The World Tonight

The longest shutdown in US history became even more severe today as hundreds of flights were cancelled by the federal government to reduce strain on air traffic controllers, who haven't been paid for five weeks. We hear from travellers, airport staff and a Republican congressman on the growing political pressure to find a deal in Congress that would end the government shutdown. Also on the programme: one of the pioneers of artificial intelligence tells us why he's profoundly concerned about the potential harm from the technology. And the geneticist who co-discovered DNA, James Watson, has died aged 97. We hear from a lifelong friend.

As world leaders gather in Brazil, Prince William tells them they must urgently work together to prevent further climate change. But how much can be achieved with the leaders of some of the world’s largest CO2 emitters - the US, China, Russia and India - absent from the meeting? Also on the programme: top Democrat Nancy Pelosi announces her retirement after nearly four decades in the US Congress; and the actress Pauline Collins, best known for her roles in 'Upstairs Downstairs' and 'Shirley Valentine', has died at the age of 85. We speak to her friend and co-star Tom Conti.

Two prisoners have been wrongly released from the same London prison. We ask a former head of security at HMP Wandsworth how two of its inmates could have been mistakenly freed - and the Labour chair of the Justice Committee about whether the government should take responsibility. One year after his re-election Donald Trump has wished himself a happy anniversary, but Americans have sent a different message in local and state elections. After big wins for his opponents - how big a setback is it for the US President? And as the government announces a new national forest - how do you create a good one?

New Yorkers could redraw the US’s political faultlines today if the left-wing frontrunner for city mayor, Zohran Mamdani, defeats former state governor Andrew Cuomo. Donald Trump has already set his sights on Mamdani, threatening to withdraw federal funding form New York City if the 34-year-old democratic socialist wins the mayoralty. We hear from one of Mamdani’s informal advisers, Patrick Gaspard. Also on the programme: the BBC exposes an organised crime network behind high street shops involved in fraud, tax evasion and illegal working; and Dick Cheney, one of the most powerful US Vice Presidents of all time, has died. We hear from a close aide who was with him on 9/11.

The Tanzanian president Samia Suluhu Hassan has been sworn in despite protests over a disputed election, and reports that hundreds of people have been killed in a crackdown by the security forces. We hear from a former MP and diplomat who has been in the country for weeks on holiday. Also on the programme: the author Salman Rushdie speaks to us ahead of the publication of his first work of fiction since being stabbed three years ago. And, could a change in credit-rating to include rental payments help young people get on the housing ladder?

The government says it has no plans to change the law in order to remove Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, from the line of succession. Meanwhile, US lawmakers have seized on Andrew's loss of his royal title to renew their calls for him to give evidence in their investigations into the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. We hear from one of them. Also on the programme: survivors of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica scramble for food and supplies. And, as a new study shows the importance of churches in bat conservation, a parish vicar explains how she accommodates her long-term guests.

Buckingham Palace says Prince Andrew will lose his 'prince' title and from now on be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. He will also move out of Royal Lodge. In a statement, the Palace said, "these censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him." We hear from a royal biographer and a lawyer who represents many of the victims of Jeffrey Epstein. Also on the programme: RSF forces in Sudan are accused of committing mass killings in a hospital in the city of El-Fashir. And what's it like to live in the neighbourhood deemed "most deprived" for a fourth consecutive year?

US President Trump will meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping for the first time since returning to the White House in the coming hours. President Trump has said he expects to agree a deal to ease trade tensions between the two economic rivals. We hear from a Chinese economist and US congressman. Also on the programme: a report from Rio where police raids on drugs gangs have killed more than 130 people. And we have the latest as the Chancellor Rachel Reeves admits breaking housing rules by unlawfully renting out her family home without a licence.

There's been a major development in a brutal civil war - that's already created the world's worst humanitarian catastrophe. As the Sudanese government loses control of the key city of el-Fasher, survivors have spoken of executions and massacres. We speak to Annelise Dodds who was - until February - the minister responsible for aid, and is now calling for the government to take action. Also on the programme: Hurricane Melissa has slammed into Jamaica with winds of more than 185 miles an hour - the most powerful storm anywhere in the world this year. And the actor Simon Callow on Prunella Scales, who's died at the age of 93.

