BBC News Briefing

6 May, 2025

Alex has light-brown bobbed hair and blue eyes. She is smiling and wearing a grey jumper with a pink jumper on top.

Alex Binley

Hello. A senior Hamas official has told the BBC there is "no point" in further ceasefire talks with Israel, after Israel announced plans to expand its offensive in Gaza. After US President Donald Trump suggested the infamous Alcatraz could be turned back into a prison, my colleague at the White House, Bernd Debusmann Jr, analyses just how feasible this is. And finally, take a look at the best photos and video - containing a surprise or two - from the biggest night in fashion.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

Hamas says 'no point' to truce talks as Israel plans expanded Gaza offensive

A woman wearing all black hugs another woman who is wearing black with a beige headscarf. Both appear to be crying and are surrounded by rubble

Israeli officials say the offensive will involve displacing the majority of Gaza's 2.1 million population. Credit: Reuters

There is "no point" in further talks on a new Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal, a senior Hamas official has told the BBC, after Israel approved a plan that would expand its offensive in the Palestinian territory and potentially hold it indefinitely. Bassem Naim also said the armed group would not engage with new proposals while Israel continued its "starvation war", in reference to Israel's two-month aid blockade. On Monday, the Israeli military said the aim of the "wide-scale" operation was the return of hostages held by Hamas and its "decisive defeat", and the country has begun calling up reservists.

More on this

Israel's plan: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the security cabinet had decided on a "forceful operation" to destroy Hamas and rescue the remaining hostages.

Reservists called up: Israel's expanded Gaza operation could see some reservists serving for the fifth or sixth time since the war began.

Old allies: Americans used to be steadfast in their support for Israel. Those days are gone, writes US state department correspondent Tom Bateman.

WORLD HEADLINES

Two firefighters are stood next to the shell of a burning building. One is spraying water on it

Russia and Ukraine hit by drone attacks

Russia attacked Kharkiv, after Ukrainian drone attacks on Moscow caused the temporary closure of the city's airports.

Latest updates >

An old photo shows a young girl in a white communion dress and gown. She has blond ringlets and is squinting in the sunlight. A man with black hair wearing a priest's clothes stands with her and smiles

Abuse victims question if Pope did enough

While Pope Francis went further than his predecessors, many child abuse survivors do not think he went far enough.

Victim speaks out >

The head and shoulders of Merz can be seen. He is wearing a navy, greyish coloured suit and has his hand raised in a wave. He is balding and has short grey hair and wears glasses

Merz falls short of majority in chancellor vote

Despite the CDU leader forming a coalition with the centre-left, 18 MPs who had been expected to back him didn't.

What happened? >

Mark Carney is seen side-on, standing behind a lectern and speaking into a microphone. He is wearing a dark grey suit and has grey hair. He has his hands out in front of him as if he is gesturing. In the background is a large Canadian flag

What Carney can expect when he meets Trump

North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher on how past Oval Office meetings could set the tone for Canada's PM's visit.

Watch the analysis >

A number of jewels are encased in glass and surrounded by a square wooden frame, this is inside a glass cabinet inside a dark room

India seeks to stop auction of jewels linked to Buddha

The gems were found buried with Buddha's bone fragments and India believes they should be treated as sacred.

More on the row >

BEYOND THE HEADLINES

Could Alcatraz really reopen as a prison?

An island in the middle of the sea has several large buildings on it, one of which is falling down. In the background the city of San Francisco can be seen across the sea

Alcatraz was shut in 1963 because the cost of operating it was around three times more than other federal prisons. Credit: Getty Images

US President Donald Trump has said Alcatraz, the infamous prison that once hosted notorious inmates including Al Capone, should become a jail once more. Yet experts say refurbishing the dilapidated remains of the Rock - which is now a major tourist attraction - is "not realistic at all". So, could it really happen?

Read now

A computer-generated image shows an explosion in space - it is a pink burst with a lilac halo shape around it

SOMETHING DIFFERENT

Unexplained space blasts

Astronomers have spotted several space explosions, but don't know what they are.

Find out more

And finally... on the red carpet

Take a look at some of the standout looks from this year's Met Gala and see how some of the world's biggest stars interpreted this year's theme: Superfine: Tailoring Black Style. Amongst the iconic looks on the biggest night of fash