Author: BBC World Service

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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)

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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)

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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

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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

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Newshour - Increase in sexual violence in Haiti

The medical charity, Medecins Sans Frontieres, has told the BBC that cases of sexual violence in Haiti have tripled in the last four years. One in five victims are under the age of eighteen. With gangs now controlling nearly all of the capital, Port au Prince, violence and insecurity are worsening. So far this year, more than four thousand people have been killed. A BBC team talking to survivors in the capital found women and children were the most affected by systematic rape, murder and arson.

Also in the programme: an American university agrees to a settlement with the Trump administration; and the death of a global wrestling icon.

(Photo: A damaged house stands after gangs torched homes in a residential area in Furcy, Haiti. CREDIT: REUTERS/Jean Feguens Regala)

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Science In Action - Discovering Betelgeuse’s Betelbuddy

Have we found Betelgeuse’s ‘Betelbuddy?’ An astronomical mystery seems to be solved as the long-predicted stellar companion to the bright star Betelgeuse has been detected by a team of researchers led by Steve Howell of the NASA Ames Research Center using the Gemini North telescope in Hawaii. Steve discusses this breakthrough alongside astronomer Andrea Dupree of the Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, who has discussed the predictions of this star on previous Science in Action programmes.

Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by the parasite plasmodium that kills more than half a million people each year. George Dimopoulos of the Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute is using gene editing and gene drive technology to target the parasites as they develop in the guts of mosquito. Can this new method disrupt the malaria parasite life cycle safely and sustainably?

Our gut microbiomes are linked to our brains, but how can the bacteria in our colon communicate with our nervous system? M. Maya Kaelberer of the University of Arizona explains this neurobiotic sense, suggesting that the microbes in our large intestine communicate with specialised sensory cells in the gut. These cells send signals up to our brain and regulate our appetite. So, who really decides when you're hungry? Is it you, or is it your microbiome?

Presenter: Roland Pease Producer: Imaan Moin with Alex Mansfield Production Coordinator: Jana Bennet-Holesworth

(Image: Betelgeuse and Its Stellar Companion in Orion. Credit: International Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA Image Processing: M. Zamani (NSF NOIRLab))

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Focus on Africa - Ghana’s special clinic for cleft lip patients

Good news about the state-of-the-art treatment facility in Ghana for cleft lip patients

And as the number of billionaires on the continent rises, we ask - are billionaires good or bad for Africa?

Why are violence and insecurity on the increase in Haiti despite the presence of an international force?. Does the Kenyan contingent have adequate resources?

Presenter : Richard Kagoe Producers: Alfonso Daniels, Yvette Twagiramariya, Sunita Nahar and Tom Kavanagh Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Technical Producer: Frank McWeeny Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi