Newscast

It’s the last weekend edition of Newscast of the year, and the government have decided to do their media round on migration.

Laura’s been speaking to the Yvette Cooper, and her Conservative counterpart Chris Philp to find out how the main parties want to tackle the issue.

Paddy, and Henry convene to chew through how migration has, and continues to be, a dominant issue in British politics - and how it could shape the future of Westminster.

And, as we hurtle towards Christmas, we discuss our favourite news moments of the year (and eat Italian biscuits).

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://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 McConnell. It was made by Chris Gray with Rufus Gray. The technical producer was Rohan Madison. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

In this continental edition, Laura speaks to Paddy from Rome, where she’s been talking to the Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, who will meet her Italian counterpart for diplomacy on migration.

She’s also been asking her about the connection between Prince Andrew and an alleged Chinese spy. The Duke of York’s judgement is being questioned after the government advised him to cease all contact with the enigmatic individual known only to the public as ‘H6’.

And the developing situation in Syria has caused a rift in the Labour front bench, as some of their members revisit their own party’s role in blocking UK military action against then Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2013. Paddy and Laura discuss what is really going on behind the scenes.

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://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 McConnell. It was made by Chris Gray with Rufus Gray. The technical producer was Hannah Montgomery. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Adam, Chris, Alex and Faisal discuss why sandwiches have become the hot topic in Westminster, what the UK’s future relationship with the EU could look like, and planning reforms.

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.

Today, NHS England medical director Prof Sir Stephen Powis has said a sharp rise in flu cases “are adding to our 'quad-demic' worries”.

What is a quad-demic and how worried is the NHS? Adam is joined by BBC health editor Hugh Pym and Nick Hulme, the Chief Executive of East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, to discuss the rise in hospital flu cases as well as problems caused by Covid, RSV and Norovirus, and how hospitals will cope with the strain.

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://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 Miranda Slade with Nancy Geddes. The technical producer was Hannah Montgomery. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, we’re looking at Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old Ivy League graduate accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

As he fights a extradition to New York, Sumi Somaskanda and Caitríona Perry join Adam to discuss the case, and the social media obsession with the case.

Also, Chris and Alex Chalk, former Conservative justice secretary, are on talking about Labour’s announcement that they will inject £2.3 billion towards making more capacity in the prisons system.

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://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 Chris Flynn with Anna Harris and Bella Saltiel. The technical producer was Ben Andrews. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, we look at what a new government in Syria means for the Middle East and why Israel has launched airstrikes on key military targets.

The BBC’s Diplomatic Correspondent, James Landale tells Adam about the historic relationship between Syria and Israel and why Israel has decided to launch strikes now. And, BBC Monitoring’s Jihadist Media expert Mina Al-Lami explains how an opportunistic IS might seek to capitalise on abandoned weapons stashes and wider instability in the region.

Plus, the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves has again warned against government waste. She’s launched a spending review, promising to identify "efficiency savings" across government departments.

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.

Today, we look at what the end of Bashar al-Assad’s regime means for Syria.

As huge crowds gather at a notorious Damascus prison looking for prisoners held under the Assad regime Adam speaks to Lina Sinjab, the BBC’s Middle East Correspondent. He is also joined by chief Jihadist media specialist for BBC monitoring, Mina Al-Lami, who profiles the rebel group’s leader and legacy.

And, the Kremlin say Bashar Al-Assad has been given asylum in Moscow after fleeing from Syria. Adam speaks to Russia editor Steve Rosenberg about how the fall of the Russian-supported regime is a blow to the country’s prestige.

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.

After more than a decade of civil war, rebel forces in Damascus say they've ended Bashar al-Assad’s rule.

His ally Russia says he’s left the country.

Laura and Paddy are joined by Joe Pike to discuss the latest developments - and assess what impact it might have on the wider Middle East.

Plus, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner tells Laura Labour’s planning reforms will end development chaos. But what will the impact be on local communities?

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 Ben Mundy with Bella Saltiel. The technical producer was Michael Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Just as France enters a period of deep uncertainty, triggered by the fall of Michel Barnier's government, the country gets ready to reopen the Notre Dame cathedral.

And, US President-elect Donald Trump is using the event to return to the geopolitical stage.

Laura and Paddy discuss the Macron-Trump relationship.

Plus, they hear from Newscasters, as thousands of people are left without power following Storm Darragh.

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 Ben Mundy with Clare Williamson. The technical producer was Michael Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Adam and Chris are joined by the journalist and author Tim Shipman, who lifts the lid on what’s going on inside the Labour government now, after some staff rejigging.

They also talk through Starmer’s ‘milestones’ announcement, and how the civil service could be reshaped.

And, could Reform be a real threat to both Labour and the Conservatives?

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 Anna Harris . The technical producer was Ben Andrews. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.