The Explanation

In this episode of The Evidence, Claudia Hammond is joined by a panel of experts to discuss the science of anaesthesia.It’s estimated that around the world, more than 250 million people receive surgery requiring anaesthesia each year. But there are still plenty of unknowns. What happens to our brains and our consciousness when we’re put to sleep? Why do so many people around the world still not have access to safe anaesthesia? And could the colour of your hair affect how much anaesthesia you need?In front of a live audience at Wellcome Collection in London, Claudia is joined on stage by Dr Kevin Fong, a consultant anaesthetist at University College London Hospitals and professor of public engagement and innovation at University College London; Jennifer Hunter, emeritus professor of anaesthesia and senior research fellow at the University of Liverpool; Emmanuel Stamatakis, professor of neuroscience at the University of Cambridge studying the science of consciousness; and Bruce Biccard, professor of anaesthetic science at the University of Oxford and author of the book Safer Surgery for Africa: Challenges and Solutions.Producer: Dan Welsh Editor: Martin Smith Production coordinator: Stuart Laws Sound engineers: Emma Harth and Steve Greenwood

Davos 2026 discussions underscore strains in US-Europe relations, as trade and security differences resurface and Donald Trump’s influence shapes debate over the future of transatlantic cooperation. On this episode, Caitríona Perry, Sumi Somaskanda and Bernd Debusmann examine whether President Trump is driving a breakup with Europe. Every weekend, The President’s Path explores the state of US politics — in Washington and beyond. We dig into the key issues shaping America and uncover what’s on the minds of those closest to power. You can contact us a path@bbc.co.uk Senior producer: Oksana Kundirenko Editor: Gareth Bebb Executive producer: Anna Holford

Caroline Hawley, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, looks back at the first year of Donald Trump’s second term, analyses the repercussions of the uprising against the clerical establishment in Iran, and explores whether a new blood test could transform the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.

A public statement by Brooklyn Beckham has prompted extensive media coverage and online debate about how celebrity families manage press narratives. Katie Razzall is joined by Simon Boyle, former executive showbiz editor at The Sun, and Alexandra Shulman, former editor of British Vogue.Donald Trump’s demands about Greenland have triggered an international crisis, with journalists tracking his statements made through official channels and on social media. Elisabet Svane, political analyst at Politiken, and Michael Birnbaum, White House reporter for The Washington Post, discuss their approach to the story.As the UK considers restrictions on children using social media, Australia’s recent ban on accounts for children under 16 has become a reference point in media coverage. The Australian experience is explained by Bronte Gossling, reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald.Presenter: Katie Razzall Producer: Lisa Jenkinson Content producer: Lucy Wai Researcher: Phil Hawkins Technical Coordinator: Mark Dickins Sound: Robin Schroder

Trump orders fresh sanctions targeting senior Iranian officials accused of directing the violent suppression of protests, while European allies deploy troops to Greenland amid rising tensions over renewed US territorial claims. Caitríona Perry, Sumi Somaskanda and Bernd Debusmann look at Trump’s fresh sanctions on Iran and European troops deploying to Greenland. Every weekend, The President’s Path explores the state of US politics - in Washington and beyond. We dig into the key issues shaping America and uncover what’s on the minds of those closest to power. You can contact us at path@bbc.co.uk Senior producer: Oksana Kundirenko Editor: Gareth Bebb Executive producer: Anna Holford

Ongoing protests in Iran have prompted scrutiny of how international media organisations report events in a highly restricted environment, with criticism focused on prominence and framing of coverage. Behrang Tajdin of BBC Persian and Lyse Doucet, the BBC’s chief international correspondent, set out the editorial constraints and considerations involved.The film Hamnet has opened in UK cinemas following major awards recognition, drawing attention to how producers identify and secure projects at an early stage. Liza Marshall of Hera Pictures describes how she acquired the rights to a story that’s now the toast of Hollywood.Presenter: Katie Razzall Producer: Lisa Jenkinson Content producer: Lucy Wai

Trump's actions in Venezuela and the removal of Nicolás Maduro sparks talk of further US operations in the region. In this episode Caitríona Perry, Sumi Somaskanda and Bernd Debusmann look at the US operation that seized the President of Venezuela. Every weekend, The President’s Path explores the state of US politics in Washington and beyond. We dig into the key issues shaping America and uncover what is on the minds of those closest to power. You can contact us at: path@bbc.co.ukSenior Producer: Oksana Kundirenko Executive Producer: Anna Holford

