Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC News At Six 20180222

Its attention to mars. And coming up on sportsday on bbc news can celtic make it to the last 16 of the Europa League for the first time in m years as they face zenit St Petersburg in russia . Good evening, welcome to the bbc news at six. Around 400 people many of them children are thought to have died since sunday on the outskirts of syrias capital as Government Forces continue their bombardment of the rebel held area. Hell on earth is how Eastern Ghouta was described today by the Foreign Office as calls intensified for president assads forces to halt their bombardment of the area, where 400,000 civilians are still believed to be trapped. Tonight the Un Security Council will vote on a resolution calling for a 30 day ceasefire so that humanitarian aid can be delivered. Just a warning, our middle east editorjeremy bowens report contains some very distressing images. More air strikes, more bombs and more casualties, it is not letting up. Armed rebels in Eastern Ghouta have shelled damascus. But enormous damage is being done by the Syrian Armed Forces and their russian allies, deploying much more firepower in places where civilians live and die. Two sisters were in their home when it was hit. Warplanes bombed out building. Now, look at home. Getting on for 400,000 people terrified by the sight and sound of aircraft, are thought to be in Eastern Ghouta, which is the size of manchester. The syrians insist they are targeting terrorists but its clear many children are among the wounded and the dead. Improvised hospitals have been set up in cellars and basements during the years of war. Now, though, the medics are at full stretch. This doctor wanted to send a message to the people of britain. Translation we never wanted the war and we dont want to live under it. For the sake of our children who have been blown to pieces, for the sake of our children who have died of hunger, war we have seen every day has caused us to collapse and affected psychologically. We dont have anything more to offer, we are being led out. She was treating 12 year old mohammed who was dying. His mother had been cooking brea kfast for his mother had been cooking breakfast for her family when three air strikes came breakfast for her family when three airstrikes came in. Breakfast for her family when three air strikes came in. Translation air strikes came in. Translationzli am here waiting for my son to die. At least he will be free of pain, i prayed to god to end his suffering. Where are the arabs . Where are the muslims . When my boy goes to heaven at least he will be free. I want to go with him. So many syrians have died in the war. The killing is escalating. And once again the world is watching from a safe distance. Jeremy bowen is with me. Harrowing scenes. The un is meeting to agree a ceasefire to get aid in to those people. Is there any hope of one . Lets hope so. The reports out of new york at the moment are not very promising. The reports say that the russians are indicating that there is no deal. Its complicated because of course they are trying to do a dealfor the of course they are trying to do a deal for the whole of syria, not just that particular, albeit rather large pocket, just outside damascus. The thing about the war in syria is that consistently over the years, and we have seen it so many times consistently over the last seven yea rs consistently over the last seven years or 0, consistently over the last seven years or so, the violence, killing, bloodshed, events on the ground have outpaced diplomacy. Ive talked to many of the diplomats involved in this. Many of them really are trying their best, tearing their hair out, trying to make some progress. But in a very intractable situation and in a very intractable situation and in a place too where president assad is, i think, from his point of view clearing a bit of Unfinished Business around his capital, you know, im not hopeful that the pattern is going to change right now tonight will stop middle east editor, jeremy bowen, thank you. Senior ministers are meeting at the Prime Ministers country residence to try to reconcile their differences over brexit. Theyre trying to Reach Agreement on their vision of the uks future relationship with the eu after brexit. From chequers heres our Political Editor laura kuenssberg. What could break the calm of the country . Birdsong twittering across the Home Counties valley. Springs plucky early buds bravely making their way. The zooming arrival of their way. The zooming arrival of the cabinets cars. Thats what. Darting into chequers, hoping perhaps the rural piece might provide inspiration. For more than a year, this group have been attempting to hammer out a compromise. But for decades, arguably, the tory party has been trying and not always succeeding. So, can they find one today . They are not just here so, can they find one today . They are notjust here to enjoy the outdoors. But for vital talks. In are notjust here to enjoy the outdoors. But forvitaltalks. In a week the Prime Minister wants