BBC News Briefing

22 March, 2024

Jules Darmanin

Hello. We're reporting today on Princess Catherine's announcement that she is undergoing cancer treatment. My colleagues are also covering a major shooting incident in a concert hall near Moscow - which is partly on fire as I send this newsletter. More stories are coming from Ukraine, Gaza, and Sicily.

DEVELOPING NEWS

Kate undergoing cancer treatment

Princess Catherine looks at the camera as she's sitting on a bench.

The Princess of Wales announced she is undergoing cancer treatment in a video message. Credit: BBC Studios

The Princess of Wales says she is in the early stages of treatment after cancer was found in tests. In a video statement - that you can watch here - Catherine says it was a "huge shock" after an "incredibly tough couple of months". But she sent a positive message, saying: "I am well and getting stronger every day." Details of the cancer have not been disclosed, but Kensington Palace says it is confident the princess will make a full recovery. The princess's statement explains that when she had abdominal surgery in January, it was not known that there was any cancer. "However tests after the operation found cancer had been present. My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment," said the princess.

‌

Catherine and Prince William are now not expected to appear with the Royal Family on Easter Sunday, and there won't be any early return to official duties for the princess. The couple have faced intense public speculation and a social media frenzy about her health, since her operation in January. She has not attended any official events since Christmas.

‌

A "huge shock": Reactions from across the world and from Windsor, where the princess and her family live, are on our live page.
Questions answered: Our health reporters cover what we know - and what we don't know - about the princess's condition.

GET UP TO SPEED

At least 40 people have been killed after gunmen attacked a packed concert venue on the outskirts of Moscow, Russian intelligence said. Follow our live page as we get more updates.

The trial of an Arizona rancher accused of murdering a migrant on his ranch is due to begin, while a bill that would allow property owners to shoot trespassers was introduced in the state's legislature.

A million people are without power across Ukraine after Russian missiles targeted energy infrastructure. Watch the moment the country's largest dam is hit.

AT THE SCENE

Jerusalem and Rafah

Three months as an orphan in Gaza

A young Palestinian girl looks to her right with a lapel microphone near her neck.

Alma spoke to the BBC from a tent in Rafah. Credit: BBC

Another resolution aimed at an immediate ceasefire failed on Friday. Since 7 October, 13,000 children in Gaza have been killed by Israel, according to Unicef. Many others, like Alma Jaroor, who lost her parents, her two brothers and her sister in December, have become orphans.

Orla Guerin, Senior international correspondent

In video recorded by a Palestinian rescuer, a shout comes from under mounds of smashed concrete. "I'm Alma. Don't help me first. Help my mum and dad. And please help my brother Tarazan. He's a baby, 18 months old," she said. It's morning on 2 December 2023, and 12-year old Alma Jaroor has been buried under the rubble of a five-storey building in downtown Gaza City for over three hours.

‌

Three months on, Alma tells her story. She is sheltering with her uncle and his family in a tent in Rafah, in southern Gaza. Her words are a torrent of horror and loss. "I remember waking up under the rubble. I checked my iPad, and saw it was 09:00. I hoped my brother Tarazan would still be alive. I was calling out to him, and holding on to hope that one of them would be alive. I could smell the blood. It was dripping on to me. I was screaming for anyone to rescue us. I was hearing others calling out as well." But after Alma was rescued, she saw Tarazan's remains.

Watch the interview

At the UN: Russia and China have vetoed a US draft resolution that tied an immediate ceasefire in Gaza to the release of hostages held by Hamas.

Gaza in maps: My colleagues have updated their maps and charts about the conflict. Take a look here.

YOUR WEEKEND LISTENING

Is TikTok on the chopping block?

Exploring America's love-hate relationship with the short-form video app.

Listen now >

THE BIG PICTURE

The Great American Eclipse, part two

A crowd of people looks up to the sky wearing solar eclipse glasses.

You should always wear glasses when looking up to a solar eclipse. Credit: Getty Images / St Louis Post-Dispatch

Do we have a reader in Carbondale, Illinois? They will be one of the lucky few to experience a second solar eclipse in the space of seven years. The next, on 8 April, will strike through the American sky and plunge cities such as Dallas and Cleveland momentarily into darkness, asJonathan Amos explains.

Read the story

A snow-covered Mount Etna, with houses in the foreground, against a clear blue sky

FOR YOUR DOWNTIME

Skiing Mount Etna

The active volcano's snow-covered slopes offer an unforgettable experience.

Take the plunge

And finally... in the US

Centenarians Seymour Nussenbaum and Bernard Bluestein, plus John Christman - a mere stripling at 99, have been honoured in Washington for their role in saving tens of thousands of lives during World War Two. The trio were part of the "Ghost Army", a secretive group that used inflatable vehicles and Hollywood-level special effects to fool the Germans about Allied war plans. Here's more about the ruses that earned them Congressional Gold Medals.

In History Newsletter

The past comes to life through the BBC's unique audio, video and written archive, each Thursday.

MORE BBC NEWSLETTERS

US Election Unspun: Cut through the noise in the race for the White House, every Wednesday. Subscribe.

Future Earth: Essential global climate news and hopeful developments, every Tuesday. Subscribe.

Football Extra: Latest news, insights and gossip from the Premier League, weekdays. Subscribe.

Thanks, as ever, for reading. Send us what you think of this newsletter. We read everything, even when we don’t have the time to reply. And feel free to send it to your friends and family, who can subscribe by clicking this link.

Also, you can add newsbriefing@email.bbc.com to your contacts list and, if you're on Gmail, pop the email into your “Primary” tab for uninterrupted service. Thanks for reading!

‌

– Jules

You've received this email because you've signed up to the BBC News Briefing newsletter.

Click here to unsubscribe

To find out how we use your data, see the BBC Privacy Policy.

BBC Studios Distribution Limited.

Registered Number: 01420028 England

Registered office: 1 Television Centre, 101 Wood Lane, London, W12 7FA, United Kingdom