The World Tonight

The BBC has uncovered new evidence that vulnerable girls and young women in London are being groomed by gangs to carry drugs and have sex. We discuss the findings with the former head of the National Crime Agency's Child Exploitation Command. Also on the programme: the day after the US State Department approved the UK's Chagos Islands deal, President Trump launches a new attack on it. And the symphonic sounds hidden in the freezer aisle of a Sheffield supermarket.

Reverend Jesse Jackson, a giant of the civil rights movement, has died at the age of 84. As politicians from across the spectrum pay tribute to his legacy, we speak to his son, who was with him when he died. Also on the programme: Labour faces a mass resignation of councillors in Hartlepool over funding for children in care. The local Labour MP tells us he’s “furious”. And as China celebrates the Lunar New Year, an astrologer tells us what to expect from the Year of the Fire Horse.

Parents in north London have been told their children could be excluded from school if they are not fully vaccinated against measles amid an outbreak of the highly contagious disease. We find out what’s caused the latest outbreak. Also in the programme: In an interview with the BBC, Hillary Clinton accuses the Trump administration of a cover-up over Jeffrey Epstein. And musician Patrick Darling, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND), has returned to the stage after artificial intelligence (AI) gave him his voice back.

Two men have been given life sentences for planning a gun attack on Manchester’s Jewish community. The plot was foiled by an undercover officer, and Greater Manchester Police said if it had gone ahead it could have been the deadliest terror attack in British history. Also on the programme: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz tells the Munich Security Conference the rules-based world order no longer exists, and that this has consequences for America, too. And Matt Weston triumphs in the skeleton to win Team GB’s first gold medal at this year’s Winter Olympics.

President Trump has repealed a key government scientific finding that carbon emissions endanger human health. The so-called “endangerment finding” of 2009 was the legal bedrock of efforts to rein in emissions and critics fear it is a major setback in the fight against climate change. Also on the programme: Sir Jim Ratcliffe has apologised for "offending some people" with his language after saying the UK had been "colonised by immigrants". We discuss the importance of the language we use in politics. And as the Berlin Film Festival opens, we speak to the director of one of the entrants, a rom-com set in Kabul.

US Attorney General Pam Bondi has been defending her department's handling of the release of millions of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. She's been giving evidence today to a committee in the US Congress. Meanwhile, the former prime minister, Gordon Brown, has called for detectives to interview Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor about allegations that Jeffrey Epstein trafficked women and girls through the UK. The former Prince Andrew has denied any wrongdoing - or that he derived any benefit - from his association with Jeffrey Epstein. Also in the programme: the UK Supreme Court rules the plant-based drink maker Oatly cannot use the word "milk" in its marketing; and how the latest Hollywood remake of Wuthering Heights is going down in the birthplace of its author Emily Brontë.

The Prime Minister may have won himself a reprieve after the departure of two of his top advisers, but many MPs will be looking for a radical reset of his government in order to maintain their support. But the fallout continued as two Labour figures were suspended for their association not with Jeffrey Epstein, but with a different sex offender. Also on the programme: The founder of independent Russian news organisation Meduza on the impact of new restrictions on the messaging app Telegram. And we speak to one of the Danes covering up statues of naked women with knitwear.

Sir Keir Starmer has told his MPs that he will not quit after the leader of his party in Scotland called on him to resign. We hear from two Labour backbenchers about the future of the party's leadership. Also on the programme: Buckingham Palace has released a statement saying it is ready to support the police as they consider allegations against Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. And we travel to a field in south-west London to kick off our series about how interacting with the natural world affects our mental health.

The Winter Olympics has officially begun in Italy tonight - with, for the first time, two opening ceremonies, in Milan and in the Dolomites. One of the world's top skiers, Lindsey Vonn hopes to compete this weekend, despite badly injuring her knee ligament. We hear from another Winter Olympian why that bit of tissue is so important and speak to a British-born member of the world’s most famous bobsleigh team. Also on the programme: A year after President Trump announced the suspension of US overseas aid, we hear about the effects on HIV treatment in South Africa And we speak to the director of a BAFTA-nominated documentary, co-produced by Brad Pitt, looking at the influence of evangelical Christianity on far-right politics in Brazil.

Some Labour MPs have been calling for the Prime Minister to stand down, particularly in light of yesterday's extraordinary and lengthy debate in the Commons on the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador. And others have - publicly - put him on notice. One backbencher tells us his colleagues need to learn from recent political history. Also on the programme: The newspaper that brought to light the Watergate scandal - The Washington Post - lays off hundreds off staff. What does it reveal about the state of the media in America? And the small scale Norwegian film with nine Oscar nominations: the director Joachim Trier tells us more about "Sentimental Value", and why European cinema is thriving.

