Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC News At Nine 20240714

unimaginable destruction the Health Minister of the bahamas says he fears the number of People Killed by Hurricane Dorian will be staggering. New figures show more black, asian and minority ethnic people are donating their organs than ever before, but more are still needed. And coming up in sport. After steve smith scores a double hundred and australia take control of the 4th ashes test, can england fight back . Good morning, and welcome to the bbc news at 9. Robert mugabe, the former president of zimbabwe, has died, at the age of 95. Mugabe was at the centre of his countrys struggle for independence and became its first Prime Minister in 1980, before becoming president seven years later. His reputation as a hero of the Independence Movement was overshadowed by the corruption and human rights abuses which marred his time in power, and his policies caused the collapse of zimba bwes economy. He was forced from office by his own party in 2017. Shingai nyoka looks back at his life. Singing he was once zimbabwes liberator, leading a war against white minority rule. But by the end, the adulation president Robert Mugabe once enjoyed was gone. He cemented his power, winning overwhelmingly at elections in 1980. As leader of a new nation, he set about creating a better country than the one he inherited. And for a while, he succeeded. There can never be any return to the state of Armed Conflict which existed before our commitment to peace, and the democratic process of election under the lancaster house agreement. Surely, this is now time to beat our swords into ploughsha res. But beneath the veneer lay a dark side. Mr mugabe deployed a crack military unit to southern zimbabwe to deal with hundreds of insurgents. Between 1983 and 1987, thousands were murdered, and the world turned a blind eye. Mugabe was the great hope. But as the 1990s ended, the economy was bottoming out, and a new Political Party was on the rise. Seemingly desperate to regain popularity, mr mugabe played a political hand. Land seized by the Colonial Government was still in the hands of the white minority. Sensing the frustration, mugabe encouraged blacks to take back their lands and they did, often violently. The western world took note, breaking diplomatic ties and imposing economic sanctions. The opposition, its leaders, human rights workers, bore the brunt of this anger. In 2008, in the midst of billion Percent Inflation and widespread unemployment, mr mugabe suffered his first electoral defeat. It only led to more violence in the second round of voting. Britain stripped him of his knighthood, and former allies condemned him. Nearer to home, we have seen the outbreak of violence against fellow africans in our own country, and the tragic failure of leadership in our neighbouring zimbabwe. But he remained a cult like figure among many africans for daring to challenge western political dominance on the worlds affairs. In retaliation for the measures we took to empower the black majority, the United Kingdom has mobilised friends and allies in europe, north america, australia, new zealand, to impose illegal economic sanctions against zimbabwe. But within his own party, discontent was rising. Many believed he had overstayed and needed to hand over power. His second wife, grace mugabe, a0 years his junior, seemed to be gaining power, and she began accusing then Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa of trying to oust him. Mr mugabe finally fired his long time aid, accusing him of trying to topple him. Mr mnangagwa with the help of the military mounted a comeback, posting soldiers on the streets and placing mr mugabe under house arrest. Tens of thousands of zimbabweans marched, calling on him to step down. And after the threat of impeachment, he resigned. In his last years, mr mugabe had retreated to the seclusion of his mansion. Many will remember him as a gifted orator and visionary, who liberated zimbabwe, but later returned her to the shackles of oppression. In the last few minutes, weve had a statement from the Gleneagles Hospital in singapore, saying we are saddened by the news of the passing of mr Robert Mugabe, former president of zimbabwe. 0ur correspondent Karishma Vaswani is at the hospital and told us the latest from there. Iam standing i am standing in front of the prestigious and exclusive Gleneagles Hospital here in singapore, which is where it is thought that Robert Mugabe spent a fair amount of time. In fact, the last few months of his life. He was frequently spotted here receiving medical treatment for a condition that we dont know at this point. But he also had links to singapore. 0ne point. But he also had links to singapore. One of his children, his daughter, graduated from a private university here and he was spotted at graduation photograph there. His wife grace mugabe often accompanied him on these trips and she was also seenin him on these trips and she was also seen in some of singapores most expensive shopping districts carrying lots of shopping bags. Now, it is not clear what condition he died of, but the Singapore Health Science Authority has told the bbc there was no coroner 01 Science Authority has told the bbc there was no coroner or police at his death, which appears to suggest he may well have died of natural causes. At this point in time, the singapore government is keeping rather tight lipped about his death, but that is understandable, given that he was such a high profile figure in international politics. 