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
Today, we look at the challenges being faced by young men and boys after the former England manager Sir Gareth Southgate said he fears they are spending too much time gaming, gambling and watching pornography. James and Alex are joined by Ed Davies, Policy Director of the think tank the Centre for Social Justice, and Ceylon Andi Hickman, director at Football Beyond Borders. They discuss what’s driving the problem, which Southgate and the Centre for Social Justice says is a ‘crisis’. You can now ...
Mar 19, 2025•32 min
Today, we look at big changes to the benefits system which the government say aim to save £5bn a year by 2030. They were announced in the House of Commons by Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall who said the changes would create a more “pro-work system”. However, charities and some Labour MPs are worried benefit cuts will push disabled people into poverty. Alex and James talk through the changes with Chris, and then are joined by the pensions minister Torsten Bell. And, President Putin has ag...
Mar 18, 2025•48 min
Today, President Trump has been speaking to journalists ahead of his phone call with Russia’s President Putin on Tuesday. Trump told reporters that the two men will discuss land and powerplants. James and Alex speak to BBC diplomatic correspondent James Landale in Kyiv where Ukrainian officials will be waiting to hear if the phone call brings Russia any closer to agreeing to a 30 day ceasefire deal outlined with the US last week. Plus, as the government prepares to announce changes to the welfar...
Mar 17, 2025•40 min
Today, we look at the news that ministers could abandon plans to freeze some disability benefits. Paddy, Laura and Henry discuss where the news came from, and what the plans were in the first place. And, after a week in which Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced that he was getting rid of NHS England, they look at how he might be changing other parts of the health 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...
Mar 16, 2025•23 min
Today, Laura and Paddy discuss UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s virtual summit with the ‘coalition of the willing’. Downing Street say representatives from 26 countries joined the Prime Minister this morning to discuss bolstering support for Ukraine by moving military planning to an “operational phase”. But is Russia any closer to agreeing a ceasefire deal? And how strong is a coalition with no US backstop? And, can Keir Starmer succeed in building coalition within his own party? Laura’s been lo...
Mar 15, 2025•33 min
Today, Adam, Vicki, Faisal and Nick discuss Starmer’s attempts to speed up government, a possible fight over benefit changes and whether the PM is going to push back more on President Trump. 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 Current A...
Mar 14, 2025•30 min
Today, Adam and Henry discuss Starmer’s announcement to abolish NHS England, which handles the day to day running of the health service and has been described by the government as the “world’s largest quango”. Health Secretary Wes Streeting is also on to talk about the plans and what they mean for healthcare in the UK. 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...
Mar 13, 2025•31 min
Today, we look at responses and retaliations to President Trump’s universal tariffs on steel and aluminium. Adam is joined by Caitríona Perry, Chief Presenter BBC News in Washington, and Dharshini David, chief economics correspondent to discuss retaliatory tariffs from the EU and Canada, as well as Keir Starmer’s response. Plus, Russia is “studying” the proposed plan for a 30-day ceasefire with Ukraine. Chris Steele, former head of the Russia Desk at MI6, discusses how the Kremlin will approach ...
Mar 12, 2025•37 min
Today, we look at Ukraine saying it is ready to accept a US proposal for an initial 30-day ceasefire. The decision comes after US and Ukrainian officials met in Saudi Arabia for talks. Washington will also immediately restore intelligence sharing and “security assistance” to Ukraine. Adam is joined by Lord Kim Darroch - Former British Ambassador to the US and Former UK National Security. Plus, President Trump has ordered 50% tariffs on Canadian steel. It comes after the worst day of 2025 for US ...
Mar 11, 2025•31 min
Today, we look at the new Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney, who has vowed to win a trade war with President Trump. Mark Carney, the former Governor of the Bank of England, will become the next Prime Minister of Canada after winning his party’s leadership contest. Carney will be sworn in, in the coming days and has vowed to win the trade war with US President Donald Trump. Adam speaks to Chris Giles, Economics Commentator at the FT and Jayme Poisson host of CBC’s Front Burner podcast. And, A...
Mar 10, 2025•34 min
Today, we hear from Ukrainians as their leader gets ready for another big week of peace talks and diplomacy. Laura, Paddy and Henry also discuss government plans to overhaul the civil service. Plus, they assess Reform UK’s “infighting” following the suspension of an MP. 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/NbuxWnmY N...
