Newscast

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...

Today, we look at the assassination of a Russian general in Moscow. Lt Gen Igor Kirillov was at the entrance to a residential block on Tuesday morning when a device hidden in an electric scooter exploded and killed him. Ukraine has claimed responsibility for the attack. Adam is joined by James Waterhouse, BBC Ukraine Correspondent and Chris Steele - the former head of the Russia Desk at MI6, Autho...

Today, we look at the naming of the alleged Chinese spy with links to Prince Andrew. Sources have told the BBC that Prince Andrew will not be at Sandringham with the rest of the Royal Family for Christmas this year after the alleged spy was named as businessman Yang Tengbo. Mr Yang has responded in a statement saying it was “entirely untrue” that he was a spy. Prince Andrew previously said in a st...

It’s the last weekend edition of Newscast of the year, and the government have decided to do their media round on migration. Laura’s been speaking to the Yvette Cooper, and her Conservative counterpart Chris Philp to find out how the main parties want to tackle the issue. Paddy, and Henry convene to chew through how migration has, and continues to be, a dominant issue in British politics - and how...

In this continental edition, Laura speaks to Paddy from Rome, where she’s been talking to the Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, who will meet her Italian counterpart for diplomacy on migration. She’s also been asking her about the connection between Prince Andrew and an alleged Chinese spy. The Duke of York’s judgement is being questioned after the government advised him to cease all contact with the...

Adam, Chris, Alex and Faisal discuss why sandwiches have become the hot topic in Westminster, what the UK’s future relationship with the EU could look like, and planning reforms. 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://tinyurl.com/n...

Today, NHS England medical director Prof Sir Stephen Powis has said a sharp rise in flu cases “are adding to our 'quad-demic' worries”. What is a quad-demic and how worried is the NHS? Adam is joined by BBC health editor Hugh Pym and Nick Hulme, the Chief Executive of East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, to discuss the rise in hospital flu cases as well as problems caused by Covid, R...

Today, we’re looking at Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old Ivy League graduate accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. As he fights a extradition to New York, Sumi Somaskanda and Caitríona Perry join Adam to discuss the case, and the social media obsession with the case. Also, Chris and Alex Chalk, former Conservative justice secretary, are on talking about Labour’s announcement that...

Today, we look at what a new government in Syria means for the Middle East and why Israel has launched airstrikes on key military targets. The BBC’s Diplomatic Correspondent, James Landale tells Adam about the historic relationship between Syria and Israel and why Israel has decided to launch strikes now. And, BBC Monitoring’s Jihadist Media expert Mina Al-Lami explains how an opportunistic IS mig...

Today, we look at what the end of Bashar al-Assad’s regime means for Syria. As huge crowds gather at a notorious Damascus prison looking for prisoners held under the Assad regime Adam speaks to Lina Sinjab, the BBC’s Middle East Correspondent. He is also joined by chief Jihadist media specialist for BBC monitoring, Mina Al-Lami, who profiles the rebel group’s leader and legacy. And, the Kremlin sa...

After more than a decade of civil war, rebel forces in Damascus say they've ended Bashar al-Assad’s rule. His ally Russia says he’s left the country. Laura and Paddy are joined by Joe Pike to discuss the latest developments - and assess what impact it might have on the wider Middle East. Plus, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner tells Laura Labour’s planning reforms will end development chaos. But...

Just as France enters a period of deep uncertainty, triggered by the fall of Michel Barnier's government, the country gets ready to reopen the Notre Dame cathedral. And, US President-elect Donald Trump is using the event to return to the geopolitical stage. Laura and Paddy discuss the Macron-Trump relationship. Plus, they hear from Newscasters, as thousands of people are left without power followi...

Adam and Chris are joined by the journalist and author Tim Shipman, who lifts the lid on what’s going on inside the Labour government now, after some staff rejigging. They also talk through Starmer’s ‘milestones’ announcement, and how the civil service could be reshaped. And, could Reform be a real threat to both Labour and the Conservatives? Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest politi...

Today, the prime minister set out his ‘Plan for Change’ with six milestones focused on the economy, the NHS, climate, preschool education, policing and housebuilding. Adam and Henry unpick what Keir Starmer said and ask whether these targets could become a challenge in the future. And, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds MP speaks to Adam about how these milestones will...

Today, we look at the vote of no-confidence in the government headed by Prime Minister Michel Barnier in France. It means Barnier has become the shortest-serving French prime minister since 1958. Adam speaks to Marion Solletty - Executive Editor for France at POLITICO, and Shahin Vallée, former economic adviser to Emmanuel Macron, and senior research fellow at the German Council for Foreign Relati...

Today, we look at the President of South Korea Yoon Suk Yeol declaring martial law. Protestors gathered outside the parliament building after the President gave the military extra power to “eradicate the despicable pro-North Korean anti-state forces”. Adam speaks to BBC Asia and Pacific Editor Micky Bristow and Dr Edward Howell, the Korea Foundation Fellow with the Asia-Pacific Programme at Chatha...

Today, we look at Gregg Wallace’s apology for suggesting allegations against him came from "a handful of middle-class women of a certain age". He stepped back from MasterChef last week after allegations were made that he had made inappropriate comments while working on the show. Wallace has denied behaviour of a sexually harassing nature. Culture and media editor Katie Razzall explains where it al...