements, which she downplays to, ‘It’s just glorified plumbing,’ as detailed in her memoir ‘Life in Her Hands.’
Dada Masilo is a South African choreographer, who is known for her re-working of classic stories to reflect black female identity. Her latest show is called Sacrifice, inspired by Stravinksy’s iconic ballet Rite of Spring. The story is about the return of spring and the renewal of the Earth through the sacrifice of a young woman, or maiden, who is chosen by the community to dance herself to death. Dada herself plays the role of the maiden in this new production which is on a national tour of the UK, and will be performed at the Sadler’s Wells in London this weekend.
Plus the new study from the Cambridge Centre for Family Research which shows that having an older sibling helped keep children well-adjusted during lockdown. Prof Claire Hughes joins Nuala to discuss how older siblings can provide protection from stress.
Presenter Hayley Hassall
Producer Beverley Purcell
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the discovery made in 1911 by the Dutch physicist Heike Kamerlingh Onnes (1853-1926). He came to call it Superconductivity and it is a set of physical properties that nobody predicted and that none, since, have fully explained. When he lowered the temperature of mercury close to absolute zero and ran an electrical current through it, Kamerlingh Onnes found not that it had low resistance but that it had no resistance. Later, in addition, it was noticed that a superconductor expels its magnetic field. In the century or more that has followed, superconductors have already been used to make MRI scanners and to speed particles through the Large Hadron Collider and they may perhaps bring nuclear fusion a little closer (a step that could be world changing).
The image above is from a photograph taken by Stephen Blundell of a piece of superconductor levitating above a magnet.
With
Nigel Hussey
Professor of Experimental Condensed Matter Physics at the University of Bristol and Radbout University
Suchitra Sebastian
Professor of Physics at the Cavendish Laboratory at the University of Cambridge
And
Stephen Blundell
Professor of Physics at the University of Oxford and Fellow of Mansfield College
Producer: Simon Tillotson
Shamima Begum loses British citizenship appeal. While the ruling said it was possible she was a victim of trafficking, the judge found the government still had a legal right to take her citizenship away.
Also on the programme: the BBC Middle East correspondent Anna Foster at a relief centre in the city of Adana; and mixing olive oil and coffee.
(Picture: Shamima Begum during her interview with BBC's Middle East correspondent Quentin Sommerville, at al-Hawl refugee camp in north-eastern Syria. Picture credit: BBC News.)
A year on from the invasion of Ukraine, many Russians now inhabit a parallel world that justifies the conflict. How have they been persuaded to support, or accept, a war against a country they had the closest of personal and historical ties with? Assignment talks to some of the persuaders – a celebrated war correspondent, a top talkshow host, a popular singer and poet, and a volunteer fighter – to understand how Russians’ understanding of the conflict has been forged. What are the memories and fears that have been invoked to convince many that it’s Russia, not Ukraine, that’s fighting for its survival?
(Photo of Russian war reporter Alexander Kots)
The countries - known collectively as the Bucharest Nine - denounced Russia as a significant threat to Nato security in the region. Also: Palestinians killed in Israeli raid in Nablus, and do you want an olive oil latte?
Seattle, in the US state of Washington, has become the first American city to outlaw prejudice based on India's caste system. It's a big moment for South Asian diaspora. Elsewhere, Italy's authorities are considering whether to send Facebook's parent company a $900 billion tax bill. Meta insists it's up to date with all its liabilities.
Cyclone Freddy has wrecked buildings and caused power cuts and flooding as it struck eastern Madagascar. The mayor of one of the worst hit cities says despite the damage, there has been a sigh of relief that the cyclone's impact has not been as severe as anticipated.
And as we approach the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, four African students who fled the war, share their experiences of the trauma, uncertainty, optimism and hope, that have shaped their lives over the past year.
Producer: Patricia Whitehorne
From human milk banks to babies born during conflict, this week we're all about the health of children and newborns.
The most vulnerable premature babies benefit from human milk, but their mothers milk is often not available. We visit a human milk bank to explore how donors are making a difference.
Dr Ann Robinson shares some surprising new research looking at a novel way of preventing short-sightedness. And one year on from the start of the war, Smitha Mundasad talks to a Ukrainian mother who was forced to flee her country while 7 months pregnant. In conversation with Sasha Yarova from War Child, Smitha finds out about support available for the thousands of Ukrainian children now making new homes in countries around Europe.
Presenter: Smitha Mundasad
Producer: Gerry Holt & Ilan Goodman
The Martin Lewis Podcast is here.
Founder of Money Saving Expert, Martin Lewis answers your financial questions. In this episode we look at how to check if you could save on your council tax, ahead of the 5% rise due for many of us in April. Plus, the council tax discount many people can apply for - that they may know nothing about.
Elsewhere in the podcast you Tell Us your best ‘Money-piphany’ - that moment when your eyes were opened to how something in debt or budgeting worked, which changed your approach to finances forever.
Plus Nihal takes on Martin’s Money Mastermind and is quizzed about who currently sets the overall maximum amount that most consumers in England, Scotland and Wales pay for their energy bills.
Atmospheric drama from BBC Radio 4 with bonus scenes for BBC Sounds, featuring original music by Imelda May.
Have you ever wondered where the term 'gaslighting' comes from? Find out in episode 1 of this dark reimagining of the classic 1938 stage thriller by Patrick Hamilton. To hear the series in full, just search for Gaslight in BBC Sounds.
Jonathan Holloway's modern adaptation is set in the present, with a deliciously vintage feel.
Jack Manningham has used his wife’s recently inherited money to buy a huge period property - a former bell foundry - which they will renovate. They occupy a small habitable part of the ground floor and basement. This previously neglected ramshackle building is lit by gas, as it was in Victorian times.
In this first episode, Jack and Bella find a house that suits them and there's a lot riding on the screening of their latest film.
Cast in order of appearance:
Tippi Griffiths ..... Lacey Turner
Jack Manningham ..... James Purefoy
Bella Harding ..... Rebecca Night
Ishani Rawe / Izzy ..... Macadie Amoroso
DCI Nina Rawe ..... Cathy Tyson
DI Reynolds / Michael McLennon / Chris De Jeanne ..... Richard Lintern
Written by Jonathan Holloway, based on the original play by Patrick Hamilton
Music: Imelda May with Tim Bran
Produced by Sally Harrison with James Purefoy
Directed by Johnny Vegas
A Woolyback production in association with Darling Pictures, for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds
Residents of Hong Kong are to receive a third round of consumption vouchers, aimed at boosting consumer spending. We look at the economic pressures on the special administrative region, and how much difference new measures are likely to make.
The Bucharest Nine are set to discuss security guarantees and regional defence with Mr Biden who is coming under pressure to offer further support. Also: A British woman who joined ISIS at fifteen loses her citizenship appeal, Haiti reaches the Women's World Cup for the first time, and we hear from a storytelling festival in Morocco.
China's top diplomat meets President Putin in Moscow, days before the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. China has stopped short of providing Moscow with unconditional backing for its war in Ukraine, but there are fears Beijing could change that position.
Also on the programme: we visit Nigeria where a currency crisis is dominating the run up to Saturday's general election. And we examine the environmental cost of the expansion of FIFA, the governing body for world football.
(Picture: Wang Yi of China meets President Putin of Russia. Credit: Reuters)
Stick some nuggets in your bra and a bhaji in your pocket – why go hungry when clubbing? Also, did Dylan do Dylan? listener Andy finds out and we wonder what has Erin done wrong?
New research from Cancer Research UK and NHS Digital has revealed that Black women from Caribbean and African backgrounds are more likely to be diagnosed with certain types of cancer at later stages, when treatment is less likely to be successful. This study is the first to show that ethnicity is a significant factor in late-stage diagnosis for women with breast, ovarian, uterine, non-small cell lung cancer and colon cancer. Nuala speaks to Kruti Shrotri, Head of Policy Development at Cancer Research UK and Adobea Obeng who sought medical help three times over two years before she was diagnosed with incurable breast cancer.
Eleanor McEvoy is one of Ireland's foremost songwriters and has worked with the likes of U2, Sinead O'Connor and Mary Black. She is the composer and co-performer of A Woman's Heart, the title track for the best-selling Irish album in Irish history, and one of Ireland's favourite folk songs, which recently featured in the award winning Derry Girls. One of Eleanor's songs, Sophie, is used in treatment centres to treat patients with eating disorders. She joins Nuala live in the studio to discuss her UK tour, the inspiration behind the tracks of her most recent album Gimme Some Wine and to perform the track South Anne Street.
Former Labour PM Sir Tony Blair and ex-Conservative leader Lord William Hague discuss their joint plan for a "technological revolution" with Today's Justin Webb.
Also, weight loss drug - I talk with a Nutrionist to ask how it works and if it's safe.
一位网友来信询问 “gaze” 和 “stare” 之间的区别。这两个词都有 “注视” 的意思，但它们所描述的 “注视” 原因却不同。“Gaze” 强调 “因钦佩、仰慕或爱意而凝望”，“stare” 则常表示 “好奇地盯着人看”。本期节目讲解这两个词的用法。
US President says democracies are stronger and autocracies weaker in defiant speech in Poland. Also: A court in New York finds Mexico's former anti-narcotics chief guilty of pocketing millions in return for allowing safe passage for drugs, and what could be the oldest flushing toilet in the world has been discovered in China.
A year since Russia invaded, millions of Ukrainians are still displaced around the globe. Away from the immediate horror of the conflict, it's presented challenges and opportunities for host countries, refugees, and their businesses. What does this population shift mean for Europe and beyond?
Ahead of the first anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Friday, Biden tells crowds in Warsaw that Ukraine will ‘never be a victory for Russia’. We hear from a former US ambassador to Ukraine.
Also on the programme: Analysing president Putin’s state of the union speech; and the drying canals of Venice.
(Picture: U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks ahead of the one year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, outside the Royal Castle, in Warsaw, Poland, February 21, 2023. Picture credit: REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein)
After the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Northern Syria, how do you collate data to aid those coordinating the disaster response? Cecilia Utas from DEEP (Data Entry and Exploration Platform) explains how important data is in disaster relief and crisis management. And Aziz Şasa from the Turkish Amateur Radio Association also explains the vital role of amateur radio as a key communication method in the region after the earthquake.
High altitude communication platforms
After multiple objects have been shot down in US airspace, Professor David Grace from the University of York is on the show to talk Gareth through these high-altitude communication and surveillance platforms. The devices serve many purposes and take many different forms, from balloons to airships.
Electricity from human waste
In the village of Lelo in South Western Kenya, 21 year old Vincent Odero is harnessing electricity from a surprising source – human waste. Using some wires and wooden poles, he is making enough electricity to power his home. Wairimu Gitahi went to meet Vincent and to see his invention in action.
The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell with expert commentary from Ghislaine Boddington.
Studio Manager: Andrew Garratt
Producer: Hannah Fisher
Image: Digital earthquake wave with circle vibration illustration
Credit: Varunya/Getty Images
With the ongoing war in Ukraine, the European Blind Union have been looking for ways to help the visually impaired that have stayed in the country and those that have moved to neighbouring countries. Their Executive Director is Lars Bosselmann and he tells us about some recent financial aid the EBU sent into Ukraine. He tells us what this money went towards, and about what the EBU's plans are to continue assisting the visually impaired dealing with the war.
Olga and Denys Petrov are a Ukrainian blind couple that evacuated to Poland ten days after the war began. We spoke to them soon after they moved; with a five-year-old daughter, seven animals and Olga was pregnant at the time. She has now had their baby and so we catch up with them to see how things are going and what their plans are when it comes to returning to Ukraine.
The Royal College of Ophthalmologists is the representative body of the ophthalmic profession in the UK. We've invited them onto the programme to give us some insight into what is best practice when delivering medical news about your eyes. Stephen Kaye is their Vice President and he tells us about the kinds of training that ophthalmologists get in this area, about whose role it is to give information on after care services and we discuss the importance of the Eye Clinic Liaison Officer.
Presenter: Peter White
Producer: Beth Hemmings
Production Coordinator: Liz Poole
Website image description: Peter White sits smiling in the centre of the image, wearing a dark green jumper. Above Peter's head is the BBC logo (three individual white squares house each of the three letters). Bottom centre and overlaying the image are the words "In Touch" and the Radio 4 logo (the word Radio in a bold white font, with the number 4 inside a white circle). The background is a bright mid-blue with two rectangles angled diagonally to the right. Both are behind Peter, one of a darker blue and the other is a lighter blue.
Nations in Southern Africa are bracing themselves for Cyclone Freddy as meteorologists warn the tropical storm could cause considerable damage. We hear from Madagascar and Mozambique on the steps being taken to keep residents safe.
Uganda's Constitutional Court outlaws child marriage. One of the key activists who petitioned the courts says despite being happy with the successful outcome, they will continue to push to ensure the ruling is not ignored.
And from Cameroon, a special report on the women's movement leading efforts for peace, piece by piece.
In his state of the nation speech, Vladimir Putin has blamed the West for provoking Russia's invasion of Ukraine. We ask what is the state of the Russian economy after one year of the war?
We hear from one of the world's biggest cryptocurrency exchanges on the future of regulation in the industry.
And does a shorter working week make us more productive? The world's biggest trial of a four day working week suggests it doesn't harm the performance of companies and leaves employees feeling healthier and happier.
Mr Putin accuses the West of trying to dissolve Russian culture and values in his State of the Nation address. President Biden is expected to challenge Mr Putin's vision of the war in a speech in Poland. Also: Yet more devastation in Turkey from the latest earthquake, and the world's biggest trial of a four-day working week.
Defiant Putin insists Russia is not the aggressor, blames the West for the war in Ukraine and suspends Russia’s participation in the START treaty; also in the programme reactions to Putin’s speech and a senior polish official on Warsaw’s determination to send fighter jets to Ukraine.
(Photo: President Putin. Credit: Shutterstock)
Listener David’s mum eats-ice cream oddly, Sheeran gets shunned by Robyn and her “Only one Ginger allowed” policy and a handbag full of chips is found in Wrexham.
If companies know they inappropriately installed a prepayment meter, then they should fix it now’ was the message today from the CEO of the energy regulator OFGEM. The forced installation of prepayment meters was suspended after an investigation by The Times into British Gas contractors breaking into the homes of vulnerable customers to force-fit meters. OFGEM will investigate British Gas and will also review regulations on the installation of prepayment meters, which have increased sharply over the last year.
Credit: Reuters
Location: Cardiff, United Kingdom
Copyright: Reuters/Natasha Hirst
Up to 9 in 10 first-time mothers who have a vaginal birth will have some sort of tear. So, it’s no wonder that tearing is a big worry for expectant mums. Marie Louise, also known as The Modern Midwife, explains to Nuala why tears happen, and what to really expect. Plus, midwife turned inventor, Malene Hegenberger, explains how she created a retractor to help her see tears better when suturing.
In 2014, thousands of Yazidi women and girls were captured by the Islamic State Group in what the UN has described as a genocide. While many of the men were shot, women and girls were forced into sex slavery for IS. Today, many of these women and children still live in camps in Iraq, as they have nowhere else to go. Now, the Iraqi government says they’re going to close the camps. Nuala McGovern is joined by journalist Rachel Wright and CEO of Bellwether International Rachel Miner to talk about the conditions in the camps and what more needs to be done.
Why are women from diverse background much less likely to be able to swim than white women? And what can be done about it? Team GB’s first black female swimmer Alice Dearing helped to found the Black Swimming Association along with journalist Seren Jones – they join Nuala to discuss.
As London Fashion Week draws to a close today, the Times fashion director, 51-year-old Anna Murphy, reflects on feeling like the only woman of her age in the front row who has not had work done on her face. What she calls the normalisation of ‘tweakments’ is one of the topics explored in her new book Destination Fabulous. She tells Nuala about the changing trends in tweakments, why she finds the term problematic and how to embrace ageing naturally
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Lucinda Montefiore
As the one year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine approaches, President Joe Biden is to address world leaders in Poland. Today’s Nick Robinson visited Narva in Estonia, close to the Russian border, to see the impact of the war in Ukraine. He also spoke to Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and asked what her message would be for President Biden.
如果一个人走路的脚步比较缓慢，那同行的人也需要慢下脚步。英语短语 “to slow walk” 的字面意思是 “慢慢走”，但它实际被用来指某人 “故意拖延，行事缓慢”。听节目，学习这个短语的具体用法。
How the US President's surprise visit to Ukraine was kept a secret. Also: another earthquake hits south-eastern Turkey, and the experimental therapy restoring movement in stroke victims.
US President Joe Biden has pledged a further $450 million in assistance to Ukraine. But back at home, questions are being raised over how long such support can continue. Also on the programme, why Hong Kong is becoming a global player in the crypto market.
President Biden says America will back Ukraine in its fight against Russia for "as long as it takes". He was speaking during an unannounced and highly symbolic visit to Kyiv. Admiral John Kirby, the US National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications, joins us from Washington DC to discuss US support for the war in Ukraine.
Also in the programme: Official figures suggest Russia's economy hasn't been hit as badly as predicted by the war in Ukraine. And we hear from the BBC's Anna Foster in Adana on today’s earthquake in Turkey.
(Picture: U.S. President Joe Biden walks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at St. Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral during an unannounced visit, in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Feb. 20, 2023. Picture credit: Evan Vucci/Pool via REUTERS)
Are we entering a ‘newgenic’ age - where cutting-edge technologies and the power of personal choice could achieve the kind of genetic perfection that 20th century eugenicists were after?
In 2018, a Chinese scientist illegally attempted to precision edit the genome of two embryos. It didn’t work as intended. Twin sisters - Lulu and Nana - were later born, but their identity, and the status of their health, is shrouded in secrecy. They were the first designer babies.
Other technological developments are also coming together in ways that could change reproduction: IVF can produce multiple viable embryos, and polygenic screening could be used to select between them.
Increased understanding and control of our genetics is seen as a threat by some - an inevitable force for division. But instead of allowing genetics to separate and rank people, perhaps there’s a way it can be used - actively - to promote equality. Professor Paige Harden shares her suggestion of an anti-eugenic politics which makes use of genetic information
Contributors: Dr Helen O'Neill, lecturer in Reproductive and Molecular Genetics at University College London, Dr Jamie Metzl, author of Hacking Darwin, Professor Kathryn Paige Harden from the University of Texas and author of The Genetic Lottery: Why DNA Matters for Social Equality.
Nearly 100 million Nigerians are preparing to go to the polls for Saturday's presidential election but it is the economic woes and the lack of currency, rather than the presidential hopefuls, that are taking centre stage.
Comoros will assume the chairmanship of the African Union for 2023, in what is being hailed as a significant moment for the island nation.
And we pay tribute to Ghanaian footballer, Christian Atsu, who died in Turkey, in the devastating earthquake that hit that country and northern Syria.
London's mayor Sadiq Khan has announced he is launching a £130m scheme to give every primary school pupil free school meals in the capital for the next academic year. The scheme will reach 270,000 more children and will start in September and follows similar decisions by London councils in Newham, Islington, Southwark and Tower Hamlets to offer their own universal free school meals to primary children. Last month, Westminster City Council also began providing free school meals for primary pupils in a scheme set to run for at least 18 months. Today’s Justin Webb spoke first to Henry Dimbleby, former head of the government’s National Food Strategy, who welcomed the move and the Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan.
The US president made a new pledge to ramp up sanctions, on his first visit to the country since the invasion. We hear from Estonia's foreign minister about how sanctions can be used to rebuild Ukraine.
With just days to go until the Nigerian election, we speak to a group of young people about why more and more of them are leaving the country to pursue work opportunities elsewhere.
And Scottish craft brewer BrewDog likes to claim it's beer is for everyone, and now it'll test that theory as it expands into China.
US President assures Ukrainians American support will continue. Also: heavy flooding and landslides in Brazil lead to carnival cancellations, and we look back on the life of Japanese legend of Manga, Leiji Matsumoto.
Ali Plumb picks the nose of a movie star at the BAFTAs, Quizzer Nina eats Jürgen Klopp’s cake and Arielle Free totally forgets Greg exists.
Do you like to eat a full English breakfast? Listen to find out how to use this phrase.
Who gets to decide about social norms, about what's reasonable and unreasonable behaviour? Is it OK to breastfeed in public, to let your children play in the garden while others are working from home? Can we come together and talk about these things reasonably? According to Dr Kirsty Sedgman, the author of a new book, On being Unreasonable: Breaking the rules and making things better, we're living in an age of division. If she asks, we reimagined the rules of public togetherness, what would get better? What would change for the worse? And for whom?
As MPs return to parliament today, they come back to a new set of proposals by the Standards Committee. It has recently published a report recommending that MPs arrested for serious offences should be banned from the parliamentary estate. We discuss with Esther Webber, Senior UK Correspondent for Politico, and Westminster parliamentary aide and GMB representative Jenny Symmons .
Half of state-funded schools in England for children with special educational needs and disabilities are oversubscribed, new BBC research has found. Schools have been forced to convert portable cabins and even cupboards into teaching spaces due to a lack of space. Head teachers say this puts pressure on staff and makes pupils anxious. Parents say their children are missing education while they wait for places. BBC correspondent Elaine Dunkley who has led the investigation and produced an Iplayer documentary, ‘SEND help’, explains how this situation has arisen.
Nadine Benjamin MBE is a celebrated Soprano. But if it wasn’t for the words of an encouraging high school music teacher, she would never have considered a career in Opera. Now, she’s played in the UK’s most prestigious Opera Houses in shows including La Bohème, Madama Butterfly and the Marriage of Figaro. Last year she performed for the new King. Nadine joins Nuala to talk about her journey into the industry and performs from Songs of Joy which brings together stories told through song and spoken word, celebrating the lived experiences of black and mixed-race composers.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Lisa Jenkinson
Studio Manager: Giles Aspen
Multi-award winning comedian and author Mark Watson continues his probably doomed, but luckily funny quest to make sense of the human experience.
Expect jokes, observations and interactions galore as Mark is aided, and sometimes obstructed, by the sardonic musical excellence of Flo & Joan. There's also a hand-picked comedy colleague each week - we kick off with Jayde Adams.
This series is about time - the days of the week, the stages of our existence - and the way we use it to make sense of things. We make our way through the working week, starting here with Monday. Why are we so attached to traditional wisdom like 'Monday's child is fair of face'? Why do so many of us dread the start of each week? And what is the biggest pig ever to be born?
Producer: Lianne Coop
An Impatient production for BBC Radio 4
Beijing says it won't be dictated to over its relationship with Moscow. Also: Burkina Faso marks the official end of the French military operation there amid speculation it could turn to Moscow for support for its fight against Islamist insurgents, and why it was a big night for the German language film All Quiet On The Western Front at the BAFTAS.
Turkey has ended rescue efforts in all but two provinces, almost two weeks after a massive earthquake killed tens of thousands of people, the country's disaster agency said.
Also in the programme, tensions remain high after Moldova's president accused Russia of plotting to use foreign "saboteurs" to overthrow her pro-EU government.
And the head of the European Trade Union Confederation speaks exclusively to Newshour about her dramatic expulsion from Tunisia, after she took part in a union demonstration in the city of Sfax.
(Picture: Members of a search and rescue team work to recover bodies from rubble on February 19, 2023 in Hatay, Turkey. Picture credit: Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has alleged that China is considering supplying weapons and ammunition to Russia for its war against Ukraine. What’s the view in Beijing?
Also in the programme: A new phase in the stifling of dissent in Nicaragua. We speak to an exiled writer stripped of her citizenship.
And the Ukrainians helping their neighbours through hard times.
(File photo: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks to the media prior to meetings at the State Department in Washington, US on February 7, 2023. Olivier Douliery/Pool via Reuters/File Photo)
Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh le Ruairidh MacIlleathain. Litir àireamh 1231. Roddy Maclean reads this week's letter for Gàidhlig learners.
This week we’re marking the first anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24th February 2022. Roy Jenkins explores some of the religious elements involved in this conflict. Many argue that Russia’s President Putin has been using religion to justify his so-called special military operation. The largest religious tradition in both Russia and Ukraine is the Orthodox Church with years of history stretching back to 988 AD. Officially there are 15 Orthodox churches worldwide, along with a dozen others whose status is said to be uncertain. It’s Patriarch Kirill who leads the Moscow Patriarchate. He’s spoken in support of Russia’s so-called special military operation; a stance which has led Pope Francis to refer to him as “Putin’s altar boy”. We hear about him and ask just how much religious liberty there is for worshippers in Russia.
Meanwhile in Ukraine where there is considerable religious diversity, we hear about the friction between the pro-Moscow Orthodox and independent Orthodox Church of Ukraine. We also hear about the humanitarian and pastoral work in the country. We also ask - what of the future?
Our guests:
Dr Geraldine Fagan: Editor of the journal East-West Church Report and a practising member of the Orthodox Church. www.eastwestreport.org
Dr Joshua Searle of Spurgeon’s College in London and a trustee of the Dnipro Hope Mission in Ukraine. www.dniprohopemission.org
Jonathan Luxmoore is freelance journalist based in the UK and Poland specialising in religious news throughout Europe. He writes (among others) for the Church Times and The Tablet.
Music:
Extracts from the Vespers Op 37 by Sergei Rachmaninov.
Extract from Prayer for Ukraine by Valentin Silvestrov.
A year on from Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, William speaks to Viktor Yelensky, the new Lead of Ukraine’s Religious Freedom Watchdog, about what the future may now hold for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, given its ties to the Moscow Patriarchate.
The 'Champing' or 'camping in a Church' season begins again soon. Created by the Churches Conservation Trust, it helps raise funds towards maintaining both active and redundant Churches within their portfolio. We send our reporter Mark Hutchings to 'Champ' at St. Bartholomew's, Lower Failand, Bristol.
As the staggering death toll continues to rise following the earthquake in Turkey and Syria, we hear from Franciscan Priest, Father Fadi Azar in Latakia, Syria and Ravi Singh, CEO and Founder of Khalsa Aid, on his return from Turkey, about the impact of this catastrophe both on the community and the supply of aid.
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales recently unveiled new artworks depicting Mary and Jesus with different ethnicities. Chine McDonald, Director of Theos and Author of 'God Is Not A White Man' explains why it's important to have such representation in religious iconography.
Leanna Hosea reports on the Native Americans forcibly removed from their homes as children and placed in residential schools, stripped of their spiritual beliefs and subjected to emotional and sexual abuse. Leanna's report covers themes that some listeners could find disturbing. Details of organisations - in the UK - offering information and support with child sexual abuse are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline. And the full story is on Heart and Soul: Stripped of my Spirituality, BBC World Service, available now on BBC Sounds.
Producers: Jill Collins and Katy Booth
Production co-ordinator: David Baguley
Editor: Helen Grady
We explore how the gene therapy worked to save the life of 19 month old MLD victim Teddi Shaw, hear about a new system to make seeds sow themselves, meet the world's biggest fossil penguin, and size up the threat from bird flu...
World leaders are discussing their next steps at the Munich security conference. Also: The UN announces the largest-ever allocation from its Central Emergency Fund to help Africa tackle what it calls "forgotten crises," and why the language used in Roald Dahl's classic children's books is being reviewed.
World leaders are meeting at the Munich Security Conference, as issues including the Ukraine war and US-China relations dominate headlines.
Also on the programme: a Chinese balloon shot down off the coast of South Carolina is being investigated by US authorities to see what information it may have collected.
And a row has erupted over changes to the works of renowned, and controversial, British author Roald Dahl.
(Photo: US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during the 2023 Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany. Photo credit: Johannes Simon / Getty)
Actor Aimee Lou Wood is best known for her role in Netflix’s Sex Education. Her character - also called Aimee - was at the heart of some of the most iconic storylines that came out of the first three seasons of the show. Now she’s taking to the stage as Sally Bowles in Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club in London’s West End. She talks about performing in the show and her recent BAFTA Rising Star Award nomination.
The former police officer, Wayne Couzens, who raped and murdered Sarah Everard two years ago, has admitted three counts of indecent exposure. Now academics and criminologists are calling for a change in the way indecent exposure is seen – saying we need to stop the perception of it as a so-called ‘nuisance offence’ and take it more seriously. Jennifer Grant from the University of Portsmouth and the BBC’s Home Affairs correspondent Dominic Casciani discuss allegations against Wayne Couzens that go back to 2015.
A new Netflix series from Executive Producer Jada Pinkett-Smith tells the stories of African Queens. The first focuses on Queen Njinga, a powerful woman who led Ndongo, modern day Angola, through the slave trade and invasions by the Portuguese. One of the writers and former British High Commissioner to Mozambique, Nne Nne Iwuji-Eme explains why it’s so important to hear her story.
Woman's Hour is in the process of putting together our Power List for 2023 - this year focussed on finding 30 of the most powerful women in sport. But what about the power of sport itself? Hayley Compton and Jessica Morgan who say sport got them through very difficult times in their lives explain why.
Coleen Greenwood spent almost two and a half years in a relationship with a man she knew as James Scott. He said he was a divorced firefighter who wanted to marry and go into business with her - but it was all based on a lie. Her story is the subject of a new BBC podcast series Love-Bombed with Vicki Pattison. Coleen talks about the impact the relationship had on her. She is joined by Chris Bentham, who investigated the case.
Nell Mescal is a singer songwriter who writes Indie Folk songs. She’s a rising star whose featured in Rolling Stone Magazine and has been named as an artist to watch by NME. She performs her single ‘Graduating’ live in the studio.
Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Paula McFarlane
Editor: ...
Nearly two weeks after the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, we hear about the struggle to survive in the city of Antakya, Turkey.
Also on the programme: world leaders are meeting at the Munich Security Conference to discuss the Ukraine war, there's a call for increased military support for Kyiv.
And in New Zealand, Cyclone Gabrielle has devastated the North Island and cut off hundreds of communities.
(Photo: Rescuers carry the body of a victim at the site of a collapsed building, in the aftermath of the deadly earthquake, in Antakya, Turkey. Credit: Reuters)
چه رابطهای با دین و دینداری در جنبش زن زندگی آزادی دیدهایم؟ شعارها، رفتارها و آثار فرهنگی جوانان معترض در این مورد چه به ما میگوید؟ مهمانهای برنامه: مریم فومنی؛ روزنامهنگار، کاوه عباسیان؛ پژوهشگر فیلم و رسانه و یاسر میردامادی؛ پژوهشگر فلسفه و دین.
Journalist Jim White, presenter and former GB athlete Jeanette Kwakye, football journalist and presenter Guillem Balagué and comedian Tez Ilyas join Colin Murray for an hour of sporting punditry, humour and entertainment. Points are awarded for informed comment, wit and passion, but taken away for nonsense and answers lacking in conviction.
In the final round, the top two points scorers go head-to-head in 'Defend the Indefensible' where they must both defend a statement however ludicrous or distasteful for twenty seconds. There can only be one winner!
Get the podcast from BBC Sounds
As hundreds of people at two large debt advice charities face redundancy – we visit a local debt advice centre to see who they help and how.
Mortgage rates are at their highest for 14 years - the average is five and a half per cent for a two year fix, nearly six and half for the standard variable rate. The regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority, predicts more than half a million people will be at risk of falling into arears over the next couple of years. We'll discuss what to do if you’re struggling to afford your mortgage
When and how will people who live off grid - without a gas or electricity supplier - get the government help with their energy bills?
And what are the options for saving if you're on a low income? We'll discuss the government's Help to Save scheme.
Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporter: Dan Whitworth
Researchers: Sandra Hardial and Jo Krasner
Editor: Jess Quayle
(First broadcast, 12pm Saturday 21st January, 2023)
Scores of people were killed by jihadists on motorcycles in the Syrian province of Homs. Also: Qatar's Sheikh Jassim and Ineos bid for Manchester United football club, and how difficult is it to be optimistic?
The annual Munich Security Conference has begun just days before the first anniversary of Russia's invasion. At the conference, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hinted Germany will soon be able to deploy its first Leopard tanks to Ukraine.
We'll also hear how some of the biggest names in tech will face some of the strictest rules in the world on protecting users privacy.
The President of Ukraine warned his western allies at the Munich Security Conference that while they hesitated over decisions to send heavy weapons to Ukraine, the Kremlin was planning to 'strangle Moldova.'
Also on the programme: Taliban militants storm the police headquarters in the Pakistani city of Karachi; and violent protests continue as Nigerians face a cash shortage.
(Picture: A Danish Leopard tank in a military exercise in Estonia. Credit: VALDA KALNINA/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
The state of the Nigerian nation ahead of elections, as tensions over the shortage of new currency continue.
Also, the M23 rebel movement rejects a new report accusing it of perpetrating rape in the eastern DRC.
And South Africa begins ten days of naval training exercises with Russia and China.
Those stories and more in this podcast with Esau Williams
Writer, Sarah Hehir
Director, Jenny Stephens
Editor, Jeremy Howe
Brian Aldridge ….. Charles Collingwood
David Archer ….. Timothy Bentinck
Ruth Archer ….. Felicity Finch
Alice Carter ….. Hollie Chapman
Ruairi Donovan ….. Arthur Hughes
Justin Elliott ….. Simon Williams
Will Grundy ….. Philip Molloy
Jakob Hakansson ….. Paul Venables
Paul Mack ….. Joshua Riley
Kate Madikane ….. Perdita Avery
Noluthando Madikane ….. Mogali Masuku
Kirsty Miller ….. Annabelle Dowler
Freddie Pargetter ….. Toby Laurence
Roy Tucker ….. Ian Pepperell
Julianne Wright ….. Lisa Bowerman
Lisa ….. Katherine Jakeways
Andy Zaltzman is joined by Geoff Norcott, Shaparak Khorsandi, Helen Lewis and Ian Smith. This week they discuss Keir Starmer's plans for the NHS, teachers' strikes and the political row over Scotland's gender recognition reform bill.
Hosted and written by Andy Zaltzman with additional material from Alice Fraser, Mike Shephard, Katie Storey, Vicky Richards and Cameron Loxdale.
Producer: Georgia Keating
Executive Producer: James Robinson
Production Co-ordinator: Becky Carewe-Jeffries
Sound Editor: Marc Willcox
A BBC Studios Production
World leaders including the Ukrainian President are gathered in Germany for the Munich Security Conference. It's seen as the leading global gathering on defence matters, at a time when security issues are high on everyone's agenda.
Participants at the conference include 40 heads of state and government and nearly 100 ministers.
Russia has not been invited this year, nor has Iran - but China is sending one of its top diplomats.
Also in the programme – news from the start of London Fashion week as second hand clothing takes to the catwalk. As a sign of the times perhaps as much of the world goes through a cost of living crisis.
Addressing the Munich Security Conference, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said there was no alternative to a Ukrainian victory and freedom could not be compromised.
Also on the programme, Russian and Chinese forces are starting military exercises today off the coast of South Africa; And, there is now less sea-ice surrounding the Antarctic continent than at any time since we began using satellites to measure it in the late 1970s.
(Photo: Munich Security Conference 2023 16/02/2023 European Pressphoto Agency)
The war in Ukraine is top of the agenda as Kyiv presses for more weapons. Also: Britain jails former embassy guard for passing secrets to Moscow, and cheetahs roam India again.
Paul Rudd becomes Agony Antm’n and gets prank-called by an old friend. Niall Horan plays a round of WrongUns and Katie Thistleton did something she may re-Greta at The Brits.
Ricky Reel’s body was discovered in the River Thames 25 years ago, a week after he had gone missing following a racist attack when he was on a night out with friends. His case was never solved, the police initially believed he had run away from an arranged marriage and later that his death was an accident. The case is now being re-examined by the Met Police’s major inquiries specialist casework team, due in part to Sukhdev Reel’s relentless campaigning on behalf of her son. She tells Anita why she has never given up on getting justice for her son.
Actor Aimee Lou Wood is best known for her role in Netflix’s Sex Education. Her character - also called Aimee - was at the heart of some of the most iconic storylines that came out of the first three seasons of the show. But now she’s taking to the stage as Sally Bowles in Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club in London’s West End. She joins Anita in the studio to talk about performing in the show and her recent BAFTA Rising Star Award nomination.
Anita Bhagwandas is an award-winning beauty journalist who describes the beauty industry as one she adores but a place that has ‘never loved [her] back’.Her new book Ugly: Giving Us Back Our Beauty Standards unearths why the word has such power and how we can reclaim it for ourselves. A blend of manifesto and memoir, the book explores how racial, class, and social prejudices shape what society deems ‘beautiful’. She joins Anita to discuss life as a beauty journalist, overcoming self-hatred, and the beauty standards set by Disney princesses.
With movements like Dry January growing in popularity, many women want to question their relationship with alcohol, while also maintaining the possibility of moderation. Anita is joined by the journalist Roisin Kelly who shares what she learned while sober dating, and Ruby Warrington, the author who inspired the sober curious movement, who discusses the art of mindful drinking.
Aged four, Mary was playing in her parents’ front yard, when she was grabbed by “the government people” and taken to a Catholic boarding school to be turned into a Christian. She’s just one of thousands of Native Americans who were forcibly removed from their homes and put into boarding schools from the 1800s right up to the 1970s. According to a US government report, the purpose of these schools was to strip indigenous people of their spiritual beliefs, culture and land. A government investigation also found that physical, emotional and sexual abuse was “rampant”. Indigenous Americans’ spiritual beliefs are now experiencing a renaissance, but is this revival enough to enable Mary and her friends heal from a childhood of trauma in America’s residential schools?
Presenter: Leana Hosea
Producer: Leana Hosea with Rajeev Gupta
Production co-ordinator: Nancy Bennie
Editor: Helen Grady
The first specially written original radio drama for this then new medium, was written by playwright and poet Richard Hughes, under the title 'A Comedy of Danger'. In order to emphasise the sound-only format he set the play in a deep Welsh coal mine, where some posh English visitors get trapped in total darkness in a flooded gallery hoping for rescue . This was broadcast in early 1924.
In February 1923, the BBC broadcast a scene from Julius Caesar . To mark the centenary of this first broadcast, poet Michael Symmons Roberts has taken elements from Hughes first full play and updated them - the shocking plunge into complete darkness without apparent hope of escape, forcing strangers together, the distant sounds of a rising threat from approaching water that gradually rises in the mine's chamber, and the first and last lines of the original which frame this new version.
In Danger 2023, the lights go out on a party visiting a remote 'doomsday' bank deep under the desert containing a vast collection of historical and cultural data about our lives, from governments, universities and media companies across the world . Our digital world being 'archivable' in a physical location, what would be lost if it were destroyed. ? Is our culture, our essence, so digital now that it can be preserved and resurrected by people in the distant future ?
The VIP visitors are a small delegation on a confidential visit to this vault to see how the codes, programmes, files and data of our cyber-age are preserved in controlled conditions in case of nuclear or ecological apocalypse. Trapped in complete darkness, with attempts to contact the outside world proving futile, there's a growing fear that these people will never get out. They are increasingly forced to confront their own deaths, to enter into what they fear will be their final conversations, their last words.
The metaphorical power of a location like a doomsday data bank - as the world attempts to avert a climate catastrophe and the risk of nuclear conflict feels more urgent than it has for decades . Psychologically and dramatically, the mounting pressure and remote isolation of the party leads them to explore and evoke their response to fear, rising paranoia, different responses to mortality.
Cast
Shura - Phia Saban
Thomas/rescuer - Tachia Newall
Belle - Laurel Lefkow
Milton - Adonis Anthony
Directed by Susan Roberts
A BBC North production
President Lukashenko says he’ll allow Russia to use his country for attacks on Ukraine. Also: the UN launches an appeal for Turkey’s earthquake victims, President Biden says objects shot down over North America appear to have nothing to do with China, and a study looks into baby formula milk claims.
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria Godwin Emefiele, has directed banks to make the old 200 naira notes available from today following President Muhammadu Buhari's extension until April 10.
And in Lebanon, furious protests have continued to explode on the streets of the capital Beirut with people setting fire to bank branches which remain closed, and refuse to allow withdrawals.
In a BBC interview to mark a year since Russia's full-scale invasion, President Zelensky says conceding land would mean Russia could "keep coming back", while Western weapons would bring peace closer.
Also on the programme: Nigeria’s cash crisis; and toxic contamination in East Palestine, Ohio.
(Photo: President Zelensky of Ukraine. Credit: EPA / Shutterstock)
In the decade since the genome editing capabilities of CRISPR-Cas9 emerged, research into novel medicines has boomed – but alongside progress comes new ethical considerations. Controversy erupted in 2018, when Chinese scientist He Jiankui created the first babies with edited genomes. After leaving prison last year, he’s now back in the lab trying to raise support for new research but refuses to discuss the ethical implications of his work. Dr Joy Zhang recently arranged a bioethics seminar and invited He Jiankui, it was the first time he’d agreed to engage with a global cohort of CRISPR scientists since returning to his research.
Going back in time from cutting-edge to ancient technology, some of the oldest stone tools ever used by human ancestors have been unearthed at a fossil site in Kenya. Professor Tom Plummer talks us through the findings and how important the tools were in our evolution.
And we immerse ourselves in the mysterious sounds of the Arctic and Antarctic, from singing ice to the man-made noises of oil and gas drilling. These dramatic soundscapes, created for the Polar Soundscapes project, showcase just how busy our oceans are. Dr Geraint Rhys Whittaker, composer and project lead, believes a novel approach may be required to prompt climate action.
Image Credit: Anthony Wallace
Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Harrison Lewis
Assistant Producer: Sophie Ormiston
Warren East has run two of the UK's most successful companies, ARM and Rolls Royce Holdings. During his tenure at ARM he oversaw a rapid growth of this globally successful Cambridge semi conductor company. He went on to lead Rolls Royce during a time of turbulence, from aircraft engine trouble, to COVID and a massive restructure which led to several thousand redundancies. He shares his reflections on his business career, as well as his thoughts on Brexit, tax and economic growth.
GUEST
Warren East, former CEO Rolls Royce Holdings Ltd.
PRODUCTION TEAM
Producer: Julie Ball
Editor: China Collins
Sound: James Beard and Graham Puddifoot
Prod Co-ordinator: Siobhan Reed
In a bid to calm tensions over a lack of cash in Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari has announced that one of the three naira banknotes being phased out will be reintroduced into circulation.
The trial of four military officers and a policeman accused of plotting to overthrow the Gambian president gets underway at the high court in the capital city, Banjul.
And the Senegalese legend Baaba Maal introduces us to the hoddu, - a traditional Senegalese stringed instrument – which features in his new single Agreement, on his upcoming album Being.
Papua New Guinea captain Rayleen Bauelua looks ahead to the World Cup qualification play-offs.
Picture on website: Papua New Guinea women's soccer team line up before a friendly game against the Philippines. (Photo by Luis Veniegra/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Nigeria's currency swap is causing unrest among its people. Three months ago the government introduced newly designed notes or Naira - and asked people to swap their old notes. The deadline for that was supposed to be last Friday. But not enough new notes have been released, leaving many without cash to pay for vital items.
We also look at Argentina's eye-wateringly high inflation rate.
Turkey's foreign minister says Sweden hasn't done enough to stop Kurdish terrorism. Applications to join Nato must be approved by all member countries. Also: The leader of Belarus says his forces will only fight alongside Russia in Ukraine if his country is attacked, and why South Korea is removing women-only parking spaces.
The War in Ukraine has seen little or no diplomacy between Kyiv and Moscow. However, there has been cooperation around prisoner of war exchanges. More than 1,700 Ukrainian men and women have reportedly made it home this way so far. The BBC has been given rare access to one facility where captured Russian soldiers are held in the west of the country.
Also in the programme: Customers have smashed and set fire to banks in Lebanon; and an update on a toxic chemical spill in Ohio.
(Picture: Hundreds of captured Russian soldiers, conscripts, and mercenaries are held at facilities in Ukraine. Credit: BBC)
Nicola Sturgeon called a surprise press conference and announced on Wednesday to announce that she was resigning as Scotland's first minister after eight years in the job. The SNP's national executive will meet on Thursday to decide the timetable for a leadership race.
The Today programme’s Nick Robinson presented the programme from Edinburgh. He spoke to Stephen Flynn, the SNP’s leader in Westminster and he was joined by the BBC’s Scotland Editor James Cook to examine the challenges that lie ahead for the next leader of the party.
(Image, Nicola Sturgeon, Credit, EPA-EFEREXShutterstock)
Arielle Free will need some bum butter for her Red Nose Day challenge and team member Farty Henry explains a controversial quiz question.
In a momentous week in women’s cricket when the Women’s Premier League Auction took place Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma discuss the big signings and the players that were unsold.
Plus we are joined by Ben Gibson who is the Director of Financial Planning at UK based Wealth Management business Evelyn. He tells us how players should manage their newfound wealth.
And we discuss where it has all gone wrong for New Zealand in the Women's T20 World Cup.
Photo: Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur (C) of India celebrate the victory during the T20 International series between India and Australia at Dr DY Patil Cricket Stadium on December 11, 2022 in Mumbai, India. (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)
As Scotland’s First Minister announces her resignation after nearly a decade in the job we consider her legacy, the reasons for and the timing of her decision to go and consider who might take over with the Scotsman’s Political Editor Alistair Grant and journalist Ruth Wishart.
The musical Sylvia has just opened at the Old Vic celebrating the life of Sylvia Pankhurst – feminist, activist, pacifist, socialist, rebel who was at the heart of the Suffragette movement, with her sister Christabel and mother Emmeline. Actor, singer and musical theatre performer Sharon Rose who plays this lesser-known Pankhurst discusses her role.
Woman's Hour is in the process of putting together our Power List for 2023 - this year focussed on finding 30 of the most powerful women in sport. But what about the power of sport itself? Hayley Compton and Jessica Morgan who say sport got them through very difficult times in their lives explain why.
What is Europe doing to tackle the issue of femicide? Since the start of 2023, there has been a wave of news coverage in Europe on violence against women, and specifically, femicide, the act of killing a woman because she is a woman. The Spanish government has called its second emergency meeting of domestic violence experts after the murder of six women and a young girl since the start of January. And in France, 18 women have been murdered this year, according to the organisation ‘Femicide by a partner or ex partner’. This is despite both countries having introduced measures to fight against gender based violence. Mélina Huet, a journalist at the French news channel LCI and director of the documentary on femicides ‘Protect the Living, Honour the Dead’ and Susana Pavlou, the director of the Mediterranean Institute of Gender Studies join Anita to discuss.
Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Kirsty Starkey
Interviewed Guest: Alistair Grant
Interviewed Guest: Ruth Wishart
Interviewed Guest: Sharon Rose
Interviewed Guest: Hayley Compton
Interviewed Guest: Jessica Morgan
Interviewed Guest: Melina Huet
Interviewed Guest: Susana Pavlou
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss A Theory of Justice by John Rawls (1921 - 2002) which has been called the most influential book in twentieth century political philosophy. It was first published in 1971. Rawls (pictured above) drew on his own experience in WW2 and saw the chance in its aftermath to build a new society, one founded on personal liberty and fair equality of opportunity. While in that just society there could be inequalities, Rawls’ radical idea was that those inequalities must be to the greatest advantage not to the richest but to the worst off.
With
Fabienne Peter
Professor of Philosophy at the University of Warwick
Martin O’Neill
Professor of Political Philosophy at the University of York
And
Jonathan Wolff
The Alfred Landecker Professor of Values and Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford and Fellow of Wolfson College
Producer: Simon Tillotson
No part of the United Kingdom has felt the impact of Brexit more strongly than Northern Ireland. Home to the country's only land border with the European Union, the province is the focus of passionate debate about Britain's future relationship with Europe. Three years on from Brexit, the temporary agreement, the so called “Protocol,” that was designed to ease the UK's exit from the EU but left Northern Ireland in legal and political limbo is coming to an end. And what might replace it is causing uncertainty and unease there. David Baker travels to Northern Ireland and assesses the impact of Brexit. He meets businesses that have benefited from the agreement and want it to stay and others who say it’s been damaging and feel their identities are threatened.
Producer: Jim Frank
(Photo by Stephen Barnes via Getty Images)
Payton Gendron gets life without parole for killing ten black people in New York state. Also: Unrest breaks out in Nigeria over a shortage of cash caused by the replacement of old banknotes, and the Hollywood star Raquel Welch has died aged 82.
The EU have announced nearly $12 billion of sanctions aimed at weakening Moscow’s ability to maintain its “war machine” through trade bans and technology export controls. We find out what impact sanctions are already having on Russia, and how they are causing young tech workers to leave the country.
We hear from a former senior economic advisor in Barack Obama's administration, about President Joe Biden's appointment of Lael Brainard, vice-chair of the US Federal Reserve, as his top economic advisor.
And as the first UN aid convoy arrives in Syria, we get reaction from the country as anger grows over the lack of support so far.
Thousands of Syrian war refugees who fled to Turkey are trying to go back to Syria after last week's earthquakes.
Also in the programme: the former Governor of South Carolina and US Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, is the first Republican to contest Donald Trump’s bid for the presidential nomination; and American actress Rachel Welch has died at the age of 82.
(Photo: Children play at Refaat Daho school that houses many refugees, after a deadly earthquake in Latakia, Syria. Credit: Reuters).
Protests have broken out in parts of southern Nigeria and there are reports of two commercial banks being set on fire, as anger mounts over the scarcity of cash. The furore has been caused by the central bank's decision to scrap old banknotes and to replace them with new ones that are not widely available.
Hundreds of followers of the main Christian Orthodox Church in Ethiopia have been arrested in recent days following tensions with the authorities, we hear from the head of the church’s legal team.
We speak to the young Ghanaian priest who has been elected as the next Anglican Bishop of Gambia.
And we hear from the Kenyan senator and advocate of free sanitary pads for girls, who was ejected from parliament for having what seemed to be a period stain on her trousers.
Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced her resignation. She has led the Scottish National Party, which wants independence from Britain, for more than eight years. Ms Sturgeon has been a key figure in Scotland, as a member of the Scottish Parliament since it opened in 1999 and its longest serving First Minister.
Also in the programme: The UK's most expensive drug costs more than three million dollars per dose, and is the most expensive drug ever approved by the NHS; and the French high fashion brand Louis Vuitton has named the Grammy-winning producer, rapper, singer and songwriter Pharrell Williams as its new menswear creative director.
(Photo: First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon speaks at a news conference at Bute House where she announced she will stand down as first minister, in Edinburgh, Scotland, Britain February 15, 2023. Jane Barlow/Pool via REUTERS)
The EU president has unveiled plans to hit Russia with fresh sanctions worth nearly 12 billion dollars.
This comes ahead of the first anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion on February 24th.
The EU has also formed a working group to explore whether frozen Russian assets could be used to help rebuild Ukraine.
If approved, the latest sanctions will restrict technology exports and affect more Russian banks.
We report on riots in Nigeria as unrest mounts over cash shortages. There are reports protesters have attacked banks and destroyed ATM machines.
It's the latest in a series of worsening problems caused by the introduction of new naira banknotes two months ago.
First Manchester United, now Tottenham Hotspur becomes the latest English Premier League attract potential buyers.
An Iranian-American billionaire, Jahm Njafi, who chairs MSP Sports Capital, is reported to be preparing a $3.75 billion takeover bid for Tottenham Spur.
Meanwhile, the deadline for initial offers for Manchester United is this coming Friday. The current owners the Glazier family are rumoured to be expecting upwards of six billion dollars.
New pledges for Ukraine include heavy weapons and military training. Also: Nicola Sturgeon announces her resignation as Scotland's First Minister, and one of the world's most expensive drugs saves the life of a toddler.
The comedian steps in for the Fact Controller. Plus, there's a whole lot of laziness...
The former police officer, Wayne Couzens, who raped and murdered Sarah Everard two years ago, has admitted three counts of indecent exposure, one of which happened just four days before he kidnapped and killed Sarah Everard. Now academics and criminologists are calling for a change in the way indecent exposure is seen – saying we need to stop the perception of it as a so-called ‘nuisance offence’ and take it more seriously, as in some cases it can lead to far more serious crimes. Nuala talks to BBC’s Home Affairs correspondent, Dominic Casciani and Jennifer Grant from the University of Portsmouth.
What are your thoughts on children’s sleepovers? Are they a rite of passage or just a big headache? Well, #nosleepovers was trending on social media recently after an American influencer and mum of two, Tara Huck, shared her unpopular parenting opinion: she doesn't allow her children to attend sleepovers. When Netmums did a poll of their UK parents - 63% said they ban sleepovers. So is it the end for sleepovers? Victoria Richards is Editor of Indy Voices at the Independent and hosts multiple sleepovers a year, whereas parenting columnist for Velvet Magazine, Emily Martin, is trying to avoid them for as long as possible.
A new Netflix series from Executive Producer Jada Pinkett-Smith is out today, telling the stories of African Queens. The first focuses on Queen Njinga, a powerful woman who led Ndongo – modern day Angola – through the slave trade and invasions by the Portuguese. To find out more about Njinga, and why it’s so important to hear her story, Nuala McGovern is joined by one of the writers and former British High Commissioner to Mozambique, Nne Nne Iwuji-Eme.
Scientists say that an on-demand, non-hormonal contraceptive pill for men may be a real possibility after successful trials stopped sperm from being able to swim. Tests in mice suggest that it stuns sperm long enough to stop them from reaching the egg. Further tests are needed, but if successful, it could provide a reliable oral contraception. Michelle Roberts is the BBC's Digital Health Editor.
The republican Nikki Haley has announced that she will be running for president next year in the US. She's the first Republican to challenge Donald Trump for the party's presidential nomination. Nikki Haley first made her way onto the political scene back in 2010, when she became the youngest governor in the USA at ...
Long: The Martin Lewis Podcast is here. Founder of Money Saving Expert, Martin Lewis answers your questions on buying national insurance contribution years to top up your state pension.
As the buy-back deadline is fast approaching, Martin has an urgent plea for those aged between 45 and 70. They could be missing years off their state pension worth £1,000s, so check yours and your family and friends now.
Elsewhere in the show, why Martin has written to the chancellor to call for April's planned rise in the energy price guarantee to be scrapped. The average bill is expected to rise from £2,500 to £3,000 if the cap is amended.
He called on Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to halt the cap increase, saying it is no longer necessary because wholesale energy prices have "come down very substantially".
Producer: Isabelle Tudor
Writer and scholar Robert Douglas-Fairhurst, best-known for writing about literary giants such as Lewis Carroll and Charles Dickens, has turned his attention to his own life.
The academic, who discovered six years ago that he had multiple sclerosis, wanted to examine how he had entered ‘a new kingdom, a new country’ with his diagnosis.
Martha Kearney spoke to Professor Douglas-Fairhurst at Magdalen College, Oxford where he teaches English Literature about his new book Metamorphosis: A Life in Pieces.
(Image, Martha Kearney and Robert Douglas-Fairhurst, Credit, BBC)
动词 “recognise” 和 “identify” 都可以表示 “认出（某个人、事物或问题）”。其中，“recognise” 还可以用来表示 “承认；认可、表彰” 的意思；“identify” 还可表示 “认出身份” 或 “指出问题”。听节目，学习近义词 “recognise” 和 “identify” 的区别。
If you feel your income needs a boost, or you want a pay rise, then this is the podcast for you. We discuss top tips on how to negotiate a higher salary.
Official figures show that wages have grown at the fastest rate in more than 20 years - but prices are rising even faster and the gap between public and private sector pay is at close to record levels.
On the expert panel are, Helen Tupper, CEO of 'Amazing If', a career development company, Radha Vyas, CEO and Co-Founder of Flash Pack, and Ed Rossiter co-founder and CEO of Phoenix, a recruitment agency.
Presenter: Ruth Alexander
Producer: Amber Mehmood
Editor: Jess Quayle
(First broadcast, 3pm Wednesday 18th January, 2023)
A truck convoy used one of two new crossings permitted by the Syrian President Assad to bring in relief. Also: US makes arrests over Haiti leader's assassination, and scientists say they have developed a drug for use in a contraceptive pill for men.
Inflation figures from the US show that inflation is slowing but less than expected, increasing thoughts that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates again this year. We speak to a former Secretary of Labor in the Clinton administration about what we can expect from the year ahead.
After the biggest order of new passenger aircraft in history, we find out what the deal between Air India, Airbus and Boeing means for the industry.
And who's buying Manchester United? We hear about the runners and riders who are bidding to own ones of the world's biggest football clubs.
Doctors warn of increasing cases of post-traumatic stress experienced by earthquake victims. We hear the story of one Syrian refugee in Turkey who became homeless for the second time. Also in the programme, we hear from one of Iran's top chess player, living in exile after refusing to wear a headscarf; And, the Oscar nominated documentary about orphaned elephants in India.
(Photo: Search operations continue in Hatay following powerful earthquake 14/02/2023 European Pressphoto Agency)
Within hours of the magnitude 7.8 earthquake across Turkey and northern Syria, the internet in Turkey was partially shutdown. And it wasn’t just because of damage to network infrastructure from the quake itself, but Twitter was blocked, as the authorities raised concerns over misinformation online.
Internet shutdowns are used by governments around the world to control people’s access to information, for example during protests, but also somewhat surprisingly to prevent cheating during public examinations.
Shutting down the internet costs individuals and countries huge amounts of money. The TopTenVPN annual report which analysed every major intentional internet shutdown in 2022 has revealed that they cost a world economy, already reeling from a number of shocks, a further $24 billion.
The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell with expert commentary from Bill Thompson.
Studio Manager: Michael Millham
Producer: Alun Beach
(Image: Keyboard lit up in red in the dark. Credit: Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Valentine's Day is a day for love! And so we've invited two visually impaired people and their sighted partners to talk about how sight loss impacted the dynamics of their relationships, about the assumptions that other people make; that the one who can see in the relationship must be the carer and we touch upon the element of falling back in love with yourself after sight loss.
Presenter: Beth Hemmings
Production Coordinator: Liz Poole
Guests: Amit Patel, Seema Patel, Claire Sisk, Sergio Cianfini
Website image description: Peter White sits smiling in the centre of the image, wearing a dark green jumper. Above Peter's head is the BBC logo (three individual white squares house each of the three letters). Bottom centre and overlaying the image are the words "In Touch" and the Radio 4 logo (the word Radio in a bold white font, with the number 4 inside a white circle). The background is a bright mid-blue with two rectangles angled diagonally to the right. Both are behind Peter, one of a darker blue and the other is a lighter blue.
South Africa has declared a national state of disaster over severe flooding, while heavy rains have also hit Mozambique’s capital Maputo.
Due to the shortage of the new Naira banknotes in Nigeria, the Central Bank has announced the making of money bouquets, used by some in celebrations, will attract a fine or imprisonment.
And we catch up with Ghanian Highlife music star, Bisa Kdei, about his new album.
The US consumer price index rose at a rate of 6.4% - a slight fall on the previous month.
While the drop is welcome news it was smaller than some economists had anticipated.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures the prices of a range of goods and service, and has now fallen for seven consecutive months in the US, from a high of more than 9% last year.
We also report on big job losses in Europe which were announced by car makers Ford.
The company will be axing nearly 4000 jobs across Europe in the coming two years.
Most of the jobs cuts are in the product development division - that is designers, engineers and testers.
And on Valentine's Day - why flowers on sale in the Netherlands might not have been grown on home soil....
It comes after the broadcast of a documentary critical of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Also: The UN welcomes Syria's decision to allow more earthquake aid, and how TikTok sent sales soaring for one American author.
There's no love in Yesterday's Quiz but there is What's My Age Again? with Jack Saunders.
Nell Mescal is a singer songwriter from Ireland who writes Indie Folk songs. She’s a rising star whose featured in Rolling Stone Magazine, has been named as an artist to watch by NME and is preparing for a summer of live gigs. She joins Nuala McGovern to talk about what inspires her songs, being a young woman in the music industry and performs her single ‘Graduating’ live in the studio.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been photographed five times over recent months alongside his adolescent daughter. The latest photos show a beaming Kim Ju-Ae, who is aged between 9 and 10, standing with her father at a lavish military parade, where at least 11 intercontinental ballistic missiles were shown. So, why is Kim Jong Un revealing his daughter now? There is speculation that she is to be his successor, but is there any truth to that claim? Nuala talks to Professor Hazel Smith is Professorial Research Associate in Korean Studies at SOAS, University of London and BBC Correspondent Jean MacKenzie who is based in South Korea.
Fern Brady is a comedian and writer who has appeared on 8 Out of 10 Cats, Live at the Apollo, and the most recent series of Taskmaster. She has also co-hosted three series of the Wheel of Misfortune podcast for BBC Sounds with fellow comedian Alison Spittle. In 2021, Fern received a diagnosis for autism. In her new book, Strong Female Character, she explores how this has impacted her life, and what it means to be an autistic working-class woman.
We talk about plans to regulate the buy now pay later credit industry with Stella Creasy MP and Claer Barratt from the Financial Times.
And BBC LGBT & Identity Correspondent Lauren Moss reports on a new book which claims that 97.5 per cent of children seeking help at the Gender Identity Development Service (Gids) based at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, had autism, depression or other problems that might have explained their unhappiness.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Lisa Jenkinson
Studio Manager: Gayl Gordon
It's Valentine’s Day and if you haven't quite got round to penning a poem for the one you love - fear not. Help is at hand. The AI chatbot has had its own stab at writing a romantic Shakespearean sonnet. Actor Charles Dance reads it for us – as well as Shakespeare’s famous Sonnet 18 - and discusses them alongside Oxford University’s Professor Laurie Maguire.
(IMAGE CREDIT: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
The US has shot down different sorts of flying objects detected over North America. The sensors of the first object have been retrieved, and John Kirby, spokesman for President Biden’s National Security Council, confirmed it was a Chinese balloon. What is going on? Today’s Justin Webb spoke to Admiral Mike Mullen, a former chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, and to Sir Alex Younger, the former head of MI6.
(IMAGE CREDIT: REUTERS/Randall Hill/File Photo/File Photo)
你是一个容易被情绪左右的人吗？如果你被别人给你的反馈或建议弄得心烦意乱，那很可能是你的情绪在控制着你。本期节目内容通过分享主持人 Rob 的个人经历教你表达 “take something to heart” 的意思和用法。
The focus is now increasingly on providing food, shelter and healthcare. Also: Tens of thousands of Israelis have protested outside parliament against controversial plans for judicial reforms, and the Czech star Jakub Jankto has become the first international player in men's football to come out as gay.
The US has burst what it's called a high-altitude intelligence gathering balloon from China, while the deadline over a dispute between the two countries over the trading of microchips has expired. We speak a former member of the Clinton Administration about what this means for trade relations between the nations.
We find out why Ghana's in an arm-wrestle with its pensioners over who's going to foot the bill for its debt problems.
And what's behind the low birth rates affecting nations all around the world?
Around 90,000 Israelis have protested outside parliament against controversial plans for judicial reforms. Also on the programme, our correspondent in north-western Syria reports from a hospital treating victims - some of them just months old - of last week's earthquakes; and a German opera house suspends its chief choreographer after he attacked a newspaper critic with dog faeces - we speak to that journalist.
(Photo: Israelis demonstrate on the day Israel's constitution committee is set to vote on judicial plan, in Jerusalem 13/02/2023 Reuters)
Eritrea's President Isaias Afwerki has said that the United States supported the Tigray People's Liberation Front or TPLF in its 2-year war with the Government in Addis. In a long interview, he claimed the US pressed the peace deal to prevent the Tigrayans being defeated.
Also, Ghanaian pensioners protest outside the Ministry of Finance offices, saying the Government shouldn't make them destitute.
Plus, we hear why countries on the continent are now THE destination for African tourists who prefer the attractions closer to home than elsewhere.
Those stories and more in this podcast with Bola Mosuro.
A key goal of eugenics in the 20th century was to eliminate genetic defects from a population. Many countries pursued this with state-led programmes of involuntary sterilisation, even murder. We unpick some of the science behind this dark history, and consider the choices and challenges opened up by the science today.
In the mid-19th century, an Augustinian friar called Gregor Mendel made a breakthrough. By breeding pea plants and observing how certain traits were passed on, Mendel realised there must be units - little packets - of information determining characteristics. He had effectively discovered the gene.
His insights inspired eugenicists from the 1900s onwards. If traits were passed on by specific genes, then their policies should stop people with ‘bad’ genes from having children.
Mendel’s ideas are still used in classrooms today - to teach about traits like eye colour. But the eugenicists thought Mendel's simple explanations applied to everything - from so-called ‘feeblemindedness’ to criminality and even pauperism.
Today, we recognise certain genetic conditions as being passed on in a Mendelian way. Achondroplasia - which results in short stature - is one example, caused by a single genetic variant. We hear from Professor Tom Shakespeare about the condition, about his own decision to have children despite knowing the condition was heritable - and the reaction of the medical establishment.
We also explore how genetics is taught in schools today - and the danger of relying on Mendel’s appealingly simple but misleading account.
Contributors: Dr Brian Donovan, senior research scientist at BSCS, Prof Tom Shakespeare, disability researcher at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine; and Dr Christine Patch, principal staff scientist in Genomic Counselling in the Society and Ethics Research group, part of Wellcome Connecting Science.
In Syria, more than 3,500 people are so far known to have been killed by last week's earthquake. But in the worst-affected area, opposition-controlled Idlib, little aid has arrived. The UN has sent in aid trucks, but Syria has received a tiny fraction of the help neighbouring Turkey has secured. The BBC's Quentin Sommerville and cameraman Robbie Wright gained access to the region.
Also in the programme: Why the French defence minister has criticised the latest 'Black Panther' film; and rapper David Jolicoeur from the pioneering hip hop group 'De La Soul' has died.
(Picture: A volunteer among the rubble, in the aftermath of an earthquake in Idlib province, Syria. Credit: White Helmets/Handout via REUTERS)
President Joe Biden ordered another object - the fourth in total this month - to be downed on Sunday. Also: Angry scenes inside the Israeli parliament as the government is accused of turning Israel into a dark dictatorship… and did she slay or was she just ok? The internet responds to Rihanna’s Superbowl performance.
Also:
Erdogan defends Turkish government response to earthquake.
And the secret letters written by Mary Queen of Scots.
Coleen Greenwood spent almost two and a half years in a relationship with a man she knew as James Scott. He said he was a divorced firefighter who wanted to marry and go into business with her - but it was all based on a lie. The story of how he managed to live a double life, deceiving Coleen, her sister and multiple local businesses along the way, will be told in a new BBC podcast series Love-Bombed with Vicki Pattison. Ahead of its launch we speak to Coleen about the impact the relationship had on her; and to DC Chris Bentham, who investigated the case.
Do writers of memoirs focusing on traumatic events need protection? Can the process of writing and sharing personal and sometimes painful experiences in a memoir do you long term harm? And does the publishing industry need to come up with guidelines to protect vulnerable writers? Terri White, author of the memoir Coming Undone and Kit de Waal author of Without Warning & Only Sometimes: Scenes from an Unpredictable Childhood discuss.
Plus who are you at work? What version of yourself do you go in with? Workplace consultant, and author of ‘All That We Are', Gabriella Braun, joins Nuala to explain how psychoanalysis can reveal some hidden truths behind our behaviour at work. From interactions with your boss triggering feelings about your parents, to colleagues setting off old issues of sibling rivalries, we find out how much your subconscious is impacting your work-life.
Presenter Nuala McGovern
Producer Beverley Purcell
The poet and author Michael Rosen spent 40 days on a ventilator in a medically induced coma after falling ill during the pandemic. Doctors dubbed him “Resurrection of the Year”. His new memoir, Getting Better, reflects not just on that experience but the immense grief that followed the death of his dear son Eddie, at the age of 18, from meningitis.
(IMAGE CREDIT: David Levenson/Getty Images)
One week on from the earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria, the death toll has passed 33,000. Rescue attempts continue, and survivors are living in tents for fear their homes may still collapse. In Syria, there are serious difficulties in getting aid convoys through the single official border crossing point that is open. Today's Mishal Husain hears from BBC correspondents in both countries to learn about the ongoing humanitarian effort.
(IMAGE CREDIT: REUTERS/Sertac Kayar)
Sue Perkins challenges Gyles Brandreth, Lucy Porter, Ria Lina and Rhys James to speak for 60 seconds without repetition, deviation or hesitation.
The long-running Radio 4 national treasure of a parlour game returns this week with subjects ranging from Rap Battles to Prawn Cocktail.
Production co-ordinator: Caroline Barlow
Sound editor: Marc Willcox
Producer: Rajiv Karia
A BBC Studios Production
International community accused of having blood on its hands for abandoning those in north-west Syria. Also: Israel's president has warned that the government's plan to reform the judiciary is pushing the country towards constitutional collapse, and British pop star Harry Styles sweeps the board at the UK music awards - The Brits.
The number of people confirmed to have died in Turkey and Syria has risen to more than 33,000. Officials in Turkey say 113 arrest warrants have been issued in connection with the construction of buildings that collapsed after Monday's earthquake. We speak to an American search and rescue team on the ground in the Turkish city of Adiyaman, and hear from Idlib province in north-west Syria. Also on the programme: Israel's President Isaac Herzog warns in an unscheduled televised address to the nation that the country is on the verge of constitutional and social collapse, as a political crisis intensifies over the government's plans to overhaul the judiciary. And the BBC's Steve Rosenberg looks at how Russia has changed since its invasion of Ukraine last year. (Image: a man stands next to a car in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake, in Hatay, Turkey February 12, 2023. REUTERS/Kemal Aslan)
Turkish police have issued more than 100 arrest warrants as part of an investigation into poor building standards after this week's devastating earthquakes; also, a high-altitude object that's being described only as 'small' and 'cylindrical' has been shot down by the US military over Canada; and how did Harry Styles go from boy band singer to global music star?
(Photo: Rescue team works in earthquake-affected area of Hatay, Turkey. Credit: Photo by ERDEM SAHIN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh le Ruairidh MacIlleathain. Litir àireamh 1230. Roddy Maclean reads this week's letter for Gàidhlig learners.
Mass graves are being dug in Syria and Turkey to bury the thouands of people who died in this week's earthquake. We speak to an Imam in Syria about the devastation he is dealing with
Might MPs be able to force the Church of England to change its position on same sex marriage in church? The church’s recent decision to allow priests to bless same sex couples who are already married, but not to allow them to marry in church, has caused huge controversy. Several MPs say that the ban is out of step with public opinion and are considering if Parliament could take action to change the church’s position.
More evidence has emerged recently suggesting that the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, was a KGB agent in the 1970's. Declassified documents from Swiss police have strengthened the claims. We look at that and why the Russian Orthodox has not yet been expelled from the World Council of Churches for supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
In the week that the government finally published an independent review into it's deradicalisation programme, Prevent, we speak to two leading Muslims about their reaction to the report. The document by Lord Shawcross said the programme was not doing enough to tackle the ideological beliefs behind Islamist extremism.
Presenter: Edward Stourton
Producers: Catherine Murray & Bara'atu Ibrahim
Editors: Tim Pemberton & Helen Grady
Production Co-ordinators: Paul Holloway & David Baguley
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs.
Why Turkey can expect aftershocks for up to a year, as we examine the science behind this week's massive earthquake. Plus encrypted letters from Mary Queen of Scots decoded, efforts to drive up indoor air standards, and the revolutions in farming and food production to make food cheaper.
The comments were made by the United Nations humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths. Also: Canada's prime minister, Justin Trudeau, has said a United States military fighter jet, acting on his orders, has shot down a high-altitude airborne object over the northwestern Yukon territory, and we get a rare glimpse inside Iran on the 44th anniversary of the Islamic revolution.
The UN’s humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths has described the earthquake in Turkey as the worst natural disaster he’d ever seen in his decades of humanitarian work. While visiting the Turkish city of Kahramanmasa he told the BBC that the UN would work actively and firmly to open more crossings into north west Syria where so little aid has arrived.
Also in the programme: we hear from the WHO Syria representative in Aleppo; and a reporter who's crossed into parts of northern Syria controlled by Turkish-backed militias.
(Photo: Martin Griffiths, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, gestures during a presser in Maras, Turkey, 11 February 11 2023. Credit: Reuters/Emilie Madi)
Danielle Deadwyler's extraordinary portrayal of the civil rights activist Mamie Till-Mobley in Chinonye Chukwu’s ‘Till’ has earned her a BAFTA nomination for Best Leading Actress. The film tells the true story of Mamie’s pursuit of justice after her 14-year-old son, Emmett Till, was tortured and lynched in 1955. Danielle discusses grief, Mamie’s legacy, and the ongoing fight for civil rights.
Dorset Police are investigating allegations of abuse in Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service. Nazir Afzal, the former chief prosecutor for North West England & Zoe Billingham, former head of the Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue consider if the fire service has a problem with its culture, and in particular women.
European Champion and Queen of the Jungle, Jill Scott, is one of the most decorated footballers in the country and after announcing her retirement from the sport last year she's turned her attention to the next generation. On Friday she opened a new football pitch in her hometown in South Tyneside. She tells us what she wants the Lionesses' legacy to be.
Salma Hayek Pinault broke barriers in the 90’s as one of the first Latina actresses to establish a successful career in Hollywood. She tells us about her new role as a strong female lead starring opposite Channing Tatum in ‘Magic Mike’s Last Stand’.
We explore the complexities of disabled parenting with Eliza Hull, an Australian musician & disabled parent and Nina Tame. We hear about their new anthology of stories, ‘We’ve Got This’.
What is audio porn? Caroline Spiegel, the founder of an erotic audio app called Quinn and Dr Caroline West, consent educator at University of Galway discuss.
Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Surya Elango
Studio Manager: Bob Nettles
Editor: Lucinda Montefiore
UN humanitarian chief martin Griffiths visits epicentre of Turkey’s earthquake; also in the programme Iran marks the anniversary of the Islamic revolution after months of anti-government demonstrations; and British MPs enraged by a planned visit of the governor of China’s Xinjiang province.
(Photo: Rescuers going through rubble in Kahramanmaras. Credit: Reuters)
Comedian Alex Edelman, sports presenter Natalie Pike, broadcaster Martin Kelner and comedian Kae Kurd join Colin Murray for an hour of sporting punditry, humour and entertainment. Points are awarded for informed comment, wit and passion, but taken away for nonsense and answers lacking in conviction.
In the final round, the top two points scorers go head-to-head in 'Defend the Indefensible' where they must both defend a statement however ludicrous or distasteful for twenty seconds. There can only be one winner!
Get the podcast from BBC Sounds
بخش دوم بحث برهان شر به موضوع جبر و اختیار اختصاص دارد. مهمانان برنامه: ابراهیم سلطانی و آرش نراقی. این برنامه پیش از این یک بار پخش شده است.
For World Radio Day, we celebrate four vibrant community radio stations on four continents. Northern Malawi’s Rumphi FM supports the Tumbuka tribe while giving young women a space to speak out against early marriage and for education. From Budapest, Radio Dikh broadcasts “about the Roma, but not just for the Roma,” presenting Romany culture in its own distinctive voice. In Nunavik, Northern Quebec, Inuit radio beams Inuktitut music and talk to 14 remote villages, helping to keep an ancient language and threatened tradition alive. And in Myanmar, brave journalists risk their lives to resist the military dictatorship with news and views sent out from portable transmitters, sometimes under fire.
More than 24,000 people are now known to have died after Monday's earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. Millions of people are thought to be homeless in the northern region of Syria which was hit.
The BBC's Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet is in Turkey and reports from Gaziantep where the search for survivors is continuing.
