Newshour

A day after a famine is confirmed in Gaza City, a spokesperson for the UN children's agency Unicef lls us she's afraid hunger will spread. We ask the Norwegian government what other countries can do to put pressure on Israel to let in aid.

Also in the programme: Jeffrey Epstein's associate Ghislaine Maxwell tells the authorities she never saw President Trump in any compromising situations, and there is no ‘list’; but how credible is a convicted criminal seeking release? And we discuss whether novels really benefit from “sensitivity readers”.

(Image: Palestinian doctor Ahmed Basal examines a child for malnutrition at Al-Rantisi Hospital in Gaza City, 7 August, 2025. Credit: Dawoud Abu Alkas/ Reuters)

The UN's top humanitarian official Tom Fletcher says the report on the famine in Gaza City is 'irrefutable testimony'. But Israel categorically denies any claims of famine.

Also in the programme: the FBI raids the home of President Trump’s former advisor John Bolton; and the Indian government cracks down on online gambling.

(Image: A child reacts surrounded by pots as Palestinians wait to receive food from a charity kitchen in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on 21 August 2025. Credit: Reuters/Hatem Khaled)

A report by the internationally recognised body for determining global food insecurity has confirmed that there is now famine in Gaza City. The IPC warns that the dire situation is likely to expand to other parts of the territory by the end of next month - with half-a-million people in Gaza facing catastrophic conditions. Israel denies there is famine in the territory.

Also in the programme: Spain’s most famous architect on the path to sainthood; and the dinosaur with the 'eye-catching sail'.

(File photo: Palestinians wait to receive food from a charity kitchen, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, August 21, 2025. Credit: Reuters/Hatem Khaled)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the start of negotiations to end the war in Gaza on ‘Israel’s terms’. He said those included the release of all hostages held by Hamas. This comes as he approves plans to take over Gaza City.

Also in the programme; why political parties in the United States are seeking to manipulate the boundaries of electoral constituencies; the new research that confirms there are four species of giraffe.

(File Picture: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a reception in Jerusalem on August 13, 2025. Credit: REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun/Pool)

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'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)

A report by Human Right Watch alleges the M23 rebel group killed at least 140 people in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo last month in one of the worst atrocities committed since its insurgency in 2021. The overall number of victims could exceed 300. We hear from an eye witness and the DRC foreign minister, who says the alleged massacres violated a ceasefire agreement.

Also in the programme: the Israeli Defence Force has called around 60,000 reservists in what is being seen as evidence of an imminent operation to take over Gaza City; and the scientific research giving hope to people who have lost their sense of smell.

(Photo: a member of the M23 rebel group walks in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, March 2025. Credit: Reuters / Z. Bensemra)

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))

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: President Volodymyr Zelensky. Credit: EPA)

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)