World Update: Daily Commute

The Sunday Feature: Secret Police Files Opened Up in Albania Oct 22, 2017

In Albania, attempts are now being made to discover the fate of about 6,000 people who went missing during 40 years of Communism. Andrew Hoskens in Tirana speaks to one man whose Catholic priest uncle fell foul of Enver Hoxha's regime. (Photo: Nikolin Kurti at the site of the mass grave he exhumed in 2009. Credit: Andrew Hoskens/BBC)

Brexit Watch: What's the Cost? Sep 28, 2017

Some UK companies see possible gains from exiting the EU. But a survey of 700 British businesses concludes there is widespread uncertainty. Dan speaks to Paul Kenward of British Sugar, and Professor Nicholas Bloom of Stanford University

(Photo: An aerial view of London's financial district on 12 July 2017. Credit: Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Brexit Watch: Europe's Hopes in a Post-Brexit EU Sep 14, 2017

Jean Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission, has been outlining his ambitious vision for the EU's future but is his plan possible? Dr. Ben Margulies, an American Political Scientist teaching at Warwick University in the UK gives analysis on Mr Juncker's plans. We also return to the border issues between the UK and Republic of Ireland because of Brexit. If Brexit negotiations go badly, the currently invisible border might have to be re-erected, with all of the dangers that poses for the peace deal that brought IRA and Ulster loyalist paramilitary violence to an end in 1998. The British government says it will find a way to keep the border invisible while still imposing customs and migration regulations. How they will do that has not been fully explained. Dan Damon speaks with Irish Times writer Fintan O'Toole.

(IMAGE: FRANCE-EU-POLITICS-PARLIAMENT - European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker delivers his State of the Union speech at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on September 13, 2017. CREDIT: PATRICK HERTZOG/AFP/Getty Images)

Brexit Watch: Will British Courts Rule on British Laws? Aug 24, 2017

Dan explores the thorny question of whether the EU's top court - the European Court of Justice - will still influence UK law. Also: Polls show pro-Leave voters have no remorse. We hear from polling analyst David Cowling, EU legal expert Professor Steve Peers, and the BBC political reporter Emma Vardy

(Photo: The European Court of Justice in Luxembourg. Credit: JOHN THYS/AFP/Getty Images)

Brexit Watch: How to Make the Best Use of a Referendum? Aug 17, 2017

The vote for Brexit was the result of a referendum, the third in the UK in recent years. Referendums seem to be getting more and more common; but are they being used wisely and conducted fairly? Dan speaks with the director of the new Independent Commission on Referendums, Alan Renwick from the Constitutional Unit of University College London. There are also updates on this week's Brexit developments, including the UK government publishing position papers on trade and on the border between Northern Ireland and the Irish republic.

(IMAGE: A man casts his ballot to vote in a referendum - ANDER GILLENEA/AFP/Getty Images)

Brexit Watch: The Four Freedoms Aug 03, 2017

One of the big talking points over the past few days has been on freedom of movement - the four freedoms of goods, services, capital and labour that come with European Union membership. Prime Minister Theresa May has insisted that free movement will cease at the end of March 2019 when Britain leaves the EU. And one of the places seriously affected by that change will be Ireland, where the border between the North and the Irish Republic will become the only land border between a non-EU UK and the other 27 member.

(Picture: Irish and UK Flag. Credit: Getty Images)

Brexit Watch: Trade Wars Jul 20, 2017

In this week's negotiations between the UK and EU, the issue of trade came up earlier than expected. That's because agricultural import quotas are so important, as Professor. Fiona Smith, a trade law expert from Warwick University told Dan this week. Also Rob Watson on the Northern Ireland question, all on Brexit Watch.

Brexit Watch: Repeal bill published Jul 13, 2017

The British government have introduced a bill to Parliament that if approved will convert thousands of European Union laws into British law when Britain leaves, in theory on 29th March 2019. But there are plenty of reasons why that might not go as smoothly as Theresa May's government hopes. To help us understand what should happen, for this week's Brexit Watch we spoke to Dr. Jo Hunt from the School of Law and Politics at Cardiff University.

( Britain & EU Flags: Getty Images)

Brexit Watch: How to Bargain with Brussels Jun 19, 2017

As negotiations begin Dan Damon speaks to two people with experience of cutting a deal with the European Union. Yanis Varoufakis was the Greek Finance Minister in 2015 and had to negotiate with the EU during the country's government-debt crisis. Jason Langrish is the Executive Director of the Canada Europe Roundtable for Business. He was involved in negotiations on the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).