Today's Amol Rajan speaks to Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN Secretary-General António Guterre, about the scale of the challenge of delivering aid in Syria. He also speaks to Wisam Afisa, a British-Syrian national in Aleppo who is part of the humanitarian effort to help people there.
(Image: Aftermath of the earthquake in Aleppo, Credit: Firas Makdesi/ Reuters)
We have been hearing from people in Turkey and Syria since the earthquake struck the region on Monday. Three survivors tell us about their escape from shaking buildings onto bitterly cold streets, including Canan who was staying in a hotel in Gazientep: “We were in PJs,” she says. “We were barefoot and people were screaming and crying.” It’s an anxious and emotional time for relatives watching from abroad. Germany is home to the largest Turkish diaspora in the world and we bring together Aeyna and Hazal, as well as Khalil, who has close family in Aleppo in Syria.
The anti-fraud charity the Fraud Advisory Panel says banks are inconsistent and being caught off guard by the emerging and growing threat of mobile phone fraud. It's when criminals steal people's phones not for the actual handset but to gain access to banking and financial apps. We'll hear from one man who had £16,000 stolen when he was mugged last year. UK Finance says the industry is constantly monitoring fraud threats to help protect customers and that this type of mobile phone fraud is not a common occurrence, but that the industry is not complacent about new and emerging threats.
In April we investigated complaints about Scottish Widows after listeners told us about struggles to get hold of pensions and other sums. Since then our inbox continues to receive a steady stream of similar grievances. New figures from the Financial Ombudsman Service given to Money Box show that complaints about the company rose by more than a third last year. We investigate and get a response from the company.
We discuss the new details of how His Majesty's Revenue & Customs is going to change the law to help protect consumers from rogue tax repayment agents - companies who claim things like marriage or work from home allowance on people's behalf. In the autumn Money Box discovered the number of complaints to HMRC about repayment agents more than tripled in just two years with nearly two thousand being made in just the first eight months of last year alone.
And, how to get a pay rise and what you should think about before you ask.
Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporter: Dan Whitworth
Researchers: Sandra Hardial and Jo Krasner
Editor: Jess Quayle
(First broadcast at 12pm Saturday 14th January, 2023)
The Pentagon said President Biden gave the order to destroy it, without revealing what it was. Also: More than twenty-three thousand people are now known to have died in the Turkish-Syrian earthquake disaster, and Michelle Yeoh tells us about her Oscar nominated performance in the surreal adventure Everything, Everywhere, All At Once.
Russia - one of the world's largest producers of crude oil - says it's slashing daily output by 500,000 barrels. It comes after trade sanctions in the wake of the war in Ukraine. So is the decision a retaliation or a retreat?
The Syrian government says it will allow aid agencies to deliver humanitarian aid across government lines to earthquake victims in rebel-controlled territory.
We speak to the International Red Cross and hear of the continuing search for survivors under the rubble in Turkey as well as an opposition Turkish MP.
Also in the programme: The collapse of the government in Moldova and has a campaign to boycott a new Harry Potter video game failed?
(Photo shows an armed man standing near a convoy carrying humanitarian aid to be taken to Syria's quake-hit northwest in the Aleppo Governorate, Syria. Credit: Orhan Qereman/Reuters)
Ethiopia has restricted social media and messaging platforms, ahead of banned protests by both the Christian Orthodox Church and a splinter group of clerics. We look at the importance of the church in Ethiopia, and examine recent tensions and the schism in the church.
Plus, we get reaction from South Africa, after President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers his State of the Nation address, announcing the declaration of a state of disaster over the country’s ongoing energy crisis.
And we speak to a representative of the Azande Kingdom in South Sudan, which was restored a year ago, 117 years after the previous king was killed by British troops.
Writer, Liz John
Director, Rosemary Watts
Editor, Jeremy Howe
David Archer ….. Timothy Bentinck
Alice Carter ….. Hollie Chapman
Susan Carter ….. Charlotte Martin
Ian Craig ….. Stephen Kennedy
Ruairi Donovan ….. Arthur Hughes
Jakob Hakansson ….. Paul Venables
Joy Horville ….. Jackie Lye
Paul Mack ….. Joshua Riley
Adam Macy ….. Andrew Wincott
Kate Madikane ….. Perdita Avery
Kirsty Miller ….. Annabelle Dowler
Elizabeth Pargetter ….. Alison Dowling
Freddie Pargetter ….. Toby Laurence
Stella Pryor ….. Lucy Speed
Julianne Wright ….. Lisa Bowerman
Andy Zaltzman is joined by Lucy Porter, Mark Steel, Ayesha Hazarika and Ian Smith. This week they discuss ongoing strike action, the Labour Party's political transactions and a royal family fraction.
Hosted and written by Andy Zaltzman with additional material from Alice Fraser, Mike Shephard, Aidan Fitzmaurice and Jade Gebbie.
Producer: Georgia Keating
Executive Producer: Pete Strauss
Production Co-ordinator: Becky Carewe-Jeffries
Sound Editor: Marc Willcox
A BBC Studios Production
The final of 'Yesterday’s Quiz'. The team reveal they interviewed Greg 13 years ago & prove he had an unpopular opinion! More of ‘All The Latest Things’. Sarah has some speculative showbiz news. Plus, friend of the show Debbie is back on for a round of ‘Wrong Uns’. More ‘Greg’s Anatomy’ chat. And some US-sitcom-style end credits!
Pakistan is running out of foreign cash. They are in crisis talks with the International Monetary Fund after they failed to unlock $1.1bn in crucial funds aimed at preventing the country from going bankrupt.
South Africa is having to impose power cuts every single day which has badly affected homes and businesses. It is now so bad that the countries President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared it a state of disaster. We hear from businesses in Pakistan and South Africa about how they are surviving.
We also take a look at China because they are worried about the impact their declining population will have on its financial prospects. A senior health official in Beijing has told local governments to take “bold steps” to encourage people to have more babies.
A volunteer in earthquake-hit Aleppo, Syria, tells us about children living on the streets. Elsewhere in the region, where opposition forces are in control, rescue workers have condemned the United Nations' response to Monday's earthquake. We put that to the UN's top official in Syria.
Also today: Archaeologists in Kenya dig up evidence that our primate cousins were smarter than we thought.
(Photo: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad visits a site of a damaged building in the aftermath of the earthquake in Aleppo, in this handout released by Syrian Presidency on February 10, 2023. Credit: Syrian Presidency/Handout via Reuters)
Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaking as more than 22,000 people confirmed dead in Turkey and Syria. Also: Ukraine renews threat to boycott 2024 Olympics if Russians compete, Amsterdam to outlaw cannabis smoking in red-light district and new Harry Potter video game controversy.
Anita is joined by the European Champion and Queen of the Jungle Jill Scott. Jill is one of the most decorated footballers in the country and after announcing her retirement from the sport last year she's turned her attention to the next generation. Today she is opening a new football pitch in her hometown in South Tyneside and tells Anita what she wants the Lionesses' legacy to be.
The gang-rape of a woman in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, sparked protests yesterday with women calling out the country’s ‘rape epidemic’. The 24-year-old woman was walking with a male colleague in the city’s largest park at 8pm last week when she was attacked and raped by two armed men. The police have said that investigations were ongoing but in a statement warned people to avoid unlit areas of the park in the evening. We hear from Aisha Sarwari, columnist and co-founder Women’s Advancement Hub based in Islamabad and Caroline Davies, the BBC's Pakistan Correspondent
Salma Hayek Pinault is a Mexican American actress, director and producer who broke barriers in the 90’s as one of the first Latina actresses to establish a successful career in Hollywood, appearing in several Robert Rodriguez films including From Dusk Til Dawn. She was Oscar-nominated for her role in Frida, about the life of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, a film which she also produced. Now she is starring opposite Channing Tatum in Magic Mike’s Last Stand, which perhaps surprisingly, is set mostly in a London theatre. Salma joins Anita in the Woman’s Hour studio to talk about being the strong female lead, and power dynamics in Hollywood.
Being a parent for the first time is challenging for anyone. But when you’re a disabled parent, it brings with it many more complexities, including discrimination from society and medical professionals alike. Eliza Hull, an Australian musician and disabled parent, realised that there was no positive literature around being a disabled parent – so she created it herself. ‘We’ve Got This’ is an anthology of stories from disabled parents about how they’ve overcome challenges to become parents, and how much they love it. We hear from Eliza herself alongside one of the authors, Nina Tame.
Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Kirsty Starkey
Interviewed Guest: Jill Scott
Interviewed Guest: Aisha Sarwari
Interviewed Guest: Caroline Davies
Interviewed Guest: Salma Hayek Pinault
Interviewed Guest: Eliza Hull
Interviewed Guest: Nina Tame
New figures from the Office of National Statistics show that the UK has managed to avoid a recession. Inflation is slowing, but the UK has not managed to reach the levels of growth needed for pay increases. On Thursday, as AstraZeneca announced it had opted to build a new factory in Dublin rather than in Macclesfield, its CEO said '"you need an environment that gives you good returns and incentive to invest".
Today's Nick Robinson spoke to Dame Deanne Julius, former member of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee, and Julian Metcalfe, CEO of Itsu, about what the UK government needs to do to increase economic growth.
Martha Kearney spoke to the BBC’s Business Editor Simon Jack and Richard Torbett, CEO of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, about why AstraZeneca chose to invest outside the UK and what the government can do to make the UK more attractive to investors.
Image Credit :
By: Neil Hall
Credit :EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
Location :London, United Kingdom
Copyright: Copyright (c) 2023 Shutterstock. No use without permission.
Michelle Yeoh is nominated for her starring role in Everything Everywhere All At Once at the Oscars, which has already earned her a Golden Globes win in January. She will become the first Asian woman to triumph in the Best Actress category if she wins the Academy Award.
Today's Martha Kearney speaks to Michelle Yeoh.
(Image: Michelle Yeogh, Credit: Ian West/ PA)
London’s most haunted house prepares to give up its secrets in Sami Ibrahim’s ghost story about sweet revenge.
Inspired by the urban myths surrounding this notorious location, the story twists and turns, starting out in the realms of the supernatural before morphing into something entirely more intriguing.
Martha ….. Gwyneth Keyworth
Peter ….. John Heffernan
Robert Warboys ….. Tom Kiteley
James Mallord ….. Hughie O’Donnell
Sarah ….. Chloë Sommer
Uppingham ….. Roger Ringrose
Directed by Gemma Jenkins
Re-imagined by Sami, 50 Berkeley Square is based on his short drama of the same name which premiered at Shakespeare’s Globe in 2020.
When Mubarak Bala posts criticism of Islam on social media, it sparks a landmark legal case and leaves him facing 24 years in jail. Raised in a Muslim family, Mubarak is the son of an Islamic scholar in the religiously conservative Kano state. But in 2014, Mubarak renounces Islam and later becomes President of Nigeria’s Humanist Association, gaining a reputation as an outspoken critic of religion.
In 2020, a group of Muslim lawyers call for him to be tried for offences related to blasphemy over social media posts which they say insult the Prophet Muhammad and the religion of Islam. With access to Mubarak’s wife and lawyers, the BBC’s Yemisi Adegoke follows his case through the Nigerian court system, finding out what it tells us about freedom of belief in a country where religious tensions run deep. She talks to other Nigerian atheists as they follow Mubarak’s case and wrestle with the challenges of being open about their beliefs in a deeply religious society.
Presenter: Yemisi Adegoke
Producers: Valeria Cardi and John Offord
Production co-ordinator: Mica Nepomuceno
Editor: Helen Grady
(Photo: Mubarak Bala speaking at Kaduna Book and Arts Festival in 2018, still from the film The Cost of Being an Atheist)
The United Nations calls for aid workers to get more resources and warns the full extent of the disaster in Turkey and northern Syria is still unfolding. Also: Zelensky takes fighter jet bid for Ukraine to EU leaders, and the songwriting legend Burt Bacharach dies ages 94.
President Cyril Ramaphosa, has declared a 'state of disaster' over the country’s energy crisis in his state of the nation address.
This measure would enable the government to accelerate its response, and announced plans to give tax breaks to businesses and households that generate their own solar power.
He warned that the power cuts that have hit Africa’s most industrial nation every day this year were “an existential threat to our economy and our social fabric”.
More than 20,000 people are now known to have died in Monday's earthquakes in Turkey and Syria; the UN secretary general has warned that the full extent of the tragedy is not yet clear. We also hear from people who have lost their loved ones, and ask how the earthquake will affect the Turkish president’s standing.
Also in the programme: the Italian government's controversial clampdown on the charities trying to save migrants in the Mediterranean; and Neil Sedaka remembers one of the greatest American songwriters, Burt Bacharach, who’s died at 94.
(Photo: Workers check trucks carrying aid material after crossing the Bab al-Hawa border point at the Syrian-Turkish border. Credit: EFE).
In the early hours of Monday, a powerful earthquake hit Kahramanmaras in Turkey. Nine hours later another struck. When this edition of Science in Action first aired, 19,000 people were reported to have died, but that number was expected to rise.
Back in 2016, Professor Asli Garagon and her colleagues accurately predicted that an earthquake of this size was coming. Using GPS, they were monitoring the East Anatolian fault to calculate energy building between the plates. With such accurate insight could Turkey have been better prepared?
Ross Stein, seismologist and founder of Temblor, a Californian consultancy that specialises in assessing hazard risk, estimates the plates moved at 5,000 mph. The movement of the plates may have built up pressure in other parts of the country.
And finally, Tiziana Rossetto, a civil engineer at University College London, knows better than most that earthquakes do not kill, buildings do. She tells Roland how the combination of earthquakes and subsequent aftershocks appear to have even destroyed buildings that were purposely built to withstand them.
Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Harrison Lewis
Assistant producer: Sophie Ormiston
Image: Aftermath of the deadly earthquake in Gaziantep
Credit: REUTERS/Dilara Senkaya
It seems these days everyone is making a podcast, from Michelle Obama and Kate Hudson to Alastair Campbell and Dua Lipa. Covering every subject from health and wellbeing to politics, food and even funerals, the last few years has seen a proliferation of new titles. Although only a third of us are currently listening to podcasts, that number is steadily growing. So who is making money from podcasts, and how? Evan Davis and guests discuss.
PRESENTER: Evan Davis
GUESTS
Jack Davenport, managing director, Goalhanger Podcasts
Sam Shetabi, content director UK, Acast
and
Rebecca McGrath, senior media analyst, Mintel
PODCAST CLIPS
Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster, featuring Jarvis Cocker, Plosive Productions
The Rest is Politics with Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart, Goalhanger Podcasts
and
Shagged, Married, Annoyed with Chris and Rosie Ramsay, Avalon Productions
PRODUCTION TEAM
Producer: Julie Ball
Editor: China Collins
Producton Co-ordinators: Sophie Hill and Siobhan Reed
Sound: Neil Churchill and John Scott
Alice finds herself in unfamiliar territory, and can David and Elizabeth see eye to eye?
Eritrea’s president Isaias Afwerki has taken part in a rare press conference during a visit to Kenya, where he fielded questions regarding the participation of his military in the Tigray war. The press event took place after a bilateral meeting with Kenyan president William Ruto, with the two countries announcing a mutual visa-free travel agreement.
Plus, the head of the World Trade Organization, Nigerian economist Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, tells us that richer nations have a duty to help poorer nations struggling with the current global cost of living crisis.
And we meet Ghanaian music producer Quick Action, who has collaborated with some of the continent’s biggest stars, and achieved success despite his dyslexia.
Hatayspor defender Kamil Çörekçi provides an eyewitness account of the earthquake which has killed thousands in Turkey and Syria.
Picture on website: An aerial view shows destroyed buildings after a deadly earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria. (Photo by OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP via Getty Images)
The director-general of the World Trade Organisation has said she expects the cost of living crisis to continue for another two years. We hear from two countries that are facing economic challenges Pakistan and Somalia.
The economic losses from the Turkey-Syria earthquake could reach $4 billion. The government did have a system sort of built in to try and pay for a natural disaster like this but we hear how it hasn't gone to plan.
Disney has announced it'll be laying off 7,000 employees, in CEO Bob Iger's first major decision since he was asked back to lead the company late last year. The layoffs follow similar moves by other US tech giants.
WHO warns of second disaster as survivors are homeless in freezing temperatures. Also: Ukraine's President Zelensky makes a fresh appeal to the EU for more weapons and the leader of North Korea, Kim Jong Un, appears at a huge military parade with his young daughter - could she be the country's next ruler?
The World Health Organisation has warned of a second disaster as thousands of people made homeless by Monday's earthquakes are living in the open in freezing temperatures. Also on the programme: Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, has received a standing ovation at the European Parliament where he said Kyiv was in a battle to protect Europe's way of life; and Google is trying to reassure users that its artificial intelligence technology is among the best after a mistake wiped one-hundred billion dollars off the company’s value.
(Photo: Woman pulled from the rubble after being trapped for 80 hours 09/02/2023 European Pressphoto Agency)
On this week’s episode of Stumped, R Sridhar takes us into the heart of the India dressing room. The former fielding coach for the men’s national side worked alongside the likes of Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni and Ravi Shastri between 2014 and 2021 and in his new book, ‘Coaching Beyond: My Days with the India Cricket Team’, he reveals details of conversations between the trio which have never previously been reported. He tells us about Shastri’s integrity as head coach, Kohli’s unbeatable work rate as a player and captain, and having to keep Dhoni’s retirement a secret.
Eleanor Oldroyd speaks to Pakistan all-rounder Nida Dar ahead of their Women’s T20 World Cup opener with India in South Africa. Dar, who has recently been named in the ICC’s Women’s T20I Team of the Year for 2022, says they're aiming to reach at least the semi-finals.
Plus, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma discuss the thrilling Big Bash League final which saw Perth Scorchers win their fifth title.
Photo: The India fielding coach Ramakrishnan Sridhar looks on prior to game one of the Twenty20 International series between Australia and India at Manuka Oval in Canberra, Australia. (Credit: NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Inspired by Rishi Sunak and Volodymyr Zelensky's breakfast platter, Greg wants to find out who else is eating pigs in blankets all year round. Also, How Well Do You Know Your House? In Greg's new ridiculous game, listener Amy and her partner Cameron are put to the test.
The number of women watching porn is on the increase, according to one of the world’s most popular sites. They say around a third of its viewers are female and growing. There’s also a new type of porn that is said to be gaining popularity among some women – audio porn. You might wonder, what it is and why it might appeal to women. Caroline Spiegel is the founder of an erotic audio app called Quinn, one of many apps out there, and Dr Caroline West, consent educator at University of Galway and host of the Glow West sexual wellness podcast.
Six years after her acclaimed debut novel Stay With Me was shortlisted for the Baileys Prize for Women’s Fiction, Nigerian writer Ayòbámi Adébáyo joins Anita to talk about her highly-anticipated second work of fiction, A Spell Of Good Things, a state-of-the-nation story exploring the divide between rich and poor, as Nigeria transitioned back into democracy in 2000.
On yesterday’s Woman’s Hour we briefly discussed the Church of England’s decision not to back a change in teaching to permit clergy to conduct same-sex marriages. Listener Suzanne Elvidge contacted the programme to share her recent letter to her Bishop and her local clergy explaining why she felt she had no choice but to leave the Church after a lifelong membership. She joins Anita to discuss her decision.
Irish actor Paul Mescal, known for his role in Normal People, is nominated for Best Actor at this year's Oscars for his role in Aftersun.
He is currently starring as Stanley Kowalski in a production of A Streetcar Named Desire in the West End.
Speaking with the Today programme - in his first interview since being nominated for the Best Actor Oscar - the Irish actor told Martha Kearney about the challenges he, and his family, have been going through.
(Image, Paul Mescal, Credit, BBC)
The earthquake is bringing stories of terrible tragedy but also survival. The Today programme heard Nesli Akarsu, who lived in the worst hit Turkish province, tell her UK-based brother-in-law Cengiz Akarsu how her family escaped.
In an emotional interview with Today’s Nick Robinson, she describes receiving messages from friends and students at her school telling her they too have survived.
(Image, Kahramanmaras, Turkey Credit Stoyan Nenov, Reuters)
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Donne (1573-1631), known now as one of England’s finest poets of love and notable in his own time as an astonishing preacher. He was born a Catholic in a Protestant country and, when he married Anne More without her father's knowledge, Donne lost his job in the government circle and fell into a poverty that only ended once he became a priest in the Church of England. As Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral, his sermons were celebrated, perhaps none more than his final one in 1631 when he was plainly in his dying days, as if preaching at his own funeral.
The image above is from a miniature in the Royal Collection and was painted in 1616 by Isaac Oliver (1565-1617)
With
Mary Ann Lund
Associate Professor in Renaissance English Literature at the University of Leicester
Sue Wiseman
Professor of Seventeenth Century Literature at Birkbeck, University of London
And
Hugh Adlington
Professor of English Literature at the University of Birmingham
In Germany in 2002 there were some 19,000 small, neighbourhood butchers’ shops. They made and sold, among other things, that “great emblem of Germany’s national diet” – sausages. At last count, in 2021, there were fewer than 11,000 shops left. The German butchers’ trade association says there are “massive problems” finding trained staff and young people who want to learn from the bottom up. In Lörrach, in the south-west of Germany, the Chamber of Handcraft, is now looking overseas in order to preserve local culinary traditions. A group of apprentices from India has just started a three-year training programme at the local college and various shops in the vicinity. The decline of the butchers’ shop – and the threat to the sausage – mirrors a problem in many branches across the whole of Germany; in social care, in bakeries, in the building trade: people at the top of an ageing population are leaving the workforce at a higher rate than those entering at the bottom. “The lack of skilled workers is becoming ever more palpable,” says the chamber of trade. They’ll be going back to India later this year to recruit for other industries.
Producer/presenter: Tim Mansel
Recep Tayyip Erdogan admitted the Turkish government had encountered some problems but said the situation was now "under control". Also: British PM tells Zelensky nothing off the table after jet plea, and is Basil returning to the Fawlty Towers?
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived in Paris after a day of ceremonial diplomacy here in the UK - his first to western Europe since his country was attacked by Russia almost a year ago. In London he met King Charles as well as seeing Ukrainian soldiers being trained on British tanks and spoke to both houses of parliament.
(Picture: President Zelensky Meets Macron And Scholz In Paris. Picture Credit: Getty Images)
Syria has received earthquake aid from Iraq, Iran, the UAE and Egypt. The Syrian government has also officially asked the European Union for help. Also on the programme: a Peruvian congressman explains why he does not want elections this year; and, code breakers have deciphered a trove of letters written by Mary Queen of Scots while she was imprisonment in the sixteenth century.
Photo: Rescue operations continue in Kahramanmaras after major earthquake 08/02/2023 European Pressphoto Agency
In this week’s programme we’re asking if changes in the weather can have an impact on our mental health.
We go to Bangladesh in South Asia – a country on the front line of the impacts of climate change – where researchers have been exploring connections between incremental changes in heat and humidity, along with bigger impacts like flooding, and the levels of anxiety and depression in the population.
You’ll have to listen to find out the answer – but they say their study has stark implications, not just for Bangladesh, but for many other countries too.
Our studio guest today is Dr Belinda Fenty and she’ll be bringing the coffees. Can presenter Smitha Mundasad spot which cup has the caffeine? Dr Fenty talks us through what coffee actually does to the body and ponders other questions like how much is too much and why might you crash after a coffee high.
She’ll also take us through how to spot fake medicines and we have an intriguing study on whether being married is good for your health.
Do join us.
Presenter: Smitha Mundasad
Producer: Gerry Holt
(Picture: Pabna in Bangladesh at dusk. Photo credit: Emon Cena/Getty Images.)
The United Nations peacekeeping force in the Democratic Republic of Congo says it will investigate after three protesters were killed during an altercation involving its troops. MONUSCO says the demonstrators were killed after a convoy they were protecting came under attack in the east of the country, where there have been frequent protests against the UN’s military presence.
Plus, we hear from South African relief organisation Gift of the Givers, which is providing aid in the wake of the devastating earthquake which has killed more than 11,000 people in Turkey and Syria.
And we report from Uganda, where there’s outrage over a wave of arrests targeting government critics and political activists.
The Martin Lewis Podcast is here. Founder of Money Saving Expert, Martin Lewis answers your financial questions, including several queries on upcoming changes to student finance.
Water bills could rise by 7.5% from April for households in England and Wales - the largest increase for nearly 20 years. The industry body Water UK says the rise due in April could take average water bills to nearly £450 a year because of rising energy costs. Martin shares all the hidden savings you could make, potentially saving thousands.
Elsewhere in the podcast, you Tell Us what single action you have taken to save, not earn, the biggest amount of money in one go. Nihal takes on Martin’s Money Mastermind and is quizzed about whether non-taxpayers get tax relief if they save into a pension.
Plus Martin has updates on cost-of-living payments for those in park homes or using heating oil or LPG.
Producer: Isabelle Tudor
Aid response to North West Syria - which has been most acutely hit by the earthquake - has been facing challenges. People in Syria are dealing with freezing temperatures, hospitals not being able to cope and the fact that ninety per cent of the population are living on the poverty line. We find out what can be done to help those in need, and the we hear the latest on the situation in Turkey.
People have been fighting at ATM points in Nigeria as they try desperately to get the new naira notes. That is because the government is introducing new naira notes and discarding the current one's in circulation.
US Basketball superstar LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers has broken one of the greatest individual milestones in world sport. We hear how he is considered to be one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
Ukraine's President Zelensky is on his first visit to Britain since the Russian invasion of his country last year. Addressing parliament he said 'London had stood with Kyiv since day one'.
Also in the programme: Surviving in Bakhmut; and just why did so many buildings collapse in Turkey?
(Picture: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky outside 10 Downing Street, London, ahead of a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Credit: Victoria Jones/PA Wire)
With more than 11,000 people now confirmed dead, rescuers continue their efforts. Also: Ukraine's president makes an unexpected visit to Britain, and an update on the investigation into flight MH17.
Greg Foot, Greg Hands and Greg Balls…Greg tries to build a whole body of “Gregs”. Also, Sian Eleri tries to workout what listener Lauren has been buying too much of in Top Of The Shops and if you are called Oliver…well, I’d switch off now if I were you.
Nuala McGovern talks to Irish actor Jessie Buckley about her new role as one of an extraordinary ensemble cast in the new film Women Talking. Based on the novel by Miriam Toews, it follows the women of an isolated religious community as they grapple with a huge decision they have to make, as a collective, following the discovery of male violence.
Could God go gender neutral in the Church of England and no longer be referred to only as "he" but also as "they" and "she"? Rev Martine Oborne chair of Women and the Church which campaigns for "gender justice" in the church and journalist Anne Atkins discuss.
Research estimates 1 in 5 women will lose a pregnancy in their lifetime and 1 in 20 will go through it more than once, but no official record is kept of how many miscarriages happen each year. After losing four pregnancies in the space of two years, with no obvious cause, Jennie Agg set out to understand why miscarriage remains such a profoundly misunderstood, under researched and under acknowledged experience. She has written about it in Life, Almost, which documents her path to motherhood and her search for answers.
Dorset Police are investigating allegations that firefighters at Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service had taken photos of women who had died in car accidents and shared the images on a Whatsapp group. In the group, male firefighters are alleged to have made degrading comments about the victims. Several female firefighters also spoke of sexual harassment, including claims a male firefighter demanded sexual favours at the scene of a fire. Nazir Afzal, the former chief prosecutor for North West England who carried out an independent review into the London Fire Brigade last year and Zoe Billingham, former head of the Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue consider if the fire service has a problem with its culture, and in particular women.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Lisa Jenkinson
Studio Manager: Donald McDonald
Rescuers are raising concerns that freezing conditions could delay efforts to find survivors across Syria and Turkey.
Agencies and rescue workers are racing to save people trapped beneath the rubble after thousands of buildings collapsed in both countries.
More than 11,000 people are now known to have been killed, and in freezing temperatures, the death toll will continue to rise.
The first 7.8 magnitude quake struck near Gaziantep in the early hours of Monday morning, while people were asleep, and was followed by a 7.5 magnitude tremor hours later.
The Today programme’s Mishal Husain and Nick Robinson spoke to reporter Anna Foster, who is in Kahramanmaras, the epicentre of the earthquake and Salah Aboulgasem from Islamic Relief. The BBC’s Middle East Correspondent, Tom Bateman, reports from Adana in southern Turkey.
一位网友想知道形容词 “complicated、complex” 和 “sophisticated” 之间的区别。它们都可以形容由多个复杂部分构成的事物，但含义并不同。“Complicated” 表示 “繁复的，麻烦的”，带有负面的意味；“complex” 表示 “构造错综复杂的”；“sophisticated” 既可以形容事物，也可以形容人。听节目中两位主持人的对话，学习辨析这三个词的用法。
As 31st January looms, there’s less than one month left for around 5.7 million Self Assessment customers to file their tax return or they may face a penalty.
More than 12 million customers are expected to file a tax return for the 2021 to 2022 tax year by 31 January 2023 (HMRC).
Whether you’re doing it for the first time this year, or not, we have the answers to all your tax-related questions.
On this episode, we hear from experts, Clare Merrills, from HMRC, and Anita Monteith, Head of Taxation Policy, at the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Producer: Amber Mehmood
Editor: Jess Quayle
(First broadcast 3pm, Wednesday 11th January, 2023)
The baby girl was rescued from beneath the rubble of a building, destroyed by Monday's earthquake. Also: Russia's African footprint grows with Lavrov's trip to Mali, and Spain's new commuter trains are too big for tunnels.
In just a few hours, there's one of those setpiece moments in the US political calendar - President Joe Biden will come to Capitol Hill to deliver his State of the Union address to Congress. It's an especially important speech this year, because it's expected he is poised to announce his bid for re-election in 2024 - so he has to make his pitch to the American people and a lot of that is going to focus on an economy that is showing seeing rising interest rates and high inflation.
Rescuers continue the search for survivors amid fears that tens of thousands could still be trapped beneath rubble. The WHO warns that the chances of finding people are diminishing by the minute due to sub-zero temperatures. Also on the programme, the farmers hit by South Africa’s ongoing power crisis; and the exhibition of Vermeer’s paintings that's being described as “once-in-a-lifetime.”
What is happening with API’s, more commonly known as bots, on Twitter? The platform is set to eliminate free access to its APIs this Thursday, although there appears to have been some backtracking following announcements that bots providing “good content” will have access to the Twitter API for free. Tech writer, broadcaster and bot user and creator Kate Bevan will be on the show with the latest.
The right to disconnect
Kenya is the latest country to propose a new law that will block employers from interrupting their staff during their time off. The Employment Amendment Bill aims to give Kenyans “the right to disconnect in the digital age” and protect them from working out of hours, at weekends and public holidays – often for no additional pay. Nairobi based tech reporter Wairimu Gitahi is on the show.
Tech that tells you when fruit is ripe
Harvesting a crop at the correct time is vital to ensure higher profits for the farmer and also to reduce food waste. Reporter Rani Singh has met two entrepreneurs in India who have developed a device that checks 19 vegetable and fruits for ripeness, texture and taste – just by scanning their skin. The handheld device checks the chemical composition e.g. sugar levels of fruits and veg and can tell if there has been damage from insects or disease.
The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell with expert commentary from Bill Thompson.
Studio Manager: Michael Millham
Producer: Ania Lichtarowicz
(Image: Twitter headquarters in San Francisco, California Credit: David Odisho/Stringer/Getty Images)
New College Worcester is a residential and day school for pupils who are blind or partially sighted. In September 2022, they appointed a new principal, Rachel Perks. We invited her onto In Touch to talk about her ambitions for the role, what the future holds for the school and about the school's recent Ofsted reports.
We take a look at some of the smaller guide dog organisations, whose aims are to help beat the backlog for those waiting for a new guide dog. Neil Ewart is from The Seeing Dogs Alliance and he tells us about what their organisation offers and how it differs from the UK's leading organisation. Stephen Anderson received his first guide dog from The Seeing Dogs Alliance and he tells us what that process was like. And Abigail Hughes is from Pawtected. Pawtected encourage their members to self-train their pet dogs into assistance dogs. She explains how the process works.
Presenter: Peter White
Producer: Beth Hemmings
Production Coordinator: Liz Poole
Website image description: Peter White sits smiling in the centre of the image, wearing a dark green jumper. Above Peter's head is the BBC logo (three individual white squares house each of the three letters). Bottom centre and overlaying the image are the words "In Touch" and the Radio 4 logo (the word Radio in a bold white font, with the number 4 inside a white circle). The background is a bright mid-blue with two rectangles angled diagonally to the right. Both are behind Peter, one of a darker blue and the other is a lighter blue.
We hear from Sherif from Togo, and Andrea from Cameroon, who are caught up in the earthquake tragedy in Turkey.
We’ll bring you up to speed with events in the self-declared republic of Somaliland which has seen two days of violent clashes between the military and militia groups.
And in Malawi there are questions about the anti-corruption drive after the reinstatement of the head of the anti-graft body, Martha Chizuma, just days after her suspension.
We're in Turkey and Syria, after a huge earthquake kills more than 5,000 people. In southern Turkey, people are struggling to rescue their loved ones. In northern Syria, we hear about a region already suffering from years of war.
(Photo: A collapsed building in Kirikhan, Hatay, Turkey, February 7, 2023. Credit: Reuters)
Rescue teams and local residents are continuing the search for survivors following Monday's earthquake in southern Turkey and neighbouring Syria. We find out how distribution centres are filled with volunteers and what is being sent to the regions by road.
US President Joe Biden is set to deliver the annual message to the US congress, in the president's annual State of the union address. This will be his first speech since Republicans took control of the House of Representatives.
South Africa’s power crisis is getting worse and it is affecting all sectors of the economy. The situation is set to continue for the next two years and have caused protests. We hear from a local ice-cream business in Soweto about how they are struggling and what needs to be done.
Turkey declares a state of emergency as efforts to rescue people continue in the wake of Monday's devastating earthquakes. The UN warns that the flow of aid into north-west Syria has been disrupted because of damage to roads. Also: Russia's foreign minister is in Mali, and the biggest collection of Vermeer paintings is going on show.
Wine gets sent to Beer, a horse’s nostril gets plugged, minke whales and crabeater seals chill to some trance, and a member of staff has weird sandwiches! Just another day at the office.
An international aid effort is being stepped up in southern Turkey and northern Syria following a huge earthquake that has killed more than 5,000 people.
Rescuers are racing to save people trapped beneath the rubble after thousands of buildings collapsed in both countries.
The 7.8 magnitude quake struck near Gaziantep in the early hours of Monday while people were asleep.
The Today programme’s Justin Webb spoke to Sherine Ibrahim, the Turkey Country Director for CARE International who is in Gaziantep and Andrew Mitchell, Minister for Development. The BBC’s Middle East Correspondent, Tom Bateman, reports from south East Turkey, near the epicentre.
(Image Hatay, Turkey, Credit, Erdem Şahin EPA-EFEREXShutterstock)
Shamima Begum left the UK in 2015. Now, for the first time, we have a better idea of what she might have been doing in the four years between then and her re-appearance in a camp in Syria in 2019. We know that she has married an IS fighter, had three children and lost three children in the last eight years – but what else happened? Nuala McGovern is joined by the BBC’s Josh Baker, host of the podcast I’m Not A Monster: The Shamima Begum Story and Dr Gina Vale, a lecturer of Criminology at the University of Southampton who specialises in terrorism.
Danielle Deadwyler's extraordinary portrayal of the civil rights activist Mamie Till-Mobley in Chinonye Chukwu’s Till (2022) has earned her a BAFTA nomination for Best Leading Actress. The film tells the true story of Mamie’s pursuit of justice after her 14-year-old son, Emmett Till, was tortured and lynched in 1955. Mamie insists that the casket containing her son's brutalised body be left open to show the nation what was done to him. Danielle joins Nuala McGovern to discuss grief, Mamie’s legacy, and the ongoing fight for civil rights.
As low-slung trousers come back into fashion and high-waists are all the rage we ask how fashion, age and generation determine where our trousers sit and how we feel about it. Hannah Rogers Assistant Fashion Editor for The Times joins Nuala.
In 1993, aged twenty, Carmel Mc Mahon left Ireland for New York, carrying $500, two suitcases and a ton of emotional baggage. It took years, and a bitter struggle with alcohol addiction, to unpick the intricate traumas of her past and present. Carmel has now written a book, In Ordinary Time: Fragments of a Family History.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Lucinda Montefiore
英语短语 “know the score” 可以用来表达 “（某人）了解现实情况，并知道这个情况对自己的影响”。主持人菲菲用短语 “know the score” 告诉 Rob 她知道 Rob 心里打的什么算盘。听他们的对话，学习这个短语的用法。
When speech disorders affect children, it is speech therapists who assist in helping them find their voice, but therapists are rare and it is thought they are largely absent across 75% of the world. Sean Allsop grew up needing speech therapy in the UK. He travels to Turks & Caicos, a place that has no therapists to help its population. He takes the trip with a travelling speech therapist, Mary Weinder who has been asked by the Turks & Caicos Government for help.
Rescue teams are racing to save people trapped beneath rubble after thousands of buildings collapsed in both countries. Also: China accused of indoctrinating a million Tibetan children, and the novelist Salman Rushdie gives first interview since 2022 stabbing.
The combined death toll from the initial quake in Turkey and Syria is now believed to be more than 2,700 after at least 1,000 people were reported to have been killed in Syria. People left without internet and electricity. Turkey's lira hit a record low and its stock markets tumbled after an earthquake.
Rescue efforts are continuing into the night in southern Turkey and northern Syria after the region was devastated by two major earthquakes. Also on the programme, Human Rights Watch has warned that fighting in eastern Congo is causing a dangerous escalation of tension between ethnic Tutsis and Hutus; and, the English football champions, Manchester City have been referred to an independent commission by the Premier League over alleged breaches of financial rules.
(Photo: Earthquake in Diyarbakir 06/02/2023 Reuters)
In the name of eugenics, the Nazi state sterilised hundreds of thousands against their will, murdered disabled children and embarked on a programme of genocide.
We like to believe that Nazi atrocities were a unique aberration, a grotesque historical outlier. But it turns out that leading American eugenicists and lawmakers like Madison Grant and Harry Laughlin inspired many of the Nazi programmes, from the mass sterilisation of those deemed ‘unfit’ to the Nuremberg laws preventing the marriage of Jews and non-Jews. Indeed, before World War Two, many eugenicists across the world regarded the Nazi regime with envious admiration.
The Nazis went further, faster than anyone before them. But ultimately, the story of Nazi eugenics is one of international connection and continuity.
With contributions from Prof Stefan Kühl from the University of Bielefield, Prof Amy Carney from Penn State Behrend, Dr Jonathan Spiro from Castleton University, Prof Sheila Weiss from Clarkson University and Dr Barbara Warnock from the Wiener Holocaust Library
We speak to two African students living in Turkey after two devastating earthquakes killed hundreds of people there and in Syria. President Erdogan has described it as Turkey's worst disaster since 1939, while many people were also killed in war-torn northern Syria, including in areas held by rebel groups.
Plus, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has held talks with Mali’s ruling junta on expanding military ties between the two countries, on his third trip to Africa in six months. We get the verdict of the opposition M5-RFP coalition.
And content moderator who worked in Facebook parent company Meta's Nairobi office wins the right to sue the social media giant in a Kenyan court. We look at why it’s a landmark case for the continent.
The prospect of fully self-driving cars is still some way off, but are we thinking enough about whether it should happen? Today’s Justin Webb spoke to American philosopher Matthew Crawford - author of 'Why we drive' - about the impact that driverless cars could have on humanity and society. They explore questions like: Are we becoming too dependent on technology? Is 'agency' a key part of what it means to be human? And how does driving a car reflect the way people interact with others? (Image: Self-driving car; Credit: Getty Images)
Two earthquakes have caused massive devastation in Turkey and Syria and the death toll is rising. We hear first-hand accounts of how people felt. Also we look at the economic hardship of an earthquake and what will go into rebuilding the economy again.
In Nigeria there is chaos at the country’s banks with fights and protests happening. We find out why the new set of banknotes introduced by the country's central bank seems to be unavailable to many customers.
The 65th Grammys Awards took place in Los Angeles. British artist Harry won Album of the year. But it was Beyoncé who made history when she collected her 32nd award - making her the winner of the most Grammys, ever. We hear if winning a Grammy means earning more?
Rescuers are racing to save people trapped beneath the rubble and calling for international support. Also: Beijing confirms another high altitude observation balloon was also from China and the hidden history of the 'real' French revolution, being brought into the open.
Is the world of Young Adult (YA) fiction getting too dark for our teenagers? Nuala McGovern speaks to YA authors Julia Golding (Finding Sky) and Holly Bourne (The Places I’ve Cried in Public) to discuss where teenagers can find joy and uplift in their reading today, as well as why it’s important to address some of the darker themes in young adult literature.
For our series Girl's World Ena (Pron Enna) Miller took her teenage diary to a school in Glasgow to talk to Saskia, Francesca and Olivia about changing attitudes to sex and gender.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India, the governing body of the sport, announced last week that the five teams that make up the new Women’s Premier League have been sold to local investors for more than £465 million. This is a remarkable amount, even in India where men’s cricket teams command staggeringly high valuations, and life-changing for India’s women cricketers who have struggled financially to make ends meet. We hear from BBC Mumbai sports reporter Janhavee Moole how it could also change the game for women cricketers around the world.
If you were listening to Woman's Hour last Wednesday you will have heard me speaking to two of our judges for the Woman's Hour Power List - one of Britain’s most celebrated British Paralympians of all time, Baroness Tanni Grey Thompson and Cricket World Cup winner turned broadcaster Ebony Rainford-Brent. Today you will hear from our third judge Sam Quek - Sam was as part of the squad who won Britain’s first ever hockey gold medal at the Rio Olympics in 2016. She also won gold at the European Championships in 2015. Now she is a team captain - the first female team captain - on BBC1's Question of Sport.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Lisa Jenkinson
If Greg says a naughty word - Nat O’Leary gets noughty for 10 minutes. Surely Greg’s way too professional to fall for that!! Plus, Michael McIntyre’s phantom whooper is tracked down and a new quiz team start the week.
Two devastating earthquakes rip through south-eastern Turkey and northern Syria. Thousands have died and many more are injured. There have been appeals for international rescue support and aid.
A major earthquake has struck south-eastern Turkey, near the city of Gaziantep.
The quake measured 7.8 magnitude on the US Geological Survey and occurred around a region of instability called the East Anatolian fault, which runs close to the border.
A rescue operation is underway across much of southern Turkey and northern Syria following amid concerns that 1,000 people have died.
The Today programme’s Mishal Husain spoke to Ismail Al Abdullah, from the White Helmets civil defence organisation, and Ibrahim Ozer Director General for Disaster Management at the Turkish Red Crescent.
(Image, Turkey earthquake, Credit Deniz Tekin EPA EFEREXShutterstock)
Also, illegal tv streaming- PSNI tell the show they are investigating suspected providers.
Last year Tudur Owen brought us 'Where on Earth is Anglesey?', a Radio 4 series that introduced us to his homeland, Ynys Môn and hinted at the rather unconventional goings-on there. One such eccentric event is the incredible but true story of how he and his family somewhat unwittingly became the owners of what the News of the World would go on to describe as “The Worst Zoo in Britain”.
Join Tudur for an engrossing caper about a corrupt animal wrangler, a family on the brink and a climactic wallaby chase across the Menai Strait.
All the events in this story are almost true.
Written and performed by Tudur Owen
Script Editor: Gareth Gwynn
Additional voices: Lisa-Jên Brown and Fergus Craig
Sound Engineering and Design by David Thomas
Producer: Richard Morris
A BBC Studios Production
The Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei issued them in response to a proposal by the head of the judiciary. Also: Pakistan's former president and military ruler, General Pervez Musharraf, has died in exile at the age of seventy-nine, and a prominent British family has paid reparations and apologised to Grenada for their historic links with the slave trade.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei is pardoning a large number of prisoners, including some of those arrested during the past months of protests. We'll hear a view from Tehran.
Also in the programme: The former Pakistani President, Pervez Musharraf has died - we'll assess his relationship with the US after 9/11; and the British writer Hanif Kureishi on finding his voice after a terrible accident on holiday.
(Photo: Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Credit: Handout via Reuters)
James Naughtie and a group of readers talk to Cal Flyn about her acclaimed book, Islands of Abandonment, an exploration of places which have been reclaimed by nature. She talks about her travels to Cyprus, the Orkney Islands, First World War battlefields in France, and beyond, chronicling the fightback that plants have staged once humans have left. She reveals why finding hope in even the most desolate places is important to her, and why it's ok to leave lawns unmown.
Our next recordings are both in-person events at BBC Broadcasting House in London.
16 February 2023 at 18.30 Nadifa Mohamed will be answering questions about The Fortune Men.
15 March 2023 at 1830 Tan Twan Eng on The Garden of Evening Mists
To come along and take part, email bookclub@bbc.co.uk
A Pentagon official said the recovery would enable US analysts to examine sensitive Chinese equipment. We asked a former US State Department official how much this will worsen the relations between Washington and Beijing.
Also in the programme: Reports from Iranian state TV say Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has pardoned a large number of prisoners linked to the women-led protests that swept the country since September; and as Pakistan’s former president General Pervez Musharraf dies, we explore how he’s regarded inside the country.
(Photo: Chinese high-altitude balloon spotted over North Carolina, Charlotte, US, on the 1st of February 2023. Credit: EPA).
Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh le Ruairidh MacIlleathain. Litir àireamh 1229. Roddy Maclean reads this week's letter for Gàidhlig learners.
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs.
This week: Human brain tissue transplants wire themselves into rat brains, signs sugar taxes cut obesity, and the science of satellites, including the company planning to forge new metals in orbit.
Beijing denies Washington's claims it was being used to spy on the US. Also: Thousands of Israelis protest in Tel Aviv against the plans by the Netanyahu government to give itself more powers over appointing judges, and the English National Opera prepares to stage a newly translated version of Wagner's The Rhinegold.
On the orders of President Biden the suspected Chinese spy balloon has been shot down by the US military off the coast of South Carolina. The US President gave the order on Wednesday but the Pentagon decided to wait until the balloon was over water so as not to put people on the ground at undue risk.
Pope Francis and other Christian leaders on a peace mission to South Sudan have addressed large crowds at the mausoleum of the independence hero, John Garang.
And the Afghan-born teenage rapper with a message for the Taliban.
(Photo: Footage appears to show China balloon shot down.)
Helena Bonham Carter tells us about playing Noele Gordon, "the Queen of the midlands", in new ITV drama 'Nolly' written by Russell T Davies. The actress starred in the hugely popular TV soap Crossroads for 18 years until she was sacked very suddenly in 1981.
The TV drama Happy Valley has captured the public’s imagination with the final episode of the final series airing this Sunday. We hear from one listener who contacted Woman’s Hour about how as a kinship carer she has felt “heard” by the drama and Anita also speaks to Dr Lucy Peake the chief executive of Kinship – the UK’s largest charity for kinship carers.
We speak to actor and comic, Emily Atack who is standing up against the men who cyber-flash her daily. Having received unsolicited, unwanted, abusive messages, dick pics and crude images for years she has made a documentary “Emily Atack: Asking for it?” for BBC 2.
It’s 20 years in England since the repeal of section 28 – a law that came in from 1988 to 2003 to ban the ‘promotion of homosexuality’ in UK schools. Professor Catherine Lee of Anglia Ruskin University is a lesbian and taught in schools for every year of section 28. We discuss how this law affected gay or lesbian teachers and students.
Women are able to recall details of sexual assault and rape with accuracy, even if they have drunk – moderate amounts of alcohol, according to a new study from the University of Birmingham. Heather Flowe, Professor of Psychology who led the study tells us about its significance.
The comedian Sophie Duker is on a mission to reclaim the term 'hag' in her new UK stand-up tour of the same name. She tells us about growing up with ‘the princess myth’, embracing ageing and our sexuality
Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Surya Elango
Editor: Lucinda Montefiore
Can Pope Francis help to bring peace to the divided African country? We hear the latest from the capital, Juba, and talk to human rights researcher Nyagoah Tut Pur.
Also in the programme: a Chinese reaction to allegations that China has been using a balloon to spy on the United States, and attempts by the Pakistan government to rein in the information website Wikipedia.
(Photo: Pope Francis visits South Sudan, Juba. Credit: VATICAN MEDIA HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
BBC Radio 1 DJ Danny Howard, rapper and author Guvna B, sports broadcaster Eleanor Oldroyd and comedian Justin Moorhouse join Colin Murray for an hour of sporting punditry, humour and entertainment. Points are awarded for informed comment, wit and passion, but taken away for nonsense and answers lacking in conviction.
In the final round, the top two points scorers go head-to-head in 'Defend the Indefensible' where they must both defend a statement however ludicrous or distasteful for twenty seconds. There can only be one winner!
Get the podcast from BBC Sounds
آیا دنیایی که در آن زندگی می کنیم شباهتی به دنیایی دارد که یک موجود قادر، عالم، و مهربان آفریده باشد؟ برهان شر در مورد خداوند به ما چه می گوید؟ مهمانان برنامه: ابراهیم سلطانی استاد علوم و فلسفه سياسي و آرش نراقی استاد فلسفه و دین. این برنامه پیش از این یک بار پخش شده است.
The US Secretary of state's trip to China was cancelled over the Chinese spy balloon incident, creating tensions between the US and China.
Mike Pompeo, the former secretary of state under Donald Trump and former director of the CIA, spoke with Today's Nick Robinson.
(Image Credit:Chase Doak/Reuters)
In 2020, Lasting Powers of Attorney in England and Wales went digital. If you had permission to act on behalf of a relative who could no longer do it themselves you could download a digital certificate to prove it from the Office of the Public Guardian. But some organisations including His Majesty's Revenue & Customs have told Money Box they will not accept these digital certificates and demand a certified paper copy instead. We'll speak to a listener who's struggling with the system and get responses from the OPG and HMRC.
People living in Northern Ireland will be watching their bank accounts and letterboxes closely over the next few weeks for some long awaited help with the cost of their energy bills. Unlike the rest of the UK, households haven't yet received any of the £400 help people in Great Britain have been getting in instalments of £66 or £67 or £200 which has been allocated to help towards the costs of alternative fuel - like heating oil and coal. We'll find out when and how that £600 will arrive.
Advice on what you can do if your identity is stolen - our reporter Star McFarlane investigates after it happened to her.
And what to do if you haven’t filed your self-assessment tax return yet, and how to avoid a fine. We'll speak to Dawn Register from the accountancy and business advisory firm BDO.
Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporters: Dan Whitworth, Eimear Devlin and Star McFarlane
Producer: Catherine Lund
Editor: Jess Quayle
(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 7th January, 2023)
US Secretary of State accuses Beijing of acting irresponsibly and postpones an upcoming trip to China. Also: The US will provide Ukraine with longer range guided rockets to help Kyiv take back Russian-occupied territory, and remembering the Spanish designer Paco Rabanne who has died aged 88.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has postponed his trip to China after a Chinese spy balloon flew across the US. Bejing maintains it's a weather balloon that has gone astray.
In Nigreia, fights break out at the atms and in the banking halls as the people struggle to withdraw new naira notes which the banks are unable to provide.
And the US jobs market adds more than half a million new job pushing unemployment rate the lowest in half a century.
Pope Francis, together with other Christian leaders, makes a visit to South Sudan in a trip described as a pilgrimage of peace. But can his presence and meeting with leaders really trigger real prospects for stability in a country fractured by civil war and political strife since independence in 2011?
A court in Kenya hands down the death penalty for the murder of a prominent lawyer, whose killing sparked national and international outrage.
And what has led to divisions within the Ethiopian Orthodox Church? We hear from one of the clergy challenging the Church’s authority.
Writer, Tim Stimpson
Director, Peter Leslie Wild
Editor, Jeremy Howe
Brian Aldridge ….. Charles Collingwood
Pat Archer ….. Patricia Gallimore
Tony Archer ….. David Troughton
Natasha Archer ….. Mali Harries
Tom Archer ….. William Troughton
Lilian Bellamy ….. Sunny Ormonde
Lee Bryce ….. Ryan Early
Harrison Burns ….. James Cartwright
Alice Carter ….. Hollie Chapman
Susan Carter ….. Charlotte Martin
Ruairi Donovan ….. Arthur Hughes
Justin Elliott ….. Simon Williams
Chelsea Horrobin ….. Madeleine Leslay
Adam Macy ….. Andrew Wincott
Freddie Pargetter ….. Toby Laurence
Lynda Snell ….. Carole Boyd
Julianne Wright ….. Lisa Bowerman
It’s 2023 and Andy Zaltzman is back with a brand-new series of The News Quiz to start the year.
This week Andy is joined by Lucy Porter, Chris McCausland, Samira Ahmed and Scott Bennett. They discuss Rishi Sunak’s newly released ‘five-point plan’, Keir Starmer’s pledge not to open the ‘big government chequebook’ and the surprise appearance of a walrus in Scarborough.
Hosted and written by Andy Zaltzman with additional material from Alice Fraser, Mike Shephard, James Farmer, Jennifer Walker and Jade Gebbie.
Producer: Georgia Keating
Executive Producer: Richard Morris
Production Co-ordinator: Becky Carewe-Jeffries
Sound Editor: Marc Willcox
A BBC Studios Production
European Union leaders have been in Kyiv meeting Ukraine's President Zelensky, as he hopes to accelerate his country's bid to join the trading bloc.
Meanwhile, the EU is to introduce a ban on petroleum products being imported from Russia. We hear from a former Ukrainian Economy minister and an economist.
We get the latest from India as allegations of fraud against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani spill over into political row.
And we find out about the latest craze in the UK for a Youtuber promoted energy drink.
EU says Ukraine has made "considerable efforts" towards membership. Also: Pope Francis is visiting South Sudan together with other Christian leaders, and meet Bobi, the world's oldest dog.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs says China had "no intention" of violating other countries' airspace after the Pentagon reported a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon was spotted flying over sensitive military sites.
Also on the programme : the latest from Kyiv where EU ministers are meeting with the Ukrainian government to discuss membership to the bloc and Pope Francis is in South Sudan with the other leaders of the Christian denominations on a peace mission.
( Picture : A balloon flies in the sky over Billings, Montana, U.S. Credit : Chase Doak)
Comedian and broadcaster Griff Rhys Jones, who is president of the Victorian Society, helping to spearhead a new campaign to stop development plans for Grade II listed Liverpool Street Station in London. He spoke to Today’s Amol Rajan about protecting the nation’s heritage – and Justin Webb reveals how Griff encouraged his teenage attempts at comedy back in 1980.
(Image Credit: Alex Segre/BBC)
Some very special guests join our quiz team as they go for a world record score. Plus, Did somebody say Justine? She’s back for a game of WrongUns and Issey Cross? You bet he is.
Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.
An original short story commissioned by BBC Radio 4 written by Jan Carson and read by Lisa Dwyer Hogg.
Jan Carson is a writer and community arts facilitator based in Belfast. Her first novel, Malcolm Orange Disappears, was published in 2014 to critical acclaim, followed by a short-story collection, Children's Children (2016), and two flash fiction anthologies, Postcard Stories (2017) and Postcard Stories 2 (2020). Her second novel, The Fire Starters (2019), won the EU Prize for Literature and was shortlisted for the Dalkey Novel of the Year Award. Her work has appeared in numerous journals and on BBC Radio 3 and 4. She has won the Harper's Bazaar short-story competition and has been shortlisted for the BBC National Short Story Award and the Seán Ó Faoláin Short Story Prize. Her third novel, The Raptures, was published in 2022.
Writer: Jan Carson
Reader: Lisa Dwyer Hogg
Producer: Michael Shannon
Executive Editor: Andy Martin
A BBC Northern Ireland production.
Gali Baharav-Miara said the proposals would gravely damage the country's system of checks and balances and give the government unlimited power. Also: The Republican held House Of Representatives votes to oust the high profile Democratic representative Ilhan Omar from the foreign affairs committee, and the discovery of Yiddish songs not heard since World War II.
Three of the world's biggest and richest tech giants, Apple, Amazon and Google parent Alphabet have released their latest earning figures. It's good news for Amazon as sales rose. However for Apple and Alphabet it was doom and gloom, we head to San Francisco to hear what's next for these companies.
Just 24 hours after the Fed raised US rates, the Bank of England and the European Central Bank followed suit. We hear from former Vice President of the European Central Bank on whether he thinks the European Central Bank is getting interest rates right.
As Beyoncé releases tickets for her latest world tour, we find out just how much money she might stand to make.
Nir Barkat, Israel's minister for economics, joins us to defend his governments proposed judicial reforms as well as the current relationship between Israel and Palestine.
Also on the programme; a former Russian army officer says he's witnessed his fellow soldiers torturing Ukrainian prisoners. And why Amazon's drone deliveries just can't get off the ground.
(Picture: People in Tel Aviv protest the proposed judicial reforms in Israel. Credit: Reuters / Kern)
Pull on an extra layer and stay toasty whilst Science in Action braces for a deep freeze. Whilst we know plenty about the ice on the Earth’s poles, Roland is on a chilling journey to see what can be found in deep space.
Professor Christoph Salzmann and Professor Andrea Sella at University College London have produced a new phase of ice. Roland heads to the laboratory to see how the usual crystalline ice, found in ice cubes and icebergs, can be broken down and arranged into a new structure.
The James Webb Space Telescope has detected the coldest ices to date, deep within a molecular cloud in outer space. Professor Melissa McClure describes how these clouds harbour a variety of different molecules potentially capable of forming the basic building blocks for life.
From the edges of the universe to something a little closer to home, Professor Geoff Collins and colleagues have discovered odd tectonic plate activity on icy Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons.
And a theory for the origin of life that may surprise you. Professor Philipp Holliger is trying to uncover whether ice played a role in our creation, acting as a medium capable of concentrating molecules and promoting the chemical reactions required for the generation of RNA, essential for cell protein production.
Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Harrison Lewis
Assistant Producer: Sophie Ormiston
The French work fewer hours, take longer holidays and retire earlier than UK employees, but they are also more productive and their economy is therefore roughly the same size as ours. How do they do it?
As the UK looks for a way out of its sluggish economic growth, Evan Davis asks what we can learn from our neighbours. Why is it that for each hour worked a French employee produces almost 20 per cent more than a British one?
GUESTS
Olivier Morel, board member of the French Chamber of
Great Britain and partner at Cripps.
Rebecca Riley, professor of practice in economics at
King’s Business School, London, and member of The Productivity Institute.
and
Neil Coales, managing director of Agilité Solutions, Paris.
PRODUCTION TEAM
Producers: Simon Tulett and Julie Ball
Researcher: Marianna Brain
Editor: China Collins
Sound: Rod Farquhar and Graham Puddifoot
Production Co-ordinators: Sophie Hill and Siobhan Reed
In the latest in the series of attacks on the electoral commission's offices, gunmen in Nigeria's south-eastern Anambra State, destroy nearly 800 ballot boxes and voting booths, three weeks before the country goes to the polls. A senior officer at the Independent Nigerian Electoral Commission (Inec) says they are working with security forces to stop the attacks.
Plus, thousands of residents from Nigeria’s Ogale community in the Delta region file a damages claim for pollution against oil giant Shell, in a London court.
And South Sudan prepares for the arrival of Pope Francis.
AC Monza captain Matteo Pessina reflects on a successful week, beating Juventus and passing an economics exam. And we speak to Seattle Sounders forward Jordan Morris as they prepare to become the first MLS team to play in the FIFA Club World Cup.
Picture on website: AC Monza's Matteo Pessina celebrates after beating Juventus. (Claudio Benedetto/LiveMedia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
As the Bank of England and the European Central Bank raise interest rates, following the lead of the US Federal Reserve, we get market reaction and the thoughts of a former member of the ECB.
We get the latest from Nigeria as the country copes with fuel shortages.
And the head of one of Europe’s most important tech companies has told the BBC he's concerned that the world market for microchips could be badly disrupted if further restrictions are put on their exports to China. Our reporter Matthew Kenyon tells us what ASML Chief Executive Peter Wennink has had to say.
India beat England by seven wickets in an exciting one-sided final held in South Africa to clinch their first world title. Could India winning the Under 19 World Cup be a landmark moment in the women's game? Alison Mitchell, Charu Sharma and Jim Maxwell all reflect on India's success.
Kim Garth has played in two World Cups for Ireland but in 2020, she quit the country to pursue her dream of playing professional cricket in Australia – Kim joins us on the programme to discuss her move and how she's now been selected for the Australian national team that aims to defend its title at the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Photo: India players celebrates after winning the ICC Women's U19 T20 World Cup following the 2023 final between India and England at JB Marks Oval on January 29, 2023 in Potchefstroom, South Africa. (Credit: ICC via Getty Images)
The agreement gives the Americans access to four new bases not far from Taiwan, where there are growing fears of a Chinese invasion. Also, a senior former Russian army officer says he witnessed soldiers torturing Ukrainian prisoners, and scientists in the UK say they've found evidence of the bird flu virus infecting some mammals.
US troops will be given access to four new bases not far from Taiwan, where there are growing fears of a Chinese invasion; also, a former Russian officer has told the BBC he witnessed fellow soldiers committing abuses in Ukraine including torture and looting; and did the Vikings come to Britain with their pets?
(Photo: US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin walks past military guards during arrival honours at the Department of National Defense in Camp Aguinaldo military camp in Quezon City, Philippines Credit: Rolex dela Pena/Pool via REUTERS)
Women are able to recall details of sexual assault and rape with accuracy, even if they have drunk – moderate amounts of alcohol .A study conducted at the University of Birmingham demonstrated that women who had drunk alcohol up to the legal limit for driving were able to recall details of an assault in a hypothetical scenario, including details of activities to which they had, and had not, consented. Heather Flowe, Professor of Psychology led the study.
A year ago, British Army officer and physiotherapist Captain Preet Chandi (AKA Polar Preet) made history as the first woman of colour to complete a solo expedition in Antarctica. Now she’s just broken another world record: the longest ever solo and unsupported Polar ski expedition. The 33-year-old travelled 922 miles across Antarctica, beating the previous record of 907 miles set by Henry Worsley, a retired Lieutenant Colonel, in 2015. Having spent over 70 days on her own, trekking in temperatures as cold as -50C, she speaks to Anita Rani about how she endured such a physical and mental challenge.
Is your partner’s ex a significant person in your life? Are they someone you tolerate - or are they someone whose company you genuinely enjoy? Would you even go so far as to call them a friend? Or even a best friend? The friendship between popstar Katy Perry and the model Miranda Kerr attracted attention this week. Why…because Katy Perry is engaged to Orlando Bloom - who Miranda used to be married to. Katy Perry posted about her friend on Instagram calling her her “sister from another mister” and stating “I love our modern family”. So how realistic or welcome is it to be friends with your partner’s ex? We hear from the journalist Esther Walker.
Adding higher levels of folic acid (otherwise known as vitamin B9) to all flour and rice would stop hundreds more UK babies being born with lifelong disabilities. That's what a group of leading scientists are saying. Women in the UK are advised to take a daily folic supplement before becoming pregnant, to reduce the risk of giving birth to babies with severe abnormalities called neural tube defects, such as spina bifida. But many don't. Anita Rani is joined by Neena Modi, Professor of Neonatal Medicine at Imperial College London.
Best known more recently for her portrayal of River Song, the wife and occasional companion of Dr Who, actor Alex Kingston is currently on stage ...
Greg needs a name for a production company, dons a squeaky pig for a game of What’s My Age Again? with Dean & Vicky and has an idea of having a Noughty Monday with Nat O’Leary
Also, Belfast city council vote overwhelmingly to put up household rates by just under 8%
British Gas has suspended the forced installation of pre-payment meters following a report that debt collectors employed by the company have been fitting them in the homes of vulnerable customers. Energy regulator Ofgem has begun an investigation. Companies can apply to the courts for a warrant, authorising the fitting of a pre-payment meter if a customer hasn't paid their bills.
Today's Mishal Husain spoke to Chris O'Shea, Chief Executive of Centrica which owns British Gas, and Paul Morgan-Bently, Head of Investigations at The Times who went undercover for the investigation. Today's Nick Robinson also spoke to Labour shadow minister Ed Miliband.
(Image: Smart Meter with prepayment tariff, Credit: DANIEL LEAL/ AFP/ Getty Images)
Cattle are part of Uruguay’s DNA. There are around 4 cows to every one of their tiny 3.5 million population of people and beef is their main export. But how do they compete against their mighty, better known neighbours; Argentina and Brazil? In this week’s Assignment Jane Chambers travels to the country’s lush, green pastures to find out about how they keep their cash cow flourishing. She hears from cattle farmers and other people in the beef industry about how they’re carving out a niche for themselves and future proofing against the threats of climate change. Produced and presented by: Jane Chambers Country Producer: Lucinda Elliot Studio Mix: Rod Farquhar Production coordinator: Iona Hammond and Gemma Ashman Series Editor: Penny Murphy
The mother of the man who died after being beaten by police in Memphis gave a tearful address at his funeral. Also: Switzerland holds its annual sirens day, and do you know how much caffeine there is in your daily cup of coffee?
The US central bank has raised interest rates again as it continues to try to curb inflation in the world's largest economy. The Federal Reserve said it was raising its key interest rate by 0.25 percentage points. This marks the smallest increase since last March, after a series of aggressive rate hikes last year.
The interest rate hike will also affect Latin America which has historically been tied especially closely to movements in the US economy. We hear what the head of Latin America Economic Research at Goldman Sachs thinks.
And we hear how Gautam Adani's Adani Enterprises has been forced to pull its $2.5billion share sale after a rout in the wider Adani Group's stocks.
This week we’re dedicating the programme to a common medical emergency – one that can be deadly within minutes without the right help to hand. A cardiac arrest is when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood around the body.
We’ll hear from a doctor who battled for five hours to save a man 40,000ft up in the air; a student who’s teaching people not to be afraid to help in an emergency and we’ll hear a survivor’s story of life after cardiac arrest.
Globally, there are tens of thousands of cardiac arrests outside of hospital every year. Fewer than one in 10 survive and this number varies depending on where you live, as does the availability of life-saving defibrillators – our studio guest Dr Belinda Fenty tells us more.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the first few minutes after the heart stops beating can be crucial. We have a live demo from a volunteer with UK charity St John Ambulance.
Join us for an action-packed programme that might just help you save a life.
Image: Dr Vishwaraj Vemala is thanked by the captain of the Air India flight after he saved a fellow passenger’s life
Presenter: Smitha Mundasad
Producer: Gerry Holt
A mortar attack has hit Somalia’s capital Mogadishu, close to where regional leaders were about to begin talks on taking part in the government’s ongoing offensive against the militant group al-Shabab.
Plus, Pope Francis calls for peace in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, as he addresses an open mass in Kinshasa attended by hundreds of thousands of people.
And as video app TikTok continues to take the world by storm, we speak to the company's head of content programming for Sub-Saharan Africa.
Museums - Laurie Taylor talks to Adam Kuper, most recently Centennial Professor of Anthropology at the London School of Economic, about their history and future. Originally created as colonial enterprises, what is the purpose of these places now? How do we regard the ways in which foreign and prehistoric peoples were represented in museums of anthropology? What should be done with the artefacts and human remains in their custodianship and how can they help us to understand and appreciate other cultures?
Kerry Wilson, Reader in Cultural Policy at Liverpool John Moores University, discusses House of Memories, a multiple award-winning dementia awareness programme, led by National Museums Liverpool. The programme promotes the use of social history collections and museum objects to inspire communication and connection between carers and people with dementia, via dedicated museum-based events. Is this an example of how museums can offer social value to local communities today?
Producer: Jayne Egerton
The Martin Lewis Podcast is here. Founder of Money Saving Expert, Martin Lewis answers your financial questions. You Tell Us your most embarrassing money fail, Nihal takes on Martin’s Money Mastermind and is quizzed on Section 75.
The Indian government say growth predictions for the next year are below targets, as it looks to focus on growing its manufacturing base, and aiding the least well off. We hear from business owners and economists about the situation in the country with a year to go until the General Election.
The UK has its biggest day of industrial action in over a decade, with more than half a million workers on strike. We find out what's behind the walkouts.
And we speak to JP Morgan about their survey of market traders looking at the year ahead.
A series of anti-corruption raids have been carried out in Ukraine targeting prominent figures including a billionaire backer of President Vlodymyr Zelensky.
Opposition activists in Myanmar take part in a 'silent strike ' to mark two years since the military junta overthrew the democratically-elected government, a once in a fifty thousand year chance to see 'the green comet', and we look at the alarming world of deep fakes.
The military authorities in Myanmar have extended the state of emergency by six months, on the second anniversary of the coup that deposed the democratically elected government. Many shops are closed and streets emptied to mark the event.
Also in the programme: It's been dubbed 'Walkout Wednesday' in Britain as half a million public sector workers take industrial action in the biggest strike for a decade; and do Monet and Turner's paintings reflect air pollution?
(Photo: A trishaw rides on an empty road in downtown Yangon, Myanmar on 1 February 2023. Anti-coup groups called for the public to participate in the Silent Strike to protest against the military coup, by staying at home from 10 am to 3 pm on 1 February 2023. Credit: EPA/Stringer)
Listener Justine sends the show into a custard frenzy. How much can you buy for £7Million? What are the perils of drinking too much of it? can Greg down a pint of it during the show? All will be revealed
Helena Bonham Carter is one of our best known actors – she’s played everyone from Princess Margaret in The Crown and Elizabeth the Queen Mother in The King's Speech, to Bellatrix Lestrange in the Harry Potter films, and more recently Enola Holmes’ formidable mother in the Netflix films with Milly Bobby Brown. Helena is now taking on a very different role, that of the Queen of the Midlands Noele Gordon, or Nolly as she was known to her friends; the actress who starred in the hugely popular TV soap Crossroads for 18 years until she was sacked very suddenly in 1981. Russell T Davies has written the three part drama which is released on ITV X on Thursday 2 February. Helena joins Nuala in the studio.
Researchers in Canada estimate that approximately one in eight women are likely to be suffering from an unrecognised brain injury related to domestic violence. Millions of dollars are spent each year in Canada studying the impacts of traumatic brain injuries on professional male athlete’s brains, such as hockey players, whilst very little is known about the injuries suffered by female victims of intimate partner violence. Nuala speaks to Karen Mason, co-founder of the Supporting Survivors of Abuse and Brain Injury Through Research project, and a former executive director of the Kelona Women’s Shelter in Canada, and Dr Paul van Donkelaar, a clinical neuroscientist at the University of British Columbia who specialises in concussion research.
There's just one more week to get your submissions in for the Woman's Hour Power List, this year focussing on women in sport. It's not just football where the women's game has seen big success - Great Britain’s women’s curling team won a gold medal in Beijing, the 2022 Tour de France Femmes broke records, England and Wales have been confirmed as hosts of Women’s T20 World Cup in 2026 and the list goes on. Nuala is joined by two of our Power List judges Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, one of Britain’s most celebrated British Paralympians of all time, winning 16 medals across five Games, now a cross bench peer in the House of Lords, and Ebony Rainford-Brent, the World Cup winning cricketer and broadcaster.
1500 people who received treatment from jailed breast surgeon Ian Paterson are being recalled by Spire Healthcare, a private hospital company, after their details were recovered from an old computer database. Described as 'one of the biggest medical scandals ever ...
Hundreds of thousands of workers are taking part in what unions say is the largest day of industrial action for more than a decade. School teachers, university staff, train drivers and civil servants are taking coordinated action in their disputes over pay and conditions. It is expected to be the biggest day of industrial action in a decade.
Today's Justin Webb spoke to Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, and Nick Robinson spoke to Gillian Keegan, Education Secretary. They also heard from two head teachers.
(Image: Striking teachers on the Tube in London, Credit: Kevin Coombs/ Reuters)
有多名听众都来信询问单词 “intelligent、intellectual” 和 “intelligible” 之间的区别。从拼写上看，它们都以 “intel-” 开头。形容词 “intelligent” 和 “intellectual” 可以用来形容人是 “有才智的”，那如何区分它们？形容词 “intelligible” 的意思是 “可以理解的”。听节目，学习这三个词的含义和用法。
As the calendar page turns, so many of us also think of turning over new leaves, re-assessing what we're doing and how we are doing it.
In this podcast, we are looking at the finances of happiness, in particular, whether there are lessons about the way we manage our money which can make us happier and improve our mental well-being.
On the panel of experts are, Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, Professor of Economics and Behavioural Science at the University of Oxford, and Mark Williamson, Director at the charity Action for Happiness.
Presenter: Adam Shaw
Producer: Amber Mehmood
Editor: Jess Quayle
(First broadcast 3pm Wednesday 4th January, 2023)
Rahul Tandon is joined by Sushma Ramachandran, business journalist and columnist for The Tribune in Delhi, and Allison Schrager, senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and contributing editor at City Journal in New York, to discuss the day's business news.
The Biden administration in the US has expressed anger over record annual profits posted by the US oil giant, ExxonMobil. The company's net profit for last year was just over fifty-five billion dollars, driven by soaring oil and gas prices caused by the war in Ukraine.
Also in the US, the Federal Reserve is meeting to make its next decision on interest rates - as the world watches.
Meanwhile, the Indian government will present its last full budget on Wednesday before the country holds elections in 2024 - what could it contain?
The US Secretary of state Antony Blinken met the Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah. Also: the Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin is charged with involuntary manslaughter over shooting on Rust film set, and the dangers of taking your pet parrot to the local park.
The US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, has underlined Washington's support for a two-state solution in the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians on a visit to the region today.
But first, there's the matter of calming the current surge in violence. We'll get a Palestinian view on what needs to happen.
Also in the programme: Pope Francis is in the Democratic Republic of Congo, home to Africa's largest Roman Catholic community: and how an unexpected best actress nomination has reignited the row about racism and the Oscars.
(Photo shows Antony Blinken speaking during a press conference in Jerusalem on January 2023. Credit: Ronaldo Schemidt/Reuters.)
The Access to Work scheme is essential for helping disabled people get into and stay in work. It can provide help with equipment and travel and human assistance, in the form of support workers. But the RNIB has found that there has been a huge increase in the backlog and long waiting times to receive support. This can result in jobs being put at risk, as some employers simply cannot wait to have the position filled. We assess the impact of these delays with Melinda Hanvey and Samantha Leftwich, who have both experienced delays in their support packages. We also speak to David Newbold, who is the Director of Sight Loss Advice at the RNIB, about what the organisation is doing to help tackle the problem.
Clarke Reynolds is a visually impaired artist who works with braille and he currently has a solo exhibition at the Quantus Gallery in London. Clarke explains what people can experience at his first solo show and gives insight into his interesting life story.
Presenter: Peter White
Producer: Beth Hemmings
Production Coordinator: Liz Poole
Website image description: Peter White sits smiling in the centre of the image, wearing a dark green jumper. Above Peter's head is the BBC logo (three individual white squares house each of the three letters). Bottom centre and overlaying the image are the words "In Touch" and the Radio 4 logo (the word Radio in a bold white font, with the number 4 inside a white circle). The background is a bright mid-blue with two rectangles angled diagonally to the right. Both are behind Peter, one of a darker blue and the other is a lighter blue.
