Newshour
BBC World Service
The world's newsroom — breaking news, expert analysis, and authoritative reporting from BBC.
Recent episodes
US releases details of initial deal with Iran
Jun 17, 2026A Memorandum of Understanding outlined by the United States suggests it has found common ground with Iran, but there are still questions about whether this preliminary deal achieves any more than the agreement signed when Barack Obama was president. Meanwhile Israel, the US partner in the recent war, faces the possibility of a stronger Iran and a new balance of power in the Middle East. We hear from Alon Ben Dah-veed, senior military correspondent for Israel's Channel 13. Also in the programme:
41m 41s
AI titans meet leaders of the big economies
Jun 17, 2026Bosses of the top Artificial Intelligence firms have met the leaders of the world's biggest economies. At a G7 lunch in France, they've been discussing AI risks and dangers. Who has more power right now - the politicians or the billionaire CEOs? Also in the programme: How the Great Pyramid at Giza has survived several thousand years worth of earthquakes; and why the world's coral reefs may be more resilient to climate change than we thought. (Photo: US President Donald Trump, OpenAI CEO Sam Altm
42m 6s
President Trump lashes out at Israel
Jun 16, 2026Has Donald Trump just left the Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu with the biggest political headache of his life? We hear from Israel's governing Likud party. Also on the programme: The Russian caricaturist shot dead in Poland; the argument within the Church of England over reparations for historically profiting from slaver; and as the Williams sisters prepare to return to Wimbledon at a combined age of eighty-nine - the phenomenon of the never-ageing sports stars. (Picture: People walk
47m 27s
G7: UK expands Russia sanctions
Jun 16, 2026Leaders meet in France with Iran and Ukraine high on agenda; and a BBC investigation finds that Russia was behind a series of arson attacks targeting the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, we hear from a Labour politician on how the UK should now respond. Also in the programme: The grisly trade of cat-meat in Vietnam; and acclaimed British artist Anish Kapoor unveils major new exhibition at London's Hayward Gallery. (Image: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks on the sidelines of the G7
46m 17s
Iran and US agree deal to end war as Israel says its forces will stay in Lebanon
Jun 15, 2026US President Donald Trump said on Monday a preliminary agreement to end the war in the Gulf has already been signed by the United States and Iran. White House officials have been giving some details about the Iran deal. They say the Strait of Hormuz will re-open on Friday - the same day the deal is formally signed in Geneva - with shipping traffic increasing gradually. Also on the programme: A wave of Russian strikes on Ukraine has killed ten people and badly damaged one of Kyiv's most sacred an
42m 0s
Iran and US agree deal to end war
Jun 15, 2026Iran and the US have agreed a deal that would end their war, with the Strait of Hormuz shipping channel set to reopen in due course. The agreement is expected to be formalised on Friday. With Pakistan having helped mediate, we hear from the country’s planning and development minister. Also in the programme: The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ebola outbreak worsens with 782 cases now confirmed; and we speak to the Japanese writer Asako Yuzuki about her books Butter and Hooked which have proved a
47m 29s
US-Iran deal at risk after Israeli strike on Beirut
Jun 14, 2026A deal between the US and Iran, which was reported to be on the verge of being signed, now appears at risk after Israel struck the southern suburbs of Beirut. Also on the programme: Swiss voters reject a proposal to cap the country's population at 10 million; and the heart-wrenching story of a Syrian family disappeared by the Assad regime. (Photo: An Iranian woman walks past a billboard featuring Iran's national flag at Enqelab Square in Tehran on June 14, 2026. Credit: EPA/Shutterstock)
47m 41s
Israel carries out fresh strikes in Beirut
Jun 14, 2026Israel has attacked the southern suburbs of Beirut at what it says was a Hezbollah infrastructure, in response to Hezbollah firing into its territory. The strikes could put the agreement between Iran and the United States to halt their war at risk. We hear from Ali Vaez, the Iran Project Director for the International Crisis Group. Also on the programme; Switzerland's proposal to limit the country's population to ten million has been rejected according to early projections, and the New York Knic
38m 24s
US-Iran deal to be signed on Sunday, says Trump
Jun 13, 2026President Trump has said that a deal with Iran is scheduled to be signed on Sunday, hours after Tehran cast doubt on whether this would happen so soon. We look into Iran's proposal on its frozen assets. Also on the programme: a new blood test that can detect thousands of serious genetic conditions in the developing foetus, limiting the need for invasive screening during pregnancy; and why Anthropic has suspended its powerful new AI model just days following its public release. (Photo: A woman ho
47m 27s
US and Iran indicate a deal to end the war is close
Jun 13, 2026Lebanese state media say Israel carried out airstrikes in the south shortly after ordering residents to leave about twenty locations. They say three injured people have been pulled from rubble following a strike near Tyre. Iran says that peace in Lebanon must be part of any agreement with the US. Tehran and Washington have both indicated that they're close to an accord, but there have been further hostilities. The US military said it shot down several Iranian drones in the Strait of Hormuz. Also
47m 27s
Elon Musk becomes world's first trillionaire as SpaceX shares soar
Jun 12, 2026Elon Musk has become the world's first trillionaire after his company SpaceX debuted on the Nasdaq stock market in New York. Shares jumped more than 25% over their initial offer price, valuing the rocket, satellite, and AI firm at more than two trillion dollars. Also on the programme: One of the world's best-known artists David Hockney has died aged 88; and the English miners who took football to Mexico. (Photo: SpaceX company leadership ring the opening bell to celebrate during SpaceX's initial
47m 29s
SpaceX offers its shares for public purchase
Jun 12, 2026SpaceX shares have begun trading on the US stock exchange, marking what could be the largest initial public offering in history. If share sales reach the company's suggested price of $135 (£100), it will set founder Elon Musk on track to be the world's first trillionaire. Also in the programme: We pay tribute to David Hockney, one of the UK's most important and influential artists, who has died at the age of 88; Iran and the US both suggest they're close to a deal to end the conflict between the
46m 18s
World Cup starts in Mexico City
Jun 11, 2026Football fans have filled the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City for the start of the World Cup. After the opening ceremony, Mexico takes on South Africa in the first of 104 matches in the expanded tournament. 48 nations are competing for football's ultimate prize. The co-hosts Canada and the United States will hold their own opening ceremonies before their first group matches on Friday and Saturday. Also in the programme: Pope Leo urges world leaders to treat migrants more humanely; and drama in the
43m 44s
Trump says US will hit Iran 'very hard tonight'
Jun 11, 2026The US military has struck another commercial tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, accusing it of violating its blockade of Iranian ports. It's the third ship to be targeted by American missiles this week. All had Indian crews. On Wednesday three Indian seafarers were killed when their vessel was hit off the coast of Oman. Also in the programme: Britain's defence minister has resigned, accusing the prime minister Keir Starmer of failing to deliver on commitments to boost military spending; the Pope's
42m 2s
US and Iran exchange fire after helicopter downed
Jun 10, 2026The US says it has carried out a series of strikes on Iranian military and surveillance sites in response to the downing of an American helicopter in the Gulf. Iran responded with attacks on American bases across the region. We hear from Bahrain, one of the Gulf countries where Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed attacks. Also on the programme: rebels in Myanmar tell the BBC they are losing ground to the military after the government began conscripting thousands to be sol
42m 19s
President Trump says Iran has shot down an American military helicopter
Jun 9, 2026The two crew members of a US army helicopter that crashed near the Strait of Hormuz were rescued by an American sea drone, say US officials. It was the first such operation carried out by US forces, the officials added. Also on the programme: Iran's ticket allocation for its team's World Cup games in the US is cancelled; and the trial opens in Paris over a Europe-wide scheme to steal Russian literary classics. (Photo: AH-64 Apache helicopters are American-made twin-turboshaft attack aircraft Cre
47m 27s
Has President Trump forced Israel to stop attacking Iran?
Jun 8, 2026Iran's military has said it's halting military operations against Israel and media reports in Israel say that it is stopping attacks on Iran “at Trump’s request” Also on the programme: is overheating going to be an issue in the World Cup which starts this week? And the octopus "super bloom" around the shores of England. (Picture: Iranians examine an unexploded missile. Credit: Reuters)
47m 30s
Iran says it is stopping military operations against Israel
Jun 8, 2026Iran's military has said it's halting military operations against Israel, after the first direct hostilities between the two sides in two months. We examine the links between Iran and Hezbollah. Also in the programme: Armenia's pro-EU incumbent wins election; a new online archive of the complete writings and drawings of Leonardo da Vinci. (Picture: A screenshot taken from a handout video released by the Israeli Military says to show a strike on an aerial defence system in Iran at an unknown loca
47m 29s
Israel carries out deadly strikes on southern Beirut
Jun 7, 2026The Israeli military has carried out deadly airstrikes on the southern districts of Lebanon’s capital, claiming it is targeting Hezbollah sites. In response Iran has fired ballistic missiles towards Israel, the first attack of its kind by Tehran since the ceasefire in April. Also on the programme: Armenians vote in a general election that could determine whether the country looks to Brussels or to Moscow. And researchers test a new weight loss drug that not only suppresses appetite, but could he
43m 59s
Armenians go to the polls
Jun 7, 2026The people of Armenia are voting in a parliamentary election- a test of whether the country in the Caucasus moves closer to Europe, or remains within Russia's sphere of influence. We hear from both sides. Also in the programme: How China is clamping down on exam candidates who try to get the answers from the inside of their glass lenses: and the boy who has learnt to sing like a bird. Photo: Armenian people examine voting information during parliamentary elections at a polling station in Yerevan
