The World Tonight

Israel's Prime Minister says the deaths of dozens of civilians in an air strike in southern Gaza was a tragic mishap. We hear from an eyewitness and, as international condemnation grows, we get a response from the Israeli government. Also tonight: Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer have been trading blows on the campaign trail - we have the latest. A rare account from a Ukrainian soldier held captive by Russia. And the change to plastic bottle caps that's been getting some people in a twist: what's behind the tethered bottle tops - and will it have a positive impact on the enivronment? We find out.

The Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove has announced he won't be defending his Surrey constituency in July's general election, ending a political career that's lasted almost 20 years. His departure is the latest in a mass exodus of MPs choosing to leave the Commons. We'll ask what Mr Gove's decision may reveal about Conservative morale. Also on the programme: The UN's top court has ruled Israel must "immediately halt its military offensive" in Rafah in southern Gaza. We get reaction from a senior Israeli MP. And why do Chinese viewers appear so enarmoured of Clarkson's Farm?

On the first full day of campaigning for the general election - party leaders have been road-testing their slogans. On a day of claims and counter-claims about immigration - we do some fact-checking - and reflect on the campaign with our political editor. Also on the programme: A rare report from inside military-controlled Myanmar - on the human cost of the rebel insurgency. And, at the Chelsea Flower Show, a garden that helps torture victims cope with their trauma.

In a wet and noisy Downing Street, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed the rumours that had been swirling since early morning and called a general election for 4th July. Despite being far behind in the polls, Sunak said the Conservatives are the only party with a plan to maintain economic stability. Welcoming the election announcement, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said it was time to "stop the chaos" and vote for change. We speak to people around the country: MPs, the shadow cabinet, grassroots party activists and voters. Also, as former Chief Executive of the Post Office Paula Vennells gave an at times tearful testimony to the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry, we hear from one of those she apologised to, Lord Arbuthnot, who as an MP campaigned on behalf of subpostmasters.

73-year-old Geoff Kitchen died of a suspected heart attack during the flight from London to Singapore. Is flight turbulence getting worse? We’ll hear a former airline pilot. Also in the programme: Tory MP Craig Mackinlay breaks his silence after losing his hands and feet to sepsis; and how the greater spotted eagle's travel and breeding habits are being affected by the war in Ukraine?

"On behalf of this and every government stretching back to the 1970s, I am truly sorry." These were the words of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as he responded to the publication of the Infected Blood Inquiry's final report. Sir Brian Langstaff, chair of the inquiry, found the authorities exposed people to unacceptable risks in administering tainted blood products, and at times covered up the scandal. In Israel even some leaders opposed to him have responded angrily to the news that the International Criminal Court is seeking an arrest warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The ICC is also seeking warrants for Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and for three Hamas leaders over alleged war crimes carried out during the Gaza conflict. And when a group of Irish primary school kids recording a drum and bass track for fun, they'd no idea it would go viral online.

The IDF confirmed it has recovered the bodies of Shani Louk, Amit Buskila, and Itzhak Gelerenter, who were killed by Hamas at the Nova Music Festival during the October 7 attacks on Israel. About 125 hostages remain unaccounted for, with the others having been released or rescued. Meanwhile the US has confirmed the first shipment of humanitarian aid has arrived in Gaza via a temporary floating pier. As the Infected Blood Inquiry prepares to conclude on Monday, we speak to someone who contracted HIV from contaminated Factor VIII when she was five years old. And how do you measure the health of a rainforest? Researchers in Costa Rica are doing it through sound.

The Labour leader Keir Starmer has set out the "first steps" he would take if he enters government, but how much it echoes Tony Blair’s pledges in 1997? We speak to the Chair of the Labour Party Anneliese Dodds. Also on the programme: US criticises Chinese President Xi Jinping's pledge to deepen relations with his counterpart Vladimir Putin. And, a missing Algerian man has been found alive in a hole near his home after being held captive by his neighbour for 27 years.

An assassination attempt on the prime minister of Slovakia leaves him fighting for his life. We hear from a journalist who witnessed the aftermath of the shooting - and from Slovakia's deputy prime minister - who criticises the government's opponents. Also on the programme: As the UK government creates a new offence of "cuckooing" - when criminal gangs take over vulnerable people's homes - we hear about its impact on one family. And the acclaimed war photographer Sir Don McCullin reflects on a lifetime in photojournalism.

As US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken was telling an audience in Kyiv that American weapons are on their way to the country, hundreds of miles to the east Russian troops advanced further into the Kharkiv region. They've now reached the small city of Vovchansk. In New York, Donald Trump's former fixer Michael Cohen took to the stand in the Trump hush money trial for a second day, clashing with the former President's lawyers. And in Rome, the manager of the Italian capital's opera house settled on a unique way to get young people interested in the artform, inviting them for a sleepover in the grand building where they witnessed rehearsals, took part in a treasure hunt, and met the opera houses's ghost.