One of the main causes of maternal mortality during childbirth is that the baby cannot be delivered vaginally, most likely because it isn’t positioned correctly in the womb. Without a plethora of medical equipment and training to check the baby’s position, midwives and doctors in developing countries struggle to reposition the baby safely. Scientists at UCL have developed a smart glove that links to an app, which in lab tests appears to be able to correctly identify the position of a baby’s head and how much pressure is being applied to it. The glove costs a $1 making it an affordable solution in developing countries. Dr Shireen Jaufuraully and Carmen Salvadores Fernandez of University College London, lead authors on the study, explain their work so far.
Photometric-stereo 3D imaging reveals secrets of the past
At the Bodleian Library in Oxford in England, a series of previously little studied copper plates is now, finally, giving up its secrets after three hundred years. The shallow engravings on the copper have become worn and difficult to read after more than three centuries. So, researchers are picking out relief on the metals surface by moving a light around, to draw out the shadows and give contrast. Except, this is a moveable virtual lamp, thanks to some clever 3D imaging. Hannah Fisher has been to the library to find out more about the ARCHiOx project.
WiFi seeing through walls
Scientists at Carnegie Mellon University are able to detect the 3D shape and movements of human bodies in a room, using only WiFi routers. The WiFi method overcomes problems with cameras e.g. poor light. The tech could be used to monitor elderly people at home or check on intruders. Professor Fernando De La Torre Frade and Dr Dong Huang from Carnegie Mellon University tell Gareth more.
The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell with expert commentary from Bill Thompson.
Studio Manager: Tim Heffer
Producer: Ania Lichtarowicz
(Image: Smart glove embedded with a sensor on the fingertip of the index finger.
Credit: Wellcome/EPSRC Centre for Interventional and Surgical Sciences (WEISS))
Pope Francis has arrived in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the country’s first papal visit in nearly four decades. He will also travel to South Sudan during the trip.
Plus, with less than a month to go before Nigeria's presidential election, we speak to the candidate of the opposition People’s Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar.
And a BBC investigation reveals that gangs in Egypt are using dating apps to lure and exploit members of the LGBTQ community.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has given a brighter outlook in its latest report, predicting that inflation will slow and European economies had shown more resilience. The agency says the abandonment by China of its zero-Covid policy has paved the way for a faster-than-expected recovery for most countries. Growth is now expected to be 2.9%.
Human Rights Watch says the mines were scattered in and around the city of Izyum while it was occupied by Russia. Also: Strikes and demonstrations in France to protest against raising the retirement age to 64, and the bed made for British monarchs that was lost for decades.
More than 100 people are now known to have been killed in Monday's suicide bomb attack at a mosque in the Pakistani city of Peshawar. The mosque was in a police compound, one of the best guarded parts of the city. So why the security breach?
Also in the programme: The leader of the Palestinian Authority has met the US Secretary of State - but how much power does he actually have in the West Bank? And - why some North Korean students are trying to get out of trips to a sacred mountain.
(Photo: The funeral of a police officer who died in a suicide bomb blast at a Mosque, Peshawar, Pakistan - 31 Jan 2023. Credit: Bilawal Arbab/EPA EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Also:
At least 59 dead in Peshawar mosque blast.
Attacks on the LGBT community in Egypt.
And the story of the King’s Bed.
A Jan Slam prize for the Barney Army, a Giraffes birthday and a search for Long Boy the duck. Yes, another animal crackers day on the podcast!
Everyone will live within 15 minutes' walk of a green space or water under new government plans to restore nature. The "blueprint" sets out how ministers intend to clean up air and water, boost nature and reduce waste over the next five years in England. Today’s Martha Kearney spoke to Joan Edwards, director of policy at the Wildlife Trust, and Tony Juniper, chair of Natural England, about how it’ll work and what more could be done.
(Image: Hedgehog, Credit: Ola Jennersten /WWF-Sweden/ PA)
Actor and comedian, Emily Atack has decided to stand up against the men who cyber-flash her daily. Having received unsolicited, unwanted, abusive messages, dick pics and crude images for years she has made a documentary “Emily Atack: Asking for it?” for BBC 2. Emily joins Nuala to discuss why men do this and why she's chosen to speak about it publicly and call for change.
Baroness Catherine Ashton is a Labour peer who served as Europe’s most powerful diplomat between 2009-2014, a turbulent period by anyone’s standards. It was her job to co-ordinate and lead on the EU's response to international crises, including the Arab Spring, Somali pirate attacks, the Iran nuclear deal and the Ukraine uprising followed by Russia’s annexation of the Crimea. Behind the scenes and in front of the cameras she criss-crossed the globe trying to get lasting deals done. Catherine has documented all of this in a new book called And Then What? Inside Stories of 21st Century Diplomacy, and joins Nuala.
What comes to your mind when you think of the word 'hag'? The comedian and recent Taskmaster champion Sophie Duker is on a mission to reclaim the term in her new UK stand-up tour of the same name. She tells Nuala about growing up with ‘the princess myth’, embracing ageing and why it’s so important to be open about sex and sexuality.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Emma Pearce
Credit: BBC/Little Gem Productions/Richard Ansett
主持人 Rob 脑子一片空白，忘记了他答应菲菲的事情。菲菲用 “jog your memory” 来提醒 Rob 他们之间的约定。听节目，学习如何在日常交流中使用表达 “jog your memory”。
Orna Merchant learns how, during World War Two, a desperate Soviet Union created three all-female aerial combat units. The most celebrated of these was the 588th Night Bomber Regiment. Using Polikarpov Po-2 wooden biplanes, as the aviators approached their target they would cut their engines and glide in to drop their bombs. The eerie sight and sound of this – added to the discovery of them having all women crews - led German forces to nickname them ‘Nachthexen’ - the Night Witches.
The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken repeated the importance of a "two-state solution" to resolve the conflict. Also: Brazil's Bolsonaro seeks six-month US tourist visa, and the last Boeing 747 jumbo jet rolls off the production line.
Weeks of unrest and road blockades have left entire cities isolated from the rest of the country. We hear from local businesses about the economic impact of Peru's political crisis.
Also in the programme, we take a look at Pakistan, where economic turmoil has sunk the rupee to record lows as the government increases fuel prices.
And as the cost of the living continues to rise, we discuss the latest data about alcohol sales across Europe.
Pakistan's prime minister has travelled to Peshawar where nearly 60 people have been killed in a suicide bombing at a mosque. Officials say the attack was aimed at police officers praying there.
The US Secretary of State has warned Israel that its long-term security will be at risk if it abandons efforts to resolve the conflict with the Palestinians.
And how the king's bed spent decades in a family home, before its identity was uncovered.
(Photo: The mosque is within the tightly-guarded police headquarters area. Credit: Getty Images)
In-depth reporting intelligent analysis and major breaking news from a global perspective
Who should be prevented from having children? And who gets to decide? Across 20th century America, there was a battle to control birth - a battle which rages on to this day.
In 1907, the state of Indiana passed the first sterilisation law in the world. Government-run institutions were granted the power to sterilise those deemed degenerate - often against their will.
In the same period, women are becoming more educated, empowered and sexually liberated. In the Roaring Twenties, the flappers start dancing the Charleston and women win the right to vote.
But contraception is still illegal and utterly taboo. The pioneering campaigner Margaret Sanger, begins her decades long activism to secure women access to birth control - the only way, she argues, women can be truly free.
In the final part of the episode, sterilisation survivor and campaigner Elaine Riddick shares her painful but remarkable story.
Contributors: Professor Alexandra Minna Stern from the UCLA Institue of Society and Genetics, Professor Wendy Kline from Purdue Univerity, Elaine and Tony Riddick from the Rebecca Project for Justice
Featuring the voice of Joanna Monro
(Photo: Elaine Riddick was sterilised without her consent, when she was 14, in North Carolina. Credit: Tami Chappell/The Washington Post/Getty Images)
Communities in northern Ghana give refuge to up to 4,000 people fleeing rebel violence in Burkina Faso, but they now fear that some former armed vigilantes may be amongst the refugees.
Somalia's government says it has killed 130 al-Shabab militants, including top commanders, with regional and international assistance. Are the strongholds of the jihadists being whittled away by successful offensives?
And the United States’ ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas Greenfield, has just concluded a trip to Africa and tells us how the US plans to forge stronger diplomatic ties across the continent.
A teddy bear that was found washed up on a beach has been given a new lease of life and is now providing support to children and people living in care homes. The bear was restored by the Reverend Canon Eleanor Rance and its journey from discarded toy to "therapy bear" generated a global response on social media. The bear, named Sinbad, is used to help people to reflect on issues like brokenness and second chances. Reverend Rance tells us that people have found resonance in how he was washed up on a beach and then given a new start.
What's the trick to writing a really inspiring sermon? How can clergy keep their congregation listening? Pope Francis has suggested that Catholic homilies are often a disaster and recently repeated his call for them to be no longer than eight to ten minutes long. Quality is another consideration. Edward Stourton explores the issue with Quentin Letts, parliamentary sketch writer for the Times and drama critic of the Sunday Times and Revd Dr Alycia Timmis, Priest in Charge of the Northleach Benefice in the Anglican Diocese of Gloucester.
Producers: Jonathan Hallewell and Bara'atu Ibrahim
Presenter: Edward Stourton
The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has urged Israel and the Palestinians to take steps to calm tension. He has arrived in Israel for meetings with both sides as violence there continues. In the latest incident a Palestinian man was shot dead by Israeli soldiers in the occupied West Bank. On Thursday, ten Palestinians were killed in Jenin by Israeli forces, while seven Israelis died on Friday when a Palestinian gunman opened fire outside a synagogue in East Jerusalem. Mr Blinken, who is on the second leg of his Middle East visit, will meet Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu later today and the Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday.
Also in the programme: An attack on a mosque in the Pakistani city of Peshawar has killed at least 32 people and injured 150 others; and the music of Motown legend Barrett Strong.
(Photo: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken disembarks from his plane upon arrival at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, on January 30, 2023. Credit: Ronaldo Schemidt/Pool via Reuters)
The company owned by Asia's richest man Gautam Adani has issued a detailed rebuttal of allegations of wrongdoing by short seller Hindenburg Research.
Adani Group, an Indian conglomerate, had more than $50 billion wiped off its stock market value last week.
In a document, which runs to more than 400 pages, Adani Group says the report is a "calculated attack on India".
It also said that it had complied with all local laws and had made the necessary regulatory disclosures. Hindenburg says its main allegations have still not been addressed.
At least one hundred and fifty were also injured in the explosion in the city of Peshawar. Also: the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives in Israel, and the Chinese province of Sichuan tries to boost its population rate.
Rishi Sunak is facing questions over his sacking of Nadhim Zahawi. An inquiry found the Conservative chairman had failed to disclose a tax investigation, and this was a "serious" breach of the code of conduct for ministers.
Today's Martha Kearney spoke to the BBC’s Political Editor Chris Mason, while Mishal Husain examined the government's defence with Health Minister Helen Whately.
(Image credit: PA)
Arielle’s on a search for some Haggis in a butcher’s in Dundee, today’s Jan Slam contest is battled out in a museum in Dundee and Greg announces where Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2023 will be held - you’ll never guess where though!
Hilary Grime’s daughter Phoebe, a student at Newcastle university, took her own life in June 2021. Hilary has since come together with other bereaved families to form the Learn Network with the aim of preventing future deaths of students by suicide. One of their first targets is to get the government to legislate a statutory duty of care for students in Higher Education. Hilary joins Nuala to talk about her daughter Phoebe and why she thinks it's so essential to get a statutory duty of care.
In her latest book, Crazy Old Ladies - The Story Of Hag Horror, Caroline Young explores the subgenre of horror movies in the 1950s and 1960s that cast iconic movie stars in often grotesque roles. She joins Nuala McGovern to explain hag horror or 'hagsploitation' and to discuss how actresses were treated in Hollywood as they got older.
It’s 20 years in England since the repeal of section 28 – a law that came in from 1988 to 2003 to ban the ‘promotion of homosexuality’ in UK schools. Professor Catherine Lee of Anglia Ruskin University is a lesbian and taught in schools for every year of section 28. During that time she was a PE teacher in inner-city Liverpool before moving into special educational needs and pastoral leadership in rural Suffolk. So how did this law affect her other gay or lesbian teachers and her students who identified as lesbian or gay? Catherine has written a book Pretended: Schools and Section 28: Historical, Cultural and Personal.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Lisa Jenkinson
Studio Manager: Duncan Hannant
Series 2, Episode 1 of the anarchic sitcom about a man desperate to succeed in a world he does not fully understand. When Phil discovers Parbold is hosting the World Pinball Championships, he sees a way to solve his money troubles by winning the big cash prize. But it's not just him who wants the money, as Phil's past catches up with him. Meanwhile, Polly starts a pet-walking business as a sideline.
Written by Phil Ellis and Fraser Steele.
Starring:
Phil Ellis as Phil
Johnny Vegas as Johnny
Amy Gledhill as Polly
Terry Mynott as Barry Bean
Katia Kvinge as Ellie/Barber
Sunil Patel as Announcer/Bear owner
and with special guest star Sean Lock as The Dragon
Produced by Sam Michell
A BBC Studios production
The UK formally left the European Union on the 31st of January 2020. We look at what Brexit means for Britain's place in the world today. Has it unleashed the UK's global potential? Or has it been the disaster that many opponents predicted? BBC World Service Presenter Oliver Conway, Political Correspondent Rob Watson, Global Trade Correspondent Dharshini David, and Europe Editor Katya Adler answer questions from Global News Podcast listeners.
Nadhim Zahawi is sacked as Conservative party chairman after an inquiry finds he failed to disclose an investigation into his tax affairs. Also: Israel to speed up gun applications after attacks, and the guitarist Tom Verlaine dies aged 73.
The British prime minister has sacked the chairman of his Conservative Party accusing him of a serious breach of standards regarding his tax affairs. Also on the programme, as the US Secretary of State arrives in Israel tomorrow, feeling among Palestinians and Israelis is hardening; and the people of the tiny principality of Liechtenstein have rejected a proposed ban on casinos, thirteen years after gambling was legalised.
(Photo: Nadhim Zahawi tax settlement 25/01/2023 Press Association)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has arrived in the Middle East for a three-day visit, as tensions flare between Israelis and Palestinians. After a stop in Egypt, Blinken will head to Jerusalem and Ramallah where he will hold talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders. We speak to a former US ambassador to Israel. Also on the programme: UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak sacks the Conservative Party chair Nadhim Zahawi following weeks of revelations about his tax affairs; and Novak Djokovic wins a record-extending 10th Australian Open. (Image: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visits the American University in Cairo, Egypt, January 29, 2023. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany/Pool)
Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh le Ruairidh MacIlleathain. Litir àireamh 1228. Roddy Maclean reads this week's letter for Gàidhlig learners.
This week, Azim Ahmed’s guest is a senior figure in the Church in Wales. The Right Reverend Mary Stallard, currently the Assistant Bishop of Bangor, has just been elected as the 73rd Bishop of Llandaff – a post she’ll take up in sometime in the spring. The Diocese of Llandaff covers nearly half the Christian population in Wales, including parts of Cardiff, the Vale of Glamorgan and some of the Valleys.
Bishop Mary was one of the first women to be ordained as a priest in the Church in Wales in 1997. Since then she has served a number of clerical posts in all corners of the country. For the past twenty years she’s worked in the north, in both the St Asaph and Bangor dioceses where she’s held a number of senior roles. Five years ago she was appointed Archdeacon of Bangor and then almost twelve months ago was made the Assistant Bishop there. Bishop Mary’s voice is familiar to many listeners in Wales; in the past she’s also presented a number of All Things Considered programmes.
In the first radio interview since her election, Bishop Mary talks to Azim about her early life and career, about relationships with non-Christian faiths, young people, and the role of a bishop, not least in speaking out on topical issues, of which in her view, the biggest is concern about the environment.
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs.
In today’s programme: is paying people to switch off their electricity the right strategy? We hear about bacteria that can eat ocean plastic. And find out more about the spiders that can grow back their limbs!
Plus we find out if an AI chatbot is any good as a broadcaster.
The Israeli Prime Minister was speaking as he convened his security cabinet. Also: The former NATO general and strong EU supporter, Petr Pavel, has been elected president in the Czech Republic following a bruising campaign, and can AI replace journalists?
Five Memphis police officers fired and charged with second degree murder after bodycam video released in the death of Tyre Nichols. Also on the programme, Benjamin Netanyahu has told Israel's security cabinet that the response to last night's deadly attack on an east Jerusalem synagogue will be strong, swift and precise. And, the former NATO general, Petr Pavel, has been elected president in the Czech Republic.
(Photo: Reaction to Video Footage of Tyre Nichols in Memphis 28/01/2023 European Pressphoto Agency)
Lesley Paterson is a five times world champion triathlete. She’s also a successful screenwriter, who has just been nominated for an Oscar and a BAFTA for Best Adapted Screenplay for the film All Quiet on the Western Front. It’s taken her sixteen years to get the film made. A woman no stranger to endurance, she explains how she used her prize money from her sporting career to help fund the film.
An independent review into Zara Aleena's murder found a catalogue of errors by the probation service. We speak to HM Chief Inspector of Probation Justin Russell who conducted the review, along with Zara Aleena's aunt Farah Naz.
The Woman's Hour Power List for 2023 is here! Last year was a game-changer for the visibility and perception of women in sport in this country and we want to showcase inspirational women – both on and off the field – who are spearheading and building on this momentum. The chair of judges Jessica Creighton launches the Power List and explains how you can make your suggestion.
What is the role of a best friend at a deathbed? We All Want Impossible Things is a new novel by Catherine Newman exploring the topic. She reveals how her personal experience inspired the book.
During World War Two, a house in Tynemouth was used as a sanctuary for more than 20 Jewish girls fleeing Nazi persecution. They had come to the UK on the Kindertransport. After a BBC investigation, a blue plaque was unveiled there yesterday, Holocaust Memorial Day, celebrating the house's forgotten past and those that found sanctuary there. Two of the girls who lived in the house were Ruth David and Elfi Jonas. We speak to their daughters, Margaret Finch and Helen Strange, about their mothers and their visit to the house.
Police in Israel say that a thirteen-year-old Palestinian has carried out a shooting attack outside the Old City in Jerusalem in which two people - a father and son - were seriously wounded. The attack comes a day after a Palestinian gunman killed seven people at a synagogue.
Also in the programme: investigation continues into Memphis police killing; and the hidden memories of China's Cultural revolution.
(Picture: A man stands next to a cloth stained with blood at a scene where a suspected incident of shooting attack took place, police spokesman said, just outside Jerusalem's Old City January 28, 2023. Credit: REUTERS/Ammar Awad)
Sports presenter David Alorka, comedian Maisie Adam, sports broadcaster Greg Brady and football journalist John Cross join Colin Murray for an hour of sporting punditry, humour and entertainment. Points are awarded for informed comment, wit and passion, but taken away for nonsense and answers lacking in conviction.
In the final round, the top two points scorers go head-to-head in 'Defend the Indefensible' where they must both defend a statement however ludicrous or distasteful for twenty seconds. There can only be one winner!
Get the podcast from BBC Sounds
How do humans cope with sadness? Is it something to be avoided at all costs or part of the human condition? Should we dwell on our sadness, or flee from it? Author Helen Russell explores humanity's history of gloom, and the cultural differences in our approach to tackling it. Helen goes to Lisbon to explore their relationship with melancholy, communicated through a uniquely mournful genre of music called Fado, and an untranslatable word "saudade". She learns about the service which sends a handsome man to wipe away tears in Japan, and hears about joy, sadness and mourning with a Ghanian poet.
Several countries are experiencing a fall in the number of babies being born and this has potentially serious consequences. Japan’s Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, has warned that his country is on the brink of not being able to function as a society. The problem is an increasingly elderly population and not enough younger people to keep the country ticking over. China is seeing record low birth rates and South Korea has the lowest rate of women having babies in the world. Youtubers Sarah and Kyuho in the South Korean capital Seoul, describe some of the pressures and reactions they experienced when they said they are not planning to have kids.
Bodycam footage released last night shows Tyre Nichols, a 29 year black man being repeatedly kicked, punched and pepper sprayed by police officers while lying on the ground. Five officers, themselves black, have been fired from the force. The BBC’s Barbara Plett-Usher speaks to the mother of Tyre Nichols and Today’s Martha Kearney interviews local politician Steve Cohen about what he felt watching the video
(IMAGE CREDIT: Facebook/Deandre Nichols/via REUTERS)
Cuba and the United States share a long, complex history. From the Spanish-American War of 1898 to Fidel Castro's Cuba, these neighbours have often had an uneasy relationship. Claire Graham speaks with Ana Maria Roura, a BBC World Service journalist and Cuban native, to understand the history between the two nations.
Israeli police killed the suspect as he tried to escape. It comes amid escalating violence in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. Also: The video is released of police officers in the US city of Memphis savagely beating a black motorist, Tyre Nichols - who later died, and as the world marked Holocaust Memorial Day we hear about the growing numbers of people who think the holocaust was a myth.
It was a pretty extraordinary day on India's main stock exchange on Friday. Shares in the business empire of Asia's richest man Gautam Adani plunged some 20 per cent, extending earlier losses at the Adani Group to some $45 billion. The price fall comes after a report by an American firm alleging stock manipulation and accounting fraud, claims the company denies.
(Picture: Indian billionaire Gautam Adani is a self-made tycoon. Picture Credit: Getty Images)
Israeli police say seven people have been killed in a shooting at a synagogue in east Jerusalem. Israeli police have called it a terror attack. It comes amid an escalation in tensions after nine Palestinians - both militants and civilians - were killed during an Israeli military raid in Jenin in the occupied West Bank on Thursday. It was followed by rocket fire into Israel from Gaza, to which Israel responded with airstrikes.
Also in the programme: Authorities in Memphis, USA, are preparing to release footage of an unarmed man beaten to death by five police officers earlier this week. And as protests continue in Peru, we'll be speaking to a former president. Why is there such political chaos in the country?
(Photo: Israeli emergency service personnel and security forces attended the scene. Credit: Getty Images)
Writer, Tim Stimpson
Director, Jeremy Howe
Editor, Jeremy Howe
Brian Aldridge ….. Charles Collingwood
David Archer ….. Timothy Bentinck
Jolene Archer ….. Buffy Davis
Pat Archer ….. Patricia Gallimore
Ruth Archer ….. Felicity Finch
Tony Archer ….. David Troughton
Lilian Bellamy ….. Sunny Ormonde
Alice Carter ….. Hollie Chapman
Chris Carter ….. Wilf Scolding
Neil Carter ….. Brian Hewlett
Ruairi Donovan ….. Arthur Hughes
Justin Elliott ….. Simon Williams
Jakob Hakansson ….. Paul Venables
Adam Macy ….. Andrew Wincott
Kate Madikane ….. Perdita Avery
Stella Pryor …. Lucy Speed
Julianne Wright ….. Lisa Bowerman
A look back on some of the best bits of News Quizzing from 2022.
In this compilation episode Andy Zaltzman casts his satirical eye over the highs and lows of the year, in which the UK has had two monarchs, three Prime Ministers and countless debates over whether a party can technically be called a party.
Hosted and written by Andy Zaltzman.
Producer: Georgia Keating
Executive Producer: James Robinson
Production Co-ordinator: Ryan Walker-Edwards
Sound Editor: Jerry Peal
A BBC Studios Production
The US military says its special forces have killed senior Islamic State group commander Bilal al-Sudani and 10 associates in a raid in Somalia. The Biden administration has redeployed hundreds of US troops to Somalia, after his predecessor Donald Trump pulled them out. IS is a relatively small group in Somalia, with the al-Qaeda linked al-Shabab far more prominent.
Plus, M23 rebels say they've taken over the key strategic town of Kitshanga in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, after three days of intense clashes.
And there's concern for the fate of animals at a farm popular with tourists in The Gambia, after its owner was detained over allegedly planning a coup.
Businesses and residents share their views on how soaring prices are impacting Dresden, a manufacturing powerhouse in the East of Germany. Join us to find out how the capital of Saxony is coping with the cost of living crisis.
Israeli air raids and Palestinian rocket fire raise tensions. The violence follows a deadly Israeli army raid on the occupied West Bank. Also: Shares slump in one of India's biggest companies after allegations of financial misconduct -- and the mystery of the miraculously growing Vladimir Putin.
Israeli warplanes have carried out attacks targeting Palestinian militants in Gaza after rockets were fired towards southern Israel. It follows the deadliest Israeli incursion in the occupied West Bank in years.
On Holocaust Memorial Day- is ignorance about Nazi war crimes on the rise?
Also, South Korea's disability rights activists take to the subway.
CREDIT: Getty Images. People, holding banners, gather to protest after performing Friday prayer in Gaza City, Gaza after Israeli Forces killed 9 Palestinians in the raid on Jenin Refugee Camp
Rapping, YouTubing, Boxing, KSI seems to be good at everything, but how will he fare in a game of Sit Down Stand Up? Find out in this podcast.
During World War Two, a house in Tynemouth was used as a sanctuary for more than 20 Jewish girls fleeing Nazi persecution. They had come to the UK on the Kindertransport. After a BBC investigation, a blue plaque will be unveiled there today, Holocaust Memorial Day, celebrating the house's forgotten past and those that found sanctuary there. Two of the Girls who lived in the house were Ruth David and Elfi Jonas. Anita speaks to their daughters - Margaret Finch and Helen Strange about their mothers and their visit to the house.
Mary Nighy began her acting career at the age of 17, starring in films such as Marie Antoinette and Tormented. The daughter of actors Bill Nighy and Diana Quick, she has since turned director, of TV shows like Industry and Traces but she has just released her directorial debut Alice Darling. The film, starring Anna Kendrick, explores what it might feel like to be trapped inside a coercive, controlling and psychologically abusive relationship. Mary joins Anita Rani to talk about the themes of the film, female friendship and working behind the camera.
Big employers including Tesco, Asda, Natwest and the country's most senior family judge are supporting a scheme that gives time off to parents who are splitting up. A survey of 200 workers by the Positive Parenting Alliance showed that 90 per cent of respondents said that their work was adversely affected. Anita speaks to XY and Sara Davison a divorce coach and author.
How do you differentiate between symptoms of menopause and dementia and when should you be worried? A new brain check-up tool kit from Alzheimer’s Research UK is encouraging people to do more to look after their brains to try to reduce their dementia risk. Research shows that women are generally at a greater risk of dementia - outnumbering the number of men who get the disease by 2:1 worldwide. But as women get older and experience the menopause, they may notice a decline in their memory, feel confused and get brain fog. We also hear about an early study which suggests that HRT may reduce the risk of some women developing Alzheimer's disease.
In his first full length interview since Pinocchio was nominated for an Oscar, Guillermo Del Toro and his co-director Mark Gustafson came into the Today Programme studio - bringing in two of the puppets. They discussed with Martha Kearney the painstaking process of using stop motion animation which uses physical puppets, as well as the film's setting in Mussolini's fascist Italy.
(IMAGE CREDIT: Roy Rochlin / Stringer / Getty Images)
By May Sumbwanyambe. Noreen returns to her native Zambia after 20 years in the UK. As the head of a wildlife charity she's come back to give a speech about animal conservation in Africa but her family - who haven't seen her since she left as a young student - want to talk about difficult issues closer to home.
Noreen ..... Rakie Ayola
Mwemba ..... Adam Courting
Moses ..... Ben Onwukwe
Producer/director: Bruce Young
May Sumbwanyambe researched and wrote the play while he was a Leverhulme Trust artist-in-residence at the Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity, University of York, and research assistance was provided by Molly Brown.
The 29-year-old was stopped on 7 January for reckless driving, and died three days later. Also: fear of flare-up after deadly Israeli raid in Jenin, and why do some men wear shorts in cold weather?
The hackers have been hacked - a prolific international ransomware operation has been shut down by US, German and Dutch officials. The criminal network, Hive, is said to have targeted over 1,500 victims worldwide in the past 18 months and extorted over $100 million. FBI director Christopher Wray said the operation had recovered over 1,300 decryption keys for victims since July 2022 and had prevented $130 million in ransomware payments.
(Picture: Cropped Hand Of Computer Hacker Typing On Keyboard. Picture Credit: Getty Images)
The Palestinian Authority says it's ending security cooperation with Israel following one of the worst days of violence in the West Bank for years. All this comes just a few days before the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives in the region for talks.
Also, Russia launches a barrage of missiles against Ukraine, a day after NATO countries agreed to send tanks; and on the eve of the Czech presidential election, how one of the candidates was forced to deny rumours that he'd died.
(Photo: Palestinians throw stones amid clashes with Israeli troops during a raid in Jenin, West Bank, 26 January 2023. Credit: Alaa Badarneh/ EPA)
An outbreak of pathogenic bird flu, H5N1, in a Spanish mink farm could be a cause for concern. Some experts fear the virus may now spill over to other mammals without strict surveillance. Marion Koopmans, professor of virology at Erasmus Medical Centre, talks Roland through the potential risks.
India’s caste system affects all aspects of society, but how does the hierarchy influence representation of marginalised groups in academia? Science journalist Ankur Paliwal believes that, despite efforts to combat discrimination, not enough is being done, and he has the data to prove it.
Imagine a robot... Is it hard, metallic and humanoid? Professor Carmel Majidi from Carnegie Mellon University and his colleagues are thinking outside the robotics box. Their new material, magnetic in nature, can shift between solid and liquid states. It’s even capable of breaking out of robotic jail...
And how do echidnas – spiny, long-nosed, egg-laying mammals – manage to stay cool during the hot Australian summers?
Image credit: Ole Jensen/Getty
Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Harrison Lewis
Assistant Producer: Sophie Ormiston
Evan Davis chairs a round table discussion providing insight into business from the people at the top.
Chadema opposition leader Tundu Lissu has returned to Tanzania, after spending almost five years in exile. He tells us he has received assurances about his safety from the country’s president Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Plus, deaths from HIV and AIDS have fallen by 50% in Malawi since 2010. We look at what steps have been taken there, and what other countries can learn from their approach.
As the African Development Bank hosts a food summit in Dakar, we look at how challenging traditional gender roles can help boost food security.
David finds himself in a tricky situation, while Ruth has some advice for a fellow farmer.
Pays de Cassel player Ayrance Leganase looks back on his team's 7-nil loss to PSG in the Coupe de France. Having once been told he might need to have his left foot amputated, he got to share the pitch with Neymar and Mbappe. We also hear from Darvel's hero Jordan Kirkpatrick following their shock win over Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup.
Picture on website: Neymar Jr has a laugh with opponent Nicolas Bruneel during the round of 16 French Cup match between Pays de Cassel and Paris Saint-Germain. (Glenn Gervot/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The US economy did better than expected at the end of last year, despite higher borrowing costs and rising cost of living. The economy grew at an annual rate of 2.9% in the last three months of 2022.
IBM has become the latest tech company to announce layoffs. The software and consulting firm has said it will cut 3,900 jobs.
One of India's biggest companies, the Adani Group, says it's considering taking legal action against a US investment firm, Hindenburg Research, that's raised concerns about its finances. The US company alleged that the Adani Group had improperly used offshore tax havens and that some of its key listed companies had substantial debt. The Adani Group has denied the allegations.
Russia has launched a wave of missiles at Ukraine, a day after Germany and the US pledged tanks to aid Kyiv's fight against the invasion. The barrage came as Russia said it perceived the tank offer as "direct" Western involvement in the conflict.
Also on the programme: we hear from Jenin in the West Bank where several people have been killed by an Israeli military raid; and are Australians falling out of love with their national day?
(Image: US M1A2 'Abrams' tank moves to firing positions during U.S. led joint military exercise near Vaziani, Georgia, in May 18, 2016. Credit: Reuters/ Mdzinarishvili)
في هذه الحلقة من بي بي سي إكسترا، محمد قطب يحاور نانسي النقيب رئيسة تحرير برنامج بي بي سي إكسترا والمسؤولة عن منتجات البودكاست إكسترا ليفلز ومراهقتي وتغيير بسيط، عن اتخاذ القرار لتقديم هذا المحتوى الرقمي والتحديات التي قابلتها والفريق لتنفيذ هذه المشاريع التي تأتي في سياق الاستراتيجية العامة لبي بي سي بمنح الأولوية للمنتج الرقمي. يتخلل الحلقة لقاءات مع الزملاء الذين قاموا بتنفيذ هذه المشاريع متحدثين عن أدوارهم كما شاركونا بذكريات العمل معا. كان لمستمعينا نصيب من مشاركتنا هذه اللحظات الهامة وتوديع الفريق والبرنامج.
At least nine Palestinians were killed during an Israeli military raid, one of them an elderly woman. Israel said its troops went in to arrest Islamic Jihad militants. The Palestinian authorities accused them of a massacre. Also: A sharp rise in Myanmar's opium harvest, and why elephants aren’t just big and beautiful -- but vital for biodiversity too.
On this week’s episode of Stumped, Pakistan batsman Tayyab Tahir joins Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma to discuss his first call-up to the men’s national side, which he found out about when his name was read out on television. He impressed as a substitute in their One Day International series with New Zealand and is now gearing up for a debut stint in the Pakistan Super League with Karachi Kings. He tells us about his three years playing club cricket in England and sharing a dressing room with the ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year, Babar Azam.
We also hear from the Afghanistan women’s cricketers who fled the country following the takeover of the Taliban in 2021 and have been living and playing in Australia ever since. They’ve called on the ICC to support them and have backed the Australia Cricket Board’s decision to withdraw from their ODI series with the Afghanistan men’s team.
Plus, we discuss Ashleigh Gardner’s criticism of the ACB’s decision to schedule a match on Australia Day, the public holiday which marks the arrival of the first British fleet in Sydney, 235 years ago. Gardner, who is from the indigenous Muruwari people, said it is a day of “hurt”, and that the scheduling "doesn't sit well" with her or the people she is representing.
Image: Credit - Billingham Synthonia Cricket Club
Everyone loves Paul Mescal right? Although he has become such a global superstar we must claim him back as our own. Also, Charlie Hedges is here for a game of Top Of The Shops to find out what listener Jessica has been buying too much of.
The Woman's Hour Power List for 2023 is here! Last year was a game-changer for the visibility and perception of women in sport in this country and we want to showcase inspirational women – both on and off the field – who are spearheading and building on this momentum to elevate women’s sport. We need your suggestions! The chair of judges Jessica Creighton joins Anita Rani to launch the Power List and explains how you can make your suggestion.
Lesley Paterson is a five times world champion triathlete. She’s also a successful screenwriter, who has just been nominated for an Oscar and a BAFTA for Best Adapted Screenplay for the film All Quiet on the Western Front. It’s taken her sixteen years to get the film made. A woman no stranger to endurance, she explains how she used her prize money from her sporting career to help fund the film. It’s now one of this year’s biggest contenders at the Oscars and BAFTAs.
A transgender woman in Scotland has been convicted of raping two women in attacks carried out before changing gender. Isla Bryson is now in custody and facing a lengthy jail term - but where that sentence should be served is the subject of heated debate. It has led to concerns about the safety of any women held alongside Bryson in a female prison. The Scottish Prison Service says the decision on where transgender prisoners are housed is taken on a case-by-case basis after appropriate risk assessments. Catriona Renton has been following the case for BBC Scotland News and joins Anita.
Claudia Jones, the woman described as the 'founding spirit' of Notting Hill Carnival, is to be commemorated with a blue plaque this year. The feminist, journalist and political activist is one of five women whose achievements and legacy will be marked by English Heritage. Currently, about 14 per cent of the nearly 1,000 blue plaques honour women. Anita finds out more from the freelance journalist and Editor of Soho House, Sagal Mohammed.
WFH, or the hybrid working week, has become the new norm for many of us in the paid workforce since Covid. But how does this affect the amount of unpaid domestic labour and the sharing of daily chores in UK households? Who does the most in your home – men or women? How happy are you with the division of work? What has changed since the lockdowns? ...
Why did people take to the streets, risking arrest and a barrage of bullets?
After protests turned violent and hundreds of people were killed, four Iranians tell the story of why they risked their lives. What has been happening in Iran to drive them out onto the streets to face bullets?
‘Agrin’ tells Phoebe Keane she’s tired of being objectified as a woman, and having no faith that the authorities will take sexual assault seriously when the police themselves are accused of raping prisoners.
Mahsoud tells how he was shot during a protest but feared going to the hospital in case the authorities put him in jail. When plain clothed police loitered outside his family home, he decided to leave Iran. Still bleeding and with a metal pellet lodged in his ear impairing his hearing, he finally made it across the border to Iraq.
‘Nazy’ tells of being arrested by the morality police while walking to work and being shoved in a van as the heels on her shoes were too high. She started to protest every day and now walks through the streets with her hair blowing in the wind, an act of defiance.
‘Farah’ remembers a time in Iran when women could dance and sing in public and protests because she wants her daughter to live a life without fear.
Presenter: Phoebe Keane
Producers: Ed Butler, Ali Hamedani, Khosro Isfahani and Taraneh Stone
Series editor: Penny Murphy
America's 30 tanks, Britain's 14, and Germany's pledge of another 14 in addition to commitments from Poland and possibly from France still leave Ukraine well short of the 300 it asked for. Today's Mishal Husain and Nick Robinson spoke to the NATO Secretary General and former Norwegian prime minister Jens Stollenberg and advisor to Ukranie's defence minister Yuri Sak about what difference the tanks would make to the war.
(IMAGE CREDIT: Photo by Sgt Anthony Prater/DVIDS/HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock (13741081a))
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the stench from the River Thames in the hot summer of 1858 and how it appalled and terrified Londoners living and working beside it, including those in the new Houses of Parliament which were still under construction. There had been an outbreak of cholera a few years before in which tens of thousands had died, and a popular theory held that foul smells were linked to diseases. The source of the problem was that London's sewage, once carted off to fertilise fields had recently, thanks to the modern flushing systems, started to flow into the river and, thanks to the ebb and flow of the tides, was staying there and warming in the summer sun. The engineer Joseph Bazalgette was given the task to build huge new sewers to intercept the waste, a vast network, so changing the look of London and helping ensure there were no further cholera outbreaks from contaminated water.
The image above is from Punch, July 10th 1858 and it has this caption: The 'Silent Highway'-Man. "Your Money or your Life!"
With
Rosemary Ashton
Emeritus Quain Professor of English Language and Literature at University College London
Stephen Halliday
Author of ‘The Great Stink of London: Sir Joseph Bazalgette and the Cleansing of the Victorian Metropolis’
And
Paul Dobraszczyk
Lecturer at the Bartlett School of Architecture at University College London
Ukraine hails the announcements of the tanks as a turning point, while Russia says they are a provocation. Also: Lebanon's top prosecutor lays charges against the judge who is investigating the 2020 Beirut port explosion, and the Sesame Street co-creator Lloyd Morrisett dies aged 93.
Donald Trump will be allowed back onto Facebook and Instagram, after Meta announced it would be ending its two-year suspension of his accounts.
The suspension will end "in the coming weeks", the social media giant said.
The then-US president was indefinitely suspended from Facebook and Instagram after the Capitol riots in 2021.
Republicans have been pressing for Mr Trump to be allowed back on Facebook as he prepares to run for the presidency again next year.
(Picture: SAN ANSELMO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 08: The suspended Twitter account of U.S. President Donald Trump appears on an iPhone screen on January 08, 2021 in San Anselmo, California. Picture Credit: Getty Images).
The United States has joined Germany in announcing it will send tanks to Ukraine. President Biden said 31 M1 Abrams tanks would be delivered, in a significant policy reversal.
Also in the programme: battling Covid in rural China; and the film documenting the campaign against America's opioid epidemic
(Picture: The US army unveils its new Abrams M1A2 Systems Enhanced Package version three tank in Fort Stewart, Georgia, USA. Mandatory Credit: Photo by STEPHEN B MORTON/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
The Tanzanian opposition leader, Tundu Lissu is back in the country from self-imposed exile. Tanzanians are happy he's back... but will he be allowed to operate freely?
A thousand cholera deaths in Malawi makes it the worst outbreak in its history. Three other countries are struggling to contain the illness as well. We'll hear what efforts are being made.
Also: a new report on justice for Africa's children as ever more of them are forced from the playground and into a gruelling labour market.
Those stories and more in this podcast with Audrey Brown.
Six months on from the worst flooding in Pakistan’s history, a medic in eastern Balochistan describes what he is seeing daily.
Khalid Saleem, who works for the charity Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), says many people are still living in shelters at the side of the road and must walk miles if they need healthcare. There are high levels of malnutrition, malaria and skin conditions such as scabies.
We also talk Dr Zainab Samad, from Aga Khan University in Islamabad, who is the author of a major new report on the country’s health. She describes how people in these areas were already worse off even before the floods and says it will take years to recover – but it is everyone’s responsibility to help make society healthier.
We hear from Dr Lindsay Dewa and medical student Simi Adewale on their project to explore digital connection during the COVID-19 pandemic. Imperial College London worked with young people to make a short film about the impact on young people’s mental health.
And our guest is family doctor Ann Robinson, who’ll discuss the latest studies and health news, including strict new alcohol guidance for Canada and how “bed dancing” is helping hospital patients.
Image credit: Getty Images
Presenter: Smitha Mundasad
Producer: Gerry Holt
Tony is trying to find peace and quiet in his workshop, and the Aldridge siblings want some answers.
The Martin Lewis Podcast is here. Founder of Money Saving Expert, Martin Lewis answers your financial questions. Elsewhere in the podcast, you Tell Us your best haggle. How much did you save, and what are your top haggling tips? Nihal takes on Martin’s Money Mastermind and is quizzed on Child Trust Funds.
Martin confirms 14% broadband and mobile price hikes due April. He warns that for those in contract there's little you can do, except take note when that contract ends, and act then. But adds million of people are out of contract and urges them to ditch and switch or haggle.
This week’s episode has all the information below will help you do that. Plus, Martin demands reforms to rules and thresholds linked to Lifetime ISAs (LISAs) as he warns they could be costing first-time buyers.
The religion of work and welfare: Laurie Taylor explores the way in which our understanding of jobs and joblessness has become entangled with religious ideologies. He's joined by Tom Boland, Senior Lecturer in Sociology at University College, Cork, who argues that Western culture has ‘faith’ in the labour market as a test of the worth of each individual. For those who are out of work, welfare is now less a means of support than a means of purification and redemption where job seeking becomes a form of pilgrimage.
Also, Carolyn Chen, Professor of Ethnic Studies at the University of California, Berkeley, explores how the restructuring of work is transforming religious and spiritual experience in late capitalism. She spent five years conducting an ethnographic study in Silicon Valley and found that tech companies have brought religion into the workplace, in ways that replace churches, temples, and synagogues in workers’ lives and satisfy needs for belonging, identity, purpose, and transcendence. What happens when work replaces religion and are there wider lessons for workers beyond the niche world of high tech?
Producer: Jayne Egerton
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen was on an official tour in Africa as she vows to strengthen ties with the continent. This comes as China continues to increase its influence there.
India's richest man has seen more than 10 billion dollars wiped off the value of his companies. That follows a report by the Hindenberg Research group targeting the conglomerate owned by Gautham Adani.
The Cairo International Book Fair in Egypt will see attendants be able to buy books in instalments. This is because the price of books continues to increase due to rising inflation. This has lead to some Egyptian authors cutting back on the length of their writing to be more economical.
The German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, has confirmed that his government will provide Ukraine with some of its Leopard- Two battle tanks, and allow other countries to do likewise. Also on the programme, the Indian government attempts to crackdown on screenings of a documentary which examines Prime Minister Modi's time as Chief Minister of Gujarat. And, five months after North Korea declared "victory" over covid, there are reports that a five-day lockdown has been ordered in Pyongyang because of an unnamed "respiratory illness".
(Photo: Session of questions addressed to the Federal Government at the German parliament 25/01/2023 European Pressphoto Agency)
German Chancellor confirms his country will send battle tanks to Ukraine. Also: A BBC investigation finds evidence of alarming coronavirus death rates in rural China, and how humans share common sign language with wild chimps and bonobos.
Hi Kissers and Nose Boopers of the world confess all to Iain Stirling, Arielle Free admits to being a Haggis Hunter and Quizzer Han got chased by an Orangutan.
Also:
Big changes to Ukraine government after corruption claims.
Guillermo del Toro on his Oscar nomination.
And Alzheimer's ambassador Dame Arlene Phillips.
The conservatives and Labour party appear to be agreed on one issue on the political agenda – that is childcare. Both parties realise it will be a key battleground in the general election with polling suggesting it is of particular concern in some of the red wall seat which the conservatives need to hold onto if they are to stay in government. The UK’s childcare system is one of the most expensive in the world and ranked one of the least effective according to a recent report by UNICEF. Shadow Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson joins Nuala McGovern in the studio to discuss her party’s plans for reform which she says will compare with Aneurin Bevan’s creation of the National Health Service.
What is the role of a best friend at a deathbed? ‘We All Want Impossible Things’ a new novel by Catherine Newman is funny and rude as well as very sad and it’s a celebration of all sorts of love. Ash's best friend is dying and her heart is breaking but life does go on, until it stops. Catherine Newman joins Nuala to explain what inspired the book
When she was 19, Chanel Contos was playing a drinking game with friends. Someone asked ‘what’s the kinkiest thing you like to do during sex? Her 17-year-old friend replied, ‘It’s not really that kinky, but I guess choking.’ Now 24, and listed as one of the BBC’s 100 Women, Chanel wants to challenge the normalisation of sexual choking (and other acts such as spitting or slapping). She’s joined on the programme by writer Rachel Thompson, author of Rough: How Violence Has Found Its Way Into the Bedroom and what We Can Do about it. They discuss why these acts are so prevalent, and whether women and girls are feeling pressured into them.
And we’ll hear the latest about female nominations at the Oscars with film critic Karen Krizanovich.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Lisa Jenkinson
Studio Manager: Donald McDonald
一位网友想知道动词 “concentrate、assemble、converge” 和 “focus” 的区别。动词 “concentrate” 特指 “（无计划地）聚集”；动词 “assemble” 则指 “（有计划地）集合”；动词 “converge” 表示 “（从一处）汇合（到一处）”；而只有动词 “focus” 不能用来描述人群的 “聚合”。听主持人 Beth 和佳莹讲解这四个词的用法和区别。
Money Box takes a look at three innovative energy projects changing the way people heat their homes to try to improve efficiency and reduce bills.
First up is the village of Swaffham Prior in Cambridgeshire where residents and the local council have backed a scheme using air source and ground source heat pumps to warm people's homes. A new, multi-million pound energy centre of the edge of the village provides the energy through a newly installed heat network for any residents of the village's 300 homes that want to join.
Secondly, Dan Whitworth visits the University of Salford and the researchers behind its 'Energy House 2' project - a scheme which has seen two, modern, full-size, detached homes built by developers Barrett and Bellway inside a science laboratory. This allows scientists to create climate conditions to put the homes to the limit to test how effective they are at being energy efficient.
Finally a visit to Gateshead examines a mine water scheme being run by the council which uses the warmed water of disused, flooded coal mines to help heat council buildings and homes. More than a dozen buildings run by the council, including the local college and Sage Gateshead are signed up to the scheme as well as hundreds of homes. We'll examine how practical is it and what kind of a difference the scheme makes to people's bills.
Talking us through each of these schemes are Dr Tina Fawcett from the Environmental Change Institute at Oxford University and Ben Whittle from the Energy Saving Trust.
Presenter/Reporter/Producer: Dan Whitworth
Researchers: Sandra Hardial & Star McFarlane
Editor: Jess Quayle
(First broadcast 3pm, Wednesday 28th December, 2022)
Here on Today we have heard from a variety of Oscar nominees over the last few weeks. They include: Cate Blanchett on her role in Tár; Brendan Fraser on his role in The Whale; Tony Kushner on co-writing The Fabelmans; novelist Sir Kazuo Ishiguro on Living; John Landau who produced Avatar: The Way of Water; and Angie Marchese who advised on Elvis. Hear all of those interviews in full.
(Image: Oscar statue, Credit: CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
The US Department of Justice and eight US states have filed a case against Google alleging it has too much power over the online ad market.
Online advertising accounts for the lion's share of Google's multibillion dollar revenue.
Google is the market leader, but its slice of total US digital ad income has fallen from 36.7% in 2016 to 28.8% in 2022, according to market research firm Insider Intelligence.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has faced weeks of pressure from Kyiv and its allies. Also: Classified documents have been found at the home of the former US vice-president Mike Pence in the latest discovery of secret papers, and we hear who's been nominated for this year's Oscars.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has decided to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, and allow other countries to do the same, reports in Germany say. We look at what impact this could have on the war in Ukraine. Also on the programme: at least 124 have people died in freezing temperatures in Afghanistan in the past fortnight, according to Taliban officials; and seismologists in China say that the spinning core at the centre of the Earth may have started to rotate in the opposite direction. (Image: Ukrainians hold placards and wave Ukrainian flags during a rally supporting the deployment of Leopard tanks and other military equipment to Ukraine, outside the European Council building during a EU Foreign Ministers Council in Brussels, Belgium, 23 January 2023. OLIVIER HOSLET/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
This week, we put guide dog waiting lists under the spotlight.
John Welsman is canine affairs lead for the charity "Guide Dogs". He joins us to discuss waiting times and the outlook for those on the list. We're also joined by BBC news reporter Sean Dilley who shares his feelings following the retirement of Sammy, his faithful guide dog of over eight years. And we speak to Isabel Holdsworth who tells us about the experience of training her own guide dog.
We also take another trip into the world of blind sport.
Nathan Tree is a keen blind ice hockey player. We report on an event he recently hosted in Oxford which gave visually impaired people the opportunity to get on the ice and try it out for themselves. We hear from some of those who gave it a go and also from Nathan about his ambitions to raise the profile of the sport.
Presenter: Peter White
Producer: Fern Lulham
Production coordinator: Liz Poole
Website image description: Peter White sits smiling in the centre of the image, wearing a dark green jumper. Above Peter's head is the BBC logo (three individual white squares house each of the three letters). Bottom centre and overlaying the image are the words "In Touch" and the Radio 4 logo (the word Radio in a bold white font, with the number 4 inside a white circle). The background is a bright mid-blue with two rectangles angled diagonally to the right. Both are behind Peter, one of a darker blue and the other is a lighter blue.
In the summer of 2021 Kazakhstan was the second biggest producer of Bitcoin in the world, but what has happened since the crypto currency crash? Tech reporter Peter Guest is on the show to tell us about his trip to the country and how mega warehouses that once contained the computing power to make crypto millions now stand empty in the country’s rust belt. He tells us the story of the rise and fall of the bitcoin miners in this remote part of the world.
Wearable tech, AI and potential new treatments for rare diseases
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and Friedreich's ataxia (FA) are very rare genetic diseases neither of which has a cure. Now scientists and engineers in the UK have used motion sensors to capture the way patients move. They processed this data through new AI medical technology that they say can predict disease progression and significantly increase the efficiency of clinical trials in these conditions. Treatments are desperately needed as both diseases can lead to paralysis and currently there are often not enough patients for clinical trials. Dr. Valeria Ricotti, honorary clinical lecturer at the UCL GOS ICH and lead author of the studies is on the show to tell us more.
Sony’s new game controller for disabled gamers
Our gaming correspondent Chris Berrow reports on Sony’s new “Project Leonardo”, its PlayStation 5 controller for disabled gamers. The company teamed up with accessibility experts and charities to design the modular controller which can be adapted in many different ways to allow as many people as possible to use it. Launched at CES it still doesn’t have a release date or price though.
The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell with expert commentary from Ghislaine Boddington.
Studio Manager: Duncan Hannant
Producer: Ania Lichtarowicz
(Image: Huge transformers and high tension cable to power bitcoin mines in Kazakhstan. Credit: peterguest.co)
This special edition of the Africa Today podcast looks at the issue of road safety across the continent. World Health Organization data shows that Africa’s roads are the most dangerous on earth. We look at the extent of the problem, and what governments can do to improve the situation.
We have a special report from South Africa, which has some of the continent's most dangerous roads. More than 12,500 people were killed in traffic accidents there in 2021, and almost four in ten were pedestrians.
Rwanda bucks the continent-wide trend, and has made big advances in road safety. What are they doing that other governments could learn from?
On average 17 people die every day on Nigeria's roads. We find out what the authorities are doing about the problem.
President Zelensky has removed five regional governors and four deputy ministers in a reshuffle. Also, the Afghan authorities say more than 120 people have died because of freezing temperatures, and instead of flowers, why one bride in the Philippines chose to have a bouquet of onions!
The 'sur' or 'South' proposed by Brazil and Argentina wouldn't replace local currencies, but instead would run in parallel with them in its early stages. We find out what economists think about the project.
Ford plans to cut 3,200 jobs across Europe, according to Germany’s largest union, IG Metall. As carmakers shift their focus towards electric vehicles, we ask why this transformation might translate into job losses.
The US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has called on China to agree to a rapid restructuring of loans to Zambia, calling Beijing a barrier to ending the debt crisis in the country. We get the latest from Lusaka.
Memories, love and snot. Josie Long presents short documentaries and audio adventures exploring the labyrinth of fatherhood.
An Occasion for Tears
Produced by Mike Williams
In Third Person (For my son)
Written and read by Raymond Antrobus
Are You Here?
Produced by Axel Kacoutié
Curated by Axel Kacoutié, Eleanor McDowall and Andrea Rangecroft
Produced by Axel Kacoutié
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4
The Afghan authorities say more than a-hundred-and-twenty people have died because of freezing temperatures during the coldest winter in a decade. Also on the programme, several Ukrainian officials have been removed as President Zelensky carries out a government reshuffle linked to an anti- corruption campaign. And, the nominations for the Academy Awards or Oscars have been announced in Hollywood.
(Photo: 23/01/2023 European Pressphoto Agency.)
Five days ago the Prime minister said the issues around Nadhim Zahawi “had been addressed in full” but has now called an his ethics advisor to look into the former chancellor and current Conservative chairman.
There are also questions about BBC Chairman Richard Sharp’s links with former PM Boris Johnson prior to his appointment.
Today's Mishal Husain spoke to to Policing Minister Chris Philp about both issues. Amol Rajan spoke to former acting chair of the BBC Trust, Professor Diane Coyle & former Culture Minister Lord Vaizey.
(By:Peter Nicholls - Credit : Reuters)
Listener Oliver behaves strangely at the urinals and asks Is It Just Me? and a mad ferret goes straight over Greg’s head.
A new study will examine the disproportionate number of female teachers developing asbestos related diseases. Backed by teaching unions, it’s hoped the findings will put more pressure on the government to take action on asbestos in school buildings. Nuala will be talking to Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, Dr Mary Bousted, and one woman who lost her mother – a teacher for many years - to asbestos related lung cancer, mesothelioma.
There's been a long running campaign for working women going through the menopause to get better protection. This morning the government has announced it won't make the menopause a protected characteristic, in the same way things like age and sex are - despite a recommendation from MPs that it should be. The government is commissioning more research into the subject, and cheaper and better access to HRT. But is this enough? Reporter Melanie Abbott gives us the full details of the government's response to calls for more protection. And campaigner Helen Garlick from Henpicked tells us she is calling for more action.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Lucinda Montefiore
Plans to upgrade the A5 were announced in 2007 but delayed amid funding/legal challenges.
In 2002 photojournalist Caroline Irby and former BBC reporter Tom McKinley arrived in Sierra Leone to cover the fallout from the country’s brutal conflict. They travelled with children caught up in the fighting; as they were reunited with their families. Now, just over two decades on, Caroline returns to West Africa to track them down.
The four men - who belong to the Oath Keepers group - were charged in connection with the attack on the Capitol two years ago. Also: Ukraine's foreign minister appeals to countries with Leopard tanks to make a formal request to Germany to allow them to hand the tanks over, and a four-year-old English boy with an unusual IQ.
Microsoft has announced a multi-year, multibillion dollar investment in artificial intelligence (AI) as it extends its partnership with OpenAI.
OpenAI is the creator of popular image generation tool Dall-E and the chatbot ChatGPT.
In 2019 Microsoft invested one billion dollars in the company, founded by Elon Musk and tech investor Sam Altman.
The Windows and Xbox maker plans up to 10,000 redundancies, but said it would still hire in key strategic areas.
A former minister in Mexico's government has gone on trial in the United States. Genaro Garcia Luna is accused of accepting huge bribes from a drug cartel. He has pleaded not guilty. We hear from the former head of Mexico's intelligence servces Gustavo Mohar.
Also in the programme: opposition South African MP on the Ukraine war; and cleaning up 'mermaid's tears'.
(Picture: Mexico's former Public Security Minister Genaro Garcia Luna listens during opening arguments in his trial on charges that he accepted millions of dollars to protect the powerful Sinaloa Cartel. Credit: REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg)
"You will not replace us" was the battle cry of white supremacists at a rally in Charlottesville in 2017. They were expressing an old fear - the idea that immigrants and people of colour will out-breed and replace the dominant white 'race'. Exactly the same idea suffused American culture in the first decades of the 1900s, as millions of immigrants arrived at Ellis island from southern and eastern Europe.
The 'old-stock' Americans - the white elite who ruled industry and government - latched on to replacement theory and the eugenic idea of 'race suicide'. It's all there in The Great Gatsby - F.Scott Fitzgerald's novel set in 1922 - which takes us into the world of the super-rich - their parties and their politics.
Amidst this febrile period of cultural and economic transformation, the Eugenics Record Office is established. Led by Charles Davenport and Harry Laughlin, it becomes a headquarters for the scientific and political advancement of eugenics.
By 1924, the eugenically informed anti-immigrant movement has triumphed - America shut its doors with the Johnson-Reed Act, and the flow of immigrants is almost completely stoppped.
Contributors: Dr Thomas Leonard, Professor Sarah Churchwell, Professor Joe Cain
Featuring the voices of David Hounslow, Joanna Monro and Hughie O'Donnell
Music and Sound Design by Jon Nicholls
Presented by Adam Rutherford
Produced by IIan Goodman
Clips: BBC News, coverage of Charlottesville protests, 2017 / CNN, coverage of buffalo shooter, 2022 / MSNBC, coverage of buffalo shooter, 2022 / Edison, Orange, N.J, 1916, Don't bite the hand that's feeding you, Jimmie Morgan, Walter Van Brunt, Thomas Hoier / BBC Radio 4 Great Gatsby: Author, F Scott Fitzgerald Director: Gaynor Macfarlane, Dramatised by Robert Forrest.
Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has visited South Africa, holding talks with his counterpart Naledi Pandor. Pretoria has resisted pressure from western governments to criticise Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Plus, there has been outrage in eSwatini over the killing of the prominent human rights lawyer and political activist Thulani Maseko. We get an update from a journalist who is following events.
And the arrest of renowned journalist Ihsane el-Kadi caused a storm in Algeria last month. We speak to his daughter Tin Hinane about the case against him and press freedom in the country.
يتوقف بث إذاعة بي بي سي عربي بعد أربعة وثمانين عاما قريبا وسيتوقف بث برنامج بي بي سي إكسترا معه .. كريمة كواح وهالة صالح تعودان بنا إلى بدايات إكسترا عندما كانت مجرد فكرة تختمر في عقول بعض الزملاء والزميلات .. ونسمع ذكريات مؤسسه سمير فرح كما نستضيف ليليان داوود التي ارتبط إسمها بتقديم البرنامج وأحمد زكي الشغوف بالسينما .. استمعوا إلى هذه الحلقة لتتعرفوا على أسرار قد لا تعرفونها عن إكسترا
Russia’s Lavrov in South Africa for talks with his counterpart. Also in the programme, a tale of two chairmen in trouble in the UK, and a woman surfer on competing in the Eddie, the prestigious Hawaiian big wave surfing contest.
(Photo: Russian and South African foreign ministers held bi-lateral talks in Pretoria today. Credit; Reuters)
The finance minister of Japan, Shunichi Suzuki, warns that the country faces dire finances as debt and inflation continue to rise while the population keeps declining. The government can still borrow cheaply as the central bank keeps interest rates at ultra-low levels. But what do the financial markets and global investors make of Japan’s current economic state?
The US hedge fund Citadel made $16bn in profits last year, the largest annual profit by a hedge fund in history. We find out how they did it.
And the presidents of Brazil and Argentina have announced that they want to work towards the creation of a South American single currency. We explore how likely this is to happen.
Germany's permission is required, because it built and sold the vehicles originally. But the Polish government has suggested it might ignore this and send the tanks anyway. Also, we head to one of the eastern Ukrainian towns retaken from Russian forces, and Japan's prime minister warns the declining birth rate is putting the future of the country at risk.
The Brits scrapped their best male and best female awards last year in favour of gender-neutral prizes. This year no women are on the shortlist for best artist - won by Adele last year - though are nominated in other categories. Social media has been awash with fans of musicians like Charlie XCX, Florence Welch, Mabel and Ella Henderson asking why they'd been overlooked. We hear from journalist Laura Snapes the Guardian's music editor and Vick Bain who's worked in the music industry for 25 years, was the CEO of the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers & Authors and founder of The F-List directory of UK female musicians.
Several former employees at the Welsh Rugby Union have told the BBC about a ‘toxic’ culture of sexism at the organisation. Nuala McGovern is joined by former Wales rugby international and Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi.
Do you ever wonder why you’re being shown particular adverts online? Nuala speaks to one woman, Hannah Tomes, who is being advertised egg donation banks despite having no interest in this – she wonders if she’s being advertised to because of her gender – we will seek to find out if she’s right and speak to the BBC’s Technology Editor Zoe Kleinman.
Figures from the ONS show that there are now twice as many women giving birth over the age of 40 as there are having children under the age of 20. But does the age you become a mother change the way you experience parenting? We hear from two women who had children at very different points in their lives…Lucy Baker the founder of the blog Geriatric Mum and Lauren Crosby Medlicott a freelance journalist who has written about her experience as a young mum.
Presenter Nuala McGovern
Producer Beverley Purcell
Greg creeps out the whole nation with a question about kissing, Lewis Capaldi reacts to Naomi’s pants throwing frenzy and a trip to Ibiza is up for grabs in today’s Jan Slam.
Stevie Martin, Rachel Fairburn and Johnny Cochrane ask how super the superhero really is. Is the caped crusader the sexiest superhero of all? Or a weirdo in a cave who makes it all worse, actually?
Producer: Beth O’Dea
Evil Genius with Russell Kane is a BBC Audio Bristol production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.
It's reported police found the body in a van as they were continuing their search for the wanted man. Also: Netanyahu sacks Israeli interior minister after court ruling, and milk may have fuelled a growth spurt in ancient Europeans.
Police in the United States say a gunman is on the run after a mass shooting near Los Angeles. At least ten people were killed at a dance club in Monterey Park. Ten others were wounded - some critically.
Also in the programme: Chinese officials say there were another 13,000 Covid- related hospital deaths last week; and a study suggests that milk drinking caused a European growth spurt thousands of years ago.
(Photo: 10 killed in shooting near LA after Lunar New Year event. Picture: Getty)
Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh le Ruairidh MacIlleathain. Litir àireamh 1227. Roddy Maclean reads this week's letter for Gàidhlig learners.
Roy welcomes back Canon Aled Edwards, an Anglican priest who’s spent more than half of his ministry among the politicians and officials of what’s now the Welsh Parliament, the Senedd. At the same time, he’s worked for large numbers of refugees and asylum seekers, fought against racism and other kinds of discrimination, and helped forge links between different religious communities. And he’s done so both as a Christian minister, and as a political anorak, who once spent a fortnight’s holiday in California campaigning for Barak Obama.
At the end of March, Canon Aled Edwards will move on after 23 years with Cytûn, Churches Together in Wales, the last 17 as its chief executive – a fitting guest in this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
It's been a tough week for the Church of England. The announcement that same sex marriages will remain banned in the Church though blessings for civil marriages of same sex couples would be allowed has been criticised by people on both sides of the debate. We hear from the Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell who says he will take part in blessing services even though the Archbishop of Canterbury says he won't.
The story of Fr Isaac Achi who was burned alive by bandits in his home in Nigeria has reverberated around the world this week and raised the question - how dangerous is it to be a Christian in Northern Nigeria? William talks to Illia Djadi from the missionary charity Open Doors and Abuja based security analyst Dr Kabir Adamu.
Music has the power to change a mood, but what about its ability to change your life? Ismael Lea South shares the story of how listening to Hip Hop in the 90s inspired him to convert to Islam.
As part of our series on faith in prisons, William speaks to Rachel Treweek, Bishop to Prisons in England and Wales, who believes that the majority of female prisoners shouldn’t actually be locked up.
To mark National Holocaust Memorial Day, we speak to Dov Forman, whose 99-year-old great grandmother Lily is a Holocaust survivor. He tells William about his first visit to Auschwitz and how he is using Tik Tok to remind the world about the horrors of the Holocaust.
And it's robots v rabbis as we try out a new development in AI technology called Chat GPT that can be used to write sermons and prayers.
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs.
In this week's programme: How hair follicles might hold the key to reversing scars, but not just in skin: in hearts and other organs too; scientists crack how to grow new brain cells in the laboratory dish; and what a mutant from millions of years ago is revealing about how ancient animals mated.
As many of us are taking part in Dry January, we look at the history of booze.
Protestors say plans to limit the powers of the Israeli judiciary are a direct attack on democracy. Also: Brazil's army chief sacked after Congress riots, and why are baguettes such an important part of French life?
Thousands of Israeli protesters have rallied against plans by the new right-wing coalition government to overhaul the judiciary.
The reforms would make it easier for parliament to overturn Supreme Court rulings, among other things, but protesters described Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's proposed changes as an attack on democratic rule.
Also in the programme: Brazil's president sacks the army chief just weeks after a violent uprising by rioters calling for a coup; and we look at Niger's success in halving the number of women who die from bleeding at childbirth.
(Photo shows an aerial view of protesters rallying against plans by the new right-wing coalition government to overhaul the judiciary. Credit: Corinna Kern/Reuters)
As the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union swept over vast areas of Ukraine and Belorussia from the summer of 1941, over three million Jews were deliberately targeted for annihilation. Shot, hung, butchered, a million and a half Jewish souls were buried in vast pits in Babi Yar, Rumbula, Mariupol, Minsk, Kyiv and Riga. Many accounts began to flood into the Soviet Union where journalist and writer Ilya Ehrenburg began gathering testimonies of the mass murder. This became The Black Book, a chronicle of the Nazi extermination of Soviet Jews. Historian Catherine Merridale travels to Riga, Latvia and Yad Vashem, where the Black Book was smuggled, to uncover this complex story of loss, silence and rediscovery.
The award-winning actor Michelle Williams discusses her new role in Steven Spielberg's semi-autobiographical film, The Fabelmans. She plays Mitzi, a concert pianist who’s put her artistic ambition aside to raise a family, and is struggling to play a supporting role to her computer genius husband. Michelle explains why she was attracted to the role, and how her work in Dawson's Creek as a teenager set her up for Hollywood success.
On Thursday, the New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced her shock resignation. We discuss with BBC Diplomatic Correspondent James Lansdale, former Prime Minister Helen Clark and the political scientist Lara Greaves from Auckland University.
Wendy Warrington is an NHS nurse and midwife who has been giving medical help and support to women and children in Ukraine since March last year. She tells us about the impact of the war on maternity services in the country.
Afghan police have confirmed that a former Afghan MP and her bodyguard have been shot dead at her home in the capital Kabul. Mursal Nabizada was one of nine out of 69 female MPs who chose to stay in the country after the Taliban returned to power. We speak to Fawzia Koofi, Afghanistan's First Woman Deputy Speaker of Parliament.
The Oscar-nominated actor and Downton Abbey star Elizabeth McGovern shares her experience of playing Martha in a new production of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
‘Lucky girl syndrome’ is a new trend taking over TikTok with over 80 million views of the hashtag. The journalist Róisín Lanigan from i-D magazine and psychologist Catherine Hallissey discuss whether it’s just a new take on positive thinking, and whether there is any psychological basis for it.
Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Lucy Wai
Editor: Lucinda Montefiore
Ukraine's defence minister has had a "frank discussion" with his German counterpart about German Leopard 2 tanks, which Kyiv is urgently requesting to confront the Russian military. Germany has not yet decided whether to send the tanks to Ukraine, or allow other countries to donate theirs, despite pressure on Berlin to act.
Also on the programme: on the 50th anniversary of the Roe v Wade US Supreme court ruling, overturned 7 months ago, we hear from both sides of the bitter divide; and we go to New Zealand where Chris Hipkins is set to become the country's next prime minister.
(Photo: A Leopard 2 tank fires during army training at a military base of the German army Bundeswehr in Bergen, Germany, October 17, 2022. Credit: Reuters/Fabian Bimmer)
اعدام، بدنهای خونین در خیابان و چشمانی که ساچمه ناکارشان کرده. کارکرد ترس در سیاست جاری ایران چیست؟ مهمانهای برنامه: علیرضا بهتویی؛ جامعهشناس و سعید جعفری؛ روزنامهنگار.
During World War Two, approximately 1.6 million Soviet, Polish and Romanian Jews survived by escaping to Soviet Central Asia and Siberia, avoiding imminent death in ghettos, firing squads and killing centres. Many of them wrote music about these horrors as the Holocaust unfolded. Singer Alice Zawadzski, whose own family found themselves on a similar journey to Central Asia, and historian Anna Shternshis of the University of Toronto, who led the project to bring these songs back to life, travel to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to retrace the journeys of those Jewish refugees who became music composers.
BBC Radio 1Xtra DJ Reece Parkinson, sports broadcaster and former GB track runner Jo Ankier, The Big Issue editor Paul McNamee and comedian Josh James join Colin Murray for an hour of sporting punditry, humour and entertainment. Points are awarded for informed comment, wit and passion, but taken away for nonsense and answers lacking in conviction.
In the final round, the top two points scorers go head-to-head in 'Defend the Indefensible' where they must both defend a statement however ludicrous or distasteful for twenty seconds. There can only be one winner!
Get the podcast from BBC Sounds
Since the Taliban returned to power some 18 months ago, women in Afghanistan have been removed from nearly all areas of public life. They are barred from secondary schools, universities and most workplaces and cannot even socialise in public parks. As Afghanistan faces a growing humanitarian crisis, we bring together three students in the country to share their experiences of life under Taliban rule. We catch up with three young women who used to compete in Afghanistan. Footballer, Najma, tells us that in the country many girls wish they had been born boys. We speak to two politicians who had fled the country when the Taliban returned to power.
The NHS is under great pressure, with record waiting times, ambulances queuing outside crowded hospitals and more nurse and paramedic strikes to come.
Today's Martha Kearney went with Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of NHS England, to an NHS hospital in Warwick to see efforts to stop patients being in hospital unnecessarily.
(Photo: Martha Kearney and Amanda Pritchard. Credit: BBC)
In a year when the cost of living has dominated so many of our programmes and of course your lives, we’ll return to some of the organisations and individuals helping families cope with rising energy prices, soaring food costs and prices that only go one way - up.
Paul Lewis is joined by a community interest company which focuses on fuel poverty - Warm Wales, Broke not Broken foodbank in Kinross and the South Manchester Credit Union.
We'll hear from just a few of the listeners who we've helped this year to keep more of their money.
We have Money Box's top five Christmas crackers – tips to save you money in 2023.
And the Maelgwn Male Voice Choir in Llandudno sings some carols.
Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporters: Dan Whitworth and Clare Worden
Researchers: Sandra Hardial and Star McFarlane
Editor: Jess Quayle
(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 24th December, 2022)
Fifty years ago, Jane Roe become the centre of a ruling that would fuel US politics for the following decades. The Roe v Wade case gave women the constitutional right to abortion, until 2022 when it was overturned by the US Supreme Court. Claire Graham speaks with Katty Kay about the 1973 legal case, the legacy of that ruling and how abortion became such a central issue in contemporary American politics.
The Ukrainian president spoke after a meeting of allied nations failed to agree to give Kyiv modern tanks. Also: the quest for life on Jupiter's icy moons, and why walking upright isn't that hard for baboons.
The Chinese government estimates that more than 2 billion trips will take place within China before mid-February, in the biggest single one-time movement of people on Earth, as the nation welcomes in the Year of the Rabbit. After years of Covid restrictions, we find out how different this year will be and how it's looking for businesses.
One of the biggest cryptocurrency lenders, Genesis Global Capital, is the latest casualty of the sector's downturn as it files for bankruptcy protection. We hear what it means for those who have lost money in the crisis.
And we learn how investors in the US are putting money into 'catastrophe bonds' to bet against storms hitting the country.
Allies of Ukraine fail to agree on the deployment of new battle tanks in it war against Russia. Also in the programme a senior UN official believes the Afghan Taleban could ease their restrictions on women; and a resident of Axum in Tigray gives us an eyewitness account of the Eritrean troops pulling out from the city.
(Photo: US, German and Ukrainian defence ministers attending the Ramstein meeting. Credit: EPA)
The Somali ministry of information says Al Shabab fighters stormed a military base this morning, killing a base commander among others. Al Shabab claims it killed many more. We'll hear what happened.
Also, a hearing to determine if a class action against the mining giant Anglo-American for allegedly poisoning thousands of Zambians at a lead mine can go ahead.
Plus, encouraging youngsters to read in Sierra Leone.
And our resident presidents on Ethiopia's peace process.
Those stories in this podcast presented by Audrey Brown.
Writer, Daniel Thurman
Director, Rosemary Watts
Editor, Jeremy Howe
Helen Archer ….. Louiza Patikas
Pat Archer ….. Patricia Gallimore
Tony Archer ….. David Troughton
Brian Aldridge ….. Charles Collingwood
Lilian Bellamy ….. Sunny Ormonde
Leonard Berry ….. Paul Copley
Lee Bryce ….. Ryan Early
Justin Elliott ….. Simon Williams
Rex Fairbrother ….. Nick Barber
Brad Horrobin ….. Taylor Uttley
Chelsea Horrobin ….. Madeleine Leslay
Tracy Horrobin ….. Susie Riddell
Jim Lloyd ….. John Rowe
Adam Macy ….. Andrew Wincott
Kate Madikane ….. Perdita Avery
Kirsty Miller ….. Annabelle Dowler
Stella Pryor ….. Lucy Speed
Erik ….. Steven Hartley
Topical satire show, featuring characters drawn from the worlds of celebrity and politics.
Alphabet, the parent company of Google and YouTube, says it's slashing 12,000 jobs. The company blames what it calls a changing "economic reality" after two years of "dramatic growth". On Thursday, Microsoft said it would reduce staff numbers by 10,000. We will find out what's happening in the tech industry and why it is becoming so brutal for professionals.
(Picture: Bike Rack at Google Headquarters, Mountainview, Ca. Picture Credit: Getty Images)
Kyiv's allies are meeting at a US airbase to hash out further military support. Also: A court in Romania extends police detention for the influencer, Andrew Tate, and his brother, and a giant toad weighing more than two and a half kilos has been found in a north Australian rainforest.
President Zelensky has called on countries to provide Ukraine with tanks as a matter of urgency, at a meeting of more than fifty allies at a US airbase in Germany. We'll hear from a senior advisor to the Polish president about sending German-made Leopard tanks to Kyiv.
Also on the programme, we hear from the UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, about women's rights in Afghanistan; and how a rare new colony of emperor penguins has been spotted in Antarctica.
