Let the games begin… As the Tokyo Olympics are set to go ahead, double Olympic champion Lord Coe gives us the latest on how the games will happen under restrictions, and why the mental health of our future sports stars is important. And Adam finds out from Justin Rowlatt and Client Earth lawyer Katie Nield how the Clean Air Zone (CAZ) will work in Birmingham and why they are needed in other cities, too. Today’s Newscast was made by Emma Close with Ben Cooper and Georgia Coan. The Studio Director...
Jun 01, 2021•35 min
A single-shot vaccine by Johnson & Johnson has been approved for use in the UK. Fergus Walsh gives us the latest on when it will be rolled out. The leader of Belarus meets Russia’s Vladimir Putin today in a show of strength after Belarus diverted a plane with an opposition journalist in it earlier this week. We talk to Lord Ricketts about how those actions affect security across Europe. And we speak to Northern Ireland commentator Amanda Ferguson about last night’s dramatic DUP meeting. Toda...
May 28, 2021•36 min
The First Minister of Northern Ireland says goodbye. She tells us about her vow to make tackling online trolls part of her life's work after leaving front-line politics. Today’s Newscast was made by Rick Kelsey with Producer Caitlin Hanrahan. The Studio Director is Richard Townsend. Dino Sofos is the Editor.
May 27, 2021•32 min
Dominic Cummings didn’t hold back in an extraordinary seven hour committee today. He said Boris Johnson wanted to be injected with coronavirus live on TV, that he thought the Prime Minister was unfit for the job, and he revealed more information about that infamous trip to Barnard Castle. Adam, Laura and former civil servant, Sam Freedman, talk it through. Today’s Newscast was made by Sam Bonham with Maz Ebtehaj and Alix Pickles. The Studio Director is Emma Crowe. Dino Sofos is the Editor....
May 26, 2021•37 min
Here comes the sun (and here comes more confusion over the Covid guidelines). Adam and Chris try to figure out what’s been going on today with the coronavirus regs, with Labour MP, Liz Kendall, who says she found out about it all on Twitter! Friend of the podcast and BBC weatherman, Owain Wyn Evans, gives us his (hopefully soon-to-be-hot) take on why we've had such a rain-drenched May. And, a year on from George Floyd’s murder, Roshan Roberts and De-Graft Mensah, from the If You Don’t Know podca...
May 25, 2021•34 min
On the day that the BBC announces an investigation into how the journalist, Martin Bashir, was rehired, Adam chats to John Whittingdale, the media minister, about the future of the organisation. And, the BBC's Sarah Rainsford explains what's going on with the detained Belarus journalist. Today’s Newscast was made by Sam Bonham with Georgia Coan and Alix Pickles. The Studio Director was Emma Crowe. Dino Sofos is the Editor.
May 24, 2021•36 min
Has the Chief Medical Officer inspired a generation of medics? Hannah Gafa (who’s studying medicine) thinks so... And, what next for the BBC? Adam chats with Stewart Purvis, former boss at ITN, about the inquiry into the BBC’s interview with Diana. Today’s Newscast was made by Rick Kelsey with Producers Alix Pickles and Ben Cooper. The Studio Director was Emma Crowe. Sam Bonham is the Assistant Editor. Dino Sofos is the Editor.
May 21, 2021•39 min
Lord Mandelson of Newscast titles fame gives his reaction to being in the credits and gives us a personal rendition. He defends Keir Starmer as a principled politician who just needs better support. And Amol Rajan talks about the Princess Diana controversy at the BBC. Today’s Newscast was made by Maz Ebtehaj with Cristina Criddle and Joel Massey. Dino Sofos is the Editor.
May 20, 2021•31 min
Should I stay or should I go? The government’s traffic light system is still causing confusion for holidaymakers. Adam tries to clear it up with Laura. Meanwhile Spain’s Foreign Minister says other EU countries are worried about Brits bringing the so-called Indian variant to the continent. And Home Affairs Correspondent Tom Symonds talks us through one of the most complex cases in history, the murder of Daniel Morgan. Today’s Newscast was made by Maz Ebtehaj, with Georgia Coan, Alix Pickles and ...
May 19, 2021•32 min
A closer look at the UK’s single-use plastic problem We dive into the UK’s use of single-use plastics. Where’s it coming from? Where’s it ending up? And what needs to change? We speak to our Science Editor, David Shukman and TV presenter Julia Bradbury, who wants us to dump the plastic… just not in Turkey. And Boris Johnson is continuing to urge caution when it comes to the Indian variant and says the government is keeping close tabs on cases in areas like Bolton and Bedford. We speak to Profess...