0ur correspondent Shingai Nyoka is in harare and she told us what the reaction has been like over there. Well, i am in the Central Business district, where all the commerce ta kes district, where all the commerce takes place. But you wouldnt think that such an important figure in zimbabwes that such an important figure in zimba bwes history has that such an important figure in zimbabwes history has died. Many people are going about their ordinary chores, their day to day chores, selling their wares on the streets and walking around. And i think it speaks to the fact that by the time that he had died, which was in the early hours of this morning, Robert Mugabe had already become a historic figure. Hes been out of power for two years, but it has been some discussion about the kind of legacy that he leaves behind, that many people would agree that it is a chequered history. Some are conflicted. He was zimbabwes liberator, Emmerson Mnangagwa called him afounding liberator, Emmerson Mnangagwa called him a founding father of zimbabwe. But the oppression is difficult to run away from and the fact that he had to be ousted from office after taking zimbabwe from a prosperous nation to one that was full of hunger come up with an Unemployment Rate of 80 . Milton nkosi is in johannesburg for us. Hello to you. A hugely controversial figure, a dominant figure in african political life for so many decades. How do you think people are going to be reacting to the news of Robert Mugabes death . Well, this morning, people both here in south africa and indeedin people both here in south africa and indeed in zimbabwe and across the rest of the african continent are giving a mixed reaction to Robert Mugabes passing. There are many who see him as a dictator. And there are others who still remember him as a liberator. Now, remember that others who still remember him as a liberator. Now, rememberthat Robert Mugabe was fighting white minority rule in what was then called rhodesia. He was locked up in prison for ten years, he was never even allowed to bury his son. And when that ended, he became the first democratically elected leader of zimbabwe and succeeded in health ca re zimbabwe and succeeded in health care and education. But in the late 19805 care and education. But in the late 1980s and early 2,000, things went horribly wrong when he began his land redistribution programme, invading farms across zimbabwe. Do you think that what might be seen as the positive aspects of his legacy will be ultimately overshadowed by the corruption scandals, by the violence that marred his rule for so long, or will there be some revisionism going on . Oh, yes, indeed. That is spot on. There is a mixed reaction that his liberation credentials, if you like, are not entirely overshadowed by the corruption that followed later in his political life. People are remembering that Robert Mugabe was one of the most educated leaders in the world, with over 6 degrees. And also, they remember a speech he gave here in south africa back in september 2002, when he told british Prime Minister tony blair, and he said, tony blair, keep your england and let me keep my zimbabwe. And those words are now being tweeted and posted on social media sites this morning, in remembrance of Robert Mugabes Pan Africanist political ideology. 0k, milton, thank you for that. From johannesburg. We can talk now tojohn simpson, our World Affairs editor. John was a frequent visitor to zimbabwe. What are your reflections can make your memories, of your encounters with Robert Mugabe . Well, i think encounters with Robert Mugabe . Well, ithinki encounters with Robert Mugabe . Well, i think i interviewed him seven times altogether, at the height of his powers. And the interesting thing was that he was always, whoever he might have been with. I remember i once interviewed him with a lot of British Foreign Office Officials in the room and you knew that Robert Mugabe was the brightest person in the room. And he could turn an interview round and humiliate you on camera, he loved doing that, very, very sharp. But a lwa ys doing that, very, very sharp. But always a very bitter kind of man. I mean, listening to what the other contributors have been saying, of course, all of this is true. But i think the great problem that zimbabwe had was that britain in particular and other countries decided after 1980 that the problem had been sorted out and they didnt wa nt to had been sorted out and they didnt want to know what was going on in zimbabwe. And what was going on from 1982 for instance onwards was that Robert Mugabe got in the north korean army and the most brutal part of the most brutal army to help him go through the towns and villages of matabeleland, which was the area where the main opposition to him lay. 20,000 people were murdered, many of them burned to death during that campaign. It was a savage business. And it marked zimbabwe ever afterwards. It marked zimbabwe ever afterwards. It marked zimbabwe ever afterwards. It will obviously mark Robert Mugabes legacy. Do you think he will be mostly remembered for that, rather than the early part of his political career . Well, i think it will depend he was doing the remembering, to be honest. Any kind of nationalist figures are likely to recall his tremendous achievements as the leader of the liberation struggle. But i think most ordinary people, certainly the people that i have spent quite a lot of time talking to over the years, will remember the man who sold out the country, effectively. Who looted it. Who ensured that those early achievements of his in education and in medicine. And zimbabweans are probably still the best educated people on the continent of africa. But nevertheless, all that went as mugabe simply looted the treasury and took the money out of the country. 0k, jun, thank you very much. John simpson, our World Affairs editor. John. Lets get more on this now from senator david coltart, the former zimbabwean minister of education, sport, arts and culture. Hejoins me via webcam from bulawayo, in zimbabwe. David, a founder member of the movement for democratic change, so a political opponent of Robert Mugabe. What was your experience like in the country during the mugabe years . Well, i have been back in zimbabwe for 36 years and i have seen the economic collapse of zimbabwe during that period. And also, of course, the genocide, crimes against humanity committed by Robert Mugabes regime during that period. So he does have a mixed legacy. Against that, of course, one has to remember that he will be the person responsible for the ending of white minority rule and that makes him an iconic figure and still revered throughout africa. Iconic and divisive. He once labelled you, an enemy of the state. There had been a number of assassination attempts against you, which you say were at least in part initiated by him. Yet you acknowledge there was another side to him as well. I had a chequered history with Robert Mugabe. During my student period backin mugabe. During my student period back in 1981, he sent me a telegram and he gave me a vision of the new democratic zimbabwe. So i came back as one of his followers. But i was drawn into the vortex of what happened in matabeleland in the 19805. Happened in matabeleland in the 1980s. And that drew me into a conflict with him. And as you say, he called me an enemy of the state, in 1999. That was followed by four assassination attempts on me