Newscast

Today, Paddy and Laura discuss Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday and what we can learn from those who have been, and those who haven’t been, invited. And Paddy’s been speaking to former Prime Minister Gordon Brown who gives his verdict on the state of the UK economy and tells him about the value of 'multibanks'. And Newscast turns 5! You can apply for tickets below for Newscast’s 5th birthday...

Today, Adam, Chris, Alex and Faisal discuss the government's plan for new inquiries into grooming gangs, how much we should read into some positive economic news this week and why politicians are talking about Brexit again. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. And Newscast turns 5! You...

The Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has announced five government-backed local inquiries and a new national-level "rapid audit" of grooming gangs. The government faced calls for a full national inquiry after interventions by tech billionaire Elon Musk. Adam is joined by Henry Zeffman, chief political correspondent, and social affairs editor Alison Holt. And the ceasefire vote in Israel is delayed as...

Today, we look at the news that a deal has been reached to stop the fighting in Gaza and for the release of the remaining Israeli hostages. The ceasefire is set to begin on Sunday and will last six weeks. Adam and Chris are joined by James Landale, BBC diplomatic correspondent and Sarah Smith, BBC North America editor. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just...

Today, the Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq has resigned after growing pressure over an anti-corruption investigation in Bangladesh. The Labour MP last week referred herself to Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s standards adviser Sir Laurie Magnus - but insisted she has done nothing wrong. She said in a letter today that whilst Sir Laurie found she had not breached by the Ministerial Code that "it is cle...

Today, we look at the announcement of a new AI Action Plan and the government’s hope that it will make the UK a world leader in AI In a speech Sir Keir Starmer laid out the government's plans to use AI across the UK to boost growth and deliver public services more efficiently. Adam and Chris are joined by the BBC’s AI Correspondent, Marc Cieslak. Plus, we look at what today’s announcements mean fo...

Today, Laura, Paddy and Henry discuss the government's plan on AI and how social media giants are impacting British politics. Also, why is Treasury Minister Tulip Siddiq being asked to resign? You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https:/...

Today, Paddy and Laura discuss Rachel Reeves’ trip to Beijing to meet with her Chinese counterpart. But some of the opposition are saying she shouldn’t have gone at a time when soaring government borrowing costs threaten to squeeze UK public finances. And, after Meta announced it will no longer employ factcheckers and will boost political content, a grieving father - Ian Russell - tells Laura why...

Today, we look at Donald Trump avoiding jail, and any punishment, over charges of fraud relating to hush money paid to adult-film star Stormy Daniels. Adam is joined by Caitriona Perry, the BBC’s chief presenter in Washington, and Gary O’Donoghue, the BBC’s senior North America correspondent. And, 2024 was the first year to exceed the key global warming threshold of 1.5°C above pre-industrial temp...

Today, we look at the wildfires still raging across Los Angeles, where five people have been killed and more than 175,000 have been evacuated. Adam speaks with BBC’s Los Angeles correspondent Emma Vardy about the extent of the damage and the rescue operations. And Politico’s California environment reporter Camille von Kaenel explains why President-elect Donald Trump blames the Democrats for the da...

Today, we look at the debate over a national inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal playing out in the House of Commons. The issue was voted on because of an amendment to a Labour bill that will introduce changes to the education system. Chris unpacks the politics, education editor Branwen Jeffreys explains the changes, and political correspondent Tom Symonds talks about what victims are calling...

Today, we look at why Meta is bringing to an end the use of independent fact-checkers on Facebook and Instagram - and replacing them with ‘community notes’. In a video posted online Mark Zuckerberg said third-party moderators were "too politically biased" and it was "time to get back to our roots around free expression". Adam is joined by Vivian Schiller, vice president and executive director of A...

Today, we look at Keir Starmer’s response to what he calls “lies and misinformation” being spread over grooming gangs. It comes after multi-billionaire Elon Musk accused Sir Keir Starmer of being "complicit in the rape of Britain" during his time as director of public prosecutions (DPP) for failing to tackle grooming gangs. Adam and Chris discuss the PM’s response in a press conference on Monday,...

