BBC News Briefing

21 August, 2026

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

Alex Binley

Hello. With the Ukraine war in its fifth year, we take a look at its impact on ordinary Russians. In the occupied West Bank, our correspondent reports on a settlement that is reopening after 20 years. And meet the first king penguin born in the UK in more than a decade.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

Why Russians are feeling the growing impact of the Ukraine war

Lots of cars are seen queuing at a petrol station. A number of people stand next to the cars.

Russian officials blamed the fuel shortages on 'unscheduled repairs at oil refineries'. Credit: EPA

As Moscow's war against Kyiv continues and with the frontlines largely at a stalemate, Ukraine is bringing the conflict closer to home for ordinary Russians. Ongoing strikes on Russian oil facilities are causing fuel shortages and across the capital this week, drivers spent hours queuing, often fruitlessly, for fuel. Kyiv is also targeting Wildberries distribution centres - Russia's equivalent of Amazon - causing disruption to shoppers and economic pain for sellers. Polling suggests anxiety in society is rising, implying "the Kremlin's message of 'keep calm and carry on' isn't landing", writes Russia editor Steve Rosenberg. He notes that when speaking to Russians he gets the feeling they "don't believe they can influence what's happening around them. All they feel they can do is try to adapt".

Steve's analysis

GET UP TO SPEED

A split image shows Prince Harry on the left. He has balding, short ginger hair and a beard and is wearing a dark blue suit, white shirt and red and blue tie. In the centre is Liz Hurley. She has long, wavy brown hair and is wearing sunglasses and a black coat. On the right is Elton John. He has short ginger hair and is wearing yellow glasses with a black rim. He is wearing a grey suit, white shirt and striped tie.

Harry and six others face legal bill of up to £34.5m

It comes after a judge ruled the claimants failed to prove allegations of unlawful information gathering by a newspaper publisher.

More on the costs >

A gold emblem is seen against a black wall. It is circular and around the edge of it in white letters it says 'national transportation safety board'. In the centre of the emblem there is an eagle and a US flag. In front of it, the backs of the heads of three men can be seen.

Eight killed in plane crash at remote Alaskan military site

It is unclear why the civilian-contracted plane was at the radar site. An investigation into what happened is under way.

What we know >

An Argentinian footballer in a blue and white striped football shirt is seen punching a Spanish player in the face. The Spanish player is seen falling over and is wearing a light blue T-shirt and dark blue shorts. Other players are seen around them, as well as a coach and a referee dressed all in black.

Paredes banned for 10 games after World Cup clash

The midfielder grabbed a Spanish player by the throat and wrestled another to the ground, following Argentina's defeat.

Team's other punishments >

Donald Trump is seen standing on the tarmac of an airport, giving a thumbs up. He looks serious and is wearing a navy blue suit, white shirt and red tie. Two other people can be seen out-of-focus behind him.

Why the US economy is ringing alarm bells

America hit a debt milestone this week, but just how worried should we be about the world's largest economy, and what's next?

Correspondent analysis >

People in swimwear are seen walking along a beach. In the distance, a Balinese temple can be seen, and coloured parasols on the beach

Bali jails tourist for insulting sacred Day of Silence

The annual holiday sees the bustling tourist island go quiet, as people stay at home. The restrictions apply to everyone.

More on what happens >

NEWS FROM THE UK

Food poisoning: Under-fives, the elderly and pregnant women are being advised not to eat runny eggs when dining out, due to a salmonella outbreak.

Yung Filly: The rapper will face a retrial on three rape charges in Australia, after a jury cleared him of three sexual assault offences but couldn't reach a decision on others.

Sea death: A body has been recovered in the search for a man who fell overboard from a ship that was returning to Scotland after a solar eclipse cruise.

AT THE SCENE

Jenin, occupied West Bank

Israel re-establishes closed West Bank settlement, defying growing international protests

Two cars are driving along a road that curves to the right. The silver car in front is pulling a trailer filled with white goods, the silver car behind it has a blue and white Israeli flag on its roof and an upside-down wooden table strapped to it. A khaki-coloured military 4x4 is following the two cars.

The settlers were laden with bedding, furniture and building material as they approached Kadim. Credit: EPA

A new generation of Israeli settlers has returned to the settlement of Kadim, in the occupied West Bank, two decades after it was closed by a previous Israeli government. Thirty "pioneer families" arrived on Thursday from Tel Aviv, and the rapid change has left nearby Palestinian residents concerned.

Lucy has short brown hair and blue eyes and is looking straight ahead at the camera. Only her face can be seen.

Lucy Williamson, Middle East correspondent

The settlers came in small groups, some under military escort, Israeli flags fluttering from their cars as they passed Palestinian villages and farmlands. Some dragged trailers loaded with furniture and building materials. Our request to speak to people at Kadim's opening ceremony was refused; we were told no media were allowed to enter the settlement today.

Driving along a dirt track on the hill behind it, we met a Palestinian vegetable farmer, living in the house he was born in 53 years ago. He told me how, as a boy, he watched Kadim being built, then watched again as the settlers were forced out by the government 20 years later. "Back then... we coexisted peacefully," he told me. Now, watching them return, he's fearful.

Keep reading

Analysis: World news correspondent Joe Inwood on how Israel is expanding settlements in its drive to reshape the West Bank.