Novara Live

Ed Sheeran finds himself isolated as the rest of his warm up acts quit in solidarity with rapper Macklemore’s speech in support of Palestine. Plus: An inflation rate spike spells trouble for Burnham, author Taj Ali joins us to talk racism and integration, and Nvidia’s CEO has ducked the tech backlash, until now. With Michael Walker, Aaron Bastani & Taj Ali.

13 people have been injured overnight in the latest escalation of the Houthis’ attacks on Saudi Arabia. Plus: A delve into the economic realities that Burnham’s agenda will have to contend with, the Celtic nations of the UK say “Westminster’s time is coming to an end” in a new pact, the US is militarising space, and rapper Macklemore has been kicked off the Ed Sheeran tour for supporting Palestine. With NoJusticeMTG, Aaron Bastani & Laura Webster.

Steven Methven speaks to Eli Clifton & Ian Lustick, authors of “Israel’s Lobby, America in the Grip of a Foreign Power”

As Reform’s crypto-billionaire backers break consecutive records for political donations, will the government change the rules? Plus: The Houthis bombing of a Saudi pipeline has sent oil to $108 dollars per barrel, and experts agree that AI development should be slowed, inevitably Trump has other ideas.  With Michael Walker & Steven Methven.

Foreign secretary Ed Miliband has announced new economic sanctions against illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Plus: Billionaire Chris Rokos makes headlines as he plans to leave for Greece, but is the UK tax system really to blame? With Steven Methven, Banseka Kaymebe, Daniel Levy & Tom Guha.

Professor Jason Arday has been found dead at his home, following intense scrutiny of his personal life and academic career by the media. This episode contains discussions of suicide. If you are affected by any of the issues raised, don’t hesitate to reach out to Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan With Michael Walker & Barry Malone.

Farage is victorious in his valiant quest to wrest control of Clacton-On-Sea from the clutches of an intergalactic bin! So why didn’t he show up to celebrate?  Plus: Ed Milliband breaks back into the climate debate as wildfires cause hospitalisations & property damage in the Midlands. With Michael Walker & Banseka Kayembe.

Last month, Nigel Farage resigned as an MP, in the hope that winning a by-election would clear his name as questions mounted over his personal finances. Voters in Clacton go to the polls today, but will his gamble pay off? Plus: A former Israeli combat medic details war crimes against children in an interview with Haaretz, Owen Jones takes on one of Israel’s cheerleaders, and Karoline Leavitt is leaving the White House. With NoJusticeMTG & Dalia Gebrial.

Burnham belatedly calls an emergency COBRA meeting on the UK droughts, will it be too little too late? Plus: The UK heatwave has pummelled productivity & the ascendant US Democratic Socialists narrowly lose the primary race for governor of Wisconsin. With Michael Walker, Aaron Bastani, James Meadway & Branco Marcetic.

Burnham unveils a raft of measures to save the local high street while Britain continues to burn.  Plus: Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) jail terms are being blamed for the chronic overcrowding in prisons & is “Shrinkflation” the ultimate signifier of late stage capitalism? With Aaron Bastani & Michael Walker.

UK farmers have warned that food shortages are likely following ‘very poor’ crop yields caused by droughts. Plus: Student loan holders face a ‘ticking timebomb’ of debt and higher taxes, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez weighs in on Woke 1.0, and several football federations are calling for FIFA president Gianni Infantino to resign. With Michael Walker, Ash Sarkar & Paul Behrens.   Buy Downstream IRL tickets here: https://dice.fm/event/bb9wxv-novara-medias-downstream-irl-trauma-farming-21st-sep-earth-london-tickets   Chris Packham’s petition to hold a UK-wide briefing on climate and nature risks: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/767687

A third night of anti-migrant protests in Thetford, Norfolk has forced asylum seekers to flee their homes. Plus: Controversial plans to build a data centre in Brick Lane have been approved, droughts are changing the face of England, and the Cambridge plagiarism scandal surrounding Jason Arday continues to dominate the headlines. With Michael Walker, Banseka Kayembe & Adrienne Buller.

Donald Trump’s so-called ‘Board of Peace’ has issued its first building contract in Gaza, and it’s for a military base. Plus: New EHRC guidance on single-sex spaces comes into force, Kemi Badenoch appoints a former neo-nazi to an advisory position, and Rupert Lowe gives a car-crash interview to BBC Radio 4. With NoJusticeMTG, Dalia Gebrial & Caroline Russell.

