The World Tonight

BBC Radio 4•www.bbc.co.uk

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In depth reporting, intelligent analysis and major breaking news from a global perspective

Last refreshed: June 25th, 2026 at 11:13 PM

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Episodes

Venezuela earthquakes death toll reaches 188, but thousands feared dead

The UN says more than 100 buildings have collapsed as rescuers search the rubble for survivors. We hear from a resident of Caracas and the former head of the USAID office which used to lead the United States government’s response to foreign disasters. Also in the programme: King Charles has disclosed he paid £12.9m in tax for 2024-2025, becoming the first monarch to reveal their tax bill. Would a proposal to tax California’s billionaires raise much-needed cash, or encourage the state’s richest c...

Jun 25, 2026•38 min

Mothers and babies died after failures at NHS trust

A review into Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust has found that hundreds of mothers and babies suffered avoidable harms, and criticised ‘systemic’ failures and a ‘toxic, bullying culture’. We hear from the body responsible for regulating midwifery. Also on the programme: the BBC travels to refugee camps in the Democratic Republic of Congo where medics are struggling to contain the Ebola outbreak; and a look at legendary bassist Jah Wobble’s tribute to the Beatle’s psychedelic era, ‘Mystic...

Jun 24, 2026•29 min

Report into Nottingham NHS maternity scandal set to be published

What happened to mothers and their babies - over more than 10 years - at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust? On Wednesday an independent review into maternity care at the trust will be published. We'll hear from one family about their experience and why they're still calling for a public inquiry. Andy Burnham and Sir Keir Starmer are in a standoff over who should decide future defence spending. And 50 years on from record-breaking 1976 heatwave, how is the current one different? And what ...

Jun 23, 2026•38 min

Sir Keir Starmer resigns with Andy Burnham favourite to replace him

Andy Burnham has been sworn in as an MP after Sir Keir Starmer announced his resignation. We hear from one Labour MP who thinks there should be an election for the next party leader and prime minister, and one who supports a coronation. Also in the programme: 40 years on from Diego Maradona’s 'Hand of God' goal at the 1986 football World Cup, we talk to one of those who was in the stadium. And as the Met Office warns that temperatures could reach 40C in parts of the UK this week, should people c...

Jun 22, 2026•38 min

One dead and several injured in Bedford train crash

The ambulance service says 89 people have been injured, with 11 of them suffering "very serious injuries". We report from near the scene of the collision. Also in the programme: after Andy Burnham’s Makerfield by-election win, he’s expected to challenge Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Labour MP Rachael Maskell tells us Mr Burnham wants to change the culture of British politics. And former Conservative minister Rory Stewart has some advice for Sir Keir on when it's time to quit.

Jun 19, 2026•38 min

Counting underway in Makerfield by-election

Can Labour’s Andy Burnham secure the Westminster seat necessary to challenge the leadership of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer? We ask Labour’s Anna Turley and Reform UK’s Alex Wilson. Also in the programme: a former State Department expert questions whether the United States and Iran will be able to strike a lasting nuclear deal, after the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two countries. And supermarket chain Lidl has opened a pub on the outskirts of Belfast – why?

Jun 18, 2026•38 min

US officials reveal details of their initial agreement with Iran

Donald Trump says the peace deal with Iran will be signed “tomorrow, maybe the next day". It would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but the fate of Iran’s nuclear programme would be the subject of further negotiations. We’ll hear how Iranians are reacting to the agreement. Also in the programme: as campaigning draws to a close in the Makerfield by-election, we hear the story of the race from journalists who’ve been covering it. And could Jeremy Clarkson’s announcement that he’s been diagnosed with p...

Jun 17, 2026•37 min

Russian warship fires warning shots near UK yacht in Channel

Russia says one of its naval frigates fired warning shots near a yacht in the Channel, because the UK-registered vessel was on a "dangerous course". We hear from the retired couple on board who have spoken to the BBC's Newsnight programme. Also on the programme - the world's leading economies meet at the G7 in France with the US-Iran war top of the agenda. And we hear about the enduring appeal of The Smiths 'The Queen Is Dead' 40 years after it became an instant indie classic.

