The Fourcast

It’s all a bit deja-vu, a repeat of last time in 2017, but is a second term on the cards for the incumbent President?

In the end, the future of France hinges on one question; what is greater here, fear of Le Pen the right-wing nationalist or hatred of Macron the incumbent.

In this episode of The Fourcast Channel 4 News  Presenter and Europe Editor Matt Frei talks about what to expect ahead of the presidential vote in France on Sunday the 24th of April.

Produced by: Nina Hodgson

Sources: INA Archive, AP

It’s the largest maternity scandal in NHS history, hundreds of babies and some of their mothers could or would have survived had they not been failed.

A landmark review into the Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust has revealed, “a catalogue of tragedies”, according to the senior midwife, Donna Ockendon, who led the review.

The Ockenden review has revealed a toxic culture, a lack of compassion and a failure to listen to mothers and their needs at maternity services at one of England's NHS trusts.

Today, Minnie Stephenson speaks to our Health and Social Care Editor Victoria Macdonald about what this report uncovered and asks whether the public can have faith in maternity services across England. 

A warning, this podcast contains testimony that listeners may find distressing.

And if you are affected by any of the issues in this report, go to channel4.com/support where you can find a range of places to seek information and help.

Produced by: Rachel Evans 

Finland is a European country that shares an 800-mile border with Russia. It has a standing army of nearly 300,000 and can call on 900,000 reservists, and wartime shelters that can accommodate 80 per cent of its population of only 5.5 million.

In today's episode, we Iook at the history of a nation that has long been caught in the middle of the great powers of Europe and yet has managed to secure its independence through realpolitik and a comprehensive all hands on deck approach to defence.

And despite having this comprehensive security policy, the war in Ukraine has meant something seismic could now happen.

Finland is flirting with joining Nato.

Sources: AP

Produced by: Freya Pickford

You might think that Russian troops retreating from parts of Ukraine was good news, but then we saw what they left behind.  

As the full horror of this war is revealed, Russia has moved to its so-called phase two: a focus on the east and south.

Is that a retreat? Or is it a regrouping? And is yet more horror to come?

Today, presenter and Europe editor Matt Frei looks at the ongoing war of words on both sides, what the West can do in response to alleged war crimes, and where this conflict goes next as we look at a possible prolonged battle with no winners.

Produced by: Freya Pickford

Sources: The Guardian, Fox News, The Independent

The government has committed to banning so-called conversion therapy but announced that the ban would not include trans people.

100 organisations pulled support for the UK’s first international LGBT conference, before the government cancelled the event altogether.

The government have said that they ”will carry out separate work to consider the issue of transgender conversion therapy further.” 

But how does that make the LGBTQ+ community feel?

Today, we speak to a survivor of so-called trans conversion therapy, a former government adviser, Jayne Ozanne, and the chief executive of Stonewall Nancy Kelley.

Sources: ITV News, Sky News

Produced by: Nina Hodgson

In 2020 the National Trust released a report that found 93 of its properties had links to colonialism and slavery.

The report did not tell properties to do anything like change names or tear down statues. But the backlash was still fierce and the head of the Trust recently said she received death threats.

We look at what the report actually said, what properties have done in response, and we hear from the group that has led the campaign against the report.

President Biden said Nato had never been more united, just what Vladimir Putin didn’t want, but is he right?

Today, Charles Kupchan, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations explains how Nato failed to placate Russia in recent years, what next for the alliance, and will America really put Europe back at the centre of its foreign policy?

Sources: ITV News

Twelve parties. Twenty fines. But no names were revealed.

Downing Street won’t say whether Boris Johnson will resign if he’s one of the people issued with a fixed penalty notice over the lockdown breaching parties held at Downing Street and Whitehall, as the Metropolitan police continues its investigation.

Our Political Editor Gary Gibbon joins us to discuss the latest developments from the ongoing partygate saga and whether time is now on Boris Johnson’s side as he looks more and more likely to cling onto power.

Was the invasion of Ukraine by Russia inevitable?

Were the plans of Vladimir Putin always there out in the open?

Does this all go back to 1989, when a KGB officer in Dresden saw the Soviet Empire begin to crumble and felt bitter at its inability to fight for itself?

Today, we speak to the historian, Professor Mary Elise Sarotte, the author of “Not One Inch: America, Russia, and the Making of Post-Cold War Stalemate,” about the life and mind of the Russian leader who has upended the world order in mere weeks.

Sources: ABC News

In Russia money means power. 

And that’s why in this war, to punish Russia for invading Ukraine, the West’s main weapon isn’t its military but economic sanctions.

The war has shone a light on Oligarch wealth used to purchase super yachts, mega mansions and private jets.

But will targeting the rich really hurt Putin?

Today we speak to Channel 4 News’ Ryan Ramgobin about the origins and influence of these wealthy figures and ask whether these sanctions are really affecting their lavish lifestyles? 

Sources: ABC News, France 24. Sky News