May 18, 2021•35 min
Lockdown restrictions are getting looser but there's nerves about the Indian variant. Millions of us can now socialise indoors (in small groups), hug loved ones (cautiously) and go inside a pub again. Our Chris Mason is in his socially-distanced booth of news to chat lockdown-politics, flights to Portugal and BINGO with Adam! Meanwhile, with more calls for a ceasefire in Israel, we hear from a former foreign affairs adviser to three British prime ministers about how the conflict could end. Today...
May 17, 2021•31 min
England’s lockdown easing could be disrupted. As Boris Johnson announces new measures to speed up second vaccine doses, Adam and James talk about how the Indian variant could disrupt plans to lift lockdown on June 21st. We speak to David Shor, the US political strategist Dominic Cummings reckons could rescue Labour from another election loss. And, in a(nother) case of mistaken identity, one Newscaster tells us how hiring the wrong Brian Cox almost ended in disaster! Today’s Newscast was made by ...
May 14, 2021•25 min
Talking, stalking and elbow bumps. David Cameron’s cringe-worthy texts popped up again today when MPs grilled him on how he lobbied ministers for Lex Greensill. Former Chief of Staff to Theresa May, Gavin Barwell, reveals exactly how David Cameron used to end messages to him. And Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham says we should vaccinate 16 years olds if cases of coronavirus keep rising in Bolton. Today’s Newscast was made by Maz Ebtehaj, with Cristina Criddle, Jack Fenwick, Joel Massey and ...
May 13, 2021•33 min
A public inquiry is coming, but not until the spring of 2022. Boris Johnson promises lessons will be learnt, but what should the scope of the inquiry be? We speak to Professor Sir Ian Kennedy who has chaired public inquiries and Newsnight’s Nick Watt on the political fallout. The nurse who was given a shout-out by Dua Lipa at the BRITS tells us how she found out about the honour. And the government announces beefed up measures to regulate social media companies to protect us from online harm. Th...
May 12, 2021•33 min
Blur drummer Dave Rowntree tells us about the day that boy band Blue were mistakenly booked to play at Versace’s fashion week show instead of his band. Our Middle East Editor, Jeremy Bowen, explains what is happening in Jerusalem as violence escalates between the Israeli Defence Force and Palestinian militants. On the day of the Queen’s Speech, Laura tells us what was in and out. And the king of stats, economist Tim Harford, on why numbers can often mean both everything and nothing. Today’s News...
May 11, 2021•35 min
A big step back to normal is coming for England. People will be able to hug their loved ones and enjoy a pint INSIDE the pub from next Monday. Our Health Editor, Hugh Pym, has all the latest details. Newsnight’s Kirsty Wark joins us from Edinburgh, as the fallout from the Scottish Parliament elections continues. And Professor Ciaran Martin, who was involved in the Scottish independence referendum in 2014, as a senior civil servant, helps us map out some of the SNP’s potential paths to independen...
May 10, 2021•33 min
What does the SNP’s win mean for Scottish independence? And why has Keir Starmer sacked deputy leader Angela Rayner from her job as chair of the party? SOUND THE KLAXON! It's an emergency Electioncast / Newscast with a stellar Scottish line up of Adam, Laura K, Nick Eardley and Iain Watson. Studio Director was Raj Narayanasamy Assistant Editor: Sam Bonham Editor: Dino Sofos
May 08, 2021•24 min
A day of election results and travel announcements. As the results roll in (or at least start to roll in), Laura explains what it all means. We explore the travel green list with our very own travel agent. And podcasting superstars, Alice Levine and Matt Forde, share some of their podcasting wisdom. Today’s Newscast was made by Rick Kelsey with producers Natalie Ktena and Alix Pickles. The Studio Director was Emma Crowe. Sam Bonham is the Assistant Editor. Dino Sofos is the Editor.
May 07, 2021•39 min
As two Royal Navy ships are deployed to protect Jersey from a protest by French fishermen, Adam speaks to our reporters on both sides of the short-lived cod war. Our second catch of the day is the head of HR at AVIVA and our Business Editor, Simon Jack, to discuss “hybrid working” and what it means for our 9 to 5s. Today’s Newscast was made by our Editor, Dino Sofos, with Danny Wittenberg, Alix Pickles and Rick Kelsey. The Studio Director was Emma Crowe.
May 06, 2021•34 min
Iceland boss spills the beans on shopping habits and why they’re threatening to boycott Brazilian food. And what is going on in the races to become mayor? The BBC’s Kathryn Stanczyszyn and James Vincent take us through this week’s local elections around the country. Today’s Newscast was made by Maz Ebtehaj with Danny Wittenberg and Georgia Coan. The Studio Director was Emma Crowe. Sam Bonham is the Assistant Editor. Dino Sofos is the Editor.
