You're listening to the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service.

Hello, I'm Oliver Conway.

We're recording this at 13 hours GMT on Thursday, the 18th of May.

Russia launches more missiles at Ukraine than 9th attack this month.

Rescue efforts continue in northern Italy after floods kill at least nine people.

And South Africa's state-owned energy company warns of more severe power cuts.

Also in the podcast, Australian police are accused of tasering a 95-year-old great grandmother with dementia.

And music cannot be owned by any one person or entity.

Much less artificial machine intelligence.

For songs, for expressing emotions, I don't think I will be moved by it.

As he wins a songwriting award, Sting tells us his views on AI in music.

Over the past 24 hours, Ukraine says it's taken back more territory from the Russian invaders in the eastern city of Bakmut.

But its full-scale counteroffensive has yet to begin.

Western officials say the Ukrainian military is at, quote, an increased state of readiness.

But they have tried to play down expectations of dramatic breakthroughs, saying Russia has built up strong defenses.

Ukrainian MP in a soft-sum told the BBC it was important not to start the operation too soon.

We understand the only way to end this war is for us to win, to take back all of our territory.

So yes, of course, everybody hopes for the counteroffensive and for it to be successful.

However, with almost 1 million person serving in the army right now, basically every family has someone who is there on the battle front right now.

So nobody is pushing publicly for the counteroffensive to start before we are completely ready.

Before Ukrainian army can launch this counteroffensive with as little casualties as possible.

We want to save the lives of our soldiers, but also we want to take back the land.

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