Newscast

Today, Russia and the US hold peace talks in Saudi Arabia, but a noticeable absentee was any representative of Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergi Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio have agreed to appoint teams to start negotiating the end of the war in Ukraine after talks in Saudi Arabia. Speaking after, Lavrov said his country wouldn’t accept peacekeeping forces from Nato countries...

Today, we ask what a peace deal for Ukraine might look like, as European leaders gather in Paris for an emergency summit. Sir Keir Starmer has said the UK was "ready and willing to put troops on the ground", while President Trump is expected to be meeting President Putin in Saudi Arabia “very soon”. Adam is joined by our Europe editor, Katya Adler and Lord Kim Darroch, former UK Ambassador to Wash...

Today, Victoria and Paddy are joined by Newsnight political editor Nicholas Watt to discuss the latest developments between the UK, US and EU. The UK government has set out a road map to increase defence spending from 2.3% to 2.5% of GDP, as Starmer seeks to build a “bridge” between Trump and Europe. An emergency summit is being planned by Europe‘s leaders, as the US and Russia prepare for separat...

Today, Paddy and Adam are joined by Lyse Doucet to discuss developments on the global stage at the Munich Security Conference. JD Vance shocked delegates with an attack on Europe and the UK, who he accused of neglecting their values and ignoring the issue of migration and free speech. Plus, Hamas has released three Israeli hostages in return for over 300 Palestinian prisoners as the Gaza ceasefire...

Adam Fleming, Chris Mason, Caitríona Perry and James Landale discuss if the war in Ukraine might be about to end. And, what Donald Trump’s intervention means for Ukraine, Russia, and the rest of Europe. And the UK economy unexpectedly grew in the final months of 2024 but the figures also indicated living standards last year were slightly lower than in 2023 on average. You can now listen to Newscas...

Today, we look at President Donald Trump’s claim that there’s a “good possibility” that the Ukraine war could be about to end. He spoke to Russian President Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during separate phone calls. Chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet and Russia editor Steve Rosenberg talk through what we know. Chris is on to talk about stories regarding the Chancellor...

Today, we look at a BBC investigation which has revealed that MI5 lied three times in court to protect one of its own violent, neo-Nazi agents. As it was defending its handling of their agent who had attacked his girlfriend with a machete, MI5 lied to three courts when they said they had stuck to its policy of not confirming or denying their agents’ identities. They had actually given information...

Today, we look at the commissioner of the Met police Sir Mark Rowley saying they have been left in a “hopeless position” after a High Court ruling. The High Court today ruled the force could not dismiss officers by removing their vetting clearance. The ruling has huge implications for the ability of police chiefs to sack officers and is a major blow to Sir Mark's pledge to root out people who he s...

Today, we look at President Trump’s announcement that he will impose 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports into the U.S. He made the announcement to reporters aboard Air Force One after becoming the first sitting president to attend the Super Bowl, where he and Taylor Swift got mixed reactions from the crowd. Adam and Chris talk about the implications of the tariffs for the UK and the res...

Today, we look at the latest Government minister to be forced to leave their role. Health minister Andrew Gwynne has been sacked after a newspaper revealed he sent a string of offensive and abusive WhatsApp messages. Gwynne said on X that he was sorry for any offence caused by the "badly misjudged" comments. Laura, Paddy and Henry discuss. Meanwhile, the deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner spoke t...

Today, listen in full to an exclusive group interview for BBC One's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg with the four British families suing TikTok for the alleged wrongful deaths of their children. The parents believe their children died after taking part in a viral trend that circulated on the video-sharing platform in 2022. TikTok says it prohibits dangerous content and challenges. It has blocked sear...

Today, we look at what a potential peace deal in Ukraine could look like. President Trump says he’ll “probably” meet President Zelensky next week, amid reports that America’s blueprint for peace in Ukraine is set to be unveiled in the coming days. What could a plan look like? And, will President Zelensky back it? Paddy and Laura are joined by the BBC’s Ukraine correspondent James Waterhouse. And,...

