BBC News Briefing

30 March, 2026

Sofia has shoulder-length light brown hair and brown eyes and wears a green blouse.

Sofia Lotto Persio

Hello. As President Donald Trump says he is considering seizing Iran's major fuel hub Kharg Island, our international editor Jeremy Bowen analyses the choice the US leader now faces as the war rages on. Meanwhile, tech reporter Kali Hays looks at the recent wave of job cuts in Silicon Valley and whether AI is really to blame. And finally, get a taste of Sydney's Cake Picnic.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

Trump's instinct-led approach to war

A file photo from March 2017 shows a view of the Kharg oil terminal at the Kharg Island, in the Persian Gulf.

Oil prices rose to over $115 (£87; €100) when markets opened in Asia on Monday, just over a month into the war. Credit: EPA

Trump has said he could "take the oil in Iran" and possibly seize its major fuel hub of Kharg Island in an interview with the Financial Times. The small island is home to an oil terminal seen as key to Iran's economic lifeline - here's why it's important. Trump "follows gut instincts" over strategic advice, writes Jeremy Bowen, and so he faces a stark choice if he cannot do a deal with Iran. Taking Kharg Island would be challenging and dangerous, Jeremy writes, with no guarantees that it would lead to the collapse of the Iranian regime.

Read Jeremy's analysis

Public views: Some Republican party faithfuls have expressed concern about why the US started the Iran war, and how the conflict will end.

Lebanese journalists: Two reporters and a cameraman were killed in a targeted Israeli strike in southern Lebanon, their employers have said.

BBC Verify: Pictures show a US command and control aircraft has been destroyed at an air base in Saudi Arabia.

WORLD HEADLINES

A woman wearing a denim skirt and a black top walks past a petrol station in Havana. There is a sign in the petrol station's window reading 'cerrado', Spanish for 'closed'. The displays on the petrol station pumps are blank, suggesting the pumps have been turned off.

Russian oil tanker reaches Cuba

The tanker's arrival comes after President Trump appeared to signal a loosening of the de facto oil blockade on the island.

Read more >

Dezi Freeman has short dark hair and green eyes. He is wearing a grey tshirt and appears to be standing outdoors.

Australian fugitive Dezi Freeman killed by police

Australian police have shot dead the double-murderer and conspiracy theorist after he spent seven months on the run.

What happened >

Min Aung Hlaing wears a black top with a white collar and frameless glasses

Myanmar junta chief nominated as president

Min Aung Hlaing is certain to be chosen, after he was nominated in parliament alongside two unlikely contenders.

Who is Min Aung Hlaing >

Flowers and football tops and scarves on the ground, surrounding a photograph of Emiliano Sala on the front of a magazine titled Bluebird

Ruling expected in Sala's death compensation case

It's the final chapter in the long-running dispute which followed the death of footballer Emiliano Sala in 2019.

What to know >

Les Poissons by Pierre-Auguste Renoir shows three fish laid on a plate

Paintings worth millions stolen in Italy heist

The gang took pieces by Renoir, Cézanne and Matisse in the space of three minutes, Italian media outlets have reported.

More details >

NEWS FROM THE UK

Car incident: Two people have been discharged from hospital after seven people were hit by a car in Derby city centre on Saturday.

XL bullies: BBC Panorama has been granted rare access to one of the private specialist kennels that now regularly hold the dogs since the ban.

Warrior's treasure: A Bronze Age shield found in a peat bog has been returned to Scotland for the first time in more than 230 years.

BEYOND THE HEADLINES

Why tech CEOs now blame AI for job cuts

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg wears AI glasses and a black t-shirt at a Meta Connect event in 2025. He has short curly blonde hair and blue eyes.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg demonstrated an unreleased version of its AI-powered smart glasses in 2025. Credit: Reuters

A number of tech companies, including Google, Amazon, and Meta, as well as smaller firms such as Pinterest and Atlassian, have recently announced or warned of plans to shrink their workforces. Kali Hays looks at whether AI is to blame.