(Picture: European Parliament. Credit: Getty Images)

Brexit Watch: On the Road - Part 3 - Down on the Docks May 25, 2017

In the last of our three-part road trip looking at how Brexit could effect different industries, we go to the docks and see how the haulage industry is prepared for Brexit.

(IMAGE: The port of Dover at night CREDIT: merlinpf)

Brexit Watch: On the Road - Part 2 - Ramsgate Harbour May 18, 2017

Dan Damon continues his road trip looking at the possible effects of Brexit on three different industries. In part two, Dan takes us to Ramsgate Harbour, and meets the fisherman who was a big campaigner to leave the EU.

(IMAGE: A pro-Brexit flag flies on a fishing boat as a crew member washes their catch in Ramsgate on June 13, 2016 - CREDIT: CHRIS J RATCLIFFE/AFP/Getty Images)

Brexit Watch: On The Road - Part 1 - Down on the Farm May 11, 2017

Dan Damon goes on the road for a three-part series looking at the possible effects of Brexit on three different industries. In part 1, Dan visits an urban farm where the dairy cows took a particular interest in Dan.

(IMAGE: Jersey cows graze in a field. CREDIT: Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

Brexit Watch: The UK's Tech Industry Apr 27, 2017

What opportunities and pitfalls face the UK's I.T. and Finance industries after Brexit? Dan gets perspectives from Gianpiero Lotito, a founding member of the European Tech Alliance whose company FacilityLive is the first international company to be part of the London Stock Exchange ELITE programme, and Mark Kelly, Chief Executive for Olive Tree Financial. With analysis from the BBC World Service's Political Correspondent, Rob Watson.

(IMAGE: Traders on the floor of ETX Capital in London on March 29, 2017 - CREDIT: CHRIS J RATCLIFFE/AFP/Getty Images)

Brexit Watch: Brexit's Role in a Snap General Election Apr 20, 2017

What will the 8th June election mean for Brexit? Dan Damon speaks with two experts in European and UK politics to find out more - Jacki Davis, senior adviser to the European Policy Centre in Brussels and Jo-Anne Nadler who formerly worked at the Conservative Central Office, the headquarters of the ruling Conservative Party.

(IMAGE: A copy of the Evening Standard, with the front page story relating to British Prime Minister Theresa May's call for a snap general election on June 8 - Photo credit: DANIEL SORABJI/AFP/Getty Images)

Brexit Watch: Article 50 Was Only The Beginning Apr 13, 2017

While Parliament is in recess, use the time to get acquainted with Article 207, 217 & 218. Dan Damon speaks with Catherine Barnard, professor in European Union Law and Employment Law at the University of Cambridge, as she prepares us for what happens next in the negotiations. The BBC's Political Correspondent Ben Wright is on hand to give analysis from Westminster.

(IMAGE: A pro-remain protester holds up an EU flag with one of the stars symbolically cut out in front of the Houses of Parliament shortly after British Prime Minister Theresa May announced to the House of Commons that Article 50 had been triggered- CREDIT: OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images)

Brexit Watch: UK's Plans for Common Foreign and Security Policy post-Brexit Apr 06, 2017

We take a look at security in a post-Brexit world. Cooperation has always been key when dealing with other countries so what should happen now to make sure everyone is still protected? The EU External Affairs Sub-Committee has been holding a one-off evidence session to gather information on what the Common Foreign and Security Policy could be now. Dan Damon speaks to one of those advising the sub-committee, Professor Karen Smith from the LSE's Department of International Relations.

The BBC's Political Correspondent Eleanor Garnier gives analysis and overview from Westminster.

(IMAGE: British Prime Minister Theresa May (L) greets European Council President Donald Tusk outside 10 Downing street in central London on April 6 - JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images)

Brexit Watch: Article 50 Triggered Mar 29, 2017

In this special edition of Brexit Watch, Dan goes to 'Brexit Central' - Boston in Lincolnshire - on the day the UK officially starts its departure from the EU.

(IMAGE: The Prime Minster Of the United Kingdom Theresa May Signs Article 50 - Christopher Furlong - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Brexit Watch: Timetable to Leave Mar 22, 2017

What is the timeline for the UK's departure now? Jill Rutter is a Programme Director at the Institute of Government, an independent charity promoting effective government. Dan Damon asks what happens after 29th March, when the British Prime Minister, Theresa May triggers Article 50?

