BBC News Briefing

2 October, 2025

Sofia has long brown hair and brown eyes and is wearing a green top.

Sofia Lotto Persio

Hello. The Israeli navy has intercepted a flotilla of boats carrying aid to Gaza. My colleagues have the details. Ahead of the release of Taylor Swift's new album, music correspondent Mark Savage looks at how the pop star has made herself too big to fail. And finally, a court in India takes a strong stance against doctors' poor handwriting.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

Greta Thunberg among activists detained

A large group of protesters waving palestinian flags take part in a rally in solidarity with the Global Sumud Flotilla and Gaza, in Mexico City, Mexico

Protests against Israel's interception were held in several countries including Greece, Mexico and Italy. Credit: Reuters

The Israeli navy has detained activists, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, who were aboard several boats intercepted on their way to Gaza. The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) left Spain a month ago. It counted more than 40 ships and around 500 people on board, including European parliamentarians, lawyers and activists, on a stated mission to take aid directly into Gaza. The GSF described the interception as "illegal" and "a brazen act of desperation". The Israeli Foreign Ministry said the flotilla had been informed it was "violating a lawful naval blockade" that covers the waters next to Gaza - though it is unclear if the boats had entered the zone.

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Gaza City: Israel is stepping up the assault as Hamas weighs its response to a new US plan to end the war.

Humanitarian conditions: A medic working for a charity in Gaza said he was evacuated to Ireland after becoming too weak to work.

Watch: BBC Verify has analysed a map of Gaza showing various lines of Israeli troop withdrawal included in the US peace plan.

WORLD HEADLINES

A composite image showing a Ukrainian pilot using a drone. He is imposed over an image of an oil refinery from which smoke is rising after a blast.

Attacks on refinery cause Russian fuel shortages

BBC Verify looks at the impact of Ukraine's increased attacks against Russian oil refineries in recent months.

What to know >

Vice-President JD Vance stands at a lectern in the White house Briefing room, with press secretary karoline Leavitt standing to one side.

White House says layoffs 'imminent'

White House budget chief Russell Vought has briefed Republicans behind closed doors on what the layoffs could look like.

What happened >

Female and male US Army soldiers attend the opening ceremony of the Resolute Castle 22 NATO exercise in a file photo from 2022

Female veterans decry Hegseth's remarks

The US defence secretary's remarks on returning to "the highest male standard" have angered some veterans.

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Tech multi-billionaire Elon Musk speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in February 2025. He is dressed all in black, including a Make America Great Again baseball cap, coat, t-shirt and sunglasses. The background is bright blue with a large white letter C over Musk's right shoulder.The image shows a mix of female and male active army members, all dressed in army uniforms.

Musk becomes world's first half-trillionaire

Tesla boss Elon Musk has become the first person ever to achieve a net worth of more than $500bn (£370.9bn).

How it happened >

Jane Goodall remembered for demystifying primates

Researchers are reeling from the loss of a scientist whose unconventional methods changed our knowledge of chimpanzees.

Read the tributes >

NEWS FROM THE UK

Synagogue attack: Four people have been injured in a car and stabbing attack in Manchester. Follow live updates.

Met Police: A reporter went undercover for months at a busy London station. His findings have led to the suspension of eight officers.

Kingdom of Kubala: Police have evicted a self-styled African tribe from the Scottish Borders, the latest in a months-long saga.

BEYOND THE HEADLINES

How Taylor Swift became too big to fail

Composite image of Taylor Swift in concert in three different eras. In the foreground, she appears in the Midnights era, holding a microfone and showing her arm muscles. In the background, she appears in the beginning of her career, on the right, and in the 1989 era.

More than five million fans have pre-saved Swift's upcoming new album on Spotify, setting a record.

Taylor Swift fans are one sleep away from enjoying her latest album, The Life of a Showgirl. Mark Savage traces and charts the pop star's career to find out how she made herself seemingly failure-proof, and whether anything can stop her meteoric success.

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