Greens Leader Zack Polanski attempts to apply pressure on the PM to move the climate crisis up his agenda. Plus: The Israel Lobby finally loses a race in the US senate & we speak to an expert about the latest AI powered security breaches.  With Michael Walker, Aaron Bastani, James Meadway & Dr Adel Bibi.

Andy Burnham has tightened the rules on early prison releases, preventing serious sex offenders from being freed under the scheme. Plus: A Cambridge plagiarism scandal enters the political mainstream, and former cabinet minister Harriet Harman says men should be barred from the next Labour leadership race. With Aaron Bastani & Michael Walker.

The Ceuta migrant crisis effects continue to ripple throughout politics at home and abroad. Plus: Detained Burmese leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been pictured meeting with the Red Cross, her first sighting in over two years. Is the Burmese military leadership finally softening its stance on the controversial figure?  With Michael Walker & Barry Malone.

Burnham and Louise Haigh have unveiled their plans for funding devolution, do they stack up? Plus: A number of Burnham’s new ministers are under scrutiny for historic statements on Israel’s genocide, Spain’s army tries to stop African migrants entering its African enclave, and Diane Abbott has been re-admitted into the Labour Party. With Steven Methven & Paul Holden.

We look at Andy Burnham’s proposals for fixing a care system that is universally regarded as unfit for purpose. Plus: We ask The Greens’ Manchester Mayoral candidate about the latest controversy surrounding her party, FIFA President Infantino can’t stop/won’t stop making headlines and is the Anthropic CEO going to be the first person to rise up against our new digital overlords, even as he builds them? With Michael Walker & Aaron Bastani.

Trump has been cashing in on this phase of his Presidency on an unprecedented scale, will there be any kind of reckoning? Plus: We take a look at the first of Burnham’s loose policy declarations. And finally, how much freedom is too much freedom? With Michael Walker & Banseka Kayembe.

As Russia batters Kyiv, we take a look at the vanishing concept of the frontline in an age of drone warfare. A new report sheds light on the horrific, systemised use of sexual violence by Irsraeli forces on Palestinian detainees. Read the full report here: https://predatorystate.org/ Plus: Morgan McSweeney sticks his head above the parapet & newly-crowned ‘lesbian fashion icon’ Keir Starmer claims the “gayest parliament in the world”. With Helena NJMTG, Steven Methven & Professor Stephanie Wahab.

We speak to a top economist about her vision for moving past economic growth as the bench mark for a country’s success. With Michael Walker & Professor Jayati Ghosh.

Voters go to the polls in Makerfield for a byelection that could lead to Andy Burnham becoming the Prime Minister. Plus: Donald Trump signs a peace deal with Iran. With NoJusticeMTG & Steven Methven.

Starmer “intends to fight” any potential leadership challenge, could he bribe his way out of it instead? Plus: A holidaying English couple are startled by live-fire from a Russian warship off the coast of the Isle of Wight. The French want to build their own AI and we speak to a Tech CEO who built a SimCity, then let Grok loose with a box of matches. With Michael Walker, Aaron Bastani & Satya Nitta.

Iran & Israel exchange missile fire for the first time since April, in direct contravention of Trump’s orders. Plus: JD Vance has waded into the debate around Henry Nowak’s death, and following his ban from the UK, Hasan Piker goes head-to-head with Lewis Goodall on LBC. With Steven Methven, Ash Sarkar & Richard Sanders.

Four Palestine Action activists could be sentenced as terrorists under legislation being used for the first time. We speak to the author of a new report who’s fighting back.   Plus: Zelenski attempts to call out Putin for a face to face meeting on neutral ground.   Finally, the Question Time Makerfield special has a notable absence.   With Steven Methven & Aaron Bastani.   ‘Britain’s Political Prisoners’ Report: https://ccccjustice.org/publications/

1 fatality & 63 injuries are recorded in an Iranian attack on America’s staunch ally Kuwait.    Plus: Reform continue to stoke the two-tier policing debate, inspired by the tragic death of Henry Novak.   How enforceable is the NHS’s new ban on political symbols in the workplace?   And Finally, the Global Justice Report reckons it can save the world with socialism, sounds like good news to us.   With Helena NoJusticeMTG and Dalia Gebrial.

