The World Tonight

FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented Donald Trump with a newly created FIFA Peace Prize at the World Cup draw in Washington DC. The 2026 tournament will be held in the US, Canada and Mexico.Also on the programme: Netflix has agreed to buy Warner Bros' streaming and studio business, potentially paving the way for a radical reshaping of the entertainment industry; and the BBC finds that more than 250 LGBT people were subjected to electric shock aversion therapy by the NHS in the 1960s and 70s. We hear from a survivor.

Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and the Netherlands have all said they won't send acts to the Eurovision Song Contest next May in protest at Israel's participation. There have been calls for Israel to be excluded because of the war in Gaza, but members of the European Broadcasting Union, which organises the contest, rejected a push for a vote on the issue. Also on the programme: an Inquiry finds the Russian President Vladimir Putin "morally responsible" for the death by poisoning of Dawn Sturgess in Salisbury; and we remember Steve Cropper, the legendary guitarist who's died at the age of 84.

The President of the European Commission, Ursula Von Der Leyen, has set out revised plans to use frozen Russian assets to loan money to Ukraine. Meanwhile, a German arms manufacturer invests in a drone manufacturing plant in Swindon to boost Europe's defence. Also on the programme, Somali Americans in Minnesota react to president Trump's attack on their community; and the chance discovery of one of the world's largest species of octopus in Aberdeenshire.

Two of US President Donald Trump's closest envoys, Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, today met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin used the meeting to warn that Russia was not planning for war with Ukraine's European backers but was 'ready' for that eventuality. Also on the programme: we debate Justice Secretary David Lammy proposes scrapping jury trials for some cases; and we hear about the snake-handling church that's inspired a new piece of music.

UK-US agree zero tariffs deal on pharmaceutical products. The agreement means that the NHS will have to pay more for new medicines. We speak to a leading member of pharmaceutical industry. Also: The chairman of the Office for Budget Responsibility resigns after the body mistakenly released its assessment of the budget early. We hear from one MP supportive of the chairman's decision to quit. And Zootropolis, the new Disney animation that is breaking records.

As a BBC investigation reveals how many adoptions break down, we ask whether the system gives adoptive parents enough support. Also:We ask a Labour MP whether the Chancellor misled the country over the state of the public finances - and ask our live political panel where her budget has left her authority.And the composer looking beyond the solar system for inspiration.

The government has U-turned on its manifesto commitment to offer all workers the right to claim unfair dismissal from their first day in a job. Ministers now plan to introduce the right after six months instead, after business groups voiced concerns it would discourage firms from hiring. The government argued it was making the climbdown to stop its employment legislation being delayed in the House of Lords, where it has run into opposition. But Labour MP Andy McDonald, who helped to write the New Deal for Workers on which the legislation is based, told us of his "immense disappointment".Also on the programme: the US Department of Homeland Security says it's reviewing all asylum cases approved under former president Joe Biden after the suspect in the shooting of two National Guard soldiers in Washington DC yesterday was revealed to be an Afghan man who worked alongside the CIA in Afghanistan.And an Oxford University botanical scientist told us of the moment his colleague broke down at the sight of a rare flower blossoming in Indonesia, in a moment that has now gone viral online.

The Chancellor announced major tax increases amounting to £26 billion in her second Budget, as well as ending the two-child benefit cap from April next year. We broadcast from the political bellwether town of Northampton, to get local reaction from business and townspeople, as well as the local MP Lucy Rigby, who is also Economic Secretary to the Treasury.Also on the programme: two national guardsmen have been critically injured after being shot in Washington DC.

Millions of people are set to get a pay rise from April due to an increase in the minimum wage, the government has announced ahead of Wednesday's Budget. The hourly rate for over-21s will rise by 50p to £12.71, with workers aged 18-20 seeing an 85p rise to £10.85, and under-18s and apprentices getting 45p more to £8 an hour. However, businesses have warned that further increases to the minimum wages could result in hiring freezes. We hear from the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.Also on the programme: US President Donald Trump is sending his envoy Steve Witkoff to Moscow to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin, amid continuing talks to end the war in Ukraine.And a new BBC documentary recounts a little-known water contamination scandal that rocked communities in Cornwall in the 1980s.

Vladimir Putin says the White House plan can “form the basis of a final peace settlement”. President Trump believes Thursday is an appropriate deadline for Kyiv to accept the proposals. But Democratic Congressman Mike Quigley tells us “if this is what the President is really proposing, I'm honestly embarrassed for my country".Also on the programme: the family of a missing Colombian man seek answers after the US strikes a boat alleged to have been involved in drug-trafficking.And proposed regulations governing wood from an endangered tree could spell trouble for musicians who use bows made from brazilwood, also known as pernambuco.