Today we look at Nigel Farage’s friendship with Elon Musk and what he wants to get out of it. Laura’s been talking to the Reform UK leader, who’s defended Musk after he attacked the government's response to grooming gangs on X. Paddy and Laura are joined by Gawain Towler, former director of communications for Reform UK. Plus, Laura has been speaking to the Health Secretary, Wes Streeting about why...

Today, we look a why tech multi billionaire Elon Musk, and friend of Donald Trump is getting involved in British politics. He’s been critical of Labour and Sir Keir Starmer and has formed an allegiance with Reform UK. But there’s a disagreement between Musk and its leader Nigel Farage over the anti Islam activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson. You can now listen to Newscast o...

Today, we look at the government’s plans for a new independent commission on the future of adult social care in England. It's due to start this April, but the final proposals are unlikely to be delivered before 2028. Adam is joined by Vicki Young, BBC’s deputy political editor, and Mike Padgham, chair of the Independent Care Group, the association for all care providers in York and North Yorkshire...

Today, we look at the latest developments in the New Orleans attack that killed at least 14 people and wounded dozens more on New Year's Day. The FBI says 42-year-old army veteran, Shamsu-Din Jabbar, posted videos online proclaiming allegiance to the Islamic State group. Adam speaks to Justin Webb, host of our sister podcast, Americast, and Marianna Spring, BBC’s social media investigations corres...

Today, we look at how Donald Trump’s return to the White House could impact events around the world. Adam speaks to Chris about Keir Starmer’s foreign policy priorities and working with the incoming Trump administration. Plus Senior North America Correspondent Gary O'Donoghue discusses what we know about Trump’s foreign policy. And Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet joins from Syria to...

Today, Adam, Sumi, Caitriona and Justin talk through their stand out moments of the US election campaign. Could the Democrats have done anything to rescue their campaign after Joe Biden dropped out? Or was Trump 2.0 a done deal? We relive all the major twists and turns of an unprecedented presidential race. Plus they share their thoughts on what to look out for in 2025. You can now listen to Newsc...

Today, we look back at the big moments from the 2024 general election campaign. Why did Rishi Sunak decide to hold the election in July? Why did his team decide to send him out into Downing Street in the rain? And looking back, were there any moments that could have changed the final exit poll? Adam, Chris and Laura reminisce about covering the general election, tell us about their most memorable...

Today, we’re answering your questions about Christmas, politics and what goes on behind the scenes at Newscast HQ. Adam, Paddy, Alex, Henry and Marianna cram into the Newscast studio for a Newscast Christmas party. What’s on Henry Zeffman’s Christmas list? Is Die Hard a Christmas film? And where does the Prime Minister spend Christmas Day? Newscast answers all this and more. You can now listen to...

Today, Adam is joined by Laura and Chris to talk about the events in British politics that dominated the headlines this year. They look back at the Rwanda bill, the Conservative leadership election, Labour’s freebies row and the summer riots. And they talk about the political leadership changes across the UK with new first ministers in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. You can now listen to Ne...

Today, we catch up with three newly-elected parliamentarians about their first terms. Adam is joined by Rosie Wrighting, Labour MP for Kettering, Ben Obese-Jecty, Conservative MP for Huntingdon and Pippa Heylings, Liberal Democrat MP for South Cambridgeshire. Adam finds out how their election campaigns went, what missteps they’ve made in Parliament so far and what really goes on behind the scenes...

Today, we discuss Gisèle Pelicot, whose ex-husband has been jailed for 20 years after drugging and raping her, and inviting dozens of strangers to also abuse her over nearly a decade. Dominique Pelicot, 72, was found guilty of all charges. He was on trial with 50 other men, all of whom were found guilty of at least one charge, although their jail terms were less than what prosecutors had demanded....

Today we look at Nigel Farage’s meeting with Elon Musk. Adam and Chris discuss the significance of the Reform leader’s trip to Mar A Lago to meet Elon Musk and whether he’ll be allowed to donate to them under election spending rules. They also talk about the WASPI women who have been campaigning for compensation over pension changes as they say they were not were not properly informed of the rise...