Today, King Charles has rolled out the red carpet for President Trump at Windsor Castle on his second state visit to the UK. BBC Senior Royal Correspondent Daniela Relph and Chief North America correspondent Gary O’Donoghue join Adam to explore all the pomp and ceremony and what both nations want to get out of this vist. Plus, the government has announced a new UK-US tech deal which will see major US tech companies invest £31 billion into the UK AI sector. BBC Economics editor Faisal Islam joins...
Sep 17, 2025•37 min
Today, a United Nations commission of inquiry has said that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. A new report says there are reasonable grounds to conclude that four of the five genocidal acts defined under international law have been carried out since the start of the war with Hamas in 2023. Israel's foreign ministry said it categorically rejected the report, denouncing it as "distorted and false". Adam is joined by John Simpson - BBC World Affairs Editor and Presenter of...
Sep 16, 2025•35 min
Today, Danny Kruger the Conservative MP and shadow minister has defected to Reform. Speaking at a press conference alongside Nigel Farage, Kruger said “the Conservatives are over” and confirmed he would not be triggering a by-election. In response Kemi Badenoch says she is “not going to get blown off course” - Adam and Chris discuss this, and the Prime Minister’s comments today that he would “never” have appointed Mandelson had he known full Epstein links. Plus, Adam is joined by Panorama presen...
Sep 15, 2025•47 min
Today, we hear from the family of Virginia Giuffre, who became the most prominent victim of Jeffrey Epstein. In an interview with Laura, they said that Lord Mandelson should never have been given the position of UK ambassador to the United States. And Business Secretary Peter Kyle told her it was "highly unlikely" Lord Mandelson would have been appointed if the extent of his relationship with Epstein was known to those in government. We unpack the interview, the government response, and what it ...
Sep 14, 2025•38 min
Today, we look at how Bloomberg broke the story of Mandelson’s emails to Jeffrey Epstein that got him sacked as US ambassador. And we hear new information about the investigation Keir Starmer carried out into the relationship before appointing him. Laura and Paddy are joined by Alex Campbell who led the Bloomberg team. You can take part in the Newscast census here - https://bbc.in/newscastcensus You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to...
Sep 13, 2025•21 min
Today, we look back at a very difficult week for Keir Starmer and the Government. Lord Mandelson’s sacking as UK ambassador to the US comes only days after the Prime Minister reshuffled his cabinet and the resignation of his deputy, Angela Rayner. Starmer sacked Lord Mandelson after new information emerged about his friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein – a week before US President Trump’s visit to the UK. Where does this string of trouble leave the party? And, why is there so muc...
Sep 12, 2025•38 min
Today, Keir Starmer sacked US Ambassador Lord Peter Mandelson following the publication of messages he exchanged with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Adam and Chris discuss how the ambassador’s position became untenable, and what this means for questions around Starmer’s leadership plus Trump’s planned state visit next week. And Charlie Kirk, an influential right-wing activist and a close ally of US President Donald Trump, was shot dead while speaking at an event at a university in Utah. But who was...
Sep 11, 2025•33 min
Today, politicians across the House of Commons have called for Lord Mandelson to resign as UK ambassador to the US over his connection to Jeffrey Epstein. Lord Mandelson acknowledged that there could be more "embarrassing" exchanges to come from his correspondence with Epstein who he described as his "best pal" in a letter for his 50th birthday. He likened his association with Epstein to "an albatross around my neck", adding he felt "profoundly upset that I was taken in" by a "charismatic crimin...
Sep 10, 2025•34 min
Today, Israel carried out a surprise strike on senior Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar. Hamas claims the leaders - who were in Doha as part of the delegation negotiating a possible ceasefire deal - survived but said that six others were killed in the strike. The Trump administration was notified about the strikes before they happened by the US military, and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says it was a “wholly independent Israeli operation”. What does this mean for the ongoing war in Gaza...
Sep 09, 2025•30 min
Today, the new Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said that the UK could suspend visas for countries with who don’t “play ball” with the government’s migrant return plans. This comes after the Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s surprise cabinet reshuffle at the end of last week, triggered by the resignation of his Deputy Angela Rayner, who paid an incorrect amount of stamp duty on a property. The Labour NEC has announced the timeline for a deputy leader election campaign. Adam and Chris unpack the Home S...
