SATURDAY 26 APRIL 2025

SAT 00:00 Midnight News (m002b786)
National and international news from BBC Radio 4


SAT 00:30 Conflict and Co-operation: A History of Trade (b09k8r9v)
Fair Exchange

Consumer protectors or greedy monopolists?

Paul Seabright is joined by Sheilagh Ogilvie, Professor of Economic History at Cambridge, to take a fresh look at what guilds really did for trade in medieval and early modern Europe, and lessons for trade today.

Producer: Chris Ledgard.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2018.


SAT 00:48 Shipping Forecast (m002b788)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping


SAT 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (m002b78b)
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.


SAT 05:30 News Summary (m002b78d)
National and international news from BBC Radio 4


SAT 05:34 Shipping Forecast (m002b78g)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping


SAT 05:43 Prayer for the Day (m002b78j)
That fella would mind mice at a crossroads

Good morning.

When I was in school we had a teacher who other teachers – and our parents – frequently referred to as ‘a character’. We always had a general sense of what it meant, but not quite. And as I’ve grown older I find myself using the term ‘a character’, to describe people, feeling that it captures them completely, without fully knowing what I’m saying.

This particular teacher – the character – was on the face of it, not well suited to his chosen profession. He was impulsive around teenage boys, which was often a recipe for disaster. ‘Field trips’ were sprung upon us at a moment’s notice – this was in the days before ‘health and safety’ required a parental consent form for everything. Our kindly headmaster tried to rein him in, but to no avail – this master was a free spirit and acted as he saw fit.

Privately he would scold us for listening to the headmaster: “that fella would mind mice at a crossroads” he would often say – as if being responsible and careful, was a trait entirely unsuited to the teaching profession. But we adored him – especially the fact that he appeared entirely unaware of the invention of the wristwatch. He kept time by means of a very large – and very loud – wind-up bedside alarm clock, that sat on his desk.

Teachers play a very important role in forming young minds of course. Their vocation, is to educate – but it is also to give permission to explore and expand our horizons and open our minds.

So, this morning, I’m grateful for those ‘characters’ who enter our lives at formative times, who have the courage and the comfort to walk to the beat of a different drum.

Amen.


SAT 05:45 Child (m001xjvw)
Series 1

16. First Love

The chemical and emotional connection between a parent and baby is really important but just how quickly are babies making emotional connections? India talks to MIT professor Rebecca Saxe about scanning babies brains to find the answers. Helen Jukes questions the ‘naturalness’ of the mother-baby bond and talks about the variety of relationships out in the natural world, and India talks to Paternal mental health expert Scott Mair about the important role of dads in the very early days of bonding.

Presented by: India Rakusen.
Producer: India Rakusen
Series producer: Ellie Sans.
Executive producer: Suzy Grant.
Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts
Original music composed and performed by The Big Moon.
Mix and Mastering by Charlie Brandon-King.

A Listen Production for Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.


SAT 06:00 News and Papers (m002bglm)
National and international news from BBC Radio 4


SAT 06:07 Open Country (m002b71m)
The People's Forest

Helen Mark hears the story of how the ancient Epping Forest was fought for, and saved by, the people of East London.

In the late 19th century, Epping Forest was threatened with enclosures. As elsewhere in Britain, local landowners were selling off common land for farming or building developments. But local people fought back. Beginning with a Loughton man, Thomas Willingale, who continued to assert his commoner rights to lop trees for firewood, the groundswell of protest later became thousands of working class East Enders gathering on Wanstead Flats - the area closest to the city of London.

The land of Epping Forest was eventually bought by the City of London Corporation, and with the Epping Forest Act of 1878, was forever saved from more enclosures. As Queen Victoria declared in 1882, "It gives me great satisfaction to dedicate this beautiful forest for the use and enjoyment of my people for all time”.

Part of the responsibility of the new conservators of the forest, the City of London, was to look after and protect the forest for both people and wildlife. Helen Mark hears from those who job it is to carry that out, including Senior Epping Forest Keeper Martin Whitfield and Head of Conservation Tanith Cook. She also speaks to local historian, Georgina Green - author of 'Keepers, Cockneys and Kitchen Maids: Memories of Epping Forest, 1900-25', a book about the forests' eventful past, who also talks about her own memories of the place. And finally Luke Turner, author of 'Out of The Woods', who lives on the forest border talks about the myriad ways humans and Epping Forest are entwined.

Produced by Eliza Lomas, BBC Audio Bristol.


SAT 06:30 Farming Today (m002bglp)
Restrictions have been introduced on what visitors and returning holidaymakers can bring into the UK, in response to concerns about foot and mouth outbreaks in Europe. Meat and dairy products cannot be brought back from Europe into the country, and the new rules cover everything from cured meats and cheeses to sandwiches. The aim is to prevent a foot and mouth outbreak here in the UK. But are the new restrictions being made clear enough to the public?

The government's Planning and Infrastructure Bill aims to streamline the planning system, making it easier for developers to speed up big building projects. This week, the government tabled an amendment to the bill which removes statutory consultees from the pre-application process, with the aim of speeding things up. However, the Wildlife Trusts have warned that the plans would be disastrous for both the natural world and big building projects.

This week, the Rare Breeds Survival Trust published its latest watchlist - an annual situation report for rare breeds. Whilst there is good news for some native livestock breeds, the watchlist has highlighted that others are in decline.

Agroforestry means putting farming and forestry into the same field, with the aim of improving soil and biodiversity as well as growing food. The term encompasses a wide range of approaches, from growing arable crops to grazing livestock, all alongside trees. We hear from farmers who are implementing different agroforestry systems on their very different farms.


SAT 06:57 Weather (m002bglr)
The latest weather reports and forecast.


SAT 07:00 Today (m002bglt)
Today (Saturday)


SAT 09:00 Saturday Live (m002bglw)
Jeremy Vine, Poppy Okotcha, Jack Mosley, Nigel Havers

Broadcaster Jeremy Vine, who disappointingly didn't make his way to the studio on a penny farthing is here in his capacity as an Agatha Christie loving author.

Poppy Okotcha, the model-turned-horticulturist, has swapped Vivienne Westwood runways for an edible and medicinal garden.

Dr. Jack Mosley, son of the late Michael Mosley, has shut out the food noise to continue his father's legacy.

All that plus the Inheritance Tracks of Nigel Havers.

Presenters: Nikki Bedi and Huw Stephens
Producer: Ben Mitchell

This programme has been changed for music rights reasons.


SAT 10:00 Curious Cases (m002bgly)
Series 23

Love Neurons

What happens in your brain when Cupid’s arrow strikes? As a teenager, Alison developed an intense crush on George Harrison from the Beatles. But, she wants to know, why do we develop these feelings for pop stars we’ve never actually met? And what potent swirl of neurochemistry drives those fierce emotions?

With neuroscientist Dr. Dean Burnett and evolutionary anthropologist Dr. Anna Machin as their guides, Hannah and Dara investigate everything from the brain’s chemical fireworks during a crush to the evolutionary perks of love and bonding. Along the way, they dissect teenage infatuations, lifelong love affairs with football teams, and why love can feel as addictive as heroin.

There’s even a guest appearance from two cute rodents: the monogamous prairie voles and their more, shall we say, commitment-phobic cousins, the montane voles, who gave us early clues about the role of the ‘cuddle’ hormone oxytocin.

Whether you're a hopeless romantic or a hard-nosed skeptic, prepare to fall head over heels for the science of love.

Contributors:

Dr Anna Machin - evolutionary anthropologist and author of Why We Love
Dr Dean Burnett - honorary research fellow at Cardiff Psychology School, author of The Idiot Brain and The Happy Brain.
Carmine Pariante - Professor of Biological Psychiatry at King’s College London

Producer: Ilan Goodman
Executive Producer: Alexandra Feachem
A BBC Studios Audio Production


SAT 10:30 Soul Music (m002bgm0)
Bésame Mucho

The Mexican pianist and composer Consuelo Velázquez was only 16 years old when she wrote Bésame Mucho, and she was yet to have her first kiss.

Composer and conductor Odaline de la Martinez remembers hearing the song on the radio as a child in Cuba. She translates the Spanish lyrics - "Kiss me, kiss me passionately, as if tonight was the last time... Kiss me, because I'm afraid to lose you, afterwards". It's an achingly romantic bolero that has been translated into more than 20 languages and recorded by hundreds of artists, including João Gilberto, Frank Sinatra, Cesaria Evora, Diana Krall, Josephine Baker, Trio Los Panchos and The Beatles. Music writer Richard Williams talks about the eternal appeal of the melody and how it creates its emotional impact.

German singer and composer Roland Kunz tells the tragic story behind the melody which inspired Consuelo to write the song: a piece by the Catalan composer Enrique Granados, who died the year Velázquez was born. At the height of WWI, Granados and his wife were on their way home to Spain from New York, when their passenger ship was torpedoed by a German U-boat. The story goes that Enrique was picked up by a lifeboat but saw his wife struggling in the water and dived in to save her. They perished, along with 50 other passengers.

We hear stories of three very different couples who loved to dance to the song. Peter and Dorothy Tozer met at a dance school in Acton in 1962 when they were 17 and 16 years old. When the song played during the lesson on the night they met, the dance instructor suggested that - as it was Valentine's Day - everyone should give a kiss to whoever they were dancing with at that moment. The two complete strangers shared a kiss, and have been together ever since.

When Stephen Miller met his Mexican wife Maria, love wasn't on either of their minds. Stephen was in his fifties and had lost his first wife to cancer. Maria had been a single mum for many years. He didn't speak much Spanish, and she didn't speak much English, but they fell in love and had many wonderful adventures together. One day Stephen was backing the car out of the driveway when he hit the wall. He had begun to lose his sight. As the couple were still adjusting to their new reality, Stephen realised that Maria's memory was beginning to slip. He talks about navigating blindness and dementia, and how they would drop everything to dance together to Bésame Mucho, the lyrics of which grew ever more poignant over time.

And Denis Ledoux remembers his wife Martha, who died at 56. They loved to dance to the Cape Verdean singer Cesária Évora's version of the song, practicing their dance steps in the living room. After Martha's death, he would listen to the song all the time, sometimes every day. The song became a way to hold onto her and the life they has shared. Denis reflects on how the song's lyric "kiss me, as if tonight was the last time" made him think of all the last times with Martha that he didn't know were last times.

Produced by Mair Bosworth
Mixed by Ilse Lademann
Soul Music is a BBC Audio Bristol production for BBC Radio 4


SAT 11:00 The Week in Westminster (m002bgm2)
George Parker of the Financial Times assesses the latest developments at Westminster.

To discuss the Chancellor's trip to Washington to try to secure a trade deal with the US, George is joined by Labour MP and Chair of the Business and Trade Committee, Liam Byrne, and former Conservative government Trade Minister, Greg Hands.

Also this week, London hosted the global energy security conference. To discuss the green energy transition, George is joined by Green Party MP Ellie Chowns and Gary Smith, the General Secretary of the GMB union.

Liberal Democrat MP Christine Jardine and Conservative MP Dr Caroline Johnson join George to discuss the recent Supreme Court ruling that a woman is defined by biological sex.

And, in the week of St George's Day, the Prime Minister hosted the first ever Downing Street reception to mark the occasion. To discuss the meaning of 'patriotism', George speaks to Tom Baldwin, a former Labour adviser and the author of a biography of Keir Starmer and Samuel Kasumu, who worked as an adviser to former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.


SAT 11:30 From Our Own Correspondent (m002bgm4)
Pope Francis' Latin American legacy

Kate Adie introduces stories from Mexico, Canada, Kenya, the USA and Syria.

As the first pope to come from Latin America, Pope Francis was hugely popular in the region, standing in solidarity with local priests who often have to walk a delicate line in communities under the control of drug cartels. Will Grant reflects on the late pope's legacy in Mexico.

Canada goes to the polls on Monday, in a race that has become increasingly tight over the past few months. Reporting from Vancouver Island, Neal Razzell says it's the name that's not on the ballot that has proved to be the game changer.

The Kenyan port town of Lamu is undergoing a radical transformation, as part of a Chinese-funded multi-billion dollar development project. While it promises to bring jobs and trade to the region, Beth Timmins finds some locals are less sure of the signs of progress.

Once a seasonal threat, wild fires in California are now a year-round problem. So much so, that some homeowners are being told by insurers that they are no longer willing to honor their policies. Amy Steadman has been speaking to Californians who say they can no longer afford to live in the state.

And finally to Syria - home to several UNESCO world heritage sites. After 14 years of civil war came to an end, and President Assad was driven from power. tour guides living in towns close to the country's famous ancient sites are hopeful that travellers will soon return.

Series producer: Serena Tarling
Production coordinators: Sophie Hill & Katie Morrison
Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith


SAT 12:00 News Summary (m002bgm6)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.


SAT 12:04 Money Box (m002bgm8)
Pensions Minister and Poor Bereavement Service

In an exclusive interview with this programme the Pensions Minister has talked about the government's plans to reform the UK's pension system. Torsten Bell has said that pension schemes should be moving more of members' money out of shares and into infrastructure projects where returns are higher. And he announced a new plan this week to bring millions of small pension pots together into one multibillion pound so-called 'consolidator scheme'. Hear that interview with Paul Lewis in full.

Banks, building societies, utility suppliers and pension providers "must do far better" when it comes to helping people deal with the finances of loved ones who've died. That's what the Chief Executive of Hospice UK, Toby Porter, has told this programme. We'll discuss best practice and what can be done to improve poor service.

And a government savings scheme designed to help people on low incomes is being extended and widened. How does Help to Save work?

Presenter: Paul Lewis
Reporter: Dan Whitworth
Researchers: Catherine Lund and Jo Krasner
Editor: Jess Quayle

(This programme was first broadcast 12pm Saturday 26th April 2025)


SAT 12:30 The News Quiz (m002b77k)
Series 117

2. Elections (Local and Papal)

Andy Zaltzman is joined by Andrew Maxwell, Zing Tsjeng, Jessica Fostekew and Pierre Novellie to unpack the upcoming local elections, the Conclave in the Vatican, Trump's planned UK visit, and Yorkshire Gladiators.

Written by Andy Zaltzman.

With additional material by: Chris Ballard, Cody Dahler, Eve Delaney and Alice Fraser.
Producer: Rajiv Karia
Executive Producer: Richard Morris
Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman
Sound Editor: Marc Willcox

A BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4


SAT 12:57 Weather (m002bgmb)
The latest weather forecast.


SAT 13:00 News (m002bgmd)
National and international news from BBC Radio 4.


SAT 13:10 Any Questions? (m002b77r)
Jess Brown-Fuller MP, John Glen MP, Baroness Angela Smith, Gawain Towler

Alex Forsyth presents political debate from the Strode Theatre in Street in Somerset with the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Hospitals and Primary Care Jess Brown-Fuller MP, the Conservative MP John Glen, the Leader of the House of Lords Baroness Angela Smith and Reform UK's former head of press Gawain Towler.

Producer: Robin Markwell
Lead Broadcast Engineer: Caitlin Gazeley


SAT 14:05 Any Answers? (m002bgmg)
Topical discussion posing questions to a panel of political and media personalities.


SAT 14:45 The Archers (m002b77m)
Joy and Leonard enjoy their walk up Lakey Hill inspecting the footpaths and reminiscing about street parties gone by. Suddenly Joy spots one of David’s very graphic notices about the dangers of neospora. She’s shocked. Leonard starts to dismantle the sign just as David approaches. Leonard explains to annoyed David that he feels the notices are inappropriate, but David counters that the reality of the image is exactly what farmers can face if people don’t heed the signs. They start to argue, and Joy intervenes. She agrees with David on this as it happens. It’s an important message. She persuades the men to apologise to one another, and David agrees to put the sign somewhere more unobtrusive.

Rex needs an explanation from Rochelle as to why she cancelled on him. She assures him she likes him and isn’t playing games. He’s not the problem. Before she can expand on this Rex moves in to kiss her. He can’t get her out of his head, and wonders if this could be a thing. Later Rex admits his heart rules his head in romance – when he’s in he’s all in. Rochelle rows back on their earlier moment, saying she just wants some fun. She can’t commit to more; she might have to leave Ambridge soon. Rex isn’t up for a casual arrangement, and he doesn’t want to start something that doesn’t mean anything. He finds her tricky to read – perhaps it’s good they’re being honest with each other now. They agree to park things as just friends.


SAT 15:00 Drama on 4 (m0016grz)
The Le Fanu Ballads

Neil Brand, writer and composer, has bridged the two time periods of Sheridan Le Fanu's 19th-century ghost stories and our world today in his supernatural adaptation. It begins in a basement nightclub in Dublin called Sheridan's. For four of the people who come to this club, a Royal Naval sailor, an au pair, an artist and a judge, this visit will change their lives. They will find themselves trapped in a story sprung from the tortured mind of Le Fanu himself.

The MC.....Paul Chahidi
Lady Justice Horobin/Madam Crowl.....Haydn Gwynne
Lewis/Gordon Starkey.....Jonathan Forbes
Nuala/Laura.....Ruth Everett
James Barton/McCrone.....Matthew Durkan
Pamela/Jeanette/Rosie.....Alexandra Hannant
Grace/Meg Wyvern.....Rebecca Crankshaw
Yelland.....Chris Jack
Gerald Dow /Court Clerk.....Michael Begley
Vanderhausen/Workman/Captain Jenner.....Neil McCaul

Sheridan Le Fanu's ghost stories adapted by Neil Brand
Music composed and played by Neil Brand, with Nuala's Ballad sung by Ruth Everett

Directed by Tracey Neale

Bridging the two time periods of Sheridan Le Fanu's 19th century ghost stories, and our world today in all its everyday bustle, is a basement nightclub in the heart of Dublin called Sheridan's. In its dark brick interior a small stage is surrounded by tables, the MC takes to the stage and a beautiful young woman, Nuala O'Brien - the Siren of the Second Sight - sings her ballad, her eyes scanning the upturned faces in the audience below her, until they fix on a face.

For four of the people who come to Sheridan's, a Royal Naval sailor, an au pair, an artist and a judge, this visit will change their lives. They will find themselves trapped in a story sprung from the tortured mind of Le Fanu himself.

The Sailor (based on The Watcher)
A young naval officer is convinced he is being followed and is forced to revisit his punishment of a young rating who is seeking revenge.

The Au Pair (based on Madame Crowle's Ghost)
Laura gets a job as an Au Pair in an old house in the country, where the elderly Grandmother of her charge remains unseen, secluded in her room. Laura soon realises that all is not right in the room upstairs.

The Artist (based on Schalken the Painter)
A young painter, Gordon Starkey, is in love with the niece of his friend Gerald, but is disturbed to find she has been lured into a clinic by underhand means. He attempts to save her from evil clutches.

The Judge (based on Lord Justice Harbottle)
A female judge, renowned for handing down rough sentences on the flimsiest of evidence, sees her own fate planned out for her by the ghost of one of her victims.

Neil Brand has followed the model of the horror double-bills on BBC2 in the 1980s, such as portmanteau stories like Amicus's Tales from the Crypt, in which separate stories were bookended by a single situation. Neil has invented Sheridan's nightclub, with its jovial yet sinister MC and Nuala, the Siren of the Second Sight. The combination of narration, drama, live-performed song and underscore will take the listener deep into a particularly Celtic mysticism, which breaks though to our very recognisable reality in disturbing and horrifically plausible ways. The Le Fanu Ballads - a potent mix of Irish balladry and stories of supernatural justice.

The Writer
Neil Brand is a composer, writer, radio playwright, presenter and broadcaster specialising in silent film and film music. Neil has been accompanying silent films for nearly 30 years, writes music for theatre, has written two award-winning musicals and ten radio plays including the Sony-nominated Stan (which he subsequently adapted to great acclaim for BBC4 TV), the Tinniswood prize-nominated Getting the Joke and the live-recorded crowd-pleaser The Big Broadcast. Neil has also presented the Radio 2 arts programme and broadcast regularly on Radio 4's The Film Programme.


SAT 16:00 Woman's Hour (m002bgmj)
Louise Thompson, For Women Scotland, Decluttering, Musician Emma-Jean Thackray, Exclusion zones

After suffering complications during the birth of her son, Leo, in 2021, former Made in Chelsea star Louise Thompson developed PTSD. She posted about this to her followers on social media and has now written about it in her new book, Lucky. She told Clare McDonnell about her experience and why she is trying to break the taboo surrounding birth trauma.

People who have committed murder, manslaughter or stalking offences should be forced to live in restricted areas after being released from prison on licence, according to a group of campaigners. BBC journalist Gemma Dunstan and law-change campaigners Rhianon Bragg and Dianna Parkes join Anita Rani to discuss.

The Prime Minister Keir Starmer has welcomed the UK Supreme Court decision on the legal definition of a woman. His office has confirmed that he no longer believes trans women are women. There have been protests against the decision, with critics saying it is incredibly worrying for the trans community. The ruling followed a long-running legal battle between the Scottish Government and the campaign group For Women Scotland. Susan Smith, one of the directors, spoke to Clare and gave her reflections on the outcome, a week on.

TV presenter, writer and self-declared 'homes therapist' Michelle Ogundehin joined Nuala to talk about decluttering and the connection between our home and our wellbeing, her personal wardrobe strategy and her love of curated things that tell our story.

Emma-Jean Thackray is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, producer, bandleader and DJ. Her sound has incorporated the widest range of music, from jazz and funk to Detroit house and techno, northern Bassline and catchy rock and pop music. She joined Anita to discuss her new album Weirdo and the inspiration behind it.

Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Dianne McGregor


SAT 17:00 PM (m002bgml)
Full coverage of the day's news.


SAT 17:30 Sliced Bread (m002b70x)
Plant-Based Meat Alternatives

You may have heard health warnings around too much red or processed meat, and considered trying a plant based meat alternative as one of your midweek meals instead. But after looking at the ingredients on the packet and spotting salt, additives and flavourings, wondered if they really are the healthier choice?

That’s exactly what listener Graham did, as he hunted for an alternative to his beloved sausage – and found that the plant based versions all seemed to be heavily processed. He's asking, are they really better for us? And are they better for the environment too?

The information and prices in this episode were correct at the time of recording.

All our episodes start with YOUR suggestions. If you’ve seen an ad, trend or wonder product promising to make you happier, healthier or greener, email us at sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk OR send a voice note to our WhatsApp number, 07543 306807

PRODUCERS: KATE HOLDSWORTH AND GREG FOOT

RESEARCHER: PHIL SANSOM


SAT 17:54 Shipping Forecast (m002bgmn)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.


SAT 17:57 Weather (m002bgmq)
The latest weather reports and forecast.