(Photo: The front page of the London Evening Standard newspaper reporting that Britain will launch the process of leaving the EU on 29 March 2017. Credit: Daniel Sorabji/AFP/Getty Images)

Brexit Watch: Another Go at Scottish Independence? Mar 15, 2017

Britain starts the formal process of leaving the EU this month, giving impetus to calls for a fresh vote on Scottish independence. Dan brings together the BBC's political correspondent Rob Watson, Professor John Curtice of Strathclyde University in Glasgow, and Britain Taylor, political editor for BBC Scotland.

(Photo: Scottish voters in favour of independence on the first anniversary of Scotland's 2014 independence referendum, in which 55 percent of voters were against leaving the United Kingdom, 19 September 2015. Credit: Andy Buchanan/AFP/Getty Images)

Brexit Watch: From Brexit to Nexit? Mar 07, 2017

Will Geert Wilders and his supporters 'Make Netherlands ours again' in the upcoming election, possibly paving the way for another country to leave the EU? Dan Damon speaks to both sides of the argument, and asks how Brexit is influencing other EU countries.

(IMAGE: Supporters of Dutch far-right politician and leader of the Partij Voor De Vrijheid (PVV or Freedom Party) Geert Wilders hold leaflets bearing his image and a slogan which translates as 'Make Netherlands ours again' - JOHN THYS/A FP/Getty Images)

Brexit Watch: The Uncertain Future for EU Citizens in the UK Mar 01, 2017

Dutch MEP Sophie In't Veld tells Dan Damon why her new task force looking into the issues for EU citizens post-Brexit is needed, and our Westminster political correspondent Eleanor Garnier explains what you need to know about Brexit this week.

(Photo: Sophie In't Veld. Credit: AFP/Getty Images)

Brexit Watch: Public Health After Brexit Feb 22, 2017

The European Medicines Agency is based in London and is responsible for the safety of medicines developed by pharmaceutical companies for use in the EU. If Article 50 is triggered then the UK will leave the EMA. Dan Damon finds out about the potential impact of this with Professor Sir Michael Rawlins, the chairman of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the UK.

(Photo: Medicine, water and a stethoscope. Credit: Franck Fife/AFP)

Brexit Watch: How Would the Great Literary and Artistic Figures Have Voted? Feb 17, 2017

The UK Parliament is in recess at the moment, so the politics of Brexit has been low key. This gives us an opportunity to reflect on the arts and Brexit. What would some of great literary and artistic names from the past, such as David Hockney and Kingsley Amis have made of the decision to leave the European Union? Dan Damon spoke to BBC's Ben Wright and Denis Staunton, the London editor of the Irish Times.

(Photo: British artist David Hockney poses in front of his painting entitled The Arrival of Spring in Woldgate, East Yorkshire 2011. Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

Brexit Watch: An Exit from Brexit? Feb 08, 2017

A court case in Dublin could give the British government the option of revisiting the Brexit decision and reversing it without the consent of the other 27 European Union member states. The court case will also consider whether Britain should still be able to attend all of the meetings of the EU until it actually leaves the organisation. Dan Damon spoke to Jolyon Maugham, director of the Good Law Project and to the BBC's political correspondent Chris Mason.

(Photo:European Union flag with the Elizabeth Tower of the Houses of Parliament Credit: PA)

Brexit Watch: MPs Vote On Triggering Brexit Negotiations Feb 01, 2017

For two days British parliamentarians have been debating draft legislation that paves the way for Britain to officially start the process of leaving the European Union. Last week Supreme Court judges ruled that government plans to trigger Article 50 and start negotiating its exit from the European Union must be put before parliament. Dan Damon spoke with Conservative MP Ben Howlett just before he went into the chamber to start the second and final day of discussions.

(Photo: Protestors demonstrate against Brexit in Parliament Square while parliamentarians debate the European Union notification of withdrawal bill. Credit: Leon Neal/Getty Images)

Brexit Watch: What Happens After Supreme Court Ruling Jan 25, 2017

Legislation that would allow the British government to trigger what's known as Article 50 and start negotiating its exit from the European Union could be put before parliament as early as Thursday. That's after the Supreme Court ruling on Tuesday that - in essence - said parliament must be consulted beforehand. But how many MPs will vote against? Will amendments be tabled to frustrate the process? James Menendez spoke to Alison Young, Professor of Public Law at Oxford University and Rob Watson, BBC's political correspondent. First, what will the Brexit bill entail?

