Newscast

Today, the government are claiming credit for a fall in migration numbers - but should they? Adam and Chris are joined by economics editor Faisal Islam and political correspondent Leila Nathoo to discuss that + the controversial Chagos deal. 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...

Today, we’re looking at what the government is doing to deal with overcrowding in prisons in England and Wales. It’s responding to an independent report into the issue by former justice secretary, David Gauke, who’s on the podcast. We’re also looking at a pay rise for the public sector, with teachers and doctors getting 4%. Health editor Hugh Pym and education editor Branwen Jeffreys talk it throu...

Today, we look at a U-turn from the government, after the Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced plans to ease cuts to winter fuel payments. More than 10 million pensioners lost out on the payments, worth up to £300, when the pension top-up became means-tested last year. Adam and Chris Mason discuss with Starmer’s former political director Luke Sullivan. Also, England will be the first country in t...

Today, we discuss the Foreign Secretary suspending trade negotiations with Israel over its “cruel and indefensible” blockade of Gaza. The UK, France and Canada previously said they’d “take further concrete actions” if Israel doesn’t stop its latest offensive and allow aid in, as Palestinians face more strikes and starvation. The BBC’s international editor Jeremy Bowen joins Adam in the studio. And...

Today, the UK and EU have come to a deal that covers fishing, trade, defence, energy and more. Adam and Chris, in true Brexitcast style, go through the detail as the Prime Minister says it is time to move on from “political fights” about Brexit. Plus, Adam sits down with Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer, as she explains the benefits of the deal. They also discuss possible changes to ISAs...

Today, we’re looking at more details of what could be in a deal between the UK and the EU, set to be revealed tomorrow. Laura’s been talking to the lead negotiator from the UK side, the European relations minister Nick Thomas-Symonds. He says he’s pushing for UK passport holders to be able to use EU e-gates at airports, and that he’s "confident" about changes to lower food prices. Paddy’s been tal...

Today we’re looking at what could be in a deal between the UK and European Union expected to be announced at a summit on Monday. Keir Starmer’s former chief of staff Sam White is on to give an insight into what the PM really thinks about Europe. And, Eurovision expert Paddy tells Laura what to watch out for in the final on Saturday night. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you w...

Today, the UK is in talks with other countries to set up overseas “return hubs” for failed asylum seekers. Adam and Chris are joined by Caitriona Perry chief presenter for BBC News and diplomatic correspondent James Landale. They also discuss the will they, won’t they of the last 24 hours over a meeting between Putin, Trump and Zelensky. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you wa...

Today, we look at talks between world leaders and their officials in Turkey, where a breakthrough on peace in Ukraine was hoped for. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the country's capital Ankara, but Russian President Vladimir Putin stayed away despite having proposed talks. Russia editor Steve Rosenberg joins to discuss what Putin’s thinking i...

Today, what is President Trump achieving with his tour of the Middle East? On Wednesday President Trump met with the leaders of Syria and Qatar on his first major foreign trip as President. James is joined by the BBC’s diplomatic correspondent James Landale and BBC’s chief presenter in Washington Caitriona Perry to discuss Also, James and Alex explain today’s the announcement by the Justice Secret...

Today, we’re looking at a cyber attack on Marks and Spencer, which started three weeks ago. The retailer said today that some personal customer information has been taken. To understand what has been going on, James speaks to Joe Tidy, BBC’s cyber correspondent, and to Ciaran Martin, the founding Chief Executive of the National Cyber Security Centre. Also, Donald Trump gave a speech in Riyadh wher...

Today, we look at Labour’s plan to fix the UK’s ‘‘broken’’ migration system. James speaks to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to comb through the details including a degree-level requirement for overseas workers, ending automatic settlement after five years for most visas, and a tightening of English tests for all visa applicants. We also look at how the US and China came to a sudden agreement to slas...

