This is the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service.

I'm Rachel Wright and in the early hours of Saturday the 17th of August,

these are our main stories.

Palestinian health officials say they've confirmed the first case

of polio in Gaza for a quarter of a century after the UN called for ceasefires to allow children

to be vaccinated.

Ukraine has destroyed a strategic bridge over a river in Russia's

Kursk region as it continues its cross-border offensive.

Aid agencies are warning of a critical shortage of treatments

and vaccines for empox across Africa and are urging wealthy countries with supplies to share them. Also in this podcast,

I will be laser focused on creating opportunities

for the middle class that advance their economic security, stability, and dignity.

Carmeler Harris unveil her economic plan ahead of the US.S. presidential election.

As we record this podcast there's a flicker of hope amid the ruins of Gaza

with confirmation that the U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinkin

is heading back to Israel to ramp up the pressure for a ceasefire deal, and President Biden

saying that an accord tied to the release of Israeli hostages has never been closer.

This was Mr Biden speaking at the White House after two days of talks in Doha between mediators from Qatar, Egypt and the United States.

We are closer than we've ever been.

I don't want to jinx anything, but as my grandfather say with the grace of God good rule the name is a lot of luck

we may have something but we're not there yet.

It was much much closer than it was three days ago so keep your fingers. But if the Americans are making

...