Novara Live

Olga Braga, Ukrainian playwright and theatre-maker, discusses Donbass, her drama about a family living close to the front line. She talks about conscription tensions, generational divides and who stays or leaves Ukraine. The conversation covers the human cost of mass military losses and the cultural mood of resilience and hope.

A deep political scandal unpacks whether the prime minister can survive amid revelations about Peter Mandelson and links to Epstein. The role and influence of Morgan McSweeney and revolving doors between government, tech firms and billionaires are examined. Connections between Palantir, defence contracts and media ownership are explored. The show questions democratic accountability and elite power networks.

Steven Methven, a legal commentator who explains court process and jury reasoning. He unpacks the surprising Filton/Elbit verdicts and why jurors reached acquittals or no verdicts. He also warns against overreading prosecution footage and explains how contextual courtroom evidence shapes outcomes.

A probe into alleged emails linking a senior politician to Jeffrey Epstein and possible market-sensitive leaks. Discussion of political networks, cronyism and calls for wider investigations. Examination of Epstein's global ties, including hinted connections to Israel and finance. Debate on what Britishness means today amid scandals.

A deep dive into newly released Epstein files revealing payments, leaked government memos, and financial ties to elites. They unpack emails linking powerful figures to arranged meetings, alleged sexual procurement, and attempts to exert influence. Discussion highlights patterns of money, networks and elite impunity across politics, finance and royal circles.

Writer and musician Kaiser Kuo explains recent the vibe shift in the West’s attitude towards China.

Hannah Spencer, a Green councillor and tradesperson training as a plasterer, talks local campaigning in Gorton and Denton. She discusses beating Reform’s Matt Goodwin, doorstep reactions to parachuted candidates, community cohesion, housing, fuel poverty and how trades experience shapes practical policy ideas.

A former FIFA chief urges fans to boycott the US World Cup and experts debate whether a European-led sports boycott could gain traction. Safety and immigration concerns for travelling fans, especially from the global south, are explored. A local by-election scramble and internal party conflicts surface. Tesla’s profits dip as Musk shifts focus from cars to humanoid robots and the social costs of automation are questioned.

Aaron Bastani, journalist and left-wing commentator, joins to dissect rising US-Iran tensions and the US military build-up near Iran. He also breaks down Keir Starmer’s China trip and the debate over UK-China economic ties. Finally, they tackle AI’s threat to entry-level jobs and what automation means for the UK workforce.

They dig into the national outrage after a second US citizen was killed by ICE and the political fallout around armed protesters and gun-rights posturing. They examine contradictions in Republican rhetoric, the shifting landscape of social media moderation on TikTok, and the rise of alternative platforms. They also discuss a controversial Reform UK candidacy and the politics of localism and digital sovereignty.