Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC News 20171226

Here on bbc news. Good evening and welcome to bbc news. A british woman has been sentenced to three years in prison in egypt after being found guilty of smuggling drugs into the country. Laura plummer, whos 33 and from hull, was arrested in october when 300 tablets of the painkiller tramadol were found in her suitcase. Daniela relph reports. Laura plummers family and friends say she is naive, not a criminal. But today the 33 year old shop workerfrom hull is beginning a three year sentence injail in egypt. Her mother, roberta, and her egyptian partner, omar caboo, have been at court to support her during the hearings this week. Laura plummer had been travelling to the red sea resort of hurghada to visit omar in october when she was stopped by the authorities. In her suitcase were 290 tramadol tablets, a painkiller which is legal on prescription in britain but banned in egypt. She said the tablets were for her partner, who suffers from severe back pain, but she was arrested and has been held since then in a communal cell with up to 25 women. Herfamily at home in hull have described todays sentence as horrendous. Shes just a normal girl who works in hull. She just sells clothes, she comes home, she watches telly and she goes to bed. She doesnt drink, she doesnt smoke, she doesnt do anything. She lives to go to egypt. She loves egypt. She loves the egyptian people. Shes in love with omar. We cannot believe this has happened to her. We are absolutely devastated. Laura plummer had been going on holiday to egypts red sea resort for several years but, for her supporters, she has been let down by the country she loved. This woman doesnt deserve to be incarcerated in an egyptian prison and, to be honest with you, as much as i respect the customs of egypt and the laws and the judiciary and everything else, this will put people off travelling on holiday to egypt in the future, and i think the egyptian authorities need to be mindful of that. The egyptian legal system is complex. Laura plummer will now appeal against the three year sentence, a jail term her family say is shocking and unjust. And well find out how this story and many others are covered in tomorrows front pages at 10. 1i0pm and 11. 30pm this evening in the papers. My guests arejo phillips, the political commentator and nigel nelson, Political Editor of the sunday mirror and sunday people. The universities minister, jojohnson, has warned academic institutions that they could face fines if they fail to protect free speech. Some universities and student groups have banned speakers, because of their views, or because they promote extremism. But mrjohnson said in some of the cases the practice stifled debate, and a new regulator, the office for students, would have the power to uphold free speech. Emily unia reports. Jo johnson wants universities to open minds, not close them. He has criticised the practice of no platforming, when student unions and other University Groups ban speakers with what is seen as offensive or unacceptable views. Its the real underpinning of how we progress as society, how we deepen oui progress as society, how we deepen our stock of knowledge, how we remain innovative and ultimately how we also resist injustices, how the rights of minorities to stand up and be counted and not suppressed are upheld. The minister wants young people to hear and challenge controversial opinions, a view shared by the vice chancellor, of the university of buckingham. Universities must be about letting a dialogue and debate happen, not suppress. If you suppress peoples views, then you are a man exercising if you suppress peoples views, then you romantise them, you legitimise them, you publicise them. What we need to happen at universities is the opposite. The feminist campaigner, julie bindell, who has personal experience of no platforming, argues the problem lies with the National Union of students. Students that are polled are clearly signed up to this ridiculous snowflake attitude of wrapping them in cotton wool. Students tell me all the time that they want to hear the likes of me speaking against this blanket no platforming of feminists, as we are the ones mainly no platformed, and they want to make a decision about who speaks at the university. The nus have yet to comment, but their platform contains six groups, including the bnp. Next april, the government is planning to bring in a new regulator for universities. The office for students will have the power to find, suspend or deregister institutions that failed to uphold free speech. A russian cargo ship listing near Portsmouth Harbour is being assisted by the coastguard. The vessel is at anchor in the solent while a pilot vessel assesses its stability and cargo. The coastguard said it had power and was currently stable. The 13 crew on board are reported to be safe and well. There are warnings though of gales and rough seas this evening. The body of a woman has been found at an address which a bomb disposal squad was called to on Christmas Day. The street, in north tyneside, was completely cordoned off when the bomb disposal van arrived. A 41 year old man, believed to