The World Tonight

Four countries boycott Eurovision over Israel

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…

4 Dec 6PM 37 min

Europe proposes new plan to use Russia’s frozen assets

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…

3 Dec 5PM 37 min

Can Trump negotiate peace in Ukraine?

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…

2 Dec 5PM 38 min

UK-US agree zero tariffs deal on pharmaceutical shipments

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…

1 Dec 6PM 41 min

Why are so many adoptive families being broken apart?

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…

28 Nov 6PM 37 min

Government backtracks on day-one unfair dismissal right

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…

27 Nov 6PM 41 min

Chancellor raises taxes by £26 billion in second Budget

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…

26 Nov 6PM 40 min

Chancellor announces minimum wage rise ahead of Budget

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…

25 Nov 6PM 38 min

BBC chairman faces MPs after high-profile resignations

The chairman of the BBC, Samir Shah, faced scrutiny in the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee over his handling of the recent crisis over Panorama's edit of US President Donald Trump's speech, as well as other allegations of bias. The chair of the committee told us…

24 Nov 6PM 41 min

Putin backs US plan for ending Ukraine war

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…

21 Nov 6PM 41 min