BBC News Briefing

15 October, 2026

Alex has short blonde hair and blue eyes. She is smiling and wearing a black turtleneck

Alex Binley

Hello. Any hopes of an energy ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, as announced by US President Donald Trump on Sunday, appear to be over - we have more on why. We go behind the scenes at Heathrow Airport to find out how a runway was replaced. And see a "mythic-like" white deer.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

Russia attacking dozens of Ukrainian cities, says Zelensky

Zelensky has short brown hair and a greying beard. He is wearing a black suit and shirt and is sat at a table talking and gesticulating with his hands. A yellow and blue Ukrainian flag is seen behind him.

After meeting Zelensky on Thursday, the head of Nato said the pair discussed the 'importance' of an energy ceasefire. Credit: Getty Images

Russia has accused Ukraine of attacking an oil refinery after President Volodymyr Zelensky said such strikes, halted at the request of the US, would resume. He previously said he would agree to the "energy ceasefire" announced by Trump if Moscow also abided by it, but said that within hours of the announcement, strikes had left hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians without power. "We're done," Zelensky told the Financial Times newspaper. He also said that dozens of Ukrainian cities had come under attack in the past day. Separately, seven people are missing after a drone attack set a chemical tanker on fire off Romania, according to naval officials. Moscow said it hit two ships with military cargo heading to Ukraine's Odesa, without naming them.

GET UP TO SPEED

A man with balding black hair and a thick black beard sits in front of a grey background and wears an orange prison jumpsuit.

Fort Hood attacker execution will not be livestreamed

The plan was called off by Trump who said many people "would rather not watch" it, having previously said he approved of it.

What else he said >

Blue Eurotunnel trains are seen on tracks

Channel Tunnel: Bus and train collide on French side

Local officials said 19 people were injured in the incident that involved a minibus that was about to board the Shuttle.

Latest updates >

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Houthi missiles hit Yemen's presidential palace - minister

The prime minister and other ministers were unhurt, but many others were injured in the attack, a minister said.

More on this >

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Take a closer look >

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Man with suitcase full of snakes stopped at airport

German customs officials said the man had looked "conspicuously nervous" as he tried to go through the exit.

What happened >

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AT THE SCENE

Heathrow Airport, London

How to replace one of the world's busiest runways, without closing it

Four people dressed in fluorescent high-vis outfits and white helmets. They are stood on an airport runway in the dark. Roadworks machinery are seen around them and bright lights are seen in the background.

The runway needed replacing as there was 10kg (22lbs) of plane tyre rubber embedded into its surface.

London's Heathrow Airport is one of the busiest in the world, with its two runways hosting 1,300 take-offs and landings daily. All this traffic creates wear and tear, and over the summer the Northern Runway had to be replaced. But the airport wasn't closed and no flights were diverted - here's how it was done.

Tom Edwards is seen standing on a runway in the dark. Lots of machinery and bright lights can be seen behind him. He is wearing a blue hard hat and fluorescent high-vis jacket.

Tom Edwards, London transport and environment correspondent

We're waiting for the last plane to leave Heathrow. It is 10:45pm and we are in a convoy of road maintenance vehicles on the edge of the Northern Runway. We see the plane take off. The call comes through and 130 vehicles head to the tarmac. They do not hang about. It reminds me of the cartoon Wacky Races, with all vehicles of different shapes and sizes speeding down the runway. The race is now on to replace it.

The team have just five hours to do a section, and planes with passengers onboard are already on their way. Within 10 minutes, the road millers start tearing up the surface. The clock is ticking and the pressure is on.

Keep reading

Watch: Take a look behind the scenes as the work gets underway.

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