LBC

Is there life on...K2-18b? Professor Nikku Madhusudhan believes he has discovered alien life on an exoplanet 120 light years away from Earth. Speaking to Tom Swarbrick, he puts the chances of there being life on the faraway planet at '50/50'. At the time of upload, the James Webb Space Telescope was observing the planet, and the analysis will take a few months. It follows the discovery of carbon dioxide on the planet in scans last year.

The US House of Representatives has finally approved a $61bn military aid package to help Ukraine fight Russia. The controversial package had been blocked by Republicans who believe the US is spending too much money on helping Ukraine fight Russia, many of which are part of the Donald Trump campaign. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the US support as "vital" and hailed American democracy. Now that the crucial aid package has been passed, what happens next? LBC's Ali Miraj is joined by former UK ambassador to Ukraine Leigh Turner to discuss.

James O'Brien and News Agents host, Jon Sopel, discuss reports that former US President Donald Trump seemed to fall asleep times' during his long-awaited hush money trial. “He looked like he was nodding off and at one point in a pretty true tell that he was falling asleep, his head nodded down and then he sort of jolted back up at one point,” The New York Times' Susanne Craig said on MSNBC. Sopel stresses that these claims could impact Trump's cause as he bids to return to the White House this year, suggesting that 'dosing off in court' does not project the sort of 'strength and invincibility' that he's being trying to portray. He also notes that whatever the outcome of the trial, Trump is unlikely to face jail time, because 'rich people don't go to prison in America'.

James O'Brien questions the intangible consequences of the Israel versus Iran conflict as Israel reportedly launches retaliatory strikes. Iran's air defences were triggered early on Friday in response to reports of explosions near the city of Isfahan, the state-run IRNA news agency reported. Explosions were heard just after 5am local time in the central province of Isfahan, Iranian state media has said. Air defence intercepted three drones in the region, with no major damage sustained to buildings or facilities according to reports. Tensions between the two states were raised following Israel’s air strike on Iran’s consulate in Damascus on April 1 - a strike that killed 13 people, including two top Iranian generals. In response, Iran fired around 300 miles and drones at Israel on Saturday, the majority of which were shot down by Israeli air defences. A senior Iranian official has now said the country has no immediate plan for retaliation against Israel. There has been no confirmation of the strike from Israel following reports of the explosions.

Iain Dale speaks to Shashank Joshi, Defence Editor at the Economist, and Seth J. Frantzman, a journalist with The Jerusalem Post, to discuss how Israel might react to Iran's missile attacks. The attack is a retaliation for a strike that killed an Iranian military commander in Damascus - something Iran believes Israel carried out. Following the overnight barrage of missiles and drones, the Israeli military claims to have intercepted 99% of the incoming projectiles, preventing them from hitting their intended targets. Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, has said there was minimal damage but emphasised the need for continued vigilance and that the campaign is 'not over yet. Israel's president, Isaac Herzog, has lauded his country's forces and stated that 'good will overcome the forces of evil.'

Former National Security Adviser John Bolton tells Tom Swarbrick it is ‘impossible to predict’ how Donald Trump would handle the situation in the Middle East if he were re-elected. It comes after Joe Biden has vowed that the US' support for Israel remains "ironclad", as Iran prepares to launch an attack in response to the Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate in Syria. The US believes Israel was responsible for the attack on the consulate, which killed two senior Iranian generals, among others. Israel has not openly taken responsibility for the strike, but Iran has said that it considers Israel responsible. Separately, the UK's Foreign Secretary David Cameron said on Wednesday: "Britain stands with our allies, crucially, including the United States, we stand up for Israel’s right to self-defence." Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei vowed revenge on Israel in a sermon marking the end of Ramadan. He said: “When they attack the consulate, it is as if they have attacked our soil. "The evil regime made a mistake and must be punished and it shall be."

Israel Defence Force troops have mostly withdrawn from southern Gaza's Khan Younis as negotiations continue into a ceasefire with Hamas. Nick Ferrari hears from the Guardian's Diplomatic Editor Patrick Wintour (00:40) and the former Deputy Commander for the IDF in Gaza, Amir Avivi (04:27). Israeli forces wrapped up the latest phase in its ground offensive against the Hamas terrorist group following the October 7 attacks six months ago. The move takes the troop levels in the strip to its lowest levels since the war began. Despite hopes of a permanent ceasefire rising, senior defence sources say that the move is simply to prepare for the move into Rafah, the final Hamas stronghold. Lt Gen Herzi Halevi said: “The war in Gaza continues, and we are far from stopping." Local broadcaster Channel 13 TV said that Rafah will be evacuated starting as soon as this week by the IDF, with the process likely to take several months. The IDF said: “Today, Sunday April 7th, the IDF’s 98th commando division has concluded its mission in Khan Younis. The division left the Gaza Strip in order to recuperate and prepare for future operations. “A significant force led by the 162nd division and the Nahal brigade continues to operate in the Gaza Strip and will preserve the IDF’s freedom of action and its ability to conduct precise intelligence based operations." Hamas and IDF negotiators are currently in Egypt trying to secure a peace deal. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Hamas's current demands are "too extreme" to accept.