A plan to release documents about Lord Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador is approved, after anger from Labour MPs forced the government into a climbdown. We'll ask how much danger the Prime Minister is in and speak to the head of the parliamentary committee that will determine which documents - related to the appointment - will be released. Also on the programme: As a US-Russia nuclear treaty expires, can we expect another arms race? And humour from a Briton who suffered terrible injuries after a shark attack in the Caribbean.

The Metropolitan Police has launched a criminal investigation into Peter Mandelson over allegations of misconduct in public office. It comes after the former Labour minister and US ambassador was accused of passing market-sensitive government information to US financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. We hear from a Labour MP who is calling on the government to fully disclose any information it has about Mandelson. Also on the programme: ahead of the National Cancer Strategy for England being published tomorrow, the government promises better care for children with cancer. And does it matter which wood a cricket bat is made from?

Police are reviewing reports of alleged misconduct in a public office after Lord Mandelson was accused of passing on sensitive government information to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The Scottish National Party and Reform UK have reported the peer to police. We hear from a journalist who spoke to Lord Mandelson on Sunday evening. Also on the programme: it's not just Britain's monarchy that's been left reeling from the release of the Epstein files, Norway's royal family is also facing difficult questions. BBC Africa Eye investigates human rights abuses after a disputed election in Tanzania, and Oscar-nominated director Darren Aronofsky faces criticism for series of AI films about the American Revolutionary War.

The US Justice Department has released more than three million pages of documents related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. BBC North America Editor Sarah Smith explains what some of the documents say. Also on the programme: Labour peer Baroness Helena Kennedy KC reacts to the news that China has lifted sanctions on her after PM Sir Keir Starmer’s visit to Beijing this week. And the late Fela Kuti will become the first African to be honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammys – we hear from his son, fellow musician Seun Kuti.

The agreements include allowing Britons to enter China for up to 30 days without a visa, Downing Street has said. The government is seeking closer trade ties with Beijing to help boost economic growth. But Conservative MP Harriet Cross tells us she’s concerned about the potential security implications of Chinese involvement in infrastructure projects. Also on the programme: We hear what life is like in Tehran after the government crackdown on protesters in Iran. And the organist and broadcaster Nigel Ogden has died at the age of 71 – we hear from his friend and fellow organist Phil Kelsall.

President Trump has warned Iran that time is running out to negotiate a nuclear deal, threatening Tehran with a ‘massive armada’ headed to the Middle East. We assess the US military build up in the region and hear what protestors inside Iran think. Also on the programme: As Keir Starmer prepares to meet the Chinese President, we hear from the son of jailed British pro-democracy campaigner Jimmy Lai. And the two-year-old snooker prodigy who has broken two world records with his trick shots.

As Keir Starmer prepares to fly to Beijing, can he sell his trip as an economic win - without selling out on human rights? We hear from a Labour MP - and we visit London's Elephant and Castle neighbourhood, where the links between UK and China are visible - and appear to be growing. Also on the programme: on Holocaust Memorial Day, we speak to Maurice Blik, the man who became a famous sculptor on the origins of his craft - in a concentration camp. And.. as MENSA turns eighty - can it stay relevant?

After another US citizen is killed by immigration agents in Minneapolis - will a change of tone from the White House alter the public mood? We'll speak to the former head of US Customs and Border Protection. Also on the programme: a turbulent 36-hours in British politics as Suella Braverman defects and Andy Burnham is blocked. So is it a double win for Reform UK?

Keir Starmer has hit back at Donald Trump’s claim that NATO forces stayed away from the front line in Afghanistan, calling it “insulting and frankly appalling”. We hear from an American who served alongside British troops and later became a senior Pentagon official under Trump. Also on the programme: decision time for Andy Burnham, who has less than 24 hours to decide whether to plot a return to Parliament. And Minneapolis grinds to a halt as opponents of immigration enforcement raids hold a general strike in the city.

As Moscow says peace talks to end the war in Ukraine have begun, President Zelensky launched a strident attack against his European allies at Davos for being in ‘Greenland mode’ and failing to take action independently of the US. We hear from a correspondent who’s spent time on the front line in the Donbas. Also on the programme: Westminster is flung into speculation as a Manchester seat is to become vacant, potentially giving Andy Burnham a route back into parliament. And mysterious organisms that dominated the ancient landscape: once thought to be fungi, now scientists at the University of Edinburgh believe they are part of a distinct evolutionary branch of life.