Following a presumed Israeli retaliatory strike on Iran, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken joins renewed international calls for de-escalation. Israel has not commented on the attack, which saw projectiles reach deep into Iran. 
 
Also on the programme: the US Congress moves closer to approving $60 billion of aid for Ukraine; in India voting begins in the world’s biggest election. 
 
(Picture: Antony Blinken at the G7 foreign ministers meeting in Capri, Italy, April 19, 2024.Credit: REUTERS/Remo Casilli)

US calls for calm after strike on Iran

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The US has accused Russia of deploying chemical weapons as a "method of warfare" in Ukraine, in violation of international laws banning their use. We speak to a Ukrainian MP who is near the frontline in Donetsk region. Also on the programme: a UN expert says the death of an 8-year-old boy in the West Bank appears to be a “war crime” after reviewing evidence gathered by the BBC; and a paediatrician tells us how a small change in interior design can make a big difference to neurodiverse people.   (Photo: Russian servicemen march to Red Square for a rehearsal for the annual military parade. Credit: EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

US accuses Russia of using chemical weapons

The BBC has carried out an investigation into the death of a Palestinian boy in the West Bank - an investigation which a UN expert says may amount to evidence of a war crime. 
 
Also in the programme: as police in Los Angeles dismantle another pro-Palestinian university encampment, we hear from the veteran US senator Bernie Sanders. Plus, how scientists reconstructed a Neanderthal woman's face. (Photo: Adam, eight, was shot in the head as he ran away from Israeli armoured vehicles. Credit: BBC)

BBC investigates West Bank killing

An Israeli deadline looms for Hamas to respond to its offer of a ceasefire in return for the release of some hostages. We hear from Israeli politician Ohad Tal who is with the National Religious Party–Religious Zionism party. Also in the programme; US senator Bernie Sanders; and Emily Blunt and Ryan Gosling on the Fall Guy (Picture: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with the families of the hostages outside of a hotel, in Tel Aviv. Credit: Reuters)

Deadline looms for Hamas to respond to offer of a ceasefire

Chaotic scenes on US university campuses after police raid a sit-in protest at Columbia University in New York making more than 100 arrests, and violence breaks out between rival demonstrators at UCLA in Los Angeles. Also in the programme: protestors in the Georgian capital Tbilisi clash with riot police as a proposed new law polarises opinion between pro EU and  pro Russian elements; could this have far wider consequences? And we reflect on the life of American novelist Paul Auster who has died. (IMAGE: CHP officers put on their gear amid clashes near an encampment (not pictured) by supporters of Palestinians in Gaza, on the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., May 1, 2024 / CREDIT: Reuters / David Swanson)

US university Gaza protests intensify

Binyamin Natanyahu reaffirms his intention to send troops to Rafah; UN Secretary-General says such an assault would be devastating. We unpick the latest developments, including speculation about a possible ceasefire deal, with analyst Ya'akov Katz.  Also in the programme: Donald Trump is fined for contempt of court; and a Finnish cyber-criminal is jailed for trying to blackmail thousands of people with their confidential psychotherapy notes. (Photo: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on February 18, 2024. Credit: REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun//File Photo)

US calls for calm after strike on Iran

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