be known to the victim, has been arrested on suspicion of murder. Two people have died, including a Police Officer following a collision between a police car and another vehicle in sheffield last night. The 46 year old officer was responding to an emergency call when his marked car was involved in the crash. A 61 year old woman who was a passenger in the other vehicle also died. Dave edwards reports. The crash happened on this road, the a57, about 50 yards also down there. A marked police car was travelling in this direction towards sheffield, responding to what has been called an immediate incident. The silver citroen c3 was going the other way, when the collision occurred. The officer driving the police car was pronounced dead shortly after. He was a 46 year old man. A passenger in the citroen, the 61 year old woman, also died. She was from sheffield, and the driver of that car is in a serious condition in hospital. Now, South Yorkshire police are not doing any interviews, today, but they have released a statement, which says that they have lost a friend, a colleague from their police family. The officer had been with us for 12 years and was a passionate professional and universally liked. His colleagues and everyone across the force are devastated by what has happened. Our thoughts are with both families. Anyone who saw what happened here last night asked to contact the police by calling 101. The independent Police Complaints commission are now investigating. Millions of shoppers across the country have headed to the high street today for the traditional boxing day sales. In some places the queues began to form outside stores in the early hours of the morning with Research Suggesting that one in three people went in search of a bargain today. But some retailers have reported large numbers of people deciding to look for bargains online instead. And analysts say footfall in high streets and Shopping Centres across the uk today appears to have been lower than expected. Duncan kennedy reports from southampton. Its been fast, if not furious, heavy if not heaving. But, after all that turkey, there have been plenty of bargains to gobble up. Have you got what you wanted . Yes. Its been successful. Successful trip, yeah. Here at southamptons west quay Shopping Centre, 10,000 people an hour surged in. What is it about boxing day sales . Cheaper. Half the price. Really . Yeah, really. Some people say there are these sales all year round. To be honest with you, black friday was better than actually today. And, its only got the rubbish whats left, that theyve put in. But, you are still buying it . Yes, only because i got my christmas money, yesterday. With inflation outstripping many wages, some experts have been predicting a slow boxing day, but in many places, the discounts are proving irresistible. Well, ithink, first and foremost its always about getting a great bargain. And you can see, on the windows around us, there are stores that have got 50 , 60 , 70 , even, discounts on some of their products in store. So, that is a great incentive to come out. In fact, researchers say that Something Like 34 of us will have gone shopping today. That compares to just 25 of us last boxing day. They reckon that overall we will be spending more than £4 billion. York was just one of the places where they queued for the bargains. Online shopping, it seems, not yet the all conquering consumer choice. Going on holiday next week, so ive got some light pyjamas, and some trainers. Which are £5 from £14. Very good, isnt it . Londons Oxford Street also brought out the shoppers, although some analysts said overall numbers are down by 4 . But many are still bagging the bargains. 50 off prada shoes, so, that was actually good. Thats a £215 saving. We do love shopping. We like bargains more than full priced stuff. In glasgow, two arms were not enough for some to take care of business, but whilst many Online Companies were reporting sales of more than 6 today, for others only the real deal will do. Its a bargain. I think ive saved something. Official figures for who spent what, where, and when on boxing day will come later. Unofficially, it seemed as traditional as ever, and for some, it has been a case of shop till you drop. Duncan kennedy, bbc news. Tesco has said they will investigate after receiving complaints about turkeys that had apparently gone off. The supermarket said it had sold hundreds of thousands of great quality turkeys this christmas, but theyd had a small number of complaints in recent days. A spokesperson said they would get in touch with each customer to investigate what had happened. Police have released cctv footage images of three suspects, following a theft at a Shopping Centre in ilford, east london injuly this year. Its the first time these images have been released. A 69 year old woman walked into lloyds bank in ilford and withdrew £100,000 in cash from her account. The pensioner then got into a lift at the Exchange Shopping mall as she made her way to the car park. When she got into the lift, two of the suspects distracted the woman as a third suspect searched her handbag and removed the cash. Anyone who can assist the investigation is asked to contact