BBC News Briefing

1 July, 2025

Alex has short blonde hair and blue eyes. She is smiling and wearing a black turtleneck

Alex Binley

Hello. The cuts made to USAID could lead to 14 million deaths in the next five years, new research suggests. As Squid Game comes to an end, people in South Korea are reflecting on how their reality inspired the dystopian drama. And finally, a couple in Norway were amongst scores who thought they'd scooped major lottery wins, only to be told their prize money consisted of a few less zeroes than first billed.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

Trump global aid cuts risk 14 million deaths in five years, report says

A third of those at risk of premature deaths were children, researchers projected. Credit: Getty Images

President Donald Trump's move to cut most US foreign aid funding could cause more than 14 million additional deaths by 2030, including 4.5 million children under five, according to new research in The Lancet. Researchers for the medical journal said the potential impact of the cuts could be likened to a pandemic or a major armed conflict. USAID is seen as integral to the global humanitarian system and after Trump's cuts were announced, other countries also made reductions. The cuts were overseen by Elon Musk as part of his efforts to slash the federal workforce, while Trump has said he wants overseas spending to be closely aligned with his "America First" approach. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said there are still 1,000 programmes underway.

What the report found

What is USAID?: How much does it cost the US government and why has Trump shut it down?

Global aid upended: This is what happened in the immediate aftermath of the cuts.

'People will starve': Nearly two million people who relied on community kitchens for food in Sudan have lost their lifeline.

WORLD HEADLINES

A large crowd of men carry bags and boxes, likely of aid. Two at the front make the V 'peace' sign. It appears dusty and the air is slightly cloudy because of it

US-Israeli backed Gaza aid group must shut - charities

Over 500 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid since the GHF started operating in late May, 130 charities said.

Read more >

A group of men stand in a street in the dark. They all appear to be chanting and raise a hand and a finger in the air, as it pointing

Journalists arrested over alleged cartoon of Prophet

A Turkish magazine contained a cartoon that appeared to show the Prophet Muhammad. Islam forbids his depiction.

More on this story >

Two young women are outside a house and smiling. One appears to be giving the other a piggyback. The woman carrying her friend has ong blond hair and wears a beige jumper, the other woman has long brown hair and is wearing a grey jumper

Guilty plea expected over murders of Idaho students

A 30-year-old man will admit stabbing four roommates as part of a deal to avoid the death penalty, US media reports.

More on the case >

An old photo shows the late Queen in a brown fur coat with a grey hat on. She is in a train carriage with three children - two of who are waving and the third rests his head on his hands - who are looking out of the window

Royal train to be cut in cost-saving measure

There have been dedicated trains for UK monarchs since Queen Victoria's reign, but a two-day trip this year cost £44,000.

More on royal travel costs >

A huge blue and white cruise ship sails through the sea. It has a numbe of bright yellow lifeboats on its side

Dad jumps off cruise ship to save daughter who fell

The girl appeared to fall when her father took her picture against a railing, said witnesses. He then jumped in after her.

Watch the rescue >

BEYOND THE HEADLINES

As Squid Game ends, South Koreans return to the reality that inspired it

A giant sculpture of a doll from the show Squid Game stands in front of a Korean temple, holding what appears to be a tug-o-war rope, next to a sign of the word Netflix

A giant killer doll, among other motifs of Squid Game, were part of a parade celebrating the show's final season. Credit: Getty Images

Millions of fans are bidding farewell to Netflix's chart-topper, Squid Game. In the fictional series players must complete children's games for a chance to win a cash prize - but there is a gory twist when the losers are killed. With the show's third and final season released last Friday, fans across the world are returning to reality, and for South Koreans in particular, reflecting on the society that inspired the dystopian series.

Warning: this linked article contains spoilers.

A hand holds pint-sized glass of czech beer with city buildings visible in the background

SOMETHING DIFFERENT

Beer diplomacy

The Czech government has been inviting brewers to Bohemia to boost awareness.

Here's why