Today we look at the Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ a speech in which she backed a third runway at London's Heathrow Airport. She said it’s "badly needed" and will help grow the economy by creating 100,000 new jobs and improving connectivity to global markets. But is it guaranteed, and what are the implications for emissions? To answer those questions, Adam and Chris are joined by chief economics correspondent Dharshini David, and policy and analysis correspondent at BBC Verify Ben Chu. And, we’ve be...
Jan 29, 2025•40 min
Today, the BBC’s special correspondent Fergal Keane travelled with the first Jordanian helicopter delivering aid inside Gaza since the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel was declared. Adam speaks to Fergal about what it was like to be the first international correspondent to fly with the Jordanians into Israeli-held territory in southern Gaza. And, the Office for National Statistics has projected a population growth of 7.3% between 2022 and 2032; the number is almost entirely based on the net mi...
Jan 28, 2025•41 min
Today, we look at the relationship between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The two men spoke for the first time on Sunday since the return of President Trump to the White House. Whilst both sides were keen to stress the positives, the 45-minute call appears to have focussed on points of agreement not distance. Chris and Adam speak to North America Editor Sarah Smith. And, is the battle for supremacy in AI starting to really kick off? Shares in major US technology firms ha...
Jan 27, 2025•38 min
Today, we look at what could be a very big week for the chancellor. Laura and Paddy are joined by BBC Newsnight’s political editor Nick Watt to discuss Rachel Reeves’ attempts to get growth. Including, measures for easing restrictions for wealthy non-doms and a possible approval of a third runway at Heathrow airport. Plus, following the sentencing of the Southport killer, Laura reflects on her interview with the Conservative leader Kemi Badendoch on whether a lack of social integration played a ...
Jan 26, 2025•32 min
Today, we look at the latest phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal in Gaza, which has seen four female Israeli soldiers released in exchange for 200 Palestinian prisoners. Laura and Paddy are joined by the BBC’s Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet to assess the state of the ceasefire after Israel accused Hamas of breaching the deal by not releasing civilian hostage Arbel Yehud. Hamas has since confirmed she is alive and will be released next week. And, as the government is proposing...
Jan 25, 2025•33 min
Today, Adam, Chris, Vicki and James discuss President Trump’s first week back in office, including his first major speech at the World Economic Forum, Britain’s trade relationship with the EU, and the government’s plans to say no to NIMBYism through planning reforms. 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://tinyurl.com/newscastcomm...
Jan 24, 2025•30 min
Today, we discuss the outcome of the case against Axel Rudakubana, who was sentenced to a minimum of 52 years in jail for the murder of three young girls in Southport last year. The court heard harrowing details of the attack and Rudakubana’s obsession with violence. Adam is joined by special correspondent Judith Moritz and UK correspondent Daniel Sandford. And Adam is joined by economics editor Faisal Islam just after President Trump spoke to World Economic Forum in Davos. You can now listen to...
Jan 23, 2025•38 min
Today, we look at Prince Harry’s settlement with the publisher of The Sun newspaper for intrusion into his private life over a 15 year period. Adam is joined by media editor Katie Razzall and home and legal correspondent Dominic Casciani to discuss the significance behind the News Group Newspapers’ “full and unequivocal apology” to the Duke of Sussex. And a Russian spy ship has been tracked by the Royal Navy operating near British waters. Adam speaks to diplomatic correspondent James Landale abo...
Jan 22, 2025•40 min
Today, we look at the prime minister’s pledge to fight “the changing face of terrorism” in light of Britain facing a “new and dangerous threat” from extreme violence. In an address from Downing Street, Sir Keir Starmer announced a public inquiry into the state failure that allowed Axel Rudakubana to fatally stab three young girls in Southport last summer. Plus we discuss President Trump’s first actions back in the White House, including the pardoning of nearly 1,600 people in connection with the...
Jan 21, 2025•34 min
Today, Donald Trump has been sworn in as the 47th US president. He promised to unleash a blitz of executive orders, after calling for a "revolution of common sense" in Monday's inaugural address. James Cook and Chris Mason were joined by Anthony Zurcher and Marianna Spring from Americast, Victoria Derbyshire from Ukrainecast and Jonny Dymond from The Global Story to assess Trump’s first act as he became President again. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, ju...
