Podcasts presented by Simon Rose

James Cameron-Wilson examines the UK box office where Aladdin held off newcomer X-Men: Dark Phoenix. Another highly-recommended new entry is Emma Thompson comedy Late Night, slipping in at #10. James's home release of the week is Green Book, the Oscar-winning true tale of discrimination in the American South in the 60s, which James also gives a big thumbs-up to.

Graham Spooner of The Share Centre looks back at recent results from Tesco, BAT and online retailer Boohoo. He also looks ahead to results from Ashtead, dependent upon the performance of the American economy and Berkeley Group, affected by Brexit stagnation and possibly by the prospect of a Corbyn government too.

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University examines the logistical challenges of the invasion of Normandy by the Western Allies 75 years ago. 30 years after the Tienanmen Square Massacre, he looks at how widespread the protests actually were and suggests that, ultimately, the yearning for freedom will win out. Lastly he looks at what the rise of the Brexit Party might mean and discusses the current travails of the EU.

James Cameron-Wilson looks at the most recent UK box office chart, with the live-action remake of Aladdin still at #1. Godzilla: King of the Monsters opens at #2 while, despite an absence of official numbers, James determines that high-school comedy Booksmart should feature at #7. His DVD of the week is Vice, the biographical drama-comedy about US Vice-President Dick Cheney starring an almost unrecognisable Christian Bale. James's view? The mark of a good film is one you appreciate even more a second time.

Steve Caplin looks at the Persistence of Chaos, an artwork laptop infected with the world's most dangerous malware. The app Northern Fail exposes the shortcomings of Northern Rail. Amazon is said to be developing a wearable device to detect emotions. Delivery robots can now conquer steps. the University of Plymouth develop the world's first raspberry-picking robot. There's a tiny selfie drone and a clever foldaway shooting-stick-style chair, which he demonstrates. Great radio!

CSJ Head of Work and Welfare Policy Patrick Spencer, discusses how a National Retraining Scheme that gives every worker in the country a Personal Learning Account could help solve the UK’s skills crisis.

Mike Indian, political commentator and author of The Groucho Tendency blog, talks to Simon Rose about the results of the European Elections and whether the Brexit Party's success will have ramifications for domestic politics. With Theresa May announcing her forthcoming resignation, who are the likely challengers for leadership of the party and what problems will they face? And what of Labour, facing criticism over its Brexit stance, its treatment of members who voted LibDem and now facing an official enquiry into antisemitism in the party?

Steve Caplin looks at the launch of the latest iPod, 18 years after the first - a hard disk in a box - appeared. Also, some of the problems users of electric cars currently face when charging their vehicles in the rain, Alexa's and Siri's gender bias, Facebook's cryptocurrency, Uber's ebikes and the company's "no talking" option in its cars in the USA. And which of the ebikes is actually most economical?

Helal Miah of The Share Centre looks back at recent numbers from AVEVA, Johnson Matthey, De La Rue and First Group. He also looks ahead to what we might expect from AO World and Auto Trader. And with a FTSE100 reshuffle imminent, which companies are likely to get the chop and which to get promotion?

James Cameron-Wilson casts his eye over the UK box office, picking up after the previous lethargic week. Disney's live-action remake of Aladdin, with Will Smith in lieu of Robin Williams, clinches the #1 spot, keeping out the Elton John musical Rocketman. In #3 place is The Secret Life of Pets 2. For home release James recommends Mark Gillis's British movie Sink, comparing it to I, Daniel Blake only with laughs.