Mar 09, 2025•26 min
Today, Laura and Paddy answer your questions about the war in Ukraine, President Trump’s tactics, and the possibilities of a peace deal. We also discuss Keir Starmer’s approach to global politics, and whether his "statesman-like" appearances on the global stage have helped him back home. You can now listen to Newscast on your 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://...
Mar 08, 2025•30 min
Today, Adam, Chris, Caitríona and James discuss if Sir Keir Starmer’s strategy for President Trump is working? Plus, can the Prime Minister reconcile his international agenda with his domestic one?” 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/NbuxWnmY New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and C...
Mar 07, 2025•30 min
Today, we discuss the emergency EU summit taking place in Brussels. Adam catches up with Europe editor Katya Adler about the discussions taking place about how the EU can bolster their defence spending, as well as supporting Ukraine in the face of uncertainty with the US. And Ukraine correspondent James Waterhouse dials in to discuss how Zelensky is approaching the summit, and how Ukrainians are feeling a week on from the heated exchange in the Oval Office. And Chris Mason drops in to discuss th...
Mar 06, 2025•35 min
Today, we discuss the Chancellor Rachel Reeves looking at making spending cuts worth billions to the government’s welfare budget. The Treasury will put the proposed cuts to the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) on Wednesday amid expectations the chancellor's financial headroom has disappeared. Adam is joined by economics editor Faisal Islam to unpack what we know about the proposed cuts, and the chancellor’s Spring Statement later this month. And, former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has spoke...
Mar 05, 2025•41 min
Today, we discuss President Zelensky saying that Ukraine is "ready to work under President Trump's strong leadership" to negotiate a peace deal. This comes after the US announced it would pause military aid to Ukraine, which has caused alarm across Europe. Adam speaks to the BBC’s chief presenter, Caitriona Perry and BBC international editor, Jeremy Bowen. And, the US and European stock markets fell after President Trump's 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico began. Canadian PM Justin T...
Mar 04, 2025•40 min
Today, we look at possible plans for a Franco-UK peace deal in Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron floated the idea of a partial month-long truce between Russia and Ukraine in a interview on Sunday. But the UK government has played down the idea as just a suggestion, and say that lots of proposals are still on the table. Meanwhile President Trump has criticised President Zelensky online again. Adam and Chris are joined by Marion Solletty, POLITICO’s editor at large in France. Plus, Israel ...
Mar 03, 2025•37 min
Today, in this extra episode, Laura and Paddy get back together to talk after Laura met President Zelensky. He told her, and a group of other journalists, that he is still "ready to sign" a US-Ukraine minerals deal after leaving the White House without it being agreed. Laura explains what it was like to be in the room as he also explained he wants “the Ukrainian position to be heard." You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newsc...
Mar 02, 2025•17 min
Today, we unpack Sir Keir Starmer’s interview with Laura about Donald Trump’s row with Volodymyr Zelensky, and Europe’s plan to make a Ukraine peace deal happen. 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/NbuxWnmY New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC,...
Mar 02, 2025•42 min
Today, we look at how Sir Keir Starmer and other leaders are reacting to the row/pile on/slanging match between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office. Starmer called both men on Friday night to show support, and he’s hosting Zelensky at Downing Street ahead of a European leader summit on Sunday. Laura and Paddy discuss the Prime Minister’s plans plus answer questions from listeners about the dispute. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just ...
Mar 01, 2025•28 min
Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky have clashed in an extraordinary exchange at the White House, with Trump telling the Ukrainian president to "make a deal or we're out" James and Laura dissect what happened. 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...
Feb 28, 2025•30 min
Today we look at the much anticipated meeting between President Trump and Prime Minister Starmer. Answering questions from journalists, the two men discussed; a state visit to the UK for the President, the future of the Chagos Islands, peace in Ukraine and free speech. 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/newscastco...
Feb 27, 2025•41 min
Today, Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan have landed in Florida on a private jet from Bucharest, Romania. The brothers were arrested in Romania three years ago and face trial on allegations of rape, trafficking minors and money laundering - all of which they deny. The charges haven’t been dropped, and they are expected to return at the end of March. Why were they able to leave and will they ever return? James speaks to social media correspondent, Marianna Spring and correspondent Nick Thorpe, ...
Feb 27, 2025•25 min
