Newshour - Israel to allow air drops of aid, as Gazans die of starvation

Israel says it will allow aid drops into Gaza by air, saying Jordan and the United Arab Emirates could facilitate. This comes as at least 5 people are reported to have died from malnutrition in the last day, bringing the total to 127 since the beginning of the war. Also on the programme, Iran is tackling a severe water crisis; and, one of Lebanon's most celebrated composers, Ziad Rahbani, has died.

(Photo: Palestinians wait to receive food from a charity kitchen, amid a hunger crisis, in Gaza City, July 26, 2025. REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa)

Newshour - Fighting on Thai-Cambodian border spreads

Cross-border battles between Thailand and Cambodia have spread to new areas as fighting between the southeast Asian neighbours continues for a third day. We hear from both sides of the boundary. Also on the programme: President Trump arrives in Scotland; and the matcha mania putting pressure on tea suppliers. (Photo: A Cambodian military personnel stands on a BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launcher, around 40 km (24 miles) from the disputed Ta Moan Thom temple, Cambodia, July 25, 2025. Credit: REUTERS/Soveit Yarn)

Newshour - Gaza whistleblower speaks of indiscriminate brutality against civilians

A US military veteran who worked for the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has told the BBC he's never seen such brutality as that shown by Israeli soldiers and American contractors against starving civilians.

And Israel's ambassador to France tells Newshour a French decision to recognise a Palestinian state will damage international relations. We'll also hear from the Palestinian ambassador to the UN.

Also on the programme: some of Donald Trump's supporters, in Florida, answer questions about the president's links to Jeffrey Epstein; and a study of vast amounts of data showing strong links between air pollution and dementia.

(Photo: A child eats as displaced Palestinians gather outside the Sokar Charity Kitchen to receive limited food rations in Gaza City, northern Gaza Strip, 21 May 2025. Credit: EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)

Newshour - Thailand warns clashes with Cambodia could ‘move towards war’

The Thai prime minister has warned that clashes between Thailand and Cambodia, which have killed at least 16 people and displaced tens of thousands in both countries, could "move towards war". Also in the programme: The photographer in Gaza who took a powerful image of a mother and her malnourished baby; and on news of the death of US musician Chuck Mangione, we celebrate his beloved flugelhorn. (Photo: People flee Cambodia due to the armed border conflict with Thailand, Oddar Meanchey Province 25 Jul 2025. Credit: Photo by Kith Serey/EPA/Shutterstock)

Focus on Africa - Who are the CAR commanders jailed for war crimes?

This week the International Criminal Court sentenced two commanders of a civilian militia in the Central African Republic to a total of 27 years in prison. One of them, Patrice-Edouard Ngaïssona, had formerly been the head of the country’s football federation. What was the conflict that engulfed CAR a decade ago, and what were the crimes that led to the ICC convictions?

Also in this episode, the impact that continuing aid cuts are having on women and girls in Somalia.

And we uncover the melodic contributions of Congo's queens of rumba music.

Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Tom Kavanagh, Yvette Twagiramarya, Sunita Nahar and Tanya Hines in London Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Senior Producer: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

Unexpected Elements - The science of ageing

This week, Cameroon’s Paul Biya announced his plan to run for an 8th term as president at the grand old age of 92. So, we have elected to investigate the science of ageing.

First, we ask if a 60-year-old brain is as sharp as a 20-year-old one. Then, we find out about parts of the world that boast impressively long life expectancies. Have these places found the secret to longevity, or are they not what they seem?

Next up, we talk to Professor Thomas Boothby from the University of Wyoming about tiny, eight-legged animals called tardigrades, and what they could teach us about living longer.

We also dig into the story behind a recently uncovered ancient Peruvian city, before finding out the science behind so-called ‘old wives’ tales’.

All that, plus many more Unexpected Elements.

Presenter: Marnie Chesterton, with Camilla Mota and Phillys Mwatee Producers: Alice Lipscombe-Southwell, with Margaret Sessa-Hawkins, Lucy Davies and Robbie Wojciechowski