NEW YORK — Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is launching a new podcast that he says will begin “a new era of radical transparency in government,” according to a teaser video first obtained by the Associated Press.
The show, titled “The Secretary Kennedy Podcast,” will launch next week and feature Kennedy in conversation with doctors, scientists and agency staff, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services officials told the AP ahead of the launch. In the teaser video, in a slick Health and Human Services-branded studio with ominous music playing in the background, Kennedy bills it as a new way to expose corruption and lies that have made Americans sick.
“We’re going to name the names of the forces that obstruct the paths to public health,” Kennedy says in the 90-second clip.
The new communication effort from the Department of Health comes as the department has faced a bevy of recent setbacks, including widespread criticism of its vaccine policy changes, a federal ruling last month blocking several of those moves, and resistance from key Republican senators that has kept President Trump’s surgeon general pick from taking office. In that way, it could be seen as part of a broader rebranding strategy as the agency redirects away from vaccine efforts and toward a less contentious agenda on healthy food ahead of November’s midterm elections.
But the show, which has been in the works since early in the second Trump administration, also reflects Kennedy returning to a format where he has long felt at ease. An antivaccine crusader and attorney before he entered office, he previously hosted his own podcast and has appeared on dozens to share his perspectives in longform interviews, as recently as this week.
Tyler Burger, Health and Human Services digital communications manager and the producer of the new podcast, said while Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary has a podcast, officials believe Kennedy’s will be the first to be hosted by a sitting Cabinet secretary.
“We’re kind of bringing podcasting into the government as an official form and arm of our messaging,” Burger said. He said the set for the show was pieced together largely with items the agency already had, and has the capacity for a total of four people to sit in conversation together.
“This is part of our larger strategy to bring the Make America Healthy Again message to as wide an audience as we can,” said Liam Nahill, Health and Human Services digital director.
Because podcasts are now commonly made not only on audio but video, they are regularly clipped and shared across social media platforms, giving them “massive” reach, according to Melina Much, a postdoctoral fellow for NYU’s Center for Social Media and Politics.
Much said podcasts also tend to be more intimate, conversational and friendly than a traditional interview, allowing administration officials to promote themselves without facing as much pushback.
While Kennedy’s teaser focuses on uncovering lies, Health and Human Services spokesman Andrew Nixon said it will aim to cover affordability and other topics that polls show are salient for American voters ahead of the midterms.
“Americans are united on the need to urgently address chronic disease, improve nutrition, strengthen food quality, and lower health costs,” he said. “The Secretary Kennedy Podcast will cover all those issues.”
The former EastEnders star has been cast in the reboot of The X Files, which has been greenlit by American streaming powerhouse Hulu
Himesh Patel has landed a major new TV role(Image: PA)
Former EastEnders star Himesh Patel has landed a significant role in the highly anticipated reboot of The X Files.
The 35-year-old, who first captured the nation’s hearts as a youngster on the popular BBC soap portraying Tamwar Masood in Albert Square, is now setting off on a completely different adventure.
He has been cast in Ryan Coogler’s reboot pilot of The X Files, which American streaming giant Hulu gave the go-ahead to last month. Himesh will appear alongside BAFTA-nominated actress Danielle Deadwyler, playing two ‘vastly different’ FBI agents.
Danielle, 43, boasts an impressive array of accolades, particularly for her compelling portrayal of Mamie Till-Mobley in Till. She was nominated for the Best Actress in a Leading Role award at the 2023 BAFTA Film and TV awards, reports OK!.
According to a logline by Variety, the reboot focuses on: “Two highly decorated but vastly different FBI agents (Deadwyler, Patel) form an unlikely bond when they are assigned to a long-shuttered division devoted to cases involving unexplained phenomena.”
The publication also confirms that both stars will portray entirely new characters, rather than reimagined versions of Fox Mulder and Dr. Dana Scully, according to the Daily Mail. David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson brought those iconic roles to life across 11 series.
Original creator Chris Carter is returning as executive producer, while Jennifer Yale (The Copenhagen Test) has been appointed as showrunner. Meanwhile, Coogler is scheduled to write, direct and produce, drawing inspiration from his mother’s fondness for the original series.
This marks another collaboration between Himesh and Danielle, having previously worked together on the 2021 miniseries Station Eleven.
Himesh left EastEnders in 2016 after his character ran away with then-girlfriend Nancy Carter. Two years later, he shot to international fame by securing the lead role in Yesterday, which became his breakthrough film.
In 2024, Himesh disclosed that struggling with acne while working on EastEnders as a teenager ‘felt like the worst thing in the world‘.
Speaking openly to British GQ Hype, the actor looked back on his remarkable career journey, including his early years on the legendary soap.
He told the publication: “I’ve been doing this since I was 16, When you’re a teenager and you have acne, it’s the worst thing in the world.
“But then when you’ve got acne in front of millions of people every week in EastEnders, it’s a whole other thing. ‘It was rough. You just kind of feel defective because you’re surrounded by actors. Everyone gets spots, but I just felt the pressure.”
THE UK’s busiest and largest airport is launching a number of new routes over the coming months.
Last year, London Heathrow Airport saw around 84.5million passengers and is expecting to break the 85million mark this year.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
London Heathrow Airport has a number of new routes launching over the next couple monthsCredit: AlamyThese include Tivat in Montenegro (pictured) and St Louis in AmericaCredit: Alamy
And this spring and summer, the world’s most connected airport is launching several new routes.
Dubbed America’s ‘gateway to the west’, the route will be launching as the famous Route 66 celebrates its 100th anniversary.
The stretch of Route 66 in St Louis, called ‘The Mother Road’ goes past landmarks including the Gateway Arch, the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge and Ted Drewes Frozen Custard.
Winding through the city, drivers on the route can stop off at neon-lit diners and a number of roadside attractions including the Route 66 Rocker – a massive 12.8metre-tall rocking chair.
The Guernsey route will then operate daily, also from Terminal 5, and cost from £101 return per person.
The new connection means that Guernsey residents will now more easily be able to travel across the globe by flying from Heathrow.
Guernsey is the largest of the Channel Islands and is known for having a mix of French and British culture.
One top spot to see is St Peter Port, a pretty harbour with charming houses.
As for the route to Tivat in Montenegro – this will launch on May 14, from Terminal 3 and cost from £172 return per person.
British Airways will be launching a route to Guernsey, creating a better connection for the island to international destinationsCredit: AlamyRecently named the most under-the-radar country, there will be new British Airways flights to MontenegroCredit: Alamy
Montenegro was recently named one of the most under-the-radar countries in the world, according to US News.
Tivat is found on the coast in the UNESCO-listed Bay of Kotor and features a large marina full of luxury yachts and pretty beaches such as Plaza Ponta.
Heathrow is also dubbing Tivat “one of Europe’s trendiest summer hotspots” thanks to its Adriatic scenery and offering travellers the perfect blend of sun, adventure and culture.
Low-cost Spanish airline Vueling will be launching a new daily service to Seville on March 29.
The route will operate from Terminal 4 and cost from £36 one-way, per person.
Spain is always popular with Brits and Seville is no exception.
The historic Andalusian city is great for both families and weekend city breaks with historic sites including the Cathedral – which is the largest Gothic temple in Europe – with La Giralda tower which has amazing views of the city.
Low-cost Spanish airline, Vueling, will be launching a route to SevilleCredit: AlamyThe city is home to the largest Gothic temple in EuropeCredit: Alamy
For a pretty souvenir, head to the Triana Neighborhood which is the historic district of the city and is known for its ceramics.
Another European route launching on the same day will be to Rome Fiumicino in Italy, with ITA Airways.
There will be two flights each day, operating from Terminal 2 costing from £138.24 return per person and the airport is about a half-an-hour drive from the city.
Rome, the capital of Italy, boasts several famous historical sites including the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum, and the Pantheon.
And whilst you are in the city, you can even head to another country – Vatican City – where you can see St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums and Michelangelo’s masterpiece in the Sistine Chapel.
ITA Airways will be launching a route to Rome Fiumicino – just 30 minutes from the capitalCredit: Alamy
A second US route launching soon will be to Seattle with Alaska Airlines.
Starting on May 22, the route will operate daily from Terminal 3 and cost from £523.04 return per person.
Seattle is one of America’s fastest-growing tech hubs and notable landmarks include the Space Needle observation tower and the Olympic Sculpture Park.
Foodies can also visit Chinatown, which is also home to the only pan-Asian art and history museum in America.
Pakistan International Airlines will also be launching two new routes by the end of March, marking the airline’s return to Heathrow after six years.
The first will be to Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, on March 29, operating three times a week from Terminal 4, with return fares costing from £764.
The second route will be to Lahore, which is the second largest city in Pakistan.
The route will launch a weekly service on March 30, from Terminal 4.
And Alaska Airlines is launching a route to Seattle in AmericaCredit: Alamy
There are several travel warnings in place for Pakistan, so it is worth checking the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office travel advice before travelling.
Ross Baker, Heathrow’s Chief Customer Officer, said: “Every route launched from Heathrow gives passengers and businesses a new way to explore the world.
“Whether travelling for work or leisure, we are proud to collaborate with our airline partners to open up opportunities for passengers, exporters and importers.
“Greater connectivity is something passengers and businesses consistently say they want, which is why Heathrow expansion is so critical.
“It will add new routes and introduce more choice.
“Our plans will ensure the country gets the infrastructure it needs to stay competitive, connecting the whole of the UK to global growth.”
