The World Tonight

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

US President Donald Trump is "not particularly interested" in speaking to Elon Musk after the tech billionaire and former close political ally turned on him in a bitter and public war of words. Initial reports that the pair had scheduled a phone call came to nothing. With some among the MAGA branch of Trump's supporters rounding on Musk, we explored the factional infighting and what impact it might have on the Big Beautiful Bill which Trump wants the Senate to pass, but which Musk opposes.Also on the programme, can supporters of the European Convention on Human Rights head off criticism by adapting the treaty? That's what the Secretary General of the Council of Europe seems to suggest. We hear from former Attorney General Dominic Grieve.And we speak to the Hollywood actor turned cryptocurrency sceptic about his new documentary on the phenomenon, premiering at the SXSW festival in London.

We speak to Ryan Mac, a reporter for the New York Times and the co-author of 'Character Limit: How Elon Musk Destroyed Twitter.'. Also: polls close in the Hamilton by-election where Reform UK's candidate was trying to win votes - just as the party's chairman quit; Robert De Niro and the Tribeca film festival; planned moon landing fails; and a new BBC project to help parents get their children to sleep.

Donald Trump had a "good conversation" with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin over the phone, the US President said in a post on Truth Social. President Trump wrote that Putin "will have to respond" to Ukraine's drone attack on Russian bombers, and therefore the call would not "lead to immediate peace".The US has vetoed a UN resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, which the UK supported.As popstar Jessie J reveals her breast cancer diagnosis, we explore the increase in diagnoses among younger women.And it's been called the "biggest console launch of all time" - the Nintendo Switch 2 is released at midnight.

More Palestinians have been killed near an aid distribution site in Gaza. Israel says it will investigate. The Labour Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee says it's time to sanction Israeli government ministers. Also tonight:The government is under pressure to spend even more on defence than planned - just a day after publishing its defence review. We ask one of the report's authors whether its figures are already out of date.As the Dutch government collapses, we examine how rows over immigration are reshaping European politics.And as the Serpentine Pavilion celebrates 25 years, the leading Bangladeshi architect behind this year's creation has been giving me a tour.

As the government says it will invest billions of pounds to move the UK to war-fighting readiness, we hear about the contents of the Strategic Defence Review - and ask whether there is a broader economic upside from a "defence dividend".Also on the programme:The former US Ambassador to Ukraine tells us why she resigned in April - over the Trump administration's approach to Russia. And the archives of the Belfast News Letter - the world's longest continuously published English-language newspaper - are made available online.

The last day in the White House for the Tesla boss - but what about the many other federal employees who've lost their jobs? Also: Gerry Adams wins his libel case against the BBC; Dutch art theft; Mexico judges; France smoking ban; and does Doctor Who have a future?

Israel has announced plans to recognise 22 new Jewish settlements in the West Bank. Will it make a Palestinian state impossible? We hear from an Israeli settler and a Palestinian. A group of Labour MPs is pressing the UK government to officially recognise Palestine. We ask a member of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee why she thinks that could make a difference.As the NHS puts a figure on how many people in England have ADHD, we hear the experiences of those who've struggled to get diagnosed. And Turkey says airline passengers who stand up too soon should be fined. We ask a former member of cabin crew why we really should obey the seat belt sign.

Russia's foreign minister has briefed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on a “peace memorandum” to end the war in Ukraine. Sergei Lavrov has suggested direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul on Monday, when he says the memorandum will be presented to Ukrainian negotiators. Meanwhile the German chancellor has pledged more military aid to Ukraine, as Russia masses thousands more troops on the country's north-eastern border. We speak to someone living in a city in the region.Joel Le Scouarnec, the former surgeon who has admitted sexually abusing hundreds of patients, mostly children, between 1989 and 2014 has been sentenced to a maximum term of 20 years in jail. We explore reaction to the case in France.And the man who wrote Succession, Jesse Armstrong, speaks to us about his directorial debut, a movie about “tech bros”.

Harvard University has taken President Trump to court over his order to bar foreign students. It's won a temporary reprieve. A student from the UK set to collect his degree in six days time, tells us he's breathing a sigh of relief.Also:The government will delay publication of its child poverty strategy. Is it responding to MPs pushing for the two-child benefit cap to be scrapped?On Sunday, it'll be five years since the murder of George Floyd in the United States. What impact did the Black Lives Matter movement his death galvanised have on the lives of people here?And, we speak to a couple in Norway who woke up with a new garden ornament - a container ship.

The UK has signed a deal to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius and lease back the military base there for an average of £101m a year. Keir Starmer says the deal is in the UK's national interest. We hear from a Chagossian woman who tried to stop the deal with a last minute legal challenge.The Trump administration has barred Harvard from enrolling international students -- marking an escalation between Washington and America's richest university. We speak to one of the international students affected.And 30 years since the release of Pulp's Common People, we explore the legacy of the Brit Pop classic.

