Newscast (BBC News) — December 11, 2025

Is Flu Different This Winter?

Overview

In this episode, Adam Fleming explores why England is facing an “unprecedented” flu situation this winter, drawing on data, expert insights, and public health context. The team also analyzes the challenges caused by NHS pressures, especially in light of upcoming doctors’ strikes. Later, the podcast delves into two developing stories on Venezuela: opposition leader Maria Corina Machado’s dramatic appearance to accept the Nobel Peace Prize, and the U.S. military’s seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker. Guests provide first-hand accounts, background, and rich analysis.

1. Flu in England: Why This Winter Is “Unprecedented”

Key Points & Insights

• Record Hospitalizations

  • NHS England reports over 2,600 flu patients in hospitals (up 55% from the week prior), the highest on record for this time of year.
    • (01:21) Adam Fleming: “...the number of patients in hospital with flu in England each day. Last week, which was 2,660. That is up 55% on the week before and is the highest it's ever been for this time of year.”

• What’s Driving the Surge?

  • Earlier, faster rise: Flu season has started earlier than usual, potentially leading to a higher or longer peak.
  • New, evolved strain: This year’s main strain (H3N2) “evolved more rapidly” than usual, reducing population immunity and causing more severe illness, especially among older adults.
    • (03:58) Dr. Jamie Lopez Bernal: “...the virus has evolved a bit more than it... More rapidly than it usually does. And what this means is...we have a bit less immunity.”

• Vaccine Effectiveness & Timing

  • Vaccination rates are solid, but the early start may mean some are unprotected.
  • The vaccine is proving effective against the circulating strain, though there was initial concern due to late viral evolution after strain selection.
    • (06:18) Dr. Jamie Lopez Bernal: “…the strain had evolved quite a bit since the vaccines were selected…that did cause a bit of concern. But…they are working pretty much as well as what we typically see by the end of a flu season.”

• NHS Resilience & Looming Strike

  • Increased patient numbers are hitting A&E just as NHS faces anticipated junior/resident doctors’ strikes.
  • Hospitals expect serious pressures especially in January after the holidays.
    • (07:45) Hugh Pym: “...if you've got a slightly nastier version of flu, with more hospitalisations at the margins, it's going to put on pressure just when you don't need it...”

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• (04:52) Adam Fleming challenges the impact of vaccine timing.

• (10:07) Adam asks about when to seek medical care if you have severe flu.

  • Dr. Jamie Lopez Bernal: “...if you've got a really high fever and things aren't resolving after a number of days, then it's important that you get in touch with your GP or with NHS 111.”

• (10:47) Discussion on mask-wearing etiquette:

  • Hugh Pym: “...if you're traveling on public transport, you're in a public space and you're coughing and sneezing, you really ought to wear a mask...implying it's your responsibility to do so.”

Key Timestamps

• Main flu numbers and headlines: 1:21–2:45
• Flu strain, mutation, and immunity: 3:54–4:38
• Vaccination rates, timing, and vaccine match: 4:52–7:38
• NHS pressures & resilience: 7:38–8:49
• Differentiating cold, flu, and COVID-19; medical guidance: 9:01–10:47
• Mask use and hygiene precautions: 10:47–12:33
• Upcoming doctors’ strike and NHS impact: 12:33–17:02
• Monitoring the flu situation: 17:30–18:04

2. Venezuela Update — Nobel Peace Prize, Oil Tanker Seized

The Nobel Peace Prize and Maria Corina Machado

Behind-the-scenes of Machado’s Oslo appearance

• Dramatic Arrival

  • BBC’s Lucy Hawkings recounts how Maria Corina Machado, after 16 months in hiding, managed to evade Venezuelan authorities and reach Norway, reportedly crossing military checkpoints in disguise before boarding a fishing boat and a private jet.
    • (20:29–24:07) Lucy: “...she had to pass through 10 military checkpoints wearing a wig and a disguise. She got a fishing boat, private jet to Norway.”

• Machado’s Motivation and Risks

  • Speaking about the dangers she and her family face, including threats of imprisonment simply for publicizing Nobel news.
    • (24:13) Maria Corina Machado (clip): “Just for posting news about the Nobel Prize, you will get imprisoned...I’m here because many men and women risked their lives in order for me to arrive in Oslo…”

• Symbolism and Impact

  • Returning to Venezuela is dangerous, but she believes staying abroad would make her “irrelevant.” International recognition amplifies hope for democratic change.
    • (25:26) Vanessa Buschschluter: “She managed to unite the divided opposition of Venezuela...when that primary was held, she got 93%...The result was that she was then barred from running by the authorities...”

Venezuela’s Political Crisis

• Machado’s role
  • United the fragmented opposition, was barred from running for president after winning the opposition’s primary, and supported Edmundo Gonzalez.
• Contested elections
  • Evidence presented by Machado’s group points to victory for the opposition, but official results (and the courts) favor Maduro.
• Documentation & Security
  • Voting receipts copied and stored for evidence in Panama.

