The World Tonight

The World Tonight

By BBC Radio 4News
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The World Tonight episodes

  • King Charles and Queen Camilla meet Trump at White House

    King Charles III and Queen Camilla have met US President Donald Trump and the First Lady Melania Trump at the White House. It's the beginning of their four-day trip and is the first British state visit to the US since Queen Elizabeth II's trip in 2007. We hear from the late Queen's communications secretary on the differences between that trip and this one.

    Also on the programme: as US President Trump faces a third attempt on his life, has America entered a new era of political violence?

    And a new study says food pinched from another person's plate really does taste better.

    39 min
  • US could rescind support for British sovereignty in Falklands

    An internal Pentagon email has emerged outlining possible options for the United States to punish NATO allies it believes have not supported the war in Iran. The proposals include reassessing Washington's position on Britain's claim to the Falkland Islands. We speak to a Falkland Islander, a former deputy Chief of Staff to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and the former head of the Royal Navy.

    The daughter of George Robledo, one of the first foreign footballers in the English game, will receive an award to recognise his contribution tomorrow ahead of the FA Cup Semi-Final in Wembley. We speak to her.

    And Rachel Goldberg-Polin, the mother of Hersh, describes the agony over her son's abduction and murder after the October 7th attacks on Israel.

    38 min
  • 23/04/2026

    In depth reporting, intelligent analysis and breaking news from a global perspective

    38 min
  • Labour MPs share frustration with embattled Starmer

    The Prime Minister is facing hostile briefings from his Labour colleagues after he faced Prime Minister's Questions amid the ongoing scandal over Peter Mandelson’s appointment as Ambassador to the US. We hear from one backbench loyalist and ask how deep the discontent within the Parliamentary Labour Party is.

    Also on the programme: Donald Trump says he won't put a timetable on his ceasefire extension, we examine his claim that Iran's leadership is fractured.

    And as Leicester City drop to the third tier of English football, we discuss the team’s ups and downs with long time fan of the Foxes, the novelist Julian Barnes.

    39 min
  • Official sacked by Starmer says No 10 attitude to vetting "dismissive"

    Former senior official Sir Olly Robbins has accused Downing Street of taking a "dismissive attitude" to vetting during Lord Mandelson's appointment as the UK's ambassador to the US. Sir Olly was sacked as Foreign Office boss last week after it emerged he had cleared Lord Mandelson to take up the role despite officials raising security concerns, without telling Sir Keir Starmer.

    Also tonight, President Trump says he's extending a ceasefire with Iran, until negotiations conclude - but will continue to blockade Iranian ports.

    And London pays tribute to the Cuban Queen of Salsa.

    39 min
  • Sir Keir Starmer tells MPs that officials didn't tell him Lord Mandelson had failed security vetting

    Sir Keir Starmer tells MPs that officials deliberately withheld the news from him that Lord Mandelson had failed security vetting

    We look ahead to tomorrow's appearance at a commons committee by the top foreign office mandarin who's been removed..

    also: how do teachers feel about the new smartphone ban in english schools..

    the New York bookseller who uncovered stolen rarities worth millions..

    are US-Iran talks on..or off..

    and the author of the Selfish Gene pays tribute to the author of the Naked Ape. Richard Dawkins remembers his friend, Desmond Morris.

    38 min
  • "Staggering" I was not told Lord Mandelson failed vetting

    The PM says he is "furious" he was not told about Lord Mandelson failing security vetting, as the government produces a memo showing he was first alerted on Tuesday.

    Donald Trump declares that the "Hormuz Strait situation is over". Is he correct?

    And we remember the life of BBC DJ and champion of world music Andy Kershaw, who has died at the age of 66.

    39 min
  • Lord Mandelson failed vetting but Foreign Office overruled decision

    The prime minister did not know Lord Mandelson failed security vetting for the role of US ambassador until earlier this week, the government has said. We hear from the BBC's political editor and a Labour backbencher.

    As a ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel comes into effect, we speak to our correspondent on the border between the two countries.

    Also on the programme: A rare interview with a representative of the Russian government. And as the Pope criticises "tyrants" who spend billions on war, we look at the modern history of pacifism.

    38 min
  • US war on Iran a "mistake", says Reeves

    The Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said that the US made a "mistake" by ending diplomatic negotiations with Iran and entering into military conflict. Speaking on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund Spring Meetings of finance ministers and bankers, Ms Reeves said the best way to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons was through diplomacy. The BBC has also spoken to the Governor of the Bank of England about how severe the impact on the British economy will be from continued disruption to energy supply.

    Also on the programme, the BBC's Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet reports from inside Iran, amid reports of a possible second round in US-Iran negotiations.

    And the rise of "angry young women" - has the 'manosphere' found its feminist equivalent?

    38 min
  • Government under fire over defence spending

    One of the authors of the government’s Strategic Defence Review has hit out at what he calls "corrosive complacency" on the part of the government. Lord Robertson, a former Labour defence secretary and NATO secretary general, said current levels of welfare spending were unsustainable and that security must be prioritised.

    Also on the programme: The International Monetary Fund warns that the war in Iran will hurt the UK more than any G7 country. And we look at a landmark exhibition on the history of Black British music.

    38 min

About The World Tonight

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In-depth reporting, intelligent analysis and major breaking news from a global perspective

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