In a wide-ranging special interview, Jeremy Paxman talks to Christopher Hitchens about his cancer diagnosis, his life, his politics and his writing.

As the world watches the extraordinary outbreak of unrest and protest in the Middle East and North Africa, Newsnight broadcasts a special live programme asking what it means for the region, the West and the world. The team of reporters look at common strands and differences in the protests, who the protesters are, what forms of government are likely to emerge as a result and to what extent Western relations with those governments will have to be recalibrated. Plus a discussion of recent events and what lies ahead with government players, activists and thinkers alike.

Presented by Gavin Estler

Britain's war in Afghanistan has cost more than 300 soldiers' lives and billions of pounds, and left thousands wounded. The effects on those who serve are profound, just as they are for the loved ones who wait at home. This programme follows A Company, 2nd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment for a year - before, during, and after their tour in Sangin, probably the most dangerous place in Afghanistan. The result is a searing and intimate portrait of a British community at war in Afghanistan and on the home front.

A Newsnight special with response to the death of Osama Bin Laden, broadcast on the BBC News Channel

We start at 7.30pm with Jeremy presenting a special programme on the verdict of the 7/7 London bombings inquest. Richard Watson will be presenting the main findings of the inquiry for us, which has formally ruled that the 52 people who died in the suicide attacks were unlawfully killed.

All throughout this week we've been hearing accounts from survivors and relatives of each of the attacks that took place that day in the capital and tonight we have the final film in that remarkable series, plus we'll be joined in the studio by some of the people who contributed to those films to discuss if the inquiry is going to provide some closure for them.

Following the BBC Two documentary at 9pm tonight entitled Terry Pratchett: Choosing To Die, Newsnight have an interview with Mr Pratchett and Jeremy Paxman chairs a debate about the controversial issues surrounding assisted dying. Our guests in the studio will be David Aaronovitch, Dr Erika Preisig, Debbie Purdy, Dinah Rose QC, Liz Carr and The Rt Revd Michael Langrish Bishop of Exeter.

Aired 2011-06-13