Newscast

Today, as the UK faces the third heatwave already of the summer - is this the kind of summer we should expect in future? Adam is joined by Jordan Dunbar, one of the hosts of the Climate Question podcast and Sarah Keith-Lucas lead weather presenter for the BBC. They discuss when hot weather becomes a heatwave, how prepared the UK is and whether travel habits will change as a result. You can now lis...

Today, the UK and France have unveiled a new “one in, one out” plan to reduce small boat Channel crossings. Announcing the deal at the end of Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to the UK, Keir Starmer said migrants arriving on small boats will be returned to France, in exchange for asylum seekers who have not tried to enter the UK illegally. Adam and Chris unpack what’s in the deal, and ask whether thi...

Can the government afford everything it wants to do? Adam is joined by BBC economics editor Faisal Islam and BBC health editor Hugh Pym to discuss the news that resident doctors, who used to be called junior doctors, have announced strike dates for later this summer. The government says it won’t reopen negotiations with the British Medical Association, which represents resident doctors. Plus, the...

As the government announces a new test of the emergency alert system, Newscast is invited to COBR. Adam and Chris become the first people ever to broadcast from COBR as they interview Pat McFadden the Chancellor for the Duchy of Lancaster. They discuss a new test of the emergency alert system, what it’s really like during meetings of national security and how the government is preparing for future...

Today we look at the continued fall out of flash floods in Texas where at least 91 people have died. Search efforts continue for a fourth day for dozens of people still missing, authorities say. Camp Mystic, a girls' summer camp in the county, confirmed that at least 27 girls and staff were among the dead Adam speaks to chief North America correspondent, Gary O’Donoghue who’s been reporting from T...

On recent episodes we’ve looked back at Labour’s first 12 year in government, and we’ve looked ahead at what Labour could do next. Today, Newscast finds out how voters feel things are going. Laura and Paddy chat with Luke Tryl, director of More in Common, political research group, to find out what new polling suggests about what the public really think of Keir Starmer. You can now listen to Newsca...

Today, Laura and Paddy look ahead and discuss what's next for the government after a tumultuous first year in power. Can we expect Keir Starmer to make changes to policy, politics and personnel? or will the Prime Minister dig in and defy the critics, some of whom are already predicting his resignation before the next election. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/ne...

One year after Keir Starmer became the first Labour Prime Minister for 14 years, have his first 12 months been a success? Adam, Chris and Henry are at Crossed Wires festival to discuss in front of an audience of Newscasters! 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 Newscas...

Can the government’s new ten year plan save the NHS? Today the government published it’s plan to reform the NHS. The government says it will focus on three main changes, shifting from treatment to preventative care, switching to digital health services, and moving to more community care. Adam speaks to minister of state for care Stephen Kinnock about the plans, and Chris joins to unpack the govern...

Today, Rachel Reeves was visibly upset at Prime Minister’s Questions. Her team say it was a personal matter, and there are also reports of an argument with the speaker. Adam and Chris look at what’s been going on amidst mounting criticism of the chancellor’s handling of the welfare cuts. Plus, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has been found not guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking his ex partner Cassie Ve...

Today, MPs have narrowly voted in favour of the government’s welfare bill. The controversial legislation passed after a series of last minute concessions by the government, but 49 Labour MPs still rebelled. Adam and Chris discuss what changes were made, how the government failed to manage the rebellion, and the political blow the prime minister has taken. Plus, three former senior staff at the hos...

Today, Avon and Somerset police launched a criminal investigation into sets by bands Bob Vylan and Kneecap at Glastonbury festival on Saturday. Adam is joined by BBC media and culture editor Katie Razzall, who reported from the festival over the weekend, to discuss the investigation and the BBC’s apology for not cutting the livestream of Bob Vylan’s performance. And, Faisal and Chris are back for...

Today, we look at the reaction from politicians, Glastonbury, and the BBC to comments from Bob Vylan, a duo that performed at the music festival on Saturday. Rapper Bobby Vylan led chants of "death, death to the IDF [Israel Defense Forces]". A BBC spokesperson said: “Some of the comments made during Bob Vylan’s set were deeply offensive. During this live stream on iPlayer, which reflected what was...