Sep 08, 2025•40 min
Today, we look at whether the government’s leadership changes point to a turn to the right after a series of personnel changes after Angela Rayner’s resignation. The new home secretary Shabana Mahmood is said to be taking up a harder stance on immigration and is looking at moving asylum seekers onto military sites as an alternative to hotels, as confirmed by defence secretary John Healey in an interview with Laura today. Political correspondent joins Laura and Paddy to look at the latest ins and...
Sep 07, 2025•30 min
Today, we look at the damage done to Keir Starmer and his government after he lost his deputy prime minister. Angela Rayner resigned after the prime minister's ethics adviser found that she had breached the ministerial code over failing to pay enough tax on her flat in East Sussex. But does that mean Keir Starmer’s lost one of his most valuable cabinet members? Paddy and Laura reunite after the summer to discuss. And they look at the latest ins and outs as part of the reshuffle that has followed...
Sep 06, 2025•34 min
Today, Angela Rayner resigned after an investigation concluded she breached the ministerial code by underpaying stamp duty on a flat in Hove. The report into Rayner’s conduct concluded she had ‘acted with integrity’ but had failed to meet the standards of the ministerial code by not looking for expert tax advice. Her resignation triggered a major cabinet reshuffle. James Cook is joined by Chris Mason and Laura Kuenssberg, to chat who’s in, who’s out, and how ‘Phase Two’ is shaping up for the Gov...
Sep 05, 2025•31 min
Today, we look at the continuing row over Angela Rayner not paying enough tax on her second home. James is joined in Glasgow by Chris who’s been travelling with Sir Keir Starmer. Earlier today, the Prime Minister refused to tell Chris if he’d sack Angela Rayner if she is found to have broken the ministerial code. With a judgment from the independent adviser expected before the end of the week; Chris and James discuss what could happen next. Plus James and Alex speak to new leader of the Green Pa...
Sep 04, 2025•45 min
Today, Angela Rayner admitted to underpaying stamp duty on her £800,000 flat in Hove and referred herself for investigation by the PM's standards adviser. James is joined by Faisal Islam, Economics Editor, and Chris Mason, Political Editor, to discuss the deputy prime minister’s explanation of her family and tax arrangements, the reaction in parliament, and the inquiry she now faces. Plus, Rachel Reeves has revealed the date of the Autumn Budget. But the ‘kite-flying’ about what levers the Chanc...
Sep 03, 2025•32 min
Today, we look ahead to the unprecedented meeting between Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un happening on Wednesday, the first time the three of them have ever met in public. It’s happening off the back of a summit in China, where Beijing hosted leaders from over 20 non-Western countries. Why are they meeting and what does it mean for the West? James speaks to BBC diplomatic correspondent James Landale, and geopolitical analyst Sophie Gaston from King’s College. James also speaks to BBC ...
Sep 02, 2025•39 min
Today, as parliament returns Keir Starmer has reshuffled his Downing Street team once again. What has prompted another change at Number 10? What does this mean for Rachel Reeves as Chancellor? And, why are so many people talking about flags? James and Chris are joined by 5 Live presenter Matt Chorley after he interviewed the Prime Minister, to discuss all this, plus, new changes to the asylum system. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Soun...
Sep 01, 2025•42 min
On this episode of Old Newscast, we look at how the downfall of Margaret Thatcher as prime minister changed British politics. Jim Naughtie, BBC special correspondent, joins Adam with Caroline Slocock, who was Thatcher’s private secretary. They talk about how it affected the Conservative government that followed, how she might have influenced Tony Blair, and the toll the episode took on her. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play...
Aug 30, 2025•24 min
On this episode of Old Newscast, we look at the day that Margaret Thatcher announced she would stand down as prime minister, 22 November 1990. Jim Naughtie, BBC special correspondent joins Adam with Caroline Slocock, who was Thatcher’s private secretary. They go through how the day unfolded publicly and behind the scenes, and what led to the decision. 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 speak...
Aug 30, 2025•41 min
With politicians returning to Westminster on Monday we look back at the summer and ahead to the challenges awaiting them. Adam is joined by political correspondent Joe Pike, and director of the Institute for Government Hannah White, to discuss Reform UK’s attempt to fill the summer recess void, the prime minister’s latest reshuffle of his top advisers and the fiscal challenges facing Rachel Reeves after the welfare rebellion left her with less cash to spare. You can now listen to Newscast on a s...
