Skip to content
PodcastsNewsThe World Tonight

The World Tonight

BBC Radio 4
The World Tonight
Latest episode

339 episodes

  • The World Tonight

    King Charles warns of 'existential danger' from AI in wrong hands

    09/17/2026 | 38 mins.
    King Charles has warned AI executives of the "existential dangers" posed by the technology falling into the wrong hands at a summit he convened Dumfries House. Amid calls for a slow-down in development, we ask whether Chinese AI companies would agree to cooperate on restrictions, as the chair of Huawei said they wanted to catch up with their American rivals.
    Also on the programme: we speak to a national scything champion as a West Country abbey switches from lawnmowers to scythes in order to protect an endangered bee species.
    And women in Johannesburg say they're living in fear following the discovery of another murder victim in the city. It brings to nine the number of slain women found in one area to the north of South Africa's largest city.
  • The World Tonight

    Trump denounces Fed's decision to raise interest rate

    09/16/2026 | 37 mins.
    US President Trump has lashed out at a decision by new chair of the Federal Reserve Kevin Warsh to raise interest rates for the first time in three years. Warsh said he was taking the decision to combat inflation, as fuel prices spike around the world. We get reaction and look at worldwide protests against the price of fuel.
    Also on the programme: explosive new claims about the King's reaction to the death of Princess Diana - from her brother.
    The playwright and commentator Bonnie Greer is remembered by the composer with whom she co-wrote an opera about her famous Question Time appearance alongside BNP leader Nick Griffin.
    And we rewind to a pre-vinyl period as wax cylinder music recordings are made live on stage at the Royal Academy of Music.
  • The World Tonight

    Britain reportedly considers military assistance for Saudi Arabia

    09/15/2026 | 38 mins.
    There are reports that Britain is considering sending military support to Saudi Arabia after advances by the Iran-aligned Houthi group further disrupted Saudi oil supplies. We get the view from Riyadh and ask a member of the House of Commons Defence Select Committee what the UK can actually do to help.
    Also on the programme: an Oxfordshire village holds a symbolic vote for independence, in protest at government plans to house asylum seekers nearby; and we hear from the Welsh actor Matthew Rhys who made history by winning Emmy awards in two leading acting categories.
  • The World Tonight

    ‘Litany of failures’ in case of patient killed on NHS mental health ward

    09/14/2026 | 37 mins.
    An inquest has heard that staff falsified records, slept and were on their phones on the night that Hugo Flint-Cahan was killed by another patient. Hugo’s brother, who is an NHS doctor, said there had been a “litany of failures” and blamed “incompetence and dishonesty” on the part of staff.
    Also on the programme: As tech stocks fall around the world, we ask what the consequences could be for the global economy. And the renowned oncologist Professor Ian Smith tells us about witnessing half a century of improvements in the treatment of breast cancer.
  • The World Tonight

    Parliament votes against a fresh attempt to legalise assisted dying

    09/11/2026 | 37 mins.
    MPs voted 286 to 270 against proposals to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales. We speak to supporters and opponents of attempts to change the law and ask if there's a different way to address the end of life debate.

    Also in the programme: As the United States marks the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, we hear from the very last survivor to escape from the South Tower of the World Trade Center before it collapsed. And bidding farewell to the Scillonian III, the much-loved (and hated) ferry that’s been sailing between Penzance and the Isles of Scilly for 49 years.
More News podcasts
About The World Tonight
In-depth reporting, intelligent analysis and major breaking news from a global perspective
Podcast website

Listen to The World Tonight, The Bulwark Daily and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app

Get the free radio.net app

  • Stations and podcasts to bookmark
  • Stream via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
  • Supports Carplay & Android Auto
  • Many other app features
The World Tonight: Podcasts in Family