Newscast

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Tsunami Warnings Across the Pacific Jul 30, 2025

Show notes

Today, a massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake off Russia's far eastern coast has triggered tsunami warnings across the Pacific.

The quake struck near Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula at about 11:25am local time on Wednesday (00:25 BST) and is thought to be one of the most powerful ever recorded. Around two million people were ordered to evacuate in Japan, Russia, and Hawaii - although many of those warnings have since been downgraded.

Joining Adam live from Tokyo is Shaimaa Khalil, the BBC’s Tokyo Correspondent, with the latest on the situation in Japan.

Adam also speaks to Dr Rebecca Bell, Associate Professor in Tectonics at Imperial College London, and BBC Science Correspondent Victoria Gill.

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://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere

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://bit.ly/3ENLcS1 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 Gabriel May and Kris Jalowiecki. The social producer was Sophie Millward. The technical producer was Hannah Montgomery. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

The UK’s (Conditional) Plan To Recognise A Palestinian State Jul 29, 2025

Show notes

Today, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced plans to recognise a Palestinian state in September unless Israel meets certain conditions, including a ceasefire and a commitment to a long-term peace process. Adam is joined by Lyse Doucet and Alex Forsyth to explain the day’s events.

It comes the same day as a major alert from the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) warning of "the worst-case scenario of famine” playing out in Gaza.

David Miliband, the CEO of the International Rescue Committee, also joins Newscast to discuss the worsening aid situation, and gives his proposals to relieve the crisis.

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://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere

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://bit.ly/3ENLcS1

Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Rufus Gray with Gabriel Purcell-Davis. The social producers were Grace Braddock and Sophie Millward. The technical producer was Michael Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Trump Welcomes Starmer To Scotland Jul 28, 2025

Show notes

Today, Trump and Starmer have met in Scotland and held a joint press conference covering a range of topics from aid in Gaza and the war in Ukraine, to wind energy.

The US President met UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at a golf course owned by Trump. Speaking as the two men met, President Trump said he was reducing the 50 day deadline given to Vladimir Putin to agree a deal with Ukraine to “10 or 12 days”.

Trump also said a ceasefire in Gaza is possible and disagreed with Prime Minister Nethanyahu’s assessment that there is no starvation in Gaza.

Adam speaks to Chris, James and Sarah Smith, Americast host, to explain the days events.

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://bit.ly/3ENLcS1 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. The social producers were Sophie Millward. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Old Newscast: Nelson Mandela Is Released From Prison, 1990 (Part 2) Jul 26, 2025

Show notes

Over the summer holidays, we’ve brought back Old Newscast - where we pick big news days in history and look at what happened and the consequences. In this episode, that day is 11 February, when Nelson Mandela was released from prison after 27 years. Former Southern Africa correspondent Fergal Keane joins, with his former producer and BBC Africa bureaux editor Milton Nkosi. Listen to yesterday’s episode to hear the details of the day itself. 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://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere 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://bit.ly/3ENLcS1 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 Lucy Gape. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Old Newscast: Nelson Mandela Is Released From Prison, 1990 (Part 1) Jul 26, 2025

Show notes

Over the summer holidays, we’ve brought back Old Newscast - where we pick big news days in history and look at what happened and the consequences. In this episode, that day is 11 February, when Nelson Mandela was released from prison after 27 years. Former Southern Africa correspondent Fergal Keane joins, with his former producer and BBC Africa bureaux editor Milton Nkosi. Tomorrow we’ll look at the consequences of Mandela’s release. 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://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere 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://bit.ly/3ENLcS1 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 Lucy Gape. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Doctor’s Strike + Donald Trump’s Visit (Live from Latitude Festival) Jul 25, 2025

Show notes

Today, Adam and Chris takeover the Listening Post at Latitude Festival in Henham Park to discuss the day’s news in front of a live audience.