(Photo: Leopard tanks manufactured by Germany; Credit: REUTERS/Radovan Stoklasa/File Photo)
We catch up with the Lewis Capaldi pants girl, Naomi, Danny Howard comes in to announce an announcement and our team of teachers battle out the final of Yesterday’s Quiz.
The Hollywood actor Michelle Williams began her career aged 16 on the TV drama Dawson’s Creek. Now, at 42, she’s starring in Steven Spielberg’s new film The Fabelmans, based on his own family. She plays Mitzi, a concert pianist who’s put her artistic ambition aside to raise a family, and is struggling to play a supporting role to her computer genius husband. But the crucial relationship portrayed in the movie is the one between Mitzi and her son, Sammy. Michelle joins Anita to explain why she was attracted to the role.
There are an estimated 2.1 million people in the UK experiencing self-reported long covid, according to data from the Office for National Statistics. A recent study involving almost 300,000 people found that most long covid symptoms disappear within a year following mild infection. But for some people this is still not the case. Dr Binita Kane is the lead for integrated respiratory care at MFT, the Greater Manchester Respiratory Health Innovation programme and the North West Severe Asthma Network. She also has a daughter with long covid and knows the challenges that causes. She joins us today to discuss her experiences.
It’s been 25 years since Goodness Gracious Me graced our television screens on BBC 2. It was the first comedy sketch show conceived, written and performed by British Asians. Anita Rani chats with the multi-hyphenate artists, Meera Syal and Nina Wadia from the original ensemble cast. They discuss how they birthed a new “Asian Comedy” genre and its role today, getting spotted in a restaurant by George Michael, and some of their infamous sketches that added a new lens to British women.
The Bank of England Governor says there are early signs “a corner has been turned on inflation". However, there was negative economic news as new figures showed retail sales fell by 1% in December - a really crucial month for shops. Today’s Martha Kearney spoke to John Allan, chairman of the supermarket chain Tesco, about food prices, which are still rising sharply; and the need for a long-term growth strategy.
Also, local parties unite for Daithi's law - writing to Secretary of state to legislate.
Every fortnight, Alice and Dean meet their divorced dad Stewart for Saturday lunch. With Stewart it’s always voucher deals. Forget dining at the twilight hour – Stewart only eats at the discount hour. But one day, Stewart forgets his wallet and they run off without paying. It’s an adventure. It brings them closer. And so begins a spree across Brighton’s restaurants as the family become serial “dine and dashers”.
But there was one thing they hadn’t counted on. Waitress Rebecca has one of their skipped bills taken out of her wages. Struggling to pay for food for her son, she vows to track down the perpetrators. Because after all, there’s no such thing as a free lunch.
ALICE.....Emma Sidi
DEAN.....Aaron Gelkoff
STEWART....Dustin Demri-Burns
REBECCA.....Sophie Wu
WILL....John King
CHARLIE.....Tom Kiteley
MANAGER....Chlöe Sommer
Written by Paolo Chianta
Sound design by Sharon Hughes
Directed by Nadia Molinari
Produced by Lorna Newman
A BBC Audio Drama North Production
The actor is being charged with involuntary manslaughter over a cinematographer's death on a film set. Also: scientists say light pollution has reduced the number of stars we can see, and bringing back to life General de Gaulle's BBC war time broadcast.
As the United States hits its debt limit, the Treasury Department begins emergency measures to prevent a default. We find out what this means for President Biden and the US economy.
Thousands of Peruvians gather in the capital, Lima, for an anti-government rally following weeks of unrest that have left 44 people dead. We get the latest from the country as demonstrators demand for the resignation of President Dina Boluarte and immediate elections.
And as actor Alec Baldwin is charged with involuntary manslaughter following the accidental fatal shooting of a cinematographer on a film set in 2021, we speak to a movie armourer trainer about safety on set.
Ukraine’s Western allies are divided ahead of talks on Friday over tank supplies to Kyiv; also in the programme Public Enemy’s frontman, the rapper Chuck D on Hip-Hop’s roots and a young Haitian man on the challenges of living Port au Prince.
(Photo: Western defence ministers attend a press conference after the Ukraine military aid meeting in Tapa military camp, Estonia. Credit:
EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Climate researcher, Rose Abramoff took to the stage at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) fall meetings, not as a guest speaker but in protest. Whilst her demonstration only lasted 15 seconds, she found her employment terminated from Oak Ridge National Laboratory and research stripped from the AGU programme. She was attempting to persuade other climate scientists to ‘get out of the lab and into the street’. Whilst Rose’s protest hit the headlines in the media, potentially less attention was paid to the session that was taking place at the conference, hosted by Mika Tosca, climate scientist-turn-artist, Associate Professor of Liberal Arts at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Ronald brings the two together to discuss the event and how climate scientists should approach activism.
Although there is no one solution to the climate crisis, Roland loves a brainstorm on Science in Action. Climate activist Stuart Capstick, a Cardiff University psychologist specialising in public attitudes to environmental issues and environmental scientist Robert Young from Western Carolina University take the conversation one step further. Questioning how public perceptions of scientists change when they take evasive action and protest.
And finally, we usually hear of seismology reports coming from dense, urban areas prone to earthquakes, delicately perched atop of tectonic plates. But this week, Roland speaks to Professor of Geophysics Zhongwen Zhan from the California Institute of Technology, who’s collecting data from a very unusual place...
Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Harrison Lewis
Current strike action across the UK led to more than a million lost working days in 2022, the worst industrial strife the nation has experienced since the 'Winter of Discontent' in the 1970s. But with the benefit of hindsight, what can we learn from those who have dealt with labour relations in the past, and can their insights help to establish a better way of working out employee grievances?
Evan Davis and guests discuss.
GUESTS
Alan Johnson, former MP, Secretary of State and former Head of the Union of Communication Workers.
Professor Sian Moore, Professor of Employment Relations and Human Resource Management and Co-Director of the Centre for Research on Employment and Work (CREW), University of Greenwich
Susanna Newing, Chief People Officer, Coventry Council
Presenter: Evan Davis
Producer: Julie Ball
Editor: China Collins
Sound: Gareth Jones and Neil Churchill
Production Co-ordinators: Siobhan Reed and Sophie Hill
In Senegal: the mayor of Ziguinchor is on trial for rape. Ousmane Sonkor says the charges were brought to stop him running for president next year.
Also, Nigerian presidential contender Rabiu Kwakwanso explains why voters should choose him in elections next month.
And Sierra Leone introduces a new law mandating quotas to allow women into public office and private positions.
Those stories and more in this podcast presented by Audrey Brown
Former Cameroon player Patrick Suffo and agent Paulo Teixeira discuss the issue of age fraud in football. Plus, Pat Nevin gives his views on the latest decisions made by football's law makers IFAB. Presented by Mani Djazmi.
Picture on website: A supporter of Cameroon holds the national flag. (Photo by PHILIP FONG/AFP via Getty Images)
في هذه الحلقة من بي بي سي إكسترا:
•مع بدء العد التنازلي لآخر بث إذاعي لبي بي سي عربي نسترجع ذكريات برنامج إكسترا.
•كيف هي مهاراتكم في الرياضايات والحساب؟
•لماذا تتجه فرنسا نحو الغاء تأجير الدراجات الكهربائية.
هذه الحلقة من تقديم كريمة كواح.
France is experiencing large-scale disruption, as unions mount a day of strikes and protest marches across the country against President Macron's plans to overhaul the pension system. We hear the arguments for and against the plans.
Also on the programme, New Zealand prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, announces her resignation, saying she has run out of gas; and piecing together a complex 3D puzzle, we hear about the rebuilding of a six hundred year-old ship.
(Photo: French union leaders at a demonstration against French government's pension reform plan in Paris; Credit: REUTERS/Benoit Tessier)
Thousands of French workers have walked out over the government's proposal to change the pension system. The strikes have crippled much of the rail network, and caused the cancellation of some flights. They've also hit schools and oil refineries. One of the major stand-off points is raising the age of retirement from 62 to 64.
Meanwhile, the US, once again, is poised to run up against its debt limit today. That means the government is not allowed to borrow any more money - unless Congress agrees to suspend or change the cap. The cap currently stands at almost $31.4tn.
And big figures come from British club football today. Manchester City has once again emerged as the highest-revenue-generating football club in the world. The club had revenues of around 790 million dollars last year - that's according to global accounting firm Deloitte, which composes an annual football rich-list each year.
(Picture: Low Section Of Men Standing On Bicycle Rack In City. Picture Credit: Getty Images)
President Macron's plans raise retirement age from 62 to 64. Also: New Zealand's prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, steps down -- she says because of burnout, and researchers say investing more in carbon capture and storage technologies is vital to limit global warming.
On this week’s episode of Stumped, Shukri Conrad joins Eleanor Oldroyd, Jim Maxwell and Sunil Gupta for his first interview since being appointed as the coach of South Africa men’s Test side. It’s been a disappointing period for the Proteas after heavy defeats in Australia and England, and Conrad admits that it’s not going to be easy to fix their issues. We discuss their batting frailties, whether Dean Elgar will remain as captain, and we pay tribute to legendary batsman Hashim Amla after he announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.
Is India’s Shubman Gill realising his potential? After coming under pressure from Ishan Kishan for his place in the side, the 23-year-old repaid the faith shown in him as he became the youngest man to score a double century in a One Day International, helping his side beat New Zealand in the process. Plus, we ask how much pressure is on his captain Virat Kohli ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with Australia?
We also take a look at the competition that Sachin Tendulkar says could transform the landscape of women's cricket. The Women’s U19 T20 World Cup is in full swing, and we look back on impressive wins for Bangladesh and Rwanda, while there’s yet more Mankad controversy.
Image: Dean Elgar of South Africa walk off after being dismissed during day one of the First Test match between Australia and South Africa at The Gabba on December 17, 2022 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde - CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)
Listener Dave takes something weird on holiday with him, another Dave knows Fiddy and plays Yesterday’s Quiz and a naughty Duck and a punching cat make an appearance in Animal News.
When art historian Joanna Wolfarth was pregnant with her first child, she assumed she would breastfeed, as her mother had fed her. This didn’t go according to plan. In a bid to understand her own feelings and attitudes about feeding her baby, she has just published a new book called Milk: An Intimate History of Breastfeeding .
The premier league and the football association has been spelling out what they'll do to attract more women both as players and fans. But critics say women players are still too often thought of as an afterthought when it comes to both resources and facilities. And that fans are put off because they are badly catered for and misogyny can be rife in football stadia. We hear from football corrrespondent Jacqui Oatley and Shaista Aziz from the campaign group The Three Hijabis and the Academic Dr Stacey Pope from Durham University.
Do you consider yourself to be a lucky person? ‘Lucky girl syndrome’ is a new trend taking over TikTok with over 80 million views of the hashtag. The concept involves telling yourself that you are the luckiest person in the world, that everything always works out for you - and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. The journalist Róisín Lanigan from i-D magazine and psychologist Catherine Hallissey join Anita to discuss whether it’s just a new take on positive thinking, and whether there is any psychological basis for it.
Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Lisa Jenkinson
Studio Manager: Bob Nettles
In 2018 the town of Paradise in the hills of northern California was wiped out by one of the worst wildfires in California's history. The disaster made headlines around the world - regarded as a symbol of the dangers posed by climate change. So what does the future hold for communities like Paradise in a region increasingly threatened by wildfire? Four years on, Alex Last travelled to Paradise to meet the survivors who are rebuilding their town.
Photo: A home burns as the Camp fire tears through Paradise, California on November 8, 2018. (Josh Edelson /AFP via Getty Images)
Reporter and producer: Alex Last
Sound mix: Rod Farquar
Series Editor: Penny Murphy
Production coordinator: Iona Hammond
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Jane Austen’s last complete novel, which was published just before Christmas in 1817, five months after her death. It is the story of Anne Elliot, now 27 and (so we are told), losing her bloom, and of her feelings for Captain Wentworth who she was engaged to, 8 years before – an engagement she broke off under pressure from her father and godmother. When Wentworth, by chance, comes back into Anne Elliot's life, he is still angry with her and neither she nor Austen's readers can know whether it is now too late for their thwarted love to have a second chance.
The image above is from a 1995 BBC adaptation of the novel, with Amanda Root and Ciarán Hinds
With
Karen O’Brien
Vice-Chancellor of Durham University
Fiona Stafford
Professor of English Language and Literature at the University of Oxford
And
Paddy Bullard
Associate Professor of English Literature and Book History at the University of Reading
Producer: Simon Tillotson
Public Enemy frontman, Carlton Douglas Ridenhour, better known as Chuck D, spoke to Today's Amol Rajan about his new documentary
“Fight the Power” explores the relationship between the Hip-hop movement, US politics and the struggles of black people in America.
Chuck D also gave his take on the controversial rapper Kanye West. He talked about what motivated him to become an artist and what music means to black history.
Marin Lewis and Nihal Arthanayake's regular weekly dive into the world of money saving tips. This week Martin explains why you could be missing out if you have a cash ISA, how to beat inflation when it comes to your mobile phone and broadband and why a water meter could save you money.
Plus bonus money saving tips that you can only hear on the podcast, Nihal tries his luck at Mastermind and you tell us about your positive money surprises.
In 2018 the town of Paradise in hills of northern California was wiped out by one of the worst wildfires in California's history. The disaster made headlines around the world - regarded as a symbol of the dangers posed by climate change. So what does the future hold for communities like Paradise in a region increasingly threatened by wildfire? Four years on, Alex Last traveled to Paradise to meet the survivors who are rebuilding their town.
Photo: A home burns as the Camp fire tears through Paradise, California on November 8, 2018. (Josh Edelson /AFP via Getty Images)
Reporter and producer: Alex Last
Sound mix: Rod Farquar
Series Editor: Penny Murphy
Production coordinator: Iona Hammond
Zelensky told delegates at the World Economic Forum in Davos: "It was not us who started the war but it is us who will have to end it." Also: Israel's top court has blocked the appointment of an ultra-Orthodox politician as a minister in Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government because of a recent criminal conviction and staying in Israel scientists there have created a robot that can detect smells.
Tech giant Microsoft sent shockwaves down the spines of many with the announcement to cut 5% of its global workforce. This action will cost the business $1.2bn (£972bn) in severance and reorganisation costs. Could this be a reality check for the tech sector after the pandemic boom?
Haiti: a first-hand account of a young man killed in his prime by gang violence told by Dave Fils-Aime, who left Haiti for the US when he was young but returned.
Also in the programme: Israel's Supreme Court has ruled that a key coalition partner of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cannot serve as a minister because of a recent criminal conviction; and why sauna diplomacy allows the Finns to punch above their weight.
(Photo: Political activist James Legrand addresses the crowd during a protest against the high cost of living and for an end to gang violence, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti 18 November 2022. Credit: Reuters/Ralph Tedy Erol)
In this week’s episode we hear from two women who talk about what life is like with endometriosis, an incredibly common but debilitating condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in other places in the body.
Katherine from Ghana and Dee from Wales describe their long journeys to diagnosis and how the “invisible illness” affects every aspect of their lives, from mental health to work and relationships.
We also hear from a researcher in the US who is studying the condition in minute detail in the hope that arming the scientific community with deeper knowledge will help lead to new treatments.
Presenter Smitha Mundasad joins a singing group in London which aims to tackle post-natal depression among new mums. She hears how the project, which is rooted in research, is challenging them artistically and helping to reduce symptoms.
Also joining us is Matt Fox, Professor of Epidemiology and Global Health at Boston University, who’ll discuss what progress is being made in the fight to eradicate rabies by 2030 and talk us through a study on the best music to fall asleep to… Zzz…
Presenter: Smitha Mundasad
Producer: Gerry Holt
A BBC investigation has discovered that political parties in Nigeria are secretly paying social media influencers to spread disinformation about their opponents ahead of February’s general elections.
The vice president of Equatorial Guinea orders the arrest of his brother over allegations he sold a plane owned by the state airline.
And state officials, foreign diplomats, and scores of schoolchildren gather at Sierra Leone’s Civil War memorial to commemorate this day in 2002, when the war was official declared over.
The three main figures in Ukraine's interior ministry have been killed when their helicopter crashed into a nursery in an eastern suburb of the capital Kyiv.
Ukraine's interior minister, Denys Monastyrsky, died in the incident, along with his first deputy minister and state secretary. We'll speak to a member of Ukraine's parliament who knew and worked with the minister.
Also in the programme: How the senior UN delegation in Afghanistan is trying to get the Taliban to reverse its ban on women working for humanitarian organisations; why Pacific Islanders are worried about Japan's plan to dump wastewater from the Fukushima plant into the ocean; and the unique way that Finland punches above it's weight on the world stage.
(Photo shows Ukraine's Interior Minister Denys Monastyrsky during an interview in Kyiv in June 2022. Credit: Sergei Supinsky/AFP)
Parenting - Laurie Taylor explores its cultural history and the shift towards intensive parenting. Andrew Bomback, Associate Professor of Medicine at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, investigates the emergence of an immersive, all-in approach to raising children that has made parenting a competitive sport. Drawing on “how-to” parenting books and historical accounts of parental duties he charts the way in which being a parent became a skill to be mastered.
They're joined by Benedetta Cappellini, who considers the impact of these social transformations on Grandmothers.
Producer: Jayne Egerton
Microsoft finalised their layoffs for this year cutting over 10,000 roles across its divisions. The tech giant says it has been forced to take these measures in the face of a slowing global economy.
Big numbers out today - in the Eurozone – indicate that price rises are cooling. The European Central Bank says consumer inflation in the 20-nation eurozone was 9.2% last month compared to a year ago.
Meanwhile, Japan is facing relatively high inflation, a falling yen and pressure on wages. In such a scenario - usually central banks try to hike interest rates but not the Bank of Japan. After two days of meetings - it decided to maintain its ultra-easy monetary policy.
On day three of the World Economic Forum in Davos, business leaders are being urged to do more to ensure that talented disabled workers can make it to the top. Caroline Casey is a disability activist and founder of The Valuable 500 - a group of top companies who have signed up to do more to promote the inclusion of disabled workers in their business.
(Picture: Cloud network desk. Picture Credit: Getty Images)
Ukraine's interior minister is among the dead. The crash happened near a kindergarten in an eastern suburb of Kyiv. Also: The Philippines Nobel prize winner, Maria Ressa, is acquitted in a move hailed as a victory for press freedom, why seals have been attacking humans in South Africa, and international diplomacy in a sauna.
Dame of Dance - Sarah Story is here for a round of Top Of The Shops, we have some exciting news about Roisin Hastie and a School Deputy Head tells off Greg in the Quiz.
There were no train strikes today, but all over the North of England people were wondering whether the train they rely on to go to work, get to school or college would run at all. A quarter of services were cancelled on Wednesday on TransPennine Express, the rail company which runs inter-city services between Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool and Hull.
In the past, train companies relied on drivers working overtime on their rest days, but a breakdown in goodwill between management and the unions has meant there is now no agreement to do this.
Today’s Nick Robinson has been in Manchester looking at the disruption and he speaks to the head of Aslef, the train drivers’ union, Mick Whelan.
(Photo Amy Ní Fhearraigh by Kip Carroll)
Rosemary Kennedy has often been referred to as the "missing Kennedy". She was the sister of former US President John F. Kennedy and despite been part of one of the most famous families in American politics, very little was known about Rosemary. Until recently. Her story has been brought to life by the Irish National Opera in Least Like the Other – Searching for Rosemary Kennedy at the Royal Opera House. Director Netia Jones and soprano Amy Ní Fhearraigh join Jessica Creighton to discuss the production and its themes.
The First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, told CNN news that it is the women in Ukraine who are bearing the brunt of the war, caring for their children and older relatives, and keeping things going. Someone who knows this only too well is Wendy Warrington, an NHS nurse and midwife who has been going out to give medical help and support to women and children in Ukraine since March last year. She joins Jessica to talk about the situations that she sees every day, and how women really are at the heart of it all.
The Queen of Reinvention, Madonna, has announced her first ever greatest hits tour to mark 40 years since her breakout single, Holiday. She'll be playing 35 dates around the world. Performing hits from her 1983 self-titled debut album to 2019's Madame X. Jess dicusses her influence with Fiona Sturges, Arts writer for The Guardian and the Financial Times.
Yesterday serial rapist David Carrick was formally dismissed by the Metropolitan Police. He pleaded guilty to 24 rapes and multiple sexual offences. Sir Mark Rowley, the Met Commissioner, has apologised to his victims for the force’s failings. The force is currently investigating 1,000 sexual and domestic abuse claims involving about 800 of its officers. For survivors hearing about these cases in the news can be very difficult. Jess speaks to Nicola Brookes who was groomed by a police officer. The independent office of Police conduct said he “knowingly targeted and exploited” her.
During the Covid 19 lockdown, the writer Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett decided - like many of us - to get a pet. She acquired Mackerel, a kitten, whose antics over one year helped her examine her desire and fears about becoming a mother and inspired her to write her latest book ‘The Year of the Cat’. Jessica Creighton asks Rhiannon about cat ladies and the ...
两位听众来信询问单词末尾加字母 “s” 后，单词的含义是否会发生变化，如 “mean” 和 “means”。简单来说：有些规则名词变复数的方式是加 “s”，单复数均指同一类事物。也有些单词加 “s” 后，并非原词复数，虽然两词所指的事物不同，但彼此有一定的关联。另有一些词在加 “s” 后，与原词所指的事物和使用的语境均无关。主持人 Beth 和佳莹在本期节目中分析这三类词语的用法。
Christmas is a time for giving and often that means charitable donations. New research from the Charities Aid Foundation suggests fewer people are supporting good causes because of the rising cost of living putting pressure on their finances.
In this episode of Money Box Live, we’re talking to charity founders about how the finances of their organisations are impacted. We'll also be joined by Caron Bradshaw, the CEO of the Charity Finance Group, and Alison Taylor, CEO of CAF Bank, from the Charities Aid Foundation.
Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Producer: Amber Mehmood
Editor: Jess Quayle
(First broadcast 3pm, Wednesday 21st December, 2022)
Michael Moorcock - author, editor, musician - joins Adam to talk about Citadel of Forgotten Myths, the book that will be (he says) the last appearance of his doomed hero, Elric of Melniboné between the covers of a novel.
It's a wide-ranging conversation that barely touches the surface of Moorcock's long, incredibly productive career.
Former Italian politician Pier Panzeri promises to tell investigators who else was involved. Also: aid agencies partially resume work in Afghanistan, the funeral of an LGBTQ activist in Kenya, and a BBC documentary brings fresh insight into the 2002 Gujarat riots.
China's National Bureau of Statistics says the country's population has fallen for the first time in 60 years as it enters what officials describe as an era of negative population growth.
A former commander in the Russian paramilitary group, Wagner, has claimed asylum in Norway. Andrey Medvedev was detained for illegally entering the country on Friday. A lawyer said Mr Medvedev fled after witnessing war crimes in Ukraine. His escape is believed to be the first known instance of one of the group's soldiers defecting to the West. Thousands of the organisations troops are being used in Ukraine; many have been recruited from Russian prisons.
Also on the programme: how police arrested a mafia boss; and how laser beams can deflect lightning.
(Photo: Andrei Medvedev, a former commander of Russia's Wagner mercenary group, is seen in Oslo, Norway, in an image taken from video released January 15, 2023. CREDIT: Gulagu.Net/Handout via REUTERS)
MIT researchers have concluded in a new study that computers that power self-driving cars could generate as many greenhouse gas emissions as the total of the world’s data centres do today. We’ve reported many times on the huge carbon footprint of data centres as well as the massive amounts of electricity needed to run them. They currently account for 0.3% of global greenhouse gas emissions – a similar level to Argentina - according to the International Energy Agency. The models created show that 1 billion autonomous vehicles, driving for one hour a day each, need a computer consuming 840 watts. These would consume enough energy to generate similar emissions as data centres currently do. Lead author Soumya Sudhakar joins us on the show to explain how hardware efficiency will need to advance rapidly to avoid these high levels of emissions.
Brazil’s antisocial media
Following last week’s events in Brasilia we look at the role social media played in the violence by far-right protestors. Angelica Mari, and activist and researcher Bruna Martins dos Santos who specialises in the Politics of Digitalization discuss if President Lula’s new government can reclaim the social media space and curb the spread of far right disinformation.
Getting South Africa connected – a new initiative
Last week we heard from one of our listeners about how he tries to stay online during power shortages in Ukraine following Russian air strikes. Another country that is significantly affected by energy shortages is South Africa. In addition, getting a reliable internet connection is also very hard. The government has announced that it’s going to spend over 160 million dollars over the next three years creating 33,000 community Wi-Fi hotspots as well as investing in improving IT skills across the population. Our reporter Rani Singh has been looking at how this might be achieved…
The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell with expert commentary from Angelica Mari.
Studio Manager: Michael Millham
Producer: Ania Lichtarowicz
(Image: Stylised car icon. Credit: Smartboy10/Getty Images)
This week sees the latest in our occasional series of discussions about audiobooks. Peter White is joined by guests Jackie Brown and Dave Williams. Jackie and Dave have much in common - both having supported other visually impaired people in the use of technology, but more importantly for this episode - both are avid readers.
Our trio take a broad approach, discussing not only storylines, but also issues such as narration and the merits (or otherwise) of audiobooks generally. Each has chosen a specific book, namely:-
The Lincoln Highway, by Amor Towles, narrated by Edoardo Ballerini, Marin Ireland and Dion Graham;
Dead Simple, by Peter James, narrated by Tim Bruce, and;
One Summer, written and narrated by Bill Bryson.
But who chose which book, why did they choose it and is their opinion shared by their fellow book lovers?
Links to audio books discussed in this episode:
The Lincoln Highway: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/The-Lincoln-Highway-Audiobook/1473593190
Dead Simple: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Dead-Simple-Audiobook/B01CT46ECC
One Summer: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/One-Summer-Audiobook/B00E992WFO
Audio credits:
The Lincoln Highway: ©2021 Amor Towles (P)2021 Penguin Audio
Dead Simple: ©2016 Peter James (P)2016 Pan Macmillan Publishers Ltd.
One Summer: ©2013 Bill Bryson (P)2013 Audible Ltd
Presenter: Peter White
Producer: Fern Lulham
Production coordinator: Liz Poole
Website image description: Peter White sits smiling in the centre of the image, wearing a dark green jumper. Above Peter's head is the BBC logo (three individual white squares house each of the three letters). Bottom centre and overlaying the image are the words "In Touch" and the Radio 4 logo (the word Radio in a bold white font, with the number 4 inside a white circle). The background is a bright mid-blue with two rectangles angled diagonally to the right. Both are behind Peter, one of a darker blue and the other is a lighter blue.
After a senior Somali military commander and several other soldiers are killed in an al-Shabab attack on a base north of Mogadishu, we get a response from the government.
Plus, the Sierra Leonean activist Alimatu Dimonekene, who has received an MBE from the UK’s King Charles for her campaign to eradicate female genital mutilation.
And we’re in Tanzania for a special panel discussion on climate change, at the launch of the 2023 BBC News Komla Dumor Award.
The Chinese economy expanded by 3% in 2022 - missing the official target of "around 5.5%" and a sharp drop from the 8.4% growth of 2021. If you leave aside 2020 - when the economy was hit by the worst effects of Covid - this was the lowest growth figure in nearly half a century.
(Picture: Financial stock exchange market display screen board on the street. Picture Credit: Getty Images)
في هذه الحلقة من بي بي سي إكسترا:
•لماذا تواصل نسب الطلاق الارتفاع في تونس؟
•كيف يمكن أن تؤدي قلة شرب المياه إلى الشيخوخة؟
•سكان الصين يتناقصون للمرة الأولى منذ عقود فما هي الأسباب.
هذه الحلقة من تقديم محمد قطب.
One of Belarus's main opposition leaders, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, has denounced as a "farce" a trial against her and four other exiled allies that's taking place in her homeland.
The five are being tried in absentia, accused of conspiracy to seize power and forming an extremist organisation.
We have an interview with Svetlana Tikhanovskaya.
Also in the programme: Two decades from one of India's worst incidents of communal violence; we hear how one family still don't have justice; and China's population has fallen for the first time since 1961.
(Photo shows Sventlana Tikhanovskaya speaking at the World Economic Forum, WEF, in Davos, Switzerland, 17 January 2023. Credit: Gian Ehrenzeller/EPA)
From searching for voices in a sea of static to words falling away in a period of grief, Josie Long presents short documentaries and audio adventures about moments when language evades us.
A Study in Quietness
Produced by Cat Gough
Al Waqwaq
Composed by Sami El-Enany
Understanding Gwyn
Co-created by audio producer Christina Hardinge and her interviewee Christina
Sound designer & Composer Noemie Ducimetiere
Curated by Axel Kacoutié, Andrea Rangecroft and Eleanor McDowall
Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4
China's population falls for the first time in 60 years. Also Belarussian opposition leader on trial and counting walruses.
Remi Burgz listens to peculiar behaviours from your exes in Lucky Escapes, an oversized basketball player tries to fit in a small car and the Newsbeat studio turns into a discoteque.
If you get more attention than someone else, what are you doing? Here's a useful phrase!
Elizabeth McGovern was Oscar nominated for her portrayal of Evelyn Nesbit in Ragtime and, by the age of 21, had played leading roles in Once Upon A Time In America followed by The Handmaid’s Tale and The Wings of the Dove. She is probably best known though for playing Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham in Downton Abbey. She is now on stage starring in Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? The actress and musician joins Jessica to discuss her varied career so far and what drew her to the role of Martha.
The Metropolitan Police is investigating 1,000 sexual and domestic abuse claims involving about 800 of its officers. Its Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley made the announcement after PC David Carrick pleaded guilty to 49 offences, including dozens of rapes. Today's Mishal Husain spoke to Sir Mark who apologised to Carrick's victims for the force's failings. She also spoke to former Superintendent Del Babu and the former Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales Dame Vera Baird. Justin Webb also discussed the case with criminologist Professor Betsy Stanko.
(IMAGE CREDIT: Kirsty O'Connor/PA Wire)
主持人菲菲想给大家分享一个好消息，但 Rob 抢先一步，先宣布了他的好消息。Rob 抢了菲菲的风头，所以菲菲用了表达 “steal someone's thunder” 来描述 Rob 的行为。听他们的对话，学习如何使用这个地道表达。
Celebrations have continued across Sicily at the news of the capture of Matteo Messina Denaro. Also: Could Nasa technology help reduce the risks of older people falling over? And the Australian woman who's just run the entire length of her country - a marathon every day for a hundred and fifty days.
Italy's most-wanted Mafia boss Matteo Messina Denaro has been arrested in Sicily, ending a 30-year search. The Mafia boss who was tried and sentenced to life in jail in absentia in 2002 over numerous murders also oversaw racketeering, illegal waste dumping, money-laundering and drug-trafficking for the powerful Cosa Nostra organised crime syndicate.
We follow the story of eugenics from its origins in the middle-class salons of Victorian Britain, through the Fitter Family competitions and sterilisation laws of Gilded Age USA, to the full genocidal horrors of Nazi Germany.
Eugenics is born in Victorian Britain, christened by the eccentric gentleman-scientist Sir Francis Galton. It’s a movement to breed better humans, fusing new biological ideas with the politics of empire, and the inflexible snobbery of the middle-classes.
The movement swiftly gains momentum - taken up by scientists, social reformers, and even novelists as a moral and political quest to address urgent social problems. By encouraging the right people to have babies, eugenicists believed we could breed ourselves to a brighter future; a future free from disease, disability, crime, even poverty. What, its proponents wondered, could be more noble?
The story culminates in the First International Eugenics Congress of 1912, where a delegation of eminent public figures from around the world gather in South Kensington to advocate and develop the science – and ideology – of better breeding. Among them Winston Churchill, Arthur Balfour, the Dean of St Pauls, Charles Darwin's son, American professors and the ambassadors from Norway, Greece, and France: a global crusade in motion.
But amidst the sweeping utopian rhetoric, the darker implications of eugenic ideas emerge: what of those deemed 'unfit'? What should happen to them?
Contributors: Professor Joe Cain, Daniel Maier, Professor Philippa Levine, Professor Angelique Richardson
Featuring the voices of David Hounslow, Joanna Monro and Hughie O'Donnell
Former Nigerian president and African Union envoy, Olusegun Obasanjo, has been quoted as saying that as many as 600,000 people may have been killed in Ethiopia's brutal two-year long civil war in the Tigray region. The Chief Commissioner of the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission tells us establishing a precise figure is difficult.
UN officials describe a deadly bomb attack on a Pentecostal church in a town in eastern D R Congo as "cowardly and despicable".
And musician Seun Kuti tells us about being inspired by, and extending the legacy of his father, Fela.
في إكسترا اليوم نتحدث عن الانتقادات وما تخلفه من آثار في حياة الناس، وكيف أن الانتقاد المستمر قد يدفع أحدهم إلى ترك عمله ويستمر تأثيره على نفسيته مدى الحياة. ونسمع من معالج نفسي عن الطرق التي تساعد على التخلص من تلك الآثار.
وفي إكسترا لنا حديث مع شاب مراهق معجب بأندرو تيت، أحد أشهر المؤثرين على الانترنت والذي قبض عليه مؤخرا بتهم الاغتصاب والاتجار بالبشر لنتعرف منه على أسباب ولع الأطفال والشباب الصغير بمتابعته. وفي موضوع آخر نسأل مختصا في اللغات الأفريقية عن سبب اندثار عدد من اللغات الأفريقية وماهي اللغات الشفهية التي لا تزال محكية في القارة السمراء وهل من مشاريع لحماية اللغات الأفريقية المهددة بالزوال. وبما أن إكسترا يعد أيامه الأخيرة نسمع من مراسلة إكسترا من الأراضي الفلسطينية عن تجربتها مع برنامجنا.
حلقة اليوم تقدمها ياسمين أبو خضرا
Jeanie Willox! Things our Nans say that just leave us baffled. Plus, “The Knitting (pub) Club” join us for the Yesterday’s Quiz.
Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.
In the 1990s Bret Easton Ellis shot to fame after the release of his novel American Psycho but has not released a book in more than a decade. His new book Shards is a mix of autobiography and imaginings set in the Los Angeles of Easton Ellis's youth. He spoke to Today’s Justin Webb about free speech and how the literary industry has changed over his time writing.
Credit :GettyImages/NurPhoto
Under new government plans, the police will have the right to stop a protest before they can cause serious disruption.
Today's Mishal Husain spoke to Conservative MP and former Justice Secretary Robert Buckland, along with Labour peer and former director of the civil liberties organisation Liberty Baroness Chakrabarti about the potential damage to protest rights and whether these powers are proportional to the problem.
By: Henry NichollsCredit: Reuters Location :London, United Kingdom
Growing up surrounded by gangsters and a dysfunctional family, this is the story of Ashley - a tall comedian who loves William Shatner and hates textured fabrics.
Glasgow's nightlife in the early 1980's was still flying the flag for disco, bell bottoms and oversized lapels, and it was outside the local club in Shettleston where Ashley's parents met for the first time, starting the story that led to an unexpected marriage and a family feud that was never resolved.
A Dabster production for BBC Radio 4
Written by Ashley Storrie
Produced by Julia Sutherland
The Yeti Airlines flight came down near the town of Pokhara on Sunday morning. Also: a bomb attack on worshippers in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu pushes ahead with controversial reforms, and Jordan’s plans to increase tourism.
In the Ukrainian city of Dnipro hopes are dwindling of finding survivors following a Russian missile strike on a block of flats. Thirty people have been killed, and another thirty are still unaccounted for. We speak to a nearby resident about the events.
Also on the programme: Israel's President says the country is hurtling towards a constitutional crisis; and why are atmospheric rivers dumping rain on California?
(Photo: Emergency personnel work at the site where an apartment block was heavily damaged by a Russian missile strike amid Russia's attack on Ukraine. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne)
Dozens of people have been killed after a plane with 72 passengers crashed near an airport in the Nepali tourist town of Pokhara. At least 68 people are confirmed to have died, officials said.
Also in the programme: The number of civilians killed in Saturday's Russian air strike on an apartment block in the central Ukrainiain city of Dnipro continues to rise; and Shakira has released a new break-up song 'Out of Your League' targeting the singer's ex, the Spanish footballer Gerard Pique and his relationship with a much younger woman.
(Photo: The wreckage at the crash site of a Yeti Airlines ATR72 aircraft in Pokhara, central Nepal, 15 January 2023. Credit: BIJAYA NEUPANE/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh le Ruairidh MacIlleathain. Litir àireamh 1226. Roddy Maclean reads this week's letter for Gàidhlig learners.
"Get on the pill, get a job, and stay out of my life" - such were the less than encouraging words her father once addressed to the young Lorraine Cavanagh. Despite coming from a wealthy and privileged family background (her grandmother was the inventor of the modern bra, and the proprietor of a prestigious publishing house), Dr Cavanagh endured a childhood of emotional neglect, and sexual abuse at the hands of a stepfather she was encouraged to call 'Dad'. In this candid interview, Revd Cavanagh, who is now a Church in Wales priest, talks to Delyth Liddell about her new book, a memoir about coming to terms with her early life: Rebuilding the Ruined Places, and her journey of faith, trying to make sense of some of the paradoxes of her extraordinary, glamorous and yet emotionally starved upbringing in France, America, Spain and England.
How might the death of the former Pope Benedict affect the future direction of the Catholic Church? When Benedict XVI resigned in 2013 citing old age, he became the first Pope in 600 years to step down from the role. For almost a decade there were in effect two popes living at close quarters in the Vatican. Some have regarded Benedict as more conservative than his successor, Pope Francis. We examine how the death of the former Pope could affect the pontificate of Francis and ask if it could lead to change.
Government figures show that more than half of adults released from prison in England and Wales go on to reoffend. In the second of our series on religion in prison, we hear about a faith group which is helping offenders to get back on their feet when they’re first released. Staff and clients at the Yellow Ribbon Community Chaplaincy in the English Midlands say drug and alcohol addictions often aren’t tackled in prison, and there's little support for people when they’re freed. The Justice ministry told us that it's improving rehabilitation in prison, and increasing the number of specialised wings to treat drug addiction and keep prisoners substance-free.
The data from the last Census released recently revealed a changing religious landscape in England and Wales, with a decline in the number of people identifying as Christian. But there were other interesting changes, including a rise in Shamanism. In 2011, just 650 people described themselves as Shaman, but a decade later, that had risen sharply to 8,000. We explore the appeal of Shamanism and ask why its popularity is increasing.
Producer: Jonathan Hallewell
Presenter: Emily Buchanan
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs. This week we discover a breakthrough in treating type 2 diabetes, and find out why the Virgin Orbital launch failed earlier this week
Plus, we look at microplastics and the oceans at large as we go aboard the ocean research vessel the RRS Sir David Attenborough, which could have originally been named 'Boaty McBoatface', as they prepare to set sail for the Antarctic. And we discover how the Boaty McBoatface name lives on through one of the research submarines that is deployed on board the ship.
Several Ukrainian cities were struck including Dnipro, where an apartment block was hit. Also: more classified material found at Biden's home, and Ray Cordeiro -- the world's longest working disc jockey -- dies aged 98.
The UK is offering what is thought to be about a dozen Challenger Two tanks to Ukraine. This will be the first time western tanks have been sent, potentially paving the way for other countries to follow suit.
Also on the programme: the former head of security in Brasilia, Anderson Torres, has been arrested on his return from the United States and charged with collusion in the storming of Congress; and we look at the results of the first round of the Czech elections.
(Photo: A Challenger 2 tank being used during a military parade in the UK Credit: Getty images)
We speak to listeners on how best to talk about Andrew Tate and other social media influencers who are spreading misogynistic messages online. We talk to Dr Emily Setty, Senior Lecturer at the University of Surrey who does research in schools with young people about sex and relationships & Michael Conroy, founder of Men at Work, an organisation that trains professionals how to have constructive dialogue with boys.
Listener Hayley got in touch to share her own story, not only of being a donor conceived person herself, but of using a donor to conceive her own children too. She explains why she thinks it’s so important to be open and honest about your child’s conception.
22-year-old Eleanor Williams who claimed she had been trafficked and raped by an Asian grooming gang was convicted of perverting the course of justice. She will be sentenced in March but we consider the possible impact her conviction could have on how rape is reported, how it’s handled by the police and whether women are believed. We hear from the former chief prosecutor for the north west Nazir Ali and Maggie Oliver, the former senior police officer who became a whistle-blower for exposing the poor handling of the Rochdale child sex abuse ring case by her own force.
We hear from Joanna Bourke who is the Gresham Professor of Rhetoric on the history of breast cancer.
The Offbeat Sari exhibition will include 90 examples of innovative saris – including the first ever sari worn at the Met Gala and a foil jersey sari worn by Lady Gaga. We talk to the exhibition's curator Priya Khanchandani.
Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Surya Elango
Editor: Louise Corley
A British Iranian national, Alireza Akbari, who once served as deputy defence minister has been executed in Iran on charges of spying for Britain. Britain's prime minister Rishi Sunak has described his execution as a callous and cowardly act by a barbaric regime.
Also in the programme: The president of Peru, Dina Boluarte, says she has no intention of resigning despite weeks of anti-government protests which have brought large parts of the country to a standstill; and the man acknowledged by the Guinness Book of World Records as "the world's most durable DJ", ‘Uncle Ray’ Cordeiro has died aged ninety eight.
Photo: Alireza Akbari, Iran's former deputy defence minister, speaks during an interview with Khabaronline in Tehran, Iran, in this undated picture obtained on January 12, 2023. Khabaronline/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS
مسئلهی اصلی پیشاروی نظام جمهوری اسلامی چیست؟ آیا پس از خامنهای نظام اسلامی ناچار است از ولایت فقیه گذر کند؟ مهمانهای برنامه: فرخ نگهدار؛ تحلیلگر سیاسی و ایرج مصداقی؛ فعال و تحلیلگر سیاسی.
Broadcaster Kate Mason, sports journalist Thom Gibbs, former England netballer Eboni Usoro-Brown and comedian Tez Ilyas join Colin Murray for an hour of sporting punditry, humour and entertainment. Points are awarded for informed comment, wit and passion, but taken away for nonsense and answers lacking in conviction.
In the final round, the top two points scorers go head-to-head in 'Defend the Indefensible' where they must both defend a statement however ludicrous or distasteful for twenty seconds. There can only be one winner!
Get the podcast from BBC Sounds
What does it mean to be a citizen? Is it about belonging, or about convenience? Katy Long examines two trends which offer stark alternatives: countries which remove citizenship (or want to), and those which sell it. Sharing stories from Belarus, the Dominican Republic, Malta and Kuwait reveals how very differently different countries think about these questions, about identity, and about the powerful forces shaping our world and our lives, forces over which few of us have any power.
How does masculinity turn toxic? What does it actually mean to be a man?
Is the remarkable appeal of a figure like Andrew Tate - the social media influencer - the product of a male malaise in liberal democracies?
His TikTok videos have been condemned as deeply misogynistic but have been viewed billions of times.
He has tens of millions of followers globally - most of them male, many of them very young.
The Today programme’s Amol Rajan spoke to Mike Thompson, a former English teacher who now runs workshops about masculinity in Lancashire and Richard Reeves, the author of Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What To Do About It..
(Image, boy and shadow, Credit Getty Images)
When it came to tackling Covid, China has been among the strictest on the planet. There have been almost three years of travel restrictions, testing and lockdowns. Host James Reynolds also chats with Yanni, Lex and David, who discuss what it has been like to live under China’s ‘zero Covid’ policy and how they have all recently had the disease, following a nationwide surge in cases. We also get a perspective on what’s been happening in China from two foreigners living in the county: Jonathan, a Canadian, and Lee, a South African, who tells us that she has felt unable to leave Beijing for the past three years.
We discuss this week's Scottish Budget, from income tax to benefits. Deputy First Minister John Swinney announced that everyone earning more than £43,662 in Scotland will have to pay more income tax next year. It's as the higher rate of tax increases from 41p to 42p in the pound in April, and the top rate from 46p to 47p. We'll get reaction to that from people in Glasgow and analysis from Emma Congreve an economist who is Deputy Director at the Fraser of Allander Institute in Strathclyde.
This month, we've seen freezing temperatures which, for millions of households, have triggered Cold Weather Payments. These are paid to some people in low income households who get means-tested benefits to help pay their higher energy bills during a cold snap. Payments of £25 are made automatically when the average temperature in an area is recorded or forecast to be at zero degrees celcius or below for seven consecutive days. We discuss who's eligible and how it works.
Interest rates rose again this week for the ninth time in a row - from 3% to 3.5%, its highest level for 14 years. The decision will increase monthly mortgage payments for some homeowners at a time when many people are struggling with all the other rises in the cost of living. The Bank of England predicted this week that people with mortgages who need to refinance next year to a new fixed rate will face an average monthly increase of around £250 - that's £3000 a year. What does that mean for you?
Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporter: Clare Worden and Dan Whitworth
Researcher: Sandra Hardial
Editor: Jess Quayle
(First broadcast 12noon, Saturday 17th December, 2022)
The Trump Organization was found guilty of fraud and falsifying business records. Also: Russia claims victory in battle for Soledar, and why does chocolate feel so good to eat?
US banks unveil their earnings and reveal some nervousness about what the future holds
What must it be like to live through a year which has seen inflation rise by nearly 95% - we hear from Argentina, which has just experienced its highest rates in three decades.
As Tesla make big cuts of up to 20% to the price of their electric cars – are we heading towards a price war in the EV market…
And why a search for Nazi gold is causing havoc in the Netherlands….
For the first time, the Russian military admits to the Wagner Group's contribution to operations in Ukraine.
Also in the programme: The United States and Japan celebrate a strengthening of their alliance; and Kurdish protestors in Stockholm threaten to derail relations between Sweden and Turkey.
(Photo: Smoke rises from strikes on the frontline city of Soledar, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, as seen from Bakhmut, Ukraine, January 5, 2023. Credit: REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne)
Representatives of the M23 armed group operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo, agree to a ceasefire and to continue pulling out from cities in the east of the country. The concessions come in the latest round of peace talks brokered by the former president of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta.
Plus, why are so many Nigerian doctors leaving the country? We have a report from the north-west of the country, where both patients and practitioners are struggling with the shortages.
And we pay tribute to one of the pillars of Africa’s film industry, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, who founded the African Movie Academy Awards. She died earlier this week at the age of 54.
Writer, Katie Hims
Director, Julie Beckett
Editor, Jeremy Howe
Pat Archer ….. Patricia Gallimore
Tom Archer ….. William Troughton
Lilian Bellamy ….. Sunny Ormonde
Susan Carter ….. Charlotte Martin
Justin Elliott ….. Simon Williams
Alan Franks ….. John Telfer
Rex Fairbrother ….. Nick Barber
Joy Horville ….. Jackie Lye
Alistair Lloyd ….. Michael Lumsden
Jim Lloyd ….. John Rowe
Kate Madikane ….. Perdita Avery
Adam Macy ….. Andrew Wincott
Jazzer McCreary ….. Ryan Kelly
Kirsty Miller ….. Annabelle Dowler
Erik ….. Steven Hartley
The content of Matt Hancock’s Covid diaries, the reason why Sir Keir Starmer may soon be out of a job, and a behind-the-scenes look at the King's preparations for his Christmas message.
Performed by Jon Culshaw, Lewis McLeod, Jan Ravens, Duncan Wisbey, Naomi McDonald and Anil Desai.
Written by Written by Tom Jamieson and Nev Fountain, Laurence Howarth, Sarah Campbell, Tom Coles and Ed Amsden, James Bugg, Cody Dahler, Toussaint Douglass, Robert Darke, Sophie Dickson, Katie Sayer, Peter Tellouche and Edward Tew.
Produced and created by Bill Dare.
Production Co-ordinator: Caroline Barlow
After more than two years of cracking down on China's technology giants, Beijing is now taking a different tack by buying shares in the companies and demanding a seat on the board. We look at what that means for the firms involved and online users in China.
Apple CEO Tim Cook has had his pay almost cut in half to $49 million, after requesting it be cut. We find out if it's a trend other big bosses will follow.
And we hear how France's bakers are coping with soaring production costs from higher energy and ingredient prices.
Oleksii Reznikov says he's confident the west will supply the heavy weapons needed to defeat Russia. Also: Kazakhstan has stripped the former president Nursultan Nazarbayev of his honorary status as head of the nation, and the man accused of killing Japan's former prime minister, Shinzo Abe, has been charged with murder.
Ukrainian officials accused Russia of "information noise" in the fight for the salt mine town of Soledar. The defence minister, Oleksii Resnikov, said the country was now a de facto member of Nato and dismissed the idea that Ukrainians should fear Russian escalation.
Also on the programme: covid spreads across China; and a special report on the people leading the biggest anti-mafia trial in Italy for decades.
(Image: A satellite view shows a destroyed school and buildings in south Soledar, Ukraine, in January 2023. Credit: Maxar Technologies/Reuters)
by Mike Walker. Starring Patrick Baladi and Sirine Saba
Cosimo de' Medici inherits his father's bank. Through shrewd trade and business innovation he becomes the richest man in Europe and a great patron of the Arts, but will Albizzi and the ruling families of Florence ever accept him as an equal?
CAST
Cosimo de' Medici - Patrick Baladi
Contessina de' Bardi - Sirine Saba
Rinaldo degli Albizzi - Richard Elfyn
Niccolo Tinucci - Christopher Elson
Old Giovanni - Hugh Thomas
Silvio - Marc Danbury
Gio Verdi - Marco Fiera
The Manager - David Hounslow
Sound Design - Nigel Lewis and Catherine Robinson
Producer - John Norton
A BBC Audio Wales production
This was originally aired on R4
You can find the next episode on BBC Sounds
Ant & Dec are here and play a disastrous game of Sit Down Stand Up, we have another tense Jan Slam battle and The Floorers are back for the final of The Quiz
Women conductors are in the limelight this week with a film called “Tar”, which opens in cinemas today, starring Cate Blanchett depicting the life of Lydia Tár - a fictional world-renowned composer-conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic. The American conductor Marin Alsop famously observed that women are more likely to lead a G7 country or become four-star generals in the US Army than they are to be the principal conductor of a big orchestra. Anita Rani speaks to one our listener Emma Warren who got in touch with us as she is the only woman on her choral conducting course at The Royal Academy and Joséphine Korda who has just been announced by Opera North as their latest Female Conductor Trainee.
Yesterday we talked about Andrew Tate and other social media influencers who are spreading misogynistic messages online. Several listeners got in touch to tell us about how their children have come across this kind of material and with concerns about how best to talk about it with them. Anita is joined by Dr Emily Setty, Senior Lecturer at the University of Surrey who does research in schools with young people about sex and relationships and Michael Conroy founder of Men at Work, an organisation that trains professionals how to have constructive dialogue with boys.
Jenny Beavan has spent over 40 years dressing the greats of Hollywood for film and screen. She is an 11 time Oscar nominated (and 3 time Oscar winning) costume designer, whose work you will be familiar with from films such as Sense and Sensibility, The King’s Speech, and Mad Max: Fury Road. She has just been longlisted for the BAFTA Award for Best Costume Design for her work on Mrs Harris Goes to Paris. The film tells the story of Ada Harris, played by Lesley Manville, a cleaning lady who – unsurprisingly – travels to Paris, after she sees a Dior dress belonging to one of her clients and is determined to own one of her own. Jenny joins Anita to tell us about the process of recreating old Dior designs and the transformative power of that perfect dress!
More than 25 years ago, the World Health Organisation made a commitment to eradicate Female Genital Mutilation across the world. Despite this, around eight thousand women and girls each day go through FGM. To understand why this is still happening, Anita Rani will hear from WHO researcher Dr ...
Is football in danger of losing its soul to commerce?
Former Manchester United footballer Eric Cantona says he would rather watch a second division team today than follow a Premier League side.
He says, “I think we live in a big circus. Everybody knows that.”
The Today programme’s Nick Robinson spoke to Eric Cantona and the fine artist Michael Browne about how both art and football can reflect and change society.
(Image, Eric Cantona and Nick Robinson, Credit, BBC)
It follows the discovery of classified material in the US president's home and an office. Also: The Brazilian president says the protesters who ransacked government buildings on Sunday had inside help from members of the security forces, and the hunt for a cat that's been missing in an airport in Bolivia for a month.
The head of one of the world's biggest oil companies has been named to lead the COP28 global climate talks in Dubai, later this year.
Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber is currently the chief executive officer of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and he is also the minister for industry and advanced technology for the COP28 hosts, the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
We'll talk to those who support the UAE's decision, as well as climate change activists who are angered by it.
Also in the programme: We'll hear about the harassment by the Iranian state faced by BBC Persian journalists; and how one Italian judge has saved dozens of children from being raised for a life in organized crime.
(Photo shows United Arab Emirates' Industry Minister Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber speaking at a conference. Credit: Amr Alfiky/Reuters)
New figures show that inflation in the US – the world’s largest economy - is on the way down. The latest figures showed a slight fall to 6.5%, down from 7.5% the previous month. Rising prices have been the bugbear of the post-Covid global economy, with central banks moving to raise interest rates to try to deal with it, resulting in a struggle for those whose incomes are no longer enough to cover their food or energy costs.
Flood warnings in parts of California have seen some of the state’s best known celebrities flee their homes. The current weather conditions are in part the result of ‘Atmospheric rivers’ – literally fast flowing rivers of water vapor in the atmosphere. Marty Ralph from the Scripps Institute has been studying this phenomenon for years, he explains what atmospheric rivers are, and tells us how a greater understanding of the phenomenon is now informing weather forecasting and evacuation plans.
Over the past year several million people have fled Ukraine, amongst them many scientists. Nataliya Shulga from the Ukraine Science Club is working on a wide ranging initiative to attract them back. She tells us of plans not just to reconstruct Ukrainian science facilities after the war, but to offer a philosophical change which breaks with the Soviet past - a more global, collaborative environment for scientists returning to the Ukraine.
Last December the Afghan Taliban banned women from attending university, its just one of the many moves denying education to women since the Taliban returned to power. Particle physicist Kate Shaw had been working with Afghan physicists in the years before the Taliban’s comeback, she is now developing an initiative with scientists and institutions around the world to offer places to Afghan women keen to study physics. She says institutions and individuals who may be able to help should contact Physics without Frontiers at the International Centre for Theoretical Physics.
And Gibbons sing with synchronicity, a new study led by Teresa Raimondi, from the University of Turin shows the ability of couples to chorus together to be rather human like.
Image Credit: Josh Edelson
Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Julian Siddle
Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has urged thousands of people gathered in the capital city’s main stadium to fight al-Shabab. The rally has been called the Mogadishu People's Uprising and was aimed at demonstrating support for the civilians fighting against the militant group.
A Nigerian court has quashed the regulation which banned unmarried police officers from getting pregnant. We hear from a representative of the female officer who brought the case.
And the Egyptian pound reaches its lowest against the US dollar. How are people coping as prices start to rise?
We pay tribute to the former Italy, Sampdoria, Juventus and Chelsea player Gianluca Vialli who sadly died last week. Plus, we meet Palestinian refugee Heba Saadia who's been selected as one of the Assistant Referees at this year's Women's World Cup. She grew up in a Palestinian refugee camp in Damascus but since the Syrian civil war started, has moved around the world with her family. No Palestinian has ever reached this level in football before.
Picture on website: Gianluca Vialli greets supporters after Italy won Euro 2020 at Wembley Stadium. (Photo by LAURENCE GRIFFITHS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
في بي بي سي أكسترا اليوم حديثنا عن الخلافات العائلية وأثرها على أفراد الأسرة و علاقاتها
وما تداعيات انسحاب المنتخب المغربي من بطولة أمم أفريقيا للمحليين؟
وفي الصحافة، إيلون ماسك يسجل أكبر خسارة لثروة شخصية في التاريخ.
إكسترا اليوم بصحبة محمد مطر
في الإخراج : منى أبو عمارة بمساعدة بناني الخنشي و كريم مصطفى
في الإشراف : كريمة كواح
US inflation was 6.5% over the 12 months to the end of December, down from a month previous, easing cost-of-living pressures. Falls to energy prices, in particular petrol, contributed to the smallest increase in more than a year. We speak to consumers and economist about how it's being felt on the ground.
We find out about the boardroom battle taking over Disney, as activist investor Nelson Peltz tries to force his way onto the company's board.
And a report estimates that global natural disasters cost $270 billion in 2022. One of the report's authors tells us what we can expect in the future.
Climate change campaigners express outrage at Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber's appointment. Also: a French huntsman who killed a man he mistook for a wild boar avoids prison, and we look back at the life of the influential British guitarist Jeff Beck.
Environmental campaigners have criticised the UAE's decision to appoint the CEO of one of the world's biggest oil companies as president of this year's UN climate summit in Dubai. They say that Sultan Al Jaber must resign from the firm to avoid a conflict of interest.
Also in the programme: The IMF is warning of a looming debt crisis that could see many low-income countries at risk of default, and tens of millions facing extreme hunger; and the Italian judge helping children escape organised crime families.
(Photo: Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, the CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. Credit: Getty Images)
Former Australia captain Belinda Clark joins Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma after a statue was unveiled of her at the Sydney Cricket Ground, the first of any female cricketer in the world. She gives her thoughts on the current state of the women’s game, including Meg Lanning’s return to the Australia side after a five month break, and the upcoming inaugural women’s edition of the Indian Premier League.
With just months to go until the start of the Women’s IPL, uncertainty remains over just about every detail…including the name! Charu brings us up to speed on the latest developments.
We also discuss the news that Australia have withdrawn from their ODI series with Afghanistan, following the Taliban's recent announcement regarding further restrictions on women and girls' education and employment. The chief executive of the International Cricket Council, Geoff Allardice, has told the BBC that no women’s or girl’s cricket is being played in the country to their knowledge.
Image: Belinda Clark poses for a photo with her newly revealed statue during day two of the Second Test match in the series between Australia and South Africa at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 05, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brett Hemmings - CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)
Cate Blanchett has just won a Golden Globe for her role as a virtuoso conductor in new film Tar. The fictional musician, who runs a major German orchestra, faces accusations of bullying and predatory behaviour. But Today's Martha Kearney speaks to Blanchett about playing a character corrupted by power, and what acting awards mean to her.
(IMAGE CREDIT: BBC)
Greg tries to deceive the listeners but a noisy mouse gives the game away. Also, Snoochie Shy asseses your inebriated festive voice-notes and Liv The Young Coach Driver made the awful mistake of listening to the show whilst at the dentist.
Sinn Fein say, Mary Lou McDonald was snubbed and told she could not attend the meeting.
Natasha Kaplinsky has become the first female president of the British Board of Film Classification, which is responsible for setting age guidelines for films, videos and DVDs, as well as content on some streaming services. The journalist, presenter and former newsreader for the BBC, Sky and Channel 5 joins Anita for her first broadcast interview about the role since her appointment in November. She'll discuss what drew her to the job, which topics concern parents the most and how she'll judge today's cultural sensitivities around sex, violence and language.
Dr Rebecca Gomperts has spent her career providing abortions in places where the procedure is restricted or illegal. Her first venture, Women on Waves, saw her using a converted fishing trawler to travel into international waters and perform the procedures on board. Then she started an online service shipping abortion pills to women, using her Austrian medical license to stay within the law. Most recently her attention has turned to the US in the wake of the overturning of Roe vs Wade. She joins Anita to discuss how her work has changed.
Professor Joanna Bourke has been looking into the history of breast cancer. How did the one-step radical mastectomy persist as the most common way to deal with the disease until relatively recently? How was breast cancer racialized, with many doctors in the US who believed that black women could not get it? And why are women encouraged to reconstruct their missing breast after surgery? Joanna is the Gresham Professor of Rhetoric, and is giving a lecture on the cultural history of breast cancer this evening, which will also be available to watch online. She joins Anita in studio.
Southern Italy is home to some of Europe's most powerful criminal organisations; the Sicilian Mafia, the Camorra in Naples and the Ndrangheta based in Calabria. For many, crime is a family business. So a judge in Sicily has come up with a radical plan to prevent young people becoming the next generation of mobsters. He’s been taking children away from Mafia families. This controversial policy is now being considered by other countries around the world. Daniel Gordon travels to Sicily to meet those involved in the programme and find out whether it actually works.
Photo: A 17 year-old girl, Letizia, supported by her uncle, addresses an anti-mafia meeting in the Sicilian town of Messina. Her mother is missing and is believed to have been killed by local gangsters.
(Photo: Rocco Papandrea, Gazzetta de Sud.)
Reporter: Daniel Gordon
Producer: Alex Last
Series Editor: Penny Murphy
Sound engineer: Graham Puddifoot
Production coordinator: Iona Hammond
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Orson Welles' film, released in 1941, which is widely acclaimed as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, films yet made. Welles plays the lead role of Charles Foster Kane, a newspaper magnate, and Welles directed, produced and co-wrote this story of loneliness at the heart of a megalomaniac. The plot was partly inspired by the life of William Randolph Hearst, who then used the power of his own newspapers to try to suppress the film’s release. It was to take some years before Citizen Kane reached a fuller audience and, from that point, become so celebrated.
The image above is of Kane addressing a public meeting while running for Governor.
With
Stella Bruzzi
Professor of Film and Dean of Arts and Humanities at University College London
Ian Christie
Professor of Film and Media History at Birkbeck, University of London
And
John David Rhodes
Professor of Film Studies and Visual Culture at the University of Cambridge
Producer: Simon Tillotson
Ukraine disputes new claim by Russian mercenary group, Wagner, that the town has been captured. Also: Police are on high alert in Brazil as protests are held by supporters of the former president, Jair Bolsonaro, and the seal that's eating its way through all the fish in an English lake.
These are difficult times for Latin American economies. The region was hit harder than most by Covid and as an exporter of prime materials its always hit by any slowdown in the global economy. There is a lot of political uncertainty in the region . No more so than in Peru, where president Pedro Castillo was recently ousted from office after he illegally tried to close congress and rule by decree. He's now in pre-trial detention while he's investigated for fomenting rebellion, a charge he denies. He's been replaced by fellow leftist Dina Boluarte, who's vowed to try to revive Peru's economy.
Russia's second-largest oil producer Lukoil has reached an agreement to sell its ISAB oil refinery in Sicily to G.O.I. ENERGY. Lukoil had no choice but to sell it as they couldn't sell oil products this year. The European Union has imposed a partial embargo on Russian crude oil and petroleum products, as well as a ban on shipping insurance for oil exports from Russia.
Meanwhile, a lawyer for the failed cryptocurrency firm, FTX, says his team has salvaged more than five billion dollars in assets following the company’s spectacular collapse in November. Andrew Dietderich told a US bankruptcy court (in Delaware) that efforts to sell other assets with a book value of more than four billion dollars were in hand -- but warned the final hit to nine million investors remained unclear.
(Picture: Mature man and a young man sitting with a groom, Taquile Island, Lake Titicaca, Puno, Peru. Picture Credit: Getty Images)
In this week’s episode of Health Check, we meet the Poulin family who live in Thailand. They tell us about their long quest to have their little girl Rylae-Ann diagnosed with an incredibly rare disease. And that’s just the beginning of the story.
Rylae-Ann was fortunate enough to have gene therapy on a clinical trial in Taiwan – and it has transformed her life – but it’s not a treatment that’s available to everyone.
Joining presenter Smitha Mundasad in the studio is family doctor Graham Easton, who’ll discuss why that’s the case – and what the risks are around this experimental treatment and the ethics of diagnosing rare conditions.
We’ll also hear from a scientist in Vancouver on her fascinating research which has discovered a compound in a sea sponge that blocks Covid-19 in human cells in the lab.
And we’ll have the latest on the virus in China, as concerns grow about its spread ahead of the Lunar New Year, and a rather unusual study about a very small trial in London involving scars being treated using transplanted hair.
Presenter: Smitha Mundasad
Producer: Gerry Holt and Tess Davidson
Uganda has declared an end to an Ebola outbreak that killed more than 50 people. The announcement follows a 42-day period without any new confirmed cases.
The wife of French journalist Olivier Dubois, abducted by al-Qaeda-affiliated jihadists in Mali nearly two years ago, speaks about his ordeal and her efforts to try and secure his release.
And we meet Cameroonian Professor Abdon Atangana who has been voted the world’s 2nd-best mathematician, by Stanford University.
Martin Lewis joins Nihal Arthanayake to answer your debt-related questions. In this week’s “tell us” Martin asks how your kids have helped you with your finances. Plus Martin’s podcast-only money saving tips, including how to save on cinema tickets.
Dirty work - Laurie Taylor explores the invisible labour we choose not to see.
The writer and sociologist, Eyal Press, considers the morally dubious, even dangerous jobs, which sustain modern society but which are concealed from view, from the prison guards who patrol the wards of America's most violent and abusive prisons to the migrants who work in industrial slaughterhouses. What are the ethical, as well as physical costs of doing this kind of labour? Why do those individuals carry the stigma and shame of doing 'dirty work', rather than the society which condones it?
Ellie Johnson, Research Fellow in the School for Policy Studies at the University of Bristol, discusses the treatment of older people in two English residential care homes, sketching out the workers' attitudes and practices concerning hygiene and bodily waste and the ways in which they do, or don't, offer dignity and respect to those receiving care. Is the mistreatment of older people simply an outcome of a deeply inequitable market for care provision or can it also tell us something about the way in which marginalised groups, such as elderly and disabled people, can be dehumanised?
Producer: Jayne Egerton
Domestic flights across the US were grounded for several hours after the system that alerts pilots to potential hazards went down. We hear from those trying to travel, and find out what the repercussions will be.
The Egyptian pound has plunged more than 13% against the US dollar, as the nation struggles with its worst foreign-currency squeeze in years. We find out what's behind it and how it's affecting business.
And we find out what to expect from Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's tour of the G7 countries.
Russia's defence ministry and the mercenary Wagner Group give competing versions of events. Also: Uganda says the Ebola epidemic that killed 56 people is over, and the workers in Japan getting a huge pay rise.
A strange saying at the dinner table, a wasp in the snooker hall and a fox at the hairdressers. A show so good that Greg wants to enter himself!
Krupa Padhy talks to Steph Swanson the artist who created Loab and to Tabitha Goldstaub from the UK’s Artificial Intelligence Council and to Mhairi Aitken from the Alan Turing Institute.
In February 2003, a woman called Lana Clarkson was found dead at the Hollywood mansion of the iconic music producer Phil Spector. It was a global news sensation, with Spector insisting that the 40 year old actor – whom he had only met that evening - had killed herself with his gun. A new Sky documentary series called Spector re-examines what happened almost 20 years ago, and speaks to her family and friends for the first time.
You can hear another instalment of our “Girls World” series which looks at the life of today’s young teenage women and how their parents can and do track them via their mobile phones.
And are you one of those people who loves jumping into the sea or a river at this time of year to feel the benefit of cold water swimming? Well, if so, the British Medical Journal has said that swimmers should be told more about the risks of a lung condition known as SIPE - swimming-induced pulmonary oedema. Dr Ruth Williamson is a cold water swimmer and Acting Chief Medical Officer at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital. She tells us how to spot SIPE and what to do about it, if you fear you have it.
Presenter: Krupa Padhy
Producer: Lisa Jenkinson
Studio Manager: Michael Millham
The scale of raw sewage discharges into rivers by England's biggest privatised water company has been revealed in a new interactive map that shows discharges in real time. It comes from Thames Water, which says it has voluntarily published the data ahead of companies having to do so under law.
(IMAGE CREDIT: REUTERS/Yann Tessier)
听众 Jack 想知道动词 “avoid、avert、prevent” 和 “refrain” 之间的区别。其中，哪个词可以用来表示 “躲避某人”？哪个词可以表示 “阻止他人做某事”？哪个词有 “阻止自己做某事” 的意思？在本期节目中，主持人 Beth 和佳莹辨析这四个词的含义和用法。
At some point in our lives, we all experience the death of family, friends or partners, and it is never easy.
It's made worse - by what can feel like an uncaring and unnecessarily complex bureaucracy which can make dealing with your family finances difficult, draining and confusing.
In this podcast, we hear the experiences of some who have gone through these problems and we look at strategies to help.
On the expert panel are, Nick Hill, Senior Advice Manager at Money and Pensions Service, and Melinda Giles, Council Member for Private Client Solicitors at The Law Society.
Presenter: Adam Shaw
Producer: Amber Mehmood
Editor: Jess Quayle
(First broadcast 3pm Wednesday 14th December, 2022)
The revelations follow new detailed analysis of satellite imagery by the Washington Post into the low official death rate. Also: Up to 100 Ukrainian soldiers will arrive in the US as early as next week to start training for the Patriot missile system, and the singing bus driver who has become an internet sensation.
The global economy is "perilously close to falling into recession", according to the latest forecast from the World Bank, as the impacts of the Ukraine war and Covid pandemic continue to be felt across the world.
In fact, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are already struggling to keep their heads above water. Leaders in politics and economics share their thoughts with us on the economic challenges facing those countries.
Meanwhile in the US, more job cuts in the tech sector - the crypto exchange Coinbase is laying off 20 percent of its global workforce.
(Picture: The World Bank logo seen displayed on a smartphone. Picture Credit: Getty Images)
Russian forces close in on Soledar, an American volunteer shares his story; Also in the programme we hear from the son of the imprisoned Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai; and we speak to the Republican congressman, Bob Good, who refused to endorse Kevin McCarthy as the speaker for the House of Representative.
(Photo: Family carries belongings from house destroyed by shelling in eastern Ukraine. Credit: Reuters)
One of our listeners in Ukraine contacted us to tell us how he stays online during power outages following bombing in Ukraine. Volodymyr Bielikov is on the show to explain the issues he’s regularly facing with internet connectivity.
AI avatars undressed and virtual employees
Ghislaine Boddington looks at the alarming story of how a young female reporter created avatars in the AI avatar app Lensa and was shocked to find that out of 100 avatars, 16 were topless and another 14 wore very skimpy clothing and were in provocative poses. Why has this app created astronauts and warrior avatars for her male colleagues and is undressing her avatars? Ghislaine also looks at the rising employment of virtual staff. The tech company Baidu says the number of virtual people projects its working on has doubled in the last year with prices of a virtual employee starting at just under $3k. Why are they becoming popular and what jobs are they being used for? Evelyn Cheng, Senior Correspondent from cnbc.com in Beijing, has been investigating the story.
An AI age verification system
Age verification has long been a topic of discussion, particularly in the online space with regards to young people who often don’t have verifiable ID such as a driver’s licence. Now a promising AI powered age estimation system, called YOTI, which analyses a person’s face is gaining popularity. Shiroma Silva has been testing it out on her colleagues – including Gareth – and reports how some major platforms are using it to keep younger users safe online.
The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell with expert commentary from Ghislaine Boddington.
Studio Manager: Tim Heffer
Producer: Ania Lichtarowicz
(Image: Power outage, blackout in Ukraine. Credit: Anton Petrus/Getty Images)
On a recent edition of In Touch, we heard about Accessible In Home Displays, or AIHDs. These devices are essentially energy smart meters that have been adapted to provide, for example, a text to speech facility. We were told that they should be available from energy companies for blind people who requested them. However, many listeners have told us that this has not been their experience. We take a closer look.
And Olivia Curno, CEO of "The Vision Foundation" and Keith Valentine, CEO of "Fight for Sight" join us with exclusive news on plans to tackle both the prevalence and impact of sight loss.
PRODUCER: FERN LULHAM
PRESENTER: PETER WHITE
Website image description: Peter White sits smiling in the centre of the image, wearing a dark green jumper. Above Peter's head is the BBC logo (three individual white squares house each of the three letters). Bottom centre and overlaying the image are the words "In Touch" and the Radio 4 logo (the word Radio in a bold white font, with the number 4 inside a white circle). The background is a bright mid-blue with two rectangles angled diagonally to the right. Both are behind Peter, one of a darker blue and the other is a lighter blue.
Nigeria’s electoral commission has warned that next month’s presidential election may be undermined by insecurity in the country.
Malawi launches the first dictionary of Malawian Sign Language, we’ve been speaking to activists involved in the project.
Plus, the lives of South African Muslims captured in an exhibition at the African Biennale of Photography in Bamako.
تسعى الجزائر إلى تسجيل اللباس التقليدي النسائي لمنطقة الشرق الجزائري في قائمة اليونيسكو للتراث المحفوظ.
في هذه الحلقة من بي بي سي إكسترا:
•ما هو اللباس الذي تسعى الجزائر إلى تصنيفه ضمن التراث العالمي؟
•هل يمكن الشفاء من مرض السكري من النوع 2؟
•كيف هي الحياة في محيط المسجد الأقصى؟
•هل تكون اللامركزية حلا لأزمات لبنان؟
هذه الحلقة من تقديم بسمة كراشة.
A private empty gravel lot transforms into a community beach in the pandemic and an invitation to step inside a work of art - Josie Long presents short documentaries about worlds turned upside down.
Bloordale Beach
Feat. Shari Kasman
Produced by Sarah Melton
With music from Pop Plug & Canada Katana and Catjam
Portals
Featuring Cassi Namoda
Originally produced for Shade Podcast's series Interludes.
Conceptualised by Executive Producer, Lou Mensah and created by Audio Artist, Axel Kacoutié
Shade Podcast - https://pod.link/1469562537
FIELDS
Original music by Ariana Martinez
Produced by Ariana Martinez
Curated by Axel Kacoutié, Eleanor McDowall and Andrea Rangecroft
Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4
As fighting rages in the Ukrainian mining town of Soledar, we hear an incredible tale of survival under bombardment in Kyiv.
Also in the programme: the role of Brazil's military; and Iran jails daughter of former president.
(Picture:Olha, 60, resident of Soledar waits in a temporary sleeping accommodation before being transported to an evacuation train where she will get out in Dnipro, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in Kramatorsk. Credit: REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne)
Beijing suspends visas for some of its neighbours amid surging coronavirus infections. Also: heavy casualties in Ukraine as both sides resort to fierce trench warfare in the east, and it's finally here! Prince Harry's autobiography goes on sale.
I am the Walrus and I’ll do as I please! Lowri brings us an update on Thor. Plus, we hear from the girl with the most famous thumb in the world and get some reassuring words from Kate Winslet.
One hundred years ago this week Edith Thompson and her lover Frederick Bywaters were hanged for the murder of her husband Percy, even though there was no evidence, of any kind, that she was involved with the killing. What condemned Edith were the letters that she had written to Freddy, which were interpreted by the law as incitement to murder. Laura Thompson has brought the letter together in a book Au Revoir Now Darlint. She joins Nuala to discuss the story and why the case still resonates a century later.
When Nuala spoke about donor conceived children on Woman’s Hour last week, listener Hayley got in touch to share her own story, not only of being a donor conceived person herself, but of using a donor to conceive her own children too. She shares her story and explains why she thinks it’s so important to be open and honest about your child’s conception.
Presented by Nuala McGovern
Producer: Louise Corley
Editor: Beverley Purcell
There is growing scientific evidence that many animals are not only conscious, but possess a more profound sense of self. They can learn by experience and make decisions that depend on a sense of the future - in other words, they are “sentient” beings with the capacity to feel pain, pleasure and emotions. Sue Armstrong reports on the latest scientific research into the minds and consciousness of animals of all sorts, from chimpanzees to birds, bees and cuttlefish.
