Nosheen Iqbal

The UK government has announced £442 million to move rough sleepers off the streets by Christmas, making homelessness a central policy priority for Prime Minister Andy Burnham. The absence of a concrete target leaves voters to assess the government’s success against the broad deadline.

Jared Kushner is traveling to the Middle East to meet Hamas officials and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an effort to salvage a Gaza ceasefire. The mission follows Netanyahu’s public rejection of the Trump administration’s U.S.-backed 15-point peace plan, highlighting tensions between the Israeli government and Washington.

Music producer James Ellis Ford recounts being diagnosed with leukaemia after becoming seriously ill in late 2024, followed by intensive chemotherapy, a stem-cell transplant, repeated sepsis and intensive care. While confined to St Barts Hospital, he set up a makeshift studio with his family’s help and wrote and recorded the album Lost in Another World in two weeks. He also continued producing projects remotely, including work for Gorillaz and the War Child album Help(2). The experience changed his perspective on mortality, family, work and gratitude, leading him to prioritize meaningful relationships and projects while preparing to return to live performances.

Nigel Farage has resigned from Parliament and forced a byelection in Clacton, saying voters should decide whether he remains fit to serve amid scrutiny of his financial affairs. The contest is being boycotted by the other main parties, leaving Farage to face 33 candidates. The podcast examines how voters in the economically deprived seaside constituency view the unusual election and Farage’s political gamble.

The podcast examines whether Gen Z is the most financially savvy generation, focusing on the rise of younger investors and their approach to personal finance. Influencer James Beckett, known as Money Stocker, discusses building £350,000 in investments and his goal of becoming financially free by age 45, while economics correspondent Richard Partington explores how Gen Z's financial habits differ from those of previous generations.

More than 70,000 migrants entered the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco in a mass crossing in which at least 70 people died. Journalist Javier Jennings Mozo reports on migrants’ motivations, the dangers of their journey and their treatment after arrival, while Nosheen Iqbal and Jennifer Rankin examine the continuing political fallout and fierce disputes across the European Union. Nearly all those who arrived had returned a week later, but the episode continued to reverberate across Europe.

Investigative journalists Lucas Amin and Peter Geoghegan examine how Palantir secured a £330m contract with the NHS, including the political connections, paid-for access and lobbying loopholes involved. The podcast also explores what happened when doctors and nurses began using Palantir’s software and questions whether it improved on existing systems.

Gary Lineker and more than 100 wealthy Britons have signed an open letter urging the UK government to tax their wealth, arguing that they can afford it. The video examines whether Andy Burnham should support introducing a wealth tax and why the proposal is gaining popularity, with commentary from Aditya Chakrabortty and presentation by Nosheen Iqbal.

More than 100 wealthy Britons, including former footballer Gary Lineker, have signed an open letter urging the prime minister to introduce higher taxes on wealth. The discussion examines whether the government should adopt a wealth tax and why the proposal is gaining popularity, with analysis from economics commentator Aditya Chakrabortty.

Media critic Mark Lawson discusses the BBC’s financial difficulties with Nosheen Iqbal, focusing on the faster-than-expected decline in licence fee payments and director general Matt Brittin’s warning that the organization is in “real jeopardy.” The podcast examines the BBC’s public value, a new advertising campaign defending its existence, and possible alternatives to the current licence fee model as the broadcaster faces increasing competition.

A Russian warship fired warning shots at a British yacht in the English Channel, prompting Keir Starmer to condemn the action as reckless. Russia’s defence ministry claimed the yacht was on a dangerous course, a description disputed by the couple onboard. The incident raises defence and security concerns and is discussed by Nosheen Iqbal with analysis from Dan Sabbagh.

Record-breaking temperatures across Europe are prompting rising concern as heatwaves affect countries from Austria and Germany to the UK. Engineer Tom Greenhill outlines practical methods to keep homes cool, while Ajit Niranjan reports on government measures aimed at adapting to increasingly extreme summers. The discussion emphasizes that individual actions alone are insufficient without broader structural responses.

Mark Lanier’s civil case in Los Angeles challenges Meta and Google over claims that Instagram and YouTube were intentionally engineered to be addictive and harmful to young users. With testimony from Mark Zuckerberg and a blend of AI-driven jury modelling and dramatic courtroom tactics, Lanier aims to hold major tech platforms accountable for their role in a youth mental health crisis.

A series of deaths and disappearances involving 11 US scientists has fueled claims of a covert operation silencing those tied to secret research, prompting a federal inquiry. The modern conspiracy draws heavily on a 1977 British TV broadcast that blurred fact and fiction, shaping public fascination with UFO-related cover‑ups.

Iran displays confidence during multi‑day funeral ceremonies for Ali Khamenei, despite the recent war with the US and Israel. Massive crowds attend, signaling public mobilisation and regime resilience. Former US envoy Robert Malley suggests the emerging ceasefire terms favor Tehran, highlighting a shift in leverage following the initial shock of Khamenei’s death.

