Newscast

How strong is the force in the new coronavirus variants? Adam, Laura and Fergus unite to answer some of the biggest questions of the universe (like how worried should we be that Test and Trace can't seem to find a sixth person infected with the Brazilian strain of Covid-19)? And Paul Johnson, from the Institute of Fiscal Studies, tells us what we should be looking out for to seem smarter on budget...

Former First Minister Alex Salmond gives evidence to the committee investigating the Scottish government's mishandling of complaints against him. It’s a complicated story, but luckily our Scotland editor, Sarah Smith and political correspondent Nick Eardley are on hand to talk us through the events of the day. And James Gallagher explains how the government is deciding who should be vaccinated nex...

Even with limited supply, Belgium's biggest vaccine hub can jab 1000 patients a day. So why is it only managing 200? Adam and Fergus chat to Europe Correspondent Jean Mackenzie to discuss how public perceptions of the 'Aldi vaccine' could be hampering the rollout. And Oldham headteacher Glyn Potts drops in to discuss plans for teachers, not algorithms, to grade students this summer. Studio Directo...

Fergus gives us the latest on the vaccine priority list, with everyone on the GP learning disability register now getting their turn. And Adam talks Tiger Woods with BBC Breakfast presenter – and proper golfer – Naga Munchetty. Studio Manager: Emma Crowe Producers: Alix Pickles, Daniel Wittenberg Episode Editor: Rick Kelsey Assistant Editor: Emma Close Editor: Dino Sofos

The BBC's Scotland Editor Sarah Smith explains the unlocking plan north of the border and we hear from Dr Marc Baguelin, from Imperial College London who worked on the modelling that informed the UK government’s plans. Also, Radio 1's Nick Grimshaw and Newscaster Hannah share the tunes they want to hear in late June, when the clubs might open. Studio Manager: Emma Crowe Producers Georgia Coen and...

As Boris Johnson lays out his ‘cautious' and 'irreversible’ plan for lifting England’s lockdown, Adam, Laura, Fergus and Branwen talk you through the steps: from schools to stadia and beyond. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Natalie Ktena and Georgia Coan Episode Editor: Ben Weisz Editor: Dino Sofos

No return for Harry and Meghan... The BBC's royal correspondent, Jonny Dymond, explains what's going on with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. We also try to figure out how poorer countries are going to get their vaccines, with Dr Robin Nandy, chief of immunisation at UNICEF. And astrophysicist, Dr Maggie Lieu, tells us exactly why landing on Mars is such a big deal. Studio manager: Ashley Taylor Pr...

Keir Starmer wants savers to help pay for the Covid recovery. But will it work? We find out if economist Miatta Fahnbulleh, and former Labour party adviser Ayesha Hazarika, buy the bond idea. Also, our North America technology reporter James Clayton explains why Facebook is blocking news feeds to users in Australia. Studio Director: Emma Crowe. Producers: Rick Kelsey, Kameron Virk and Jack Suddaby...

What’s the latest from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry? The BBC's Tom Symonds explains all. Adam chats to global health policy expert (and friend of the pod), Clare Wenham, about the possibility of a worldwide pandemic treaty. And the BBC's Freya Cole explains why Myanmar's biggest city is currently gridlocked. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Georgia Coan, Kameron Virk, Jack Suddaby Assistant Ed...

Princess Latifa, the daughter of Dubai's ruler, goes missing. We hear the incredible story and the diplomatic knock-on, with James Landale and Panorama reporter Nawal Al-Maghafi. Producers: Kameron Virk, Alix Pickles and Jack Suddaby Episode Editor: Rick Kelsey Editor: Dino Sofos

How do you actually pronounce "tocilizumab"? Fergus Walsh has got the secret! Well, that, and all the info on the government's next vaccine rollout sprint. Also, after a video of a large (rule-breaking) Orthodox Jewish wedding in North London was shared last month, Adam is joined by the BBC's Harry Farley to find out how the community has reacted. Studio director: Emma Crowe Producers: Alix Pickle...

The writer and comedian shares his experiences of anti-semitism on the football stands and on Twitter. Adam is joined by the BBC's James Gallagher and economist Stephanie Flanders to talk healthcare and the health of the economy. And also, the legendary BBC Radio 4 Newsreader, Neil Sleat (who is leaving the BBC), has one final bulletin... just for us! Producers: Alix Pickles, Ben Weisz, Danny Witt...

If you choose not to get a vaccine, the risk is on you and the government shouldn't leave restrictions in place to protect anti-vaxxers. That's what Mark Harper, the Conservative chairman of the 'Covid Recovery Group' thinks. He joins us to tell us why his group is putting pressure on the government to lift lockdown. And you may have noticed that it’s rather chilly outside. So we thought we’d head...

