The US President wraps up his trip to Europe, but is he taking the lead on Ukraine? The BBC’s North America editor, Sarah Smith, who has been travelling with the US Commander-in-Chief on Air Force One, and Europe Editor, Katya Adler, drop by to chew over the transatlantic approach to the crisis. Also… amid a growing feeling of global instability, Adam speaks to historian, philosopher, and best-selling author of 'Sapiens', Yuval Noah Harari, about the consequences – some unintended and overlooked...
Mar 25, 2022•32 min
Rishi Sunak has been accused of doing too little to help people struggling to feed their families and heat their homes, following Wednesday’s Spring Statement. Laura and Chris are joined by economists Miatta Fahnbulleh, who has advised three prime ministers, and Rupert Harrison, who was George Osborne’s chief of staff, to chew over the chancellor’s announcement. Could he have done more? Should he have done more? This edition of Newscast was made by Danny Wittenberg, John Murphy and Alix Pickles....
Mar 24, 2022•31 min
Spring is in the air… along with inflation and a rise in the cost of living. The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, unveiled his Spring Statement today against a backdrop of rising inflation at home, and economic uncertainty abroad amid the Ukraine crisis. To help pore over the pennies, percentages and decimal points in the Chancellor’s plans, Adam is joined by Laura, the BBC’s Evan Davis and Gareth McNab from debt counselling charity Christians Against Poverty. Also… Phil McCann is at a petrol station in...
Mar 23, 2022•32 min
There’s a heatwave in the North Pole (and the South Pole)… Adam chats to the BBC’s Climate Editor, Justin Rowlatt, and Dr Bethan Davies, a glacial geologist, about what it all means. Simon Shuster, from TIME Magazine, tells us what it's like interviewing the Putin-critic, Alexei Navalny, after he was given nine years in a penal colony in Russia. On “Spring Statement Eve” Chris pops on the pod to explain what we should all be looking out for from the Chancellor on Wednesday. And Prof Al Edwards o...
Mar 22, 2022•33 min
As the crisis deepens in Ukraine and the West seeks to wean itself off Russian oil and gas, Adam takes a deep dive with Russia analyst Angela Stent, and her husband Daniel Yergin, a global energy expert. The couple are also put through Newscast’s Mr and Mrs quiz. Nazanin Zaghari-Radcliffe has spoken publicly for the first time, saying her case could have been resolved six years ago. And Jonathan Van-Tam takes Chris Whitty to the football. This edition of Newscast was made by Tim Walklate with Jo...
Mar 21, 2022•32 min
Did P&O break the law when they sacked 800 staff? We chat to Kathryn Evans, an employment lawyer, to find out... The US and Chinese Presidents have been talking about Ukraine. North America editor, Sarah Smith, makes her Newscast debut and explains what's what... And the BBC's Fergal Keane is in Lviv in Ukraine, where a factory has been hit by an airstrike. We get the latest. This edition of Newscast was made by Chris Flynn, Miranda Slade and Ben Cooper. The technical producer was Emma Crowe...
Mar 18, 2022•34 min
P&O Ferries has caused outrage after sacking 800 workers via a recorded video message. The company plans to replace them with cheaper agency workers. Chris gets the latest from the BBC’s Danny Savage in Hull, where a P&O crew had been refusing to leave their ship. Covid infection rates have been increasing rapidly across the UK – one of the people to catch the virus is Adam. GP Ellie Cannon worries about the long-term mental health fallout of the pandemic. And Chris asks Britain’s chief ...
Mar 17, 2022•29 min
As the daily pod turns two, we’re still wrestling with Covid. Self-isolating at home following a positive lateral flow test, Adam - along with the BBC’s James Gallagher in the studio - reflects on that televised Downing Street briefing two years ago to the day, when it became clear that our lives would never be the same again. Also, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, the British-Iranian aid worker detained for six years in Iran on charges of spying, has finally been released by Tehran. Adam discusses th...
Mar 16, 2022•33 min
Boris Johnson heads to Saudi to talk oil supply... Adam is joined by Laura and oil-expert, Prof Karen Turner, to discuss the trip and unpick the government’s energy strategy. The BBC’s correspondent in Moscow, Carrie Davies, is outside the court where Russian journalist, Marina Ovsyannikova, was fined and released after protesting against the invasion of Ukraine on TV. And, as concern in China grows over rapidly-rising Covid cases, Natasha Loder, the Economist’s health policy editor, explains wh...
Mar 15, 2022•32 min
Levelling Up Secretary, Michael Gove, has unveiled the government’s new “Homes for Ukraine” refugee scheme. Adam is joined by the BBC’s Mark Easton and prospective host, hotel manager Charlie Green to chew over how it will work. We ask the UK’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Dame Barbara Woodward, what it’s like facing the Russians at the Security Council and what role China has to play in the Ukraine conflict. And with food prices predicted to rise by 15% this year, we official...
