Newscast

Latest Episodes:

Banksy is Back + The New Deep Sea Treasure Hunting Mar 18, 2024

Show notes

Today, we look at the return of Banksy after a new mural appeared overnight on a building in North London. And we look at why some potato-sized lumps on the seabed could be so valuable. Crowds have gathered in Finsbury Park to see the latest Banksy, a green spray painted tree mural on an empty building. What is its message? And does the artist still have the appeal they once did? Adam speaks with James Peak, the creator of the BBC Radio 4 series, “The Banksy Story.”

Plus, the dispute going on over precious metals found in deepest parts of the ocean. The lumps contain crucial battery minerals including copper and cobalt, but some environmental groups say attempts to collect the materials could damage unique habitats. Adam looks at what’s at stake with oceanographer and co-host of the Radio 4’s “Rare Earth” series, Dr Helen Czerski, and BBC climate editor Justin Rowlatt.

You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Miranda Slade and Teodora Agarici. The technical producer was Hannah Montgomery. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham

Has UK politics got a racism problem? Mar 17, 2024

Show notes

A senior cabinet minister has denied the Conservative Party has a problem with race after accepting at least £10m from a donor who is accused of racism.

The Transport Secretary Mark Harper was talking to Laura.

Paddy’s been speaking to Labour’s Dame Margaret Beckett - who first served under Harold Wilson’s government in the 1970s, and a youth parliament member Dev Sharma who said he’s no longer considering a career in politics due to polarisation.

Henry Zeffman helps the two of them unpack the political talking points of the day, as well as Laura’s interview with the brother of Princess Diana, Earl Spencer.

You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere

Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Paddy O’Connell and Laura Kuenssberg. It was made by Chris Flynn and Josh Jenkins. The technical producer was Sam Dickinson. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Earl Spencer: The Interview Mar 17, 2024

Show notes

Hear Laura’s full interview with Princess Diana’s brother, Earl Spencer.

In this wide-ranging conversation he reveals he and his sister suffered violent punishments at home - and, after weeks of speculation online around Kate Middleton’s health and whereabouts, he explains whether he thinks the pressures on the current Princess of Wales were more potent than those on his sister.

If you have been affected by any of the issues mentioned in this episode, you can find help and support here https://www.bbc.co.uk/actionline

You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere

Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Laura Kuenssberg. It was made by Tim Walklate. The technical producer was Sam Dickinson. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Princess Diana’s brother opens up Mar 16, 2024

Show notes

Earl Spencer tells Laura about the abuse he and Diana suffered as children…

In his new book, A Very Private School, Spencer reveals that he and his sister were abused as children. Plus, he suggests that press attention suffered by his sister was ‘more dangerous’ than the attention online surrounding the current Princess of Wales.

And Chris Mason is literally quizzed by Paddy and Laura about Vaughan Gething, who will replace Mark Drakeford as Wales’ first minister after winning the Welsh Labour leadership election.

You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere

Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O’Connell. It was made by Tim Walklate with Adam Chowdhury and Chris Flynn. The technical producer was Sam Dickinson. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

If you have been affected by any of the issues mentioned in this episode, you can find help and support here https://www.bbc.co.uk/actionline

Putin's Russia: An election without democracy? Mar 15, 2024

Show notes

Today is the first day of voting in Russia's presidential election which is all but certain to hand Vladimir Putin another six years in power.

Adam is joined by Catherine Belton, journalist and author of Putin’s People, and former British Defence Attaché to Moscow John Foreman. They discuss the tactics used to fixed the election, Macron’s failed attempts at diplomacy and how interested Rishi Sunak is in foreign policy.

You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Gemma Roper, Miranda Slade and Sam McLaren. The technical producer was Matt Hewitt. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

When Will The Election Be? (Not May 2nd) Mar 14, 2024

Show notes

Today, we look at the prime minister ruling out a general election on May 2nd, the same day as the local elections. And we look at what extremism means after a new definition was revealed by the government.

