Newscast

Today we look at local elections!

On Thursday, voters head to the polls to elect councillors, mayors, and police and crime commissioners.

These are the last local elections before the next general election, but what will we learn from the results? And who has Luke Skywalker endorsed?

Adam and Chris are joined by election guru Professor Sir John Curtice and political correspondent Alex Forsyth.

And, Scotland editor James Cook has been speaking to former SNP leader Humza Yousaf after he resigned on Monday.

Today's Newscast was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Chris Flynn with Natasha Mayo and Sam McLaren. The technical producer was Hannah Montgomery. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, we look at whether the government has lost track of some of the migrants it aims to send to Rwanda. And, whether this is linked to a rise in migration to Ireland?

Today, we look Humza Yousaf stepping down as Scotland’s first minister.

Who will become the new first minister? What does this mean for Scottish independence? Adam is joined by Chris and BBC Scotland Editor James Cook.

Dr Dan Poulter has quit the Conservatives and joins Labour, saying that he “found it increasingly difficult to look my NHS colleagues in the eye”.

Laura, Paddy and Henry discussion all the ramifications; what it means for Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer. And the inevitable question - could it affect when the Prime Minister calls an election?

In Scotland, it’s set to be a bumpy week for Humza Yousaf. Laura’s been speaking with his former boss and head of the Alba party, Alex Salmond, who’s suggested his party could offer support to the SNP. But the First Minister has pledged to battle through without his support. The question is: how?

Listen to the Newscast Ultimate Guide to the local elections here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0hmkdy4

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 Rufus Gray. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham

Diplomatic correspondent James Landale talks to Paddy and Laura about why Britain is considering working in tandem with the United States to deliver aid from a new sea route - and what problems it could throw up for the government before the next election.

And there’s been a week of widespread American student protests against Israel's military campaign in Gaza. Laura has spoken to the former Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, who has urged protestors to direct their anger to Hamas, as well as Israel.

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

Today's Newscast was presented by Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O’Connell. It was made by Chris Gray with Rufus Gray. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, we look at Humza Yousaf facing a vote of no confidence in the Scottish Parliament.

The First Minister says he won’t resign and is ‘very confident’ he’ll win the vote. The vote was triggered after he ended a power-sharing agreement between the SNP and Scottish Greens, because of disagreements over climate policy and the use of puberty blockers for under 18s.

And Tim Shipman, author of All Out War and No Way Out, speaks to Adam about the Brexit years and the role of the ‘mating porcupines’.

Today, we look at Labour’s plan to renationalise most rail services within five years, if it wins the next election.

Labour say a new public body would take over current contracts when they expire, taking on the responsibility for running services. But transport secretary Mark Harper said the plans were "unfunded". Labour’s shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh joins Adam and Alex to talk through the plans, and answers the question - why is wifi so bad on some trains?

And, comedian and social media star Michael Spicer talks about his new sketch podcast No Room.

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

Today we look at a bill which would force TikTok’s owner to sell its US arm, or face being banned in the country.

It’s driven by fears that user data is shared with the Chinese government. TikTok has called the law "unconstitutional" and says it will "challenge it in court”.

Adam speaks to BBC technology editor Zoe Kleinman, and head of social media for German broadcaster DW, Johanna Rudiger.

Plus we hear from Chris, who has been with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as he met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Today, we look at Rishi Sunak’s promise to spend billions more on defence.

Sunak said UK military spending would rise to 2.5% of national income by 2030. The prime minister was in Poland to pledge £500 million in extra support for Ukraine, but claimed the extra money for defence would put the UK’s defence industry "on a war footing". Adam is joined by former armed forces minister, James Heappey MP.

And, the day after the government’s Rwanda policy passed through Parliament, BBC Home Affairs Correspondent Tom Symonds has been speaking to migrants in northern France who are preparing to cross the Channel to get to the UK. And, the BBC’s Africa correspondent Barbara Plett Usher has been to see where the migrants will stay when they arrive in Rwanda.

Today we look at the Safety of Rwanda bill, which passed through parliament tonight after a back and forth with the Lords.

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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 Joe Wilkinson and Sam McLaren. The technical producer was Matt Hewitt. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.