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We've been a bit slow in getting podcasts on the net recently, but that just means that we've got a load of new material all at once! Follow the links for discussion on:

- Economic Growth, Royal Finances, and Syria: http://urn1350.net/node/6112;

- Obama's State of the Union Address, Michael Gove, and Tube Strikes: http://urn1350.net/node/6113;

- The floods, banning smoking in cars with children, and LGBTQ Rights in Russia: http://urn1350.net/node/6114;

- Scottish independence, the right to recall MPs, and Swiss migration: http://urn1350.net/node/6119;

- Unrest in Ukraine and Venezuela, Harriet Harman's links with PIE, and the prospect of a debate on Europe between Nick Clegg and Nigel Farage: http://urn1350.net/node/6121; and

- Our latest show, on Russian intervention in Ukraine, Trades Union Membership in Labour, and SU Elections.

Happy listening! The Elections Show will be taking our timeslot next week, so the next Big Picture will be on 19th March 2014, at 6pm. Do please listen in live and share your opinions by text (07762 212 434, or send a free web text from urn1350.net)!

Follow the link to hear the latest Big Picture podcast! http://urn1350.net/node/5896

On this week's show, David asked the panel questions about: Lord Rennard's membership dispute with his party over allegations of sexual assault; the legalisation of cannabis in Uruguay, Colorado, and Washington state, and Obama's apparent openness to a federal legalisation debate; and plans from the Conservatives and Labour to limit benefits availability for unskilled or EU-immigrant claimants amid fears of "benefits tourism".

Comments? Thoughts? Furious rage? Why not comment on the podcast below?

The next Big Picture will be broadcast on Wednesday 29th January at 6pm, live on URN -- we hope you can listen in and join the debate.

We bring you a full version of the edited interview Luc played out on our last show. Lewis, a student protestor facing disciplinary action for his involvement in the occupation of teaching rooms at the end of last year, spoke to Luc about why the protests were taking place, how representative they were, and how the response reflected upon the democracy and freedom of thought on the modern campus.

You can visit the podcast here: http://urn1350.net/node/5882. Feel free to leave comments below if this gets your debating juices flowing!

The latest Big Picture podcast is available - just follow the link: http://urn1350.net/node/5880

On this edition, Luc puts questions to the panel on the controversy surrounding the divisive verdict in the inquest of Mark Duggan, whose shooting sparked the London riots in 2011; Channel Four's controversial new documentary "Benefits Street" and its impact upon discussion of welfare claimants; and the recent spate of student protests in the south of England, and what they have to say about the state of democracy on campus.

Questions? Comments? Thoughts? Leave them below, and make sure to tune in for the Big Picture every Wednesday from 6pm.

The next Big Picture will be broadcast live on URN on Wednesday 22nd January at 6pm.

The special debate on the politics of the Niqab

URN’s The Big Picture and UoN Feminists collaborated to discuss the politics of the niqab.

The niqab has been a topic of much discussion in the media recently. We wanted to provide a platform at the University of Nottingham for a diverse panel of speakers to talk about it.

Our panel of speakers included:
Bessima Dargham from Islam Society, who has interviewed niqabi women.
Lauren Selfe, a PhD student, researching representations of Muslim women in contemporary German culture.
Emma Pearce, a member of UoN Feminists and presenter of URN’s The Pulse.
Nathan Chalk, a member of UoN Feminists and President of Debating Union.
Yasmin Talsi, SU Black and Ethnic Minorities Officer.

Our Chair David Hayes, introduced the debate and our panel.