Government under fire over defence spending

The prime minister did not know Lord Mandelson failed security vetting for the role of US ambassador until earlier this week, the government has said. We hear from the BBC's political editor and a Labour backbencher.As a ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel comes into effect, we speak to our correspondent on the border between the two countries.Also on the programme: A rare interview with a representative of the Russian government. And as the Pope criticises "tyrants" who spend billions on war, we look at the modern history of pacifism.

The Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said that the US made a "mistake" by ending diplomatic negotiations with Iran and entering into military conflict. Speaking on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund Spring Meetings of finance ministers and bankers, Ms Reeves said the best way to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons was through diplomacy. The BBC has also spoken to the Governor of the Bank of England about how severe the impact on the British economy will be from continued disruption to energy supply.Also on the programme, the BBC's Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet reports from inside Iran, amid reports of a possible second round in US-Iran negotiations.And the rise of "angry young women" - has the 'manosphere' found its feminist equivalent?

One of the authors of the government’s Strategic Defence Review has hit out at what he calls "corrosive complacency" on the part of the government. Lord Robertson, a former Labour defence secretary and NATO secretary general, said current levels of welfare spending were unsustainable and that security must be prioritised. Also on the programme: The International Monetary Fund warns that the war in Iran will hurt the UK more than any G7 country. And we look at a landmark exhibition on the history of Black British music.

An American blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has come into force, after the failure of peace talks with Iran at the weekend. Tehran says it'll retaliate, but President Trump has repeated his threat to destroy any Iranian attack vessels which approach the blockade. We speak to a representative of independent tanker owners and operators across the globe . Also on the programme: The dispute between President Trump and Pope Leo deepens, with Mr Trump saying he would not apologise to the pontiff; and we hear about the life of a self-taught topiary artist who has been called the "Picasso of Plants".

Having travelled further from Earth than any of their predecessors, the four astronauts aboard the Orion capsule are preparing to splash down in the Pacific Ocean. We speak to our correspondent at mission control in Houston and hear from two young astronomers on what the expedition has meant to them.Also on the programme: The UK government shelves its Chagos Islands deal. And in the first case of its kind, a man in Scotland has been jailed for killing his wife even though she took her own life – we hear from the case’s prosecutor.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has said he will enter into direct peace talks with Lebanon but that there will be no immediate truce. Donald Trump is reported to have called Netanyahu to encourage him to enter into negotiations. We get the latest from Jerusalem and Beirut. Also on the programme: US First Lady Melania Trump makes a rare public statement on Jeffrey Epstein.And we hear about the hardware Russians are using in covert operations near the UK’s vital undersea cables.

Both Iran and the US declare victory as the ceasefire approaches its 24th hour, but can the truce survive? Iran says continued Israeli airstrikes violate its terms, while questions remain over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Also on the programme: will Keir Starmer be banking on an electoral boost from his handling of the conflict? And the World Cup furore after fans notice unsightly bulges in some national kits.

The US president has given Iran until 1am UK time to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, saying that otherwise ‘a whole civilisation will die tonight’. Pope Leo, an American, has condemned Trump’s threats, while Pakistan has called on the US to extend the deadline by two more weeks. Also on the programme: US Vice President JD Vance travels to Hungary to endorse its right-wing Prime Minister Victor Orban ahead of this weekend’s general election. And we hear from historian William Dalrymple about three millennia of Persian history.

The astronauts on the Artemis Two mission have taken humanity deeper into space than ever before. The four crew members have travelled further from Earth than any other human, beating the previous record set by Apollo 13 in 1970. Their craft will now make its journey round the far side of the Moon. Also on the programme: President Trump issues his latest warning to Iran; we hear about the impacts of new laws governing the ownership of primates and can curling become the new darts? We hear from one of the captains competing tonight.

One crew member has been rescued and one is still missing after a US fighter jet was shot down over Iran. A search aircraft sent to retrieve the pilot also came under fire. A personnel recovery specialist tells the World Tonight how the US will attempt to carry out a rescue.Also on the programme, as hereditary peers prepare to depart the House of Lords for good, Shaun Ley visits one for whom centuries of family history will be brought to an end; we hear about two lost Dr Who episodes left undiscovered since 1965; and Oxford's real life Riot Women get back together to play their indie music again nearly 30 years after splitting up.