Newscast

Today, the long-anticipated minerals deal may be about to be signed by the US and Ukraine.Adam speaks to BBC chief presenter Caitriona Perry and BBC diplomatic correspondent James Landale about why an agreement is back on the agenda. We also discuss President Trump's cabinet meeting where he blamed former president Biden for “bad numbers” after a report found the US economy has shrunk by 0.3% since January, the first time since 2022. And, has the government been challenged on its climate change policies by former Labour prime minister Tony Blair? Climate editor Justin Rowlatt joins Adam to discuss.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://discord.gg/m3YPUGv9New 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://bit.ly/3ENLcS1 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 Shiler Mahmoudi and Alix Pickles. The technical producer was Mike Regaard The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Lyse Doucet, BBC's chief international correspondent, joins the discussion to unpack the surprising rise of Mark Carney as the new leader of the Liberal Party in Canada. They delve into the unexpected political shifts and the challenges faced by the new Prime Minister, including the influence of international factors like Trump’s tariffs. Doucet highlights Carney's evolving media presence and even shares a fun take on his dance moves at his victory party. The conversation also touches on the complexities of Canadian sovereignty in a changing global landscape.

In this discussion, Steve Rosenberg, the BBC's Russia Editor, dives into the complexities of Russia's ceasefire proposal in Ukraine, highlighting the intricate negotiations at play. Meanwhile, Keith Bell, a Professor at the University of Strathclyde, sheds light on the major power cuts affecting Spain and Portugal, exploring the vulnerabilities in our reliance on electricity. The conversation also touches upon the societal impacts of such outages and the importance of preparedness in modern energy systems.

Today we look at what politicians are saying on camera and behind the scenes about the local elections coming up on Thursday.Laura, Paddy, and Henry discuss whether it could be a good week for all the parties apart from Labour and the Conservatives.And there’s talk of a future coalition between Reform and the Conservative Party. 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://discord.gg/m3YPUGv9New 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://bit.ly/3ENLcS1Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O'Connell with Henry Zeffman. It was made by Chris Flynn and Bella Saltiel. The technical producer was Jonny Hall. The weekend series editor is Chris Flynn. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

A historic meeting between Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump at Pope Francis' funeral sparks discussions about peace in Ukraine. The conversation dives into the emotional weight of this encounter and the challenges facing Ukraine's leadership amid ongoing conflicts. Symbolism and the political landscape are analyzed, especially in light of upcoming UK local elections. The episode is rounded off with lighthearted banter about the next James Bond film and motivational support for marathon runners, keeping the tone both engaging and reflective.

Today, we’re looking ahead to local elections taking place in England on Thursday 1 May.Adam and Chris are joined by friends of the podcast Matt Chorley and Professor Jane Green, Director of the Nuffield Politics Research Centre at the University of Oxford, to discuss the upcoming local elections, and tips for interpreting the results. 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://discord.gg/m3YPUGv9New 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://bit.ly/3ENLcS1 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 Shiler Mahmoudi. The technical producer was Jack Graysmark. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Anbarasan Ethirajan, the South Asia Regional Editor for BBC News, dives into pressing geopolitical issues in South Asia. He discusses the potential youth visa scheme amidst UK-EU negotiations, shedding light on the intricacies of post-Brexit relations. The conversation heats up as tensions rise between India and Pakistan following a deadly attack in Kashmir, exploring the impact of history and misinformation on the volatile region. Ethirajan offers keen insights into how these dynamics affect public perception and future diplomacy.

James Landale, the BBC's diplomatic correspondent, joins Sumi Somaskanda, chief presenter in Washington, and Faisal Islam, economics editor, to unravel the intricacies of Trump’s influence on Ukraine’s peace negotiations. They discuss Zelensky's stance on Crimea and the fallout from US officials pulling out of peace talks in London. Islam shares insights from the IMF meetings, discussing economic implications of Trump's tariffs on global trade, especially with China and the UK, as geopolitical tensions mount in the backdrop of shifting diplomatic landscapes.

Catherine Pepinster, former editor of The Tablet and author, joins theologian Gemma Simmonds to discuss the aftermath of Pope Francis's passing. They delve into the emotional weight of the papal funeral and its significance for the Catholic community. Insights into the upcoming conclave reveal a blend of spiritual discernment and political maneuvering as cardinals prepare to choose a successor. Expect candid discussions on the Pope's legacy and the complexities of leadership transitions, both within the Church and globally.

Today, we’re going to look back what happened after the collapse of Lehman Brothers - which sparked the global financial crisis. Adam is joined by economics editor, Faisal Islam and columnist at the FT, Gillian Tett.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://discord.gg/m3YPUGv9New 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://bit.ly/3ENLcS1Newscast 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 Miranda Slade. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.