It looks like we're going to have to understand new variants of the virus for a long time. Adam and Laura hear from the Cambridge scientist in charge of tracking them, Professor Sharon Peacock. And as quarantine hotels prepare to open up in the UK, we catch up with Rebecca in New Zealand as she leaves 14 days isolation. Studio manager: Emma Crowe Producers: Danny Wittenberg, Alix Pickles, Kameron...

An app to prove your vaccination status when you fly abroad could be on its way. We hear from Alexandre de Juniac, the head of the international airline trade body IATA, on whether the concept of vaccine passports could become reality. Also Greg James and Bella Mackie tell us how they’re loving going back to school for their new podcast. Studio Manager: Emma Crowe Producers: Natalie Ktena, Alix Pi...

Adam speaks to James Gallagher and Dr Vanessa Apea for the latest on vaccines, variations and how to ensure higher take-up among those in ethnic minorities. And we are joined by Love Island’s Dr Alex, who’s just been appointed the government's youth mental health adviser. Studio Director: Russell Newlove Producers: Cristina Criddle, Georgia Coan, Jack Suddaby, Kameron Virk and Alix Pickles Episode...

Did you see the Handforth Parish Council virtual meeting? Everyone else did! Adam is joined by Mathamatician, Hannah Fry, and Medical Historian, Mark Honigsbaum, to talk about how pandemics actually end. And Radio 4’s Melvyn Bragg pops in to explain How to... Melvyn Bragg. It’s a bumper podcast for your locked down weekend. Producers: Alix Pickles, Ben Weisz, Danny Wittenberg, Georgia Coan, Kamero...

Teachers have been sent messages inviting them to book appointments for vaccinations, against official priority rules. Our very own Newscast Reporter, Daniel Wittenberg, explains what’s going on. And North America Tech Reporter, James Clayton, walks Adam through the History of Amazon, after Jeff Bezos announces he'll step down as CEO of the e-commerce giant. Producers: Kameron Virk, Georgia Coan,...

The Health Secretary talks about Contagion the movie, as hospital admissions and deaths caused by Covid-19 are now on a “downward slope”. Our Health Editor Hugh, goes through the numbers. And elsewhere, Brexit tensions over the Irish border keep bubbling up, Laura and Katya join Adam to explain what’s next. Studio Manager: Michael Regaard Producers: Frankie Tobi, Georgia Coen and Jack Suddaby Outp...

How is England clamping down on the new variant? Professor Robin Shattock from Imperial College joins us to tell us about the new variant and how to vaccinate against it. And Sarah Smith gives us the latest lockdown news from Scotland. Also, the Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny is jailed. We discuss golden toilet brushes with Sarah Rainsford in Moscow. Studio Director: Russell Newlove Prod...

As MPs debate the cladding crisis, Adam and Laura are joined by Sarah Corker and Newscaster Jenni Garratt to discuss how leasholders' woes could destabilise the housing market. And as the military seizes control in Myanmar, Fergal Keane explains how its detained State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi can be seen as both hero and villain. Studio Director: Russell Newlove Producers: Jack Suddaby, Georgia...

The AstraZeneca vaccine has been signed off by the EU today, but there's still a row about when they'll get their doses. Fergus and Vicki join Adam to make sense of the latest, as the bloc threatens to restrict vaccines crossing the border to Northern Ireland - overriding part of the Brexit deal. Also, are you sleeping well? If not - Dr Guy Meadows has some great advice for you. Studio Director: E...

A row erupts between the EU and drugs company AstraZeneca over vaccine shortages. Adam, Laura and Katya talk to German MEP, Dr Peter Liese, who is not happy at all. And we're joined by Tom O'Hara from Janus Henderson Investors to find out why GameStop shares have caused such a frenzy. Studio Director: Michael Regaard Producers: Daniel Wittenberg and Georgia Coan Editor: Dino Sofos

There’s no back to school until at least 8th March in England, on the day we finally hear about hotel quarantine. We hear from Rebecca who's stuck in a one of them in New Zealand. Adam, Laura and Hugh talk about the UK's latest travel restrictions and how we might come out of them. Track listing in the student special: Aya Anne - Better (featuring King Marino) Cole LC - Grip N Slide H33RA - I DON'...

The tech entrepreneur talks to us about moving people away from university and his dad's tech skills. It's also the sad day the UK went over 100,000 Covid deaths; Adam, Laura and Fergus process the moment with psychotherapist Julia Samuel. Studio Director: Emma Crowe Producers: Alix Pickles, Daniel Wittenberg, Ben Weisz Senior Producer: Rick Kelsey Editor: Dino Sofos