BBC News Briefing

17 November, 2025

Alex has dark blonde, bobbed hair and is smiling. She is wearing a dark grey, high-necked top with a pink jumper on top.

Alex Binley

Hello. Amid increasing pressure from within the Republican Party, US President Donald Trump has reversed his position and is calling on lawmakers within his party to vote to release files relating to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. A court in Bangladesh has sentenced the former PM to death following a deadly crackdown on protests. And finally, a hit 'Nestflix' series could be about to end after three of its stars flew the nest.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

Trump reverses position and calls for own party to vote for release of Epstein files

A photo of Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump at a 1997 event. Both men wear black suits and are smiling. Trump has his hand on Epstein's shoulder and wears a white shirt with a wide pink tie. Epstein has short grey hair and is wearing a blue shirt.

Epstein and Trump (pictured here in 1997) were friends for years, though the US president says he had a falling out with him in the early 2000s. Credit: Getty Images

Trump has declared "there is nothing to hide" and is urging Republicans in Congress to vote this week to release files relating to Jeffrey Epstein. The change of stance follows a drip feed of documents concerning the disgraced financier by Democrats, some of which reference the US president and other high-profile figures, which have fuelled speculation and caused splits within the Republican Party. Trump has always denied any link to Epstein's sex abuse and trafficking. Despite the US president's backing, the bill already appeared to have enough votes to pass the House, although it was unclear whether it would pass in the Senate, the other half of Congress.

Maga split: A rift has emerged between Trump and one of his staunchest supporters, Marjorie Taylor Greene, over her calls for the files' release.

Who's who: Last week more than 20,000 pages of documents were released. These are just some of the high-profile names mentioned.

Watch: How much do ordinary Americans care about the release of the papers?

Ex-Bangladesh PM sentenced to death over brutal protests crackdown

Bangladesh's former prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, has been found guilty of crimes against humanity and sentenced to death. A court found she was responsible for ordering a violent crackdown on student-led protests last year, during which the UN estimates up to 1,400 people died, most by gunfire from security forces.

Latest updates

WORLD HEADLINES

An image shows two men in khaki camouflage army uniforms. One man is holding a notepad and standing, the other is crouching on the floor holding a gun. Thety are watched by five people who are sitting behind a cream-coloured wall.

Two marines implicated in killing Iraqi family - expert

When US marines stormed Safa Younes' home in 2005, they killed her parents, siblings and aunt, but she survived.

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A stock image of a hacker. It shows a silhouetted figure wearing a hoody sat surrounded by computers against a red background.

Hackers steal India maternity ward CCTV

Footage showing pregnant women having medical exams and receiving injections in their buttocks was sold on Telegram.

More on this >

An image shows a dried-up riverbed running through a gorge.

Iran begins cloud seeding in bid to induce rain

The country is suffering its worst drought in decades and the president has warned that water could soon be rationed.

Read more >

New York Jets player critical after shooting

Cornerback Kris Boyd was shot in the abdomen early on Sunday in Manhattan, according to US media.

What we know >

NEWS FROM THE UK

Immigration: Follow live as the government threatens three African countries with a visa ban under sweeping asylum changes.

China: Beijing's investment spree in the UK has given it access to military-grade technology, the BBC has learnt.

WhatsApp arrest: A couple who were arrested after complaining about their daughter's school say police have paid them £20,000 in damages.

BEYOND THE HEADLINES

Hitler DNA study throws up extraordinary findings but ethical questions

A colour treated photo of Hitler speaking into a big microphone. He's wearing a light brown jacket and red tie. He has black hair that is parted on the side and a moustache below his nose.

The blood analysed came from a swatch of fabric from the bunker in which Hitler killed himself. Credit: Getty Images

Ground-breaking analysis of Adolf Hitler's blood has led to some fascinating discoveries on the dictator, providing an answer to the myth that he had Jewish ancestry and suggesting potential genetic and neurological conditions. Yet the research has also opened up a fierce ethical debate.