BBC News Briefing

20 March, 2026

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

Alex Binley

Hello. US President Donald Trump has called Nato allies "cowards", saying it would be "easy" for them to help open the Strait of Hormuz. More than two months since former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro was removed by US forces, people in Caracas share their hopes and frustrations over the current political situation. Plus, have a go at our quiz of the week.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

How the Iran war is impacting economies around the world

Per head, Americans are the biggest users of oil and gas on the planet. Credit: Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images

The world is facing the "greatest global energy security challenge in history", the head of the International Energy Agency has told the BBC. With Iran selectively blocking the Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20% of the world's oil and gas passes, and attacks on energy infrastructure in the region hitting Gulf producers, the prices of both have shot up and the financial fallout is being felt across the globe. But as always, there are winners and losers. We look at the countries that are benefitting from the current economic situation, and those that are at a disadvantage.

GET UP TO SPEED

Chuck Norris has blonde hair and a beard. He is wearing a burgundy shirt and is outdoors. Only his head and shoulders can be seen but he is resting a forearm on something

Action movie star Chuck Norris dies at 86

Norris died "at peace" on Thursday morning surrounded by his family, they said in a statement on Instagram.

More on the star >

A woman with long blonde hair that is parted in the middle, has blue eyes and is wearing a black jumper. She is sat in a chair and appears serious

Norway crown princess says she was 'deceived' by Epstein

Mette-Marit said she wishes she'd never met the late sex offender, ending her silence after the extent of her contact with him emerged.

What she said >

A large grey aircraft carrier is seen docked. It is in the sea and the sky is blue. Planes can be seen on its deck,.

Location of French aircraft carrier 'leaked by Strava run'

The officer reportedly used a smartwatch to record and upload his run on the vessel's deck, creating a map that showed his location.

Read more >

NEWS FROM THE UK

Faslane: An Iranian man has been arrested with a woman after trying to enter the naval base, which is home to the UK's nuclear-armed submarines.

Gerry Adams: A civil case against the former Sinn Féin leader over three IRA bombings in Britain has been withdrawn.

Sir Chris Hoy: The six-time Olympic champion has said a terminal cancer diagnosis has taught him how to get the best out of life. Here's what he learnt.

AT THE SCENE

Caracas, Venezuela

Venezuelans voice hope and frustration as post-Maduro future unfolds

A line of protesters, many making the 'peace' sign with their fingers stand behind a green, blue and red banner. In the centre of it are Maduro wearing a black suit and yellow, blue and red sash, and his wife wearing a black and white check jacket with her fist raised in the air.

Protesters in Caracas march in support of former president Nicolás Maduro to mark two months since he was removed by the US. Credit: Reuters

After Maduro was removed from power, his former vice-president, Delcy Rodríguez took over and is closely co‑operating with the US. Washington, once an adversary, now describes a "wonderful" relationship, citing some political prisoner releases and new oil and mining deals. But many Venezuelans doubt much has changed.

Ione wells has long brown hair and brown eyes. She is smiling and only her head and shoulders can be seen.

Ione Wells, South America correspondent

On 3 March, a government rally marked two months since Maduro's arrest, with crowds donning T‑shirts bearing his face, repeating loyalist slogans. "We have a constitutional president until his term expires, who right now is a victim, a prisoner of a war Venezuela didn't start, our priority is to recover him," one young protester Alí Rodríguez told the BBC.

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But away from the main crowds, some wearing loyalist uniforms whispered a different story: they are public employees, obliged to attend, and still fear speaking freely. Elena says thousands of public workers are ordered to attend rallies or risk punishment. She and colleagues recently received a $150 bonus on top of their $120 monthly salary for turning up.

Keep reading

Defence shake-up: Rodríguez has replaced her country's senior military commanders a day after appointing a new defence minister.

Torture claims: The UN has said it is deeply concerned by allegations that incidents of torture against detainees are continuing.

Watch: What's the political situation like in Venezuela, two months after Maduro was removed?

PICK OF THE WEEK

Inside the world of preppers getting ready for society's collapse

Leigh, a man with a ginger beard and grey hair stands in the porch of his workshop wearing a dark green jacket over a black shirt. There is a mannequin wearing a gas mask and green army clothes behind him. Rucksacks hang on the wall.

Leigh Price says living in a society where you can get groceries delivered to your door has made people less prepared for disasters.

In what can feel like uncertain times, learning the skills required to fend for yourself may seem more appealing. Across the world, preppers are readying themselves for what they believe will be the full or partial collapse of society. "The world is getting a bit more dangerous. Civil unrest is at boiling point," says dad of three, Leigh Price who runs a prepping shop in Wales and is a survival course provider. So, how are they preparing for the worst?