From hedgehog attacks to a supernatural voyage into colonialism: best podcasts of the week
'Who really gives a shit about roots any more,' asks Dashon (Caleb McLaughlin), a Detroit teenager who, in this audio drama, is begrudgingly in Zimbabwe with his family. He is indifferent towards their African ancestry, leading to uncomfortable conversations about race, colonialism and privilege. That could be a provocative enough story, but the supernatural twists that follow really elevate this production. Hannah J DaviesAudible, all episodes out now
The latest entry in the genre of Famous People Chatting to Each Other sees radio presenter Roman Kemp and pop star Tom Grennan banter away for 40 minutes. It's more laddish than many listeners will relish, but fans of the pair will no doubt enjoy it. Alexi DugginsBBC Sounds, episodes weekly
This smart, empathic podcast from criminologist Prof Ali Fraser and indie producers The Big Light is about young people trying to swerve gang culture and violence, and the hardworking youth organisations making their lives better. Fraser's cross-country tour begins in once-industrial, now gentrified Hackney, east London, where local teens can feel pushed out. HJD
Widely available, all episodes out now
From behind-the-scenes tales of being savaged by hedgehogs to the revelation that sharks have BFFs, this personality-packed nature podcast teams wildlife biologist Lizzie Daly, Bafta-winning naturalist Steve Backshall and environmental journalist Sarah Roberts. It's stuffed with trivia, insight and charm. ADWidely available , episodes twice weekly from Tuesday 3 June
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Miriam Margolyes wrote to the king the night before an operation. Paul Whitehouse started fishing with Bob Mortimer to help with their cardiac disease recoveries. They join other celebrities speaking to Dr Oscar Duke in this candid series about health issues that have changed them, including Julia Bradbury, who was diagnosed with breast cancer, and Lorraine Kelly, who had her ovaries removed. Hollie RichardsonWidely available, episodes weekly
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Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Anita Dobson wins big for her surprise EastEnders return while Emmerdale's Amelia Flanagan is overcome with emotion as she accepts Best Young Performer gong at British Soap Awards
Anita Dobson looked jubilant as she won Scene of the Year for her surprise EastEnders return, while Amelia Flanagan held back tears as she accepted her gong at the British Soap Awards on Saturday night. Stars of the country's favourite soaps descended on London's Hackney Empire for the annual bash which was hosted by Jane McDonald. And among the biggest moments of the night was Anita, 76, scooping an award for her reprisal of the iconic Angie Watts for EastEnders' special anniversary episode in February. The actress returned as the Queen Vic's first landlady for the first time in 37 years for a heartbreaking cameo with daughter Sharon - played by Letitia Dean. Her shock return left viewers stunned and in tears, with fans branding it the 'TV moment of the year', so her win came as no surprise. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Anita Dobson looked jubilant as she won Scene of the Year for her surprise EastEnders return (left), while Amelia Flanagan held back tears as she accepted her gong (right) at the British Soap Awards on Saturday night Anita won the prize over stiff competition from Mason's death in Coronation Street, Amy's deathly plunge in Emmerdale and Hollyoaks' Mercedes confronting of her mortality. Meanwhile, Amelia was overcome with emotion as she was announced as the winner of Best Young Performer for playing April Windsor in Emmerdale. The 16-year-old - who previously won the prize for Best Young Performance for the role in 2015 - couldn't hid her shock as she took to the stage to accept the trophy. The actress beat out Corrie's Will Flanagan, EastEnders star Sonny Kendall and Hollyoaks' Noah Holdsworth for the win. Another standout moment of the ceremony was Sir David Jason taking to the stage to present the coveted Best Soap award. The Only Fools and Horses star, 85, cut a dapper figure in a classic black suit and bow tie as he announced EastEnders as the winner. It capped off a good night for the residents of Walford, with the BBC soap coming out the victor of this year's awards with a whopping eight wins. Following in their wake was Hollyoaks with three gongs, Emmerdale two and Coronation Street only receiving one win on the night. Meanwhile, Amelia was overcome with emotion as she was announced as the winner of Best Young Performer for playing April Windsor in Emmerdale The 16-year-old - who previously won the prize for Best Young Performance for the role in 2015 - couldn't hid her shock as she took to the stage to accept the trophy. As well as their wins for Anita and Best Soap, EastEnders also nabbed the Best Episode award for Phil's Psychosis: The Mitchells In 1985. Steve McFadden, who plays fan favourite Phil Mitchell, won the Best Dramatic Performance award while Patsy Palmer won Best Comedic Performance for her role as Bianca Jackson. The popular progamme also scored Best Villain for Navin Chowdhry for his role as Nish Panesar, while Lacey Turner, who plays Stacey Slater, won the Best Leading Performer Award. Rudolph Walker & Angela Wynter (Patrick & Yolande Trueman) delivered another win for EastEnders as they won Best On-Screen Partnership. Hollyoaks' three awards started with Isabelle Smith who won Best Newcomer for her role as Frankie Osborne. The Osbornes then won the Best Family award while Hollyoaks' sibling sexual abuse storyline received the Best Storyline award. Emmerdale's camera operator Mike Plant took home the Tony Warren Award which is given to employees working behind the scenes. Coronation Street's sole gong of the night was the Outstanding Achievement Award which went to David Neilson who has played Roy Cropper for 30 years. Denise Walsh and Martin Kemp presented the Best Newcomer award together, before Denise was surprised with an award herself by Shirlie Kemp. The actress was given the special CHEE award, standing for Corrie, Hollyoaks, Eastenders, Emmerdale, for someone who has appeared in all four soaps. Last year's show was suddenly cancelled with no explanation after the nominees had been announced. The June 2023 edition reached 5.7 million viewers in total with just under one million streams on ITVX and a peak of 3.2m viewers via its linear overnight broadcast. Singer and self-confessed soaps lover Jane, 61, stepped in as a last-minute replacement for Phillip Schofield two years ago after he quit ITV after admitting to an affair with a young male This Morning colleague. Host Jane said: 'I'm beyond excited to be hosting The British Soap Awards again as I had such a ball hosting the awards last time. 'You all know I love my soaps, so to be in a room giving recognition to all these wonderful actors and their fantastic hard work is simply joyous. I can't wait to get my glittery frock on and celebrate with everyone.' Meanwhile, Gemma John-Lewis, Entertainment Commissioner ITV said: 'The British Soaps Awards are an opportunity to celebrate and shine a light on the incredible actors and production teams that deliver gripping drama and captivating stories throughout the year. 'We're delighted Jane McDonald, a self proclaimed number one soap fan, is returning to host the awards.' The British Soap Awards airs on Thursday at 8pm on ITV1 & ITVX.
