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The World Tonight

BBC Radio 4 5 Episodes Aug 21, 2026

In depth reporting, intelligent analysis and major breaking news from a global perspective.

Episodes

High court allows rugby brain injury case to go on Aug 21, 2026 2309 Former rugby union and league players claim not enough was done to prevent brain injuries. Governing bodies argue robust systems are in place to minimise the risks to players. We hear from former Wales international rugby player Alix Popham, who’s been diagnosed with early onset dementia and probable CTE. Also in the programme: the Panama Canal's operator is to cut the number of vessels passing

Major Western powers condemn Israel's West Bank settlement project Aug 20, 2026 2271 The UK, France, Germany, Italy and Canada say the project to build 1,200 settlement homes is “unacceptable”. Labour MP Zubir Ahmed tells us there should be sanctions against companies trading with settlers.Also in the programme: the mother and brother of a murdered American student give their reaction to a growing trend of school shooters’ parents being prosecuted. And could new underwater drones

Hopes for new cancer vaccine Aug 19, 2026 2262 There have been encouraging results in melanoma vaccine trials run by US drug companies Moderna and Merck. The results are preliminary, but experts say they are the first positive late stage results for a cancer vaccine of this type. Also on the programme: the Duke and Duchess of Sussex plan to return to the UK; and the British pensioners, resident in Sweden for decades, threatened with deportatio

Cousin of Bashar al-Assad condemned to death Aug 18, 2026 2274 A court in Damascus has handed down a death sentence to Wassim al-Assad, a cousin of deposed Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad. Wassim, an enforcer for the former regime, was found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The verdict is of symbolic importance in Syria as it is the first conviction of a member of the Assad family still in the country. Also on the programme: 29 US states seek d

Instagram and Facebook could change forever if Meta loses child privacy trial Aug 17, 2026 2277 Meta denies claims it "chose to exploit" young people to hook them on its platforms. The trial, which begins this week, stems from a lawsuit filed in 2023 by 30 US states. California’s Attorney General Rob Bonta explains why they brought to case against the tech giant.Also in the programme: Virgin's plan to run a rival rail service to Eurostar through the Channel Tunnel moves a step closer. And Re

The World Tonight

Episodes

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