BBC Podcasts

The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.By BBC World Service

Sheila Dillon presents more stories of the winners of the BBC Food and Farming Awards 2021, which celebrates the people across the UK who've changed lives for the better, through food and drink. We meet Countryfile's Young Countryside Champion and The One Show’s Community Food Champion, as well as the winners of the Best Streetfood or Takeway and F…

Will Anna be able to make some useful contacts at the International Plastics Convention?By BBC Radio

As virologists around the world race to investigate the latest SARS CoV2 variant of concern, the UN’s World AIDS Day this week reminds us of the other global pandemic raging for some 40 years. Much of the work achieved over the last two years on SARS CoV2 has been achieved because of the investment made into, and the understanding gained from, HIV …

The president of Belarus has admitted to the BBC that the security forces beat protesters in a notorious detention centre in Minsk, in the aftermath of last year's elections -- which were widely condemned as rigged. Alexander Lukashenko promised to continue a crackdown against what he called 'scum' -- referring to civil organisations he alleged the…

At any given time, about a million American families are looking to adopt and most prefer newborns. The industry is regulated on a state-by-state basis and many advocates argue that, not only the existing rules are not enforced properly, but that much greated federal regulation is needed to ensure that the whole process is ethical and safe. Ivana D…

Rahul Tandon talks to Monzo Bank about its policy to give parents two weeks of paid leave following a miscarriage, after BBC research finds wide variation in the support companies offer their staff in the aftermath of a miscarriage. So what kind of help do parents need to recover? And is it just as important to offer that support to dads as well as…

Several people are dead after the military drove through demonstrators, then opened fire on them. Also: the longtime US senator and Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole has died; and Pope Francis urges political leaders to show compassion for migrants.By BBC World Service

Tighter restrictions to contain the spread of Coronavirus have triggered a wave of protests across Europe, but Germany looks set to follow Austria in making vaccination compulsory next year. Economist Christian Schulz of Citigroup in Frankfurt explains why the move has political consensus and what impact any further lockdowns could have on Europe's…

S2 Ep 24. The world’s most efficient swimmer is the moon jellyfish! It’s the inspiration for a soft underwater robot that is safe enough to use in fragile environments like coral reefs and aquatic archaeological sites. By contracting a ring of muscle, the jellyfish can push water out of their bell-shaped bodies, thrusting them forwards without usin…

Stephen Sackur speaks to one of New York City's most famous writers, Paul Auster, whose novels and screenplays have done much to capture the New York state of mind. The city prides itself on being a 24/7 melting pot of glitz, glamour and buzz, but it has been hit hard by Covid; only now are overseas visitors being allowed back in. In this era of pa…

The Pope made his remarks on a visit to the Mavrovouni refugee camp on the Greek island of Lesbos.Also on the programme; the Gambian president, Adama Barrow, appears on course for re-election with results from most districts giving him a clear lead. And former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair calls for a globally focused response to the omicron variant…

Your football calls with Robbie Savage and Chris Sutton. Phone 08085 909693 free from mobiles and landlines. Text 85058 at your standard message rate. Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.By BBC Radio 5 live

Ministers say lessons should be learned from torture and murder of 6 year old boy. Government defends decision to re-impose pre-departure covid tests for people travelling to UK.By BBC Radio 4

Pope Francis has been on a visit to a refugee camp on the Greek island of Lesbos where he urged better treatment of migrants in Europe.Also in the programme at least four anti-coup protesters have been killed when Myanmar security forces rammed a car into a protest in the main city of Yangon; protests are held in South African cities in opposition …

Helen Macdonald is a writer and naturalist who is best known as the author of H is for Hawk which won the 2014 Samuel Johnson Prize and the Costa Book Award, and topped the sales charts. The book chronicles her experiences training a goshawk called Mabel while grieving for her late father. Helen’s father was a staff photographer at the Daily Mirror…

This week, your Christmas science questions and a sprinkling of festive fun as Julia Ravey hears about a planet where it rains rubies, robots that feel pain, a crab with a hairy chest, and how to make a top science rap hit!Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.By BBC Radio 5 live