The UK response to Covid was "too little, too late" and led to thousands more deaths in the first wave, an inquiry into government decision-making has found. The report said lockdown may have been avoided if voluntary steps such as social distancing and isolating those with symptoms along with household members had been brought in earlier than 16 March 2020. A minister during the pandemic years tells us some of the criticism is "unfair".Also on the programme: as Spain marks 50 years since the death of dictator Francisco Franco, a leading historian of the country on why some young people are growing more favourable towards him.Broadcaster Terry Christian reflects on the passing of his friend, The Stone Roses bassist Gary "Mani" Mounfield, who has died aged 63.And turning a tennis match into opera. Shaun Ley visits the set of 'Balls', an musical rendition of the famous 1973 Battle of the Sexes tennis match between Bobby Riggs and Billie Jean King.

The White House and Moscow have reportedly drawn up a 28-point peace plan that crosses many of Ukraine's stated red lines. Could Kyiv ever accept it? Also on the programme: the Oxfordshire fly-tipping scandal is raised at Prime Minister's Questions - we ask how big the problem is nationwide; and eighty years on, a verdict on the Nuremberg trials from the son of a Nazi war criminal and the grandson of a British prosecutor.

During a visit to the White House, Donald Trump said Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ‘knew nothing' about the 2018 murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi. We hear reaction from Khashoggi's former editor, Marty Baron. Also on the programme: Poland's foreign minister on suspected Russian sabotage of his country's railways. And crouching woman, draped goose - we hear about the earliest known depiction of interaction between a human and an animal.

The Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood laid out a string of reforms to the asylum system that would see refugee status become temporary, guaranteed housing support for asylum seekers end and new capped "safe and legal routes" into the UK created. Speaking in the House of Commons, Mahmood told MPs the current system is "out of control and unfair", and said: "If we fail to deal with this crisis, we will draw more people down a path that starts with anger and ends in hatred."Also on the programme: as Syrians search for those who disappeared during the 13-year civil war, questions remain over missing American Austin Tice.And an off-duty pilot who tried to cut off the engines of an Alaska Airlines passenger flight with more than 80 people on board, after having taken psychedelic mushrooms, has been sentenced.

In an effort to curb illegal migration, the government is planning the biggest shakeup to asylum rules since World War Two - inspired by Denmark. We examine what lessons the UK can learn from the Danish system - and ask a Labour MP if these sweeping changes will work.Also on the programme:A British journalist detained by US immigration officers for more than two weeks has returned to the UK. We speak to him. And a pub quiz has banned a team for cheating. Are smartphones are spoiling all the fun?

Anonymous briefings that Keir Starmer would fight a leadership challenge have fuelled speculation about discontent with the prime minister among the parliamentary party. We hear that Labour MPs are increasingly openly contemptuous of the PM in their briefings to journalists. Also on the programme: the Democrats release emails suggesting Donald Trump was aware of sexual abuse by Jeffrey Epstein; and the knitters of the Shetland Islands tell us they've been stitched up by a TV portrayal of their craft.

A London NHS trust has been fined more than £500,000 and a ward manager convicted of health and safety offences over the death of 22-year-old Alice Figueiredo in Goodmayes Hospital. We ask whether the NHS could be doing more to stop preventable deaths in care. Also on the programme: Amid reports of a post-Budget coup against Sir Keir Starmer, Number 10 says the prime minister won't go without a fight.And are the BBC's history programmes failing to present a full view of the nation's past? We hear from two historians: Professor Lawrence Goldman, Emeritus Fellow in History at St Peter's College, Oxford and Dr Tessa Dunlop, author of Lest We Forget: War and Peace in 100 British Monuments.

US President Donald Trump has threatened the BBC with a $1bn lawsuit over edits the Panorama programme made to a speech he gave before the January 6 Capitol riots. We assess the significance of the lawsuit and the resignations of the Director General and the CEO of BBC News. Also on the programme: why Democrats aren't happy about a deal aimed at ending the longest government shutdown in US history; and on a rare trip back home, a UK-based Russian writer finds out how people are dealing with the war in Ukraine.

The longest shutdown in US history became even more severe today as hundreds of flights were cancelled by the federal government to reduce strain on air traffic controllers, who haven't been paid for five weeks. We hear from travellers, airport staff and a Republican congressman on the growing political pressure to find a deal in Congress that would end the government shutdown.Also on the programme: one of the pioneers of artificial intelligence tells us why he's profoundly concerned about the potential harm from the technology. And the geneticist who co-discovered DNA, James Watson, has died aged 97. We hear from a lifelong friend.

As world leaders gather in Brazil, Prince William tells them they must urgently work together to prevent further climate change. But how much can be achieved with the leaders of some of the world's largest CO2 emitters - the US, China, Russia and India - absent from the meeting? Also on the programme: top Democrat Nancy Pelosi announces her retirement after nearly four decades in the US Congress; and the actress Pauline Collins, best known for her roles in 'Upstairs Downstairs' and 'Shirley Valentine', has died at the age of 85. We speak to her friend and co-star Tom Conti.