to tell the rest of the world more of her plan for brexit. The committee inside disagrees over how closely we should stick to the eu once we have left. Some compromise, not a dramatic breakthrough, is what to expect. If you look at what happened back before the december european summit there was lots of speculation that the cabinet would not Reach Agreement. We all agreed a position, the prime minster took to brussels, and got a successful outcome and all of us in the cabinet are determined to get the best possible deal for every pa rt to get the best possible deal for every part of the united kingdom. Every modern tory who has had the keys to this place has had to deal with splits over europe. Government insiders suggest, though, its only borisjohnson who is really likely furiously to dig in. One minister told me the brexiteers today will be reminded firmly of the consequences of failing to agree. But there are nerves and suspicion on both sides in the tory party and their outside arrivals dont expect much. It wont last and what our problem is is that in trying to deal with the government and being responsible as an opposition we never know from day to day who is in charge and what the policy is. The fact the committee has hidden away for hours tells you how sensitive this is and how hard it might be to find a deal. 0ne former minister told me if everyones happy at the end its a fudge. For something genuinely to be decided someone will have to be unhappy. But there is a sense at the top of government now some political sacrifices needed in order to make progress with brussels, even though theresa may well knows there are some in her party who dont want to tolerate her giving any ground. Yet whatever is decided here it is then time to persuade the european union. Any negotiation needs compromise. The choice for government to knight is who has to give and who will take. And, sophie, if this all feels as remote as this countryside location, two very important things to remember. These meetings are about whether or not the government can actually stick together when there are such divisions inside its own party. Its not likely but it is possible that one minister or two might be so cross about the decisions that they end up flouncing out. But more importantly than that, the decisions that are made or not made in the next few hours and the next few weeks on brexit will shape the future of our economy, ourjobs, and our livelihood, and our relationship in future with the rest of the world. Laura kuenssberg, thank you. The number of eu citizens leaving the uk reached its highest level for a decade last year. But official figures also estimate that overall, there are still more people coming to britain than leaving. Our Home Affairs Correspondent Daniel Sandford is here. Ever since the brexit vote as mrs and politicians have been keeping a close eye on the number of eu citizens coming to and leaving britain and todays figures did reach something of a milestone. In the year to september the number of eu citizens leaving britain for good reached 130,000, that is the highest figure for a decade, the highest figure, in fact, figure for a decade, the highest figure, infact, since figure for a decade, the highest figure, in fact, since the financial crash. However, it is worth saying that at the same time in that same year, 220,000 eu citizens moved to britain to work, and so the figure, the number of people who are moving here still out stretches the number of people leaving by around 90,000. Although, that 90,000 overall figure is the lowest since september 2012. Why . The office for National Statistics warns that the reasons people move around the world are quite complicated but brexit may well be a factor and people we have spoken to who are leaving sake they are doing so partly because the pounds they are earning are worth less on the International Market and partly because basically feel less welcome here. Daniel, thank you. Britains economy grew more slowly than first thought between october and december. The office for National Statistics says the economy grew by 0. 4 rather than nought point 5 . And the downward revision was due to Slower Growth in production. Britains Biggest Energy supplier, centrica, says its cutting 4,000 jobs over the next two years. The company which owns british gas saw a big drop in profits last year. It says political interference in the Energy Market was partly to blame. Our Business Correspondent emma simpson reports. Its been a difficult year for centrica. Today, the hard numbers. Group profits down 70 to £1. 25 billion. British gas has lost 1. 