BONUS NEWSCAST! Review of the Year 2026... So Far

We’re only four weeks into the new year, but it feels like a year’s worth of news has happened already. So Radio 4 asked us to do a (very early) review of 2026 so far, and we thought we’d put it in your feed as a bonus episode. Adam and Henry are in the studio. Chris joins from home as he prepares in all sorts of ways for a trip to China with the Prime Minister.They chat through the fights of the left and right that have set the tone in the early part of year before chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet pops in to discuss Trump, Greenland, Venezuala, Iran, and how the world’s reacted to it all.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/newscastdiscordGet 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/4guXgXdThe presenters were Adam Fleming and Chris Mason. It was made by Chris Flynn with Chloe Scannapieco. The technical producer was Phil Bull. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, the chancellor has announced a package of support for pubs and music venues after the government was forced to U-turn on their plans to bump up business rates. BBC Business editor Simon Jack joins Adam to explain the measures, whilst political correspondent Joe Pike drops by to unpack the government’s other big announcement of the day - capping ground rents at £250 a year for leaseholders.Plus, the PM is on his way to Beijing. Ahead of his visit, Starmer said the UK cannot afford to ignore the economic opportunities presented by working with China. His visit comes after one of the country’s top generals was purged by the government. Our China correspondent Laura Bicker gives Adam a rundown of what to expect.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/newscastdiscordGet 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 presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Anna Harris with Shiler Mahmoudi. The social producer was Joe Wilkinson. The technical producers were Dave O’Neill and. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, Adam and Chris discuss ex-Conservative home secretary Suella Braverman defecting to Reform. She’s the third sitting Tory MP to do so in the last eleven days.Also happening in Westminster — the Prime Minister has been defending the decision to block Manchester mayor Andy Burnham from standing in the Gorton and Denton by-election. It’s reported that 50 Labour MPs wrote to Keir Starmer to complain about the decision.And, a 37-year-old man — Alex Pretti — was shot dead in Minneapolis by Border Patrol agents on Saturday. This is the second shooting by federal agents in less than three weeks. Adam speaks to BBC North America editor and Americast host Sarah Smith.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/newscastdiscordGet 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 presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Anna Harris and Shiler Mahmoudi. The social producer was Joe Wilkinson. The technical producers were Philip Bull & Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, Andy Burnham has said he is "disappointed" after being blocked from standing as a candidate for the upcoming parliamentary by-election in Gorton and Denton by Labour's ruling body.As a directly elected mayor, Burnham had to get approval from Labour's national executive committee (NEC), after he applied to be a candidate on Saturday.But Labour said the party had decided to deny him permission to stand to "avoid an unnecessary mayoral election, which would use substantial amounts of taxpayers' money and resources".Adam and Chris are here to discuss what it means and what might happen next. 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/newscastdiscordGet 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/4guXgXdThe presenters were Adam Fleming and Chris. It was made by Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, members of the Labour National Executive Committee (NEC) met to make a decision on whether or not to let Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham run for MP for Gorton and Denton in its upcoming by-election.We discuss who could vote which way and whether it could lead to Prime Minister Keir Starmer facing a leadership challenge after the May elections.Joe Pike, political correspondent, joins Paddy and Laura to chat it all through.After we originally published this podcast we got the news that Andy Burnham had been blocked from running in Gorton and Denton, so we recorded a new beginning.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/newscastdiscordGet 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/4guXgXdThe presenters were Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O’Connell. It was made by Chris Flynn with Jem Westgate. The social producer was Grace Braddock. The technical producer was Jack Graysmark. The weekend series producer is Chris Flynn. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, Andy Burnham has confirmed he is officially seeking permission to enter the running to become MP for Gorton and Denton in the upcoming by-election, opening the possibility for him to contest Keir Starmer’s leadership.However, Burnham has to get approval from Labour's ruling national executive committee, which Keir Starmer and some of his allies are on, before he can enter the race to be the party's candidate.Laura and Paddy are joined by Gemma Bolton from the committee to discuss why some other members think he should be allowed.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/newscastdiscordGet 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 The presenters were Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O’Connell. It was made by Chris Flynn with Jem Westgate. The social producer was Grace Braddock. The technical producer was Jack Graysmark. The weekend series producer is Chris Flynn. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, President Trump’s actions at Davos have caused a stir - but have they moved the dial on how other world leaders respond to the US President?The President used his two days at the World Economic Forum at Davos to set out his worldview in a wide-ranging speech, agree what he called a 'framework of future deal' over Greenland and hold an inauguration for his ‘Board of Peace’. Adam and Chris are joined by Lyse Doucet, chief international correspondent, and Caitriona Perry, chief presenter for BBC News in Washington, to discuss how Donald Trump dominated Davos plus whether Canadian PM Mark Carney is fighting back. 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/newscastdiscordGet 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 presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Chris Gray with Miranda Slade. The social producer was Joe Wilkinson. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, President Trump has wrapped up his second and final day at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The President held an inauguration for his new “Board of Peace” and met with Ukraine’s President Zelensky - which Zelensky said included agreeing post-war security guarantees for his country. BBC chief North America correspondent Gary O’Donoghue and the Economist’s Shashank Joshi break it all down. And the former Labour Minister Andrew Gwynne confirmed his plans to retire on medical grounds triggering a by-election that could pave the way for Andy Burnham to run and ultimately launch a leadership challenge against Keir Starmer. Political correspondent Joe Pike joins Adam to explain why polticos have been speculating. 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/newscastdiscordGet 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 presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Anna Harris with Shiler Mahmoudi and Chloe Scannapieco. The social producer was Beth Pritchard. The technical producers were James Piper and Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, Donald Trump addressed the World Economic Forum at Davos to confirm he wants ‘immediate negotiations’ to acquire Greenland but ‘won’t use force’.Adam is joined by Faisal Islam, who was in the room watching Trump speak, and Caitriona Perry in Washington to decode President Trump’s wide-ranging speech. 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/newscastdiscordGet 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 presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Miranda Slade with Shiler Mahmoudi. The social producer was Joe Wilkinson. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, the UK Government has defended its decision to hand over the Chagos Islands after Donald Trump called the deal “an act of GREAT STUPIDITY!” on Truth Social.Adam and Chris put the president’s comments to Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, and ask whether Keir Starmer’s relationship with Donald Trump is being tested by his social media posts.And, we hear Darren Jones’ vision for reforming the civil service, including a digital state and changing following a speech he gave on Tuesday morning at a London tech company. 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/newscastdiscordGet 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 Adam Fleming and Chris Mason. It was made by Miranda Slade with Chloe Scannapieco. The social producer was Joe Wilkinson. The technical producer was Michael Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.