LBC

After Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi, was killed in a helicopter crash, Shelagh Fogarty speaks to Efrat Sopher, Chair of the Board of Advisors at the Ezri Center for Iran and Gulf States Research, to find out more. Iran has declared five days of public mourning after Raisi's death. The crash happened close to Iran's border with Azerbaijan, where Raisi had been meeting Azerbaijan's President, Ilham Aliyev. Raisi's funeral will take place on May 21st, 2024, and all cultural activities have been cancelled for the next week. Mohammad Mokhber has been appointed as acting president, while Bagheri Kani, who had been serving as deputy foreign minister, has now been made foreign minister.

Iain Dale's Cross Question panel discuss the International Criminal Court’s request for multiple arrest warrants in the Israel-Gaza war. Joe Biden has publicly condemned the ICC for including Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu in this group. The Daily Express’ Christian Calgie agrees with Joe Biden's condemnation of the ICC for issuing an arrest warrant against Benjamin Netanyahu, calling it 'offensive nonsense.’ Calgie says: 'Comparing Netanyahu to the terrorists that perpetrated that horrific crime is totally wrong.' Conservative MP Tom Hunt defends Christian Calgie’s comments, saying that the ICC drawing a parallel between Hamas and Netanyahu 'shocking beyond belief'. This prompted a wider discussion as to whether the UK should leave the ICC. Labour MP Dame Diana Johnson believes the ICC is 'an important cornerstone of the legal framework that, as a country, we respect and operate within'.

Iain Dale speaks to Paul Garlick KC, a criminal barrister and judge, to discuss whether it's right for the ICC to put Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli official in the same bracket as Hamas. The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has called for arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza, on charges of war crimes. Karim Khan KC stated that there are reasonable grounds to believe both individuals are responsible for such offences and crimes against humanity following Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7th. Arrest warrants have also been requested for Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Hamas's political leader Ismail Haniyeh, and the group's military chief Mohammed Deif.

This is the first time the ICC has targeted the leader of a key ally of the United States. As the leader of a nation, a warrant would put Netanyahu alongside Vladimir Putin after a warrant was issued for the Russian president's arrest following the invasion of Ukraine. Reports that the ICC would issue an arrest warrant for Netanyahu have been surfacing for months. Commenting on the possibility in April, Netanyahu said any ICC arrest warrants against senior Israeli government and military officials “would be an outrage of historic proportions.” He said Israel “has an independent legal system that rigorously investigates all violations of the law.” Khan reiterated in his interview with CNN today: “Nobody is above the law” and said anyone with objections is "free, notwithstanding their objections to jurisdiction, to raise a challenge before the judges of the court and that’s what I advise them to do.” Israel, alongside the United States, is not a member of the ICC, but the international body does claim to have jurisdiction over Gaza, east Jerusalem and the West Bank.

Nick Ferrari speaks to the Chief Executive of the Community Security Trust, Mark Gardner, and hears from callers as they react to Michael Gove's expected comments accusing protesters of not doing enough to stop the surge in anti-Semitism during a speech on Tuesday. The Communities Secretary will condemn the rise of anti-Semitism. He’s set to say that while many protesters are "thoughtful, gentle, compassionate people", they are "side by side with those who are promoting hate". It comes as some critics have voiced concern about the police handling of the demonstrations and the effect they have on the UK's Jewish community.

LBC's Charlotte Lynch gives a breakdown of the findings from the Infected Blood Inquiry: - The investigation accuses doctors, the government and NHS of trying to cover-up infected blood scandal. - Tens of thousands of people were given contaminated blood and blood products between the 1970s and early 1990s. - A deliberate decision to destroy crucial paperwork - Children were used as "objects for research" at Lord Mayor Treloar College in 70s and 80s - Inquiry chair calls for compensation scheme to be set up now

Iran's president is missing after a helicopter he was travelling in crashed - with sources in Tehran warning his life is in danger. President Ebrahim Raisi was travelling in Iran's East Azerbaijan province near Jolfa, a city on the border with with the country of Azerbaijan when his helicopter came to the 'hard landing', state media initially reported. Search and rescue teams have found the helicopter - with sources conflicting if this is true or not - but there has been no update on whether Raisi had been found. State media blamed the accident on poor weather conditions and thick fog. A Tehran official told Reuters that Mr Raisi's life is in danger - as is the life of Iran's foreign minister who was travelling with the president. Rachel Johnson speaks to former British Ambassador to Iran Sir Richard Dalton - giving her all the latest on the story.