SAT 18:00 Six O'Clock News (m002bgms)
Pope's funeral held at the Vatican

World leaders, dignitaries and cardinals gather to bid farewell to Pope Francis


SAT 18:15 Loose Ends (m002bgmv)
Rachel Joyce, Matilda Mann, Kiell Smith-Bynoe, Levison Wood, Maya Delilah, Stuart Maconie

Rachel Joyce’s debut novel The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry was a bestseller in 30 languages, became a much-loved film with Jim Broadbent and is about to become a stage musical. She's also got a new novel, a sun-soaked family drama called The Homemade God which has already been hailed by one critic as "the perfect holiday read". Levison Wood has travelled to 150 countries but holiday reading probably isn't top of his priorities as an explorer, documentary maker and photographer. He'll join us to talk about a career that's seen him serve in the army in Afghanistan, walk the full length of the Nile, make documentaries about endangered animals and circumnavigate the Arabian Peninsula. The actor and comedian Kiell Smith Bynoe starred in Ghosts and Stath Lets Flats and presented the Great British Sewing Bee but is about to go on tour with the aim of making improv cool again. Kool Story Bro sees him and a cast of comedians and actors pick up stories from audiences and make them into a show. What can he improv from this week's Loose Ends?
Plus music from a contrasting pair of singer-songwriters - indie folk from Matilda Mann and jazz inflected from Maya Delilah.

Presented by Stuart Maconie
Produced in Salford by Olive Clancy


SAT 19:00 Profile (m002bgmx)
Mark Carney

Canadians are gearing up to vote in a snap General Election.

It's been called by Mark Carney, the former Governor of the Bank of England, who in recent months replaced Justin Trudeau as leader of Canada's ruling Liberal Party. Carney is hoping to receive a fresh mandate from the public, and face down US President Donald Trump, whose rhetoric towards America's neighbour in the north has become increasingly belligerent since returning to the White House.

It's been a long journey for 60-year-old Carney - from growing up in a small town in Canada's Northwest Territories all the way to the very highest levels of international diplomacy.

In this episode of Profile, Stephen Smith charts the life and career of the man hoping to become Canada's Prime Minister.

Producers: Ben Cooper and Lucy Pawle
Researcher: Chloe Scannapieco
Editor: Max Deveson
Sound: James Beard
Production Co-ordinator: Katie Morrison

Archive:
BBC News
BBC Radio 4
CPAC
CP24
Global News
The Guardian


SAT 19:15 This Cultural Life (m002b70d)
Wayne McGregor

Choreographer Sir Wayne McGregor is one of the most acclaimed, innovative and influential figures in contemporary dance. His works are often the result of creative collaborations with artists, musicians, filmmakers, or with scientists to explore technological issues. In 2006 he was appointed as Resident Choreographer at the Royal Ballet. He has created more than 20 new works at Covent Garden in that time, including Chroma, set to music by Joby Talbot and The White Stripes, and Woolf Works, a full-length ballet based on the life and writings of Virginia Woolf. More recently, McGregor brought the post-apocalyptic vision of Margaret Atwood to the stage in his ballet MaddAddam, based on the writer's acclaimed trilogy of novels. He has worked as a movement director on films including Harry Potter Goblet Of Fire and Mary Queen Of Scots, collaborated with bands including Radiohead and Chemical Brothers, and choreographed the virtual concert, ABBA Voyage. In October 2025, Somerset House in London will mount a landmark exhibition dedicated to McGregor's trailblazing collaborations that have radically defined how we think about performance, movement, and the body. Having won numerous awards, including two Oliviers, Sir Wayne McGregor was knighted in 2024.

Wayne McGregor talks to John Wilson about his childhood in Stockport, where he took dance classes and was inspired by John Travolta’s moves in Saturday Night Fever. He recalls the house and techno music of the late 80s when he was a student, and how the freedom of expression he felt on nightclub dance-floors informed his style of choreography. Whilst living in New York after leaving university, Wayne came across an open-air performance by the legendary American choreographer Merce Cunningham, whose company was dancing to live music conducted by the avant-garde composer John Cage. It was a chance encounter that had a profound impact on McGregor. He also discusses how science and technology has been a major thematic influence on much of his work in recent years, and how AI has been used to create new works through analysis of physical movement and artistic expression.

Producer Edwina Pitman


SAT 20:00 Archive on 4 (m002bv98)
Against the Current: The Great Gatsby at 100

Following the publication of ‘The Great Gatsby’ a hundred years ago, F Scott Fitzgerald bemoaned the fact that not one of the reviewers, “had the slightest idea what the book was about”. They had focused their attention on the book’s critique of what would become known as the American Dream, and ever since then the conversation about this most venerated of books has largely remained centred around that same theme. Professor Sarah Churchwell, who has been teaching, thinking and writing about the novel for decades, breaks away from that conversation to explore poetic, aesthetic and philosophical perspectives stemming from Fitzgerald’s own ambition to write a serious piece of art rather than merely a one-dimensional slice of social commentary. Sarah also features new cinematic and theatrical discoveries that reveal how most people first came to know the novel through adaptations that differed considerably from the source material. She speaks with academics Anne-Margaret Daniel, Anil Gomes, Nick Gaskill, Martina Mastandrea, Philip McGowan and James West.
Archive includes:
‘The Great Gatsby’ Dir. Baz Luhrmann 2013 Warner Brothers
‘The Great Gatsby Dir. Elliott Nugent 1949 Paramount
‘The Dream Divided’ Dir. Fred Burnley 1969
Producer: Geoff Bird
Production Coordinator: Mica Nepomuceno


SAT 21:00 My Poetry and Other Animals (m002bgmz)
Foxes, Tigers, Slugs & Snails, Horses

The Poet Laureate Simon Armitage meets different animals (he looks into a tiger’s eyes, holds a giant African land snail in the palm of his hand, and visits an equine therapy centre) as he drafts a brand new poem.

Simon’s written a lot about animals in the past, but always at a distance. He wants that to change, and to feel that he has captured the spirit of an animal, and done it justice. In this series, across different creaturely encounters, meetings with poets, and some of the most vivid poems about animals ever written (including Ted Hughes’ ‘The Thought-Fox’ William Blake’s ‘The Tyger’, Sharon Olds’ ‘The Connoisseuse of Slugs’ , and Imtiaz Dharker’s ‘The Host’) Simon asks whether a poem can bring an animal closer to us, and if poetry can help us grasp what other animals really mean to us, in an age when so many species are under threat.

Produced by Faith Lawrence
Mixed by Sue Stonestreet

Foxes - Audio archive sources:
Listening and Writing: Two Talks By Ted Hughes’ – BBC - 1961
‘Ted Hughes: Force of Nature' - BBC2 - 1988 ('Thames extract - ITV )
Interview with Ted Hughes at New York's 92nd Street Y - Unterberg Center – 1986

Tigers - actors (reading lines from William Blake's 'The Tyger')
John Nettles
Angela Thorne
Sir Michael Tippett

Horses - 'The Horses' by Edwin Muir is read by John McKay


SAT 22:00 News (m002bgn1)
National and international news from BBC Radio 4.


SAT 22:15 The Food Programme (m002b76q)
The World's Historic Restaurants

The restaurant trade is fickle and can be a "here today, gone tomorrow" business. But a very small number of restaurants seem to have been with us for ever. Dan Saladino explores the secrets of the world's oldest restaurants.


SAT 23:00 Call Jonathan Pie (m002bgn3)
Series 2

5. Strictly Moscow

The whole team are shocked when Pie has to defend a past mistake that comes back to haunt him. But Pie’s agent has some tantalising news.

Call Jonathan Pie is written and performed by Tom Walker.
With additional material from Nick Revell and Daniel Abelson
Jules ….. Lucy Pearman
Sam ….. Aqib Khan
Roger ….. Nick Revell
Agent ….. Daniel Abelson

The callers: Laura Shavin, Daniel Abelson and Ed Kear
Producers: Alison Vernon-Smith and Julian Mayers
A Yada-Yada Audio production for BBC Radio 4


SAT 23:30 Nature Table (m000fwcw)
Series 1

Episode 4

Sue Perkins’ ‘Show & Tell’ series celebrating the natural world and all it’s funny eccentricities.

Taking the simple format of a ‘Show & Tell’, each episode Sue is joined by celebrity guests from the worlds of comedy and natural history.

Each of the natural history guests brings an item linked to the wild world to share with the audience, be it an amazing fact or funny personal anecdote. Each item is a springboard for an enlightening and funny discussion, alongside fun games and challenges revealing more astonishing facts.

We also hear from some of the London Zoo audience, a mix of London Zoo staff and members of the public, as they bring us their own natural history ‘show and tells’ for Sue and the guests to discuss.

Nature Table has a simple clear brief: to positively celebrate and promote the importance of all our planet’s wonderfully wild flora and fauna in a fun and easily grasped way... whilst at the same time having a giggle.

In this episode, Sue welcomes:

* Zoologist and author Lucy Cooke
* Fly expert Dr. Erica McAlister
* Comedian Kiri Pritchard-McLean

Written by Catherine Brinkworth, Kat Sadler and Jon Hunter

Producer: Simon Nicholls

A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in March 2020.

SUNDAY 27 APRIL 2025

SUN 00:00 Midnight News (m002bgn5)
National and international news from BBC Radio 4.


SUN 00:15 Take Four Books (m002b6lt)
Xiaolu Guo

This week, Take Four Books, presented by James Crawford, talks to the British-Chinese writer Xiaolu Guo about her new novel - Call Me Ishmaelle - which reinterprets Herman Melville's mighty Moby Dick story and follows the protagonist of Ishmaelle, a woman who sneaks onto a whaling ship disguised as a man. For her three influencing texts Xiaolu chose: Moby Dick by Herman Melville from 1851; Philip Hoare's Leviathan from 2009; and Othello by William Shakespeare (first performed in 1604).

The supporting contributor for this episode was the literary editor and founder of the independent publisher thi wurd - Alan McMunnigall.

Producer: Dom Howell
Editor: Gillian Wheelan
This was a BBC Audio Scotland production.


SUN 00:48 Shipping Forecast (m002bgn7)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.


SUN 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (m002bgn9)
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.


SUN 05:30 News Summary (m002bgnc)
National and international news from BBC Radio 4.


SUN 05:34 Shipping Forecast (m002bgnf)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.


SUN 05:43 Bells on Sunday (m002bgnh)
The church of Saints Mary Magdalene and Denys in Midhurst West Sussex.

Bells on Sunday comes from the church of Saints Mary Magdalene and Denys in Midhurst West Sussex. Midhurst was an important market in the Middle Ages. The church, originally a chapel linked to Easebourne Priory, became the parish church upon the dissolution of the monasteries. There are six bells, the oldest four of which all date from 1765 and were cast by the Lester and Pack foundry of Whitechapel. The Tenor weighs ten and a half hundredweight and is tuned to the note of G. We hear them ringing Primrose Surprise Minor.


SUN 05:45 In Touch (m002b6s7)
Ultra Access/Mixmups; Sound of a Masterpiece

Visually impaired producer of the children's television programme Mixmups, Rebecca Atkinson has created a new concept for customising television access. It is called Ultra Access and is currently available online for episodes of Mixmups. Rebecca, along with Kate Dimbleby from Stornaway, who are the interactive video company providing the technology for Ultra Access, tell In Touch whether they think this could become the future of interactive access to television.

Sound of a Masterpiece is an album created by visually impaired composer Bobby Goulder, that reimagines famous pieces of art work into music. It was created with The BBC’s New Radiophonic Workshop, with the aim of bringing visually impaired people closer to art and to experience it in a more immersive way. Bobby Goulder tells In Touch about the concept behind the project and visually impaired art appreciator, Sam Leftwich provides her critiques of the reimaginings.

Presenter: Peter White
Producer: Beth Hemmings
Production Coordinator: Liz Poole
Website image description: Peter White sits smiling in the centre of the image and he is wearing a dark green jumper. Above Peter's head is the BBC logo (three separate 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 of a white circle). The background is a bright mid-blue with two rectangles angled diagonally to the right. Both are behind Peter, one is a darker blue and the other is a lighter blue.


SUN 06:00 News Summary (m002bgvs)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4


SUN 06:05 Beyond Belief (m002b6rn)
Cultural Religiosity

Giles Fraser meets columnist Giles Coren, who was raised in the Jewish tradition, became an atheist and who now feels at home in a Christian church, to explore what it means to be culturally religious.

Is cultural religiosity an oxymoron and totally untenable? Is it on the rise or has it always been there? Is it damaging to traditional religious practices? And, does it really matter?

To examine these questions, Giles is joined by:

Michael Rosen, author and poet, known for his work exploring humanism and atheism. He has co-written a book, "What is Humanism? How do you live without a god? And Other Big Questions for Kids," which looks at how humanists approach fundamental questions about morals, ethics, and the origins of life.

Kate Smurthwaite, patron of the Humanist society and feminist, atheist comedian and activist. Internationally, she is probably best-known as the star of a viral video in which she claims that she doesn’t have a faith because she is not an idiot.

Justin Brierley, writer, documentary maker and broadcaster behind the book and podcast series, 'The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God'. Over the course of his work Justin looks at why new atheism grew old and why secular thinkers are considering Christianity again.

Producers: Alexa Good & Linda Walker

Editor: Tim Pemberton


SUN 06:35 On Your Farm (m002bgvx)
Hyphae and High-wire

It’s not often you meet a farmer who’s also a circus performer, but that’s the reality for Emma who’s also running a small-scale mushroom farm in north Pembrokeshire with her partner cee-cee. The love of growing fungi all started for them in a wardrobe, but for the last few years, the pair have had access to two acres on a larger mixed farm where they produce a year-round supply of oyster and shitake mushrooms using both indoor and outdoor systems.

Verity Sharp visits on a day they’re out in the sunshine, drilling holes into logs and filling them with mycelium plugs that hold the promise of a mushroom bounty further down the line.

cee-cee manrique has British and Colombian heritage and still considers their dad’s coffee farm in San Juan de Rioseco ‘the best place on earth’.

The pair share tales of a formative two-year hitchhiking trip from north Colombia to Patagonia working on small farms along the way, and cee-cee describes how that compares to their current experience as a brown farmer working the land in the UK.

With laughter and immense mycelial knowledge, Emma and cee-cee share their aversion to bucket washing and great passion for slacklining.

Presented and produced by Verity Sharp.


SUN 06:57 Weather (m002bgw1)
The latest weather reports and forecast


SUN 07:00 News and Papers (m002bgw5)
National and international news from BBC Radio 4


SUN 07:10 Sunday (m002bgw9)
Live from St Peter's Square in Rome: Pope Francis’ funeral and UK’s most senior Catholic on the future of the church

William Crawley is live from St Peter's Square in Rome, reflecting on Pope Francis’s funeral.

He’s joined by Austen Ivereigh, biographer of Pope Francis, and Professor Anna Rowlands, Professor of Catholic Social Thought & Practice at Durham University.

The Venerable English College in Rome is the oldest British institution outside the United Kingdom. The college provides education and training for seminarians and priests from all over the world. This year the college doors are open for public tours for the first time in to mark the Catholic Jubilee year and William visits college Rector, Fr Stephen Wang to find out more.

As well as speaking to pilgrims paying their final respects to Pope Francis earlier in the week, William hear speaks to the UK’s most senior Catholic Cardinal Vincent Nichols on the upcoming Conclave and future of the church.

Presenter: William Crawley
Producers: Dan Tierney in Rome and Katy Davis and Bara’atu Ibrahim in Salford
Studio Managers: Denis O'Hare in Rome and Nat Stokes and Carwyn Griffith in Salford
Editor: Tim Pemberton


SUN 07:54 Radio 4 Appeal (m002bgwf)
Ubuntu Pathways

TV presenter and dancer Oti Mabuse presents this week’s Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of Ubuntu Pathways. The charity has a campus in South Africa which supports children from birth to graduation.

To Give:
- Freephone 0800 404 8144
- Freepost BBC Radio 4 Appeal. (That’s the whole address. Please do not write anything else on the front of the envelope). Mark the back of the envelope ‘Ubuntu Pathways’.
- Cheques should be made payable to ‘Ubuntu Pathways’.
- You can donate online at bbc.co.uk/appeal/radio4

Registered Charity Number: 1103749. If you’d like to find out more about the charity’s work visit *https://ubuntupathways.org/
*The BBC is not responsible for content on external websites

Producer: Katy Takatsuki


SUN 07:57 Weather (m002bgwh)
The latest weather reports and forecast


SUN 08:00 News and Papers (m002bgwk)
National and international news from BBC Radio 4


SUN 08:10 Sunday Worship (m002bvz6)
A Requiem Mass for Pope Francis

Following the announcement of his death, a Requiem Mass for Pope Francis from the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, Liverpool. With a homily by The Most Reverend Malcolm McMahon, Archbishop of Liverpool. Celebrant: Canon Anthony O’Brien, Dean; Introit et Kyrie (Faure Requiem - part); Kyrie (Mass XVIII); Wisdom 3: 1-6, 9; Matthew 5: 1-12a; Justorum Animae (Stanford); Sanctus (Faure); Agnus Dei (Mass XVIII); In Paradisum (Faure). The Metropolitan Cathedral Choir directed by Joe Watson, Organist: Richard Lea. Director of Music: Dr. Christopher McElroy; Producer: Philip Billson.


SUN 08:48 Witness History (w3ct5ynr)
The invention of the shopping trolley

In 1937, American supermarket owner Sylvan Goldman came up with a way to get his customers to spend more.

He introduced his 'folding basket carriers' in his Humpty Dumpty chain in Oklahoma, hiring models to push them round his stores.

They caught on, becoming known as shopping carts in the USA.

Rachel Naylor uses clips from a 1977 CBS interview of Sylvan with Charles Kuralt to tell the story.

Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive. Witness History is for those fascinated by the past. We take you to the events that have shaped our world through the eyes of the people who were there. For nine minutes every day, we take you back in time and all over the world, to examine wars, coups, scientific discoveries, cultural moments and much more.

Recent episodes explore everything from football in Brazil, the history of the ‘Indian Titanic’ and the invention of air fryers, to Public Enemy’s Fight The Power, subway art and the political crisis in Georgia. We look at the lives of some of the most famous leaders, artists, scientists and personalities in history, including: visionary architect Antoni Gaudi and the design of the Sagrada Familia; Michael Jordan and his bespoke Nike trainers; Princess Diana at the Taj Mahal; and Görel Hanser, manager of legendary Swedish pop band Abba on the influence they’ve had on the music industry. You can learn all about fascinating and surprising stories, such as the time an Iraqi journalist hurled his shoes at the President of the United States in protest of America’s occupation of Iraq; the creation of the Hollywood commercial that changed advertising forever; and the ascent of the first Aboriginal MP.

(Photo: Sylvan Goldman, with models of his shopping trolley. Credit: Don Tullous, Oklahoma Publishing Company Photography Collection, Courtesy of the Oklahoma Historical Society)


SUN 08:58 Tweet of the Day (m002bgwp)
Geoff Sample on the Marsh Warbler

Marsh Warblers have long held a mystique for wildlife sound recordist Geoff Sample ever since reading John Walpole-Bond's claim that the marsh warbler song reached a pitch ‘intensely passionate even to the verge of delirium’. Not only that, but marsh warbler's are one of nature's great mimics. It's thought that individual birds can have a repertoire of around 80 different species, songs it encounters on its long migration across Europe and Africa. More recently Geoff worked with Francoise Dowsett Lemaire, who unlocked much of what we know today about the marsh warbler's song, alongside artist Hanna Tuulikki in a project involving the amazing song of this long-distance migrant.

Producer : Andrew Dawes of BBC Audio in Bristol
Studio Engineer : Ilse Lademann


SUN 09:00 Broadcasting House (m002bgwr)
The Sunday morning news magazine programme. Presented by Paddy O'Connell


SUN 10:00 The Reunion (m002c214)
Jean Charles de Menezes

In July 2005 London was facing a unique and terrifying situation. Four bombers had blown themselves up on 7th July, killing 52 commuters and injuring more than 700. Two weeks later, four more launched another attack. Luckily they failed. But the city woke the next morning knowing that they were still at large. The Metropolitan Police was under unprecedented pressure to find them.

For Brazilian electrician Jean Charles de Menezes, Friday 22nd July 2005 was an ordinary working day – his last ever as it turned out. He left his home in Stockwell just after 9.30am and took the bus to Stockwell tube station. He grabbed a free paper on his way in and headed down to board the Northern Line train. Within minutes he was dead. Horrified commuters watched as multiple bullets were pumped into Jean Charles’ prostrate body by expert firearms officers who thought they were on the tail of one of the would-be suicide bombers involved in the previous day’s botched attack.

The 27-year-old was a completely innocent victim and his death was the worst case of mistaken identity in the history of the Metropolitan Police. Subsequent investigations exposed a catalogue of errors. Sir Ian Blair, the Met Commissioner, ignored loud calls for his resignation and the force had to pay more than half a million in court costs but no individual was ever held to account.

Joining Kirsty Wark to recall what happened are Jean Charles’ cousin Patricia da Silva Armani, his close friend Erionaldo Silva, Yasmin Khan and Asad Rehman who led the Justice4Jean campaign, veteran lawyer Gareth Peirce and Lana Vandenberghe who was working for the Independent Complaints Commission.

Presenter: Kirsty Wark
Producer: Karen Pirie
Series Producer: David Prest

A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4


SUN 11:00 The Archers Omnibus (m002bgww)
Writer: Naylah Ahmed
Director: Pip Swallow
Editor: Jeremy Howe

Ben Archer…. Ben Norris
David Archer…. Timothy Bentinck
Helen Archer…. Louiza Patikas
Henry Archer…. Blayke Darby
Jolene Archer…. Buffy Davies
Kenton Archer…. Richard Attlee
Natasha Archer…. Mali Harries
Pat Archer…. Patricia Gallimore
Tom Archer…. William Troughton
Leonard Berry…. Paul Copley
Rex Fairbrother…. Nick Barber
Chelsea Horrobin…. Madeleine Leslay
Joy Horville…. Jackie Lye
Rochelle Horville…. Rosie Stancliffe
Zainab Malik…. Priyasasha Kumari
Jazzer McCreary…. Ryan Kelly
Freddie Pargetter…. Toby Laurence
Lily Pargetter…. Katie Redford
Saskia…. Alison Belbin


SUN 12:15 Profile (m002bgmx)
[Repeat of broadcast at 19:00 on Saturday]


SUN 12:30 The Unbelievable Truth (m002b6p8)
Series 31

Episode 2

David Mitchell hosts the panel game in which four comedians are encouraged to tell lies and compete against one another to see how many items of truth they’re able to smuggle past their opponents.

Lucy Porter, Ian Smith, Zoe Lyons and Henning Wehn are the panellists obliged to talk with deliberate inaccuracy on subjects as varied as potatoes, Yorkshire, wine and beaches.

The show is devised by Graeme Garden and Jon Naismith.

Producer: Jon Naismith

A Random Entertainment production for BBC Radio 4


SUN 12:57 Weather (m002bgwy)
The latest weather forecast


SUN 13:00 The World This Weekend (m002bgx0)
A look at the week's big stories and preview of the week to come.


SUN 13:30 Currently (m002bvs7)
Russia's New War Elite

Russians who sign up to fight in Ukraine earn big money in salaries and bonuses – and the Kremlin is even more generous to families of those killed in battle. Average compensation packages for a dead son or husband are worth about £97,000. In less-wealthy Russian provinces, where most recruits are from, that’s enough to turn your life around. Reporter Arsenii Sokolov finds out how the relatives of the tens of thousands of men Russia has lost in the war are spending the money – and asks whether the pay-outs will help create a new “patriotic” middle class that supports Vladimir Putin.