South Africa announced their discovery of the Omicron variant to the world as quickly as they could. The response from many nations was panic and the closure of transport links with southern Africa. Tulio de Oliveira who made the initial announcement and leads South Africa’s Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation tells us this is now having a …

Adam Driver, then: an acting god walking amongst us. He's worked with everyone from Spielberg to Eastwood and back again, most recently pulling off a Ridley Scott double-bill in the form of The Last Duel and House Of Gucci. Here Adam speaks to Ali about his 'Story So Far', how many Kylo Ren masks he has at home and what it's like working with the C…

Emmanuel Macron is the first major Western leader to meet the Saudi crown prince since the murder of the journalist, Jamal Khashoggi. Also: a big shake-up of the vital state mining company in the DRC amid allegations of corruption, and 'Moulin Rouge', the musical, makes its stage debut in London.By BBC World Service

James and Jennifer Crumbley are accused of ignoring warning signs before their son's alleged rampage.Also on the programme, the French President Emmanuel Macron has become the first major western leader to hold in person talks with Mohammed Bin Salman since the Saudi crown prince was implicated in the murder of the Saudi journalist,Jamal Kashoggi, …

The government say anyone returning to the UK must take a pre-departure Covid test.By BBC Radio 4

After a huge win for West Ham their fans were delighted but Chelsea’s feared the worst. Meanwhile Liverpool fans eyed the title, as do those on the blue side of Manchester. Plus there’s a look across the leagues and the FA Cup too.There’s another memorable footballer in The Wanderer and we look ahead to Monday’s Everton - Arsenal game in Gone In 60…

The world’s biggest clothing retailer, Inditex, has a new boss, the 37-year old daughter of the company’s founder. Will Marta Ortega manage brands like Zara, Pull & Bear and Massimo Dutti in the same way her father did or will she take a different path? And do consumers still want fast fashion? Plus, we hear why mining the metals and minerals used …

Researchers looking into the Omicron virus say it appears to be spreading twice as fast as the Delta variant.Also in the programme: Voters are heading to the polls in The Gambia to choose a new president and in UK the first person to die of AIDS is chronicled in television documentary.(Photo: A health worker tests passengers for the Coronavirus at …

Former England Rugby player Ugo Monye, sports broadcaster Kate Mason, presenter Reece Parkinson and comedian Tez Ilyas join Colin Murray for an hour of sporting punditry, humour and entertainment.Points are awarded for informed comment, wit and passion, but taken away for nonsense and answers lacking in conviction.In the final round, the top two po…

A 26-year-old believes his drink was spiked on a night out and his finger print used to unlock his smart phone allowing thieves to steal £18,000 from his bank accounts. A leading anti-fraud campaigner warns that criminals appear to be adopting the "sinister" tactic of spiking drinks to get money. The Government is asking Parliament to pass a retros…

Blowin’ in the Wind by Bob Dylan and Beeswing by Richard Thompson.By BBC Radio 4

Harriett Gilbert talks to the multi-award-winning Trinidadian-British author Monique Roffey about her enchanting novel The Mermaid of Black Conch, which won the 2020 Costa Book of the Year. Roffey spins the mesmerising tale of a cursed mermaid and the lonely fisherman who falls in love with her.When American bounty-hunters capture Aycayia from the …

Herbert Nitsch is a free diver, he dives without breathing equipment. In 2012 he broke a new world record, diving to a depth of 253 metres but on the way back up things went wrong. This episode was first broadcast on 2nd November 2019. Get in touch: outlook@bbc.comPresenter: Asya FouksProducer: Tom Harding Assinder (Photo: Herbert Nitsch surrounded…

The authorities say the Michigan couple's son killed four students with his father's handgun. Also: Ethiopia closes schools to boost war effort, and the actor Sir Antony Sher dies of cancer aged 72.By BBC World Service

Chris Low from FHN Financial gives us the latest on the stock markets. Plus, we hear from the CEO of Visa about how the pandemic moved us away from cash at a faster rate.By BBC World Service

