Newscast

Today, are some of the world’s leading AI companies doing enough to stop their models from going rogue?

Facebook owner Meta has become the latest tech firm to say one of its AI models hacked another company. Similar breaches by OpenAI and Anthropic models have raised cyber-security concerns and prompted calls for tougher safeguards and more rigorous testing. Adam discusses with Professor Gina Neff, Head of the Minderoo Centre for Technology and Democracy at the University of Cambridge and Ciaran Martin - Former CEO of The National Security Centre.

And the majority of England’s rivers and lakes have failed a new environmental review. Data from the Environment Agency shows only around one in seven are classed as being in good ecological condition. Despite a record £22bn earmarked for water company environmental improvements by 2030, the overall picture has changed little since 2019. Adam is joined by Environment Correspondent Matt McGrath.

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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, we discuss the Conservative Party’s decision to select an ex neo-Nazi as a council election candidate in Somerset.

Joshua Bonehill-Paine spent three years in prison for posting antisemitic material ahead of a planned neo-Nazi rally in 2015. While in prison, he was also convicted of racially harassing then-Labour MP Luciana Berger, who is Jewish.

Kemi Badenoch has defended the decision, saying he had been rehabilitated and was now "part of the fight against antisemetism". Adam is joined by political correspondent Joe Pike and home affairs correspondent Daniel Sandford to discuss.

Adam and Joe also look at the other stories making headlines in UK politics. Andy Burnham‘s appeared on another podcast, Green Party leader Zack Polanski has been speaking about Green issues in a more direct way than we’ve often seen him during his tenure.

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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, there has been more criticism from victims’ families over plans to release some prisoners early.

Under the policy, due to begin in October, thousands of prisoners will be eligible to be released part way through their sentences. Ministers announced last night that prisoners guilty of rape, serious child sex offences and grooming will be excluded. Adam is joined by home and legal affairs correspondent Dominic Casciani and Pia Sinha former prison governor and chief executive of the Prison Reform Trust.

And, after a humbling few days for President Trump is he able to reclaim the initiative before the US midterm elections? Adam is joined by Americast’s Anthony Zurcher.

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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, Reform have announced plans to use the Navy to stop small boat crossings. They suggest, that if they are elected, military personnel would accompany migrants back across the English channel, overriding French objections if necessary.

Their opponents have said the plans are unworkable and come at a time when the party has been under pressure. Nigel Farage has been facing questions about his handling of donations and the party’s finances have been under wider scrutiny.

James and Henry unpack the policy and look at why Reform has had a difficult summer.

Plus, what happened when around 60,000 migrants tried to cross into Spanish territory from Morocco in one go? James is joined by Aitor Hernández-Morales, senior reporter at Politico and Greg Holyoke, Middle East North Africa specialist for BBC Monitoring to discuss Thursday’s migration crisis in Ceuta.

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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 David Cameron’s rapid rise to Conservative leader in 2005.

This is the second of six Old Newscasts looking at the story of 30 years of British politics through six votes.

In this two part episode we tell the story of how after another damaging election defeat the Conservatives were once again looking for a new leader. After years in the political wilderness could the Tories elect someone who could end New Labour?

Adam is joined by James Landale who was chief political correspondent of BBC News and George Eustice who was head of press for David Cameron.

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, we look at David Cameron’s rapid rise to Conservative leader in 2005.

This is the second of six Old Newscasts looking at the story of 30 years of British politics through six votes.

In this two part episode we tell the story of how after another damaging election defeat the Conservatives were once again looking for a new leader. After years in the political wilderness could the Tories elect someone who could end New Labour?

Adam is joined by James Landale who was chief political correspondent of BBC News and George Eustice who was head of press for David Cameron.

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, an almighty bust up is happening in the world of football between Fifa and Uefa.

FIFA, who run the World cup, whose President Gianni Infantino recently announced a proposal to sell stakes in its competitions to private investors. UEFA, the governing body of European football, responded by calling an emergency meeting and the confederation unanimously voted in favour of a boycott should these plans go ahead.

Jane Dougall, BBC Sports News Presenter and Simon Jack, Business Editor join Adam to discuss Infantino’s proposal and what might happen next.

Plus, Hamas have agreed to President Donald Trump’s plans to disarm in Gaza. However the deal is contingent on Israel ending "all forms of aggression" and withdrawing its forces from Gaza. International Editor Jeremy Bowen joins Adam to discuss the latest developments on this story and what this might mean for the ongoing conflict.

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, a major incident has been declared in Suffolk where a wildfire the size of 140 football pitches is burning.

The fire is not yet under control, but Suffolk’s chief fire officer says it currently poses no risk to nearby nuclear power station Sizewell B. And, in the rest of the UK, drought has been declared in Wales and more than half of England.

Adam is joined by Anna Murgatroyd, lecturer in hydrology at Newcastle University, and Theodore Keeping, climate and wildfire scientist at Imperial College London, to discuss how the fire service are tackling the blaze plus how daily life could be affected by a drought in England and Wales.

And, the conflict between the US and Iran has expanded following escalations over the last few weeks. The US has retaliated with strikes across the country after Iran launched attacks on US bases in Jordan earlier this week. Caitríona Perry, chief news presenter, and Parham Ghobadi, senior reporter for BBC Persian, join Adam to explain the latest developments in the conflict.

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, Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he wants a major reform of the current social care system in England and set out his three-point plan to achieve it.

The prime minister has brought forward a review of social care by Baroness Casey, and has asked the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats to work with him on his reforms.

But what does Andy Burnham mean by a ‘National Care Service’? Why have 22 previous reviews into adult social care failed to affect change? And how will he fund the major task of fixing social care in England?

Adam is joined by Alison Holt, Social Affairs Editor, Jim Reed, Health Reporter, and Ben Chu, Policy and Analysis Correspondent at BBC Verify, to comb through everything we learned - and everything we didn’t - from the Prime Minister today.

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

Today, secondary school pupils in England will be offered more technical subjects as part of education reforms led by the new Prime Minister.

The courses, which will be available from year 10 onwards will be linked to local industries in the hope of giving children a clearer pathway into work.

Andy Burnham says he’s keen to strengthen links between education and the workplace and these reforms come alongside a new bursary scheme which aims to remove financial barriers to accessing apprenticeships.

Adam discusses the reforms, and whether they can achieve their aims, with Justine Greening, the former education secretary and founder of the Purpose Coalition which aims to improve social mobility and Shane Chowen, editor at FE Week.

Plus, Adam catches up with By-Electioncast veterans Sarah Lester, editor of the Manchester Evening News and Kevin Fitzpatrick, political reporter at Radio Manchester to discuss the Manchester mayoral by-election, which goes to the polls on Thursday.

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