Newscast

The last eight months in Westminster have been wild. It’s worth a recap.

We began the year in lockdown, with the NHS on the brink and the economy shrinking. Now, as Newscast heads off on our summer holidays, Adam and Chris take a trip down memory lane to find out where we’ve got to on some of the biggest talking points of this year, whether it’s the health or economic recovery from the coronavirus, international travel or trade in the post-Brexit world.

To help us, we listen to some of the headline political interviews we’ve done from our Westminster studios. We talk business with Liz Truss, get geeky with Ed Miliband, bitchy with Sir Alan Duncan and bougie with interior designer Celia Sawyer, and plenty more.

But first, we hear from a special guest about some of his most memorable soundbites of 2021 so far…

This episode of Newscast was made by Daniel Wittenberg with Caitlin Hanrahan. The studio manager was Emma Crowe. The editor was Emma Close.

A case of old-school spying in Berlin?

A security guard working for the British Embassy in Germany has been arrested, accused of spying for Russia. Newscast has been to our very own “GCHQ,” aka Gordon Corera HQ…

And we send up the bat signal for comic book expert, Susana Polo, and ask why Batman and Robin are revealing new sides to their identity at the moment.

Today's Newscast was made by Maz Ebtehaj, with Danny Wittenberg and Alix Pickles. The studio director was Mike Regaard. Sam Bonham is the assistant editor.

Why is there a war in Afghanistan?

With the Taliban making advances in Afghanistan and US-led forces withdrawing after 20 years in the country, the BBC’s Secunder Kermani and government advisor, Professor Michael Semple, explain what’s happening on the ground.

And, as singer Rihanna celebrates becoming a billionaire, blogger and podcaster, Charisse Kenion, explains how Fenty Beauty (Rihanna's beauty company) has boomed.

Today’s Newscast was made by Maz Ebtehaj, with Ben Cooper and Alix Pickles. The studio director was Emma Crowe. The assistant editor is Sam Bonham

Alok Sharma on Climate, Carbon and COP acronyms.

COP26 President Alok Sharma joins Adam to talk all things Climate, Carbon and COP. He takes us deep into the negotiations, explaining how he’s going to meet the 100 billion climate pledge, what he's doing about NCDs and his plans for Net Zero by 2050. And we give him the ultimate Newscast welcome – with a COP26 acronym quiz! Also, Branwen gives us the run-down of the national picture on A-Level results day and when we can expect exams to return to normal.

Today’s Newscast was made by Natalie Ktena with Caitlin Hanrahan and Alix Pickles. The Studio Director is Emma Crowe. The Assistant Editor is Emma Close.

Climate change report warns of more extreme heat, droughts and flooding.

Professor Ed Hawkins, one of the report’s authors, talks us through the findings.

Wildfires are spreading in Greece and Turkey. Our reporter, Bethany Bell, is on the Greek island of Evia, where more than 2,000 people have been evacuated.

And back home, lockdown rules in Scotland and Wales have mostly been lifted, but there’s confusion over where (and when) to wear masks. Lorna Gordon and Hywel Griffiths help us clear it up.

Today’s Newscast was made by Maz Ebtehaj with Alix Pickles and Danny Wittenberg. The Studio Director was Emma Crowe. Sam Bonham is the Assistant Editor.

Whitty, JVT and Maria Van Kerkhove from the WHO

Adam and James chat to Professor Neil Ferguson, who's been working with Maria Van Kerkhove from the World Health Organisation, and Jonathan Van-Tam, England's Deputy Chief Medical Officer, for 20 years.

And they also speak to Professor David Mabey, who gave a young Chris Whitty one of his first roles in medicine.

Today’s Newscast was made by Maz Ebtehaj with Natalie Ktena. The Studio Directors were Emma Crowe and Mike Regaard. Sam Bonham is the Assistant Editor.

New advice on where to go and where it’s a no. Adam is joined by the BBC’s Transport Correspondent Caroline Davies to dissect the government’s latest announcement on foreign travel and what it means for international families and tourists. And we’re on the strip in Ibiza hearing what it’s been like without the Brits. (A sobering thought…)

Elsewhere we profile the Tory money man with A-list connections, who’s been in the headlines over an elite donors club that has access to Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak.

Today's Newscast was made by Caitlin Hanrahan with Natalie Ktena, Daniel Wittenberg, Georgia Coan and Alix Pickles. The Studio Director was Michael Regaard. The Assistant Editor is Emma Close.

"I’m keen to make London the world’s sporting capital.”

Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, chats to Adam on today's special Newscast. He says he wants to see police on the tube enforcing the use of face masks, he explains why he's expanded the Low Emission Zone in London and he also chats through how he's been inspired by Olympic bronze medalist, Sky Brown, to take up skateboarding! Also, 16 and 17 year olds will be able to get their jab soon! Is Sadiq supportive?

Today’s Newscast episode was made by Maz Ebtehaj with Caitlin Hanrahan, Natalie Ktena, Danny Wittenberg and Alix Pickles. Emma Crowe is the studio director. Sam Bonham and Emma Close are the assistant editors.

After 18 months of disruption, how is the UK's hospitality industry holding up?

Chef and restaurateur, Yotam Ottolenghi, along with Peter Marks, the chief executive of nightclub business, REKOM UK, join Adam to discuss the state of the sector.

And with bakery chain Greggs announcing 500 new jobs and 100 new stores, market analyst Susannah Streeter looks at the ingredients driving the their success.

Today’s Newscast was made by Emma Close, with Caitlin Hanrahan, Natalie Ktena, Georgia Coan and Ben Cooper. The studio director was Emma Crowe.

The Russian Olympic Committee is facing a backlash from fellow competitors who think they shouldn't be at the Games. We hear from the BBC's Sarah Rainsford about what's going on.

And, on the day that a Hollywood studio says it's going to invest £700m into a film studio in Hertfordshire, we chat about the future of the UK film industry with the boss of the British Film Commission.

This episode of Newscast was made by Ben Cooper and Alix Pickles. Emma Crowe was the studio director. Sam Bonham is the assistant editor.