BBC News Podcast

Disruptions caused by the pandemic may lead to malnutrition in the poorest countries. Also: China says relations with the US are facing their most serious challenge in four decades, and the mayor of the South Korean capital has gone missing.

Despite surges in new infections, the White House wants to reopen schools. Also: UN warns Yemen is threatened by famine, and Brazil's president repeats support for antimalarial drug to fight Covid-19.

Beijing opens office to enforce stringent new national security laws in the territory. Shortly afterwards, Hong Kong's government bans all political activity in schools. Also, world-famous writers denounce 'cancel culture' as threat to free speech, and test cricket resumes - but with a difference.

The president has repeatedly belittled the risks posed by the virus. Also: FBI director calls China 'greatest threat' to US, and Dutch torture chamber found.

Victoria State Premier Daniel Andrews announced the lockdown after the state saw 191 new infections, its highest daily number since the pandemic began. Also, the Chinese-owned app TikTok says it is ending operations in Hong Kong following the introduction of Beijing’s new security law on the city, and two children in the US find a way to travel safely during lockdown.

A third of those taking anti-retroviral drugs could experience shortages due to Covid-19. Also: UN report on animal-to-human diseases, and is group singing bad for your health?

China has accused the British government of political manipulation after London offered approximately three million Hong Kong residents a path to British citizenship. The man behind one of the world's largest child porn websites is freed from jail in South Korea. The Italian prime minister has led tributes to the composer, Ennio Morricone, who's died at the age of ninety-one.

India becomes the third worst affected nation in the world, after the US and Brazil. Also: another local lockdown in Spain, and Lewis Hamilton takes a knee as F1 returns, but some drivers choose not to join him.

The president claims the US is on course to overcome the coronavirus, despite a soaring infection rate that has dampened Independence Day celebrations across the nation. Also: pubs across England have begun serving customers again after more than three months in lockdown, and a key witness in a case against Argentina's former president has been found dead.

Dr Mike Ryan said it was unwise to make predictions. Also: Brazil's president sanctions new law making face coverings obligatory in public and a state in Florida introduces a curfew after rise in coronavirus cases.

Two of the Saudi nationals on trial over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi are former senior aides to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Also, centre-right mayor Jean Castex is named as the French PM after Edouard Philippe’s resignation, and how residents of US care home found pen-pals across the world.

The British socialite is accused of grooming underage girls for the late sex-offender Jeffrey Epstein. She has previously denied wrongdoing. Also: Texas governor mandates the wearing of face masks, and no, a human year isn't equivalent to 7 "dog years".

A wave of mud and rock was triggered by heavy rain in Kachin state. Also: hundreds arrested after police in Europe crack EncroChat, and a man from Argentina sails solo across the Atlantic to reach his family during lockdown.

Victory would allow the Russian president to stay in power until 2036. Also: California closes bars and indoor dining after Covid-19 spike, and the core of a gas planet is seen for the first time.

Police seize dozens of demonstrators under new law imposed by Beijing. Pro-democracy protests were held to mark 23 years since end of British rule. Also, Russians vote in referendum which could give President Putin another 16 years in office, and why residents of a US city are urged to 'walk with Shawn'.

The US infectious disease expert, Anthony Fauci, has said that unless the country manages to control the spread of the coronavirus, the infection rate could more than double to 100,000 cases a day from its current level of 40,000. Also: an explosion and a fire at a hospital in the Iranian capital has killed a number of people, and koalas face extinction in New South Wales.

Chinese president, Xi Jinping, signs security law providing new powers over Hong Kong; The King of Belgium has issued an unprecedented statement of regret for atrocities inflicted during colonial times in Congo; New research into child development says there is one crucial thing parents can do to improve the future temperament of their offspring...

The World Health Organization's chief says the pandemic is "not even close to being over". Also: lockdown tightened in English city of Leicester over Covid-19 surge, and critical Boeing 737 Max test flights begin.

Court finds Fillon guilty of paying wife $1.3 million dollars for work she never did. The couple are appealing against the sentences. Also, gunmen carry out deadly attack on Pakistan's stock exchange, and a 'Wild West' village goes on sale in New Zealand.

The video showed the president's supporters and opponents hurling abuse at one another. His spokesman said he hadn't heard the 'white power' comment. Also: A US hospital at 'breaking point', and art masterpieces on TikTok.