The World Tonight

Donald Trump puts pressure on President Zelensky

With Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities intensifying, we examine Ukraine's resistance to making a deal to end the war. Also on the programme: The UK is to help defend Saudi Arabia by intercepting drones and missiles from Yemen's Houthi rebels. Why does such a wealthy country need British fire power;…

20 Oct 6PM 43 min

French cities impose curfews after weekend of rioting

French cities including Paris, Nice and Lyon have imposed overnight curfews after protests about the cost of living turned violent over the weekend. We hear from the left-wing La France Insoumise party, which has been accused by the Prime Minister of encouraging the violence. Also on the programme: we hear…

19 Oct 6PM 39 min

Trump blames Zelensky for Ukraine impasse as mid-terms loom

US President Trump is in campaigning mode as the mid-term elections take place in two weeks, but he's simultaneously embroiled in a geopolitical spat with the leader of Ukraine after agreeing to buy millions of barrels of Russian diesel. We look at what impact Trump's foreign policy is having on…

16 Oct 5PM 39 min

Wes Streeting says US will continue to back Ukraine

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting says the US will continue to back Ukraine after meeting with his counterpart in Washington DC Pete Hegseth. That's after critical remarks by Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky against Donald Trump in multiple media interviews. Wes Streeting also said he understands that Starlink satellite communications, which Ukraine…

15 Oct 5PM 40 min

Elon Musk says any limits on Ukraine's Starlink access down to US, not his firm

SpaceX’s Starlink and Starshield satellites systems help guide drones towards military targets in Russia and track incoming threats to Ukraine. Elon Musk suggests that the Pentagon, or President Trump, may be behind restrictions on the speed at which some of Ukraine's weapons can travel and still stay connected to the…

14 Oct 5PM 39 min

Pope has surgery for lung cancer

Doctors took out the tumour during a ninety-minute procedure at the Gemilli Hospital in Rome. Also on the programme: a warning from MI5 on terrorists using AI; the woman who cast RJ Mitte in Breaking Bad remembers a star who broke down barriers for actors with disabilities; and computer-generated birdsong…

13 Oct 6PM 39 min

Andy Burnham to push for new post-Brexit deals at EU summit

The PM says "deeper cooperation" on some key issues - including youth mobility, food and drink, and energy - would help drive economic growth in the UK. But Oliver Lewis, who worked for Boris Johnson as deputy chief negotiator for the UK Government in the UK-EU trade negotiations, tell us…

12 Oct 6PM 39 min

Trump - Putin deal: Russia to release diesel into global market

President Donald Trump says he has reached a deal with Vladimir Putin to "immediately release" Russian diesel into the global market. The agreement is designed to lower fuel prices in the US - Ukraine's President Zelensky described the US actions as a "gift to Putin". Also on the programme: New…

9 Oct 6PM 40 min

Polls close in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election

Polls have closed in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election to choose a new MP after former Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced he was standing down from Parliament last month. Labour is hoping to fight off a challenge from the Green Party leader, Zack Polanski, who has come under renewed…

8 Oct 5PM 39 min

Conservatives to scrap inheritance tax on family homes

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has pledged to scrap inheritance tax on family homes. But rival parties have criticised the proposal saying it would prioritise support for the wealthiest people in the country. We speak to a leading economist and a member of the shadow cabinet. Also on the programme;…

7 Oct 6PM 38 min