There were some sobering forecasts from the Treasury’s independent forecaster, the Office for Budget Responsibility - the worst hit to GDP this year since 1709 - a deficit of £394bn of GDP this year (almost 20% of the entire economy).

Plus some very politically controversial decisions - a cash freeze in the pay of many public sector workers - a cut in the foreign aid budget.

Economics Editor Bn Chu is joined by Political Editor Andrew Woodcock and Business Reporter Ben Chapman to break down what the Chancellor announced.

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Looking back over President Trump's term though, has he achieved what he promised?

Host Lucie McInerney and Washington DC Bureau Chief John T Bennett look back to Trump's victory speech in 2016.

An address he never thought he'd have to give, the speech was free of the divisive language we've come to associate with his presidency.

From congratulating Hillary Clinton on her campaign to promising to be a president for all Americans, his words are barely recognizable four years on.

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Mail-in voting has been a controversial topic during this campaign season and quickly became a key area for both candidates to focus on.

Host Lucie McInerney is joined by Senior US Correspondent Richard Hall who has been travelling the length and breadth of America speaking to voters ahead of polling day.

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According to a leaked report staff at Edgbaston Hospital were aware of Mr McMinn's behaviour and went as far as aiding him in his efforts.

Shaun also revealed, via an investigation that was leaked to The Independent, that Mr McMinn may have put the health of patients at risk, in an apparent effort to maximize profits, having them heavily sedated so he perform two operations simultaneously.

Shaun talks through his findings in this episode with deputy editor David Marley.

You can read Shaun's full reports here:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/derek-mcminn-surgeon-body-parts-edgbaston-hospital-birmingham-b647226.html

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/derek-mcminn-surgeon-bones-scandal-sedation-operations-b718918.html

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With our neighbouring planet being host to a rare gas in its atmosphere, could this mean alien life existing in our solar system? And if so, in what form?

To find out more about this breakthrough discovery, Ben Kelly is joined by technology editor and science reporter Andrew Griffin to discuss whether the traditional extraterrestrial might be closer to reality than science fiction, and what this breakthrough means for the future of space exploration.

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The grand finale for Brexit is here as negotiations, or lack thereof, enter their final stages. So as threats of walking away with no deal rear their head again, what does the future look like?

Host Ben Kelly is joined by Parliamentary Sketch Writer Tom Peck to discuss the government's handling of the negotiations, and how that fits in with the coronavirus pandemic.

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The $200m blockbuster is Nolan's most confusing movie to date, so to better understand it Ben Kelly is joined by The Independent's Chief Film Critic Clarisse Loughrey.

Don't worry, there are no spoilers in this episode, in fact we're not sure we'd be able to spoil it if we tried...

You can also read Clarisse's review of Tenet here: https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/tenet-review-christopher-nolan-cast-director-time-travel-explanation-a9681936.html

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But what have we learnt over the last fortnight? From Trump using the White House as a party political tool to Biden surprising viewers with his speech to the nation - where are we now as we head towards November?

Host Ben Kelly is joined by US Voices Editor Holly Baxter and US Reporter Chris Riotta who have both been covering the conventions.

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Gavin Williamson and the education department have been under intense scrutiny after they let an algorithm decide the fate of thousands of school children across the country. So, why is he still in his job?

Host Ben Kelly is joined by Policy Correspondent Jon Stone to discuss the catastrophe that has been the A-level results and how Boris Johnson's government deals with crises like this one.

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So what does the new book tell us about Meghan and Harry that we didn't know before? And where do these new revelations fit in the wider context of the public's relationship with the couple?

Host Tom Richell is joined by The Independent's lifestyle editor Harriet Hall and reporter Sabrina Barr to discuss all this and more.

Sabrina also liveblogged the book as she read it, you can catch up on that here: https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/royal-family/prince-harry-meghan-markle-book-finding-freedom-news-live-review-omid-scobie-a9663691.html

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The economy shrank by 20.4 per cent in the second quarter of the year, worse than any other G7 nation, taking the UK into its first recession since the 2008-2009 financial crisis.

The dramatic fall in output came after a 2.2 per cent drop in the first three months of the year.

Business Correspondent Ben Chapman joins host Tom Richell to discuss the impact of this announcement and what happens next.

You can read an excellent piece of analysis from Ben here as well: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/analysis-and-features/recession-uk-economy-gdp-falls-why-government-response-analysis-a9666366.html

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Videos posted to social media showed a large fire burning at a warehouse in the port area of the city, before a blast sent a mushroom cloud towering into the sky and a shockwave across the city that was felt as far away as Cyprus. 

