Newscast

Today, we look at the local election results in full.

Reform now have well over 600 councillors. Party leader Nigel Farage said the victory over Labour and the Conservatives was “unprecedented”.

The Liberal Democrats are also celebrating after successful election results. The party increased their number of councillors, with its leader Ed Davey saying they are now “the part of Middle England”.

Pollster Luke Tryl joins Paddy and Laura.

And we’ll have all the latest reaction from Prince Harry’s bombshell BBC exclusive interview on Friday.

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.

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://bit.ly/3ENLcS1

Today, Reform have won the Runcorn and Helsby by-election by just six votes - one of the closest parliamentary elections ever. Sarah Pochin overturned Labour's large majority to become Reform's fifth MP after a recount.

Elsewhere, Reform wins its first mayoral election in Greater Lincolnshire, and Labour narrowly holds three mayoral races in North Tyneside, the West of England, and Doncaster - with Reform second in all three.

This is still an emerging picture, with plenty more results to come.

Adam is joined by Chris Mason, Laura Kuenssberg - as well as Richard Fuller from the Conservatives, Luke Pollard from Labour, Adrian Ramsay from the Greens and Daisy Cooper from the Lib Dems.

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.

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://bit.ly/3ENLcS1

Today, we look at what’s in the deal struck between the United States and Ukraine that will give Washington access to some of the war-torn country's natural resources.

International editor Jeremy Bowen also explains what it could mean for the conflict.

And the Football Association has banned transgender women from playing in women’s matches in England. Legal correspondent Dominic Casciani and sports journalist Jane Dougall put the decision into context.

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.

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://bit.ly/3ENLcS1

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.

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://bit.ly/3ENLcS1

Today, we react to Mark Carney pulling off a surprise victory in the Canadian election as leader of the Liberal Party.

Adam is joined by chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet and host of CBC News daily news podcast Front Burner Jayme Poisson to discuss how Carney, who has never held political office, has managed to win the election despite the Conservatives leading in nationwide polls for over a year before Donald Trump was elected as US president.

Also, economics editor Faisal Islam speaks to Adam about his exclusive interview with Mark Carney

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.

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://bit.ly/3ENLcS1

Today, Spain and Portugal have been hit by large power cuts. The Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez says the cause is still unknown.

Adam is joined by Rachel Morison, Energy Editor at Bloomberg, and Professor Keith Bell, Professor of Future Power systems at the University of Strathclyde, to discuss what we know - and what we don’t - about the huge power outages on the Iberian peninsula. Plus, what is the UK energy grid’s plan for if something similar were to happen here?

And the Kremlin has announced a three-day ceasefire in Ukraine, just after Donald Trump said he might be ready to walk away from negotiations and accusing Vladimir Putin of not wanting to end the war. Russia Editor Steve Rosenberg joins from Moscow to discuss what concessions Russia is seeking in a peace deal.

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.

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://bit.ly/3ENLcS1

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/m3YPUGv9

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://bit.ly/3ENLcS1

Newscast 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.

Today, we discuss the pictures coming from The Vatican of President Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump meeting in St Peter’s Basilica before Pope Francis’ funeral.

Laura and Paddy discuss whether it could be an important moment as discussions about an end to the war in Ukraine continue.

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.

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://bit.ly/3ENLcS1

Today, we discuss whether the EU and UK are about to do a deal on a youth visa scheme.

Labour has previously said it has "no plans" for such a scheme, which would make it easier for young people to study and work abroad. But today, the government is no longer ruling it out ahead of a bit summit next month. Adam and Chris discuss the possible “reset”

And, tensions are rising between India and Pakistan following an attack that killed 26 people in Kashmir. Adam speaks to Shruti Menon, Senior Journalist at BBC Verify and Anbarasan Ethirajan, BBC South Asia Region Editor for BBC News.

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.

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://bit.ly/3ENLcS1