Newscast

Today, four of the BBC’s top political brains preview the local elections coming up on May 2.

Adam and Chris are joined by Alex Forsyth and Henry Zeffman to chat about what they will be looking out for in the lead-up to the local elections, how the results could shape the political landscape for the general election and nerd out about a weekend of “rolling psephological fun”.

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 Gray with Miranda Slade. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Today we look at the price of chocolate and why it has increased so much this year.

Earlier this week the price of Cocoa hit $10000 per metric ton - the highest level ever. This is being felt in the price of Easter eggs, with some products going up in price by over 50%.

Adam is joined by the BBC’s Faisal Islam alongside Professor Elizabeth Robinson, Director of the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment and the Associate Director for Responsible Business at the Fairtrade Foundation, Anna Mann to explore what’s behind these price increases and what they tell us about the climate crisis and food security,

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 Gray with Gemma Roper and Joe Wilkinson. The technical producer was Frank McWeeny. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham

Today we look at the increase in sewage spills into England’s waterways and how the Competition and Markets Authority is trying to prevent ‘greenwashing’ by fashion companies.

Adam is joined by BBC climate reporter Esme Stallard to help explore these two stories.

BBC Panorama and Countryfile journalist Joe Crowley speaks to Adam and Esme about the amount of sewage in Britain’s rivers and seas. And BBC Newsbeat’s Pria Rai, explains why fashion companies are promising to change the way they present the environmental impact of their clothes.

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 Miranda Slade and Gemma Roper. The technical producer was Hannah Montgomery. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, Adam discusses the news that 3.8 million smart meters in Great Britain are not working properly.

BBC Breakfast Business presenter Nina Warhurst and CEO of Energy UK Emma Pinchbeck join Adam to talk about the customers who’ve received wrong readings, how suppliers should respond and how far the UK’s energy infrastructure is from being truly ‘smart’.

And International Editor Jeremy Bowen is in Jerusalem and speaks to Adam about diplomatic relations between the US and Israel, following the US abstaining from the UN Security Council ceasefire vote, and how this will affect Qatari negotiations between Israel and Hamas.

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 Gemma Roper and Joe Wilkinson. The technical producer was Sam Dickinson. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, the UK government has formally accused China of being behind what it called "malicious" cyber campaigns against MPs and the Electoral Commission.

Adam and Chris are joined by The Spectator’s Cindy Yu to discuss what we know so far about the cyber-attacks and the impact this could have on the UK’s diplomatic relations with China.

And Adam speaks to Wales’ new First Minister Vaughan Gething about the issues in his in-tray.

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 Gemma Roper and Joe Wilkinson. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, we’ve heard the chancellor commit to keeping the triple lock pensions system in place, if the Conservatives win the next election.

It means the increase in the state pension will rise by the highest rate out of average earnings growth, inflation, or 2.5%.

Laura, Paddy and Henry also discuss whether the government should be counting a drop in inflation as a win.

And, the three of them discuss how traditional media is reflecting on its own role in the frenzy of speculation about the Princess of Wales that preceded her cancer diagnosis disclosure.

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 Paddy O’Connell and Laura Kuenssberg. It was made by Chris Flynn and Miranda Slade. The technical producer was Sam Dickinson. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, security correspondent Gordon Corera joins Paddy and Laura to discuss the news from Moscow, President Putin’s address to the nation and some of the questions that remain about the attack.

And, following the Princess of Wales’ video statement revealing she is receiving treatment for cancer, we hear from You, Me and the Big C host Steve Bland about how to support families affected by cancer.

Today we look at the news that the Princess of Wales has been diagnosed with cancer.

In a video statement Princess Catherine says she is in the early stages of treatment after cancer was found in tests. Details of the cancer have not been disclosed, but Kensington Palace says it is confident the Princess will make a full recovery. The Princess's statement explains that when she had abdominal surgery in January, it was not known that there was any cancer, but she sent a positive message, saying: "I am well and getting stronger every day."

Adam is joined by BBC Royal correspondent, Daniela Relph, BBC medical editor Fergus Walsh + Newsnight and Ukrainecast presenter Victoria Derbyshire tells us what it’s like to receive a cancer diagnosis.

You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere

Today we look at a long awaited report, which says women born in the 1950s affected by changes to the state pension age should receive thousands of pounds in compensation.

The report suggests the so called Waspi (Women Against State Pension Inequality) women, should receive a payout of between £1,000 and £2,950. Some 2.6 million women were affected by the change in the pension age, and if everyone got the upper end of that, the government would face a bill of up to £7.7bn. Neither the government or Labour have so far committed to paying this. Adam and Chris speak to the chair of Waspi Angela Madden and Senior Money Reporter at the Times Lily Russell-Jones

And, Adam and Chris are joined by Sam McAlister author of Scoops, the story behind the Prince Andrew Newsnight interview. The book has been adapted into a Netflix drama starring Gillian Anderson, which comes out on April 5th.

A small amendment was made to this podcast after publication.

You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere

Today, we look at the drop in the rate of inflation from 4% to 3.4%.

And we discuss the latest twist in the news surrounding the Princess of Wales. James speaks to Russell Myers, Daily Mirror Royal Editor, who broke the story reporting an alleged breach at the private hospital where Kate received treatment. The hospital in question says ‘any breach’ of patient information would be investigated. James and Russell reflect on the way Kensington Palace has handled the online speculations regarding Kate’s absence.