38m 50s
Iran targets Bahrain and Kuwait after renewed US strikes
Jun 6, 2026Iran targets Bahrain and Kuwait after renewed US strikes. We speak to a former Kuwaiti minister as the American-Iranian stalemate continues. Also in the programme, India's Cockroach Janta Party takes to the streets to demand the resignation of the education minister; and the African-American musician Brian Jackson on his work and collaboration with Gil Scott-Heron. (Photo: CCTV image of Iranian drone above Kuwait airport on 3rd of June. Credit: Reuters)
34m 40s
The International Space Station springs a leak
Jun 5, 2026Astronauts onboard the International Space Station were ordered to prepare for evacuation after an air leak suddenly got worse. The situation returned to normal after two Russian cosmonauts completed repairs. We talk to retired Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, who served as commander of the ISS in 2013. We'll also hear from the Sherpa who went missing on the upper slopes of Mount Everest for six days and survived; and we remember Kanya King, the founder of the MOBO awards recognising Black mus
43m 35s
Anthropic founder warns of AI risks
Jun 5, 2026One of the biggest artificial intelligence developers, Anthropic has warned that the latest models might escape human control. It has proposed a co-ordinated global slowdown on building AI systems. One of the firm's co-founders, Jack Clark has been speaking to BBC. Also in the programme: the latest from Russia's flagship economic forum in Saint Petersburg; and how an outsider reached the French Open tennis final. (Photo: Anthropic logo. Credit: Dado Ruvic/Reuters)
43m 29s
Lebanon says it's prepared to use the army to constrain Hezbollah
Jun 4, 2026Lebanon's government says it will use the army to keep Hezbollah out of southern Lebanon, following a truce with Israel. But can that work without Hezbollah’s consent? Also in the programme: we hear from a member of Curacao’s first ever World Cup soccer team; and a Sherpa feared dead on Everest reaches base camp after six days on the mountain. (IMAGE: Smoke billows from southern Lebanon, following Israeli strikes, as seen from Nabatieh, Lebanon, June 4, 2026 / CREDIT: REUTERS/Stringer)
46m 17s
Venezuela: 5 months since Maduro’s overthrow
Jun 3, 2026It's now five months since the United States removed the then Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from Caracas by force to face trial on drug charges. What has changed in the interim in Venezuela? Also in the programme: The leader of the Cuban Five - Gerardo Hernández - speaks to us about Raúl Castro's 95th birthday, and US pressure for change in Havana; and the German film director Wim Wenders says he's withdrawing his 1975 film Wrong Move because of complaints by the actress Nastassja Kinski w
47m 30s
Hezbollah: 'we reject these talks'
Jun 2, 2026Diplomats from Israel and Lebanon have been meeting in Washington for a fourth round of talks as Israeli forces continued to carry out strikes in southern Lebanon. We speak to a member of the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah on why it has no plans to give up its weapons. Also in the programme: As the head of the UN gives a stark warning about the most catastrophic El Niño yet, farmers around the world remind us what's at stake; and the meaning of new research into the magnetic fields of planets
43m 58s
Israel PM orders strikes on Beirut suburbs
Jun 1, 2026Israel has ordered attacks against Hezbollah in the southern suburbs of Beirut - prompting many residents to evacuate the Lebanese capital. Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said the military would strike what he called 'terrorist targets' in the area, in response to attacks on Israeli civilians. Also in the programme: Grammy-winning director, Meji Alabi, explores his Nigerian grandfather's role in the Biafran war; woman with incurable cancer reaches Everest summit; and South Africa’s
47m 22s
Colombians vote for new leader
May 31, 2026Colombians are voting in a presidential election after a campaign marred by violence. Also on the programme, the death in prison of Nicaraguan indigenous leader, Brooklyn Rivera; and we hear from John Travolta on his directorial debut. (Photo: Colombia holds first round of presidential election, Bogota - 31 May 2026. Mauricio Duenas Castaneda/EPA/Shutterstock)
47m 17s
New test could eliminate chemo for many breast cancer patients
May 30, 2026Millions of people with breast cancer could safely avoid chemotherapy as scientists have developed a groundbreaking DNA test. We speak to an oncologist who has been involved in the research and a woman who has gone through chemotherapy after a breast cancer diagnosis. Also on the programme: we hear from the Romanian president on the Russian drone that hit an apartment block in the east of the country; and a preview of tonight's Champions League football final between Paris St Germain and the Lon
37m 39s
Romanian residents injured by Russian drone
May 29, 2026Nato and the EU condemn Russia after a drone crashed into a Romanian apartment block, injuring two people. Speaking on Newshour, Romania’s foreign minister, Oana Toia, said the incident was a provocation by Russia. Also on the programme: the government in Bangladesh steps in to save a buffalo named Donald Trump; and artwork by the musician Jack White goes on display in London. (Photo: Romanian law enforcement officers work on the site of an explosion at a residential block of flats following a d
42m 40s