Aug 29, 2025•34 min
Today, we discuss the US Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook suing President Donald Trump after he attempted to fire her. President Trump claims she made false statements on her mortgage, and says he has the authority to remove her. Cook has said there is "no cause exists under the law" to sack her. At the same time Trump is in another public dispute with the director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. How will both battles end? Adam speaks to BBC chief presenter Caitriona Perr...
Aug 28, 2025•33 min
Today, President Trump prepares to host a meeting about what happens next for Gaza city but - aside from Special Envoy Steve Witkoff promising a ‘comprehensive’ plan for what happens to Gaza - isn’t sharing many details. Adam is joined by James Landale, Diplomatic Correspondent for BBC News and Caitriona Perry, Chief Presenter BBC News in Washington, to unpack three stories from the Trump administration: the meeting about Gaza, increasing import tariffs on India and secret operations in Greenlan...
Aug 27, 2025•37 min
Today, Reform UK has set out a five-year plan to detain and deport all migrants who arrive in the UK without permission and suggested 600,000 people could be sent back over five years. Under the plan, named Operation Restoring Justice, Reform UK would bar anyone who comes to the UK on small boats from claiming asylum, and strike deals with countries to return those people. The proposals could face legal challenges and political opposition, with Labour branding it unworkable and the Conservatives...
Aug 26, 2025•40 min
34 years after the conclusion of Operation Desert Storm, Adam is joined by Kate Adie, Justin Webb, and Jeremy Bowen, to discuss the legacy of the first Gulf War. Was it a high point for conventional war tactics and Western , liberal, democratic power in the world? Or did it herald the start of a bloody intervention in the Middle East, from which the world has still not recovered? You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”....
Aug 24, 2025•27 min
On the 24 February 1991 The ground operation in Kuwait begun. After 6 weeks of decisive air offenses, allied forces moved in with the mission to expel what was left of Saddam Hussein’s military presence in Kuwait. Adam is joined again by three BBC reporters who were in the region at the time - Kate Adie, Justin Webb, and Jeremy Bowen. 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...
Aug 24, 2025•29 min
On the 17th January 1991, a US led coalition began its air offensive into neighbouring Kuwait, which had been invaded the year before by the Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein. Codenamed operation ‘Desert Storm’, it marked the defining chapter of the first Gulf War - a conflict which has since been held up as an exemplar of Western military and diplomatic dominance. Adam is joined by three BBC reporters who were in the region at the time - Kate Adie, Justin Webb, and Jeremy Bowen. You can now listen t...
Aug 23, 2025•28 min
Today, we discuss the government seeking the right to appeal against a High Court ruling blocking a hotel in Essex from housing asylum seekers. Epping Forest District Council was granted a temporary injunction to stop people being placed at the Bell Hotel earlier this week. The Home Secretary Yvette Cooper unsuccessfully tried to get the case dismissed by intervening at the last minute. Adam speaks to BBC political correspondent Alex Forsyth, Dominic Casciani, BBC home and legal affairs correspo...
Aug 22, 2025•29 min
Today, we discuss Israel beginning the first stages of a ground offensive into Gaza City. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are expected to be ordered to evacuate and head to southern Gaza. This escalation comes as Israel continues to restrict aid into the strip, with Palestinians facing widespread malnutrition. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he is "shortening the timelines" for seizing what he described as "the last terror strongholds" in Gaza. Israel has also given final approv...
Aug 21, 2025•28 min
Today, more councils across England say they could take legal action, after the High Court issued a temporary injunction to stop the government from housing asylum seekers at The Bell Hotel in Epping. Anti-migrant protests and counter protests have been taking place in Epping throughout the summer after an asylum seeker living at the hotel was charged with sexual assault. Adam is joined by Dominic Casciani, the BBC’s home affairs correspondent, and Joe Pike, political correspondent, to discuss t...
Aug 20, 2025•40 min
Today, President Trump has ruled out sending US troops to Ukraine as part of any possible security guarantee. Speaking to US TV, the president said any boots on the ground would be British, French or German but did suggest they would have US air support. Adam is joined by BBC diplomatic correspondent James Landale from London plus Vitaliy Shevchenko, host of Ukrainecast and Asma Khalid host of the Global Story in Washington to discuss the latest we’ve learned about how security guarantees for Uk...
Aug 19, 2025•30 min
