Yesterday, the Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered her spring statement - an economic update - to the commons.

With the news completely dominated by conflict in the Middle East, you would be forgiven for not noticing. In fact, many have deduced that this was exactly what the government were hoping for.

Anoosh Chakelian is joined by Will Dunn to discuss.

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Yesterday afternoon in the Commons, Keir Starmer took a stance against Trump's attacks on Iran. The US President has expressed his dissatisfaction with the Prime Minister.

Is a rift developing? Should the UK be pivoting away from the US and towards Europe? And should talk of the "special relationship" be banned from the government's parlance?

Oli Dugmore is joined by journalist, author, and ex-Foreign Office special adviser Ben Judah to discuss.

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While the US bombs Iran, the Kremlin will see immediate advantages for Russia.

Vladimir Putin expressed “deep condolences” to the people of Iran over the killing of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei by US and Israeli forces.

The Russian president – currently leading his own brutal and illegal war in Ukraine – condemned what he called Khamenei’s “assassination” as a “cynical violation of all norms of human morality and international law”.

Russia and Iran are long-term “strategic partners”. They signed a new treaty in January last year.

But while Putin offers consoling words to Iran, the Kremlin will undoubtedly have eyes on the potential benefits to them of a US-Israel war on Russia’s ally.

So, is Trump’s war in Iran playing into Russia’s hands?

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Fiona Hill, former presidential advisor, joins Megan Gibson.

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To mark Rare Disease Day, this special Spotlight episode explores why rare diseases - affecting an estimated one in 17 people in the UK – still face years of diagnostic delays and limited treatment options.

Host Sarah Darwood speaks to CEO of LifeArc Dr Sam Barrell and Terry Pirovalakis, whose son Michael has been diagnosed with the rare neurological disorder SPG50.

Their discussion looks at the reality of the “diagnostic odyssey”; gaps in data, investment and regulatory pathways; and the financial and structural challenges that limit progress in rare conditions.

They also explore the growing role of parents as advocates and innovators, the case for a national rare disease champion, and why a more joined-up approach across government, regulators, industry and charities is essential to delivering faster diagnoses and access to life-changing therapies.

This New Statesman podcast episode has been fully funded by LifeArc.

Find out more about LifeArc’s Taskforce Report and recommendations.

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Martin Lewis ambushed Kemi Badenoch, Your Party think bureaucracy will stop nuclear war, and the Sea Bass handling committee have released exciting new guidance.

Anoosh Chakelian and Will Dunn round up the week's political news you might have missed.

READ:

Abandon all hope at the Your Party hustings

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Does the Greens' decisive victory in Gorton & Denton spell the end of Keir Starmer's Labour?

After the worst possible outcome for Labour in the Gorton & Denton by-election, Ailbhe Rea joins Tom McTague on Daily Politics from the New Statesman.

They discuss what this means for Keir Starmer, for the Labour party - and for the future of politics in Britain.

READ: Inside the Greens' seismic Gorton and Denton win

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Hannah Spencer, a plumber and Green Party councillor, is now the MP for Gorton and Denton.

The Party takes the seat from right under Labour, following weeks of what was seen to be a three way race with Reform.

Megan Kenyon is joined by Ben Walker.

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