BBC News Briefing

3 April, 2026

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

Sofia Lotto Persio

Hello. Iran has launched fresh strikes on its neighbours, after the US and Israel stepped up their attacks on Iran's infrastructure. We have the latest. Business reporter Natalie Sherman looks at the impact of US tariffs on global trade, one year since they were announced. This newsletter will take a short Easter break and return on Monday - until then, give our weekly new quiz a go.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

Gulf energy targeted after Iran bridge hit

Damage to the B1 bridge, with debris hanging from the split sides.

The B1 bridge links the Iranian city of Karaj and the capital Tehran. Credit: West Asia News Agency via Reuters

Kuwait has reported overnight attacks on a key oil refinery and a power and desalination plant, while authorities in Abu Dhabi said falling debris hit a gas facility. Iran's attacks on neighbouring countries have prompted millions of migrants working in the wealthy Gulf states to consider whether their jobs were worth the risk to their lives. My colleagues at BBC Persian spoke to people in Iran about a US strike on a bridge in the city of Karaj that killed eight people and injured nearly 100, according to local officials. More than 100 international law experts have signed an open letter expressing "profound concern" about the US, Israel and Iran's conduct in the conflict.

Get the latest

Watch: Analysis editor Ros Atkins looks at how much the US has spent on the Iran war so far, and how it compares to previous conflicts.

Ultimate goal: BBC Persian editor Amir Azimi explains how, after more than a month of war, power in Tehran remains structurally unchanged.

Voices from Iran: Young Iranians have described emotional scenes as family rifts open up over the war.

WORLD HEADLINES

(From left) Jeremy Hansen, Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch and Victor Glover conduct a live broadcast from space

Artemis II crew share first words from space

The four astronauts discussed a range of issues, from fixing faulty toilets to the mission's historic significance.

What they said >

Army Chief of Staff Randy George wearing a military uniform during an event at the White House

Hegseth asks US Army's top general to step down

Randy George will be replaced by Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen Christopher LaNevef, according to US media.

What to know >

A file photo from 2013 shows a guard standing watch at a prison tower overlooking lines of prison fencing.

Cuba to release more than 2,000 prisoners

Those freed will include foreign nationals, young people, women and those aged over 60, the Cuban embassy in the US has said.

Read more >

Ancient golden helmet recovered after Dutch heist

A 2,500-year-old golden helmet has been recovered more than a year after it was stolen from a Dutch museum.

What happened >

A composite image shows Blake Lively on the left and Justin Baldoni on the right. Lively has long blonde hair and blue eyes and she is wearing a pink shirt and a grey blazer. Baldoni has black curly hair, brown eyes and a grey beard. He is wearing a white tshirt, a pink scarf and a brown coat.

Most of Lively's claims in Baldoni lawsuit dismissed

A judge has thrown out 10 of 13 allegations in the case linked to the film It Ends with Us, including harassment and defamation.

What happens next >

NEWS FROM THE UK

Marmalade rebrand: The breakfast favourite will be renamed when the UK aligns with new EU labelling rules.

Coming home: A puppet from the children's TV series The Clangers that was stolen from an exhibition more than 50 years ago has been returned.

Watch: Wildlife explorer Steve Backshall was overjoyed to have spotted two of the UK's last surviving orcas off the coast of Cornwall.

BEYOND THE HEADLINES

The impact of Trump's tariffs, a year on

On 2 April 2025, which Trump called Liberation Day, the US unveiled tariffs on many foreign goods. Credit: Reuters

When President Donald Trump launched his trade war last April, he promised a new era for the US - vowing to restore manufacturing, raise money for the government and open up new markets. One year later, Natalie Sherman looks at the ways tariffs have changed global trade and diplomacy.