Brexit Watch: How Will Key UK Industries Cope? Jan 11, 2017

Dan Damon spoke to Vicky Pryce, an economist at the Centre for Business and Economic Research, about prospective future trade deals between the European Union and the United Kingdom.

(Photo: A farm in the United Kingdom. Credit: Rob Stothard/Getty Images)

Brexit Watch: The UK's EU Ambassador Resigns Jan 04, 2017

Dan Damon spoke to The Financial Times' political editor, George Parker about the significance of Sir Ivan Rogers' resignation.

(Photo: The UK's ambassador to the EU, Sir Ivan Rogers. Credit: Reuters)

Brexit Watch: US Senator Wants to Preserve the "Special Relationship" Dec 07, 2016

Britain is the biggest foreign investor in the United States, making up 15 percent of foreign direct investment, ahead of Canada, China and Japan. And the US is the biggest export market for the UK, receiving more than 31 billion dollars' worth of British goods each year. Dan Damon spoke to Republican Senator Mike Lee who is campaigning to maintain the same trade deal with Britain after Brexit.

(Photo: US and UK flags Credit: Getty Images)

BrexitWatch: The Funding Gap in Wales Dec 01, 2016

Wales could lose about £245/$309 million in funds from the European Union after Brexit. Dan Damon asked Ed Gareth Poole of the Wales Governance Centre at Cardiff University about plans to find replacement sources of funding.

(Photo: The Wye Valley, Wales Credit: BBC)

BrexitWatch: How Will Brexit Affect Venture Capitalists in the UK? Nov 16, 2016

How will Britain's vote in favour of leaving the European Union affect venture capitalists across Europe, especially in the UK? The European Investment Fund put more than $700 million into startups in Britain last year alone. Dan Damon spoke to one of the venture capitalists who benefits from European Investment Fund seed money, Nenad Merovac of DN Capital.

(Photo: One Euro coin can be seen next to a British one pound coin. Credit: Getty Images)

BrexitWatch: Could Britain Leave Europol? Nov 10, 2016

There are fears that vital police and intelligence information will not be shared effectively if Britain opts out of the EU's law enforcement agency.

(Photo: British police on patrol Credit: AFP)

The Sunday Feature: The English Language (Korean-style) Nov 06, 2016

South Korea is keen to improve the level of English spoken by its citizens. Standards are definitely improving but, as Dan Damon finds out in Seoul, a few mistakes are inevitable.

(Photo: a lavatory sign in Seoul. Credit: Dan Damon/BBC)

BrexitWatch: What Happens to the Premier League's Foreign Stars? Nov 02, 2016

Nobody knows what will happen to the hundreds of UK-based European footballers when Britain leaves the EU, but one popular gaming franchise has decided to explore the possibilities by building new 'Brexit scenarios' into the gameplay. The latest edition of the soccer simulation game Football Manager will challenge players to deal with any one of three kinds of Brexit agreement, which can occur at any point in the game. Miles Jacobson, director of the Football Manager franchise, told Dan Damon how he came up with the idea.

(Photo: Manchester United's Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho. Credit: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

BrexitWatch: Do Canada-EU Trade Negotiations Spell Trouble for Britain? Oct 25, 2016

CETA (Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement ) is being blocked by 3 small Belgian regions. The deal is the most ambitious trade agreement in the European Union's history, so what do these problems mean for the UK as it prepares a negotiating position with the bloc? Allie Renison is Head of Europe and Trade Policy at the Institute of Directors, she told Rebecca Kesby about the likely implications.

(Picture: Canada and EU flag shake hands Credit: Thinkstock)

BrexitWatch: What About Ireland? Oct 12, 2016

How will Brexit affect the long-standing and often complex relationship between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland? Very significantly, says Diarmaid Ferriter, who is a professor of modern Irish history at University College Dublin. He spoke to Dan Damon about trade, travel and peace.

(Photo: British Prime Minister Theresa May meets Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny in London. Credit: Stefan Rousseau/Getty Images)

BrexitWatch: What Happens to the British Conservative Party? Oct 05, 2016

For many years Britain's governing Conservative Party has suffered bitter divisions within its ranks over Europe. So will they stay united as Brexit draws closer? Dan Damon has been speaking with James Forsyth from The Spectator, a right-leaning current affairs magazine.

