Newscast

Today, we look at the Iowa caucus, where voters brave bitterly cold weather to decide who will be their Republican US presidential candidate.

Adam is wished a ‘happy caucus day’ by Mick Mulvaney, former White House Chief of Staff to Donald Trump, who tells us why the former president wants to run again. And there’s a special report from Iowa with Americast’s Justin Webb and Marianna Spring.

Plus, Adam and Chris give us a round up of everything going on at Westminster as Rishi Sunak addresses parliament on the strikes against the Houthis in Yemen and MPs brace for the return of the Rwanda bill.

Today, Laura’s been speaking to foreign secretary David Cameron and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.

Paddy and Henry join her to discuss the interviews in which she pressed them both on their support for airstrikes in Yemen.

Starmer was also pressed on accusations he’d changed his mind over foreign and domestic policies.

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We look at how Westminster is reacting to the US and UK airstrikes in Yemen.

Laura and Paddy discuss why the UK got involved, Sunak’s decision not to ask Parliament first, and Labour backing the military action.

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Today, we look at why the UK and US have launched airstrikes on Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the strikes were "necessary and proportionate" to protect the global shipping routes in response to a series of attacks by the Houthis on commercial ships in the Red Sea. The Houthis say they have been supporting Hamas by targeting ships on route to Israel.

Meanwhile, the UK have announced a £2.5bn aid package to Ukraine with Rishi Sunak visiting Kyiv. This weekend also marks one of the first big elections of the year as people go to the polls in Taiwan, with China closely watching the result.

Adam talks to Sophia Gaston, head of foreign policy at the Policy Exchange and Sir Mark Lyall Grant, former permanent representative of the UK to the UN. They are also joined by the former NATO commander, Rear Admiral Dr Christopher Parry.

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Today, we look at the return of the Rwanda Bill as the Prime Minister faces a significant potential rebellion from his own side. More than 40 Tory MPs on the right of the party, including Liz Truss, argue the legislation must be toughened up. But former justice secretary Sir Robert Buckland, from the centrist One Nation group of MPs, has backed three changes which would tone down some measures.

James and Chris talk to Robert Jenrick the former Immigration Minister who resigned over the policy in December.

And they are joined by Conservative Peer Lord Ed Vaizey, Pollster Scarlett Maguire and Former Labour MP Mary Creagh to discuss the coming weeks and months in Westminster.

Today, we look at Rishi Sunak’s plan to bring in a new law that will overturn convictions for victims of the Horizon IT scandal.

James and Chris talk to Rebecca Thomson, the journalist who first broke the story back in 2009.

Alicia Kearns, chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee is also on, after having grilled Lord Cameron, the foreign secretary, over the UK’s approach to the war in the middle east, as well as military support for Ukraine.

Today, we look at why Paula Vennells, ex-boss of the Post Office, is handing back her CBE.

After the broadcast of ITV drama - Mr Bates vs The Post Office - pressure has mounted on Ms Vennells to return her honour following the IT scandal, with more than a million people signing a petition for it to be stripped. In a statement Ms Vennells says she has “listened” and is “truly sorry”.

James and Chris speak to West Midlands Mayor and former John Lewis boss Andy Street. They also talk devolution, council bankruptcies and Tory election hopes.

And 2023 has been confirmed as the hottest year on record, James is joined by climate editor Justin Rowlatt and climate scientist Dr Ella Gilbert.

Today, we look at how Covid-19 continues to affect people’s lives after the death of author and political adviser Derek Draper, husband of Kate Garraway.

The TV presenter announced on Friday that the 56-year-old had died after living with extreme complications from Covid, and released a video message today thanking people for their support.

Is this the most high profile case of long covid? And how many people across the UK have the condition? To answer these questions, James Cook speaks to a sufferer of long Covid, Margaret O’Hara, and researcher on Covid-19, Professor David Strain.

And, on the day of the first American moon launch in over 50 years, James speaks to astronaut Chris Hadfield to find out what this mission means for the future of space travel and exploration.

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Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by James Cook, and made by Jack Maclaren with Joe Wilkinson and Sam McLaren. The technical producers were Dafydd Evans and Philip Bull. The senior news editors are Jonathan Aspinwall and Sam Bonham.

Today, we hear Laura’s interview with the prime minister in which he confirmed he’s looking at a review of Post Office prosecutions.

He’s also pressed on immigration and NHS strikes.

To help unpack what Sunak said, chief political correspondent Henry Zeffman joins Laura and Paddy.

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Today's Newscast was presented by Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O’Connell. It was made by Chris Flynn with Clare Williamson. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The senior news editors are Jonathan Aspinwall and Sam Bonham.

Laura’s preparing for an interview with Rishi Sunak on Sunday. She and Paddy are joined by political journalist and documentary maker Michael Cockerell, who’s interviewed nearly every prime minister from 1963 onwards.

And, the government is facing another by-election after Tory MP Chris Skidmore announced he’ll be resigning earlier than already planned.

Laura also talks about documents she’s seen showing Rishi Sunak’s doubts over the Rwanda scheme while he was chancellor.

You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere

Today's Newscast was presented by Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O’Connell. It was made by Chris Flynn with Clare Williamson. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The senior news editors are Jonathan Aspinwall and Sam Bonham.