Leila Nathoo And Rajini Vaidyanathan Join BBC World Service's Newshour

The BBC World Service has announced that journalists Leila Nathoo and Rajini Vaidyanathan will join the presenting team of its flagship daily news programme, Newshour, in the new year.

Newshour delivers interviews, breaking news, and analysis of global events to an audience of over 80 million listeners worldwide, making it the largest international English-language news service.

Leila Nathoo joins from BBC Westminster, where she has been a Political Correspondent since 2017. She covered key events in British politics, including the UK's withdrawal from the EU and the government's response to the Covid-19 pandemic, reporting on five prime ministers and three general elections across TV, radio, and online platforms. Over the past two years, she has also presented on BBC Radio 4 programmes including Today, PM, and Westminster Hour, as well as on BBC 5Live. Leila has previously reported as Africa Correspondent in Nairobi and from Delhi.

Rajini Vaidyanathan will expand her role to work across BBC World Service English and the BBC News Channel. She brings extensive international reporting experience, including coverage of India’s general elections, the Sri Lankan uprising, and the Rohingya refugee crisis. Previously based in Washington DC, Rajini reported on the 2008 and 2016 US presidential elections and is now a regular presenter on the BBC News Channel and weekend bulletins on BBC One.

Tim de Faramond, Editor of Newshour, said: "There's never been a more important time for public service broadcasters to deliver fair and incisive journalism to audiences, and I'm thrilled that our listeners will be able to enjoy the expertise and sharp interviewing skills of Leila and Rajini as they guide them through the biggest events shaping our world."

Leila Nathoo said: "I'm thrilled to be joining the World Service and the Newshour team. I can’t wait to be speaking to millions of listeners around the world to help bring clarity and insight on the biggest international stories. Newshour is a must-listen for anyone wanting to understand global events and I’m so excited to be a part of it."

Rajini Vaidyanathan added: "As a foreign correspondent for many years, Newshour was always an essential part of my world, as a listener and contributor. I often appeared on the show from far flung locations and stories, so it's a huge honour to join the fantastic team as a presenter. I'll continue to present on the BBC TV news channel, and I am excited to find ways to collaborate and serve audiences on all platforms."

www.bbc.co.uk