May 05, 2021•30 min
An injection of news. After many many months of reporting on Covid-19, Adam has only gone and got the vaccine himself! Our newly immunised presenter celebrates by asking Professor Sir John Bell – the first person to predict life could be more normal by the spring – whether the UK is still on track. And election week is here, so we catch up with the campaigns in Hartlepool and Wales. Today’s Newscast was made by Sam Bonham with Danny Wittenberg and Alix Pickles. The Studio Director was Nick Jones...
May 04, 2021•36 min
Will festivals be back this summer? It could all depend on how the trial goes in Liverpool this weekend. We speak to festival boss, Melvin Benn, and the band Blossoms, who are performing on Sunday. And also, John Culshaw (from the programme Dead Ringers) reimagines what Boris Johnson’s voicemail could sound like. Today's Newscast was made by Sam Bonham and Maz Ebtehaj, with Cristina Criddle and Georgia Coan. The Studio Director was Emma Crowe. Dino Sofos is the Editor.
Apr 30, 2021•36 min
As the row over Boris Johnson's flat continues, celebrity interior designer Celia Sawyer says her vision for Downing Street would be "much smarter" than the "chaotic" designs shown in news reports. And Professor Sir John Curtice joins us for an election briefing. Today's Newscast was made by Editor Dino Sofos, with Cristina Criddle, Maz Ebtehaj, Ben Cooper, Jack Fenwick and Georgia Coan.
Apr 29, 2021•33 min
Boris Johnson still has questions to answer about how the Downing Street refurbishments were paid for, after another investigation into possible spending offences was launched today. Laura and Adam talk it through. And, it’s bye bye Arlene... Stephen Nolan explains why Northern Ireland’s First Minister, Arlene Foster, says she is resigning. Oh, and we’ve got the Secretary of State for Tourism in Portugal on to talk about how foreign travel could work this year. Today’s Newscast was made by Sam B...
Apr 28, 2021•33 min
A “perfect storm” of pandemic problems is continuing to devastate India. What can the rest of the world do to help? We hear from our old friend, Dr Clare Wenham, from the London School of Economics. And, in England, it looks like the past year of lockdowns has hurt children’s language skills. Adam chats to a speech therapist, a mum and a five-year-old girl called Esmé. Today’s Newscast was made by Sam Bonham with Danny Wittenberg, Alix Pickles and Ben Cooper. The Studio Director was Emma Crowe. ...
Apr 27, 2021•22 min
The plot thickens for the PM. Adam, Laura and Chris sketch out the Westminster characters, subplots and potential sequels, as talk of rats and flats continues. Also, how does it feel to pick up Hollywood’s most prestigious award? We speak to our very own Oscar winner! Today’s Newscast was made by Sam Bonham with Danny Wittenberg and Alix Pickles. The Studio Director was Mike Regaard. Dino Sofos is the Editor.
Apr 26, 2021•30 min
As India has recorded the highest one-day Covid-19 tally anywhere in the world, friends of the podcast Sima Kotecha and Rajini Vaidyanathan join Adam to explain the crisis. And top chef Tom Kerridge talks about chicken pie and how his new project with Marcus Rashford will get kids cooking. Today's Newscast was made by Emma Close with Natalie Ktena, Alix Pickles, Danny Wittenberg and Ben Cooper. The studio director was Emma Crowe. Our editor is Dino Sofos.
Apr 23, 2021•34 min
Some juicy Westminster office gossip, courtesy of retired Tory minister Sir Alan Duncan and his newly published diaries. And as US President Joe Biden plays virtual host to a major climate summit, we speak to the diplomat behind the game-changing Paris agreement, Christiana Figueres, who tells us why saving the planet doesn’t have to be expensive. Today’s Newscast was made by our editor, Dino Sofos, with Daniel Wittenberg, Ben Cooper and Alix Pickles. The Studio Director was Richard Townsend....
Apr 22, 2021•33 min
The texts between the prime minister and businessman, Sir James Dyson, have caused a political row. Laura is here to explain why. And now Coronavirus Newscast is nominated for an award, DJ and BAFTA awards ceremony host, Edith Bowman, gives Adam some advice for attending a virtual ceremony. Today’s Newscast was made by Emma Close with Georgia Coan, Alix Pickles and Ben Cooper. The Studio Manager was Emma Crowe. Dino Sofos is the Editor.
Apr 21, 2021•34 min
It looked like a sporting revolution – but the Super League is already on the verge of collapse. After threatening to form a breakaway league that would turn football upside down, some big clubs are backing down. Meanwhile, the Government is pushing ahead with its carbon cutting targets. Its latest commitments will set the UK on course to reduce emissions by 78%, so where will we feel the effects? The BBC’s environment analyst Roger Harrabin and Diane Gilpin, CEO of the Smart Green Shipping Alli...
Apr 20, 2021•32 min
