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Newscast

BBC Newswww.bbc.co.uk

The BBC's daily news podcast, Newscast dives into the day's biggest news stories so you're never out of your depth.

Newscast picks the brains of BBC News experts so you're ready if someone picks yours, covering the latest news, developments in politics in Westminster and beyond.

Newscast is hosted by trusted politics and news journalists including Adam Fleming, BBC Political Editor Chris Mason, Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O'Connell.

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.

Catch Newscast seven-days a week and watch on BBC One at 23:40 on Thursday night or later on BBC iPlayer.

GET IN TOUCH: You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscord Send us a message or voicenote via WhatsApp to 03301239480 Email Newscast@bbc.co.uk Or use the hashtag #BBCNewscast

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Episodes

Queen Elizabeth II: Reflecting on the State Funeral

The state funeral has been held for Queen Elizabeth II, as hundreds of thousands of people lined the streets of Westminster and Windsor, along with billions around the world, to watch and say goodbye. Fergal Keane, who was commentating for BBC TV inside Westminster Abbey, and Katty Kay, who was presenting outside Buckingham Palace, reflect on the funeral of the longest-reigning monarch in British history. And we catch up with Chris Mason to look at how the past 12 days have affected the country ...

Sep 19, 202235 min

Queen Elizabeth II: Looking Ahead to the Funeral

What to expect at Monday’s state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. Adam chats to James Naughtie and Rachel Burden, who are both part of the BBC radio coverage of the day’s events, as the nation will say a final farewell to Britain's longest-reigning monarch. They’re joined by charity worker Ella Marks MBE who remembers the funeral of George VI and will be attending Monday’s ceremony at Westminster Abbey. Today’s episode was produced by Tim Walklate with Miranda Slade and Clare Williamson. Emma Crow...

Sep 16, 202226 min

Queues Update

Security and diplomacy challenges for the Queen’s funeral as mourners queue for hours. Bob Broadhurst, who was the Met Police commander in charge of both Prince William and Catherine’s wedding and the London 2012 Olympics, talks us through the security risks and how protesters will be policed. Simon McDonald, the UK’s former top diplomat, says the funeral will likely be the biggest diplomatic event the UK has ever seen and explains why he thinks the government was right to invite China’s Preside...

Sep 15, 202235 min

Queueing for the Queen

Adam joins the thousands lining up to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II, as she lies in state in Westminster Hall. The BBC’s Lyse Doucet, Rajini Vaidyanathan and Anne Soy discuss the international reaction to the Queen’s death and the future of the Commonwealth. And Katya explains the EU’s plans for a huge energy windfall tax. Today’s Newscast was made by Tim Walklate with Miranda Slade, Cordelia Hemming and Khadra Salad. The technical producer was Emma Crowe. The assistant editor was Lou...

Sep 14, 202231 min

News You May Have Missed

Energy, policing and Ukraine – news you may have missed, while the country continues to mourn the Queen, whose coffin has been moved to Buckingham Palace. The BBC’s Caroline Davies joins Adam to explain what’s happening with the government’s plan to limit energy bills. Greg McKenzie has been speaking to the family of Chris Kaba, the 24-year-old who was shot dead by a police officer in south London, about the investigation that’s been launched. Jeremy Bowen talks through what’s happening in Ukrai...

Sep 13, 202237 min

Queen Elizabeth II: Scotland’s Farewell

Mourners in Edinburgh pay their respects to the Queen as her coffin lies at rest. Adam is joined by Sarah Smith in the Scottish capital and Chris in Westminster to look at the week ahead. The BBC’s Director of Journalism, Jonathan Munro, talks about his experience producing the Queen’s Christmas messages, and the BBC’s coverage of the Queen’s death. And Ukrainecast presenter, Vitaly Shevchenko, explains how Ukrainian forces are recapturing territory from Russian troops. Today’s Newscast was made...

Sep 12, 202233 min

Queen Elizabeth II: What happens between now and the funeral?

