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The World Tonight

BBC Radio 4
The World Tonight
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288 episodes

  • The World Tonight

    Disability benefits could face massive overhaul in Timms Review

    08/07/2026 | 37 mins.
    A landmark review into Personal Independence Payments - known as PIP - is due tomorrow. The Timms Review is expected to call for significant reform of disability benefit. We look ahead to what it might bring, get the views of senior politicians - and hear the hopes of someone who claims the benefit.
    Also on the programme: we speak to the granddaughter of the last woman to be hanged in the UK - Ruth Ellis - who has been given a conditional pardon by the King. And the British wildcard wonder Arthur Fery marches on to the semi-finals - we hear from one of his former coaches.
  • The World Tonight

    Farage resigns as an MP to fight by-election

    07/07/2026 | 37 mins.
    Nigel Farage has announced he will stand down as an MP for Clacton and fight a by-election. The Reform UK leader was under investigation by a parliamentary watchdog for allegedly failing to declare a £5m gift from billionaire cryptocurrency investor Christopher Harborn. The other major parties have said they will not run candidates in the by-election, with Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch describing it as a “gimmick”.
    Also on the programme: as a public consultation about adult social care in England is launched, we hear how two members of the public have navigated the system; and a 700-year-old manuscript of Arthurian legends goes up for auction.
  • The World Tonight

    Trump confirms he asked Fifa to review Balogun ban

    06/07/2026 | 38 mins.
    Donald Trump asked Fifa president Gianni Infantino to review US striker Folarin Balogun's ban, which has since been suspended. We hear the reaction of former Fifa vice-president Jim Boyce.
    Also on the programme: National Rally leader Marine Le Pen will find out on Tuesday whether or not she can run for the French presidency in next year's elections. And we speak to classicist Professor Dame Mary Beard as she heads into the premiere of Sir Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey.
  • The World Tonight

    USA celebrates 250 years of independence

    03/07/2026 | 38 mins.
    Temperatures soar as America gathers to celebrate its 250th birthday. Ken Burns talks about his new series about The American Revolution and tells us what he believes the pursuit of happiness really means.
    In a valedictory interview, Sir Keir Starmer looks back, and forward, as he prepares to leave office.

    And we look at how a new NHS scheme aimed at rewarding people who walk thirty minutes a day might work.
  • The World Tonight

    'Most massive' Russian attack on Kyiv kills at least 25

    02/07/2026 | 37 mins.
    Russia’s strikes on Kyiv come after Ukraine’s attacks on Russian energy infrastructure. We hear assessments of the war – and who’s winning – from Moscow and the United States.
    Also on the programme: the National Crime Agency says at least eight people have been arrested in the UK after investigations into online networks that encourage men to drug and rape women. And we hear from a pub landlord on the news that venues in England and Wales will be allowed to stay open until 5am for next week’s England World Cup match.
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About The World Tonight
In depth reporting, intelligent analysis and major breaking news from a global perspective
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