in the 20005. But ultimately, things came full circle in one respect when i came into the inclusive government in 2009 and became minister of education, i realised another side to him. I realised that he was, whilst a deeply bitter man, he was also someone who had a deep passion for the education of zimbabweans. And we established a bit of a rapport. We worked together well to stabilise the education system. And i saw another side to Robert Mugabe. And so as some of your previous contributors have said, he has got a mixed legacy and his death will be met with very mixed emotions today. Extraordinary to hear your personal story and the changes in the relationship that you had with him. What do you think the political impact of his death is going to be . A lot of people are calling this the end ofan a lot of people are calling this the end of an era. Do you agree with that . No, i dont agree with that at all. Iam that . No, i dont agree with that at all. I am afraid the negative aspects of his legacy continues. Emmerson mnangagwa has simply picked up Emmerson Mnangagwa has simply picked up from where mugabe left and in some respects worse. We have seen the violence continue and the failure to respect the constitution, corruption continues in our nation. And to that extent, very little has changed in zimbabwe. So a tone has been set, you think, by Robert Mugabe, that may take a very long time to change . I am afraid we have a deeply rooted legacy of violence in this country and you cantjust blame Robert Mugabe for that, one also has to blame the intransigence of ian smith and the rhodesian front in the 1960s and 19705. Of ian smith and the rhodesian front in the 1960s and 1970s. But certainly, Robert Mugabe perpetuated that culture of violence. It is now deeply rooted in our society. And it is going to take probably another generation to rid the country of that legacy. 0k, senator david coulthard, thank you very much today, talking to us from bulawayo in zimbabwe. The Prime Minister will be in scotland today, after losing a series of crucial votes in the commons. Borisjohnson is expected to announce millions of pounds for the Scottish Farming industry, as he continues to press for a general election. Labour are still warning theyll block an election to ensure the government cant leave the eu without a deal on october 31st. This morning, Jeremy Corbyn is hosting a Conference Call of Opposition Party leaders to discuss their approach to the timing of a general election. Well, first, lets talk to our correspondent in aberdeenshire, david shanks, hes following the Prime Ministers activities this morning. What has he been doing and what sort of reception has he had . Well, we are in peterhead, peterhead harbour, where the Prime Minister left a short time ago. He went to peterhead fish market, this is one of the largest white fish in europe. A very busy place for the fishing industry which has been so crucial to the brexit talks. The Prime Minister had a brief walk around the market and then he was taken out for a quick tour around the harbour in a trawler andi tour around the harbour in a trawler and i understand he went on to buy a box of. But we understand there is a big announcement coming on funding for farmers, big announcement coming on funding forfarmers, over £50 million. The Prime Minister wrote an article this morning saying the farming sector had received a poor deal through the Common Agricultural policy and he was looking to rectify that. Now, this money comes from the recommendations of the review which seeks to distribute fairly funding forfarmers once the seeks to distribute fairly funding for farmers once the uk leaves the European Union. This also follows £160 million in historic payments promised to scottish farmers in the chancellors Spending Review this week. The national pharmas union of scotla nd week. The national pharmas union of scotland say this is the largest uplift for the sector that has been seen uplift for the sector that has been seenin uplift for the sector that has been seen in memory the National Farmers union. The snps westminster leader Ian Blackford says these payments are three years too late. Following on from his speech yesterday in yorkshire and a number of appointments, you could be thinking the Prime Minister is on an election footing in scotland. But recent polls have shown if an election were to be called, he would have his work cut out north of the border. To hold onto the seats gained in the last election. Boris johnson gave himself the title of minister for the johnson gave himself the title of ministerfor the union, johnson gave himself the title of minister for the union, edging johnson gave himself the title of ministerfor the union, edging to bring the country back together. But thatis bring the country back together. But that is a task made all the more difficult in scotland since the resignation of Ruth Davidson the leader of the scottish conservatives are sweet, credited with much of the success and revival of the party in recent yea rs success and revival of the party in recent years in scotland. David, thank you very much, from peterhead. Lets talk to our Political Correspondent chris mason. The Prime Minister might be in scotland, but what was about the action in westminster today. A Conference Call is happening between the leaders of the various opposition parties. Yes, good morning, that Conference Call will happen within the next hour. And what it shows you is the extent to which the opposition parties are now working very closely together with an explicit intention, and that intention is driving an election timetable to their advantage, rather than Boris Johnsons. Timetable to their advantage, rather than borisjohnsons. What does that mean . They want the election to be after the point that any extension to the brexit process, any delay to brexit has been granted by brussels. That would mean that there was no immediate no deal brexit, it would also mean crucially that Boris Johnson would be forced to choose between breaking his central election promise from his election by conservative Party Members of leaving the European Union by the end of october with or without a deal, or breaking the law. Government sources saying he wont break the law, but borisjohnson saying he wont ask for an extension. Enter the fray, the leader of the Scottish National party at westminster Ian Blackford, he will be part of that discussion and will be there in person alongsideJeremy Corbyn