In an extraordinary moment, Donald Trump used an Oval Office meeting with South Africa's president to play him a video claiming to show a white genocide in his country. A South African government minister gives us his reponse to that diplomatic ambush.Also:We ask how much political damage the government has suffered over its climbdown on Winter Fuel Payments.And jubilation for Spurs fans in the Europa League final against Manchester United. We're live in Bilbao.

The UK government has suspended trade talks with Israel and summoned its ambassador over the decision to allow a basic amount of food to enter the enclave and its continuation of the military offensive in Gaza. The European Union also says it's reviewing its trade agreement with Israel.Also on the programme: is the government planning to row back on its policy of restricting winter fuel payments? And comedian Lenny Henry makes a return to stand-up.

Is the government's deal with the EU really a reset - and one the public is looking for? We speak to the Foreign Secretary David Lammy.Also tonight:Israel says five trucks carrying baby food, medicines and flour have entered Gaza - after an 11-week aid blockade. In his interview with us, the Foreign Secretary says it's "simply not enough".We have a read-out on the marathon phone call between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. Is the Russian leader really serious about discussing compromises? And as The Who fire their drummer Zak Starkey for the second time in a month - what's the best way for a bands to get rid of unwanted members?

A former Israeli ambassador to the US says signs that the Trump administration isn't consulting Israel could lead to a flashpoint between the two allies: MPs debating the bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales have voted to give health workers the right to opt out of the process - we speak to two politicians who took party in today's debate. And - Sir Jackie Stewart on 75 years of Formula 1..

It's believed Ukrainian and Russian negotiators will meet face to face tomorrow for the first time in three years. That's after President Putin of Russia announced overnight he wouldn't attend the meetings held in Istanbul personally. Ukraine's President Zelensky did turn up and accused Moscow of failing to take the talks seriously. We hear from Ukrainian and Russian civilians on their expectations for the negotiations.The clock ticks down further to a planned EU-UK "reset" summit on Monday. But with reports negotiators are struggling to reach a draft communique amid disputes over fishing rights, we ask what the UK should be prepared to give up.And a previously unpublished ghost story written by Graham Greene has finally made it into print.

After today's historic meeting between President Trump and the interim Syrian President - we hear from a former US representative to Syria. Also: the BBC learns that immigrants - currently in the UK - could also have to wait up to ten years before they can apply to stay permanently; a notable absentee from the Russian delegation to talks with Ukraine in Turkey; and are we about to enter the Age of the Double Decker train?

As a new Pope is elected, we hear from one of his old school friends. Also: the US and UK announce a deal on tariffs, but are the industries involved happy with the outcome? Bill Gates on his plans to give away his fortune and close his Foundation. And as VE Day commemorations come to a close, we hear how a national dish has featured on many of the day's menus.

Pakistan's Prime Minister says the country has responded to India's air strikes by downing Indian jets during the operation. New Delhi has yet to respond to the claims that its planes were shot down. Diplomats are asking whether Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's remarks mean Pakistan will desist from responding directly to the attack. We explore whether other countries can temper the conflict.The first vote has taken place in the Sistine Chapel to elect a new Pope, but no choice has been made.And researchers have used AI and scanning technology to "digitally unfurl" an ancient scroll that was burnt by the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius almost 2,000 years ago.

The UK and India have finalised a major trade agreement, reducing tariffs on UK exports including gin, whisky and cars. The government says the agreement will eventually add £4.8bn per year to the UK economy, but the Conservatives say a National Insurance exemption for temporary workers from India is ‘two tier' taxation. Also on the programme: India carries out air strikes on what it called ‘terrorist targets' in Pakistan and Pakistani administered Kashmir; and we hear from Syria where families are trying to find the remains of their loved ones killed by the Assad regime.

Syria sits at a figurative crossroads - five months after an Islamist-led rebellion brought an unexpectedly swift end to the long, dynastic dictatorship of the Assad family. The former rebel leader who now rules Syria - Ahmed Al Sharaa – has been trying to convince the world of his efforts to pursue a path of peace and reconciliation. But a recent upsurge of sectarian violence, which has seen the deaths of hundreds of civilians, mainly from the Alawite minority, has called that into question. All this week we hear from our correspondent who has been in the country's capital, Damascus. Also on the programme: 80 years since the end of World War Two in Europe; and US President Donald Trump says he wants to reopen Alcatraz prison after more than 60 years.

