Author: BBC World Service

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's controversial plans for a new military push in the Gaza Strip have raised warnings from the army leadership, opposition from hostage families and concerns that more Palestinians will be killed.

We'll hear from a resident of the territory and find out why the Israeli government thinks an intensification of the war will work now.

Also in the programme: We'll hear about fresh allegations against the Australian woman who poisoned three of her relatives; and why some of France's most prestigious mineral water companies are up to their necks in crisis.

(Photo shows Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking at a conference in Jerusalem on 27July 2025. Credit: Ronen Zvulun/Reuters)

The families of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza have joined protests outside a crucial meeting of Israel's security cabinet in Jerusalem. It's been convened by Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to discuss plans for the Israeli army to occupy the entire Gaza Strip. The proposal is reported to focus initially on Gaza City, whose one million residents would be relocated further south. The plan has drawn criticism from the head of the Israeli military, Eyal Zamir, who says it would endanger the lives of soldiers and hostages. Also: Kremlin says Trump and Putin to meet in coming days to discuss Ukraine, and OpenAI launches new chatbot GPT-5.

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 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been meeting with his security cabinet and says he wants a complete military takeover of the entire Gaza Strip, starting with Gaza City. The Israeli leader believes a full takeover is “the only way” to destroy Hamas and free the remaining Israeli hostages.

Also on the programme: reports that Sudan’s military destroyed a UAE plane carrying Colombian mercenaries; and a tribute to the pioneering Latin-jazz musician Eddie Palmieri, who has died aged 88.

(Photo: A damaged Israeli flag stands in Gaza, as seen from the Israeli side of the border between Israel and Gaza, 7th August, 2025. Credit: Amir Cohen/Reuters)

Sweeping new tariffs on more than 90 countries around the world - which US president Donald Trump has advocated for - have come into effect.

Producers of staple goods such as Brazilian coffee say the tariffs will have a big impact on their industry.

Also in the programme: The Kremlin says presidents Trump and Putin will meet in the coming days to talk about Ukraine; and we'll get a rare glimpse into a besieged city, el Fasher in Sudan, where people are starving and terrified.

(Photo shows shipping containers in Frankfurt, Germany on 7 August 2025. Credit: Hannes P Albert/EPA)

What's behind deadly clashes at Uganda’s border with South Sudan?

Why are heatwaves happening more often on the African continent

And plans by Somalia to revive its airline after three decades

Presenter: Charles Gitonga Producers:  Tom Kavanagh in London, Blessing Aderogba with Makuochi Okafor in Lagos and Richard Kagoe in Nairobi Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

The Kremlin has said planning is underway for a meeting between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump next week, but denied the Russian leader has agreed to a subsequent meeting with the US president and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky. The Trump administration's long-threatened tariffs on around ninety countries have taken effect on imports from dozens of countries, raising the effective US rate to its highest level in nearly a century. Relatives of hostages held in Gaza have set sail towards the territory in a flotilla of eleven boats adorned with flags and protest posters, calling on the Israeli government to stop the war, amid discussion of plans to escalate the military conflict in Gaza. German police have arrested three men suspected of being members of the outlawed Reichsbeurger group and of planning high treason. The families of those killed in the Air India crash in Ahmedabad two months ago, say it's like 'losing him twice' after receiving parts of a stranger's body, instead of their relative. The dangers of unregulated cosmetic procedures like botox and what the UK government is doing about it. Why a new investigation into Pompeii has shed new light on what happened after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, and why one 90's superhero has joined in with the Trump recruitment drive for ICE agents to ramp up immigration raids and detentions across the United States.

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 issued an executive order hitting India with an additional 25% tariff over its purchases of Russian oil. That raises the total tariff on Indian imports to the US to 50% - among the highest rates imposed by Washington. India has called the taxes unfair, unjustified and unreasonable. Also: Donald Trump says there's a good chance he will meet President Putin of Russia soon to discuss a ceasefire in Ukraine, and Italy gives final approval for world's longest suspension bridge to Sicily. 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 United States is imposing an extra twenty-five percent tariff on imports from India because Delhi continues to buy Russian oil. President Trump is using this to increase pressure for a ceasefire in Ukraine. Delhi's called it 'unfair'. The executive order came after the US envoy Steve Witkoff met Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

Also on the programme: As dozens are injured and killed in Gaza when four aid trucks tipped over, we take a look at how the crisis is being reported in Israel and whether public opinion is changing; Italy plans the longest suspension bridge in the world; and the new research that shows how female gorillas form strong friendships with each other that last years.

(Photo: Russian President Putin meets U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow Credit: Sputnik/Gavriil Grigorov/via REUTERS)