• 31 minutes 57 seconds
    Jackdaw Gas Drilling Gets Government's Go-Ahead

    Today, the government has approved drilling at Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea after years of arguments and a legal challenge by Greenpeace

    Adam and Chris unpack how the decision was reached, plus what it means for jobs, energy bills and Labour’s drive towards net zero. And James Cook, Scotland Editor, dials in from Rosebank: the the controversial oil field the government is yet to make a call on.

    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.

    Get in touch with Newscast by emailing [email protected] 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 Osman Iqbal and Gabriel Purcell-Davis. The social producer was Beth Pritchard. The technical producer was Ben Andrews. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

    21 October 2026, 4:04 pm
  • 36 minutes 27 seconds
    Covid Inquiry: Care Homes Were An “Afterthought”

    Today, the latest report from the Covid-19 Inquiry found that action to protect the social care sector came too late, with government failings helping create conditions in which the virus could “spread like wildfire” in care homes.

    The report describes social care as an “afterthought” in the early pandemic response, highlighting a lack of planning, testing and protective equipment.

    Adam is joined by the BBC’s social affairs editor, Alison Holt, to unpack the findings, discuss the impact on families and explore what needs to change to protect people receiving care in a future emergency.

    Also, the BBC’s chief anchor in Washington DC, Caitríona Perry, reports on Donald Trump’s visit to Kansas to support Republican senator Roger Marshall in an unexpectedly tight race against Democrat Adam Hamilton. And Ben Chu from BBC Verify, examines how the US economy is performing under Trump.

    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.

    Get in touch with Newscast by emailing [email protected] 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 Chris Gray with Osman Iqbal and Sophie Millward. The social producer was Gabriel Purcell-Davis. The technical producer was Jonathan Greer. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

    20 October 2026, 5:13 pm
  • 28 minutes 34 seconds
    The Politics Behind The French Riots

    Today, French cities were been given the power to implement partial curfews after violence across France over the weekend.

    Hundreds of thousands of people turned out for protests against falling education standards and the rising cost of living.

    There were outbreaks of rioting, looting, and arson, after weeks of student-led rallies across the country. Adam is joined by the Financial Times’ Paris bureau chief, Leila Abboud, and Politico’s chief Europe correspondent, Marion Solletty, to discuss the situation on the ground, and how the government might respond just six months before the French presidential 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.

    Get in touch with Newscast by emailing [email protected] 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 Osman Iqbal. The social producer was Sophie Millward. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

    19 October 2026, 4:13 pm
  • 36 minutes 26 seconds
    Can Labour Prevent Another Winter NHS Crisis?

    Today, around 3000 people are being treated in hospital corridors, as nurses and charities call on the government to take action as the annual NHS winter rush approaches.

    As the BBC highlights the case of two-year-old Finlay Roberts who died in a hospital corridor in 2024 - a death the coroner said could have been prevented - we speak to Health Secretary Yvette Cooper about the immediate challenges facing the NHS.

    Plus, Zack Polanski speaks to Laura about the Green Party's controversy over the definition of Zionism.

    Apply to run with Adam (or just cheer him on in person) as he completes his 500k in 100 days challenge: https://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/newscast-run-club-27oct26

    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.

    Get in touch with Newscast by emailing [email protected] 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 Adam Fleming. It was made by Richard Fenton-Smith with Adam Chowdhury. The social producer was Joe Wilkinson. The technical producer was Philip Bull. The assistant editor is Richard Fenton-Smith. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

    18 October 2026, 2:28 pm
  • 28 minutes 29 seconds
    Why Is Trump Criticising Zelensky And Complimenting Putin?

    Today, President Trump blocked sanctions on Russia a month after he signed them into law. This comes after he said he ‘wasn’t a big fan’ of Volodymyr Zelensky. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian president at a summit in Brussels said the Europeans were ‘real leaders’.

    Laura is joined by BBC world affairs editor John Simpson to discuss why the US president is becoming more friendly with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

    Plus, John marks 60 years at the BBC by sharing his most memorable moments from his career reporting around the world.

    Apply to run with Adam (or just cheer him on in person) as he completes his 500k in 100 days challenge: https://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/newscast-run-club-27oct26

    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.

    Get in touch with Newscast by emailing [email protected] 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 Laura Kuenssberg. It was made by Joe Wilkinson with Adam Chowdhury and Cordelia Hemming. The technical producer was Philip Bull. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

    17 October 2026, 6:07 pm
  • 30 minutes 34 seconds
    The Week: Is Labour Ready To Talk About Welfare Reform?

    Today, Chris Mason joins us from the SNP party conference, where the party mood seems, once again, very high.

    Adam and Chris are joined by Baroness Ayesha Hazarika, Labour peer and former political advisor, and Times columnist Fraser Nelson to look back at this year’s conference season to see what it can tell us about where each party stands.

    We also discuss whether Labour MPs might be ready to back welfare reform ahead of the review of young people and work conducted by Alan Milburn.

    Apply to run with Adam (or just cheer him on in person) as he completes his 500k in 100 days challenge: https://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/newscast-run-club-27oct26

    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.

    Get in touch with Newscast by emailing [email protected] 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 Gabriel Purcell-Davis. The social producer was Joe Wilkinson. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

    16 October 2026, 10:09 am
  • 33 minutes 23 seconds
    Was Zelensky 'Betrayed' By Trump?

    Today, Zelensky admitted he felt ‘betrayed’ by Trump in an interview with Piers Morgan - so where does that leave the US-Ukraine relationship?

    Adam is joined by Sarah Smith, Americast host, and Shashank Joshi, Washington bureau chief at The Economist, to discuss what we’ve learned from Zelensky’s interview with Piers Morgan Uncensored. Plus, what is going on with intelligence sharing between the US and Ukraine? And why is Starlink so important to the Ukrainian battlefield?

    And, Keith Brown, Depute Leader of the SNP, is in Aberdeen to discuss the party conference and the SNP’s focus on securing another independence referendum, plus whether Andy Burnham travelling to Scotland during conference is a distraction.

    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.

    Get in touch with Newscast by emailing [email protected] 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 Gabriel Purcell-Davis. The social producer was Beth Pritchard. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

    15 October 2026, 4:30 pm
  • 35 minutes 33 seconds
    Did An OpenAI Employee Bug Their Boardroom?

    Today, an OpenAI employee has been charged with allegedly installing a recording device inside a boardroom.

    The AI firm said it had discovered the toilet paper-wrapped device hidden in their San Francisco office and alerted the FBI. It’s claimed the device was built and hidden using chatbot prompts. Adam is joined by Tech and AI Editor Zoe Kleinman to discuss the details so far.

    Also, Chris Mason has an update from Westminster on the leadership of the Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, following a lengthy meeting with his MPs on Tuesday evening.

    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.

    Get in touch with Newscast by emailing [email protected] 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 Cordelia Hemming and Gabriel Purcell-Davis. The social producer was Beth Pritchard. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

    14 October 2026, 3:36 pm
  • 36 minutes 53 seconds
    Why Andy Burnham Wants To Talk About Brexit Again

    Since Andy Burnham has been in office he has consistently mentioned Brexit and why he thinks it has been a bad deal for the UK. Now, he says he wants to “deepen” the UK’s relationship with the EU at a summit in Brussels next month. Adam, Chris and Faisal Islam discuss if he has Brexit strategy, what it might be, and what it could mean for the next general election.

    Plus, Faisal is in Bangkok where the International Monetary Fund has upgraded its UK growth forecast for the year. He outlines the outlook for the UK and how it fits in with the global picture.

    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.

    Get in touch with Newscast by emailing [email protected] 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 Cordelia Hemming. The social producer was Gabriel Purcell-Davis. The technical producer was Jonny Hall. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

    13 October 2026, 3:25 pm
  • 33 minutes 15 seconds
    Does Trump's Energy Ceasefire Actually Exist?

    Today, does the energy ceasefire President Trump announced between Russia and Ukraine actually exist? Over the weekend Trump said a truce had been reached. But whilst Ukraine’s President Zelensky said he would be willing to back one, Russia’s Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, said Ukraine doesn't deserve the "respite" that a ceasefire would bring.

    To unpack what was and was not agreed, Adam is joined by Dan Johnson in Kyiv, Asma Khalid in Washington DC and diplomatic correspondent James Landale in London.

    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.

    Get in touch with Newscast by emailing [email protected] 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 Cordelia Hemming. The social producer was Beth Pritchard. The technical producer was Johnny Baker. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

    12 October 2026, 4:10 pm
  • 24 minutes 38 seconds
    Why Is Trump Calling For Zelensky To Go?

    US President Donald Trump has said he thinks "it's time for Ukraine to get a new president" as he responded to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's criticism of the US diesel deal with Russia.

    Under the deal, Russia would release an initial 300,000 tonnes of diesel "to the American and global marketplace" followed by an additional 500,000 tonnes in November.

    We look at what’s behind Trump getting closer to Russia and its President, Vladimir Putin, as well as why he’s again turned against Zelensky.

    And they discuss a suspected Houthi attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in which at least 12 people were killed and 309 injured.

    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.

    Get in touch with Newscast by emailing [email protected] 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 Victoria Derbyshire and Paddy O’Connell. The weekend editor is Chris Flynn. The producer was Eleanor Harrison-Dengate. The social producer was Gabriel Purcell-Davies. The technical producer was Michael Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

    11 October 2026, 12:17 pm
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