BBC News Briefing

23 October, 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. In a sign that US President Donald Trump is becoming increasingly exasperated with the Kremlin over the war in Ukraine, his administration has for the first time announced direct sanctions on Russia. In Myanmar's civil war, the tide is turning due to Chinese support. South East Asia correspondent Jonathan Head explains why Beijing is backing the military junta. And finally, watch as a mum and a driver save 22 children from a school bus fire.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

US sanctions Russia's two largest oil companies

Trump and Putin face each other and shake hands. Both men are wearing black suits and stand in front of a dark blue background. Putin is smiling while Trump appears serious

Trump and Putin met in Alaska in August for talks on the war in Ukraine - a second meeting has now been shelved. Credit: Reuters

Russia's two largest oil companies will be hit by US sanctions in a bid to put pressure on Moscow to negotiate a peace deal in Ukraine. The announcement came just hours after Trump complained that talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin "don't go anywhere". The US Treasury secretary said Rosneft and Lukoil were targeted as they fund the Kremlin's "war machine". The economic impact on Russia is likely to be minimal, but it represents a major shift in Trump's stance on the conflict, having previously cast his administration as a neutral mediator.

Explained: What do the sanctions mean and are oil prices set to rise? Here's everything you need to know.

Assets targeted: The EU looks set to endorse a deal which would give Ukraine €140bn (£121bn; $162.38bn) in frozen Russian assets.

Russia blast: At least 10 people are dead following an explosion at a munitions plant, reports say.

WORLD HEADLINES

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King Charles meets Pope in historic Vatican visit

The King is the first British monarch to pray with a pope since the 16th Century, in a symbolic display of unity.

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There was no holding back and barbs flew as the three contenders debated for the final time ahead of 4 November election.

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Senate candidate sorry for Nazi symbol-like tattoo

The Democratic hopeful has since had the skull-and-crossbones, which appears to resemble the Totenkopf, covered.

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NEWS FROM THE UK

Grooming gangs: Four abuse survivors are demanding the safeguarding minister resigns before they re-join the inquiry.

Migrant boats: France is backing away from its pledge to intercept small boats heading to the UK, sources say.

Little Miss Marple: Four of Agatha Christie's mysteries are being turned into children's Mr Men books.

BEYOND THE HEADLINES

Myanmar's army taking back territory with China's help

Four women sit or crouch on the floor. They all appear sad and some are crying. They all have black hair which is tied up. One woman has markings painted on her face in a pale yellow colour.

The opposition to the junta is fragmented and consists of many different groups. Credit: AFP via Getty Images)

Four years into the civil war, Myanmar's army is taking back territory with drones, bombs and help from China. The 2021 coup created unease in Beijing, but China's vast business interests in its south-east Asian neighbour means it's seeking stability. And with no other diplomatic initiatives making any headway, many other countries in the region will likely follow China's lead and back the junta, writes Jonathan Head.