Jan 20, 2025•44 min
Today, we look at Axel Rudakubana pleading guilty to the murder of three young girls at a dance class in Southport last year. Rudakubana also pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of 10 people, possession of a knife, production of a biological toxin and a terror offence. The attack sparked riots and protests across England and Northern Ireland. James speaks to special correspondent Judith Moritz and police and crime commentator Danny Shaw. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If y...
Jan 20, 2025•22 min
Today, we look at how BBC News will cover Donald Trump - ahead of his inauguration as President for a second time. Adam is joined by BBC News Anchor in Washington Caitrionia Perry, Senior North America Correspondent Gary O’Donoghue and Head of Foreign at BBC News Paul Danahar. 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://tinyurl.com/ne...
Jan 20, 2025•37 min
Today, Laura, Paddy, and Henry discuss a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. There was a delay, but hostages are expected to be released and some Gazans could start to return home. And Donald Trump’s first day as president of the US will begin tomorrow. Laura, Paddy and Henry speak about speculation that he won’t accept Lord Peter Mandelson as the new ambassador to the US, and the Labour government’s relationship with the president to be. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you...
Jan 19, 2025•32 min
Today, Paddy and Laura discuss Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday and what we can learn from those who have been, and those who haven’t been, invited. And Paddy’s been speaking to former Prime Minister Gordon Brown who gives his verdict on the state of the UK economy and tells him about the value of 'multibanks'. And Newscast turns 5! You can apply for tickets below for Newscast’s 5th birthday party live show. https://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/newscast-birthday-5feb25 You can now list...
Jan 18, 2025•29 min
Today, Adam, Chris, Alex and Faisal discuss the government's plan for new inquiries into grooming gangs, how much we should read into some positive economic news this week and why politicians are talking about Brexit again. 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. And Newscast turns 5! You can apply for tickets below for Newscast’s 5th birthday party live show. https://www.bbc.co.uk/show...
Jan 17, 2025•29 min
The Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has announced five government-backed local inquiries and a new national-level "rapid audit" of grooming gangs. The government faced calls for a full national inquiry after interventions by tech billionaire Elon Musk. Adam is joined by Henry Zeffman, chief political correspondent, and social affairs editor Alison Holt. And the ceasefire vote in Israel is delayed as airstrikes continue in Gaza. Adam also speaks to Lyse Doucet, chief international correspondent. You...
Jan 16, 2025•33 min
Today, we look at the news that a deal has been reached to stop the fighting in Gaza and for the release of the remaining Israeli hostages. The ceasefire is set to begin on Sunday and will last six weeks. Adam and Chris are joined by James Landale, BBC diplomatic correspondent and Sarah Smith, BBC North America editor. 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 on...
Jan 15, 2025•26 min
Today, the Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq has resigned after growing pressure over an anti-corruption investigation in Bangladesh. The Labour MP last week referred herself to Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s standards adviser Sir Laurie Magnus - but insisted she has done nothing wrong. She said in a letter today that whilst Sir Laurie found she had not breached by the Ministerial Code that "it is clear that continuing in my role as Economic Secretary to the Treasury is likely to be a distraction fr...
Jan 14, 2025•32 min
Today, we look at the announcement of a new AI Action Plan and the government’s hope that it will make the UK a world leader in AI In a speech Sir Keir Starmer laid out the government's plans to use AI across the UK to boost growth and deliver public services more efficiently. Adam and Chris are joined by the BBC’s AI Correspondent, Marc Cieslak. Plus, we look at what today’s announcements mean for the NHS. Adam speaks to Dr Maxine Mackintosh, AI and health expert and Sana Khareghani, former hea...
Jan 13, 2025•36 min
Today, Laura, Paddy and Henry discuss the government's plan on AI and how social media giants are impacting British politics. Also, why is Treasury Minister Tulip Siddiq being asked to resign? 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://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news s...
Jan 12, 2025•29 min
Today, Paddy and Laura discuss Rachel Reeves’ trip to Beijing to meet with her Chinese counterpart. But some of the opposition are saying she shouldn’t have gone at a time when soaring government borrowing costs threaten to squeeze UK public finances. And, after Meta announced it will no longer employ factcheckers and will boost political content, a grieving father - Ian Russell - tells Laura why this announcement will hurt children. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want...
