BBC News Briefing

8 October, 2026

Alex Binley

Hello. A former Syrian general wanted for crimes against humanity is being harboured in return for information - we've got more on the investigation. We also look at why French students have been protesting. And discover the sport in which women regularly beat men to the trophy.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

Syrian general accused of atrocities protected by US and Lebanon, BBC finds

Bassam al-Hassan has thinning brown hair, brown eyes, and is wearing a navy suit and blue shirt

Bassam al-Hassan fled Syria following the Assad regime's collapse in 2024.

The man who oversaw Syria's chemical weapons programme is being sheltered in Lebanon and bankrolled by authorities there and in the US, a BBC News investigation has found. The arrangement is due to his willingness to provide information, including on the abduction of American journalist Austin Tice in Syria in 2012, a joint investigation with US broadcaster NPR has revealed. However, some sources have questioned the validity of Bassam al-Hassan's information. Tice's family has called the financial support "offensive". Our investigation also found that other Syrian officials connected to the Tice case are believed to have found refuge abroad. The FBI declined to comment on the findings and said it remained committed to securing Tice's return. The CIA and Lebanese authorities did not respond.

What else we discovered

Austin Tice: The journalist was kidnapped in a calculated operation which was more than a month in the planning, we previously revealed.

Listen: Our reporter enters a dangerous world of betrayal as he uncovers what happened in one of the biggest missing-person cases of our time.

Spy chief: How we tracked down "The Spider" who was once one of the most-feared men in Syria.

WORLD HEADLINES

A close-up of Christa Pike's face. She has brown eyes and long brown curly hair. She has a neutral expression on her face and is standing in front of a white and black height chart.

Christa Pike 'walking after execution attempt'

After surviving two lethal injections, the 50-year-old is "fairly with it" but mentally "somewhat foggy", one of her lawyers said.

More on Pike's condition >

An old black and white image shows a young woman with long hair that's parted on the side, wearing glasses. She is smiling and has her hands on a stack of books.

Scientist, whose work helped Apollo 11 Moon landing, dies

Margaret Hamilton was a trailblazer in her field and led the team who developed the software for Nasa's Apollo missions.

More on her life >

Exterior of Cornell University’s Chi Phi fraternity house showing a white building with mock tudor style black details

Cornell rape accuser has received ‘threats’ - lawyer

"Things have taken a very dark turn" and the woman and her family have all received death threats, her lawyer has said.

Watch the video >

Two women with long black hair wear black clothes and stand in front of a purple background. They are holding three phones between the two of them, with purple and blue lighting up the screens

Samsung profits expected to hit record $80bn

The firm said the increase in profits was driven by surging demand for memory chips used in AI data centres.

Read more >

Rows of palm trees line the ted entrance to Trump's Florida golf course.

Trump wants Camp David-like retreat at his golf club

The Florida club would foot construction costs as a "gift" to Americans and provide free memberships to future leaders, he said.

More on the plan >

NEWS FROM THE UK

British consulate: Israel says most UK diplomats will leave the office in occupied East Jerusalem, but the UK says vital services will remain.

Royal Navy: A service member is set to appear in court, charged with spying for an unnamed foreign country, police have said.

Travel: Passengers who paid thousands of pounds for European river cruises have described their anger after ending up on coach trips instead.

BEYOND THE HEADLINES

What lies behind the anger of France's school protests?

A group of students, many wearing medical masks, stand behind green bins and are protesting. Many have their arms in the air and appear to be shouting and some are holding up signs.

The protests centre on the country's lycées, schools which are attended by 15-18-year-olds. Credit: Reuters

School protests in France have turned violent in places with hundreds of students, teachers and police officers injured, and thousands of people arrested. The demonstrations have been taking place since late September, with students across the country blockading schools and complaining of underfunding, staff shortages and dilapidated facilities. Another rally is planned for later today. So, how do school conditions in France compare to other countries? And does France's tradition of political demonstrations explain why the protest movement has taken hold?

Find out

Two penguins stand side by side in a desolate location, leaning against a wooden post

SOMETHING DIFFERENT

Life thrives in a volcano

Inside an active Antarctic volcano, these gentoo penguins are flourishing.

Here's why

And finally...

Top Fuel drag racing is often described as the fastest sport on the planet, with drivers experiencing more g-force than an astronaut launching into space. It's also the only elite class of motorsport where women frequently beat men to major titles. Watch the two-times European champion in action.