The Israeli military has sacked two senior officers over the drone strikes which killed seven aid workers including three Brits, saying soldiers made a 'grave mistake' and violated operating procedures. The IDF said in a statement the strike 'should not have occurred'. James O'Brien asks why Benjamin Netanyahu is continuing with the bombardment of Gaza 'when he has lost the support of everybody'. This comes as civil servants threaten to stop work over arms sales to Israel. Labour's Ellie Reeves told LBC that Rishi Sunak and David Cameron have 'sat on' legal advice over the matter for almost a month, adding Labour has been asking for it to be published.

The British Army would run out of munitions within ten days of war breaking out, a former defence minister has told MPs. John Spellar, who served as armed forces minister between 1999 and 2001, told Parliament: “The minister rightly speaks about the ability to sustain fighting, he knows that an exercise conducted with the Americans showed that the British Army would run out of munitions within ten days.” Responding, the outgoing armed forces minister James Heappey said: “In exercises that I have seen where the UK have operated alongside the US what happens again and again and again is that American senior commanders hold the UK force elements in the highest of regard.” In this video, Andrew Marr is joined by Lieutenant General Sir Simon Mayall to discuss what this means for the future of the British Army.

President Joe Biden has said he “agrees” with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar that an immediate ceasefire is needed in Gaza in a major shift in US policy. Biden met Varadkar for a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office in the White House on Friday. The US President said he is urging US Congress to provide additional aid in Gaza amid growing concerns over the humanitarian crisis in the region. Mr Biden said: “We're working together increasing humanitarian assistance in Gaza, but we both know far more has to be done. "I want to thank you, Leo, for Ireland's unwavering assistance on Ukraine, including millions of vital humanitarian aid that you provide. Millions of dollars." Lewis Goodall is joined by former UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband to discuss the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and what a shift in US policy might mean for those in the war-torn region.

Former Israeli presidential adviser and President of the USMEP, Daniel Levy, speaks to Shelagh Fogarty on the latest development's in the Israel-Gaza War. Joe Biden announced that the US will be constructing an aid Pier in Gaza to increase the flow of support towards the starving population in the North. This comes off the back of ceasefire talks breaking down in Cairo between Hamas, Israel reps and Egyptian and Qatari mediators, with Daniel Levy blaming this on the Israeli president's cabinet.

In a wide-ranging interview with Nick Ferrari, Sean Spicer previews the upcoming US election and gives his thoughts on candidates Joe Biden, Nikki Haley, and his old boss Donald Trump. The former Comms Director and Press Secretary in Trump's White House believes the outspoken ex-President will be returned to office for a combination of reasons, including his opponent's age and stance on Gaza. He also explains Trump's stance on NATO and trusts him when he says he could strike a deal with Putin 'in one day' to end the war in Ukraine. Do you believe him?

Tomorrow will mark the second anniversary of Russia's invasion against Ukraine. With a year of elections ahead across the world, including in Europe, the UK and the United States, those in Ukraine are waiting anxiously to see what impact they will have on funding amid the fight against Russia. There is particular concern about the US election with the prospect of a second Donald Trump presidency seemingly likely. Trump has already thrown doubt on America's commitment to funding Ukraine, so James O'Brien asks Ukrainian MP Kira Rudik: what do the Ukrainians want to see from the West?

Julian Assange's brother speaks to Andrew Marr on how hopeful he is of the journalist avoiding being extradited to the USA. Assange, who has been in Belmarsh prison since 2019, is wanted by the American authorities after founding the site WikiLeaks and disclosing secret military files in 2010 and 2011. As a two-day High Court hearing commenced on Tuesday, his legal team argued it would be against UK law to hand him over. However, Assange could be extradited within weeks if an appeal is turned down. Assange's wife says the WikiLeaks founder would not survive being extradited from the UK to the US. And Shipton has now admitted he is 'pessimistic' about his brother's chances in the Royal Courts of Justice.

Chief Data Reporter at the Financial Times John Burn-Murdoch joins Andrew Marr to discuss his viral report on the ideological divide that's emerging between young men and women in many countries around the world. The findings show a huge point difference in political views between women aged 18-30 compared to their male counterparts. Murdoch outlines some of the key factors influencing this division, including the rise of the #MeToo movement and an increase in women going to university – emphasising that this may lead to lower birth and marriage rates in the future. According to the study, all of this is "exacerbated by the fact that the proliferation of smartphones and social media mean that young men and women now increasingly inhabit separate spaces and experience separate cultures."

