The World Tonight

Iran threatens to set fire to shipping in Gulf amid ongoing conflict

Iran has threatened shipping in the Persian Gulf and Straits of Hormuz as fighting between the country and the US and Israel escalates. Today, US President Donald Trump says he took the decision to launch a war against Iran because it was the "last, best chance" to stop the country's…

2 Mar 6PM 39 min

Allegations of 'family voting' in by-election to be raised in parliament

Allegations of 'family voting' in the Gorton and Denton by-election are to be raised in parliament on Monday. We speak to Lord Pickles, whose report into electoral fraud called for action a decade ago. We also look at where the by-election leaves Labour strategy: are Reform or the Greens their…

27 Feb 6PM 42 min

Polls close in Gorton and Denton by-election as vote counting begins

It’s expected to be a close race between Labour, Reform UK, and the Greens. We hear from the count and speak to political scientist Paula Keaveney about the apparent fragmentation of British politics. Also on programme: Democrats on the Republican-led House Oversight Committee have defended the former US Secretary of…

26 Feb 6PM 37 min

Government denies Chagos Islands deal is paused

The government has said it is not pausing legislation that would see the Chagos Islands transferred to Mauritius. That's despite Foreign Office minister Hamish Falconer telling Parliament that the process would be paused "for discussions with our American counterparts". A government spokesperson said Falconer had "misspoken". Also on the programme:…

25 Feb 6PM 41 min

Mandelson's lawyers say he was arrested over claim he was flight risk

Lord Mandelson was released in the early hours of Tuesday morning - and tonight lawyers for the former UK Ambassador and Labour minister have said he'd been arrested on "a baseless suggestion" that he was planning to leave the country. Also on the programme: As the government prepares to introduce…

24 Feb 6PM 41 min

Peter Mandelson arrested

The investigation that led to the arrest was triggered by emails in the Epstein files which appeared to show Lord Mandelson allegedly communicating with Epstein, including one exchange about rumours of an EU bailout. Also on the programme: the government unveils plans to overhaul the special educational needs system in…

23 Feb 6PM 40 min

Trump tariffs frustrated by US Supreme Court

With a 6-3 majority, the Supreme Court ruled President Trump exceeded his authority when he imposed tariffs via a law reserved for national emergencies. The president has used Nixon-era legislation to impose new, albeit temporary, tariffs. Also on the programme: the BBC understands the government is considering legislation to remove…

20 Feb 6PM 41 min

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is released under investigation after his arrest

He was arrested Thursday morning on suspicion of misconduct in public office. We hear from our correspondent outside Buckingham Palace, a former press chief in the Royal household, a former Minister who opposed Andrew becoming UK trade envoy, and we look at how the Royal family has recovered from previous…

19 Feb 6PM 39 min

Teenage girls force into sex by London gangs, BBC finds

The BBC has uncovered new evidence that vulnerable girls and young women in London are being groomed by gangs to carry drugs and have sex. We discuss the findings with the former head of the National Crime Agency's Child Exploitation Command. Also on the programme: the day after the US…

18 Feb 6PM 40 min

Reverend Jesse Jackson dies aged 84

Reverend Jesse Jackson, a giant of the civil rights movement, has died at the age of 84. As politicians from across the spectrum pay tribute to his legacy, we speak to his son, who was with him when he died.  Also on the programme: Labour faces a mass resignation of…

17 Feb 6PM 39 min