The World Tonight

24/12/2025

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

24 Dec 6PM 40 min

Should government meet pro-Palestine hunger strikers?

Pro-Palestinian remand prisoners staging the largest organised hunger strike in over 40 years are to continue, after the government refused a meeting. We hear from the sister of one of them - and ask whether the government should now intervene. Also on the programme: The latest Epstein files include an…

23 Dec 6PM 41 min

Is Labour's relationship with farmers broken?

The government says it will prohibit trail hunting too as part of its Animal Welfare Strategy, 21 years after banning fox hunting. We hear from a former Conservative minister and a Labour MP on a tradition that divides the country - and ask whether Labour's relationship with farmers is terminally…

22 Dec 6PM 39 min

US Department of Justice releases Epstein files

The US justice department has released some of the so-called Epstein files - the long-awaited documents related to its investigations into the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The justice department faced a legal deadline to release the files by Friday, following months of pressure on Trump from both inside and…

19 Dec 6PM 39 min

EU leaders try to thrash out a plan on Russia's frozen assets

European leaders are locked in to negotiations tonight about seizing frozen Russian assets to help fund a major loan for Ukraine. But opposition remains, including from Hungary's Prime Minister Victor Orban. Also on the programme: The bookmakers favourite, Rory McIlroy, is the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year. We'll have…

18 Dec 6PM 37 min

Arrests at London protest over "intifada" chants

Police have arrested two people "for racially aggravated public order offences" after they allegedly "shouted slogans involving calls for intifada" at a pro-Palestinian protest in central London. The arrests came hours after the Met and Greater Manchester Police said they would arrest people holding placards and chanting the phrase "globalise…

17 Dec 6PM 38 min

First funerals to be held for victims of the Bondi Beach attack

British-born Rabbi Eli Schlanger and Rabbi Yaakov Levitan are to be buried on Wednesday, the Chabad of Bondi has confirmed. Australian officials are investigating claims that the two gunmen took part in military-style training in the Philippines. Also on the programme: The BBC understands that the UK is set to…

16 Dec 6PM 38 min

German Chancellor says "huge progress" on Ukraine ceasefire

Germany's Chancellor says "huge progress" has been made in Berlin during negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. His optimism was echoed by US President Donald Trump who said, "we're closer now than we have been, ever." But questions remain over security guarantees for Kyiv and whether they'll be asked…

15 Dec 6PM 39 min

King Charles shares 'good news' about his cancer

The King said in a personal message that his cancer treatment will be reduced next year, thanks to early diagnosis, effective intervention and an adherence to doctors' orders.   Also on the programme: the Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, has said he is not 'comfortable' with a puberty blockers clinical trial…

12 Dec 6PM 39 min

UK-based Hong Kong activist the target of sexually explicit harassment campaign

A UK-based Hong Kong pro-democracy activist tells us fake, sexually-explicit images were sent to her neighbours. Also on the programme: As the Trump administration ramps up its campaign against Venezuela's president, it has also been helping the opposition leader leave the country. Encouraging news about efforts to slow climate change…

11 Dec 6PM 37 min