Newscast

byBBC News

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The BBC's daily news podcast, Newscast dives into the day's biggest news stories so you're never out of your depth.Newscast picks the brains of BBC News experts so you're ready if someone picks yours, covering the latest news, developments in politics in Westminster and beyond.Newscast is hosted by trusted politics and news journalists including Adam Fleming, BBC Political Editor Chris Mason, Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O'Connell. 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.Catch Newscast seven-days a...

Episodes(40 episodes)

Are US-Iran Talks Actually Happening?

Today, we try and get to the bottom of whether or not Iran and the US might be meeting at the negotiating table.Whilst President Trump has previously said the two countries have already had productive conversations, Iran has denied the reports.Lyse Doucet, chief international correspondent and Parham Ghobadi, senior reporter for BBC Persian explain who might be involved if talks do go ahead and the latest we know about what’s happening inside Iran. Plus, Faisal Islam joins Adam for a deep dive into how all the uncertainty is affecting the ec...

Published: Mar 24, 2026Duration: 48m 14s

Has Trump Backed Down On Iran Threat?

Today, President Trump has extended his initial 48-hour ultimatum to Iran to unblock the Strait of Hormuz to five days. The President said Iran has 'one more chance at peace', following what he called “good and productive conversations”. But, while Sir Keir Starmer said he was aware the talks had taken place, Iran has denied speaking to the US and has called Trump’s claims of talks ‘fake news’. To help us make sense of the head-spinning pace of the US-Israel war with Iran, James and Chris are joined by economics editor Faisal Islam and chief presenter Caitriona Perry in Washing...

Published: Mar 23, 2026Duration: 34m 6s

Is Iran Capable of Hitting the UK?

Today, Laura, Paddy and Henry discuss whether Iranian missiles could feasibly strike the UK, as Israel has claimed.The Israeli Defence Force said Iranian missiles ‘can reach London, Paris or Berlin.’The claim was prompted by an attempted but unsuccessful missile strike on the UK-US Diego Garcia base.Sir Richard Shirreff, a former senior Nato commander has told Paddy we should take the the claim seriously, but cabinet minister Steve Reed told Laura there is "no assessment to substantiate" it.We also look at whether the government might consider profit caps on e...

Published: Mar 22, 2026Duration: 28m 46s

Iran Fires Missiles at UK-US Diego Garcia Base

Today, Laura and Paddy discuss Iranian missiles fired at Diego Garcia, the joint UK-US base in the Indian Ocean.Two ballisitic missiles were fired at the island of Diego Garcia, the Wall Street Journal and CNN reported overnight, citing unnamed US officials, but neither weapon reached its target.One missile reportedly failed in flight, while the other was intercepted by a US warship. It is unclear when the missiles were supposedly fired.The BBC understands the reports are accurate.They unpack the significance of the launches, and what it means for...

Published: Mar 21, 2026Duration: 35m 14s

The Week: The War In Iran Escalates

Today, Adam, Chris and Faisal are joined by Panorama Jane Corbin to discuss the latest strikes in the war in Iran.They look at a straining relationship between Israel and the US and how the UK is reacting to the shock to the global economy.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/newscastdiscordGet in touch with Newscast by emailing ne...

Published: Mar 20, 2026Duration: 31m 47s

Are US and Israel Aligned On Iran War?

Today, President Trump has threatened that the US “will massively blow up” the world’s largest gas field if Iran attacks Qatar again.This comes after Iran bombed Qatar's Ras Laffan energy complex, in retaliation against Israel attacking its South Pars Gas Field - all of which has sent gas prices skyrocketing.Adam is joined by chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet and deputy economics editor Dharshini David to discuss what this means for the war and energy prices around the world.Meanwhile, health correspondent Jim Reed joins Adam to discuss the latest report in the...

Published: Mar 19, 2026Duration: 35m 59s

(Another) Labour Leadership Challenge?

Today, Angela Rayner has reignited Labour leader speculation with a speech in Westminster. The former deputy prime minister told a room at a Westminster pub that Labour is “running out of time”. Adam and Chris discuss this, and mixed messages coming out of the White House about the effectiveness of Operation Epic Fury with Chief North America Correspondent Gary O’Donoghue.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...

Published: Mar 18, 2026Duration: 32m 13s

Starmer Turns His Attention To Ukraine (Or Tries To)

Today, President Zelensky has been in London to agree a new defence partnership with the UK, with Downing Street hoping to unite “Ukrainian expertise and the UK's industrial base" to manufacture drones. But while Starmer and Zelensky were meeting one side of the Atlantic, President Trump was changing his mind on whether he needs Nato support in the Strait of Hormuz again.During a meeting with the Irish Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, President Trump hit out at Starmer again. Adam and Chris discuss Zelensky’s visit and President Trump’s change of heart.Plus, e...

Published: Mar 17, 2026Duration: 36m 34s

Can Starmer Keep Saying No To Trump?

Today, President Trump has reiterated his requests for support from Nato allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz - days after saying we don’t need” UK aircraft carriers in the Middle East.For now, the PM and other European allies are holding off - with Sir Keir Starmer saying the UK doesn’t want to get drawn into the wider US-Israeli war with Iran. James and Chris are joined by Panorama film maker Jane Corbin to discuss the ongoing disagreement between the two sides of the Atlantic.Plus, The Economist’s defence editor S...

