BBC News Briefing

25 March, 2026

Doug has short ginger hair and blue eyes. He is wearing glasses

Doug Faulkner

Hello. We've got the latest on the war in the Middle East as conflicting accounts of peace talks continue to come from both sides. Five survivors of Jeffrey Epstein share their stories with us. And an Iberian lynx toying with a mouse is one of the wildlife photographs of the year.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

Trump says Iran wants peace deal 'so badly', as Iranian military denies talks

Donald Trump says the US is speaking to the 'right people' in Iran. Credit: Reuters.

The US is "negotiating with itself" the Iranian military has said, as a lack of clarity over peace talks continues. US President Donald Trump had earlier said Iran wanted a deal "so badly" - saying that Iran gave America a "very big present worth a tremendous amount of money", but gave no further details. Our chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet says there is a small window open for talks, but a swift end to the war is unlikely. Meanwhile, Israel and Iran are continuing to exchange strikes, and the Pentagon is preparing to deploy some troops to Iran, according to the BBC's US partner, CBS News.

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Oil: Prices have dropped after Trump said talks to end the war were progressing and Iran said "non-hostile" vessels could use a shipping route.

Mixed signals: US talk of negotiations is increasing pressure on Israel as it appears the allies' aims are diverging, writes Middle East correspondent Lucy Williamson.

Iranian fears: On the ground in Iran, some of those the BBC has spoken to would welcome the end of the war but others fear the regime's reaction.

WORLD HEADLINES

Five Epstein survivors sitting with Victoria Derbyshire in the BBC Newsnight TV studio.

'He liked the fear,' Epstein survivors tell BBC

Five women who were abused by the late sex offender have come together to share their stories with the BBC.

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Mark Zuckerberg wearing a black t-shirt and holding up his hands as he talks

Meta told to pay $375m for misleading users on safety

A jury found the company that owns Facebook and Instagram liable for the way its platforms endangered children.

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Fund boss warns oil price rise could lead to recession

BlackRock chief Larry Fink said that if oil hits $150 a barrel it will have "profound implications" for the global economy.

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Emily Gregory, a woman with long brown hair, stands in front of a body of water with several skyscrapers in the distance

Democrats flip Florida seat that includes Mar-a-Lago

Democrats are projected to win a special election for a Florida district that includes Donald Trump's Palm Beach home.

Find out more >

A blue elephant sculpture with large googly eyes

Woman convicted over googly eyes on sculpture

A 20-year-old woman has been fined and given community service after making the addition to a famous Australian sculpture.

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NEWS FROM THE UK

Arson arrests: Two men have been arrested after four Jewish charity-owned ambulances were set on fire in north London, police said.

Meningitis delay: The NHS waited two days before raising the alarm about a recent outbreak of the deadly disease, the BBC has learnt.

Bravery award: A patient who intervened to prevent a bombing at a hospital says he hugged the attacker to help calm him down.

BEYOND THE HEADLINES

Has phone ban improved performance at Dutch schools?

Ida Peters, a woman with shoulder-length dark hair and wearing small hoop earrings and a grey jumper, stands in front of a calssroom with children in the background

Teacher Ida Peters says there has been a tangible difference in her students' behaviour since phones were banned.

Two years ago, Dutch schools banned smartphones to reduce distractions, enhance student concentration, and encourage better academic performance. Now the Dutch government wants to go further, pushing to restrict social media for under‑16s and calling for an EU‑wide 15+ age limit for apps like Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat. Our corres