Newscast

Today, Paddy and Laura discuss Rachel Reeves’ trip to Beijing to meet with her Chinese counterpart. But some of the opposition are saying she shouldn’t have gone at a time when soaring government borrowing costs threaten to squeeze UK public finances.

And, after Meta announced it will no longer employ factcheckers and will boost political content, a grieving father - Ian Russell - tells Laura why this announcement will hurt children.

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Today, we look at Donald Trump avoiding jail, and any punishment, over charges of fraud relating to hush money paid to adult-film star Stormy Daniels.

Adam is joined by Caitriona Perry, the BBC’s chief presenter in Washington, and Gary O’Donoghue, the BBC’s senior North America correspondent.

And, 2024 was the first year to exceed the key global warming threshold of 1.5°C above pre-industrial temperatures. Adam talks to Emma Pinchbeck, CEO of the Climate Change Committee, which marks the UK government’s homework on… climate change.

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Today, we look at the wildfires still raging across Los Angeles, where five people have been killed and more than 175,000 have been evacuated.

Adam speaks with BBC’s Los Angeles correspondent Emma Vardy about the extent of the damage and the rescue operations. And Politico’s California environment reporter Camille von Kaenel explains why President-elect Donald Trump blames the Democrats for the damage caused.

Plus, as the pound falls to its lowest level in over a year, at the same time UK borrowing costs hit their highest for 16 years - What is going on with the economy? Adam and Chris are joined by economics editor Faisal Islam to explain.

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Today, we look at the debate over a national inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal playing out in the House of Commons.

The issue was voted on because of an amendment to a Labour bill that will introduce changes to the education system.

Chris unpacks the politics, education editor Branwen Jeffreys explains the changes, and political correspondent Tom Symonds talks about what victims are calling for.

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Today, we look at why Meta is bringing to an end the use of independent fact-checkers on Facebook and Instagram - and replacing them with ‘community notes’.

In a video posted online Mark Zuckerberg said third-party moderators were "too politically biased" and it was "time to get back to our roots around free expression". Adam is joined by Vivian Schiller, vice president and executive director of Aspen Digital, and former head of news at Twitter.

And, as Sir Keir Starmer is under pressure to launch a UK-wide investigation into grooming gangs, Adam speaks to Tom Symonds, the BBC’s political correspondent, and Alison Holt, the BBC’s social affairs editor, about what was learnt from past inquiries into child sexual abuse.

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Today, we look at Keir Starmer’s response to what he calls “lies and misinformation” being spread over grooming gangs.

It comes after multi-billionaire Elon Musk accused Sir Keir Starmer of being "complicit in the rape of Britain" during his time as director of public prosecutions (DPP) for failing to tackle grooming gangs. Adam and Chris discuss the PM’s response in a press conference on Monday, and reflect on what impact Musk and President-elect Trump are already having on world politics.

Adam and Chris are also joined by Stephen Kinnock, the Care Minister to talk through the government’s plan to tackle hospital backlogs.

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Today we look at Nigel Farage’s friendship with Elon Musk and what he wants to get out of it.

Laura’s been talking to the Reform UK leader, who’s defended Musk after he attacked the government's response to grooming gangs on X.

Paddy and Laura are joined by Gawain Towler, former director of communications for Reform UK.

Plus, Laura has been speaking to the Health Secretary, Wes Streeting about why the government has set such a long timescale on it’s proposed social care reforms.

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Today, we look a why tech multi billionaire Elon Musk, and friend of Donald Trump is getting involved in British politics.

He’s been critical of Labour and Sir Keir Starmer and has formed an allegiance with Reform UK.

But there’s a disagreement between Musk and its leader Nigel Farage over the anti Islam activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson.

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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 Teodora Agarici. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, we look at the government’s plans for a new independent commission on the future of adult social care in England.

It's due to start this April, but the final proposals are unlikely to be delivered before 2028.

Adam is joined by Vicki Young, BBC’s deputy political editor, and Mike Padgham, chair of the Independent Care Group, the association for all care providers in York and North Yorkshire.

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Today, we look at the latest developments in the New Orleans attack that killed at least 14 people and wounded dozens more on New Year's Day.

The FBI says 42-year-old army veteran, Shamsu-Din Jabbar, posted videos online proclaiming allegiance to the Islamic State group.

Adam speaks to Justin Webb, host of our sister podcast, Americast, and Marianna Spring, BBC’s social media investigations correspondent.

And Adam is joined by Alex, as 20 councillors in Nottinghamshire quit Labour, after criticism that the party “had abandoned its traditional values.”

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.