metropolitan police via 101 or by tweeting metcc. A group of russian electors have formally given their support to Vladimir Putin as a candidate in next years president ial election. Mr putin is seeking a fourth term in office and will run as an independent this time. He still needs 300,000 signatures before his nomination is confirmed. On monday, putins main rival, Opposition Leader alexei navalny, was barred from standing in the election. But the move has already prompted a call for an opposition boycott, and raised fears about political pluralism. Olga ivshina is from bbcs russian service. Its very easy to get the signatures, even his main opponent, who was under heavy pressure managed to get all the signatures needed quite easily. Almost no one doubts putin is going to win. What is interesting for the kremlin its very important the turnout, and also the amount of people who are going to vote for mr putin because the kremlin sees this election as a vote of confidence for mr putin and his policy thats why they do want the turnout to be very high and calls for a boycott make it hard for them to achieve the desired goal. The royal navy says theres been an increase in the number of russian ships travelling through or near the uks territorial waters over the christmas period. Yesterday, hms st albans was sent to escort a russian warship through the north sea as it passed close to uk waters. The defence secretary Gavin Williamson said he will not tolerate any form of aggression and warned britain will never be intimidated when it comes to protecting our country, our people, and our national interests. A former nato commander told the bbc it was important not to overreact. A former nato commander told the bbc it was important not to overreactlj wouldnt exactly echo the seriousness that the defence secretary has put out. This is a normal deployment by a russian warship. Its come down to the north sea. Shes perfectly entitled to do that under international law. Its demonstrating the right of innocent passage. We do the same, in the black sea and the baltic all the time. I think whats happened the russians have said its christmas, we are going to have to be at sea, lets get somebody else to look at us as lets get somebody else to look at us as well. Wye hope this country would send a warship out to have a look at any warship that comes close to us, other than nato allies of course, its also a great opportunity to have a look at a brand new frigate, its the latest russian frigate. Its got systems and other equipment on it, we want to have a close look at. Ordinarily, we wouldnt get that close i would think. The russians want to say to the world, look, we are a great power again now, we are intervened in syria and the president in particular wants to show the russian flag around the world. There is no better way of doing that of course than in actually putting your navy to sea. Its appeared on all sorts of tv and news channels and the fact of tv and news channels and the fact of life is the russian navy issen the up at the moment, its getting increased levels of expenditure and they want to show they can go anywhere they want to at anip tee wa nt anywhere they want to at anip tee want to. Theyve done in in the baltic and black sea and instead of going to the west of ireland now they tend to come down through the ska channel. They re they tend to come down through the ska channel. Theyre showing their flag and are intending to do so. Syrias Armed Forces Say one of their militaryjets has been downed by insurgents in northern hama province, killing the pilot. The area has seen intense aerial strikes by the russian and Syrian Air Forces in the countrys civil war. Rescue workers say dozens of civilians have been killed in the bombing of towns away from front lines in the last few weeks. Polls have closed in liberias delayed president ial run off. Its hoped the election will see the countrys first smooth democratic transition of power in 73 years. Voters are choosing between the former International Footballer george weah seen here, casting his vote and current Vice President , joseph boaker. Mr weah won the first round but did not secure the 50 needed for an outright victory. Both candidates said they were confident they would win. The headlines on bbc news. The family of a british woman jailed in egypt for three years for drug smuggling say theyre devastated at todays decision by an egyptian court. Universities must protect free speech and open minds, not close them orface possible fines. Despite millions of shoppers searching for bargains in the boxing day sales, theres been a downturn in shoppers on the high street. Sport now and for a full round up from the bbc sport centre heres mark. What a year for harry kane. He had what a yearfor harry kane. He had a hat trick as spurs thrashed southampton 5 2 today. In the process he has broken the record for the most premier League Goals Scored ina the most premier League Goals Scored in a calendar year. He headed home his 37th league goal of 2017 on 22 minutes to surpass alan shearers landmark which had stood for 22 yea rs. Landmark which had stood for 22 years. A second came five minutes before the break. He