
The World Tonight
BBC
In depth reporting, intelligent analysis and major breaking news from a global perspective
Episodes
Hamas responds to Gaza ceasefire proposal
7/4/2025
Hamas has said it has submitted a positive response to mediators about a ceasefire proposed by the US. The BBC has been told that it has requested some key changes but is prepared to enter negotiations ‘immediately’.
Also on the programme: frustration in Ukraine over the Trump administration’s decision to halt missile deliveries; and sixteen years after Oasis's split, Noel and Liam Gallagher renew their musical vows in Cardiff.
Duration:00:38:00
US Congress passes Trump's signature spending bill
7/3/2025
The US Congress has passed Donald Trump's huge budget bill after days of votes in the Senate and House of Representatives. The final vote was delayed when Democratic Minority House Leader Hakeem Jeffries broke a record by speaking for more than eight hours on the floor. We hear from a Republican Congressman who backed the bill.
A former security contractor at the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has told the BBC that he witnessed colleagues opening fire on civilians who were waiting for aid.
And as the footballing world mourns Diogo Jota, who died alongside his brother Andre in a car crash in Spain, we reflect on his legacy.
Duration:00:38:09
Starmer backs Reeves after tears during PMQs
7/2/2025
Sir Keir Starmer says Rachel Reeves will remain Chancellor of the Exchequer "for a very long time to come" after she could be seen crying during Prime Minister's Questions earlier. Speaking to Nick Robinson on BBC Radio 4's Political Thinking podcast, the Prime Minister backed the Chancellor and said Reeves' tears were to do with a personal issue and not a result of politics. The government is struggling to maintain its authority after a bruising week in which it climbed down on major welfare reforms.
The Pentagon has halted weapons shipments to Ukraine including artillery shells and Patriot air defence missiles. We ask what it'll mean for Ukaine's defences.
And as a French astronaut hires a Michelin-starred chef to prepare her meals before she blasts off to the International Space Station, we look at the challenges of eating well in outer space.
Duration:00:36:58
Where does last-minute welfare climbdown leave government's authority?
7/1/2025
Chaos and confusion as the government gets its welfare bill through a key parliamentary hurdle. But at what price? We speak to an MP who backed the government - and one who voted against it. Also on the programme:
After a popular Gaza seafront cafe is badly damaged in a deadly Israeli air strike, we hear from one of its regulars.
And from fleeing bombs in Ukraine, to serving aces at Wimbledon - the teenage tennis prodigy hoping to be the new Andy Murray.
Duration:00:37:26
Has government done enough to see off welfare rebellion?
6/30/2025
On the eve of the vote on its welfare reform bill, the government has tried to defuse a backbench rebellion. But has it done enough? We speak to one rebel MP.
Also on the programme:
A new dimension to the violence in the Middle East, as Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank attack Israeli troops.
And we pay tribute to ITN newsreader Sandy Gall who has died. His former colleague, Sir Trevor McDonald, pays his respect.
Duration:00:37:52
Gaza Humanitarian Foundation defends aid operation
6/27/2025
In the face of growing international outrage, the man who runs the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation tells us he denies Palestinians are being killed as they go to collect aid.
Also on the programme:
As Sir Keir Starmer approaches his first anniversary in office, we discuss his future.
And we visit the exhibition-on-wheels marking two centuries of Britain's railways.
Duration:00:37:54
Starmer set to announce welfare climbdown
6/26/2025
The government is expected to announce a significant compromise on planned benefits changes to placate Labour rebels. Multiple sources tell the BBC existing claimants of the Personal Independence Payment (Pip) will continue to receive what they currently get, as will recipients of the health element of Universal Credit. Instead, planned cuts will only hit future claimants. Ministers are also expected to fast-track a £1bn support plan originally scheduled for 2029.
As the Trump administration rounds on US media for its reporting of strikes in Iran, we ask why two different agencies came up with differing assessments of the damage caused by the strikes.
And Anna Wintour is stepping back from her role as editor-in-chief of American Vogue, we reflect on her unique place in fashion.
Duration:00:37:34
Trump's big win at Nato summit
6/25/2025
As Donald Trump calls Nato's new defence spending pledge of 5% of GDP a big win for Western civilisation, we ask a UK defence minister where the cash will come from.
Also tonight:
Is helping parents to spot the signs of autism and ADHD - rather than getting a formal diagnosis - the way to help fix the crisis in Special Educational Needs?
And a Ukrainian writer killed in a Russian air strike has been awarded the prestigious Orwell Prize for Political Writing. We speak live to her publisher and her friend.
Duration:00:38:00
Iran Israel ceasefire holds at end of first day
6/24/2025
At the end of the first day of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran brokered by US President Donald Trump, early violations have given way to relative calm. Trump issued an expletive-laden rebuke to the two countries earlier in the day. He's claiming success in what he's called the "12 Day War", we ask where it's left Benjamin Netanyahu and the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Also tonight, as the government faces its largest rebellion so far over reforms to welfare, we speak to an MP supportive of the changes.
And French President Macron wants UNESCO to recognise French techno music, we speak to producer and DJ Stuart Price about the genre.
Duration:00:38:05
Iran fires missiles at US base in Qatar
6/23/2025
Iran has responded to a US strike on its nuclear programme by firing missiles at an American base in Qatar as well as other bases in Iraq. Residents in Doha saw missiles flying through the night sky before being intercepted by Qatar's air defence system, nobody was injured. President Trump called it a "weak response" and thanked Iran for "early notice" of it. He's urged them to return to the negotiating table.
About 80 Labour MPs are supporting a fresh effort to block the government's planned changes to the benefits system, the BBC has been told. The MPs have signed an amendment that would give them an opportunity to vote on a proposal to reject the welfare reform bill in its entirety.