Grant Shapps has said the world "needs to know" Israel's plan for Gaza after the war against Hamas ends. The Defence Secretary told LBC's Lewis Goodall that there "has to be some hope for the future" for Gaza, after Israel's Benny Gantz threatened to quit the country's war cabinet unless Benjamin Netanyahu changed course. Seven months into the war, Israel continues to battle Hamas. Its other objective - recovering the hostages taken by the terrorist group on October 7 - is also incomplete.

A departing researcher from OpenAI has accused the company of putting 'shiny products' above its safety principles. Matthew Wright speaks to LBC's Technology Correspondent Will Guyatt to get the latest on the story. Will Guyatt tells Matthew Wright: 'It would appear that OpenAI has disbanded it's safety team designed to save humanity from the potential dangers of artificial intelligence.' 'Many have resigned after believing the company hasn't been following its own safety principles.' Matthew Wright responds by 'thanking' Will Guyatt 'for putting the fear of God up us'!

A Palestinian student who faces deportation over her remarks about October 7 has insisted she was not referring to Hamas. Dana Abuqamar, 19, was filmed at a protest one day after the attack describing how she was “full of joy” and “proud that Palestinian resistance has come to this point”. The Manchester University law student has since had her visa revoked, with the Home Office citing reasons of “public safety”. But Ms Abuqamar said that her "words were taken out of context". Speaking to LBC's Tom Swarbrick on Friday, she said: "I do not mention Hamas, I do not mention that I condone the killing of any innocent civilians, my words were taken completely out of context. "No logical person can conclude that I was supporting harm to any innocent civilians based on the context that was given."

After a Batley Grammar School RE teacher went into hiding amid protests against him showing pupils a cartoon of Prophet Muhammad in 2021, teachers will be receiving free speech protections from blasphemy claims by religious groups. Ali Miraj spoke to to caller Donna who supports the protection for teachers, saying she will 'stand up and defend' the UK's democracy. Caller Zalay phoned in next, to debate with the presenter on the presence of Islamophobia in the UK.

National security adviser in the US, Jake Sullivan, said this week that military pressure is necessary but not sufficient to fully defeat Hamas. And the State Department added that Israel has a responsibility to connect their military operation to a truly clear strategic endgame. As Hamas moves to guerrila warfare in Gaza, Andrew Marr is joined by Paola Caridi, author of Hamas: From Resistance to Regime (00:00), and Former Head of Britain's GCHQ, Sir David Omand (05.26) to discuss who could 'win' the conflict.

As Rishi Sunak faces challenges over the early release of dangerous criminals under a scheme aimed at easing overcrowding in jails, Ben Kentish hears from a senior probation officer at a prison. At PMQs, Sunak stated: "There are strict eligibility criteria in place, with exclusions based on public safety and no-one will be put on the scheme if they were deemed a threat to public safety." However, caller Ed reveals that he was sent a list of people eligible for early release from the prison he works at, many of whom had been charged with domestic abuse. He outlines that he found the PM's claim that 'violent offenders won't be released' laughable and stresses that he must have been unaware of the full details or he just lied.

Caller John has just bought his house - and you could too if you "work a bit harder", he reckons. John rings into Tom Swarbrick's programme to argue against rental caps, citing his experience of working from 7am-11pm during university to pay for his accommodation. Tom makes a 'rare exception' and brings in Mark in Wimbledon, so that John can make his arguments 'to his face.'

What could Russia's latest cabinet reshuffle and renewed offensive action in Ukraine mean? Russia's defence minister and long-time Putin ally, Sergei Shoigu, is set to be replaced, the Kremlin has confirmed amid the latest cabinet reshuffle. Papers published by the upper chamber confirmed that Shoigu, who has served in the role since 2012, according to a the Kremlin website. It comes more than two years after Russia began its 'special military operation' in Ukraine - and days after Putin was sworn in for another six-year term as Russia's president. Putin has proposed he be replaced by Russia's former deputy prime minister, Andrei Belousov. Andrew Marr is joined by American businessman and analyst Bill Browder to reflect on this, as well as Ukrainian MP Mariia Mezentseva to discuss what the delay in support from America means for the nation as Russia launch a renewed offensive.

Does Israel have a 'credible plan' for Rafah? That's what Antony Blinken wants to know ahead of a long-feared offensive in the city. Nick Ferrari asks spokesman David Mencer if the IDF have such a plan to safeguard civilians. Mr Mencer says that the current plan has not been working because it has been missing a crucial element: 'brute military force.'