A joint statement said the break through would help "build trust" and "provide assurances"
The government is to introduce legislation which would ensure public sector services maintain minimum service levels during strike action.
Under the proposals some trade union members would be required to continue working during a strike.
Unions have condemned the proposals, while the Labour party says the plans "won't work".
The move comes amid a wave of industrial action across the public sector as workers seek pay rises in the face of the rising cost of living.
The Today programme’s Mishal Husain spoke to Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy about the proposed legislation.
(Image, striking ambulance workers, Credit, Henry Nicholls/ Reuters)
Protest camps outside military barracks across the country are also being dismantled. Also: Western countries register strong protests with Iran for executing young people after anti-government protests, and why people in Ghana are angry with the American rapper Meek Mill.
Pakistan is hosting the event in Geneva on Monday with the United Nations as it seeks international assistance to cover around half of a total $16.3bn recovery bill. It has been a busy day for the economy as Pakistan has also asked the International Monetary Fund to temporarily ease its loan conditions to enable the country to recover from the costs of last year's floods.
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden and his Mexican counterpart, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, are having talks in Mexico City. One of the areas they will focus on is migration.
And it’s been almost 4 months since Russian president Vladimir Putin announced partial mobilisation. According to Putin, 318,000 troops were mobilised including volunteers. That has had an impact on the wider economy and local business owners.
(Picture: High angle portrait of cute girl standing on road,Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Picture Credit: Getty Images)
Officials say at least fifteen hundred Bolsonaro supporters have been arrested. We hear about the role of social media in the attack.
Also on the programme, Pakistan says it's received pledges of more than nine billion dollars at an international conference seeking support for its recovery from last year's devastating floods. And the story of how American hip hop artist, Meek Mill, caused controversy in Ghana.
(Picture: Brazil's Congress building in the aftermath of Sunday's attack. Credit: BBC)
Hiding in the shadows across the American continents lives a big cat with many names. From puma to mountain lion to panther to cougar, this animal is carnivorous, cunning and uses stealth to silently ambush its prey. Its elusiveness and brutal attacking style has earnt it the reputation of a cold-hearted killer. But behind this façade, hidden camera footage has revealed the cougar is all about caring for their family. And its silent whispering amongst the trees could actually be saving human lives. Adam Hart and guests uncover the mysteries of the ‘ghost of the forest’ and break its merciless stereotype.
Dr Laura Prugh, associate Professor of Quantitative Wildlife Sciences at the University of Washington, and Dr Mark Elbroch, ecologist and director of the Panthera programme in Washington USA.
In Nigeria, 30 train passengers have been abducted in Edo state, with police hunting for the perpetrators. Insecurity is a huge problem in many parts of the country, and a key concern for voters ahead of next month's general elections.
Plus, after a peace deal ended the civil war and as essential services begin to be restored, young Tigrayans say they're being blocked from flying to Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa.
And we have a special report from Namibia, where the government decriminalised baby abandonment three years ago, and now wants to relaunch the campaign.
Hooray! The podcast is back and we kick off another year of madness with singing dogs and donkeys, more mad Matty Healy moments, Ask The Nation and a daily battle for a Jan Slam prize.
On the day China reopens its borders after 3 years, we hear from those inside the country about what they hope the new freedoms will bring. We also find out what it means for countries looking to welcome Chinese tourists, as Covid cases surge in the country.
We get the latest from the UN Conference in Geneva discussing raising funds for Pakistan to rebuild following the massive floods there.
And with India's drone industry booming, we learn how the government there wants to transform the country into a global drone hub by 2030.
في بي بي سي إكسترا:
لماذا يحب الناس أم كلثوم أو يعزفون عنها؟
وما الذي حدث عندما لم يصدق الملحن حلمي بكر بأن محدثته على الهاتف أم كلثوم؟
ما قصة التزوير في أعمار لاعبي كرة القدم في الكاميرون؟
وجع الظهر قد يكون علامة على الإصابة بمرض خطير
حلقة اليوم مع بسمة كراشة من إشراف ياسمين أبو خضرا
Thousands of demonstrators ransacked government buildings in the capital on Sunday. Also: Pakistan asks the international community for billions of dollars of support after last year’s devastating floods, and former employees of a Belarusian news website which covered mass protests against the President have gone on trial.
In Brazil, President Lula pledges to take action against supporters of the previous President, Jair Bolsanaro, who smashed their way into the Senate chamber, the presidential palace and the Supreme Court. Also in the programme: Pakistan asks the UN for more than $16bn to help rebuild the country after devastating floods last year and Nick Marsh reports from South Korea where stringent Covid restrictions are being placed on travellers from China.
(Picture Credit: EPA Supporters of Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro demonstrate against President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, in Brasilia, Brazil)
Last week we reported how 22-year-old Eleanor Williams who claimed she had been trafficked and raped by an Asian grooming gang was convicted of perverting the course of justice. She will be sentenced in March but we consider the possible impact her conviction could have on how rape is reported, how it’s handled by the police and whether women are believed. We hear from the former chief prosecutor for the north west Nazir Ali and Maggie Oliver, the former senior police officer who became a whistle blower for exposing the poor handling of the Rochdale child sex abuse ring case by her own force.
Whether it's rail, nurses, ambulance staff or postal workers strikes are becoming an increasingly common part of life. Could teachers across the UK be the next to follow? This week sees some teachers in Scotland striking with unions in England, Wales and NI. balloting their members in the coming days. Three quarters of teachers are female. Nuala talks to a teacher with nearly 30 years experience Michelle Richards and Natalie Perera, Chief Executive of the Education Policy
Hira Ahmad is the first woman with Bruck Syndrome, a brittle bone condition, to give birth to a healthy baby. The 28-year-old gave birth to baby girl Dua last January l and now wants to share her story to inspire others with similar conditions. She was given specialist care in St George's Hospital, London led by Professor Asma Khalil, consultant in obstetrics and maternal foetal medicine.
Until recently, it was believed that the early pioneers of animation had all been men. That consensus was shattered when historian Mindy Johnson uncovered the previously unseen work of the animator Bessie Mae Kelley from the 1920s. Kelley’s films are now the earliest surviving hand-drawn animations by a woman (before this the earliest woman’s work was from the 1950s.) Mindy joins Nuala McGovern to discuss gender bias in film history and why this discovery is so ground-breaking.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Beverley Purcell
Hundreds of rioters have been arrested after supporters of former far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro invaded key democratic institutions.
The security breach at the heart of Brazilian democracy has drawn comparison with the 6th January 2021 attack on the US Capitol by followers of Donald Trump.
There has been international condemnation of the scenes in Brasilia.
The Today programme’s Justin Webb spoke to Oliver Stuenkel who teaches international relations at the Vargas Foundation in Sao Paulo, the BBC’s international editor Jeremey Bowen and Marianna Spring, the BBC’s disinformation & social media correspondent.
(Image, Brasilia riot, Credit, Adriano Machado/ Reuters)
Room Next Door Man, Michael Spicer, charts his real-life progress to global internet stardom. However, this rags to riches story is still lacking in riches so Michael has accepted a promotion at work and continues to plug away on Twitter.
We re-join the story in December 2019 on a family swimming trip that is as damp and disappointing as Michael’s comedy career to date, but the impending general election coverage provides an opportunity for media attention.
Meanwhile, an office workshop led by Conservative-supporting, communications guru Benjamin Cruz (Sanjeev Bhaskar) provides extra stress. Cruz thinks Michael's comedy should be more politically balanced, something the BBC echoes by interrupting the episode to ensure Michael is performing with total impartiality.
To further fuel Michael's anxiety, his wife Roberta wants him to stuff the day job and go on tour - with her as his full-time manager.
Can Michael seize the day while also holding onto the job that pays his mortgage?
Cast: Michael Spicer with Ellie Taylor, Joanna Neary, Jamie Borthwick, Alison Ward, Greig Johnson, Jason Forbes, Peter Curran, and guest starring Sanjeev Bhaskar
Writer: Michael Spicer
Producer: Matt Tiller
A Starstruck and Tillervision Production for BBC Radio 4
Thousands of demonstrators broke into Brazil's Congress, Supreme Court and presidential palace. Also: Kyiv denies Russia claim it killed hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers in an attack, and are you ready to pre-order your first flying car?
Edson Arantes do Nascimento, or ‘Pele’ as he became known, is thought by most to have been the greatest footballer to grace this planet. He died on 29th December, aged 82.
James Reynolds has been in Santos, Pele’s adopted hometown. He was among the crowds on the streets at the funeral procession, as they celebrated this sporting legend’s life.
Thousands of supporters of Brazil's recently defeated president, Jair Bolsonaro, have invaded the National Congress, Supreme Court and Presidential palace.
Also in the programme: Rev Frank Chikane remembers the former South African apartheid minister, Adriaan Vlok, who tried to kill him but later repented; and tens of thousands of Orthodox Christians in Ethiopia celebrate Christmas in the historic town of Lalibela, the first time they've been able to do so in three years, because of the country's civil war.
(Photo: A man waves Brazil's flag as supporters of Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro demonstrate against President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, outside Brazil's National Congress in Brasilia, Brazil, 8 January 2023. Credit: Reuters/Adriano Machado)
Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh le Ruairidh MacIlleathain. Litir àireamh 1225. Roddy Maclean reads this week's letter for Gàidhlig learners.
International travellers have been arriving in China by land and by air after the country lifted its self-imposed isolation after more than 1000 days, when the Covid-19 pandemic was first detected. We ask are the restrictions being lifted too quickly?
Also in the programme: Russia's self-declared ceasefire in Ukraine to mark Orthodox Christmas comes to end but we'll hear from a place where the attacks never stopped; and life as a drag queen in conservative South Korea
Photo: A man greets a woman who landed with international flight on the Pudong International Airport in Shanghai, China Credit: Alex Plavevski/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
The recent release of Census statistics for religion suggests that the number of people with no religion now far exceeds the number of those purporting to be Christian. Roy Jenkins discusses the implication of these results with a panel including Dr Emma Whittick, chaplain of Trinity Saint Davids University of Wales at Lampeter and Carmarthen; George Craig, a retired civil servant and Methodist lay preacher; Kathy Riddick, Wales co-ordinator for Humanists UK; and Chris Street, who leads the Wales Leadership Forum, an organisation that aims to help church leaders to develop their mission.
Prince Harry wants to reconcile with his family. But how easy is that given the continuing fallout from his interviews and memoir? Sacred texts are full of tales of feuding siblings, so what can they teach the Royals? Imam Qari Asim and Rabbi Robyn Ashworth-Steen share scriptural insights and pastoral advice.
If you've already failed to stick to your New Year's resolution, help is at hand. The Rt Revd Dr Emma Ineson has written a book on how to cope with and learn from failure. Cricketer Monty Panesar and Comedian Shazia Mirza also share how faith has helped them deal with failure in their lives.
In the last two years, thousands of Hong Kongers have taken advantage of a new Visa scheme to the UK, following China's imposition of a national security law on the former British Colony. Vishva Samani reports from Reading where large numbers have settled, to see how they are integrating within the local faith communities.
The life and death of the late American singer Whitney Houston inspired Candice Marie Benbow to become a theologian. As Whitney's story is retold in a new film biopic, Candice tells Emily how the woman she refers to as the ‘ultimate Church girl’ impacted her faith journey and opened up important conversations about how her Church sees women.
Overcrowding, drugs, staff shortages and long waits for trial are just some of the issues facing those in the prison system. But what lies behind the headlines? In a new four part series, we'll be taking a closer look at the prison system through the eyes of the religious groups and figures working within it. In this first episode we examine the issue of sentencing, with Bishop James Jones, Chair of the Independent Commission into the Experience of Victims and Long Term Prisoners.
Producers: Jill Collins and Catherine Murray
Production co-ordinator: Liz Poole
Studio managers: Phillip Halliwell, Chris Hardman and Tom Parnell
Editor: Helen Grady
Dr Chris Smith and a panel of experts answer your science questions for the New Year, including: how starts burn for millions of years?
How do you create a nation of mathematicians?
And how can misinformation change the shapes of our brains?
Two men were executed in Iran for allegedly killing a security official during ongoing protests. Also: China suspends Weibo accounts of Covid policy critics, and how good was Roman concrete?
We report from the frontline city of Bakhrut; and a glimpse of Christmas for Ukrainian refugees in the UK.
Also in the programme: the shooting of a primary school teacher by a six-year-old boy who took a loaded handgun to school; and the spy known as the 'Queen of Cuba' is released from prison in the US.
(Photo: Believers attend an Orthodox Christmas service at the compound of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra monastery in Ukraine. Credit: REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko)
The author and environmental activist Vandana Shiva has released a new book, Terra Viva to coincide with her 70th birthday. She discusses her life campaigning for climate justice and equality, as well as what she thinks of the current climate situation.
According to reports in the Telegraph this week, Rishi Sunak has shelved plans to reform childcare services put forward by his predecessor, Liz Truss. The plans were looking at increasing free childcare support and changing the staff-child ratio. What will this mean for parents who need childcare and for those working in the industry? We hear the CEO of the Early Years Alliance Neil Leitch and the Deputy Director of UK Onward, Adam Hawksbee.
New year, new job? If you’re thinking of leaving a job we discuss the art of quitting well. Sometimes leaving is the right thing to do, but how do you do that without destroying everything you’ve worked hard for? We hear from Mandy Dennison Director of Engagement from the International Federation of Coaching UK, and Karen Danker from Women Returners, which helps women returning to the work place after an extended break.
In our series Finding My Voice we’re talking to women about the moment they realised they had something to say or stand up for. Shekeila Scarlett was excluded from school when she was 12 years old. Although she was reinstated at the school just 2 months later, the experience made her realised how distant young pupils were from the governors who made decisions about their school. At 26, she’s now the Chair of Governors at Stoke Newington High School in Hackney, making her one of the youngest chairs of a school governing board in the UK.
This year in the UK children conceived by sperm, egg or embryo donation who turn 18 will be able to request information that identifies their donor. This includes the donor’s name, birth name, date of birth and address, as long as the information is on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority’s register. It’s a result of a change in the law in April 2005 meaning tha the first of those children conceived after the law changed will have their eighteenth birthdays this year. To discuss the implications for donors, children conceived by donor as well as their families are Clare Ettinghausen, Director of Strategy & Corporate Affairs at the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, the UK’s Fertility Regulator. And Nina Barnsley ...
BBC Radio 1 DJ Danny Howard, former GB badminton player Gail Emms, BBC Radio 1 presenter Rickie Haywood- Williams and comedian Ivo Graham join guest host Jordan North for an hour of sporting punditry, humour and entertainment. Points are awarded for informed comment, wit and passion, but taken away for nonsense and answers lacking in conviction.
In the final round, the top two points scorers go head-to-head in 'Defend the Indefensible' where they must both defend a statement however ludicrous or distasteful for twenty seconds. There can only be one winner!
Get the podcast from BBC Sounds.
فلسفه میتواند به سیاستورزی مفید مدد برساند؟ نگاه فلسفی چطور میتواند تصویر شفافتری به صحنهی سیاسی به ویژه در اوضاع بحرانی بدهد؟ مهمانهای برنامه: حسین دباغ؛ مدرس فلسفه و سپید بیرشک؛ پژوهشگر فلسفه.
It's going to be the coldest weekend of the year so far. We already know that typical energy bills will be double what they were last winter. So everyone is looking for ways to use less electricity and gas at the same time as trying to stay warm. One solution is being offered by so-called 'warm banks' - places where people can go to keep warm if they're struggling to afford heating costs. The Warm Welcome campaign now has more than three thousand places open on its website and says last week alone 80 thousand people kept warm in one of them - up by more than a fifth on the previous week. We visit Widnes library and speak to the organisers of the campaign. If you’re looking for somewhere to go to keep warm the website is https://www.warmwelcome.uk/
Losing your spouse or civil partner is always a difficult time financially - the funeral, paying bills and losing a second income all add to the stress. There is money from the government to help - totalling more than £4,000 for those without children and nearly £10,000 for those with. This Bereavement Support Payment was introduced in April 2017 and is paid to surviving partners who are under the state pension age of 66. We discuss how to get it and how to avoid missing out.
A third of all bank and building society branches have closed in the last decade. One solution to this is a new expansion of banking hubs. Our reporter Clare Worden visits the opening of a new hub in East Yorkshire.
And how to make sure you don’t lose out on claiming a Cost of Living Payment to help with energy bills.
Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporter: Clare Worden
Researchers: Sandra Hardial and Star McFarlane
Editor: Jess Quayle
(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 10th December, 2022)
Despite losing 13 rounds of voting, the Republican Kevin McCarthy says he will prevail when lawmakers reconvene. Also: Russian forces are accused of opening fire in Ukraine despite Vladimir Putin's proposed truce for Orthodox Christmas, and an old Nazi map sparks a treasure hunt in the Netherlands.
We get the latest from China as the world's second largest economy is rocked by rising Covid cases after the country's strict rules were eased. Business owners and economists tell us about the situation and what the year ahead looks like.
We find out how the situation in China is affecting other nations in the region. and how the re-opening will boost tourism.
And we get the latest from Las Vegas as one of the world's largest technology shows continues.
(Picture: People walk past an alley amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Beijing, China January 6, 2023 Credit: REUTERS/Tingshu Wang)
A unilateral ceasefire called by Russia has broken down within hours of coming into effect. Both the Ukrainian Defence Ministry and separatist forces say there's been shelling close to the frontline Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. President Putin ordered the thirty-six hour pause in fighting, to coincide with the Orthodox Christmas, which is celebrated in both countries. Ukraine had already rejected the truce - arguing that it could be used by Russia to reinforce its troops. NewsHour speaks to a Russian officer that defected from the army.
Also in the programme: Mexico arrests drug kingpin’s son; and Kevin McCarthy gains ground as US House Speaker stalemate continues.
(Photo: Vlad from the 80th Separate Air Assault Brigade drives an APC on the front line at Orthodox Christmas, during a ceasefire announced by Russia over the Orthodox Christmas period. CREDIT: REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)
Government forces from the breakaway Somali region of Somaliland have withdrawn from a disputed town near the Somalia border, after several days of deadly violence.
Police in Kenya say they are still trying to establish a motive for the killing of the young fashion designer and LGBT activist, Edwin Chiloba. We hear from an associate who knew him well.
And why is the number of out-of-work doctors on the rise in Cameroon?
Writer, Sarah Hehir
Director, Kim Greengrass
Editor, Jeremy Howe
Ben Archer ..... Ben Norris
Pip Archer ….. Daisy Badger
David Archer ….. Timothy Bentinck
Ruth Archer ….. Felicity Finch
Kenton Archer ….. Richard Attlee
Brian Aldridge ….. Charles Collingwood
Neil Carter ….. Brian Hewlett
Susan Carter ….. Charlotte Martin
Vince Casey ….. Tony Turner
Brad Horrobin ….. Taylor Uttley
Chelsea Horrobin ….. Madeleine Leslay
Tracy Horrobin ….. Susie Riddell
Jazzer McCreary ….. Ryan Kelly
Elizabeth Pargetter ….. Alison Dowling
Stella Pryor ….. Lucy Speed
Elena ….. Jaimi Barbakoff
Lottie ….. Bonnie Baddoo
BBC Radio 4 has a new owner, Woman’s Hour has a new host, and David Beckham gets an unusual new role. Find out what all this can be about on all new Dead Ringers.
Performed by Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Lewis McLeod, Duncan Wisbey, Naomi McDonald and Anil Desai.
Written by Tom Jamieson and Nev Fountain, Laurence Howarth, Sarah Campbell, Tom Coles and Ed Amsden, James Bugg, Toussaint Douglass, Robert Darke, Sophie Dickson and Edward Tew.
Produced and created by Bill Dare
Production Co-ordinator: Caroline Barlow
The cost of living crisis and in particular the high price of food - is a problem which many people are currently facing. On average, food cost 14% more last year than it did in 2021. Russia's invasion of Ukraine led to a surge in the price of many commodities, exacerbating increases during pandemic lockdowns.
China this Sunday is opening its borders which gives many opportunities not only for the tourism industry but also renewed possibility for Chinese students to study abroad. And for people from the rest of the world to study in China.
For people living and working in remote locations, the lack of phone and internet connectivity is a constant pain. Well, now companies have a plan to get rid of these so-called notspots entirely. A new generation of smartphones is expected to be able to use satellites to get a signal anywhere on Earth, allowing people to send text messages. A partnership between the satellite phone firm Iridium and the chip giant Qualcomm is due to bring satellite connectivity to new Android smartphones later in the year.
(Picture: Man holding shopping basket with bread and milk groceries in supermarket. Picture Credit: Getty Images)
Attacks continue from both sides in eastern Ukraine near the front line city of Bakhmut. Also: the impact of rising temperatures on the world's shrinking glaciers, and the former Italian football star Vialli dies aged 58.
Prince Harry killed 25 Taliban fighters according to his memoir. Also in the programme Ukraine accuses Russia of breaking its own truce. Spain is introducing laws to force tobacco companies to clean up cigarette filters and we hear how rainforest in the Philippines has been destroyed.
(Photo: Prince Harry walking in a mine field in Angola in 2019. Credit: PA)
In the second part of our interview with Roy Hodgson, he reflects on troubled times at Liverpool and England. He also talks about retirement, the role of luck in football. and the joy of ending his career by going full circle and returning to Crystal Palace.
This has been re-uploaded after the original programme was replaced by a tribute to Pele.
You might have spent this first week of January planning where you want to go, what you want to do and who you want to be in 2023 But have you made any financial new year’s resolutions. Statistics show that more than a third of us will make a financial new year’s resolution this year. Will you be ‘manifesting’ money in the year ahead? Anita Rani is joined by the consumer editor of the Financial Times and presenter of the FT's Money Clinic podcast, Claer Barrett as well as the budget savvy mum, Gemma Bird also known as @MoneyMumOfficial on social media.
Amid the current extreme pressure on hospitals -another ambulance strike in England is due next week followed by a further one later in the month and another two nurses strikes. How do we make the NHS better is a question we are going to try and answer - both with listener and expert contributions. The aim is to identify some immediate achievable changes that can make a difference. Today's Mishal Husain and Martha Kearney hear from a medical company has designed technology to create a virtual ward, allowing hospitals to discharge some patients but still monitor their condition while they are recovering at home, and from Richard Murray, Chief Executive of the health think tank the King’s Fund.
(IMAGE CREDIT: James Manning/PA Wire)
Gunfire and burning of cars follow the arrest of Ovidio Guzman-Lopez, the son of the notorious drug trafficker. Also: Ukraine rejects Putin's proposed Orthodox Christmas truce, and more football players on Cameroon's Under-17 team fail age testing.
Voting continues in the US over who will be the new Speaker in the House of Representatives. Kevin McCarthy, the leading contender, has so far failed to convince 20 of his fellow Republicans to back him. What impact can a standoff in Congress have in the economy?
WhatsApp says it will allow people to use the app through a proxy server if access is blocked. We find out what that means for users in countries facing internet disruption due to censorship.
And we get the latest from Bolivia where widespread protests over the political crisis in the country are causing huge levels of economic disruption.
Russian President Vladimir Putin calls for a 36-hour ceasefire in Ukraine to mark Orthodox Christmas, a move rejected by Kyiv which said there could be no truce until Russia withdraws its troops from occupied land. Newshour gets reaction from Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Goncharenko.
Also in the programme: China's suspect Covid data; and Prince Harry's book.
(Picture: Situation on a front line near Bakhmut in Donetsk area, Ukraine - 04 Jan 2023. Credit: GEORGE IVANCHENKO/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
We’re taking a look back at the January 2022 eruption of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai, which literally sent shockwaves around the world. One year on, and we’re still uncovering what made the volcano so powerful, as well as unpacking its long lasting impacts.
Roland is joined by Professor Shane Cronin from the University of Auckland and Dr Marta Ribó from the Auckland University of Technology to share their findings from their latest trip to survey the volcano.
The impacts of the eruption weren’t just felt on Earth – they also reached all the way to space. Physicist Claire Gasque from the University of California, Berkeley, has been analysing how the eruption affected space weather.
Amongst all the material ejected by Hunga Tonga was a huge amount of water. The massive water vapour cloud is still present in our atmosphere, as Professor Simon Carn from the Michigan Technological University tells us.
The volcano also triggered tsunamis worldwide. Disaster sociologist Dr Sara McBride from the US Geological Survey has been using video footage of the event to analyse how people responded and how we can better prepare for future eruptions.
Image Credit: Tonga Geological Services
Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Sophie Ormiston
Kenya's president William Ruto discloses that he fired the former head of criminal investigations because of a rise in the number of killings by the police.
Plus, a special report on the growing popularity of cryptocurrencies from South Africa.
And we meet a young Kenyan man living with autism, one of many hidden disabilities.
Brazilian journalist Ricardo Setyon reflects on Pele's funeral. The former USA international Heather O'Reilly gives her view on a shocking story involving the coach of the USA men's team. And we speak to the former Kenyan international Martin Imbalambala who went blind overnight.
Picture on website: Pelé jerseys on display at Vila Belmiro Stadium. (Leandro Bernardes/PxImages/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Amazon plans to cut more than 18,000 jobs, the largest number in the firm's history, as it battles to save costs. Analysts predict more painful spending cuts, saying the company hired too many staff during the past few years.
In general, it's a challenging time for businesses in the US. We look at how local owners operate their businesses.
And exactly one month ago, the US, European Union and allies announced a price cap on Russian oil imports. We look at how it’s affected the Russian economy and the gas and oil industry.
(Picture: Delivery boy holding a box in front of a van. Picture Credit: Getty Images)
خفض الوزن يتطلب قراراً ونظاما وانتظاما لكن هناك عوامل تزيد التحدي صعوبة
الكنيسة الكاثوليكية تودع البابا بنديكتوس السادس عشر . فكيف يصفه من التقاه؟
ومدينة البصرة العراقية تستعد لاستقبال خليجي 25.
حلقة اليوم يقدمها محمد مطر
في الإخراج منى أبو عمارة بمساعدة كريم إمام مصطفى
في الإشراف : كريمة كواح
Thousands of mourners attended the service in St Peter's Square. Also: one of the winners of last year's Nobel Peace Prize goes on trial in Belarus over his involvement in protests, and reports that Prince Harry will claim that he suffered a violent attack at the hands of his brother, Prince William.
Today's third guest editor this Christmas is Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was detained for six years in Iran - before being freed and coming home nine months ago. Hear highlights from her programme including the voices of families of current political prisoners in Iran and Nazanin speaking to chef Yotam Ottolenghi about why one of his recipes has a special resonance for her - and about the solidarity that can be found in food and cooking. Nazanin also has an emotional encounter with tennis ace Andy Murray - she tells him how, while in solitary confinement, she was able to watch him win Wimbledon in 2016 and the joy that brought her. With her husband Richard, she also reflects on trying to get back to normal life against the backdrop of the current uprising and arrests in Iran.
Today's second guest editor this Christmas is Jamie Oliver, the chef, entrepreneur and campaigner. Hear highlights from his programme in our Best of Today podcast, including interviews with former Prime Minister Tony Blair, and former Conservative Chancellor George Osborne about expanding free lunches in schools and providing a healthy array of options for students. Jamie Oliver has been open about his struggles in school with dyslexia. He says he was told he was taught alongside those with special needs. Jamie wanted to speak to the rapper Loyle Carner, who has ADHD about his struggles at school and what food means to him.
And more on Prince Harry's claim that his brother Prince William physically attacked him
“It’s like living in a cemetery.” Jung Seongno lives in a banjiha, or semi-basement apartment in the South Korean capital Seoul. Last August parts of Seoul experienced major flooding. As a result several people, including a family of three, drowned in their banjiha. Seongno dreams of having a place where the sunlight and the wind can come in.
These subterranean dwellings are just one example of a growing wealth divide in Asia’s fourth largest economy. With almost half of the country’s population living in Greater Seoul, the struggle to find affordable housing has become a major political issue. It also contributes to Korea’s worryingly low birth rate. The inability of young people to afford a home of their own means they are not starting families. Many have given up on relationships altogether.
John Murphy reports from Seoul, where owning a home of your own is so important and yet increasingly unattainable.
Produced and presented by John Murphy
Producer in Seoul: Keith Keunhyung Park
Studio mix: Rod Farquhar
Production coordinator: Iona Hammond
Series editor: Penny Murphy
Alison Mitchell and Jim Maxwell are at the Sydney Cricket Ground as Australia take on South Africa in their third and final Test Match of the series. They are joined by Sunil Gupta and debate how cricket should tackle the problem of bad light and ask whether a pink ball should be used? Jim is also full of praise for Steve Smith who has now scored 30 Test centuries to surpass Sir Donald Bradman.
The team discuss the player's that hit the headlines and the stars that missed out at the Indian Premier League mini auction and wish Indian star Rishabh Pant all the best after he sustained injuries in a car crash at the end of 2022.
Plus we are joined by Clare Johnston who was the first female accredited cricket bat maker in the world. She lives in Australia and tells us about the importance of making specialist bats for female cricketers and her hopes for the future.
Photo: Steve Smith of Australia celebrates after reaching their half century during day two of the Second Test match in the series between Australia and South Africa at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 05, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley - CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)
The author and environmental activist Vandana Shiva has released a new book, Terra Viva to coincide with her 70th birthday. She joins Anita Rani to discuss her life campaigning for climate justice and equality.
Eleanor Williams, a 22 year old woman from Barrow-in-Furness, who claimed she had been trafficked by an Asian grooming gang has been convicted of perverting the course of justice. Her false Facebook post about being trafficked and beaten was shared more than 100,000 times and led to protests in the local area. The North of England Editor for the Guardian Helen Pidd has been following the story and has interviewed some of her victims, Helen joins Anita to discuss the case.
New year, new job? Today we discuss the art of quitting well. Sometimes leaving is just the right thing to do, but how do you do that without destroying everything you’ve worked hard for? Anita is joined by Mandy Dennison Director of Engagement from the International Federation of Coaching UK, and Karen Danker from Women Returners, which helps women returning to the work place after an extended break.
In our series Finding My Voice we’re talking to women about the moment they realised they had something to say or stand up for. Moud Goba fled her home country of Zimbabwe at the age of 20 due to harassment she faced over her sexuality. She is now the Chair of the Board of Trustees for UK Black Pride and has spent over a decade helping other LGBTQ refugees and asylum seekers to integrate into their new communities. She joins Anita Rani to discuss how she found her voice as an activist once she was finally able to express her sexuality freely.
We hear the Woman's Hour archive from 2015 following the death of novelist Fay White.
Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Emma Pearce
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the momentum behind rebellion in Ireland in 1798, the people behind the rebellion and the impact over the next few years and after. Amid wider unrest, the United Irishmen set the rebellion on its way, inspired by the French and American revolutionaries and their pursuit of liberty. When it broke out in May the United Irishmen had an estimated two hundred thousand members, Catholic and Protestant, and the prospect of a French invasion fleet to back them. Crucially for the prospects of success, some of those members were British spies who exposed the plans and the military were largely ready - though not in Wexford where the scale of rebellion was much greater. The fighting was initially fierce and brutal and marked with sectarianism but had largely been suppressed by the time the French arrived in August to declare a short-lived republic. The consequences of the rebellion were to be far reaching, not least in the passing of Acts of Union in 1800.
The image above is of Theobald Wolfe Tone (1763 - 1798), prominent member of the United Irishmen
With
Ian McBride
Foster Professor of Irish History at Hertford College, University of Oxford
Catriona Kennedy
Senior Lecturer in Modern History at the University of York
And
Liam Chambers
Head of Department and Senior Lecturer in History at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick
Producer: Simon Tillotson
The National Association of Funeral Directors, which says its members often have to act as counsellors, is organising a petition to get the matter debated in Parliament. It wants one age-appropriate lesson taught to children during PSHE - that's Personal, Social, Health and Economic - classes. Today's Amol Rajan spoke to children's author Michael Rosen and Head of Development and Education at Child Bereavement UK Tracey Boseley about the support available for children.
(IMAGE CREDIT: Getty Images / Mark Gibson)
A Ukrainian commander leading the city's defence said Russian forces were battling with singular determination even -- as he put it -- the ground was littered with their comrades' bodies. Also: the US House of Representatives has once again failed to elect a Speaker to replace Nancy Pelosi, and, could Pope Francis call it a day as head of the Roman Catholic Church?
For the first time retail pharmacies in the US will be allowed to sell abortion pills, after approval by the US Food and Drug Administration. Customers will need a prescription but they can now pick up the pill in-store or by mail order. We hear from how important this change is.
E-sports is a rapidly growing industry in India and could soon get government funding. We speak to one of the country's leading players.
And would you eat a meal prepared by a robot? We learn about how Robo-chefs are making their way into restaurants around the world.
(Picture:A package of PlanB One-Step, an emergency contraceptive pill, is seen in security packaging at a CVS Pharmacy in Washington, U.S., July 7, 2022. REUTERS/Sarah Silbiger/File Photo)
Claudia Hammond explores the psychology of regret with an audience at the Cheltenham Science Festival. What role do rueful thoughts on "what might have been" play in our lives? Is regret a wasted emotion or does it have some hidden benefits?
Joining Claudia on stage : Teresa McCormack - Professor of Cognitive Development at the School of Psychology, Queen's University Belfast who researches how regret in childhood can shape our decisions; novelist and essayist Sophie White - whose latest novel The Snag List examines the opportunity to go back in life and follow the road not taken; Fuschia Sirois - Professor of social and health psychology at Durham University whose research examines the impact of those "what if" thoughts on our health and wellbeing.
Producer Adrian Washbourne
A report on the circumstances surrounding the December arrest of the head of Malawi’s anti-corruption bureau Martha Chizuma has been released. We dissect its findings, and hear about the reaction in the country.
Plus, two militant attacks in Mali this week have killed at least seven people, and appear to show that armed groups in the country are capable of hitting targets close to the capital Bamako.
And we take a look at the film telling the story of the African soldiers who served in World War One.
Martin Lewis answers your financial questions including what are my rights if my parcel isn’t delivered? Why are wholesale gas prices falling but bills aren’t?
Elsewhere in the podcast, ‘Tell Us’ what were your new year’s financial resolutions last year. Did you keep to them? How long did they last? Did it work?
BBC Radio 5live’s Nihal Arthanayake takes on Martin’s Money Mastermind – he’s quizzed on savings and cash ISAs. Listen to find out how he gained 10% of a point.
This week, Martin’s podcast exclusive money-saving tips include an urgent warning to high earners and the self-employed. Don't miss the 31 January 2023 self-assessment tax return deadline or risk a £100 fine. As well as a plea to anyone who pays for a NHS prescription. He estimates more than one million people in England missed out on savings of around £40 in the 12 months leading up to this April because they didn't buy a prescriptions 'season ticket'.
Producer: Isabelle Tudor
The United Nations secretary general has expressed concern over the controversial visit by Israel's far-right security minister to a holy site for both Jews and Muslims in Jerusalem. We hear from the minister's spokesman and reaction from a Palestinian lawyer.
Also on the programme: at least eight European countries have registered record high temperatures for January in the first few days of the year; and in Cuba, the government has given the green light to competitive boxing for women.
(Photo: Security and visitors at the Dome of the Rock on the compound known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as the Temple Mount; Credit: REUTERS/Ammar Awad)
In the first few days of January, weather records were broken across Europe. The unseasonably warm temperature has affected eight countries stretching from Spain to Denmark. In Splugen in Switzerland the slopes are closed due to a lack of snow.
Meanwhile, a number of malls and markets in Pakistan have said they are not going to follow the rules in response of yesterday government order to close all malls and markets by 8:30 p.m. as part of its new energy conservation plan and to save money.
We will also have a deep look at the economy of India, which this year is expected to overtake China to become the world's most populous nation.
(Picture: The Ski resort Ischgl Silvretta Arena. Picture Credit: Getty Images)
SELF IMPROVEMENT: Laurie Taylor explores the 'wellness' and 'confidence' cultures that injunct us to be better versions of ourselves. He talks to Shani Orgad, a Professor in the Department of Media and Communications at the LSE and co-author of a new study arguing that imperatives directed at women to “love your body” and “believe in yourself” imply that psychological blocks rather than entrenched social injustices hold women back. Why is there now such an emphasis on confidence in contemporary discourse about body image, workplace, relationships, motherhood, and even international development? They’re joined by Stephanie Alice Baker, a Senior Lecturer in Sociology at City, University of London, whose latest work traces the emergence of 'wellness culture' from a fringe countercultural pursuit to a trillion-dollar industry. Wellness has become synonymous with yoga, meditation, and other forms of self-care and is no longer simply an alternative to mainstream medicine. As it's coalesced with consumer culture, it's become synonymous with an industry of exclusive products and services. In addition, in the Covid moment, it's become associated with harmful conspiracy theories. So is 'wellness' culture delivering on its myriad promises, or does it have a darker side?
Producer: Jayne Egerton
There are fears current wave of coronavirus infections may soon reach the countryside. Also: Cuba selects its first national female boxing team, and Denmark goes a year without a bank robbery.
What is it like to be the only woman in a group of men? Is it isolating? Intimidating? Or, can there be a certain, maybe shameful, thrill of being included as ‘one of the lads’? To discuss, Nuala speaks to Immy Humes, a documentary filmmaker who has spent years gathering archive images of all-male groups including exactly one woman, which she published as a collection in her book ‘The Only Woman’. They are also joined by Emma John, a sports journalist and author of ‘Self Contained’, her memoir of single life. She’s spent her career covering cricket and rugby, often as ‘the only woman’ surrounded by male friends and colleagues.
This year in the UK children conceived by sperm, egg or embryo donation who turn 18 will be able to request information that identifies their donor. This includes the donor’s name, birth name, date of birth and address, as long as the information is on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority’s register. It’s a result of a change in the law in April 2005 meaning that the first of those children conceived after the law changed will have their 18th birthdays this year. Nuala discusses the implications for donors, children conceived by donor as well as their families, with Clare Ettinghausen, Director of Strategy & Corporate Affairs at the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, the UK’s Fertility Regulator. And Nina Barnsley Director of the Donor Conception Network which is a UK based charity supporting donor conception families.
Figures from the Office of National Statistics show that 1 in 45 people in England have covid – and the UK Health Security Agency are now advising people to wear face masks if they are ill and need to leave the house, and to keep ill children home from school. So what does this mean? Are we going to get back to wearing face masks everywhere? Nuala McGovern speaks to the Times Science Editor Tom Whipple to get the latest on the situation, and government covid advisor Professor Susan Michie to hear how we should be changing our behaviour.
In our series Finding My Voice we’re talking to women about the moment they realised they had something to say or stand up for. Nuala speaks to Shekeila Scarlet. She was excluded from school when she was just 12 years old. After an appeal process that eventually reversed the decision, she was reinstated at the school. ...
Rishi Sunak has been criticised for dropping Liz Truss’s plans to expand and deregulate childcare. Today's Nick Robinson discusses how childcare can be made more affordable with Christine Farquharson, Senior Research Economist at the IFS, Justine Roberts, founder and chief executive of Mumsnet, and Robin Walker, MP, Chair of the Education Select Committee.
(IMAGE CREDIT: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)
As households grapple with cost of living pressures and with Christmas just around the corner, many will be looking for cheaper options for the big day.
We speak to listeners who share with us how they’ll be managing their finances this festive period.
On the expert panel are, Richard Lane, Director of External Affairs at StepChange Debt Charity and Carol Mitchell, Retail Expert at British Heart Foundation.
Presenter: Charmaine Cozier
Producers: Amber Mehmood and Clare Worden
Reporter: Star McFarlane
Editor: Jess Quayle
(First broadcast 3pm Wednesday 7th December, 2022)
It's the first time since 1923 that a nominee hasn't succeeded on an initial ballot. Also: the disgraced founder of the FTX cryptocurrency company pleads not guilty to fraud charges, and, Brazil pays an emotional farewell to the football legend, Pele.
Former FTX boss Sam Bankman-Fried has pleaded not guilty to fraud and other crimes.
Devina Gupta speaks to BBC North America business correspondent, Michelle Fleury, who is in New York reporting on the case.
What affect will the China travel restrictions have on the economies of the countries that are implementing them?
And the Pacific island nation of Tuvalu could become the first country to disappear due to climate change. Now the government says it will rebuild the islands in the metaverse – the digital world created by Facebook owner, Mark Zuckerberg – to preserve their culture and heritage.
(Picture: Sam Bankman-Fried arrives at the court in New York on 3 January. Picture Credit: Getty Images)
Palestinians and several Muslim countries have condemned the visit by Israel's new far-right security minister to the Al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem. A Palestinian official said they'd hold the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu responsible for the early morning visit by Itamar Ben-Gvir to a site sacred to both Muslims and Jews.
Also in the programme: the struggle to elect a new Speaker for the US House of Representatives; and Cristiano Ronaldo joins Saudi Arabian team.
(Photo: A visitor looks up at the Dome of the Rock on the compound known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as the Temple Mount. CREDIT: REUTERS/Ammar Awad)
Officials in Burkina Faso have launched an investigation after the bodies of 28 people were discovered in the north-western town of Nouna. The victims had been shot dead.
And it is the third in our series of notable Africans as guest editors of the podcast. Today is the turn of law professor and South Africa's first female Public Protector, Thuli Madonsela. Her chosen topics include the contribution of African scientists to the detection of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, and the future of democracy in Africa.
This week and to start the New Year we take a look at the use of technology in agriculture around the world. Agriculture as an industry is keen to clean up its act on emissions, so what could be better than an electric tractor. But will it be able to manage all that farming throws at it? Gareth puts the questions to Praveen Penmetsa who is co-founder and CEO of Monarch Tractors which recently launched a ‘Smart Tractor’.
It’s no use having a tractor smart or not, if your crop has been devastated by insects. Pests destroy up to 40 percent of global crops and cost 220 billion US dollars of losses worldwide annually, according to The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the FAO. Matej Stefancic the Chief Executive Officer of Trapview a Slovenian company, has developed intelligent insect traps. He explains to Gareth how they monitor bugs in the field, in an effort to cut the need for indiscriminate use of insecticides.
And once you’ve grown your crop you need to harvest it, and in the case of soft fruit it needs careful picking and packing for the market. With a shortage of skilled labour around the world a robot picker capable of matching a human would be ideal. Well, one developed in Britain is currently doing just that on a farm in Portugal, and fruit picked by it could be on sale in supermarkets very soon. The academic founder and Chief Science Officer of Fieldwork Robotics Martin Stoelen is the brains behind this robot and he explains to Gareth the challenges involved in developing it.
The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell with expert commentary from Bill Thompson.
Studio Manager: Steve Greenwood
Producers: Ania Lichtarowicz and Alun Beach
(Image: Smart Farming graphic
Credit: Jackie Niam/Getty Images)
Over the years, In Touch has been keeping up with five visually impaired people. They all first appeared on the program as children in the 1990's, then as young adults in 2003 and now, twenty years on, we've invited them back for a reunion and to hear how their lives panned out.
Presenter: Peter White
Producer: Beth Hemmings
Idea Concept: Hetal Bapodra
Production Coordinator: Liz Poole
Website image description: Peter White sits smiling in the centre of the image, wearing a dark green jumper. Above Peter's head is the BBC logo (three individual white squares house each of the three letters). Bottom centre and overlaying the image are the words "In Touch" and the Radio 4 logo (the word Radio in a bold white font, with the number 4 inside a white circle). The background is a bright mid-blue with two rectangles angled diagonally to the right. Both are behind Peter, one of a darker blue and the other is a lighter blue.
Oritsé Williams became a young carer aged 12, when his mother contracted multiple sclerosis and he had to take responsibility for looking after her and two younger siblings. During his teenage years, he had a dream: to become a singer and make plenty of money so that he could fund research to find a cure for his mum. At least part of that dream came true when Oritsé and his band, JLS, were runners-up in a national talent contest.
But Oritsé never forgot his early years as a young, unpaid carer. He meets the next generation of kids who care – in the UK, Uganda and El Salvador. He learns about the challenges these children and teenagers face, but also hears stories of resilience and hope. Among the children are 13-year-old Amber, who looks after two sick and disabled parents; 15-year-old Jordan, whose care role ties him to the house almost completely; and 13-year-old Gloria from Uganda, who looks after four younger siblings all on her own.
China is not happy that some countries are placing restrictions on some travellers because of the sharp increase of Covid cases in the country. China's foreign ministry said the country is firmly opposed to "attempts to manipulate the epidemic prevention and control measures for political purposes".
Pakistan is facing problems with energy. To make savings and help businesses, the government has ordered all malls and markets to close by 8:30pm among other measures in a new energy conservation plan.
Brazil, the largest economy in Latin America, is hoping its new government can bring economic growth, as its citizens face poverty, hunger and an energy crisis. Local businesses are struggling to survive amid the uncertainty.
(Picture: Dragon Sculpture on White Background. Picture Credit: Getty Images)
Thousands of mourners line the streets of his hometown, Santos, to watch the funeral procession. President Lula was among those who've paid their respects. Also; there's been condemnation from across the Arab world of a visit to the Al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem by a far-right Israeli government minister, and a snow crisis for skiers in the Swiss Alps.
There's been condemnation of a visit to a compound in Jerusalem, by a far-right Israeli government minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir; the site is holy to both Jews and Muslims. We look into the historical roots of the current tensions.
Also on the programme, as China condemns the imposition of travel restrictions on its nationals, because of the rapid spread of covid, we speak to a senior official at the WHO; and the future of elephant tourism in Thailand - can it be made more ethical?
(Photo: Dome of the Rock on the compound known to Muslims as the Haram al-Sharif and to Jews as the Temple Mount, in Jerusalem's Old City ; Credit: REUTERS/Ammar Awad)
Josie Long presents short documentaries and audio adventures on the flow of water. A stream of voices from around the world speak of the myths and legends born from water. The author Damian Le Bas follows the ripples left by a tragedy on the River Medway in the 1850s. And at the confluence of two rivers, the writer Laura Barton looks to the poet Raymond Carver for guidance on her last decade.
Other Water
Written and read by Laura Barton
In Fresh Water
Featuring Ed Granston, Stephen Mallett and Damian Le Bas
Produced by Damian Le Bas and Andrea Rangecroft
A River of Voices
Featuring Devi Lockwood, Jo Darrington, Zella Downing, Iain Wilson, Mark Binder, Ole Øvretveit, Lupita Pocket, Leszek Daworski, Ateli Nasoru, Steve Maina, Ryan Burns and 3 anonymous women in Mississippi.
Produced by Samia Bouzid and Devi Lockwood
Curated by Axel Kacoutié, Eleanor McDowall and Andrea Rangecroft
Produced by Andrea Rangecroft
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4
Also tonight:
People file past Pele’s coffin ahead of funeral.
And
What can we expect from 2023 ?
There’s a growing trend in women not wearing bras. To talk about this Nuala McGovern is joined by the Fashion Editor of The Times, Harriet Walker. She’ll talk about bra trends up to now, and why this might not be the best of them.
According to reports in the Telegraph, Rishi Sunak has shelved plans to reform childcare services put forward by his predecessor, Liz Truss. The plans were looking at increasing free childcare support and changing the staff-child ratio. Nuala McGovern will be looking at what the postponing of these reforms means for parents who need childcare, as well as those working in the industry, speaking to the CEO of the Early Years Alliance Neil Leitch and the Deputy Director of UK Onward, Adam Hawksbee.
In our series Finding My Voice we’re talking to women about the moment they realised they had something to say or stand up for. Elika Ashoori was an actor and baker who rarely kept up with politics. That is, until 2017 when her father, Anoosheh, was detained by the Iranian authorities while visiting his mother. Over the next 5 years, she and her family fought for his release and she was forced to go through what she calls a ‘crash course’ in human rights campaigning.
We look at the "gender health gap" with the Patient Safety Commissioner for England - Dr Henrietta Hughes. . A GP by training and previously a medical director at NHS England she was appointed in July and took up the post in September. She'll be joined by the health journalist Sarah Graham who has a new book out, Rebel Bodies: A guide to the gender health gap revolution
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Lisa Jenkinson
Studio Manager: Bob Nettles.
Steven Moffat joined Today's Nick Robinson to talk about his new play, the Unfriend, and the differences between writing for stage and screen. They also discuss the futures of his most recent TV offering, Inside Man, the and hit show Sherlock.
(Image: Steven Moffat, Credit: Sarah Louise Bennett/BBC)
有时，尽管我们手头没有参考资料或数据，但我们可以凭借既有知识快速地对问题作答，就好像从脑袋外面直接产生的答案。主持人 Rob 和菲菲在谈起以往节目中一共教过多少英语短语时，就用到了一个可以描述这种情况的表达 “off the top of my head”。听他们的对话，学习如何使用这个地道英语表达。
It's the highest number of deaths acknowledged by Moscow for a single incident since the war began. Also: people turn out in large numbers to pay their last respects to former Pope Benedict in the Vatican and the footballer Pele in Brazil; and Prince Harry says he wants his father King Charles and his brother Prince William back.
The IMF kicks off 2023 with a bleak economic outlook.
Kristalina Georgieva said 2023 will be "tougher" than last year as the US, EU and China see their economies slow.
A court in Russia has ordered the freezing of nearly half a million dollars worth of assets belonging to the German gas company, Linde.
And Dubai has kicked off the new year by scrapping a 30 per cent tax on alcohol sales.
In a rare declaration of battlefield casualties, Russia's ministry of defence has said sixty- three of its soldiers were killed in a Ukrainian attack using Himars rockets. It's the biggest death toll acknowledged by Moscow for a single incident in Ukraine.
Also in the programme: Brazil prepares to say goodbye to Pele; and elections, recessions, conflicts and trends - what's coming up in 2023?
(Photo: Footage, apparently from the scene of the attack, was posted by the Ukrainian military. Source: RELEGRAM: HOREVICA / ZSU STRATCOM)
Why do wasps exist? While many see them as unfriendly bees who sting out of spite, their aggression could be interpreted as a fierce form of family protection. They are hugely understudied and even more underappreciated, with hundreds of thousands of different species carrying out jobs in our ecosystems. Some live together in nests whereas others hunt solo, paralysing prey with antibiotic-laden venom. In abundance, they can destroy environments - outcompeting most creatures and taking resource for themselves - but could we harness their predatory powers to take on pest control? Adam Hart and guests are a-buzz about this much-maligned insect and explore why we should be giving them more credit.
Professor Seirian Sumner, behavioural ecologist at University College London, and Dr Jenny Jandt, ecologist at University of Otago, New Zealand.
Police in Uganda have arrested the promoter and organiser behind a New Year's eve concert that ended in a crush killing 10 people, mostly children.
Following the death of Pope Benedict XVI, we take a look at his doctrinal impact on African Catholicism.
And will we ever move towards visa-free travel for Africans within Africa? We'll hear the experiences of one travel blogger, and also why some countries are reluctant to ease restrictions.
في إكسترا اليوم نعرف منكم توقعاتكم لأحداث العام الجديد وأمانيكم ونسألكم: هل تستعينون بالمنجمين لمعرفة الطالع؟ كذلك نتعرف على الأسباب التي تجعل الكنيسة الكاثوليكية تمنع الزواج عن رجال الدين، وما هي الظروف والشروط التي يسمح لهم فيها بذلك. ونتحدث إلى الكاتبة اللبنانية علوية صبح التي نشرت مؤخرا رواية "افرح يا قلبي" ونسألها عن سر الارتباط بأغنية أم كلثوم هذه، وكيف تعبر عن أزمة الهوية اللبنانية. وأخيرا نبدأ في إكسترا بنشر رسائل وداع مراسلينا لبرنامج إكسترا الذي يعد أيامه الأخيرة وأول الرسائل التي نشرناها اليوم من مراسلتنا من حلب، نغم قدسية.
حلقة اليوم تقدمها هالة صالح، تخرجها منى أبو عمارة وتشرف عليها بسمة كراشة.
A third of the global economy will be in recession this year, the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned.
Kristalina Georgieva said 2023 will be "tougher" than last year as the US, EU and China see their economies slow.
We ask a former IMF chief economist about his outlook for the year.
We also hear how the economies of Nigeria, Russia and Colombia might perform in 2023.
(Picture: Crowds of people on Times Square, New York City, USA. Picture Credit: Getty Images)
The managing director of the International Monetary Fund, Kristalina Georgieva, has warned that 2023 will be a tough year for much of the global economy, with a third of countries going into recession.
Also in the programme: Russia says 63 of its soldiers were killed in a Ukrainian missile attack on a temporary barracks in Donbas; and a British epidemiologist on why we should try to eat 30 different plants each week.
(Photo: International Monetary Fund managing director Kristalina Georgieva attends a news conference in Berlin, Germany on 29 November 2022. Credit: Reuters/Michele Tantussi/File Photo)
Dozens, possibly hundreds, of Russian conscripts are believed to have died in the rocket attack in occupied Donbas. Also: The Indian Supreme Court upholds a government decision to withdraw most high denomination banknotes, and a public wake at Santos FC in Brazil for the legendary player, Pelé.
Today’s final Christmas guest editor this year is Dame Sharon White, chairman of the John Lewis Partnership and former head of telecoms regulator Ofcom. She was named as the most powerful black person in the country in the 2023 Power List.
One of the key issues for her programme is how society can help more people who have been in care get into employment – and includes a report from the BBC’s Ashley John-Baptiste, who grew up in care.
She also speaks to world renown choreographer Sir Matthew Bourne about how to attract a wider audience to ballet, and she interviews England rugby star Maro Itoje about his activism off the field.
Are you harbouring a dream of turning your passion into a business? Today we hear from women already doing it and find out what support's out there for women taking up the challenge. Deborah Meaden, Dragons Den investor, entrepreneur and host of the Big Green Money Show joins Krupa Padhy to discuss #Passionintobusiness
Sam Jackman is the creator and founder of a post-mastectomy breast form. She developed it after her mum complained about her discomfort with the traditional silicone gel prosthesis she was using following breast cancer treatment. Sharon McBean from Birmingham wanted a music box with a young Black ballerina twirling around for her daughter (so it looked like her). She couldn't find one anywhere so started to manufacture and sell her own. And Joan D’Arcy in North West Scotland tells us about her non-profit business looking for local solutions to stop plastic pollution generated at sea.
We also hear from social entrepreneur and founder of the SEED Women’s Enterprise Network, Lynne Franks. She started her own PR consultancy back in 1975 and now supports and mentors women running or hoping to run their own business. Plus Sarah Ronan, board member of Parental Pay Equality and part of the Women’s Budget Group unpicks the latest statistics around self-employment and women in the UK and Yvonne Sampson, Head of enterprise at GC Business Growth Hub in Manchester, explains what support they offer to women with their business ideas.
Presenter: Krupa Padhy
Producer: Kirsty Starkey
Interviewed Guest: Deborah Meaden
Interviewed Guest: Sam Jackman
Interviewed Guest: Sarah Ronan
Interviewed Guest: Yvonne Sampson
Interviewed Guest: Lynne Franks
Interviewed Guest: Sharon McBean
Interviewed Guest: Joan D'Arcy
Luis Inacio Lula da Silva told crowds in Brasilia that he aimed to rebuild the country. Also, Ukraine destroys dozens of attack drones launched by Russia, and North Korea marks the New Year with a promise to mass produce tactical nuclear weapons.
The Socialist leader promises to transform Brazil, rebuild democracy, and he made an impassioned attack on his right-wing predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro, saying he had left Brazil in ruins.
Also on the programme we hear from the Ethiopian journalist forced out of the country because of her reporting of the war in Tigray. And we take a look at the origins of one of the world's most famous hymns, Amazing Grace.
(Image: Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, with his wife Rosangela "Janja" da Silva, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin and his wife Maria Lucia Ribeiro Alckmin, after his swearing-in ceremony, in Brasilia, Brazil. Credit: Reuters / Moraes)
Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh le Ruairidh MacIlleathain. Litir àireamh 1224. Roddy Maclean reads this week's letter for Gàidhlig learners.
Historian Ross King answers listener questions about his book Brunelleschi's Dome. An incredible story of one man's determination to build an apparently impossible structure, it's a tale of ingenuity, artistic rivalries, and single-minded obsession. Although building had started on Florence's Santa Maria del Fiore in the late thirteenth century, it wasn't until 1418 that local goldsmith Filippo Brunelleschi came up with an audacious way of constructing the magnificent dome, which still dominates the Florence skyline today. But as Brunelleschi's Dome reveals, the architect faced huge obstacles and opposition along the way.
Our next Bookclub recordings:
18/01/23: Cal Flyn will be talking about her book, Islands of Abandonment. 1300 at BBC Broadcasting House, London.
16/02/23: Nadifa Mohamed on The Fortune Men. 1830 at BBC Broadcasting House, London
Email bookclub@bbc.co.uk to send in a question, or come along.
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will be sworn in again as Brazil's President after a gap of more than ten years. We speak to his former foreign minister.
Also on the programme, we hear about the Ukrainian dancers who are using a classic ballet to comment on the war with Russia; and and it's 250 years since the first performance of Amazing Grace - written by a former slave trader.
(Photo: Brazilian President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva; Credit: REUTERS/Adriano Machado/File Photo)
As the Christmas festival continues, Roy Jenkins explores – with the help of a range of guests – the significance of one of the best known seasonal texts.
The Magnificat is an outpouring of joy from Mary, on hearing the news from the Archangel Gabriel that she is to give birth to Jesus. The text, from St Luke’s Gospel, will have been heard in many churches during the past few weeks as part of the telling of the Christmas story.
There have been countless musical settings down the centuries – ranging from single line Gregorian chant to more florid settings from JS Bach and Palestrina, and in the present day from composers such as John Tavener and Arvo Pärt. As the Magnificat has an important place in Roman Catholic and Anglican liturgy, there are numerous settings for singing in the daily round of Vespers and Choral Evensongs in our cathedrals and churches.
On the face of it, the Magnificat or “Mary’s Song” as it’s sometime known, isn’t such good news for the mighty who will be unseated, and the rich who will be sent empty away. The German pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer who was executed by the Nazis, described the Magnificat as “the most passionate, the wildest… the most revolutionary hymn ever sung.” But after a year during which we have seen the start of a war, a rise in the cost of living, a widening of the gap between rich and poor, continuing pestilence and the ravages of climate change, what hope can we glean from it for 2023?
Our guests:
The Rt Revd Mary Stallard, Assistant Bishop of Bangor.
Andrew Wilson-Dickson, composer and Cardiff-based musician.
Dr Emma Gibbins, Director of Music, St Woolos Cathedral, Newport.
Revd Dr Craig Gardiner, Tutor at South Wales Baptist College and Cardiff University.
Sean Stillman, Minister at Zac's Place, Swansea, and International President of God Squad.
Revd Dr Jennie Hurd, Chair of Wales Synod Cymru of the Methodist Church.
The programme includes extracts of settings of the Magnificat by Sir John Tavener, JS Bach, Charles Villiers Stanford, Richard Shephard, and Margaret Rizza.
In a special programme to mark the death of Pope Benedict XVI, Edward Stourton and guests discuss the life and legacy of the gentle German academic who became the spiritual leader of 1.3 billion Catholics all over the world.
The 95-year-old Pope Emeritus, who stood down almost a decade ago due to his poor health, died at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery within the walls of the Vatican, where he had lived during his final years.
He led the Catholic Church for fewer than eight years but is considered by many to be one of the most influential religious leaders of modern times. He defended Catholic teaching fearlessly, speaking out against what he called "the dictatorship of relativism", and produced deeply moving spiritual writings.
In a special programme, Edward Stourton looks back at his life and pontificate and assesses the impact of his resignation in 2013 - the first by a Pope since Gregory XII in 1415 - and looks ahead to the impact his death will have on his successor Pope Francis.
Edward remembers Pope Benedict's UK visit with the screenwriter Frank Cottrell Boyce, who helped organise it, and one of the young Catholics who met the Pope when he came to Birmingham. And he assesses Benedict's lasting impact on the Catholic Church and the wider world with an expert panel of British Catholics and the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams.
Presented by Edward Stourton.
Produced by Julia Paul and Katy Booth.
Editor: Helen Grady.
This week, we bring you the best of 5 Live Science from the year just gone, including the James Webb Space Telescope, clocks so accurate they can tell the time difference between your head and your feet, and science proves that teenagers tune out to their parents' voices!
The Emeritus Pope Benedict died on New Year's Eve at the age of ninety-five. Also: Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, has said the world won't forgive Russia for the terror of missile strikes on his country, and a British man has completed his 365th marathon of 2022.
Francis said Benedict was a kind and noble man who was a gift to the Church and the world. The faithful have been visiting St Peter's Square in Vatican City to pay their respects. The former pope led the Roman Catholic Church for nearly eight years until 2013 when he stood down due to ill health, the first pope to do so for 600 years.
Also on the programme, Christiane Amanpour of CNN pays tribute to Barbara Walters, the trailblazing US news anchor who paved the way for generations of women journalists, who has died at the age of 93. And another chance to hear some of Newshour's best interviews of the past year.
(Image: A picture of the late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at Saint Peter's Square, Rome. Credit: EPA)
Deputy Chief Constable Maggie Blyth joins Krupa Padhy to talk about the new figures released by the National Police Chiefs Council which say there were nearly five thousand cases of needle and drink spiking recorded by forces across England and Wales between September last year and August this year.
Do you remember the first time you really felt ‘seen’? For a special bank holiday programme, all about representation, hear a conversation between Bridgerton actress Charithra Chandran and her hero Gurinder Chadha, who directed the iconic film Bend It Like Beckham.
As part of a new series called Finding My Voice, Jessica Creighton speaks to the author Milly Johnson about the moment she realised her success lay in embracing and enhancing her Yorkshire voice, instead of trying to supress it.
The scientist Dr Jess Wade joins Jessica Creighton to talk about the representation of women in science, and how she’s trying to improve that by joining the Wikipedia community of volunteers and creating pages for women in science and all their achievements.
The writer and director Sally Wainwright joins Krupa Padhy ahead of the final series of Happy Valley to discuss how she created the iconic character of Catherine Cawood, and why Sarah Lancashire was perfect for the part – and her mum was her best script editor.
What’s the best way for you to feel rested? Does music come into it? Jessica Creighton speaks to the award-winning composer and conductor Debbie Wiseman OBE about the relaxing and restful impact the right music can have, not just on our mind, but on our body and our heartbeat too.
Presenter: Krupa Padhy
Producer: Lottie Garton
Patti Paniccia was a surfer back in the 1970s, determined to create a path to professional surfing for women, as well as men. Together with surf promoter, Fred Hemmings and surfer Randy Rarick, she founded IPS (International Professional Surfing), to create the very first men’s and women’s world tour in 1976. The women’s surf team – Sally Prange, Jericho Poppler, Rell Sunn, Becky Benson, Claudia Kravitz and Patti herself – were met with a barrage of ridicule and blatant sexism, but also had the time of their lives - from surfing the shark infested waters in South Africa, to drawing crowds of 20,000 Brazilians to the beaches in Rio de Janeiro. Together they opened the door for women's competitive professional surfing.
چرا اسلامگرايى خشن و افراطى در مناطق پشتوننشین رواج یافت؟ آیا فقط باید عوامل خارجی را موثر دانست؟ تاریخ مردم پشتون در این مورد به ما چه میگوید؟
Football manager Phil Brown, football broadcaster Mina Rzouki, broadcaster Dougie Anderson and comedian Bob Mills join Colin Murray for an hour of sporting punditry, humour and entertainment. Points are awarded for informed comment, wit and passion, but taken away for nonsense and answers lacking in conviction.
In the final round, the top two points scorers go head-to-head in 'Defend the Indefensible' where they must both defend a statement however ludicrous or distasteful for twenty seconds. There can only be one winner!
Get the podcast from BBC Sounds.
Today’s sixth Christmas guest editor is Anne-Marie Imafidon – computer scientist, CEO and co-presenter of Countdown.
Hear highlights of her programme, whose central theme is opportunity. She looks at how we work, how we fund science, and how we recognise the achievements of women which have been lost to history, such as Dr Gladys Mae West, whose maths work paved the way for GPS navigation.
We also explore two of Anne-Marie’s big passions – Nigerian food and trainers.
Three people caring for loved ones with Alzheimers share their experiences and challenges.
An new report suggests children are put at risk by 'loot boxes' in video games.
More than a thousand steelworkers will share compensation of £49 million for pension mis-selling, but campaigners say it is unfair and inadequate.
HSBC will close a quarter of its remaining branches next year. It is offering some customers free computer tablets instead.
And more on spray foam - a plea for it not to be included in the Government's new £1 billion energy efficiency scheme because of the frequent problems it causes in getting a mortgage.
While the former US president Donald Trump did pay $1m in taxes in 2018, he didn't pay anything in his last year in the White House. Also: England to require negative Covid test for arrivals from China, and Abba's Chiquitita song raises millions of dollars for UNICEF.
It's been a tumultuous year for crypto: the collapse of FXT and a string of other firms has helped drain the market of 2 trillion dollars. So, what might 2023 look like for the crypto world? This special episode of World Business Report looks at regulation and whether it will deter further investment.
(Picture: Domino piece with bitcoin symbol concept Picture Credit: Getty Images)
A US Congressional committee has released six years of tax returns belonging to Donald Trump. The former president battled for years to keep the documents secret. They show that in one year, Mr Trump paid just 750 dollars in federal income taxes, in another he paid nothing. The documents also contradict his claim that he was prohibited from releasing the returns because he was under audit by the government revenue service.
Also in the programme: As Covid surges in China, how protected are other countries? And how royalties from Abba are helping the Chiquititas of Guatemala.
(Photo: Fox News reports on former President Trump's tax returns being made public as seen on screen of the News Corp building in New York, 30 December 2022. Credit: Sarah Yenesel/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Writer, Keri Davies
Director, Jess Bunch
Editor, Jeremy Howe
Jill Archer ….. Patricia Greene
David Archer ….. Timothy Bentinck
Ruth Archer ….. Felicity Finch
Pip Archer ….. Daisy Badger
Ben Archer ….. Ben Norris
Kenton Archer ….. Richard Attlee
Pat Archer ….. Patricia Gallimore
Tony Archer ….. David Troughton
Lilian Bellamy ….. Sunny Ormonde
Leonard Berry ….. Paul Copley
Ed Grundy ….. Barry Farrimond
George Grundy ….. Angus Stobie
Will Grundy ….. Philip Molloy
Brad Horrobin ….. Taylor Uttley
Chelsea Horrobin ….. Madeleine Leslay
Tracy Horrobin ….. Susie Riddell
Jazzer McCreary ….. Ryan Kelly
Fallon Rogers ….. Joanna Van Kampen
Lynda Snell ….. Carole Boyd
Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis present the week via topical stand-up and sketches. They're joined by Jamie MacDonald, Lucy Porter and Ed MacArthur.
Jamie MacDonald shares his experience of Disability History Month, Lucy Porter examines our increasingly secular population and Ed MacArthur is a PR consultant, rebranding famous faces.
The show was written by the cast with additional material from Aidan Fitzmaurice, Zoe Tomalin, Rachel E. Thorn and Cameron Loxdale.
Voice actors: George Fouracres and Lola-Rose Maxwell
Sound: David Thomas
Sound assistant: Guy Marley
Executive Producer: Richard Morris
Producer: Sasha Bobak
Production Coordinator: Sarah Nicholls
A BBC Studios Production
Momodou Sabally, one of the most vociferous critics of the government of President Adama Barrow in the Gambia, has been released after 10 days in detention. He speaks to Africa Today.
Members of the Lolldaiga community in Kenya serve papers against the British Army, claiming destruction of lives and property.
Plus former Ugandan footballer Daniel Bitalo pays tribute to Pelé.
As we approach the end of 2022, we take a look at what has been a bumpy year for the stock markets. With the three major US indices set for their biggest yearly losses since the 2008 financial crisis, we explore what 2023 can bring for financial investors.
The war in Ukraine had a strong impact in many industries, and commodities weren't an exception. We review what the conflict meant for key metals like investors' favourite safe haven—gold.
And on the day after his death we remember the legacy of one of football's biggest legends: Pele.
Spain and Israel have become the latest countries to announce mandatory covid testing for travellers from China, as fears in China grow that the rapid rise in cases may overwhelm healthcare facilities.
Yet Chinese government figures on Friday recorded only five thousand new infections across the whole of the country.
Also in the programme: A new verdict in Myanmar means that the pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is likely to spend the rest of her life in jail; and we hear abiut the story behind ABBA's hit song "Chiquitita" and how it's helped children for more than 40 years.
(Photo shows people walking with their luggage at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport amid a wave of the COVID-19 infections. Credit: Tingshu Wang/Reuters)
Only 5,000 new infections recorded on Friday, while hospitals report many more emergencies. Also: the controversial online influencer Andrew Tate is arrested in Romania on rape and human trafficking charges, and the mystery of why the UK awarded Abba 'nul points' is finally solved.
Björn Ulvaeus has guest edited BBC Radio 4's Today and his programme included a lot of insights and encounters about Eurovision.
Hear him talk to one of the British jurors who in 1974 gave ABBA's Waterloo "nul points" - and doesn't regret it! He also discusses with Erasure's Andy Bell, Radio 1's Adele Roberts and UK Eurovision presenter Rylan Clark the appeal of the contest and ABBA itself to the LGBT+ community.
Bjorn also speaks to Martin Österdahl, executive supervisor of Eurovision, about whether it can move to be a fully global competition.
(Photo: ABBA triumph at 1974 Eurovision. Credit: BBC)
Today's fifth Christmas guest editor is Björn Ulvaeus from ABBA.
Hear highlights from his programme, which looks at the impact of Artificial Intelligence and technology on music, the future of democracy and of course Eurovision - the contest which launched Abba's global success nearly 50 years ago.
Guests include Dave Stewart from the Eurythmics, the historian Noah Yuval Harari, Andy Bell from Erasure, the boss of Eurovision, as well as its UK presenter Rylan Clark, and former culture minister Lord Vaizey.
Friends and former team-mates pay their respects to Pele. The former Brazil and Santos player Rildo tells us how Pele halted the Nigerian civil war, and the former New York Cosmos defender Werner Roth shares a story involving Pele, a baby shark and a bathtub. We also hear from Brazilian journalist Ricardo Setyon.
Dame Vivienne Westwood died yesterday at the age of 81 but she has been called the ‘undisputed Queen of British Fashion’. She made her name with her controversial punk and new wave styles in the 1970s and went on to dress some of the biggest stars in fashion. She was well known for her androgynous designs, slogan T-shirts and irreverent attitude towards the establishment and would use her platform later to bring the causes she cared about like climate change to the forefront. Barjis Chohan is a fashion designer in London who got her first break fresh out of college working with Dame Vivienne Westwood
The multi Bafta-winning BBC drama Happy Valley returns to our screens on New Year’s Day. It’s a long awaited third series – the first came out in 2014, and the second in 2016. It centres on police Sergeant Catherine Cawood (pron. Kay-ward) - played by Sarah Lancashire - and her family in West Yorkshire and is the brainchild of writer and director Sally Wainwright, whose other TV credits include Last Tango in Halifax, Scott and Bailey and Gentleman Jack. Krupa speaks to Sally, who is considered to be one of our greatest television dramatists.
Hundreds of servicewomen have experienced sexual abuse during their training at The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, according to Salute Her UK. Their figures show that 177 women have sought help for cases spanning more than 20 years. Paula Edwards, CEO of Salute Her UK discusses the ‘toxic culture’ of sexual assault in the military. Salute Her UK is the sister charity of Forward Assist - which supports military veterans struggling to adjust to civilian life. It is the only UK gender-specific support service to offer therapy and interventions for survivors of in-service sexual abuse.
Even if you don’t know her name, you will almost certainly recognise her face. A former supermodel Czechoslovak-born Paulina Porizkova appeared on the covers of numerous top magazines around the world during the 1980s and 1990s, including Vogue, Elle, Harper's Bazaar, Glamour and Cosmopolitan. In 1988 she became one of the highest-paid models in the world as the face of Estee Lauder. She also acted in many movies and TV shows and was on the judging panel on cycle 10 of America’s Next Top Model. Her novel, A model Summer, was published in 2007. She has now written a memoir, No Filter: The Good, the Bad, and The beautiful.
2022 marks ...
By Andrew McCaldon
The extraordinary and explosive relationship between director Alfred Hitchcock and the film composer Bernard Herrmann. Recorded live at Alexandra Palace with the BBC Concert Orchestra playing Herrmann's scores from the partnership's iconic films - Vertigo, North by Northwest and Psycho.
Bernard Herrmann ..... Tim McInnerny
Alfred Hitchcock ..... Toby Jones
Alma Hitchcock ..... Joanna Monro
Lucy Anderson/Tippi ..... Tara Ward
Lew Wasserman/Cary/Paul ..... Jonathan Forbes
BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Ben Palmer
Produced by Neil Varley and Tracey Neale
Directed By Tracey Neale
By the late 1950s Herrmann and Hitchcock – known to each other as ‘Benny’ and ‘Hitch’ – have formed the most famous composer-director partnership in film history, creating masterpieces of cinema together, including Vertigo, North by Northwest and Psycho.
But with tensions growing between the two maverick artists and change afoot in the movie industry, Benny and Hitch’s collaboration and friendship comes to a catastrophic end at a recording session for the film Torn Curtain. But who is really responsible for the break-up? From beyond the grave, Benny and Hitch set out to determine which man has blood on their hands?
Recorded in front of an audience at Alexandra Palace and starring two stellar actors, Tim McInnerny and Toby Jones, this thrilling and witty drama, will feature performances of Bernard Herrmann’s music by the brilliant BBC Concert Orchestra.
Writer:
Andrew McCaldon worked with the BBC as a key creative on Ten Pieces, for which he wrote a series of acclaimed films and BBC Proms concerts. He has also combined music and drama in numerous shows for the BBCCO, BBCSO and the BBC Singers. Other recent writing work includes: Wemba’s Dream, a community music-drama event with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, for which Andrew acted as Creative Director (2021); Abracadopera!, an original TV opera-comedy-drama, created and written by Andrew for English National Opera and broadcast on Sky Arts and Sky Kids (June 2022); and Gnomus, a site-specific play for Puppets With Guts staged at Stonehenge (April 2022).
Cast & Performers:
Tim McInnerny has just finished filming One Day for Netflix and plays the lead role in the forthcoming film Killers Anonymous. He can be seen in Ten Percent, the UK version of Call My Agent and also appeared in Game of Thrones.
Toby Jones can be seen in The English for the BBC. Other work includes Jon S. Baird's Tetris for Apple TV and Sam Mendes's film Empire of Light, due for release in January. He will also appear in the forthcoming Indiana ...
Pele is regarded by many as football's greatest player. Also: the British fashion designer, Vivienne Westwood, dies aged 81, and did you see all the planets of the solar system in the night sky?
Figures from the global crypto research and training platform Crypto Head suggest that around just 5 per cent of entrepreneurs in the field are women, and they're lagging behind when it comes to investing in crypto too. According to a survey by broadcaster CNBC and Momentive, twice as many men as women are likely to invest in cryptocurrency. So why does this 21st century financial instrument have such a 20th century problem?
(Picture: Young woman touching screen on futuristic digital display. Picture Credit: Getty Images)
Pelé, one of the greatest footballers of all time, has died in Brazil at the age of 82, prompting tributes from around the world.