Besides the cash, there are many privileges offered to soldiers and their families, and to bereaved relatives of the fallen. Their children can go to university whatever their grades. And the Kremlin has started a programme called “Time of Heroes” that claims it will fast-track selected returning servicemen into elite positions in local politics and business. But can Putin’s attempt at social engineering really work? And will “deathonomics” – as one economist calls it – really boost the economy of the provinces that have suffered most from the huge death toll?

Presenter: Arsenii Sokolov
Producer: Tim Whewell
Sound engineer: Neil Churchill
Production Co-ordinator: Gemma Ashman
Editor: Penny Murphy


SUN 14:00 Gardeners' Question Time (m002b777)
Braintree: Indoor Gardening, Rich Compost and Propagating

What would be your top tips for creating compost? What's the best way to propagate Lamine raspberries? What could I grow in very dry soil?

Kathy Clugston and a panel of plant and gardening experts return to Ridgewell, Essex and offer advice to an audience of keen gardeners. Joining Kathy are grow-your-own guru Bob Flowerdew, garden designer Bunny Guinness, and gardener Matthew Pottage.

Later in the programme, avid urban gardener Martha Swales offers advice on how to grow edibles indoors. Continuing our 'Edible Essential Series'.

Producer: Matthew Smith
Assistant Producer: Rahnee Prescod

Plant List
Questions and timecodes are below. Where applicable, plant names have been provided.

Q - What can I plant in my hanging baskets that would give a bright full display and will also attract bees? (01'31")

Bunny Guinness -
Verbena officinalis 'Bampton', vervain 'Bampton'

Matthew Pottage -
Delosperma
Lameranthus

Q- My climbing rose refuse to flower consistently, should I dig it up and cut my losses or feed the ground? (04'59")

Q- Will my two large Cycas revoluta plants recover from frost damage? (09'41")

Q - What would be your top tips for creating compost? (13'36")

Q- What's the best way to propagate raspberry 'Tulameen'? (22'48")

Q - When should I cut back my Honeysuckles? And how hard should I cut them back?
(24'48")

Bunny Guinness -
Lonicera japonica 'Halliana', hall's Japanese honeysuckle

Q- What could I grow in very dry soil? (26'45")

Matthew Pottage –
Ascanthus, bear's breeches
Ruscus aculeatus, butcher’s broom
Hydrangea petiolaris, climbing hydrangeas
Euonymus fortunei 'Kewensis', spindle 'Kewensis'

Bob Flowerdew –
Ficus carica (F), fig
Vitis vinifera, grape vine

Bunny Guinness –
Lavandula, lavender

Q - We’ve removed a Conifer hedge and replaced it with a fence. What can I plant against it? (31'26")

Matthew Pottage –
Pileostegia viburnoides, climbing hydrangea

Bob Flowerdew –
Ribes rubrum, common redcurrant
Ribes rubrum 'White Grape', white currents
Ribes uva-crispa, gooseberry
Lathyrus odoratus, sweet pea

Bunny Guinness –
Ficus carica Little Miss Figgy ('Lmf01') (F), fig [Little Miss Figgy]
Clematis armandi, armand clematis

Q - As a legendarily useless gardener, I've always believed that gardening is a dark art into which I have not been initiated. What's the best way in? (36'14")


SUN 14:45 Little Lifetimes by Jenny Eclair (m0016hbj)
Series 7

The Fundraiser

Written by Jenny Eclair
Read by Victoria Hamilton.

Producer ..... Sally Avens

The annual school quiz is the highlight of the year for one particularly competitive mother, but knowing the flags of every nation is of no use at all at this year's event when a completely different kind of knowledge is called for.

Victoria Hamilton is an award winning actress on stage and screen. She has most recently been seen as The Queen Mother in the first series of The Crown and the Sky Series Cobra.


SUN 15:00 Drama on 4 (m002bgx4)
Local Hero

A radio reimagining of Bill Forsyth's 1983 film.

Texan energy company executive Mac MacIntyre is dispatched to the tiny Scottish fishing village of Ferness, with orders to buy out the town and develop the area for an oil refinery. But the village works unexpected magic on Mac as he comes to realise that not everything of value is for sale.

Cast:
Mac ...... Harry Lloyd
Stella ...... Sophie Kennedy Clark
Danny ...... Greg McHugh
Marina …… Kiran Sonia Sawar
Ben …… Clive Russell
Happer …… Harry Ditson
Roddy …… John Scougall
Gideon …… David Gant

Written by Marty Ross
Adapted from the film by Bill Forsyth
Editing and sound design by Charlie Brandon-King
Music by Jon Griffin
Produced by Simon Barnard
Directed by Ken Bentley

A Bafflegab production for BBC Radio 4


SUN 16:00 Take Four Books (m002bgx6)
Vincenzo Latronico

Take Four Books, presented by James Crawford, speaks to the writer Vincenzo Latronico on his new novel Perfection - which has been shortlisted for the International Man Booker prize - and explores its connections to three other literary works. Perfection (translated by Sophie Hughes) follows the lives of millennial expat couple Anna and Tom, who work as digital creatives, and seek to live out, what should be, their dream existence in a chic flat in Berlin filled with flea market furniture and house plants, and yet an undefinable feeling of unfulfillment gnaws away. For his three influences Vincenzo chose: Things: A Story Of The Sixties by Georges Perec from 1965; Wilful Disregard by the Swedish author Lena Andersson from 2013; and No One Is Talking About This by Patricia Lockwood from 2021.

The supporting contributor for this episode was the Italian writer and translator Claudia Durastanti, author of Strangers I Know.

Producer: Dominic Howell
Editor: Gillian Wheelan

This was a BBC Audio Scotland production.


SUN 16:30 Nature Table (m000g4zz)
Series 1

Episode 5

Sue Perkins’ ‘Show & Tell’ series celebrating the natural world and all it’s funny eccentricities.

Taking the simple format of a ‘Show & Tell’, each episode Sue is joined by celebrity guests from the worlds of comedy and natural history.

Each of the natural history guests brings an item linked to the wild world to share with the audience, be it an amazing fact or funny personal anecdote. Each item is a springboard for an enlightening and funny discussion, alongside fun games and challenges revealing more astonishing facts.

We also hear from some of the London Zoo audience, a mix of London Zoo staff and members of the public, as they bring us their own natural history ‘show and tells’ for Sue and the guests to discuss.

Nature Table has a simple clear brief: to positively celebrate and promote the importance of all our planet’s wonderfully wild flora and fauna in a fun and easily grasped way... whilst at the same time having a giggle.

In this episode, Sue welcomes:

* Award-winning wildlife cameraman Doug Allan
* Ant expert Dr. Claire Asher
* Comedian Sindhu Vee

Written by Catherine Brinkworth, Kat Sadler and Jon Hunter.

Producer: Simon Nicholls

A BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in March 2020.


SUN 17:00 Witness History (w3ct745x)
Exercise Tiger: Disastrous D-Day rehearsal

In April 1944, the Allies planned Exercise Tiger to practise their landing on France's Normandy beaches ahead of D-Day. During the rehearsal, a German fleet attacked, sinking two allied ships. Around 749 US servicemen died.

The Allies’ military leaders ordered troops not to discuss the disaster because they didn’t want to damage morale or give away the D-Day plans. So, Exercise Tiger was largely forgotten for decades.

Ben Henderson tells the story using archive interviews with Paul Gerolstein, who was on board one of the ships that came under attack.

Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive. Witness History is for those fascinated by the past. We take you to the events that have shaped our world through the eyes of the people who were there. For nine minutes every day, we take you back in time and all over the world, to examine wars, coups, scientific discoveries, cultural moments and much more.

Recent episodes explore everything from football in Brazil, the history of the ‘Indian Titanic’ and the invention of air fryers, to Public Enemy’s Fight The Power, subway art and the political crisis in Georgia. We look at the lives of some of the most famous leaders, artists, scientists and personalities in history, including: visionary architect Antoni Gaudi and the design of the Sagrada Familia; Michael Jordan and his bespoke Nike trainers; Princess Diana at the Taj Mahal; and Görel Hanser, manager of legendary Swedish pop band Abba on the influence they’ve had on the music industry. You can learn all about fascinating and surprising stories, such as the time an Iraqi journalist hurled his shoes at the President of the United States in protest of America’s occupation of Iraq; the creation of the Hollywood commercial that changed advertising forever; and the ascent of the first Aboriginal MP.

This programme has been updated since the original broadcast.

Archive:
Exercise Tiger Memorial Ltd courtesy of Dean Small and Laurie Bolton, audio/visual maintained by Chris Kirsten of CeeVisk
David FitzGerald

(Photo: US troops ahead of D-Day. Credit: AP)


SUN 17:10 Writing the Universe (m0020hmm)
The End

It might seem to be the most remote of scientific questions. How does it all end - If indeed it does end? Much has been written about the beginning that lies behind us: the creation of the universe 13.8 billion years ago; the Big Bang and all that followed. But with all we have learned so far, how accurate can our predictions of the end be?

It was Renaissance astronomer Galileo who believed the “Book of nature is written in mathematical characters” and that without these “one is wandering in a dark labyrinth” But equations of physics can run both forward as well as back. And pictures have begun to emerge of the far-future evolution of the universe .But in conveying any scenarios as to how the universe might end, how careful do scientists and writers have to be to avoid bringing on any cosmological vertigo to the minds of inhabitants on planet earth?

Robin Ince examines how the great science communicators past and present have helped woo us towards concepts of the universe’s destiny that we would have previously found quite improbable.

With contributions from Robin’s fellow Infinite Monkey Cage presenter Brian Cox, Katie Mack author of The End of Everything; Paul Sutter author of Your Place in the Universe; physicist and philosopher Sean Carroll; art critic Louisa Buck; writer and producer John Lloyd; astronomer Adam Riess; astrophysicist Mike Turner

Producer: Adrian Washbourne

Executive Producer: Alexandra Feachem

Soundscape designer: Jane Watkins

BBC Studios Audio Production


SUN 17:54 Shipping Forecast (m002bgx8)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping


SUN 17:57 Weather (m002bgxb)
The latest weather reports and forecast


SUN 18:00 Six O'Clock News (m002bgxd)
Eleven people die in Vancouver car ramming attack.

Canada's Prime Minister, Mark Carney, says he's 'heartbroken'.


SUN 18:15 Pick of the Week (m002bgxg)
Peter Curran

Jump into Peter's time travelling audio capsule for a voyage of this week and beyond, where we visit Tudor cheesemakers, a teenage Sinéad O’Connor smitten with Elvis, and our primate cousins the chimpanzees - who taught us how to be selfish. We'll also get glimpses of when punk legends the Sex Pistols turned up to a less-than-receptive audience in Northallerton, as well as the moment in 1995 where many of us were very receptive to a sodden-shirted Mr Darcy in the celebrated remake of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.

Presenter: Peter Curran
Producer: Anthony McKee
Production Coordinator: Caroline Peddle

A BBC Audio Northern Ireland production for BBC Radio 4.


SUN 19:00 The Archers (m002bgxj)
Freddie frets as the cricket team struggle in their match against Adderton, while Rochelle fends off calls from Saskia about accessing the lairage at the abattoir. Later, while batting, Rochelle’s struck painfully on the elbow by a shot from Rex. After he’s out guilt-stricken Rex takes Rochelle to hospital, where to their relief they discover she hasn’t broken her arm. Rochelle then makes fun of Rex being overly concerned, before accepting his offer to stay over with him rather than face Joy making a fuss and everything degenerating into a row.

On her wedding anniversary Azra is packed off to a spa day at Grey Gables by Zainab and Khalil. It’s a ploy to get her out of the way while Akram is photographed in his wedding outfit, as part of their plan to replace the pictures lost in the sewage spill. The outfit needs letting out so Akram heads to Birmingham with Zainab and Khalil, where they have lunch while a friend does the tailoring. The photoshopping process is explained to Akram, who loves the photos they’ll be using of Azra in her wedding outfit taken recently by Chelsea. They’ll be stopping at the Botanical Gardens on their way home for colourful background shots, plus adding in guests from pictures emailed by Adil. But Akram thinks adding Azra’s parents, who weren’t there originally, is a step too far. Later, both Azra and Akram are delighted by the newly created digital “wedding album”, spotting Khalil and Zainab peeping out of one picture just as if they were really there!


SUN 19:15 Illuminated (m002bvgc)
Mum in a Box

As their 30th birthday approaches, Saba Husain (they/them) receives an unexpected and life changing box. It contains ‘the life’ of their mum; never before seen diaries, love letters, poems, photos of a person who died when Saba was born, 29 years earlier.

With no note or message, it must have been sent by Saba’s father - but why now? Why not before? And what should Saba do with these incredibly intimate pieces of their mother? Saba starts to investigate, asking; how do you get to know your mum - from scratch - through a box of her things?

Mum in a Box follows Saba on the twists and turns of the often unacknowledged experience of a motherless child, piecing together a person through the things they’ve left behind and the revelations that unfold. We join Saba as they work through this totally uncurated box of both overwhelming and underwhelming surprises, travelling through space and time as they try to reach a mother that they never got to meet.

Producer: Christina Hardinge
Co-creator: Saba Husain
Sound Design & Music composition: Noémie Ducimetière
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio Four


SUN 19:45 Just One Thing - with Michael Mosley (m001wxlg)
Get Skipping

It’s time to dig out that skipping rope, as Michael learns that the popular childhood pastime could have big benefits for health and wellbeing, especially as we get older. Professor Urs Granacher from the University of Freiburg, shares how skipping is a form of jumping exercise, which could help increase not just our speed, but could also help us age healthily. These exercises help increase muscle power and can also strengthen our bones. Our volunteer Shona, a new mum based in Shetland, uses skipping as an excuse to get outside.

Series Producer: Nija Dalal-Small
Science Producer: Catherine Wyler
Researcher: Sophie Richardson
Researcher: Will Hornbrook
Production Manager: Maria Simons
Editor: Zoe Heron
A BBC Studios production for BBC Sounds / BBC Radio 4.


SUN 20:00 Feedback (m002b71r)
Radio listening across the generations. In Our Time. BBC Sounds overseas.

In last week's episode we announced that the BBC will be continuing to allow access to BBC Sounds for international listeners until adequate alternative provisions have been put in place. This week, we hear listeners' reaction to the BBC's statement.

Elizabeth and Jack are grandmother and grandson, and are also Radio 4 listeners. When Elizabeth got in contact with Feedback to tell us that she regularly sends her grandson recommendations for listening material, Andrea was curious to know more - so she invited them into the studio to share their perspectives on what the BBC can provide for listeners from different generations.

Although it seems like many BBC Audio programmes have fallen under the axe recently, In Our Time has show no signs of slowing down since its inaugural episode in 1998. Listeners Hamish and Nick try to explain its cult classic appeal in our Feedback VoxBox.

Presenter: Andrea Catherwood
Producer: Pauline Moore
Assistant Producer: Rebecca Guthrie
Executive Producer: David Prest

A Whistledown Scotland Production for BBC Radio 4


SUN 20:30 Last Word (m002b77c)
Pope Francis, Paddy Higson, David Sassoon

Matthew Bannister on

Pope Francis, the first Latin American Pope who was noted for his humility and modest lifestyle.

Paddy Higson, the TV and film producer once described as “the mother of the Scottish film industry”. Jed Mercurio and Clare Grogan pay tribute.

And David Sassoon, the fashion designer who dressed royalty and film stars. Dame Zandra Rhodes tells us about his life.

Interviewee: David Willey
Interviewee: Rogelio Pfirter
Interviewee: Frances Higson
Interviewee: Clare Grogan
Interviewee: Jed Mercurio
Interviewee: Dame Zandra Rhodes

Producer: Gareth Nelson-Davies

Archive used:

Pope Francis, St Peter's Basilica, Vatican, BBC News, 25/04/2025; Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio appears on balcony of St Peter's Basilica addressing large crowd after being elected Pope Francis, BBC News, 13/03/2013; Pope Francis visits Lesbos, Greece, BBC News, 05/12/2021; Pope Francis speech, BBC Parliament, 25/09/2015; Pope Francis Speech, BBC News, 29/07/2013; Pope Francis Speech, 21/04/2025; Pope Francis speech, BBC News, 24/04/2025; Gregory's Girl, Film Promo, Director: David Forsyth;, 1981; Paddy Higson interview, Singular Scots, BBC Radio 4, 05/09/1991; That Sinking Feeling, Film Promo, Director: Bill Forsyth, 1979; Cardiac Arrest, Series 1, Promo, BBC ONE, 21/04/1994;


SUN 21:00 Money Box (m002bgm8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 12:04 on Saturday]


SUN 21:25 Radio 4 Appeal (m002bgwf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:54 today]


SUN 21:30 From Our Own Correspondent (m002bgm4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:30 on Saturday]


SUN 22:00 Westminster Hour (m002bgxl)
Leila Nathoo and guests discuss the top political stories

Leila Nathoo is joined by the Labour MP Paul Waugh, Conservative Sir Alec Shelbrooke and Mike Martin for the Liberal Democrats. They look ahead to the local elections and discuss the latest developments in the debate on sex and gender identity. They also consider the challenges of negotiating trade deals with the US and the EU. Sienna Rogers from The House magazine brings additional insight and analysis. The programme also includes an interview with Professor Margaret Macmillan on the issues at stake in the Canadian general election.


SUN 23:00 In Our Time (m002b701)
Molière

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss one of the great figures in world literature. The French playwright Molière (1622-1673) began as an actor, aiming to be a tragedian, but he was stronger in comedy, touring with a troupe for 13 years until Louis XIV summoned him to audition at the Louvre and gave him his break. It was in Paris and at Versailles that Molière wrote and performed his best known plays, among them Tartuffe, Le Misanthrope and Le Malade Imaginaire, and in time he was so celebrated that French became known as The Language of Molière.

With

Noel Peacock
Emeritus Marshall Professor in French Language and Literature at the University of Glasgow

Jan Clarke
Professor of French at Durham University

And

Joe Harris
Professor of Early Modern French and Comparative Literature at Royal Holloway, University of London

Producer: Simon Tillotson

Reading list:

David Bradby and Andrew Calder (eds.), The Cambridge Companion to Molière (Cambridge University Press, 2006)

Jan Clarke (ed.), Molière in Context (Cambridge University Press, 2022)

Georges Forestier, Molière (Gallimard, 2018)

Michael Hawcroft, Molière: Reasoning with Fools (Oxford University Press, 2007)

John D. Lyons, Women and Irony in Molière’s Comedies of Mariage (Oxford University Press, 2023)

Robert McBride and Noel Peacock (eds.), Le Nouveau Moliériste (11 vols., University of Glasgow Presw, 1994- )

Larry F. Norman, The Public Mirror: Molière and the Social Commerce of Depiction (University of Chicago Press, 1999)

Noel Peacock, Molière sous les feux de la rampe (Hermann, 2012)

Julia Prest, Controversy in French Drama: Molière’s Tartuffe and the Struggle for Influence (Palgrave Macmillan, 2014)

Virginia Scott, Molière: A Theatrical Life (Cambridge University Press, 2020)

In Our Time is a BBC Studios Audio Production


SUN 23:45 Short Works (m002b779)
The Garden by David Park

An original short story specially commissioned by BBC Radio 4 from the Northern Irish author David Park. Read by Chris McCurry.

The Writer

David Park is one of Northern Ireland's most acclaimed authors. His first novel 'The Healing' won the Authors’ Club First Novel Award; 'The Truth Commissioner' was awarded the Ewart-Biggs Memorial Prize and adapted for film; 'The Light of Amsterdam' was shortlisted for the IMPAC Prize; 'The Poets’ Wives' was Belfast’s One City One Book and 'Travelling in a Strange Land' won the Kerry Group Irish Fiction Award. He has received a Major Artist Award from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and an Honorary Fellowship in the Seamus Heaney Centre at Queen’s University Belfast. His latest novel 'Ghost Wedding' will be published in May 2025.

Writer: David Park
Reader: Chris McCurry
Producer: Michael Shannon

A BBC Audio Northern Ireland Production for BBC Radio 4.

MONDAY 28 APRIL 2025

MON 00:00 Midnight News (m002bgxn)
National and international news from BBC Radio 4


MON 00:15 Crossing Continents (m002b6s9)
Dicing with democracy? Romania’s cancelled election

A cancelled election, a cancelled candidate and a divided country – is Romania’s democracy under threat?
Last December the country’s Constitutional Court cancelled the presidential election two days before the final vote, citing outside interference, with the nationalist pro-Putin candidate, Calin Georgescu, riding high in the polls. TikTok sensation and portraying himself as an outsider, Georgescu’s anti-EU and anti-NATO message resonated with an unhappy electorate. His sudden success was unprecedented, as was the cancelation of a European democratic election.
The political establishment claim that cyberwarfare and Russian interference gave them no choice. Georgescu has now been eliminated from May’s Presidential re-run.
Historian Tessa Dunlop asks how this happened, why it matters and what next for this strategically important country on the eastern edge of the EU and NATO?

Presenter: Dr. Tessa Dunlop
Producer: John Murphy
Studio Mix: James Beard
Production co-ordinator: Gemma Ashman
Series Editor: Penny Murphy


MON 00:45 Bells on Sunday (m002bgnh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 05:43 on Sunday]


MON 00:48 Shipping Forecast (m002bgxq)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping


MON 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (m002bgxs)
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.


MON 05:00 News Summary (m002bgxv)
National and international news from BBC Radio 4


MON 05:04 Yesterday in Parliament (m002bgxx)
Should Scotland have its own immigration policy? Susan Hulme reports. Also, MPs raise fears for the future of hairdressing and we meet 2 of the MPs in Sunday's London Marathon.


MON 05:34 Shipping Forecast (m002bgxz)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping


MON 05:43 Prayer for the Day (m002bgy1)
Tir grá – a love of where you’re from

Good morning.

The County Monaghan poet, Paddy Kavanagh, wrote that “God is in the bits and pieces of everyday. A kiss here, and a laugh again, and sometimes tears”. A deeply rooted man, Kavanagh had no time for a spirituality that didn’t deal with the reality of life as it is. His poems reflect a deep connectedness with the people and places that make up life. What we call in the Irish language, tir grá – a love of where you’re from.

When I was younger, this wasn’t something that I could identify with. My life always seemed to be defined more by where I was going, rather than where I was from. And that’s no bad thing: we all need to explore the world in all its richness and diversity – low-cost air travel has opened the entire world to us, in a way that was unimaginable to previous generations, who often lived and died in the same place.

Maybe for me it was only in leaving the small rural place where I am from, that I was able to re-discover it again. There is a bit of a paradox in life, it is only in going away, that we can come back. It is only in missing things, that we can discover them anew.

T.S. Eliot wrote that: “the end of all our exploring, will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time”.

So, this morning, I pray for fresh eyes with which to see the world – and for a fresh appreciation, that I may have the openness to embrace, a kiss here, a laugh there, and yes, sometimes even to the tears.

Amen.


MON 05:45 Farming Today (m002bgy3)
28/04/25 - Spring flush is causing problems at dairies, pulses, swapping cows for trees.

Dairy farmers are being advised to cull or sell cows or reduce their feed as processors across the country struggle with high volumes of milk. The spring flush has been particularly good this year, with cows put out to grass earlier, and that's meant they're producing more milk. But dairies can't cope and some are warning that while they'll pay the agreed price for the contracted amount of milk any extra will be bought at a much lower price.