because he is here in westminster. Ijust spoke to him and he set out what they will try to do. We need to hold Boris Johnsons feet to the fire, he doesnt have a majority in parliament, he is a lame duck Prime Minister, he has to follow the instructions of parliament. I want an election, the snp want an election, but less secure that we are not going to be leaving the European Union on october 315t and looking forward to the opportunity to ask the people of scotland to support the snp and our demands that we need to be able to determine our own future and see scotland becoming an independent country. The election will happen, but lets make sure we dont crash out of the European Union in the interim. So the absolute bottom line is Boris Johnson has to break the one premise he has made that we will leave the European Union at the end of next month with or without a deal, and wa nts month with or without a deal, and wants therefore and once there for a delay secured with brussels at that point, you are happy to have an election . Well, we have got Boris Johnson in the place that we want him, parliament has seized the initiative, he has to dance to our tune. We are now in charge of this process, acting on behalf of our constituents. We are making it clear we are not leaving the European Union. Borisjohnson we are not leaving the European Union. Boris johnson has we are not leaving the European Union. Borisjohnson has to deliver on that, we would choose the timing of when the election comes. I want to remove Boris Johnson of when the election comes. I want to remove borisjohnson as Prime Minister but we want to make sure we dont leave the European Union without a deal, that is the first priority. Things seem to be moving quickly, the first minister Nicola Sturgeon the other day said lets have an election sooner than later, labour are have an election sooner than later, labourare doing, we have an election sooner than later, labour are doing, we want to crack on. Politics is very light and very fluid at the moment, have you change position . No, we havent, we want an election as soon as possible but we have to be aware of our responsibilities. Notjust Party Advantage but our National Interest and that is why we will Work Together with other parties to make sure there is no risk of falling out. That is different from what Nicola Sturgeon saying the other day. Nicola and myself are absolutely at one in terms of what we want but we need to be aware of what is happening in parliament and how the game has changed over the course of the last few days. The simple fact is borisjohnson is saying he is going to defy a lot parliament and denied the law of the United Kingdom by refusing to go to the European Union to get an extension. He cant do that, he is in contempt of parliament. He has to decide what he wants to do, if he is going to deliver on that or resign. We are going to get an election and the opportunity to put our case to the opportunity to put our case to the people. Lets make sure in the interim, we dont crash out of europe. What you say to those people watching our conversation who say, hang on, three years on from the referendum, there was a mandate to leave, and here is parliament playing games hoping to delay brexit ain . Playing games hoping to delay brexit again . I dont want to delay brexit. I dont want to brexit and we have always been clear on that. I am here is the leader of the Scottish National party and working with my colleagues in that national governments, we have a mandate to protect economic interests of scotland. Scotland voted to remain, we are not going to allow Boris Johnson or anyone else to drag us out of the European Union against out out of the European Union against our will. I will certainly work with colleagues down here to make sure we dont crash out of the European Union, that is the mandate i have from those who sent us down to westminster from scotland. Final thoughts, as opposition parties, you quys thoughts, as opposition parties, you guys clearly oppose the conservatives. But in normal times, you oppose each other as well. So are you confident you can hang together in this sort of loose acquires a coalition of opposition parties because that is what you need to do . It doesnt need of you to break away for potentially the numbers to look in the direction where an election might happen sooner rather than later. We have worked together well over the course of the last few weeks because this isa of the last few weeks because this is a real crisis we face and i think the public expected us to do that. We must make sure we finish this job. Of course we have different priorities. I want to see the people of scotland determine their own future, i want an election and i wa nt future, i want an election and i want scotland to have the referendum on Scottish Parliament must choose the timing of that. Yes, of course we will take allocated to the people of scotland and we will stand against the other parties. I am absolutely convinced that we have a strong argument to take to the people of scotland that we will win. In the meantime, we will protect all out in the meantime, we will protect all our National Interest by making sure we dont crash of europe. Looking ahead to next week for a moment, i think a lot of people will be asking, is Parliament Still going to be suspended next week, as things stand . New there are lots of questions about what will happen fairly soon. And the honest answer is no one is quite certain, but the expectation is, yes, parliament will be suspended at some stage next week. But such has been the fluidity of events, quite frankly, everyone on all sides is making things up as they go along. Hour by hour, day by day, given by events. But as things stand, the rough timetable looks like the plan to block a no deal, the bill finishes its passage that the bill finishes its passage that the house of lords today, there might be gutting advise on monday, thenit might be gutting advise on monday, then it becomes an act of parliament. Then the pallet has another go on monday night to try to force a general election, but they will not get the two thirds majority they need because labour have said they need because labour have said they wont back it and now the will they wont back it and now the will the snp and others. The ball is back in the court of borisjohnson, does he stick to plan a to Prorogue Parliament and get a queens speech which you cannot get through parliament because he doesnt have a majority . 