Author: BBC World Service

President Zelensky calls on allies to put Russia under greater pressure to stop the war in Ukraine, after the latest overnight bombardment - one of the biggest of the war. The attacks caused widespread damage, including to homes, factories and Ukraine's gas infrastructure. At least one person is reported to have died in Lviv, in the west. Also: a Ukrainian man has been arrested in connection with the sabotage of Nord Stream gas pipelines three years ago, and Palestinians are fleeing parts of Gaza City after the Israeli military began the first stages of a planned ground offensive, officials in the city say. And Frank Caprio, the American man known as the world's nicest judge, has died. The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

Israel has launched a new assault on Gaza, stepping up its bombardment of northern suburbs Gaza City. We’ll hear from a journalist in the city.

Also in the programme: A torrent of Russian drones and missiles have hit Ukraine; a warning that AI might bring on psychosis; and the impact of tourism on Antarctica.

(Photo:  Palestinian family fleeing Gaza City.  Credit: Reuters)

Israel says it has begun 'preliminary actions' of a planned ground offensive to capture and occupy all of Gaza City. It comes as sixty thousand reservists are called up to bolster the operation which is expected to last until next year. Meanwhile, the Israeli government also approves a highly contentious plan for a new settlement near Jerusalem which would cut the occupied West Bank in two. We hear an Israeli and Palestinian perspective. Also: aid agencies in Somalia have raised the alarm over a dramatic rise in diphtheria, and a new superfood for bees to help protect them from climate change. The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

Israel says it's widened its offensive in Gaza City has begun, while also approving the construction of a settlement that largely splits the occupied West Bank. Newshour hears from Israeli politician Simcha Rothman, a member of the Religious Zionism party, and from Mustafa Barghouti, general secretary of the Palestinian National Initiative.

Also in the programme: the ongoing deportation raids in California; and the battle to save one of the world's tallest trees from fire.

(Picture: Israeli Finance Minister Smotrich speaks at a press conference regarding settlements expansion, near the Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim)

Two prominent journalists in Ethiopia, Abdulsemed Mohammed and Yonas Amare, have been missing for more than a week after being abducted by what reports say, were men wearing masks and military uniforms. There has been no news about their whereabouts but their disappearances have raised concerns about a crackdown on media freedom in the country.

Aid agencies warn that a surge in the number of people with the respiratory illness diphtheria is becoming 'the most urgent and dangerous threat' to public health in Somalia. Why are cases of the disease increasing?

And how the conflict on the ground in Sudan is affecting migratory birds in the sky.

Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Tom Kavanagh and Nyasha Michelle in London. Richard Kagoe in Nairobi Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Senior Journalist: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Maryam Abdalla, Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard

NATO military chiefs are meeting to work on security guarantees for Ukraine in the event of a peace deal with Moscow. Russia's foreign minister has called the talks a 'road to nowhere'. The Israeli Defence Ministry approves plans to call up tens of thousands of reservist soldiers ahead of an offensive to occupy Gaza City. Public offices and schools in Karachi have been closed as the city deals with deadly floods from torrential monsoon rains. Artificial Intelligence has been used to recreate the voice of a woman with motor neurone disease, by analysing seconds of old video footage of her speaking. India and China have agreed to resume direct flights and step up trade and investment flows, as they rebuild ties damaged by a deadly clash in the Galwan valley five years ago. The picturesque South Korean holiday resort island of Jeju tells tourists to mind their manners. Researchers find people can tell who their best friends may be, just by watching film clips with them... and what new research into chocolate can tell us about our tastes and our health, as well as how to make the most delicious blend.

The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.

Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories.

Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.

Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

Interviews, news and analysis of the day’s global events.

Israel is demanding the release of all 50 hostages held in Gaza, an Israeli official has said, casting doubt on whether it will accept a new proposal for a 60-day ceasefire that Hamas agreed to on Monday. Also: President Trump has ruled out sending American troops to Ukraine as part of any peacekeeping deal; Mumbai is under a red flood alert as the Indian city experiences heavy downpours; 10 years after 71 people were found in an abandoned lorry in Austria, we hear from the families of the victims; child marriages are more likely to happen in regions with higher than average climate risk according to new figures; India tells China of its concerns about a new mega dam; mixed doubles tennis has a new format at the US Open; thousands of people in France sign a petition not to loan the Bayeux Tapestry to the UK.

The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

A day after Hamas accepts a new ceasefire proposal in Gaza, an Israeli government spokesman tells us Israel is not interested in a “partial deal. We ask what's changed since Israel backed a very similar proposal three months ago.

Also in the programme: the White House says work continues on hammering out security guarantees for Ukraine; and a cocoa connoisseur on new scientific insights into what makes great chocolate.

(IMAGE: Israeli tanks deployed along the Israel-Gaza border in southern Israel, 19 August 2025. / CREDIT: Photo by ATEF SAFADI/EPA/Shutterstock (15447793c))

M23 rebels say they will not return to peace talks in Doha unless the DRC government agrees to its demands. Are the talks dead in the water?

Could climate change be creating child brides in Malawi?

And we learn about the role of matrilineal leadership in everyday Ghana.

Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Yvette Twagiramariya, Priya Sippy and Stefania Okereke in London Technical Producer: Francesca Dunne Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Maryam Abdalla, Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.