Today, we look at where the welfare U-turn leaves Keir Starmer’s government, and the PM himself. Paddy and Henry Zeffman go through the PM’s first year in office and put it into context by look at where he’s got things right and wrong. Henry’s been talking to Labour insiders and officials for a documentary: Starmer’s Stormy Year You can find it here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002f8t1 You...

Today, the government has confirmed it will make major concessions to Labour rebels over its planned benefits reforms. Adam and Chris were back in the Newscast studio on Friday morning to run through how news of the U-turn broke late on Thursday night. And, they're joined by Alex and Faisal to unpack the week's political news - including key takeaways from the Nato summit in the Netherlands, inclu...

Today, can Keir Starmer stop a rebellion from his own party over proposed welfare cuts? Adam is joined by Luke Sullivan, Keir Starmer’s former political director, to discuss the leadership strategy and the current political challenge. Also, columnist and author Sarah Vine speaks to Adam ahead of the release of her new book How Not to Be a Political Wife, sharing how Brexit led to the end of her ma...

Today, world leaders have agreed to increase defence spending to 5% at a Nato summit at The Hague. Member states will commit 3.5% of GDP on core defence expenditure by 2035, plus up to 1.5% on a security investments. President Trump hailed the outcome as a “big win” and said he no longer thought Nato was a "rip-off". Adam is joined by BBC diplomatic correspondent James Landale and former British A...

Today, President Trump arrives in Europe for what is being called “the most significant Nato summit since the cold war”? Adam, Chris and Katya are re-united as President Trump lands in Europe for his first Nato summit since winning the White House for the second time. Meanwhile, back at home the Prime Minister faces growing rebellion from Labour backbench MPs over welfare changes. Sir Keir Starmer...

Today, Iran launches missiles at a US base in Qatar in response to strikes on their nuclear sites. Qatar has confirmed the attack on the US-run Al Udeid base, adding all the missiles were intercepted. The Pentagon has said there is no reports of any US casualties. Adam is joined by John Simpson, BBC world affairs editor And, health secretary Wes Streeting has said "we must act now" as he announced...

Today we look at the US bombing of Iranian nuclear sites. Donald Trump told Tehran to "make peace" or face "far greater" attacks in future. Iran has warned of “everlasting consequences”. Security analyst Gordon Corera goes through what we know about the strikes and what could happen next. Gary O’Donoghue, chief North America correspondent, explains Trump’s thinking and the reaction in the US You c...

Today we’re looking at the reaction to a security breach at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire. Pro-Palestinian activists broke into the base and sprayed two military planes with red paint. The home secretary will move to proscribe the Palestine Action group in the coming weeks, effectively branding them as a terrorist organisation, the BBC understands. Paddy and Laura look at the political row surro...

Today, MPs have voted in favour of the assisted dying bill, in the biggest step so far in favour of the changing of the law. MPs vote to back a bill legalising assisted dying in England and Wales by 23 votes. Prime Minister Keir Starmer voted in favour of the bill, while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch voted against. The bill would allow terminally ill adults with six months or less to live to g...

Today, what role could the UK play in the conflict between Israel and Iran? President Donald Trump will decide on whether the US gets directly involved in the Iran-Israel conflict within the next two weeks, the White House says. Adam, Chris, Alex and Faisal discuss; what the Prime Minister's options are if the US does directly attack Iran? How the conflict could impact prices in the UK? And, wheth...

Today, Trump dismissed questions about US involvement in Iran, saying: "I may do it, I may not do it. Nobody knows what I want to do.” Adam is joined by Chief Presenter Caitriona Perry and BBC Persian Senior Reporter Siavash Ardalan to interperet Trump’s statements on the White House lawn, as well as Iran’s Supreme Leader threatening ‘irreparable harm’ if the US takes action. Also, what’s at stake...

Today, President Trump says he knows where Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is but "we" won't kill him - "at least not for now". In a series of posts on social media, he went on to demand an 'unconditional surrender', as Iran and Israel fire missiles for a fifth day. Is regime change likely, or a goal of the US and Israel? Caitriona Perry -chief presenter for BBC News and Lyse Doucet c...