Mar 14, 2022•34 min
Taking the next train out of Ukraine... We speak to the BBC’s Fergal Keane in Lviv, where he’s been speaking to Ukrainians fleeing to Poland. Writer and podcaster, Jon Ronson, joins Adam and the BBC’s Marianna Spring to talk about culture wars and misinformation in Ukraine And broadcasting (and election-graphics) legend, Jeremy Vine, gives us his verdict on South Korea’s presidential election coverage (which includes a faceless bear and presidential candidates enjoying a seaside sunset)! Today’s...
Mar 11, 2022•31 min
As talks between Russia and Ukraine fail again, the human toll of the war is escalating. Laura, Chris and Adam are joined by Gabriel Gatehouse of Ukrainecast, to discuss the latest developments in both countries, and try to work out what President Putin and his small circle of “strongmen” are thinking. The BBC’s diplomatic correspondent James Landale is in Turkey, where that meeting between Russia’s Sergei Lavrov and Ukraine’s Dmitry Kuleba ended without any meaningful discussion even beginning....
Mar 10, 2022•32 min
Ordinary Russians are beginning to notice a difference in their daily lives as Western companies halt business in the country following the invasion of Ukraine. BBC Moscow correspondent Steve Rosenberg tells Adam what life is like in the city as sanctions begin to bite. Meanwhile… with the foreign ministers of Russia and Ukraine set to meet in Turkey, the BBC’s James Landale analyses what’s at stake and the prospects for success. And… TV historian Dan Snow joins us from the Southern Ocean to exp...
Mar 09, 2022•33 min
McDonald’s joins the growing list of companies halting business in Russia, as Boris Johnson announces that the UK will phase out Russian oil imports. Adam discusses the ramifications with Bloomberg’s Stephanie Flanders and the BBC’s James Landale. And on the day that Ukrainian President Zelensky gives an historic address to the House of Commons, a report brands former speaker John Bercow “a serial bully.” Chris Cook of the Financial Times gives his assessment. This edition of Newscast was made b...
Mar 08, 2022•32 min
As oil and gas prices soar, can European countries wean themselves off Russian energy supplies? Boris Johnson has been meeting the Canadian and Dutch prime ministers to talk about more sanctions against Russia and what to do about many European nations’ dependence on Russian hydrocarbons. Adam, Laura and the BBC’s Simon Jack discuss the difficult politics and economics facing western leaders. Also… A new scientific study has found that even a mild infection of Covid could cause your brain to shr...
Mar 07, 2022•32 min
At least a million people have fled Ukraine in the space of a week, according to the UN. Adam is joined by David Miliband from the International Rescue Committee to examine the humanitarian crisis unfolding in eastern Europe. The BBC’s Jessica Parker tells us what it’s like on board a NATO surveillance plane monitoring activity around Ukraine. And sports broadcaster Isabelle Westbury reflects on the life of Australian cricketing superstar Shane Warne, following his death at the age of 52. Today’...
Mar 04, 2022•30 min
It’s been seven days since Russia invaded Ukraine. Adam and Laura are joined by former International Development Secretary Rory Stewart to discuss how the crisis is playing out, both worldwide and in Westminster. Also… A Ukrainian journalist explains why he’s ditched his day job to fight on the front line. And… Arise, Sir Gav! Why is former Education Secretary Gavin Williamson getting a knighthood? Today’s Newscast was made by Tim Walklate and Chris Flynn. The assistant editor was Alison Gee....
Mar 03, 2022•28 min
As Russian attacks intensify in Ukraine, the owner of Chelsea FC, Roman Abramovich, says he plans to sell the club. BBC 5 Live’s chief football correspondent John Murray steps away from the commentary box to examine why the Russian billionaire is selling up. Also… Adam talks to the BBC’s Lyse Doucet about reporting from the front line in Kyiv, and chews over the latest developments in the crisis with Laura and security correspondent Frank Gardner. And… BBC health and science correspondent James ...
Mar 02, 2022•36 min
Deadly blasts hit Ukraine’s biggest cities as Russia’s armoured convoy advances on Kyiv… Adam is joined by the BBC’s diplomatic correspondent James Landale and political correspondent Alex Forsyth to discuss Britain’s role in the crisis and whether diplomacy still has a part to play. And just four months on from the COP26 conference in Glasgow, a new United Nations report says that many of the effects of climate change are now ‘irreversible’. But Professor Richard Betts, lead author of the IPCC ...
Mar 01, 2022•32 min
As fighting continues in Ukraine, Victoria Derbyshire and Gabriel Gatehouse look at how the crisis is being reflected in Russia. They’re joined by Angus Roxburgh, who spent three years as a consultant to the Kremlin, to discuss whether the people closest to Putin will stay loyal to him though this conflict. And the BBC’s Liza Fokht in Moscow has been asking Russians what they think about the invasion. Back in Ukraine, we catch up with Max, whose son and wife were injured when a missile hit their...