Details of Henry Nowak’s fatal mistreatment by police are seized on by far-right agitators, culminating in violent unrest in Southampton. Plus: Peter Thiel’s latest attempts to construct a parallel justice system and what you can do to fight back. If Thornberry’s comments on Gaza weren’t enough to send your eyeballs rolling into the back of your head, it’s now Streeting’s turn to offer some ‘hot-takes’ to The Guardian. Finally, we take a look at Reform’s candidate for Makerfield attempting to answer for his past statements. With Steven Methven & Barry Malone.

Henry Nowak lay bleeding in Police custody after they callously cuffed him, ignoring his pleading dying breath. As the British political establishment lines up to apportion blame along predictable lines, we take you through the facts. Plus: While Trump & Netenyahu bring out the handbags, Israel pledges to take over even more territory in Gaza. Has Emily Thornberry finally had a Damascian moment over the genocide? Finally, Andy Burnham rules out a general election should he take control of the Labour Party in June. With Aaron Bastani & Paul Holden.

A tranche of declassified files throw light on Mandelson’s time as US ambassador, revealing his true opinions on the “beleaguered & bereft” Prime Minister. Plus: Maitlis & Goodall clash over Tony Blair’s assertions over the inevitability of an AI revolution. Finally, after being banned by the UK government from attending SXSW Festival in London, we have an exclusive interview with Cenk Uygur, founder of The Young Turks. With Helena NoJusticeMTG & Steven Methven.

With conflicts in the middle east at a crucial inflection point, is Netanyahu about to alienate his few remaining international allies with even more brazen bloodshed? Plus: After her estranged husband admitted to embezzling money to “bankroll the lavish lifestyle he craved but could not afford”, we ask what Nicola Sturgeon knew, and when? Can AI improve your mental health? The panel on BBC Question Time provided some unexpected answers… And finally, Chinese people account for a fifth of the global population, but how many individuals can you name? We highlight 3 you ought to know… With Michael Walker, Banseka Kayembe, & Laura Webster.

The number of young people not in work or training (Neets) has risen to over 1 million between January and March this year, risking “a lost generation” by 2031. Why, and what can be done? Alex Grace, director of Operation Recomply, a documentary depicting the plight of the Palestine Action affiliated Filton 25, talks to us ahead of the film’s impending London premiere. Tickets available here: http://tiny.cc/qw74101 With NoJusticeMTG & Dalia Gebrial.

Tony Blair has waded into the Labour leadership debate, accusing Keir Starmer, Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting of putting the party’s future at risk. Plus: Reform face a threat from their right flank, and China repeals a policy from the 1950s in an effort to remove hurdles for migrant workers. With Michael Walker & Aaron Bastani.

As the US & Israel recommence their unsanctioned strikes against Iran and Lebanon respectively, we ask: why now? Plus: With local byelections going plumber-mad – is Makerfield the only seat Reform’s candidate would like a sniff of? And with temperatures setting records across the UK, we discuss the latest research on climate change.  With Aaron Bastani & Paul Holden.

We speak to Sebastian Mallaby, author of ‘The Infinity Machine’, a biography of Demis Hassabis, to discuss the Google DeepMind CEO’s views and politics around AI. With Michael Walker & James Meadway.

Andy Burnham’s campaign for the Makerfield byelection is officially underway. Plus: Amazon’s UK boss says young people are not to blame for youth unemployment, Sadiq Khan goes head-to-head with Palantir, and the future of solar energy is looking a little brighter. With Michael Walker, Banseka Kayembe & Louisa Munch.

UK net migration has fallen by nearly half – could this be a much-needed political win for Keir Starmer?  Plus: US military drones and jets encircle Cuba, Labour attempts to appease left-wing voters, and Donald Trump silences a Republican lawmaker over the Epstein files. With NoJusticeMTG & Ash Sarkar.

UK supermarket bosses are up in arms over the government’s plan to cap prices on key groceries. Plus: Paul Holden explains what Starmer’s inner circle knew about the now-infamous Labour Together investigation, and we speak to Sebastian Mallaby, author of ‘The Infinity Machine’, a biography of Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis. With Michael Walker, Aaron Bastani & James Meadway.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has been confirmed as the Labour candidate in the Makerfield byelection, promising Josh Simons a place in Downing Street as reward for standing aside. Plus: HS2 has been delayed yet again. Why can’t the UK get anything right? With Aaron Bastani, Michael Walker, and Mathew Lawrence.

