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Why Were Women 'Invisible' During Covid? Nov 01, 2023

Show notes

It’s been another extraordinary day of testimony at the Covid Inquiry. Wednesday’s session began with Helen MacNamara, a top official at Downing Street during the height of the pandemic. She described a “macho” culture at No 10 in which women “became invisible overnight”.

She also said she’d struggle to pick “a single day” in which Covid restrictions were followed and recalled meetings at which people were “laughing at the Italians” in the early days of the crisis.

Adam’s joined once again by the BBC’s health reporter Jim Reed and Dr Catherine Haddon from the Institute for Government to unpack today’s evidence.

And, as the UK AI Summit gets underway, we speak to the BBC’s technology editor Zoe Kleinman after her interview with Rishi Sunak on the day the UK unveiled a global agreement on how to manage the riskiest forms of AI.

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

Today's Newscast was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by George Dabby with Gemma Roper and Sam McLaren. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The senior news editors are Jonathan Aspinwall and Sam Bonham.

Covid Inquiry: Government Short Cummings? Oct 31, 2023

Show notes

Figures at the centre of the government decisions during the coronavirus pandemic give evidence to the UK Covid-19 inquiry.

First up was Lee Cain, who was a senior aide to former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Then it was Dominic Cummings, who was Mr Johnson’s chief adviser until he resigned in late 2020.

The inquiry heard the pandemic was the wrong crisis for Boris Johnson’s skillset, the government had “no plan” to help vulnerable people in lockdown and diary entries also read out suggest Mr Johnson believed old people should get the virus to protect others.

To talk us through the latest revelations, Adam is joined by Chris Mason and former Downing Street Director of Communications, Guto Harri.

And, Adam meets with Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Michelle Donelan, to look ahead to this week’s AI Safety Summit.

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

Today's Newscast was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Chris Gray with Alex Collins, Gemma Roper and Sam McLaren. The technical producer was Gareth Jones. The editors are Jonathan Aspinwall and Sam Bonham.

WhatsAppening at the Covid Inquiry? Oct 30, 2023

Show notes

It was a day of explosive evidence and revealing WhatsApp messages at today’s session of the Covid inquiry.

First up was former senior civil servant Martin Reynolds, who apologised “unreservedly” for organising BYOB lockdown parties. He also faced questions on why messages in a WhatsApp group of government officials were ‘set to disappear’.

He was then followed by another aide, Imran Shafi, who said he thought Boris Johnson had questioned why the economy was being destroyed "for people who will die anyway soon".

To talk us through the latest findings from the Covid inquiry, Adam and Chris are joined by BBC health reporter Jim Reed and the Institute for Government’s Dr Catherine Haddon.

You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Today's Newscast was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by George Dabby with Gemma Roper and Alex Collins. The technical producer was Gareth Jones. The senior news editors are Sam Bonham and Jonathan Aspinwall.

UK Politics and the War in the Middle East Oct 29, 2023

Show notes

Israeli forces continue moving troops into Gaza as bombing continues.

And different positions have emerged in UK politics on what should be done to help civilians in the region.

Political editor of Newsnight, Nick Watt helps us make sense of them, and Lyse Doucet, BBC chief international reporter, tells us how the politics of the conflict is playing out across the world.

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

Today's Newscast was presented by Paddy O’Connell and Victoria Derbyshire. It was made by Chris Flynn with Joe Wilkinson. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The senior news editors are Jonathan Aspinwall and Sam Bonham.

Israel Ground Operation in Gaza Oct 28, 2023

Show notes

Paddy O’Connell is joined by the BBC’s chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet and special correspondent Fergal Keane to discuss the next chapter in the Israel-Gaza conflict.

The Israeli military says that its forces entered Gaza after heavy bombardment throughout the night.

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

Today's Newscast was hosted by Paddy O’Connell. It was made by Chris Flynn with Gemma Roper. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The senior news editors are Jonathan Aspinwall and Sam Bonham.

X, Rated: Elon Musk’s First Year Oct 27, 2023

Show notes

It’s a year since Elon Musk formally completed his acquisition of X, formerly known as Twitter. Since then the business has faced a number of challenges, including ongoing issues surrounding content moderation and a battle to make the platform profitable.

To help us understand the business from all angles, Adam is joined by the BBC’s disinformation correspondent, Marianna Spring, and tech investor Ross Gerber.

And, the BBC’s Leila Nathoo drops in to discuss tensions in the Labour Party after Sadiq Khan, Andy Burnham and Anas Sarwar all call for a ceasefire in Gaza.

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

Today's Newscast was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by George Dabby with Sam McLaren, Joe Wilkinson and Miranda Slade. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The senior news editors are Jonathan Aspinwall and Sam Bonham.

AI: Nothing to 'Lose Sleep Over'? Oct 26, 2023

Show notes

The prime minister has outlined the potential risks of artificial intelligence, arguing we must not “put our heads in the sand”. His comments come ahead of a two-day AI safety summit at Bletchley Park in Buckinghamshire next week.

Professors Hannah Fry and Gina Neff join us in the studio to discuss the event as well as the risks and opportunities presented by AI.

And, Bastille singer Dan Smith takes a seat next to Planet Earth III director Kiri Cashell for a conversation about how they made the music and television for the latest iteration of Sir David Attenborough’s iconic documentary series.

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

Today's Newscast was presented by Adam Fleming and Alex Forsyth. It was made by George Dabby with Gemma Roper and Miranda Slade. The senior news editors are Jonathan Aspinwall and Sam Bonham.

365 Days of PM Rishi Sunak: How's He Done? Oct 25, 2023

Show notes

Adam and Chris reflect on one year of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as Sir Keir Starmer comes under pressure from his own MPs because of his position on the Israel-Gaza conflict.

And there are plans to send an all-UK astronaut mission into space. BBC science correspondent Jonathan Amos and the first British astronaut Helen Sharman discuss whether the project is good news for space exploration.

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

Today's Newscast was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Chris Gray with Gemma Roper, Sam McLaren and Hanna Ward. The technical producer was Philip Bull. The editors are Jonathan Aspinwall and Sam Bonham.

Israel-Gaza: High Stakes Diplomacy Oct 24, 2023

Show notes

After two Israeli hostages were released by Hamas last night, BBC diplomatic correspondent James Landale joins Katya Adler, who’s in Jerusalem, to discuss how diplomacy is impacting the Israel-Gaza conflict. And, Adam is joined by BBC football correspondent John Murray to discuss how UEFA’s calendar shakeup could cause a significant increase in carbon emissions. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Today's Newscast was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Chris Gray with Gemma Roper and Sam McLaren. The technical producer was Phil Bull. The editors are Jonathan Aspinwall and Sam Bonham.

Israel-Gaza: Policing UK Protests Oct 23, 2023

Show notes

Several government ministers have called for tougher policing of protests after a row over the police’s handling of pro-Palestinian protests at the weekend. Adam and Chris discuss how the day unfolded after the prime minister committed a further £20 million in humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza.

And we’re joined in studio by Jonathan Wittenberg and Ibrahim Mogra, the rabbi and imam who are working together to unite their communities during the Israel-Gaza conflict.

You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Today's Newscast was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by George Dabby with Gemma Roper and Sam McLaren. The technical producer was Ben Andrews. The senior news editors are Sam Bonham and Jonathan Aspinwall.

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