Published: Mar 16, 2026Duration: 41m 2s

Will Starmer Help Trump In The War?

Today, President Trump has called on the UK and other allies to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, the world's busiest oil shipping channel.Laura, Paddy and Henry unpick what Ed Miliband said in response to pressure from the President and analyse what the current closure of the strait means for the cost of living. Meanwhile, the US president says he wants to make a deal to the end war in Iran, but 'the terms are not good enough yet'.You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want...

Published: Mar 15, 2026Duration: 30m 53s

Will Putin Benefit From The Iran War?

Today, Laura catches up with Steve Rosenberg in Moscow and Frank Gardner in Saudi Arabia to get their take on the global impact the war in Iran is having beyond the Middle East. President Trump says the US military has bombed a small island off the coast of Iran which is home to one of the country’s most important oil terminals. Frank Gardner, the BBC’s security correspondent, explains how both the US and Iran are trying to secure their oil interests in the region. Plus Steve Rosenberg joins Laura from Moscow to talk abou...

Published: Mar 14, 2026Duration: 34m 26s

The Week: Jeremy Bowen On The Iran War

Today, James, Alex and Chris are joined by Jeremy Bowen to discuss the latest in the war in Iran. They reflect on what lessons could be learnt from the two Gulf Wars, the pressure building on the world economy and if President Trump is “close” to a victory?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/newscastdiscordGet in touch with Newsca...

Published: Mar 13, 2026Duration: 29m 28s

Iran’s New Supreme Leader (Sort Of) Speaks Out

Today, the new Iranian Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, gave his first statement pledging to continue blocking the Strait of Hormuz.This was delivered not by Khamenei himself, but by a newsreader on Iranian state TV speaking over a photo of him, sparking further speculation as to his health and whereabouts.Alex and James are joined by Jane Corbin, Panorama film maker, and Baran Abbasi, reporter and presenter for BBC Persian, to discuss what to make of the new Supreme Leader’s statement.Plus, diplomatic correspondent, James Landale, joins Alex and James from Kyiv to...

Published: Mar 12, 2026Duration: 42m 11s

Everything We Know (And Don't Know) About The Mandelson Files

The government releases documents about appointing Peter Mandelson as US Ambassador.

Published: Mar 11, 2026Duration: 35m 5s

Will War In Iran Really End "Very Soon"?

Today, President Trump has told reporters Iran war will be over “very soon”, but not this week.Meanwhile, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth says this will be the “most intense” day of US strikes on Iran so far. So how close is the war to ending?Alex and James are joined by Caitríona Perry, Chief Anchor of BBC News in Washington, to try to decode what Trump might mean.Meanwhile, Trump has also threatened Iran with "death, fire, and fury" if it continues to disrupt shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, which carries a...

Published: Mar 10, 2026Duration: 33m 39s

What’s The Economic Cost Of The War In Iran?

Today, the Iran war has pushed oil prices above $100 a barrel for the first time since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.James and Alex are joined by Dharshini David, deputy economics editor, and Katya Adler, Europe editor and Brexitcast veteran, to discuss what the war means for the global economy and how the surging oil price might lead to higher inflation.Katya’s new series ‘Europe on the Edge’ is available to watch on BBC iPlayer now.Meanwhile, in Iran Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the previous supreme leader Ali Khamenei, has been named as...

Published: Mar 9, 2026Duration: 40m 38s

How the Iraq war's legacy shaped the UK's Iran response

Today, we look at the extent to which the lessons learned from the Iraq war has shaped the UK's response to the war in Iran.Keir Starmer has taken a position somewhere between full support of Donald Trump’s actions, and direct criticism of them.In a post on Truth Social, the US president criticised the UK for being less than 100% supportive, saying ‘we will remember’ and "We don't need people that join Wars after we've already won!"On Friday, former Labour Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair told a private event that the UK sho...

Published: Mar 8, 2026Duration: 33m 31s

The Iranian president says sorry, but does he mean it?

Iran’s president has apologised to Gulf states for attacking them. He has also warned that Iran will not attack its neighbours "unless attacked first".Laura asks Iran’s ambassador to the UK, Seyed Ali Mousavi, about the events of the past week, and what the apology really means. Paddy’s been talking to an Iranian woman who has fled the country about her views on the regime and their actions over the past few months.They get together to discuss what they’ve heard, and have a look at how seriously we should t...

Published: Mar 7, 2026Duration: 32m 18s

We answer your questions about the US-Israel war with Iran.Adam and Chris are joined in the studio by Panorama film maker Jane Corbin and Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet to answer Newscasters questions. Have the US underestimated Iran? Will Keir Starmer’s approach work? What role could the Iranian army play?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<p...

Published: Mar 6, 2026Duration: 33m 22s

Has Starmer's Iran Response Been Too Slow?

Today, Keir Starmer has defended his response to the Iran war and announced he will send four additional fighter jets to Qatar.Adam is joined by Jane Corbin, Panorama film maker; Lucy Fisher, Whitehall editor for the Financial Times, and Mikey Kay, military analyst for the Security Brief, to discuss Starmer’s press conference, and to take a deeper look at the weaponry being used by both sides in this conflict.You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It work...

Published: Mar 5, 2026Duration: 33m 5s