The Independent's correspondent in Beirut Bel Trew joins Deputy International Editor Gemma Fox and host Tom Richell to talk through her experiences of the last 24 hours and how the city is expected to function after such a large scale disaster. 

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Biden has already committed to selecting a woman and Kamala Harris is currently the favourite.

The Independent's Washington Bureau Chief John T. Bennett wades through the rumours with host Ben Kelly for a detailed look at all the names on Biden's potential shortlist.

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As the coronavirus pandemic and anti-racism protests continue to sweep the US, many voters will find themselves with a difficult decision to make in November.

How important is party loyalty during a time of crisis, and with politics becoming ever more divided, have we lost the ability to listen to views which oppose our own?

Read Chris’ report here: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-election/polarized-trump-biden-election-advice-conversations-with-family-a9624851.html 

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With Shrewsbury Hospital Trust already facing a criminal investigation, why does the picture across the wards appear to be worsening? And what could have been done to prevent such widespread failings?

You can read Shaun's full report here: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/shrewsbury-maternity-scandal/shrewsbury-hospital-nhs-england-maternity-test-cqc-a9620521.html 

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This week, we’ve had the first glimpse of the government’s advertising campaign to get the country Brexit-ready, we’ve had the Home Secretary unveil her immigration plans, and we’ve learned more about what travel will be like for Brits heading to Europe after the transition period.

Ben Kelly is joined by Policy Correspondent Jon Stone and Travel Correspondent Simon Calder.

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In this first episode of a brand new podcast series Behind the Headlines he recounts his experience, which included officers ignoring him when he was struggling to breathe and being assaulted by a guard in jail.

You can read Andrew's full story here: independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/journalist-arrest-seattle-chaz-protest-police-prison-black-lives-matter-a9606846.html

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For many people around the world ‘lockdown’ has been a major part of the last few months. In fact we’ve just passed a remarkable 100 days of these restrictions in the UK.

Meggie, who was furloughed from her full time job, took to TikTok and began lip-syncing politicians' voices in a new wave of internet satire.

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As pubs prepare to open this weekend, are we drinking more or less booze than before the lockdown? And how does being cooped up at home affect us and what dangers could that bring with it?

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Where did this virus originate and how does the global response compare to previous examples of pandemics?

Mark is the author of the book The Pandemic Century takes readers from the 1918 Spanish Flu to more recent viruses such as Sars and Mers.

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It's thought that Covid-19 originated in bats before making the leap to humans, so what did that process look like? If it can happen once, what's to stop it happening again? And, with all that in mind, is there any reason to be hopeful for the future?

The Independent is campaigning to Stop The Wildlife Trade. You can read more about our calls to end to practice here: https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/stop-the-wildlife-trade

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Even with limited space you can optimise on the good weather and extra time by getting some fresh produce growing in your home or garden.

What is best for small, medium and large spaces? Is there a 'perfect' soil? And what is the ethical way to deal with a slug?

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Passion And The Plague, which launches on Wednesday 20th May, will feature 10 stories from Giovanni Boccacio’s The Decameron. The book was written nearly 700 years ago during the Black Plague and bears striking resemblance to the situation today.

Click here to subscribe to Passion And The Plague: https://podfollow.com/passion-and-the-plague

You can also read Kevin’s fantastic article about The Decameron here: https://www.independent.co.uk/independentpremium/coronoavirus-lockdown-boccaccio-decameron-a9505131.html

Be sure to subscribe to this series on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast or wherever you listen so you never miss an episode.

Enjoy the show!

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How has Putin responded to the crisis, and how is he viewed by the nation?

Oliver also discusses his own experience of contracting the virus and what it was like and recovering in a Moscow hospital.

If you enjoy the show please leave us a rating and a comment.

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Without the ability to perform, how will artists make it through this time? And what about the venues that need live music to survive? After you've listened, why not read some more about those questions here?

Check out Roisin's weekly playlist 'Now Hear This' on Spotify.

Also, listen closely for a special guest appearance from Chloe's cat, Seb.

If you enjoy the show please leave us a rating and a comment.

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Is it feasible or sensible to leave the Union while the world is on lockdown? Or does the pandemic provide the perfect cover for the government to sneak through yet another extension to the transition period while Brexiteers look the other way?

The pair also discuss how the EU has responded to the crisis and made efforts to look after its member states.

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Sarah opens up on the importance of forming emotional attachments with patients and reveals how, at times, she has “had a feeling of hopelessness”.