Wider Implications

• International recognition vs. risk of irrelevance

  • Machado and allies insist the opposition victory be honored—no "transition" or new election necessary.
  • (30:12) Lucy Hawkings: “No need for a transitional government, no need for new elections—it should be there.”

• Tactic of the Nobel Prize

  • Winning the Nobel is a calculated move to boost international pressure and hope.
  • (30:50) Adam Fleming: “And does she think winning the prize is a sort of a tactic that could help to restore democracy in Venezuela?”
  • (30:58) Lucy Hawkings: “That’s why she’s made the dangerous journey. She knows the international attention this brings is gonna work…”

U.S. Seizes Venezuelan Oil Tanker

• Background

  • U.S. military seizes an oil tanker disguised under a false flag, allegedly carrying Venezuelan oil.
  • Aimed to cut off Maduro’s finances, seen as an escalation compared to previous measures.
  • (31:40) Vanessa: “They’re going after what they think will hurt him most...targeting an oil tanker makes sense.”

• Maduro’s Response

  • Maduro calls the U.S. actions “piracy” and “outright theft.”
  • (33:09) Vanessa: “Judging by the anger within the Maduro government, I would say yes. They’ve called it piracy, they’ve called it outright theft...”

• Speculation on Further Confrontation

  • Concern rises about possible escalation to strikes on Venezuelan territory.
  • (33:26) Lucy Hawkings: “And the speculation now...is there going to be strikes on Venezuelan territory?”

Maduro’s Political Style & Longevity

• Public Persona vs. Reality
  • Maduro is depicted as clownish and performative at rallies (singing, dancing), but remains a canny, “street-fighter” politician adept at outmaneuvering opponents and international negotiators.
    • (34:06) Vanessa Buschschluter: “He is a canny politician...He came through the ranks of the trade union movement...he fights dirty. He’s a bit of a street fighter in political terms.”
• Future Risks
  • Fear persists that, despite current momentum, opportunity for change might be lost.
    • (36:14) Lucy Hawkings: “The greatest fear...the sense that we are at a crossroads, this is a real moment for Venezuela...that nothing’s going to change.”

Venezuela in the International Spotlight

• Why the world cares
  • The Venezuelan situation is a nexus of human rights, mass migration, international geopolitics, and the struggle for democracy.
    • (36:42) Lucy Hawkings: “The human story...with the Nobel Peace Prize...also the bigger picture of migration as well. How many Venezuelans live around the world, live in America, those that want to go home...”
• Machado’s alliances
  • Her outreach to controversial figures (e.g., Argentine president Javier Milei, Donald Trump) is seen as a way to bolster international connections and potentially hasten change.
    • (37:48) Vanessa: “She’s certainly also made friends with people who are controversial, like the Argentine president, Javier Milei, who was there...and she dedicated, or at least Trump said that she dedicated her Nobel Peace Prize to him.”

3. Quotes & Timestamps — Highlights

• On unprecedented flu:

  • Adam Fleming (01:21): “Health bosses in England are warning of the worst, worst case scenario for this time of year for flu and the NHS, at least in England.”
  • Hugh Pym (02:34): “...it is unprecedented for this time of year.”

• On flu vaccination timing:

  • Dr. Jamie Lopez Bernal (04:52): “...if the season starts so early that people haven't been vaccinated, then that is a problem. But...people that have been vaccinated in November, coming into sort of early December, will be well protected...”

• On doctors’ industrial action:

  • Hugh Pym (12:48): “The strike was announced to start in England on Wednesday 17th December...both sides were sort of trading blows...”

• On coming weeks’ flu situation:

  • Dr. Jamie Lopez Bernal (17:30): “...it's a very different situation to Covid...but the main things that we're going to be looking out for is really those changes in older adults...and hospitalisation rates...”

• Maria Corina Machado on her journey:

  • (24:13): “Just for posting news about the Nobel Prize, you will get imprisoned...I’m here because many men and women risked their lives in order for me to arrive in Oslo.”

• On Maduro’s showmanship:

  • Vanessa (34:06): “He is a canny politician...fights dirty. He’s a bit of a street fighter in political terms.”

4. Conclusion

This episode provides a rich, data-driven look at why this flu season is so severe and how strained NHS resources may be about to face even more pressure due to labor actions. The Venezuela segment delivers a gripping slice of international politics, human perseverance, and behind-the-scenes reporting, from secretive escapes to street-level activism and U.S. geopolitical maneuvering. Listeners are left with a sense of urgency—both for public health preparedness in the UK and for the fragile hopes of change in Venezuela.

Compiled for listeners seeking an in-depth, accessible summary of major topics, insights, and memorable exchanges from the December 11, 2025 Newscast episode.