Author: BBC World Service

President Volodymyr Zelensky says work has already started on security guarantees for Ukraine after talks in Washington about how to end the war. But there's been no let up in Russian attacks on Ukraine - with oil and gas infrastructure targeted overnight.

Also in the programme: Mediators await Israeli response to new Gaza ceasefire proposal; entire church begins two-day journey across Swedish city; and the women trapped in Afghanistan's mental health system.

(Photo credit: EPA)

President Zelensky says work has already started on security guarantees for Ukraine after talks in Washington about how to end the war. European leaders have been meeting to discuss their next steps to protect Ukraine from President Putin's Russia. Also: Hamas says it has accepted a peace plan to end the war with Gaza; we're still waiting for Israel's response; the very old men who want to go home to North Korea; the US says it's made Britain drop its secret demand for access to Apple users' data worldwide; why President Maduro of Venezuela wants to mobilise millions of people against the United States; the Ketamine Queen pleads guilty; and a huge operation is taking place in northern Sweden to move a church five kilometres, to save it from subsidence. 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

Donald Trump says he's begun arrangements for a meeting between Presidents Zelensky and Putin to end the war in Ukraine. He was speaking after talks with the Ukrainian leader and other European heads of state and government in Washington. They discussed security guarantees for Ukraine, to be provided by European countries in coordination with Washington. Mr Zelensky said he was ready to meet President Putin but said there must be protections for Ukraine once the war ends.

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

US President Donald Trump has hosted Ukraine’s leader, Volodymyr Zelensky, at the White House for what Mr Zelensky called their “best” meeting so far. The two men met before being joined by key European leaders for talks on ending the war in Ukraine. President Trump said he believed a peace deal was possible, and pledged to help European countries offer security guarantees to Kyiv in the event of an agreement with Russia. NATO’s Secretary General, Mark Rutte, praised Mr Trump’s role in the talks, while Germany’s chancellor, Friedrich Merz, called for an urgent ceasefire. Also: Hamas says it's accepted the latest Gaza ceasefire proposal from regional mediators while Israel is said to be reviewing the details, and why an African group wants to replace the traditional world map.

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

The Ukrainian president Volodomyr Zelensky visits the White House, six months after an Oval Office dressing down, and three days after Donald Trump rolled out the red carpet for Vladimir Putin. Several European leaders also flew to DC to show support for Ukraine. But is there any evidence of any progress towards peace? And on what terms?

Also in the programme: as Hamas says it accepts the latest Gaza ceasefire offer, our correspondent Lucy Williamson reports from the West Bank, where she witnessed Palestinian farmers being attacked by settlers; plus a cartographer explains why many maps literally distort our picture of the world - a problem the African Union has now joined calls to correct.

(IMAGE: United States President Donald J Trump (R) meets President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky (L) in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 18 August 2025 / CREDIT: Photo by PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE/HANDOUT/EPA/Shutterstock)

Three days after President Trump's meeting in Alaska with President Putin, he's due to see President Zelensky in Washington. But this time, the Ukrainian leader will be getting back-up from his heavyweight European allies, who'll also be seeing Mr Trump. We gauge the mood in Russia and Ukraine ahead of these potentially vital talks. Also in this podcast: top Arab ministers meet at the Rafah crossing point into Gaza, as shortages continue; we report on the settlers attacking Palestinians in the West Bank; why Bolivia won't be getting a left-wing president for the first time in two decades; the watch advert that's caused outrage in China; the man who designed the famous James Bond logo dies; and are you delulu? You won't believe the latest words to make it into the dictionary...

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

President Zelensky has condemned the latest deadly Russian attacks on Ukraine, ahead of his talks with President Trump and European leaders in Washington. Mr Zelensky accused Russia of carrying out what he called demonstrative killings to 'humiliate diplomatic efforts' to end the war. Ukraine says at least ten people have been killed in strikes on Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia.

Also the Egyptian foreign minister and the Palestinian prime minister are visiting the Rafah border crossing with Gaza to highlight the need for more food aid to get through. We have an interview with the Palestinian prime minister, Mohammad Mustafa.

And Croatian ultra-nationalist mega-gig exposes divided society.

(Photo: A residential area damaged by strikes in Kharkiv, north-east Ukraine, on Monday. Credit: EPA)

South Africa's President, Cyril Ramaphosa has launched a national dialogue called “uniting voices, shaping the nation". It's an ambitious plan to confront its most pressing challenges and unite a nation still wrestling with the legacy of apartheid, deep inequality, and mounting political tension. Critics say it's been rushed. So, will it work?

Also, the Ugandan ex-military men arrested for allegedly wanting to fight in the Russian-Ukraine conflict

And the African Union backs a campaign to end the use of a 16th-century map in favour of one that more accurately displays the size of the continent. We'll hear from someone campaigning for change.

Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Tom Kavanagh, Mark Wilberforce and Nyasha Michelle in London. Charles Gitonga and Jewel Kiriungi in Nairobi. Technical Producer: Pat Sissons Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Maryam Abdalla and Reza Asadi

Several European leaders are to join the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, in Washington on Monday, where he's due to hold talks with Donald Trump at the White House. During a virtual meeting in Brussels, the "coalition of the willing" said they would seek robust security guarantees for Ukraine in the event of any deal with Russia. Earlier the US president's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, said land concessions to Russia would be a choice for Ukraine. Also: huge crowds have gathered in Israel calling for a hostage deal and an end to the war in Gaza; and the actor Terence Stamp, who starred as Superman villain General Zod, dies aged 87. 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