Some of the key figures behind the collapse of the Chinese spy case have been telling their side of the story to a parliamentary committee. We find out what we've learned from one of the committee's members. How worried should we be about a new Russian missile described as a "tiny flying Chernobyl"? And as the King unveils a monument to LGBT+ veterans, we hear what it means to a Royal Navy veteran sacked for being gay.

A former asylum seeker who sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl was released from prison by mistake. Ethiopian national Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, who arrived in the UK on a small boat, was jailed for 12 months over the attack in Epping, Essex, last month. Also on the programme: The director of public prosecutions has said the China spy case collapsed because a top national security official could not say the country had been classed as an "enemy" when the Conservatives were in power. We speak to former Tory Defence Secretary Sir Grant Shapps. And art expert and host of the television series ‘Fake or Fortune?’ Philip Mould on the discovery of millions of euros' worth of forged art claiming to be by Picasso, Rembrandt and Frida Kahlo.

The search is expected to take months after two leading candidates pulled out. We speak to survivor Samantha Walker-Roberts who’ll only support the inquiry if Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips continues in her role. Also on the programme: A new report concludes support for children with special educational needs in England is fundamentally flawed. And former judge on Strictly Come Dancing, Dame Arlene Phillips, on whether the show can survive the announced departure of hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.

The migrant was removed to France under the "one in, one out" scheme less than a month ago, BBC News understands. We hear what life is like in France for some of those returned there. Also on the programme: Good news for the lowest paid as another record rise to the national living wage is announced. But could there be unforeseen consequences? And former Clinton staffer and writer for The West Wing TV programme, Eli Attie, gives his reaction to news that President Trump is building a new ballroom on the East Wing of the White House.

Prince Andrew's living arrangements are being scrutinised as controversy continues over his connections to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. A Democrat tells us her committee in the US House of Representatives wants to hear more from Prince Andrew about his relationship to Epstein. We visit the London site of the new proposed Chinese mega-embassy. And as a White House delegation visits Israel, we examine how fragile the Gaza ceasefire is.

The Metropolitan Police says the change will allow officers to "focus on matters that meet the threshold for criminal investigations". The announcement came as the Met confirmed it was dropping a probe into Father Ted creator Graham Linehan. Also in the programme: Israeli writer David Grossman reflects on how the world should view his country now a Gaza ceasefire is in place. And after thieves make off with priceless crown jewels from the Louvre, will the easily identifiable items be broken down before being sold on, or handed over intact to a mystery buyer?

Prince Andrew has given up his royal titles, including as the Duke of York - saying accusations about him were a distraction from the work of the King. We ask what the announcement means for the monarchy. Also on the programme: Ukraine's President Zelensky has been back at the White House - seeking a commitment from Donald Trump to supply Tomahawk missiles which could strike deep inside Russia. Our North America Editor Sarah Smith is live at the White House. And two leading writers from either side of the Irish border on how to have a fresh debate about unification.

How will the agreement to meet affect President Zelensky's prospects of getting American Tomahawk missiles to strengthen Ukraine's arsenal? Also on the programme: the Prime Minister has condemned a decision to ban Israeli football fans from a match in Birmingham next month; and Kanchha Sherpa, the last surviving member of Edmund Hillary’s 1953 Everest expedition, has died aged 92. We hear a tribute from the first British woman to reach the summit.

As the government publishes key witness statements at the centre of a collapsed case involving two men accused of spying for China, we hear reaction from the former head of Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee, Dominic Grieve. Also on the programme: former Downing Street Adviser Dominic Cummings claims that there was a serious breach of data with the highest security classification in 2020. The Cabinet Office has denied his claim. And we visit the five-day festival of Japanese sumo wrestling that's taken over the Royal Albert Hall in London.

The families of Israeli hostages killed in Gaza have expressed frustration and anger at the delays in the return of remains to Israel. Hamas agreed to return the bodies of 28 people under the terms of the ceasefire agreement. While all 20 living hostages have been returned, only four bodies have been sent back. Hamas officials have warned that some of the hostages’ bodies remain trapped under the rubble of buildings destroyed by Israeli bombardment. Also on the programme: we speak to a Palestinian man freed yesterday after two decades in an Israeli prison; and the winner of philosophy’s most prestigious prize tells us about his optimism for the future of political discourse.

In a speech to the Knesset the US President hailed a ‘historic dawn’ in the Middle East as Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees return home under the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement. We hear from voices on the ground and the BBC’s Tim Franks in Jerusalem to assess what the chances are of a lasting peace.