Newscast

​​Today, Laura and Paddy look at what we know and don’t know about the murder of Ann Widdecombe.

Today, Adam and Alex take a deep dive into Andy Burnham’s plan to move power out of Westminster and Whitehall and distribute it across the UK.

There has been little detail announced about Burnham’s plans to rewire the state but it’s clear that it’s top of his to do list.

Adam and Alex are joined by Ant Breach, director of policy and research at the Centre for Cities to explore what devolution in England could look like, and what the challenges might be.

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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

Today, Andy Burnham's Labour leadership bid has been backed by 322 Labour MPs.

If no one else enters the contest, as expected, Burnham will be declared Labour leader next week before taking office as prime minister on 20 July. Burnham is currently just one short of securing 323 nominations, which is when it is mathematically impossible for a rival to reach the 81-MP threshold needed to run against him. Adam and Chris discuss.

An interim review of Personal Independence Payments (Pip) in England and Wales had found it to be "not fit for purpose". Last year, the UK government asked Sir Stephen Timms to review whether Pip was "fair and fit for the future". His initial report is being published on Thursday ahead of the final recommendations due in the autumn.Adam and Alex discuss with Ben Chu Policy and Analysis Correspondent, BBC Verify

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

Today, the US and Iran have been exchanging strikes after hostiles were renewed in the Strait of Hormuz overnight.

Over 80 sites in Iran were targeted by the US, prompting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard to target US military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait.

Donald Trump, speaking at the NATO summit in Türkiye, says he thinks the US-Iran ceasefire is ‘over’, and threatened to hit Iran 'hard again tonight'.

Jeremy Bowen and Caitríona Perry join Adam to discuss why despite strikes and such strong comments, peace talks will likely continue.

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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

Today Nigel Farage resigns as an MP, triggering a by-election in Clacton which he says he plans to stand in. He is currently facing an ongoing parliamentary standards investigation into whether he should have declared a £5 million gift he received from the cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harborne.

Making the announcement in a statement streamed online, Farage said that he had done “nothing wrong” and that he needed the money to pay for security. He accused Sky News of harassing his family and said that standards regulations had been weaponised by the “establishment.” Calling the by-election “people versus the establishment”, Mr Farage said “the people of Clacton should be the judges of my actions.”

Adam, Alex and Chris unpack what the move might mean.

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

Today, did President Trump step in to make sure the USA’s star striker could play in tonight’s world cup game?

Folarin Balogun, was sent off in the last game and should have served a suspension for the last-16 match against Belgium. But World Cup organisers Fifa, opted not to enforce an immediate sanction on the 25-year-old, meaning the co-hosts' leading goalscorer will be available to play.

The BBC's US media partner CBS News has confirmed that Balogun's reinstatement came after US president Donald Trump called Fifa president Gianni Infantino on Thursday and spoke about the suspension. Adam discusses with BBC News chief presenter, Caitríona Perry and Dale Johnson, football issues correspondent.

Plus, Buckingham Palace says Prince Harry will not be staying at the palace during his visit to London this week, despite his team announcing this morning that he had accepted an invitation to do so. Why? Adam speaks to senior royal correspondent Daniela Relph.

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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

Today we look at a story from the Sunday Times that details benefits that Nigel Farage received from a convicted fraudster George Cottrell, including staff, security and housing.

Reform says its party leader has broken no rules by failing to declare the support given to him before he became an MP.

The journalist who led the team behind the story and host of the podcast, Posh George: the criminal behind Farage, Gabriel Pogrund, speaks to Laura and Paddy about what they found out.

They talk about who George Cottrell is and what the rules actually say.

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.

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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 Paddy O’Connell. It was made by Chris Flynn. The social producer was Sophie Millward. The technical producer was Antonio Fernandes. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Henry is in to talk about his interview with the outgoing prime minister Sir Keir Starmer.

What was it like in the room, what was he really saying to Andy Burnham, and has he come to terms with losing his job?

The three of them discuss all that and let you in behind the scenes on the first interview Starmer has done since the announcement that’s he will resign.

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

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 Paddy O’Connell. It was made by Chris Flynn. The social producer was Sophie Millward. The technical producer was Jack Graysmark. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Keir Starmer has given his first interview since stepping down to Henry Zeffman.

In it, he speaks about the "intensely personal decision” which was taken “ultimately” when he went to Chequers with his wife and children.

Andy Burnham has gone from metro mayor to prime minister-in-waiting.

When did he decide to make the move against Starmer, and how’s he done it?

Chris Mason and Faisal Islam are in Sheffield for the Crossed Wires podcast festival for a special episode in which they track the journey from London to Manchester and back again.

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

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing [email protected] or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes are 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 Chris Mason and Faisal Islam. It was made by Chris Flynn. The social producer was Gabriel Purcell-Davies. The technical producer was Lewis Allsopp. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.