Newscast

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...

Today, Adam, Alex, Chris and Henry discuss Ukraine firing British and US missiles on Russia, what the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu means for Britian’s relationship with Israel, and Newscast remembers John Prescott who has died at the age of 86. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast...

Today, we look back on the life and career of former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott. Lord Prescott died aged 86 on Wednesday in his care home, where he had been living with Alzheimer's, his family have said. Adam speaks to former Labour Director of Communications Lord Peter Mandelson about his memories of working with Lord Prescott. And, Adam talks to Joe Pike, Political Investigations Corres...

Today, the BBC believes Ukraine has fired UK-made Storm Shadow long-range missiles into Russia by Ukraine for the first time. Adam speaks to former UK defence attaché to Moscow and Kyiv John Foreman, who describes the Defence Secretary John Healey’s remarks to the House of Commons about Storm Shadow missiles as “clear as mud”. And, BBC News Chief Presenter Sumi Somaskanda discusses why President B...

Today, we look at a protest in Westminster by farmers over inheritance tax changes announced in the Budget. Around 10,000 people are believed to have attended a rally in Whitehall today protesting changes to inheritance tax. From April 2026, inherited agricultural assets worth more than £1m will be liable to tax. Prime Minister Keir Starmer says he understands the concerns, but says the “vast majo...

Today, we look at the US reportedly authorising Ukraine sending long-range missiles into Russia. Plus, Keir Starmer’s meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro where he’s become the first PM in six years to meet Chinese President Xi. It comes as President Biden his reportedly sanctioned long range US missile strikes into Russia by Uk...

Russia has conducted a “massive” attack on Ukraine’s power infrastructure, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky, with 120 missiles and 90 drones reportedly causing multiple explosions across the country. Laura and Paddy have been speaking to politicians about what’s going on there. And Laura’s also been talking to Transport Secretary Louise Haigh, who admits her public language over a row wit...

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that with Trump in the White House, he is certain the war with Russia will “end sooner”. And, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has spoken to Putin on the phone in the first call between a major western leader and the Russian leader since December 2022. Laura and Paddy discuss what it means for Ukraine, plus news of a “impasse” in government over social...

Adam and Chris are joined by Stephanie Flanders, head of economics and politics at Bloomberg, and Lucy Fisher, Whitehall editor at the Financial Times, to discuss all the political news of the week. They discuss an increasingly heated debate about assisted dying legislation, the chancellor announcing “the biggest pension reform in decades” and President-elect Trump announcing more details of his t...

Today we look at the COP29 climate conference in Azerbaijan. World leaders, diplomats and climate scientists have gathered in Baku for the annual UN climate summit. Adam speaks to BBC climate editor Justin Rowlatt and host of The Climate Question Graihagh Jackson to find out what they’re hoping to achieve and why so few And, Emma Pinchbeck the incoming chief executive of the Climate Change Committ...

Today, we look at President-elect Trump’s first administration appointments and Wes Streeting’s much-trailed NHS reforms. Adam speaks to BBC News Chief Presenter Caitriona Perry and Social Media and Disinformation Correspondent Marianna Spring about what happened when Biden and Trump met and what Elon Musk’s new role as head of a Department of Government Efficiency mean. And, BBC Health Editor Hug...

Today, we look at the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby. He has resigned after growing pressure due to a report which found that he did not follow up rigorously enough on reports of abuse of young boys and men by John Smyth. In his resignation letter, he said the report "exposed the long-maintained conspiracy of silence about the heinous abuses of John Smyth”. Adam speaks to...

Today, we look at the assisted dying legislation that’s been published ahead of a vote in Parliament. Under the bill, adults with less than six months to live would be given the right to end their own life. They would need to meet several requirements - including approval from two independent doctors and a High Court judge. Adam is joined by the BBC’s deputy political editor Vicki Young and medica...

Today, we look at the relationship between President-elect Donald Trump and the Russian leader Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin has denied media reports that Donald Trump held a call with Vladimir Putin, in which he is said to have warned Putin against escalating the war in Ukraine. Adam speaks to Christopher Steele, the former head of the Russia Desk at MI6, Author of “Unredacted: Russia, Trump and th...

Today, Laura’s been trying to get answers from Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones, about when the UK Government will meet its target of spending 2.5% of GDP on defence. Laura and James are joined by Henry to discuss possible points of difference between the Treasury and the UK chief of defence Admiral Sir Tony Radakin - who told Laura he wants ‘resources’ to match ‘ambitions’. And, did L...

Today, we look at who is tipped for key roles in President-Elect Trump’s White House. Donald Trump has announced that his campaign manager, Susie Wiles, will be his new Chief of Staff. Laura and James speak to Gary O'Donoghue, BBC’s Senior North America Correspondent, about what her role will be and what challenges she might face - as well as which other famous faces from his campaign team might t...

Today, we look at what a Donald Trump victory means for the UK and Kemi Badenoch’s first week as leader of the opposition. Adam Fleming, Chris Mason, Alex Forsyth and Nick Watt discuss the political and economic impact of Donald Trump winning the US election. They also talk about the planned increase in tuition fees and the Bank of England’s interest rate decision. You can now listen to Newscast o...

Today, we speak to the Foreign Secretary David Lammy. Adam and Chris speak to him about the election of Donald Trump, whether he regrets calling him “deluded, dishonest, xenophobic, narcissistic” and what the government’s approach to the new US government will be. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere You can now listen to Newscast on a smart sp...

Today, we look at how Donald Trump was able to win the presidency again. Adam talks to Caitríona Perry and Christian Fraser from the BBC Election programme and checks in with Chris Mason on the reaction at home. And…Adam bumps into Bradley Whitford, who played Josh in the West Wing outside the White House. Adam takes us through the election map to see what swung it for Trump You can join our Newsc...

Donald Trump looks set to become President of the United States for the second time. Adam spent the night in the BBC bureau in Washington as the results came in. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere 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 speake...

Today, we’re in Washington DC on election day in the United States. Adam is joined by Clive Myrie and Victoria Derbyshire to talk about some of the people they have spoken to on their tour of the swing states. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds...

Today, as the countdown to the US election enters its final hours, we discuss what a win for either candidate might mean internationally, and whether an appearance on SNL or a squirrel in New York could make all the difference. Adam is joined by Lyse Doucet, the BBC’s chief international correspondent; Ben Ansell, Professor of Comparative Democratic Institutions at the University of Oxford; and Ni...

Laura’s joined by James and Simon to talk through her interview with Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who presented the first Labour Budget in over a decade this week. Plus we hear from new Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch about the future of the party, after her victory over Robert Jenrick among Tory members. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere You...

Reaction to the new Conservative Party leader. Almost four months after their crushing general election defeat, which triggered Rishi Sunak's resignation, the Conservatives have picked their woman. Laura, Chris and Henry talk through this historic moment, and look at her victory speech and priorities in the coming weeks. You can listen to the Newscast profile of Kemi Badenoch here: https://www.bbc...

Today, Adam, Alex, Nick Watt and Ben Chu discuss The Budget, Rishi Sunak’s legacy as he steps back as Leader of the Conservative Party and the economic policies of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris ahead of the US Election. 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 on...