Michael Walker speaks to Jostein Hauge about the rise of China as an economic superpower.

Wes Streeting has invoked the B-word, and it’s not Burnham for once. Plus: We talk to Ben Walker, co-founder of Britain Elects and Senior Data Journalist at The New Statesman, about his predictions for the Makerfield by-election when adjusted for ‘The Burnham Effect’, legal chaos continues as reporting restrictions covering the convictions of four Palestine Action activists are lifted, while contempt proceedings brought against one of their barristers are chucked out on appeal.  Finally, Richard Hames took to the streets at this week’s rally to investigate what, if anything, unites the Unite The Kingdom movement. With Michael Walker and Stephen Methven.

With the Makerfield by-election starting pistol resonating through Westminster, is Andy Burnham going to be quick out of the blocks? After being barred from standing by his own party mere months ago, to being heralded as the man to keep Reform at bay, we chart the career of the man of the moment. Plus: We turn to a Development Economics expert to ask: what lessons can the West learn from China’s economic miracle, and could it only happen under authoritarian rule? With Michael Walker, Banseka Kayembe & Jostein Hauge.

Following disastrous local election results for Labour, Wes Streeting has resigned, releasing a statement on why he has lost confidence in the Prime Minister. Plus: Luke Akehurst pleads with MPs to leave Sir Keir alone, and Nadine Dorries is back on the airwaves and more chaotic than ever. With NoJusticeMTG, Dalia Gebrial & Steven Methven.

As Labour MPs abandon the Prime Minister in droves, will they find a candidate willing to mount a challenge?  Could it be Andy Burnham & can he even return to Westminster in time to become eligible? With Aaron Bastani, Michael Walker & Paul Holden.

Labour faces devastating results as voters go to the polls for the local elections. Plus: The retrial of six Palestine Action activists has come to an end, Zack Polanski explains to ITV’s Robert Peston whether he thinks Israel has a right to exist, and we interview an anonymous Google Deepmind worker on the unionization effort within the company’s UK department. With NoJusticeMTG, Dalia Gebrial & Steven Methven.

Zack Polanski has apologised to the Metropolitan Police for a retweet he made in response to the horrific knife attack on two Jewish men in North London. Plus: King Charles has got on the wrong side of two famous New Yorkers, for May Day – we take a look at the history of the weekend and the workers’ movements behind it, Francis Fukuyama weighs in on the rise of China, and Bernie Sanders continues his campaign against AI. With Michael Walker, Michael Mezzatesta, and Joe Ryle.

Keir Starmer has been accused of failing to combat antisemitism following a horrific knife attack on two Jewish men in North London. Plus: The US plans further military action in Iran, Israel detains 175 activists from a Gaza-bound aid flotilla off the coast of Crete, and Reform’s Scottish leader has been branded “tone-deaf” for boasting about his multiple yachts. With NoJusticeMTG & Banseka Kayembe.

King Charles is charming Trump in Washington, and two men have been stabbed in an antisemitic attack in Golders Green, London. Plus: We speak to Green party deputy Mothin Ali, economist Laurie MacFarlane about rent caps and the UAE is leaving OPEC… Is this the end of the oil cartel?

Keir Starmer could face an inquiry into whether he deliberately misled Parliament over the appointment of Peter Mandelson.  Plus: We speak to Mayor of Tower Hamlets Lutfur Rahman about running a left-wing local council, and Welsh campaigner Elbashir Idris speaks about his recent run-in with Reform UK’s Arron Banks. With Aaron Bastani & James Butler.

Journalist Amal Khalil has been killed by an Israeli airstrike, with Lebanese officials saying her team was deliberately targeted. Plus: Iran says it has started collecting tolls from ships in the Strait of Hormuz, the Peter Mandelson scandal just won’t go away, IDF troops testify to widespread looting in Lebanon, and Russel Brand admits to having ‘exploitative’ sex with a 16-year-old when he was 30. With NoJusticeMTG & Dalia Gebrial.

Zarah Sultana MP joins Steven Methven to discuss cronyism at the very top of the Labour Party. Plus: U.S President Donald Trump extends the ceasefire in his own illegal war with Iran; and how Zarah Sultana shook up parliament twice in the space of one week. With Steven Methven & Zarah Sultana MP