After another crazy year in politics cultural broadcaster Kirsty Lang conducts a light-hearted news review of the issues making the headlines - and which are likely to do so in the coming months, from the UK under new British prime minister Andy Burnham onto global issues like AI, Trump, Iran and Gaza. With Jeremy Corbyn, Lyse Doucet, the BBC’s chief international correspondent, and Peebles High School student, Dawa Murray.

Featuring:

Kirsty Lang Jeremy Corbyn Lyse Doucet Dawa Murray

More From Lyse Doucet: (2026) The Finest Hotel in Kabul (Penguin) at: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/446074/the-finest-hotel-in-kabul-by-doucet-lyse/9781804957943

Jeremy Corbyn’s Peace and Justice Project: https://thecorbynproject.com/

Beyond Borders Scotland: https://www.beyondbordersscotland.com

Audio Editor: Aedan Wilson

Scotland’s leading international charities are working together to support some of the world’s most vulnerable communities. Join to hear highlights from the Scottish Government’s Humanitarian Emergency Fund (HEF) annual report.

Featuring:

Noor al Naser Frances Guy Val Brown Nadeem Baqir

Audio Editor: Aedan Wilson

In this episode, listen to a discussion about the pivotal role women play in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and mediation from a Beyond Borders Scotland (BBS) panel at the Edinburgh International Book Festival 2025.

Speaking are selected Alumnae from the Women in Conflict 1325 Fellowship, a unique training and networking programme which is run by BBS in partnership with the University of Edinburgh Law School. These are Noor al Naser, a former United Nations diplomat from Iraq who has extensive experience in counter-terrorism, mine action, and programme management and now works for Beyond Borders Scotland; Ameya Kilara, a senior lawyer and award winning peace mediation expert from India who is currently a Senior Projects Director at Inter Mediate; and Dr. Ketty Akello, a lawyer, peacebuilder, and Women, Peace and Security advocate from Uganda who recently obtained her PhD in Law from Durham University. The discussion is hosted by Dr. Roxani Krystalli, a Senior Lecturer and researcher in feminist peace and conflict studies at the University of St Andrews.

Featuring:

Noor al Naser Ameya Kilara Dr. Ketty Akello Dr. Roxani Krystalli

For more information about Beyond Borders Scotland’s work on the Women in Conflict 1325 Fellowship visit our website to read about the Fellowship, the Women for the World Project, and find out more about our incredible Alumnae.

https://www.beyondbordersscotland.com/projects/women-in-conflict/

https://www.beyondbordersscotland.com/women-for-the-world/

https://www.beyondbordersscotland.com/projects/women-in-conflict/past-fellows/

Audio Editor: Aedan Wilson