4 million customer accounts and another round of cost cutting, or thousand jobs to go, which the boss told me is partly down to the governments looming price cap on bills. It is about competition and more customers but there is a third reason, there is a link between our Cost Efficiency Programme and preparing for any price cap in the uk. We have got to be competitive and this measure means that we have got to drive more efficiency. And thats on top of 5500 job cuts they have already made. We need to have a long and serious look at this because we cant carry on losing these sorts ofjobs, often in economically deprived areas at this rate of knots. The government says britains Energy Market isnt working. Customers are being overcharged. Thats why it wants to cap the most Expensive Energy bills. Millions of british gas customers are still sat on so called standard tariffs and paying through the nose for their energy bills as a result, and so whilst todays results have been bad overall, i think those customers will be surprised that british gas made a profit on their domestic supply business. British gas made a profit on their domestic supply businessm british gas made a profit on their domestic supply business. It may not feel like it when you are paying the bills but the Energy Industry is in the midst of change from Government Intervention to new suppliers offering cheaper deals, savvy consumers have been switching, all putting pressure on the traditional big players. British gas has already reduced the number of customers on its most expensive default deals. But will that be enough to keep its core customers happy . Emma simpson, bbc news. The former boss of save the childrenJustin Forsyth has resigned tonight from his current role as Deputy Director of unicef in new york. He was twice subject to investigation at save the children after concerns were raised about his conduct between 2011 and 2015. 0ur Diplomatic Correspondent James Landale is with me now. Why has he decided to resign . Justin forsyth was a very senior figure within the british aid world, a former adviser to downing street, he was chief executive of save the children and now in this senior role in unicef in new york which he has just left. Earlier this week it emerged he had been subject to complaints by female member of staff when he was at save the children for what they called inappropriate behaviour and he says those complaints would love with in a formal process and he apologised then and apologises now. He says he is resigning now because of the coverage around this case which was damaging unicef and save the children, and whats more he goes on to say, and i quote, there is no doubt in my mind that some of the coverage around me is notjust to rightly hold me to account, but also to attempt to do serious damage to our cause and the case for aid. The key question of course is, has he gone before any other action taken by unicef . They have some decent night ina by unicef . They have some decent night in a statement, we are grateful to mr forsyth for his work over the past years and the way he has advocated for vulnerable children. James comey thank you. The time is 6 15pm. Our top story this evening. The bombardment near syrias capital city continues as the death toll rises to almost 400. The un is meeting now. And still to come anti depressants do work, thats according to scientists. We speak to one man who says theyve changed his life. Coming up on sportsday on bbc news no medalfor dave ryding but he makes history with team gbs first top ten finish in Alpine Skiing in 30 years at the winter olympics. More than a Million Students at dozens of universities across the uk face massive disruption for the next month after their lecturers walked out in a dispute over pensions. The University Lecturers say changes to their pensions could leave them £10,000 worse off every year when they retire. But thousands of students, who pay more than £9,000 a year, say they will demand compensation if their studies are disrupted. 0ur education correspondent Elaine Dunkley reports from leeds. At leeds university, lecturers out on the picket lane. Thousands of lectures have been cancelled across the uk, the message is gives us the pensions we paid into or there will be mass destruction. We are expecting things to grind to a halt really. Forms wont be signed, classes wont be taught, Research Deadlines wont be met. We are likely to use about lose about £10,000 a year. Vice chancellors earn up to £280,000 a year so i have questions about why the money shouldnt be coming out of their salaries and not out of our pensions. The universities say a £6 billion deficit in the scheme means it is not sustainable and can only be maintained by making cuts tojobs and research. Universities say they have offered a good deal but lecturers are not convinced. Currently we have a defined benefit scheme which means we put money in and we will definitely get a certain amount back when we retire. The defined contribution scheme means what we end up with in the pot will depend on the vagaries of the market and other things and it means we cant be certain of what we will have. Left unresolved, more lectures could be cancelled and exams affected. Youre paying over £9,000 in fees, affected. Youre paying over £9,000 infees, do affected. Youre paying over £9,000 in fees, do you feel short changed . The students support their lecturers but are also worried about their future. More than 80,000 students have signed for petitions calling forfees have signed for petitions calling for fees