As the US warns of a potential power vacuum in Gaza, James O'Brien questions Benjamin Netanyahu's strategy amid escalating conflict between Hamas and the IDF. Israeli troops have advanced for the first time towards the centre of Rafah and launched operations in several areas where there has previously been fighting. Thousands of Israelis joined protests over the weekend calling for a deal to bring home hostages still held in Gaza by Hamas and the resignation of Netanyahu. However, James argues that Netanyahu is 'not committed' to these demands and has a different motive entirely.

Over the past couple days, footage has circulated social media platforms of Israeli citizens attacking and blocking aid convoys heading towards Gaza. The protesters appear to be 'tossing food packages on the floor, stamping on boxes and screaming at the truck drivers'. This comes as the UN World Food Programme chief, Cindy McCain, has asserted that there's now a 'full blown famine' in Gaza, with deaths due to starvation rising. Andrew Marr is joined by Sally Abed of Standing Together, a Palestinian-Israeli campaign group, to discuss the implications of the news.

A Gaza ceasefire would be possible tomorrow if Hamas freed Israeli hostages, US president Joe Biden has said. Speaking at a fundraiser near Seattle on Saturday, Mr Biden said: "There would be a ceasefire tomorrow if Hamas would release the hostages. "Israel said it’s up to Hamas, if they wanted to do it, we could end it tomorrow. And the ceasefire would begin tomorrow." His remarks came after the IDF said it is expanding its operation and moving into an area in northern Gaza where Hamas has regrouped. Amidst all of this, Lewis Goodall was joined by Palestine's ambassador to the UK, Husam Zomlot, to discuss the ongoings.

LBC's Natasha Devon speaks to Omar Shakir from the Human Rights Watch about what the consequences of a Rafah invasion will be people for the people of Gaza. It comes after Israel ordered more residents to leave Rafah as it prepares to ramp up military action in the region. The IDF said it is expanding its operation and moving into an area in northern Gaza where Hamas has regrouped. There have been heavy clashes between Israeli troops and Palestinian militants on the outskirts of Rafah, leaving crucial nearby aid crossings inaccessible and forcing more than 110,000 people to flee north. IDF spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, told people to leave for the “expanded humanitarian area” in Al-Mawasi “immediately” on Saturday.

Mohammad is a British-Palestinian who lives in Manchester, UK. He spoke to Shelagh Fogarty about his work on getting pubs in his to boycott the event ahead of the final. Mohammad is one of thousands calling for the event to be boycotted after Israel were allowed to enter and compete, now reaching the final. People are calling on Israel to be banned due to the ongoing war in Gaza which has seen over 30,000 Palestinians killed due to Israeli strikes on the besieged strip. Mohammad is promoting an alternative broadcast for pubs, called FalastinVision.

Nick Ferrari speaks to Reza Pahlavi, the exiled Crown Prince of Iran and founder of the National Council of Iran. Pahlavi explains his exile from Iran, which came following the Iranian Revolution and expresses his desire for a better future for Iran - free from the current regime. He also emphasises the 'oppressive nature' of the current Iranian regime and its impact on the region's instability.

US Green Party Presidential Candidate Dr Jill Stein tells LBC’s Andrew Marr that ‘fascism is alive and well’ in the US and accuses President Biden of ‘leading the charge on genocide’ in Gaza. Speaking on Tonight with Andrew Marr on LBC, Dr Stein also urged former UK Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn to join the Green Party, telling Andrew, ‘I had the pleasure of meeting with him around the UN Climate Summit, and I think we see eye to eye on just about everything.’

James O'Brien speaks with Al Jazeera Managing editor Mohamed Moawad as Israel closes local offices of Qatar's Al Jazeera satellite news network, escalating a long-running feud between the broadcaster and Mr Netanyahu's hard-line government. The order, which included confiscating broadcast equipment, preventing the broadcast of the channel's reports and blocking its websites, is believed to be the first time Israel has ever shut a foreign news outlet.

With Labour questioning UK arms exports to Israel due to the Rafah offensive, Nick Ferrari speaks to the IDF's former Deputy Commander Amir Avivi. The former Deputy tells Nick Ferrari that: 'the West does not want Israel to win the war... it's either Hamas or us'. This comes as Israel said it has taken operational control of the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing after rejecting Hamas' ceasefire proposal as a "ruse". The IDF said the crossing had been captured and cut off, with special forces now in the area. Labour's new West Midlands mayor told LBC he would ‘absolutely’ support an arms embargo on Israel, and Rishi Sunak has expressed 'deep concern' over the situation. The US has also stopped sending bombs to Israel over these concerns. Amir Avivi was accused by Nick Ferrari of 'dodging the question' when asked 'what sort of life is it for these innocent children, Deputy?'