Jun 16, 2026•38 min

Donald Trump says a deal to end the war with Iran is already signed

The US president says details of the deal will be released ‘pretty soon’. But how is the agreement being viewed in Israel? We’ll hear reaction from Jerusalem. Also in the programme: as the UK government announces plans to ban under-16s from accessing social media, just how could age verification checks work? And James Coomarasamy visits the new exhibition from Turner Prize-winning British sculptor Sir Anish Kapoor at the Hayward Gallery.

Jun 15, 2026•38 min

Elon Musk becomes world's first trillionaire after SpaceX stock market debut

Elon Musk's satellite, AI and rocket company, SpaceX, has enjoyed a successful first day on the Nasdaq stock exchange, reaching a value of $2.2 trillion. Can the valuation be justified? We ask economist Dr Mohamed El-Erian. Also on the programme: Sir Grayson Perry responds to news of the death of fellow artist David Hockney at the age of 88. And we report from Scotland, where football fans are preparing to watch their men’s team return to the World Cup after a 28 year absence.

Jun 12, 2026•38 min

UK defence secretary and armed forces minister both resign

The armed forces minister quits hours after the defence secretary steps down over the government's military spending plans. A new defence secretary has now been appointed. We talk to two Labour MPs about how to pay for extra defence spending, and where this leaves the prime minister. Also on the programme: We're live in Mexico City after the men’s football World Cup's opening game. How is disorder on the streets of Belfast being coordinated on social media? And, following the popularity of weigh...

Jun 11, 2026•38 min

Anti-migrant violence rocks Belfast for second night

Anti-migrant violence continued in Belfast for a second night after a stabbing attack allegedly by a Sudanese asylum seeker resulted in a man losing his left eye. Immigrants described fleeing their homes in terror after gangs of masked people targeted them last night. We hear from two women from the Sudanese community in Belfast and speak to a local politician. Also on the programme: more women than ever are sleeping rough in England, we hear about the challenges they face. With an uptick in the...

Jun 10, 2026•38 min

Violent protests in Belfast after knife attack

Police and politicians in Belfast have called for calm after violent protests took place across the city. It comes as a man has been charged with attempted murder over a knife attack on Monday night. Police described the alleged attacker as a Sudanese man, who the Home Office said entered the UK in 2023 and was granted refugee status. We hear more about the social and political context of tonight's unrest. Also on the programme: we get reaction from the GMB Union to the Defence Secretary's pledg...

Jun 09, 2026•37 min

Trump tells the BBC the US and Iran are 'very close to signing a very powerful deal'

The US president intervened after Iran and Israel launched missiles at each other. We speak to former American Ambassador to Israel, Thomas Nides. Also in the programme: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer wants Apple and Google to install software on phones that will prevent children from taking or sharing explicit images – but does the technology exist to make that request a reality? And we ask researchers why a record numbers of octopuses have been spotted off the coast of England....

Jun 08, 2026•38 min

Father of Nottingham attack victim says Henry Nowak killing is different

Dr Sanjoy Kumar’s daughter Grace was one of three people killed in the 2023 Nottingham stabbings. He tells Shaun Ley that the authorities have different questions to answer after the murder of Henry Nowak in Southampton last year. Also in the programme: Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield responds to news that crew on the International Space Station (ISS) were ordered to shelter in an attached spacecraft after the structure sprung a leak. And a new exhibition celebrates 50 years of the Undercroft ...

Jun 05, 2026•38 min

Andy Burnham says he would seek to enter a leadership contest

Speaking on BBC Question Time, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham says he would join any challenge for the Labour leadership. He would need to win the Makerfield by-election later this month in order to launch an official leadership bid. The Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has told the BBC that conflict over identity politics could eventually lead to a civil war in the UK. We look at whether identity politics has contributed to a fracturing of British society. Also in the programme: Are ele...

Jun 04, 2026•38 min

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