Top Stories!

Get out your star spangled banner - it was celebration time in Bugle issue 213. Yes, it was November 2012 and Barack Obama was re-elected as US President. But as the title Free At Last suggests - it wasn’t so much the result that John was celebrating.Hear more of our shows, buy our book, and donate here: thebuglepodcast.com/This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There was a shock revelation in Jan 2012 regarding the British habit of telling porkies. And a warning that the nation could be heading towards a crisis. It’s issue 180 The truth about lies.Hear more of our shows, buy our book, and donate here: thebuglepodcast.com/This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here at the Bugle we like to shine a light on some of the most deplorable humans on the planet. For issue 107 in March 2010 we were spoilt for choice - it’s The Bugle Ethics Special.Hear more of our shows, buy our book, and donate here: thebuglepodcast.com/This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John McCain was on the campaign trail in October 2008, and some back peddling was underway - after some serious mud-slinging in Barack Obama’s direction. It’s issue 48 How Low Will They Go?Hear more of our shows, buy our book, and donate here: thebuglepodcast.com/This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For our 250th Top Story we’re going back in time to a highlight in America’s great history of the patriarchy. Judge Kavanaugh was the hot topic for issue October 2018.Hear more of our shows, buy our book, and donate here: thebuglepodcast.com/This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK was gripped by a referendum as we recorded Bugle issue 273 - and no, not THAT referendum. This was September 2014 - before Brexit was even in our lexicon. Yep, it was the Scottish referendum keeping myself and John on the edge of our seats. Hear more of our shows, buy our book, and donate here: thebuglepodcast.com/This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hurricane Sandy swept through New York in November 2012. Cue plenty of finger pointing by those hoping to use the weather to their political advantage. It’s issue 212 - Wind of Change.Hear more of our shows, buy our book, and donate here: thebuglepodcast.com/This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Capitalist fat cats were shaking in their boots in October 2011. Occupy Wall Street was raging against the machine for issue 168.Hear more of our shows, buy our book, and donate here: thebuglepodcast.com/This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As we welcomed in 2009 Andy and John looked back in time to try and find a happier new year for the Middle East. It’s a suitably festive Bugle issue 58.Hear more of our shows, buy our book, and donate here: thebuglepodcast.com/This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In May 2019 Alice and Hari joined me for issue 4109 The News Stinks - and we tried to get out head round some particularly grim news from the US. Hear more of our shows, buy our book, and donate here: thebuglepodcast.com/This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Russia’s democratic system was under the Bugle’s scrutiny in March 2012. That’s right President Putin was celebrating another victory. It’s issue 186 An Insult to Civic Society.Hear more of our shows, buy our book, and donate here: thebuglepodcast.com/This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Now as far as top stories go, this one might get the prize for the most obscure. Yep, in November 2009 for Bugle issue 95 - we were talking all things “Walls”.Hear more of our shows, buy our book, and donate here: thebuglepodcast.com/This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

October 2012 today, for Bugle issue 211 the US election was just around the corner. Myself and John pondered over the prospect of life with Mitt Romney in the White House.Hear more of our shows, buy our book, and donate here: thebuglepodcast.com/This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

BECOME A SUBSCRIBER AND GET THIS SHOW AD FREE! SUPPORT THE BUGLE!We’re going back to a more innocent time now. How we laughed over the Lisbon treaty in June 2008. It’s issue 34 You Will Know Us By Our Knobbly Fruit.Hear more of our shows, buy our book, and donate here: thebuglepodcast.com/This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

April 2019 now and a surprising breakthrough in the fight against Malaria. Nish Kumar and Matt Forde joined Andy for The Reverse Skrillex.Hear more of our shows, buy our book, and donate here: thebuglepodcast.com/This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In October 2012 the Bugle turned 5 years old - and what better way to celebrate than with a Top Story looking at some impressive brass balls.Hear more of our shows, buy our book, and donate here: thebuglepodcast.com/This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Flipping the bird - such a small but satisfying gesture. And in March 2010 the middle finger was the subject of a bizarre legal wrangle - and yes, of course - it was in America. It’s Bugle issue 106.Hear more of our shows, buy our book, and donate here: thebuglepodcast.com/This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