Reports that major US newspapers delayed publishing details of the US raid in Venezuela have prompted renewed scrutiny of how journalists handle sensitive national security information. The decision by the New York Times and the Washington Post followed warnings from the White House that publication could endanger American troops, raising questions about press freedom, editorial independence and ethical responsibility. Max Tani, media editor at Semafor, outlines how the story emerged.Debate over the US coverage has drawn attention to how similar situations are handled in the UK, where defence reporting operates under a voluntary advisory system. The Defence and Security Media Advisory Committee issues guidance intended to prevent the publication of material that could risk lives or compromise operations, while preserving press freedom. Brigadier Geoffrey Dodds OBE, Secretary of the DSMA Committee, and Larisa Brown, Defence Editor at The Times, discuss how the system works. A ballot by the actors union Equity has found overwhelming support for industrial action over digital scanning of actors. Paul Fleming, General Secretary of Equity, sets out why the union is pressing producers for stronger protections as AI tools become more widespread.

Have you ever wondered how reality TV gets made? Why some shows become instant classics, while others vanish without trace? In this special edition of The Media Show, four of the UK’s top creatives in unscripted television reveal their secrets. From The Traitors to Pointless, Hunted to Gogglebox, they discuss what makes a hit format, how casting decisions are made, how streamers and influencers are changing the landscape, and where the next big hit might come from. With Tim Harcourt, Chief Creative Officer, Studio Lambert; Matt Bennett, Director of Programmes, Shine Television; Tamara Gilder, Joint MD, Remarkable Entertainment; Art Sejdiu, Head of Commissioning Development, Channel Four.Presenters: Ros Atkins and Katie Razzall Producer: Dan Hardoon Content producer: Lucy Wai Researcher: Ruth Waites

A look back at the first year of President Trump’s second term in office. On this episode Caitríona Perry, Sumi Somaskanda, Bernd Debusmann and Courtney Subramanian discuss the moments that stood out to them in 2025. Every weekend, The President’s Path explores the state of US politics — in Washington and beyond. We dig into the key issues shaping America and uncover what’s on the minds of those closest to power. You can contact us at: path@bbc.co.uk Senior Producer: Aisling Taylor Editor: Gareth Bebb Executive Producer: Anna Holford

Time Magazine named “The Architects of AI” as their Person of the Year for 2025. This is a group of people, mostly men, who now wield an extraordinary level of influence over the future of society. The Media Show profiles four of them: Mike Isaac from The New York Times explains the rise of Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI; Lauren Goode from Wired outlines the power and beliefs of venture capitalist Marc Andreessen; Stephen Witt, biographer of Jensen Huang, describes how the Nvidia boss has built the chips powering modern AI; and Richard Spencer of The Times reports on DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng, whose work has challenged the dominance of US tech companies.Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Content Producer: Lucy Wai Production Coordinator: Ruth Waites

A look at what the divisions in the Maga coalition mean for Trump.On this episode Caitríona Perry, Sumi Somaskanda and Bernd Debusmann look at what the Maga coalition’s internal divides signal for Trump’s leadership.Every weekend, The President’s Path explores the state of US politics — in Washington and beyond. We dig into the key issues shaping America and uncover what’s on the minds of those closest to power. You can contact us at: path@bbc.co.ukSenior Producer: Oksana Kundirenko Editor: Gareth Bebb Executive Producer: Anna Holford

A mass shooting at Bondi Beach during a Hanukkah event created major challenges for journalists trying to confirm fast-moving details. Newsrooms had to decide how to describe the attack, when to name suspects and how to treat unverified online posts. Jacqueline Maley, senior writer at the Sydney Morning Herald, explains the decisions behind early reporting and the influence of social media. The UK government has begun a consultation on BBC charter renewal, which will shape the organisation from 2028. It raises questions about how the BBC is governed, how it supports producers across the UK and how it might be funded in the future. Options include subscription models, advertising and changes to licence fee income. Alex Farber, media correspondent at The Times, outlines what is being considered. In Florida, Donald Trump has filed a defamation case against the BBC over an edited sequence in the Panorama documentary which triggered the resignation of the corporation’s Director General and its CEO of News. Stuart M Benjamin, professor of law at Duke University, sets out the legal issues. Short, vertical micro dramas are becoming a major part of China’s entertainment industry, with revenues expected to exceed cinema box office figures. The format is spreading to other regions through low-cost, rapid production and app-based viewing. Mengchen Zhang from the BBC’s Global China Unit describes the trend in China, while Clare Thompson, non-executive director at K7 Media, outlines its international growth.Presenters: Ros Atkins Producer: Lisa Jenkinson Content Producer: Lucy Wai Production Coordinator: Ruth Waites

