How Swinney charmed Trump ahead of state visit

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Why Lockerbie is back in the news’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00272kt Abu Agila Mas'ud Kheir Al-Marimi, aka Mas’ud (pictured), who is accused of building the bomb that brought down an American airliner over Lockerbie in 1988, has claimed he was forced into making a false confession. The BBC’s Dave Cowan tells us what that could mean for his trial. And with President Trump’s state visit coming to an end – could Scotland be left on the sidelines of one of the major deals? Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Is Trump Scotland's friend?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002745q John Swinney is on the guest list for a Windsor Castle banquet honouring Donald Trump’s UK state visit. Political editor Glenn Campbell talks us through an extraordinary turnaround in relations between the first minister and US president. And as Microsoft heralds a multibillion-dollar investment in the UK AI sector, BBC tech reporter Graham Fraser explains how big a deal it is. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Housing crisis: the emotional cost’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002h9zt Amanda Smith’s (pictured) household is one of a record number living in temporary homeless accommodation. The BBC’s Chris Clements tells us her story – and explains how the housing emergency developed. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘One lawyer quit to become cabin crew’: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002d9mx MSPs are on the brink of voting to abolish the controversial third verdict of not proven in criminal cases. We ask the BBC’s David Cowan about plans to reduce Scottish courts to two verdicts: guilty or not guilty. And Edith Forrest KC (pictured) tells us why the legal profession has reservations about the change. And Natalie tells Martin how to cope with unwanted subscriptions. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Natalie Higgins and Laura Miller. Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Devi Sridhar on how we can live longer’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002cqnr Liam Shaw (pictured), author of Dangerous Miracles, tells us why less than a hundred years after the first antibiotic discovery, governments now need to step in because big pharma companies won’t. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: [email protected]

Sam Eljamel (pictured) was a top NHS brain surgeon who harmed dozens of his patients, leaving some with life-changing injuries. On the opening day of a public inquiry, we ask victim Jules Rose and Justin Bowie, who has covered the story for The Courier in Dundee, whether NHS Tayside could have stopped Eljamel sooner. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Should buying sex be a crime?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002cb7z Dominatrix and sex worker Porcelain Victoria (pictured right) and campaigner Laura Baillie (pictured left) tell us why they are against Ash Regan’s proposed Prostitution Bill. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: [email protected]

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘What will the Greens do next?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002hmcv Gillian Mackay and Ross Greer (both pictured) are the new co-leaders of the Scottish Greens. In a wide-ranging conversation covering Nigel Farage, flying flags and asylum hotels, they tell us why their position on transgender issues won’t change and why they’re unwilling to work with Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch: [email protected]

Have you noticed flags flying on a street near you? Aberdeenshire council have begun taking down Saltires from lampposts – while first minister John Swinney joined MSPs in expressing concern that the national flag has been 'hijacked' by far-right groups. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing [email protected]

JK Rowling, politicians and activists have all weighed in on what they think about the Sandie Peggie, Beth Upton and NHS Fife tribunal, as the debate on trans rights and gender continues to play out in the court of public opinion. In this episode, Martin sits down with the BBC’s Lorna Gordon and Rebecca McCurdy, political correspondent at The Herald, to cut through the noise of what’s happening and hear what it has been like covering the case. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing [email protected]