(Photo: Delegates at the annual Conservative Party conference in Birmingham, October 2016. Credit: Ben Stansall/Getty Images)

BrexitWatch: Could London Go it Alone? Oct 03, 2016

Could London become a city-state after most of its inhabitants voted to stay in the EU? Dan Damon talked to Steve Bloomfield of Monocle magazine to find out whether the idea could ever come to fruition.

(Picture: Buses and taxis on Westmister Bridge with Elizabeth Tower and the Houses of Parliament Credit: Thinkstock)

BrexitWatch: Who's Representing Europe at the Table? Sep 21, 2016

As Britain prepares for the next stage of its withdrawal from the European Union, two men are leading the EU side of the negotiations - the former French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier and the former Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt. Pro-Brexit British Member of the European Parliament Syed Kamall gives his views.

(Photo (L): Former French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier (L), Credit: Jean-Pierre Clatot/AFP/Getty Images. Photo (R): Former Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, Credit: Thomas Samson/AFP/Getty Images).

BrexitWatch: A New Newspaper for 'the 48%' Sep 14, 2016

The New European is a new national newspaper in the UK, aimed at people who voted to remain in the European Union. The paper launched less than two weeks after the Brexit vote - Dan Damon spoke to its editor Matt Kelly.

(Picture: First cover of The New European Credit: Archant)

Obama Says Beijing Must Obey China Sea Ruling Sep 08, 2016

Paralympics open in Brazil; Photographing America's craziest conventions; Trump and Clinton face veterans' questioning

(Picture: President Obama gives Laos traditional greeting in front of flags Credit: Reuters)

BrexitWatch: What Does the Albanian Prime Minister Make of Brexit? Sep 08, 2016

Edi Rama is the current Albanian Prime Minister - his country is hoping to join the European Union. So what does he make of the British decision to turn its back on the bloc?

(Picture: Edi Rama Credit: AFP/Getty)

BrexitWatch: What Are the Remainers Planning Now? Aug 31, 2016

This week on our BrexitWatch podcast we're asking what those who campaigned to remain in the European Union are doing to influence the terms of a future relationship with the bloc. Norman Lamb, Liberal Democrat politician, campaigned to stay in the EU and is a founder of the lobby group, Open Britain. Dan Damon asked him how he felt now that the dust was settling on defeat.

(Picture: EU supporter in London Credit: PA)

BrexitWatch: A United States of Europe? Aug 24, 2016

As European leaders meet on Ventonene Island, Italy, Linda Risso of the Institute for Historical Research discusses the history of federalism within the European Union.

(Picture: European flags Credit: Thinkstock)

BrexitWatch: A Short History of British National Identity Aug 17, 2016

The Protestant Reformation of the 16th century "provides precedent for Brexit", according to Tim Stanley of the Daily Telegraph. Dan Damon asked him how such events shape national identity.

(Picture: A portrait of King Henry VIII Credit: Hulton Archive / Getty)

BrexitWatch: Are Alarm Bells Ringing for UK Economy? Aug 10, 2016

After the Bank of England cut interest rates to their lowest ever rates, what are the indicators for the future of the UK economy? Eshe Nelson is economics and markets reporter for Quartz - she told Dan Damon what we should be looking out for.

(Picture: Pound coin and graph Credit: Thinkstock)

BrexitWatch: Economic Prosperity After Brexit? Aug 03, 2016

Ryan Bourne of the Institute of Economic Affairs was in a minority of economists arguing for Brexit. Dan Damon asked him how Britain should respond to the challenges lying ahead.

(Picture: British flag and pound coins Credit: Thinkstock)

BrexitWatch: Is the Nation State Finished? Aug 03, 2016

Professor Philip Bobbitt is an expert in constitutional law who thinks the idea of statehood is changing. Dan Damon asked him how Brexit might affect our understanding of national identity.

(Picture: Map of Europe with pins Credit: Thinkstock)

BrexitWatch: A European Living in Britain Jul 27, 2016

For our second BrexitWatch podcast we speak to Charlotte Minvielle, a charity worker who moved to London from France a decade ago. Dan Damon asked her how she had responded to the Brexit vote.

(Picture: EU flag and Big Ben Credit: Thinkstock)

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