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
Today, we attempt to answer your questions about Donald Trump and the worldwide impact of his tariffs. James and Alex are joined by Caitríona Perry, BBC News’s Chief Presenter, and Dharshini David, Deputy Economics Editor to relive the week that was. Plus - how could tariffs effect UK consumers and when will people (in the US and UK) start to feel it in their pocket? 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 ...
Apr 11, 2025•34 min
Today, we look at whether President Trump is still interested in Ukraine? It comes as the “coalition of the willing” of European countries meet in Brussels. James is joined by Ukraine Correspondent, James Waterhouse in Kyiv and former UK Defence Attache to Moscow and Kyiv John Foreman. Also, is the government about to nationalise British Steel? James and Henry discuss that and the latest government efficiency drive. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just s...
Apr 10, 2025•36 min
Today, the US President rocked global markets again. Donald Trump took to Truth Social to announce even tougher tariffs on China and a 90-day pause on higher tariffs for dozens of countries. James was joined by Dharshini David, Deputy Economics Editor, and Erin Delmore, North America Business Correspondent in New York as the news broke. 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 09, 2025•30 min
Today, we look at how far China is willing to go in retaliation against President Trump’s tariffs? Beijing has vowed to “fight to the end” after President Trump threatened to nearly double the tariffs on China. How far could the trade war go? And, how would big tariffs on Chinese goods impact people in the UK? James is joined by Ian Williams, author of the Fire of the Dragon, China’s New Cold War and Sophia Gaston, visiting fellow at Kings College London. Plus, President Trump says the US is hav...
Apr 08, 2025•36 min
Today, we look at what seems like an escalation of a possible trade war between the US and China. Plus, the Prime Minister’s attempts to try and protect the UK car business. James and Chris are joined by business editor Simon Jack, on another very turbulent day in stock markets around the world. Plus, Financial Times columnist Gillian Tett explains the possible thinking behind Trump’s decisions. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to...
Apr 07, 2025•33 min
Today, the Prime Minister has responded to Trump’s tariffs saying the government is ready to step in to protect the UK economy. Paddy’s away so Jeremy Vine makes a guest appearance to go through it all. They also discuss the Foreign Secretary David Lammy saying it’s unacceptable that two Labour MPs have been refused entry to Israel, but Kemi Badenoch appearing to back Israel over the issue. And there are concerns, denied by the government, that the Online Safety Bill could be watered down. You c...
Apr 06, 2025•23 min
Donald Trump’s baseline 10% tariffs come into force. Today, we’re back to tariffs. Now that the Trump administration's baseline 10% import tariffs have come into effect, what comes next for the global, US and UK economies? Laura is joined by Americast’s Justin Webb and Stephanie Flanders, former BBC economics editor now at Bloomberg, to crunch the numbers and the politics driving them. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play News...
Apr 05, 2025•33 min
Adam, Chris, Alex and Gary discuss what the impact of President Trump’s tariffs could be on the UK. What it means for the unique case of Northern Ireland? And, what the American people make of it all? 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, for more News and...
Apr 04, 2025•30 min
Today, we’re looking at how the global economy is responding to Trump’s tariffs announcement. Adam is joined by Dharshini David, deputy economics editor, and Ben Chu, BBC Verify policy and analysis correspondent, to talk about how the markets are reacting (in real time), how the tariffs were calculated and which household brands could be most impacted. 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 spea...
Apr 03, 2025•29 min
Today, we look at the tariffs Donald Trump has announced for the whole world on what he calls "liberation day". A universal 10% tariffs on all imports into the US will go into effect on 5 April, as the presidents explained with the help of a big card listing how each country will be effected. Some countries and the EU are being charged more than the 10% base tariff. Economics editor Faisal Islam joins Adam and Chris to go through the potential consequences. You can now listen to Newscast on a sm...
Apr 02, 2025•28 min
Today, we look at how the UK and the rest of the world have been bracing themselves for Trump’s sweeping global tariffs. The exact details of the tariffs remain unclear so leaders are left to wonder: how big is this going to be? Adam and Chris speak to Caitríona Perry, Chief Presenter for BBC News in DC about how Keir Starmer will balance the delicate line between the UK’s interests and it’s relationship with the US President. And, people across the UK are seeing their bills going up. Financial ...
Apr 01, 2025•35 min
Today, Marine Le Pen walked out of a Parisian courtroom after being found guilty of embezzling EU funds. Adam is joined by Katya Adler and Marion Soletty, Politico’s Editor-At-Large in France to unpack Le Pen’s first interview after the verdict in which she called the ruling a "political decision" and says she will appeal. They discuss the dramatic day in court, and what the National Rally party might do next. And Chris has been talking to the Prime Minister about the Netflix drama Adolescence, ...