Feb 28, 2022•44 min
Putin moves Russia's nuclear forces to "special alert”, in response to what he described as “aggression” from Nato countries. Meanwhile as fighting continues in the streets across Ukraine’s biggest cities, President Zelensky says his delegation will meet with Russia at the Belarus border for talks. Is President Putin using his nuclear arsenal as a conflict deterrent or as a threat to the West? Victoria and Gabriel are joined by the former director of the UN Institute for Disarmament Research, Dr...
Feb 27, 2022•39 min
Ukrainians, from Kyiv to the UK, answer calls to defend their country. The capital has come under attack, but the residents and their president remain defiant, and Russian forces have so far failed to break through their resistance. Maxim Karaush was at home with family when their apartment building in Kyiv was hit by a missile. He tells Victoria and Gabriel why, after his wife and son were injured and his home destroyed, he asked to speak to us. We aim to explain a fast-moving conflict and answ...
Feb 26, 2022•37 min
Ukraine government gives out guns as Russian forces approach... Victoria, Gabriel and Vitaliy talk through how the conflict has unfolded. Olga Malchevska, from the BBC Ukrainian Service in London, tells of how her family home was targeted, and Newsnight’s diplomatic editor Mark Urban joins us to explain what's going on with Putin's military strategy. Today's Ukrainecast was produced by Estelle Doyle, Natalie Ktena, Tim Walklate and Molly Lynch. Emma Crowe was the technical producer. Sam Bonham w...
Feb 25, 2022•35 min
Russian forces launch a full-scale assault and 100,000 people try to flee... This episode is a special Ukrainecast hosted by BBC's Victoria Derbyshire and Newsnight's Gabriel Gatehouse, alongside Vitaliy Shevchenko, the Russia editor at BBC Monitoring. Today's podcast was produced by Danny Wittenberg and Natalie Ktena. Emma Crowe was the technical producer. Sam Bonham was the assistant editor and Jonathan Aspinwall was the editor.
Feb 24, 2022•38 min
The UK Defence Secretary says Putin has made a mistake... Simon Smith, former British Ambassador to Ukraine (when Russia annexed Crimea and Russian-backed rebels took over parts of the Donbas region), and the BBC’s Carrie Davies in Rostov-on-Don (near the Ukrainian border) join Adam to discuss the twisting of history, sanctions and the latest in Ukraine. And.. What is the Metaverse? Bloomberg’s Naomi Nix envisions a life in virtual reality... Today’s Newscast was made by John Murphy with Tim Wal...
Feb 23, 2022•29 min
But does Moscow care about Western sanctions? Adam, Laura and the BBC's Lyse Doucet (in Ukraine) discuss the escalating crisis... Alok Sharma (the president of COP26) and film director Adam McKay talk climate and a bit of Hollywood... Also, why does the filmmaker want to have a pint with Andrew Marr? Today’s Newscast was made by John Murphy with Molly Lynch, Natalie Ktena and Tim Walklate. The studio director was Emma Crowe and the assistant editor was Sam Bonham.
Feb 22, 2022•34 min
Boris Johnson announces an end to all coronavirus restrictions in England... Chris and Fergus talk it through. Vladimir Putin has gone on TV to order troops into Eastern Ukraine. The BBC's James Landale explains what's been going on... And we hear a bizarre tale about a glamorous design company that tricked its own staff into believing it was real (even though it wasn’t). The BBC's Catrin Nye tells all... Today’s episode of Newscast was made by Tim Walklate, Alix Pickles and Sally Abrahams. The ...
Feb 21, 2022•34 min
People have been hurt and buildings have been destroyed across the country today… Adam gets the latest on Storm Eunice from BBC broadcast meteorologist, Matt Taylor. And we catch up with what's been happening at the Winter Olympics... Aimee Fuller (host of The Winter Olympic Mile podcast) and Stephen McDonell (BBC China correspondent) know the score. Today’s Newscast was made by John Murphy, Georgia Coan and Ben Cooper. The studio director was Emma Crowe. The assistant editor was Sam Bonham....
Feb 18, 2022•31 min
A rare red weather warning has been issued across parts of the UK, and millions of people are being urged to stay at home as Storm Eunice approaches. Meteorologist Matt Taylor joins Adam, Alex Forsyth and Lewis Goodall, to explain what’s going on and how to stay safe. Also, West Yorkshire’s mayor, Tracy Brabin, gives us her take on the government’s levelling up plan, emergency funding for buses and why she’d like to take Michael Gove disco dancing. Today’s Newscast was made by Alison Gee with Da...
Feb 17, 2022•31 min
Prince Charles' Foundation will be investigated… The Metropolitan Police has announced it will investigate claims Prince Charles' charity offered honours help to a Saudi citizen. Royal Correspondent, Nicholas Witchell, talks us through the latest, as well as the reaction to Prince Andrew’s settlement and his future in public life. And Fergus Walsh joins Adam to chat through the news that the four UK nations will be offering covid jabs to children aged 5 to 11. Today’s Newscast was made by John M...
Feb 16, 2022•36 min
