What it's really like to live in Iran

Protests have erupted across Iran following the regime's stark economic crisis in what has become the biggest outbreak of civil unrest since Mahsa Amini's death in police custody in 2022.We speak to Iranians living in the UK to hear about what it's like to live there, and we'll ask: should the West avoid getting involved in any prospective regime change?We go to Sydney to hear about how Australians are welcoming in the new year and ask whether our relationship with this celebration has changed. Plus we're joined by LBC's Simon Marks, Nick Abbot and Shelagh Fogarty to hear their predictions about what's to come in 2026.

Actor Idris Elba and Lionesses manager Serena Weigman lead the New Year Honours - but where did this tradition come from, and do you think the people in receipt of these gongs generally deserve them?The head of the Unite union - Labour's biggest donor - says the Prime Minister is toast and has warned his would-be successor not to make the same mistakes he has. Is she right? But what about party leaders Kemi Badenoch and Sir Ed Davey? Will they still be in their jobs at the end of 2026?A third of us say you have to be born in Britain to be truly British. What is "Britishness"?

Opposition parties are calling for a British-Egyptian dissident to be stripped of his citizenship following the emergence of tweets against British people where he also called for the killing of zionists. We're joined by Emily Thornberry who says citizenship cannot be taken away "willy-nilly". President Trump says "Russia wants to see Ukraine succeed". Does this statement encapsulate the anxiety that Ukraine will not be able to secure a "just peace"? Erin Doherty, the actress who plays a young Princess Anne in The Crown says she gets served quicker when she puts on a posh accent. In what way have you been judged for your accent?

Ukraine claims full control of Kupyansk on Christmas Day, dealing a symbolic blow to Vladimir Putin, with investigative journalist John Sweeney analysing what it means for the war. We also bring the latest on US strikes against IS targets in Nigeria and wider global defence implications with expert insight from Helen Hoddinott and Robert Fox. Plus, Dr Ellie Cannon joins us to talk weird phobias, why we get them, and how to overcome them.

A Christmas Day special exploring what the season really means, from faith and the nativity to commercialisation, family pressures, and changing traditions. Featuring emotional and thoughtful calls from listeners of different backgrounds, live performances, childhood memories, and festive reflections that capture Christmas.

What does your traditional Christmas diet look like? Do you go heavy on chocolates, or is turkey the highlight of your holiday season? Are there any wacky meals you bring out in December that would raise a few eyebrows?

Are you working through Christmas?

Should we all learn another language?

Call Kemi: Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch takes your callsJoining Iain Dale on Cross Question are Conservative Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Andrew Rosindell, Liberal Democrat Shadow Attorney General Ben Maguire, historian and broadcaster Dr Tessa Dunlop and the social entrepreneur Samuel Kasumu.

Why would anyone in this country possibly want Trump to win his legal case against the BBC?Joining Iain Dale on Cross Question are MPs Charlotte Nichols from Labour and Sarah Bool from the Conservatives, Baroness Jenny Jones from the Green Party and the former adviser to Boris Johnson, Guto Harri.