Mar 31, 2025•36 min
Today, Laura, Paddy and Henry discuss Justin Welby’s first interview since resigning as Archbishop of Canterbury last year. He said he forgave the serial abuser John Smyth who was at the heart of the scandal that led to his resignation. In 2024 a damning review found that Welby "could and should" have done more to bring Smyth to justice. Plus, we take a look at the week ahead for the economy, as bills are set to rise across the country and tariffs from President Trump may come into force. You ca...
Mar 30, 2025•30 min
Laura's full interview with the former Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby. In November, he became the first Archbishop to quit as a result of a scandal in the Church in more than 1,000 years, after a damning independent review found he did not follow up rigorously enough on reports about John Smyth, a serial abuser of children and young men. Advice and support is available at bbc.co.uk/actionline You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sound...
Mar 30, 2025•40 min
Today, Laura and Paddy speak to Mark Lowen, the BBC journalist who was deported from Turkey after being arrested in Istanbul. Mark had been there for several days to report on the ongoing protests that were sparked by the Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu's arrest last week. He tells about what happened to him and the political situation in the country. And Laura tells us about her interview with Justin Welby. In November, he became the first Archbishop to quit as a result of a scandal in the Church...
Mar 29, 2025•34 min
Adam, Chris, Alex and Faisal discuss the impact of President Trump’s new 25% tariff on cars, whether Labour’s proposed welfare changes are more about balancing the budget than reforms, and Baroness Sue Gray has issued a warning in her maiden speech in the House of Lords about the language used around cuts to the civil service. 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 New...
Mar 28, 2025•32 min
Today, Adam is joined by Jeremy Bowen to discuss the summit taking place in Paris, where Europe’s leaders have united behind support for Ukraine and further sanctions against Russia. Plus, Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride is in the studio to give Adam and Chris his verdict on yesterday’s Spring Statement. And, it wouldn’t be Mel Stride on Newscast without a political sporting metaphors quiz. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Ne...
Mar 27, 2025•43 min
Today, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a set of measures aimed at restoring her fiscal headroom. Adam and Chris are joined by Faisal Islam and Dharshini David to unpack everything the Chancellor revealed today, including cuts to welfare spending. Plus we dive into the Office for Budget Responsibility’s forecast - and their many, many, charts. 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. Y...
Mar 26, 2025•42 min
Today, we look at the fall out after a journalist revealed that he had been mistakenly added to a groupchat where US security leaders were discussing air strikes in Yemen. Many of the security officials on the Signal app chat have been testifying at a worldwide threat assessment hearing in the Senate. Adam is joined by BBC chief presenter in Washington Caitríona Perry and former Pentagon top US government security official Celeste Wallander. Plus, a lawyer investigating former Reform UK MP Ruper...
Mar 25, 2025•37 min
Today, delegates from the US and Russia are meeting for another round of talks on the war in Ukraine. The meeting follows Witkoff’s comments on Tucker Carson’s podcast over the weekend where he said President Putin is “not a bad guy” and questioned Ukraine’s claims to parts of its own country. Adam is joined by North America editor Sarah Smith and diplomatic correspondent James Landale. Plus, David Dimbleby tells Adam all about the free market revolution ahead of the release of his new podcast ‘...
Mar 24, 2025•38 min
What could the Spring Statement mean for the UK? Today, Laura, Paddy and Henry discuss Laura’s interview with chancellor Rachel Reeves about proposed cuts to the civil service and welfare system. 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, for more News and Curr...
Mar 23, 2025•29 min
Today, Laura and Paddy look ahead to the Spring Statement after Rachel Reeves ruled out "tax and spend" policies, signalling that she will neither raise taxes nor government budgets. The chancellor has been speaking to Laura for a BBC documentary called ‘The Making of a Chancellor, which you can listen to on BBC Sounds: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00298hq Also Paddy tries out a new metaphor. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds...
Mar 22, 2025•25 min
Today, James and Chris are joined by Lucy Fisher from the FT and Stephanie Flanders from Bloomberg to discuss; whether the Prime Minister can convince the public that an increase in defence spending is needed, how the benefit cuts are being received and what to expect from the spring statement. 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: http...
Mar 21, 2025•30 min
Today, we look at why Israel has "resumed combat in full force" against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Israeli aircraft launched massive airstrikes against what the military said were Hamas targets in Gaza, and ground operations have started again. International editor Jeremy Bowen explains how domestic politics could be a factor in Israeli Prime Minister’s Benjamin Netanyahu decisions. And as European leaders meet to discuss a plan for a potential ceasefire in Ukraine, Europe editor Katya Adler is on...
Mar 20, 2025•25 min
