Newscast

Today, politicians across the House of Commons have called for Lord Mandelson to resign as UK ambassador to the US over his connection to Jeffrey Epstein. Lord Mandelson acknowledged that there could be more "embarrassing" exchanges to come from his correspondence with Epstein who he described as his "best pal" in a letter for his 50th birthday. He likened his association with Epstein to "an albat...

Today, Israel carried out a surprise strike on senior Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar. Hamas claims the leaders - who were in Doha as part of the delegation negotiating a possible ceasefire deal - survived but said that six others were killed in the strike. The Trump administration was notified about the strikes before they happened by the US military, and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu s...

Today, the new Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said that the UK could suspend visas for countries with who don’t “play ball” with the government’s migrant return plans. This comes after the Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s surprise cabinet reshuffle at the end of last week, triggered by the resignation of his Deputy Angela Rayner, who paid an incorrect amount of stamp duty on a property. The Labour NE...

Today, we look at whether the government’s leadership changes point to a turn to the right after a series of personnel changes after Angela Rayner’s resignation. The new home secretary Shabana Mahmood is said to be taking up a harder stance on immigration and is looking at moving asylum seekers onto military sites as an alternative to hotels, as confirmed by defence secretary John Healey in an int...

Today, we look at the damage done to Keir Starmer and his government after he lost his deputy prime minister. Angela Rayner resigned after the prime minister's ethics adviser found that she had breached the ministerial code over failing to pay enough tax on her flat in East Sussex. But does that mean Keir Starmer’s lost one of his most valuable cabinet members? Paddy and Laura reunite after the su...

Today, Angela Rayner resigned after an investigation concluded she breached the ministerial code by underpaying stamp duty on a flat in Hove. The report into Rayner’s conduct concluded she had ‘acted with integrity’ but had failed to meet the standards of the ministerial code by not looking for expert tax advice. Her resignation triggered a major cabinet reshuffle. James Cook is joined by Chris Ma...

Today, we look at the continuing row over Angela Rayner not paying enough tax on her second home. James is joined in Glasgow by Chris who’s been travelling with Sir Keir Starmer. Earlier today, the Prime Minister refused to tell Chris if he’d sack Angela Rayner if she is found to have broken the ministerial code. With a judgment from the independent adviser expected before the end of the week; Chr...

Today, Angela Rayner admitted to underpaying stamp duty on her £800,000 flat in Hove and referred herself for investigation by the PM's standards adviser. James is joined by Faisal Islam, Economics Editor, and Chris Mason, Political Editor, to discuss the deputy prime minister’s explanation of her family and tax arrangements, the reaction in parliament, and the inquiry she now faces. Plus, Rachel...

Today, we look ahead to the unprecedented meeting between Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un happening on Wednesday, the first time the three of them have ever met in public. It’s happening off the back of a summit in China, where Beijing hosted leaders from over 20 non-Western countries. Why are they meeting and what does it mean for the West? James speaks to BBC diplomatic correspondent...

Today, as parliament returns Keir Starmer has reshuffled his Downing Street team once again. What has prompted another change at Number 10? What does this mean for Rachel Reeves as Chancellor? And, why are so many people talking about flags? James and Chris are joined by 5 Live presenter Matt Chorley after he interviewed the Prime Minister, to discuss all this, plus, new changes to the asylum syst...

On this episode of Old Newscast, we look at how the downfall of Margaret Thatcher as prime minister changed British politics. Jim Naughtie, BBC special correspondent, joins Adam with Caroline Slocock, who was Thatcher’s private secretary. They talk about how it affected the Conservative government that followed, how she might have influenced Tony Blair, and the toll the episode took on her. You ca...

On this episode of Old Newscast, we look at the day that Margaret Thatcher announced she would stand down as prime minister, 22 November 1990. Jim Naughtie, BBC special correspondent joins Adam with Caroline Slocock, who was Thatcher’s private secretary. They go through how the day unfolded publicly and behind the scenes, and what led to the decision. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart spea...