The government is under pressure as resident doctors begin a five-day strike in England after failing to reach an agreement over pay. The Prime Minister Keir Starmer has urged them not to follow their union down a “damaging road”.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump is arriving in Scotland for a five-day private visit where he will meet with the Prime Minister in Aberdeen. Adam and Chris discuss what might be on the agenda. And, Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana have officially launched a new party. As politics continues to splinter — what impact might this have on the broader political landscape?

Adam and Chris are joined by BBC legend Martha Kearney, who presents This Natural Life on Radio 4 after leaving the Today programme last year. She tells them about her life after news, or as she calls it — as “a recovering news addict.”

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://bit.ly/3ENLcS1 Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Shiler Mahmoudi. The social producer was Joe Wilkinson. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Mass Starvation Warnings in Gaza Jul 24, 2025

Show notes

Today, we discuss the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where more than 100 international aid organisations say the population is facing mass starvation and call on Israel to allow access.

A number of news agencies including the BBC have released a statement calling for Israel to allow journalists in and out of Gaza, expressing concern for their journalists “who are increasingly unable to feed themselves and their families.”

Against this backdrop, Donald Trump’s Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff is in Italy for possible peace talks. Adam is joined by chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet and Americast host, Anthony Zurcher to discuss whether there is a diplomatic route to a ceasefire.

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://bit.ly/3ENLcS1 Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Miranda Slade with Anna Harris and Shiler Mahmoudi. The social producers was Grace Braddock. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Protests Put President Zelensky Under Pressure Jul 23, 2025

Show notes

Today, we look at protests across Ukraine after President Zelensky signed a new law which critics say weakens the independence of Ukraine’s anti-corruption bodies.

Demonstrations in cities across the country became the largest anti-government protests to take place in Ukraine since the Russian invasion in 2022. Adam is joined by Vitaly Shevchenko, Ukrainecast host, and Orysia Lutsevych, head of the Ukraine forum at Chatham House, to discuss Ukraine’s history with government corruption and why the new law is so controversial. Plus, two city traders who were found guilty of rigging interest rates have had their convictions overturned. Andy Verity, BBC’s financial investigations correspondent, tells Adam all about the case.

You can listen back to the Old Newscasts about the 2008 financial crash here:

Episode 1 - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0l51tqf

Episode 2 - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0l51tqf

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://bit.ly/3ENLcS1 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 Anna Harris and Kris Jalowiecki. The social producers were Sophie Millward. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Fight for the Right? Tories vs Reform Jul 22, 2025

Show notes

Today, Sir James Cleverley has returned to the front bench after Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch reshuffled her top team.

Adam and Chris discuss the changes to the shadow cabinet and whether they will help the Conservatives in the fight for dominance of the right of British politics. Today, their opponents Reform, led by Nigel Farage announced a Tory defection at the Welsh Royal Show.

Plus, the UK government has announced a new deal with OpenAI to use AI in public services. The agreement could give the company access to government data and mean its software is used across education, defence, security and justice.

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://bit.ly/3ENLcS1 Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenters were Adam Fleming and Chris Mason. It was made by Rufus Gray with Anna Harris and Shiler Mahmoudi. The social producer was Sophie Millward The technical producer was Rohan Madison. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Will The Plan To Fix The Water System Work? Jul 21, 2025

Show notes

Today, the long-awaited review of the water sector in England and Wales has finally been published, and it proposes the most sweeping reforms since privatisation over 30 years ago.

Authored by Sir Jon Cunliffe, the report makes 88 recommendations, including scrapping the current regulator, Ofwat, and introducing stronger environmental regulation. Adam and Chris are joined by the BBC’s business editor, Simon Jack, to unpack the findings of the 465-page report.

Meanwhile, the UK and over 20 other nations have condemned the “horrifying” killing of hundreds of Gazans trying to get food from Israel's aid operations. The BBC’s Chief International Correspondent, Lyse Doucet, joins Adam and Chris to discuss the latest developments.

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://bit.ly/3ENLcS1 Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenters were Adam Fleming and Chris Mason. It was made by Rufus Gray, Shiler Mahmoudi and Gabriel May. The technical producer was Rohan Madison. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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