to be have signed for petitions calling forfees to be reimbursed. Have signed for petitions calling for fees to be reimbursed. When we signed up to university it was specified in the curriculum we would have a certain number of hours of contact time with our lecturers. Anything short of that is a breach of the contract, of the £9,000 repaid. I think we should be compensated for that. I think it works out at over £1000 lost in contact time. How this is resolved will have a Significant Impact on the retirement of thousands of lecturers and the future of millions of students. President trump says he will consider a proposal to allow some School Teachers in america to carry guns in the wake of the School Shooting in florida last week which left 17 people dead. The idea is being backed by the head of Americas National rifle association. But Wayne Lapierre also accused those calling for tougher gun laws of exploiting last weeks shooting for political gain. 0ur north america editorjon sopel is at the white house. Plenty of pressure from both sides over this. Yes, if you are in britain and hearing the idea teachers could be harmed you would think that most crazy idea youve ever heard but donald trump said if the potential sicko shooter knows a school has a large number of very weapons talented teachers and others who will be instantly shooting, the sicko will never attacked the school. That has received strong support from the National Rifle association and its been a debate going on in the us for some time but of course probably horrifies the Young Students protesting in florida yesterday because what they want to seek is comprehensive gun control measures being taken. Donald trump has also tweeted today that he favours improving background checks on those buying weapons, banning bull stocks, the semiautomatic rifles that can suddenly be turned into machine guns via this device, and also wants to raise to 21 the age at which people can buy a rifle. They may seem like baby steps to people who want massive gun control but in the context of american politics they are radical measures and will run into strong opposition from the National Rifle association. So whichever way donald trump moves, he will find opposition on either side of him. He has a difficult tightrope to walk. Jon sopel, thank you. Anti depressants do work and more people could benefit from taking them, thats the verdict of a major study led by oxford university. Scientists analysed data from more than 500 trials and looked at more than 20 drugs, and found they all helped patients manage their condition. 0ur correspondent sima kotecha spoke to one man about his struggle with depression. There were times, you know, ifelt really low, to the point i didnt want to be around anyone or anybody or have any interaction with family or friends. There were times when i didnt understand my position in life. Jon needed help. He was struggling to cope. His doctor prescribed antidepressants. I still think theres a lot of stigma around it, as to, you know, are you weak because you take them . Are you are a nutnut because you take them. I had an image ofjack nicholson in one flew over the cuckoos nest at the end when hes a complete and utter zombie and you lose something about yourself, something that makes you you. And thats what i was concerned about, youd turn into zombie without any feeling. But the only way i can describe it is that it gives you a kind of buffer around some of the negative thoughts and your mind racing. Todays report found that 21 of some of the most common antidepressants were more effective at treating anxiety and depression than dummy pills. Those behind the report as well as other gps say the results show that these tablets could help more people cope with low moods. For too long, Healthcare Professionals have been denigrated and slated for prescribing drugs that they know will work. So many patients tell us they work. We only want to do this for the best of our patients. It is not about fobbing people off, it is genuinely trying to help them. In 2016, 65 million prescriptions for antidepressants were issued and the numbers are rising. But some critics say depression can be solved through positive mental attitude. You say youve been on them for five years. The Research Also outlines which pills work best. However, the authors are urging people not to switch medication before getting advice. Hopefully it made me an easier person to be around for my family. Yeah, the plan is, in regular consultation with my gp, to wean myself off of them. But thats got to be when the time is right. Jon crowther ending that report. The tv licence fee will rise for the first time in eight years goonhilly earth station in cornwall set up almost 60 years ago its the oldest commercial satellite station in the world. And now plans have been announced to put it firmly on the space map by turning it into a Space Communication base to track missions to the moon and mars. Jon kay reports from cornwall. We are hoping it will be a nice clear night for stargazing and until now if we wanted to have a