BBC News Briefing

15 June, 2026

Andrew McFarlane

Hello. A BBC investigation uncovers how Russians directed arson attacks targeting the UK prime minister. Meanwhile, our international editor Jeremy Bowen offers analysis of the deal to end the Iran war, and we test how hot it really gets on the streets of India's sweltering capital.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

How Russia was behind arson targeting Starmer

Lies from Russia-based accounts about why Starmer was targeted were spread by far-right activist Tommy Robinson. Credit: BBC

A jury has convicted two men of conspiring to carry out arson attacks on property and a car linked to UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. After a trial heard they were recruited by a Russian-speaking Telegram user known as "El Money", a BBC investigation identifies evidence suggesting he is a young diplomat, close to the highest levels of power in Moscow. Our team reveals the arson to be just one part of an extensive Russian campaign of sabotage, provocation and lies, which created fake online far-right and Muslim groups to organise acts of vandalism in the UK and stir up division.

Get the full story

GET UP TO SPEED

A woman with long dark hair wears a white jacket over a black outfit as she walks past a yellow cab on a city street, where there are cars, a motorcycle and pedestrians. On the side of a building in the background, a large illustration depicts leaders of the Iranian regime alongside people holding up the national flag.

'Deal ends a war exposing the limit of US dominance'

The deal to end fighting and re-open the Strait of Hormuz leaves the sides where they started, writes Jeremy Bowen.

Read his analysis >

A still image shows Evans, who is wearing a fluorescent yellow top with black tracksuit bottoms standing behind two other officials, who are seated in the video booth. Evans's right arm is by his side, with the fingers of his right hand seemingly making an upside down 'OK' sign.

Fifa seeks explanation over official's hand gesture

Footage of video assistant referee Shaun Evans before a World Cup match caught the attention of football's governing body.

What it's all about >

A landscape view of the abandoned bridge towering over the green landscape. Several concrete pillars of the Ponte do Esqueleto are daubed with graffiti and have trees and bushes around their bases.

Woman dies after failure to attach rope-jumping cord

Three men have been arrested after the woman dropped 40m (130ft) from an abandoned bridge in Brazil.

Read more >

Activists put red stickers stating 'out!' on an image of Shinsegae Chairman Chung Yong-jin during a rally calling for a boycott of the Starbucks coffee chain in Seoul last month.

South Korea's Starbucks to give staff a history lesson

It comes after the chain was criticised for a "Tank Day" marketing ploy on the anniversary of a military massacre.

Get the story >

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AT THE SCENE

Delhi, India

A city battling to stay cool

A woman with dark hair tied back wears a green blouse with purple, white orange, red and black patterns and has sunglasses on her head. She is holding a parasol in one hand and carrying a can of cola and plastic cup of iced coffee in the other.

Consistent exposure to such high temperatures can cause major health issues, campaigners warn. Credit: Getty Images

Delhi has been battling a severe heatwave for weeks. While a high of 43.5C (110.3F) was recorded in the Indian capital on Tuesday, thermal imaging cameras revealed how temperatures can rise as high as 64C (147F) at street level.

Geeta Pandey, BBC News

We expected few people to be out and about when we headed to city landmark Red Fort in Old Delhi to meet street vendors. The heat was unrelenting, but there were some shoppers, pilgrims and tourists around - and the vendors said they'd set up shops in the hope of finding some customers. "What choice do poor people like us have?" asked Sanjana Ben who sells dry fruits from the pavement.

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She sat on the ground on a thin cushion fashioned from some clothes, with small sacks of cashews, almonds, raisins, walnuts and dried figs placed in front. The thermal camera recorded temperatures just about 40C (104F) on her face - but as it moved closer to the ground, it read 51.4C (124.5F), climbing to 57C (134.6F) just a few inches away. "At times my head spins and my vision blurs," she told the BBC.

The heat explained