Also in the programme: the most hardline government in Israel's history has been sworn in. The coalition, led by Benjamin Netanyahu for a record sixth time as prime minister, includes ultra Orthodox Jewish and nationalist parties; and the British fashion designer Vivienne Westwood - a key figure in the rebellious punk movement of the 1970s - has died in London.
(Photo: Pelé, the Brazilian football legend, seen here during a visit to London in his new job as the Brazil Minister for Sport in 1995. Credit: BBC)
Nasa's James Webb Space Telescope has produced amazing images, and amazing science, in its first five months. Roland Pease hears from one of the leading astronomers on the JWST programme, Dr Heidi Hammel, as well as other experts on what they are already learning about the first galaxies in the Universe, the birthplaces of stars, the strange behaviour of some other stars, and the first view of Neptune's rings in over 30 years.
Producer: Roland Pease
Assistant producer: Sophie Ormiston
Image: An image from the James Webb Space Telescope (Credit: Nasa via PA)
At least three people have been killed in an explosion in Nigeria’s Kogi State, a few hours before President Buhari was due to visit nearby.
Plus, Kenya's government bans the export of baobab trees to Georgia following a public outcry, amid environmental concerns.
And we take you to Statues Also Dream, the unique live play connecting performers thousands of miles apart.
A number of countries mull bringing back mandatory Covid testing for visitors coming from China as a wave of coronavirus infections spreads across the world's second economy. We hear the latest from our correspondent in Hong Kong.
Also in the programme, we go back to one of the big stories of 2022: the impact of the war in Ukraine on the global supply of grain. We explore what has changed for the industry as well as the expectations for 2023. And we also look at Japan's latest attempt to persuade more young people to move out of the city and into the countryside.
The attack came hours after Moscow rejected Ukraine's suggestion that peace talks could begin in 2023. Also: hundreds protest outside the Israeli parliament as a new government takes office, and should a safety test be required before using the Internet?
Cities across Ukraine have been targeted by a wave of Russian missile strikes, in one of the largest bombardments since the war began.
At least three people - including a 14-year-old girl - were taken to hospital after explosions hit the capital Kyiv and blasts were also heard in the cities of Kharkiv, Odesa, and Lviv.
We hear from the head of Ukrainian military intelligence about.his thoughts on the current situation.
Also in the programme: As Israel's most right-wing government is sworn in - we discuss what impact it will have at home and abroad; and with American states tightening their abortion rules - we hear from a school in Texas for teenage mothers.
(Photo shows a house destroyed by a Russian missile strike in Kyiv, Ukraine on 29 December 2022. Credit: Press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine/Reuters)
في هذا الحلقة من بي بي سي إكسترا تستضيف بسمة كراشة الفنانة السورية لينا شماميان التي لا تردد في الإجابة على أسئلة شخصية حول علاقاتها الفاشلة وما تخطط له في العلاقة الجديدة التي تعيشها. تحكي كيف تغيرت مع التجارب وكيف حدد نجاتها من الموت نظرتها للحياة وطريقة تعاملها معها. ما هي ضريبة التي دفعتها لينا وهل تتقبل الأمر؟ هذه بعض محاور اللقاء في حلقتنا التي تناقش مشاكل وحلول العلاقات عن بعد أيضا مع مدربة السعادة وجودة الحياة ليلى بدور ناتج. نعرض على مسامعكم قصص أشخاص يعيشون هذا النوع من العلاقة ولاننسى ما تركه لنا الأدب العالمي في الموضوع.
In the second part of our interview with Roy Hodgson, he reflects on troubled times at Liverpool and England. He also talks about the retirement, the role of luck in football, and the joy of his ending his career by going full circle and returning to Crystal Palace.
Picture on website: Roy Hodgson at Goodison Park (Photo by CLIVE BRUNSKILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
If 2022 was the year of talking about menopause could 2023 be the year of looking at life beyond it? Joining Krupa to discuss the positive side of life after menopause is Caryn Franklin, fashion and identity commentator. Her latest audio book is SKEWED: Decoding Media Bias, which explores why women and girls are educated to fear ageing. And Supriya Nagarajan who made a life-changing decision during the menopause to focus on her first love - performing the traditional music of her south Asian roots.
A new film and exhibition called Turning the Tide looks at the role of women in the renewable energy sector through movement and dance. The short film features women in graceful action at landmarks such as the Humber Bridge, and at an offshore wind turbine blade factory in Hull. Created in partnership with the Women's Movement 100 project which is celebrating the 100 years of female suffrage, it's the brainchild of choreographer Freddie Garland, who has done similar projects recognising women in industry in Sheffield and Newcastle. She speaks to Krupa along with Louise Smith, one of the dancers in the film and director of the University of Hull's Aura Innovation Centre.
Is it ok to be jealous of your friends? With the festive period in full swing, it can be a time of feeling envious of people gathering and having a good time on social media – but how do we tame the green-eyed monster that can surface when we see that our friends are happy and doing well? Krupa is joined by female friendship coach Danielle Bayard Jackson and journalist and author Claire Cohen to discuss.
As in many countries, obesity in Brazil is a major issue with one in four Brazilians now classified as obese and more than half the population overweight. But rather than focusing just on trying to lower this rate by promoting exercise and healthier ways of eating, campaigners and some city councils are successfully implementing changes which accept that high rates of obesity are probably here to stay and society should adapt to this.
In a country famed for pressure to have the perfect beach body, these changes include schools buying bigger chairs and desks, hospitals buying bigger beds and MRI machines and theatres offering wider seats. Brazilian lawyers are starting to make legal challenges, particularly against discrimination in the workplace. Women are holding plus sized beauty contests to celebrate their larger bodies. Schools are hosting discussion clubs where they talk about how body shapes are perceived by their peers and wider society.
Even so, campaigners say there’s a long way to go for bigger bodies to be culturally accepted in Brazil and overcoming what is known as “gordofobia” – belittling or discriminating against people who are larger than average. Camilla Mota travels to the south eastern coastal city of Vitoria to meet a plus size influencer and a lawyer campaigning to stop discrimination and trying to make the city more tolerant. She then flies 1500 kilometres north to another port city, Recife, where some changes have now taken place. Is this transformation away from the stereo-typical “body beautiful” only skin deep or the shape of things to come across the western world?
Presenter: Camilla Mota
Produced by Bob Howard
Studio mix by James Beard
Production coordinator Iona Hammond
Series editor Penny Murphy
Today's fourth Christmas guest editor this year is Sir Jeremy Fleming, director of GCHQ, the UK's largest but probably least known intelligence agency.
Hear highlights from his programme which centres on the theme of data and trust, including how we all share our own personal information and how intelligence agencies across the world handle that data.
Guests include Avril Haines, the United States director of national intelligence, Vint Cerf, one of the founding fathers of the internet, and multiple Olympic champion Sir Ben Ainslie, who discusses the use of data in his sport of sailing.
Sana Safi returns to the story of two Afghan women judges who have had to go into hiding after the Taliban takeover - and are now preparing to be evacuated for a second time. Through encrypted networks and messages, Sana gets unprecedented access to the secretive operatives trying to get the women and their families out of the country. It is a race against time as they now journey to the point of no return.
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss The Song of the Nibelungs, a twelfth century German epic, full of blood, violence, fantasy and bleakness. It is a foundational work of medieval literature, drawing on the myths of Scandinavia and central Europe. The poem tells of two couples, Siegfried and Kriemhild and Gunther and Brunhilda, whose lives are destroyed by lies and revenge. It was extremely popular in its time, sometimes rewritten with happier endings, and was rediscovered by German Romantics and has since been drawn from selectively by Wagner, Fritz Lang and, infamously, the Nazis looking to support ideas on German heritage.
The image above is of Siegfried seeing Kriemhild for the first time, a miniature from the Hundeshagenschen Code manuscript dating from 15th Century.
With
Sarah Bowden
Reader in German and Medieval Studies at King’s College London
Mark Chinca
Professor of Medieval German and Comparative Literature at the University of Cambridge
And
Bettina Bildhauer
Professor of Modern Languages at the University of St Andrews
Producer: Simon Tillotson
一位网友来信询问 “light up” 和 “brighten up” 这两个动词短语有何区别。它们都有 “点亮” 的意思，也都可以用来形容人的情绪 “转好”。本期节目通过对比例句分析这两个短语的区别和用法。
As in many countries, obesity in Brazil is a major issue with one in four Brazilians now classified as obese and more than half the population overweight. But rather than focusing just on trying to lower this rate by promoting exercise and healthier ways of eating, campaigners and some city councils are successfully implementing changes, which accept that high rates of obesity are probably here to stay and society should adapt to this. These changes include schools buying bigger chairs and desks, hospitals buying bigger beds and MRI machines and theatres offering wider seats. Brazilian lawyers are starting to make legal challenges, particularly against discrimination in the workplace. Women are holding plus sized beauty contests to celebrate their larger bodies. Schools are hosting discussion clubs where they talk about how body shapes are perceived by their peers and wider society. Even so, campaigners say there is a long way to go for bigger bodies to be culturally accepted in Brazil and overcoming what is known as “gordofobia” – belittling or discriminating against people who are larger than average. Camilla Mota travels to the south-eastern coastal city of Vitoria to meet a plus size influencer and a lawyer campaigning to stop discrimination and trying to make the city more tolerant. She then flies 1500km north to another port city, Recife, where some changes have now taken place. Is this transformation away from the stereo-typical “body beautiful” only skin deep or the shape of things to come across the western world?
Presenter: Camilla Mota
Producer: Bob Howard
Several other countries have imposed restrictions on travellers from China, as Covid cases surge. Also: a rights group says 100 protestors in Iran are facing the death penalty, and densely-populated Dhaka gets its first metro line.
The US is the latest country to enhance testing requirements for arrivals, after Beijing announced plans to reopen international travel in and out of China. We explore whether the 'great reopening' will affect global travel markets for better or worse. Also on the programme, after a tough year for Elon Musk, one analyst tells us why it's far from the end of the road for Tesla.
A special report from Kherson in Southern Ukraine as Russian forces step up mortar and artillery attacks on the recently liberated city. Newshour speaks to a Ukrainian government advisor.
Also in the programme: Italy imposes restrictions on Chinese travellers; and unrest in Kosovo.
(Picture: A Ukrainian service member attends a military exercise session near the border with Belarus, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zhytomyr region, Ukraine December 27, 2022. Credit: REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyi)
Many people say that knitting or crochet helped ease their anxiety during the Covid-19 lockdowns. Claire Anketell set up free Yarn for Mental Health courses in Northern Ireland last year and Gemma McAdam says crochet helped to reduce her stress levels and she's now making blankets.
Esther Rutter's book This Golden Fleece: A Journey through Britain's Knitted History aims to unpick what textiles mean to us - including how they became part of the treatment for mental health problems. Learning a skill by following a pattern, connecting with other people and being distracted from everyday worries tick some of the boxes which we associate with wellbeing. But it's hard to pin down exactly which elements can boost our mood. Dr Sarah McKay author of The Woman's Brain Book: the Neuroscience of Health, Hormones and Happiness assesses whether we need hard evidence to carry on casting on.
The charity Fine Cell Work has been teaching prisoners embroidery, needlepoint and quilting for 25 years. CEO Victoria Gillies says the idea is to rehabilitate prisoners and ex-prisoners as they sew high-quality elaborate cushions and footstools. We hear about the difference it's made to stitchers like Ben.
Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producer: Paula McGrath
Ethiopian Airlines has resumed commercial flights to the capital of the war-hit Tigray region, Mekelle, for the first time in nearly two years. We hear from excited passengers in Addis Ababa, just before they boarded the flight.
And five-times Grammy award winner Angelique Kidjo is our guest editor. The singer-songwriter from Benin, talks to us about her music, the causes that concern her and the people she champions.
After three years of closed borders, China will effectively re-open on January 8th to those with work and study visas, and those seeking to visit their family and have holidays abroad. Thousands of travellers from China are likely to boost the multi-billion dollar travel business soon.
Multi-billionaire Elon Musk has sold another 22 million shares, worth $3.58bn (£2.9bn), in the electric car maker Tesla. Investors have been concerned that demand for the company's electric cars may slow, as the economy weakens, higher borrowing costs discourage buyers and other companies boost their electric vehicle offerings.
Throughout this week on World Business Report on the BBC World Service, we're looking at all things crypto. It's a hugely complex area, with supporters of cryptocurrencies claiming that it banks the unbanked, and democratises financial services - while critics say cryptocurrencies have no intrinsic value, are hugely volatile - and actually not that useful for every day purchases.
(Picture: Young handsome Asian man making order from the digital menu on smartphone in restaurant. Picture Credit: Getty Images)
Betting and Investment: Laurie Taylor explores the connections and the differences between two apparently very different phenomena - the football pools and the stock market.
He's joined by Keith Laybourn, Professor Emeritus of History at the University of Huddersfield, who charts the rise and fall of the football pools over the 20th century. In its heyday, millions of working class people hoped for a life-changing jackpot cheque presented by a sporting personality and stories of big wins punctuated the news. So what led to a flutter on the pools falling out of favour?
And Amy Edwards, lecturer of Modern British History at the University of Bristol, asks ‘are we rich yet?’ in a study which considers the way in which a growing number of British people engaged in stock market investment as financial markets became part of daily life from the 1980s following the privatisation of British Telecom. Did this development take investment away from the oak-panelled world of the City and give the wider public a genuine stake in popular capitalism?
Producer: Jayne Egerton
Recently-liberated Kherson shelled by Russian forces; also in the programme the Iranian families seeking justice for jailed protesters; we ask is the Philippines heading towards a food crisis? A new blood test could detect Alzheimer’s early; and the final chapter of a London bookshop.
(Cars burn on a street in Kherson after a Russian military strike, December 24, 2022. Credit: Reuters)
Civilians flee from the southern city of Kherson as Russian attacks intensify. Also: the Pope asks for prayers for Pope Emeritus Benedict who is very ill, and a former prisoner tells the tennis star Andy Murray she watched him win Wimbledon, in her Iranian prison cell.
Today's third guest editor this Christmas is Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was detained for six years in Iran - before being freed and coming home nine months ago. Hear highlights from her programme including the voices of families of current political prisoners in Iran and Nazanin speaking to chef Yotam Ottolenghi about why one of his recipes has a special resonance for her - and about the solidarity that can be found in food and cooking.
Nazanin also has an emotional encounter with tennis ace Andy Murray - she tells him how, while in solitary confinement, she was able to watch him win Wimbledon in 2016 and the joy that brought her. With her husband Richard, she also reflects on trying to get back to normal life against the backdrop of the current uprising and arrests in Iran.
As the UN Security Council has called on the Taliban to revoke its ban on women in Afghanistan working for aid agencies - we look at the impact it will have on humanitarian operations in a country heavily dependent on aid.
When did you realise you you had something to say or something you want to stand up for. In the first in our series "Find My Voice"
Jessica talks to Milly Johnson the author of 20 novels which have sold over 3 million copies worldwide. She’s the winner of the Romantic Novelist Association's Outstanding Achievement Award, as well as Channel 4’s Come Dine With Me – Barnsley edition. But all that success seemed like a pipe dream, until she got her first book deal at the age of 40.
When our reporter Ena Miller gave birth to her baby called Bonnie just over a year ago - she expected to receive the standard comments..."Oh she's so beautiful, aww look at her little nose, she's so cute, aww what a big baby..." she did get those but she also got negative remarks from friends and strangers about the colour of her baby's skin. Ena realised she was not alone and went to meet two other mothers Fariba and Wendy to talk about their experiences and ask for their advice.
And the Christmas Sandwich. Is it more popular than Christmas lunch? What should be in them? How important is the bread you choose? And can you ever add gravy? Nell Carter who reviews Christmas sandwiches is in the studio to tell us.
Presenter Jessica Creighton
Producer Beverley Purcell
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe had been in solitary confinement for months, separated from her husband and daughter, when her Iranian jailors provided a rare glimmer of joy.
In July 2016, after months without books or newspapers, she was granted access to a TV with two channels - one showing Iranian soaps, the other Wimbledon tennis matches.
She watched as Andy Murray secured his second Wimbledon title on Centre Court - more than 3,000 miles from her prison cell, but just a little over an hour on the Tube from her home in north London.
Earlier this month the pair met at the National Tennis Centre.
3.6 million couples in the UK cohabit, meaning they live together in a relationship but without getting married or civil partnered. In fact, they are the fastest growing type of family in this country
If those couples break up then they usually split their shared finances without the help of courts or solicitors. In fact, splitting after buying a house or sharing bills together has become known as the ‘millennial divorce’ – only it doesn’t just affect millennials and there are none of the protections of divorce. That can make a big difference when it comes to splitting assets like the family home or pension savings.
We're talking about this today because the government has recently said it won't be addressing recommendations for cohabitation law reforms - for England and Wales.
The experts on this panel are Laura Pomfret, the founder of Financielle, an app and service focused on helping women manage their finances, and Graeme Fraser, head of family at BBS Law.
Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Producer: Amber Mehmood
Researcher: Star McFarlane
Editor: Clare Worden
It comes after Beijing announced it would scrap covid travel restrictions next month. Also: The head of a right-wing plot to kidnap the governor of the US state of Michigan in 2020 has been sentenced to sixteen years in jail, and why police in Ghana are trying to crack down on what they see as harmful New Year prophecies.
China has announced it will drop international travel restrictions after almost three years, prompting a surge in Chinese citizens booking overseas trips. That's despite reports of hospitals 'overflowing' with Covid cases. We'll have the latest on Russia's decision to ban oil sales to countries which adopted a price cap. It's also Crypto Week here at World Business Report; and following the demise of FTX earlier this year, we're looking at the thorny issue of regulation.
In Cameroon the Ambazonian separatist leader known as 'One Blood', has been killed near the Northwest Regional capital Bamenda.
Also, we've a special focus on South Sudan with former child soldier turned musician and activist, Emmanuel Jal, as our guest editor.
And conflict rages in South Sudan's Upper Nile and Jonglei states, causing fears of a worsening humanitarian crisis.
Those stories and more in this podcast presented by Bola Mosuro.
People in China are rushing to book overseas travel after Beijing said it would reopen its borders next month. It follows an announcement on Monday that ended almost three years of strict quarantine rules for arrivals. The easing of travel rules in China comes as the country battles a new wave of infections, with reports of hospitals being overwhelmed. Also on the programme: over 60 people are now known to have died in the United States after a monster winter storm battered North America. And we look at the rise in popularity of non-alcoholic drinks in the United Kingdom. (Image: taken in Shanghai, 27 Dec 2022. ALEX PLAVEVSKI/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock )
Many people say that knitting or crochet helped ease their anxiety during the Covid-19 lockdowns - but what is it about these repetitive, absorbing and creative hobbies which soothe the mind? Claire Anketell set up free Yarn for Mental Health courses in Northern Ireland a year ago and Gemma was one of the first to attend. She says crochet has helped to reduce her stress levels and she's graduated onto making blankets.
Esther Rutter's book This Golden Fleece: A Journey through Britain's Knitted History aims to unpick what textiles mean to us - including how they became part of the treatment for mental health problems. Learning a skill by following a pattern, connecting with other people and being distracted from everyday worries tick some of the boxes which we associate with wellbeing. But it's hard to pin down exactly which elements can boost our mood. Dr Sarah McKay author of The Woman's Brain Book: the Neuroscience of Health, Hormones and Happiness assesses whether we need hard evidence to carry on casting on.
The charity Fine Cell Work has been teaching prisoners embroidery, needlepoint and quilting for 25 years. CEO Victoria Gillies says the idea is to rehabilitate prisoners and ex-prisoners as they sew high-quality elaborate cushions and footstools. We hear about the difference it's made to stitchers like Ben and how crafting can cut the reoffending rates of ex-prisoners who work in their Hub in London.
We speak to three visually impaired people working within the entertainment industry. Ellie Wallwork is an actor and writer. She has featured in some very high-profile TV programs: Doctor Who and Call the Midwife and she is currently co-writing an LGBTQ+ short film, released in the new year. Jake Sawyers is an actor, comedian, drag queen and all round entertainer. He has recently written and featured in a couple of TV pilots and is starring in a pantomime of Snow White over the festive period. And Eleanor Stollery is just 11 years old but has already played a big role in a Christmas Carol in the West End. She's also been the voice of a cartoon character in a children's TV program on Channel 5's Milkshake!
They join us to talk about their careers so far, their current and upcoming projects and what it's like to navigate such a competitive industry with a visual impairment.
Presenter: Peter White
Producer: Beth Hemmings
Production Coordinator: Liz Poole
Website image description: Peter White sits smiling in the centre of the image, wearing a dark green jumper. Above Peter's head is the BBC logo (three individual white squares house each of the three letters). Bottom centre and overlaying the image are the words "In Touch" and the Radio 4 logo (the word Radio in a bold white font, with the number 4 inside a white circle). The background is a bright mid-blue with two rectangles angled diagonally to the right. Both are behind Peter, one of a darker blue and the other is a lighter blue.
President Tsai announced the plans amid growing tensions with China. Also: Iran's currency plunges to new lows, and the Australian woman running marathons for 150 consecutive days.
After three years of closed borders, China will effectively re-open on 8 January to those with work and study visas, and those seeking to visit family. The country has largely abandoned its zero-Covid policy - partly due to protests from fed-up citizens and partly because of the impact on the economy.
In the US many people are still in danger as the deadly snow storm dubbed as the blizzard of the century is battering parts of North America and Canada. At least 28 people have died in western New York state. Local authorities are warning people to stay home.
The war in Ukraine is affecting many people across the world. Even as the Russian offense continues - we take a look at the impact on Ukraine’s rich businessmen, the so-called oligarchs, who wielded enormous influence and power in the country. They have lost billions - and with them much of their clout.
(Picture: China, Shanghai, people queing up at hypermarket. Picture Credit: Getty Images)
China distributes Pfizer medicine as it tackles rising COVID-19 cases; also in the programme Taiwan extends military service for men, and removing anti-personnel mines from the Lebanese-Israeli borders.
(Photo: A medic gives an elderly patient an IV drip in a Beijing hospital. Credit: Reuters)
في هذه الحلقة الخاصة من إكسترا نلقي نظرة على كل القصص التي قدمناها عن الحيوانات والكائنات التي تشاركنا المساحة التي نحتلها على كوكب الأرض.. وفوجئنا بأن قصصها كثيرة خلافا للتوقعات .. من ضمنها النحلة التي بدونها لن نجد ما نأكله والحصان الذي يتواصل مع من يركبه والعلاقة بين الصقور وأصحابها .. كل ذلك في هذه الحلقة مع هالة صالح
What does it mean when you are the first to 'be seen'? In 2018, Constance Wu received a Golden Globe Best Lead Actress nomination. She was the first Asian woman in 44 years to be named in the category for her historic role in 'Crazy Rich Asians', the first Hollywood film in 25 years to feature an all-Asian cast. After a tweet bemoaning the hit Chinese American sitcom 'Fresh Off The Boat' which launched her career, she was ‘cancelled’ by many from her own community. Wu talks to us about the pressures of representation and being seen.
What is our responsibility in what we show people? Zara McDermott, social media influencer, former Love Island reality TV star and now filmmaker, talks to us about the responsibility we have in reflecting a balanced and authentic image of ourselves online. In Zara’s recent BBC Three documentary ‘Disordered Eating’, she questions her responsibilities as a social media influencer.
How can we help others be seen? Dr Jess Wade is a Physicist at Imperial College London, who creates Wikipedia profiles for women in science. Wikipedia is the largest and most-read reference work in history yet Jess says only 19 percent of profiles are of women. She tells us how and why she hopes to change that.
What if you see yourself in someone but choose the path not taken? Rotherham listeners, Becky & her mum Jackie, discuss how they do and don’t see themselves in each other.
If you met your hero, what would you say to them? An intergenerational conversation between two women who inspire each other: Gurinder Chadha is the Director of the landmark film 'Bend It Like Beckham' which turned 20 this year & Charitha Chandran plays Edwina Sharma in season 2 of the hit Netflix period drama, 'Bridgerton'.
Presenter: Jessica Creighton
Producer: Surya Elango
Today's second guest editor this Christmas is Jamie Oliver, the chef, entrepreneur and campaigner. Hear highlights from his programme in our Best of Today podcast, including interviews with former Prime Minister Tony Blair, and former Conservative Chancellor George Osborne about expanding free lunches in schools and providing a healthy array of options for students.
Jamie Oliver has been open about his struggles in school with dyslexia. He says he was told he was taught alongside those with special needs. Jamie wanted to speak to the rapper Loyle Carner, who has ADHD about his struggles at school and what food means to him.
Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma take a look back at the best of Stumped in 2022.
The show features an interview with former Australian wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist on his dear friend Shane Warne who died in March 2022. He shares his memories of playing alongside him and what made Warne such a special player and person. Plus we hear from the stand out star of the English Men's Test Summer, Jonny Bairstow.
We go back to the morning of the 24th of February. This was the day Russia invaded Ukraine and the Chief Executive of the Ukraine Cricket Federation, Kobus Olivier joined us to share what was happening in the country and how he has been spearheading Ukraine's drive to become an associate member of the International Cricket Council.
One half of Australian cricket's power couple, Alyssa Healy, tells us what life is really like living with her husband Mitchell Starc and whether she would face him in the nets.
Photo: Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting and Shane Warne of Australia pose with a replica Ashes Urn after securing victory on day five of the third Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at the WACA on December 18, 2006 in Perth, Australia. Australia's victory in the third Test Match means they regain the Ashes. (Photo by Hamish Blair/Getty Images)
At least twenty-five people are now known to have died in and around Buffalo -- the city worst hit by the winter storm that swept across the northeast US. Also: rebels in Tigray hail a visit by an Ethiopian government delegation as a milestone on the road to peace; and -- how the footballing superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo, known for his quick feet, became embroiled in a scandal about chicken feet.
A hundred days after they began, the longest running anti-government protests in Iran since the 1979 Islamic revolution have shaken the regime, but at a heavy cost to the people. More than 500 protesters, including 69 children, have been killed, according to the Human Rights Activists' News Agency (HRANA). We have a report from BBC Persian’s Parham Ghobadi. Also on the programme: China announces it is dropping its requirement for travellers arriving in the country to go into quarantine. And we get the latest from Buffalo, the city worst hit by the winter storm that swept across the northeast United States. (Image credit: Getty)
As a great African predator and a hot-spot on safari, it is hard to believe that only last century, the African wild dog was considered vermin. It's beautiful coat of painted strokes makes it undeniably distinctive. Yet out in the field, this animal is hard to find. Yes, it camouflages easily against the landscape, but years of persecution, bounties and unintentional trappings means it's now one of the most endangered mammals on the planet. Revelations about its reliance on the pack for protection, predation and parenting means every dog matters in its bid for survival. So how can we further stop numbers dwindling? Adam Hart and guests investigate the tools and tales of the magnificent painted wolf.
Dr Dani Rabaiotti, zoologist at the Zoological Society of London, and David Kuvawoga and Jealous Mpofu, conservationists at Painted Dog Conservation in Zimbabwe.
After two years of being cut off and lives devastated by the civil war in Tigray, an Ethiopian Government delegation arrives in Mekelle, the capital of the region.
Also, tragedy has rocked Boksburg community in South Africa after a tanker explosion.
Plus, thousands displaced and living in Kayaruchinya camp in the east of the DRC return home to Kibumba after the M23 rebel withdrawal.
And the Ganda Boys bring the warmth of Uganda as they share their folk music with the world.
Those stories and more in this podcast with Bola Mosuro.
Dozens killed by the Arctic freeze in the North America; also in the programme the International Rescue Committee suspends its Afghan operations because of the Taleban ban on women working for NGOs; and Israeli philosopher Omri Boehm on the one state solution.
(Photo: Vehicles left stranded by storm in Buffalo, New York State. Credit: Reuters)
The South Korean military scrambled fighter jets to shoot down the drones but failed to hit any. Also: 100 days of political unrest in Iran, and Ukrainian medics have a crash course in treating war injuries by a top British surgeon.
Mo Ibrahim talks to Rahul Tandon about the challenges he faced setting up Celtel mobile phone company in Africa. He explains how he used scratchcards to provide people with a pay as you go service, why he sold the business and the development of the mobile phone industry. Mo Ibrahim also talks about setting up his own Foundation to support governance and leadership in Africa and why he thinks the continent needs to develop its own natural resources.
حلقة خاصة من إكسترا عن قصص أذعناها خلال العام عن السفر والثقافة نستضيف فيها الرحالة المصرية "مروة علي" تتحدث عن تكلفة السفر وسط التضخم العالمي وأيضا كيفية التوفيق بين العمل والسفر للاستمتاع. كما نتحدث عن تقاليد شرب الشاي في موريتانيا وثقافة الثوب الفلسطيني وقصص شيقة أخرى
This is your time to rest.. you have permission. Lie on the floor, or sit on a chair, get yourself comfortable... close your eyes if you'd like... take a deep breath in... and exhale...
How much do you rest? Do you prioritise it? Maybe you feel you don't have time to rest! Or maybe you feel guilty for taking time out? Jessica Creighton discusses the theme of Rest with her guests.
The presenter and author of The Art of Rest Claudia Hammond defines what rest is - and isn’t; discusses some of the most restful activities, gives a ‘Prescription for Rest’ and explains why she has a box containing a crochet hook and some seeds.
The Reverend Lesley Jones, Rector at The Parish of Jarrow of Simonside, and Anna Katharina Schaffner, Professor of Cultural History at the University of Kent, discuss the day of rest and the ‘rest cure’ – which involved drinking four pints of milk and eating mutton chops!
The nature geek Melissa Harrison takes us on a country walk near her village and describes how nature rests in winter.
Composer Debbie Wiseman explains how music can promote a feeling of restfulness and demonstrates with some of her favourites from Beethoven to Brahms and her own composition Together.
British athletes discuss how they use rest to perform at the highest level. The Former athlete and Olympic medallist Anyika Onuora and sport climber and five times National Champion Molly Thompson-Smith share their stories of how necessary it was in aiding their recovery from illness and injury.
And a former magazine editor Marianne Jones commissioned hundreds of pieces about stress, but ignored her own potentially fatal burnout. She recalls the warning signs that led her to become a relaxed woman.
Presented by Jessica Creighton
Producer: Louise Corley
Our first guest editor this Christmas is Lord Botham, Ian "Beefy" Botham, former England all-rounder, crossbench peer and UK Trade Envoy to Australia.
Hear highlights from his programme in our Best of Today podcast, including an interview with the current England Cricket captain Ben Stokes, about the future of the test game.
It was a chance meeting after a freak injury in 1977 which first put the sportsman on the path to nearly four decades of fundraising. Lord Botham reflects on that moment and looks at advances in the treatment of childhood leukaemia, a cause for which he has raised millions of pounds, with the BBC's medical editor Fergus Walsh.
The comic and intrusive chat show, in which Stephen Mangan interrogates celebrity penitents about their stories of shame, guilt and embarrassment.
Each week, Stephen entices a different eminent guest into his virtual confessional box to make three confessions of sins, peccadilloes, misdeeds and idiocies - anything really that will make us laugh, shudder, blush or cringe at their expense.
In this episode, Stephen's guest is reluctant national treasure Dame Sheila Hancock - actor, singer, director, novelist and writer. Together they discuss inappropriate behaviour, snobbery and flagrant rule-breaking.
Other guests in this series are Jessie Cave, Neil Dudgeon, Maisie Adam, Lady Antonia Fraser and Ben Bailey Smith aka Doc Brown.
Presented by Stephen Mangan
Additional material by Nick Doody
Produced by Frank Stirling
A 7digital production for BBC Radio 4
Humanitarian agencies have been holding crisis talks on the Taliban rule that NGOs in Afghanistan can no longer employ female staff. Also in the programme, China announces they'll no longer publish daily case numbers; and the Newshour Christmas Quiz: Tim Franks along with several razor-minded, quick-tongued colleagues will be submitting themselves to the annual brain exercise. (Photo: Afghan women chant slogans in protest against the closure of universities to women by the Taliban in Kabul, Afghanistan. CREDIT: REUTERS/Stringer)
Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh le Ruairidh MacIlleathain. Litir àireamh 1223. Roddy Maclean reads this week's letter for Gàidhlig learners.
UN agencies and other non-governmental organisations have been told they can no longer employ female staff. Already, some NGOs like the Norwegian Council Refugee have decided to shut down all their operations. Its secretary-general, Jan Egeland, tells us why.
Also in the programme, China announces they'll no longer publish daily case numbers; and the Newshour Christmas Quiz: Tim Franks along with several razor-minded, quick-tongued colleagues will be submitting themselves to the annual brain exercise.
(PHOTO: A student stands at her home in Kabul. Credit: Getty)
Tim Franks, Razia Iqbal, James Menendez and Rebecca Kesby join James Coomarasamy for this extended edition of the Newshour end-of-year quiz.
As the year draws to a close, we revisit some of the most inspiring, uplifting news stories of 2022, including a US man who saved a family from a burning house; a 12-year-old woodworker who raised thousands of dollars for Ukraine; how a long-lost photo album was returned to its family; and more.
The UN criticises a ruling by the Taliban to bar Afghan women from working for aid agencies. Also: Volodymyr Zelensky says deadly Russian shelling of Kherson shows the evil Ukraine is fighting against. And a huge winter storm moves across North America.
The Taliban's war on women continues as they ban women from working for local and international aid agencies in Afghanistan.
The Islamist rulers said female NGO employees had not followed their interpretation of Sharia law by failing to wear the hijab. We'll speak to someone who runs an affected organisation about the impact of the decision.
Also in the programme: As the US and Canada remain in the grip of a once-in-a-generation deep freeze, we'll hear about conditions on an Indian reservation in South Dakota; and we'll be going Downtown with Petula Clarke, aged 90 and still on stage.
Photo shows Afghan women walking along a road in Ghazni Province. Credit: Wakil Kohsar/AFP)
Infectious diseases which cause epidemics and pandemics are on the rise.
Claudia Hammond is joined by an eminent panel of disease detectives, who spell out why the risks are increasing and most importantly, what we can do to predict, prepare and protect ourselves against potentially devastating new outbreaks.
Will the next infectious disease to wreak havoc across the globe again jump from animals, a zoonotic jump across species?
Think SARS, HIV, MERS, Zika, Nipah Virus, Lassa Fever, Ebola, Avian Flu, Swine Flu, Mpox and of course the coronavirus that causes Covid-19.
The panel is unanimous in their plea for recognition that human health is inextricably linked to both animal health and the health of the environment. Without an understanding that we are part of an ecosystem and that climate change and the loss of biodiversity have a direct impact on epidemic and pandemic risk, we’ll struggle to keep ourselves safe they say.
Claudia is joined by vet-turned-virologist Marion Koopmans, Professor of Viroscience at Erasmus Medical Centre in the Netherlands and head of the Pandemic and Disaster Preparedness Centre; by Tulio de Oliveira, Professor of Bioinformatics, director of the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI) and the KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform (KRISP) in South Africa and Malik Peiris, Professor of Virology at the University of Hong Kong’s School of Public Health.
Produced by: Fiona Hill and Elisabeth Tuohy
Studio Engineer: Duncan Hannant
Image: Chickens in Thailand
Credit: Wut'hi Chay Si Tang Kha/EyeEm/Getty Images
Five million American homes and businesses are without power. We speak to a meteorologist. Also in the program, in France, there have been angry scenes on the streets of Paris where Kurdish demonstrators haves again been protesting at the lack of security which they say led to the deaths of three of their community on Friday.
(Photo: A man carrying a child moves in the blizzard. Credit: Getty)
عرفان حلقه مکتبی ست که در ایران طرفداران بسیار پیدا کرد و محمدعلی طاهری خالق آن را در جمهوری اسلامی تا پای اعدام هم برد. اما آقای طاهری منتقدان بسیاری دارد که ربطی هم به نظام اسلامی ندارند. جواب او به این منتقدان چیست؟
In this festive edition, former GB athlete and commentator Kath Merry, football reporter Bianca Westwood, Canadian sports broadcaster Greg Brady and comedian Neil Delamere join Colin Murray for an hour of sporting punditry, humour and entertainment. Points are awarded for informed comment, wit and passion, but taken away for nonsense and answers lacking in conviction.
In the final round, the top two points scorers go head-to-head in 'Defend the Indefensible' where they must both defend a statement however ludicrous or distasteful for twenty seconds. There can only be one winner!
Get the podcast from BBC Sounds.
Ukrainians at home and abroad reflect on the turmoil of the past year as they prepare to mark Christmas.
We hear from a man whose home was valued at zero pounds which his mortgage provider said was because his loft was insulated with spray foam.
70,000 victims of fraud are sent texts by the police asking them to make contact - but will their bank text them too?
People from diverse ethnic backgrounds are paid less than people in the UK who are white. We ask why, and what can be done about it?
A gunman was arrested after he targeted a Kurdish cultural centre in central Paris. Also: major winter storm in US knocks out power to 1.5m people, and how does the glass frog make itself transparent?
What can one-point-seven-trillion-dollars get you? It can get you a functioning US government, for a start. Congress has just given final approval to the huge spending bill, just hours before the government would have had to shut down for lack of funds. The bill incorporates the Biden administration's plans to boost domestic spending. It also supports Ukraine's defence effort and reforms US election law. Republicans have condemned the package as a monstrosity, complaining that it contains wasteful spending commitments without addressing their priorities, such as boosting security on the border with Mexico.
The oil company Shell has agreed to pay nearly 16 million dollars in compensation to communities in Nigeria that were affected by multiple oil spills from pipelines in the Niger Delta. The money will benefit the Nigerian communities of Oruma, Goi and Ikot Ada Udo, that were impacted by four oil spills between 2004 and 2007.
Belarusian-made laptops went on sale in Minsk on Thursday two days after the company that makes them, Gorizont, started production. Belarus is making its own laptops on the orders of President Alexander Lukashenko, who's insisting on import-substitution. Gorizont and the city authorities have big plans, including selling laptops in Russia and its allies. The maker says it's a modern computer comparable to big-name brands in quality. Its hardware is based on an 11th-generation Intel Core processor.
(Picture: United States Capitol West Facade with Fountain and Flowers. Picture Credit: Getty Images)
Three killed in gun attack at Kurdish centre in Paris; also in the programme the arctic cold sweeping North America; and oil giant Shell agrees to pay 15 million dollars in compensation to Nigerian farmers.
(Photo: Policeman on motorbike facing Kurdish protesters in Paris. Credit: Shutterstock)
The multinational oil giant Shell will pay Nigerian farmers whose land was destroyed by pipeline leaks more than $16m in compensation. We speak to the Dutch division of the NGO Friends of the Earth, which helped to bring the case in the Netherlands. Shell maintains that the payout is not an admission of liability.
Plus, following allegations of an attempted coup in The Gambia this week, we speak to Alagie Saidy-Barrow, who previously took part in an effort to overthrow the country’s former president Yahya Jammeh.
And Akon tells us the Covid-19 pandemic is to blame for delays to his plans to build a futuristic city in Senegal, and says the project will still go ahead.
Writer, Naylah Ahmed
Director, Peter Leslie Wild
Editor, Jeremy Howe
Jill Archer ….. Patricia Greene
David Archer ….. Timothy Bentinck
Ruth Archer ….. Felicity Finch
Ben Archer ….. Ben Norris
Jolene Archer ….. Buffy Davis
Brian Aldridge ….. Charles Collingwood
Harrison Burns ….. James Cartwright
Alice Carter ….. Hollie Chapman
Neil Carter ….. Brian Hewlett
Susan Carter ….. Charlotte Martin
Rex Fairbrother ….. Nick Barber
Ed Grundy ….. Barry Farrimond
Emma Grundy ….. Emerald O’Hanrahan
George Grundy ….. Angus Stobie
Jakob Hakansson ….. Paul Venables
Kate Madikane ….. Perdita Avery
Lily Pargetter …. Katie Redford
Fallon Rogers ….. Joanna Van Kampen
Adil Shah ….. Ronny Jhutti
Choir singers ..... Members of the Crescent Theatre, Birmingham
Hugh Dennis and Glenn Moore (standing in for Steve Punt) present the week via topical stand-up and sketches. They're joined by Alex Kealy, Athena Kugblenu and Ignacio Lopez.
Athena Kugblenu looks at Shamima Begum’s citizenship appeal, Alex Kealy walks us through crises in cryptocurrency and Ignacio Lopez is an England fan singing about the meaning of the World Cup.
The show was written by Steve Punt and the cast with additional material from Simon Alcock, Alfie Packham, Vicky Richards and Jade Gebbie.
Voice actors: Jason Forbes and Roisin O'Mahony
Sound: David Thomas
Executive Producer: Richard Morris
Producer: Sasha Bobak
Production Coordinator: Sarah Nicholls
A BBC Studios Production
In this in-depth special programme, we look at the continuing impact to the world's food supply of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Despite the fact a grain deal was brokered by Turkey six months ago, 13 million people are still facing severe hunger according to Unicef. We speak to Unicef's Deputy Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, Rania Dagash about this. Ukraine's Deputy Infrastructure Minister Yurii Vaskov explains how it's far from simple getting grain ships to leave the war-torn country, which is one of the world's largest producers. Bilal Muftuoglu, agricultural specialist at Argus, gives us a full analysis of global grain prices across this year - and provides a forecast for 2023.
At least a million are without power as high winds cause blackouts. Also: a devastating fire hits a coastal city in Chile, and we hear from the women running the world's most remote post office.
The report by the US Congressional committee investigating the deadly assault on the Capitol last year has been published in full. It accuses the former president, Donald Trump, of a conspiracy to overturn the result of the 2020 elections and recommends barring him from public office.
French police have arrested a man in his sixties after a shooting in central Paris left three people dead.
And we hear from the frontline in eastern Ukraine from a young soldier.
(Photo credit: EPA)
Do you want to make a positive change for 2023? We have an expression for you to learn.
A master traitor, a dating Niamh, a festive Plumb, a giant Jigsaw, some victorious Lionesses, a Stormzy Sit Down Stand Up, a race to The Big Weekend, Ezra Vs Morgan, a Merry Christmas Magpie, Ainsley and a fish in the bath, a murder mystery, The Rock Unpopular Opinion, wacky quizzers, talking dogs and plenty of wronguns! What a year for The Radio 1 Breakfast Show
在新年到来之际，BBC英语教学的主持人菲菲下决心要开始健康饮食。她告诉 Neil 这是 “a change for the better”。听他们的对话，学习如何用 “a change for the better” 来形容人和事物 “变好，改进”。
Photo credit: John Wilson/Netflix
The Grammy-nominated singer and actor Janelle Monáe joins Krupa to discuss playing the role of Andi Brand in Netflix's Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. They also discuss politics, including Janelle's thoughts on the rights of marginalised groups in the US as well as fashion and Janelle's love of dressing in the nude on holiday.
In the early hours of June 26 this year aspiring lawyer Zara Aleena, 35, was sexually assaulted before she was killed by a man who had been released from prison less than two weeks before. She was attacked as she walked home from a night out along busy Cranbrook Road in Ilford, east London, an area she knew well and where she felt “safe”. Krupa speaks to Zara’s aunt – Farah Naz – about Zara, losing her and the family’s reaction to the murderer being allowed to stay in his cell rather than come to court to be sentenced last week.
Sixty-nine-year-old Christine Hobson from West Yorkshire has become the oldest woman to complete the Antarctic Ice Marathon. Braving the extreme weather conditions with minus 50C temperatures, she completed the marathon last Wednesday in just eight hours and 33 minutes. She has also now achieved the incredible feat of having run 117 marathons on seven continents.
The fiddler and folk singer Bryony Griffith and singer, instrumentalist and percussive step dancer, Alice Jones are established solo artists at the heart of the UK folk scene. They have joined forces and earlier this year they released an album of Yorkshire songs and folklore: “A year too late and a month too soon” - which went to No.6 in Mojo folk albums of the year. They join Krupa Padhy live in the studio to discuss the tradition and to perform a Yorkshire Christmas song - Early Pearly.
Presented by Krupa Padhy
Producer: Louise Corley
Stay at home if you feel unwell this Christmas - that's the advice from UK Health Security Agency.
Most mornings on the programme this year we’ve been talking to our correspondents in Ukraine about the progress of the war- about cities being pummelled by Russian artillery, war crimes, people driven from their homes, and military stalemate in a conflict which has lasted far longer than Vladimir Putin anticipated in February. Today's Martha Kearney spoke to Fiona Hill, one of the world's leading experts on Russia, about what Putin might do next in the Russia-Ukraine War.
(IMAGE CREDIT: REUTERS/Gleb Garanich)
By Katie Redford
Joe and Fran, two primary school teachers, watch the nativity play from the wings. The kiss they shared at the Christmas party the night before is all they can think about. But between the nativity and the ever over-enthusiastic Miss Pear, any more moments alone will be gold dust.
Joe ..... Nikesh Patel
Fran ..... Fiona Button
Miss Pear ..... Joanna Monro
Directed by Tracey Neale
It’s December 22nd and the day of the school Nativity. Joe Needson is preparing his pupils for their “Christmas Extravaganza” with some strong words of encouragement. He tucks himself away in the wings, ready for the show to begin. However, sitting in the wings is his fellow teacher, Fran Rayner. She desperately needs a minute to escape and by being in the company of Mr Needson she finds 44 of them.
The night before was the staff Christmas party and due to cheap wine and cocktails and not enough Pringles to line their stomachs they shared a stolen kiss which neither of them can get out of their heads. When we meet them, it’s the first time they’ve spoken to one another since the night before. It's clear they have chemistry and as their conversation continues, we realise that both have troubles they are trying to cope with. Just when we think they might address the elephant in the room - that stolen kiss - Miss Pear, overly enthusiastic at the best of times, keeps interrupting at various moments throughout their heart to heart. The ringing bells on her Christmas wings giving advance warning.
During the nativity, we hear the gentle, heart-warming sounds of the children’s nativity as a backdrop for various revelations from both a woman who feels trapped and a man whose loneliness is palpable. But the expectation of Christmas is that we should all be happy. We cover up the dark days and nights with tinsel and fairy lights. But Christmas is also a magical time and will Joe and Fran address what happened at the staff party, or will Miss Pear put a stop to that?
The Writer:
Katie is a writer and actor from Nottingham. She is a BAFTA Rocliffe TV Comedy winner and was also part of the BBC Comedy Writersroom. Her short film ‘Ghosted’ starring Alison Steadman, which she wrote and produced, received the BFI Network award in association with Film Hub Midlands. She has various scripts in commissioned development for TV and is ...
Former FTX boss Sam Bankman-Fried is accused of defrauding customers and investors of the collapsed cryptocurrency exchange. Also: Spain approves transgender bill, and the Glasgow chef credited with inventing chicken tikka masala dies aged 77.
Up to 55 miles per hour winter winds and very cold weather is set to affect millions across the US this week, just as they try to meet up with their families over Christmas. Freezing temperatures and strong storms threaten to wreak havoc on holiday travel plans. We can only hope that Santa will make it!
A private Russian military company The Wagner Group has now been accused by the US government of buying rockets and missiles from North Korea for use in Ukraine – charges it denies. So what is this company? Is it a commercial entity or just an arm of the Russian state?
Plus the disgraced founder of the collapsed cryptocurrency exchange, FTX, has appeared in a court in New York where he faces multi-billion dollar fraud charges.
(Picture: Snow fall. Picture Credit: Getty Images)
Israel to have its most right-wing government; also in the programme why did the Taleban ban girls from universities; and nepotism in Hollywood.
(Photo: Israeli Prime-minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Credit: Reuters)
Mosquito pesticide failing - prevention of dengue fever and other diseases at risk.
Dangerous bird flu evolving fast - researchers are learning why bird flu is persisting and spreading fast round the world, and assess the threat to humans.
Drilling for ancient ice in the Antarctic - Roland talks to one of the team drilling kilometres into an ancient, frozen record of past climate,
Martian rock store opens - NASA's Mars Perseverance rover is stashing rock samples future missions could bring back to Earth.
Image credit: Shinji Kasai
Producer: Roland Pease
Assistant Producer: Sophie Ormiston
More details about the people involved in the foiled coup in The Gambia raises more questions about what exactly happened on Tuesday night.
Also, Egypt and Tanzania inaugurate the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Dam - the largest in East Africa.
And a debate in South Sudan over the quality of English spoken by graduates. Some blame the failings of the education system.
Those stories and more in this podcast with Audrey Brown.
Officials from Egypt and Tanzania are inaugurating the new Julius Nyerere Hydropower dam. The dam has a capacity of 2,115 MW and is set to become the largest in East Africa, and Africa’s fourth largest. It was built at a cost of US$3 Billion. The inauguration will see the first filling of the dam along the Rufiji River.
Elsewhere Germany - Europe’s largest economy - is burning more coal than it has done for a while. It now generates more than a third of its electricity from coal-fired power plants.
Plus El Gordo gets underway in Spain. It's the world's biggest lottery - with the equivalent of almost 2 and a half billion dollars up for grabs.
PHOTO CREDIT: Ascent Xmedia. 515966943
The former Inter Milan, Liverpool and England coach Roy Hodgson remembers his early career.
In the first of two special programmes he recalls playing in South Africa during the apartheid era, revolutionising the game in Sweden, finding success with the Swiss national team, and getting a dream move to Italy's Serie A.
Picture on website: Roy Hodgson applakuds the fans after a match between Crystal Palace and Watford. (Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Security forces arrest several women marching in Kabul. Also: Asia's 'El Chapo' drug baron is extradited to Australia; and Bob Dylan reveals his favourite binge-watching shows.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky is en route back to Ukraine after visiting the United States for his first overseas trip since his country was invaded by Russia in February. In Washington he held talks with President Joe Biden and told US lawmakers that Ukraine was "alive and kicking" and would never surrender. Biden announced more support for Ukraine, including a Patriot missile defence system. We look at what difference this could make to the war. Also on the programme: a new government seen as the most right-wing in Israel's history has been agreed, sealing Benjamin Netanyahu's return to power. And we look at the uncertain future of flamenco in Spain. (Image: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivers an address to a joint meeting of the United States Congress in the House of Representatives chamber on Capitol Hill in Washington DC, USA, 21 December 2022. Photo by ERIC LEE/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
هذه الحلقة الخاصة بنهاية عام 2022 مليئة بقصص عدد من النساء والحلول التي توصلن إليها لكي يحددن مسارهن في الحياة.. معضلات مثل هل الأفضل الزواج المرتب من قبل الأهل أو الزواج ممن اختاره القلب؟ هل الرقص الشرقي وسيلة تعبير عن النفس ؟ أو نشاط يجب تجنبه ؟ كيف تتعاملين مع شخص يحاول ابتزازك بصورك ؟ الحلقة برفقة دينا موسى
Greg with the help of a few celebs, grants Christmas requests for some very special people.
President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed US lawmakers on his first foreign trip since Russia's invasion. Mr Zelensky said US military aid to Ukraine was not charity, but an investment in security for the future. His appeal comes amid signs US support is likely to face greater scrutiny by Republican lawmakers in Congress. But President Joe Biden vowed to stick by Ukraine. Today's Martha Kearney spoke to Ben Rhodes, Former US Deputy National Security Adviser under President Obama, and Alexander Rodnyansky, Adviser to President Zelensky.
(Image: President Volodymyr Zelensky, Image Credit: Shutterstock, Michael Reynolds)
Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma are joined by Adelaide Strikers Head Coach Jason Gillespie. His side created history by bowling out Sydney Thunder for just 15 runs in the Big Bash. He discusses the future of the BBL and the growth of T20 cricket around the world. He also tells us how he thinks England men will get on in next years Ashes, pays tribute to his dear friend Shane Warne and shares who inspires his coaching the most.
Plus we discuss the incredible Test debut of England's 18 year old Rehan Ahmed who became the youngest Test cricketer to take a five-wicket haul on debut.
And Charu Sharma tells us that England's Sophie Ecclestone is the finest spinner right now in women's cricket.
Photo: Jason Gillespie, coach of the Strikers looks on from the dugout during the Big Bash League match between the Perth Scorchers and the Adelaide Striker. (Credit: Getty Images)
Lord Nigel Dodds' World Cup tickets and should rich people pay more for their BBC licence?
Over the festive period, many people will be returning to stay in the home they grew up in. But when is the right time to clear out a childhood bedroom after its occupants have left home? Should you turn it into a study, pottery studio, or holiday rental the moment the kids have stepped out the door? Or preserve it as a shrine filled with old A Level notes, soft toys, and 90s posters?
The protests in Iran are now entering their fourth month with no sign of abating. They were sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, the 22-year-old who died in custody after being detained by morality police. But Woman's Hour has been in touch with one group of women who are rebelling in a quieter way, with the revival of a simple but ancient tradition. The tradition of making handmade dolls to pass from generation to generation. It's therapeutic, but still proving to be a small but powerful act of defiance. Tanaz Assefi, an artist originally from Iran, is in touch with a woman inside the country who's been travelling around towns and villages collecting handmade dolls.
How have women been affected by the digital revolution of the last 30 years? Lilia Giugni will be joining Krupa Padhy to talk about her book "Threat: Why Digital Capitalism is Sexist and How to Resist".
Plus the latest on the progress of the Scottish Gender Recognition Reform Bill. And one day after excluding women from university, we find out more about reports that the Taliban have banned girls from primary schools, effectively instituting a total ban on education for women and girls.
Presenter Krupa Padhy
Producer Clare Walker.
To many, the passionate music and dance known as flamenco is an important marker of Spanish identity, and perhaps even synonymous with it. So much so, that Unesco has recognised the art form as part of the world’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. Yet its place within the country of its birth is both more complicated – and more precarious - than this might suggest.
During the Covid lockdowns, a third of all flamenco venues closed down, and with many yet to reopen, training opportunities for new artists remain in short supply. The pandemic has also exacerbated the struggle of many singers and dancers to make ends meet. Meanwhile, to the outrage of purists, other practitioners see a future in fusing traditional flamenco with new, more commercially viable genres, such as pop and hip-hop. Still others see flamenco as a stereotype, and unhelpful to their country’s modern image.
The BBC’s Madrid correspondent Guy Hedgecoe takes us on a colourful journey, reflecting on flamenco’s intriguing origins among the downtrodden folk culture of southern Spain, its difficult present, and its possibly uncertain future.
Presenter: Guy Hedgecoe
Producer: Mike Gallagher
To many of us, the passionate music and dance known as flamenco is an important marker of Spanish identity, and perhaps even synonymous with it. So much so, that UNESCO has recognised the art form as part of the world’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. Yet its place within the country of its birth is both more complicated – and more precarious - than this might suggest.
During the Covid lockdowns, a third of all flamenco venues closed down, and with many yet to reopen, training opportunities for new artists remain in short supply. The pandemic has also exacerbated the struggle of many singers and dancers to make ends meet. Meanwhile, to the outrage of purists, other practitioners see a future in fusing traditional flamenco with new, more commercially viable genres, such as pop and hip-hop. Still others see flamenco as a stereotype, and unhelpful to their country’s modern image.
For Crossing Continents, the BBC’s Madrid correspondent Guy Hedgecoe takes us on a colourful journey, reflecting on flamenco’s intriguing origins among the downtrodden folk culture of southern Spain, its difficult present, and its possibly uncertain future.
Presenter: Guy Hedgecoe
Producer: Mike Gallagher
Studio mix by: Rod Farquhar
Production coordinator: Iona Hammond
Series editor: Penny Murphy
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the voyage of HMS Challenger which set out from Portsmouth in 1872 with a mission a to explore the ocean depths around the world and search for new life. The scale of the enterprise was breath taking and, for its ambition, it has since been compared to the Apollo missions. The team onboard found thousands of new species, proved there was life on the deepest seabeds and plumbed the Mariana Trench five miles below the surface. Thanks to telegraphy and mailboats, its vast discoveries were shared around the world even while Challenger was at sea, and they are still being studied today, offering insights into the ever-changing oceans that cover so much of the globe and into the health of our planet.
The image above is from the journal of Pelham Aldrich R.N. who served on the Challenger Surveying Expedition from 1872-5.
With
Erika Jones
Curator of Navigation and Oceanography at Royal Museums Greenwich
Sam Robinson
Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute Research Fellow at the University of Southampton
And
Giles Miller
Principal Curator of Micropalaeontology at the Natural History Museum London
Producer: Simon Tillotson
The Biden administration has announced $1.85bn in new lethal aid for Ukraine, including the Patriot air defence system.
Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky calls the Patriot missile defence system a "very important step to create secure airspace over Ukraine".
He says it will "significantly" strengthen the country's defence.
On a visit to Washington, the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, thanked the American people for their unwavering support, as the war in Ukraine continues. Also: Israel's most right-wing government agreed under Benjamin Netanyahu, and do you play pickleball?
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky is meeting US President Joe Biden at the White House. Mr Zelensky says he's in the US to "thank the American people, the president and the congress for their much-needed support".
Also in the programme: Hundreds of young women in Afghanistan have been stopped from entering university campuses, a day after the Taliban suspended higher education for female students. We'll hear from two of them. We also go to northern Sweden where reindeer herders are opposing plans to invest in green technology.
(Photo: In their first moments together, Mr Biden tells Mr Zelensky that the United States backs "just peace" for Ukraine, telling the Ukrainian leader that his country continues to "impress the world". Credit: Getty Images)
It’s been another busy year on the BBC’s Health Check, where we’ve brought you the health and science stories that matter to you from around the globe, week in, week out.
In this episode, Claudia Hammond is joined by Dr Ann Robinson to pick out some of the biggest breakthroughs of the year, from major advancements in gene therapy for two debilitating blood conditions, to a huge leap forward on treatment for dementia, and what looks like the conclusion of a long-running medical mystery.
Claudia also hears about new findings on the best way to remember the important things in life – is it writing a list? Tech aides? Or a bit of both? And findings from a new German study on how psychology could be used to help close the gender pay gap.
And we’ll look at the current rise in infections in Europe associated with the streptococcus bacteria – why is this happening now and how can you spot the signs of more serious infection?
Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producer: Gerry Holt
The government in the Gambia says a military coup has been foiled and four soldiers have been arrested. Initially the authorities dismissed reports of the unrest as a military drill. We hear from our correspondent in the capital, Banjul.
Uganda’s President Museveni has declared the Ebola outbreak is over - but what is the basis on which the president made the announcement?
And in a landmark ruling, Kenya’s high court has said that the forced sterilisation of women living with HIV is a violation of their human rights. We hear from the woman who was at the centre of the case.
The Internet and time – how the World Wide Web has transformed our understanding of history as well as the future.
Laurie Taylor talks to Jason Steinhauer, public historian and Global Fellow at the Wilson Centre, Washington, DC, whose latest study argues that the tangled complexity of history that we see via Instagram and Twitter is leading to an impoverished, even a distorted knowledge of the past. Algorithms play in a big role in determining the versions of history which we are seeing. Content does not rise to the top of news feeds based on its scholarly or factual merits. Political agendas and commercial agendas are almost always at play. So how can we become more discerning consumers of historical knowledge?
They're joined by Helga Nowotny, Professor Emerita of Social Studies of Science a ETH Zurich, whose research suggests that our dependence on predictive algorithms might be closing down the horizon of our future, giving us a feeling of control whilst narrowing our choices.
Producer: Jayne Egerton
The Martin Lewis Podcast is here and this week is a festive special. In a compilation of the year’s best Money Mastermind questions, Martin tests BBC Radio 5live’s Nihal Arthanayake’s financial knowledge.
President Zelensky will meet President Biden in Washington later on his first trip abroad since Russia invaded. The US has confirmed it will supply Ukraine with a Patriot missile system, significantly increasing the country's air defence capability.
Hundreds of young women in Afghanistan have been stopped from entering university campuses, a day after the Taliban suspended higher education for female students. We hear from a student and UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan.
And why the army can't pretend to fill the gaps in Britain's healthcare system caused by striking ambulance workers today.
He's expected to meet President Biden and address Congress. Also, in Afghanistan Taliban guards prevent hundreds of women from entering university campuses and, scientists find the first known example of a mammal being eaten by a dinosaur.
North Star Caller is back and Santa surprises two young listeners. Also, Sit Down Stand Up’s Maya calls to relive some classic moments from the year and Greg has a Traitors dilemma.
The number of female patients being prescribed medication for ADHD has more than doubled in recent years. The reasons for this include time spent at home during lockdown really getting to know ourselves and, increasingly, videos on social media sites. #ADHDinwomen has 2.3 billion views on TikTok. To discuss this Hayley is joined by Dr Jo Steer, a Clinical Psychologist and Josie Heath-Smith who discovered she had ADHD after watching videos online.
Today sees ambulance workers across most of England and Wales walk out over pay, joining nurses, rail and postal workers who have been on strike in recent weeks. Health chiefs have warned of "extensive disruption" and a health minister has said people should take "extra care". One woman who has been keeping a close eye on all of this is Professor Lucy Easthope, Professor of Risk and Hazard at Durham University, co founder of the After Disaster Network and author of When The Dust Settles - she joins Hayley Hassall on the programme.
The Taliban has banned women from attending universities in Afghanistan. Hayley Hassall is joined by the Diplomatic Correspondent for The Times, Catherine Philp, who has recently returned from Afghanistan.
The 23-year-old singer Debbie is one to watch. Signed to the same record label as the rapper Stormzy, she features on his latest album This Is What I Mean. Debbie joins Hayley Hassall to discuss growing up with gospel music and how her pop career blossomed while studying finance at university.
According to new research from the homeless charity Shelter 1 in every 100 children in England will wake up homeless this Christmas. CEO of Shelter Polly Neate joins Hayley Hassall to explain why and what she thinks needs to be done.
Presenter: Hayley Hassall
Producer: Emma Pearce
In his first interview since being sacked as England rugby coach, Eddie Jones tells the Today programme he wouldn’t have done anything differently.
Speaking to Today's Garry Richardson, Jones says he sensed his sacking by England was imminent. Jones, who led England to the rugby World Cup final in 2019, was dismissed earlier this month after a poor run of form. Jones also spoke to Garry about the messages he’s received from players and who he might coach next.
(Image: Eddie Jones, Image Credit: EPA, Andy Rain)
The Liberty Choir sees volunteers go into prisons for weekly singing sessions with inmates, aiming to teach confidence skills and stay in touch once they’re out. Covid brought all such contact to an end. Now the choir has re-started, Today's Mishal Husain went to see it again and speak to a prison governor about its work – this time at HMP Coldingley in Surrey.
(Image: Singer with choir book; Credit: Getty Images/Sonja Filitz)
一位网友想学习单词 “surge” 的用法。“Surge” 既可以作名词，也可以作动词使用，常用于正式的文章和报告中，意思是 “急剧增长”。它还可以描述 “波浪或情绪涌动”。听节目，学习这个词的用法。
The surge in inflation is hitting wide and hitting deep, impacting everything from energy and fuel, to food and everyday household goods. With inflation this high, the effects are leading to significant changes in the way lives are being lived – well beyond those on low incomes. In practice, rising costs of almost everything has meant large swatches of Britain’s working households having to make material cutbacks, people’s disposable incomes being wiped out and donors of foodbanks becoming users. We hear from some of those people having to make changes to their spending.
The experts on the panel are Sarah Pennells, Consumer Finance Specialist at Royal London, Colletta Smith, BBC News Cost of Living Correspondent and Callum Hewitt, Deputy Manager at The Sanctuary Trust Limited (charity).
Presenter: Ruth Alexander
Producer: Amber Mehmood
Editor: Clare Worden
Researcher: Star McFarlane
The move by the Taliban further restricts women's access to education, after they were excluded from secondary schools. Also: China's new Covid death count fuels scepticism, and the art of dunking biscuits.
The United States Consumer Financial Protection Bureau acts after widespread mismanagement of car loans, mortgages and bank accounts. Japan set to control inflation by announcing an unexpected change to its controversial yield curve control policy. And hundreds of nurses stage a second day of strike action over pay in England and Wales.
Fergal Keane describes living with PTSD. For thirty years Fergal covered some of the most brutal wars for the BBC, including Rwanda, Iraq and Ukraine.
Despite having PTSD he kept going, taking more and more risks until witnessing a massacre in Sudan, he realised he couldn't do it anymore, that for him going to war had become an addiction. He talks to Claudia about his ongoing work, recovering from PTSD.
Professor Daryl O'Connor's new research shows finds that people who got COVID -19 early in the pandemic were twice as likely to experience depressive symptoms than those who didn't.
And Dr Gillian Sandstrom on why men ask 2.4 more questions than women at conferences.
More than 8 million unregistered SIM cards have been blocked in Ghana. The Ministry of Communications and Digitisation set a final deadline for mobile phone users to link their SIM card to their identification cards and now those who haven’t been able to register can’t use their SIMS. Opposition parties and civil liberties groups are protesting as the SIM needs to be registered with the biometric Ghana Card. The scheme has been full of delays, but it looks as though the government is standing firm this time. BBC Reporter in Accra Thomas Naadi is on the show.
Heart attack on a chip
Researchers at the University of Southern California have developed a “heart attack on a chip” to ultimately test new drugs and even personalise medicines. Professor Megan McCain and Dr. Megan Rexius-Hall speak to Gareth about how the chip can monitor oxygen imbalances that happen in the heart during an attack. The heart muscle doesn’t regenerate as well as other tissue in the body, meaning patients are often tired and don’t recover to the previous levels of fitness. The chip will allow researchers to watch a ‘heart attack’ as it happens – which isn’t possible in animals – and see how damage is being done. They hope to be able to monitor and see how the cells on the chip respond to different concentrations of oxygen as this too can’t be studied in animals or humans.
The end of hard copy games?
Nowadays, video games are getting so big, that you can't even fit them onto a CD anymore! In fact physical copies of the latest Call of Duty Game - Modern Warfare II, were essentially links to download the game, which is a massive 130 gigabytes! Our gaming reporter Chris Berrow has been finding out if it really is the end of physical games.
The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell with expert commentary from Bill Thompson.
Studio Manager: Michael Millham
Producer: Ania Lichtarowicz
(Image: Getty Images)
We’re looking back on the technology year that was 2022. We go firstly to Ukraine to look at the booming tech industry before the war and discuss how that is doing now. Also how the cybersecurity declaration signed in Africa is already leading to the beginnings of a legal and regulatory framework across the continent. There was trouble for visually impaired patients using an implant to improve their sight – with some of the hardware becoming obsolete and finally the amazing popularity of flight tracking apps.
The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell with expert commentary from Ghislaine Boddington, Angelica Mari and Bill Thompson.
Studio Manager: Donald MacDonald
Producers: Ania Lichtarowicz and Alun Beach
(Image: Getty Images)
The BBC has gained rare access to Ethiopia’s Tigray region, where malnutrition is widespread following the civil war.
Nigeria receives 22 precious Benin Bronzes returned by Germany after they were looted in the colonial period.
Plus the tech company offering paid menstrual leave to employees.
في هذه الحلقة الخاصة نلقي نظرة أخرى على الموضوعات التي غطيناها في إكسترا حول قضية الأزمة الاقتصادية التي اجتاحت العالم في عام 2022 ولا يبدو أنها ستنتهي مع العام الجديد.. نستمع لأفضل التقارير لمراسلينا التي أطلعتنا على الظروف التي يعيشها الكثير منكم والمقابلات التي سلطت الضوء على الأزمة
الحلقة برفقة منال جوهر
Japan's makes policy change to control inflation. NHS nurses take strike action over pay.
Josie Long presents short Yuletide documentaries and festive audio adventures.
Two women discover their families are tied by the true story behind the classic film It’s A Wonderful Life, and a Ukrainian singing group in Canada remembers loved ones through Christmas songs as war continues in their homeland.
Also, a profile on Father Christmas and a nativity criticism session with its young cast.
Profile on Father Christmas
Featuring Raymond Briggs and Janet Cohen
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1981
Seneca Falls
Featuring Elizabeth Kress and Kathy Williamson
Produced by Andrea Rangecroft
Nativity Criticism
Featuring Harold Williamson and children from two schools in Sunderland
Produced by Michael Barton
From an episode of Children Talking called The Spirit of Christmas. First broadcast on Boxing Day 1963.
Can We Come Carol?
Featuring Natalia Telentso
The singers are Eli Camilo, Natalia, Carlos, Olga, Vera, Olessia, Briga, Anna and Mira from the Montreal Koliada group that was co-founded by Natalia and Eli.
Produced by Mira Burt-Wintonick
Produced by Andrea Rangecroft
Curated by Axel Kacoutié, Eleanor McDowall and Andrea Rangecroft
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4
The 97-year-old German worked for a concentration camp commandant as a teenager. Also: Rescuers continue searching for two dozen sailors from a Thai warship that sank on Sunday, and Argentina’s football team comes home to a hero's welcome following their World Cup win.
Also:
High Court rules in favour of government's Rwanda policy.
COP 15 UN biodiversity summit reaches landmark deal.
Dutch apology for role in colonial slavery.
Listener Justine’s family have a unique way of getting Christmas underway, we get Gregg Wallace’s annual Christmas tree count and could the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra have made the best Christmas song ever??
Breaking up for the Christmas holidays is exciting for a lot of children but for some it means a stop to one guaranteed warm meal a day in a heated place. We’re joined by teacher Andria Zafirakou, who’s seeing children come to school hungry and unwashed and Sara Ogilvie from Child Poverty Action Group.
Cally Beaton had a high-flying career as a TV executive. But she swapped the boardroom for the comedy club after receiving career advice from none other than Joan Rivers. Cally joins Jessica Creighton to describe how she has now achieved her comedy goal by making her debut appearance on the Christmas Special of Live at The Apollo’ at the age of 53.
How equal is the division of labour in your household? According to new research the man-child phenomenon is real - a man who depends on his partner for everyday tasks that he is actually capable of - and it can have a real impact on the woman's sexual interest in her partner. One of the authors of this research is Sari van Anders Professor of Psychology at Queen's University, Kingston, Canada.
Lockdown caused a lot of us to change our habits permanently including when it comes to our hair. Lots of people let their natural grey take over – and now there’s even a trend emerging where people are purposefully showing their roots. Hairdresser Sofia Sjoo joins Jess.
For those who are grieving the loss of a loved one - Christmas time can be a very difficult period – even more so when it’s the first Christmas without them. One listener got in contact us with to suggest that we feature an item at this time on how to talk to parents whose child or children have died. Ruth’s son Fergus was just twelve years old when he died of cancer in May this year. She joins me now.
Presenter: Jessica Creighton
Producer: Lucinda Montefiore
Terry Hall, the frontman of socially conscious ska band The Specials, has died at the age of 63. Known for his dour image and sharp wit, the singer found fame in the 1970s and 80s with hits like Ghost Town, Gangsters and Too Much Too Young. Today's Nick Robinson spoke to Frank Turner, singer-songwriter, and Paul Willo, the official biographer of the Specials, about what the late Terry Hall meant to them.
(IMAGE CREDIT: Isabel Infantes/PA Wire)
新年要到了，主持人 Neil 送给菲菲一个茶壶作礼物。菲菲很喜欢这个礼物，她告诉 Neil 这个礼物是 “the gift that keeps on giving”。难道她是想让 Neil 接着给她送礼物吗？听他们之间的对话，学习如何使用表达 “the gift that keeps on giving”。
Meet the man who makes presidents wait. J Edgar Hoover built and then ran the FBI for almost five decades. He turned it from a bureaucratic backwater into a premier crime fighting and counterintelligence force. In the process, he arguably became America’s most powerful man. He has been dead for 50 years and still his shadow looms over the US. His job was to enforce the law but he would not always be bound by it.
The Democrat-led committee voted unanimously for the justice department to prosecute Mr Trump. Also: EU countries have agreed a cap on the price of natural gas in response to soaring energy bills caused by Russia's war against Ukraine, and how a few seconds of turbulence injured more than thirty plane passengers on a flight to Hawaii.
The Federal Trade Commission has accused Epic Games, the maker of video game Fortnite, of illegally collecting data on children without parental consent, as required by the US law.
Epic Games will pay more than $500 million as part of the settlement to the FTC, which is the biggest pay out in its history.
The games company said, “We accepted this agreement because we want Epic to be at the forefront of consumer protection and provide the best experience for our players,” We share the underlying principles of fairness, transparency and privacy that the FTC enforces, and the practices referenced in the FTC’s complaints are not how Fortnite operates.”
South Africa's President Ramaphosa breathes a sigh of relief after being re-elected leader of the ruling African National Congress, following a serious challenge by his former Health Minister.
Also, the High Court in London rules the UK Government's asylum plan to send migrants to Rwanda is legal.
And we hear from Senegal's rising music star Samba Peuzzi.
Those stories and more in this podcast with Bola Mosuro.
With nicknames like ‘prehistoric monster’ and ‘living dinosaur’, the Komodo dragon has been well and truly judged by its cover. Its gigantic size, razor sharp teeth and deadly attacking power has earned it a vicious reputation. But beneath the scales of this solitary beast are fascinating tales of rapid healing, decoy nests, and virgin births. And as climate change threatens its native Indonesia, can this hostile reptile adapt to living in closer quarters? Adam Hart and guests dig into how a lonely life may be putting the Komodo dragon at risk...
Deni Purwandana, program co-ordinator for the Komodo Survival Program in Komodo National Park, and Dr Chris Michaels, team leader of Reptiles and Amphibians at London Zoo.
For 90 years the BBC World Service has been broadcasting in dozens of languages to audiences so huge they are counted in the tens of millions all over the globe. World Service began transmitting on 19 December 1932. It was called the BBC Empire Service, speaking in slow English via crackly short-wave radio to a now-vanished Empire which then ruled a fifth of the globe.
The Second World War saw radio services expand massively, broadcasting in more than 40 languages to listeners hungry for truth and facts they could trust. In every crisis and conflict since, individual voices out of the air have offered news, but also drama, music, education and sometimes hope to their audiences.
In a special 90th anniversary programme, the broadcaster Nick Rankin, who worked for more than 20 years at the BBC, digs into a treasure trove of sound archive and talks to journalists who made and still make the BBC World Service such a remarkable network.
في هذه الحلقة من إكسترا:
لماذا قلما تُكتب قصص حب للممثلات الأكبر سنا؟ وما هي المعايير التي تحدد اختيار الممثلة؟
وفي إكسترا:
ميسي يرتدي البِشت القطري قبل رفع كأس العالم..فمما صنع؟
وما الذي سيستفيده المثليون في أمريكا من قانون الزواج الذي وقعه بايدن؟
حلقة اليوم مع بسمة كراشة
The plan aims to protect a third of the planet by 2030. It came after marathon talks at a UN biodiversity summit in Canada. Also: Elon Musk should quit as boss of Twitter according to users of an online poll he organised himself, and the BBC World Service turns 90.
Nurses and paramedics will walk out this week in different parts of the UK, apart from Scotland. The Health Secretary Steve Barclay has said he is open to further talks with unions – but they say he won’t engage on the key issue of pay. Today's Justin Webb spoke to Christina McAnea, General Secretary of Unison – the biggest ambulance union - about what they want from the government, and how strikes could affect life-threatening 999 calls.
(IMAGE CREDIT: ANDY RAIN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock (13654910e))
Bertie Ahern addresses some of the big questions unionists and loyalists have about return of Leo Varadkar as Taoiseach.
