BBC News Briefing

3 March, 2026

Sofia has long brown hair and brown eyes and is wearing a green top.

Sofia Lotto Persio

Hello. Israel says it has targeted Iran's "leadership compound" in Tehran, while also launching new attacks in Lebanon. My colleagues have the latest. Elsewhere, we explain how Jacinda Ardern's move to Australia highlights New Zealand's "brain drain" problem. And finally, see the winning snow sculptures at a competition in Switzerland.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

Reported death toll in Iran rises to 787

An Iranian woman walks in a street with the rubble of a building seen in the background, along with an iranina flag. She is wearing a white scarf over her head, she has brown hair and her face is conforted in distress. She is wearing a camel-coloured short winter jacket and a eige backpack and jeans. She is holding a tissue in each of her hands. A white car carrying several building materials on its roof appears behind er, with other people looking at the building rubble.

A journalist in Iran told the BBC that "every part" of Tehran has been hit by US and Israeli strikes. Credit: EPA/Shutterstock

The Israeli military says it has been carrying out strikes in Iran's capital Tehran and in Lebanon's capital Beirut. According to the Iranian Red Crescent, 787 people have been killed in Iran since the US-Israeli strikes began on 28 February. Meanwhile, the Israeli defence minister said ground troops would be deployed to "seize strategic areas in Lebanon". Middle East correspondent Yolande Knell notes, the move is "a blow to the 2024 US-brokered ceasefire deal" that ended a year of full-on fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah. The US has confirmed six of its troops were killed in an Iranian strike against a military facility in Kuwait on Sunday, while the US embassy in Saudi Arabia was attacked by two drones.

Follow real-time updates

Mar-a-Lago war room: Photographs of President Donald Trump and members of his cabinet overseeing the initial strikes show tense moments.

From Iran: Despite the internet restrictions, the BBC has managed to speak to some people who have described the impact of the strikes.

Underlining strategy: BBC security analyst Gordon Corera looks at what is likely to happen after the strikes took out key figures in Iran's regime.

WORLD HEADLINES

A composite image of Bill and Hilary Clinton testifying to a congressional panel about their ties to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, in Chappaqua, New York, U.S. February 27, 2026.

Video of Clintons testifying on Epstein ties released

Hillary Clinton nearly stormed out of her closed-door testimony last week, newly released footage shows.

The key moments >

A close-up of the body of a gun with a magazine of bullets on top of it. A hand is holding one part of the gun and more bullets can be seen, out of focus, in the background.

At least 169 people killed in South Sudan attack

A group of unidentified men launched a deadly assault on an area in the north of the country on Sunday.

What happened >

Xi Jinping has short grey hair and brown eyes. He is wearing a blue suit and tie.

Retired Chinese generals lose advisory positions

China has removed the three retired generals from a top political advisory body just days before a large annual gathering.

More details>

David Eby stand at a podium (unseen) with Canada's and British Columbia's flags behind him.

British Colombia to adopt year-round daylight saving

The coming one-hour clock change on 8 March will be the last one for the Canadian province.

What to know >

Saturday Night Live cast and hosts gathered on set on 28 February

Charity criticises SNL's 'hurtful' Tourette's sketch

Saturday Night Live depicted a series of controversial celebrities blaming their behaviour on the condition.

Read more >

NEWS FROM THE UK

Special relationship: UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has acknowledged his biggest disagreement yet with President Trump.

Antisemitism: Sir Michael Moritz, one of the UK's wealthiest men, said he was applying for a German passport due to Britain being "hostile" to Jews.

Met Police: Five years since Sarah Everard's murder, Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has said he sees why some women do not trust the force.

BEYOND THE HEADLINES

New Zealand's 'brain drain' problem

The Rt. Hon. Dame Jacinda Ardern, former Prime Minister, New Zealand speaks on stage during 2024 California Conference For Women at Santa Clara Convention Center on February 29, 2024 in Santa Clara, California

Last year, more than 66,000 Kiwis packed up and moved away - the equivalent of 180 every single day. Credit: Getty Images

Jacinda Ardern's office has confirmed the former New Zealand prime minister has moved to Australia. The news has shone a renewed spotlight on New Zealand's battle to retain its best and brightest at a time when the country is struggling with a lagging economy, a cost-of-living crisis and housing shortages.