0r parliament because he doesnt have a majority . Or maybe plan b . 0r parliament because he doesnt have a majority . Or maybe plan b . Or i think we are on plan p or something by then i think you are absolutely right chris mason. Also, we are watching very closely for the decision we expect today from the high court. The challenge brought by businesswoman gina miller backed by former conservative Prime Minister john major challenging that suspension of parliament. The high court is due to rule on that today. So we will bring you news of that when thejudgment so we will bring you news of that when the judgment comes. Well be answering your questions on all things brexit and what could happen next in a bbc ask this. At 11 30 this morning, well be speaking to Kevin Schofield, from the website Politics Home, and professor of politics chris hanretty, who should be able to answer any questions you might have. The Contact Details are on your screen now. In a moment, the weather, but first, lets heres Victoria Derbyshire with what shes got coming up in her programme at ten. This programme has been told that the owners of a pawn site are profiting from revenge pawn. The owners of a pawn site are profiting from revenge pawnlj the owners of a pawn site are profiting from revenge pawn. I was hysterical, i stayed in my room for at least three days, did not leave the house, i smashed my mobile phone i was feeling the footage on. The website says it strongly condemns revenge porn and has the most progressive anti revenge porn policy in the industry. Simon king has the weather. Quite a great start, lots of clouds and some outbreaks of rain moving southward across the uk. Many others will see across the uk. Many others will see a spell of rain. Quite windy conditions to come with that. As the rain spreads, it will continue in some areas. Brighter skies in some areas later today, maximum temperatures getting up to rent the mage to high teens. The rain clears from the south later, some showers dotted around the dry with clear spells for most. Each content chilly, particularly into the north east. Temperatures about nine or ten celsius. Into the weekend, looking largely dry and bright. Sunny spells, temperatures in the mid to high teens, feeling chillier around the north sea coast. Hello, this is bbc news with me, annita mcveigh. The headlines Robert Mugabe, zimbabwes first post independence leader, who ruled the country for three decades, has died aged 95. He secured black majority rule for his country in 1980, but his presidency was marred by economic collapse, corruption and human rights abuses after a difficult week for the Prime Minister, borisjohnson is in aberdeenshire to address issues facing the Scottish Farming and fishing industries. The Health Minister of the bahamas says he fears the number of People Killed by Hurricane Dorian will be staggering. Time now for the morning briefing, where we bring you up to speed on the stories people are watching, reading and sharing. The death of former zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe is the most read story on our website this morning and its also dominating social media. The term Robert Mugabe is trending worldwide, within the first hour of the news breaking it had already garnered 41,500 tweets. And ripmugabe also had more than 17,000 tweets within the first the announcement of mr mugabes death by president Emmerson Mnangagwa has been retweeted widely and president mnangagwa also tweeted a tribute, which you can see now on your screen. He said mr mugabe was an icon of liberation, a Pan Africanist who dedicated his life to the emancipation and empowerment of his people. He added his contribution to the history of our nation and continent will never be forgotten. The African National Congress Said they mourn the passing of a friend, statesman, and revolutionary comrade Robert Mugabe. Not all the tweets are as positive though the senator david coltart, who we heard from earlier on, said sadly i am not convinced it is the end of an era his negative legacy lives on in mnangagwa. A former finance minister of zimbabwe, patrick chinamasa, described mr mugabe as an icon, earlier on bbc world. I remember him as an african and international giant, who dedicated his life to the liberation notjust of zimbabweans but to all oppressed people internationally. He left a huge legacy, not just to zimbabwe but to the continent. To zimbabwe, his legacy was in empowering black people in education and in encouraging them to take over the resources and control of their resources in the country. As you know, he is one of the first leaders to resolutely address the colonial question of land occupation. And as a result, zimbabweans are now free, they now have control of their land, now they have control of their resources. He was revolutionary, par excellence. And he contributed immensely to our independence, to our economic empowerment, to our integration. As you know, zimbabwe is the highest in literacy rates. Zimbabwe residents are the most in paladin terms of skill and education. And all over the world turns to the legacy that our revolutionary leader, comrade mugabe, has left us. So im very saddened that he has passed on. That was the former finance minister of zimbabwe. Lets look at what you what you are reading and watching on the bbc news app. The death of Robert Mugabe is the number one most read story at the moment, the second story reflecting what we are bringing you today, brexit, the Prime Minister moves the political Battle Ground to scotland as the headline. Number three is the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian in the bahamas, which we will tell you more about. The most watched story at the moment is the story of astrid, a young half nigerian, half german woman with leukaemia who is looking for a stem cell transplant. It is a worldwide search, she explains that because of her mixed race it is incredibly difficult to find a suitable donor because currently only 3 of donors on the stem cell registry worldwide are mixed that is her story and that is the number one most watched on the bbc news app at the moment. Thats it for todays morning briefing. The government in the bahamas has warned of a staggering death toll from Hurricane Dorian. Substantially. The hurricane has moved on and is now battering the coasts of south and north carolina. Two hundred thousand people are without power. Tim allman reports. Woman oh, my gosh, things are blowing