BBC News Briefing

6 September, 2024

Sofia Lotto Persio

Hello. A US indictment detailing a Russian plot to interfere with the presidential election describes American right-wing influencers as "unwitting" figures in the scheme. Phil McCausland reports on reactions from the commentators. Also, Sima Kotecha takes us inside London's HMP Pentonville men's prison at a time of crisis for jails in England and Wales. Finally, we look at how a drone helped finding a missing child in Wisconsin.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

Pundits 'deceived' in Russian scheme

Benny Johnson wears glasses and a black t-shirt as he speaks at an event

Benny Johnson has 2.7 million followers on X, formerly Twitter. Credit: Getty Images

Several conservative pundits have described themselves as "victims" of a Russian plot to interfere in the 2024 US election. According a US indictment, Russian state broadcaster RT paid a Tennessee firm $10m (£7.6m) to spread Kremlin talking points. The firm is not named, but US media outlets have identified it as Tenet Media. Tenet has not commented publicly on the allegations and did not respond to a request for comment. US officials characterised the US and Canada-based influencers that worked for the firm as "unwitting" figures in the Russian scheme. Pundit Benny Johnson said the indictment makes "clear that myself and other influencers were victims in this alleged scheme”. Other contributors said they had editorial control over their content: “How am I unwittingly duped into saying someone else’s words when I wrote every one of them?” Matt Christiansen said.

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Margarita Simonyan: RT's editor-in-chief has been described as the Kremlin's top propagandist and ideologue.

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Watch: Russian President Vladimir Putin has shared his views on the US election.

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Baseless claim: A story published on 2 September on a website purporting to be a local US news outlet alleged Vice-President Kamala Harris was involved in a hit-and-run incident. BBC Verify has debunked it - here's how.

WORLD HEADLINES

Hillside Endarasha Academy: At least 17 pupils have died after a dormitory at a boarding school in central Kenya caught fire on Thursday night, police said. Get the latest.

Georgia school shooting: The father of the 14-year-old boy accused of killing two teachers and two students has been arrested and charged with murder.

Hunter Biden: US President Joe Biden's son has changed his not guilty plea in his federal tax evasion case, just as jury selection in the trial was about to start.

Alice Guo: Senior Filipino officials have sparked outrage for posing for photos with the former smalltown mayor accused of spying for China.

Rich Homie Quan: Tributes have poured in for the 33-year-old American rapper after authorities confirmed his death.

AT THE SCENE

Monfalcone, Italy

The Italian town that banned cricket

A Bengali man wears a white polo and holds a cricket bat while standing outside a

Cricketer and shipyard worker Miah Bappy is expecting to receive his Italian passport this year. Credit: BBC

The town of Monfalcone, which sits on Italy's Adriatic coast near the border with Slovenia, is home to a community of Bangladeshi workers employed in Europe's largest shipyard. Mayor Anna Maria Cisint, of the far-right League party, has taken measures to restrict their activities.

Sofia Bettiza, BBC World Service

A group of friends from Bangladesh are practising their cricket skills on a small patch of concrete. They are playing on the outskirts of Monfalcone because they have in effect been banned by the mayor from playing in the town itself. They say those who try can face fines of up to €100 (£84). “They say cricket is not for Italy. But I’ll tell you the truth: it’s because we are foreigners," says team captain Miah Bappy.

Keep reading

BEYOND THE HEADLINES

Inside one of Britain’s most dangerous jails

Pironers in grey tracksuits walk around a prison accompanied by guards

HMP Pentonville was built in 1842 and is largely unchanged structurally in 180 years. Credit: BBC

Next week, the UK government will release some offenders early in a controversial scheme aimed at easing the overwhelming pressure on the prison system. Visiting HMP Pentonville this week, senior UK correspondent Sima Kotecha was confronted with the stark reality of this crisis.

Read now

SOMETHING DIFFERENT

Down the Wadi Rum Trail

Jordan's new long-distance hike traces stunning, extraterrestrial landscape.

Take a look

And finally...

Police in the US state of Wisconsin used a drone with thermal capabilities to find a missing three-year-old. Footage from the aerial vehicle shows the moment the child was found in a massive cornfield.

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– Sofia

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