Newscast

Today, we look at, how much the victims of the infected blood scandal could receive in compensation And a major row between a Hollywood A Lister and OpenAi. The government has announced some infected blood victims will receive £210,000 compensation within 90 days. This is an initial payment whilst work continues on a final scheme. It is estimated final payments could rise to £2.6m for certain infe...

Today we look at the final report into the infected blood scandal, which accuses doctors, the government and the NHS of letting patients catch HIV and hepatitis. In total, it's thought about 2,900 people have died since being infected by contaminated blood, and the number continues to rise. The report into the scandal suggests evidence of failure and cover-up. PM Rishi Sunak apologised to the vict...

Today we look at the death of Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash. The hard-line cleric was killed alongside Iran’s foreign minister when a helicopter they were travelling in, crashed in heavy fog in northern Iran. The president was elected in 2021 and was seen as a potential successor to Iran’s Supreme Leader. Adam is joined by the BBC’s Chief International Correspondent Lyse Dou...

Today, we heard from the government and the Labour party about the infected blood scandal - ahead of the inquiry’s final report being published tomorrow. Laura and Henry discuss what defence secretary Grant Shapps had to say about the government’s plan to compensate victims and how much they would be prepared to spend - as well as more on defence spending. And, after forgetting one of Labour’s six...

Today, Adam and Laura discuss ‘Project Sunak’, and Laura shares some of the insights she’s heard from people who know and have worked with the Prime Minister about what he’s like behind the scenes - as well as the operation to improve his popularity. And Laura has interviewed Leonid Volkov, a close ally of Alexei Navalny, who was attacked with hammers outside his home in Lithuania last year. You c...

Today, we look at Russian President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to China, where he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Putin, on his first foreign visit since being sworn in for a fifth term as president last week, was greeted with a rare hug from Xi Jinping before the leaders met to discuss trade between their two countries. Adam discusses the significance of this visit - and its potential ra...

Today, we look at Keir Starmer revealing the “first steps” Labour would take if they won the general election. Speaking at an event in Essex, the Labour leader unveiled a pledge card with six key policies, including delivering "economic stability" and providing 40,000 more hospital appointments each week. Starmer rejected claims the party had scaled back its ambitions, and that it was a “copycat”...

Today, we look at what we know about the assassination attempt on Slovak PM Robert Fico. The alleged assailant has been detained by the police and ministers have told reporters it was a politically-motivated attack. Europe editor Katya Adler is on to explain what we know about what happened, and who Robert Fico is. And Chris joins James to discuss why some prisoners are being released early in Eng...

Today, we look a new study which suggests obesity jabs, such as Wegovy and Ozempic, could also cut the risk of heart attacks and strokes. The drug semaglutide, which suppresses the appetite, is prescribed by the NHS and now has growing use as a “skinny jab”. Researchers have said that weekly shots could benefit the cardiovascular health of millions of adults, but the results have not yet been full...

Today, we look at Rishi Sunak’s claim that the election would be a choice “between past and future”, as Labour accused him of rebranding again. In a wide-ranging speech, the PM said that Keir Starmer would make the UK less safe and that the Tories are “the only party really talking about the future.” But Labour responded by claiming this was Rishi Sunak’s “7th reset” during his time in office. Are...

Today we take a look at accusations that former Conservative MP Natalie Elphicke lobbied former Lord Chancellor, Sir Robert Buckland, over her then-husband Charlie’s sexual assault case. A spokesman for Ms Elphicke, said the claims were "nonsense". Laura, Paddy and Henry discuss how big a problem it is for the party, and how the story came to light. And Laura’s been speaking to the foreign secreta...

Today we take a look at Keir Starmer’s election plan with a man who was once one of his closest colleagues. Former chief of staff to the Labour leader, Sam White, joins Laura and Paddy to talk about what he thinks his old boss needs to do to avoid throwing away his lead. He also reveals details about their conversations about defections, and his own sacking. And there’s controversy at Eurovision w...

Today, Keir Starmer set out his plan to stop small boats crossing the channel. Joined in Dover by the newest Labour MP, Natalie Elphicke, Keir Starmer took questions on his plan for a new Border Security Command. Chris Mason tells Adam all about the plan and his interview with the Labour leader. And we look ahead to the Eurovision Song Contest final. Adam is joined by Paddy O’Connell and Eurovisio...

Today, we look at whether the UK economy has “turned a corner”, and if so why interest rates were kept the same? The Bank of England has announced it is keeping interest rates the same, for the sixth month in a row. The Governor Andrew Bailey has said it needs to "see more evidence" that price rises have slowed further. So when will mortgage rate start to drop? Adam is joined by Andy Haldane, form...

Today we look at the shock defection of another MP from the Tories to Labour. Keir Starmer welcomed the MP for Dover and Deal Natalie Elphicke to his side of the house at Wednesday’s Prime Minister’s Questions. It’s the second defection from the Conservatives to Labour in the past fortnight after the MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich Dan Poulter also crossed the floor. Adam and Chris are re...

Today we look at new online safety rules for under-18s published by the media regulator. Tech firms have been told to hide harmful content from children, or risk being banned for under-18s. BBC Breakfast did a special programme on the story. It’s presenters Jon Kay and Sally Nugent tell Adam and Chris what it was like to speak to parents of children subjected to online harms. Adam and Chris also q...

Today we look at the potential ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. On Monday, Hamas agreed to terms put forward by Egyptian and Qatari mediators, but Israel has rejected them, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying they are far from meeting Israel’s “core demands”. Meanwhile, the Israel Defence Force has taken control of the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing, a vital entry point for aid....

Today we look at the political reaction to the weekend’s local election results. Henry joins Laura and Paddy to analyse as Transport Secretary Mark Harper tells Laura the government's plan "is working". Suella Braverman disagrees. We also hear from the newly re-elected Labour mayor for West Yorkshire, Tracey Brabin, who admits her party lost votes because of its stance on Gaza. And, why does Keir...

Today, we look at a big result in the West Midlands as Labour's Richard Parker beat Conservative Andy Street in a mayoral vote that was too close to call until nearly 9pm. Laura and Paddy give their instant reaction. They also reflect on votes elsewhere, including London, where Labour’s Sadiq Khan was voted in for a third time. Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news storie...

Today, we look at the results that have come in throughout Friday in the local elections. Ben Houchen has won in the Tees Valley mayoral race, in some positive news for Rishi Sunak. Will this be enough to stop any challenges to his leadership from within his party? Overall, it continues to look a bad day for the Conservatives though. Labour have won 3 other regional mayor contests, as well as key...

Today we look at the results that have come in overnight in the local elections and the Blackpool South by-election. Labour has made gains in councils in Redditch, Thurrock, Hartlepool, and Rushmoor in Hampshire as well as winning the Blackpool South seat with a 26% swing. With around a third of local council results in, Adam is joined by Laura Kuenssberg, Chris Mason, Alex Forsyth, Henry Zeffman...

Today, we look at who could be the next first minister of Scotland. And an exclusive report from the West Bank. Right now, John Swinney looks set to become Scotland’s next first minister, as Kate Forbes confirms she will not challenge him. Swinney says he wants to "unite the SNP and Scotland for independence", but will he be able to? Adam speaks Scotland Editor James Cook. And, as violence in the...

Today we look at local elections! On Thursday, voters head to the polls to elect councillors, mayors, and police and crime commissioners. These are the last local elections before the next general election, but what will we learn from the results? And who has Luke Skywalker endorsed? Adam and Chris are joined by election guru Professor Sir John Curtice and political correspondent Alex Forsyth. And...

Today, we look at whether the government has lost track of some of the migrants it aims to send to Rwanda. And, whether this is linked to a rise in migration to Ireland? The Irish government has blamed the Rwanda policy for the rise in migrants arriving from Northern Ireland. Meanwhile Rishi Sunak, has claimed this as evidence his plan is working. Does the Irish government have a right to send mig...

Today, we look Humza Yousaf stepping down as Scotland’s first minister. In an emotional resignation speech, Yousaf said he had “clearly underestimated" the hurt he'd caused the Scottish Greens by ending the SNP's power-sharing deal with them in the way he did. As a result, the SNP leader was facing two votes of no confidence later this week. Yousaf says he will stay on as first minister until the...