up there. Slowly, relentlessly, dorian continues to move up americas eastern seaboard. This is charleston, South Carolina underwater. A deluge of rain turning one of the citys main streets into a river. In wilmington, in neighbouring north carolina, high winds led to isolated tornadoes. No one here is underestimating the potential danger. Hurricane dorian is ready to unleash its fury on our state. The storm has regained strength, it is serious, and it can be deadly. They dont need to be told that in the bahamas, where dorian has already caused whats been described as unimaginable destruction. The worst hit island, grande abaco, is said to be virtually uninhabitable. Tens of thousands need help, and the countrys Health Minister says the final death toll will be staggering. The wind just had us fearful for our life. It was just horrific. And to see the devastation now, with all the bodies laying around, i feel that god has turned his back on the Beautiful Island of abaco. Rescue operations are under way, the us coastguard helping evacuate people by helicopter. And this is dorian seen from the International Space station. The giant storm moves on. The danger isnt over yet. Tim allman, bbc news. How to tackle the wildfires destroying large parts of the amazon rainforest will be discussed at a president ial summit in colombia today. It will be attended by a number of south american nations. The brazillian government has come under widespread criticism for its handling of the crisis, although brazils president wont be at the meeting in person, due to a scheduled operation. More black, asian and minority ethnic people are donating their organs than ever before. However new nhs figures suggest that demand for a transplant in minority communities, is still much higher than the number of available donors. Graham satchell reports. Nighat and her husband are on their way to collect their son from his first day at school. I cant believe he is in full time school. Its a day that i never thought that we would envisage, especially when we were given 2a hours for him to be. Either live or die, essentially. Oh, my goodness hello, mama. How was your first day . He was just a few weeks old when doctors discovered he had a serious and rare liver condition. They said he has a 50 chance of getting liver cancer by the time he was five years old. But if he is not going to do well, he will need a liver transplant. My world fell apart. He was in and out of hospital with the condition getting worse as nighat and the family waited and waited for a donor organ. It was becoming desperate. They gave us 2a hours to find a donor and that desperation as a parent. You will never know that desperation until you go through that, as we were. We were beside ourselves. They said just be prepared. You may have to wait longer on the list because we dont get many donors from ethnic minority groups, so be prepared. But that wait was agonising. Nighat is a gp. And herfather is the imam of a local mosque. Some muslims believe Organ Donation is not allowed in their faith so nighat and herfather have been working hard to change hearts and minds. If i can get the conversation started in our community to discuss things like this. We must, as a faith and a community, and as a culture to be able to develop with the technological advances that are coming about in medicine. People from a minority ethnic background are more likely to need a transplant because they are more prone to conditions like high Blood Pressure and diabetes but they wait longer because there are not enough donors. After an agonising wait, qasim eventually had a liver transplant and, as you can see, he is doing well. 0rgan donation is anonymous. All nighat knows is that this new liver came from an eight year old boy who died after falling off his bike. How those parents found that courage in the darkest of times to say yes, it is ok. You can have our organs. As a mother. | dont think i can ever comprehend. To be able to do that shows me that there are good people, there is kindness and humanity. Their baby is with me every day and i am looking after him and his legacy is definitely living on. We will make a change, i promise. That report from graham satchell. Sport now, and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, heres mike. A huge day ahead for england in the cricket, steve smith hit a double century to put australia fully in control. England thought theybe managed to prise him from the crease earlier in the day on 118, but closer inspection revealed a no ball with jack leachs foot over the line. Smith later said that close call concentrated his mind and he continuted to thwart england, reaching a superb double century. Australia declared on a97 for 8, before swiftly claiming the wicket ofjoe denley. England will resume on 23 1. There is three innings still to go, three days cricket left, three innings to be played. If we can apply ourselves tomorrow, set our stall out to bat for a long period like at headingley, there is no reason why not. The cricket dominates this mornings back pages, and it is not good reading for the england team. Battered the mirror says england captainjoe root and coach Trevor Bayliss question englands focus and attitude in the field on day two of the fourth test. The mail call england shambolic, with a picture of smith raising his bat to the old trafford crowd. And the express also refer to root reading the riot act to his players. If you delve a little deeper, you will find coverage of Michael Owens new book, one of englands all time greats. It has caused a bit of reaction, because you have been so honest. Why did you feel the need to do it now and set the record straight on things like what happened at newcastle . There is no point in doing a book if he will not be honest, i do not set out to have agoat be honest, i do not set out to have a go at people and if you read it i think it is a very fair account of my life, and my career. Ithink think it is a very fair account of my life, and my career. I think the best time to do it is when you had finished, you can look back and assess, you are in a finished, you can look back and assess, you are in a much better frame of mind to write it down and i think i did it for myself, it was therapeutic, getting it down, telling the story is that lots of people do not know. Bearing in mind, my career took a few twists and turns of the clubs i played for and not many people will know what happened during those transfers, i