communication with a mission out there, we had to use communication bases that belonged to nasa or the European Space agency, but in the future if all goes to plan we will be able to use this dish which will connect the uk and cornwall with outer space like never before. Newsreel upon the fantastic dish aerial of cornwalls goonhilly downs. Since the 1960s, goonhilly has been making history, like receiving the first pictures from the telstar satellite. Goonhilly marks an impressive step forward in international communication. And now this earth station will be the first place in britain which can direct missions into deep space. This is goonhilly dish number six. This antenna is 32 metres in diameter. Also known as merlin. It rotates 360 degrees. This one was built in the 1980s. It beamed live aid around the world, but now an £8 million upgrade means it will be able to do much, much more. We will be able to send commands to spacecraft around the moon and around mars, and also receive data coming back from the moon and mars. So in 2020 when a mars rover is on the surface of mars and detects life, we could send that data back and be received by this antenna here. Direct to cornwall . Direct to cornwall. And cornwalls ambitions to join the space race dont end here. Newquay airport. Today passengers were flying to dublin and manchester, but soon it could be much further. Because this county, which relies on tourism, wants to take things to the next level. The airport is bidding to turn its two mile runway into a commercial spaceport, hoping for a share of a multi billion pound industry. The millions for goonhilly are coming from the local enterprise partnership, and some ask if its the best use of public money right now. 0ne local baker delivering space themed pasties today believes this poor county needs to aim for the stars. The perception of cornwall from a lot of people is that its a beautiful place, which it undoubtedly is, but we also need a thriving future for people. It would be great to see better high tech jobs being created in a very much a long term project. More customers for you. That would be nice. Pasties and a giant dish. The new cornwall. John kay, bbc news, goonhilly. Time for a look at the weather. Heres stav da naos. It got really cold again today. You are right and its set to get much colder as we go into next week. This is the map of europe. The cold air pouring out of siberia will be reaching our shores as we head into monday and tuesday. It will be bitterly cold, far colder than it was today and it will be at the weekend too. We have High Pressure dominating the scene so it will be largely dry tonight, so some lengthy clear spells and temperatures will plummet away, colder than last night with a widespread sharp frost. Down to minus five celsius. We start tomorrow morning with a cold, frosty note but there should be areas of sunshine, in northern ireland, parts of central and eastern england. A breeze from the south east will take the edge off the temperatures. We continue with this big area of High Pressure which will be importing the cold air off the near continent so things colder still at the weekend, but this High Pressure keeping rain bearing weather fronts at bay in the atlantic. It should be largely dry and the theme for the weekend is more in the way of sunshine, and on into the start of next week too. A lot of sunshine around, but cold at four celsius. That is a similar picture as we head into sunday. Temperatures just a couple of degrees above freezing, the same on tuesday, and the chance of some snow pushing in from the east as well but uncertainty as to where that will fall so stay tuned to the weather forecast. To sum up, bitterly cold, widespread frost and the chance of smoke too. And that is all from us, now its time to the this is bbc news our latest headlines. The head of americas gun lobby the National Rifle Association Backs president trumps calls for armed staff in us schools to help put an end to School Shootings in america. Unicefs Deputy Director Justin Forsyth resigns following complaints of inappropriate behaviour towards female staff in his Previous Post as chief executive of save the children. Crucial brexit talks at chequers where senior ministers are at the Prime Ministers country residence to try to agree on the governments approach to its future relationship with the eu. Lecturers at nearly sixty universities across the uk have begun the first of a series of strikes in a row about pensions meanwhile students have signed petitions asking for refunds for tuition fees. In a moment it will be time for sportsday but first a look at what else is coming up this evening on bbc news. Beyond 100 days gets more reaction as the head of the most powerful gun lobby in the us has blamed democrats and media for exploiting last weeks School Shooting in florida, that left 17 people dead. Here we look at why Stansted Airport wants to increase the number of passengers its allowed to handle each year, by eight million. And this is the worlds longest glass suspension bridge its in china and spans nearly 500 metres