The Reform UK party has made huge gains in local elections across England. Nigel Farage's party took control of ten council areas including in Labour heartlands like Durham. The party also clinched the Runcorn and Helsby by-election by six votes. We speak to Reform's Ann Widdecombe and explore the full range of election results, including successes for the Lib Dems.Prince Harry has said his father, The King, has stopped speaking to him in an exclusive interview with the BBC. The Prince was speaking after losing a legal challenge in the UK over his security arrangements.And the Trump administration has weighed into German politics again, criticising the country's domestic intelligence agency after they labelled the far-right AfD party as "extremists", allowing German authorities to intensify surveillance, including the use of undercover informants and monitoring communications, under judicial oversight.

President Trump says US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz will leave his post and be nominated to serve as ambassador to the United Nations - we get reaction from Washington DC.Also on the programme: polls have just closed in local elections across parts of England; Stoke-on-Trent's Moorcroft Pottery goes bust after more than 100 years of trading; and we speak to the daughter of the man who created Thomas the Tank Engine, 80 years after the character first appeared in print.

Sharpies at the ready? Are the Americans and Ukrainians about to sign the much-anticipated minerals deal? We hear from a top Ukrainian politician - and ask a leading Republican whether Donald Trump is softening his stance towards Kyiv.Also tonight:As the US economy shrinks for the first time in three years, we hear how President Trump's tariffs are going down in China. And as Slade's foray into film - "Slade In Flame" - returns to the big screen on its 50th anniversary, we remember a cult classic that's been called the "Citizen Kane of British Rock Movies".

As Donald Trump marks his first hundred days back in office with a rally in Michigan - we hear what Americans make of Trump 2.0. Also on the programme: we hear from an old friend and colleague of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on how he'll approach his role; and as Tony Blair says phasing out fossil fuels is ‘doomed to fail', we speak to his foundation's director of climate policy.

Spain has declared a state of emergency after a massive power cut hit the country as well as Portugal. Tonight the Spanish Prime Minister says the cause of the blackout is still not known but nothing is being ruled out. Traffic lights, cash machines and street lights all switched off when the blackout hit.As voters prepare to take part in local elections, we head to Staffordshire to hear what's on their mind.And can reading a book a day keep the upheaval of Donald Trump's second term at bay? While President Trump's first 100 days has delighted many of his supporters, we speak to a woman who has distracted herself from the tumult by reading a new book every day.

US envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin had "constructive" talks in Moscow on Friday lasting three hours, according to an aide of Putin's. Ukraine and the US disagree over whether peace talks should encompass formally recognising Russian sovereignty over occupied Ukrainian territory, we explore the appetite of Ukrainians for conceding land to Russia.As we came on air the UK's Equality and Human Rights Commission released interim guidance to highlight what it says are "the main consequences" of the recent Supreme Court judgement that in the 2010 Equality Act references to a person's sex must be taken to mean their biological sex. The guidance says workplaces and services open to the public should only permit people to use toilet facilities according to their biological sex.And what's behind the unlikely controversy surrounding the Bayeux Tapestry?

President Donald Trump insisted his administration is “putting a lot of pressure” on Russia to reach a peace deal with Ukraine, after an overnight rocket attack on Kyiv killed 12 people. In a post on Truth Social earlier, the US President wrote “Vladimir, STOP!” and called the attack “bad timing”. But differences between the US and Ukrainian positions continue, particularly over the future of the Crimean peninsula.The National Autistic Society rounded on Reform UK party leader Nigel Farage after he said doctors were “massively over-diagnosing those with mental illness problems”. We ask what's behind the spike in diagnosis of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).And as the Liberal Democrats propose fining people for playing music out loud on their phone aboard public transport, we ask how the issue should be dealt with.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves signalled openness to lower tariffs Britain imposes on US car imports in order to reach a trade deal with President Trump. A document circulated among US business groups and unions seeking views on a potential deal with the UK, focused on lowering UK tariffs on US cars to 2.5% from their current 10%. The former Chief Executive of Aston Martin tells us the Chancellor should accept the proposal.Meanwhile President Trump has rounded on his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky again, denouncing what he called "inflammatory statements" after Zelensky said he'd never recognise Crimea as part of Russia.And experts say bite marks found on the skeleton of a Roman gladiator are the first archaeological evidence of combat between a human and a lion.

In a stark forecast of the world's economy, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) says the Trump tariffs and market uncertainty will lead to slower growth and significant change. The IMF has also slashed the UK's growth prospects - we ask what that means for the government's "number one mission".Also on the programme:After last week's definitive ruling in the courts, the impassioned arguments over gender and sex have continued in the Commons. We ask our Political Editor Chris Mason where the debate over gender and trans rights goes next.And - as the Catholic Church considers its future direction - we ask how it can appeal to the younger generation.