The Queen's state funeral will be on Monday 19 September. On this special Newscast Adam chats to the BBC's Special Correspondent, Jim Naughtie, and Royal Historian, Dr Tessa Dunlop, about the Queen's funeral and the King's proclamation ceremony. We also hear how William, Kate, Meghan and Harry have been paying their respects in Windsor. Today’s episode was made by Sam Bonham. The technical producer was Gareth Jones. The senior news editor was Jonathan Aspinwall.

Sep 10, 202224 min

The King’s Address

King Charles III addresses the nation for the first time, following the death of his ‘darling mama’, Queen Elizabeth II. As the new King holds his first audience with the new prime minister, the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg explains the political significance of the change in monarch. And Sir Nicholas Soames, a lifelong friend of the King and grandson of Sir Winston Churchill, shares his memories of the late Queen and tells us what we can expect from the reign of King Charles. Today’s Newscast was mad...

Sep 09, 202243 min

Queen Elizabeth II: Reaction and Tributes

Remembering the UK’s longest-serving monarch. Leaders around the world have paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II. BBC special correspondent, Jim Naughtie, who has chronicled her 70-year reign, joins Adam to discuss her legacy. This edition of Newscast was made by Danny Wittenberg and Chris Flynn. The technical producer was Emma Crowe. The assistant editors were Sam Bonham and Alison Gee. The editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Sep 08, 202229 min

Queen Elizabeth II: Obituary

The UK's longest-serving monarch has died at Balmoral. She was 96 and reigned for 70 years. Her family gathered at her Scottish estate after concerns grew about her health. In a statement, Buckingham Palace said she died peacefully. We reflect on her life.

Sep 08, 202217 min

PM Clues

Liz Truss faces questions on the energy crisis - but what is she planning? Adam and Chris discuss PMQs and the latest cabinet appointments. And Simon Jack and Jess Ralston, senior analyst at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, look ahead to the Prime Minister’s much-anticipated energy announcement on Thursday. Today’s episode was made by Tim Walklate with Cordelia Hemming, Ben Motley and Miranda Slade. The technical producer was Emma Crowe. The assistant editor was Louisa Lewis....

Sep 07, 202232 min

Cabinet Maker

Liz Truss assembles her new team. Kwasi Kwarteng has been named chancellor, James Cleverly is foreign secretary, and Therese Coffey is the new health secretary. Adam and Chris are joined by Gavin Barwell, former Downing Street chief of staff, and Charlotte Ivers, political correspondent at Times Radio, to discuss the new Prime Minister’s first day and the latest appointments. Today’s episode was made by Tim Walklate with Cordelia Hemming, Miranda Slade and Danny Wittenberg. The technical produce...

Sep 06, 202236 min

In Liz We Truss?

Reaction to the new Tory leader and PM. Adam is joined by Chris, Simon Jack and former Truss adviser, Kirsty Buchanan, to talk through her victory speech and her priorities in the next few weeks. Today’s episode was made by Tim Walklate with Cordelia Hemming, Danny Wittenberg and Miranda Slade. The technical producer was Emma Crowe. The assistant editor was Sam Bonham.

Sep 05, 202236 min

Americast: Mar-a-Legal Trouble

Welcome to episode one of the new-look Americast (we thought you Newscasters might enjoy listening to Americast's first episode back)! Classified documents stored at former President's Florida home were likely concealed as part of an effort to obstruct an FBI investigation, says the US Department of Justice officials. Justin, Sarah and the Zurch chat to former FBI special agent Asha Rangappa, about how attempts to retrieve the documents went down and what could happen next. And Marianna introduc...

Sep 03, 202245 min

Votes Cast

Laura K is back on the day the Tory leadership ballot closes. And another battle is being drawn between the release of Lord of the Rings prequel (The Rings of Power) and the Game of Thrones prequel (House of the Dragon), so we get got two super fans (and politicians), Labour MP Jess Phillips (Thrones) and Tory MP Rob Halfon (Rings), to fight it out. Also, Danny Shaw, ex-BBC Home Affairs Correspondent, explains why Cressida Dick, ex-Met Police Chief, is back in the news. Today’s Newscast was made...

