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, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newsca...
May 09, 2025•42 min
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 have been removed from UK steel and aluminium, plus reduced on car exports. In exchange the UK has all...
May 08, 2025•34 min
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 at Joe Biden’s first interview since leaving the White House with the person who did it… the Today p...
May 07, 2025•48 min
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 steps down as head of the UK Health Security Agency. Adam asks her about; how prepared we are for fut...
May 06, 2025•1 hr 4 min
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 Newscast online community here: https://discord.gg/m3YPUGv9 New episodes released every day. If you're in t...
May 05, 2025•36 min
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 our Newscast online community here: https://discord.gg/m3YPUGv9 New episodes released every day. If...
May 05, 2025•44 min
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 Yusuf earned the cash that he’s funding his party with. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart spea...
May 04, 2025•31 min
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”. Pollster Luke Tryl joins Paddy and Laura. And we’ll have all the latest reaction from Prince Harry’s bo...
May 03, 2025•34 min
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 - with Reform second in all three. This is still an emerging picture, with plenty more results to come. A...
May 02, 2025•1 hr 4 min
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 sports journalist Jane Dougall put the decision into context. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart ...
May 01, 2025•45 min
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% since January, the first time since 2022. And, has the government been challenged on its climate change...
Apr 30, 2025•31 min
Today, we react to Mark Carney pulling off a surprise victory in the Canadian election as leader of the Liberal Party. Adam is joined by chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet and host of CBC News daily news podcast Front Burner Jayme Poisson to discuss how Carney, who has never held political office, has managed to win the election despite the Conservatives leading in nationwide polls for over a year before Donald Trump was elected as US president. Also, economics editor Faisal Islam spe...
Apr 29, 2025•33 min
Today, Spain and Portugal have been hit by large power cuts. The Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez says the cause is still unknown. Adam is joined by Rachel Morison, Energy Editor at Bloomberg, and Professor Keith Bell, Professor of Future Power systems at the University of Strathclyde, to discuss what we know - and what we don’t - about the huge power outages on the Iberian peninsula. Plus, what is the UK energy grid’s plan for if something similar were to happen here? And the Kremlin has an...
Apr 28, 2025•34 min
Today we look at what politicians are saying on camera and behind the scenes about the local elections coming up on Thursday. Laura, Paddy, and Henry discuss whether it could be a good week for all the parties apart from Labour and the Conservatives. And there’s talk of a future coalition between Reform and the Conservative Party. 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...
Apr 27, 2025•28 min
Today, we discuss the pictures coming from The Vatican of President Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump meeting in St Peter’s Basilica before Pope Francis’ funeral. Laura and Paddy discuss whether it could be an important moment as discussions about an end to the war in Ukraine continue. 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://dis...
Apr 26, 2025•22 min
Today, we’re looking ahead to local elections taking place in England on Thursday 1 May. Adam and Chris are joined by friends of the podcast Matt Chorley and Professor Jane Green, Director of the Nuffield Politics Research Centre at the University of Oxford, to discuss the upcoming local elections, and tips for interpreting the results. 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 jo...
Apr 25, 2025•33 min
Today, we discuss whether the EU and UK are about to do a deal on a youth visa scheme. Labour has previously said it has "no plans" for such a scheme, which would make it easier for young people to study and work abroad. But today, the government is no longer ruling it out ahead of a bit summit next month. Adam and Chris discuss the possible “reset” And, tensions are rising between India and Pakistan following an attack that killed 26 people in Kashmir. Adam speaks to Shruti Menon, Senior Journa...
Apr 24, 2025•30 min
Today, Donald Trump took to Truth Social to accuse Zelensky of harming Ukraine peace negotiations following the Ukrainian president telling a news conference he would not recognise Crimea as Russian. Adam is joined by James Landale, diplomatic correspondent, and Sumi Somaskanda, BBC News Chief Presenter in Washington, to pick over what we know - and what we don’t - about Donald Trump’s proposed deal. Plus, why peace talks in London have fallen flat after US officials pulled out. And the Internat...
Apr 23, 2025•37 min
Today, we look at the world leaders descending on the Vatican for the funeral of Pope Francis, and which cardinal might replace him in the upcoming conclave? Adam is joined by Catherine Pepinster who is the former editor of the Tablet magazine and Sister Dr Gemma Simmonds, a theologian at the Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology. And, for the first time, Chris and Adam took listeners calls and political questions on Jeremy Vine’s Radio 2. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If ...