think it is quite enlightening not only to the football fan but people asa only to the football fan but people as a whole. Alan shearer reacted, it was that last game when he was manager of newcastle, there was a suggestion that you had not wanted to play because you are thinking of the next contract, but your side is different . Quite a lot has made the headlines over the last couple of days, the alan shearer thing is one of them. I guess it isjust a different version of events. I have been his big mate for many years, we played golf together, i stayed in his house, he was one of the reasons i moved to newcastle, played for england with him, we were great mates. Sadly, he took over as manager and in the last game we really needed a result at aston villa and i was recovering from a groin injury. He wanted me to play. I still believe i was about a week away from playing, normally. Put this into context, i have probably had more muscle injuries than any other football player, i had more muscle injuries than any otherfootball player, i know had more muscle injuries than any other football player, i know my body and i know when i am a day or two away or a week away. I knew i was still a week away but i said to alan, ithink was still a week away but i said to alan, i think it is best if you put me on the bench, if you need me, throw me on, is iron injured or whatever i will stay in and around the box and hope a chance comes a iand injured the box and hope a chance comes a i and injured or whatever. Somehow in all those chats and, incidentally, he threw me on with a short time to go, somehow he took it that i did not want to play or i was. He has never accused me of feigning injury, but almost i was not prepared to risk my bodyjust in case i got injured. I would have been available to move elsewhere because my contract is almost up. There was huge disappointment that england was relegated from the, personal pride and everything else, and sadly, from my point of view, i feel alan blamed me in many ways, even though i hardly played under his reign, i felt even though i hardly played under his reign, ifelt he blames me for that. That is sad, we were mates for a long period and i have nothing against him, it is almost here that has that. May be a round of golf would sort it out. One of the iconic early moments in your career, i say this as an england fan, the goal against argentina. What was going to your mind . Is it now a blur or do your mind . Is it now a blur or do you remember every millisecond . Your mind . Is it now a blur or do you remember every millisecond . M is pretty much a blur, i had to watch it afterwards to realise what i had done. When you score and are celebrating you have everything coursing through your veins, it was an amazing feeling and i remember getting back onto the halfway line, write, compose yourself, you had just scored. I knew it was a very good goal, i could see the reaction of my fellow players. This was something i could do for the first half of my career. If you asked me to do that from 26 onwards, i did not have the pace and the fearless attitude. The match was so famous for many reasons, including the David Beckham sending off, you have a lot of praise for David Beckham but what was your feeling at the moment . I am just but what was your feeling at the moment . I amjust being honest, i dedicate a few pages and comments to david, saying what a player, what a player, how he manipulated the ball, how he practised and almost perfected that whip, that cross, great lad, but he made a mistake, of course. He got a red card, it was his fault that he did. That is all i had said. He made a mistake, it is ha rd to had said. He made a mistake, it is hard to take because i think we would have gone through, i personally do, we had had 11 men, so of course he made a mistake. That is it, i do not think im saying anything. And also sol campbell . I was full of praise for David Beckham but we all make mistakes. You have a very successful horse racing training at the manor stables, but i know it was harder for you at first finishing with football . |j know it was harder for you at first finishing with football . I am the type of person that needs to think i am the best, or think i can do something well. In the first part of my career, i could look at you and think i can get past you, i am quicker than you and more skilled. That is a great attitude to have almost harms you in later life when your body is letting you down, when iam 28, your body is letting you down, when i am 28,29, your body is letting you down, when i am 28, 29, 30, your body is letting you down, when iam 28, 29, 30, my your body is letting you down, when i am 28, 29, 30, my body is not as quick, the reality is i cannot do it. Then you take the ball off me, that was very painful, you are not the player you were any more. Many people had ta ken the player you were any more. Many people had taken this out of context and said people had taken this out of context and said i hated football, i didnt enjoy it, i didnt. Ijust loved being very good and it was not so nice not being as good. But part of me thinks it is good, it almost helps me retire and move on to future life and i have plenty of things keeping me going with the racing at the football. It is all in the book reboot. 0ut racing at the football. It is all in the book reboot. Out now. Good look at haydock with your runners. That is all the sport for now. Were going to get more on brexit now, as speculation continues about the prospect and timing of a general election all triggered by the latest efforts to thwart a no deal brexit on october 31st. This morning, Jeremy Corbyn is hosting a Conference Call of Opposition Party leaders to discuss their approach to the timing of a general election. All of which means more uncertainty for business. Lets talk to phil mackie, our correspondent whos spending the morning at an engingeering firm in smethwick. What impact is the continuing uncertainty having there . It is affecting everybody. This is a Precision Engineering factory based on smethwick in the West Midlands and most of what they make goes to the domestic market. They make parts for rolls royce and Jaguar Land Rover but they also export to germany, so naturally you would expect them to worry about a no deal brexit and what may happen in the coming months, but this is a strongly leave voting area and a strongly leave voting area and a strongly labour voting area, so interesting to get the views