We grow quite a lot of pulses in the UK and most go into animal feed, but with changing consumer tastes and a changing climate farmers are also trying to grow things like chickpeas and lentils, with varied results as we'll hear this week.

Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.


MON 05:57 Weather (m002bgy5)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for farmers


MON 06:00 Today (m002bhj6)
News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.


MON 09:00 Start the Week (m002bhj8)
Advocating for nature

In his new book, Robert Macfarlane takes the reader on a river journey, through history and geography, to posit the idea that rivers are not merely for human use, but living beings. In Is A River Alive? he argues that human fate is interwoven with the natural world, and that it’s time we treated nature not as a resource, but a fellow being.

But does the natural world have legal rights? In A Barrister for the Earth the lawyer Monica Feria-Tinta explains how she’s sought justice for environmental wrongs. Her case against the destruction of cloud forests was the world’s first Rights of Nature case.

In Britain many environmental campaigners argue for the Right to Roam and greater access to private land. But in Uncommon Ground, Patrick Galbraith presents a counterargument on the benefits of restricting access to the countryside, advocating for wildlife’s right to tranquillity.

Producer: Katy Hickman


MON 09:45 Café Hope (m002bhjb)
Wheels and woofs

Founder of charity Winston's Wheels, Rachel Wettner, tells Rachel Burden how when her dog Winston lost his mobility, a gift of a wheelchair inspired her to help other dogs live their best lives

Café Hope is our virtual Radio 4 coffee shop, where guests pop in for a brew and a chat to tell us what they’re doing to make things better in big and small ways. Think of us as sitting in your local café, cooking up plans, hearing the gossip, and celebrating the people making the world a better place.

We’re all about trying to make change. It might be a transformational project that helps an entire community, or it might be about trying to make one life a little bit easier. And the key here is in the trying. This is real life. Not everything works, and there are struggles along the way. But it’s always worth a go.

You can contact us on cafehope@bbc.co.uk


MON 10:00 Woman's Hour (m002bhjd)
Paula Radcliffe, Belarusian political activist Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, High sugar baby food pouches, Virginia Giuffre

Paula Radcliffe broke records and redefined women’s long-distance running, holding the marathon world record for more than 16 years. The four time British Olympian secured the Six Star Medal last week - and has now run all six original marathons: Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York City. Recently she has had her resilience tested in a whole new way - supporting her teenage daughter Isla through a rare and aggressive form of ovarian cancer. Now, in recovery, Isla ran the London marathon yesterday. Paula joins Nuala to discuss.

The Belarusian political activist Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya joins Nuala to discuss her remarkable journey from "ordinary person" to leading the opposition whilst in political exile. In 2020 she stood in the Presidential election after her husband, Sergei, was arrested. She claimed victory in the polls, which were widely thought to be rigged, but was forced to flee the country with her children. She now lives in Lithuania from where she has established an oppositional government and hasn't heard from her husband in two years.

A new BBC Panorama investigation has found baby food pouches from some of the leading brands have been failing to meet the nutritional needs of developing children and have been misleading parents on their suitability. More than 250 of these products are on the multi-million pound baby pouch market and have become a staple for many households with babies and children up to the age of two or three. Nuala is joined by Catrin Nye the reporter for Panorama, and baby and child nutritionist Charlotte Stirling-Reed.

The death of Virginia Giuffre, who accused Jeffrey Epstein and the Duke of York of sexual abuse, has made headline news over the weekend. The 41 year old, who was living in Australia, was described by her family as a "fierce warrior in the fight against sexual abuse and sex trafficking". Nuala discusses her life and campaigning with Harriet Wistrich of the Centre for Women's Justice and BBC Correspondent, Katy Watson.

Presented by Nuala McGovern
Producer: Louise Corley


MON 11:00 Indispensable Relations (m002bhjh)
Beginning

Tom Bateman examines the history of the special relationship between the United States and Israel.

The alliance, going back decades, is one of the most consequential between two single countries on earth – and one of the most contested. The dynamics in the relationship not only amount to a matter of life and death for both societies on the land – Israelis and Palestinians – but form a bedrock of US policy for the entire Middle East.

In this series Tom will go back to 1947, when President Harry Truman had to decide whether to back the Zionist dream for a Jewish state. He'll examine the wars and crises which have gripped the region. But he will also venture well beyond the political, diplomatic and military relationships to examine the religious and cultural connections between the two countries. He'll explain how books, museums, Holy Land tours and newspaper coverage have profoundly affected what Americans think and feel about Israel, in a variety of different ways. As he does, he'll reveal how much the relationship has changed, as well as what has stayed the same.

In this first episode, Tom covers the beginning of the relationship. He'll look at the debate within President Harry Truman's administration about whether to back Zionism; at the book and film which Americanised the story of Israel's founding for millions of Americans; and at how the wars in 1956 and 1967 changed Americans' perceptions of Israel.

As the BBC's State Department Correspondent, covering US foreign policy in a time of extraordinary change, and previously a Middle East Correspondent based in Jerusalem for 7 years, Tom is perfectly placed to tell this story.

Producer: Giles Edwards.


MON 11:45 Conflict and Co-operation: A History of Trade (b09kxsdv)
The Black Death

As it advanced across Europe in the mid-14th century, the Black Death wiped out as many as half of the communities it affected. And yet, in its wake, there was a major resurgence in European trade, with long-lasting effects. Why?

Paul Seabright explores the connections between trade and disease.

Producer: Chris Ledgard.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2018.


MON 12:00 News Summary (m002bhjp)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.


MON 12:04 You and Yours (m002bhjy)
Old Energy Meters, Eurostar, Big Brother's Furniture

At the end of June, a certain type of electricity meter - called an RTS meter - will stop working properly. Ofgem says people's heating might not switch on, or else it will stay on permanently. Energy companies are meant to be making sure everyone who has one gets upgraded to a smart meter in time - but are they going to miss the deadline? We'll ask them.

Also on the programme, another story of parking ticket misery - this time a 50p dispute that ended up in court - but is a statutory code of conduct for the industry getting closer?

We hear about problems with orders from the furniture outlet that supplies the Celebrity Big Brother house, and how Eurostar's absence from its old terminals in Kent is affected local businesses.

PRESENTER: WINIFRED ROBINSON

PRODUCER: TOM MOSELEY


MON 12:57 Weather (m002bhk2)
The latest weather forecast


MON 13:00 World at One (m002bhk4)
News, analysis and comment from BBC Radio 4


MON 13:45 Americast (p0l72p6l)
100 Days of Donald Trump

100 Days of Trump (Part 1)… Why Are Diversity Schemes Being Scrapped?

This is a special Americast mini series, looking at five ways Donald Trump has changed America in his first 100 days back, as President of the United States.

In this first episode, Matt Chorley joins Justin and Marianna to discuss Trump’s declaration that America will be “WOKE no longer…whether you are a doctor, an accountant, a lawyer or an air traffic controller, you should be hired and promoted based on skill and competence, not race or gender.”
We look at why private companies have dismantled their diversity and equity programmes, particularly as they were implemented to counter institutional racism and discrimination.
Does the United States need DEI?

HOSTS:
• Matt Chorley, Radio 5 Live presenter
• Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter
• Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations Senior Correspondent

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 Purvee Pattni and Marie Lennon, with Alix Pickles and Grace Reeve. 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


MON 14:00 The Archers (m002bgxj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 19:00 on Sunday]


MON 14:15 Conversations from a Long Marriage (m001x553)
Series 5

4. You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me

Everybody’s talking – but not necessarily to each other...

Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam play loving, long-marrieds, in the 5th series of Jan Etherington’s award-winning comedy. This week, everybody’s talking – but not necessarily to each other.

In the care home, indomitable Auntie Hilda is moving in with fellow resident, Jack, who tells Roger he’s worried she’ll expect him to ‘perform’. Their friend Sally’s wayward husband, Peter, is in Canada, with the mother of his child and ‘not answering his phone’. Jack won’t talk to Hilda because ‘their generation didn’t talk about sex’ and Sally won’t ask Peter what’s going on because ‘she’s afraid of the answer’. Roger tells Joanna lack of communication is ‘not a problem we’re ever likely to have’. But Joanna is definitely in the mood for a little less conversation…

Conversations from a Long Marriage is written by Jan Etherington. It is produced and directed by Claire Jones. And it is a BBC Studios production for Radio 4.

Wilfredo Acosta - sound engineer
Charlotte Sewter - studio assistant
Jon Calver - sound designer
Katie Baum - production coordinator

Conversations from a Long Marriage won the Voice of the Listener & Viewer Award for Best Radio Comedy in 2020, was nominated for a Writers’ Guild Award in 2022 and a British Comedy Guide award in 2024.

‘Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam have had illustrious acting careers but can they ever have done anything better than Jan Etherington’s two hander? This is a work of supreme craftsmanship.’ RADIO TIMES
‘Peppered with nostalgic 60s hits and especially written for the pair, it’s an endearing portrait of exasperation, laced with hard won tolerance – and something like love.’ THE GUARDIAN
‘You’ve been listening at my window, Jan’. JOANNA LUMLEY
‘Sitcom is what marriage is really like – repetitive and ridiculous – and Jan’s words are some of the best ever written on the subject’. RICHARD CURTIS


MON 14:45 Miss Buncle's Book by DE Stevenson (m001sv9y)
Episode 5

As ripples from the Great Depression reach a cosy English village, Barbara Buncle finds an inventive way to supplement her meagre income. Life in Silverstream will never be the same once her thinly fictionalised novel has laid bare the life, loves and eccentricities of her neighbours.

As ‘Disturber of the Peace’ rides high in the bestseller lists, the novel’s influence can be felt on the lives of its author and her neighbours.

Read by Madeleine Worrall
Written by D.E. Stevenson
Abridged by Clara Glynn
Produced by Eilidh McCreadie

An EcoAudio certified production

Scottish author D.E. Stevenson was a prolific name in the light romantic fiction genre, topping best seller lists from the 1930s to the 1960s. MISS BUNCLE’S BOOK, her best-known publication, is a delight; funny, engaging and well worth rediscovering just over 50 years after the author’s death.


MON 15:00 Great Lives (m002bhk9)
Series 53

Ned Ludd mythical leader of the Luddites

We don't even know if Ned Ludd was real, but perhaps that was the point. "You could say he was everyone and no one - and that's what made him so terrifying for the authorities." Leader of the Luddites, who often signed letters and proclamations Ned Ludd, he is shown in one engraving wearing mismatched shoes and a blue polka dot dress, suggesting a world turned upside down. He's been picked by the popular historian Alex von Tunzelmann, and joining her in studio to discuss Ned and the Luddites (and the neo-Luddites too) is Katrina Navickas, historian of protest; plus the playwright Joe Ward-Munrow who recently staged The Legend of Ned Ludd at the Liverpool Playhouse.

Alex von Tunzelmann is the author of Fallen Idols and presenter of The Lucan Obsession on Radio 4. The presenter is Matthew Parris and the producer for BBC Studios Audio in Bristol is Miles Warde


MON 15:30 Curious Cases (m002bgly)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Saturday]


MON 16:00 Currently (m002bvs7)
[Repeat of broadcast at 13:30 on Sunday]


MON 16:30 Soul Music (m002bgm0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:30 on Saturday]


MON 17:00 PM (m002bhkc)
Full coverage of the day's news


MON 18:00 Six O'Clock News (m002bhkf)
A massive power cut hits Spain and Portugal

Millions of people in Spain and Portugal are without electricity after the power grid went down across the entire Iberian Peninsula. The disruption could last a week, and the cause is still unclear. Also: President Putin announces another temporary ceasefire in Ukraine. And the trial has begun of ten men who are accused of stealing millions of pounds worth of jewellery from Kim Kardashian.


MON 18:30 The Unbelievable Truth (m002bhkh)
Series 31

Episode 3

David Mitchell hosts the panel game in which four comedians are encouraged to tell lies and compete against one another to see how many items of truth they’re able to smuggle past their opponents.

Angela Barnes, Mark Steel, Ria Lina and Alan Davies are the panellists obliged to talk with deliberate inaccuracy on subjects as varied as spies, bread, numbers and names.

The show is devised by Graeme Garden and Jon Naismith.

Producer: Jon Naismith

A Random Entertainment production for BBC Radio 4


MON 19:00 The Archers (m002bhkk)
At Beechwood Natasha throws away a vase gifted by Helen that Seren has broken, worried how Helen will react when she moves in today – she’s bound to notice. Now they’ll all be squeezing in together Natasha frets to Joy about Tom stressing, until Helen finds somewhere else to rent. When Helen arrives later she finds most of the cupboards already full and the twins’ mess everywhere. Joy gives a hand carrying all grateful Helen’s stuff in, then has to explain to Natasha about things being awkward between her and Rochelle.

Lynda phones Joy and fulminates about the shockingly poor last-minute cricket tea organised for the previous home match by Freddie. Later, at the Tearoom, Pat tells Chelsea about the slideshow of Peggy’s wartime photos they’re putting together as a surprise for Tony and Lilian. Chelsea mentions Elizabeth’s exhibition at Lower Loxley that she and Brad helped with, featuring a mysterious RAF officer, Reginald. Lynda informs Chelsea that Robert managed to identify his role in the RAF. Lynda then badgers Pat about getting Natasha to provide the cricket teas this season, starting with next Sunday’s match against Lawrence’s Roserran-in-the-Vale, before Pat bemoans the manner in which she and Tony were fired from the team.

When Natasha gets back from helping Helen move in she’s delighted to hear from Pat about Lynda’s tea request, so long as they’re not expecting it for free. Bullish Natasha reckons it’ll help rebuild the Tearoom’s reputation, then reassures Pat that everything will be fine with Helen and the boys at Beechwood too.


MON 19:15 Front Row (m002bhkm)
Universal Theme Park, Olivier award-winning play Giant, Two to One

Mark Rosenblatt on Giant, his Olivier award-winning play starring John Lithgow as Roald Dahl.

As Universal Studios announce plans for a major new theme park in Bedfordshire, what does this mean for the UK entertainment industry? Samira is joined by entertainment journalist Ella Baskerville and Gareth Smy from Framestore to discuss its signficance and the kinds of rides it's likely to contain.

German director Natja Brunckhorst on her comedy film Two to One, about an East German heist set in the days leading up to German Reunification, starring Sandra Huller.

Presenter: Samira Ahmed
Producer: Oliver Jones


MON 20:00 The Briefing Room (m002b71w)
Can the UK become an AI superpower?

The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer wants the UK to become “one of the great AI superpowers”. Earlier this year the government published a plan to use artificial intelligence in the private and public sectors to boost growth and deliver services more efficiently. Once mainly the preserve of the tech community, AI really entered public awareness with the release of ChatGPT, a so-called “chatbot” founded by the US company OpenAI at the end of 2022. It can write essays, scripts, poems and even write computer code …and millions of people are using it. David Aaronovitch and guests discuss whether the UK could become a successful AI hub, as the government hopes and asks if we'll be able to compete globally with the US and China, the home of huge tech companies?

Guests:
Dame Wendy Hall, Regius Professor of Computer Science and Director of the Web Science Institute at the University of Southampton.
Eden Zoller, Chief Analyst in Applied AI, Omdia.
Professor Neil Lawrence, the DeepMind Professor of Machine Learning at University of Cambridge and author of The Atomic Human
Jeremy Kahn, AI Editor at Fortune magazine and author of Mastering AI: A survival guide to our superpowered future.

Presenter: David Aaronovitch
Producers: Caroline Bayley, Kirsteen Knight, Nathan Gower
Production coordinator: Gemma Ashman
Sound Engineer: James Beard
Editor: Richard Vadon


MON 20:30 BBC Inside Science (m002b71y)
What would cuts to Nasa mean for space science?

Progress has been made in our search for alien life. So announced a team of scientists from Cambridge university last week who, using a powerful space telescope, have detected molecules which on Earth are only produced by simple organisms. All in all, it’s been a busy week for space science. And all against a backdrop of a US government request to cut NASA’s funding. The proposals would need to be approved by the Senate before any cuts are made. But scientists and journalists are asking what it could mean for the future of space science around the world. Science journalist Jonathan Amos and space researcher Dr Simeon Barber discuss.

Professor of Planetary Sciences at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Richard Binzel updates the programme on plans to learn from an asteroid called Apophis, due to fly past us in four years time. Back on Earth, or rather in it, Victoria Gill gets up close to Roman remains which show that gladiators once fought lions. And Tim O’Brien, Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Manchester joins Victoria Gill in the studio to discuss the week’s other science news.

Presenter: Victoria Gill
Producers: Clare Salisbury, Jonathan Blackwell, Debbie Kilbride
Editor: Colin Paterson
Production Co-ordinator: Josie Hardy


MON 21:00 Start the Week (m002bhj8)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 today]


MON 21:45 Café Hope (m002bhjb)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:45 today]


MON 22:00 The World Tonight (m002bhkp)
Spain declares state of the emergency amid power outages

Spain has declared a state of emergency after a massive power cut hit the country as well as Portugal. Tonight the Spanish Prime Minister says the cause of the blackout is still not known but nothing is being ruled out. Traffic lights, cash machines and street lights all switched off when the blackout hit.

As voters prepare to take part in local elections, we head to Staffordshire to hear what’s on their mind.

And can reading a book a day keep the upheaval of Donald Trump’s second term at bay? While President Trump’s first 100 days has delighted many of his supporters, we speak to a woman who has distracted herself from the tumult by reading a new book every day.


MON 22:45 The Artist by Lucy Steeds (m002bhkr)
1: 'Misanthrope, tyrant... genius.'

Provence, 1920.

Aspiring journalist, Joseph Adelaide, arrives at a remote farmhouse house, hoping to make his name by interviewing the reclusive and supposedly tyrannical painter, the great Edouard Tartuffe.

Meanwhile, Tartuffe's niece Ettie moves silently through the farmhouse - cooking, cleaning, selecting props, creating the tableaux that make her uncle's artistic genius possible.

But everyone has their secrets. And, under the cover of darkness, Ettie has spent years cultivating hers.

Over this sweltering and sultry summer, passions will be ignited, mysteries will be revealed, and egos shattered...

Today: Joseph finally comes face-to-face with the great Tartuffe, a man who seems to be living up to his reputation as a maverick, genius - and tyrant....

Readers: Tuppence Middleton and Luke Treadaway
Writer: Lucy Steeds is a graduate of the Faber Academy. This is her first novel.
Abridger: Richard Hamilton
Producer: Justine Willett


MON 23:00 Nuremberg (m000zffj)
Will There Be Rabbit Tonight?

August 1945 and the evidence is being amassed in Nuremberg. If anything, there’s too much paperwork – the Nazi machine insisted on recording absolutely everything. But are these documents sufficient – or should they hear from witnesses?

Roger Barrett, the lawyer running the Documents Room, watches this debate unfold. Some argue that documents don’t lie, others that they must hear from the victims themselves. All the more so after the first shock discovery of the concentration camps in Germany.

When they start taking affidavits from prisoners, they hear about a place in the East called Auschwitz-Birkenau – and the witnesses talk about gas chambers and industrial-scale killing. It’s almost unbelievable – a camp designed only to exterminate.

Meanwhile, two Jewish German refugees now in the British Army begin their War Crimes Investigation into Tesch & Stabenow which appears to be a harmless pest-control company - but it also provided the SS with Zyklon B, the principal poison used in the gas chambers.

Cast:
Roger Barrett - LUKE NORRIS
Robert Storey- HARI DHILLON
John Amen - JOSEPH ALESSI
Charles Bendel - HENRY GOODMAN
Robert H Jackson - JOSEPH MYDELL
Alfred Zaun and other roles - NIGEL LINDSAY
Secretary - ROSIE SHEEHY
Colonel Leo Genn and other roles- NICHOLAS WOODESON
Captain Smallwood and other roles - MARK EDEL-HUNT
Major Williams and other roles - NATHAN WILEY
Bruno Tesch and other roles - JONATHAN CULLEN
Emil Sehm and other roles - JASPER BRITTON
ACC Officer and other roles - ANDREW WOODALL
Quartermaster Sergeant and other roles - CLIVE WOOD

Sound Designer - ADAM WOODHAMS
Studio Manager - MARK SMITH
Original Score - METAPHOR MUSIC
Writer and Director - JONATHAN MYERSON
Producer - NICHOLAS NEWTON

A Promenade production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds


MON 23:30 Today in Parliament (m002bhkv)
Sean Curran reports as the Conservatives renew their call for a national inquiry into grooming gangs - and a cronyism row over who'll be the first football regulator.

TUESDAY 29 APRIL 2025

TUE 00:00 Midnight News (m002bhkx)
National and international news from BBC Radio 4


TUE 00:30 Conflict and Co-operation: A History of Trade (b09kxsdv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:45 on Monday]


TUE 00:48 Shipping Forecast (m002bhkz)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping


TUE 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (m002bhl1)
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.


TUE 05:00 News Summary (m002bhl3)
National and international news from BBC Radio 4


TUE 05:04 Yesterday in Parliament (m002bhl5)
Alicia McCarthy reports from Westminster as the government faces fresh calls to take action on child grooming gangs.


TUE 05:34 Shipping Forecast (m002bhl7)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping


TUE 05:43 Prayer for the Day (m002bhl9)
Lord, thou art hard on mothers: We suffer in their coming and their going

Good morning.

My calendar tells me that on this day in 1916, 109 years ago, after six days of fighting, Irish rebel leaders surrendered to British forces in Dublin, bringing the Easter Rising to an end. One of the leaders of the rebellion was one Patrick Pearse, a teacher, a barrister, a poet, a writer, a nationalist, a republican political activist, and a revolutionary.

Pearse came to be seen by many as the embodiment of the rebellion. One of his most celebrated poems, The Mother, was written the night before his execution, in which he imagined his mother’s feelings about his imminent death. He writes: “Lord, thou art hard on mothers: We suffer in their coming and their going”.

I think about my own mother often. She died some years ago, just as she was about to retire from work. It was a cruel twist of fate, for a woman who had worked so hard her whole life, and was only starting to smell the roses, after a lifetime of toil.

It’s funny, all these years later when something happens in my life, that I’m just bursting to tell people about, one of my first instincts is to ring my mother. Sometimes I even pick up my mobile… and then it dawns on me like a sudden kick to the stomach.

It’s curious – it’s not like I have forgotten that she has died, and she rests now in that stoney, grey soil of Killyclogher churchyard. It’s just like I have momentarily retreated, to how things were – and I’ll never delete her number.

So, today, I pray in thanksgiving for the blessing of mothers – and for the blessing to have known such love.

Amen.


TUE 05:45 Farming Today (m002bhlc)
29/4/25 Energy infrastructure, growing pulses for animal feed, horticulture report

One of the government's major objectives is to deliver greener energy across the UK; but to do that, thousands of acres of farmland and wider countryside are being affected, as electricity generated from offshore windfarms and solar developments is routed to the national grid. In a new report, the Institution of Engineering and Technology has outlined the specific costs of pylons and cables buried underground and on the seabed. The report estimates in the next decade there will need to be five times more onshore transmission infrastructure than has been built in the last 30 years, and four times the amount that currently exists offshore.