As huge protests continute in Georgia against a bill similar to one that was used to stifle dissent in Russia - is the country slipping back into Moscow's orbit? Also on the programme: Donald Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen has finished his first day of testimony at a New York court We find out how the courtroom drama played out. And The Beach Boys on how competition with The Beatles pushed them to be a better band.

Russian forces have launched a surprise new ground offensive in Ukraine - crossing the border into the Kharkiv region. We ask how dangerous could this be for Ukraine. Also on The World Tonight: The UK economy is out of recession and the prime minister says the economy has "turned a corner". Two former advisers to leaders, Conservative and Labour, discuss what impact the latest economic figures could have on the election strategy of the those two parties. And as Netflix hit Baby Reindeer finds itself in the headlines for all the wrong reasons, we ask how TV makers can avoid the pitfalls of drama based on real people.

Airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Bristol, Newcastle and Manchester were all hit by a "technical issue" affecting passport control e-gates, causing long queues. The Home Office, which oversees Border Force, said it was working with the agency and affected airports to "resolve the issue as soon as possible and apologise to all passengers for the inconvenience caused." In Rafah, Israel's military operations continue, even as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sends a delegation of negotiators to Cairo for a potential ceasefire deal. And to mark the 200th anniversary of the premiere of Beethoven's 9th Symphony, we spoke to BBC Symphony Orchestra composer Sakari Oramo about the thrills and challenges of the piece.

The day began with Israel warning civilians in eastern Rafah to flee as they began a long-anticipated military operation in the city in the south of the Gaza Strip. But by day's end some Gazans were celebrating as news reached them that Hamas has accepted a ceasefire deal put forward by Egypt and Qatar. Israel's operation continues though, as Prime Minister Netanyahu says the deal is "far from meeting Israel's demands". Nonetheless, he has sent a delegation to the negotiations. Meanwhile French President Emmanuel Macron has been welcoming his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, for a state visit. The pair discussed tariffs, trade, and the war in Ukraine. And should Wales, a land of song, have its own Eurovision entry? Campaigners have released a possible contender, it's called Anfonaf Angel and is sung by Sara Davies. We speak to her.

The Conservatives suffered big losses in Thursday's local elections. Labour swept to victory in places like Redditch, Thurrock and Hartlepool, as well as winning the Blackpool South parliamentary by-election. There was some consolation for the Tories in Tees Valley, where Conservative Ben Houchen was returned as mayor. The Kremlin has reacted angrily to Lord Cameron's remark that Ukraine has the right to use British weapons to hit targets inside Russia. And the twisted comedy series that's become a fan favourite, Inside No. 9, is heading to the West End.

Polls have closed in the last big test of voter opinion before the general election - and one that may be decisive for the pime minister's immediate future. Experts are here with me in the studio to guide us through what lies ahead. France's moment of reckoning over sexual abuse allegations in its film industry. We speak to the actress who's become the symbol of France's Me Too Movement. And is it time we scrapped audio guides? We discuss with a leading British artist why he thinks they're part of a “terrible” modern scourge messing up the enjoyment of art.

There have been violent clashes between pro-Palestinian demonstrators and counter-protesters at University of California, Los Angeles. Meanwhile hundreds of people were arrested in New York, where students occupied part of Columbia University and demanded the institution cut ties with Israel. Also on the programme: Police in the South Caucasian country of Georgia fired tear gas and stun grenades to quell protests over new legislation that requires organisations with funding from abroad to register as foreign agents - it's been dubbed the "Russia law". And can you ban politicians from lying? Members of the Welsh Senedd think so, and are discussing a law to do just that.

The Foreign Office has summoned the Russian Ambassador after two British men were charged with helping Russian intelligence. We explore the potential threat of alleged interference abroad by Moscow. Also on the programme: The King is to return to some public duties - they'll be the first since it was revealed he'd been diagnosed with cancer. Pro-Palestinian demonstrations on university campuses are growing across the United States - and so is the political backlash. A Republican congressman tells us it's time to clamp down harder. And who's to blame when debris from the International Space Station crashes through your roof? We explore the growing problem of space junk.

The future of Scotland's First Minister hangs in the balance as he faces a vote of no-confidence next week. Humza Yousaf ended his power-sharing agreement with the Greens, who will vote to oust him. Also on the programme: Hollywood actor Ashley Judd, who was one of the first women to accuse Harvey Weinstein of sexual harassment, relates her dismay after his 2020 rape conviction in New York was overturned. And we speak to the astrophysicist who's using the James Webb telescope to investigate signs of life on a distant planet.

The Lords withdraws one amendment to the bill but continues to insist on a monitoring committee to assess the safety of Rwanda. Also on the programme: James Coomarasamy reports from India where Narendra Modi is accused of stoking anti-Muslim sentiment in his election campaign. And rediscover the Welsh hymns side-lined for their searing lyrics.