Today, we go back to where it all began - Brexitcast. Adam, Laura, Chris and Faisal reunite in the BBC Radio Theatre in front of a live audience to discuss the past and future of Brexit. Could another outcome have been possible? Could Theresa May have survived Brexit as PM? And, is the Brexit debate starting to heat up again? You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen...

Today we look at what Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch had to say to Chris in the past 24 hours. Keir Starmer has announced plans to make it easier to build nuclear power stations in England and Wales, whilst Kemi Badenoch was interviewed about her new policy pledge to block benefits for migrants settling in the UK. And Adam and Chris are joined by health and science correspondent James Gallagher as...

Today we look at what Donald Trump means when he says he wants to own Gaza. Adam, Chris, Paddy and Laura speak to international editor Jeremy Bowen, who goes through the reaction from across the world and what the consequences of the comments are. Everyone’s together in the BBC Radio Theatre at Broadcasting House on Newscast’s 5th birthday. They also talk about the amount of money the UK may have...

Today, we look at what could be the start of a trade war between the US and China. After postponing tariffs on Canada and Mexico, President Trump has introduced a 10% tax on all goods imports from China. Early this morning Beijing announced it would impose a retaliatory 10% levy, albeit on fewer products. Adam is joined by Laura Bicker, the BBC’s China Correspondent and Cindy Yu from the Spectator...

Today, we look at Sir Keir Starmer being the first UK Prime Minister to join a gathering of EU leaders since Brexit. Meanwhile, President Trump has unveiled his much promised tariffs. Starmer says the trip is part of what he calls a “reset” between the UK and European Union. It comes as President Trump says the US will “definitely” impose trade tariffs on the EU. This follows Trump imposing tariff...

Today, we look at a new book about what went on behind the scenes during Labour’s rise to power. Journalists and authors of Get In, Gabriel Pogrund and Patrick Maguire, join Laura and Paddy to explain how the party went from a crushing defeat in 2019 to a decisive victory in 2024 - and all the pitfalls and schemes that played out along the way. Plus, Laura and Paddy discuss the global reaction to...

Today, we look at the challenges facing Labour’s plans for welfare reform. After the chancellor Rachel Reeves set her sights on a “fundamental” reform of the system, Laura, Paddy and Henry discuss what that could mean for health and disability benefits and why cost cutting reforms could cause trouble within the Labour party. Plus, five years on from the UK’s departure from the European Union we lo...

Today, Adam, Chris, Alex and Faisal discuss whether Lord Mandelson will be approved as Ambassador to the US, a disagreement in the shadow cabinet and whether Rachel Reeves’ plans for growth will work. 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:...

Today, we discuss Home Office plans to tackle migrant smuggling gangs. The Home Secretary Yvette Cooper told Chris the changes would mean the government endangering lives at sea is to be a new criminal offence. He and Adam are joined by home and legal correspondent Dominic Casciani. And, RFK Jr, President Trump’s pick for health secretary has been questioned by senators about his views on vaccines...

Today we look at the Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ a speech in which she backed a third runway at London's Heathrow Airport. She said it’s "badly needed" and will help grow the economy by creating 100,000 new jobs and improving connectivity to global markets. But is it guaranteed, and what are the implications for emissions? To answer those questions, Adam and Chris are joined by chief economics corre...

Today, the BBC’s special correspondent Fergal Keane travelled with the first Jordanian helicopter delivering aid inside Gaza since the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel was declared. Adam speaks to Fergal about what it was like to be the first international correspondent to fly with the Jordanians into Israeli-held territory in southern Gaza. And, the Office for National Statistics has projected...

Today, we look at the relationship between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The two men spoke for the first time on Sunday since the return of President Trump to the White House. Whilst both sides were keen to stress the positives, the 45-minute call appears to have focussed on points of agreement not distance. Chris and Adam speak to North America Editor Sarah Smith. And, i...

Today, we look at what could be a very big week for the chancellor. Laura and Paddy are joined by BBC Newsnight’s political editor Nick Watt to discuss Rachel Reeves’ attempts to get growth. Including, measures for easing restrictions for wealthy non-doms and a possible approval of a third runway at Heathrow airport. Plus, following the sentencing of the Southport killer, Laura reflects on her int...