completed a second hat trick in three days, his 56th goal of whats been an incredible year to finish ahead of messi as the leading scorer in europe for club and country in 2017. Its been amazing, a fantastic year, one i am very proud of. Like i say, compared to them players, messi and shearer and stuff like that, its what its all about. So, first and foremost, unbelievable display by the team. Great result. Another hat trick is a great feeling to end the year. Liverpool enjoyed a convincing 5 0 win at home to managerless swansea. They were ahead with less than six minutes on the clock. This one early in the second half. Trent arnold also got in on the act. He scored his First League Goalfor also got in on the act. He scored his First League Goal for liverpool. Oxlade chamberlain added a fifth in the 83rd minute. There was late drama at old trafford as lingard rescued a point for manchester united. Their match with burnley finished 2 2. Also a six goal thriller at the vitality stadium. Bournemouth three times coming from behind to draw with west ham. Celtic have extended their lead at the top of the scottish premiership to 11 points. They won 2 0 at dundee. James for rest opened the scoring for the visitors after eight minutes. Griffiths fired in celtics second before half time. It seems to be going from bad to worse for englands cricketers who are trying to avoid a series whitewash in the ashes. Having surrendered the ashes in perth a century from david warner and another great performance from the captain steve smith left australia on 2411 3 at stumps on day one of the fourth test. To borrow an australian phrase england were always going to be in for a lot. From the moment they lost the toss and had to field on a pitch that suited the batsman on a warm day here in melbourne. David warner made it look like any total would be possible for australia, they had 100 by lunch thanks to him. England changed tack at the interval and tightened things up and got rid of the out of sorts bancraft. It seemed he had given curran his first test wicket on debut. But a replay revealed no ball, back came warner and the mcg roared his 100 on the next ball. Warner did go soon to anderson, caught behind. After tea stuart broad got his first wicket for more than 400 deliveries. He nearly got another with his next one. Marsh given not out lbw. The review went with the umpires call. A key moment, from there marsh and smith stabilised things. Smith remained unbeaten and england must worry perhaps unbeatable. Three local derbies in the pro 14 today. Cardiff blues won in newport against the dragons. Leinster went top of pool b after beating munster. The most dramatic finish to a match was in llanelli where the scarlets came from behind to beat the ospreys. Josh macleod went over with the last play of the match. But thats the moment where evans was sent off. There were penalties from davies. But it finished 12 9 the final score. Thats all the sport. Lewis hamilton has apologised after sharing a video of him chastising his nephew for wearing a dress. The formula one driver tweeted that his words had been inappropriate and that it was not acceptable for him to marginalise or stereotype anyone. During the video, he said he was sad his nephew was dressed as a princess and shouted at him for doing so. Out of all the photographers waiting to snap a picture of the royal family at the Christmas Day service in sandringham, it was a mum from norfolk who managed to capture the perfect image on her phone. The photograph ta ken by Karen Murdoch has now been used by publications from all over the world. Mike cartwright reports. The photograph that has gone everywhere. The picture that everybody wanted. Taken not by the press pack or a world photographer, but karen at sandringham with her daughter on her phone. The two of them and their dog luna, back there today. That picture all over the papers. It wasnt intentional, it was just that it captured the right moment at that time, and there was no planning, it wasjust fun. It was lovely. I caught the moment and it was great. Somewhere in the crowd, the two had been here on Christmas Day before. But, they wanted to see meghan. Walking to church, the duke and duchess of cambridge, prince harry and meghan markle. Karen never dreamt that she would scoop this. A picture that may go down in history, now helped pay her Daughters College fees. I did know how much i am expected to get. A bit, i have been told. When somebody said, £50, i was like, yes 50 quid but, its going to go on my daughter. I work for my daughter, she is my pride and joy. I think its fantastic. I know that my mum deserves it, and actually she does not do it intentionally, but good things happen to good people. Now shared dozens of times on social media, that moment captured by karen in the right place at the right time. Cotton spinning was once a key industry in the north west of england and now it has made a return to the uk. A mill in manchester has become the only Textile Factory to spin cotton commercially again. The process has revived the sector connecting businesses across the region as they make clothes using the yarn. Our correspondentjudith moritz has followed the