The World Tonight
Podcast

The World Tonight

By BBC
2,587
1.36k

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

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

2,587
1.36k

Andy Burnham takes over leadership of the Labour Party

Prime Minister-in-waiting, Andy Burnham, takes the helm of the Labour Party and prepares to enter No.10 on Monday. We discuss his plans for social care with former health spokesmen, Liberal Democrat Sir Norman Lamb and Conservative Andrew, Lord Lansley, and ask whether Burnham is right to say Britain went wrong in the 1980s. Also on the programme: we drop in on tonight's American-themed First Night of the Proms. And remembering the remarkable career of West Indian cricket legend, Sir Garfield Sobers.
News and happenings Yesterday
1
0
11
38:12

Zelensky's removal of popular defence minister sparks protests in Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's surprise move to replace popular Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has caused an outburst of anger from civil society and criticism from MPs. We hear reaction from Oleksandr Merezhko, a lawmaker with Mr Zelensky's Servant of the People Party. Also in the programme: US President Donald Trump is set to address the nation overnight, but not all of the country’s major networks will air it live. And with only 41 cinemas in the world showing Sir Christopher Nolan’s new adaptation of The Odyssey on IMAX 70mm film, what’s the appeal of celluloid over digital projection?
News and happenings 2 days
1
0
10
37:39

England out of the World Cup

England have suffered FIFA World Cup heartbreak with a late semi-final defeat by Argentina in Atlanta. We hear reaction from the stadium, a fan in the Falkland Islands, and a sports bar in Kent. Also in the programme: French MPs approve an assisted dying law with strict rules. President Trump's acting attorney general Todd Blanche faces a confirmation hearing to take on the role permanently – but survivors of Jeffrey Epstein have concerns. And why do so many modern novels centre around the story of murdered women?
News and happenings 3 days
1
0
12
37:12

Widdecombe murder 'raises questions about the security of those in public life'

The Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood says she’ll explore what security guidance can be offered to former MPs after the killing of Ann Widdecombe. We speak to former Conservative minister Steve Baker. Also in the programme: President Trump reinstates the US blockade on Iranian ports and vows to put in place a 20% charge on cargo passing through the Strait of Hormuz. And we hear from the 17-year-old who’s passed her Grade 8 piano exam one-handed.
News and happenings 5 days
1
0
9
37:45

Man arrested on suspicion of murder after Ann Widdecombe found dead

A 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of Ann Widdecombe, police say. Widdecombe, a former Conservative minister turned Reform UK spokeswoman, served as the MP for Maidstone in Kent for 23 years. We hear from her former Commons colleague Edwina Currie and her long-time friend, broadcaster Iain Dale. Also in the programme: we speak to a family that's fled wildfires in southern Spain that have left at least 12 people dead. And as England prepares for its football World Cup quarter-final on Saturday, we hear an operatic version of the national sporting anthem Three Lions.
News and happenings 1 week
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0
20
38:16

Iran buries Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

The burial of Iran's second supreme leader took place at the country's holiest site; the Shrine of Imam Reza in Mashad. Iran and the US have continued to trade strikes as fears grow of a return to full-scale conflict. We hear from the BBC's chief international correspondent, Lyse Doucet. Also on the programme; outrage from victims' groups over government plans to allow people convicted of serious crimes to leave prison early; and why women are more likely to suffer during summer heatwaves.
News and happenings 1 week
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0
13
37:44

Disability benefits could face massive overhaul in Timms Review

A landmark review into Personal Independence Payments - known as PIP - is due tomorrow. The Timms Review is expected to call for significant reform of disability benefit. We look ahead to what it might bring, get the views of senior politicians - and hear the hopes of someone who claims the benefit. Also on the programme: we speak to the granddaughter of the last woman to be hanged in the UK - Ruth Ellis - who has been given a conditional pardon by the King. And the British wildcard wonder Arthur Fery marches on to the semi-finals - we hear from one of his former coaches.
News and happenings 1 week
1
0
11
37:53

Farage resigns as an MP to fight by-election

Nigel Farage has announced he will stand down as an MP for Clacton and fight a by-election. The Reform UK leader was under investigation by a parliamentary watchdog for allegedly failing to declare a £5m gift from billionaire cryptocurrency investor Christopher Harborn. The other major parties have said they will not run candidates in the by-election, with Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch describing it as a “gimmick”. Also on the programme: as a public consultation about adult social care in England is launched, we hear how two members of the public have navigated the system; and a 700-year-old manuscript of Arthurian legends goes up for auction.
News and happenings 1 week
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0
8
37:43

