Podcast · 65 episodes
The World Tonight
by BBC Radio 4 · English
In-depth reporting, intelligent analysis and major breaking news from a global perspective
Latest episodes
Dame Esther Rantzen dies at 86 after lifetime of campaigningThe episode is a World Tonight roundup reflecting on Dame Esther Rantzen’s death at 86, plus major news: a passenger jet incident over Saudi Arabia, Labour/France debate over possible UK rejoining…30 Sep 2026 · 38 min
The PM vows to end existing triple lock on pensions in 2030This episode of BBC World Tonight focuses mainly on UK politics: Labour Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s first Labour conference speech, where he pledges to change the pensions “triple lock” in April…29 Sep 2026 · 39 min
Labour says reducing welfare spending is a "moral duty"The episode is a World Tonight roundup focused on Labour’s conference agenda, UK security after arrests near RAF Fairford, diesel price risks for farmers, and life in wartime Ukraine, plus UK road…28 Sep 2026 · 38 min
All episodes
Dame Esther Rantzen dies at 86 after lifetime of campaigningThe episode is a World Tonight roundup reflecting on Dame Esther Rantzen’s death at 86, plus major news: a passenger jet incident over Saudi Arabia, Labour/France debate over possible UK rejoining…30 Sep 2026 · 38 min · 16 chapters
The PM vows to end existing triple lock on pensions in 2030This episode of BBC World Tonight focuses mainly on UK politics: Labour Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s first Labour conference speech, where he pledges to change the pensions “triple lock” in April…29 Sep 2026 · 39 min · 14 chapters
Labour says reducing welfare spending is a "moral duty"The episode is a World Tonight roundup focused on Labour’s conference agenda, UK security after arrests near RAF Fairford, diesel price risks for farmers, and life in wartime Ukraine, plus UK road…28 Sep 2026 · 38 min · 20 chapters
UK diesel prices approach all-time highThe episode is about UK diesel prices nearing an all-time high, driven by global events and potential US diesel export restrictions.25 Sep 2026 · 38 min · 13 chapters
President Xi calls for AI cooperation with United StatesPresident Xi Jinping urges cooperation with the United States on AI, insisting AI stay under human control; the episode also covers UK Channel migrant crossings, PFAS “forever chemicals” exposure in…24 Sep 2026 · 38 min · 13 chapters
Blood tests in Lancashire reveal cancer-causing chemicalsThe episode of BBC World Tonight focuses mainly on Lancashire residents near a chemical factory who received blood tests showing high levels of PFOA, a PFAS “forever chemical” linked to cancer.23 Sep 2026 · 38 min · 15 chapters
Andy Burnham meets President Trump(1) UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s first face-to-face meeting with US President Donald Trump at the UN, with cordial talks on Ukraine, the Middle East, and trade; (2) Trump’s UN speech claims about…22 Sep 2026 · 38 min · 16 chapters
News outlets blocked from White House sue TrumpThe episode covers multiple news segments. Main topic: a standoff between the Trump White House and mainstream US media.21 Sep 2026 · 38 min · 15 chapters
French President warns of escalating Russian hybrid attacksFrance’s President Macron warns that Russia is escalating “hybrid” attacks on Europe, including drone/airspace incidents and attempted strikes; the episode also covers Turkey’s LGBTQ crackdown, Earl…18 Sep 2026 · 38 min · 17 chapters
King Charles warns of 'existential danger' from AI in wrong handsThis World Tonight episode covers multiple stories. Main topic: King Charles warns of “existential danger” from AI in “wrong hands,” prompting debate over China’s AI progress and global safeguards.17 Sep 2026 · 38 min · 10 chapters
Trump denounces Fed's decision to raise interest rateThe episode centers on the US Federal Reserve raising interest rates by 0.25% for the first time in over three years, despite political pressure from President Trump to cut rates.16 Sep 2026 · 37 min · 14 chapters
Britain reportedly considers military assistance for Saudi ArabiaThis World Tonight episode is mainly about rising economic and security risks from attacks in Yemen and the Red Sea.15 Sep 2026 · 38 min · 15 chapters
‘Litany of failures’ in case of patient killed on NHS mental health wardThe episode of BBC World Tonight (Sept 14) covers multiple stories.14 Sep 2026 · 38 min · 19 chapters
Parliament votes against a fresh attempt to legalise assisted dyingThe episode is primarily about a BBC World Tonight report from Westminster on Parliament voting against a fresh attempt to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales.11 Sep 2026 · 37 min · 14 chapters
Trump says every adult American will get $5,000 if Republicans win midtermsThe episode is a World Tonight roundup led from Dallas, plus segments on UK maternity care, Israel-Gaza politics, AI regulation, and tennis.10 Sep 2026 · 38 min · 16 chapters
AI 'could kill all humans' within 10 years: says Anthropic researcherAnthropic researchers and Geoffrey Hinton warn AI could kill all humans within 10 years; episode also covers Apple’s first foldable iPhone, UK air-traffic-control failures, and UK/US reactions to…9 Sep 2026 · 38 min · 12 chapters
Israel retaliates for British sanctions on occupied West Bank importsBBC World Tonight discusses Israel’s angry retaliation after the UK (with 11 Western countries) announced sanctions targeting Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.8 Sep 2026 · 46 min · 22 chapters
Government condemns disorder at Portsmouth anti-migrant protestUK government response to anti-migrant protests in Portsmouth after a dinghy carrying 120 migrants arrived; analysis of smugglers’ changing tactics; other news segments on Labour’s planned sanctions…7 Sep 2026 · 38 min · 17 chapters
Lindsay Clancy murder trial collapsesThe episode of BBC World Tonight (Sept 4) covers four main stories.4 Sep 2026 · 38 min · 13 chapters
A story of hope after Nepal floodThe World Tonight covers Nepal’s flash floods on the Nepal–Tibet border, including a survivor story from a hydropower tunnel, UK government aid and missing British nationals, and broader fallout.3 Sep 2026 · 38 min · 13 chapters
Inside a clinic taking on childhood obesityThe episode is a World Tonight special report focused on England’s child obesity crisis, with exclusive access to an NHS specialist weight-loss clinic in Cambridge (a “Q Clinic”).2 Sep 2026 · 38 min · 12 chapters
Burnham’s plan for governmentAndy Burnham’s first Commons speech as Prime Minister—his “rewiring” of the British state, stronger public control of services, and cross-party cooperation—meets global bond-market pressure and…1 Sep 2026 · 38 min · 17 chapters
Government defends its prisoner early release schemeThis episode of BBC World Tonight (31 Aug) focuses mainly on the UK government’s plan to introduce legislation for early release of some prisoners serving indefinite sentences for public protection…31 Aug 2026 · 41 min · 21 chapters
Number of missing after Nepal flash floods jumps significantly to nearly 2,000The episode of BBC World Tonight focuses mainly on the Nepal-Tibet flash floods after a glacier collapse on the Nepal-Tibet border.28 Aug 2026 · 38 min · 14 chapters