Today, we’re looking at what’s behind a change in position from the Russian President Vladimir Putin, who’s called for "direct talks" with Ukraine on 15 May. European leaders met in Kyiv to demand a 30-day ceasefire, and spoke with President Donald Trump, on Saturday. We also hear from the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, who was on Laura’s show this morning, ahead of a week in which she’ll lay out p...

Today, we look at the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan. The US President Donald Trump announced the news to the world via social media and it was his secretary of state and vice president doing the mediation. International editor Jeremy Bowen joins Laura and Paddy to talk about how the agreement was reached. They also talk about a possible ceasefire in Ukraine, where European leaders...

Today, the UK and US have both described the deal as a success - but who really benefits from their tariff agreement? Adam and Alex are joined by Dharshini David, BBC deputy economics editor and James Landale the BBC’s diplomatic correspondent to discuss the deal, and whether this has turned around a tricky week for the PM. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen,...

Today, Robert Prevost has become the first American Pope, and will be known as Pope Leo XIV. Adam is joined by the BBC’s Religion editor Aleem Maqbool to talk through how the news broke from the Vatican, and what we know about Chicago-born Prevost who worked for many years as a missionary in Peru before being made an archbishop there And, the UK and US have announced a tariff agreement. Tariffs ha...

Today, we’re looking at the conflict between India and Pakistan. On Tuesday night, India launched missile strikes in Pakistan and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir. Adam talks to the BBC’s international editor Jeremy Bowen and Journalist Arunoday Mukharji about what’s happening, how Pakistan is reacting, and whether things could get worse. Americast’s Justin Webb also joins for a behind-the-scenes look...

Today, after three years of on-off negotiations the UK and India have agreed a “landmark” trade deal. Will it make goods cheaper for people in the UK? What does it mean for the number of Indian students coming to the UK? And, does this change the UK’s approach to President Trump’s tariffs? Adam and Chris are joined by Faisal to discuss. Also, Adam is joined by Professor Dame Jenny Harries as she s...

On this episode of Old Newscast, we look at the consequences for the world of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Adam is joined by world affairs editor John Simpson, as well as historian and author of Beyond the Wall, Katja Hoyer. 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...

On this episode of Old Newscast, we look at what led to, and what happened on the day of, the fall of the Berlin wall. Adam is joined by world affairs editor John Simpson, as well as historian and author of Beyond the Wall, Katja Hoyer. 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...

Today, we look at how the political parties are reacting to this week’s local election results. The Health Secretary Wes Streeting spoke to both Laura and Paddy to give the Labour view. Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, the Lib Dem leader Ed Davey and Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf were all on Laura’s Sunday show. We also look at what party staffers are saying behind the scenes and how Zia Yu...

Today, we look at the local election results in full. Reform now have well over 600 councillors. Party leader Nigel Farage said the victory over Labour and the Conservatives was “unprecedented”. The Liberal Democrats are also celebrating after successful election results. The party increased their number of councillors, with its leader Ed Davey saying they are now “the part of Middle England”. Pol...

Today, Reform have won the Runcorn and Helsby by-election by just six votes - one of the closest parliamentary elections ever. Sarah Pochin overturned Labour's large majority to become Reform's fifth MP after a recount. Elsewhere, Reform wins its first mayoral election in Greater Lincolnshire, and Labour narrowly holds three mayoral races in North Tyneside, the West of England, and Doncaster - wit...

Today, we look at what’s in the deal struck between the United States and Ukraine that will give Washington access to some of the war-torn country's natural resources. International editor Jeremy Bowen also explains what it could mean for the conflict. And the Football Association has banned transgender women from playing in women’s matches in England. Legal correspondent Dominic Casciani and spor...

Today, the long-anticipated minerals deal may be about to be signed by the US and Ukraine. Adam speaks to BBC chief presenter Caitriona Perry and BBC diplomatic correspondent James Landale about why an agreement is back on the agenda. We also discuss President Trump's cabinet meeting where he blamed former president Biden for “bad numbers” after a report found the US economy has shrunk by 0.3% sin...