Your morning briefing: What you should know for Monday, June 24

Johnson says he won't bottle it over October 31 Brexit date

Boris Johnson has repeated his determination to deliver Brexit by Halloween in what will be seen as an attempt to refocus attention away from his private life.

The Tory leadership candidate appeared to deliver a retort to his rival Jeremy Hunt as he vowed "we are not going to bottle it" on the EU exit date of October 31.

But Mr Hunt called on Mr Johnson not to be a coward by avoiding a live TV debate with him this week, as he suggested otherwise he would be slinking through the back door of Number 10.

Mr Johnson remains under pressure to explain why police were called to the home he shares with partner Carrie Symonds.

US aims for 'global coalition' against Iran

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is travelling to the Middle East on a mission to build a global coalition against Iran.

Tensions between the US and Iran have recently increased after the downing of an American drone and disputed claims by Washington that Tehran was behind attacks on oil tankers in the Persian Gulf.

Mr Pompeo is visiting Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates and he said a coalition of Gulf states and countries and Europe and Asia could then push back against Iran.

UK foreign seceretary Jeremy Hunt said Britain would consider joining the US in military action if it was deemed necessary.

Folau's fundraising page taken down

An online fundraising page by sacked Australian rugby star Israel Folau has been taken down for violating GoFundMe's terms of service.

Folau launched the fundraising drive last week, asking for the equivalent of £1.6 million to help towards the costs of his legal action against Rugby Australia.

Folau was sacked by Rugby Australia after posting on social media that all homosexuals would go to hell.

This morning GoFundMe said it was shutting down Folau's appeal and refunding all donations because it would not promote discrimination or exclusion.

Wet start to the week feared

Thunderstorms will bring a wet start to the week for some parts of the UK, but sun-worshippers can expect to see the hottest temperatures of the year so far by the weekend.

The mercury could rise to 33 degree centigrade in the south east of England by Friday, while overnight highs of 19 throughout the week will mean muggy conditions for many.

High humidity today and tomorrow will spark thunderstorms, and weather warnings are in place for Northern Ireland, Scotland and much of England.

Cardi B, Ella Mai, Mary J Blige and Nipsey Hussle hailed at BETs

Cardi B has won album of the year at the Black Entertainment Television Awards with her major label debut Invasion Of Privacy.

British star Ella Mai won the viewers' choice award for her song Trip, saying she was a "little girl from London, England" and the award was "proof that you let the music do the talking".

Mary J Blige received a lifetime achievement award while murdered rapper Nipsey Hussle was honoured with the humanitarian award.

BlacKkKlansman, which tells the true story of a black police officer who infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan, was named the best film of the year.

On this day…

1314: The Battle of Bannockburn took place near Stirling Castle - Robert the Bruce inflicted a crushing defeat on Edward II of England.

1717: The Grand Lodge of English Freemasons was formed in London.

1825: William Henry Smith, English newsagent and bookseller, was born. He joined his father's newsagent business and took full control in 1846, building WHSmith, the biggest chain of newsagents in Britain, before going into politics.

1859: Henri Dunant, a Swiss businessman travelling through Italy, saw the aftermath of the Battle of Solferino and was inspired to found the International Red Cross.

1878: St John Ambulance was formed.

1947: The series of "flying saucer" stories started when a pilot, Kenneth Arnold, reported seeing nine disc-shaped objects over Mount Rainier, Washington.

1948: The Berlin Airlift began when the USSR blockaded Berlin, requiring the Allies to fly in food and other essential supplies.