After days of speculation in Westminster, Rishi Sunak has told ITV News there won’t be an election on May 2nd to coincide with the local elections. Adam and Chris discuss whether this means the election will now definitely be in autumn, and why rumours of a May election had grown this week. Plus communities secretary Michael Gove joins Newscast to explain why the government has adopted a new definition of extremism. It will be used by government officials to cut ties or funding to groups deemed to have crossed a line. But why was it needed now?

You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere

Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Miranda Slade. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Rishi Sunak and the Ten Million Pound Question Mar 13, 2024

Show notes

Today, we look at the prime minister’s refusal to return a £10 million donation from a Conservative donor who reportedly said MP Diane Abbott “should be shot”. Plus are women who freeze their eggs being “misled” by some clinics?

PMQs was today dominated by the ongoing row surrounding alleged comments made about the former Labour MP Abbott by tory donor Frank Hester. The PM said Mr Hester's alleged comments were "wrong" and "racist", but he told MPs his "remorse should be accepted". Diane Abbott repeatedly tried to ask a question during PMQs, but did not succeed in getting the speaker to call her. Adam and Chris look at Rishi Sunak’s handling of the row. And why Diane Abbott has also called out the Labour party response?

And a BBC investigation has revealed that up to 4 in 10 fertility clinics may be breaching advertising guidelines, by not making the success rates of women who choose to freeze their eggs clear. Adam is joined by professor Geeta Nargund, a senior NHS consultant, and BBC investigative reporter Anna Collinson. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Gemma Roper and Teodora Agarici. The technical producer was Philip Bull. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham

PM: Tory donor’s alleged Diane Abbott comments are “racist” Mar 12, 2024

Show notes

Today, we look at the reaction to the alleged comments made by Tory donor Frank Hester as well as warnings from a watchdog that pet owners are overpaying for medicines. Adam and Chris discuss the reported remarks by Frank Hester, who has donated £10 million to the Conservative Party, after Rishi Sunak’s person described the donor’s comments as “racist”.

Mr Hester's company said he "accepts that he was rude about Diane Abbott in a private meeting several years ago but his criticism had nothing to do with her gender nor colour of skin".

It said he had tried to apologise directly to her for the hurt he has caused, and is deeply sorry for his remarks.

Dale Vince, Labour Party donor and CEO of Ecotricity tells Adam what it’s like to be a donor of a political party. And the Competition and Markets Authority has warned that vet practices are not being transparent about the prices of pet medicines. Adam is joined by Claire Batty, a vet from Lancashire, and BBC reporter Jim Connolly. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Chris Flynn with Gemma Roper and Joe Wilkinson. The technical producer was Hannah Montgomery. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Lee Anderson defects to Reform UK + Kate’s edited photo Mar 11, 2024

Show notes

Today we look at Lee Anderson defecting to Reform and the Kate Middleton photo that everyone’s talking about.

The former deputy chairman of the Conservatives became Reform’s first MP. The party’s leader Richard Tice explains why he wants Lee Anderson in the party.

Plus the BBC’s royal correspondent, Daniella Relph, and disinformation and social media correspondent, Marianna Spring explain what caused picture agencies to reject that photo of the Princess of Wales and her children. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Chris Flynn with Gemma Roper and Joe Wilkinson. The technical producer was Philip Bull. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Oscars Newscast Special! Mar 11, 2024

Show notes

Today, we look at the highlights from the 2024 Oscars ceremony in Los Angeles.

Oppenheimer was the big winner of the night taking home seven Oscars while Ryan Gosling stole the show with his performance of ‘I’m Just Ken’. Emma Stone won Best Actress for her performance in Poor Things and Al Pacino caused confusion with his announcement of the winner of Best Picture.

Adam is joined by the BBC’s culture editor Katie Razzell, Radio 1’s film critic Ali Plumb and Emma Vardy drops in from the Vanity Fair red carpet in LA.

You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere

Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Chris Gray with Gemma Roper. The technical producer was Matt Hewitt. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected