The World Tonight

The longest shutdown in US history became even more severe today as hundreds of flights were cancelled by the federal government to reduce strain on air traffic controllers, who haven't been paid for five weeks. We hear from travellers, airport staff and a Republican congressman on the growing political pressure to find a deal in Congress that would end the government shutdown.Also on the programme: one of the pioneers of artificial intelligence tells us why he's profoundly concerned about the potential harm from the technology. And the geneticist who co-discovered DNA, James Watson, has died aged 97. We hear from a lifelong friend.

As world leaders gather in Brazil, Prince William tells them they must urgently work together to prevent further climate change. But how much can be achieved with the leaders of some of the world’s largest CO2 emitters - the US, China, Russia and India - absent from the meeting? Also on the programme: top Democrat Nancy Pelosi announces her retirement after nearly four decades in the US Congress; and the actress Pauline Collins, best known for her roles in 'Upstairs Downstairs' and 'Shirley Valentine', has died at the age of 85. We speak to her friend and co-star Tom Conti.

Two prisoners have been wrongly released from the same London prison. We ask a former head of security at HMP Wandsworth how two of its inmates could have been mistakenly freed - and the Labour chair of the Justice Committee about whether the government should take responsibility.One year after his re-election Donald Trump has wished himself a happy anniversary, but Americans have sent a different message in local and state elections. After big wins for his opponents - how big a setback is it for the US President?And as the government announces a new national forest - how do you create a good one?

New Yorkers could redraw the US’s political faultlines today if the left-wing frontrunner for city mayor, Zohran Mamdani, defeats former state governor Andrew Cuomo. Donald Trump has already set his sights on Mamdani, threatening to withdraw federal funding form New York City if the 34-year-old democratic socialist wins the mayoralty. We hear from one of Mamdani’s informal advisers, Patrick Gaspard. Also on the programme: the BBC exposes an organised crime network behind high street shops involved in fraud, tax evasion and illegal working; and Dick Cheney, one of the most powerful US Vice Presidents of all time, has died. We hear from a close aide who was with him on 9/11.

The Tanzanian president Samia Suluhu Hassan has been sworn in despite protests over a disputed election, and reports that hundreds of people have been killed in a crackdown by the security forces. We hear from a former MP and diplomat who has been in the country for weeks on holiday.Also on the programme: the author Salman Rushdie speaks to us ahead of the publication of his first work of fiction since being stabbed three years ago. And, could a change in credit-rating to include rental payments help young people get on the housing ladder?

The government says it has no plans to change the law in order to remove Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, from the line of succession. Meanwhile, US lawmakers have seized on Andrew's loss of his royal title to renew their calls for him to give evidence in their investigations into the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. We hear from one of them.Also on the programme: survivors of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica scramble for food and supplies. And, as a new study shows the importance of churches in bat conservation, a parish vicar explains how she accommodates her long-term guests.

Buckingham Palace says Prince Andrew will lose his 'prince' title and from now on be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. He will also move out of Royal Lodge. In a statement, the Palace said, "these censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him." We hear from a royal biographer and a lawyer who represents many of the victims of Jeffrey Epstein.Also on the programme: RSF forces in Sudan are accused of committing mass killings in a hospital in the city of El-Fashir. And what's it like to live in the neighbourhood deemed "most deprived" for a fourth consecutive year?

US President Trump will meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping for the first time since returning to the White House in the coming hours. President Trump has said he expects to agree a deal to ease trade tensions between the two economic rivals. We hear from a Chinese economist and US congressman.Also on the programme: a report from Rio where police raids on drugs gangs have killed more than 130 people. And we have the latest as the Chancellor Rachel Reeves admits breaking housing rules by unlawfully renting out her family home without a licence.

There's been a major development in a brutal civil war - that's already created the world's worst humanitarian catastrophe. As the Sudanese government loses control of the key city of el-Fasher, survivors have spoken of executions and massacres. We speak to Annelise Dodds who was - until February - the minister responsible for aid, and is now calling for the government to take action.Also on the programme:Hurricane Melissa has slammed into Jamaica with winds of more than 185 miles an hour - the most powerful storm anywhere in the world this year.And the actor Simon Callow on Prunella Scales, who's died at the age of 93.

Some of the key figures behind the collapse of the Chinese spy case have been telling their side of the story to a parliamentary committee. We find out what we've learned from one of the committee's members.How worried should we be about a new Russian missile described as a "tiny flying Chernobyl"?And as the King unveils a monument to LGBT+ veterans, we hear what it means to a Royal Navy veteran sacked for being gay.