BBC News Briefing

9 March, 2026

Alex Binley

Hello. The cost of oil is the highest it's been since 2022, as the ongoing war in the Middle East causes prices to spike. We'll bring you the latest. We'll also be examining the final, captivating moments of the world's largest iceberg, and find out who won the best dog in show at world-famous Crufts.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

Fears oil prices could climb higher

The burnt remains of three lorries are lit up by a huge fire which is blazing in the background, sending thick plumes of smoke into the night's sky.

Oil facilities in Tehran were hit by airstrikes at the weekend. Credit: Anadolu via Getty Images

Global oil prices reached nearly $120 (£90) a barrel on Monday before falling to a little over $100 (£75), with the Iran war showing no signs of stopping. Some experts predict prices could hit $150 (£112.50) if tankers remain unable or unwilling to transit the Strait of Hormuz, economics editor Faisal Islam writes. US President Donald Trump said a "short term" increase was a small price to pay for global security. Amidst the uncertainty, G7 finance ministers are due to hold an emergency meeting later. Stock markets have also been affected, with Japan's Nikkei down 5% on closing and shares sinking across Europe as investors react to the oil price surge.

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Strikes on Iran: "It was as if night had turned into day" - Iranians recount the moments several oil depots were hit at the weekend.

Mojtaba Khamenei: Ali Khamenei's son has succeeded him as supreme leader. Here's what we know about the 56-year-old.

Women's football: Australia is being urged to ensure the safety of Iran's team after they were eliminated from the Asian Cup.

WORLD HEADLINES

A man with black hair and a beard wears a black jacket over a white T-shirt and black sunglasses. He is holding a certificate in a gold frame and making the 'peace' V-sign with his fingers. He is surrounded by other people, many of who are smiling and most of who are men.

Rapper Balendra Shah on track to be Nepal's next PM

The Rastriya Swatantra Party's win shows the issues raised in the Gen Z protests have resonated across generations, analysts say.

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A close-up image of a woman's face. She has black hair that is tied up tightly, and is wearing several earrings and a black coat with fur around the neckline.

Shots fired at Rihanna's Beverly Hills home - police

Police said the suspect, a woman in her 30s, stopped in a car outside the home and fired seven shots before speeding away.

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A silhouetted hand is holding a phone. The screen is white and it has an 18+ symbol in a red circle on it. In the background are the words 'Pornhub' written over and over again on a white and orange screen.

Australians must prove they are over 18 to access porn

From Monday, adult content sites must introduce stricter checks to verify the age of users.

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Three people in forensic suits have their backs to the camera and stand outside the glass doors of a building in a street in the dark. Behind them are three bollards and police tape.

Oslo US embassy blast 'may have been terrorism'

No one was injured in the explosion at the building in the Norwegian capital in the early hours of Sunday.

What we know >

A referee dressed in a black T-shirt and shorts stands in front of a crowd in the stands of a football stadium. The referee is pointing to the left.

Masked fan unplugs VAR monitor in German match

The spectator unplugged the monitor as the referee went to the pitchside screen to check a penalty award.

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NEWS FROM THE UK

Glasgow Central: All trains are cancelled at Scotland's busiest station after a nearby building collapsed following a huge fire. Watch the video.

Gerry Adams: Three IRA victims are seeking a court ruling that the ex-Sinn Féin leader is liable for decisions to plant car bombs.

Reservoir body: The face of a man who was found dead and decomposed 18 months ago has been recreated in a bid to identify him. Take a look.

BEYOND THE HEADLINES

This iceberg was once the biggest in the world. Now it has just weeks left

A huge sheet of ice is seen in the sea. It is so large that its sides look like cliffs and chunks of ice are falling off it and into the blue sea.

When A23a first calved in 1986 it was about 4,000 sq km (roughly 1,540 sq miles). Credit: Getty Images

The story of what's thought to have been the world's largest iceberg is nearing its end. A23a, which once covered an area more than twice the size of Greater London, has melted, fractured and spectacularly disintegrated over the past year. Scientists have been closely watching its demise to see how Antarctica might respond to rising temperatures caused by global warming.