Two major earthquakes struck Venezuela on 24 June, leaving widespread devastation. Ordinary residents searched for survivors amid a slow and ineffective official response during a period of political upheaval following the capture of Nicolás Maduro and the installation of Delcy Rodríguez. Tom Phillips describes grassroots rescue efforts and the challenges Venezuela faces as it seeks to rebuild.

A decade after the Brexit referendum, political instability, economic friction and shifting public sentiment continue to shape the UK’s trajectory. Changing attitudes toward Europe and Andy Burnham’s rise prompt questions about whether Britain could reapproach the EU, alongside uncertainties about how the EU might respond.

Keir Starmer’s rapid fall from a landslide 2024 victory to resignation two years later is examined through his difficulty translating opposition strength into effective leadership. Rising public anger, unmet expectations, and declining approval culminated in his forced departure despite a promising start. Rafael Behr discusses with Nosheen Iqbal how optimism surrounding Starmer’s leadership collapsed amid mounting dissatisfaction.

Donald Trump asserts that his Iran peace deal is a success for Washington, though the 14‑point agreement shows substantial concessions to Tehran, including reopening the strait of Hormuz in exchange for sanctions relief and access to frozen assets. Ongoing talks will address Iran’s nuclear program as Nosheen Iqbal speaks with diplomatic editor Patrick Wintour about the implications of the arrangement.

Donald Trump promotes his new 14‑point Iran agreement as a victory for Washington, though the arrangement includes major concessions to Tehran, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for sanctions relief and access to frozen assets. Negotiations will continue on Iran’s nuclear programme as Nosheen Iqbal and Patrick Wintour examine the implications for regional politics and US foreign policy.

A Russian warship fired warning shots at a British yacht in the English Channel, prompting Keir Starmer to condemn the action as reckless. Russia’s defence ministry claimed the yacht was on a dangerous course, a statement disputed by the couple aboard. Nosheen Iqbal and Dan Sabbagh outline the competing accounts and the incident’s security implications.

Warnings that political division in the UK has deepened since the Brexit referendum accompany calls from Kim Leadbeater for greater responsibility from public figures to counter hate. Reflecting on the 10th anniversary of Jo Cox’s murder, she urges efforts to resist those seeking to sow division, highlighting the recent killing of Henry Nowak and reactions to it as examples. Keir Starmer emphasises Cox’s values of unity and compassion, while Leadbeater stresses the need to confront extremism and avoid allowing isolated acts to define communities.

Trump urges Russia to seek a deal with Ukraine as G7 leaders attempt to refocus his attention on the conflict, while European leaders aim to engage him despite his primary focus on the US‑Israeli war against Iran. Zelenskyy seeks to influence discussions through strategic engagement, outlined in a conversation between Nosheen Iqbal and Jon Henley.

Donald Trump urges Russia to reach a deal with Ukraine as G7 leaders attempt to refocus attention on the conflict amid his preoccupation with the US-Israeli war against Iran. European leaders aim to engage Trump directly on Ukraine, while hosts Nosheen Iqbal and Jon Henley discuss the diplomatic efforts surrounding the summit.

Marks ten years since the far‑right murder of MP Jo Cox, highlighting her pro‑Europe advocacy and community work in Batley and Spen. Kim Leadbeater reflects on continuing Cox’s legacy through the Jo Cox Foundation and warns of the growing mainstreaming of far‑right ideas and rising political violence, urging renewed attention to the lessons of the attack.

Marking ten years since Jo Cox was killed by a far-right extremist during the Brexit campaign, Kim Leadbeater reflects on her sister’s life, political values and legacy. She discusses the rise of far-right ideas, the persistence of political violence and the need for lessons to be taken seriously, drawing on her work in parliament and with the Jo Cox Foundation.

A tentative US–Iran agreement aims to end the Middle East conflict but remains uncertain amid conflicting statements from Donald Trump and Iranian officials. Key issues include reopening the Strait of Hormuz, Israel’s potential withdrawal from Lebanon, and unresolved questions about Iran’s nuclear programme, explored through analysis from Nosheen Iqbal and Julian Borger.

The US and Iran have agreed to a tentative deal intended to halt the conflict in the Middle East, though conflicting statements from Donald Trump and Iranian officials have left key terms unclear. Major unresolved issues include reopening the Strait of Hormuz, Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon, and the status of Iran’s nuclear program. Nosheen Iqbal speaks with Julian Borger about the stakes and uncertainties surrounding the agreement.

John Healey resigned as defence secretary, criticising the government’s defence investment plan as insufficient and potentially harmful to national security. His departure represents another setback for Keir Starmer’s leadership amid ongoing disputes over military spending.

Defence secretary John Healey resigns in protest over the government’s defence investment plan, arguing it fails to meet security needs and could endanger the UK. His departure marks a significant setback for Prime Minister Keir Starmer as criticism intensifies over military spending priorities. Nosheen Iqbal discusses the implications with policy editor Kiran Stacey.