June 2009 now and Prime Minister Gordon Brown was having a bit of a mare. Cabinet resignations were coming in thick and fast as we recorded Bugle issue 77.Hear more of our shows, buy our book, and donate here: thebuglepodcast.com/This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re heading back in time now to September 2008 and some very rich bankers had some explaining to do as the world hurtled towards financial armageddon. Hear more of our shows, buy our book, and donate here: thebuglepodcast.com/This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We love a bit of pope news here on the Bugle. And in March 2009 Benedict XVI didn’t disappoint - delivering some classic Pope lines on a trip to Africa.Hear more of our shows, buy our book, and donate here: thebuglepodcast.com/This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We all get wrapped up in our own lives now and again - but in August 2011 Bashar Al Assad finally went crazy enough for the international community to start taking notice. It’s issue 165 Bashar Goes Madcon 1.Hear more of our shows, buy our book, and donate here: thebuglepodcast.com/This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In August 2010 we were beating our samba drums and counting down to the Brazilian election in true Carnival style. It’s issue 124 Brazilliant!Hear more of our shows, buy our book, and donate here: thebuglepodcast.com/This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’ve dedicated a lot of time here on the Bugle to marking the exploits of some very dodgy people. And in November 2012 we had a bonanza on our hands. It’s Bugle 214 a Few Bad Men.Hear more of our shows, buy our book, and donate here: thebuglepodcast.com/This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

