Newscast

Today, NHS England medical director Prof Sir Stephen Powis has said a sharp rise in flu cases “are adding to our 'quad-demic' worries”.

What is a quad-demic and how worried is the NHS? Adam is joined by BBC health editor Hugh Pym and Nick Hulme, the Chief Executive of East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, to discuss the rise in hospital flu cases as well as problems caused by Covid, RSV and Norovirus, and how hospitals ...

Today, we’re looking at Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old Ivy League graduate accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

As he fights a extradition to New York, Sumi Somaskanda and Caitríona Perry join Adam to discuss the case, and the social media obsession with the case.

Also, Chris and Alex Chalk, former Conservative justice secretary, are on talking about Labour’s announcement that they will inject £2.3 billion toward...

Today, we look at what a new government in Syria means for the Middle East and why Israel has launched airstrikes on key military targets.

The BBC’s Diplomatic Correspondent, James Landale tells Adam about the historic relationship between Syria and Israel and why Israel has decided to launch strikes now. And, BBC Monitoring’s Jihadist Media expert Mina Al-Lami explains how an opportunistic IS might seek to capitalise on abandoned ...

Today, we look at what the end of Bashar al-Assad’s regime means for Syria.

As huge crowds gather at a notorious Damascus prison looking for prisoners held under the Assad regime Adam speaks to Lina Sinjab, the BBC’s Middle East Correspondent. He is also joined by chief Jihadist media specialist for BBC monitoring, Mina Al-Lami, who profiles the rebel group’s leader and legacy.

And, the Kremlin say Bashar Al-Assad has been given as...

After more than a decade of civil war, rebel forces in Damascus say they've ended Bashar al-Assad’s rule.

His ally Russia says he’s left the country.

Laura and Paddy are joined by Joe Pike to discuss the latest developments - and assess what impact it might have on the wider Middle East.

Plus, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner tells Laura Labour’s planning reforms will end development chaos. But what will the impact be on local com...

Just as France enters a period of deep uncertainty, triggered by the fall of Michel Barnier's government, the country gets ready to reopen the Notre Dame cathedral.

And, US President-elect Donald Trump is using the event to return to the geopolitical stage.

Laura and Paddy discuss the Macron-Trump relationship.

Plus, they hear from Newscasters, as thousands of people are left without power following Storm Darragh. You can join our ...

Adam and Chris are joined by the journalist and author Tim Shipman, who lifts the lid on what’s going on inside the Labour government now, after some staff rejigging.

They also talk through Starmer’s ‘milestones’ announcement, and how the civil service could be reshaped.

And, could Reform be a real threat to both Labour and the Conservatives?

Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was ...

Today, the prime minister set out his ‘Plan for Change’ with six milestones focused on the economy, the NHS, climate, preschool education, policing and housebuilding.

Adam and Henry unpick what Keir Starmer said and ask whether these targets could become a challenge in the future.

And, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds MP speaks to Adam about how these milestones will work in practice.

You can now listen...

Today, we look at the vote of no-confidence in the government headed by Prime Minister Michel Barnier in France.

It means Barnier has become the shortest-serving French prime minister since 1958.

Adam speaks to Marion Solletty - Executive Editor for France at POLITICO, and Shahin Vallée, former economic adviser to Emmanuel Macron, and senior research fellow at the German Council for Foreign Relations.

And, after six hours of martial ...

Today, we look at the President of South Korea Yoon Suk Yeol declaring martial law.

Protestors gathered outside the parliament building after the President gave the military extra power to “eradicate the despicable pro-North Korean anti-state forces”. Adam speaks to BBC Asia and Pacific Editor Micky Bristow and Dr Edward Howell, the Korea Foundation Fellow with the Asia-Pacific Programme at Chatham House.

And, after the strong reacti...

Today, we look at Gregg Wallace’s apology for suggesting allegations against him came from "a handful of middle-class women of a certain age".

He stepped back from MasterChef last week after allegations were made that he had made inappropriate comments while working on the show. Wallace has denied behaviour of a sexually harassing nature. Culture and media editor Katie Razzall explains where it all leaves him, MasterChef, and the B...

Today, we look at the milestones Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will set out under what he calls a "plan for change" for Britain.

Paddy and Victoria are joined by Joe Pike, BBC politics and investigations correspondent, to discuss the resignation of Louise Haigh, who was serving as transport secretary, after it emerged she pleaded guilty to a fraud offence a decade ago. Does this resignation prompt questions for the government?

Plu...

Victoria stands in for Laura this weekend! Today, we discuss the assisted dying bill, one of the most significant and sensitive topics to have been voted on by MPs in recent decades. We hear YOUR reaction to the bill and why it matters.

Plus, defence editor at the Economist, Shashank Joshi, joins us to talk about the rebel forces advancing in Aleppo, and whether this could topple the Assad regime.

You can now listen to Newscast on a ...

Today, in a historic vote, MPs have voted in favour of a bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales. After five hours of emotional debate the bill passed with 330 in favour to 275 against, at the first stage in the Commons. Before the bill can become law it will face further scrutiny, and the first cases are not expected for at least two years. James and Chris are joined by Vicki Young, deputy political editor, and Fer...

Today, we look at the latest net migration figures, as the UK hit a record 906,000 in the year to June 2023, much higher than previously thought. Sir Keir Starmer seized on the figures - which cover a period before Labour took office - to accuse the Tories of “running an open borders experiment”.

Adam is joined by Chris, Alex Forsyth and Nick Watt to discuss that and look ahead to the vote on assisted dying tomorrow. You can joi...

Today, Adam chats to Ed Davey about his tactics as an opposition party, including making TikToks about the “Rizz Dems”, as well as this week’s vote on Assisted Dying and why he’s voting against the bill.

Plus, Ed is the first leader of a major political party to release a Christmas single. He tells Adam about teaming up with the Bath Philharmonia's Young Carers' Choir to release the charity single, Love is Enough.

You can now listen...

Today, we look at the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah and what it means for the Middle East.

A deal to end thirteen months of fighting in Lebanon came into affect on Wednesday morning. It follows Israel’s land invasion of Lebanon in October in response to rocket attacks from Hezbollah.

Adam is joined by the BBC’s international editor Jeremy Bowen, and Jonny Dymond, host of The Conflict podcast. They discuss how the ...

Today, has Donald Trump outlined his plans for a future trade war once he re-enters the White House? The President Elect has said that he’ll sign an executive order on day one of his presidency imposing a 25% tariff on "all products" entering the US from neighbours Mexico and Canada, until they clamp down on drugs and illegal migrants crossing the border. Adam speaks to economics editor Faisal Islam about that and major news for ...

Today, we look at the Chancellor Rachel Reeves defending her budget, telling businesses she is “not coming back with more borrowing or more taxes”. Reeves was speaking at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) conference. Her message comes after the boss of biscuit company McVitie’s warned it was becoming “harder to understand” the case for investing in the UK. Adam and Chris are joined by BBC business editor Simon Jack. ...