Two prisoners have been wrongly released from the same London prison. We ask a former head of security at HMP Wandsworth how two of its inmates could have been mistakenly freed - and the Labour chair of the Justice Committee about whether the government should take responsibility.One year after his re-election Donald Trump has wished himself a happy anniversary, but Americans have sent a different message in local and state elections. After big wins for his opponents - how big a setback is it for the US President?And as the government announces a new national forest - how do you create a good one?

New Yorkers could redraw the US's political faultlines today if the left-wing frontrunner for city mayor, Zohran Mamdani, defeats former state governor Andrew Cuomo. Donald Trump has already set his sights on Mamdani, threatening to withdraw federal funding form New York City if the 34-year-old democratic socialist wins the mayoralty. We hear from one of Mamdani's informal advisers, Patrick Gaspard. Also on the programme: the BBC exposes an organised crime network behind high street shops involved in fraud, tax evasion and illegal working; and Dick Cheney, one of the most powerful US Vice Presidents of all time, has died. We hear from a close aide who was with him on 9/11.

The Tanzanian president Samia Suluhu Hassan has been sworn in despite protests over a disputed election, and reports that hundreds of people have been killed in a crackdown by the security forces. We hear from a former MP and diplomat who has been in the country for weeks on holiday.Also on the programme: the author Salman Rushdie speaks to us ahead of the publication of his first work of fiction since being stabbed three years ago. And, could a change in credit-rating to include rental payments help young people get on the housing ladder?

The government says it has no plans to change the law in order to remove Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, from the line of succession. Meanwhile, US lawmakers have seized on Andrew's loss of his royal title to renew their calls for him to give evidence in their investigations into the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. We hear from one of them.Also on the programme: survivors of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica scramble for food and supplies. And, as a new study shows the importance of churches in bat conservation, a parish vicar explains how she accommodates her long-term guests.

Buckingham Palace says Prince Andrew will lose his 'prince' title and from now on be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. He will also move out of Royal Lodge. In a statement, the Palace said, "these censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him." We hear from a royal biographer and a lawyer who represents many of the victims of Jeffrey Epstein.Also on the programme: RSF forces in Sudan are accused of committing mass killings in a hospital in the city of El-Fashir. And what's it like to live in the neighbourhood deemed "most deprived" for a fourth consecutive year?

US President Trump will meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping for the first time since returning to the White House in the coming hours. President Trump has said he expects to agree a deal to ease trade tensions between the two economic rivals. We hear from a Chinese economist and US congressman.Also on the programme: a report from Rio where police raids on drugs gangs have killed more than 130 people. And we have the latest as the Chancellor Rachel Reeves admits breaking housing rules by unlawfully renting out her family home without a licence.

There's been a major development in a brutal civil war - that's already created the world's worst humanitarian catastrophe. As the Sudanese government loses control of the key city of el-Fasher, survivors have spoken of executions and massacres. We speak to Annelise Dodds who was - until February - the minister responsible for aid, and is now calling for the government to take action.Also on the programme:Hurricane Melissa has slammed into Jamaica with winds of more than 185 miles an hour - the most powerful storm anywhere in the world this year.And the actor Simon Callow on Prunella Scales, who's died at the age of 93.

Some of the key figures behind the collapse of the Chinese spy case have been telling their side of the story to a parliamentary committee. We find out what we've learned from one of the committee's members.How worried should we be about a new Russian missile described as a "tiny flying Chernobyl"?And as the King unveils a monument to LGBT+ veterans, we hear what it means to a Royal Navy veteran sacked for being gay.

A former asylum seeker who sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl was released from prison by mistake. Ethiopian national Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, who arrived in the UK on a small boat, was jailed for 12 months over the attack in Epping, Essex, last month.Also on the programme: The director of public prosecutions has said the China spy case collapsed because a top national security official could not say the country had been classed as an "enemy" when the Conservatives were in power. We speak to former Tory Defence Secretary Sir Grant Shapps.And art expert and host of the television series ‘Fake or Fortune?' Philip Mould on the discovery of millions of euros' worth of forged art claiming to be by Picasso, Rembrandt and Frida Kahlo.

The search is expected to take months after two leading candidates pulled out. We speak to survivor Samantha Walker-Roberts who'll only support the inquiry if Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips continues in her role.Also on the programme: A new report concludes support for children with special educational needs in England is fundamentally flawed.And former judge on Strictly Come Dancing, Dame Arlene Phillips, on whether the show can survive the announced departure of hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.

