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29/08/2019

The DUP back Boris Johnson's decision to suspend parliament. A constitutional outrage or normal procedure by a UK government?

More than one million people have signed a petition objecting to Boris Johnson's plan to suspend Parliament for up to five weeks. Opposition leaders are calling the move anti-democratic, and claim it's happening so the Prime Minister can force through a no-deal Brexit. He denies that. Opposition parties are planning to force a bill through Parliament next week - designed to stop the Prime Minister Brexiting without a deal. Locally the DUP are the only party to support the move. Arlene Foster says its sensible but Sinn Fein says Mr Johnson is treating people with contempt. Stephen spoke to Sinn Fein MLA Conor Murphy, TUV leader Jim Allister and MP Anna Soubry.

Also on the programme, could teachers soon be able to use corporal punishment in the classroom again? The Guardian newspaper says it has seen leaked documents which show the Government will announce a series of changes to school policies soon. It says one will allow teachers to use "reasonable force" to improve behaviour. It also says there will be a renewed emphasis on exclusions. Stephen got the views of former teacher Simon Warr and commentator Fionola Meredith.

And, what if you were told that being more optimistic could make you live longer? New research suggests that those who have a more hopeful and confident disposition stand a better chance of reaching the age of 85. This is the work of academics at Boston University, the school of medicine, which found found that the 71,000 people who participated in their work - those who were more positive about the future tended to live between 11 - 15% longer. Can you teach yourself optimism? Stephen got the views of author Kathy Lette and travel writer Tim Hedgley.

All that and more on the biggest show in the country...

1 hour, 27 minutes

Last on

Thu 29 Aug 2019 09:03

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  • Thu 29 Aug 2019 09:03

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Nolan True Crime: The Murder Of Marian Beattie. A podcast series from the Nolan Show

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