BBC

Brent crude, the international benchmark for crude oil, rose to settle at $103 a barrel, ending the day at the highest level in more than three years.

That’s as the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed to most shipping, choking off one of the world’s most important energy routes. It leaves the oil market facing what analysts say could be the biggest supply disruption in its history, with no clear end in sight. Meanwhile, across Africa, the surge in oil prices triggered by the US Israel war with Iran is rippling across economies. Many countries on the continent import most of their fuel and that could quickly mean higher transport costs, inflation and pressure on local currencies. Leanna Byrne has the latest.

In New York, a bill has been introduced which, if passed, would see New York’s minimum wage rise to the highest in the country. Supporters say it would help workers cope with the soaring cost of living in one of the world’s most expensive cities. But many businesses warn the increase could force them to raise prices or cut jobs.

European leaders have reacted with alarm to a US plan to ease some oil sanctions on Russia. The intention, in Washington, is to tackle surging energy costs caused by the war in the Middle East, in particular the blockage by Iran of tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20 per cent of the world's oil usually transits. With her country at war with Russia, a Ukrainian MP gives us her reaction to this development.

Also on the programme: a look at the current state of Iran’s military capabilities as war continues to rage; how spider’s silk could be used to treat nerve damage in humans; and the bid to restore the resting place of saxophone inventor Adolphe Sax.

(Photo: General view of the Arcelor Mittal plant in Fos-sur-Mer, Southern France, 12th March 2026. Credit: Guillaume Horcajuelo/EPA/Shutterstock)

Writer: Sarah Hehir

Director: Rosemary Watts

Editor: Jeremy Howe

Brian Aldridge… Charles Collingwood

Ben Archer … Ben Norris

David Archer … Timothy Bentinck

Ruth Archer … Felicity Finch

Lilian Bellamy … Sunny Ormonde

Alice Carter … Hollie Chapman

Chris Carter … Wilf Scolding

Rex Fairbrother … Nick Barber

Amber Gordon … Olivia Bernstone

George Grundy … Angus Stobie

Jakob Hakansson … Paul Venables

Kate Madikane … Perdita Avery

Azra Malik … Yasmin Wilde

Kirsty Miller … Annabelle Dowler

Lily Pargetter … Katie Redford

Reg … Trevor Fox

The Naked Week team dive into war, flout the law and enjoy a real life Town Crier performing selected highlights from Amol Rajan's Instagram feed.

From The Skewer’s Jon Holmes and host Andrew Hunter Murray comes The Naked Week, a fresh way of dressing the week’s news in the altogether and parading it around for everyone to laugh at.

With award-winning writers and a crack team of contemporary satirists - and recorded in front of a live audience - The Naked Week delivers an topical news-nude straight to your ears.

Written by:

Jon Holmes

Katie Sayer

Gareth Ceredig

James Kettle

Jason Hazeley

Additional Material:

Karl Minns

Ali Panting

Helen Brooks

Pete Redfern

Cooper Mawhinny Sweryt

Joe Topping

Investigations Team:

Cat Neilan

Emily Channon

Guests: Rachel Parris, Mark Stephens CBE, Alan Myatt.

Production Team: Tony Churnside, Jerry Peal, David Riffkin.

Production Coordinator: Molly Punshon

Assistant Producer: Katie Sayer

Executive Producer: Philip Abrams

Produced and Directed by Jon Holmes

An unusual production for BBC Radio 4

As the bombardment of Iran continues, the American defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, says the US is decimating Iran's military, as it plans to carry out more strikes than on any other day so far. There is growing criticism in Europe of Washington's decision to ease sanctions on Russian oil in a bid to counter rising oil prices linked to the US and Israel's war with Iran. Also: calls for tighter regulation around children's toys powered by AI; we hear from two contenders hoping to become the next mayor of Paris; and how a lack of snow is impacting this year's Winter Paralympics.

The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.

Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.

Get in touch: [email protected]

The US has loosened sanctions on other countries buying Russian oil we'll be talking about if those measures are enough to keep a lid on energy prices. And the smart toys struggling with toddlers emotions, why researchers are raising concerns on those.

Presenter: Sarah Rogers

Producer: Victoriya Holland

Editor: Stephen Ryan

The Israeli military has carried out waves of airstrikes across Lebanon, including the capital Beirut, after Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah launched about 200 rockets into northern Israel. At least 687 people, including 98 children, have been killed in Israeli attacks in Lebanon since then and 800,000 others have been displaced, according to Lebanese authorities.

Caught up in this conflict are tens of thousands of African domestic workers. Many say they cannot leave the country because they are employed under Lebanon’s Kafala system - a legal framework that ties a migrant worker’s residency to their employer, meaning they cannot change jobs or leave without their employer's consent. 

Focus on Africa podcast host, Nkechi Ogbonna, spoke to Banchi Yimer, who left her home country of Ethiopia to move to Lebanon over a decade ago. After workign as a domestic worker for years, she founded an NGO that advocates for the rights of African migrant workers. She spoke to Nkechi from Beirut about the plight of African migrant workers in Lebanon.

Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna

Producers: Carolyne Kiambo

Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi

Senior Producers: Priya Sippy

Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

The massive bombardment of Iran is continuing with explosions heard across Tehran. Iranian state television reported a major blast near where thousands of Iranians are taking part in a Quds Day rally - an annual march in support of Palestinians and opposing Israel. One person is reported to have been killed. There is also growing criticism in Europe of Washington's decision to ease sanctions on Russian oil in a bid to counter rising oil prices caused by the US and Israel's war with Iran.

Also, how the White House is selling its war on social media.

And we look ahead to the Oscars, where international cinema in the spotlight this year.

Plus researchers warn AI toys for children misread emotions and respond inappropriately.

(Photo: Iranians collect their belongings among the rubble of their damaged residential buildings in central Tehran, Iran, 12 March 2026. Credit: EPA)

Plus, price of oil hits over £1K for 900 litres - doubling in the space of a month.

US officials have said a KC-135 refuelling plane that went down in western Iraq was not the result of hostile or friendly fire. They said it had involved a second refuelling aircraft that landed safely. Six crew members were reported to be on the plane that crashed. We also hear from Lebanon where a BBC correspondent has been spending time in the south of the country which is under constant Israeli attack. In other news, a man who was shot dead by armed guards when he drove his truck into a synagogue in the US state of Michigan has been identified as a naturalised US citizen who was born in Lebanon; a satirical cartoonist has been freed from prison in Eritrea after fifteen years without charge; and the chef behind Copenhagen's Noma restaurant steps back after multiple accusations of abuse by staff.

The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.

Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.

Get in touch: [email protected]