The new variant drives a sharp increase in infections at an unprecedented rate - so will it become dominant worldwide? Also in the programme: Who appears to be gaining the upper-hand in the war in Ethiopia? And Stephen Spielberg decides to make another film adaptation of the US musical West Side Story.(Photo: A woman wears a protective face mask as…

A couple who tortured and killed a six-year-old boy have been given long jail sentences.By BBC Radio 4

In a Fortunately first, the writer Jon Ronson joins Fi and Jane for his second appearance on the podcast. The author of So You've Been Publicly Shamed and host of The Last Days of August tells them about his new podcast Things Fell Apart, exploring tales form the culture wars. Before Jon zooms in, Jane has crane fantasies and there's a shout out to…

Which of the following would you say are acceptable reasons to not travel down to London for a radio show? a) the birth of a child, b) every train from Manchester to London gets cancelled, c) to allow you to go on the mega lash? If you answered all of the above then you'd be correct - and that final reason is precisely why Producer Dave was up in S…

Shell has pulled out of the controversial Cambo oil field development west of Shetland. The oil giant said that developing the field was uneconomical, and we get the background to the decision from Jane Rangal, who is an oil and gas analyst with Energy Aspects. Also in the programme, the US economy added a weaker than expected 210,000 jobs in Novem…

An unusual Friday edition of Radio 1's Screen Time as friend of the show (and stand up comedian extraordinaire) Alasdair Beckett-King stops by to talk to Ali at length about what makes a good Christmas movie - and what makes a good Christmas special of a sitcom. Bold statements are made, names are misremembered and stories are conflated - just the …

03 DEC 21By BBC Radio 4

South African health officials say coronavirus cases are surging at an unprecedented rate, as the Omicron variant takes hold. The World Health Organisation says all nations must prepare for a surge in infections.Also on the programme: Environmental campaigners welcome a decision by the energy giant Shell to pull out of a new oil project in the Nort…

The decree on women's rights makes no mention of education or work. Also, the actor, Alec Baldwin, says he does not feel guilty over the fatal shooting on his latest film, and Steven Spielberg on directing West Side Story.By BBC World Service

Neil takes on Christopher in the week's final PopMaster Podcast with Ken Bruce.By BBC Radio 2

What next for the social media platform after Jack Dorsey quits? the BBC's tech reporter in Silicon Valley James Clayton tells us why Jack Dorsey has left as CEO, and the challenges facing Twitter under new boss Parag Agrawal. Plus Jane Wakefield speaks to an Afghan student turning to the Internet to continue her education under Taliban rule, and w…

As a government watchdog says that £17bn worth of Covid loans won't be paid back Felicity takes a look at the numbers and Germany restrict those who are not vaccinated.By BBC Radio 5 live

Will Self tells the story of his black bin bag... from his back door... to its final destination. It's the story of a modern-day dump - an extraordinary, alien, nauseating world - where, instead of being buried, the rubbish will go up in smoke. Voices of waste workers intermingle with the rubbish in a go-round of garbage, scored by Jon Nicholls. Th…

Sikisa thought R&B was dead...Then came Solange's 2016 album, A Seat At The Table. A masterpiece that brought Solange out of the shadow of sister, Beyoncé.By BBC Radio

More than 60,000 asylum seekers were originally sent back to Mexico under the controversial programme. Also: Germany bars the unvaccinated from much of public life, and older drivers in Britain could avoid fines for careless driving under new proposals.By BBC World Service

America's trade watchdog wants to stop the merger of two electronic chip companies, Nvidia and ARM. Also, the Council of Global Unions - which represent over 200 million workers around the world - is renewing its demand that patents on the various coronavirus vaccines should be waived by the companies that have produced them.…

Germany's national and regional leaders have agreed to bar unvaccinated people from much of public life in a bid to fend off a fourth wave of Covid-19. Only those who have been vaccinated or who've recently recovered from Covid will be allowed in restaurants, cinemas, leisure facilities and many shops.Also on the programme: the South African intens…