Newscast

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...

Today, we look at the milestones Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will set out under what he calls a "plan for change" for Britain. Paddy and Victoria are joined by Joe Pike, BBC politics and investigations correspondent, to discuss the resignation of Louise Haigh, who was serving as transport secretary, after it emerged she pleaded guilty to a fraud offence a decade ago. Does this resignation prom...

Victoria stands in for Laura this weekend! Today, we discuss the assisted dying bill, one of the most significant and sensitive topics to have been voted on by MPs in recent decades. We hear YOUR reaction to the bill and why it matters. Plus, defence editor at the Economist, Shashank Joshi, joins us to talk about the rebel forces advancing in Aleppo, and whether this could topple the Assad regime....

Today, in a historic vote, MPs have voted in favour of a bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales. After five hours of emotional debate the bill passed with 330 in favour to 275 against, at the first stage in the Commons. Before the bill can become law it will face further scrutiny, and the first cases are not expected for at least two years. James and Chris are joined by Vicki Young,...

Today, we look at the latest net migration figures, as the UK hit a record 906,000 in the year to June 2023, much higher than previously thought. Sir Keir Starmer seized on the figures - which cover a period before Labour took office - to accuse the Tories of “running an open borders experiment”. Adam is joined by Chris, Alex Forsyth and Nick Watt to discuss that and look ahead to the vote on assi...

Today, Adam chats to Ed Davey about his tactics as an opposition party, including making TikToks about the “Rizz Dems”, as well as this week’s vote on Assisted Dying and why he’s voting against the bill. Plus, Ed is the first leader of a major political party to release a Christmas single. He tells Adam about teaming up with the Bath Philharmonia's Young Carers' Choir to release the charity single...

Today, we look at the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah and what it means for the Middle East. A deal to end thirteen months of fighting in Lebanon came into affect on Wednesday morning. It follows Israel’s land invasion of Lebanon in October in response to rocket attacks from Hezbollah. Adam is joined by the BBC’s international editor Jeremy Bowen, and Jonny Dymond, host of The Con...

Today, has Donald Trump outlined his plans for a future trade war once he re-enters the White House? The President Elect has said that he’ll sign an executive order on day one of his presidency imposing a 25% tariff on "all products" entering the US from neighbours Mexico and Canada, until they clamp down on drugs and illegal migrants crossing the border. Adam speaks to economics editor Faisal Isl...

Today, we look at the Chancellor Rachel Reeves defending her budget, telling businesses she is “not coming back with more borrowing or more taxes”. Reeves was speaking at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) conference. Her message comes after the boss of biscuit company McVitie’s warned it was becoming “harder to understand” the case for investing in the UK. Adam and Chris are joined by BB...

Today, we look at the government’s plans to cut, what the Prime Minister has called, the “bulging benefits bill”. Speaking to Laura on her Sunday morning show - the Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall outlined Labour’s plan “to get Britain working”. Laura, Paddy and Nick Watt of Newsnight discuss how similar this approach is to the previous governments. And, how will it be received by their ow...

Today, we look at a major intervention into the debate on the assisted dying bill from former Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Writing in the Guardian, Brown says the death of his first daughter Jennifer aged only 11 days strengthened his belief that "this is not the right time to make such a profound decision". Laura and Paddy discuss whether this could impact how MPs vote, as well as looking at new...