Sep 02, 202238 min

Done and Husted

Chris returns to discuss the final stretch of the Tory leadership contest and how the PM is spending his final days in office. Also, Adam hosts his own cost of living phone-in, with the help of BBC radio presenters from across the country. Radio Scotland’s Kaye Adams, Coventry and Warwickshire’s Trish Adudu and Radio Cornwall’s Jack Murley share their most memorable calls. Today’s Newscast was made by Tim Walklate with Chris Flynn, Cordelia Hemming and Daniel Wittenberg. The technical producer w...

Sep 01, 202231 min

Going Global

The biggest international news stories with the BBC’s Jeremy Bowen. Our International Editor discusses the life and death of last Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, floods in Pakistan and deadly violence in Iraq. And, our sister pod, Americast, is back! The team are in the studio to give Adam the lowdown. Today’s Newscast was made by Tim Walklate with Miranda Slade, Danny Wittenberg and Cordelia Hemming. The technical producer was Emma Crowe. The editor was Jonathan Aspinwall....

Aug 31, 202235 min

The No Show

Liz Truss has called off her primetime BBC interview. So instead, Adam interviews Nick Robinson, who was meant to be asking the questions, on why these programmes matter. And Dr Dame Jenny Harries, boss of the UK Health Security Agency, gives us an update on monkeypox and responds to comments made by Truss that she would never impose another lockdown. Today’s Newscast was made by Daniel Wittenberg with Miranda Slade and Cordelia Hemming. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant edi...

Aug 30, 202239 min

How High Could Bills Go?

The energy price cap explained. After the energy regulator Ofgem announces an increase in the energy price cap, Adam is joined by Martin Lewis, from Money Saving Expert, Energy UK’s Emma Pinchbeck and BBC Business Editor, Simon Jack, to unpick all the details. This episode was made by Tim Walklate with Natalie Ktena, Danny Wittenberg and Clare Williamson. The technical producer was Emma Crowe. The assistant editor was Sam Bonham.

Aug 26, 202233 min

Down Grade

GCSE grades are out and they show a growing regional divide in England. Adam is joined by BBC Education correspondent Hazel Shearing, and Sam Freedman, senior fellow at the Institute for Government, to chew over the results. UK households will soon find out how much their bills will rise when the new energy price cap is announced on Friday. Claer Barrett, the consumer editor at the Financial Times, answers your questions on energy costs. And presenter Scott Mills hangs up his Radio 1 headphones ...

Aug 25, 202230 min

Ukrainecast: Six Months On

Victoria Derbyshire and Vitaliy Shevchenko from Ukrainecast, mark the anniversary of Russia's war in Ukraine by following the stories of Max, Anna, Hussain, Maksym and Viktoria, none of whom will ever be the same again. This episode of Ukrainecast was made by Chris Flynn, Arsenii Sokolov, Philip Marzouk, Louise Hidalgo and Clare Williamson. The technical producer and sound designer was Emma Crowe. The assistant editor was Sam Bonham.

Aug 24, 202252 min

Not a Moment too Moon

NASA’s mega-rocket lunar mission is go for launch! The BBC's science editor Rebecca Morelle explains everything you need to know about the American space agency’s latest Moon mission. Also, Newsnight’s UK Editor Sima Kotecha and BBC Kent political reporter Michael Keohan discuss why a new 24-hour record has been set for migrant crossings on the English Channel. And Isabel Hilton from ChinaDialogue.net describes the repercussions of China’s most intense heat wave on record. Today’s episode was ma...