James O'Brien discusses the growing fears of a potential World War III and the implications of a possible Donald Trump return. General Sir Patrick Sanders warned the Government of the need to "mobilise" the public if the UK goes to war with Russia and wants British men and women to be prepared to fight if Nato goes to war with Russia, who have gained the upper hand in their invasion of Ukraine. This follows a warning by a senior Nato official that the West faces all-out war with Russia within 20 years.

As the probability of a Trump v Biden presidential race increase, The News Agents' Jon Sopel tells Nick Ferrari that the US 'can do better' than Trump or Biden as president.

Ron DeSantis, once Donald Trump's greatest rival for Republican nomination, suspends his presidential campaign. The Florida Governor admitted, following "deliberation" with his team, he struggled to see a "clear path to victory" and concluded he had to suspend the campaign. Making the announcement in the video on Twitter Saturday night, DeSantis said "we left it all out on the field" but it had "become clear" that "a majority of Republican primary voters want to give Donald Trump another chance". Rachel Johnson reacts to this and gets some analysis from former White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney.

'All we're doing is getting nowhere and causing harm to both sides.' Benjamin Netanyahu has said that his Israeli government opposes the creation of a Palestinian state. Former Israeli ambassador to the US Dr MichaelOren insists to Iain Dale that a two-state solution is 'impossible'. The Israeli prime minister said that his country must have security control over all land west of the river Jordan, including Gaza, to prevent an atrocity like October 7th taking place again.

Steve Bannon, the outspoken former adviser to Donald Trump, has branded NATO a "protectorate, not an alliance" as he called for European elites to "pitch in". Mr Bannon, who wants a less interventionist US foreign policy, told LBC's Andrew Marr that NATO, which was set up after the Second World War to provide security against the Soviet Union, had become "an American security guarantee" for Europe. NATO member states are meant to put 2% of their GDP into their annual military budgets. But just seven of 30 NATO member states in 2022, the latest figures available - despite Russia invading Ukraine, a NATO neighbour in February that year. The seven who contributed 2% or more were the US, UK, Greece, Poland and the three Baltic states. Eight members met the required military spending rate the year before. Mr Bannon, a controversial figure for his right-wing views, denied that Mr Trump wanted to "cut ties" with NATO if he regained the US presidency in November. Mr Trump got his re-election campaign off to a strong start on Monday by winning the Iowa caucus of Republican candidates for the party's nomination. Mr Bannon, who served in Mr Trump's White House from 2016-2017, told Andrew:"What we’ve always argued for, and I argued with the national security advisors of the individual countries, is we want it to be an alliance. That means, like England and like Poland, you have to meet the minimum of the 2% of GDP to throw into the pot." He added that "more importantly, you have to have a military that has interoperability - it’s actually an alliance. It's not an alliance right now. It's basically an American security guarantee of European freedom and that can’t happen. "You can’t have countries in Europe that have healthcare, six week vacations, pension funds, and the American people have none of that, because we have a trillion-dollar defence budget."

'He will hit the beach with people that are like-minded.' Ex-chief strategist to Donald Trump Steve Bannon reveals to Tonight with Andrew Marr that they are 'training up 3000 people' who could step into government with Trump on 'day one'.

Andrey Klein patted his country on the back for rebuilding destroyed areas that suffered only because of Moscow's invasion. "But as for occupation: this is not an occupation. It is integration – more of the new territories into Russia," he told Tonight with Andrew Marr on LBC.

'To say "they're not linked with Iran" is just Iranian propaganda.' 'You're missing the fundamental point - the whole of the Middle East is outraged.' Ben Kentish rows with Chris Nineham over chants of 'Houthi support' at the pro-Palestine protest this weekend. One of the main ones highlighted was: 'Yemen, Yemen make us proud... turn another ship around.' Ben asks: How did we get to the point where people are marching in London demanding that the Houthis attack more British/US ships?

Rachel Johnson speaks to journalist and author Michael Wolff on Donald Trump's election chances as the Iowa caucuses open. Michael predicts that Trump will win Iowa by a strong majority, making him the likely candidate against Joe Biden in the upcoming November election in the US. Rachel wonders if the Supreme Court will try to stop this from happening.

On Thursday, January 11, all eyes turned to The Hague as Israel found itself before the International Court of Justice, facing accusations of committing genocide. The charges were brought forward by South Africa, which presented its arguments seeking urgent measures, urging the court to compel Israel to suspend its military operations in Gaza. South Africa became the first country to file a complaint against Israel at the International Court of Justice, presenting compelling evidence to support its condemnation. Sangita Myska speaks to William Schabas, a professor of international law at Middlesex University in London and honorary chairman of the Irish Centre for Human Rights.