All week we're looking into pulses. Many of us eat peas, beans or lentils as part of our diet. Pulses also make up a major part of animal feed in the form of soya. That comes mostly from South America where rainforest is often cleared to grow it. The Nitrogen Climate Smart Programme is a project looking to replace imported soya with home grown pulses. We visit a farm taking part in trials to grow pulses.

The UK economy could get a boost if everyone ate more UK-grown fruit and veg according to a new report by the Green Alliance, a think tank which works with environmental groups. It says we currently import five sixths of our fruit and half of our veg but expanding horticultural production could add £2.3 billion to the national economy and create more than 20 thousand jobs.

Presenter = Anna Hill
Producer = Rebecca Rooney


TUE 06:00 Today (m002bhwh)
News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.


TUE 09:00 The Life Scientific (m002bhwk)
Anthony Fauci on a medical career navigating pandemics and presidents

Welcome to a world where medicine meets politics: a space that brings together scientific research, government wrangling, public push-back and healthcare conspiracies…

Dr Anthony Fauci was the Director of America’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for nearly four decades, during which time he not only helped study, treat and prevent viruses such as HIV/AIDS and Covid-19; he also advised seven US Presidents, from Ronald Regan through to Joe Biden.

Along the way, Tony Fauci's picked up a public profile and taken a fair amount of flack; not least because of his complicated relationship with President Donald Trump. But he's also made great strides in medical research and policy, from working with activists who initially challenged him on the government response to HIV/AIDS - to spearheading the USA's PEPFAR project to share vital medication with developing nations.

In a candid conversation with Professor Jim Al-Khalili, Tony discusses his childhood in Brooklyn, the dark early days of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, lessons from the Covid-19, his hopes and fears for the future of American health policy – and his reaction to that pre-emptive pardon from President Biden.

Presented by Jim Al-Khalili
Produced for BBC Studios by Lucy Taylor


TUE 09:30 All in the Mind (m002bhwm)
Adult ADHD: Why are waiting lists for diagnoses so long?

You’ve probably heard the term ADHD – or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder – more and more in recent years. Almost 200,000 of you are waiting for a diagnosis and services are struggling to keep up with the demand. Last year twenty four different services told BBC Verify that it would take them eight years to get to everyone on their waiting lists. Now the NHS in England is setting up a taskforce to look at ADHD diagnoses.

In this special programme on Adult ADHD, Claudia Hammond and guests ask how did we get to this point, and what can be done to shorten the waiting lists and to make sure people get a timely diagnosis if they need one?

Claudia's guests are: Robin Ince - stand-up comedian and science presenter who recently received his own diagnosis of ADHD as an adult; Dr Jessica Eccles - a psychiatrist who does assessments for ADHD and has ADHD herself; and Dr Suzanne O’Sullivan - a neurologist who says we should be more careful about who receives a diagnosis.

Producer: Lorna Stewart


TUE 10:00 Woman's Hour (m002bhwp)
London Grammar’s Hannah Reid, Women and Trump, Domestic violence

London Grammar frontwoman Hannah Reid joins Nuala McGovern to discuss more than a decade at the helm of the band, their fourth album The Greatest Love, and what it’s been like navigating the music industry as a new parent.

With US President Donald Trump reaching the 100 day mark of his presidency, who are some of the women in his cabinet? And what impact have those first 100 days had on women's lives in the US? Nuala speaks to Republican Sarah Elliott and Democrat Kristin Kaplan Wolfe to get their thoughts.

April, a new film set in the Eastern European country of Georgia, tells the story of Nina, an obstetrician who faces an investigation, after she was unable to save a baby during labour. But the investigation brings scrutiny Nina doesn’t want, as she’s concerned it will shine a light on her secret job – providing unofficial, illegal abortions and reproductive care to women in poorer villages, in their homes. Writer and director Dea Kulumbegashvili joins Nuala to discuss her story and what it was like to film.

Over a quarter of domestic abuse services in England and Wales are having to turn children away from vital support amid severe funding shortages, according to a new report by the Domestic Abuse Commissioner. Children were recognised as victims of domestic abuse in their own right for the first time by 2021’s Domestic Abuse Act. Nuala is joined by Nicole Jacobs, the Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales, to hear more about her report and what she wants to see happen next.

Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Sarah Jane Griffiths


TUE 11:00 Screenshot (m002b77p)
Studio Ghibli

Ellen E Jones and Mark Kermode waltz into the magical world of Studio Ghibli, as the animation giant celebrates its 40th birthday.

Ellen speaks to the film, TV and video game critic, Kambole Campbell about Studio Ghibli's origin story and key aspects of visual style. Also, the animator and co-founder of Irish animation studio Cartoon Saloon, Nora Twomey discusses the emotional impact of films like My Neighbour Totoro, and Grave of the Fireflies.

Mark meets actor, Emily Mortimer who discusses the process of re-dubbing for the film, Howl's Moving Castle. And the animator and director, Michaël Dudok de Wit discusses the collaborative relationship forged with Studio Ghibli, while working on his feature length production, The Red Turtle.

Producer: Mae-Li Evans
A Prospect Street production for BBC Radio 4


TUE 11:45 Conflict and Co-operation: A History of Trade (b09l066j)
When Cultures Collide

When Captain Cook arrived in New Zealand waters in 1769, his sailors and the Maori who met them began to trade almost immediately. When two civilizations meet, trade has a major role to play - for good and for bad.

Paul Seabright investigates the cultural impact of trade. And, in a story from China, he hears how the social consequences of trade contacts made many centuries ago can still be seen today.

Producer: Chris Ledgard.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2018.


TUE 12:00 News Summary (m002bhwr)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.


TUE 12:04 You and Yours (m002bhwt)
Call You and Yours: Decluttering

In today's phone-in we're talking about clutter. It's that time of year when many of us feel we want to have a bit of clear out and spring clean. But many of us say we struggle with clutter - how to deal with it and how to keep it bay. It can feel overwhelming at times.

So today we want to know about your experience of dealing with clutter? Do you hold on to things you don't need? More than half of UK home owners say they'd be happier with less clutter. Is that you?

There's endless advice on tackling clutter - which method has worked for you?

How easy do you find getting on top of clutter?

Let us know - email youandyours@bbc.co.uk, and leave a number so we can call you back. And after 11am on Tuesday 29th April you can call us on 03700 100 444.

PRESENTER: WINIFRED ROBINSON
PRODUCER: CATHERINE EARLAM


TUE 12:57 Weather (m002bhww)
The latest weather forecast


TUE 13:00 World at One (m002bhwy)
Mark Carney wins Canada's election as 'Trump effect' is felt

With President Trump the top issue in Canada's election campaign, we ask what impact the US president might have on other elections. We get the views of Australia’s former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull – ahead Australia’s election this weekend. Plus, Sir Philip Pullman gives us his only interview about the final book of the His Dark Materials series.


TUE 13:45 Americast (p0l72q5v)
100 Days of Donald Trump

100 Days of Trump (Part 2)… What Has He Done to the US Economy?

This is a special Americast mini series, looking at five ways Donald Trump has changed America in his first 100 days back, as President of the United States.

In this second episode, Matt Chorley joins Justin and Sarah to discuss how the American economy has fared during Trump’s 100 days in office. What have been the impacts of tariffs on U.S. businesses, under his plan to put ‘America First’?
Are we witnessing the economic liberation of America? Or this is a tipping point for the US and global markets?

HOSTS:
• Matt Chorley, Radio 5 Live presenter
• Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter
• Sarah Smith, North America Editor

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 Purvee Pattni and Marie Lennon, with Alix Pickles and Grace Reeve. 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


TUE 14:00 The Archers (m002bhkk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 19:00 on Monday]


TUE 14:15 Drama on 4 (m000l7q3)
Just The Three Of Us

May dotes on her grand-daughter, Ruby and daughter, Danielle. When Will, Danielle's partner stops contact things quickly escalate into dangerous territory and the extent of his control comes to the fore.

May - Lorraine Ashbourne
Danielle - Michelle Keegan
Ruby - Poppy O'Brien
Will - Jason Done

Written by Becky Prestwich
Produced and directed by Pauline Harris

Details of organisations offering information and support with domestic abuse which include coercive control are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline


TUE 15:00 History's Heroes (m0028vd9)
History's Secret Heroes: Series 3

Agent Zo's Leap of Faith

A resistance fighter prepares to parachute into Nazi-occupied Poland. If her mission is successful, she could save the lives of thousands of women.

Helena Bonham Carter shines a light on extraordinary stories from World War Two. Join her for incredible tales of deception, acts of resistance and courage.

A BBC Studios Audio production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

Producers: Emma Weatherill and Suniti Somaiya
Executive Producer: Paul Smith
Written by Alex von Tunzelmann
Commissioning editor for Radio 4: Rhian Roberts


TUE 15:30 Heart and Soul (w3ct5tgj)
Becoming a Buddhist Bhikshuni in Bhutan

What does it take to break the glass ceiling in Buddhism and be fully ordained as a female monk or bhikshuni?

In 2022 the kingdom of Bhutan ordained 144 women in an unprecedented ceremony. Among them was Emma Slade, also known as Lopen Ani Pema Deki, from Kent in the UK. She was the only Western woman to take part.

Emma’s faith has been a part of her life since she was held at gunpoint and robbed in Indonesia in 1997. She studied in Bhutan and set up a charity that supports children with special needs in the country. Now she divides her time between the Himalayan kingdom and the UK. She talks to Julia Paul about life as a bhikshuni in the UK and Bhutan, her memories of taking part in the historic mass ordination and what it means for Buddhist nuns in Bhutan and other countries.

[Photo Credit: British Buddhist bhikshuni Emma Slade and Dr Tashi Zangmo, Executive Director of the Bhutan Nun’s Foundation o(left to right)]

Producer/presenter: Julia Paul
Executive producer: Rajeev Gupta
Editor: Chloe Walker
Production co-ordinator: Mica Nepomuceno


TUE 16:00 Artworks (m002bhx5)
Paul Simon's Political Storm

The pairing of joyful Black South African music with Paul Simon’s cinematic lyricism is either a high point in cultural exchange, or an outrageous betrayal of the anti-apartheid movement. How should we view Simon's Graceland album now - in a time when cultural boycotts, cultural appropriation, and cancel culture are on the tip of everyone's tongue?

Forty years on, and through a distinctly South African lens, New York Times reporter Lynsey Chutel considers the legacy of one the most popular, controversial, and contested record releases ever. Was Paul Simon arrogant? Ignorant? And did his music really aid the struggle against apartheid?

Contributors:
Stanley De Klerk, Lynsey's uncle
Professor Sean Jacobs, Director of International Affairs at The New School
Bakithi Kumalo, bassist on Graceland
Billy Bragg, singer-songwriter
Dali Tambo, founder of Artists Against Apartheid
Sonti Mndebele, singer on the Graceland tour
Setumo-Thebe Mohlomi, music writer

Presented by Lynsey Chutel
Produced by Seun Matiluko & Jack Howson
Mixed by Louis Blatherwick
With thanks to Tom Bonnett for inspiration, as well as Rose-Anna Hyde and Saskia Cookson for additional research

A Peanut & Crumb production for BBC Radio 4


TUE 16:30 What's Up Docs? (m002bhx7)
How can I freshen my breath?

Welcome to What’s Up Docs?, the podcast where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore every aspect of our health and wellbeing.

In this episode they want to know about bad breath. Chris' wife calls him out on it when he has it. But what causes it? And is there anything we can do about it? They speak to Dr Praveen Sharma, Associate Professor & Honorary Consultant in Restorative Dentistry, to find out.

If you want to get in touch, you can email us at whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08000 665123.

Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken
Guest: Professor Dr Praveen Sharma
Producer: Jo Rowntree
Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar
Editor: Kirsten Lass
Assistant Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis
Researchers: Grace Revill
Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable
Social Media: Leon Gower
Digital Lead: Richard Berry
Composer: Phoebe McFarlane
Sound Design: Melvin Rickarby

At the BBC:
Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith
Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4


TUE 17:00 PM (m002bhx9)
Power returns to cities across Spain and Portugal

We hear an update as investigations begin into the power cuts seen across Spain and Portugal yesterday. On the 100th day of President Trump's presidency we reflect back on the key moments of his term, discuss the latest polling on him and hear from the winner of the Canadian elections, Mark Carney. Also, we look at history of emergency battery power radios and why it might be a good idea to own one.


TUE 18:00 Six O'Clock News (m002bhxc)
The Canadian Prime Minister has set out his plan to respond to President Trump

The Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, has been setting out his plan to respond to the threat posed by President Trump's import tariffs and his ambition to turn Canada into a US state. Mr Carney's party had a shock comeback in his country's general election. Also: President Trump is marking 100 days since he took office. And farewell to Mike Peters, the frontman of Welsh rockers The Alarm.


TUE 18:30 Meet David Sedaris (m002bhxf)
Series 10

5. Good Grief

“May I ask you a question?”
“Not if it’s about how much to tip the doormen at Christmas,” he said.
That was exactly what I wanted to know. Quick, I thought, think of a replacement. “Can you recommend a cobbler?” I asked

Small talk - some of us are good at it, some of us much less so. American satirist, David Sedaris has given the situation some thought and, with a little digital intervention, come up with some great conversational opening gambits.

Also in this episode - Good Grief, a longer meditation on the shortness of life and dealing with the loss of those we have loved.

David Sedaris is a renowned American essayist - winner of the Thurber Prize for American Humour and member of The American Academy of Arts and Letters.

Written and performed by David Sedaris
Producer: Steve Doherty
A Giddy Goat production for BBC Radio 4


TUE 19:00 The Archers (m002bhxh)
On his boat Rex encourages Rochelle to do her physio exercises so she can return to work, but it’s very painful. Rex then leaves for a meeting. While he’s gone Saskia turns up and tells Rochelle their protest group is ready for action. Specifically Saskia means Rochelle and Casey Meats, putting the pressure on her to return to work asap.

At the Shop Zainab tells Joy how much Azra adored the new wedding photos. They chat about Jack and Henry joining Helen at Beechwood tomorrow, and how crowded it will be. Zainab mentions a possible job for Rochelle as front-of-house at a new vegan restaurant in Felpersham – it’d be much more her thing than the abattoir. Initially Joy doesn’t want to interfere, but changes her mind later and contacts Zainab to get the restaurant’s number.

Joy then goes to see Rochelle on the boat and is supportive about her elbow and the cricket, before giving Rochelle the number of Zainab’s contact, explaining about the position coming up. When Rex returns he agrees it sounds perfect. Joy offers to bring over a vegan moussaka she’s cooking, plus a meaty version for Rex, for taking care of Rochelle – though Rex and Rochelle quickly assure her they’re just mates. Then Rochelle disappears inside to take a call from Saskia, who insists Vince needs to be present for their protest at the abattoir – and it has to be this week. But Rochelle makes it clear she’s not ready yet, so it’s not going to happen.


TUE 19:15 Front Row (m002bhxk)
Noddy Holder of Slade, Stephen Rea and Simone de Beauvoir

In 1975, at the height of their fame, British band Slade made a feature film, Slade in Flame. The film was a critical and commercial failure at the time, but has built up a cult following over the years. Now it's being re-released in cinemas and on DVD. Frontman Noddy Holder and film director Richard Loncraine spoke to Samira Ahmed in studio.

With a new English translation of Simone de Beauvoir's novel The Image of Her and a stage adaptation of her semi-autobiographical The Inseperables, Lauren Elkin and Grace Joy Howarth discuss the enduring legacy of the French feminist icon.

Plus Irish actor Stephen Rae talks about his career working with Samuel Beckett, his hit film The Crying Game, and his current production of Krapp’s Last Tape


TUE 20:00 File on 4 Investigates (m002bhxm)
Hell and High Water: Are we ready for the floods?

2024 experienced the wettest period since records began and extreme rainfall events are becoming more frequent because of climate change. So what's being done to protect us from flooding - and is it enough? The Government has said it will build 1.5 million new homes by the end of the current parliament - but File on 4 Investigates has discovered that hundreds of thousands of homes have already been built in areas at high risk of flooding. And a measure to protect new properties against flash floods caused by intense rainfall has never been made compulsory - despite being introduced 15 years ago.

Reporter: Adrian Goldberg
Producer: Fergus Hewison
Technical Producer: James Bradshaw
Production co-ordinator: Tim Fernley
Editor: Carl Johnston


TUE 20:40 In Touch (m002bhxp)
Accessible Menus in Restaurants, Children's Author Jixie Dye

Matt Wadsworth has, for the last decade or so, been working to make fellow visually impaired people's access to the food industry much easier. He developed the concept of Good Food Talks, which is now available as a free app, and it can provide a raft of restaurant menus in an accessible format and on the go. Matt has been working with food data management company Nutritics, to reach more providers in the industry. Nutritics are currently conducting research, that aims to better understand visually impaired people's access to the food industry. If you would like to contribute to their research by providing your experiences, you can do so via the link below:

https://app.glowfeed.com/survey/727a96ce-a100-4560-b6e0-e4e02527dda7?linkId=c807f9ee-c876-4e70-9ede-bc033b3e1f3a&channelId=b212f786-3cc7-4dc2-b762-bd2762389ab7

Also on the programme: Jixie Dye has been visually impaired all her life, and she has recently fulfilled a long-standing ambition of becoming a published author. She joins Peter White in the In Touch studio to discuss her new children's book, The Welsh Witch and her subsequent series.

Presenter: Peter White
Producer: Beth Hemmings
Production Coordinator: Liz Poole
Website image description: Peter White sits smiling in the centre of the image and he is wearing a dark green jumper. Above Peter's head is the BBC logo (three separate 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 of a white circle). The background is a bright mid-blue with two rectangles angled diagonally to the right. Both are behind Peter, one is a darker blue and the other is a lighter blue.


TUE 21:00 Crossing Continents (m002bhxr)
Leaving Israel for Cyprus

Increasing numbers of Israeli people are moving to the nearby island of Cyprus. Sky high property prices, disillusion with domestic politics and security concerns following the Hamas attacks of 7th October have led several thousand families to leave. They’re building on a rich history of Cypriot hospitality towards Jews. But in Turkish-controlled northern Cyprus, huge luxury developments built by Israeli companies are causing controversy.

Presenter: Lucy Proctor
Producer: Mike Gallagher
Production Coordinator: Gemma Ashman
Studio mix: Simon Jarvis
Editor: Penny Murphy


TUE 21:30 Stakeknife (m002bhxt)
4. The (Estate) Agent

Mark tells the story of a man called Joe Fenton and how he was connected to Stakeknife. We learn there was a hierarchy of agents, where some were saved and some were not.

Reporter: Mark Horgan
Produced and written by: Mark Horgan and Ciarán Cassidy
Co-Producer: Paddy Fee
Editing and Sound Design: Ciarán Cassidy
Composer: Michael Fleming
Sound mixing: Ger McDonnell
Theme tune by Lankum
Artwork by Conor Merriman
Assistant Commissioners for BBC: Lorraine Okuefuna and Sarah Green.
Commissioning Editor for BBC: Dylan Haskins


TUE 22:00 The World Tonight (m002bhxw)
100 days of the Trump presidency

As Donald Trump marks his first hundred days back in office with a rally in Michigan - we hear what Americans make of Trump 2.0.

Also on the programme: we hear from an old friend and colleague of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on how he’ll approach his role; and as Tony Blair says phasing out fossil fuels is ‘doomed to fail’, we speak to his foundation’s director of climate policy.


TUE 22:45 The Artist by Lucy Steeds (m002bhxy)
2: ‘What did you do during the war?’

PROVENCE, 1920.

Aspiring journalist, Joseph Adelaide, arrives at a remote farmhouse house, hoping to make his name by interviewing the reclusive and supposedly tyrannical painter, the great Edouard Tartuffe.

Meanwhile, Tartuffe's niece Ettie moves silently through the farmhouse - cooking, cleaning, selecting props, creating the tableaux that make her uncle's artistic genius possible.

But everyone has their secrets. And, under the cover of darkness, Ettie has spent years cultivating hers.

Over this sweltering and sultry summer, passions will be ignited, mysteries will be revealed, and egos shattered...

Today: Joseph finds himself modelling for the great Tartuffe, but perhaps even more intrigued by his niece Ettie, who seems to have secrets of her own...

Readers: Tuppence Middleton and Luke Treadaway
Writer: Lucy Steeds is a graduate of the Faber Academy. This is her first novel.
Abridger: Richard Hamilton
Producer: Justine Willett


TUE 23:00 The Witch Farm (m001dn16)
Episode 3: The Old Woman

Liz witnesses a terrifying apparition, and suddenly the haunting is no longer invisible. But is seeing believing? As she tries to solve the mystery of the apparition’s identity, Bill is becoming increasingly worried about Laurence. Could he really have become possessed by the sinister presence in the house or is the remote, lonely location playing with all their minds? Danny Robins investigates.

The Witch Farm reinvestigates a real-life haunting – a paranormal cold case that has been unsolved for nearly 30 years - until now. Set in in the beautiful, remote Welsh countryside, this terrifying true story is told through a thrilling blend of drama and documentary.

Written and presented by Danny Robins, creator of The Battersea Poltergeist, Uncanny and West End hit 2:22 – A Ghost Story, The Witch Farm stars Joseph Fiennes (The Handmaid’s Tale) and Alexandra Roach (No Offence), with original theme music by Mercury Prize-nominated Gwenno. This 8-part series interweaves a terrifying supernatural thriller set in the wild Welsh countryside with a fascinating modern-day investigation into a real-life mystery.

Cast:
Bill Rich ..... Joseph Fiennes
Liz Rich ..... Alexandra Roach
Laurence Rich ..... Jonathan Case
Bethan Morgan ..... Rhian Morgan

Written and presented by Danny Robins
Experts: Ciaran O’Keeffe and Evelyn Hollow
Sound Design by Charlie Brandon-King and Richard Fox
Music by Evelyn Sykes
Theme Music by Gwenno
Researcher: Nancy Bottomley
Produced by Danny Robins and Simon Barnard
Directed by Simon Barnard

Consultant: Mark Chadbourn, author of the book on the case, Testimony

A Bafflegab and Uncanny Media production for BBC Radio 4


TUE 23:30 Today in Parliament (m002bhy1)
Alicia McCarthy reports on the condemnation of a Belfast-based rock group for calling on fans to "kill your local MP".

WEDNESDAY 30 APRIL 2025

WED 00:00 Midnight News (m002bhy3)
National and international news from BBC Radio 4


WED 00:30 Conflict and Co-operation: A History of Trade (b09l066j)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:45 on Tuesday]


WED 00:48 Shipping Forecast (m002bhy5)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping


WED 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (m002bhy7)
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.


WED 05:00 News Summary (m002bhy9)
National and international news from BBC Radio 4


WED 05:04 Yesterday in Parliament (m002bhyc)
Sean Curran reports on fury over a member of the rap band Kneecap allegedly calling for MPs to be killed. Also, First Minister's Questions from the Senedd and news from Holyrood.


WED 05:34 Shipping Forecast (m002bhyf)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping


WED 05:43 Prayer for the Day (m002bhyh)
Discernment

Good morning.