Trump confirms he asked Fifa to review Balogun ban

Donald Trump asked Fifa president Gianni Infantino to review US striker Folarin Balogun's ban, which has since been suspended. We hear the reaction of former Fifa vice-president Jim Boyce. Also on the programme: National Rally leader Marine Le Pen will find out on Tuesday whether or not she can run for the French presidency in next year's elections. And we speak to classicist Professor Dame Mary Beard as she heads into the premiere of Sir Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey.
News and happenings 1 week
1
0
10
38:01

USA celebrates 250 years of independence

Temperatures soar as America gathers to celebrate its 250th birthday. Ken Burns talks about his new series about The American Revolution and tells us what he believes the pursuit of happiness really means. In a valedictory interview, Sir Keir Starmer looks back, and forward, as he prepares to leave office. And we look at how a new NHS scheme aimed at rewarding people who walk thirty minutes a day might work.
News and happenings 2 weeks
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0
18
38:00

'Most massive' Russian attack on Kyiv kills at least 25

Russia’s strikes on Kyiv come after Ukraine’s attacks on Russian energy infrastructure. We hear assessments of the war – and who’s winning – from Moscow and the United States. Also on the programme: the National Crime Agency says at least eight people have been arrested in the UK after investigations into online networks that encourage men to drug and rape women. And we hear from a pub landlord on the news that venues in England and Wales will be allowed to stay open until 5am for next week’s England World Cup match.
News and happenings 2 weeks
1
0
16
37:50

Kane's rescue act sends England into World Cup last 16

Harry Kane's two late goals against DR Congo spare England a humiliating exit from the tournament. We hear how the squad made it through to the last 16 after their match in Atlanta. Also on the programme: Labour MP and former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner backs Andy Burnham's call for greater devolution of powers from Westminster. And Canada will take part in the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time in 2027 - we speak to a Canadian Eurovision superfan.
News and happenings 2 weeks
1
0
12
38:00

Supreme Court rejects Trump plan to end birthright citizenship

The US Supreme Court has ruled that President Trump’s attempt to remove the automatic right to citizenship for everyone born on US soil is unconstitutional. The court, despite having a conservative majority shaped by Trump, overturned the president’s executive order by five votes to four. Also on tonight’s programme: the government publishes the long-awaited Defence Investment Plan, but critics say not all of its spending is accounted for; and a collaboration between legendary Indian singer Asha Bhosle and the British band Gorillaz.
News and happenings 2 weeks
1
0
21
37:47

New 'No 10. North' plan will rebalance power in Britain, Burnham promises

Would-be PM Andy Burnham says a new Downing Street team based in Manchester, labelled 'No 10 North', would "oversee the biggest rebalancing of power our country has ever seen". But can so-called ‘Manchesterism’ be delivered nationwide? We ask former adviser to Rishi Sunak, Tim Leunig, and General Secretary of the FDA trade union Dave Penman. Also in the programme: details emerge of the government’s delayed Defence Investment Plan, an early version of which sparked the resignation of Defence Secretary John Healey. And authorities will tomorrow decide whether to attempt replacing ageing ferries with an undersea tunnel to connect the Shetland Islands.
News and happenings 2 weeks
1
0
13
37:45

UN says 50,000 Venezuelans still missing after twin earthquakes

The number of people killed has risen to at least 920, with 3,360 injured, according to officials. We report live from Caracas. Also on the programme: actor Brian Cox on his hopes for the Scotland football team as they wait to find out whether their 2026 World Cup campaign is over. And just hours before BBC Radio 4's Long Wave signal ends, we hear about the transmission masts that put Droitwich in Worcestershire on the map.
News and happenings 3 weeks
1
0
24
39:31

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 citizens to flee? And the teenager working with Sir Stephen Fry to create a Latin audio guide for a Bath tourist attraction.
News and happenings 3 weeks
1
0
16
37:52

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 Liverpool’.
News and happenings 3 weeks
1
0
9
29:00

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 could the UK's weather feel like in another 50 years?
News and happenings 3 weeks
1
0
11
38:08

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 consider buying air conditioners? And, if so, what type?
News and happenings 3 weeks
1
0
13
38:11

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.
News and happenings 4 weeks
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0
19
37:52
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