The World Tonight

Prime Minister's dilemma on early release of prisoners

The Prime Minister says he wants the killers of PC Andrew Harper to stay behind bars. How will he do it? We ask a senior law professor who advised the government on how to manage early prisoner releases. As Simon Levy is set to be sentenced tomorrow, the BBC has…

11 Aug 6PM 37 min

Over 100 dead after Colombia earthquake

At least 111 people have been killed and dozens more are injured after a powerful earthquake hit western Colombia, according to local officials. Dozens of buildings have collapsed. It comes less than two months after a double earthquake killed thousands in neighbouring Venezuela. French lifeboat crews have described how a…

10 Aug 5PM 37 min

Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan sign new defence pact

Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have signed a major defence pact in Mecca, saying an attack on one is an attack on all three. A former advisor to Turkey's president tells us what he thinks his country gets out of such an agreement. Also in the programme: after the London-based…

7 Aug 6PM 38 min

Referrals to anti-terror scheme reach record high

Prevent referrals in England and Wales were up 39% in the year to September 2025. It’s the highest number in a single year since records began in 2015. Where the age is known, 393 referrals were for children under 10, the largest proportion concerned 11 to 15-year-olds at 36%, followed…

6 Aug 5PM 37 min

Former neo-Nazi resigns as Conservative council candidate

A former neo-Nazi, selected by the Conservatives to contest a council election, withdraws his candidacy A prominent professor who denied claims of plagiarism has quit his role at Cambridge Germany's Interior Minister has warned about a "new level of danger" after a drone with an explosive was found at Leipzig…

5 Aug 6PM 37 min

Migrants rescued as boat catches fire in Channel

More than 170 migrants have been rescued after the boat they were using to cross the English Channel caught fire. The boat was attempting to travel to the UK when its engine caught fire, according to the French authorities. We hear from an aid worker about the changing tactics of…

4 Aug 6PM 37 min

Europe swelters in another heatwave

Heatwave conditions in Europe are due to continue for at least another week, pushing temperatures above 40C in many countries. Rivers have dried up in central Europe and wildfires have forced thousands to evacuate their homes in Greece. We hear from an Italian climate scientist and get advice on travel…

3 Aug 6PM 37 min

Israel wants ‘genuine’ disarmament of Hamas

President Trump says the Board of Peace deal will result in the "complete disarmament" of Hamas in Gaza. Hamas says the handover of its heavy weapons depends on Israel ending "all forms of aggression" and withdrawing from Gaza. Israel says of Hamas: "We have to verify what they are doing,…

31 Jul 6PM 41 min

Football associations unite against Fifa’s World Cup plans

North and Central America football associations join Uefa in rejecting Fifa’s proposal to sell stakes in its competitions to private investors. We explore the finance of football and hear reaction from a former chairman of England’s Football Association, David Bernstein. Also in the programme: The United Nations begins its search…

30 Jul 6PM 37 min

Infantino defends FIFA World Cup sell off plans

The head of world football's governing body, FIFA, Gianni Infantino says controversial plans to sell off stakes in major competitions, including the World Cup, are an 'opportunity', not an 'obligation'. Also on the programme: The Environment Agency has declared drought in more than half of England, after record low rainfall…

29 Jul 6PM 38 min