Daily briefing Saturday 7th March

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0:36This is the Times Radio News Briefing for Saturday, the 7th of March. Donald Trump says the conflict with Iran will only end with their unconditional surrender, or when the regime can no longer fight. His comments came soon after Iran's president announced mediation efforts had begun again. The U.S. president said he could no longer deal with a very bad and sick group of leaders. Their army is gone. They're just about, look, their navy is gone. Their communications are gone. Their leaders are gone. two sets of their leaders are gone. They're down to their third set. Their air force is wiped out entirely.

1:10Other than that, they're doing very well. Donald Trump also brushed off warnings about gas and oil prices. Qatar's energy minister says a continuing war could bring down the world's economies, with traders suggesting oil could soon reach$100 a barrel. As the conflict enters its second week, explosions have been reported at a major airport in Tehran. Social media video shows an aircraft on fire as Israel announces new broad-scale strikes on the city. In response, Iran has again targeted Gulf states hosting US bases and Israel with drone and missile attacks.

1:45Sirens have been sounding this morning in Jerusalem, with explosions heard as air defences shoot down incoming missiles, and Abu Dhabi's airport has been evacuated, with passengers sheltering underground as air defences respond there to a missile threat. In other news, a new anti-Muslim hostility czar is expected to be announced as part of government plans to improve social cohesion. A document leaked to The Spectator magazine suggests a new definition of Islamophobia will also be set out to tackle hatred toward those perceived to be Muslim. It also warns anti-Semitism has been normalised across society.

2:18The Soham killer Ian Huntley is reported to be close to death after his life support machine was switched off yesterday. The son says it came after consultation with his mother and tests showing he was in a vegetative state. Huntley, who murdered 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in 2002, was attacked in a county Durham prison 10 days ago. Canada's Prime Minister has called for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to be removed from the line of succession over his links to Jeffrey Epstein. It's understood legislation here will be considered once the police investigation into the former Duke of York is concluded.

2:50Mark Carney says he supports that process. His actions, which are deplorable and have caused him to be stripped of his royal titles, certainly merit, that's the word, necessitate is a better word, his removal from the line of succession, even though he is well down the line of succession, I think the point of principle stands. And a charity has cut ties with the broadcaster Kay Adams after a BBC investigation found she'd bullied colleagues. The Alzheimer's Society has cancelled sponsorship of a podcast. You can follow The Times Radio News Briefing on Spotify and listen live to Times Radio Online.

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