Jan 11, 2025•26 min
Today, we look at Donald Trump avoiding jail, and any punishment, over charges of fraud relating to hush money paid to adult-film star Stormy Daniels. Adam is joined by Caitriona Perry, the BBC’s chief presenter in Washington, and Gary O’Donoghue, the BBC’s senior North America correspondent. And, 2024 was the first year to exceed the key global warming threshold of 1.5°C above pre-industrial temperatures. Adam talks to Emma Pinchbeck, CEO of the Climate Change Committee, which marks the UK gove...
Jan 10, 2025•36 min
Today, we look at the wildfires still raging across Los Angeles, where five people have been killed and more than 175,000 have been evacuated. Adam speaks with BBC’s Los Angeles correspondent Emma Vardy about the extent of the damage and the rescue operations. And Politico’s California environment reporter Camille von Kaenel explains why President-elect Donald Trump blames the Democrats for the damage caused. Plus, as the pound falls to its lowest level in over a year, at the same time UK borrow...
Jan 09, 2025•36 min
Today, we look at the debate over a national inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal playing out in the House of Commons. The issue was voted on because of an amendment to a Labour bill that will introduce changes to the education system. Chris unpacks the politics, education editor Branwen Jeffreys explains the changes, and political correspondent Tom Symonds talks about what victims are calling for. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sou...
Jan 08, 2025•34 min
Today, we look at why Meta is bringing to an end the use of independent fact-checkers on Facebook and Instagram - and replacing them with ‘community notes’. In a video posted online Mark Zuckerberg said third-party moderators were "too politically biased" and it was "time to get back to our roots around free expression". Adam is joined by Vivian Schiller, vice president and executive director of Aspen Digital, and former head of news at Twitter. And, as Sir Keir Starmer is under pressure to laun...
Jan 07, 2025•33 min
Today, we look at Keir Starmer’s response to what he calls “lies and misinformation” being spread over grooming gangs. It comes after multi-billionaire Elon Musk accused Sir Keir Starmer of being "complicit in the rape of Britain" during his time as director of public prosecutions (DPP) for failing to tackle grooming gangs. Adam and Chris discuss the PM’s response in a press conference on Monday, and reflect on what impact Musk and President-elect Trump are already having on world politics. Adam...
Jan 06, 2025•38 min
Today we look at Nigel Farage’s friendship with Elon Musk and what he wants to get out of it. Laura’s been talking to the Reform UK leader, who’s defended Musk after he attacked the government's response to grooming gangs on X. Paddy and Laura are joined by Gawain Towler, former director of communications for Reform UK. Plus, Laura has been speaking to the Health Secretary, Wes Streeting about why the government has set such a long timescale on it’s proposed social care reforms. You can now list...
Jan 05, 2025•30 min
Today, we look a why tech multi billionaire Elon Musk, and friend of Donald Trump is getting involved in British politics. He’s been critical of Labour and Sir Keir Starmer and has formed an allegiance with Reform UK. But there’s a disagreement between Musk and its leader Nigel Farage over the anti Islam activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson. 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 mo...
Jan 04, 2025•24 min
Today, we look at the government’s plans for a new independent commission on the future of adult social care in England. It's due to start this April, but the final proposals are unlikely to be delivered before 2028. Adam is joined by Vicki Young, BBC’s deputy political editor, and Mike Padgham, chair of the Independent Care Group, the association for all care providers in York and North Yorkshire. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds...
Jan 03, 2025•26 min
Today, we look at the latest developments in the New Orleans attack that killed at least 14 people and wounded dozens more on New Year's Day. The FBI says 42-year-old army veteran, Shamsu-Din Jabbar, posted videos online proclaiming allegiance to the Islamic State group. Adam speaks to Justin Webb, host of our sister podcast, Americast, and Marianna Spring, BBC’s social media investigations correspondent. And Adam is joined by Alex, as 20 councillors in Nottinghamshire quit Labour, after critici...
Jan 02, 2025•29 min
