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EU backs plan for Canada to become 'associate member' Sep 16, 2026

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The European Commission president has announced proposals for Canada to become an associate EU member as the country's rift with the United States deepens.

Also on the programme: The US federal reserve's just put up interest rates for the first time in three years; are the warnings about AI posing an existential threat a deliberate distraction?

And we'll confront the really big issues with the owner of the pizzeria just voted the best in the world.

(Photo: European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen and European Parliament President, Roberta Matsola welcome Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France. Credit; EPA/Shutterstock).

Ed Sheeran's support acts quit tour in support of Macklemore's 'Free Palestine' comments Sep 16, 2026

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One of the world's biggest music stars - Ed Sheeran faces the biggest controversy of his career, as his support acts on his tour quit when fellow musician Macklemore was dropped from the line up following his speech in support of a 'Free Palestine'. The speech drew controversy when his comments led to a petition from the Israeli American Council demanding his removal from the tour. It was successful, and other musicians dropped out in solidarity.

Also on the programme: Ursula von der Leyen has backed a proposal for Canada to become the European Union's first associate member, as the country's rift with the United States deepens and the Natural History Museum opens a gallery sealed off to the public for more than 80 years.

(Photo: Ed Sheeran gig Credit: Jon Wright, BBC)

(Photo: Credit:)

Lithuanian minister: “Nato is effectively at war with Russia” Sep 15, 2026

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As Lithuania investigates a drone incursion, the country's defence minister tells us Nato is effectively at war with Russia.

Also in the programme: President Trump lashes out at the judges he appointed to the US Supreme Court; the renewed civil war in Yemen causes huge numbers to flee, including over the sea to north Africa; and how an actor from Wales conquered US TV.

(IMAGE: An Italian Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet of the kind that shot down a drone that crossed the border from Belarus into Lithuania, at the Siauliai air base in Siauliai, Lithuania on September 15, 2026 / CREDIT: Reuters)

US confirms for first time it has deployed space weapons Sep 15, 2026

Show notes

China has urged the United States to "stop preparing for war" in space. Beijing's reaction came hours after the US confirmed it had deployed a space weapon in Earth's orbit which is the first such public acknowledgement from Washington.

Also in the programme: President Trump's son confirms part of his wedding in May was paid for by a Russian oligarch with close ties to President Putin; and why the British musician Johnny Marr is selling most of his guitars.

(Photo: The US Space Command Joint Operations Centre at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado taken, 27 January, 2023. Credit: US Space Command/Reuters)

Anthropic co-founder calls for regulation now Sep 14, 2026

Show notes

As Donald Trump hits out again at tech leaders calling for caution over the pace of AI development, we hear from Jack Clark, a co-founder of Anthropic, calling for just that.

Also in the programme: should Nato be trying to shoot down Russian drones inside Ukraine? Africa’s biggest ever share sale launches in Nigeria, as billionaire owner Aliko Dangote invites ordinary people to invest in his huge oil refinery; and we hear about medicine's great advances against breast cancer, from an oncologist with fifty years’ experience in the field.

(Image: Anthropic logo is seen in this illustration taken June 11, 2026. Credit: Dado Ruvic/Reuters)

Russian train attack has led to calls for Nato to step in and intercept drones Sep 14, 2026

Show notes

Former UK PM Boris Johnson and former US General David Petraeus were onboard an earlier train on the same route. Ukraine's state railway company believes the target of this drone could have been a diplomatic train.

Also on the programme: billionaire art collector Leon Black denies allegations that he operated as a fixer for Jeffry Epstein. Nobel prize winning economist Daron Acemoglu explores why the working classes have fallen out of love with ideas of liberal democracy. And has a Hollywood actress sexualised female athletes in her latest advert?

(Photo: Firemen attend to the aftermath of a Russian Attack Credit: Reuters)

Trump downplays AI risks Sep 13, 2026

Show notes

US President Donald Trump has said ‘negative forces’ are ‘bringing up things that won’t happen’ in the context of AI risks. It follows a former Anthropic researcher saying ‘there is a strong chance that we could all die in the immediate future’ due to the current speed of development. We hear from US congresswoman Lori Trahan about her push for AI regulation.

Also in the programme: Exit polls suggest a neck-and-neck race in Sweden's election; and a look at how Celine Dion’s first full concert in six years went, following years of the singer battling a neurological disorder.

(Photo: US President Donald Trump. Credit: Liam McBurney/PA

Industry voices warn of AI 'danger' Sep 13, 2026

Show notes

An artificial intelligence researcher who recently quit a leading AI firm has told the BBC that people working on the technology were "genuinely frightened" about its advancements and what it could mean for humanity.

We'll look at whether there are increasingly urgent problems ahead for the roll-out of the technology.

Also in the programme: EU leaders gather to discuss policy towards the Arctic; the Democratic Republic of Congo's government says it might have turned a corner with its Ebola epidemic; and we cover Celine Dion's comeback concert In Paris after a debilitating illness.

(Photo shows a screen showing the Anthropic logo. Credit: Dado Ruvic/Reuters)

Anthropic boss calls for AI slowdown Sep 12, 2026

Show notes

The CEO of Anthropic says AI projects should look at slowing down amid internet security concerns. Open AI's Sam Altman, as well as Elon Musk, have agreed that companies like theirs need to pace themselves. We hear analysis from a technology professor.

Also in the programme: US President Donald Trump’s support for a united Ireland prompts a mixed political reaction; and following years of battling a neurological disorder, singer Celine Dion takes to the stage once again.

(Photo: Dario Amodei. Credits: Denis Balibouse/Reuters)

Trump says united Ireland would be a 'great thing' Sep 12, 2026

Show notes

US president Donald Trump has said a united Ireland would be a 'great thing' on two-day visit to Dublin and the west of Ireland - a comment likely to inflame tensions over the status of Northern Ireland.

The British government responded by saying there was no majority support for a referendum on unification, which is what is outlined in a 1998 peace deal.

Also in the programme: Saudi Arabia has shut a key oil pipeline after a drone attack launched from Iraq; we will hear from Ukrainian's oldest literary festival, as questions remain on the use of Russian language in Ukraine; and why Wembley Stadium in London will tonight be filled with music-loving Punjabis.

(Photo shows US president Donald Trump in Dublin during his trip to the Republic of Ireland on 12 September 2026. Credit: James Manning/PA)

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