Apr 22, 2025•52 min
Today, we’re going to look back what happened after the collapse of Lehman Brothers - which sparked the global financial crisis. Adam is joined by economics editor, Faisal Islam and columnist at the FT, Gillian Tett. 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://discord.gg/m3YPUGv9 New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, f...
Apr 22, 2025•31 min
Today, Pope Francis has died aged 88. The first Latin American leader of the of the Roman Catholic Church, Francis had been in hospital for 5 weeks due to pneumonia. Adam and Aleem Maqbool, the BBC’s Religion Editor discuss his legacy. 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://discord.gg/m3YPUGv9 New episodes released every day. If ...
Apr 21, 2025•21 min
Today, we’re going back to September 15 2008, the day the Lehman Brothers collapsed, a pivotal moment in the global financial crash. Adam is joined by economics editor, Faisal Islam and columnist at the FT, Gillian Tett. 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://discord.gg/m3YPUGv9 New episodes released every day. If you're in the U...
Apr 20, 2025•32 min
Today, we’re going to look back at the impact after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. It was the deal that brought an end to 30 years of conflict in Northern Ireland, known as the Troubles - and cost the lives of more than 3,500. Adam is joined by Nick Watt, Newsnight’s political editor and Annita McVeigh, BBC News chief presenter, who closely followed events at the time. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”....
Apr 19, 2025•38 min
Today, we’re going back to April 10 1998, the day the Good Friday Agreement was signed in Belfast. It was the deal that brought an end to 30 years of conflict in Northern Ireland, known as the Troubles - and cost the lives of more than 3,500. Adam is joined by Nick Watt, Newsnight’s political editor and Annita McVeigh, BBC News chief presenter, who closely followed events at the time. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newsc...
Apr 18, 2025•38 min
Today, we look at what yesterday’s Supreme Court ruling means for the NHS. The NHS will be pursued if it doesn’t follow new guidance on single-sex spaces the chairwoman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission has said. Currently the NHS guidance says trans people should be accommodated according to the way they dress, their names and their pronouns. Under the ruling this would be scrapped. Adam is joined by BBC’s social affairs editor Alison Holt and BBC’s health editor Hugh Pym. Also, offic...
Apr 17, 2025•27 min
Today, the UK Supreme Court has ruled that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex. It marks the culmination of a long-running legal battle which could have major implications for how sex-based rights apply across Scotland, England and Wales. Adam is joined by James Cook, Alex Forsyth and the BBC's social affairs editor Alison Holt. 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 speak...
Apr 16, 2025•27 min
Today, we look at Birmingham’s bin crisis, with new threats it could spread to other cities. Why are striking workers threatening further action? And, could the strike inspire copy-cat action across the nation? Adam and Alex speak to the BBC’s Midlands political correspondent Rob Mayor. Also, US Vice-President JD Vance has said there was a “good chance” a trade deal could be reached with the UK. Meanwhile, President Xi has been visiting neighbouring countries with the hope of strengthening ties....
Apr 15, 2025•38 min
Today, the trial opened on a long awaited antitrust case that could see Meta forced to sell two of its social media sites Instagram and WhatsApp, after being accused of creating a monopoly. Adam speaks to the BBC’s social media investigations correspondent Marianna Spring and Mark Scott of the Atlantic Council, asking, what does this court case tell us about the relationship between Trump and big tech? Also, why are we talking about Katy Perry going to space? Adam is joined by science journalist...
Apr 14, 2025•32 min
Today, we look at whether British Steel has enough fuel to keep its furnaces running, and we hear from an MP who was detained and refused entry to Hong Kong. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds refused to confirm if the government can get sufficient supplies in time to keep blast furnaces at British Steel running, after it took control of the plant, owned by Chinese company Jingye. Joe Pike, political & investigations correspondent joins to look at what happened when officials from Jingye w...
Apr 13, 2025•27 min
Today, we look at the future of British Steel, as MPs voted to take control over a Scunthorpe plant. They met in Parliament on a Saturday for the first time since 1982. Chris was there too, and he joins Laura and Paddy to talk through the details, as well as what it says about how the UK is responding to international events. We also hear from ex PM Gordon Brown, who’s been talking to Paddy. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to pla...
Apr 12, 2025•27 min