supply chain from start to finish. Her report contains some flashing images. Fresh off the boat from california, cotton has come back to its spiritual home. Refurbished and re energised, this Manchester Mill is the first in the uk to spin commercially again. For the first time in 50 years, cotton is in full production. Its really re engaged the weavers and the finishers and the dyers to pull together and forge those chains back again. And there is honestly an enormous appetite for provenance and british made. Were following the process as the cotton spun here finds its way from the bale to the clothes hanger. From its raw state to spun yarn. Im now going to take this cotton from here in manchester over to blackburn to be dyed. Thats for you. What happens now . We are going to take this into our dye house. Were going to load it onto a dye stand. We are going to bleach it, were going to dye it and were going to dry it. This yarn dyers used to source all its cotton overseas. Now it only travels 30 miles. Turned pink, its time to take the yarn up the road to burnley to be woven. The resurrection of the cotton process comes at a good time for the industry. Bbc news and the trade body make it british spoke to almost 100 textile businesses to see how their 2017 has been. 30 of them say theyre exporting more british made goods than last year. There is concern about the age of the workforce. Two thirds have staff whose average age is over 40. But overall, the news is positive. 50 of them are turning over more than a year ago. The factory weaving our pink cloth is a good example. Our order book is really healthy. So the next six months forecast is looking great. So much so that were now having to put on extra shifts and recruit additional staff. Here you are, then. Back in manchester, our cloth is now ready to be made into a shirt. Cut. Pressed. Stitched. And finished at this factory. One of the few of its kind to survive. I dont think well ever see a return to the halcyon days of cottonopolis. However, there is huge opportunities for businesses and brands like ours to create sustainable, viable and ultimately very profitable businesses by making things here again in the uk and selling to an international market. Spun, dyed, woven and stitched, the cotton process has been sewn back together again. Ourjourney behind the seams ends with a shirt made from local yarn. Judith moritz, bbc news, manchester. How did you spend your Christmas Day . Eating and drinking . How aboutjumping out of a plane wearing only a floppy suit . Thats what the competitors at the wingsuit flying world cup got up to, as tim allman explains. You know what they say what goes up must come down. A principle they understand all too well at the wingsuit flying world cup. Teams from around the globe competing in this extreme and hair raising sport. Translation itravelled more than 400 kilometres to see this. We arrived here early in the morning, just to watch the wingsuit flying show. Its spectacular you can say that again. A couple of skydivers perform a 360 Degree Rotating nosedive. While others piggybacked from their team mates. But not everybody was happy with how things turned out. Translation i think our performance this time didnt reflect our real strength. We will get to our best through regular competition. I hope we perform better next time. The chinese team finished third overall, behind the winners, france, and the united states, who came second. It is a nonprofit event, and the local School Received a cheque worth more than 30,000. So some charitable spirit, combined with a little heart stopping terror. How can you get more festive than that . He was wise enough not to take part. Now the weather prospects with ben rich. At lower levels more sliekly sleet or rain. Further north a scattering of wintry showers and clear spells. Very low temperatures and that will allow ice to form on untreated surfaces. Tomorrow a miserable day to the south east as this area of rain, sleet and hill snow becomes slow moving. Out west, more sunshine. A scattering of showers will be wintry particularly over high ground. A blustery wind and cold feel too. We eventually lose that wet weather on wednesday night. Thursday starting off cold with icy stretches, staying fine through the day. It turns cloudier for friday with outbreaks of rain and then a lot milderfor the with outbreaks of rain and then a lot milder for the weekend. This is bbc news, our latest headlines a british woman accused of smuggling drugs into egypt has been sentenced to three years in jail. Laura plummer, whos 33 and from hull, was arrested in october for having nearly 300 tramadol tablets in her suitcase. The universities minister, jojohnson, has warned academic institutions they could face fines if they fail to protect free speech within the law. South Yorkshire Police say an officer has died in a car crash which happened near sheffield last night. The 46 year old man died along with a 61 year old female passenger of another car when their vehicles collided. There has been a lower turnout than expected at the boxing day sales. The Research Group springboard believes there was a 4 drop in the number of shoppers, up to midday today,