Today, we look at calls for the PM to apologise after joking about Labour's position on trans people when the mum of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey - who was transgender - was in Parliament. Brianna’s father has told Sky News the comments were “degrading”. Chris talks James through the controversy. And, the government has announced a package aimed at sorting problems in dentistry. Health correspondent Dominic Hughes explains the measures. Dentist Brenda Macmillan explains the problems. Patient Stephen Davies explains what it’s like being on the receiving end. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere
 
Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. Today's Newscast was presented by James Cook. It was made by Chris Flynn with Sam Maclaren, Josh Jenkins and Natasha Mayo. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Calls for Sunak apology over PMQs trans jibe to Starmer

The UK’s flagship daily news podcast from the BBC, Newscast dives into the day’s big 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 developments in politics in Westminster and beyond, what the cost of living means for the money in your pocket and the impact of climate change.
 
Can Rishi Sunak turn the Conservatives fortunes around? Will Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour Party win the next general election? Newscast will give you all the best insights from BBC News so you’re across all the day’s top stories. 
 
Newscast is hosted by trusted journalists including Adam Fleming, BBC Political Editor Chris Mason, Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O’Connell. Joined by special guests, including Lyse Doucet, Katya Adler, Marianna Spring, John Simpson and Victoria Derbyshire among others. In this election year, Newscast will track all the developments from Westminster - as well as following all the big developments around the world, from the race to the White House, to the war in Ukraine. Catch Newscast seven-days a week and watch on BBC One at 23:40 on Thursday night or later on BBC iPlayer
 
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Or us #Newscast Newscast is part of the BBC News Podcasts family of podcasts. The team that makes Newscast also makes lots of other podcasts, including The Global Story, The Today Podcast, and of course Americast and Ukrainecast. If you enjoy Newscast (and if you’re reading this then you hopefully do), then we think that you will enjoy some of our other pods too. See links below. The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd
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News

Today, we look at Keir Starmer revealing the “first steps” Labour would take if they won the general election. 
 
Speaking at an event in Essex, the Labour leader unveiled a pledge card with six key policies, including delivering "economic stability" and providing 40,000 more hospital appointments each week.
 
Starmer rejected claims the party had scaled back its ambitions, and that it was a “copycat” of Tony Blair who launched his pledge card and went on to win the general election for Labour in 1997. Adam, Chris and Alex are joined by Steve Reed, the Shadow Environment Secretary. And find out how Rishi Sunak got on when he braved the panel on ITV’s Loose Women.  You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere
 
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 Gemma Roper. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor Sam Bonham.

Starmer’s Six Steps!

Today, we look at what we know about the assassination attempt on Slovak PM Robert Fico. The alleged assailant has been detained by the police and ministers have told reporters it was a politically-motivated attack. Europe editor Katya Adler is on to explain what we know about what happened, and who Robert Fico is.
 
And Chris joins James to discuss why some prisoners are being released early in England.
 
You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere
 
Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by James Cook. It was made by Chris Flynn with Natasha Mayo and Sam McLaren. The technical producer was Hannah Montgomery. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Assassination attempt… Slovak PM “fighting for his life”

Today, we look a new study which suggests obesity jabs, such as Wegovy and Ozempic, could also cut the risk of heart attacks and strokes. The drug semaglutide, which suppresses the appetite, is prescribed by the NHS and now has growing use as a “skinny jab”. Researchers have said that weekly shots could benefit the cardiovascular health of millions of adults, but the results have not yet been fully reviewed. Adam is joined by David Aaronovitch, Presenter of Radio 4’s Briefing Room, and Dr Ellie Cannon, GP and author. And, after three weeks of delays, cancellations and chaos behind the scenes, the new Co-op Live arena is set to open for a gig. What caused the problems? And what does the venue tell us about the music industry of today? Adam speaks to Matt Everitt from Radio 6 music and Anna Foster, BBC news presenter.
 
You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere
 
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 Elliot Ryder and Sam McLaren. The technical producer was Daffyd Evans. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Weighing Up Diet Drugs

Today, we look at Rishi Sunak’s claim that the election would be a choice “between past and future”, as Labour accused him of rebranding again.   In a wide-ranging speech, the PM said that Keir Starmer would make the UK less safe and that the Tories are “the only party really talking about the future.” But Labour responded by claiming this was Rishi Sunak’s “7th reset” during his time in office. Are the battlegrounds for the election being drawn? Adam is joined by Chris who questioned Sunak after the speech.  And the Birth Trauma Inquiry was presented to parliament, finding that there was “shockingly poor services” in maternity care. It contained harrowing evidence of medical negligence from more than 1,300 women. Adam speaks to Theo Clarke, the Conservative MP who led the inquiry, and Suzanne White, Head of the Medical Negligence team at Leigh Day.
 
You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere
 
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 McLaren with Elliot Ryder and Sam McLaren. The technical producer was Emma Crowe. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Better The Sunak You Know?

Today we take a look at accusations that former Conservative MP Natalie Elphicke lobbied former Lord Chancellor, Sir Robert Buckland, over her then-husband Charlie’s sexual assault case. A spokesman for Ms Elphicke, said the claims were "nonsense".  Laura, Paddy and Henry discuss how big a problem it is for the party, and how the story came to light. And Laura’s been speaking to the foreign secretary, Lord David Cameron, as Israel expands its military operation in Rafah.  Paddy also reveals what it’s like to be behind the scenes with Terry Wogan at Eurovision.  You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere  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 Joe Wilkinson. The technical producer was Jonny Baker. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Calls for Sunak apology over PMQs trans jibe to Starmer

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