of a member of staff and the acting managing director. Josh, you are a machinist year, 23 years old, you voted leave, probably onlyjust old enough to vote a new years ago, are you still convinced it is right for the country . In the longterm i think it would be the best solution for us. Short term, there will be consequences to leaving the eu, it is big for the country. Anyone who voted leave and did not expect some form of a pro for the first five to ten years, i think was quite naive. Let some form of uproar. What we have seen at the moment with the government, i dont think we expected the shambles it has tentatively with regards to multiple Prime Ministers. Is there a way out at the moment . There is always a way out, but will it be with the current conservative government . out, but will it be with the current conservative government . I am very doubtful. Its an election necessary . Yeah, the idea we were leaving the eu to escape and undemocratically elected governing body and we have now had two Prime Minister is who are not necessarily democratically elected, the hypocrisy speaks for itself. We need a change, big change. Nelson, acting managing director, you voted remain. Do you think we should leave because thatis do you think we should leave because that is what the country voted for . The only fact i cant contest on the other side was that they won the referendum and it was the mandate to leave. I am referendum and it was the mandate to leave. Lam not referendum and it was the mandate to leave. I am not sure what leave means andl leave. I am not sure what leave means and i dont think anybody was ever clear. Ultimately, we will have to leave. You are committed to that, you are running a business, expanding your business, what are your concerns of this uncertainty continues and we have a no deal brexit . Can ijosh about the election . If we get a party in the election . If we get a party in the election at once to remain, what happens to the democratic mandate . Uncertainty, that is what we have, no business like that. Ala supply chain is tied into the International Supply chain but not to the extent of other companies in the area, that must be really worrying for companies. The royal haulage associational tackle chat about potential blockage at ports, that is very concerning. The spindle on the machine behind us comes in overnight from germany, if it is delayed because of tariffs or whatever, the machine is down. Our Customer Base will look elsewhere for other capacity, it is a real concern. Borisjohnson, dealing the right thing . Ask his brother thank you both very much. Differing views. In the interest of balance, we have a remainer and leaver, but the vast majority of people on the shop floor wa nt to majority of people on the shop floor want to leave, they say that is what they voted for. Some of them had not been devoted in any other elections, they feel betrayed if we do not leave the eu, on october the 31st of fairly soon after. Lots of people are probably saying they would a general election but are basically shrugging their shoulders as to what the outcome would be and are not necessarily optimistic about whether it will solve the problems at the moment. Frankie very much, phil mackie. Thank you very much. Well be answering your questions on all things brexit and what could happen next in a bbc ask this. At eleven thirty tis morning well be speaking to Kevin Schofield from the website Politics Home and professor of politics chris hanretty, who should be able tpo answer any questions you might have the Contact Details are on your screen now. It time for a look at the Weather Forecast with simon. Good morning, everyone. We have a rather grey start to the day, outbreaks of rain across much of the uk this morning. Lets look at our weather watcher photo from blackpool. Lots of cloud around. From the satellite picture here you conceal this cloud moving south. We have some breaks in the cloud across scotland and northern ireland, sunny spells breaking through and gradually that sunshine will extend further south. We had some showers for a time across england and wales, more limited toward southern areas this afternoon. Even when we have the sunshine, there is still the risk of showers moving in, maximum temperatures today up to about 16 to 19 degrees. For the cricket at old trafford, raining at the moment, that rain gradually clears. It could last until lunchtime. There is the risk of a shower that it is becoming drier than last night. Temperatures of 16 celsius. Through this evening, the rain clears from the south and for many tonight there will clear spells, just the odd shower. Temperatures around ten or 11, chilly in the north east of england and eastern scotland. Into the weekend, looking largely fine for most of us. This area of High Pressure builds from the south west, if you look at the isobars it houses the winter is coming from a northerly direction, so from the air mass you can see the blues, a chill down the eastern side of england, eastern scotland. For saturday and sunday. Full sunday there will be the show across eastern and south eastern england, some showers cropping up but most of us dry with sunshine. Temperatures generally 16 to 19 degrees, a bit chilly around the north sea coast, 11 to 1a celsius. Going into sunday, this High Pressure extensor bit further across the uk. We have this warm front bringing cloud across Western Areas of scotland, the west of northern ireland. Almost of us, sunday will be fine, lots of sunshine. It will be a start and there could be a touch of ground frost in North Eastern scotland and the north east of england it will bea the north east of england it will be a chilly start. Temperatures getting up to around 16 to 19 degrees later. Some rain this morning but more promising weather if you have outdoor plans over the weekend. Hello, its 10 oclock, im Victoria Derbyshire. Zimbabwes former president Robert Mugabe dies, aged 95. Well talk to the Vice President of the Opposition Party. His legacy shouldnt be detracted by the fact that there were atrocities commissioned and remissions committed. I think today, we must mourn Robert Mugabe. Its the end of a bruising week in the commons for the Prime Minister and his brexit plans. Do you accept that brexit might not happen . No, i dont. Were going to get out. And what we dont want is more pointless delay weve got an audience of mps and voters here in the studio to talk about what happens next, in the last few days before