David and Sarah also discuss PPE. After the government was heavily criticised for its failure to provide equipment to medical staff, Sarah says she's never had to enter a Covid-19 ward without PPE, but has “probably worn about five to six different types of gowns and visors and masks, depending on the stock and the flow and the amount of different stuff available at different sites.”

You can read about the interview here.

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Anthony brings us up to date on the lockdown in France, which has recently been extended, and talks about what it's like to live in such strict conditions.

How is the mood across the nation and what is the public feeling towards Emmanuel Macron? And how will a city that loves to protest, as Paris does, voice their frustrations if they can't take to the streets?

As a new father he also shares his experience of raising his newborn daughter Chloe in a world where venturing outside is against the rules.

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The coronavirus pandemic has had us all cooped up now for three weeks, but one hour of outdoor exercise is permitted each day.

Have you noticed the running resurgence? The pair discuss how to make the most of both the outside and inside to fit and active.

Fiona, who now works as as personal trainer, also reveals how it's affected her business and how she's had to quickly adapt to stay afloat.

You can follow Fiona on Instagram for more regular fitness tips.

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Coronavirus could be catastrophic as many countries do not have adequate healthcare systems to cope with the sweeping pandemic. Bel takes us behind the scenes on a recent trip to an Intensive Care Unit at a hospital in Beirut and we hear from the doctors she spoke to.

She also explores how the very notion of social distancing is impossible for many, such as those living in refugee camps.

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They'll look at how to go about looking after your teams and employees during this time, focusing on mental health and wellbeing.

How does not physically being around our colleagues affect us? And how to we reach out to make sure someone is coping without overstepping professional boundaries?

David also takes the group through a simple breathing exercise to help with anxiety and stress.

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Ordering endless takeaways can be tempting during these troubled times, so how do we make sure we stay healthy? Should we be creating recipes or just getting what we can from the limited options at the supermarket and making something out of that? And how can we support struggling restaurants?

The pair look into all of that and discuss what's on the menu for dinner tonight!

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They look at how the spread of Covid-19 is causing havoc in the world of sport. From Wimbledon, to the Olympics, to all tiers of the football league.

Is it right to criticise multi-millionaire football players at this time? Will Tokyo be able to cope with a 12 month delay to its summer games? And what controversy has been caused by the French Open being postponed?

Also we'll give you a snippet of this week's episode of the Indy Football Podcast where Miguel Delaney talks about his exclusive story that the Premier League is considering a World Cup-style tournament to get the season finished.

You can read Miguel's full piece here:

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/coronavirus-premier-league-isolated-camps-remaining-fixtures-dates-suspension-latest-a9432961.html

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They swap their tips for how to be productive while living in lockdown and what not to wear on a video call with your boss.

You can read more on all of that in Harriet's latest column:

https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/coronavirus-work-from-home-loungewear-pyjamas-a9421701.html

Harriet also opens up about the cancellation of her wedding this summer and how the fallout affects not just her, but hundreds of others from guests to caterers as well

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They look at the response to Covid-19 in America, and compare it to the response of other countries around the world. They also examine how President Trump has been perceived by the public during the pandemic and how it's impacted the 2020 election campaign.

Also, what's life like in New York city, the epicentre of coronavirus in the USA? Holly, a Brooklyn resident, talks about how the city has changed and what it's like to live in a lockdown.

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Olivia shares the stories of four different women who each are in a unique and difficult position with their relationships. You can also hear more on those stories by subscribing to Millennial Love now.

Jo also breaks down how to go about being single during these strange times and how to manage a healthy relationship if you're quarantined together.

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What do stranded tourists do? How will the airline industry bounce back after this shutdown? And when do we get to go on holiday again?

The pair are also joined by correspondent Colin Drury. He spoke to a British couple stranded in Bolivia this week about how they came to be there and what it's like to feel ignored and alone.

You can read Colin's full story here:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/coronavirus-couple-stranded-bolivia-fco-harry-guywalters-molly-holmes-a9422231.html

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On the show today The Independent's Editor Christian Broughton is joined by Economics Editor Ben Chu to discuss the impact of the coronavirus on the UK economy, and also economies around the world.

They also look at how industry is changing and adapting in front of our eyes and how a global event like this could make world leaders look more seriously at issues such as climate change.

If you enjoy the show please leave us a rating and a comment.

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In this podcast, we’ll be answering readers’ questions, speaking to guests and making the most of our team of journalists around the UK, the US and the world. 

Subscribe now wherever you listen for all the latest coronavirus news.

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