BBC News Briefing

19 June, 2026

Alex Binley

Hello. We'll look at why all eyes are on JD Vance after talks between the US and Iran on ending their conflict were delayed. Cash transfers to some of India's poorest are helping millions, but there are concerns about the long-term impact. And all but one of the US's living presidents have reunited at a star-studdent event - find out who was missing.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

US-Iran talks postponed as Vance pulls out of Switzerland trip

The White House said the logistics for Vance's trip had not been 'simple or predictable'. Credit: Reuters

US Vice-President JD Vance has pulled out of a meeting with Iranian negotiators on the next steps of the deal aimed at ending the war. The White House said it was due to logistics. Meanwhile, Hezbollah-linked Lebanese media reported the talks had been suspended because of Israeli air strikes. The agreement signed this week said fighting should end in Lebanon, but the country's health ministry said Israeli strikes had killed at least 18 people overnight. Israel's military said it had targeted Hezbollah, and that four of its soldiers had been killed. With President Donald Trump out of the country, Vance has been defending the deal, with some questioning whether he's been set up as the president's "fall guy" for an agreement that is unpopular with Republicans, writes Washington correspondent Daniel Bush.

Explained: This is what the US and Iran will get from the deal, and why both sides might struggle to keep it.

‌

War dead: Thousands have been killed in more than three months of war, but the true total may never be known - find out why.

‌

Fact-check: BBC Verify has examined whether or not the US is giving Iran $300 billion to end the war. Watch this one-minute video.

WORLD CUP HIGHLIGHTS

Canada's win: They may have netted their first-ever World Cup victory, but a bad injury marred the moment. Read more here.

Knockout stages: Mexico is the first team through to the final 32 of the tournament. Here's how they did it.

'Pitch in': Japanese fans are famous for cleaning the stadium after matches. Now women are telling them to do it at home too.

Sign up: Follow the action on and off the pitch with our Football Extra newsletter, delivered to your inbox daily during the tournament.

WORLD HEADLINES

Black smoke billows over the Moscow ring road from a fire at an oil refinery. Large warehouses with yellow doors are seen at the side of the motorway with cars and a lorry driving on it.

Muscovites complain of black rain after refinery hit

Specks of oil have fallen from the sky after Ukraine launched its largest attack on Moscow since the start of the war.

Read more >

A black car is parked outside a building, a sign on which says it is an airport.

Gunmen attack Niger's biggest airport killing 35

It's the second attack on the airport in five months. The defence ministry said 11 soldiers, 22 assailants and two civilians were killed.

More on this >

A woman with brown, wavy, shoulder-length brown hair is looking over her shoulder. She is wearing a black cardigan ovr a white T-shirt and is seen over the shoulder of a man wearing a grey suit. A number of other people are seen in the background.

Parents of Serbia teenage school shooter jailed

The boy's parents were accused of neglect and abuse of a minor, with his father also accused of a serious offence against public safety.

What happened >

Luigi Mangione is sat in a chair and is leaning fowards. He has curly dark brown hair and thick eyebrows. He is wearing a navy blue suit and white shirt. He is speakinng to a man with grey hair who is blurry and holding a brown envelope.

Mangione lawyers reverse bid on psychiatric defence

The accused gunman's lawyers had said they would try to show he was suffering from "extreme emotional disturbance at the time".

What it means >

A woman with curly black hair is smiling at the camera. She is wearing a red leather jacket over a white T-shirt with black stripes and red writing on it. She is leaning against a red and blue fence in front of a wall covered in graffiti.

Actress charged with importing A$300m meth

British actress Emaa Hussen, who appeared in a Jason Statham film, is charged with trying to smuggle the drug into Australia.

More on the case >

NEWS FROM THE UK

Leadership: Ex-Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has won an election that allows him to challenge Keir Starmer as Labour leader - here's what happened.

Slavery reparations: The Church of England's efforts to confront its links to slavery have become the focus of a fierce row, our religion editor writes.

London Marathon: The world's biggest marathon will be held over two days next year, allowing 100,000 people to take part, organisers have announced.