And we speak to the wife of a Belarussian opposition leader who has unexpectedly been released from jail.
Duration:00:38:26
MPs back assisted dying bill, sending it to House of Lords
6/20/2025
MPs have backed the legalisation of assisted dying by a majority of 23. The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill will now progress to the House of Lords where it'll face further scrutiny and amendments. We spoke to campaigners outside Parliament as the votes were cast and two members of the House of Lords who will now shape the Bill.
The BBC has charted the final days of Al Awda hospital in northern Gaza via voice notes from its director. The hospital was rendered out of service last month amid Israel's escalating offensive in the Gaza Strip.
And could the hot weather inspire a literary classic? We speak to an author on the prevalence of heatwaves in English literature.
Duration:00:37:58
Trump says he’ll decide whether to strike Iran within two weeks
6/19/2025
US President Trump will make a decision on whether to join Israeli strikes against Iran in the next two weeks, according to the White House Press Secretary. Karoline Leavitt cites a “substantial chance of negotiations” over Iran’s nuclear programme. We speak to former US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and examine the legality of British involvement.
MPs are preparing to vote in the third reading of a Bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales, we speak to two on either side of the debate.
And as Britain’s milliners show off their creations at the Royal Ascot event, we ask whether the hat industry is in danger of losing its traditional skills.
Duration:00:46:25
Trump on Iran strikes: “I may do it, I may not do it”
6/18/2025
President Donald Trump has struck an ambiguous tone when asked whether the US would join in Israel in launching strikes against Iran, telling reporters, "I may do it, I may not do it.” We hear from retired general David Petraeus about the President’s military options and ask whether the war could split Republican voters.
Also on the programme: The government is preparing for a rebellion over its welfare reforms. We hear from a Labour MP who's planning to oppose them. And the Irish food craze that's displacing the donor kebab as a night-time treat.
Duration:00:37:43
17/06/2025
6/17/2025
In depth reporting, intelligent analysis and breaking news from a global perspective
Duration:00:37:52
Iran launches new wave of missiles at Israel
6/16/2025
For a fourth day running, Israel and Iran have struck targets inside each other's countries. As G7 leaders call for restraint, we ask what it would take for the US to become involved.
Also on the programme: A landmark report on child sexual abuse says the authorities "shied away from" the ethnicity of grooming gangs for fear of being branded racist. We speak to a journalist who has followed the scandal for 20 years. And as MI6 appoints its first ever female leader, we'll hear about the women of the secret service who blazed a trail for Blaise Metreweli.
Duration:00:37:36
Iranian missiles breach Iron Dome over Tel Aviv
6/13/2025
More explosions are being heard in Tehran tonight, while over Tel Aviv Iranian ballistic missiles rained down, some breaching Israel's air defences. 24 hours on from the beginning of Israel's attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, the conflict between the two Middle-Eastern powers appears to be escalating. Iran's Supreme Leader accused Israel of starting a war, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on Iranians to rise up against the regime.
Also tonight as the sole survivor of a plane crash in India speaks, we ask whether some plane seats might be safer than others. And we hear from documentary filmmaker Adam Curtis on his latest series documenting the collapse of a shared sense of truth in the United Kingdom.
Duration:00:37:50
How Air India plane crash unfolded
6/12/2025
Police in India say at least 260 people have been killed in the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad. We're live in the city of Ahmedabad where an investigation is underway tonight - and we've been meet people in the UK who've been affected.
Also tonight:
The prime minister of Bangladesh tells us he's disappointed Sir Keir Starmer hasn't taken up his request to meet him on a visit to London.
And as the high street chain is sold for £1 and now faces hundreds of store closures - we have a ode to Poundland from the Poet Laureate.
Duration:00:37:31
Will voters feel better off from Chancellor's spending plans?
6/11/2025
What would you do with a trillion pounds of public money over the next four years? The Chancellor says "renewing Britain" is at the heart of her plans. So when will voters start to feel better off? We ask a Treasury Minister.
Also on the programme:
After the US Ambassador to Israel told us that Muslim countries should give up their land to create a Palestinian state - we get reaction from a senior Palestinian official.
And one of the most influential figures in the history of pop music, Brian Wilson - the creative genius behind the Beach Boys - has died. The veteran DJ Bob Harris - who knew him for more than five decades - pays tribute.
Duration:00:37:56
US condemns British government sanctions on Israeli ministers
6/10/2025
The US has condemned a decision by the British government, alongside Canada, Norway, New Zealand and Australia, to sanction two far-right Israeli cabinet ministers. Foreign Minister David Lammy says Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich will both be banned from entering the UK and will have any assets in the UK frozen over "repeated incitements of violence against Palestinian communities". The US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, told this programme that the move was ill-timed and said the US would respond appropriately to what he described as an incredible overreach.
A second night of rioting has erupted in Ballymena, Northern Ireland. Last night a peaceful protest turned violent after the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl. Earlier on Monday, two teenage boys appeared before Coleraine Magistrates' Court. They spoke through an interpreter in Romanian to confirm their names and ages.
And Greenland's national football team has expressed disappointment after being rejected from competing in Concacaf, which governs North and Central America and the Caribbean. We hear from the team captain.
Duration:00:37:52
Three-quarters of pensioners to get winter fuel payment after U-turn
6/9/2025
More than three-quarters of pensioners will receive the winter fuel payment this year after Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirms a major U-turn. We look at the new policy and the politics of the decision.
Who are the Palestinian gunmen shooting at those trying to collect aid parcels in Gaza?
And best-selling author Lee Child pays tribute to The Day of the Jackal author Frederick "Freddie" Forsyth, who has died aged 86.
Duration:00:37:38