Aug 23, 202235 min

Raising the Bar

Criminal barristers in England and Wales will take part in an indefinite strike. The BBC's Dom Casciani and barrister Rosalind Burgin explain what's going on. And at the end of an era... Chris Stark and Scott Mills prepare to leave Radio 1, by reflecting on their decade-long audio bromance. Today’s episode was made by Tim Walklate with Miranda Slade and Natalie Ktena. The technical producer was Emma Crowe. The assistant editor was Sam Bonham.

Aug 22, 202233 min

Rental Arithmetic

Are the under 30s facing a cost-of-renting crisis? New BBC research has found that four in 10 of this age group are now spending more than 30% of their pay on rent. Adam is joined by Victoria Spratt, author of Tenants, and Adam Shaw from Radio 4’s Money Box Live. Also, pollution warnings were put in place on 40 beaches across England and Wales this week, after flash flooding overwhelmed sewage systems. Friend of the pod Emma Vardy fills us in. Today’s episode was made by Tim Walklate with Mirand...

Aug 19, 202229 min

University Challenges

The results are in! On the day that students receive their exam results, we also find out that the BBC’s Amol Rajan is the new host of University Challenge. Adam is joined by the iconic voice of the game show, Roger Tilling, to talk about outgoing presenter Jeremy Paxman’s legacy. We talk A-Levels, T-Levels and Btecs with Laura McInerney, co-founder of the Teacher Tapp survey app and Simon Beale, history and politics teacher at Vyners School in Uxbridge. And the Finnish Prime Minister, Sanna Mar...

Aug 18, 202228 min

Who is Rishi Sunak?

Newscast profiles the Tory leadership candidate. How have his politics been shaped by his education and jobs? How is he viewed in his Yorkshire constituency? What does he like to eat and drink apart from Coca-Cola? In this Newscast special Adam is joined by Rishi Sunak’s friend, and fellow Conservative MP in Yorkshire, Kevin Hollinrake, podcaster Jimmy McLoughlin, who has known him since he became an MP, and Charlotte Ivers, Political Correspondent at Times Radio, to profile the man who might be...

Aug 17, 202240 min

Who is Liz Truss?

Who is Liz Truss and what would she be like as leader? Are the comparisons with Margaret Thatcher accurate? What was going on with that cheese speech? In this special episode of Newscast, Adam talks to her former special adviser Kirsty Buchanan, Institute for Economic Affairs director and university friend Mark Littlewood, and Charlotte Ivers, political correspondent at Times Radio, to profile the woman who could be our next prime minister. Today’s episode was produced by Tim Walklate with Corde...

Aug 16, 202238 min

The Fall of Kabul: One Year On

What’s happened to Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover? Adam is joined by the BBC’s Lyse Doucet and Yalda Hakim to look back at the days and months that followed the fall of Kabul, and what challenges face the country going forward. Labour leader Keir Starmer has said his party would freeze the energy price cap at its current level until March, to help with the cost of living. Paul Johnson, director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, gives his assessment of the proposals. Today’s episode wa...

Aug 15, 202234 min

Salman Rushdie Attacked

The novelist is stabbed in New York state. The BBC's Katie Razzall, gives Adam the latest on the incident and the background to the author. On the day a drought is declared across parts of England, Gardener’s World and Gardener’s Question Time go head-to-head to give you the best tips for looking after your outside spaces. And seven UK cities are short-listed as potential hosts for next year’s Eurovision Song Contest. We chat with Guy Freeman, who produced the last British-based contest in 1998....

Aug 12, 202238 min

Dry Hard

Is the UK heading for a drought? Adam speaks to the head of the Environment Agency, Sir James Bevan about the impact of the recent dry weather and soaring temperatures, which are forecast to hit 37C (99F) in some parts of the country in the coming days. Adam is also joined by Charlotte Smith from Radio 4’s Farming Today and BBC Weather’s Matt Taylor to assess how the hot conditions will affect crops and agriculture, and when we can expect some rain. Today’s episode was produced by Tim Walklate w...

Aug 11, 202232 min
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