Newscast

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(Another) Plan to Fix "Broken" Migration System May 12, 2025

Show notes

Today, we look at Labour’s plan to fix the UK’s ‘‘broken’’ migration system.

James speaks to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to comb through the details including a degree-level requirement for overseas workers, ending automatic settlement after five years for most visas, and a tightening of English tests for all visa applicants.

We also look at how the US and China came to a sudden agreement to slash their tariffs for 90 days. BBC’s economics editor Faisal Islam and BBC’s China correspondent Laura Bicker join James.

And finally, James sits down with the Secretary to the COVID Inquiry Ben Connah to catch us up on the latest on the inquiry and to tell us about the Every Story Matters project.

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://discord.gg/m3YPUGv9

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 James Cook. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Julia Webster and Gabriel Purcell-Davis. The technical producer was Ben Andrews. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Has Putin Been Forced To The Table? May 11, 2025

Show notes

Today, we’re looking at what’s behind a change in position from the Russian President Vladimir Putin, who’s called for "direct talks" with Ukraine on 15 May.

European leaders met in Kyiv to demand a 30-day ceasefire, and spoke with President Donald Trump, on Saturday.

We also hear from the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, who was on Laura’s show this morning, ahead of a week in which she’ll lay out plans to bring down net migration.

There’s also an update on when a report into the grooming gangs scandal might be published.

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 Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O’Connell. It was made by Chris Flynn with Rufus Gray. The technical producer was Michael Regaard. The weekend series editor is Chris Flynn. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

India and Pakistan Agree Ceasefire May 10, 2025

Show notes

Today, we look at the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan.

The US President Donald Trump announced the news to the world via social media and it was his secretary of state and vice president doing the mediation.

International editor Jeremy Bowen joins Laura and Paddy to talk about how the agreement was reached.

They also talk about a possible ceasefire in Ukraine, where European leaders including UK PM Keir Starmer are meeting today. They’re asking Russia to stop attacks for 30 days from Monday.

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 Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O’Connell. It was made by Chris Flynn with Rufus Gray. The technical producer was Michael Regaard. The weekend series editor is Chris Flynn. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

The Week: Who Benefits Most From the UK-US Deal? May 09, 2025

Show notes

Today, the UK and US have both described the deal as a success - but who really benefits from their tariff agreement?

Adam and Alex are joined by Dharshini David, BBC deputy economics editor and James Landale the BBC’s diplomatic correspondent to discuss the deal, and whether this has turned around a tricky week for the PM.

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 Anna Harris. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

The First American Pope: Pope Leo XIV May 08, 2025

Show notes

Today, Robert Prevost has become the first American Pope, and will be known as Pope Leo XIV.

Adam is joined by the BBC’s Religion editor Aleem Maqbool to talk through how the news broke from the Vatican, and what we know about Chicago-born Prevost who worked for many years as a missionary in Peru before being made an archbishop there

And, the UK and US have announced a tariff agreement. Tariffs have been removed from UK steel and aluminium, plus reduced on car exports. In exchange the UK has allowed the US more access to certain markets. Adam unpicks this afternoon's made-for-TV announcement with Faisal Islam, the BBC’s economic editor.

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 Rufus Gray. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Could the India-Pakistan Conflict Escalate? May 07, 2025

Show notes

Today, we’re looking at the conflict between India and Pakistan.

On Tuesday night, India launched missile strikes in Pakistan and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir.

Adam talks to the BBC’s international editor Jeremy Bowen and Journalist Arunoday Mukharji about what’s happening, how Pakistan is reacting, and whether things could get worse.

Americast’s Justin Webb also joins for a behind-the-scenes look at Joe Biden’s first interview since leaving the White House with the person who did it… the Today programme’s Nick Robinson. 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://discord.gg/m3YPUGv9

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 Shiler Mahmoudi, Julia Webster, and Kris Jalowiecki. The technical producer was Michael Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

The Biggest Trade Deal Since Brexit(cast) May 06, 2025

Show notes

Today, after three years of on-off negotiations the UK and India have agreed a “landmark” trade deal.

Will it make goods cheaper for people in the UK? What does it mean for the number of Indian students coming to the UK? And, does this change the UK’s approach to President Trump’s tariffs? Adam and Chris are joined by Faisal to discuss.

Also, Adam is joined by Professor Dame Jenny Harries as she steps down as head of the UK Health Security Agency. Adam asks her about; how prepared we are for future pandemics, Covid press conferences and why fewer people might be getting vaccines.

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 Shiler Mahmoudi and Julia Webster. The technical producer was Ben Andrews. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Old Newscast: The Fall of the Berlin Wall, 1989 (Part 2) May 05, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Old Newscast, we look at the consequences for the world of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Adam is joined by world affairs editor John Simpson, as well as historian and author of Beyond the Wall, Katja Hoyer.

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://discord.gg/m3YPUGv9

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 Jack Maclaren, Shiler Mahmoudi, Alix Pickles, and Kris Jalowiecki. The technical producer was Michael Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Old Newscast: The Fall of the Berlin Wall, 1989 (Part 1) May 05, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Old Newscast, we look at what led to, and what happened on the day of, the fall of the Berlin wall.

Adam is joined by world affairs editor John Simpson, as well as historian and author of Beyond the Wall, Katja Hoyer.

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://discord.gg/m3YPUGv9

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.

Local Electioncast: The Reaction! (Part 3) May 04, 2025

Show notes

Today, we look at how the political parties are reacting to this week’s local election results.

The Health Secretary Wes Streeting spoke to both Laura and Paddy to give the Labour view. Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, the Lib Dem leader Ed Davey and Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf were all on Laura’s Sunday show.

We also look at what party staffers are saying behind the scenes and how Zia Yusuf earned the cash that he’s funding his party with.

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 Paddy O’Connell, Laura Kuenssberg and Henry Zeffman. It was made by Chris Flynn and Josh Jenkins. The technical producer was Ben Andrews. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

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