Best of the Spectator

The government is looking at easing the lockdown, but how much remains unknown about the coronavirus (00:40)? In the meantime, Joe Biden is batting off sexual assault allegations (10:15), and we take a look at the upside of lockdown for new parents (21:30).With science writer Matt Ridley, virologist Elisabetta Groppelli, Spectator USA editor Freddy Gray, host of the 'Democratically: 2020' podcast Karin Robinson, the Spectator's Assistant Editor Lara Prendergast, and Editor of the Times Literary Supplement Stig Abell.Presented by Cindy Yu.Produced by Cindy Yu and Gus Carter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Toby Young is the Spectator's No Sacred Cows columnist and founder of the Free Speech Union. On the podcast, he talks to Andy and Benedict about getting coronavirus, the worst WHO gaffes, and the hardy 70-somethings down his street.That's Life is a sideways look at the events, people, words and ideas that shape the news agenda. Presented by Spectator Life’s satirist Andy Shaw and political commentator Benedict Spence. Find previous episodes here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode, the Coronomics panel discuss the confusions of Italy's lockdown easing; Hong Kong's large-scale repatriation of residents from South Asia; the potential watershed moment of American news outlets accepting federal funds; and whether China is looking down the barrel of a second wave.With Silvia Sciorilli Borrelli in Rome, former Italian Correspondent for Politico; Jennifer Creery in Hong Kong, Managing Editor of the Hong Kong Free Press; Nick Gillespie in New York, Editor at Large for Reason magazine; and guest appearance from Cindy Yu, Broadcast Editor at the Spectator.Presented by Kate Andrews.Read the articles discussed in the episode here:Italy: https://www.forbes.com/sites/rebeccahughes/2020/04/29/italians-angered-by-chaotic-and-confusing-phase-2-lockdown-lift/Hong Kong: https://asiatimes.com/2020/04/hk-to-repatriate-5200-citizens-from-india-pakistan/USA: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/29/business/news-media-federal-aid-coronavirus.html?action=click&module=News&pgtype=HomepageChina: https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/is-harbin-china-s-new-wuhan- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Carbon offsetting refers to the suite of schemes that compensate for the emissions we put out, by making up for them elsewhere. Included in those schemes are so-called 'nature-based solutions' - initiatives designed to protect and transform land, like tree planting. But with offsetting in the news for all the wrong reasons - like Harry and Meghan's private jet-setting lifestyle - is it a medieval indulgence, allowing the rich to absolve their environmental sins; or is it the way to Net Zero, which the government has committed to achieve by 2050? Do nature-based solutions work, and how should their performance be measured?With Tony Juniper, Head of Natural England, Robert Courts, Conservative MP for Witney, and Harvonne Yap, Global Origination Lead for Environmental Products at Shell, which is sponsoring this podcast.Presented by Kate Andrews. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's episode features Rachel Johnson's diary, in which she talks about becoming an aunt again; Paul Wood on why mass testing isn't good enough - we need to test everyone; and Simon Barnes on the point of boxing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charles Moore recently published Herself Alone, the final volume of an authorised biography of Margaret Thatcher. When writing, he realised that the story is half-tragedy, half-Whodunnit. Many of those involved in her fall had a motive. This podcast is a narrative of the events leading up to Mrs Thatcher's fall, voiced by Charles Moore and Kate Ehrman, who assisted with all three volumes of the biography. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the Prime Minister back, the government is pivoting towards a South Korean model on coronavirus. So what's taken them so long (00:45)? Plus, how does oil complicate the pandemic in Russia (14:50)? And last, why weddings will be over-subscribed in 2021 (26:55).With James Forsyth, Adrian Wooldridge, Owen Matthews, Isabelle Khurshudyan, Katy Balls and Katrina Otter.Presented by Cindy Yu.Produced by Cindy Yu and Gus Carter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's books podcast I'm joined from across the Atlantic by the eminent Shakespearean James Shapiro to talk about his new book Shakespeare in a Divided America, which discusses the myriad ways in which America has taken Britain's national playwright up as its own; and then used him as a lightning-rod for the deepest issues about its own national identity - issues of masculinity, race relations, immigration and assassination. Jim talks about why a country founded by theatre-hating, Brit-hating Puritans fell in love with a British playwright; how Lincoln was the greatest reader of Shakespeare in American history; about whether America is the purest repository of Shakespeare's language; about how a beef between two Shakespeare actors once led to light artillery being deployed in downtown Manhattan - and how Ulysses S Grant may have been the greatest Desdemona the theatre never quite had.The Book Club is a series of literary interviews and discussions on the latest releases in the world of publishing, from poetry through to physics. Presented by Sam Leith, The Spectator's Literary Editor. Hear past episodes here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This six-part series is the latest addition to Spectator Radio. Each week, our panellists from around the world each select a story that gives you an inside look at what's happening outside their windows.In this episode, we take a look at Italy's route to freedom, Boris's return to work, intergenerational tensions in New York, and Hong Kong's non-Covid patients.With Silvia Sciorilli Borrelli in Rome, former Italian Correspondent for Politico; Jennifer Creery in Hong Kong, Managing Editor of the Hong Kong Free Press; and Nick Gillespie in New York, Editor at Large for Reason magazine.Presented by Kate Andrews.Read the articles discussed here:https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/italy-coronavirus-phase-ii-may-4/2020/04/23/3bb47b52-84ae-11ea-81a3-9690c9881111_story.htmlhttps://www.wsj.com/articles/the-bearer-of-good-coronavirus-news-11587746176https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1522723-20200425.htmhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2020/04/26/boris-johnson-could-ease-lockdown-may-7-deadline/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ryan Riley is a chef and entrepreneur, whose organisation Life Kitchen gives free cookery classes to people with cancer. On the podcast, he talks about his own mother's struggle with cancer, how the best ideas always come on Tuesday nights (and with a drink), and why umami is the key to cooking for people with taste. Ryan's cookbook with favourite recipes from Life Kitchen is out now.Table Talk is a series of podcasts where Lara Prendergast and Olivia Potts talk to high profile guests about their life story, through the food and drink that has come to define it. Listen to past episodes here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.