The Independent
4 hours ago
- The Independent
FBI says it broke up effort to bring toxic fungus to Michigan lab from China
A Chinese scientist entered the U.S. last year with a toxic fungus stashed in his backpack, federal authorities said Tuesday as they filed charges against him and a girlfriend who worked in a lab at the University of Michigan. The pathogen is known as Fusarium graminearum, which can attack wheat, barley, maize and rice and sicken livestock and people, the FBI said in a court filing in Detroit. The FBI said a scientific journal describes it as a 'potential agroterrorism weapon.' Yunqing Jian, 33, and Zunyong Liu, 34, were charged with conspiracy, smuggling, making false statements and visa fraud. 'The alleged actions of these Chinese nationals, including a loyal member of the Chinese Communist Party, are of the gravest national security concerns," U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon Jr. said. Jian appeared in court and was returned to jail to await a bond hearing Thursday. A message seeking comment from her attorney was not immediately returned. In July 2024, Liu was turned away at the Detroit airport and sent back to China after changing his story during an interrogation about red plant material discovered in his backpack, the FBI said. He initially claimed ignorance about the samples but later said he was planning to use the material for research at a University of Michigan lab where Jian worked and where Liu previously worked, the FBI said. The FBI said authorities found a scientific article on Liu's phone that was titled, "Plant-Pathogen Warfare under Changing Climate Conditions." A week before arriving in the U.S., according to investigators, Liu exchanged messages with Jian, who said, 'It's a pity that I still have to work for you.' The FBI said Liu replied: 'Once this is done, everything else will be easy.' Months later, in February, FBI agents visited Jian at the campus lab. She said, '100% no,' when asked if she had been assisting Liu with the pathogen at the lab. The FBI said it found a signed statement on her phone expressing her support for the Communist Party of China. Messages between the two in 2024 suggest that Jian was already tending to Fusarium graminearum at the campus lab before Liu was caught at the Detroit airport, the FBI said. The university does not have federal permits to handle it.
BBC News
5 hours ago
- BBC News
Chinese nationals accused of smuggling 'biological pathogen' into US
Two Chinese nationals have been accused of smuggling a fungus into the US that officials describe as a "dangerous biological pathogen".Yunqing Jian, 33, and Zunyong Liu, 34, have been charged with conspiracy, smuggling goods, false statements, and visa fraud, the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan announced on complaint alleges Mr Liu tried to smuggle the fungus through Detroit airport so he could study it at a University of Michigan laboratory where his girlfriend, Ms Jian, fungus called Fusarium graminearum can cause a disease in wheat, barley, maize and rice that can wipe out crops and lead to vomiting and liver damage if it gets into food. The fungus is described in scientific literature as a "potential agroterrorism weapon", according to the US Attorney's Office, adding it is responsible for "billions of dollars in economic losses worldwide each year."Officials further allege Ms Jian received funding from the Chinese government for her research on the pathogen in China. They also claim she is a member of the Chinese Communist States Attorney Jerome F Gorgon Jr described the allegations as of the "gravest national security concerns"."These two aliens have been charged with smuggling a fungus that has been described as a 'potential agroterrorism weapon' into in the [sic] heartland of America, where they apparently intended to use a University of Michigan laboratory to further their scheme."The investigation was a joint effort between the FBI and US Customs and Border Jian is due to appear in court in Detroit, Michigan on BBC has reached out to the University of Michigan and the Chinese embassy in Washington DC for comment. The charges come amid strained relations between the US and China, and just days after the Trump administration vowed to "aggressively" revoke the visas of Chinese nationals studying in the US. Beijing also said Washington "severely violated" a trade truce reached in Geneva last month, when both countries lowered tariffs on goods imported from each this week, a Chinese student at the University of Michigan was charged for illegally voting in the October 2024 election.
