The Briefing Room Podcast
Step inside The Briefing Room for indepth explainers on the biggest news stories.
A podcast and radio show hosted by Journalist and Author David Aaronovitch.
Step inside The Briefing Room for indepth explainers on the biggest news stories.
A podcast and radio show hosted by Journalist and Author David Aaronovitch.
Listen anytime: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/b07cblx9.
**THE BRIEFING ROOM**
Alongside a panel of academics, policy experts and journalists, each week we break down the essentials of the biggest news stories, in the United Kingdom and beyond. From international politics, healthcare, and technology; to the economy, education, and immigration.
At the end of 2024 The Briefing Room covered the following topics:
- What鈥檚 going on in Syria? www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0025l2l
- Will new weight loss drugs bankrupt the NHS? www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0025vw7
- Is the push for the electric cars in trouble? www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002693m
Our promise to you each week: If you step inside The Briefing Room, you'll be fully briefed on the biggest stories in the news.
**SPECIAL EPISODES**
As well as our weekly episodes, The Briefing Room has also recorded several mini-series that you can listen to anytime:
- Global Tensions: /programmes/p0kh4p9s
- Health: /programmes/p0kh4nwt
**HOW TO LISTEN**
New episodes are published every Thursday and are usually around 30 minutes long. Listen anytime here: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/b07cblx9.
Catch us every Thursday and Monday on 成人快手 Radio 4. Have a look at the latest 成人快手 Radio 4 schedule for timings: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/schedules/bbc_radio_fourfm.
Also, you can now listen to us on a smart speaker. Just say, "Ask 成人快手 Sounds to play The Briefing Room" for the latest episode. It works on most smart speakers.
**GET IN TOUCH**
We'd also love to hear from you. If you have a question or a comment for the team, please email us anytime at briefingroom@bbc.co.uk.
Episodes to download
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Why does Trump love tariffs?
Thu 9 Jan 2025
How new tariffs could affect the world economy during a second Trump presidency.
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Is the push for the electric cars in trouble?
Thu 2 Jan 2025
The government wants to end the sale of petrol cars by 2030.
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Why we need to care about the Arctic
Boxing Day 2024
What threats and opportunities does the Arctic face?
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Is chainsaw economics working in Argentina?
Thu 19 Dec 2024
President Milei is cutting inflation, government spending and regulations.
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Will new weight loss drugs save or bankrupt the NHS?
Thu 12 Dec 2024
The NHS is set to offer Mounjaro to 3.4m people to tackle obesity.
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Why do we have such overcrowded prisons?
Thu 21 Nov 2024
Britain has the highest number of prisoners per head of population in western Europe.
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European defence in the new Trump era
Thu 14 Nov 2024
What is the future of Nato and European security?
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What does the Budget mean for the UK鈥檚 economy?
Thu 7 Nov 2024
The chancellor attempts to fix the UK鈥檚 finances - will she succeed?
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How do the Lebanon attacks alter the equation in the Middle East?
Mon 23 Sep 2024
David Aaronovitch and guests discuss the recent attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon.
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Is Germany in trouble?
Thu 12 Sep 2024
Should Germany worry about the far right's success in regional elections in east Germany?
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How much trouble is the UK economy in?
Thu 5 Sep 2024
Are the UK's finances really as bad as Labour says? And if they are, how do they fix them?
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What we know (and don't know) about the new Mpox outbreak
Thu 29 Aug 2024
David Aaronovitch and guests talk about how worried we should be about the new MPox strain
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Global Tensions 3: Russia and the West—Global Tensions
Thu 22 Aug 2024
Could the Russia Ukraine war lead to further escalation in the region and further afield?
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Global Tensions 2: China, Taiwan and the South China Sea—Global Tensions
Thu 15 Aug 2024
China sees Taiwan as part of its territory. Taiwan thinks otherwise. Is trouble looming?
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Global Tensions 1: The Middle East—Global Tensions
Thu 8 Aug 2024
What happens if the situation in the Middle East spirals out of control?
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Can planning reform really boost economic growth?
Thu 1 Aug 2024
Will Labour's pledge to overhaul planning rules deliver the economic growth they want?
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Health 3: How far could artificial intelligence transform medicine?—The Future of Health
Thu 25 Jul 2024
AI technology promises to improve health outcomes. How soon might it be a reality?
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Health 2: Why is anxiety and depression increasing in the UK?—The Future of Health
Thu 18 Jul 2024
Figures show a significant rise in mental health disorders among 16 to 24-year-olds. Why?
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Health 1: Advances in cancer research and treatment—The Future of Health
Thu 11 Jul 2024
Cancer: Are we are experiencing a step change in how we understand and treat the disease?
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South African and Indian elections: the aftermath
Thu 4 Jul 2024
What's happening in South Africa and India after shock election results?
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What's happening in Sudan?
Thu 27 Jun 2024
Tens of thousands have been killed and millions have been displaced as fighting rages.
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What's the Biden ceasefire plan and will it work?
Thu 20 Jun 2024
There's a plan to end the war in Gaza, but do Israel and Hamas want to sign up to it?
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What does Macron's gamble mean for France?
Thu 13 Jun 2024
France is at a political crossroads but will Macron or Le Pen come out on top?
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Are Trump's legal cases really a problem for him?
Thu 6 Jun 2024
Donald Trump is 0 for 3 in court and the more serious cases are yet to be heard.
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Ukraine: Who's winning the war?
Thu 30 May 2024
Russia has stepped up its attacks in Ukraine and is putting pressure on Kharkiv.
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How much trouble are UK universities in?
Thu 23 May 2024
Domestic fees haven't risen with inflation and foreign student visas are set to curbed.
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Avian flu is evolving but what risk does it pose to us?
Thu 16 May 2024
Avian flu has killed millions of birds and seals and it's now infecting cows in America
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Why is the water industry in so much trouble?
Thu 9 May 2024
Britain's biggest water suppliers are struggling with sewage, leaks and huge debts.