At the heart of all the great world religions, philosophical outlooks, and ways of viewing the world around us, is the concept or the idea of discernment. What we might call the ability to judge wisely. My dictionary tells me that the English word ‘discern’, comes from the Latin word, discernere – which means to separate or to divide.

In a world where it is hard to tell fact from fiction, and we are faced with fake news, alternative facts, misinformation, and disinformation, it can be hard to tell what is true, and what is not. What is worth keeping, and what should be set aside. Discernment, separating the good from the bad, seems like a very good place to start, in our often muddled world.

This can be particularly true for younger people, who are faced with so many different, and often competing narratives, about how to judge the world. Many people use the internet for great good, and it can be a wonderful window, with which to see our vast world and universe, and soak up all the knowledge that it has to offer. But some online influences also use their considerable following, to stoke fear, division, anger, resentment and a world where we are pitted against one another.

In this world view, conflict seems inevitable, and we are told that we must act to defend ourselves and not let our guard down. But such a world narrows us, and we can so easily end up living in a bunker of our own creation – and paradoxically, wondering why we feel so alone.

This bright morning, I pray for the grace to let my guard down and to be open.

Amen.


WED 05:45 Farming Today (m002bhyk)
30/4/25 Welsh community food strategy, British-grown pulses, biostimulant for wheat

The Welsh government's launched a new community food strategy which it says will 'strengthen local food systems, improve healthy eating, and create more sustainable communities'. The idea is to enable more local food networks, connecting Welsh farmers and producers with consumers and supporting community-led food projects. It's committed to spending £2 million on the project this financial year, with funding secured until 2028.

This week we're exploring the role pulses are playing in food and farming. Peas, beans and lentils are becoming increasingly popular with consumers as an alternative protein but most of those we eat are imported. We hear from farmers and producers who are growing carlin peas and other pulses in the UK.

Scientists say they've developed a spray, which boosts the equivalent of a plant's blood sugar and could improve wheat yields by 12%. Researchers from Rothamsted, The University of Oxford and the Rosalind Franklin Institute say they can achieve bigger improvements than via breeding and their biostimulant spray will be used around the world.

Presenter = Anna Hill
Producer = Rebecca Rooney


WED 06:00 Today (m002bjc0)
News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.


WED 09:00 Life Changing (m002bjc4)
The Reluctant Hero

Husband and father, Larry O’Brien, loved the freedom his job as a long-distance lorry driver gave him. But on March 6th 1987, that freedom was almost lost in the horror of the Zeebrugge ferry disaster, in which almost 200 people lost their lives. Larry – who could not swim – risked his own life to pull 30 people to safety.

Almost 40 years later, Larry tells Dr Sian Williams why he never felt like a hero, how he came to terms with what happened, and why – after a career change into local politics – he decided to return to the road.

Producer: Tom Alban


WED 09:30 The History Podcast (m002bjc8)
Invisible Hands

6. There Is No Alternative

In 2006 an Australian investment bank bought Thames Water – Britain’s biggest water company. Everything went well for a bit. And then people started noticing something strange. Sewage in the water. Leaking pipes. Hosepipe bans. Now in 2025 Thames Water is on the brink of financial collapse and looking for new owners. There is even talk about doing something shocking. Nationalisation.

So what went wrong? Why did this water company which makes healthy profits year on year fail so badly. And what can that tell us about how the dream of free market capitalism has turned out, not just here but also in Donald Trump’s America.

David Dimbleby traces the history of an idea that charts his lifespan. It started on a chicken farm in Sussex, gained traction in the shadows of post-war London and rose to heights of excess in the new champagne bars of the City.

But who are the little-known people behind it? What did they want? And is the free market here to stay? Or are we entering a new era?

Presenter: David Dimbleby
Producer: Jo Barratt
Sound Design: Peregrine Andrews
Executive Producers: Joe Sykes and Dasha Lisitsina
Story Editors: Joe Sykes and Dasha Lisitsina
Commissioning Editor: Dan Clarke

A Samizdat Audio production for BBC Radio 4


WED 10:00 Woman's Hour (m002bjcd)
Frances Ryan, Grooming gangs, Dressing up for work

For the last decade, Frances Ryan has been a columnist and reporter at the Guardian. She joins Nuala McGovern to discuss her new book - Who Wants Normal? The Disabled Girls’ Guide to Life. Part memoir, part manifesto, it explores six facets of life: education, careers, body image, health, relationships and representation, as well as how to survive life's bumps in the road.

Groomed: A National Scandal is a new Channel 4 documentary from award-winning filmmaker Anna Hall, looking at the issue of gang grooming. It puts the experiences of five women who have survived unimaginable abuse at the heart of a story that spans more than 20 years. Nuala speaks to Anna and Chantelle, one of the survivors featured in the film.

How much does what you wear to work matter? In today's I newspaper, the journalist and columnist Anniki Sommerville says she loves dressing up for work but her Gen Z colleagues laugh at her blazer. She joins Nuala along with Carolyn Mair, Fashion Business Consultant and author of The Psychology of Fashion.

Pioneering Maori scholar, Mākereti Papakura is to receive a posthumous degree more than 100 years after she began her studies at Oxford University. Born in New Zealand, Makereti is believed to be the first indigenous woman to enrol. Professor Clare Harris, Head of the School of Anthropology and Museum Ethnography tells Nuala about her life and work.


WED 11:00 File on 4 Investigates (m002bhxm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 20:00 on Tuesday]


WED 11:40 This Week in History (m002bjcj)
April 28 - May 4

Fascinating, surprising, and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.

BBC Radio 4 explores the history books and archives to see what else has happened on this same week throughout history.
With short looks at the events that have shaped the world and made us who we are today.

This week. April 28th – May 4th
- 30th of April 1945. Deep beneath the Reich Chancellery in Berlin, Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun take their own lives. The BBC announces it in a newsflash the following day.
- 29th of April 1429. A 17-year-old peasant girl enters the siege of Orleans to defeat English forces. Nearly five hundred years later Joan of Arc is canonised and becomes a patron Saint of France.
- 1st of May 1840. The world's first postage stamp is issued. Known as the Penny Black it revolutionised the postal service and has today become a collector’s item.

Presented by Jane Steel and Viji Alles
Produced by Luke Doran and Clara Nissen


WED 11:45 Conflict and Co-operation: A History of Trade (b09l0cby)
The Box

If there's one innovation that deserves a chapter to itself in the modern history of trade, it's the shipping container.

Paul Seabright explores the story of the humble metal box, how it took years for it to become the shape it is today, and why it has had such an impact.

Producer: Chris Ledgard.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2018.


WED 12:00 News Summary (m002bjcn)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.


WED 12:04 You and Yours (m002bjcr)
Bounce Back Loan Fraud, Illegal Sports Streaming, Oxford Street

Covid Bounce Back loans were designed to help small businesses receive financial support during the pandemic. We hear how one person’s identity was stolen and used to take out a loan for £50,000, with the bank insisting she pay it back.

Illegal sports streaming has gone “through the roof”, according to City of London Police. In recent years, it has become easier for sports fans to watch illegal streams on websites or buy adapted television boxes and USB sticks that cost significantly less than legitimate subscriptions. We hear just how widespread the problem is and what can be done about it.

Refill shops were hugely popular in the pandemic but many have since closed due to changing customer habits. In order to see if it can be made more convenient, a refill trial has been launched with Aldi and Ocado. The Refill Coalition, which is behind the trial, give us an insight into whether it has been a success.

Are the fortunes of Oxford Street about to change? The UK’s most famous shopping street had fallen on hard times, but a flagship new IKEA store – coupled with the return of other big brands – looks set to bring shoppers back.

For decades, low-cost airlines have tried to sell long-haul flights across the Atlantic, with little success. Next month Jet Blue will be the latest airline to attempt this, as it starts an Edinburgh to Boston route with return tickets under £500.


WED 12:57 Weather (m002bjcv)
The latest weather forecast


WED 13:00 World at One (m002bjcx)
Row over net zero after Tony Blair urges climate rethink

A row has broken out over the government’s climate strategy after a report by the Tony Blair Institute called for a major rethink of net zero policies. We get the views of Lord Stern, who wrote a landmark report into climate change. Plus, we hear why ukeleles are overtaking recorders in schools.


WED 13:45 Americast (p0l72s47)
100 Days of Donald Trump

100 Days of Trump (Part 3)… Who Is Welcome in America, Now?

This is a special Americast mini series, looking at five ways Donald Trump has changed America in his first 100 days back, as President of the United States.
In this third episode, Matt Chorley joins Sarah and Anthony to discuss Trump’s plans to deport migrants on a large scale, how he is circumventing the courts, and revoking hundreds of student visas.
We ask who has been allowed to stay in Trump’s America, and who is being forced out?

HOSTS:
• Matt Chorley, Radio 5 Live presenter
• Sarah Smith, North America Editor
• Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent

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 Purvee Pattni and Marie Lennon, with Alix Pickles and Grace Reeve. 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


WED 14:00 The Archers (m002bhxh)
[Repeat of broadcast at 19:00 on Tuesday]


WED 14:15 Drama on 4 (m002bjd1)
Liberation and Fall

We have many stories of the Vietnam War – but very few from the ‘other side'. Based on hours of interviews conducted with the writer’s father, this dramatised account delves into some of his experiences as a former Chinese-Cambodian soldier of the Vietnamese communists during the Vietnam War. His involvement alongside many other Cambodians, as well as the secret bombings of Cambodia by the US, reflects how the wider Southeast Asian region was heavily implicated in the Vietnam War from the very beginning.

We follow Seng, the main character’s journey as he becomes influenced by Chinese communist propaganda as a teenager in his Chinese school in Cambodia.

With a coup occurring in 1970 in Cambodia that sparked a civil war and marked the official end of Cambodia’s position of neutrality in the Vietnam War, Seng rebels against his family and joins the Vietnamese Liberation Army to fight against the Western imperialists and those who supported them. We hear about some of the things that happen to Seng during the army, and also how he fell in love with another Chinese-Cambodian recruit, the writer’s mother. The story also follows Seng in one of the first tanks to enter Saigon the day the city was liberated/fallen and the Vietnam War finally ended - before his disillusion with a party and ideology that he was willing to sacrifice his life for.

History is often told from the viewpoint of those at the top - leaders, generals, politicians. This drama tells the story from the perspective of an ordinary man. It counters the idea that ordinary people were passive entities under Cold War conflicts, and instead captures some of the emotions, dreams and desires of people under extreme circumstances and the difficult choices they had to make.

Seng - Chris Lew Kum Hoi
May - Fiona Mei Lan Olegasegarem
Hang - Vera Chok
Kiet - Aaron Teoh
Seng's Mother - Tuyen Do
Other parts played by Alex Chang, Charlotte Chiew and Jamie Zubairi

Written by May Ngo
Director: Richard Shannon
Sound design: Oliver Denman
Casting: Camilla Laxton
Producer: Anna Lea
Executive producer: Ben Fawkes

A Munck Studios production for Radio 4


WED 15:00 Money Box (m002bjd3)
Money Box Live: Travel Nightmares

You may have been looking forward to your holiday for months, but then suddenly it all turns into a bit of a nightmare.

This week saw huge power cuts across Spain and Portugal, causing enormous disruption to rail and roads, resulting in number of flights being cancelled. Just last week a British holiday firm ceased trading in the UK cancelling all of its bookings.

The latest numbers from the Association of British Insurers show travel insurance firms dealt with claims worth more than half a billion pounds in just one year, so this week on Money Box Live we're looking at when you're entitled to your money back and who pays what.

On the programme we speak to someone stuck abroad in Portugal after those power cuts, a listener who couldn't get on the plane due to passport problems, and another who had his cruise cancelled the day before he was due to set sail. We also work some Money Box Live magic following an email we received about travel insurance.

Felicity Hannah is joined by Sean Tipton from ABTA, the Travel Association and Lisa Minot, Travel Editor at The Sun.

Presenter: Felicity Hannah
Producer: Sarah Rogers and Neil Morrow
Editor: Jess Quayle

(This episode was first broadcast at 3pm on Radio 4 on the 30th of April 2025).


WED 15:30 The Drug Death Detectives (m0021qsl)
Is a lethal drug killing more people in the UK than official records suggest? Nitazenes are a synthetic opioid that were originally designed and made for medical purposes. However, clinical trials on the drug were stopped because it was discovered even minuscule amounts were enough to kill a patient and it was impossible to administer a safe dose. Recently though the drug has been found lacing supplies of heroine and other drugs coming to the UK. It’s likely the users have no idea that the strength of what they’re taking has been turbo-charged by this synthetic drug. Sadly, there have already been a number of deaths with nitazenes identified as the cause. But now a group of forensic toxicologists, who run blood tests on victims to help determine a cause of death, suspect it is likely the drug has claimed more lives than we know about. That's because they fear the drug can’t be detected in the bodies of some of its victims. But how and why? The BBC’s Nick Holland has spent a year following the team’s investigation as they try to unlock the secrets of Nitazenes, a drug they believe could be an invisible killer.

Produced and presented by Nick Holland
Editor Clare Fordham
Sound Engineer James Beard


WED 16:00 When It Hits the Fan (m002bj7m)
PR is a virus

What if your profession is to blame for almost everything? This week, David Yelland is joined from Washington by PR guru Phil Elwood - who thinks the industry needs to take a long hard look at itself.

Accusing PR of being like a virus, Phil says the tricks of the trade that have been used for decades to influence, mislead and cajole have been co-opted by both the media and by governments.

And the results aren't pretty.

Producer: Duncan Middleton
Editor: Sarah Teasdale
Executive Producer: William Miller
Music by Eclectic Sounds
A Raconteur Studios production for BBC Radio 4


WED 16:15 The Media Show (m002bj7p)
Piers Morgan, the impact of the Supreme Court ruling on sex and gender for the media

Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins talk to Piers Morgan about his new Youtube venture Uncensored.
What are the implications for the Media of the UK Supreme Court's ruling that the legal definition of a woman should be based on biological sex? Rosamund Urwin Media Editor at The Times and the New Statesman Associate Editor Hannah Barnes and author of Time to Think: The Inside Story of the Collapse of the Tavistock’s Gender Service for Children”, jane fae from the charity Trans Media Watch and Dominic Casciani the BBCs Legal and Home Affairs Correspondent discuss.

Producer: Lisa Jenkinson
Assistant Producer: Lucy Wai


WED 17:00 PM (m002bjd5)
Full coverage of the day's news


WED 18:00 Six O'Clock News (m002bjd7)
The US economy takes a sharp downturn

The US economy has shrunk for the first time in three years, coinciding with President Trump's first months back in office. Mr Trump has blamed Joe Biden and insisted the fall has nothing to do with tariffs. Also: Ukraine says it is ready to sign a mineral and energy deal with the US. And King Charles has described living with cancer as a "daunting and at times frightening experience."


WED 18:30 The Ultimate Choice (m001vsfq)
Series 2

5: Crabs v Wasps

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 Russell Kane and Isy Suttie.

Host: Steph McGovern
Guests: Russell Kane and Isy Suttie
Devised and written by Jon Harvey & Joseph Morpurgo
With additional material from Laura Major
Researcher: Leah Marks
Recorded and mixed by David Thomas
Producer: Jon Harvey
Executive Producers: Ed Morrish and Polly Thomas
Photo: Carolyn Mendelsohn

A Naked production for BBC Radio 4


WED 19:00 The Archers (m002bj71)
At Beechwood Tom and Natasha are worried about the disruptive effect Jack and Henry moving in will have on their family set-up. They’re not sure Helen is even seriously looking for anywhere else yet. When Helen appears she mentions several ground rules she has, which Tom in particular thinks might be rather challenging for them. Later, Tom checks in at the Packhouse, where Helen’s covering the veg-box packing for Adam. Helen gets irritated when Tom suggests a potential property rental for her, before leaving Tom to finish the boxes himself. Back at Beechwood later Tom apologises, then confesses about the vase Seren broke. Helen’s surprisingly phlegmatic though and offers herself as a babysitter so Natasha and Tom can go out tonight.

Tracy helps Lynda with a belated tidy-up after the Cricket Pavilion was left in a mess, following defeat in the previous home match. Natasha approaches with her proposed options for teas and catering, with Lynda determined that Ambridge will prove its worth on that front at least. Later, Tracy promises Lynda the changing rooms won’t be left in such a state again and suggests Fallon as an alternative source for the catering. They then open a parcel containing their newly designed kit, provided by Vince, which Tracy loves. Lynda spots an old bat under a bench which looks like it might’ve belonged to the mystery RAF man serving in Ambridge during the War: Reginald D. Natasha then rings and assertive Lynda persuades her to offer her best tea at the lowest price for Sunday, promising it’ll be win-win for both of them.


WED 19:15 Front Row (m002bjd9)
King James VI & I, Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes, The Extraordinary Miss Flower

Jeff Pope on his new series Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes, the innocent man who was killed by police on a London tube in 2005, which launches tonight on Disney+.

James VI of Scotland & I of England is the subject of a major exhibition at the National Gallery of Scotland in Edinburgh. We’re joined by the historical writers Lucy Hughes Hallett and Steven Veerapen.

And performance art in a new film The Extraordinary Miss Flower, a musical portrait of a mysterious woman, who left behind a suitcase of letters, from lovers and friends, starring the Icelandic artist, Emiliana Torrini . We’ll be speaking to the directors Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard

Presenter: Kirsty Wark
Producer: Maire Devine


WED 20:00 AntiSocial (m002b76x)
Sex, gender and the NHS

What does the Supreme Court ruling on biological sex mean for the health service?

The UK’s top court says that under equality law a woman is a biological woman and a man is a biological man. It’s sparked discussion about how the NHS accommodates trans people when it comes to single sex spaces, like women-only wards. What do the judgment and equality legislation say about providing services to only one sex? What does NHS policy say and how might it change? And why has the language used by health services become so controversial when it comes to women’s health?

Presenter: Adam Fleming
Producers: Simon Maybin, Josephine Casserly, Bethan Ashmead Latham, Tom Gillett
Production coordinator: Janet Staples
Editor: Penny Murphy


WED 20:45 The Prophets of Profit (m0027cly)
Creative Destruction

Simon Jack reveals what many believe to be the most important idea in business today, where it came from and how its consequences have shaped all our lives.

It’s been called the dumbest idea in the world. But many believe shareholder value is the most important, the most consequential idea of the last hundred years.

In Prophets of Profit the BBC’s Business Editor Simon Jack discovers why so many believe the prime responsibility of business is to increase profits and maximise returns to shareholders. He shows how the consequences have enriched many people but devastated many too. How the separation of the idea of money-making from other social obligations has led to severe social tensions and a profound misunderstanding of business within communities and governments alike.

Speaking to investors managing trillions, the most powerful union boss in Britain, and CEOs who’ve been at the very top of some of the world’s biggest companies, Simon tracks how a simple idea became so powerful and why it shapes all of our lives today. In this episode Simon reveals how this powerful idea was propelled by a few influential individuals from academic cloisters to dominate boardrooms across the world from the 1980s onwards.


WED 21:00 The Life Scientific (m002bhwk)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Tuesday]


WED 21:30 All in the Mind (m002bhwm)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:30 on Tuesday]


WED 22:00 The World Tonight (m002bjdd)
US and Ukraine poised to sign minerals deal

Sharpies at the ready? Are the Americans and Ukrainians about to sign the much-anticipated minerals deal? We hear from a top Ukrainian politician - and ask a leading Republican whether Donald Trump is softening his stance towards Kyiv.

Also tonight:

As the US economy shrinks for the first time in three years, we hear how President Trump's tariffs are going down in China.

And as Slade's foray into film - "Slade In Flame" - returns to the big screen on its 50th anniversary, we remember a cult classic that's been called the "Citizen Kane of British Rock Movies".


WED 22:45 The Artist by Lucy Steeds (m002bjdg)
3: 'Vulture.'

Provence, 1920.

Aspiring journalist, Joseph Adelaide, arrives at a remote farmhouse house, hoping to make his name by interviewing the reclusive and supposedly tyrannical painter, the great Edouard Tartuffe.

Meanwhile, Tartuffe's niece Ettie moves silently through the farmhouse - cooking, cleaning, selecting props, creating the tableaux that make her uncle's artistic genius possible.

But everyone has their secrets. And, under the cover of darkness, Ettie has spent years cultivating hers.

Over this sweltering and sultry summer, passions will be ignited, mysteries will be revealed, and egos shattered...

Today: After an alcohol-fuelled dinner, Joseph sees something that makes him doubt his sanity....

Readers: Tuppence Middleton and Luke Treadaway
Writer: Lucy Steeds is a graduate of the Faber Academy. This is her first novel.
Abridger: Richard Hamilton
Producer: Justine Willett


WED 23:00 Michael Spicer: No Room (m002bjdj)
Series 2

1. God King of the Universe Lord Sugar will see you now

The standout satirist of the social media age, Michael Spicer, returns with his sketch comedy show that targets the exponential lunacy of the politics and culture that is overwhelming us.

Apprentice hopefuls are challenged to create the perfect, sustainable planet. Can the boys' team rise to the challenge, or will they be fired directly into a supernova? And our government troubleshooters - all called Tim - solve the immigration crisis once and for all.

The new series of No Room comes after a critically acclaimed first series that built on MICHAEL Spicer's social media output, which took off when he created his Room Next Door government advisor character. His withering takedowns of politicians have amassed more than 100 million views and helped keep his audience sane in fractured times.

Writer, Performer and Co-Editor: Michael Spicer

Composer and Sound Designer: Augustin Bousfield

Producer: Matt Tiller

A Tillervision production for BBC Radio 4


WED 23:15 The Skewer (m002bjdl)
Series 13

Elections, 100 Days of Trump, and Trans Labyrinth

Jon Holmes remixes the news into a current affairs comedy concept album. News meets popular culture in a multi-award-winning satirical mash up. This week - Local Elections, 100 Days of Trump, and Trans Labyrinth.

Producer: Jon Holmes
An unusual production for BBC Radio 4


WED 23:30 Today in Parliament (m002bjdn)
Sean Curran reports from Westminster as the government faces more calls for a national grooming gangs inquiry.

THURSDAY 01 MAY 2025

THU 00:00 Midnight News (m002bjdq)
National and international news from BBC Radio 4


THU 00:30 Conflict and Co-operation: A History of Trade (b09l0cby)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:45 on Wednesday]


THU 00:48 Shipping Forecast (m002bjds)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping


THU 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (m002bjdv)
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.


THU 05:00 News Summary (m002bjdx)
National and international news from BBC Radio 4


THU 05:04 Yesterday in Parliament (m002bjf0)
News, views and features on today's stories in Parliament


THU 05:34 Shipping Forecast (m002bjf4)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping


THU 05:43 Prayer for the Day (m002bjf8)
St Joseph the Worker – the foster father of Jesus

Good morning.

And happy May Day!

This is traditionally a day dedicated to workers, in which we give thanks for the hard toil of those whose work – though often unseen – makes our world a better place, and enhances our lives. In the Christian tradition, today is the Feastday of St. Joseph the Worker – the foster father of Jesus. St. Joseph has frequently been depicted in art and history as a carpenter, patiently working with his hands to carve things of immense beauty. The Greek word, used in the New Testament is tekton, which we usually translate in our English bibles as a carpenter. But the scholars tell us that a better translation, might be as an artisan.

