Newscast

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Ali Khamenei Killed Mar 01, 2026

Show notes

Today, we look at the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed by US-Israeli attacks on Saturday.

US President Donald Trump released a statement late in the evening saying he was targeted via intelligence and tracking systems.

International editor Jeremy Bowen joins Laura and Paddy to discuss how it happened, what it means for the future of Iran and the region, and how the rest of the world is reacting.

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://bbc.in/newscastdiscord

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd

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

The presenters were Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O’Connell. It was made by Chris Flynn. The social producer was Gabriel Purcell-Davies. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. The weekend series producer is Chris Flynn. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

The US and Israel attack Iran Feb 28, 2026

Show notes

Today, we look at US and Israeli attacks on Iran.

US president Donald Trump has described ongoing "major combat operations" and called for Iranian government forces to lay down their arms.

Iranian forces say they have struck a US naval base in Bahrain and across the region in response.

Earlier, Israel's defence minister said Israel had launched a "pre-emptive attack" against Iran, with explosions heard across the country.

Chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet, just back from Iran, joins to explain what's happening, why, and what could happen next.

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://bbc.in/newscastdiscord

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd

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

By-Electioncast: Greens Win Gorton and Denton Feb 27, 2026

Show notes

Today, the Green party have won the Gorton and Denton by-election with nearly 41% of the votes, beating Reform into second place and Labour third.

In Newscast by-election tradition, this episode was livestreamed on Friday morning. Adam and Chris are joined by BBC political correspondent Joe Pike and pollster Luke Tryl to discuss the results and what it means for the UK as a whole.

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://bbc.in/newscastdiscord

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Miranda Slade and Jem Westgate. The social producer was Grace Braddock. The technical producer was Daffyd Evans. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Will The US Attack Iran? Feb 26, 2026

Show notes

Today, we discuss the indirect US-Iran talks happening in Geneva.

The talks are happening against a backdrop of increased tensions between the two countries, with the US sending what Trump calls an ‘armada’ to the region. President Trump has threatened to strike Iran if a nuclear deal isn’t agreed during the talks.

We also discuss President Trump’s State of the Union speech, happening a time where many Americans are feeling frustrated about the cost of living, and off the back of the supreme court striking down his tariff policy.

Adam discusses all with economics editor Faisal Islam, chief North America correspondent Gary O’Donoghue and Panorama filmmaker Jane Corbin.

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Shiler Mahmoudi. The social producer was Joe Wilkinson and Gabriel Purcell-Davis. The technical producer was Rohan Madison. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

How Did A Tip-Off From Sir Lindsay Hoyle Lead To Peter Mandelson’s Arrest? Feb 25, 2026

Show notes

Today, the Metropolitan Police apologised to the Commons Speaker for "inadvertently revealing information" relating to Lord Mandelson's arrest on Monday.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle addressed the House of Commons before Prime Minister’s Questions to confirm he had passed information to the Metropolitan Police suggesting the peer could be a flight risk. Lord Mandelson’s lawyers say he had agreed to an interview next month, and the decision to take him into custody was prompted by a "baseless" suggestion he was planning to "take up permanent residence abroad".

Adam and Chris unpack how this story unfolded over a busy day in the House of Commons. And Faisal has been speaking to the chancellor about the student loans system - but why are student loans rising up the political agenda?

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Miranda Slade with Jem Westgate. The technical producer was Ben Andrews. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

The David Lammy Interview Feb 24, 2026

Show notes

Today, Adam and Chris speak to the deputy prime minister David Lammy about his justice reforms.

He acknowledged the court backlog will continue to rise and may be at the same level as it is today at the next general election despite the government’s planned reforms.

He also said that Labour would be “out on their bums” if they haven’t delivered the change the public want by the time of the next election.

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://bbc.in/newscastdiscord

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd

Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Anna Harris. The social producers were Joe Wilkinson and Jem Westgate. The technical producer was Ben Andrews. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Peter Mandelson Arrested Feb 23, 2026

Show notes

Today, Peter Mandelson has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

The former British ambassador to the US has been under investigation over allegations he shared market-sensitive government information with Jeffrey Epstein while serving as a minister.

He has not commented publicly since the Metropolitan Police launched their investigation earlier this month, but the BBC understands his position has consistently been that he has not acted in any way criminally and that he was not motivated by financial gain.

Adam and Chris are joined by UK and home affairs correspondent, Daniel Sandford.

Meanwhile, the government has announced long-awaited changes to the system for children with special educational needs and disabilities in England.

Fresh from watching the education secretary Bridget Phillipson announcing the reforms, BBC education editor Branwen Jeffreys joined Adam and Alex to break down exactly what it means.

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Anna Harris with Shiler Mahmoudi, Adam Chowdhury and Harry Craig. The social producer was Gabriel Purcell-Davis. The technical producer was Ben Andrews. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Gordon Brown turns detective over Andrew Feb 22, 2026

Show notes

Today, we discuss a report in the Sunday Telegraph that Gordon Brown has demanded a police investigation into whether Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor used taxpayer-funded jets and RAF bases to meet the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

The former PM says he’s sent a five-page memorandum to the Metropolitan, Surrey, Sussex Thames Valley and other UK police constabularies.

Laura and Paddy are joined by Henry Zeffman to discuss why he’s turned investigator, what it means for the Royal Family, and whether rules around the line of succession should be changed.

Ahead of the Government’s Schools White Paper on Monday, we also discuss some of Labour’s proposed changes to special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support, as well as Kemi Badenoch’s vow to lower interest on some student loans which she says feel "increasingly feel like a scam".

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://bbc.in/newscastdiscord Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd

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

The presenters were Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O’Connell. It was made by Chris Flynn with Kris Jalowiecki. The social producer was Grace Braddock. The technical producer was Hannah Montgomery. The weekend series producer is Chris Flynn. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

The Boris Johnson and Sir Tony Radakin Interview Feb 22, 2026

Show notes

This is Laura’s full exclusive interview with former prime minister Boris Johnson and his chief of the defence staff Tony Radakin.

They reflect on four years of war in Ukraine; their attempts to prevent it, their efforts to support Ukraine and their hopes for the future.

We’ll also have a normal Sunday edition of Newscast in you feeds very shortly.

Trump’s Tariffs: The Beginning of the End? Feb 21, 2026

Show notes

Today, Laura and Paddy are joined by Gary O'Donoghue, Chief North America correspondent to discuss the US Supreme Court’s ruling to block President Donald Trump’s global tariffs.

Is this the beginning of the end of his tariffs, what’s Trump doing now, and what does it mean for where power lies in the US?

Laura has interviewed former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and former Chief of the Defence Staff Sir Tony Radakin ahead of the four-year anniversary of the beginning of the full scale invasion of Ukraine. Boris Johnson said the UK and its allies “did not take strong enough action,” and the UK and its allies should deploy non-combat troops to Ukraine right now.

Laura and Paddy dicuss Boris Johnson and Tony Radakin’s comments.

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://bbc.in/newscastdiscord Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd

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

The presenters were Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O’Connell. It was made by Chris Flynn with Kris Jalowiecki. The social producer was Grace Braddock. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. The weekend series producer is Chris Flynn. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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