With politicians returning to Westminster on Monday we look back at the summer and ahead to the challenges awaiting them. Adam is joined by political correspondent Joe Pike, and director of the Institute for Government Hannah White, to discuss Reform UK’s attempt to fill the summer recess void, the prime minister’s latest reshuffle of his top advisers and the fiscal challenges facing Rachel Reeves...

Today, we discuss the US Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook suing President Donald Trump after he attempted to fire her. President Trump claims she made false statements on her mortgage, and says he has the authority to remove her. Cook has said there is "no cause exists under the law" to sack her. At the same time Trump is in another public dispute with the director of the US Centers for Disease...

Today, President Trump prepares to host a meeting about what happens next for Gaza city but - aside from Special Envoy Steve Witkoff promising a ‘comprehensive’ plan for what happens to Gaza - isn’t sharing many details. Adam is joined by James Landale, Diplomatic Correspondent for BBC News and Caitriona Perry, Chief Presenter BBC News in Washington, to unpack three stories from the Trump administ...

Today, Reform UK has set out a five-year plan to detain and deport all migrants who arrive in the UK without permission and suggested 600,000 people could be sent back over five years. Under the plan, named Operation Restoring Justice, Reform UK would bar anyone who comes to the UK on small boats from claiming asylum, and strike deals with countries to return those people. The proposals could face...

34 years after the conclusion of Operation Desert Storm, Adam is joined by Kate Adie, Justin Webb, and Jeremy Bowen, to discuss the legacy of the first Gulf War. Was it a high point for conventional war tactics and Western , liberal, democratic power in the world? Or did it herald the start of a bloody intervention in the Middle East, from which the world has still not recovered? You can now liste...

On the 24 February 1991 The ground operation in Kuwait begun. After 6 weeks of decisive air offenses, allied forces moved in with the mission to expel what was left of Saddam Hussein’s military presence in Kuwait. Adam is joined again by three BBC reporters who were in the region at the time - Kate Adie, Justin Webb, and Jeremy Bowen. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want...

On the 17th January 1991, a US led coalition began its air offensive into neighbouring Kuwait, which had been invaded the year before by the Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein. Codenamed operation ‘Desert Storm’, it marked the defining chapter of the first Gulf War - a conflict which has since been held up as an exemplar of Western military and diplomatic dominance. Adam is joined by three BBC reporters...

Today, we discuss the government seeking the right to appeal against a High Court ruling blocking a hotel in Essex from housing asylum seekers. Epping Forest District Council was granted a temporary injunction to stop people being placed at the Bell Hotel earlier this week. The Home Secretary Yvette Cooper unsuccessfully tried to get the case dismissed by intervening at the last minute. Adam speak...

Today, we discuss Israel beginning the first stages of a ground offensive into Gaza City. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are expected to be ordered to evacuate and head to southern Gaza. This escalation comes as Israel continues to restrict aid into the strip, with Palestinians facing widespread malnutrition. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he is "shortening the timelines" for se...

Today, more councils across England say they could take legal action, after the High Court issued a temporary injunction to stop the government from housing asylum seekers at The Bell Hotel in Epping. Anti-migrant protests and counter protests have been taking place in Epping throughout the summer after an asylum seeker living at the hotel was charged with sexual assault. Adam is joined by Dominic...

Today, President Trump has ruled out sending US troops to Ukraine as part of any possible security guarantee. Speaking to US TV, the president said any boots on the ground would be British, French or German but did suggest they would have US air support. Adam is joined by BBC diplomatic correspondent James Landale from London plus Vitaliy Shevchenko, host of Ukrainecast and Asma Khalid host of the...

Straight off the back of the Alaska summit with Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump hosted Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House as he pushes for an end to the war in Ukraine. The last time they met in the Oval Office, it ended in an argument in front of the world's media. It was a friendlier encounter this time, with Zelensky handing a letter to Donald Trump from his wife to the First Lady, Melania Trum...

On this episode of Old Newscast, we look at how the Oslo peace process failed. Changes in Israeli leadership and disagreement on issues like Jerusalem, Palestinian statehood and Israeli settlements undermined the process and continue to echo today. Adam speaks to Jane Corbin from BBC Panorama and BBC Chief International Correspondent who were reporting during the peace process. You can now listen...