The World Tonight

The US is expected to send a marine unit and more warships to the Middle East, two officials tell the BBC's US partner CBS News. It comes as the Trump administration loosens sanctions on Russian oil as prices spike because of the US-Israeli war against Iran. US Democratic Senator Jack Reed tells us the decision is "a great gift to Russia". Also in the programme: Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel says his government is in talks with the Trump administration to find solutions to the two countries' differences. We hear from a resident of Havana where residents struggle to afford food. And ahead of Oscars on Sunday, we explore how small controversies about Academy Awards nominees can make big headlines.

Israeli strikes in Tehran are continuing tonight after Iran's newly appointed Supreme Leader said the country would keep blocking the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping lane through which 20% of the world's oil supply flows. Mojtaba Khameini, son of former leader Ayatollah Ali Khameini, provided a statement that was read out on state TV, his physical condition remains unknown. We hear from Iranian refugees at the border with Turkey and from inside Lebanon, where Israel has expanded its operation against Hezbollah. Also on the programme: does the resignation of the head chef at one of the world's most highly-esteemed restaurants auger a change in kitchen culture? We speak to a protege of Gordon Ramsey. And after a widely praised speech on the scrapping of jury trials in the House of Commons by Geoffrey Cox, we analyse the ancient art of oratory.

The prime minister was warned that Lord Mandelson's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein posed a "reputational risk" before he was confirmed as US ambassador. Documents released by the government include advice sent to the prime minister which said the pair's relationship continued after the financier's conviction for procuring an underage girl in 2008. We’ll hear from Karl Turner, the Labour MP for Kingston Upon Hull East. Also on the programme: Why more than 400 of the UK's church pipe organs are being junked or falling silent. And English language music is losing its stranglehold on the charts, according to new data from music streaming giant Spotify. We speak to the Welsh rock duo, Alffa.

The BBC understands the Metropolitan Police Commissioner has written to the home secretary saying the controversial Al Quds Day march - which was set to take place in London this weekend - should not be allowed to go ahead. The annual event has been criticised for representing the views of the Iranian regime and for antisemitic and anti-Israel hostility. We'll hear from Lord Walney who supports a ban, and from one of the organisers of the march. Also on the programme: The creator of Wordle tells us why he's moving from a simple word game to cryptic crosswords: And if you're a woman who drives an Uber or hails one in the United States, you can now ask for a women-only journey. We talk to a female cabbie and the owner of a new women's taxi business here in the UK.

President Trump tonight described the war in Iran as "a short term excursion" after he'd told CBS the war was "ahead of schedule" and "very complete, pretty much". He spoke as the economic impact of the war became clearer. With oil prices rising - and inflation likely to rise as well - we hear advice on how to drive more efficiently. Also on the programme: After chaotic ticket sales for Taylor Swift's Eras tour, Live Nation and Ticketmaster settle a lawsuit in the United States. What will it mean for ticket prices here?

The US has said only Iran's unconditional surrender will end American and Israeli bombardment. President Trump has warned the war could last four to six weeks. We hear from people on the ground in Tehran and assess the conflict one week on with Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet. Also on the programme, the opening of the Paralympics sees Russia return from sporting exile. And the story of a 19th century lesbian landowner brought to life by the Northern Ballet.

President Trump has just urged Iranian diplomats to apply for asylum as he set out the scale of damage inflicted on Iran's military. A former Pentagon analyst joins us to assess America's objectives. We also hear from Iran’s teachers’ union about the strikes in the south of the country that killed over 100 children. Also on the programme, we hear from a British national stranded with her family in Qatar after her flight transfer was interrupted by Iranian missile attacks. And why bad vibes could disrupt the first F1 Grand Prix of the year.

Fresh strikes by the US and Israel have begun in Iran tonight. Earlier in the day US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth also confirmed an American submarine sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean. Meanwhile the US Senate failes in a bid to pass curbs on President Trump's war powers. We hear how the war is unfolding on the ground in Iran, and how the country's remaining leadership is responding. We also speak to a MAGA supporter who says Trump has abandoned his non-interventionist stance, and a US Republican Congressman who defends the military action. Also on the programme: how pregnancy changes a woman's brain, and the dog breeds that some owners fear could be phased out under new guidelines.

The US President doubled down on criticism of Keir Starmer for delays in allowing the Americans to launch strikes on Iran from Diego Garcia. We ask if the Transatlantic relationship can weather the conflict with Iran. Also on the programme: oil and gas prices rocket as Iran attacks shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. And which piece of music gives you the chills? A study finds that spine-tingling response to emotive music and art could be genetic.

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 regime. We devote the entire programme to the conflict, and enlist a panel of experts to guide us through it: Rana Rahimpour is an Iranian-British journalist and former BBC Persian presenter and reporter; Kirsten Fontenrose was senior director for the Gulf at The US National Security Council in the first Trump Administration; and Sir Simon Fraser is a former head of the Foreign Office, now Chair of the British foreign policy institute Chatham House. Here in the UK, Sir Keir Starmer has said the UK's decision not to join the US-Israeli strikes on Iran was "deliberate", adding his government "does not believe in regime change from the skies". We assess the state of relations between the US and UK.

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 main opposition now? Also:Bill Clinton testifies in front of a Congressional committee; President Trump says he's "not happy" as concerns grow about a possible US attack. And 30 years of Pokemon.

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 State Hillary Clinton after her deposition about the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. And the television series Our Friends in the North is adapted for the stage. Writer Peter Flannery and actor Christopher Eccleston discuss the show’s enduring success.

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: as more shops use facial recognition technology to deter shoplifters, we find out what it’s like to be falsely accused. And new research uncovers clues to the origin of the organ that gave Charles Darwin a "cold shudder": the eye.

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 its criminal justice reforms, a justice minister insists they won't back down on plans to reduce the number of jury trials. As the latest retail crime figures are released, the view from the frontline: our presenter visits Northampton to see how police are tackling shoplifting. And there has been a dog among the swans tonight - but a friendly one: the co-owner of Swansea City Football Club - the American rapper Snoop Dogg - attends a home game for the first time.

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 England. And lots of people say weasel words are great, but what do actually we mean when we use these evasive phrases?

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 Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the royal line of succession. And we hear from the scientist behind our ‘nature notes’ series. What does the habit of observing the natural world give us in return?

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 crises. Also tonight: scientists have just announced that a unique vaccine they've developed could have universal application against colds, 'flu, bacterial infection and allergies.

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 State Department approved the UK's Chagos Islands deal, President Trump launches a new attack on it. And the symphonic sounds hidden in the freezer aisle of a Sheffield supermarket.

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 councillors in Hartlepool over funding for children in care. The local Labour MP tells us he’s “furious”. And as China celebrates the Lunar New Year, an astrologer tells us what to expect from the Year of the Fire Horse.

Parents in north London have been told their children could be excluded from school if they are not fully vaccinated against measles amid an outbreak of the highly contagious disease. We find out what’s caused the latest outbreak. Also in the programme: In an interview with the BBC, Hillary Clinton accuses the Trump administration of a cover-up over Jeffrey Epstein. And musician Patrick Darling, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND), has returned to the stage after artificial intelligence (AI) gave him his voice back.