The migrant was removed to France under the "one in, one out" scheme less than a month ago, BBC News understands. We hear what life is like in France for some of those returned there.Also on the programme: Good news for the lowest paid as another record rise to the national living wage is announced. But could there be unforeseen consequences?And former Clinton staffer and writer for The West Wing TV programme, Eli Attie, gives his reaction to news that President Trump is building a new ballroom on the East Wing of the White House.

Prince Andrew's living arrangements are being scrutinised as controversy continues over his connections to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. A Democrat tells us her committee in the US House of Representatives wants to hear more from Prince Andrew about his relationship to Epstein.We visit the London site of the new proposed Chinese mega-embassy.And as a White House delegation visits Israel, we examine how fragile the Gaza ceasefire is.

As the government publishes key witness statements at the centre of a collapsed case involving two men accused of spying for China, we hear reaction from the former head of Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee, Dominic Grieve. Also on the programme: former Downing Street Adviser Dominic Cummings claims that there was a serious breach of data with the highest security classification in 2020. The Cabinet Office has denied his claim. And we visit the five-day festival of Japanese sumo wrestling that's taken over the Royal Albert Hall in London.

The families of Israeli hostages killed in Gaza have expressed frustration and anger at the delays in the return of remains to Israel. Hamas agreed to return the bodies of 28 people under the terms of the ceasefire agreement. While all 20 living hostages have been returned, only four bodies have been sent back. Hamas officials have warned that some of the hostages' bodies remain trapped under the rubble of buildings destroyed by Israeli bombardment.Also on the programme: we speak to a Palestinian man freed yesterday after two decades in an Israeli prison; and the winner of philosophy's most prestigious prize tells us about his optimism for the future of political discourse.

In a speech to the Knesset the US President hailed a ‘historic dawn' in the Middle East as Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees return home under the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement. We hear from voices on the ground and the BBC's Tim Franks in Jerusalem to assess what the chances are of a lasting peace.

As Israeli tanks move out, Palestinians in Gaza move back to their homes, many in ruins. We hear from civilians inside the Gaza Strip and speak to a former US general on whether the ceasefire will hold.Also on the programme: Venezuelans react as opposition leader María Corina Machado is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize; and we visit a small West London restaurant that caters to India's biggest film stars as the Prime Minister announces more Bollywood movies will be produced in the UK.

Israeli ministers are meeting to discuss a deal brokered by US President Donald Trump which would see a ceasefire implemented in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages by Hamas. They are widely expected to approve the plan.In this special episode of The World Tonight we speak to a former Israeli Prime Minister as well as a mother in Gaza who lost her husband at the beginning of the war, but speaks of her hope for the future.Also on the programme: the chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee says if the Gaza plan works in bringing peace to the Middle East then US President Trump should "of course" get a Nobel Peace Prize. And an historian and veteran Middle East journalist discuss how significant this ceasefire agreement might be in the history of Israel and Palestine.

US President Donald Trump says "we are very close to a deal" to end the war in Gaza, after officials reported progress after a third day of indirect talks between Israel and Hamas in Egypt. The Times of Israel earlier reported a deal to release Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners could be imminent.Also on the programme: as the number of people who died while homeless reached the highest on record last year, we hear from one mother on the loss of her son.And 40 years on from its debut, the cast of Les Miserables unite for an anniversary that makes it the longest-running West End musical.

Israel has marked the second anniversary of the 7 October attacks. We speak to two parents - one Israeli, one Palestinian - about the impact that day has had on their families Also on the programme:We visit a school that scores high marks for its inclusive approach to special educational needs. And the team of musicologists who have found previously unheard music by Henry Purcell in a local archive.

Sébastien Lecornu was appointed France's prime minister less than four weeks ago. We explore what the political turmoil means for the country's relationship with Europe and the world.Also in the programme: The Nobel Prize for Medicine is awarded to three researchers for groundbreaking discoveries on the human immune system. And novelist Dame Jilly Cooper has died at the age of 88 – we speak to her friend, writer Rachel Johnson.

The group agrees to release hostages but wants further talks on a number of points. We hear from President Trump's former Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt.Also in the programme: After yesterday's Manchester synagogue attack, joint deputy leader of the Green Party Mothin Ali discusses his response and the debate in the UK over the conflict in Gaza. Plus actor Dominic Monaghan talks about working with Dame Patricia Routledge, who's died at the age of 96.

Manchester police have named the man they say attacked a synagogue in the city as 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie, a British citizen of Syrian descent. The car ramming and stabbing attack left two Jewish men dead. We hear some of the shock and fear in Europe's biggest Jewish neighbourhood and ask if counter-terrorism legislation is up to date.Also on the programme:A former chief of staff for Conservative Prime Minister Theresa May says the pledge by new leader Kemi Badenoch to scrap the 2008 Climate Change Act if she gets into office is "bad policy and bad politics".And 75 years since the first edition of Peanuts, with its lovable main character Charlie Brown, we speak to artist and fan Andy Holden.