Caitríona Perry, Sumi Somaskanda and Bernd Debusmann look at how President Trump is tackling affordability and the cost of living for Americans. Every weekend, The President’s Path explores the state of US politics — in Washington and beyond. We dig into the key issues shaping America and uncover what’s on the minds of those closest to power. You can contact us at: path@bbc.co.uk Senior producer: Jack Surfleet Editor: Gareth Bebb Executive producer: Anna Holford

Netflix’s agreement to buy Warner Bros Discovery has triggered an immediate hostile counter-bid from Paramount, intensifying concerns within Hollywood about consolidation and streaming dominance. Natalie Jarvey, senior correspondent at The Ankler, and Dade Hayes, business editor at Deadline, assess why Warner Bros are in demand and what the takeover could mean for viewers. Five broadcasters have now withdrawn from next year’s Eurovision Song Contest in protest at Israel’s participation. BBC Music reporter Mark Savage explains the latest developments. Meta is reducing its investment in virtual-reality projects and directing greater resources into AI. The metaverse was once Mark Zuckerberg’s vision for the future of the company. Alex Hern, AI correspondent at The Economist, and Charlotte Henry, author of Streaming Wars, outline the implications.Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Lisa Jenkinson Content Producer: Lucy Wai Production Coordinator: Ruth Waites Technical Coordinator: Chris Brown Sound: Sarah Kimberley

Caitríona Perry, Sumi Somaskanda and Bernd Debusmann look at how RFK Jr is shaping US health policy in President Trump’s second term. Every weekend, The President’s Path explores the state of US politics — in Washington and beyond. We dig into the key issues shaping America and uncover what’s on the minds of those closest to power. You can contact us at: path@bbc.co.uk Senior producer: Jack Surfleet Editor: Gareth Bebb Executive producer: Anna Holford

The Mayor of Greater Manchester has accused vloggers of provoking vulnerable people to generate online views, with a particular focus on the city’s Piccadilly Gardens. Sarah Lester, editor of the Manchester Evening News, and Charlotte Dewar, chief executive of the Independent Press Standards Organisation, discuss the issues.A new investigation suggests widespread use of illicit streaming devices and apps now threatens the financial viability of the Premier League’s TV deals. Adam Leventhal, senior writer at The Athletic, and Minal Modha, head of sport media rights at Ampere Analysis, assess the scale of the trend.Netflix’s expanding interest in podcast-style formats has led them to sign a deal with Gary Lineker’s The Rest Is Football show. Nick Hilton, co-founder of Podot, explains why podcasts are becoming strategically important for the streamer.Plus, Ian Hislop reflects on another year as editor of Private Eye, and discusses his magazine’s approach to journalism and satire.Presenter: Ros Atkins Producer: Lisa Jenkinson Content producer: Lucy Wai Sound engineer: Allyson Purcell-Davis Production co-ordinator: Ruth Waites Technical co-ordinator: Ozgur Cevik

Caitríona Perry, Courtney Subramanian, and Sumi Somaskanda look at how US President Donald Trump is challenging the state of California, and how its governor, Gavin Newsom, is returning the favour. Every weekend, The President’s Path explores the state of US politics — in Washington and beyond. We dig into the key issues shaping America and uncover what’s on the minds of those closest to power. You can contact us at: path@bbc.co.uk

Pressure on the BBC has continued after a line about Donald Trump was removed from the Reith Lectures on legal advice. Dame Caroline Dineage, Chair of the Culture Media and Sport Committee, and Lionel Barber, Former Editor of The Financial Times discuss the implications. Also on the show, Dr Alice Enders of Enders Analysis explains why The Telegraph has been sold to the owners of the Daily Mail in a £500m deal. And CNN correspondent Donie O’Sullivan on his new documentary investigating why claims about white farmers in South Africa continue to circulate in US politicsProducer: Lisa Jenkinson Content producer: Lucy Wai Production co-ordinator: Ruth Waites Technical co-ordinator: Craig Johnson Sound engineer: Robin Schroder

Caitríona Perry, Courtney Subramanian, and Sumi Somaskanda look at how the Republicans and Democrats are using redistricting as a tool, and how it could affect the political geography of the US. Every weekend, The President’s Path explores the state of US politics — in Washington and beyond. We dig into the key issues shaping America and uncover what’s on the minds of those closest to power. You can contact us at: path@bbc.co.uk Producer: Jack Surfleet Editor: Gareth Bebb Executive Producer: Anna Holford