Today, Laura and Paddy discuss UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s virtual summit with the ‘coalition of the willing’.

Downing Street say representatives from 26 countries joined the Prime Minister this morning to discuss bolstering support for Ukraine by moving military planning to an “operational phase”. But is Russia any closer to agreeing a ceasefire deal? And how strong is a coalition with no US backstop?

And, can Keir Starmer succeed in building coalition within his own party? Laura’s been looking at different Labour factions - and potential cabinet fall-outs - ahead of cuts to welfare spending to be announced next week.

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. It was made by Miranda Slade with Bella Saltiel. The technical producer was Hannah Montgomery. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, Adam, Vicki, Faisal and Nick discuss Starmer’s attempts to speed up government, a possible fight over benefit changes and whether the PM is going to push back more on President Trump.

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 Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Anna Harris. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, Adam and Henry discuss Starmer’s announcement to abolish NHS England, which handles the day to day running of the health service and has been described by the government as the “world’s largest quango”.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting is also on to talk about the plans and what they mean for healthcare in the UK.

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 Adam Fleming. It was made by Chris Flynn with Shiler Mahmoudi and Nancy Geddes. The technical producer was Michael Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, we look at responses and retaliations to President Trump’s universal tariffs on steel and aluminium.

Adam is joined by Caitríona Perry, Chief Presenter BBC News in Washington, and Dharshini David, chief economics correspondent to discuss retaliatory tariffs from the EU and Canada, as well as Keir Starmer’s response.

Plus, Russia is “studying” the proposed plan for a 30-day ceasefire with Ukraine. Chris Steele, former head of the Russia Desk at MI6, discusses how the Kremlin will approach any negotiation.

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 Adam Fleming. It was made by Miranda Slade and Anna Harris. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, we look at Ukraine saying it is ready to accept a US proposal for an initial 30-day ceasefire.

The decision comes after US and Ukrainian officials met in Saudi Arabia for talks. Washington will also immediately restore intelligence sharing and “security assistance” to Ukraine. Adam is joined by Lord Kim Darroch - Former British Ambassador to the US and Former UK National Security.

Plus, President Trump has ordered 50% tariffs on Canadian steel. It comes after the worst day of 2025 for US financial markets. Adam is joined by Faisal Islam, BBC economics editor to examine how the markets are reacting to the trade war, and why President Trump might be happy to take the risk.

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 Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Anna Harris. The technical producer was Jonny Baker. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, we look at the new Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney, who has vowed to win a trade war with President Trump.

Mark Carney, the former Governor of the Bank of England, will become the next Prime Minister of Canada after winning his party’s leadership contest. Carney will be sworn in, in the coming days and has vowed to win the trade war with US President Donald Trump. Adam speaks to Chris Giles, Economics Commentator at the FT and Jayme Poisson host of CBC’s Front Burner podcast.

And, Adam is joined by Alex to discuss more changes to the planning system being announced by the government. Plus, news of a first by-election for Keir Starmer to face after former Labour MP, now independent, Mike Amesbury announced he will resign at the “earliest opportunity”.

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/NbuxWnmY

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 Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Anna Harris . The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, we hear from Ukrainians as their leader gets ready for another big week of peace talks and diplomacy.

Laura, Paddy and Henry also discuss government plans to overhaul the civil service. Plus, they assess Reform UK’s “infighting” following the suspension of an MP.

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/NbuxWnmY

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, Paddy O’Connell and Henry Zeffman. It was made by Ben Mundy and Nancy Geddes. The technical producer was Ben Andrews. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, Laura and Paddy answer your questions about the war in Ukraine, President Trump’s tactics, and the possibilities of a peace deal.

We also discuss Keir Starmer’s approach to global politics, and whether his "statesman-like" appearances on the global stage have helped him back home.

You can now listen to Newscast on your 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/NbuxWnmY

New episodes are 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. It was made by Ben Mundy and Nancy Geddes. The technical producer was Gareth Jones. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, Adam, Chris, Caitríona and James discuss if Sir Keir Starmer’s strategy for President Trump is working? Plus, can the Prime Minister reconcile his international agenda with his domestic one?”

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/NbuxWnmY

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 Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Anna Harris. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Today, we discuss the emergency EU summit taking place in Brussels.

Adam catches up with Europe editor Katya Adler about the discussions taking place about how the EU can bolster their defence spending, as well as supporting Ukraine in the face of uncertainty with the US. And Ukraine correspondent James Waterhouse dials in to discuss how Zelensky is approaching the summit, and how Ukrainians are feeling a week on from the heated exchange in the Oval Office.

And Chris Mason drops in to discuss the Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood taking on the independent Sentencing Council over new guidance which would make the ethnicity or faith of an offender a bigger factor when deciding whether to jail them.

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/NbuxWnmY

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 Adam Fleming. It was made by Miranda Slade with Shiler Mahmoudi. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham

Today, we discuss the Chancellor Rachel Reeves looking at making spending cuts worth billions to the government’s welfare budget.

The Treasury will put the proposed cuts to the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) on Wednesday amid expectations the chancellor's financial headroom has disappeared. Adam is joined by economics editor Faisal Islam to unpack what we know about the proposed cuts, and the chancellor’s Spring Statement later this month.

And, former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has spoken to the Nick Robinson in his first wide-ranging interview since leaving Downing Street. Nick and Adam unpack what Rishi had to say, including why he regrets the ‘Stop the Boats’ slogan, how he felt about a podcast questioning his Englishness and what his political philosophy boils down to.

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/NbuxWnmY

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 Adam Fleming. It was made by Miranda Slade with Shiler Mahmoudi and Anna Harris. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham