Podcast
Behind the Headlines
Hosted by The Independent · EN
Get into the details of the biggest stories from the UK, US and around the world in this podcast series from The Independent.
Whether it's the latest on the Covid-19 pandemic, Brexit or the US election you can expect a wide range of topics to be covered with expert analysis.
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10episodes
Episodes
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Rishi Sunak's Spending Review
Nov 25, 202000:17:28Tap to summarize“Our economic emergency has only just begun”. That was how the Chancellor Rishi Sunak kicked off his 2020 Spending Review.There were some sobering forecasts from the Treasury’s independent forecaster, the Office for Budget Responsibility - the worst hit to GDP this year since 1709 - a deficit of £394bn of GDP this year (almost 20% of the entire economy).Plus some very politically controversial decisions - a cash freeze in the pay of many public sector workers - a cut in the foreign aid budget.Economics Editor Bn Chu is joined by Political Editor Andrew Woodcock and Business Reporter Ben Chapman to break down what the Chancellor announced.Tap the link to support original reporting from The Independent: independent.co.uk/support Subscribe to this series so you never miss an episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Trump's 2016 victory speech four years on
Nov 12, 202000:38:15Tap to summarizePresident-elect Joe Biden gave a widely praised victory speech in the US presidential race on Saturday night, while Donald Trump continued to deny the results. Looking back over President Trump's term though, has he achieved what he promised? Host Lucie McInerney and Washington DC Bureau Chief John T Bennett look back to Trump's victory speech in 2016. An address he never thought he'd have to give, the speech was free of the divisive language we've come to associate with his presidency. From congratulating Hillary Clinton on her campaign to promising to be a president for all Americans, his words are barely recognizable four years on. Tap the link to support original reporting from The Independent: independent.co.uk/support Subscribe to this series so you never miss an episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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How mail-in voting became the key US election battleground
Oct 31, 202000:35:29Tap to summarizeThe US election is just days away, but already millions of Americans have cast their vote.Mail-in voting has been a controversial topic during this campaign season and quickly became a key area for both candidates to focus on.Host Lucie McInerney is joined by Senior US Correspondent Richard Hall who has been travelling the length and breadth of America speaking to voters ahead of polling day.Tap the link to support original reporting from The Independent: independent.co.uk/support Subscribe to this series so you never miss an episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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The surgeon who 'hoarded body parts'
Oct 2, 202000:24:49Tap to summarizeThis week The Independent's award winning health correspondent Shaun Lintern published multiple stories revealing claims that world famous surgeon Derek McMinn has spent the last 25 years storing more than 5,000 samples of body parts.According to a leaked report staff at Edgbaston Hospital were aware of Mr McMinn's behaviour and went as far as aiding him in his efforts.Shaun also revealed, via an investigation that was leaked to The Independent, that Mr McMinn may have put the health of patients at risk, in an apparent effort to maximize profits, having them heavily sedated so he perform two operations simultaneously.Shaun talks through his findings in this episode with deputy editor David Marley.You can read Shaun's full reports here:https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/derek-mcminn-surgeon-body-parts-edgbaston-hospital-birmingham-b647226.htmlhttps://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/derek-mcminn-surgeon-bones-scandal-sedation-operations-b718918.htmlTap the link to support original reporting from The Independent: independent.co.uk/support Subscribe to this series so you never miss an episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Is there life on Venus?
Sep 18, 202000:17:40Tap to summarizeAs possible signs of life have been discovered on Venus, we are closer than ever in answering the age old question: are we alone in the universe?With our neighbouring planet being host to a rare gas in its atmosphere, could this mean alien life existing in our solar system? And if so, in what form?To find out more about this breakthrough discovery, Ben Kelly is joined by technology editor and science reporter Andrew Griffin to discuss whether the traditional extraterrestrial might be closer to reality than science fiction, and what this breakthrough means for the future of space exploration.Tap the link to support original reporting from The Independent: independent.co.uk/support Subscribe to this series so you never miss an episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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What's the deal with the Brexit deal?
Sep 11, 202000:25:33Tap to summarizeIs it a great deal or an awful deal? We've heard both from the prime minister on the EU Withdrawal Agreement. The grand finale for Brexit is here as negotiations, or lack thereof, enter their final stages. So as threats of walking away with no deal rear their head again, what does the future look like? Host Ben Kelly is joined by Parliamentary Sketch Writer Tom Peck to discuss the government's handling of the negotiations, and how that fits in with the coronavirus pandemic. Tap the link to support original reporting from The Independent: independent.co.uk/support Subscribe to this series so you never miss an episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Understanding Tenet
Sep 4, 202000:15:56Tap to summarizeChristopher Nolan's latest movie 'Tenet' has been released in UK cinemas this week and will land in US cinemas this weekend. Those who are yet to see it, and most of those who have, are asking the same question. What is it about? The $200m blockbuster is Nolan's most confusing movie to date, so to better understand it Ben Kelly is joined by The Independent's Chief Film Critic Clarisse Loughrey. Don't worry, there are no spoilers in this episode, in fact we're not sure we'd be able to spoil it if we tried... You can also read Clarisse's review of Tenet here: https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/tenet-review-christopher-nolan-cast-director-time-travel-explanation-a9681936.html Tap the link to support original reporting from The Independent: independent.co.uk/support Subscribe to this series so you never miss an episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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What we learnt from the DNC and RNC
Aug 28, 202000:34:02Tap to summarizeAfter two weeks of speeches, protests and fireworks both the Democratic and Republican conventions are over. Donald Trump and Joe Biden have both accepted their party's nomination for president and the race between the two is now officially on. But what have we learnt over the last fortnight? From Trump using the White House as a party political tool to Biden surprising viewers with his speech to the nation - where are we now as we head towards November? Host Ben Kelly is joined by US Voices Editor Holly Baxter and US Reporter Chris Riotta who have both been covering the conventions. Tap the link to support original reporting from The Independent: independent.co.uk/support Subscribe to this series so you never miss an episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Why does Gavin Williamson still have a job?
Aug 19, 202000:23:29Tap to summarizeFront pages have been filled with stories of the chaotic fallout of the government's handling of exam results for the past week.Gavin Williamson and the education department have been under intense scrutiny after they let an algorithm decide the fate of thousands of school children across the country. So, why is he still in his job?Host Ben Kelly is joined by Policy Correspondent Jon Stone to discuss the catastrophe that has been the A-level results and how Boris Johnson's government deals with crises like this one.Tap the link to support original reporting from The Independent: independent.co.uk/support Subscribe to this series so you never miss an episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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What we learnt about Meghan and Harry from the bombshell new book
Aug 13, 202000:20:09Tap to summarizeOn Tuesday, Finding Freedom, a biography about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, was published. Written by royal journalists Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, the book documents the reporters’ experience of working in close proximity to the couple. So what does the new book tell us about Meghan and Harry that we didn't know before? And where do these new revelations fit in the wider context of the public's relationship with the couple? Host Tom Richell is joined by The Independent's lifestyle editor Harriet Hall and reporter Sabrina Barr to discuss all this and more. Sabrina also liveblogged the book as she read it, you can catch up on that here: https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/royal-family/prince-harry-meghan-markle-book-finding-freedom-news-live-review-omid-scobie-a9663691.html Tap the link to support original reporting from The Independent: independent.co.uk/support Subscribe to this series so you never miss an episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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