The World Tonight

The World Tonight

By BBC Radio 4News
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The World Tonight episodes

  • Suspect captured after crossbow attack leaves mother and two daughters dead

    A suspect wanted over a crossbow attack which left three women dead has been captured. A major police manhunt for Kyle Clifford, 26, ended when he was found injured near a cemetery in North London. The victims of the attack in Bushey, Hertfordshire, have been identified as Carol Hunt, 61, Hannah Hunt, 28, and Louise Hunt, 25. They are the wife and two daughters of BBC racing commentator John Hunt. Locals described them as "kind, friendly and gentle" people who "always made time for others".

    England fans are celebrating as a last-minute goal from substitute Olly Watkins put them through to the final of the Euros. Watkins goal on top of Harry Kane's first-half penalty was enough to seal a 2-1 victory over the Netherlands. They'll face Spain in Berlin on Sunday.

    Hollywood actor George Clooney has called on President Joe Biden to bow out of the election race. In a New York Times op-ed he wrote: "Top Democrats - Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, Nancy Pelosi - and senators, representatives and other candidates who face losing in November need to ask this president to voluntarily step aside."

    39 min
  • Democratic congressman: Joe Biden should stay on

    Democratic party politicians have been holding meetings today after concerns were raised about US president Joe Biden's ability to beat Donald Trump in the race for the White House. We speak to a Democratic congressman who supports the president.

    Also in the programme:

    Joe Biden is set to host a NATO summit in Washington DC as pressure grows around his presidential re-election campaign.

    And social media is awash with concerns about traces of toxic metals in tampons. We speak to a researcher who first raised concerns.

    39 min
  • Macron asks French PM to stay on as deadlock continues

    President Emmanuel Macron of France has asked his prime minister, Gabriel Attal, to stay in the role for now, after no political group won a majority in French parliamentary elections. We'll speak to a former government minister and a former head of the Bank of France and reflect on the result.

    Also in the programme:

    The UN has condemned a series of Russian missile attacks which killed at least 36 people across Ukraine including some at a children's hospital in Kyiv.

    And Rishi Sunak has confirmed his interim shadow cabinet, after 12 members of his top team lost their seats in the general election.

    39 min
  • How will Prime Minister Starmer govern?

    The new prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has promised a period of what he called national renewal. We ask how Sir Keir will govern, and who's made it into his top team.

    Jeremy Corbyn, his predecessor, defied electoral history, holding his seat as independent with nearly 50% of the vote. He joins us live.

    Also on the World Tonight:

    The Conservatives have their smallest number of MPs at a general election in modern times. Tory activists join us to discuss what's next for their party.

    And after just the fourth change in the UK's governing party in 45 years - we reflect on this seismic moment with the distinguished historians Sir Anthony Seldon and Sir Simon Schama.

    38 min
  • Parties make final pitches to voters as campaign ends

    As Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak make their final pitches ahead of polling day on Thursday, we look back at the election campaign with the two main parties - and hear from voters still weighing up their options.

    Also on the programme:

    The White House insists - again - that Joe Biden will not drop out of the US presidential race. But - with persistent and growing criticism of his debate performance - a senior member of Mr Biden's democratic party tells us he may have to.

    And Hurricane Beryl is closing in on Jamaica, bringing winds of nearly 150mph. The UN's climate chief tells us it's a wake-up call.

    38 min
  • Boris Johnson makes last minute campaign appearance

    On the penultimate day of campaigning, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson took to the stage at a Conservative rally in central London, warning that a Labour government would be "pregnant with horrors". Sir Keir Starmer spent the day in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire and spoke to the BBC's Chris Mason on prison overcrowding, pensioners' tax, and immigration.

    In the US, the fallout continues from Joe Biden's dismal debate performance last week, as the first Democratic Congressman publicly called for Biden to step aside. After the Supreme Court ruled Donald Trump enjoyed partial immunity for actions taken in office, a New York judge delayed sentencing in his criminal hush money trial.

    Meanwhile Britain's Supreme Court issued a significant verdict in a dispute between the owners of the Manchester Ship Canal and United Utilities, which will allow the latter to be sued for damages over the dumping of raw sewage in the waterway.

    39 min
  • French centrists and Left strike deals to squeeze out National Rally

    Centrist and left-wing politicians in France are scrambling to strike deals that will reduce the chances of the far-right National Rally winning a majority in the second round of voting of legislative elections on Sunday. Marine Le Pen's party emerged as the largest after the first round of voting. But agreements between parties opposed to her would see candidates step aside in some constituencies to increase the chances of another candidate beating the National Rally. We explain how it works and what the election could mean for the future of Europe.

    In the US, the Supreme Court has ruled that Donald Trump does enjoy immunity for some of the actions he took as president. Trump hailed it as a victory, but in her dissent one justice said the ruling made the President "a king above the law".

    And 32 years since passengers and crew of a British Airways flight were used as human shields by Saddam Hussein, we speak to one of those who is taking legal action against the airline and the British government for allegedly putting them in danger.

    39 min
  • Farage doubles down on allegations Reform UK was "set up" in racism scandal

    Reform UK leader Nigel Farage doubled down on claims his party was "set up" after undercover filming for Channel 4 News recorded racist and homophobic remarks apparently made by some of his campaigners. Speaking at a BBC Question Time special, Farage pointed to previous acting experience from one of those covertly recorded to suggest his remarks had been part of an "act".

    In the US, President Biden sought to regain his footing in the election campaign after a faltering performance in last night's Presidential debate against his predecessor Donald Trump. Speculation continues as to whether he'll face pressure to step aside over concerns about his age and mental acuity.

    And the doner kebab threatens to cause some diplomatic indigestion as German makers push back on a Turkish attempt to get official EU protection for their version of the dish.

    36 min
  • Biden and Trump to face off in TV debate

    Joe Biden and Donald Trump are about to take part in the first televised debate of this US presidential campaign. What should we expect? We hear live from the Democratic and Republican camps.

    Also on the programme:

    Sir Keir Starmer is facing a backlash over comments he made about Bangladeshi asylum seekers. A senior Labour councillor tells us why she's quit the party.

    And the DJ who's launched the first dedicated South Asian stage at Glastonbury.

    39 min
  • Starmer and Sunak clash in fiery final debate

    The Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition seized their final opportunity to define themselves and their policies ahead of next Thursday's election. With a week to go before polling day, Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer engaged in their most fiery debate yet, clashing repeatedly on issues like welfare reform, tax rises, immigration both legal and illegal, and trans rights.

    As we went on air, reports emerged from Bolivia that soldiers and military vehicles were surrounding government buildings in the capital La Paz. The BBC's Will Grant provided updates.

    And legendary rocker Pete Townshend talks about his half-century old album, Quadrophenia, enjoying a new lease of life as it's adapted into a ballet by Sadler's Wells Theatre.

    38 min

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