I was never any good at woodwork when I was at school. I would marvel as other students would make coffee tables, chess boards, houses for their dogs, and other useful works. All I could ever seem to manage at the plane and the lathe, was a few wonky keyrings – which I still have. I wonder how many of those coffee tables are still standing?

We live in a time when the future of work is uncertain. Economic challenges bring fear of unemployment, but the growth of Artificial Intelligence – AI – with confident predictions that we will all be replaced by robots one day, brings with it fresh anxiety.

The artisans of old, like St. Joseph, put their intelligence at the service of others – crafting beautiful items, for people to enjoy.

This morning I pray that intelligence – whether that of my fellow men and women, or Artificial Intelligence – will be at the service of the common good, and our whole human family.

Amen.


THU 05:45 Farming Today (m002bjfd)
1/5/25 Vets call for ban on farrowing crates, wind farm and wild birds, processing pulses.

The British Veterinary Association and the Pig Veterinary Society have issued a new joint statement calling for farrowing crates to be banned. They say they should be phased out over the next 15 years to give the industry a chance to adapt. Farrowing crates are the small pens that 60% of sows in the UK are kept in around the time they give birth, to ensure the safety of their piglets. Animal welfare campaigners have been saying they should be banned for years, but farmers have concerns that replacing them with alternative systems will not only endanger the lives of piglets but also be costly and will put them at a disadvantage to farmers in other countries where the crates aren’t banned.

Conservation groups are urging ministers in Scotland to reject plans for an offshore windfarm which the developer predicts will kill tens of thousands of seabirds.  Five charities, led by RSPB Scotland, have written to the first minister to argue that approving Berwick Bank in the Firth of Forth would undermine efforts to protect nature.  SSE says it has already amended its designs to minimise any potential risks to Scottish seabirds. 

All week we've been discussing pulses, the dried seeds from plants like beans, lentils and peas all this week. Most of the pulses we buy in the shops are grown overseas. They’re a valuable source of protein and there’s a growing market for protein rich products in groups including runners, gym-goers as well as vegans So could UK farmers cash in? We visit a company which processes home-grown and imported pulses.

Presenter = Caz Graham
Producer = Rebecca Rooney


THU 06:00 Today (m002bj6b)
News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.


THU 09:00 In Our Time (m002bj6d)
The Korean Empire

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Korea's brief but significant period as an empire as it moved from the 500-year-old dynastic Joseon monarchy towards modernity. It was in October 1897 that King Gojong declared himself Emperor, seizing his chance when the once-dominant China lost to Japan in the First Sino-Japanese War. The king wanted to have the same status as the neighbouring Russian, Chinese and Japanese Emperors, to shore up a bid for Korean independence and sovereignty when the world’s major powers either wanted to open Korea up to trade or to colonise it. The Korean Empire lasted only thirteen years, yet it was a time of great transformation for this state and the whole region with lasting consequences in the next century…

With

Nuri Kim
Associate Professor in Korean Studies at the faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Cambridge and Fellow of Wolfson College

Holly Stephens
Lecturer in Japanese and Korean Studies at the University of Edinburgh

And

Derek Kramer
Lecturer in Korean Studies at the University of Sheffield

Producer: Simon Tillotson

Reading list:

Isabella Bird Bishop, Korea and her Neighbors: A Narrative of Travel, With an Account of the Recent Vicissitudes and Present Position of the Country (first published 1898; Forgotten Books, 2019)

Vipan Chandra, Imperialism, Resistance and Reform in Late Nineteenth-Century Korea: Enlightenment and the Independence Club (University of California, Institute of East Asian Studies, 1988)

Peter Duus, The Abacus and the Sword: The Japanese Penetration of Korea, 1859-1910 (University of California Press, 1995)

Carter J. Eckert, Offspring of Empire: The Koch'ang Kims and the Colonial Origins of Korean Capitalism, 1876–1910 (University of Washington Press, 1991)

George L. Kallander, Salvation through Dissent: Tonghak Heterodoxy and Early Modern Korea (University of Hawaii Press, 2013)

Kim Dong-no, John B. Duncan and Kim Do-hyung (eds.), Reform and Modernity in the Taehan Empire (Jimoondang, 2006)

Kirk W. Larsen, Tradition, Treaties, and Trade: Qing Imperialism and Chosŏn Korea, 1850-1910 (Harvard University Asia Center, 2008)

Yumi Moon, Populist Collaborators: The Ilchinhoe and the Japanese Colonization of Korea, 1896-1910 (Cornell University Press, 2013)

Sung-Deuk Oak, The Making of Korean Christianity: Protestant Encounters with Korean Religions, 1876-1915 (Baylor University Press, 2013)

Eugene T. Park, A Family of No Prominence: The Descendants of Pak Tŏkhwa and the Birth of Modern Korea (Stanford University Press, 2020)

Michael E. Robinson, Korea’s Twentieth-Century Odyssey: A Short History (University of Hawaii Press, 2007)

Andre Schmid, Korea Between Empires, 1895-1919 (Columbia University Press, 2002)

Vladimir Tikhonov, Social Darwinism and Nationalism in Korea: The Beginnings, 1880s-1910s (Brill, 2010)

In Our Time is a BBC Studios Audio Production


THU 09:45 Strong Message Here (m002bj6g)
The Official Language of the United States

Comedy writer Armando Iannucci and journalist Helen Lewis decode the utterly baffling world of political language.

This week, a look over the pond at Trump's first 100 days. How have his administration used language to further their agenda? From the Gulf of America, to Making Showers Great Again, Helen and Armando examine how the US government is finding linguistic tricks to set the terms of debate.

Listen to Strong Message Here every Thursday at 9.45am on Radio 4 and then head straight to BBC Sounds for an extended episode.

Have you stumbled upon any perplexing political phrases you need Helen and Armando to decode? Email them to us at strongmessagehere@bbc.co.uk

Sound Editing by Chris Maclean
Production Coordinator - Katie Baum & Sarah Nicholls
Executive Producer - Pete Strauss

Produced by Gwyn Rhys Davies. A BBC Studios Audio production for Radio 4.
An EcoAudio Certified Production.


THU 10:00 Woman's Hour (m002bj6j)
Viktoriia Roshchyna investigation, The Names, Met Gala fashion

A recent investigation has unearthed previously unknown information about the death of a female Ukrainian journalist who had been looking in to war crimes in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Viktoriia Roshchyna, herself Ukrainian, was captured in 2023 whilst reporting from the occupied territories. She died in 2024 after a year in detention, where she was held without charge and without legal assistance. Editor on the Investigations team at The Guardian, Juliette Garside, joins Anita Rani to discuss the report.

Have you ever wondered how much impact the name you were given has had on your life? Florence Knapp’s debut novel The Names begins with a dilemma; Cora is about to register the birth of her baby son, but should she call him Bear, the name chosen by her nine-year-old daughter Maia, Julian, which is her choice, or Gordon, the name she is expected to give him and also the name of her abusive husband and his father before him? Florence joins Anita to discuss her new book and the fateful decisions we make every day.

It’s been a big week for Chelsea who last night won the Women's Super League title for the sixth year in a row, beating Manchester United 1-0 after a goal from Lucy Bronze. The victory marks the first Women's Super League title for Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor, who took over from Emma Hayes last summer. It also follows a defeat against Barcelona in the Champions League over the weekend. BBC Sport’s Emma Sanders joins Anita to discuss Chelsea’s season.

With the Met Gala fast approaching, we take a closer look at the business behind the red carpet with International Style Correspondent for the New York Times, Elizabeth Paton, and Fashion Editor for Glamour Magazine, Rosie Lai.

A new play, Conversations After Sex, tells the story of one thirty-something woman’s life through vignettes following sporadic sexual encounters with a revolving cast of men. Anita explores the theme of intimate conversations with strangers, with the play’s main protagonist and producer Olivia Lindsay and psychotherapist Charlotte Jefferson.

Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Emma Pearce


THU 11:00 This Cultural Life (m002bj6l)
Sheku Kanneh-Mason

Cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason was born in Nottingham in 1999 into a big musical family. He and his six siblings all grew up learning classical instruments, and appeared on Britain’s Got Talent in 2015. Sheku first made his mark as a solo performer the following year when he won the BBC Young Musician Of The Year competition. In 2018 a global audience of over a billion watched him perform live at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Since then he has received two classical Brit awards, An MBE for services to music, and performed at the Proms every year since 2017. His book The Power Of Music charts his creative journey, whilst his new album - his fifth release - includes recording of works by Shostakovich and Britten.

Sheku talks to John Wilson about the early influence of his paternal grandfather, a classical music lover who encouraged an appreciation of chamber music, including Schubert's Trout Quintet. Sheku also discusses his cellist heroes Jacqueline du Pré and Mstislav Rostropovich and explains how the music of reggae superstar Bob Marley has been an inspiration throughout his life.

Producer: Edwina Pitman


THU 11:45 Conflict and Co-operation: A History of Trade (b09l1yh0)
Slavery

The exchange of human beings for work or sex or other forms of enslavement has been a feature of human society throughout history.

Paul Seabright looks at the part slavery has played in the industrialisation of the western world, and in the lives of countless unsuspecting people who were captured and transported as a result of trading activity on the other side of the globe.

Producer: Chris Ledgard.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2018.


THU 12:00 News Summary (m002bj6n)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.


THU 12:04 You and Yours (m002bj6q)
News and discussion of consumer affairs


THU 12:32 Sliced Bread (m002bj6s)
Sleep Headbands and Sleep Bars

Which products are best for bedtime listening?

According to a YouGov poll nearly half of us listen to music or podcasts to help us get to sleep and there are a range of products designed to do just that.

Listener Nick has seen wearable sleep headbands with speakers woven in to the fabric which he hopes will stop him waking up in the middle of the night with headphones or earbuds digging into his ears.

And listener David says his social media is promoting sleep bars that go under the pillow and claim to transmit sound via bone conduction.

To find out more, Greg is joined by acoustic expert Professor Trevor Cox and Lecturer at the Surrey Sleep Research Centre, Ullrich Bartsch. They discuss the sound quality of these devices and whether it's a good idea to listen to music or podcasts at bedtime at all. Is there any evidence that it results in a good night's sleep?

All our episodes start with YOUR suggestions. If you’ve seen an ad, trend or wonder product promising to make you happier, healthier or greener, email us at sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk OR send a voice note to our WhatsApp number, 07543 306807

PRODUCERS: SIMON HOBAN AND GREG FOOT

RESEARCHER: PHIL SANSOM


THU 12:57 Weather (m002bj6v)
The latest weather forecast


THU 13:00 World at One (m002bj6x)
News, analysis and comment from BBC Radio 4


THU 13:45 Americast (p0l72smj)
100 Days of Donald Trump

100 Days of Trump (Part 4)… Has Elon Musk Changed Government Forever?

This is a special Americast mini series, looking at five ways Donald Trump has changed America in his first 100 days back, as President of the United States.
In our fourth episode, Matt Chorley joins Justin and Marianna to discuss large scale cuts to federal government by Elon Musk’s DOGE, and look at the impact of those cuts.
They also talk about what a modern America should be paying for - both at home and abroad - and why some people think Trump is actually a democrat when it comes to big government spending.

HOSTS:
• Matt Chorley, Radio 5 Live presenter
• Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter
• Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations Senior Correspondent

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 Purvee Pattni and Marie Lennon, with Alix Pickles and Grace Reeve. 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


THU 14:00 The Archers (m002bj71)
[Repeat of broadcast at 19:00 on Wednesday]


THU 14:15 Drama on 4 (m000q277)
London Particular

Episode 1

By Nick Perry

A child in an East End garden plays with an imaginary friend. One day she goes to the bottom of the garden and never returns. A homeless man desperately tries to stay awake, believing that whenever he falls asleep he wakes up in a different century. A London Underground maintenance engineer walks the two miles between adjacent stations in less than four minutes.

While travelling on the London Underground one afternoon, Alice meets the gaze of a man standing on the platform of a mysterious "ghost station". As her train hurtles into a tunnel, he’s gone. She’s convinced that the man was her brother Alan who has been missing presumed dead for the past five years.

This fleeting encounter is the beginning of Alice’s increasingly bizarre, desperate and labyrinthine search for her missing brother, a journey that leads her back through time into London’s past.

As Alice soon discovers, London is not one but many cities, a city of curious anomalies and dark secrets, of hidden portals to other dimensions, a city so vast and varied that the weird and the uncanny blend seamlessly with the ordinary, where the person sitting next to you on the bus, or walking beside you on the pavement, may in fact be a visitor from another time.

Alice . . . . . Scarlett Brookes
Alan . . . . . Ian Dunnett Jnr
Mum . . . . . Jane Whittenshaw
Lizzie . . . . . Emma Handy
Dorian . . . . . Roger Ringrose
Simon . . . . . Joseph Ayre
Kelechi . . . . . Stefan Adegbola
Stefania . . . . . Charlotte East
Isaac . . . . . Aaron Gelkoff

Director: Sasha Yevtushenko


THU 15:00 Open Country (m002bj73)
Wild and Windy Fylde

The Fylde peninsula stands between Morecombe Bay, the Bowland Hills and the Irish Sea. Its position means that it's a very windy spot. Windmills have been a feature of the area for hundreds of years, built to grind grain and drain marshy areas in order to turn them into agricultural land. At one point there were over thirty-five windmills on the Fylde coast. Rendered obsolete by the arrival of new technologies – first steam, then electricity - only a few are still standing today. In this programme, Martha Kearney visits one of the last remaining windmills, Little Marton in Blackpool. Built in 1838, it inspired the author Charles Allen Clarke to write 'Windmill Land', documenting the windmills of rural Lancashire. Martha is shown around the mill by the author's grand-daughter, who explains its significance.

Martha travels inland to discover how some of the impacts of the previous generations' decisions about landscape management are being reversed. Where land was once drained, in some places it is now being "re-wetted". She visits Winmarleigh carbon farm where Lancashire Wildlife Trust is running a project to restore peatland which was damaged in the past by drainage, involving planting 150,000 plugs of sphagnum moss. She learns how that's done, and meets the scientist who's monitoring the effect this has on greenhouse gas emissions.

Back on the coast again at Lytham St Annes, Martha finds out about the role the wind has to play in 21st century activities in the area, where sports like kite-surfing and land-yachting are growing in popularity. She meets a man whose father set up the local land-yachting club, and who - now in his 80s - is still going strong in the sport.

Producer: Emma Campbell
Assistant producer: Jo Peacey


THU 15:27 Radio 4 Appeal (m002bgwf)
[Repeat of broadcast at 07:54 on Sunday]


THU 15:30 Feedback (m002bj75)
Coverage of Pope Francis funeral. Radio 3's Music on the Front Line. Our BBC, Our Future.

The death of Pope Francis on the 21st April understandably led to a wave of media coverage, but did the BBC get it right? Andrea Catherwood puts your views to Aleem Maqbool, Religion Editor for BBC News, and hears about what it takes to prepare for such a solemn occasion. And what did listeners think of the episode of Witness History that came directly after the Pope's Requiem Mass on the Sunday morning?

Listeners talk about Clive Myrie's Music on the Front Line which returned for another series as part of Radio 3's Music Matters this Spring. Clive interviews fellow journalists about the music they've turned to while reporting from some of the world's most dangerous conflict zones.

And you might have noticed a questionnaire - Our BBC, Our Future - in your email inbox recently, asking what you watch and listen to and your thoughts on the future of the Corporation. We hear your reactions, and Andrea talks to Professor Matt Walsh, Head of the Journalism School at the University of Cardiff, about the biggest public engagement exercise the BBC has carried out.

Producer: Pauline Moore
Assistant Producer: Rebecca Guthrie
Executive Producer: David Prest

A Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4


THU 16:00 The Briefing Room (m002bj77)
Are India and Pakistan on the brink of war over Kashmir?

Tension is high in Indian administered Kashmir following the killing on 22nd April of 26 civilians almost all of whom were Hindu tourists. They were visiting Pahalgam - an area often described as the “Switzerland of India”. Militants opened fire on them and in the days since relations between India and Pakistan, which both claim Kashmir in full but only administer it in part, have deteriorated. India accuses Pakistan of supporting the militants and Islamabad rejects the allegations. This is the latest attack in a decades-long dispute over the region. David Aaronovitch and guests ask what happens next and what sort of a response we are likely to see from India and also Pakistan?

Guests: Andrew Whitehead: Former BBC India correspondent and expert on Kashmir and its history, author of ‘A Mission in Kashmir’
Anbarasan Ethirajan: BBC South Asia Regional Editor
Husain Haqqani : Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute in Washington DC and former Pakistan ambassador to Sri Lanka and the US
Michael Kugelman - South Asia analyst based in Washington DC and author of Foreign Policy magazine’s South Asia Brief newsletter
Sumantra Bose: Professor of International and Comparative Politics at Krea University in India and author of Kashmir at the Crossroads: Inside a 21st-Century Conflict

Presenter: David Aaronovitch
Producers: Caroline Bayley, Nathan Gower, Kirsteen Knight
Production co-ordinator: Gemma Ashman
Sound engineers: Sarah Hockley and James Beard
Editor: Richard Vadon


THU 16:30 BBC Inside Science (m002bj79)
How vulnerable is our power supply?

Severe power cuts hit Spain, Portugal and parts of France this week, cutting the lights and stopping flights, trains, and ATM machines in their tracks. The Spanish grid operator has said it’s ruled out a cyber-attack, but the reason behind what happened is still unclear. We speak to Keith Bell, Professor of Electronic and Electrical Engineering at the University of Strathclyde, and David Brayshaw, Professor of Climate Science and Energy Meteorology at the University of Reading, to ask whether the UK’s power supply could be just as vulnerable to a major blackout.

Presenter Victoria Gill hears about how cyborg cockroaches are being developed to try to help at disaster scenes. We’re also joined by science journalist Caroline Steel to discuss the week’s standout science news. And we find out how a critically endangered salamander, the axolotl, could hold the biological key to repairing damaged spinal cords.

Presenter: Victoria Gill
Producers: Clare Salisbury, Dan Welsh and Gerry Holt
Editor: Martin Smith
Production Co-ordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth


THU 17:00 PM (m002bj7c)
Full coverage of the day's news


THU 18:00 Six O'Clock News (m002bj7f)
The Football Association bars transgender women from the female game

The Football Association has announced that transgender women will no longer be able to play in female football in England from the 1st of June. Also: American media are reporting that Mike Walz, President Trump's National Security Adviser, is to leave his post. And Harrods has become the latest retailer, after Marks and Spencer and the Co-op, to be targeted by cyber attacks.


THU 18:30 Mark Watson Talks a Bit About Life (m001k0q3)
Series 4

Friday's Child Is...

Multi-award winning comedian and author Mark Watson continues his probably doomed, but luckily funny quest to make sense of the human experience.

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. We've got as far as Friday. Friday's child is loving and giving. How do you reconcile that with getting what you want in life? Why does Mark's son think he goes out with Nicole Kidman? And why did he urgently need £35 recently?

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 - tonight, we say hello to Felicity Ward.

Producer: Lianne Coop

An Impatient production for BBC Radio 4


THU 19:00 The Archers (m002bj7h)
Freddie’s looking forward to hosting the Academy Trust for lunch at the abattoir and suggests newly returned Rochelle takes a charcuterie producer on a guided tour instead of packing with her bad arm. Freddie promises her a security pass for the day with full access to the site. Once he’s gone Rochelle phones Saskia – it has to be today!

Helen, David and Vince are all there for the lunch, while Rex shocks Rochelle by turning up for the guided tour with the charcuterie manager. Once the tour’s over Rochelle and Rex head to the Conference room where Rex joins Helen and David. Rochelle goes outside to find Saskia and the other protesters, including pushy Carl. But there are more of them than Rochelle was expecting and they’ve got balaclavas. She tries warning them off, but they’ve hacked into a big screen at Felpersham Shopping Centre, determined to live-stream the protest. Rochelle pleads with them to stop, but Carl grabs her pass and lets them into the building, shutting Rochelle out.

The protesters storm into the Conference room, barricade themselves in, then handcuff Vince and Freddie. Rex confronts Carl, who threatens both him and Freddie with a broken bottle, before David assures Carl they’ll listen to what they have to say. Saskia states her case against animal agriculture to camera, picking out farmers as villains of the piece. As the protesters leave Saskia claims they’ve poisoned Casey Meats produce, before locking Vince and the others inside. Once they’ve gone Helen unlocks the handcuffs and remembers she’s seen Saskia before, with Rochelle in Felpersham.


THU 19:15 Front Row (m002bj7k)
Review: John Lennon docs, Tina Fey's The Four Seasons and The Great Gatsby musical

Critic Kate Maltby and Beatles author Ian Leslie join Tom Sutcliffe to discuss two documentaries about John Lennon remaking his life in New York - Borrowed Time: Lennon's Last Decade and One to One: John & Yoko. They also discuss Tina Fey’s new series The Four Seasons, based on the 1981 film of the same name, which explores the relationships of three longstanding couples who holiday together. And we'll be reviewing a new musical version of The Great Gatsby, fresh in from Broadway. Plus writer Louise Dean, the founder of The Novelry, a creative writing school, talks about her organisation's new literary writing competition.

Producer: Claire Bartleet
Presenter: Tom Sutcliffe


THU 20:00 When It Hits the Fan (m002bj7m)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:00 on Wednesday]


THU 20:15 The Media Show (m002bj7p)
[Repeat of broadcast at 16:15 on Wednesday]


THU 21:00 Loose Ends (m002bgmv)
[Repeat of broadcast at 18:15 on Saturday]


THU 21:45 Strong Message Here (m002bj6g)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:45 today]


THU 22:00 The World Tonight (m002bj7r)
Mike Waltz out as Trump's National Security Adviser

President Trump says US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz will leave his post and be nominated to serve as ambassador to the United Nations - we get reaction from Washington DC.

Also on the programme: polls have just closed in local elections across parts of England; Stoke-on-Trent’s Moorcroft Pottery goes bust after more than 100 years of trading; and we speak to the daughter of the man who created Thomas the Tank Engine, 80 years after the character first appeared in print.


THU 22:45 The Artist by Lucy Steeds (m002bj7t)
4: 'You make him sound like a god.'

Provence 1920.

Aspiring journalist, Joseph Adelaide, arrives at a remote farmhouse house, hoping to make his name by interviewing the reclusive and supposedly tyrannical painter, the great Edouard Tartuffe.

Meanwhile, Tartuffe's niece Ettie moves silently through the farmhouse - cooking, cleaning, selecting props, creating the tableaux that make her uncle's artistic genius possible.

But everyone has their secrets. And, under the cover of darkness, Ettie has spent years cultivating hers.

Over this sweltering and sultry summer, passions will be ignited, mysteries will be revealed, and egos shattered...

Today: passions rise as the summer builds. But Joseph is convinced his vision of the burning painting was not a hallucination...

Readers: Tuppence Middleton and Luke Treadaway
Writer: Lucy Steeds is a graduate of the Faber Academy. This is her first novel.
Abridger: Richard Hamilton
Producer: Justine Willett


THU 23:00 The Today Podcast (m002bj7w)
North Korea fights for Russia

Kim Jong Un has confirmed for the first time that North Korean troops have been fighting in Russia against Ukraine.

Amol and Nick catch up with Today presenter Anna Foster who is in Ukraine to find out about the reporting she has been doing (3:00).

They also speak to Edward Howell, a fellow at Chatham House’s Korea Foundation and lecturer at Oxford University, to discuss the significance of North Korea's admission and whether Donald Trump could rekindle his relationship with Kim Jong Un (16:16).

And Nick reveals that he once took part in a yo-yoing record attempt (32:35).

To get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories and insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme make sure you hit subscribe on BBC Sounds. That way you’ll get an alert every time we release a new episode, and you won’t miss our extra bonus episodes either.

GET IN TOUCH:
* Send us a message or a voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346
* Email today@bbc.co.uk

The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson who are both presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Amol was the BBC’s media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he’s also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC’s political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV’s political editor.

This episode was made by Lewis Vickers with Izzy Rowley. Digital production was by Izzy Rowley. The technical producer was Antonio Fernandes. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths.


THU 23:30 Today in Parliament (m002bj7y)
Alicia McCarthy reports as MPs warn energy costs are putting companies out of business. Also, university leaders are questioned about social mobility and Parliament's first "bionic Lord" demands a better deal for amputees from the NHS.

FRIDAY 02 MAY 2025

FRI 00:00 Midnight News (m002bj80)
National and international news from BBC Radio 4


FRI 00:30 Conflict and Co-operation: A History of Trade (b09l1yh0)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:45 on Thursday]


FRI 00:48 Shipping Forecast (m002bj82)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping


FRI 01:00 Selection of BBC World Service Programmes (m002bj84)
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.


FRI 05:00 News Summary (m002bj86)
National and international news from BBC Radio 4


FRI 05:04 Yesterday in Parliament (m002bj88)
Sean Curran reports as MPs question the Government about reducing energy prices for industry.


FRI 05:34 Shipping Forecast (m002bj8b)
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping


FRI 05:43 Prayer for the Day (m002bj8d)
Pilgrims through life

Good morning.

Can it be Friday already? Yes. Another week is drawing to a close. For some of us, we’ll be glad to see the back of it – for others, it will have been a week that they will remember forever. As we journey through life, we never know what the people we pass on the way, are going through. What sort of day they’re having, what sort of news they’ve had, what sort of disappointment or relationship difficulty they’re going through.

Sometimes I lead pilgrimages to the Holy Land – to Jerusalem. And when we’re at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem, the thoughts of the pilgrims turn to the Cross – a symbol of so much suffering and pain. And people reflect on what we often call, their own crosses, the burdens that they carry with them through life. It’s a humbling experience, as often some of the most cheerful people, speak of their lives of great suffering, unhappiness, and disappointment.

There are stories of addiction, lost relationships, sickness and death. There are also stories of quiet heroism, some tears, and laughs – lots of laughs.

At a certain level, I like to see us all as pilgrims through life. The road of life is often winding, it can take us in directions sometimes we would rather not go. On paths we would not choose.

And yet often on these paths, we meet people who become lifelong friends, and we experience things which enrich, and enhance our lives and change our perspectives.

This morning, I pray to have the courage to keep going along the journey, even when the way ahead seems to be uncertain.

Amen.


FRI 05:45 Farming Today (m002bj8g)
02/05/25 Gene-edited pigs, pea genome, agricultural transition

Gene-editing technology which makes pigs immune to a highly infectious virus, developed at Edinburgh University’s Roslin Institute, has been approved for use by the US Food and Drug Administration. The virus causes a disease called PRRS or Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome, which causes premature births in pigs as well as other painful symptoms and costs the pig industry billions. Current legislation doesn't permit its use in the UK. We speak to one of the scientists who's been working on the project for more than seven years.

All week we’ve been taking a closer look at pulses, the dried seeds of crops like beans, lentils and peas, for both human and animal food. In the UK the peas we eat are generally frozen or fresh but dried peas are a major source of protein to millions of people around the world. Scientists at the John Innes Centre in Norwich have been working with researchers in China, the USA and France to uncover the genome of 700 different varieties of pea, from many different countries, to help develop better commercial varieties.

The sudden suspension of England's biggest environmental scheme, the Sustainable Farming Incentive, earlier this year was met with horror and disbelief by farmers and environmentalists alike - we preview a special documentary which charts the transition of agricultural policy from the old EU farm subsidy system and the Common Agricultural Policy to the new 'public money for public goods' approach that we have in England today.

Presenter = Caz Graham
Producer = Rebecca Rooney


FRI 06:00 Today (m002bjpx)
News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.


FRI 09:00 The Reunion (m002c214)
[Repeat of broadcast at 10:00 on Sunday]


FRI 10:00 Woman's Hour (m002bjpz)
Headteacher Emma Mills on Smartphones, Dr Charlotte Proudman, A Musical Tribute to George Eliot

Headteachers are gathering today in Harrogate for the annual conference of the National Association of Head Teachers. The negative effects on their students of smartphones and social media access has become a national conversation in recent months, with differing views on who should take the lead in protecting children; the Government, schools, parents, or tech companies. Anita Rani talks to secondary head Emma Mills. Her school, Birchwood High in Warrington, attracted national attention two years ago when teenager Brianna Ghey was murdered. Emma joins Anita to explain why she implemented the ban and what the effects have been so far.

Barrister and campaigner Charlotte Proudman first came to prominence ten years ago when she called out a lawyer on LinkedIn who praised her profile picture. Never afraid to speak her mind, she talks to Anita about her new book ‘He said, She Said: Truth, Trauma and the Struggle for Justice in Family Court’.

Writer George Eliot is brought to life in a new stage setting, accompanied by contemporary music by British female singer songwriters and using mainly her own words to tell her story. Author of seven novels, a poet and translator, George Eliot - real name Mary Ann Evans - was ahead of her time, befriended pioneering feminists and at one point became the second richest woman in England after Queen Victoria. Performers SuRie and Hermione Norris join Anita to discuss their celebration of her extraordinary and ground breaking life.

Presenter: Anita Rani
Producer: Laura Northedge


FRI 11:00 The Food Programme (m002bjq1)
Feeding the Nation

With the Government pledging to overhaul the way food is sourced for public institutions like hospitals, schools, prisons, and army bases, Sheila Dillon explores how these changes could be implemented and why they are deemed essential by many.

Sheila visits St Peter’s Hospital in Chertsey, Surrey, where chef Raouf Mansour has transformed the canteen for staff and visitors. After bringing the operation in-house post-Covid, the hospital began collaborating with local suppliers to provide fresh, seasonal produce. Raouf emphasises that retraining chefs to prepare nutritious, mezze-style meals has been crucial in encouraging staff to dine at the restaurant. The hospital is also working on plans to revamp patient meals, which are all prepared off-site, by working with smaller local caterers who can better meet some of the specific needs of patients there.

Following her visit, Sheila returns to the studio to discuss whether the changes in Chertsey could signal a broader trend. She is joined by:

Kevin Morgan, Professor of Governance and Development at Cardiff University and author of "Serving the Public: The Good Food Revolution in Schools, Hospitals, and Prisons"
Kath Dalmeny, Chief Executive of Sustain
Katie Palmer from Food Sense Wales, who is working on the Welsh Veg in Schools Project
Derek Wright from Blackpool Catering Services, which has expanded its school meal provision over the past five years, with on-site chefs and locally sourced produce.

Presented by Sheila Dillon
Produced in Bristol for BBC Audio by Natalie Donovan


FRI 11:45 Conflict and Co-operation: A History of Trade (m002bjq3)
Age of Anxiety

Author and economist Paul Seabright concludes his series by looking ahead and asking what the events of 2025 will look like a couple of decades from now.

Produced by Chris Ledgard for BBC Audio Bristol


FRI 12:00 News Summary (m002bjq5)
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.


FRI 12:04 AntiSocial (m002bjq7)
Gentle Parenting

A campaign to get verbal abuse on the agenda has sparked debate with headlines that say shouting at children is as bad as physical abuse.

What does the evidence actually say about the words we use when speaking to children? Where did the phenomenon of gentle parenting come from, and how do you do it? And who decides how we treat our kids?

Presenter: Adam Fleming
Producers: Lucy Proctor, Josephine Casserly, Bethan Ashmead Latham, Tom Gillet
Production coordinator: Janet Staples
Editor: Penny Murphy


FRI 12:57 Weather (m002bjq9)
The latest weather forecast


FRI 13:00 World at One (m002bjqc)
Reform takes first councils after by-election and mayoral wins

Can Reform deliver on the promises made? We explore with a prominent supporter and hear more reaction from John McDonnell and Sir Jacob Rees Mogg.


FRI 13:45 Americast (p0l72tfp)
100 Days of Donald Trump

100 Days of Trump (Part 5)… Has He Redefined What It Means To Be President?

This is a special Americast mini series, looking at five ways Donald Trump has changed America in his first 100 days back, as President of the United States.

“…in the USA we do no have kings, we do not have dictators we have a constitution, and the rule of law, and we’re going to make damn sure Donald Trump and his administration follow the law”

Critics like Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes say Trump has defied the U.S. constitution, others say he’s restricted free speech and silenced oppositional voices. Trump says it’s what the American people voted for…

In our final episode, how has Trump redefined what it means to be President? And will this change how the world’s leaders govern?

HOSTS:
• Matt Chorley, Radio 5 Live presenter
• Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter
• Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations Senior Correspondent

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 byPurvee Pattni and Marie Lennon, with Alix Pickles and Grace Reeve. 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


FRI 14:00 The Archers (m002bj7h)
[Repeat of broadcast at 19:00 on Thursday]


FRI 14:15 Limelight (m002b7yj)
Discretion

Episode 4

When Reid tells Maria she is to be recalled to London she's incredulous, but he is firm, her recent injuries mean she is better off, in his opinion, back in London.

When she arrives however she's met by an unexpected government official, Gilroy, who has some questions, and information, that challenges, and in some ways confirms Maria's most recent suspicions.

Soon she's travelling back out of the UK to the embassy, to an unexpected welcome.

Maria...Sinead Keenan
Reid...Kevin McNally
Adam...Declan Rodgers
Gilroy...Sean Rigby
Maria's Father...Piotr Baumann
Natsev...Avital Lvova

All other roles by Eddie Toll, Anna Krippa, Ani Russo and John Albasiny

Written by Davy Banks.
Produced by Claire Broughton
Direction, Sound Design and additional production by John Wakefield
The Executive Producer is Jed Mercurio.

With thanks to Tanya Nedashkovskaya for her translations

A Hat Trick production for BBC Radio 4


FRI 14:45 Child (m001xl5b)
Series 1

17. Milk

Milk. However it comes its a vital source of life. India Rakusen explores it’s various forms and the history and politics that have shaped the way we view how we feed our babies.

The pressures around feeding our new-borns can be intensely difficult to navigate. India speaks to a new mum, Kerry, about her experience expressing and feeding in neonatal wards. She also finds out how milk is built from scientist Mary Fewtrell and talks to historian and author Joanna Wolfarth about the way milk has ruled motherhood, and how we can move forward.

Presented by India Rakusen
Producer: Ellie Sans
Series Producer: Ellie Sans
Executive Producer: Suzy Grant
Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts
Original music composed and performed by The Big Moon and ESKA Mtungwazi
Mix and Mastering by Olga Reed

A Listen production for Radio 4 and BBC Sounds


FRI 15:00 Gardeners' Question Time (m002bjqh)
Wokingham Borough: Pet Friendly Gardens, Homemade Compost and Silly Advice

What's your recommended recipe for homemade seed compost? What makes a dog friendly garden? What is the most inappropriate piece of garden advice that you've received?

Peter Gibbs and the panel offer advice to an audience of keen gardeners in the borough of Wokingham. Joining Peter are house plants expert Anne Swithinbank, garden designer Bunny Guinness, and proud plantsman Matthew Biggs.

Later in the programme, for Plant Health Week, Kirsty Wilson visits the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh to meet biosecurity officer Matt Elliot and discover how new pests and diseases are threatening our gardens — and what we can do to fight back.

Producer: Matt Smith
Assistant Producer: Rahnee Prescod
Executive Producer: Carly Maile

A Somethin' Else production for BBC Radio 4

Plant List
Questions and timecodes are below. Where applicable, plant names have been provided.

Q - Do the panel have any favourite help or design features in their gardens made by their pets? (01'45")

Q- Could you give me some top tips on growing Dahlias? (05'40")

Q- How do you manage a wildflower area after the first year of flowering? (10’18")

Feature – Kirsty Wilson and Biosecurity Officer of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh discuss how we can protect our plants from new pests and diseases (14'20")

Q- My Fatsia Bush has flowered – do I prune it back or leave the fruits for the birds? (19'30")

Q - Which exciting new plants should we be looking forward to growing in the south-east of England?
(22'31")

Bunny Guinness –
Diospyros virginiana (F), common persimmon
Diospyros 'Nikita's Gift' (F), Nikita’s Gift Persimmon.
Salvia involucrata 'Hadspen', rosy-leaf sage ‘Hadspen’

Matthew Biggs –
Salvia officinalis 'Bicolor', sage 'Bicolor'
Echium
Echium wildpretii, tower of jewels
Echium pininana giant viper's bugloss

Anne Swithinbank –
Leonotis Leonurus, lion's tail
Dictamnus albus, burning bush
Eriobotrya, loquat

Q - What is your recommended recipe for homemade seed compost? (28'00")

Q - I have a small starter allotment; can the panel advise me on how to make the most of my small plot? (32'10")

Bunny Guinness –
Onion
Garlic
Lettuce

Matthew Biggs –
Lettuce,
fresh beetroot,
fresh carrots,
finger carrots
Baby leaf
Spinach
radish
courgettes
French beans
Runner beans

Anne Swithinbank –
Foeniculum vulgare var. azoricum, florence fennel

Q - What is the most inappropriate piece of garden advice that you've received, and did you follow it? (37'24")


FRI 15:45 Short Works (m002bjqk)
Blue Circle by Charlotte Runcie

Two days after the worst break-up of her life, a council registrar has to officiate a wedding. A wedding unlike any she's ever been to.

An original short story for radio by Charlotte Runcie, author of Salt on Your Tongue: Women and the Sea, and of a new novel, Bring the House Down.

Writer: Charlotte Runcie
Reader: Bettrys Jones
Producer: Mair Bosworth

A BBC Audio Bristol production for BBC Radio 4


FRI 16:00 Last Word (m002bjqm)
Virginia Giuffre, Rosy Bremer, LJ Smith, Wizz Jones

Matthew Bannister on

Virginia Giuffre, who waived her anonymity to accuse the billionaire Jeffrey Epstein and his friend Ghislaine Maxwell of sex abuse and trafficking.

Rosy Bremer, a leading campaigner against nuclear weapons at the women’s protest at Greenham Common airbase.

LJ Smith, author of the best-selling “Vampire Diaries” series of novels

And the influential folk and blues guitarist Wizz Jones. His friend Ralph McTell pays tribute.

If you have been affected by the issues reflected in tthis programme, you can visit https://www.bbc.co.uk/actionline

Interviewee: Sean Coughlan
Interviewee: Fran Vigay
Interviewee: Julie Divola
Interviewee: Ralph McTell

Archive used:
The Prince and the Epstein Scandal, FKBH539N/02, Sixty Minutes: Greenham Common, BBC, 14/11/1983, BBC Wales, 17/06/1982, Rosy Bremer, interviewed by Nicky Arikoglu in 2019, Greenham Women Everywhere, https://greenhamwomeneverywhere.co.uk/ , Podbite 8. Singing, Greenham Women Everywhere, 17/12/2020 , LJ Smith interviewed by Matthew Peterson, The Author Hour radio show, 19/11/2009  https://theauthorhour.com/l-j-smith/ , The Vampire Diaries, Season 1; Episode 1, developed for TV by Julie Plec and Kevin Williamson, Production companies: Outerbanks Entertainment, Alloy Entertainment, CBS Television Studios, Warner Bros. Television, Outlook – BBC World Service. Sept 2014 , Tonight BBC 29/08/1960


FRI 16:30 Life Changing (m002bjc4)
[Repeat of broadcast at 09:00 on Wednesday]


FRI 17:00 PM (m002bjqp)
Full coverage of the day's news


FRI 18:00 Six O'Clock News (m002bjqr)
He said he was devastated by judges decision and says King won't speak to him because of the security case


FRI 18:30 The News Quiz (m002bjqt)
Series 117

3. Power Outrage

Andy Zaltzman is joined by Geoff Norcott, Lucy Porter, Ed Byrne and Marie Le Conte to unpack the week in news. Topics include the loss of power in the Iberian Peninsula, the gaining of power in the Canadian election, the US-Ukraine mineral deal, cyberattacks on M&S, and the medical benefits of Champagne.

Written by Andy Zaltzman.

With additional material by: Ruby Clyde, Eve Delaney, Cameron Loxdale and Laura Major.
Producer: Rajiv Karia
Executive Producer: James Robinson
Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman
Sound Editor: Marc Willcox

A BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4


FRI 19:00 The Archers (m002bjqw)
Writer: Liz John
Director: Marina Caldarone
Editor: Jeremy Howe

David Archer…. Timothy Bentinck
Helen Archer…. Louiza Patikas
Natasha Archer…. Mali Harries
Pat Archer…. Patricia Gallimore
Tom Archer…. William Troughton
Vince Casey…. Tony Turner
Rex Fairbrother…. Nick Barber
Chelsea Horrobin…. Madeleine Leslay
Tracy Horrobin…. Susie Riddell
Joy Horville…. Jackie Lye
Rochelle Horville…. Rosie Stancliffe
Akram Malik…. Asif Khan
Azra Malik…. Yasmin Wilde
Khalil Malik…. Krish Bassi
Zainab Malik…. Priyasasha Kumari
Freddie Pargetter…. Toby Laurence
Lynda Snell…. Carole Boyd
Saskia…. Alison Belbin
Carl…. James Bartlett


FRI 19:15 Screenshot (m002bjqy)
Sex Work

Pretty Woman was released in 1990. One of the most beloved and successful romantic comedies of all time, the film tells the Cinderella story of a sex worker, played by Julia Roberts, who finds love with a slick businessman - Richard Gere - after he picks her up on Hollywood Boulevard.

Fast forward to 2025 and the astonishing Oscar success of Anora - director Sean Baker’s tale of a young sex worker whose whirlwind affair with a Russian billionaire’s son turns bad, fast.

So how has the way we treat sex work on screen changed? Ellen E Jones and Mark Kermode delve into the long and thorny relationship between cinema and sex work.

Mark speaks to film historian and critic Pamela Hutchinson about how sex work has been tackled in over a hundred years of movies - from early silent films like Pandora’s Box, to the work of Sean Baker. They discuss Jane Fonda’s Oscar-winning turn as a ‘call girl’ in Klute, and look at how male sex worker films like Midnight Cowboy might approach the subject differently.

Meanwhile, Ellen talks to Andrea Werhun, the writer, performer and real-life sex worker who served as a consultant on Anora - about her work on the film, and her love for another Richard Gere sex work film, American Gigolo.

And Ellen also speaks to Kristen Lovell and Zachary Drucker, whose 2023 documentary The Stroll traced the history of trans sex workers in New York City’s Meatpacking District. Kristen and Zachary discuss why sex work has been a key part of trans history - and what they think Anora’s success means for sex workers.

Producer: Jane Long
A Prospect Street production for BBC Radio 4


FRI 20:00 Any Questions? (m002bjr0)
Nigel Huddleston MP, Tim Montgomerie, Helen Morgan MP, Lucy Powell MP

Alex Forsyth presents political debate from Epperstone Village Hall in Nottinghamshire with the co-chair of the Conservative party Nigel Huddleston MP, the political commentator Tim Montgomerie, the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Health and Social Care Helen Morgan MP and the Labour MP and Leader of the House of Commons Lucy Powell.

Producer: Robin Markwell
Lead Broadcast Engineer: Nat Stokes


FRI 20:55 This Week in History (m002bjcj)
[Repeat of broadcast at 11:40 on Wednesday]


FRI 21:00 Free Thinking (m002bjr2)
Community

Post local elections and pre VE day anniversary events across the UK, Shahidha Bari explores ideas about community. Mike Savage, Professor of Sociology at the LSE, explains how social capital enables networks and bonds among people. Selina Todd, Professor of Modern History at the University of Oxford, discusses the fracturing of working class community, community theatre and the role of women in forging connections. Phillip Blond, the Director of ResPublica and creator of the term, Red Toryism, argues for a post liberal Conservatism with community at its heart. Kirsten Stevens-Wood talks about intentional communities, including the spiritual community at the Findhorn Ecovillage, one of the largest in Britain. Kieran Yates, journalist and author, considers the ways in which communities are undermined by insecure housing.

Producer: Jayne Egerton


FRI 22:00 The World Tonight (m002bjr4)
Reform surges in local elections

The Reform UK party has made huge gains in local elections across England. Nigel Farage's party took control of ten council areas including in Labour heartlands like Durham. The party also clinched the Runcorn and Helsby by-election by six votes. We speak to Reform's Ann Widdecombe and explore the full range of election results, including successes for the Lib Dems.

Prince Harry has said his father, The King, has stopped speaking to him in an exclusive interview with the BBC. The Prince was speaking after losing a legal challenge in the UK over his security arrangements.

And the Trump administration has weighed into German politics again, criticising the country's domestic intelligence agency after they labelled the far-right AfD party as "extremists", allowing German authorities to intensify surveillance, including the use of undercover informants and monitoring communications, under judicial oversight.


FRI 22:45 The Artist by Lucy Steeds (m002bjr6)
5: 'You are playing with fire.'

Provence 1920.

Aspiring journalist, Joseph Adelaide, arrives at a remote farmhouse house, hoping to make his name by interviewing the reclusive and supposedly tyrannical painter, the great Edouard Tartuffe.

Meanwhile, Tartuffe's niece Ettie moves silently through the farmhouse - cooking, cleaning, selecting props, creating the tableaux that make her uncle's artistic genius possible.

But everyone has their secrets. And, under the cover of darkness, Ettie has spent years cultivating hers.

Over this sweltering and sultry summer, passions will be ignited, mysteries will be revealed, and egos shattered...

Today: after an illicit kiss heightens the already tense atmosphere in the farmhouse, Tata warns Joseph to beware of women...

Readers: Tuppence Middleton and Luke Treadaway
Writer: Lucy Steeds is a graduate of the Faber Academy. This is her first novel.
Abridger: Richard Hamilton
Producer: Justine Willett


FRI 23:00 Americast (m002bjr8)
Is Donald Trump losing public support?

As Donald Trump surpasses 100 days in office for the second time, new polls suggest he might not be quite as popular as he claims.

Justin, Sarah, and Anthony get together to discuss why the president could be losing support with some Americans and, crucially, whether he cares.

HOSTS:
• Sarah Smith, North America Editor
• Justin Webb, Radio 4 Presenter
• Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent

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 George Dabby with Rufus Gray and Grace Reeve. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer was 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 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 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


FRI 23:30 Today in Parliament (m002bjrb)
Susan Hulme speaks to MPs and peers about money, science and a little bit of history.