Actor Jane Horrocks joins Krupa Padhy to discuss her new Radio 4 drama about her relationship with the singer-songwriter and actor Ian Dury. Jane had been looking back at her early adulthood, coming across old love letters from Ian and her own diary entries which inspired her to create the drama about their tumultuous one year relationship.
We speak to Frances O'Grady, the outgoing General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress who leaves after a decade in the job. She talks to Krupa Padhy about the current wave of industrial action across the public sector, the highs and lows of the job and her plans for the future as she prepares to join the House of Lords as a Labour Party peer.
When you hear the phrase 'the French woman' what comes to your mind? Maybe you think of a sexy accent, fashionable clothes, perhaps the word 'chic'? With the return of Netflix's Emily in Paris we wanted to look at the stereotype of the French woman. Do these ideals hold or is it, to borrow a French word, just a cliché? To discuss Krupa is joined by the Director Charlotte Seegers who's film She's French explores these ideas, and also by the UK based French journalist Marie Le Conte.
Greg Jenner is joined by Dr Emily Bell and Mike Wozniak to find out what Christmas was like with Charles Dickens. We take a walk through the many Christmases of the renowned Victorian author. You can listen to the extended version in the 'You're Dead To Me' feed on BBC Sounds.
From elephants walking on ice to the family Christmas punch recipe, we take a closer look at the factors that may have influenced some of his most famous works and try to unpick what the phrase Dickensian has come to mean over the years.
Written by Emma Nagouse and Greg Jenner
Produced by Emma Nagouse and Greg Jenner
Assistant Producer: Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow
Researcher: Jessica White
Project Management: Isla Matthews
Audio Producer: Steve Hankey
The Athletic production for BBC Radio 4
Argentine journalist Francisco Canepa, and delirious Argentina fans, reflect on an incredible World Cup final.
We also hear from Ambet Yuson, General-Secretary of Building and Woodworkers International, who since 2016 has been working with FIFA and the Supreme Committee. He makes a heartfelt plea to football fans and players not to forget the migrant workers.
Plus, fans from various countries reflect on their experiences in Qatar.
The team beat France on penalties in a sensational match which saw Lionel Messi crowned player of the tournament. Also: delegates at a UN biodiversity conference in Montreal draw up a plan to protect ecosystems on thirty percent of the planet, and we hear about a new BBC World Service drama called The Dark Is Rising.
Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh le Ruairidh MacIlleathain. Litir àireamh 1222. Roddy Maclean reads this week's letter for Gàidhlig learners.
Plunging temperatures and rising fuel and food prices are all having a severe impact on all sorts of people. Roy Jenkins looks at what some churches around Wales are doing to help people trapped in the cost of living crisis during the run-up to Christmas. In Trethomas, in the borough of Caerphilly, Roy meets Revd Dean Roberts, whose Parish Trust and Care Project, established during the Pandemic, continue to help people living in the area. Julia Bartholomew, minister of Rhos-on-Sea United Reformed Church talks about the Warm Space that her church has recently opened up, offering hot food and company to all who come. Jessica Foster of the Trussell Trust explains the continuing importance of churches for the work of foodbanks. In Flintshire, Fr Dominic Cawdell talks about The Table - an initiative offering hot meals for people in the Holywell and Greenfield parishes. And in Merthyr Tydfil, Roy speaks to Heidi Jacobson and Lisa Edwards, organisers of The Pantry at Hope Church.
What is the case for offering clemency to people in jail? This week, the Pope called on world leaders to make a gesture of clemency to prisoners in the run up to Christmas. For some, it represents an opportunity for healing for both the perpetrator and the victim, but for others it is a step too far. Why shouldn't prisoners simply serve their full sentence? We discuss the issue with former cabinet minister and ex-prisoner, the Rev Jonathan Aitken and former prison governor Brendan O’Friel.
The UK is facing a wave of strikes, including action by "key workers" such as nurses and ambulance drivers. What is the moral and religious basis for the "right to strike" and what are its limits, if it seriously disrupts the lives and welfare of others?
In a week when the reality of people seeking asylum led to tragic consequences and the Government announced new measures to stop illegal Channel crossings, we speak to Lord Carlile, who is leading an independent commission, exploring ways of improving the current asylum system.
As the battle for the Christmas Number One heats up, we speak to the unlikely duo of a Church of Scotland minister Rev Neil Urquhart and Roman Catholic Priest, Father Willie Boyd, aka The Shoes Brothers, about their newly released single ‘Jesus Rock’ and why they hope it will bring communities together.
Producer: Jonathan Hallewell
Presenter: Emily Buchanan
Editor: Helen Grady
(Image courtesy of Limelight Media).
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs.
In today’s programme: A breakthrough in nuclear fusion: what’s happened and what does this mean in practical terms? A new way to stop your glasses fogging up during this cold snap. Plus why are scientists so attracted to the topic of magnetism?
They come as just nine-percent of electorate voted in parliamentary elections. Also: the well known Iranian film actress Taraneh Alidoosti -- who has publicly supported anti-government protests rocking the country -- has been arrested, and a rare glimpse into what's really going on inside Myanmar.
How to hang the loo roll to where to store the mustard - TV presenter Claudia Winkleman on the domestic tasks that need to done a certain way in the home.
The Health Minister Helen Whately on what the government is doing to resolve the row over nurses' pay.
The latest on the online harms bill with Baroness Beeban Kidron, the founder of the 5Rights Foundation which campaigns to make the digital world safer for children and young people.
British actor Naomi Ackie on playing Whitney Houston in new film Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance.
Following the death in custody of 22 year old Mahsa Amini who had been detained by the Iranian morality police for not wearing her headscarf correctly, we hear the anonymous diaries of female protestors in the country.
The discovery of an ancient female burial site in Northamptonshire has been described as one of the most important finds ever discovered in Britain. This woman is thought to be a Christian leader of significant wealth and her jewellery is considered an outstanding example of craftsmanship for this early medieval period. Lyn Blackmore, from the Museum of London and Irina Dumitrescu, Professor for Medieval English Literature at the University of Bonn discuss.
Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Dianne McGregor
GB sprinter Nethaneel Mitchell- Blake, sports broadcaster Holly Hamilton, presenter Steffan Powell and comedian Matt Forde, join Colin Murray for an hour of sporting punditry, humour and entertainment. Points are awarded for informed comment, wit and passion, but taken away for nonsense and answers lacking in conviction.
In the final round, the top two points scorers go head-to-head in 'Defend the Indefensible' where they must both defend a statement however ludicrous or distasteful for twenty seconds. There can only be one winner!
Get the podcast from BBC Sounds
در شرایط پرالتهاب سیاسی رسانههای حرفهای در مرکز توجه حکومتها و مخالفان حکومتها قرار میگیرند. چرا؟ آیا رسالت رسانه در ادوار پرالتهاب اعتراضی متفاوت است از شرایط عادی؟ مهمانهای پرگار: امیرمصدق کاتوزیان؛ تحلیلگر سیاسی و شیوا محبوبی؛ فعال حقوق زنان.
Protests in Iran are now into their fourth month with many people on the streets yesterday to mark three months since the death of Mahsa Amini after she was arrested by the religious police. Two people have now been executed for taking part in the protests. As many as 26 others could face the same fate - 11 already sentenced to death and 15 more on trial or charged with capital offences. Among them is a 26 year old footballer called Amir Nasr-Azadani. Today’s Mishal Husain spoke to Finnish footballer Sebastian Strandvall, who got to know him when he went to play for an Iranian club in 2015, as well as a woman who has taken part in the protests and Azadeh Moaveni, professor of journalism at New York University who has covered Iran for over 20 years.
(IMAGE CREDIT: REUTERS/Dilara Senkaya)
The global economy is shrinking but our costs are rising, and as people around the world find things harder, many are deciding to go on strike for better pay and conditions. Around the world, we are seeing the likes of teachers, nurses, postal and transport workers taking industrial action. We bring together some of those workers to hear about their jobs and why they are taking to the picket lines.
In this special Money Box we will delve into Jeremy Hunt's Autumn Statement and see what lies in the small print.
How will changes to the support you’ll be getting to pay for your energy bills affect you?
Paul Lewis and Nimesh Shah, the Chief Executive of Blick Rothenberg on why tax changes matter for you.
What do announcements on benefits and getting back into work mean for those on welfare?
And our reporter Dan Whitworth is live from Stafford Indoor Market to get reaction to this week’s inflation figures and the planned rise to the National Living Wage.
Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporter: Dan Whitworth
Researcher: Sandra Hardial
Editor: Jess Quayle
(First broadcast 12pm Saturday 19th November, 2022)
Two ministers in the government have resigned citing deadly protests that have followed the ousting and arrest of President Pedro Castillo.. Also: chaos as the South African president Cyril Ramaphosa is heckled at a conference of the governing ANC where he's hoping to be re-elected as leader, and from James Bond to Benoit Blanc -- Daniel Craig tells us about his role as a gay detective in the film Glass Onion.
After one of the worst days for Russian missile attacks in Ukraine we hear how life struggles on through blackouts and power failures.
Also on the programme: After a scandal, arrests and the announcement of new ethics rules in the EU parliament - the EU's ombudsman Emily O'Reilly tells us an urgent overhaul is needed. And - Pelosi in the House - a daughter's documentary about one of America's most powerful women.
World’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance has revealed that the auditor Mazars has stopped working with it following $6bn withdrawals this week.
Earlier in the week, Binance experienced over $1bn worth of redemptions as fears mounted over the future of the crypto market.
As the month-long FIFA World Cup tournament draws to a close, we evaluate how the competition not only proved to be a tourism boom for host Qatar but also for neighbour – the UAE and in particular – Dubai.
South Africa’s ruling ANC party begins its annual conference. President Ramaphosa is facing challenges on several fronts amid poor economic numbers and the fallout from a corruption enquiry, with some hecklers disrupting his speech.
Plus, Tunisia gets ready to hold parliamentary elections for the first time since President Kais Saied pushed through constitutional changes which grant his office sweeping powers.
And we meet the first African athlete to earn a top six position in a winter sport world championship event.
Writer, Liz John
Editor, Jeremy Howe
Director, Marina Caldarone
Ruth Archer ….. Felicity Finch
David Archer ….. Timothy Bentinck
Pip Archer ….. Daisy Badger
Tony Archer ….. David Troughton
Harrison Burns ….. James Cartwright
Neil Carter ….. Brian Hewlett
Rex Fairbrother ….. Nick Barber
Toby Fairbrother ….. Rhys Bevan
Ed Grundy ….. Barry Farrimond
Eddie Grundy ….. Trevor Harrison
Emma Grundy ….. Emerald O’Hanrahan
George Grundy ….. Angus Stobie
Martyn Gibson ….. Jon Glover
Tracy Horrobin ….. Susie Riddell
Jazzer McCreary ….. Ryan Kelly
Kirsty Miller ….. Annabelle Dowler
Hannah Riley ….. Helen Longworth
Fallon Rogers ….. Joanna Van Kampen
Lottie ….. Bonnie Baddoo
Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis present the week via topical stand-up and sketches. They're joined by Alfie Brown, Lauren Pattison and Jess Robinson.
Lauren Pattison takes us through Matt Hancock's jungle journey, Alfie Brown declares why "I Love Keir Starmer" and Jess Robinson sings us through what makes the perfect Christmas advert.
The show was written by the cast with additional material from Sarah Campbell, Mike Shephard, Alex Garrick-Wright and Cameron Loxdale
Voice actors: Luke Kempner and Stevie Martin
Sound: David Thomas
Executive Producer: Richard Morris
Producer: Sasha Bobak
Production Coordinator: Sarah Nicholls
A BBC Studios Production
Ukraine says its infrastructure has been hit again, and Kharkiv, the country's second biggest city is without power. Also: Twitter closes the accounts of several journalists, many of whom had been critical of Elon Musk's takeover of the social media site. And how being too polite can be bad for your health.
Roger Hearing has the latest as more than 200 Chinese companies open their books to US regulators, to avoid being kicked off the US stock market. The Head of Gas, Coal and Power markets at the International Energy Agency joins World Business Report to explain why global coal consumption is set to rise to an all-time high in 2022, and former US President Donald Trump launches a series of NFTs in the style of digital trading cards.
This is Lebanon's first set of elections since a massive currency crisis in 2019 and a devastating fertiliser warehouse explosion at the Port of Beirut that killed at least 215 people in August 2020.
Also on the programme: Yet another targeted mass shooting of black people in the United States, we hear from Buffalo in New York; and winning the Eurovision song contest - what does it mean for Ukraine?
(Photo: A Lebanese voter casts her ballot paper during parliamentary elections at a polling station in Beirut, Lebanon Credit: EPA/WAEL HAMZEH)
Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh le Ruairidh MacIlleathain. Litir àireamh 1191. Roddy Maclean reads this week's letter for Gàidhlig learners.
Is it possible to be believe in both science and in God? Rosa Hunt discusses the issue with a panel of guests which include Nick Spencer of the Theos Institute, mathematician and physicist Rev Dr Emma Whittick, and former science teacher Rev James Tout, together with members Year 6 of Llanilltud Faerdre Primary School.
We get an update from the surgeon who performed the world’s first transplant of a pig heart into a human. We look at FIFA and EA Sports. Plus we look at the science of advertising.
The G7 says it will not acknowledge land seized by Russian military action. Also: thousands of pro-life supporters march in the US, and India bans wheat exports with immediate effect.
Emeli Sandé is one of Britain’s most successful songwriters - with 19 million singles sold; including three number one singles, six million albums and four BRIT awards. Emeli joins Emma to discuss her music and career.
How are disabled children being affected by the war in Ukraine? There are claims that thousands have been forgotten and abandoned in institutions unable to look after them. The human rights organisation, Disability Rights International, has carried out an investigation. Their Ukraine Office Director, Halyna Kurylo joins Emma.
‘Alice’s Book’ by Karina Urbach tells the story of Karina's grandmother Alice Urbach. Before the Second World War Alice wrote a cookbook called Cooking the Viennese Way! - but when books by Jewish authors couldn't be distributed, Alice was taken off it. Karina talks about her family history, intellectual theft by the Nazis and her mission to restore Alice Urbach’s name to her cookbook.
Abi Morgan is a BAFTA and Emmy-award winning playwright and screenwriter whose credits include The Iron Lady, Suffragette and The Hour. She has now written her first book - This Is Not A Pity Memoir - about an extraordinarily tumultuous period in her and her family's life.
Last weekend the Baftas saw Sophie Willan, the actress and creator of Alma’s Not Normal, take home an award for best female performance in comedy. The sitcom is based on Sophie’s own experience of growing up in care, and focuses on her relationship with the women in her family. Sophie dedicated her win to her grandmother, Denise Willan, who sadly passed away half-way through filming the show.
Watching Eurovision tonight? Two hundred million people are expected to watch it, live from Turin. Representing the UK this year is Sam Ryder. He's doing well at the moment and is second favourite to win behind Ukraine. The UK really hasn’t done very well over recent years, but twenty-five years ago we won it with Katrina and The Waves and Love Shine a Light. Katrina joins Anita.
North Korea's rapidly spreading Covid-19 outbreak is a "great disaster" for the country, its leader Kim Jong-un has said, according to state media. Will he accept vaccines from South Korea?
Also in the programme: we speak to a Ukrainian media boss on the challenges of reporting on a war in your own country; and India bans wheat exports one month after promising to feed the world.
(Photo: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un convenes a Covid-19 response meeting on 12 May. Credit: EPA)
BBC Sport presenter Holly Hamilton, football broadcaster Mina Rzouki, journalist John Cross and comedian Elis James join Colin Murray for an hour of sporting punditry, humour and entertainment. Points are awarded for informed comment, wit and passion, but taken away for nonsense and answers lacking in conviction.
In the final round, the top two points scorers go head-to-head in 'Defend the Indefensible' where they must both defend a statement however ludicrous or distasteful for twenty seconds. There can only be one winner!
Get the podcast from BBC Sounds
چپ مارکسیستی چهل و اندی سال پیش در افغانستانی به قدرت رسید که در آن کارگر به آن معنی که مارکس میپنداشت وجود نداشت و مردم دربند فهم سنتی از دین بودند. وضعیت موجود در افغانستان تا حدی ناشی از تحولاتی نیست که از کودتای ثور آغاز شد؟
James Montague, award-winning author of the The Billionaire’s Club, tells the story of how the super-rich bought English football and Chelsea FC became a sanctioned asset. From Putin’s oligarchs to hyper-capitalist Americans and oil-rich Middle Eastern royal families, James explores the concerns, crimes and crises that large waves of cash have brought to the home of the beautiful game.
The Norfolk countryside may be blossoming in the sunshine this weekend but like many rural areas, it is feeling the impact of the rising cost of living.
Today's Martha Kearney meets some of those Norfolk residents worrying about their bills and also examines another big issue in eastern England - planned new electricity pylons.
(Photo: Martha Kearney with livery manager Harley Moon. Credit: Joel Moors/BBC)
Abortion is a deeply divisive issue in the United States that spans the law, religion and women’s rights. It has been a legal right for almost 50 years. Now, the Supreme Court – the top court in the country – is expected to overturn the law and rule that abortions can banned. It’s put abortion back towards the top of the political debate and we reflect some of the conversations taking place among those affected. Two women share their experiences and personal reasons for terminating their pregnancies, including one that resulted from sexual assault.
Kim Tserkezie meets Danny Hibbert, the mastermind behind Switch, a sport of sports consisting of football, basketball, volleyball, netball and handball. She learns how the game is crossing generational and cultural divides in White City, a fast-changing area of west London, and giving opportunities to many, where more established sports are failing. Through speaking to those who Switch has impacted, Kim comes to understand how important Switch, and Danny, are to this diverse community.
Energy bills, the big food shop, the price of filling up the car - everything costs more just now and there’s no sign it’s going to change soon.
Felicity Hannah and guests ask where can you look for cheaper options, to make our money go further, but still have some fun?
She is joined in the studio by expert deal hunters who promise not to suggest cutting back on Easter eggs.
Bukiie Smart, accountant and the creator of the Save Spend Invest. Claire Walsh, a chartered financial planner. And journalist & money saver extraordinaire Mike Powell.
Producer Smita Patel Editor Emma Rippon
Israeli police with riot-gear hit mourners saying they were pelted with stones, as crowds carried the coffin. Also: Russia to suspend electricity supply to Finland, and critics praise "thrilling" Top Gun movie sequel.
Israeli police charge mourners at the funeral of Shireen Abu Akleh, the Al Jazeera journalist killed in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday. We get the latest from Jerusalem and speak to her brother.
Also on the programme, we have a report from the frontline in Southern Ukraine where Russian troops are trying to advance north; and Sri Lanka's newly appointed prime minister tells us it's going to get worse before it gets better as he tries to forestall an imminent economic collapse.
(Photo: Family and friends carry the coffin of Shireen Abu Akleh, as violence erupts during her funeral in Jerusalem; Credit: REUTERS/Ammar Awad)
We speak to Kenyan nurse, Anna Qabale Duba, who has just won the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award.
Religious leaders in Nigeria have called for calm and tolerance after a woman in Sokoto was killed over alleged blasphemy.
And the Tanzanian play ‘Juliana’ exploring the early years of the HIV pandemic.
Members of the G7 richest nations have been meeting to discuss global food security. This comes in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which has caused a spike in global food prices. We find out more from Monika Tothova, who is an economist with the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization. Also in the programme, North Korea has reported its first official deaths from Covid 19. As the country goes into lockdown, we get a sense of the likely economic impact from Sreyas Reddy, from the BBC Monitoring service. As Italy prepares to stage this year's Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday in Turin, Adrian Bradley reports on the potential economic benefit to a country from hosting the event. Plus, after 31 years in charge of World Business Report, Martin Webber is stepping down. He takes us through some of his audio highlights from the past three decades.
Today's edition is presented by Sasha Twining, and produced by Philippa Goodrich, Joshua Thorpe and Nisha Patel.
Men passing through a transit point in Estonia say they've been questioned for hours. Also: Russian troops fighting in Ukraine have suffered what looks like another major setback, and Platinum Pudding - Britain's new dessert to mark Queen Elizabeth's 70 years as monarch.
In his first interview since taking office, Sri Lanka's new prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has told the BBC an economic crisis that has brought misery and unrest is "going to get worse before it gets better". The country is facing fuel shortages and soaring food prices, with some Sri Lankans forced to skip meals. Anger over the government's handling of the crisis has led to violent protests. Mr Wickremesinghe was appointed in an attempt to defuse the protests.
Also in the programme: clashes have broken out between mourners and Israeli police in Jerusalem at the funeral of the Palestinian-American journalist, Shireen Abu Akleh. Hundreds of mourners had gathered at the Christian cemetery in the Old City, where she was buried.
And Russian battalion lost almost all of its armoured vehicles in a failed attempt to cross a river near Severodonetsk in eastern Ukraine, according to the UK's Ministry of Defence.
The government wants to cut up to 91,000 civil service jobs to save money. Today’s Justin Webb speaks to the head of the civil service union and to Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Minister for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency.
(Image Credit: Oli Scarff/PA Wire)
The Taliban have ruled that Afghan women will have to wear the full face veil for the first time in decades. It comes soon after the Taliban reversed their decision to allow girls to go to secondary schools. We catch up with Hasina Safi, who used to be the women’s minister in Afghanistan and is now a refugee in the UK, still living in an hotel. She joins Anita to discuss her reaction to this latest news and her hopes for the future of women in Afghanistan.
‘Alice’s Book’ by Karina Urbach tells the story of Karina's grandmother Alice Urbach. Before the Second World War Alice wrote a cookbook called Cooking the Viennese Way! but when books by Jewish authors couldn't be distributed, Alice was taken off it. Karina talks about her family history, intellectual theft by the Nazis and her mission to restore Alice Urbach’s name to her cookbook.
Babies as young as six months recognise differences like skin colour according to research. So what’s the best way to talk to young children about race? Does it matter how diverse a child social circle is? And what about their parents' friendship groups? Tineka Smith is the author of Mixed Up: Confessions of an Interracial Couple and has a young son, and Uju Asika is an author, parenting blogger and has two teenage boys.
Watching Eurovision tomorrow? Two hundred million people are expected to watch it, live from Turin. Representing the UK this year is Sam Ryder. He's doing well at the moment and is second favourite to win behind Ukraine. The UK really hasn’t done very well over recent years, but twenty-five years ago we won it with Katrina and The Waves and Love Shine a Light. Katrina joins us.
By Kaite O'Reilly
Seren has been feeling livid just recently. Is this the menopause, or some righteous anger resurfacing? And with everything she fought for, how come her daughter Efa refuses to call herself disabled? When she rekindles an old friendship on a lockdown zoom, she remembers her glory days as a disability rights activist, and what ensues re-lights her inner fire.
Kaite O’ Reilly’s new play looks at disability rights, anger, friendship and hope across 2 generations..
CAST
SEREN – Sara Beer EFA – Mared Jarman JACQ – Julie McNamara DERYN – Charlotte Arrowsmith SIT DOWN COMEDIAN – Nick Phillips STRANGER – Karina Jones ENFORCEMENT OFFICER – Matthew Durkan
SOUND DESIGN - Nigel Lewis SHADOW DIRECTOR - Karina Jones DIRECTOR - John Norton
A BBC CYMRU WALES PRODUCTION for RADIO 4
In traditional Maasai culture one of the central figures of the community is the laibon. A laibon is a person who has been gifted with the power to see the future. They are not really a fortune teller and they are certainly not a witch doctor. They are more like a seer, but some also have the power to cure illnesses. A laibon is the one who advises the community as a whole on the best course of action to take in a given situation. For example, they can use their powers to say where the community’s cattle should be taken in order to find better grazing when there’s a drought. They are the ones who can pronounce when the time is right for important ceremonies. Today hardly any laibon remain.
There is still one though. Called Mokompo, he is today an elderly man who lives in one of the remotest corners of Kenya, far from towns, villages, and surfaced roads. Although very few Maasai in Kenya and Tanzania have ever met him, he continues to command huge respect. In this programme journalist Stuart Butler travels to Kenya to meet Mokompo and find out the spiritual secrets of one the country's last laibons.
(Photo: Mokompo. Credit: Stuart Butler)
The UN Human Rights Council has voted to set up an inquiry into allegations of abuses by Russian forces in Ukraine. Also: astronomers reveal the first ever image of the large black hole in our galaxy, and the Nepali woman who has climbed Everest ten times.
Cryptocurrency markets are being rocked after a popular token lost 99% of its value. We get the latest analysis from Anita Ramaswamy of the TechCrunch website. Oil giant Saudi Aramco has overtaken Apple to become the world's most valuable company. Indrajit Sen of the Middle East Economic Digest in Dubai discusses the significance of the shift. An investigation in the US has revealed that the state of Louisiana is suing some families for making unlawful repairs to their homes - with government grants given out following Hurricane Katrina. We speak to David Hammer of WWL-TV, the investigative reporter following the story.
Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has appointed a new prime minister as he tries to defuse protests over his handling of a severe economic crisis. Senior opposition MP Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in to his sixth stint as PM, as Sri Lanka's economy is in freefall and people are desperate for basic items such as food and fuel.
Also in the programme: Supply chain issues, recalls and rising prices mean many mothers in the US are unable to get the baby formula their young children need; and crypto-currency markets are being rocked after a popular token lost 99% of its value.
(Picture: Ranil Wickremesinghe prior to being sworn in as Sri Lanka's Prime Minister. Credit: Rajini Vaidyanathan, BBC)
The heaviest thing in the Galaxy has now been imaged by the biggest telescope on Earth. This is Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the centre of our Galaxy – a gas and star-consuming object, a 4 million times the mass of the Sun. The Event Horizon Telescope is not one device but a consortium of radio telescopes ranging from the South Pole to the Arctic Circle. Their combined data allowed astronomers to focus in on this extreme object for the first time. Astronomer Ziri Younsi from University College London talks to Roland Pease about the orange doughnut image causing all the excitement.
Also in the programme…
Climatologist Chris Funk talks about the role of La Niña and climate change in the record-breaking two year drought that continues to threaten the lives and livelihoods of millions of people in East Africa.
Was a pig virus to blame for the death of the first patient to receive a pig heart transplant? We talk to the surgeon and scientist at the University of Maryland School of Medicine who led the historic animal to human transplant operation this year.
How easy will it be to grow plants in lunar soil on future moon bases? Plant biologist Anna Lisa Paul has been testing the question in her lab at the University of Florida, Gainsville, with cress seeds and lunar regolith collected by the Apollo missions.
Photo: First image of Sgr A*, the supermassive black hole at the centre of our galaxy Credit: EHT Collaboration, Southern European Observatory
Presenter: Roland Pease Producer: Andrew Luck-Baker
The former police commissioner in the D.R. Congo has been found guilty of the murder of human rights activist Floribert Chebeya, a killing that sparked national outrage.
The spokesman of South Africa’s ESKOM power utility defends the decision to resume load shedding power cuts.
And why one of Tanzania’s main opposition parties has deregistered all but one of its own MPs.
Writer, Nick Warburton Director, Jeremy Howe and Peter Leslie Wild Editor, Jeremy Howe
Alistair Lloyd ….. Michael Lumsden Chelsea Horrobin ….. Madeleine Leslay Ed Grundy …… Barry Farrimond Fallon Rogers ….. Joanna Van Kampen Freddie Pargetter ….. Toby Laurence Jazzer McCreary ….. Ryan Kelly Jill Archer ….. Patricia Greene Jim Lloyd ….. John Rowe Lee Bryce ….. Ryan Early Lily Pargetter ….. Katie Redford Pat Archer ….. Patricia Gallimore Shula Hebden Lloyd ….. Judy Bennett Stella Pryor ….. Lucy Speed Tony Archer ….. David Troughton Tracy Horrobin ….. Susie Riddell Fern ….. Joanna Gay
Real Betis coach Manuel Pellegrini talks about their cup success this season and gives his opinion on Manchester City's signing of Erling Haaland. Also on the programme, Cremonese defender Caleb Okoli reflects on their promotion to Serie A, and we find out why Scottish club Cowdenbeath are called the Blue Brazil.
Picture on website: Manuel Pellegrini on the side lines for a match between Real Betis and Barcelona (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
في أكسترا اليوم نقابل محمد دراغمة الصديق المقرب من شيرين أبو عاقلة للحديث عن صداقتهما وما الذي قرب بينهما وأثر الفجيعة الذي خلفه مقتل الصحفية الفلسطينية عليه. ونتحدث أيضا إلى سامح دروزة صحفي قتل والده المصور خلال تغطية سنة 2003، ونعرف منه صيرورة قضيته وهل يعيد مقتل شيرين فتح قضية والده. ونفهم من المحامي في لندن سعد جبار الإجراءات المتبعة في حال رفعت قضية مقتل صحفي أمام الهيئات الدولية من بينها المحكمة الجنائية الدولية. كما نناقش اليوم معاناة كثير من المرضى بسبب الخطأ في تشخيص مرضهم. حلقة اليوم تقدمها سوسن صبوح
Finland says its decision follows Russia's invasion of Ukraine; Moscow reacts angrily. Also, the White House says more than a million Americans have now lost their lives to Covid-19. And the professional aircraft designer hoping to set a new world record -- with a paper plane.
Warning: The report on Nigeria in this podcast contains descriptions of violence that some listeners may find disturbing.
Oil giant Saudi Aramco has overtaken Apple to become the world's most valuable company. Tom Wilson of the Financial Times discusses the significance of the shift, and we get wider context on the rising price of oil from Kristine Petrosyan of the International Energy Agency. Also in the programme, cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin have seen dramatic falls in value since the start of this year. The BBC's Victoria Craig reports on the causes of the volatility, and a desire in the UK to impose stricter regulation on the sector. Many countries have criticised Russia in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine. The United Arab Emirates is not one of them though, and Dubai in the UAE is turning out to be a popular destination for Russians trying to flee the impact of sanctions, as the BBC's Sameer Hashmi explains. Plus, we have an extended report from the BBC's Russell Padmore exploring the problem of ships colliding with whales.
Amid international anxiety at Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Finland confirms its wish to join the NATO alliance. We hear from our correspondent in the Finnish capital, Katya Adler, talk to the former Finnish prime minister Alexander Stubb and seek a sense of Russia's likely reaction from Moscow-based analyst Dmitry Suslov.
Also in the programme: the government of Cambodia calls on the UK to return treasures looted from their country's temples; North Korea's first admission of a coronavirus outbreak; and why a lack of suitable drug research is killing women and children in Britain.
(Photo: NATO, Swedish and Finnish flags; Credit: REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration)
Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma react to Brendon McCullum's appointment as England's new Test cricket coach. The former New Zealand captain has signed a four-year deal to succeed Chris Silverwood, who left his position in February.
The team speak to two-time World Cup winner Anya Shrubsole and find out whether the former England bowler is happy with her decision to retire from international cricket.
Plus we meet Luke Georgeson, the all-rounder who switched his allegiance from New Zealand to Ireland before having a change of heart and switching back just two weeks later.
IMAGE: New Zealand cricketer Brendon McCullum rings the 5-minute bell before the start of play on day three of the 3rd Investec Test match between England and Sri Lanka at Lord's Cricket Ground. (Credit: Getty Images)
While some countries fight to reclaim antiquities that were stolen centuries ago, Cambodian investigators are dealing with far more recent thefts. Many of the country’s prized treasures were taken by looters in the 1980s and 1990s and then sold on to some of the world’s most prestigious museums, including the British Museum and the Victoria & Albert museum. At the centre of many of the sales was a rogue British art dealer.
Celia Hatton joins the Cambodian investigative team and gains unprecedented access to looters who have become government witnesses. The Phnom Penh government has now launched a legal campaign in the UK to get some of its most prized statues back. For many Cambodians these are not simply blocks of stone or pieces of metal, they are living spirits and integral to the Khmer identity. The Gods, they say, are cold and lonely in foreign collections and they want to come home.
Producer: John Murphy
H*tler’s Tasters is a dark comedy about the young women who have the “honour” of being Adolf Hitler’s food tasters. The play explores the way girls navigate sexuality, friendship, patriotism, and poison during the Third Reich. Emma Barnett talks to its award winning playwright, Michelle Kholos Brooks
After a record number of women are elected to Stormont we talk to Monica McWilliams an academic, peace activist, human rights defender and former politician who co-founded the Women’s Coalition political party in 1996 and was a signatory to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.
A new survey by Working Wise has flagged that many working women are concerned about the gaps in work they've taken and what impact those gaps will have on their pension. The author of the research Mandy Garner tells us about her findings and we hear from Cecilia Floren who is worried about her pension.
On Sunday, the Baftas saw Sophie Willan, the actress and creator of Alma’s Not Normal, take home an award for best female performance in comedy. The sitcom is based on Sophie’s own experience of growing up in care, and focuses on her relationship with the women in her family. Sophie dedicated her win to her grandmother, Denise Willan, who sadly passed away half-way through filming the show. She joins Emma to talk about their relationship and the importance of grandparents.
Presenter: Emma Barnett Producer: Lisa Jenkinson Studio Manager: Giles Aspen Photo Credit: Hunter Canning
Apple announced it was going to discontinue the iPod after 21 years which brings an end to the device widely praised for revolutionising how people listen to music. Amol Rajan spoke to its inventor Tony Fadell about the iPod’s legacy, recent technological developments and his new book ‘Build: An Unorthodox Guide to Making things worth Making.’
(Image Credit: Press Association)
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss one of our ancestors, Homo erectus, who thrived on Earth for around two million years whereas we, Homo sapiens, emerged only in the last three hundred thousand years. Homo erectus, or Upright Man, spread from Africa to Asia and it was on the Island of Java that fossilised remains were found in 1891 in an expedition led by Dutch scientist Eugène Dubois. Homo erectus people adapted to different habitats, ate varied food, lived in groups, had stamina to outrun their prey; and discoveries have prompted many theories on the relationship between their diet and the size of their brains, on their ability as seafarers, on their creativity and on their ability to speak and otherwise communicate.
The image above is from a diorama at the Moesgaard Museum in Denmark, depicting the Turkana Boy referred to in the programme.
With
Peter Kjærgaard Director of the Natural History Museum of Denmark and Professor of Evolutionary History at the University of Copenhagen
José Joordens Senior Researcher in Human Evolution at Naturalis Biodiversity Centre and Professor of Human Evolution at Maastricht University
And
Mark Maslin Professor of Earth System Science at University College London
Producer: Simon Tillotson
While some countries fight to reclaim antiquities that were stolen centuries ago, Cambodian investigators are dealing with far more recent thefts. Many of the country’s prized treasures were taken by looters in the 1980s and 1990s and then sold on to some of the world’s most prestigious museums, including the British Museum and the Victoria & Albert museum, in London. At the centre of many of the sales was a rogue British art dealer.
Celia Hatton joins the Cambodian investigative team and gains unprecedented access to looters who have become government witnesses. The Phnom Penh government has now launched a legal campaign in the UK to get some of its most prized statues back. For many Cambodians these are not simply blocks of stone or pieces of metal, they are living spirits and integral to the Khmer identity. The Gods, they say, are cold and lonely in foreign collections and they want to come home.
Producer: John Murphy
(Image: Monks at Angkor Wat temple, Cambodia. Credit: BBC)
The Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa used a late-night address to offer a number of concessions, but said he needed to stay on to stop the country descending into anarchy. Also: US Democrats' bid for federal abortion law fails, and 'no idea' passenger lands plane in Florida as pilot falls ill.
Inflation in the US was up 8.3% in April, down from a growth rate of 8.5% in March, hinting that the peak of inflation could be over. We get analysis from our business correspondent Michelle Fleury in New York. And Susan Schmidt of Aviva Investors in Chicago tells us how investors reacted to the inflation figures.
A good friend of Shireen Abu Akleh reflects on the bravery and wide-reaching impact of the Al Jazeera journalist. And Newshour’s Tim Franks in Jerusalem tells us what the authorities are saying about the incident.
Also in the programme: Britain signs a deal with Sweden and Finland agreeing to come to their aid if they come under attack; and a new King Tutankhamun exhibition challenges the narrative of the extraordinary discovery of the young Egyptian king’s tomb.
(Photo shows Lebanese journalists protest the killing of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh Credit: European Pressphoto Agency)
Brand new results of a fourth Covid booster trial, with a mix and match approach including half doses, reveals good news for global vaccine rollout. BBC Health and Science correspondent James Gallagher explains.
Plus evidence from Ohio where Professor Ihuoma Eneli's new paper shows how weight gain increased markedly in low-income US children and teenagers during early Covid-19.
And the science of dreams, Claudia Hammond speaks to Brazilian neuroscientist Sidarta Ribeiro about his new wide ranging book The Oracle of Night.
Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Erika Wright
(Picture: A patient who has received a fourth Covid-19 vaccination in Rieti, Italy. Photo credit: Riccardo Fabi/NurPhoto/Getty Images.)
A UK exhibition highlights Egyptian contribution to the discovery of Tutankhamon's tomb. The self-styled Islamic State claims it has executed a number of Christians in northern Nigeria. And a group of women working in South African vineyards call for a ban on harmful pesticides.
Shula finds herself in an unexpected situation and Chelsea makes a surprising admission.
A Palestinian-American journalist, Sherine Abu Aqla, has been shot dead while reporting for Al Jazeera on a raid by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin. The Qatar-based network which she worked for has accused Israel of deliberately killing her.
We'll hear from an eyewitness who themselves was shot in the back in the same incident.
Also in the programme: Sri Lankans observe a curfew in fear of a shoot-on-sight policy, but it won't stop them from protesting; and a soldier's account of life under fire in Azovstal in Ukraine.
(Photo shows an undated handout photo from Al Jazeera showing journalist Sherine Abu Aqla. Credit: EPA)
Workplace Misbehaviour: Laurie Taylor talks to Paul Thompson, Emeritus Professor of Employment Studies at the University of Stirling, about workers behaving badly, from pilferage and absenteeism to the deployment of satirical humour and dissent on social media. In what ways has the modern workplace facilitated new kinds of recalcitrance? Also, Rebecca Scott, Senior Lecturer in Marketing at the University of Cardiff, explores bullying and aggressive behaviour among chefs employed in fine dining restaurants. Does the isolation of the work itself, combined with the geography of elite kitchens, lead to outrageous conduct that would be condemned elsewhere?
Producer: Jayne Egerton
Scams are on the rise and small businesses are no safer from fraudsters than consumers. And in some cases, businesses are being scammed by their own customers.
Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cyber-crime, say that one in four small businesses are affected by fraud every year, with costs to businesses estimated at early £19 billion.
How do entrepreneurs keep their budding business safe? What should companies do to protect their data? And when it all goes wrong, who can help small businesses?
Louise Cooper hears from Shara, Raoul and Louise about their experience of scammers targeting their businesses.
And she’s joined by our expert panel:
Paul Meskall - Manager of Fraud & Cyber Crime Prevention - UK Finance
Dr Roger Barker - Director of Policy and Corporate Governance - Institute of Directors
Gary Rycroft - Partner - Joseph A. Jones & Co.
Shireen Abu Aqla was shot while covering a military operation at a refugee camp. Also: Ukraine says it is suspending the flow of Russian natural gas through a transit point and the authorities in Shanghai extend a coronavirus lockdown.
Martin explains how the recent interest rate hike to 1% could affect your finances – from mortgages to bank loans to store cards, and you tell us your financial fibs.
Speculation that government has told ERG it intends to override NI protocol by giving ultimate supremacy to the Act of Union.
In former consultant neurologist Jules Montague's new book, The Imaginary Patient, she looks at how they can be influenced by many external factors. Who gets to choose which conditions are "real" or not, and is that a helpful question to ask? And what implications does that have for women? She joins Emma.
How are disabled children being affected by the war in Ukraine? There are claims that thousands have been forgotten and abandoned in institutions unable to look after them. The human rights organisation, Disability Rights International, has carried out an investigation. Their Ukraine Office Director, Halyna Kurylo joins Emma.
It’s been just over a week since the the publication of a leaked draft document from the Supreme Court, which suggests Justices are set to overturn the landmark Roe v Wade, ruling, which gave women in American an absolute right to an abortion. To discuss what this means for women in America Emma is joined by Associate Professor Emma Long and State Senate candidate Leslie Danks Burke.
We've been celebrating the emotional power of old clothes in our series Threads. Zoe, who was known as 'strawberry girl' on her small university campus in Liverpool tells us about her 'scratch-and-sniff' t-shirt.
At the BAFTAS last weekend another hit from Jimmy McGovern was honoured. The prison drama Time won best mini-series and best actor for Sean Bean. For the programme which was broadcast from Liverpool, Mishal Husain speaks to screenwriter Jimmy McGovern about his work and how the city’s changed over his life.
(Image Credit: BBC)
一位网友想知道情态动词 “will、would、may” 和 “might” 之间的区别。它们的用法不同，而且常被混淆。这类情态动词后通常紧跟动词的哪种形式？在口语会话中，“will” 和 “would” 的缩略形式分别是什么？在这四个词中，哪个可以用来征求或表示同意？本期节目为你一一讲解。
Alan Dein's series of global conversations is now a decade old. Via social media he has crossed the word and heard true stories of love, pain and downright craziness. In those 10 years many of those he first encountered have become digital friends. Now in this time of war and upheaval he reconnects with Daria in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, who has unexpectedly found love.
Troops are on the streets of Colombo after anti-government unrest, fuelled by economic crisis. Also: US spy chief says Putin preparing for long war in Ukraine, and EA Sports to stop making Fifa video game.
US Treasury Secretary tells Congress denying abortion access would have lasting effects.
A curfew has been extended and soldiers have been told to shoot law-breakers on sight as the Sri Lankan government struggles to stifle growing unrest amid a political and economic crisis. President Rajapaksa and his brother Mahinda, the former Prime Minister, once emblematic of Sri Lankan democracy, are now fallen stars.
Also on the programme: Newshour speaks to the head of the UN refugee body after an international donors' conference pledged more than six-and-a-half billion dollars to help war-torn Syria and its neighbours; and we remember a legend of Indian classical music - Shivkumar Sharma - who has died at the age of 84.
(Photo: The wreck of a bus that was torched during clashes between government supporters and anti-government protesters is left behind on a street in Colombo, Sri Lanka, 10 May 2022. According to police, at least seven people died, more than 220 people were injured and dozens of vehicles and houses were torched during political unrest that broke out in Sri Lanka on 9 May during which the government enforced an island-wide curfew. Protests have been rocking the country for weeks, calling for the resignation of the president and the government over the alleged failure to address the current economic crisis. Credit: EPA/Chamila Karunarathne)
What role can psychologist play in supporting the mental health of displaced Ukrainians? Millions of people have had to flee either abroad or to other parts of the country and the implications for mental health are huge – not only in terms of trauma but for those who’ve escaped, the constant anxiety of watching what’s happening back home and worrying about loved ones. Claudia talks to Emily Holmes, Professor of Clinical Neuroscience at Uppsala University, and Clinical Psychologist Professor Marit Sijbrandij of Vue University Amsterdam who have been working to ensure the interventions with the best evidence behind them get used.
And we pay a visit to the Dreamachine, an immersive sound and light installation that uses the power of flickering white light to create psychedelic experiences. Will it open a new window into how our brains make sense of the world? We hear from two scientists behind the project - Anil Seth Professor of Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience, University of Sussex and Fiona MacPherson Professor of Philosophy, University of Glasgow
Claudia Hammond’s studio guest is Professor of Health Psychology Daryl O’Connor of Leeds University, armed with new research into how deliberately seeking out discomfort can help drive our personal growth
Producer Adrian Washbourne
North Korea is known as one of the most isolated countries in the world. Yet, there are North Koreans who have access to some of the same kind of technologies that are available to the rest of the world, albeit with severe restrictions. A new report suggests that some even hack their smartphones to get around the stringent digital controls. The authors of the report looked at North Korean phones and spoke to two escapees, a former computer programmer for the North Korean government and a former computer science student. One of the authors Martyn Williams as well as North Korea expert and co-host of the BBC podcast The Lazarus Heist Jean H. Lee join us on the programme.
Clean Drinking water at the push of a button Researchers at MIT have created a portable device that can clean and desalinate seawater. It works by creating an electrical field that pulls salt and suspended solids out of the water. Unlike other methods, this requires little electricity and no filters. Research scientist Junghyo Yoon is hoping to improve and commercialise the technology in the next couple of years.
Military virtual and augmented reality Microsoft has recently been contracted to construct more than 120,000 augmented reality headsets for the U.S. Army. How is virtual and augmented reality used in the military? Will it be used on the battlefield? Gareth speaks to journalist and VR training expert Andy Fawkes.
The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell with expert commentary from Ghislaine Boddington.
Studio Manager: Steve Greenwood Producer: Florian Bohr
(Image: Woman browsing on tablet in the dark Credit: Christina Reichl Photography/Getty Images)
Self-confidence can be impacted by many factors when you have a visual impairment or when gradually losing your sight. We look into confidence through the lens of beauty and self-care products and psychology.
Procter & Gamble own many household name brands, within beauty, haircare and personal grooming. Their Accessibility Leader, Sam Latif is blind and she has introduced features to some of their big-name products to make them more accessible to people who are blind or have low vision. We talk to her about these and how the wider beauty industry needs to become more accessible. But of course, self-confidence expands far wider than just self-care and beauty products and so we talk to humanistic counsellor, David Best about the kinds issues surrounding confidence that he hears about from his visually impaired clients.
Presenter: Fern Lulham Producer: Beth Hemmings Production Coordinator: Liz Poole
Website image description: On a desk is a variety of beauty products. From the left is a make-up brush with a green handle, two bottles of skincare products stand behind it and a white bottle of soap with a pump behind those. In the background and blurred is a pink lipstick with a black and gold handle. In the centre of the image is an iPad or tablet with a person's hand reaching town to touch the screen. The image represents how technology can sometimes be helpful to people's beauty and self-care routines.
The wife of one of eight mineworkers trapped for three weeks in Burkina Faso speaks of her ordeal and trying to find out information about the rescue operation.
Zambia reaches a deal with the mining giant Vedanta over a key copper mine.
And the new novel taking up the story of indentured Indian labourers in 19th Century South Africa.
في حلقتنا اليوم، نتحدث عن الأعمال الفنية التي يعاد عرضها بنسخ جديدة، فهناك من يرون أن فكرة إعادة إنتاجها في نسخ جديدة تثير الحنين للماضي، بينما يرى البعض الآخر أنها قد تدل على فقر في الإبداع. وكذلك نذهب إلى الفلبين، حيث يتجه فرديناند ماركوس الابن، نجل رئيس الفلبين الراحل فرديناند ماركوس إلى تحقيق فوز كاسح في انتخابات الرئاسة الفلبينية. كما نلتقي في هذه الحلقة مع زينب اليَعرُبية التي تمارس مهنة من غير المعتاد أن تمارسها النساء في سلطنة عمان وهي مهنة تصليح السيارات.
هذه الحلقة تأتيكم برفقة بسمة كراشة
Opening Parliament on the Queen's behalf, Prince Charles announced several economic plans. But like so many other countries, the UK faces a cost of living crisis, and none of the government bills introduced directly address the problems caused by high inflation. We get reaction to what was outlined from Miatta Fahnbulleh, who is chief executive of the New Economics Foundation, and hear about the challenges faced by the nation's poorest people from Charlotte White, manager of Earlsfield Food Bank. Also in the programme, a former employee of Facebook's parent company Meta has filed a lawsuit in Kenya alleging that poor working conditions for outsourced content moderators violate the country's constitution. Billy Perrigo from Time magazine has been investigating the issue, and fills us in on the details. The BBC's Nikhil Inamdar reports on the challenge of large scale tree planting projects in India, which aim to reduce carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, but may not be going according to plan. Plus, a portrait of Marilyn Monroe by Andy Warhol has sold in New York for $195m, making it the most valuable piece of 20th century art to date. Jessica Beck is a curator at the Andy Warhol museum in Pittsburgh, and tells us what makes the portrait so valuable.
Today's edition is presented by Joshua Thorpe, and produced by Ivana Davidovic and George Thomas.
Curfew in force across Sri Lanka amid mounting anger at the economic crisis. Also: the Marcos political dynasty returns to power in the Philippines; and Spain sacks spy chief over phone hacking scandal.
Demonstrators have moved to the heavily fortified Trincomalee naval base on the country’s northeast coast, shouting slogans calling for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign.
Also in the programme: We find out how Ferdinand BongBong Marcos Junior has likely secured the presidency of the Philippines 30 years after his father, Ferdinand Marcos, was deposed in a popular uprising; and we take a look at a great political tradition in the UK – the opening of parliament, and the Queen’s speech.
(Photo: Armed Sri Lankan military personnel on a downtown street in Colombo, 10 May 2022. Credit: EPA/Chamila Karunararhne)
Throughout the pandemic ‘Today’ followed Wales High School near Rotherham, as they struggled with remote learning, Covid absences and teacher assessed grades. As students there prepare to take the first public exams for two years, Mishal Husain went back to the school to meet with headteacher Pepe Di'Lasio. This summer will be the first exam experience for 17 and 18-year-olds as their GCSEs and National 5s were affected in 2020. Grades are being awarded in the usual way using external marking but the grade boundaries will be more lenient. Mishal also spoke to Ian Bauckham the Chair of Ofqual, England's exam regulator.
(Image Credits: BBC)
First Minister in waiting Michelle O'Neill hit out at DUP's refusal to form an Executive.
Abi Morgan is a BAFTA and Emmy-award winning playwright and screenwriter whose credits include The Iron Lady, Suffragette, Sex Traffic, The Hour, Brick Lane and Shame. She is the creator and writer of BBC drama, The Split. She has now written her first book. This is not a Pity Memoir about an extraordinarily tumultous period in her and her family's life.
Prima Facie starring Jodie Comer, best known for her role as Villanelle in Killing Eve, is making her West End debut. Both star and play have been performing to glowing reviews. It is an incisive investigation into the criminal justice system, how it deals with sexual assault and then fails those seeking justice through it. A one-woman show, it tells the story of a criminal defence barrister who is raped by a colleague. Suzie Miller, who wrote the play, joins Emma Barnett in the Woman’s Hour studio.
Would you let your 2 year old walk to the shops on their own? The long running Japanese TV show Old Enough!, which has become available to stream on Netflix, follows kids as young as 2 while their parents send them off on their first ever errand away from home. Unknowingly followed by undercover TV camera operators. It has sparked debate about how much freedom we give our toddlers in the UK.
Presenter: Emma Barnett Producer: Lucinda Montefiore
主持人 Roy 想向上级提出一些想法，来帮助大家提高工作效率。同事佳莹却觉得这些想法异想天开，不可能被批准，她用到了口语搭配 “as if” —— 这是什么意思？听对话，学习用英语表达你不相信某人说的话或不认为某件事情会发生。
BBC World News anchor Laura Trevelyan discovered her family’s slave owning past only after the University College London database of slave ownership in the British Caribbean was published in 2013. Back in the 18th Century, the Trevelyan family were known as absentee slave owners on Grenada. The family never set foot on the island, but owned hundreds of slaves and profited for years from the sale of sugar harvested from five different sugar cane plantations. To try and learn more about the legacy of slavery on Grenada and her family’s involvement in the slave trade, Laura Trevelyan and her producer Koralie Barrau go to Grenada.
Initial results suggest Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr is heading for a landslide win. Also: Ukraine reacts to Putin’s Victory Day attempts to justify the war; and New York considers funding abortions for women from states which ban it.
The fuel prices emergency is hitting households across the continent, from Egypt to Tanzania, Uganda to Nigeria and South Africa. The airline industry has also been affected. So what can government's do?
Also, in Somalia, dozens of candidates have registered for the presidential race in six days. We hear who's challenging the incumbent, Farmajo.
Plus, how South African singer, Nomfundo Moh, has made it big in the world of music.
As Russia marks its Victory Day in the Great Patriotic War, President Putin tries to draw parallels between the conflict with Nazi Germany and his “special military operation” against Ukraine.
Also on the programme: Sri Lanka's Prime Minister resigns following mass protests; and we go to the Philippines where the son of the former Filipino dictator Ferdinand Marcos, is set to become president.
(Photo: Fireworks explode over the towers of the Kremlin on Victory Day in Moscow. Credit: Reuters/Maxim Shemetov)
We use Wi-Fi every day, but do you know how it works? “Is it waves and science or just some mystical magical force?” wonders listener Abby.
Well, our science sleuths are on the case. To help them navigate the strange realm of electromagnetic waves they are joined by Andrew Nix, Professor of Wireless Communication Systems from the University of Bristol. He explains why your wi-fi router won’t heat up your baked beans, but your microwave will.
Andrea Goldsmith, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Princeton University, also joins to reveal how these waves are crammed full of 0s and 1s- whether that's a pic of your pets or a video chat with pals.
And finally, how do you get the best Wi-Fi at home? Dr Rutherford, it turns out, has made some rookie errors... Listen out for our top tips so you don't make them too!
في إكسترا اليوم نتحدث عن الولاية التعليمية ونناقش أي الأبوين أحق بها بعد الطلاق. كما نتعرف على دلالة عيد النصر في روسيا وأهميته وكيف يحتفل به الروس. ومن الهند نتحدث إلى إمام المسجد الجعفري في مدينة بنغالور الهندية عن أسباب خفض تسع مئة مسجد فيها صوت الآذان، ونكتشف سر عودة وعل الجبل إلى لبنان بعد انقراض دام مئة عام. حلقة اليوم من تقديم سوسن صبوح
Amid deepening economic crisis, Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has resigned. Journalist Dimuthu Attanayake talks us through the country's economic woes. Also in the programme, voting has closed in the Philippines' presidential election. We hear about the business and economic issues that weighed on voters' minds, from Hannah Fernandez, correspondent for Eco Business in the country. Chinese authorities are restricting those aged under 18 from live-streaming themselves on the internet. The BBC's Kerry Allen explains the background. Plus, Goldfields, which is the world's sixth biggest gold producer, has said that from August it will start running one of its mines in South Africa, in part at least, on solar power. Lennon Sukhoo is the project manager looking after the solar installation, and tells us what impact the move is likely to have.
Today's edition is presented by David Harper, and produced by Ivana Davidovic, Marie Keyworth, and George Thomas.
At Moscow's annual Victory Day parade, Vladimir Putin has sought to justify his invasion of Ukraine, but Ukraine's president says Moscow is re-enacting the crimes of the Nazis.
The Sri Lankan prime minister, Mahinda Rajapaksa, has resigned as violence gripped parts of the capital.
G7 leaders have agreed to a new set of sanctions on Russia -- we speak to Canada's foreign minister, who has just been to Kyiv.
(Photo credit: EPA)
The Russian president said the invasion of Ukraine was necessary and had been provoked by the West. Eastern and southern parts of Ukraine are still being hit by relentless Russian shelling. Also: The Sri Lankan prime minister has resigned as violence gripped parts of the capital and the machine using light and sound to create illusions in the mind
Emeli Sandé is one of Britain’s most successful songwriters. With 19 million singles sold including three number one singles, 6 million albums and four BRIT awards (including Best Female twice!). Emeli joins Emma to discuss her music, and has a specially recorded version of There Isn’t Much – a track written with Naughty Boy and Shaq, from her new album Let’s Say For Instance.
Over the weekend in Afghanistan the Taliban ordered that all women must wear a burqa in public. It's the latest blow to women's rights in the country since the Taliban took power in August last year. Yalda Hakim is an International Correspondent for the BBC and spoke to us about this development.
What is it like to run a fashion magazine? We ask Kenya Hunt, who became the first black Editor-in-Chief at Elle UK when she took over the role in March. With print readership in decline, and the fashion industry reeling from the pandemic, how does she plan to keep women reading magazines?
Depp v Heard. It’s the court case that has gripped not just America but the whole world. The actor Johnny Depp is suing his ex-wife Amber Heard for defamation over an article in which she said she was a victim of abuse. The BBC’s Holly Honderich joins Emma to discuss this very public trial.
Anna Kent is a humanitarian aid worker, NHS nurse and midwife. She was 26 when she joined Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders) for her first assignment in South Sudan in 2007. She has subsequently worked as a midwife across the world including Ethiopia, Haiti, Bangladesh and the UK. She has now written a book, Frontline Midwife: My Story of Survival and Keeping Others Safe.
Presenter: Emma Barnett Producer: Emma Pearce
Today's Lyse Doucet reports from Dnipro in the east of central Ukraine on the families sheltering from the war, and reaction to Vladimir Putin’s speech at the annual Victory Day parade to celebrate the Soviet Union’s part in World War Two.
(Image credit: BBC)
Stephen Bailey is a lightweight boxer who lost a fight to Conor McGregor, he's an investor with £84 million in the bank, he's Axel Rose's stepfather and if you keep scrolling, he's also a comedian from Manchester.
Stephen is seriously contemplating changing his name in 2022, as he believes being Stephen Bailey is hindering his success - after all, a name change is one of the oldest tricks in showbiz. If the name maketh the man, it's made a lot of Stephen Baileys and the rest of them are always doing something more newsworthy than our Stephen.
This is a bespoke stand-up special about identity, where Stephen will work out whether you can change your whole life, just by changing your name.
Written and performed by Stephen Bailey Production Coordinator: Katie Baum Produced by: Georgia Keating and Hayley Sterling
A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4.
Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky says 60 people have died after a bomb hit a school in the Donbas region. About 90 people had been sheltering in the building which Ukraine says was hit in a Russian strike. Also, the people of the Philippines are voting to choose a successor to President Rodridgo Duterte, and the Syrian president Bashar al-Assad has travelled to Iran to meet the country's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
The world's top economies unveil further sanctions on Russia and promise military aid - we speak to Dmitry Gorenberg at the CNA research institute in Arlington, Virginia. Plus we hear from Chris Weafer of Macro Advisory in Moscow about the impacts sanctions are already having on Russia, and from Karina Luchinkina, a Ukranian activist in London urging companies to stop doing business with Russia. In China social media platforms are being forced to publish users' IP addresses in a bid to stamp out fake news, the BBC's Kerry Allen tells us more. Independent economist Michael Hughes talks inflation and consumer prices, Canadian fisherman Grant Scott explains how the Pacific herring fishery is close to disaster, and Natalia Abrams of the Student Debt Crisis Centre in the US tells us how student debt is hindering the wider economy. We talk deadlines with Kevin Murphy at the University of Limerick and atomic clocks in space with Jean Yves Courtois of Orolia - a manufacturer of the incredibly accurate timekeeping devices.
The programme is presented by Russell Padmore and produced by Russell Newlove.
The offensive in eastern Ukraine continues as cities are bombed. Further south, Ukrainian forces have withdrawn from the town of Popasna. We speak to a senior member of the Ukrainian governing party.
We also hear from the Ukrainian singer who performed with U2 frontman Bono and bandmate The Edge at a special gig in Kyiv.
Also in the programme: a pro-democracy activist reacts to the election of John Lee as chief executive of Hong Kong; and we reflect on the life of Kim Ji-Ha, the South Korean poet and democracy campaigner who has died aged 81.
(PICTURE: Smoke rises above a plant of Azovstal Iron and Steel Works in the southern port city of Mariupol. Credit: REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko)
Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh le Ruairidh MacIlleathain. Litir àireamh 1190. Roddy Maclean reads this week's letter for Gàidhlig learners.
Known as a TV chef, author of best-selling cookery books and co-owner of Norwich City FC, Delia Smith was appointed Companion of Honour in 2017 for her contribution to cooking, which coined the phrase the ‘Delia effect’, some would say making her the original influencer. A devout Catholic, her faith has guided her throughout her life, and in the 80s she published books reflecting on her relationship with God. This March she released a new book, 'You Matter', arguably a ‘recipe book for life’, in which she explores the value of the ‘examined life’. Today we are on the verge of Mental Health Awareness week, which this year focusses on tackling loneliness and barriers to connection. And in her book, Delia challenges us to engage with the deeper aspects of life, and to understand ‘what an amazing thing it is to be a person and to be part of the collective human venture.’
In their conversation, Jonathan and Delia discuss faith, philosophy and reflection, and Delia reveals her own 'no-nonsense' recipe for improving our mental well-being.
What's your favourite Bible film? And can a movie really offer a new perspective on the text? This weekend Sunday is discussing movies from Pasolini's Gospel according to St Matthew to The Ten Commandments and Jesus Christ Superstar with Matthew Page author of a new @BFI book. Tell us which are your favourites - email Sunday@bbc.co.uk.
Police used batons this week to break up a clash between Hindus and Muslims after Eid prayers in the city of Jodhpur in India. Edward discusses the escalating tensions between the groups with London School of Economics Professor Mukulika Banerjee, a social anthropologist who has lived and worked in rural India for more than 20 years. And he hears how South Asian communities in the UK are affected by and responding to the violence from Sheikh Ibrahim Mogra - an Imam from Leicester who is of Gujarati Indian heritage and the Hindu author and philosopher Satish Sharma.
And could empathy and questions be the best way to get good behaviour in schools? Edward talks to Ellis Brooks from Quakers in Britain about their 30-year-old "Peacemaker Project" which they believe can tackle poor behaviour and be an alternative to escalating school exclusions. And asks executive headteacher Rukhsana Ahmed, who believes in rules and discipline, if such an approach would work for the persistent bad behaviour she's seen in her career.
This week's guests talk about the Raspberry Pi at ten, studying the Universe's first stars, and look who's in Brian May's office these days!
Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.
This week's guests talk about the Raspberry Pi at ten, studying the Universe's first stars, and look who's in Brian May's office these days!
Afghan women already face restricted access to jobs, travel and education. Also: for the first time the Northern Ireland election is won by a party which wants a united Ireland; and Ukraine says all women, children and the elderly have been evacuated from the besieged steelworks in Mariupol.
Emma talks to Peggy Seeger who has enjoyed six decades of success with her music. Peggy was married to the singer Ewen McColl. Together they revitalised the British Folk Scene during the 50s and 60s. Now 86 years old, Peggy's own songs have become anthems for feminists, anti-nuclear campaigners and those fighting for social justice.
Exam season is upon us - Highers have begun in Scotland and A-levels and GCSEs start on the 16th May, but maybe your kids have end of year exams coming up too. As a parent what is the best way to support your child? Anita is joined by Dr Jane Gilmour, a Consultant Clinical Psychologist at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Candice Carty-Williams described her very successful first novel Queenie as 'the black Bridget Jones'. She has described her new novel People Person as her ‘daddy issues’ book and in it she celebrates families of all sorts. Her aim, she says, is to make visible the people she knows and the experiences she has had.
As Anne Robinson announces she's stepping down as the host of the Channel 4 quiz show Countdown, Emma Barnett catches up with her. Robinson was the first female to ever host the show, with 265 episodes under her belt since she joined just a year ago.
It’s been just over a year since the former husband of ITV presenter Ruth Dodsworth was jailed for coercive controlling behaviour and stalking. In a new ITV Tonight programme ‘Controlled By My Ex Partner: The Hidden Abuse' Ruth explores the crime of coercive control and what needs to be done to stop it.
Milli Proust, writer and floral designer in West Sussex, and Georgie Newbery, a flower farmer, discuss the growing trend of cut flower gardening.
Sex Parties have gone from being fringe underground raves to large, well-established sell-out club nights, in the last few years. We hear from Dr Kate Lister, Sex Historian and Author of A Curious History of Sex and Miss Gold - who runs One Night Parties, a sex party in London.
چرا سیاستمداران ایران نمیتوانند علیه میراث پدری بشورند؟ میتوان ادعای آزادیخواهی کرد بدون نقد پدر و پدربزرگ و بیرون زدن از حریمی که هویت سیاسی شخص به آن وابسته است؟
Comedian Bob Mills, GB sprinter Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake, sports broadcaster Eleanor Oldroyd and BBC Radio 1 DJ Rickie Haywood-Williams join Colin Murray for an hour of sporting punditry, humour and entertainment. Points are awarded for informed comment, wit and passion, but taken away for nonsense and answers lacking in conviction.
In the final round, the top two points scorers go head-to-head in 'Defend the Indefensible' where they must both defend a statement however ludicrous or distasteful for twenty seconds. There can only be one winner!
Get the podcast from BBC Sounds.
Kim Tserkezie soars into the skies with the drone racers to learn about a technology that is increasingly shaping the world, both for good and bad. With the help of racing pioneers, she discovers how this young sport is accessible to many. Determined to have a go herself, Kim goes in search of "flow state", the out-of-body experience described by so many who fly drones. But will she even be able to take off?
Ukrainians have been living with the horrors of war, amid attacks from Russian troops, for more than two months. We hear from three Ukrainian women who have decided to take on a dangerous task, to try and make their country safer. They each decided to do an 18-day training course in Kosovo to learn how to clear landmines. We also cross into Moldova, which is the smallest of seven countries bordering Ukraine. It has taken in more than 437,000 Ukrainian refugees. There have been concerns that its breakaway Russian-controlled region of Transnistria could be where Russia moves in next.
The Government announced plans this week to impose more regulation on firms where people legally buy and sell bitcoin. One major crypto platform where people do this is called Kraken - which is where 77-year-old Graeme moved more than half a million pounds which thieves then stole. Graeme was robbed of his savings, his car, and his house by thieves who manipulated him to buy cryptoassets. We hear from Curtis Ting, a Managing Director of Kraken.
In an extreme case of council tax arrears, we hear from Robert who has just received his first council tax bill after 24 years living in the same house. The London Borough of Barnet is demanding more than £30,000 in arrears. So what's going on? And does Robert have to - finally - cough up? We hear from barrister Alan Murdie who specialises in council tax, and edits the Council Tax Handbook for the Child Poverty Action Group.
Thinking of claiming a Working From Home tax rebate? Listen to this first. HM Revenue & Customs has told Money Box it will be launching a consultation this year to find new ways to tackle repayment agents who charge people for claiming routine tax rebates which they could claim free themselves. If you go via an agent, it could take half your pay out in fees. Money Box reporter Dan Whitworth investigates, and we also hear from technology journalist David McClelland.
Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Paul Waters Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researcher: Marianna Brain Production Coordinator: Janet Staples Editor: Emma Rippon
The human rights group says there is evidence of attacks on civilians and extrajudicial killings. Also: a rescue operation is underway in Cuba after an explosion at a hotel in Havana; and Yemeni prisoners freed by the Saudi-led coalition have been flown back to Yemen.
The BBC's Michelle Fleury joins us to explain the latest US unemployment figures. And the US Treasury Department is banning Blender - a type of currency mixer which scrambles cryptocurrencies from thousands of addresses, to make transactions even harder to trace. It was used in a huge multi-million dollar heist undertaken by hackers in North Korea; we hear more from Herb Scribner, a reporter at Axios
As the number of Covid cases rise in parts of Africa, Dr Ayoade Alakija, from the African Union vaccine delivery programme, says African leaders are missing some procedural steps in the fight against the virus.
Plus, a Muslim cleric refuses to leave jail in Kenya, despite being acquitted of terrorism charges, for fear of his life.
And retired South Africa World Cup-winning rugby legend, Tendai Mtawarira, on his new role as Unicef's regional ambassador for Eastern and Southern Africa.
The BBC's Michelle Fleury joins us to explain the latest US unemployment figures. Also in the programme, 2000 trade unions in Sri Lanka have participated in a nation-wide strike, with employees calling in sick and out on the streets across the country. Our reporter Archana Shukla gives us the latest from Colombo. On Monday, voters in the Philippines will head to the polls to choose a successor to President Rodrigo Duterte, who can't run again due to term limits. The BBC's Karishma Vaswani in Manila explains what the key issues will be for voters. And Martyn Williams has a report about the English film enthusiasts who are working to bring back 35mm projectors.
Ukrainian soldiers accuse Russians of ruining plans for an evacuation ceasefire. The UN and Red Cross are expected to make another attempt to extricate non-combatants from the 'hellscape' of the Azovstal plant. Also: the Philippines prepares to elect a new president; the first African American - and openly gay woman -- to be White House press secretary; and the world's smallest porpoise fights back from the edge of extinction.
Adele Roberts is here for our very serious quiz and Greg confesses to an embarrassing situation at an awards ceremony. Plus, Scott Mills is getting excited for Eurovision and there's news of goat crimewave.
Childbirth is something that more than 80% of women go through in their lifetime. But could that be about to change? Sci-Fi author Helen Sedgwick thinks we’re just a generation away from external, artificial wombs being used for childbirth. But what does this mean for the concept of motherhood and a woman’s place in society? Anita is joined by Helen and designer of an artificial womb Lisa Mandemaker.
Exam season is upon us - Highers have begun in Scotland and A-levels and GCSEs start on the 16th May and finish on the 28th June, but maybe your kids have end of year exams coming up too. As a parent what is the best way to support your child? Especially if they have important exams looming but are doing everything they can to pretend that they don’t? Or perhaps you have the opposite problem and your child is paralysed with anxiety. How do you engage the teenage brain and support your child with their revision? Anita is joined by Dr Jane Gilmour, a Consultant Clinical Psychologist at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
What does your grandmother mean to you? The South African musician Toshi has released a new song – Khokhoba – which means ‘getting old’ in her native language of Xhosa. The song is dedicated to her grandmother and we hear about the spiritual and societal role that elderly women and grandmothers play in the Xhosa culture.
Sex Parties have gone from being fringe underground raves to large, well-established sell-out club nights, in the last few years! Why are we seeing a resurgence the sex party? We hear from Dr Kate Lister, Sex Historian and Author of A Curious History of Sex & Miss Gold, who runs One Night Parties, a sex party in London. They discuss how Covid-19 has changed the way we approach sex, the female gaze and hedonism through history
Gregory Doran is stepping down as Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company after a decade. He is completing his final production, Richard III, starring disabled actor Arthur Hughes - a first for the Royal Shakespeare Company.
During his time at the RSC, Gregory has worked with everyone from Patrick Stewart and Harriet Walter to David Tennant, as well as his late husband Sir Anthony Sher, who died last year of terminal cancer. Gregory sat down with Today's Mishal Husain to talk about loss, Shakespeare, and the prospect of retiring.
(Image Credit: Press Association)
After Jamie's body was found, the detectives had to work out if it was suicide or murder.
According to some studies, journalists tend to be less religious than the general population. Some find solace in faith, but others begin to question it. So is it a profession which challenges your religious convictions, strengthens faith or attracts the faithless?
Atif Rashid, a Muslim, has started questioning his role as a journalist who believes in god. What place does religion have in the work that he does? To help him consider his future career steps he speaks to other journalists who have turned to god and others who have questioned their beliefs after seeing so much suffering as foreign correspondents. He meets other young Muslim reporters from the USA and the UAE and asks how their jobs impact their faith. And also catches up with two of his former editors - who quit their jobs to lead a more spiritual lifestyle one as a vicar and another as a monk. Along the way, he considers whether he should follow the same path.
Another attempt to get civilians out of the besieged Azovstal steelworks is planned for today. Also: a number of fatalities in attack in Israeli city of Elad, and Queen Elizabeth to miss upcoming garden parties.
Vietnam’s vast Mekong Delta faces an uncertain future. Also in the programme: using the rumble of traffic in Mexico City to monitor earthquake hazard, record-breaking quakes on Mars and a record-breaking high jumping robot.
Photo: Mekong River in Kampong Cham, Cambodia Credit: Muaz Jaffar/EyeEm/Getty Images
Presenter: Roland Pease Producer: Andrew Luck-Baker
After being postponed for more than a year, a date has finally been set for a presidential election in Somalia. Members from both chambers of parliament will vote on 15 May.
Six midwives have gone on trial in Senegal over the death of a pregnant woman and her unborn child.
And music from Bih Stico, the Cameroonian nurse who juggles her professional career with her passion for singing.
Writer, Caroline Harrington Director, Rosemary Watts Editor, Jeremy Howe
Adil Shah ….. Ronny Jhutti Ed Grundy …… Barry Farrimond Eddie Grundy ….. Trevor Harrison Jolene Archer …… Buffy Davis Kirsty Miller ….. Annabelle Dowler Natasha Archer ….. Mali Harries Oliver Sterling ….. Michael Cochrane Pat Archer ….. Patricia Gallimore Pip Archer ….. Daisy Badger Roy Tucker ….. Ian Pepperell Stella Pryor ….. Lucy Speed Tracy Horrobin ….. Susie Riddell
Portugal captain Dolores Silva discusses her country's backdoor qualification for Euro 2022. Plus, why has boom turned to bust for Chinese football?
Picture on website: Melissa Gomes of Portugal in action against Bulgaria (Octavio Passos/Getty Images)
في إكسترا اليوم نناقش تأثير رمضان على العادات السيئة ومدى قدرة الأشخاص على الالتزام بالعادات الحميدة التي اكتسبوها خلال شهر الصيام. كما نستمع من إحدى مواطنات القدس عن تأثير اقتحامات المسجد الأقصى على سير حياتهم اليومية ونسأل طبيبا مختص عن سر تسجيل وفيات أكثر بين الحوامل المصابات بالربو وكيف يمكن الحماية من ذلك. ونتعرف على خطر نقص عدد الحشرات على النظام البيئي وعلى الإنسان. إكسترا اليوم من تقديم داليا محمد.
Sam Ryder reacts to Camila Cabello reacting to him, The Stark Guide to Wolverhampton is our golden moment and a classic piece of literature provides the questions in the quiz.
Turkey's annual inflation is at a 20 year high. The BBC's Victoria Craig has been following this story closely and brings us details on how Turkey's unconventional monetary policy is impacting regular consumers. Today in Lithuania, gas has begun flowing through a new gas pipeline to Poland. Christof Ruhl from Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy explains its significance. A special report from Sam Fenwick examines how the war in Ukraine has impacted tourism all around the globe. Finally, since today is World Password Day, we have a look at best ways to keep your digital passwords safe.
Russia denies storming Azovstal steelworks, saying it's offered a ceasefire instead. Also, World Health Organisation says nearly 15 million people have died due to the Coronavirus pandemic since 2020, and Bill Gates talks to the BBC about divorce, conspiracy theories and his feud with Elon Musk.
Alison Mitchell, Brett Sprigg and Charu Sharma find out more about the man touted as India’s next star. Umran Malik, an uncapped 22-year-old, who has taken the Indian Premier League by storm with the fastest bowling and best bowling figures in the competition this year.
We’ll attempt to learn what an NFT is and why we’re starting to see them in the world of cricket, as we speak to the co-founder of the world’s first licensed digital collectibles platform for cricket.
The team also react to the news that the man heralded as “the Father of Cricket” WG Grace, has had a couple of centuries taken off him, despite his last innings coming over one hundred years ago.
IMAGE: DIBYANGSHU SARKAR/AFP via Getty Images
Resistance and division among Mexico’s indigenous Yaqui people. Anabela Carlon is a legal advocate for the indigenous Yaqui of Sonora – a fierce defender of her people’s land. She is no stranger to the immense dangers that face her in northern Mexico, a region dominated by organised crime. In 2016, she and her husband were kidnapped at gunpoint by masked men. And now one of her biggest cases is representing the families of ten men from her community who disappeared last year.
In Mexico, the Yaqui of Sonora are known as, ‘the undefeated’. In spite of being hunted, enslaved and exiled, they are the only indigenous group never to have surrendered to Spanish colonial forces or the Mexican government. Somehow, eight communities survived along the River Yaqui. But there are deep divisions. Most of all, over whether a gas pipeline should be allowed on their land. Anabela Carlon is adamant it will not happen.
