Original Broadcast: The Bigger Picture
Political commentator Mike Indian talks to Simon Rose about the divergent attitudes of the UK and other western countries to Russia and the Ukraine. He also discusses several aspects of UK politics: Jacob Rees-Mogg's comments on Brexit and trade; the fallout from Boris Johnson's remarks on Jimmy Savile in Parliament; and John Major's public criticism of the current Prime Minister.
Guests: Mike Indian
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Original Broadcast: Gadgets and Gizmos
Gadget guru Steve Caplin talks to Simon Rose about tickets going on sale for Virgin Galactic's space trips, a snip at £333,000. He discusses National Grid's plan for plundering e-car batteries, Alfa Romeo's NFT plug-in hybrid and the iEV X expanding car. Tinder is experimenting with blind dates, there's a tech necklace that can read chin movements, a crowdfunded camera dolly and Simon chips in with a low-tech jar opener.
Guests: Steve Caplin
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Original Broadcast: The Financial Outlook for Personal Investors
Victoria Scholar of Interactive Investor assesses the fortunes of some US tech stocks in the news recently, including Peloton, Uber and Disney. With inflation unexpectedly rising again to a 40-year high, she considers what the Federal Reserve might be able to do with its demand-side tools, when many problems are on the supply side of the economy.
Guests: Victoria Scholar
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Original Broadcast: The Bigger Picture
Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University looks at the shocking growth in NHS waiting lists and wonders if providing tax breaks on private health provision for the elderly might prove a helpful way forward. He also considers the crisis in policing, suggesting a possible solution, even though few politicians might be willing to think long enough ahead. And he ends on an optimistic note, hoping that the recent breakthrough at JET might herald a coming age of nuclear fusion.
Guests: Professor Tim Evans
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Original Broadcast: The Business Of Film
James Cameron-Wilson looks at the first box office chart since Covid to have 5 films taking over £1m at the weekend. #2 is Jackass Forever ("sickeningly awful") while Roland Emmerich's Moonfall is #4 ("so bad it's enjoyable"). Only making #17 is Oscar-nominated Jessica Chastain in The Eyes of Tammy Faye. On Apple+ is the disappointing The Sky Is Everywhere but James loved Munich: The Edge of War on Netflix with Jeremy Irons as Chamberlain. He also runs down the list of Oscar nominations, contrasting them with the odd nominations from BAFTA.
Guests: James Cameron-Wilson
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Original Broadcast: Gadgets and Gizmos
After waxing lyrical about progress made in nuclear fusion, tech guru Steve Caplin discusses smart windows and smart pens, how to repel mosquitoes, the world's biggest walk-through kaleidoscope, a new ultra-strong material developed at MIT, adding touch to the VR experience, a Covid breathalyser, sugar cane traffic bollards and an electric car that can power your house for three days if there's a power cut.
Guests: Steve Caplin
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Original Broadcast: The Financial Outlook for Personal Investors
Russ Mould of A J Bell looks at the Bank of England's interest rate rise, noticing how much more hawkish the MPC has become, with 4 members wanting an even bigger hike. Although QE has been brought to an end, he wonders how far the bank can go before something breaks - and similarly the Fed. He also looks at the plunge in Meta Platforms/Facebook shares, wondering where future growth could come from for the company.
Guests: Russ Mould
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Original Broadcast: The Business Of Film
James Cameron-Wilson takes us through the latest UK box office figures, where Sing 2 has leapt to the top with a take of £6.9m, making it the 3rd biggest cinema opening since the pandemic began. The only other new entry is Almodovar's Parallel Mothers at #6. James enthuses about the awards hopeful CODA about a mostly-deaf family on Apple+ which he found not just moving but also funny. He was less excited about Netflix's My Best Friend Anne Frank which, despite being based on fact, he found rather unbelievable.
Guests: James Cameron-Wilson
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Original Broadcast: The Bigger Picture
Political commentator Mike Indian looks at the energy price cap increase and the general rise in the cost of living, as well as the Government's attempts to ameliorate the effects of inflation in an era of rampant political short-termism. He examines the waning popularity of Boris Johnson and asks if the PM can survive, feeling the May local elections could prove crucial. And he turns his attention to the Ukraine, wondering if Russia is merely sabre-rattling or if Putin is seriously considering an invasion.
Guests: Mike Indian
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Original Broadcast: Gadgets and Gizmos
Share Radio's technology editor Steve Caplin discusses the success of the online game Wordle, just bought by the New York Times. The Royal Mail will be adding QR codes to stamps to show videos, rendering all existing stamps obsolete. Horse riders will soon be able to learn to ride using a smart saddle while there are proposals to make electric scooters safer by getting them to emit the noise of a cymbal followed by that of a tuba. There's a wetsuit to protect swimmers from sharks and Tesla has yet more problems with recalls and hacking.
Guests: Steve Caplin
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