BBC News Briefing

26 February, 2026

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

Alex Binley

Hello. A third round of talks between Iranian and American officials are being held in Geneva, aimed at reaching a compromise on Tehran's nuclear ambitions. In Nepal, new evidence uncovered by the BBC reveals what led to killings during a Gen-Z protest in September. And watch as a sudden sinkhole swallows two cars in Nebraska.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

Chances of US and Iran nuclear agreement 'remain unclear'

People cross the road at a zebra crossing in Iran. A large poster shows a US flag and the words in Farsi and English 'If you sow the wind, you will reap the whirlwind'

For decades, the US and Israel have accused Iran of trying to secretly develop a nuclear weapon. Credit: EPA

Indirect negotiations are "seen as crucial to averting conflict" after US President Donald Trump threatened to strike Iran if a nuclear deal is not reached, writes Middle East correspondent Hugo Bachega. The discussions come amid the largest US military build-up in the Middle East since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and with Iran vowing to respond to any attack with force. Yet Trump has done little to explain what he is demanding and why there could be the need to take military action now, Hugo writes. Iran has rejected the US demand to stop the enrichment of uranium, but there have been indications it's prepared to offer some nuclear concessions. But as the talks restart in Geneva, Hugo adds that "the chances of an agreement remain unclear".

Hugo's analysis

State of the Union: Trump mentioned Iran tensions without laying out the case for strikes, writes chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet.

General's warning: Trump has hit out at media reports that his top military advisor warned strikes against Iran could be risky.

Military presence: BBC Verify has been tracking the build-up of US warships and fighter jets near Iran. You can see the deployments here.

WORLD HEADLINES

A man with black hair that's greying wears a grey and yellow jumper. He stands in a doorway and looks at a poster that is afixed to the door which shows an image of a teenage boy with black hair, wearing a black T-shirt.

Soldiers shot Palestinian boy and waited as he died - video

Israeli forces blocked Palestinian ambulances while the 14-year-old lay bleeding for at least 45 minutes, witnesses said.

What happened >

An elderly man with grey hair and wearing a dark blue jumper smiles at the camera

Two charged over death of man mistakenly kidnapped

The 85-year-old grandfather was forcibly taken from his Sydney home by several men who bundled him into an SUV.

Watch suspects' arrest >

A close-up shot shows Kim Jong Un. He is wearing a black suit and white shirt and has short black hair. He is in front of a wood-pannelled background.

North Korea could 'get along' with US, says Kim Jong Un

Kim called on the US to respect his country's nuclear power, as he spoke of his intention to expand its arsenal.

More on this >

A magnified image shows dozens of sperm, which are a pinkish-white colour, against a brown background

Sperm swim more quickly in summer, study finds

Understanding seasonal patterns could improve fertility treatments, by optimising the timing of treatment and testing.

Read more >

Dozens of people wrapped up against the cold are seen in a snowy park, taking part in a snowball fight. Buildings and an arch are seen in the background.

Snowball fight row leaves Mamdani at odds with police

What started as an innocent New York snowball fight has snowballed, landing the mayor and the police leadership in a row.

What happened >

NEWS FROM THE UK

Maternity failings: Racism, staffing and accountability issues were among six factors identified by an interim report into issues with care in England.

Renewable energy: 10,000 homes are set to be powered by the Earth's own heat for the first time in the UK.

Holiday homes: Eight years ago, this seaside town banned new houses from becoming second homes or holiday lets. Here's what's happened since.

BEYOND THE HEADLINES

BBC reveals police order led to Gen Z protest killings

A digitally edited collage featuring three main elements: on the left, a blurred person in motion wearing a black shirt with stylized white text against an ornate red background; in the center, a large black pirate flag displaying the Straw Hat Pirates’ Jolly Roger from One Piece with a pink skull wearing a striped straw hat; and on the right, a grayscale figure with a blurred face wearing a white shirt and floral garlands. The overall color scheme is dominated by red and black tones.

Shreeyam Chaulagain reassured his mother the protesters would not be targeted because they were young, and in school uniforms.

A teenager in school uniform who was shot in the back of the head as he walked away from a protest was one of 19 killed in a single day in Nepal's capital in September, after the use of lethal fire was authorised against thousands of young, unarmed demonstrators. By analysing the evidence and speaking to those involved, the BBC has pieced together the most comprehensive account so far of one of the most bloody days in Nepal's recent history.

What happened