Presenter: Linda Pressly Producer: Phoebe Keane Producer in Mexico: Ulises Escamilla
Doctor Strange himself is here and confesses to a love for Ariana Grande, we go behind the scenes of the Star.One/Ed Sheeran remix and could it be that Anton Du Beke appears on Jack Harlow’s new album?
The Radio 1 DJ Adele Roberts on coming back to the airwaves after bowel cancer treatment.
Have you ever thought about writing a brief autobiography? The Hospice Biographers is a charity which sends specialist volunteers into hospices to record the life stories of those in their final days.
Amol Rajan sits down with the founder and trustee of The Hospice Biographers Barbara Altounyan and supporter of the charity Robert Peston to talk about how such life reports can offer an opportunity to remember, reflect, and leave some wisdom for relatives and friends.
We want to hear from you. Send in your 400 word life report by emailing today@bbc.co.uk and put Life Report in the subject line to have the chance to record your own life report for the Today programme.
(Image Credit: GETTY images)
Seven years ago Bill Gates gave a TED talk in which he warned of a supervirus and three years ago he said the thought of a pandemic was what kept him awake at night. He is also the man who more than 20 years ago decided with his then wife Melinda to put global health and vaccination at the heart of his philanthropy. His book 'How to Prevent the Next Pandemic' has just been published.
Today's Mishal Husain speaks to Microsoft founder Bill Gates on pandemic and the conspiracy theories about him. In this interview, Gates also reflects on his meetings with Jeffrey Epstein and talks about Elon Musk's recent public criticism of him.
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the influential novella of John Polidori (1795-1821) published in 1819 and attributed first to Lord Byron (1788-1824) who had started a version of it in 1816 at the Villa Diodati in the Year Without A Summer. There Byron, his personal physician Polidori, Mary and Percy Shelley and Claire Clairmont had whiled away the weeks of miserable weather by telling ghost stories, famously giving rise to Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein'. Emerging soon after, 'The Vampyre' thrilled readers with its aristocratic Lord Ruthven who glutted his thirst with the blood of his victims, his status an abrupt change from the stories of peasant vampires of eastern and central Europe that had spread in the 18th Century with the expansion of the Austro-Hungarian empire. The connection with Lord Byron gave the novella a boost, and soon 'The Vampyre' spawned West End plays, penny dreadfuls such as 'Varney the Vampire', Bram Stoker’s 'Dracula', F.W Murnau's film 'Nosferatu A Symphony of Horror', and countless others.
The image above is of Bela Lugosi (1882-1956) as Count Mora in Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer's 'Vampires of Prague' (1935)
With
Nick Groom Professor of Literature in English at the University of Macau
Samantha George Associate Professor of Research in Literature at the University of Hertfordshire
And
Martyn Rady Professor Emeritus of Central European History at University College London
Producer: Simon Tillotson
Resistance and division among Mexico’s indigenous Yaqui people. Anabela Carlon is a legal advocate for the indigenous Yaqui of Sonora – a fierce defender of her people’s land. And she is no stranger to the immense dangers that face her in northern Mexico, a region dominated by organised crime. In 2016, she and her husband were kidnapped at gunpoint by masked men. And now one of her biggest cases is representing the families of 10 men from her community who disappeared last year.
In Mexico, the Yaqui of Sonora are known as, ‘the undefeated’. In spite of being hunted, enslaved and exiled, they are the only indigenous group never to have surrendered to Spanish colonial forces or the Mexican government. Somehow, eight communities survived along the River Yaqui. But there are deep divisions. Most of all, over whether a gas pipeline should be allowed on their land. Anabela Carlon is adamant it will not happen.
Presenter: Linda Pressly Producer: Phoebe Keane Producer in Mexico: Ulises Escamilla
(Image: Anabela Carlon, of the Yaqui tribe, stands in the dry bed of the river Yaqui. Credit: BBC)
Ukraine says Russian forces have entered the city's Azovstal complex. Also: French Left join forces to fight Macron, and Maradona's "Hand of God" shirt sells for millions of dollars.
The US central bank, the Federal Reserve, has raised interest rates by 0.5% in a bid to combat rising inflation, which is currently running at 8.5%. We get analysis from our north America business correspondent Michelle Fleury. And Susan Schmidt of Aviva Investors in Chicago tells us how investors reacted to the Fed's announcement. Diego Maradona's infamous 'Hand of God' football shirt sells for a record £7.1 million. We assess the legacy of the footballer - and that 1986 game - with Marcela Mora y Araujo, an Argentine sports journalist based in London.
Claudia is joined by Matt Fox, Professor of Global Health at Boston University to discuss evidence investigating a hybrid combination of Covid vaccines and prior infection.
Dr Vineet Arora explains how best to support health care workers who have received online attacks for trying to correct inaccurate information during the Pandemic.
And advice for parents on how to cope when their children are having mental health problems from authors Roz Shafran, Alice Welham and Ursula Saunders.
Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Erika Wright
(Picture: Illustration of antibodies responding to a coronavirus infection. Photo credit: Juan Gaertner/Science Photo Library/Getty Images.)
Chris calls a florist for Valentine’s day but some of the flowers that Scott suggests are a bit suspect to say the least. Also, Scott is getting excited about Eurovision early and loves Moldova and a Golden Moment remembers the Fanny Fudge guest house.
US rapper Snoop Dogg has acquired Death Row Records, the label that launched his career. We find out more from MK Asante of Morgan State University, who wrote the book It's Bigger Than Hip Hop. Also in the programme, the Swiss banking giant Credit Suisse has reported a loss of $2.2bn for the final quarter of last year. Owen Walker is European banking correspondent at the Financial Times, and explains the background to the company's woes. The International Court of Justice in the Hague has ordered Uganda to pay the Democratic Republic of the Congo more than $300m in compensation for invading and occupying the mineral-rich Ituri province between 1998 and 2003. But as the BBC's Robert Misigaro explains, it's not clear whether the compensation will be forthcoming. Plus, the BBC's Ivana Davidovic reports on why the use of robots has risen by 40% in North American workplaces since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
Today's edition is presented by Rahul Tandon, and produced by Sarah Hawkins, George Thomas and Gabriele Shaw.
في هذه الحلقة من بي بي سي إكسترا: - هل تغيرت نظرة المجتمع حيال دخول الفتيات مجال العلوم؟ - هل هناك فروق في العقل بين الجنسين؟ - ما حكاية البحرين مع اللؤلؤ؟ - ما زي ملك الأزاندي الذي أعيد إلى العرش؟ - 1200 طبيب جزائري يستعدون للالتحاق بالمستشفيات الفرنسية. إكسترا مع محمد مطر.
Ukraine describes them as amounting to "psychological pressure". Also: voting begins in India's most populous state, and the Canadian truck convoy against Covid restrictions remains at a standstill.
With Russian forces conducting major military manoeuvres in Belarus and the Black Sea, Britain's prime minister, Boris Johnson, has said the crisis over Ukraine is probably at its most dangerous moment. We hear the views of a Russian military analyst.
Also in the programme: the Canadian truck protests now clogging the US car industry; and Snoop Dogg announces that he's buying Death Row Records.
(Photo: A satellite image shows a troop housing area and a vehicle park in Rechitsa, Belarus, 4 February 2022. Credit: Maxar Technologies/Handout via Reuters)
Probably the BIGGEST movie star on the planet Tom Holland is here to play probably the smallest game. Also, we have Imogen on for the quiz, Tom Holland, Rosie the estate agent and Tom Holland. BTW - Did we mention that Tom Holland is on?
Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma discuss the resignation of Australia Men’s Head Coach Justin Langer. They look at his legacy and the power play between himself and his players.
Plus this week they are joined by John Buchanan, the former Australia coach from 1999 to 2007 who lead the side to multiple World Cup and Ashes wins. He also coached Justin Langer during this time and shares his experiences of him as a player and who his front-runners are for the vacancy.
England have chosen to drop both Stuart Broad and James Anderson from their tour to the West Indies and with the team also looking for a new head coach we ask whether we are entering a new era for English cricket?
Photo: Justin Langer Head Coach of Australia watches on during an Australian Ashes squad nets session at Blundstone Arena on January 12, 2022 in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)
Today the Prince of Wales will unveil a statue of Licoricia, a Medieval Jewish woman outside where she once lived on Jewry Street, Winchester. The statue is hoped to inspire women and provide education on the UK’s Jewish history. Emma is joined by Rebecca Abrams author of ‘Licoricia of Winchester: Power and Prejudice in Mediaeval England’, on why Licoricia’s story is so important.
Brit-award winning singer-songwriter Kate Nash, known for her expressive and honest lyrics sung in a North London accent, is coming to venues again very soon. She's got a tour, a fifth album and even a musical coming out this year. You may have seen her in the series, GLOW on Netflix based on the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling from the 1980s and she's got a new single, 'Imperfect' out tomorrow along with a new video in the theme of 'Galantine's Day.' She joins Emma live from LA to talk all about releasing new music and learning how to wrestle.
Boris Johnson has just made Samantha Jones the most powerful woman in No. 10. No, not the Sex and City character but a former nurse and NHS boss who has been hired as the Prime Minister's first 'Chief Operating Officer'. This is part of the reform of Downing Street he promised after Sue Gray's report on the so-called partygate scandal was released last week. In this new post, Samantha Jones will apparently examine how Number 10 is run and help set up the Office of the Prime Minister. Emma is joined by Rosa Prince, Editor of The House - which is Parliament's magazine - to find out more about her and the role.
Last week’s Levelling Up white paper has promised a devolution deal to every part of England that wishes to have one by 2030. But what impact has devolution had on female political representation? We discuss with Jemima Olchawski, Chief Executive of the Fawcett Society and Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, the only female metro mayor in England and Jackie Weaver, Chief Officer of the Cheshire Association of Local Councils.
Sculpture of Licorcia by Ian Rank Broadley.
Yesterday the Prime Minister signalled his determination to lift all remaining COVID rules in England two weeks from today on February 24th. It would mean people wouldn't have to isolate if they have covid, even though that would still be recommended. Today’s Nick Robinson spoke to Professor Melinda Mills, Head of the Department of Sociology at Oxford University and member of the sub-group of SAGE, SPI-B. Also on the programme was Jonathan Neame, Chief Executive of Shepherds Neame pub chain. While the proposed changes would only apply to England, the programme heard from BBC Wales correspondent Hywel Griffith and BBC Scotland correspondent Jamie McIver about the potential for easing restrictions there. Finally, Today’s Martha Kearney spoke to Humza Yousaf, the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care in the Scottish Government, after the SNP called the PM’s proposal to end self-isolation ‘bizarre’.
(Image Credit: Press Association)
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss one of the most celebrated thinkers of the twentieth century. Walter Benjamin (1892-1940) was a German Jewish philosopher, critic, historian, an investigator of culture, a maker of radio programmes and more. Notably, in his Arcades Project, he looked into the past of Paris to understand the modern age and, in The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction, examined how the new media of film and photography enabled art to be politicised, and politics to become a form of art. The rise of the Nazis in Germany forced him into exile, and he worked in Paris in dread of what was to come; when his escape from France in 1940 was blocked at the Spanish border, he took his own life.
With
Esther Leslie Professor of Political Aesthetics at Birkbeck, University of London
Kevin McLaughlin Dean of the Faculty and Professor of English, Comparative Literature and German Studies at Brown University
And
Carolin Duttlinger Professor of German Literature and Culture at the University of Oxford
Producer: Simon Tillotson
Lucy Ash catches up with a warzone bakery comforting people in an east Ukrainian town. She visited in 2017 to tell the story of a small enterprise that was bringing hope to a trapped community living near the frontline. The town of Marinka is in the buffer zone – the ‘grey zone’ - that separates Ukraine from the Dontesk region – now claimed and occupied by Russian backed separatists. For the town’s inhabitants the low-intensity conflict had become an unavoidable part of daily life. But there was one bright spot amidst the gloom – a bakery. It was Ukraine’s first frontline workplace-generating enterprise, and a haven from the politics, propaganda, and violence that had been tearing the town apart. But now, more than four years on, with Russian troops now massing along Ukraine’s eastern border, the threat of all out conflict looms. The bakery’s owner Oleg Tkachenko tells Lucy Ash he hopes there will not be an all out conflict. He fears an invasion could destroy everything that he and his community have built up over the past five years.
(Image: Workers in the bakery in Marinka. Credit: Frederick Paxton)
Schoolgirls demonstrations spread to the rest of the country and beyond. Also: trouble for the Premier League footballer who kicked his cat, and Jamaica's bobsleigh team braves the cold at the Winter Olympics once again
The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet leaders of the "Quad" grouping, a US-led bloc which includes Australia, Japan and India, to shore up Indo-Pacific partnerships in the face of China's growing power. We get analysis from Cleo Paskal, Associate Fellow at Chatham House. The Dutch central bank said it "deeply regrets" its founders' role in the slave trade. We get reaction from Linda Nooitmeer, chair of the National Institute for the History and Legacy of Dutch Slavery. And we look at what's happening on the US-Canada border where the ongoing vaccine protests first started. Truck drivers have blocked the most important commercial crossing, Ambassador Bridge. We get the latest from Nate Tabak who's been covering the story.
European scientists say they have made a major breakthrough in their quest to develop practical nuclear fusion - the energy process that powers the stars. If it’s successfully recreated on Earth it holds out the potential of unlimited supplies of low-carbon energy.
Also on the programme: A prominent Ugandan author, charged with insulting the President ,has fled the country in fear of his life; and world leaders are under pressure to come up with an agreement to protect the world's oceans.
(Picture: The JET reactor. Credit: UKAEA)
Breast cancer makes up a third of all cancer diagnoses for black women and for those with the most common type of cancer, ER-positive (estrogen or oestrogen positive) cancers, black women are 42% more likely to die of the disease than white women. The reasons for these disparities are complex and include socio-economic factors and racism. There is also a historical absence of samples from black women in research databases and lack of inclusion in clinical trials. Researchers at Stanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute at La Jolla, California in the US have discovered significant differences at the molecular level which could explain some of the disparities. In research published in the journal, Therapeutic Advances in Medical Oncology, Dr Svasti Haricharan and her team found significant differences in black women in the all-important DNA damage repair genes, the proteins which form our body’s first line of defence against damage to our DNA. Dr Haricharan tells Marnie Chesterton that these findings have real-world implications for the treatments black women should be offered and when.
GP Dr Ann Robinson joins Marnie to discuss a new study which suggests people with high blood pressure who take paracetamol on prescription, could be increasing their risk of heart attacks and strokes. University of Edinburgh researchers published in the journal, Circulation, trial results which suggest that although taking the painkiller for headaches and fever is safe, doctors should think twice about the risks and benefits to patients taking it over many months. The trial tracked volunteers, two-thirds of whom were taking drugs for high blood pressure, or hypertension. Paracetamol, the results showed, increased blood pressure, which is one of the most important risk factors for heart attacks and strokes.
Group B Streptococcus is an infection which causes almost 100,000 new-born deaths, at least 46,000 stillbirths, and significant long-term disability for babies around the world. The bacterium is harmless for most pregnant women who carry it, it can be extremely serious when it passes to babies during pregnancy, childbirth or in the early weeks of life. James Gallagher reports on the merits of testing for Group B Strep and talks to Professor of Obstetrics at the University of Nottingham in the UK about a large, randomised controlled trial she is leading which will provide much-needed evidence about how best to protect babies from this dangerous infection.
And Dr Ann Robinson shares with Marnie new ...
The lawyer for prominent Ugandan author Kakwenza Rukirabashaija, who has accused the authorities of torturing him while he was in detention for insulting the president and his son, confirms that he has fled the country.
The International Court of Justice has ordered Uganda to pay the Democratic Republic of Congo $325m in reparations for atrocities committed between 1998 and 2003.
And after more than a decade battling it out in the courts, a South African inventor has finally won a legal battle against mobile phone company Vodacom, over a messaging service he created.
Adam Shaw, listeners and experts look at the recently announced energy cap measures and discuss their impact.
The Dutch central bank said it "deeply regrets" its founders' role in the slave trade. Dr Joris van den Tol conducted an independent review into the issue, and discusses the review's findings. Also in the programme, Japanese car giant Toyota says it will make 500,000 fewer vehicles this year than previously planned, as a result of a shortage of semiconductors for its cars. David Leggett is automotive editor at Global Data, and explains the implications. As the cost of living rises rapidly in America, so has the use of gifting platforms such as the BuyNothing project. It is one of a number of schemes that help people give away things they no longer need, as the BBC's Michelle Fleury reports. Plus, the Indian industrialist Gautam Adani has become Asia's richest person, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. The BBC's Archana Shukla tells us how Mr Adani made his money.
The Service Station King is back! But, where is he? Plus, Scott & Chris are thrilled at their besty Becky Hill winning a Brit and Amy presents some Kazoo covers in the quiz.
Martin has all the information you need to try to keep your bills in check. Plus he finds out how you’ve used your jobs to save money.
The possibility of almost unlimited carbon-free energy is brought a step closer. Also: British lawmakers find leaving the European Union has so far been harmful to trade, and pressure grows for a footballer to be censured after he's caught kicking his cat.
(Photo: A handout photo made available by the Belarusian Defence Ministry's press service shows tanks of the Belarus Armed Forces during a military exercise at the Brestsky training ground near Brest, Belarus, 03 February 2022. The joint military exercises of the armed forces of Russia and Belarus "Allied Resolve - 2022" will be held from February 10 to 20. EPA/BELARUSIAN DEFENCE MINISTRY PRESS SERVICE)
The Brits gets reviewed by the people that weren’t there, the nation’s musicians unite for The Sweet Talkestra and Greg has real trouble explaining the show to some school kids.
Marian Keyes writes funny, clever novels about the tough stuff in life. Her books feature addiction, break-ups, poor mental health with women at the heart and lots of good men as well. Her new novel Again, Rachel revisits Rachel Walsh whose story of recovery from addiction was told in the 1997 novel Rachel's Holiday. 25 years later Rachel has come full circle and is now working at the rehab facility where she got into recovery all those years ago. Marian joins Emma to explain how her own experience of addiction and recovery shapes the stories she tells and why happy endings are so important to her.
Voice messages left on a crisis hotline ignored for six weeks. More self-harm incidents than any other women's prison. Violence high and a regime that's uncaring and punitive. These are the findings of an inspectorate report out today into Foston Hall, a women's prison in Derbyshire. Four other women's prisons in England have recently been inspected too. Across the board, self-harm has increased in women's prisons during the pandemic, much more than in men's prisons. Emma is joined by Sandra Fieldhouse who leads on women's prisons for Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons.
The crypto art marketplace has taken off over the past couple of years - with some pieces raking in millions - but surprise, surprise, it is nearly as male-dominated as traditional auction sales. For some female artists though, it has been life-changing. That is especially the case for the Scottish artist Anna Louise Simpson, a divorced mother of two, who is with us this morning. We are also joined by Micol Ap who runs VerticalCrypto Art, a media hub and studio dedicated to NFT art.
For the last week, the media has been full of the aftermath of the Prime Minister's remarks to the Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer - that he had failed to prosecute Jimmy Savile for sexual assault while Director of Public Prosecutions. A claim that is false, but was seized upon by a group of people who surrounded Starmer on Monday evening. But how has all of this affected Savile's many victims? We hear from one of them, Dee Coles, who told us how outraged she was, and how upset. Emma speaks to Maggie Oliver, a former detective who now runs the Maggie Oliver Foundation which helps victims and survivors of sexual abuse.
"Disgraceful" misogyny, discrimination, bullying and sexual harassment have been discovered within the ranks of the Met Police by the police watchdog. Officers were found to have joked about rape and exchanged offensive social media messages, leading to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to make 15 recommendations. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick has been put "on notice" by the Mayor of London after "shocking" behaviour by some officers was found.
Today's Mishal Husain speaks to London Mayor Sadiq Khan about what the commissioner must do now to tackle these issues.
(Image credit: EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA)
The Oscar nominations included one for Lin-Manuel Miranda for a song from the Disney animated film, Encanto. He’s also the man behind the musical 'Hamilton' who has just directed a film for the first time - which produced a best actor Oscar nomination for Andrew Garfield. It’s called Tick Tick Boom and is based on the story of Jonathan Larsen, who wrote the musical Rent but died on its opening night in 1996. Today’s Mishal Husain spoke to Lin-Manuel Miranda about Larsen's influence on his work.
(Image Credit: Getty)
网友小郁同学想知道 “emotional、sentimental” 和 “sensitive” 这三个形容词的区别。它们都可以谈论人的情感或情绪，但用法不同。哪个词用来表达一个人 “情绪激动”？“多愁善感” 用英语怎么说？“敏感肤质” 中的 “敏感” 用哪个词？本期节目为你一一道来。
Meanwhile Russia deploys assault ships to the Ukrainian coast; US justice department arrests a couple on suspicion of laundering over 3.6 billion dollars worth of bitcoin and scientists say having more sleep at night could help you lose weight.
Professor Arun Advani discusses one-off taxes after oil companies post massive profits.
Following his talks with the Russian and Ukrainian presidents, the French leader said their willingness to resolve the separatist conflict in eastern Ukraine by implementing the stalled Minsk accords was the only way to ease the current crisis.
Also on the programme: Over 900,000 deaths and counting, why is the US Covid death rate so much higher than in other rich countries? And the retired Pope Benedict admits to "errors in the handling of child abuse cases" before he became Pontiff, when he was the Archbishop of Munich.
(Picture: President Zelensky of Ukraine and Macron of France. Credit: Reuters)
Amendments to the Elections Bill are making their way through Parliament at the moment. They are not yet set in stone, but they include some significant changes to our rights to a fully independent and secret vote at polling stations. The RNIB have raised their concerns surrounding the wording of these proposed amendments; they think it will water down our protections and assurances to a secret vote and they have issued an online petition. We speak to the Chair of the RNIB, Anna Tylor and also to Rachael Andrews, who initiated (and won) a high court ruling that the current accessibility provisions for blind and partially sighted people at polling stations is unlawful.
A new educational astronomy project, called Audio Universe, has been launched by the universities of Newcastle and Portsmouth. It's a guided tour of our galaxy, and its aim is to allow people full access to the wonders of the universe, and to encourage visually impaired people to become keen amateur astronomers, or even contemplate a career in astronomy. They've done this by turning the light from objects in space into sounds so that blind and partially sighted people can hear, spatially, where different planets and stars are located within our galaxy. We hear some of the project, we speak to two youngsters who have experienced the Audio Universe and also to blind astronomer Dr Nic Bonne, who is also the expert tour guide in the project. We also speak to Rachel Lambert, a teacher for visually impaired children and the space ship's captain.
The music in the project is by Dr Leigh Harrison, the sound design is by Dr Chris Harrison of Newcastle University and Dr James Trayford of the University of Portsmouth.
Presenter: Peter White Producer: Beth Hemmings Production Coordinator: Liz Poole
Website image description: pictured is planet Earth and other distant stars in our galaxy. The image shows these from outer space. In the top left is a series of bright blue stars, surrounded by smaller stars that are less bright and more distant. In the foreground is Earth, with half of it in darkness. In the top right is a series of bright red stars, which perhaps represent other planets or large stars.
Télécoms Sans Frontières has sent satellite kits to Tonga to improve connectivity on the islands following the volcanic eruption. Before the pandemic TSF would have immediately deployed to Tonga after it went dark, but strict quarantine rules limit what they can do. As their engineers can’t go out, they’ve had to adapt the equipment they send so that it can be set up on the island. Their kit is now out of quarantine and should be deployed imminently and will eventually bring internet connectivity to the smaller islands where people are still completely cut off. TSF Regional Manager Sebastien Latouille also tells us in the podcast about their latest deployment to Madagascar following Cyclone Batsirai.
Could NFT protect our health data? If you think NFT’s (non-fungible tokens) are just the new way to buy art then think again as they could be the way to secure our medical data. Once our medical information is digitised into an electronic health record we have no control over what is done with it. Writing in the journal Science, Prof Kristin Konstick-Quenet, suggests that NFTs could provide a way to secure ownership over the management of digital information using blockchain technology. However, will the companies who currently monetise our medical records be willing to give up access to it? Legislation will be necessary if we are to have any control over our own health data.
Enhanced Audio Description Reporter Fern Lulham begins her first in a series of reports into the latest disability tech looking at audio descriptions of films and TV shows. There's plenty of evidence to show that despite the draw of social media and endless other activities, watching telly or going to the cinema remain extremely popular. In the UK for example, figures tell us that even before the pandemic, people spent an average of just over three hours a day watching TV, And since the mid -80s, visits to the cinema had risen quite dramatically to well over 150 million a year before Covid19 restrictions kicked in. But how accessible are these media if you're blind or visually impaired?
The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell with expert commentary from Ghislaine Boddington.
Studio Manager: Bob Nettles Producer: Ania Lichtarowicz
(Image: Aftermath of volcanic eruption and Tsunami in Tonga. Credit: Malau Media/via Reuters)
Pan-African lawyers have told the AU to prioritise Ethiopia's civil war, accusing the Government of atrocities against Tigrayans and calling for dialogue; 13 million people across Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia are at risk of famine due to pervasive drought; Mauritius sends a research boat to the disputed Chagos Islands, also known as Africa's last British colony; And we take a look at how the technology behind some Covid-19 vaccines is being replicated in South Africa and how it could help find a jab against HIV.
Creator and star of Starstruck is here for weird facts that you really should have known before and Small Things – BIG Trouble! Times when you were told off at work for something very petty.
Chris calls Amy’s favourite restaurant and pretends to not know what a tomato is. Jimmy the Italian is “totally Shocked”. Also, Katie and Tom play Brother or Lover? And we remember when Chris embarrassed Scott on the tube whilst on the way to the Brits.
President Macron of France -- on a visit to Ukraine -- says there can be a concrete solution to the crisis in relations with Russia. We hear from Ukrainian MP Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze.
Also in the programme: Zemmour's quest for 500 votes; and collusion in Northern Ireland.
(Picture: French President Macron in Kiev. Credit: EPA/Thibault Camus)
Seeking to counter a microchip shortage, the EU unveiled a plan to boost manufacturing. Some $49bn in subsidies are proposed to try and ensure 20% of the world's microchips are produced in Europe by 2030. Jan-Peter Kleinhans from technology think tank SNV in Berlin assesses whether that is a realistic target. Also in the programme, the oil giant BP has posted $12.8bn in profits for the past year, its highest level for eight years. It has led to calls for a windfall tax on oil companies in the United Kingdom, as we hear from Tom Wilson, senior energy correspondent at the Financial Times. The BBC's Justin Rowlatt reports on new technologies that might help mitigate the environmental impact of so-called 'fast fashion', which are clothes that often end up in landfill. Plus, we explore the potential for robot cats and dogs, designed to interact with their owners, including mimicking their heartbeats and breathing, with Ted Fischer, co-founder of Ageless Innovation which is behind the devices.
UN's World Food Programme says Covid and conflict make the impact of the drought worse in Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya. The WFP is asking for more than three hundred million dollars in aid after three rainy seasons failed to materialise. Also: Jewish worshippers go undercover at Jersualem's Al- Aqsa Mosque, and China's American-born snow princess takes gold - but no politics, please.
في هذه الحلقة من بي بي سي إكسترا: - هل من المقبول عمل المرأة ليلاً؟ - تنامي حالات الإتجار بالبشر في العراق خلال عام 2021. - رحيل سيد القمني المفكر المصري المثير للجدل. - قرار بفصل موظفين في ألمانيا على خلفية معاداة السامية . إكسترا مع هالة صالح.
New analysis says that almost 300,000 people were unable to see a cancer specialist within two weeks of an urgent referral between April and November last year. The research, which used information from the House of Commons library and was commissioned by the Labour Party, found that more than 90,000 of those breaches were for people who may have breast cancer. As the Prime Minister promises new targets to tackle the backlog, Chief Executive of Breast Cancer Now, Baroness Delyth Morgan explains what this means for breast cancer patients.
Have you ever felt like you wanted to scream from the top of your lungs? You’d be in good company. Last month, a group of Massachusetts mothers in the US decided to get all their pandemic frustrations off their chests by shouting in a group in the middle of a football field. It has inspired others women around the US to do the same. Could this craze come to the UK? Behaviour and data scientist, Professor Pragya Agarwal, decided to start screaming with her daughters during lockdown. Dr Rebecca Semmens-Wheeler explains why it might feel good but might not be the healthiest way of feeling better.
A new BBC Three documentary presented by reporter Ashley John-Baptiste explores sibling separation in the UK care system. What is the impact for a child in foster care to be separated from their sisters or brothers? Rachel Musekiwa and Keilagh Brinkley are two young women who were both separated from their siblings in care. They tell us their experiences.
A new all-female sketch show called Lazy Susan premiered this month on BBC Three and iPlayer. The series features some hilarious new characters from the comedy duo Freya Parker and Celeste Drin, alongside some of those best-loved from their stage shows. Unique and powerful women, like this pair of comedians, are taking over comedy from every direction. That's according to the Director of BBC Comedy, Shane Allen, who says: “Five years ago there were still articles asking where all the funny women were." Freya and Celeste join Emma
Presenter: Emma Barnett Producer: Kirsty Starkey
Interviewed Guest: Baroness Delyth Morgan Interviewed Guest: Professor Pragya Agarwal Interviewed Guest: Dr Rebecca Semmens-Wheeler Interviewed Guest: Rachel Musekiwa Interviewed Guest: Keliagh Brinkley Interviewed Guest: Freya Parker Interviewed Guest: Celeste Drin
Boris Johnson is facing fresh calls from Tory MPs to say sorry for his comments about Sir Keir Starmer's failure to prosecute Jimmy Savile, after the Labour leader was targeted by protestors near Parliament on Monday. In footage posted online, demonstrators can be heard shouting "paedophile protector". The false claim about Jimmy Savile was made last week by Boris Johnson as he responded to the initial findings of an inquiry into lockdown parties in Downing Street. The Prime Minister said the behaviour directed at Sir Keir last night was "absolutely disgraceful".
Today's Nick Robinson speaks to Brendan Cox, co-founder of Survivors Against Terror whose wife Jo Cox was murdered in her constituency of Batley and Spen in 2016. He also speaks to Conservative minister Chris Philp MP and Philip Grindell, the police officer who set up the team responsible for MPs security following the Labour MP Jo Cox’s murder.
(Image credit: Victoria Jones/PA Wire)
主持人 Neil 家附近的咖啡店要求顾客自己煮咖啡。这听起来很荒唐吧？假如你遇到了一件非常荒谬可笑的事情，让你难以置信，可以如何用英语表达？听对话，学习一个地道实用的日常口语表达。
Sex is everywhere – in popular music and TV programmes, in toothpaste adverts and on social media. Yet in real life, regular sex no longer seems to be such a big priority for people in their 20s. Research in countries including Britain, the United States and Japan has shown that young people are having less sex than previous generations. Twenty-one-year-old student Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty talks to people her own age to find out why. From "situationships" to “demi-sexual” or “homo-romantic asexual”, Anoushka discovers the different ways young people are navigating relationships.
Both sides say the talks between Presidents Putin and Macron in Moscow were constructive. President Biden and Germany's Chancellor Scholz have also been meeting in Washington. Also: a state of emergency grips the Canadian capital; and the Razzies nominations are out for the worst films of 2021.
Diplomatic efforts to reduce the risk of conflict in Ukraine intensify. Meanwhile the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, has flown to Washington speak to Joe Biden.
Also on the programme, Israel's government says it will set up a commission of inquiry to examine allegations that the police used the Pegasus spyware to hack the phones of Israeli public figures without authorisation. And we hear about new spinal implant, developed in Switzerland, which has allowed a man who was completely paralysed to walk again.
(Picture: President Putin and President Macron in Moscow. Credit: Reuters)
Dr Kevin Fong convenes a panel of astronautical minds to discuss the next decade or two of space exploration.
2021 was an eventful year in space. Captain James Kirk a.k.a William Shatner popped into space for real for a couple of minutes, transported by space company Blue Origin's tourist rocket New Shepard. Elon Musk's Space X ferried more astronauts and supplies between Earth and the International Space Station, using its revolutionary resuable launchers and Dragon spacecraft. On Mars, the latest NASA robot rover landed and released an autonomous helicopter - the first aircraft to fly on another planet.
2022 promises even more. Most significantly NASA plans to launch the first mission of its Artemis programme. This will be an uncrewed flight of its new deep space vehicle Orion to the Moon, propelled off the Earth by its new giant rocket, the Space Launch System. Artemis is the American space agency's project to return astronauts to the lunar surface and later establish moon bases. China has a similar ambition.
Are we at the beginning of a new space age and if so, how have we got here? When will we see boots on the Moon again? Could we even see the first people on Mars by the end of this decade? Even in cautious NASA, some are optimistic about this.
Kevin's three guests are:
Dr Mike Barratt, one of NASA's most senior astronauts and a medical doctor, based at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas Dr Anita Sengupta, Research Associate Professor in Astronautical Engineering at the University of Southern California Oliver Morton, Briefings editor at The Economist and the author of 'Mapping Mars' and 'The Moon'
Producer: Andrew Luck-Baker
Judges in Tunisia are barred from work after President Saied announced the dissolution of the Supreme Judiciary Council; There's been another gun attack in Guinea Bissau. This time a private radio station is in the target; The president of Malawi lays out his plan for eliminating corruption in the country; Aid agencies describe the extent of the damage wreaked by cyclones investing Madagascar. The latest, cyclone Batsirai, has claimed so far the lives of at least ten people; And we look at the crashing impact that a new illegal drug is having on the lives of some young Sierra Leoneans.
في إكسترا اليوم ننقل صوت بعض ضحايا الختان في مصر والسودان ونسأل إن كان الترميم سيساعدهن على ممارسة حياة طبيعية. ونسافر إلى مدغشقر التي ضربها إعصار باتسيراي لنسأل عن الأوضاع هناك، كما نسأل عن سبب الجدل حول شخصية الأمير عبد القادر الجزائري بعد تشويه نصب تذكاري له في فرنسا ونعرف إلى أين وصلت حملة التشجير في تونس. حلقة اليوم من تقديم ياسمين أبو خضرا.
The New Climate Institute argues a host of big firms are not meeting climate commitments. Thomas Day was lead author of the institute's report, and discusses its findings. Also in the programme, prices for goods and services are rising sharply all over the world. The BBC's Tamasin Ford explores some of the factors behind the rises, and hears why it is often the poorest in society who are impacted the most. Following the death of Indian singer Lata Mangeshkar, schools and offices in her home city of Mumbai were shut today, along with banks and financial markets. The BBC's Archana Shukla reports from Mumbai. Plus, when it first streamed in China, the film Fight Club had its ending censored, but following an outcry the original has now been restored. We get reaction from entertainment journalist Caroline Frost.
Intensive diplomatic efforts are continuing to calm tensions between Western powers and Russia over Ukraine. The French president, Emmanuel Macron, will hold talks in Moscow with President Putin.
Also in the programme: EU leaders criticised for loose vaccine talk; and are global companies overstating their green credentials?
(Picture: French President Emmanuel Macron gestures at the Informal Meeting of Ministers for Home Affairs in Tourcoing, France. Credit: REUTERS)
The French President says a deal to avoid conflict is possible. Also: Firefighters in Kenya battle a huge blaze in the famous Aberdare National Park, and a paralysed man who beat the odds twice - first he walked, then he became a dad.
More mahem that Greg's dad could only describe as "Loopy". Includes: graduation blushes in Everyone's Rubbish, mischeivous pranks on Rob's friend Bambi and some extra fast fiddling from Roberts for the Sweet Talkestra.
Imagine finding out the love of your life never existed. Donna McLean first heard about undercover cops having relationships with female activists in 2010 when Mark Kennedy, an undercover police officer who had spent years pretending to be an environmental campaigner, was unmasked. She didn’t realise until years later she was also a victim of the Spy Cops scandal. Over 40 years, British police officers were sent undercover to infiltrate left-wing activist groups. Over 30 women, so far, have found out the men they fell in love were actually spying on them. In 2015 a message from an old friend turned Donna’s life upside down. She found out the 2 year long relationship she’d had with locksmith Carlo was in fact a lie. He was an undercover police officer. She has written a memoir Small Town Girl: Love, Lies and The Undercover Police.
You may have heard the term 'pregnant people' being used in place of 'pregnant women'. It's intended to be inclusive of trans men and nonbinary people who are having a baby. Today a global group of women's health experts publish an article in the journal Frontiers of Global Women's Health, arguing that there are unintended consequences to shifting the language of reproduction in this way. They say these include compromising the accuracy of some medical research and results, and the dehumanisation of women by using terms that refer to them only by body part or function - for example 'cervix haver' or 'birth-giver'. Jenny Gamble, Professor of Midwifery at Coventry University, is one of the co-authors of the article and joins Emma.
6 million people in England are on waiting lists for non-urgent operations and procedures. It is an all-time high with 1 in 20 of those having waited over a year for treatment, while eighteen and a half thousand people have been waiting more than two years. On Monday the government was expected to unveil its National Recovery Plan for the NHS. However, the plan is on hold amid reports of a disagreement about the cost within Whitehall. Only one part of it, a new online platform called My Planned Care, is now being unveiled. This will allow people needing non-urgent surgery to get information about waiting times.
Today's Nick Robinson speaks to Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive of the NHS Confederation, as well as Sajid Javid, Health Secretary.
(Image credit: CAIA IMAGE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY)
Germany's new Chancellor Olaf Scholz is travelling to the United States for his first face to face meeting with President Biden. He is under pressure from both domestic rivals & international allies in his response so far to the crisis involving Ukraine, with accusations that Germany is putting its energy needs ahead of protecting Ukraine from an invasion. Presenter Will Bain speaks to Kristine Berzina from the German Marshall Fund think tank in Washington. Also we catch up with regular economic commentator Michael Hughes as inflation concerns continue to reverberate around the world. And Russell Padmore reports on the Chinese defence and aerospace industry, asking why more Chinese developed technology isn't being snapped up by keen buyers elsewhere.
In 1978 a Japanese film crew came to 11-year-old Tudur Owen’s farm on Anglesey to make a programme about his life for a TV show called Children of the World. Then a Patagonian gaucho turned up. As did a man claiming to be a geology student called Hector. But were they all what they seemed?
Written and narrated by Tudur Owen with additional voices from Lisa-Jên Brown, Richard Harrington, Gwenno Hodgkins and Yuriko Kotani.
Script editor: Gareth Gwynn Production co-ordinator: Katie Baum Sound design: David Thomas Producer: Richard Morris
A BBC Studios Production
The Bollywood star beloved by Indians around the world is cremated with full state honours. Also: North Korea funding missile projects with stolen cryptocurrency, and the future of Neighbours -- the Australian soap opera is under threat after being dropped by a UK television network.
James Naughtie and a group of readers talk to Stacey Halls about her novel The Foundling, set in 18th century London. It's the story of Bess, who gives up her new born baby to the Foundling Hospital. When Bess returns six years later to claim her child, she finds that her daughter has been taken by someone else. Stacey answers listener questions about motherhood; her research; the sights and smells of Georgian London and writing from the point of view of two women, who are both fighting for the same child.
Our March guest on Bookclub is Sarah Moss, talking about The Tidal Zone. Do read along with us.
To find out about future guests click Take Part In A Recording on our website.
The United Nations children’s agency has condemned the continuing detention of children in a Syrian prison attacked by fighters from the Islamic State group last month. Unicef has just visited the jail and says the conditions facing children there are 'precarious'.
Also in the programme: Senegal beat Egypt on penalties to win the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time; and we hear from the AU Special Envoy on Youth.
(Photo: US soldiers along with Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) take part in a mop-up operation in Hasaka, northeastern Syria on 29 January 2022. The US-backed Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) announced that they had retaken full control of Ghwayran prison in the city of Hasaka and re-arrested dozens of jihadists holed up in the prison and in nearby houses, after a major jailbreak attempt from the so-called Islamic State group (IS or ISIS) militants. Credit: EPA/Stringer)
Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh le Ruairidh MacIlleathain. Litir àireamh 1177. Roddy Maclean reads this week's letter for Gàidhlig learners.
Madagascar's environment minister says Cyclone Batsirai -- which is making its way across the island -- has displaced tens of thousands of people and destroyed many buildings
Batsirai is the second major storm to hit the island in less than two weeks. Gusts have hit speeds of 235km/h and high waves battered coastal areas.
Also in the programme: Large crowds have gathered in Mumbai for the funeral of one of India's greatest ever singing stars, Lata Mangeshkar, who has died at the age of 92; and we'll speak to the first woman to referee an Africa Cup of Nations football match.
(Photo shows locals removing mud from a damaged road following a landslide, as Cyclone Batsirai hits Madagascar, in Haute Matsiatra region, Madagascar Credit: Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters)
Women working to help communities caught up in Ethiopia’s brutal war talk about the immense challenges they face on the ground, and we hear the story of "Tsega", who was brutally attacked after she was forced to flee from her home. A co-production by BBC and Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security.
Peter Francis has been the Warden of Gladstone’s Library at Hawarden in Flintshire for twenty-five years. Built in memory of the great Victorian prime minister, today it’s Britain’s only residential library. With over 200, 000 books, reading rooms and ‘Writer-in-Residence’ schemes, in the present day it’s a place for retreat, reflection and a home for the intellectually curious.
Peter Francis is also an Anglican Priest. Throughout his career, from his ministry as a chaplain in the East End of London to Provost of St Mary’s Cathedral in Glasgow, he’s pursued a vision of an inclusive church. He’s a person who has always questioned orthodoxy, and has been closely involved with the movement for the ordination of women. This questioning has led him to great soul searching, and today he holds an understanding of Christianity without supernatural elements. He tells his story in a new book called ‘The Widening Circle of Us: a Theological Memoir.’
A new statue has been created honouring a medieval Jewish businesswoman thought to have been a victim of 13th century hate crime. Licoricia of Winchester was a money lender whose wealth contributed to the building of Westminster Abbey and helped bankroll three English kings. She was murdered at a time of widespread anti-Semitism and campaigners hope a new statue in her hometown will serve as a powerful reminder of the history of prejudices that still exist today.
Hundreds of churches in the UK are preparing to welcome Christians who are moving to this country from Hong Kong. The Home Office expects as many as 300,000 to make the journey in the next year. They're making the difficult decision to leave Hong Kong after the introduction of a controversial new National Security Law, which critics say is eroding freedoms. Danny Vincent reports from Hong Kong.
Michael Gove has called for "Christian forgiveness" to be shown to anyone who shows contrition for attending Downing Street parties during lockdown. Forgiveness is central to the Christian faith, but what does it mean to forgive someone and how is our individual forgiveness affected by the nature, or indeed sincerity, of the apology? Does forgiveness require repentance? Edward Stourton explores the theology and mechanics of forgiveness with Rev George Pitcher, visiting fellow at LSE and Anglican vicar and Rabbi Debbie Young-Somers from Edgeware and Hendon Reform Synagogue
Photo Copyright - Ian Rank Broadley,
Producers: Carmel Lonergan Jonathan Hallewell
Editor: Tim Pemberton
Solving the science questions you've been sending in, Naked Scientist Julia Ravey talk astrophysics, black holes, shrinking squid and ways to bust anxiety.
Queen Elizabeth wants Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, to be known as Queen Consort when Prince Charles becomes king. Also: tragic end for boy trapped in Moroccan well, and second storm in weeks hits Madagascar.
Four journalists were killed in Mexico in January, the most violent month for the profession in a decade. The surge in attacks against media workers has left vast swaths of the country in an information blackout.
Also in the programme: Rescue workers have emerged from a tunnel carrying a five-year-old boy who fell on a 32 metre well on Tuesday; and as western governments and NATO line up against Russia, President Putin has been strengthening ties with China.
(Photo: Members of the press protest to reject violence against their colleagues.Credit: EPA).
Two women with no previous rowing experience have smashed the world record for the fastest female pair to row across the Atlantic. We hear from Jessica Oliver and Charlotte Harris who rowed 3000 miles over 45 days in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, battling 30 ft waves, sharks and sleep deprivation. Photo credit Atlantic Campaigns
Vile text messages have come to light which were shared between police officers belonging to the Metropolitan Police. The IOPC has said: "We believe these incidents are not isolated or simply the behaviour of a few 'bad apples'." The Met has said that it is 'sorry'. We hear reaction from Zoe Billingham, former Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary. And we hear from listener Amanda,. Her son, George, is planning to join the Police later this year and she is worried but he is determined to be part of the change.
Big investment firms are missing out on up to 2.37 trillion pounds of potential investment because of their poor record in attracting female investors. That was a warning this week from the giant investment bank BNY Mellon, which revealed only 28% of women feel confident in investing their money. Anne-Marie McConnon is the bank's chief client experience officer, and she tells us more about their findings. She’s joined by Sarah Turner the founder of Angel Academe, a network for mostly-female angel investors.
Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Dianne McGregor
The chair of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, has opened a summit in Ethiopia with a call for greater cooperation to tackle political instability, following several recent military coups.
Also in the programme: In Morocco the attempt to rescue a five year old boy who's been trapped down a deep well for several days has captivated the country and the wider Arab world; and Philosophy Professor, Olufemi Taiwo, argues that reparations for what he calls "global racial empire" are closely linked to climate justice and should focus less on the past and present and more on remaking the world.
(Photo: Heads of states and delegates pose for the group photo during the 35th ordinary session of the Assembly of the African Union at the African Union Commission headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 5 February 2022. Credit: Reuters/Tiksa Negeri)
Former Nottingham Forest, Southampton and Sheffield Wednesday footballer David Prutton, broadcaster Dougie Anderson, Chaser Jenny Ryan and comedian Eddie Kadi, join Colin Murray for an hour of sporting punditry, humour and entertainment. Points are awarded for informed comment, wit and passion, but taken away for nonsense and answers lacking in conviction.
In the final round, the top two points scorers go head-to-head in 'Defend the Indefensible' where they must both defend a statement however ludicrous or distasteful for twenty seconds. There can only be one winner!
Get the podcast from BBC Sounds.
A 54% increase in the energy price cap means a huge rise in what your provider can charge you to heat your home, keep the lights on and cook your food. The UK Government’s stepped in to help – many households will get several hundred pounds to lessen the bill shock. But what are the details about who exactly gets that money and how people can access it, what about households on low incomes and how does help vary across the UK? We put listener questions to a panel of experts to find out.
A Court of Appeal judgement has huge implications for the plumber who is now owed £74,000 in holiday pay after the court agreed he was an employee as opposed to being a self-employed worker. But beyond one person being showered with money what are the wider implications for workers’ rights? We examine this case, where it might go from here and what it means for other people in similar situations.
And as Britain’s biggest bank offers one of the lowest rates around for a 10-year fixed-rate mortgage we examine the state of the mortgage market.
Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Chris Flynn Producer: Dan Whitworth Researcher: Sandra Hardial Editor: Emma Rippon
عقبنشینی دمکراسی در سراسر جهان مشهود است اما به ویژه در خاورمیانه و نواحی اطراف آن است که خیزشهای آزادیخواهانه فروکش کردهاند و نیروهای اقتدارگرا غالب شدهاند. چرا؟
Willow Weep for Me by Ella Fitzgerald and Vivaldi's Spring III recomposed by Max Richter
The Winter Games are officially underway as Beijing becomes the first city to host both the summer and winter Olympics. Host Karnie Sharp brings us a conversation between two competitors, who are from countries that don’t traditionally send large teams to snow sports.
Manon Ouaiss is the only woman on the three person Lebanon team while Ornella Oettl Reyes is the sole member, and flag bearer, for Peru. Both are alpine skiers and both are aware of the importance of sending a positive message to those who are cheering them on from the countries they represent.
These Games are impacted by the Covid pandemic and by politics. Several countries have declared diplomatic boycotts over China’s alleged human rights abuses. One protest concerns the treatment of the Muslim Uyghur population. While China denies any human rights violations, we hear from three Uyghur exiles and activists living in Germany, Australia and Switzerland. They discuss their objection to these Games.
The Winter Games are officially underway as Beijing becomes the first city to host both the summer and winter Olympics. Host Karnie Sharp brings us a conversation between two competitors, who are from countries that don’t traditionally send large teams to snow sports. Manon Ouaiss is the only woman on the three person Lebanon team while Ornella Oettl Reyes is the sole member, and flag bearer, for Peru.
To mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Celebrations, the Queen’s Green Canopy has invited people to "Plant a Tree for the Jubilee". The aim is to create a network of individual trees, avenues, copses and whole woodlands in honour of The Queen's service, and the legacy she has built. Actor and National Treasure Dame Judi Dench is a Queen's Green Canopy Ambassador and has planted a Himalayan birch tree in her garden as part of the initiative, she has been speaking to Martha Kearney on the Today Programme about her love of trees and explains why each tree planted in her garden has a very personal memory or connection.
The musicians Neil Young and Joni Mitchell have asked Spotify to remove their music from the platform. They have criticised the music streaming service for publishing a podcast that spreads Covid misinformation. It’s sparked a debate about freedom of speech and corporate responsibility. Ros Atkins has been looking into the controversy.
The pandemic has caused many people to reassess their lives...but self-reflection is a journey that can bring challenges. Annie, from Australia, feels she has gained wisdom and a deeper insight into life but it has led to her living almost on 'auto-pilot', without the passion she had before. She speaks to Sufi teacher and interfaith minister Imam Jamal Rahman. He suggests ways we might connect with life more deeply.
The United States economy created 467,000 new jobs in January, despite a surge in coronavirus cases caused by the Omicron variant. The BBC's Michelle Fleurry brings us the details, and Chris Low of FHN Financial analyses the impact on Wall Street. Also in the programme, Iceland has announced plans to end whaling from 2024 as demand dwindles. Matt Collis, International Fund for Animal Welfare says the move by the government is a positive one. Plus, the BBC's Russell Newlove reports on the booming market for electric bikes.
Presenter : Joshua Thorpe Producer: Nisha Patel
The Winter Olympics is officially underway after the Olympic cauldron was lit in a restrained opening ceremony in Beijing. We hear from a Uighur now living in exile in the US who, back in 2008, carried the Olympic torch for China.
Also in the programme: Ukraine's fallen soldiers; and taking ice cores from Everest.
(Picture: The view outside the Bird's Nest Stadium during the opening ceremony. Credit: REUTERS)
It was a toned-down opening ceremony at the Bird's Nest stadium; we look at the row in India over headscarves in schools. Also; the astronomers fighting back against satellite light pollution
Scientists in South Africa have made a copy of the Moderna Covid vaccine, a move which they say could help boost vaccination rates across Africa. West African regional bloc Ecowas will deploy troops to Guinea-Bissau to help stabilise the country after this week's attempted coup. The first AU summit since the pandemic began in 2020 kicks off in Addis Ababa this weekend. What's on the agenda?
Andy Zaltzman is joined by Elis James, Ola Labib, Zoe Lyons and Ed Balls to give an un-redacted update on the week’s news.
The panel look at Partygate and Johnson's precarious position in No.10, find out what the Levelling Up whitepaper can teach us about the birth of civilisation, and discover how little we know about trees.
Hosted by Andy Zaltzman Chairs script by Andy Zaltzman Additional Material from Alice Fraser, Benjamin Partridge, Ray Badran and Tasha Dhanraj Production Co-ordinator: Katie Baum Sound Editor: Marc Willcox
The Producer is Gwyn Rhys Davies, and it is a BBC Studios Production.
Jessica Chastain talks about The Eyes of Tammy Faye, an intimate look at the rise, fall and redemption of televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker
Mark reviews The Souvenir Part II, about which its writer director Joanna Hogg spoke to Simon last week; Moonfall, about a mysterious force that knocks the Moon from its orbit around Earth and sends it hurdling on a collision course with life as we know it, directed by Roland Emmerich; The Jackass crew return 11 years later in Jackass Forever; anime Belle about Suzu, a shy high school student living in a rural village whom for years has only been a shadow of herself until she enters "U", a massive virtual world; A Violent Man, about a dangerous prisoner incarcerated for double murder in a maximum security prison and the reissue of François Truffaut’s tale of a love triangle concerning two friends and an impulsive woman, Jules et Jim.
Plus Simon and Mark talk through all the films on current release.
Send us your sub 20 second instant reaction to any film attached to an email to mayo@bbc.co.uk for our feature ‘Lobby Correspondents’.
Download our podcast from the Baby Sea Clowns app.
We welcome your contributions: Email: mayo@bbc.co.uk Twitter: @wittertainment
Presidents Putin and Xi of Russia and China met and unveiled a number of bilateral deals. We hear about the burgeoning economic relationship between the two countries from Dmitry Dolgin, chief economist for Russia at ING. President Putin was also able to catch the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Beijing, and the BBC's Stephen McDonell tells us what impact the coronavirus pandemic has had on the scale of the event, compared to Beijing's summer Olympics in 2008. Also in the programme, the US added 467,000 jobs last month, which was far better than most analysts had predicted. The BBC's Michelle Fleury brings us the details. Plus, the BBC's Russell Newlove reports on the booming market for electric bikes.
Today's edition is presented by Will Bain, and produced by George Thomas, Russell Newlove and Gabriele Shaw.
The head of the International Olympic Committee thanked China for making the Games happen. Also: scientists in South Africa who've produced a Covid vaccine similar to that made by Moderna say they hope to begin trials by the end of the year, and a team prepares to leave to search for Sir Ernest Shackleton's ship, Endurance.
The event has been overshadowed by a diplomatic boycott by several nations because of China's alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang.
President Putin of Russia is one of the few world leaders to attend the ceremony, he has just had a face to face meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. How strong are the bonds between Russia and China really?
Also on the programme: scientists in South Africa have developed their own version of the Moderna covid vaccine. And how credible are US claims that Russia may make a "propaganda video" showing fake Ukrainian attacks to justify an invasion?
(Picture: Winter Olympics opening ceremony. Credit: Reuters / Peter)
Today's Martha Kearney discusses the resignations of a string of the prime minister's aides with senior Conservative MP Huw Merriman, Nikki da Costa, former Director Of Legislative Affairs and ex-No 10 chief of staff Gavin Barwell. Today’s Mishal Husain puts the problems - and rising energy costs - to Greg Hands, the Minister of Energy.
(Image Credits: Andrew Parsons / No10 Downing St)
The cover of British Vogue’s February 2022 issue has made history. It’s the first Vogue cover to feature nine black models, titled Fashion Now. The issue celebrates the rise of African models in high-end fashion, styled by Vogue’s first Black Editor-In-Chief Edward Enninful and Brazilian photographer, Rafael Pavarotti. Undeniably it’s been met with celebration but also some nuanced criticism. We hear from Chelsea Mtada, the Arts and Culture Editor at Guap Magazine.
We discuss the new legal duties being put on parents who educate their children at home. Parents in England will have to let the local authority know and register their child accordingly. If they don't, they'll be penalised. We hear from Charlotte Ramsden President of the Association of Directors of Children's Services and Gabriella Rook, a young trustee from Education Otherwise, the longest standing and largest home-education charity in England and Wales.
The Winter Olympics 2022 in Beijing officially begin on Friday. Around 3000 athletes from 91 nations will compete for one of the 109 gold medals on offer. So who are the women among the Great Britain hopefuls? We hear from the four time Olympian and BBC Ski Sunday Presenter Chemmy Alcott and from Katie Smith Olympic Reporter from BBC Sport.
Big investment firms are missing out on up to 2.37 trillion pounds of potential investment because of their poor record in attracting female investors. That was a warning this week from the giant investment bank BNY Mellon, which revealed only 28% of women feel confident in investing their money. Anne-Marie McConnon is the bank's chief client experience officer, and she tells us more about their findings. She’s joined by Sarah Turner the founder of Angel Academe’s, a network for mostly-female angel investors.
Social media is filled with bloggers and influencers – so how does someone stand out? Lockdown has seen a trend in a new kind of ‘insta mums’ – who are bringing humour and a dose of reality to motherhood. Both Molly Gudger and Louise Boyce have built platforms on telling it like it is when it comes to parenting.
Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Rabeka Nurmahomed
Photographer credit: Rafael Pavarotti
If you wanted to speak with the dead in 1960s America, there was one man who was ready to help. For more than a decade, Lamar Keene was at the top of his game, becoming known as the Prince of Spiritualists. Then, quite suddenly, he turned his back on it all.
But Lamar Keene didn't go quietly. He published a tell-all expose in which he confessed that he was little more than a conman, a psychic fraudster, who manipulated people in their most vulnerable moments. And in doing so, he catalogued the many physical and psychological tricks he used to separate his followers from their money.
It wasn’t just his own carefully-crafted reputation that Lamar Keene sought to destroy. He wanted to blow the whistle on the whole industry. He claimed that he had been part of a national underground network that included many other psychics, clairvoyants and mediums, who combined forces to fleece the unsuspecting public. He called it the “psychic mafia,” and said that his confession made him a marked man.
But how much can we trust the revelations of a self-confessed conman? How much of Lamar Keene’s extraordinary story is really true? And what can it tell us about how our emotions affect belief and our susceptibility to misinformation?
In a series that mixes documentary with drama, Vicky Baker (Fake Heiress) takes a deep dive into Lamar Keene’s stranger-than-fiction life story.
Cast:
Lamar . . . . . Edward Hogg Raoul . . . . . Tom Mothersdale Bill . . . . . Michael Begley Ken . . . . . Neil McCaul Waitress . . . . . Jasmine Hyde Ruthie . . . . . Tillie Murray Dorothy . . . . . Lorelei King Lillian . . . . . Christine Kavanagh
Written and reported by Vicky Baker Drama written by Nick Perry Sound design by Peter Ringrose Produced by Sasha Yevtushenko A BBC Audio production for BBC Radio 4
BBC Hong Kong reporter Danny Vincent hears from Christian migrants who have fled the territory for a new life in the UK. Many of the people Danny hears from are speaking about their experiences for the first time. A large number of Christians have made the difficult decision to leave Hong Kong after the introduction of a controversial national security law, which critics say is eroding freedoms in Hong Kong. Danny also meets their friends and family who have been left behind, the Christians still worshipping in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong was a British colony for 156 years until it was returned to Chinese control on 1 July, 1997. China formed the special administrative region of Hong Kong, which had maintained governance and economic systems separate from those of China's communist regime.
Around 600 UK churches of different denominations have signed up to be “Hong Kong Ready”, welcoming Christians from Hong Kong into their church communities. One in 10 of new arrivals is estimated to be Christian.
The president said the raid had removed a major terrorist threat. Also; US says Russia may create pretext for an attack on Ukraine, and how giving Disney an idea made a dream come true for an English girl.
President Vladimir Putin is due to begin a visit to Beijing on Friday - with the Kremlin saying that he'll sign more than a dozen trade deals with his counterpart Xi Jinping. Later in the day, Mr Putin will attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics - which is being boycotted by the United States, Canada, Australia and the UK. We hear from Chris Weafer is CEO of the investment consultancy Macro-Advisory in Moscow.
Also in the programme, the Governor of the Bank of England has told the BBC that employees negotiating their salary this year should not ask for too big a pay rise - so they can help bring inflation under control. Mr Bailey said he was concerned that rising inflation would become ingrained in the economy.
The president of Ghana has warned that West Africa is in great danger as a result of recent coups in the region. A 20-year study on the use of treated mosquito bed nets in Tanzania has found that children who sleep under them at an early age are more likely to survive into adulthood.There are concerns over the possible environmental impact of an explosion on an oil production vessel off the coast of Nigeria.
US President Joe Biden says the leader of the Islamic State group has been killed in a US special forces raid in north-west Syria. Mr Biden said Abu Ibrahim al-Qurayshi detonated a bomb that killed himself and members of his own family "in a final act of desperate cowardice".
Also in the programme: what role can Turkey play in the Ukraine-Russia crisis? And why Rotterdam is dismantling a historic bridge to allow a superyacht built for Amazon founder Jeff Bezos to pass through.
(Photo: A surveillance image shows a compound housing the leader of the Islamic State jihadist group Abu Ibrahim al-Hashemi al-Quraishi. Credit: Department of Defense/Handout via Reuters)
We’re 40 years into the AIDS pandemic, and even with massive public health campaigns, still, 1 ½ million become infected with HIV each year; about half that number die of its ravages. And a study just out shows that this well-understood virus can still take on more worrying forms as a new variant has been uncovered. Although the total number of cases involved is small, and the new variant is as treatable as earlier strains, the finding underlines that viruses can become more infectious and more virulent.
Back in October 2020, before we had effective vaccines, 36 plucky volunteers agreed to be deliberately infected with SARS-CoV-2 in order to better understand the infection process and outcomes in what’s known as a human “challenge” trial. Dr. Chris Chiu from Imperial College reveals what they’ve learned now the results of the study are in. We’ll hear about a new plastic that’s stronger than steel and as many gardeners have long suspected, – spring-flowering has over many years been occurring earlier and earlier, at least according to a new UK study. We discuss the implications for the ecosystem.
(Image: 3D illustration of HIV virus. Credit: Artem Egorov via Getty Images)
Presenter: Roland Pease Producers: Julian Siddle and Rami Tzabar
Psychotherapist Naomi Shragai talks to Evan Davis about how our emotional baggage can harm our work life.. She advises businesses and employees on how to recognise our deeper personal impulses, which often stem from our childhoods. Her book 'The Man Who Mistook his Job for His Life' catalogues phenomena like narcissism, fear of rejection and imposter syndrome, Naomi tells us how to recognise these powerful forces, and what we can do about them. Producer: Julie Ball Studio Manager: Neil Churchill Production Coordinators: Siobhan Reed and Sophie Hill
Mani Djazmi is joined by former Scotland international Pat Nevin and 2002 Africa Cup of Nations winner with Cameroon Patrick Suffo to discuss the week's biggest football stories.
Former Senegal striker Mamadou Diallo joins us to assess The Lions of Teranga's chances in the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations final and we reflect on the impact of South Africa's 1996 AFCON win with the team's captain Neil Tovey.
Photo: Fans during Senegal's 3-1 semi final win against Burkina Faso at the Africa Cup of Nations. Credit: Haykel Hmima/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Writer, Keri Davies Director, Peter Leslie Wild Editor, Jeremy Howe
Kenton Archer ….. Richard Attlee Jolene Archer ….. Buffy Davis Brian Aldridge ….. Charles Collingwood Jennifer Aldridge ….. Angela Piper Phoebe Aldridge ….. Lucy Morris Alice Carter ….. Hollie Chapman Chris Carter ….. Wilf Scolding Susan Carter ….. Charlotte Martin Ian Craig ….. Stephen Kennedy Justin Elliott ….. Simon Williams Amy Franks ….. Jennifer Daley Adam Macy ….. Andrew Wincott Kate Madikane ….. Perdita Avery Roy Tucker ….. Ian Pepperell
في هذه الحلقة من بي بي سي إكسترا: - إلى أين يتجه المدمن الباحث عن خلاص؟ - ما سر صعوبة رواية يوليسيس؟ - ما هي أنواع البعوض؟ وكيف يمكن مواجهتها؟ - ماذا يقول القانون المصري بشأن تعدي الزوج على زوجته؟
إكسترا بسمة كراشة.
Shares in Facebook's parent company Meta fell 25% on opening after weak earnings data. Investors were particularly concerned by Facebook's first ever decline in user figures, and we find out more from Isobel Hamilton, senior technology reporter at Insider. Also in the programme, the inflation rate in Turkey has hit an eye-watering 48% year-on-year. The BBC's Victoria Craig reports on whether tourism might help offset some of the country's bigger economic problems. Plus, a billion-year-old black diamond is going up for auction. Nikita Benani is jewellery specialist at Sotheby's and tells us about the diamond, named The Enigma, which is believed to be the largest cut diamond on earth, and may have been formed from a meteor impact.
Today's edition is presented by Will Bain, and produced by George Thomas, Sara Parry and Elizabeth Hotson.
The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is visiting Kyiv as diplomatic efforts to ease the crisis sparked by the massing of Russian troops on Ukraine's border continue.
Also: shares in Spotify and a number of social media companies have suffered big falls; and the illegal Brazilian gold you may be wearing.
(Picture: Russian TV has shown pictures of tank exercises close to the border with Ukraine Credit: Russian Defence Ministry)
Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi was killed in a raid by US special forces in the Syrian province of Idlib. Also: Turkey's leader visits Kyiv in an effort to ease the Russia-Ukraine crisis, and scientists begin the trial of a vaccine to protect elephants from a deadly disease.
On this week’s BBC Stumped for All India Radio with Alison Mitchell, Charu Sharma and Jim Maxwell. We speak to the Unmukt Chand, the cricketer once touted as the next Virat Kohli, about leaving his homeland in search of better opportunities and becoming the first Indian man to play in the Big Bash League in Australia. BCCI rules state any Indian player, contracted or non-contracted is not allowed to play any franchise cricket outside of India. Chand won the Under 19’s World Cup with India in 2012, but now ten years on is living in the USA and recently made his debut for the Melbourne Renegades.
Plus the fallout continues from England’s 4-0 thrashing by Australia in the Men’s Ashes. We discuss the news that Ashley Giles is leaving his role as England's managing director of men's cricket.
We also debate whether there should be more Test matches in the women’s game following the thrilling draw between England and Australia.
JANUARY 19: Unmukt Chand of the Renegades bats during the Men's Big Bash League match between the Sydney Thunder and the Melbourne Renegades at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on January 19, 2022, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jonathan Di Maggio/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)
Stacey Dooley has been presenting television documentaries for over 10 years – on everything from drug cartels in Southern Spain to illegal pornography in South Korea. Now the Sunday Times bestselling author has released a new book, exploring the state of mental health in the UK. ‘Are You Really OK?’ looks at – amongst other things – issues of PTSD, depression, psychosis; and what causes these things. Stacey reveals what she’s learnt.
Yesterday on the programme we discussed the culture of policing in the light of misogynistic, discriminatory and violent texts exchanged between serving officers between 2016 and 2018. They were revealed as part of an IOPC investigation at Charing Cross police station in London. These revelations follow the murder of Sarah Everard and the treatment of Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman by serving Metropolitan Police officers. We asked how can a toxic culture be changed? A mother, Amanda, contacted us while we were on air. Her son, George, is planning to join the Police later this year and she is worried but he is determined to be part of the change. They both join Emma.
Two women with no previous rowing experience have smashed the world record for the fastest female pair to row across the Atlantic. Jessica Oliver and Charlotte Harris rowed 3000 miles over 45 days in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, battling 30 ft waves, sharks and sleep deprivation. They join us to discuss the experience.
Some of Afghanistan's public universities reopened yesterday for the first time since the Taliban took over the country, with female students joining their male counterparts heading back to classes. Girls are still not allowed to attend secondary schools, and women remain barred from many jobs outside the health and teaching sector. This is unfolding against the backdrop of a major humanitarian crisis. Fawzia Koofi, the former Vice President of the National Assembly in Kabul and women's rights activist, updates us.
You know the rhyme “divorced beheaded died, divorced, beheaded, survived.” The first women to lose her head at the hands of Henry VIII was Anne Boleyn - and her story is so often characterised by that tragic outcome that we may have overlooked the fact that she was a feminist and ahead of her time. This is the view of Dr Owen Emmerson who has curated an exhibition at Hever Castle - Anne's childhood home - called Becoming Anne: Connections, Culture, Court. But ...
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the momentum behind teetotalism in 19th Century Britain, when calls for moderation gave way to complete abstinence in pursuit of a better life. Although arguments for temperance had been made throughout the British Isles beforehand, the story of the organised movement in Britain is often said to have started in 1832 in Preston, when Joseph Livesey and seven others gave a pledge to abstain. The movement grew quickly, with Temperance Halls appearing as new social centres in towns in place of pubs, and political parties being drawn into taking sides either to support abstinence or impose it or reject it.
The image above, which appeared in The Teetotal Progressionist in 1852, is an example of the way in which images contained many points of temperance teaching, and is © Copyright Livesey Collection at the University of Central Lancashire.
With
Annemarie McAllister Senior Research Fellow in History at the University of Central Lancashire
James Kneale Associate Professor in Geography at University College London
And
David Beckingham Associate Professor in Cultural and Historical Geography at the University of Nottingham
Producer: Simon Tillotson
The Mexican state of Sinaloa is synonymous with drug trafficking. With the profits from organised crime a driver of the local economy, the tentacles of ‘narco cultura’ extend deep into people’s lives – especially those of women. In the city of Culiacan, plastic surgeons service demand for the exaggerated feminine silhouette favoured by the men with guns and hard cash. Often women’s surgery will be paid for by a ‘sponsor’ or ‘godfather.’ Meanwhile, a group of women trackers spend their weekends digging in isolated parts of the state, looking for the remains of loved ones who disappear in Sinaloa’s endless cycle of drug-fuelled violence.
Producer/presenter: Linda Pressly Producer in Mexico: Ulises Escamilla Editor: Bridget Harney
(This programme was originally broadcast in July 2021)
(Photo: Lawyer Maria Teresa Guerra advocates for women in Sinaloa. Credit: BBC/Ulises Escamilla)
President Biden authorises the deployment of 3,000 soldiers to Poland and Romania. Also: experts say they may have pinpointed the cause of so-called 'Havana Syndrome' which has afflicted a number of US officials and diplomats around the world, and we celebrate the life of the Italian film actress Monica Vitti.
It's been a bad day for Big Tech. Shares in Facebook's parent company, Meta, dropped 20 percent in after-hours trading, following the release of its Q4 figures for the end of 2021 and its numbers for the whole calendar year. Susan Schmidt from Aviva Investors tells us more.
The pandemic has caused many people to die alone in hospital intensive care units - whilst others have died at home without the support and pain relief they needed. The Lancet Commission on the Value of Death is calling for a radical change in how we approach death. Co-author Dr Libby Sallnow explains what makes a good death, and palliative care consultant Dr M R Rajagopal shares how communities have transformed palliative care in Kerala, India.
Mixed messaging around Covid vaccines for pregnant women have resulted in a low uptake, leaving mothers and babies at risk of infection and serious complications. Dr Sarah Stock, an Honorary Consultant and Subspecialist in Maternal and Fetal Medicine at the University of Edinburgh, reassures us that vaccines are safe in pregnancy.
Following the Spotify misinformation row, Marnie Chesterton asks how should streaming platforms respond to false claims about Covid-19? Professor Matt Fox from Boston University says they have a responsibility to tackle misinformation but warns that censorship may do more harm than good. Also, how a new scan is revealing hidden lung damage in long Covid, and should our chocolate treats come with picture warnings of clogged arteries?
Presenter: Marnie Chesterton Producer: Paula McGrath and Samara Linton
(Picture: A senior woman being comforted by a doctor in a hospice. Photo credit: Pornpak Khunatorn/Getty Images.)
All is calm on the streets of the Guinea Bissau’s capital city Bissau, a day after an attack involving the president and his cabinet. But for how long?
Plus ten days after the coup in Burkina Faso, we hear what life is like for people displaced by the insurgency that sparked it.
And Zimbabwe-based Gus Le Breton, dubbed the African Tree Hunter, encourages us to celebrate the continent's rich biodiversity.
Jennifer tries to do the right thing and Kenton may have found the answer to his prayers.
SKILL: Laurie Taylor explores the social construction of skilled and unskilled work. Far from being objective categories, Chris Warhurst, Professor & Director of the Institute for Employment Research at the University of Warwick, suggests a more complex history, one which has favoured male workers. They're joined by Natasha Iskander, Associate Professor of Urban Planning and Public Service at NYU, whose new study takes us into Qatar’s booming construction industry in the lead-up to the 2022 World Cup. She argues that the experiences of migrant workers reveals the way in which the distinction between the “skilled” and “unskilled” is used to limit freedom and personhood. Does skill make us human?
Producer: Jayne Egerton
The European Union has outlined a strategy for regulation of new and emerging technology. Competition chief Margrethe Vestager gave details of the proposals, and we find out more from Javier Espinoza of the Financial Times. Also in the programme, the oil producers' cartel OPEC and its allies met today, and agreed only a moderate increase in output, despite calls from some oil consumers to go further in a bid to reduce prices. The BBC's Sameer Hashmi fills us in on the details. 20 years ago, America's National Football League introduced the Rooney Rule, in an attempt to increase the number of black and ethnic minority candidates hired to NFL coaching and executive positions. One black coach, Brian Flores, is now suing the league, alleging teams invited him for head coach job interviews purely to pad out their Rooney Rule statistics. Jeremi Duru is a law professor at the American University in Washington DC, helped draw up the Rooney Rule, and gives us his reaction to the lawsuit. There's a warning from the giant investment bank BNY Mellon that global investment firms are missing out on potentially as much as three trillion dollars' worth of investment because they are not attracting female investors. Anne-Marie McConnon from BNY Mellon discusses their findings. Plus, following the launch of a trial four day working week at some companies in the UK, our regular workplace commentator Pilita Clarke explores the costs and benefits of such a model.
Enforced gender segregation as universities open for first since Taliban seized power. Also: European Commission declares nuclear and gas to be green with certain conditions; and details on a huge lightning bolt which breaks record for longest ever recorded.
Nick speaks with Tracy Brabin, the first Mayor of West Yorkshire, and Michael Gove about the government's long-promised plans to close the gap between rich and poor areas of the country.
Gloria Allred is probably the best known women’s rights lawyer in the US. Equally loved, feared and deemed controversial by some, for nearly half a century she's represented women in high profile cases involving Bill Cosby, Jeffrey Epstein, Harvey Weinstein, R Kelly, Donald Trump. She talks to Womans' Hour about the situation facing the Duke of York, the possible retrial of Ghislaine Maxwell & her admiration for Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Vile text messages have come to light which were shared between police officers belonging to the Metropolitan Police. The IOPC has said: "We believe these incidents are not isolated or simply the behaviour of a few 'bad apples'." The Met has said that it is 'sorry'. We get reaction from Zoe Billingham, former Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary and Shabnam Chaudhri, who served as an officer in the Met for 30 years.
Monica Ali wrote her bestseller Brick Lane nearly 20 years ago. Her new book is called Love Marriage. It's about two families who are brought together when Yasmin and Joe fall in love.
Scottish crime writer, Val McDermid, has stopped sponsoring a football club that's been part of her life since she was a baby. She's finished supporting Raith Rovers because it's signed up David Goodwillie who, in a Scottish civil case in 2017, was found to have raped a woman. He was fined £100,000. Val says she can't see herself ever going back to Raith Rovers.
听众 Wenjing 想知道单词 “prosper”、“boom” 和 “thrive” 有何不同。虽然这三个词的意思都和人或事物的发展和成功有关，但用法不完全相同。哪个词突出了 “发展迅速”？哪个词可以表示 “出色地应对困难的情况”？ 本期 “你问我答” 节目为你一探究竟。
President Putin says Russian security concerns are being ignored. Also: another attempted coup in the West African state of Guinea-Bissau; and NFL legend, Tom Brady, announces his retirement.
America's three biggest pharmaceutical distributors and Johnson & Johnson have been ordered to pay up to $665 million to native American tribal communities devastated by the opioid crisis. More than 400 tribes sued the companies, claiming they were inundated with highly addictive painkillers manufactured by J&J and shipped by the distributors who ignored clear signs of abuse and death. We hear from Lloyd Miller, one of the lead attorneys representing a third of the litigating tribes.