June 08 was a big moment for Barack Obama - but Hillary Clinton was taking her time to step aside in the race to be Democratic Presidential candidate. Here are John and Andy with Bugle issue number 32.Hear more of our shows, buy our book, and donate here: thebuglepodcast.com/This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we are in May 2015 - when there was a mere 18 months to go before the next US Presidential election. So of course the democratic machine was already cranking up. It’s issue 293 - Slow Cook Democracy.Hear more of our shows, buy our book, and donate here: thebuglepodcast.com/This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We *love* a Presidential race at the Bugle. And in April 2012 Rick Santorum was making the fight for the White House even more entertaining than usual.Hear more of our shows, buy our book, and donate here: thebuglepodcast.com/This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re going back in time now to March 2010, when Andy and John were going back even further - to the 1980s. It’s issue 105 - The Falklands War Part II.Hear more of our shows, buy our book, and donate here: thebuglepodcast.com/This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today it's Producer Chris coming to you from the good ship Bugle Mc Bugle face with some top nautical news for you in this issue of Top Stories. It was bugle issue 54, back in November 2008Hear more of our shows, buy our book, and donate here: thebuglepodcast.com/This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every issue of the Bugle is an audio treat - but this top story is, er, out of this world! Issue 29, from May 2008 was titled Adults & Aliens. Sign up for our new premium donation scheme and get this show ad-free here: thebuglepodcast.com/This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A report by Amnesty International is never good news - and in February 2017 the organisation gave a damning verdict on the state of global human rights. Fortunately Nish Kumar was on hand to disect the bad news and come up with witty tennis comparisons.Hear more of our shows, buy our book, and donate here: thebuglepodcast.com/This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sometimes the world is just too bleak to contemplate - and that’s when you need a Top Story like this. In November 2013 a man in Russia came to the Bugle’s rescue - by nailing his testicles to Red Square. It’s issue 251: Nailing the truth to the floor.Hear more of our shows, buy our book, and donate here: thebuglepodcast.com/This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The world population reached a landmark in October 2011. Great news for Bugle listening figures - not such great news for the future of humanity. Hear more of our shows, buy our book, and donate here: thebuglepodcast.com/This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some Bugle episodes have very simple titles that tell you what’s in store. Some don’t. Today for example, it’s Backwang Forever, keep listening to find out what on earth happened there…Hear more of our shows, buy our book, and donate here: thebuglepodcast.com/This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Issue 44 of the Bugle now and 8 days of some of the most hardcore political grandstanding ever attempted had left both Andy and John feeling somewhat patriotic about good old Blighty. That’s right - it’s the Republican Convention Special.Hear more of our shows, buy our book, and donate here: thebuglepodcast.com/This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In January 2017 hopes were high that things couldn’t get much worse than the shit-show that had been 2016. But, you guessed it… those hopes were dashed from the off. Its Bugle issue 4011: George W Bush NostalgiaHear more of our shows, buy our book, and donate here: thebuglepodcast.com/This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Penises are like buses… a few top stories ago we had a knob on a rooftop. Now, it’s a penis on Mars. Not the most important story in April 2013 - but nevertheless it is the story we decided to dedicate our show to.Hear more of our shows, buy our book, and donate here: thebuglepodcast.com/This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Bugle 143, where Egypt was in the news. Egypt is less in the news now so does that mean that everything is fine?Hear more of our shows, buy our book, and donate here: thebuglepodcast.com/This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who doesn’t love a bit of nuke news? That’s right more international law flouting by North Korea. It was June 09 and Bugle issue 76: Does Kim Jong Il have the grapes to start a war?Hear more of our shows, buy our book, and donate here: thebuglepodcast.com/This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There was some worrying news for food fans back in April 2008… It’s Bugle issue 26: Food! Nonexistent Food!Hear more of our shows, buy our book, and donate here: thebuglepodcast.com/This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re heading back to April 2015 now, with just days to go before the general election. Things were hotting up as the great British public took their usual complete lack of interest in all things democratic. Hear more of our shows, buy our book, and donate here: thebuglepodcast.com/This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The episode that introduced the F**k Dungeon... we all have bad days, even Presidents. And in October 2012 a lack lustre day at the office for President Obama was our top story. It’s bugle issue 208: A Kama Sutra approach to the truth.Hear more of our shows, buy our book, and donate here: thebuglepodcast.com/This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re going back to July 2011 now and the News of the World phone hacking scandal was going on…. and on. Prompting one protester to take matters into his own hands. It’s Bugle issue 162: Making a mountain out of a mountain.Hear more of our shows, buy our book, and donate here: thebuglepodcast.com/This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A momentous day from history is marked. Bugle issue 104 looked back at Nelson Mandela’s release from prison 20 years earlier.Hear more of our shows, buy our book, and donate here: thebuglepodcast.com/This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we pay tribute now to one of the best acts of teenage rebellion to ever go down in history. We take our hats off to then-18 year old Rory McInnes - issue 69 in March 2009.Hear more of our shows, buy our book, and donate here: thebuglepodcast.com/This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on top stories the election victory party invite that nobody wanted. As election results go the Iranian election in June 2009 was pretty noteworthy, and for all the wrong reasons. It’s Bugle issue 80, Iran, pick on a country your own size!Hear more of our shows, buy our book, and donate here: thebuglepodcast.com/Introduced by Chris Skinner. This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re going back to October 2008 now and Sarah Palin’s big moment. Bringing folksy to the Vice Presidential debate. It’s issue 47, Sarah Palin- One giant leap backwards for humankind.Hear more of our shows, buy our book, and donate here: thebuglepodcast.com/Introduced by Chris Skinner. This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Enjoying the British summer? Yeah - thought not. Well we’re going back now to one of the many spells of bonkers weather we’ve seen over the life of the Bugle. It’s issue 256 - Troubled Bridge Over Boiling Water.Introduced by Alice FraserGo see Alice live in Edinburgh, including two live editions of The Gargle: https://www.thebuglepodcast.com/live Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Top Stories the moment Hosni Mubarek became an ex-dictator. Or did he? Andy and Jon tried to decode the rumours that were swirling in June 2012. Go see Alice live in Edinburgh, including two live editions of The Gargle: https://www.thebuglepodcast.com/live Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’ve landed in July 2010 - and the Queen is living it large in the USA. Jon Oliver had the stateside view on the regal visit - Alice Fraser introduces Bugle issue 122.Go see Alice live in Edinburgh, including two live editions of The Gargle: https://www.thebuglepodcast.com/live Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We travel back in time now to April 2013 and we find Britain in the depths of mourning. That’s right it was the dark weeks that followed the death of Margaret Thatcher. It’s Bugle issue 231, The Queen should play poker.Hear more of our shows, buy our book, and donate here: thebuglepodcast.com/This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.